My Life In Stages

Two Years and Alot of Changes!

2012-01-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize when I made my last post that it would be a whole year before I would write another one! So many things have happened and I guess I just didn't know how to approach it all.

In December of 2010, my husband of 35 years told me that he thought it would be best if we separated. Our marriage, like most, had its ups and downs throughout the years. Sometimes I guess we just get tired, or think something better awaits us and make these types of choices.

We lived together until April 2010 when we told the kids and he moved out. It has been a struggle for all of us but things are finally settling down into a more manageable life.

I feel like I am finally starting to quit my pity party and rejoin life again. It feels very weird, at 52 years old to be essentially starting over. I know women have done this throughout time, and I will too.

I am trying to look at this as a new beginning. I need to get myself healthy and lose some weight. I think it will help me have more energy to participate in the things I like to do. I haven't done much in the way of projects etc, but I have finally gotten back to listing in my Etsy shop.

I am looking for a job. I have ideas for the future. I am learning to be patient. I am learning to be independant.

I hope to better myself through this experience and learn something that will help me in the future. Who knows what is around the next bend in the road?

Things often happen for the best in the long run.

It's been a Year Already!!!

2011-01-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

My online Etsy business, Life In Stages is ONE YEAR OLD TODAY!!!!

I had a goal to learn about business, blogging, networking, and selling the equivalent of 10 items per month for the first year. I am happy to report that I am over my sales projections by 36 items! woo hoo!

While I am sure I haven't actually made money, (expenses, mistakes, inventory etc) It has been a ton of fun, and I have learned so much. I have met so many great people this way, including many of YOU!

I want to celebrate today by having a big sale. 10% off any item with the coupon code TENOFF at checkout! If you buy 2 items, I will give you 15% off and for 3 items 20% off. The sale is through the end of January. You will need to contact me for the coupon codes for multiple items.

In addition, TODAY ONLY, I am giving a free Chalkboard label bottle with any purchase! For you blog followers, I will extend this through January!

Thanks for hanging in there with me through this year. To visit the shop go to http://www.mylifeinstages.com/ or for questions email me at lifeinstages@comcast.net

FOOTBALL? ME?

2011-01-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have never been a sports fan. My husband and I didn't play many sports in school and neither have our kids. I don't understand the rules on most sports and football has been the most confusing of all. So many rules and exceptions!

My son is a football fan. I don't know where this came from but he just started watching football on his own a few years ago. Now my husband is also a big fan and my daughter is starting to watch. It is so loud, and the enthusiasm of my family prevents me from doing much of anything, anywhere in the house. I can leave, or I can watch, or I can clean. Hmmmm...

Last week, I caught the end of the Seattle Seahawks game. It was close and pretty exciting. The team was not expected to win. I found myself cheering for "my" team. So this Saturday, when they played for the Division Title, my family asked me to watch with them.

We all dressed in seahawks jerseys, t-shirts, and caps. I borrowed a shirt from my son and my husband's old hat. We got out an air horn. Settled in with snacks and turned on the surround sound. LOUD, very LOUD!!!

If you aren't from the Seattle area, you may not know about "The 12th man." I have learned that there are 11 men on the field at a time (per team) and the 12th man represents the Seahawks fans! Qwest field has a reputation for being the loudest in the NFL. I guess with all the rain, we need something to scream about.

The game was really exciting, very close and competitive, and against all odds, the Hawks WON!!! I screamed, I yelled, I honked the airhorn! I think I might be turning into a fan!

How did this happen to me? Are you a sports fan? Blue and Green!

CHANGE

2011-01-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

Ch ch ch changes! Turn and face the change.... It is the beginning of a new year. A time of renewal, recommittment and change. A time to take charge of those areas that bug us about ourselves. A time to BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD~

Ask any of my friends and they will tell you that this quote by Gandhi is my favorite ever! I have it in my bedroom in vinyl wall words. I am getting ready to paint in there so I got another quotation and put it in my bathroom. It really speaks to me.

It reminds me that I am really the only one who can change my life. It also gives me hope that I can be a part of helping to change things for others. I think one of the most difficult things for me is to figure out the direction I want to go.

What way is most meaningful for me and how can I best help make the world just a tiny bit better for someone? Sometimes I get stuck here, trying to figure this out and become immobilized. This is why I need my quotation around me, to remind me to pick something and Do It!

Sometimes, it is as simple as giving someone a compliment, or sitting with them in silence during a tough time. Sometimes, it is donating time, money or talent to a group or organization. Sometimes it is forgiving others for things in the past, and sometimes, I have come to realize, it is forgiving myself.

I wish I could be more like Gandhi, or Mother Theresa. I have always wanted to help people and make a difference. I think many of us do. But we get stuck in the realization that we are not these selfless people, but rather, ordinary folks, trying to make our way in the world.

Still... I think that change begins with ordinary folks. I think we have much more power to contribute to the well being of our own lives and those around us and in our community than we will ever realize.

So, what will I do? Hmmmm, I don't think another year of "lose weight" is going to be effective. I think for my personal goals I am going to try to: Smile More, Be Less Critical, Breathe, Enjoy the Moment, Compliment People, Listen Better to my Kids, Start the Adoption Home Study Business I have been talking about for a few years, and maybe grow a garden and connect with nature a bit more.

For more altruistic goals I think that maybe volunteering to do a craft project with seniors at the community center would be fun. I love old people, and I am fast becoming one myself! I also enjoy teenagers so maybe something there... I have always wanted to take food to the homeless camp under the freeway in Seattle but I have been too afraid. Maybe this is my year....

What are your plans for 2011?

The Aftermath

2010-12-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

Romeo and Jude got some catnip and toys in their stocking...

Wanna play?

The kids got some clothes, electronics and other fun things

All that careful wrapping

Wipeout

Now to put it all away for another year

On Christmas eve I slipped coming down the stairs and fractured my elbow. Typing with one hand so posts will be short.

Happy organizing!!!

Christmas Traditions

2010-12-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

Our family has some traditions that we follow each year at Christmas time. Many people have their own special things they do each year. Here are some of our Holiday Traditions:

Each year, usually the day after Thanksgiving, we go up in the mountains and find and cut our Christmas tree.

Trudging up the side of the mountain to look for the tree that was spotted from the road.

We decorate the tree the next day with all of our homemade and special ornaments and a few extras if the tree is big. Our oldest put the tree topper on for years so now that tradition has passed to the youngest child.

We buy or make teacher gifts and wrap them up nice to deliver before Christmas break begins. This year we made coasters which was quite a challenge but turned out to be a great learning experience and cute gifts! See the previous post for details!

