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