I love color, print, and home improvement projects. I had previously tried to update these old closet doors and needless to say it wasn’t good. Last week while shopping at my very favorite store “goodwill” I found this fantastic animal print wallpaper for 6 bucks a roll. I bought both rolls and came home to get busy. It took me 2 full days of scoring and scraping to get the old ugly wall paper off but now the doors are FANTASTIC, no one can say I’m boring. My decorating style is certainly bold. I hope you like it. 
Tag: love
Mad as Hell, A Mom’s Journey
My son is home and for the first time in a year I have exhaled. The book I wrote to not go crazy on this wild journey of my son’s addiction and incarceration is available this Thursday, September 12th on Kindle and Amazon. My hope is that anyone who reads it will know they are not alone and that I can provide some laughter and hope along the way.
Committed 29 and Counting
This guy and I have been hanging out for 29 years. It seems crazy that over half my life I have spent with him. There have been many bumps and challenges and it takes commitment to make it last but it is so worth the effort. When we said the words for better or worse we meant it, I’m grateful for the journey, love, and joy he brings to my hyperactive self, ha. Happy Anniversary to us
Paella adventures
You all know I love to cook, I picked up a new paelo cookbook last week and decided the paella recipe sounded great. So here it is, I used chicken sausage instead of pork and supplemented with a whole gang of Thai chilies to spice it up. I loved it and it was the first time I’ve used saffron.
Don’t tell my son who hates cauliflower but there’s a whole head in this dish, ha, he had no clue. I just pulsed it as the recipe called for. Flavor was unbelievable. I can post the recipe if anyone is interested. This over 50 eating plan may be fun after all since my metabolism has decided it doesn’t want to work anymore.
Food changes and the gym will make it all ok
Pets- a tribute to miss Daisy
For the last 15 years this sweet girl made our lives full. We originally got daisy when someone abandoned her with her puppy. She was dachshund and terrier and the smartest little fireball. Today she went to doggy heaven and will be missed dearly. Here’s a tribute to you little momma
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
The plant I hate I love
When we purchased our new/old house there was this large random plant that was tall, spikey and in a super dumb place.
- I assume the people who we bought the house from got this thing when it was small and thought “oh how cute” we will plant this in the driveway as decoration.
- Not knowing that the thing would triple in size and be a complete pain in my ass.
- I could not even walk toward this plant without it cutting me.
- I decided that I would dig that sucker out since I hated it so much.
- Yeah right, I dug on this plant for weeks (broke a shovel) and could not get the root to budge
- I kicked it
- sprayed it with poison, and nothing
This plant refused to die.
Well this week I am proud to report I won the battle. We had a tree trimmer come out to take out a dead tree and I ask him if he would take a chain saw to it. He said no but I will dig it out. 30 minutes later (and a whole lotta cussing) he had the root out.
What the heck kind of plant has a root like this you ask, it’s a Yucca plant. What?
- You mean the plant I hated is the same plant that is used to make yucca fries, which are delicious and that I love.
- The root as you can see is massive
- Now I’m really mad because I can’t even eat that stupid thing for dinner because I previously sprayed it with poison
Who really won, I’m thinking it’s not me, ha
Friends
Since moving to Washington 4 years ago we have made some fantastic friends. My girlfriend from high school that I had not seen since the 11th grade has lived here with her wife for years, so of course we have picked up right where we left off. It is not very often you come across two people who are caring and would truly do anything for you.
Now let’s talk about our camping crew. My husband gets to be friends with a guy from work and of course his partner is the best. For the last 3 years we have an annual grass cart camping trip that truly is good for my soul. There are not phones, you get filthy, sleep in tents and cook all your meals on the grill. Doesn’t get any better, I feel like I can exhale when I am camping with these 2 great men.
Last night we had a small get together at our old, new house and we played games on the patio and everyone got to pick a different pandora song each time it was their turn. Needless to say we had way too much fun and I wonder why we don’t get together more often with the people we care about.
