Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Man Worth His Salt!
Carter and Coach
Meet my husband. His name is Mike Spradlin. He is a Texas, 5A high school, head football coach. It's not an easy job but it's one he loves! Fifteen years ago, he took an $85,000 pay cut to return to high school coaching after an eight year leave of absence....a decision he celebrates daily! He found out for himself, that big pay checks and extravagant perks don't necessarily make a man happy. Especially if your'e a man with a heart to serve others! He can't wait to get there at the crack of dawn and he's usually the last to leave. Why you ask? Because he knows no better way to teach a boy the lesson's he will need for a lifetime. As good of a coach as he is, it's a job that can't be done alone. It requires a lot of good men like him. Four and half years ago, he began to gather a staff of like minded men, that were loyal, knowledgeable, loved kids and weren't afraid to work hard. Now, five seasons later, these 16 commited men have built a championship program which involves over 225 kids. I can only begin to tell you how much I respect my husband, and all of these fine men. They are the sort that good stories are made of; the ones that inspire young men for a lifetime.
A few weeks ago, I read and article that was titled, My Playbook For Life...how high school football changed everything for country star Kenny Chesney. I just posted it, if you'd like to read it. Though his story came as no surprise to me, I never get tired of reading them.
If you're a football fan and have enjoyed this post, I'd like to invite you to follow the Cooper Cougars this fall. Our team has worked extremely hard and is well invested in this 2010 season. They won their season opener last night 40-21 to get things off to a good start. So feel free to drop by 'He calls me Coachette' to cheer on the whole crew (coaches wives included)!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Old chair!
Yesterday, after thinking about it all night long, I went back to the house where I got the free chair. Remember, the cute black and white one that will be perfect in Natalie's room? Well, there was another one. It was also free and there was something about the shape...
We all know upholstery can be expensive but I couldn't help but wonder what it would cost to reupholster. So, I picked it up and drove straight to Larry's Upholstry. I explained the look I was going for and he said, "...only you and Terry Browder and Nancy Archibald! Where do y'all get these idea's!" I told him about magazines. Anyway, he quoted me $220 for everything; webbing, batting and burlap. Isn't that a great price? However, I had pulled back the floral fabric and could see old burlap (my favorite) down underneath the old cotton batting. So after a few indecisive minutes I decided to take it home pull everything off and see what it looked like with the original burlap. Here is my question. I really want to know what everbody thinks. Is it too shabby? Do you like it or not?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Curtain Call!
The buffalo check dust ruffle was created on the spot. Definitely a team project, Natalie and I duct taped the fabric directly onto the bed frame, while Lynnette held the mattress up. Way to use your head, Lynnie!
Pink Peony
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Dorm Storm! Three days to decorate.
I'm happy to say that Natalie had a great freshman year at Texas Tech and is back for another. So, last Wednesday my sister veered off I-20, picked me up and headed to Lubbock! Her Navigator was stuffed!!! We had a great visit which made the trip fly by and before you knew it we were standing in Natalie's new digs! A 4 bedroom/4 bath/kitchen/living/laundry apartment. Wow! This was definitely a step up from dorm life! It would also be a bigger challenge for the 'Sisters'/design team... but for me it was an opportunity to pretend I was on Design Star! First we talked to Natalie and her suite mates Brittney, Sarah and Amanda. Much to my delight they gave us artistic freedom and off we went!
Here are all the before pictures of the kitchen and living areas.....
This complex allows you to paint walls and the girls definitely wanted a little color. Pretty quickly we decided that the "L" shape wall w/ counter would be a good one to paint and the tall skinny wall at the end of the counter would make a nice chalk board.
After plotting and planning a bit, we unloaded the expedition and went shopping.
The entire next day was a blur!
I love shopping, but that day it was hard work. Our plan was to get everything we needed so the following day would be spent in the apartment working. I mean everything! Decorations, wall art, hardware, art supplies, paint, rollers and brushes! Just for fun, here is a list of all of the stores we went to that day: Burlington Coat, Ross, Target, World Market, Goodwill, Lowe's, Hobby Lobby, Micheal's, T J Maxx, Kirkland's Hancock's and later that night we made a midnight run to Walmart! Boy, were we tired!
