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You are visiting: Home » Archives for Lindsay Ballard » Page 151

The Things I Never Thought I’d Have to Say

by Lindsay Ballard on November 14, 2012 1,917 Comments

My two year old daughter, Emma, has really been enjoying the chalkboard easel that I added to the playroom.  I’ve been really excited to watch her draw on it, since she is so much more into arts and crafts than her brother ever was.

I think her favorite part is the erasing, though.  I guess it gives a little one a lot of power to draw a picture with chalk and then immediately wipe it off.  She actually uses toilet paper to wipe it off, which is one of those things that makes me shudder but it’s not a battle I’ve chosen to fight with her.

Chalk apparently doesn’t wipe off of a chalkboard very well with toilet paper alone.  It works better when it’s wet.  For months, I thought she was using her step stool to get it wet in the sink.  Then one day, I turned the corner to see her with her elbow deep in the toilet.

“Emma!” I screamed.  “Stop!  What are you doing?”

“Wet for chalk, Mama,” Emma replied quite matter-of-factly.

So Emma now has her very own eraser.  She’s been instructed that it (or anything else) is never to be dunked into the toilet for cleaning purposes…words I never thought I’d have to say.

What have you had to say to your kids (or your husband) that you never thought you’d have to say?

Update:  Upon reading this post this morning, my mother sent me an email.  She said, “I just laughed so hard when I read this.  I remember you washing your doll’s clothes in the toilet one time!  The apple does not fall far from the tree.”  Yet again, this is all payback, isn’t it?  🙂

Inspired You by Miss Mustard Seed – Book Review & Giveaway

by Lindsay Ballard on November 9, 2012 16 Comments

This post is sponsored by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Inspiration is a finicky thing.  I don’t know about you, but seeing other people’s gorgeous rooms on blogs or in magazines can really do great things for my creativity.  Those same rooms can also trigger a sinking feeling when I look around at the rooms in my own home that I haven’t decorated.  I spend a lot of time feeling very behind.

I know that I can’t possibly be alone in feeling that way.  In order to pull myself out of that valley, I do my best to push it out of my mind or use it as internal encouragement to work harder on my home.  But, it also helps to believe that I’m not alone.

My friend Marian Parsons – you may know her as Miss Mustard Seed– has written a book on this very feeling.  Her newly released book, Inspired You, details her start in decorating and gives you ideas and tips on how to move your own home forward.

I have read Miss Mustard Seed’s blog for many years now, but I never fully understood her internal gumption.  In her book, she describes a moment when she’s sitting in her messy, in need of repair home with piles of laundry and two little boys when her mother calls.  The simple question from her mom of, “How’s your day going?” sent her over the edge into a bawling mess (haven’t we all been there?).  It was at that point that her mom told that Marian really needed to do something for herself, and she immediately pulled herself together and started making plans for a furniture painting business.

Her book spends some timing chronicling that period of her life and detailing the process she went through to turn her early mid-century home into the beauty that it is today.  She tells us how to decorate around brightly colored plastic baby toys (just deal with them, since they won’t be in your home forever) and says that having a clean, tidy home will work miracles for the look of your rooms (I know Nate Berkus embrasses this sentiment as well).

Yep, as soon as I read the last page of her book, I turned to my kitchen and cleaned out a few cabinets and cleared off the countertops.  She’s right.  It feels amazing in there right now.

But it wouldn’t be Miss Mustard Seed without some amazing tips, tricks and tutorials.  She details furniture waxing and paint stripping.    She gives you a primer on yard sale and antique store shopping.  She talks about what things you should include in each room to make them welcoming and warm for family and guests.  And of course, she provides some awesome tutorials.

Inspired You would be the perfect holiday gift for those women in your life who could use a little encouragement.  It’s available now as a hardcover book or as a Kindle edition.  Or, you could just win one from me.

I have two copies of Inspired You up for grabs today!  Enter to win by filling out the entry form below.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
*This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook. Winner will be notified by email on 11/15/12 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen in order to win. Winners are responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings. Alternate entry: email Lindsay@MakelyHome.com with entry information. Prize will be mailed by the sponsor and this blog owner is not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled. A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended. Questions and additional information can be requested by emailing: Lindsay@MakelyHome.com.

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.


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