It's 2014!!! A new year means new projects...

With it being a new year first off Happy New Year! It's 2014 and I'm in hopes this year will be a year full of good changes, positive vibes and a lot of productivity. We have really been slacking on working on the house this last year and all I can hope for is that we can get back into full force of getting things done. WE still have a long list of things that have yet to even be begun from when we first moved in. I did however before the end of 2013 get our teenagers room re-painted to hopefully get her excited about it being her space again. When we first initially painted it she had picked out a vibrant aqua teal turquoise that just didn't fit in the small space or the other colors in adjacent rooms to hers. So instead I gave her some colors to choose from in hopes she would pick the lighter of the shades but instead she picked out the darker of course (teenagers).The color chosen was this great wet coral color that at first I thought would have been too dark but it turns out after drying on the wall works very well. I left the ceiling molding the previous color so the desk I painted for the space would still work and added a touch of gray chevron on one wall that matches the interior drawers of the desk and it made it all come together even more. I did however make the mistake of buying paint from a certain over priced home improvement store that I won't name but will say it started with a L that for the price I instead should have gone to Sherwin Williams or at least Home Depot for a better quality paint. What was supposed to be a one coat primer and tone paint still took three coats and if I recall correctly I only had enough paint to do three coats on three of the four walls. For such a small space I would have figured that it wouldn't have taken the entire gallon but it did without even a single drop left. When I say every drop too I mean it, there wasn't a single bit. Halfway I even had to add water to make it stretch to even get as much paint out of it as I could. Thank goodness the wall I intended to do the gray chevron pattern was the last painted and it ended being the one that only got the two coats. When I added the chevron it at least covered most of the spots that needed that extra last coat of the coral color and distracts from the imperfections. Since I ran out of the first color I unfortunately won't be going back over and doing touch ups. But when you see the pics below it really won't matter because you can't see them anyway unless you are one of "those" people like me who like things perfect to the tee. I figured with this room being a 16 year olds room this pattern won't last and we'll end up changing it within the next three years anyway. That I think is the hardest thing with painting projects on kids rooms in general, don't expect for them to last long, maybe three years tops. As I type that statement I'm reminded of the My Little Pony mural in our four year olds room that still has yet to be finished. I'm sure as soon as it's done sh'ell be tired of them staring down on her and she'll want a more big kid room but I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping not. It absolutely was a chore though, I must be honest. Two tone or mural painting on walls is a lot more pain staking than just applying a one color paint job or smaller projects like tables or dressers. Overall I still love painting and think I'll have to start getting in the practice of challenging myself when it comes to different designs and methods. Below I have attached a pic of the room before, during, and after the project was finished. Now up next will be tackling the list I mentioned before I don't know how many times and hopefully getting some more work done so we can make some posts on here on a regular basis. Here's to a happy new year y'all and getting things accomplished. There's nothing better than that feeling you get from getting things done and as for that feeling I am a true addict. Until next time, your work-aholic friend from TX in AR.

So obviously we are really, really, REALLY BAD at this blog thing...

Oh... Hi! I guess if a person has a blog that they started a year or so ago they should probably keep posting to it even if it has been maybe a year since their last post right. Well as the title states I'm a very very bad blogger and if anyone was left waiting all this time for pics of our house thus far let me just say this... I am so, so, so sorry. Other than that I don't think our non-blogging selves affected anyone or anything directly so I believe we are a go for a fresh start. So what you have been waiting for is still and seems it will always be a work in progress but hey that's life. Here attached above is a picture of how the house used to look and below how it looks today with the new paint job.

