It all started with this lampshade. We were in Target and Tim walked up to me holding this lampshade, knowing I would love it. I stopped dead in my tracks and when he told me it was marked down to $5.98 I instantly had to design a space to put this. I stood right there in the isle and redid the guest bedroom in my head. We snatched up another matching shade and two bases. Total for each lamp- $26.00! I picked out a paint color (Sherwin Williams 6702 Lively Yellow) and found multi-striped sheets on a sales rack for $12.99. I almost hate revealing my cheap sheets, but these were so absolutely perfect and they feel as good as the expensive ones. I don't want to sound like I'm going all cheap on my guests so let's just keep this between us, okay? I got the wicker table for $25 and sprayed it white. The green pillows are Jonathan Adler for JCP and I framed one of my own paintings. I will do more as time allows, especially with fabrics. I am so thrilled with how effortlessly and inexpensively the makeover was falling into place. Normally I hold High Mass over any and all creative decisions so this was a nice surprise.
I remembered we had two chairs in storage that came from Tim's family. I decided to paint one and I must admit, it was a bigger task than I wanted to tackle. First I scrubbed it clean, then de-glossed it thoroughly before painting.
It has been in the 100+ temperatures here, so I tried working indoors but paint splattered to and fro, so outside I went. It took five coats in some areas. I chose to not spray paint because there was just too much blank space. I destroyed several brushes. This one took on a personality of it's own. I named him Guy.
The chair is finished and I made a new seat cushion and pillow from some of my Botanika fabrics. Just in time for my daughter who arrives tonight with the kiddos. It has been way too long since we've been together and I'm kinda giddy. Hope it's comfy cozy for her.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend filled with friends and family and thankful hearts for the freedom and independence we so richly enjoy.
Tim rented a sailboat. Kids were not impressed. They wanted a speed boat. Papa doesn't do speed boats. Not a windy day. We slowly meandered around Mission Bay. After awhile we noticed we weren't moving and it took Captain Papa some time before he admitted we were stuck in muck. A coastguard boat came kinda near and asked if we were okay. Captain Tim says yup, we're okay. What!!!??? Is that the same as we're not lost in the middle of nowhere? They left and we sat and sat. Tim has this idea that we should all lean way over one side of the boat. No one else liked that idea At All. And it didn't work. Thank God for cell phones, right? Unless the rental people take their phone off the hook! So the highlight (for me) was watching Papa strip down to his skivvies, jump in and basically dig and pull us out. In his defense, Tim had no idea things were so shallow and there were no warning signs. When we returned to the dock the guy said he was told by the coastguards we were stuck but was too busy rescuing others. He says, "Oh people get stuck in that area a lot" and showed us a map hanging on their door. So, being the caring person that I am, I made a few helpful suggestions. Stuff like if you're going to have the phone off the hook maybe show people this handy dandy map as you are taking their deposit and you might have less rescues...just a thought. We had a few laughs with the guy and all is well. Not sure the grandkids are any fonder of sailing though.
Wyatt and Tim spent much time off doing guy things while Amelia and I hung together. On one of the last nights together we switched things up and did something we did with our own kids when they were growing up. DATE NIGHT. We love the opportunity to show them what might soon be a lost art. Amelia was all in; picked out the perfect outfit and felt like a pampered princess. Wyatt quickly stepped up and remembered that Papa always holds the car door for me (even if I'm the chauffeur). He tried to imulate everything he remembered Papa doing at a restaurant and handled himself like a real gentleman and engaging date. It gave Wyatt and I time to talk uninterrupted: really Talk and Listen about hopes and dreams; past and future; whats funny-or not. I will cherish this time as much as I did with Jonathan. Priceless. 
It all started with this lampshade. We were in Target and Tim walked up to me holding this lampshade, knowing I would love it. I stopped dead in my tracks and when he told me it was marked down to $5.98 I instantly had to design a space to put this. I stood right there in the isle and redid the guest bedroom in my head. We snatched up another matching shade and two bases. Total for each lamp- $26.00! I picked out a paint color (Sherwin Williams 6702 Lively Yellow) and found multi-striped sheets on a sales rack for $12.99. I almost hate revealing my cheap sheets, but these were so absolutely perfect and they feel as good as the expensive ones. I don't want to sound like I'm going all cheap on my guests so let's just keep this between us, okay? I got the wicker table for $25 and sprayed it white. The green pillows are Jonathan Adler for JCP and I framed one of my own paintings. I will do more as time allows, especially with fabrics. I am so thrilled with how effortlessly and inexpensively the makeover was falling into place. Normally I hold High Mass over any and all creative decisions so this was a nice surprise. 
