It's 5 o'clock somwhere...right?

Do you ever have one of those days?  You know, the kind where you get out of bed and just KNOW something is waiting for you on the other side of the door?  And you can only hope it's something GOOD?  Yeah, well...this is what was waiting for me this morning. 

And this.

Turns out when you live in a house that is 30+ years old, things are gonna break.  And pipes are gonna leak.  Kind of like us girls.  But I'm pretty sure this leak wasn't caused by giving birth to two children, or sneezing, or running, or spontaneous jumping up and down while cheering at a sporting event.  I digress.  As my luck would have it, I discovered said leak AFTER the hubby had left for work.  So I assessed the situation and did what any good blogger/crafter/repurposer would do. 

I posted my need for a good and reasonable plumber (NOT cheap...that would be insulting!) on Facebook, donned my "bombshell" tanktop, grabbed a plunger....because that's the extent of my plumbing knowledge, and waited.  And just like the old saying...good things truly do happen to those who wait.  The social network came through for me and the leak was fixed for less than $100.  And I didn't even have to open the bottle of wine I instinctively reached for when I discovered the leak.  Which I would have had to drink in the closet because it was only 7:30 in the morning.  And I don't know where it's 5 o'clock when it's 7:30 here.  But it's gotta be somewhere....right? 

HUGS! 

And so it begins....

It's official.  I'm the mother of a highschool freshman.  Let the sleepless nights fun times begin!  The man child "promoted" (we're not allowed to use the word "graduate" for our middle school...) from 8th grade last Friday.  I was expecting to instantly well up with tears the moment I saw him walk across the stage, but instead my heart swelled with pride.  It was so wonderful to watch him and his friends end one chapter of their lives and start the next exciting adventure.  The weekend was full of beach parties, swim parties, family and friends...he was in his element!  I can't wait to watch him grow (not that he's short at 6'3") and develop as a young man.  Watch him in his first highschool football game...first highschool baseball game.  Watch him get ready for his first formal.  Watch as he and his amazing group of friends develop even stronger relationships that will last for years to come.  We are so proud of you, son.  Mommy and Daddy love you very much.  And yes...I will continue to yell embarrassing things like, "Way to go, sweetie!"  or "Go get 'em, bubby!"  at all of your games.  Because I can.  I'm your mom.  It's my right. 

I think we're going to need a bigger doorway...

CONGRATS! 

(Mom and I were able to sneak in some creative moments...around midnight.  Didn't get as much done as we planned, probably due to the margarita-induced giggle fest that hampered our progress!  But I managed to make a pillow, deconstruct and then RE-construct a lampshade, and mom made some adorable aprons. Here's a peek...check out my Etsy site for the rest!)

(our beautiful baby doll modeling one of Grandma's darling aprons...)

New lampshade

I had plenty of time to finish a new lampshade design this weekend, because it RAINED every day!  I'm not sure where summer is, but it's certainly not here on the Central Coast of California!  Now don't get me wrong, I do love a rainy day!  I love to create, sew, read, cook, snuggle by a fire...all the cool things you can do when it's raining.  BUT...I also love me a little pool time!  This girl is looking a little pasty!  AAARGH!  Oh well!  I did get to finish this:

I'm pretty happy with the results.  I will be listing this on Etsy soon...hope you all like it! 

What I also like is EVERYTHING in the Dreamy Whites Store!  And there is a very cool giveaway happening! 

Dreamy Whites: A 250.00 Dreamy Whites Online Gift Card Giveaway

dreamywhites.blogspot.com

Don't miss out! 

HUGS!

Making the twins a little prettier....

Okay, get your mind out of the gutters!  I didn't mean THOSE twins!  I found two frenchy chairs at a consignment store a few months ago, and they were desperately in need of a makeover.  Okay, so they weren't the WORST I've ever seen, but their gold paint and light blue velvet wannabe fabric was a little....dated.  SOOOO...I brought them home with me in hopes of giving them a new look and hopefully selling them at my first boutique.  Weeelllll...I'm a work-outside-the-home MOM which means that any time for my pillow making, lampshade creating, furniture make-overing has to come AFTER my 40 hour paying job AND the round trips to football, baseball, track, ballet, voice lessons.....WHEW!  Just typing that made me tired!  And a little thirsty....must have a glass of wine....   And...I have adult ADHD.  I know I do.  Because I diagnosed myself after reading about it on the web.  That's where I get most of my medical diagnoses.  And I'm still alive.  SO I must be right.  Okay, where was I?  Oh, yes, the chairs.  I FINALLY got some free time to paint them tonight while the boys were at baseball practice and the girl was watching an episode of Pretty Little Liars...hmmm...I don't want her to be one of THOSE..... (note to self, have a talk with her about pretty girls and lying...actually, about ANYONE and lying....).   I finally got to use my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I must say....it's AMAZING! I can't wait to finish them and show y'all what they look like!  (No, I'm not from Texas, I just sometime use a Southern drawl on my blog for effect...it's my blog...I can do what I want!)  

