tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61100526402376609542024-03-17T22:03:18.482-05:00Walking with DancersLydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.comBlogger462125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-56400621480204957562020-04-28T20:42:00.000-05:002020-04-29T07:46:44.788-05:00Checking in and Two Helpful Concepts for kids at home<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I just wanted to pop in and say hi.</span><br />
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So, as I’m sure you know, times are interesting these days with the coronavirus shelter in place. There’s a lot to process for everyone, each setting/person/family being affected in its own way, even as we go through it together, we experience it uniquely.</div>
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I’ve come to enjoy the personal processing of life quietly, so I don’t often want to blog much based on that.</div>
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But I did think it a good idea to pop in and say we are ok. </div>
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Our family is very lucky, in that we have a lot of normal still. Blake’s job has been transitioned to him teaching the college courses online. (He goes into his empty office and labs, to record content to put online, Monday- Friday.) And of course, we had already been homeschooling our kids. So our day to days look very much the same as before.</div>
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Additionally, on some level, we have tasted some components of social distancing before, because of food allergies. (Things like we have spent holidays with just our immediate family at home many times already. So our Easter didn’t feel jarring this year.)</div>
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Of course, there are so many things that have changed. And we miss what we miss. Some of this is hard for the kids to process, its emotional. It’s strange and different overall. But we are lucky in that our day to day wasn’t turned upside.</div>
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We are still healthy. We are still growing. And on the whole we are happy— still allowing for sad as it comes. And we work towards solutions for what we need.</div>
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Two things I feel are currently worth sharing in case it helps anyone else with kids at home now.</div>
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They have have helped us in our house as far as how life is affected by having kids at home ALL THE TIME. This works for us, your mileage will vary.</div>
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First: Having Official snack time.</div>
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Kids love snacks (don’t we all, actually.) And they will literally ask all day long. (I know because I’ve lived it, and now I keep reading about others living it currently and losing their minds.) Years ago I made us an official snack time. (Because I was losing my mind.) I set it at 3:00. (Later I moved it to 2:00. Because we eat early meals and that puts about 3 hours between everything for us.)</div>
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Suddenly I told the kids they could only have snacks then. For the first day or two they were furious— so many fits, so much whining and begging and acting as through they would starve to death. But they accepted it. And then for the next bunch of weeks I had to answer the question “What time is it?” an unimaginable amount of times. But my four year old learned how to tell time surprisingly fast. 😆 And after the initial phase, snacks have not been an issue —even for the younger kids because this was already in place before they were born. </div>
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As far as the process— we have special plates we use. (Glass Vintage Snack Trays.) Because I wanted it to feel like a special tradition they can look back on. I’m very lenient with what they eat. We have a cabinet full of snacks, and they can pick what they have.</div>
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I’ve always been very verbal about how they need to pay attention to how they feel after they eat and make choices that help them feel good. And I’m also very clear about how if they eat through the snacks before our next grocery trip there will be none until we shop again. So they are excellent at not over doing it. Sometimes a visitor seems surprised by our level of snacking —the kids usually get themselves a handful of potato chips, a 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon scoop of (dairy free) chocolate chips (the spoon is the way we ration it fairly over the week), a fruit snack or fruit roll up, and one little Aldi (allergy free) cookie. (Or if we have left over cake/ fancy desserts they choose a slice of cake or normal snack.) So while this seems like a lot of snack food— it keeps them from even seeming to crave any extras during the day. And the rest of the day they eat so healthy— totally unprompted. I let them get their own lunches together and it’s truly mind blowing to me how healthy they are— I wasn’t for sure at their age. I think we have found our good equilibrium. I also think it may aid in their future eating habits— balancing coming easier perhaps.<br />
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(Side note: I also have a snack at snack time too. However, mine is less extravagant.)<br />
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Second: Fun (Cleaning) Friday </div>
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This is only about a month old at our house, I benefited from another mom sharing the cleaning component as part of her normal homeschooling routine. And then made it our own. </div>
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So on Fridays now, we basically unschool in the morning — I told the kids to think of anything they want to know more about and I will do my best to find a documentary about. So far we have watched about dinosaurs going extinct, panda bears, parts of an orchestra, dolphins, sea turtles, and deep ocean creatures. </div>
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Before we start the movie we clean up the family room really well, spread out a blanket, for the popcorn I make. </div>
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(Side note: if anyone is looking for a diary free version of cheesy popcorn— look into nutritional yeast. (It’s yellow flaky stuff we buy in the bulk area of fancier/more natural/crunchy grocery stores.) You just sprinkle it over the fresh hot popcorn with some salt and stir it around. It was not immediately yummy to me— because it’s not dairy— but I acquired the taste and now I love it and crave it. And they kids are obsessed.) (Nutritional yeast also goes into many cheesy recipes well.)</div>
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After the movie they are assigned chores which earn them one show on Netflix, after the chore is done. And we try to do a least two, or three time chunks of chores and Netflix. But it depends on what we need to do.</div>
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I’ve mainly used this to accomplish stuff that nags me but I can’t get to on my own.</div>
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So far in our month of Friday efforts, we have super cleaned the kitchen cabinet faces and appliances —scrubbing off kitchen grease built up and little splatters that accumulate. Deep cleaned the three bathrooms. Super scrubbed down our painted stairs. And gone around and dusted everything and cleaned the windows.</div>
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This works well because it’s usually during nap time for my toddler, or if not one of us can keep her out of the mix. (And I don’t have to dedicate nap time to formal school lessons.)</div>
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I have loved Friday’s since starting this. We love the morning. (I love documentaries myself. And they like they popcorn and group time and predictable routine mix up and.) And they are ok with the chores, love the Netflix rewards. And I am thrilled with the overall uptick in cleanliness. Plus I have a goal of them knowing the ropes of keeping up a dwelling by the time they are adults.</div>
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This concept has been so great because I have been struggling for a while figuring out how to balance these elements. And this just clicked for us this way.</div>
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Right now the chores have to be pretty much narrated by me through the whole thing. But I have faith that after a while this will be stuff I can set them to do alone because they know how.</div>
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(They have been cleaning the family room so often they can do that unguided— so I have the proof there.) I’m willing to spend the time upfront for the payoff later.</div>
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My oldest two do most the chores, but my 4.5 year old helps as much as he can.</div>
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This stuff does take a small amount of forethought for all of us. I let the kids know on Monday to be thinking about their documentary ideas. I spend some time thinking what chores really would be best. And if they tell me soon enough I spend some time looking for the best documentary on the subject. But overall it’s pretty easy to just do.</div>
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I hope that as my kids get a little older (and I’m out of that must-always-have-eyes-on-the-toddler phase) I can add a bit more into our Fridays. Something like art or baking lessons. But for now this is all we are ready for.</div>
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(As a reference point my kids are currently 9.5, 7.5, 4.5 and 1.5)</div>
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Anyway. Those are a few things I’ve been happy about. (And FYI, We aren't this together on every level. And even though we clean like crazy on Friday, by Tuesday our house still looks like a tornado hit it. Zero perfection over here.) But I’m mentioning it because maybe they can bring you some kind of happiness or help too. Or just prompt something unrelated but somehow related. </div>
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But if not, that’s totally fine. Do what works for you! Best is different for everyone. </div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-60728765557165453962019-12-11T16:01:00.002-06:002020-01-08T19:47:57.294-06:00Rousing Roses <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys!</div>
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It’s been a while!</div>
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Hope you are well.</div>
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I’m still around and still doing good. (And still not really up for blogging.)</div>
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But thought it was a good time to check in.</div>
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I’ve started a new thing.</div>
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I’m selling made over furniture.</div>
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I made a Facebook Page:</div>
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Rousing Roses</div>
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And I’m just selling each piece as I go.</div>
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No shop. Just listing on Marketplace and such.</div>
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I’m loving it.</div>
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It’s a great fit for my interests and point in life.</div>
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Some of my recent sales:</div>
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Farmhouse Bench </div>
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Faux Fireplace </div>
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Rope Wrapped Loft Bed</div>
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Made over lamp</div>
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Just to show a few.</div>
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Some of my current items up for sale :</div>
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Wall Rack </div>
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Created from an 100+ year old piano board </div>
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Absolutely beautiful tiger oak!</div>
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A Hand-painted Bookcase </div>
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A Gorgeous Mendelssohn piano created between 1900-1910 reinvented into a desk.</div>
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(Or a Buffet/ Sideboard or Coffee Bar / Dry Bar)</div>
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And I have two more items being worked on</div>
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With a huge stash to come after </div>
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Its great!</div>
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If you wanna follow along, or see more from before, feel free to like my page and see where things go from here</div>
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<a href="https://m.facebook.com/RousingRoses/">https://facebook.com/RousingRoses/</a></div>
<br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-36524419142493359882019-03-05T19:03:00.000-06:002019-03-05T19:03:02.725-06:00It’s not a blogging season for me. I’m sorry to say. I think of the blog, and you guys — especially anyone who reached out to me because of it over the years— often. You mean a lot.<br />
<br />
I’m not saying I’ll never blog again. I’m just saying it’s not a blogging season.<br />
<br />
But I want you to know that I’m happy. Things are going well. I truly love being a mom to four kids — four is my sweet spot. And every day, even the exhausting ones, I have moments of indescribable gratitude. I’m simultaneously the most proud of myself I’ve ever been, and I’m also the most aware of how much is not up to me and I am therefore humbled by the very things I’m proud of. And that feels like the deepest gratitude I’ve ever known.<br />
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And for now Im quietly enjoying my life for all that it’s worth.<br />
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I’ll catch up with you guys later.<br />
Until then, so much love and well wishes to you on your journey.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-18331548287412980432018-09-25T09:47:00.003-05:002018-09-25T10:06:28.410-05:00Update -- Life with 4Guys,<br />
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I was trying to finish Lily’s birth story this morning, and I took a break to go nurse her, and when I got back the computer had closed out my writing and not saved. I don’t even understand the way it saved what it saved, and the parts it didn’t save. It wasn’t in any expected way -- some of the story is there, some of it isn't.<br />
So I’m bummed, cause it takes a while to write these days, and now I have to rewrite a lot of it. But that’s life.<br />
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Anyway, I thought instead I’d do a quick update.<br />
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We are doing great.<br />
My hip is better after a few trips to the Chiropractor. Overall my body feels probably the best I’ve ever felt 6 weeks after giving birth. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Although TMI truth be told, I’m still dealing with hemorrhoids and those are less than ideal. But outside of that, I’m feeling really good.)</span><br />
Lily is a happy, easy going baby. She’s starting to smile -- and it’s delightful.<br />
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The big kids all love her and are very good helpers.<br />
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We’ve been able to get school done fairly well so far.<br />
I’m just starting to get the hang of adding cleaning back into life -- and that feels really nice.<br />
But I am shocked at how much laundry there is anymore. Which is weird because Lily really doesn’t add much laundry yet. It’s kinda baffling. But I feel like I am ALWAYS doing laundry. (Because I am.)<br />
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The downside to life right now is a plumbing issue which lead to us taking the reading room ceiling off again.<br />
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And I wasn’t expecting that level of construction to be mixed into baby days. But again, that’s life. I was VERY overwhelmed by it initially. Like just so so disappointed, and down, and stressed, and upset with myself. But a week out from the ceiling coming down and I’m feeling a bit more centered. We get to address the design of this room again.<br />
As well as the bathroom floors upstairs.<br />
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Which at first was just a huge part of the stress. But at this point I’m kinda looking forward to the new things to come. (Although still yet to be excited about the process.)<br />
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I’ve sold off a bit of stuff since that event -- clearing some more space in the house and trying to really figure out how to use this space for US -- and how we want to use it. I always feel so refreshed when taking out stuff that isn’t a fit anymore.<br />
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I added two plants to the house (in the kitchen and my bedroom) by splitting some of my bigger snake plant into new pots. I cannot even express how great that makes me feel. I didn’t know it would bring me so much peace and joy having some more living plants around. I’m also trying to root a few extra leaves in water -- we will see what happens.<br />
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Anyway,<br />
I gotta get going back to my crew.<br />
<br />
Just wanted to try and let you know I’m doing good and I’ll try to write the birth story again sometime. I hope.<br />
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Love,<br />
LydiaLydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-2338695780506362392018-08-21T12:14:00.000-05:002018-08-21T12:14:20.350-05:00<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi guys. I’ve been pretty quiet on here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I think I’ve said this in numerous ways before, but I’m still working through all the hard things from the last few years. (My 3rd pregnancy’s physical and emotional challenges. The death of my grandpa, followed shortly by the death of my brother. And all the ways those events changed my life.)</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I needed some time to, very quietly, be myself. Some time to assess things. Some time to approve things. And I really, especially, needed to do that without explaining any of it. That’s just what I needed to heal.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So I’ve not shared much online. And I’ve been very selective about what I share offline as well.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The process of giving myself that level of grace has been transformative. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> During this quiet time, we’ve tackled a lot of projects. Both inside our house and outside in the yards. As well as in our lives.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> And one of these projects definitely stands head over heels above the others. It’s a project I wasn’t sure I’d EVER tackle. And it took months and months to complete. But I’m pleased to reveal the results…</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> At the beginning of August we added a very precious new family member. After 41 weeks of pregnancy (that thankfully were not as difficult as my third pregnancy, yet decidedly were more effortful than my first two) we welcomed a new daughter. On the blog I will call her Lily. (I like to keep my kids’ real names off the Blog for their privacy.) She was born 8 lbs 10oz, 21” long, healthy and strong.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gxp6fTTh6BQW_LhEhZcK-SFO_g5uske001-QmHAN2_Nf6pOUapXPqYqkhQQl_5U6yGLWEkFif_AIpB_gzhU1jSrYuTbOZawj83MWn3nFSS4vmGdYhNLBCiJh-3jtX8bYpYwum0CyRYVc/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gxp6fTTh6BQW_LhEhZcK-SFO_g5uske001-QmHAN2_Nf6pOUapXPqYqkhQQl_5U6yGLWEkFif_AIpB_gzhU1jSrYuTbOZawj83MWn3nFSS4vmGdYhNLBCiJh-3jtX8bYpYwum0CyRYVc/s640/IMG_3364.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Last summer I embraced the idea that I really did want four kids, despite the fear of another pregnancy. Blake and I talked through the “what if’s”, made a few plans, and back up plans. And then chose to go for it.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Feeling fairly sure this was our last pregnancy, I really wanted to respect it in best way possible for me. I decided I wanted as private a pregnancy as possible. No matter how it went, I didn’t feel like explaining anything to anyone. I didn’t want any opinions, good or bad. I didn’t want any additional concerns, besides my own. And after the last difficult pregnancy, and then the grieving period on the heels of that.... I didn’t have any additional energy to give to anything other than putting my feet where they needed to go. I wanted quiet space to just do that. In the past few years, the additional pressures of others’ feelings were bringing on panic attacks. I wasn’t able to healthily separate myself and I couldn’t figure out how to handle all those feelings at once. I knew that level of anxiety would physically affect my pregnancy and the baby. So we did not announce our pregnancy (online or off.) And it allowed a healthy space for me and my baby to grow.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Since the decision to get pregnant again was something we gave some time to, I was able to do some major prep work beforehand. I made doctors appointments to ensure I didn’t have anything underlying that could impact pregnancy for me. (Mainly wondering if there was something wrong last time to cause all that nausea. And also making sure all that nausea didn’t hurt anything. As well as just a general physical checkup after so much stress and grief.) I was given clean bills of health all around. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> And so while that was in the works, we chose to complete the harder projects for me, in our house while we waited. (Mainly sewing the couch covers, and painting the kitchen cabinets.) And man, am I glad we did that!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Then in the remaining time before nausea set in, I cooked up tons of meat and froze it in our deep freezer so it would be ready for the family when I wasn’t ready to deal.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> As I said, thankfully this pregnancy wasn’t as hard as my third. I did have extended nausea. I took Unisom throughout the whole thing to deal with it. But thankfully, about half way through my second trimester I started having chunks of time when the nausea paused for a bit of the day. And the difference in unrelentingly nausea vs getting breaks from it, made all the difference in my sanity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I also discovered ginger beer — (like root beer -- nonalcoholic) and unlike ginger ale, it’s made with <i>real </i>ginger. How it took till pregnancy number four for that is beyond me. (No idea how it would have been during my #3’s intensity level. My guess is less than impressive? But I’ll never know.)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Having lived through pregnancy #3, and then being able to see Bronny and his outrageously lovable self walking around and snuggling me, definitely made it easier to keep perspective during hard days.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdYdFITWlegNkPXCjTlATBYpXPQ13dXUjXFSgcAYwKTcKi9m0V6Ti-Up5OyD9r40UCb9DlPMRszvSkRjlJzXnWBDizAL3kgwQ3VvlwdlZg01F_8VMyFW3GknNWGD6fIRyulv8Z68Dp9VS/s1600/IMG_4592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdYdFITWlegNkPXCjTlATBYpXPQ13dXUjXFSgcAYwKTcKi9m0V6Ti-Up5OyD9r40UCb9DlPMRszvSkRjlJzXnWBDizAL3kgwQ3VvlwdlZg01F_8VMyFW3GknNWGD6fIRyulv8Z68Dp9VS/s640/IMG_4592.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> But I found not documenting or sharing the pregnancy a huge relief. I didn’t have any additional processing to do besides just being there and doing it. And the pregnancy flowed faster without the constant countdown going.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Then thankfully, by about halfway through the third trimester, nausea was only an occasional thing, instead of the norm.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Energy was very hard to come by this time, likely due both to being older myself and having more kids to care for this time. But it all worked out just fine.