September 2017 – Loving My New Simple Life

26
Sep
2017

Fixer Upper Footstool

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

I am not a person to sit all day, I feel guilty, as if I am wasting the time in my life.

Of course, I do sit and read with my morning coffee, but most of the rest of my day I am working on projects or doing the things needed to care for a home and family.

When my brother-in-law retired he said to me, “I work half of the day, and I rest half of the day”. I like that, and always remember his words.

I found this footstool at the thrift store, it fits into my plan to try to take my thrift store finds to the next level.

A larger piece for me, but so easy to fix up with really nice results.

It actually appeared to be an old piece by the older type brackets and the very hard wood.

Cleaned the piece inside and out, sanded just a bit, touched up with a light coat of stain.

My original plan was to paint the stool, but after cleaning the wood, I could not justify covering it up, it was quite beautiful.

The fun part of the project for me was finding a colorful print fabric to cover the top.

Surprisingly, the top was easy to cover, a first for me. I love first time things at my age!

Worried a bit about the corners when covering, but it looks nice.

I am so pleased with my efforts.

Cleaned, sanded, stained, covered. Boom, finished!

Love it, love looking at my accomplishment when I rest my feet.

As I have mentioned before, finding inexpensive treasures to fix up, those things someone no longer wanted, makes me happy!

We all have things we do in our spare time to relax, this is mine.

Hope you all have happy things that fill your days, things that give your life peace, and relaxation.

Till next time!

24
Sep
2017

Living With MS – Can You Make Cherry Kool-Aid?

categories: Living with MS

My sweet husband has MS and as I have mentioned before, he is deteriorating everyday.

Impossible to walk without his stick, or holding onto walls.

Having episodes when his eyesight leaves in one eye.

Adding to that, his leg is swelling from his cancer surgery four months ago.

Not to mention, the eczema he has on one of his palms, that never stops itching. Never.

Just so much to deal with, praying that there will not be anything else!

His request this morning, “can you make a pitcher of that great cherry Kool-Aid you make?”.

He has it rough.

When he wakes up and starts his day not making me laugh, I know it is an especially bad day for him.

Can I make him cherry Kool-Aid?

Whatcha all think?

In your prayers on this Sunday, could you add one for my cherry Kool-Aid guy?

Please.

With love.

Oh, the recipe for my “great” cherry Kool-Aid, extra sugar, less water, and lots and lots of ice!

23
Sep
2017

Crooked Again This Year

categories: Autumn, Random Thoughts, Summer

Our small back porch, a gathering place for just the two of us!

Morning coffee together, reading, music, sometime lunches, simple everyday conversation.

But Saturday mornings on our porch, in the fall, are so special.

We can hear the cheers and yells coming from the many soccer fields near our home.

Shh…!

Listen.

Remember.

The oh so many joyful times, years and years ago, when our son, our only child, played soccer.

Jimmy loved to play, he was quite good, and we were so proud, loving every minute.

We can’t forget those days, those never to return days.

Recently, I talked to Jimmy about those times. He remembers it all, the smell of the grass, the cheers, the concession stand, run by the parents, and even riding his bike up to see games he was not playing.

Our small porch was crooked again this year, no money for repairs.

No matter, I added some colorful pillows, some plants, no one cared about the crooked floor!

It is our beautiful gathering space to be together, to remember, to be thankful for memories.

Blessings and love to all this weekend.

Remember.

22
Sep
2017

Checked Off My Bucket List

categories: Autumn, DIY, Home Projects

Knowing today is officially the first day of fall, yesterday I worked on a twig wreath for my front door.

Gathered some vines, formed a wreath secured with wire, finished up by adding some bittersweet purchased this past weekend at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

Love my wreath, twiggy, simple, no nonsense, perfect for welcoming this time of the year. Just the look I wanted.

A few months ago, I contacted my niece who lives close to Columbus, asking her if she would be able to go to the Country Living Fair, a bucket list item of mine.

What joy for me when she agreed to make time in her busy life!

We decided to make a weekend of it! Along with my sister, we traveled 2 hours to her home, a farmhouse in the country. Just such a beautiful setting.

Some of her neighbors.

Early morning coffee on the porch.

A gift, homemade sweet pickles.

Amanda, next to my son, has given my life overwhelming love and joy!

We went to the fair on Saturday, it was filled with all the things you see in the Country Living magazine.

Spectacular weather all weekend.

The rest of our time was spent relaxing, visiting with Amanda’s family and friends, laughing, and of course, eating!

Thank you Amanda for checking off this bucket list item of mine, and especially for spending time with me!

The only bad part of our trip, leaving Amanda, so sad for us to say goodbye!

Simple living, simple sharing, doing simple things, with love.

Have a beautiful, simple, first day of fall.

10
Sep
2017

Old Rescued School Desk

categories: DIY, Home Projects

This old school desk has been tucked away in my garage for such a long time. It was used as a display piece when I owned a little country shop years ago.

Not wanting it to deteriorate further, I pulled it out from its dark, lonely spot.

I knew my little desk was in poor condition, needing some serious love.

The desk is old, and if it were not in such bad shape, it probably would be worth something. I searched online and could only find one photo of a school desk like mine. It is unique, it folds up like a TV tray.

Love the ink splatters on the top, and also the desk “graffiti”, a part of school history.

Repaired the desk as best I could, a bit of wood glue, and unfortunately, a nail or two!

Cleaned the old wood with a mild detergent and used steel wool on some difficult spots. Finished up with furniture polish. Looks beautiful!

I was not quite sure where my rescued desk was going to be placed in my home, but decided somewhere close to my favorite chair in our family room, would be perfect. I want to use it!

With my son’s help, we adjusted the legs so the desk could be used when I was sitting.

Most of my day time I spend cleaning, caring for my home, or working on projects. So as best I can, I try to spend evenings with my husband, usually watching political news shows, his obsession! The important thing is that we are together. Difficulty walking has greatly limited his activities.

Having this desk allows me to write, draw, practice my lettering, while being with him before our day has ended.

It is satisfying to rescue, restore, and love an old piece, giving it purpose again.

Funny, all the words I used in this post, old, rescued, restored, and loved, could be used to describe me, and the life I am living right now!

Thank you Lord.

Blessings and love to all!

05
Sep
2017

A Tray for “Puss Face”

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects

“Puss Face” is the name of our little cat.

A silly name my husband calls our kitty which is beginning to stick. So cute!

We adopted her after our last two cats were killed by coyotes. It is still so painful for us to believe such a horrible thing happened. Needless to say, kitty never goes outside.

Puss Face is always so thirsty. I keep a large bowl of water in the kitchen, but for some reason, someone is always running into her bowl and spilling her water, and of course, we all step in it!

I found an ugly tin tray at the thrift store for next to nothing, decided it would be perfect for kitty’s water bowl.

Just spray painted it flat black, no big fuss, and bought a large new enamel water bowl.

So now, kitty has her own chic, black and white water station! Silly? I know, but fun just the same. Gotta have fun in life!

I also made Puss Face a cute tin for her “treats”. Just a bit of paint and some stick-on letters added to a small tin can, that was it!

Puss Face is happy, me too! No more water on the floor, just in the tray.

Special love to all you pet owners. They give us such unconditional love.

See ya all next time.

Blessings

01
Sep
2017

Surprise Apple Treats

categories: Autumn, DIY

It’s apple time, so today I thought I would share a fun and super easy fall treat idea.

Those folks who know me, know how much I like to use cellophane bags when wrapping. Tying ribbon around the top adds a pop of color to whatever gift is wrapped up in the bag. I love the look.