Treasure Hunting Anyone……..?

I have really been having a good time finding things to purchase for my daughters' apartment.  She will be starting her second year of college (no dorm rooms available), so we found her a cute little apartment, close to campus. However, we need to furnish it??  This is our second child in college, so let’s just say the funds are a little….tight??
The first Goodwill find was this old basket.  I think it is a picnic or market basket, with a hinged lid.(Cost: $10.99)  I was thinking she could use it to store things in and yet still be decorative. Does anyone know what kind of basket it is??



I was getting a little discouraged, when I turned around and looked at the floor.  There on floor, underneath a sewing cabinet, were these quirky looking lamps. I thought they would go perfect with the retro look of my daughters’ bedroom.  I bent down and picked one up and the price was only $6.99 ea., with the shade. I believe they may be milk glass?? Does anyone know how to tell??
I
I was still on the hunt for another lamp for the living room or spare bedroom.  My mind was thinking of something tall, with glass and gold.  What are the chances that I would find something like that without spending a pretty penny. Well, God does listen even to those little things
I walked to the front of the store, got in line to check out and what did I see…….

This pretty little thing, just sitting there as pretty as could be. I know she doesn’t have a shade, but she has all the right bones to be a beauty. I couldn’t believe the cost was only $2.99 (as is). so I ask for a light bulb, plugged her in.and Ta Da she worked. 
Well, so far we are off to a good start for the apartment treasure hunt.
Do you have any advice to share on finding wonderful treasures?
I hope you come back and see what else I have found on my new adventure…….
Blessings,
Chrissy

Have you ever wondered................???

Lately, I have been wondering where I am personally and how I got here???  I know probably no else has ever been in this place, in their life, but I thought I would ask anyway :). 
These are my wonderings lately:

• Did you ever have a passion and then it just fizzled?
• Do you wonder where your kids were raised (because they don't act anything like you ;)?
• Why you all of a sudden let small things paralyze you?
• Could this REALLY be the onset of menopause (getting close to 50, you know)??
• How do I feel spiritually drier then I was 25 years ago????

Well, the past 9 days have been quite the soul searching experience for me! My husband is on an international trip. So when I am left to my own thoughts, WATCH OUT!! It can either be good or not sooo good.  Let’s just say the first couple days were NOT sooo good.

Everything in my mind became amplified!! That is putting it mildly?? My son's health is in need of supervision. My daughter is fretting over money for college.  My dad is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's.  My mom is way more of an anxious Nelly than I am??? Blah, Blah, Blah……..

What I have come to find out, is that that word anxiety, is just a nice word for FEAR.  I mean come on I have never really been a fearful person.  I use to like change and excitement, be fun loving and free.   So how did this thing called "fear" creep into my life.  I will tell you how.   Little by little, and I let it in.!?! Can you believe that?  I can't!  I always thought of myself to be a “diligent” prayer warrior and always on the lookout for things that try to sidetrack me? 

Guess what?  I have news for you.  All it takes is a tiny, tiny little crack for something to get in when you least expect it. The sad part is, is that I isolated myself from the people that could have supported me, because I thought they would feel I was “weak”?? How ridiculous is that? However, I believe we all do it. (I could be wrong though).  ;)

The small crack I am talking about is........ That I let that small phrase "what if" enter my mind?? Now it is only two tiny words, but they can pack a powerful punch, let me tell you.  It can make you start to doubt everything.  Once the doubt starts, unless you catch it, can take on a "whole" life of its own.

 For instance:

"What if I am not good enough for that job?"
"What if  no one reads my blogs?"
"What if someone criticizes me?"
"What if I fail at ..............???

Do you see where I am coming from??? Oh how I have let these thought so bombard me that I came to the point of wondering, "Why am I here?" 

Well, I had an epiphany this morning!  I am here because God created me in my mothers' womb. He has great plans in store for me! I just need to get past the "what if'" in life and GO FOR IT!!!

So if there is anyone else out there that has ever felt or is feeling this way?  There are great things for you to do in this life. Don't be intimidated! Don't let fear paralyze you! Get up and walk, take back your ground and defend it!! We are more than conquerors!!

Feel free to leave an encouraging comment for me and others :)

Have a Blessed day,

 Chrissy

Are you ready for this........

Are you tired of the winter weather and ready to see some sunshine and flowers?  I sure am ready.... for at least some sunshine and warmer temps, the flowers will come soon after :)  I was looking through my photos from last years vacation to Charleston, SC and came across this photo.  My whole body just sighed an Ahhhhh.... Isn't it amazing how a photo can make you feel better?

