tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81523933385450497392024-03-12T16:14:51.470-07:00Gettin' Dirty with the DerksemasBecause life gets messy. Might as well play in the dirt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-44395178948371330602012-06-28T07:26:00.000-07:002012-06-28T07:26:13.333-07:00Good Morning! Happy Summer! It's good to see you!<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, it feels great to be back! I am officially on maternity leave for the next 4 months as of today and am looking forward to blogging through those months with all of the exciting things happening!</div>
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I laugh as I read back over my last post from waaay back in December about not finding out the sex of our baby and our names we had picked out. As most of you know (but I'll remind you anyway) we accidentally found out the gender of our anticipated arrival, a boy and his name is/ will be Jack. People ask me if we are mad that the ultrasound tech spilled the beans and the answer is no... mostly because I was so sure he was a boy already, it didn't even really feel like finding something new out. I don't think I would have even believed her if she said it was a girl. And, because it has been really fun dreaming about what he will be like, how we plan to raise our son and getting to know this little guy a little bit more personally than when we had we had no idea who he was in there. So, we are glad. And since I am standing on the doorstep of 38 weeks pregnant- we are more than excited to meet him in person. Between trying to conceive for 8 months before we did, and now having been pregnant for the last nine months, it's been a long time coming that we have been totally consumed with thoughts of our family starting. And it is so hard to wait! </div>
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In other news... this blog was originally started to chronical the process of us buying our current home and what a journey that is. Well, another news flash- we aren't going to buy it. There are only two bedrooms on the main floor. Within a couple weeks here we will be at max capacity. There is a large downstairs which is only partially furnished, but it would need a huge rennovation in order to start stashing more kids down there. It's a cute house in a great neighborhood- but two is company in the kitchen & living spaces, three will be cozy and four will be a wine habit for Mommy. So, before we invest in such a huge decision, we want to find the right floor plan/ yard/ space. We are also thinking about renting for a couple more years while Brian finished the Apprentice Program in the Shipyard and then buckling down to buy. For now though, our landlords have given us pretty liberal reign on the place, so we have still been project-ing it up slowly but surely and I'm sure I'll catch you up on those in future blogs as well. </div>
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So, since the blog isn't going to be as focused on just the home-buying process... it will probably evolve into the finer details of things that are happening in the Derksema world. Things we are doing. Those details of Baby Jack's life that not everyone on Facebook will care about, but people who follow this blog might. Places we are going, the things we are eating, books we are reading, crafts we are doing, etc. A scrapbook of sorts of the ways we are keepin' our hands dirty and our lives full. </div>
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It's good to be back. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-45832622059600655252011-12-05T15:32:00.000-08:002011-12-05T16:01:54.842-08:00Playing catch up...<div align="center">Hello, friends!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Sorry for the delay between posts.. a few things have happened... let's catch up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMm_bW9-6a5GsEM4JnlU0rxJXH59oDF5v6_9T_xWJjVzZBspqruQ9EYg_SwslePkZAEqol629b81A9_A2UohGoETTdN_r8GXECdAazmmrlMdbLC3dAWjIp749-n5EShnaJ-dtL3yT0qRp/s1600/376862_2256309850732_1337915827_3662307_2115382413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMm_bW9-6a5GsEM4JnlU0rxJXH59oDF5v6_9T_xWJjVzZBspqruQ9EYg_SwslePkZAEqol629b81A9_A2UohGoETTdN_r8GXECdAazmmrlMdbLC3dAWjIp749-n5EShnaJ-dtL3yT0qRp/s320/376862_2256309850732_1337915827_3662307_2115382413_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of all, we found out after 8 months of trying, we're pregnant!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't wait for July 14 to welcome Baby Derksema. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're not going to find out the sex ahead of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our boy name is Edward Michael and our girl name is Evelyn Kathleen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have two best friends who are also pregnant and we are all due within a few weeks of each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More best friends are currently trying... hoping we'll just make a big Summer of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First trimester is complete on New Years Eve. Cheers to getting some energy back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Double cheers to not throwing up at all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shout out to my Uncle David who suggested a title for this post that just didn't quite make the cut...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Gettin' Jiggy with the Derksemas"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, in addition to my full time job, I've joined forces with Kitsap Chair Covers, an awesome local business offering specialty linens and chair covers. Near and dear to my love of event planning and a great way for me to earn some extra income during maternity leave and *ahem* possibly afford me the opportunity to stay home full time one day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the website, and then call me to book *wink*:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kitsapchaircovers.com/">www.kitsapchaircovers.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhTvjPX6po7Md_5dt7aoZB-wunyinmG1InwxO9usBD0DnZLpjWBST8Y74_egJl22b-QiM9BtrVMD7oPIs1CUQrgGcLUP0V2pP-wNgEApzzxWwR9kTQwptFo__wk8C51Is5mCFFupNGNe1/s1600/header_kitsapchaircovers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhTvjPX6po7Md_5dt7aoZB-wunyinmG1InwxO9usBD0DnZLpjWBST8Y74_egJl22b-QiM9BtrVMD7oPIs1CUQrgGcLUP0V2pP-wNgEApzzxWwR9kTQwptFo__wk8C51Is5mCFFupNGNe1/s320/header_kitsapchaircovers.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brian finished his first quarter of school in the Apprentice Program at PSNS. He is loving working there and is making friends and excelling in his trade. I couldn't be more proud/relieved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoRaDj85qUQXTueApuV5CGxP0StTP47oM9yq6EzChmhn1Xdxd13IRWqqGukWoDZ6zDKzuwTKru4f26jnpj_b8xm13DV-aS3UvSAi3bRidRZpiOpN5yXrw6D4lfdhIXi_8bxAe7Q_lZQtV/s1600/puget-sound-naval-shipyard--intermediate-maintenance-facility-85096581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoRaDj85qUQXTueApuV5CGxP0StTP47oM9yq6EzChmhn1Xdxd13IRWqqGukWoDZ6zDKzuwTKru4f26jnpj_b8xm13DV-aS3UvSAi3bRidRZpiOpN5yXrw6D4lfdhIXi_8bxAe7Q_lZQtV/s1600/puget-sound-naval-shipyard--intermediate-maintenance-facility-85096581.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankful for the health benefits and insurance for us and baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On the house front- we are still preparing to buy our first home. Our current home has only two bedrooms upstairs in the finished part of the house, so we will be outgrowing it soon enough. We plan to be here at least another year as we continue to save and get ready to buy our dream house. We've made a goal, this is the last place we will rent! Luckily we have amazing landlords/ friends who we rent from here who have allowed us to live in and care for the house as if it were our own- hence the painting and projects. We'll continue loving it and happily bring baby home here and pass it back off to them when the time is right. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We just put up our tree this weekend and Bri and my Dad hung the lights on the outside of the house... it's looking good around here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71dgFsDNDb5SLNjyOD7i6d4adeOtnqQmTpu-Um-3q6a7IyUnKNhoXrKypKXn9Lq8ue6HQp8mYUCwUdDDGFCHGYKY9mZgnjHGLwiU1w4jcZwWlsjKUT9R_Evjr0zg5ukT9PCQ0NRxeA0he/s1600/1205001647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71dgFsDNDb5SLNjyOD7i6d4adeOtnqQmTpu-Um-3q6a7IyUnKNhoXrKypKXn9Lq8ue6HQp8mYUCwUdDDGFCHGYKY9mZgnjHGLwiU1w4jcZwWlsjKUT9R_Evjr0zg5ukT9PCQ0NRxeA0he/s320/1205001647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div align="center">I have some projects in mind and am excited to start on baby's room... I'll be blogging about those. And I'll start them just as soon as I can muster up some energy!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Right now my main project is crafting up this babe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX81c9aGLJcrikxjRwz4YLTQKsuW9KU1WMReB_b8jDaRniByR3EogMSbX4Q8wJJjlZa9WJ0AneTuICE5oeGqQ9_dzs5cr0vuJoFSp5SB9KXgPrkOTAgB1yDnyLXYX8oQLuHQ6nRsZNLvX/s1600/203295370648814098_r6bWiPBT_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX81c9aGLJcrikxjRwz4YLTQKsuW9KU1WMReB_b8jDaRniByR3EogMSbX4Q8wJJjlZa9WJ0AneTuICE5oeGqQ9_dzs5cr0vuJoFSp5SB9KXgPrkOTAgB1yDnyLXYX8oQLuHQ6nRsZNLvX/s1600/203295370648814098_r6bWiPBT_c.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-32959148588486237422011-10-26T19:18:00.000-07:002011-10-26T19:18:11.785-07:00Big Changes on the horizon....<div align="center">For the past two years, we have subletted the downstairs/basement level of our house.</div><div align="center">Our tenant moved out a week and a half ago... so naturally, I had to dive into projects. The space is going to become something new... something to be revealed at a later date... but for now, take a look at how it's coming along!</div><div align="center">Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68XLoQFg7tYdLX3LvuwAPShvInAwr6nH4KqezAIJRA_bLNnyPNrK8ddc0NnqsupAMVFNbz6VkW52o-mPC2rQbLrokB_fwV8whAJA0iW-lclyeWSJlaNalTCm9t4P91Gp08L21dltf07YC/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68XLoQFg7tYdLX3LvuwAPShvInAwr6nH4KqezAIJRA_bLNnyPNrK8ddc0NnqsupAMVFNbz6VkW52o-mPC2rQbLrokB_fwV8whAJA0iW-lclyeWSJlaNalTCm9t4P91Gp08L21dltf07YC/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsvP6ZM_RnTSjV9Hho3NxMLVeBhdPJDHx_EPR5hZRdI0jZXxdY-ekYA-Zft1sbdzyaDbmTZwTWYaS8Mu2KdZkSFJukJy4i0Ldvqflkj170FRHSQZ-lIVyXrdDJxOyBIup7-eSiGQ7YlpX/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsvP6ZM_RnTSjV9Hho3NxMLVeBhdPJDHx_EPR5hZRdI0jZXxdY-ekYA-Zft1sbdzyaDbmTZwTWYaS8Mu2KdZkSFJukJy4i0Ldvqflkj170FRHSQZ-lIVyXrdDJxOyBIup7-eSiGQ7YlpX/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5WWEEbYEtU1J1JULW-j74PDGPDnpM1_aFDDGmDhVAjQON_sDkdSiBOrU4An9DI_xVZxBLLgyGg6xWJubyQM9caULWGK97Jqs70CiI70vJn_p0ghAHsXBhPnmX-Aods7OPUpCGkxxbOPW/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5WWEEbYEtU1J1JULW-j74PDGPDnpM1_aFDDGmDhVAjQON_sDkdSiBOrU4An9DI_xVZxBLLgyGg6xWJubyQM9caULWGK97Jqs70CiI70vJn_p0ghAHsXBhPnmX-Aods7OPUpCGkxxbOPW/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">There are two rooms shown here... the larger of the two featuring a light sandy beige color on the walls, as you can see with patching and touch ups. The floor was painted probably about 20 years ago, a maroon color. Next door, a lime green room with the floors painted dark green (!?)</div><div align="center">Numerous coats of Antique White for the walls and "Battleship Grey" on the floor, and viola!