Christmas ready

December 2011

Going from that to this.......

Summer is gone; just like that.

I keep thinking back to May and how I said I was going to enjoy the summer months that loomed ahead.

What happened?

I know what happened-its called LIFE.

This summer I spent hot, miserable and just out of sorts.

no projects were really finished.

I lacked the motivation, the drive and the energy..

 I enjoyed the lake when I could.

I wish I could live there , on the edge, watching seasons turn into one another.

I guess you could say I was in a slump of sorts.

between that and everything under the sun going wrong:.

 truck

hot water tank

new flooring(because of the leaking tank)

mower kicked the bucket

helping my dad

doctor's appt. ( am all straightened out- except to lose some weight)

I wish I could do summer over; enjoy it the way I wanted to;. 

 more beach time, yard sales, and having coffee outside on early weekend mornings.

Now, I am on to this............. Fall.

loving the little bits of sun between rain showers.

watching the leaves fall

wearing sweatshirts

thinking of the holidays

getting back to posting more often

working on projects

enjoying the days

Going from that to this............  

Curbside picking

About a month ago, we were headed home from the store and seen this chair and chaise out near the curb.

Both of them were a little worse for wear. lol

The framing was sturdy so we threw them in the back of the truck and took off up the road.

After a trip to the local lumber store we started cutting boards to make new seating.

 I didn't want to mess around with those crappy looking metal straps/springs, or whatever else you call them.

Then, after a coat of mistint creamy yellow paint($5/gallon)

and new cushions($20/both) from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Stark County .

Everybody loves them. :)

p.s. Thanks to everyone for the birthday emails.

Birthday thoughts

Tomorrow, June 23rd is my birthday.
While others may look at New Year's Eve as a time of reflection; I look at my birthday for doing that.

I feel older.

I believe those words that my grandma used to say ; that time flies as you get older, that you will never get to do over any day.

I can remmber riding in the back seat of their Buick after enjoying my 11th birthday (grandpa always took us for rides in the evening time). My grandma asked if I had a great day. I replied , yes. She said she was glad because honey,you only get one 11th birthday, one time to celebrate that day.

I think of where I have come from, I think about where I want to be, what I want to do.

I miss those that are already gone from my life.
I miss my girls being little and making me homemade, crayon drawn birthday cards.
I miss the world of nursing. I miss taking care of others.
I want to see things and places. I want to walk along the ocean again in my life.
I want a house, a real house.
I want to surround myself with good people- people I love.
I want others to know that even though I may not see them every day, they are thought of.
I want to use my birthdays to make me a better person.

I want Key Lime Pie instead of birthday cake.

No, I haven't

.........forgotten how to blog, that is.
I have so much to tell you .
It seems like the month of May was all  about rain around here.
We didn't get anything planted till Memorial Day weekend.
Then, there was the deck to seal, the patio furniture to paint, the carpets that need steam cleaned( still waiting on that), then here come more rain the past few days.

Today, we came home from Kroger's to find the porch light barely hanging onto the side of the house. I have no clue what happened there. The spare bedroom is still NOT done. All these other things keep needing repaired or replaced.  Maybe its a sign??? This room is going to stay on the back burner for a while.:(

I have stopped at a few yard sales, a few thrift stores and a few more Habitat for Humanity ReStores. There are all kinds of goodies piled up ( in the unpainted spare bedroom, of course). Keeping my fingers crossed that this week goes smoothly and we get caught up, then I will post some pics.

But, I have been reading everyone else's blogs (getting inspiration and calmness in my insane schedule).

Gosh, its hard to believe we are in June already.

~Memorial Day~

Memorial Day-

Never Forgotten,

Forever Honored

Hoping that everyone has a great weekend ahead.

Me vs. The Garden

Right now, the garden is winning.

SOLD!!!

A wonderful blog reader emailed me asking to buy this.

As much as I am in love with dresser; its a little bigger than what I need.

