Holding the World in a Paper Cup

Archive for January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Details in a Fun Space: Floor Lamp

Hi!

I would love to tell you guys about the floor lamp in Charley's room.

It began life a hat rack. Mom and Craig passed it onto us during our last visit.

There were a couple of broken hooks, but the structure was solid. At the time, we really needed coat storage but no matter where I set it up, it was in the way. After a couple of months, I decided it was time to move on. I couldn't make a coat rack out of a coat rack! How absurd!
I thought about what I really, really had a need for in the house.
And then it came to me.
Lighting for bedtime stories.

I didn't have a shade, but knew I would need something large so that the lamp would appear balanced. I went ahead and shifted things around a little so that the light bulb wouldn't hang beneath the shade.
That'd be embarrassing. (for the bulb)

After I removed the hooks and secured the support piece in the proper place,
I drilled a hole for the socket post.

Then I did something sinful.

I painted an antique, oak, coat rack HOT pink.

Then in not so sinful move, I wired it up.

While Ma and Sister were here visiting a thrift store, they spotted the perfect lamp shade!

So overscale. So Alice and Wonderland.

I just can't get it over it. I love it.

While wiring a lamp sounds intimidating, it's really not difficult at all.

Have you ever wired a lamp? You could do it.

4 Comments

Monday, January 30, 2012

A Fun Space

I've finally finished a room!

Charley's room was the first. You know....'cause they grow up so fast.

So! For the next few days, I plan to show you the room as a whole (today) and then follow up with room details.

I'll show you how to work what ya got!

Charley's Room!

It's very cheerful in here.

The room color was inspired by a boat with one thick, yellow stripe on a white background. It seemed like a happy stripe. Normally I give Charley the room color say in her own room but, I was ready to venture away from pink and purple, and I know one day soon she'll grow tired of the girly, girl colors as well.

She was very pleased with the color choice.

There's enough shots of pink in the room to make her happy.

Her bed has been a challenge.

Initially, I had it banked under the window with narrow walkways on both sides of the bed. But when we received the white, iron bed from my generous Aunt JoAnn, I was disappointed to find that the footboard blocked the closet door from opening. Turning the bed so that it rests against the wall lengthwise, creates a cozy cocoon-like space. Sure, the bed is really hard to makeup this way, but hey! Who makes up their bed anyways? Oh, you do? Well.

Lots of floor space to play. And that's what kids really want....

Room to play. Room to RUN!

Tins from thrift stores make excellent treasure boxes.

We have several.

The way Charley set her little animals up is one of my favorite things about the room. Wonder where they are all going?

Aren't kid's rooms the best?

What color are yours?

9 Comments

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Dog's Day

My Friend's birthday is in November. So are the birthdays of 4 members in my very near immediate family. This year My Friend's special day got skipped. I am sure some of those 4 family members would argue that their birthdays were also skipped by the Burns' Family, but we do the best we can...usually. The best we could in regard to My Friend's birthday was a January celebration. He didn't notice the belated-ness at all. He showed no indication of resentment. Shew. (wipes brow)

How to Celebrate a Dog's Birthday

Get some wet dog food.

Let the kid participate in every step, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Try not to vomit from the putrid-dity.

Get the chunk kind of dog food so to give the kid another activity. (Mushing)

Pretend like you bought the chunk kind on purpose.

Let the dog be involved in the watching.

Shape the dog food like a bone or a log of doo doo. Either or.

Prepare the dog with a hat.

Allow him to take it off.

Only put it back on 2-3 more times. (It is his birthday after all.)

Have a very effeminate man sing Happy Birthday to him. (I have NO idea.)

And allow the dog to finally enjoy his bone.

Take it away when he's halfway through or else there will be certain things on your carpet come morning. I'm not gonna say what. (Doo doo)

And then make cookies for the humans because any excuse, is a good excuse, for cookies.

In addition to a special dog food dish, My Friend was allowed to go everywhere we went that day, which meant sitting in the truck while we picked up a few groceries and also while we went in Lynne's Diner for lunch. Happy birthday buddy.

Actually...full disclosure....This is the first time we've celebrated the dog's birthday. The older Charley gets, the more I see the need to create opportunities for quality family time. I now see the value in celebrating in celebrating every. little. thing.

6 Comments

Monday, January 23, 2012

Hoot

Me: “This is a bad day for me to have brownies in the house babe. I gotta go back on my diet. I’ll be big as a bus!”

Charley: “So then you can drive us to school AND to home.”

She’s sweeter when she’s sleeping.

5 Comments

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Rebel

In the face of a 12 hour drive, I did something crazy.

I. took a library book. out. of. town.

I did! I am SO wild/reckless.

You see taking a library book out of town
(so to read it during a lengthy trip),
and mailing it back via Media Mail,
is cheaper than purchasing a book you'll likely only read once.

I recommend it.

What I won't recommend, is this book.

After reading the glowing Goodreads reviews, I was surprised to find this book to be rather ho hum. I felt as though I was reading the story of a girl who led a dull life, in an interesting city, during an interesting time. She mulled through an ordinary life and I, as the reader, found myself wishing she would bump into the other, more interesting characters. And she occasionally did, but not near enough for me to give this book more than 2 stars. Though, I will say that the author did a great job of painting a clear picture which made me nostalgic for a time I was never a part of. I finished the book longing to spend time in a big city during 1930’s, which says a lot since I am a country bumpkin at heart.