It sure does feel and look alot better than this.....

 

 

Hopefully, more sunshine by the end of the week, Yeah!!!

 

 

If you would like some great spring inspiration, go check out Lucy at the http://www.craftberrybush.com/

Lucy also has a great giveaway going on until April 1st.

 

Counting down until Spring,

Chrissy

What the heck is going on????

How can it be we are already heading into Sping 2013?

It sure doesn't feel or look like spring to me, how about you?  I definitely think I have a case of cabin fever.  I have to admit it hasn't been a harsh winter, but it has been an annoying winter, alittle snow and ice here and alittle there. The storms have just been of the nuisance kind.

While I am speaking of a nuisance, has anyone ever had a backache that just will not go away?  I have had one since January this year, oh what a pain LOL.  No it is not really funny, but sometimes it is good to laugh. "Laughter is medicine for the soul", so they say. I have heard you notice your age by all the little aches and pains, but this is ridiculous.

Here are a few of my companions lately:

 

 

BIOFREEZE, it used to be my go to for a pain here or there, but lately it is right by my side.  I don't know if it heals anything, however it makes the pain feel better at the moment.

 

My  next companion sticks to me like glue, Absorbine Patches, (I know I crack you up right :)). These patches are supposed to work up to 8 hrs, I wear them when I go to work and somtimes to bed.  Again, I know you are probably thinking, "these things don't work, they are just topical."  All I know is it does make the pain less excruciating.  It probably the cooling sensation, that makes my mind go ahhhh!

 

 

I was also wearing a back brace to help to stand up, because I could barely walk without the brace.

I have also been to my Rhuematologist., he gave me a strong anti-inflammatory, Prednisone and Tramadol. He did say there was swelling in the sacral area.  He also said I could see a Chiropractor, which when I first went I couldn't even lay down on the table.  He helped me to lay down on my stomach and adusted the sacral area and said there was swelling.  Well, long story short, the swelling is down, but the left side of my back is still hurting and going down my leg. I may have to bite the bullet and get an MRI?? 

 

I have come to the conclusion that; a backache is like a migraine, unless you experience one you have no idea what it is like!

 

The morale of the story is time passes so quickly that you should take every moment and find a reason to be thankful and joyful.  Our lives really are just like a vapor in the wind, we could be here today and gone tomorrow.  This my friends is the lesson I have learned from this passage of time.

 

So here we are getting ready to enter into the Spring of 2013.  May the rest of  2013 bring Joy, Peace and Health to all of us.

 

Blessings to you,

Chrissy

 

 

 

Things that make you go Hmmmmm?

Have you have started a project, then stood back and thought something is missing? So you continue with what you are thinking it will end up like, but when you look at it you just go Hmmm?

Well this is how I feel about my kitchen cabinets at the moment.  Do you remember I started with this:

I primed and painted, the outcome was this option:

 

But it was just too white for my kitchen, plus my family would have it dirty in no time.

So, I decided after much debate to glaze them, using a translucent mocha glaze.

 

 

The glaze is thin and does not dry quickly, so you have time to work with it.  You can either leave it on or wipe off as much as you like.

 

After debating I decided to wipe some off and then put it back heavy is other areas? I also still need to wax or poly the whole thing. 

 

 

So, now after a deciding how heavy of a look I wanted, I have come up with :

 

 

This does not seem to be a very good photo, the top two single shots give you a better look. It is hard to get the lighting set in my house .

 

However, there is still something missing?? I know the hardware may be silver or bronze.

 

What would you think of making in look like furniture, with feet on the front?

What about the end, you see this as soon as you come in the door, wainscoting maybe?

 

 

Thanks so much for all of your encouraging comments and inspiring ideas.

 

Chrissy

 

I am joining the following parties this week:

 

French Country Cottage and Feathering your nest http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/10/feathered-nest-friday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQoLtm+%28FRENCH+COUNTRY+COTTAGE%29 

 

It's Overflowing and Overflowing with

http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/10/overflowing-with-creativity-22/

 

 

A Countryside in Italy

Just going through some photos and found this one from my trip to Italy. I thought I would share it you all.

Well, the  photo doesn't do the area the justice it deserves, but you get the idea.  I definitely need to figure out a photo editor.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day,
Chrissy

Wow, what a project???

