Distracted

Well here is one of the projects finished ....

BEFORE: pretty beat up, many layers of stain and poly, not to mention 40 years of wax build up from furniture polish. I should mention this table came out of an old convent, my MIL scored this and lots of other loot, including the church pew in my kitchen, when the convent was closing shop. And trust me, as a product of Catholic school, nuns love furniture polish.

AFTER: a good scrubbing, lots of sanding, a can of antique white spray paint, some walnut stain, glaze, poly, and a cute little glass knob.

The table doesn't have a home yet...for now it is in  the powder room.

We have been very distracted...let's just say there could be greener pastures in our future...pastures being the key word here! We will know more on Friday afternoon...keep good thoughts for us!

Projects

I have been working on several little projects around the house...

...all have these things involved.

There has been panting, sanding, drilling, leveling, organizing, staining, sewing, and three trips to the home improvement store. My goal is to have it all complete by Sunday...fingers crossed!

This and That

Running:
I am getting dangerously close to the half marathon I registered for back in July...18 days! I feel pretty good about it...I think? Sunday, I ran 10 miles in a local state park, the path along the creek was lovely, cool and soft on the hoofs...I felt great the whole run. I am on the hunt for new running shorts/pants...after a long run I have chub rub issues...and I am not sure the world is ready for me in compression shorts! Looking for suggestions!

Work:

I am very busy...lots of stuff out there. Just delivered a big bedroom job over the weekend and picked up her family room while I was there. Below is a picture of the dining room valances I did for her back in the spring.

Currently working on a window seat cushion and pillows, linen draperies, roman shades, etc...

Girls:

They are back into the swing of things. Lulu LOVES first grade and made the transition from half day to full day without issue. And I am adjusting too!

Emma has a man teacher this year....so good for her!

Fifth Grade is an adjustment for Caroline... several different teachers and lots of homework. But, she can handle it, most days anyway!

All three are playing field hockey and all three are on different teams...2 practices a week and games on Saturday...never at the same location...so that's a blast!

MBM:

He is good...traveling a bit and training for a this and of course he is my trainer!

Roosevelt:

Totally filthy and getting groomed tomorrow...thank heaven!

That's all I have!

Happy Weekend

This picture cracks me up! This was taken over the Labor Day Weekend at a Splash 'n Dash race at the shore. Lulu is taking off her swim cap...she said she smiled the whole time...I believer her!  Thought this would be a good way to start your weekend!

Before and After

BEFORE: This little wicker set (sofa and love seat) basically fell into our hands from my MIL's cousin, she wanted something new for her sun porch. My MIL snatched it up for us and our empty beach house living room! Now, I am not a hug fan of wicker and a matching set is overkill but the price was right...a hug and kiss! So you can see in the before picture it looks as if it was taken right form the set of the Golden Girls with the pickled finish and floral cushions. AFTER: Eight cans of brown spray paint, then a walnut stain on top, 12 yards of outdoor fabric later! The Paint Treatment: really eight cans of spray paint for both pieces, my trigger finger and right arm hurt for a few days following. Then I brushed on, haphazardly, some Walnut stain I had left over. The stain added shine, texture, depth, and protection. I was so thrilled with the way it turned out, I did the same treatment to a wicker buffet(yes, more pickled wicker) The Fabric: Was like a dream come true! I have coveted this outdoor fabric forever...it is off white quilted diamonds, my favorite (click pic to enlarge)...but, at $98.00 per yard retail, NEVER GONNA HAPPEN! Until, I walked in to the outlet and there it was, two bolt ends totaling 12 yards for just under eight beans a yard.....SOLD!!!!!! I sewed up some quick covers for the cushions added lots and lots of pillows...it went from Boca Raton 1988 to a cross between this and that! The total cost... Sofa/Love seat...HUG AND KISS Spray paint.....$40 Stain...........FOUND IN THE GARAGE Fabric..........$100 Pillows.........RECYCLED Print Fabric.....LEFT OVER FROM THE HANDBAG DAYS GRAND TOTAL.....$140

******Side Note****** The sofa was in our beach house living room for the summer and the love seat on the front porch. Before we left for the summer I strapped the sofa on the roof of my car and it now and forever will reside on our PA house screened in porch!

The Nation's Triathlon

Saturday we headed to D.C. with a bunch of friends for The Nation's Triathlon. The husbands raced and the wives had a lot of fun! MBM with The Nation's Tri founder, race director , and Mbm's good friend MBM with our friends and travel companions Me and MBM I didn't get any pictures of MBM racing, too many people. He placed 210 over all...there were over just under 4000 racers!

Before and After

Some work I did at the shore in the early summer... BEFORE: It was time for the pink and green to go... AFTER: All new window treatments New chair Custom pillows Recovered counter stools Softer palette for the beach!

It's Official...

...we have returned from the shore for good. sniff sniff sniff Back to school, sniff sniff sniff back to reality, sniff sniff sniff back to sewing, sniff sniff sniff and back to blogging... well that makes me feel better! I've missed all my "friends"