Where Rustic Living Meets Refined Elegance

Monday, November 8, 2010

The beginning of a Studio

Well yesterday was a lovely day.  Long but productive and fun.  We set out early as we had to drop of "Rico Suave" the gorgeous little grandson to his home after spending a night with us, but we were on the road shortly after 7 am.
The view is not the greatest from Paso Robles to Palo Alto but we had a nice time just chatting and enjoying being alone.  We stopped part way  at a McDonalds for some coffee and something to eat.  I'm not a huge fan of McDonalds in fact most fast food places scare me as I know it's some of the most chemically produced food out there, but it was on the way, cheap and the morning was so nice I didn't want to start out the day with having to drive all over to find something else.  So Mc Chemicals it was.

As we sat there next to each other sipping our coffee and eating a bite I said how it was too bad that our middle daughter and her boyfriend couldn't make the trip with us as planned.  The Cowboy said "yeah, but it's really kinda nice that it's just the two of us today.  I'm enjoying just being with you today".  I was nibbling on my pre packaged, high cholesterol, high fat, chemically produced breakfast that tasted remarkably like the most delicious hash browns I've ever eaten and suddenly said "Oh! That reminds me, there's the most interesting video on Youtube about the non decomposing hamburgers from Mc Donalds!"  The Cowboy said, "What made you think of that?"  I said, "Well, we've been together 26 years and we still like hanging out together so nothing much has changed.  I'll tell you about the video when we get in the car after we eat."
The Cowboy said "Thanks, I think"
It really is interesting and it certainly makes you think twice about what they put into their food.

I told him all about the video.  He agreed it was gross and then said, "Maybe we should have gotten some hamburgers in case we don't have time to stop later at least we know they won't go bad".

Next stop, IKEA!
The land of plenty.  Seriously! Everything 5 bucks!
Even though I had strict instructions that this was NOT a buying trip for dishes or candles the Cowboy heads right over to the all white dishes to look around.  What kind of message is that? What, is he testing me to see if I can pass it up even if he hangs out there awhile? I holler at him "Hey what are you doing?! I thought no white dishes or candles?"  Then I hear myself and realize it must be the Egg Mc Muffin talking because I would NEVER say such a thing.  The Cowboy looks at me with a completely startled expression and I say, "Wow, I can't believe I just said that.  I must really be on the road to recovery from my white dish addiction."  He smirked and said, "Don't worry I'm sure there will be a relapse somewhere along the way"
I just love the way they set up actual rooms to look at.  We really liked this closet system for me as I'm still using free standing armoires for now.  I told him I loved it but would want to have door made as these are too plain for me. He mumbled something about the doors would end up costing more than the whole unit but at least it got us moving along again.
And here's the shelving we were looking for.  I love this stuff.  Looks as good as the Williams Sonoma stuff but for a whole lot less.  We looked at the tags to see how the price had changed since we had last bought some almost 10 years ago, (not that much really) and we were on our way to the warehouse.
Aisle 1 bin 79.  It was a pretty quiet place until we showed up and began the big debate of how many pieces to buy and what we needed to combine with what we had and how we were going to put it together after we cut some of it up.  (We just can't seem to do things the easy way)  I have to say, after a while we had both drawn diagrams on scrap paper of what we thought we were doing and what we needed and we were both pretty frustrated and when I realized the Cowboy was about to blow a gasket I decided I'd best be nice to the person whose help I really needed so I just said "ok, get whatever you think we need".
I'm not sure why the but the whole thing cracked me up as I turned around so I grabbed my camera and said "Give me that angry look again"
"No, you're going to make fun of me"
"Noooo, I'm going to make fun of both of us  (sort of, not really) Come on"
I said "Wait, where's the angry, grouch that was talking to me a minute ago?"
he says, "I'm not Mr. Potato Head so I didn't pack my angry eyes"
Hilarious!  He has cousins who are actors in both film and tv and this is best he could do? Oh well, at least he's not wanting to throw everything back on the rack and leave empty handed.
Next are the huge checkout lines.  We waited in line for what seemed like forever only to get to the register and find out that we should have read the giant sign above our heads that said, "Debit/Credit Only".  Yeah us two knuckleheads had only cash. So we navigated our way to another line and started the waiting process again.  The Cowboy mumbled something about wishing he had one of those non decomposing hamburgers right about now.
Finally, out of the building and headed home and I might add without one white dish or one box of white candles. (Seriously they have the best candles and are super cheap but I currently have 3 huge boxes at home stashed away)
We worked for hours, moving, arranging, discussing.  But it's coming together.  At one point I said I'm so tired and it's almost nine we should stop.  He agreed and then said, "Wait! We forgot to set these clocks back in here it's only eight. (I internally groan) "Let's just put a little more together and then stop."  Stupid daylight savings time!
But it's starting to look better already.  We'll work more on it this week and hopefully have it wrapped up by the weekend but now it's time to sit down and watch the Amazing Race and off to bed.


