Balance Beam

In an effort to start back doing more of the things I want to do so I can still enjoy doing the things I have to do for my business, I am going to start blogging again. I might not do every day but several times a week I should be able to do. ESPECIALLY with ridiculousness like Amanda Knox going back to Italy knowing them people don’t want her over there. And did yall see that Social Security is going to be deplete in 15 years? And Prilosec and drugs like it are killing folks by giving em heart and kidney disease! Any day now one of us is going to die in a monsoon the way this weather has been kirking up and yall…there are over a hundred dolphin deaths out here recently because they opened up a spillway and let in a lot of freshwater without thinking of what it would do to the ecosystem. Like…WHERE.ARE.THE.MARINE BIOLOGISTS? SHOULDN’T SOMEONE SOMEWHERE HAVE SAID SOMETHING???????????????????

Got into a debate about Creole gumbo versus Cajun gumbo recently and literally just stopped talking and said, “Okay.” I’m good on my gumbo.

Speaking of gumbo, I have new hours at my store so I don’t kill myself trying to do it all. It wasn’t doctor’s orders it was husband’s orders. Dude was like…why are you killing yourself?

AND I FELT THAT!

I tried to return my hair to natural and was on the journey for 7 months and then decided nerp…not for me. And I relaxed again. I just didn’t have the time it seemed necessary to dedicate to transitioning. And…I caused a LOT of damage trying to transition and had to get a good cut to level it all back out again properly. So I’m rocking a layer cut that looks like nothing in my day-to-day topknot. LOL! You know…cuz I don’t have time to comb relaxed hair either.

I’m making things pretty and having an amazing time doing so. Check out my Instagram to see most of my projects. Let me know if you need any help doing something on your own. I can help you out via messages or phone! WHOOT WHOOT!!!!! www.Instagram.com/ThatGumboLife

I’ll be 50 years old in September and I’m starting to really feel this getting old thing. Aging is just wrong to women. I can’t take this hot stuff. It is honestly taking it out of me.

I’ve moved my store to a bigger location and I’m always looking for real estate for my next move. It’s super cute and I enjoy being there. I just don’t want to be tied to it every single day. Work life balance is key for me to have what it takes to choose happy. If I don’t have it…I’m just grumpy. I was either busy or exhausted. Those were my two modes.

EW.

What’s been going on with yall? I honestly miss all the different perspectives on topics that come up in the news and in my life so I’m going to try blogging again. Not every day but certainly a few times a week when it just builds up so much I wanna snap. LOL! And I miss writing daily. Massaging that muscle really helps me.

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By @Sunshynknits for ME!!!!!!!

Me: Can you make me a sleeveless cowl with an asymmetrical hem that is fitted like a vest that I can wear over a long sleeve t-shirt and not be cold or under a coat but not get too hot?

Susan: Um...I've never made one before but sure! Let's do it!

Also me: I want it to be chunky but with really good yarn stuff so it's soft and not itchy.

Susan: Yarn stuff...Monnie you funny. Color?

Also me too and again: Oatmealish. Me no likey itchy.
Baaaaaaaaaaby...when I tell yall how happy I am with my oatmealish chunky really good yarn stuff vest thingy...I can't even begin! GO ME!

GO SUSAN! YOUR TALENT BLOWS ME ABSOLUTELY AWAY! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! And thank you for all of my other goodies too!

Contact her via www.Instagram.com/sunshynknits if you're looking for something amazing like this for yourself or as a gift! Or let me know and I'll connect you!

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Broke Back

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, I was in a rush to complete some pieces for Small Business Saturday at my shop. I was rocking and rolling and went to pick up a deceptively heavy piece of furniture. Nothing I haven't done before, I just picked it up wrong. I picked it up so that the drawers were away from me and they slid out, quickly, and pitched the forward. I felt something "give" in my back and the pain started radiating immediately. I couldn't pick up my right leg or stand up. I slid to the ground and rolled over on my back with my knees bent and my feet on the ground. It was the only way I could find any relief.

