Friday, July 31, 2009

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Interactive Thursday

I was a little panicked this morning realizing that tomorrow is Thursday and last week's "I T" was such a success I ... Oh wait Oprah has Carrie Underwood on and she is THE most darling thing-seriously! Beautiful and why won't my hair do that? And I love when she closes her eyes to sing and they do a closeup on her face and I try to memorize her eye makeup, except that my 48 year old lids are not quite gonna show it off the same way, unless I close my eyes quite a bit when I talk, slow blink or something. But I think people would be so distracted by how wierd that looks that they wouldn't actually appreciate the creative layers of colored pressed powder. I guess it really only makes sense if you are singing or praying, but walking up to a friend and falling quickly into "Our Father" or something is kind of bizaar and then they close their eyes because of the reverance and all, thus defeating the purpose...so I guess I should call for voice lessons, well, after Interactive Thursday anyway.

Ok, so I'm making headway on the painting and have the fence up to keep the Mooch at a safe distance and my cell phone is in the basket on the counter for financial reasons. My challenge will be the patience to let the paint dry REALLY well before I put the doors back on. You know, I will be all impatient about seeing the whole look and then the doors will stick to the frames and though beautiful, it kind of cuts back on the storagability when you can't actually open the kitchen cabinets, which would totally save on the grocery bill, but D and the pitcher that visits regularly and thinks this is a filling station for his 6'5" self, would be all fussy about the lack of food I guess. So, I am going to wait 3 days before hanging the doors and another 2 days before closing them, or less.
OK, remember "interactive Thursday" means reader participation and I already know 2/3rds of my followers are in Colorado so feel free to leave several comments and opinions, there will be room for sure. I found these fabric samples of www.fabric.com and need some feedback, because left to me, I would just order 3 yards of each and decide later. Kind of defeats the whole spending freeze makeover goal, so I should limit my selections to the best ones.




That's where you come in...so interact friend. Just call them 1 through 10, top to bottom or describe them, like swirly blue or stripes etc...I am planning on a slipcover for the sofa, window coverings, table runner, throw pillows etc... Anything less than 12 choices is a savings from my perspective!

And the lamps...I am thinking about this...But the question is, what do you think? Remember D had that ONE opinion about not liking the white, so I will have to consult him as well, since he is apparently, and no one is more surprised than me, a lamp person. After 28 years, he still has me on the edge of my seat.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Wrong little boy leaves for Colorado!



Dot is taking the Deeds to Colorado tomorrow...for A WHOLE WEEK! I used to think that family vacation was the best idea ever. Only now there is this other family and well, let's just say D and I have our suitcases packed because we are pretty sure they will be surprising us with our own plane tickets any moment now. So if you could just keep the calls to our house to a minimum for the next 24 hours you know just to keep the line free for the big surprise! Anyway, the freedom from the phone should give your family plenty of time to get used to the idea of adopting a DOG! (Yes I am yelling) Because "Mr. No-longer-cute" is now also known as "Mr. No-longer-sweet! either. I am not going to go so far as to actually post on the internet that I ran screaming after him "Bad Dog! Bad Dog!" Though I wouldn't blame someone who did, especially since it was me.
I decided to take yet another step in the "point of no return" path I am on in the kitchen makeover by choosing one cabinet to sand and primer and maybe even paint later today. I removed the doors yesterday, took them to the backyard and sanded them, but today I sanded the frame and painted one coat of primer on the cabinet after cleaning out the Deeds' finger paints and a couple of bottles of craft glue (remember this fact). So far so good. Then I thought through the idea of painting the doors outside for the heat and ventilation and decided the little "crew cut" pooch might brush up against them with the only hair he has left. So I brought them into the kitchen table and went to work with the primer. While waiting for them to dry, I went to the garage to work embroidery business and cut and number Beth Moore tickets, because 17 projects going at the same time is just how I roll. But within a few minutes I heard a disturbing sound coming from inside. Disturbing sound is code for "cabinet doors banging around on the table". MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!!!!!!!!! Disturbing sound is followed by many disturbing sights! In order.
First... dog footprints on the doors. Now forensics has yet to do a match, and the Mooch swears he has 4 paws and claims that with only 2 foot prints in the paint it could not have been him,

