Friday, July 20, 2012

Goodbye Joe - me gotta go................

I'm leaving town - I'm outta here - and can't tell anyone because I'm leaving with a piece of furniture I've just customized for a customer -
I can't give it back because I'm so in love with it.................. part of my disorder is that I constantly fall in love with inanimate objects ( mostly furniture )
So if anyone is looking for me e.g. my clients - you haven't heard a thing from me in days.................

BTW - I'll be the lady trying to board a greyhound bus with a giant french provincial dresser -
arguing with the driver that Yes of course we can fit this on the roof.
And there may be a commotion at the border because I'm thinking  of going deep in the heart of Texas ( Pat, can I stay with you )?
Just until everything cools down - and I can return with this:


This dresser got the works - it was painted - than gray washed - then gently distressed - than dry brushed - then waxed to a high sheen - the handles were sanded and spray painted black semi gloss























ASCP - Pure White

and here she is before


TIP - because the wood was such an ugly color ( to me and the customer anyway )
I painted all the perimeters black - so black would be what was coming through when
I rubbed and distressed -



Ok - I've get to get some sleep tomorrow I'm Greyhound Bound




Son of a gun - I'll have good fun...............................

XXX
Suzan

In the meantime I'll be partying here!!!

Nifty Thrifty Things
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2012/07/nifty-thrifty-sunday-67.html
I Heart Nap Time
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-40/
I should be mopping the floor
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/07/mop-it-up-mondays-26.html
Homemaker on a dime
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/07/creative-bloggers-party-hop-69.html
Lines Across
http://www.linesacross.com/2012/07/the-cure-for-common-monday-48.html
Under the table and dreaming
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/07/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-111.html
Keeping it simple
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/07/motivate-me-monday-132.html
DIY Home Sweet Home
http://diyhshp.blogspot.ca/2012/07/more-merrier-70.html
Making the world cuter
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/07/making-the-world-cuter/
Our Delightful Home
http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.ca/2012/07/live-show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-24.html
My 1929 Charmer
http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-40-par-tay/
Debbie does Creations
http://debbiedoescreations.com/2012/07/23/toot-your-horn-tuesday-link-party/
PJH Designs
http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.ca/2012/07/totally-transformed-tuesday-2-features.html
Coastal Charm
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.ca/2012/07/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no123-and-giveaway.html
Kathe with an E
http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/07/youre-gonna-love-it-week-14.html
Kammy's Korner
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2012/07/trash-2-treasure-tuesday_23.html
Home Stories A to Z
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/07/tutorials-tips-link-party-70.html
Knick of Time
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.ca/2012/07/knick-of-time-tuesday-44-vintage-style.html
Primitive & Proper
http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.ca/2012/07/poww-98-furniture-link-party.html
Homework
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.ca/2012/07/the-inspiration-board-link-party-60.html
Shades of Amber
http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.ca/2012/07/chalk-paint-link-party_24.html
New House New Home New Life
http://newhousenewhomenewlife.blogspot.ca/2012/07/all-star-block-party-8-plus-features.html
The DIY Dreamer
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/07/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-26.html
Uncommon
http://linkyimg.arvixededicated.com/v2_thumbnail_linky_enter.aspx?id=155619
Bunny Jean's Decor
http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.ca/2012/07/wednesdays-bunny-hop-party-49-head-for.html
DIY by Design
http://diybydesign.blogspot.ca/2012/07/sizzle-into-summer-its-party-75.html
Savvy Southern Style
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/wow-us-wednesdays-76.html
Domestically Speaking
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2012/07/136th-power-of-paint-party-pantones-fall-2012-colors.html
Simply done Wright
http://simplydonewright.blogspot.ca/2012/07/all-stars-block-party-week-8.html
The life of Jennifer Dawn
http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.ca/2012/07/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-3.html
Ivy and Elephants
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.ca/2012/07/whats-it-wednesday-35.html
Adorned from above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/07/face-cleansing-oil-and-wednesdays.html
Family Home and Life
http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/2012/07/wow-us-wednesday_25.html
No minimalist here
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.ca/2012/07/open-house-party_25.html
52 Mantels
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/07/thursdays-are-your-days-50-amazon.html
The 36th Avenue
http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/07/best-diy-projects-and-link-party-66-2.html
Embracing Change
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.ca/2012/07/creative-inspirations-linky-party-24.html
The Shabby Creek Cottage
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/07/transformation-thursday-no-162.html
Katherine's Korner
http://katherinescorner.com/2012/07/26/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-linky-party-46/
Somewhat Simple
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/blog-link-party-oshkosh/
At The Picket Fence
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/07/its-inspiration-friday-no-75-welcome.html
Common Ground
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.ca/2012/07/vintage-inspiration-98-talking-trash.html
Stuff and Nonsense
http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012/07/welcome-to-fridays-unfolded_26.html
French Country Cottage
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/2012/07/feathered-nest-friday_26.html
Home Sweet Home
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/2012/07/home-sweet-home-77.html
2 8 0 5
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.ca/2012/07/potpourri-friday-34.html
Redoux Interiors
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2012/07/link-party-65-and-mes-preferes/
Shabby Art Boutique
http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.ca/2012/07/shabbilicious-friday-link-party-july_27.html
Miss Mustard Seed
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/07/furniture-feature-friday-link-party-favorites-4/
My turn for us
http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.ca/2012/07/freedom-fridays-12.html
Homespun Happenings
http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/rustic-restorations-weekend-13.html
Bella Nest
http://bellanest.blogspot.ca/2012/07/its-so-hard-to-say-good-bye-to-hot-fun.html
The Shabby Nest
http://shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2012/08/frugal-friday.html

