Cabinets, Paint, Mexico!

Sometimes it can be frustrating if you know in your mind what you want, but trying to find it in a store is a different story! Know what I mean?! We looked online for about an hour and a half Thursday night for some cabinets for the kids' catch-all area in the laundry room. Nope. Nothing. Well, nothing in the price range that I set for this little project. Yes, we can go over what I allotted but that would mean a delay in getting this room done. A delay in this room would mean a delay in my craft area. And I sure don't want that to happen! =] Everything we found had huge shipping costs attached to it! I'm talking like as much as the cabinet itself. So... this morning we dropped the kids off at school and headed out for a full day of shopping for that perfect cabinet that is in my head. This picture is not of "my perfect cabinet", but the closest thing I could find, $99:

I just wanted to share it with you because it'll be a couple of days before we can set it up and see if it'll work.

I found this FREE neat little tool on Sherwin-Williams website.  You take a picture of the area you want to paint.  "Mask" it off, and then select the color you want and it shows you what it will look like.  The stuff hanging on the wall has been masked over because I didn't want to go in and tediously mask around it so I just covered it all.  Now mind you, due to monitor limitations the colors are not completely accurate.  In fact, it almost looks rose in this picture, but it is really one of their darkest red colors.  You get the jest of it.  How about this for my dining room?

Or stay like it is...

I've been debating this color change ever since I painted the family room (the room off to the right in this pic) during spring break 09.  I picked out about 20 color swatches of the dark red.  Narrowed it down to one and taped the swatches to my walls.  I moved them around all summer and fall.  Then one day I just gave up and decided to leave it like it was because I couldn't decide.  I am probably the most indecisive person you will ever meet in your life.  Really, it is ridiculous!

So... here I go again!!  Decisions, decisions, decisions!!  I was going to buy the paint today, but ran out of time because of the cabinet ordeal.  Honestly and truly, what do you think of my 'Sun dried Tomato' wall color?  Ditch it or keep it??

I have a little bit of time to think about it.  Everything is getting ready to be put on hold.  I'm going on vacation!  Woo Hoo!!  Except without Rich or the kids.  So that's gonna be kinda weird.  Next Wednesday, the 27th, I head out to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!!!  Hello sunshine!  I'm so excited, yet sad about leaving my family.  My parents live in Mexico during the winter months.  The first half of the winter they live in a village a little north of Puerto Vallarta.  Then the last half of the winter, they move up to central Mexico (because the beach gets too hot, so sad!) to Guadalajara.  Because of Rich's incredible flying benefits from working for American Airlines, I fly FREE!  I stay with my parents for FREE!  And while there, they spoil you rotten by taking you out to eat almost every single meal.  How could I pass up an offer like this??

I'm so glad my parents have internet and a laptop where they live. I can sit out in the sun by the beach and keep up with my blogs!! =] Yes, they live that close to the beach. It is an amazing time, I've been there before.

Well, lots and lots to do before I leave.  I have a home to clean (because I'm a freak like that.. can't leave a messy home even though my kids will be making a mess while I'm gone), camera to get ready, summer clothes to dig out (that's going to be nice for a change!!).

Don't worry; I won't be rubbing in the perfect paradise weather of 80 degrees.  I'll just wait and post some pics for ya.  Have a wonderful week ahead and I'll be checking in from time to time.

 I am grateful for opportunities like this that God places before me. To travel and see his beautiful creation, to get a glimpse and a taste of paradise. Then to realize that it's not even a drop in the bucket compared to the eternal paradise awaiting me one day with Him!

Re-arranging Rooms

I sure do love the mood I get into when I take down my Christmas decorations.  Everything looks so clean, so sparse.  Well, not really sparse because my home is full of things I love so it might be to the point of clutter for some people.  But I surround myself with things I love.  Anyway, back to the point.

In light of this creative mood that I'm in, I have been re-thinking the purpose of a couple of rooms in my home.  So... I have taken it upon myself to do some re-arranging.  As I sat down in one of the rooms to make a mental list, I started to get the feeling of being overwhelmed with the task ahead of me.  Yikes!

