Tuesday, March 31, 2015

I WANNA live there Wednesday # 119

Good morning everyone !

Ready to look at an amazing historic property ?

This stunning home was built in 1798
850,000 worth of sheer beauty
4 beds, 3 baths, 1 half bath
With SEVEN fireplaces
Bowie, Maryland
Real Estate : LONG & FOSTER REALTORS
Real Estate Agent: GARY GESTSON






Those windows
Those built ins
That fireplace













First staircase




I want that armoire !!!




And I'll take this Armoire too ( please ) 


The rooms are all massive !!!


Staircase to third floor




Remove a few carpets - 
Redo a bathroom or two - paint - you know, put your stamp on it - isn't it simply incredible???

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Hugs,
Me

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

THE CHARM OF HOME                                                    MY TURN FOR US
ONE MORE TIME EVENTS                                               BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH
KATHE WITH AN E                                                           AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY

Believe in the is good in the world.....................

BE.  THE.  GOOD.

My heart has been with the families of the German Wings plane crash.............I can't get it out of my mind - not even for a full 10 minutes.
I don't know why plane crashes affect me like this.
Tell me about a car accident
Or a train accident
Or a ship accident - and my heart breaks ( of course it does ) but I don't dwell on the victims final moments
For some reason I focus on the families and their overpowering loss and grief.
Tell me about a plane crash and it's a totally different story - for some reason my thoughts are always with the victims.



I've been thinking about how much faith we have to put in humanity on a daily basis just to survive - without much thought at all.

It's a given in our minds that when the light turn green - we go - never even considering the possibility that some crazed driver will plow right into us.  ( but they do sometimes )

Or that we can walk into a mall and do a little shopping and no one will come in brandishing a gun  We're safe  ( but sometimes we aren't )

Or that we can rest comfortably in a theater watching a movie ( but not always )

Or that we can send our kids to school knowing they'll come home ( but sometimes they don't )

Or that we can get on a plane - and trust that the pilots will get us from here to there...............


I don't want to think of their last moments - it's the last thing I want to imagine - and yet that's ALL I can think about......................the terror - the panic - the chaos - it renders me a  weeping mess.
And leaves me thinking I'm completely abnormal - I feel like I'm carrying a weight that my shoulders can't sustain.

Most of us live by a plan - or at the very least an outline of where we're going and we live our lives according to that to some degree.  When natural tragedies occur within our midst we're tossed outside our world frantically looking for a way to get back in - not even sure we want to most of the time because that world has been fractured -

Still, when it's a natural tragedy we can find solace - in faith - in spiritually - in family - in friendships - and most importantly,  in time.

But this?
This is really just too frightening to think about.

Maybe it's because it brings home the reality that we can wake up in the morning and go about our daily business completely unaware that a stranger has predetermined our fate.
Sat down and methodically rewritten our story with a slash of their pen and changed our ending completely.

I look around in disbelief and think " the world just goes on " as I see
The sun shining
Children playing
People smiling and laughing

And it always takes a moment or two for me to realize that this is what it's supposed to do - in the face of unspeakable tragedy we have to cling to the good and never take a moment for granted.

Or a smile.

I need to remember that more often.


I got the quote wrong - it should be  BELIEVE THERE IS GOOD IN THE WORLD
but the sentiment is right................

Love,
Me








Monday, March 30, 2015

A round up of my French Provincial transformations

Good morning everyone !

I've purchased another French Provincial dresser and so I went through my archives for a little inspiration.

I've done quite a few of them - which may make this post may be a little boring so I'll post the after pics and provide a link for those that may be interested in the transformation, how's that?

This piece now resides in an elegant bathroom as a vanity.
Full post HERE


This piece went to an apartment as a media center - I picture a very glamorous type apartment !
Full post here HERE


The next pieces were part of the above dresser as a set - but were separated 
Full post HERE


with matching end tables - complete with transfers
they now reside in someone's guest room


This next piece is in my Daughter's guest room 
Full post HERE


A few of them have gone red like this one
Full post HERE



And this one



So it should come as no surprise that the next one coming ( and staying this time ) is this one !
Except the makeover on this one will not involve paint 


Another French Provincial !  Being picked up Tuesday evening!
I sent an email - and this was my reply

Hi Suzan.You'll have to call later this afternoon & ask for Alice.
Thank you.