*Actual pic of me on ground waiting on The Robinator.*

The Robinator was in his office on a series of conference calls before he had to go to the office and, since my phone was in my pocket, I slipped it out and called him sounding really calm.

Robby: Hello? (sounding like...WHY YOU CALLING ME FROM OUTSIDE??????? YOU KNOW I'M BUSY!!!!!!!)

Me: Heyyyyyy (sounding all casual like I'm just shooting the shit)...when you have an opportunity, can you come outside and help me with something?

Robby: Yeah, okay, okay...in a minute.

So...I did what any red-blooded American with a smartphone in their hand would do. I surfed Facebook until he showed up. Snapped a few pics. You know...the norm. LOL!

He came out about 10 minutes later casually strolling. When he saw me on the ground, his face registered mild confusion because hey...sometimes I just sit or lay on the ground...I'm country but when he got closer and I told him that I'd messed up and he saw the dresser on the ground near me haphazardly, he started moving faster.

I couldn't move. The pain was getting worse. He carried me upstairs because, I wasn't about to go to the doctor looking like I was looking, called the doctor and rushed me in.

Link Taylor piece that took me out.  Old super heavy, super well-made nightstand.  Humph. — Link Taylor piece that took me out. Old super heavy, super well-made nightstand. Humph.

Doctor determined it was a bad sprain. Yall...I couldn't move my right leg without severe pain and screaming. He suggested I get a steroid shot. I declined. He gave me some anti-inflammatory meds and muscle relaxers. Silly me, I thought muscle relaxers were pain pills.

They aren't.

After waking everyone up screaming a few times in the middle of the night because I was trying to turn in my sleep, I called the next morning for pain meds.

I was told that my doctor doesn't prescribe pain meds. To anyone. Of any kind.

Wait, what?

This has been our doctor for 3 years now. Neither of us have needed pain meds for anything. But baaaaaaaaaby...if we need pain meds...DAMMIT...WE WANT PAIN MEDS. So I did my thing I do when I'm trying to get what I want and or need. After going around and around, turns out, the truth is that our doctor (ex-doctor cuz yeah...no) doesn't have a DEA license so he CAN'T prescribe pain meds.

Oh.

And this is how the opioid crisis ends up affecting us. When we were in for real serious pain...we can't get pain meds. I was incensed.

Once I got some pain meds and was able to start stretching without that severe pain, I started moving better. The worst part, however? The drive to and from Houston for Thanksgiving at my sister's house. SO TERRIBLE. And the pain meds made me toss my cookies so I had to take half doses after eating two chewable Tums to coat my stomach first. My body was so filled with foreign stuff I never take that I looked and felt completely different.

When we returned home, I stopped taking everything to flush out my system even though my back still hurts. I can't deal with that hazy, super swole feeling and truly don't know how anyone can. So I'm doing yoga, stretching and, to quote The Robinator, "sit your azz down somewhere and stop doing stuff!"

But see...that's hard for me.

The Robinator has not let me pick up anything heavier than my toothbrush. He has been the most hilarious nursemaid the world has ever produced. Let's me know what I'm in for as we grow old together. *sigh* Pure comedy.

The whole, no DEA license thing was news to me and something I guess we all need to be aware of with our doctors. People like us aren't trying to score drugs so to leave us in pain because a doctor CAN'T prescribe something to take us out of pain is just WRONG.

Humph.

Did yall know about the DEA license thing? Would you use a doctor as your primary care doctor who didn't have one knowing that if you really hurt yourself he/she couldn't get you out of pain using pain meds?

Have you ever hurt your back? What did you do to fix it? Do you still have problems with it after you hurt it the first time? Or did it completely go away?

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Furry Coat Fun!

I needed some headshots done so I called this guy:

See those looks on our faces? That's because we'd just finished with some ridiculously good fun! See...I just needed headshots but I'd recently purchased that fun coat which The Robinator calls my muppet coat.

