A place to study

This past week was KUH-RAZE-EEEE!!

Monday I returned to college as a full time student (which I had talked about here)

I had hoped to have my office/ study area in the spare bedroom ready but the hubbs needs to update the electrical outlets to 3 prong receptacles for my computer and printer.

Bless his heart he did such a thoughtful thing. He did a little dumpster diving and was so proud to bring this GINORMOUS and MODERN desk home. Sooo yeah...it is very cool but doesn't fit both size wise and decoratively speaking. And not to mention I have a laptop not a desktop computer. oh well--Industrial modern desk anyone?

This is more what I had in mind. This empire style desk belonged to my grandma. It has made the rounds in the family before ending up back home with me. It is a little rough around the edges, but nothing a good sanding and some stain (or paint IF I have to)  can't take care of. It is the perfect size (small for my teeny little room), has a little bit of storage (my laptop just fits inside the middle drawer; the side drawers can hold the stapler, scissors and what not; and the cabinet compartment can hold folders and a couple of binders)

For now I am making due with  my ever versatile dining room table. I moved the buffet/island in front of the window and tucked the table against the wall and dividing book case. It actually looks really good!

And here is the room overall. I wasn't kidding when I said I had diminutive sized rooms! IF and WHEN we have company or decide to eat dinner at the table instead of the TV (yeah--we're THAT couple) I can easily clear the table off , move it around and bring in additional chairs if needed.

As far college classes are going....HELP ME! arggg! It is so much harder than the first time around. I am more organized but my brain just doesn't process as fast. And for those of you wondering here is the list of classes I am taking...

Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Terminology
Computer Concepts and Applications
Environmental Ethics
Interpersonal Communications

I hope I find my groove (and memory) soon!

A new chapter in life

Oh My Goodness! Life has been so crazy of late. I have been dealing with many family issues (a terminally ill father, my ill mother, my daughter who broke her foot), try to finish harvesting my garden, canning and preserving my harvest and finally--getting ready to go back to college.

EHRMEHGAWD!! In less than 8 hrs I will officially be a full time college student....again.  I am a bundle of nerves. 

I wonder how long it will be before this happens

(I totally made this meme, haha)

I know this will  be me by the end of the week (me as pensive and surrounded by books. Not young and pretty--if  only!)

So wish me luck as I begin a new chapter of my life!

So much for a bargain

Last weekend I found an AWESOME chair on clearance at the grocery store. Yes the grocery store. It is Kroger Marketplace. You can buy everything you need for your house, well from furniture to groceries. It is a tad  modern for me and my house but I liked the neutral color (browns) to match my brown couch. The design isn't too foo-foo which is funny because I love girly florals. Anyhoo I purchased the chair for 70% off for  a reasonable $75.00. The chair is the perfect scale in my miniscule living room.

But then I realized the pattern on the new chair didn't work with the quilt I usually have tossed on the couch. Ok no problem, I will just take the quilt off. HA! Big problem. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat. And they kept getting fur and stuff all over the suede of the couch. I was stressing and of course they were acting like I was beating them or something when I told them to GET OFF THE COUCH!

Obviously we know who rules my house. My animals... because I gave up trying to keep them off the furniture. I was tired of vacuuming it 5 times a day. I do have several slip covers but they don't match the chair. I priced compatible slipcovers and even some plain coverlets--Um NO! I can't afford that! I finally settled on a king sized fitted chocolate brown sheet for $11.00. ...Ahh much better!

It isn't pefect by any means but it is protecting my couch and saving my sanity. And stopping my dogs from acting like they're abused....sheesh.  I can take it off when company comes over (which is usually never), and it is definitely way easier to clean than the suede. Seriously what was I thinking when I got this couch? I was thinking it was cheap!

And because the room has lots of brown in it I felt like it needed a little something to break up the chocolate fest going on...mmmm chocolate, so I added some new pillows from Garden Ridge ($9.99 each). They added the much needed pop of color and even pull corresponding shades from the chair.

Except now I am thinking I may need to update the curtains. And the lamps.  And you know I need to paint or stain the chest I am using for a coffee table. So much for a bargain right?