I know I drive a lot of you crazy by sticking songs in your head but sometimes they just fall in my lap.
Literally.

I had to GO ASK ALICE
( apparently she's not 10 feet tall )

Have a wonderful Monday one & all !
Hugs,
Me

COME JOIN ME AT THESE GREAT PARTIES !

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                               COASTAL CHARM
A STROLL THRU LIFE                                                    KATHE WITH AN E
THE DIY DREAMER                                                        FLUSTER BUSTER
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                        HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COMMON GROUND                                                      MY FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
MY TURN FOR US                                                          MY ROMANTIC HOME
ONE MORE TIME EVENTS                                            LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE
I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR                         A STROLL THRU LIFE
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT                         MISS MUSTARD SEED
THE SHABBY NEST                                                        ANDERSON & GRANT

Friday, March 27, 2015

A Friday Chat ( about this & that )

A Stick and a Ball..............( or even just a ball )

What is it that Men find so fascinating about these items?

They go on and on about the things we like - chuckling to themselves about " little women " and their " toys " and meanwhile they're either plunked on a couch staring at a bunch of grown men whack - catch - or dunk a ball - or participating.

Watch me run and jump and try to throw a ball in a loop !
Watch me take this stick and skate across the rink and try to get this puck in a net !
Watch me bat this ball with a stick far far away and run run run to " safety " !
Watch me catch the ball - and rub myself - and spit while other men cheer !
Watch me get that ball in that teeny tiny hole way over there where that flag is !
Watch me grab this ball from him - and smash into them - leaving them unconscious as I get to that line !

I GET it - these are sports that they've played ( or wished they had ) since childhood - it's deeply ingrained in their phyche ...............

I wonder what they'd think if we just plunked ourselves down on the floor and started playing with Barbies ?
Maybe we should start professional Barbie playing teams?
Wouldn't the play-offs be fascinating?

At the very least it would give US a reason to sit on the couch like zombies and not do anything !

SHHHH !
QUIET !
Barbie and Ken are having an argument over a Malibu Mini Van !
I've been waiting all week to see this !
_________________________________________________________________________________

I went out to the mud room ( I don't know what else to call it )
It should be called the flimsily made addition to the back of the house that's precariously tilting to one side and ready to disconnect itself from the house and run in terror

Anyway - there was a very loud hissing noise - and water shooting up everywhere - yep - a pipe had burst !
The joys of
A)  Living in an older fixer upper
B)  Unheated mud rooms
C)  Canada - almost anywhere

While we ran around frantically - with me screaming at John to turn off the water supply and him yelling back at me that he didn't know where it was - the water was literally about to wash the mudroom away completely ( and inevitably land in  the swimming pool since that's what's closest to it )

I called at least 10 emergency plumbers as John ran up and down the street looking for an abstract Plumber taking a Sunday stroll...................

DO SOMETHING !  I screamed frantically from the door
I AM !  He responded from the street
GET IN HERE !  I begged..............
but he was already running up the street...........

And this is where sometimes the fates render me useless.

HE FOUND ONE !
AND I DIDN'T !

A neighbor was outside and mentioned that another neighbor 3 doors up was in fact a plumber.

He quickly fixed it - within minutes it was soldered and functioning perfectly ( and then he went downstairs to show John where the main water supply was )

As he was leaving and we were trying to shove money into his pocket - he told us this was his personal
" Welcome to the Neighborhood "

I almost cried.
What is it with random acts of kindness that make me terribly weepy?

" Listen " he explained - " I helped one of our neighbors renovate his house - and didn't charge him - it took us 3 months - so I'm NOT going to charge you for 15 minutes "

WOW........................there are people left like that in the world folks.................

