Thankful Thursday... The Courage to Make a Change

Most times, the hardest thing in life is making a change. Even when the situation you find yourself in is no good whatsoever, changing it takes a whole lot of courage. And it's just plain scary sometimes. We get comfortable. Even when life is full of misery, pain and chaos, the alternative is sometimes hard to see. And much harder to reach for.

I was reminded this morning of how fortunate I am to have changed what was once wrong with my life. With the help of friends, I was finally able to walk away from all of the darkness I was sinking in and step back into the light of day. Changing my situation, turning away from it, letting it go, even with all the support I had from numerous sources, was horribly difficult and extremely scary. I'm just thankful today for finally realizing that I was worth enough to deserve more than a life of turmoil. That I was valuable enough for happiness, laughter, love. And for collecting enough courage from those around me, and from right inside of myself, to change my life so very much for the better.

Mom's Cinnamon Snackerdoodles

My Dad used to love pie. Almost every weekend, summer or winter, my Mom would bake my dad some kind of fruit pie. And I have to be honest, I'm really not a huge pie fan. I like a few choice pies, but the only fruit pie I really enjoy is a strawberry-rhubarb pie. My dad... not so much. So, to satisfy my sweet tooth, my mom always made extra pie crust and used it to make me these really awesome cinnamon roll things. Today I'm officially naming them Cinnamon Snackerdoodles. And, in honor of my Mom, I'm going to show you how to make this yummy treat.

First of all, they're super easy, so if you like cinnamon and sugar, you should really give them a try! Second of all, they only use pie crust (shortening, flour and water), butter, cinnamon and sugar. All ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

If you've never made a pie crust from scratch, I urge you to do it now. A lot of people don't, but it's really easy and tastes excellent. All you need is 1 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening and 2-3 tablespoons of water. Because my Mom always did it this way, I always measure my shortening by the  tablespoon. Add that to the salt and flour mixture. Cut it in with a pastry blender if you have one (just because I think they're super fun to use!), or just use a fork, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Then sprinkle with cold water one tablespoon at a time and mix, until all the flour is moistened and almost cleaning the side of the bowl. See how easy that was? Now you've made your own pie crust. :)

Flour your rolling surface. Form your dough into a ball and then into a flattened round on your rolling surface. Then roll away! The best part of this snack is that it doesn't really matter so much what kind of shape the dough is rolled into. If you have kids, let them do it. They'll love using the rolling pin! :)
Once the dough is rolled, butter it up! I just use a knife and spread butter all over the rolled surface. Then sprinkle with lots and lots of cinnnamon sugar.

The next step is to cut a little more butter right over the cinnamon and sugar mixture so the dough will stay together when rolled. And, well, a little more butter on these isn't really gonna hurt anything. :)

Now, roll the dough into a log, pinch the ends together, and cut the log into bite sized pieces. In memory of my mom, I'm baking them in a tin pie plate, because that's always what she baked them in. Make sure to spray with a little cooking spray so they won't stick. Pop those babies into the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes (a little longer if you want them less doughy than me) and, voila, you're done! Let them cool a bit, pop one into your mouth and enjoy!

Next time you make a pie, or just want a quick little sweet snack, give these goodies a try. Hope you enjoy! :)

Thankful Thursday... A Messy House and a Full Life

I'm sitting here having a cup of coffee before work, looking at my house and all the clutter I can see. From my perch on the couch, I can see a small pile of barbies and cars that didn't quite get put away, two piles of craft projects I'm working on, swimming suits I got out of the garage, washed and didn't get put away yet because the kids and I need to clean out their dressers to make room, a group of paint cans that I've been using sitting on the dining room table, a pile of toys I plan on donating. I could go on, but this is getting a little embarassing...

And, let's face it, it's also a little depressing. I used to be the kind of person who liked to have everything in its proper place. Neat and Tidy were my two closest friends. But then something happened... I had kids. Then something else happened... I got friends. Then I went and got in a relationship. And he and I started On A Whim, our second job, if you will. I started this blog. Yada, yada, yada....

