Half-Bath Pallet Renovation Reveal!

This project is one that I helped my dad visualize.  I didn't do much of the work.  Long story short...Mom and Dad decided to move. (kept the house we grew up in for a rental) The new house is bigger, AND...an extremely well-built full brick ranch with a walk-out basement.  Their dream home.  Actually-mine too!  It's perfect and we all love it!  It's still close to where we are, where my older brother and his family are, and the old house.  It's great for holiday gatherings, has an open floor plan, and the basement is my dad's dream.  The old house had a basement but it was not functional.  More like a cellar to store canned goods and hide in when a tornado came.  It was frightful to say the least.  So, like I said, My dad did most of the work.  I just got the project going.  They moved last summer.  After having lived in one house for 25 years, you begin to acquire a bunch of crap!  So, Dad kept telling all of us that he wanted absolutely NOTHING!  He was a little burnt out if you catch my drift.  So, since his "man-cave" half bath in the basement boasted a pink sink and toilet, I decided to get him a faucet and a galvanized bucket for the sink.  And, yes, I meant to type that.  I was inspired by this...

Source

PERFECT!!!  So, for the "rustic" look, I went with this faucet from Home Depot.  It's expensive but it was his Christmas gift.  For the sink....I got him a bucket similar to the picturebbelow..  And we went through two of them.  On the first one when we drilled the hole, we cracked the bottom.  No worries, it's now the trash can.  We were more careful on the second one. We got the bucket from Rural King.  Be sure if you're doing this to use silicon to seal the bottom to prevent any leaks.

I had some left over river rock tile that we used for the sink top and back splash.  So, I did that.  He came up with the ideas for everything else.  Here are some before pics.

And, here are some after pics... that's the same vanity that was there.  Dad just used more pallets to redesign over it.  And he ripped out the adhesive tiles and put in a new ceramic tile floor!  I did the back splash and "vanity top".  And we did replace the pink toilet with a white one. :)  Dad completed the toilet by adding a deer seat for the man cave.  The TP and towel holders are antlers dad had laying around...and yes, there are lots and lots more of them!

The layout of that area is different.  Here are my "best" sketches to show you what he did.  And yes, he even used pallets on the ceiling and added a motion activated (outdoor) light to the man-cave outhouse!  My dad is amazing!  Wait until I show you what he did in our new house!!!

He spent days breaking pallets up...if you're going to do this...or something like this, be patient!!!
We are waiting on the picture to go in the window behind the toilet, and I'm in the process of making the mirror.  But I couldn't want to share.

PB Knockoff...except the Nakedness

It's almost been a year since I began blogging- primarily to keep myself busier than I ever thought possible, and partly to share creations/obstacles/epic failures with all of you.  When I wanted to make some upgrades to the house, I researched a lot of ideas online...then I stumbled across a few honest blogs, and TONS of perfectly fake blogs.  They made me feel bad, like....hello, my "playground" of a house is never going to be that clean...even on its best day.  So, I felt it was necessary to start my blog.

Why am I telling you this?!?  Welp, remember that welcome back to me message from Monday?  You know, the one where I said I was going to share a PB knockoff with you yesterday?!?  Ok...NOW you're following me.  Well, guess what?!?!  No shade = No reveal.  But then I got thinking...look out right?!?  DANGEROUS... Who cares if it's not totally done...it's as done as it's going to get...especially since I'm not really sure where it's going anyway.  I have some great fabric, but until I figure out just how I'm going to do the shade part...you'll just hafta enjoy the nakedness.  And maybe if you go junkin this weekend-you'll remember to look for an old tripod that you can put a lamp kit on and have some nakedness for yourself...for a fraction of Pottery Barn's!

Here she is...Naked Nancy!!

 No shade....just Nancy.  In all her versatile nakedness.  She can be "Tall"

Or...she can be "short and stout".

Either way, she is fun, and I love her.  I'd been wanting one of these since who knows when, but since I've not been junkin' in a while I haven't had the chance to find a tripod.  I went to Target today and bought a plain white lamp shade to cover.  Hopefully, the monsters will allow me some time to get it finished tonight.  If not, so what?!?  I have a "junk" desk and chair to paint up tonight too.  Who wants to start placing bets that neither gets finished tonight?!?  AND...I cropped out so much of the photos because I'm saving it for the big reveal for the 25th.  Sorry!

