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I have missed blogging as it a personal diary that I can read back. Sometimes my blog makes me smile, sometimes it makes me sad, and sometimes my blog makes me cry. I started my blog at the advice of a counselor when I sought help after Katrina. I was in a deep dark place and he said “JOURNAL”. Journal I did through this social media. I wished I had posted about the last 11 months so that I could look back at it now. As I sit here, trying to keep Tucker quiet and still, my weeds are growing like crazy and my yard is a mess. But Tucker is my focus and he needs me. I am so blessed to have him.
I am still making oyster shell mirrors. I love them and it is such a good creative outlet for me. Who wants one?
Not really sure why I dropped off the radar, had so many trips back in 2011 and one really big change in my life.
Remember my grand dog Miller?
I babysat him for 2 weeks last May while Liz and Dave went on a trip. Found out about a dog walking group at our local park and took Miller there everyday. Miller loved it and I loved the doggies and their owners. Miller went home and I continued to walk at the park with the group. Then on August 11, while walking at the park, this beautiful Golden Retriever ran up. He was dazed and confused, running like crazy everywhere. My walking group had seen him for at least a week at the park, one walker actually caught him, put him in his back yard. But somehow this Golden opened the fence gate and was on the run again. Being the softie that I am and owning 2 Goldens in the past, I grabbed him by his flimsy collar and dragged him to my golf cart He got in, laid down at my feet and let out the biggest sigh I have ever heard. He was filthy, stinky, skin & bones, all his ribs were showing and it pained me to pet him, thinking I would hurt him. Here he is the next day after 3 baths and a trip to the vet. Because his hair is so long, you can’t see his bones and ribs in these pictures…
At first, I did not think I could keep him. I contacted the Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue group, their foster homes were all full. So this sweet well behaved puppy (vet thinks he was about 9-12 months then) stayed at my house. We fell in love. My daughter Liz named him Tucker. She wanted him, my son wanted him but the longer he stayed with me, the more attached he became to me. So by the end of August, Tucker was mine and I am his forever Mommy.
Tucker has some health issues, heartworms being the worst. The vet would not treat him for HW initially, Tucker was 71 lbs and emaciated. He is a big dog and needed a lot more weight. When he went back in October for recheck, Immiticide, the cure for HW was scarce. My vet said it be February before they could get it. So here I sit today, on the sofa, with Tucker at 96 lbs, at my feet. He had his first Immiticide injection on Tuesday. He has to stay inactive for 60 days. He will have his 2nd and 3rd injections on March 27 and 28.
He is the sweetest baby and has filled my life with such joy and happiness. Prior to this HW treatment, we would walk for 2 hours at the park every morning, then a noon and evening walk. He shakes, does high-fives, and won cute dog trick at a local dog festival last October. This will be a long 60 days keeping him quiet. I expect I have many blog posts to follow.
Tucker on August 28, gained 5lbs, and had his first time at a doggie spa. Look at that happy smile!
Tucker last October at a dog park in Ft Walton Beach, FL. He shed all his long hair.
Tucker watching world go by out his favorite window. He is 94 lbs in this picture, has his favorite toy, Dino the dinosaur by his side.
Tucker playing with his little buddy, Maverick, another Golden:
Tucker on Monday after getting news that he would start HW treatment next day, not happy….
And so that is how Miller saved Tucker, if it weren't for Miller, I never would have meet the dog walking group. And I never would have been there to pull Tucker from what might have been his doom.
I’m in Charleston, SC celebrating a birthday and our 34th wedding anniversary. It’s so lovely and reminds me so much of New Orleans, The architecture is so similar in the historic downtown.
Here is 82 Queen where we celebrated my birthday yesterday. It’s in the lovely historic French Quarter and is gracious Southern hospitality combined with low country cuisine.
The courtyard was exquisite. Doesn't it look just like New Orleans?
One thing about Charleston dinning out, if you don’t have a reservation, you don’t eat downtown. I got some great help from son’s beautiful friend and made all of reservations using Open table. Fleet Landing on the waterfront tomorrow night, Anson on Saturday back the historic district, trendy Husk on Sunday, a few down from 82 Queen and voted 2011 Best New Restaurant by Southern Living. Still need to find somewhere for Monday.
I’m so glad I decided to paint this buffet using Annie Sloan chalk paint from Southern Institute of Faux Finishing. It has made such a difference in the hall.
I left the design on the top for a little contrast. It seems to make the dark mirror not so out of place.
Here’s the before picture. Even though I love this buffet, the color has always bothered me. Everything looks so wrong, together I think. Here’s the link to the beginning process of painting.
Here’s after with a pair of lighter lamps.
I used the Louis Blue on the base, Old White on the trim and the Hannant’s clear wax followed by the dark wax. The dark was makes it look aged and not so bright. These wax products are so easy to use and dry quickly to give a low fume aged finish.
I really like it now.
I left the design on the top to see if I would like. I think I do, it is unusual and breaks up the large top. And those triangles of mahogany relate so well to the mirror that I might not have to white wash it like I thought I would.
