There’s no party like a mirror party… *video*
The thing about this mirror frame.
Is that it weighs a ton.
And.
The thing about the glass.
Is that it also weighs a ton.
And.
Apparently, all of this is fine and I have not yet reached the furthest limits of what I am able to acquire, as will be evidenced by an upcoming post, for which I have a sponsor, because failure was not an option.
Here is my post about getting the mirror.
Here is my post where it changed the kitchen layout.
Now.
Giant mirror.
In one piece.
Behold.
Video.
I should have more to say about this mirror installation.
Considering there was scaffolding.
But my brain is useless.
Dismantling the kitchen, hobbiting in the basement, living in chaos, DELAYED CHAOS, then getting it all back together to have my brothers and bff come to stay… followed by Paul’s family… on the surface all that seemed like terrible timing… but it turned out to be perfect.
After the floors, I would have been compelled anyway, to do the kind of cleaning that makes all the other people in your house hate you… so the combination of houseguests, and the POSSIBILITY of everything being “right” made the effort… not fun, but SATISFYING
ESPECIALLY because I’ve been de-hoarding for the last 6 months… an unexpected shift in perspective that I am ASTOUNDED by.
My entire life I have been PLAGUED by the “i save crap” gene.
Then one day I looked around and was like— why all this crap. bye.
It is not about having fewer things.
It is about having less crap.
Anyway.
Life has been chaotic and I was REALLY looking forward to TODAY— a return to real life and sanity and no other people… and our car was stolen FROM the driveway, this morning at 4am.
Paul heard something and got up— prepared to rage about how the kittens do not respect sleep… he got to see the van drive out of the driveway.
So I am totally enjoying the return to real life.
Suggestions for home surveillance video cameras?
I googled it but cloud storage, text alerts, infrared… ugh… please spoonfeed me… pressure sensors to go anywhere, alerts if someone steps on your doormat… although even if we had that, neither of us would see a text at 4am.
Right now am feeling this kind which has BOTH floodlights AND a camera AND a speaker so you can talk your intruder to death… and if that doesn’t work, there is a siren.
FYI: we are olds with no Alexa and I do not need it to pair with my thermostat… But if you tell me some other thing to go along with my new maximum security facility, I will listen. I am an Amazon person… but also an Apple person.
I do not care what it looks like. We have no home phone line. We do have motion detectors, but we are getting more because building Alcatraz after the fact is totally reasonable.
Also, WHY someone steals a FIFTEEN-year-old VAN… WHY!?
Literally, no one BUT ME could possibly WANT that car. WHY!?
It was perfect for cats and flowers and hauling STUFF.
Also, it worked.
Mad.
Also, I am extra mad that I JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK AND I HATE GETTING GAS BECAUSE IT IS SO TEDIOUS AND UNBEARABLE.
Anyway. I have much other to tell you, but now have to insurance; so brief updates so you are not in the dark:
View this post on Instagram
Porch kitty is good!
She healed well and is back outside (her preference) with Mister.
Webster has been adopted.
I’m looking forward to telling you more, once I get my brain back!!!
I have the very sweetest kittens ever.
I thought I might be able to socialize some (other) kittens… I ended up TNR-ing them. Feelings.
I have a new idea about kitchen cabinets that I think everyone will hate… I am letting it marinate to see if it is glorious. Or idiocy.
I have run out of the ability to edit words.
September 20, 2018 @ 9:38 am
A while back you posted info about animal rehab groups who used old fur coats to comfort rescued wildlife. I have some to donate. Can you pass on any info?
September 26, 2018 @ 1:40 pm
Or you could just… find the post?
September 20, 2018 @ 9:52 am
1. Paul is worth his weight in gold.
2. How exactly did the mirror get mounted? Are there brackets that we cannot see that were screwed into the wall? Or is it just a miracle.
September 20, 2018 @ 9:54 am
We like our “Arlo” cameras, wireless, thus easy easy install. Notifications on the phone when they motion detect. You can check the camera view anytime. They’re inexpensive…user friendly.
