furniture revamp: Lady in Red

Guess what everybody? After all my complaining I was able to spend some time at home this weekend.  WOOHOO!  Yes...I am a happy camper to say the least.  I spent most of my weekend working away from home, but when I got back I was footloose and fancy free for the remainder of my time off.

What did we do?  Absolutely nothing but piddle and fidget.  My oh my was that overdue.  I started to work on re-purposing some furniture but it was so blasted hot that I couldn't stand to be outside for long.  Then I tried to do it at night when it cooled down, but that was an epic fail.  It is so dry and dusty out due to the drought, which meant every time I painted dust stuck to the wet paint.  First I thought I bought textured paint.  Then I used my head and realized what was going on.  Talk about a mess and a pain in my neck.  Actually, a pain in my left shoulder blade now that I will have to strip the pieces and start over and paint with a brush indoors.  You live, you learn, and pray for rain...lots and lots of rain.

Aside from that, I also learned another lesson when I went to painting this thrift store beauty. 


Vintage Cosco Step Ladder Chair...Likey?

I thought I was genius for coming up with the idea to paint inside the screen porch.  We haven't had the time to redecorate the porch like we have planned, so I figured I couldn't really hurt anything and the spray doesn't typically go too far.  Well...the spray paint doesn't spray all over...IF you don't have the ceiling fan on!!!  Yes I am serious.  Biggest mistake EVER!  There was red paint everywhere - on the green astroturf, on the futon, on the leg of my wicker chair, etc.  Worst place to find the paint?  In my nose!!!  Yes...my nostrils were full of it, as was the bottom of the shower.  It was quite the humorous disaster.  But in the end I love how the chair turned out...take a look.


and After - Lady in Red

 What do ya'll think?  I love it and hated to part with it - it is a one-of-a-kind accent piece that would be great in a kitchen or lounge room.  In doing some research I found these babies are going for $75 - $200 a pop - and that's before a little TLC.  This one won't cost so much & can be found in our antique booth in Mullins at the Golden Leaf Antique Market beginning in August if you are interested.  I do hope that the Lady in Red will find a happy home; she certainly deserves it after what I put her through on that red smoky porch.  As for the astroturf?  Now John Eric says we can get new flooring out there.  If I knew that is all I had to do, I would have done it the day I moved in!  Guess I'll have to do my next spray paint project in the den.  Just Kidding!  I wouldn't chance that.  Well, I wouldn't exactly put it past me. 

Anyways, thanks for stopping by and hopefully I'll have more pieces to share sooner than later!

facebook official

No, I'm not making a relationship facebook official.  But I have finally made an "official" facebook page for this here blog of mine.  There's not much to see now, but moving forward I will be posting blog updates there instead of through my personal page.  This way anyone interested can keep up and those who aren't won't be flooded with my blog updates.  When you have a chance, please go there and "like" the page to get the updates.  Thanks everyone!!!  I appreciate it.

so-called housewife facebook page

what's more important?

Man oh man, I am ready for a break!  Not a break from work...a break from weekend excursions.  We haven't been home in over a month and it is definitely starting to show.  Ugh, I feel like I look like an old worn out hag with a lack of moisturizer.  I'm sure the travels aren't all to blame for that, but when I'm not in my own little bathroom I tend to slack on my skin care routines.  I mean...three packed bags are enough for one weekend, right?  No need to add another one full of this or that.

But not only has it taken a toll on me, it has taken a toll on me and John Eric.  Don't freak out.  We are fine.  Nobody is in the dog house...not even Brice.  Well...we were both in the dog house but have dug our way out of it.  A sweet card seems to get your everywhere in life.  It can mend friendships, tell someone you are thinking about them, say sorry & I love you, make you laugh, etc.  Note to self: send cards more often...actually, just send the cards you have already purchased but never sent.  I have 3 cards for 3 different reasons that I have been meaning to send to my one friend, Lindsey...ummm...yeah...they are still in my desk drawer.  I even wrote in 2 of them.  Yes, I suck, and I'm sure Lindsey will call me as soon as she reads this to tell me so.  Not in a mean way...she is one of my most uplifting friends that I am so thankful for.  However, I am not thankful that she lives nearly 700 miles away.

Alright, back to the subject matter.  Now where was I?  I was going to tell you how I have realized that all of this going and going is just not healthy...individually & as a couple.  Should I reiterate that we are OK...and normal?  I just want to make sure none of you ladies think this is an invitation to make a move on my man. I will still punch you if you do. ;)  All of this bouncing around just makes us so impatient with each other and makes me so sensitive and drained.  I think he isn't paying me enough of attention - he doesn't know why I think that - I don't understand why he doesn't know and that must mean he doesn't care - he thinks I'm crazy & blames it on PMS when PMS was 2 weeks ago - I tell him mydol isn't the solution - etc, etc.  If you were around us Saturday night then you probably witnessed some of this.  And if you don't see us for a while, it's because I am ready to be at home to spend some QT with my husband and my little dog too!!

The point I am trying to get at is when events and speding time with family and friends stop being fun and start becoming a chore?  I can't decide if it is my age or my generation...or just me.  Am I the only tool bag out there that just wants to be at home in an XL t-shirt and boxers and just slum around, piddle, and have the biggest dilemma be who gets to control the remote?  But why is there so much going on?  Or have I just forgotten how to say no?  Does everyone else enjoy "being on the go" every weekend?  Or are we all just scared to miss something?

