4th & Sparkles

Have a sparkling Fourth of July!

My stepsister is moving to Nashville, TN tomorrow. Today we’re going to celebrate the 4th while sending her off with love. I hope everyone has an amazing holiday! Until next time!

Trying New Things

My sis got these chairs as freebies from her neighbor and she wants me to help her fix them up. Check out her post here:

Trying New Things.

I ran fabric paint by her:

Painted chair project via A Pinterest Addict.

And reupholstering with budget upholstery fabrics from IKEA:

Rosmarie at IKEA

Benzy Skepp at Ikea.

Premier Fabrics:

Newell in Stone/Denton at Premier Fabrics.

Barber in Stone/Denton at Premier Fabrics.

Or using Joann’s 40% off coupons to get some cool looking pleather:

Eaton Square Adrift at Joann’s.

Here’s another view of this style of chair (by complete coincidence, I pinned the exact chairs from a Craigslist ad a few months ago on Pinterest).

On my CL Treasure Hunt board on Pinterest.

I’m going to meet up with her on Friday to take a closer look at them (so far, I’ve only seen pics). I’m so excited! What would you do with these chairs?

Wish I Was Here…

One of the best things about life is that no trouble lasts forever. At some point even the worst things come to an end. The past few months have been a real trial for me, personally and spiritually. My solace and consolation has been my sister, Jada, my friend and DIY partner, Dawn, and writing this blog.

Lately my interactions with readers and fellow bloggers has started to increase dramatically. It’s been such a balm to my spirit. Thank you all for stopping by, commenting, sharing your suggestions, and your own creativity with me. I really appreciate it. I think it’s probably what is keeping me sane.

Hopefully, the new year will bring some peaceful changes onto the scene. In the meantime, I’m dreaming of time with family and friends, a walk on a sunny dune like this one, maybe a bonfire, and lots if awesome music and conversation. My idea of a perfect day.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Until tomorrow!

Two Today…

I don’t usually post twice in on day but…

Today is my nephew Gabriel’s second birthday! I can’t be with him and my sis and the rest of the fam as they celebrate. My heart is with them though. I wish my litte buddy all the best today as he marks his second year on Earth. He’s growing up so fast! It makes me so proud to see him becoming a little man.

Happy birthday, Gabe! Auntie Jo loves you!

Reading Room: The Hobbit

I was supposed to read this two months ago for my sister’s online book club but I didn’t get to it (for a number of reasons). I’ve got some time right now and I needed to take a break from Russell Kirkpatrick’s In the Earth Abides the Flame.

I’m not one of those people who remembers every last thing from childhood. I remember the highlights mostly and this book is one of the highlights. I remember being five, my sister was three, and being tucked under these bright coverlets that were a tropical floral pattern on one side and orange plush on the other while my mom read us pages from The Hobbit before bedtime. Only one other book stands out from that time (Jean Conder Soule’s Never Tease a Weasel) but this book made a lifelong impression that has informed my reading choices throughout my lifetime. Every story I truly enjoy has to have some element of the fantastical about it. If it doesn’t, it usually doesn’t satisfy.

So, I’m going back to my roots and reading this literary classic again. Happy hump day… the weekend is actively beckoning now. 🙂

Kings Of Leon

I have my sister to blame for my current musical addiction: Kings of Leon. I kept hearing this guy growling about how he could use somebody on the overhead at work… and singing along to it. So, I called her and asked her if shed heard the song. What I’d I do that for? She waxed poetic! Then she told me about how awesome Only By Night, their US breakthrough, was and I told her I had to have it. My wonderful sister got me a copy and sent it to me. I’ve been listening to it ever since. Highlights for me include the aforementioned Use Somebody, Revelry, Crawl, and Sex On Fire, just to name a few. The whole album is amazing though.

I’m so enamored that I bought the CD they released before that today from Amazon. If I like it as much as Only By Night, I’ll have to continue procuring their music. I think they’ve got a newer one out. It might have my name on it. 🙂

The Earliest Holiday Ever

When I showed up at work today (IKEA for those who don’t know) all the Christmas stuff was out on display with ornaments, decorative accessories, and gift wrap ready for the early birds to take home. In all honesty, I liked most of what I saw. Still, before Halloween, y’all? Really? I mean, just how early is too early?

I don’t know if we’ll ever figure that one out! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a few snaps I took while I looked around. Happy… Thursday! I’ll wait til after Thanksgiving to start doing the holiday well wishing mambo. 🙂

PS. My sis is going to see my favorite band ever, Duran Duran, tomorrow night in WA. I’m so excited for her… especially since I worked behind the scenes to get babysitting for my niece and nephews so she could go. I thank God that it all came together. Don’t you just love real life happy endings? I know I do!