Go With The Flo

Client Piece & SALE!

2012-01-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

Winnie & Tulula's is having a pretty huge sale for 4 days only!! Feb 1-4.....every booth (including mine) will be discounted 20-50% off! I already purchased a buffet for half off from another vendor that I'll be redoing! Love, love.....

And finally, a client piece is finished - one more to go. This sweet little dresser was just dyin' to be green.

And green she became. (No staging shots here, keepin' it for realz.....)

I always get a little nervous painting for people. I wonder will they like this? or that? or is this distressed too much? or too little? To be honest, it's easier for me to create what I want, and people just buy if they like. Hopefully, this will be exactly what my client was imagining it would be~

Scary Day

2012-01-20T18:21:00.001-08:00

It almost felt surreal.

I got a call from Grace's school today. I was teaching, and my principal told me that "something" had happened to Grace and I needed to go check it out. I was cool. Calm. This wasn't my first call to the nurse's office. We've had our share of sick kids, fevers, throw up days, and even one huge knot on a forehead from bumping into a pole......but I never expected this kind of news.

"Grace had a seizure today, we think," the nurse stated. Grace was sitting in the secretary's chair, weak looking, but smiling - playing Angry Birds on an iPad.

A what?? A look of incredulousness washed over my face. Seizure? What in the world? My Grace is perfectly healthy...heck, she has been off the percentile chart in growth since birth.

I ran to talk to her PE coach, who was there when it happened, and he gave me the play by play. I gotta say, I was still in an okay frame of mind, until he said, "She twitched for about 5 or 6 seconds....her shoe even came off." That was it. I stormed out of the gym, headed back to the office. I vividly remember having a strong, emotional conversation with Satan that went like this, "Get back! Hands off, Satan! She is NOT yours to play with. Get behind MY Lord!" I'm not quite sure why this was my first response. It could possibly be that I've been preparing myself for the battles he might begin to wage because we've committed to a mission opportunity this summer as a family.

I immediately called my hubs, who met me in the parking lot in less than 3 minutes with a furrowed brow (his worry comes out with vengeance). The drive was long and one pervading thought was of my own mother....and her brain tumor....I tried to push those away. There were several phone calls to friends, doctors, family, and other people who we thought might could offer us any information on what could be wrong. One hour later, we were at the Tyler ER. A battery of tests run - CATscan, blood sample, urine samples, EKG's....all turned out fine.

A wonderful, wonderful doctor at the ER (plus a phone consult from our own family doctor), both were sure this was a common occurence in children. Grace's story of what happened correlated perfectly. It's called the vasovagal part of the brain. In adults, it's one small section that acts as a "shut down/restart" button for the brain whenever there is severe trauma or heightened bodily stressors (anxiety, nervousness, etc). In children, their entire brain is pretty much one big vasovagal. So even small stressors or pain, can cause fainting....and fainting can have twitching, uncontrollable bladders, etc.....during the process.

Grace, as she relayed what happened, was playing with the ball in a stuffy, warm gym. She had only eaten a granola bar that morning and it was about to be lunch, so she was hungry. She tripped and hit her knee on the gym floor, which she said really hurt. When she got up, she felt dizzy. The coach told her to sit down. When she sat, she fainted on the floor and had body twitches. She awoke groggy, but was fine after food and rest.

Needless to say, I was thankful to be living in a country where our medical needs can be attended to with relative ease. I was so thankful to have Grace healthy. In that brief moment, I felt just a miniscule fraction of what parents feel when they watch their babies suffer through terrible diseases....battling day after day....I cannot imagine. Or to be a parent who loses a child without the luxury of one moment more.

My heart is saddened for all those cases. I rest it all in the hands of our Lord, who has already embraced those sweet children in His arms forever.

2011 Year in Review

2012-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

January. Always a time for me to sit back and reflect on what the past year did to my soul.

2011. First of all, I started a furniture refurbishing biz. "Goin' with the Flo" opened in April '11 at our local antique store, and I surprised myself with the fact that it hasn't done too shabby! It was a steep learning curve with pricing, marketing, etc. It's hard work, requires lots of time, but....afterall....it's been a blessing because it began with an even more soul-searching quest - saying "yes" to Uganda. (nice segway into the soul part....)

I didn't want to go at first. Then I said yes, and I worried. Constantly. Would the plane crash? Would I be left swirling in the massive ocean or die from the plane breaking up? Would my hubby mourn my loss or would he take my life insurance money, marry momma #2, and get gone? (just kiddin') But seriously, safety was a huge concern of mine. In fact, it overshadowed the reason why I said 'yes' to begin with - God told me to - and it turned out to be just what God thinks worrying is - useless.

I went. I saw. I came back ashamed, jubilant, and depressed all at the same time (is that mix of emotion possible?) Uganda struck a chord in me that needed to be played. It hasn't left my heart much at all these past months.......

The girls. Growing. Like. Weeds.
Sophie - about to turn 3 in four days. She is laughter personified. Her vocabulary has pretty much doubled in just the past month, and lucky me, we've found a skill she's really good at - cleaning up. For some odd reason, my wildest daughter excels at cleaning a room. She can do it like nobody's business......
Grace - halfway through her 2nd grade year. She reads on a 4.0 book level, has mastered the art of eating without her two front teeth (yep, they are both gone!), and has challenged herself with camping trips out in the deeeeeeeeeeeep, electricless country. Also, she has shown me that Africa wasn't just a trip that I was supposed to go on. It was one she lived through me in her little 7 year old mind, and that was a blessing to me.

The hubs. Hmmmmm. Let me start by saying we are about to have our 10 year anniversary. Ten years. Amazing. These past couple years, through our trials of homes, moving, remodeling (twice), and living to tell the tales of home remodeling, have brought us to a new place. We realize we can work together. We like to work together, and goshdarnit, we like each other's ideas (most of the time). He's improved his own craft of woodworking and has finished a few custom client pieces that are really beautiful. And, about 5 years ago, he started running. Like Forrest Gump. Now he's taken it to a new level in trail racing and has done the insane - like 100k's, 50 k's, ....added few more marathons under his belt. Even though I sometimes growl when it comes to the time spent in training, I'm proud of his dedication......and for inspiring and helping others to do the same.

We've finished the remodeling process in our current home that we plan to live in for a looong time. Yes, I said it guys. We plan on staying here (insert your remarks, but we won't laugh). .........Funny thing is though. Plans are just plans. They can change, they might not. In 2012, our family is already getting prepared to undertake one of the biggest challenges we've faced in a while.....more on that to come. But I'll leave you with an excerpt from my journal the other night.....it pretty much sums up my hope for 2012. And beyond.

"Lord, let my family be about You - in whatever package that looks like. Give us peace knowing that our decisions are Your decisions. Shed our skin so that we look more like you and less like us."

Marinating

2012-01-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

There will come a day when my daughter is not fascinated by the old, weather beaten bird house on the side of the road. She will not pick it up. She will not want to fix its broken hinges. She will not want to take the time to splatter paint on it, and ask daddy to put it up again.

There will come a day when the little sister will not look up, wondering how sissy can reach so high, and wondering when she will ever grow that big.

I'm letting the flavor sink in, taking all the spices that life throws in the bag .....the good and the bad....hopeful that all will create something spectucular later, but knowing the importance of just lettting. it. sit. .....for a while.

Dum Dum

2012-01-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

Yes. I AM a dum dum sometimes, but not when it comes to good music. I thought I'd share this for all those mommas out there that have sons (or daughters) who are constantly "plugged in" you know....that music blarin', you don't understand the lyrics, but what you can catch....you don't like. That momma group....

Anyone that knows me (yes, Jennifer Massingill) knows that I pretty much jam out in my car when I ride solo (which is rare). I be all like rollin' in my Corolla....doin' the snake in my drivers seat....fingers snappin'.....ok, not totally....but kind of. My hubs has been a longtime fan of Lecrae, a Christian rap artist, and I gotta admit, it took me a while to catch on, but now they are a fave.

Not only are they biblically sound in their lyrics, Lecrae's music is biblically challenging! This song "Dum Dum" is by Lecrae and Tadashii (both Christian rap groups) They rock. Suggest it to your teens as an alternative.......they probably won't even notice the difference.

Wed. January 18th! Worth the drive.....

2012-01-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

I know I have a few local followers and 'lurkers' out there. If that's you, then I personally invite you to a night that will open your eyes and (possibly) make you long for the days of 'not knowing' because .....let's face it....those days were easier.

Wednesday, January 18th @ First Baptist Church Malakoff - 6pm.

Our town, through the grassroots marketing phenom called "facebook", logged enough votes to be one of the three towns (in AMERICA ya'll!), that Sixty Feet will visit. It'll be a night of testimonies, touching stories, and a showing of the film "Bereaved" based on the lives of the imprisoned children of Africa.

Come.

A Bunch of Firsts!

2012-01-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

This two week break is, sadly, almost over. I'll go back to teaching and look forward to spring break and summer break and any other break that allows me to hang with my children a bit longer. These past two weeks really were fun. And they were also full of firsts:

First Big Girl Room for Sophie (no crib!)

First On-Stage Performance in the Nutcracker for Grace
First Slumber Party for BOTH Grace & Sophie (isn't it so girly?)

I Heard that Sophers Hung Out at the Snack Area Most of the Night...

First Front Tooth Went Missing - Chalk Up Grace for $2!

2011 was a great year - bring on 2012!
Happy New Year!

We Are Grafted In

2011-12-29T07:08:00.000-08:00

Thank you to www.wearegraftedin.com for posting my recent blogpost "The Beauty" . This site is pretty challenging ......through a Christian worldview, it encourages and supports adoption and orphan care through different author postings, forums, etc.

Even though we are not in the process of adopting, this was a great opportunity to give a shout out once again to a ministry that lives in my heart - Sixty Feet. Visit either of these websites and you'll be challenged to do more for Christ's Kingdom. Promise.

* Also, as a side note, many might notice a change of % in the contributions made toward Sixty Feet. That is just my way to simplify things a bit. Figuring out exact profit per piece is tricky. You factor in furniture cost, paint, materials, etc. then add in the cost of my booth space rental, then save a little $ for future purchases, then finding profit = headache! So I decided to simply say 25% of each furniture sale, not the profit, will benefit Sixty Feet. I can handle that calculation. Much simpler.....

Christmas at 7 and 3....

2011-12-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

I have to say, this probably was one of my favorite Christmas mornings. The girls are just at that great age....the age where everything is magical and going to bed on Christmas Eve is next to impossible. And Sophie was just the cutest bunches of oats once she finally figured out what was going on!

Grace's Hallway Run...

Sophie's Hallway Run...
Santa visited. This year there was no "big gift". We wondered how the girls would respond, and as always, it turned out to be something that us 'ol folks worried about for no reason. Coloring books, some clothes, a game or two.....all were a hit.

That microphone produces some of the most annoying sounds ever, but hilarious they are!

I hope your Christmas was full of wonderful memories, as well. Happy Holidays!!