So, I say I "used to" like everything nicely organized and neatly put away. But who am I kidding? In a perfect world, I'd still love that! Alas, I do not live in a perfect world. Organization dumped me for someone else (or was it the other way around?) and Tidy, I guess we just lost touch. I met and became friends with Lack of Time (otherwise known as Busy, Involved, or just "Mom," for short) and Clutter. We just seemed to hit it off famously! :)

I try to keep in contact with my old friends. They even come by for a brief visit now and again. Then I can look around and feel satisfaction in my fairly tidy house. But that doesn't last long, usually not even for an entire day! And I'm back to where I am right now, looking at the mess in front of me. And, I must admit, it sometimes gets my spirits down...

But then I think about the reasons why I'm looking at clutter, at little piles of stuff. And it's because I have a lot going on. I have two beautiful, happy kids and a busy, productive life. And I think I can live with that. In a way, I'm thankful for my messy house, because it's a part of my full life and all the things that make living more satisfying, more creative, and just plain happier! And that beats just existing anyday. :)

Love is All You Need

I was on the phone with someone yesterday. She's a business colleague and a friend on facebook. So she knows a little about what's going on in my life, even though we aren't what you'd call traditional friends. We talked a bit about a job she needed done and then she asked how everything is going. I sorta laughed because, well, 'things' are not exactly going great lately. But then she said (and I'm paraphrasing), "it sounds like you have a great boyfriend. And everything is always better when you have someone to lean on." She is, of course, exactly right. It wasn't one of those lightbulb moments for me. I already knew the truth of that statement. But it hit me just how much I really do lean on Eric. (And not because I'm off-balance either, so no wisecracks!)

There are certain people in life that you just completely connect with. I've been lucky enough to know a few of those people in my lifetime. And I've found someone now who knows me so well, it scares me just a bit, even as it thrills me...

It's a little on the side of amazing when someone really "gets" you, and I mean the inside-out kind of "gets" you. What you're about and who you are inside, regardless of the show you put on for everyone. Someone who can look at you, or hear your voice, and know what you're really thinking, no matter what words are coming out of your mouth. It can, sometimes, be a little annoying actually. I mean, what if I want to keep a thing or two to myself, huh? :) Sometimes it's startling, too. Shouldn't it take years and years for someone to know you that well, not just a few short months? What kind of wacky-soulmate stuff is going on here anyway? :)

But, all jokes aside, it's so much more than that... it's dazzling and amazing; cozy as a nap in the sunshine on a lazy day; comforting when you need relief. There's nothing better, at least for me, that having two arms to hold me together when I feel like everything is falling apart at my feet. When I feel like I'm about to crumble into a million pieces. And the best part is that I don't need to ask. I don't need to do a thing, because he already knows. I can sometimes hardly believe how well he knows just what I need, exactly when I need it.

The truth is, Eric knew I needed him and the love he was offering me way before I did. I was the stubborn one. I didn't want to feel like I "needed" someone. But I sure did! And I eventually had to admit it. :) I couldn't be happier that I finally did. I'm not sure now what the whole point in being stubborn was at all. I can't remember my reasoning for it. Well, I suppose I can remember, but it just doesn't matter anymore. The things that happened in the past simply melted away and aren't significant in the face of the love I'm part of now. That is, perhaps, the most beautiful aspect of this whole thing...

Love can lift you out of the hole you've fallen into. Then it fills that hole right in, so you won't go and fall in it again! Whatever happened, whatever grief you've lived through or ugliness you've left behind, whatever issues you're dealing with in the here-and-now, if you have real love, you really do have all you need. Just make sure you let it in when it's standing in front of you :)

Friday SHEnanigans (with kids in tow)

***Disclaimer: no children were harmed during the making of this blog post.***

Sometimes the simple matter of picking up an auction item turns into a regular, full-blown fiasco. Let me just start out by saying that with my recent car troubles, and the small size of the old girl in the first place, there was no way I was going to be able to pick up two 84" long louvred doors with my own car. In comes Sarah, the recruit for the job. Recruited because of her van, but the company wasn't so bad either. :)

We picked up a couple of old chairs... piece of cake. 2 pieces of vintage luggage... easy-peasy. Now, on to get the louvred doors.