She sent me the $$$$ and tomorrow- its headed to a new home. :)

I wish

I wish that I could wake up in the morning and:
-bedroom/computer area would be cleaned and painted
-dryer vent hose replaced(this girl has laundry to do)
- yard cleaned up
-garden tilled
-decks washed
- patio furniture painted
- flowers planted
I am tired just thinking about it.

Random thoughts

For I remember it is Easter morn,



And life and love and peace are all new born.
~Alice Freeman Palmer

Ham, sweet potatoes, homemade noodles, corn casserole and deviled eggs for Easter dinner.
 
Here is hoping you and your family enjoy the day.

New Stuff

Today has been great!

The weather was warm and..........

 I found something(s) good. 

Am thinking of putting this in the bedroom/ computer/craft room we are

working on.

Yea, its the one I have been working on forever!!

It seems like it takes a backseat to everything else that needs done.

I love the keyholes!

 The small details bring me smiles.

I fell in love with this old frame.

I need some ideas of what to put in it.

The ceiling is going to be white and the walls, Valspar's "Pelican"and the trim( and flooring) Walnut..

I was thinking maybe a very light aqua or turquoise?

Or do you consider those the same color?

GUILTY!!!

I guess I am guilty of having "Boob" lights.

At least thats why I see them being called in blogland.

My options of other lighting are probably slim.

The ceilings are only 8ft. I am 6ft. tall.

Get the picture?? lol

There used to be ceiling fans in a few rooms.

I can tell you from personal experience that trying to put your shirt on over your head and a running ceiling fan do NOT mix.

So, I am guilty as charged.

Anyone got bail money? :)

It's that time of year again.

Reminding you of tips when hitting the yard sales. :)


so here goes.......


1. wear comfortable clothes and shoes. don't wear sandals or flip flops. most sales are in the mornings and there is dew on the grass. you rolling across the yard because your feet slipped in wet shoes is not a pretty picture.


2. okay, #2 has to do with #1. never go to a yard sale in your finest duds or tons of jewelry. you are there to get a bargain. you don't want people just thinking you are a rich tightwad if you are bargaining.


3. don't worry about taking the mercedes out of the garage; drive your hoopty. :) hoopty means your old beater car or truck. I have had people show up in spanking, brand new vehicles and quibble over paying a $1.00 for an item. I figure it like this, if they can drive a brand new vehicle then they can pay the $1.00.


4. take change and lots of smaller bills. by smaller bills I mean one, fives, and tens. please dont go to a yard sale and spend 25 cents , then want to pay with a 20.00 bill. thats so uncouth. lol


5. also, put money in different pockets. I usually carry ones and fives( less than 10.00) in my right hand pants pocket, other bills on the left. that way if I am trying to bargain on an item. I can make it seem like I only have a few dollars left. teehee, it works!!!


6. have sunglasses , you will need them!


7. make a list of all yard sales you are interested in, I take the newspaper, scan the addys, then mark over the sale with a pencil or highlighter with a 1,2,3, etc. in the order of how I am going to them. this prevents you from running back and forth across town.


8. take a marker to mark through them as you have left the sale, it saves on being confused. :)


9. take water, coffee and something to snack on till you are done for the day. :) I usually take an apple, muffins, crackers, etc. you want to have energy all day; nothing like dealing with a cranky shopper at a sale.


10. take a friend yard saling? well, only if they do not like the same things as you do! seeing two ladies who showed up together aggaravated cause they both want the same thing is not a pretty picture either.


11. got a few things that you are looking for? make a list in a handy little notebook. look at it that morning or between sales if you have a far drive.


12. keep window measurements ( or any other measurements) on hand in case you find some great looking curtains or furniture pieces that may or may not fit.


