Mancave Mania

When we moved into our current home there were two things that drew us into purchasing our house.  The first was the basement.  We have always wanted one and, other than it flooding 4 times so far, we have thoroughly enjoyed it.  

The other thing that really sold my husband on the house was the detached garage in the backyard.  It is 40 feet by 25 feet and the joy on his face when he saw it was measurable!  I did not have a leg to stand on once he saw that garage.  

His first course of action for the garage?  Move the '75 Corvette that he's going to remodel one day into the garage (the key words in this sentence in case you did not pick them up are "one day...").  The second course of action... build a mancave for the "Byrd Street Hooligans"!

Let me explain the Byrd Street Hooligans for a moment.  My husband has an alias.  He was 6 when his great-grandpa called him "Tom Byrd".  My hubby thought that was "cool" and began referring to himself as "Tom Byrd".    When he started school at the tender age of 6, he signed his papers as Tom Byrd.  His teacher thought that she had a new student and added him to the roster.  After a few days, she called my mother-in-law to find out why "David Boyle" was not attending class and whether he was still enrolled.  It was then discovered that "Tom Byrd" and "David Boyle" were one and the same!!  Isn't that a cute story?   

To this day, he still calls himself that...  Seriously...  Not formally of course, but anything that he does, it is done by "Tom Byrd".  Hence, the name of his "gang" is "Byrd Street Hooligans."  

Did you notice that I used the word "gang".  Yep, you read that right.  Hubby thinks that he's in a "gang".  Him and "his boys."  They were all into the television show "Sons of Anarchy" at the time that they "formed" their "gang".   They even  had to have positions within the "gang" such as "President", "Vice-President", and "Sgt. at Arms"...  This is a 50 year old man... 

 They even drew a logo.  Those are wrenches in the skill since hubby is a jack of all trades...

Take a deeper look at the "mancave"...  All design ideas were made by hubby.  I think he did a pretty good job!

He loves his neon... This is the "bar" side of the room.  That's why it is painted green.

 Tony Gonzales... Former Kansas City Chiefs, now an Atlanta Falcons... Hubby forgave him for that... I think...

This artwork was purchased at the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park many years ago for our son's bedroom.  We have inherited it.  It has military planes on it and hubby used to work on some of them.

Schematic of a cockpit?  Boys are dumb...  

 The obligatory flat screen tv...

The rug was purchased by my MIL for her home.  Once hubby saw it, he badgered her until she gave it to him.  I think it's perfect right where it is!

 

 

The sword to the right of the Coors sign was given to us by our son who was stationed in England at the time.  He got our "coat of arms" while over there.  Pretty darn cool present.  

Hubby created the bar himself.  In fact, he did the entire room by himself.  Remember, it used to be a garage.  The wash bin is his "sink".

 

This Budweiser light was in pieces and hubby gently put it back together.  He got this from my stepdad and has always loved it.

And this is the "sports" side of the room.  That's why it is painted in KC Chiefs colors.

   

 Finger football board.  Lots of fun has been had at that board!

What do you think of our "cave"?  Keep making your space beautiful everyone!  

"Creativity takes courage..."  Henri Matisse

I'm joining Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.  

Come over and visit and leave us blogging "love" by commenting on posts that you really enjoy reading!

xoxo,

Tracy

Fashion Friday - Scarf Love

First of all, Happy Anniversary to my mom and stepdad!  Today, they have been married 38 years!  Good for you both!

 

Okay, I believe I am getting better at this fashion stuff...  (I am not sure what you believe.... This is where you say "Hey, I'll leave you a comment then!" Hint...Hint...)

I discarded those HIDEOUS Capri pants, along with a few others, so I am making progress.  

One a side note:  Make sure you have one person that will be completely honest with you about things like your wardrobe.  For me, that's my sister-in-law (SIL) Krystal.  And I LIKE that about her...   Not only will she be completely honest, but she will totally laugh about your gross lack of style!  In fact, I think the exact phrase during her fit of laughter was "Oh my gosh!  You wore that?"  It only added to my shame!!!  Once the laughter has subsided, she will say "Let's go shopping..."  So at least she mocks and then offers assistance....

This week, I added a scarf to one of my outfits.  I was supremely proud of myself!  Now listen...  scarves and I kinda have a love/hate relationship.  I love the fashion sense they give me, but once my "personal summers" kick in, the scarf gets flung across the room....  People walking by me must be willing to duck at a moment's notice!

This week's outfit includes my standard black work pants and a red pullover top.  I added my scarf that has matching colors.  While I am trying to get more "hip", I still have issues with mixing contrasting colors.  Baby steps people....

I think for the summer, that I need to purchase a few "lighter" scarves.  I am sure you are thinking, "It is a SCARF!   How light does it need to be?"  But there are differences in thickness.  Because I have hot flashes, I need something thinner in material.  

Like this one:

 

Or this one!

It's 100% silk and only $7.99!  You cannot beat that.

So, how did I do this week?  

I know this... I did not feel that I needed to hide under my desk this week.  THAT is a good thing!

ON A SERIOUS NOTE:

While I try to keep my blog lighthearted, I wanted to take a moment to discuss this wonderful video below.  (Get tissues handy...)

I have been the hardest on myself my whole life.  I am the first one to criticize myself because I know that if I do it first, then you (the populace) cannot hurt me with your words.  It is my way of protecting myself.  In fact, I would love to point out my "flaws" in the above picture, but I am refusing to allow my negative thoughts to intrude.  

Unfortunately, my insecurities trickled over onto my daughters and now they battle with self esteem.   Us women have been taught our whole lives that blond, blue eyes, tall, and thin (too thin!) is beautiful.  We see if from the time that we are small girls.  Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine are all tiny, big breasted, big eyes and lips, sexual cartoons and we all know from an early age that society believes those women to be beautiful.  When our adjectives to describe ourselves are different, we believe that we must not be beautiful.  

Watch the video below and notice how these women describe themselves, and then how someone they just met describes them.  You will see our warped sense of self.  And after you watch this video, be a little kinder to yourself.  I know I am going to be.

Show your beauty in your creativity.  Whether it is a funky manicure, dynamic eye shadow, a homemade card, or a beautiful home, you can create in your every day life.  YOU and your creativity are what make the world beautiful!

"Creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."  Albert Einstein

xoxo,

Tracy