From DRAB to FAB! From HO-HUM to OH YUM!

I hope to add several projects that will fulfill this title in the coming months.  The garage is packed with them, and I keep bringing home more!

This was a simple project I took on over the past few days.  The only reason it took days, is due to allowing paint to dry.  Because, really... it was super-d-duper easy!

I found some cabinet doors at our local ReStore for only 50 cents a piece.

Step 1:  Lightly sand.
Step 2: Paint desired base color.
Step 3: Tape off and paint with chalkboard paint.
Step 4: Sand to distress.
Step 5:  Seal the base coat - NOT the chalkboard paint though!
Step 6:  Add some fun knobs for hanging keys or coats or purses.

And you'll go from this:

To this:

Layers of Ick

It's no secret that I love looking at houses that are on the market.  All the potential and possibilities.  Knock down that wall.  Paint that room that color.  Add a bigger window.  With a husband as a carpenter, the possibilities are virtually endless.

I remember going into almost every home we could afford and finding one area to peek to see if there were hardwood flooring under the carpet.  You know you've done it too - any of you who've looked at character homes!  That small moment where you hang in the balance between bliss and blech!  You carefully peek in a closet corner and ..... it's hardwood!  The world can rejoice!

I found myself thinking about this as I dozed off last night and knew I had to share my revelation.  I am like that flooring.  I've got a lot of nasty, yucky, filthy ick that needs to be stripped away to reveal the protected perfection that I could be.  The bad news:  it takes work.  Lots of work.  But the potential is there, and my Creator sees it.  He's waiting for me to ask him to put on his workin' gloves and help me rip away at the layers of ugly that cover up what He has always known was there.

The good news:  while it might be hard, it's do-able.  Not on my own, obviously.  Nor would I want to try and restore myself alone.  But that silver lining that can imagine a more perfect me drives me to continue pulling up and tossing out what should not be there.

I am a work in progress.  And like the hardwood flooring in a character home, even after I'm restored (per say) there will still be nicks, dents & scratches that remind me of where I've been.  And that's how I would want it to be.  Because not remembering where you've come from, won't allow you to praise Him for the blessings of where you are today.

And just to show you how nasty the "stripping away" can be... here's a picture from when we gutted our upstairs bedrooms.  

Capturing 2013

 

Go to Walmart.

Fill out the envelope.  One for each roll.

Seal it up.  Put it in the slot.

Wait.....

Does anyone remember doing that?  You know what I'm talking about.  Right?

FILM

PICTURES

MEMORIES

Today, it's so incredibly easy to snap a photo of whatever or whomever you want... whenever you want.  Digital cameras & smart phones give you instant gratification and what you used to take one or two photos of, has now become sixty-seven.  { C'mon, I'm not the only one who photographs like a paparazzi rock star, am I? }

Now that we have that out of the way, there are NO EXCUSES as to why you cannot accept this challenge!  What better way to document your 2013 than with pictures.


There are a few ways to do this.  One a day, equaling 365 photos... One a week, equaling 52 photos... or one a month for 12 photos.  When you go to do your documentation, make it of something that stood out to you in your day.  Did you try a new recipe?  Clean under the fridge?  Read a good Bible verse?  Shovel for a neighbor?  Photograph it!  Then create a folder for those pictures and give the photo a name & date to remind you of the event.

There are loads of ideas like this online if you Google it.  So, are you up for the challenge?

My friend did this for the last few years.  The longest she made it was 6 months straight of photo taking.  Not too shabby!

And one last challenge.  I want you to think of one WORD that describes what you want to accomplish in 2013.  For me that word is:

What's your word?

Confessions of a Joyous Mom

Have you ever seen this book?

We own it.  And I love listening to the kids read the absurd choices all the while giggling with hysterics and what the other chooses.  

Things like... "Would you rather eat a cup of worms, or have crickets pop out of your nose when you sneeze?"

Really?  

I have to choose one of those?  Well, if I had to pick one..... and laughter ensues.

