Entertaining Mimi

I just have to brag about how much fun I (we) had yesterday with our Grandson. For those that don't know, he will be 2 on November 22nd so he is at this extremely entertaining age and I think I forgot how funny these little creatures are at this age. I have to admit that he can just walk in the house and say in his little raspy voice, "Hi Papa, Hi MiMi" and my heart just melts but then he gets into this funny little rambling and just goofing around and he has me rolling on the floor laughing at him. Well, in my mind I am rolling because my poor body can't handle the physical roll but this child, no matter how bad my body hurts, can always do something to make me laugh. After a day of playing, dinner, bath and brushing his teeth, it was time for MiMi (short for Gammy) to jump in the shower. I came out to find that he had put on both of Papa's socks. Now these are normally ankle socks on my hubby but they went up to his knees! He had his evening "coffee" which is his soy milk with just a small amount of chocolate in it, and then it was off to bed. He carried Papa's blanket to his bed but he didn't want Mimi to leave so I laid down on the floor next to his bed and watched Nick Jr. with him. He kept taking his huge socked feet and sticking them through the crib slats and up the walls. This wouldn't normally be funny as he does it all the time but these socks on him were just cracking me up. I have some pics below and I know that it is a "you had to be there" kind of thing, but you will get the point. He finally drifted off to sleep and I had to slither out of the room on my knees which was not an easy task. I must have looked liked an idiot but I don't care because I didn't want to make a sound and wake him from his peaceful slumber.

Tubby Time

He used to be so TINY
Not so much anymore!

Yep, Papa's socks

Bedtime

There are those socks again from my view as I laid on the ground!

So as if last night was not enough, when he got up this morning, he came running to me with one sock still on yelling "Hi Mimi". What a perfect way to start my Monday!  Thank God above for that little man!  (he replies "yep!".

Mamalou

Guess What I Did Yesterday?

I really hate that type of question because it is so broad so I am just gonna tell you and not make you try to figure it out.  I have had a rough few days arthritis wise so I really needed to get out of the house.  A few weeks ago while at the St. Charles Fashion Week, I met one of the owners of a local company named "Fabric Co".  They had some gorgeous fabrics on display at the show and if you look back at the posting from the first night of the show, you will see some of the material that they had on hand that evening.  We got to talking and I let them know that I was blogging my way around the show and asked (because it NEVER hurts to ask), if they have any end of rolls or remenents that they would be willing to exchange for some advertising.  Interest piqued!  He explained that most of their discontinued fabrics get moved from the main store in Chesterfield, MO to their sister store "Discount Decorating Outlet" which is only a few miles from the house in St. Charles, MO.  Oddly enough, I had been intending to stop to check out that store for a long time.  Garrett and I played phone tag a few times and eventually caught up with each other yesterday.  He said to go in and speak with Jim and pick out a few different pieces to do some custom pillows.  I was psyched to check this place out.  I walked in the door and was immediately greeted by a couple of sales associates but all I could think was "WOW".  This place was WAY more than I expected.  Because of the name, I thought that they only carried material for decorating purposes, you know, the huge roles of the heavy duty material for re-upholstering and curtains.  They had a huge selection of this stuff but so much more.  They had bins of clothing fabric (suiting, flannel, cottons, etc), rolls and rolls of trims, tons of wall paper and wall paper boarders, carts full of material samples (great for small projects or even scrap quilts), and the list goes on and on.  In addition to the items that have for projects, they also have numerous pre-made items available for sale, such as decorator pillows, small furniture pieces, table top items, and miscellaneous decorator items.  The store had so much stuff that I am definitely going to need to make another trip back there on a day that my 16 year old son and his friends don't want to tag along, although I do think that I have Jim convinced to take him off of my hands and put him to work moving heavy rolls or counting threads in a piece of fabric  :).  Let me show you the items that I picked up.

This is Waverly's print "Tre Chic".  LOVE it!

Mix it with a little pea pod green and I
think a cool pillow is in my future!

Loving this paisley...so colorful

These are the flannels that I picked up

And a couple of cottons

I will start working on these things very soon and will get them posted as I complete them but if you are in the St. Louis area, stop in at Discount Decorating Outlet and let them know that I sent you.  They also have a website available that you can check out.    The info for both locations is below.

Fabric Co
#108 Chesterfield Towne Center
Chesterfield, MO 63005
Phone: 1-855-530-0775
sales@thefabricco.com
info@thefabricco.com
Store Hours

Mon-Thur	10am - 6pm
Fri-Sat	10am - 5pm
Sun	Closed

Discount Decorating Outlet 2751 Muegge Rd. St. Charles, MO 63303 Phone: 636-498-0099 Store Hours Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm

Wasted Day or was it?

