Top Ten Things I CAN Live Without (+An Awesome Nightstand Makeover)

So last week I went over the top 10 things in life that I cant live without. So that got me thinking about what things in a normal person’s life I could live without. So here it goes:

1.  Coffee … or any form of caffeine for that matter. I have so many friends that can’t even lift an eyelid without at least a swallow of joe, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I have a high sensitivity to caffeine.  If I have half a can of pop, I get all shaky, and I feel that my body needs to be in motion — and God forbid if I had a whole can of coke I would be up all night. A friend of mine drinks at least 4 cups of coffee before noon. You would have to pry me off the ceiling, and I would never be the same after that. My beverage of choice: water. I know, how boring is that?

2.  Fancy cars. Now don’t get me wrong, I want a car that isn’t a junker and isn’t going to break down. Topher and I both have nice vehicles. I just don’t need, or want, a $50,000 car. I will probably never own a brand new vehicle in my lifetime. It’s just not important to me. I would rather invest in our home and its decor, or vacations, or … help our veterinarian send his grandkid through college. My girlfriend has been living in a very small house for years, but she drives around in brand new cars and trades them in constantly. To her, her surroundings don’t matter to her as much as the attention she gets in a sexy car. Maybe since I work from home and am constantly surrounded by that environment that is where I want to focus my attention. All that being said…I can’t imagine not have a SUV, just so I can haul all of my furniture pieces home.

3.  Expensive jewelry. I just wouldn’t wear it. When I worked outside the home, it mattered more to me, but now I just don’t have a need for it. Now, I’m not saying if Topher walked in the door with a set of diamond earrings the size of almonds that I would send him away…

4.  Flowers. At this time in my life, I’m kind of over them. They’re great at first, but the thrill just doesn’t last. I would rather have the $50 to spend on a new mirror or something that will last. Not that I don’t appreciate beautiful flowers I just want other things more. Also when they get sent to the house, I have to make sure that there are no lilies in them. PET TIP:  Lilies can kill your cat if they consume them.

5.  Manicures. Two years ago I would have given my right arm to go out today and get a manicure (ironic isn’t it?). Now that I work on furniture with paint, stain, and sanding, a manicure would be totally lost on me. Pedicures I can still appreciate since paint doesn’t get on my toes (very often), so those I still enjoy. A manicurist would pass out cold if she saw my half sanded-down nails and my 3 layers of chalkpaint stuck to my cuticles.

6.  An immaculate house. Some people absolutely have to have a perfect house at all times. With 3 dogs, a cat and a teenager (usually with a group of friends), that is very unlikely to happen at my house. Right now my dining room is full of furniture pieces for the craft show, there are dog bones laying everywhere to distract them from laying in paint, my kitchen table has rolled book pages and glue gun supplies all over it, and don’t even think of going into my studio. Now if I am having people over, I try to make it look like we aren’t on the show Hoarders, but if you happen to just ring my bell on an average day (please God don’t ever let that happen) it might not be pretty.

7. Alcohol. I think I’m just too old. The price I pay the day after having more than one glass of anything is just not worth it anymore. The college-days hangovers were easily cured with a greasy meal and an aspirin, but they just don’t go away like that now. They last for 2 stinkin’ days. Not that I planned on going out binge drinking or anything on a normal basis, but even two glasses of wine these days is just enough to make me feel crappy the next day.

8. Sleep. I have massive insomnia. I just don’t sleep much at all anymore which really stinks. I really like to sleep. I average maybe 3-4 hours a night, sometimes less. I’ve tried every prescription sleeping pill there is, but they all have the opposite effect on me. When I take them, I don’t sleep AT ALL. If I had more sleep at night would I be a more patient, productive and polite person? Probably so, but you get what you get folks.

9.  Food with bones.  I think I’ve probably ranted before about how I hate having my food look too lifelike.  If I order fish, and it arrives looking like it was plucked out of the water, baked, and served — I’m heading for the exit.  Fried chicken I can tolerate (in fact I love fried chicken), but I have to eat it from my happy place since the thought of me actually ripping apart a bird’s chest cavity is too disturbing.  Topher has to carve the Thanksgiving turkey.  T-Bones get trimmed.  Ribs totally creep me out.

10.  Clothes. This is ironic since I ran a women’s clothing store for years and that’s all I thought about everyday. Almost everyday you will catch me in sweats. I have three difference categories of sweats (don’t judge). The ones I paint in, the ones I wear out in public, and then my nice sweats (like Juicy). Don’t get me wrong, if I’m going to watch the unnamed child cheer, I wear real people clothes (jeans, boots, etc), mainly because she would disown me if I didn’t. I figure if you are home all day and the only place you might pop into is Lowes, Michael’s, or the grocery store, why get dressed up? Too much effort for me. It’s just me and the pups during the day, and they like me just the way I am.

So that’s it guys. Those are the things I can live without. How about you? Is there anything that used to be important to you and now isn’t? Or what never has been important? Please share in the comments down below!

One thing I can’t live without is fantastic, carved, furniture pieces. I got this nightstand at a Goodwill for $10. I cleaned it up, chalkpainted it with DIY aqua paint, distressed it, glazed it, and coated it with clear wax. I distressed it a bit heavier than I usually do but I was really happy with the outcome. It will be coming with me to the craftshow this Saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

The Shabby Creek Cottage