Vintage Round End Table

This is a short, sweet little post about a table I finished a month or so ago. I forgot to take a before picture. The table is currently at my parents house, so I didn't "stage" my photos. Not one of my best project posts, but whatever. The table belonged to my grandfather. It had one of those "rails" around the table top. I took that off and filled in all the holes. Then it got a good coat of Rustoleum's Heirloom White and some slight distressing. I think it turned out pretty cute, but it's not one of my favorite projects. I guess maybe that's why I haven't really put in the effort of taking great pictures to show it off. I do, however, have a great project coming up in the next couple of days!

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#4. Get a pool for the backyard.

I have finally started realizing that I've been neglecting my 101 things challenge. I scanned through the list a week or so ago and noticed that I could actually mark some things off! I have got to buckle down! I wanted to have a coordinating post to go with each task that is completed. So the first thing going down the list is #4. Get a pool for the backyard.

We got extremely luck at the end of last summer. M was surfing CraigsList like normal and noticed an add for a free pool. "If you come take it apart and move it, you can have it." So of course he emailed the guy. Someone beat us to it and was supposed to come get it that weekend. We gave up hope. No use in building yourself up over something that isn't going to happen. So we moved on. Two weeks later, out of the blue, M gets an email. The guy who beat us never showed up to claim the pool so it was now ours if we still wanted it. Um, of course! We loaded up my dad's trailer the next day and went and got that pool! It was a slow process cleaning up the backyard to prepare for it. The day after Thanksgiving we rented a small excavator and M dug out a level surface. Bought some cement blocks for all the poles to stand on and filled it all in with sand.

The putting up of the pool was the issue. M's friend C came out to help. There were several mishaps. We laughed, M cussed, we laughed some more. Finally we got the outer wall up. Once we tried to put in the liner, more mishaps. Turns out once a liner has been drained, it shrinks and can never be used again. No one told us this. So $400 later, we have a new liner. Then we filled and filled and filled with water. Then the pump, oh the pump. It didn't work right. We had to replace the top mechanism thngy. So $100 later, we have a working pump. Now it's up and running and we love it. The water is still a little chilly, but it's getting there. We've also started expanding our deck to reach half way around the pool. I can't wait to spend long summer days outside, relaxing by the pool! And for the $500 or so dollars we did have to put into this thing, we still got a heck of a deal! (Did I mention it's 27 feet round and 52" high?)

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Back in the Saddle Again!

I seemed to have fallen off the blogging bandwagon. I apologize! The last couple of months have just been uneventful. But I'm back and ready to blog again! I've got tons of posts lined up already, so it shouldn't take long to get back into the swing of things. OH and I'm starting out with a brand new makeover. So if you're reading this through a reader, pop on over and tell me what you think!

I have been completely ecstatic over android picking up Instagram. I used IG for a while back when I had M's old Iphone, but for my birthday, I upgraded to an HTC phone. I am now completely obsessed with the picture taking. So to kick things back off, I'll just post my life (these past few weeks) in photos.

Descriptions go left to right. Click image to view larger!

1. M and I attended one of his co-workers weddings.
2. We finally got our pool up and running! It is ahhhmazing.
3. My dad was given a bunch of boxes of junk. I went through it and pulled out some cool finds!
4. M cleaning the pool. He did a heck of a balancing job around that edge.
5. All the critters taking a "quiet time" except for Hershey.
6. M and Hershey got into a "play" fight. I got caught in the middle.
7. More sweet finds from my dad's free junk! (an owl!!)
8. M and I didn't own a single board game. Now we have several thanks to that junk!
9. My aunt gave me the coolest vintage pyrex bowl set. I can't get enough!!

My first attempt at the cloud manicure.

Absolutely in love with my new coffee mug!

Cleaning house and a small preview of our new wall remodel!

If you have Instagram, follow me! I'd love to see all your pictures and leave some likes! (user name: hollyinwonderland) Until next time! :)

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My week thus far...

This has been (another) non productive week so far. Our MinPin, Roxy, went into heat. We went through this once before and swore to get her fixed before it happened again. Well, we didn't make it. To be honest, it slipped our minds. Not to mention the funds just haven't been there either. So, of course, Hershey isn't fixed either. M has this thing about him being a boy and losing his balls. Men. Regardless, it's never been a problem. Until Roxy entered the picture.
She's been camping out at my parents house since Monday. But naturally, Hershey got a good wiff of that magic scent and has been a nightmare ever since. He whines constantly, pacing from door to window and back again. He barks for no reason. Like in your face barks. He's tried to hump me multiple times. Which normally doesn't bother me as I just shake it off, but this go round he has this crazed look in his eyes. Tuesday night he literally growled if M got anywhere close to me. 
The situation is funny. Was funny. Now I just want to pull my hair out! Here's hoping this heat cycle is over soon. I need to get some work done, or sleep. Sleep would be nice.
Just because I want to share a bit of my misery, here is just one minute of what I've been listening to all week. Enjoy!! (did you see I finally got a youtube video to show up? go me!)


