September 26, 2012
Broyhill set redo
Hey y'all!
Hope y'all are doing well and enjoy this nice introduction to fall weather! I am loving decorating my home and will post a blogpost soon on how my home looks this time of year! But we are still moving things around :/ We have been in Florida now exactly 2 months today! I can't believe it has gone by that fast already! Time sure does fly whenever you are having fun!
I purchased this set as soon as we had gotten to Florida. I LOVED the bones and they were Broyhill! DING DING DING! One of the best brands you can buy! Solid wood and they will last you a lifetime! I was totally getting them. Here's a before picture right when we got them home. They were pretty before too but just not my style!
Originally these were going to be white and very chippy. I liked it a lot after I did it but I didn't LOVE it. And we all know I need to LOVE a piece for you to love it too! It's only fair :-)
Here's a picture during this project. I instagramed this one. Have you started following me on Instagram yet? You can search me under @Ally Schmidheiser. I love getting new followers!
I decided to completely sand down the tops after I already had painted them and gave them the chippy look. That was a big palm to the forehead moment, for sure. Ugh...but SO worth it for this look!
I seriously can't stop looking at them they are so pretty! I tried a technique that I made up where I mix a few stains together to get a more weathered look on the wood and also to give the piece more depth. I LOVED how this one turned out. The top is almost the same as my personal kitchen table top that I redid. You can find the blogpost about the kitchen table redo here! I painted the bottom of these pieces a crisp white and debated some light distressing but I don't think they need it. They have tons of character already! The pulls on the drawers of the end tables are from Hobby Lobby. I just can't get enough of them. I have them on one of my personal dressers upstairs and also a buffet downstairs as well. They are one of my favorites and also a "go to" item for my shop.
If you didn't catch what I posted on my Facebook page that you can find here, I have added a new custom barn wood sign with quote to my Etsy shop that is SOON to open! They are full customizable and I LOVED how the "Keep calm and carry on" came out! Love love love!
I really hope you enjoyed this before and after as much as I did! Addie, I hope you enjoy these! You sure did get a good deal and I am so excited that you are just as excited about them as I am!
If you haven't taken the time to LIKE me on Facebook, you can do so here and let me know you came from my blog! I hope y'all have a good night!!!
XOXO,
Ally
September 25, 2012
CUSTOM Barnwood Sign
Hey y'all!
Just wanted to write a quick blogpost to announce that I will be selling in my new ETSY shop! I am so excited to be opening one and I am hoping for the best. I'm currently working on my inventory for the shop so please be patient with it opening!
I LOVEEEEEE these signs and they have been on my to do list for awhile! I have SO many ideas and quotes in the works and I can't WAIT to show you! But here's a sneak peek for now! Hope y'all love it :-) And yes, you will be able to make custom order signs from Home by Ally!
XOXO,
Ally
Chalk paint. We all have heard of it. I hope you have. Here's one that I hear about the most. Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint. Very pricey but worth it! But let's face it... I don't have a job right now and we're on a budget! SO.... I've been researching the internet, other blogs and google and decided to make my own homemade chalk paint! Here's how I did it!
I started off by taking a trip to Lowe's to get the following:
Un-sanded Grout (Color White in tile section) I bought a small $5 bucket. Any brand, size!
Flat Paint (Check your mistinted paint sections!) Any brand and color, any size too!
Mixing Utensil- I bought stole a stirring stick from Lowe's paint department
Bowl- to mix your paint in
Paint brushes- brushes, sponges, etc. Whatever you prefer!
I started painting a few days weeks ago with my homemade chalk paint and was a little taken back by the consistency. I added almost 3 tbsp of un-sanded grout to my 1 cup of white flat paint. It thickened with time so be sure to mix well and wait about 5 minutes to let it thicken. Mix again before use.
I wanted a really shabby finish to the piece and I LOVE how it turned out! I ended up painting 2 coats of this homemade chalk paint on my piece of furniture and that's it. It required little to no prep work. I lightly sanded my piece of furniture as usual. I did NOT prime the piece first. And I am amazed at the results! All I had to do after the 2 coats of my homemade chalk paint was seal the piece with my favorite poly, MinWax's Poly water based.
Here's the final result!
I know it's a bad picture but it's 12:15 p.m. here in Florida. Don't ask me why I'm painting this late... I just get a burst of energy sometimes. But you can really tell in the photo how thick and great of a finish it has. I just can't rave about it enough. The little hole to the right is where the hardware is supposed to go. It was bothering me too.
So... are you going to try my homemade chalk paint? What do you think? If you haven't started following me on Instagram, you can follow me at @allyschmidheiser.
If you haven't LIKED my Home by Ally Facebook page, you can LIKE it HERE!
If you haven't started following me on my blog, feel free to click "follow" on the right hand tool bar over there ----------->
Ok! So goodnight bloggies! I'll talk to y'all soon.
Y'all come back now, ya hear! ;-) I had to throw my southern charm in there... hehe.
XOXO,
Ally
September 22, 2012
Multiple Redo's
Hello!
