Weekend Cottage Review #1

Hey there friends, I thought I'd try having a weekly post where I share some fun things from around the Internet and also share some thoughts and ideas that are more personal. I've done this before, but when things in life became crazy or I was too busy with blogging commitments I'd slack off and lose momentum. But I've realized there are so many times when I'd like to share just a small idea or image or some random thought, but I had no place to really do that. My brain fills up with bits and pieces and I'd like to have a dedicated space to share them. 

I also have a major health update I need to share. In the past I've just added things on at the end of posts but I really prefer to keep my decor posts "decor" and not mix up the two, at least not too much.

So today I want to share a few pics that I've found that I love and want to share with you all. Sometimes I just see an idea and it hits me with excitement. I may not always get to recreate it, but I file it away in the "Someday I want to try that" category. 

Boroughfare Home

When I saw these two decoupaged silver trays for Spring/Easter I fell in love. I know silver platters and trays have been transformed with paint and chalkboard paint, but somehow painting, then decoupage had just escaped me. Anyway here are just a few examples of that technique. You may want to read the post above later because she shares her wax method that really is the icing on the cake. Love them. 

Below is lovely detailed painting, but so similar to the decoupage look.

This time of year I have birdies on the brain for seasonal decor... I understand that one of the Dollar stores has chrome trays that are inexpensive. That might be a good place to start. I looked through my silver stash and didn't think I had a good candidate for this. I may have to keep looking, through some old storage boxes to find one that is silver plated. I know I have some vintage ones where the finish isn't in great shape. You know the ones where you see copper showing through. Anyway, I just love these trays! You can find them and more in my Pinterest Board, DIY Crafts and Decor.

Here's another great post on painting silver trays, from CoCo, which will help get a great aged look.

I just love decoupage and here's another fun post with a bird theme from a few years ago where I used a poster for my paper element on vintage bottles. Birds and Branches

This week I put together two fun "May" Baskets with a vintage garden-y vibe. This was so fun and easy to get creative with a spring basket. How to Make a May Basket. Next week I'll be sharing how I've used these two baskets in my Spring Decor.

Health Update

On a personal note I wanted to share a long time coming diagnosis with my autoimmune problems. I've had a long slog trying to get this all figured out because I have a condition where don't make antibodies, and antibodies are the defining test to diagnose. This situation has held me up for the last 7 years getting help, medication and a diagnosis, all the while feeling worse and worse. Last fall we drove 11 hours to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see specialists in the neuro-muscular department to see if they could identify and figure out my symptoms of dizziness, loss of balance, gait problems, numb face and feet and hands, joint pain, problems with swallowing and speaking, and severe muscle weakness... just to name a few, haha. But once again the lack of identifying antibodies messed up a diagnosis and I came home frustrated, depressed, exhausted and feeling worse because of all the stress and grueling tests. 

I kept talking with my internist and she finally agreed to try a last ditch effort with  a basic medication which would be a definitive test. If it worked for me, we had an answer. If not, I could either give up on a diagnosis and live with my problems or keep shuffling through the medical system. The medication worked amazingly well and now with a diagnosis on paper, I can move forward to try to find meds and infusions that address what I've been living with for over 20 years... Myasthenia Gravis. 

It's an autoimmune problem where the body attacks the muscle/nerve junction and destroys the receptors. So I've had symptoms similar to MS, mild ALS, and a group of other neurological issues. I have another complicating factor with trying to find meds and that is that I'm allergic to an ingredient in infusion meds, medication in general, and vaccines. Polyethylene Glycol and Polysorbate 80. It's in not only meds, but foods, cosmetics, personal products, and cleaners. Ingesting it or coming in contact with it causes my symptoms to worsen. I say all this to encourage you all to not give up. Stand up for yourself and advocate for your physical and mental health and rights. Prayer and my faith have been my strength, and my husband who does his best to help me. All this sounds a bit gloomy, but I'm better with my new medication and feel confident that a better infusion med will help, too. Blogging through all this has helped me. 

Thanks for coming by friends. See you Monday evening for All About Home Link Party.