And yes, I do still have a Halloween Cat Windsock thingy hanging up. I'm to short to reach it and to lazy to get a stool. And yes, my house phone is still ringing "We wish you a Merry Christmas". This is not odd, it's unique. :)

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Newsprint Fingernails

Since the first day I joined Pinterest, I've had the newsprint nails pinned. Today, I decided to do it. This first attempt is by no means perfect. A few nails smeared. A few the print very faint. I even messed up my nail polish on 2 nails, but after 3 coats, I wasn't starting over. All in all, I think it turned out pretty cute!

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48 Questions

So I have officially decided that I'm just not cut out for this blogging thing. I love it, I do. But I get so caught up in other things that I just don't think about it. I'm hoping one day I'll improve. I do have some things I've been wanting to post and just haven't made myself sit down and do it. So until then, here's some questions about me just for fun. 

From my February Photo a Day Challenge. 

1. What time did you get up this morning? This morning .. noon. I usually don't sleep that late, ever. I remember M leaving for work at 6:30 and then .. dead to the world till noon. 

2. How do you like your steak? I don't eat steak very often, but I prefer it well done. If I see pink, it grosses me out. If I don't see it but it's there .. I'm fine. Weird, right?

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? We next to never go to the movies. We're more of the "bootlegged" kind of people, but shh! I didn't say that. :) It would either be the most recent Predator one or Jennifer's Body. 

4. What is your favorite TV show? I can't say that I have a favorite and I won't name every show that I currently keep up with because that would just prove that I have no social life. But I watch Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, Walking Dead and Once Upon a Time. Plus about 20 more...

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Kentucky. I lived in Lexington for almost 5 years and I loved it. I would move back in a heartbeat if I was given the chance.

6. What did you have for breakfast? I usually don't eat breakfast. Especially this morning since I slept past breakfast time and went straight into lunch. In that case, a ham sandwich.

7. What is your favorite food? All food. :) Probably just a really good homemade hamburger! Or pizza.

8. Foods you dislike? mushrooms. sweet pickles. turnip greens, or mustard greens.

9. Favorite place to eat? O'Charlies. Best potato soup ever! or Cheddars.

10. Favorite dressing? Ranch or Honey Mustard. Occasionally I like Italian.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She's been a trouper, but she's slowly shutting down.

12. What are your favorite clothes? pajama pants. I live in them. Even when I was working, I would come straight home and change into pj's. 

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Australia!

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Here lately the cup is just flippin' empty.

15. Where would you want to retire? No idea really. Where I am, I guess. It's where my family is. Although by the time I retire, most of them will be long gone.

16. Favorite time of day? Night time. I don't sleep, so the wee morning hours are the best. It's quiet. Plus I stick all the dogs in bed with M. Peace..

17. Where were you born? Jackson, Mississippi.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? I don't do sports. Unless WWE counts and I sometimes watch that. Not very often tho.

19. What is your favorite fragrance? I don't really wear perfume, but I adore Love Spell by Victoria's Secret.

20. What is your favorite face cream? um, cream? If that counts as a moisturizer, then Mary Kay 3in1 something. 

21. Favorite baby/kids products? No kids yet. 

22. People watcher? Absolutely. I could spend hours watching people.

23. Are you a morning or night person? Night person. 

24. Do you have any pets? 5. Hershey (lab/pit mix), Zoey (chihuahua), Roxy (minpin), Mr. Fuzzy Butt (cat) and Biscuit (cat).

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share? We finally framed up the wall we are building to separate the living room and kitchen. I'll share that in another post tho.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A vet or an Interior Designer. Then I started working at Kirkland's and decided that I can't deal with picky people.

27. What is your favorite memory? Getting my first apartment. It was so exciting until I realized that I was scared by myself. I eventually got used to it.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Both. But my cat has been driving me up a wall, so I'm on the fence.

29. Are you married? yes. Almost a whole year already!

30. Always wear your seat belt? 98% of the time.

31. Been in a car accident? 1 small fender bender. Nothing serious.

32. Any pet peeves? A bazillion. Most people in general. :) No, I'm really a nice person, just worked retail for way to long. I used up all my patience.

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Ham and black olives. Anything really except mushrooms.

34. Favorite flower? Daisy.

35. Favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Wendy's or Zaxby's.

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? None. I got lucky. Heaven forbid I ever had to take it again tho.

38. From whom did you get your last email? Probably M. We email alot instead of texting because I don't have unlimited.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target. I love that store.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? I rearranged the living room yesterday if that counts.

41. Like your job? I think that I will one day. Right now, it's not really a job.

42. Broccoli? Absolutely. Raw, steamed, in a casserole. It's the best when you steam it and put mayo on it!

43. What was your favorite vacation? Probably Disney World when I was a teenager. We don't really take vacations. When we do, it's to see M's family in Michigan and I don't count that as much of a vacation. We are way overdue one.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? M.

45. What are you listening to right now? The fish tank and the hum of my laptop.

46. What is your favorite color? Yellow!

47. How many tattoos do you have? Right now none, but M and I are planning to soon. He has one that he wants to add on to and I want my first one!

