tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43948698948359219802024-03-20T19:24:16.802-07:00Crafting the Sweetest Lifepatsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-80636373536875373102019-03-22T12:51:00.000-07:002019-03-22T12:51:07.520-07:00Dressers, Dressers, Dressers!I have definitely been on a painting furniture kick these past 6 months. They were all so different: the shapes, the colors, the handles. I loved that about them though. Here they are!<br />
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<b>Mission Style-Turned modern</b></div>
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This was a 6-drawer dresser that was mission style. Pretty basic, and I think it turned out great! This isn't my favorite picture, but technology is disagreeing with me right now. I sanded all the veneer to roughen it up and started priming and painting! This dresser was actually my first time using a roller. It did leave a little bit of texture, but so does using a paint brush. I just had to get used to how hard/soft to press and making long/consistent rolls. We chose a flat dark blue paint. It doesn't look very dark, but when it was placed in its home, it looked great. We also changed the hardware to gold bars, which definitely modernized it! I was commissioned to do this one, and I hope they enjoy it for years to come!</div>
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<b>Chest of Drawers: Ethan Allen 1960's</b></div>
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This was a discarded piece of furniture. It had some surface mold so it was given to me. I was worried how it would clean up. With a little elbow grease and a lot of bleach it came out great! I decided to leave drawers the original wood color, because they were in such great shape and a great tone. The outer body had a little bit more damage, so I decided to paint that a pretty dark blue. Yet again, this blue is actually darker when you get it into a room. I guess that is the downside of working in your garage and getting so much sunlight, all colors look lighter than what they really are, and you see EVERY imperfection.</div>
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The handles were gold and rusty. Took an old piece of plywood and drilled holes to hold all of my handles and spray painted them matte black. My original plan was to use aged-bronze cup pulls, but the smaller pulls are 2" and I couldn't find anyone that made pulls that small, not even Amazon! I think it turned out great! I didn't even post this one for sale, I had a friend's son in mind, it was a perfect addition to his room.</div>
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<b>Ethan Allen Chest of Drawers and two matching nightstands</b></div>
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This set was by far the hardest to fix up. It was actually the first set I worked on, and it definitely took the longest. Most of the effort was spent in gluing and repairing the outside of the furniture. The panels were coming apart, so I ended getting wood glue and a pipe clamp and slowly putting it all back together. I decided to leave the chest of drawers natural on top as well as the band around the center of the drawers. It was a pretty maple color with minimal damage. I painted this my favorite gray color. My pieces inside my house are this same color, I feel like it goes with every wood tone/metal color. </div>
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The two nightstands had to be sanded pretty heavily with all of the water damage from glasses on the top of the furniture. I ended up painting the top, I was never going to exactly match that wood stain, so I painted the tops and put some extra coats of polyurethane to make sure water stains don't happen again.</div>
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I also had trouble finding new pulls for this set. They were 2" as well. So, I ended up spraying them matte black, like the chest of drawers above. </div>
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All of this furniture was in our garage at the same time. It was a lot of maneuvering around all the mess, and bumping in to wet paint. I even ruined some sweaters bumping into things. So, I have to give a special thank you to my husband for putting up with my furniture habit. We had to steer clear of going to any garage sales so I couldn't add to my collection.</div>
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Now that all pieces have been sold, I am excited to find my next project! Maybe another dining room table? Any ideas?</div>
patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-51716212500186057592018-08-21T19:19:00.001-07:002018-08-21T19:19:28.616-07:00Art Deco Buffet and Dining set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This dining room set made my heart so happy! I had to start with the "completed" photos, because I love the end result! I have done pieces of furniture around my house: a desk, tv console, end table. But have never done such big pieces and even though all these pieces came from different places, it feels like a whole dining room collection.</div>
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Let's start with this BEAUTIFUL art deco buffet. When I see a piece of furniture that I want to redo, I have to fall in love with it. I usually see it on the internet or at a sale, and it is usually love at first sight and I HAVE to have the piece of furniture. So, one evening on my usual run, I found this buffet sitting on the curb (I KNOW)!! I ran the rest of my route as fast as possible, got home, and pulled my husband to the car to pick it up immediately. I didn't know what I was going to do with it exactly, but loved the inlaid wood, the handles, the details of the door, and the waterfall top. I am usually a contemporary modern girl, but I love this art deco piece! I ended up painting it this great gray color. I have used it previously, and it works so well with wood tones. It has a very small touch of brown, and I feel it goes well with wood tones, gold accents and oil-aged bronze accents as well. It was an impulse to paint the cut-out areas, which ended up being a little more difficult, but I think visually it really paid off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7EE4ovSCHlLtfuCNmfC3xvvAqjCVedTHj77KnLGtL4VpMG3KaOEuJ6JgFEP8DNNjhyffMceX7Ywl0w8L3SSwh_hW8i6_K-49-d_lS69KHGpKe8Sb1BPNyZ8wQL4J7ihhwe7-SmGXWf6i/s1600/IMG_20180812_192930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7EE4ovSCHlLtfuCNmfC3xvvAqjCVedTHj77KnLGtL4VpMG3KaOEuJ6JgFEP8DNNjhyffMceX7Ywl0w8L3SSwh_hW8i6_K-49-d_lS69KHGpKe8Sb1BPNyZ8wQL4J7ihhwe7-SmGXWf6i/s320/IMG_20180812_192930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The whole dining set together. Decided to keep the wood tones from the chairs. The owner of the set picked out the fabric for the chairs, and it picks up the gray perfectly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1IxlVWzMGmxzEkKYie4mr7YeRMc26DGthdEmqhTy6kp5a2TehNb2fH9cbFtqx-Km6GeeTP0TuaivCqNcc5DekVW-AQI5X5zS_EteGAyeZ28cDkCBldZPIFuuG7TqABmQMFIUk07Zgq67/s1600/IMG_20180812_192855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1IxlVWzMGmxzEkKYie4mr7YeRMc26DGthdEmqhTy6kp5a2TehNb2fH9cbFtqx-Km6GeeTP0TuaivCqNcc5DekVW-AQI5X5zS_EteGAyeZ28cDkCBldZPIFuuG7TqABmQMFIUk07Zgq67/s320/IMG_20180812_192855.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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View from above. The table received a sanding, two coats of primer (Zinnser), 2 coats of HGTV Showcase Primer and Paint and 2 coats of Minwax Polycrilic Protective Finish. A lot of coats, a lot of sanding. But well worth it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfCnj2GogmKmZuH5MlzQLsGc6f5lkpZQoOcNHiS5K-nRYiNV6roqZggNzx9fjlSJrPbmZnr1EtmHFLxg_pgdjxYelXVGZVaS9n4ypmX-nqxtvwvWj6I1JO1mIS-Nhrjdz1R-aMaj81r6x/s1600/IMG_20180812_192859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfCnj2GogmKmZuH5MlzQLsGc6f5lkpZQoOcNHiS5K-nRYiNV6roqZggNzx9fjlSJrPbmZnr1EtmHFLxg_pgdjxYelXVGZVaS9n4ypmX-nqxtvwvWj6I1JO1mIS-Nhrjdz1R-aMaj81r6x/s320/IMG_20180812_192859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the chairs received a good scrub, and orange oil. They were all re-upholstered, with an extra layer of batting. These chairs were definitely from the 50's, and had multiple layers of fabric on them, with what felt like a million staples. I love the pattern the owner chose, especially that I really didn't have to line anything up, it made it much easier to re-upholster. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG28ieAN1dc78WcTuJ1eTQbgoOHsNL0WwHOi2u7pmO0m0sDqm2md6RkQWpUZhpx2ee-8QCgT46yQe3sJOll13L5CBbVoadmWwzxC6jJ8G-fyEKUiCSMzlKcQAKf_gfKuVJe2E-pdFghXZq/s1600/IMG_20180812_154822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG28ieAN1dc78WcTuJ1eTQbgoOHsNL0WwHOi2u7pmO0m0sDqm2md6RkQWpUZhpx2ee-8QCgT46yQe3sJOll13L5CBbVoadmWwzxC6jJ8G-fyEKUiCSMzlKcQAKf_gfKuVJe2E-pdFghXZq/s320/IMG_20180812_154822.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the chairs with the table. The mahogany chairs go well with the natural wood of the buffet table. I delivered the table after the buffet was already in the house, so I was worried/curious if I made the right decision in keeping them natural. Greg suggested I paint them black, I am so glad I didn't!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppUxbEDnRVv0xc-c54kZKZE0Do04NHOqEoVqZLZsvrLDrAeeJmTLu789hg7RVjZQOVfhNoGKfMjXr6Sh89Qcro8kkt9bqyCEKA58Nv4oe9lGii1s11KxQfsHIjld1QtW8bLZoVZWaKSZy/s1600/IMG_20180812_192800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppUxbEDnRVv0xc-c54kZKZE0Do04NHOqEoVqZLZsvrLDrAeeJmTLu789hg7RVjZQOVfhNoGKfMjXr6Sh89Qcro8kkt9bqyCEKA58Nv4oe9lGii1s11KxQfsHIjld1QtW8bLZoVZWaKSZy/s320/IMG_20180812_192800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The picture below was a frustrating part of the table refinishing process. I used the wrong polyurethane, and it left a horrible yellow tint to the top. I had to sand it all off, with a layer of gray. The silver lining was Greg felt so bad for me, he purchased an awesome orbital sander for me! I had been borrowing sanding tools from family and friends, now I finally own one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiA3S6HZXwS9vm2EYxkxM5kq8PkYzazKrUib7qAvDJWuN9w2FeG6Z3vI2l8vyS4Lw98X7MXl9i3Mgo9_RY062ZuH3go_hW0U8pSdcdKlD6l5roKw7u-ge-Pf1hPBGVyFszW8klQ4olYQ/s1600/IMG_20180809_201522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiA3S6HZXwS9vm2EYxkxM5kq8PkYzazKrUib7qAvDJWuN9w2FeG6Z3vI2l8vyS4Lw98X7MXl9i3Mgo9_RY062ZuH3go_hW0U8pSdcdKlD6l5roKw7u-ge-Pf1hPBGVyFszW8klQ4olYQ/s320/IMG_20180809_201522.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original seat fabric</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrm7JN_lA20ZKPB1tSXozekvK96QzuXV4wRwV7-kR5QoywUyCON8wJYYz8ycuTX7WWaimvsvTwf7dbfzyIIZi1KTZP2MW0VXHQc4LBfBjQHth_v9qwWXLY5YxKbef7nxo6EHEB2dcwGEb/s1600/IMG_20180809_200259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrm7JN_lA20ZKPB1tSXozekvK96QzuXV4wRwV7-kR5QoywUyCON8wJYYz8ycuTX7WWaimvsvTwf7dbfzyIIZi1KTZP2MW0VXHQc4LBfBjQHth_v9qwWXLY5YxKbef7nxo6EHEB2dcwGEb/s320/IMG_20180809_200259.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New seat cover</td></tr>
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Below is the pedestal table that was purchased by the owner. She said it reminded her of her grandparent's dining table. I covered up the details of the wood work on the skirt of the table to update a little bit. Then, sanded everything down. The table was actually in great condition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx2Hqlexz2b7rxWOYTVcptly4xJuQP86ybucELI3yBOwxDXK6grneeQekM1pNNNrXLjFWdeWD7viEQaMnV4pLl4v_SQIt7hu6j56lxVVqeS4_et_GmLJZ5mshcQi9sn9aT8qO1mR8ais2/s1600/MVIMG_20180801_160555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx2Hqlexz2b7rxWOYTVcptly4xJuQP86ybucELI3yBOwxDXK6grneeQekM1pNNNrXLjFWdeWD7viEQaMnV4pLl4v_SQIt7hu6j56lxVVqeS4_et_GmLJZ5mshcQi9sn9aT8qO1mR8ais2/s320/MVIMG_20180801_160555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The table after a few coats of primer. The heat was a big factor in painting. You shouldn't paint in 90 degree heat, and you REALLY shouldn't paint in 105 degree heat. The primer was drying so fast, I had to work very quickly and not mess up at all. I made sure to at least wait 24 hours between each coat of paint and varnish, which was really hard for me, because I usually rush painting. But I knew I really wanted it to set and cure correctly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7QABDxisy86QTuHUYY8XRgPjfCPoTedvyJvJ7Zp4VvjyjnN4rDw0-A9Po3X6Tzomh2l0N-aWuBvj50I3oKzprtqlkEjC8NHMunNQd3FYK4y1vJyJn4giQzJHdGWppY3WcOTRz8EXvfY9/s1600/MVIMG_20180805_151828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7QABDxisy86QTuHUYY8XRgPjfCPoTedvyJvJ7Zp4VvjyjnN4rDw0-A9Po3X6Tzomh2l0N-aWuBvj50I3oKzprtqlkEjC8NHMunNQd3FYK4y1vJyJn4giQzJHdGWppY3WcOTRz8EXvfY9/s320/MVIMG_20180805_151828.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here are some extra pics of the art deco buffet before it left my garage. It really was a beautiful piece, if we had any form of formal dining room I would have kept it. <br />
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Side Note: We never asked for/received fancy china or silverware for our wedding. So, what would I have put in it?? I couldn't let it go to waste on me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKFCSh_8_I8rOOTsSy17hPmDYSRsJYWnvy0U92bF6jmRF_A9grJIaIZhhG7QnVvJmy1q-A4NSIcYZNpDv0zOXWHPU1M_MJh8lvWdlJFItVzqOv9PNhhjegpbNJ38gT_P9afo3qLe472h8/s1600/IMG_20180712_181244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKFCSh_8_I8rOOTsSy17hPmDYSRsJYWnvy0U92bF6jmRF_A9grJIaIZhhG7QnVvJmy1q-A4NSIcYZNpDv0zOXWHPU1M_MJh8lvWdlJFItVzqOv9PNhhjegpbNJ38gT_P9afo3qLe472h8/s320/IMG_20180712_181244.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
All the doors and drawers were in great shape!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYmueYL4nocGCvqoCqIJ4RBml6TiPjwRMQnDlbLsA2urIS_YOsmZgk72ftew9Z7PqRISKNdfkOfzVhIYAGkLuO7TP4AZO5q-EWjpF6qf6EBaHcT8kvst2Y3p5wqlO0_im7hYDiReH8m24/s1600/IMG_20180712_181419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYmueYL4nocGCvqoCqIJ4RBml6TiPjwRMQnDlbLsA2urIS_YOsmZgk72ftew9Z7PqRISKNdfkOfzVhIYAGkLuO7TP4AZO5q-EWjpF6qf6EBaHcT8kvst2Y3p5wqlO0_im7hYDiReH8m24/s320/IMG_20180712_181419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK11NEKtHQc2OsYRYREv8yyqSka3Mu1XvyxIWx1JxiO4xLtWIR_zBd3vYhFADBPrJ-plUnVGpj2IR2tWv_Ui3yqUFZIUDfpZdA2tsUWEpmotx5wFdQDEq_UnuQeDo9XrAfZKU-ABpeYwr6/s1600/IMG_20180712_181514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK11NEKtHQc2OsYRYREv8yyqSka3Mu1XvyxIWx1JxiO4xLtWIR_zBd3vYhFADBPrJ-plUnVGpj2IR2tWv_Ui3yqUFZIUDfpZdA2tsUWEpmotx5wFdQDEq_UnuQeDo9XrAfZKU-ABpeYwr6/s320/IMG_20180712_181514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcuxbmE6yKYLhpwzcxFdzD9L6d3f8mYM17n8Fs97u6VVpO3Otefxm8jw3B4mq9anLUqGpPPq0nDyJbtq7nELsBXWpU2p3Tz-XuqkgSv3G1QtHDQ79oPCRDyb5DaFxqRn-JGitSqp7yqpN/s1600/MVIMG_20180712_181342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcuxbmE6yKYLhpwzcxFdzD9L6d3f8mYM17n8Fs97u6VVpO3Otefxm8jw3B4mq9anLUqGpPPq0nDyJbtq7nELsBXWpU2p3Tz-XuqkgSv3G1QtHDQ79oPCRDyb5DaFxqRn-JGitSqp7yqpN/s320/MVIMG_20180712_181342.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous original pulls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHIIPWAyE3SAJNM59AoGzMRRtHhsYmwBMzJlR4_55u1GZgq1fwBbv5a3abcswIVyXzH6I_agUd1pOpeGOF1Dmkw9UupA8eg6h4btM6PivxtMYXX7ZInrFEQy4gXbwcXCVqIqvDM3Z5zKG/s1600/MVIMG_20180712_181348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHIIPWAyE3SAJNM59AoGzMRRtHhsYmwBMzJlR4_55u1GZgq1fwBbv5a3abcswIVyXzH6I_agUd1pOpeGOF1Dmkw9UupA8eg6h4btM6PivxtMYXX7ZInrFEQy4gXbwcXCVqIqvDM3Z5zKG/s320/MVIMG_20180712_181348.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought wool pads to try and scrub off the old age, which didn't happen. But I sort of like how old they look!</td></tr>