I literally just finished painting the very last window, let's just say they were a slow process and I only broke one. It wasn't a very enjoyable job to get done. At least I know now how much I hate windows. We still have yet to furnish the house shutters but those are one of the next few projects that still remain untouched since we initially moved in. I have done some other work in between each project as well so it's not quite like I'm just a lazy bum taking my sweet time. As you can tell I have done a bit of cleaning up the landscaping but still have yet to fill in what perennials I want on the back and west side of the house. I finally got the rachety carpet out of the garage and have stripped maybe a quarter of it already. That will have to wait I think. Figured out that even though I'm stripping the old carpet glue off I might still have to have it resurfaced for the epoxy floor to adhere to it. But we'll see. I also repainted and changed the color of the down stairs bath and soon the room itself too. Thinking of doing a coral color with some grey chevron accent on one wall would be pretty cool. We had an old red desk that was painted teal to go in there so the contrast of the color should be a nice look.
 I also recently just finished a sweet little wee chair for my wee one that is really cool looking and retro to me. It was really on it's last leg when I had found it and all it just needed was a fresh update so it got sanded down and painted a textured pearl color and the seat recovered with a very bold art-deco pattern that should be versatile enough for any room or nook and cranny for a good book to be enjoyed in it. I still need to get the rubber foot ends for the legs so it doesn't scratch our floor and maybe a little touch up on a couple of places. Overall I think it turned out very nice and it should last a
turn of time or two even more so after I waterproof the upholstery for
those just in case moments in time. As soon as I get the downstairs room done again I'll post an update of it. I do know one thing though and I'm not totally convinced I'm gonna like the two tone paint job on a wall. I can fare it on a table like the two tone stain and paint I did on the table in the picture below but two tone painting is just gonna be a hastle I think. Guess we'll have to wait and see how that one turns out. I still have to finish the two tone chairs that match the table and I have out off doing them just because I'm not excited about having to paint them in itself. Chairs can be difficult without spraying and I'm not a fan very much of using tape because it always tends to bleed one way or another. When the set is done I'll post pics of them too along with the table so you can see the full effect. Cold weather is getting ready to set in and I must admit it is rather difficult to work in the garage without the door open and working with paint and stains. It can be rather unhealthy and nauseous so my posts will most likely to continue to be few and far between.   The holidays are creeping up as well so I'll try to remember to stop and write a little here and there and wish you all good tidings. For now good day all, until the next post be kind and remember to work and play smart!

Random Tuesday blog...

I must admit in all honesty that when I first thought of a life without a microwave in the kitchen I wasn't convinced that we would ever survive. But now that we have made it two weeks with out even thinking twice about it I'm a believer. It can be done, and rather easily. In my attempt to make wiser food choices for me and my family I personally do believe this might just be the easiest one we've made the last gew years and the microwave oven even helped us in the decision making process. You ask how? Well, it just so happens that one day oh right at about two weeks ago let's just say a certain someone had a heart to heart with the darn thing and talked mad shit to it. I proceeded and had a discussion with it as to how much of a piece of crap it was and that it should die and die soon. Then, low and behold the very next following morning it just decided to quit working. I awoke to fill a coffee cup of water to heat it up in the darn thing for tea and nothing. Surprised after nuking the cup for another additional 2 minutes and add 30 seconds nothing. Just a cold mug filled with cold water.  So miracles do happen, and sometimes just right at the perfect time. The one thing that will help us eat more health smart as a unit/family is our not using a microwave.  I'm rather proud of how easy it has been for all of us to adjust. So easy we didn't even notice, until I did just a few moments ago. Oh and yes this is a rather random blog sine I haven't blogged in months or maybe even years. Ok, almost two years... who's counting anyway?!? I guess there's no better way to start up again then the present. One happy Mountain of the Ozark Momma : ) so here's to a new start, again, for the third time.  ; p I hope in the future to bring you all some more of our future adventures and then maybe even make up for some of the past time lost. Happy Random Tuesday! 

Lazy snow days.... Well kinda...

The snow came, it hit, and it conquered! There's a total white out in North West Arkansas and it's beautiful! The snow this morning totally makes up for my getting sick last night when we had company over. I do not even know what hit me last night but it wasn't sweet at all. Woke up this morning and school was cancelled today and now its cancelled tomorrow too! The teenager is super excited about that... 8¥ Turns out also our poor Charli hates to walk on snow! We all did however have some wonderful snow ice cream and it was de-lish!!! Charli thought so too! So if you can tell already we kind of took the day off. Brannon did get the lumber place to exchange the flooring yesterday evening and hung a fan in Charli's room today. Yay! I didn't do a single thing, I about froze my toes the one time I stepped out today. The snow is great to look out at but there is no way I'm going anywhere if I do not have to. I did watch Legends of the Fall today though while Charli napped. So hopefully this weekend will be a productful weekend. Until then let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Longest Move-In Ever...

