"Change a CRAZY PLAIN CORNER”

It has been forever since I have blogged.  My summer was crazy and I LOVED IT!  And then school has started and I am having a BLAST teaching my sweet kiddos the 'crazy' joy of music.  BUT, I did undertake a small project that I would like  to share with you.  My: "Change a CRAZY PLAIN CORNER” of a room, into a “CRAZY COZY CREATIVE NOOK” to reflect my personality and provide a cozy place to chat and have a treat with my closest of friends.

One of my favorite rooms in my 100 year old, historic home, is what I call my formal “RED ROOM”.  When we moved into this house  6 years ago, the room was HIDEOUS.  Ugly wainscoting, ugly peeling wallpaper! OH dear; take a look for yourself!  The top picture shows the LOVELY wallpaper, and the picture below, shows the room AFTER we peeled the wallpaper away to reveal the plaster walls!

As this room is right off the foyer of my front entrance, and the room boasts a gorgeous antique chandelier, I knew I wanted a formal room to welcome guests, as I already had a large family room/den in the back of the house.  I wanted a rich, warm, peaceful and serene atmosphere when people entered the room and sank into the large, soft and comfy sofas and chairs I purchased.

 

I already had chosen pictures, decorative and antique mirrors and an antique letterbox to hang on the walls.  I went to Second hand stores and Thrift sales to purchase tables, wardrobes and chairs to decorate.  But there still remained one corner, which sat empty and void except during Christmas when we use the space to showcase our beautiful Christmas tree.

So one day as I sat in my peaceful, quiet and serene room, the ‘serene’ feeling left as I looked at my ‘CHRISTMAS TREELESS” corner!  I KNEW something had to be done, and as I was in the mood for a project I thought that recreating that little corner would be a fun project to undertake!

I had a spare little antique table that fit perfectly!  And to keep the peaceful feeling going, I KNEW I wanted some special things to put on the table.  1) a cozy lamp, 2) a  lavender scented candle (yum), 3) a water fountain… (I own stock in the company that creates these!) 4) something “glass” to match the room, and a picture.  SO, it was off  to forage, hunt, find and create the perfect little oasis of a corner!

 

 

 (my boys enjoying the additions)

As I said, I already had a lovely little antique table that a friend had given to me, and I had a spare lace doily waiting to be used!  First step accomplished.  I got a fabulous 40% coupon for Michaels off of the computer, and dashed over to purchase my  Lavender candle.  Lavender is one of the most relaxing of scents!  Here is a little tidbit about Lavender… “Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root from which we derive the modern name (either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish). The flower's soothing "tonic" qualities, the insect-repellent effects of the strong scent, and the use of the dried plant in smoking mixtures also added to the value of the herb in ancient times.”  Lavender was a must!

 http://www.lavenderfarm.com/history.htm

I went to Walmart, where I found my lovely little fountain… there is nothing like the sound of tinkling water, and the smell of lavender, while you are sitting and relaxing with a book, or with a cup of coffee and a friend!  I was then off to the thrift shop, where I found my lamp and my lovely pitcher, which perfectly matched the colors of the room. 

 

BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING!  I wanted a painting to capture something I loved most, and I could think of nothing other than my sweet cat Sox... who loves me and snuggles with me every night.  I caught this adorable black and white of him on camera and then set to work painting.  As you have read before, painting is one of my passions and loves, because of the joy and relaxation it brings… and here are the picture/ painting results.

  

I really must give my "people lover"  'Nermal' credit for my Sox painting idea as he posed so beautifully for me while I was decorating! : )

So, I had successfully completed a simple, yet “CRAZILY EXQUISITE” touch to my empty corner.  And the comments have been nothing short of~ FABULOUS.  It takes so little money to totally change the atmosphere and aura of a room.  This was a very inexpensive project that has yielded fantastic results.


Don’t be afraid to move furniture around to suit your needs, or to second hand shop, or to search online for coupons.  We women have the gift of making our ‘house’ a ‘haven’… USE your right brained creativity to recreate a corner of your room!  I WOULD LOVE to see what you come up with!  Feel free to send me your successes to: fiddlinroundwithyou@yahoo.com.  I would love to feature them in my next blog.  Most importantly, have fun, creating the life you love!

 Living, Laughing and Loving to CREATE!

Patti

CRAZY WITH STRESS... NO SWEAT!

FEELING STRESSED???

SO! How do I deal with my CRAZY STRESS? Do you remember the ‘Magic Carpet Bag” that Mary Poppins carried to her new “Nanny Job”? She pulled a plethora of magical items and tools from the depths of her bag to help her with her new ‘charges’, Michael and Jane! Well, Over the years, I have developed my OWN “CRAZY CARPET BAG” full of ideas and methods, that help me deal with my ‘stress filled’ moments! 