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Well, that was my first table, chairs and buffet! I hope that it gets used for many years to come! I also think I've found a new hobby!patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-16056193811471798282018-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:002018-05-21T19:30:24.720-07:00Sweet memories and new artwork!Summer is upon us, and the kids are so excited! They love anything to do with water, but I think the beach is their favorite. We have visited Crystal Beach the past few summers with my mom, siblings, nieces and nephews. It brings back sweet memories of our beach trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. My great-aunt lived a few blocks from the beach, and going there was our favorite. From the huge flea market, stopping at every state sign for an obligatory picture, playing putt putt at the most AMAZING courses, to singing a silly song. It went:<br />
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We're going to the </div>
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Beach, beach, beach</div>
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What a peach</div>
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Of a beach.</div>
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Silly, but it was catchy and we would sing it all the way there. Now, I've done the same thing with my kids, thank heavens the drive to Galveston is way closer than Myrtle Beach! </div>
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So, all of this led to a great art project. I love having an art idea and bringing it to life. I created my artwork first on the computer, and then re-created on stained wood with acrylic paint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDApHDST8F904J3WJS6s0jK_kM5uXvoYA6x8R0m7wI5bf7g-ybpCqMLumvCgTUEbAg_4Ju8L8-9Mu-NV_YMp2MRIWF1YGf3Bi8ynTlty3OZNpfwxup_sZ4TJckP50dHKhAdZPzO6__kfe/s1600/MVIMG_20180521_204404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDApHDST8F904J3WJS6s0jK_kM5uXvoYA6x8R0m7wI5bf7g-ybpCqMLumvCgTUEbAg_4Ju8L8-9Mu-NV_YMp2MRIWF1YGf3Bi8ynTlty3OZNpfwxup_sZ4TJckP50dHKhAdZPzO6__kfe/s320/MVIMG_20180521_204404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Above is the picture that I made on the computer. Below is a comparison of paper vs. wood.</div>
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I thought it turned out pretty decent! I do struggle with free handing fonts. I will be giving this to my mom as a thank you for all the wonderful memories at the beach growing up, as well as all the future memories we will be making with family. What a peach of a beach!</div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-2819943506483368092017-12-27T14:03:00.001-08:002017-12-27T14:04:04.554-08:00A Handmade ChristmasIf you know me, my love language for others is gifts. I love to make/bake things for others. I remember as a 14 year old wanting to learn to sew so I could start making things for others.<br />
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I always try to make something special around Christmas time, and this year was no different. It actually had quite a few handcrafted things. There's something special about receiving something that someone spent time and energy creating. It took forethought, and a lot of time, and that is something that a lot of people don't do nowadays (yes, I just sounded like I was a 60 year old grumpus).<br />
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The first thing I started working on was a crocheted blanket for a sweet friend. My first idea was to crochet her a pizza slice snuggie, sort of like those mermaid tales, but a huge pizza wedge. Super fun, but after looking at yarn prices for this larger project, it was going to cost around $80 just for the yarn! Seemed a little steep for me, so I went with a watermelon blanket instead. The yarn was cheaper, but way less bulky, so it seemed to take FOREVER to crochet up. I carried around a yarn bag and crocheted every time the kids played on the playground, it was fun for me to finally see it start taking form. I made it quite wide, and probably should have made it longer but I ran out of gumption (and yarn). Turned out great as a snuggie blanket on the couch!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSJLewGQ2zPb3zT5NVHMO3itdbB_0AlDZh0hdTgoil5U5doPJPaGuN7QbT08uKH8-jJqi0koVGK1nVjHoYE0bsY4cA-v9pi-nDNThqYN0p-zxKQdYc2LKpDSdnkCheK6NWqmT7EO-CgHV/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSJLewGQ2zPb3zT5NVHMO3itdbB_0AlDZh0hdTgoil5U5doPJPaGuN7QbT08uKH8-jJqi0koVGK1nVjHoYE0bsY4cA-v9pi-nDNThqYN0p-zxKQdYc2LKpDSdnkCheK6NWqmT7EO-CgHV/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxUXFKtKxT45aVtpmWuZpeJkfescOaeiDqiiGArUqYoYW89KEbpNT7j6PbeRBj1DvkOusHkwn5P5kEFlKyukny5qmqaAr3iyLunjiMywdMLwpdm_OdLawXehL1v0IyhefYI8kVrCDLRjc/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxUXFKtKxT45aVtpmWuZpeJkfescOaeiDqiiGArUqYoYW89KEbpNT7j6PbeRBj1DvkOusHkwn5P5kEFlKyukny5qmqaAr3iyLunjiMywdMLwpdm_OdLawXehL1v0IyhefYI8kVrCDLRjc/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My next project for Christmas was a desk re-do for Mallory. She BEGGED for a desk for her room. Her room didn't have that much space, so we needed something on the small side. As luck may have it, we went to a garage sale a few weeks ago, and she had $10 burning a hole in her pocket. She said that she was going to find a desk for $10 at the garage sale. I told her, not likely, but she was adamant in finding one. We pull up to the garage sale, and guess what? There was a child sized desk right in front of us for $10. It needed some love, so we agreed that if she bought the desk, I would fix it up for her for Christmas. I chalk painted it white, changed the hardware and was planning to modpodge fabric on to the top. Well, the fabric on top turned out to be a horrible idea, so that extra fabric will (eventually) be turned in to a pillow. The top was painted white to match the rest of the desk. Mallory loves it, she is such a crafty person and she loves to make things for others as well. She has already put it to good use and has spent much time sitting at her desk and has made a goal to make bracelets for her whole class at school.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GJN1Crd2ZO_dqmK9ySDSP4UfiHIiUkDmSA66X8yEAl6ep2HSI5DnoKWqHfeLK7CAFdZRm6q4V_AJmqIOB5Zq9UBBmF5JhYWjanfKatyt2Yewq20TgquRnq4MUU_VgYt0T3P2gHO5J8ty/s1600/MVIMG_20171226_171711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GJN1Crd2ZO_dqmK9ySDSP4UfiHIiUkDmSA66X8yEAl6ep2HSI5DnoKWqHfeLK7CAFdZRm6q4V_AJmqIOB5Zq9UBBmF5JhYWjanfKatyt2Yewq20TgquRnq4MUU_VgYt0T3P2gHO5J8ty/s320/MVIMG_20171226_171711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had an on-going project in the garage for Greg's mom. She requested that an old 12-pained door be turned in to a shelf and decorative hangers attached. Shelf was added, brackets screwed in and was painted a pretty oatmeal-gray color. Knobs to hang things were added, and it was done! It actually took me a while to finish this one, as I was queen of procrastination with this project. Also, no pictures. :(<br />
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My last project started a week before Christmas. I think I am one of those people that works somewhat well under pressure. So, with most of the other projects done/under control I decided to start a t-shirt quilt for Greg. I had been meaning to do this for some time with all of the t-shirts collected from our baseball teams from Germany. I also used all the VBS shirts we have received the past few years. This is how we spend our summers: Germany and VBS! I did Greg's quilt differently than any other I had done before. I did it in large sections to create more of a "quilted" look, and it actually worked up very quickly. Since I wanted it to be a surprise, I could only work on it while Greg was at work. This might be the only time where it was helpful that he works so much! I wondered if he knew what his surprise gift was, he was definitely shocked! It was nice to give him something that he wasn't expecting. I feel like we are at that age/stage of life where you just get your spouse what they ask for or need. It gets harder and harder to surprise them with something unexpected, so it was a nice gift to give!<br />
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My garage is almost empty of all the projects, I still have one more out there to be completed over Christmas break. For our 12 year anniversary we upgraded to a king size bed. We didn't want to rush a headboard purchase, and Greg was sure that I could make one! Well, I tried to tell him no I don't have time, but when I got the headboard wood for free I gave in. I still need to buy the fabric to cover it and to repaint the wall in our bedroom, but now that project seems doable since I am on winter break.</div>
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Before you think I have it all under control and am queen of projects, let me share my Christmas shortcomings. We baked cookies for Mallory to sell to raise money for Salvation Army, and by the time Christmas actually came around, I was so burned out that I baked NOTHING for my own family. I think Santa just got brownies out of the box and some carrots. I felt bad, because the kids begged for gingerbread men to decorate and I just didn't have the desire to bake anything. Also, as I was perusing Facebook a day before Christmas Eve everyone was posting about all the yummy meals they were preparing for Christmas Eve, breakfast for Christmas and Christmas dinner. You know what we had for Christmas dinner? Leftovers! Oops! </div>
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It's all about balance, right?? Now that the crafts have slowed down, maybe I can start feeding my family something other than pizza and hot dogs! 😅</div>
patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-43956484158878586412017-04-08T14:36:00.001-07:002017-04-08T14:36:56.787-07:00Mid-Century Console RedoYou know that feeling they tell you when you see the perfect house? A feeling of longing and contentment and potential all wrapped in to one is the best way to describe it. Well, I don't have that feeling with houses, but more with furniture. I saw this piece on a For Sale website on Facebook, and I HAD to have it. I wasn't even looking for anything, it just popped up on my newsfeed almost screaming at me, "Buy me!!"<br />
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Above is the beginning faze. I loved the look of the piece. It is a large piece, measuring 19"x70". It had a great amount of storage, which is something we needed. I decided it would be perfect as a new TV console. The price was $30, I offered $25 and she accepted! Greg and I picked it up in the rain, dropped it twice because that thing is HEAVY! Nothing was broken, which means it was made well and withstand time.</div>
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I hated the top, it was just a piece of particle board and was swollen over a large section. I decided to take the piece all apart. I was really worried about this step because my dad would have put 15 screws, 20 staples, and liquid nails on that top. But thank heavens, it was attached with about 10 screws that easily came out after I found the right square bit. Drawers came out, door came off and shelves came out. Now to prep the surface for paint! I lightly sanded down everything.</div>
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I ran in to a few problems sanding. At some point, they put a thick layer of stain over the already stain and varnish. It ended gunking up my sander, so I had to scrape off that extra layer with a chisel. It was tedious, especially since the last piece I did was the worst of them all.</div>
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Now to start the fun part! The drawer and door pulls were absolutely huge! They were matte black, but after closer inspection I noticed they had been painted as well. I was going to buy something to match the gold capped mid-century legs, but after taking a sander to the handles, it was gold underneath! I sanded some parts quite hard so it has a "brushed" look which is fine with me. This saved me $$!</div>
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After a base coat of Zinsser (which is great by the way), I got to finally pick out a paint color. I wanted a light shade of gray. Do you know how many shades of gray there are?? Millions! All had a different undertone that you don't notice until comparing to other gray samples. I struggled with this. After I put the paint on, it has a hint of brown undertone, not what I was going for but ended up going great with the new wood top. </div>
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Paint cost: $20</div>
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The new top! I bought this pre-cut piece at Lowe's. I actually had to get it cut down, which left me with an extra piece about 20"x26" which will later be used as a sign...TBD. I borrowed stain and varnish from my mom. I only put one coat of stain, but two coats of varnish. I didn't sand in between coats of varnish: One, because I'm lazy. Two, because it gave it a rough texture that I liked.</div>
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Stain and Varnish: FREE</div>
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Piece of wood: $40</div>
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Now to assemble! Don't mind the garage mess, three kids will keep a garage a total wreck ;)</div>
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Finished product! So much storage than before! We have a ton of extra space, and put some games down from a high shelf so the kids have easier access to them.</div>
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Shortly after, Greg HAD to have a bigger TV to go with the bigger TV console. Boys. </div>
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Love the pop of gold at the bottom of the legs! One of the legs had ripped off and been badly repaired previously, but ended up being an easy fix and is sturdy as ever!</div>
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Gold handles!! </div>
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Top of the TV Console. </div>
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In the end, I spent a total of $80, not bad I think! I love the look that it adds to our living room. It also provides ample storage for the kid's play things. The ONLY peeve I have is that since we run our modem from the stand, and the stand has taller legs; I can see cords all the way in the back. All I need to do is get some sticky strips and adhere the power strip to the back of the console and problem solved!<br />
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If anyone spies a mid-century desk with storage, let me know! patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-85660874933850557902016-10-16T13:26:00.000-07:002016-10-16T13:26:16.362-07:00Kitchen Remodel is DONE!This post has been a long time coming! I am so excited to share with you what we decided to do with our kitchen.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before</span></div>
