ALUMINUM PHOTO and why did I try to walk so far?

MY uber-cool photo printed on ALUMINUM from www.pixel2canvas.com came in today. YAY!!! Sorry these are NOT the best photos of it.  I really would have liked to have stood on a chair to take the pic but my family would have had a heart attack, so that was a no go.  It's a classic black and white of my three progeny walking into the light by a nearby pond this past fall. I envisioned that it would be matte but it has a sheen but I'm still in love with it!  It looks like it's lit from within in person.  Like it's back lit, very unusual! It's very thin but strong feeling and it came with a cool piece called an ice stand but my husband is going to make it so we can hang it on the wall in the nook.( EDIT!!  I THINK Matt aka Handy Husband put the last coat of paint on the walls of the nook last night, so that means we'll be hanging photos and the other schtuff this weekend! I'm THINKING the reveal might be Sunday or Monday. )All the other goodies are going to go around it in a collage like fashion. Sort of like a "SALON" grouping you may have seen cropping up here and there. The RAD RHODA did a post about them recently over at Southern Hospitality.  I big puffy heart her if you didn't know! Here's one over at Apartment Therapy .  Mine will be on the "cleaner lined" side because I think my husband would keel over. 


Here comes the woh is me part,otherwise known as "I'm not the brightest porchlight on the block". Yesterday I jinxed myself and told you about my PHYSICAL THERAPY walking. I mentioned how I didn't think I was going to make the 2 mile mark at 8 weeks. Most of the time I would walk Peyton to the bus stop in the am and sometimes in the pm and that was my PT. Then I started walking farther. Eventually going around the "block" of our neighbor hood which isn't really a block but a big circle kind of thing with 2 inclines. By the time I was on the way home I would be DYING. Because I recently (over the weekend) started to feel better and I had built up my endurance at the antique mall as you know. I decided it was high time to KICK IT UP A NOTCH and walk around the "block" (it's like a 1/4 mile) and do it in the morning and the evening plus I had gone to GW. (I really was supposed to be walking two times a day starting 1 week after surgery but I wasn't able to. 4 1/4 weeks is close enough to one week, right?) "BAM" (visualize EMERIL saying that) Let's just say I didn't make it around the block today. Or do much else other than type this! STUPID STUPID ROBYN!

Sorry lost the source to this but I LOVE this look...shoot maybe it's Rhoda's!  EDIT!!!  RHODA was sweet enough to tell me the green pic is Celerie Kemble's .

I ADORE THIS other one, yet again can't find the source...I think it's Praire something.  If you know let me know so I can reference it...I'm so sorry if these are your photos...I'm a looser! ;-)  BUT I LOVE THEM!

ALMOST DONE...kinda! BUILT IN UPDATE

SWOOOON!  I almost just can't stand the excitement!

BUILT IN UPDATE

Let me first say, that I hope it's okay to be this excited about one of your own projects!  Otherwise I'm a selfish cretin!  If you want to see some other posts about our built in NOOK go here  here here here and here  there are actually more references but I don't want to go on and on.  Um, well, I think I just did!  Sorry...I'm happy!

As part of my physical therapy, actually the ONLY PT I have at this point is walking.  By 8 weeks I'm supposed to be walking 2 miles but I doubt that's going to happen.  I've been cheating lately and instead of walking around our neighborhood daily, I'll have someone take me to Target or Home Depot instead.  Do you think that counts?  Today, I had my husband take me to an antique mall (He took me to a different one last weekend for my PYSICAL THERAPY).  I'm really looking for a 5 (for my CHAOTIC HOUSE OF 5).  Any old antique 5.  Doesn't sound too difficult huh?  I can't find it so I'm going to pick out a fun font and Handy Husband is going to cut it on the jig saw and I'll antique it. (I FEEL A TUTORIAL COMING ON) I'm still waiting on the cool piece of "art" I ordered from my canvas company (it's not canvas though....ohhhh) it should be here by Tuesday.  I ADORE my light, it's on a dimmer but we bought a bad dimmer so HH has to put the new one on still.  I can already tell Cosmo is trying to claim the seating area as his, so will be wrestling over that soon enough!  Stay tuned for the reveal....I'll try to let you know a date soon, okay?  THANKS CHICKAS!


Linking here

SNEAK ANOTHER LITTLE PEEK!