Miss Mustard Seed was so right about this chalk paint. It is so easy and forgiving. It took very little time to complete this large piece. I love instant gratification and chalk paint really comes through. Now I’m eyeing what to do next. Order here.
Nita from Mod Vintage Life asked what I thought about the overall finish and the Hannant's wax finish, will it hold up, etc? Well, only time will tell for sure but here are a few observations: The finish is very smooth, no bubbles, or lumpy spots. It feels dry and hard enough for dusting. I did use my fingernail just now to see what would happen from a scratch. The first time I scratched my nail gently, no problem. The second time I scratched much harder and sure enough, I pulled off the wax and the paint. This does not bother me since I want the buffet to look distressed. I if were to do my kitchen cabinets in this chalk paint and wax, I'm sure there would have to be an additional step with some other type of harder finish to prevent the nicks and scratches. Does anyone else have info on how this finish will take wear and tear?
Thank you so much for introducing us to Annie Sloane’s Chalk paint. It is truly amazing. I bought mine from the Southern Institute of Faux Finishing, here in Mississippi.
Remember how you debated over painting your lovely dining room corner cabinets? Then you did, and I fell in love with them. I have long battled the same question over this buffet in my front hall.
It’s a new piece from Drexel, and holds tons of party supplies, wrapping paper, serving dishes and extra goblets. It has beautiful details.
But I just never liked the total look in the entry hall.
It’s got great details that are perfect for adding a second color.
First coat on, now starting second.
I like it already even though it’s not finished. It makes the entry hall look so much lighter. Debating if I should paint the top.
I loved your video Waxes 101. Can’t wait for the wax to go on, but I’m taking it slow as you recommend. Thank you so much for all your inspiration.
Love,
Lamp Tramp
Yes, I just died and went to LARABAR heaven. I can’t believe that I doubted these bars for so long. All my RAW, VEGAN, and Gluten Free friends have espoused the deliciousness, the benefits, and the ease of Larabars. I did not believe them, I thought, just another nasty packaged bar with too many added calories and preservatives.
I was so wrong. I should have listen to the RAW FOODISTS! LARABARS have no preservatives, no additives, all raw fruit and nuts. I have no clue how they do this. They are so moist and naturally sweet from the fresh fruit… yes…heavenly!
What is left from my LARABAR combo that I bought this morning….
only 15 left from an 18 pack combo….
LARABARS have so many new exciting flavors that I can not wait to try.
If you read their background history, Lara Merriken started making fruit and nut bars for her hiking adventures in Colorado. Go NOW and buy LARABARS for you, your children, and anyone you love, they will thank you for it!
Through March 31, LARABAR is giving a 20% discount for online orders.
Just spent the most wonderful week on Okaloosa Island, Florida. It was a family reunion of sorts. As ya’ll know Liz and Dave live there in Ft Walton Beach now, and we have been planning for our Chicago family to visit. Chicago family has not seen Liz and Dave since their wedding (06/07/08), and have prayed and wondered about how they are doing since Dave’s Afghanistan accident (05/11/09) that cost him his leg as well as other injuries.
Here is the gorgeous condo at Bella Riva , Okaloosa Island that we stayed at. It was so amazing. Our Chicago family has 2 Graduate college students, a friend also came. We had our 82 year old Mother or Gammie as the kids call her.
a beach view…
Great living room area looking out to the gorgeous Emerald Coast
The kitchen was amazing, Viking appliances and lots of room for multiple cooks
dined in every night buying high quality seafood from SEXTON’S SEAFOOOD!
All 10 of us could sit down to eat, which is rare for beach condos on the Gulf Coast
Master bedroom with balcony overlooking the Gulf…
balcony…
view of master bath…
queen bed guestroom…
Ole Miss media room…Hotty Toddy!
3rd guest room with twins…
pool…
We all had a wonderful time….the fresh seafood from SEXTON”S SEAFOOD in Destin was amazing. Go now, to Bella Riva #407, you will thank me forever!!!!
Hugs and kisses,
Lamp Tramp
I sure hope you are not tired of my posts about oyster shell mirrors, it is all I seem to be doing lately. I do love making them and it is such a soothing hobby.
Below is daughters that we delivered and hung last weekend in their home in Ft Walton Beach, FL. It looks amazing over their Aiden Gray buffet.
This round mirror turned out to be over 47 inches in diameter, but they really needed a huge piece to fill up the space. What a job my husband and I had getting it of my kitchen table and into the back of our SUV. Only 3 shells came off. We ended using a suction cup handle that glass companies use for large sheets of mirror and glass.
Here’s the rectangle one that I have finished. My husband wants me to sell or give it away to someone. I’m not so sure I can part with it.
I’m working on some more as well as a different type that is going to be stunning. I am going to have to make a decision as to what I’m going to do with all these. I wish I had someone to market them, marketing is not my forte. Artistic creation is my thing to the point that if I’m not creating, I go crazy. Son, I paid for your degree in marketing, why did you have to move away to Charleston, SC?
Can you market them from there? I miss you much!