TRB...The Voice....What's in a Name-A Blog's Name?...and Exciting News...Wrap-up!

Hey Y'all!

So, I promised I'd let you in on a few surprises, and wrap-up the month with where the name of my blog came from.  It worked out great because (obviously) I've been writing a lot about Grandma lately, and also told you about a surprise that "is in the works for you"... This is a great seg-way into that surprise.  Here's how it went down...

Last January, (2011) Mr. A2B and little ol' me were driving to the Indianapolis Airport on our way to catch our flight to Tampa to get on The Rock Boat.  Every year, they compile a "sampler" cd so everyone can become familiar with a few song of some of the artists on board.  I had just received a call from my mom about my Grandma.  She was calling to tell me that her doctors thought it would be best to start dialysis.  When someone goes on dialysis, they have to have a port put into place.  Grandma didn't do well with surgeries, so we were all very scared to say the least.  I made mom promise me that they would not do the surgery until we got back, so they waited.  With tears rolling down my eyes, I turned to Mr. A2B and told him I wasn't ready to loose her.  He sympathized, and reached for the volume knob, and turned up this song, and said, "here babe, this will make you feel better"...as I listed to it, the chorus came...and I was immediately appalled that he could be so insensitive.  The first line goes, "And Oh my my honey, everybody dies"...I (of course) screamed at him...and turned it off.  He interrupted me and said, no, listen babe, just listen.  So I did.

Here's a video clip (not the best quality, but the only one that I was able to put on here)

It quickly became my theme song.  For a better version from ON-AIRSTREAMING, click here.  You'll be directed to Youtube.

You may not know why this became my "theme" song, but it struck a chord and I used it when I delivered my Grandma's Memorial Speech.  I also delivered her Eulogy.   Here was her Memorial Speech:

"Most of you were here when we buried Grandpa, and if you weren’t, Grandma literally tripped and almost fell head first into his vault, so all I can say is; well, she really fell for him this time…  In January each year, we go on the Rockboat…it’s a floating musical festival, and you get a chance to see some up and coming singers/songwriters.  This year, we got Seth *(my little bro) hooked on it.  There was and artist named Matt Hires on the boat.  I didn’t get to see his show, because I was busy making sure Seth wasn’t trying to hijack the cruise ship…but he has a song called A to B.  Andrew suggested that I use it today…  The chorus of the song goes,

And oh my my honey everybody dies

But you’ve got, you’ve got to see

That you can live your life walking in a straight line

But it’s more than just A to B

As we are gathered here in this cemetery, take a look around you.  The headstones all give a date of birth and a date of death, an A and a B.  Someone next year walking by here will get to see ma and paw’s A and B, but not know anything else.  But we are lucky because we were given the privilege to be a part of their middle.  The part that matters.  I could walk over there…and tell you their A and B but I wouldn’t have a clue about who they really were.  But for grandma, and paw beside her, I can tell you everything there is to know.  That’s what will make me smile long after this day has passed, that’s what will comfort me in the coming weeks…is that somewhere between her A and B she touched my life and so many others.  Between her A and B she lived such an unselfish beautiful life that words from me couldn’t begin to do it justice.  I could go on and on about what made her so special.  But I don’t need to tell all of you how special and wonderful she was.  Because you’re here.  You wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t somehow touched your life too.

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.  And whatever you do, don’t just think of life as going from A to B…because it’s not when or how you go, it’s life and what you make it.  It’s the traveling, not the road that gets you there."

It was just as she would have wanted...short, sweet, and to the point.  No time for tears, just smiles and happy memories.  I wanted my blog to have her written all over it...and that's how From A to Being came about.  I was going to go with: A to B....but it wasn't quite right...so I went with From A to Being because whether it's a softball field, a cake, finding yourself, refinishing a piece of furniture, taking on a small craft, or parenthood, all things go "From A to Being".

How does this relate to the "potentially good news for me?" I know that's what you're thinking.  Well, since The Rock Boat has been so good to me, helping me find new artists whose songs are relate-able, and have helped me tremendously, I approached the Marketing Director for Sixthman (The company responsible for the floating music festival)...Anthony between concerts.  BTW-Ken and Drew from Sister Hazel will claim it was their idea, but I'm pretty sure Andy Levine was the master mind behind it.  Anyway, hopefully, Sixthman might tap into the blogging world for advertising.  So, stay tuned for that because when Sixthman does something, they do it right.

