Becolorful

Life Doesn't Stop When the Kids Move On

Linking up today with HPF, not because I have created something stellar but to give a voice to all the women that are right here with me.

 

When my first born left for college I thought my heart might break.

I was in a funk for two weeks.

Then I learned about Instant Messaging, texting, email, phone calls and the fact that she had a break every three weeks

and usually came home.

I saw more of her that year than I did her senior year of high school.

With my next one I was better prepared.

He and I had butted heads for several months

and things got so much better when we finally had a little space between us.

Now we have long talks and I am amazed at the person he has become.

It is the natural order of things.

The caboose I thought might be tough.

What should I do with my time?

I'd been a mom forever.

What was my role now?

I never did get a real job after the kids started school.

Could I legitimately call myself a functional artist?

What was I supposed to do next?

Flash forward one year...

Crazy busy. Aubrie's wedding, Galena, stripping wallpaper, painting a bedroom, painting furniture, missed lunch with a friend, getting back in friend's good graces, becoming a blonde again,  Alzheimer's meeting, birthday group, other birthday group, planning for Texas, missed workout, workout, meeting with class of '81 reunion planning,Did I miss anything? and that has all been since Saturday night. :)

That was a recent status update on my facebook page

Lately I've received numerous comments questioning my whereabouts. 

Thank you and I love you for your concern.

Really, I'm fine.

Blogging just had to take a back seat.

It just has been ridiculously busy.

I know.

Everybody says that

but it's true.

To make my point

I thought I would bring you up to speed  with what's been happening in my world.

I've been to two weddings and three wedding receptions.

Because of my camera fail last month I am lacking pictures from one of them.

My daughter was in the other one and Laura, the bride, is my pseudo daughter.

They couldn't be any more different or any closer.

Love them both.

Hugs.

I was so happy to have this photo sent to me at the same time from the same wedding.

Just looking at these two blondies , my mom and my baby, together makes me smile.

 

Big hugs.

Then we traveled to Texas for a wedding reception - different couple.

I was still packing at the last minute.

Literally throwing my stuff together.

I know.

It isn't pretty.

Now when you see my organizational posts,

you will know I'm a phony.

The worst part is this doesn't even include my cosmetics!

The trip to Texas was a whirlwind

but we did make it to one of our favorite Tex Mex watering holes

and we were able to see and stay in this incredible home.    

We made a quick run into Chicago with our youngest for another first apartment Ikea run.

 

I want this for my closet.

 
A couple of jaunts to Galena where I've been stripping wallpaper and repainting a bedroom.

  
As you can see, I'm a very conflicted woman.

I will give you a hint on this one though - purple.

Not in your face purple or little girl lavender.

This is called Merlot Grape.

My husband, after the movie Sideways, is very down on merlot so I never told him the name of the color. :)

It isn't an old jewel tone. It's purple and so far I love it.

I was also busy making those decorations for my reunion.

 

Believe or not that took about three days of my life -

making sure there was at least one picture of everybody that had confirmed their reservation.

Then there was the reunion itself.

Way fun.

 
Then the recovery.

Yes this is the morning after.

Yikes. Not quite as much fun.

All the while 

I'm still painting this.

and this.

 

and I need to paint one of these for a fundraiser.

 

Sprinkle the month with a couple of birthday celebrations with friends

 
     ( The consummate party girl)
  
 and family,

 

A girly party in a Space to Inspire future post house,

(taken with my iphone because of earlier camera fail)

Learning a new camera, 

Then having my new iphone 4 totally lay down on me.

Note to self, ALWAYS buy the Apple Protection Plan.

Throw in being the good wife and supporting my big guy's latest business venture and construction project

 
 and the ramping up of the Memory Walk committee.

( Please join a Memory Walk team in your area and if you live in the vicinity of Cedar Rapids, Iowa I would love for you to join Team DJ Aanestad and walk with me to raise awareness for Alzheimer's and in memory of my dad)  
 

I still managed a couple of Therapy Thursday Art Days with my peeps at The Traveling Door

 

and I finally finished this book - one month after it was supposed to be read for book club.

So that has left me very little of this.

 

And to think I was worried about what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life.

I received a facebook message from a friend yesterday who is facing this same dilemma. 