Did you ever start something and know you can't turn back? Not that I don't like the paint, mind you, it is the time it takes to do the project. Kudos, go out to you bloggers/DIYer's that paint :)

Let me remind you what what I started with:

Not that is all that bad, I just wanted to lighten up the kitchen and I always wanted white glazed cabinets. So with my husband's okay and his help, we took off all the doors and primed the cabinets.
I ended up with this, not exactly what I was envisioning. My husband encouraged be to keep going.

So I went a retrieved a cabinet foam roller and tray from my supplies. The paint color I ended up using was Light Raffia, by Valspar.  It still needed to brush the all crevices, but the roller seemed to cover much better. Although I can still see some small brush marks, it turned pretty good.
So for the past few days, these are the cabinets that now stare at me to be finished.

I now want to glaze them, because in my kitchen they will get dirty quickly if they stay white?? However, I cannot decide whether to use the American Traditions Translucent Glazes I have used on other projects or to use wood stain. 

What do you think?  Also is there is special way to do wood staining?

Thanks so much for all of your inspiration and help.  I never thought this would be so stressful on my little old mind ;)

 I am joining the following :
The Make it Pretty Monday party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-16.html
The Newbie Party at Debbiedoo's.  http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/fall-mantel-decor.html

Have a great week,
Chrissy

My Last Summer Blooms

HAPPY FALL TO ALL!

We were outside today doing some end of summer cleanup duties, before the rain and cold front come through.  When I looked over at my one flower bead my (3) rubekia plants were loaded with these beauties.  I just could not resist making one last summer bouquet. Can you believe the size of that front one?

While saying goodbye to Summer is hard, it is really nice to see the changing leaves here in the Northeast and some cooler temps.  However, that in no way means I am ready for really COLD weather, yet.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend,
Chrissy

Update on stepping out.........painting

It is really hard to believe  that painting could cause such fear???? I could see spiders, snakes, bears, but paint, REALLY???? Okay, so I have supplies all gathered and I getting ready to look for chalk paint and...........my husband asked "If I could use a primer?"  Since I am painting  such an important item and have NEVER used chalk paint, I said "Sure", because I realllly don't want to mess this up.

So here is the primer I used:

So I went about getting started, by brushing on the primer and I really am thinking rolling would be better?? As you can tell by the following photo:

Hindsight what a wonderful thing.  Also, sorry about the glare, I can't seem to get my photo editor to work?
So, the next pic is a shot of one door I painted BEFORE I listened to my "hindsight". 

Oh my goodness, I should have cleaned my stainless steel, before this photo, but I thought I might as
well wait until I am done.  Whoa Bessy, can you see those awful brush marks???  Put on the brakes sister and go find a roller.

Well, this is my little update, for now.  I am going to get a roller and paint pain from my supplies (may need a glass of wine to calm my nerves) LOL

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon,
Chrissy 

To Paint or Not to Paint ..................

Have you ever wanted something for a really long time, but you let your husband (or anyone) talk you out of it????  Well, I have wanted painted and glazed cabinets for about 15 years now. Yikes, I am getting old :) In that time we built 3 new houses and each time it was about resale value. You know, was it just a trend that would not be a good selling point. (Imagine that painted cabinets would keep someone from buying a house, Really?) Each kitchen was lovely in all of the houses and we never had a problem with resale.
However, the problem came when we moved into my grandparents' house and we remodeled the kitchen.  Again, I was persuaded to go with cherry cabinets because of the richness that it would add to 1970's ranch home. 

Well, now 5 years later, I really wish I would have gone with my gut and ordered the glazed cabinets.  I have been wanting to paint them for about 3 years now, but my husband just was not keen on that idea.  I guess I kind of understand since they were new and well constructed cabinets after all, last year I even went and bought the supplies, but chickened out. 

The way the light shines on them you can see any scuffs, dust, especially this drawer that is above the garbage can. It looks like I haven't cleaned them at all and I just washed them all down the other day. I am constantly wiping them down, especially this bottom row. It seems like all those crevices collect everything, Ugh?

So I am really contemplating painting them, with my husbands OK this time :)

What do you think?  Do you have another solution that may work? Any suggestions?

Please come and join the party at Debbiedoo's Newbie Party.
http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/fall-tablescapes.html#comment-77906

Thanks for coming over and giving me your input.
Chrissy

Oh the quaintness of France !

