My Life/Work Since April 2011

I can't believe its been 9 months since I have blogged about my business or my life.  Last year, specifically on April 5, 2011, my husband suffered a severe stroke.  I will remember that day the rest of my life. It was a Tuesday morning and my husband didn't feel well.  I made a dr. appt. for him and we were scheduled to be there at 3:00 p.m.  At about noon, I noticed his eyes were going back and forth and I knew something was wrong.  I decided to take him to the emergency room.  When we arrived there, my husband could no longer walk and I had to get a wheelchair to take him in; he was taken into triage; I told the nurse he had experienced a stroke the prior year and also advised her of his other health issues, diabetes and high blood pressure.  He was taken to the back and we waited 12 hours before any tests were administered....this was NOT a county hospital; it was a well known hospital and my husband had excellent insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield).  Needless to say, my husband had suffered a severe stroke.  This entire previous year, since April, 2011 has been a challenge for him.  He not only is now confined to a wheelchair and completely paralyzed on the right side, unable to communicate clearly but recently had his right leg amputated due to an infection (he is a diabetic). 

Through all of this, I have never given up on him nor my business.  I knew that someday I would come back strong and that my followers would be here. In addition, despite everything my husband has gone through, he still has a great sense of humor ~ he tried to put on his prostetic leg himself and said "I don't know if I'm coming or going.

My husband, Jody,

This 2012 year, I am asking our God to keep my husband well and also thanking him for giving us the strength to get us through all we have been through.  Younique727 will continue to refinish furniture as this is a love that will never go away......

Thank you ALL for your continued support and for believing in my return.

Life Hands Me Another Test

About two months ago, I had written about a business I had a few years ago.  The name of my original business was named ON SECOND THOUGHT.  I was given some challenges but overall, in hindsight, it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.

In March of this year, I met a wonderful lady named Sherry.  The name of her shop was "Spring Cottage Antiques and Gifts".  She didn't have the courage to open this by herself.  After talking, laughing and dreaming together, we agreed to become partners and to make a go of the shop.

Here I am now a few years later and I'm faced with a greater challenge.  About three weeks after making the decision to open a shop, my husband, Jody had a severe stroke.  The stroke occured in the stem of his brain which affected his ability to speak, walk, sit up, and all the other muscles that we don't even think about using, like breathing, eating, blinking.  THIS stroke has really changed our lives.  Thankfully, we were able to get him into TIRR for rehabilitation and therapy.  TIRR Memorial Hermann is one of the best facilities in the nation for this type of stroke.  I am now praying to God that the outcome will be a good one.  I realize he will never be 100% himself but if he can at least walk with a cane or a walker, and can speak to me, I will be happy.

With the shop in progress to be opened, I am again thinking about the name.  On Second Thought ~ this could not be the most perfect name for my business more than ever.

 We hope that you all can join us for our grand opening scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2011.

The Beautiful Antique Carriage

During the Christmas holidays, I was refinishing alot of childrens pieces.  Tables and chairs, toy chests, play kitchens, and a very special antique baby carriage.  When I first saw this carriage, I immediately knew it wouldn't last very long.  With Christmas a couple of weeks away, I thought for sure that a mommy on my facebook page would grab this quickly  for her little girl ~

It was pretty from the very beginning, just needed a little added love to make it gorgeous.  Of course, when I brought this home, my little granddaughter, Samantha, wanted it.  But I explained to her that someone else would probably get more use out of it than she would.  If you all only knew the toys, and craft items this little girl has.....omg.  She will probably take after me when she grows up as she loves to paint, is very creative and always looking for things to repurpose.  Anyway, so she was o.k. after I told her it was going to be up for sale.

Well, within a couple of hours of posting this pretty carriage, it was claimed.  A lovely lady by the name of Melanie, of RENDERING BY MELANIE, bought it.  Turns out that she is a photographer ~ how perfect was this?  She wasn't sure what color she wanted it refinished but she knew she wanted the carriage. 

