saying yes.

Published on by Quandie

I am a little startled to realize that I don’t actually have a ‘real’ blog post for today.  Apparently I have been slacking off.

Well, not exactly.  I had hoped to share a dresser that I’m working on with you today.  But then after I added the last coat of clear sealer and waited for it to dry, I realized that the sealer was drawing the tannins (or maybe it’s the red stain, I’m not sure) through my paint.  Sometimes this can happen (more on that in this post).  Your paint job looks great before you add a topcoat, no bleed through, but shortly after applying a water based sealer, bang!  bleed thru!  Ugh!  So frustrating.  Even after 25+ years of furniture painting experience, I still don’t always judge the bleeder situation correctly every time.

So it will be back to the drawing board on that piece.

I’m also working on two pairs of planters that are getting the rusty treatment from Dixie Belle’s Patina Paint.  But I ran out of paint and had to order more.  I’m waiting for that to arrive.

And then there is the set of wrought iron garden furniture I’ve been working on.  A couple of the pieces are done, but one isn’t finished yet.

So after all of that, I’ve managed to leave you guys high and dry for a post today.  On top of that, I’m heading back out to see my mom tomorrow.  She fell recently and broke her ankle, so she is in need of some help.  Both my sister and I are going, and neither of us is looking forward to the forecasted 112 degrees we’re going to find there.  Yikes!

But I also don’t have any blog posts lined up in advance for next week, so that means the blog will be silent all week.

Here’s the thing though, since retiring I’ve decided to say ‘yes’ to more things.  When my neighbor wants me to help her put a new liner in her pool, I say yes.  When Ken’s wife needs help getting her garden planted, I say yes, I can help.  When my mother-in-law invites us out to see her field of daisies in bloom, I say yes to that too (that’s what I’m up to today).

And when my sister and niece ask if I want to head to a state park and hike to the waterfall, I definitely say yes.  Even though it might will rain.

We headed to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park last Sunday.  According to our guide book this park is known for it’s spring wildflowers, and we did see a lot of pretty woodland flowers.

It may have been cold and rainy, but that meant that everything was green and lush.  The pitter patter of drizzle on the leafy canopy of the woods was really peaceful as well.

The weather also meant that there weren’t a lot of hikers out that day, so when we arrived at the falls we had them all to ourselves.

That was fun for picture taking.

That’s my niece and her dog, Jade.

On our way back home we decided to stop at another waterfall, Vermillion Falls in Hastings, MN.

Viewing this one didn’t require much in the way of hiking, it’s in a bit more of an urban setting.  It was still fun to see though.

We wandered around the area and I was surprised to discover that they have a love lock bridge near the falls.  Who knew?!

I’ve written about this phenomenon before.  Mr. Q and I locked up our love in Prague way back in 2011 and so far it’s still working.

I feel like Tim & Stacy might be taking things a bit too seriously though …

They’ve doubled up their locks, just in case … and added a bit of a morbid P.S.

I wonder if they are still together?

Ultimately, I figure you guys will forgive me for deciding to prioritize spending time with friends and family over blogging.  Right?

I should be back to posting on June 20th, so be sure to stay tuned!

34 thoughts on “saying yes.”

  1. I love the message “say yes “. I think prioritizing relationships ( even though it’s helping them ) is a great reminder.
    Oh and if Tim put the extra lock on I hope Stacy saw that a shared flag lol.

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  3. I’ve been following you since 2014. I worked in a paint store that carried Annie Sloan chalk paint and one of your followers suggested your blog, explaining your real name is not Quandie. Since then I opened my own store front and carried Fusion Mineral paint, Amy Howard 1 step paint, built my online business and sold vintage finds in a local antiques mall. I accomplished a lot in 4 years, then my husband thought I should start making money so I closed my dream and went to work at a 9-5 job. My previous statement would make you believe my business wasn’t profitable. It was. I regret following his request but the reason I chose to reply to this post is… I am ready to say “yes” to more things. My regret is I didn’t do it sooner. I lost my oldest sister 3 weeks ago. I could have been more involved with her care had I not been working full time. Your post has given me the “nudge” I need . Thank you “Q”.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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    1. Oh no! I’m so very sorry for your loss Mary Lou. I really felt a bit like I was dropping the ball when I didn’t have a project ready to post about today, I told Mr. Q all I had was a ‘lame post about hiking’. But you’ve reminded me that even a lame post about hiking can have a positive impact on people, thanks so much for that! P.S. you’ve been around since the beginning! Thanks for sticking with me 🙂

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  4. I am thinking all of those mishaps happened so that you could create this blog post! You are so much more than a talented upcycler – you are an insightful and powerful writer. Don’t get me wrong, I love your upcycling posts and I have gotten tons of inspiration from your blog and will always come back to see your latest transformation. But I for one vote to have more posts like this sprinkled in the mix. Hoping your mom recovers quickly and you have a safe trip!

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    1. Oh my gosh! Thank you so much Sue! You know, I never think of myself as a ‘writer’, but maybe I should. When I consider branching out and doing videos for YouTube, or spending more time on Instagram posts, or Facebook posts, I realize that I’m not really interested in those forums. I think it boils down to the writing. I enjoy the writing process, and a blog still feels like the best medium for a ‘writer’!

