My Eclectic Loft

Crazy, Crazier...."Me Time" Gone

2013-09-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

I have missed blogging and social media so much!

Crazy

It was decided that Michael would start Aqua Therapy for his stroke rehab. Each day that is about three hours gone. Not complaining but my "me" time was cut and I really need the "me" time. This type of therapy is helping his so much.

Meanwhile my Mom, 83 years old fell in a grocery parking lot. She got banged up good BUT received a high ankle sprain. So trying to keep her off her feet, elevate her feet, ice, and relax was like trying to blow a bubble in a wind storm.

Crazier

At this time I am a servant to two, I said two adults who need me and sometimes at the same time. I am just one person and my limits were really stretched. In addition I had my own things that needed to be done. So my blog, social media, etc got neglected. I was in withdrawal.

Gone

Last night we all agreed that I would be able to get caught up with all my online loves today. Well the thought was good while it lasted.

Mom decided to make chicken salad. She called for my help to reach a bowl. She called for my help to fix get the food processor and another call to get it going. A call to stir the salad. A call to put it in a container.

I looked over at the kitchen sink and just about freaked out. So there I was on my free morning doing tons of dishes. I could have unloaded the dish washer but why bother something else would come up.

I told Mom to go get into her recliner, prop up her feet. Well she told me she forgot her drink, a Crystal light mixed with Cherry 7-UP. I took it to her.

Back to doing dishes. Honey can you put my Tet hose on? Got her hose on....back to dishes. I hear, "Oh shoot!" I ask what? "I forgot my ice pack." Got the ice pack. "Honey I hater to bother you but my pain pills are in my bedroom and I should take one." Medicine given.

Michael, wanted his drink refilled, some trail mix and me to fix his computer. All done. Dishes finally got done.

Ready for a nap now but the chance is finally here. Mom is sleeping, Michael on the computer. ahhhhh peace.

Don't get me wrong love them both but a gal needs her "me" time.

Revealing Vintage, Antique Stash

2013-09-04T13:13:00.000-04:00

Sharing up close and personal some of my vintage, antique stash. My basement and closets are full of so much more but I can only set out so much.

Two smaller vintage, antique pictures/photos.

A vintage style bird cage with a hanging votive cup. I bought it off of Facebook at Old Tyme MarketPlace

Vintage/antique Shakespeare's book

Distressed vintage candelabra

Beautiful antique china plate. I can't find my plate stand but I will. It is just perfect for the decor. One piece of my stash.

A picture from 1939 that I had as a little girl. A vintage treasure that grew up with me. Aren't the doggies so cut?

Vintage metal embroidery hoop with a decoupaged magazine picture of a barn scene.

Looking at this little toy tin chair I get so excited. My favorite piece of all the vintage, antique stash I have. I adore this little chair. I don't know a thing about it but I hug it!

Reader's Digest page decoupaged onto wood. It is a vintage piece as well.

Antique dresser scarf with delicate pink flowers embroidered.

Vintage, antique music box.

Vintage music box.

Vintage picture of a rose.

A vintage toy tin plate, Ohio Art, and one of my toy teacups I had as a child.

A vintage toy tin plate, Ohio Art, with a antique tin and vintage make-up.

Antique glass bowl filled with rocks that Dustin collected and polished and sea shells from out vacation to Surfside, South Carolina.

An antique wash stand with a 1940's white candle lamp, antique scales, vintage books, my baby bottle, small dresser scarf, and a piece off an weather vane.

Putting DE-COR Back Into Our Home

2013-09-04T12:27:00.000-04:00

Remembering the joy of buying our first home and I did that as a single Mom. I was not only proud & excited I was anxious to get it the way I wanted. So many decor ideas of decorating flashed through as I was constantly brainstorming setting in my head.

Dustin's Memorial site is here

The house was bought on April 15, 2005. My son; my only child was killed in a car accident on June 8, 2005. It was that devastation that took any desires I had for decorating. I bought the house so he would have something when I was gone not the other way around.

About two years later I met Michael and soon he moved in with me. Just as if he had said it yesterday, "Are you going to move in here?" There was nothing on the walls or out.

Slowly some of my treasures came out of hiding but not much. Lately blogging sites, friends, Pinterest, Hometalk have given me inspiration and God has given me strength to start putting huge word DE-COR back into my home or for the first time in my own home.

One of my greatest loves is vintage, antique and JUNK! Nobody would be able to know that looking at my home.

Remember I have Mom living with us who likes vintage but LOVES Early American, Michael likes all furniture finished to a high gloss and left as wood, the manly look. Eclectic is truly the rhyme and reason in my decorating. All needs are pleased.

