I have really been missing this blog since I've been away and thought about how to make a brilliant come-back post. I couldn't decide, so I just haven't posted. Well, it is not going to be perfect, but I thought you might enjoy this story I found on Rocks in My Dryer. If you like those "If you give a mouse a cookie" books, you'll love this story.
I'll be back soon. I have a lot to say!
I'm re-reading a book that inspired me years ago called 'Confessions of an Organized Homemaker.' I borrowed it from the library as a newlywed living in married student housing and was wowed by the suggestions and writing style that the author had. I even used it as inspiration for a class on household organizing that I taught (seriously?, I know!) for women at our church.
In browsing book titles at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore last week, I spotted an aged & yellowed copy of the book for only 50 cents. I began reading it during a long bath this morning and am totally inspired to make my home work better.
Right now I feel like every room is out of control. I've been using our mini remodeling projects as an excuse for things to be messy. But that is going to change TODAY. The author of the book reminded me that a plan and a neat, organized house frees you to do other things with your time. Sometimes it seems like it will tie us down; like we're a 'slave' to a clean house. I'm glad to be reminded that that is not the case. What a great day to launch this take-back-control-of-my-house-project. The sun is shining and I have the whole day off. AND a girls night out tonight!
I know I haven't posted forever, but there are several people who want to see the updates we're making to our house. And...since inquiring minds want to see, here goes...
I painted our family room Palladian Blue from Benjamin Moore, above the chair rail. It used to be a pale, buttery yellow. The chocolate brown was done to go with the yellow. The brown isn't staying for good. We're going to put in a board and batten-type wainscoting all painted crisp white. All of the trim will be painted that same crisp white.
So here are some things on the horizon for this room (besides the wainscoting):
- Area rug (something like this)
- Painting the sideboard/tv stand either white or pale gray
- Spray painting the goldish color lamps (not sure what color yet...probably white or tan-ish)
- Bamboo blinds
I am LOVING how this room is turning out. If you've seen this room in it's before state, you'll know what a huge transformation has already taken place. Mike rocked it, installing the laminate floors on Saturday. I'll keep updating here as we make new changes.
Just for some perspective, here are some shots of my family room BEFORE:
The TV is now in front of this pass-through-window-thingy to the kitchen. It makes the room look sooooo much larger.
So I haven't posted in way too long. Months, y'all. And I've missed it. So, I'm back.
I started working a part time job and love it, but during the getting-used-to-my-time-not-being-my-own-anymore adjustment period, I didn't feel like I could spare any brain power on blogging. I know that sounds lame, but it is what it is.
My new goal for my home and life is to be deliberate. Instead of reacting to life, I want to make it happen the way I want it to. I'm talking about things I can control here, like my house. I'm sick of it being in perpetual upheaval. I can control that if I choose to.
I'll share more about my movement towards 'deliberacy' in the future. {I know that isn't a word, but I like it}. For now, here is some inspiration for you and me.
How cute are these? Check out this great blog post for some cuter-than-a-label-maker ways to label your stuff. She sells decorative vinyl. I've never purchased any, but have been drooling over it for a while.
Today's post is kind of a conglomerate of thrifty goodness.
First, an arrangement on my kitchen island made up of discounted flowers from Kroger. ($1.25 for each bunch...2 bunches=$2.50) I love creamy white ironstone dishes. This is a faux ironstone pitcher, but it looks pretty with the flowers.
Next, you have a cute wrought iron piece that I purchased at a yard sale several years ago with it's twin. I bought them both for $3. Since we've been in this house (for about 3 years) they've been living on my screened porch. They're perfect out there.
Lastly, I'd like to tell you about some deals I scored just yesterday. I went to the Salvation Army to shop on 1/2 price clothing day and was surprised with a sign on the door that said, "All shoes $1." Wow. I walked away with 6 pairs of shoes for my kids for only $6. That is so awesome. Here are a few...
The brown leather shoes on the left are LL Bean...
I also got Zach a pair of Bass nubuck shoes for church, a pair of rain/snow boots, and dress shoes for Taylor.