Before I move on with the story, did I happen to mention that we had all 4 of our children in tow? If you are parents of young children, you understand that having 4 children in 1 vehicle for a road trip, short though it may be, can be adventure enough. If you do not have/have not had young children, well, let me just say, you really have no idea the fun that can be had! Now, back to the story...

We arrived at the auction house, I paid for the item, I waited in a semi-long line, and then I walked back to the van to await my new, used doors. I will say, I had it all worked out in my head. I had looked at the dimensions of the door. All was good. They would most certainly slide right under the seats in Sarah's van. No problem. No sweat. With the week I've had, I really should have known better!

Out come the doors. On a forklift. Hmmm, I'm thinking... they sure do look bigger than I thought. This may not be good. The young man took them off the forklift. I asked if they were heavy and he said they weren't. Well that's good, I thought. So we proceeded to slide them under the back seat. Yes. This was going to work out after all. Until, clunk! They were hitting something. Upon examination, they were hitting the middle seats. Oops... too wide. The monsterous auction doors were not going to fit after all. :(
Well, I'd be darned if they weren't gonna fit! Poor Sarah drove all the way out there to help me out and she'd be darned if they weren't gonna fit either! We rearranged some booster seats, the guy slid those puppies up over the seats (after numerous threats at children to sit down or get clunked in the head with said doors!), tilted them over a couple children's heads, and we made it work, gosh darn it!

Now, little Holly felt sure she was gonna get hit in the head with the doors. But, let me assure you, she had a good inch and a half clearance above her head. No worries. My own little man, Chris, who cannot sit still to save his life, did indeed clunk his head. If you know him at all, you know this head-clunking thing is an everyday happening with him. So no need to be alarmed. Hannah fretted about the doors falling on her sister. Of course, she's only 6 and doesn't know how expertly we had tilted them and secured them in the van. Keara, well she pinched her finger in between hers and her brother's car seat, which we scooted right next to hers in order to fit the doors in. But, hey, that kinda thing could've happened at anytime. It certainly cannot be blamed on the doors...

We are home now. We've eaten dinner. We're all good. I'm sure Sarah and her family are safe and sound at their house, too. And I have the doors tucked safely away in my garage. So, even though it was a regular "adventure," as Sarah so nicely put it, we all arrived home with only minor injuries to a few parties involved. And, most importantly, the mission to retrieve 2 louvred doors for repurposing was completely and utterly accomplished!

Thankful Thursday... A full heart

I almost forgot this was Thursday, let alone Thankful Thursday. This has truly been quite a week. And that's putting it mildly. I have officially decided that May is NOT my month! Next year, I say we skip May entirely. That way, maybe I'll avoid a repeat of this year's headaches. And, heck, since my Birthday is in May, I guess won't technically get any older either! :)

Well, even though things have not been going so well, I have much to be thankful for. First and foremost, because it will be such a help to my daughter and everyone around her somewhat cranky disposition, the doctor has prescribed a different medication for her today. I am hoping and crossing my fingers and throwing salt over my shoulder or whatever else that might possibly help, that this works and clears up her problem. Please, please, oh please let this work! :)

But, today, more than thankful, I think I'm grateful. I'm so appreciative of the support I've gotten this week, and really much longer than this week, from so many sources and in so many different forms. I think maybe it will be beneficial for me to list for you some of the help I've gotten, so you can understand how truly blessed I am...

