The Birthday Girls

This weekend I was lucky enough to spend it with some of my favorite girls on the planet. My peeps from MN and I met in the middle in the exotic city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ooooo....you say. I know, right! Sun and sand and...wait....not in Sioux Falls. But we did have thrift stores and pedi's and bead class and FOOD. What more could sister chicks want? Not much, in my opinion. It was the weekend closest to their birthdays and we couldn't think of a better way to spend it than together. Of course my pictures are somewhat lacking....shocking I know....but I did get a couple of group shots that I love.
These women are amazing. Really, they are. I'm not sure why they let me hang out with them, but I am so thankful that they do. Ms. Nae, she is an athlete at heart. She inspires us to reach beyond what we think we are capable of and be amazing like her...at least we try. Her type A tendencies keep us on time and scheduled....and laughing the whole way. She is a farm girl and tough as nails. She sets the bar high enough for us to have to reach...but not so high that failure is imminent. Ms. Heather has mad wizard skills. She is our go-to girl for all things organized, out-going and off-the-wall. She is just crazy enough to get the job done. Seriously....she isn't afraid of anything. She will talk to anyone, try anything and follow any of us off whatever bridge we are jumping from.....loyal to the core. Being around these girls makes me happy. So happy in fact, that even today....I can still feel the effects of the weekend laugh-fest. So as I count my blessings today, I start with my friends....and I am SO blessed to have MANY friends....and these two...well, they have my heart.

Before, During and After

I have been searching Craigslist for the last 3 months or so looking for the perfect piece of furniture to go in my entryway. It couldn't be too big....and it couldn't be too small. It had to be just right. I looked at pieces like this.....

And a lot like this.....
A few like this.....
Until I found this picture. I loved the color and size of this piece. I loved the drawers and the cupboards too. It has a pretty skirt at the bottom and nice legs. Now if I could just find one in my price range. I didn't want to pay a fortune for this.....after all I would probably definitely be painting it. I looked in thrift stores and on Craigslist for months, until one day.....
This baby was posted on Craigslist a mere 20 minutes from my house. I called on it right away as I was just sure that she was perfect. I traded my car to Jim for the use of his trusty pick-up for the day and set out. When I got to the swank neighborhood that mapquest guided me too, I was afraid I'd been led astray. Usually family heirlooms like this, in "hoods like this, were out of my price range for sure. Luckily I was wrong. I found the house and was led in and introduced to Ivy. Yes, I've named her. She was sitting in a corner of a HUGE dinning room and looked quite happy to see me. The couple that was readying themselves to part with sweet Ivy was really cute. See, they were moving to Denver and didn't have room in their new place for such a treasure AND the hubby informed me that it just didn't "go with their place". OK....and score for me then. They had already turned down one buyer who wanted to "ruin the integrity of the piece" and turn my Ivy into a bathroom vanity, complete with a sink. Gasp! "No way!" I said in an offended voice. Who on earth would want to change such a perfect piece of furniture as this? Of course I fully intended on making Ivy over to help her to fit in with my other furniture finds....but I wasn't about to tell Mr. & Mrs. Scarypants that. Oh no, my friends....I wanted Ivy for my own. So of course when they told me of their trip to pick up Ivy from his Grandma's house back in the 60's I was respectfully impressed. I even wished them well as we loaded up my prize.
Of course upon getting Ivy home the first thing to go were these ugly priceless dingleberry drawer pulls. You don't even want to know what my 17 year old daughter compared them too. I blush just thinking about it! Who taught her to think for herself anyway.....curses.....Under the dreaded dingleberries there were the old locks. They didn't work with the skeleton key that came with Ivy (it works on the doors though!) so I didn't feel bad about covering them up again.
As I started to clean Ivy and prep her for paint....I did start to worry. What if I mess up this beautiful piece of furniture. After all Mr. & Mrs. Scarypants said it is solid burled walnut....crap. So I went to consult a professional. There is a store in my town, Weathered and Worn. It is the most amazing Mecca of vintage and new that any girl has a right to behold in one dwelling. I called upon Sue, master furniture painter. She told me (for a very reasonable fee) that she would paint my treasure and I'd not have to stress out over it. We agreed that a warm white with a dark top would indeed be heavenly and I left her to it. She took the doodads off the front of the doors. I am thinking about using them on the sides.....
The next day I got a call from Sue who informed me that it wasn't solid walnut, but a nice thick veneer. Still worthy of the price I paid but not so precious that a little paint would ruin some one's eternal peace. So she continued on....and she did a wonderful job. She left the door pulls on, thinking the wood knobs would do it for me....Not so much. I bought a couple to try and settled on the round knob from The Big Orange Store.
Jim is even coming around. To him....you don't buy old junk and you NEVER paint a nice wood piece of furniture. But truth be told....he is starting to like Ivy...really, he is.
I think she was worth all the time and effort searching and the price paid for the final result was worth every penny.
She has some beautiful flaws "character additions" that are still visible and I love them.
She is holding her age just as well as before. But she has gone from a piece of furniture that I liked a lot, to one that I will be passing on to my grandchildren one day. She is sturdy and beautiful....
One last reminder of before.....
And Ivy in all her newness. What a gem!