13. small screwdriver and tape measures. you will need screwdriver to check battery compartments or to take legs off a bigger piece. tape measure to see if that perfect table matches up with your measurements( in your handy little notebook)


14. take a small box and some newspapers with you. the small box is for glassware or fragile items in ( or if you are like me , just cause things are little, I lose them. ) and the newspaper to act as padding or to wrap things in.


15. handi wipes are a good thing. you never know what kind of germs you can pick up. let me tell ya, I have went to some scurvy sales and found good stuff. thank goodness I had handi wipes in the vehicle!!


16. don't be an early bird. well, you can go early, wait in the car, unless you see someone else shopping, then RUN over there and check out the goods!!


17. seen something kinda high priced? you may want to make a note of it, especially if they won't bargain with you right then- it may be worth stopping back later in the day. if you make a map in a circle of your home, its easy to backtrack. :)


18. know your community! there is no point in looking for baby or kid stuff in a retirement area.


19. goes with #18... I usually find cool , vintage pieces in a retirement community. those little old ladies think that old scales, suitcases, emb. pillow cases are useless. I picked up vintage aprons for 25 cents each a few years ago. :)


20. don't rely on sizes in clothing. remember most items have been washed( and shrunk)!


21. always open containers. no matter what it says on the outside of the container, they may have used it for something else. you dont want to buy what you think is legos and get home to find hairbands or something else.


22. if you go to a "bag" sale( where everything is like a $1.00 a bag) . take the time to roll clothes OR fold. you will get more goodies in a bag.


23. take a cotton ball for running over the edges of glasses and other pieces. the cotton ball will "catch" on knicks that you might not see by looking.


24. back to battery operated things. always open the battery compartment to make sure it's not corroded.


25. take sticker prices off ASAP. the longer they are there the more stickiness they leave.


26. have a yard sale budget. ( I know that should have been #1)


27. there is nothing wrong with buying used clothes!! Some people turn their nose up at the thought of buying "used" clothing. Consider this: when you go to a hotel, you sleep and use towels that hundreds of other people have dried their naked bodies on etc etc. Even clothes and shoes that you buy brand new in stores may have been tried on by many others. get my point??!!


28. if you see something that you arent sure about, pick it up and carry it around while you continue to look. you will be glad you did.


29. look at things for their potential use. ex.- old boots make great planters, mason jars are great candle holders, etc


30. found something big and cant take it with your right then? make sure you get a receipt!! if it's a dresser or couch (with cushions), then take a drawer or cushion with you. that way no one comes in , offers more money and then all you get for the return trip is your money back. no one is going to offer money for a couch missing a cushion or a dresser minus one drawer. get what I am saying?


31. if you go to a sale and dont see anything you need then don't buy! if leaving a yard sale without buying , smile and politely say, "I dont see anything I need. I hope you have a great sale today".


32. leave animals and small kids at home. I know you are thinking , who would bring a dog. but I have seen it happen., I love dogs but not all people do. I sure don't want to be trying to shop with someones dog wrapped around my leg or licking me. YUK!


33. Park as close to the sale as possible - but not in or in front of anyone's driveway. Beware of fire hydrants and "no parking" signs. I've seen plenty of folks ticketed at tag sales. They're cash bonanzas for police departments.


34. Avoid the trap of unmarked items. The seller is looking for you to make an offer. Some sellers actually mark items as "make an offer." Never volunteer a price before the seller tells you their price. It often is less than you would have offered to begin with.


35. Keep in mind upcoming birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. You can often find very nice gifts at garage sales. They are especially good places to buy Christmas ornaments and decorations.


36.Keep in mind that it's so easy to resell items on eBay. If you see someone selling something you know is worth much more, consider buying it to resell. (that's what I did with the vintage aprons).


37. For sales that are being held on both Saturday and Sunday, go on Saturday — there’s not likely to be anything good left on Sunday, and the people holding the sale might be sick of it after the first day and not even have the sale on the second day. i love the ones that start on thursdays or fridays. most people are working these two days and that means more bargains for me!