I've had a friend drive to my house and check my mail for me so she could deposit a check if it had arrived. I've had an unnamed person pay a craft show entry fee for me this week so the business could have our first booth at the Riverwalk Festival. My friend gave me 2 dozen farm fresh eggs and a bag of rhubarb for making my favorite kind of pie. Another friend has offered to look at my car this weekend to find out if it is indeed my head gasket that needs to be replaced. I have another friend who will help me with parts if I need them. Yet another friend even offered to give me an older car that he was going to sell for a modest sum! My friend, who already does enough by babysitting my kids, is taking my son to the doctor today and picking up my daughter's prescription so I won't have to miss work. Another friend offered me $20 to help me out with gas since I didn't receive the check I was supposed to get yesterday, and she doesn't exactly have a lot of extra herself. My son's Aunt paid for his preschool tuition this month because I just couldn't afford it. My wonderful boyfriend, who has really done more than I can list here, not only baked me a cake yesterday for my birthday and decorated it in my favorite colors (because he is so wonderful), he also sat with me for what was probably an hour while I had a minor nervous breakdown and literally sobbed in his ear! Then he made me dinner and made me smile and laugh again. :) My little 6-year old Keara called me and sang Happy birthday to me from her Nana's house. On top of all of these things, I got so many beautiful birthday wishes yesterday I lost count.

I'm sure I'm missing something on my list. But I think you get the idea. I am truly blessed with kindness. Reading this list, you're probably thinking I sound like a charity case. I know I sure feel like one lately. And it's no easy thing to write on here for the world to see how incredibly down on my luck I am lately. The truth is, I have been feeling like a complete loser. But I wanted you all to understand how wonderful everyone has been to me. And, as another friend told me this morning, I am not a loser, just someone who needs some help right now. I suppose we've all been there in one way or another.

The truth is, it makes me feel better to know that people are generally good and kind, and I thought maybe it would make you feel good, too. Sometimes it's all too easy to look at the world in a sour light. To see the bad parts of people and situations and forget about all the good that is out there. But, man, there really is so much good in people! I honestly have some of the best people in my life right now. And I couldn't be more grateful for all of them. Even if it's just lending me a shoulder to lean on or an uplifting word, they truly are the kind of people who make tough times more bearable. The kind of people who make my heart feel full, even in the midst of difficulties...

Confessions of a Frazzled Mom on Mother's Day

Mother's Day. A day for celebrating moms everywhere. The perfect day for mom to relax and get flowers and sappy cards about how great she is. When you've lost your mom, though, it can also be a day for memories. And, even when the memories are sweet, they can definitely still make you sad. This Mother's Day was a tough one for me. It's the 3rd year I've no longer had my own mom. But it was the roughest year yet. I've already been bogged down with car and money worries. And missing my mom is hitting me very hard.

To top all of that off, my own daughter and I spent three hours sitting in an urgent care clinic. To say it was frustrating is putting it mildly. She then spent most of the evening crying and I spent it, well, losing my temper. I can say with certainty that Mother's Day is not the best day to feel like, and possibly behave like, the worst mom in the world. The fact that it's a special day just compounds the awfulness of it. 

In fact, I'm starting this post at 1:00 in the morning because she woke me up at 11:30 and I haven't gone back to sleep yet. So I guess I have to admit, I'm a frazzled mom right now. I also suppose there are a lot of moms out there who can relate to that feeling. I'm writing this in the middle of the night because I'm not sure what else to do. I can't make her frustration go away. And I can't seem to control my own. I can't call anyone to vent because most people are in bed right now. So this is the only option I have left. I'm sure hoping it will help.

Now for the confession part... I'm not a perfect mother. (I know, you're all shocked, right?) I get frazzled. I get down in the dumps about life's problems. I yell sometimes. I struggle with discipline and consistency. I don't always make the healthiest foods for my kids (sometimes I even let them eat a cookie in the morning!). I sometimes choose sitting on the couch for 15 minutes doing aboslutely nothing over playing Candyland. I get uptight about small things. I get worked up over big things. I have many faults indeed...  

The problem with being a frazzled mom is that our own frustrations don't help the situation any. I know that. And I've done a good job at trying to keep my cool. It just hasn't been working so well for me today. I would like to hope that, even when I'm not being so nice, my kids know how much I love them. But, more importantly, I'd like to be able to show them at all times. Didn't do such a great job of that this evening. And I feel horrible. Being a single mom makes things even more difficult. When you feel like you're losing your temper, you can't really step away from the situation because you can't leave the kids home alone. And mine always seem to follow me outside, so that doesn't help either. What's a frazzled mom to do...?

