Work in Progress

So, I bought this large 5.5ft. x3.5 ft. old window from Rooster Tails in Franklin. It is white and I am staining it to hang as an architectural piece on one of my living room walls. This is how it went. Honey, look what I bought yesterday....
Hubby: "You're hanging a window on the wall?"
Me: "Yep, isn't it cool?"
Hubby: "what's the point?"
Me: " I SAW IT DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN...um, I like it"
Hubby: " what will you put behind it?"
Me: "Nothing it is going to be stained dark...it will look good, trust me"
Hubby: "So, let me get this straight, we have windows in the room already and you are hanging a blank window?
Me: " Yep"
Hubby: " Okay"
Now, when he says okay, he means WHATEVER. But, he also said okay to the kitchen and now he likes it. Stay tuned for more...you can tell me your thoughts. I tried the stain, you'll see the big picture later.

This weekend Mr. Toyo came to paint the top portion of my living room. He is Esther's brother-in-law. We did as much as we could, but we needed at 20 foot ladder for the rest. 1. I would have fallen off the ladder and 2. yikes 20 feet is super high so I'm sure my painting would have sucked. You can't see the color in the pictures but it's Light Raffia and sometimes it is blue, gray or a light oatmeal color. It keeps changing depending on the time of day. While the room has high ceilings, it doesn't get much direct sunlight and is dark at night. This was the color the girls picked when they visited. It looks better in person. (I HOPE)

This weekend I also bought another piece of furniture from the flea market. It's a beautiful chest of drawers with square nails, solid wood and hand crafted for the foyer. Best part is, it needs minimal work! I'm working on accessories so stayed tuned.

welcome home buffet

BEFORE

AFTERRemember the depression era buffet I picked up downtown Franklin a few weeks back? Well folks, meet her in all her glory! The drawers didn't work, she had a ton of scratches, one of her legs was severely damaged and me and daddy fixed her up! Now, she is stained, (see previous posts) look at that awesome wood detail! Her leg and drawer were fixed. I'm super excited and love how it turned out. I left the original hardware and there she sits, alone in the dining room. We're still on a mission for an old farm table. So far they are all: too country, too expensive, too big, too small, to dainty, already sold, or made from pine. Looks like I'll be designing it and my dad will be making it-even more special! I want a really hearty table...so suggestions are welcome!

Friday Funny, to me

The hills are alive...with the sound of music! That should be the caption. Last year, we drove down to see the Amish in hole-in-the-wall Tennessee. They cover their little faces if they see you taking their picture. Well, we couldn't help but take a picture of this little bowl-cut faced cutie. He was skipping. As soon as we took the picture he yelled "NO!" Mary then yelled out the window, "God loves you." It still makes me laugh.

Looking forward to out next little road trip in a few weeks!

I heart R. Kelly oldies

I love the feeling of busting out old CD's during the summer and blaring them in the car. Yesterday, I picked up my oldie but goody R. Kelly TP-2.com CD circa 2001. You see, Abigail, a.k.a. Stunner got me hooked in college. Now, I know he is famous for golden showers and a whole bunch of other hoopla, but have you ever listened to the words in his songs? No, I am not talking about Fiesta and the other hits. I'm talking about his poetry turned music. OH, they are just so romantic and I can picture the images so vividly in my head. Here's a quick verse from JUST LIKE THAT, a song about how he feels:

Ohhh, if I could explain the joy I feel,
Like you and me making history,
like a 99th anniversary,
like an uplifting song the first time heard,
like a shelter when the storm gets rough,
like a mountain top from the bottom up,
like an expensive suite at the best hotel,
like a work of art when it's unveiled,
like a secret told to the one you trust,
like kissing you in an all white tux,
You wanna know how I feel, just like that, just like that (repeat several times before next verse of analogies)

I love this song! Just thought I would share.

she get it from her daddy...

I've always gotten along with my daddy. Except when it came to engineering and math. Sadly, I got none of the math skills and hated my dad all through middle school when he tried to teach me "easy" algebra tricks. Those were the frustrating years because I am horrible in math. But, I've always connected with my dad when it comes to working with my hands, antiques, wood, building, etc. In fact, half the items in my house my dad made, restored, or built from scratch to meet my needs. I am beyond excited to share items with my future children and tell them that their grandpa built or refurbished these cherished items. Oh yea, he is a good painter too! My dad is a great dad. He never had much growing up and made sure to provide more than enough for me and my younger brother. We had a great childhood. My dad let us brush his hair, put bows in it, took us dirt bike riding, jumped on the trampoline with us, attended our games and sports and took us on vacations around the world. Now, as an adult, I live just down the road and get to see him often. He is also the reason why my eye lashes are so long and why I love ketchup so much. Love you dad...even though you do not read my blog! :o) upstate NY summer 08 my parents and the house my dad grew up in

