No, I wasn’t drinking. And I’m not sure if women my age even get hormonal, so I doubt that’s it. I’m pretty sure it’s because the last of our kiddos is escaping exiting the helipad next week, and this might be a good diversion from chain-eating bars of Aldi’s chocolate while shedding empty nest tears.
Hey.
Hey, Em! Snip snap, your five readers don’t have all day.
Right, sorry. You know what I did?
I impulsively signed up myself (and my long-contemplated Dining Room refresh) for the One Room Challenge!
I know: you five regular readers just spit out your coffee.
You did what!!!
Yes. Miss “It-Normally-Takes-Me-Three-Years-To-Complete-A-Project-(If-At-All)” has gone all in with people who git ‘er done in eight weeks. Eight Weeks. I’ve taken longer trying to figure out how to post something on Instagram.
I thought you said bucket lists were your kiss of death. Isn’t the ORC a bucket list on caffeine.!!!
They are, and it is (and I hope I haven’t just jinxed myself into breaking an appendage).
So, if you’ve never heard of the ORC (as we insiders🤣 like to call it)
“Beginning in 2011 with the desire to finally finish ONE room in her home, Linda had the idea to motivate herself and a small group of online friends by setting up a challenge to work along side one another with the goal of having one finished room.”
~OneRoomChallenge.com
I mean, sound like anyone you know?
(I’m picturing Iris right now, shaking her head while she tells Koda, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”)
Me too, Iris. Me, too.
So…What’s the plan, Stan? (Besides compiling my list of excuses for eight weeks from now, that is.)
First, eliminate the crap corner (yet again). And let’s be clear, this isn’t the OLD crap corner…
I’m referring to the redecorated crap corner:
With one of the recently vacated bedrooms becoming a sewing workspace for my projects, I can relocate the crap corner to the inside of the room’s closet, free from the harsh but justified glares from a certain Mr.
Next…and this is a toughie, clear out the dining room china cabinet and kiss it goodbye. I have to admit, this is NOT an easy decision. I feel like I’m kicking Grandma to the curb. Check out how nice she looks here when I first I showed her to you a few years ago:
and here again decked out for Christmas:
Mr and I agree that it will be a sad day, but we’re ready for a change. We’ve toyed with stashing it elsewhere, but it seems like that would be prolonging the agony. Ironically, the whole fam is a little sad about it…even though no one actually WANTS it. I’m listing it on our local Buy Nothing as there are currently–and this is no lie–three local listings for the EXACT same cabinet on Craigslist and Marketplace as I type this:
The cabinet will be replaced by this buffet and the makeover of that piece is already underway (Iris leans to Koda and says “‘Already underway,’ Haha. We’ve heard her use that one before, haven’t we, Koda?“)
The photos above are what the DR used to look like pre-Covid. Since then, I repurposed the picture frames on the wall for my living room gallery wall and “stuck” other pictures there. This was the room yesterday morning:
About a half hour later, I took everything out of the cabinet, which is why you’ll have to wait for a better picture of this area:
The arrow points to a drop leaf table which is currently home to my desktop. This computer does NOT belong in the dining room, for sure… It found its way there during the dark days when four adults were working from home and hasn’t found its way out yet. It will now.
I’ll be making new window treatments, which the room hasn’t had for years. (I’m sure the neighbors will be happy that they no longer have to watch us eat.) The console table will be rehomed or relocated.
I intend to keep the same wall color as the background for a hand-painted chinoiserie mural (cue the leap of faith):
After the mural is painted (that’s it Em, think positive), I have a couple of surprises for it that I can’t WAIT to get out of my head and into real life. I had intended to put wainscoting in the room, but I think I’ll skip that and let the mural do its thing. OR, if “it’s thing” doesn’t turn out the way I hope, I’ll eat another bar of chocolate and regroup.
Seating has also been a bugaboo for that room because we have more people than chairs. I originally thought it would be cool to make a long bench for the foyer side of the table, but I recently found four matching chairs to our set on Kaiyo (a reseller site), so I ordered them and will recover all the chairs. Less chance of failure, less chance of procrastinating. Also, I just got a text message from the carrier…the chairs are being delivered tomorrow. Yikes!
And that chandelier…yuk. I’m open to suggestions. I can’t blame anyone else, I picked it out myself; but I’ve always thought it had a funeral parlor vibe…so it would be nice to switch that out for something more upbeat. (If you have a fixture that’s just like it, I think it’s beautiful in your house and doesn’t make me think of a funeral parlor at all.)
While it seems like an achievable goal for a normal person, it looks like five projects more than I would typically accomplish in eight weeks. Maybe it will take me eight weeks just to get rid of the crap corner., who knows?
According to “the rules” it’s suggested that I provide a weekly update either by blog post or via Instagram. And frankly, THAT will be one of my biggest challenges. I may have to try something new…wordless posts!
Okay. fingers crossed, challenge accepted.
So, I am behind. Starting at the beginning – a very nice place to start – so I can revel in the details of this massive project. Can’t wait to follow your progress. Much relieved to know you, too, have a crap corner. Or, HAD a crap corner.
You are so sweet! Do NOT feel compelled to read all my drivel! My usual whinefest, haha. Abridged version on Instagram. 😘
In the same boat, trying to refresh the nest! This fall…the outside deck….maybe next Spring the dining room as well!! ( I want to ditch the witch too, haha)
Oooh, a deck project sounds fun (as in AFTER it’s done, with a nice beverage in hand).