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuapbMErMxEBGEId2zBjx3acdLnkPiVrOifuHnjc2xPSJ884UI1Jfn0gN0pFIE8J1ofs7Sj9hBzz2Jk2IDirBqJ-tWwkDotAPoBNVCieRXw0uE5leez0IlaxBoZA8ZyaftqYoAdWKFGj2H/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuapbMErMxEBGEId2zBjx3acdLnkPiVrOifuHnjc2xPSJ884UI1Jfn0gN0pFIE8J1ofs7Sj9hBzz2Jk2IDirBqJ-tWwkDotAPoBNVCieRXw0uE5leez0IlaxBoZA8ZyaftqYoAdWKFGj2H/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6tToyJTa2XaxqNq3aI80H_pvGpqTLBQlwcc159w2ArDf52f8PWzRAryRw3UxwrCdp7cFte7-ztF4ftviCPH_DydJBSXN5oQmkpQ7aHICnku_tdG5Xkwu8nab50lVccZqsjxiDCtYDi1Z/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6tToyJTa2XaxqNq3aI80H_pvGpqTLBQlwcc159w2ArDf52f8PWzRAryRw3UxwrCdp7cFte7-ztF4ftviCPH_DydJBSXN5oQmkpQ7aHICnku_tdG5Xkwu8nab50lVccZqsjxiDCtYDi1Z/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_fgFEuHiiKlRNWF135B9NwYNRDbkiWKeOp9rZG2gDFQDhuQb5ROqZJfhnk2rSvSN9YiqUwcXfYshU7efjfI9cQH4y5gwTn0t02SfkHFVV4hQT_IHzcuB6Rsj6goGbg8bYOEfdFzK2O3V/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_fgFEuHiiKlRNWF135B9NwYNRDbkiWKeOp9rZG2gDFQDhuQb5ROqZJfhnk2rSvSN9YiqUwcXfYshU7efjfI9cQH4y5gwTn0t02SfkHFVV4hQT_IHzcuB6Rsj6goGbg8bYOEfdFzK2O3V/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Through that door is the formerly Green room)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also did a number on this dresser...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxN1BVZeD4vJ7G0cwNXN1lCEtDGq285nAqa8cBwVpzv46YoHpN6Bk9helEAeaB2BHmKX6fRVgjfHGEkWS0Ruvqe0m2Yd8p9I3wpQMxjnHtogZKVATrHbKQy50j8oVFgNcXQgO6OubZwSH/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxN1BVZeD4vJ7G0cwNXN1lCEtDGq285nAqa8cBwVpzv46YoHpN6Bk9helEAeaB2BHmKX6fRVgjfHGEkWS0Ruvqe0m2Yd8p9I3wpQMxjnHtogZKVATrHbKQy50j8oVFgNcXQgO6OubZwSH/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKnJ9yG121SQlotiFOWX0_ZE90xGfcADezcqmoeZpcHRaq3BnNOTnb_ydCP59Dy8eT4IjAwT4aAuHhptI0GJFkWuVwygNMhh9JrHQY-yQ9Y1xY7loGXDx9_uqbEGwrBWHKTmB0gUqZtsl/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKnJ9yG121SQlotiFOWX0_ZE90xGfcADezcqmoeZpcHRaq3BnNOTnb_ydCP59Dy8eT4IjAwT4aAuHhptI0GJFkWuVwygNMhh9JrHQY-yQ9Y1xY7loGXDx9_uqbEGwrBWHKTmB0gUqZtsl/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still need to do a once-over on the black where my tape wasn't perfect... and I think I am going to sand'er down to age it, but already a vast improvement I'd say!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I completed everything pictured in two days with some help from my Mom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am sore, my hands are blistered, and I've ruined a number of articles of clothing, but </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>damn I feel accomplished!</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned for upcoming blogs which will reveal how the space will be used. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We really are luck to have this surplus of space to play with, aren't we?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The downstairs features much more storage space, and a cute 1.75 bath... more on those later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading!</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-27913247333372603122011-10-01T16:19:00.000-07:002011-10-01T16:19:02.122-07:00Fall Decor Show and Tell as well as a lil' Meet & Greet Action<div align="center">Everyone in Blogland is showing their Fall Decor, so I thought I'd join the club.</div><div align="center">But before we get to that, please join me in welcoming one of my nearest and dearest friends to the obsession of crafting! She bought her first glue gun this past week. *tear- so proud*</div><div align="center">Everyone, meet Katie, isn't she purdy?</div><div align="center">(Here we are together at her wedding)</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCwXN5K_pQvsiLRHeMfcJbihQzU9quuRN5MnwnEyCEawOONhMwlLZga9vFPvBc-0nBynCS6MTDE0WeNiQwGo_rQNJMMnsR_QVWQ6tQzIX6Ci3KXY7PpWu5yvIr8lz9UNYagOqfhJGkM-a/s1600/KT%2526KD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCwXN5K_pQvsiLRHeMfcJbihQzU9quuRN5MnwnEyCEawOONhMwlLZga9vFPvBc-0nBynCS6MTDE0WeNiQwGo_rQNJMMnsR_QVWQ6tQzIX6Ci3KXY7PpWu5yvIr8lz9UNYagOqfhJGkM-a/s320/KT%2526KD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katie bought her childhood home and has logged many hours doing and re-doing to make it her own, and it's gorgeous. She's also an amazing cook and bartender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Double score when we party at Katie's.</strong></div><div align="center"> Oh, and did I mention she married a guy who's last name is Perry?</div><div align="center">So... yes, I get to say I kick it with Katie Perry.</div><div align="center">She follows many blogs too, and found some inspiration on </div><center><a border="0" href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/TDCbutton.gif" /></a><br />
<div align="center">for her first project, shown here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMz5C81Trwcdxh8HUFyUp8MHnGG2VsP2gWLKROhrM1UzRh2B2bK3A4HHmegYeup1aIg9__KVXVwYSHFDnwLgHJV7NNbD1-OPuGBwpg2QB_q92Phi8mCX5wPBBfLBFRlpOjnctmhVDSMhBC/s1600/katie+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMz5C81Trwcdxh8HUFyUp8MHnGG2VsP2gWLKROhrM1UzRh2B2bK3A4HHmegYeup1aIg9__KVXVwYSHFDnwLgHJV7NNbD1-OPuGBwpg2QB_q92Phi8mCX5wPBBfLBFRlpOjnctmhVDSMhBC/s320/katie+wreath.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it good enough to eat!?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">In my own home, I finally pulled out the Fall Decor and have started on my mantel. I, once again, have faught the urge to buy more junk, so decided to get creative. I searched the house for things I already have, but have never used as Fall Decor before and mixed them with my seasonal-all-ready-in-stock items... here's what I came up with.</div><div align="center"><strong>BEFORE:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNMPBrnSdxx0DO3OjRUfz5ohG8cwiTY9a5NGXNVxEXSv-Jyyl3GEnhCOzPhTJ-pCwQlSA0gC5XC2KHUZ6RKfuubd5KuBtLgJs94BRgZZHc_uab5mQ4be4TjLxuNRSXclMTgHX8uIiGNdn/s1600/before+mantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNMPBrnSdxx0DO3OjRUfz5ohG8cwiTY9a5NGXNVxEXSv-Jyyl3GEnhCOzPhTJ-pCwQlSA0gC5XC2KHUZ6RKfuubd5KuBtLgJs94BRgZZHc_uab5mQ4be4TjLxuNRSXclMTgHX8uIiGNdn/s320/before+mantel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>AFTER:</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4h0e5PCymQc_YmKctEA_FfhmvYqmCuAU1p-6mGaKAyTk-bcr5qLMYcs-JKefkhZC5vZrc5VIaPLufnIKJxh1x4kAgTzUkv_kw8I0hOW0IPpYHgxoyLtSASco_QOtCBlY4vfb_E-0Vs4h/s1600/aftermantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4h0e5PCymQc_YmKctEA_FfhmvYqmCuAU1p-6mGaKAyTk-bcr5qLMYcs-JKefkhZC5vZrc5VIaPLufnIKJxh1x4kAgTzUkv_kw8I0hOW0IPpYHgxoyLtSASco_QOtCBlY4vfb_E-0Vs4h/s320/aftermantel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">The wrought iron mirror is something I bought on clearance when I worked at Pier 1 Imports in high school. The beautiful brown glass vases are from my wedding. The butterfly hanging on the mirror is actually a Christmas ornament that came on top of a present from my Mom. She too gave me the sign shown below when we fell in love with, and moved into our house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUZRgBN800HdNX6F4jUwhiEw-Zx5ABvFv8-g9aMkNPbFAVMR6K3Uth8GrqHolHJkp8Vkd1hmVeWKEwhHQJxJJba4hA2AqstUrbwNNag4EzV4JbkBPeTllQM4He0J4a1fsPpi2wPz9kjAk/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUZRgBN800HdNX6F4jUwhiEw-Zx5ABvFv8-g9aMkNPbFAVMR6K3Uth8GrqHolHJkp8Vkd1hmVeWKEwhHQJxJJba4hA2AqstUrbwNNag4EzV4JbkBPeTllQM4He0J4a1fsPpi2wPz9kjAk/s320/008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty pleased considering I started this project <strong>feeling like I needed to buy but I ended it feeling content with what I have.</strong></div><div align="center">After all, this season is all about counting the blessings you <strike>want</strike> already have. Am I right?</div><div align="center">Oh, and yes, Betty Kitty has approved this Fall day for relaxing!</div><div align="center">(Please excuse her unlady like pose)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaEQx2GvV1R9ApkH134UW6Kuw_Xj94YI6OtYlzZPwtckK1qGVu0tTJPNb2NccKhcxP7XDlHUWvxxwF_IL16xBaW_EoIoHTk3POvCeqxVlyYgoWdGGj-V0Or_l1M3uKkfiM6Kr5Q2oJPB_/s1600/betty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaEQx2GvV1R9ApkH134UW6Kuw_Xj94YI6OtYlzZPwtckK1qGVu0tTJPNb2NccKhcxP7XDlHUWvxxwF_IL16xBaW_EoIoHTk3POvCeqxVlyYgoWdGGj-V0Or_l1M3uKkfiM6Kr5Q2oJPB_/s320/betty.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div align="center">Thank you for once again checking in to see what's going on in my world. I appreciate you following my blog, please make sure to officially follow if you don't already. </div></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-25350828536890138152011-09-26T15:54:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:54:06.145-07:00SOUND OFF!<div align="center">I usually use my blog as a platform for pleasant, dreamy things like crafts and projects and even a little elbow grease. But today I'm a little fired up!</div><div align="center">My soapbox platform: How annoying are door to door solicitors!?! </div><div align="center">IMO: Very!</div><div align="center">Today is a coveted day off for me. I woke up early and drank my coffee while making a menu list for the week.</div><div align="center">I grocery shopped.</div><div align="center">I baked! </div><div align="center">I budgeted.</div><div align="center">I giggled to myself about things I read on Facebook.</div><div align="center">I was having a lovely afternoon with the rain pouring down and the candles lit.</div><div align="center">Then the doorbell rang.</div><div align="center">There's a beautiful young girl standing there out of breath and soaking wet.</div><div align="center">I am worried she's in danger or needs help.</div><div align="center">Then, she launches into a whirlwind sales pitch...full of panting and rambling...</div><div align="center">"Have-you-heard-of-Kirby-vaccuums?-They-are-the-ones-used-in-Mrs.Doubtfire-and-we-need-to-vaccuum-something, <em>anything</em>- in-your-house-we-have-to-do-seven-more-before-we-can-go-home-GULP!- and-many-of-your-neighbors-have-helped-us-and-even-GULP!-a-rug-or-anything-will-do!</div><div align="center">I say... "I'm sorry, I'm just not interested."</div><div align="center">She says "But-why-wouldn't-you-want-a-free-cleaning?!"</div><div align="center">I say..."It's the end of one of my few days off and this just isn't how I want to spend it."</div><div align="center">She says "But-all-you-have-to-do-is-reccomend-us-to-your-friends- it's Kirby's-way-of-advertising..."</div><div align="center">(Me shutting door mid-sentence.)</div><div align="center"><em>WHY DID YOU ASK ME WHAT MY REASON WAS IF YOU WEREN'T GOING TO RESPECT IT ANYWAY?</em></div><div align="center">So, I quickly whipped this up...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ipIlkYki9jvlRf30rS87JKFFANX90spSgnqog-WBGAiy34MtBhBB-4IeK88R1W0ubV7IoRdSHkRhKMyv0BJCYq6ml37XS5QmcOAwk75vDYXGVqa60mT6H8fkT-SO0gyOtisDRiuYza_b/s1600/No+Soliciting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ipIlkYki9jvlRf30rS87JKFFANX90spSgnqog-WBGAiy34MtBhBB-4IeK88R1W0ubV7IoRdSHkRhKMyv0BJCYq6ml37XS5QmcOAwk75vDYXGVqa60mT6H8fkT-SO0gyOtisDRiuYza_b/s320/No+Soliciting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">I do feel sort of sad for this dripping wet, gorgeous young lady...but,</div><div align="center">I don't shop through my front door.</div><div align="center">I really don't like shutting the door on your face. </div><div align="center">I don't think I can go so far as to say "get another job."</div><div align="center">But really, wouldn't you want to?