Now that I have rambled on forever have a look. Our home is lived in, we are not like all of those beautiful blogs with the perfect house, furniture and pics. Why hide the fact that we live in our home so what you see is who we are.

A little corner shelf that has been distressed and nicely displays a vintage teapot, blown glass pumpkin, and a Monet teapot. My home town ins known for The Pumpkin Show so somewhere there just had to be a pumpkin in the DE-COR (decor).

The mantle which by majority voting, was not allowed to be painted. I used a vintage table scarf to brighten up the space. My brother Billy (who was killed in Vietnam in 1968) and Michael's (my fiance) pics are not going to hang there. They are both in frames that only hang so they are hanging out on the mantle ledge for now. Once I fix the frames they will go nicely with the decor on the vintage WWII Trunk in front of the fireplace. The decor of our home is all over the place as I said, eclectic.

An old rugged, vintage box was hung to show off some tiny vintage treasures decor.

Michael's toy box from his childhood is lightened up with a antique table or dresser scarf that I instantly fell in love with.

The trunk turned side table adorns some of my fav items. My rocking horse that I got for Christmas hen I was two years old. It is an old thing just like me!

Chicken Wire Lamp Shade Tutorial

2013-08-26T05:27:00.000-04:00

The vintage repurposed floor lamp from yesterday's post was the main "job" to do. You know how it is when you buy a must have lamp with no shade and then finding the right one can be grueling. The cost of a lamp shade is ridiculously high.

I had to turn my creative juices on to flow. Ah-ha I will make it out of chicken wire, muslin, and chenille bedspread fringe. My first try was a flop with the chicken wire. Good ol' Mom who has been there and done that for more years than I can count came to the rescue. When we work as a team I get the inspiration and ideas and it's up to her to figure how we will do it! lol Poor Mom.

Are you ready for this? Let's go!

1) Getting the chicken wire a nice round. I used the lid to my charcoal grill as a pattern and used a marker to trace around the lid. Please note I have never made one of these or seen one made so I was winging it as I went along. Wear gloves and long sleeves or you get all poked up like I did.

2) Once it is traced then it is time to use the tin snips, wire cutter to snip the wire along the marker. Tricky but doable. This was 24" round. At this time use pliers to fold all of the sharp ends in or snip them off. This will make arranging the fabric much easier.

3) Fold the circle cut chicken wire in half as evenly as possible.

4) Fold into half again.

5) One last time fold in half again and run your hands down the ends or seams to almost make it flat. I stepped on it to make sure it was as flat as I could get it.

6) I opened the fold now to see if the process was working. Remember this was a trial and error process. So far so good. Once opened you see how it is taking the shape of a lampshade. Please note that you can work the shape as you go once you get the fabric draped over it.

NO matter how I tried I could not get this picture turned correctly. So sorry but it still shows how it should be.

7) My choice of fabric is always muslin as I ~~love, love~~ really like it.....ok for real I love it! In the basement was a hobnail chenille bedspread that long ago I wore out having it on my bed and washing it so much it got thin. sniff sniff I hated to retire it. It has been out of retirement from time to time for projects. Oh, back to the fabric for the lamp shade. I thought the fringe from the chenille bedspread would be so completely awesome, ~~utterly over the top~~ and make the muslin come to life. So I had to grunge my muslin and fringe. I used a mixture of coffee, cinnamon, allspice, and at the end a touch of my natural walnut stain. They soaked for about three minutes. Time to wring out the material and get to dry.

This is the total amount used for all of the wrung muslin. Pick a spot pour a small dab, rub with the bottom of your spoon.

8) Removing the fringe which should have been done before grunging but.....to take off the fringe you will need a widget, razor blade, carpet knife. On the wrong side snip a few threads loose then pull and it all comes off.

9) Cut your muslin or fabric using the same object you used to shape your chicken wire. This time I used a pencil to trace. I ironed the muslin slightly to make sure it was the right size. Pictures are not ironed.

10) Attach the fringe to the outside of the muslin. Mom did this as I haven't found a needle and thread yet that fit my fingers.....anyway. She did this by hand but you could sew it on. See how it is ever so slightly ironed?

I found an old light pull and placed in on but want to find something else later to top it off.

11) Work the chicken wire to shape until you are satifsfied with the look. Take your fist to round it out. The ambiance is so warm and cozy.

Taa-daa! There you have it a Chicken Wire Lamp Shade by Nancy Davis with My Eclectic Loft!