Grace's First Hunting Trip

2011-12-23T06:47:00.001-08:00

So my sweet hubs and his dad took their annual trip hunting wayyy down in South Texas. But this time, they inducted Grace. I don't know about you, but these pictures show how much she enjoyed the trip.

A little reading on the long drive...

They didn't shoot anything - saw bunches, but not "the one".

My hubs says "Sonora gives you what you need". Apparently, Gracie needed rest.

I'm so glad she had the opportunity to see the bigness of God's artwork right before Christmas........

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dresser Before & After.....

2011-12-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

Not the best pictures here....my sweet hubs had to load it up quick to take to Winnie's. I think it turned out quite nice! A little coat of ASCP duck egg blue and some distress. Much improved!

I Got My Brush On...

2011-12-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

It's been close to two months since I've pulled out the paintbrush. That seems like a long hiatus to me. With football season dusting off the "football widow" sign on my forehead every September and sluggish sales at my booth thanks to a lack of, well, effort on my part.........thankfully, these past few weeks have perked up the sales and my empty booth ushered in the need to get my brush on!

This bad boy has been just waiting to get distressed and fabulous.....

Unfortunatly, drying time is a lot longer thanks to our colder weather.....so no after pics yet. But on the positive side, ASCP works even better in lower temperatures (slower drying time = more time to smooth out the lines). Guess I'll have to learn to enjoy painting with my gloves and scarf....

The Beauty....

2011-12-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

"Mommy, do they have stickers in Africa?" my Grace asked.
"Um.....I didn't see any. I'm sure they do though."
After some thought, she continues, "It's got to hurt those kids...walking on their bare feet like they do...."

I smile weakly and think, I'm sure it does.

I received an email this week from a young man I came to know while in Uganda. We met briefly at the M's (the children's prison). He spoke English. He was 18. His name was Kiyemba Walter Trevor....I spoke with him for just a moment, and after a short introduction, he was already a kindred spirit.....warning me of some boys who were talking about stealing my things....telling me about his school and love for art and drawing (kindred spirit indeed!).....describing how he came to live for the past two weeks in this one room prison with 30 other boys.....and when I gave him my bible, he cried that it was the 'best day of his life'.

There was so much beauty in that moment. Beauty I'll never be able to describe. It didn't come from me, or even him necessarily. It came from being directly, immediately, in the stark center of God's will. Doing exactly what He purposed me to do....using these inexperienced hands to fulfill a prayer from Walter who had prayed just days earlier for a bible of his own.

I miss that. In the days of this Christmas season, I find that there is nothing I'd rather think about or talk about or read about, than that very subject. Trying to figure out how to be brave. Bold. The Matthew 16:25 kind of bold....."for whoever tries to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

The ability to lose your life, but find it. The Beauty of being in His fullness.

Grace asked that question because she knows it has been on my mind. She, in her own way, is trying to bond with me, figure me out, share an experience with me - it's sweet. I hope this Christmas, she'll understand why mommy kind of gets quiet everynow and then.

Beauty in Pictures....

The Source of the Nile (the very beginning of this beautiful river)

Preparing Our Meal - no granite, no fancy cookware, but look at her smile.

Beautiful.

Twice is a Tradition!

2011-11-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

Last year, we cut down our first real Christmas tree. I didn't know it then, but we were starting a tradition. We loved it. It's a shedless, allergy free tree (Leland Cypress).....so that makes my hyper-sweeping side happy.....and it's au'natural.......a side of life that I'm starting to like a bit more these days.

I also like seeing my cute hubs' handiwork with a saw....

Dragging our tree.....

Our Christmas Cuties....

Football Season = Sad Booth....

2011-11-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

I hadn't paid attention to my booth all football season. With daddy gone coachin', momma didn't go junkin'. Sales slumped.....my creative muses were taking a seasonal nap......I was facing the decision of could I, should I, try and keep this up?

So. With the final loss of our football team Friday night (dare I place a happy face ?... : ) ....I dareth), my reinforcement came, and I went straight to Winnie & Tulula's and did my best to Christmas it up with the few items I had in storage.

I know alot more now about how football season will affect my ability to go and do for this 'bidness. Maybe I can sustain myself better next year.....

One great bit of news though - $900 has been donated so far (whether through sales or painting services) to the organizations of Amazima and Sixty Feet. That's a holiday cheer right there!

30 % off all furniture, now through the holidays!

Christmas Two-fers

2011-11-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

I think every year I - we - struggle with the mindless spending and consumption during Christmas. Don't get me wrong - I love the holidays. I love the smells, the food, the lights, the music.....the way my girls get excited that they get to watch their Christmas movies (we put them up Jan.1 and they aren't allowed back out until Thanksgiving!).

But now, especially after Africa, and even more after truly pondering this thing we've made Christmas into.....well, you know the story. I always have this image of Jesus walking into one of the White Elephants we all have and knocking over a table with fury. Bloggerville is blowin' up with mommy's blogging about this very subject.

SO.

I thought I'd share how we plan to attack the materialism this year. We're gonna just do it.

Yes. I said "just do it". And by that, I mean, materialism with a meaning. Most of our adult gifts will be in the form of a Christmas two-fer. There's adorable, adorable tees out there that either directly support a mission we believe in or promote awareness of it. At around $25 bucks each, 1) we can't think of anyone in our family who wouldn't love to sport one of these fresh tees and 2) it's a gift with double meaning and purpose.

Here's a few examples:
http://www.visitingorphans.com/ (If you buy one of these, you are also registered for a free mission trip like the one to Uganda that we went on this summer!)

http://www.147millionorphans.com/
These baseball tees are so cute and my niece already has one and loves it!

http://www.visitingorphans.com/

Another example of a cool guy's tee.....

and of course there's the fabulous http://www.sixtyfeet.org/

I wasn't able to save a shot of their tee, but you can see my post about it here.

I realize with this post I gave away ALL the element of surprise for my family....but it was worth it if means one extra tee is bought this Christmas!

Spicy Chicken Taco Soup

2011-11-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted a recipe, but this one I threw together.....a literal dump in the crock pot and let 'er rip......and it turned out so yummy! Beware - it's a tad spicy...that rotel does it all the time. Pair with cheddar and chips, and you gotta cold weather meal!

1 can chicken broth

1 can beef broth
1 can mexican stewed tomatoes

1 can mild rotel

1 can pinto beans

1 can corn

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 pkg. ranch dressing seasoning

4-5 chicken breasts ( I don't even thaw mine...I put them in frozen) for about 4 hours on high shred the chicken when cooked and return to stew.

Enjoy!!

Blown Away!

2011-11-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

I kinda am!.....Blown away, I mean. That last post about finances triggered more emails and wonderful email convos than I ever, ever would have thought. So many people were open and wonderfully honest about their situations....their habits....and were obviously excited about the steps they had already taken, and were about to take, to get back on track financially.

It IS all God's. He wants us to use any blessing He gives us (our health, our children, our very breath) to glorify Him......easy enough said, harder to be done. I tell you, that sneaky, sneaky green "money" issue is one of the hardest blessings to ever relinquish fully as His. To this very day, I like to think of it as mine. I earned it...what can I do with it that would make me "happy"? That really has been my thought process in the first two decades of my life. Thankfully, God....Africa....friends......have slowly started renewing my mind as to how can we, as a family, can use His money in a way that glorifies Him. Quit being wasteful ......start figuring out ways we can help those that are close to His heart....widows, orphans, the needy.....the least of these.

I'm not anywhere close to where I want to be in that endeavor. We're just starting down this road, and could use some guidance of our own. But getting a balanced budget, to ease minds and marriages, which frees up more room for thought on how to use His money wisely......it's just a win/win.

Budget helpers!

Cheap forms of entertainment - a $30 garage sale ping pong table!

Thanks for your comments and honesty!!

Goin' Green - Financially

2011-11-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

If I could say that my husband and I have an area of our marriage where we've been through the ringer and back, it would be in the area of finances. We've done it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm so open about this area now to anyone who wishes to 'talk shop' because, well, I feel like wherever you are - we've been. I wish I could tell the whole story...it's a good one. But the gist is.....

We've had plenty. We've been lean. We've had just enough. We've had not enough. And we've survived with our marriage intact (and even a few battle scars). In the past five years, my hubs and I have "Dave Ramsey'd" ourselves debt free (except mortgage) and it felt good. Unbelievably good. Since then, we've loosened a little with extreme "budgets", but the motivation for simplicity stuck.

Then came Africa. I came back to my remodeled home and Lexus SUV.....and I just felt stupid. Then came budget cuts from our schools. We both are teachers, so take every healthcare hike and teacher salary freeze and multiply it times two - not fun. Then comes ballet lessons, food cost increasing, rising gas prices.....whew! We both realized we needed to get in "Dave" mode again before we were right back to where we used to be.

My point is......whatever you gotta do to get your budget in order - you just gotta do it. I know so many people who are struggling financially, and as someone who's 'been there' I say - swallow your pride and just do it. Whatever needs to be done, sold, taken on, etc. - just do it.

Five years ago, to get Dave Ramsey debt free, my hubs and I sold our nice (expensive) house and two nice Tahoes and bought a tiny 1200 sq.ft home and two cars that cost less than $8,ooo combined. We drove those stinkers until they nearly fell apart, but we got debt free in the process and never felt smarter. It did hurt and we were embarrassed at first.....but only for a little while. We just felt smarter the less 'out of debt' we got.

Fast forward five years..... a medium sized affordable home and two used (but paid for) larger cars. Better, but still not 'green' on the gas budget. Africa helped me let go of any attachment to my "Lex" so, a few days ago, we went to one dealership and traded in both our guzzlers for greener cars. No financing, just a sign on the line deal. Once again - we feel smart. A little snug, but smart. ; )

$35 fill ups rock.

This really isn't a 'pat us on our back' post. I hope it doesn't come off that way. What I do know, is that there are 150+ readers out there (some of who may be newly married, in financial trouble, about to have kids, etc.) and maybe, just maybe, this post might encourage some to 'go green' financially in their own way.

Marriage is hard enough. Money stress only magnifies it. If you are out there and any of this sounds familiar, email me. We have an excel file that we've crafted over the years and it really helps when it comes to planning your month.

Again - just a helpful post today. None of this is eternal anyway....

If You Have a Daughter...

2011-10-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

.....then I highly recommend this book - "Women of the Bible" by Spangler/Syswerda. About a year ago, my 7 year old and I started this book together. Now, we are on our last few women, and I look back and realize what a blessing it has been - for both of us.

We read one woman at a time and discuss so many different things....what a vocabulary word meant (it's not designed for children, so I have to stop and discuss quite often!).....why many women in the Bible make bad decisions.....what Godly quality some women possess.....and it's been a refresher course for me, too.

I absolutely am challenged by the widow of Zaraphath - what rational mind would give away their last meal before death by poverty & starvation to a complete stranger? Unbelievable faith and the absolute mark of true obedience.