Don't think you'll know any of the artists?  Many of you probably know a few artists from past Rock Boats.  Don't believe me, watch this....YEP!  Zac Brown performed Chicken Fried on Rock Boat IV...YEARS before he became what he is now...Here he is performing with Sister Hazel.

Last year, I found another favorite...NEEDTOBREATHE.  They opened for Taylor Swift...and now...they're huge.  One of the best parts of it all?  The artists don't leave the boat (unless they go on an excursion or something like that)...they're your boat-mates for a whole week.  AND...ever wondered what is behind one of your favorite songs?  Ask them while you're in line for pizza at 2 a.m. Or catch an intimate acoustic show on the Serenity Deck...as you're sippin a nice drink, watching the sun set...while listening to your favorite artist...from a hot tub...yes.  It's true.  

Here's a shot of Will Hoge (my all-time favorite artist...Mr. A2B proposed at one of his concerts) on the Serenity Deck...

GREAT show...absolutely amazing.  You may have heard of Will...his song Wings is at the top of the Country Charts, and on CMT every morning.  His song Even if it Breaks Your Heart is being sung by the Eli Young Band.  Here's Will's version.

Here's The Rock Boat XI recap video...Song in the background is NEEDTOBREATHE!

The Rock Boat XI Recap from Sixthman TV on Vimeo.

I hope you're checking into The Rock Boat!!!  I've certainly been inspired!  Hopefully you will be too!  Happy Friday!

*****AND...almost forgot...THIS GUY...Tony Lucca...now on The Voice.  Yep...Rockboater!

To My Dearest Saint...What's it Like in Heaven? I made a shadow box out of your piano bench...

Well Gma-
You've been up there for a year now.

A year ago today mom called in the wee hours of the morning telling me to "hurry, it's bad".  I'll never forget that sinking feeling.  You probably don't have the same memories of that day and I'm relieved because I know you wouldn't have wanted to see us in pain-any more than we had to see you in yours.  I'm not sure what you recall about those last few days.  Mom and Heather never left your side and I saw you every morning on my way to the office, during lunch, and on my way home before softball practice.  Looking back, it's the worst roller-coaster ride I've ever been on.  One day you're walking down the halls of the "rehab" facility-laughing with us during lunch visits. And the next day, you were incoherent-not because of any fault of your own, but because they overdosed you with pain meds-had to treat you for it, and that sealed your fate... I prayed that God would take you because although my heart was shattered, you didn't deserve to go through all you did.  It didn't seem fair.  I kept asking why he would let someone feel so much pain.  Someone who hadn't hurt a single soul their whole time here on earth.  Someone who brought so much joy to those whose paths crossed theirs.  Someone who I refer to as "My Saint".  You passed away on a Tuesday early morning.  We were all with you.  The Friday before that we all had our chance to sit and watch basketball with you, laugh with you, and have you to ourselves one by one...I don't know if you remember or not, but we made promises to each other...When I asked you if you were ready to go, you said yes, soI made you promise me if God came to take you-you'd go and not try to stay for us.  In return, I promised you I'd be okay-I promised you I'd be there for mom and dad-I promised you I'd make sure everything was going to be alright.  You kept yours to me, and hopefully I've kept mine to you.

As I was lying restless in bed last night, I looked up to the moon-took a deep breath, and felt a sense of relief.  It's been a whole year.  Finally (well, except for the lump in my throat as I'm writing this) my heart doesn't feel physical pain.  I miss you more than I thought was imaginable, but I don't hurt anymore--I never thought I'd be able to say that.  BUT-I miss your voice, your advice, your jokes, your "Dateline NBC", Oprah, and Ellen recaps, your scent, and your beautiful smile.  I miss our Thursdays. I've not bought flowers for anyone this year, but I did send something to someone I met whose husband serves for us.  I have been slacking in our "pay it forward" project, but hopefully this year I'll do better.  I know you enjoyed that-oh how I miss our Thursdays...  And last night, while I wasn't physically hurting, there's still a hole in my heart.  I look at the kids and smile-I wonder what you'd say about them.  I can see in my head your expression-when they learn something new, or when I explore this crazy task of parenthood.  How proud of them you must be-I know you are, I just wish I could see it.  I think the most unfortunate part of all of this is the kids will only know you through stories we tell them.  They can't experience your gentle touch, or calming demeanor, or have the opportunity to truly see a heart of gold...They won't remember My Saint.  I can still remember the day Jordan was born, and how you refused to leave the hospital until she made her sweet little way into this crazy world.  I remember you ran out of oxygen, and were very short of breath, and starting to look bad...but when you held her...when you held my sweet little girl, your face lit-up and for that moment I saw you happier than I had for a while...I'll cherish that memory for the rest of my time on earth.