Why am I still up? I seriously am a night owl. I get the most energy at about 9:00p.m. and that's when I start cleaning, working on furniture, etc. Isn't that just backwards?
Well not tonight because I am POOPED! I've been running around all day and working on furniture and managed to post three new items in the shop tonight. If you haven't visited my shop on Facebook, you can find it here! I loved redoing all three of these pieces because they are so different!
The first is this cute little stand. It could be used as a cute plant stand, a small table for in-between two chairs or beside another chair to put maybe a skinny lamp on or a pretty vase with flowers. End less possibilities I tell you. Endless.
Here's the finished product. A melon color that is just MARVELOUS! It is SO cute. Don't get my started. I distressed it really heavily because otherwise I feel like the color might have been overwhelming. Now, just perfection I tell you. Perfection.
Here's a BEFORE AND AFTER. Love doing those because you truly see the difference! Amazing what some elbow grease and sweat equity will do for a piece of furniture! This little stand is available currently in my shop on Facebook.
I also started working on this adorable hunter green chair. I LOVED the ladder back style and knew I wanted this one to NOT be a bright color but something subtle. I simply distressed the piece and went over the piece with my antique stain to give it a more rustic look. Do you love it or do you love it?
I don't have a before picture because I suck. Ok.
Here's a photo of this chair that I put on Instagram after I got it in. Retro much? If you haven't started following me on Instagram, follow me @allyschmidheiser
This little beauty was SUPPOSED to be white but I suck and wasn't really paying attention. Slam palm in forehead moment and I painted her my favorite grey blue. After wards, I liked her anyways so I antiqued her and sealed her and FINISHED! How do you like her? I love the retro bones with the cool color.
What do you think of my latest furniture redos? Let me know!
XOXO,
Ally
September 21, 2012
HOW TO: Do a simple updo.
Hi again y'all!
So... this blog post is actually a HOW TO: tutorial on how to get your hair to do THIS. It's a cute little bun that you can wear everyday or dress it up with formal wear or business attire. I have a little bit longer than shoulder length hair so I would recommend if you want to do this to put your hair in a simple bun before you try to tuck it away. Maybe I'll make another video once my hair gets longer! Just my disclosure about it!
I do this hairstyle alot and have to play around with it to make it nice and smooth... but I LOVE and adore my hair...how the blonde on top and light brown on bottom. Just love the contrast...sorry if you don't, lol.
Here's the front view. I usually do this hairstyle when I'm wearing a really nice blouse, etc. And I usually pull a few strands on hair down not the sides to make it a not so formal look but more of an effortless look. This was taken in my friend's home in ND...how I miss you Heidi!
Ok! So... don't judge. I did this video really quick yesterday and didn't edit it or play around with it... Also! I usually tease the back part of my hair to give it a little "bump" in the back. I think it gives it a more sophisticated look...but I didn't really show you that in this video.
Would you like to see more how to's on the blog involving beauty, furniture, makeup, etc?
Thank you for listening and be sure to let me know what you think!
XOXO,
Ally
September 20, 2012
Quick Tip!
Hope y'all are doing well. I've been really busy this week working on a few new pieces of inventory to show y'all and put up in my shop. But here's a quick tip that I use for organizing my purses.
I went to the Dollar Tree and for $1.00 I bought white plastic shower curtain rod hooks. I simply put the purses on the hooks and hung them in the closet just like they were clothes. So much more organized than having them thrown at the top or bottom of the closet! Don't you agree?
Photo via Instagram. Follow me @allyschmidheiser
I have a lot of news coming up for y'all and a lot of big things in the works that I can't wait to share with you! Please stay tuned for more information!
If you haven't started following me on Instagram, you can find me at @allyschmidheiser. And if you haven't LIKED my page on Facebook, please do so here!
September 17, 2012
Antique Chair Redo
Love this little chair. I thought that I would share the before and after of this chair really quick before I hit the sheets! This girl is exhausted! I've been updating my inventory the past few days and working 24/7 on furniture and I am pooped. Officially taking a beach day tomorrow, soooo need it!
Here's the before of the chair. Excellent bones. Cute shape. Cute legs. Not much more to say, eh?
I loved the seat of this and I actually think I'm going to go distress the seat more.
Someone asked where I got my mirror above the chair. It's from Hobby Lobby! I LOVE the color of the chair, don't you? That cool blue grey with the antique glaze on top...LOVE!!!!
Here's a shot of the glaze up close. VERY sticky so I always have to let it dry for a few hours at least. But I love the look that it gives the blue. They just look fabulous together, I think anyways.
And I especially love side by side before and afters! What a difference right? Whoever gets this cutie... I am kinda jealous and kinda want to keep her. Maybe I should just start naming my furniture ;)
And again, the final product...Actually, I just altered her more. HERE is the final product!
Well... let me know what you think of my latest redo! I appreciate all the feedback from everyone!
XOXO,
Ally
September 16, 2012
Shabby Buffet Redo
So excited to do this post! I scored this gem at a sale with some friends. I passed her up the first time but I KNEW I had to have her so I simply proceeded to drag my husband to the sale and get her :-) Like all good wives do, duh.