Today, my stress is a simple matter of my work day, running home to teach 2 hours worth of private violin lessons, then packing for a trip for which I leave tomorrow on a bus at 6 a.m. And the kicker- I will be chaperoning 24, 5th graders for 3 days. I am SO thankful that these are some of the BEST of the BEST students at my school ~ and we are going to Orlando ~ FUN. Then I have to hop on a plane, Sunday morning at the crack of dawn, and PRAY that it is a smooth, ON TIME flight, so I will be home in time to attend my babies graduation (oh yeah…. Add purchasing waterproof mascara to my list of things to do ~ YIKES)! Did I say this was SIMPLE STRESS! Oh My! Where is the chocolate??? 

With a list like this, I could SERIOUSLY develop a ‘booger of a blood pressure’ problem, or maybe some deadly ‘unmentionable’ digestive issues, or a ‘MAJOR Migraine’. BUT ALAS, I am going to share with you my ‘carpetbag’ full of tips and tricks that help me deal with stress, and I am going to provide some links that I have gone to, in an effort to find these tips and tricks!

My first plan that I put into place is: a reflective time. This reflective time does not have to be a long extended period of time, but it is a time to relax, reflect, and calm the senses. I have spent time in prayer and meditation, I have taken a bubble bath complete with candles and music, I have completed many a yoga session (Love me some yoga)! I have also from time to time treated myself to a massage, but no matter what method I choose to reflect and relax, I always begin with the following scripture verse: 

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV) 

This starts my time of reflection off on a positive note, with a positive promise. IF I am not anxious, but spend time in prayer, God will grant me peace. I find that my time of reflection is more profitable when I begin it with this wonderful verse of scripture. 

After my time of reflection, my mind is now more alert and clear to think about the ‘stressfilled’ situation facing me. SO, next step: I have created a notebook from a composition book (oh so cheap)! I decorated my composition book with a positive phrase, cute stickers, my personal initials… just something FUN for me to look at! I call this my BRAIN BOOK! Now that my brain is clear from my ‘reflection’ time, I can sit down with my brain book, and usually of course a cup of Chai Tea (yummo), and label each page with the date at the top (I usually do a week at a time). I begin listing things I have to do on a daily basis: extra jobs, phone calls, errands, ANYTHING that I need to accomplish over the course of the week! This gets everything I need to do OUT OF MY HEAD and into my Brain Book ~ once again clearing my brain! I am a very visual person, so for fun, I use stickers, and I will use colored highlighters to mark things off as I accomplish them. It always makes me feel good knowing that I am accomplishing the necessary things on my list, and it also helps me to remain organized, and being organized creates less stress! 

After I have had my ‘brain book’ session, before DIVING into my list, I take some time just for me. Ways that I make some time for myself include: spending time with my family, taking walks, doing a craft project, reading, calling a friend, exercising, cooking, writing, taking some pictures… anything that relaxes me and helps my mind, body and soul to remain calm. 

NOW! I feel less stressed and mentally ready to begin tackling my list in a clear, organized, methodical, and ‘less’ stressed manner. I can accomplish SO much more, when I have mentally prepared and organized myself to accomplish a big goal! 

Another tip once you begin your work, if you already know that the task you are starting on is one that may cause your’ ‘internal temperature to RISE’, set your timer and work on that difficult task for maybe 15 minutes, and then take a ‘small personal break’ and come back to it! This makes any task that is ‘crazy scary’ a lot more manageable! 

"STRESSED IS DESSERTS SPELLED BACKWARDS"

Here is a great medical link that details stress ‘symptoms’, although I am quite sure you already KNOW if you are stressed, but it also has other GREAT ideas for ways to relieve stress that I have not even covered. I have simply told you the things that work for me! 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php

I am also including prayer that I found online. I keep a copy of this in my purse and refer to it often. In fact, I had it laminated so it won’t be messed up jingling and jangling around with the rest of my purse contents! 

"Dear Lord, 
I need you now because I am full of stress and anxiety. Reading your Word brings comfort, as I ask you to come and take my heavy burdens. I take each burden, one by one, and lay them at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don't have to. Replace them with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today. I receive your gift of peace of mind and heart. Thank you that I can lie down tonight in peace and sleep. I know that you, Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me. Please keep me daily, Lord, in your perfect peace. 
Amen" 

I found this prayer at the following link: 

http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersforspecificneeds/a/stressanxiety.htm

I totally believe in, and have benefitted from the power of prayer. 

SO my friends, if the STRESS MONSTER is staring you in the face, remember that with a clear mind, a well laid out plan, and a calm spirit you can accomplish anything! 

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Living, Laughing, and Loving my less stressful week,

Patti