I just can't help myself! The built in NOOK is ALMOST done. The mercury glass pendant is going to be wired this evening by an electrician friend...dying to see that up! So I thought I'd show you some things that MIGHT make it into the nook. The item I ordered from my photo lab won't be here till the 8th and that's what the rest will revolve around but I still thought I'd show you a couple fun things!  A week back or so I showed you this uber cool goodie!

I absolutely LOVE this miniature windmill. It works and it's just so dern cute! I've been in love with this piece forever and I'm not kidding when I tell you I almost had to PRY it out of Bob's hands 'cause he loves it too!  He cracks me up because sometimes he really has a very DIFFICULT timing selling you something he loves.  BTW, almost everything I'm going to show you is from my friend BOB at The Old Curiosity Shop. I might have Matt cut off the Pabst part of the sign but he doesn't really mind it. BUT I LOVE the saying! This old scale is just fun and the Victorian pulls on top of it are going to have a new use...but you'll have to wait and see what that is!

Photos are going to fill in most of the wall area and I had them printed off the other day. I need to redo Macy's because the color is a bit off...or maybe redo Cosmo's, not sure which color I like better.  Cosmo might be a bit too Sepia.  Anyway, not really sure which ones I'm using yet. I pulled a bunch of old frames out of the basement that I'm going to either paint flat black or Heirloom White...I can't decide! I can't WAIT TO SHOW YOU THE FINAL REVEAL!!! I'm so excited! Can you tell?

Here's some news about my back so if you don't feel like hearing about it, you can turn around now! I figured out today that I've been wearing my new back brace upside down for the past 4 months or so. How stupid is that? When I put it on this morning the correct way it is SO much more comfortable! Major Blonde moment there my friends! It was 4 weeks from my surgery yesterday, so I'm finally able to start to do a bit more. A. BIT. That really just means I'm supposed to WALK farther! ;-) Better than nothing!

Linking here: The Shabby Chic Cottage  Pony tails and fish scales!

Lovin' Levi

Here's Mr. Levi McCoy.  Long time followers of the Whimages blog might remember about his crazy adventures, the insane things he did and our mutual love affair (in a happy healthy Mommy, doggie way).  This story really happened about the first week of March but I've been unable to really talk about it.


I've volunteered for a boxer rescue group for a long time.  All of the boxers we've had since I was 17/18 have been rescues beginning with Mugzy.  After having rescued Mugzy, we decided that EVERY dog after him would be a rescue as a tribute to him.  We adopted Levi at 6 months and I totally fell HARD for his weird quirkiness.  (All boxers are pretty much, odd weird quirky dogs and that's why I like them) but Levi was an extra goofball.  He really held a VERY special place in my heart.  Shortly after adopting Levi we had about a week or two were we fostered what felt like10 different boxers over a week.  It really was like 4 or 5 but it was a crazy time.  One of the fosters, the last one actually was a very handsome boy who was 7 months old.  I placed him with my sister but he came back about 3 days later because he had too much puppy rowdiness for her aging Labrador and her then 2 and 3 year old.  So he came back HOME.  We continued to FALL for him then a placement became available a week or so later.  We placed him with the new family and the next day he came back because their current boxer didn't really like Cosmo that much.  Each time Cosmo came back, Levi was THRILLED to see him...Macy, not so much! 
In trying to cut this story a tad short, over the next year we had NUMEROUS fights between the dogs.  Fights that ended up with Macy having to get staples two different times.  It was odd because between the fights, Levi and Cosmo were BEST BUDDIES and MACY and LEVI played a ton.  After consulting with 2 vets and doing some very DEEP soul searching, we knew that someone had to go.  I ended up being THAT person who I NEVER thought I'd be.  While looking for the BEST possible home for either LEVI or COSMO another fight occurred and Cole stuck his big size 12 shoe between two muzzles to break it up and was inadvertently bitten.  He had to get stitches on his calf and will forever have a scar.  THIS kills me as a mother because it was MY fault because I was taking so long to find the perfect home.  NONE of our boxers would EVER EVER EVER purposely bite and to this day Cosmo doesn't know he bit Cole and not Levi.


More soul searching revealed that even though boxers are VELCRO dogs and typically don't let you leave the room with out them.  Levi had the MOST self confidence and would adjust to a new home easier.  This was really a DIFFICULT decision and not taken lightly.  There was something special about him to me for sure.


A WONDERFUL home was found for him with a couple that have a high energy lab, a large fenced in back yard, parents that live across the street and the dogs would go to doggie daycare  (which he LOVES) once or twice a week.


