When last I typed, I told of my fabric painting of two wing-back chairs.
I had a little issue....... I ran out of paint. I remedied the problem and they are now ready to be waxed and will be coming soon.
Almost two weeks later. Story of my life.
So in the meantime I crossed a few other things off on my to-do list.
I picked up this little bistro set at a garage sale last Fall for a deck off the master bedroom. I thought I was getting a good deal at $20 for the three piece set.
Wednesday
Monday
Painting Fabric With Paint
It was a dark and cloudy day..... (really)
I was out of scheduled posts...... (which took 3 months to happen)
At 6:53 the night before, I read a post from Andi at Delusions of Ingenuity........
And by noon the next day I was painting wing back chairs with Annie Sloan Old White Chalk paint and CeCe Caldwells' Virginia Chestnut, on a quest to use up all my different remnants of paints.
Also very skeptical of the process, but I trust Andi's opinion.
Sunday
An Essay on Mom Stuff
An essay on random Mom stuff on Mothers Day.
By me.
I'll try to keep it short and simple, since sometimes I really do think I could write a book on the subject of parenthood.
But there are already plenty out there.
I'm an expert at almost nothing, but that's not to say there are not things I don't do well. Even things I do very well, I wouldn't claim to be an expert on - just because that's the way I am, you know?
I can paint a wicked dresser or a dresser wicked, and maybe use clever wit like nobody's business.
However there is always someone better at or more learned in the things I do well, and claiming to be an expert at any of them seems boastful.
So not being an expert, it's hard for me to be boastful on things I might be good at.
With the exception of one thing.
Being a mom.
On that I boast here and now.... I am an expert.
I've long thought it, but would never actually admit I did. For gosh sakes, aren't experts suppose to always be right about whatever it is they are experts about, and everything they do turns out, well... perfect and expert like?
My credentials are hung on the wall. Collages of hand made art work made specifically for me on Mudrs Day. Mudrs Day from a certain 6 year old who spells the way he speaks.
And while my credentials didn't come from any famous University, they did come from my toughest critics.
Six of the harshest critics who know my expertise inside out...... #1 son, #1 daughter, #2 son, #2 daughter, #3 son and #4 son.
Which adds up to six.
I'm sure I gleaned tidbits of information here and there from books. My two favorites are oldies, very oldies, that were passed on to me.
Those books don't deal with things like violence in school or limiting the internet, because both were unheard of when the books were originally written.
It's the basics, just the basics.
And the basics seem like a good place to start on the unintended road to being an unintended expert.
1. Children Are Wet Cement
I don't know if the current version is the same as the 30 year old one I was given. Parts stuck with me, and not only about my own kids, but about the way I treat other peoples kids. All these years later I should go back and read it again, just to see what it was that made an impression on me.
2. Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours.
This book too is in reprint, but the one I read was a 30 year old edition. I have no idea what it's about anymore, I just remember thinking the suggestions seemed realistic - and maintaining my sanity was a top priority.
I probably read other books from time to time, and of course magazine articles, but knowing me I also "filed" most advice in the round bin.
Saying I'm an expert at this motherhood gig doesn't mean I'm saying it always goes smooth, that I am a perfect mother, or that my kids are perfect.
Far from it, in fact those many imperfections are what taught me, the imperfect is how I gained my expertise.
It is said you learn more from your mistakes......
My kids like to point those mistakes out to me.
Of course I'm not the only expert out there, but I am the mistress of my own domain.
The six critics can heckle me all they want. The proof is in the pudding.
I don't mind if they "lovingly" point out my shortcomings, or where I made mistakes, because as I look right back at them I'm reassured I did more right than wrong.
I get heckled about facts like; there is sugared cereal now in the cabinet. The older ones think that means the younger ones are spoiled. I hate to tell them it really isn't that well thought out, it just means I buy what's on sale sometimes now.
Or maybe it means I no longer care what someone might think if they see a box of evil Frosted Flakes in my shopping cart.
With age comes wisdom. (And sometimes lack of).
I'm wise enough not to buy Frosted Flakes often, but I have the wisdom now that I don't really care what anyone thinks of my parenting if I do.
I like to believe it wasn't the lack of sugared cereal that caused the older kids to turn out well.
Certainly I had great dreams of what my children would become by using the talents they have, but really there was only one thing I truly wanted out of life for them.
To be happy.
That's the goal I set out with for each of my harshest critics.
So when they heckle me and "lovingly" point out where I went wrong with what I fed them, or the rules I set, it really doesn't matter much to me.
I met my goal.
By me.
I'll try to keep it short and simple, since sometimes I really do think I could write a book on the subject of parenthood.