Why am I bringing this up today?  Because I feel like I've been having thoughts like this with regards to my vertigo & dizziness!  I find myself saying.... "I would rather have a week of the flu, than 6 weeks of dizziness."  Or, "I would rather have chronic headaches, than feel like this all the time."  But then I remember... I don't have a choice.  This is what I've been asked to endure, and I will do it with as much grace and strength as He gives me!!

So, while I cannot wish this away, or trade it for another affliction, I can choose my attitude through it all.  And I choose...

Almost 3 weeks ago I woke up on a Sunday morning, anticipating getting the fam up and ready for church, when as I sat up the room began to spin wildly.  Vertigo.  I had experienced this once before, a few years ago, and immediately lost heart.   I hated it then, and I was not looking forward to this ride again.

I booked an appointment with my chiropractor right away, hoping this would be an end-all, fix-all to my vertigo and I could go on with my life within a few days, good as new.  This was not to be the case.

Fast forward to today, I still feel the room spin as I lay down and sit up.  I still feel "euphoric" off and on throughout the day.  But now I have headaches and stiff muscles to add to it.  

Am I getting better?  I think so.

Do I sound upbeat?  I try.

Truth is, I would by lying if I didn't mention the times I spent in tears crying out to God for healing.  Or the days I encounter the many anxious thoughts about my health.  I would not be giving the full story if you didn't know that I look at photos and long for the day I can be physically restored.

But that isn't the WHOLE story.  Because the focus of this story - this season in my life - is that fear is a liar.  Anxiousness is not from God.  And as I continue down this path, as long as I'm asked to endure it, I will find peace knowing that when my strength gives way, He is there and His strength is only just beginning.  When I feel completely unable to bear the pain & dizziness, He is there to get me through it.

"Am I not capable of taking the grains of sand and making a sculpture no wave could overtake?"

That thought came to me as I was praying the other day.  How true!  I have a creator that made me.  Loves me.  Cares what happens to me.  And is standing by me.

If He brings you to it.

He'll bring you through it.

Love that.

Did I post this as a pity party?  Nah.  I did it to let you know that I am real.  I shake my fist at God sometimes.  I question if He's listening.  I worry.  {and worry more}  But I always come back to the promises of Psalm 34.

If you are going through something insurmountable, try finding the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Beautiful & Burlap Wreath

I scoured.
I gathered.
I repurposed.
I created.

Two things you should know if you want to make a wreath like this.

1.  Think outside the proverbial box. 
2.  Don't over-think it.

A little burlap here.  A little faux bird there.  Mini twig wreaths up there.  Vintage spoons tucked in behind there.  Rusty star nestled up in there.  Perfect!

Look through your craftastic stash and see what you have laying around to make a fun wreath this year!  You might be surprised what you incorporate.

Burlap - leftover from previous projects.
Mini twig wreaths - purchased end of season for dirt cheap {full price they were only 20 cents each}
Faux birdies - thrifted for like 25 cents each.
Rusty Star - another thrifty find for 25 cents.
Pine cones - free from the yard.
Spoons - less than $1 for all 3 {I stamped them myself.}
Wreath - full price $2, but I bought it for at least 50% off end of season last year.

Do you see where I'm going here??  This was DIRT CHEAP to make.

Post pics to my Facebook Page and show me what you create!

Such a good reminder...

The truth about the moment.

"One of fear’s favorite things to tell you, is that today is forever.
If you’re unemployed, you’ll be unemployed forever.
If you’re having trouble writing your book, you’ll have trouble writing it forever.
If you’re job is miserable, it will be miserable forever.
If you’re lonely right now, you’ll be lonely forever.
If the business you started is slow, it will be slow forever.
But, fear is a liar.
Right now, isn’t forever.
Right now is just right now.
It’s a season.
It’s passing even as you read this post.
It will be over before you know it and you’ll be in a new season.
You’ll have a different job. You’ll write a different chapter. You’ll have a different business plan.
Don’t let fear tell you about how time works. Fear is a liar."

Taken from Jon Acuff's blog.  I needed to be reminded of this today.  I just find it amazing how God can speak to us through the most unassuming places.