We make cookies. We always make cutouts with frosting and sprinkles, and sometimes Russian Tea cakes (also known as Mexican wedding cakes), and usually something new. This year we used my mother in law's retro spritz cookie gun and make spritz cookies for the first time. No pictures, we ate them already! Still have to do the cutouts tomorrow!

We do something special on Christmas eve. It could be going out to eat a nice meal, or going to a friends or having company over.

The local park has a lights and caroling festival in early December that we attended this year.

The kids each open one gift on Christmas eve. This one can NEVER be changed! My son is currently trying to convince me that Christmas eve starts at 3pm!

We usually get in the car and drive around looking at the houses all decorated with lights. There is one large neighborhood nearby that even has buses go through taking people!

Christmas morning, we get up when the kids wake us up, come down in our pjs, light a fire, and take turns opening our gifts. We start with our stockings.

Christmas morning 2009

I take lots of pictures to scrapbook later. I still have last years to get scrapped! Oh no! Life is getting ahead of me again!

We make a nice dinner and get out the "good" dishes, candles, sparkling cider. I think we are having a simple dinner this year. We usually make ham.

Christmas table 2009

Well, thats what we do at Christmas. How about you? I would love to hear what you do!

linked at http://trulylovelywiththelaneysisters.blogspot.com/

Easy Project Made Hard

2010-12-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

It started out simple. I was attempting to come up with some inexpensive teacher gifts. Jared is in Junior high and these teachers put up with a lot from students. They deserve some recognition. I didn't want to do the standard Starbucks coffee gift card this year. He has six teachers.

I love to look at projects on other blogs and get ideas. I found one that seemed simple and fool proof. At least it worked for Stephanie. See her cute project here: Holiday Coasters Tutorial

I decided I wanted to simplify her idea and not try to cut out a stencil, or paint the tile. My plan was to purchase some glazed white tiles, take some scrapbook paper, and then mod podge sets of four coasters for each teacher plus some for a friend.

My son wanted no part of the crafting. He knows. He has done projects with me before. I sat him down and asked him about his teachers. He has 4 male teachers this year. Men don't usually even use coasters but I thought, if I made them specific to their interest, they may at least like them. So, I pried some information out of my son about hobbies, interests, subjects taught etc for each teacher. I convinced him to go with me to the scrapbook store and choose paper. One liked old trucks. No paper with trucks. One was into competitive pistol shooting. No paper with pistols or any type of gun. One liked to run. You guessed it. Nothing! No running shoes, no running.

I should have stopped at this point. Two hours later, with my son whining loudly we left the store with some alternatives. Next was Home Depot for the tiles, and a roll of cork (self adhesive, I thought that would save time too). I was going to buy felt but didn't want to make another stop.

We went home and I gathered up supplies:

I turned the 12 x 12 paper over and measured 4 inches across and down and then used my scrapbook cutter to cut the strips. This will give you 9 squares (picture already has one strip cut off). Somehow, even with measuring, mine didn't all come out the same size! I know yours will. Anyway, the tiles measure 4 and 1/4 inches so I made it 1/4 smaller to fit easily with no overhang.

I laid out all the squares to figure out which 4 would look best.

The brown tiles to the right were redone numerous times but I never could get all the wrinkles out so they didn't make it in the final group! One of many experiements!

I put a light coat of Mod Podge directly on the tile and then placed the paper on and smoothed it out. I then put another coat of mod podge on top of the paper and waited for it to dry. I got alot of wrinkles and air bubbles that I wasn't able to get out. So I redid several coasters. Good thing those papers yeilded 9 squares is all I can say!

I learned a couple of things: use card stock. How people can manage to do this with napkins is beyond me! I could barely do it with regular paper! Once you put the paper on and mod podge over it, you get air bubbles and wrinkles. You can "work them out" with your finger, but the 'long' ones tend to turn into a hard 'line' wrinkle and then you are stuck. If the paper gets dry or you rub too hard, you tear it. Don't ask how I know this.

Doesn't show very well but this one has really long set in wrinkles on the lower left

look closely by the word LOVE. I took about 5 pictures and this is the best I got to show!

Second, to minimize the air bubbles, put your mod podge on the tile, lay the paper down and press it firmly all around the edges. Let it dry for a few minutes BEFORE putting modpodge on the top of the paper! While this doesn't eliminate wrinkles, it greatly reduces them! Especially if you are using card stock!

Third, Don't multi-layer! It just doesn't work very well. You can see this on the MATH coasters, where I put card stock, stickers and die cuts. It is ok, but not smooth.

Fourth, Even if the coaster has set overnight, you can put it in a sink of hot water and dish soap and soak the paper off! Try it again and again. Why would you want to do this you ask? hmmmm I just know that I did...
Once the mod podge has dried, spray them with a spray sealer! This will help to seal them so they don't stick to the cup! ha!

Purchase pre cut felt dots and stick them on! Do not do the self adhesive cork, it doesn't work. It will not stick even if you put hot glue on the self adhesive cork! I guess this is because the bottom of the tile is uneven. I was able to use small squares of cork on the corners and they stuck fine on SOME of the coasters. For unknown reasons, for about 10 of these, I had to use super glue and the cork. My fingers were glued together, to the glue tube, and to the cork by the time I was done! Does this sound like fun yet?

FAIL!

pay no attention to the grocery list and the almond box.

My kids were making cookies at the same time to add to the fun!

Lastly, Do NOT stack them, even if they have dried for an hour or so, wait at least 24 hours! I did this, got up the next morning, and some of the tiles were 'wet' again! aaarrrgggghhhh!!!

Once I redid some of these, got the cork or felt on the bottom, and sprayed the sealer, I got some ribbon and tied them up, and put them in gift bags with a cute ornament. I dropped my son off in front of the school this morning with all 6 bags to deliver!

Ready for the finished project?

For the female PE teacher I went with a feminine look

For the male teacher who coaches college foothball on the side

I did two sets of these for 2 male teachers who are strong Washington State Cougar fans.

For the male English teacher who likes to Scuba dive

For my girl friend

For the female Math Teacher

All ready to go in the gift bags~

So, makes you want to run out and get the supplies huh? Actually I think they turned out pretty cute and I am sure you won't have the same trouble. This would be nice to do just one or two sets but it was a mistake for me to wait until the last minute and then do 7 sets! Live and learn right?

Linking up at : Between Naps on the Porch - http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
The DIY Showoff http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
Tales from Bloggaritaville http://lbratina.blogspot.com/
Paisley Passions http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
Remodleholic http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/12/remodelaholics-anonymous-51-blog-link.html

Our Christmas Tree Tells a Story

2010-12-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

I have always sorta wanted one of those beautiful Christmas trees you see in magazines where everything matches and it just looks so stunning. Many of you also have gorgeous trees and you manage to incorporate both purchased and homemade ornaments and make it look great. I have so many handmade ornaments that ours is always a mix of colors, styles, and patterns and ends up looking, well... like the tree I grew up with.