The widow with two coins. Again - a woman in utter poverty giving all she had out of obedience and faith - giving sacrificially, not just giving a sliver out of abundance.

And Dorcas, (yes, I, too, laughed along with Grace when I introduced that night's reading subject ; ) - a woman who lived a life for Christ. Doing the practical, helpful things she could while here on earth, until she one day would be with the Lord she served.

Obedient, sacrificial living....... shared with my first daughter.

I Hate to Say This....

2011-10-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

....but sometimes you gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em (Kenny Rogers, you were so right!).

I overestimated myself.

Having the "hobby" of furniture refinishing is one thing. Taking on being a dealer at Winnie & Tulula's....as wonderful as it is......is another. I'm sinking......sinking fast. 6 months ago, the spring was dwindling into summer. Free time galore for me. Lots of time to pick interesting items and refinish oodles of furniture....all was sold quickly (sometimes too quick!)....but I had the time to replenish.

I always wondered how I would do when "real school" began. Well, it's begun....and I've stunk. I haven't had time to refinish anything, much less shop for the interesting items to fill my space. My "presence" at my booth has been lackluster. I'm sad about it, but it also has helped me think deeper about the purpose of "Goin' with the Flo".

I haven't made any final decisions yet, but I know this....."Goin' with the Flo" began with humble aspirations of selling just one piece. It then transcended from selling that one piece to several pieces....then I had over 100 followers encouraging each piece finished. I love that. I don't want to quit that. But I do want to find the best way that I can do what I do, with the time that I have, with the capacity of the many roles I play (wife, mother, teacher) - and do it well.

These two precious pumpkins deserve that.

We'll see what comes of all this "thinkin".......

"My American Mother"

2011-10-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

It's 5:15 am in Uganda. It's 9:30 pm here. Right about now, the Muslim call to worship would be sounding over the town speakers.....the roosters would be crowing.....a baby would be crying in one of the nearby slum villages. My friend, Emmanuel, just 15, would be waking in his children's home - the only home he's known. He would start his morning prayer and then get ready to ride in the back of an open truck to his school.

I know this because I saw it. I heard it. And from what my friend Emmanuel says, it's what he does everyday.....and has done everyday....since he came to live at Canaan Children's Home.

"Kisses from Katie" has stirred my mind. It's brought back the severe memories of poverty. Of dirt floored homes and babies with distended bellies. Of bare feet and fevered malaria. It also has brought to mind the beautiful smiles and gorgeous worship. Of reliance on God. Of the rawness that comes with no distractions.

It also has brought to mind "help the one in front of you." - which is Katie's motto, if you will.

Lately, I've messaged back and forth on, yes, Facebook, with Emmanuel a few, short times. I have NO idea how he found me, but he did. I have no idea how he has access to FB, but he does. And I have NO idea why he chooses to say things like, "God bless you" and "I am great you are my American mother thanks". (Bless me???) He's an amazing kid.....

I've also been thinking alot about Charlie. A baby boy at an American orphanage in Uganda. He's in the video below (in the yellow diaper and shoes!). A doll. I couldn't stand to leave him that day. I remember peeking into the window of the home, for one last look at him, before we left.....

I am longing to find the answers to my thoughts. They never end. Especially on weeks like this one, where, try my best, teaching just gets harder and harder. Not because of the kiddos, but because of the true lack of good parenting going on in our country. I'm not sure which is better - to be orphaned or to be raised in complete homelife disarray.

.......answers to the thoughts, please? I need to dive in the Word.

Red Dirt

2011-10-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

I'm one chapter into this book by Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries and I'm spent. If any of you don't know, this young woman at the age of 18, took a trip to Uganda and it overhauled her life as she knew it. She now lives there permanently, with 14 adopted children of her own, and runs a feeding program that feeds thousands daily and sends hundreds to school.

I saw her while I was in Uganda. I was at the local internet cafe in Jinja.....taking an hour break from playing with children (much needed), and all the sudden, in she walks with one of her daughters. Fresh off a run (here I was scared to walk the streets and she was out for a jog...shame on me), she came in to visit some friends. Not wanting attention, she didn't stay long. I don't blame her. I was a little starstruck....

I watched as she got into her white, 16 passenger van and drove off like it was nothing. Not afraid of the crazy traffic. At ease in this country where I was so not-at-ease.....and then later, when we visited her feeding program. It seemed so simple.

Her book has already hit me with lines like,
"I am living in the midst of uncertainty and risk....because I am running from things that can destroy my soul: complacency, comfort and ignorance."
"My heart found its joy as I served the beautiful people the world calls 'poor' but who seemed so rich in love to me."
Already, as she reflects on her love for the 'red dirt' of Africa, I think about the red dirt that is still packed into the bottom of my shoes that I took. The red dirt of a place that I know little about, but forever impacted my heart. Will I walk the red dirt again.....this year? Next?
I don't know. But I do know God's call on Katie's life isn't too different from the call on ours.....to help and serve "the least of these".

This Is Fall ....

2011-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

My favorite season.

My Sweet Girls Outside (not saying, "It's hhhooootttt.")

Decorating Their Pumkins.

The Friendly Scarecrow.

I love this time.

Jesus Fell Off the Golf Cart

2011-09-27T18:15:00.001-07:00

You gotta remember she's two. Okay 2 1/2.

My Sophie. She crack'eths us up'eth.

For several months now, her bedtime routine is to read one book and then turn off the light and have us tell her a story. Except there's always rules. She provides the characters, the setting, and the plot. For example,

"Momma...I want Sophie, Beezus & Ramona, riding in a golf cart." So here I go, making up a 3 minute story that for some odd reason, keeps her attention.

Well, lately, the story has changed.

"Momma....I want Jesus falling off the golf cart." ....was the proposed story the other night. Tonight it was Jesus changing his diaper. Gotta love Sunday School. They give the little baby birds fodder for their minds, right?

So, I asked her the question. "Sophie, who do you think Jesus is?"

"A man," she replied.

Ok....dig deeper, Flo.

"What else do you know about him?"

"He touched an ear."

Oookkkkayyy. Got it. I smiled and said, "Yes, Jesus did touch a man's ear and heal it. Did you learn that in church?" She nodded. Gotta love that Sophie girl.....

Rearranging the 'Ol Space

2011-09-25T14:48:00.001-07:00

Like a true mother, I'm probably the only one who noticed that I spent several hours rearranging my space at Winnie & Tulula's this weekend. It needed it........

Stepping back, I like what I see, but I'm also ready to get the fall colors in there. Some pumpkins, some brown, some branches.......and maybe some colder weather to boot!

And....She's....Done!

2011-09-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

This one was so easy, I almost feel guilty. Kind of like putting make-up on Cindy Crawford. I mean, really....does she need it?? Just a few touches of Duck Egg Blue and Old White, some distress, some wax, and some knobs and this baby is ready for the red carpet!

If only child rearing were this easy!.......Speaking of child rearing, I must be gettin' gone......

Generosity!

2011-09-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently said, "Hey...I've got this piece of furniture that you can refurbish and donate the profits...want it?" Does a duck love water? YES!

I had no idea it was such a beauty! When my hubs rolled it in, I got that heart palipitation thing.....the kind only us dorky refurbishers get. It basically means, this one is gonna be fun....

She'll be a beauty.......no doubt. Can't wait to begin!

$2 a Day

2011-09-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

We were set loose for an hour at M2, a children's remand center in Uganda, to socialize with a group of mostly teenage boys. This prison was similar to our Juvenile Hall system in the US, except the children had no representation. No one to speak for them. Many had committed crimes. Many had not. Most didn't have family that wanted them.

This group was a little different. They were street kids. Wise to the ways of the world. They knew what their future held if they did somehow gain freedom.....more street life, poverty, and scraping by. At M3, the kids were still so young....just needing a warm bed and someone to love them. At M1, it was hard to tell. They all seemed innocent, glad to have a bowl of beans to eat each day. Here at M2, I had to remind myself that yes - some of these guys were criminals.

Enter these two above. I scribbled their names down, but lost the little scrap of paper in my travels home. They knew enough English to talk. I knew enough to listen and be wary of stories.....but they didn't sound like stories. I felt they were telling the truth.

One said he had been working, and when it came time to pay him, his employer made up a story that he stole something so he wouldn't have to pay his wages ( a common practice we later learned). The other came up to me, begging for help to send him to school. He had no family. His mother and father were dead. His uncles did not want him. He had been on the streets where he had witnessed a fight. When the policeman asked if he was involved, he told him 'no', but the policeman said, "Pay me $6 or I will send you to prison." Having no money to his name, he had no options.

One loved science and wanted to be an engineer. One simply wanted to go to school and become "a businessman." Both wanted to be free, but neither knew how to live in the freedom. At one point, one said so realistically...."I know I can't go to school on my own. What....if I get out, I can sell eggs. That makes only $2 a day! I can't pay for school with that." Poverty is so real.

I am haunted by these stories.

I have so many stories to tell. But for some reason, they lay in the back of my mind and surface only one at a time. This is the story that surfaced tonight.....

www.sixtyfeet.org is doing their best to be the voice for these children.....you can help, too.

This is Me

2011-09-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

A crazy-haired chicken.

Let me explain. In Africa, while walking in the dirt yards of one of the children's prisons, I noticed a small chicken walking around, probably looking for food. It literally looked like it had stuck its beak in an electric socket. Fried, crazy hair....wandering aimlessly.

My friend, Kristi & I, later joked that that poor bird sometimes resembled us. A mess. Crazy. Strange birds amongst normal birds.

I feel a bit like that bird now.
Uncentered.
On the wrong chart (where's the chart again?)
Too busy.
Too tired.
Giving my all & coming up short.
Not giving anything & coming up way short.
Ragged.
Undisciplined.
Unenthused.
Fake.
Distant.

Wow. What a great list, huh? Makes you want to come to my house for dinner for sure.

Well, as we all do, I package it pretty. I bundle it up, put it in this small little part of my brain *well, all except for the too tired part.....that I show!* and let it sit there.....festering. It festers. It festers. It festers. And then I try to do something about it. It works for a while, but the crazy-haired bird always comes back.

My hubs preached at our church the other night about how we, like the Israelites and most Christians out there, keep on forgetting about the awesome "IS"ness of God. What He Is. How He IS. Who He IS. How He IS the one and only God....Creator of All Things. Instead we focus on the "bizness" of God. What can He do for us? God help me with this. God I need you to do _____.

I can surely say that this post is me, yelling with my barbaric yawp (Dead Poets, anyone?), that I am in need of Him. My undisciplined self has been undisciplined too long. I've allowed the frontrunners to run in front for too long.......my "bizness" with God has been too shallow.

If I can't even take what I saw in Africa and turn that into a bigger, more disciplined desire for Him alone here at home, then what in the world will it take? I'm scared to answer that question.

September Slowness?