I think I will just tell her to

1. read this post

2. learn to say no to a few of the community volunteer projects

3. make time with family and friends a priority

4. use your iCal or various scheduling calendar religiously

5. Not to worry.  Life moves on, stays busy, and at an ever quickening pace.

6. Enjoy the quiet times. They are fleeting.  

What is the saying? 

These are the good old days that we are going to miss in the years ahead
Unknown

and another favorite of mine,

Sometimes you have to let go,

to keep holding on.

~The Wonder Years

XOXO,

P  
 

                                                                                 

Pillow of the Week # 23 ... and 24

I am so far behind on blogging.

I keep thinking things will slow down and I will get caught up.

It seems that nirvana is always one week away for me.

I am two weeks behind on my pillow posts so here is a two for one post.

Look at it this way,

I'm saving you a few precious seconds too. :)

I have been seeing owls all over blogland but this one caught my eye.

I don't have any little ones any more but if I did I might consider something like this to set in the rocker or stuffed chair.

 

Good looking AND wise.

Good combo.

You can find him here.
 

This  next sweet thing showed up in my inbox last week and I saved it to my desktop until I could share it with you.

Is it just me, or do you start dreaming about fall this time of year? 

This pillow would be great all year long.

The linen is perfect for a summer look but I start thinking warm "nesty" thoughts when I start thinking about the cozy colors and feeling of autumn.

This would fit into my fall look too.

 

A 12 x 24' lumbar pillow and it is available here. 

So here's to catching up.

It's only a week away right?

XOXO,

P

 

The Breakfast Club aka The High School Reunion Review

 

 

 

 

For a bit of musical ambience hit play before reading post.

 

 

             

 

  

 

You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7:00 this morning. We were brainwashed. 

                         ~The Breakfast Club

 

 

Love that movie.

Wish I had remembered to watch it before "The Reunion"

So if you are a follower

you know that I went to my high school reunion earlier this month.

It just kind of crept up on me.

I forgot to lose the weight,

get a real job,

 or live in or travel to exotic places.

I forgot to do something spectacular with my life.

I  contemplated making up something newsworthy or juicy

but thought better of it.

In other words,

ten years ago when I thought about going to the next reunion -

which seemed like a lifetime away-

I envisioned myself entering the room as a glamourous badass.

Hmmmm.  Well Glamourous BA forgot to show up.

Instead, I was just me.

 
 

Wife to one, mom to three, and friend, I hope, to many.

I am a sometimes artist, blogger nerd, frustrated writer, self taught designer, color evangelist, darling daughter, tireless shopper and aging fashionista ( ahh sigh here) .

Just your typical all American midwestern peri-menopausal woman who was a bit freaked out to go to her own reunion.

Funny thing was

I'm pretty sure I wasn't alone with my anxiety.

Maybe we were all feeling a bit anxious and as a result everybody ultimately kept it real.

There was no pretentiousness here.

Not this time.

 

True, the alcohol probably helped break the ice.

  
  
 But,

gone were the days of the braggarts and pompous blowhards. 

Replaced by real people.

People with mortgages and college tuition.

People discovering the freedoms of an empty nest

and the heartache of losing parents.

For most of us those invisible lines we drew  around ourselves and each other much like the kids in The Breakfast Club had evaporated into our past.

 

 

 
 
My reunion.

I wasn't expecting to have fun.

I wasn't planning on even going.

Then one day I agreed to do the decorations.

I forgot to take pictures of them and I don't know where they ended up.

I definitely didn't want them back

but I thought it would be fun to share them here in Brag Land  I mean Blog Land.

Impact Photo and Joe Photo to the rescue.

Thank you  Ed, Molly, and Dan and Jeff. 

Actually most of the pictures here are the result of these slamming photographers.

 

 

 

 

The oversized images of a few classmates I scattered around were good for some added laughs.

T 

 

These are some of the best years yet and besides that, we still have it going on .... older yes, but still hot. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who said the guys would look older than the girls?

I disagree.

The guys, definitely handsome. :)

This one is my favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I had second guessed my decision to attend,

I'm so glad that in the end I decided to go.

I reconnected with an old friend,

 

met some new ones,

 

and I realized I should be grateful for just being able to be there.  

So many were not as lucky.

 

 

What new knowledge did I walk away with from this event?

Well, we are older yes.

Wiser?

Not so sure.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.

Some things really do get better with age.

Love you Warriors.

Let's keep in touch

until we can do it all over

Because ...