We got the tree up in the mountains and despite cutting it again after we got home, it barely fits in the house!

We all have our favorite ornaments from years past. There are the ones the kids have made, ceramic mice that I painted before we had children, wise men and nativity characters painted by a close friend, crocheted ornaments from my mother and grandmother. There are old store bought ornaments from my childhood tree, and some which my husband and I bought back in 1975! (thankfully, most of the straw people have moved on). Each one tells a story and some are fun to make too. I wanted to show you a glimpse of our lives through these ornaments and hopefully inspire you to create some (more) of your own memories.

The picture ornaments of my kids was started by their home daycare mom. I will be forever thankful to her for doing this. These have become so precious now that the kids are older!

If you would like to start this tradition, these are really easy to make. Save up the tops of your frozen juice cans. Rinse them well and then simply cut a picture to fit, use ric rac or lace, glitter and a ribbon to hang and glue it on with a hot glue gun or even super glue! It is done in minutes but lasts a lifetime. It is so much fun that kids even like to make their own! These work as great gifts for kids to give to their grandparents too.

My daughter at halloween age 8 and this year decorating the tree.

Add the name and date to the back on a piece of tape or a sticker

My son as a baby

My daughter as a baby and my mom (my mom made this one and simply used ric rac

and put a hole in the lid to hang.

When my kids were 10 and 2 years I bought some clear glass ornaments and let them choose two colors of acrylic paint for each ornament. Just remove the lid, let them squirt in some of each color paint, and then have them roll it around to coat the sides. Turn it upside down to dry over night (an empty egg carton works well for this) and reattach the hanger. These came out really nice and are suitable for young kids too. Although, I think I would try for the acrylic or plastic ornaments rather than glass if I were you! It was pretty stressful helping a 2 year old to hold it "lightly".

It's even ok if it doesn't completely coat the glass!

I used to paint ceramic ornaments and I even had the kids paint some of their own too. These also go on the tree. My favorites are the little mice.

My friend painted the 3 wise men, Joseph, Mary and Jesus

My mom painted different colored teddy bears for the kids

One of the better ones my daughter painted (she was a bit older when she did this one!)

A santa I painted along with a few of the old "vintage" ornaments from our very first tree!

My favorite of the mice ornaments

My grandmother crocheted these by using the round plastic pop can holders to crochet around.

My mom made a few sets of these for my sister, a friend and I. She did a wreath, a bell, a star and the snowflake. I think this one is my favorite. So delicate.

Here are a couple that were made at school or Christmas parties

This one is really old

Our Angel has to duck her head this year

I think the best part of having all these handmade ornaments is having something to remember the special times and people in our lives. Both my mother and grandmother are gone now, but we think about them every year when we are decorating the tree. These are ornaments that will definately be handed down in our family.

Well, there is a little tour of our tree. What special ornaments do you put on your tree?

Linking up at Shabby Chic Cottage http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
House of Hepworths http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
Remodelaholic http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/12/remodelaholics-anonymous-50-blog-link.html

Fun Hostess Gift Idea

2010-12-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Tis the season of Christmas gatherings, dinners, and parties! Do you ever wonder what to take for a hostess gift? Tired of the traditional gifts and want to be unique? Well, here is a great DIY project that is cheap, easy, versatile and green! What could it be you ask?

Upcycled Chalk Label Wine Bottles!!!

These make great gifts for any occasion and are easily customizable both in the sentiment, and the decoration. Check out these cute Christmasy bottles~

I first wrote about this project back in April but I have since modified/simplied my approach a bit. If you want to read the original post view it here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/05/upcycled-chalkboard-items.html.

Step 1. Pick a bottle. This can be any tall bottle but I find that wine bottles generally are easier to find and have smooth glass.

Step 2. Drink the wine. This is the most important and FUN step of the process. If you don't have an empty bottle, you MUST complete this step! Technically I guess you could also do this to a full bottle and chalk the back with a message but that would require two bottles...

Step 3. Wash out the bottle and soak off label. Some of these labels leave alot of goo behind and the product Goo Gone helps with this. I also use a scrubber.

Step 4. Tape off your design. If you want a rectangular label, use your tape to frame it. I find that painters tape works best as it doesn't pull off any of the painted area and it leaves no residue. If you want a label that goes all the way around the bottle tape it off and you will have to hold it by the neck and spray it.

Step 5. You can either cover the rest of the bottle with clear plastic wrap, which takes time but actually works the best; OR you can take the easy way like me. After making 100 of these for use as centerpeices at a fund raiser, I got quicker! Just lay the bottle with the side to be painted facing up and cover the areas not to be painted with rags. You may end up with a bit of overspray but this can be taken off easily after it dries using a scrubbie.

Step 6. Paint one or two coats of black primer paint letting dry between thin coats. This is helpful to get your chalk paint to stick to the glass and not scrape off. Make sure to use black primer. I have used the white and somehow it always leaves a weird white edge around the label. Remember you can also see through alot of the bottles and the white shows from the side or back.

Step 7. Paint 3-4 thin coats of chalk paint, letting dry ~10 mins. between coats.

Step 8. After it is good and dry (24 hrs is recommended) remove tape and scrub off any over spray. Then prepare your surface by rubbing with the side of a piece of chalk or simply use the eraser and rub the surface til it shines.

Step 9. Decorate with a ribbon, glue some twine around the neck, put a chain and a charm, or even hang an ornament.

Step 10. Using chalk or chalk marker (easier to write with and stays on) write your sentiment.

There are so many ways to use these. Here are a few:

Wedding Centerpieces

Table Markers

Fun Personalized Messages

Use as a vase

Seasonal Decor

You can add a flower to it, fill it with oil, popcorn, or bubble bath and cork it (many bars will save corks and you can just ask for some, they are also sold if you need alot). You could attach a gift card, a chocolate bar, or a card, or simply include a candle. Present your gift! If you don't have time or inclination to make your own they are for sale in my shop.

I am grateful for all of you who are so encouraging to me in this blogging journey! Thank you!

Merry Christmas!!