Here's the BEFORE picture. She has EXCELLENT bones and really wasn't in bad shape at all. The top needed refinishing so that's where I started.
Just look at those curves! Gosh, so pretty. I wish I had somewhere to put it.
ALOT of sweat went into this piece. The top I refinished from the start because I originally planned to stain the top of this. I didn't like it after I did it so there is a fresh coat of stain under the paint ;-) on the top! This buffet also had extenders on the sides and they were in rough shape. So I decided to take them off and I actually like it a lot better.
What do you think?
Here's some other views of this beautiful lady. I was SO excited that I just took pictures...tonight. And it's not the best light but sorry I was excited! Hah!
I just love the curves of this piece. I normally do not like very "girly" pieces but this one is different. And I think it's because of the paint color choice I made. It's a very soft blue that also has a grey hue. I LOVE it. And the warm tones from underneath the paint really spice it up to me and compliment the curves of the piece. What do you think? Do you like the color?
So here's another before and after for you! I hope you have enjoyed this piece as much as I have!
I love the chippy style. And I've always loved the shabby pieces I've done! Who can go wrong with shabby chic really? This piece would be BEAUTIFUL as an entryway table...or even a tv stand. Or it's original use, a buffet for your dining room. Throw some pretty frames on top and storage underneath equals perfection! Need I say more?
If you would like to purchase this gorgeous buffet, it is available in my shop locally in Satellite Beach, Florida. You can find my Facebook page and shop here. Please "LIKE" my FB page and share with your FB family and friends as well!
XOXO,
Ally
September 13, 2012
Kitchen Table Redo
Hey y'all!
So... I've been working like a mad woman on projects because I am getting SUPER bored without a job here in Florida. Trust me, I've been looking but I'm not going to settle either.
If you have me as a Facebook friend, you know that I recently announced that I am going back to school! Woohoo, do a backflip, buy me a present, let's eat cake! Nursing, here I come! Can I get another WOOHOO! :-) I'm super excited, motivated and SUPER TUPER nervous. I can do it.
If you follow Home by Ally on Facebook (Click HERE) You know that I posted this picture last night and asked y'all if you wanted me to blog about her. Yes, her. Her name is Betty because she's country and Betty is bad. Ha, yeah I just made that joke. I'm not funny today, hmph.
Betty has EXCELLENT bones and sanded really well for me. That is always a good thing people because SANDING is WORK. Don't let anyone tell ya differently ;)
Here's Betty with her top off :-o Get your mind out of the gutter!
I've gotten asked quite a few times about the tools I use and my favorite products. I think I'm going to 1 day a week video post on my favorite products and/or reviews. What do y'all think about that?
Ok! So, below is one of the sanders I have. This was the first one I bought. I haven't really used the other one enough to review it but I will in a few months after I've used it a ton. This thing below is well WORTH the money and not too much money by the way, I don't even think I spent $30 on this bad boy. You can find a similar sander like mine here from Lowes.com
I also get asked what kind of sandpaper do you need for certain projects, etc. Well it depends on what you are doing! In this case, I was stripping the top of the old stain and poly so naturally I got the "Paint Stripping" sand paper. I love these 3M packs of sandpaper. You usually get 3 or 4 in a pack and they are super cheap, usually $2 or $3 or less depending on where you buy them. I've always found they are cheapest at Walmart and the BX for you military people. I buy probably 5 or 6 packs at a time because I do a lot of sanding.
I actually got this table in Minot with my friend Katie. The story is funny...and I might share it later ;)
Ok, back to the table and it's details. I painted the bottom a nice bright white and it actually needs another coat. I think I will distress the bottom lightly after I am done as well. The top is a new method staining that I actually made up myself!
These are the two stains I actually used TOGETHER. Yes, people TOGETHER.
MinWax Dark Walnut 2716
MinWax Classic Gray 271
I knew that I wanted a deeper stain but I also wanted something different than our farmhouse table. So... I did what I do best. I tried something and usually I fail. And I have a lot of messes but this one actually worked in my favor.
I first stained the top of the table with the classic grey. Make sure you always stain with the grain! Provides a better finish! I let that sit, saturate and soak into the table for about 10 minutes. Then, I went OVER that stain with the Dark Walnut stain and I fell in LOVE. It looks like a nice weathered piece of wood. It adds character to the wood without being too overwhelming! And did I mention how much I love it?
Usually the Dark Walnut is well dark. A nice deep stain but I didn't want that this time. I wanted something more rich...and you can sort of tell by this pictures that it is a very rich grain now!
Don't mind my camera bag sitting on the table. I just bought a new lens so I had to re-organize my bag. I love the table now and am currently doing my last coat of paint on the legs. So, don't mind that! I just wanted to show y'all the table, ok!!! Lol.
A VERY important thing when painting or staining any kind of furniture is SEALING it! Now, the stains usually have a seal in them but if you're doing a kitchen table or anything really that you need to wipe down or could get stuff on it, seal it. You want to be able to wipe it clean.