Alrighty... This is the longest move-in ever but dang it we are living in our new/old home ready or not! Well Brannon had his time off from work in between jobs and is now back at work at his new job with Pepsi. Last time I mentioned we were moving our belongings in from the garage and we did with the help of our amazing friends Brock, Jason and "Angry" Johnny but we hadn't even actually stayed the night in our home until this last Friday evening. Let me tell you that it feels grrrreat! The last week we ended up staying at the parents a little while longer since we were getting stressed about getting moved in and settled as soon as possible before finishing up some crucial projects so that the house could at least be somewhat toddler safe for Charli. We still have more pictures to post but they'll just have to wait until next time. In the last week other than moving in Brannon has worked on getting the walk-in closet finished out so I can have a place for our clothes, which is crucial. Now all that's left is setting the remainder of the trim in place, finishing the last of the touch ups and then all we still have then is to install the wood floor in the entry way. Due to some packs of the flooring being messed up and the steps to the stairs still not arriving, we called the place we got the flooring at and they said the steps would be on back order until early February and that the replacements for the messed up packs would have to be ordered and that might take an additional 2-4 weeks. Despite the fact they mentioned that they did have some in stock but it was someone else's order that had partially arrived and waiting for the remainder. Hopefully Brannon can maybe talk them into going ahead and switching ours out with part of that order so that all of the rest of that order can come in all at once and we can get our replaced since we have to get this flooring done for the carpet runners to be installed on the steps and the fact that we ordered and prepaid for ours way before these other people did. If that doesn't work then maybe I'll have to step in and interveen. No one likes to have to deal with a woman when she gets a little saucy and hot headed. ; p Since our last post not only did we get moved in but also Destiny has come to live with us now for the remainder of the school year thus far. That in itself is going to be an exciting adventure. Turns out she is beyond excited about the move and we can only hope that she feels just as comfortable living with us as she would visiting us every other weekend. This last week we got her enrolled in school and she will actually have her first day at her new school tomorrow. I think she may even already be more settled in then any of the rest of us are at this point which was just what we wanted. We took it easy ourselves this last Sunday though due to Nonnie having an unbelievable turkey dinner in the early afternoon with all the Grandparents. After dinner everyone came over and had a tour to see the progress of the house. Everyone seemed very impressed of what we have accomplished already. Now if we can just get all of our things in the right places and get some decor going we can have our house warming party and hopefully move on to some more much needed projects around the place. Even though I would love to get everything done right away and finished we must take time for ourselves and the kids to help keep us grounded and keep us from getting burned out too quickly. That actually is the best time for me to get to run around town and familiarize myself with all the local antique shops and furniture galleys. That's usually how I best stir up my inspiration for what we aim to do decor wise. When I find some good places I'll be sure to fill you all in on the what and where's of them. Speaking if what and where's, I'm a bit hot headed this evening due to Brannon's informing me that the fans I wanted for the house are completely out of stock everywhere even online. : | That news really ruffled my feathers. I knew I should have gotten them when I had the chance. Now I'll be regretting not going with my instinct to buy, buy, buy something when it comes along at a great deal like those fans did. Hopefully more will arrive in stock somewhere in the next few weeks. Until then I guess we'll once again just adjust to the dangling light fixtures in some rooms for now. Yes I said dangling, we like to live our remodeling life on the edge like that, lol. So for now I best be on my way to bed since we have earlier mornings from now until the end of the school year. We will keep all of you updated with more stuff soon. Peace, love, and paint thinner... sweet dreams all!

