Home Transformation: Stage 2

Next phase:  Dining Room.
Before:

After:

Do you have any idea how hard it is to find an 8 seated formal black dining set (that I could afford)?  I am so tired of looking for furniture that to think of walking in another store makes me want to gag.  I literally went across the entire valley.  Most of the black tables I had seen came in a dinette...4 or 6 seater, but I really wanted to have a big enough table to fit more people and have the extended leafs to be able to fit the size of the room.  I would see ads and the tables looked great in the pictures but upon going to the store I would come to find the wood and quality was junk.  So, eventually I did the unthinkable for me...I ordered out of a catalog. You have no idea how stressful this was for me.  I was buying something I'd never physically touched or felt the quality of.  I took note of the brand that I had consistently seen quality in while shopping and found the table through their catalog.  After waiting a couple months due to being back ordered, it came.  We nervously opened the boxes and blew out a sigh of relief when I saw it.  It was exactly how I imagined and the quality is fantastic.  

  

Now I know what you're thinking...white?!? Where is her mind? Yes, I AM crazy.  I've scotch guarded the heck out of them and have bought every high quality stain clean up product I could find.  Will it prevent it?  No.  I have threatened the kids and Jason with their lives, but have realized it will most definitely be ME who makes the first food drop or soda dribble.  Nathan lays down a towel over the seat before eating, even he knows himself too well.  Why did I do it?  I wanted it all to flow with the kitchen, paint, shutters, etc.  I wanted black and white so if I wanted a change of the decor I could throw a color centerpiece into the mix to change it up once in awhile.  Speaking of which, I'm trying to find the perfect centerpiece so if you have ideas...please send them my way.  I figure if the chairs ever get to a point where they look too unsightly, I know how to reupholster and I will do that at minimum cost.

Other than the table, we repainted the walls, took down the drapery and the ceiling fan.  I found the chandelier in bronze and marble, so I left the marble and painted the rest black.

My biggest love of all is my rug. To me, it is the highlight and adds so much.  I knew with the style of a modern table I would need to soften it up, therefore I wanted more of a romantic light and rug.  

2 rooms down...lots more to go. 

I'm Not Smarter Than a 5th Grader

Horrible confession:  My son has overly annoyed me lately.  For those who thought I am the perfect mom...sorry to disappoint you, again.  He's 10, has a ton of energy, and lately I swear he finds things to push every nerve and button I have.  I feel like a cloud of negativity has been hanging over the house.  When he and I are home together I feel I am always coming down on him and wondering what the heck is going wrong.  Or is it that he has some learning disability? No other kids his age could possibly be acting up like he is, right?  Do you moms ever feel this way...like the Wicked Witch of the West, but morphed into it because you HAD to?
Nathan's Mom:

So on the day I'm ready to rent myself out to a more normal family, my son comes home with his 'Student of the Week' booklet that his classmates made for him.  Each of them wrote what they most like about him and what characteristic they feel he represents and why.  Some of descriptions include:* You always want to help.*You aren't afraid to be yourself.*You do such a good job at being a team leader.*You tell funny jokes and make me laugh. (multiples of this)*Nice to everyone.*You are always fair.*Always nice and never get mad.*You respect other people.*I can tell you anything without you telling anyone.*You never say anything mean.*You take care of people.*You are honest and loyal.*You will never not offer to help someone.*You are the nicest person ever.*You give people's stuff back if you find it.*You never talk back to people.*If someone is sad, you play with them.*Anyone could count on you.
My heart became so heavy.  These 5th graders were recognizing all his strengths while I was choosing to only see my high expectations and overlook all the good he does.  I think I'm the one with a learning disorder.  I have failed so many times in the parenting aspect.  Just give me a big fat 'F'.  
I realize these kids weren't encouraged to write anything negative, but there's something to be said about compliments coming from individuals who don't HAVE to say it.  If my family or friends give compliments, it's easy to question if they are only saying nice things because they don't want to offend or hurt feelings.  These comments were honest ones from his peers.  Somehow for some reason, that day those little opinions carried more weight as I sat and cried while I read them.  I was humbled by a classroom of 5th graders.  Humiliated and grateful at the same time.  I just want to hug all of them for waking me up.  
Today's picture of Nathan's Mom: