With Cath battling Cancer and me recovering from surgery, we weren’t able to get much work done the past six months. To compensate, I sold odds and ends of stuff we had in our loft along with a few truck loads of unpainted furniture, work tables, misc frames… to make ends meet. My heart is still not in it and the depression has me frozen in a zone I can’t seem to escape. I physically find it hard to move. I’m pulling away from everyone which I know is not healthy but it’s all I can do right now to just be. I’m not sure my heart will ever be back into my work but I have to get out of this funk and at least try to start painting again.
Am I fully recovered? No. I’m in as much pain, if not more, than I was before they diagnosed me and removed my cancer. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll probably always be in pain. I don’t have time to dwell on that with everything else my mom and sister are dealing with right now. We’re all in basic survival mode and as painful as it is to paint with my right arm, at least I still have it and for that, I am very thankful.
My awesome neighbor boys hauled the buffet up to my living room because it’s been to damp and chilly to paint in the garage. Yes, that’s how we roll here at the Andrade house. Have drop cloth, will paint. Our paints are all NO VOC so there are no chemicals or fumes like there is with most other paints.
This piece is a Drexel Bow front buffet purchased from a fellow painter.
It was in exceptional condition but it’s not my personal taste so they always stump me. What to do, what to do. I have pictures of this in it’s mahogany stain but they must be one one of our shop computers so use your imagination until I find it, lol
Overwhelmed with all the clutter after moving the business back to my home, I pulled out an open container of blue paint and slapped it on as a base coat.
Did I necessarily want it blue? No, I was just trying to use up some of the leftovers of opened paint. I donated endless amounts of opened quarts, samples and pints to customers, volunteers and pretty much anyone who walked through our shop doors during the month of January so I wouldn’t have to haul it all home. Even with all we donated, I still had a decent size stash to choose from. How did we accumulate so much paint anyway?
As I painted the buffet, my teenage daughter made her own little fort under the other drop cloth. Can you see her under there doing homework? Yep… that’s my kiddo and I have to admit, I so would have done the same thing if I was her age.
So for the buffet, I needed something very basic. I wasn’t sure how long my arm would hold up so I simply painted the entire base in Grey Pebble by Frenchic Furniture Paint. I painted the top with Lady Grey which is a bit darker to anchor the top then I sealed everything with Frenchic’s Rustic Wax. It’s an incredibly easy-to-use wax with a gorgeous color. It pulls more towards a black than it does a brown. Does that make sense? It’s not a black wax, but it leans more towards a black than the espresso brown that most other brands do and it truly is fool proof.
This is how it looked BEFORE I waxed it
and here’s a close up after waxed with Rustic Wax. Isn’t it Gorgeous?
Here it is all laid out among the girl’s instruments the night before it went to the shop. Sure glad they’re willing to share their music jammin’ corner with me, lol
This style offers tons of storage. I see these used often for bathroom vanities. We scored on this one too as it still had it’s original glass top
As of Memorial Day, 2017 ~ this piece is still available. It’s for sale in the Shizzle Design booth within Not So Shabby, 2975 West Shore Drive, Holland, MI 49424. Not So Shabby is open 7 days a week and will be open Memorial Day if you’re near the lake shore for the holiday.
Please help us spread the word to let people know we’re also now in Changing Thymes, 2900 Wilson Avenue, Grandville, MI 49418. The guy who moved into our old location still has our sign hanging on the building so it may be confusing to people who pull in to buy paint. I need two extensions ladders or a bucket truck to get it down. Anyway… you can find all our paint supplies both in Grandville and Holland now.
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PS – Once again, I apologize for any grammatical errors. My vision is horrible ever since my Lasik surgery 6 months ago. Writing this post took every ounce of squinting I had to make out each word on this page. Praying my next two surgeries will restore my eyesight. That’s all for now folks.
One more thing ~ I cannot believe the SS system is failing her, AGAIN!
Since writing this post, I’ve had a lot of people inquire about Cathy and mention things like GoFundMe accounts… I started one of those for her right away and we will forever be thankful for the outpouring of donations on her behalf. What makes me sick is, we shouldn’t have to be going to these extremes in the first place.
We were told Cathy would automatically receive Social Security Disability because of her Stage IV Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer diagnosis. The sickening reality though is that SS has denied her rights to anything – THREE times already. Se has rites to both her SS and her deceased husband’s SS yet they keep coming up with excuses as to why she can’t have a penny. Cath turned 59 in April and has a very poor prognosis. She qualified for Hospice the day of diagnosis as it was 2-3 weeks without treatment and 3-6 months with. We’ve already reached the 6 month period and still not a penny from SS. They’ve denied her once again.