Materials Needed

chicken wire
tin snips, wire cutters
pliers
black marker
pencil
fabric sized as needed
fringe if wanted
grunge solution

I have been asked many times about my home made walnut stain. Gather the walnut hulls (the green part) add to water and let soak for about a week or more. This is very strong on fabric and you just need a very small dab, size of a dime or smaller.

Repurposed Vintage Floor Lamp Chicken Wire Lampshade

2013-08-25T16:33:00.000-04:00

My new addiction of repurposing furniture pieces has come to an end for now. I think I have done all that I wanted to do before I had shoulder surgery on September 12. There has been hinting that the inside of the house needs my attention. Really?

The first piece I want to share is a vintage floor lamp with a chicken wire lampshade. A picture is worth a 1000 words. Enjoy!

Starting this process was not so easy as a matter a face the whole project through me curve balls. Being a novice I improvised as best as I could.

The paint in no way was going to come off this floor lamp. I used several paint removers to no avail. They did take me to a pink shade that was so deep into the wood it wasn't budging. I didn't want to use my lye solution for fear of losing the detail on the lamp.

The finial, top cap and base were soaked in vinegar and baking soda as recommended by Hometalk people that responded to my question on getting rid of rust (not all of it but some.)

Absolutely my favorite feature is the double light with pull chains. In love.....ahhhhh!

I didn't want all the rust gone but the rough rust.

I think this is the appropriate spot to explain all of the oops that led me to a different look and then oops here we go again.

Since I couldn't get the paint off I thought that I would just paint it all with black enamel paint so I would have a dark base to work with.

Oops #2 the black paint would not adhere and separated in little circles everywhere. Solution #2 rubb black paint off. The look was awesome and I should have stopped there but not me I went on.

Two coats of off white, creamy looking homemade chalk paint went on. Fun time to sand!

Oops #3 as I sanded only the pink was showing up. Solution #3 cover it with dark stain. It gave me a darker pink but it was better than the pink that it was.

Here is the lamp!

The base looks much better with rust still on it but not built up on it.

The intricate design after many oops finally made it and I like it after all.

More about the chicken wire lampshade on tomorrow's post. Don't miss the adventure.

Attention Mom's, Dad's & Grandparents Take Photos and Journal Jot

2013-08-22T07:53:00.000-04:00

Memories last a lifetime is a quote I have always heard. Unfortunately as we get older there are times when we forget certain special times with our children, family and friends.

Since I lost my only child at the age of 17, I advise everyone to take as many photos as you can and don't stop when they get out of that "cute" stage. Keep taking pics their whole life. Pictures are one of the greatest mind joggers of memories every. It is rewarding to see a picture and then remember the time.

I always tell people all that I have is pictures and memories. Now to the memories, I am so afraid of forgetting something. Your situation is different, start to "Journal Jot" every day. "Journal Jot" is each and every day jot down something about the day concerning your children, husband, parents, friends & who ever you come into contact that day. "Journal Jot" is different than journaling, of course I made this phrase up when I started to remember things from the past. For example usually when you journal you write nice sentences and give it some emotional touches here and there. "Journal Jots" are like the following and take less time.

Dustin hit a grand slam 07-15-2001
Mom hit a deer with her car
My hubby brought me beautiful flowers
My best friend Leah sent me a card

That is it. Not a lot of thought process or time to "Journal Jot." These "Journal Jots" will mean the world to you as you look back and it jogs your memory to a happy time or to something very important.

This week as I sat watching America's Got Talent the Backstreet Boys sang. Honestly I didn't hear a word they said as the cobwebs of my mind were cleared and a beautiful memory came to me that I had forgotten. My son may have been around 11 years old when he came from his room and handed me a CD and told to listen to "The Perfect Fan." He then said, "It's all about you Mom."

I scrambled to get to a CD player to hear this song. Then I sat there crying. Why? Because he realized I was there for him and I knew he loved me for that. You see all through his sports....ahem....blush...everyone knew I was there. I was a big cheerleader for the whole team.

Sharing some of my favorite photos.

Don't put it off start today to "Journal Jot." Use a regular notebook, a steno pad (do they still make these? lol) just start jotting down special events, saying, songs, everything needs to be jotted.

Start today taking pictures of everything you can!

Brighten you day with beautiful flowers

2013-08-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Flowers are a lot of work. Thankfully this year in Ohio we just enough rain to keep them hardy. They are not perfect but I think they are just beautiful and they brighten my day so I thought they would brighten your day as well.

Chocolate mint

A rose from my rose bush. Anyone know what kind it is?

Canna

An unknown plant. Do you know what it is? The bloom is below.

