SANCTUARY! WHY WE NEED IT AND HOW TO KEEP IT.

I was crabby.Crabby, crabby, crabby. Like not talking crabby and snapping at people (family people) when I did talk. And totally in my head. Yuck.

Why was I crabby? Work. 'Nuff said. Luckily, my husband called me on it. He said, "This isn't work, this is our home and it's supposed to be a sanctuary. This is where we go to leave all the crap behind. This is where people love you." Okay, first he said, "What the hell?" Then he said the cool stuff.

Aaaah, I brought all the crap from work and pretty much placed it on the kitchen table and said, "Here, eat this." Not good.

Now, I'm a pretty happy gal, but when things bother me, they REALLY bother me, yet it so wasn't fair to my family to be bitchy with them when they weren't the fracking problem, plus being crabby and bitchy and unhappy SUCKS. The question was though, how was I going to leave my work drama at work?

So, I've been experimenting with some decompression stuff. Such as:

• Listening to a book on CD during my commute home
• Essential oils*
• Be intentional--before walking through front door: this is my sanctuary, and I will not shit where I eat.
• Think about the day and then set it aside.
• Florence and the Machine, because, Shake It Out.

When I leave work at work and give myself over to being my best me for my family and friends, it's not just better for them it's better for me too. It feels good to not be mired in my head with crap. It feels good to smile and listen and laugh.

*Essential oils are my first choice for most things: colds, bug bites, can't fall asleep, need to wake up, have to speak in front of 50 people...anything. So, it's funny that I didn't think of using them in my car a long time ago. I'm making caromas (did you see what I did there?) hangy doo-dad thingies (I'm working on a name) Here are some pictures:

It's definitely a prototype! but I like that I can pull the corks off the magnates to add more essential oils. Right now we are enjoying the scents of Peppermint and Lemon Young Living Essential Oils. Plus, just looking at it reminds me to leave the crap behind.
How about you, what's you're decompression trick(s)?

Color Changes Everything, well okay, Almost Everything

by: Patty Kennedy

What are you painting in 2012...A kitchen, a bath, a family room?

Now that the frightful weather has arrived, we need something to keep us occupied and to cheer up our space, even if it's just pouring over color chips.

Greens, oranges, blues and pinks are the colors for 2012. The more vibrant the color, the better. If you’re afraid of color try using it in a small area like a bath room. I think once you try it you’ll be hooked. If you're still not convinced, there are a number of inspiring neutrals out there to choose from as well. And even if you are stuck inside for a few days, there are several paint companies who offer, low and no, VOC products. They cost a little more, but worth the price if the windows need to stay closed or you have small children.

Paint chips vs Samples

Small paint chips work well when you're trying to decide what colors to pick, but once you've narrowed it down, don't use the small chips to decide if the color is right for your room. If the paint manufaturer does not offer the large sheets of color samples, buy the small sample containers; especially if you will be covering a dark color. This gives a truer picture of what the color will look like.

Supplies

1. Brushes and roller

2. paint pan

3. Spackle

4. Painter's tape DO NOT USE MASKING TAPE. NO REALLY!

5. Drop cloths. Old sheets work well. Don't use plastic on floors, you'll slip.

6. Sturdy step stool or ladder.

7. Paint - screw driver to open

Prepare, Protect and Putty

No shorcuts here. You spend too much money and too much time to miss important steps while preparing your room to paint.

1. Remove electrical plates and wall switches.

2. Cover any furniture that can't be moved out of the area.

3. Wipe all surfaces, that you'll be taping, with a damp cloth.

4. Tape trim and around windows and doors. No matter how steady you think you will be, you won't.

5. Lightly sand if your existing paint has a sheen or if painting a kitchen.

6. Use a primer to cover marks that can bleed through the paint. Example: Anything a 3 year old would use on the wall.

7. Spackle nail holes and dings. Sand the spackle flat after it dries.

Now We Paint

Use a brush to paint (cut in) the trim, ceiling and corners. As you finish brushing trim on each wall, roll immediately. Then move to the next wall surface.

Admire your work =)

Tips and Tricks

If you absolutely have to use masking tape, take the stick off by rubbing it on upholstered furniture first.

If you need to stop for a short time, instead of washing the paint brush, or roller wrap in a ziplock bag. This will prevent it from drying out or having to wait for the washed brush to dry.

To remove dried paint (latex) from brushes, soak in Lestoil.

Store leftover paint in an empty (washed) peanut butter jar. Saves space and gives you a snapshot of each color.

Watch out, I'm looking at wallpaper books.