We did the meet and greet and everything went awesome.  Levi has been living there happily ever since.  WE have not had ONE skirmish. NOT ONE.  Levi and his new brother haven't either of course.  I get updates on him frequently and photos too!


2 days before my surgery, I made the drive to go see Levi in his new home.  He was SO HAPPY to see me and I was thrilled to see him as well. He was happy and well adjusted and no longer even needed his crate.  He kissed me a zillion times and nibbled on my nose and ears (that was a typical Levi thing), he sat in my lap and we enjoyed each others company immensely.  When it was finally time for me to leave he watched me go but there was NO indication he thought he was going too.  He KNEW it was a visit.  AND it's definitely a visit I'll repeat!
 BTW, this photo of him is the last shot I took of him a couple days before he was re homed.  I love it!

I'm sharing this photo on SHUTTER LOVE TUESDAYS, go see all the SWEET PETS (the theme this week) and VOTE! ;-)

I AM: a tease, a daddy's girl and a pushover.

I THINK this is going to be the final "TEASER" photo of the nook before the reveal. I'm so excited about it that I have a hard time not showing you! (BTW, I'm really not showing you very good photos with the proper perspective and all that on purpose (you know so it's fun when you see the final project and you go Ohhhh, it's deeper than I thought, and look at the detail!). I do know how to use my camera a bit. On occasion. Okay, so let me give you some visuals 'cause otherwise you are probably like, "what's the freak excited about? a mess in her family room?" Just go along for the ride for a moment my friends...

This is an itsy bitsy "teeny weeny nook" off of our family room. Years ago we had a vision of taking a tad of space from the garage and making ourselves a built in entertainment center. You know like  a million years ago when TVs were like 4 feet deep and not the depth of a sheet of loose leaf? Then we had book shelves on either side. It was perfect. For like a million years. Then the paper thin TV is introduced making this space completely obsolete. YAY for me! This HOLE in our family room set here since Christmas because we couldn't decide (well, we couldn't agree) on what to do with it. Finally, handy Husband handed me a drawing (It was like the sixth one but shhhh) and we both went "AHA!" The NOOK was born!

Let me give you an itty bitty tour. And to our left we have a corner desk that shall house our computer keyboard and monitor. Below, the CPU shall be hidden from prying eyes as well as the snakes of cords that come with a computer, a wireless modem and all that other stuff I'm not really sure is but goes with it. A sweet old chair will be nestled in that corner. To the above left, notice shelving with bead board backing and some sweet little cubbies that handy handsome hubby insisted on having. Everyone glance now to the right (come on PEOPLE, it's not that hard, it's like 2 inches away). An additional bookshelf that still will get a shelf. This one is higher because there is a STORAGE BENCH THERE BELOW that people will sit on and read or text or something. It will be EVENTUALLY covered with a washable custom slip covered cushion and have fun toss pillows. These cabinets will have under cabinet lighting too. ALSO to the right, that fabulous MERCURY GLASS PENDANT I showed you the other day, will be hanging. We are going for the asymmetrical yet balanced look. I hope it's working. Further to the right do you see that peek of green? THAT my friends will be A NOOK WITHIN A NOOK! It's going to be a BUILT IN shelved area within the built in. Clever. Yes, you can say it. Crazy, yes you can say that too. We are hoping this all comes together (in my mind it is, but I'm on pain medication so what do I know?). The wall area will have a fun collage of mix matched items that we like, have meaning or are for decorative purposes only. I ordered one super awesome coooool thing from my professional photo lab that I am ULTRA excited about, to put in the space as well...on the wall.

So now everyone forget you saw this little teaser and then act all surprised and stuff when you get the final reveal, okay?! Thanks. I heart you.
Hmmmm,what was next...oh yeah, Daddy's girl. Now remember, I MIGHT still be playing the "I just had surgery trump card.  Okay, I've shared stories about my father on here many times (remember the Joe Pesci reference?). If there is one thing my Dad loves in addition to his family, it's FLORIDA and the SOUTH. I can't tell you HOW MANY times over the years he's called (we talk everyday, sometimes 3 times) and  he just happened to be in New Orleans or Key West or St. Augustine with a couple pairs of shorts and shirts thrown in the back of his car and no notice to the family! The man has WANDERLUST and the compass only points south! However, this time we were given a weeks notice. Before he left, he popped by on his way out. He asked me if while he was in FL, if I wanted him to look for anything. Within moments, I whipped out a list of vintage goodies for him to look for. I had to explain a few things to him ('cause he said at one point, and excuse my French, "WHAT THE HELL IS A FLOWER FROG?") Then he asked what to get my delightful sister and I told him any of those same things...we have similar taste! ;-) He might or he might not come back with something exciting.  I just don't want a t-shirt. Been there. Done that.

