Aww Monday – Before & After
Last week I posted the image above of Lucy, our American Cocker Spaniel. Not long afterward, Lucy made the trip to her groomer for a new summer look.
“Lucile” is now rockin’ her new “Summer Doo”! It’s shorter all the way around and more of a puppy cut, even though Lucy is a three-yar-old young lady. She seems to like the cooler cut for those dog days of summer.
Before & After II
Eight years ago the two older granddaughters wanted their bedroom decorated in Shabby Chic style, so Nana took the early American student desk that I had in junior high and chalk painted it, distressed it, and made a slip cover for the chair to the left of the frame. We painted the room a sunny yellow and added crisp white curtains. It looked great.
Fast forward eight years. The oldest granddaughter is now married and the middle granddaughter will soon begin her second year in college. This year she will be out of the dorm and into an apartment. She has decided to take the old student desk and a matching small chest with her, but she would prefer a more country casual style to the shabby look of previous years. So, I brought the desk home, stripped all of the paint and most of the varnish off, then painted the desk a light cool grey and put a matte finish clear acrylic on the top. I think it’s going to be a winner.
I wonder what it will look like eight years from now?
Monday’s Music Moves Me
This week at 4M is a free choice week. Since last week’s theme that required songs starting with the letter J was so much fun, I almost continued that train of thought into this week. Then I started listening to a couple of other songs on YouTube that I thought were worth bringing to the party. This will probably be a mixture of old and new artists along with some familiar and not so familiar songs. My first choice comes from two music legends, but the song my not be one that you know well and sing along whenever you hear it. I am a fan of 90’s country music. That decade gave us Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, Leroy Parnell, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, and Vince Gill just to name a few. Vince Gill is a superb tenor vocalist and a legendary guitar player. The song I have selected to start this party is a duet featuring Vince and music icon James Taylor singing a song written by Sweet Baby James. Enjoy.
Another Oklahoma artist that found success in the 90’s was Toby Keith. Toby was the reincarnation of the outlaw sound that Waylon, Willie, and the boys of the 70’s made popular. “I Shoulda Been a Cowboy” is still one of my favorite country songs. A little more mellow sound is found in the tune “I Wish I Didn’t Know Now”.
The 90’s produced a multitude of bands with a country sound. The southern rock/country sound was dominated by Alabama. Country music is filled with odes to love lost and one the hits from this groups songbook that you don’t hear much these days is “Old Flame”.
I guess that I was wrong about one thing, there are no new artists or songs in this playlist. Let’s close this session with my all time favorite female country artist, Mrs. Garth Brooks, better known as Trisha Yearwood. I always thought she was the best female vocalist since Linda Ronstadt and you can hear Linda all over this song. Have a blessed week.
Driller's Place 
Lucy looks fabulous after her spa day. She’s a most good looking pup.
Love both the desks. The last one the most, but I’m closer to your age than a teens age. She’s going to approve.
Love the videos. You have fine tastes in music.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a blessed Awww Monday and week, my friend. Scritches to Miss Lucy. ♥
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After a spa day, Lucy thinks she’s the hottest thing on four paws!
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That is so awesome the kids have you to do that kind of thing for them. I’m sure she will love the revamped desk! Olivia and I hit the groomer 10 days ago, Bailie is going this week, and Mom to the human groomer. In a few days we will all be looking good once again!
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Lucy had a couple of mats in her coat this time that required a shorter cut on her chest, but it’s all good because I’m sure she is cooler now.
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Lookin’ good, Lucy! You did a fabulous make-over on the old desk. I’m sure your granddaughter is going to like it. I know all of your artist picks but your song choices are all new-to-me or I just forgot them. Thanks for stopping by to join the 4M crew on the dance floor, my friend. Have a boogietastic week. Stay safe and well!
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I have to admit, I picked some of the lesser known hits by a few of these artists and I just thought that Vince Gill and James Taylor was classic. That little student desk is about 60 years old because I’ve been out of high school for 55 years. It was a fun make-over and I am working on the “bachelors” chest now. It should be ready next week.
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You are so good to keep that desk up to date – I love when items are cherished over generations rather than just buying new ones. Love the song list today.
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Furniture is definitely an area where you get what you pay for and some of the best and last American made solid wood furniture came out of the 50’s and 60’s.
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Lucy looks really good. I think that desk will be in the family for a long time. It is cool. Great song list. Thanks for sharing.
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That desk and the matching chest may be in the family long after I’m gone, and that’s a good thing.
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You’ve been busy! I have a very similar desk that I’ve been using as a kitchen island, but I never got around to refinishing it or customizing it or anything. I really need to get on that. I can’t imagine what your granddaughter’s desk will look like in another 8 years. It’ll be cool to see if its next owner wants to keep the casual country look (would also work great with a coastal theme, IMO), or if she will want something completely different!
I liked your selections this week – I’ve always been fond of Vince Gill’s voice, and although you didn’t feature “I Shoulda Been A Cowboy”, it’s one of my favorite songs, period. Another of Toby’s songs, “Beer For My Horses”, *almost* ended up in my Battle of the Bands this week, but I ended up going with some different songs.
Kim
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I just decided to be a little different with the song choices this week and I may do it again soon. Glad you liked the selections.
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Lucy looks lovely and that desk looks fabulous
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The desk came out better than even I expected.
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Interesting list
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Thank you.
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WOW! Such a pretty girl…before and after the haicut 😉 The rooms of the two-feet girls are outstanding! Such beautiful furniture and bed and great songs too😸Pawkisses for a Happy Week ahead🐾😽💞
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After August all three of the girls will be out of the house and only the grandson will remain at home. He will be a junior in high school. I’m sure that the shabby chic bedroom is about to get a complete makeover and become more of a guest bedroom.
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Vince Gill and James Taylor. All these songs are new to me and I just loved the harmony on “Bartender’s Blues”. You brought me back to my teen years when I took an old “baby chest” I had since I was – well, a baby, and refinished it in distressed style with my Dad’s help. But I also left it behind when I got married. I regret it. I like both versions of that chest.
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The next piece of furniture will be finished next week.
I do like finding clips from concert videos because you get to hear songs that the artists may never have actually recorded and you find some iconic duets along the way.
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You and your wife get the championship grandparents award for taking care of the grandkids. I imagine that desk will be a treasured piece if isn’t already.
Trisha Yearwood has the voice, what a great singer.
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The desk is becoming this generation’s family heirloom.
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