Look how pretty that finish is!
And here is a nice before and after for you. Don't you love Before and After's? I sure do.
I have a few other blogposts in the works so be sure to keep checking back here! If you haven't liked my FB page, please go and LIKE it here!
Thanks for listening y'all and be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
XOXO,
Ally
September 9, 2012
HOW TO: Get wax out of your warmer EASIER
HOW TO:
Get wax out of your warmers easier and less mess!
It is so simple! Just turn your warmer off and let your wax sit for a few minutes until it becomes more of a solid than liquid. Take your lid off the warmer and sit in freezer for about 15-20 minutes!
Take out and use a flat head screw driver or butter knife and slowly push into one corner of wax! The whole wax piece shown come out like shown above which allows for you to KEEP the wax and reuse it later instead of just throwing it away! There's your quick tip for the day!
Have a good day y'all!
XOXO,
Ally
Hey y'all!
I've been getting quite a few emails and messages about putting pictures up of my house...but it isn't finished! I'm really enjoying the process of getting it together but sometimes I wish it was just DONE. We all know the house WILL NEVER be done I'll get there soon.
I took a few more pictures of our living and dining room just to show y'all some updates. There's a few things I plan to do still and I'll be sure to explain them in my post!
If you have been following me, you know I just got our new barstools a few weeks ago and I am loving them! They are from Ikea. I moved some furniture around so you now see the light sand color buffet in here. I like it so
Here's the view from the powder room. The corner hutch on the left has been passed down from my grandmother to my mama and from my mama to me. My late grandfather made it, I think she said. When I received it, it was black which was pretty but obviously not my style. I painted it Antique White from Valspar and when over it with "Walnut" stain from Minwax to get that beige glazed look. I love how coastal it is now and I just can't stop appreciating it ;-)
I just realized I didn't have the glass knob back in the corner hutch. You probably didn't notice either until I pointed it out. OH well. Haha! Oh! My curtains are 95" panels in Farrah Cream from Target. They are a good cross between a linen fabric and a thicker fabric to kinda block out the heat but still let the sun in! Love them too! Especially the price at $16.99 a panel!
I had someone ask me where I got my curtain rods. They are 8 foot long Allen & Roth White wood Curtain Rods from Lowes. They are SUPER heavy and will last me forever! I love them! You have to purchase the ends and brackets separately but it's totally worth it. If you have big windows like us, it's a really nice investment. The candle vases are from Ross for under $10 each I think? And I got the candles inside of the vases from Ikea. A 3-pack for like $4.99 which is CHEAP. The runner is a burlap style and I just got it from Homegoods. I'm still thinking of ordering a custom made one that is longer with ruffles on the ends.
This is the old door I got from a lady in North Dakota. She got it out of an old ND Farmhouse. She is also the one that I got the huge window that is on my sand color sideboard. It's HUGE at 9 glass panes and it has that textured glass from back in the old days. I love it. That left curtain panel is bugging me.
Here's a close view of the side board. The "S" if from Hobby Lobby. I just slipped it into the ribbon as shown and I think it adds a great layered effect. The little plants are from Ikea. They are actually fake.
This is the other side of the dining room where there is just enough space for a little desk area. This desk isn't black. It's actually a really deep stain but I think I'm going to do a white wash over it to lighten it up some. We all know how much I love white!
Well that's the little sneak peek for now! I have a load more things in the works for our home... and I'll be sure to do an official home tour. I'm sure that will coming in the coming weeks. Be sure to let me know what you think!
XOXO,
Ally
September 8, 2012
Desk Redo
Hey y'all!
I hope everyone is doing great. I am SOOOOO happy it's the weekend! Not that I have a job or need a day off or anything haha! But I have really been working hard today and being productive on trying to get a few of my projects done. One of them was this vintage desk an old friend from Minot had given me. It was originally a very pretty and rustic stained wood color and I painted it aqua and heavily distressed it. I got sick of aqua pretty quick and have been meaning to paint it.
So, I'v been experimenting with new methods of painting for different looks and outcomes, etc. In this particular project, I sanded down about 85% of the piece but I left some of the aqua on the wood. As you can see in the picture below, I started staining using "English Chesnut" in MinWax Wood Stain. I stained the bare wood sections and wiped over with a cloth the aqua sections so it would really give it an antiqued look. I usually LOVE to paint everything white and don't get me wrong... I actually wanted to paint this piece white but I need some pieces to break up all the white.
I don't ever remember to take a BEFORE picture. My bad. I have one of my other computer I'm sure but this couch is so comfy.
So here it is in our new home. The aqua color actually looks like a really antique white now since I wiped stain over it and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes to let it soak in. The rest is the "English Chesnut" stain on top of bare wood. I want to get some vintage knobs to replace the little wood ones but I still like it for now.
Here's a close up. It has a lot of wear and tear but that just adds to the character. Why would you want to sand it out?!
I'm really happy with how it turned out. Above is a semi- before and after. What do you think?
Hi friends!
I saw this on another person's blog and decided it would be fun because I occasionally get random emails about myself and this blog of mine.