But there are already plenty out there.
I'm an expert at almost nothing, but that's not to say there are not things I don't do well. Even things I do very well, I wouldn't claim to be an expert on - just because that's the way I am, you know?
I can paint a wicked dresser or a dresser wicked, and maybe use clever wit like nobody's business.
However there is always someone better at or more learned in the things I do well, and claiming to be an expert at any of them seems boastful.
So not being an expert, it's hard for me to be boastful on things I might be good at.
With the exception of one thing.
Being a mom.
On that I boast here and now.... I am an expert.
I've long thought it, but would never actually admit I did. For gosh sakes, aren't experts suppose to always be right about whatever it is they are experts about, and everything they do turns out, well... perfect and expert like?
My credentials are hung on the wall. Collages of hand made art work made specifically for me on Mudrs Day. Mudrs Day from a certain 6 year old who spells the way he speaks.
And while my credentials didn't come from any famous University, they did come from my toughest critics.
Six of the harshest critics who know my expertise inside out...... #1 son, #1 daughter, #2 son, #2 daughter, #3 son and #4 son.
Which adds up to six.
I'm sure I gleaned tidbits of information here and there from books. My two favorites are oldies, very oldies, that were passed on to me.
Those books don't deal with things like violence in school or limiting the internet, because both were unheard of when the books were originally written.
It's the basics, just the basics.
And the basics seem like a good place to start on the unintended road to being an unintended expert.
1. Children Are Wet Cement
I don't know if the current version is the same as the 30 year old one I was given. Parts stuck with me, and not only about my own kids, but about the way I treat other peoples kids. All these years later I should go back and read it again, just to see what it was that made an impression on me.
2. Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours.
This book too is in reprint, but the one I read was a 30 year old edition. I have no idea what it's about anymore, I just remember thinking the suggestions seemed realistic - and maintaining my sanity was a top priority.
I probably read other books from time to time, and of course magazine articles, but knowing me I also "filed" most advice in the round bin.
Saying I'm an expert at this motherhood gig doesn't mean I'm saying it always goes smooth, that I am a perfect mother, or that my kids are perfect.
Far from it, in fact those many imperfections are what taught me, the imperfect is how I gained my expertise.
It is said you learn more from your mistakes......
My kids like to point those mistakes out to me.
Of course I'm not the only expert out there, but I am the mistress of my own domain.
The six critics can heckle me all they want. The proof is in the pudding.
I don't mind if they "lovingly" point out my shortcomings, or where I made mistakes, because as I look right back at them I'm reassured I did more right than wrong.
I get heckled about facts like; there is sugared cereal now in the cabinet. The older ones think that means the younger ones are spoiled. I hate to tell them it really isn't that well thought out, it just means I buy what's on sale sometimes now.
Or maybe it means I no longer care what someone might think if they see a box of evil Frosted Flakes in my shopping cart.
With age comes wisdom. (And sometimes lack of).
I'm wise enough not to buy Frosted Flakes often, but I have the wisdom now that I don't really care what anyone thinks of my parenting if I do.
I like to believe it wasn't the lack of sugared cereal that caused the older kids to turn out well.
Certainly I had great dreams of what my children would become by using the talents they have, but really there was only one thing I truly wanted out of life for them.
To be happy.
That's the goal I set out with for each of my harshest critics.
So when they heckle me and "lovingly" point out where I went wrong with what I fed them, or the rules I set, it really doesn't matter much to me.
I met my goal.
Happy Mothers Day to all moms fumbling through the process.
I hope you meet your goals too.
Better yet, I hope your kids are pleased you met those goals.
In the end it really only matters what your harshest critics think of your expertise.
Friday
Betty's Vase
My friend Betty wanted a new vase for an empty corner in her living room. Betty has never read my blog so I can tell you that while I love shopping with Betty, buying a vase was no easy task. Hours. It took hours. TWO FRIGGEN HOURS!!! At the same store in the same isle.
Betty found a ceramic one she liked but it really wasn't tall enough, and the black, gray and white pattern made it look a bit too zebra-ish but it did have the colors she liked.
Other vases had too wide a mouth on top.
Then Betty found an all black metal vase. She thought it was blah, but the right size.
That's when I opened my mouth with the words I believed would get me the helll out of that store...... "I can paint that one for you to look similar to the ceramic one you like".
Betty found a ceramic one she liked but it really wasn't tall enough, and the black, gray and white pattern made it look a bit too zebra-ish but it did have the colors she liked.
Other vases had too wide a mouth on top.
Then Betty found an all black metal vase. She thought it was blah, but the right size.
That's when I opened my mouth with the words I believed would get me the helll out of that store...... "I can paint that one for you to look similar to the ceramic one you like".
