At The Shop

BEFORE:

 DURING:

I painted her metal base black.  I tore and cut pieces of muslin.  Then attached and overlapped them using fabric Mod Podge.  It is taking days to dry as the fabric variety of Mod Podge is super thick.  I wanted the dress form to be cream colored but I don't sew or reupholster so this was what I came up with to recover the form.  I added a beige ribbon around her waist and a pretty cream rose and feather corsage for her neckline.

I have a bit of touching up to do but she is close to finished.

 AFTER:

 She is part a a little re-do at the museum gift shop.  I've moved out a desk, moved a message system, moved the back work counter and have plans to move my desk and half wall.  The back counter will be painted and the store rearranged again.  I painted a shelf and polished a dresser.  It's all part of a bigger project but some good steps were taken this week for the greater good.

NEXT:  

Crabtree & Evelyn products will be arriving to stock the empty shelves.

Stop by and see me sometime, the shelves are brimming with Easter basket stuffers, Mother's Day aprons and towels, Legos, new playmobil and some pretty groovy things at every price point.

Painting Continues

 Not really much going on here at the Stone House.  Just the usual project or dozen.  Hubby has the doors set, but had to tear off all the trim so we need new trim around the doors.  I'm still painting.  Not only do I have a painting project at home but I have some painting to take care of in the museum gift shop.  I'm also trying a new mod podge project for the store.

Anyway, back at home,when I decide to paint or redo a room I start collecting things.  The rule is that I may not use the new things until the room is finished.  I have a little pile of goodies for the kitchen and for the landing.  I'm just dying to get to the good stuff!  I'll be at the Lynden Craft and Antique Show on Thursday looking for more goodies to add to the stash.  I should probably be finishing the painting but the collecting is the best part and I cannot resist.  I checked out the new Threshold line at Target last night.  There are some pretty things.  Many of the things I wanted to see were not in our local store.  I may need a trip farther from the border to find the good stuff.

*When we aren't painting  or collecting more junk Hubby and I are having a cribbage tournament.  Right now we are in a tie situation.  Last night Hubby graciously suggested we call it a night and go to bed cuz I was getting dingy.  Isn't that sweet?  He totally could have taken advantage of me in my tired, dingy state.  To be continued.

*Sam will be stationed at Fort Lewis in May and home in April!   We better clean up our mess upstairs before he gets here.  It will be so nice to have him in Washington State.  No more expensive airline tickets to and from North Carolina.  Woot!

*The Biggest Loser!  I just love Danni and Jeff.  Gina went home and as Hubby said, "ding dong the witch is dead!"  Hah!

*Danny left me a message yesterday thanking me for doing  his laundry for so many years.  He apparently did a friend's (no name will be used to protect privacy) laundry yesterday and things were not turned right side out.  He now gets why I nagged about that issue and thanked me for my efforts.  A coup for this mama.

*I can't decorate for Easter until the paint cans are in the garage.  Wish me luck!

Reflecting

When our youngest son, Max graduated last June he promptly left for his summer job and then on to college in September.  Hubby and I looked at each other and realized that things would never be the same for us.  Our nest was empty and because of where our guys were in their lives we probably wouldn't have a revolving door.  Not only had they left the nest they left the county, some left our state and sometimes they left the country.

It seemed so final.

I hadn't really thought much past the next ball game, load of laundry, or casserole.  I had thought about when the guys had grown up and left home in a vague  kind of way but not in a now  kind of way.  Or how it would really be  kind of way.  It's safe to say Hubby and I have had some melancholy moments.  I have told my guys some of my regrets.  Things I did wrong as a parent.  I have a low tolerance for stupidity.   I should have taught them to be more tolerant, more patient with others. But my time for parenting children is finished.  I have adult children.  

And of course, we miss our guys.  We loved having a family!  The fun, the time spent at the dinner table, the vacations, the ball games, the noise and the dirt, the laughing, homework(NEVER), the daily life with three boys.