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything kinda just started to blend into what it needed to be. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Near the end my nesting was strong! For this pregnancy our house is much more completed than last time. So I was doing the nitty gritty organizing stuff, and decorating details stuff, like a mad woman. And Blake is my hero for helping me whenever I asked. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I’ve never felt so at home in any of my adult homes. I was really able to harness my hormones and channel them into crafting just what I was aiming at. (Some of which was found by trail and error.)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And finally little Lily arrived. I had a lot of Braxton-Hicks this pregnancy. So that last chunk of time was just as confusing as every end-of-my-pregnancies have been. But I was way more at peace with waiting around this time. It helps not being watched by the world and being able to kinda dissociate from the calendar a bit. But the fact that she showed up before 42 weeks (unlike my other three) will forever thrill me! (41+1 day counts as early for me!)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXFi4fV7Cg65N3C6qBdon9gnEoGEcoq_EpzRjg83uP1389zjv-MnQrAxGOaAMLGylJwVRo6k4D645R1JPXQvh4WuZTdwXj_K-yBjisUbRrU9byul7PfeIOVpwFpjpdegyweTJt_huoyFH/s1600/IMG_3052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1590" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXFi4fV7Cg65N3C6qBdon9gnEoGEcoq_EpzRjg83uP1389zjv-MnQrAxGOaAMLGylJwVRo6k4D645R1JPXQvh4WuZTdwXj_K-yBjisUbRrU9byul7PfeIOVpwFpjpdegyweTJt_huoyFH/s640/IMG_3052.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Since her arrival I’ve been feeling really good. Her delivery was really smooth and I didn’t tear this time. Which is awesome! And I owe that to my midwife, because she very specifically helped during pushing to avoid some stuff that happened last time. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Unfortunately, I am struggling with some intense hip pain on one side. Lily had one hand on her face in utero (so long that she had her nose smashed to the side for about a week after birth) and it made that hip act up at the end of pregnancy. And then she left that hand there on her way out. So I think the uneven pressure on my pelvis during pushing is to blame for my hip pain. I’m seeing a chiropractor now and trying some stretches to try to work it out. It’s improving. But I have a ways to go to feel normal.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But no matter what I went through, and continue to go through, I’m soooooo grateful to have this precious person in our family. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c4IhA2wznadjem3x-qK-CAgTnUaNA_0qdY31DfxelwjNfCmRxT48Y87av_Z036RLj0xRJK-9AIqH9ihG6qkEPBOyqO_dflcSVTUJNTLhjp41hVMhtGtFqYhM4F9zSSYQoKtIlg1bCYGp/s1600/IMG_3096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1544" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c4IhA2wznadjem3x-qK-CAgTnUaNA_0qdY31DfxelwjNfCmRxT48Y87av_Z036RLj0xRJK-9AIqH9ihG6qkEPBOyqO_dflcSVTUJNTLhjp41hVMhtGtFqYhM4F9zSSYQoKtIlg1bCYGp/s640/IMG_3096.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I’m so happy I chose to allow space for her instead of letting fear keep her out of our lives. It feels really nice to have so many pieces in place right now. We feel whole. We feel ready to grow into ourselves as a family.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Lily is just the sweetest little person. We are all really enjoying getting to know her.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TA-dyJAXMpAV5R1HoDaiCC0hxb5oVi7XH0Z5WCB0YeInsU6dKndqutvBDwK5jvtU_9_3Lb8-ujLAlnrvZTW0cLJaSwHKI5J_D-aGwqZ2JLVuqDfrJMU8CX4fCQtxMpv6Nm1Zv0oHZ538/s1600/IMG_3322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TA-dyJAXMpAV5R1HoDaiCC0hxb5oVi7XH0Z5WCB0YeInsU6dKndqutvBDwK5jvtU_9_3Lb8-ujLAlnrvZTW0cLJaSwHKI5J_D-aGwqZ2JLVuqDfrJMU8CX4fCQtxMpv6Nm1Zv0oHZ538/s640/IMG_3322.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And I do plan on writing her birth story when I get a chance.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Also sharing our kitchen which is actually finally done now. It just took a long time to get the details in place and now you know why.)</span><br />
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Love to you all.</div>
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Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-47836913724522123522018-07-10T21:29:00.000-05:002018-07-10T21:29:14.068-05:00Your _____ Year Old Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYJlGTxtYkfqAlfAzEbvXvh8uZjzkpklQag8bo4t0A8FPfxDFJw1NvtH-jbdv9HnIRiEBeWG75Zkzxhk0PRu56QkIvlsUpBVh0xWJ9ad7RETBUkdLEQCd8C3-vZFLfjkiaUXD_fcpcas9/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYJlGTxtYkfqAlfAzEbvXvh8uZjzkpklQag8bo4t0A8FPfxDFJw1NvtH-jbdv9HnIRiEBeWG75Zkzxhk0PRu56QkIvlsUpBVh0xWJ9ad7RETBUkdLEQCd8C3-vZFLfjkiaUXD_fcpcas9/s320/IMG_2774.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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We are in the midst of our birthday season in our house.</div>
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I think in a way, this is like my own personal New Years. I’ve never done much reflecting or planning ahead as the calendar year flips over. It just didn’t seem like I was ever in that mode at that point. I think I used to use the school years' shifting for that type of reflective and planning space. And I guess that having summer babies fit right into that same schematic.</div>
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So I’m entering our new year over here.</div>
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And one thing I love doing around now is reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Louise-Bates-Ames/e/B001ITTGLQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_10?qid=1531275773&sr=1-10">these books written by Louise Bates Ames</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobYzYsarOhLKdwwV9PopSpo9KxmXp2rWVTO7wKk-1HafSf2k6pzRLmGcvrIwQ31F6WKzmPCctHNfzcIcOUH6tkn5its16iijVMN0eE1Yy0MKNTHbvCQGLghukJoOHvAiVoYo0GkrJCKwi/s1600/IMG_2772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobYzYsarOhLKdwwV9PopSpo9KxmXp2rWVTO7wKk-1HafSf2k6pzRLmGcvrIwQ31F6WKzmPCctHNfzcIcOUH6tkn5its16iijVMN0eE1Yy0MKNTHbvCQGLghukJoOHvAiVoYo0GkrJCKwi/s320/IMG_2772.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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I’ve mentioned them at least <a href="https://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2013/09/some-solutions.html">once on the blog</a>, way back when I first came across them, five years ago. But as I was reserving the right ages for us this year (eight, six and three), at the Library today, I thought, “You know, these deserve their own blog post.” So I’m writing it.</div>
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Ames focused on stages in child development and wrote a book for each year of childhood, up until age nine, and then there is a book for 10-14 year olds.</div>
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I personally had no experience with children before becoming a mom (outside of my own childhood of course.) So I really wasn’t coming to the table with much. The discovery of these books is something I feel deeply grateful for. Had I not found these I would be SO MUCH more: lost, overwhelmed, worried, and exhausted. And I’d likely be inadvertently hurting my kids emotionally and developmentally, because I would not have had a clue about norms and therefore would have had unrealistic expectations for them.</div>
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I first found these when my oldest had somewhat recently turned three. And it was a GAME CHANGER. Oh how I wish I had found them earlier. I regret my lack of knowledge during her infancy (however I did have a few baby books and websites so I kinda felt like I knew what was going on), but I was LOST during her second year. That was a hard year for me I had just added our second daughter to the family, was getting NO sleep between the two of them, I was lacking in social support and I didn’t know what two year olds did. I was muddling through that year -- just blind and struggling. I didn’t know why she did anything she did. I didn’t want her to do a lot of it. And I was just not connecting with her at her level. That year we had some very confusing battles of will in which neither of us were coming out ahead.</div>
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I can honestly say that an ENORMOUS weight was lifted off me and our relationship once I just happened upon these books on the library shelf. </div>
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They are written so well. And they give an excellent base to work from to year each. </div>
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In my experience so far, they have been pretty spot on with each of my three kids at each age. Of course each of my kids have their own personalities and temperaments so it plays out uniquely. But what’s absolutely interesting to me is that each age has it’s own personality. (Hence those subtitles, Like “Your Two Year Old: Tender or Terrible” ) And actually, the younger years especially, have two different types of personality per year -- like a three year old will act very differently than a three and a half year old. (Oh man was that helpful knowledge because with my oldest it did change like over night and if I wasn’t expecting it I would have been very concerned.)</div>
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The books are set up to explain the ages uniqueness. I don’t have any in front of me right now so I can’t quite remember the layout. But it spells out tons of helpful things, like what they will be learning. How their focus will be either internal or external at that stage. It explains what are normal fears for that age. Normal stresses. Common interests. How they view the parents at that point and why. How they view other children. </div>
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It’s just a ton of helpful information that helps normalize every day. It helped me let go of taking tons of things personally, and just open my hands (metaphorically speaking) and let them develop. It took away some of the mom guilt I was deep inside of. </div>
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A couple examples of stuff that mattered to me:</div>
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I remember specifically in the three year old book it talking about how it can be very helpful for the mother to not be in the room when the three year old is eating. I cannot tell you how much of a blessing that was for me. We had just figured out food allergies so I didn’t know what I was doing in the kitchen, and she is a highly sensitive kid overall so she’s very picky about food and textures. And the food battles we had been having were awful. I felt so much guilt lift with that permission the book gave me, and it brought us so much peace. We had an open kitchen to our living room. So I would set her up with her plate and then go over to the couch with the baby, and she’d eat. It was like magic. And it was relaxing for both of us.</div>
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I also remember the book mentioning that three year olds love the word “surprise.” Oh my goodness was that ever true with her. (She actually stayed obsessed with it for about another year or so. Constantly “surprising” me EVERY time I walked by which of course could get on my last nerve, but at least I knew it was a normal kid thing and could remind myself that when I wanted to lose my mind.) But I also was able to use the word “surprise” in my favor - by saying things like "I wonder if you can <i>surprise </i>me by eating up your lunch while I’m not looking?” Oh the joy that would light up her eyes -- she was thrilled. It was so helpful.</div>
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So the book doesn’t give a lot of specific parenting techniques -- but it equips with concepts of where the kids are at at that point. Like in those examples above. Those types of examples are about as specific they ever get to giving you something you can do. The rest is just saying things like “At this age nightmares are not uncommon.” or what have you. And then you can adjust your sense of what to do accordingly.</div>
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At the end of the books they even have a tiny chapter on what they birthday parties might be planned like. (Things like how many kids they would do well with having come that year. How they might interact with each other. How long to make the party for their attention span. That kinda thing.)</div>
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These books were written in the early 80s. So they look dated in the photos. And occasionally read from another era. (But it’s my era -- so it’s an easy translation for me.) But realistically most of it reads timelessly. </div>
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I can usually feel my need to pick one of these books up. It hits me the hardest with my oldest (since I don’t know what’s coming.) I can feel myself getting more and more baffled by what she’s doing and it makes me feel like I need to correct her a ton, I don’t feel in tune with her, and our relationship feels strained. If I don’t catch it, it just spirals down as we each get exhausted by this. When it dawns on me that it’s the fact that I don’t know what’s normal for her (or the other kids, if it’s kinda been lost in the back of my mind) right now, I get one of these books. Some times it’s a new year and I need new info. Sometimes it’s just time for a refresher. And I come out of it so much more equipped to be patient and understanding.</div>
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That said, I’m looking forward to these ages’ books getting check back in and reserved for me. I’ve been feeling that shift again.</div>
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Anyway, I was thinking how of all the things I’m happy about inside my parenting, these books are right up there at the top of the list. And I always recommend them.</div>
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And if you are curious---</div>
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Other than these age books, the two most influential books for me for parenting on the whole I wrote about <a href="https://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2016/09/two-of-my-favorite-books.html">here</a>.</div>
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(And the age books mesh SO WELL into those two other books. The combo effect of them all together is just so empowering.)</div>
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As well as “The Highly Sensitive Child” (which is really only useful if you or your child is highly sensitive -- but if it applies then it’s REALLY helpful) -- which I wrote a bit about in <a href="https://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2016/11/thanksgiving-advent-and-books.html">this post</a>.</div>
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<span id="goog_123121161"></span><span id="goog_123121162"></span><br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-46294231281266287112018-06-07T08:38:00.000-05:002018-06-07T08:55:59.469-05:00Netflix's "Abstract: The Art of Design"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFkPgrO5gluB2BJyvFwInYZ1ux4lDUaO5B8INhStXzqzXhekPa9LG8YMf6hFPrk0KWpQplUU-X_C7aBrZabxzAtKP4onbDfO6MQyOzwQihIZT0WPU0BUboMBhhUxmnqHDVP3P33deRCDa/s640/blogger-image-1311069502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFkPgrO5gluB2BJyvFwInYZ1ux4lDUaO5B8INhStXzqzXhekPa9LG8YMf6hFPrk0KWpQplUU-X_C7aBrZabxzAtKP4onbDfO6MQyOzwQihIZT0WPU0BUboMBhhUxmnqHDVP3P33deRCDa/s640/blogger-image-1311069502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEE4Rumql1ZIx3nbTkUEWTZ-UHbQOLuZnupHbGILKtYa5kwEyk_5YfodimeniS-6zCtj7oNTeS1rmTi5kldf4MljbndV_BY8LKPQUl4YdBcBc3XosgzrqBmKoRsSvZpWwoV1jULR43JLd/s640/blogger-image-203301785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CvInYeikwl-oOZxEw2lfHd3CO_EolFDNdORKteeNWsye528LUrAGSxjfB5VFJ-2nOIQI9Krhi0SUnU6M1VZ0pIfCzbD3NxnVhdwwP_R5URUnGmwYvMiu_we-TibQDGhkstk0_DVAddFg/s1600/blogger-image-946275311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CvInYeikwl-oOZxEw2lfHd3CO_EolFDNdORKteeNWsye528LUrAGSxjfB5VFJ-2nOIQI9Krhi0SUnU6M1VZ0pIfCzbD3NxnVhdwwP_R5URUnGmwYvMiu_we-TibQDGhkstk0_DVAddFg/s320/blogger-image-946275311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last night I decided to try watching Netflix's Original "Abstract The Art Of Design." </div>
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And being me, I skipped ahead to episode 8 which had the interior designer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qwLk5KHoqHuXHrHpHNlsZ3fwW5MelMvsLpfDuAehnyqESRrrAUP_p57azjZMGuvA98o5_2LSm_QoZdgUGCHQ_9ajmHd1ZLZRqKs1uvc6MXXWtOT3BDbwehNV5misDypZfUq0pqPzwuZ1/s1600/blogger-image-1311069502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qwLk5KHoqHuXHrHpHNlsZ3fwW5MelMvsLpfDuAehnyqESRrrAUP_p57azjZMGuvA98o5_2LSm_QoZdgUGCHQ_9ajmHd1ZLZRqKs1uvc6MXXWtOT3BDbwehNV5misDypZfUq0pqPzwuZ1/s320/blogger-image-1311069502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you watched it?</div>
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I LOVED IT.</div>
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When thinking of anything to tell you about it--</div>
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I'm rendered either speechless, or just rambling incesently about how inspiring it is.</div>
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Ilse Crawford is....</div>
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<i>I'm sitting here silently pondering what to say here...</i></div>
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<i>Do I go over dramatic and say she's my new hero? </i></div>
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<i>Do I try to sincerely convey how inspiring she is?</i></div>
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<i> I'm honestly just </i><i> dumbstruck.</i></div>
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<i>She spoke both words in my heart, and words my heart needed to hear.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ14l5V6WkS6GgirFS1X5sk6RxhCKl8VdD702IYEIaQz5m020B5rY5P8BCVJbtRi-uYfPIRCTbqpdb76xvfXMLS4CNT1KkUBkk5Tfd48VKpDhWF93kAe04xnjKKhY7DQGtMNdZ7CiuWp-u/s1600/blogger-image-203301785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="640" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ14l5V6WkS6GgirFS1X5sk6RxhCKl8VdD702IYEIaQz5m020B5rY5P8BCVJbtRi-uYfPIRCTbqpdb76xvfXMLS4CNT1KkUBkk5Tfd48VKpDhWF93kAe04xnjKKhY7DQGtMNdZ7CiuWp-u/s320/blogger-image-203301785.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you have any inclination towards interior design, or if you enjoy hospitality, or if you feel strongly about your home or workplace being a haven....</div>
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Turn this on sometime.</div>
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You're in for a inspirational treat.</div>
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Blake watched it with me and was also very impressed.</div>
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He's not particularly into interiors, but he teaches design to his engineering students. So it was applicable in that regard.</div>
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Early in the show she says that "Empathy is key in design." I remarked how cool I think that is and Blake told me that's what they teach their students. </div>
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The way she speaks of humanity is just so deep. Which is wonderful in this context -- because often design is looked at as shallow. But it is anything but.</div>
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(I'm looking forward to to the whole series. But this one I'm definitely watching again!</div>
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And I'm definitely looking into her books.)</div>
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Let me know if you've seen it...or when you do.</div>
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I'm dying to gush with someone over it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEE4Rumql1ZIx3nbTkUEWTZ-UHbQOLuZnupHbGILKtYa5kwEyk_5YfodimeniS-6zCtj7oNTeS1rmTi5kldf4MljbndV_BY8LKPQUl4YdBcBc3XosgzrqBmKoRsSvZpWwoV1jULR43JLd/s640/blogger-image-203301785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-37912765089501664152018-05-30T12:03:00.000-05:002018-05-30T12:03:11.938-05:00A Summer Recipe <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaQlY_VttA1DnWI1d97dQxfRNBovspvG8-gO2ouffTzns5P3SOBW1n3W8pl_YnKzqFfpcMg0wq_eBe23vAQ7cif9POZg9PXA6J5xmYYpyVArlVKCgaREPnNhasP_cysuUbjC6-6w5sut1/s640/blogger-image--2026307632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaQlY_VttA1DnWI1d97dQxfRNBovspvG8-gO2ouffTzns5P3SOBW1n3W8pl_YnKzqFfpcMg0wq_eBe23vAQ7cif9POZg9PXA6J5xmYYpyVArlVKCgaREPnNhasP_cysuUbjC6-6w5sut1/s640/blogger-image--2026307632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bpogrcMbPypHWj8a-ufv2IYoFrG3alGbQON8-h52R2QSiKdqIkvbnX3Zvpf7NmlWSjiiF4oU7S01ywzNOYMTuyawRo46VoJ4CsnepiXqHI_K3eJEtXrzwobG8Dmfywz11xZ_DKp1UO1X/s640/blogger-image-2030614750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bpogrcMbPypHWj8a-ufv2IYoFrG3alGbQON8-h52R2QSiKdqIkvbnX3Zvpf7NmlWSjiiF4oU7S01ywzNOYMTuyawRo46VoJ4CsnepiXqHI_K3eJEtXrzwobG8Dmfywz11xZ_DKp1UO1X/s640/blogger-image-2030614750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqMO8InbSGqJcC_bCxxzZy1kZ_nt5KA3iVFNekkmd3kIwNTJWP0dGU0OgnrYUZSQL6fbJk31X4QH7lHI3mzw5EYSq0-htZAaNaTYt5Io5MdVYp4b9uOhoxjyjDwfbMxdva71cIjBrh8m0/s640/blogger-image-1766368113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqMO8InbSGqJcC_bCxxzZy1kZ_nt5KA3iVFNekkmd3kIwNTJWP0dGU0OgnrYUZSQL6fbJk31X4QH7lHI3mzw5EYSq0-htZAaNaTYt5Io5MdVYp4b9uOhoxjyjDwfbMxdva71cIjBrh8m0/s640/blogger-image-1766368113.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been in the mood for pasta salads. And recently I needed to make a gluten free side dish. So I decided to make a pasta salad, substituting rice for pasta. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but honestly it's absolutely delicious. I think I like it more this way.</div>
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So I decided to spread the word.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bpogrcMbPypHWj8a-ufv2IYoFrG3alGbQON8-h52R2QSiKdqIkvbnX3Zvpf7NmlWSjiiF4oU7S01ywzNOYMTuyawRo46VoJ4CsnepiXqHI_K3eJEtXrzwobG8Dmfywz11xZ_DKp1UO1X/s640/blogger-image-2030614750.jpg" /></div>
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This dish is, vegan, dairy free and gluten free. (And top 8 free)</div>
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It's less of a recipe and just more of a very versatile idea.</div>
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You can use any veggies you like. I used:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Broccoli </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cherry tomatoes </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Bell pepper </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Onion </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Basil</li>
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Chop to desired size, toss together.</div>
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Add a can of rinsed canilini beans.</div>
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Cook two cups of dry rice according to directions and add when done. (I used my rice cooker.)</div>
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And I made a lemon and olive oil dressing to coat everything with. I didn't measure exactly but it was along these lines:</div>
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<li>One lemon zested and juiced</li>
<li>1/4 cup olive oil </li>
<li>1 clove of garlic minced </li>
<li>Salt and pepper </li>
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Mix together and pour over the salad and stir to coat.</div>
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Place in the fridge for a couple hours to chill.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaQlY_VttA1DnWI1d97dQxfRNBovspvG8-gO2ouffTzns5P3SOBW1n3W8pl_YnKzqFfpcMg0wq_eBe23vAQ7cif9POZg9PXA6J5xmYYpyVArlVKCgaREPnNhasP_cysuUbjC6-6w5sut1/s640/blogger-image--2026307632.jpg" /></div>
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The texture of the fresh veggies by the soft rice and creamy beans is so satisfying. And the lemon vinaigrette is so refreshing yet savory.</div>
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I haven't been able to get enough.</div>
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You can easily switch it up to lime or even orange dressing. Swap out the veggies for what you have on hand. I'm partial to the canilini beans for their mild flavor and texture, but it's another thing you can vary. As well as types of rice, or going back to pasta.</div>
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It's a great summer dish!</div>