Suzan says - Oh do you think you could help us finish this place off then ?
John shoved me with his elbow.
Hard.
Just joking, I exclaimed.
Sort of.
( rubbing my shoulder )

As he was leaving he asked if I was a decorator - I looked at him dumbfounded - this dump?
What's finished is gorgeous - he said - really just gorgeous

I almost cried.
What is it with random acts of kindness that make me terribly weepy?

And it WAS an act of kindness - because there's nothing gorgeous about this place - trust me - not yet anyway - ( I still have the tiniest bit of hope left though - not much but a little )

Can you do ceilings?  I shouted out as he was walking down the path...................
He chuckled.
John seethed.
I made plans.....................
_________________________________________________________________________________

Do you need a top up of your tea or coffee?  Go ahead...................
I'll just keep talking while you're busying yourself.

Random thought:

I've gone my entire life not ever wondering what the A and the W stood for in A & W...................
Isn't that strange?  I can still sing the original jingle - and never gave the initials a single thought.
They stand for................
Roy W Allen and Frank Wright .....................(no relation to the Wright Brothers )
Hop in your car - come as you are
( if it had been the Wright brothers - it would have been " hop in your plane " obviously )

If you didn't know this little bit of trivia - you're welcome
If you did - I DON'T want to play Trivia Pursuit with you.
_________________________________________________________________________________

My Grandmother ( Helen Egan - you can " meet " her  HERE ) was good friends with
OSCAR PETERSON when they were younger - here in Montreal - before he hit the big time ( forgive me if I've mentioned this before - me and my name dropping )
They'd often eat lunch at each other's houses................
She was also childhood friends with someone who went on to be a huge name with the Mafia - not mentioning that name out of total fear...............
An Angel and a Devil - and she was somewhere in between.
_________________________________________________________________________________

When I like something - I like it.  I love it.  I want some more of it...............( thanks Tim McGraw for putting into words so elegantly what I've struggled with for a lifetime )

My daughter brought me home this Owl Night Light from Florida - she got it at T.J. Maxx...............


Mom says - Oh I love this Lindsay !
Lindsay says - Thought you would
Mom says - Is there anyway I can get 2 or 3 more
Lindsay says - No Mom - it was the last one actually
hmmmmmmmmmm
Mom says - Aren't your in-laws still in Florida ?  ( they winter there )
Lindsay says - Yes they are
Mom says - Do you think your MIL could maybe check out another TJ Maxx for me and pick them up - I'll pay her when she gets back
Lindsay says - PLEASE TELL ME YOU AREN'T SERIOUS?
John says - You're Mother always wants everything in bulk - I had to buy 5 birdhouses last week.
Lindsay says - I'm not very comfortable asking her to run all over Florida looking for nightlights for my Mother
Mom says - Well she owes me
Lindsay says - WHAT?
Mom says - I let her Son marry my Daughter
Lindsay says - Maybe she thinks you owe her LOL

It's a disorder..................I know that - I think it's called MULTIPLE-ITIS...............I have to work on it.
_________________________________________________________________________________

I've been pining away here for Spring to really arrive - I check the advanced weather forecast constantly - and the thought occurred to me this morning -
I'm wishing my life away here -
It'll come - why do I have to always wish things were here already?

I'm watching a young neighbor ( as I type ) sadly walking around the hockey rink his Dad built him this Winter.  His little shoulders are slumped - he's kicking stray bits of leftover ice - it's the ultimate Canadian heartbreak for a young Hockey Player.
There's nothing sadder to see.
Except for the lady looking down at him from her window willing it to vanish completely.
Sometimes I really do feel like Mrs. Kravitz ( bonus points if you remember her )

I almost want to kneel down and gently put my arms around him - and .......................
scream SO SAD - TOO BAD - it's not like you won't be able to play every single winter of your life !

I love kids - it's the cold that's doing it to me, I swear !


 ___________________

House Hunters

If I see one more couple whine about the colors on the walls of a perfectly fine house - I'm going to throw a tin of paint at the television
( as opposed to simply turning the t.v. off -  because obviously I quite enjoy the " getting mad " experience )

But the one that totally kills me is House Hunters International - you know which episodes I'm talking about - the ones where the couples explain to us that they want a TOTAL European ( or wherever ) experience - to broaden their horizons so to speak - and then can't even get past the difference in houses.
They want to live on another continent in a NORTH AMERICAN HOUSE !!!!!!!!!!!