As always, changes in plan take place at the last minute and if you read the "ABC's of Me", you know that I am not able to tell you how I feel until the last minute.  Since I finished both pillowcases last night, I went to bed with an incredible sense of accomplishment.  My arthritis has been acting up for the past two days but I pushed through it and did it.  The goal for today was for me  to get up and start on Marcus' pajama pants first. If I was going to ruin a pair, I figured that it would be best to make it on the smallest pairs possible and not waste too much material stash. Then came the phone call that my step-son needed to go into work early so he needed to bring Marcus (the recipient of above-named pants).  Marcus' mom has school all day on Tuesdays so she wouldn't be out till close to 4:30.  I had the whole day ahead of me planned but things don't always go as you would like them to.  So instead of sitting at the table sewing, I got to sit in "Mimi's chair" and/or on the floor and play with Marcus.  Thee will be plenty of opportunities to finish the pants but not many times longer to see this
                                                               

Yes that is Marcus power lounging in his crib

My grandson is growing up so quickly and I know that the days that I have with him at this age are very limited.  So the pants will wait until tomorrow because we had playing and learning to do.  

ABC's of Me

I have been looking forward to doing this for awhile but also somewhat dreading it as it is a self reflection.  I think that growing up with two mean brothers (one that I love to death now, the other that well, let's just say the other and leave it at that) sometimes doesn't give you the best self image.  I have learned over time that one, you can't take everything that people say to heart or place it as the truth, and two, they were just kids and mean boys and I will always be the rose between the thorns.  So, without further adieu, here we go.


Age = 41

Birthday and Briar.  April 13, 1970 is the dob and Briar is my one and only biological, 16 year old son.  Some days he pushes me the brink of a breakdown and other days, I just melt when I look at him and the man that he is becoming.  I wish I could just go back for one hour to when he was a baby and cradle and rock him again.  Love you boo!

Creative whether it be in writing or a DIY project or craft, it is my creativity always seems to rear its head.

Divorced twice and my Daddy is so proud....not.  It is ok because I am now married to the best man on the planet and can't imagine my life before.

Effort because I always wanted to get an "E" for effort...lol

Favorites...I have a million and they are subject to change at MY discretion.

Grateful for all that God has given to me and my family. Grateful for my true friends.  Grateful for my family.  Grateful to be able to wake up each morning and say "Good morning sunshine, the earth says 'Hello'".

Hurting.  Unfortunately this is the state of most of my day as I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia.  I have arthritis in my knees, hips, hands, ankle, and jaw.  My knees are degenerating and my hands have so much muscle and nerve damage from carpal tunnel that my whole body hurts.  At 41, I have a cane that I have to use at times and it sucks to be this young and feel this crappy.

Independent. One of my qualities that my mother hates about me because it makes me "just like my dad".  Oh well, I am very able to make it on my own and I know that.  That is a good quality in ANY woman!

Junkie..  Get your mind out of the gutter cause I don't mean with drugs.  I am a junk collector and am able to see the beauty in a lot of things that people would just pass on by.  I am beginning to pass this on to my hubby because he has done a few Good Will trips with me and was extremely helpful! :)

Karma is a bitch and it will come back to bite you.  Get get back what you give.  I just hope that I can stay around long enough to see it hit a few people.

Loving.....for the people that I love, I would move mountains or at least do my best.

Marcus and Miguel....my grandson Marcus is the apple of my eye.  He can make me smile and laugh even when my body feels like it is breaking.  Miguel, my beautiful husband Miguel.  He gave me back faith that there are great, incredible men out there in the world.  He is my rock and the love of my life.

Naked.  This is how I wish I could walk around in the world due to my hot flashes.  Why is this frowned upon?  HA

Opinionated....don't ask if you really don't want to know.

Procrastination.  One of my finest qualities as it has been around for 41 years.  Good news is that I work incredibly well under pressure....lol.

and another P

Pink.  One of my favorite singers and my favorite color. This was a color that I used to hate but I was on a business trip to Oakland years ago and one of the IT girls told me a story about her friends making a pact to "embrace their pink" for one week.  They wore nothing but pink even though she too hated it.  After a week, she was a huge fan.  I promised to do the same and yep, I was converted.

Questioning or analytical.  Drives my hubby nuts because I ask a million questions but inquiring minds want to know and I want to know.  I don't like to take something at face value.

Reality.  A place that many people need to find and reside.  I believe in dreams and dreaming but you can't stay there for long or you lose touch and that just annoys the hell out of me.

Sarcastic.  Another fine quality I have but at times it gets me into trouble :(
Smile.  One of my favorite things to do.
Short or vertically challenged.  I really would rather be called "Fun Sized" LOL.  At 4ft 11 1/2 inches, I don't think it will happen but I am still waiting for a growth spurt.

Trusting.  I trust that what people tell me is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.  This gets me into trouble because I give way too many 2nd, 3rd, 4th, chances.  You get the idea.

