Out-of-Control Obsession, Hoarder, or Avid Collector?

Ok, so I have been having a ball, and I mean a B.A.L.L. picking, shopping, searching, lurking, stalking, eBaying, Craigslisting, dumpster diving (yeah, I went there but didn't have to go IN there), salvage shopping, and thrift store poking. I have completely and utterly fallen in love with the thrill of the hunt. I literally could - and have - spent hours on websites simply "just looking." With a glass of wine, a chick flick on the TV, and my laptop, I'm seriously in a very, very happy place. Now my kids, not so much as they have recently been left to "fend" for themselves for dinner as "Mommy is busy!" Don't call child services though, there's a jar of peanut butter and some bread so they're golden.

Now to my little goodies and delicious finds -
Scott's Antique Market is a fabulous market outside of Atlanta. It runs the second weekend of every month, Friday through Sunday. My sister told me about it so naturally, we had to check it out on one of our runs to the Atlanta Gift Mart for our on-line monogram shop Monograms and Moonshine (insert shameless plug here - check). Well, Scott's is amazing. There are SO many vendors and so much stuff to look at and since we had never been there before, we had no game plan. We loved wondering aimlessly up and down and in and out of all the aisles but it was a bit overwhelming. There are 2 HUGE buildings with tons of goodies from super high-end antiques to up-cycled items and then some, kind of random, brand new things. I could have spent several days there but when we went to the second building, outside of it was a lot of tents and the heavens opened up, and the angels began singing, and yes, I am being a bit melodramatic but my heart started racing so fast I had to take a pause. My sister ordered me to breath because I was in salvage heaven!! Apologies on my lack of photos because I was so busy running from place to place and trying to remember to breath -

My favorite booth.

I simply refer to him as the Window Man. If money were no object, I would seriously have a beautiful window in every room, if not every window frame!! More is more, people!

In the salvage area, they did have some enclosed booths
with lighting, doors, etc, and a few fun, eclectic pieces.
My sister wondered if this would fit in the car?

Measuring a really cool light fixture
that did not make the cut!

This photo does absolutely NOTHING for this
window but I got two of these from the Window Man.

They are beveled glass and rainbows pour through them when the sun is out. These have already been installed in my carriage house (which is a whole 'nother post or two).

These beauties will become cabinet doors for the
built-ins I am having rebuilt (previous owner took them out).
They currently reside in my kitchen nook and I cannot
wait to see them up!

Soooooo, this is my car leaving Scott's Antique Market
for the first time. 

Yes, I know it is loaded down! Long story short, we had rented a trailer, then we realized I didn't have a hitch, in addition, U-Haul didn't have the trailer I rented so we went to Plan K! We made it home in one piece and so did all our goodies! P.S. - My apologies to anyone in earshot of me and all the expletives I used! I had already paid for everything so was going to be in quite a . . .  pickle . . .  if I couldn't figure out how to get everything home!  P.P.S. - Thanks to the random man in the Home Depot parking lot who tied the corbel sideboard securely to the roof of my car for us. See, chivalry is not dead.

Second trip to Scott's with my other sister.

I went with a purpose and b-lined it to the Window Man. These are going to become cabinet doors for inside my Butler's Pantry. Yes, the previous owner also removed that and added that elevator!

They're going to look perfect -
at least they do in my head.

Got these beauties also from the Window Man. 

So another one of my go to sources for goodies at great prices is Craigslist. Now I was very hesitant to buy anything from Craigslist because of all the bad publicity. I mean seriously, who wants to be attacked because you can get a Dutch door and two French doors for $75? I don't but I was willing to risk it so what does that say about me???

This is an official St. Petersburg green bench.

We decided, based on photos, this is not one of the originals from the turn of the century because it has metal. In photos from the 50s and 60s, you see this style of bench. It needs some boards replaced but for only $30, it was a steal! Thanks to my mom and dad for accompanying me to get this and keeping it from falling out of the back of my SUV! 

So this is another Craigslist steal.