When searching for our 3rd house, the thing on the top of my list was a completed kitchen. Our previous two houses had the wonderful white laminate counter top/back splash that stained at the drop of kool-aid and seemed to never be able to keep clean. Well, we finally chose a house that had everything on our dream list EXCEPT the kitchen. So, first thing on our to-do list was to start saving up for a kitchen remodel. We started with replacing the knobs, microwave, stove/cooktop and the dishwasher. Then, life happened and the AC had to be replaced and mission trips had to be paid for. 2.5 years later and we finally got started!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the laundry room. Really dislike the faux painted wall of yellow and brown</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had our box flourescent light closed up and 4 can lights took its place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileLQv7BPEzs-iBZqdfqlePFAsM0CLdK3lIELY3m5IZxtLUC0QJogxUrOK2jZIpIhsvWstuOZyGDbBxFd50PY8qzRzumczEsVyA_bhyphenhyphen5rfrWmE7oPpB1hQ1u4l2kcCfTtsxHSMUc6b6UD7/s1600/0727160725a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileLQv7BPEzs-iBZqdfqlePFAsM0CLdK3lIELY3m5IZxtLUC0QJogxUrOK2jZIpIhsvWstuOZyGDbBxFd50PY8qzRzumczEsVyA_bhyphenhyphen5rfrWmE7oPpB1hQ1u4l2kcCfTtsxHSMUc6b6UD7/s320/0727160725a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that white counter top and back splash. It really showed our house's age.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf4UwYk9IqOkr6ZZp_C6Clkomh0hxq2PH6c2LmioXWgFXRptJDha-GGvkF2JeUfxP4IV9U-XBgrHOVjiPld4Oi_rRYhK4nPOoK1s57VcbkuXw6V16jhauHgrG2gYvDcMfKzZLwBNngZp5/s1600/0727160726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf4UwYk9IqOkr6ZZp_C6Clkomh0hxq2PH6c2LmioXWgFXRptJDha-GGvkF2JeUfxP4IV9U-XBgrHOVjiPld4Oi_rRYhK4nPOoK1s57VcbkuXw6V16jhauHgrG2gYvDcMfKzZLwBNngZp5/s320/0727160726.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still more white counters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmIB81ERyRUBp7KWfR_sOArnSLnQfubEGoEq_HdKkzomHylEk8Sc3SbV2cEsGcSxWKSORMjExEb0E3EvtqofTX8WK_gheqVrxe42DZoE7mWN1JQjpRNjp9fGTeRTWSaSzgwmvcZFJ87ix/s1600/0727160725b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmIB81ERyRUBp7KWfR_sOArnSLnQfubEGoEq_HdKkzomHylEk8Sc3SbV2cEsGcSxWKSORMjExEb0E3EvtqofTX8WK_gheqVrxe42DZoE7mWN1JQjpRNjp9fGTeRTWSaSzgwmvcZFJ87ix/s320/0727160725b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White porcelain sink with a ton of scratchs<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">During</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We chose yellow river granite for our counter tops and a tumbled stone with a light grout for the back splash. I really struggled with these decisions for some reason. It seemed so easy to spend the money in my head, but in real life spending the money seemed a little more difficult. We went with the aged bronze for our faucet and a big stainless steel sink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Paint!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This decision was another tough one. I had so many ideas going through my head, I had a hard time just choosing one. I didn't want it to be too "farmhouse" or too "country" but not super cookie-cutter either. I was leaning toward a greenish gray, but when seeing them in person, our family actually went with a blue gray called "Fresh Idea". I think it really compliments the wood tone and earthy tones of the counters. It seemed WAY too blue at first, but once we got all of the red and yellow off the wall it really did grow on me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just for reference, the above picture are the original colors. A butter cream on the top (which our whole house is painted in) and a crimson on the bottom. All the butter cream was covered up by the new paint and the crimson was covered up by plank PVC bead board (best product ever!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After (Finally!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGcAtpXEFTYMLR0rI7bTMFerABu9vMWvhmtVjLK_IJinSZsneYwYtY0qaZm41T8qkI_huTk2QZK33GLs1vYiknTmXosSDEBIrwT690nTRRQvyGlsSk0D3kPBz4-AhXmM8IcJO_ih9rLft/s1600/DSCN0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGcAtpXEFTYMLR0rI7bTMFerABu9vMWvhmtVjLK_IJinSZsneYwYtY0qaZm41T8qkI_huTk2QZK33GLs1vYiknTmXosSDEBIrwT690nTRRQvyGlsSk0D3kPBz4-AhXmM8IcJO_ih9rLft/s320/DSCN0774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I love the completed look! It makes me happy to walk in to my kitchen every day! The counter tops are a great camouflage for crumbs (almost too good), and everything just seems to go together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was a little spoiled by renovation shows. I thought it would all be done within two days, but the whole process took from finish to end was about two weeks and then I had to finish hanging the bead board. The only thing I have left to do is paint the bead board a high gloss white, but who knows when that is going to happen and I wanted to share!</span></div>
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<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-56704873586106408082016-06-20T19:05:00.001-07:002016-06-20T19:05:41.556-07:00My Progression of Emotions Towards RunningOh, so many emotions towards running. The funny thing is they change weekly. So, I thought I'd elaborate and share with you the roller coaster of feelings these past 9 weeks.<br />
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To start, I decided to start running 10 weeks ago. After hernia surgery in December, and quitting my gym membership (mom guilt), I had no exercise outlet. So, I laced up my shoes and started running (let's be real, a jog). I have no goal in mind. I don't own a scale, so the only weigh-in I do is my yearly check-ups. I have no desire to do a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon. A reason I did start running was to maintain or even lose a little weight, and this is told by how my clothes fit and how I feel. Let's get started:<br />
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Week 1: Thoughts running through my head: "I think I'm dying." "Why would anyone do this for fun?" How long do I have to be gone for Greg to come looking for me?" "I'm pretty sure my 6 year old can run faster than me." "I'm still dying."<br />
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Week represented through emojis: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqgUxDaQEB6989fyW5glTwjHr4_aup3jEkQXibm3asMuD9iE0UUsCdYghMdBHhurG7-vBioh1kVBlXrs36IHmtsy7SmaT4wURQxFprK1_1wz91qqNrkS9Fm9Z_Xnmg2itQS9Y31pfMEW8/s1600/Dying+emoji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqgUxDaQEB6989fyW5glTwjHr4_aup3jEkQXibm3asMuD9iE0UUsCdYghMdBHhurG7-vBioh1kVBlXrs36IHmtsy7SmaT4wURQxFprK1_1wz91qqNrkS9Fm9Z_Xnmg2itQS9Y31pfMEW8/s200/Dying+emoji.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Week 2: Mallory joined me for the next few weeks. I had to listen to her sweet voice tell me that she is faster than me and ask why I go so slow. It was actually good bonding time, when I could breathe. Thoughts: "I might not be dying, but I still don't enjoy this." "I still feel silly."</div>
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Week represented through emojis:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkkEr91oic3iK0mArfWR4iSD3Zb7HVCy9bP6gQXkJBA0Wzp-bWMuYLrAh0czfuFIhq26hlbiEfE5y0SqFlSqAo3ePIgVGrYR7yqEd7WpLPgHgaO7Zpy3QH5lrQzVweYt0oEiazq7MPHwq/s1600/crying+emoji.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkkEr91oic3iK0mArfWR4iSD3Zb7HVCy9bP6gQXkJBA0Wzp-bWMuYLrAh0czfuFIhq26hlbiEfE5y0SqFlSqAo3ePIgVGrYR7yqEd7WpLPgHgaO7Zpy3QH5lrQzVweYt0oEiazq7MPHwq/s200/crying+emoji.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Weeks 3 & 4: These weeks were where I wanted to quit. I was running past some kids and thought they said something mean. My feelings were hurt by a 12 year old. That was pretty depressing, but Greg reminded me that I blow things out of proportion (only a few times) and it was probably all in my head. So, I gave myself a pep-talk and kept going. Thoughts: "Middle schoolers are stupid." "I can do this." "I am officially not dying!!"</div>
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Week represented through emojis:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgH6QqErIG6m6PmvXVzuaFtTIadb36cQGt5BuVwudJ5WHFNf1Z1S4t4ka4ae2gcFDqvq0SMzDVtA9m1-CYvHFrpGHR5SwnYTh0gxCtqaAZ0WPc-LL4AH3hQ8SMGrZSw6fPm5pKuJPEjDK/s1600/crying-face.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgH6QqErIG6m6PmvXVzuaFtTIadb36cQGt5BuVwudJ5WHFNf1Z1S4t4ka4ae2gcFDqvq0SMzDVtA9m1-CYvHFrpGHR5SwnYTh0gxCtqaAZ0WPc-LL4AH3hQ8SMGrZSw6fPm5pKuJPEjDK/s200/crying-face.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Week 5: This week I started a longer run with a friend. It was great conversation time, as well as an accountability person. Thoughts: " It's sort of nice to run with a friend." "I might be enjoying running a teensy-weensy bit." </div>
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Week represented through emojis: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJuxohTmDuatOvWzSEh2xV3RS9tGjRqWX9lrVfQC5yyZS7XjnwfLrjD22Y-GI03B_z_EDZtEXC6aXgJWRQynMEkS24LhBF555hxhf2DPTIRu37P3vp5XmvUtN5TFCEExD5IqiCG_S4dOi/s1600/woman-with-bunny-ears.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJuxohTmDuatOvWzSEh2xV3RS9tGjRqWX9lrVfQC5yyZS7XjnwfLrjD22Y-GI03B_z_EDZtEXC6aXgJWRQynMEkS24LhBF555hxhf2DPTIRu37P3vp5XmvUtN5TFCEExD5IqiCG_S4dOi/s200/woman-with-bunny-ears.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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P.S. We don't dress like this to run, but friend emojis are slim-pickings.</div>
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Weeks 6-7: My goal at the beginning was to run atleast 2 times a week. I am doing 3. I am motivated to accomplish this number. I added more distance and am changing up my routes (I get bored very easily with exercising). I have started timing my miles...which I will not be sharing because it is so sad. Thoughts: "Feeling stronger." "I got this!"</div>
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Week represented through emojis:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwlBBI0NVCDWCWu549iiTIYfDey2enzZQUzrRfiXmPV57pQr0M-c4KMfOoRjns_pjDwLzBiMp2fr5TWn5WfQk6IM1cJ3nT8GLGOiq88Im086E7R8AVE7-_k_7_e7gvbebxro8w_0Nn4p/s1600/Iphone-Emoji-Arm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwlBBI0NVCDWCWu549iiTIYfDey2enzZQUzrRfiXmPV57pQr0M-c4KMfOoRjns_pjDwLzBiMp2fr5TWn5WfQk6IM1cJ3nT8GLGOiq88Im086E7R8AVE7-_k_7_e7gvbebxro8w_0Nn4p/s1600/Iphone-Emoji-Arm.png" /></a></div>
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Week 8: VBS Week. Those two words should explain everything. It was a very LONG week. Only did one long run, and only one thought: "So. Much. Sweat." Welcome Summer, you are extremely hot!</div>
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Week represented through emojis:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEWoGEvhQOgU0HlNRJdfEkc0d10VIyO7rSZM0et8M0l70e9fFJj4r3HgkGveUgwtYzkoepN2s1vY3SHWKgRDOjkqFpjesBL-x54icMqIOErLrIFyvsju5B-jB8FIzCUppMfkDyJYEirE4/s1600/face-with-cold-sweat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEWoGEvhQOgU0HlNRJdfEkc0d10VIyO7rSZM0et8M0l70e9fFJj4r3HgkGveUgwtYzkoepN2s1vY3SHWKgRDOjkqFpjesBL-x54icMqIOErLrIFyvsju5B-jB8FIzCUppMfkDyJYEirE4/s200/face-with-cold-sweat.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Week 9: I just finished my run and met two goals. One: I ran the WHOLE time! Now, some of that running might have been very slow, but it still counted. Two: I met a time goal for my mile. Was pretty happy since I went a little earlier than usual and could barely breathe, it was so hot and humid. Thoughts: "Getting faster!" "Faster than my 6 year old!" "Hard to breathe, but still doing it!" "Just one more minute."</div>
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Week represented through emojis: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuHPbrOBIVUg4Ervq3U8LI5eHkZQxalQh4N42JGbxhRtahfqN6XuJTdq0C6CoGAkScnwr2ymc9wphO5AheGLB5LamT7uQV4kCB8XNlsbgcnzy4HyE1OByEBkz0KRpvZXGHS0-ZtuLobMo/s1600/molly_huddles_emoji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuHPbrOBIVUg4Ervq3U8LI5eHkZQxalQh4N42JGbxhRtahfqN6XuJTdq0C6CoGAkScnwr2ymc9wphO5AheGLB5LamT7uQV4kCB8XNlsbgcnzy4HyE1OByEBkz0KRpvZXGHS0-ZtuLobMo/s200/molly_huddles_emoji.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Sort of looks like me, don't you think?? Except the smile, I am never smiling when running. Haha.</div>
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So, there it is in a nutshell. I will be finishing Week 9 on the beach. I've never run on the sand, but we shall see. </div>
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In the wise words of Dory, "Just keep swimming." ...but running in this case. </div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-12086238465254080082016-05-22T19:30:00.000-07:002016-05-22T19:30:36.778-07:00Back Patio Re-Do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Snazzy-ing up the back porch was pretty low on my "To-Do" list, but I got an itch to paint some furniture and I though the Adirondack chairs would be a perfect project. </div>
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My dad had built the Adirondack chairs many years ago and had tried to paint them right after building them. But since the pressure-treated wood was new, the paint just flaked off. Frustrated, he never painted them again. After they switched hands a few times, they ended up on our back porch screaming for a makeover. </div>
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I started with the accent pillow. I guess I should have taken a picture of the pillow, you can see a little of it in the picture below. They are royal blue, with a row of brightly colored birds. I first was going to paint them orange to go with the royal blue. I headed to the big-chain store and picked up a can of spray paint + primer. I asked the paint guy if this would cover pressure-treated wood and he said, "Yeah, sure." I came home all excited and put the first coat on the underside of the chair to make sure I liked it and...womp womp. It looked horrendous. The orange wasn't soaking up, and stayed tacky. It just looked BAD.</div>
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Plan B. Go the long route of priming them with real paint. Shortcuts went out the window. I bought Zinnser primer (great stuff, by the way) and started painting. Instead of going with orange paint, I decided to go with Aqua blue exterior paint, and am in love with it! Greg had also picked up some benches that we used for a present and then one for our garden. I decided to paint those as well. I got one chair and one bench done, but the weather and some chair repairs put us on hold for a few weeks.</div>
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Let's just say that when my dad built something, he built it to last...forever...and never be taken apart...not even by a hurricane. Chair #2 had a rotten leg and needed to be replaced. There was a large bolt, plus 4 screws (that I saw) holding the leg together. Well, after removing the bolt that was paint encrusted, 8 rusted screws, and then finding out it had liquid nails on it, I ended just banging it with the hammer until the leg finally popped off. Greg helped me cut the new leg and put in new screws and voila, the chair was ready to paint! But the weather had a different idea. It kept raining, and I needed a dry spell to paint.</div>
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I finally got that dry spell today. After a little monsoon passing by us yesterday, everything started to dry out, and the sun finally came out! I finished all the painting, finally swept the back porch and Greg helped me hang the lights that were 40% off at Michael's ( I love stuff on sale)! I am absolutely horrible of taking "Before" pictures, and not too great at taking "During" pictures, but here are some "After" pictures for your enjoyment:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Prsm8AUU0EWFcD73fyoMsJX2ZPAAWgAxg8wKbMJMH4dIFDvdlpr7gMowFEvlcXf6g6S7Y9LLfrSW5Wg4zcRK7G0pUhJrz-pRoA-xXZraz336qY616XUAJ0Y3dVfocUaF2rv5gCebLpd/s1600/DSCN0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Prsm8AUU0EWFcD73fyoMsJX2ZPAAWgAxg8wKbMJMH4dIFDvdlpr7gMowFEvlcXf6g6S7Y9LLfrSW5Wg4zcRK7G0pUhJrz-pRoA-xXZraz336qY616XUAJ0Y3dVfocUaF2rv5gCebLpd/s320/DSCN0312.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the kitchen door facing outward. Loving the aqua blue I chose for the chairs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QnV_dZ3ALQloTNhe9CaOWW-YDD6Hfv8KPq2fVIllelHn4XLga1YUPEcT4GgtEquePY2wGejWjhgOh8wxeNhbWj67HqTxgBTUU2RWiXJzcc60WnIs4l-KMFQTnRlGkg_C3Cq3A1rzDxS4/s1600/DSCN0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QnV_dZ3ALQloTNhe9CaOWW-YDD6Hfv8KPq2fVIllelHn4XLga1YUPEcT4GgtEquePY2wGejWjhgOh8wxeNhbWj67HqTxgBTUU2RWiXJzcc60WnIs4l-KMFQTnRlGkg_C3Cq3A1rzDxS4/s320/DSCN0315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking on to the back porch. Love the new lights!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIodD2N4fYxwH_A8wYQ8S35yXgpMIaglODgypFK4DxzYcQ8EKBir_jaM1cwkJbeorAMUgfDdkLAY1nK__IoNjoIwT4IevchQxtA_fX7hZrJ1WJRLUT9_AsCjwHnUHiSNj1-wE87INFY3vc/s1600/DSCN0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIodD2N4fYxwH_A8wYQ8S35yXgpMIaglODgypFK4DxzYcQ8EKBir_jaM1cwkJbeorAMUgfDdkLAY1nK__IoNjoIwT4IevchQxtA_fX7hZrJ1WJRLUT9_AsCjwHnUHiSNj1-wE87INFY3vc/s320/DSCN0316.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the yard, the whole patio. This is our new picnic table we got from Round Top. Reminds us of Germany.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwI5YUbsW07PqeBwrdlF952o-RfbhYw0Osfb2RS1dl9QTZ1f9_ArPAz-Shv-wOkWckNsfdggK39dzTKlene8LDJPUDgCdFJL6sLSJMbb7XPqOfXNpoYTPsqzQ2SF-Tg9mgzdNakPjLE-r/s1600/DSCN0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwI5YUbsW07PqeBwrdlF952o-RfbhYw0Osfb2RS1dl9QTZ1f9_ArPAz-Shv-wOkWckNsfdggK39dzTKlene8LDJPUDgCdFJL6sLSJMbb7XPqOfXNpoYTPsqzQ2SF-Tg9mgzdNakPjLE-r/s320/DSCN0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new sod!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Olw2Jt8vmJOMSUp5GmHgw1HYkYAix4lairQQ8_0YUgEqIUKbEQrKJMQnRNyHmYghJfHCAeJgO9fXrIcylRvYOqE0Eo2HRn0p7vf6fuQUUryb2ibA2CHAzyaUt0i6L2tYbj5Y1ZTiApz/s1600/DSCN0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Olw2Jt8vmJOMSUp5GmHgw1HYkYAix4lairQQ8_0YUgEqIUKbEQrKJMQnRNyHmYghJfHCAeJgO9fXrIcylRvYOqE0Eo2HRn0p7vf6fuQUUryb2ibA2CHAzyaUt0i6L2tYbj5Y1ZTiApz/s320/DSCN0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the benches</td></tr>