Unreliable.   This is not a good quality but this is the truth.  I used to always be on time and where I needed to be. Now, with the fibro and psoriatic arthritis, that is not a reality for me.  Some days I feel great but most days, I feel like someone hit my body with a semi.  I can't tell you how I will feel tomorrow so I can't make plans because I seem to let everyone down when I do and don't show up.  Also, if I don't put it into my phone, I forget everything.  You don't know how many times I have walked from the kitchen to the bedroom and forgot why I even went there.  This is not a funny thing.

Victorious.  I made it through 2 horrible, abusive marriages that have made me the woman that I am today.  Because of them, I have become a strong, independent woman that knows how to do things for my  self and by myself.  I'm a survivor!

Welcome...my door is always open. Just don't knock or ring cause you might wake up Marcus or the dogs, or me!  Just come on in and hope that I am not, refer back to "N".

eXtrovert.  Yep, not much being held back here.

Yell  God gave me lungs and sometimes I use them to get my point across or just to be able to be heard over all of the chaos in this house.

Zippidy do dah, zippidy ay, my oh my what a wonderful day.  Sing this song and you can't help but be put into a great mood!

OK...well that about covers it.  Your thought are always appreciate.  YEAH, tomorrow I am beginning to make the pajama pants and can't wait! :)
Mamalou

Reminder: Bronx Diba Luichiny Discount

This is just a friendly reminder that the discount code of "Mamalou's Gems" is ending on 9/15/2011.  Have you gone by to check them out at this link?  Please leave me a message if you have checked them out and what you think of their shoes.  Remember that the code is not good on internet orders, you need to call and place your order or better yet, stop in their incredible showroom and see the amazing stock they have their (reminder: check out the back room).  See my original review if you need details or leave me a message and I will get you the info!

Mamalou

Check Out This Blog

Everyone needs to go out and check out this blog....Totally Reinventing Me.  First, she is cool because she is another Lisa (hehe).  Next, she is a new blogger, like me, and we all need as much support as we can get. Also, she has a giveaway on her blog for a navy blue polo shirt with very few entries and you know what that means?  MORE chances to win....that's right.  So, get your rumpus over there and get entered pronto.  Wait, check out my clock makeover first and then run over there!
Direct link for the give away is Giveaway.
Mamalou

PS...do me a favor and leave me a message that you did as I asked.  No, it is not a power trip, I just want to see if anyone pays attention to me and does not ignore me like my 16 year old son!

Clock.....Finally Completed!

The clock that took me forever to start painting is FINALLY completed. Below you can see the before and the after pics.  I still think it use a little move "roughing up" but I will look at it for a few days more before I take out my aggression on the clock.  Who knows, if my darling son tried my patience, I may be put into time out for unnecessary roughness...LOL.  Just kidding.....maybe!  Enjoy the pics.

UGLY Before

Slowly getting better but that brass HAS to go!

So pretty sitting right next to my Daddy
 and Peggy's picture on the baker's rack

Closer....I love the face painted silver much better

Mamalou

Guess what I finished over the weekend!

I had this ugly clock that I have been lugging around for YEARS.  It belonged to one of my ex-husbands and hey, finders keepers, you know the rule!  I figured if it was that important to them, they would have claimed it years ago.  The original ugliness is pictured below:

That is how it looked when I dug it out of the buried crap in the basement, dings all over with a frayed  electrical wire.   I took off the face and began the cleanup, sanding, washing project to get it ready to be painted.  I removed the frayed electrical cord from the back and placed it inside the clock in case I ever decide to redo it.  

Let the games begin, or in this place, let the painting begin. Here are a couple of pics of it in process:

Front w/ face plate removed

side view

I put the face plate back on after distressing the paint but I am not thrilled with the outcome yet as the face is still an ugly bronze.  I am going to pull the plate again and paint it with some silver paint to soften the look and will then post the finished project.  If you look behind the clock on the side view above, you will see the paint "sample" that I purchased at Home Depot.  These are Martha Stewart paint samples in eggshell that can be custom mixed with any store color.  Each contain 8 oz of paint which is more paint than you will need for multiple small projects and you will get more than one small project out of each jar.  Well worth the small price in my opinion because you can use the paint up before it goes bad.  Also, Home Depot sells any of these little jars that have been mixed in "error" as "Opps Paints" and you can pick them up for $.50 each....a steal, so check your local Home Depot paint department often.  This is really a great way to save money and yet get the same high quality paint in a small quantity.  Also, the paint I will be using to paint over the face is a silver metallic paint that I already have on hand from some other small projects, purchased on sale at Michael's months ago at 2 for $1.

So here is the cost breakdown

Ugly old clock left by ex-husband - $0

Sanding blocks taken from my glass studio - $0

old sponge brushes left over from other projects - $0

Silver metal paint left over from other projects - $0

teal paint "sample" from Home Depot - $2.93  

Final out of pocket project cost:  $2.93

I am quite impressed at this project and am happy to have it almost done.   I should have the final pics by tomorrow and will load them then so come back to check them out! 

Until Next Time....

Mamalou