2011-09-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

I've been blogging now for 3+ years. As I pulled up my chair to begin this post, I realized a trend. Every year, during the month of September, my blog posts decrease. Hmmmm.

It's no secret that adjusting back to "school mode" is hard. My hubs and I learn each year, again, that "quality time"...wait no "quantity time" is most definitely my Love Language. I'm a bit of a bear during this adjustment period of less time.

I'm also head over heels busy with my new class of kids. Trying to inspire, reach, teach, understand, and most of all.....figure them out! Each class is a new pot of vegetables. Thank goodness my pot this year is a sweet little group.....

Also, I can't forget precious days like this - Grace's last year in the Primary's "Freedom Parade". That's her in the blue dress (I'm beaming with pride, if you can't tell). She's growing up.

And I'll go ahead and let you in....I'm also trying to figure out life.

Yeah, that.

I read a quote the other day that's stuck with me....
"It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about.... it's harder to decide what you're willing to give up to live that life."

...........big sigh.

Startin' Small with ASCP Olive

2011-09-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

I had a cute little side table that was perfect for trying out Annie Sloan's Olive. This isn't a huge transformation, but it is a much improved piece of furniture......I picture it as an elegant table between two formal chairs.....or next to a child's iron bed......

Fall colors make me excited!

Peace with Projects

2011-09-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Here's part of a little girl's 3-piece bedroom set that I painted for a friend. Last coat of wax = done! I don't have before pictures, but just imagine brown, brown, brown!

I gotta say. This was my first 'custom piece' where I was able to say "just pay 60 Feet". I've always struggled a bit with pricing, and when friends would ask me to quote them - eeecckkkk....I hated doing that. So to be able to say that ....PEACE be my heart!

While I painted this set, I listened to my worship tunes and thought about how my small paintbrush will help those faces that are in my not-too-distant memory. It helps keep Africa fresh on my mind and heart. That's a good thing because with each passing day, "my good life" encourages me to push it under the rug.

I don't want life to push Africa under the rug.
I want my life to reflect what it's shown me.........

No Time to Stage....

2011-08-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

So the painting has begun! After a small hiatus, a client piece AND my booth needed some major painting attention......so I finally finished that dresser nightstand duo. Whew! They were pretty but I gotta tell you....basic white just isn't my thang. I was a little bored on this project. I'm ready for some COLOR. Some heavy distress where the paint is barely hangin' on....you got the picture, huh?

But here she is all her whiteness..... no time to stage. Loading her up soon.......

Closer Look....

Here's her nightstand to match!

Both for sale at Winnie & Tulula's starting tomorrow!

Remembering....

2011-08-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

I was uber thrilled when the Sixty Feet tees arrived in the mail. One, because I know I'll be mailing one off to my giveaway winner (don't you love receiving fun mail?) and two, because I know it represents so much more than just a shirt......

It represents my bad days. Like today, when I'm consumed in thought with what it was like being there. Feeling their eyes on me. Crawling on my lap. I remember the little girl, maybe 4, putting the extra two cookies we were giving out into her shabby little dress pocket for later....because she knew she would not be getting anymore anytime soon. I remember a boy, drooling excessively onto his dirty shirt because of his lame body.....and seeing his disfigured body struggle to turn his shirt backwards when it got too wet. I watched at M1 (the first of the children's prison we visited) boys stir a huge cauldron of beans for their dinner....knowing it would be beans the next day...and the next...and the next.....and they were, as one boy told me, "so thankful to know they had food each day."

It represents my good days. When I remember Emmanuel, just a boy of 14, who was so interested in what it was like in America. But not in the ways you think....he wasn't interested in our "stuff". He wanted to know what my daughters were like. Did they go to school? Were they kind to each other? Did my husband like sports? The innocence that shines through their hard lives. I remember when we were leaving, driving the long drive to the airport....I had my face out the window trying to capture that last glimpse of raw beauty in the people's faces.

It represents a changed heart. But a struggling one. I'll be honest and say that today was not a good day. I think I was in a bit of depression. I'm not sure if anyone understands, but maybe the girls that went with me.....I struggle in my downtimes. When I'm busy, I'm too busy to think about those experiences. But when it slows......it hits. And I question. I question why He showed it to me......and stupid things like.... Will I ever quit thinking about "Africa" when I buy things for myself? It's the biggest. guilt. trip. ever. .....and the worst.....what if I forget. Or let it go....or lose interest.....

This is one big obstacle. But I know it's really tiny....

I Have Not Been.....

2011-08-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

...painting very much. Ugh! Maybe it's school starting, maybe it's the heat....whichever....but I need to get back on the paintwagon because my hubs has started outdoing me! He made wooden benches over the summer for a friend/client and WOWza! Didn't they turn out great?? (thanks, Donna, for the picture!)

Meanwhile, I've got to get busy painting a client's bedroom set that is my first 100% profit donation to Sixty Feet (yea!). I also just sold a dresser that benefits it, as well....these things literally make this side job 110% worth the effort.

Speaking of effort......I've had this dresser on the backburner for ages now. I need to paint it white ......

.....so that it can match its sister nightstand below. It will be a fabulous duo (once I get at it).

ahhhhh.......the list never ends does it??

From Kinder...to 2nd.....

2011-08-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

There she was....ready to go to her first day of Kindergarten.

Here she was this morning....super excited about 2nd grade and about a foot taller.

She didn't even need me to walk her to class (she carried all her supplies herself).
And this afternoon, she finished her entire week's worth of homework 'just for the fun of it'.
Oh my.....how they grow.

And then there's Sophie...this was her morning.... ; )

Gone is the Summer

2011-08-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

There just aren't words to express how fast this summer has flown. Sophie mastered jumping into the pool by herself. Grace mastered driving a golf cart all by herself (with momma driving right behind!). Boog & I survived another summer together........even enjoyed it a bit. ; )

Life is truly but a vapor. As I was driving (alone) in my car the other day, I was challenging myself with that verse. And it was brought up again during our Sunday School class. Life is but a vapor. It's fleeting. It feels so all-encompassing-important "I've got to go school shopping" "I've got to clean my house" but in the big scope of things, not one single person will remember my name in two or three generations. I'll be long gone. Long forgotten. I, and my list of to-do's, are not as important as I think.

Fun, stuff, huh? (and you thought this was a breezy "summer's over" post!) The only breezy this post has is the breeze I will feel if life passes by without me relishing this time with my little girls and the husband of my youth - all while chasing what the Lord has for us to do with clearness and singleness of heart ( I read that on a blog and thought it was great....)

I'm ready to chase. Breeze on summer.....

Tears Everytime....

2011-08-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Turn your speakers up!

This is the video I made for our church to see as we presented our Uganda, Africa trip. I still am moved to tears everytime it plays. And it's funny.....well, God totally did this.....the lyrics to the song totally match up to some of the pictures.

Again - donate....I've seen what it does.

www.sixtyfeet.org
www.amazima.org
www.canaanchildrenshome.org
www.myfathershouseintl.org
www.returnministriesuganda.org

YOUR MONEY SAVES LIVES!!

And the Winner Is....

2011-08-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

I chose a very scientific way to select the Sixty Feet tee winner....gathering my ducklings around for some family fun! The girls had a blast....who doesn't love to draw a winner?

And the Winner Is.....

MLS!!! Way to go! Now just email me your address!!

I gotta say, this was the most fun!!

24 hr giveaway!!! A Sixty Feet Tee!

2011-08-18T19:15:00.001-07:00

I gotta say....the world wide web is a thing of beauty. In less than 24 hours of blogging about the announcement of my furniture refurbishing profits going directly to the Sixty Feet ministry,
one reader, told the wife of the CEO of Sixty Feet about this lil' ol blog and she emailed me with her thanks. She has a blog (www.goodtobecrazy.com) and all I can say is - HUMBLED! This small blog is truly, truly humbled.

So. I can't just sit on my toes and wait for that first "sale" to donate profits. I gotta do something, right? So here it is.

An AWESOME Sixty Feet t-shirt giveaway. They are cute people! Especially the womens.....it fits adorable!

Visit Sixty Feet's t-shirt page and then come back & comment to let me know which one you would want and what size. That's your entry into the drawing! I'm ordering a few for my bunch tomorrow.....so your order will be included!!

One excited gal here.......

Shatter Your Life & Announcement

2011-08-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight the "Uganda girls" presented our testimonies about Africa to the church. Some of us spoke about one kid that touched our life, one organization or school that made us weep, the power of the worship in Uganda, the joy amidst such poverty.......it was amazing.

However. Through the many ministries we visited (Sixty Feet, Amazima, Canaan's Childrens Home, Return Ministries)......Rebekah's, whom we met at My Father's House ministry, blog over the darkness that inhabits her world left me stunned. Shattered.

Read about that here. But be ready. It will shatter your image of our safe, glossy, "dress up pretty for Sunday" Christ and give you one that is The. Almighty. Power. The Light in the Darkness. The One who can stand the lies no longer.....and will one day return with All His Passion to gather those who believe and discard those who lukewarmed their way through life.

It's real, folks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And with that, my announcement is that from here on out.....every dime....not 10%, but every dime....of my furniture sales will go towards Sixty Feet Ministry. This ministry helps give hope to the hopeless in the Children's Prisons of Uganda...in the form of plumbing, liquid soap to mop their urine stained floors, mosquito nets to ward off malaria...anything and everything.

Why? Because of this......

Proverbs 24:12
"...Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know. God, who weighs our heart and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act."

Nice Hair...& iPhone Woes

2011-08-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

Ok. I admit. I got the glorious iphone for Africa, so that I wouldn't have to pack my huge (albeit really nice) Rebel camera. Now...my Rebel has gone unused and well...my blog pics have suffered.

Not that the iphone isn't great - it is. Convenient. The touch screen is smooth like butter....there's so many things to swoon about. But picture quality? Not so great when you need to upload to a blog. Great when you are viewing in the tiny screen.......

HENCE all that to say - I've become iphone lazy. I simply don't take my Rebel anywhere! And on great occasions like this.....my girls getting their 'school cuts'.....I really should know better.

As cute as they are (and their new do), the picture quality just isn't the same. I shoulda known.

Grace Loves the Bob!

Sophie Getting Her Endless Hair Trimmed!
Iphone peeps - Can you please fix this glitch??

One Full Booth!

2011-08-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

I'm thinkin "Goin' with the Flo" needs to have a sale! My booth is the fullest it's been in a while....sure school's starting so everyone's thinking "new school clothes", not "let's purchase that big piece of furniture I've been wanting". : )

Full is good though. With my own self starting back to work in t-minus 3 days and counting, I'm satisfied knowing that I don't have to worry about an empty space. Here's a few pics of the fullness.......

Workin' the Littles

2011-08-11T17:28:00.001-07:00

As a certified "booth owner" for more than six months now (ha!)....I've learned a few things. One of them happens to be the importance of the 'littles'. I know I've said this before, but when the big items like furniture take a while to sell, it's imperative that my booth be filled with enough 'little' items to make me 1) be able to pay rent and 2) keep being encouraged with sales. Those littles also draw interest to your booth......they make people wander in, which often times, results in buying.

