Eyes wide shut !

I have a talent that I've never discussed on the blog.
I can live in an alternate reality IF I can focus on ONE thing that I like.

In the midst of chaos - mayhem - utter disgusting vomit inducing renovations - if I can look up and see
something pleasing to the eye - something that shows me the direction it's going in - my heart rate can beat at a somewhat normal rate.

So while you might see this when walking into the room we're working on

or this

or even this

you have to understand that what I'm seeing is this

If among the crow bars and hammers and paint cans and ladders I can see a little bit of glitz and sparkle
I'm almost fine

I keep a couple of battery operated candles on these usually - because cleaning wax off the mirror drives me crazy - they were purchased at Pier 1 years ago - I still love them as much as I did when I bought them

I can reach for the stars if one happens to be on the mantel as a reminder

And of course mood lighting is always important when you're patching walls

It's the only way I can do it - seriously - the ONLY way I can get through all of this crap

I don't see this broken light when I walk into the room either

Instead I see the chandeliers I packed up from our last home gracing this room

( and can I just say I never should have went back to this post to get that picture - I feel sick now )
You can see the post on the house we sold last November HERE

As I'm writing this up - I hear John yelling downstairs

John says - WTH is going on in here?
Suzan says - What now?
John says - Have you taken leave of your senses ?  ( yes - he talks like that )
Suzan says - I have no idea what you're talking about
John says - GET ALL OF THESE DOO DADS OFF THE MANTEL - WE'RE WORKING IN HERE FOR GOD'S SAKES !!!!!!!!!!
Suzan says - DO.  NOT.  TOUCH.  THAT.  MANTEL.
Suzan says - Seriously John - don't touch it - my sanity is hanging precariously off those doo dads right now
Suzan says - Just work around it
John says - I'm not painting around all of that stuff - this is ridiculous - how do you expect.................
Suzan says - leave me alone, I'm blogging.
John says - Yeah - well blog someone what you're doing down here - see how sane they think you are!!!
( that's his favorite expression - " go blog someone " )
John says - Why is there a candle on - unbelievable - this is completely unbelievable
Suzan says - And by the way - golf tees are doo dads - cigar cutters are doo dads - what's on the mantel are treasures - just to clarify that little point.

Here's why the candles are lit if the truth be known.

Star light - Star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may - I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight

That this house will not be the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life .....................it's a prayer I've been saying nightly.

As for working around things - well you're reading the blog of a women who used to change her kid's rooms around while they slept - and at times painted a wall in their room while I was at it - I'm a master at this game - a decorated mantel?  Phhht - piece of cake!

And at the end of the day -
Whatever gets you through the night..................

I love my plank wall - and my mantel - and pic monkey - oh how I love pic monkey

I like wine too - it's just as important as my mantel - for medicinal purposes don't you know - I simply don't know how people renovate houses without it !

Suzan says - John,  if I fall asleep while painting - can you just kick me over to the general vicinity of the planked wall and fireplace?  I want it to be the only thing I see when I wake up
John says - Gladly - I'd gladly kick you anywhere you want dear.............

Have a wonderful day everyone..............
I still have the bottom half of the mantel to do and then
I'm going to tweak it - priorities - it's all about priorities

And the plank wall is almost finished - show you soon !!!

Much love,

Come join me at these fabulous parties !

Savvy Southern Style                           Have a daily cup of Mrs. Olson                     I Gotta Create !
Ivy & Elephants                           From my Front Porch to Yours                     Katherine's Corner
French Country Cottage                      Shabby Art Boutique                                    My Turn for Us
Too much time on my hands                My Romantic Home                                     Craft-O-Maniac
Funky Junk Interiors                           One More Time Events                                 The DIY Showoff
Life on Lakeshore Drive                     I Should be Mopping the Floor                      Creatively Living
Between Naps on the Porch               Coastal Charm                                              Sand & Sisal
A Stroll Thru Life                               Stone Gable                                                  Kathe with an E
Cupcakes & Crinoline