Verbena

Coreopsis

A tree we have raised since it was an itty biddy twig. We got it in Gatlinburg, TN

The following are just random annuals.

Sedum getting ready to turn colors for the fall.

Vintage Home Decor Industrial Tool Caddy Repurposed Recycled, Tool Storage

2013-08-20T13:45:00.000-04:00

Time sure has gone by quickly since I was able to post. Sharing a repurposed/upcycled industrial tool caddy. It can now be used as a storage container, Perfect for part of the vintage home decor that I am trying to achieve.

It's a bit difficult. Mike likes the manly ~~ugly~~ treasures from the 1980's, Mom is also stuck in the 1970's and 1980's but the ~~horrible~~ Early American items. I have a vintage antique washstand, a vintage trunk repurposed as a side table (pics to come) and a mantle that I can do as I please with.

I started with small changes as to not throw them into shock! lol

The vintage industrial tool caddy was bought at an auction. The future for it wasn't clear until I had an "a ha" moment. We have a ~~zillion~~ five (5) remotes that needs a storage spot. A small collection of bottles, and a vase with fresh flowers will soon make it's way to a new home in this vintage industrial caddy.

The first thing I did was to wash the tool caddy. Next step was to use a hand sander to smooth out the rusted spots and the finish as well.

Okay I then cheated and spray painted the entire industrial tool box caddy.

I tried the wax paper transfer but it didn't work for this at all so it got repainted and was stamped with black flourish and dandelion fluff.

Plenty of rooms for all of the treasures to fill up each section. May leave one or two empty.

I hand sanded the handle for a more distressed look.

Taa-daa all finished. Yea! Next is rearranging the living room for all of the newly repurposed home decor lovelies to be place ever so carefully.

Inspiration, What Inspires You?

2013-08-07T08:30:00.000-04:00

I need some inspiration today and thought I would share some good quote graphics. All of us need it sometimes a little pick-me-upper. Enjoy!

What inspires you?

The PINcentive Blog Hop

2013-08-06T13:18:00.002-04:00

Don't you love new things? Well here I am again with a new Pinterest Incentive Blog Hop. Check this out!

This Is The Daily Life I Want, Life As A Dog

2013-08-06T12:56:00.000-04:00

So our best friend is our dogs. The phrase "It's a dog's life" had real meaning today.

Unable to sleep last night and had to get up and going on two hours of sleep I was on my front porch with my best friend Molly.

As I sat there I thought to myself, "Today that is what I want to do." Is there something wrong with this picture? I am the one with no sleep! lol

To say that Molly is spoiled is an understatement. There is not a word as what she is. I got her after my son was killed in 2005. I didn't want a dog. She came for a visit and never left. Below is a much younger pic right after she had her new home.

I want to know how many of you have spoiled babies in your home too? Please share.

New Bloggers On Blogger (Blogspot) Facebook Group

2013-08-06T01:40:00.000-04:00

The fabulous Kathe With An E has started a new Facebook group: Bloggers On Blogger (Blogspot) Isn't about time that Bloggers on Blogspot have their own Facebook group?

We are excited about it so I want to tell all of you. The talk is about Blogger ahem of course and other interesting topics as they come.

Come to join us, we are a private group. Send me your email address so I can invite you to join. We want your knowledge and also we want you to learn the best of the best about Blogger. Why not?

My email is myeclecticloft@gmail.com hopefully you fill up my inbox with your emails.

Say What? I Didn't Bloom Until I Was 41 YO

2013-08-05T08:46:00.000-04:00

To say the least I was a late "bloomer." I was 41 years old when I realized who I was and what I wanted out of life. Better later than never. Can you fathom the fact that some people go through their entire lives not knowing who they really are or "what they want to be when they grow up?"

It is not clear why it took me so long. Everything else in life came to me early. I walked at 8 months, had to have wisdom teeth out in my teens, oh and Ms. Mother Nature came to me when I was 11 years old. The really important realizations came late for me. Actually it was when I went back to college I got my mojo (is that a word still used?).

Each day I am learning who I am and I learn new things about myself. If someone would have told me I was just like my Dad I would have argued for hours that I was not. Hmph (saying with my arms crossed) I can see it now since he died in 2011.

Let's say I am a mixture of both my parents. The drive, creativeness, dreams of what could be and leadership or some say bossy (I feel I am just an organizer and leader lol) that came from my Mom for sure. I will never ever come close to being the person she is. She can do it all with a smile, finds the good in everyone and has the patience of Job. The part of me that doesn't put up with anything is Daddy, me being grouchy, bullheaded and opinionated is definitely from Daddy. Both instilled work ethics in me which I will be forever thankful. There are no two people that worked harder in their lifetime that I know.