What we found out is that each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely, The Breakfast Club

                                             ~The Breakfast Club

 

 

PS. Please do not lift or copy pictures from this post without permission from Joe Photo or Impact Photo. Thank you.

 
   Linking with Whatever Goes Wednesday
 

 
 
 
 

   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Inspired TEXAS Style - Part II

 

Come with me beyond the gate and visit the site of 

 Inspired TEXAS Style - Part II 

because everything really is bigger in Texas.

We were down in the lone star state this past weekend for a wedding reception  and were invited to stay here at the house of the bride's parents for the weekend. 

Pretty sweet accommodations. :)

 

Our friends only finished building and moving into this home late last year and then had to quickly shift gears and begin planning a wedding.

I think they have done a spectacular job of pulling things together for the party.

I say they, but Glynda we know it was all you making so many of these decisions.

One of the things I like best about homes in the south are all of the outdoor spaces.

I spent the better part of Friday evening parked right here. 

Hot but breezy and oh so relaxing.

 

Maybe it's a Texas thing but I have never even considered venting our outdoor grill, especially with such a massive copper hood. I do like this look though and the built in sink and refrigerator down below make it so functional.

 

Nice.

It would also be great to have a pool like this but it is hard to justify in our part of the world where the  swim season is so much shorter.

 

 

Yes, I could get used to floating around here with a cocktail in hand. :)

Then there is the kitchen...

If it were up to me I would build the house without a kitchen.

I have very limited culinary skills. 

Maybe a microwave for heating up take out

and a frig to keep the drinks cold and I could call it done.

But for those of you that like to cook, the boat load of storage space and all the appliances here could make you swoon.

This kitchen has not one, not two, but three ovens,

 

 

and look at the size of that range hood!

 

Glynda, I didn't even know you cooked. 

Do you?

Yes, those are all tequila bottles on the island.  :) 

They had two margarita machines going for the party.

Dangerous and delicious!

 

The rooster collection is a nice touch.

 

I even found the   Anniversary Box   that I painted for our hosts a couple of years back tucked in one of the many built in shelving units.

I really liked the kitchen sink they went with.

Actually, some of the sinks throughout the house were like works of art.

 

Every house needs a little bling. A mirrored sink will take care of that.

 

There were a number of fascinating architectural features here including the main staircase which is floating. Stunning.

 

 

Mike and I have also liked these taller nine foot doors throughout the house.

 This one led to our guest quarters

and I have always been drawn to the character that a dutch door gives.

 

This one opens into the laundry room.

 
 

The ceilings are also noteworthy.

 

This one is in the master bedroom

and this one in the foyer.

 

The library ceiling

 

and the ceiling treatment in the game room.
 
   

I am also intrigued by some of the wall finishes.

 

 

especially this one involving burlap.

Apparently they laid the burlap flat and coated it with wall mud.

Let it dry completely.

Then they rolled it up to create the cracked and distressed look.

I'm not sure how it was then applied to the walls but I really like the way it looks.

 

 

 

There is so much eye candy in this house that it was hard to take it all in.

Besides, what we were really there for was a wedding reception.

They kept the wedding decorations to a minimum but there were a few nods to the event scattered around for the party. 

 

I thought it was fun touch to put the wedding dress on a mannequin for this event.

 

 

It was a fabulous party and a spectacular house.

Congrats to Nick and Nicole

 

 
 

It was an amazing weekend.

In the words of Montgomery Gentry,

" That's something to be proud of, that's a life you can hang your hat on"

 

Well done.

XOXO,

P

 
 
 
 
  
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
  
 
 
 

Inspired TEXAS Style - Part I

Have you missed me?

I've been BUSY

This past weekend I was in Texas for a wedding reception.

Our friends built this home last year.

Talk about "off the chains" 

This home fits that term perfectly.

Our friends invited us to stay here with them for the wedding event.

Apparently everything really is bigger in Texas.

We were definitely not in Iowa anymore.

As soon as we entered through the massive gates

and traversed that ribbon of a highway driveway

to finally arrive at the imposing gothic front doors,

I knew in true blogger mindset what my next post would be about.

 

We had been here last year when  this home was still in the framing stages.

During that visit we drove around the city with our friends looking at brick and stone samples and made several stops out here at the job site to see how things were progressing.

Like a good book or television show, it was gratifying to be able to see how it looks today. You know what I mean, you see or read the beginning of something and you want to know how it turns out.