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I highly recommend it.</div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-17160431173777320772018-05-19T12:35:00.000-05:002018-05-19T12:37:58.301-05:00The Expanded Garden <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Unrelated: Who watched the Royal Wedding?</div>
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Me and the girls woke up early to see it this morning.</div>
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1) I really enjoyed that special girl bonding time, it was really sweet.</div>
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2) That wedding knocked my socks off. Wow, so much absolute romance and amazingness. I'm a little love dunk right now.</div>
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Anyway. Here's our garden this year. </div>
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After learning a few things last year I put my tomatoes in their own pots this year. I hadn't realized how big the got so they didn't allow for anything to grow next to them last year.</div>
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I went with one cherry tomato plant and one Roma tomato plant.</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjQyrv56ipX3acaOMrrMSce-QruiDxeFRftRM4kri_Ur1g24qWFHZtm3Zj8fYt0BsQ8DRuo0XAjKgrL5jXvDeTHTeWwIItk1FseozXaJta6yF9s2LKQU6s-w_UdwfDc3RmAEIRaIM1ycl/s640/blogger-image--1416625602.jpg" /><br />
I found these obelisks at Farm and Fleet...I'm really happy to have found something size appropriate and lovely.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSfeM4C9X5KqsQ8soeGQkoIJHlIdT_VaaRuIaIb_mttrxdvw_tjmh3PUYJmBWSIwJgXCni7H2hQhjxyaJtGCYWnJ8XS4nPb8Sfg59x3MV9mJnVY6NyE6YPBAS0jFE4-WvmUjIOXwnvF-J/s640/blogger-image-2042692908.jpg" /><br />
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Next is my herb garden. Right now I have rosemary and basil from started plants. And I'm crossing my fingers for the seeds of l: Dill, purple basil, cilantro and flat parsley to sprout up some more.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTHsL_hSY4bo7MKxqp4arDs8giuEXGHQQKppyrFjThp3zoAjaQlcGPTLON_FoY-bQy1hNuSAqFO8gmUGthOjYEZAOT3BjBTElqWlto-Vu6CeAmdFVrcxeenjpAwfclKSvwwkH9vjKHylL/s640/blogger-image--2048821296.jpg" /><br />
Along the left of my trellis are pickling cucumbers. Along the right green beans (which I planted from seeds we harvested last year...feeling like a pro!) And carrots in front of that.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKqW3XymqTn5zgyNq8AC3QorPIljRqfc3vguBZVfFhUM2tbMWFqlVx9f9oNpXbYILAO5a7hhMke5M978wxlwo-NcLuAGsZwN0mJG2UuWrlMQHd6gCwEDIB1QCqO4PZeHT76NZ3GQpRyLG/s640/blogger-image--2041045829.jpg" /><br />
This year I'm giving the zucchini its own space and won't be killing it by stuffing it's leaves up into a trellis with novice inexperience.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1gJGnH2t8dHsR8Dtwv-e7co61J5GaBdqd83F1DmOKwTwXxfFjdfLXB3OyZ8UUVFTYAbmMSrCjsBHwOgHxJtK0sk40G6fLSpP0ufTwJNFkdXKUthSua2oguwtJ6O7BuMv5YF3efXaWI2x/s640/blogger-image--2012167914.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj4ZighKcOG9ZNpamtAJYi70yzj3QmiW-S0p2M55fDiYCheeyHR1b1C4ZmG8AK11Pi_po9Uhd080HbB4bP_cULJqUS0cQYgB7wkbF1P0GoQie9Q_HFhYz-IswlpCNhTb6VG8j4wQoMPPi/s640/blogger-image-1856744878.jpg" /><br />
I'm trying strawberries in baskets... so far some are hanging on...nigh have to buy more...<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGn7fcTtuOeZTwT5uhg3JfbvXZY4TQl9tgpFy3DQp6JoPjrJ4NodBJ7glxOpWKKY1_QM66vPIKkhng0x28kTJiYUrkEbTIAiiJWGJRsJa4t3I1kdWFIeDt5Eo9ZZ7AsoKNgBT4Nh8Gxf9/s640/blogger-image--790244747.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QGSsHBHF2y7epeUwTVMc1OHo17Q_hOSuwlzVzTuW4UbgQSoIbOWUNEClNAr6jHhPA2A1Y9tjand61cDmQ1wa6M-wPh3Nj7IX4e32IKnnKu3wXfKcogzq-5tVsGb7wgit-kREOK_91HW0/s640/blogger-image-1665712114.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOE3P_7HkNsCUY6RD_UvawrGnwWtQ2QzZF0DxxGYSxPPPxQ9HuGxMB9rtRKf1Ixk-ylPaj1g6le86RrIlQCivXExaTPJERnwsW8cvT2Jl_mP1ehvGGkocyuy8p6CoH__wVelQIEvE3Wc1/s640/blogger-image-1678072944.jpg" /><br />
Over to the side I have some peppermint (I hear it's best contained so it doesn't take over.) And I need something to go in the empty pot.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzWe4hENHCig2hUW8GB4eVyGdGgPgH3-bBx9IB1xvD1Lg7uyyUlUTF0BVU5Ag0axeJawAYpH0tAhTjnPoHowBoGrkIXXlBE62OnmhL4zfVlY86m1PYwSHGlWZFjY-xVCl6PuvaazN04BF/s640/blogger-image--937934415.jpg" /><br />
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We have more yard work planned but the garden is making me so happy! Plants are starting to be a big source of joy for me.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-8513151267820640822018-05-09T10:12:00.003-05:002018-05-09T12:46:05.482-05:00What We’ve Been Using For School This YearWell guys, I’m getting stuff done around the house -- but in fits of starts and stops. So a couple things are close to reveal time. But not there yet.<br />
I think once Blake wraps up his semester at work, we’ll finally get the finishing details on the kitchen crossed off and done.<br />
And other than that I’ve been working on the garden. I added a couple things this year and so that’s the hold up on showing you. My extra pots aren’t in yet. (Well that, and I just stuck the seeds in the ground so it’s mostly still dirt with just a couple started plans in there. It might not be exciting to see yet.)<br />
But man have I been LOVING planting! It took so long for spring to come this year, so I’m just reveling in it.<br />
I’ve also been adding things to the flower bed in the front yard. A few spring bulbs and I’m trying out a few annual seeds in there….Fingers crossed that…1) they grow 2) they look right where I put them. I’m still learning. Either way I’m super excited!<br />
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But while you continue to patiently wait for me to show you anything of excitement around here. I thought I’d actually finish that post about the homeschool stuff we did this year.<br />
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<i>If you don’t homeschool, you can of course skip this post. But there are a couple things you might still be interested in either way -- so whatever you think. </i><br />
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It’s perhaps an odd time of year to write this post, as school is coming to a close for most. But that means I can give you a better take on how these things went for us. And if you homeschool, you can consider the info over the summer.<br />
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So here goes:<br />
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The cool thing about homeschool is how much you can adjust it to fit you. At first that can be VERY overwhelming because there are ENDLESS choices. And that can feel like drowning when you don’t know what you are doing.<br />
When I was choosing kindergarten curriculum for the first time I can’t tell you how much effort that took shifting through ALL THE CHOICES. There are so many styles and options inside each style. I read and read and read….And then <a href="https://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2015/08/school-and-tables_26.html">what I picked</a>, it turned out not to fit us that great. whomp whomp. It was ok, I still thought it was a good program. But it just didn’t fit us in the right places. (The math was too easy, and the reading was too hard. And the extras just didn’t feel like us -- or at least me.) (For other kids I’m sure it’s great.) But I suspect that is normal -- especially with a box curriculum. And it was a great jumping off point. It really did help clarify what we liked and didn’t like. (It didn’t happen overnight, but we kept adjusting course until it made sense.)<br />
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So the stuff I’m sharing today is stuff we’ve found for us. Some of it might inspire you, and some of it may totally NOT appeal to you or work for you.<br />
And as always, some of it we might just swap out as we go along and change.<br />
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So that said let me start with the stuff you might life even if you’re not homeschooling. That way you can check out after that, if you want.<br />
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ART:<br />
In my <a href="https://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-wonderful-art-resource.html">last blog post I shared about Artventure</a> -- that’s a great tool, and totally usable outside of homeschool.<br />
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LITERATURE:<br />
A friend pointed me to Sarah Mackenzie and her blog called <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/">Read-Aloud Revival</a>.<br />
She homeschools, but her blog’s platform is that in any life situation reading aloud to your kids is one of the best ways to form solid connections as a family and create good memories and prepare kids for success. (So this is for all families.)<br />
She has A LOT of resources on her website, like a great free booklist to point you towards great choices to read with your kids. (There’s a link at the top of her <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/">homepage</a> -- where it says: “Get the free booklist: Join 80,000+ subscribers”).<br />
<a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/raf/">She’s got a new book coming out about why and how to read aloud to your kids.</a><br />
<a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/podcasts/">She’s got a podcast. </a><br />
<a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/blog/">And tons of helpful blog posts.</a><br />
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We like to start out our homeschool day with the kids listening to me read to them. And per <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/a-simple-trick-to-help-you-read-aloud-more-even-on-your-busiest-days/">one of Sarah’s tips</a> -- the best way I’ve found to get them excited about this is letting them use stickers (i can find some cool sticker booklets at the dollar store a lot of times -- and I’ll stock up) or color while I read. I used to think the only way for kids to hear a story is to sit still and listen -- and, well, that didn’t equal kids who wanted to listen. But I just didn’t know. <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/a-simple-trick-to-help-you-read-aloud-more-even-on-your-busiest-days/">Seeing Sarah explain it</a> totally opened up my world and my kids too.<br />
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HISTORY:<br />
<i>If you’re not homeschooling you might want to check out of the blog post now. But you can still hang out if you want. This history curriculum could very easily be added to your general read-aloud books if you like history.</i><br />
We’ve been using <a href="http://bfbooks.com/">Beautiful Feet Books</a> - History Through Literature.<br />
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As someone who really admire’s the <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/">Charlotte Mason</a> concept of homeschool (But isn’t a sticker about it.) I find the idea of history through literature ideal.<br />
I base that on looking at my own self in school. When we would read our history texts books I would retain nothing, because it meant nothing to me, it was just dates and facts. (And I don’t retain numbers very well at all.) BUT in my texts books back then, about once a chapter there would be an extra little box -- inside they would speak in story form. And those boxes would transport me back in time, I found it so interesting, and I would remember it like glue and I loved it. (And usually that part was not on our tests! Go figure.)<br />
As an adult, recently (in the past two years or so) I've fallen in love with history through literature. If I can see history as people, well then it’s just a sea of intrigue, and I just would love to know every bit of it. Honestly I crave it these days because I feel so enriched getting that kind insight. So I figure all that’s applicable to my kids as well. Humans are creatures made for stories.<br />
<br />
Now, on a decision note: I found history to be the hardest thing to decide on. Many homeschool choices let history be the “spine” of the curriculum -- meaning you can teach different age ranges the same chunk of history at the same time (digging deeper as they get older) and so they let that kinda form the group portion of school and let it influence other parts of the schooling. So it felt like a big deal choosing where to start.<br />
I also live in a University town, surrounded by academic thinkers. So I can feel extra social pressure on all schooling fronts, but history has it’s own unique issues. I’ve seen and heard a lot of varying opinions on how to do history with kids. Some people are staunchly opposed to starting with US history, because they want their kids to think globally and know that the USA isn’t the center of the universe. Some people are wanting to make EXTREMELY certain that inside of American History we don’t white wash our national sins.<br />
Both those concepts are lovely to me, and I totally agree.<br />
But,<br />
When I had to sit down and deiced what I’m doing. I had to think about the hearts that live inside my house. And I will tell you, that my kids have <i><u><b>sensitive </b></u></i>souls. (Case in point, we accidentally read the one of additional" Little House On The Prairie” books, <i>not </i>written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, where it talks about her baby brother dying. (Didn’t see that coming. Would have skipped that book.) My oldest cried the ENTIRE night. <i>Wept</i>. And she needed to talk about it for something like two weeks, and then some.)<br />
History, is brutal. It just is. Humans have been awful to each other in so many ways. And my kids aren’t ready for how entirely brutal it is. And I’m ok with that emotional vulnerability right now. And I’m also ok with them learning history’s brutality when they are ready. We’ve touched on the starting points, but we haven’t dug in deep at 7 and 5 years old.<br />
So in my thinking, American History (while Definitely NOT perfect, at all) is less aggressively violent than more ancient history. So that’s why I went with American History, despite the strong idea that global thinking is good.<br />
As far as not white washing goes. I’m doing my best. But I’m also not making that the <i>focus </i>of our lessons. We discuss wrongs when we see them. We try to read stories from the perspective of either side of fences we come across. And we talk about that in kid sized portions. But I’m also not trying to bog down their worlds. They are super loving kids, so focusing on hate is too much.<br />
I’m happy with what we’re doing for us.<br />
<br />
I have been using <a href="http://bfbooks.com/Early-American-History-Primary-Jumbo-Pack">Beautiful Feet’s Early American History Primary Pack</a>.<br />
However, I didn’t purchase this pack. I’m using the book list as a reading guide, by getting those books at the library. (And we’ve also added in other stuff I’ve noticed that looks good off the shelves when I’m getting things.)<br />
I’ve had Blake get me a few of these harder to find book’s from the University’s Library -- which has been handy because some of the books aren’t the easiest to find.<br />
I’m not using the study guide at all. Just reading the books and some times adding in extras when we are excited. And we’ve all been loving it. Jasmine says her favorite subject is history. And honestly it’s my favorite to teach.<br />
When we read Pilgrim Stories by Margaret Blanche (found a <a href="https://archive.org/details/pilgrimstories00pump">Free PDF </a>book online) I learned so much. It was probably my favorite book choice off the list. When I was a kid, we pretty much: made pilgrim hats, learned they came to America, the end. But in reading this book we they started with their lives in England for a few chapters, we went with them to Amsterdam, and spent tons of time with them on their journey and getting accustomed to life in a new world. And along the way we did a lot of googling on the side. I honestly didn’t know anything about Amsterdam, so as we read about the streets made of waterways, the fields of tulips, the windmills, we googled. It was so fun.<br />
To offset the story we added in a few books from the perspective of Squanto. The best one being "Squanto’s Journey.” (I didn’t know Squanto had been captured as a salve before returning home to America, and yet still helped the Pilgrams. Again -- wasn’t taught that stuff as a kid. But this book made it child comprehendible and emotionally appropriate for their age.)<br />
We skipped the Matchlock Gun. It seemed like it could be too much for us. (Maybe it’s not. But I just skipped it based on looking at the book description.)<br />
We are currently at Abraham Lincoln.<br />
I’ve been pretty happy with the books.<br />
A few are a little bland -- which surprised me -- since the point of the curriculum is non-bland history.<br />
If I do it again later, I think I’d swap out a few for better choices. Mainly:<br />
"A More Perfect Union” -- that was barely story-form -- more textbook like than the rest. I’d definitely look to see what else we could read. Maybe the signing of the Declaration of Independence is just a bit too advanced a topic for this age range to really discuss a whole lot more than it happened and was important. I don’t know. But I’d skip that book next time and do it differently.<br />
"George Washington’s Breakfast" was a little cute, but could easily be skipped. It was a book about a boy wanting to learn what George Washington had for breakfast.<br />
“The forth of July Story” was a little dull, but tolerable. I’d probably look around before jumping right to it again.<br />
But for me “The Year of The Horseless Carriage 1801” was the strangest book in the mix. It is JAM PACKED full of information in a way that we hadn’t experienced yet -- it covered things happening over a lot of the world -- jumping around without much explanation. (Stuff I could process fine -- but things the kids weren’t following well -- they wouldn’t have followed it at all without lots of stopping and map looking and explaining I had to add.) It name dropped like crazy -- talking about Napoleon, Beethoven, Lewis and Clark & Sacajawea, Toussaint, Robert Fulton and a lot more without doing much explanation on some of the people. It tried to fit in <i>gobs </i>of facts, and dates, and happenings. And just kinda felt like an odd duck in this book line up. In the other books we had focused in much closer on persons, places and events. I mean it’s an intresting book -- but it just didn’t feel like the other books at all. So we read it, but I didn’t expect the kids to retain it. It was my biggest head scratcher in this set of books. I wasn’t sure why it was included. I learned some stuff. But I’d book shop this chunk of time next go around. Maybe throw this book into older grades if it made sense to do so.<br />
So we just have 3 books left to look at and we are done. We’ll see how much we like those ones.<br />
<br />
The website says it can be a one or two year study. We’ll have it done in one year. But I didn’t used the course guide.<br />
<br />
I haven’t decided what we will do next. I’m about to sit down and consider. I’m leaning towards doing more world history next. But I could keep forging ahead after Lincoln and do more American History. We’ll see.<br />
<br />
But I know I’m happy with starting out here for us -- especially since hearing my kids talk so fondly about history. I’d love to be able to keep their love of learning alive throughout their schooling.<br />
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SCIENCE:<br />
For science I’ve gone the <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/living-science-courses/">Charlotte Mason</a> route thus far.<br />
I asked my husband (A College Lecturing Professor) his thoughts on this before I proceeded. I was kinda nervous to go this direction because it’s quite different than the public schools. But he was all in favor, as he feels it cultivates a scientific mind, with curiosity fueling discovery.<br />
With Charlotte Mason, in the lower grades science is nature based. After that is when you get into the science facts and heavy stuff.<br />
I don’t know it just resonated with me and my thoughts on childhood, as well as just personally being always inspired by nature’s beauty.<br />
So for this year I’ve gotten the “<a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/the-pond-and-stream-companion/">Pond and Stream Companion</a>” and we are going through that. As well as using our <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/individual-graded-subjects/nature-study/">Nature Study Notebooks we are making</a>. (Our favorite of this was of course when we found caterpillars and let them pupate! I was every bit (or more) excited than the kids.<br />
<br />
<br />
Again, I haven’t decided what we will do next. I do have a hard time trusting this is enough science, while still really admiring the concept. So I’ll be wrestling that out soon.<br />
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<br />
MATH:<br />
We love <a href="https://www.singaporemath.com/">Singapore Math</a>.<br />
I really let Blake take the lead here, because math is not my subject, and it definitely is his. But when I brought it up, I did specifically show him Singapore math because it seemed like something that, had I used in school, I would have actually understood math somewhat. (Math always went right over my head in school.)<br />
He really liked what he saw so we went for it.<br />
And I gotta be honest, sitting along side the kids while they do it, has improved my math reasoning. It’s set up in a really cool way -- the concrete, pictorial, abstract - building on each level. It’s been very good for me to relearn in this fashion. It’s something I didn’t anticipate happening -- myself learning alongside them, but very much appreciate it.<br />
For Kindergaten we used their <a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Essential_Math_s/138.htm">cheep basic books.</a><br />
The older grades have a lot of choices, we picked the <a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Primary_Mathematics_US_Ed_s/39.htm">U.S. Edition.</a><br />
And this kids have never complained about doing math. They genuinely enjoy it. They are doing very well with it. And I find them naturally looking for Math in everyday moments and regularly discussing how it works. It’s pretty cool.<br />
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READING:<br />
My oldest has not come by reading easily. And up until this year we’ve tried a bunch of things, we were making progress, but nothing was really <i>working. </i>Like we just couldn’t find the “click” or “ah ha” --it was just all painful, begrudging, kind-of-sort-of progress. But I could tell it wasn’t actually making any sense to her -- she was just muscling through and kinda pretending she was doing it, as best as she could. I’ve recently started looking into dyslexia and feel we may be dealing with a mild form of it.<br />
<br />
When looking at Sarah's Read-Aloud-Revial’s blog (I talked about before) she said if she could go back in time she would have used "<a href="https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-reading/">All About Reading</a>" for all her kids instead of trying other harder ways with her older kids.<br />
I went for it.<br />
All About Reading is not cheap. But they have a full money back <span style="font-size: x-small;">(besides shipping)</span>, after a whole year (you used up the stuff and everything), guarantee. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Must be purchased from their website.)</span><br />
So I figured, what the heck, we need something to help us.<br />
<br />
Honestly, it’s been wonderful.<br />
I have seen SO MUCH improvement in my oldest. And while she still whines a lot of days, we are definetly past that “this just doesn’t make sense” spot, and things are really starting to come together. She’s actually been whining less and less as we go along. And she’s been reading more and more outside of school time. I still think we are behind her age range, but we are definitely moving towards average reading level. I know we would not have made this kind of progress without it.<br />
And my five year old is doing great with it. She especially loves the cutting out activities and games.<br />
<br />
It’s set up really well. It’s been so great for us. I couldn’t be more grateful for it.<br />
Actually, after I started looking into dyslexia I learned that this program is set up in the most suitable method for learning to read with dyslexia -- imagine my relief when I knew I already owned the right thing and was headed in the right direction without fully knowing it yet.<br />
<br />
I bought Level 1 for both girls, and at the beginning of the year my five year old couldn't keep up. So I let her go back to some more basic “Go for the Code” workbooks we had before we did any more. But after that break she was ready to go and has been doing great.<br />