So let's see looking back 10 years I would have never dreamed that I wouldn't have my baby boy, Dustin with me still. He was killed when he was 17 years old in a car accident. If you would have told me that I would survived his loss believe me I would have told you that you were crazy. I wasn't that strong. I am surviving his loss, still grieving everyday but living through the pain.

Me doing graphics? Hahahahahaha there is no way, but I do and love doing it. Learning a graphics program took me months to learn and I am still learning. Knowing enough to get me through and not cause trouble is fine.

Traveling, me? No way I just didn't like to travel much. A really sweet, loving man came into my life that loved to travel either by his vintage Honda Gold Wing or by car. Didn't much matter as long as we went. I saw more and experienced more after I met Michael than I had my whole life. I found so much enjoyment in exploring different states or sites. Again learning. I know you know "Knowledge is Power."

So many years growing up I absolutely hated the old antiques that flourished in my home growing up. I thought it was a sign of being poor. Now drooling occurs when I see vintage pieces that I yearn for. What is really surprising is that now I am actually working with furniture, fixing, distressing, and painting? Somebody slap me so I can wake up! Me? No that was something my Mom did not me.

I saved the social media and blogging for last. It's funny, I know more about some of you than I do my neighbor. It has been since Dustin's death that I felt safe socializing. Maybe since I can do it here in the comfort of my own home in my jammies, bedhead, drinking coffee that makes it more comfy. I am more at ease now. I am truly addicted to all things social. Every link that supplies information I am reading it to learn more and more about everything.

You may be there sitting and reading my crazy rants thinking I cannot do all of that. The important thing is yes you can. Never stop learning and pushing yourself to heights you never thought of going. I know I am afraid of heights too but the secret is don't look back just keep going toward your goal.

Will you make a couple of goals of something that you want to do but have never tried for fear of failure? Is so, stop that! Bloom where you are planted. This is what I have had to do, no other choice was there for me. Read this again 'bloom where you are planted."

Come on and try, let me know how it all turns out for you. Email me at anytime myeclecticloft@gmail.com

Get out there and live today!

New Flea Market Vintage Finds, Treasures, Junk

2013-08-04T08:34:00.000-04:00

The first of the month brings our local Flea Market to town. Always excited to get there. Got up early to get things done I needed to do....priority.....I jumped into the car and was off.

Lots of smaller things were in my bag this time. It was all good. I had done very well this time getting better prices. My fear was gone. Pointing out what was wrong as I learned from The American Pickers to get a lower price. So proud of myself. My bag was full a couple of times as I had to go to the car to empty the new treasures so I could get some more.

Finally it was time to leave. I noticed a sign that said, "Really low prices on all kinds of stuff. Come to the Grange building." Energized from the luck of the morning I was headed to the Grange Building. On my way I remembered I had forgotten to stop at this one place at the Flea Market that was outside. My car didn't even hesitate in pulling into a spot to drool over more "junk" as in "treasures."

There before my eyes was a floor lamp that was just screaming my name. It was vintage, the style I had been looking for and in all of its beauty there it was before my eyes. Ahhhhh, now the price. Once the gentleman told me the price my hopes dropped as there was no way I could pay what he wanted. So just like Frankie from American Pickers I set aside the items that I wanted and had a bundle. Right at that moment I got my price plus the man gave me a small cupboard (that I do not need BUT it was FREE). AND he told me he had a barn full of "junk" and that I was welcomed to come to pick it. Oh was I riding cloud nine now, you betcha I was!

He loaded my finds and as I got into the car I couldn't wait to show Mike and Mom my treasure hunting finds for the day.

I haven't taken pics of the smaller treasures yet but I snapped a few of the items to share with you today.

Tomorrow I will have pics of the smaller items.

A Vintage Sled Found a Loving Home

2013-07-31T07:21:00.000-04:00

Seems like forever since I last posted. As I said in my last post there needs to be more hours in a day! What do you think?

I want to share a little project that I worked on this past week. It really didn't take that long but I kept getting interruptions and blah, blah you know how that goes.

There was this little sled at an auction that looked so lonely and it was calling my name. I felt so sorry for it. However there was this lady there who must have had a million dollars to spend as she was out biding everyone there. Under my breath or really in my mind I kept saying to myself, "Oh please do not want that sled." I wasn't sure she would give it a good home.