Microphone check 1,2...1,2... Is this thing on? Okay, if you can read this the countdown to move in has begun!!! Im sick as can be but you can't stop me. Worked on the house more today on finishing up some trim and some last minute projects. Paint ceiling and walls... check, Carpet installed... check, wood floor done... almost a check. Now we just gotta pick up and clean up tomorrow before the snow hits this weekend and we'll be all bueno! Some friends of ours are coming over tomorrow night to help us move everything in from the garage! I sooo can not wait! Its going to be so nice just to have our own home again. Not that we mind staying with B's parents but a crazy girl like me needs her own space! We still have lots to do with the house even after we get moved in so don't think that this is the end. We're just getting started...

For now, goodnight, sleep tight! I've gotta get my sick butt to bed. We've got a big day ahead of us in the morning.

A new year and almost a new home...

Who knew that in "Pack time" tomorrow really means next month or better yet next year? If you read the last post, I had made promises (last year) for new pictures to be posted of the status of our work on the house. Now that it's a month later exactly and 2011 I figured it was about time I actually followed through with that promise. That and the case of pink eye I contracted from our 15 month old daughter just happens to of freed me up just enough time to be able to do so. Yes, we both have pink eye for the first time ever and it is horrible I must say! I apologize though for my delay if we kept any of you waiting. It seems we have been very deeply focused on our task at hand so much we have found it hard to even find the time to blog or even get a good nights rest. That being said... we have survived 2010 through the Christmas holiday and New Years holiday all while working our little asses off and being sick as well through most of it. So happy late Merry Christmas and New Year, we hope everyone had a great holiday. Since the last post was around Thanksgiving we have accomplished a tremendous amount of work on the house inside and out. Thus the countdown to our actual move in to our new home is much awaited. I'll keep you posted as to when it actually starts!

 As for the house I have quite a few pics of what the house looked like before we started painting and after. Today as I type the new carpet is being installed and Brannon should be finishing up the upstairs installation of the new wood flooring. On Sunday members of Brannon's amazing family Brant, Katie, and Falyn showed up to help him and Les get the floor started. Without them Brannon wouldn't even be half way done by now. Thanks guys and gals, it really meant a lot! We have gotten the new kitchen hardware installed on the cabinet doors and drawers and have hung everything back in place.  Just having it all back together in the kitchen and off of the floor makes the biggest difference and really shows how well the cabinets turned out. It really makes it look like a whole new kitchen already and it looks fabulous. A job well done to Emilio for making them look as wonderful as they do! Now if I could just get all the tools and paint supplies out of the kitchen and off the counters I could take a picture so you could see for yourself what I'm talking about. In the rooms all the paint is on the ceilings, walls, and even some floors here and there except for the downstairs den and laundry room. Throughout the house we used this really awesome ceramic paint that creates an insulated barrier on anything you paint on inside and out. It's actually a product that was developed by NASA to be used as an exterior heat shield on the shuttles and things of that nature, it's some amazing stuff itself. Here are pics of what the rooms look like so far before and after and then after we move furniture in and decorate we'll post the final product with floors and everything and what the rooms look like as a final product.

Here are some better pictures of how Destiny's room downstairs turned out. The other one posted last time did absolutely no justice at all. These pictures actually show more of the brightness of the color in her room and give you a way better idea of what we are working with. When she was here visiting over the Christmas break her Nonnie took her to buy new black and white bedding that should look amazing in her room.

Then I have also inserted what her closet looked like before we had to prep it for painting by peeling off the multiple layers of wallpaper that had been used in there and then some pics of after. In all honesty the wallpaper really wasn't all that bad since the majority of it was already peeling off but it was fun to see the arrangement of all the different colors and designs that have been in there through all the years. 