I scout for 'littles' everywhere I go. I'm drawn to anything metal that could be used for displays....anything with texture....real wood.....unusual items of interest. Things you can't find just anywhere. And I usually never leave them alone.....I almost always do a little drybrush of white, or paint the metal a fun color....something to make it pop.

Drybrushing White on this Antique Mirror

There are definite times when I wonder about if I should have done that or not, but when they are up and displayed, I usually am always glad I did. Just something different.....

The 'littles' with some white & green. Ready to be tagged & delivered!

Striking Beauty

2011-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

Her name was Claire. We all recognized immediately that this child was striking. Vogue. InStyle. Glamour....all the covers of a magazine would she grace if she were in the states. But her beauty was beyond that business.

(photos courtesy of Lori Seay Thornton, my trip member)

She latched on immediately to Lori, one of the women in our group. Their bond was inseparable for the week.....a daughter needing a mother's touch, once again. That was beautiful.

I was reading articles this morning about the scope of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The drought there is worse than it's been in 60 years. 30,000 children under the age of 5 have died from malnutrition just in the last few months. Somalia was just one country away from where we were.....some of the pictures were wayyy too "real" for me. I had to quit looking.

The biggest question on my mind is "Where would God have me to begin?"

My Maria

2011-08-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Her name is Nakabugo Bbiira Maria. Or simply - Maria.

Maria came to Canaan Children's Home in March of this year. Her mother and father both died from HIV. She was left with her step mother, who mistreated her and made her a slave, usually on an empty stomach. Sometimes neighbors gave her food to eat, for they knew her work was hard. She came to live at Canaan's after they were notified about her mistreatment.

I noticed her around Day 2. She was always with a little friend, who took most of the spotlight. Maria spoke a little English and one time told me to "sit properly" in my skirt (ha!)....my undies must have been showing! I didn't think much about our interactions until the next day. She was right beside me - again. And the next, and the next, and the next......until it was clear that she was waiting for me. She would take my hand, wrap her arms around my waist, and really.....want to do nothing but sit next to me on the concrete....smiling at me trying to "make conversation".

I'm trying not to just outright bawl here as I type. We stayed at Canaan's the last part of our trip. I was emotionally overwhelmed already from being at the "M's" (the children's prisons) and honestly wondered whether or not I had anything left to give emotionally......but day after day....Maria won my heart. She had such a servant's heart.....not servant like slave, but servant like Jesus. When we would sit down, she would take her hand and wipe the dust from where I would be sitting.....so I wouldn't get dirty. When I was wringing out my pants (not doing a great job since I've so rarely washed my own clothes), she came over and showed me the way to do it....wringing with all her might. She showed me a thing or two. And her hands.....they would always be stroking my arm, my hair.....she just wanted to show me love.

The night before we were leaving, Maria's eyes spoke volumes. She never said a word. I just knew. We sat down on the concrete steps.....she laid her head on my shoulder...and slowly, I felt her tears slide down my arm. Big tears. No sounds, just tears. My own eyes gushed. I instantly had the image of John leaning his head on Jesus. I instantly knew what it meant in the Bible when the Holy Spirit said, "Jesus wept". Wept.

My heart is still with Maria. I think of her often. I think of her dusting off my area to sit. I think of her stroking my arms. I think of her tears.

I am now her mother - sponsorshipwise and in my heart. We can all make room to mother another, can't we?

I am asking for your prayers. Please pray about being a sponsor to a child. I've seen what our money does.......if you can't give, then pray. If you pray, then pray about going. Once you go, you'll never be the same. I promise.

Sponsor a child here:
http://www.canaanchildrenshome.org/

Back in the Game

2011-08-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

After being gone for two weeks, my booth at Winnie's is a little slim in the "littles" department.....so today, much to the shigrin of my mopey "Africa, Africa" self.....I got busy during my little one's naptime and painted, recovered, stapled, and tagged several "little" items......here's just a sampling.

I wish I had "before" pics....

I recovered the chair seat and tray with some great fabric!

I painted some metal items....love metal anything!

There's several more "littles" but I'm off to watch a movie with my hubs.
I'm not painting any "bigs" in this 110 degree weather we're havin' here.....

I'm Back!!

2011-08-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is going to be hard! It's my first day back in the states, and though I was over the moon excited to see my family, it is tough adjusting to "Texas in America". (That's an inside joke....everytime we introduced ourselves in Africa we said where we were from like that.) I woke up this morning and I knew when I was moping over the fact that I had cold milk in the fridge....well, even a fridge at all....I knew the day would be hard.

I'm not sure how to proceed. I know I need to get busy painting furniture and spending these last precious days of summer with my girls.....but I also know that God's placed a huge burden on my heart to help the helpless. I'm spinning trying to figure out what that looks like in my life.....

So to keep a smile on my face, I've been playing this video.....taped at My Father's House school in Kampala, Uganda. These kids really know how to put the spirit in the Spirit! My heart is full....

My Sons & Daughter

2011-08-03T04:41:00.001-07:00

This has been the most spiritually and emotionally challenging two weeks of my life. Processing it all will take a while...... Returning back to "life" without extreme feelings of guilt over my hot water, washing machines, toilets, clean water, fluffy beds, and plumbing will be difficult.

Children waiting to eat their morning porridge out of a big bucket......

In the beginning of the trip, I had many judgmental thoughts. "There's all these people just sitting..... Why can't they clean up their streets?" or "Why can't the government do something about its own poverty?". Yes. I thought these things.

But until I saw the eyes and held the hands of tiny, innocent children who have gone to bed with empty stomaches too many times to count .... sinful judgement proved me a fool. I have not gone to bed hungry. I have never been made a slave by my stepmom. Nor beaten, raped, or allowed to live like a dog, foraging for food in a dump.

I am ashamed.

It could be easy to forget. I can enter back in and re-start the consumerism. Except now..... I have Walter, Manuel, Isaac and Maria ..... My sons and daughters in Christ..... To help me remember. I can't wait to tell you about each if them.....

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Highs and Lows

2011-07-31T09:38:00.001-07:00

A School in Jinja

School in Uganda is very different than in the U.S. Children have to pay to go. It is relatively cheap by our standards, but it increases the higher the grade level..... and MANY children never get the opportunity to go. Instead, they peddle on the streets, do labor for their food, or are forced into many other things .....that's the low.

The highs? Oh..... So many. First, these children DESIRE to go to school. The ones who get to go, appreciate it!!!! They study hard and make it a priority. In the picture above, teens at the orphanage we are staying at were using their free time to do equations. Yes...... Equations. The kiddo above is Isaac- brilliant at just 17.

Those commercials you see about sponsoring a child for just a few dollars a month are REAL. A few verses have been rolling in my head the whole time I've been in Africa......"whoever sees a person without food or clothes, but does nothing- what good is his faith?" (paraphrased) ..... And "whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for Me" ........

Here's a "Flo verified" list of ministries that by you giving up one "eat out" night a month , you can feed and send a child to school for a month!

Canaan's Children Home
My Father's House
Sixty Feet
Amazima
Return Ministries international
Amani Baby Cottage (adoptions)

Please prayerfully consider being a living sacrifice!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Now I know.....

2011-07-26T10:45:00.001-07:00

- and once you know, you are held accountable.

I am so sad that I cannot share pictures of the past two days. I've basically been crying for two days ..... And I never cry. To have a teenager beg you to help them go to school ....and knowing they are an orphan with no one to help them..... To hear about their lives and see their eyes light up when they talk about their art skills or love of science (yet knowing they are living in a children's prison with access to none of that) ...... To have tiny, shoeless, diaperless, dirty babies want nothing more than to be held and then to fall asleep immediately on your shoulder out of sheer exhaustion....... To see a child in a prison cell with no hope ..... to know that I am leaving and they know that.

There is and will be no excuse. I have seen.

Please donate to Sixty Feet. Much help is needed.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Uganda.....thoughts

2011-07-25T10:09:00.001-07:00

Hello from Uganda! You see the preciousness above? These were two 18 month old twins who came to Return Ministries, a community outreach and feeding program. They were malnourished and underweight .... The little girl went into a frenzy upon seeing the bowl of rice and beans.

THAT was yesterday. Today we visited "m1". I'm not allowed to show photos, but all i CAN say is please, please give to Sixty Feet ( www. Sixtyfeet. Org). The Helpers there are truly God's hands and feet.

These children need hope. Today, I learned that hope to an 18 year old boy came in the form of giving him my husband's bible.......he cried.

Immediately he sketched this picture in it ......

He didn't want candy, or clothes.... He just wanted love.

Please give.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Next Post....

2011-07-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

...will be from Kampala - the capital city of Uganda.

Africa.
It's here.
Word.

Messes

2011-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my sister and I drove (with our four little girls) to visit my dad who lives two hours away. It had been a while since we'd visited...and by a while, I mean a while. Our dad has always driven to us, therefore the vice versa didn't happen much.

After spending a day with my 72-year old dad (who's in great shape, btw!), I came away with a mixture of feelings. Satisfied - because he was still active & busy. Sadness - because....there were no 'messes' .

I look at the photo above. The place where all my people love to throw their flops/shoes/whateverneedstostayoutside. I usually sigh when I see it because....well...it's a mess. Dirty glasses & dishes in the sink - a mess. Wet towels on the floor when they should be hanging - a mess. Endless fingerprints on our glass doors - a mess.

I'm sure my dad misses those messes. The messes from activity and kiddos. From husbands and wives. From life that goes by way too quick.

I leave for Africa in one day. If you've noticed, I haven't blogged much. Instead, I've tried to focus on my own 'messes'. Making sure I don't miss one opportunity. Giving extra hugs and kisses. Reading that extra book. Laughing at my potty-training daughter on the toilet saying "Mommy.....look! Apple Juice!"

Oh my.....I love these messes. I do.

Some Weeks are Fast....

2011-07-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

....some weeks are slow. I walked into W&T's today expecting (hoping!) to see another empty booth. Alas, it wasn't. Not this week. Well, some of the "smalls" sold, but the buffets were still there. I keep having to smack myself......it won't be every week that furniture flies out of the booth before I can set up a nice display! The ups & downs of retail. : )

On another note, speaking of fast weeks......this week has been going fast. I leave in 4 days. FOUR DAYS to Africa. I must say, my stomach is full of knots. I've never left my girls this long. I've never even been away from the hubs this long......and honestly? I have this dreaded fear that something will happen to me and leave my girls motherless. If I'm being perfectly honest, that's the biggest fear I have.

I should be fearing re-entry. How will I re-enter this "capri-sun sippin' " world of mine when I know there's babies dying of malnutrition & dehydration and I've witnessed it with my own eyes? It will no longer be some sad newstory in Time magazine....it will be real.

How will I come back to this....

An inspiration picture for my one day master bedroom.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to reconcile the two worlds.......