If anyone can give us tips on how to deal with the dang system, please let us know. I cannot believe the system doesn’t help people who’ve contributed money into it in their entire lives. By the time they get around to approving Cathy, it will be too late.
Have a Great Holiday Weekend!
OMG. You make me feel so guilty for every complaining about anything. Compared to you ,your mom and sister I am the luckiest woman in the world. You are all so tough against all odds. You have my admiration. I wish I lived near I would help you do something. you need people to step up and dig in and I am hoping a lot of people have. Please stay strong you are such an inspiration I would have given up long ago. I live on S. S. so I don’t even have any extra money and I am sure that would help. Can any of you go on S.S. disability? Have you thought of Go Fund Me for help? This is just the pits. If it helps I love you for your courage, and wish and hope something good happens for you soon.!!!!!
I started a GoFundMe account for cath right away which is helping her tremendously. Social Security has denied her ANY benefits THREE times already! It should be an automatic due to her diagnosis besides, she’s already 59 and with her diagnosis she’s supposed to qualify. They’re just betting on the odds she’ll be gone before they have to give her anything. I’m becoming bitter and have lost all respect for our government.
Shelly, I’m in Louisville, Ky. I wish I was in MI. I’d buy every incredible piece that you have. You guys are the STRONGEST WOMEN. It’s really unbelievable. Please know that you are all in my heart and prayers. I can’t imagine the pain that you endure. We love you guys. Please keep plugging away. Don’t ever give up. Ever.
Thanks Paula ~ believe me, I’m not strong – at all. I’m becoming very bitter through all this. Losing hope in everything from Social Security to faith
I will have to say previous commentor has expressed my sentiments regarding your more than tuff situation.
Our grandson who had cancer was losing his eye sight, had surgery which fixed it for him. He was also losing his hearing, we were told was due to chemo side effects. Hope things. get better for you and your family very soon. Enuf already huh? Try the GoFundMe, many people have been helped this way, good luck.
I have several health concerns which make life difficult but yours has made me realize I need to stop grumbling. Besides fact am getting older, will be 77 in July. Getting old really isn’t for sissies, lol. God bless you all.
Shelley, my husband is a certified financial planner and says Cathy wouldn’t be eligible for her husband’s benefit until she turns 60. For her, his recommendation is to hire a lawyer who deals in SS benefits. Their fee is limited to 25% of the benefits awarded and they would be retroactive to when she first applied. I hope this helps and my heart breaks for all of you and your situations! Praying for all of you!
Thanks Cheryl, that helps. Looks like we need to hire an attorney then so she can at least get her’s
Hey Cheryl, can you double check with your husband? The financial person at the hospital told us that her condition alone qualifies her, like it trumps the traditional waiting until 60 thing.
Shelly
Her cancer is a “qualifying condition”. So it should be a slam dunk for an attorney. And being so easy….please consider asking said attorney to donate their time. And not take a percentage from her. That happened for us….a wonderful intelligent giving attorney wrote 1 letter. My husband obtained his benefits retro active! At no cost! And his cancer is staying quiet!
Praying for you all still!
Cassie
Thanks Cassie! We’re in ER as I type. She thinks part of her lung has collapsed.
I’m so sorry to hear whats going in your lives. I have heard you MUST a a lawyer to get through to SS. Best wishes, kathi
Thanks kathi, pretty lousy that it comes to that but glad I know. Sitting in ER w Cath. She’s in escrutiating pain. Thought her lung collapsed but now they’re trying to rule out a blood clot.
I’m so sorry!! Husband says go for the attorney!!
Hi, Shelly, me again! My husband also suggested contacting your congressman’s office. They can make things happen! He doesn’t understand the rejection either since she would certainly have medical records to back up her diagnosis. I have the Lord’s Prayer on my heart for all of you today…
Praying for you right now Shelly & Cathy🙏🏻
Thanks Susan! We really appreciate your prayers! It just keeps getting worse. I’m counting every single blessing of each day, Shelly
what else could go wrong for you guys? Hire a lawyer. I had to hire one to get my disabiity. It ws worth the money
Hi Shelly and Cath,
When I see one of your posts in my email box, it always feels like a little gift has arrived. Even now, with the horrible things that you are dealing with, your passion, humor and sense of family are incredible. Shelly, I love that you mentioned your daughter and included the photo under the table. As parents, no matter what is happening, our kids look to us for signals for security. So paint away, when you can. Cath, I’m pulling for you… every day.