Well this story is awe inspiring and turned out fabulously.

I don't like to show the front of a house on the internet for privacy reasons but here are some exterior views taken from the back.

 

 

Definitely impressive and that's the BACK.

Wish my backside looked that good... or even the back of my house. :)

As for me, I am always interested in the different decorating styles and building techniques that are maybe more unique to certain parts of the country than others. 

This house was full of things that aren't as common in the midwest.

Even though American Gothic originated in Iowa,

  
 

gothic architecture isn't that prevalent here.  

It starts at the front door of this house and is repeated in the windows and throughout the interior.

 

It was evident in the ceilings

and the outstanding woodwork.

 

* I'm still learning how to take an interior shot shooting towards a bright window. Do love the new camera though.

 

It has a kind of monastery feel don't you think?

I can't believe I forgot to take pictures of my friend's closet. Ms. Glynda if you are reading this, could you send me some? I covet and think I might hate you just the littlest bit for that center island full of jewelry drawers and that necklace storage idea. I know the women out here in blogland would love to show the men in their life what they are lacking be inspired too. :)

Other than the closet photo fail, one of my favorite spaces was the library.

Even if I didn't have time to read I would walk through this space just because it made me so flipping happy.

 I Know I use the word inspiring so often that it lessens its meaning, but for me this space is the quintessential definition of the word. This room appeals to my sense of beauty, design, and it hits that emotional cord that motivates me to really want to stay, curl up here with a new book and READ for hours.

 

I'm not sure that this homeowner is the bibliophile that I am but what they lack in quantity they make up for in style.

I love how you can see through the center to the home office down below.

 

Looking up you see the wonderfully embellished ceiling of the turret.

The design of the great room was also fascinating. 

It is in the core of the house 

and the arch theme repeats here also as you look towards the kitchen, foyer and the back forty.

 

Looking up - another layer of arches.

The twenty four foot ceilings give a lofty look towards the second floor and soaring fireplace.

 

Upstairs there is a craft room that appealed to the color evangelist and organization side of me.

 

How fun is that back splash? Love that.

 

Then, I guess if you are hitting a creative wall and need a little fresh air you just step out on the balcony and contemplate a swim or take in the pastoral views of Texas.

 

 

I could also wile away the hours in this glamorous media room. 

The woodwork here is also unbelievable.

I'm a lay down for great woodwork.

How fun is this space?

Purple walls, black trim and leopard print carpet.

Now that takes a bit of chutzpa for a Baptist in Texas,

but this midwestern Lutheran loves it too.

 

 

 

Serious swoon here. This is what I have been looking for either for a runner in our foyer or for under the dining room table. This is a custom piece so I'm still not any closer to finding my leopard. What I like about this is  the amount of pattern here and the color... hard to find. So much of what I've seen is harsh or rather cheap looking. This is so pretty in real life.

Yes, this is a big old Texas size house and so as not to overwhelm you with too many pictures in one sitting - plus, honestly, I have got to move on to other things today, I will take a break here.

Stop by tomorrow though to see some stunning wall treatments, wonderfully unique sinks and faucets, a Texas style laundry room, an even bigger kitchen and a stairway to Heaven. You know it's a humongous house when it takes two posts. :) Stay tuned for Inspired TEXAS Style Part II tomorrow at Be Colorful.

Until then,

X0X0,  

Linking up today with Met Monday at Between Naps on the Front Porch

I'm Done With Therapy

** No your eyes are not going wacko and if you partied a bit hard last night this is not some residual visual effect from too much alcohol. Again, another big no, that these pictures were  taken by someone who had fallen off the wagon. This post is not about that kind of therapy. Hehe. 

Actually my camera is now on life support and we are getting ready to give it last rites. I wanted to write this post, though, and these were the only pictures I had to work with so please man up and work with me here. :)

I'm Done With Therapy

 

Yes, I'm finally finished with therapy.

I love saying that...

for the shock value :)

Actually I'm talking about physical therapy.

I know, I shouldn't be so cheeky about a serious subject.

Guess I have a perverse sense of humor :)

You may not remember but I broke my arm back in April.

I fell off of a step.

I know, great story.

They sent me home from the ER with my arm in a sling and fall precaution instructions.

Really? How old do I look?

I felt older than dirt after that visit.

Then I started a regimen of Physical Therapy in June.

Knowing it was my last visit last week my mom met me at the clinic and took a few pics.