Even though I try to practice conscious living, sometimes I am just going through life.  You know, without really thinking about the how and why of my life or the decisions I make.  Where does God want me next?  Am I asking Him?  Am I listening to Him?   Am I thinking enough about what Hubby has in mind?  Can I embrace this change?  Many questions and changes.  It's a process.

So, where are we now?   Hubby and I have made some changes.   In our diet, in our routines and our free time I see change.  Rest assured, we are doing just fine.  We are having a lot of fun!  We have time for each other and more time for our friends.  We are getting some projects finished.  It's easier to have an ongoing project left out when only two people live in the house.  It's easier to resist a cookie or three when there are no cookies in the house.  The laundry is no longer a full time job.  I clean upstairs and nothing gets messy until the next time the guys visit.  That is probably my favorite aspect of the empty nest, no more nagging guys to clean their rooms!

Telephone conversations, texting and visits from the guys are our connection to them.  Danny, Sam and Max have made the transition easier for us because they are all doing well.  It's exciting to see them go.  By that I do mean GO, to get out there and shake the world.

We've planned a vacation with our Hawaii friends for 2014. We are going to a different island because we know it will be different without guys.  We made a conscience decision to change it up.

By the way, it's no surprise to the guys that they aren't going with us.  Last trip, Karen mentioned that they wouldn't be coming with us, a time or two.   Or maybe a dozen times.  Makes me laugh every time I think about her reminding them.

When you're in the  car pool fast lane of parenting it's hard to imagine that it's going to end, however; it does end.

And it's okay.

Projects

Unfinished projects make me crazy.  I am making a conscious effort to finish projects this year.  Honestly, it's painful.  I started a paper project in December and then Christmas came quickly.  The letters got stuffed in a bag and left in the laundry room.  After tripping over it one too many times last week I decided to finish it.   It was so tempting to shove it into the attic and face it next December but I made myself finish it.

It's brought me PEACE.  Now it is carefully wrapped and ready with the other Christmas decorations.  I know I will be happy next holiday season when I come across this project.

 The PEACE project is for the landing.  The landing has turned into a big project.  Hubby is installing the doors.  In an old stone house nothing is straight.  The floors slant, the doorways are all different sizes.  Hubby is frustrated.   Last week I was sorry we'd even started this project, however; I went upstairs and the two doors that are in place look fantastic.  My inner project girl squealed.  It will be worth it.  The project is going to take some time but I think we are going to be happy with the results.

Projects ALWAYS  take more money and time in the end.  It's a given, one that I consistently forget in the beginning and planning stages of a new project.  The thrill of a new project sucks me in every time.  

The after picture is the goal.  The accomplishment of making things better in our home is the goal.

It's the in between part that really is messy and stressful.

Since I can't paint upstairs until the doors are set, I plan to Spring clean the laundry room today.

It seems like an inexpensive project.  A productive, simple project that I can finish in a day!

That said...

What would happen if we moved the freezer out of the laundry room?  Into the back porch(unfinished space)? $$$$  That involves an electrician. $$$  Do I need new rugs in the laundry room?  $$   Should I paint the door? $  There is trim that isn't finished. $$  Maybe an Ikea trip to organize everything? $$$  How about some beverage containers for the bleach and vinegar?  $$

So it goes.

A Day in the Life of My Soldier

Part I

Sam was part of a JOAX at Fort Bragg on Monday.  He jumped with a group of 1500 soldiers as part of a field exercise.  I was able to find these photos on the 82nd Airborne facebook page.  I get pretty excited when I actually see Sam in the crowd.  In the first picture he is handing his pack over to be loaded in the truck.

Prior to getting on the plane they practice landing in sand and they wait their turn.  I'm not sure how long he waited for this jump but sometimes it is hours.  The day starts early.

After they were back on the ground they had a 12 mile ruck, still wearing their 75 pounds of gear which may  include packs, guns, medical equipment.

 The army photographer uses special equipment to take the night time photos.  

Sam is on the left in the photo below.