Kitchen

The kitchen color: Evening Glow

The living room color: Raffia

Both paints are Valspar from Lowe's...in all my painting years it has the best coverage and flow. Cutting in

You can see the standard builders color and new color
That's my Daddy-O...he bought some special paint equipment before he his leg surgery. It worked, he loves it. Thank goodness he is my handyman. My homes are so special because he builds, restores, hand makes or paints everything for me! We've got a lot of projects currently going on.

Right after the paint was done

8am the next morning. I love it. Oh, the flowers on the table are from my hubby. I am working on wall decor and possible curtains. All suggestions are welcome! P.S. My dad made me that walnut antique table 2 years ago for my birthday. :o) I lurrve me some antiques! Stay tuned....the buffet for the dining room is complete. I just need to get the truck to haul it over here!

Rent a kid....

Today I borrowed Arianna and took her to the pool with me and the girls: LOMA, Katie & Ellie Kate. We had so much fun! First, we got our very first chocolate milk shake with whip cream. She'd never had one before. She kept saying "it's going down a lot" ...the little picky eater found something she liked! We talked the whole way there about animals, cows, flowers, the sun, etc. She is a little chatter box. Of course I loved it... We got our water wings on and off we went!

She swam by herself and enjoyed playing with Ellie Kate too. Check it out, the camera came out of the bag and Ellie Kate started to smile automatically. haha

Five minutes after we left....

Thanks for a great afternoon!

Show Us Your Proposal...

I am totally in on Kelly's Korner SHOW US YOUR PROPOSAL. I think my husband did a great job! I have have always loved the number 22. When Steven and I were dating, I mentioned that I loved the number. We started dating in the spring and knew we were going to get married almost instantly. Steven waited until his favorite season-Fall and looked for the first 22nd (Saturday) on the calendar which turned out to be October 22, 2005 6 months after we met. Mind you, I had no idea until after the fact. My parents were totally in on it too! During the week I got a letter saying we were going on a trip and told me exactly what to pack. It said be prepared for a wonderful little weekend! I was so excited. Steven was very romantic so I honestly didn't think anything about it. We enjoyed getting away for the weekend. I got in the car on Friday and he still never told me where we were going. We ended up in the Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg. We toured Ripley's Believe It Or Not, went to the Aquarium, enjoyed dining and of course-ate fudge! He was going to propose at the top of the mountain over a picnic but it was raining. He ended up doing it late at night in front of our cabin fireplace. I still remember his words, but will keep them to myself! It was very romantic. My ring is a simple, round inlaid solitaire with a matching inlaid diamond anniversary back band. As luck would have it, we were engaged on October 22nd in the mountains, married July 22nd at the beach in Florida, honeymooned December 22nd in Europe for 2 weeks. 22 is just a coincident and continues to remain my lucky number!

FRIENDS continued.

After the pool we had plans downtown Nashville. We ate at The Acorn-which is delish! If you haven't been, you should try it. Ootie got a tripod. Wow. We had lots of fun posing...we even modeled like Jimmy Choo does-ha! Waiting on Sarah to upload the pictures. Cheesy pics on my front porch.

On Sunday we went downtown Franklin and enjoyed brunch at Puckett's Grocery. Then, shopped boutiques, Pier One, and Green Hills. Of course, no trip to the hills is complete without stopping at Trader Joe's!
After a loooooooooooong weekend of shopping Beth and Natalie had to go home. Monday night we met my local friends for Mexican-ole'! You've got LOMA, BKJ, Freakin' Esther, Sister, me and baby Avonlea.

I had a great weekend with the girls....all of them!

Happy Woof Day!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our baby, Zane! You were hand picked at 3 weeks old and have been spoiled ever since! Steven wants to get him a little friend but I am not so sure... His red squeaker is his favorite!

Zane gets to celebrate with Grandpa as he paints my kitchen today. He is also getting a big bone and Grandma is walking him as I type. Aww, life is good! Aunt LOMA when can I rough house with Ellie?

Choices

I wrote a really long, wordy blog about stupid people and the choices they make. I wanted to name names. I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs and flat out tell them why situation a. b. and c. are stupid. I wanted to point out how they can change, for the better. I want to tell them what they are doing wrong. I wish it would help. It doesn't and it won't. I deleted it. Because, those who need to read it and make the change never do. In fact, I feel my blood pressure boiling right now! I want the best for you all...really, I do! But, I am not willing to stress myself out over your issues.