48. Coffee drinker? yes. Not regularly, but yes. 

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New Layout!

Just a quick little post to tell you I have a new layout! Just starting the year off with something fresh is inspiring. It's nothing elaborate. I'm not well educated on blogger's html stuff. But it makes me happy, so I just wanted to share. And if you are reading this in a reader then here's a little screenshot!

Hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend! Hoping to blow through some projects tomorrow. Wish me luck! :)

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Wreck this Journal

For Christmas, I received the Wreck this Box journal set. It comes with Wreck this Journal, Mess and This is Not a Book. I am so excited about working on these! I thought it would be a fun idea to blog about my progress. So far I have only done one of the projects. I originally thought that I would do several a week but I have since decided that I'd like to take my time and really express myself. I even bought that awesome marker set to use just for this!

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Painted Ceiling Fan

Our living room makeover has officially started! We have big plans for this room. We have already picked out our paint color, but haven't yet bought it. We are planning to add a wall to separate the living room and kitchen. Once that is up, then we will paint. But my first project was painting the ceiling fan! I am so obsessed with this, I love how it turned out. Now I just want to lay on the couch and stare up at it all the time. Cheesy much?! :)

I added white stripes to the blades. They were already the dark stain color. Then I painted the base with Aqua spray paint. The same color I used for the end table a few posts back. I am completely in love! I can't wait for the rest of the room to come together now!

LINKING UP @ Handy Man, Crafty Woman, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, 

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Here's to New Beginning's!

December was, well .. not such a great month for me. I neglected to blog about anything because there really wasn't much to blog about. This post could be long if I let it, so instead I will split it into "groups". Short, sweet and to the point.

Depression. This has possibly been the worst month so far. I haven't done any projects since the Aqua End Table. Half way through the month, I told myself I would just focus on getting the house clean. I have cleaned, some. Christmas was a disaster but I will go into that next. I guess the best thing that did happen this month is that I finally talked to my mom. I told her that I think I need help and she agreed. I do such a good job of hiding  my depression from everyone, so she was proud that I finally came forward and asked for help. No Doctor visits have been set up yet, but I'm pretty sure within the next month or so, there will be. I am so ready to kick this depresso thing in the butt!

Christmas. My mom and I both started out the month wanting to go big. All out. We started decorating, but it kinda fizzled. My family wasn't doing a big Christmas this year. We planned no gifts, just because we all are struggling this year. Just food, games and being together was the plan. The plan. My number one problem. I always have this "plan" worked out in my head of how I feel something should play out. Then when it doesn't, I feel devastated. It just sort of ruins my whole day from that point on. Well this day didn't go how I had planned. My aunt showed up earlier than anyone thought would. Everything that came out of my mouth that day, She had something ridiculously sarcastic to say about it. Finally, enough was enough. I marched my little butt back over to my house and stayed there the rest of the night. I cried. I cried some more. M was super supportive this go round. This was the night that I decided I really did need help and Christmas Day was when I talked to my mom.

Work. I mentioned earlier that I haven't done anything this month. I have such big dreams and high hopes of making something of myself. The motivation just isn't there. I sold 2 pieces of furniture in December, which means that I have now sold every piece of furniture I have done since I started. Which tells me that I can do this. I just need to do it faster. I can't make any money selling one or two pieces a month. I need to sell 5 or more. And that is totally do-able. If I can get my butt in gear!

Resolutions. I'm not good at sticking to goals, but I do have a few that I am gonna do my hardest to follow through this year.

• Stop Smoking! (This will be the hardest for me to accomplish, but I'm ready to seriously work on it.)
• Diet! (We got a pool for the backyard back in the summer. I need to be bathing suit ready!)
• Work, Work, Work! (Got to. Our future's depend on it!)

Those are all pretty self explanatory so I won't delve into them. So that just brings me to reality. I've noticed several people around blog land posting there "realities". How everything isn't so picture perfect all the time. We only post the things we want you to see and hide the things we don't want to show. Well, this is my reality.

All the Christmas has been taken down and boxed back up. The only problem is that because I have stored so much furniture for me to work on, our storage building won't hold anything else. Literally, you can't take one step inside the door. It is packed. So until I can weed through some furniture and make some room, this lovely pile of holiday gets to live in my living room.

Laundry. I don't think I ever get caught up on laundry. It's a never ending process. This is the current state. I pulled out all the baskets and piled them in front of the laundry room. I figured if I stumbled over them enough it would encourage me to just suck it up and do it. Not so much. I still just go through and pick out what we need the most and do that. I am making a promise to myself that by this weekend, this pile will no longer exist.

This chair (which is a piece waiting to be worked on) never stays clean. Right now, it's a coat rack. And a purse rack. And those plastic bags have paint cans in them. And my kitchen floor is grossly dirty in that spot, which is a little more reality than I was going for! :) I swear, I will clean this chair out and the next day it looks like this. The catch all.


On a brighter note, I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and an awesome New Year's!! Hopefully you will be seeing a lot more of me in 2012.

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