Friday, July 31, 2015

A FRIDAY CHAT ( about this and that )

Good mornin' everyone !

HUFFINGTON POST

Josh Smith Discusses His Upcoming Struggle To Survive On $6.9 Million

#PrayForJoshSmith

Somehow, some way, Josh Smith and his family will have to figure out how to survive on just $6.9 million during the upcoming NBA season.
During a Los Angeles Clippers news conference on Tuesday to introduce the newly signed forward Josh Smith, the former NBA All-Star discussed the challenges he'll face as a result. 
"At the end of the day, you know, I do have a family," he told reporters. "So it is going to be a little harder on me this year. But I'm going to push through it, you know?"
Smith -- who has earned over $97 million from NBA contracts in his 11-year career, according to Spotrac -- signed a one-year deal with the Clippers earlier this month for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million. His former team, the Detroit Pistons, will also be paying him $5.4 million to not play for them. (Smith was released last December by the Pistons after signing a four-year, $54 million contract in July 2013.) 
That adds up to just $6.9 million next season -- a far cry from the over $13 million he was making just two years ago. We weep for you, Josh Smith. 
In all seriousness, Smith seems to be paying homage to former NBA star Latrell Sprewell by focusing on his family's impending financial struggles. Remember when Sprewell deemed the Minnesota Timberwolves' three-year, $30 million contract offer as "insulting"?
"I'm at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed," Sprewell told the Free Republic in 2004. And so does Smith. But another thing that he's going to "push through" this year? The $100 million mark for total NBA earnings. 
_________________________________________________________________

I thought we'd start with that.
Just in case you were feeling all alone with your own personal struggles.
You're not.
I can't even add on that it's all relevant here - BECAUSE IT'S NOT !
The word " Struggle " should not be in the same sentence as SIX POINT NINE MILLION DOLLARS a year.
I know they live in some sort of alternate reality - but really?  Come on now !
_________________________________________________________________

For the past 3 weeks we've been emptying the skimmer every morning and finding 15 - 30 dead beetles 
( thank God for spell check - I spelled it Beatles - you have to forgive me - it's been a hard days night & I've been working like a dog................)
We appear to have an infestation.

The Ants?
They're completely taking over - you lay on a float in the pool and they're all over the float
We appear to have an infestation.

I can't sit outside after the sun goes down without coming in the house with more lumps than I had as a child with Chicken Pox - damned mosquitoes - 
We appear to have an infestation.

I also walk into spider webs every morning when I step outside - thrashing around and jumping up and down trying to remove them - 
We appear to have an infestation.

I watch as a swarm of wasps fly outside the office window - I've taped up every crack I can find because
We appear to have an infestation.

This summer our section of the city decided to cut back garbage pickup to ONCE every 2 weeks - 
are they insane?
In temps that hit in the 30's ( or close to 100 for you Americans ) they decide to let garbage rot outside our homes for 14 days?
So of course the flys are in rotting flesh heaven.
( It's enough to make you go vegan - seriously ) 
We appear to have an infestation.

The groundhog doesn't appear to mind at all..............neither do the skunks - although I've noticed the infestation of squirrels seem to be scratching more these days.

And now?
Well now we stepped outside yesterday to find 5 holes in our front garden - what made them we have no idea

I'm anti gun - but lately I fantasize about sitting outside on the back stoop with a rifle and just blasting everything to smithereens.
And I'm serious.

One of the twins ( Lindsay - who's a vegan ) gets upset when I talk like that - 

An ant was crawling up my leg and I killed it

Lindsay says - WHY?
Mom says - What?  It was an ant
Lindsay says - WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL IT?
Mom says - Listen - what I really wanted to do was torture it................
Lindsay says - I don't understand you at all
Mom says - I WANTED TO RIP IT'S HEAD OFF !
Lindsay says - relax - you sound crazed.
Mom says - Well I think YOU'RE a little crazy - it was an A.N.T.
Lindsay says - I don't kill anything at all.
Lindsay says - You could never be a Buddhist 

Ah well - such is life. 
I have no respect for the life of a bug.

Is anyone else noticing there's more this year than ever before?
Is it climate change?
_________________________________________________________________________________

I had a girlfriend whose stomach was shot to hell after her 3rd child.
Really - shot. to. hell.
She had what I called an overhang.................but she quickly corrected me - saying it was called
" an apron " - you know - when the fat hangs down ?
Well - I'm not proud of it - but I've developed " a maxi dress "
Jeezus................I HAVE to go on a diet.
Right after I finish that family sized bag of salt and vinegar chips in the pantry
I keep lifting my real maxi dress up to stare at it ( in morbid fascination ) and it looks like I STILL HAVE THE MAXI DRESS ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzan says- I really need to get some Spanx
John says - Come here - I'll give you a couple
Suzan says - WTH?
John says - I'll spank you
Suzan says - THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT !
John says - oooh - you meant the frisky kind?
Suzan says - I MEANT A GIRDLE - you pervert!
John says - Well why didn't you say that - how the hell am I supposed to know what you mean when you say you need spanks?