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, I ask you- do you have a "No Soliciting" sign? If so, does it work? I searched them online after this afternoon's events and read some reviews- that sales people see them as the doors <em><u>to </u></em>knock on because it means those people are bad at saying no. (Not so in my case since I've never bought a single thing through my front door.) Or that good sales people just see them as a challenge. I also read that some people still knock because they don't know what soliciting means (have mercy!) so I thought I'd be a bit more descript with mine.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Maybe tomorrow I will wake up and decide this is too forward and un-welcoming. Or perhaps I'll decide my next project is to spell it out in lights. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the subject or experiences you've had!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-42322923080806011782011-09-01T14:12:00.000-07:002011-09-01T14:13:28.825-07:00This guy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_Uvoq88txV9li8l1adCBzeGduL7HBvCQi_bkXJR4vpeXt_v1LKgweJTTHBqh0ohcsX665FlgZ8UhHl1PPzIpRJtY3jAgZYNWAFUrWUcdUpzwr-ddS_wVrZ7bLMGbelpeZNmHlt5zf32l/s1600/procserv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_Uvoq88txV9li8l1adCBzeGduL7HBvCQi_bkXJR4vpeXt_v1LKgweJTTHBqh0ohcsX665FlgZ8UhHl1PPzIpRJtY3jAgZYNWAFUrWUcdUpzwr-ddS_wVrZ7bLMGbelpeZNmHlt5zf32l/s320/procserv.jpg" width="256" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This guy makes my world go round.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This guys makes me so proud.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This guy is my best friend. Seriously, like, BFF.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now that we<em> finally </em>got the call for his start date at his new <strike>job </strike>career, it's time to start making real steps towards buying our home. And making our family. And looking forward. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My heart goes out to every other American family who has been affected by the recession and the economic down turn. If you too have been waiting for your big break- know that good things happen to good people. (And yes, I'm tooting our horn and calling us good people!)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-88928529641814211052011-08-28T08:14:00.000-07:002011-08-28T08:14:40.830-07:00These are a few of my favorite things...<div align="center">At work I have a boss and mentor who is always asking questions to make sure we have proper procedures in place to ensure we are doing our job efficiently and in a way that makes the most sense without adding extra steps. Last week I decided to take a look at my home life in that way too. Since I've been sa'darn busy with work this summer, I thought it only made sense for me to be sure that when I am home and having a little down-time, that I am doing it as efficiently as possible. I found a few things around the house which have been a big time-saver and life-easer, so I thought I would share:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY5HgiKLDkr6dYs3ssPfl10oNQvO-kHvnrzwttjHKSVkBz0VPdpdNEOgFIJi-UcmiKCG-zFQrj8frjpt4xPiSlSSvw4H7CCBy8RVH07DnIdtcfpsrzHwuyHKvRe3DQNWXvUi1Om396_LL/s1600/IMAG0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY5HgiKLDkr6dYs3ssPfl10oNQvO-kHvnrzwttjHKSVkBz0VPdpdNEOgFIJi-UcmiKCG-zFQrj8frjpt4xPiSlSSvw4H7CCBy8RVH07DnIdtcfpsrzHwuyHKvRe3DQNWXvUi1Om396_LL/s320/IMAG0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe you all have already used these for years, but I'm new within the last year or so to them. They are frozen chopped onions. I enjoy cooking, but rarely do an entire meal from scratch... I'm a 50/50 Homemade kinda gal to get by. My husband loves onions, and for something like $.99 per bag, I always have a bag on hand to add to omelets, ground beef, stir fry... just about any meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv49Ii0bYxmU-t3zEpII4r-nBlRJenVQCk8gYQnxSJuC5vpIHE9kQhNpbcbz6TUV1Sxm0Ob55uFwiL7RLgcGuxInsrQH3RMrLRkmzVe-BSHUWAPHc-GuMx34AYXJ6hWxUF8MI9MhGnDnRo/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv49Ii0bYxmU-t3zEpII4r-nBlRJenVQCk8gYQnxSJuC5vpIHE9kQhNpbcbz6TUV1Sxm0Ob55uFwiL7RLgcGuxInsrQH3RMrLRkmzVe-BSHUWAPHc-GuMx34AYXJ6hWxUF8MI9MhGnDnRo/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This little guy is pretty new to me, I've only used it once... but talk about quick, easy and affordable mani/ pedi! Since my left hand looked a lot more polished (no pun intended) than the right, I just went back with a Q-Tip with nail polish remover on it and straightened up my edges. I think it was about $3 at Wal-Mart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdZtreg1DgLc37EMhgvEn2lcX9gk5lc-9DRjHn5suVKMi8RmcICyoAyiwM2zYdpFnKL1mLLxn5vbtQRxzFRYW7NJRIMCtci0nrF63R9SVJyMmUVA6gBCG39IWDTVIYHmZFwDx7iPr041Q/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdZtreg1DgLc37EMhgvEn2lcX9gk5lc-9DRjHn5suVKMi8RmcICyoAyiwM2zYdpFnKL1mLLxn5vbtQRxzFRYW7NJRIMCtci0nrF63R9SVJyMmUVA6gBCG39IWDTVIYHmZFwDx7iPr041Q/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the metal contraption- it's called a "Kwik-Kut" and it's awesome. I pictured it here with the delicious guac. It's basically a round blade with a handle and can be used for so much. You just basically mash with it. I've used it to cut up broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and then mixed them together with Greek yogurt and ranch dip. Obviously makes a beautiful dip, egg salad, you could even cut biscuits. I had searched many, many stores for this and had mentioned it to my girlfriend who is Super Woman of Shopping (shout out to Katie Perry!) Next thing I knew, she had found them online and ordered them for me! Love my girlfriends; they too are things that get me through the day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, I'm most certainly the LAST PERSON ON EARTH to this party, but my husband and I just recently got android phones...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATrTUq2D8onTIpQib4pkKqZz64169l5lNLWhe_Y9o_21eQucm3_aPpeZb9kKEmV_zangsF-vWBWcZ1lqNebvcPmV68DcLOdOVoAECfN_CJ5R5wGYbZ5ixkQqQb8uhKXbmr0I4YmB47wJJ/s1600/inspire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATrTUq2D8onTIpQib4pkKqZz64169l5lNLWhe_Y9o_21eQucm3_aPpeZb9kKEmV_zangsF-vWBWcZ1lqNebvcPmV68DcLOdOVoAECfN_CJ5R5wGYbZ5ixkQqQb8uhKXbmr0I4YmB47wJJ/s320/inspire2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How did I survive? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Additionally, I have honed my grocery list and budget skills immensely since my hubs was laid off from his job with a custom home-builder in the height of the economic down-turn. Every month we map out how much income we have, what days the bills are paid, how much we need for groceries & gas, etc- and then adjust it every time we spend something that wasn't budgeted for. We have nearly eliminated the use of credit (only as it's intended, for real emergencies) and have paid off a number of bills in the past year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMUtBIvundT_Cbrtg5Yr-Z8jdoy_6bqjGskaY_mMhdy_T7Bt0XJt8oxqEBsz1TuVuWaWR_Q9uXmiL3fQ9jHXz6boP-E0b5ojz56LAgN1Wcm41GFMSePXbJ7j10qhDQ0kPnBYl2TVRue3H/s1600/shopping_list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMUtBIvundT_Cbrtg5Yr-Z8jdoy_6bqjGskaY_mMhdy_T7Bt0XJt8oxqEBsz1TuVuWaWR_Q9uXmiL3fQ9jHXz6boP-E0b5ojz56LAgN1Wcm41GFMSePXbJ7j10qhDQ0kPnBYl2TVRue3H/s320/shopping_list.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">As far as the grocery shopping is concerned, I've created an Excel spread sheet which was an idea I morphed from Real Simple and it's lined up in basic columns, the first of which being the meal, then the columns following are Produce, Dairy, Butcher, Bakery, Pantry, Household, Misc, etc. So, for example; my husband eats the same lunch every day. I list "Brian's Lunches" in the meal category. Under dairy goes "American Cheese" under bakery goes "Honey Oat Bread" under Pantry goes "Cheez- Its" and so forth. By separating them by column of area of the store, when shopping, it's quick and easy to get everything needed without running all over the store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div align="center">Lastly, there's this thing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8OeeDv7d4-RTp3eX4vx0qsROsNOmNRlaS7LcCVj7ojD87xNSkFZ7Q26kg9Rqxs2_Qe1errJUecjHBnJ-oLbFV6DHWxoHENRJedf_QlyVbsBrsbicYbzFqtO93PawL730sOyjaFI2O3nK/s1600/basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8OeeDv7d4-RTp3eX4vx0qsROsNOmNRlaS7LcCVj7ojD87xNSkFZ7Q26kg9Rqxs2_Qe1errJUecjHBnJ-oLbFV6DHWxoHENRJedf_QlyVbsBrsbicYbzFqtO93PawL730sOyjaFI2O3nK/s320/basket.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I keep it in the back of my car. Since it's an SUV- if I've bought a few groceries, but not enough to <em>fill </em>the back/ trunk (if so, kudos to me!) then stuff rolls around. Talk about distraction while driving while my fancy new Smart Phone is going off <em>and </em>there's a gallon of milk rolling & somersaulting on every turn! So, I collect things in the basket in the car and bring them into the house this way. Believe it or not, it's helped keep my car clean. On days when I couldn't carry everything inside at once, it would usually stack up in the car, but now I have no excuse. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Any tips or advice you have for a working girl who delicately balances her love of domesticity with her love of her career? What's the best tool/ device/ life-saving item you use to keep your sanity?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-15032908105066662242011-08-19T09:25:00.000-07:002011-08-19T09:25:23.193-07:00Inspiration, Imagination, Motivation<div style="text-align: center;">I'm so looking forward to Fall! It's my fav season; pumpkins, football and that feeling of cozy comfort mixed with anticipation blowing through the leaves as the holiday season approaches... here are some things that make me so excited and inspired for the coming months...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b0XPexpyekjcSgFkGhd3MiV29dRO20Um4PHrDiTeGmHs2uywWWXexTTgeoGhA1P88qZLvpLJbBjypzgEpQeq4yDz5f6Fglg7vTCSoBVeVXxqvfJYmgMd74ASZ4e5ihou-CeF6TCq9qHf/s1600/baseball%252520vintage%252520football%252520blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b0XPexpyekjcSgFkGhd3MiV29dRO20Um4PHrDiTeGmHs2uywWWXexTTgeoGhA1P88qZLvpLJbBjypzgEpQeq4yDz5f6Fglg7vTCSoBVeVXxqvfJYmgMd74ASZ4e5ihou-CeF6TCq9qHf/s1600/baseball%252520vintage%252520football%252520blue.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go Seahawks! I've already made my scrolling slideshow of all-things-Seahawks for my digital picture frame to have on during game days. I usually work on craft-projects while watching the game with the hubbin. Sundays are usually (knock on wood, if I'm lucky!) our one chance a week to have a day off together. I'm thinking this season's project will be making my Christmas Cards by hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCbq4l26muOUUMWTXE0_Uhl99cwQq7KRLHAvtZOmDKJDGH1Pu-v3yd9AiACq6wlSWRd7W6FD54lFtStJQ8F8QbGe6IXUo5niP_QES3BZYBBoReoWLy5IeMIQVjYAd1k4yJU3BT4vB7mBz/s1600/Home_Decor_Ideas_For_Fall_Season1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCbq4l26muOUUMWTXE0_Uhl99cwQq7KRLHAvtZOmDKJDGH1Pu-v3yd9AiACq6wlSWRd7W6FD54lFtStJQ8F8QbGe6IXUo5niP_QES3BZYBBoReoWLy5IeMIQVjYAd1k4yJU3BT4vB7mBz/s320/Home_Decor_Ideas_For_Fall_Season1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walks in the Fall leaves... even though we have so many Evergreens here. I love going to the pumpkin patch, corn mazes, parks, etc. Anywhere I can get it. Bonus if it smells like apples and fireplace smoke. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPQQhBtN9LIS_qPUKFXeaGFJKqbBml0T8n4hokJPIl-xctIDImDsGzc-TvhTBnLrHxvfVEZcqJXl7zPzoR9SlJTZ04Ub3yfySXflmHGDMwaMdvM5QgR5Ndp7lDcubqcuAxmibUTt7nd0H/s1600/Fall_decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPQQhBtN9LIS_qPUKFXeaGFJKqbBml0T8n4hokJPIl-xctIDImDsGzc-TvhTBnLrHxvfVEZcqJXl7zPzoR9SlJTZ04Ub3yfySXflmHGDMwaMdvM5QgR5Ndp7lDcubqcuAxmibUTt7nd0H/s1600/Fall_decor.