Surround Yourself With Beauty

I have a theory! Well, anyone who knows me will tell you I always have a theory about something or other. Anyway, the theory is this: If the world was surrounded by beauty (earthly and spiritual) we would act better, be calmer, even, treat each other with more kindness. Kind of like music having charms to soothe the savage beast.

A painting by Kathryn Winter, my mother-in-law.

What if every child walked into a clean, kept yard, then proceeded into a tidy house filled with objects of beauty. Now being a Christian I can't leave out the Holy Spirit, for He is a spirit of beauty and peace. If we fill our homes with God's spirit, and have objects of beauty that's got to have some effect right?

Waiting for my alyssum to grow in around my rocks
 

If I was in a beauty contest (yeah,right!) and they asked me the age old question, "If God granted you one wish what would it be?". I would answer, "A beautiful home for every child, filled with love and laughter, and the spirit of God.

My dianthus are starting to grow around the rocks

You notice I didn't say what size, or mention expensive at all because that is just not important.

I hope you all have sanctuaries. Here's the definition of a sanctuary:

sanc.tu.ar.y

noun

1. a place of refuge or safety.

sentence: "people automatically sought a sanctuary in time of trouble"

 

My geese from England on an Irish Chain quilt I made
 

I hope you all had glorious Easter celebrations. Isn't it wonderful to know our Saviour is risen, and is with us, not in some old musty tomb!

 

What if we all prepare our homes like Jesus is preparing a place for us? A thing of beauty I think!

 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I  am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

 

Have a wonderful week, and say a little prayer for our country, I think she needs it about now.

 

Blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

 

Conquering The Kitchen

I was interested in the word "kitchen". So, being me, I googled it. It comes from the Latin "coquere" , which means "to cook". Then it got all mangled and we ended up with the word "kitchen" in English. Well, the Latin word "coquere" is really close to the word "conquer" if you ask me. And that is what we had to do in Mobley. Conquer the Kitchen!

Here are some before and after pictures. Now, remember we are working on a zero budget, and I wouldn't call myself a big d.i.y. girl, rather a Queen of Camouflage.

We spent a total of $300.00 dollars in the kitchen, ahem, the majority of our decorating budget for the entire house. The lion's share went for the range hood and backsplash. The rest went to paint. Paint, I might add, is no longer $6.99 a gallon for the good stuff, lol...Oh yes, $15.00 for cabinet pulls

The old range hood with rotten backsplash removed

New range hood in pretty stainless steel

Old backsplash, yep, linoleum falling off the wall, gross.

 

 

New backsplash, lovely ceiling tin tiles with a quaint fleur-de-lis pattern

The wall phone cord was heavily painted to the wall, yikes.

 

 

Cupboard in front of newly patched and painted wall in soothing white

 

 

Old cupboard in front of bilious yellow wall

 

 

I used a poster to cover the doors, and painted the cupboard white to blend into the new wall to make this little kitchen o' mine look bigger. Plus this cupboard holds most of my small appliances. Woot!

 

We had to move the kitchen cabinet up three inches to accommodate our refrigerator, so I camouflaged it with a big basket (holding cookie cutters and muffin liners) and a lovely old bowl filled with geraniums. It really brightens the kitchen, I love flowers.

I had some pretty Waverly fabric from the 1980's called "Geranium Leaves" (I think), so I sewed up a little 26" doubled sided curtain. This way I get a lot of light in the kitchen, and the neighbor gets to see my lovely fabric. Aren't I nice? Yes, yes, I am.

 

Here is Mr. Mobley, my d.h., preparing the cabinets to be removed. You can't tell but this yellow the kitchen was painted  was hideous, bilious yellow, (ie bile, ick). The original white fridge, and the awful hideous backsplash and filthy range hood that came with Mobley......

 

 

Now it is our neat sweet calming white kitchen, with our lovely new backsplash and range hood. Oh yes, we had to put on new drawer handles to hide the holes in the cabinets where the others had bored through. We renovated, well maybe camouflaged, this kitchen for $300.00 dollars. We used our old appliances. The kitchen cupboard was a piece I earned painting wooden bunny plaques in the 1980's.. Egads! I left a tissue box in the photo, a sign of the weather, lol......

I wish you could all come and see Mobley in person. She is quite a lady, well seasoned, a trifle mature, and full of God's spirit.

Blessings to all, Theresa

 

Due To Circumstances Beyond Our Control........

Isn't it always frustrating when you hear those words? It means something is not going right. Somethings broken. All is not well with the world.

Last Wednesday my father fell at 3:30 a.m. and broke his hip. He is 82, on dialysis 4 times a week, and has blood transfusions approximately every two weeks. As one of his caregivers, my world changed. 