So here goes. And feel free to join in and let us know 30 things about yourself!
1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
- I love boiled peanuts.
- I always check the clearance racks at Target first.
- I drive a Chevy Equinox and LURVE it.
- My favorite holiday is Christmas.
- I'm CHEAP and I admit it.
- I wish I was brunette.
- I love NCIS and every other imaginable cop show.
- My husband is a cop.
- I used to play fast pitch softball. I pitched and I was good.
- I shake when I'm scared, angry or upset.
- My dogs are my kids.
- I am terrified of my dreams but I think that is a good thing.
- I've never rode in a taxi in the US. Only in Germany.
- I've always wanted to join the military.
- I do NOT have a green thumb.
- My biggest fear is being alone and not living life.
- I love riding my husband's motorcycle with him.
- My eyelashes are blonde and I'm not fond of it so I almost always have mascara on.
- I think uniforms are sexy. A man in uniform. Yum.
- I used to drive a box car. Scion XB. Holla! And I loved it.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
- Dying. I am scared of dying because I have so much to live for and so many things I want to do before I die. But I also realize that life is short and can end in an instant. I think it's SO important to be reminded of this daily and I try to do that for myself.
- Being alone. I'm a lover. Period. I love to love and I love to be loved. A world alone would be well... lonely. Everyone deserves to feel love.
- Being kidnapped or raped. Enough said.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
- My parents are my best friends. Period. I do not and could not be where I am today and the person I am today without them. They constantly remind me of the love everyone deserves, the values everyone should grow with and the supportive family everyone should have.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
- You're going to get your heart broken a few more times.
- Don't put up with his crap. There are better boys coming your way.
- You're beautiful.
- Enjoy sports. And being in school. And the innocence of it all.
- Enjoy your teachers. Especially Ms. Hatch.
- Don't follow so close.
- Go the speed limit.
- Always check in. Don't forget.
- You are good enough.
- Buckle down and do well in school. You're molding your future.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
- Diet Mt. Dew.
- New furniture.
- My puppies.
- My coffee table that is currently my foot rest.
- Army wives.
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
- The hardest thing I've ever experienced would either have to be losing 3 loved ones very close together to include my aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. And just recently, my other grandmother. I treasure family and loosing each of them meant I lost a little piece of my heart to each. The other would be becoming a military spouse and adjusting to being days away from family and being "alone" other than with your spouse.
7. What is your dream job, and why?
- I love to help people. My dream job would obviously be an interior designer. I love to help everyone discover they can love their home. And to make their house a home no matter where it may be. But with this economy, I enjoy what I can get and am currently pursing a degree in Nursing. I'm still helping people. Maybe I'll decorate their hospital rooms ;)
8. What are 5 passions you have?
- Decorating
- Photography
- DIY
- Helping people
- Random acts of kindness
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
- My mama. She is my rock, the strongest and most supportive person I've ever had in my life. And my best friend. She is a constant reminder that you have to enjoy what you have and she makes me relax. Except when I am driving. She is a horrible back seat driver.
- My daddy. He is the most caring man I've ever met beside my grandfather. He is a constant reminder that it is the little things in life that mean the most. Not how much money you have, where you live or what you live in or what you drive... but family and friends and memories. My mama and him are my picture of success and VERY hard work. Everyday.
- Nana Pat. She was my grandmother from my mama's side. And she always knew how to make me laugh. And I always knew how to push her buttons. I always wonder what life would be like with her here today and I hope that she would be proud of me.
- Nana Carolyn. She was my grandmother from my daddy's side. And I remember always going to her house when we were younger. And just exploring through out the house and playing with her husky. I wish I would have tried harder to have a better relationship with her. I'm sad for my daddy everyday but I know how proud she would be of him and the life he has built.
- My mother in law. I met my mother in law only a short time after Ryan and I started dating. On a pier at 9 or 11 at night, I think? And she is shy like Ryan. But as I have gotten to know her over the years, I have found a true mother. She is constantly bending over backwards to help us and make sure we have the things we need. She is the most caring person in the world and a true representation of what most decent people should be. And I proud to be apart of her family.
- The Cory's. I met the Cory's while we were stationed in ND and I will never forget this husband and wife. They are the most giving and caring people I've almost ever met and I think the world of both. I worked with the Mr. at my job and have the upmost respect for him and everything he knows. He turned out to be a father figure while we were stationed there. And I respect him for always listening to me rant and rave about this and that ;)
- Matthews. My first military boss. From day 1, I was motivated to always be the best and do the best. She is one of the best examples of what a boss should be. She knew the balance between friend and co worker and I don't think I've ever respected a former boss more. She always pushed me to want more things in life for myself and today, I credit a lot of my motivation to go back to school to her. I am slowly finding my independence again...because of her. She made it clear again that I am more than a military wife. And I will always remember her because of those reasons. I really miss her. And how much she looked out for me and the advice she gave.
