The Game/Play/Family Room Project...

Well...hello there folks!  Betcha wonder where the heck I've been lately.

Busy!  That's where!

I've got so many different projects started that I don't even know which end is up anymore.  It's all good though!
I'm making progress...slowly.

This particular project started about a month ago.  Sherwin Williams was having a 30% off sale on paints.  I'd be a fool NOT to take advantage of that right?  RIGHT!  And that's the story were telling Mr. AKM em' kay pumpkins?  Well, that was until they decided to have 40% off sale this weekend.  We are NOT telling Mr. AKM that little tidbit of info.  Capiche?
  

Anyway...I'd been dying to tackle painting the upstairs Game/Play/Family Room since we moved in (uhm, that was 4 years ago people) and decided that a 30% off sale was reason enough to jump on it!

The room wasn't all that bad to begin with...

Ok, who am I kidding.  It was awful.  Every time I walked into it I thought of baby poop.  YUCK!

And there was no design to it at all.  Years ago we had it filled with furniture that was eventually moved down to our main family room so this just became the place to "dump" all the overflow.  (that's a ping pong table folded up against the wall by the way).  In case you were wondering.

One rainy day I resolved to begin...and since it was raining and no one could go outside, I enlisted the help of the entire family.

And it went a little something like this...

That's a lot of "brown" to have to clean, caulk and tape up people!  But we did it!  WOOT!

This is the hallway just behind the Game Room.  It's pretty dark and dreary.

But now...

Soooo much better wouldn't you say?  

This room is still a work in progress (as you can see).  But I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what we're working on.

Keep checking back for more updates.

I will be posting a tutorial on how to paint the PERFECT stripes...can you guess which wall got striped?

Tell me what you think so far.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Turning the page...to 40!

Yesterday I turned 40!  Yup, I’m officially a “Cougar” as my husband tells me.  I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.  :/  Perhaps maybe a M.I.L.F. would be better?  I’m not sure I even like that one too much.  It actually creeps me out to think of younger men (or boys) checking me out.  I am, after all, raising two young men of my own.  Maybe that’s why I get the whole shiver up my spine reaction when my husband refers to me as a Cougar.  I dunno.  Maybe I’m just weird.  Who knows! 

Anyway…as the day approached I found myself thinking of the past 40 years and what knowledge I have gained along the way.  Maybe not so much knowledge but more wisdom!  


Oh if only I could go back and talk to my 16 year old self.  I’d let me know three things (1) Whoever “he” is, he’s so totally not worth it (2) stop obsessing over your weight! and (3) embrace yourself for who you are and stop trying to be what everyone else “thinks” you should be.  

Oh the buckets of tears I could save myself if only I could jump into Michael J. Fox’s Delorian from Back to the Future and sneak up on my past self.  But alas, I can not.  I can only pass on my wisdom to those around me…in the present time. 

 

So, as my birthday gift to you for MY 40th birthday I’ve decided to share 40 bits of wisdom that I've gained over the years...Doncha just feel special?  So here goes in no special order…

1.         Remember to breathe in and out (I often forget this).
2.         Smile often.
3.         Believe that you have something great to offer.
4.         Love deeply.
5.         Tell your family you love them.
6.         Treat your family like you love them.
7.         Exercise makes you feel good.
8.         Be the best "you".
9.         Let go of all negativity.
10.       This too shall pass.
11.       Give even when you have nothing because someone needs more.  
12.       Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
13.       Give compliments freely.
14.       You only get to live each day once, do it right the first time.
15.       Putting on your favorite dress for no reason is good for you.
16.       So is ice cream (though my butt begs to differ).
17.       Trust God.
18.       Listen to your children...even when you're busy.
19.       Give credit where credit is due.
20.       Stop at a lemonade stand and give a big tip!
21.       Give anonymous service.
22.       Always say thank you.
23.       Work hard.
24.       Play hard.
25.       Dream big.
26.       Follow your instincts.
27.       When you go out of the house without makeup, you will always run into someone you don't want to.
28.       Accept when you are wrong with grace.
29.       Bubble baths are the perfect end to a long day.
30.       Red wine with friends really IS the best medicine.
31.       Dance to music while you cook.
32.       Sometimes being wrong feels way better than being right.
33.       Don't be afraid to try something new.
34.       Failure often leads to later success.
35.       You really are only as old as you feel.
36.       You can do anything you set your mind to.
37.       Really listen to what others are saying.
38.       Nurture your creativity.
39.       Celebrate the little things.

and

40.        Everything will be okay in the end...if it's not okay, then it's not the end.

Thank you for visiting me here at AKM designs and delights!  I just love all of my bloggy friends that I've come to know through this little corner of the world!  You all make me happy!