Hospitals, operations, skilled nursing facilities, narcotics, medical transport companies, these are all game changers. There are no "time outs".

My big brother, bless his heart, really, bless his heart, bore the brunt of this episode. He is now exhausted, mentally, physically, and I wouldn't doubt a bit spiritually too.

Mobley is receiving her re-pipe, and I don't get to enjoy it with her. I am disappointed. I was on my way to be there for the joyous event, and got a call. "Dad is being moved to skilled nursing at three today". Game changer. All I wanted to do was make a simple pair of curtains for the guest bedroom. Game changer.

My dad is more important than Mobley ever will be I want to make that clear. But I so wanted to enjoy the busy industry of her re-plumb, knowing she will now come to life again and be our home.

Today I got on my knees and prayed. I thought of Geneva at "My Heart's Song", and her blog post on salt and light. She encouraged me greatly in an e-mail. Please visit her blog it's wonderful.

I was on my knees and I hear God speaking in my heart. I'm asking Him what to do, and why, why, why...... The gentle urging says II Timothy 2:10:

 

 

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory        II Timothy 2:10 (NIV)

 

 

Perhaps, in the hospital, in the skilled nursing facility, in the dialysis center there is an elect (aren't we all the elect) needing to hear the salvation message. Maybe if I get my attitude right, God can use me or my poppa to reach the elect.

 

Please don't give up on Finding Grace, Going Mobile. We will arrive. We have already started the journey. But, due to circumstances beyond our control...........

 

 

 

Extreme blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

 

 

 



Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

Ceekay from Thinkin' of Home, a wonderful, upwardly mobile blog, gave me a great piece of advice when I first started this adventure. She said, "Don't get rid of anything because you think it won't fit." That little piece of advice, huge in wisdom, has stayed with me these past weeks. Please check out her blog for a ton of fun.

Now it has proved fruitful. I have two 70's era chairs that first belonged to my mom, and then resided at the summer place we owned together at a nearby lake. When we sold that place, the chairs came to rest in my home.

I recovered one, and then life got too full of, well, life and they were pushed to the side. With our downsizing scheme (out of necessity), I planned to get rid of them posthaste. Then came Ceekay's advice. I assumed a wait and see attitude

Mobley has a breakfast counter off the kitchen (see photo). We were over there the other day, and the legendary light bulb went off in my head or over my head (I can't see up there so I don't know which).

 

Purse, camera case, husband, oh, and  counter

P.S. We have removed the pink paper towel holder, just sayin'.......

Would the chairs fit? Could I find the rest of the fabric and foam for the other chair. Yes, and again, Yes!

My long suffering (and I do mean that) husband promptly put them in the back of his pickup truck, and hauled them over for me. They fit, hallelujah.... No backless, armless barstools for Mobley. Nice, comfortable chairs that fit right up to the counter, at no cost to the pocketbook.

 

I think they are from my mom's Spanish Period, with the Home Interiors

Matador picture and the  plastic wall sconces with orange candles.

 

 

 

The style of the chair is still the same, but I "Englished" it up

with lovely tapestry, rose and panel upholstery fabric.

 

Here is a great quote from E. James Rohn, that talented motivational speaker from the 1960's:

 

Learn how to be happy

With what you have,

While you pursue,

All that you want

 

E. James Rohn

 

I must acknowledge "my wants" have changed. I hunger to remain debt free, and make our retirement years richer indeed. Yet, I yearn to live in beautiful surroundings. I can accomplish both with God, creativity, and industry. "All Hands to the Handiwork", that is my clarion call.

 

 







Blessings, Theresa

Finding Grace, Going Berserk

Berserk may be a little bit of an overstatement. However, the 2nd definition of berserk is "Operating in a wild or erratic way; out of control". My spending on craft supplies the last , hmmmm, 30 years could be defined by the word "berserk".

Yesterday I boxed up some of my fabric and craft supplies so we could move the California closet system to its new home. My goal, to completely empty the old closet. It seemed like such an insignificant little task. Harrumph, I am in shock as to the accumulation of stuff in said closet.

Here is the California Closet insert on the right and there's room for my two faithful Kenmore Sewing Companions. See the fabric I kind of threw in there for an example

 

Here is the one on the left, another tall cabinet with the bin module in the middle. Love the pull-out drawers, plus they are so sturdy. Great closet organizers by California Closets.

 I love the little shirt pull-outs. I fill them with rolled up fabric and can pull the drawer out to see what I want (left). Then, there is the laundry bin that I use for my batting and polyfil (right)

 

 

. These are such good pieces. Love those California Closet folks (not that I've met them personally, lol).

Not only, did I not empty the closet, by the time the day ended I was gifting others with my stuff (in my mind). I guess this wanting to give stuff away is really a way of keeping it. If we give it to "them" it is safe, lol....Are any of you guilty of this, too?