- T. Force. At our second duty station in ND, I met T. Force through mutual friends. We ended up working together at the clinic I worked at. And she slowly became like a big sister to me. I knew I could always count on her no matter what. With being a military wife, it's hard enough to find friends let alone true, genuine friends and she is one of them. I was attached to her whole family and think of them often.
- My grandfather from my daddy's side. The sweetest man you'll ever meet. Period. Loving and always seeing the bright side of things. He lives life to the fullest. And I strive to be as good as a person as him.
- Ryan. My husband. My best friend. Ryan continues to surprise me everyday with how many thing he has to offer. He has taught me love. And respect. And loyalty. And humor. And what marriage and life is about. Finding the one you want to annoy for the rest of your life ;)
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
- Oh geez. There are so many! But I would have to say in high school during a pageant I entered... I choose "Respect" by Aretha Franklin to sing. And I forgot the words. There are more words by the way than RESPECT. So yeah, I just started clapping and people loved it. I need to find that video. Or all the years I took the bullying of people who made fun of me for my teeth, accent, clothes, hair, you name it.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
- Dirty car.
- Dirty house.
- Boogers, lol.
- Rude people.
- Bad customer service.
- People who don't use turn signals.
- People who constantly have to "win."
- Someone following to close. Bad drivers in general.
- Immaturity.
- People begin mean just to be and not caring about others.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
- Currently, I don't have a job. So, I sleep in like a pro. The pups usually get me up. I look like there's a bird's nest in my hair and I probably have dried up drool on my face. I take my butt downstairs and eat breakfast and lounge for a couple hours. Then maybe tackle a project or move around furniture till Ryan gets home. Then I beg Ryan to take me shopping, hah. And then we shop. Come home, we cook dinner and try to eat together as much as we can. And we lounge some more. And some more. And watch our cop shows. And take a nap. And maybe go to bed? Well he does. And I get energy at like 9pm and start redecorating everything. That was today anyways. :)
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
- Animals. Especially ones without homes or who have had bad lives.
- The elderly.
- My puppies.
- Soda.
- Clearance racks at Target.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
- People. I am good with people.
- Love. I am good at loving. I think?
- Repurposing furniture.
- Decorating.
- Sleeping. Oh yeah. I went there.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
-A dog. I would be your best friend. And your worst enemy if you try to hurt someone I love.
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
- Becoming a wife and marrying Ryan.
- Adopting our dogs.
- Paying off two vehicles.
- Moving away and embracing the military life.
- Furnishing our whole home by thrifting and repurposing furniture. We have only ever bought our sofa set. Everything else has been purchased for $200 or under.
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
- Being a wife. I make mistakes everyday and I'm not easy to live with. But I try to be better everyday. And being a daughter. I just want to make my family proud.
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
- God. For taking my loved ones so soon.
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
-Wilmington, NC. Where our family is. And because of our family. But I am proud to follow Ryan as he serves our country.
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
- Playing baseball in the front yard of my first childhood home. Running to first and instead ran face first into a tree.
- My daddy coaching me in every sport. And my mom always being involved. They were always around which I am thankful for.
- My loved ones. I can still hear all of their voices. I can still hear my mamaw telling me me to marry "a military man because he will always take care of you." I was telling her about Ryan at the time.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
-I always thought it would be to be invisible so I could hear conversations, etc. But I think I'd be really upset a lot. I would want to be able to fly. So I could be anywhere at anytime. See my parents at moments notice. ETC. And be able to allow others to fly with me. Maybe to save the world. Or if it is considered a super power, to fly to heaven and talk to love ones.
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
- 5 years. Graduated nursing school. Looking or have found a job.
- 10 years. Babies.
- 15 years. Babies. And finding a new job after they have grown up a bit and hopefully about ready to leave the military life.
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
- Repurposing furniture. It allows me to help others and help myself.
- Photography. I love capturing memories. Who wouldn't?
- Taking naps. Who doesn't like them?
- DIY. Because it's cheaper. DUH.
- Sports. Softball. Pitching. Although, I don't do a lot of it anymore.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
- Family first. Family dynamic now hasn't changed.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
- Anyone... geez. Not really late history but I would have dinner with someone, anyone from 9/11 who has passed on and was on one of those planes. So I could hear about their whole families and how much they loved them. So I could pass it on after they passed away.
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
- "Good things come to those who wait." Sometimes true. But sometimes you have to go after what you want and grab it by the horns!
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
- That's hard. As a woman, I am very critical of myself. If I had to choose, it would be my eye lashes or my arms. My eyelashes are really long, they are just blonde like I previously stated. If it were my arms, it would be because they are naturally lean I think. And can get very muscular, very quickly. And they are kinda naturally muscular. I think it's from softball all those years.
28. What is your love language?
- Humor.
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
- Oh wow... um... I am SO sensitive and get my feelings hurt very easy. I take everything to heart.
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.
- Kindness.
- Humor.
- My love.
- Being caring.
- My thrifty-ness.
- My furniture.
- My smile.
- Being helpful.
- Being successful.
- Making a difference.
Longest blog post ever! But I hope y'all enjoyed it! I actually did!