Josh: We should totally do something with that!

So...once we were finished, I put it on and, before you know it, I was getting my Mary J. Blige on in front of the house! LOL! "My life, my life, my life, my life! In the sunshine!"

I had sooooooo much fun!

He's on the Knot's website too as a wedding photographer in New Orleans so if you need a photographer...holla at him! Tell him I sent you! I promise you won't be disappointed!

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Reign Supreme

Ran across this in my memories from 8 years ago over on my old blog and it was relevant to a friend so I sent it to her. If you need to read it, I hope it helps you too!

Facebook Status of "friend:"

_____ is trying to learn how to put herself first. Any tips?

She received a few good comments that made me smile knowing she has some good people on her friend list:

1. Take a mandatory 1 hour a day doing what you want to do (eat ice cream, catch up on your fav magazine or go get a mani/pedi).
2. LOL Kelli...not only knowing but USING the word "no" is the first step

Not feeling guilty about using it is the second

Not needing to use it anymore is the third
3. Make a list of everything you want to do and just do it! No apologies, no excuses, no guilt! Once you get used to putting yourself first, you won't go back!

My response was simple. To the casual observer...the simplicity may seem flippant but it's oh-so-true.

JUST DO IT.

Period.

I don't understand this idea that anyone should be better taken care of than you by you. I mean yes...I understand the concept of putting your children first and why so that's a given but even as a parent...you need to find that space to be solid with you cuz without it...you won't be solid enough for others.

IN MY OPINION.

In Monnie-land I reign Queen Supreme. I've built a life for myself that allowed me to take the time I needed for me and it gives me what I need to nourish those I love. If I didn't have the kind of time to and for myself now things would get hectic but trust me when I say the last person that would be neglected would be me. When I'm dealing with something I hear the following often: "We don't see or hear from you anymore."

My answer to that?

I was giving me the time and attention I needed. I have a little extra time and attention to spread around now so what's up?

Cuz that's how I roll. I come before all others. I nurture myself before I even THINK about someone else. Might sound selfish or it just might be the building block missing in a lot of folks' stairway to happy-ness.

Reign Supreme in your life. Take the time you need to be all you desire to be.

Love you...mean it,

Monica Mingo

P.S. Do YOU reign supreme in YOUR life?

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Randoms of a Creole Princess

"A racist scrotum dipped in Cheeto dust." ~ Patton Oswald

Guess who he was talking about?

I had a laundry emergency today. Spilled something that stains on our white duvet cover. Immediately put it in the washer on the Powerwash cycle.

No dice.

Washed it again.

No dice.

Went to the store and bought the Shout gel with the brush on top and some Oxy stuff. Put the Oxy stuff in the washer and then soaked the duvet cover in hot water for 30 minutes, drained it and then washed it.

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!

I felt like I cured a disease or something.

Went to see "Marshall" today. Good movie. Totally wish it would be turned into a television series like "Matlock" so we could watch Mr. Thurgood Marshall fight racial injustice.

I broke down and got my gray hair colored. I like it. It's a Wella dark brown rinse and I so don't want to wash my hair and have some of it wash away. *sigh*

The joy I got from these $9.99 earrings I bought at Ross is ridiculous! LOVE THEM!

I got my oil changed today and showed everyone in the waiting area how to get to the $10 off coupon using their phones.

Why don't more people do this automatically???????

I think I want to get some kinky twists done next. dearlesley currently has some and I was like...IMMA GET ME SOME!

I feel MUCH better since I returned to the doctor on Monday. I'm on antibiotics, Allegra DM and some nose spray thing. I'm so hopped up on foreign matter I see television snow when I turn my head too quickly.

I have a lot of friends who have had sick parents lately and it's beginning to scare me.

I am one degree separated from a 48-year-old person who dropped dead yesterday.

That shit is sobering.

Speaking of sober...