An Arles Before & After

2011-07-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

I really haven't seen many "Arles" paint jobs in the chalk paint world. Is this buttery orange-yellow just too much? Is it hard to work with? Is it best left for the small pieces? I dunno....but it sure makes a difference on this old dresser.

It's a Santa Fe meets Cottage Yellow color....hard to describe. But it IS beautiful.....at least I think so.

Two coats of Arles followed by clear wax

Not too distressed this time. Keepin' her classic.

Arles fan! I know just what I want to do with it next....

Arles It Is & Thank You!

2011-07-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

So....Arles it is! This piece really had "blue" written all over it....but my curiousity got me. I just had to know what Arles looked like in person.....

She's coming along.....almost done.

On another note, THANK YOU to Perfectly Imperfect for featuring my dresser in her furniture feature party!

I find it very funny that she's giving me kudos because it was this dresser below that gave me the "uuuh-mah-gahhh" moment.

The Dresser that Inspired Thousands
(photo courtesy of Perfectly Imperfect)

My hubby & I are headed off to Dallas for a summer retreat sans the kiddos! It's one week until I leave for Africa and when I get back, he'll be full-swing into coaching meaning....summer's almost over. Sadness.......

Kudos My Man!

2011-07-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

So "Goin' with the Flo" might have to change it's name to "Goin' with the Boog & Flo". My man got a custom order to create benches for a client (client aka friend, client/friend....it's all the same.) : )

She needed 5 ft benches that are sturdy & strong. Well.....anyone that knows my hubs knows that "sturdy" is his middle name. (Not really...it's Mark. Which is what people actually would call him, if they didn't call him "Boog" - random - I digress.....)

Voila! Good thing she liked it because it was about to go in my booth....

Not bad, my dear!
His woodworking has been a nice complement to what I do.
Marriage & the perks, I guess!

Waiting on the Mailman

2011-07-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

I was out. Totally out. I started sweating. Profusely. My eyes were wild....hands jittery.....I had to get some more.... chalk paint, that is! Seriously though, I was totally out. Thanks to the swiftness of Lady Butterbug I got notification that my order should be here tomorrow~

That's great news because I have this little ditty just waitin' to be prettied up. She's a sweet little thing.......I'm excited to try two new colors that I've never used before .....

Arles

Duck Egg Blue

Hmmm.....which one?

In the meantime, I swore the I would just relax with my girls. This little one is truly, truly in the 'crackin' me up' stage. She's a hoot. Keeps us all laughing with her dramatics.....her quoting "Ramona & Beezus" lines like a champ.....and yes, she's doing much better potty training. She's actually telling me when she needs to go potty! Something like this....

"Mommy. I need to potty. Get a prize."

Prizes work for this one...

All in good fun!

Crashing with Goofus & Gallant

2011-07-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Remember those Highlights kids magazines you would read at the dentist office? Well, thanks to a school fundraiser, we have a subscription to "Goofus & Gallant" 's antics every month......sometime Grace will read them & get craft ideas....some doable...some not.

This time, it was a definite do. It was Sunday. I had been crashing all day because of my painting fury this week (I was wore out, ya'll!). It was the first day all summer that our entire family just stayed inside and did nothing. The girls played, I did laundry & napped, Boog read......bliss.

Grace Making Her Project

Cutting is a Chore!
Playing the Watermelon Toss....
which one is Goofus and Gallant?

It's been a nice day.

The Last of 'Em

2011-07-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

This has been the "Week of the Buffets". I've refurbished one buffet a day....working at nights and early, early morning due to the heat.....it's HOT here in Texas, ya'll! This one......is another Antibes Green. Why another one? Well, the last one sold before I took it to my booth. And practically speaking.....I had just enough paint left to do this size piece. Gotta reorder now....

Buffet Before - More Modern Lines

Buffet After - Much Better Hardware!

Headed to W&T's right now to put these up for sale!

Largest Buffet to Date!

2011-07-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Ladies & Gentlemen.....calling on someone with a big, phat spot to house this piece!

Seriously, this is absolutely the largest buffet I've ever worked on. Whenever I'm painting a piece, I imagine who might buy it & for what reason........so far, I've had pieces used as theatre props, store displays, and who knows what else? I love it.

I imagined her sitting inside some boutique....with jewelry & mirrors & lighting shining down on her beauty.........if you want her, she's for sale starting tomorrow at W&T's!

Another contrasting piece -classic stained top & distressed bottom

And of course - she's got LEGS!

What "Empty" Means

2011-07-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

When I enter Winnie & Tulula's and find my booth like this..... Empty. I breathe deep. That quick rush of "somebody liked it!" goes away.......the reality hits that I need to start painting like yesterday to refill. But the ultimate Joy comes from knowing that each sale has helped pay the way for me to fly to Uganda (leaving in 14 days!!!) for two weeks to visit Amazima Ministries, 60 Feet Ministries, Canaan's Home and several other places I probably am not yet prepared to see....My heart is weighing heavy.

Amazing Katie from Amazima

To say I am unprepared is an understatement. Oh....I've got the traveling shoes. The adaptor (gotta blog, right?!). The passport. I'm physically ready, but mentally? Not nearly.

I just wanted you to know, that your support (whether through purchases, donations, prayers, etc.) has helped in ways you'll never know. It gave me confidence to keep on painting......the kids in Uganda may not care about "distressed fabulosity" but they DO care about fresh water, education, and immediate needs. It is in this way, I found I can use that painting hand God gave me to help.

You've also helped "Goin' with the Flo" sponsor a child for a year through Amazima Ministries. We just did that tonight!! One less child going unfed & uneducated for a year......

A sincere thank you.
Eucharisto.

And Finally...Amigo #3!

2011-07-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Like anything, the last one proved to be the hardest. Her pulls apparently wanted to stay in their place....it took me nearly an hour just to clean & take off all the hardware! At first, I thought I would go classic white with this one. But then - nah! I'm bored with white. I'm ready for some color (Provence Blue) and some major distress!

Here She Is!

Lots of Distress

Someone asked in the last post what I used to change the hardware color. All of these pieces had great hardware to begin with....the brassy gold just needed to go. I used these two products - Rust-oleum spraypaint in Oil rubbed bronze and finished with a spray poly.

Whew! All three pieces - done! Ready to go to W&T's today. This has been creatively fun.....these buffets are the exact pieces I love to work on: authentically old, great lines, and well made. Here's the trash pile of 3 days work ......lovely.

I'm not keeping Amigo #3. The Antibes Green buffet sold before I could even take it to the store, so this one has to take her place. : ( One day.....

Amigo #2

2011-07-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

I've been on the chalk paint bandwagon for so long, that I've almost forgotten how fun it is just to work with the old stuff. Amigo #2 begged for a Wisteria inspired finish. So......stained top & a light grey whitewash bottom, followed by two coats of wax. Here she is!

Ahhhh....Much Better!

I Love the Contrast
The Stained Top .... Simple & Beautiful

Legs....Of Course!

I must confess. I think I'm keeping Amigo #3 for myself....but this one is for sale!

Amigo #1

2011-07-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone's 4th has been family, friends, and fun....fireworks, too. I spent the better part of last night finishing Amigo #1 so that I could be "paint free" on the 4th. This baby has three coats of clear wax & one dark wax finish. She's as smooth & soft as a baby's bottom.
Antibes Green Strikes Again!
I have to say, a friend and I had a small discussion on the "sell-ability" of this green. It'll take a very specific (ie. funky!) person to put a pop of this color in a room.....the only other Antibes Green piece I've done is the one I gave to my sister....and she's pretty funky! : )

I loved the original hardware....definite keeper!

These legs are beauty....

She's for sale at W&T's starting Wednesday.
Happy 4th ya'll - I'm off to see some fireworks!

The Three Amigos

2011-07-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all you gotta do it ask.

I was junkin' yesterday....scouring, scouring, scouring...trying to find something worthy of painting that could help fill my very empty booth at Winnie's. It was my first stop of the day, so I wasn't expecting much. The prices were pretty high at this place, so I was walking out the door when I spotted these.....a trio of beautiful, antique buffets/dressers.

No tags. Dare I take the few minutes to try & find the salesman, who would then take two years to find the price? And if everything else was pretty pricey....why bother, right?

I bothered. I asked. He, of course, had to call to find out prices.
I heard him repeat numbers. Surely not.....
Surely yes.
I stole these suckers...I mean, purchased them.....and wrote the check so quick you woulda thought my name was Doc Holiday.

I can't wait to get my paintbrush on these bad boys. My goal? Have them all finished this week.

Poop & My Heart

2011-07-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

Yes. I did title my post that. To be honest, that's the first thing that came to mind when I sat down to write this blog.....so title it became.

I have to be honest, ya'll. I've been feeling a little guilty. Call it "mom guilt" (don't we all get that?), but I can't believe this blog has left me with feelings of guilt. It has. A little bit. I'm a pretty transparent person & I need this blog to be transparent, as well. (After all, what good is writing if it isn't a little therapeutic?)

My guilt is this: This blog has first & foremost been about my family. Grace, Sophie, pics of us doing 'us' stuff....but now....since my new 'hobby-job'....it's been transformed into something new. The webface of "Goin' with the Flo" refurbishing. I love, love posting about my redo's....craigslist finds....or amazing buys (like the three, yes THREE antique buffets I stole, I mean, scored today ....more on those bad boys later!), but I have to be honest with any of the new followers.......this blog is not just about furniture. It's about my family. If you want to "un" follow, you have my blessings! But I've got to leave room for posts about my days like this.....

Potty Training 101.
(She's gonna kill me one day)

It's not going well.

So that's my heart, ya'll. I just wanted to warn any of the 20+ new followers lately that this blog is not all about the passionate pursuit of furniture refurbishing.
It sometimes is about poop. Or rather, in today's case, the lack of poop (in appropriate places).

Winner(s) Time!

2011-07-01T19:54:00.001-07:00

River Folks....

Jody! Comment # 20!!
(results from Random. org)

Jody - so glad you won! Use the contact me button and email me your address....I'll promptly ship it........and........

I guess coming back from a week long of time well-spent with my family and finding all these wonderful comments, even more new followers, and my hub's craftiwork on the vintage door table being SOLD!!!.....well, I'm just on Cloud 9.

So what about this winners (plural) thing?
Avis - your comment on how you would use the card file was heartwarming. Love letters? ......My heart doth joy! So many commented that they would gladly give their winning to you.....so Avis....you are winner #2. Use the contact me button & email your address.....I'll promtly ship you one as well. Let those lovely letters find a home there.....and God Bless your marriage.

Wonderful. Gratitude. Eucharisto.......
River pics coming soon & now..... I must paint.

River Here We Come!

2011-06-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

So we're headin' off tomorrow....our annual vacation down to the Guadalupe River (what's left of if anyhow!). I'm ready to have a little painting & technology hiatus, actually. Breathe in the relaxation....enjoy the purity of nature.....

Do a Little Floatin' Action....