4 Comments

Saturday, January 21, 2012

You Don't Own Me

You know what finally occurred to me? This heater does not OWN my living room. NO YOU DON'T YOU HEATER!!! The living room is already oddly shaped. I don't need a rusty heater taking up an entire wall. And who needs a backup source of heat? Not us! Nope. I mean that's what friends are for right? Which reminds me, we need to make a few more (friends). Besides, we haven't actually seen the heater work. Plus it was plumbed to a giNORmous oil tank that is dry as a bone. And certainly the tank would remain that way for let's see...oil's 'bout $3.85 a gallon these days and there's a 100 gallon minimum on orders...soooo. FOREVERMORE. It would remain dry as a bone forevermore. It's been over 40 degrees the majority of the winter anyways so we're good. I mean, we're good until the power goes out. Then we have blankets. Soooo, we're good.

What it all boils down to is this...I won. I got my living room back. I also got a 3 inch hole ALLTHEWAY through the house. It's currently being taken care of by a sock and some masking tape. And the heater has been moved to the back porch.

Signed,

Classy in Virginia

1 Comment;

Friday, January 20, 2012

Indoor January Activity for the Kid

Peel the paper off a few crayons ahead of time.

Heat your rocks up in the oven and then place them on newspaper.

Then let the kids hold the crayons to the rocks and watch them melt into beautiful designs!

Plus you get the added activity bonus of collecting the rocks and washing them in soap and water. (If that sounds strange to you then you must not have a kid under 5 years of age.)

Used to, Charley could spend hours washing rocks in the bathroom sink.

Very simple but fun.

Now be careful. Some age groups won't mix well with this craft.

(Charley was 5 years old when photographed here.)

3 Comments

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Making it Homey

The ride back to Virginia much easier than the ride to Alabama. Prolly because we had one less person therefore, more space (sorry sister). It also helped that we actually left in the wee a.m. hours so to minimize the nighttime driving. Leaving early was an absolute first for our family. Strange that it took us so long to get on that sensible bandwagon.

I remember beach trips from long ago, where my parents would carry my sister and I from the bed, while still in our gowns, and place us into the car. We'd sleep the majority of the ride. Come sunrise, we'd be really close to our destination. Smart parental move.

It only took Chuck and I six years to catch on. Though, our kid doesn't sleep in vehicles. She didn't give us even one little nap. Get this...about 2 hours in, she starts asking if we're close. We just laugh (maniacally) and tell her things like, "NO WHERE NEAR!", DON'T EVEN THINK OF IT AGAIN UNTIL IT IS BEYOND DARK OUTSIDE!" "GET READY TO SIT IN THIS TRUCK ALLLLLL DAY!" "WHEN WE GET BACK IT'LL BE PAST YOUR BEDTIME!" You know....helpful, mood lifting, stuff.

As wonderful as our Alabama trip was, it is comforting to be back home again.

Especially now that it seems more like a home than a dorm room.

You see, when we left Alabama, thanks to Mom and Craig, Aunt JoAnn, and Aunt Sylvia,

I felt like we had won the Showcase Showdown.

We almost have a house full of furniture now.

Isn't that AMAZING news??

Hauling it back took another full size U-Dang-Haul trailer and a lot of heavy lifting, but it was totally worth it. TOTALLY worth it.

This configuration of furniture was one of MANY

before we finally found an arrangement that makes sense.

Maybe one of these days I'll show ya'll. But not yet. No way.

Trying to make all of these dissimilar pieces mesh, will be a challenge.

I still have to paint the walls, work up the courage to upholster a couch, and paint a coffee table.

Oh and I am considering doing something extreme to that rug.

Also, I'd love to rip up the carpet and see what lies beneath. I am 98% sure it's hardwood.

I'm also 98% sure it is in horrible condition.

I'm 100% sure Chuck will be against it.

I'm 99% sure I will start ripping it out spontaneously when he's not around.

6 Comments

A Very Merry Photo Explosion

In order to catch up, I am going to have a photo explosion now.

It’s the only way.

Christmas at Mom and Craig’s House

My new niece Claire with her Great Grandmother GG Ruth

Charley with her new cousin Claire

My step brother Jackson

Mom made those silver ornaments to look like mercury glass.

There’s Craig. He made sure we woke up to a toasty fire every morning.

There’s my sister in law, Katie.

Two red heads

Christmas with the Mabrey’s

Aunt JoAnn

Aunt Sara, Sunny, Aunt JoAnn, Aunt Pug, Me

Aunt Sara, Sunny, Aunt JoAnn, Aunt Pug, Me, Charley

Just the Ladies

Sunny and our cousin, Kelly

Cousin Callie

Siblings

Father/Daughter

Christmas Morning!!!

Christmas at Big Mama’s

That child made his own Santa suit.

Going on a tip from his mother, we bought the boy this Nutcracker costume.

He wore it for 5 solid days.

No kidding.

Combining Families

New Year's Celebration at the River

Me and Santa having a moment

Shew. That was a major photo explosion.

I had to do it.

I must have had a few of those lay-the-camera-down-moments because failed to photograph a few family members. I regret that they aren’t featured here but am very happy to have had the opportunity to hang out with each one of them.

And I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin Jill and her new husband Warren. Their wedding was beautifully sweet and I am so glad we were able to be a part of it.

4 Comments

Search this Blog

Slider

Archive for January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Details in a Fun Space: Floor Lamp

Monday, January 30, 2012

A Fun Space

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Dog's Day

Monday, January 23, 2012

Hoot

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Rebel

Saturday, January 21, 2012

You Don't Own Me

Friday, January 20, 2012

Indoor January Activity for the Kid

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Making it Homey

A Very Merry Photo Explosion

Blog Archive