a change of plans

This time of year, our Saturday mornings usually look like this:

(bad action shot - sorry. if you can't tell, that's my 9-year old basketball wonder!)

Today, however, we had a rare morning off. So this is what I did (after sleeping in 'til 8:45 and enjoying fresh brewed coffee, thank you Kelly!):

I've been wanted to try it ever since I saw it done here, and I'm happy, at least until we tile the back splash. Now just to paint the cabinets, replace the counter tops, get a new stove... 

a whole lotta nuthin

Yes, it's winter, so I get that it is colder than say... summer. But 28 degrees? It's been that cold for far too long! From what I understand, our Midwestern friends are experiencing temperatures that are similar to ours, but with a minus sign in front of the numbers! I've been enjoying the frigid temps by snuggling under my new cream chenille throw, with a cuppa something warm with my loves surrounding me... so what am I complaining about?!

In other (non-weather) news, we are approaching one of my favorite months (yes, I have more than one - weird, I know). February! My friend Feb is short, which is always nice on the budget. It includes Valentine's Day, which we don't go all out for, but is such a sweet day. We're attending a Mardi Gras Ball for the first time in February - I'll see my man in a tux, a definite plus!  And knowing that March is around the bend, well, that's just the icing on the cake!

I don't have much to share (obviously- the weather and my fav month?!)... which means that life is good. I'm sticking to my dinner-making plan, which improves everyone's life immensely. I'm plugging away at my scripture memorization (it's only been 2 - but that's the goal each month!). And I'm staying somewhat 'chillllll'. Somewhat. I'm really trying.

I'm looking forward to a morning of worship and an afternoon of... nothing. Hmm. Maybe January should be one of my favs.



a better whatever

Brothers and Sisters, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about these things. Phillipians 4:8

whatever...

As I mentioned recently, one of my goals this year is to chill out. Ask most people who knew me 15 years ago, and they would likely say that I was pretty laid back. Like waaaay laid back. Like, so laid back that I wasn't so great with the grades in college. I was all, "eh". As the years have gone by, I have become more uptight, set in my way of thinking and find myself irritated easily. It makes no one happy and I just get stressed out. My new motto is... "whatever". Not the snotty, "Uh, What-ever!" teenage whatever, but a mellow, deep breathing, "whatever you need to do... is okay with me", or "whatever I can do to help" or "whatever works, I'm easy-peasy-rice-and-cheesy".

This worked well until about 2:45 today. It was a busy day, the epitome of a Monday (except on a... Tuesday).  I received a phone call that threw me off the "whatever" track. I was ready to rant and rave (and did to the poor people who happened to be standing near me at 2:46) until a friend reminded me of my new mellow vibe. I eventually chilled out, but realized... this is going to be harder than I thought. Whatever.

what's in a name?

This time last year we held the keys to what would soon become our new home. Yes - our realtor gave us the keys, so we could come by and measure, walk through, imagine and well, just 'be' in the space. There may have been no electricity, but we came by every chance we could get.

Now that we've actually lived in this house for nearly a year, the love that we felt when we walked in has been confirmed. We actually MISSED it when we were away for the holidays. We love being home. It's not perfect, by any means. The work that needs to be done here is overwhelming when I really stop to think about it. I will never show you our master bathroom (yes, it's that bad) and our kitchen is crying out for help. For heaven's sake, we still have brass outlet covers that need to be replaced and a hideous chandelier in the entry.

Still, we love our home even though it's 'in process'. We'll always be in that stage, won't we? I've been thinking that we need to name this home we love. It's definitely not a cottage, cabin or anything that resembles something that charming. But 608 just doesn't do it justice. Kelly suggested the 'Bat Cave', but I don't think so.

It'll come to me, and when it does, I'll share. Until then, here are some pics of what we're looking like lately...

Living Room

(lazy morning, watching tv... I didn't have the heart to kick them out just so I could take a picture. or move the laptop, apparently.)

the remote is a gun. yeah, he's shooting me.

I have big plans for this corner. Big. Plans. ones that don't include visible cords.

Book Page Wreath (love it!)

educational entertainment? nah. Fish Hooks!

I really need to clean out our little locker room. It's taunting me... can you see it, peeking at you?

Dining Room (hasn't changed much)

Study (ignore the pile of stuff on the chest-turned-table... big plans for that one too, of course)

the Mister working hard in the study.

with his camo pjs on. i know it's hard to see him, with the camo and all...
 wish the 'puter cords were camoflauged.

More to Come!



construction worker

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Claire managed to find time to build the Eiffel Tower! Claire has wanted this 3D puzzle for some time now, and was thrilled when Gramma gave it to her for Christmas!

Claire waited 30 seconds after walking in the door upon our return home (and 16 hours in the car) before starting!

It took a little while to figure it all out, but we soon realized that punching out the little pieces is what would take the longest!

If I hadn't made her spread the work out into 2 days, she would have been happy to work on it all at once.

Another beloved tower for her collection!

the 'r' word



It's an ugly word - "Resolution". I, personally, am not a big fan. When I was younger, I'd make New Year's Resolutions, only to forget about them weeks - no, days, later. So somewhere along the line, I stopped making them. This year I hope to be a bit different.

I have quite a list of things I'd like to change. Nothing major, just small tweaks and adjustments that I hope will make mine and my family's life a bit richer. I'm not going to call them "Resolutions", but changes, rather. And it just so happens that these changes are taking place at the beginning of a New Year!

In an effort to make these changes a permanent part of my life, I'm choosing to utilize tools to help me. Here's what I mean:

1 - I used to love to cook. I'd spend a lot of time on my menu, prep and serving. Lately, life is so busy and frankly, I'm just too tired come dinner time. I have really slacked in the area of preparing good meals for my family. I want to WANT to cook again. I've signed up for E-Mealz, a service that e-mails me weekly menus and shopping lists. I just decide which meal to make on which night, depending on our activities. I shopped this week from my first list and made my first meal today. I'm really hoping this one sticks.

2 - I really want to get into God's word more. Okay, I just need to do it, period. I have joined Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore's blog) & their Scripture Memory Verse team. I, along with several thousand other women across the country, have committed to memorize one scripture every 2 weeks in 2011. That's 24 verses in 12 months. I am kept accountable by posting my verse and have recruited friends to join me!

3 - I just need to CHILL out. I find myself getting worked up over little injustices. Well, things that I think are injustices - to me, anyway. My goal is to relax, and remember that these things that I get so worked up about aren't really that important. I will be happier if I smile more and take a deep breath (and possibly a chill pill!).

4 - I like to think that I'm a nice person, but I am really going to strive to be kind. This is a tough one to put out there, since I am running the risk (and the likely chance) that you, or someone else, will catch me in a not-so-kind moment. So give me a little slack, and a look that says "remember that kindness thing" and I will do my best.

I have several more areas that I would like to improve upon, but this is all I'm going to share for now. I have to keep somethings to myself right? Yeah, I know, why stop now? Happy New Year!