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A week or so ago, I saw our neighbor laying sod in his yard. He had a few pallets full of sod, and I mentioned that if he had any left over, I would pay him for it. He let my buy 30 square feet, which didn't cover as much of the dead spot in the middle of the yard as I thought. A few days later, he said he had more, and I could take 30 more square feet. I happily took it, and covered more of our sad-looking yard. The rain has been great for the St. Augustine grass to take root, but I probably need another 60 square feet to put a real dent in the bald spot. <br />
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That will be another project for another day. For now, I will eat a cookie and enjoy the back porch.<br />
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-10078639214655935472016-03-16T07:42:00.001-07:002016-03-16T07:42:42.142-07:00Painting a Piano!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I painted this piano a while ago, but am just getting around to writing (typing?) about it. The piano was one of the first projects I used Annie Sloan chalk paint on. I started with an end table first (forgot to take pictures of that project). The top to the end table had come off, there were nicks and scratches on it, and I had accidentally spilled a bottle of pink nail polish on it. Needless to say, it needed a new coat of paint. So, for my birthday I asked for a quart of Annie Sloan paint in Provincial Blue. I started with the end table first: glued the top back on, made sure to wipe and clean all surfaces and started painting! It went really well and I was itching to paint something else, so the piano became my next project.</div>
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Picture #1: We got this piano free from friends of a friend. They were moving, and didn't want to move it. So we got it, free of charge! The kids like to play on it, I got a few beginner books and it has been fun to play around on. But it was a drab brown that blended in with the floor too much. Why not paint it blue?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPkWtBGlUmq8AILN2bSDKZcqb7ZNlT5qgQRUcrAST7mbmy0F4N4fjHIydlrfobRCf5-3Bqi7W-Jf2dVr4geXXow5Wi1ThNdx24qNya6-GwK4T1ptBLstB7AuTAQOeGOBcIfE50tR0DDVe/s1600/20150711_132323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPkWtBGlUmq8AILN2bSDKZcqb7ZNlT5qgQRUcrAST7mbmy0F4N4fjHIydlrfobRCf5-3Bqi7W-Jf2dVr4geXXow5Wi1ThNdx24qNya6-GwK4T1ptBLstB7AuTAQOeGOBcIfE50tR0DDVe/s320/20150711_132323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture #2: This was after two coats of the Provincial Blue. I kept it like this for a few weeks, but still felt that something was missing. It was better than it was, but not its best.<br />
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Picture #3: I decided to cover the bench with this fun arrow print. I put some batting down as well to make it a little more comfortable. I remember covering this in my closet during nap time. I didn't want to wake up the smallest with all my nailing, so I hid in the closet covering a piano bench.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrsveyw-I84iGAFjP_LTJB8UDp6u95-dJlhmLCzd1zhCZyJB5OZaZ4UuGxbusGoEMSXMJUmYC8up0WweGcVS65fKVvh3vqvY86bqDIpsEf1SmePLN60gtIzN9UYWjg37gJGifuKKRWBZF/s1600/20150801_134105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrsveyw-I84iGAFjP_LTJB8UDp6u95-dJlhmLCzd1zhCZyJB5OZaZ4UuGxbusGoEMSXMJUmYC8up0WweGcVS65fKVvh3vqvY86bqDIpsEf1SmePLN60gtIzN9UYWjg37gJGifuKKRWBZF/s320/20150801_134105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture #4: I decided to add some white accents! Definitely gave the piano a little more oomph and pizzazz. I really did want to paint behind the keys, but couldn't figure out how to get the keys to stay down, so that area stayed brown. <br />
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I think the only area that was a big oops was the varnish. I did a light coat of Annie Sloan varnish on all the whole piano except the top. I wanted to do something a little more water proof in case a drink was left there. I had previously purchased some boat varnish (for a wooden sign for a garden that needed to withstand the weather) and decided if it was good enough to keep water off of a boat, it was good enough for the top of my piano. Well, this varnish has a yellow tint to it and it left my white paint looking a little yellowish and discolored. No one notices unless I point it out, and the top is covered with nick knacks anyways. <br />
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I enjoy this piece so much. It ties my living room together because it shares its color with the end table. Seems like it will be sticking around for quite a few years!patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-54893238885260681292016-03-13T18:55:00.000-07:002016-03-13T18:55:12.708-07:00Tube TV turned bookshelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year will be the year of finishing projects. I have so many half-projects or even ideas floating through my head, and it's time to complete them. Of course, this will be the perfect place to record these projects. </div>
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My project that has probably lasted the longest (almost 8 months) is the tube TV turned bookshelves. Ever since I was a tween (forever ago) I would watch Caroline in the City. Anyone else remember that show?? Anyways, she had an old TV turned fish tank and from that moment on I knew that I would do some kind of project involving some of those components. </div>
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In June 2015 (remember, I started 8 months ago), our church has a huge garage sale. I saw this beauty for sale. I totally took a gamble and DIDN'T buy it. First, because I was cheap, second, because I was cheap. Well lucky me, a few days later the garage sale was done and it was sadly sitting by the garbage bin waiting to be thrown away. I got some tools and another handy person, and removed the gut of the TV. Let me tell you, the project almost came to a halt when I found a live cockroach crawling on the inside. I was about to scrap the whole idea, that's how much I hate those bugs. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Picture #1: June 2015. TV is tubeless and ready to be carted home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr323E4_SueHPd22A4NxmQAjYhCWWMY0w9KX0EktsjibqozP1LP0TX2nIvmU995hboLAMQXLsI1SJTHf8src2v49mGrIfhAXpPZtNcEw1eNrVSYUhnthe-YHDdBp6z6ED2DhuMHjKShQsQ/s1600/20150615_160958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr323E4_SueHPd22A4NxmQAjYhCWWMY0w9KX0EktsjibqozP1LP0TX2nIvmU995hboLAMQXLsI1SJTHf8src2v49mGrIfhAXpPZtNcEw1eNrVSYUhnthe-YHDdBp6z6ED2DhuMHjKShQsQ/s320/20150615_160958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture #2: Phase 2: The Shelves. I have a handy friend who helped me out with the shelf building, probably on the promise of chocolate chip cookies that I never made. This phase was completed in August of 2015...and then a lot of time passed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp4hv6m6TxAq1Aviu0O3hizgFdha4exevijER9XsNQsUKxv4tJWcPFlbH1sZ4NtTAeTypyytQFCgTZNd_MY4VX37fOjjjO5OgMqhk21i245ViDRt84PINmFGIuOax7umvuqRzW86118xI/s1600/20150823_145457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp4hv6m6TxAq1Aviu0O3hizgFdha4exevijER9XsNQsUKxv4tJWcPFlbH1sZ4NtTAeTypyytQFCgTZNd_MY4VX37fOjjjO5OgMqhk21i245ViDRt84PINmFGIuOax7umvuqRzW86118xI/s320/20150823_145457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Phase 3: The paint! After a few weeks I finally got around to painting the shelves. I painted the outside with white chalk paint generously given to me no charge by my sister who had some left over from a previous project. I painted the inside shelves "Pure Silver". It is actually our bathroom color, left over from that project. Remember, I am cheap :). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8Vopgnrud4JWZKB2GGbelVqaH28FWiAsV2VeV-52Yqz0sTzfZZX_deiItOGaVxJdRkbapPGiCnGzUGt_bM7VxW_EV2Qyi0dpBZLAFO_Q91ugyxLGz2yKYTrjTahlGxUIaeNNbTejcyiY/s1600/20151010_130308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8Vopgnrud4JWZKB2GGbelVqaH28FWiAsV2VeV-52Yqz0sTzfZZX_deiItOGaVxJdRkbapPGiCnGzUGt_bM7VxW_EV2Qyi0dpBZLAFO_Q91ugyxLGz2yKYTrjTahlGxUIaeNNbTejcyiY/s320/20151010_130308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finished the paint in October 2015</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFl7-cFxofBK68fEL4dGc13NxkWdWZziYzjBKoYXgSb6mTb7mokKpBBTrdG0nEulYBlb9-H5i1yoKfmjdQ1KC2Ib8WgL0jjieNSe4wlxGapCQ8GjWSO5qnOB7cPLKcIBYyz8X5NyzBFBA/s1600/20151010_130339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFl7-cFxofBK68fEL4dGc13NxkWdWZziYzjBKoYXgSb6mTb7mokKpBBTrdG0nEulYBlb9-H5i1yoKfmjdQ1KC2Ib8WgL0jjieNSe4wlxGapCQ8GjWSO5qnOB7cPLKcIBYyz8X5NyzBFBA/s320/20151010_130339.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Original knobs glued and screwed in.</div>
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Phase 4: Finally convincing Greg to let me put it in the house! After much discussion and garage cleaning, I finally brought it in to the house in January 2016</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeqYSFjCZo9irr1TOAPWQcPA0qfX76PR6GlidMZzOQnVJ1BV1qGYMD1SOx6SqzqxgBZKxDwbH235NFPlfASpWg4b9jc8KETxjBSctcIMbPL-w1fye4oNNzEKz-0anZSgrJlkFIR8moTtq/s1600/20160131_151146.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeqYSFjCZo9irr1TOAPWQcPA0qfX76PR6GlidMZzOQnVJ1BV1qGYMD1SOx6SqzqxgBZKxDwbH235NFPlfASpWg4b9jc8KETxjBSctcIMbPL-w1fye4oNNzEKz-0anZSgrJlkFIR8moTtq/s320/20160131_151146.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I ended up putting my mixer on top and stacking all my cookbooks underneath. I thought it fit perfect under a little gallery of pictures we've collected over the years. </div>
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Shortly after placing it in the kitchen, we ended up getting a new kitchen table that was MUCH larger than the old one. The TV shelves no longer fit. :( It is shortly going to a new home, a friend who will be using it as a night stand/bookshelves. Nice to know that it will be going to a good home where it will be well taken care of .</div>
patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-21117815644769011872015-02-12T07:43:00.003-08:002015-02-12T07:43:29.703-08:00My Life: Laundry and FoodFirst life category: Laundry<br />
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Laundry is a funny thing. It has to be done, especially if you don't want to smell weird but it is so hard to accomplish. It multiplies exponentially with every child. It also doesn't matter how many clothes you or your children have, you always want the one thing that is dirty. Don't get me started on folding! Why are there so many small-people clothes? Where do all those missing socks go?<br />
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Sometimes I gauge my life on how the laundry situation is going. For example, if I stay on top of it and do a load every so often I feel on top of the world! I feel like Wonder Mom! There isn't a huge pile in the laundry room to be washed, no pile in the living room to be folded. I feel like a well-adjusted, accomplished adult. On the flip side, if I wait until it HAS to be done, I feel overwhelmed in ALL aspects of my life. The laundry is bursting from hampers, no clean school uniforms for Nolan (it's okay, we wore the same uniform two days in a row), and the dreaded no clean towels has occurred. At that point I just want to go buy new towels from Target and not do laundry ever again. It's like some three headed beast that I'll never be able to tame, so why try? <br />
And then I put on my big girl pants, do a marathon of washing, folding and putting away (for what seems like all weekend) and all is right with the world again.<br />
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You would think since I know how to conquer the evil laundry beast, I would be able to do a little every day. But, as I type this, I am reminded of the load being washed, the two loads that are dry and waiting to be folded and the two loads that are folded in to nice piles but have yet to be put away. <br />
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Maybe next week :)<br />
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Second life category: Food<br />
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Food is another funny thing. We all have to eat to survive, and a wide variety of food is always best for your health. But heaven forbid you tell my children that. If you ask them right now what they want to eat they will say: pizza (frozen), carrots and ranch, macaroni and cheese or Chick-fil-A. Makes me sound like I only feed my children the same four things for breakfast, lunch and dinner. <br />
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So, I was super excited when Nolan asked for Ants on a Log. It's that healthy snack with celery, peanut butter smeared on top and raisins placed up and down the celery stalk. I started washing celery, smearing peanut butter and placing raisins perfectly on the snack...this process took a lot longer than expected. When served, Mallory asks,"The celery is the log, the raisins are ants, but what is the peanut butter?" Hmmmm....I told her it was sap, which then turned in to a whole conversation of what sap was. I'm pretty sure the peanut butter is just there for the yummy factor and to keep the ants from falling off, but I wasn't sure a 4 year old would understand that explanation. Sadly, after all this hard work they picked up the raisins, licked off the peanut and then ate the celery separately. At that point I'm thinking, "Whatever, it all ends up in the same place."<br />
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Baked Ziti was a hit, especially if containing a heart-stopping amount of cheese.<br />
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Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate Brownies. A college student suggested these to Greg while he was shopping, so Greg listened and bought them. Pretty darn good if I do say so myself, and the kids enjoy them. Who wouldn't?<br />
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Cookie Butter. I new product of HEB. I jar of heavenly deliciousness. Very good on bread with bananas sliced on top. A new fave for Nolan's lunches.<br />
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Slowly expanding their pallet is hard, especially since their taste buds seem to change from week to week, and they rarely like the same thing at the same time. But we always have frozen pizza and mac and cheese to fall back on!<br />
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<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-81329770455760875152014-10-12T13:30:00.001-07:002014-10-12T13:30:33.453-07:00The Crafting Game-ChangerI think I've said it before, but I'll say it again, Pinterest is horrible sometimes! All of the crafts look so easy. You see tags like:<br />
"No-Sew Blankets in 30 Minutes!"<br />
"5 Easy Steps to a Clean House"<br />
or the worst...<br />