Time came and the bidding started. Instead of waiting I threw up my number. I was holding my breath and no other bids came. I got it for $2. At that moment I wanted to dance on a table somewhere. The little waif sled was mine. Proudly and lovingly I carried the sled to my car. Once home I put it in the garage and there it sat.

Guilt ridden I finally fixed it up. It wasn't in terrible condition just some rust and of course it needed some love. Sunday it was a beautiful day to work outside so I took advantage of that. Carefully carrying my little sled to the back yard to my "work" area the transformation began.

Here are the before and after pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

Don't you think it looks loved now? The sled will be on my porch for the Holiday season and have usefulness once again.

Ranting A Little...Time Management Suggestions Please

2013-07-27T06:13:00.002-04:00

Have you ever had one of those weeks when its seem all you do is run in circles? That has been my week. So many irons in the pot and I didn't do any of the justice.

There is nothing better for me than to have a full plate to keep me busy. Well this past week was forcing me to have two full plates which made me bonkers! Some say I am bonkers anyway but for the sake of this post we will ignore their thoughts.

A huge search is on today with some great tips for time management or......maybe with some help hours could be added to each day.

Here's the problem which isn't a word that I want to use let me say quandary that I am allowed myself to enter.

With great muster I try to get up at 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM to get my "online" fun completed before anyone else is up. Once my Mom is up, let remind you she is 83 years old, she starts in with all the "organizing" tasks that she feels needs to be addressed. She does allow me a cup of coffee before she starts in. Just so happens that none of what she has mentioned is on my list of to-dos. So I inform her of my plans for the day which is probably not a brilliant idea because she keeps reminding me throughout the day of what has yet to be accomplished from my morning list.

It is now 7:00 AM and Michael's aide arrives for her day. I take time to let her know what has happened since she last saw him the day before. At this time I lay out his schedule for the day. Some of you may not know that Michael is my fiance. A little of two years ago he had a massive stroke. He has been in either rehab or therapy since.

This past Wednesday at therapy we had agreed to a "grant" aphasia program.that The Ohio State University Outpatient Speech staff has received. Staff includes, psychologist, social worker, speech therapist and anyone who tries to communicate with Michael. The new plan is super aggressive with speech therapy to be done at home. It is a "fast" track attack and full of material to be covered each day all day long.

Basically each therapy has stepped up their game with Michael. Physical therapy includes lots of exercises to be completed in an hour a day at least if not more.

Occupational therapy is trying their best to make him as independent as possible which is great and he loves it but it does take time. Nothing is ever done quickly, slowly......slow and steady.

Obviously I want to do all of this with Michael and more than anything want him to be more like the old Mike. All of this is almost a days work. The aides can do some but I have been by his side since he had the stroke in front of my one morning. I need to be there now cheering him on because is just a few days of the aggressive speech he is talking so much better. YEA!!!

Now my Mom needs me to do this and that for her. She will make me feel guilty if I don't. I don't think she wants to do that but it comes through my mind like that. You have to understand that she has more energy that I do and as I said she is 83 years old. Her mind never stops. She is a perfectionist which is so far from far from what I am. Opposite ends of the spectrum.

My agenda started to include "distressing" antiques that I have acquired at auctions, flea markets, etc. Okay it is like I needed to add something new to my daily obligations. I have yearned to do this for a couple of years now. Finally I have started when I have the extra time. Isn't that so funny? Who has extra time?

Summer brings yard work. Nasty weed eating, lawn mowing, watering flowers and the list goes on for outside tasks. I have Michael who is a perfectionist too and kept our yard nice and neat. I keep telling him it is just me now and I do what I can physically do.

One that cannot be excluded is Princess Molly (my dog) who wants my attention too. Mornings is our time when all is quiet. She ahem we need to start walking again so she is happy too. This little stinker for the past three nights around 2:30 AM has started barking and whining to go outside. Really??? Now??? So I stumble out of bed to let her out. The worst part is that I can't go back to sleep. Once I lay down to sleep I don't wake up until morning. My sleeping schedule was way out of whack and that does not make for a clear mind.

Seems like what I have done this morning is rant and rave which was not my intention. There just isn't enough time in a day to do all I need to do. Procrastination is a favorite act of mine but it gets me in trouble every time.

Today I will be search blog articles about time management. Maybe what is important or do some things on certain days. Not sure what I will end up doing but something has to give.

Do you have pointers to share? Please at this point I will listen to anything and try it. Comments please?!?!

Thank you so much for allowing me to get this off my chest. It feels better already. I know some of you with children especially experience this. My ears and eyes are ready for suggestions!

Have a fun filled day and enjoy life!