Side note: We also ordered Ziggy (He’s the puppet mascot for All About Reading -- we ordered it separate, because he doesn’t automatically come with the numbered levels-- my kids get so into puppets. He motivates them so much, it’s kinda hilarious. They like to talk about how he’s not real, while yet talking to him like he is. It’s cute. He’s a big motivator.<br />
<br />
Anyway -- I won’t be asking for my money back on this program. I will be ordering the next level very soon.<br />
Honestly, it’s very easy for me to do -- it’s set up well. After the initial first day of looking through of the program when it arrives, really all you have to do is pick up the manual and go every day.<br />
<i>If you aren’t homeschooling, but feel like your child might need a boost in learning to read I’d say this would be a great way to go. You could add it in 15 minute chunks to your evenings and see some huge improvements.</i><br />
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EXTRAS:<br />
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Handwriting:<br />
I got "<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/handwriting/handwriting-without-tears">Handwriting Without Tears</a>” -- honestly the only reason I did this was because my VERY literal daughter was trying to copy computer font when writing and so I was looking for something to break that habit. I just got the workbook -- none of the extras. We finished the printing book, and I’ve been having her just write for practice on lined paper. I have the cursive book next. (I know schools are kinda ditching cursive these days, but I want them to learn it.) But I think I’ll save it for 3rd grade -- since that’s why I did cursive as a kid.<br />
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Bible:<br />
I got “Telling God’s Story: Meeting Jesus” (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Gods-Story-Year-One/dp/1933339489">Teacher’s Manuel</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Gods-Story-Year-One/dp/1933339470/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1933339470&pd_rd_r=KBJV37AM9F7MKC5T13CW&pd_rd_w=Ma5tl&pd_rd_wg=4rP30&psc=1&refRID=KBJV37AM9F7MKC5T13CW">Activity Pages</a>) because, as I mentioned before some of the Old Testament is honestly just really confusing and not really child appropriate -- I learned the stuff as kids in church, but when you think about it, it’s heavy. So I like the idea of starting with Jesus.<br />
Honestly I’ve let this part of school fall to the wayside for a while, because I know we are learning Bible stuff on Sundays and Wednesdays and I’ve had to budget our school time a bit, when talking toddler antics -- meaning school happens when naps happen. But I like the program and plan to go back to it.<br />
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Picture Study:<br />
We got one of Simply Charlotte Mason’s<a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/picture-study/"> Picture Study Portfolios</a>, specifically <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/picture-study-portfolios-whistler/">James Whistler</a>.<br />
Honestly I haven’t gotten to this yet, but I am looking forward to it.<br />
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Spanish: We got a super cheap Spanish workbook we do sometimes. But It’s not really ideal. We’ve barely used it. I’d like to figure out something better. It’s hard when we are not up to reading spanish yet and I don’t speak it. But the kids are interested in learning it. So I’m not really sure what to do. (Any suggestions?)<br />
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Poetry:<br />
We’ve read Robert Louis Stevenson at times throughout the year.<br />
We also like the Complete Book of Flower Fairies by Cicley Mary Barker to mix it up sometimes. (The girls of course appreciate all things Fairies.)<br />
<br />
Handicrafts:<br />
(Charlotte Mason doesn’t like the idea of crafts for craft sake, but learning useful skills, which I think is cool.)<br />
So far the girls have learned how to chain stitch crochet. And they like those old school rubberband looms. They even figured out (on their own!) how to connect the squares together to make a quilt. Pretty cool.<br />
And Jasmine actually taught herself how to knit recently. She’s left handed, and I’m right handed, so I did my best to show her but then just kinda stopped because she was overwhelmed. But she went back on her own and got it. I’m not sure it’s totally right -- but she’s making little squares!<br />
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<br />
So that’s what we’ve been doing this year. Hopefully you found this post interesting and or helpful.<br />
I’ll try to get some more home related things posted soon!<br />
Thanks for hanging out in the mean time.<br />
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<br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-3080809473796953342018-04-05T10:42:00.003-05:002018-04-05T11:02:09.238-05:00A Wonderful Art Resource<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Hey guys,</div>
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The kitchen is coming along. It’s really close. But just can’t quite show you yet….sorry!</div>
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So for today, I wanted to show you something we’ve been using for school. Its a really cool online art class called <a href="https://artventure.com.au/">Artventure</a>.</div>
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(This is not a sponsored post, FYI. Just something we love.)</div>
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This is an amazing resource for anyone who’s hoping to give their kids some art opportunities at home, but isn’t set up to teach that skill. So clearly, it’s a wonderful resource for homeschool situations. But it’s definitely great for anyone who wants extra art instruction. (I believe it’s even used in some school settings.) And I can definitely see it being a wonderful addition to long summer days, when they kids are getting bored.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8dVclaLRXKksGET5QV4S2QwugtwO3Gk7_VSsORczTpW5Jw7k0SuBk6sTlhSGCSguZE9zfJIM13DKoP_PAQGuI722e20xiSd7rUfjXMsIqNwE3by8BH-s1sx35Qiv_Wz62ZDX6VcmCz6-/s640/blogger-image--1969872340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8dVclaLRXKksGET5QV4S2QwugtwO3Gk7_VSsORczTpW5Jw7k0SuBk6sTlhSGCSguZE9zfJIM13DKoP_PAQGuI722e20xiSd7rUfjXMsIqNwE3by8BH-s1sx35Qiv_Wz62ZDX6VcmCz6-/s640/blogger-image--1969872340.jpg" /></a></div>
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It’s put out by a women named Kirsty, who's from Australia. (I love her accent!) She’s an art teacher who walks you through learning to draw. The lessons are set up in groups of difficulty levels (My kids are still mainly using the easiest level, sometimes my 7 year old wants to try the second level.) (But if I wanted to, I’m sure I could benefit from spending some time with the higher levels on my own time.)</div>
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So you pick out a picture, and Kirsty will show you each step of drawing it, and painting it. It’s made so that you watch it through once seeing what see does. And then you watch it a second time doing it along with her, pausing at the pause cues, so you can do that step along side her.</div>
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My girls have SO MUCH fun doing these. One lesson will occupy them for somewhere between 15-25 minutes. And often they ask to do more than one. So far we just use crayola crayons and watercolor paints.<br />
My seven year old can do it 100% on her own. And my five year old can do it on her own about 85% of the time -- but depending on her mood, sometimes she can get overwhelmed by something she finds hard, and then needs some support through that step.<br />
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Here’s some examples of our projects:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAFDbicflOqFcd-JR1abOsOITXHgG_dhqrM-0oNNKiSHK0H68LlSTFOZFgfAJwvuYT64PEckaLE1twX4bgt8LgWg6Z-dSXjC5oC8a3tN0SYCrBLB3iNQDtPHU0p6Ebf3ZjISnGxi6KMGg/s640/blogger-image--1208208590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAFDbicflOqFcd-JR1abOsOITXHgG_dhqrM-0oNNKiSHK0H68LlSTFOZFgfAJwvuYT64PEckaLE1twX4bgt8LgWg6Z-dSXjC5oC8a3tN0SYCrBLB3iNQDtPHU0p6Ebf3ZjISnGxi6KMGg/s640/blogger-image--1208208590.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Year Old’s. (Notice the Moana reference that she added?)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JPqvl9WtfvJ0K5RFh73KU_5504N8k7kg513RbOyBEdixSo7ncW9KEerRJyYcn3SbCGBR-wIdMmZYv_LYl9YzvrqCnDD_vy9VfgWxqiJix40EB-NtdUx4h7fkLKdtWTP9gcV2_GwHRdks/s640/blogger-image-675786274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JPqvl9WtfvJ0K5RFh73KU_5504N8k7kg513RbOyBEdixSo7ncW9KEerRJyYcn3SbCGBR-wIdMmZYv_LYl9YzvrqCnDD_vy9VfgWxqiJix40EB-NtdUx4h7fkLKdtWTP9gcV2_GwHRdks/s640/blogger-image-675786274.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Year old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy4shTqx307Xh168CVyOUeK4QNYRRXdD6RyB98fhi7tFpKwQUVuo9Rd6jkHrEA-swKR9QHs4DI5zwma2BIfMqKDJXMdF2J9algXjzLv74E6Wg4iqEoWYHfi1-24MArGDozZdpUkLwJHAP/s640/blogger-image--660103641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Year Old's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkICYJLt245KoflhnPieC_VDUuEwODvZFBhyphenhyphenp1d8XlHjna0TLtWOOGygRQQbBHHSDgQCmlk7LHkXFzsvo-hm84WYMfyaQK7mXTpjTmueWrk7ePKoMdgzkSO73uzf2UrE0mNHqa8EqCHKjZ/s640/blogger-image-583758581.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Year Old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNy-vVHpuWY49KENZHeloHFhld2TYiEm63sAFqcnlwiiVKi0CdlKn_ZOmZc5URpZcNiR-luLQC9WVm9QZ70Qb1xomsNgMbCpb_IyOc1S-ahNo1F7E-YjOmtsE0796dc4BFWXbUz5Ycuda/s640/blogger-image-1919324336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Year Old's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3Gkj69Uy_d3i6M2fgFdjoDTUBRvjo7zqse1cyZiEmnUKvn9BLZJzTDtGgmFyPERvb3Hsvsbffwa4FB4bhQS63WaRzCAMMYDIx-5g8RKy8SVgcJv01x-LcpjGaw-AENgJyLE-jZ6n2QHe/s640/blogger-image--940156739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Year Old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZwR4W_LGyU-2_JQ4Pxc2jRPzZ3is0BFQnTn_q9DH2NnlfOzI-kLeLQP5XUGKSIukAt0V-eAVaRATw_ueC0N2cyfV5ZzAjLpdG2OGCGtkGlb0xFnUd9GU-Pkub9a0a8EmcjNhfstNfv-T/s640/blogger-image--1018773129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Year Old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRyodWA_VaQ8z4YbRQN5eW4NeHO1JCv6CQZnEwIP2rAItiDWp6Wnju9WZt_NExlSYD8cjhZjCiHLb0-tBjwmulcxm6cO_uq7uq_beJNeO0zWSu6-i2k6B9QiZ9Kc7O6ukxpaKjtWk3YHi/s640/blogger-image-1737735891.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Year Old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ChPc3pTkTzmwFOEBhpTj8shktCoFlN4Yp1ciz0plE4GYd7P1ifetoP-xAsgj6RxC0zcS78qXFIM27B6HsBI-EOkuPYUf9KiU72AXpcQcvquvXP4vzNvbNQhg3jvEFWVpuCcudZVTNdNU/s640/blogger-image-748324541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Year Old's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have seen a HUGE improvement in their overall art skills since we started this. They love to draw in their spare time (without Artventure, in notebooks and things) and their drawings are getting much more advanced than they would have otherwise.<br />
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In my opinion --The biggest part of anything creative is <b>learning to see. </b>And then it’s just understanding the process of bringing it outside of you. Artventure is a wonderful way to give that to kids. I’m so happy we started this. It’s WELL worth the price.<br />
It might seem like it’s just teaching them to copy something so that it’s not really teaching creativity. But that’s not the case -- it’s giving them the skills to implement all the creativity they already have inside.<br />
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This is a dragon my seven year old recently drew in her bed the other night (there is no Artventure lesson on this kind of drawing.) I don’t think she would have been able to create at this level before we started Artventure. She may be more naturally inclined to drawing, but this is an explosion of skill since she started. I know I never drew anything like that from my imagination when I was seven (...or older.)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6hkvcDus-nFF_mmrFk8W3cHeMAx9Ovmu_PvZqWULnmxLJ8g3KvFj18bJcVASZh5tueCthjxrsEjXqKPR2neBRyRfUp8-cx7m2CitcCiE-N6nYDKfJ0O2MatbP2bY5RLyUvXAYpL-l9Ov/s640/blogger-image-658746448.jpg" /></div>
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Artventure is a website subscription, which you can buy in varying amounts of time. (3 months, 6 month, or 12 months.)</div>
The price is really reasonable. Our year subscription equals out to costing $5 a month. That’s a single Starbucks! I say that’s worth it. (But FYI you do pay for the year all at once.)<br />
(Since it’s from Australia the price is listed as AU , but that means it’s a bit cheaper in US dollars. And it’s just as easy to pay either way.)<br />
The website is really well made --cute, very user friendly, and has been easy for my kids to use on their own. We’ve had no technical issues with it at all.<br />
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It’s a great gift idea for someone(s) in your life, too!</div>
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If you are intrigued, there is a free 48 hour trial period so you can just check it out and see how it works for you. (Make sure you start your trail at a good time, so you can get the most out of the 48 hours.)</div>
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Just wanted to pass that idea along to you, since it’s so great! Happy Creating.</div>
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Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-52657405753638263302018-03-07T17:18:00.002-06:002018-03-07T17:18:45.297-06:00Getting deep, with socks...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tCzqOEEI1lMH5Bf5azzMchqi6nm4GBTGacGb1bJbkiYSFvaH0qPhF4VQGHOZqUoLp59HwConaClPNdTBVj7kGyrg5HibmKEP8BBJqEFL2n0iy0Ol6mySBCNqfpsGLPWIzd4T4y1ciuWS/s640/blogger-image--37896066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tCzqOEEI1lMH5Bf5azzMchqi6nm4GBTGacGb1bJbkiYSFvaH0qPhF4VQGHOZqUoLp59HwConaClPNdTBVj7kGyrg5HibmKEP8BBJqEFL2n0iy0Ol6mySBCNqfpsGLPWIzd4T4y1ciuWS/s640/blogger-image--37896066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tL2Ubne6Iy46BRvu2d_fJOvUcuwkt0kaNafbxkAmVv1kqk1Ctfg__1L2I8ssK1tDtblgyk1Mz64T3YD5SMw3laG9nhnYXtFWDlGjz9ACChvif8xdLNIuxI1E4TlQ_pwa3-fLeSsr8THI/s640/blogger-image--1917622097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tL2Ubne6Iy46BRvu2d_fJOvUcuwkt0kaNafbxkAmVv1kqk1Ctfg__1L2I8ssK1tDtblgyk1Mz64T3YD5SMw3laG9nhnYXtFWDlGjz9ACChvif8xdLNIuxI1E4TlQ_pwa3-fLeSsr8THI/s640/blogger-image--1917622097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgrwEmHEPJtxrHAuhEcWqwjdjiAeDRVE_Elgwq9bfXq8noSuV-yg3aP7rzTsJRQZqy3rwlDC0A-WLiSEPpdQ6LxL3vc2i7RrGeGMjvCE0HJm4HDUwg9mqngi9AHMYGiNUxoqY56cit18P/s640/blogger-image--1545100743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgrwEmHEPJtxrHAuhEcWqwjdjiAeDRVE_Elgwq9bfXq8noSuV-yg3aP7rzTsJRQZqy3rwlDC0A-WLiSEPpdQ6LxL3vc2i7RrGeGMjvCE0HJm4HDUwg9mqngi9AHMYGiNUxoqY56cit18P/s640/blogger-image--1545100743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N8_zBz7CFUgIANhjScSoBwrnptsEyfqEV8nLyzC0G-Z-M1TVCfKFP3ntyTdYfvElTocBOq-ixZ-LRBY2vQBzS_d1cubYbJwp4f80Un9gY6oxYnICBRIYDKC0QuGK8Z-k3UKzLNByGIR2/s640/blogger-image-1059844020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N8_zBz7CFUgIANhjScSoBwrnptsEyfqEV8nLyzC0G-Z-M1TVCfKFP3ntyTdYfvElTocBOq-ixZ-LRBY2vQBzS_d1cubYbJwp4f80Un9gY6oxYnICBRIYDKC0QuGK8Z-k3UKzLNByGIR2/s640/blogger-image-1059844020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m6uXl5JAEDRKBGO-AGDL6awwyYaEguOBjpPSkiSt8MSH4qsi-cPVnIPDPDvoLUIaeeceStaBFFm4XMOlpEUOnPeixuDTGTb2ZMVKUONXdjEzSzslv1qNusW0GWQU-wHNdsESpVDBwAvz/s640/blogger-image--741971425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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So the kitchen is still on it’s way. The tile has been grouted. But sometimes we find a spot that needs adjusting on the fill, and have to go back. Then we need to seal the grout and caulk around all the edges of things. I posted a teaser photo on Instagram. I’d like to wait until at least the caulk is in before I blog it. Just for that wow factor caulk provides. (The stuff is magical.) And the room still needs more touches after that, but I figure I don’t want to keep you waiting forever.</div>
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Anyway, in the mean time, I thought I’d write up this random post on socks.</div>
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The thing I find really interesting, is that it took me a really long time to do this silly little change. This sock arrangement is something I have wanted to do for at least four years, maybe longer. But so much inner dialogue stopped me from doing it. And it’s JUST socks.</div>
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And that’s a big part of why I’ve been so quiet on the blog... stuff like this. I’m a work in progress right now, and it’s a very delicate place I’m in. So delicate it messes with socks. (ha!) And well, everything.</div>
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It’s just been a time for reprieve from eye balls for me. The last few years have been a lot to manage, and managing them in front of people was even more to manage. The back to back sequence of my difficult pregnancy, followed by my brother’s death created a situation that made me feel simultaneously alone, yet entirely too checked-in on. It started creating this situation where I was depending on the blog for an outlet of my real self, and I wasn’t finding people in person to be that real with. And then when I would be that open and real on the blog, it would cause a whole lot of chain of reactions from relatives who started to worry about me. It was hard to convey that I was fine, I just was processing. And the processing’s value was over powered by the energy it took to constantly deal with everyone’s feelings but my own. I finally had to take stock of this and realize that in order to value myself I needed to shift this dynamic.</div>
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I have. Quite a bit actually. I’ve found people to be real with in person. I’ve started valuing myself. And I’ve been quiet in the places where I’ve needed that space to heal. </div>
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A lot (but not all) of that space has been online. Its been really good for me. And honestly if I could go back in time, I would have NEVER signed up for Facebook. Oh the complications I could have kept out of my life! I signed up as soon as I got married. And soon after that I was a mom. I hadn’t figured out social media yet. It was WAY too much pressure on this girl in those new situations. I wish I could have lived my life without knowing who could get their pre-maternity pants on before me, and who was getting whole nights of sleep before me, and all the ways I was “doing it wrong” in mommy-war-world. I could have just been myself, quietly in my own house, in my own world, minding my own business, totally unaware of how I measured against anyone but myself. Wouldn’t that have been nice?</div>
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That’s not to say, this kinda stuff stresses everyone out. It doesn’t. But it stressed me out. And due to a lot of my own stuff I brought to the table. </div>
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I was carrying around a lot of things. But the biggest heaviest thing I was carrying was the idea that I had a say in how other people feel. Not just that I had a say in it, but that I was often a major impactor of other people’s feelings. And not just that. But that I had an all encompassing job in life, to do everything I could to not negatively impact anyone, in any way, by anything I did.</div>
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(Now there is a bit of truth in this large concept. Like walking up to people and saying awful things about them would not be a good way to live. Or constantly talking poorly about people when they aren’t there, also not a good way to live. And, yes, I do impact the people I live with, with the way I treat them.)</div>
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But my deal was not that stuff. I thought this responsibility was SO MUCH MORE than that. I thought if any action I took brushed against anyone at all, in any small "wrong way", I had committed an atrocious sin. </div>
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The easiest example was my weight loss. I couldn’t see myself losing weight, as possibly inspiring anyone else to make healthy choices. I could only see how I “caused” jealousy. (Lesson -- I didn’t cause that feeling. I have no control over how anyone reacts to anything. They are the ones who decide how to react to things.)</div>
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But this same thing was down DEEP in my bones. So deep that I couldn’t agree to be myself in many areas. Because... what if myself, was the most hurtful thing in the universe? What if my very being was unbearable?</div>
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It’s the strangest thing, really. Because in tons of areas, I’ve been totally ok with not being “the norm.” (Like a lot of people think my house purchase and subsequent years of making it over, is crazy. And that didn’t EVER phase me. This is my choice and I love it.) But in other, sometimes unexplainable, random things, I’ve been paralyzed.</div>
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It’s actually less strange than it initially seemed to me. Things like my house, which caused people to think I was crazy, were easy for me -- because thinking someone is crazy is not jealousy. Most things I’ve been afraid to do or be are things I was afraid that people could be jealous of. And my concept of what might make a person jealous was fairly enormous. And if it wasn’t jealousy I was afraid of, it was irritation. If I was afraid my choice could irritate someone, I was afraid to take hold of it, or at least say that I did. And my concept of what might irritate person jealous was fairly enormous. So I’ve boxed so much of myself in. All while thinking I wasn’t because “Look at me, I can makeover a house, and DIY thrift store shorts…. I do weird stuff other people don’t -- so clearly I’m, me.” </div>
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(Now I will say, on big things I’ve over-rode this protocol. Like when I chose to do a home birth or home school. Even if that brushed many people the wrong way. For big things I can power through because I can look at the big picture and say it’s worth it. But for little things I didn’t see myself as valuable enough to do it then. If it’s not changing the course of my life, well let’s not bother rocking the boat. But enough small things add up to start impacting a life.)</div>
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It’s taken me some time to examine my way of looking at life, hold it up to the light and start to see it more realistically.</div>
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And it’s been really relieving.</div>
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I’ve been able to set a lot of false guilt down. I’ve been able to start letting go of what’s not mine to control. (Guys, it’s been SO good, finding out I’m not supposed to be responsible for stuff, that I’m not responsible for! Do any of you know how exhausting that is, carrying stuff that’s not in your control? It’s <i>physically </i>heavy. I came home from counseling one day, honestly floating -- like when you take roller skates off, after a day at the roller rink -- because I was given permission to let a HUGE weight go.)</div>
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It’s not always easy to leave these things set down. After I set each idea down, initially everything inside of myself says “You know, that actually IS yours to carry. PICK IT BACK UP!” I can’t even begin to tell you how hard that battle is. Panic attacks and withdrawal symptoms hard. Some of the heaviest lifting I’ve ever done. (All so I could NOT carry something. So ironic.)</div>
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And that’s part of my quietness online too. Just battling myself over here.</div>
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But I’m starting to win.</div>
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And I’m starting to change. </div>
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And I’m starting to breathe.</div>
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And I’m <i>starting </i>to figure out who I am, when I don’t need to be this undefinable entity that’s impossible to be. An entity who’s main goal was to basically be unseen because I thought being seen was hurtful. I’m starting to see my general being isn’t a weapon of mass destruction, just on the verge of decimating all in it’s path. (Honestly, that what I thought I was doing when I lost the weight. Or made a big purchase. Or walked out of the house looking nice.) And so I’m starting to accept my general being enough to ask myself: what do I really like, what do I really want, who do I really want to be? I don’t even know the answers to those questions yet. But I’m starting to. </div>