Kids Do a Little Playin' Action... Speakin' of playin'. This 100 Follower Giveaway has got some of the best odds on the planet! Right now, you've got a 1 in 10 chance of winning....really....that's better than that "claw-grab a stufffed animal" game ....it has a 1 in a trillion chance, right?)
Sign up!

Giveaway Time!!

2011-06-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day! I hit 100, so I had to say a big Texas, "Thank ya'll!!"

SO! How do you win? Simply leave a comment telling me which color you'd like to have and/or how you'll use it ( I love ideas!). I'll choose a winner by random drawing next Friday, and I'll personally mail it to the lucky gal (or guy).

(I also happen to be taking a much needed vacay for a week, so I'll be post-less for 7 days.)

Happy Vacationing (to me!) and Happy Entering (to you!). Be Blessed.

One More Follower!

2011-06-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

T-Minus 1 more follower until my 100 Follower Giveaway, ya'll! I'm so excited I can't stand it! Someone asked me today if I'm "burnt out" on this painting gig. Very easily, my answer was "nope...not at all."

It certainly makes it easier not to get burnt out when you can have "Paint Parties" like the one I was at today. More on that later (with pics), but here's the result of a day spent painting with friends.....

Nightstand/Dresser Combo...Nightstand Done!

Fun in the Details...
And Here's Her Partner Dresser....Ready to Be Painted!
(Really...the wood was SO beautiful already...
I almost couldn't put a brush to it.)

Some Littles Gathered Up Ready to Go into W&T's...

Fun Day. Sweet, Godly Paintresses....

Trash to Treasure

2011-06-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Remember this piece that I found out with the trash in someone's yard? She was a beauty already.....just needed some cleaning, new glass, and a little lovin'.

Provence Chalk Paint

The first tier, I dark waxed it to create a little depth & difference...

A little of the old blue showing through....

Pretty girl.

Jenna, I Hope You Don't Mind....

2011-06-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

.....but I broke into your house.
.....a little birdy gave me your garage code number.
.....I stole a desk from your bedroom.
.....and I painted it.

You did want white, right?
Distressed, too, right?

This project is for Kenzi. A little baby girl in Africa, who hopefully will be finding her way to Jenna's loving home in the very near future. This woman is such a gift to our church.......young wife of our pastor, three small children of her own.....but without restraint or question, followed God's call on her life to speak out for Africa and orphans. She is in the middle of her adoption journey (which you can read about here).

I will be traveling to Uganda in less than 31 days with not only Jenna, but several humble women, who all have James 1:27 on their hearts. I'm already praying for what is to come.

(And apparently, praying in the midst of doing criminal acts.....)

100 Follower Giveaway!

2011-06-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

11 more followers, people! : ) As soon as I hit 100 followers (which hopefully will be SOON), I will be giving away one of these cute, cute painted & distressed vintage card catalogues in color of choice! (I"ll handle the S&H!)

How cute would one of these look in your office? How to enter? Well, simply 1)help me reach 100 followers.........and 2) when I do hit 100, all you'll have to do is leave a comment when I post about it!

Come on.....this blue one is too cute!

Hubs, Hubs...

2011-06-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

My hubs is gone today.....headed home from a man-trip to Wyoming.....so we had to do the "happy father's day" thing by phone. Fortunately, that left us some room to get a few surprises ready for him......like cleaning his car, for one.

Grace did a REALLY good job cleaning out & vacuuming both his truck and mine. (I'm always looking for a way to show my daughters how to do selfless work - this was a great way!)

I'm proud of her because it was H-O-T!

My husband has such a genuine zest for life, it's infectious.

His clear wisdom during blurry emotional moments is God given.

And when people meet him - they know they've met someone authentic.

Those are just a few things I know about my hubs.
I'm proud of the man he is.
Happy Father's Day!

PS. To all the recent people who've become followers lately (I've had several just recently) THANK YOU! I'm glad you like my blog and hope I can continue to show my heart & passions via this in-tra-net tool!
I've got a 100 Follower Giveaway coming up as SOON AS I REACH 100.....
so keep on adding ya'll!

"It's a Hot One...."

2011-06-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

...."seven inches from the midday sun"....
(Anyone get the '90s Santana reference??....anyone?)

Okay. But it WAS a hot one. W&T's junk & disorderly sale is over and this junker got rid of lots of her disorderly! ; 0 It's true - just like a garage sale is cathartic, seeing some of my garage space clear up was very cathartic!

My gals spent the day with Mimi & Papaw (thank you guys!). Luckily, they came to visit me!

The girls & I inside - nice air conditioning!

The girls & I outside - NO air conditioning

Since it was a balmy 105 degrees, the girls ate watermelon to celebrate mommy sweating off my winter layer.

I know this one likes watermelon....

Now we know THIS one likes it, too!

I'm beat.

Waco, Wyoming & Winnie's

2011-06-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in Waco this weekend with my sista.....who loves her green buffet, btw (yea! Success!).....My hubs is in Wyoming preparing to do a 50 mile race through the mountains this weekend (yes, no typo, 50....fifty...miles - he's nuts)........and basically? No paint brush or wax has touched these hands in the last 48 hours. My daughter's sweet smiles and funny sayings? Yes. That's way better than paint!

However, I must promote the big 'ol sale going on at Winnie & Tulula's this weekend. Vendors will be outside hugely discounting their junk (me included - I'm planning on unloading some of the furniture in my garage that I don't have time to get to!).....and ALL booths will have their fluffy stuffs discounted 20%!! Yes, even my booth! 20% off of furniture is a deal!

So get to it, fellow junk enthusiasts! At least stop by for some coffee!

: )

Birthday Buffet & Antibes Green Love!

2011-06-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Buffet Before - Needed Updating

So my sister, ever since this hobby-job of mine started, has been begging to purchase each piece I finish. It's become a bit hilarious, because I won't sell her a thing. Every piece I finish has been "needed" to fill my booth - so really - family members are on the bottom rung! ; ) Finally, for her 36th, er 29th, birthday, I'm offering up this buffet redo for my sweet, sweet older sister.

Ang, if you want this - it's yours.

Buffet After -

Antibes Green Chalk Paint, Clear Wax, Distress & then Dark Wax finish

Details
Chicken Wire How I love Thee!

Ang, I hope you love it - if not it's for sale, ya'll!

"Mom, I'm gonna say a bad word..."

2011-06-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

...... "Guts."

Quoted by my two year old. (Too much Ramona & Beezus....)
Summertime is already fillin' up with funnies!

I'm Stumped....

2011-06-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

Whyyyy?

My girls & I were riding the golf cart around the neighborhood today, when low & behold, I saw these two items set out with the trash in someone's yard. Sure....they were dirty, dusty.....the table's glass was broken.....the chair's top was broken....but nothing that a little wood glue & call to your local glass shop couldn't fix.

I scooped them up (much to the embarrassment of my 7 year old!) and we drove back home with our treasures. I WILL be calling the local glass store.....I WILL use a little wood glue to fix the chair.

Another day of someone else's trash, turned into my treasure!

For real! Someone didn't want this!
Wood glue, here I come!

Bathroom Done! Whew!

2011-06-11T17:26:00.000-07:00

When we moved in our home over a year ago, the precious lady that lived in it had not updated in a looooong time. In less than 6 months, we have gutted the kitchen, living room, turned the large sun room into an office and a bedroom, gutted this bathroom and are currently updating our master bath. New roof, new outside paint, shutters, windows......all of it. Mostly done through a wonderful carpenter, Dale Pelligra, and Lowe's. : )

To see a post of all our home "before & afters" click here.

Here is the almost LAST remodel - done!!! The hall bath.

Scary hall bath before....

(we already tore down the dark brown cabinets)

After! New floors, walls, ceiling paint, beadboard....
I still have to put a fabric skirt around the table.

I think all this remodeling has definitely made our house a home. More "Flo-ish" for sure.... : )

Winnie & Tulula's

2011-06-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd take you on a quick tour of the eclecticly scrumptious Winnie & Tulula's Antique Mall that houses your truly. : ) I've often wandered through this store (before Flo got Goin') and let the muses inspire....so many creative talents and eye candy.

Now that I'm a part of it, I'm challenged to push my creative limits. See something in what was nothing. Find beauty in that old rickety shelf....I'm thankful to be here because honestly? I feel that that part of me....the creative part...is filled. To the brim & overflowing.....

So here's a little tour of the mall that houses so many inspirational dealers. Enjoy!

Front Look

My Booth, of course!

Other Booths in the Mall

You see what I'm talking about? So many creative people.....I love being inspired. And the best part, on the other half of the mall, there's a bistro & coffee shop with the best tomato basil soup this side of Dallas! La Madeline's eat your heart out!

Coming up - W & T's "Junk & Disorderly" sale! Sat. June 18th. Don't miss it!

Dresser Redo

2011-06-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

My town has a few antique shops that I like to drop by and see if anything catches my eye. A few days ago, one did. She was a beaut. Gorgeous wood. Dovetail joints. Keyhole drawers. I had to have her....and I got her.

After a few coats of Old White followed by Dark Hennant's Wax...she is restored to beauty. I have a detailed photo "from start to finish" post coming soon on this one. Maybe one day, you can see a beauty and restore her to glory yourself!

Sitting Pretty

Gorgeous Legs!

New Product

2011-06-07T06:39:00.001-07:00

I'm excited to try out a new product a fellow boother at Winnie & Tulula's told me about....it's a wax to protect & seal furniture - Farmhouse Furniture Wax. It... smells... amazing!! Anyone in this "hob" knows that the normal smells of our work are the opposite of amazing....unless you love the smell of paint, dust, oils and thinners. (that's a no.)

Donna from Simply Cottage is the owner of one of my favorite booths at W&T's. Her work is beautiful and I always love to hear tips & bits of wisdom from other refurbishers. I do enjoy working with Hennant's Wax, but it doesn't smell like this......my nose can use the refreshment!

The only problem is it comes in this tiny jar! I need it by the jug-ful!

Now.....let's see which piece I want to start on. This is ridiculous - I know!

It's ALL Vanity

2011-06-05T19:59:00.001-07:00

I love it when a project comes to completion! Finally....a before & after for a friend's vanity.

Before

AFTER!
(no time to stage a cute shot.....this was right before loading/delivery)

Two coats of Old White chalk paint

New fabric for the seat

Details!

I think this vanity was gorgeous before....

but this definitely is ready for her beautiful daughter's room now.

Let Summer Begin!

2011-06-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing says summer like pulling out the ol' slip'n'slide. We've officially finished our school year and the entire Ferrell family has at least two months of pure togetherness. Last year, it took us six weeks just to adjust to all that togetherness. Let's hope we're a little quicker this time. ; )

One of my favorite things is watching my girls play......and seeing Sophie in her little tutu swimsuit. Ohhh my.