Well, I have been so busy lately, that I thought I would post this photo from a trip to France. I found it while looking for other files on my computer.  I am not quite sure where it is located but I think somewhere around Metz?
 I did use Serif for photo editing, not so sure I know what I was doing?
Anyway, enjoy the photo.  I am taking two college classes and working part-time, so I hope to be back when things slow down.  I would love to be sitting in this town again, sipping an Americano :)

Have a great March! I pray everyone is doing well.
Chrissy

Early Thanksgiving Tablescape

When I  was getting out all of my Thanksgiving decorations, I just could not pass up the opportunity to set the table.   You see on Thanksgiving I will have a house full of family, yeah :) It sometimes gets alittle crazy and I may not get a tablescape set up for 12 people.  So I decided to set a table for an intimate family of 4.

 I made a bouquet from two Kirkland silk bouquets from a sale last year.

 The table cloth is gold, but I could not get a very good photo without the flash. You can also see my dininig room chairs that I painted this past summer.

 The acorns and pumpkins are from last year's decorations, but the are still so cute :)

The red glasses are Murano glass that I found at TJ Maxx on clearance for $1.00 ea, can you believe it? The clear goblets are from an antique store, 12 for $3.00, oh yeah, love them.

 I mixed it up alittle and tried putting my glass salad plate on top of the white, but they were invisible in the photo, so I put a napkin underneath them to add some color?
I had some other colorful dishes, but for some reason my husband thinks you only need two different sets of dishes, so I got rid of my colorful ones :(  However, I may need to stock up again, can you say, Goodwill???

 I am not sure where the mercury glass votives came from?  I found them somewhere last year, they may not even be real, but they look great. The white dishes are from BL a few years ago, and I wish I would have bought 2 sets.

 Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. Please leave me a comment so I know you were here and can come visit you.  I would also enjoy some photograph and Picasa tips, if you have any?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Chrissy

A Simple Door Makeover

Well, here is another project that was still on my camera card from Winter/Spring 2011.

I couldn't decide what to do with this door, since it is what you see as soon as you walk into the kitchen from outside.  It is the door that goes to the basement.

 So I decide, instead of replacing it, I would paint it? What color I was not sure, yet? I gave it a good sanding and wiped it down, then headed for Lowe's.  Guess what color I decided on?

 Chalk board paint??? that's right. Since it is in a prominent spot, it would make a perfect area for posting things. Of course, I took a break to take the picture ;) Mr. RRP is such a wonderful husband.

So there you have it. One BIG message area complete.  My daughter helped also, but did not want her picture taken :o

Thanks for stopping by, please let me know you were here,
Chrissy

Frenchy Bathroom Cabinet Upcycle.

These cabinets were to be posted back when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, so I wasn't sure if the painting thing was old news or not? Since visiting around other blogs and parties, I noticed there is still alot of painting going on, but with a better paint called chalk paint. Well, unfortunately for me, I did it the hard way???

You can see by this first photo that my vanity is black and see the leg to the cabinet over the toilet is stained cherry.

So the first thing I had to do was clean it down from all of the hairspray and dirt. Then, I started sanding, see all that grayish colored dust on the floor (yes, I had on a mask). I proceeding by wiping it down with a tack clothe and cleaning up the floor.

Next, I put on the first coat of Kilz, that was left over from another project, letting it dry between the coats. Well,, when my husband came home he removed the vanity from the bathroom. If you were wondering why this wasn't done in the first place, it is because I am not patientat all. When I get the notion to do something, I want to do it right now.

..

This photo shows you the other cabinet that I was talking about. It is a cherry cabinet so I just lightly sanded it and wiped down.

Both pieces were moved out to the laundry area to be finished with the final Kilz coat. I also had left over paint from the another room, so I used it to paint the two pieces.

As you can tell the paint was off white and I lightly distressed the pieces. The next step was to apply a mocha glaze, using the wipe on and wipe off method.

Making sure to pick up all the crevices and the destressed areas.

I think the vanity will get hit up with some more glaze down the road for a little more of a french look.  Unless, I decide to try a different color? Does anyone else change their mind, after visiting all of those wonderful blogs? I also wood appliques to add to the doors and silver knobs.

I also added a light, flowers and a book to the top. It actually turned out pretty much the way I pictured it in my head :) How often does that happen? It puts me in the mind of being in France, ahhhh :)

Well, I have to admit writing this post was alittle intimidating, but yet freeing at the same time? I am definitely going to get my new camera out and learn to take some better photos.

I am going to try and link up to some parties, let's see if I can figure that out again? Please to go over and check out the parties and get inspired for sure.

