The Last Day

{Flowers from my front steps as we speak….a morning smile required after seeing these}

If you are married to a hunter, date one, or your father was a hunter, you know that tomorrow is THE LAST DAY of hunting season. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see this day. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I find it wonderful that my husband has a hobby that he loves so dearly, and I do try my very best to let him enjoy it to its fullest. And he does!

This past month I have went two straight weeks without seeing him at all. Now,  I’m not sure how many wives would agree to such a thing, but for whatever reason…I did. Distance does make the heart grow fonder, and I will be so grateful to have him back with me. I will gladly admit that I have missed him like crazy. He makes me feel better on those long, hard days at school, and I love him for that.

The good news about hunting season other than him being with me is that we can get to work on some projects around the house. There are just some things I need his help with, and I will be welcoming his help with open arms. Now, if the weather can just warm up and cooperate, I will be a happy camper. I’m thinking I need that shirt from Darby’s shop.

I’m dreading an early morning to school tomorrow seeing as how I have gym duty in the morning. I usually get to school at the same time as I do when I have duty. However, I still like to have that freedom just in case I oversleep or just can’t get my act together in the morning or if I just can’t get enough of a blog and would like to read a little bit longer. I’m guilty of all three.

Remember that to-do list? It didn’t happen. Only one thing happened of all four things. It was a major thing though! The bookcases came in, and I’m all smiles because of it. I put it together first thing Saturday morning and forfeited the rest of the day to my mother who tempted me with a treasure hunt. There will be more on that later.

I did make another to-do list today. I’m ready to knock some more things off of it. It was more like a week long to-do list.

Tomorrow will consist of school, picking up a magazine, and grocery shopping.

This is how  grocery shop. I make a menu. Then, I make my grocery list. I know you’re probably thinking that it is ridiculous to type my grocery list, but I would still be sitting here tomorrow trying to write it all down. I’m a slow writer.

As for that magazine, I’ll be telling you more about that tomorrow once I pick up my copy.

23

That’s how old I am. Many people don’t believe me though. Many people who see me at school as a teacher ask how old I am. They think I’m like 18 years old. Right now I don’t really take that as a compliment, but I’m sure in the future I will be grateful for looking so young if this trend continues to follow me for the rest of my days.

I was so grateful on my birthday for everyone’s sweet thoughts. It makes you feel good knowing that people care enough about you to send you a happy birthday message on Facebook. I am aware that Facebook gives you a friendly reminder, but it is the thought of someone taking time out of their day to tell me happy birthday. All of the sweet thoughts certainly make a girl feel special.

Like I said in my previous post, my husband took me out to eat on my actual birthday to The Fish House in Pensacola. For all of you wives out there who’s husbands hunt, you will know immediately that this is kind of a big deal. It’s hunting season. Prime time hunting season in fact. One day out of January {my birthday} he refrains from hunting and spends the day with me. I am ever so appreciative of that, too.

On the following day, we had the day off from school thanks to MLK Jr.. My mom cooked us a wonderful supper and baked a cake to celebrate with my family. I was greeted by this sweet face when I arrived at the house.

 

{She wasn’t being very cooperative with the camera}

She and her mommy also made me these sweet drawings that she so graciously held up for her Aunt B to take a photo.

I adore this little girl. She told me last night how much she loved me and that she wanted to stay at my house, but at 11 o’clock last night she was in desperate need for her mom or nana {my mom}. After a quick phone call, her mom was to the rescue and made everything all better.

On another note, I did survive school yesterday. I didn’t feel very good, but I made it through. What did make it better was two things…

1. My mother-in-law brought me a happy.

 

She walked over yesterday to give this plant to me that she rooted herself. It doesn’t have all the leaves it will have since it is the dead of winter, but in the summer it will be fully loaded and ultimately delightful.  I don’t know if it will stay here because of its need for sunlight, but I do love it!

2. These boxes were at my door last night when I came back home.

That’s riiiiiggghhhhtttt! My bookcases are here, so I’ll be spending part of my day putting them together. Yippee!

Okay…I hope you all have a terrific Saturday! I have a hot date with my husband tonight whom I have only seen once this week, and I can’t wait to have him back.