Here's the pushover part. When I came down to the family room this morning, a familiar scene met my eyes. The names of these boys shall remain anonymous to protect any popularity they may have in school. There is a very similar scene in Callie's room but with girls and a whole lotta estrogen. "CAN we have a sleepover?"  "of course!" I'm a pushover!

Bar stool Magic?

As I mentioned in THIS post, the other evening, I had an epiphany about the counter height stools in the kitchen that were getting a bit old and tired.  If you enlarge the photo by clicking it you can see the rush seats are falling apart. In fact our little one was SO happy to see them go because she said that the falling apart rush seats gave her splinters on her little tush. Splinters in your little tush HAVE to be the WORST!  PLUS the space really isn't large enough for 3 stools but we really did need a bit more room there.

If the stools had been a bit larger scaled I definitely would have made the space between them a tad larger. At least now we can fit one extra little tush at the island! I think eventually we'll paint the actual SEAT grey like the island to give it some definition. But in the meantime, here is the new BENCH my Dad made from 2 ratty bar stools, in about a half hour and 12.00 worth of wood! WOO HOO!

If I was going to buy new stools, I'd DEFINITELY check out this fabulous shop, Regency Shop , they have an incredible selection!

EDIT!!!: Matt came home early to take me to a Dr. Appt. and he's putting a coat of the FRENCH SILVER  that's on the island on the seats right NOW!  Come back later to see.  OHHH I think it's pretty!

Yucky  and boring before -

OKAY, here they are after one QUICK coat of Behr's FRENCH SILVER, on the seat which is the same color as the island.  I think that's going to be the perfect touch!

Here's some link parties, check 'em out! 

The Inspired Room and Extreme Personal Measures

Mercury Glass and a little magic up my sleeve. I. Hope!

The MAGNIFICENT Mercury glass pendant and votive my father ordered me came in the mail yesterday from COTTAGE SIMPLE along with a sweet little nylon reusable shopping bag as a free gift! I totally puffy heart this pendant and votive. They are both pleasantly gently distressed like they've been love worn treasures. See how the candle is gently glowing through the votive. L.O.V.E. Can't wait to get them all set in our secret little nook and I can't WAIT to reveal it to you!!! My cutie buttotie husband has been working so hard on it when he gets him at night. The shelves have lovely bead board backs and the crown molding he put inside on top of the shelves looks great!

While I'm sitting home laying around waiting for some bone to grow in my vertebrae I've been twiddling my thumbs a lot. NOT! I read a ton and look at magazines and do my physical therapy and look at blogs on one of the kids itouch. I think about all the stuff we'd like to do to the house and all the money we don't have to do it with.

These bar stools have been bugging us for a WHILE. They were VERY inexpensive and have served their purpose. However, the rush seats are falling apart, as you can see and we are down to plywood in one section. The REAL bar stools are up at my friend BOB'S but he won't sell them to me or anyone else for that matter so don't go try to get them. They are FABULOUS OLD shop stools with beat up metal legs and a fat round wood seat. They even have a little pull down foot rest. I totally LOVE bits and pieces of industrial design mixed in with the everyday and these are the EPITOME of that! Doesn't really matter however, 'cause that's the one design style Matt and I do NOT agree upon! So 2 days ago I had a epiphany about these bar stools that I currently have. Since Matt's up to his NECK in projects, I can't BEND LIFT OR TWIST who am I going to call to make the project in my minds eye a reality? MY DAD! My Dad definitely has a good eye for design although he occasionally gets a little to "out there" for me. When I mentioned my idea to Dad he was TOTALLY into it and loved it. Matt on the other hand just wasn't seeing it. Oh well, we'll either going to LOVE it or HATE it but I haven't seen anything quite like this out there in design land so I'm excited to see what we end up with. HOPEFULLY I love it not HATE it! ;-) So come back and see...he's working on them RIGHT NOW!!!