but he's only 5 in dog years and I remember the compulsion at that age to tell what ever self-preserving fibs necessary, well for...self preservation. Of course with the back log in all that CSI stuff, I'm not waiting for the results, a mother knows these things. In this house you are guilty until proven innocent! So...disturbing sight #2...RED fingerpaint container missing from table and found near the living room...not a room scheduled for makeover soon, but red would now be a really convenient choice for the tile and carpet. Honestly I thought plastic squeeze bottles for finger paints was such a good idea, except now that I see that the plastic can easily be penetrate by a canine's canines...not such a good idea. And lest we forget about the glue bottles, (yep plastic), or think that the family room was somehow left out of the disturbance...well, you get the picture. Though there was a propondrance (sp) of evidence on the plastics including some saliva DNA (I'm not paying for testing), the Mooch sat with his head cocked to one side and I sure he was saying "I know Mom, what a disaster, huh! How did this happen to us?" me.."yes, well maybe we need a guard dog, and I'm thinking one that doesn't HAVE A RED BEARD AND WHISKERS THAT ARE GLUED TOGETHER!!!" When he's done hiding from me, perhaps I will return him to the parlor where I am sure they will look at his "matted face" and ask if they should just trim up to his earlobes or something. Bottom line...I think the Deeds should stay here and the Mooch should hop on the next flight out of town, maybe Colorado!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Legomyosamabinlego



I am not sure it is entirely necessary to have an Osama Bin Ladan Lego. I mean I guess if you are into war games and all, it might come in handy. When I complained a little bit at a family dinner last night, I was encouraged to see Legos as a reflection of the whole world, not just my own family. Well, ok, but there are no Legos reflecting any other ethnic or religious group. No yamikas, no sombreros, no nun's habits, no big hair from Texas, no corn rows like Jamaica, so I'm leaning towards a political statement from the pulse of Legoland. Now, the girls reminded me that we longer hair types, wrap up our heads in a towel after a shower. And then just as I thought I might get all caught up in this dilemma, God showed me there are worse things...like finding you cell phone in the garbage disposal. Seriously I have no idea! I kept thinking I was hearing it ring last night, but looked towards the kitchen counter and didn't see it, so I figured I was just hearing things. I was tidying up the kitchen this morning anticipating that the Fire Dept might just return my husband to me after working the equivalent of 2 weeks (80 hours) in just 3 1/2 days and was rinsing out the sink, poured a little lemon juice down the drain and flipped the switch on the disposal and heard...well you can imagine. I never in a million years suspected it to be my cell phone. But it was. I have hope. It's sitting in the window sill drying out and I have every intention of putting it back together because really what is more ridiculous, Osama the Lego or a cell phone in the garbage disposal?

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Garage sale and Mod Podge

Me and Dell, dang...Dell and I, (sorry Mrs. ??, dang again, I'm too old to remember any of my English teachers? double dang) Anyway, we happened to be blopping last night after the extended painting of primer coat #2 and I did think more than once...I kinda liked the red. Anyway, we came across a project that was so darned cute and it was called Mod Podge. Diversonal thought...can I just say I love bloggers! Because they are totally about showing something dang cute and then telling you where they got the idea and how to do it yourselves. No kit to buy, do downloading or instructions, just pics and and a whole lot of "you can do it!" And I know the entrepreners ( I think there is a "u" in there somewhere, but whatever) of the world would call them crazy for giving away their secrets instead of selling them, but I would call them just plain nice, generous and all about the bloggin' relationship. Ok...Mod Podge, which I have been calling Mog Podge...oops. Here is a sample.



So this morning I woke up all saturated in inspiration from the blopping session with Dell and hit the garage sales. Div thought...did you know the local paper has a link on the net where you can see each garage sale on a map, select the ones you want to visit and then print out a list of directions from home to one sale, then the next, and on and on. Anyway, I was looking for some potential Mod Podgee things, went to a sale at house we lived in during the late '80's (think big bangs and flourescent colors, acid washed jeans) and bought these 3 pieces for $9.00 total.