This is the plan:  I will take everything out of my now craft/laundry room and turn it into a catch-all-kid room.  Hmm... I need to come up with a catchy name for that area.  I re-painted the room back in October with the plans of purging and organizing as I put it back in the room.  See how nice and clean it is?

Well, it didn't get organized-- more like thrown back in the room and looks worse than ever now.  So... all my craft and scrapbook stuff is going upstairs to the library.  I still have to buy 3 more cabinets with that same finish to store it all in.

When everything is out of that area, then we will get three (one for each child) bookcase-type cabinets.  That will be their area for their school books, athletic equip that is not kept in the garage, toys, jackets, shoes, and no telling what else.  I have a 24 x 36" bulletin board that will go on the wall for all their school/sports/fundraiser/whatever else papers.

This picture is definitely a before shot.  Before I even painted the room.  Eeek!!  Wow, that's a mess!!  This behind the door area will be where all their craft, crayons, play-doh, etc will be.

That is all I can think of at the moment, but I am going to do some net surfing about organizing kids stuff.  If anyone has some great ideas they want to pass on, I would be ever so appreciative!

Julie, this is mainly for you.  =]  When we were stuck at home in the snow and ice, I took the opportunity to organize my gift closet.  This is the only space in my home that is neat, clean and organized right now.  Lol!!  This is pretty much what it is...

This 3-drawer cabinet contains boxes, gift bags, tissue, and flat wrap.  The bottom drawer contains only Christmas.  The middle drawer is organized by everyday, baby, birthday, and kids' categories.  The top drawer is all solid colors.  Yes, there are lots of solid bags-- 200+!  But don't you worry... I only buy them on clearance.  Those all happen to come from Hobby Lobby where I paid pennies for a bag!  I'm such the bargain shopper.  On both sides of the cabinet is where I store my roll wrap.  One side is Christmas kids and the other side is other Christmas, baby, and birthday wrap.

The big blue tote is where I store gifts that I buy throughout the year.  I mainly start buying the essentials for my kids' Christmas (pj's, undies, slippers, etc) in June.  Also, if I come across an extremely awesome deal on something, it gets tossed into the tote.

The small blue tote is the "party tote".  It holds balloons, streamers, banners, etc.  That is mainly Amariah's department.  She's my big birthday decorator.  This is awesome for me!  Not only does she love to do it, I love being able to mark that off my list without any worries.  No stress there!  =]

This tote holds the 25 cent packages of bows that I buy after Christmas.  I love after-Christmas sales!  On top of it, I keep all my solid tissue paper.  It is organized by color (of the rainbow).  Yes, I am a freak... I already know that because my family likes to remind me.  I had to show you my little stash of tape.  Every year after Christmas at Hobby Lobby, we always have tons of tape left over.  So I stock up on it at 66% and 80% off!

Then this shelf contains cards.  The box on the right is my Christmas card box.  It contains silver pens, cards, address labels and thank you notes.  The box in the middle is my card organizer.  It came from Current.  Remember that neat little catalog?  I wonder if it's still around?  I've had that box for many, many years.  It just happens to be the very first thing I ever bought, even before I married, for organizing.  I guess it can be blamed for my organizing madness!  The box on the left is mainly Christmas gift tags/labels.  There are a few everyday ones in there.

I guess this post is long enough.  If you made it this far, then thank you for holding out till the end.  If you stopped 1/4 of the way into it... I really don't blame you.  Haha!  I'm just way procrastinating!  I could accomplish so much in the next hour with the kids being in bed, Rich gone to work.  But I'm a little overwhelmed on where to start.  I think I'll post pictures as I go so I can look back and see that progress is being made.

I am grateful today for a place in my home for everything and everything (soon to be) in place.

Fluffing, fluffing and more fluffing

Whew!  Fluffing, fluffing and more fluffing!  I'm tired of fluffing!  This is what I've been doing most of the afternoon/evening.

First, our family Christmas tree.  This beautiful 7.5' Mixed Colorado Long Needle tree will have a prominent place in our home as it will be decked out in all the family heirloom treasures and precious handmade ornaments from the kids.