Anyhoo, we have decided (I use the term "we" loosely) to make the Craft Room our Decorating Central. Most of the projects for this house will start in this room.

8 X 8  feet of mirrored doors, eeeeeek.

 

Bland but a good sized craft room, yippee skippee

The immensity (is that a word?) of this task has begun to sink into my being, but I am playing the Pollyanna Glad Game with all my heart.

I am glad we will have a roof over our hoary heads. I am glad God is the head of this strange turn of events. I am glad I have Miss Sweetpea across the street, let the commiserating and celebrating begin. I am glad for our new pastor and his wife, and their enthusiasm and incredible love for God. Last but really not last, I am glad for a husband who puts up with my crazy, mercurial thoughts and actions.

Did I mention dear husband trimmed the arbor last week, and Mobley is sporting a new do. I think she could get a little proud of herself, we shall have to watch this tendency and nip it in the bud, lol.

Before                                                                                           After

I am sure Mobley wants to transform into English Country Cottage style, she keeps telling me in so many ways. Shall we let her have her way? I definitely think we shall!

What a back and forth post. I hope you can make sense of it. I am used to having lots of different thoughts vie for attention in my little brain.

I think this little saying captures the essence of "me":

"I was going to conquer the world today, but something glittery caught my eye!"
Sorry for the awful photoshop crop on my pix......

Blessings to you all, Theresa

God's Immeasurable Grace

I was sitting in church some months ago. It had to be months because my sweet little mother was sitting right by my side (I miss you mum!).

Anyhoo, God whispered in my spirit. You know, you feel the words as opposed to hearing an audible voice. This is what He said, "The universe cannot contain me, but you  hold me in your heart". How awesome is that!

As I Prune, And Remove Certain Plantings Will I Be Pruned By God?

An immeasurable solar system full of world's and stars, planets and moons, not to mention a big burning sun of enormous proportions is too small to contain God. But here I am a puny, whiny, idiosyncratic human who can hold God in her heart. And I do hold God in my heart.

My Strawberry Bed is Full of Weeds, Grace Covers My Hearts Weeds!

 

I hope I can relay some of God's grace through Finding Grace, Going Mobile. Along the way, I wonder if God will transform me as we endeavor to transform Mobley into a lovely, cozy refuge for our senior years.

In Time, I Hope My Trees And Life Bear Much Beautiful Fruit!

Have a lovely, restful, grace filled Sunday.

As Always, Theresa

Sweetpea's At Graceland

All right, Sweetpea is my nickname for my cousin, and she named her mobile home Graceland. No, not after Elvis Presley's home, (although she was talking about a sequined jumpsuit and air guitar the other day), but after God's own amazing grace.

Graceland: A Right Cozy Place, Very Feminine Inside

As you know I named my mobile home, Mobley, which raised my husband's eyebrows considerably. Anyway, my cousin tells me she named her house, Graceland. Not after Elvis, says I. No, says she,
after God's grace and the events that lead up to her becoming the owner of her own little cozy cottage.

Huge Backyard, Can't Wait For The Re-do: Of Course, I'll Share! 

The moral of this story is goobers are usually related to goobers. These are pictures of Sweetpea's little cozy cottage. And be sure to notice the fake plant in the front yard. We can't figure it out, but are planning a ceremony to TAKE IT OUT!

Right There In The Middle, All Awkward Green, Ick!

 

Meanwhile, back at Mobley we are awaiting the arrival of knights on white chargers to change the plumbing so we can get started on our adventure. The house was approximately 112 degrees inside the other day, so this gal is not risking her life until its under 90 degrees, lol.....

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me......working in a 112 degree house does not strengthen me.

Theresa

Tennis In The Park Anyone?

Okay, this is just too interesting to me. Mobley is located in a 55+ park mobile estate that has an interesting history. Built in the 1970's on the outskirts of town, it is where the oil executives parked, lol, their elderly parents. The best mobiles, the best clubhouse, spacious yards, and close proximity to the upscale neighborhood of the oil folks.

If you were alive in the 70's you know tennis was hugely popular. Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, teen heart throbs, engaged, not engaged. Wimbledon, the French Open, and Flushing Meadow, tennis at its finest.  Well, this place had regulation size tennis courts, and the streets are named after tennis terms. Love Lane, Set Lane, and then there's Vilas Lane.

Do you remember Guillermo Vilas, the Venezuelan tennis star, with his long flowing locks and left handed swing? Well, he has the distinction of being the only tennis star with a street in the park  named after him. I think someone had a crush, just sayin........