Sending thoughts of peace and comfort to both of you,
Michele
Thanks Michele, I agree ~ especially as a single parent now, I don’t know what I’d do without my girls. They are my life and about the only thing that keeps me moving. I’m in the deepest depression of my life. I feel like I’m in quicksand and can’t get out. Praying for good news this week as my family continues to be bombarded with C.
My husband has young onset Parkinson’s Disease. On his neurologist’s recommendation, we contacted a company named Allsup. (allsup.com) They were able to get his SS Disability income approved on the first application (with required exams, doctor’s statements, etc.) All they required was a percentage of the first Disability payment. This was about 10 years ago, but at that time they were very helpful and easy to work with. Hope that helps!
Thanks, we’ll check it out.
Shelly, I’m so sorry you’re in such pain. I’ve long admired your and Cathy’s work. I want to reach my arms out and give you a big hug from Florida. You’re going through so much, but you’re not alone. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey
Thanks Ann Marie!
Find a Disability Lawyer close to you. They do not charge a fee unless you win your disability; then they’ll take a percentage of the awarded amount. Start this asap since it take a long time to proccess. They deny almost everyone initially…CRAZY how little they care. You should only have to meet with the attorney once.He/She will collect all the necessary paperwork. Sorry to hear how much your family is suffering. Thinking of you and your sister.
Shelly….I’m soooo very sorry to learn what your family is going through. There is absolutely NO reason for Cathy to be experiencing pain…my family has travelled this path. There are multiple options in Palliative Care. Holland Hospice is an incredible resource and I recommend that you connect with them. Their medical director has dedicated his career to palliative medicine and they have a wonderful team.
Holding all of you in my prayers…..
If you have any questions…feel free to contact me. 818-284-0518
Thanks Adriana!
Im praying for ur family. Remembet God never said we wouldnt hv trials but he did say hevwould be there with us. He will never leave ys mor forsake us. I hv depression too so i know the paralysis is REAL! Stress and chronic pain really wear you down. Some days u dont know if u want to get up. Listen keep putting 1 ft in front of the other. This too shall pass. Times were good before & in time they will be good again. You hv to try to find good in whatever you can, it makes a difference! Your children laughing & growing, a bird singing, a pretty flower. Once u start seeing again, the world begins to open again. Strange how pain/stress/tragedy narrows yr vision so much! You begin 2 only see those things. Like a camera lens,Opens or closes. A scripture that has helped me is this the day that the Lord has made, i will rejoice and be glad in it. Never deny how strong you are, believe it & know it! Know that you’ve come this far & will go even farther because of it. I love ur spirit!!! Pat urself on the back every day! U hv done a lot by surviving OK? Do something small everyday & congratulate urself. Breathing is very important too. Stress/pain make u breath very shallow. Takes deep breaths from ur gut whenever u think about it. It releases endorphins, good for pain & calmness. Chronic pain is very serious, dont take it lightly. Are there any support groups at maybe the hospital the u can try? Depression/pain/stress make us isolate ourselves, we just think we cant deal with anything else. The opposite is true, get around other people, they can lift u up when u need it. Sorry for the novel but i feel ya ok? You are not alone!! God Bless you & your family.
Thanks for the encouragement. It’s very difficult but I’m trying
Praying for all of you. May God remind you of his crazy love for all of you today. He has a way of doing that. Sometimes small subtle ways, sometimes huge in your face ways.
Thanks Cheri!
I pray for you ladies all the time. Have you hired an attorney to walk the paperwork through for you? I am not an attorney but I am a nurse and my patients tell me they get turned down an average of three times before they get approved. They all say they had to have an attorney do it for them. I pray this happens for you.
Lauri
Thanks Lauri. No we never go around to it. We’ve had our hands full every single day and I for one am so emotionally drained that when I get back home, I literally collapse into my chair. It’s all I can do the past seven months to just BE. I make sure the paint is stocked, packed and ordered so customers have what they need, make sure my kids have food and once in a while actually paint something but there’s been little time to do everything.
I haven’t checked in in a while, and I’m so sorry to see things have degenerated so.
I would volunteer to make calls for you, if it would help? As a born and raised Michigander, I feel a connection. That’s even a little amplified, since my ancestors settled Bentheim, Holland and Grand Rapids in the very early 1800s. I guess you always identify when someone’s from “your” area!
Anyway, I’m 301-467-7664 if I can help. I’m a pit bull when it comes to nagging the crap outta someone, and helped a friend get assistance, medical coverage and treatment for her lung cancer. (First Mesothema-something family in the country!)
In the meanwhile, my prayers are also with you all.