The Cheese Touch

So apparently my daughter has The Cheese Touch. If you don't know what that is....you need to rent Diary of a Wimpy Kid. If you don't have any 6 years old boys hanging out at your house, you might want to rent one of those too. It just makes the movie that much better. Trust me. So I have so much to tell you....first off....while I was in Utah for my Dad's wedding my daughter's fish died. Not her favorite fish, Juno, but her newest fish, Leah. Leah was sweet and unassuming. She just loved to swim and eat....and little else. Somehow poor, sweet Leah got sucked up into the filter thingie and not being a small fishy, she got stuck and passed on. Sad for Leah...but REALLY sad for my baby, who, like her Grandma Connie, has a very tender heart where her pets are concerned. Fast forward to this morning when I get the frantic cry for help from the basement. Apparently, Juno decided she just couldn't go on without her pal Leah and swam under the filter thingie and became lodged there.....stuck by the suction. When I arrived on the scene Juno was still gasping. Hoping to save her we acted quickly and moved the suckie thingie and Juno swam free.....only to turn upside down, gasping and trying to right herself. It was a morbid scene and I decided I'd better put Juno out of her misery before my sweet baby suffered any more trauma. So I did it. I had to flush a still wiggly fish to it's eternal resting place. Does that make me a monster? I sent my girl back to bed where the dogs and I joined her for a quick therapy session. The dogs tried to console her with their foul breath and wet noses....and it did seem to lessen the sting of Juno's betrayal. I went up and made my baby some cocoa and toast (a quick cure for a broken heart) and sent her off to school. Now I must decide how bad I want to fix this for her. Do I rush out and buy a couple new fish (and a better suckie thingie) or do I wait and let the dust settle, our hearts mend and then go find some more future floaters? Do things in your life seem to fall apart all at once.....or do you get to face your life's tragedies one at a time?

Pretty in Blue

Before I moved into this house, this is what the laundry room looked like. Unfortunately this is the best "before" shot I have. I say unfortunately because the washer and dryer didn't stay with the house. hahahaha As we moved in I knew I'd be changing this room. In fact back when I made-over my last laundry room I already knew what my next laundry room would look like. When we chose this house, with it's open floor plan and designer paint colors....the laundry room was less than a thrill. But with my vision in place, I knew it would become girly and fabulous.
So, I started with the paint color. My sweet hubby started the process of painting for me. Since he was here for the closing and before our stuff was delivered....he jumped right in.
Then the fabulous in-laws came to visit. Hub's Dad always likes to have something to do. Small projects are his specialty. I can't tell you how many light fixtures he has changed for us and he's changed out just as many faucets too. This time I needed him to help DH change the light fixture and add some much needed cabinets.
So, (almost) all said and done....girly and fabulous times ten! I love it. It is a small space with a big window. So along with the beautiful warm glow from the chandelier, the room is filled with lots of natural light as well.
Picture this pretty valance up over the top of the window. It is on it's way....but as with all good things....this took some doing.
A peek to the left.....
My newly-started L collection....you know Laundry...or Lori....whichever....
And a peek to the right....baskets on top for extra storage.
This "laundry" sign was actually the jumping off point or inspiration, if you will, for this room. I made it back in Minnesota and since I had just done my laundry room....I knew I'd be saving it for my next house....(yes, there is always a next house)
So here is my wonderful, girly, so-me laundry room transformation.
Do you love it? I surely do!


