chairs that I changed

Someone gave me a dining set with a hutch. I went hog wild with the chairs. The captains chairs, I left the backrest the original color. The chairs were all black. Lots of compliments in person...But, not sure about the cushions.

I've painted a lot of vintage folding chairs but, decided that I really like the black most of all.

The next 2 chairs are a walnut colored sort of chair with a straw sort of seat. I sanded them down outdoors. I like doing most of my refinishing in the spring or fall as conditons are best then here in Nebraska. I spray painted them white and took a sander to the edges as I liked them way better roughed up. Hey, here at our house, they'll end up that way anyhow.

Some spring flowers...more to come

These are from a few days ago. Daffs and tulips in Nebraska.

Grape Hyacinth

I can do what I want!

I know it's not Mother's Day yet. But, we're oredering gifts or at least thinking of them right now. I was born on my Mother's 21st birthday! May 10th 1958. Here's a picture of 6 month old me and my fancy mother.

My mother was/is a strking woman. You can see her obvious style with the glasses in the picture. But also, she was 6 feet tall and quite an example of power in our growing up. She had 4 children in 5 years. Typical of the 50's and 60's. She had my brother Jim 14 months after me. Oh and yeah, he still adores me like that. Haha.

My sister and I had many issues being raised by this perfectionistic young mother. But, many years down the road, we know she did the best she could and her motives were always out of love and a desire that we have a "perfect" life and that was achieved by us being "perfect". No need to go in to the damage caused.
Today we live 4 houses from my parents and the center of our social circle is our nuclear family. I had a party several weeks ago with my High School classmates. My Mom and Dad were invited...along with my sister and her husband and children. Eclectic group of folks and me joking at one point, "Oh yah, my Mom comes to all of my parties", much laughter after that.

At this point in my life, after all we've been through the past 3 years, I had a desire for all the points of my life to converge...hence the seemingly mismatched party invite list. And it was a smashing success. God is Good. All of the time.

Estate Sale Find

I found these 4 soup cups at a garage sale in my neighborhood 4/$1. I like smaller heavy dishes...great for portion control.

We are using our newest find as a little side table right now.

I saw an estate sale sign on Saturday and made a quick right to find it. I ended up at an incredible sale. It seemed to be the contents of an Old West Museum but, it was someone's condo...guest condo I heard. I'm not exaggerating. It was museum quality Western items.

Things under $50 were half off. This little stool cost me $6. I was thrilled.

Only the alcoholic can set himself free

"Help me to find peace of mind within myself by uniting myself with God's power and guidance. That is the spiritual way out of my difficulties-the only sure way." ODAT

April 26 ODAT
My share in the job of rehabilitating myself is to study and practice the program, to meditate and pray, to attend meetings and to help others to understand and live the Al-Anon way.
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow...upon them shall the light shine." (Isaiah)

4-26CtC "With the help of this program and my Higher Power, I take charge of fashioning, shaping, choosing what kind of life I will have."
4-26 HfT
Humility can lead to a full, open experience of life. Am I willing to be more humble? "...Pride often makes recovery difficult..." ODaT p.326

aa

When a young family member of mine goes to a Young People's meeting, I go to an open AA meeting nearby. As far as I can tell, have been the only non alcoholic there. At first I didn't feel like I deserved to be there. These people are all so amazing and their stories inspiring! It's like I was peeping...into their souls...with the things they share and reveal. But, the overwhelming warm and welcoming nature of everyone is so comforting. Have 2 young alcoholics in the home, I feel "at home" with them. I NEVER thought I'd say this but, I am so grateful for all the alcoholics in my family and extended family. If not for them, I never would've found myself at AlAnon. That's all I got.

Hi

Hi, My name is Cindy......very grateful member of AlAnon!.....

That's it, that's all I have to say today. Oh! And, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Oh, and please multiply the above by 100, ok? Thanks.

found things, repurposed for my pleasure

I found this old wash stand at an antique store in Mankato, MN when I was just getting to know my husband. It was $40 I think. That was around the 1999. He owned an old Victorian home there and the main bath had no counter, so we put it in there for his teenage daughter to use. It had been painted a light yellow and was fine for it's purpose. Jim and I married and we're now on our third home. I painted this to match our kitchen now.

It holds my collection of restaurant ware and anything else I feel like putting in or on it. The drawer has all our cork screws and wine serving things so, when we entertain, that's where the wine bottles sit. The old brass lamp is something my grandparents always had, nothing special but, I like it. The cook book was purchased at the Nebraska Junk Jaunt last fall for $1. I actually liked the colors of the cover. The green lemon jar was from a tag sale in Omaha, again, $1. The BIG jar I got at an estate sale for $20 and the lemons inside: Pier One. I bought the reproduction glass drawer pulls at a Target too. So, that's one of my favorite "found" and repurposed things!

A confusing landscape problem for me.

In the back of our home is this one hill/wall. It is a hill that turns in to a wall by the patio. But, it's such a weird corner and it's too high by the patio. So, today we started diggin...well, mostly, my 21 yr. old son was digging. We did some sculpting but, the I told him to leave it as I need more input regarding this.

The little tower of stones is what Nathan did when I suggested we "clean up" and leave it for a while.

So, just wondering, any thoughts?

Looking down at this area from our covered deck.

Walking with my Scot friend Helen

This was a beautiful day in Nebraska. It was 63 degrees! And sunny! My walking pal Helen and I walked 6 miles...and talked the whole way! What good medicine! She's from Scotland and we have the most marvelous time chatting and are often startled at the similarity of our lives, pasts, and presents! I thank God for this friend and her devotion to walk. It may be what lifts me from this depression once and for all. The other issue being my stress eating. It's one part of my reformation that I still don't have a design for. It will come.

I want to be able to go here mentally when life gets hairy.