"3-ingredient dessert for only 200 calories!" (But it's never 200 calories, and always has a few more ingredients.<br />
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But, of course I still look on Pinterest, pinning crafts, quilts and food with the greatest of intentions of doing them ALL. <br />
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And sometimes, my job requires me to look on Pinterest ( I know, dream come true). I have recently taken up the position of Coordinator for the night time MOPS and once a month we get to make a craft. Where is the perfect place to look for crafts? Pinterest of course!<br />
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I decided to choose a pretty intense craft. Blocks of wood painted with fall colors and lettering on one side, and winter colors and more lettering on the other side. The only dilemma being, I am not so great at painting letters. They always look a little crooked and seem to be too thick in some areas and too thin in other areas. And then my boss said the most amazing thing, "Let's get a Cricut!"<br />
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We would not only be using the Cricut on this craft, but on many others. An investment. I was ecstatic. It was a crafting game-changer! When it was delivered I immediately set it up, and started fiddling around with fonts and clip art. We purchased the Cricut Explore, which hooks straight to your computer with a USB instead of using cartridges. So font and clipart options were endless. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHfaPfuFWfQIfT9LVQHvwW0NALv3GzpiWq6nEs735F1C0eQ0LpSW1SOBxFdBUslgHiCK4nsXlBRiQAoEqwCb4PaebEXylLBdG35zsRhaXrlwenVQtf5qDfTXFYHwIVPOFFv7yfJWnLCan/s1600/20141002_150421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHfaPfuFWfQIfT9LVQHvwW0NALv3GzpiWq6nEs735F1C0eQ0LpSW1SOBxFdBUslgHiCK4nsXlBRiQAoEqwCb4PaebEXylLBdG35zsRhaXrlwenVQtf5qDfTXFYHwIVPOFFv7yfJWnLCan/s1600/20141002_150421.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blocks that I cut for the project</td></tr>
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So, I started cutting out all the letters that we'll be needing for our craft and it looks so professional! No more fat/skinny letters! I made one craft project to make sure it looked okay, and I think it turned out pretty decent. The cost wasn't too bad either, especially with things at Hobby Lobby always seeming like they are 50% off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAMnf1OV9vUEbMP_g2u0jlbtskssI0z1GlyICiKBzZYrTAvAcW3qDIF3Uw8k015mu9H3JmiDbKoRWPNYAjN0USVZjva_Km0Y5y_KGxoZa_S5uoeZHFAmzJYiOz_pgfMC1pUiX69FX2H7/s1600/20141003_152846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAMnf1OV9vUEbMP_g2u0jlbtskssI0z1GlyICiKBzZYrTAvAcW3qDIF3Uw8k015mu9H3JmiDbKoRWPNYAjN0USVZjva_Km0Y5y_KGxoZa_S5uoeZHFAmzJYiOz_pgfMC1pUiX69FX2H7/s1600/20141003_152846.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Fall!</td></tr>
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We'll be making around 20 over the next 3 weeks, here's to hoping everything goes very smoothly!patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-5300534015215932682014-08-15T07:36:00.000-07:002014-08-15T07:36:46.440-07:00The (Unspoken) Rules of Large Trash Pick-Up Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I have guilt. I feel guilty every time I throw away a piece of trash that I know will be loaded up in to my large trash can, then dumped in to a larger trash compactor, to finally end up in a huge landfill. My guilt has led me to recycle, but living in Bryan, you can only recycle #1 and #2 items. What about all the #5's?? That drives me crazy for some reason.<br />
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I buy large containers of applesauce instead of individual containers.<br />
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We have been composting for the past 6 months. It was absolutely amazing how much food items we were throwing away. Of course, I avoid composting meat, milk products or anything fatty (mainly grease). <br />
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But none of this guilt compares to the HUGE guilt of Large Trash Pick-Up Day<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL2KJuJ_-weUe_5SwlLY4fJYQ2hcDoY6GPDJva_yPb4u1SyqDZveMTUy1up9KE78ni42rAW-bN_I9evqizgRg3fdNQkxKv-Kx4T3BnKxXuIUOexMNNUpKMasEQf1TU3b06PRqaKCFRmNF/s1600/UN-Landfill-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL2KJuJ_-weUe_5SwlLY4fJYQ2hcDoY6GPDJva_yPb4u1SyqDZveMTUy1up9KE78ni42rAW-bN_I9evqizgRg3fdNQkxKv-Kx4T3BnKxXuIUOexMNNUpKMasEQf1TU3b06PRqaKCFRmNF/s1600/UN-Landfill-image.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
It is one day a week (Friday) where we can put anything by our curb and they will come pick it up. The rules are different for different places. My parents in Austin have it every two weeks, and they won't pick up huge items, like couches. Of course, they don't pick up anything toxic, like tires or paint. We have a Toxic Recycling Day twice a year to recycle those items when needed.<br />
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Driving around the neighborhoods on Fridays, you will see TV's, couches, mattresses, washer and dryers, moldy things, broken things...the list could go on forever. And all of these things will end up in a landfill, being buried in our Earth. Sort of makes me sad when I think about it too much.<br />
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BUT...There is a silver lining!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpNIhX5F8JMMmEXYlosduRnJ-tlPKQnMdTi7W0WQbbwepRD4RKf7w56oT91hGS_M8Y1Lga8aXFBjJbRvZ98rD9RFtsiF2SWMib8Jkzw4KC5tfs7fIyrcK51oaKIf_TobjwewVus5pD9B1/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpNIhX5F8JMMmEXYlosduRnJ-tlPKQnMdTi7W0WQbbwepRD4RKf7w56oT91hGS_M8Y1Lga8aXFBjJbRvZ98rD9RFtsiF2SWMib8Jkzw4KC5tfs7fIyrcK51oaKIf_TobjwewVus5pD9B1/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
There are many people (myself included sometimes) who drive around and collect these items to be re-used, re-purposed, or recycled. I found a brand-new stainless steel trash bin one time. Just sitting there on the curb one time. So shiny and new. I left it there, thinking it must be a horrible mistake, because who would want to throw away such a nice looking trash can? I have friends who found a washer and dryer (still working) on the curb, dressers, toys from garage sales that didn't get sold. <br />
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So, last night (Thursday) I dragged items to my curb. The old owners had left a plethora of things just shoved in to a corner of the back yard. So, 6 months later I decided to finally get rid of the items. There were pots, pot stands, some old chicken wiring, netting and an old bouncy chair that the baby had grown out of.<br />
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I went to bed crossing my fingers, hoping that most of it would be gone by morning.<br />
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And it was!! <br />
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I spied my front curb loading the kids up in to the car, and what to my wondering eyes did appear? An empty curb! They had taken all the pots, pot stands, bouncy chair, metal items but had left the netting. The pile had considerably shrunk.<br />
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And with my pile shrinking, so did my guilt. <br />
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That is of course until next Friday...<br />
<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-2199350554972354362014-06-28T11:40:00.001-07:002014-06-28T11:40:38.446-07:00I'm Leaving On A {Jumbo} Jet PlaneAs Peter, Paul and Mary say, "I'm leaving on a jet plane", but mine will be bigger and I DO know when I'll be back again. If you are missing this reference, download the song :)<br />
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I leave in 5 days, and am not ready.<br />
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<ul>
<li>No packing done, but I have started a few piles around the house</li>
<li>No laundry done...a work in progress. On load #3 right now. It doesn't help that I'm doing four other peoples laundry as well.</li>
<li>Have not emotionally prepared myself to leave my children and husband for 10 day. Tears will be shed, I'm sure of it.</li>
<li>No supplies bought, but I have made a huge Target shopping list including "travel size" everything, and all medicines that will cover any ailment that might arise while I am gone. </li>
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This mission trip to Germany will be different from any of the other ones, because I'm flying solo this time. I keep telling myself that I am a big girl and it's fine that I won't have kids to be a mother to, or a husband to lean on when a problem arises. But as time passes, I seem to be more dependent on the roles of "mother" and "wife", and less dependent of the role "Patsy". </div>
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That is why this trip will be good for me. It will make me step out of my comfort zone. Not too much out of my comfort zone; I know what to expect from camp, culturally, and know a large portion of the people already there. I'm praying that this will help me grow spiritually and set a good example for my kids.</div>
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Please pray for Greg and his parents, as they take care of the kids while I am away. Patience will definitely be tested.</div>
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Please pray for me that I will have the right words to say to these kids, to have a good attitude and good health while I am there.</div>
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Hopefully I'll have a blog update from Germany in about a week!</div>
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Thanks!</div>
patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-66470155486379202422014-05-23T06:55:00.003-07:002014-05-23T06:56:08.526-07:00Why Gardening is Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNh7zbv-nFwoMK8xyjAmrcN0PwkpEyTYugtLnyzmRNS5-AKO2GTipGrcZBjY7w0NroMG1GeVANkrSvF4Ytzx8rD2LANlLdnFTrR6ZtKdpt5N7UN1CDUtU3Ki4N2NIgJzDyIFD1uHh1Rti/s1600/Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNh7zbv-nFwoMK8xyjAmrcN0PwkpEyTYugtLnyzmRNS5-AKO2GTipGrcZBjY7w0NroMG1GeVANkrSvF4Ytzx8rD2LANlLdnFTrR6ZtKdpt5N7UN1CDUtU3Ki4N2NIgJzDyIFD1uHh1Rti/s1600/Garden.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a></div>
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I love my little garden. It gives us fresh veggies for the tale end of Spring and a good part of the Summer. We have recently moved and there was a raised garden bed at the new house. Quite a bit bigger than our old one, but not REALLY big. Haven't taken a tape measure to it, but my guess is 8'x12'. Here are some reasons why gardening is fun:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHHZgUvveSM-TT5c4y_JvlT1UjHPfw74ZGIWa784EzPhUX2D6CXwpEwZZFM9dNun9XKt5V2h43iRbhw4oSOMw4tS1_B61aUVOo82t4rR9z0-wMWx1TcuHr06nsMyvB07fHRYioP221tVV/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHHZgUvveSM-TT5c4y_JvlT1UjHPfw74ZGIWa784EzPhUX2D6CXwpEwZZFM9dNun9XKt5V2h43iRbhw4oSOMw4tS1_B61aUVOo82t4rR9z0-wMWx1TcuHr06nsMyvB07fHRYioP221tVV/s1600/basil.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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1. Planting herbs and having fresh pesto...mmmmm. Above is our purple basil, but it apparently doesn't want to be purple anymore, the leaves are turning green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWfpvdIOzTHH13ukjcVIJQ-jF9fIqIoJPxyBXw31HfU8jCRHmxJcCGzmxto-BxKbJ1kmr9hXqhru847ftd4zY_HjsoBILVg4TYrSVbP9n-a-hXdOIIFW8U8q9EUVpbJIjoIPmyNyFCN5I/s1600/Green+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWfpvdIOzTHH13ukjcVIJQ-jF9fIqIoJPxyBXw31HfU8jCRHmxJcCGzmxto-BxKbJ1kmr9hXqhru847ftd4zY_HjsoBILVg4TYrSVbP9n-a-hXdOIIFW8U8q9EUVpbJIjoIPmyNyFCN5I/s1600/Green+beans.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
2. From the Garden to the Table. A great concept for the kids to learn. We went and harvested yellow squash, zucchini and green beans earlier this month. I let the kids chop them (with very close supervision) and we set them on the stove to cook. We plated up the beautiful bounty and sadly, they didn't gobble it up. But they DID try it, which says something because squash and zucchini are not their favorites. Greg and I did enjoy eating what they didn't eat :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOI_C6JUqTgwRJdKCJ-4JRz3wKxGqoQHWwFmbMbcoAzmbR4n1u-tMcbL2ttwqPk9FrCYOj78STfgWrxMVMN2l5b6hfaM4m5QnEbDIRTbt2UlZdLiehPH1Bl17go8r_X5-TdM_JxlBZk53/s1600/squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOI_C6JUqTgwRJdKCJ-4JRz3wKxGqoQHWwFmbMbcoAzmbR4n1u-tMcbL2ttwqPk9FrCYOj78STfgWrxMVMN2l5b6hfaM4m5QnEbDIRTbt2UlZdLiehPH1Bl17go8r_X5-TdM_JxlBZk53/s1600/squash.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
3. It's a jungle out there! It happens every year. I convince myself that the garden is just not growing fast enough, and it's pitiful. Then, a few good days of Spring rain, and everything grows like crazy. Tip for next year: mark your rows! I accidentally planted my squash on top of my potatoes and it's a hot mess in there. I'm a little worried that digging up the potatoes might uproot my squash as well. Live and learn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l18DRJH5rWg2x2UOAp3xqkXjXYrdnPkh0ijXGMhsEsAZFOw2QsmITOMh02kVEzd2O9913CG2YJMZGLEOmaPCAs0dER_HXGAqPD-cyNU1S265BxLFaAy2ZcXvH7jaRp4MsqqK91847UAH/s1600/tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l18DRJH5rWg2x2UOAp3xqkXjXYrdnPkh0ijXGMhsEsAZFOw2QsmITOMh02kVEzd2O9913CG2YJMZGLEOmaPCAs0dER_HXGAqPD-cyNU1S265BxLFaAy2ZcXvH7jaRp4MsqqK91847UAH/s1600/tomato.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
4. From seed to plant. This was the first year that I planted some things from seed. We planted bush green beans as well as potatoes. It's amazing to see those little plants pop out of the ground. I almost wanted to cheer for them, they were working so hard. <br />
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5. Mystery Plants! We started composting as well and I guess we go some seeds in the compost. Now we have random roma tomato plants all over the garden as well as some jalapeno. Greg pulled some up thinking they were weeds. After I pointed the other ones out to him, they have safely stayed in the ground. Also, we have asparagus!! These were planted by the previous owner, and magically appeared in our garden this year. I had to Google it to see what it was. We had ONE asparagus stalk, and Greg was going to wrap that ONE with bacon and it was going to be delicious. A squirrel beat us to it, and ate it. <br />
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I try not to be too critical of my gardening skills. I feel like I learn something new each time I plant. Of course, I am guilty of comparing my garden with others. We planted onions and they just didn't get big. But a church group planted onions around the same time, and theirs are huge and beautiful. I'll be asking for some tips next year. <br />
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Happy Gardening!<br />
<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-48422578707815215572014-05-13T13:47:00.001-07:002014-05-13T13:47:14.620-07:00Jesus' Phone NumberOh, the conversations I have with my kids while confined to a car. Here's a little gem that happened yesterday between me, Mallory (age 4), and Nolan (age 6).<br />
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Mallory: "Mom, what is Jesus' phone number?"<br />
Me: "Why do you need Jesus' phone number?<br />
Mallory: "To call him and see what kind of party he wants."<br />
Me: "Are you throwing Jesus a party?"<br />
Mallory: "Yes, and we are inviting all of his friends."<br />
Me: "Like who?"<br />
Nolan: "You could invite Noah, Adam, Eve...who else mom?"<br />
Me: "Jonah, Joseph, Matthew, Mark, Paul..."<br />
Nolan: "OOHH....you can also invite Acts, Romans, and Corinthians!"<br />
Me: "No baby, those were letters Paul wrote."<br />