The Young Bull of the Pampas ~ Guillermo Vilas

There is a club house beside the tennis courts, and it's been rumored that some of the Hollywood set used to play on the courts and have drinks in the lounge. How amazing is that! Oil folks knew folks!

The tennis courts cost way too much to maintain, so they're slated to be replaced with you guessed it, more homes. The clubhouse is now an exercise center and recreation room. But the stuff that dreams are made of is still here.

Though its heyday is past, this is still the nicest park in town. It's still on the outskirts of town and has the nicest amenities, and the nicest people.

The curious part is younger folks are moving in. The under 60 crowd wants to downsize, and live debt free at retirement. The pendulum has swung, and keeping up with the Joneses might just involve a vegetable garden and renovated mobile home. All hail Joneses wherever you are!

I hope I can help Mobley be a star. When I'm through perhaps, it'll be a matter of Game, Set, and Match! She's already a star in my eyes.

Blessings, Theresa

Extreme Pipe Dreams

Well, Mobley is officially ours. Escrow closed, lease signed, it's all hands to the handiwork.

First and foremost we must replace the plumbing. There is a little problem with "Gray Pipe", and it was recalled in 1995. Needless to say, the previous owners ignored the recall or simply didn't open their mail, lol. The inspector said repairing the leaks would only cause leaks elsewhere, so it's all new pipes.

So, our first official act as Mobley's parents owners is to replace all her pipes stem to stern. We knew of this prior to purchasing our mobile, so we were prepared.

I won't show pictures of the re-pipe, as I refuse to crawl underneath the house. But here is a picture of the offending pipe, all neatly stacked, as though it didn't cause any heartache at all.

Naughty Pipe, Naughty

 

We now begin our journey, starting anew at our ages, lol. But God is at the helm, and this ship is going forward into uncharted territory with wind in the sails and adventures to be had.

 

Breathe a prayer for us if you will,

We'll be the better for it!

 

Blessings, Theresa

 



P.S. We are hiring a licensed plumber to do the re-pipe lest you think we attempted said work, lol.

 



Buffets For Storage ~ I Found A Dream

Now, mobile homes are not known for storage. So, I must have a buffet for linens, right? This is what I told Mr. Winter, rather husband.

Then I began the search. It didn't take long until I found the buffet of my dreams. It's official name is the Finch Fine Furniture Antique Buffet, and I found it on a great website called Studio 1404.

I contacted the owner, Amanda, and she graciously consented to let me use her photo.

Studio 1404

 

Isn't she Splendiferous, Yummy, Beautiful? Yes, she is!

 

 

Sadly, Studio 1404 is located in West Bottoms, Kansas City, Missouri, and I am in California. I'm sure it was snatched up long ago anyway. So, now the hunt for another Finch Fine Furniture Antique Buffet is on.

 

There is even a secret to this lovely buffet. The top looks like an ornamental overhang but it is really two hidden drawers. Be still my beating heart! I wanted to crop it up close for you, but I think the photo is protected. It wouldn't let me change it one bit......

 

 I pinned it to my Finding Grace, Going Mobile board, and it has already been re-pinned three times today. A true piece of perfection! Thank you Amanda for allowing me to share.

 

Be sure to visit Amanda at Studio 1404 on Facebook, too. She always has something going on for her customers and friends.

 

Blessings, Theresa



 



In The Beginning........

Let's see, where do I start. Oh yes, during the last three years my life fell apart. I became unemployed, my husband was forced to retire, my parents, in their 80's, required in-home care, then my mother, my total bestie, suddenly passed away.

 My husband and I still stay with my father 5 days a week, and see our house on the weekends. Oh, did I mention we are doing a short sale on that house? Who needs the big earthquake, California's already underwater, at least most of the houses are!

I did the requisite amount of crying, yelling at God, blaming others, and on and on and on.

God just waited till I calmed down. It took me three years! Then he applied mercy and gave me GRACE. A big huge heaping helping of God's awesome grace.

My husband and I decided to look at mobile homes in the 55+ park where his father lives. I said park, they are called "Mobile Estates", lol.  We found a 1982 Double Wide at a reasonable price (less than a new car, lol).

Voila, as I speak we are in escrow! Soon, it will be all hands to the handiwork!

Here She Is ~ Waiting For A Makeover

 

I Love The Entrance ~ It's Due For A Trim

 

I wanted to direct you to three other blogs that are a total source of inspiration to me! Ceekay at  Thinking of Home, Geneva at My Heart's Song, and Teresa at Magazine Your Home. Their links are on my sidebar blog roll.

P.S. My cousin, friends for life, bought the mobile home across the street on the same day! Yay!

Cute As A Bug ~ Just Like My Cousin

Let the journey begin!

P.S. The name of the street is Love Lane. God has a sense of humor!

Blessings , Theresa