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I’m starting to see that being who God made me, is the point of him making me that way. It’s not selfishness or hurfulness. It’s not a determent to other’s. It’s a gift to them.</div>
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(Guys, my Meyer’s Briggs profile is starting to shift. Like this is <i>major </i>change.)</div>
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ALL this major change….</div>
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leads me to socks.</div>
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I’m letting myself, be me.</div>
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And well, <b>me</b> hates trying to match up socks. ESPECIALLY, and mostly, because the mysteries of the laundry cycle mean about 60% of our socks don’t have a match most the time.</div>
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I have wanted to, for years, switch to all white socks. No matching up required. If one get’s lost, it’s not going to impede the finishing of the laundry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m6uXl5JAEDRKBGO-AGDL6awwyYaEguOBjpPSkiSt8MSH4qsi-cPVnIPDPDvoLUIaeeceStaBFFm4XMOlpEUOnPeixuDTGTb2ZMVKUONXdjEzSzslv1qNusW0GWQU-wHNdsESpVDBwAvz/s640/blogger-image--741971425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc8mX4YHeel_PtAGVRgu_jaziVOW5ufI-BG6QhmCP0K9JUmS1xJW44TknqIR51rO_3cWAg0K_1JufU_zSs5Xg1WfPIDgsPZiIbQW76VLjGXu32VT_7wH40czYoTsMyfdp4WEvJw_1VZfR/s640/blogger-image--1874923760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc8mX4YHeel_PtAGVRgu_jaziVOW5ufI-BG6QhmCP0K9JUmS1xJW44TknqIR51rO_3cWAg0K_1JufU_zSs5Xg1WfPIDgsPZiIbQW76VLjGXu32VT_7wH40czYoTsMyfdp4WEvJw_1VZfR/s640/blogger-image--1874923760.jpg" /></a></div>
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What was keeping me tied to these socks?</div>
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The idea that I’d disappoint anyone. Such as:</div>
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<li>Anyone whoever gave us socks, at anytime. Or who’d like to give us socks in the future.</li>
<li>My kids. Who might miss some of these socks.</li>
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Issue #1: Anyone who ever gave us socks.</div>
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Reasons why it’s still ok to be done with these socks:</div>
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<li>Having a different set of standards doesn’t equal ungratefulness.</li>
<li>People’s joy comes from giving, what the Receiver does after that isn’t in the Giver’s hands.</li>
<li>True gifts have no strings attracted. </li>
<li>You are <a href="https://psychcentral.com/blog/strings-attached-when-gifts-arent-really-gifts/">not obligated to receive gifts with strings attached</a>. </li>
<li>Not all these socks were gifts. We bought many of these ourselves, due to (on my end) fear of accepting and saying what I really want. (And it’s ok to own that, release that, forgive that, and move on.) </li>
<li>It’s ok to let go of belongings that are no longer needed and wanted/ working their intended purpose.</li>
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Issue #2: My kids might miss the socks.</div>
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Reasons why it’s still ok to be done with these socks:</div>
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<li>Initially I was afraid of limiting my kids things in general. I have brought up at many points in counseling different categories, and subcategories, of things I’ve been afraid that if I limit, or eliminate, because I’m afraid that I will somehow negatively impact my kids childhoods. And each time we talk through how I’m not actually depriving my kids of any legitimate needs. That it’s ok to help kids learn stuff by initially doing it for them -- because that’s the role of a parent, to be the role model. Part of my job as a parent is helping them learn to manage their things. And we’ve discussed how that gives them a solid base for adulthood perceptions of things and money. (I actually never brought up the socks in counseling. I’ve gone through enough other random goofy things questions that I was able to process the socks on my own this time. lol)</li>
<li>My kids’ natural instinct is to be hoarders. (Are all kids? I don’t know. Probably not because certain of my kids are <i>much </i>more prone to hoarding than others.) I’d literally be on that show if I saved everything they wanted to save. One of them, as a two year old, had a "special collection" of empty granola bar wrappers. (And that tuned crazier by the day as we had to start opening the granola bars with scissors as to not “hurt” the pictures when tearing it open) Before I even knew it was happening, a whole drawer had been filled up with wrappers. Actual <i>garbage </i>is painful for them to get rid of. She would <i>weep </i>over these things. (And I know the difference between two year old tantrum, and actual mourning. Highly Sensitive Toddlers are something.) It’s been a learning curb for me figuring how, and when, to rip the band aid off in every “thing” area of our lives -- so as to not worry they will actually be on that show themselves as adults, while not breaking their spirits in the process. But I can safely say, that now we have a good working relationship with each other -- she trusts me not to remove more than she can handle, and she’s starting to feel safe to remove things herself as well. It’s been a good journey. I saw the socks as an extension of this journey.</li>
<li>I was worried I’d stifle their self expression. After thinking about it -- I had to accept that it’s ok to not express yourself in EVERY way. They don’t NEED to express themselves with socks. And if that’s a deep seated desire in them, they can have that as something to look forward to later in life. (Either as adults, or perhaps when they do all their own laundry at home, well see.)</li>
<li>I’m actually giving my kids the gift of more independence in this laundry maneuver. I want to get them involved in more self care and home care now, so that later in life it’s second nature and easy. This simplification of socks makes them more capable of doing more of the laundry on their own. And they actually do appreciate that.</li>
<li>I actually left a <i>very </i>limited few “other” socks in their drawers for special occasions. So they don’t have to wear white socks if it will look terrible.</li>
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So yeah, after I weighed all that out (Which is again comical. Because <a href="https://instagram.com/p/Bf1GOZcnTdf/">LOTS of moms are already on this limited sock train</a>, without the raging internal debate.) I got out ALL the socks and did all the dirty laundry, and matched everything I could up. Pulled my select few special socks out. And bagged up the rest.</div>
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Went to Target and bought some white Cat & Jack socks in two varieties. </div>
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<a href="https://www.target.com/p/girls-casual-socks-6-pk-cat-jack-153-white-5-5-8-5/-/A-51288567">These </a>ankle socks for the girls. They pass their sensory inspection -- which is saying something! And the ankle has a sweet detail for a little cuteness. I bought them in medium, which can fit both girls (It’s a little big on my five year old, but it works.) I bought 3 packs for both kids. I figured that’d make sure I’m not cutting it close on laundry slow moments.</div>
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And <a href="https://www.target.com/p/toddler-girls-athletic-bobby-socks-6pk-cat-jack-153-white/-/A-52159703?preselect=51943712#lnk=sametab">these </a>fold over socks in 2T for my two year old. For now I just bought one pack. For some reason his sock consumption is slower. But might add, if necessary.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m6uXl5JAEDRKBGO-AGDL6awwyYaEguOBjpPSkiSt8MSH4qsi-cPVnIPDPDvoLUIaeeceStaBFFm4XMOlpEUOnPeixuDTGTb2ZMVKUONXdjEzSzslv1qNusW0GWQU-wHNdsESpVDBwAvz/s640/blogger-image--741971425.jpg" /></div>
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Then I figured, while I’m at it, lets try something new. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N8_zBz7CFUgIANhjScSoBwrnptsEyfqEV8nLyzC0G-Z-M1TVCfKFP3ntyTdYfvElTocBOq-ixZ-LRBY2vQBzS_d1cubYbJwp4f80Un9gY6oxYnICBRIYDKC0QuGK8Z-k3UKzLNByGIR2/s640/blogger-image-1059844020.jpg" /></div>
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We only need socks when we are headed out the door. </div>
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And then it always turns into wasted minutes going back upstairs to get them. </div>
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So I decided to try keeping them in the coat (and shoe) closet.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgrwEmHEPJtxrHAuhEcWqwjdjiAeDRVE_Elgwq9bfXq8noSuV-yg3aP7rzTsJRQZqy3rwlDC0A-WLiSEPpdQ6LxL3vc2i7RrGeGMjvCE0HJm4HDUwg9mqngi9AHMYGiNUxoqY56cit18P/s640/blogger-image--1545100743.jpg" /></div>
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So far (one week in) it’s been pretty great, and very easy.</div>
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I just put a mason jar in the laundry room to hold any single sock, until another shows up. (It will be SO EASY when one does!)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tCzqOEEI1lMH5Bf5azzMchqi6nm4GBTGacGb1bJbkiYSFvaH0qPhF4VQGHOZqUoLp59HwConaClPNdTBVj7kGyrg5HibmKEP8BBJqEFL2n0iy0Ol6mySBCNqfpsGLPWIzd4T4y1ciuWS/s640/blogger-image--37896066.jpg" /></div>
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I’m <span style="font-size: large;">really </span>happy I finally did this. </div>
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My brain has one less sound in it.</div>
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As soon as I did this, I felt a deep peace.</div>
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These little things bring me so much joy because it clears up so much space inside me, and so much of my time, for what matters. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tL2Ubne6Iy46BRvu2d_fJOvUcuwkt0kaNafbxkAmVv1kqk1Ctfg__1L2I8ssK1tDtblgyk1Mz64T3YD5SMw3laG9nhnYXtFWDlGjz9ACChvif8xdLNIuxI1E4TlQ_pwa3-fLeSsr8THI/s640/blogger-image--1917622097.jpg" /></div>
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The kids did complain for a minute about their only being <i>white</i>. But it was over pretty fast. I let them know we’d keep a limited few other socks upstairs. </div>
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They really do like that it’s so simple to get outside now.</div>
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And they are excited to help with laundry so they liked this easy set up.</div>
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(I may get a second bin if it gets tricky having the girl and boy socks mixed together. So far it’s been fine.)</div>
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And if ever we are deal with more sizes at once...<br />
I’ve seen the <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Crafty-way-to-sort-socks-fast/">idea of adding color coded thread</a> to the toes. That’s a good idea, I may incorporate if need be.<br />
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My five year old (the one who’s most sock-sensory-picky) acted very stressed about the size being generous (but it’s probably only a couple months before she’d <i>need </i>this size and the small would be too small.) But after two days she’s not said anything.</div>
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I haven’t given away our other socks yet. Just packed them up and hid them. JUST IN CASE. I don’t know what would make us need them. But I just feel like I need to try this system out a bit before giving the other socks away.</div>
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But yeah. That’s my SUPER in depth thoughts on socks. (And my brain.)</div>
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Ha.</div>
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Hope you enjoyed the random vulnerability, while waiting on my kitchen. :)</div>
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Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-45595674733054797172018-02-23T11:11:00.000-06:002018-02-23T13:55:23.837-06:00Kitchen UpdateSo, I'm still here. Our kitchen is still here. But I'm not ready to show it to you yet.<br />
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Blake has been adding our backsplash, in his spare time, and it's looking so good. I'm so excited about how my vision is coming together. It's actually nicer than I imagined it. But we have one more wall left to go.<br />
There's a sneak peek on instagram. But other than that I want to show you when it's more together.<br />
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We're hoping this weekend will see it fully tiled. But there a couple little plumbing things around the house we need to deal with too (little leak under the sink, and a toilet that keeps running unless you manually stop it every flush) so we'll see what all fits into the free time.<br />
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I'm looking forward to checking the kitchen off this list! I'm kinda used to it being crazy in there, but I'm also kinda over it being crazy. I started painting the cabinets a few weeks before Thanksgiving...it's starting to take a little emotional toll all the endlessness of its makeover since it's such a needed space. But it's definitely worth the investment. The difference is astounding.<br />
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Even after the tile is done we still need to do some more stuff in there to call it done, but nothing quite so disrupting to the whole room. Mainly trim work. So checking the tile off the list will really help the room feel less over run with tools and chaos.<br />
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The dining room side of the room has been going through it's own transformation as well. But it's also not ready for a reveal.<br />
I've totally slacked on painting my "new" chairs. And a few other things need to be tweaked before I'm ready to show it off.<br />
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<br />
But with the kitchen coming together, the house is getting close to done.<br />
We have two big things left:<br />
The sunroom needs a ceiling and ceiling fans/lights.<br />
And our entryway needs its facelift.<br />
And we are hoping that this summer we can address those.<br />
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Of course I have a running list in my head of other small projects. But once those two big things get done, the house won't feel under construction.<br />
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It's cool to start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It's still a way off, but it feels good thinking about how far we've come.<br />
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I'll be sure to show you more as it comes.<br />
<br />
And I've been pondering a post(s) about some of our school stuff. But I haven't rushed to write it, since I'm not sure it will appeal widely. I still may share a couple things we use that are cool whether you home school or not.<br />
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But I'll leave it here for now.<br />
Talk to you later!Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-31528761062585478022018-01-25T08:44:00.000-06:002018-01-25T08:44:36.147-06:00Paused KitchenAs is the way of DIY, our kitchen is experiencing some hiccups.<br />
<br />
Nothing terrible. And really it’s more so just due to lack of available time -- Blake’s semester is back in session so he’s got a lot to do after work hours to get lectures ready and such. But when he has spare time he’s putting it into wiring in some extras in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Currently:<br />
We wanted to turn the ancient can light over the sink (it used to have this pointy alien looking glass cover) into a normal modern can light. (Done.) We wanted an extra outlet on an empty span of countertop. (Done) And under cabinet lights. (Done --- but maybe we bought a lemon in the mix and it needs to be switched out. Bummer.)<br />
And then, as with old houses, you always find a little something special to throw you. In this case we found that sometime in the past, when they decided against the over-range-microwave, instead of doing what you should -- they just took a hammer, knocked the outlet/junction box back into the wall and wallpapered over it. Lovely. So that was stressful, not knowing if we’d be able to do the stuff you need to do without tarring apart TONS of the walls to find where stuff’s coming from. But thankfully Blake found stuff without too much craziness.<br />
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I’m still hoping to add an outlet over our wooden countertops, that we added a few years ago (The ones that go through our pass through window.) Since that used to be a bare wall, there was no outlets at counter height, and it would be helpful to be able to plug in something over there too. Hopefully that doesn’t prove a very stressful prospect.<br />
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So right now our backsplash is just a bunch of hole-y drywall. And every few days the entire kitchen gets covered in drywall dust. I have NO idea when I will be able to show you a backsplash. It’s not looking like soon. ha.<br />
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But I’m still throughly enjoying the parts that are done. I feel fancy even with the crazy holes in the wall.<br />
And I just can’t tell you how much I love the under cabinet lights. Those changed the entire feel of the kitchen. I knew they’d be nice. But I didn’t know HOW nice.<br />
That extra dose of light has a way of making the kitchen feel so many wonderful things: way bigger (more light just immediately enlarges the space more than I could have imagined), more fancy (it feels SO high end now), more homey (even with the high end feel, it’s not pretentious, it’s more cozy), so more hygge <span style="font-size: x-small;">(anyone into that?)</span>(If you turn off the overhead light and just leave on the under cabinet lights -- it’s got that Christmas tree glow vibe), more functional (how much better you can see what you are doing at the counter, is amazing!)<br />
So as you can see I’m delighted by these lights. We are hard wiring them into a light switch. But these are something anyone can add to the cabinets and turn them on with a cord switch (like a night light.) And I highly recommend them. They are a delight.<br />
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Anyway -- that’s where we are now. And now we return you to your regularly scheduled program: Back to waiting. :)<br />
I promise I’ll show you when I have something.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-19207280359938079642018-01-10T14:31:00.000-06:002018-01-10T15:38:29.907-06:00COUNTERTOPS!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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*Royal Proclamation Trumpet Playing*</div>
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We have countertops!</div>
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And that also means we have a new sink and a new faucet!</div>
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Clearly, we do not have a backsplash yet. ;)</div>
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(So this does not count as a grand reveal. Please accept my crappyiphonephotos.)</div>
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So to remind you, we got our quartz countertops from Menards. (Who by the way, speaking locally, have by far the best prices on quartz.) </div>
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This color is called Bianco Perle.</div>
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I’m really happy with it.</div>
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In my soul I’m a marble girl. But in my mind... I know I’d mourn a thousand little deaths with each and every etch it would DEFINITELY get. (If I ever were lucky enough to buy a house that already had marble countertops installed, and they had some love (etching/stains/chips) on them, then I could handle it -- it would feel like romantic hisorty. But if <i>I</i> were the one to make the first cuts, I just wouldn’t feel good feelings. )</div>
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Anyway, so this quartz is a good look for me. It’s not a perfect marble look a like, but it’s marblesque. And it’s very pretty in it’s own right. And quartz is supposed to be one of the most durable counters around. (But I’m so nervous around it still, I’m babying it like crazy.)</div>
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(I’m also getting used to the sound of setting stuff down on stone, I’ve only ever lived with laminate, it’s a very new sound. I keep having a slight panic that I broke something.)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYwnD66X4lYYiSGg5VSnFMX43X0xK7Awg8OoUkEi5YEp14WQzcgoO_Oyio28zzD_jm3oQa3NiDLExLKk73Kifa3OteJE-ADJVUQQci2e51s0b-QkW__ZCyEuMT8Jgq6DSgawx2lrBupI1/s640/blogger-image--1428510900.jpg" /></div>
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We have a seam at the “L.” Which I was fully expecting. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTny1Rk-DFnDvAUQ6kfPvnMFpSqTq-OY35BWe-MXDWBbUgQr38J3hNZX50AjhpGqA3akR6yZ91e13L9AAkyuIrqRqf6JAEPppxD4iI8rgw_p5EWJpkzhIKucGDu00RJ4Ekl-9D-Y85Q0e/s640/blogger-image-1474620324.jpg" /></div>
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However we were offered a seamless option (which surprised me!)</div>
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But it was nearly double the price, as what it meant was we’d be buying essentially a double slab to cut our shape out of. I had already figured on a seam so we didn’t think it was worth it.</div>
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(And in hindsight, I’m glad we have a seam -- seamless would have made getting the thing into the house even harder.)</div>
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So this is the seam, it’s different than our old counters which had two triangular cuts going back into the corner.</div>
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I don’t think it’s bad, and as you can see from the two photos above, it’s not something that really gets your attention.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Cedx5NEzyuuCXgWiM_UuEgugmhOxKlo5oRX4_mGQgviRmczFNR7XzRr7kSG8oF4FK7MFpqa2-mcOjAQ2QD0B252y2qKs_OVRhFcNA0i6_sR0hmq-k_uUuNBD9Fk9-fixbdyASKO7lNba/s640/blogger-image-498586799.jpg" /></div>
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In case you are wondering about Menard’s countertops….(If not, skip to further down)</div>
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They do not offer installation. You can either DIY, or hunt down your own contractor.</div>
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Initially Blake was 100% ok with DIY. Then people we know started talking us into having it done because they are so dang heavy. So for a day Blake looked into contractors. And honestly, no one wanted to do it. They essentially wanted to have been the ones to have ordered the counters.</div>
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Well, back to, “We are ok with DIY.” (Which, realistically is just how we roll any way. It saves so much money.)</div>
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So Blake had to figure out how to get them into our house. They have to be carried and stored in the right orientation otherwise they can crack, so it made most sense to get them inside on the frame they were delivered on. So Blake installed huge caster wheels onto the frame and him and a friend were able to wheel it into our house.</div>
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After they acclimated the proper 24 hours, Blake had torn out our old counters and sink, and two friends came and helped lift it into place. I was not a part of this process, but they all seemed pretty surprised by how quickly it got done, and no one seemed overly strained. They were only at our house for about an hour total. (Which included a bit of careful planning time, and a bit of hi and bye conversation.) So it seemed pretty straightforward of a job from my end of things.</div>
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The sink part though….I helped with that, later that night. That part was not the world’s funnest job. Technically, for an undermount sink, you should install the sink onto the counters (while they are upside down) before placing the counters on the right way. Blake did his research and found a couple other ways to do it, which are legit. And so we opted to do it <i>after </i>counter install, so as to not stress our friendly helpers by making things complicated while they were here.</div>