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Decorating the house for the holidays... Our front stairs are pretty dark and we worried about the Trick-or-Treaters last year. I love this bright welcoming porch and want to add some festive lighting for a really neat porch for Halloween this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjFtI3pyY0zleHHIf2rehoFe14_eBLMJUi-_Jj2f5RwlUI7K1FjGRoVd06bZYRydGANvC2TKmurlFB61B823Vw_WzDPA-V7x1nWiXhVAq2Er39qY6YamfIchcIacADtNWM9jYbJ7_iPhy/s1600/111salted_caramel_hot_chocolate_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjFtI3pyY0zleHHIf2rehoFe14_eBLMJUi-_Jj2f5RwlUI7K1FjGRoVd06bZYRydGANvC2TKmurlFB61B823Vw_WzDPA-V7x1nWiXhVAq2Er39qY6YamfIchcIacADtNWM9jYbJ7_iPhy/s1600/111salted_caramel_hot_chocolate_sm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate... I actually have never had one. So many people were posting about them on Facebook last year during Fall/ Winter and I never indulged. Since I'm already thinking about it in August- I think this is going to be my year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPNcinIgh4QXRZPC5VW21Uuy64qF5uIOPF6MbZIuxGe6jAISamhyphenhyphenF_bNBB-v_25sxXm33XZEEJiSgySfYHjLggZBOocekhJ72d8nOzx7v5RlsLBEV9tR7XntrrQlCR3QGlVwigela2nN/s1600/ry%253D400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPNcinIgh4QXRZPC5VW21Uuy64qF5uIOPF6MbZIuxGe6jAISamhyphenhyphenF_bNBB-v_25sxXm33XZEEJiSgySfYHjLggZBOocekhJ72d8nOzx7v5RlsLBEV9tR7XntrrQlCR3QGlVwigela2nN/s320/ry%253D400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Celebrating our second wedding anniversary on October 10! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>(This is the first picture we ever took together, back in May 2006!)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are planning to make the time for a weekend away to celebrate our anniversary this year (even if it's not on our actual anniversary weekend.) Last year, I worked a 13 hour day and Brian picked me up to get take-out from Anthony's restaurant and we took it back to a downtown hotel. We soaked in the jaccuizzi tub and enjoyed the evening but I was WIPED OUT. This year, I will make more time to celebrate and enjoy. Our marriage is a happy one, but that's not to say we don't work really hard to keep it that way, and it deserves proper credit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is your favorite season, and why?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-35848594440748279802011-08-15T12:47:00.000-07:002011-08-15T12:48:47.489-07:00It's been a while...<div align="center">It's been too long, friends!</div><div align="center">As an Event Planner, Summer means loooong days at the office- which means zero projects at home.</div><div align="center">Down time is much needed, people!</div><div align="center">I've been in "Maintenance Phase" since my last post, and here's where I'm at:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Garden is doing OK. The Mammoth Sunflowers are... well, Mammoth.</div><div align="center">The Corn is thinking it can...</div><div align="center">The tomatoes are green and growing.</div><div align="center">The Peas are delicious.</div><div align="center">RIP zucchini, pumpkins and onions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlOoKprUlAT731tWVBing5G52-EvOuuMEggM4wpNzr8E8RNekiudUoQLt8gVz5szap6G3JBUexuhwiCOg0qrBfsCgVFokyoQdlv6dQyv2IYX9qetaL6uvzPcNekyjPG4-HQ25677E4hYN/s1600/IMAG0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlOoKprUlAT731tWVBing5G52-EvOuuMEggM4wpNzr8E8RNekiudUoQLt8gVz5szap6G3JBUexuhwiCOg0qrBfsCgVFokyoQdlv6dQyv2IYX9qetaL6uvzPcNekyjPG4-HQ25677E4hYN/s320/IMAG0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">I read a blog recently where someone used these little mossy rocks in a beautiful Spring display. </div><div align="center">Since Western Washington never knows which season we are in anyway, I wanted some too:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE8lel8bb_akXDBxGKELeZdHwKQQ0rH387Kpdb1Lv8pAmooMRqsqHv_E_8LO1Oo9L-A0PrvaYdvOhdCT_5Z1-VGWsGSbmljq1hRsICl7UNEIijL-INbTxiq8Ar-9a-HwFyyL_-vCHIZFm/s1600/IMAG0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE8lel8bb_akXDBxGKELeZdHwKQQ0rH387Kpdb1Lv8pAmooMRqsqHv_E_8LO1Oo9L-A0PrvaYdvOhdCT_5Z1-VGWsGSbmljq1hRsICl7UNEIijL-INbTxiq8Ar-9a-HwFyyL_-vCHIZFm/s320/IMAG0022.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you believe they are from *ahem* the Dollar Tree?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my pretend life, I live inside "Real Simple" Magazine and I read this tip in there...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keep your cleaning supplies where you need them, not all in one place.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it works.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clorox wipes on the bathroom counter to swipe away toothpaste and Hubbin's shaving messes? Nice!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spray & Wash hiding behind the bottles of perfume on the dresser to just spray on the soiled article and right into the hamper? Oh yes!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The little pouches of Pledge Multi-Surface wipes? In the side table in the living room, kept in the glovebox, etc- DUH!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Usually, I like to use chemical free cleansers, but I temporarily chucked that for a little sanity and staying-on-top- of things while crazy busy at work. Besides, ain't nothin' cleanin' my tile like some Soft Scrub. Word!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV2vh-a7ZIVG-ED3e0ngAji4OxVivE6x1-Kgb9GrPcCFay4GKNyWsJ4zFeg45ONNCG-vSmVh4UgFQ2RtMlqDrVCwY-bOCxotu2IOnSj6FVTrEYlrylrISFFafqBG7kFI-oy5jYyIdO42N/s1600/IMAG0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV2vh-a7ZIVG-ED3e0ngAji4OxVivE6x1-Kgb9GrPcCFay4GKNyWsJ4zFeg45ONNCG-vSmVh4UgFQ2RtMlqDrVCwY-bOCxotu2IOnSj6FVTrEYlrylrISFFafqBG7kFI-oy5jYyIdO42N/s320/IMAG0024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk4UawuiYqYEF51YQOhz3JjF1qwUj_JwK_Re4rknz7yrOI9W4Rt-TSMpITGgR513uB3TCNjX5E8FgrCaztdbLdK40r9b-JKtl1sL5mRnLyl0B3BmZyOvs8oEClNnA2AMhiCT3EaxpnNjw/s1600/IMAG0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk4UawuiYqYEF51YQOhz3JjF1qwUj_JwK_Re4rknz7yrOI9W4Rt-TSMpITGgR513uB3TCNjX5E8FgrCaztdbLdK40r9b-JKtl1sL5mRnLyl0B3BmZyOvs8oEClNnA2AMhiCT3EaxpnNjw/s320/IMAG0025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That little trick has helped me- hope it might be helpful to you too- since keeping house is such a dirty job, afterall.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">My next big project I <em>want</em> to tackle is our bedroom. It's never gotten much love- and it needs it! </div><div align="center">Anyone else out there always neglecting the bedroom?</div><div align="center">It's the place where we start and end our day- shouldn't we ensure it makes us feel good?!</div><div align="center">We have a small room with a big ol' king bed- so I need to get creative with how we make it both functional and heavenly... </div><div align="center">I think the most comfortable bed I've slept in was at the Edgewater in Seattle. While I don't love the fish/ plaid look of the rooms for my home, I do think I will start by making the bed as comfortable and welcoming as that bed was and work from there. Big, fluffy yet full pillows, high thread count sheets, and that perfect down alternative bedding which keeps you warm in Winter but cool in Summer? Sounds like a plan!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJCEFYeW8DXXC5imKiooP0DzyNJGAX4DiOsWxH7rKT-LJLNvlYfNZ581p39RmUykzgBZymKySDXc-WIwOXovqcG6yIwSiBmk7TJDonWFELZEPeIPQbAdqYoLKhbfHMfRa_XgQL27OpJfM/s1600/001856-04-bedroom-king-bed-ocean-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJCEFYeW8DXXC5imKiooP0DzyNJGAX4DiOsWxH7rKT-LJLNvlYfNZ581p39RmUykzgBZymKySDXc-WIwOXovqcG6yIwSiBmk7TJDonWFELZEPeIPQbAdqYoLKhbfHMfRa_XgQL27OpJfM/s320/001856-04-bedroom-king-bed-ocean-view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, one more thing- the original purpose of the blog... to document our journey of becoming home-owners? We're getting closer by the moment! More on that soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-55906542117619272002011-06-08T18:03:00.000-07:002011-06-08T18:03:43.527-07:00Green Thumbs and a little more "Decrapification"<div style="text-align: center;">It's been a while since I've had time for house projects! I have a mid-week "weekend" this week, so mixed productivity with relaxation and the following projects were accomplished. First, we finally got our little veggie plants in the ground! We started them back in April in our greenhouse from seed, something we've tried before but never stuck with- here they are starting out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqrqvq5CHAiRjkv9-_bNu8QHn17FwqN5F5EHOvChvbJoigvXihlWCrbrOevZ74FTCBmJPBhXKtSjoZ6J5GCL61JLeC2LjLMJmUksD9J8Oqm8GCOxJRhCkno07KJ854Q_pVdgGWbB5aWZ0/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqrqvq5CHAiRjkv9-_bNu8QHn17FwqN5F5EHOvChvbJoigvXihlWCrbrOevZ74FTCBmJPBhXKtSjoZ6J5GCL61JLeC2LjLMJmUksD9J8Oqm8GCOxJRhCkno07KJ854Q_pVdgGWbB5aWZ0/s320/007.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I think we got it down this year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaF8rEJf8CB_EiGU4ZvFms9VZJDXSs_RX4ncsw9pWxsc0WWTt1cUh2Aq3sV3-8n0xNl5ve4pVrjdQ21EPiGkodWeeQ6RVCsvPk6lOrka_7AYQmCBqLS3H2Uc81VYDieiutK9Bx0lhenK8/s1600/0515011940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaF8rEJf8CB_EiGU4ZvFms9VZJDXSs_RX4ncsw9pWxsc0WWTt1cUh2Aq3sV3-8n0xNl5ve4pVrjdQ21EPiGkodWeeQ6RVCsvPk6lOrka_7AYQmCBqLS3H2Uc81VYDieiutK9Bx0lhenK8/s320/0515011940.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, we got them in the ground where they belong... and they even got a little sun and some warm soil to welcome them to earth!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34prbSdg8sLEIYupXNH09_UMAtLB5WCc80Gqbs1uncn9IhjYQRPrYrvXVlKF_SEMPL1xG-3T5p0Rtvq_-r1YGL9GL5DkIwaoIXwHaife6S31MR3DM3_Hcg6msG5dX2OABC181Gutvk0tJ/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34prbSdg8sLEIYupXNH09_UMAtLB5WCc80Gqbs1uncn9IhjYQRPrYrvXVlKF_SEMPL1xG-3T5p0Rtvq_-r1YGL9GL5DkIwaoIXwHaife6S31MR3DM3_Hcg6msG5dX2OABC181Gutvk0tJ/s320/017.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, of course- my rock decor identifies the varieties we have growing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k-zQ2y97sOwJr30WI5MczrAeV8RzRDIGHZTJB0KNCAVjkTZWgoBoFEv4WPUbE1DW7JRd4futSiOQlN4lZnoxlPmUd0vFf8byZY4jsINeuNgBPelthqOpHjWFhf82GU0jCBcxlZDVjgnL/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k-zQ2y97sOwJr30WI5MczrAeV8RzRDIGHZTJB0KNCAVjkTZWgoBoFEv4WPUbE1DW7JRd4futSiOQlN4lZnoxlPmUd0vFf8byZY4jsINeuNgBPelthqOpHjWFhf82GU0jCBcxlZDVjgnL/s320/016.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsZa9JOqw_Rq_CgCbF26PSADAMer3tGRfCBRkdMYrInLzr9yy3XXMbgp8jr6In2-De4X7yAV3fgbxbyqRhzP27tR3zeebc1bDqW4Yr5VNLDfsmi-1M36j-fi6r1UDcTBFzN0AJ96-p2Rn/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsZa9JOqw_Rq_CgCbF26PSADAMer3tGRfCBRkdMYrInLzr9yy3XXMbgp8jr6In2-De4X7yAV3fgbxbyqRhzP27tR3zeebc1bDqW4Yr5VNLDfsmi-1M36j-fi6r1UDcTBFzN0AJ96-p2Rn/s320/014.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5pdakx1_7E2gABTAkeV5Dlmc_xeiWozDTF-IVW-K7_VpD7kD9s58cELnM_3dlVdJZZWCvEwVIYTWoSnrnwfsc3JtL_51vkgf7t97apw7WMn0VAL-Ppg9q9Rzph3VfwH7ndWo_EV-EnXP/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5pdakx1_7E2gABTAkeV5Dlmc_xeiWozDTF-IVW-K7_VpD7kD9s58cELnM_3dlVdJZZWCvEwVIYTWoSnrnwfsc3JtL_51vkgf7t97apw7WMn0VAL-Ppg9q9Rzph3VfwH7ndWo_EV-EnXP/s320/015.