Nolan: "Ok, let's invite Paul."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXRtFhiRDEkyJxauk2ka_vzJtmbiaNYmkcpNIlTv7ilEcwbDwFcsVu9YWVINNZooKHXNp4Ez2gzcbAYq3_ANntauUIl-G8udWKihyHYfWjweNJwmOwTbdXPZ_A5o08ILOFFvhOEn_Q1J2/s1600/Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXRtFhiRDEkyJxauk2ka_vzJtmbiaNYmkcpNIlTv7ilEcwbDwFcsVu9YWVINNZooKHXNp4Ez2gzcbAYq3_ANntauUIl-G8udWKihyHYfWjweNJwmOwTbdXPZ_A5o08ILOFFvhOEn_Q1J2/s1600/Jesus.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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Me: "Mallory, you really don't need Jesus' number, you can talk to him whenever you want."</div>
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Mallory: "Oh, okay."</div>
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I don't know about you, but this party sounds pretty legit and I want to be invited!</div>
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Gotta love car conversations!</div>
<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-49413221222218308682014-05-02T19:06:00.001-07:002014-05-02T19:06:08.714-07:00Mama is FIERCE! While I was watering our garden for the past few days (we are already 6" below) I kept on hearing this squawking .I look up and a bird is dive-bombing my head. I veer to the left, and it makes a circle to come back around and try again. I kept on imagining Alfred Hitchcock's famous movie, "The Birds". I look around to make sure I'm not dealing with a flock, but only one. I turn on my hose real fast and give her a few squirts. <br />
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Why was she flipping out? I start walking the perimeter of the garden watering, and I find two baby birds, still not able to fly hanging out on the wires of our tomato cage. I absolutely understand why that bird tried to attack me, her little babies are vulnerable and her fierce "mama" attitude came out. I quickly turned off the hose and ran inside as to avoid any pecking.<br />
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I sympathized with the bird because I had my Mama Bear moment a few weeks ago...<br />
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We signed Nolan up for soccer and excitedly went to his first practice. I kept on looking for his team thinking all the boys seemed so much bigger than Nolan. Come to find out, he's in the 1st through 3rd grade league. Nolan's in 1st grade, and a young 1st grader at that. I felt like they towered over him. A week later, we arrived to practice again, and they asked the boys to run a lap to warm up. They started running, and I heard one boy yell at Nolan, "You run like a girl. hahahaha." I held my breath to see Nolan's reaction. I guess this isn't a big insult in 1st grade, because Nolan didn't really respond to it. Then, they line up to do corner kicks. They were asked to stop the ball with their foot and keep it there. The boy in front of Nolan kicked it out from Nolan's foot and sarcastically says, "Go get it." Nolan was annoyed, I started fidgeting. He hustles for his ball, gets back in line where he was, and the same boy kicks it down the field again and says, "You can't cut, go to the end of the line." I felt the claws coming out. Especially when Nolan hustled to get his ball AGAIN, and was visibly upset. The coach thought he was goofing off, and told him to hustle up and control the ball. <br />
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I seriously had to hold myself back. I wanted to go over to the kid, kick HIS ball as hard as possible and yell in his face, "GO GET IT!" How horrible of me would that have been?? I didn't say a word though, just gave him evil eyes from the sidelines trying to send telepathic messages to cut it out. <br />
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The term "Mama Bear" is a pretty new phrase to me. My oldest is only 6. My definition is: "a mom who is protective of her children." Sometimes I think there is a fine line between being protective and being a hindrance. I was protective of Nolan, and made sure I kept my eyes on the situation. I was not a hindrance by interfering in the situation (i.e. tackling the other kid).<br />
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I need to push down the urge to solve every little situation that might arise. There is so much to learn from kids working things out by themselves, I just have to step back and actually let that happen.<br />
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I will continue to still be fierce Mama Bear, but only from a distance.patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-38770157765133492552014-04-12T12:42:00.003-07:002014-04-12T12:44:01.526-07:00From the Eyes of MalloryDuring Spring Break we decided to take a camping adventure. We went to Lake Limestone and spent 2 days and 1 night there. Mallory was always underfoot and I needed to start cleaning up our camp site. I gave her my camera and told her to go and take some pictures. Out of over 200 pictures, here are some of my favorite:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26kYbTQjhautgNGten-t-RaycepCJmekmkCRFcAsPGJ5XxXsPpRYDn9oLzJ5YxdyXLOIaz9FWDsiQA_JUctxy9dnUAEvozrVf7UftZu1qqNg6X4IuPFwMwZkg8beeqQftuHbeJCxkacWI/s1600/Spring+2014+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26kYbTQjhautgNGten-t-RaycepCJmekmkCRFcAsPGJ5XxXsPpRYDn9oLzJ5YxdyXLOIaz9FWDsiQA_JUctxy9dnUAEvozrVf7UftZu1qqNg6X4IuPFwMwZkg8beeqQftuHbeJCxkacWI/s1600/Spring+2014+076.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey Bear and Papa Bear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her fishing chair, pretty isn't it?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNep84Wd7pTFEam4eRCiObc-wzBLe4-Ok-UaNIW0D0aJ0CunPD_MH7tNA8Umytj0c4BeLQV6IPKpOlfcqOxSItUivN3ygYx5Zctw-SCvQlzNP4Wit4j4YkiBPmGNi-H2MdYSk5vdnX89J/s1600/Spring+2014+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNep84Wd7pTFEam4eRCiObc-wzBLe4-Ok-UaNIW0D0aJ0CunPD_MH7tNA8Umytj0c4BeLQV6IPKpOlfcqOxSItUivN3ygYx5Zctw-SCvQlzNP4Wit4j4YkiBPmGNi-H2MdYSk5vdnX89J/s1600/Spring+2014+225.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've come to the conclusion that she really likes the shoe pictures. She must have been fascinated by her shadow as well. Her nature shots aren't too shabby either. I love the perspective of her 4-year old self. </div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-17756776872004903692014-02-25T14:04:00.000-08:002014-02-25T14:04:20.920-08:00You Know You're a Mommy When...Happily, most of the things listed below remind me that I am the mother of 3 kids. Hope you say yes to a few of these as well.<div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You Know You're a Mommy When...</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Spit-up and boogies don't freak you out.</li>
<li>Having someone whisper your name right by your face, in the middle of the night doesn't make you call the cops</li>
<li>Mac and cheese and chicken nuggets are a balanced meal</li>
<li>Your dinner comes from the leftovers on your children's plates</li>
<li>You can clean anything with a disposable wipe</li>
<li>You hide the good food, so you don't have to share (in our house: ice cream and chips)</li>
<li>You can make a toddler cry with "THE LOOK"</li>
<li>You know how to remove marker scribbles from walls...and floors...and carpet</li>
<li>You can maneuver through the Child's Playscape at any local fast food joint with stealth and agility</li>
<li>You know all the places where "Kids Eat Free" and use it to your advantage</li>
<li>You can soothe them back to sleep from a nightmare like no one else</li>
<li>Your kids are bathed and dressed better than you</li>
<li>You can carry a diaper bag, a toddler, a baby carrier and unlock the front door without dropping anything</li>
</ul>
<div>
These are just a few that came to mind, the list could go on forever. What was your Mommy moment?</div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-65595538570304169632014-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:002014-02-03T12:51:24.466-08:00Mommy-hood is hardYesterday was rough.<br />
<br />
Well, actually it started Saturday night with a little girl telling me her tummy hurt. <br />
After 2 bouts of sickness, 2 sets of jammies, 2 showers, scrubbing the couch, scrubbing our carpet, rolling up our rug and putting it in the garage for later cleaning...I finally got Mallory to sleep on the living room floor while I slept on the couch beside her.<br />
<br />
The next day should have been better. I got a break from Little Ms. Sick as I took the boys to church and Greg stayed at home with her. I knew that Greg had to go to work for the rest of the day right when I got home from church, so I was a tad worried about having 3 kids by myself, one of them being sick.<br />
<br />
It went downhill after Greg left. After the kids were fed lunch, it should have been rest time, but none of them were having any of that. Casey (11 mos.) slept for a little over an hour while I sword-fought with Nolan. After Casey woke up, it was as though I was being pulled in 3 different directions.<br />
<br />
Mallory wanted to snuggle<br />
Nolan wanted to battle<br />
Casey was...a handful. He would cry if I would hold him, cry if I put him down. What do you do with that???<br />
<br />
I tried to be the good mom and get Mallory and Nolan to do an art activity. That lasted 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
I tried to be the energetic mom and sword-fight. That lasted even less time and Casey got hit with a sword.<br />
<br />
I tried to be the guilt-trip mom and put in a movie. They were interested for 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Then, we all just sort of sat around, listening to Casey whine and cry for what felt like FOREVER!<br />
(It was one of those days where you look at the clock and say, "Ok, it's 2:00 pm, I can make it!" And after what you feel like has been at least an hour, you look at the clock and it is 2:05 pm)<br />
<br />
I knew if I could make it to dinner time I would be okay. But getting to dinner time was hard. I felt like the worst mom. I think I told Nolan, "Give me one more second." about 15 times. Eventually dinner rolled around. Casey was finally happy with a stuffed belly, Nolan was full and Mallory hadn't gotten sick all day.<br />
<br />
The routine of bedtime is something I love. It was my silver lining to yesterday. I got to give Casey a bath, which he loves and he quickly went to sleep. I read Magic Tree House with Nolan and tried to teach him to play Solitaire. I finally got to cuddle with Mallory and watch My Little Pony. I got everyone to bed, picked up the toys, did the dishes, sat down and realized (for probably the billionth time) that Mommy-hood is hard. The good, the bad, and the ugly...and yesterday was pretty ugly. It's something that I signed up for and do every day, the rewards are sometimes few and far between but I wouldn't change it for the world.patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-26000522024088666962013-12-22T20:11:00.000-08:002013-12-22T20:11:01.122-08:00Home Renovations: The After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Moving in to this house 5 1/2 years ago was great for us! But, like every house, it had some updating to do. Through these 5 years we have done numerous updates and renovations, but I am lacking all of the "before" pictures. Since we recently moved to a new house (as of last week!) I decided to take all my "after" photos. This record of projects is more so for me, because when I was walking through the house I kept saying, "ooh, remember when I did that?" or "That was such a good idea!" or "That looks horrible before AND after." </span></div>
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So, for your enjoyment and mine, here are pictures and a little blurb of what was accomplished in this room.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE KITCHEN</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLyM75uLtS_vvop5SDwyu13Sp6YjLbc1fVWjMlXKP-hyF92otMgWhS4TE8f8a0G8mzsJOU-EZzgEv6i2XQkR6uzhqjo1UBCdwJdcSk-n3mRDOIAznhKkPXFgyf8axp8FLfUm-TZrLZZnw/s1600/Winter+2013+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLyM75uLtS_vvop5SDwyu13Sp6YjLbc1fVWjMlXKP-hyF92otMgWhS4TE8f8a0G8mzsJOU-EZzgEv6i2XQkR6uzhqjo1UBCdwJdcSk-n3mRDOIAznhKkPXFgyf8axp8FLfUm-TZrLZZnw/s320/Winter+2013+049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Refinished all of the cabinets. (Sanded, stained and varnished)</li>
<li>Replaced hardware</li>
<li>Painted ceiling</li>
<li>Replaced flooring (linoleum). There was much debate on if there was hardwood floor under multiple layers of linoleum, but finding out would have been too pricey so we just added another layer.</li>
<li>New countertops...one of the few things I had a professional do</li>
<li>New backsplash</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z-xDiKTQhXZtmrKxXkxD79iMj50aN8LfXI_fnVC_R91GZBCFsHFSN9ZoYrX1nt-Qb0PTjKbpOsDQK-9lkzQ8ijdIx3A2yZrLepgak56X-j_RqoUhjvWeZ9TKcsfPPARVIu3O3JYyRQsr/s1600/Winter+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z-xDiKTQhXZtmrKxXkxD79iMj50aN8LfXI_fnVC_R91GZBCFsHFSN9ZoYrX1nt-Qb0PTjKbpOsDQK-9lkzQ8ijdIx3A2yZrLepgak56X-j_RqoUhjvWeZ9TKcsfPPARVIu3O3JYyRQsr/s320/Winter+2013+050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtYwIOk3UN5XJvz5EVuuQ6DGLzWlbkRc15m_kP0xmuJ2asBMc3mGqXj3PsPNXlQZErfA2oWY6jD7GvdI_UJc1HECbTopLb14vzPkKkjKygfcKlPdcBPslvYsCIP37cQK2EWyGauasjIXQ/s1600/Winter+2013+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtYwIOk3UN5XJvz5EVuuQ6DGLzWlbkRc15m_kP0xmuJ2asBMc3mGqXj3PsPNXlQZErfA2oWY6jD7GvdI_UJc1HECbTopLb14vzPkKkjKygfcKlPdcBPslvYsCIP37cQK2EWyGauasjIXQ/s320/Winter+2013+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Replaced vent hood</li>
<li>Replaced sink</li>
<li>Replaced stove top</li>
<li>Replaced dishwasher</li>
<li>The oven was the next thing on the list, but never got around to it before moving.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DINING AREA</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNLIZPnElDmsxNQD8VvyClithiPOAS4pwBLqSYStJSO5KO2-vVLjipFqv8YwDEreg31G0aGfP9xGR-Hta_IlhhA7eWO4mCstrq8dhS1P3UmsujwQbp-cogtMTXp5C1Kgfuwc5NWYKHbzq/s1600/Winter+2013+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNLIZPnElDmsxNQD8VvyClithiPOAS4pwBLqSYStJSO5KO2-vVLjipFqv8YwDEreg31G0aGfP9xGR-Hta_IlhhA7eWO4mCstrq8dhS1P3UmsujwQbp-cogtMTXp5C1Kgfuwc5NWYKHbzq/s320/Winter+2013+052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> New flooring continued from the kitchen</li>
<li>Replaced light fixture</li>
<li>Painted ceiling and walls</li>
<li>Added crown molding</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V0M1y4ecaMI1hjUIpBJpGweZNVVat8PjIKRreFSa4jR9arsYu2ZO-hQWv4KDloJVjh7xfi2SJABm6dpK2uWPNlQm-E6jTQ8_mcE0xbBeXEVNifY-MM7jkjOtJcWGvc7d_sHG0iwvDSSi/s1600/Winter+2013+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V0M1y4ecaMI1hjUIpBJpGweZNVVat8PjIKRreFSa4jR9arsYu2ZO-hQWv4KDloJVjh7xfi2SJABm6dpK2uWPNlQm-E6jTQ8_mcE0xbBeXEVNifY-MM7jkjOtJcWGvc7d_sHG0iwvDSSi/s320/Winter+2013+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Put up wall paper that looks like bead board. It was the neatest product! Very easy to use, I even did it myself. Added a coat of high gloss white paint over the wallpaper to give a clean, shiny look.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>LIVING AREA</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflxdc5hpuGKXOJ6sJdo45EVqZLTjU4s9JP0Ggz9W6L0cc9ShP-ctXoMIuqUFc3wBbIFZbaOPdL9h96sEqUB2vlfiI52Nv84dXlZlel0yncFEVtZyjuNa1lv8RRxN5ww0g9A_wxG8FihFP/s1600/Winter+2013+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflxdc5hpuGKXOJ6sJdo45EVqZLTjU4s9JP0Ggz9W6L0cc9ShP-ctXoMIuqUFc3wBbIFZbaOPdL9h96sEqUB2vlfiI52Nv84dXlZlel0yncFEVtZyjuNa1lv8RRxN5ww0g9A_wxG8FihFP/s320/Winter+2013+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Crown molding</li>
<li>Added faux wood blinds-they are white</li>
<li>Painted ceiling</li>
<li>Painted walls</li>
<li>Replaced fan</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PLAY ROOM/DEN</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S5fQ07ZajG3jIWcOhJFT_4g3j-taOC2Nppwz90VdGDy5JqabCo09hGe1B4xVMXeLasftKaZshx4JfF72tpXjV_EtAgRNx6igGDAuW_ySxehgbKThw41ViHqE28oIkAmnENrL6CA9emv1/s1600/Winter+2013+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S5fQ07ZajG3jIWcOhJFT_4g3j-taOC2Nppwz90VdGDy5JqabCo09hGe1B4xVMXeLasftKaZshx4JfF72tpXjV_EtAgRNx6igGDAuW_ySxehgbKThw41ViHqE28oIkAmnENrL6CA9emv1/s320/Winter+2013+055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Painted walls...multiple times</li>