After a good night's rest, we got started on the big list! We divided it and split up. Lynnette got started in Natalie's room (I'll post pic's tomorrow) and I opened a gallon of paint and started rolling on 'blood orange' paint.
While the paint was drying, I addressed the big wall in the room. With charcoal I sketched 'hula hoop' size poppies onto the wall. I loved it! Funny though how it never seems quite right to draw on the wall. It's kind of like breaking dishes on purpose! I sprayed a fixative over the finished art.
Next up: Art work! We bought some and I painted the others.
Then it was time to put it all together! Lynnette hung these Waverly drapes and I ran back to Goodwill to get this HUGE vintage lamp.
We hung art (Burlington Coat Factory) on top of the 'sketched' wall......look closely it's very subtle. We found the metal basket at Ross.
I painted this 3' x 4' canvas titled, He's got the whole world in His Hands, and hung it above the sofa. It made a big splash on the wall. The pillows came from BCF and World Market.
The painted gallery wrapped canvas added a subtle pop.
Above the TV we hung F A I T H ...
The cabinet below we found on Craig's list for $50 and finished painting it around 1:00 am. Saturday morning, I painted two coats of turquoise on the display area. Also notice the bar stools we added (Walmart $19 e.) and the faux pendant lights.
Lynnette dreamed up this idea! They are intended to protect picnic food from flies and were on sale at World Market. They are hanging from black cords (drapery tie backs). These really made a big difference. Everyone that came in really thought they were lights! :)
And so did these! The biggest one is huge and was $9.99!!!
Here is the tall skinny wall at the end of the counter. I painted it with flat ('oops!' paint at Lowe's $ 5- gallon) black and wrote on it with white chalk. The EAT letters were (on sale at Hobby Lobby- $5 each) spray painted olive green.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
High Cotton Art Camp...Register now!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sky High Cotton
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Easy Birdcage Paint Project!
As promised, here is a fun and simple way to paint a birdcage. I do hope you'll give it a try.
First of all decide on what shape you would like your birdcage.
Then paint your entire canvas rusty brown, like pictured above. When the paint is dry, using chalk draw birdcage design on to canvas.
Now for the fun technique (that everyone can do)! With very skinny, 1/4 th inch strapping tape (I bought it at a Benjamin Moore paint store - it looks like masking tape but it can't be torn because it has glass in it which makes it super strong. Pictured above!) Tape over the lines you drew. Take your time and tape well. You'll have less touch up in the end.
- Press down tape very well and immediately paint over the entire canvas. Dry and remove all the tape. Touch up where needed.
Here is Boot's, birdcage!........................Here is Jo Carol's! Aren't they cute?
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Below is a close up of the first one I painted. The looping wires were painted with a brush (using no tape). Taping curves can be a little tricky
You should try it!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Birdcage!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Girls Night Out!
We had a wonderful time talking. We ate Spinach Salad with fresh peaches, toasted almonds and seeds. Then, the Mansion on Turtle Creek's Tortilla Soup. For dessert we had Frozen Strawberry Bars. Later we shared our hearts and ideas with each. Discussing ways we can help one another. After all, we are a community of coaching families. We are a sisterhood of coaches wives. We have so much in common but most importantly we love our husband. In fact, it's even more than love, we respect them! They are good men, fighting the good fight and we admire them for it and in return, they love us well!
A special thanks to our son Clint and his beautiful wife Jenny, and Jenny's precious aunt & uncle Nancy and Jim Martin, who brightened my weekend with their visit. We shopped til we dropped and ate (at Perini's) til we popped! They were so thoughtful and kind, helpful in every way! Everyone, even Clint and Jim, helped make the paper flowers ( an easy to assemble kit from Martha Stewart) and like a good 'coach's kid', Clint patiently hung them up. I was so touched by their willingness to help me out! One of the nicest things about 'love' is the union of families. Jenny, I'm so thankful that God brought you and Clint together. :) You and your family have richly blessed me!