Links:

House of Hepworths ~ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/12/08/hookin%e2%80%99-up-with-hoh-27/

Paisley Passions ~ http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/

Frou Frou Decor ~ http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/2010/12/fabulous-friday-finds-party-time_09.html

Remodelaholic ~ http://www.remodelaholic.com/search/label/Remodelaholics%20Anonymous

Tater Tots and Jello ~ http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/12/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-hand-painted.html

Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase ~ http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/12/sunday-showcase-party-with-ceiva.html

Between Naps on the Porch ~ http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

The DIY showoff ~ http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/12/fun-hostess-gift-idea.html

Pretty in Pink - Before and After

2010-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am really into this refinishing, 'upcycling' thing these days! Look what I found at our local thrift store recently to use for my do overs:

A nice enough candle screen in a dark bronze color

Transformed into a sweet victoria looking screen

I know it is meant for candles, but I think you could change it up and add glittered fruit

Even some white flowers for a wedding would be pretty

A average gold ceramic cherub

Becomes a sweet addition to a little girls room, a baby shower decoration or girls event

A plain candle holder in white

Becomes a delicate display piece

The coup de grace!

What is this thing? Yes that is "air fern" in there!

Remove icky flowers and air fern and put in the trash, clean in a sink of soapy water. Oh I see!

Not too bad of a cage, but a bit boring..

Now a sweet victorian addition to a corner or table top!

I wonder what other things I can paint pink? Hmmmmmm...

Linking up to:
The DIY Showoff http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-project-parade.html
Cottage Instincts http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/11/make-it-4-monday_28.html
The Mural Maker http://www.muralmaker1.blogspot.com/
Under the Table and Dreaming http://www/bystepanielynn.com
I Heart Nap Time http://www.iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/
A Little Lovely Blog http://www.alittlelovelyblog.blogspot.com/

Give Thanks

2010-11-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time that causes me to slow down and really think about all the things I have to be grateful for in my life. I need this yearly reminder to kind of reset my outlook and get ready for a new year ahead. I have many reasons to give thanks. I often take for granted things like my health and the health of my family, enough food, a house to live in, a car to drive, heat for my house, clean water to drink, and time to reflect.

One of the things I am so grateful for is time. I worked full time for many years as a school psychologist. It was a very stressful job. One of those jobs with a great deal of responsibility and very little authority or control over the funding and processes that impact the job. While there are parts of it that I miss, I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay home and focus on my family.

I am so enjoying having the time to reflect, to think about my life, what I want, how to do things, what is important. I even have time to learn about running an online business, learning about technology (ok, so I am slow, but I am coming along), and even exploring my creative side in new projects. It is definately a blessing!

I am learning to be thankful for my age. I no longer care too much what people think of me and so I am becoming free to be completely myself; genuine, and authentic. I don't have a need for everyone to like me; I know not everyone will, and that is ok. I like to think I am continuing to grow and become a better person though I am doing it for myself instead of others. I am pretty happy in my own skin. Coming to a place where you like yourself, are comfortable and even enjoy time alone takes quite a few years for most of us. I have many things to be thankful for; too numerous to list them all.

I hope that this Thanksgiving you have time to reflect and realize what a wonderful person you are now, and that you will become even better as you age, more comfortable, more centered. I am especially thankful for all of you who take the time to read my random thoughts and keep returning. It means so much to me! I hope you have many blessings this Thanksgiving season.

Colder Than....

2010-11-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

My oh my it is cold outside today! We have quite a bit of snow for the Seattle area. It started yesterday and we probably have 5 inches on the ground at this point. School will most likely be cancelled tomorrow.

I grew up in Yakima and it still amazes me that school is cancelled whenever there is any snow or ice on the roadways. But once you have driven in snow over in western Washington, you quickly realize that it is really scary, and treacherous! Everyone goes extremely slow. Commute times double or triple. Traffic snarls and one accident after another are everywhere!

My daughter had to drive in to Seattle for school this morning, and is now at work. My husband thought he would pick her up after work since it is 25 degrees, snowing, and the roads are icy. So, he texts her only to discover that she is taking someone else home after work!!! Do these young adults do this just to worry their parents? Does she really think she is being helpful? C'mon now!

A couple shots of our snow tonight:

My spray painting stool. Can you tell what color I painted last?

Guess we probably should have put away the patio chairs and covered the fire pit by now huh? Oh well, this way it is ready for spring right?

We were planning to drive over to my in-laws house in Yakima and meet up with my brother and sister-in-law but looks like we will be having Thanksgiving at home. Hmmmm, guess I better make a plan. Hey, Safeway, and QFC, and Fred Meyers have those meals you just order and then heat right? Now, if the power stays on we will be good! I will just make a few of the traditional dishes my family likes to go with it and we are good! Problem solved! oh yeah, I am liking this...

Some pictures from this morning:

View out the front room window, see my van buried out there?

My rhodies were thinking about blooming again..

Jude watching for birds, its hard to hunt when you are orange!

View out the back door

Do you get snow in your area? Does it bring things to a halt? Pretty to look at but I need it to go away now, come back on Thanksgiving day, Christmas Day and New Years Day, and then stay up in the mountains after that!

Fun & Easy Updates!

2010-11-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

Time for another project post! If you have been following me you know that I like to go to yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores to treasure hunt! I pick up things here and there that I would like to try and update and see if they turn out. I like using items that can be updated quickly and easily using minimal materials.

For these type of projects, a big bang for my buck is spray paint! With a little paint, and maybe a ribbon, you can transform something ugly or outdated into something modern and cute! At least most of the time...

Have a look at these fun and easy projects:

Of course I forgot the before photos on most of these...

Blue Heart Bird Cage

This was one of those 80's dark green metal decorative cages that has heavy black paint over it. Really outdated. It on sale for 99 cents at the thrift store. I chose a French Blue and some brown grosgrain ribbon to hang it . The cage was primered with metal primer, and then a couple of coats of blue. That's it! She is transformed!

Wooden Knife Block

This started out as one of those 70's wooden knife blocks. You can find tons of these at the thrift stores. I saw the idea to paint one black on The House of Hepworths on this post where she used a vinyl Monogram letter http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/03/24/fun-with-vinyl/several months ago. I used the infamous Oil Rubbed Bronze. I picked up a fleur de lis stamp at Micheal's for $1 and used pale blue acrylic paint to stamp the design.

Wall Candle Holder

This was a weird sorta lime greenish color with gold washed over it, also on sale for $1. How could you go wrong? It looks like a church window and I was thinking of doing it in white or heirloom white, but then I thought it might look good for holiday decor, or in a house (like mine) with Italian colors so I chose the Claret Wine color from Rustoleum. After using metal primer and 3 coats of paint it is so much better! I wish I had taken before pics. It was really ugly! I used 3 pages from an old hymnal and wrapped a candle that I had and tied it with jute.

Old Chippy Bird House

This one I distressed as the paint was coming off anyway, and tied on a ribbon, put some matching tulle inside and a couple of french designs on the front. I am not really happy with this one. I may redo it again. I think more farm housey? What are your ideas for this piece?