The next tree is a 7' Mini Canadian Pine tree.  This is my 3rd Christmas tree to put up this year.  It's reserved for my snowmen only!  I'm not much on Santa, so I tend to buy more "snowmen-oriented" items.

Lastly, this is something new for my home.  I've always wanted to wrap garland around my staircase, but have never found what I wanted.  Well, last year I got fortunate again at the Hobby Lobby after Christmas sale!   I bought four garlands at 80% off.  They were $24.99 each!  On top of that, I was able to use my 15% off employee discount!  So you can imagine how happy I am!  =]  But goodness sakes, what a bear it was to work with.  It didn't want to bend very easily.  I'm satisfied with the way it turned out.

I'm thinking about buying strands of battery operated lights to intertwine in the garland.  I'm not quite sure yet.  Hmmm...

Well, not much Christmas decorating was accomplished today.  Just lots and lots of fluffing.  At least that part is over with for right now.  I still have 2 little trees to put up.  My family loves to joke about all the Christmas trees in our home, but deep down I just know they love it almost as much as me!  I'm grateful they put up with me!  =]

Good finds

I don't have any Black Friday good deals being as I had to work today.  But I do have a couple of good finds that I'm pretty proud of.  So proud, that I want to share.

I have wanted a cardinal Christmas tree for a few years now.  I've been searching for just the right tree.  I'm so happy to say that I finally found it!

The tree was originally $393.00.  I got it at 80% off last year after Christmas.  On top of that, I got another 15% off because of it being an employee purchase since I work at Hobby Lobby.  It is a gorgeous 7.5 foot snowed mixed pine tree with red berries and pine cones.  How perfect for a cardinal or two!!

This is the only Christmas decoration I had in my house before Thanksgiving.  I am a very traditional kind of gal.  I wait for Thanksgiving to be over before I retire my fall decorations and bring out the Christmas.  I just couldn't wait for this tree any longer!  I love it so!

I am so excited about adding another object of affection to my ever-growing list of goodies to watch out for when I'm antiquing.  You know... that 'thrill of the hunt'.  The glass balls are in place; now to add the cardinals.

While shopping in Colorado, my sister wanted to stop at a Home Goods store.  I had never heard of it but as always, I was anxious to see what goodies I could find.  Boy, did I ever come across a couple of good finds!

This candle holder was only $3.  I was so excited about the price that I didn't even think to see if the light actually worked!  Haha!  I rubbed some black paint on it to age it a little more.  I took off the sad looking homespun and added my own homespun that has a touch of Christmas colors.  The light works!  So exciting for me!

This little crock light, that I paid $2 for, also needed homespun to make it cozy.  I stopped by Wal-mart's fabric dept. one day while grocery shopping and was so joyful when I realized they carry homespun for $2 and $2.99 a yard!!  I went a little crazy (he he!), but I have lots of fabulous homespun to add to my collection.  And this light works too!

It's cute, but lacking.  I came across this sweet little wreath made of pip berries and rusted tin stars.  I really like it now, and I like its new location better too-- right next to a couple of small crock jars that I purchased for $2 and $3 at Gordman's.  They are sitting on top of a candle box that I bought as unfinished wood about 9+ years ago.  I painted and sanded it and use it regularly.  I like my things... but I also like my things to be functional!  The adorable little sign is "the cherry on top".  =]

I am grateful for the things in my home that I call my 'treasures' and that bring simple joy to me.

Timber!

Yes, a very scary sight indeed!

"Do you think we can bring it down without it falling on the house?"

T-i-m-b-e-r!!!

'Tis a bittersweet moment for me.  I've been holding out for two years.  Even though the tree was dead, I just couldn't bear to see it come down.  I absolutely love my huge trees!  But it was time to let go ...

Enough sadness... now on to fun things!

God is blessing us with tremendous beautiful weather!  You just have to love a day of playing in the leaves!

Now it's mom's turn... gotta build it high so I don't break any bones!