Debbiedoos Newbie Party http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/
Nita at Mod Mix Monday  http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/11/mod-mix-monday-23.html
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Thanks for stopping by,
Chrissy

Building Requires A Plan, right?

Hello everyone,  building anything requires a plan doesn't it? You see this is our deck we put on this past summer, but before we started my husband had to draw it out on graph paper. Then, he planned out the footers/holes for support, built the frame and put on the deck boards.

As you know, I took a break over the summer, due to my father's cancer. Even with his treatment, there was a plan.  He would need so many chemotherapy treatments followed by so many radiation treatments. I am very happy to report that his last radiation treatment was last week and the doctor believes my father is in remission. I would like to thank everyone that has prayed for my family throught this time of healing.

It is through these kinds of  moments in life that we find out what we are made of, so to speak.
I have thought about my blog and all of you quite often, but either not having the time or the words to say.  Now I find myself looking at my life and saying "What is next in this life of mine."

Well, one conclusion is that I want to build my blog, but how do I do that?  I have had the pleasure over the weekend of viewing some blogs and the 31 Day Challenge at Funky Junk Interiors Blog by Donna  has really inspired me to go forward. However, I have also realized I still have alot to learn. 

So back to my question? Did building your blog require a plan? Did you just start and it grew from there?  Do you ever feel like a copycat when you blog about the same things as others? Is that just how blogging is, building off one another? I really do want a blog to biz, but do I have what it takes to get there?

As you can probably tell, this whole cancer thing, has made me a little "out of sorts"?  I want to be here for my family, but yet still have a piece of me for myself. Does that sound selfish?

So  My Story for now, is to keep on learning new things with my blog, revisit Funky Junk Interiors, 31 day challange and to try and come up with how to implement the things swirling around in my head.
I would like to thank Donna for sharing all her useful information, but most of all her passion for what she does and how she does it.

Please leave me any suggestions, blogs, books etc...
Chrissy

WEATHERING THE STORMS OF LIFE

Does this look familiar to anyone? This is our back yard that has been cleared for a deck??? It also represents how muddy my life has been, at times just wanting to close my eyes.  "Into every life a "little" rain must fall."

Hello everyone,

Isn't it funny how quickly life can get so intense that you don't even realize the passing of time? When I actually realized out much time has passed since my last posting, WOW and embarrasment were the only things that came to mind.  It just blows my mind to believe that we are actually in the middle of May 2011!

My life in the past month and half has been filled with what started as shower, progressed to torrential downpours and some breaks of sunshine. I am writing this straight off the cuff, so please excuse the rambling, but as I process what I just wrote, isn't it amazing how that sounds like the past weather events. We actually had a tornado come through in this small mountain town, to our knowledge, there has never been one here before.

You see, it all started with my mother having some major health issues, that we finally did resolve. This was followed by my father having some health concerns, that led us to a diagnosis of Lymphoma.  We have finally got a definitive diagnosis and he has started Chemo to be followed with radiation. 

You know that old saying, "When it rains, it pours." Well, that is how it has felt around here, needless to say that we have a son trying to fill out college apps, a teenage daughter to keep on track and I was enrolled in a college class in Accounting.

I am not sure "why" I chose to share all of this and sorry if I bored you, but I do feel lighter in my spirit.  I can definitely say "If it wasn't for my faith in Jesus Christ and my family, I would probably be curled up in ball somewhere." Okay, maybe that is a little dramatic to some of you, but that is how I truly feel.

Now, to end on a bright note.  Some breaks of sunshine, have been my son getting accepted to college, my daughter being inducted to the Honor Society and I passed my class with an "A".  Last but not least, my family is still intacted, my faith continues to grow and we will all come out stronger on the other side :-)

I have truly missed visiting everyone and your encouraging comments. Now, that the rain seems to be slowing to scattered showers in my life, I hope to get back to posting.  Isn't it funny how the "real" weather is finally calming down and the sun will hopefully breakthrough today. YEAH!

I hope you all will come back and visit me and feel free at any time to leave me a verse or encouraging note, because I can always use it.

The Son always shines, we just don't always see it,
Chrissy

Spring is right around the corner????

This was a photo I took Monday morning, looking out my front window. That snow must have really blowing and it was very heavy and wet.

However, the weather has not been much better so far this week. We could get up to 2 inches of rain or better today and tonight, yikes. I am so yearning for
Spring to come.

What are your plans once Spring arrives? I know I have roses to plant and a garden to work on.

Thanks for stopping by,
Chrissy