God help me - for a second I wanted to smack him.
With my maxi dress.
The inner one.
_________________________________________________________________________________

My Son was over this for supper and swimming - and we had a contest.
He told me to jump with my legs directly out in front of me ( like you're sitting on a chair with an ottoman is the only way I can explain it )
Sure !
No Problem !!!
Sounds super easy !
Let's go.............

I even had a foolproof bathing suit on so I didn't have to worry about my puppies freeing themselves (which they sometimes do when I dive off the board )

I got to the edge of the diving board - jumped - stuck my legs out straight across in a sitting position - and the thought that hit me as I hit the water was

OMG - the skin on my thighs just came off my body !!!!!!!!
I frantically grabbed them to make sure they were intact.

Pain like you can't imagine.

I whacked my Son with a towel and

Mom says - DON'T MAKE ME DO THINGS LIKE THAT - I'M TOO OLD FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!  ARE YOU CRAZY?

And then I sat down - depressed like hell that I was actually too old to do something like that in the water.

So I did it once more.................it was even worse.

Gordie says - Maybe it's because your skin has gotten looser ?

He got another whack of the towel for that one.

But it's true - if you're as loose as a caboose - don't try it.

You're better off diving and letting the top of your bathing suit fall off - than your actual skin
_________________________________________________________________________________

We babysat one of the " grands " for the last 2 and a half weeks.
She's a blessing - a joy to have around - and totally exhausting................
( so that front porch is STILL not finished )
Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Oh and trying my best to work on this


Which I picked up for Ashley ................

You all have the most wonderful of weekends - I think maybe the humidity has " broke " here - I can feel a slight breeze as I type - exciting stuff !

Hugs,
Me

Thursday, July 30, 2015

AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE ( my French Romantic Dresser )

Good morning all !

This is a dresser that I had already madeover - ( because - well you know - a million other things needed to be done )



It's been sitting in the front porch............and because now I'm working in that area it was time to get her done and get rid of her :)

The interior drawers were a bit of a mess so I decided to paint them and after seeing the markings inside I googled the company -

It's called AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE

And if you go on to 1st Dibs - they sell for a fortune.

2 six drawer chests are going for almost 7000.00 dollars !!!
A painted credenza is going for 2800.00 dollars.

Mine is a 12 drawer dresser.................

And I had no idea it was so valuable !

But knowing it actually was worth a small fortune I decided it was time to add a little pizazz

I painted all the interior of the drawers in Graphite to contract the white exterior ( plus it's much easier to hide stains with a dark color :)


And then I added a stencilled design in each of the outer ( smaller ) drawers
Please excuse the terrible photos - that expensive camera I bought is still sitting on the living room coffee table - it's still a virgin even though I bought it a month ago.
Some people are afraid of boogey men - I'm afraid of cameras it would seem


Anyway - back to the post - ( and crappy photos )
The 4 middle drawers were the perfect size for some French script ( stencilled again )


And then I decided to add some romance to the outside as well ...................



Suzan says - Did you see the love letter I left you?
John says - No - where?
Suzan says - It's on the dresser

John goes and comes back

John says - There's NOTHING on the dresser
Suzan says - Not ON TOP of the dresser - it's ON the dresser itself

John goes and comes back

John says - Well isn't that just a little ridiculous?
John says - What is it with you and words ?
John says - Can you stop with it already?
Suzan says - Very nice !!!  I try to implement a little romance into our lives -
John interrupts - In our LIFE is fine - it's on our furniture that I have a problem with.


But life is short - you have to grab romance wherever you find it -
I've found it in this American of Martinsville dresser !


And it would appear that romance really does work - I've fallen in love with it and it's staying LOL !

Paints used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™
Pure White and Graphite
Stencil from Royal Designs Studio

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Hugs,
Me




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THE CRAFTED SPARROW                                         DIY SHOWOFF

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

I WANNA live there Wednesday # 133

Good morning everyone !

They're calling for another scorcher here today - 40 celcius with the humidity ( 104 in " American " )

It'll be a floating in the pool kind of day for me :)

Today's home is a waterfront property ( subconscious desire? )

Hudson, Qc ( Canada )
One of the areas we seriously looked at before buying this place.