Annnd, they can be set up to watch the pets = pure entertainment!
September 20, 2018 @ 10:19 am
I’ve heard great things about these “Arlo” cameras, as well. And, better still, they can be purchased at Costco which had an amazing return policy if you don’t love them.
March 20, 2019 @ 8:08 pm
We have Arlo at both our home and business. Love it. I am just catching up with this blog, love it
September 20, 2018 @ 10:08 am
The mirror looks amazing! Is your new idea to turn the kitchen into a ballroom? Because I think that would be divine.
xAllie
http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com
September 20, 2018 @ 10:14 am
VEB, this post (the part about the GFT) is wonderful!!! I myself just purchased a 7’x4′ mirror and have been trying to figure out how to address the “molding” issue. We were forced to secure it to the wall above the baseboard, and it just looks so odd. NOW I HAVE A PLAN! Thank you.
I am so sorry someone took your van. We have motion sensor lights around our home, I am not sure the deter anyone, they just pop on and off all night as the night kitties prowl around 🙂 Best of luck!
September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am
I feel you! We were burglarized on 8.3.17 and it turned us upside down. We have spent months researching security cameras for all around our home and it is absolutely mind-numbing how much information (good & bad) that is out there to be sifted through! I can not encourage you strongly enough to read ALL the reviews out there on EVERY SYSTEM you are considering. They run the gamut…….We still haven’t chosen cameras but did get the best ADT security system they offer….it is better but we still don’t feel totally protected and we live in a nice neighborhood. It will come but at what cost, we wonder. How much is our safety/confidence worth? Turns out maybe quite a lot! Burglars left doors open and back gate so, of course, our dogs got out (a pit bull and a dalmation who clearly allowed the burglars to break in through a metal exterior door and then partied with them because no blood was shed)…a neighbor took a pic of our dalmation in the alley and posted it on our Nextdoor app….we are so lucky no animal was harmed…cats did not escape at all. Everyone is microchipped even though the cats never go outside but still: this could have been disastrous. We can replace crap they stole but not our beloved pets. You will find another van…we have one as well and we know how valuable a resource one is. Or the police MAY find yours abandoned nearby and hopefully NOT torn up! Prayers for you both! Good luck!
September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am
You guys are perfect together. Love the mirror. It is stunning. Great video. Thank you for sharing.
September 20, 2018 @ 10:20 am
Wow, I had stopped at the video to comment so I hadn’t noticed about your van. That’s horrible. I keep hearing about Ring security system. Best of luck finding out who took it.
September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am
Don’t give up on socializing feral kittens, it does take a bunch of time and hiding behind the couch before they decide you are not evil. And if you can lay on the couch long enough for them to be sure you are asleep or dead, they will come lay on your chest until you breathe too boisterously….. it’s a process.
September 20, 2018 @ 2:54 pm
I agree. Our little feral kitten is now a strapping 16 year old queen bee. We are her willing slaves. She still gets frightened at thunderstorms, but otherwise, total blasé about the world.
September 20, 2018 @ 10:47 am
So sorry about the van. It’s such a creepy feeling to think of someone walking around your property late at night. We installed the Ring system after a break in on our street – best investment EVER!!!! I am sure there are other great security systems out there- but for the price & ease of use, we have been very happy.
September 20, 2018 @ 10:50 am
Our minivan was stolen from the parking lot of an auto parts store; the husband was getting it in good enough shape to drive it an hour to junk it. Before the police could arrive, the thieves RETURNED the van and ran. Apparently, a van with no a/c and a driver’s window that doesn’t work wasn’t what they wanted. It makes a great story; the minivan so bad even the thieves won’t drive it.
Crossing my fingers that YOURS is located and returned. Bad people annoy me.