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We planted Sweet Corn, Red Corn (should be interesting!) onions, spinach, summer squash, pumpkins, snap peas, tomatoes, and watermelon. I also have strawberries, but those are in a pot on the patio. We may be pushing corn later this summer- so, local friends- consider yourselves warned!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Additionally, I tackled another organization project inside the house without spending a dime (which as I've admitted before is a weakness of mine- buying more junk in order to organize existing junk...) I hit up the linen closet which doubles as medicine cabinet. Here's the horrendous "before."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto_80e7aiH01aPZ49WifmkxNVu3A8nrFt4w8bB9gzvzR3dSO0Zwohv9bPfulkBiMnXlo9Lo-8Whux7RYUwVvRH9awtwS9NMx7td4P8oyHpymr9rN61EYmNht0eQ1lOS-WTZyiJT1oZwPt/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto_80e7aiH01aPZ49WifmkxNVu3A8nrFt4w8bB9gzvzR3dSO0Zwohv9bPfulkBiMnXlo9Lo-8Whux7RYUwVvRH9awtwS9NMx7td4P8oyHpymr9rN61EYmNht0eQ1lOS-WTZyiJT1oZwPt/s320/006.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A definite identity crisis was at play here- am I for linens? Am I overflow bathroom storage? Am I a "catch all" area?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I've limited to linens as it is intended, and a few organized medicine cabinet items:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR27-nvF5igeeLxVLNqbRDUVf_hK04lzCSWQkKZVbcT1ZBMP27vloPmoaMgVAbqdX5y26gFhzEzB8mdFO1fxgsfjFhgYI7ACJ1_MLB0QAx_d94yFkJgiXmjPKn-ACegEM-y19AEAhhpBE/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR27-nvF5igeeLxVLNqbRDUVf_hK04lzCSWQkKZVbcT1ZBMP27vloPmoaMgVAbqdX5y26gFhzEzB8mdFO1fxgsfjFhgYI7ACJ1_MLB0QAx_d94yFkJgiXmjPKn-ACegEM-y19AEAhhpBE/s320/010.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added a few dryer sheets for a clean scent, and arranged dish/ hand towels like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7dtLE1d8ibfX4mGjN61By4wFmSivh0JbfbShFWPkUgcMIO028pkvMYT4dsYnOEa4-vp2z-uJ3F4jiBvPDNZ0qegbZjdrNbTAquQOccXt38TC7Bj1ZdVEv9-kGT6aUVrhEfmP_sGHgqJ4/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7dtLE1d8ibfX4mGjN61By4wFmSivh0JbfbShFWPkUgcMIO028pkvMYT4dsYnOEa4-vp2z-uJ3F4jiBvPDNZ0qegbZjdrNbTAquQOccXt38TC7Bj1ZdVEv9-kGT6aUVrhEfmP_sGHgqJ4/s320/012.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This way, they don't get wadded up and shoved in any ol' place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feels good to check these things off the "to-do" list. Keep your fingers crossed that the garden will make it!</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-63568537124408786192011-05-01T16:13:00.000-07:002011-05-01T16:13:50.944-07:00Dirty Yard Work<div style="text-align: center;">Today was a gorgeous sunny day and with the exception of an interview for Bri this afternoon, we had the day to get dirty and get some things accomplished. We borrowed a pressure-washer from my parents to tackle some areas which were desperate to have the moss removed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Take a look at the before & after of our back driveway...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS2dHJp6haOc-k01o3OR3sfucKyJd8EAMibHTceKN8B-hKUqufmwR09tBklC0B_7mvej6Md90Bsen0oxR4xIeKex4-fotqLeKLr4bz6J3azmpTVUcP2Zx9z39Wa4deq_WFGVYmzgHEXEn/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS2dHJp6haOc-k01o3OR3sfucKyJd8EAMibHTceKN8B-hKUqufmwR09tBklC0B_7mvej6Md90Bsen0oxR4xIeKex4-fotqLeKLr4bz6J3azmpTVUcP2Zx9z39Wa4deq_WFGVYmzgHEXEn/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5l4y5ASB5fvMcXVrPgaSH8NWlIdN6JJMWwosLSQWDCe809PlGjGa4mEPHQ1Fw2bmL1xLgetcru2GtWhPdSahoYptYNwL8vWWgWnS-OeMyXl8Tn4VkqXAknTh-eeRB5xg7yFPfRzoVdaU/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5l4y5ASB5fvMcXVrPgaSH8NWlIdN6JJMWwosLSQWDCe809PlGjGa4mEPHQ1Fw2bmL1xLgetcru2GtWhPdSahoYptYNwL8vWWgWnS-OeMyXl8Tn4VkqXAknTh-eeRB5xg7yFPfRzoVdaU/s320/011.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We obviously need to re-stain those garage doors, but pressure washing helped a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also washed the siding of the house and the patio as shown below...</div><div style="text-align: center;">The side of the house shown below wasn't even visible before we cut that tree back, but once Bri pruned, we were left with mossy/ dirty siding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4uNp9sO8ZIvL94i5ehvT3tgQGuL11dCFQDTzV0xkjT0NwcwgZnVyxsXFI3CiTRvC6_QtnqdYekztEhve2NzJbSZ6aPqohJjhPUdTQchF8onSWJID-OFLq7db1qe40ZvpmBZ7JR9lwVVo/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4uNp9sO8ZIvL94i5ehvT3tgQGuL11dCFQDTzV0xkjT0NwcwgZnVyxsXFI3CiTRvC6_QtnqdYekztEhve2NzJbSZ6aPqohJjhPUdTQchF8onSWJID-OFLq7db1qe40ZvpmBZ7JR9lwVVo/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The patio also desperately needed to be cleaned...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF7R3FaGyAsXcxazk244tuCPKo5RswmITEWDOe0sIZ8k68Tyiogb5284KiPRd-nMpKDpEG-0iQcukqYtW2IK9d-cIgSfhHA59C9uIsgR7Z1u1vX19GbxbFX5IJvjq2Is0GHBTbQz7PCD7/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF7R3FaGyAsXcxazk244tuCPKo5RswmITEWDOe0sIZ8k68Tyiogb5284KiPRd-nMpKDpEG-0iQcukqYtW2IK9d-cIgSfhHA59C9uIsgR7Z1u1vX19GbxbFX5IJvjq2Is0GHBTbQz7PCD7/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clean siding, patio and driveway...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqgUEOgKG5rnIZVjAssP5uxwSfTfl4_LulAsUHGvSkLS5RPjnzX46xK4juj-a-oDgMGKsODPEwp5EfA2HcFV8A00h6SDT-K52mxMImdKLPR_L7u5vyInn-PK0vjkulAQz0-yJEcjKqC4K/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqgUEOgKG5rnIZVjAssP5uxwSfTfl4_LulAsUHGvSkLS5RPjnzX46xK4juj-a-oDgMGKsODPEwp5EfA2HcFV8A00h6SDT-K52mxMImdKLPR_L7u5vyInn-PK0vjkulAQz0-yJEcjKqC4K/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few weeks ago now we started veggies and potted some flowers in the green house... it's finally time to bring the flowers out to the patio! Another month or so and the veggies should be ready to be put in the ground, but they are still pluggin' along in the greenhouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is from a few weeks ago when we planted...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIit0bt7iAf_NUudi6_14LMNmadVOGLpvGyZgOK7h_0K0NSksUNO_f6GF6b6PH_IaTZWvbBAoWXoPaWqBEg5QCn2KfWF-DElBCRDJQ6DN7TWtgGE4UdPEGNtAKCzTx6QG1XkjUw9dXF-X/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIit0bt7iAf_NUudi6_14LMNmadVOGLpvGyZgOK7h_0K0NSksUNO_f6GF6b6PH_IaTZWvbBAoWXoPaWqBEg5QCn2KfWF-DElBCRDJQ6DN7TWtgGE4UdPEGNtAKCzTx6QG1XkjUw9dXF-X/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At home in their new pots! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSJkkv53a1EzZLBt8hWqDES5DuFTVpIcbBbSsULfTFj6b_6QKum3XQtBjcSug2bhRsytjbzKwb12sGUWUgcx_l0cNRwSGLilZVXmpinBUUGFXIO_V2nWb4yp-StOKBDCmTx5uwTQR3PnV/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSJkkv53a1EzZLBt8hWqDES5DuFTVpIcbBbSsULfTFj6b_6QKum3XQtBjcSug2bhRsytjbzKwb12sGUWUgcx_l0cNRwSGLilZVXmpinBUUGFXIO_V2nWb4yp-StOKBDCmTx5uwTQR3PnV/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A sneak peek at the veggie garden... most are already growing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO0HYlIcK-EwraJK_Zvv5a8ppG8aoX7Jl3RpJ9zi3RAgMjt7WCi8YHfScTuG4tj3L2v_te_e7jYgOlNF7vGeHAVi9ON08hIO-U4lsEAQazLo-k5dLUBcx9RbwV8woOGOynWykHus1-Q7E/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO0HYlIcK-EwraJK_Zvv5a8ppG8aoX7Jl3RpJ9zi3RAgMjt7WCi8YHfScTuG4tj3L2v_te_e7jYgOlNF7vGeHAVi9ON08hIO-U4lsEAQazLo-k5dLUBcx9RbwV8woOGOynWykHus1-Q7E/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And today... the flowers go outside! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG4f6xTDvA0eahzrcww2rj73KC1OLcon17xcxeaOuXHklQlURG65iwwb__ZFFpraREw5JJM0M9cXtlQbLXocBdJUO8EZ8-AomkdMmN3sDx7powIj7im8Q2ufwhPYytA1MmfuoqDyj0AV6/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG4f6xTDvA0eahzrcww2rj73KC1OLcon17xcxeaOuXHklQlURG65iwwb__ZFFpraREw5JJM0M9cXtlQbLXocBdJUO8EZ8-AomkdMmN3sDx7powIj7im8Q2ufwhPYytA1MmfuoqDyj0AV6/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3uc_oFkr4Cnqq2-0P-dd7t_I3X3ttdsfPYAO4eiKhihpu6qle58qC5-6lb_9FfbjrMFAyGuxGCxEvaR9bJmDDqWXsbZckGuHGBI_6v5mLhMSgoC85DFSQhvxTO_6okpSdQO3qV-w_ynu/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3uc_oFkr4Cnqq2-0P-dd7t_I3X3ttdsfPYAO4eiKhihpu6qle58qC5-6lb_9FfbjrMFAyGuxGCxEvaR9bJmDDqWXsbZckGuHGBI_6v5mLhMSgoC85DFSQhvxTO_6okpSdQO3qV-w_ynu/s320/016.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFkW0g8sCmLpqMMaxbOPlLuommLj56d5dy0_Pa1HcOBSioT57eQNqWiyXOXJOWFXBvUAQ3N-enQv_FQYxDIYZJS3DlNfeDhDfC2jg3o_LGPxdaGJO-GEKKb3MrDac_yGHORPMZat9tY03/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFkW0g8sCmLpqMMaxbOPlLuommLj56d5dy0_Pa1HcOBSioT57eQNqWiyXOXJOWFXBvUAQ3N-enQv_FQYxDIYZJS3DlNfeDhDfC2jg3o_LGPxdaGJO-GEKKb3MrDac_yGHORPMZat9tY03/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQo6rB9Ov_GrCVbcVdOuzLNFi04PsvBnN_VqSVN49AOuKwHKLLV8ZgmOa0if220Eb8hSvgLQpoz64qSZSwoSIpTy-acBObhk06bp9Gj9PTvJLJVsYt-EY_oHxtg_vh9weONKpEI4WjfRT/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQo6rB9Ov_GrCVbcVdOuzLNFi04PsvBnN_VqSVN49AOuKwHKLLV8ZgmOa0if220Eb8hSvgLQpoz64qSZSwoSIpTy-acBObhk06bp9Gj9PTvJLJVsYt-EY_oHxtg_vh9weONKpEI4WjfRT/s320/014.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, because for some reason, I feel the need to decorate <strong><em>everything, </em></strong>here's a look at my rock decor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> (I know, I can't believe I just said that either.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYizvh67WtG7LojnbQExgfLQH1fkczdb9n0QMJdup5G26Ng69QlzsqzqSMto09ytnByiMGHWVeXmj_H6zdcwRzqGAFVCyJRsqkRDbsxYoyKSkMrYc1EoFEmb09zjv0CCbiar-ySwmFH3X3/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kind of hard to see, I know- but I used paint pens and sharpies to write words of inspirations and little designs. ("Go Hawks" "Smile" "Welcome" ~ Sun, Moon, Watermelon, Flower, etc.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">When it comes to my garden, I like little touches of whimsy, I'm not into the statues of cherubs or little kids sitting on a bench together- I prefer little details that could almost go unnoticed, such as a painted rock or a flower planted into a hollow tree trunk. My herb planter is an old utility sink.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm sad to say Betty cannot inspect our progress on this project because she is an indoor cat... but she did supervise us dying Easter Eggs last weekend, so here she is approving that project:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLpIJgbLiwuxi6KhJVEGS45pfLRo8EvOqw-L8TYLqJnPoWhsx4f4dpjO5CKFJmCg3X5PGnlQA8PjzeIIkAmVciyS6RKzSWsknCdtnTppOA-ht0jIG4g4xZiZtLkTWtvDwtzy74ALa2Fmb/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLpIJgbLiwuxi6KhJVEGS45pfLRo8EvOqw-L8TYLqJnPoWhsx4f4dpjO5CKFJmCg3X5PGnlQA8PjzeIIkAmVciyS6RKzSWsknCdtnTppOA-ht0jIG4g4xZiZtLkTWtvDwtzy74ALa2Fmb/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for following us and our dirty work!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-27045548158547540512011-04-25T16:56:00.000-07:002011-04-25T16:56:23.933-07:00Guest Bedroom Decrapification<div style="text-align: center;">So, today I had a rare day off/ home alone day- so decided to tackle a project which had been nagging on my mind for far too long. Listen closely if you have any "dumping ground" in your home- whether it be an entire room (like me) or even a drawer or closet. I am embarrassed of the "before" pictures. (Mind you, in the before pictures, I actually dumped out some boxes on top of the bed since I was prepared to organize and purge my heart out.) This spare room for us has very rarely served as a functional guest room, but more commonly is known as the "catch all" or "half finished project graveyard." When it has served as a functional guestroom, it's because I moved all of the junk down into the basement, and I am <strong>tired</strong> of moving this mess around. I use it to keep all of my craft items, items I mean to give away/ get rid of, and those that just haven't found a home yet. I have been reading many blogs lately by women who keep fabulous, chic, vintage, eclectic and "upcycled" homes which have encouraged me to tackle this project without spending a dime. (Usually I convince myself that if I go <em>buy more stuff </em>that it will be <em>easier to keep the things I already have.