The Big But Theory

I counted the 7 day arm challenge a success just because I completed it.  Not because my arms were completely transformed in 7 days.  (Midweek I dreamed I did two push-ups--one of the happiest dreams I've had, even it was as far-fetched as my typical dreams.)  I had some mild muscle soreness near where my triceps are supposed to be. And if I flex, and you are kind and/or want to sleep with me, you can see a tiny little bump of a bicep.
Buoyed by my success I moved on to the 7 day Butt Challenge.  I knew I was in trouble early on.  The arm exercises were called things like 'dips' and  'curls'.  The reps were numbers like 12 and 15.  The butt exercises are called 'burns', 'blasters', and the aptly named 'prisoner squats'.  The numbers are like 30 and 100.  I quickly modified the Day 1 workout from 100 prisoner squats to 37 prisoner squats.  I would rather be beaten or placed in solitary than do 100 squats of any kind.  As it was, I could barely go up stairs midweek and going down stairs was 37 times more painful.  Next time, I'll just take the beating at the start.  Day 2 they promised me a behind to rival JLo's or Kim Kardashian's.  I decided 37% of that would suffice for me.  Today is a rest day.   I'm doing the whole workout today. 

SISOP

I just finished the 7 day arm challenge.  The first thing I have actually done after pinning it on my I Could Be Healthy pinterest board.  Today's workout included four circuits of tricep dips done to 'failure'.  I had no desire to do anything to failure.  Let alone 4 times.  Tricep dips were a challenge for me all week.  Seems you have to sit in a chair, place your hands beside your hips and then dip your butt off the front of the chair. And then lift it back up.  Challenge number one for me?  Finding a chair that was wide enough that there was room beside my hips to place my hands.  Really.  Tonight the little pop-up box suggested I might like the Summer Ab Challenge.  I don't think so.  I'm going directly to the butt challenge.

One Crafty Lady

In search of another crafty lady to hang out and paint things with me.
Left to myself these last two weekends I was forced to paint, glue, and glitter all by myself.  In the process, I painted, glued and glittered myself.

 But I also painted my pinecones.  This was on the list to accomplish this year.  So before I put them back in the attic I tipped them with white paint.  In the middle of the living room.  Because the sewing/craft room has been lost in the great bathroom remodel of 2012-13 (14?).

And then I added some glitter to give them that little extra.  Only the glitter is tucked away somewhere in the maelstrom that is the bedroom closet.  So I used a bag of 'sparkle flakes' that was stuck in with the Christmas decorations.  Sparkle Flakes are basically glitter on steroids.

Me:  Boy, a little 'sparkle flakes' goes a long way.
Goob (picking glitter from his cereal bowl):  Yeah, they evidently go everywhere.  And don't call me 'boy'.

What?  You can't wrap your head around Christmas decorations in March?  Well when I took the newly glittered pinecones to the attic; I brought down the Easter box.  And inspired by 'something I saw on Pinterest' (which from now on I plan to abbreviate as SISOP),  I put all the plastic eggs I have accumulated into a box.  And I poured in some paint and stirred them around with my trusty paintbrush.

And put that box out on the porch to dry.  Then I added more paint and stirred again.  And then again.  And then I spread them out in the middle of the living room floor and splattered them.  (Glitter and splatter paint.  What are living rooms for if not for that kind of living?)

And then the plan was to glue those eggs to a wreath form ($0.25 at a garage sale for such a time as this) wrapped in burlap left over from the last door project.  But, alas, the glue gun is lost in the great unknown.  So I was forced to use tacky glue.  Which increased both the time and frustration level of the project.  So I had to simplify.

Still and all, not too bad.  I found the raffia when I was looking for the glue gun.  I'm not happy that the cracks in the eggs show, but you can't see them from the curb.

Total cost of both projects--not counting what I had leftover from other projects--$0.25.
Plus I took the eggs that I didn't glue to the wreath and put them in a jar-ala pottery barn.

Really, if you would just come over and craft with me, think of the fun we could have.
(If you're not the 'crafty type' would you consider just coming over and cleaning my house while I craft?)
I also made cookies this weekend.
Please.

Spelling it Out

Today I am going to take D-I-X-I-E for a S-T-R-O-L-L.  I think she has figured out D-O-G and W-A-L-K and I don't want her dragging her leash after me all morning.  I'm not going out there until it warms up.

James, Beginning to End

7.
Today on my way home from work I recited James.  All five chapters.  Beginning to end.  I know the beginning better than the end because I've been working on this for over 5 months.  But today was the first time I got the whole way to the end. It is a major victory for me.  The answer to prayer and the result of enduring hard work.  See, we count as blessed those who have endured.
My plan is to keep reviewing it so that it remains in my memory.  I picture myself in the nursing home happily reciting Scripture verses. ..every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.  Then I remember that it will be my second childhood, where the only words I remember and repeat over and over are the ones you wish I would forget.  So I will probably be sitting in the day room, strapped in my chair, screaming "Adulteresses!! Don't you know friendship with the world is hostility toward God!?!?!?!?
You'll visit me, won't you?