Wednesday
Old Metal File Cabinet
I'm cleaning out my project draft files so I'm showing projects on my own blog that were guest posts in their past life.
This week I have an old metal file cabinet that has a door and not just drawers.
Originally I posted this on Gails blog, My Repurposed Life.
This week I have an old metal file cabinet that has a door and not just drawers.
Originally I posted this on Gails blog, My Repurposed Life.
Friday
100 Year Old Barn Wood Shelves
Last year Brawn and oldest son went and fetched a bunch of old barn wood from some folks a few miles away who were about ready to burn the pile.
There were beams and planks, and even some tin.
The saw marks add so much character, along with the nail holes.
Saturday morning when I woke up, that little voice that likes to put other people to work on the weekend was talking to me.
It said "Bliss.... Blissssss.... you've always wanted wood shelves above your toilet, you must have them today". TODAY!
There were beams and planks, and even some tin.
The saw marks add so much character, along with the nail holes.
Saturday morning when I woke up, that little voice that likes to put other people to work on the weekend was talking to me.
It said "Bliss.... Blissssss.... you've always wanted wood shelves above your toilet, you must have them today". TODAY!
Thursday
Big Burlap Coffee Sack Winner
Maureen from It's All Connected is the winner of the big burlap coffee sack.
I think she is going to make sweaters and party hats for her chickens out of it.
Have some fun, stop at her blog and request chicken clothes of burlap!
Have some fun, stop at her blog and request chicken clothes of burlap!
Thank you to everyone who entered and welcome to all my new likes on Facebook.
Tuesday
A Bee in my Bonnet
This is one of those posts that isn't really written for my readers. No photos or DIY, just something to poke fun at. If you are a blogger, you will get it, and if you have a pet name for anyone in your life, you'll get it too.
Sometimes I get a bee in my bonnet.
Now doesn't that sound nicer than saying a bug up my butt?
That's just what this post is about, people getting bugs and bees in places that make them talk smack.
And that really sticks in my craw.
Sometimes I get a bee in my bonnet.
Now doesn't that sound nicer than saying a bug up my butt?
That's just what this post is about, people getting bugs and bees in places that make them talk smack.
And that really sticks in my craw.
Monday
The Family Votes on Laundry Room Flooring
when last I wrote.....
I asked for help deciding which flooring I wanted to update the 20 year old laundry room floor with because, well.... I suck at picking flooring.
Without a doubt most of you picked the wood look vinyl. This narrowed it down so next I brought in the experts who have suffered of my poor flooring choices in the past.
The family.
I gave the family the choice of the wood look vinyl.....
Or the next popular choice, the vintage hex tiles in gray tones....
Friday
Laundry Room Flooring, Help Me Pick
Things around the ranch the last few months have been hectic and full of anxiety, not to mention all I remember of the winter is snow and freezing temperatures.
We were just starting to wind down on stuff, like two surgeries and tests, only to have someone suffer a broken heart (not of the medical kind), another one have a mysterious new suitor, and then catastrophe of all catastrophes ......
There are plenty of appliances, gadgets and technologically advanced things that I can do without in my life, but my washing machine is not one of them. And you know how it goes in the home of DIY'ers - one project leads to another.
So while we were busy taking out the old machines and putting in the new.....
I got the brilliant idea that it was time to update our laundry room flooring.
We were just starting to wind down on stuff, like two surgeries and tests, only to have someone suffer a broken heart (not of the medical kind), another one have a mysterious new suitor, and then catastrophe of all catastrophes ......
the washing machine broke.
There are plenty of appliances, gadgets and technologically advanced things that I can do without in my life, but my washing machine is not one of them. And you know how it goes in the home of DIY'ers - one project leads to another.
So while we were busy taking out the old machines and putting in the new.....
I got the brilliant idea that it was time to update our laundry room flooring.
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From time to time there might be a written review of services or products on this blog for which Bliss Ranch may or may not have received that service or product for free. Receiving a product or service for free or at a discount will never dictate what is written on this blog or guarantee a favorable review. All opinions here belong to Bliss Ranch and Bliss Ranch alone. Bliss Ranch is not monetarily compensated to write anything on this blog... period! For the complete privacy policy please see the tab at the top of the blog.
From time to time there might be a written review of services or products on this blog for which Bliss Ranch may or may not have received that service or product for free. Receiving a product or service for free or at a discount will never dictate what is written on this blog or guarantee a favorable review. All opinions here belong to Bliss Ranch and Bliss Ranch alone. Bliss Ranch is not monetarily compensated to write anything on this blog... period! For the complete privacy policy please see the tab at the top of the blog.