FALLING INTO PLACE

Tonight our twins are going to their first dance. It's the Eight Grade sendoff kind off thing. Talk about making you feel OLD! Actually, picking out Callie's first DRESS with her will probably be one of my forever favorite moments. There are times in our lives but especially our lives as parents that you want to hold onto, put into a little locket and never open again. Just have it there knowing it's with you always. I think it's important when one of these moments is happening to RECOGNIZE it and cherish it for what it is.

Recently, like almost every other night, I tip toe into each of the kids rooms to check on them before I go to bed. I crept into Cole's room and very carefully got down to brush a whisper of a goodnight kiss on the corner of his lips and realized he had a little bit of a 5'oclock shadow thing going on. Oh. MY.

Matt took Cole out to get his dress pants, shirt and tie since I can't go in a car yet. It was so exciting when he came home and I made him try on the pants and the shirt but separately because I want to be surprised this evening with the whole package. I'm so excited I can't wait! Callie's dress is CHARTREUSE and with her coloring she can really pull it off. I had hoped that they'd pick a tie that had chartreuse and khaki but alas, that was NOT meant to be. When I mentioned it this morning, of course they both looked at me like I had sprouted an extra head. I can be the corny photographer mom who forgets that her twins aren't 14 months anymore but 14 years OLD (Just this past weekend) and wants her babies to wear coordinating outfits. I was semi-weepy with Callie trying on the dresses (she didn't know and I am SO NOT A CRIER), so wish me luck tonight! ;-)

I've been coveting these pendant lights FOREVER from www.mothology.com but they were  always sold out. ;-( THEN I found them at COTTAGE SIMPLE plus this SAAAWEEEET little matching votive holder. They have some FABULOUS AND FUNKY lighting you MUST check out! My DAD was kind enough to order BOTH the light and the votive holder for me yesterday for the built in reading nook/desk area. I ordered the hobnail one in the middle. LOVE IT! Can't wait to get it!

I have a sweet little story that involves my delightful sister Brandy.  I'll share it with you in a moment. My friend BOB (you remember BOB, of the fantastic store full of incredible goodness fame?), has known about my idea for the built in and has been scouring his antique/flea/auction haunts for the perfect things for me. I called the other day to get an update knowing full well it was going to KILL me if he had any goodies hidden for me because I don't even KNOW how many more weeks I'm not allowed in a car because of this doggone surgery recovery. AND YES, he tempted me with his talk of the goods he's found for me so much that I had a fleeting thought of taking my walker and trying to make the trip. (If you are my surgeon or physical therapist reading this, please know it was a FLEETING little thought) WHEN the time comes for the nook reveal, I'm going to have some FUN and FUNKY schtuffff to show off!  I CAN'T WAIT!  You may know if you read my blog that I've got a "thing" for dogs.  Most especially a "THING" for smooshy faced doggies with pouty lips.  This OCD riddled chick for some reason does NOT have one qualm about planting a kiss on any POUTY PUDGY PROTRUDING doggie lip.  I'm just sayin'.

By this point you are wondering where the delightful sister comes into play. WELL, this delightful sister LIVES in Delaware but works here in Maryland 2 days a week and happens to have to DRIVE RIGHT PAST the alluring goodness that is Bob's store. Knowing I'm on a tight budget (one income here people, plus doctors bills out the WAZOO), she had an antique bench that she brought along today and traded it with Bob for my DOUBLE WONDERFUL SMOOSHY FACED brass drawer pull that he had picked up for me. Apparently it's from a sewing cabinet. I'm in LOVE with it and I can't wait till the built in is done to be able to pull it all together! So here's to the love of sisters...and sweet doggie lips and the bittersweet feeling of your babies growing up!

Linking to Cindy's SHOW AND TELL,  under the tabel and dreaming  

<center><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicfeaturedonSmall125x125.jpg" /></a></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P><BR></P> <P><BR></P> <P>Read more: http://www.remodelaholic.com/#ixzz0og3sOaP0</P> <P><BR></P> <P><A href="http://thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com/">The Hills</A>, <A href="http://www.lovinmylovebugs.blogspot.com/">fingerprints on the fridge</A> <A href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target=_blank border="0"><IMG alt="Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!" src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/825895175_xmTVA-O.jpg"></A>  <P><BR></P> <P><BR></P> <P> <CENTER><A href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target=_blank><IMG border=0 alt="Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/satnitenew150w-1.jpg"></A></CENTER> <P></P>