Watch for future makeover pics. I found this cabinet door for 50 cents to practice my paint/stain-over technique before I try it on my own kitchen doors. These two vases, just because they fit the color pallette,two canvases either for Dot's great room or just to use as a frame for another idea I saw, $1.00 each. A set of black canisters for the new kitchen (never owned canisters before this), but will probably do something on the fronts to liven them up a bit...more after pics ahead ($1.00), a couple of plastic shoe boxes with lids for organizing. BTW the guy had 60 of them and said he used them to store herbs...??....I didn't ask. Anyway, one single wine glass because we have 3 and every once in a while 4 people want a glass of wine and it just doesn't seem the same from a coffee mug. I am sticking all this project stuff in an upstairs bedroom behind a closed door hoping D never finds it because first he's not a "stuff" guy and second it represents a "to do" list and we've already talked about the heart attack that can cause an already stressed out guy, who by the way worked 24 hours Friday, mandated to work today another 24 hours, working tomorrow another 24 hours and has to stay over for a tour to review a fire from last fall another 8 hours. That's 80 hours straight. He'll be home Monday evening for dinner, then back to the FD on Tuesday....He is my hero, but I miss him. Of course, it dawns on me that he hates to paint so there could be something fishy going on...think I'll just go ahead and splurge, he deserves a new toothbrush today too.

Doesn't everyone?

Because when you are raising your own kids they are tougher, but when its your grandchild, every precaution must be taken! So when you hit the Lego jackpot and buy somebody's $75.00 souveneir set from Lego Land, which was a castlesomething they "Had to Have" but you find it at a garage sale for "make me an offer" ok "how about $2.00?" and they say "sold" you must run screaming like the IKEA shopper lady to the get-away vehicle "start the car, start the car"! Only I was alone, so I was yelling on the inside to myself and running away quickly, bag in hand looking over my shoulder expecting the garage sale seller to be shouting after me, "wait, I didn't mean the whole bag of legos!" Too late, yes you did just give away the farm!





So, yes I soaked every single piece in hot soapy water first, then scrubbed each (yes huh!) with my own toothbrush. Diversional thought (not delusional, though possibly also appropriate) ...I have always wondered how you know when its time to replace your toothbrush, I mean other than what the toothbrush company says (possible conflict of interest, or the dentist, who I think could possibly be in cohoots with the tb company) . It dawns on me that July 25th, today might be a good day to purchase a new one!


As they are drying I have gone through to pull any inappropriate pieces out. Yes huh, there are inappropriate legos. Here are two "scary faces" which will not make the cut. The guy on the far left is a questionable character. If its red hair, he is in, but if those are flames, he is out. Really, how many nightmares could head on fire cause, A LOT! Then there are these guys, three headed something and pig faced guy. I may put them away incase we ever study the book of Revelation together, using Lego props, because isn't every toy a bible story waiting to be played out? But they aren't going to be in the general Lego supply. I was also so pleased to discover Papa and DD in with all the different Lego guys and that the heads come off and can go on different bodies so that we can have a little change of wardrobe every once in a while and have different jobs. Ok, now only 3 more hours until the little guy comes over...just enough time to dry this jackpot with my blowdryer on the high/sanitizing setting. What? Doesn't everybody?




Thursday, July 23, 2009

No return-There's a point!