Crazy that we were more attached to having the cabinet than actually liking it. I did like all the glass reflection and wondered where we’d actually put all the “stuff,” but everything seems to have found a home and–one week later–zero people in the building even miss it.
And let’s be clear, this isn’t the OLD crap corner…
*****
BWAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO FUNNY! Love all this. And that you are (apparently) somewhat human seeing that: You Have Crap Corners.
Evidence you are SUPER-human? You take on projects which would make me sprint for the hills — on the regular, you take on such projects. Well — good on you! Don’t let me slow you down! I feel proud of you, & not even enviously! Just pure proud of you!
Cathy in Missouri (who can’t shut up even though she is late)
IRL, I’m more human than is fit for the internet…this is just the carefully edited human so that no one reports me to the county…or at least to the neighbor ladies.
Also.. full disclosure: “taking on” projects is NOT the same as completing them or completing them well, lest you are too liberal with dispersing your pride….but man, this is making me a little ashamed of not getting stuff like this done in the past. Makes me wonder how many games of online backgammon or sudoku I have played. 😬
Seeing that I’m in a rush and unable to comment as I prefer (at present) — yet, I must say how delighted I was to “see” Iris and Koda scattered here and there throughout this post!
Love Iris and Koda! Iris!! I mean it! And Koda!! You, too!
Also – is Jack getting progressively more and more and more darling? Or is it just my ancient eyes? But I suspect that he IS!
And not least – your posts, if they are anywhere near as much fun as you are, certainly recommend you as a friend-to-adore, Ms. Em.
FUNNY. AND SMART. AND A LITTLE SMART ALECK.
Please never stop writing (when you feel like it) ~
Cathy in Missouri
I don’t know how it came to be, but I am constantly and affectionately imagining Iris’s voice in my head with these posts…like I have unfairly or otherwise assigned her all the teal dialog, And then…when I reached out to ask her If she minded if I did that publicly, she politely agreed while underscoring that she concurred. LOVE THAT!
She reminds me of a very good friend with whom I exchange that kind of banter on the regular. Both are blessings (as are you)!
I cracked up when you referenced Iris and Koda!!
Me, on the other hand, has complete faith in you. Because you are amazing. Seriously.
I’m with you on the chandelier and I’ve had my eye on a retractable fan one for our living room. But you don’t need a fan in there, so you have so many options.
I understand the sentimentality of the china cabinet. It was just as hard for me to get rid of my dad’s drafting table. But things are just things, right. (The best secret is move 1000 miles away. It makes getting rid of thing MUCH easier, haha)
Anyways, can’t wait for the updates.
And hey, we just came back from Aldis. I didn’t even realize they sold chocolate bars.
OXXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Haha, I actually asked Iris first! I love that she gets me…accountability is why I started blogging in the first place.
Makes me happy that i hear her voice in my head, haha. First rule of writing anything: try to be aware of your audience.
As a VERY sentimental person, I’ve always kept everything that means anything …until recently…and suddenly i have gotten very practical! Out. It. Goes.
Oh wow, the Aldi milk chocolate/hazelnut is great! My parents eat the the dark chocolate version, which i think is healthier… but whoa, the stuff is quality for a discount store!
Pretty excited for this! Thx for your support 😘
Okay, I’m here (with Koda) and just shaking my head. Really! Now you know I’m going to watch you VERY carefully. I actually thought you already had a beautiful dining room – I love the china cabinet with all that glass. But then I’m old, and I tend to prefer old things. Anyway, after reading this post carefully, I’m anxious to see just exactly what you’re going to do. When do your 8 weeks start and finish?
Iris (& Koda)
Hahaha! See? We definitely get each other and I sincerely appreciate your humor AND candor. Jack says hi to Koda, btw.
I love china cabinets as a rule for the exact reason you noted… the glass and all the reflections and the display of the traseures. But Mr and I each decided we didn’t like specific things about our cabinet…plus we’re in a “clean slate” mode….so it feels like a good joint decision.
The 8 weeks officially start today… and finish Nov 16 – 20.
Thanks so much for letting me include you as my inner voice. You might just be the reason I make it!! 😘
Ulp, ditch the China cabinet? You’re def braver than I. I’ve seen them converted to clothes storage…shirts, sweaters, pants, or shoes in the master bedroom or closet…if you can’t offload it and next a secondary use.
I’ve kept mine as it is part of a three piece set…quite frankly, that’s a weak reason… mine came from the Hub’s side of the family and will never be allowed to leave our home…well, as long as he’s around.
I love your ideas and wish you continued success…don’t get bogged down in missing the kiddies! This is your reaffirmation! You go to it girl and keep, please please keep us posted!
I know, Joann! The family muscles just came over and hauled it out to the garage for us.
We bought the set before moving into our first house in 1988. Our friends thought it was a crazy spend, but we so wanted to actually have special dinners–not that you need a dining room set to do that… But we recently decided we were married more to the memory and sacrifice of getting the set versus than the actual furniture and that made it easier to part with. Different deal when it’s your husband’s family heirloom, though. BTW…my favorite conversion is when people turn them into….aviaries! But with dogs that can snatch a finch out of the air…that ain’t happening, haha.
The kiddos have all left in reverse birth order, and Doschie is the last… I do think it’s hardest BEFORE it happens and shortly thereafter….it’s the anticipation that’s the worst, but I’m genuinely excited for them to all be starting their grown up lives.
GREATLY appreciate your support, sister! xoxo