Turning 40 In the Time of Corona

Yes, my friends, it’s true.  I turned 40 last week in the time of corona.  My day went a bit like this…

I awake to the sound of text messages coming in.

Awwww!!  So early!!

Not so much.  They’re TWO separate reminders that there are zoom conferences for my kids in an hour.  Before a Corona-Panic sets in, mom’s text comes in and saves the day.

**Corona-Panic:  The feeling you get when you realize that the person in front of you has just grabbed the last loaf of bread in the state.

**Corona-Panic, pre-corona:  The feeling you get in Mexico on spring break, when the cooler is out of Corona.

I leap out of bed with a spryness of a girl in her twenties and proceed to put on a full face of gorgeous, glowing make-up.  Wait, I’m still dreaming, in a half sleep…. instead, I drag myself out of bed and put on my new daily uniform; sweats, thick socks, shirt, sweater and ANOTHER sweater.  These days my bones feel chilly.

I vow to buy myself those electric socks.

I’m immediately smothered with hugs from my family.  They’re all boys so the love fest lasts about 3.4 seconds, except from my favorite which snuggles me a full 2 seconds longer.  Wow, it really is my birthday.  A revelation my twin said to me last week pops suddenly into my head, “Wrinkle cream can’t save you now!”  I give that one an EXTRA firm squeeze (around the neck) which is both filled with resigned bitterness and absolute pride.  I’m cultivating a comedian and that shit is damn funny.  Bleak and ironic.  Perfect for today, I think.

I have asked for ONE thing for my birthday.  I’m salivating thinking of that hot cup of Starbucks coffee.  Nope.  In the Time of Corona, it’s coffee made with whatever milk product is in the fridge.  Today is creamy whole milk (tomorrow it’s low-fat, fyi).  I take the win.

20 minutes later, I shed some.  Tears, that is.  I can’t figure out all the kid’s passwords for Zoom, Clever, Epic, Google Classroom, Zearn, SeeSaw, Benchmark.  Turns out that turning 40 is a lot like turning 14.  There is a bunch of F-ed up hormonal activity, even pimples (!?!) and I’m not sure who I am anymore or who I want to be when I grow up.

Also, why are these kids so big and where did they come from??  I eye them with distrust while attempting to social distance myself.  That lasts all of 3 minutes… until the “I’m starving’s” start coming in.  How can these aliens always be starving?

Fabulous house from “This Is 40”

I somehow get it ALL working.  I look at the laundry and decide NOT to do it.  I’m a bad bitch.  I do a few leg kicks, squats, hip thrusts.  Yup.  Still got it.

I don’t feel a day over 39.

It’s 3rd meal time, or what other people call lunch out in the distant world.  I dig past the THREE 10lb bags of shredded cheese my husband bought to get to some sliced turkey.  Was there a cheese shortage I wasn’t aware of?  I think the tiny bag I bought at the hippie market scared him.  Hippie Market?  This is how I talk now.

My gf calls me and tells me 40 isn’t that bad.  I ask her if she’s ever tried Crepe Erase.  It’s on sale at Ulta.  True Story.

My oldest son defends me throughout the day… Don’t say that to mom, it’s her birthday.  Listen to mom, it’s her birthday.  I’m legitimetly terrified for tomorrow.

With dinner being made and a homemade cake in the oven, I put on Shrill.  Is Aidy Bryant a hero?  Absolutely, I decide.  All of a sudden I’m feeling pretty darn good.  I belt out “I’m on the deep end, watch as I dive in” while doing some robotic dance moves.  I could be losing it, or maybe I’m just happy?

Shrug.  I decide over-self-reflection is a thing of my 30’s.  Self-acceptance feels very 40.

Over dinner I climb up on my horse, cue the orchestra, and tell the kids that I’ve done great things in my life and feel good about the next chapter (remember I’m saying old people shit now), that I have a lot left in me (??) and really feel like the best is yet to come.  Even I can’t believe the garbage coming out of my mouth.  I can feel them rolling their eyes, mouthing, “Okay Boomer,” (I’M NOT A F’IN BOOMER FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME!!).  I can see them inching off the edge of their chair to attempt an escape.  BUT I’M FEELIN’ IT Y’ALL.  I talk another 15 minutes longer, JUST BECAUSE I CAN.  Normally, THEY talk and I listen.  But today it’s all about me and I’m a savage and mama take what she wants.

And with that, I know my day is complete.  I’ve made it another 24 hours without leaving the house.  I’ve annoyed the kids with a long speech that they couldn’t do a thing about (always a bonus).  I’ve washed every dish in the house 2x’s over.  (Hand sanitizer is for suckers.)  I may have entered the best years of my life?

I PICK THE DAMN SHOW WE WATCH.  Me.  I am all powerful.

Stay Sane Out There!

Faux Bois, Anyone?

Hello my friends!

I am here!  Alive and well!  I have just been keeping busy with the boys, work and selling a gang o’ stuff. It’s been fun and I can’t even believe it’s freaking March and that the world is falling apart.

How about we just pretend all that other stuff doesn’t exist and talk about boring, non-important things like what I’ve been cooking up?