Bird House Final

Remember the bird house from here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/10/bird-cages-and-other-finished-projects.html? It started as a tole painted thing crammed with dusty artificial flowers. I painted it and was thinking of distressing it but I chickened out and just went with a couple french stamps in blue and a pale blue ribbon. What do you think?

Ok, now get out there and pick up some $1 items at your local thrift store and imagine them into something new! I want to see your pictures!!

Linking up at

Funky Junk Interiors Home Decor Party http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Under The Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/sunday-showcase-party-early-sneak-peek.html

The DIY Project Parade http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

Somewhat Simple http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween was so much fun when I was a kid. I remember dressing up, the plastic masks that had the elastic that went around your head, and the fun of collecting candy. We would run from house to house as our fathers stood in the road and talked. Laughing, screaming, yelling trick or treat! I guess not alot has changed huh?

My kids don't trick or treat anymore but now they pass out the candy to the little ones that dress up and come knocking on our door! It is so cute to see all the different ideas for costumes! We didn't have as many last night, maybe the tradition is on its way out. More and more kids are going to parties, church events and other structured settings. I still think part of the fun is all the craziness and chaos, but I understand the safety concerns too.

My daughter dressed up and went out "clubbing" the night before and wore the costume to open the door too! She got some pretty fun reactions! Do you remember this annoying creature?

We had friends over and ate pizza and candy, watched football and hung out. What did you do?

My first baby is now 22 years old!

2010-10-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

My little girl has grown up! She still lives at home while she is attending Art College, but is rarely here. She works, has school, has a social life and occasionally she is able to spend time with the family. I can remember when she was born like it was yesterday! Such a great experience, after the labor part of course, which was horrible! Somehow, back in 1988 I was convinced, along with many other suckers, er women, that I should have a "natural" birth. Holy mother of God! I think I went to another plane of existence to try and get through that! Has anyone had a good "natural" birth where they didn't feel like they were dying?

Sarah was born "sunny side up" as the doctors called it. I guess maybe that is why the back pain was so bad. Her head was pressing on the spinal nerves. As soon as I saw her little face though, it was all worth while. She seemed like an angel! Our first night together was amazing, and being able to walk out of the hospital the next day with her felt like I was stealing! How could I be entrusted with this new person? How would we ever manage?

We managed the best we could and even had our son who recently turned 14! He is a blessing we waited a long time for! I hope they will be able to be ok with just a year or so of therapy and counseling when they leave home and we didn't scar them too much! lol

Having kids has been one the best and the most challenging things I have ever done. It has opened up new worlds of experience, new emotions, more love, and self exploration than I ever dreamed! Though I thoroughly loved being a mom when my kids were babies, I am so glad they are older now. I no longer have that amount of energy!

I do look forward to grandbabies in the future, though not being called grandma! yikes! There is nothing like snuzzling a baby's soft little head, or kissing their little hands and toes... I cry when I look at old pictures sometimes, but I am also understanding how God gets us ready for the empty nest to come...

Hug your babies, no matter their ages....

My Dog is Neurotic! Help!

2010-10-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

I think we are cat people. I know I am. I understand cats, have been raised with cats. A close friend calls me The Cat Whisperer.   We have had several dogs over the coarse of our marriage, some for protection, some just for fun. We've had problems of one type of another with all of them. Check out this list!

Sarge - our first dog, was very sweet, but we had to find a new home for him when he was still a puppy because the neighbor complained about his barking when we were gone.

P.J. was next, a rescue from the Dog Pound. He absolutely HATED dog catchers and would go crazy barking and growling when ever he saw the truck go by! PJ also barked alot and we found a home for him but he came back a month later! We decided to keep him and try to make it work with the neighbor, and then PJ decided to leave!

Missy was a free pup that was a Newfoundland/Collie mix.   We got her when we moved to the country. Lots of room to run, didn't have to worry about keeping her confined to a small space, fresh air, a pasture and creek to play in. Well, it turned out that she hated small kids! This was before we had our own kids but she would chase a child and act like she was going to bite it, but then just circle around and return to us. You can imagine our surprise and horror the first time this happened! She was just a big ole happy dog who would lick you to death, and then out of nowhere this behavior! Weird huh?

After the kid hater we got Raleigh, our first purebred dog. Raleigh was a Golden Retreiver, my husband's choice and the breed is known to be great family dogs. Well, Raleigh was a huge Golden, about 70 pounds by 6 months. He had alot of energy and needed ALOT of attention and I was working full time. So Raleigh found ways to entertain himself while we were away. He chewed our new trees down to stubs, he dug holes, he chewed  just one shoe of every pair of heels I owned. I once used a sharpie to color in the teeth marks on one heel that wasn't too bad so I had a pair to wear to church that day! He ate the back seat of the car while we were driving, and then started eating the siding on the house. Found him a new home with someone who had more time for him.

Next came Roz, my daughter's choice and another purebred. A mini dapple Dachshund. Very cute, seemed sweet, but this dog had so many issues! OMG! Barking, peeing, biting, peeling out on your lap with her toe nails when she wanted down. To top it all off, she didn't even seem to like us! Or care to come when called, be petted etc. She was more like a cat that way! She bit my son a couple times when he was a toddler, just out of the blue, and she went to a home with another dachshund. I remember thinking, "Are these people crazy to want more than one of these?" I have since seen others of this breed that are very loving and sweet and nothing like Roz, so I am not sure why we were so lucky!

Sydney was a rescue dog, a German Shephard, my choice. I thought, if dogs had all these issues to put up with then I would get one with a purpose (she could protect the house and kids). Syd was a great, loving, sweet, part of the family, but she had a problem too; Dog Aggression! She slipped her choke collar on a walk once and attacked an elderly lady walking her dog. Guess what kind of dog it was? Yep, a Dachshund! The lady threw her body over her dog, and though neither the dog or lady was hurt (it was just alot of barking, growling and posturing that looked horrible) I ended up footing the bill for a vet check, some antibiotics, (just in case) and a trip to the urgent care to inspect a scrape on the lady's finger. She came out with a bandaid, and a prescription for, you guessed it, antibiotics!

So, I guess, in the larger scheme of things, Max isn't so bad. But this is where I need your help.

Max is our dog now. He is a mutt. We think possibly lab and shephard mix. We got him as a puppy about 5 years ago. A girl had a box of puppies for free out in front of Safeway and they were just these cute wiggly creatures. The pups were all grunting happily like a box of piglets. I was no longer working, and had time for a pup, and the kids were ready since Syd had passed away about 8 months before of old age.