I'm interested to see how this summer will go with me still having a job - sort of. A hobby job. Call it a hob, maybe? Usually I'm pretty carefree in the summers. However, now I still have to be semi-onmytoes because of my booth. The need to keep painting & searching yard sales will be prevalent......good thing I enjoy it.

And on a last note before I head to bed, I have been eyeing this one little piece of artistry (okay, it's a vintage street sign) at Winnie & Tulula's ever since I moved in. I fell in love with it.....it was offered by a fellow boother Ruff. This sweet item.....it just had to be mine. Thanks, Margo!

Teamwork

2011-06-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled when I walked into Winnie & Tulula's today and found that my Paris Grey bedroom set had sold! And to add to that special moment, it was purchased to be a prop for the Kilgore Community College Theatre Department. How cool! (I thought it was cool...)

But alas, with every big chunk sold, that leaves a big chunk of space to be filled. What did I have in the pipe?......the chippy door I purchased when I went junkin' at a wedding (that sounds like a country song..."junkin' at a weddin'.

"Oh, hubs! Could you quick finish that for me?"

Here's a few pics. He did a great job building a table out of a gigantic, vintage, chippy door.

I can't wait to display it up tomorrow.....

and an update on the remodel. Sink. Sunk. - Yea.

Multi mid-projects

2011-06-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

We're in the middle of a bathroom renovation....and this picture is just icky....icky, yucky.

Gee-Ross.

Much Better. Still med-reno though.

This was a Craigslist purchased table that we chopped it in half. The other two legs were used to hold up our newly renovated kitchen bartop (not a bad deal, eh!). In here, we'll drop a sink in and line the edges with some fantabulous fabric I've yet to find. Our handy carpenter put up beadboard backing and the floor to ceiling shelf.

Another mid-(almost done)project is the vanity stool and mirror for a client, er, friend. I'm so ready to show the "after" photo of this whole vanity set......

.....there's a possibility she might like one of these fabric choices of mine to recover the seat.

Lots to do. The hiatus served me well, but it's nice to be back in the brushstrokes again. ; )
Still having fun.

Hiatus

2011-05-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

I took a much needed hiatus from blogging & painting & junkin' for the past couple days. Took it slow.....and this weekend a beloved pillar in our church passed away.....so it became very easy to take these days and count their blessings......I didn't have enough fingers.

I thought about my handsome husband. How just after two years of teaching, he was bestowed one of the biggest honors in teaching.....an award from a student as the teacher who made the biggest impact on him. Wow. Hearing that student speak nuances about my husband that I had only hoped kids would notice.......it was such a blessing to everyone.

I thought about my girls. How at 2 and 7, they truly are the greatest joys of my life. Sophie....a firecracker. Speaking new bits of language each day that I never knew she knew (she actually said, "question mark" the other day....I had no idea she knew that word!). However, deep inside Sophie, she's proving to be more cautious than we thought......a little bit of a momma's girl.

Grace. A second grader in 4 days. She's reading chapter books like a champ....I'm searching to find books that she doesn't finish in one day....she's had a great year with lots of field trips.....nominated to be in GT.....and even though we're learning how to be an older sister without being "old"......she's doing a great job. They really are sweet to one another (most of the time!)

Life is full of the unexpected. I think I scared my hubs a little tonight with my strange thoughts about being gone for 12+ days to Uganda. I'm getting a little nervous myself. I just have to remind myself that God has already mapped it out. I am just following His lead. We all are.....

Hiatus was good.
God Bless.

80's Bedroom Makeover

2011-05-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

Do you remember those yellow bedroom sets from the 80's? Complete with the vanity that had the middle part that opened? I had one when I was growing up. And my sweet FIL went 'junkin' for me the other day and found a whole set: a four poster bed, nightstand, and vanity. It was in horrible condition.....left in storage I'm sure for years. But look at her now!

She's All Prettied Up with Paris Grey & Old White Dry Brush

3 Piece Set in My Booth

My Hubs Installed Glass Door Knobs on the Posters

Sittin' Pretty Vanity

She was hard work, but I think well worth the effort!

Chippy "Littles"

2011-05-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm always on the lookout for "littles" to fill my booth at Winnie & Tulula's. Pretty little items that people can see and say, "Oh, that would look great in my ____!"

Recently, I came across these four perfectly chippy pieces of miscellaneous wood at a yard sale. They were stuffed in a box....I'm sure someone had great plans for them, but never got around to it (sound familiar, anyone?)

I had a great idea for them. My sweet hubs did the manwork attaching the iron hooks, and voila! A sweet, authentically old addition to your bathroom, kitchen, or wherever! Love, love.

What's this Drybrush Stuff?

2011-05-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I'm painting a piece, I step back and it's.....not to my liking. Here's my current project. One piece of a bedroom set for a princess-y girl (I imagine crystal chandys and twinkles) I started painting it Paris Grey.....and realized it needed "ooomph".

Enter the Drybrush.

If you've never drybrushed before, I would say it's an easy way to add that "ooomph" without going overboard. You can layer colors, or just stick to one as I did. I layered Old White with a drybrush .....

Top Before Drybrushing

Top AFTER Drybrushing
You see? It just gives it a nice marbled effect....nothing too emphatic. Just a smidgen of interest.

With the Pulls

Drybrushing (to those who've never done it) is just a fancy term for dipping your paint brush lightly in paint, squeezing most of it off with a rag, and then swatting away with the mostly dry bristles covered with the leftover paint. You can then rub it in with a clean rag (or not...). It works best with wood that already has some natural grain in it....not really super smooth.

I haven't waxed this yet (I'll finish the other pieces first, then 'wax on/wax off' in one fell swoop). However, I think it'll be grand ...in a smidgen-y way.

Fabric Fetish

2011-05-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Fabric Love

(photos from Kathryn M. Ireland website)

I've always had a thing for fabrics....prints....heavy upholstery.....but of course, upholstery has never been in my repetoire of things I really know how to do. I can cover your basic seat, but after that....leave it to the professionals, right? Nope.

This Mustard Yellow Kills Me! In a good way!

So this weekend, I purchased these two lovelies off of CL (where else?) and I've got some pretty good ideas in the works for them. First, I want to take a true upholstery class. Several months ago, an article in Southern Living talked about Spruce in Austin. A fabulous upholstery biz that offers classes! Low and behold, there's a chair upholstery class coming up in June. I'm thinking these chairs are perfect for me to learn on........we'll see.

They'd look gorgeous painted, distressed and fabricated up in these......

Anyone interested in taking the class with me? .....sigh.

PS. Like the new look of my blog? My awesome sister designed "Goin' with the Flo" a logo.....so I can literally flllloowwww all my business cards, tags, & blog all together in one. She rocks!

He Started It....

2011-05-20T18:06:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked me recently, "So how did all this painting stuff come about?" I've been just an average mom/wife/teacher....doing life like normal. And now, I'm enjoying life with the addition of a wonderful little booth named after this blog. When asked that question - there's no clear answer. I've taken one painting workshop....refinished a couple pieces of my own furniture before I officially sold my first piece a few months ago to a stranger....and just in the last three weeks, I've sold all the large pieces I've ever done! Who'd a thought?
.....well, He did.

I've always been into art. I worked alongside my mom, painting ceramics...watching her create her own pieces. In highschool, I longed for a career in an art/design field. I went to UNT for one semester and majored in art....taking Design and Drawing courses....but none of that turned into much. I bowed out for a while.....fast forward to me wanting to teach. I first sought after an Art position - didn't get it. And now, I get it. Really.

It's wonderful how you can look back days, weeks, years into your life and see a carefully orchestrated plan. How what seemed like wrong turns at one point, were actually right turns. What seemed like barriers to entry, were actually doors being closed for a reason. God knew exactly how Flo would 'get her art groove on'. He's the ultimate artist....lending me His expertise for a short time.

Each piece sold at Winnie & Tulula's is thrilling. It's encouraging. It continues smashing away at those devilish doubts that make me think, "Give this up...You're no good." And your words of encouragement (you know who you are....) have been undeniably effective.

I'm just typing away on cloud nine tonight.......my booth is empty from furniture sales (gotta get to work, natch!).......my Uganda trip is fully funded now from donations, generosity, and God's little timing quirks ; )..........my hubs has raised over $900 through running that was going to go to my trip, but now will benefit & bless someone else's......and mostly, I am just thankful that God's allowing me to do all these things Through Him.
Blessings,

Picky, Picky

2011-05-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

You know that cat in "Ramona & Beezus"? Pickypicky? That's me. I cannot stand clutter. Pretty clutter in my booth? Yes. Clutter in my home? No. See my above kitchen photo. It's been over 6 months since we remodeled....and you see - no curtains. No cool vintage-y countertop display thingamajig. I'm picky. It might take me a year to find that vintageycoolcountetropdisplaythingamajig.
But when I see it, I'll know.

So my sister-in-law dropped off one of her paintings to go in my booth. Well, it was supposed to go in my booth.....it "puppy-dog closed" itself into my home. Somehow found a way on my wall (I have no idea how!). And filled one of my "trying to find the right thing" spots on my wall.....it's been blank for a while.

I love it. Thank you, Molly from The Lead Cup. (Now I just gotta pay you! ; )

Playing with Wax

2011-05-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy girl. Almost every night this week, I've been painting away until 11 or later. I'm still working on some client pieces, but inbetween dry times, I'm playing with my new favorite toy - Dark Hennant's Wax. I posted about it a while back, but I didn't have the courage to do anything of "importance" with it until I got my bearings. After tonight, bearings are got. : )

I painted some of my metal card catalogs with Old White, then the dark brown wax...I love the patina on it.

All of them ready to go to my booth! (I'm keeping one for myself though!)
I even painted these formerly black metal "fruff stuff" with Old White & Hennant's Wax. I likey.

And finally, a side table with what else?....Old White & Hennant's Dark Wax.

I must say, I feel confident using them on a "real" piece now. I'm thinking a gorgeous hutch .....gotta find one first.

Happy & Busy,

Neglected

2011-05-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm pumped about summer for several reasons.
No work. Sleeping in. Uganda (got my passport, yea!)

and....finally concentrating on my bedroom.

I don't know about you, but my bedroom has been at the bottom of my list since we've owned a house. It's truly uninspired. I'm almost ashamed to give you "before" pics, but I will....and I will be cringing when I upload them. (It's that bad).

I've always heard you need to focus on your bedroom first.....making it your sanctuary. Why it's always on our bottom rung of 'to do's', I don't know why. Maybe because it's such a challenge.

So this summer, I'm tending to the neglected, unaffected, uninspired room.

New paint color (I loathed it's current 'tan'....ugh!)

Me, painting and distressing some great furniture.

Rustic art on the walls.

Beauty. Sanctuary. Bliss.

Somewhat like these.....(maybe not so white I do have children!)

(above photo from dreamywhites.blogspot.com)

On a final note, OMG. Have you visited the "Cottage of the Month" archives from
The Old Painted Cottage? Talk about inspiration. Love, love.....

http://theoldpaintedcottage.com/pages/cotm-jan-11.htm