10 years in the making...part 1

Ten years ago I went away to college. I was assigned a room with some of these fabulous ladies and here we are 10 years later...still friends! Sarah became my sorority big sister and Natalie, Beth, Me and Abigail joined ZTA together, class of 2000! I love that we stick together and make an effort to travel to each city we live in for mini reunions. This weekend the girls came to my house. We went to Chuy's on Friday night and did some shopping. Saturday, we stayed at Laura's pool and then went downtown Nashville to The Acorn for dinner.

Justin Bobby made an appearance...silly troll!

It was super hot, we did some syncronized swimming!

Esther joined us after she got off work.

More pictures to come later...the rest of the weekend was equally as fun. Sarah is still here and we've got places to go!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

I'm JUMPIN' for joy...my girls are coming to town for a long weekend! **Oootie is coming too, but she was the photographer!

Atlanta Summer 2009-we'll miss you Abs! Sending hugs to Africa!

Natalie and Beth at breakfast in Knoxville January 2010

We've got a lot of fun, new eateries to try and of course, lounging at the pool! Yay for making memories!

Jigga-what? Bunganut!

Saturday a big group of us that could make it went downtown Franklin to the Bunganut Pig. It's just a little local dive with billiards, live band inside and music on the patio. We sat on the patio under the trees and the weather was perfect! It's my new favorite place. Why? 1. it's not a chain 2. loved the detail of tea light candles and quaint outside atmosphere 3. FRIED PICKLES to die for. Yep, to die for. We all had a great time and look forward to doing it in the future! Ok, photo issues...where are the pictures of me? Katie, photo shop that great picture and send it my way! :o) Afterwards, we crashed a deck party with friends who couldn't make it to the Bunganut...let's just say I don't think the H family can hang, yo. We're old.

I Can Do ANYTHING GOOD...

Many of you have asked me about the funny video I've been talking about. Take 49 seconds and watch. I'm positive it will brighten your day! It's sad that we lose sight of the important things as we age. We should ALL have a day in the mirror! :o)




Best part ---I like my hair cuts, I like my thermos...hehe

Five Questions

1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? What would you do now? I heart college. I wouldn't take a single day back. Not even the day the psycho brought back the angel lamp to win his g/f back and we had to hide in the closet. :o) Best days ever!! If I went back to college I would go for architecture. It's a 5 year degree and and I feel too old to do over. :o( I would love to design and work with construction. I love teaching but don't know if I can do it forever.

2. What do you love most about your home? I love the upgrades, moulding, architectural detail, see question 1. I will love it more when I make it mine.

3. What type of books do you read? Sadly, I am not a big literature book reader. I try to bring books places but prefer talking over reading. However, I do subscribe to 6 magazines and I am constantly reading online. I can spend hours reading on the computer!

4. The grossest thing I've ever eaten: lets talk about the foods I hate...water chestnuts, whip cream, sausage, grape flavored drinks to name a few.

5. If you HAD to be a movie character or person on TV who would you be? Heidi Montag-DUH. Just kidding! I love Rachel McAdams so I would be her. I loved the Notebook, but I love her because even though she is famous she isn't a spotlight whore. She is simple, down to earth and looks beautiful all the time whether it is a red carpet event or being spotted at a coffee shop. She seems normal, I like her!

Friday Funny!

I saw this poster on someones FB page. Remember that girl band, they were like 12 years old and the song was Haters Gonna Hate? I can't remember but it is on my NOW CD 7 from years ago. :o) hehe Happy Friday!

Peek into my Week....

Meet my new baby! I bought this Depression Era buffet piece at an antique store in downtown Franklin on Sunday. It is amazing and will soon be turned into a refurbished piece for my dining room. You know, I fill my house with originals! You can't see it but: it has the original hardware, the wood is magnificent walnut and it is even in scripted to Dr. Buff Barton 1910! I'm in LOVE with it! My dad and I have sanded it, he is fixing one of the legs and spindles and the staining starts tomorrow! I just love sweating with power tools.

When you don't have a computer or phone you spend a lot of time shopping and spending money! This week I planted all my pots and hanging baskets. My old house didn't have a front porch so I'm on the lookout for some more items and rocking chairs. Here are my cute patio cushions that match my lime green umbrella! (CJ do they look familiar?)

Home pictures coming soon! They are all on a different camera card. Also, I haven't finalized any paint colors yet but everywhere you turn there are paint swatches!