We are experiencing a whole new, set of strange behaviors with Max. He is very sweet, very sensitive, still looks like a big puppy.   I would say Max is extremely sensitive. You don't have to even raise your voice to him for correction. He is energetic, likes everyone, and loves to play. Does well with kids, cats, other dogs, he is a great dog. The only typical issue we have with Max is his barking.  Every single time he goes outside! But that isn't the issue.

Max has alot of fears, he is a very anxious dog. (He is also camera shy) Random fears develop out of nowhere. Some come and go, and some stay around. Max will sometimes get on the bed and is afraid to get down. He literally has to be pulled off when coaxing, and pleading and leaving him there doesn't work. He knows he isn't supposed to be on the bed, but the only thing that happens is he is told to get down. He has a thing with the floors. We installed Pergo in several rooms a few years ago and he occasionally slips on the floor. We keep his toenails really short so he doesn't slip (and so we don't have to listen to the constant click, click, click!).

He went through a two week period where he would get "stuck" downstairs! We live in a tri-level house so 'downstairs' is the family room and is only four steps down.. But the steps up and the living room/dining room are Pergo. Now, he navigated this successfully for a couple of years, when, for no apparent reason, this happened ! He would stand at the bottom of the stairs looking pitiful. He wouldn't even come up for food! We ignored, we coaxed, we tried positive reinforcement and basically we had to leave him there, or get behind him and push him up! Thankfully, that ended as suddenly as it began.

He recently acts scared to come to his food bowl when the cats are near. He isn't afraid of the cats, they have always been here. They move away when he comes in. But now, if they are near, he will stare at his bowl and act as though there is an invisible barrier that he can't get through. We give him a small bit of table scraps with his regular food everynight, and he waits for that, so this is really bizarre for him.

I think the one that bugs me the most, and has been the most long lasting, is the fact that he refuses to drink water from his water bowl. He drank from it for a couple of years and then out of the blue, no more! No matter how clean, fresh, etc. He will NOT drink from it. He drinks from the toilet when he thinks he can get away with it, or waits til he goes outside and drinks from the birdbath, a puddle, anything other than his bowl. He has a huge automatic waterer now, but we have switched to a bowl, a kettle, everything we can think of and he WILL NOT DRINK! I hate waking up to the sound of him drinking out of the toilet if someone forgets to close the lid! HELP!!!! What do I do???

I think after Max I will stick to cats...

Vintage Arm Chair Modern Update

2010-10-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

My latest update is this vintage arm chair. I saw it sitting on a broad shelf in a thrift store a few months ago and fell in love with it. To me it looks both vintage and modern at the same time. It was in good shape structurally, only a few dents and dings from its previous life.

I knew I didn't need another chair. I shouldn't spend money on this. I could get chairs cheaper at a yard sale or estate sale. I should just wait. Something better would come along.

I circled the store a few times, and kept ending up in front of the chair. Staring at it. I figured it must be fate telling me to bring it home with me. So, into the van it went.

I took my chair outside, took the seat off and sanded it down really good. The varnish was old and dry and it came off easily. A couple of coats of spray primer to get it ready for the paint and then several coats of matte black were applied over a couple of days time. Even doing it in the bright sun, I kept finding places that needed just a bit more here or there, and so I would take it back out and touch it up.

I love the feet on this too!

The seat was pretty easy. I found a modern fabric I love in a black and ivory floral and some new 1" foam. I didn't want a thick chair pad as it would cover the ornate look of the back. New cotton batting and my trusty staple gun and it was finished. I sat in it for a minute or two. I admired it. Did a photo shoot. Then I wrapped it up and listed it in the shop. I hope someone has a home for this great chair. I think I will seal it with some rub-on polycrylic. I haven't used it before but have heard it works very well.

The seat is really nice and wide for comfort (some of you know what I am saying right?) and the back is tall so you can really relax into it. With an ottoman this would make a great reading chair in my bedroom. If I had any room for it. Maybe I just need a new house. Bigger bedroom, bigger kitchen, bigger everything? Funny how when we moved in here it seemed SO big and we couldn't fill all the rooms!

I call it Vintage Modern. What do you think?

Linking up at Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2010/10/nifty-thrifty-tuesdays-no34.html
The DIY Showoff Project Parade - http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-project-parade_17.html
Between Naps on the Porch- http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-and-halloween-decorating-by.html
Power of Paint - http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2010/10/42nd-power-of-paint-party.html
Show and Tell - http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
Funky Junk Interior Home Decor - http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/04/sunday-showcase-party-starting-this.html

Pumpkin Patch Tradition

2010-10-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

Every year since our kids were little, we have made the annual trek to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins. The "kids", now 21 and 14 yrs, insist that this continue and I really don't mind it. It gives us a chance to get outside and be together as a family. We try to choose different fields every couple of years and this year chose a new one out in the countryside. We went to a working farm, rode on haybales pulled by a tractor out to the pumpkin fields where we pecked around looking for just the right ones! Of course we must search the entire field first! The rule: You have to be able to carry your own pumpkin! Hot apple cider fresh from the apple press was the perfect ending to the adventure~ nothing like fresh cider with a hint of cinnamon! WARNING: picture heavy post!

I made them go in the "kiddie maze" so I could get this picture!

Our tractor driver seemed to be enjoying the sunshine

Since it was one of the rare sunny weekends we get in the fall, everyone AND their dog came out to get pumpkins too! The pickins were gettin slim! I don't know if there will be anything left for this coming weekend!

One of the things I noticed as we walked around on the farm was that these people had everything they needed for food right on their farm! They had grapes vines, berry bushes, a small orchard, several patches of veggies, cows, a couple of pigs and chickens! Totally self-sustained. I was impressed.

There was even a covered wagon to take people out to the patches for their pumpkins! A very nice place, lots to do for the little ones too.

What are your fall family traditions?

Old School Friends

2010-10-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drove back to the small town where I was raised to meet a couple of old friends from junior high school. We hadn't seen each other in about 35 years and had found each other again on Facebook. I was really excited to see them and thankfully via Facebook we knew what each other looked like. We certainly weren't 15 anymore and things had shifted around a bit for all of us!

It was really weird at first to be with these gals who I had spent so much time with, got into trouble with, shared secrets with, and see them now as middle age ladies. Just like me! OMG!~ Where did the time go?? We talked about our lives, remenisced about old memories and fun times, and laughed at all the craziness.

There was a really nice sense of "coming home" and being very comfortable together. An instant connection from our shared past. We made plans to get together again soon. I hope time doesn't come between us again; these gals are my forever friends.

Funny how as you get older you hang on to precious friendships a little tighter, and rekindle old ones from your past. Maybe it takes that long to figure it all out. To figure out that friends, and family, relationships with people, are what it is all about. What is important in this life are your connections with other people.

