Debbie Travis' Facelift - Tales From The Set

Letter From Debbie

Hello Everybody;

Many years ago, I was asked to design and paint the inside of a synagogue. This great venture is one I never forgot; it was the group meetings with the female Jewish committee that were so memorable.

This lively group of seniors had an opinion on everything. When Dahna contacted us about doing a Facelift for her beloved in-laws, another unforgettable experience began to unfold.

When we moved into Jack and Claire's home without their knowledge, I was not too surprised to be inundated with advice from their huge family and many friends. What a clan they were!

They originally were told that this was a surprise 40th anniversary party for the couple, but I told them the truth on the first day. Thanks to Dahna, Jack and Claire's enthusiastic daughter-in-law, their home was really getting a full facelift. (I was still being asked four days later about the anniversary party.)

The clan jumped in with both feet, backing Dahna's enterprising plan to the hilt, but also full of opinions of their own on what colors were best and how the kitchen should be organized.

They nagged me to death throughout the Facelift, but they also all helped out, kept us in delicious homemade snacks and had us all screaming with laughter.

I will never forget their faces when this lovely couple walked through their front door. Claire's expression was filled with shock as she could not understand how she had just watched me on TV the night before and here I was in her home. And Jack, well he mumbled something about four days for the next few hours

He just could not get over how much work we had done in such a short space of time. We all had four wild and wacky days, and, thankfully, the makeover was also a huge success

Lots of love,
Debbie

Letter From Claire

Dear Debbie,

What can I say? You lifted my spirits sky high. I had had such a depressing winter. My Mother had died and I missed her terribly. When our kids told us they were sending us off to New York to celebrate our birthdays and upcoming 40th wedding anniversary, I was hesitant to go. I wasn't in the mood. However, how can you refuse such a thoughtful gift? So off we went.

When we returned on Sun. night and opened the front door, I thought we were in the Twilight Zone. Standing in my kitchen doorway were these tall guys with cameras and the house did not look like ours. I am a beige and taupe person and here I saw lilac and coral. Candles were burning. I turned to my husband and said "I think we're in the wrong house." My brain was completely paralysed. I knew this was my house but I couldn't comprehend what was happening. When I first saw the cameras I thought , "Oh it's a surprise party for us but then when I saw the house I didn't know what to think."

Then suddenly this beautiful face appeared and said, "How do you like it?" I recognized you, Debbie, because I had just seen you on T.V. in New York the night before. After that, all I could say was "Oh my G-d!" over and over and over and over again.

Suddenly from downstairs came our friends and family. I'm told they were very helpful but also kept you on your toes worrying about me and what my reaction would be.

The house is beautiful! You and your team did a magnificent job. We were long overdue to do some renovating, but there was so much to be done we didn't know where to start, so we just didn't.

It took us a week to come down off Cloud #9. All week at breakfast Jack kept walking around the kitchen with his cereal bowl looking for his kitchen table. I could not get over the transformation. We are the celebrities in our neighborhood. Everyone is talking about this.

I love the kitchen and have been busy cooking and baking and have started to do some entertaining again, something I haven't done in a long time. The coral dining room took awhile to get used to but I love it now.

We are so lucky to have such a great daughter-in-law who thinks so highly of us to have gone to the trouble of sending you her magnificent letter. I am truly blessed to have great children and beautiful grandchildren. We have also been blessed with a wonderful family and amazing friends. I feel that we have won the 6/49. My only regret is that my Mother didn't live to see this. She would have been so happy for us.

Thank you so much Debbie for choosing Dahna's letter. You have a great team! To have accomplished so much in only 4 days is truly a miracle.

Best wishes to you all for continued success,

Love,
Claire

P.S. We're ready for a sequel anytime you are. It could be called "The In-laws Revisited." Our basement could sure use your expertise.