<li>Fixed leak in roof which ruined our first paint job...hence the multiple colors</li>
<li>Painted mantle and wood accents white</li>
<li>Replaced saltillo tile with large ceramic tile</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>MASTER POWDER BATH</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbc-Tcoes92ZE93s0QL1HjeLL_8-7oCesg1pmccZE2Kj1zzZkforaPigCDzvvgTq-lfuhZu0RtXn4SMbjm_dgKIFePvi3mhPHZHODvuR24FyxKokCBM7_lOeNWHUs4DfGotRMrhKqI0z2/s1600/Winter+2013+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbc-Tcoes92ZE93s0QL1HjeLL_8-7oCesg1pmccZE2Kj1zzZkforaPigCDzvvgTq-lfuhZu0RtXn4SMbjm_dgKIFePvi3mhPHZHODvuR24FyxKokCBM7_lOeNWHUs4DfGotRMrhKqI0z2/s320/Winter+2013+057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Removed wallpaper and painted beige</li>
<li>Replaced globes on light fixture</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>MASTER BEDROOM</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM3jegg6SnHKsmnX84W4-6IvDkYe5pSMXeCN0qW3AHqlq5I16QrZIATJwTTJLnumEe_HxA6daJVB3sh2WVR1hKtVDwksU9YBrJQGG6jzx63KmHsT6u3WkpG-jHFpo3LvhGuz6K7kVPO_g/s1600/Winter+2013+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM3jegg6SnHKsmnX84W4-6IvDkYe5pSMXeCN0qW3AHqlq5I16QrZIATJwTTJLnumEe_HxA6daJVB3sh2WVR1hKtVDwksU9YBrJQGG6jzx63KmHsT6u3WkpG-jHFpo3LvhGuz6K7kVPO_g/s320/Winter+2013+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Replaced fan</li>
<li>Painted this room twice. The first color was a dark gray, which Greg thought was too gloomy. I repainted a lighter gray which was named "Pure Silver".</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSrAHHDpnhQDD05rai6cQMa9gTWQeq8s6cOwWlkPx8kcL0g-HMXnjmG6MVTCb019eT5Ma-QVl4f3vCVB98EC3o5_s76tVOWI929nXDub_5AegLNAUr6IsgMlCbkLcGl2xGWfVor1IHHt5/s1600/Winter+2013+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSrAHHDpnhQDD05rai6cQMa9gTWQeq8s6cOwWlkPx8kcL0g-HMXnjmG6MVTCb019eT5Ma-QVl4f3vCVB98EC3o5_s76tVOWI929nXDub_5AegLNAUr6IsgMlCbkLcGl2xGWfVor1IHHt5/s320/Winter+2013+059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> I loved this wall color!</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CHILD'S ROOM</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> First, it was Mallory's room and then Casey's. That is why it leans toward girlish</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY4q8eHaczM0P-9OqLVS9FYKbE1gy8UI52O8GVkSGWLI3jlWbHHgUfmuWlU9IRmfOg5Eh_wyjXsy9VPmwsSwsZO48cQqdzsY3Xh5eo6ACNO_YQgjUJu445UM0i4-MXmLLR-5bf5ttQYJt/s1600/Winter+2013+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY4q8eHaczM0P-9OqLVS9FYKbE1gy8UI52O8GVkSGWLI3jlWbHHgUfmuWlU9IRmfOg5Eh_wyjXsy9VPmwsSwsZO48cQqdzsY3Xh5eo6ACNO_YQgjUJu445UM0i4-MXmLLR-5bf5ttQYJt/s320/Winter+2013+060.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Added owl mural. This was done with a bottle of Mod Podge and paper from around the house. The tree is out of brown paper bags, the owls are from scrapbook paper and the flowers and leaves are from some floral wrapping paper I had on hand. This project was a max of $5-$10.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGSLG7X5urFH-o-cMCi86Sd_Kebnsz4mCq6KweVGmP2q9QiS31VSLAOKBkluKcef7rtofGEAQN6B_EzJV3jZ8cCIze2Opnc67SgcZvIipURbdAjXnEkYd__KI4YwC0Gl6zKdlUTGq0muG/s1600/Winter+2013+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGSLG7X5urFH-o-cMCi86Sd_Kebnsz4mCq6KweVGmP2q9QiS31VSLAOKBkluKcef7rtofGEAQN6B_EzJV3jZ8cCIze2Opnc67SgcZvIipURbdAjXnEkYd__KI4YwC0Gl6zKdlUTGq0muG/s320/Winter+2013+061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Added a chair rail</li>
<li>Painted lower half a flat white...bad choice. Should have been satin or high gloss. You can see where the bed used to be and that sort of bothers me.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoQfUOeGaZdGwVQS1JTLJ9fs5k29Pzc68f5VcY_sd-ceMq4M4jhtj84qhxES3975eUYlhi3_2yR8yJapNIbZSL2Ts-RAfhC6Rhj5yok0db3nMSwuQkRg3dVzx_a3hiDgBdy3Ua46Jbayu/s1600/Winter+2013+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoQfUOeGaZdGwVQS1JTLJ9fs5k29Pzc68f5VcY_sd-ceMq4M4jhtj84qhxES3975eUYlhi3_2yR8yJapNIbZSL2Ts-RAfhC6Rhj5yok0db3nMSwuQkRg3dVzx_a3hiDgBdy3Ua46Jbayu/s320/Winter+2013+062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Painted the top half of the wall a beautiful jade color. When I first put it up, it almost looked black, but once the natural daylight hit it, it took on this beautiful jewel tone that I was going for.</li>
<li>Added curtain rods and curtains</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FULL BATH</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvvATLwUd_LD60phyphenhyphenXGY-9lJUJ6-QaisgJktcI2SQURkPxR63Ru6_y7FjHx_sJTaCDz4v0YHYDVyU1GFXggAN8Y0sf3u3ZSy4ogirdfixPkqd2VFpp2jUZmRICrWlnqbYxqjU1QjJFmWs/s1600/Winter+2013+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvvATLwUd_LD60phyphenhyphenXGY-9lJUJ6-QaisgJktcI2SQURkPxR63Ru6_y7FjHx_sJTaCDz4v0YHYDVyU1GFXggAN8Y0sf3u3ZSy4ogirdfixPkqd2VFpp2jUZmRICrWlnqbYxqjU1QjJFmWs/s320/Winter+2013+063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Painted walls (twice). The first time I painted this HORRIBLE neon yellow color. Went with a light tan the second time around.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93K9UOBJtUMwSS5yHLY6H4bGdmQWj92LvI7SC5rYK-0VmHwW7kuJ58nCkEvoiv-uaa-NJkSgOvEphC6cSWgIXH5NIKgi2xwUI8C3rhEaY1v0rr_dDJan2Fk4XcA1mjo5lnnxRYNlMVTzi/s1600/Winter+2013+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93K9UOBJtUMwSS5yHLY6H4bGdmQWj92LvI7SC5rYK-0VmHwW7kuJ58nCkEvoiv-uaa-NJkSgOvEphC6cSWgIXH5NIKgi2xwUI8C3rhEaY1v0rr_dDJan2Fk4XcA1mjo5lnnxRYNlMVTzi/s320/Winter+2013+066.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Replaced light fixture</li>
<li>Added frame around mirror</li>
<li>Added nickel fixtures and hardware</li>
<li>Replaced countertops</li>
<li>Added backsplash</li>
<li>Replaced sink and faucet fixtures</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uCHYhH3U8ziUSR4i9KrcpWlj0eMVmk3EICsgRx7a6_1sycVjNhY8QTm8J_QiNX73iB80elu6ox7jxeMNNZJ5ZBIh2yORpJqaaXTJxlcROzoImZRSJGmkw1bwKjC6TQtCxuhmwADpP_ha/s1600/Winter+2013+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uCHYhH3U8ziUSR4i9KrcpWlj0eMVmk3EICsgRx7a6_1sycVjNhY8QTm8J_QiNX73iB80elu6ox7jxeMNNZJ5ZBIh2yORpJqaaXTJxlcROzoImZRSJGmkw1bwKjC6TQtCxuhmwADpP_ha/s320/Winter+2013+067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Tore up white tile to find mint green tile underneath! Replaced with tan tile with an accent edge. My knees were killing me from crawling around so much after this little project.</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>NOLAN'S BEDROOM</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This room has always been Nolan's room, but he had to start sharing it with Mallory after Casey was born.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdCyCl7PGIeaKZVk3FJpxHEHa9EkND198nD9F6kZQ7irDo7eRiJ0NLw-GANW-ocwPW3Mm4vJ-5QHM_Up4gdA3Ycwe7ndDNobZg0CzNQ3u26VHUgXUWi4t5fqhUIZRtvFbvxVB-wH7Pyry/s1600/Winter+2013+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdCyCl7PGIeaKZVk3FJpxHEHa9EkND198nD9F6kZQ7irDo7eRiJ0NLw-GANW-ocwPW3Mm4vJ-5QHM_Up4gdA3Ycwe7ndDNobZg0CzNQ3u26VHUgXUWi4t5fqhUIZRtvFbvxVB-wH7Pyry/s320/Winter+2013+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li> Replaced ceiling fan</li>
<li>Added curtain rods and curtain</li>
<li>Painted above the chair rail white after Nolan drew on the walls (he was almost 3).</li>
<li>Painted under the chair rail a color that I hated, but the kids picked out. I thought, "How bad could it be?" It reminds me of the color of macaroni and cheese, but worse. For some reason, it also took multiple coats even though the can boasted that it would cover in 1 coat. </li>
</ul>
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...and that was just the updates on the inside of the house! I will have to tell you about the outside another time. When looking for a new house, I wanted one that needed a lot less updating. I'm a little burnt out on updating right now, and knew that it would be much harder to do having 3 small children. Let's be honest, doing ANYTHING with 3 small children is hard :)<br />
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I'm hoping the new owners will love our house as much as we have. We don't have buyers yet...so if you are interested, give me a call. ( I know, shameless plug, but I'm trying to sell a HOUSE). <br />
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Have fun renovating, be better than me and take before AND after pictures.patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-74052808604020082892013-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:002013-11-30T08:26:41.723-08:00The Night that was Horrible, But Could Have Been SO Much Worse!On Friday, our family and Greg's parents loaded up in our car to drive to Palestine. We were traveling to the Polar Express! The kids were very excited to see Santa, their lists were written and they were ready! <div>
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Only a few miles away from the Polar Express, our car started making a weird sound. It was coming from the engine, but since being only a few miles away from our location I really didn't worry about it.</div>
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**Just as a side story: I have taken my car in to local shops NUMEROUS times for a mysterious engine sound. It would make the sound for me, the mechanic wouldn't hear the sound and return the car back to me. The last mechanic finally heard the sound, and his opinion was that the sound wasn't bad enough to do anything to the car, so he suggested until it get REALLY bad. Not great advice, but I took the car and really paid attention to any sounds/lights that came on**</div>
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We had a wonderful time at Polar Express. The kids danced in the aisles with the "chefs". We drank delicious hot chocolate, and got to meet Santa. After the train ride, and hitting up the restrooms, we were in the car ready to head home about 7:15 pm. Our goal was to be home by 10 pm. Sadly, that didn't happen...</div>
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<div>
In Palestine, we stopped at McD's to get some food for all of us. Not even a mile from there, the car started beeping at us. We made sure we were buckled...still beeping. Doors all closed...still beeping. Engine starts smoking...</div>
<div>
We pull over and Greg and his dad start looking at the engine. It's the radiator. Greg gets a cup of water to cool down the radiator so we can make it to a gas station. When driving to the gas station I hear that thumping sound that I heard the first time when coming to Palestine. The guy's guess was that the radiator was leaking coolant onto the belt, which was making the belt make a horrible sound. We got to the gas station, got everything patched and the prayers started, "Just let us get home safely."</div>
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If you've ever been to Palestine, you take a lot of dark country roads until you meet back up to I-45. My biggest fear was breaking down on one of these dark roads...with three kids. </div>
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Around an hour later, it happened. The belt broke, breaking a huge hole in to the radiator. Coolant spilled out, causing the car to overheat quickly. Thankfully, we were near an exit, pulled in to a gas station/Arby's. </div>
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<div>
I was sad.</div>
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Greg was mad.</div>
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Nolan was crying, thinking it was his fault.</div>
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Casey was wet.</div>
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Mallory was asleep.</div>
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I call my sister Jenn's cell phone (which she doesn't usually answer, living in the country gives her bad reception). She answered on the second ring! She will leave in 5 minutes to come get us! Yay! Too bad, we were almost an hour away...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ERNTpuzINVCmTdbegsJQjES1_g_qKn808c1yA_HPGGUtX6o346Y4ShcW-1L4LLOUPerKaBtV9ziaiaiBPCDLjqTjX3BUFQIiiUeX5vEsAtn0EZA1cCWLYajnBLX0qcl2dqweAlvbXVST/s1600/20131129_215418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ERNTpuzINVCmTdbegsJQjES1_g_qKn808c1yA_HPGGUtX6o346Y4ShcW-1L4LLOUPerKaBtV9ziaiaiBPCDLjqTjX3BUFQIiiUeX5vEsAtn0EZA1cCWLYajnBLX0qcl2dqweAlvbXVST/s320/20131129_215418.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallory asleep in Arby's, and then she woke up and cried.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We all headed in to Arby's where Mallory slept, and Casey cried. Nolan found a Hot Wheel at the gas station, so he was happy again. After Arby's closed, they shooed us out, but the gas station had a trucker's living room. We all settled down. After a little over an hour, our hero was here! The sight of Jenn and her working car almost brought tears to my eyes. We all loaded up, and headed home. </div>
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<div>
We pulled in to Greg's parents driveway and unloaded all the kids. They were staying the night to go to the movies tomorrow. I tucked them in, and they were exhausted. Greg and I went home, and after all was said and done, it was past midnight. But we were home safe!!</div>
<div>
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<div>
Since I'm an eternal optimist, here are some things that could have made it worse:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The car dying on some scary, dark road with ax murderers hiding in bushes</li>
<li>The car dying a few weeks ago in the dark roads of the Hill Country, with ax murderers hiding in bushes.</li>
<li>The kids could have FREAKED OUT, but instead, somewhat kept their cool</li>
<li>Jenn not answering her phone, or saying no to picking us up (she does have 4 kids herself)</li>
<li>Did I mention the ax murderers hiding in bushes????</li>
</ul>
<div>
So, now my car is somewhere in Madisonville. It won't be looked at until some time on Monday (3 days away). I am car-less, but I am perfectly fine just sitting at home...I think I'm done with adventures for a while.</div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-88676997780394699052013-09-01T19:41:00.001-07:002013-09-02T06:10:33.559-07:00My Kids and ReligionQuestions I asked myself today at church:<br />
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What is my short term goal regarding my children and their walk with God?<br />
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What is my long term goal regarding my children and their walk with God?</div>
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How am I going to help them achieve this?</div>
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First, I suppose I should start with my own experience:</div>
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In middle school we moved towns. Prior to moving, we (me, my sister and my mom) attended church every Sunday. My twin sister and I would go to a church camp every summer. When we were 10, we decided to give our life to Christ and got baptized. </div>
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Then we moved, and it all stopped. No more going to church, no more church camp, no religion at all (except for the Christmas story during the holidays, and prayer at the Thanksgiving). I really can't give you a reason either. I was probably old enough to request to attend church, but that thought never occurred to me at the time. Aren't your parents supposed to MAKE you go to church, not the other way round? Instead, on Sunday I would laze about and at the age of 16 started working on Sundays without giving it a second thought.</div>
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In college, I went to church on Sunday asking for forgiveness for my behavior (or lack of Christian behavior) from the previous week. Isn't that what all college kids did? Then, after hearing a sermon that bothered me, I stopped going.</div>