I know a number of people in their 30's who seem to become very close with others quickly, but after a few months or a couple years just drift apart and move on. Maybe it is the times, we are a much more mobile society now. Maybe it is the age, they have experienced people coming and going, divorces, moves, new jobs much more than my generation did as children. Maybe I am just "old school."

I am so glad I found my friends again. Even though we may look like middle age ladies, inside we are still just 15 years old. The sparkle in our eyes are the memories of fun times in the past, and the fun times yet to come! I can't wait!

Fun Halloween Project for Kids

2010-10-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

It was time for some new Halloween decorations for the porch this year. It had to be cheap, and it had to be something that would interest my 14 year old who would be the "decorator." So I hit the dollar store, and the thrift store.

Our local Goodwill store has two sales every Monday; a certain color tag is 50% off, and another color is 99 cents! The colors change each week. I made it a point to be there early on Monday, and I was able to get 3 cheap brass lamps for 99 cents each. I also scored a solid brass vintage lamp for 99 cents! These cheapies were fairly light weight, and had some interesting shapes. No before picture as it wasn't long until my son tore into them!

Once I told my son that I bought these for him to take apart and make something for halloween, he could not believe it. He kept asking me if he could take them all apart and what he had to do with them. I told him, take them all apart, assemble them however you want, and paint them with black, orange or any other color you can find in the garage. This is YOUR project. He was thrilled and began quickly taking everything apart. I stayed out of the room but heard the clanking, squeeking, and banging that was going on.

The lamps come apart into individual pieces that can then be reassembled in various ways. There is a long steel rod inside that you can stack the pieces on but he decided to just glue them together with super glue. So, after trying different arrangements, he settled on one that looks like an urn. He then glued it and painted it black. The good thing is that you don't even have to be careful of the glue, just paint right over any drips, it just looks more spooky!

Dollar store raven

Black glittery rose walmart (or spray paint one)

I got the iron table at Goodwill for $10, and it will hold our pumpkins when we get them ( if it stops raining long enough to go to the pumpkin patch). Afterwards, I plan to paint it and put some winter cabbage or flowers on it.

Dollar Tree Skulls

Dollar Tree mummies and signs

Total Cost for Porch Decor? $22.00 incl. the $10 for the table!

We still need to add the spider webs but I wanted to get this posted today. It was so nice to have the porch decorated all without me lifting a finger...

The great thing about this project is that kids can do it and use their imagination. It is cheap, and fun for them to learn about how the lamps go together. You can repurpose the left over parts for another craft. Other blogs have made really cute skull candle holders, and even a large candleabra. Lots of possibilities. Have fun!

Linking up at Make it For Monday at Cottage Instincts http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/

Saving Money with Coupons

2010-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The day I get back to using coupons for groceries and gifts. Last year I started using coupons to save money and discovered that you never really have to pay full price for the stuff you buy. I learned a ton from several moms who have turned this into a science! I saved so much money. I even got things for free and got "paid" for buying an item! Do you know what I am talking about?

Well, it worked really well for us, and even helped pay for Christmas gifts. I got several gifts using coupons, sales, and the money saved in other areas. The downside to all this? Well, for me at least, it takes quite alot of time to organize your coupons. You have to clip new ones, discard old ones, and organize by type so you can find them again. You can also load coupons on your cell phone or store savings card too. To really make couponing pay off you need to combine your coupons with sales, promotions, and other deals. Anyway, a lot of time is involved, at least at first.

When I started my online Etsy shop, and this blog, and my Facebook Fan page, I needed that time to devote to learning how to do all the business related stuff. I still have a LONG way to go in that area. I am not very techie, and to do online stuff, that is definately something I need to learn. I still don't know how to make this blog "wider" since I am using a template and don't want to mess up everything by changing!

So, I haven't used coupons since February or March. We have gone back to paying full price again. Christmas is coming up, and I am ready to jump back in to it. Yesterday my daughter cleaned out all the expired coupons in my notebook which was most of them! So today, I need to organize, find out where the sales are, locate the coupons, and go forth and conquer!

Fortunately, there are several great sites out there that help with this. These wonderful moms seek out the sales, tell you where to find the coupons, and how much the product will cost you in the end. They even provide scenarios for you to follow for the best deal!

If you haven't tried this before and are interested in learning. Here are some excellant sites to begin your journey:

Hip2Save - http://hip2save.com/
The Coupon Project - http://thecouponproject.com/

These ladies will teach you everything you need to know to save tons of money! You can also find other sites to check out on their blogs.

Ok, I can't put this off any longer! First step - find coupons!

Can you tell me about this?

2010-10-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

I picked up this lamp table at an estate sale. This sale had so much stuff and it was the second weekend of the sale by the time my friend and I arrived. I was told that of the 4 people who used to live there, the parents were collectors and the daughter was a hoarder! Well, that certainly explained the vast amount of stuff available! It looked like many things had just basically been stored, neglected and not really used much by the owners.
At least this seemed the case with this little 'charlie brown' looking table!

Something about it's uniqueness pulled at me. My friend, took a look and had "eewww" written all over her face. She probably thought I was a bit crazy to even think about this dirty, peeling, icky looking table! The lamp did not work, the pole was wobbling and crooked, the wood varnish was mostly gone, and it was filthy dirty. Sometimes it is the challenge for me, and sometimes the style. This time it was both.

I brought it home and took the lamp apart so I could work on the wood. I sanded, primered and painted it several coats of heirloom white. Then I wanted to give it definition so I used a burnt umber glaze over the top. I put it on and rubbed it off, several times. It wasn't what I had hoped for but I just didn't want to redo it again and it wasn't that bad. Certainly better than before. I don't seem to be too good with glazing projects. Easy to do, but somehow I don't get the results I had hoped for? Maybe I pick the wrong pieces? wrong color? I don't know. As it sat in my house it grew on me. Sorta a beige-y brownish that fits in with the fall decor.

I sprayed the solid brass lamp parts with a hammered metal brown and tried to put it back together. Well, even if there are only a few parts, they have to go in a certain order, and if you know me.....well, my husband ended up doing it for me. My son figured out that the reason the lamp didn't work was because the wire had detached inside the plug. He fixed that for me. My husband put it back together the right way and the lamp pole was no longer wobbly or crooked. We discovered that it can use a 3-way bulb, and it has a swivel to position the shade! It is a cool piece overall.

I think I bought it for the shade. I really like it. I don't know what it is made of, it almost looks like a fiberglass type material. I think these were from the 40's or 50's but not really sure on that either. I have called it a Lamp Table. Does it have another name? Was it used for telephones? Does anyone know?