What deals have you scored this week?
I love a good light fixture as much as the next gal, but I'm not going to pay full retail for it. There is a can't-be-missed flea market around these parts and I've found some seriously smokin' deals there.
Today I wanted to highlight some of the ceiling light fixtures I have in my home. The people who had this house built chose some hideous fixtures from the 80's even though the house was built in 1998. I'm not even going to go into the non-options this house has. Well...just that there was no garbage disposal and no water hookup for the fridge. 1998, y'all. Let me just say we have a garbage disposal now...yes ma'am. And...I'm pretty lucky 'cause my dad is an electrician and he only lives about 3 miles away. So for me, there is no cost for the installations of these babies.
First...over the kitchen table...
(Don't ask me what that black stuff is on the shade to the left...I didn't notice it until I uploaded the picture here.)
I think this is a way cute light fixture and it looks great in my kitchen, if I do say so myself. And do you know what I paid for it?
Wait for it...
$1.
Yep. You read that correctly. I said $1. It was from my favorite booth at the flea market's dollar table.
And how about this one? It is in my 'formal' living room.
This little beaut has cute leaves and stuff above the globe on it. And here she is all lit up, showing off for y'all.
I got her at the $1 table too.
Don't hate me, y'all.
You can get caught up with parts I & II of this nonsense here: (part 1) & (part 2)
So you remember how Courtney & I were so excited about our VIP seats at the Wachovia Center?
After we took care of business in the bathroom (yes, that includes taking pictures) and got our Diet Cokes from the bar, we made our way to our seats. Shortly after we were seated, the first opening act took the stage. We weren't really sure who it was going to be. We just knew that we'd never heard of her before. Yeah. Her name is Lady Gaga & I'm pretty glad that I'd never heard of her before. For those of you not "in the know", like me...here's her picture:
(image source: Starimpulse.com)
Either I'm getting really old, or some music today is just weird. Maybe both. Anyway...in between strutting around in her underwear, waving a lit up staff/stick around, playing dead, and gyrating on the floor, she sang a little. We were not impressed. The gals sitting around us probably thought we weren't going to be any fun during the whole concert, because for Lady Gaga's performance, we sat there staring with our mouths hanging open. And when we did speak, it was mostly to talk about how ridiculous her act was. Moving right along...
Next was Natasha Bedingfield. She was fun. She did a good job warming us up for the good stuff. We enjoyed her fun, upbeat music & her performance. Although we did sing along to some of her songs, we didn't want to waste any serious vocal chords on anybody but the New Kids.
Speaking of New Kids? Um - awesome. Before they came out there was a montage on the big TVs around the stage that showed some of their past history & clips of old performances. It talked about how it has been so many years since they'd been together. Then they came out.
Don't laugh at me when I tell you I cried a little bit. Here & several other times throughout the show. I said don't laugh.
They put on a great show. I was pleased to see that much of the show time was spent performing the old stuff. That's the stuff I wanted to hear.
And they delivered, baby.
Joey-Joe has always been my favorite.
And Courtney has always loved Donnie.
About halfway through the show, they guys showed up on this small circle stage near the back of the floor. We had a great view of them there. The stage had a grand piano on it and it spun in a circle. I think they did 3 or 4 songs here. They were casually sitting on the piano during some of the talking parts and seriously interacting with the crowd. Wow. I bet those girls were very pleasantly surprised when they found themselves so close.
There were several "transition" songs throughout the show, when one guy would take the stage solo while the others changed outfits or something.
Here's Jordan. With his shirt unbuttoned and a breeze blowing.
I loved how the stage looked for this one. It is a classic. Cover Girl.
Some more shots of the show...
And for the encore numbers, they donned cute basketball attire. It reminded me of High School Musical. In a good way.
The concert was good. Really good. I can't believe I could talk or hear anything afterwards. It brought back all of those great feelings of being a kid again. I had a blast and loved every minute of it. Except the Lady Gaga part.
We were on cloud nine.
Until we tried to find the cab who was supposed to take us back to the hotel.
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