What we have in common


What do Montreal, Colorado, California, Texas, Washington, Virginia and Toronto have in common?

When I was young those things would have been very typical of life in the 60's -

Mac and cheese - jello - tuna casseroles, a Dad at work - a Mom at home - grandparents that lived close by - cousins that lived in the same neighbourhood - parents that sat out on the stoop looking out for everyone. We were all still living on the cusp of Leave it to Beaver and Father knows best - respect was KEY - there was no discussion of only respecting those who deserved it or earned it - you respected or else. ( not always a good thing I know ) but it really has served me well in the long run.
We played hide and seek - and hopscotch - and pick up sticks and mother may I and tag and skipped rope and swung on swings and explored and rode our bikes and each of these activities were happily done for hours on end. We camped out in back yards - roasted potatoes and wieners on campfires, ( never heard of s'mores when I was young )  tried our best to catch fireflies and told ghost stories. We could spend an entire day at the pool without any props at all  just our arms and legs and when we came home as red as a lobster we were slathered in noxema.  We all ( north american children ) wore the same clothes - there was no such thing as a label - we wore keds and high tops - polyester shorts and little smocked tops or dresses.
Most girls had long hair - most girls wore ponytails - or pigtails - we did not go to salons unless there was a wedding to attend and even then most of the time our mothers would pin curl our hair the night before. All boys had crewcuts.
We had imaginations and we had no choice but to use them - sitting in the house all day watching t.v. was so beyond the realm that it wasn't considered an option - unless you were very sick and even then there were only a few channels.  You were better off with a book and so we read. And if you didn't feel like going out and playing you were told " Out!  Go out and get some fresh air - go on - get out from under my feet! "
And so we learned to be social - we learned most of our social skills by the time we were 5.  We adapted and we adjusted by moving around in a network of friends.
We didn't have 24 hour t.v. - or game boys - or play stations - or computers.
We certainly did not have cell phones or debit cards or credit cards.  We had roller skates - one size fits all and they lasted for years unless you lost the key - not state of the art rollerblades.
Boys jeans were patched - girls dresses had their hems lowered.
We didn't have Grill Masters - our barbeque's were simple contraptions  and they were only for hotdogs and hamburgers - the rare steak as a very special treat. Dinner was whatever was served - if Jane didn't like corn - well that was too bad - because there were no special menus - we ate what we were served, period ( and there was a lot of imagination used in that area too e.g.feeding the dog - filling pockets ) but the point is that our mothers would never have thought to cook 3 different meals.
Fast food was a bowl of cereal.
We physically went to the the theatre when we wanted to see a movie - and even though it was probably only a quarter, it was considered a big treat.  As was the amusement park.
Days at the beach included large picnic baskets with egg salad sandwiches - peanut butter and jelly - and Kool Aid, maybe some chips - and the highlight of summer evenings was when the tinkling sound came from the ice cream truck that drove in and out of all the neighbourhoods.
We drank milk.  We took cod liver oil pills. We ate home made cookies. We made our beds.
We said May I, and please - and thank you - without being told to - and  unless you were quite wealthy vacations were spent up north - of which far too many squeezed into the car to get there.
I don't recall a lot of whining about being bored - I don't recall a lot of whining period. It wouldn't have been tolerated.
We played hard - ate hearty - and slept sound.

Anyone my age ( 53 ) from Texas to British Columbia - from California to Prince Edward Island - from Boston to Montreal can relate to my childhood. With a few changes here and there it could have been anyone's.
Am I simplifying my childhood?
Probably - but life was simpler - there's no denying it.
Was it better?
Sometimes definitely not - but for the most part I think it was. 

Simple is good.

And it's not simple anymore.

Colorado, California, Montreal, Virginia, Texas,  Toronto, Washington - what we now have in common breaks my heart.

And I'm numb with grief - truly numb with grief.

Suzan

Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break.  ~William Shakespeare
   It still breaks William - even with words, it still breaks.


Sharing with
Adorned from Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/07/face-cleansing-oil-and-wednesdays.html
Stuff and Nonsense
http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012/07/welcome-to-fridays-unfolded_26.html