I read your letter often.  It helps.  I wish you would have included a life map or something.  The more I read it, the more satisfied I become.  I'm not sure what I was expecting, but at first...I read it...and said, "that's it?!?!  That's all she wrote to me?!?"  But I understand it now.  It's taken almost a year.  Simple. Heartfelt. To the point. Honestly, there are no words you could have written that would have made me happy, because my heart was broken and unable to reflect on all of the beautiful lasting memories we made.  I'm a little more capable to enjoy those now.  Slowly, the images of your painful last few days are fading away.  I'm trying to help mom.  She's coming around slowly, but she's coming around.  And dad?  He hides it well....MOST of the time. There was no fighting!  Mom did a good job!  You'd have been so proud of her!  Heather is happy now.  I wish you could have seen her this way before you went home.  It's what you had always wanted for her....just to be happy.  And she is.  Slowly, the old Heather we knew and love is making her way back and it makes me so happy because I missed her.  We all did!  Oh Grandma, you would be so proud!  I hope you are enjoying all you left behind!  It wouldn't be- if you hadn't laid the groundwork-our family is built on the strongest foundation imaginable.  It's all because of you!

I'm sure you have noticed I have started a new hobby.  I had to do something other than softball because honestly, every memory of softball had you in it, and it was so painful!  I forgot how to enjoy it.  So, I started refinishing furniture...and blogging.  I know right?  Of all things?!?  It's your fault you know?  It all started with your piano bench.  You know....the one that sat on your vanity with the hole in the caning.  Mom had to tell numerous people it wasn't for sale but was just being used to hold some things for the garage sale.  She gave it to me because it was special to you.  She had no idea what it started.  Honestly, I had no clue either.  I just knew I wanted to fix it because it was yours, and you loved it.  I started out doing it for you.  You must have known I needed something to keep me busy-you must have known I needed something-you must have known this "new hobby" would nurture my shattered empty heart.  Initially, I just took a can of spray paint to the legs....I hated it.  So, out of despair-I started over.  Orange stripper.  I had never refinished anything.  I didn't even know where to begin...but somehow I figured it out.  All by myself! I When I was cleaning it up, I saw the most beautiful wood-more beautiful than any piece of furniture I'd ever seen.  I took my time.  Something in my letter kept running through my head...over....and....over.  "I hope you always remember how beautiful life is, you have a special heart for those around you".... and so I found the beauty in it.  A broken down old piano bench.  The most beautiful piano bench I'd ever seen.  So, I took that beautiful bench, stripped it, sanded it, stained it and made it as beautiful to other's eyes, as it was all along in mine.  I started out doing it for you-finished it for myself, and rediscovered myself in the process!  Tomorrow, for my readers, I'll detail the process.  But since this letter has already been long, I'll just show the before and after pictures.  I put all of "OUR" favorite things in there.  I know you'll just love it!

I miss you Grandma Booboo!  Please keep looking out for all of us.  I love you MORE!!!!
Love,
Your Ashiebutt

Before

A Week with the Grils- Cassie from Primitive and Proper!

Hello A to Being lovers!  I am Cassie from Primitive and Proper.  I am so excited to be here today on Ashley's amazing blog!  She is crazy talented and super sweet!  On my blog, I write about my home, and some craft projects, but my specialty started as furniture makeovers!  The blog just kind of got a mind of its own though and took off running! :)  Some of my absolute favorite pieces to do are French dressers and sideboards.  Here is a look at some of my past French projects. (Click on the photo to see the original post)

One of my all time favorite pieces goes way back to before I had many followers, so it's old, but may be new to you!

A long long time ago in a magical place called the Habitat Restore, I found this curvy, large French sideboard that needed some love.