The wine store I buy wine from locally is going out of business. Seems Costco told the state that they aren't coming here unless they can sell beer, wine and liquor so they caved to allow grocery stores to sell beer, wine and liquor. The wine store is near a Walmart so they cut their losses before their losses cut them.

All I want to know is when is Costco coming.

I have to set an alarm on my phone to remember to take my medicine.

And an alarm for anything else I need to do that is time sensitive.

I have a love/hate relationship with that.

I am addicted to the Mediterranian flavored Terra chips. YALL!

The place I buy flowers weekly went up on their prices by $2 per package of flowers.

Oh.

I haven't bought flowers there since. That was too large of a leap for me. Fifty cents? Sure. From $3.00 to $5.00? No. Ain't happening. My $12 worth for the week now costing me $20? Ain't happening.

Marie Laveau got sick last night around 3:30am and threw up. If you're a doggie guardian, you live in fear of the doggie vomit sound while you're sleeping. Once we'd made sure she was okay, cleaned up and taken her down for water, I couldn't go back to sleep so I started re-reading my book.

Yes...you read that correctly. I re-read my own book that I wrote hoping it would put me to sleep quicker since I already know what was going to happen. An hour later...I was still reading thinking...DAMMIT GOLDEN, SHIT!

Have you read it yet? It's pretty good if you haven't: Compound

Plenty of people have read it but only 21 have written a review. *sigh* I really wish people would write reviews so it could move up the ranks.

What's going on random with you?

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That Gumbo Life Shop

I hung a headboard on a wall today.

Why, you ask?

I'm not taking any questions. Just go with it. It works.

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Randoms of a Creole Princess

Old girl was a cheating azz ho who disrespected her husband and her marriage cuz she was too stoopit and jumped to all the wrong conclusions.

Folks gon' get tired of being too stoopit.

Randoms...

I hate driving. I love listening to audiobooks when I drive.

Robby just told me that there is a whole group of people who think Stevie Wonder is not blind. I side eyed him and he just told me to look it up. Stevie Wonder Is Not Blind: The Truthers' Case

Oh.

I powerwashed the hell out of a house today using this new powerwasher that I now MUST.HAVE. PowerStroke 3100 PSI Pressure Washer with Subaru Electric Start Engine

I woke up this morning and was mad, mad, mad at what that dude our White House said about San Juan. Dude...really?

I love this and need to buy another one: Black Slap | Satin-Lined Cap

I love having two guest bedrooms. Now I don't have to fold clothes before guests come. I just close the door to the room with the clothes! GO ME!

To this day my favorite sound is The Robinator's laughter.

I'm so tired but I was determined to do a post!

I don't like people who have a problem with gay people. Makes my teeth itch. Seriously...WHY ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT GAY PEOPLE BEING GAY??????? GO.SAT.DOWN-T!

I want a robot clothes folder.

Goodnight.

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"Compound" - Completed Book Available on Amazon!!!!!

Compound follows five strangers as they are each given a deed to a luxury beach home, a title to a new car and a cashier’s check for one million dollars with promises of more to come.Golden hasn’t had the best life, yet is as loving and trusting as … — Compound follows five strangers as they are each given a deed to a luxury beach home, a title to a new car and a cashier’s check for one million dollars with promises of more to come.

Golden hasn’t had the best life, yet is as loving and trusting as a puppy. She’s unemployed and tanking financially while waiting for her fiancé to return and help save her family home from foreclosure, marry her and start a family. When she’s contacted by the lawyer representing an anonymous benefactor, she attributes the windfall to the grace of God. When the lawyer also informs her that her fiancé is living with another woman and has a baby on the way, the blow knocks her sideways.

Golden warms up slowly to her neighbors at The Pointe, the luxury beach community where her new vacation home is located. They start working out together, sharing intimate secrets, having regular dinners and forming close bonds that celebrate each other and their differences. The enjoyment of their beach summer is rocked by one explosive, climactic event leaving someone dead, many confused and all conflicted once they discover the reason they have been brought together.