I am grateful for these gorgeous days to spend with my family, making wonderful memories!  What could be more precious?

Now that the tree is gone, we see where our next project lies.  A new roof, a new paint job, a flagpole where the tree once stood.  All projects that will have to wait till spring.  For now it is time to go inside; and start preparing breads, jellies, cookies and candies for our dear friends and family.

At the close of a delightful day, I already know how blessed I am.  My kids are happy and healthy.  My husband is willing and able to work around the home.  My home is something I've always dreamed of but never thought I would have.  My God continues to pour out His great love and blessings to me and my family.  What more could I ever need?

I love to decorate for Fall

I love the colors of Fall.  Burnt orange, mustard, barn red, mahogany, brown, olive.

I use the top of my husband's grandmother's hutch to make a full display of pumpkins, leaves, and the colors I love so much.  These are a few of my favorite Fall treasures.  I'm rather fond of my crow, I think it's cute.

I just love berries.  Any kind, any color.  Not sure, but it could have something to do with my last name?

Don't you just love the candy corn? Since I couldn't make it to the Ozark, MO craft festival, my dear friend Jeanna brought a little of it to me. Thanks girl! It's too cute!

The orange truck on the box is reminiscent of the old orange farm truck we had. I can remember sitting on the floorboard of it when Dad would drop me off at school. I was SO embarrassed! My how times have changed... I love that old farm truck so much that it's sitting at my house now!

I love my garden window.  I always wanted one at my old house but for various reasons, I never had one.  When we were looking to buy this house, the garden window was the first selling point for me.  My husband said my eyes lit up and I had a huge smile when I saw that window.  Yeah, I pretty much LOVE it!

Homespun... it's just so cozy! The small brown jars came from my Grandma Smith's house in Princeville, IL. I loved going to visit her. How precious it is for me to see these jars every single day as I look out my window and think back on the wonderful memories I have of Grandma.

"Blessings"... abundant in my life!  The sweet soul that we bought our house from, left me a handmade bowl that she made.  She was amazing with pottery.  I feel like she has entrusted me to take care of her home that her husband built from the ground up.  Special folks, Gerald and Jan Rider are. 

Ah, Ryan's baby plate and cup.  On one of the first shopping trips that Ryan, my mom and I journeyed on back in the Fall of 95, I knew I had to have this set to pass on to him one of these days.  It's such a sweet set and I wish I had one for each child.  My most simple, but favorite way to decorate... tie a ribbon or homespun around a treasure and add a pick.

My newest acquisition from my latest antiquing excursion with my dear friend, Jeanna-- the beautiful turquoise jar.

I am grateful for the many wonderful memories that my treasures provide.  Oh, how I delight in these small pleasures!

Craft Room Remodel

Yikes!  No wonder I couldn't find anything or get anything accomplished!  Yes, it was this bad!  Actually worse than this... I had already cleaned off the shelf, walls and everything out from underneath the table before I took this picture.  It was a grotesque mess!

I have the best help in the world!  Not only does he do a great job for a 4 year old, but he's cheap... only requiring goldfish for pay.  You can't beat that!  I let Robbie help on the first coat.  It kept him busy and after the second coat had dried, you couldn't even tell he had been there.  He was SO excited about being a big help to me.  I love making my kids feel like they are accomplishing great things. 

YAH!  It is finished!  Well... this wall anyway.  I have a similar cabinet to go beside this one.  I can't wait to fill them with all my goodies in an organized and labeled fashion! =]

Another wall.  When was the last time you pulled your washer and dryer out from the wall?  Has it been more than three years?  If so, I encourage you to take a look at what you have back there.  Boy, oh, boy!  EEEKKK!!  It was quite interesting and I'll just leave it at that.

Ahhh... this is more like it!  Clean.  I love clean!

It's almost hard to tell in the pictures, but the new color is quite a bit darker than the original.  I'm loving it already!  It's been fun watching it transform into a peaceful, cozy little place that will be my haven.  I am grateful for a little place in my home that I can call my own.  I already love my little craft corner... even though I have to share with the laundry...