I have to be completely honest with you...I'm not scared of missing anything.  I don't care if I wasn't there;  I don't care if I wasn't invited; I don't care if I missed the touch down;  I. DON'T. CARE.  What I do care about?  I care if my husband or I feel neglected.  I care if my husband has to work late every week night because he couldn't work the weekend because we went to another party.  I care if my dog is anxious because he doesn't know where he is going to sleep 2 out of 7 nights.  I care if my house gets broken into because we weren't there. I care that we haven't been able to regularly attend a church in OUR hometown because we are never here on a Sunday.  I care that we don't have a church family like I grew up with because we aren't here to have that.  Get my drift? 

I think the majority of America, including me, has lost sight of what is truly important.  Someone once told me, "The most important people live under your roof".  That is so true.  That includes God because he certainly lives in my house.  If the most important people to you don't live under your roof, then you need to re-evaluate because that isn't fair to the loved ones living with you.  No offense...I love my family and friends so dearly...but if a major emergency or disaster were to arise, you better believe my first thought is my husband.  And when I mess up, I'm not worried about what the gossip mongers think, I'm worried about how I have disappointed my God. 

I know that the majority of us feel this way, but we forget that we feel this way.  We forget that losing sight of what is important to us is what the real problem is.  What is more important: Missing an event or getting a divorce?  Having the next best thing or losing your home to foreclosure?  Living according to The Bible or living according People magazine?  Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? 

I'm not preaching.  Well, I am, but I am preaching to myself.  I will be the first person to raise my hand (or blog for that matter) and say I am guilty of every single one of these things.  And I'm not saying to give up your social life and your friends.  But when our social life starts to rule our life and determine all of our free time, then we have a problem and we need to get back on track.  I am so glad I have realized this and can start getting back on track.  I hope I haven't offended anyone or given anyone the wrong idea.  I have been blessed with many wonderful friends and family.  But they may start seeing me only once a month instead of every weekend.   Then I'll have more home improvement stories to share.

dear bloggy, i know you missed me

Are you there blog?  It's me, Jean Marie.  I know its been a while and I should have written you before now.  I could have at least had the decency to send a text.  You knew better than to wait on my call.  After much demand, I have decided to rekindle our flame.  But with some stipulations.

Stipulation #1: No weekly minimum posting requirements
Stipulation #2: No more Window Shopping Wednesday...unless I am really feeling frisky
Stipulation #3: Well, I don't really have a third stipulation.  Oh yes I do.  No more design changes.
For now.

Before I go on being a bully with my stipulations, allow to me to explain my mysterious disappearance.  I blame it on work.  And summer fever.  But it is really really hot now, so plan for me to stay indoors more often and poke away at some keys.  Wedding season is coming to an end too, so that should free up some weekends for special bonding activities.  Just me and you bloggy.  I will, however, miss the open bars and frequent get togethers with the friends.  Not to say you can't fill that void, so chill out before you get your panties in a wad.

Back to the work excuse.  I started a new position and, not to my surprise, it really consumed a larger part of my brain capacity.  I still feel like I don't know what I am doing, but my colleagues say that is normal.  Sounds scary, right?  Its been a fun challenge though.  I have gone on summer vacation and returned with a clear, open mind, and I returned feeling much more settled in than before.  I think I psyched myself out, which in turn psyched out my ability to write freely and openly.  No one wants to read a bunch of forced hodge podge.  People want to read the thoughts of a complete attention deficit scatter brain.  No, I am not talking about you.  This is about me.  Gosh you have gotten so sensitive lately.

I think you will be happy to know that you have been GREATLY missed by some special followers.  People ask about you often and I see that you still get daily visitors.  That makes me feel are warm and fuzzy inside. Aww...you feel warm and fuzzy too?  You'll be excited to hear my next bit of news then. You've been getting hit with lots of Google & Bing searches!  YEAH!  Your most searched topic? 'Housewife Girdle'  Real proud...really, really proud.  But everyone needs a claim to fame, right?  I'll let you have that one, but let's work something a bit more successful this go round.  Like 'Husband Nose Whistle' or 'How To Remove Azaelas'.  Deal?

Now a word to you lovelies reading this silly love letter.  I am back for an indefinite time period.  I really did get consumed by work, but now feel refreshed and ready to ramble!  I honestly didn't have the time to even open a computer when I got home at night and I felt as though my mind was too boggled to think about anything that might be the slightest bit of fun.  I did miss you guys though!  I really really did!  I love getting the comments and hearing that I am not the only person that "thinks that" or "does that"...it makes me laugh to hear your feedback...I love it and obviously can't live without it.  This time around I am going to write whatever pops in this frizzy head of mine and not put any pressure on myself.  Not that I really put any pressure on myself the first time.  I wrote what came to mind then too, but I think I was starting to lose that side of myself.  That wasn't any fun.  I hope you all will be happy to know that I am back in full blunt force!  Please feel free to leave a little cheer.  I know you are sitting in front of your computer screen giving me your best "Rah Rah Rah".  And we (as in me and bloggy) want to say thanks for being such devoted readers!!!