</em> Is anyone with me here- it sounds crazy when I actually put it on paper.) I love buying organizational items, boxes, bins, baskets, space bags and any other contraption which makes me feel like life would magically be so organized once that item is in my home. Then I realized I was drowning in these such things, and still had a mess. (grrr) So it was time to roll up my sleeves, and get dirty. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's some before & after photos of my work today:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-BgyUxiOTZSTyqS-ndBSg2x62asY83gx7Box_cm1dCOE04Z06jpuoCaGnpBmCVXs-YpQloacHEVqlCdb1S0nnqJoHMCxZmD4996OC6KbPI5K31A63XTBrDXN2O-SSB17cKz0iFVKSvj2/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-BgyUxiOTZSTyqS-ndBSg2x62asY83gx7Box_cm1dCOE04Z06jpuoCaGnpBmCVXs-YpQloacHEVqlCdb1S0nnqJoHMCxZmD4996OC6KbPI5K31A63XTBrDXN2O-SSB17cKz0iFVKSvj2/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look how good my intentions were! There are boxes waiting to go to Goodwill! There are items I posted online to sell & get rid of! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>After:</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJtmcJO6IG4gWTyPLOyNzMD6CTSRZEqX-kqFe-K8T7BRigBA5mE0aj0qoX2GTqhSSEd9P-XpHd3-AuYVbIMvCPWfoUvj1AKsgmScEKNoQgP3vcTx1cABB0ljxaIxyS6AvpLUiPX9aYwh8/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJtmcJO6IG4gWTyPLOyNzMD6CTSRZEqX-kqFe-K8T7BRigBA5mE0aj0qoX2GTqhSSEd9P-XpHd3-AuYVbIMvCPWfoUvj1AKsgmScEKNoQgP3vcTx1cABB0ljxaIxyS6AvpLUiPX9aYwh8/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A little more inviting, right? I dusted, swept, washed the bedding... and my personal favorite, ORGANIZED.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, there was my craft closet...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sUJA16nYgi_XfwyKAa4pLh_1zR_hxLwRiZ8rjKgQ3cPtj_CgA29D6zSU5XRx0OCuD2dwMP_Vfl8ANRfvBDJeErPSNcyu7ZOKTYHnVMpR6K7v4sXDcszavCzSE_xDn6nCqEGoBAAkzxUx/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sUJA16nYgi_XfwyKAa4pLh_1zR_hxLwRiZ8rjKgQ3cPtj_CgA29D6zSU5XRx0OCuD2dwMP_Vfl8ANRfvBDJeErPSNcyu7ZOKTYHnVMpR6K7v4sXDcszavCzSE_xDn6nCqEGoBAAkzxUx/s320/024.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow, Inspiring, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>After:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnIhyphenhyphenwb_tGgbn-n0kxgeVFf5Cw-nlx598xg23PveuTO_axUYpEO53XPIcTbZetrLhddVvqjBkYGpI8y_kDbLZaEKxm6325ucihebOsQNIIl7YDk-EbtrkSLh8WLi-IjVrPsSmav0_xDP-/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnIhyphenhyphenwb_tGgbn-n0kxgeVFf5Cw-nlx598xg23PveuTO_axUYpEO53XPIcTbZetrLhddVvqjBkYGpI8y_kDbLZaEKxm6325ucihebOsQNIIl7YDk-EbtrkSLh8WLi-IjVrPsSmav0_xDP-/s320/027.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My ribbon collection was one thing I always felt like I had to buy an organizer for- but today, not a dime, remember!? I went online and got some great free ideas with items I already had- I used ribbon to display my ribbon, and clothespins to hold my bows onto another ribbon, shown here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sxXKQr-z9q8yGyTqFV4R93bQ7RWKzSiqvX7GmWT0brJjRX64HHIjiQ561s-S7uAAV4Cb55YBNI_y7yzmh7Pe2e6YrpZvD52_GMjwlYiJFBSj9KnJZIzrmdENmx8hVL7uhu9e7RMh6MKj/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sxXKQr-z9q8yGyTqFV4R93bQ7RWKzSiqvX7GmWT0brJjRX64HHIjiQ561s-S7uAAV4Cb55YBNI_y7yzmh7Pe2e6YrpZvD52_GMjwlYiJFBSj9KnJZIzrmdENmx8hVL7uhu9e7RMh6MKj/s320/028.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, in about 8 hours, I feel pretty good about checking this task off the list. (I have a few minor details which need to be completed, such as putting random pics into albums, etc.)</div><div align="center">The key for me with keeping it clean is not moving things back in there. I packaged up my wedding dress to be sent off for cleaning / preservation. I have already called the ARC to come pick up my giveaway items so they don't sit around in my way until I shove them back into the guest room. Things that have a home elsewhere in the house have already made their way back. </div><div align="center">And, last but not least...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-d3bfcoRLqrc5RPM1DsT3SkIY4avxneQFosBLNJvZjsHQJi7QK05tXnKWDN-7sJ2XRGLKRxLdt955Fi_MYjbvDa3rvQyekferWam-sa_v6ojqe6cCkTva8NF1xAPtiXYTa3oJoWfdtT/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-d3bfcoRLqrc5RPM1DsT3SkIY4avxneQFosBLNJvZjsHQJi7QK05tXnKWDN-7sJ2XRGLKRxLdt955Fi_MYjbvDa3rvQyekferWam-sa_v6ojqe6cCkTva8NF1xAPtiXYTa3oJoWfdtT/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Betty has approved this room for visitors!</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-48471461878020426302011-04-13T16:19:00.000-07:002011-04-13T16:19:41.724-07:00Sew Simple? Somebody lied to me! (Kitchen Makeover Part II/ Complete!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8CPvvNAmllkZvUdbfpNAolgjGO5fkgji8nYLv0JjIVkhGNwMUmPfyry-Ag91xPiM4fclcE1Wm53IjMVqYy5nh_gOHDCoOdoSQwE6KS6Mun7N1LITeaCMJd4ESVJQxanAwvw13MYG6i_2/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8CPvvNAmllkZvUdbfpNAolgjGO5fkgji8nYLv0JjIVkhGNwMUmPfyry-Ag91xPiM4fclcE1Wm53IjMVqYy5nh_gOHDCoOdoSQwE6KS6Mun7N1LITeaCMJd4ESVJQxanAwvw13MYG6i_2/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello my fellow crafters- and wannabe crafters! This project began well beyond my area of expertise- might I even say, in wannabe status? But it ended up a great lesson in patience and desire to enhance my sewing skills even further. I began with my sewing machine (Necchi 4757) which was one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received (was a wedding gift) from two of my fabulous girlfriends. Mom gave me my great-grandmother's sewing box with all of the beginning essentials for Christmas and then I bought this "Sew Simple" book. (Ha!) All are pictured above as my "getting started supplies." The next step, and my personal fav was to pick out fabric. I didn't have anything too specific in mind... but set out to find a white, black and maybe yellow fabric for the kitchen curtains I was determined to make.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's me at the fabric store with the fabric I ultimately chose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7zkL4KOgwFJ-zGcm7MCs0wbwZ6h7ctIgqZXQ_RM-nsaEWWZQ75vKPGo9_uXC4P0zR9jj2Ia-nUvSgFvXSES_64fLzc_EVJv9WqKKrUOiR48f4IuwL_Pmr5pjDyXVSrtOrzS0oKvGkA5d/s1600/0409011229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7zkL4KOgwFJ-zGcm7MCs0wbwZ6h7ctIgqZXQ_RM-nsaEWWZQ75vKPGo9_uXC4P0zR9jj2Ia-nUvSgFvXSES_64fLzc_EVJv9WqKKrUOiR48f4IuwL_Pmr5pjDyXVSrtOrzS0oKvGkA5d/s320/0409011229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know, it doesn't look very black or yellow, does it? Once at the fabric store, I felt like black and white would be too "matchy matchy" with the rest of the kitchen, so went with something that would accent and flow instead of be uniform. But that's just how I roll. What about you- do you prefer "matchy matchy" or a flow? For instance- I am an event planner by day and my own wedding had a "collection" of blues, browns and bright greens- while other brides whom I work with often prefer that every detail of their wedding be the same shade of "David's Bridal Eggplant" or "Brushed Nickle Silver." </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6vBf6LFqG0LCBmLl4drxjKLGhSJXs6rAWSTpi-xWMTA7YpSoYs6Z7U6wu9ilkQL_a-PxREbEohKQTcTfM47T7mPS3XdNNcPU5c4428_a_vmUAPyoqH7Yah9rOOykKW5Bhyphenhyphen52LPJjlQxz/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6vBf6LFqG0LCBmLl4drxjKLGhSJXs6rAWSTpi-xWMTA7YpSoYs6Z7U6wu9ilkQL_a-PxREbEohKQTcTfM47T7mPS3XdNNcPU5c4428_a_vmUAPyoqH7Yah9rOOykKW5Bhyphenhyphen52LPJjlQxz/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THANK GOODNESS for ironing seams, pins, and really good fabric scissors!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscYKj68Yk-bL01d0kKNBf1anNRSvhJxCX6kJBvBBje0bcAbYiDTW9TTY8nG1lQnT4XHfCRyzOGUkjew9iq8_FcwQArLU2Mky50e_fAuzs9t3_iHu5RNa5RwLvbbXolmYoTu5RttIwYxNp/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscYKj68Yk-bL01d0kKNBf1anNRSvhJxCX6kJBvBBje0bcAbYiDTW9TTY8nG1lQnT4XHfCRyzOGUkjew9iq8_FcwQArLU2Mky50e_fAuzs9t3_iHu5RNa5RwLvbbXolmYoTu5RttIwYxNp/s320/002.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my <em>final</em> panel in progress! (Needle don't break now!) I have four windows in the kitchen which needed to be covered- so with two panels each- I sewed a total of 8 panels. (And am now proud to call myself a straight-hem pro!- Just don't ask me to sew on a curve!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreLWisQctaYF_zfv0A6w0sZ9vrRaRUxceD_oubdcWlhgKndtvFad2PXGwJv7RUshlp57-llpCsEoG1GrrkyyqnFuR3vdAWNyxaGEJU4AGtt5CobqObE3Lc7SNvjKSeHOMEXG_yJr8BchZ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreLWisQctaYF_zfv0A6w0sZ9vrRaRUxceD_oubdcWlhgKndtvFad2PXGwJv7RUshlp57-llpCsEoG1GrrkyyqnFuR3vdAWNyxaGEJU4AGtt5CobqObE3Lc7SNvjKSeHOMEXG_yJr8BchZ/s320/004.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom brought over some Ric Rac on one of her 5 trips up to my house to help me when I wanted to throw the whole project away... I've used some here as tiebacks...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Also, note how close the neighbor's house is next door- we needed the option of privacy... coffee in your skivvies at 5am anyone?)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK6V4k1WYXQLNSTAokJcrUYQUnFy1_jXgMxg1vyIQays2BcJMwhfjV96Zcj5aQVNo-fhM0_qLQBTRekgu747Cno6VfhPTHC_zZnXNL7RGaW20oKPVyluJLVpUSEGHav94ItC2uwAlc0H4/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK6V4k1WYXQLNSTAokJcrUYQUnFy1_jXgMxg1vyIQays2BcJMwhfjV96Zcj5aQVNo-fhM0_qLQBTRekgu747Cno6VfhPTHC_zZnXNL7RGaW20oKPVyluJLVpUSEGHav94ItC2uwAlc0H4/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also saw in a book called "Farm Chicks" that they lined open air pantry shelves such as ours with Ric Rack. I affixed it with those craft dots that you use for scrap booking.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTjgDLbPhIF1TS1drlPvMkg36jO5FwVFrCq-GxZZ1ZD9xou-nQq7xblgXgBVkzPpZ3f6EmUYpm7aTZ1F5_FY2UzUy_sLty1vXAY3xeY-JDSA9QKSdI7pcRlq474FmXfTl3chBKI9bQM6P/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTjgDLbPhIF1TS1drlPvMkg36jO5FwVFrCq-GxZZ1ZD9xou-nQq7xblgXgBVkzPpZ3f6EmUYpm7aTZ1F5_FY2UzUy_sLty1vXAY3xeY-JDSA9QKSdI7pcRlq474FmXfTl3chBKI9bQM6P/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A close-up of the Ric Rac shelves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXASuOdRQuL-ln7rdgtpHNIwf-N4ISsHwskSrdktFykybavc8tjnEZU4CKVgfJaQTb3QQ2IgEkKxdhq9YrusPG0dJsTHz2IiO2Us07Dkuro7tKdaoFQuM4jQpbcRfh14Rlm85uj-ld3uX/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXASuOdRQuL-ln7rdgtpHNIwf-N4ISsHwskSrdktFykybavc8tjnEZU4CKVgfJaQTb3QQ2IgEkKxdhq9YrusPG0dJsTHz2IiO2Us07Dkuro7tKdaoFQuM4jQpbcRfh14Rlm85uj-ld3uX/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also- I'm very excited to show you the bakers rack seen here. Originally I had posted that we were going to refinish one- but my Mom found this one on super ultra clearance at Pier 1 Imports, so she spoiled us and surprised me with it one day. Also- See the curtains back there?