Update Photos of Dustin's Memorial Garden & New Projects

2013-07-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

Seems forever since I last posted. So much going on. I need either more hours in a day or less to do. I am sharing my son's Memorial Garden pics today and some project that I am working on.

Now for the current project. I got this small trunk at an auction. A brilliant idea came to make it my end table because I need a big one. So I thought of this trunk. I still need suggestions for the legs. Nothing conventional, something unique, different so suggest away.

This is the before pics. I have pics of it stripped.

During the process. Can't wait to get it finished.!

Gave up on this one! OH MY! I worked really hard on it. It does look better now. Show completed later.

Friday Follow HomeTalk #1

2013-07-18T19:30:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the very first Hometalk Link Party hosted by

Kathe from Kathe With An E and Nancy from My Eclectic Loft!

We are just two of the many that have fallen in love with Hometalk.

Hometalk, if you didn't know, is kinda of like Pinterest, but not LOL.

With Hometalk, not only do you find a ton of posts to like, clip,

and share but, you can also post, ask and give,

dvice related to home improvement, decorating, gardening

and DIY projects.

Hometalk is full of homeowners, renters, home improvement pros

and newbies.

Hometalk IS the next great social media to connect to NOW!

As HomeTalk junkies we have joined together to help you

gain more followers to your Hometalk page and for you to also find new friends to follow!

Just simply link up your Hometalk profile and your name below.

And then come back and check out the other links to add to your growing list of pages to follow for great ideas and advice!

Grab the button below to share or add to your sidebar.

Help us to get the word out about the fabulous world that is Hometalk!

Link your Hometalk address

Tweet This

http://www.hometalk.com/katheburke

http://www.hometalk.com/nancydeandavis

Hometalk Linky Party Friday the 19th

2013-07-16T11:49:00.001-04:00

Excitement is filling the air! This Friday the 19th will be our 1st ever Hometalk Linky Party!

Have you heard of Hometalk ? I like to say that HomeTalk is Pinterest on steroids and just as addictive! Not only do you find a ton of posts to like, clip, and share share but, you can also ask, and give, advice related to home improvement, decorating, gardening and DIY projects.

Hometalk is full of homeowners, renters, home improvement pros and newbies. In a very short time Hometalk has become one of my top 3 of all time page views!

HomeTalk IS the next great social media to connect to NOW! Well, my my Friend Nancy who blogs at My Eclectic Loft and, I are excited to be starting a new Home Talk link up party this Friday!

So, if you haven't done it yet, get your self signed up and, come back over this Friday to link up your page to get more followers! See ya there!

Grab the button and add it to your blog.

Blogger Tips 2, Sidebar & Word Verification

2013-07-16T07:17:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been to that blog that just stands out and makes you say "Wow!" and it looks pretty awesome? Yeah, me too. I have not gotten there yet but I am striving for that and it take some time to learn all that they already know.

One thing that jumps out at me is there sidebar. So nice and neat. How did they do that? Look at these blogs Cropped Stories & Dysfunction Junction look these sites over there are lots of great info. Mainly look at their sidebars. They are so nice and cohesive.

The secret? When you enter an HTML code place <center> right before the code and ></center> right after the code and it centers everything so it is nice and neat.

Also in the HTML section of you post, top left, Compose and HTML in between HTML codes you can add
<br />
<br />
<br />
This spaces all out evenly. Easy isn't it?

When someone visits your blog and they want to leave a comment at times it is aggravating to have to do the word verification code. Here is how to get rid of it.

When you first sign into your blog go to the Design Tab and click it. This is where it takes you. Click on Settings.

Next click on Posts and Comments.

Scroll down and you will see Show word verification. Change the yes to no. You are done!

Home Talk Linky Party Friday the 19th

2013-07-15T08:16:00.002-04:00

Kathe With an E and I are so excited to hosting a Hometalk Linky Party this Friday. If you have checked out Home Talk yet you are missing the newest social media craze. It is addicting. Here is a good place to check it out http://www.hometalk.com/funkyjunkinteriors members and the home addresshttp://www.hometalk.com/ Get your self signed up and come this Friday to sign your link to get more followers. Mark your calendars! I am new to it but love it already http://www.hometalk.com/nancydeandavis and here is Kathe's sitehttp://www.hometalk.com/katheburke Here is where the Home Talk Linky Party will behttp://www.kathewithane.com/ and here http://myeclecticloft.blogspot.com/ See ya Friday!

Manic, Maddening, Mindful Mostly, Merry, Musing, Monday

2013-07-15T08:11:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you but I was glad to see Monday come. Of course I don't work and I am at home. The weekends to me means lots of yard work. Had to get lots done because this week it will be in the 90' all week. Can't stand the heat and working in it.