Ok, so Dann and I sanded the edges where 2 layers of red made a ridge on both edges of where the border was. Except the sanding made it smoother than the texture on the wall I think. I mean its difficult to tell whether it just feels smoother or it looks smoother in spots. So I decided to paint it attempting to get it all one color so I can tell whether repainting will cover the area evenly or the walls will need texture.
So I bought new roller covers and got everything out and ready and then realized that the covers were 9" and the roller frames are 6"-Dang! So brushing it is and about 15 minutes into the primer I realized I am at the point of NO RETURN.
Committed to a kitchen makeover. Yikes! I am not committment phobic or anything, but I am hoping so badly I can pull it off and it turns out more than just made over, but beautiful. You know like I DO NOT want a "trading spaces" makeover look. Drastic and ingenious in the dramatic transformations, but honestly not often very attractive in the long run I don't think. (Sorry TLC!) But I have to give 'em some credit, I mean $27.93 and 30 minutes is a pretty tall order. I also have been trying to do each project in the most sensitive way possible considering D's work schedule and the extra amount of pressure he is already under. He is self admittedly "obsessive" about projects. As soon as they make the "to do" list, he wants them done and crossed off. Can I just say this can be and I mean barring PMS or a wrong attitude, this can be such a great asset. Me on the other hand- totally enjoy the process. Work a little, stand back and admire a little, work a little more, you get the picture. So to keep his "to do" list clean, I am trying to start the next phase and get it all cleaned up before the next sighting of him so that he comes home unable to help and like it's all cleaned up for the day. Possibly a little codependence on my part, but if I can keep things tidy and everything in its place in the midst, so much the better for my overworked spouse. Tomorrow, he's on for 24...I am expecting big things. He will be rolling around town saving lives and such, me rolling around the kitchen with paint...now really does the excitement even compare?

Interactive Thursday

That's right, today is "interactive Thursday". That means that all (that's right all 3 of you) who regularly visit are needed today to help me with a couple of things.


First, black and white are fun, but is there such a thing as too much black and thus a decorating style can become "gothic" rather and updated? BTW how do you girls get your pictures to come up at different points in your blogs. Mine load at the top only?? WAIT-Thanks Cristin,I DID IT! Anyway,
I am ready to paint something else and have been eyeballing the forest of oak legs this table represents. Dot questioned whether the spray paint would actually hold up under the scrubbing and food etc on the top, but I was wondering about the legs.
Waddaya think? These 2 1/2 cans of spray paint are begging to be used, but I also have these lamps that are primered over some kind of fake brassy gold, which I was totally into in the last century, but were kind of getting on my nerves like "shiney metal on lamps" will do from time to time, or every time I walk in the room lately.
D says he doesn't like the white, which means "HE HATES THE WHITE" because he never criticizes anything except umpires and drivers on the road, so that is saying A LOT. And by the way, I was thinking I would cover these shades in one or the other, except that I think that might be out of order and limit my sofa covering. I never used to call a couch a sofa until I had one meeting 20 years ago with Cynthia (not cindy) from Ethan Allen when I learned that sofa sounded so much more...well "Ethan Alleneee". My grandma used to say Divan, or Devan, emphasis on the van. Where did that come from? headed to google next to check it out. BTW yesterday's border removal wore me out! Turns out the border people lie about easy application and removal, unless that only applies to say the first 5 years and its not a lifetime guarantee. Note: it is easier to paint around the border when you want to change the wall color and not the already out of date border, but removing the border now....what to do with two coats of paint on most of the wall and only one under the border? Yes it does show! Sand? Primer and retexture! So much for an easy change. Alright, so interact and live the rest of your day knowing someone asked you for decorating advice, which means adding "decorating consultant" to your resume is perfectly justified!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Grieving the loss...