We’ve all been hurt a multitude of times and most things too good to be true generally are, but what if they are given in secret to right past wrongs? What if the worst of your life was evaluated and payment was made to soften all those blows? But payment from whom? For what ills? And what consequences does accepting payment bring?

So, the book, "Compound," that's been in my brain for so long is now complete and available on Amazon! I hope you read it and enjoy it! I've been getting some great feedback from readers and it makes me laugh knowing how much they are connecting to the characters. LOL! I'm like...BE NICE TO GOLDEN, SHE'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT!!!! LOLOLOLOL!

If you read it, please give it a review! Oh...and yes...part two is in the making! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!

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DIY Rustic 6ft. Pipe Shelf

Our sofa isn't against the wall and there is a pretty good bit of space between the sofa and the wall so I decided I wanted to put a 6ft. long shelf back there under the mirror I have there currently. (Totally plan on replacing the mirror soon for something much larger.) I'd posted a pin to Pinterest a long time ago showing a shelf made out of pipe flanges and pipes with wood and finally decided to make one.

So...off to Lowes I go to buy two pipe flanges (1/2"), two 10" pipe nipples (1/2"), two pipe end caps (1/2") and an 8ft. long 2" x 10" board that I had them cut 6ft. off.

When I got home, I sanded the board and stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut stain. Robby installed the pipe flanges on the wall using sheetrock anchors and the shelf fit perfectly between the flange and the end cap. I used a sharpie to color in the head of the screws so it blended with the flanges better.

I'm only using it for decorative purposes so I wasn't really worried about it being knocked off the pipes. If this is a concern of yours, ask Mr. Google for solutions as there are plenty.

I like it and I'm going to make a wall of them soon, shorter ones though. Probably three of them about 3ft. each.

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DIY Blanket / Throw Ladder Pottery Barn Inspired

You, like me, probably have a blanket tossed across the back of your sofa or folded over an arm. I was in Waco, TX at Chip and Joanna Gaines' store and my friend was looking for a blanket ladder. When I saw the one she was buying, it was cute, but I was honestly thinking to myself...I could make something like that.

So I did.

And you can too! Promises.

I went to Lowe's and bought two 8ft. long 2" x 2" for $1.98 each and had them cut 5ft. off each one and then cut the remaining pieces in half. This way, you will leave with two 5ft. pieces and four 18" pieces.

Then...you get a box of self-boring wood screws, some sand paper and wood stain in the color you want.

So...I got home and laid out my pieces. I wanted to be able to use the last rung so I made the measuring points begin at 6" and then every 12" after that so that there was 18" clearance at the bottom.

I used a bit of wood glue on the joints because I wanted to make sure they didn't move.

Once you get it all put together, sand it as smooth as possible and then stain apply the stain you chose. I did some in Minwax Dark Walnut and some in Minwax Golden Oak. Seems everyone in my family wanted one once they saw mine. *sigh* I put felt pads at the top of the back of them so they don't scratch the walls.

I'm thinking about making one for the guest bathroom to put over the toilet to use for towels. If I do that, I'll seal it with a waterproof clearcoat.

Cool right?

I'll tell you what else was cool. When I saw how much these cost on the Pottery Barn website knowing how much it cost me to make my own! Pottery Barn Blanket Ladder

Me make stuff. You can make stuff too! GO YOU!

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UPCYCLED! Coat, Hat and Umbrella Stand for Foyer

I found this stand and it was super rickety. Like...SUPER. But you know how I feel about real wood so I knew it would be alright. I took it apart and cleaned it really well and then put it back together solidly minus the rings. Then...I primed it and spray painted it in antique white. I painted the rings gold.

Wanna know how much I paid for it? $5. LOL! Yup...you read that right. $5.

GO ME!!!!!!!

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How to Make Lovely Ceramic Coasters!