So, Christmas came and went and Melanie decided on brown ~ so I did some research to see what antique carriages looked like "back in the days".  I found some in brown with black wheels ~ that was my question ~ what color do I paint the wheels. 

I went and bought the paint color that Melanie picked ~ it was Bison Brown by Behr and I went with the satin finish.  So, I took the carriage completely apart, primed it  and started the painting ~ after a few coats of this bison brown on the body of the carriage ~ I was in love with it. 

So, I am currently using her photo as my profile picture for my name change of YOUNIQUE727 to ON SECOND THOUGHT......might even decide on making it my permanent one....hhmmmmm.

Thanks for stopping by ~ and don't forget to join me my new f/b page......ON SECOND THOUGHT

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/On-Second-Thought/154275191293282

Back to my original name......

A few years ago I had a little boutique named "ON SECOND THOUGHT".....I sold jewelery, home decor, womens clothing and a few antiques.  It was a small but qaint shop and I really loved it.  My customers were mostly women between 25-50 and I felt I had a connection with each and everyone of them.  I  remember buying the showcases to display the jewelery, painting the walls, decorating and just personalizing it to make it look beautiful.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/On-Second-Thought/154275191293282

Well, as we all know, life gives us challenges.  Many times we can keep moving and continue working as if everything is o.k. ~ but in my case, that was not possible.  I remember sharing a story with you all about having problems with my daughter.  She was not taking care of her two daughters, at that time, Alexis was about 4 and Samantha was only about 3 months old.  I had Alexis in private school and I was having to take care of Samantha.  But it wasn't just taking care of them that made it difficult to run a business, it was the problems that my daughter was giving me at the time.  I won't go into detail but I finally had to make a decision as to what was more important, my business or my granddaughters ~ I chose my granddaughters.

Sadly, I closed the business and never looked back.  I was very depressed for a while as I really felt as if I had failed.  Not only as a business person but as a mother as well ~ my daughter was lost.  Fortunately, I had a very supportive family who helped me with my granddaughters when my depression got very bad.....my mother and my sisters ~ they all did what they could to get me through these very difficult emotional and trying times.  Unfortunately, at that time, my now husband, Jody was not at his best behavior either.  He recently had lost a son to suicide so he was dealing with his own loss, his depression and his way to cope with all this was drinking.  We went through many, many heartaches, arguments and seperations.  At one time, my husband, Jody, was a singer/songwriter (not anymore since he had his stroke) ~ he had a written and composed a beautiful song and titled it "ON SECOND THOUGHT"......the lyrics were beautiful and the one I remember is it saying "on second thought, I love you more than I thought I did".

So, now that you know all the drama I've faced over the past 12 years, this is why I am going to change the name of my current business to "ON SECOND THOUGHT".  Although it reminds me of the trying and challenges that were imposed on me ~ it also reminds me that I made it through o.k.  My granddaughters are fine ~ Jody and I are married and working on our relationship and my daughter has come a long way and is now a grown woman and is helping me in anyway she can.

I will continue refinishing furniture, and making it shabby chic, the home decor line and the jewelery line will be expanded and ON SECOND THOUGHT will once again, be given a second thought.

I hope you will join me in this journey of transition and that I can build up my fanbase to the level  where Younique727 currently is ~ 2,730 ~ wow.......I know I'm doing the right thing though.

As my mom always says, If God is Willing......http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/On-Second-Thought/154275191293282

My Shabby Chic Inspiration

A few days ago I decided I was going to transform my home into the shabby chic look ~ I've always loved this look and decor; however, my decorating has trended more towards the traditional dark browns, mahogony, elegant type of furniture. Well, since I've just about sold all my traditional home decor, I've got to start shopping and re-decorating....oh, you know I dread that :)

I've read plenty of blogs, magazines and such that I pretty much know what I want now ~ its just pulling it all together now.  All my current end tables and coffee table are dark brown ~ but that is an easy fix......I'll repaint all those when I can.  I'm buying new lamps, new rugs, well, when I say new, I mean from a thrift store and just fixing them up and making them beautiful ~ I hope......