I saw this on another person's blog and decided it would be fun because I occasionally get random emails about myself and this blog of mine.
So here goes. And feel free to join in and let us know 30 things about yourself!
1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
- I love boiled peanuts.
- I always check the clearance racks at Target first.
- I drive a Chevy Equinox and LURVE it.
- My favorite holiday is Christmas.
- I'm CHEAP and I admit it.
- I wish I was brunette.
- I love NCIS and every other imaginable cop show.
- My husband is a cop.
- I used to play fast pitch softball. I pitched and I was good.
- I shake when I'm scared, angry or upset.
- My dogs are my kids.
- I am terrified of my dreams but I think that is a good thing.
- I've never rode in a taxi in the US. Only in Germany.
- I've always wanted to join the military.
- I do NOT have a green thumb.
- My biggest fear is being alone and not living life.
- I love riding my husband's motorcycle with him.
- My eyelashes are blonde and I'm not fond of it so I almost always have mascara on.
- I think uniforms are sexy. A man in uniform. Yum.
- I used to drive a box car. Scion XB. Holla! And I loved it.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
- Dying. I am scared of dying because I have so much to live for and so many things I want to do before I die. But I also realize that life is short and can end in an instant. I think it's SO important to be reminded of this daily and I try to do that for myself.
- Being alone. I'm a lover. Period. I love to love and I love to be loved. A world alone would be well... lonely. Everyone deserves to feel love.
- Being kidnapped or raped. Enough said.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
- My parents are my best friends. Period. I do not and could not be where I am today and the person I am today without them. They constantly remind me of the love everyone deserves, the values everyone should grow with and the supportive family everyone should have.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
- You're going to get your heart broken a few more times.
- Don't put up with his crap. There are better boys coming your way.
- You're beautiful.
- Enjoy sports. And being in school. And the innocence of it all.
- Enjoy your teachers. Especially Ms. Hatch.
- Don't follow so close.
- Go the speed limit.
- Always check in. Don't forget.
- You are good enough.
- Buckle down and do well in school. You're molding your future.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
- Diet Mt. Dew.
- New furniture.
- My puppies.
- My coffee table that is currently my foot rest.
- Army wives.
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
- The hardest thing I've ever experienced would either have to be losing 3 loved ones very close together to include my aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. And just recently, my other grandmother. I treasure family and loosing each of them meant I lost a little piece of my heart to each. The other would be becoming a military spouse and adjusting to being days away from family and being "alone" other than with your spouse.
7. What is your dream job, and why?
- I love to help people. My dream job would obviously be an interior designer. I love to help everyone discover they can love their home. And to make their house a home no matter where it may be. But with this economy, I enjoy what I can get and am currently pursing a degree in Nursing. I'm still helping people. Maybe I'll decorate their hospital rooms ;)
8. What are 5 passions you have?
- Decorating
- Photography
- DIY
- Helping people
- Random acts of kindness
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
- My mama. She is my rock, the strongest and most supportive person I've ever had in my life. And my best friend. She is a constant reminder that you have to enjoy what you have and she makes me relax. Except when I am driving. She is a horrible back seat driver.
- My daddy. He is the most caring man I've ever met beside my grandfather. He is a constant reminder that it is the little things in life that mean the most. Not how much money you have, where you live or what you live in or what you drive... but family and friends and memories. My mama and him are my picture of success and VERY hard work. Everyday.
- Nana Pat. She was my grandmother from my mama's side. And she always knew how to make me laugh. And I always knew how to push her buttons. I always wonder what life would be like with her here today and I hope that she would be proud of me.
- Nana Carolyn. She was my grandmother from my daddy's side. And I remember always going to her house when we were younger. And just exploring through out the house and playing with her husky. I wish I would have tried harder to have a better relationship with her. I'm sad for my daddy everyday but I know how proud she would be of him and the life he has built.
- My mother in law. I met my mother in law only a short time after Ryan and I started dating. On a pier at 9 or 11 at night, I think? And she is shy like Ryan. But as I have gotten to know her over the years, I have found a true mother. She is constantly bending over backwards to help us and make sure we have the things we need. She is the most caring person in the world and a true representation of what most decent people should be. And I proud to be apart of her family.
- The Cory's. I met the Cory's while we were stationed in ND and I will never forget this husband and wife. They are the most giving and caring people I've almost ever met and I think the world of both. I worked with the Mr. at my job and have the upmost respect for him and everything he knows. He turned out to be a father figure while we were stationed there. And I respect him for always listening to me rant and rave about this and that ;)
- Matthews. My first military boss. From day 1, I was motivated to always be the best and do the best. She is one of the best examples of what a boss should be. She knew the balance between friend and co worker and I don't think I've ever respected a former boss more. She always pushed me to want more things in life for myself and today, I credit a lot of my motivation to go back to school to her. I am slowly finding my independence again...because of her. She made it clear again that I am more than a military wife. And I will always remember her because of those reasons. I really miss her. And how much she looked out for me and the advice she gave.
