mess & order

Things are a little messy again round these parts.

That's what happens when you start pulling things out of an attempt to put them in order. I've regrouped to the point where you can see the floor, but every other surface is covered. It's called clean out. It is nothing like the exciting task of placing color in cubbies. This is all the extra, things with out home, useful things mixed in with not-so-useful things. You know what it's like, I know I'm not alone in this. But look - my metal chairs are now grape leaf green (Behr). There is progress. That was a nice distraction from the clean out. (Just like the few minutes I'm spending typing this all out for you - distraction, procrastination, call it what you like). But. Remember this, it always gets messier before it gets better. That's why follow through is key. Don't stop in the mess. (Notes to self.)

The calling out for order in this house is catching. Yesterday I pulled out everything from the dining room cabinets and made them pretty with dishes. ONLY dishes, no CD player, no CDs, no office supplies in the mix. Oh, and I color coded again. I can't help myself, I am a Punky Brewster-Rainbow Bright girl at heart.

While we're on the subject of creating a little order... I'm going to be ship-shaping this blog too. Don't worry, nothing too fancy, just some labels and some structure built in (kind of like "days of the week" undies - I'm trying to remember if I ever owned a set of those).
Good luck with your own mess & order, I'd better get back to mine.

SSAS

(Oh, did you catch the zebra? It was on our porch when we got back from our summer UT/ID trip. We were like "what the - -?" Turns out, neighbors across the street were throwing it out and the neighbor down the street saw it, thought of us, and rescued it. A zebra on our porch, a nice welcome home, it was. It is usually hanging out in Malcolm's room, but sometimes he likes to ride it - only he pretends he's driving a garbage truck - and it ended up in my room.)

paint it white

Although I have big plans to paint the family/entry room a lovely yellow, the dining room a dashing orange, and the home office/computer nook a vibrant green,... I have been feeling very white. We got around to some painting this weekend and now my studio is ready for it's second coat of brilliant white. Bye, bye blah beige. (Can you tell I'm ready for it to go?) Why white? I think more than anything right now I am craving an open, clean canvas; an ordered and clear space for creating. Creating that includes sewing, drawing, printing, writing, knitting, painting, reading, and dreaming. My feeling is that white walls will allow color and imagination to freely play.

Maybe that is also why I chose to repaint this writing desk white. The only problem: it is going to disappear against my white wall. Hmmm. So, I am considering a light shade of something for that one wall. Any suggestions? We'll see.


Down in the entryway we have some new white too. This is an old typewriter desk I picked up from a yard sale last year. I refinished the top and gave it some fresh white legs. Nice, huh? The sides can fold out and I especially like the wheels. Inspired by reading The Creative Family, I think this will be our family nature table. For now though it holds my lovely fabric bowl and a cross-stitch by my sister-in-law Sara O. A.

More white:

We white washed these toy crates with watered down paint. I even let the boy get in on the action. They slide under a bench in the entry and give a crisp feel while keeping toys accessible and easy to stow.

Presently, white gives my mind a pleasant place to rest. We have more painting projects ahead and Dave gives me that smile when I say "let's paint it white".

Putting the FINISH in the refinishing today.
Remember this? A year later, I think it will be ready to move out of the garage today. Also a $10 garage sale writing desk is nearly done with it's new look.

I'm back, well, sort of, soon...
Just trying to create some order out of disorder. I need some good tunes wouldn't you say?

BUT

GOOD NEWS...
it nearly did me in, BUT,
the floors are finished!
good job Dave & friends, what were we thinking???, it's been nearly a year long process, they look amazing though, AND no more walking on plastic!!!

We will be moving the furniture back in soon. I'm excited, and a little overwhelmed at putting our home*sweet*home back together again - could someone please send over all the king's horses and all the king's men?

Things are looking up...
- our car is back and fixed
- I am sleeping in my own bed again (We've been all around while the floors got their finishing treatments - a Bed and Breakfast, the neighbor on the corner's guest room, and the Holiday Inn Express. We are still eating takeout in the attic.)
- my sister Hillary is here