Up Close and Personal

14.  Get a mamogram.
Today was the day I had scheduled my mamogram.  In fact, I had scheduled a tomogram--a 3D mamogram, if you will.

FYI:  Tomography refers to imaging by sections or sectioning, through the use of any kind of penetrating wave. A device used in tomography is called a tomograph, while the image produced is a tomogram.

The STP wanted to know if I would get a copy to bring home.  Unlike baby sonograms, evidently it is not customary to receive a printed copy of the image of the inside of your breast tissue, although they will let you look at the image on a screen after the exam.  Little reward, really, for all the squishing that takes place.  Although I was impressed that my 'pressed' version appeared perkier than its real life counterpart.  I think the STP would have enjoyed having a copy.  

Perfect Saturday

Waking up with no where to go.
Finish the taxes before lunch.
Matinee of 'Lincoln' with good friends, the Goob, and the STP.
Shamrock shakes all around.
Halupki casserole ready for tomorrow's fellowship dinner.
New episodes of Duck Dynasty.
Happy, happy, happy.

Do Over and Over and Over Again

Another look at a bathroom do over project.
In this episode: The window that will become the linen closet door.
You first saw it in the background here.  It was salvaged from a building remodel here in Dodge City.  As in, it was discovered inside the wall during the most recent remodel.  I picked up three of them for such a time as this. You got your second look at it here.  I managed to strip off most, but not all of the existing paint.  Not to worry, because I was just going to repaint it and it was never going to be perfect.  That is, of course, part of its charm.







The next step was removing the glass panes.  This is where it was good I had three windows, because glass is fragile.

I had to clean the windows.  I took this little before and after shot to assure myself  you that the glass really is transparent.

And then I repainted the frame. The delightful thing about having the bedroom torn up during a bathroom remodel is that we have a very big workroom where I can paint late into the night (in my underwear if I so choose).
At this point we hit a little snag because I had no idea how to put the glass back in the frame.  The STP had a little idea.  As in he knew enough to buy glazing.

And then we did a little google search for methods.  And we watched a video that gave us some how to hints and told us how not to do it.  A putty knife with constant pressure?  Yes.  A putty snake?  Not so much.  In fact, one snotty glazing expert suggested that a putty snake is how a HO would do it.  It took us just a few minutes to translate that derogatory pane replacing put down to HomeOwner.

Glazing points.  Yeah the wood is a little rough.  Part of the charm, remember?

Putty knife with pressure.  Check.

At this point, I'm not embarrassed to admit, we may have made a putty snake or two.  But it will be on the inside of the closet door in the downstairs bathroom.

A few more coats of paint.  And this window door is ready.
 As the STP remarked:  Not bad for two HOs.
You'll see it again at the BIG REVEAL.

Rock On

33.  Oh yes I did.

Do Over

Let's do a few peeks at progress on the bathroom do over.  

Once upon a time I bought a mirror at a yard sale on my way to Mahaffey camp.  I think the Goob was in his car seat at the time.  I painted the mirror a creamy color, distressed it a little, and hung it above the piano that no one ever really learned to play.

When we moved I sold the piano, but kept the mirror.  I plan to use it in the bathroom makeover.

Me to the STP:  Do we have any Plaster of Paris?

STP:  You're not wearing any pants.

Me:  That's why I need you to go to the garage and see if we have any Plaster of Paris.

STP:  What are you going to do with Plaster of Paris?

This exchange was followed by a discussion about how I was going to do 'this thing I saw on Pinterest' and make my own chalk paint and paint the mirror for the bathroom.  I included such details about some lady named Annie Sloan has evidently made a fortune selling chalk paint, and how it is so in, and how some pinterest people had made their own, and how I was going to try it on the mirror.  

At this point the STP wondered aloud how we would see our faces if I painted the mirror like a chalk board.  And would we just draw our faces on the mirror.  And would he have to draw a beard on his face and then erase it off after he shaved.

At this point, I mentioned that if he was really listening he would know I was using chalk paint, not chalkboard paint, and that I was painting the mirror frame, not the mirror itself.

At this point the STP admitted he had a hard time concentrating on what I was saying when I wasn't wearing any pants and he went to get the plaster of Paris for me.  Which is as close as I am getting to Paris, France again this year.  Because we are re-doing the bathroom.

The mirror, prepped for painting.

My homemade chalk paint.  Part white charm semi-gloss paint.  Part hurricane satin paint.  Part plaster of paris.  Mixed in a cool whip tub.

Applied to the mirror frame.  One coat coverage. It is wet here, but it dried quite dull. 

And then I sanded it a little to distress it again. And then I applied a coat of wax (left over from the pretty big jenga project) and buffed it.

I didn't have to buy anything for this project, and I finished it in one evening and (in case you're still wondering) without being completely dressed.

