Author: mollybujold

If Forrest Gump can teach us that “life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”; then I suppose the same can also be said for using mistinted paint for a DIY transformation in your home. Until you open that can and start painting, you really don’t know what you’re going to get!

I recently received the news that I was now going to be permanently working from home. Suddenly, the temporary work space that I had hastily set up for myself last fall served as a stark reminder that I would need to spruce up my surroundings or find myself feeling a little on the sad side. I was also sick of having my background blurred in virtual meetings in an attempt to hide the growing pile of junk in my basement office.

I wanted a fun and vibrant space, but I also didn’t want to spend any money on this project.

While we’re told working from home is permanent, it’s hard to imagine that as a 5- or 10- year plan. So I knew that whatever I did might just be temporary – plus my approach to paint has always been to try it; you can always change it later!

To keep costs down, I decided to take a chance and purchase some mistinted paint from Lowes and Canadian Tire. What are mistints you ask? When a customer isn’t happy with how a paint color mixes up, stores will sell these “oops” paints at a deep discount.

Using mistints is also a great way to keep the project environmentally sustainable as these paints avoid getting sent directly to the eco stations.

But, it can be a bit risky, as you have to wonder how you will make a paint that someone hated enough to return to the store look decent.

Also, I had decided I was going to use several different colours in a geometric pattern. So not only did I need colours that complemented each other, but they also generally needed to be the same kind of paint finish.

If you plan to mix colours in a pattern, consult a colour theory wheel to give you an idea of colours will go together. And if you plan to use mistints, be patient. I think it took me a couple weeks and multiple store checks to find some colours that I thought might go together.

I also made sure to use leftover paint from previous house projects as I already knew and approved of the colour, and it’s a great way to reduce paint you need to get rid of in the future.

For your next DIY paint transformation, consider using leftover paint or mistinted paint to keep your project costs down and reduce your environmental footprint.

One of my favourite concepts I’ve learned so far in this class, has been the Story Spine. It’s such a simple concept, and so easy to follow if you’re experiencing writer’s block or struggling how to start (or finish) a story.

When tasked with creating an infographic, I knew that using the Story Spine would translate to a digital infographic very easily as at its core, the Spine is a set of blocks upon which to build a story. There’s a natural progression to the Story Spine where the previous concept leads into the next, which is where the reader’s eye travels naturally in an infographic.

I found the template on Canva, which was perfect with the book character at the bottom to further illustrate the storytelling subject. I added the circles on the left side as I needed to add an extra heading to each concept. I feel it’s a simple graphic that helps illustrate the simple concept of the Story Spine.

Being a parent of a toddler, never mind twins, can run the gamut of entertainment levels: sometimes it’s incredibly boring and repetitive, other times, it feels like you’re watching a train wreck on YouTube. So, when I decided to live-tweet a day at the beach with my son and daughter in 30+ degree weather, I didn’t know what to expect.

I did know that my story would a simple beginning, middle, and end. Toddlers thrive on routine, so I knew the beginning would generally be quite predictable. No sleeping in around here!

Our day has started at 6:20 am with a game of 21 questions about a craft project I brought from home that will take 15 minutes to set up and will be abandoned after 30 seconds. Stay tuned for that riveting event. #EXSM3989

— Molly! (@mollypowpow) July 10, 2021

The quest to sleep in created some suspense – would this be the DAY THEY LET MOM AND DAD SLEEP IN TO A SOMEWHAT NORMAL TIME? [Spoiler: No. Never.]

Interest in the movie is lost. Tiny humans now attempting to put shoes on despite pleas from parents not to.

All hope of sleeping in this morning appears to be lost. #EXSM3989

— Molly! (@mollypowpow) July 10, 2021

I knew that depending on mood, weather and hunger level (or, triggers), the story had a million different directions it could take.

Surprise number one – a somewhat successful craft attempt!

16 minutes! A new craft record for these two! #EXSM3989 pic.twitter.com/cxWIM8JIiE

— Molly! (@mollypowpow) July 10, 2021

This was a big deal. But, an even better surprise for mom and dad was the special appearance of a food truck that showed up just in time for lunch. After lugging all this gear to the beach, the chance to enjoy some tasty street food was an oasis on a hot day.

#BeachDay was blessed with a visit from @coastlunchbox ! No dishes ftw 😍#EXSM3989 pic.twitter.com/Vjr9tRhZ0i

— Molly! (@mollypowpow) July 10, 2021

A pro tip is just let your kids eat your food as they won’t touch the food you buy for them. We’re still learning that one.

However, we knew the food, sun and swimming would do the trick. The climax was achieved, resolution was nearing – nap time was approaching.

Sufficiently sufficed and after a lot of sun, #BeachDay is taking a breather. Enjoy the weekend #yeg!#EXSM3989 pic.twitter.com/ZjdX0hNBpr

— Molly! (@mollypowpow) July 10, 2021

A beautiful site to end a beautiful day. I knew the story would be relatable, would provide some rising and falling action, and most importantly, some sort of surprise.

It wasn’t our craziest day with twins by far, but still a memorable one.

Enjoy the full Twitter thread!

Every child from the 80s has that same litmus test question when meeting someone new and pondering if this could be a lasting friendship or romantic connection. And that is – what are your thoughts on the Goonies?

If their eyes don’t light immediately, or if they don’t bust out into a Truffle Shuffle, well, it wasn’t meant to be I’m afraid.

There is one movie that defines my childhood.

As actor Josh Gad puts it: “There is one movie that defines my childhood. One movie that defines my personality. One movie that defines me.”

The story of Mikey, Bran and the rest of their gang embarking on a journey to find hidden treasure is so engrained in that generation’s psyche that to this day, it remains an untouchable film that doesn’t deserve a meekly attempted sequel or worse, a remake.

The simple plot of The Goonies was part of its charm:

Once upon a time in Astoria, Oregon there was a group of friends hanging out in the summer, bored, and looking for something to do.

One day, Mikey and his brother find out their parents are defaulting on their mortgage and the bank is not only taking their house, but the houses of a lot of their friends and neighbours.

Because of that, they go searching in the attic and find a map that leads to One-Eyed Willy’s hidden pirate treasure and decide to set out on a perilous journey to find it and save their community from being bulldozed into a country club.

Finally, they end up losing the treasure but learn along the way that family and friends are what makes a community, no matter where it is. It also helps that Mikey was able to stowaway a few precious gems from the treasure and save his family’s house.

And ever since then, The Goonies were able to stick together.

But what makes the story so everlasting? The childhood friendships that bonded the group together was so relatable in its simplicity and authenticity. The protective big brother Bran both tormented but also protected his younger sibling Mikey, just as we’ve all experienced in our own lives.

It showed kids trying to figure out in their own way how to help their parents get out of a financial jam, or some just wanting one last summer adventure with their childhood friends before life inevitably changes. The Goonies showed kids (of any generation) that being an outcast didn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing – a life lesson that adults could do well to remember.

And in a time of filmmaking when diversity wasn’t exactly encouraged, the cast featured actors from varied backgrounds and ethnicities and showed different body shapes and personalities. The film taught acceptance in the group’s protective nature over Sloth, the physically disfigured but gentle and loveable giant who helps keep the kids from harm.

But most importantly, it showed kids that staying true to themselves, and to each other, meant you were capable of handling anything that came your way. And that Goonies Never Say Die.