No Smoking

"What's your problem?"...A question I've been asked a couple times this week from people who are actually allowed to ask me that.  Apparently I've been on the moody side for a few days.  Humm..I too am wondering what my 'problem' is.  Heat?..Charter Communications?.. Grinding my teeth because of the mass dying of honey bee's?  Lack of tobacco?  Wait!..that's it!  No smoking.

On Feb. 14, 2013 I smoked my last cigarette.  I cherished each and every lovely puff.  I inhaled it right down to the filter. For a few seconds after I flushed the little stub..I panicked.  I miss it. Smoking has been a part of my life for most of my life..but quitting was the right thing to do.  It has been 144 days from Valentines day to today.  At one pack a day, which was my norm..that's 144 packs.  20 cigarettes per pack equals 2,880 cigarettes..that I did NOT smoke!  Now the $864.00 I saved ($6 per pack..approx) is nowhere to be found!  I don't know what I spent it on and I'm wondering why I don't notice the extra money I have.  I'm not even sure I feel a whole lot better..Although I know I do and I'm positive if I were to smoke just one right now, I would notice a huge difference.  I still have cravings and probably always will.  I'm not giving in..144 days is a long time and right now I'm shooting for 145..One day at a time...No problem!!!

Lazy Me!

It's push button and I love it!  A lazy girl's Lazy Boy!

Under the right arm, there is a cup holder and a deep pocket for the remote or a book!
We're going to be good friends.

Bedroom Goodies!

 

I've recently given my downstairs bedroom a new look..complete with hardwood floors, closet doors and new 'old' furniture! First up, this fabulous vintage dresser I found at our newly opened Goodwill. It's nice and sturdy with deep drawers and lots of chippy paint. I didn't do anything but clean it up and put fresh paper in the drawers. I truly heart it!!

 

 

Next:  One of my regular customers and friend at the flea market, gave me this wonderful print of my very favorite painting..."The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.  It's been sitting with books on top of it for weeks to flatten it out..and also because I couldn't find a vintage picture frame large enough for it until now.  I bought this one at our thrift shop and painted a couple quick coats of creamy white paint and gave it a bit of distressing.  I had plexi glass cut for it instead of glass.  I wanted it to be light on the wall and light on my head should it ever fall, since it's hung right over my bed!

One other new addition is this little desk.  It used to be an ugly dark brown and hold my TV in the living room.  I painted it, gave it an applique and new drawer pulls.  The iron chair came in from the back yard and sports romantic, beige material on it's seat.  Another picture frame redo above.  I like the look and the whole room has a soft, comfortable feel to it.

The second bedroom, also received a new hardwood floor and some much needed improvements.  Not sure what kind of decor it will have.  Right now it's an all purpose room...it stores the grand daughters toys and clothes, yet has beds for guests.  The cat eats her meals there. I'm just going to wait until inspiration hits before I tackle it!

I Found A Desk!

I had been looking for something to house my new flat screen TV and cable box for a long time.  I didn't like the usual paper board/entertainment center fair so when I saw this shabby desk I knew it was for me!  This is the finished product..I really need to remember to take 'before' pictures!

Awful at first sight, I had a vision.  I paid $20 for it at our St. Vinnie's, brought it home and let it sit for a while.  The previous owners had used sharp objects to engraved doodles, names and grooves in it's wood... generally abusing this helpless piece of beauty!  To shorten the story...I sanded the best I could.  Fixed the drawers so they would open and shut.  I gave it three coats of Glidden 'Misty Aqua' paint, then lightly distressed it...I almost felt guilty after all this poor thing had been through!!  There were 8 drawers...With one pull missing..It worked out perfectly as I eliminated the top middle drawer to hold the cable box.  Things almost never work out this way..but in this case, the box was 2 inches smaller than the opening and it fit perfectly!  The seven drawers each have a handle!  ..And check out their fabulous Bakelite!

Yes, I love it!

Halloween

Okay..I know I'm backtracking, but I want to catch up and this is too cool not to post!

Halloween.  Odawa Casino. Petoskey Michigan.  The traditional costume competition.  The Addams Family.  My daughter Charlie is Wednesday and her significant other, Tom, is Uncle Fester.  They placed second in their category...Just short of the money!  I think they should have been first!!

Junk Junkie

Wow!  Fall seems to have melted too quickly into winter, I can't believe it's December already...Just a week and a half before Christmas! ..I do get all giddy and soft, anticipating Santa's arrival.. For the grand-diva's you know.. :)

September brought a new adventure for me.  After a summer of garage sales, thrift store shopping, and endless 're-do's of vintage items..my tiny space was bursting with my collection of 'discared treasures'.  I had no choice but to take this show on the road!  I rented a 10 X 12 foot booth, at our local indoor flea market and it has been amazing!  I'm not getting rich by any means, but I am so much richer for the experience!  I've met some wonderful, special people, both vendors and shoppers.  I've sold lots things I know other people (like me) just can't resist and will love as much as I do...And I really am looking forward to the rest of this cold, snowy winter! 

Here's my booth..See anything you'd like?  Stop by, we'll be here til May!

Before and After

I picked up this child sized table and two chairs at a garage sale for $3.00.  Some handy dad or grandpa probably spent a weekend puting it together.  It is very sturdy and well built, although not very pretty!  When I purchased it, it looked to have been outdoors a while or at least stored in a non-weather proof area.  No warps or rotting wood...Just a bit 'rustic' to say it best!

The set originally had a pinkish white tint to it, and the paint had faded badly.  I cleaned it up the best I could, and sanded and sanded and sanded!  Here it is....Still rustic, but all made over with a couple fresh coats of vintage yellow paint and a very cool chalkboard top!  I hope some little people will enjoy doodling on it!