- T. Force. At our second duty station in ND, I met T. Force through mutual friends. We ended up working together at the clinic I worked at. And she slowly became like a big sister to me. I knew I could always count on her no matter what. With being a military wife, it's hard enough to find friends let alone true, genuine friends and she is one of them. I was attached to her whole family and think of them often.
- My grandfather from my daddy's side. The sweetest man you'll ever meet. Period. Loving and always seeing the bright side of things. He lives life to the fullest. And I strive to be as good as a person as him.
- Ryan. My husband. My best friend. Ryan continues to surprise me everyday with how many thing he has to offer. He has taught me love. And respect. And loyalty. And humor. And what marriage and life is about. Finding the one you want to annoy for the rest of your life ;)
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
- Oh geez. There are so many! But I would have to say in high school during a pageant I entered... I choose "Respect" by Aretha Franklin to sing. And I forgot the words. There are more words by the way than RESPECT. So yeah, I just started clapping and people loved it. I need to find that video. Or all the years I took the bullying of people who made fun of me for my teeth, accent, clothes, hair, you name it.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
- Dirty car.
- Dirty house.
- Boogers, lol.
- Rude people.
- Bad customer service.
- People who don't use turn signals.
- People who constantly have to "win."
- Someone following to close. Bad drivers in general.
- Immaturity.
- People begin mean just to be and not caring about others.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
- Currently, I don't have a job. So, I sleep in like a pro. The pups usually get me up. I look like there's a bird's nest in my hair and I probably have dried up drool on my face. I take my butt downstairs and eat breakfast and lounge for a couple hours. Then maybe tackle a project or move around furniture till Ryan gets home. Then I beg Ryan to take me shopping, hah. And then we shop. Come home, we cook dinner and try to eat together as much as we can. And we lounge some more. And some more. And watch our cop shows. And take a nap. And maybe go to bed? Well he does. And I get energy at like 9pm and start redecorating everything. That was today anyways. :)
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
- Animals. Especially ones without homes or who have had bad lives.
- The elderly.
- My puppies.
- Soda.
- Clearance racks at Target.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
- People. I am good with people.
- Love. I am good at loving. I think?
- Repurposing furniture.
- Decorating.
- Sleeping. Oh yeah. I went there.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
-A dog. I would be your best friend. And your worst enemy if you try to hurt someone I love.
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
- Becoming a wife and marrying Ryan.
- Adopting our dogs.
- Paying off two vehicles.
- Moving away and embracing the military life.
- Furnishing our whole home by thrifting and repurposing furniture. We have only ever bought our sofa set. Everything else has been purchased for $200 or under.
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
- Being a wife. I make mistakes everyday and I'm not easy to live with. But I try to be better everyday. And being a daughter. I just want to make my family proud.
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
- God. For taking my loved ones so soon.
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
-Wilmington, NC. Where our family is. And because of our family. But I am proud to follow Ryan as he serves our country.
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
- Playing baseball in the front yard of my first childhood home. Running to first and instead ran face first into a tree.
- My daddy coaching me in every sport. And my mom always being involved. They were always around which I am thankful for.
- My loved ones. I can still hear all of their voices. I can still hear my mamaw telling me me to marry "a military man because he will always take care of you." I was telling her about Ryan at the time.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
-I always thought it would be to be invisible so I could hear conversations, etc. But I think I'd be really upset a lot. I would want to be able to fly. So I could be anywhere at anytime. See my parents at moments notice. ETC. And be able to allow others to fly with me. Maybe to save the world. Or if it is considered a super power, to fly to heaven and talk to love ones.
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
- 5 years. Graduated nursing school. Looking or have found a job.
- 10 years. Babies.
- 15 years. Babies. And finding a new job after they have grown up a bit and hopefully about ready to leave the military life.
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
- Repurposing furniture. It allows me to help others and help myself.
- Photography. I love capturing memories. Who wouldn't?
- Taking naps. Who doesn't like them?
- DIY. Because it's cheaper. DUH.
- Sports. Softball. Pitching. Although, I don't do a lot of it anymore.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
- Family first. Family dynamic now hasn't changed.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
- Anyone... geez. Not really late history but I would have dinner with someone, anyone from 9/11 who has passed on and was on one of those planes. So I could hear about their whole families and how much they loved them. So I could pass it on after they passed away.
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
- "Good things come to those who wait." Sometimes true. But sometimes you have to go after what you want and grab it by the horns!
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
- That's hard. As a woman, I am very critical of myself. If I had to choose, it would be my eye lashes or my arms. My eyelashes are really long, they are just blonde like I previously stated. If it were my arms, it would be because they are naturally lean I think. And can get very muscular, very quickly. And they are kinda naturally muscular. I think it's from softball all those years.
28. What is your love language?
- Humor.
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
- Oh wow... um... I am SO sensitive and get my feelings hurt very easy. I take everything to heart.
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.
- Kindness.
- Humor.
- My love.
- Being caring.
- My thrifty-ness.
- My furniture.
- My smile.
- Being helpful.
- Being successful.
- Making a difference.
Longest blog post ever! But I hope y'all enjoyed it! I actually did!
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