Ready for Friday

It is that time of the week again! It is nearly time to do a Friday dance. I know that I’m so relieved to see this week finally end. I believe I would have enjoyed today much more if I could have worn jeans to work. I wanted it to be Friday so bad. I wanted to wear jeans. At least tomorrow is jeans day, or  some would refer to it as casual day.

I know some of you might wonder what kind of difference that makes, but it changes my entire attitude. I’m happier in jeans. I’m more comfortable in jeans. I do my best work when I’m comfortable. Who wouldn’t? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not wearing grungy, shredded jeans or anything. Heck, I wouldn’t even wear those at home. Not my style.

Trouser jeans or skinny jeans with boots are more to my taste. So, if you see me tomorrow, I will likely be all smiles in the morning. I can’t guarantee it in the afternoon because I will likely be experience exhaustion, but I will try to do it just because it will be FRIDAY!

I have made my to-do list already. I have a couple of major projects I want to work on this weekend, and it all really depends on two things.

1. Weather: If it is too cold, this girl will likely be inside where it is warm.

2. UPS: Remember those bookcases I ordered? It looks like they won’t make it until next week, but I still have my fingers crossed since they are already in Montgomery. Hey….a girl can hope. Montgomery is just 2 hours away. Who says they couldn’t have estimated the arrival time wrong? It’s happened before, and THAT’S what I’m COUNTING ON!

Here is what is on my to-do list. You can probably go ahead and guess a few things….

• Strip desk and sand it
• Stain desk
• Sand and stain bookcase
• Put up bookshelves
• Remove coffee table

The last two are based on the fact that UPS ships in my favor tomorrow. Let’s pray it happens.

On a lighter note, I have enjoyed the simple things in life lately. For instance, my sister came over tonight and painted my toe nails. That’s the perk of having a sister who went to cosmetology school, right?

The color: Friar Friar Pants on Fire!

It was also my birthday two weeks ago, and after my wonderful dinner at the Fish House in Pensacola, my husband reluctantly drove me to T.J. Maxx as I silently prayed that they were still open since it was quite late for a shopping extravaganza. Boy did I luck up, too!

I had been looking for some apothecary jars for quite some time. The last time  was in there I had spotted one, walked away to get a buggy to prevent me being clumsy and dropping it causing it to smash to smithereens, and when I came back it was G-O-N-E! I suspect someone saw me eyeing it and swept it right out from under me.

Not this time though! I came in with a buggy with one thing on my agenda. Apothecaries. I went straight to the back and spotted one for $10. Then, I spotted a different one for the same price. Let’s just say they now have a cozy spot in my bedroom for now. They have nothing in them. I haven’t decided what to fill them with, nor have I had the time.

Speaking of birthdays…my grandmother surprised me with a painting that she did for me! How sweet is that!

On top of that, one of my classroom mamas baked and decorated me a beautiful cake.

That will be for another day.

Okay….Go ahead and do your Friday dance!

Hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!

Pattern Problems

As many of you have already discovered if you’ve read this blog even once, I am giving my house a bit of a facelift. This is mine and Colby’s first year of marriage, and I’m working tirelessly at trying to make this house more of a home.

I have a confession to make. I have problems.

Problem #1:

Pillows are still on my couch from Christmas.

Problem #2:

The reason pillows are still on my couch from Christmas is because I have commitment issues.

Problem #3:

The reason I have commitment issues is because I love pattern, but I really don’t have that sense that tells you IMMEDIATELY when two patterns can sit by each other and like each other with no problem.

Problem #4:

I love color. Love it, I tell you! I’m a bit scared of it though. This is what I’m trying to break. I will pick a boring brown any day, but when it comes to true color…I freak. I can’t commit. That’s why I need your help!

Here are a couple of pillows I’m particularly drawn to because they go with my color scheme.

If you really feel sorry for me, please feel free to browse etsy and help me out! Which do you like of these? Got some suggestions? I’m particularly drawn to the first set. Please share!

Love and kisses!

Number Seven: Check

This is not from my 101 list. This is actually from my latest list, 11 House Goals of 2011. That means I now I have 10 to go! Whoop! Whoop!

I just ordered two of these!

Won’t they be lovely? I can’t wait for them to be here. I sure hope some glitch happens, and they arrive at least by Friday. I would love to put them up this weekend. The estimated arrival date is Monday though. Bummer!