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9t_HAxGCX3t3k7jacQxq9HirLMbvMJc-boqmukXHZFhSHecIZPhPqaAYVXZ8PYgbiui-W3tKAe8DM8OvXS-noF6X-ZMjVEJhRUXVonDVVloA-rtlO6MNyyqaWo_HRRJ1bpxDGKbMDcDe/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9t_HAxGCX3t3k7jacQxq9HirLMbvMJc-boqmukXHZFhSHecIZPhPqaAYVXZ8PYgbiui-W3tKAe8DM8OvXS-noF6X-ZMjVEJhRUXVonDVVloA-rtlO6MNyyqaWo_HRRJ1bpxDGKbMDcDe/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's over the sink. At first I was concerned about the greens clashing- but I think it works since the kitchen has that "Vintage Chic" feel. Generally, my decor style is <em>not </em>country- but there is something to be said about cooking bacon on a Saturday morning in a kitchen that feels like Grandma's. (And my Grandma Eastman's kitchen is eclectic and vintage as they come!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTKY3fons9iHE_0USu-iAYUV03oLshA2Mg1GQXOe0jJtLL5MUSDlSanoI1oZKVYcoEnqXEgmgvJTvpi8zykSxBzWSgfKYpPap2Qr140tEXdbUm1i3uyWgVeviKSWiWY5pzU8N_kYWtkaQ/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTKY3fons9iHE_0USu-iAYUV03oLshA2Mg1GQXOe0jJtLL5MUSDlSanoI1oZKVYcoEnqXEgmgvJTvpi8zykSxBzWSgfKYpPap2Qr140tEXdbUm1i3uyWgVeviKSWiWY5pzU8N_kYWtkaQ/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The newly white cabinets with the black hardware, the Baker's Rack, the curtains, the hand-painted spice rack, it's officially DONE! (For now.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0AFMfCjYGsLkEBk9vr4biPTM6prIcyFsexjoCuf17JQJDXcbEL67lpN4uA6C4HuJsiyxLCT0C8Z5_rCv0ZeRdfzctQenJdoDGZrp90iGlX2Ul29OvHSmkT2O7k8ibAwDRgbd7MoEVHUy/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0AFMfCjYGsLkEBk9vr4biPTM6prIcyFsexjoCuf17JQJDXcbEL67lpN4uA6C4HuJsiyxLCT0C8Z5_rCv0ZeRdfzctQenJdoDGZrp90iGlX2Ul29OvHSmkT2O7k8ibAwDRgbd7MoEVHUy/s320/013.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course, the most important part of the project...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Betty has approved this kitchen for use. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*A note about sewing*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I am really looking forward to some new projects. I have decided about 1 project a month would be manageable and keep me learning at a steady pace. If you too are a novice sewer, I have the following advice:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Befriend your manual! I despise few things more than reading instructions/manuals, but it's necessary and you won't become "one with your machine" without using it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Keep everything together and neatly organized to easily start, resume and put away projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Sew often- even my Mom and Grandmother had both forgotten the fundamentals since so many years had passed since they'd used a machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Take accurate measurements- and then consider whether your fabric has a direction- specific pattern or not. Luckily- my measurements worked even though I didn't take this into account... (Ie; up & down, side to side, etc.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Have fun! And if it stops being fun, walk away and resume later! I'm a "finished product" kind of gal- I like to sit down, do, and be finished! But I have learned with a sewing project, you often have to walk away and come back later. If you get rushed or frustrated, needles break and bobbins go crazy. Breathe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for following me on this project- it basically consumed my 5 day staycation- but it's done! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-26735760907242122902011-03-26T18:43:00.000-07:002011-03-26T18:43:17.364-07:00Kitchen Makeover Part I<div style="text-align: center;">Since we've been on a painting roll, we decided to tackle the kitchen as well. As mentioned in our first post, the kitchen has always been a bit of a frustration for us because of the thick layers of yellow paint on seemingly <em>every</em> surface, the lack of a dishwasher and the awkward counter space. We have yet to remedy the missing dishwasher nor the awkward counter space- but this past week, Brian did tackle some of the massive yellow overload. Since the kitchen has white and black tile and some awesome yellow, black and green tile counter tops & back splashes, we did want to keep some sunny yellow in there. Just not <em>everywhere</em>. See below for some pics of the kitchen on the day we moved in... even though its small & has an odd floor plan, it has new appliances, a window above the sink (which I love!) and is overall pretty cute, right?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVJBbNUwSC_7LDTJj8KaXIznC1NSBPDpS6c5QaV-LPS8Q7MWPAvl9gp5HBfaRwdOHU4v7tC4gjeJgv8skizj_9wyYYPPEe-MpLdAsgHynfu1o9cz3hYDW6u_GOmi-lGzvrESDF_1IE_fz/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8_2_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_572955nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVJBbNUwSC_7LDTJj8KaXIznC1NSBPDpS6c5QaV-LPS8Q7MWPAvl9gp5HBfaRwdOHU4v7tC4gjeJgv8skizj_9wyYYPPEe-MpLdAsgHynfu1o9cz3hYDW6u_GOmi-lGzvrESDF_1IE_fz/s320/232323232%257Ffp8_2_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_572955nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RRtEQNZmPc6nYtKGNBVhQLDc_kpzHsvOxtuvMf6GNAjsym5whRBARiiHLr6rmJoPTrN-6kAX5MuBWj0DsNZpQkYUL5JzjALMKA8peC06FfEwJEJyKRP-pg8Oi-KTi9vdYd01ApWVyRkO/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8%253B6_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_562885nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RRtEQNZmPc6nYtKGNBVhQLDc_kpzHsvOxtuvMf6GNAjsym5whRBARiiHLr6rmJoPTrN-6kAX5MuBWj0DsNZpQkYUL5JzjALMKA8peC06FfEwJEJyKRP-pg8Oi-KTi9vdYd01ApWVyRkO/s320/232323232%257Ffp8%253B6_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_562885nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8p8FB_v7NzaT-OAHVkDPzJzUUyGkr_p1ePOqBGbDWGP0T-9bZ3MQqHDSy09pXw2MOATTCu0zq53gw23hIUTqXr5hSeg_I1JyMPX3HP0rGgr78l3qguTXJ_1f1PzImSuG4iKYhnBascgY/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8%253B2_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_572956nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8p8FB_v7NzaT-OAHVkDPzJzUUyGkr_p1ePOqBGbDWGP0T-9bZ3MQqHDSy09pXw2MOATTCu0zq53gw23hIUTqXr5hSeg_I1JyMPX3HP0rGgr78l3qguTXJ_1f1PzImSuG4iKYhnBascgY/s320/232323232%257Ffp8%253B2_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_572956nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgcnDmFF0ZUM6ATC8-8_INTmhU0AB-1W0_BM5uLjLxcl_DmSKjkhDgmm08oAdxI1-lCU1RXMikprVPGc3mrgy6k2ZYDWK1R7CVjvQCYEj5LVx2i43SonRGfYWFo3jXWrihtz87k1GFu9u/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8%253B__nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_573944nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgcnDmFF0ZUM6ATC8-8_INTmhU0AB-1W0_BM5uLjLxcl_DmSKjkhDgmm08oAdxI1-lCU1RXMikprVPGc3mrgy6k2ZYDWK1R7CVjvQCYEj5LVx2i43SonRGfYWFo3jXWrihtz87k1GFu9u/s320/232323232%257Ffp8%253B__nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_573944nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This past week, Bri set out to paint all of the cabinets white. We removed all of the hardware and spray painted them black to match the accents. We removed the doors from one set of the cabinets for open access to vases, dry baking goods, etc and to get stuff up and off of the limited counter space we have. See some "after" photos below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcqLwwGGAXs6PXdTGCKiyZ3TXJnQjCWMOL8M-ujC5ffln9wGJSr7-BMn01mxVq6oCicZo1ejZ5Y0YoWpV8kN85MxqM8x1LRpLJKb2kMnvXDPQbIs8sF4GC-xAr20Uz2Qc132Gt4Dg3T6h/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcqLwwGGAXs6PXdTGCKiyZ3TXJnQjCWMOL8M-ujC5ffln9wGJSr7-BMn01mxVq6oCicZo1ejZ5Y0YoWpV8kN85MxqM8x1LRpLJKb2kMnvXDPQbIs8sF4GC-xAr20Uz2Qc132Gt4Dg3T6h/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxOUdCIdllKYvyYu_GdF8H_HZE5490aVa2trijLo9uz-d-ApLrc0t7QCklKwQYevDN8oawDJzOlFu_NvMcF2rC7t7b2Cqe4F931m6FIlNWjiPGqISefqa3apLW5NfczN-U5_pFNuncXC/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxOUdCIdllKYvyYu_GdF8H_HZE5490aVa2trijLo9uz-d-ApLrc0t7QCklKwQYevDN8oawDJzOlFu_NvMcF2rC7t7b2Cqe4F931m6FIlNWjiPGqISefqa3apLW5NfczN-U5_pFNuncXC/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZmBAsVn5EI9k10LLm_4G-0nFPBX7UZGIGiZgv5nwP7lz-zqsnXhtwoGy9k78B2nXZpjZlNwC0mILKK4goCf5SsZlneROcayuq6yfbtKawwPPUMPOmiGwTocN93RA6vPyqMT5QRLwTwkU/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZmBAsVn5EI9k10LLm_4G-0nFPBX7UZGIGiZgv5nwP7lz-zqsnXhtwoGy9k78B2nXZpjZlNwC0mILKK4goCf5SsZlneROcayuq6yfbtKawwPPUMPOmiGwTocN93RA6vPyqMT5QRLwTwkU/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You might notice the spice rack we hung next to the open cabinet space. I am particularly excited about this piece. We found it at Goodwill in Tacoma for $3.99- I spray painted it black to match the kitchen and then sanded it down to give it the distressed look. In case you missed it in the other picture, a close up is here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInFzosraEWeqrLCVdHRUo1VBOaI43qljugABCnVec7SmalT7IPzhYnZ5YhjbMLagrQJbIuX65c2Hb76nxbDOv_xDpdLLHBj1dX1pw4LR0qMtI_TOoQ-hWTe-mRdH5Lij11QjTJPSj6dsf/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInFzosraEWeqrLCVdHRUo1VBOaI43qljugABCnVec7SmalT7IPzhYnZ5YhjbMLagrQJbIuX65c2Hb76nxbDOv_xDpdLLHBj1dX1pw4LR0qMtI_TOoQ-hWTe-mRdH5Lij11QjTJPSj6dsf/s320/024.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am on the lookout for some great glass canisters to put in the open cabinet for dry goods like flour, pasta, sugar, etc. We are inheriting a baker's rack from my parents which is literally falling apart, so we look forward to restoring it and using that to help fix the counter space problem. We will be sanding it down, painting it black and affixing it to the wall for added support. Before & after pics to follow of that project. </div><div style="text-align: center;">PS- When are you coming over to enjoy a refreshing beverage in our new/ vintage quaint kitchen!?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-76296813392331465782011-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:002011-03-23T22:03:44.942-07:00A few signs of Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYRGp19pAkXakBvyRNsHGHeWBqPx8hEhsA8jdLbgx_SYV_WBLLZFtfzurK4Hs-cfbWmOUd9wMi7fbU3LAx62vYk0wUkFG2KTDK2_do9592wHS3nPEaidSvcSS4eWLmbySeli1sPDvv_QR/s1600/Spring+Mantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYRGp19pAkXakBvyRNsHGHeWBqPx8hEhsA8jdLbgx_SYV_WBLLZFtfzurK4Hs-cfbWmOUd9wMi7fbU3LAx62vYk0wUkFG2KTDK2_do9592wHS3nPEaidSvcSS4eWLmbySeli1sPDvv_QR/s320/Spring+Mantel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Spring! I am so excited for gardening and barbequing, suntans and margaritas that I can barely contain myself! A few small projects have been taking place around the house, so I figured it was time for a small update. I pulled out some of my Spring decor on Friday (some pictured above)-and love looking at the hints of the season ahead. We received the digital photo frame (pictured) as as Christmas gift from my brother last year. I am constantly making new slideshows to play on it throughout the year. I usually use Google Image and find seasonal images which I love watching scroll by. For example, in the winter time- I loaded images of snowflakes, beautiful gifts, twinkle lights, etc. At Halloween, it held spider webs, candy, haunted houses, etc. During Bri's birthday week- I downloaded all sorts of things which Bri enjoys from Happy Birthday images to pictures of Jaw Breakers, Marissa Tomei and Seahawks logos. Of course, right now I am enjoying photos of flowers blooming, meadows of wild flowers, sunny gardens, rainbows and all things Spring. In addition to the slide show, I love having the fresh daffodils in the house. Admittedly, these are store-bought, but the tulips on the porch (from last year's bulbs) are desperately trying to bloom. They are shown below, and I look forward to seeing the flowers bloom- SOON!