I love Shih Tzus. Here I am on round two, having withstood the enormous pressure to "rescue" a canine, and instead paid the bigger bucks for my favorite darling pooch, "Mooch". I do believe that was a rescue of somekind however, since he was already born and all, he needed a home as much as the next pup, so anyway. What I love most of all is that cute Ewok kind of face framed by those big fluffy ears. I am not into the long hair all over and all the combing and the bow on top of the head thing. Let those that are go ahead, but Dell and I have much too much to experience together to leave enough time for combing the dog. I am lucky to get a comb through my own fur once a day, the dog just doesn't make it that far up the priority list. But I do go for the once a month trip to the dog parlor (my dog not me) for a bath, trim and a little spray of dog cologne. Diversion...can't quite picture the lab (as in laboratory, not Laborador) that got the grant to test and discover a scent perfectly suited for canines but glory to the one who convinced somebody to fund that experiment! Anyway, back to the grief thing. When I took the Mooch in yesterday for his monthly day at the dog spa, I told them his ears were kind of matted, which is code for "really matted but I don't want you to think I expect you to charge me more". They responded, "do you want us to just trim them up to his earlobes?" I am totally ignorant about a dog's earlobes, which turns out to be bad news for both of us. "Sure, I said" thinking I was giving them permission to take care of the mats without charging me more and without the embarrasing reveal-I don't know where his earlobes are exactly. Turns out his earlobes are attached to the side of his tiny little head, duh! like ours. I guess I assumed that they dangled at the bottom of his long ears. Well, at least I thought they were long ears. Apparently, the long part of his ears was the hair and mats. D (a southern husband) and the Deeds went together to pick him up from the parlor and when they got home I shrieked. I mean mostly on the inside because as a mother of 3 and now grandmother, I have learned the required self control when seeing your child look alarmingly weird and not reacting in a way that will damage their self esteem or scare them into their own shrieking fit, or in this case bark! My darling dog does not even resemble himself. I am so glad nearly all mirrors in our house are above the human waist (not waste, though also true) level so that he doesn't yet know how darling he is not anymore. I am trying to love him just the same and stop saying "I love you even though you are ugly now", out loud anyway. So, here is the dog makeover picture, which I must say is even difficult to post. But I know one of the steps of grief is acceptance, I hope it is the last step and doesn't last until the long grows back on his ears. I feel like the Deeds, when he told Papa to shave his mustache back on! Which makes me wonder if they might have saved all that hair, you know to donate or something and I could make him a hairpiece...because you know, I would be the one needing a little hair PEACE!

An empty nester and Dell!




So Dann is working A LOT! and I am finishing up month #2 as an empty nester. Dell, (laptop) has found a comfortable place on exactly that...my lap. If I could just move the coffee pot to my end table and have a port a potty close by, I would probably just become one with this 25 year old recliner. And I am in BLOG HEAVEN! Not my own, but skipping around the country reading what people with a real life and summer activites are doing...I am getting the whole "net" part of internet. I am loving my southern blogger friends Big Mama and Boo Mama and the Nesting Place. I don't care if they know nothing of my existance, they are a hoot even if it is only one way communication! And seriously what happens on any given day however mundane just sounds like more fun with a Southern accent.



Anyway, with all this time on my hands I have been blopping (blog hopping) all over DIY bloggers that have gotten me inspired to just do the thing! I am just plain tired of waiting for the $150,000 to remodel my home. You know, don't even replace a old or broken thing, because one thing will lead to another and that broken tile will end up costing, well $150,000! So, my lovely Dot, (Daughter) says before and after pics are a must, not sure how Dell and I will get those from the recliner but it's a respectable goal.






So today, Wednesday is the day to finish yesterday's border removal in the kitchen, which has been RED and I have loved it, loved it, loved it...until I looked at it last week and hated it. So off with the border and on with perhaps 14 coats of primer to cover the red, before the new color goes on. But D (all respectible southern bloggers call their husbands by their first initial) is off the the FD today, which means 24 hours of whatever scrubbing a 48 year old bicep can handle on the border. Why is it that when you are applying wallpaper, it resists the wall as if it could never adhere and like the wrong two sides of a magnet, but come at it 20 years later and it has such seperation anxiety surgical tools are required?


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Decorating blogs a plenty + make over itch
















The new palette






I guess a home makeover without pictures isn't really a make over...But believe me, "pointer" is a little fatigued after all the spray painting and unfortunately it is pointer that also much press the camera button. So...lacking a bit in before pics, here is "re-decorating" on a dollarish- Harper style.

Monday, July 20, 2009

How Great...Truly

I read this early this morning. It was difficult not to sing song it in my mind, but instead I turned down the music in my heart to a soft instrumental background and just slowly prayed the words. What a great way to start another be-a-u-ti-ful California July morning! Who wants to keep an experience like that a secret so... I thought I'd share these powerful truths with you...

Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars and hear the rolling thunder
Your power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee
How Great Thou Art
How Great Thou Art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee
How Great Thou Art
How Great Thou Art

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,And then proclaim:
"My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Yes Lord, How Great Thou Art!