A 99%  mint condition 4' claw foot bathtub WITH the claw feet and some of the fixtures, drumroll please  . . . . . $100! I tipped the guy $25 for bringing it down the stairs but even with gas and food, this was a freaking good deal! I did have to drive to Atlanta but grabbed my other sister on my way up (did I mention this was the same weekend Scott's Antique Market was happening??) and we made a little adventure out of it.

This is already ear-marked for the carriage house bathroom.
Guess I'll have to keep perusing the list for one for my master bath.

I am in love with this armoire!
Head. Over. Heels.
And the $350 price tag made it all the prettier!

My mom and dad had fun traipsing all over Pinellas County with me to rent the truck, pick up the armoire, unload the armoire into my home, and returning the truck! What I won't do for a good looking, good deal!

My most recent, spur-of-the-moment purchase are
the 3 doors shown above - 2 French doors and 1 Dutch door.
I went international!

I saw these one morning, they had just posted an hour earlier, all 3 for $75!! They are in great shape and have their original glass. The perk was that they were for sale only 14 blocks from my house! Boooonnnuuusss! So within 15 minutes of seeing them and emailing the seller,  I had these doors in my car. The really good news is that the Dutch door almost perfecting fits the opening for my back kitchen door. Cannot wait to have it installed!

Another resource for good deals, and quite honestly, these are by far my best deals, are friends. And anyone who wants to give me something super fabulous will always be my friend - apparently I CAN be bought!

This beautiful chandelier came from my friend's 1915 home.
She just gave it to me!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And with every beautiful chandelier comes
two beautiful sconces and lots and lots of crystals!
These will look great in my home.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I had been searching for corner cabinets and wanted some that filled the space,
not just sit in the corner. These fill the space perfectly and were only
 $50 each from a friend of mine.
LOVE THEM!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So that's just the tip of the iceberg for some of my finds (I thought this post was starting to drone on so I will break it up). I told you, it's a problem necessity to bring back all the charm to my home that has been removed over the years. 

On a separate note, I know a lot of you have been concerned about how I am doing after the divorce. I haven't blogged about it anymore because to be quite honest, I'm sick of talking about it. In a nutshell though, there are more good days than bad. I do get seriously down at certain times, especially when having to organize photos, and photo albums, and planning vacations (something I never really thought about, what do I do with it all??). Things that remind me of what our family used to look like. I also have the pleasure of knowing my oldest daughter will be meeting the "other woman" at some point this summer. That will be fun awkward for my daughter but it has unfortunately become part of our vocabulary and our lives.  Throwing myself into making this house a home has helped me keep my sanity, as well as my two, very active and incredibly wonderful daughters!! And I've lost 61 55 pounds. I have gained a few back and will get back on track next week, after my birthday!

That's it for today. I have so much more to share and I promise, there will be some AFTER photos coming shortly. I just have to get some things finished (uh, almost everything) but that is for another post!

- Kristin

Rebooting the Ravn. . .

Ok, as you know, my life has been turned upside down the past couple of months. The girls and I have been reeling from my husband, their dad, leaving during a full-fledged mid-life crisis. I have gone to therapy (they went only once, they did not enjoy it; I found laying on a couch telling someone my woes to be quiet relaxing and helpful; just needed a glass of wine and some nachos and I might have never gotten off that couch!). I joined Divorce Care, a Christian-based support group. I have had countless breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and happy hours with friends. I have reconnected with high school and college friends. I have commiserated with friends through the fence at a soccer game. I have texted my family and had marathon phone calls at all hours of the night. I have gone through ludicrous amounts of wine (recycling bin is overflowing!). I have blogged. I have journaled. I have met with a great attorney. And do you want to know the best part about it? It all has helped! Every. Single. Bit. Of. It! I have all of you to be thankful for and really, really appreciative all of your support! Every last ounce of it.

With that being said, I actually got my first GOOD night of sleep last night. I even had a dream, can't remember it but I think it was a good one too. I woke up happy. In the past, I have actually woken up crying. Not a great way to start the day. I have also noticed my crying has lessened. It's not gone completely but definitely easing up (thank God too because soft Kleenex are not cheap!).