Many of the soldiers are up and working hard for almost 24 hours to complete this exercise.  I can not imagine such a long day of hurry up and wait, carrying 75 pounds all this time, jumping from a plane and then hiking back 12 miles from the drop zone with the 75 pounds still on your back.  After the jump many are sore because of their landing or the actual jump.  Sam hit the door as he left the plane this time.  The weight throws them off their game.

When Sam jumps I always ask him to text me when he can so I know he's okay.  Tuesday at eleven I got a text,  I made it, rough night, had a 75 lb ruck for the jump then we had a 12 mile ruck back from the dz.  I hurt everywhere but no serious injury.  Thank you, Lord.

Thank you 82nd for your service.  I am so grateful that you are preparing everyday to protect me and my country.

Part II

Sam is pretty much famous.  The picture below was part of the series of photos taken a few weeks ago.  The photo was featured on the US Army website, then Time Magazine website and yesterday it was on the Army's magazine as well, Frontlines.

Sam's bum is on the left and it's pretty much famous.  Sam will receive an award for representing the army in a positive light.

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, to love mercy,  And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

Like most soldiers Sam would prefer to be out of the limelight and doesn't feel worthy of awards.  I appreciate the soldier's humble spirit but sometimes a mom just has to take a little pride in her soldier.

I love you, Sam.

Best. Junkin'. Day. Ever.

Shelly, Chris and I went junkin' today.  A barn sale was advertised featuring musical instruments.  I don't really collect anything musical but it sounded like a fun outing so I was in.  Remember I'm doing anything to avoid painting the landing.  Chris offered to drive her pickup just in case we found something really BiG.  The barn was at the end of a long narrow driveway.  Since Chris has four wheel drive she bravely,  foolishly decided to drive past the other shoppers through the field to find rock star parking.

I was cheering her on.  Shelly, a savvy farm girl, was in the back seat curled up in the fetal position begging us to stop.  She knew that under the grass in the field there would be mud.  It looked like innocent grass to Chris and me.  

Why yes, there was mud.  And we sunk until we were stuck.  But we got a close parking spot.  Obviously the only thing to do would be to jump out of the truck and get in  line for the sale.  We'll think about getting out later.  We don't want to risk missing out on any good stuff.

It was pretty deep when I opened my door.

 Chris found some frames and a very cool scale.

We jumped back in the truck and tried to leave.  Nope.  We were definitely stuck.  Chris called her husband and got some advice.  We had the windows down and asked other shoppers for advice.  We needed some traction so Shelly and Chris got a board.

 This may not work.  And just as the 23rd man went past and we pronounced chivalry as being dead... a long came a nice guy.  He pulled us out. Chris backed down the driveway and we were on our way.  Thank you knight in shining armor otherwise known as the guy in the Chevy truck.  He told us he really was a Ford guy but someone gave him the Chevy.  Only way he'd drive one.  Funny guy!  Helpful too!

Then it was on to the next estate sale.  It takes more than a little mud to slow us down.

 After a much needed coffee break at Woods we toured Chris' studio.  I didn't take any photos because my mouth was hanging open in awe.  And I was trying to absorb as much of her creative energy as I possibly could.  She has the best studio and recycles, up cycles and creates amazing things.  Thanks for the inspiration, Chris.

Then Shelly and I loaded up our loot to go home and Chris went to the car wash.  Her husband was very gracious about the dirty truck but I do think Shelly and I may have gotten a bad reputation as being a BaD influence on Chris.

 In Shelly's defense she did try to stop us.  Whereas I was encouraging Chris to go for it, in between giggling and snort laughing.

 We found some good loot.  The painting... it was a gift.  A gift that every time I look at it I will giggle while remembering the day we went junkin' but ended up muddin'.

The little green pan is for the '54 Aloha trailer.  The spoons will get stamped.  And I can never have too many trays or urns.  Not that I'm justifying, I like junk and enjoy  my junk.  Most of all I love getting the junk.  Especially when there is so much laughing involved in the hunt.