UPDATE:
This is the valance on the window. It looks so good! I am linking to Met Monday's Mom Cave. While this isn't a fabulous craft room or a romantic master bedroom....it is practical. I spend SO much time in here....and I LOVE being in the laundry room!!

A Birthday in the House!

So, today my baby turns 17. I can hardly believe it has been that long...but, as she is all to quick to remind me...she is not a baby any more. Last year for her birthday I arranged (with some help from Reid and Steph) to have 16 cute boys at her school give her a flower (provided by me) and then sing Happy Birthday to her. At first she was mortified....but by the end she was (secretly) loving it! I am so sorry that I don't have those connections at this school. So instead, I decided I would add 17 of my favorite photos of Jo and give you 17 of the many reasons I love this girl.
She isn't much of a morning person...like her Mama. I love that about her.
She is beautiful...inside as well as out. Her (beautiful) hard outer shell is there to protect her soft squishy heart.
She likes to hang out with me sometimes. She will even accompany me to Hobby Lobby and antique stores. Love her!
This is one of my favorite photos of my girl. It shows her sweet side. She does have one....I promise. I definitely love that about her.
She is observant. All of her peeps are having a riotous time and she is savoring every detail to replay later in the lonely dessert of Nebraska.
I love that my girl always chooses good friends. Now that she is older she seems to always surround herself with kids that are making good choices in their lives and trying to stay out of trouble.
She is a champion. She will defend her friends (and even random kids at school) from others that are being unkind.
She knows her colors....right foot green....No, Jo...your other right! hahahaha
She knows how to party. Shaving cream fights and chocolate syrup fights are some of her favorite party games.
She is courageous. More than once she has had to defend her religious beliefs.
She is spontaneous. And she helps me to try to be. Love this kid!
She is loyal. Once you are her friend....you will always be.
She is real. You won't catch this kid trying to be something she's not.
She is goofy....and fun. I love to listen to her and her friends. I always smile.
She loves her family....fiercely.
She is named after her Grandma....whom she loves VERY much.
She is smart. This kid had the P.J. Funnybunny story book memorized by the age of 4. Not bad, Jo!
Those are just a few of the reasons I love this girl. I could go on and on....So, Jo...now that you are 17 there is something I suppose I should tell you. You will always be my baby girl. I am so proud of you....you continually inspire me and bring me joy. I love you. That's all.

Rock Star

Do you ever finish a craft and feel like a FRICKIN' ROCK STAR!!! Huh...no...well...I do. It's not often mind you..but it does happen. And this project was one of those times. So remember the sock wreath I made for the 4th of July? Well, I did another one...and ya know what? I like it even better. It's true. Want to know why....Because it cost me less to make this one. How?? Well, let's start with the socks. I got them at Good Will (brand new) for $1.58 a pair. And they are knee socks, so I only needed 4 pair per wreath. Yup! Then I got the little embellishments for a buck a piece at Hobby Lobby (swoon). The ribbon was 50% off there too. YAHOO! They didn't have any fabric that thrilled me so I got a little creative. I used some cloth napkins (that I bought at the dollar store) and the ribbon to make rosettes.
See the really long socks...so perfect!!
Look how perfect they look on my dollar store wreath base. Magic, I tell ya!
Since I showed you all how to roll the flowers and all the details in the other post, I'll just skip to the end....PERFECT!!!
Seriously....rock star worthy. I don't usually decorate for Halloween....not my thing....but I think I'll be fer keepin' this one.
Also a big shout out for my second fav.....and I think I know just the girl to give it too. I have some little girl clothes to send any way.....Do you think she'll like it?




Since this craft was just at $10 I wanted to link up to this party. Have fun looking at the amazing projects!