Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Pipes

We had such a great weekend with our friends from Houston, James and Naomi.  Makes you feel so loved when someone travels to see you!

Here's how I know we're good friends.  When you can burp, talk about pooping, not care what you look like, be in a closed vehicle when you all stink, drink too much, and laugh endlessly around each other, you're good friends. 

We ran the quarter marathon together, or actually I ran the quarter - they all ran the "double" which was the quarter plus a 5K. Showoffs.  And Naomi is 4 months pregnant.  Double showoff!



Miss them already!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The old screen

So here's how the headboard came out.  I realize it's not really a headboard, but that's what I'm calling it.  I got the inspiration to paint and glaze stuff from Pinterest, which meant a few of my things ended up on the walls instead of in the trash and ultimately to an overcrowded landfill.  I occasionally do my part to help Mother Earth.

Most of these pics were taken with my cellphone, which usually turn out blurry but oh well.  Here's the screen the way I bought it, complete with dead bug parts and old springs and lots and lots of dirt:


This is after a couple coats of spray paint, antique white.  I didn't try to cover it completely:


This is during the glazing process:




And this is the finished product.  You probably can't see it, but I left the hook (far right) that was once used to close the screen.  Thought it was kind of authentic looking.


Funny how I'm still learning stuff about this house.  I didn't realize the wall in this bedroom angled up towards the ceiling until I hung the screen.  I had big plans to paint the entire upstairs with the same khaki wall color as downstairs, until I saw how high one of the walls was in the middle bedroom and became slightly less interested.  Anyway, I think I finally feel that this is room is complete.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

New old stuff!

I have a new addiction that is the River City Trading Post.  I've never seen anything like this store, yet that's probably due to my sheltered life in dusty old Midland. 


This store is a crafter's/pinner's dream.  If you want to refurbish, repaint, or repurpose something  used - you'll find your project here.  I like shopping for the old or funky things that need no re-anything, such as this pillow:


I LOVE toile, always have.  (Alan thinks I just like saying toile.) It isn't for everyone, but I love it no matter the color or the scene.  This pillow fit the room perfectly and was $14.


This is part of the upstairs corner room that I haven't done much with.  It is simply too HUGE and will probably become a workout room for lack of better ideas.  So I threw the girls' old twin beds in there with some silly pillows, and then found this awesome chunky red table and red and black glazed lamp today!  Table was $38 and the lamp was $14. 

But what I'm most excited about is the dirty, flaky old window screen (probably crusted with lead paint) that I'm going to turn into a headboard to go above this bed:


I'm going to do a paint treatment on it to make it look similar to that chair.  It only cost me $15, so if it's a complete failure like I'm known for, it's not a big deal.  Maybe if I stay busy with that project the next couple of days, it'll keep me and my wallet from going back to the Trading Post for a while.  But probably not.

The Grind is Upon Me

Resume is done.  Applying for jobs has begun.  Yuck, yuck, and more yuck.  I can't hate this process any more.  I think I have an abnormal level of anxiety when it comes to job searching and being interviewed than most people.  Maybe I haven't had enough practice, since I've probably had no more than 10 interviews in my life.

I'm not good at thinking on the fly, and that's pretty much what an interview is chopped full of - the unknown.  I can answer their questions wonderfully...an hour later.  I'm not a lingo kind of person.  I don't spout off industry terminology and really find people who do kind of annoying and showy.  I was raised to absolutely positively not brag about oneself, and although I don't necessarily agree with that, it's hard to change.

I need some positive things to focus on today.  I think I'll take a break from job crap and get things ready for our friends who are coming to town this weekend - yay!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 

Friday, October 07, 2011

Oktober!

I do love October.  I'm sure it's partly because it's Addison's birthday, my birthday, and mine and Alan's anniversary all at the beginning of the month.  But it's also the change in the weather.  October is just cozy

I love the fall colors.  I love that my new coffee mugs from DeeBee are fall colors, and it doesn't hurt that they perfectly match the colors in our house. 



I love that soon I'll be craving chili and stew and all sorts of other one-pot wonders that come out to play during cooler weather.  And I love that Pinterest has a TON of recipes with pumpkin and pumpkin spices!

I can't wait for Oktoberfest here in Tulsa, which starts October 20th.  It's supposed to be pretty entertaining, as long as you don't mind being around boisterous, beer-toting drunk people dressed like The Sound of Music.

And then there's Halloween, one of the only big holidays that does not include family obligations.  Love that!  I put my ghosts out again this year, regardless of how raggedy and raveled they're getting.  They do look like ghosts, right?  (See my Facebook post.)


Happy October!