Rustic Modern decor- re decorating on the cheap!

Well, we have lived in the house a bit over 5 years, and the dining room is finally clean and mostly finished. The same with the kitchen. There is some painting to be done yet, but with it being -8F outside, painting will have to wait until spring. Here are some pictures-

This is obviously from the front door. The paintings of the women are my work, the posters on the orange wall are my brothers at mojohand.com

Another poster of my brothers. The wooden lamp came from Target- clearance for 12.48. The 6 items on the wall are some of my finished art dolls, and the large grey piece is Ikea fabric stretched over a frame. The green buffet is an old Bassett dresser that I repainted and put new hardware (also Ikea) on. The cow was a gift from my Mr.

This is the view when you come into the house.
The orange piece is Ikea fabric (2 yds at 7.98 each) over a scrap wood frame we built. The desk in the corner is very, very old. It's actually 2 very old pieces that were married to each other that cost my Mr. 10 bucks at at a thrift store. The table I got for 40 bucks from an antique dealer- it's not old- it's from Pier 1 originally- but he got it when he bought out a womans house and sold it it me- the orange Herman Miller chairs were 4 for 50 bucks, the cream colored Herman Miller stacking fiberglass chairs were 20 bucks for 3, and the black fiberglass chair of unknown maker was 2 bucks at a garage sale- it rocks back and forth and it's super cool. Right now, we use as the naughty chair.
The Bamboo blinds were on clearance at Lowes for 6.57 each (down from 30+ each) and the curtains are Rodeo curtains that were on final yellow tag clearance at Marshalls for 2 bucks. Oh, the large white shade is from West Elm. It was 5 bucks on final, super duper, gotta get this gone, markdown.

Another view-

This is the view into the living room. You can see the white bar table my Mr. built to extend the kitchen.

In the bottom left corner is the base of a Heywood Wakefield china cabinet. My mother has the top portion until my son can be trusted with that much glass.

The heart painting is another one of my brothers. He did that after his first divorce and when he "didn't need it anymore" he gave it to me. I have since put it into a very nice, heavy, thick black frame.

The work I still need to do in the room is to repaint all the trim white. And maybe look for a new rug under the table, although, since my dog is very old, and very bad, I may wait for a while so he doesn't ruin a new rug.

Next time- the kitchen!

can you die of embarrassment?

My son and I were driving to the store. Target actually, he loves target. Calls it the big red store. I try to introduce him to all kinds of music right now- I would hate to have to listen to barney and mickey all day- and I think having some sort of appreciation for music as an art form is needed. We listen to everything from bluegrass to hard rock

A local station was playing a Stevie Ray Vaughn triple play- Tightrope, The House is a rockin', and Pride and Joy. Fantastic- I love SRV. We listened to all three and he was rockin out in his car seat. 30 minutes later and we were at Target.

Guess which of the 3 songs he decided to sing- at the TOP of his lungs- throughout Target?

My name is not earl- but I believe in karma all the same

I decided I needed to up my karma quotient this week. Long before Earl, I tried to live my life by "do good things and good things happen to you" . Sometimes it works- other times - not so much.



I decided this week to stop in to the local thrift store that benefits the local womens shelter. With these little places, I find that it's a good idea to stop in and see what they need before dumping a big donation on them. I specifically wanted to know if they needed womens dress clothes and suits. I don't wear mine anymore and I don't feel the need to store them for a future that may not include them in it. I had a small conversation with the woman who runs the place and sure enough- big demand for those items.



Today I went back with a load. A suit and a dress skirt (with tags still attached), 2 black shift dresses, 3 dress shirts, 5 pr. black dress pants and 9 blazers. She asked me what I used to do for a living and I told her. The look on her face when I told her I used to be a district sales and training retail manager was priceless. She asked if I could come in and help out "spiffing up" the place.

I spent an hour there this morning, moving around her fixtures, trying to help her visualize her space and options better, and lowering all her fixtures (which were way to tall and kind of dangerous) and explaining certain retail truths- like you can't sell if if people can't SEE it, people don't so much wear dickies anymore, and a shelf of used shoes on display in the front don't really drive people inside your store.



You see, I hated the customer service part of retail- but LOVED doing the plan-o- grams, book work, budgets, and floor moves. A properly set up store will make more money with less staff, and that's what everyone wants these days.



When I left they were moving fixtures and working on new displays. I told her I would be back next Wednesday for a visit. I may decide to volunteer if they really want to fix this place up a bit. And, fixing this place up will make them money. And money is good.