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I cannot tell you exactly what we did, I just know I did a lot of holding from above through the drain hole, and scooting the sink into the middle while Blake hoisted it up from below and tried to mount stuff around it. So I was also handing him tools and wood and stuff. It wasn’t easy, it was physically and emotionally draining (for both of us), but we did it!</div>
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Blake also had to change the plumbing under the sink, which he did a day or so later. We again, almost hired it out because we figured we saved so much doing the rest ourselves -- but per our usual, when we got the quote, we re-thought that very fast. Nothing comes cheap! But Blake got it done and now are are doing dishes again!</div>
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I didn’t take great photos of the sink today because, dishes. But it’s a stainless, Anzzi brand (read wonderful reviews on them), huge, awesome sink. It’s 32' long, 19” wide, and 10” deep. And I <b>love </b>it. It can hold an enormous amount of dishes and ANYTHING I own in the kitchen can fit in it -- my biggest bowls, or casserole dishes look small in there.</div>
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I debated the single bowl a bit. I wasn’t sure which (double or single) was more practical. But I ultimately decided that the way I do dishes, ever since working in restaurants and the coffee industry, has never been the "soapy side and rinsing side” way. It’s just been to put soap on a sponge (repeatedly), and rinse in the same side. So I knew I wouldn’t miss it. Plus most things go right in our dish washer. So I really just saw size and convenience. And, in my two days with this sink so far, I am THRILLED. (It actually does remind me of the service industry kitchens and something about that stirs up some extra motivation in me.)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3NeJVcoZu_JS_OJJu0TvM7PbAG5nbdvE8Ii3esPoj1f4B6v7CainU84rh958uKLnu9yaaMKBW7W89YxQwSlLXgO2nS7wUJEfwg2SwcQnhxL3F1KayVzqAVZgo4rZGIb2bq4PffU6zZEl/s640/blogger-image-947471240.jpg" /><br />
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Now the faucet…<br />
this faucet<br />
(Kohler Artifacts)<br />
is an absolute <i>delight</i>.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgUrJfd3UoyLgUJcvIv_622Qtk6L6VXdv0TLFstP2txEoOY8u7ZXaAzvKz-p2AxroeKQWF_QjykJu2TjGYh-p5rSu5xqmJcbySDWSvPw-vsKwm2Sw3_RYtQb6enHOrqJvlyuHCGqZgezQ/s640/blogger-image--531840123.jpg" /><br />
Not only to my sense of sight (which, boy oh boy do I enjoy looking at this baby. It is gorgeous!)<br />
But also to my sense of touch.<br />
And in it’s ability to do it’s job.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK2feBsrQuEVQIlAzalf1SOqrkcB7k5kgC8PrO7muJDppEddnhv6Hj0Fd5qmHaJJWhVIqxENAGaC20ZG16t8XUgf2Soiw-U98ANV8LPQUy-Ytq7kte2NULpd-al6yn7rKzurXD0tx_Xps/s640/blogger-image-1613491435.jpg" /><br />
So there’s the normal stream. It’s coming out very fast (no matter how it looks in the photo) with strong pressure.<br />
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Then if you flip the switch….</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxIihsF3S50b_wtsCkedos5bVk0QHXgKQS-Xz303UZ-bCZ0Zn5AXF_8P08Q-EisuiktSNdRG4PpPTXneMFfC8VVtDxtrLYA8u2R8vvBaDE2QgN68-6I66PIR3edafoe-hIURWPNhFphhX/s640/blogger-image--1060351984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxIihsF3S50b_wtsCkedos5bVk0QHXgKQS-Xz303UZ-bCZ0Zn5AXF_8P08Q-EisuiktSNdRG4PpPTXneMFfC8VVtDxtrLYA8u2R8vvBaDE2QgN68-6I66PIR3edafoe-hIURWPNhFphhX/s640/blogger-image--1060351984.jpg" /></a></div>
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this beautiful gentle rain show. Perfect for rinsing produce.</div>
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But I also like this one for washing my hands.</div>
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Then when you need to get a dish clean, or when you need to spray out the bottom of the sink...</div>
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hold down the button for a powerful sweeper spray.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMMeIIBEUHR2mvRuPff9iyd2mzkrSwz0wPaAWhV5_2YMgMhskFS1La98jKvnYMD-f01pofE0C9p3jMQgtwBi-yfywR-rkv4CBbAuY3-2q3-WRwHsDlHVwg7F1TnQVg3Wpjft-o0jG-irm/s640/blogger-image-1335747157.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTfC4VqvN-4z_FtW_GV9p2YFCdNrEUz_xc-zg4EoUutUCTSbB0BvmaHbh9KgTiKyxlG2e7qEi8632ASEWsllYSkfbN_-1yK66Bne0euUPTegBaJX381qWLjHyPv7O2Kb0Qg5O1qBDdZYe/s640/blogger-image-1508966637.jpg" /><br />
The head of course is a pull down sprayer.<br />
It’s really just amazing. I am soooooo happy with it.<br />
(It’s glory, is all the better after living with our $17 no frills, faucet, that barely could reach into a pot, for the past month and a half!)<br />
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So here are a couple different pictures of the kitchen for you to see it together.<br />
We still have a bunch of details (and backsplash) to handle, but it’s coming together really nicely.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_FI7vlwmqepAlxEbZoSmQdSF2Meo-aeuHQf7ItcijWNXhzrWJlNbxVeYyW6qY2LMurj72AW1uj6sjPrSg3BzEAUqBBbirvk1qRV8bTs0GrNZbQrHkseR4BAPVGeCeFIVzPF4aBSiDbfQ/s640/blogger-image-1871776982.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXIkgo9h9M90iAs8vRN4LH_8tPMtPYNyPjW41fsOyRJSkhMzeZ867ol74O__KsC0giyqLFYQykZKlipnb8rypinNyMabyeLJjheJoIX3M4sm-8jwYTKH0NLcunoGO8ndeIPd-eoWr0Crr/s640/blogger-image--1939572498.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAIGCYmPhdJ3Oo0o-TKWId_iVTPPJDqlFfg-Jc_FPObYl27a-gBXz_GXpC5mDNP5EjjQHfDe9yGNAK6Kt5RqtgCn9hhOQuDpSmAlV7Ng49oKviaHc8yiEpMyYw9utHeXmaAjxelpAqrLQ/s640/blogger-image--1406796785.jpg" /><br />
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Some of you may notice our fridge is different.<br />
So back around Thanksgiving we went ahead and ordered a different one.<br />
I had a hard time with guilt on this one. Wishing I had gotten it right the first time, or bought used until I knew better. But we did use the old fridge for 4 years and then sold it and got some of it back, so it wasn’t the world’s <i>worst </i>shopping blunder. But it hurt the pride. Felt like a pricey failure.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11INgNsN8r9Sx3RQtMRiTyzBC0UflWIkTmABesligCSH2deTzV3iAZZRTEgqciB9jZaazRMCOLHXpjEpTcIhwvl6aF2lwsDx49RqjzFjLV823CT88Zmu1IIue5Mlv_P-HstRmkug0Txqk/s640/blogger-image--901705494.jpg" /><br />
(I do plan to clean off the top and we will do something nice there, FIY)<br />
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I knew NOTHING about appliances when we moved here. And the fridge the house came with smelled VERY bad, and no amount of cleaning would fix it, so we decided we’d update it.<br />
I didn’t think I needed anything super fancy, so I got a simple stainless one. And just noted that it would technically fit in the space.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-L6YX3g4SGP2rXBAafPWZ9XWno8Op1GJtRAYhCFD8dZeqX06YgwFfE949VjRg9vb5yBmV_AY60avSDkBaxhYNzpuZz9wo0JSCAHW2xoNDSouPvy-EIn9Jh05kkF50zs2wQoPjocRN2PN/s640/blogger-image--1601663013.jpg" /><br />
But there was a huge gap on the side,<br />
And the worst thing was, it stuck out into the doorway.<br />
In this kitchen layout, it just was awkward.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGaedIfdauO78iVvTQfsuQC8qztA2Vuv2ww4bxkTSK9xZy_Bgk4RSKjCFfdkTFIP2SfmihNPcfvVKMR1IcmgTw2dxy6JtH6qdTH6zlgmbqczEGEeufpNsDZy0CFFHywYiEvhEHfaBW1fM/s640/blogger-image--1787668835.jpg" /><br />
So when doing the counters, we decided to switch to a counter depth.<br />
It was the right time to do it, because we need to make sure we had our countertops the right size. (If the fridge hadn’t filled the whole nook, we would have expanded the countertops to make it feel right and added something to the cabinets.) It all just needed to be figured out at the same time so there wouldn’t be any other future pricey failures.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzrqnKDcpT9Pjpkk_m3cdEoYQG-9cqm47sKzo_kmChLDgnznW9xt_PJYj2kQrPxgGQucdhARlkZfb4cBf-742JPhy1vnqNc3LQukwXI-32qr9oK30vHnJp5PzNb7U4lT9qgRC9ng-BBsw/s640/blogger-image-182516953.jpg" /><br />
SO MUCH BETTER.<br />
It’s not many inches different, but the difference feels so good since it’s a doorway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy04G1zCmtOdhT1mifU2aY0kWQif0Q0kwgID6uydziiNZsUssbbcQVuMNdPyfzDl1-7XFHAvCleR94BhZxXPR3sOE6ehkymagPnI1jZ54M4vd58v5-57Mb334F5QNS0snlgwmAWFuWB2t5/s640/blogger-image-365065469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy04G1zCmtOdhT1mifU2aY0kWQif0Q0kwgID6uydziiNZsUssbbcQVuMNdPyfzDl1-7XFHAvCleR94BhZxXPR3sOE6ehkymagPnI1jZ54M4vd58v5-57Mb334F5QNS0snlgwmAWFuWB2t5/s640/blogger-image-365065469.jpg" /></a></div>
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It’s exactly the same amount of interior space as our old one, but it’s laid out so much better. I feel like I have at least double the room. I think the freezer is a tiny bit smaller than my old one, but we have a deep freeze in the garage so I’m not worried. And the fridge shelves and drawers are a dream compared to our old layout. And Blake and I both enjoy it’s more-shallow-ness, because you really don’t lose things in the back now.<br />
And this one makes ice and has a water dispenser inside. We feel pretty fancy. (The kids are filling their cups to the brim with ice all day now that we don’t have to ration it.)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x5x6SUmSa4Xa_MHWwMspNBjz6R8499AavPJyuiEiIk028rGwsm23FjK5cRToq9jt8-vc4PhyphenhyphenHEZsoB1BpnmpdE4UiiKRxfi4FhMEWvFmjKb8ffkYN2I9V1WX1BxTV5MwWu6mrRvidiCo/s640/blogger-image--1538178885.jpg" /><br />
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Something to note, if you are shopping for counter depth fridges yourself, their sizes vary tremendously. Some of them were every bit as deep as my old fridge (But still labeled counter depth). So make sure you are measuring your space and the fridge’s listed dimensions. This Whirlpool was the shallowest I could find and it was a perfect size for our nook. Total winner.</div>
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The only thing that’s a little less good is the kids can’t reach stuff as well as before. But that’s not always a terrible thing either. And of course they will only get taller. But they can get their own ice!<br />
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So here’s our new hood, if I haven’t shown you yet?<br />
And you can see our smaller subway tile we plan to use.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsS0zOebwBuI1chchc5jPlkCwPPi3oM9BN5T-4BrL4kceltx9WDca-77s0TweuFc6n-A7XI_AbSMLIM8PJ1A55uAYyERA0-o7FNQX0X3wT_ni23R6KtRwQhWOy-itCUwmq3gV8WFW8VMv/s640/blogger-image--1566191449.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem_n2Ej32_1QO9atEq_FU_2kITq8RB_oxPxGgHLTS7y1NoGT6hiykW94WQob18x_QloqSLxHN9GCuCTSNXZdZ8NwV5KFW7JJyLiKQwn0bvnpQs1GTD7GyNflSbRAn4N7YwJCKW4lAOdDS/s640/blogger-image-1282453411.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(Looking below) We plan to tile the wall with the shelf, as well.<br />
I’ll take that shelf down and replace it with two (maybe three) floating white shelves (I think) to get a tiny bit of open shelving and extra storage.<br />
They won’t be very deep, but they will be able to hold some bowls or cups or things like that.<br />
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And there will be some crown moulding and kick plates and details. We hope to add a couple outlets. I need to re-bleach (and then seal) our floor grout. Etc. Etc.<br />
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But so far, so good.<br />
I really can’t believe this is my kitchen, it’s so nice. I can’t wait to see it all done!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolDsyi5pqh30HbJ-NTI1z4nAagpvil8ZO5dTHjv_feLyQ7ZccldKnQATxnYDxBiKZFflDhLwdVOXd5xYSk33pkWZCccNMJld6-23qhIwErUOcdVvd2P3W8WE0kt9B4zI0-SkjplEdHC5g/s640/blogger-image--1625120634.jpg" /></div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-21666620011720739012017-12-16T17:26:00.000-06:002017-12-16T17:35:51.382-06:00Slow Progress <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHxStnyW9khK2FxNf_TPJzbyDpUEipzoWRfO3uf5q3V_xbhU_05EOYfHSgWORCXtU9pw2xtQo70XfF81KxPQIr8wakgmdJjE89mBz4Ja552qcz7gnB9iIYYHcjfpg9-kigHZ0IjTNO3tx/s640/blogger-image-1612285524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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So you're probably wondering what's going on over here...</div>
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Not too much actually. With Blake winding up his semster, and all of us fighting off colds. It's been slow moving.</div>
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I did decide to take on chair painting again. Because I apparently enjoy torture . Painting chairs is out of control time consuming. But at least this time I decided to use water based paint. Save on fume issues. I just can't get behind the price tags of new chairs, so I pay big bucks in time. 🤷♀️</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHxStnyW9khK2FxNf_TPJzbyDpUEipzoWRfO3uf5q3V_xbhU_05EOYfHSgWORCXtU9pw2xtQo70XfF81KxPQIr8wakgmdJjE89mBz4Ja552qcz7gnB9iIYYHcjfpg9-kigHZ0IjTNO3tx/s640/blogger-image-1612285524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyDh9bJKg1giqooXJLZQbqbuiFBr6OtOAwFKuoHmUk7GzcaSQvf76aRd3wVs2hn7885j42Icf4EbZ0K4rbkILyeZGVBSvoJRGEyD-vFfj3NlejdQLUJcq6WMkA3sIWAtffxK6h11-DGPp/s640/blogger-image-1487502710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyDh9bJKg1giqooXJLZQbqbuiFBr6OtOAwFKuoHmUk7GzcaSQvf76aRd3wVs2hn7885j42Icf4EbZ0K4rbkILyeZGVBSvoJRGEyD-vFfj3NlejdQLUJcq6WMkA3sIWAtffxK6h11-DGPp/s640/blogger-image-1487502710.jpg" /></a></div>
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This painting is stalled due to sickness and holidays. But it's going to look really nice eventually</div>
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We did get our new stainless hood up. And that's been magical. The LEDs are totally fabulous and change how dim our kitchen has felt. Not to mention it just looks better, and works better!</div>
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And today Blake took out our old backsplash..</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHxStnyW9khK2FxNf_TPJzbyDpUEipzoWRfO3uf5q3V_xbhU_05EOYfHSgWORCXtU9pw2xtQo70XfF81KxPQIr8wakgmdJjE89mBz4Ja552qcz7gnB9iIYYHcjfpg9-kigHZ0IjTNO3tx/s640/blogger-image-1612285524.jpg" /><br />
If you remember, it used to be quite the pink beige. And I painted it. It was a good hold over. But I'm very excited they are gone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW28iT1IlUW9Eat_seKvvM79qSCZ4eDm91fOl7QIYpCzNckscSqb8tRdJzc9c49u00BElltonaMrVhJVrAQAp1I2YzLgUkC6DldXYet27FphCQDd4jyHKVO4LyzUFeE0iY2WVLZIc2KfOd/s640/blogger-image-150311743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW28iT1IlUW9Eat_seKvvM79qSCZ4eDm91fOl7QIYpCzNckscSqb8tRdJzc9c49u00BElltonaMrVhJVrAQAp1I2YzLgUkC6DldXYet27FphCQDd4jyHKVO4LyzUFeE0iY2WVLZIc2KfOd/s640/blogger-image-150311743.jpg" /></a></div>
It will likely be the new year before I have much more excitement to show. We'll see. (We still haven't even put all the cabinet knobs on yet!)<br />
Slow but steady wins the race.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-12532911982557564992017-11-27T09:37:00.001-06:002017-11-27T09:44:11.720-06:00Future Kitchen Updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hey guys, hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! </div>
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Ours was very nice. And I even got the kitchen back to working order with a pinch of time to spare. The only hiccup being that randomly our kitchen faucet sprung a leak and the attempt to fix it was foiled by a crazy original installation which left us using our bathroom sink on Thanksgiving itself. It was not ideal but we managed to have a great day anyway. The next day Blake took a saw to the faucet and got it off, so that we could install a fancy $17 faucet and have running water in the kitchen sink again. Ha! I've never loved a bad faucet so much!</div>
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The fact that the faucet debacle happened, sped up our decision to just do the countertops now since we plan to do an undermount sink with them. (For a day we thought we'd be sibkless until that was in. But even once it was solved we still were ready to go forward with our nice finishes.)</div>
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So the plan is a 32x18" single bowl, stainless undermount sink. With this faucet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3w3l_4LPylam4kPeWFBmtl6zo664LYyTE0S0HEHL2VlCl04EL95s1HuJQPweczL4MzfzQ03dPpmtogcUOcZa8reKk2804JEumoN_xCBIZHaLgVasphjna3e3OpUpmt4e9z7WMtgDMF-f/s640/blogger-image-64790030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3w3l_4LPylam4kPeWFBmtl6zo664LYyTE0S0HEHL2VlCl04EL95s1HuJQPweczL4MzfzQ03dPpmtogcUOcZa8reKk2804JEumoN_xCBIZHaLgVasphjna3e3OpUpmt4e9z7WMtgDMF-f/s640/blogger-image-64790030.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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We debated a bridge faucet for a while but ultimately I didn't want form over function, the two handle temperature adjustment isn't for me (I've lived with two handles before.) But I've been enamored with this faucet for at least a year. It's got a vintage feel and modern sensibility. Plus great reviews.</div>
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I went with chrome because I honestly really love chrome. And while it shows water marks, a quick wipe takes it right off. We have a chrome faucet in one bathroom, and it shines so easy. We also have a moen spot resistant brushed Nickel faucet which always looks clean so that's awesome. But then we have an American Standard brushed nickel faucet and it's NOT spot resistant and it looks terrible and is very hard to shine up. So I figured chrome is something predictable in behavior but brushed nickel is not. Chrome is also the finish that's been around the longest, so I feel it adds to the vintage appeal. Plus it's bling-y. </div>
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My kitchen needs a pinch of bling because I choose painted knobs for my hardware. They often say that's the jewelery of the kitchen, but I went a different direction. We left our original visible hinges on the cabinet doors. (It didn't seem to be an viable option to add inset hidden hinges, and I decided it does give me a happy vintage feeling.) So I didn't want anymore metal on the cabinets. </div>
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I'm hoping to achieve a sorta timeless, vintage English country vibe, with a hint of luxury, and a whiff of modern to bring it to current times.</div>
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I'm thinking that the backsplash will be smaller scale subway tile. I've read that the smaller scale is good in a smaller space to give the illusion of more space. And somehow the regular size does look off in here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3NQiOKnkt_7N3HabeTEskriZrD0XzFJMVmQucE2XRlQ_KjnrkJGlSu4sn5g8OX4PHluclUm9Okp_UDYH26O6vcijC2YZppNqQZAPp09CltOBUToRSgXtFbyONf9MkMlJLsGUmhLUnOLK/s640/blogger-image-938313182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3NQiOKnkt_7N3HabeTEskriZrD0XzFJMVmQucE2XRlQ_KjnrkJGlSu4sn5g8OX4PHluclUm9Okp_UDYH26O6vcijC2YZppNqQZAPp09CltOBUToRSgXtFbyONf9MkMlJLsGUmhLUnOLK/s640/blogger-image-938313182.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm thinking of wrapping the backsplash around the open wall over the wood counter, and extending to the ceiling. And adding 2 or 3 open shelves there.</div>
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The countertops will be a quartz in a pattern reminiscent of marble, with a pretty flat edge. </div>
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I LOVE marble but am not willing to care for them (or hover over people making them care for them) properly since they are easily stained and can chip.</div>
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Originally I thought I'd like an ogee edge, but after shopping and thinking I liked the clean line better.</div>
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We ordered through Menards, who by far had the most affordable quartz. And no one had a pattern I liked any better, so it was an easy choice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTnynPlBOMQcKG-18vbq-KO7Hc5jc95o2uCGKTvd3Jp3CHd6Ip32t3mq3n2-IDfl-poQvyLZAmHMiPaxsY0I-P5tW7m1fnHdlJpQkr6r42KTKfRmVcTSbtKglCk3vy4NxZKIYvia3s97i/s640/blogger-image--1177847910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTnynPlBOMQcKG-18vbq-KO7Hc5jc95o2uCGKTvd3Jp3CHd6Ip32t3mq3n2-IDfl-poQvyLZAmHMiPaxsY0I-P5tW7m1fnHdlJpQkr6r42KTKfRmVcTSbtKglCk3vy4NxZKIYvia3s97i/s640/blogger-image--1177847910.jpg" /></a></div>
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Initially we thought of going with a very nice laminate (they've come a long way and you can get them without that laminate backsplash on the backside and doing that really adds the classy look to the kitchen.) But we couldn't find the right combo of print, surface texture and edge shape for us. We started doing the math and decided that since we only have 31 square feet of countertop space</div>
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(We are not doing our pass-through wood countertops in quartz. We plan to someday upgrade form pine to real butcherblock.) So at 31 sq feet it wasn't an unmanageable prince upgrade to get the real thing. That way there was every part of our wishlist (look, feel and edged finish) was checked off for our money, because while laminate is more affordable is is not free, so we decided it made sense to put more in to get more out. For resale the quartz would appeal much more in our area. We don't plan to sell anytime soon, but just assessing the investment.</div>
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So those are ordered, as well as the faucet and sink. A few more weeks till they arrive.</div>
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Next we need to knock out the old backsplash to get ready for all the installation.</div>
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But I'm not thinking we'll do much until the semester break, since Blake's in the crunch time of the year. Which is fine, I don't mind a lull in kitchen disturbances.</div>
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When we get all the knobs on the doors I'll show you a middle-after/progress photo.</div>
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<br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-56749560221181584142017-11-14T11:19:00.000-06:002017-11-14T11:19:11.497-06:00 I started the kitchen makeover <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEymKo0YuvbKxScszwmxzO1PR3r5Y3GmJWHSx9ZFOUnYtJqEeVi7DU0uf8UcYqeOumXZ3y4jYig-w48fyY16jDQHMrRpykiXq5RE7yeFishTOkcZcfcIUogEL9d8X2bmaIJhvzn_InOVj/s640/blogger-image-742918308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEymKo0YuvbKxScszwmxzO1PR3r5Y3GmJWHSx9ZFOUnYtJqEeVi7DU0uf8UcYqeOumXZ3y4jYig-w48fyY16jDQHMrRpykiXq5RE7yeFishTOkcZcfcIUogEL9d8X2bmaIJhvzn_InOVj/s640/blogger-image-742918308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagWRoi0u_XN3bjKS6aB0U4oo4HSOkLD7Kvbh8s2ENbEW2wNBmqBfXpZpoz6NMyt0Q2etywlCfuLK31-OVgQtEOLkK4-g5_2Sa1nNhi8MoYCXLAzuF-t8kEZMXDBOapFt5JJeLEVMrvhIy/s640/blogger-image--1566522441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagWRoi0u_XN3bjKS6aB0U4oo4HSOkLD7Kvbh8s2ENbEW2wNBmqBfXpZpoz6NMyt0Q2etywlCfuLK31-OVgQtEOLkK4-g5_2Sa1nNhi8MoYCXLAzuF-t8kEZMXDBOapFt5JJeLEVMrvhIy/s640/blogger-image--1566522441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3B65ofcT4a6mVm74RR6w4w0Nq_7SOXUkwEOIupfx-O9zQfynqy2TCNTPIN5By40-s9PrfqYykxiAKeau9jtgfKg1tu80GRAFp5b-fKOV4Po1SwA12qp5ydrHtdMEUn00_C5bqSI5SD7u/s640/blogger-image-1156271129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3B65ofcT4a6mVm74RR6w4w0Nq_7SOXUkwEOIupfx-O9zQfynqy2TCNTPIN5By40-s9PrfqYykxiAKeau9jtgfKg1tu80GRAFp5b-fKOV4Po1SwA12qp5ydrHtdMEUn00_C5bqSI5SD7u/s640/blogger-image-1156271129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP1CuM0Know17xxNM2AjuvVnxpcJEEFygPqGXSm7d2H8Wp273sgs95Xmom9-xgebeCFMS7yaAHYt3P1_s7RZKGl3ajxPlhG4omJe1li9_OgKJgqIuYsFjyhyphenhyphenH68WsagKjj4E1wmlD83aK/s640/blogger-image-269249614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP1CuM0Know17xxNM2AjuvVnxpcJEEFygPqGXSm7d2H8Wp273sgs95Xmom9-xgebeCFMS7yaAHYt3P1_s7RZKGl3ajxPlhG4omJe1li9_OgKJgqIuYsFjyhyphenhyphenH68WsagKjj4E1wmlD83aK/s640/blogger-image-269249614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe_AXovFT46ZzX5tH03-OkawpELCgB_kr7RbZa116OpXM3lPtoVtODYmNmF2bu3nM0GCiTOT1jgmjbss5oQw7pBlII07LIf1EBjTluYI1DcMhyphenhyphen1FkSfJXpzWBJdnUh17d-R2n8hyphenhyphenCYbVe/s640/blogger-image--1178468863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvHNwW8gy8WwdOCFtyoU1frQBZMHFOrSRfSKBHdM8wqy7hRnIslWL4sPFxuWVai2nROuDeILtqKNm6uvXxQXeVyg5U-o6wZe9paz54xHK5ZzQU0cAGWWqeWDZ7skX9WPclv0gOtoGAK0j/s640/blogger-image--480522927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB1yBk9cO4JEHs2DHMPev8JkuMI4okXI3NPYGCEVDmZgLDKryx0XRMig8s56zJ2LZTMc3z-yTGeQ0Be6cx_qcnGWULqZxmrLFxicd6CkLHDSKwg_rXNV4sAPXaoE5RCXWQEeqzqgxUsyN/s640/blogger-image-573377175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Well something big is happening...I'm painting our kitchen cabinets!</div>