My girls seem to be in a good place, too. They are not really interested in spending any time with their dad but will go stay with him for the occasional night. Hopefully he will be patient with them and allow for them to continue to heal and get over the betrayal and hurt they are also feeling.

Now I am going to start focusing on myself and I have declared this project "Rebooting the Ravn!" Ravn is my maiden name and I like the alliteration. Plus, kind of not liking my married name right now for obvious reasons.

So far, I have started flossing again (hate having to do it with permanent retainers on the top and bottom but it can add 6.4 years to your life per Dr. Rozien, easy no brainer), I got my hair colored darker (slightly new look for me) and I am starting a diet.

I know, DIET really is a 4-letter word and it is something I have failed miserably at for the past 16 years (I gained weight while pregnant with my 15-old and still haven't lost it!). I know my family, and probably most of my friends, are sick of hearing me talk about weight loss. I am too. It's something I think about every single day, especially as I am eating a Cuban sandwich with Doritos! I have tried Weight Watchers more times than I can honestly remember. I have lost weight on a no carb diet only to regain it once I looked at a dinner roll again (this girl is NEVER going to be carb free again!). I have joined gyms, hired a trainer, walked hundreds of miles. The problem is, I just don't think I have ever had the deep down, inner passion or desire to do it. I always thought I would deal with it eventually. If I cut back a little here, used smaller plates every meal, did this or that, the weight would melt off. Let me tell you - not freaking true.

Let me tell you, nothing will give you the desire again to lose weight than to realize that after 20 years off the market, I will have to start dating again (at some time in the very, very, very far future)! So wish me well as I start to turn a major corner in my life and I will leave you with some words I read on Facebook and they just spoke to me!

Thanks www.herquotes.com!
It's perfect for me!

I will be sure to share my ups and downs with you but that is for another post!

Getting Back Into Routine . . .

Ok, I am back. It's been a long time since I have written a post and to be quite honest, I have really missed the writing portion of blogging. Now why was I gone for the last 7 weeks, you ask? Well, if I was a guy, I would say life kicked me in the nuts. Being a "more mature" woman, perhaps I could sum it up best and say life kicked me in my super deflated, hanging in my Southern Hemisphere, need a crane to life them up boobs! Too much? Sorry!

To be honest, everything I knew and thought that was true, was taken away from me. My hubby of 17 years (and best friend for almost 20), came home after a week-long vacation without his family, and told me he didn't want to be married anymore and that he was moving out and on. I am a big girl, and you could have honestly knocked me over with a feather. I NEVER expected that. My heart, my future, my family, everything I had worked for in the last 20 years, was taken from me and I had absolutely NO SAY in it whatsoever. For those who know me, not having a say has never been an issue of mine! Now there is a lot more to this story but in the spirit of self-preservation and for the sake of my girls, this is all I am going to say about this right now. If you are a friend of mine and want more "scoop", please don't hesitate to call me. I am leaning heavily on my friends and family right now and I thank God for them everyday. I have also started seeing a family counselor at our church (girls are going with me next time) and joined a Divorce Support Group. Both are very cathartic and will help me move forward.

With all this being said, there are some other major changes going on in our lives right now. I know seriously, what else could be happening? Well, we are selling our house and the girls and I will be looking for a new pad to call home. I have to say, with all the time, energy and money I have put into this house, it sure does look good - for someone else.

So here's the listing so you can see how pretty it looks (professional photos totally make a difference!).

Here's a few of the photos  -

So, when the highlight of your summer is an emergency appendectomy (ahhhh yes, that happened too, I will definitely blog about that later because that story is so freaking funny, you will pop a stitch!), you can honestly say your summer sucked. As the girls and I say Worst. Summer. Ever. But now I have a clean, pretty house and will begin a house hunt very soon. I LOVE looking at houses so super excited about that part.

I will keep you filled in on what is going on in my life, the highs and the lows, as well as share our house search and making that house into a home. We have a lot to be thankful for, a lot to look forward to, and a lot of pain to heal. We will get there, just the three of us (not sure if we are more like the Three Stooges or the Three Amigos, only time will tell?!?!).

Much, much, much more to come, but that is for another post!