The reason I hate shelter magazines (rant)

I got my last Domino yesterday. I thought I would be sad, but after reading it, I'm not at all. You see, I realized that between shelter mags and HGTV- I blame them for this economic downturn. Why? I was watching an episode where a couple with a baby were looking for a new house because there old one was "to small" for them to live in. Their old house was over 2000 sf. They were looking for something "bigger" because they had "outgrown" the first one. They didn't need a bigger house. There was plenty of room. But they wanted a bigger house. That's the problem. Because of outlets such as the decor magazines and tv we no longer can tell the difference between a need and a want.

The shows are all there to sell you on a lifestyle that many can't afford and don't need, and to try to make you feel bad if you can actually tell the difference. I mean, do we all need stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops? No. We do not. I hate my almond stove, but it works. Well. When it no longer works well, I will buy a new stove. A white one thank you, because that would look better in my kitchen. No matter what snotty real estate agents tell you during an episode of "sell that house" not every house looks better with stainless.

Then we get to this-

Pretty, isn't it? Domino was involved in some re building in New Orleans. They wanted to make it from healthy materials and be eco friendly. I'm ok with both of those goals. But the fabric on these chairs was 125.00 dollars a yard. The chairs were 988.00 each. The rug that they sit on is a abaca fiber rug that is about 2660.00. I don't know about you, but I could have found very similar items for about 90% less than that.

This is the lower 9th ward of New Orleans. They still have not been able to rebuild after Katrina. This was one of the poorer parts of our entire nation and they spent 125.00 a yard on fabric. How about if they spent 10 bucks a yard on some fabric and spent the rest of the money on RENT or FOOD???? The people trying to rebuild need help, not some holier than thou frou frou decor crap to get on the pages of a now defunct magazine.

And then this-

I don't care how nice your linens are- a bed on the floor, suitcases for a table and a rolling rack of your clothes should never be considered a nice enough decor to get on the pages of a shelter mag- even if it is going out of business.

Neat, clean and organized

I used to be involved with a training and leadership organization. How to develop leadership skills, business and personal organizational skills, things like that. Concepts that I am not sure going to a 3 or 7 day class will ever be able to teach correctly. I was certified for client facilitation, so I had to go through all sorts of training. I enjoyed the training, and I enjoyed trying to help people get a hold on their lives and business- but I am not sure I ever really bought into the entire concept.

Habits and theory are great- and after 7 days you really feel the urge to go out and try some in your everyday life- but I expect that after 30 days a very high majority of clients went right back to where they were before in their lives and jobs. If you are organized, you will be organized. I think you are wired for that. If you're not wired, well, it's going to take a lot more than a thousand dollars and 7 days of your life to make it so.

With that in mind, I started on my new spring cleaning/fixing list. Right now I have over 30 items on my list to do this year. It's not even a quarter done, but I know that I have to start reining my list in. You can't make a to do list that is impossible to do- you will burn yourself out and may quit without getting anything done. When the list is done, then I will post it so that I can have some accountability on getting it accomplished. Until that day- I am working on principles and concepts first. Yes, concepts. I really did learn something I think in those classes after all.

First, in order to be organized, you have to be clean. Floors clean, some clean surfaces, dust and dirt under control. No matter how organized your place, if it's dirty, it will never feel finished and workable.

Second, Edit. Both what you have, and what you plan to bring into the space. I live by these rules
"do I need this?"
If the answer is yes than I put it where it needs to go or I buy it if it's not mine already.
If the answer if NO than I either move it out or put it in a longer term storage in my basement(for items that may have some particular use or need but not for everyday use -i.e. I need a fan, but only in the summer, in winter it goes into storage) If you don't have extra storage INSIDE your home than you will have to be even more ruthless and purge those single use items or items that don't fit into the next category of-

"do I LOVE this?"
again, yes- and you find it a home- no -and it needs to leave. Just because someone gave it to you is not a reason to keep something. Just because it was expensive doesn't mean you have to keep it. If it's a family piece maybe someone else in your family wants it. If it's not then it can sold, given away or donated.

Either way, your home should only have what you need and what you love.

That said- if you have room INSIDE your home or garage and want to keep some extra go ahead. Just make sure that you pack it carefully and label it so it doesn't become some great big pile of crap in your basement. Just don't fall into the trap of outside storage units. They are great for temporary storage for moves or for temporary storage of - say, a dead relatives furniture until it can be parcelled out. But they are temporary. If your stuff is in storage than it isn't being used by you, and I know that I would never put something I loved in storage, so it doesn't fit into my 2 categories. Sorry if this seems unfair to those in small houses or apartments, but it is. I know, I have lived in both. I still live in a small house. I can't have all the furniture I would love to own, that's just the way it is.