11 comments:

  1. Tamra-I read every word. You sound a lot like my hubster and me! I guess growing old together you begin to meld, one to the other, and things that used to totally tick you off are sometimes funny. I am NOT watching that hamburger video because I will never eat another one and every once in a while I just need a good old greasy chemical fix! LOL Hugs- Diana

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  2. OK, now you are in trouble.
    Two things: I am going to have that WRETCHED Rico Suave song stuck in my head ALL NIGHT! And, I saw those wine racks and now am craving a glass and have none in the house.

    Thanks. ;)

    Angela
    Parisienne Farmgirl

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  3. Hi, I'm a new follower of your blog. So excited because we also bought a place in the country and you and I could have been separated at birth. Our tastes are so similar!!!

    Wondering if you've ever shared where you buy the "emblems" you put on some of your furniture redo's? I really need one for a dish hutch and can't seem to find good looking ones.

    Thanks for your wonderful posts.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  4. too funny! this is perfect- I need shelving for a closet and I would never have thought Ikea, and I need a trip to Ikea! I have withdrawls- I really don't buy anything but volitves, but just love to go and get ideas!

    Hope you and the cowboy had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    joan

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  5. Linda, email me about the emblems.

    Tamra

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  6. I just cannot get into IKEA ...
    so sorry darling ...

    overload

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  7. I was laughing so hard at all you wrote...what an adventure! Your studio is coming along so nicely, too. BTW, I think the Cowboy has some funny comebacks! :)

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  8. What a fun adventure you two had, Tamra! LOL! I was laughing all the way through your story - burgers and all! You're lucky to even get your cowboy in an IKEA. Mine would NEVER even consider it! lol! The shelves look fantastic so far!! ;)

    xoxo laurie

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  9. I LOVE IKEA! It's funny - when I lived in Europe - way back "in the day" when we had NO money (oh wait....that day is still here...) but back then, IKEA, was the "cheap fun store" that all the young, poor people went to in Europe. Then it came to America, and suddenly it is chic. When I came back to the states, after 6 years, my friends would say, "Let's go to this great new store...IKEA!" And I would groan, because I wanted William and Sonoma and TJ Maxx back then (well, still do).

    Now, I just love it and miss it - the closest one is Chicago. I miss my little Swedish meatball lunch and all the kitchens that are lined up and all the thoughts in my head as push my cart around thinking, "I just must down size and clean out my crap and live more simply!"

    But then I get home, and see my one-of-a-kind crap, and decide I like it all over again. LOVE your studio too.

    I just left a long reply to your comment on my Shop Talk - loved your story about your client. SO TRUE!

    Thanks for sharing - and love your cowboy. He is special. My barber husband just did my hair the other day - colored and cut it for NYC visit this weekend. We are very lucky to have such masculine men who aren't afraid of white dishes or coloring hair!

    Love
    Elizabeth

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  10. You must be busy - hope you post again soon!

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  11. Hey! I just found you and now you've disappeared!

    Please come back and tell us what you've been up to.

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