LISTING READS   ( it's the first time I've heard " spirits " mentioned in a real estate ad - but at least they're " good " ones !

A charming affordable waterfront home in Hudson with landscaped grounds right to the beach. Look out to the church at Oka and walk to the Ferry for a visit to this charming Town.This home has been beautifully restored and maintained and is perfect for entertaining.The owner maintains there are 'good spirits' here.Hardwood floors and antique doors.
Welcome to 160 Main Road in Hudson where you will be charmed by this 1870 home. Pride of ownership is reflected inside and out and the home is in move-in condition.Many careful renovations have been carried out by the present owners.
3 beds - 2 baths
Built in 1870
499,000
REALTOR - MARGARET LAGIMODIERE
( that's who showed us several properties when we were looking - one of which I still day dream about )




































Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday - and that your temps are not unbearable !

Hugs,
Me


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LIVE LAUGH ROWE

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

GIVE US THIS DAY......................


Please remind me if I'm mistaken - but I think when we bought this fixer upper there were only 2 salvageable items............one was a rustic ( primitive = handmade ) ladder - which I love - and which I'm too lazy to find the posts to link to them )

And this little thing that was hanging in what we'll very loosely call the mudroom in the back


It looks like something their children might have made in wood working class in high school..................

John was going to toss it - but I thought I'd keep it and make something for the side of the front door.
A year later and another idea was born.



The kids are usually all here on the weekend - I lure them with the pool - but I coax them with food - because there's always something Mama needs a hand with ( hanging lights - plastering drywall - flooring - you name it.
Anyway we're a bread family - a baguette family to be precise - ( next to Paris - Montreal has the most exquisite Boulangeries and Patisseries - seriously - the French have a way with breads and pastries  ) Sometimes 2 or 3 loaves are cut up to go with whatever we're grilling between lunch and dinner ( THERE'S A LOT OF US - in case you think we all have a loaf each )
And last weekend while preparing food -  I had no room on the counter for them..................a regular bread box takes up too much room for this kitchen.

Tada - a breadbox  baguette box !  ( or a boite de baguette )


Suzan says - Can you pick up two loaves of baguette?
John says - Why - who's coming?
Suzan says - No one - I was going to cut some up tonight for us - and freeze the rest
John says - So I'll buy one
Suzan says - I want two please - I have a reason
John says - It's not for the blog is it?
Suzan says - Why on earth would I want 2 loaves of bread for the blog?

He brought home Ciabatta - which is just as good, right?


If you're in your 50's ( or the child of someone in their 50's ) you'll remember a huge treat back in the day that were called " Dreams " which was a slice of bread - with cheese and tomato - placed in the oven and melted -

I still eat them - but I make them this way !

1 Baguette  ( you can grab it from your " boite de baguette " LOL
Tomato
Onion
Bacon
Oregano
Garlic powder
Cheese ( any type you prefer ) I use regular old cheese slices because they melt so beautifully

Slice the baguette in half - butter each slice
Sprinkle with garlic powder
Place cooked bacon strips - tomatoes - onion - a bit of oregano - and top with the cheese
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes -
Oh my gosh - they're to die !


In fact that's what I'm going to make for supper tonight - I have extra bread after all :)

Cost for this project?
Well this dump house cost 300,000 dollars - I don't think the house itself is worth it - but there was the ladder after all - so this baguette box?
150,000 I'm thinking - worth every penny LOL !

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™
Graphite and Pure White

Have a great one everyone -
Love
Me


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MY TURN FOR US                                                   MY ROMANTIC HOME
THE PIN JUNKIE                                                      THE SHABBY NEST
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MISS TOODY GOO SHOES                                    FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS
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BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                        AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY
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Monday, July 27, 2015

PATIO DOORS ( and plans )

I have a big dilemma ...................well it's this month's dilemma because I seem to have one happening monthly in this fixer upper of ours. ( sometimes it's weekly and it's even been bumped up to daily now and then )



Most of you know we're having French doors installed in the dining room....................that will lead off to a deck - the deck is almost done -
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - James - Gordie - Tony and John !!!!!!!!!!!! 
( I'm praying it gets completely done because we have a habit of moving on to another job leaving tons of things " almost " done )

John says - This couldn't have been done without the boys
Suzan says - I know - we're blessed !
John says - Well I'll think of them every time I sit out here I'll tell you
Suzan says - Won't you think of me too?
John says - WHY?
Suzan says - It was my idea to put a deck here - you didn't think it was necessary
John says - Why do you always do this?
Suzan says - What?
John says - Take credit for every single thing that gets done?
Suzan says - I don't know - I think it's just the way God made me
Suzan says - BUT - it was my idea !