Addiction lessons
I must say I never thought I would be impacted by addiction but it has smacked me in the face full on. My oldest son who has always been the strong athlete is sitting in rehab getting well. As a college athlete he was given every opioid available to keep him on the field and now he is repairing the damage. I am thankful he is alive and the man he is meant to be has emerged. He has gained 60 lbs of muscle and is not only physically but mentally healthy it is truly amazing. I never knew how horrible the addiction was but am grateful my son has found his purpose. We never understand the struggle or circumstances until god reveals them and he is on his way to a great great great future
Where are all the 50 year olds?
This year I am turning 50 and with this milestone has come a whole lot of self-reflection and a whole lot of questions. I assume that anyone around my age never thought when they were 20 that we would need to consider all these decisions so soon. I know I didn’t and I always thought I was the ultimate planner, WRONG. Now that I have arrived I guess it’s time to research, get some advice (please feel free to comment), and put together a 5 year plan.
- How many more years do I need to work?
- How many more years do I want to work?
- Five- I have worked fulltime since I was 14, I’m tired
- How many more years do I want to work?
- Can I take money out of my retirement accounts without paying a penalty?
- I am currently waiting on responses from providers
- What do I love and want to pursue for the next 20 years?
- My three tops things I love in life, Wine anything, Thrift Shopping, and sharing stories
- Maybe my blog could become an income stream
- Library and you tube here I come
- My three tops things I love in life, Wine anything, Thrift Shopping, and sharing stories
- Should we sell our house and take the equity to pay cash for a pre-built home on a piece of property?
- Can we find an affordable property that is not in the middle of nowhere?
- I live in the Pacific Northwest and property prices are currently out of control
- There is actually a housing crisis with 500 people a day moving to the Portland Oregon area
- This would indicate that now is NOT the time to buy property (question answered, re-evaluate in a year)
- Since my husband is not ready to retire will I be bored out of my mind?
- I believe that I could find plenty of things to do to keep myself busy
- I have always wanted to transform pallets and wine barrels into usable furniture (pinterest has plenty of ideas) why not now
- I love wine crafts, motivational and funny quotes, I could produce products for all my kindred wine friends (I know you’re out there)
- I believe that I could find plenty of things to do to keep myself busy
- How much money do I really need to live?
- If I can eliminate my few credit cards and pay off the balance on my car in 2 years all that would remain is a house payment
- Dave Ramsey I hear you talking to me
As I discover new information I will share it with you
photo credit given to davidfranklinstudioworks
It’s a dogs life
How naïve I am, I was certain once my son’s had left the nest that my life would consist of the man (who I call Daddy (don’t judge) and I being able to just pack up on a whim and go, ugh WRONG. And yes I am referred to as Momma to my kids, dogs, and the man.
My little rescue dogs, Daisy and Peanut have put a kibosh on that idea. Daisy is a 12 year old dachshund/terrier with a whole lot of energy and no clue that she needs to not rip and run like she’s a puppy or her arthritis will flare up.
Peanut is a Pug/Chihuahua who is afraid of her own shadow (someone was mean to her) with a heart murmur and rotten teeth, can you imagine. She is the sweetest little girl but not very bright.
So this week Daisy has been running up and down the stairs like a racing dog and of course began limping on her right leg, so off to the vet for some anti-inflammatory meds and glucosamine, good lord. The huge glucosamine tabs I crush up and mix in with half an egg for her (so spoiled) twice a day. We were going to have peanuts teeth pulled but no Bueno because they can’t put her under due to her heart murmur so stinky breath will remain and I guess they will eventually fall out, yuck
We also travel to our youngest son’s college football games every weekend and thank god my oldest lives close or we would have doggy travel companions on every road trip. They love their boy sitter because he lets them sleep with him which is not allowed when we are home.
I have decided that I want a dog’s life. Let me eat, sleep, and have someone clean up my mess. If I don’t like you I can bark at you or pee on your leg and it is all good. Guess who’s who
SsGreenBean 