Thanks Mom.

I thought maybe I had forgotten to put my camera on the right settings for her but no, I was already having huge camera fail.

Again, sorry. 

 

 Mary Ann was one of the therapists.

She gave me such a great arm massage on my birthday that I proposed marriage to her.

 

She turned me down.

I guess I'm too old for her.

Oh well.

So here I am working out. 

Not much cardio here so when it comes to work out clothes anything goes

apparently even a ruffled halter top and bangle bracelets. :)

 

So that is me with my big girl weight.

 

Yep, I'll bet I have biceps like Madonna by Labor Day.

Hmmm. Now let's talk about my thighs.

Thank you to Ann, and Mary Ann. You two are the best.

Love you but I'm glad I don't have to fit you in my schedule anymore.

Happy Healing.

X0X0,

P

PS Next post - new camera. Hallelujah.

  

 
 
 

Pillow of the Week # 22 A Touch of Mirth

 

I love words and I love black and white so this happy number made my heart sing.

It is the 20" Laugh Pillow.

and you can buy it here. 

 

Lake House Table

Last month this sweet green table arrived at my house.

I am finally learning to take before pictures as soon as a piece arrives.

So here it is just fresh off the truck.

 

It belongs to friends of ours that just bought a fabulous home at the lake.

She has given me carte blanche and these samples for a jumping off point.

The leather sample in the top left corner is not green but brown.

 

I am having some real camera issues this week. So I apologize in advance for these photos. 

Camera fail. Argh!@#$$$!

Honey if you are reading this. I REALLY need a new camera for our anniversary (which is in 15 days ). So please don't say you didn't know what to get me.

My friend also sent me a couple pictures of her room which is still a blank slate except for the few new pieces of furniture.

 

Gorgeous, right? Definitely. 

She told me that she wanted to work with blues and greens to play off the lake.

I noticed that green vase up on the mantle so I decided I would play with all of her colors but I want to be sure and pop the table with that green.

So this will be my color palate.

 

I began by priming the table with Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 Primer.

( Stupid piece of crap camera won't focus on anything further than a foot away)
 
 Then I started painting the top in the lighter green.

 

I wasn't loving it. It felt a little garish for this room.

I'm going for light and fun but also clean and a bit calmer than a lot of my work.

That green will be a great accent color but for that big flat surface I liked the darker green better.

 

A subtle difference but I'm happier now.

I know I want to incorporate words on this piece but I don't know if they will go on the apron or around the edge of the top.

I'll have to play with that a bit.

I'm also trying to decide if I see an open swirl or wide stripe pattern on that top.

Maybe a blue and green harlequin?

Suggestions? 

I'd love some input.

Sometimes I think too much.

I just need to let it happen.

XOXO,

P
 
 
 

 

Playlist for America - God Bless the USA

The Fourth of July has always been one of my mom's favorite holidays. She and Dad would line their driveway with American flags the whole first week of July. It was such a welcome sight after five hours in the car with kids, extra pillows, toys, diapers, Cheerios and Gameboys. 

So,I took my cue from her and followed suit this year by lining our driveway just like Mom. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery isn't it?

 

This is a good day to take stock in how fortunate we really are. Things aren't perfect in our country but I will always be proud to call this country home. Our  4th celebrations are usually simple ones but good food, flags and music are always a part of our patriotic traditions.

During this week the Fourth of July playlist on my itunes gets a lot of play time.

Every year I add a few new songs and so I thought I would share my most current song list.

Enjoy. Hopefully there is something for everybody.

America                                                       Simon Garfunkel

American Woman                                          Lenny Kravitz

Star Spangled Banner                                    Kiss

God Bless America                                        Lee Greenwood

Born in the USA                                            Bruce Springsteen

Have You Forgotten                                       Darryl Worley

American Pie                                                Don McClean

This Land is Your Land                                   Jib Jab

Where Were You                                           Alan Jackson

Star Spangled Banner                                     Whitney Houston

America                                                        Josh Groban

R.O.C.K. in the USA                                       John Mellencamp

Last of the American Girls                              Green Day

American the Beautiful                                  Martin Sexton

Red White and Blue                                       Lynard Skynard

Courtesy of the Red White & Blue                  Toby Keith

Party in the USA                                            Miley Cyrus

American Slang                                             Gaslight Anthem

We Shall Overcome                                       Bruce Springsteen