So now we'll be patio door shopping.

I showed you that I plan to do a stone veneer on the back wall.................HERE  but that's definitely only happening next year ( if it happens at all on the back of the house - I finally have him on board with the front of the house though ! ) and we're at a standstill arguing about what color to paint the stucco.
( John wants light with dark shutters - I want dark with white shutters )  so how can I know what to order in the way of French doors until we resolve all of our " issues " ?

This is what we're starting with - I hate even showing it to you -  the walls are filthy - the wood molding was painted brown with a terrible paint ( that bleeds down on to the stucco every time it rains ) it's just awful looking ( these are the moments when I pine for my last place )
But paint works miracles as you know.


So...........I drove myself absolutely insane doing some changes with Pic Monkey - absolutely insane I tell you.. I don't know if it's my computer or me but every time I tried to " block " color it the shapes would shift - the doors would end up crooked - the shutters wouldn't be the same size.............that's why there's only one shutter diagram - you have to imagine another one - it was that or throw my computer out the window
( which would have landed on John's head because he's screwing the last of the decking in now as I type )
I never understood road rage - but I sort of get it now - because sometimes I get computer rage.
It's ugly.

Okay - so this is how I see it


And this is how John sees it


We're going with solid panes of glass regardless - because the room is dark and I think ( I pray? ) it'll allow more light in - even those inches of panes will count - that's why we're putting in 2 sets of French doors - one on the other side of the dining room ( to the left of the photo )

So now the big question of the day/week/month is :
White or Dark?
HELP !!!!!!!

John just called me down to sit on it and " talk " - he had a table and chairs set up- I LOVE that man !


How adorable is that?

Here's how the " talk " went

Suzan says - I'd like to build a pergola for it
John says - I'd like YOU to build a pergola for it too
Suzan says - Do you think you could make a picket fence to contain the flowers in front of the deck?
John says - Can't you just enjoy each step for a little bit before you're on to the next job?
Suzan says - We have to build a new shed you know - that one has to be demolished
John says - I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE
Suzan says - When are we going to install a step ( it's not high ) one step - 2 max - will do
Suzan says - I'd like to buy 2 outdoor sofa's - facing each other - wouldn't that be beautiful ?
Suzan says - And we have to build some planters for the edges - don't forget that
Suzan says - John ?  John ?  Can you respond ?  You asked me to come out for a talk !
John says - Worst decision I've made all day....................
as he sat staring out into the horizon.

Ok - we're headed to Home Depot today - surprise surprise surprise
We're on a first name basis with everyone now :)

Have a wonderful one everybody
Much love,
Me



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CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Saturday, July 25, 2015

STONE COTTAGES !

PINTEREST
Oh my gosh - I love them
I think I got confused when we bought this fixer upper - with it's cracked dirty stucco - I meant to buy a stone cottage !

PINTEREST
PINTEREST
PINTEREST
PINTEREST
STANDOUT CABIN DESIGNS
PINTEREST
PINTEREST
PINTEREST
PINTEREST

Suzan says - I want a Stone Cottage
John says - Well you've got a stucco one
Suzan says - But we can easily turn it into a Stone Cottage
John says - What planet do you live on exactly
Suzan says - Venus - where all things are possible.

ENTER HOME DEPOT - STONE VENEER SIDING  ( O.M.G. - he's going to kill me - I mean it - he's going to kill me in the end - but that's the only way to stop me )
HOME DEPOT

HOME DEPOT
HOME DEPOT
HOME DEPOT



HOME DEPOT
There's too much going on this year - deck - French doors - painting - but next year  - this is definitely on the list now for next year.............not the entire house - but the front and the back for sure !

I have experience putting stone on houses after all !  ( my Fairy Stone Cottage HERE )


The deck is coming along ................. ( French doors are being ordered in 2 weeks to replace that bottom window  - but will only get installed in the Fall )


But now I need it to look like this once it's all finished !
Everything I do is for resale purposes..............hope I don't end up falling madly in love with this place :)


Unless of course - like I said - he kills me first !

( Some of you may or may not be called as character witnesses by the way.)

Have a wonderful day everyone ♥
Big hugs,
Me


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BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                     SAND & SISAL
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT              A STROLL THRU LIFE
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MY TURN FOR US                                               MY ROMANTIC HOME
THE SHABBY NEST                                             MISS TOODY GOO SHOES
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