Today is the day to make plans and set goals. Always remember to do that.

Later today I am going to try to get all my Blog and Linky Parties set on a calendar as to not miss them or be late and list at 200. lol

It is therapy day for Michael so the morning will be filled with that. Once home I want to start on my mirror redo. Can't wait to see the finished project. Also I want to finish my screened in back porch. It needs to be done before summer is over!

Have a wonder Monday. What are you plans? Goal? Please share.

Too Funny Me Sharing a Recipe

2013-07-12T12:13:00.001-04:00

All that know me know I can cook and do so very tastily. My Mom has been know for her cooking and baking for years. I always strived to be like her. That will just not happen. The knowledge she has would never fit in my brain. The stuff like how much baking soda and baking powder to use in anything.

I got this from The Dublin Pub on Facebook This is real food to me.....I know two starches together but it is comfort food.

The problem is that I do Appalachian cooking as does Mom. When I met Michael he would cook all of these fancy dishes. My taste buds were brought alive and jubilant. Don't get me wrong I have had all types of food from restaurants I do mean some of the finest dining. I just didn't cook that way. When we would the fancy dinners it was Michael that prepared them. I was the chopper, peeler, etc.

Michael had a massive stroke February 11, 2011. Since then I have had to do all the cooking. Laundry too....he did the laundry from the day he moved in....I was so brokenhearted not to do it any more......NOT!!!! Oh sorry I got off topic. With all the duties of a caregiver and having an Etsy store and life in general plus my parents were elderly and needed me too. Cooking was the last thing on my mind. Ijust threw together food so he wouldn't starve.

Everyday Michael gets on the computer and looks up recipes and I write them down or the aide, Mom whoever is available. I have never fixed them.

One day during an infomercial he insisted that we order this baking set. What? You actually want me to buy these to sit in the cupboard? Okay I caved in anything that he wants (yes he is soooooo spoiled). It ended up that I love this set. They are pretty too.

This is from Temp-Tations and the set that we received.

Now to the recipes he finds each day. Being spoiled he insisted that I fix this one recipe that he had Mom write down. So we had most of the ingredients anyway so why not? Let's do this and make him happy.

I do not usually take photos of my cooking results however I thought I would try it this time. Please excuse the lighting as it was a spur of the moment I didn't set up my lighting like I do for Etsy pictures. Here it is in all of its glory. It is from Campbell's Soup Recipes This is how their's looked.

Sante Fe Chicken Saute

I wasn't sure of taking this photo as my skillets are terrible! We have had the same ones forever.

The recipe follows:

2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 3/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 green onions, minced (about 1/2 cup)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
1/2 cup water
1 can (about 15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup whole kernel corn
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (I used cilantro paste)

How to make it

Stir the chili powder and cumin in a small bowl. Season the chicken with the chili powder mixture.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 minutes or until browned on both sides. Add the garlic and onions and cook and stir for 1 minute.
Stir in the soup, picante sauce and water and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the beans and corn. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle with the cilantro.

It was delicious and now I will make more of his recipes. I hope you will try and enjoy!

Some Newbie Blogger Tips Blogspot

2013-07-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

There is no way that I am an expert at all. However I am a pretty new blogger in the blogging world. Each day I search for tips, tricks, tutorials.

While being on some blog hops I have noticed that some may question how to make their blog wider or the side bars wider. Here is how to do that in simple language. That's how I talk after all!

Click on Design on the top right of your blog. Here is where that takes you.

Click on the Customize Button

That brings you here. Click Adjust widths.

Slide the bar. Go ahead have fun. Watch your blog change below. The Entire blog is the middle width.
The slide the sidebar. Mine is the right because I just have two columns. I did have three but I changed my width and made into two.

Click Apply to Blog

There you have it. You are done. Wasn't that just so easy?

While you are in here click on Advanced. Then click Page Text, select a Font and Size. Click Apply to Blog

Look at your new blog. It feels like that. You will be blogging everywhere now to show off. Have and enjoy.

In the Horse and Buggy Days I was Crafty

2013-07-11T04:28:00.000-04:00

Way back when time was there to do what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it.....ahem I was a bit crafty myself. Nothing that I made was of a normal type or at least most of it was different. I got a lot of enjoyment from doing crafts. Now I have to say the crafts that were sewn were done by my Mom. I can't find a needle and thread to fit my fingers yet.

Hope you enjoy some of my past treasures. I love to upcycle. Maybe one day I will do it all again or maybe it's time to move on.