They whine about the size of the rooms
They whine about the kitchens
They whine about stairs
They whine about closets
They whine about bathrooms

AND then explain to the realtor that bathrooms at home are larger than the bedroom and they just don't know how it'll work for them.
I cringe.  I literally cringe.
I wonder if they realize how self entitled they come across as?
As they're wringing their hands and fretting over this huge culture shock ( the size of a room ) the realtor - with a little disdain - patiently explains to us ignoramuses watching that houses aren't the same in ITALY,FRANCE,SPAIN,ENGLAND.......................when really what they want to say is -
GO HOME YOU UNCOUTH NORTH AMERICANS !

There are however a few couples that are an absolute joy to watch !


_________________________________________________________________________________

Enjoy every single second of your weekend.
EVERY.  SINGLE.  SECOND.

Much love,
Me.















Thursday, March 26, 2015

A small makeover ( Fireplace )

For a small electric fireplace actually !


One of the guest rooms is extremely cold all winter ( the other one - right beside it is extremely hot - but I've given up trying to figure anything out in this fixer upper of ours )
So a small electric fireplace was the perfect solution for the room
I think I got this for 50.00 - but wood was not going to work in this room ............at all. - it's a dark wood    ( had it been black I would have left it probably  )


Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™ to the rescue - Pure White


The room is too small to put a proper end table beside the bed - especially with the bed tucked into that
" nook "
I had a narrow console there -  but a fireplace makes it even " cosier " than it already is ( and trust me this room is as tiny cosy as they come lol )

I distressed the edges slightly - and than fell back on my usual " more is more " and added a little painted detail



The evolution of an electric fireplace


There's enough room for the necessities - a book - a cup of tea - a clock AND a


door handle - since my other half doesn't seem to think it's important to put the handles back on any of the doors..................pffft - " I can do that anytime " he assures me - " Are you in that much of a rush? " he asks me - " There's Hockey on " he warns me..................
A year later I've just placed it in the room so people can actually get out of it if necessary - or use it as a weapon in case there's a break in .
I'd do it myself but for some reason these ones are too stiff and I mess up every time ( I try at least once a month LOL )

DO NOT ASK ME WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THIS UNIT PLUGGED IN !
But if we were still in our rowhouse there would have been some raised eyebrows.
The outlet is behind the bed in that section where everything fits wall to wall and can barely be budged -
It involved John standing over me - dripping sweat - and me scrambling around on my hands and knees and slithering underneath - there were a few " higher's! " and " quick! - I can't hold on much longer's! " belted out and then silence...................followed by an " ahhhhh "
I got it plugged in !
John let the bed down with a bang.
and ta da !


For those of you that follow you must be thinking " not another fireplace ! "
Yep, another one LMHO !!!

John says - Are you going to put one of those damn things in every room ?
Suzan says - Don't be silly ...................they'd be far too dangerous in the bathrooms



Have a wonderful day everyone - the weekend's almost here
( weekend?  what's a weekend?  I miss that show already )

( you can see which guest room I'm referring to HERE - all 70 square feet of it )

The End.

Much love,
Me



LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE AMAZING PARTIES!

FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE                                         MY TURN FOR US
MY ROMANTIC HOME                                                       SIMPLE NATURE DECOR
MISS MUSTARD SEED                                                        THE SHABBY NEST
CLASSY CLUTTER                                                               THE GIRL CREATIVE
FUNKY JUNK INTERIOR                                                    PIECED PASTIMES
ONE MORE TIME EVENTS                                                 IT'S OVERFLOWING
THE DIY SHOWOFF                                                            I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR
DWELLINGS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME                     UNCOMMON DESIGN
BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                                     COASTAL CHARM
A STROLL THRU LIFE                                                         KATHE WITH AN E
ELIZABETH & CO.                                                        THE DIY DREAMER
FLUSTER BUSTER                                                                SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                             THE DEDICATED HOUSE
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON                            COMMON GROUND
THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE                                          TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS