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Vintage Wood Folding TV Tray

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1K views

Last month, our wonderful neighbors across the street gave us a gorgeous 1970′s Vintage Sea Shell Hanging Planter along with a Vintage Wood Folding TV Tray. The folding tray originally had a mahogany color and Saturday being a warm day, we decided to paint a few items (re-purposing our vintage stainless steel metal tray for instance) and giving the folding tray a makeover. I am happy with the new color choice.

Vintage Wood Folding TV Tray.
Vintage Wood Folding TV Tray.

We cleaned the tray with soap and water to get rid of any dirt so that the paint will latch on evenly. It had a couple of spots that needed a little tightening as well, to stop it from wiggling. The latching clamp was a little loose and had to be bent back into shape. After this, we sanded a couple of spots on it, cleaned it once again and let dry in the sun. After half an hour it was ready for the spray paint which I applied in layers to keep it from running.

After spray painting the wood a Satin Granite color (by Rust-Oleum) and affixing a stencil on to the top area, we proceeded to apply a clear coat on the surface to keep it nice and shiny as well as protecting the surface from the elements. An area around the stencil began bubbling, leaving some marks on the surface. Not knowing how to proceed and refusing to sand the area down, I decided to take it as it was. Now I actually find it quite lovely.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Scripture Faith Inspire Life Lessons People

Self-Freedom

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read605 views

Self-Freedom, Breaking Free from Bondage, Mind Healing, Seeking the path to Serenity, call it whatever you want as long as it means being at peace with ourselves and our surrounding.

“I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” – Harriet Tubman

Image Source.
Image Source.

We are all slaves of the mind and each one of us in our way is still struggling to break free (often without realizing it). We struggle with honesty, patience, understanding, gratitude, pride, shame, envy, bitterness, gossip, revenge, acceptance, communication, broken promises, forgetfulness, forgiveness, deceits, betrayal, illnesses, letting go, we compete for love, for perishable things as well as nurturing other bad habits just to name a few. Our lack of knowledge is the main cause for us missing on opportunities and being rewarded for what is rightly ours.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. – Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

When you stay true to yourself, live in accordance with and act in obedience with the Word of God, you change not only the way people view you, but you change people as well. Once you believe and come to terms with the fact that the Word of God is precise, clear, true and that everything you learn and relate back with the World can be found in Scriptures, then and only then will you achieve self-freedom and break free from bondage.

Stand your grounds, guard your heart and thoughts, do not let anyone fool or use you and do not willingly put yourself in a compromising situation. Know and understand the God you serve and trust that His Words, which are alive and active will prevail and free you from the hands of your oppressors.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

My heart goes out to the Boston Marathon bombing victims. I pray that the souls of the departed rest peacefully in the Almighty’s arms and wish a painless and swift recovery to the injured.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Weather Home Decor Gratitude People

Little Acts of Kindness

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read471 views

I complained about the hot weather we had last week, but I didn’t expect to wake up to a chilly morning. Without looking out the window I could  guess how strong the wind is simply by listening to its howling and the movement of the Tree branches. Although the Sun is shining bright and strong above the clouds, I am guessing that the wind is here to stay (at least for today). I had planned on spending thirty minutes to an hour in the garden working on a little project, it will be difficult to complete in such an unfavorable weather.

During days like these, I sometimes ask myself why we chose to live in the High Desert? We are constantly confronted with strong gusty winds in the Spring and Fall, extreme heat in the Summer and below freezing point temperatures in the Winter. Due to the high winds, there is no way to eradicate the weeds since the wind carries the seeds from all over California. Then a single look at my kitchen window and I realize why we chose to live here and why we are still here: the High Desert habitants are known for their kindness.

Three and a half years ago, I received a hand-blown clear Glass Swan Vase from a former neighbor for donating empty boxes, helping her family clean up and move out of their rental home. The vase has a tiny hole which can be used to hold an LED candle, a Liquid Perfume Diffuser or simply place a flower into it. It’s such a delicate and lovely piece which I have cherished ever since and which sits on my Kitchen Window.

Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.
Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.

On Friday we took a trip to LindaMarie’sEnchantedTreasures.com, and bought a vintage rustic Hand Fork for a Garden Sign we  are building. I found a gorgeous Crystal Glass Candle Holder, which she gifted me (and for which I am very grateful). I placed my Breast Cancer Awareness Candle in it. They both can be used to create elegant arrangements and they make gorgeous centerpieces.

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JM Perez By JM Perez