And now it is just waiting for a bathroom wall to hang on.

Look for it in the BIG REVEAL post. 

In The Box

If you have something important to tell me, e-mail may not be the way to do it.

Kitchen Update

Today  I went to the city. And while I was fabric shopping at JoAnn's I found something that obviously belonged to the Best Granddaughter in the World. So I bought it for her. And then in StuffMart we found something that the Best Grandson in the World absolutely needed. And we put it right in the cart.

 And when I got home today, there was a package with a little something for me from the 2 BGITW.

 A little spoon rest.  Custom painted for my kitchen.

So perfect it almost made me want to cook something.
And I need some face time with those babies soon.

Sweet Hearts

The STP and I appeared in the Dodge City Gazette Valentine's Day Contest.  As our third and fourth grade selves.  The STP wearing plaid and me on the only good hair day I evidently had in grade school.  

What this really means is that we have arrived in Dodge City.  Yeehaw!
In other Valentine news, the STP and I did not exchange gifts or cards this year.  Remember how much I loved you last year?  Yeah,  I'll let you know if anything changes.

The Aroma of Victory and the Agony of Defeat

I made baked eggs today after church.  A tribute to my dad and an attempt to use up several things in the fridge.  The recipe was called a frittata, but I recognize baked eggs when I see them.  My frittata was full of fresh spinach, bacon, and cheddar cheese.  I thought it was yummy.  A cooking success.  The Goob even thought it was okay.  Based on the one bite he tried.
The Goob, however, made himself ramen for lunch.  He started it before I started the frittata, and then he had to go out for a few minutes, so I finished his ramen.  And he found it inedible.  Mushy.  Didn't smell right.(!?!)  He was disturbed I hadn't stirred it and had over cooked it.  In general he was disturbed.
I shared my motherly wisdom and a thought I picked up from Charles Stanley in Sunday School this am.  Disappointments happen, discouragement is a choice.  Ramen is cheap I told him.  Make yourself another package of ramen.  Get over it.
And then the Goob said he was not so disappointed about the noodles as he was that I, his mother, could not make ramen noodles.  The directions, he noted, are on the package back.
To which I could only reply, "Point well taken."
The Goob made himself a second package of ramen.  I've just about got this one ready to launch.

Frosty Grass

Replace Battery/Card Full

Mountains with ice falls.  The STP and I decided we will never ice climb.  Even though we live close to some of the best ice climbing spots in the world.

Searching for sheep.  See wild horses, hawks, bald eagle, geese, ducks, white tail deer, mule deer.  Manage a few pictures of mule deer.  (Because there are a million of them, and they do not fly.)

Finally see sheep.  As in 8 sheep butts.  One of these is a ram. Really.

Half an hour before sunset, we find sheep.  50 sheep. 

50 blurry sheep.  Hurry before they turn and show their butts.  Replace battery?  Really?

These are not black and white photos.  There is just not much color in this neighborhood at this time of day.

Two ewes checking out the STP. 

And a herd of elk to finish off the day.  

"Oh, you want color?" replies God Himself.

Miraculously, the battery revives for this final shot of the sunset sky.  

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Sheep watching with friends and a thermos of hot chocolate?  I'll take that over nachos and having to see the Ravens one more time.

I Firmly Nonresolve...

Crossed four things off the 2013 nonresolution list in the month of January and have made plans and progress toward accomplishing several others.
Other things I want to mention:
1.  Do not combine a power drill, a wire brush attachment, and a t-shirt you are currently wearing at the same time.
2.  Salvaging a door will not save you much money, and will cost you much time.  Still worth it?  Not sure yet.
3.  Bathroom renovations take longer in real life than the average HGTV show is on the air.

Weekend Update

If your weekend did not feature a mountain lion, you might want to try a little harder to get a game warden to be your friend.
My favorite GW quote:  I'm just going to go in there and release the trap... and we'll see how that works.

Strip Tease

Just a peek at the latest project.

The irony is not lost on me that in one corner I am layering paint onto wooden items, while in the opposite corner I am stripping layers of paint off of wooden items.

Cowboy Town

Usually in January the STP and I have a one night get-a-way.  We do a little planning and organizing and take a break from the ordinary.  This year we reserved a suite in a swanky downtown hotel.    In the historic section of the downtown.  Downtown Dodge City.

 

This place is quaint.  And cute.  And fun.

 Like maybe Miss Kitty and the Marshall slept here.



And got mail here.

The STP and I got a rock in our mailbox.  Perfect. 

Because we had a suite, we did not have to wait in line behind any desperadoes to use the water closet.

And there were no shoot outs on the roof while we were there.  Just a quiet relaxing overnight.

Marshal Matt Dillon: You're looking pretty tonight, Kitty. 
Kitty Russell: How is it you never tell me that in the daytime? 

We had lunch downstairs before we headed home.  The advantage of staying three blocks from home?  Minimum travel time.

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