So, I’ll be providing a before and after once they arrive. Seriously…I’m totally excited!

Feed Your Soul: Free Art Project!

If that didn’t catch your attention, I don’t know what will. My house is under a major decorating project this year. There about 1,000 projects to be done, and in my mind I want them done {oh, I don’t know} today!

One thing I have really been looking for is art to put on the walls, particularly in the bedrooms, office, and living room. I really don’t need large art. It just needs to be several small pieces of art grouped together. Well, I don’t know if I can group this together, but I can tell you that you will appreciate this tip.

I found the website called “Feed Your Soul: The Free Art Project”. How awesome is that! Every month different artists are invited to share printable pieces of art.

I, for one, picked several pieces to print. On the first one I printed, I was so shocked at how well it turned out. Now, I will tell you that I have a color laser printer that I’m pretty fond of, but I’m sure yours will turn out great, too.

Here are a few samples that I chose:

I think I ended up printing like eight of them. Who knows where they might turn up around the house? I can’t wait to buy frames for them and matte them, and I most certainly can’t wait to share it with you when it is all done.

Make sure to comment which ones you printed or liked the most!

Winter Weather Slump

I’m in a slump. A winter weather slump. I have a to-do list a mile long. Each morning I get up and look around at the gazillion things I would like to get done that day, which would be great expect for one thing… my day would need to last thousands of hours.

Another problem is that because I’m in this winter weather slump, I’m a little less motivated to get up and move. By the time I make it through a work day, I am not nearly motivated to do ANYTHING at all seeing as how I’m completely and utterly exhausted. Five year olds are no joke.

I want to start being crafty again {or at least up to my normal level}. I want to finish those projects around my house. I want my house to be clean for heaven’s sake.

I know what you’re thinking. Get up and clean it! Don’t get me wrong. My house is not like an episode of “Hoarders” or anything. It just needs a little picking up here and there, and the floors need cleaning. It’s nothing major really. It just gets on my nerves when its not done. I need a housekeeper is what I need. Then, I could just walk in from school in the afternoons and feel totally refreshed because that would be one less thing to worry about. Why pay a housekeeper though when my house isn’t even that dirty? Why must my obsessive compulsiveness kick in in regards to housework?

Another thing is that this winter weather is causing me to be a little down in the dumps. Is it just me, or are you tired of looking at brown grass, no flowers, and bare branches?

Spring, you must hurry! I need to see green grass and a bright sun and flowers blooming. It makes me happy!

I hope you all have a fabulous week! I’m going to try to get out of this slump and get back to work!

COMING SOON: It’s Was My Birthday!

Booked!

This is something that I’m really excited about because it will be mine and Colby’s first trip to the Smoky Mountains by ourselves. Because our anniversary lands on a week when I will still be in school, I thought it would be great to take advantage of my spring break as the perfect opportunity to get away for our anniversary then instead.

I figured that we could do something a little more low key on our actual anniversary, but this trip will definitely suffice my need for a trip.

What is great about this year is that we’ll actually be making two trips to the good ole Smokies! One will be in April and the other in October.

I’ve never been during the fall, so since my friend is getting married there {and that I’m in the wedding}, it is the perfect reason to go then, too.

I simply can’t wait. I would go today if I could.

Well, maybe not today. Today I’m fine with being holed up in my house staying warm.

This is where we’ll be staying in April. We’ve booked this cabin before with my family, and I like to stick with something I know is a good deal {and very clean}.

Instead of staying in busy Gatlinburg or touristry Pigeon Forge, we’ll be staying in Wears Valley. I promise you now that if you’re going to go there that this is the area to stay in. I also highly recommend Cove Mountain Realty to book cabins. Lots of choices and very clean!

Here’s the link to our cabin if you’re interested in going.

Progress Made…Progress Delayed

Remember that chair that was on my mile long project list?

If you missed that post, the chair was the only one of the original dining chairs that remained with my dining set that I bought from my grandmother.

Needless to say, it was in pretty bad shape. I’m sure wiping it down could have done it a world of good, but I was wanting more than that. I wanted it to have a new life. Didn’t it deserve that?

The Before:

Pretty disgusting, huh?

Well, not anymore! I bought three cans of spray paint {different colors, of course}. I tried the first one, which turned out to be a little more silver than I was wanting. It DID NOT go with my re-upholstered cushion.

