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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Life Questions

I found this inspiring site while exploring the web. It's perfect timing because lately I've been feeling very restless in my life. Asking myself and God "What am I here for? What am I supposed to accomplish? What is life really all about?"

This list of 50 questions might not answer any of my life questions but it's fun to think about. So here are '50 questions That Will Free Your Mind' from Marc and Angel Hack; Life Practical Tips for Productive Living.


  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?    Me: 34
  2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?  Me: Never trying
  3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?    Me: I've asked myself this before. It's either fear or laziness. I can't think of any other answer, it always comes back to fear and laziness.
  4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?   Me: I'm sure I will have but I do hope I do a lot. 
  5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? Me: Never let a person go to bed hungry or cold or scared. That everyone had a warm safe place to live where they are loved and protected. People having such closed minds. Seeing things only their way and not allowing for there to be a possibility for anything else. Politics, religion, how to raise kids, how to live life etc. I know that's two things.
  6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Oh it would change everyday. Sewing one day, gardening the next, visiting farms, hanging out with my kids, hiking with my family etc. Ok, none of that is work but that's what makes me happy.
  7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? Me: Well I started my work because I love it and believe in it. I might be at a point in my life where I'm ready to move on to other things but this is what I do. That might be a form of settling at the moment.
  8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? Me: Will then I'll be dead in 6 months. I would spend every second with my kids.
  9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? Me: Wow! Controlled? Very little, I'm trying to be more in control now.
  10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Me: Doing the right things but I'm always concerned about doing them right and I beat myself up if I don't.
  11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do? Me: There is no one I respect and admire more than my best friend and she would never say an unkind word about anyone and if someone said an unkind word about her, I would not respect or admire them.
  12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Me: Don't worry about what other people think or say about you. 
  13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Me: You betcha
  14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Me: Not sure, usually it's the other way around.
  15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Me: Think
  16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Me: What makes me happiest are my children and I hope that's true for every parent. Of course when they're not doing well, I'm miserable.
  17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back? Me: Travel. Money.
  18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Me: The need to be perfect because I'm not and I'm always letting myself down.
  19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Italy or New Zealand because they are beautiful countries. 
  20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? Me: ha ha no and no.
  21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Me: Joyful simpleton
  22. Why are you, you? Me: I ask myself this question every day. I don't have the answer.
  23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? Me: I think so, I hope so. 
  24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Me: Losing touch with a good friend.
  25. What are you most grateful for? Me: My children, their beautiful lives and their health. God being a loving and forgiving God.
  26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? Me: Lose all my old memories. I have such a bad memory anyway.
  27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Me: I think that's called faith. I tend to believe things without challenging them. Sometimes it's good to challenge things, you'll be surprised at how many lies are out there.
  28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Me: No and I pray every day to keep it away.
  29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now? Me: Nope and nope.
  30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? Me: Dancing with my grandpa, standing on his boots. My grandpa made everything special.
  31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? Me: While hiking, enjoying and appreciating all of the beauty around me.
  32. If not now, then when? Me: Hopefully soon.
  33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Me: I have nothing 'monetary' to lose. 
  34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Me: Oh yeah.
  35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Me: Good question. I'd like to know the answer to that as well.
  36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Me:Evil cloaks itself in good so probably not.
  37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Me: Um yes.
  38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? Me: I really don't like to work. I'd rather play.
  39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Me: Oh - my - gosh - yes. Boring.
  40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? Me: I've done this often. I love ideas, I love starting and doing new things.
  41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? Me: My children.
  42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? Me: No way.
  43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Me: Not sure if I've figured that one out yet. I want to truly live but I feel stuck right now.
  44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? Me: I never calculate risk and rewards.
  45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Me: Because it sucks when you're going through it. Getting a shot might prevent us from getting sick but we still don't want a nettle in our arm.
  46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? Me: I don't care if someone judges me, if I want to do something, I'll do it.
  47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Me: Everyday, I do breathing exercises, meditation and Kundalini Yogo.
  48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? Me: I love my children. I hope I express that every day.
  49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? Me: No. No. Nope, I don't even remember it right now.
  50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? I make all of my decisions, sometimes I wish someone would make some for me.                   Well that wasn't so hard. I think I might go back and answer them again with a different mind set. Of course my children are #1 to me but I need to know what else is important to me. Make sure to visit this website, if only to get yourself thinking.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Cord Wood Homes

Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, my husband and I will be building a house in about 2 years. Of course so far my life has not gone according to plan so maybe it will be more like 4 or 5 years or maybe never. I am however planning this dream out as if it's going to happen very soon.