I loved everything about it except for that grate work in the doors, but as luck would have it, they were removable!  I took them out as well as the panels behind them, and sanded the entire piece.  I decided to do something fun on the door panels since I had been able to remove them. I set them aside, and worked on the main body, sanding it and priming it and painting it white.  (It was long ago so I don't know what white I used!).  After a few coats, I distressed it by hand, and then went over the entire piece with Minwax Golden Oak stain for a warmer aged look.  I replaced the hardware, and then worked on the panels.  I decided to paint them with chalkboard paint!  I thought that would be fun and unique!  (And remember this was 2 years ago, so I was way ahead of the chalkboard game back then! ;) ).  Anyhow, I took a picture of it in my basement once it was done since it was the winter we got so much snow, and was just too cold outside to take it out for a picture.  So here is my cruddy basement picture....

One of my favorite clients who lived in the same town as me bought it, so I was able to get a better picture of it. I have since moved, so Bridget, if you are reading this, I miss you!!!!!  here it is in her gorgeous dining room!

And if you want to see more of Bridget's gorgeous home, click here.

Part of the thrill of painting and selling furniture is seeing it go home to a beautiful place like this!  And I love knowing that the client will treasure the piece for time to come!

Thank you so much for having me here today, Ashley!

Old Wine Jug Lamp Tutorial....Another PB Knockoff!

Source

Hello Beautiful People!
I'm not sure how the weather's been your way, but it's been extremely mild for Indiana.  Although, I say that, and according to Weather.com, snow may be coming Friday.  I've been overwhelmed with a sinus infection, a cold, and the flu for the last two weeks.  Finally, today-I'm starting to feel a little better!  I can't help but think it's partly due to the weather.  Typically, I'm never sick.  And wouldn't you know it, just as I start to feel better, the little Monsters start to feel yucky!  Oh, the joys of parenthood!  Before I get into the tutorial I want to share just a few exciting upcoming posts.  I'm going on vacation next Wednesday and since I will be gone for awhile, I asked some of my favorite Bloggie BFF's to enlighten you!  Beginning March 2nd through the 9th don't miss a post during  "A Week With The Girls"...just to tease you-here are their names...Kate, Gwen, Janette, Marilyn, Cassie, Sarah, Roeshel, and Traci...I'll let you think about it, and if you're lucky, tomorrow I'll reveal their blogs.  On to the tutorial...

Here's what you'll need:

Burlap lampshade (or shade of your choice)

Old jug, glass bottle...whichever you prefer

Bottle lamp kit

Phillips Screwdriver (when you assemble the lamp kit)

Light bulb

You can get the bottle lamp kit at Wallmart for around $4 or $5 bucks.  They also have lamp kits that aren't specifically bottle lamp kits, and they will work as well.  If you get one of those, you'll need heavy duty adhesive.  I didn't have a bottle lamp kit, so I just used the adhesive and it worked fine.

Okay, so literally I've been loving these lamps from Pottery Barn.  HOWEVER~I'm not rich, and honestly, if I DID have an extra $250-$300 dollars lying around...I sure as hell wouldn't spend it on a lamp!  Aren't they LOVELY?

$349.00  Pottery Barn

$99 Pottery Barn

$169 and $199 Pottery Barn

$149 Ballard Designs

$209 Pottery Barn

You get the idea...so there I was...STUCK...Hmmm....what to do what to do?  Make one!  This is the easiest of easy projects.  I'm sure Mr. A2B could do it...and he doesn't do things like this!    

First, the jug-My Grandma used this old jug as a door stop filling it with change all year, to put into the little plastic Easter Eggs.  I didn't want to get rid of it, but wasn't sure how to "showcase" it.  Since it has so much sentimental value-I wanted it to get attention.  Then, the shade.  I knew I wanted burlap.  it was a splurge, BUT I wasn't patient enough to scour all my junk places...I wanted it done...YESTERDAY!

Not to mention how great of a conversation piece it is!  It's on the ledge of the half wall up in the loft...so you can see it right when you walk in the house.  And, I'm planning on finishing up the gallery wall this weekend, so I'll get better pics of this when it's done.  I didn't want to spoil it for you.

And the best part?!?!?  Mine only ran me $18.98!!!  The shade was $14 at Target.  And the lamp kit was $3.99 found one that was "previously opened"....and I couldn't have cared less...all the guts were there!  Now that I saved $ on my lamp....I can dream about this little side table.... too flippin cute!

$179 Ballard Designs

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