A few weeks ago I bought the beauty below.  I found it on an auction site and paid… wait for it… you will die… it’s coming… a whopping $22.  Overall, the cabinet is in really great shape except there is a chunk missing on the top corner.  Who would buy a cabinet with a chunk missing?!  THIS GAL!  No-one will ever see that chunk, yeah baby!  It’s most likely from the 1980’s (like duh), made in Italy and it’s made of birds-eye maple that has been heavily shellacked, as was the way in those days.  I forgot to photo the sides, but they are lovely!  They’re the best part actually.  They have a wavy detail and the whole piece is in an oval shape.  You may be thinking, “Yak! This thing is ugly” but I see so much potential as a bathroom cabinet.  Can you just imagine her stripped down, re-stained perhaps, with legs and a marble top?  Probable some new handles too =)

Right now she is sitting in my master bedroom.  Oh vey.

But before taking the cabinet apart, I’ve decided to tackle a different project!  Wow, remember when I used to do those?!  Ha!

I have this cut-in area with 4 doors that leads to the master bathroom, from my bedroom.  To the left is a sauna (which my fancy ass uses for treasure storage) and to the right is my closet.  This wwwwhhhhooollleee thing is really boring and no fun at. all.  The doors are just flat, hollow doors and I would LOVE to change them out, but that’s a pain and probably not necessary in the grand scheme of life.  For now I’m thinking (and I’ve been thinking for a few months now) that I’d like to try to do a treatment on them.

I’m pondering a cerused oak look… ala something like this…

Can I do it?!  Who knows!  Will I try!  Yes, I will!

I found this article from Bob Vila and it doesn’t look too difficult.  Of course, starting any new project is ALWAYS way more than you expect.  As of today, I’ve only sanded the doors and already I’m pretty annoyed…. I didn’t think about removing my mirror on the inside of the door and basically sanded into my closet.  I’m the bestest.

It’s hilarious because I waited until the day before our cleaning lady came so that I could make a mess and only half clean it up.  Pat on the back for laziness!  She hasn’t quit on us yet, but stay tuned because we are a house full of lazy dirt balls!

Right now, the doors are sanded and the base coat is mixed (I had some left over crap in the garage).  I need to patch up some holes and get that paint on there!  It’s a 2 week cure time before I can apply the glaze, and now that I’ve actually done something, I’m itching to faux bois!  But something is telling me that I may have some time on my hands next week…. call it a hunch.

What do you think??

Any advice?  I’m not optimistic about getting a realistic wood grain while the doors are hanging, but I really, REALLY don’t want to remove them.

Santa Baby 2019

Happy Holidays, aka The Craziest Time of the Yearrrrrrr!

I have literally been working on my wish list for the last few weeks and I’m just now getting it done.  Sigh.  This has seriously been the story of my life for 2019.  Will I be better next year?  Tune in to find out!

Anyway, even though this is SOOOO late I figured it would still be fun to share all the goodies I’ve been saving in my notes folder.  These are things I’ve seen in a magazine or online, coveted and now am begging Santa for.

Santa, don’t do me wrong.

This first batch is kinda the “fun” set… stuff I could use when I actually try to look nice or go somewhere where there are no kids.  For some unknown reason, I’m really, REALLY wanting faux leather paperbag/pleated pants.  I can’t explain it, I just want some.  The other things, I would definitely try… a heated curling iron??  Sounds very dangerous… but Danger is my middle name.

Michael Todd Sonic Eye Wrinkle Eraser, Karl Lagerfeld Heated Eyelash Curler, Lancome Holiday Shadows, NKD SKN Tanning Water, Bar III Faux Leather Pants, Colorblock Sweater, Clear Cat-Eye Sunglasses, Eyeliner Wing Stamp Pens

This 2nd Set is for the side of me that loves a power tool!  A cute measuring tape for the purse? YES PLEASE!  I used to have one that I loved but unfortunately I lost it.  A box cutter!!  You guys I want those scissors so badly… I need them desperately, said my way too muscular hands.  I cut an obscene amount of cardboard.  And the mini welder, sandblaster and routing table – my gosh, is there anything better?!

Mini Starter Welder Kit, Cardboard Cutting Scissors, Pretty Measuring Tape, Bosch Benchtop Routing Table, Handheld Sandblaster, Oversized Flannel, Dansko Berry Clogs, Lumberjack Cap, Tie-Belt Jeans

The 3rd and final episode (Are you dying to see Star Wars as much as I am?!?) is all about the lazy Sunday at home.  You know that item that you thought you invented, i.e. heated socks??  THEY EXIST!  I’m at the same time, kicking myself and jumping for joy.  I’ve wanted the Molekule for awhile and still probably won’t get it, so I’ll need to be appeased with more mules.  More Mules for the WIN!  And that blanket!  Can’t you even handle it?  I know we would all fight over it, but I’d be ok letting it stay all winter on the sofa for super cuddling sessions… all while I wear my new striped pajamas, looking like I have it together.

Molekule Air Purifier, Wool Blanket Etsy, Heated Socks, Stars Above Striped Pajamas, Humidifier, La Mer Moisturizer, Lily Ana Eye Cream, Clarks Cloudsteppers Clogs

And I think that’s pretty good for this year!  My boys have already told me they want to gift me the new iPhone, but of course I just need to find the 5 hours to get to the store and buy it.  So we’ll see… perhaps better photos are in both of our futures!  And some new projects!!  I really want to get back to DOING STUFF.

Ok!  Back to the jungle that is on-line gift buying.