Within ten minutes, it had changed colors twice! I decided to try ivory next, and I fell in love immediately! It now has a home by my desk, but for the photo’s sake I moved it to the back bedroom where I had the best lighting.

The After:

Are you liking what you see?

As for the desk project, it has been delayed due to uncooperative weather. I’m sorry, but there is NO WAY I’m getting out in the ridiculous cold weather that my body is not accustomed to.  Another problem is that I still can’t find our handy-dandy mouse sander, which gets into all the nooks and crannies. Maybe I’ll have some luck this weekend!

Until then, it will remain looking like this!

HAPPY MONDAY TUESDAY!

Great End to My Day

Today has been a little bit of stressful day, but it was all made better when I stopped by Antigone’s Cottage in town to check out what they had.

They’re a terrific little antique shop, and about two or three months ago I spotted a table that I fell in love with. We have a particularly small living room, which is where our front door is located.

I wanted a small entry table that we could put our keys on and fill that wall, but I didn’t want to crowd the entryway into our house. This was perfect, and I knew it was when I saw the table.

So, I didn’t buy the table a few months ago. I passed. I didn’t have the money for it, so I broke my own heart and passed it up.

I didn’t make the same mistake twice though. I went back today, and I was shocked when I still saw it there. Things of that sort seem to go quickly around our town. The best part was that it was $100 cheaper.

SOLD!

Now, I have this by our front door. For now, I have sat this painting that Colby’s aunt painted on top of the table and removed a lamp from my dining room buffet. It will do for now.

I’m hoping to find some accessories soon to spruce it up and make it a little more inviting.

Now, if I can only get this armoire….

and reupholster this chair….

{FYI: This chair was given to us. We did not pick out the fabric}

and get a rug similar to this….

 

and add this lamp…

And this room will be complete! Needless to say, I’ve got a long way to go!

AND of course I’ll want this for a lot cheaper than what Pottery Barn offers {except for the armoire}. I’m willing to pay for that.

What do you think? I’m thinking I LOVE IT!!!

There’s another good thing about this table though. You all know that I was considering this same type table for my bedroom. Before I put the table in its permanent home, I gave it a test run in the bedroom.

The decision has been made. Crescent tables in the bedroom, too!

Too Cold For Me!

Hello blog readers! I must tell you that I’m blogging from my bed tonight, under my covers, clothed in a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and fleece lounge pants.

Our house seems to be soooo cold thanks to our housing being built originally in the 1930s {I kid you not}, and we have these great hardwood floors that seem to have no insulation. It is like walking on ice cubes. This in turn makes me walk around the house in the before listed attire PLUS some hideous but very warm and comfortable sweater socks.

I hope you all are staying warm inside. I’m a bit bummed because I haven’t been able to work on some of my projects I told you about. Remember the desk and chair? They’ve been put on hold.

However, this has allowed me to browse blogs and other areas on the internet for some terrific design ideas. I swear I have looked at the Nester’s bedroom makeover 1000 times. Gorgeous is what it is.

I appreciate all of your comments and advice on the tables. I’m so indecisive when it comes to furniture. I suppose it is because of the $$$ a person has to spend on it to only get it home and be half-way satisfied.

I did find this table from Target, which is VERY similar to the one the Nester had.

It is only $84.99, and I get 10% online since I’m a member of AEA {a perk to being a teacher I guess}.

My problem with this is that it is more than likely cheaply made.

Some of you suggested shopping antique and consignment stores, which is usually the first place I look for furniture. I’ve found I can get better quality furniture from places like that rather than department stores.

The problem with antique stores and these type tables is that I doubt I can find two that are alike. I know what you’re thinking. They don’t have to be the same. What you don’t understand is that they do.

This mind of mine needs the same. It needs symmetry. Type A personality I suppose is the reason for this insaneness.

When I look into magazines and see mismatching side tables, it doesn’t bother me. It only bothers me when it is me doing the choosing of furniture. Indecisive is another problem.

Now I’ll share with you my dream house…

Yeah….this won’t be happening any time soon, but a girl can dream.

We’re now on the downside of the week, and I cannot wait until Friday.

Advice

Don’t worry. I do not need advice on anything deep and meaningful like relationships. What I really need advice on is places to buy furniture.