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Fast forward quite a few years. I had married a Christian man (Methodist, if you're curious). We, as a couple never attended church together and seemed to both have the inability to start going again after such a long pause in our faith. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaJsAyAT-FNLs-4DG68NsV8Sqf5jsINZ1dJ3Esnr4R758354YLWhi5-CbU-9oEN_YBDpRNBWIFIIw4sEeW_fenkf749bhpU-4TaNHxfX1kuPzwbI6RbAsrNFO3AAxfL2dzn2qeLL7xfa6/s1600/475041_554604801251289_193523468_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaJsAyAT-FNLs-4DG68NsV8Sqf5jsINZ1dJ3Esnr4R758354YLWhi5-CbU-9oEN_YBDpRNBWIFIIw4sEeW_fenkf749bhpU-4TaNHxfX1kuPzwbI6RbAsrNFO3AAxfL2dzn2qeLL7xfa6/s320/475041_554604801251289_193523468_o.jpg" width="180" /></a>Then, Nolan came. We wanted something greater for him. To give him a good foundation, to depend on someone greater than mom and dad. So, to be quite honest, we started going back to church for him. </div>
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Here are some desires I have for my children and am working on daily:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Make it a habit to give thanksgiving to God. To feel grateful for all we have, because we really don't deserve any of it. </li>
<li>To know there is someone greater than himself, someone more loving than mom and dad, someone he can always depend on and lean on.</li>
<li>To rely on the words of the Bible as truth. To find his own meaning in those books and to look to them if he has a question that no one can answer.</li>
<li>To know that, even though all the statistics say that he will walk away from his faith during college, he will always be accepted by God, always have forgiveness in Him.</li>
</ul>
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We've been lucky to have a child with a desire to learn about God. It honestly gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes when I hear him sing our worship songs in church, or be so proud of himself that he got a Holy Bible and can read it himself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50g1WKveTVre0xkaROxpnQj17kgKutxjEr_KY9km3F-Qir9klb2fB9s4HtA9AFJ7IYCQ9UdRH8A6mUAMtegHN1iKTuNqlOTmU5-QlS1uImEt7lWhZT-3sf4VAzzbj8xPH18_VefQQ1Szd/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50g1WKveTVre0xkaROxpnQj17kgKutxjEr_KY9km3F-Qir9klb2fB9s4HtA9AFJ7IYCQ9UdRH8A6mUAMtegHN1iKTuNqlOTmU5-QlS1uImEt7lWhZT-3sf4VAzzbj8xPH18_VefQQ1Szd/s200/photo+1.JPG" width="200" /></a>I honestly don't know how long this desire for faith will last. We might hit a few bumps in the road as he gets older; but as long as the foundation is there that we've been working so hard for the past 6 years (and hopefully for many more) to lay, I think (and pray) he'll turn in to a Godly man. </div>
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Oh, almost forgot. My short term goal for my child's faith:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Make it through Big Church</li>
<li>For him to listen during Children's Time and not act like a ninja or a big clock (I know, odd). </li>
</ul>
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Hoping you find your own desires for your children and their faith. It's going to be hard work, but the outcome will be fantastic. :)</div>
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patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-84778766480661158542013-08-04T13:14:00.000-07:002013-08-04T13:14:51.079-07:00Kid's Themed Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsI don't know about your kids, but mine are kind of picky eaters. Not consistently, but it seems to come in waves. One week they will eat everything on their plate, the next week I'll fix the EXACT same thing, and they will say it's gross and won't touch anything. Well, that's when you have to start getting creative...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrVOz_bkjiHqFTJ91drEu6bzA3WRwV36vQRxnNF_-vsSIhMf7iv1Ei0sP42hilbvTWrS7heuy3ixd9OxFVd1kxZM1dYe2BSrK4ETZFHGn-TwTkxyRneMDJ1i9qwMIyPsx-EjktryrG8yu/s1600/stink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrVOz_bkjiHqFTJ91drEu6bzA3WRwV36vQRxnNF_-vsSIhMf7iv1Ei0sP42hilbvTWrS7heuy3ixd9OxFVd1kxZM1dYe2BSrK4ETZFHGn-TwTkxyRneMDJ1i9qwMIyPsx-EjktryrG8yu/s320/stink.jpg" width="238" /></a>About a month ago, we finished reading <u>Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk</u> (I know, we gave in to the Zombie craze, totally age appropriate though!). In the book the mom renames food to match zombie body parts. For example, scabs = macaroni and cheese, meatloaf=zombie brain. My kids thought this was the best idea. So, that night for dinner we had eyeballs (grapes), brains (toast), scabs (chicken nuggets), etc. They ate everything up and even acted like zombies while eating. I really couldn't complain, they were seated at the table AND ate all their food. <br />
...Sadly this fad wore off after the book was finished and forgotten.<br />
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Moving on to yesterday, I was dreading the idea of fixing dinner, but decided to make it fun. Since it was a Saturday night, we usually watch a movie (and it being 100+ degrees outside, I'd rather stay where there is AC). So, I decided to turn it in to a movie themed night. This week the kids decided to watch <i>Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.</i> The first two Harry Potter movies are the only two the kids can watch (or be read aloud to) because I've deemed the other ones too scary for them for their age. <br />
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The kids and I made a big sheet tent where the proceeded to put every pillow we own under there. In the end, it did look pretty comfy. <br />
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This is what I wrote on our chalk board in the kitchen:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Harry Potter Movie Night</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For Dinner:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Witches hair with a side of eyeballs and brains.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Then, we will take a dip in the hot cauldron</i></div>
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<i>For Dessert: Cookies with buggies</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To translate:</i></div>
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<i>For Dinner:</i></div>
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<i>Linguini with grapes and toast</i></div>
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<i>Bathtime</i></div>
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<i>For Dessert: Chocolate chip cookies</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of the night, most of the food was eaten, baths were given and I got to watch a movie that I haven't seen in awhile. We didn't finish it, due to it being the longest movie ever!! Second installment to be coming soon.</div>
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I'm hoping to do this on a regular basis. Maybe add in some arts and crafts next time. The kids were happy, I was happy, which means a good night in my books.</div>
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Any good ideas for kid's themed dinners? Thoughts appreciated!</div>
patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394869894835921980.post-29117042668612418182013-06-27T20:15:00.002-07:002013-09-15T18:57:16.401-07:00Disney World: Tips I Followed, Tips I Didn't Follow...But Should Have, and Tips I Learned On My OwnWe, as a family, have completed our first trip to Disney World! Greg's parents were nice enough to take us and our kids. Our kid's ages are 6, 3, and 4 months so we had a wide range of needs. I spent some time reading up on what to do, and what not to do but it seems like the info was endless. Of course, everyone's Disney experience will be different, but here are some things that I learned:<br />
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<b>TIPS I FOLLOWED:</b><br />
1. Personal water bottle fans and Froggy Togg Towels: Best inventions ever, especially in the summer months. The water bottle fans at Disney were almost $20, so it was great that they were pre-purchased. My mom got me some Froggy Togg towels for my birthday. I'd never heard of them before, but they claimed "Just Get Me Wet, And I'll Keep You Cool". I was worried they wouldn't work, but they did! This was great for our 4 month old. I would lay the towel over his lower half and it would block the sun and keep him cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallory with Princess Jasmine</td></tr>
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2. Eating with a princess/Doing Jedi Training: Mallory had breakfast will all the princesses while Nolan fought Darth Vader. I bet they were super pricey, but SO worth it! Mallory just turned 3 and she adores the princesses, and they were all in the same room! I bet she remembers it for a while. Nolan (just turned 6) did the Jedi Training. We had to block off a major part of the day for Nolan, but it was definitely well worth it, he says it was one of his favorite things.<br />
3. Not pushing the kids: You want to do everything/see everything, but there's a certain point to call it quits. Ours was around 1 pm. We would hit the parks early, leave around 1 pm or 2 pm and go back to the hotel to recharge or swim. This worked well for us and our young kids.<br />
4. Patience!: One friend said I needed the patience of a saint...he was almost right. There's A LOT of stuff going on: strollers, wheelchairs, adult scooters, grouchy parents, grouchy adults, 90 degree weather, rainy weather...I could go on forever. My motto was as long as we came back alive it was a good trip. We all came back alive, so it was a good trip! Seriously though, take a deep breath and put things in to perspective for you and your kids. If you've walked all around the park in 90 degree heat with no lunch break, there will be a meltdown soon (and I wouldn't blame them). If your tired, your kids are tired. If your grouchy standing in line, your kids will be grouchy standing in line. Do what works for you and your family. A lousy vacation can happen very quickly with bad attitudes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallory with Cinderella</td></tr>
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5. Gate Check your stroller: I kept on reading about this "gate check" thing while flying with strollers. I figured it out on our first flight. You go through the whole airport with your stroller and carrier and even through the long tube to the airplane, and then you leave it right outside the airplane door. It will be the last thing they put with the bags, and the first thing they take out. When you get out at your destination, your stroller will be right outside of the plane waiting for you! Just make sure to ask for a Gate Claim ticket!<br />
WARNING: Our stroller and carrier took a beating in our Atlanta layover going to, and coming back. It's not like a spent a million dollars on the thing, but I was a little peeved when the whole mesh bag underneath was ripped to shreds.<br />
<b>TIPS I SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED...BUT DIDN'T</b><br />
1. "Comfy" shoes- I kept hearing about this comfy shoe tip. I thought my Reef sandals did qualify as comfy shoes, but I was wrong. You will be doing A LOT of walking. I switched over to my running shoes on the third day, and my leg and back pain went away. My 3 year old definitely showed me up though. She wore her little glass slippers (plastic with 1/2" heel) and wore those things all around the park. She was tougher than me.<br />
2. Fast Passes- This something that you will figure out on your own. It confused me reading about it, but after we actually did it, I understood. For example: The Pirates of the Caribbean line is super long (an hour wait). You swipe your card and get your ticket with a time on it, such as 1:00-2:00. You come back in that time frame and you go to the "Fast Pass" line. You get on the ride a few minutes later, a fraction of the time than just standing in line. We didn't use Fast Passes until AFTER we waited in the Space Mountain line for over an hour and watched all the Fast Pass people zip past us. I DID give them the evil eye, but it was so dark in there they probably didn't notice. :)<br />
3. Ponchos and rain gear- It rains a lot in Florida. We were in Downtown Disney and got rained on for almost 2 hours. Soaking wet, we trudged back to our hotel wishing that we had brought Ponchos from home because I refused to buy the expensive ones at the park.<br />
4. Stay hydrated...with water!: I guzzled a lot of liquid, and it wasn't water. I chose Coke Zero most of the time. With all the heat, I knew I should have been drinking water, but I didn't. Coke Zero didn't satisfy me like I knew water would. Lesson learned.<br />
TIPS I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nolan training as a Jedi</td></tr>
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1. Disney has this bus system around all of the parks and to all the resorts. Plus side: we didn't have to rent a car. Downside: waiting for buses, length of bus ride, and crowded buses. It was especially hard waiting for a bus for 20+ minutes when your kids are exhausted and asleep on you. It was also hard carrying on and off the stroller and carrier on the bus. But if I did it all again, I would still ride the bus system...it definitely beat the $15 a day parking cost.<br />
2. Your child carrier: My son was not 4 months yet when we went, so a carrier (car seat) was necessary for him. We weren't allowed to use it on the plane, and we weren't allowed to use it on any of the buses (safety issues). So, we actually lugged it around most of the time. If he had been a little older and able to sit in a stroller without the car seat, I most likely would have left it at home. One last thing to drag around.<br />
3. Penny Squishing Machines: Great souvenirs for little cost. Kids had a great time finding them around the park and then turning the handle to squish the penny. Only cost $.51 each, which is a steal at Disney!<br />
4. Pick a hotel with a nice pool: It was the highlight for the kids...and me. Nothing better to end a long day at Disney than a swim at a really nice pool. It even had a whole kid section where the water was only a foot deep and I could let my 3 year old splash around without a life vest on.<br />
5. Carry ALL your formula on the plane with you: My 4 month old only drinks formula, so I knew I would have to bring a large container with us to get us through the week. I also purchased a formula holder that holds enough formula for 3 bottles. I couldn't decide which one to take on the plane. Would they make me throw away the formula in the smaller carrying container because it wasn't sealed. Would 3 bottles last him? I decided to take both in my carry-on bag. I made sure that the big container was still sealed in case a security person questioned its validity. No one questioned anything. The only thing that got tested was some water that I had already put in to a bottle for my son for later use. I'm so glad I packed both in my carry-on. Our resort had this great thing where they will bring the luggage to your room straight from the airport so you don't have to go pick it up from baggage claim. What they don't tell you in the brochure is that it won't get to your room until 4-5 hours AFTER you checked in. I would have had one mad baby on my hands if I didn't have any formula. But I did, so he was happy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey just hanging out :)</td></tr>
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All in all, I don't think I could have asked for a better trip. Very happy with the outcome. The kids are already talking about going again, even though that next trip is years away. <br />
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Have fun on your adventures with your kids, make them happy moments they will remember for a lifetime!!<br />
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<br />patsy.jones83http://www.blogger.com/profile/18218295290800269997noreply@blogger.com0