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  5. So sorry to hear about your Mom’s injuries. Sending love and healing vibes. Retirement is definitely the gift of time. I wake up each day and am thankful that I am able to be retired and have time available to do things I’ve planned, or spontaneously say “yes” like you do. You amaze me with how productive you are…pick up something at a sale and BAM! you do a number on it. ha ha. Enjoy your time in the hotbox. It looks like it will be hot in MN as well.

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    1. That’s true, and in MN our heat is usually accompanied by humidity. I am thankful I was here to enjoy this past week of fabulous weather in the low 70’s. I’ve been loving this cooler than usual spring!

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  6. Thanks for this post! Your blog is like a little fresh air every time I read it, especially this last year and a half. I love the variety of topics and especially your humor and photography. Retirement is all about enjoying the fruits of your labor and not about changing bosses. Sue is absolutely right, you’re a very talented writer and that keeps us coming back! Many prayers for your mom. Enjoy your time with family.

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    1. Thank you so much Sheri! And you’re right, I keep having to remind myself that I am my own boss now. So if I don’t get a blog post done … well, no one’s going to give me a hard time about it except myself 😉

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  7. Yes! I love that you are saying yes. I think that’s doing retirement “correctly.” You go, girl. Safe travels.

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  8. SO PROUD of you! LOL…it took me over a year into retirement…and two puppies…before I got to this stage. Say YES to more joy! (Even without a ‘project’ today, your blog inspires me…you inspire me every day!). Enjoy your visit with your mom, and prayers she heals quickly.

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    1. Hard to believe, but I have been retired for six months already. Man, does time fly or what? I’m still finding it hard to believe that I don’t have to go to work every day 🙂

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  9. Keep on living retirement to the fullest! One of the BEST parts of being retired is time! Time to say yes! Time to slow down, to savor a day, a moment, a friendship. Time to be with loved ones. Time to read that book, enjoy a walk, to putter in the garden to your heart’s content. Enjoy!! Love reading your blog. Hope your mom is doing better.

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  10. I loved your post Miss Quandie! It was very thought-provoking…….your “yes-ing” to all the good deeds makes me think that I could and should do more for others! We can be our own slave drivers……you upped your game with all of those daily posts and now beat yourself up for thinking that you dropped the ball. So sweet. I’m happy to see you OUTWARDLY acknowledging that you have this gift for writing because it’s so obvious to us out here in blog land! Your posts are just NEVER boring! That’s why we love ’em (-: I noticed in your last hall that you collected more old Christmas ornaments! I still believe that you could create an awesome Christmas Ornament coffee table book! Enjoy your trip to Nevada and “going dark” on the blog!

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  11. Time with friends and family (and just with yourself!) Is the most important thing in your life. ALWAYS choose it!

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  12. I was around 40 when I made the New Year’s resolution to just say, “No.” I may have come from it from a different angle, but it was intended to accomplish the same thing as your saying yes. – to stop taking on all the extraneous things I thought I had to or should do, so I could spend more time doing the things I wanted to – spend more time kicking back with my boys. It was one of the few NY’s resolutions I actually kept and it was truly life changing. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think we should do, that we miss the opportunity to do what we want to do with the people we want to do them. Sorry that your mom was injured. But your taking the time to take care of her is more important than a perfectly curated set of blog posts. I follow your blog because you are down to earth and you keep it real. So taking a break to take care of your mom is absolutely what I would expect. Hugs to all.

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    1. I hear that, I had to work hard at saying ‘no’ to the things that weren’t important to me too. I’ll pass on those hugs later tonight when I see my mom 🙂

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  13. Definitely with you on this idea- as much as I love your daily/frequent updates on all your creative ideas.
    Maybe this will give me some time to come up with my own fresh takes on things, to share back with you? It is all about me, after all, lol. And you will come back better, stronger than ever, or maybe you will decide to follow a new path? No matter what, go for it.
    Today I was invited to share time with some former co-workers, all of us retired now- and it was wonderful to catch up with the few of us who showed up. Definitely has me connecting with new ideas, people I never considered before. Best wishes and I am going to check out your older posts, so much I missed.

    Sue

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  14. Oh man…..sorry to hear about your Mom! Nice that you and your sister can both go together to help her out and keep her company though. Love your blog and your writing, but have always enjoyed your photography skills, which are are top notch, too. I love the idea of a coffee table book with separate chapters for each of your “non-collections”; and even branching out into your gardening and home decorating ideas. Something to think about…..

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  16. I just have to say, and I think I’m backed up by the 20+ comments above me, you are very much appreciated! I’m sending prayers that Mom heals up quickly and completely!

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  17. I hope you had an opportunity to sit on my parents’ memorial bench by the Vermillion Falls! My parents were lifetime residents of Hastings, and my father worked at the Mill through many changes … King Midas Flour, Peavey Mill, ConAgra, etc. 😀 Enjoy your time with your mother!

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