One day last week I was procrastinating. STORY OF MY LIFE! I went to sit down and focus with a drink in my hand. I already had a mug on the only coaster on that table so then I started thinking that I need more coasters. So, of course, I started online shopping for coasters. You know...all the normal places, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, etc.

I saw stuff I liked that was more than I wanted to pay and the stuff that I thought was reasonably priced was just BLAH.

BLAH, I SAY! BLAH!

So then I decided to make my own. No...seriously...I picked up my keys and went to get supplies to make my own.

I bought white 4 x 4 tiles for .12 cents each at Lowes, a book of scrapbook paper for $5, some epoxy and some cork squares.

Prep your surface.

1. Cut scrapbook paper 10cm x 10cm.

2. Brush tile with Modge Podge.

3. Put paper on tile.

4. Let dry for 15 minutes. (A few of them, I did a bit of extra with some paint so I had to let those dry longer.)

5. Brush tile with another layer of Modge Podge.

6. Let completely dry overnight.

THE NEXT DAY...

Prep your surface and turn a disposable plastic cup under each tile.

7. Mix epoxy per directions. (Don't mix more than a little less than half a cup of each bottle.)

8. Pour in the center of each tile.

9. Smooth with a spreader. I use Bondo spreaders.

10. Use a foam brush or a folded index card to make sure the sides coated and there is none under the tile.

11. Let dry for 24 hours. (I actually let mine dry longer because I was waiting on the cork adhesive to arrive.)

12. Add cork squares to bottoms.

13. Tie something around 2 or 4 of them to give as gifts! LOL!

So yeah...I think they are gorgeous! Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas this year? LOL! Yup. Just bought two boxes of 100 tiles for $12.00 per box. GO ME! Oh...and I made like 32 more Friday. Crazy pants.

They are on my Etsy site if you decide to not make any but find you need a few extra coasters around your house too. I put one on every nightstand and one per chair on or near every table.

Tips:

1. Line the bottom edges with clear tape that you can pull off when it dries so that the drips don't harden underneath.

2. If you do get hardened drips, you can sand those off.

3. Cut all of your paper first with an exacto knife.

4. Don't let epoxy dry anywhere dust or bugs can light on them. (Yes...it happened. Damn daddy long leg mosquito!)

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Depression Protection: Small Vintage Writing Desk Paired With Mirror

I found this small writing desk and thought how nice it would be in a guest bedroom where you don't have a lot of space for a real desk but would like to have something in there for your guests to do some work if they have to. As I was working on it, I remembered a mirror I bought but didn't use in my mirror gallery. The mirror was just hanging out in the garage behind some stuff so I pulled it out and coordinated the paint with the desk. I chose Annie Sloan Duck Egg just to have a pop of color in the space it lands.

I have to say...it is super dooper cute now!

The desk has a small drawer for note cards and pens/pencils and a little pullout shelf in case you need a bit more space. It's pretty perfect and now I'm wondering, as always, do I take it to my shop or do I put it in one of the guest bedrooms? Hmmmmmmm...

LOL!

I used Howard Golden Oak Restor-A-Finish followed with Howard Feed-N-Wax on the top, drawer and shelf. It makes it really pretty.

I know you're saying to yourself...Monnie is always doing something and to that I say...I have to. I absolutely, 100%, always have to be doing something and if I can't do what I truly WANT to do (make my own movies), then I guess it's cool having a hobby that can consume major blocks of time so you don't sink too far into yourself and get lost swimming around searching for shit you don't even know how to recognize. I mean...I know that happens to some people and that it is just the way life goes but I'm pretty happy knowing that all I have to do is DO SOMETHING and I don't get too low in my the spirits.

And I do get low. Very low. Shit...how could I not sometimes?

But only sometimes. You can't let that mess become a habit.

Go do something okay? DO.SOMETHING. And it's perfectly okay if it's something you've never done before. In fact...that's even better. Having your brain consumed with a project and moving is a good thing. When the noise gets to be too loud...go do something. It is a for real solution.

