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Sunday, September 9, 2007

What I did on my "Banded Recupervacation"....a transformation.......

More than a year ago, I decided that I absolutely hated the brass piece that served as a fireplace surround in our living room. Once I made that decision, I wanted it out of my house. Every time I brought the subject up to Carmen, he cautioned me "you can't just take it of there! you need something in there!" Never one to be deterred by Carmen's warnings or his practicality, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Late one night, after Carmen went to bed and I was sure he was sleeping, I ripped out the entire surround and the attached screen that was apparently attached to it. Then, I hauled that heavy, ugly piece of junk and the screen out to the curb for garbage pick-up. Pleased with my caper, I went off to bed.

Now, Carmen gets up and leaves the house much, much earlier than I do Most mornings, he is so preoccupied with the day ahead of him that he doesn't notice much more than his wallet, his keys, his lap top and his brief case. He swoops those things into his arms and bolts out the door into the very early morning hours. So, how was it that on that particular morning, he noticed the huge hole in the center of the fireplace---I'll just never know. But, as I peacefully slept, I was startled by a booming voice......"what the hell is she doing NOW? she just goes and tears things out with no plan whatsoever on putting it back together....". Yes, it was Carmen sharing his frustration over what he considers my perpetual bad habit. The door slammed. After that, we never discussed the episode for a very long time. I paid careful attention to decorate it (cover it up) with a series of things that I picked up here and there. And, he just avoided the subject completely. Although there were moments when I caught him staring at it, shaking his head and then walking away in disgust, he didn't share his feelings. He knew it would get him nowhere.
He knows me.

Despite the fact that I did have plans to install a new surround, what I wanted to do took some time. You see, I decided I wanted to do a mosaic with pieces of a specific transferware pattern. So, every so often, I would scour thrift shops, flea markets, garage sales and off price stores to find plates that would fit my needs. After about a year, I had collected enough to start the project. But, of course, I didn't. Life got in the way. Or, maybe I was too tired. Whatever deterred me, I never took on the project and put it out of my mind. Until a week after my surgery.

Maybe it was all the time I was spending in my house. Maybe it was the whole "transforming" mode that I was in. I'm not sure. But, all of a sudden---I needed to do that project. And, considering that I could do it sitting down, I figured it was a perfect way to spend some of my free time. But, I had to enlist Carmen to help me build the frame for it. Thankfully, my timing was perfect. With me recuperating from surgery, he was not about to start lecturing me. And, of course, he was probably happy to do this project considering that I was already making lists of larger house projects that we needed to undertake. He figured this would shut me up for a little while. He was right.

So.....here's what I started with......(Carmen made the white frame inside from a large piece of some kind of board)


And, more than 25 lbs later.....this is what I ended up with......




Transformations. That's what this past month has been all about......

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay Ms Stewart!

That is ENOUGH! Cook. Garden. Mosiac. BLOG. What else do you do? Save small countries? How many hours do you have in YOUR day? Do you sleep? Take drugs? I think you are hyperactive!
Good luck at work tomorrow. Oh, and SHE HAS A CAREER TOO? Give me a break!
If I did not love you so much I'd hate you big time!
Can I come live with you?
Nance

Anonymous said...

Judi,

Just remembered you are headed back to work tomorrow. Good Luck to you. You really have done great! Try to take it easy and let the compliments flow! You deserve them!
love,
Katie

Anonymous said...

P.S. The transformation of your fireplace is great. I expect no less from you. You really have a flair for that kind of stuff.
P.S.S. The story about dragging the old one out and Carmen's reaction is so you two!
Katie (again!)

Anonymous said...

Judi,

Thanks for sharing this really great tranformation project with us. I think it is great that you made something so pretty with your time off. The only thing I seem to be doing is dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of post surgery. If I am not crying, I am yelling at someone. So rough! And I am mourning food. I'm trying to stay away from the fridge now it's filled with hubby's and kids favorite fast meals (since I am not cooking these days). I really appreciate coming here and reading your blog. It helps me deal with these nights when I can't sleep. I hope to find the humor and strength that you have. Tips?

Also, you look great. Hubby looks cute too. Nice couple.


Kelly Garganni (the girl from New Castle)
Original 341/Today 325/Goal 135

Anonymous said...

Judi,
A little late to the party here but had to stop by for my Judi night cap LOL!. Went to a Steeler party! Go Black & Gold. By the time we get to the SUPER BOWL, you will be SUPER SEXY and bet your whole house will be redone!
Hope to hear all about your first day back to work. TELL US ALL ABOUT IT! Hey, you should just quit and write a book! For sure!
Yahoo you!
Jenn

Anonymous said...

Judi,

Just wanted to let you know that if your ears were burning tonight it was Bob and I telling our neighbors about a few of your blog postings. We just think you should quit your day job and do this full time. Bob can quit his job and be your publicist. He does that already and he is not even paid for it. You are a hoot. Love your fireplace too. Someday we have to go out with you and your man. I think we'd have fun.
Patty (Bob's "little" woman)

Anonymous said...

Have a great day Judi!
Best to you on your back to work day!
Fireplace is great! Thinking of you today~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Barb

Daffodil Hill said...

Fantastic, Judi! Your fireplace is beautiful! I'll bet even Carmen is pleased. ; )

Anonymous said...

Readers of Judi's BLOG:
WE MUST START A FAN CLUB FOR THIS BLOG! If you are interested, email me at lovelyliz@inbox.com !!!!!
I am with everyone else here by saying that this blog has to get published or at least OUT THERE somewhere where Judi's skills and talents can be recognized by more people than just us banders! I read blogs all of the time and this one is one of my alllllll time fav.
If you agree, email me!

Liz
(lovelyliz@inbox.com)