Murienn, quite a few of the synagogues in the south and west use Shalom Y'all as their motto. My synagogue in Tempe actually sold small posters that said this as a fund raiser, and I had one on my fridge for years! That group sounds like fun... I love Savannah and would like to go back, when I am not under the pressure of boot camp graduation!
Shooting Star, it's funny you used the example of the bars becoming like wallpaper... I hate wallpaper and and we are having all of that removed, too! I went over there after class at the gym (actually felt quite bonked from doing my first step class in 5 months, and it's closer than my house), to see the progress DH has made. All of the appliances are out, new ones coming on Friday. The electrician and plumber came today, to do the line for the gas stove and fix the line for the ice maker. It already feels more like our house, as more and more stuff gets ripped out. DH was starting to rip out the vanities in the bathrooms when I left. We made some initial plans on where to place the couch in the sunroom and the likelihood of having a TV in there, mostly for me to do yoga DVDs. It's a very peaceful room, that overlooks the woods, and will mostly use it for reading, etc. Our big screen will be in the great room.
Raining so hard this morning, now it's thundering. I am praying the hurricane does not hit us directly, after this. DH is leaving for Japan on Sunday, and I've already been through one hurricane while he was texting me pictures of La Morra wine country in Italy! But, it looks like I might get a (cold) ride in on Saturday.