I find things all the time but unfortunately I have a difficult time keeping them for myself.  Now that I'm selling home decor, in addition, to furniture, I want to sell that too ~ I guess I want to share these beautiful items with everyone as I feel I can always find something else ~ am I crazy or what?

The pictures I am posting are from a wonderful blogger named "Miss Mustard Seed" ~ she is the most creative person I've ever known.  She can do it all ~ paint, sew, use power tools and is a very nice person too.  She has so many ideas in her head I wonder if she ever sleeps.

Well, lucky for me, I have alot of furniture already ~ all I have to do now is sand it down and repaint it to the shabby chic look ~ don't know when I'll have to do it though. I have lots of pieces to finish for my clients ~ they come first.  So, I will get my home "shabby chic" as soon as I can.  In the meantime, I'll keep looking for more inspiration and hope that my home looks as beautiful as these pictures.

Thanks for stopping by and May God Bless You :)

Time to be Shabby Chic

Happy New Year Everyone.......

Like many of you, I have always loved the shabby chic look ~ have had a few pieces here and there but never went completely shabby chic.  Well, this year its going to be ALL SHABBY CHIC.....you would think with me painting all the time that it would be easy to transform my entire home to shabby chic but it isn't so. My home is very traditional with dark wood; I love it but I really want the shabby chic look now.....

If you ever talk to your landscaper he will tell you that he too doesn't have to landscape his own yard as he's too busy doing everyone else's yards.......I think this applies to many other occupations also....maybe I'm wrong but I've heard this more than once. 

There are so many times that I'm out thrifting and I am pulled towards items that I want for my home BUT they won't match because they are all shabby chic ~ so, starting this month, I will start transforming my home, one room at a time.

I've always felt that the shabby chic look is so warm and inviting ~ don't get me wrong, I love the traditional look as it tends to look very elegant and warm also but I've decided its time to make a change to reflect my passion which is refinishing and painting furniture, shabby chic style.

The good thing about all this is it shouldn't take too much time to transform my old furniture (excluding my couch, its leather and probably will just be covered) as my sprayer does wonders......yeaaahhhh.  I have things put away now, like shutters, old windows, antique pics. but just haven't put them to use ~ but...give me a few months and I will share my transformations with you. 

If you have any suggestions or ideas to help me with this big endeavor, let me know.  I also would love to see pictures of your home so I can be inspired.

Thanks for stopping by and May God Bless You :)

Tis The Season For Kids Stuff AND Knobs

Wow, can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner ~  11 days to be exact.  I've been picking up all sorts of precious little kid items because I know this season is all about the kids.  Don't get me wrong, I know the most important reason for the season is Jesus and after Jesus comes our kids ~ what we wouldn't do for them, right?  Well, in addition to looking for beautiful pieces lately, I've also been picking up kids pieces ~

I love finding these treasures as its not everyday that you run across these ~ I was so excited when I found this at the auction ~ and when I was able to buy it.....WOW ~ ECSTATIC was how I felt.  Besides finding these gorgeous pieces, I love picking up knobs when they are on sale....don't you love them too?  Sometimes I buy them just to have them in stock......

Another precious item I recently picked up was this little wooden kitchen sink ~ it didn't look like much but I KNOW it will be beautiful when I'm finished with it ~ can you picture funky, chic, zebra, crystal, pink/white ~ that's where I'm taking this kitchen ~

The other thing I am REALLY excited about is the new color I have recently discovered ~ I don't know what the name of it is

But I think I will be painting THIS desk this particular color and adding THESE knobs ~

Be sure and come back and I will be posting pictures of all the finished items ~

Thanks for stopping by and May God Bless You :)