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I knew from the first walk through I wanted to paint these. And after lots of Pinterest I ensured myself that I feel good in a white kitchen.</div>
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And after 4 years, I forced myself to start. Painting kitchen cabinets with a two year old around is not ideal. But I'm making it work.</div>
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I'm not going to make this a super long post because I'm in the middle of this project. But here's a bit of what's happening the last week or so. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB1yBk9cO4JEHs2DHMPev8JkuMI4okXI3NPYGCEVDmZgLDKryx0XRMig8s56zJ2LZTMc3z-yTGeQ0Be6cx_qcnGWULqZxmrLFxicd6CkLHDSKwg_rXNV4sAPXaoE5RCXWQEeqzqgxUsyN/s640/blogger-image-573377175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_ss2nGhtigwhSMXCFfPBcKQRGqh5rvRE2CnLmXukhsRPfjoCcw-MD1uJOnvx7LPunkOqgnyM4amgFIjU6NilUfI2GcYpAF37qtwkrdKmXGdL4bug2TdupOYk_T9iUrfHfq7u93nQtRkJ/s640/blogger-image--40305898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_ss2nGhtigwhSMXCFfPBcKQRGqh5rvRE2CnLmXukhsRPfjoCcw-MD1uJOnvx7LPunkOqgnyM4amgFIjU6NilUfI2GcYpAF37qtwkrdKmXGdL4bug2TdupOYk_T9iUrfHfq7u93nQtRkJ/s640/blogger-image--40305898.jpg" /></a></div>
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Top doors down, primed then painted.</div>
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I decided on using Valspar paint. I was so overwhelmed by the choices and hoping for good durablilty. But I've been very happy with everything I've used Valspar on. And I used this specific one (furniture paint) on my adorandak chairs with them living outdoors in the rain and the paint has held up very well. There is only mind chipping, but these chairs are so old it might be the stuff under the paint coming off. Most parts of the chairs look great. So I figured it would work in a kitchen where there is no rain.</div>
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And I started with Valspar bonding primer first.</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB1yBk9cO4JEHs2DHMPev8JkuMI4okXI3NPYGCEVDmZgLDKryx0XRMig8s56zJ2LZTMc3z-yTGeQ0Be6cx_qcnGWULqZxmrLFxicd6CkLHDSKwg_rXNV4sAPXaoE5RCXWQEeqzqgxUsyN/s640/blogger-image-573377175.jpg" /><br />
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I asked Blake to take down a pointless decorative board over the sink. We removed the cabinet over the fridge. (Something better is being brainstormed. As well as the vent hood I have hated very passionately. It was the weirdest shape on the front and off white.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvHNwW8gy8WwdOCFtyoU1frQBZMHFOrSRfSKBHdM8wqy7hRnIslWL4sPFxuWVai2nROuDeILtqKNm6uvXxQXeVyg5U-o6wZe9paz54xHK5ZzQU0cAGWWqeWDZ7skX9WPclv0gOtoGAK0j/s640/blogger-image--480522927.jpg" /><br />
We found an time capsule<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe_AXovFT46ZzX5tH03-OkawpELCgB_kr7RbZa116OpXM3lPtoVtODYmNmF2bu3nM0GCiTOT1jgmjbss5oQw7pBlII07LIf1EBjTluYI1DcMhyphenhyphen1FkSfJXpzWBJdnUh17d-R2n8hyphenhyphenCYbVe/s640/blogger-image--1178468863.jpg" /><br />
Blake sanded everything for me.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP1CuM0Know17xxNM2AjuvVnxpcJEEFygPqGXSm7d2H8Wp273sgs95Xmom9-xgebeCFMS7yaAHYt3P1_s7RZKGl3ajxPlhG4omJe1li9_OgKJgqIuYsFjyhyphenhyphenH68WsagKjj4E1wmlD83aK/s640/blogger-image-269249614.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3B65ofcT4a6mVm74RR6w4w0Nq_7SOXUkwEOIupfx-O9zQfynqy2TCNTPIN5By40-s9PrfqYykxiAKeau9jtgfKg1tu80GRAFp5b-fKOV4Po1SwA12qp5ydrHtdMEUn00_C5bqSI5SD7u/s640/blogger-image-1156271129.jpg" /><br />
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I got the upper doors done and they look fabulous. The took two coats of primer. 2 coasts of paint on the backs and I called that good. But on the fronts I did three.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagWRoi0u_XN3bjKS6aB0U4oo4HSOkLD7Kvbh8s2ENbEW2wNBmqBfXpZpoz6NMyt0Q2etywlCfuLK31-OVgQtEOLkK4-g5_2Sa1nNhi8MoYCXLAzuF-t8kEZMXDBOapFt5JJeLEVMrvhIy/s640/blogger-image--1566522441.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEymKo0YuvbKxScszwmxzO1PR3r5Y3GmJWHSx9ZFOUnYtJqEeVi7DU0uf8UcYqeOumXZ3y4jYig-w48fyY16jDQHMrRpykiXq5RE7yeFishTOkcZcfcIUogEL9d8X2bmaIJhvzn_InOVj/s640/blogger-image-742918308.jpg" /><br />
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Living in the house right now is a bit tricky. I blocked the door ways with the fridge and a couch to keep the two year old out. So getting food to the table is a workout. But hopefully I'll be done this week.<br />
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Here's one coat of primer.<br />
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Two coats.</div>
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And that's where we stand today.</div>
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The room already feels super different! Brighter and more spacious. I'm really excited.</div>
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So two to three coats of paint to go. With 8 hours of drying time in between. (Rush it and it peels or stays tacky.)</div>
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I'm not sure when, but long term other stuff will be changed outa new countertops and backsplash. And a new range hood.</div>
I'm really thinking through lots of details that will impact the overall composition. I'll keep you updated as things come together.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-15438264491191884672017-10-31T10:57:00.003-05:002017-10-31T14:06:08.926-05:00Garage Door Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Ok, so first off, I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. I’m just having a hard time finding time to blog in this season. All my free time (when Bronny is sleeping) I’m using for projects (or teaching the older kiddos.) And most the time he is awake is just not a great time for typing. So it’s just not been happening. Right now I’m attempting to fit it in during “Oooo we just got new Play Doh! time.”</div>
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So Today I want to show you a project I am seriously proud of. (Unfortunately the photo quality isn’t to the level of pride I have for it, but I just wanted to get it shown.)</div>
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Because Befores and Afters NEVER get old…. Here’s our house before we owned it (Thank you Google Earth for the shocking truth!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcnGkK1pwyBxn4p2uUh4cC3BfCTtlCzv0Swxli3VKtO8hJKVg0jxdoxHDRhFK8VilK2r7rAvIZkHmYf-VOQVR7POHp4YmYdPEsNobB7DBTj09fGSp1lFjTlK8_4uEyGOgkIJdgFAM14Bm/s1600/Exterior+before+we+bought+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="893" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcnGkK1pwyBxn4p2uUh4cC3BfCTtlCzv0Swxli3VKtO8hJKVg0jxdoxHDRhFK8VilK2r7rAvIZkHmYf-VOQVR7POHp4YmYdPEsNobB7DBTj09fGSp1lFjTlK8_4uEyGOgkIJdgFAM14Bm/s640/Exterior+before+we+bought+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But where I really want you to look (I know…there is SO MUCH to take in) is the garage door.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8guL_SksOc_miTv7gFfPwQefbJW7HmT72AqkRpwGSX_K4ThDdzxB4e88e-u2Zy04uOVMYGkX3zgYq8y4Ai5LxaDhyphenhyphenSwyliiVyPLwIDZvFqVQwOA0YES6-wYtm-OYdrW4A3TnLN0RPI7T/s1600/Exterior+before+we+bought+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="746" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8guL_SksOc_miTv7gFfPwQefbJW7HmT72AqkRpwGSX_K4ThDdzxB4e88e-u2Zy04uOVMYGkX3zgYq8y4Ai5LxaDhyphenhyphenSwyliiVyPLwIDZvFqVQwOA0YES6-wYtm-OYdrW4A3TnLN0RPI7T/s640/Exterior+before+we+bought+2+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Because I need to show work in progress...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd___JhXYHD4d9LG8LQVZeQmoQvebUhDi_Z2E49rvf0ST21Hj5F3r-x9JhNjcLMwvGLmEfZqFj6uhAcoObpWu_ajnharALBYiloB9tXtVz6XurS2Xte5JOMFPBRI2PhxZs1g5yF-NxHQZp/s1600/blogger-image--558317016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd___JhXYHD4d9LG8LQVZeQmoQvebUhDi_Z2E49rvf0ST21Hj5F3r-x9JhNjcLMwvGLmEfZqFj6uhAcoObpWu_ajnharALBYiloB9tXtVz6XurS2Xte5JOMFPBRI2PhxZs1g5yF-NxHQZp/s640/blogger-image--558317016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this was us at the end of this summer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEuZWbfssHpYqtcY9arITpJDnJElR8FU9I6Q5nvECuvd_1_vEet34fkn0Cxl4xMVT3JAnFWytqleEQTafyPEI2hT8A3CCRDrVCjsiV2O5dmbgbAGTYG5BpQQxSWYtafW-Fp2PL7hlB1Nq/s1600/blogger-image-2007428869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEuZWbfssHpYqtcY9arITpJDnJElR8FU9I6Q5nvECuvd_1_vEet34fkn0Cxl4xMVT3JAnFWytqleEQTafyPEI2hT8A3CCRDrVCjsiV2O5dmbgbAGTYG5BpQQxSWYtafW-Fp2PL7hlB1Nq/s640/blogger-image-2007428869.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried to find some close up photos I have of the garage door, but my computer wasn’t in the mood to load them. </div>
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So you’ll just have listen for a minute instead. The garage door (well really the general garage area) is pretty much the first thing this house presents to a viewer. (Especially back when the yard was a jungle hiding the rest of the house.) And so when we pulled up to view this house, I immediately noted the garage as a point of change.</div>
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If you look from the picture above, to the picture below -- we did change the light fixtures. That made me SO happy. The old ones scale, light bulb placement, and color were so off for the house. These fit so much better.</div>
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Anyway...</div>
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The garage door itself is a material I’m not used to seeing as a garage door. It’s something like hardboard, but it’s got faux (large scale) wood grain. It’s really ugly. It wasn’t in great shape, but it’s still very functional. </div>
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A bit ago I painted it flat black just to kinda hide some of it’s ew factor. And it worked well. The faux grain chilled out a bit, and the oldness hide itself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVOxsUcdrqEw1vVjvRLMdgUvp8l6wt3qZRIokeGAs_aND7R_bs08-LY2iaAI3-UPhhrIy-6ILu3vOqaUBaRtizRtknMF4A3SfmUUuqGEFzSamay11kG7hzk8tlhy_IjelXNSby1e1jfUB/s640/blogger-image-2064170503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVOxsUcdrqEw1vVjvRLMdgUvp8l6wt3qZRIokeGAs_aND7R_bs08-LY2iaAI3-UPhhrIy-6ILu3vOqaUBaRtizRtknMF4A3SfmUUuqGEFzSamay11kG7hzk8tlhy_IjelXNSby1e1jfUB/s640/blogger-image-2064170503.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zD9aZoEpLiirtSMndQQ5C2VRGvnvs7rCLo1Zco7HlJ6j_7Vbbdfg-o0tZhCbjq5SWE8JMKahZS3txq_7KajWrbW7Hu_-9l46yYP1JsrGbH7tztilv-MxLadS-dh4KzxhumUgUYg_CFAj/s640/blogger-image--1613876841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zD9aZoEpLiirtSMndQQ5C2VRGvnvs7rCLo1Zco7HlJ6j_7Vbbdfg-o0tZhCbjq5SWE8JMKahZS3txq_7KajWrbW7Hu_-9l46yYP1JsrGbH7tztilv-MxLadS-dh4KzxhumUgUYg_CFAj/s640/blogger-image--1613876841.jpg" /></a></div>
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Still old looking, but better, espeically from far away. (But I wanted to show you with this photo, what this door really is made of.)</div>
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But then...</div>
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One day, while brainstorming house stuff, I had a moment where I thought…Wait, if people add trim to doors inside their house to make them prettier without getting new doors….why can’t I do that to my garage door. I asked a smart DIY friend of mine what she thought about it’s possibility, and she thought that as long as it was not so thick as to get in the way of the door opening, and not so heavy as to make the garage door opening strain, it should be doable.</div>
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(I didn’t ask Blake at that moment because I had JUST asked him to do about probably 6 other house projects that week, and if this was just impossible I wanted to save him the mental effort of my requests.)</div>
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So then I started looking at garage doors and trying to figure out what I could add to mine to make it look nice.</div>
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Enter this look: (I’d show you think Pintrest pics I saved…but crabby computer says no.)</div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjdRKhcx1naASMh7SRmoVPxXaEtgzNpti9kraQAzmc1OOMQDZvUh3TFmRmBOgaFq8Iw0K-KcUg8KbiqwZOaSBxvJ7Hqy-kA61njFAQyzvcnQWNiZuXLTj31nzEdSQ9BuCx8IBgNOKx61U/s640/blogger-image-1521495439.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blake bought hardboard, he cut it (And I think the store cut it a bit for us initially?) and we painted the backside for some extra water sealing out protection.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then Blake did awesome math and cutting to create my plans. Then he glued the backs and then brad nailed the pieces into place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lstc6tX6AwscIt-9wX5eTQMly6oufAehTTOr6VKLTomsA8doKfHcB-UlBfFV3Q8CuUCWOr1UN-kNIkoVn0GXS_WGVjT3JBGecpsUOlryEkxnH2Zakgzj5-Vjm2VVMnDwFlNuD4GikRUo/s640/blogger-image--1761208934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lstc6tX6AwscIt-9wX5eTQMly6oufAehTTOr6VKLTomsA8doKfHcB-UlBfFV3Q8CuUCWOr1UN-kNIkoVn0GXS_WGVjT3JBGecpsUOlryEkxnH2Zakgzj5-Vjm2VVMnDwFlNuD4GikRUo/s640/blogger-image--1761208934.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEUK0raF0GmJV4YhEdNkF4jjhQvrC2VSZr6IjjrlGsVotmRZsPNHZiIDjo56V0kOCwxhUFcAsrsDtKtl8UOaMYEpybBNIAlppOCPYOGdBxBN-2i3vM9hH0jncdrBtCpJx1Kktk73DjcV8/s640/blogger-image-1182108268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEUK0raF0GmJV4YhEdNkF4jjhQvrC2VSZr6IjjrlGsVotmRZsPNHZiIDjo56V0kOCwxhUFcAsrsDtKtl8UOaMYEpybBNIAlppOCPYOGdBxBN-2i3vM9hH0jncdrBtCpJx1Kktk73DjcV8/s640/blogger-image-1182108268.jpg" /></a>\</div>
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After that I painted everything black and almost died of joy overload because it looked SO GOOD!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXfMGRt5IoXuFI-OcMn7m1ANLfRuYNA0LtoJx65xGHCFpKoM4rD7MrlXUaF3JT6CVm6q1puyzKIH5mGsYbPJTzFkscmil-_Q91Qg35-2RHqTNA87NWD41c1-VO7oBpsxNdoibsoHFPRZN/s640/blogger-image--414123302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXfMGRt5IoXuFI-OcMn7m1ANLfRuYNA0LtoJx65xGHCFpKoM4rD7MrlXUaF3JT6CVm6q1puyzKIH5mGsYbPJTzFkscmil-_Q91Qg35-2RHqTNA87NWD41c1-VO7oBpsxNdoibsoHFPRZN/s640/blogger-image--414123302.jpg" /></a></div>
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But we needed to caulk it all to keep water from getting behind it. There was mild drama initially because we couldn’t find a good caulk for what we were doing. The first one needed WEEKS to cure before we could paint and I didn’t like the glaring white edges staring at me for weeks and embarrassing me to the neighborhood. (I’m totally cool with my house looking like GARBAGE inside as we do these projects because I don’t have to show people until I am done, and wasn’t embarrassed by the outside’s badness initially because I knew we could change it. But I learned in this garage door process that I am not impervious to fear of judgement. Because this whole process what very much a risk (I found no other blog resources showing a project like this and I didn’t know if it wasn’t doing to fail big time), and I hated doing it in front of an audience. Even painting the door black was a design risk, and as people took their walks that day, I was so self conscience. I was so afraid it would be UGLY and that people would judge me for it. It was an interesting emotional experiment during this project.)</div>
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Anyway -- I wasn’t about to have white caulk pushing all those emotional buttons for a couple weeks. </div>
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There was black caulk, but it wasn’t paintable (and we all know it wouldn’t be the SAME black, so it would ALWAYS show.) So that wouldn’t work.</div>
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But it turned out that we just needed to shop another store and found an exterior caulk that could be painted in a short amount of time.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpWrHhAXApqIck9hq_kF1z1S7hTjQiDdAvEqEA0KH7tRx9-kxksDICsT7YRFdDsvY-tHt8ixVrptpI9QGrF00CqIe-Qc_UenXHce9RhROjeJjD-9VYPxpq6LU2fiX6CRBostmj84Zf_hU/s640/blogger-image--1431313868.jpg" /></div>
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So Blake caulked the door and I laughed inside about how it actually just kinda looked period appropriate. I feel like midcentury doors regularly accented the raised panels. (However, I did not want it to stay that way.)</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jy4eFqtDs7GX5NDGO3x5dLNx4N3ohjfezhJeiKDQ4L8ZLu5QnPFPA0UyulT6Xw6W_9FulOIbC9Cf-xDoBMJl4HfEiMJA2U_dU2ISAzPRRyyeJH5oC_7S9GTLV_VEKHK2HdhvRP_9eE6M/s640/blogger-image--1901733442.jpg" /><br />
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Finally I got to go back over it again paint everything again. And it was good.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pw7X3_NuNxu6ZHc7WSIziRBBpUAVAT9EKRFyxM1ze1EI41AuM7qbMF_AzEk7AFihKVtcG56wrG2BAgEpCl6p8cuNh509CXnE11v314wamVPZGELiTrh90OPJcmtUIsrtgjoafDIq9KUL/s640/blogger-image--1042632597.jpg" /><br />
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I mean, I really can barely stand how nice it wound up being.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h6kYwkS855s6rlZWarIgL9cWlxm9KKzouyvZBR8LQa8JGxBdiFAul7w9GVQ15jyTpIrnRgMUidVkh4sxeCWI2x6Hd117u_mZSP42co3ktQhzv0p6ga-DkWH0VmexWGgTvQBsWg18TYOe/s640/blogger-image--2068435774.jpg" /><br />
Even that faux wood grain looks right now.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmR_a2o58RD5t6qRLYrmICPC3pTzDnuqqInihWFbw1aNErWCNWYeDqHDvGOHnpG22Zn-OLnrSNoigqtdiuSHQ3Xja5s1paIvac7vXDarTuXEjWO4AebQ8E3poiohnNm4lnlyw4sziV754/s640/blogger-image-1316465424.jpg" /><br />
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We did this a few months ago now, and I still crane my neck when coming and going from the house to watch the garage door from every angle and enjoy the crazy good improvement.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowCHRf2sWCC0UzBR6Eme7rUha19jl0HBATGAY55QNEP3M4qc6iSOKYr5ZqzQPEGSD0H3QKb87-U3IwpRCdfKETrOex-6wQfjpwPbR7sS1jINae-hyQRR2GpPb14YRuoD7JA9VaUBlbE5d/s640/blogger-image--1928297125.jpg" /><br />
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The garage door still works great. It’s rained a bunch with no issues. And we saved big bucks just facelifting what we had.<br />
I’m super happy about it.<br />
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We still have another project up our sleeve for the garage area visual improvement. But that might be a next year thing now because the weather finally cooled down.<br />
<br />
BEFORE:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8guL_SksOc_miTv7gFfPwQefbJW7HmT72AqkRpwGSX_K4ThDdzxB4e88e-u2Zy04uOVMYGkX3zgYq8y4Ai5LxaDhyphenhyphenSwyliiVyPLwIDZvFqVQwOA0YES6-wYtm-OYdrW4A3TnLN0RPI7T/s1600/Exterior+before+we+bought+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="746" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8guL_SksOc_miTv7gFfPwQefbJW7HmT72AqkRpwGSX_K4ThDdzxB4e88e-u2Zy04uOVMYGkX3zgYq8y4Ai5LxaDhyphenhyphenSwyliiVyPLwIDZvFqVQwOA0YES6-wYtm-OYdrW4A3TnLN0RPI7T/s640/Exterior+before+we+bought+2+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
AFTER:<br />
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I’m still just giddy over this!!<br />
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<br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-46715421010501153422017-10-13T09:18:00.001-05:002017-10-13T09:21:28.897-05:00Living Room Refresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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So, it was only a few months ago that I showed you a mirror, that I had made over, hung up over my sectional in the living room.</div>
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But, you know me I'm always changing everything.</div>
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This makeover was kind of an accident. One day I bought a throw blanket for the room (on clearance for $15.) It was white, and putting it in the space inspired me to bring in a lot more fresh elements.</div>
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I wound up having everything I needed on hand, so this may cover cost me no more then the clearance throw blanket. But it made a significant difference in the room. It's much cheerier now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGg-AjUwvy-0HpvJpaRtcZBYlcP_L9VweSm03J4linJHAwNJaVPL-sdzppL2PXtkUFIo0wf_G9UIxO-N-xeEoU7SK2SvNOksOy_ReFrwIPlV8ZRYM65gNOJaB68X5hxlRY1g7trd6zhT4/s640/blogger-image-1108861770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YZZaClNwHqJ9iOnFAoJHvil9MxB53OGpmfCvTFKIGpepTsKNpG5yuGobpEM8wsMZhPXCJpp-1Rs6iXeO4qE5ZM96jhQgbrJgpQwr-uLSl3tp4wM5ElzyENfvloAlirHSYGpWTCXWkoZZ/s640/blogger-image-1954013180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YZZaClNwHqJ9iOnFAoJHvil9MxB53OGpmfCvTFKIGpepTsKNpG5yuGobpEM8wsMZhPXCJpp-1Rs6iXeO4qE5ZM96jhQgbrJgpQwr-uLSl3tp4wM5ElzyENfvloAlirHSYGpWTCXWkoZZ/s640/blogger-image-1954013180.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXfz7q7zEqhrHxrO_zP2tEIFsepMJ_hEcqDDm5424Tbvb2l0_l9HY1JgNjFYYzkVlwgCQwaISJcWS0FLyj_jVvnbL_mUVsqLs22R9cVnzFaH5QcUcsbXaxjYEacAwqGKi3iUbEl1ryY6u/s640/blogger-image-1570450117.jpg" /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGg-AjUwvy-0HpvJpaRtcZBYlcP_L9VweSm03J4linJHAwNJaVPL-sdzppL2PXtkUFIo0wf_G9UIxO-N-xeEoU7SK2SvNOksOy_ReFrwIPlV8ZRYM65gNOJaB68X5hxlRY1g7trd6zhT4/s640/blogger-image-1108861770.jpg" /><br />
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These pillows are all made from scraps of fabric that I had laying around. Which are used to recover pillows I already owned. I wanted a lot of texture, but not a lot of color so this worked out great.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpaIMEHh91FdVaLbMLYEI69yXwMDnCe3VeXmZALTx-jD3CpyylH6Q1tf-ZmRJKdCNLujnmrHUI6US62rHE98OvbTa0rxWfvvrPG4CmK4QeXg9BCNlCj1VflRUptXyU3jKb-MSqkLtBYBt/s640/blogger-image-288211161.jpg" /><br />
This pillow was made from a tiny bit of fridge I had left after adding it to my throw blanket in my family room. I just sewed it down the center, two times facing each other, and so it up-and-down it to hold it in place.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQiJVUlKv7SnPUCXF1jFx6f8odCevUp_o2h7ATzUrdu4XRyzVRN11WQaSQpyhkUePdwtcAN_ldEJp4P8WVuwxE8uok0t3Qqx2N0l7IwwZSPsZVHRsr7ipw6cRFsjYDnpnVYOfQMp1YZMu/s640/blogger-image-380521217.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHESnlO0wTK0eyG3klw3eoNWZU_L-Jb-fDpqYK1pjFRK0xvaeYhBk0CpwD8GYeYPFLPOIjLa2_OzvsXBYNh5CsnNDzl1n1msRia9WR7G8q4h88o9xN13jTpKJZNcb4nhyphenhyphen4C3i0br0x7Ue/s640/blogger-image-932367031.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjZqVLsQsEKvU5kfMUv3ceOtdH287NxcBpZ-cFEZilh_3G4ez__Pf-pEzoTxAUr59R2rW62DX1bBj0eR7kAQDctmHwQcoEMhP3D0RG3Hnto-0d07aN-6swOa6PL2hNNtLA1nF2PdSqRxN/s640/blogger-image--255317222.jpg" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfGKujeohDlcJQCMnqn7BpDYYOy7eSXEJ2XjJsvoGaPUYIgWhmO3SNVkSQYWaoFEVyyF7gPxvkc1fsBqXAHx-zIhxPfSUEA4Fm1I_Hjc7ZDGUqyiJK-WGA_BRogvu70r65g42aF1m5a0i/s640/blogger-image--2127536390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfGKujeohDlcJQCMnqn7BpDYYOy7eSXEJ2XjJsvoGaPUYIgWhmO3SNVkSQYWaoFEVyyF7gPxvkc1fsBqXAHx-zIhxPfSUEA4Fm1I_Hjc7ZDGUqyiJK-WGA_BRogvu70r65g42aF1m5a0i/s640/blogger-image--2127536390.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaosqKFmtVsMdQxexfWPUGDNi4snojLH3cmA0ClomYSehwBEMeZ6kLl9WtvYT4-yRJsY8b3awv6610XTSGNuqpKNCk9V2QvJjlC2T6F0LNNQcHmWY6MkNyC46MlcOhAqyIDG6l7pHbTOk/s640/blogger-image-563339965.jpg" /><br />
These pillows, were made from scraps of cotton blanket. And I will be in my own yard to give it extra interest. And for the biggest pillow I made my own tassels from the yarn. The yard is one of those Kenzie are in it's like the current thinner as it's woven, so it gives a lot of nice texture. ( and I actually got it for free once when ordering a different yarn online. Extra bonus! )<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBgMIBcM9g-I19gxQA9Zi0AjwsrkgbqRTu9la4R7_YbbrFwWXMmqVkMLMwA-E9Aw1RAlVXVVMGH3uvwnbabfyVwBuLL2d1Oq2-IPH3urNYYDNvEf4nPyeTONH16_Isf_So6_4ZzlUHUUy/s640/blogger-image--1770306380.jpg" /><br />
The art I have up and there was kind of an accident but I kind a love it. I want of scraping off old art thinking I would paint on this again that really like that was left over. So I'm calling it an abstract art. It works for me for now you know me I'll probably change it later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK9cgzqQvPCKPslunTnmM5-o-cJ9crAgbyBbeH_yI7OXdwqcQ5iTp3IJWdjjyfGIXd3-9uA_uno-Uc7s0kFuNDjAcCk_VbGiIfByB45OpvoqFeTgufJEkXGiyMoUO1MOkIBVGaNksVJwB/s640/blogger-image-2056258227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK9cgzqQvPCKPslunTnmM5-o-cJ9crAgbyBbeH_yI7OXdwqcQ5iTp3IJWdjjyfGIXd3-9uA_uno-Uc7s0kFuNDjAcCk_VbGiIfByB45OpvoqFeTgufJEkXGiyMoUO1MOkIBVGaNksVJwB/s640/blogger-image-2056258227.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjo7ObX_gFyMVOaICyyYJJ-ERRa8KIz-TU_rGReUukt6wPqmjlMAlqqVXBQQ-sfBpShvGVYcG8_NSsZOxRIdjI3XDK2NyWig5ru20fhZTLQ-kYiccBz1jyJWBQvRFPWz0PEXO1-Z7OHPm/s640/blogger-image--1546003371.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3ZNEMjI-UdmDWQR24rnlOS1ykLIH6TNfNDuQBMcm1Uhz0GgAGgQGK211-svTLniCKdkmJfI6M0M-7kTZIujt_QXOLVJKiMGl-nZEDyl-EcELobVJKARuPjnWkjtYaElMGg9I2balK2zf/s640/blogger-image--768533359.jpg" /><br />