Third, Storage. Don't buy storage options first and then make it fit for your stuff. Know what you want to keep first and then work on storage options for YOUR stuff. If you have a ton of books- you need a ton of bookshelves. If you have a ton of paper products- you need files and boxes. Clothes and you need rods and hangers and boxes. You get the drift, buy what YOU need to work with YOUR stuff.

Fourth, Not all your stuff needs to be out at the same time. If you love glass AND pottery vases (for example) maybe your glass should be out in the spring and summer and the pottery in the fall and winter. Not all your kids artwork needs to be out all the time. Maybe just a few of the nicest, most recent pieces can be highlighted. To much out and you can't see anything.

Fifth( and last for today). Have a list of basics you need on hand. Make sure those are filled- but not overfilled. Make sure they are in a place you can find them every time you need them and make a note when they need to be refilled. We have all bought an extra "fill in the blank" thinking we needed it, when in actuality we had one, we just couldn't locate it when it was needed.
Not having multiples of the same thing will save money and space. Two things that we all need more of.


Back to work on my to do list.......

When your insides are coming out

FIRST OFF-I am a big believer in universal health care. I think it's a big part of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I know that I certainly couldn't begin to pursue happiness if I was ill- and well, life is self explanatory.

Why am I on this little tangent? Last week I was in the ER to check out some heart pains. I am lucky enough that we have excellent health care. It's not all that cheap, but it's not that expensive either. I couldn't have imagined NOT going to the ER last week- yet, I know that many people don't- or can't- because they simply cannot afford what I am sure was a 900 dollar (or more) 7 hour stay before insurance(cat scan, chest film, blood work x2 and 7 hours).

This weekend we all got the stomach flu. The boy first on Saturday night, then I got sick Sunday afternoon, and the Mr. got ill Sunday night. I know that my husband and I were the sickest we have EVER been as adults. Topping this all off, my boy also has a wicked head cold with a pretty high fever.

I didn't need to go to the Dr. and neither did my husband. I am feeling good enough to thoroughly disinfect the house today, and my husband went back to work. But the boy was still feeling poorly. He was burning up last night and was rather lethargic ( for him) . Today I took the kid to his Dr. just to make sure he just has a cold. I can't imagine NOT feeling able to call his Dr. and just schedule an appointment to have the little kid checked out. Yet, if I didn't have insurance, it would have been 92.00 for a 20 minute visit. (I paid 10 bucks. The lady in line after me paid 40.00. Same Dr. Different insurance) 92 bucks is a lot of money, money that a lot of people in my neck of the woods just don't have.

That's why I think that we all need at least basic insurance. The ability to go to the Dr. and catch things before they become life threatening and expensive. The ability to actually have a "family doctor"that knows you and your families history- and not have to use the ER as a form of primary care. Preventative care. Because what if it wasn't just a cold?

Special socks, a plastic bracelet, and the ability to glow in the dark.

That's what you get after a 7 hour stint in the ER.

I started having chest pains Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday I thought I should have it checked out. I knew it was on the "wrong" side (the right) but I also knew that women can have heart related pain on the right or left side, up and down the arm, the neck, back and jaw. It's not as easy as just chest pains.

I have a horrid family history- my Dad and 2 of his siblings have had bypass surgery, my Grandmother died of heart damage (she had probably been having un-diagnosed and untreated heart attacks since her 30's the Doctors said. They got a chance to look at her heart in her 70's- but by that time there wasn't anything anyone could do.) and my other Grandparents had heart problems and attacks. So, I decided to leave nothing to chance.

They still don't know what's causing my pain. My heart checked out- I had chest films and blood work, and was hooked up to monitor for all 7 hours. Then they checked to make sure I didn't have a blood clot- that was a CAT scan. Nope, nothing. The Dr. thinks I might have an inflammation of the lining of my lungs-OR- I strained a muscle and don't remember doing it. I do know that my oxygen level is very good- over 97%, my blood pressure is between 116/85 and 124/89 all the time (since they checked it every 11 minutes for 7 hours) and my heart beats at 60-75 beats per minute resting.

I feel better today- but is that because it's not my heart? Or am I truly getting better?

in over my head....

SO I realize now that I have too many blogs. I have this one- just a general newsy one. I have when is enough,enough - where I try to keep track of my spending habits, there is my creepy art doll blog, and now I have my kids art work. In additon, I have a flickr page, facebook and a myspace- type page on horror mall.com called The Haunt.
I also have a discontinued blog of houses that are painted weird colors. I was thinking of starting that back up again in the spring when it's easier to move around- and the ice and snow are gone.
This is getting kind of out of control. It's like I'm collecting web pages.......