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkTMUvrTr3ec1TlpjDURonSaay3CG69s67QRMdd1C9B04IWYKSuDRGGsRvh6yO6xTk3s9Nkd7pS_j6diEqFW67h90dHDAPJtBdSlfj-Fy8mzEf_4ulGoFF9P59JonN-GYye3z91PyADf9/s1600/0320012026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkTMUvrTr3ec1TlpjDURonSaay3CG69s67QRMdd1C9B04IWYKSuDRGGsRvh6yO6xTk3s9Nkd7pS_j6diEqFW67h90dHDAPJtBdSlfj-Fy8mzEf_4ulGoFF9P59JonN-GYye3z91PyADf9/s320/0320012026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-14011482808497157252011-03-13T16:30:00.000-07:002011-03-20T14:34:00.064-07:00Paint Project #1, Complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We survived our first painting project! I really can't take much credit through, since most of last week I was fighting the flu, so I never even so much as picked up a paint brush. Big thank you to Bri for making this happen, and doing such a damn good job! Sometimes when I see how meticulous, detailed and thorough he is, it makes me crazy that someone out there has not hired him yet! I know I am biased- but he's an amazing worker and I'm glad I have him to complete my honey-do lists! (As you'll see below, Betty (kitty) also stepped in to help and supervise a bit as well.) </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxapmVLKZ0R0ec3DPneF6-2gtICrN7HAOA5T-SefmOhyjMOMVM1O85OpX_4kciLpRC9EucQvZpRMXpBdASEDtUVVum6076aB38VuUZXFoNpxkKJKALl3Up1mwRLzsdGv5p_Q_dmKxjK5mJ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxapmVLKZ0R0ec3DPneF6-2gtICrN7HAOA5T-SefmOhyjMOMVM1O85OpX_4kciLpRC9EucQvZpRMXpBdASEDtUVVum6076aB38VuUZXFoNpxkKJKALl3Up1mwRLzsdGv5p_Q_dmKxjK5mJ/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few touches before the project got started to see how it looks in different lights...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpT4kmPNZiEvX8J52GKrr8yvpFJW4loPlKKNt8VsvuliP_k_HhaIVelw2NpuXFZvTbh68Jq5v1h9n6O13a-jGl6TLOBjqpy3R8Dua_MxTlkk1pgur9t1Likk1WR2_EGuJCsEyBYxteHB5/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpT4kmPNZiEvX8J52GKrr8yvpFJW4loPlKKNt8VsvuliP_k_HhaIVelw2NpuXFZvTbh68Jq5v1h9n6O13a-jGl6TLOBjqpy3R8Dua_MxTlkk1pgur9t1Likk1WR2_EGuJCsEyBYxteHB5/s320/006.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Betty has approved this paint tray for use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUljsCo0ypcOH8bpygdhdVQFa261TYRPU4LibEPMFTp7jvc3V0eUmwUD0Srlw6ccJSnFB9_sTlrJzo-SHj7l8p-PTHkV3ZmpgipVqyUg_ywNym1xoylL0d-TZN9CgESHef2spyNhm9mYP/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUljsCo0ypcOH8bpygdhdVQFa261TYRPU4LibEPMFTp7jvc3V0eUmwUD0Srlw6ccJSnFB9_sTlrJzo-SHj7l8p-PTHkV3ZmpgipVqyUg_ywNym1xoylL0d-TZN9CgESHef2spyNhm9mYP/s320/010.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gulp! Here we go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZCDNSwDG2gchWIDz93N6IbagPpw6esc8pq_HykCF8BgyB4UAunkFdccizkkzWIC4bGKqDAAHpLlkFepDV4suon_zDJpgjGGG2SX8l1a_Mw96OSzIvFwl8OwKdS1WPjgUQh7Yzygu1hGh/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZCDNSwDG2gchWIDz93N6IbagPpw6esc8pq_HykCF8BgyB4UAunkFdccizkkzWIC4bGKqDAAHpLlkFepDV4suon_zDJpgjGGG2SX8l1a_Mw96OSzIvFwl8OwKdS1WPjgUQh7Yzygu1hGh/s320/015.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taping sucks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboPjqhRH6fXIjkSvAs8dcUyw1kTUZOkMc0x1tuFgHCVc5qQK1s0zh0GJngk3CJ6RlH8mlwMGB-UkFZ3OpqMUMZkIuBEPguCtKP7CYTS_ySZ9YkdvD6oN5tkxsmNUFzS2X42XJal01lrg3/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboPjqhRH6fXIjkSvAs8dcUyw1kTUZOkMc0x1tuFgHCVc5qQK1s0zh0GJngk3CJ6RlH8mlwMGB-UkFZ3OpqMUMZkIuBEPguCtKP7CYTS_ySZ9YkdvD6oN5tkxsmNUFzS2X42XJal01lrg3/s320/018.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm, Betty needs to check this out- every last inch of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZFiPu_wXtIpHAyfH8zHBUuRz3mcczdkmC_Z3cJOE1AWt7dYTgH_sIlZwj0JgEi6Xd_qbugZPPad0pt2LctECeeEJD7e9Sn5RGO-SeV3Onhvj8lPbLCPhqSQA9wTp_zZHrZIn_LXkTLp-/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZFiPu_wXtIpHAyfH8zHBUuRz3mcczdkmC_Z3cJOE1AWt7dYTgH_sIlZwj0JgEi6Xd_qbugZPPad0pt2LctECeeEJD7e9Sn5RGO-SeV3Onhvj8lPbLCPhqSQA9wTp_zZHrZIn_LXkTLp-/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finished product. We are very happy with the subtle, yet overall dramatic difference. It feels polished, clean and soothing. I'd say it was a success for a first time project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iqmX5UDT3uaTDgYCfKqSRvHuuoXfh92S-54da6oofa5XXLG6gImya8l9rezt1U3LjcbQDShF9c5-_vZ2WDhCirV9zlnH8IIvPAeamyeaBzDM1eIQ5OrExhGNNIWeYWL682MgWeDhMpUl/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iqmX5UDT3uaTDgYCfKqSRvHuuoXfh92S-54da6oofa5XXLG6gImya8l9rezt1U3LjcbQDShF9c5-_vZ2WDhCirV9zlnH8IIvPAeamyeaBzDM1eIQ5OrExhGNNIWeYWL682MgWeDhMpUl/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view of the livingroom. We like the "Robin's Egg" feel of the walls and how they compliment the dark brown furniture and dark wood furniture & blinds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So- what do you think!?! And, do you have any painting experiences worth sharing? Please comment them here! We are thinking about tackling the kitchen next- particularly painting the cabinets/ new harware/ walls. Advice? Dos? Donts? Help us out!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-57762316733924254342011-03-09T15:30:00.000-08:002011-03-20T14:35:12.199-07:00Painting Fever - (No pun intended since I'm fighting the flu)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIqG4AmVFRyPWNxSbdbgyLvi_4ivH1_7Z_wp9TMqrXghQ0ha2-4C29HRPCsNlvD4uAwr8ktVnlIOyMhClhf4HILNhdlRyj9AydR87ve3ac5afPzJ_FROoJYDqLQ90BDPnFDPE-6Lq41V-/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8_4_nu%253D323__44%253B_56__232%253B44%253B65%253B%253B89ot1lsi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIqG4AmVFRyPWNxSbdbgyLvi_4ivH1_7Z_wp9TMqrXghQ0ha2-4C29HRPCsNlvD4uAwr8ktVnlIOyMhClhf4HILNhdlRyj9AydR87ve3ac5afPzJ_FROoJYDqLQ90BDPnFDPE-6Lq41V-/s320/232323232%257Ffp8_4_nu%253D323__44%253B_56__232%253B44%253B65%253B%253B89ot1lsi.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMT0lmg6JafS6e_Qbg3IquCnfpK7ZsRwaNpQ1yhCPLSt0vDDRQD-lbDJSh8wkQB5uN4qw0GeZ4RThLH48jp4Z2KK5QAwS4uIpq-bcFfHBFMIMewZdSEMP9G8D3xvMgoiU6SYyTHcrlPmU/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8%253B4_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_57294_nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMT0lmg6JafS6e_Qbg3IquCnfpK7ZsRwaNpQ1yhCPLSt0vDDRQD-lbDJSh8wkQB5uN4qw0GeZ4RThLH48jp4Z2KK5QAwS4uIpq-bcFfHBFMIMewZdSEMP9G8D3xvMgoiU6SYyTHcrlPmU/s320/232323232%257Ffp8%253B4_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_57294_nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BxH128pSH6V64jSHqAvXmn6092-MXNUvmA65quKvTzVp4wurdmk_ZrsAYI87-D5slHAADKI15ZD2ANiy-pU1PgjP1El3nrnIE8YabThH2enXpW6O84nIC2mqftvD7hNL2TW75FWdSq3t/s1600/232323232%257Ffp8___nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_56287%253Bnu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BxH128pSH6V64jSHqAvXmn6092-MXNUvmA65quKvTzVp4wurdmk_ZrsAYI87-D5slHAADKI15ZD2ANiy-pU1PgjP1El3nrnIE8YabThH2enXpW6O84nIC2mqftvD7hNL2TW75FWdSq3t/s320/232323232%257Ffp8___nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_56287%253Bnu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG8S-dYo4lkP0s_XzjbxEVnAji9a3t08mIBSK-HqcpypcgIDvbHfdMmfU19ombsngL5d73_Bay-63SnziJ4CkOMwUJ3g0QTXaisp86xQXs2MB6R2gHKItrdv9rcPuKylA6Mao9_Tvsby5/s1600/232323232%257Ffp933_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_56287_nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG8S-dYo4lkP0s_XzjbxEVnAji9a3t08mIBSK-HqcpypcgIDvbHfdMmfU19ombsngL5d73_Bay-63SnziJ4CkOMwUJ3g0QTXaisp86xQXs2MB6R2gHKItrdv9rcPuKylA6Mao9_Tvsby5/s320/232323232%257Ffp933_nu%253D3334_5___%253B83_WSNRCG%253D323_53_56287_nu0mrj.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, we are about to embark on our first ever painting project! (er, should I say, Brian mostly, is about to embark on this project while I am at work.) We've been busy over the past few weeks learning the ins and outs of home-buying and meeting with landlords and credit unions,etc. While we aren't quite to the paper-signing stage, we are ready to take some steps to making this house a little bit more reflective of <em>our</em> home. We are going to be painting our living room/ hallway area first, and I've posted "Before" photos above. A hint to make your brain hurt until the "after" photos are posted- the name of the color: "Shaded Silver Moss" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I grow up, I want to name color crayons & paint swatches.</span></strong></em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-25497155093853142902011-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:002011-03-09T15:31:42.053-08:00Progress is made... But these aren't quite "afters"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>A little update from our yard- Brian has spent the last week outside pruning, weeding, trimming, digging, etc- trying to get the yard ready for Spring/ Summer. We had to hire someone today to come haul away the waste- SO MUCH! Still a very long ways to go (Including the front yard which he's started on today) but it's really obvious that he's been hard at work all week on this. I think the improvements are vast- do you notice a difference? Can't wait for when everything is blooming & growing!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>(PS)- We meet with our landlords on Saturday to begin discussing the prospect of buying- we are very excited/ nervous and anxious to see where this adventure may be taking us!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW7KQ-HbIo0S72rLJiQ49vnwfUYhfkjdS6fXa24Rabyj9PMtKwrvMY6bzZPWtfiq27YgV_UXwS0EWUdVvJA0pUO9vfD0zLEdW_zqXxVvxuOlEofubYeAHRPZoRwzt25npO8aL0MNh7Evi/s1600/CIMG1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW7KQ-HbIo0S72rLJiQ49vnwfUYhfkjdS6fXa24Rabyj9PMtKwrvMY6bzZPWtfiq27YgV_UXwS0EWUdVvJA0pUO9vfD0zLEdW_zqXxVvxuOlEofubYeAHRPZoRwzt25npO8aL0MNh7Evi/s320/CIMG1998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152393338545049739.post-86727353598524983592011-02-05T10:48:00.000-08:002011-03-20T14:42:31.229-07:00Welcome to our Humble Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Welcome to our Home! We have lived in this charming house for almost exactly two years now. We have been renting from a previous coworker of Kelly's and are in the beginning stages of (hopefully!)buying the house from the current owners. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Some things we love about living here:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Washer & Dryer! (We've had to save our quarters before, and laundry-freedom is something we'll never take for granted again!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fenced back yard with trees, a green house, patio & garden.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wood-burning fireplace</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The view of the Olympic Mountains... just to name a few.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Some things we don't love about living here:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Kitchen. No dishwasher. Awkward counter space. Years of layered paint.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One specific neighbor.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The yard- attacking Lavender plants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFfw4oSHphjOSo_9DNexKz9BhZk8j7NPwSOB1ENuUiA1PRSj_7Ytkya310DendnvTsAMfoTZJ-_8CDT9zIFKJQ8vJ6moEOcozcWPXqQFms9kSYM4FfrciqkcB1uKxee79E8sH5_L2qPRU/s1600/House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFfw4oSHphjOSo_9DNexKz9BhZk8j7NPwSOB1ENuUiA1PRSj_7Ytkya310DendnvTsAMfoTZJ-_8CDT9zIFKJQ8vJ6moEOcozcWPXqQFms9kSYM4FfrciqkcB1uKxee79E8sH5_L2qPRU/s320/House.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Come along with us as we explore how to love the things we don't and take full advantage of the things we do!</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1