Linking up to

Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking http://www.domestically-speaking.com/

Hookin Up with HOH at House of Hepworths http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/10/07/hookin-up-19/

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2010/10/furniture-feature-friday-favorite-link.html

Remodelholic Friday party http://www.remodelholic.blogspot.com/

Sunday Showcase at Under The Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/10/sunday-showcase-party-w-anniversary.html

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingy at The Coloradolady http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/search/label/Vintage%20Thingies%20Thursdays

BEFORE AND AFTER: Bird cages and other finished projects....

2010-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

I get so excited about projects that I have stacked up a bunch of things that I am going to redo, revise, or re-invent. They sit in my newly organized garage waiting patiently. I have made some progress with the bird cages I showed you here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-treasures.html and the magazine rack and cake stand that was mentioned way back here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/02/projects.html

I gotta say I am a bit embarrassed that it has taken me so long to post the "after" on these but it was mostly because I wasn't satisfied with them. I thought I somehow needed to make them even better, but I never really figured that part out. So, in reality, it has taken me this long to give up the idea of perfection I had in my head and just move on! Ha!

I hope you enjoy looking. Leave comments with suggestions if you have ideas for me!

Bird cages before and after

This cage was tole painted and had little filials on all the corners. It was supposed to anyway, but it was missing one. I took them all off and put wood putty in the holes. It looked like it needed something though so I found some little wooden ones at Micheal's and spray painted them to match the cage. It took alot of sanding, several coats of primer, and multiple coats of heirloom white to cover the designs! Who knew tole paint was so indestructible?

Here it is just painted. Should I glaze it with a brown and distress it a bit? What do you think?

This little wicker cage didn't have anything wrong with it. It was stuffed full of flowers when I found it at Goodwill. After pulling them out and washing them and the cage, I saw it was in good shape, just a little bit dull.

I painted it a celery color which I just love, and think it would be a great cage to use as a card holder at a wedding reception, retirement, or anniversary party.

The gold tone bird cage looked hopelessly outdated. The door of the cage was slightly bent and I wasn't sure that I could make it look updated with the hearts on the sides.

My husband fixed the door, I painted several coats of a satin black paint, added some angels and flowers and it looks vintage modern to me now.

I just love these little cherubs...

One more bird cage that was a quick update. Remember this picture from the birdbath post? Well, look at the little goldy yellow bird cage. I liked the style but NOT the color.

Trying for an "industrial" look. What do you think?

Magazine rack ~

Here is the before with primer, it was actually a varnished dark wood when I started but it was my first project and I forgot the before pic!

I painted it with a Rustoleum barn red color (can't remember the actual name). Then it seemed a bit bright so I distressed it slightly and glazed it with some brown. Then it was too dark so I put more red color on it. I think I like it now, it is only slightly distressed and glazed so it looks more vintage-y to me that way.

I love the style of this vintage piece!

Cake Plate

Here is the before of the cake plate. It actually looks better in the photo.

Here is the after.

I had hoped for better definition of the fruit. I painted it in Rustoleum Claret Wine is Satin and then glazed it with burnt umber to highlight the detail. It looks more like a holiday plate now.

So, tell me what you think?

Linking to :

The DIY Showoff- http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-project-parade.html
Between Naps on the Porch - http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/10/bird-cages-and-other-finished-projects.html
http://diane1876.blogspot.com/2010/10/2nd-time-around-pictures-from.html
Thrifty Decor Chick http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/10/before-and-after-party-buh-bye-ceiling.html

Deep Thoughts

2010-09-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my family and I traveled back to the town where we were raised to pay our respects at a funeral and to make a visit to my step-mother who has been at the hospital for awhile. You can see this isn't a light hearted post so bail out now if you are not in the mood for a deeper exploration of life, death, and emotions.

Much as I still feel "young" in my mind, my body feels my age. I also notice that more and more people that I know, are passing on, or in the end stages of life. I find myself looking back to the earlier times, in essence reviewing parts of their lives that I experienced with them. In some ways those memories seem so long ago and yet, somehow, there is also this terrible feeling of time moving so quickly.

A few years ago I had what I have come to regard as a Mid-Life Crisis. During this time I colored my hair blond, tried acrylic nails, whitened my teeth, lost 70 pounds, and started to exercise. It was fun to feel healthy again, and younger, but I also had the inescapable feeling that time was running out, and that everything I wanted to do had to happen quickly. If there was something I really wanted to do in my life, I needed to do it RIGHT NOW! This urgency was with me for the length of my "crisis" which lasted approximately a year.

The experience has left me a different person than I was before as all experience does; but this time, I feel like I don't need to rush so much because the things I really want to do and experience are things that I already have. Things like spending more time with extended family, friends, my kids. Things like saying what you really mean instead of what you think they want to hear. Things like "being real."

In a way, this is the freedom of aging, of moving closer to the end of life and, depending on your beliefs, the transition to the next phase of being. Being your true self, not caring about appearances but about the emotions, feelings, connections, and people that you meet is both freedom and joy.

I do get sad thinking about running out of time to do these things, but as I see more people at the end of life, I realize that they have lost this ability. Either through disease, sickness, or old age, they are no longer able to fully participate in the connection of daily life. I think this helps both them and us prepare for the end. Maybe this is the way it should be.

Of course, this only makes sense when people are old or significantly disabled. Sudden death, or dying young, are so hard to take because this does not apply. They DID have the ability to continue the social connections and experience the joy and meaning we are all given regardless of our income or education.

I really don't have a destination to arrive at in this post. Just clearing my mind. If you have read this far, you may appreciate the words of the song Breathe by Anna Nalick; it is truly beautiful.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table

No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands

And breathe....... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz3YaIJkjQ

Join me on Facebook! + Sept winner

2010-09-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I am trying to do a bit of marketing today. I would like to invite you all to join me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifeinstages There is a follow me button to your right. This is the place that I will post before and after pictures of projects I am working on, let you know about fun projects I discover on other blogs, and just generally keep you up-to-date with what is happening regarding my shop. Currently, all facebook fans will receive 10% off any order from my Etsy shop.

My goal is to reach 100 fans by the end of this month. Suggest LIS to your friends if they like vintage, upcycled, painted furniture, or refurbished items. I appreciate your support in this!

Ok, marketing done! I am going to work on a post of before and after on some bird cages. I posted asking for suggestions about these months ago! http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-treasures.html
Yes, they are finally done! Stay tuned!

Now for the winner of the gold and black paisley scarf!

The winner as determined by random number generator is Samantha from SS Vintage! Samantha lives in NY and has a great blog about her thrifting adventures and vintage clothing and shoes. Visit her here http://smellyshoesvintage.blogspot.com/
Congrats Samantha!