I've wanted a stone house for years. I love the look of stone houses with a beautiful wood deck. I've done extensive research on stones, concrete and construction. Right when I thought I had it all (well some of it) figured out, I found this:



I'm really liking this kind of building and it seems easier that building a stone house. I'm not loving the look as much as I love the stone look but I'm interested in learning more about it.
More cord wood building:

cordwood7

Image from cordwoodmasonry.com

cordwood shed
xoxo

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

12 Months of My Favorite Blogs

Oh how I wish I could get paid by reading blogs! I have spent days reading an entire blog from start to finish, at the end feeling like this person was my new best friend.

Oh So Lovely Vintage



Erin and Stefanie: world travelers who just celebrated their first year anniversary of their cute vintage shop; Rhymes With Orange,


owner of adorable Olive, their vintage travel trailer.


and so much more! Go check them out...now.....they're awesome!








Friday, September 7, 2012

Gardening!



I have a huge backyard  back.....lot. This is what I want to do with it!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

New model! Hurray!!

I'm so happy to introduce our new model here at Beatniks Vintage! 

                                              Please say hi to Kati.

My goal at Beatniks has always been to use a real model instead of my mannequin (Or as my son calls her, Ashley). So I'm ecstatic to have met Kati. And did I mention she's an absolute sweetheart and she has a beautiful peacock feather tattoo on her right side. 

Next week will be a busy week at B.V. because I now have tons list in our store.


You also have to check out some of our recent pictures, the shadow from one of our trees was making a beautiful shadowy back drop for us.


This shadow isn't showing through the curtain, it's coming from the window across 
the room. I just love the effect...affect? (Hmmm, pick which ever one is correct)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

I'm going Industrial



I am so attracted to industrial decorating. The wonderful combination of wood and steel makes my heart go pitter patter. I've never lived in a home where I thought about decorating that way though. I always thought that if and when I ever buy an abandoned warehouse or some huge cool loft then I'll decorate industrial. Well I don't see that happening anytime soon and I've been seeing so many awesome industrial style pictures lately that I finally just said, screw it! I'm going Industrial! What's so great is that my husband and I can just build our own pieces and making them so much more personal.

Here are some inspirational pieces:

AT_August_005.jpg
I love this table! This is actually on a houseboat.

And this French Industrial coffee table. Love the drawers.

Ds Industrialcoffeetable

Plumbing_pipe_m1_rect540_rect540
Plumbing_pipe_022211-door1_rect540_rect540
I can totally make these!! I might not even need my husbands help. Ha ha ha!


I think my colorful Pyrex, Fire King, and Bauer would look amazing on this. I would also put this Tonka Jeep on it just because I love it.


It's hard to just pick a few pictures, there are so many! I'm going thrifting today looking for old wood or things made with old wood that I could repurpose and metal framed tables, beds, chairs, and pipes.





Tuesday, August 21, 2012

BEDROOMS...

I'm working on redecorating my daughters bedroom. We're living in a very small house right now. I'll just say, we're in between houses and this is a temporary pit stop. There's a lot I don't like about this house but renting again puts us in that dilemma of not wanting to dump a bunch of money into it. So I'm always looking for creative ways to make more space. I mean if people can live in a 250 sqft apartment in Manhattan and make them look awesome, I can surely do something with this place. One of the things I do like about this house is that is right down town and also close to a fantastic trail that my dog Lucy and I walk everyday.

Yesterdays hike, this was minutes before we got slammed by a thunder storm.

Back to bedrooms. Here are some great ideas I'll be trying out or maybe I'll just think of trying them out.



So I thought this was some amazing piece of mid-century furniture I had never seen before, then I realized duh duh duh that it's TWO TABLES put together! The cushion makes it look like one piece. I am freaking out over this idea. I am going to make this happen. And the drum side tables?! Oh my goodness, this room really does rock! Fantastic mix of retro funk, femininity, masculinity and rock n roll.

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I really this idea. You can find free pallets anywhere and I like free. I have a few other ideas for pallets anyway, so I'm looking around to where I can find some in my area. I like that you can use the open space for magazines, books and maybe shoes. I also like this.

This is a wonderful room to go from tween to teen in (which is exactly where my daughter is right now, today being her 12th birthday.)
small space bedroom


And there are a lot of fun ideas here! I really like this separated space, it's like 3 rooms in 1!
small space bedroom - tumidei