Chair Redo and Apparently a Book Review

So. Yes I'm still working on project redecorate my entire house. The problem is that I started reading a book and I'm not the type of person who can read a little bit each day. I'm the type of person that disregards house, children, and self until the book is finished and then I join the world again. It's really not healthy, but I've come to accept it about myself so it's OK.

If anyone is interested I was reading this book.

If you have any desire to increase in understanding and respect for you children than I cannot recommend it enough! I have to warn you though that you will most likely experience feelings of guilt as you realize just how much you have been wounding your children. Don't despair though! She is quick to point out that it is never too late to start being a better parent.


OK, so I didn't intend for this to be a book review, but I just have to share this one example of how this has changed they dynamic of our home already. My son James is a type 1 in her energy profiling system. Fun loving, bouncy, random, and light. (the kind of kid that gets labled as ADHD) Unfortunately we have spent the last 8 years thinking that his randomness and bouncing constantly were bad things and have told him repeatedly to hold still and just focus! He has slowly changed from a happy fun loving toddler to a depressed and solemn kid.

After less than a week of honoring his energy and seeing it as a gift instead of a hindrance and making some changes that Carol recommends, he has become extremely affectionate and there is a happiness in his face again. Just the other day my four year old Macy asked if she could have a piece of her Halloween candy, but Laila was napping in her room where it was and when James saw that she was upset he immediately said "You can have one of mine Macy." I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but you have to understand that offering to give something of his to someone else is HUGE! He has never done that before. Ever!

OK, that could have been it's own post, but all I really wanted to say is that you should read the book!

Alright back to the original point of this post. I have done a few things in the last two weeks other than read, and one of them was to give a major face lift to a chair that I have had for while now.

This is super embarrassing, but I think it was time to redo this chair a long time ago. Yikes!

And just in case any of you are thinking "I would love to cover a chair, but I don't own a staple gun!" Guess what? I don't either. I use thumb tacks instead. I would love to have a staple gun someday, but for now this works. And, the good thing is that it's a lot easier to take the fabric off if you need to wash it, which obviously I didn't!

OK, so after a fresh coat of paint, a little bit more batting to pad our bottoms, and this fabric, the chair is reborn.

Too bad it's sad and lonely right now, because the desk it is supposed to live with is still out of stock at IKEA despite being told for over a month "Oh ya, that should be in next week." Grrr!

 

Beads Mark The Spot {Tutorial}

I know I don't have to say it again but here it is. I love to read. And since reading holds a special place in my heart what better way to celebrate that than to show you all a tutorial on how to make my favorite bookmark.

Here's what you'll need:

waxed linen (found by the jewelry wire and cord)
1 charm
beads of various shapes, sizes, and colors
scissors

Start by measuring your book and adding about 4-5 inches. Times that amount by 4 and that is how long you need to cut your waxed linen.

 After you've cut your linen to the right size fold it in half. Take your charm and thread it on one side and slide it down to the center where your linen has been folded in half.

 Tie a knot just above your charm to hold it in place.

 Add a bead or two by threading through both pieces of linen at the same time. Tie a knot just above that to secure it.

 Next add two or three small beads, again threading through both pieces. These will be what adjust the size of your bookmark.

 Threading through both pieces still, add a variety of beads about 3 inches long. You can make it any way you want. Sometimes I make a pattern and sometimes I just add beads. (A Side note that I can't forget to mention is that your beads will need a big enough center to thread through both pieces of waxed linen and sometimes that can be difficult to find. Don't get discouraged. Those beads are out there!) Once you've got your beads on tie a knot at the very bottom to keep all of your beads from coming off.

 Done! See, wasn't that easy? And no fancy tools required. Now to put it on your book: Open your book to about half way. Take your book mark in your hand and separate the two pieces of linen in between your two small beads and your 3" length of beads. Put one side of your book where you've opened it up in between the two pieces of linen with the 3" beads being at the bottom of the book and your two small beads at the top. Slide the small beads down to the top of the book until your book is secured tightly in between the linen. You should have an extra length hanging down with a charm on it. This is your bookmark. (mine is hard to see but it's on the left side). Now your book mark is securely in place all the time and all your have to do is move the charm from page to page to mark your place.

 I love it because my bookmark never gets lost. Plus it looks pretty cute which is an added bonus.

 By the way, if you haven't read Charlie St. Cloud yet DO IT! It's a great book. And if you already saw the movie, read the book anyway. It's way better!

 I hope I was able to make that all make sense. How to put it on the bookmark is the hardest part. If anyone needs further explanation let me know. I'd be glad to give it another try.

Happy reading!

Summer Reading List

Ah, summer! My favorite time of year. The time of vacations, parks, bbq's, camping, pools, fireworks...I just love it. Living so far out of "town" we don't get to do quite as many fun things as maybe those who  live in town, or a city, do. So we have to make our own fun. We do this by spending a lot of time outdoors. We have a perfect setting for it. Big yard, great grass, and no traffic on the road.  I like spending time outside as much as the girls do (usually in my swim suit....gotta work on that tan!), but I look a little ridiculous sitting in the baby pool. So I spend my time in a lounge chair watching the girls play. Preferably with a book in hand!

This year my reading has been slacking a little. I love reading. It's one of my favorite ways to relax. But lately my free time has been spent doing just about everything but that. So this summer I am resolved to read at least 3 books (one per month). My inspiration comes from something I did in the girls room, which of course was inspired by something I saw from Pottery Barn Kids. (surprise, surprise).

By the way, the one from Pottery Barn is $50 (for 24"). I got mine from Hobby Lobby. It was originally $40 but with a 40% of coupon it was $24. Or you could wait for it to go on sale with the "Wall Decor" for 50% off and only pay $20. Either way it's a lot less than the PBKids one!

So back to reading...Like I said before, my goal is to read 3 books this summer and here's what's on my list: (links provided to amazon.com by clicking the picture).

I also need/want to do better at reading to my girls. Hence the wall book shelf next to the bed! Here's a few of the books that we have been enjoying reading before bed.

What's on your reading list this summer?

"Left To Tell"

It's Christmas time (I know I don't need to remind you yet again!) which means stress (of course), food, candy, family, giving, and for some reason there is always lots of crafts too. I was all ready to post an easy craft for you today but at the last minute changed my mind. There are enough blogs out there with tutorials for crafts, not to mention the few we've done already here on The Best Me. But just in case you are really into that I suggest THIS. I made three of the yarn trees in one night and they are a really cute addition to my Christmas decorations.

I changed my mind about what I was going to post after I finished reading this amazing book over the weekend. As many of you know, or will soon learn, I love to read. It's a passion of mine that stems from (I assume) having my mom read to my brothers and sisters and me so much when we were little.

The book is called "Left To Tell". It's a true story written by a women who survived the Rwanda Genocide. It's the story of her survival (and the death of a million people!) and how she turned herself over to God completely to keep her alive. It was an exciting story while also spiritually uplifting. It was a great read for this special time of year when our thoughts turn more closely to Jesus Christ.

If you are not into reading I would say read it anyway! But if you really aren't into reading then I highly recommend it as a gift for anyone who does like to read.

And after you've checked out the book be sure to check out Sew Mama Sew today. She is hosting a huge giveaway day!