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My Golden Boy!

This past weekend my Golden Boy has his bi-annual piano recital. This was the first time he played the piano while he sung a song and I was way impressed. Like...WHOA.

This kid is going far in life but he will never, ever, ever be cooler than his T-Monnie no matter how hard he tries to look in pictures. LOL!

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Make Wood Wall Art Out of Anything Paper With Modge Podge!

Step 1: I wanted it to look old so I beat up a piece of wood I had from a shelf that I built with a hammer.

Step 2: Sand it all over so you don't have splinters.

Step 3: Stain.

Step 4: Paint with Modge Podge.

Step 5: Add paper items.

Step 6. Let dry for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Paint over whole thing with Modge Podge.

Step 8: Cover with a clear satin topcoat for protection.

Step 9: Let dry overnight.

Step 10: Add sawtooth hangers to back.

Me likey. I love how it looks really old.

Have you ever done a Modge Podge project? What was it?

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DIY Decorating Around a Flat Screen Television

I've had some stuff I've wanted to frame for a while now but never got around to doing it. And...I had a super blank wall in the room I like to read in. I have a television in there that I use to binge watch programs The Robinator doesn't want to watch like "Parenthood" and listen to music. The room is comfortable and I've been finishing it slowly.

That blank wall is opposite my mirror gallery and behind the television.

Have I mentioned that I hate how televisions take up a wall? Like...there never seems to be anything interesting about the wall the television is in front of. I've seen where interior designers put a lot of art on the wall behind the television and I kind of liked that. Then...I thought about other stuff that I like too and decided to make a mixed media wall.

Our friends, Kenny and Booth, have an amazing home. Not because it's like this grand estate or anything (even though it is), but because everything in it has a story. Anything your eyes light on has a unique history and story. Walking through their home with one of them is like a cultural personalized museum tour and I love that everything has a story behind it. They didn't just roll up to a furniture store and buy a matching living room set. Every piece is unique and personalized to their personalities and the way they live their life. They have fascinating art and bits of all sorts of amazing things to look at. It's like a sensory party that you never want to leave. I could sit in their great room for hours and hours perfectly content.

And that's what I want. I want spaces and things with personal and unique stories. This room is the first one that I'm doing that way just to see how well it fairs and I am loving it so far. I can't wait until I decide on window treatments because that will mean that I am finally finished with it as I've said they will be the last things I do in each room.

Michael's was having a 50% off sale on their wall frames so I picked up some of them for the vintage musical programs and art that I had. I made a tray at an Annie Sloan paint techniques class I attended, did a canvas using stencils and added two wood pieces that I did myself.

The first one was an address sign with 13700 on it. All my happiest memories in life so far were made at 13700. It's where my husband and I first started out as a married couple and where we just grew into who we are. It's where my family, framily and friends gathered all the time and where I've circled infertility, learned how to be settled and really just grew up.

The second one is made from handwritten sheet music from a musical in the early 1900s. "Swing Low," "Were You There?" and "Deep River." I bought this years ago with the other pieces in Maryland.

The tray was a fun time and I enjoyed meeting the ladies and learning about different painting techniques. So there is a story behind it too. The vases were made using dollar store vases and dots and tape to create a design and then spray paint.

I love the way it has all come together. It's visually interesting and the television is no longer the focal point of the wall. I even have room to add more pieces should I ever decide to. I like that I decided to use the whole wall instead of just up high above the television.

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Random DIY Refinishing Projects

Needless to say...I've been busy! LOL!

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Antique Victorian Oak Eastlake Spoon Carved Vanity Dresser Chest

This piece? SWOON! 1800s. Astonishing. Look at the finish before I started working on it!

How amazing is that transformation???????? I only used Howard's Wax-N-Feed once I'd done the repairs and sanded out the insides of the drawers, followed with a quick dry rub of stain. I used Brasso on the drawer pulls and man...it is soooooooo gorgeous to me! LOVE.IT!!!!!

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