38. yard sale day and its raining?? look for inside sales, garage sales, etc. some people won't bother going. that means another day of good baragins for me!! lol


39. look for plants and starters. I have got lots of things ( especially perennials) for less than $1.00 each at sales. it's a great, inexpensive way to add to your landscape.


40. take pictures of your goodies when you get home. we want to ooh and awe over your goodies with you!




I am so glad it's nearly yard sale time again! I'd love to hear your yard sale suggestions!

Input Appreciated ;)

It seems like finding projects to do around here are the norm.
I got a table yesterday that I am planning on using outside on the deck.
It may need  changed  up a little. :) I will get a picture of it real soon.
Have you seen any great DIY outdoor decorating ideas?? Got any in your faves ?.
The deck is small (8 ft x 10 ft.) so I don't really have room for huge patio sets, fire rings and alll that kind of  stuff.

Don't mind the furniture setting on it- those pieces are gone. We gave them away on Freecycle.

I want to paint the two wood chairs( one chair and one chaise) on the deck. But what color?? I know, I don't have a picture of them either, right now. Just imagine a wood chaise and chair. :)
They also need new cushions. Seen any great deals on them??

Pretty Storage

Found these at Dollar General (liners included).



My closet has never looked so good. :)

Thrift Store Lamps

Brushed Nickel floor lamp $6.99

 

Chunky wood base lamp $2.99

 

Cottage style bedside lamp $.7.98(for two)

Weekend Project

The cabinet a few days ago...

In case you missed that post; I got this for $20.00. :)


One day of painting, distressing, staining, painting some more, sanding, etc.. etc.
You get the picture. lol



Latches and hinges were done in oil rubbed bronze paint..
Paint color is BH&G's, "Autumn Maze" .

I think the "after"pic looks a little stark.

So sorry, but its late AND dark.
I used the flash and snappped away. :)

D.B. project

aka, "Diaper Box project"
I love , love, love this idea!!!
Hoping to find some diaper boxes somewhere.

This blogger has some really great ideas. :)

Stop over at POSITIVELY SPLENDID to get the directions( and check out some of her other ideas too). :)

Glad I bought'em

Pillowcases from BH&G in the clearance aisle at Walmart.
$3.00/king size pair

Loving the little bag they came in with the snaps.

Also picked up an oblong white linen table cloth for $2.50.



Glad I bought'em.

The pillows got a makeover.

2 Things

This is an old door that was setting out in front of West Main Antiques.
You know I had to stop and ask the price.
Guess what??!!
He told me if I wanted,take it!!
FOR FREE!!!


I am so loving the chippy green paint.
Its a perfect piece to add somewhere in the yard this summer.


Another find from the same store.
No, not free, but good enough for me.
This measures 48 " wide x 72" h x 12" d

$20.00!!!

Thank you sir!! I will take it home with me!


What do you think-paint it??

Indecision....

The weather is cold and snowy. I know we can't change it , but we can count down the days till Spring. :)
While its miserable outside; I have been puttering around the house.
-The master bedroom is painted
-Still need to hang curtains
-Got night stand lamps today at a thrift store
-Also picked up a small lamp to set on top of the dryer. had an electric candle, but this is so much better. :)
- Need to make new throw pillow covers for the living room
-Second bedroom is still in remodeling phase( the same as it has been for months). :(

The last couple weeks I have been lacking in motivation.


Things I have done; I am just not 100% satisfied with.

Needing some ideas of what to set on the shelves. Right now, its just folded up napkins. (blah)Though not very original; it did look completely bare when I took down the pictures..

Black star was in my stash pile, white plate from some junk a neighbor was getting rid of.
Rusty wire cloche was a thrift store find, $1.00.

Distressed "H".



The rest of the letters.

Not sure I am liking this..........

Stay tuned.

Enjoying the snow

Enjoying the snow, cleaning house and changing things up just a bit. :)