I haven't posted for a bit, but in my defense, my camera and computer have been having some kind of lover's quarrel and won't communicate with each other.  I've tried to mediate, but they wouldn't cooperate.  So I finally broke down and purchased a memory card reader.  Also, I had a medical issue which resulted in a trip to the ER.  I won't bore you with the details but I will say this...I was in as much pain as I was during the birth of my second child.  Yes.  It was THAT painful.  And Dilaudid is a LOVELY little pain medication...

Lastly, but most importantly, I have to thank a VERY special lady.  I don't know if any of my blog idols, or ANYONE, for that matter, read my blog.  But I must tell this story.  I attended the Remnants of the Past show for the very first time earlier this year.  While there, I took this picture:

It was a picture of one of my favorite booths, belonging to the AWESOME Kathee Zurian, of Chateau et Jardin.  THEN I attend 3 Speckled Hens a few weeks ago, also for the first time...(WHERE have I BEEN?!) and I got to meet her.  To say that I was in awe would be an understatement.  I want to be like her, or at least have a booth/shop like her when I grow up!  So imagine my utter joy when my very first Etsy sale was to her.  And then she bought more.  I don't have any words to describe how that made me feel.  It's one thing to have family and friends say that your work is worth selling.  But to have someone who is as established as Kathee, with such an eye for beauty, validate you in that way?  Priceless.

My second shipment to Kathee....thankyou for giving me a chance.  From the bottom of my heart.  You will never know how much this means.

Stay tuned for the REVEAL! 

HUGS! 

Beautiful roses....

I don't have a lot to say today, other than I feel so sad for the people of Missouri...they are in our hearts and prayers.  Nature can be so cruel and unforgiving. 

And nature can also give us this....

...and this...even the weeds.  (The holes dug by the roses are courtesy of Rocket...our loving, wonderful, spazzy (is that a word) overgrown puppy...)

Which allows me to do this...

And this....

I didn't do anything to my roses this year, other than a very hasty prune job.  They are producing more blooms than ever...so I think Mother Nature is tryng to tell me something....

My daughter stayed home from school yesterday with a sinus infection, so I jumped for joy because that meant I got to stay home as well used the time to finish some of my lampshades.

 

I LOVE this one.  It looks so adorable in a vignette, sans lamp!  But it also looks amazing with on a lamp, alone, or coupled with another shade.  Yes....lampshade layering...the latest in lamp attire....  ;)

This lamp is vintage...pink, frosted glass.  So stinking cute.  But she was a little shy because she was lacking a shade.  So...I took care of that.   I was inspired by my roses.  Now she is the belle of the ball.  Both of these shades are on my Etsy...take a look! 

And please pray for the people in Missouri.

God Bless....

It's finished!

I'm so excited!  We finally finished my garden house!  I have wanted one of these for years, but they have always come with a hefty price tag.  Being the obessive-compulsive, instant gratification girl that I am, I decided to make one myself.  Hey...I'm a contractor's daughter and I know how to use power tools!  Okay...I'm not allowed to use anything with a blade....yet...  ;)   I did all of the work myself, with the exception of the roof.  My adorable hubby had to help me with that, much to his dismay delight.  He was not terribly optomistic when I started this project, but had to admit that as usual, I was right it turned out perfectly!  I'm planning on selling these on a local basis, by custom order.  I cannot wait to fill it with flowers, candles, and maybe a garden bunny or two...

Now I'm off to work out with my guy, so we can enjoy some fish tacos and margaritas!  The weather here on the Central Coast is absolutely gorgeous today.  I can't wait to soak up some sun this weekend and have a date night.  Hope you have the most fabulous day!

HUGS!

Love to create...

I have friends who ask me how I find the time to sew, create, cook, volunteer...all of the things that I love to do when I'm not working at my "real" job.  The answer is simple...it feels my cup.  My 40 hour a week job, allows me to feel like I'm making a difference in the lives of children other than my own...and helps pay the bills.  But when I get home...creating something beautiful or tasty allows me to feel like I'm making our home a cozy and safe place for my OWN family.  And it helps me debrief...breathe...get away from the sadness and loss of innocence that I witness on a daily basis.  And so, that is how I find the time.  If you have somehow found my blog...thank you for allowing me this indulgence.  In my 8-5 job I hope to give a child at least a moment of comfort and safety.  On this blog...I hope I can add some beauty to a life, whether through a homemade creation or a random thought....

My latest pillow...

If you get a chance...smile at someone you don't know.  You never know what kind of impact you might have...

Hugs.