Below here are pics of the downstairs den which is adjoined to Destiny's bedroom. We are not doing any painting in here since it looks fine as is but we have installed the new carpet and will be doing some touch up painting after move in. Here you can see what it looked like before the carpet was laid and after. I do still have a bit of cleaning to do and as you can see all of my plants have gone into severe shock from the move. Please pray that I'm able to bring the poor babies back to life. Some of those plants I have had for almost a decade and I think this is the worst I have ever seen them. The only thing you can't see from these pics is the fresh coat of ceramic paint that was applied to the floor in between pics being taken to keep the cold moist air from getting in since most of this room is under ground.  Oh and we will be installing a new fireplace mantle as soon as we get one and figure out what we want it to look like. And also the oxygen tank in the middle of the living room floor is available to a good home if anyone wants it.

 

Here to the right is our loverly laundry room that we have no clue what we want to do with. If you have any color ideas please feel more than free to make suggestions. I'm thinking possibly just a basic khaki color or maybe even a shade of red. Before this picture was taken there was indoor/outdoor carpet in it that had been glued down to the cement and smelt like dead fish. I was really scared as to how hard it was going to be to get it up but to my surprise it was rather easy. I do know however that we have the same problem in the garage with carpet being glued to the floor and i have a bad feeling that that carpet isn't going to be as easy to get up. We are hoping to epoxy the garage here in the very near future and I'm thinking we'll go ahead and do the same to the laundry room floor at that time. Lowe's has a wide variety of floor colors too. If we do the floor a tan color then we will most definitely do red but please give me some ideas since my idea bank is running close to empty.

These are some quick pics of the entry way and stairwell where I'm wanting to hang the rectangle candle chandelier I mentioned previously. Right above the stairs and to the right is the half wall/banister wall where we are going to install the double open-sided book shelves that will go all the way up to the ceiling. We were wanting to get it built and installed before hand but I'm ready to get other things done so we can get moved in and then we can always do the shelves later. 

 Most importantly is the babies room! Here is Charli's room before and after. Now I know you all are thinking it looks a little crazy but I'm really hoping when we get her room decorated it will really put things all together. Her bed is made out of dark wood and her bedding has these two colors and a variety of many other colors that really seem to compliment the idea of what I have in mind for her room for the next few years. Overall if I can keep her room a basic array of colors and designs instead of cartoon characters and princesses then I'll be beyond satisfied.  I have included below a pic of what her bedding looks like to help give an idea of what it will look like.

 

Amongst everything have even managed however to also do some light landscaping on the east side of the house and I rebuilt this little rock wall all by myself in a matter of about five hours. I literally had to dig half of these heavy puppies out of the ground where over the past decade or so they sunk down into the dirt from the first time it was built. Before it was kind of amoeba shaped so I straightened it out and gave the flower bed a little more room. It was cold and wet outside and I worked after dark with the headlights of the car but I got it all done in one day.  I am quite proud of myself as to how well it turned out.

Brannon and his cousin Jack got all the bulldozing taken care of. We now have a huge burn pit in the back for all the crap that was yanked out of the house for us to burn baby burn, yay!?! At least that's how it's done here in Arkansas so I'm told. The boys even took out a few trees and shaved out the dirt and leveled out the ground where our new driveway will be. Please take notice to the brand new garage door that was installed thanks to Nonnie and Papa Maestri so I can drive right up to our new/old garage turned game room and now turned back into a garage! Double yay for that and my not having to brave the cold in the winter time just to get Charli and I into the car!!

Amongst that the guys did an awesome job and had lots of fun just being boys playing in the dirt. I would have gotten a pic of them actually in the bulldozer but it was too cold and I know if I had gotten too close they may have tried to pick me up in the bucket and bury me in the yard. ; p

Grandpa Tanksley even made a visit earlier this week to install the storm window where the crappy paper doors to the storage room used to be. Through out the years those super thin doors had been letting all kinds of cold air in  the house right under the floor of the master bedroom. Hopefully now it will be nice and cozy upstairs and down. Here is a picture of him working and the window he installed as well as the super sweet bird house and feeder he and Grandma made special for us to hang outside our new home. <3  

Well everyone, that's all that we have for today to get you caught up. I would give you more details on everything else but I need to take more pictures before doing so. I do however promise not to promise anything by tomorrow because I just might get caught up into working on something and i really don't want to let anybody down. So until next time...