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So that's the living room now it's looking a lot brighter. I feel like it's more welcoming this way. Which is nice since the first room you see you when you walk into the house.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-57498632721921068552017-10-03T07:52:00.001-05:002017-10-03T07:55:49.596-05:00Throw Blanket Upgrade <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF66dNf3B26vwhHeA7hEK-XejBZ3bvYw68_ma5jC7-O8OVG0GiAd3O2BwInHNT7M-it1OypfHGhBn6IacGOq-26_jI8CqwHM6RSv4Ahi3gjKeCUoh0Sw8ADByByiZfLDwmx9gI4TOky49-/s640/blogger-image-1885054602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmeQaVEt-d24tGw0NxNk2CAT3kJKMtutR6Clw1YOq23QnirgeActeO7R68mGCgKWWZt4qpiYdmpKRpYi4v2SlTgXcrXQnjbG5AWtgSS9LZD8W5Jbj0VoNgKlM_PXqG-MMsLU02SYLxPKt/s640/blogger-image--2049198632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmeQaVEt-d24tGw0NxNk2CAT3kJKMtutR6Clw1YOq23QnirgeActeO7R68mGCgKWWZt4qpiYdmpKRpYi4v2SlTgXcrXQnjbG5AWtgSS9LZD8W5Jbj0VoNgKlM_PXqG-MMsLU02SYLxPKt/s640/blogger-image--2049198632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR6s_v5iDZa9Y1BB83SfxB0VBS8kec_hz2cBCunRI__4cIiD7zWc9_EKBvcaV6bfogJpzKMZnKmZBMoUGycJUJd0lVsJPNq6u5y_steINf9LqYKWTfNBx_eJ-hctPJ9w5foWonyk36Khyphenhyphen/s640/blogger-image--1028963198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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I bought three throw blankets I found on clearance for $10 each at a grocery store (Mejier) a few months ago. </div>
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This was great because we had been needing a third blanket in the family room in the morning. (There was an odd man out thing going on.)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSD6kDedVTLTG-srVgB5SzDWlHbqHr8BQfVE5FFMB14rLI0zaRy4exFClX_ZtwELQODGyU6meM1tVqy4QPRVG2qKcSpki93H_fq_iuggKhxup94aryv6KxhQaPL004riaIKfS2U_SjjPf/s640/blogger-image--1504667919.jpg" /></div>
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So I was excited to grab these, but I didn't like the edges at all --they were too plain.</div>
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So I crocheted a chain stitch in a thick yarn and then sewed it down the side seams.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XatiFtwyiTtdGpvRH-Ck3CErY4ZxeHRop4L7W6LZEON7QSAETwd5bPZ_JD81hFPIxrFndW2JwiiA87O0lZ6EUKTveQpac8E59HvPhMbgyPieIRdmKQb1DjqUubBLJSEw4KUrJziSw1yd/s640/blogger-image-1021362132.jpg" /></div>
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And I took some fringe off a vintage blanket I have that could stand well enough on its own with out the fringe, and added it to the bottom and top of each blanket.</div>
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I like them infinitely more now.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF66dNf3B26vwhHeA7hEK-XejBZ3bvYw68_ma5jC7-O8OVG0GiAd3O2BwInHNT7M-it1OypfHGhBn6IacGOq-26_jI8CqwHM6RSv4Ahi3gjKeCUoh0Sw8ADByByiZfLDwmx9gI4TOky49-/s640/blogger-image-1885054602.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixntcnszwPqjdaYBKQwDsZVTkWXqf174RBw71U1ZfLwJ4-MdZ-_rK0UbiHUKqPAyPZArqeXCxATttT-sZlBV6WJZiraL-6wFstVMpcv9X4zdwpspUdGn1eLHBnjesChyphenhyphenporYokghBFCd49/s640/blogger-image-1460054663.jpg" /><br />
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I think they look a lot prettier, and more classy, and meaningful.</div>
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<br />Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-76103379370950578422017-10-02T17:08:00.002-05:002017-10-02T17:08:38.969-05:00Photo Do-over<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Guys, I just really felt annoyed with the photos I posted last time.</div>
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So, while these are still phone photos, the light is good and the room is straightened up.</div>
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These I'm more happy with. They give a more "in person" quality.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDBxYR6sLoUNDvv80VakG9Es7fRYINGPTQHOaErJpu82UU-hNEY1sNOYPxgBax4lV1AE1Ay07aNXud7U7YnSqsoMwf-WBGCl6IFQSf0RuoHq3YW_1XMxq68htH2fUsF4WqoiONWp4CZPn/s640/blogger-image--1967205349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDBxYR6sLoUNDvv80VakG9Es7fRYINGPTQHOaErJpu82UU-hNEY1sNOYPxgBax4lV1AE1Ay07aNXud7U7YnSqsoMwf-WBGCl6IFQSf0RuoHq3YW_1XMxq68htH2fUsF4WqoiONWp4CZPn/s640/blogger-image--1967205349.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBad840Qm8gy9g29cmG3epb9JWC8YP-HLwekJf7behNhTJQ4owAyS5J_VKEn8_hMNyi6ML0Ug_7XyOPSy9zATgM6Xgliz96G9okydlGTQOsojE9G8UDXy4cxcMgGK4K7-e6RwC-Isbu7_Q/s640/blogger-image-681941687.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ggZ8u_W8wZ-pQb_2MT3XzQVMwzlkGjVYOapFlvXndM8zQ498PIzgVgYa5Mwt4fqhbPpWGEfPZvdwb7e3Qz8R7zj2nJl-4zdyCuX-RllsxYcT8psv1cFRRADqgb17uB_lrGZ6Ql3BWwVb/s640/blogger-image--1641377830.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxQnaMmsjC6NFYsR1vheyaiwTp7pliqcKqBf6mKTyLFjoXrpQDgJ2zCFkZIQdIDODh7-wvN5yLgJixh-69q-Od67UBkoFejY6i_uTVTBd8GN8RhttPwV37qQaFsnAaw3g0oTy4RYqkO_V/s640/blogger-image-722594083.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_6ZCWwnXQFX34Bap3qjbe99mFrqJyx_t5jHI4frcKmDWctMOip_4zjxxeqvOwHdPrQ6gfbh0XuULcid7SY74Z9-0z3e9MfROpwRKSfZ-Lxb9YMDzhq62qDJpWEvoxzdBWswh-BqLoDci/s640/blogger-image--785511352.jpg" /><br />
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I want to touch up the length of my hem on the back here ^<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx_2V_0z4QQl3FT1V7c3-i5EMbtIYJxrkY_8qArSa6c1XxslzlmOdGTqZz9QO1HRAkcgg7GQGl6kUVAAr6LB7A9s2672lXhUuiSxZF4W0LM4lZRPxK0Jswk-9jzqvP9g9rdx7iKX7WHtb/s640/blogger-image--2126086376.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFrRCp02xk0A9Y_ERoA4pri7SP_9-A0ExU3qFHCdix1S_qubNrnIIiOQr-a3Dr8At1_kbYILNi2T8lNp7sSw29xELI3LZaxZ_gWu2waXpk53DDzZ174bMDsmBMLCwAzZ5380RGuvLpEuL/s640/blogger-image-1109892135.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv6rXtYh9uE6VuQOK64Ovdl_Xcgx16eUhyuuMtMPAR-VlkwHs5PQJmm6R8rOHfDf77Nnq3TX5tEQMXr5Hf4K4MgPR8ebo_6vx1jcoTMsISIPE92eQ4wtXqjTujIS1s-lleQBkwWkVFtwa/s640/blogger-image--1719628331.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSinjjpjjNh1uPh9CSZQmbQMCnsUBxMLutdFZY59vgwaC5TAYeOiyqhTZeqcthtZQ-cC5G2At16qm74oDhPzhrvll3g5jb0pg0SUpR-8IcAXOilvcY1SyAMCRnTTO5iDsoJYEq2bqChyP/s640/blogger-image-1042193922.jpg" /></div>
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Here is a more realistic angle of the cabinet from the side. I'm sitting at our table which is the most normal place to be looking at the cabinet. (Ignore the garbage bag and baskets...I'm in the process of clearing out stuff.)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSEnUSY9gEhwjy86SBtm8MFYonfJIQIJGWRezEBj8CbSGYlJdaZXuQugn4R8d0DILzGi3ShshzGL8kytlGSoz8WNCmsl6jSGC9z8nRAzu_4jZAEjgrvzSfMhJ3Tk0bj-h-1YcBCUrquif/s640/blogger-image-261345941.jpg" /></div>
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And here is a better photo of those leggings from Target. Friends saw them in person and were very impressed with how much like denim they look.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wmZ0buuw6YEzfGsxHEnSTcn3GFNh6So8S6x8NuFhsKh7o17j-_ezDoTZ675OJbpvXc0fmJo_pfwdSuAWar9J8cYReSn6cncZ9DdZtmR96T7tkLYKCsYBpnfAXNKTr37tFiRa8DtC9Z4z/s640/blogger-image-156928035.jpg" /></div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-27869783902734333662017-09-27T22:37:00.002-05:002017-09-27T22:37:47.385-05:00The sectional is covered!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Well…if you ever feel like you just have WAY too much freetime on your hands…have I got a project for you!</div>
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On September 8th I commenced sewing this slipcover. And today on September 27 I got it fully covered. I’m not going to say it’s done, because I need to go back over a few areas and reinforce the stitching. And I plan to sew arm covers (I know those are for gandmas, but seriously -- blood sweat and tears are in this white slipcover…Ima protect these arms!)</div>
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But it’s to a place that feels done.</div>
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I’m seriously too tired to give you good photos. So bare with these. Everything needs straightening. But we just got back from our Wednesday night bible study and I’m spent from all the sewing today and learning tonight. So just imagine good lightning, and cleaned and straightened spaces.</div>
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So here she is!</div>
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Yes there is stuff on it, including a protective extra bit of drop cloth over the back three cushions. I’ll probably keep that on there a lot…especially during any eating on the couch.</div>
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Here she was Sept 8.</div>
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Tonight</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lDJs9_7MmwLQMGuQKjyDc2wWV9K-B718BIPSTKL6u_paIqq4t-ozML35w2JAa4PR6qMi3zW1PYLgSAbOQQHoVOQGNvM1uxBXnAoAu2huRDmqFl4gXcQ0jF17GNUBVsUa82TcNPXwLauN/s640/blogger-image--1674237395.jpg" /></div>
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Sept 8</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt-alGhG-BlXLvYXhGtkiNteEbMswMpsscBKEJOPuEvOYlRPyRJBMgZCBhJV6tfGH6N41UVA28lU7L99w7-1_ujkEj_zB5HoW6t8KjpF74AVPQ25TWoqEm5i5GDEf2idAty4U42b3Kjy4/s640/blogger-image--1600853536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt-alGhG-BlXLvYXhGtkiNteEbMswMpsscBKEJOPuEvOYlRPyRJBMgZCBhJV6tfGH6N41UVA28lU7L99w7-1_ujkEj_zB5HoW6t8KjpF74AVPQ25TWoqEm5i5GDEf2idAty4U42b3Kjy4/s640/blogger-image--1600853536.jpg" /></a></div>
I believe this couch was a $350(?) craigslist buy a few years ago. It’s nice and comfy. It’s a perfect size for our room. It’s been great having something cheap and used for kids (It’s been abused by us for sure.) But I wanted to breath new life into it. So I bought drop cloths to cover it…oh something like a year ago! I knew it was going to take a lot of work to do, so I pushed it back until just now. (I was right -- it was very time consuming! It wasn’t hard -- it was just hard to find the time inside motherhood. I’m severely sleep deprived this month.)<br />
I’m not terribly concerned about ruining it, despite it being so light, because I can run it through the wash machine, and I have a LOT of faith in oxiclean. Plus, even if we totally ruin it, as far as couches go -- it was inexpensive. I lost track but I think I spent around $100ish on fabric (a bunch of drop cloths.) So even if I’m at $500…. for a sectional…I’m not going to freak out if it gets ruined.<br />
I mean -- I am babying it this week (maybe the next few months) because I mean I JUST sewed the thing. But anyway -- my point is, if I was ever going to have a white couch with kids -- this is how I would do it.<br />
I’ve read a lot of people’s blogs on their white ikea slipcovered couches and how well they work with kids and pets BECAUSE you can wash them. So I’m feeling brave.<br />
And Yes -- when taking the couch apart in making this cover-- I started really seeing the benefits to being able to wash your couch….it get’s dirty!<br />
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Anyway…to start this project I had to unstitch the back cushions from the couch back. They were attached. That’s unique to this couch, and it added a couple nights to my project. Because I decided to sew the couch openings closed before moving on to creating the actual cover…it just felt wrong not to close it back up.<br />
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Then I mostly used <a href="http://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-make-a-sectional-slipcover/">this tutorial as a guide</a>, but then kinda did my own thing as well.<br />
I’m really happy with how it turned out. And the couch is actually more comfortable now! I wasn’t excpecting that. But the cushions sit softer. And with the back cushions being moveable now, you can tilt them to perfection and support your back anyway you like. It’s really nice.<br />
I was nervous to make these pillow moveable -- thinking the kids would just demolish the room into pillow fort heaven….and maybe they will sometimes. But so far it hasn’t been too tempting for them. And the comfort shift was worth it.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr0bEiIU2Pewsz5v88lijzEjcq3AR5fQvp_wRNFazjm1BojfPpPKfaXjJAYZTbbWRNg9-zHwUtAiXK4XVwZJAIxGhC_Fdbb3a59iFA3fs6wLZ2XM4q5Yd3QhHw7VSspCU-jwNYN_dNV02/s640/blogger-image-1713932153.jpg" /><br />
You can see my arm covers on the armchair.<br />
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In other family room news, I made this banner to update our gallery wall.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvqtN58aNt3HLlb5FJtKz-bnqlTG1sKIuPtIZxC8H5la6KLMXG0zsgCN4YHasncL3rmJynx93yt3UtmRW1qvHEv9LOyE7eKjmkO5QklBL6Hfdgip_iDBB8P0t2sHVsB1mZ3dNZjcH8Ns_/s640/blogger-image-2140433575.jpg" /><br />
More drop cloth, a dowel, some o rings, rope and fabric paint. And a lot of drawing and erasing in pencil first.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPQ8ZAaFtmh37LyX5eYKxtlsBCzV8jQA67BqYgHjcBMPsYWrWeb13RzkYiUL7acVGjZPkUWpIXNZnwzQWoAfsvgOMfjTPwrZUO2zmss75oOnshaSiBC_ZknhmAlOwGZsbBMMrXadccq7m/s640/blogger-image-344228058.jpg" /><br />
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In other house news…way back when I was sick and pregnant with Bronny, I planned out this idea.<br />
A butler’s pantry kinda cabinet to fill in this empty space in our dining room.<br />
Close to a year ago we did the prep work for this space when we made our tiny mud room space. When the wall was taken apart we added an outlet to this wall. It was a PAIN in the butt…poor Blake. But he got it done!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9a3eC27eyLwcHArlSZ8x-DoroPxF-DrQkmSpAzeztSnarS8ffhfcH_6ARjJV8E9rHTk58WQ3a5Dk13keq4_Ur78To3MXXJG4IWaMg169Rr6Q1ZRHdADJ4L8fKnyLmIe_LI-daB7AW99qi/s640/blogger-image--675671653.jpg" /></div>
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We made the lower cabinet a long while ago, and have been keeping the kids’ art supplies in there.</div>
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But, over the past couple weeks we’ve been stealing spare moments to get the uppers up. It’s still not done. It needs (lots) of caulk, and paint and hardware. But it’s coming together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2c4gA9SC6utR796Z3-fnffC-U8v-_Brd8g-lM02mcQtR4oFNVv6bg64r8cfnvtkhTkoXj46ElY2xbDxUyFtEsSm_J6mfqlaB3F-0-4puSfkx3S0Lr56CwnPiLlH9spHyyqDhCNtE3h1N/s640/blogger-image-291492079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2c4gA9SC6utR796Z3-fnffC-U8v-_Brd8g-lM02mcQtR4oFNVv6bg64r8cfnvtkhTkoXj46ElY2xbDxUyFtEsSm_J6mfqlaB3F-0-4puSfkx3S0Lr56CwnPiLlH9spHyyqDhCNtE3h1N/s640/blogger-image-291492079.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now that it’s in the space, I’m going back and forth on if I need to get a deeper cabinet for the lower. At first I was certain of that. Now I’m kinda like “wait maybe it’s ok.” But then I doubt again.</div>
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What do you guys think? Is it akward that shallow? Or is it kinda antique built in looking?</div>
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Either way I’m loving the top. Once it’s painted it’s going to be so pretty.</div>
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I may still want to add a sorta box of trim around the edges of the sides, Paint will aid in my thoughts.</div>
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The end game is to paint the kitchen cabinets all white. So these will make sense. And seeing them is making my hunger for the white kitchen all the more. So fresh and sweet and pretty.</div>
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And in one more random update….these pants are THE BEST!<br />
These….<br />
are….<br />
leggings!<br />
Leggings that look <b>very much</b> like real pants…like cool real pants.<br />
They are from <a href="https://www.target.com/p/women-s-high-waist-moto-leggings-mossimo-supply-co-153-black-l/-/A-52402626?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9022196&gclid=CjwKCAjwmK3OBRBKEiwAOL6t1F-qOmF0t5_9C19rjCZJCRrQN-4BG6AEBL86q9I746mdyleTRZs6NhoCM0EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">Target</a>. They are not expensive. And I believe everyone who ever enjoyed comfy pants, should own them.<br />
Target did not take a good photo of them for the website. (And my photo is kinda shadowy, so that might sorta hide their amazingness.) Don’t be fooled by it. Try them on…fall in love. Feel comfy, look edgy. Win life.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeQpKILl_Y0L1c8nmbERcOv_q2Z48zEi9CfHv_ZZXh_Kvd4dJZVWBaOtXXK9VSolxpLJJRBVtsFn0jqi9ph0LtEZbqbemLrjebMwwvVOojEvrQLTmHw6a4iTMsFjVNNVDBOrO-c35gPeK/s640/blogger-image-116161306.jpg" /></div>
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That is all for now.</div>
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I’ll talk to you more later.</div>
Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-65520890638752865152017-09-20T21:15:00.000-05:002017-09-20T21:17:59.933-05:00Sewing a couch<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR3Cd90s1osQI9w-uzfo8KddVnIe4YDIuPd7rUj8ueS91IJzwzBzlQJCh_F7li8bkHcD1-0Qa_b8f5pg_BAEa3goUlZmD_qKpr4n3kjZpmnIV-YEZPdpKlFLlVJH9FUTEajFH4hBY0DHA/s640/blogger-image--1874467376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oCstOP7hsqaNk0wF-W-OR7GFsgc1LhE7oU38tkRjvxGwLU7ld2DgoPQz8C5EA6iXAmQfAnwJkBfmJKmxBm4KS7an8iqApbhSOTFSipdYOLwZpCCTH6xaDwNf-NjUS_Kl7CoqF9ZlNgd-/s640/blogger-image--60620059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oCstOP7hsqaNk0wF-W-OR7GFsgc1LhE7oU38tkRjvxGwLU7ld2DgoPQz8C5EA6iXAmQfAnwJkBfmJKmxBm4KS7an8iqApbhSOTFSipdYOLwZpCCTH6xaDwNf-NjUS_Kl7CoqF9ZlNgd-/s640/blogger-image--60620059.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you guys are looking for me.... I'm here....in sewing purgatory, earning my way to a slipcovered couch.<br />
I'm excited about it. And I'm also very ready to be done with it.<br />
So I'm gonna get back to the grind and talk to you more later.<br />
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But here is our huge arm chair I finished first.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR3Cd90s1osQI9w-uzfo8KddVnIe4YDIuPd7rUj8ueS91IJzwzBzlQJCh_F7li8bkHcD1-0Qa_b8f5pg_BAEa3goUlZmD_qKpr4n3kjZpmnIV-YEZPdpKlFLlVJH9FUTEajFH4hBY0DHA/s640/blogger-image--1874467376.jpg" /><br />
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Bought it for $25, (it's crazy comfy.) And I spent about $25 on material. (I'm using drop cloths.)<br />
Not bad.<br />
Not bad.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYraLjRwPqWr-q8acqPW_LRwrVQi2pFo_u0G5WuoAa2BepX_NcYyUlwjUCQ_SNMO-sJEW-B-tI3fX5CIHanIjJnXHpn9gRSL9_6iX8fxvlWQHvBHcKLapT9KSQCMrwAxAEHIRNBhP2QtsW/s640/blogger-image--1985372405.jpg" /><br />
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This room is taking on a new vibe.Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110052640237660954.post-70076379072074015042017-09-10T09:04:00.001-05:002017-09-10T16:15:01.481-05:00Halloween came early at our house this year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-mIHcOnm74OrqAfFTSUIdHnwGd_-csWR9UJSUtrZS33Cwhx2ljiDsnRMsabEqjAXaOjtqR4rj5S6-9Io4VWxM-aqiyVlb5HkXfe29ypXqQv1ptWUdun17qlV4W0lQ5nS2G69NzJeZujc/s640/blogger-image--138903919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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I've noticed something about myself. Holidays can get me in a panick. And one of my responses to stress is completely blocking out the issue. Which in the case of holidays, back fires pretty badly. Since I need to get it together and do them for the kids, but I would block it out until crunch time, and then the stress was even higher.</div>
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This year I'm going a different route. Early planning and early arranging.<br />
And guys...this is a game changer. Holiday stress is at an all time low. Because there is no ticking clock yelling at me, everything feels chill.<br />
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At the beginning of the week I told the kids that by the weekend they need to decide what they want to be for Halloween. And then we would go shopping for it.<br />
I had it in my head that I would be sewing their costumes again. But Yesterday, I decided to check Goodwill before we hit the fabric store. I really had very little faith we'd find what we needed there, but actually we scored big time.<br />
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Guys, now is a PERFECT time to get costumes st Goodwill! The racks are <i>stuffed</i> full of options.(Kids and adult sizes.)<br />
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We went into the store looking for a witch costume for Jasmine. A Queen Doom (the evil queen from the non-hit kids movie "Princess Twins of Legendale") for Ruby. And a general idea that Bronny might like to be a dinosaur or something.<br />
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I was most concerned with getting Queen Doom right. I had no idea how to sew her stuff. Here the best screen capture I could get from the film.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMQwfkZzeTBRDlD58nCCHyqQV9vsVLGGZEp88UGb86hfbL6MmsiMJvxVJ_w6FwWaJddsY7pLKIgMDJEhYAlivimpqKb0rrb_V0Da8Dg4T4lHldiK8WVGZtG6hZV5O-SDLfxMejypLVYGv/s640/blogger-image--1574564715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMQwfkZzeTBRDlD58nCCHyqQV9vsVLGGZEp88UGb86hfbL6MmsiMJvxVJ_w6FwWaJddsY7pLKIgMDJEhYAlivimpqKb0rrb_V0Da8Dg4T4lHldiK8WVGZtG6hZV5O-SDLfxMejypLVYGv/s640/blogger-image--1574564715.jpg" /></a></div>
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Shockingly we found something perfect at Goodwill. It's way too long, but an easy hem will do it. Maybe a bit of sleeve magic too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-mIHcOnm74OrqAfFTSUIdHnwGd_-csWR9UJSUtrZS33Cwhx2ljiDsnRMsabEqjAXaOjtqR4rj5S6-9Io4VWxM-aqiyVlb5HkXfe29ypXqQv1ptWUdun17qlV4W0lQ5nS2G69NzJeZujc/s640/blogger-image--138903919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0FVk4cXLBjrCwaeeqSzmQkxSCPwqO0PmPvwkou3rNTLOi1VdbHHGmXtztdL7fO-CPrRRmNvZiCufN9LE9WgR5_jzENzFLbrRMSrhReNDQU4EsXwfKW1xy2Dm0MBJ-pTv2t3onM11xBFG/s640/blogger-image--354812711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0FVk4cXLBjrCwaeeqSzmQkxSCPwqO0PmPvwkou3rNTLOi1VdbHHGmXtztdL7fO-CPrRRmNvZiCufN9LE9WgR5_jzENzFLbrRMSrhReNDQU4EsXwfKW1xy2Dm0MBJ-pTv2t3onM11xBFG/s640/blogger-image--354812711.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jasmine tried on lots of witch things and chose the middle outfit. She decided that her witch should have fairy wings...not sure how the cape will work with that, but whatever. She's thrilled.<br />
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And we even found Bronny a dinosaur outfit! (The wings are there for Ruby. Just for dress up in general.) So far he enjoys holding the costume and saying "Rrrraaaarrrr." But won't put it on yet. But we have 51 days to get used to it!<br />
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Oh yeah I forgot Jasmine's adorable witch hat headband we found. It's SO cute on her!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-mIHcOnm74OrqAfFTSUIdHnwGd_-csWR9UJSUtrZS33Cwhx2ljiDsnRMsabEqjAXaOjtqR4rj5S6-9Io4VWxM-aqiyVlb5HkXfe29ypXqQv1ptWUdun17qlV4W0lQ5nS2G69NzJeZujc/s640/blogger-image--138903919.jpg" /></div>
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We came home and washed it all (besides the hat (which was actually brand new)) on delicate and air dried, and they came out great!</div>
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So yeah. I got all that and the Halloween buckets (not pictured) for $29.</div>
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I feel very thrilled with both the price (the first costume I googled for a "Doom" like idea was $30) and the convenience-- I'm pretty pumped about not having to construct the outfits myself! </div>
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Plus it was fun to let the girls try on all the fun options and come to their own decisions.</div>
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Plus, I don't always think this way, but I think it's good to consider, the actual benefits of all the Halloween costumes that won't go into a landfill when kids reuse them.</div>
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Save money, help the planet, have fun. Good stuff.</div>
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I also cannot convey how nice it is to know everything is done and ready WAY ahead of time. Holiday Stress free for 51 days is currently on my calendar. I could get used to this.</div>
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I figured I'd let you all in on this level of magic, in case you want to take advantage yourself.</div>
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Lydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834453573285443355noreply@blogger.com1