September 20, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
LOL, we had a suitcase stolen at San Francisco airport but it was found in the mens restroom, open but nothing missing. Guess they don’t have a trach and need trach supplies! They picked the right suitcase to steal. Also makes a great story. Our junk isn’t worth stealing!
September 20, 2018 @ 10:50 am
I am all about the Arlo. Our house has very limited exterior electrical outlets. The Arlo runs on batteries. It has a night vision mode, optional monitoring, and other accessories (Like battery powered security lights) available. And it is discrete and waterproof, and you can order “skins” on amazon to help camouflage its appearance.
I use this in combination with the ATT digital life security system…but I probably would have just gotten a NEST if I didn’t already have ATT for our wireless.
September 20, 2018 @ 10:51 am
Screw the kitchen, just make it into a dance studio…
September 20, 2018 @ 11:02 am
So sorry, hope the van finds its way home, smooshlove on the kitties for comfort. And, I ALWAYS look forward to watching you and Paul dance so beautifully. I’ve only been at it 4 months….when is is supposed to turn info fun, haha?
September 20, 2018 @ 11:07 am
Good to see you back in your groove!! People in and out of your house is fun, but it can get old pretty quickly. Normalcy is best. A word to the wise, RING is easily hacked. I would probably go with a monitored security company combined with good outside lighting on sensors. They can secure everything and put sensors when someone crosses the property line from the roadway.
September 20, 2018 @ 11:25 am
Winston got adopted!! This is the best news.
September 20, 2018 @ 11:27 am
We have a Frontpoint system and I love it. The initial cost of the sensors and stuff is heavily discounted when you buy it all in a package at the beginning. We do pay a monthly monitoring fee but that includes hosting for the cameras and fantastic customer service. We live in a high-risk wildfire area and so I wanted the heat/smoke sensors that are monitored so if we are not home, they will contact the fire department. I accidentally set of a sensor once and the phone rang before I even realized what the alarm sound was. The person calling was very professional and helpful. Every time I’ve called needing help with a camera or whatever, the customer service has been astounding. I love that I can check on my pets on the cameras when I’m not home. Their system is completely customize-able and has worked flawlessly for us. I wasn’t comfortable installing just cameras and flood lights, I wanted a monitored system.
I hope the van is found salvageable, and doesn’t impact your kitten-saving which is of course the most important thing!! Hugs to you!
September 20, 2018 @ 11:43 am
Too bad “porch cat” didn’t turn into “ATTACK cat”! Cant wait to see your finished kitchen! It will be amazing!
September 20, 2018 @ 12:07 pm
Get a Gate. I live in rural Nevada, and some idiot drove a big truck onto our property and went off our dirt road and BARELY missed our Well! We could tell by the tire tracks it was Big.
Had it hit the Well, it would have been a massive $$$$$$$$$ big deal.
I called the cops, and one came out and gave us great ideas-the main one being a New Big Strong Gate. I painted it Turquoise and we put in big railroad ties to fence it in. Not your style I know….but think of a fancy Black Victorian Wrought Iron Gate….
Your thieves have to be teenagers or a drunk crazy guy — to rip off an old van. Not some serious thieves.
But you made it easy for them. Put up a big strong gate. Walk to the end of your driveway and turn around and think like a thief. Big Boulders, Fencing, Solar Lights….
Why don’t you have a Dog? You don’t need a big fancy one, just one that loves cats and barks. There are lots of them at the dog pound. Their ears are 150 times better than ours. The idiot on our place must have came when we were gone. No way our dogs would have not let us know about trespassers….
September 20, 2018 @ 12:35 pm
YES!!! THIS:
”
My entire life I have been PLAGUED by the “i save crap” gene.
Then one day I looked around and was like— why all this crap. bye.
It is not about having fewer things.
It is about having less crap
“
September 20, 2018 @ 1:44 pm
I got a chuckle from all the little scratches on your arm/hand. The kittens don’t mean too, but their little claws are so sharp! Make sure your next van has an alarm which should scare off most kids (and wake you up).