You see I found this table on World Market, but I have never bought anything from there.

I think this is a pretty incredible table as far as looks. I’m particularly drawn to the spindle pedestal. How romantic is that? Yet, the wood tones give it the manly touch my husband would be wanting.

There is a great price on the table, and I thought if I could scrounge up a coupon somewhere that I would be even more drawn to it.

However, I’ve also determined a problem with just going ahead and ordering this table tonight. I know not one thing about the quality of furniture from this store.

What makes it even worse is that I saw the bedroom below over at  the Nester’s blog today, and those tables are calling my name. The only problem with those is that I would love to have some very similar to those {wood tone, size, etc.}. Where can I find them though?

 

Answer these questions for me:

1. Which table? Pedestal or crescent?
2. Is World Market a good place to purchase furniture?
3. If I did want the crescent, where can I find a table like that?

Help please!!!

Preparing…

I know this may sound a little crazy, BUT I’m preparing for Christmas.

You’re thinking, but we just got done with Christmas!!! You have so much time to get ready.

The truth is that I really don’t. I have found this accent plate that I would L-O-V-E to add to my collection of fine china {Lenox Opal Innocence}. I do not want to store another set of china just to break it out at Christmas.

It would take up too much room, and that is room that I don’t have.  I’m preparing now though because these plates are not cheap, and I don’t have all the $$$ in the world to just go out and buy them.

I’ve either got to save up for some of them, OR I can buy a few at a time.

I would really love to have these for next Christmas, and I think that:

I can wait for them to be on sale like they are now + add a coupon in there + free shipping= One happy girl at Christmas

P.S. You can click on the photo to see more about these plates.

Giving it a New Life

Remember the chair I showed you a couple of days ago?

It looked something like this.

The seat of the chair looked something like this:

The seat of the chair now looks like this. What do you think?

As for the chair, I am now armed with three colors of spray paint because I just couldn’t make my mind up.

I figured that now that I have three cans I can start with the one I like most, let it dry, bring it in and picture it in the room, and if I like it I will continue on by adding the seat.

(There is another can obviously, but it is outside. I was not ABOUT to walk out in the cold just to take a photo of it. Take my word for it. It is brown.)

If I don’t like it, I have two other colors to try. Surely to goodness I’ll be able to pick a color from three cans.

While I had looked forward to completing this project this weekend, it just didn’t happen. Windy and freezing cold weather are not ideal conditions to complete a project such as this. And, I can tell you right now that I won’t be completing it until the weather decides to be a bit more friendly out there.

I promise I will share what it looks like in all of its fabulousness when it is done!

School is being canceled in lots of different places, but I have to say that I hope we do have school tomorrow. I would rather go now than have to make it up later.

I’m getting pretty excited about our three day weekend coming up and a day that is very special to me….my birthday!

Have a great week!

Wedding Time

Ok….last year including our wedding, there were 10 weddings to attend. It was crazy!!! It was especially crazy because of the fact that some were even on the same day, and we would have to make a decision between the two.

This year so far we have 6 weddings to attend. Seriously, people! And from the looks of it, I have volunteered to host showers for two of the five. Wondering the theme for the showers yet?

Kiss the Cook. Monograms and Mimosas. 

Like the themes? I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, but I think it’s going to make me seriously busy planning for it, but I really can’t wait.

Yesterday, on top of my projects, I attended a Christmas ornament shower for friend from high school. It’s always fun to go to showers now and see people I don’t get to see on a regular basis.

This beautiful girl right here is about to marry a friend I have known since 5th grade. I kid you not when I say that they started dating in 7th grade. I can’t blame her for holding on to him though because he really is a terrific guy.

I also received this lovely invitation in the mail. Just being from the South, most of the Southern girls send the typical wedding invitation that is a bit of a classic look.

It always thrills me to see something that is different from the “typical”. My cousin lives in Maryland and will be getting married at the Peabody Library.

Breath-taking, right? Raise your hand if you’re thinking about Beauty and Beast right now dancing in the library.

On to the invitation that I wouldn’t even open until I got inside to grab my camera.

And because she has an incredible sense of humor, her response cards reflected that as well, and I got quite the laugh out of it. Read it and see if you catch on.

Very awesome, Shannon!