Well, this is what I'm doing: I'm doing my best. And that's about all we can do, right? The trick is to not continue to beat yourself up about things you can no longer change. I can't change my earlier behavior. But I can work on it from here on out. I can collect myself, which I'm doing by writing this, and I can move forward with a better attitude (hopefully).

Like I said, I've been thinking about my mom a lot this weekend. The truth is, my mom wasn't perfect either. Not by any means. She was a good woman. And a great mother. But she had her faults, too. The funny thing is, those aren't the qualities I think about when I remember my mom. I think about all the things she did for me. All the kind words. All the love she had for me. Not about any specific times when she lost her temper or didn't play with me or rasied her voice. Our memories are funny like that. We choose what to remember and what to discard. We wrap up the whole of things, of relationships, of events, into a bundle and remember mostly the emotions we had about them. And love is one of the most powerful emotions of all. For the most part, I do show my kids how much I love them and how special they are to me. I hope that means in the future my kids won't remember how I yelled at them tonight, but rather, how much I loved them always.

So, I confess... I'm not a perfect mother. I don't suppose there was anyone out there who actually thought I was in the first place, so maybe it's not really that bad a confession after all. And maybe I shouldn't feel nearly as bad as I have been feeling about things. And maybe, just maybe, writing this has helped a bit. So thanks for listening...

A Little Saturday Inspiration

Who knew antique stores and flea markets could be so much darn fun? I would have never thought so before lately. But, even though I was just browsing today, I got a huge ol' bunch of inspiration from my window shopping stops! 

First, I stopped in the cutest litle shop in Lake Odessa. It's called So Simply. If you've never been there and you like darling little unique items and gorgeous jewelry, you should definitely make the trip! I've been there before and I just love it. They had the neatest wall organizer there. It was very simplistic but really cute. Industrial and primitive all rolled into one, with wood and four hanging metal baskets and painted numbers. I would love that for Mother's Day. Or my upcoming Birthday. Just saying... :)

Then I stopped in an antique store in Lake O. Loved so many things there I can't even go into detail. But I will say, most of them we will be making here at On A Whim. So... I guess somebody better get busy. The builder part of our duo, I mean!

But of of all the things I saw, I want to start with this one...

I want our next project to be a farm-style cupboard. I need one old screen door with a little bit of character. Check. One handyman. Check. Some hardware (to be provided by said handyman). Check. The perfect paint color to add some crackly finish to the end result. Check. Check. And double check. I do believe an old-fashioned, farm-style screened cupboard is on the agenda. Now, to go and tell said handyman the news... :) 

Happy  Saturday, everyone. Hope you all find a little inspiration today, too!

Thankful Thursdays... {I need a pick-me-up}

Wow. Has it been a busy morning. I need a break! Or a drink. :) Since it's only 11:30 am, I'll guess I'll wait on the drink and take a moment for my blog.

Writing is my therapy. It always helps me refocus and relax. That, my friends, is just what I need right now. I feel like I've been running 40 miles to the minute this entire day. And it isn't even half over yet! Between water pipe breaks at the Fairgrounds, calls to the doctor about Keara, and the ever-present car overheating issue, I've hardly had a chance to breathe. But now, ahhhhhh..... I already feel like I'm 50% more relaxed than I was when I sat down to write. See, I told you it's my therapy. :)

Sometimes it helps to just take a moment to shut everything else out and think about only one thing. Since today is Thursday, I'm trying to think about what I'm thankful for. I cannot lie: it's a little difficult today to think along these lines while everything seems to be falling apart around me. Both literally and figuratively. lol. But even in the midst of chaos, I know there's always a flip side to every dark cloud. Sometimes you just have to search a little for it. Actually open your eyes and make an effort to see it.

Take, for instance, my daughter's medical issue. I'm waiting for a call back from the nurse to see how to proceed with it. It's nothing life-threatening. Just uncomfortable for my poor baby girl. And yet another thing to add to my list of problems. Of course, there always is a bright side. She's with her Nana today. So she's in good hands. And even if she does need to go in to see the doctor, Nana will take her for me. Meaning, I won't have to miss any work and, therefore, any money in my paycheck.

And as for the overheating car (which I despise right at the moment! lol), at least I can still drive it to where I absolutely need to go. It's a tricky situation and requires a little finesse, basically amounting to me pulling over after about a mile and sitting for a minute or so until the temp drops down again. It's a pain more than anything at this point. But, the old girl is still getting me to work and the kids to school. At least for the moment. So I really shouldn't complain too much (yet!). And, of course, there's my 2 bosses, who have changed 3 parts already trying to fix it. And another friend who is willing to take a look at it too. How can a girl not be thankful for stuff like that? :) 

So, now that I've taken a moment to refocus, things don't look quite as bad anymore. Thank goodness I sat down to write this blog. And thank goodness for ways to refocus those negative thoughts into something more positive. Writing is my therapy. We all need something to bring us back to reality and out of our poor me lapses. What are some of your down-in-the-dumps therapies?

Why I'm not a Web Designer

I managed to add a new page to my blog to send people to our Etsy shop. That was the easy part. The problem was how to make the page open in a new window, instead of sending people away from my blog. There wasn't an easy way to do it, like the click of a button (at least  not that I could see), so I searched through the help section. Nothing. Then I did a web search. Found lots of entries on how to make all my links open in a new window, but not just one specific page or link. Logic would tell me I could apply the same technique to just one link, but the problem was, everything told me I needed to edit the html. I looked and looked throught the html but couldn't find my link anywhere! And this, my friends, is why I'm not a web designer! :)

Things like html and css are foreign concepts to me. As a graphic designer, I'm pretty proficient. I think I know my stuff! :) And I'm fairly good at figuring things out with a tutorial or instructions. But I must admit, all this internet code stuff kind of boggles my mind! :) I hope to learn more as I go so I can add some really cool graphics to my blog. But, for now, it's best I leave all that code stuff alone!

I asked a friend if he could help me solve my problem with the link. He checked my blog and said that my Etsy store page did indeed open in a new window for him. Huh? It certainly wasn't for me! And I really don't want people to surf away from my blog when they visit our Etsy store. So...

I am asking for help. Could someone out there who is reading this blog (if there's really anyone out there. lol) click on the tab at the top of the blog that's titled {the shop} and comment on this post to let me know if it opens a new window for you. I would really appreciate your help on this one! Thanks a bundle, and talk to you soon.

The shop's open. Come on in!

It's official. We've opened our Etsy shop. :)

I can't tell you how exciting all of this is. Some of you may already know that I used to work for a small business and, in the eyes of many, I seemed like an owner. Although I "took ownership" of it, if you will, and treated it like my own in a lot of ways, I actually owned no part of it. Well, now all of that has changed! With the creation of On A Whim, I actually do own half of my own business. And I absolutely love it. And it's so great to be able to share all the fun with Eric. Each step we take together in this venture is a blast!  :)

So, check out our Esty shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeItOnaWhim  

And make sure to check back often. We'll be adding items weekly (as long as our production schedules cooperate). Hope you like what you see at the shop!

Our Very First Sale!

Yesterday evening we made our very first actual sale at On A Whim! Woohoo! It was a small item, but felt hugely gratifying. Thanks to Kendra for making the purchase! :) Here's our first product sold: a cute little shabby chic picture holder (drum roll please)...

Now that Eric and I are nearly finished getting some business-related "junk" all set up (and we all know there's nothing very fun about that!), we can focus on the good part: working on some awesome inventory. We have a stockpile of things we can't wait to repurpose and make and just a boatload of ideas for a bunch of other stuff. Unfortunately, we both have full-time jobs (and kids!) and there's only so much you can cram into a 24 hour day. I'm sure that's not news to any of you! But, we're chugging along, like real troopers! :) Soon we'll have enough cool inventory to open up a booth and get to our first real-live show. We can't wait and, honestly, we hope you're just a teeny little bit excited, too! :)

Tomorrow morning I'm off to the auction house (probably in a borrowed truck since my car is basically worthless for hauling things) to pick up a cool vintage trunk, an end table and a mirror. Can't wait to get them! Add those to the other 3 items we picked up this week, and Eric and I have a very busy week or so ahead of us. Of course, first things first... I need to set up my daughter's new daybed, transformed, of course, with the paint of her choice: grape purple. The color is actually pretty cool. She has good taste. She is MY daughter, after all. Ha ha!

After the auction house and what is sure to be dubbed "the bed fiasco of 2012" (the fiasco part consists of taking down her old bed, which is absolutely huge!),  hopefully I can work outdoors on some furniture projects! I'm just dying to work on this piece that was once a clock tower thingamajig. Think it's gonna be pretty cool when it's done. Hope everyone has a great weekend! I sure plan on it. :)


Thankful Thursday... Unexpected Niceties

I've decided to make Thursday my thankful day. Partly because of the alliteration. And partly because it's usually been a long week by Thursday and I could use the reminder that people are generally nice. :)

As I said in my previous post, I am slightly addicted to craigslist. And I also mentioned we were going to pick up a free coffee table yesterday. Well, the plan went awry. Eric wasn't able to find the house number to pick up the table. I thought maybe it was because he's not familiar with the area. Ha! Wasn't I wrong...

I asked my boss, Chris, who lives near where the table was, if he would be willing to pick it up for me this morning. Otherwise, it was going to the fire pit or Goodwill. And I certainly didn't want that! He agreed. That's the first nice part.

But when he got to work this morning, he had no table. I repeat, no table! Rats! I really wanted that darn table. But he said the same thing as Eric: he wasn't able to find the house number. So, the question then became, did this house really even exist? And was there a table at all? :)

Next thing I knew, both my bosses were leaving again. Where to? Why, they were going to find that house and get my table! They are gone right now, on a mission for little old me and my free old coffee table. So, not only was Chris willing to pick up the table when he wasn't far from the location, now they are making an extra trip to get it. Second part of the niceness.

Third part, and probably more important than the table :), is that they are going to look at my car this afternoon. It's overheating and, of course, I don't know why. I should know a whole heck of a lot more about cars than I do, considering what my dad did for a living. But, alas, I know just about nothing. And, I don't exactly have a lot of extra cash. So, when my car goes haywire, I need help. This is not the first time they've helped me with my car either. Thank goodness I have people to help me out of the jams I find myself in.

And so, the decision to start Thankful Thursdays on my blog. I could sit down and have a good cry (believe me, it would be easy enough to do). But, instead, I'm going to count my blessings. Because I have many. And am, indeed, very thankful for that! 

Jumping In

I figured today's as good a day as any to jump into this blog thing. I've had my blog sorta-kinda set up for about a week now, but haven't actually written anything yet. So, I guess I'd better start...

I'm pretty anxious to get off of work today. And, no, it isn't because there's a margarita waiting with my name on it! :) It's because Eric is bringing the trailer here and we're going to pick up a beauty of a desk from someone . Found it on craigslist. (I must admit, I think I may be addicted to looking at the "free" and "furniture" listings on there!) But I found it for a steal and am absolutely thrilled about it! I swear I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to lucking in to a great find. Speaking of great finds, did I mention we're also picking up a free coffee table today too? I am so completely excited!

Here's the desk I'm so thrilled about...

I have an idea for the color I want to use on this old girl. But once I have it in my hot little hands, I'll know for sure what I'm going to do with it. The top is probably going to need a bit of filling and sanding but, for the most part, she's in great shape. And she's a beauty!

I'm so glad to finally be refinishing a piece of furniture for our new business. So far, we've done smaller items that Eric has built from all the pallets he has crammed in his house and yard. And that's been a whole bunch of fun! But we finally found a great piece like this at a reasonable price and I'm very anxious to get going on it. That being said, it probably won't happen this weekend. I can be as anxious as they come, but my kids don't always let me act on that! :) But, if by some strange force of nature, I actually can start working on our new treasure this weekend, I'll be sure to take pics so you all can follow the transformation! Talk to you soon.