Please stay tuned...

Just to let you know, we're back in business! Tomorrow I'll try to post some pictures of some projects I promised to show you months ago. We've been busy around here, and we have some new things in the works!

Please hold...

Work on the master bath has stalled for a few days while we wait for the tile and sink to arrive.  Now, I'd describe the tile to you, but since I haven't seen it either, we'll all be surprised together when it gets here!  My husband has taken the role of interior designer, so he ordered it without me having seen a sample. Normally I'd be worried about what I was going to get, but he's done a bang-up job so far, so I'm sure it will be beautiful.  The sink is a chocolatey-brown granite-looking one that I think will look great with the blue paint.  But until they arrive (supposedly today) the project is on hold.

Meanwhile, the summery temperatures here have put me into gardening mode.   Last night I bought 2 double Knock-Out rose bushes and planted by the front porch, and potted 2 hanging baskets with purple wave petunias. They went on hanging brackets on the back deck.  And I couldn't resist the bright red New Guinea impatiens at the store either. They went on the deck as well.  We're not done though.  Derek brought home some pine tree seedlings his store gave away for Arbor Day. Those will have to go in the ground soon. All we need now is new chairs for the front porch to replace that old park bench, and I'll be ready for summer!

Moving on...

The hall bath is finished (I promise I'll post some pics soon!), so we're moving on to the BIG job--the master bath. We started with dark mushroom paint, an ugly 10-year-old vinyl floor that had come apart from the wall, a b&w toile shower curtain, brass accessories, and a chrome builder's basic faucet. Oh, and don't forget that must-have-come-from-the-70's (even though the house was built in '98) light bar over the sink. That's the "before".

For our "after", we're putting Prussian Blue on the wall (think a muted medium blue). We're putting down a beige ceramic tile on the floor, along with a new light fixture, mirror, counter top, and satin nickel faucet & towel bars. Derek even bought me a new wet saw for the tile! Yes, you do detect a strange excitement there. Who would have thought I'd be excited about a saw? I'm really watching too much DIY shows on TV...I think the saw is an early Mother's Day gift, but that's okay--I'm getting him new chairs for the front porch that I've been wanting! We do have an strange way of buying gifts for each other--we buy the other what we want and disguise it as a gift for the other person. Works great for our birthdays, too, since my b'day is the day before his--we always get what we want! But, I digress...

So, we put the primer on 2 nights ago, and tonight, we're going blue. Saturday we're ripping up the old vinyl flooring, laying the cement board (which we'll have to walk on for a few days until our tile arrives) and putting up the towel bars. I think I'll wait until the tile goes down to seriously decorate, though. Too bad I'm not very patient!

Crooks and Countertops...

I guess you're wondering if I've lost my way back to the Blog...there hasn't been a post in quite a while. Well, the laptop officially bit the dust. I'd have a new one by now, but, it seems, that someone has helped themselves to our tax refund. And the rest of our bank account. Yep, the debit card number was stolen, and now we're just hangin' in there until payday, or until the company whose system was hacked (a transaction processing company) replaces our money, whichever comes first. Not holding my breath on the last one. They don't seem to see the urgency of my lack of funds. Don't they know I have plans for that money? That there are antiques out there waiting for me to come snatch them up? And that it will be yard sale season soon?

In the meantime, Derek is trying to remind me that Jesus is listening to me when I speak of getting my hands on the crook who took our money and how I'd love to pluck out his eyelashes one by one. Waterboarding is sounding like a pretty good option right now. Feathers and fur, he keeps reminding me, feathers and fur. Now, for those of you with that "lost dog in high weeds" look on your face, he's reminding me that if God takes care of the birds of the air, He's gonna take care of us, too (see Matthew 6:25-34). He always has. Believe me, this isn't the first time we've been through a bit of a financial dry spell. And He's always brought us through it. But this is the first time someone has actually stolen our money. Ugh.

On the brighter side, we did finish the guest bathroom redo. We did paint, a new shower curtain (see the post below), towel bars, curtain rod, counter top and faucet. Plus towels and a new rug. I'll post pictures of it as soon as I can remember to bring my camera to work to upload the photos.

Don't you forget about me...

Remember that song?

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I promise! The old laptop finally went kaput, so we're shopping around for another one. Meanwhile, we're getting ready to start work on the bathroom. However, my original plan has been scrapped, and my husband (who has gotten so good at designing rooms that it is scary) has come up with something I like even better.

Here's the paint (the one on top, Bronco Brown from Porter):

And here's the shower curtain, courtesy of Wally World:

We're also getting a new countertop, faucet (oil rubbed bronze) and a new light fixture. I'll try to keep you updated!

We interrupt the regularly scheduled programming...

...because of technical difficulties. Don't you just love technology? One minute you have the world at your fingertips, the next minute you're completely cut off! The old laptop has gone in the shop for repairs, so I'm blogging from work today (shhhh! don't tell my principal!), and it looks like I'll be a little scarce for a few days. Don't worry, though! I'll be back soon!

A painting we will go, a painting we will go...

So here is our hall bath, the next stop on our to-do list.

About a year and a half ago, I painted the bottom half red to coordinate with the living room. However, as much as I have tried, I just don't like it. I love the beige/red combination in the living room, but here, eh, not so much. So you know what that means...drag out the rollers and brushes, Angela's painting again! I've decided on a soft blue to go with the beige on top (I do still like it, so I'm not changing it). Something along the lines of this:

(This is Danish Linen Sky from Ballard Designs).

Of course, this means stripping wallpaper border, one of my LEAST favorite jobs. I'm still trying to decide whether to put up another border or to do something different. If I do chair rail, it will have to be stained rather than painted (all our moulding is stained). Any ideas out there?

I've decided to fancy up the shower curtain, too. I'm thinking about adding a little fringe to the the valance, maybe something like this:

or this:

(photos courtesy http://www.warehousefabricsinc.com/)

Of course new rugs and some blue towels. And some pretty new chachkis for the shelf. Should I paint that or get something new? Oooh, I know, one of those pretty half-round wire baskets! How about something like this:

or

(http://www.shabbyshorescottagechic.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.idealmoments.co.uk/ )

We're also replacing the faucet with something like this:

(http://www.doitbest.com/)

The good news is, Derek can get it at a hefty discount at work!

Now for the wall with the grate. I'm thinking about moving that somewhere else and putting a vintage window up there. I love the idea of using those old windows as art! I've seen several lately around the blogosphere, and I think that one would fit that long wall just fine. Should I leave the panes empty, or add something to jazz them up? Or just some of them? I'm not sure yet about that one.

So many ideas buzzing around my head! I really can't wait to get started on this one. One thing is for sure, though, I'm gonna need about 3 gallons of primer to cover that red!

One Little Word...

I don't normally make New Year's resolutions. When I was a teenager, I enjoyed sitting down with a pen and paper and scribbling out things I'd like to accomplish in the new year. However, over the years I found that I wasn't too good at keeping those resolutions, so I just gave up. No need to go to the trouble when I know I won't follow through.
The other day, I read about a twist on the resolution idea. Instead of a list of things you hope to do, you pick a word for the year, something to focus on (check out Ali Edwards' blog for more about this). I've been trying to think of what it is that I really need to work on this year, and I think I've found one little word that really sums up what I need more of in my life: discipline. I wouldn't say that my life is out of control, but there are definitely areas that I need to rein in:

• my eating and excersise habits
• my lackidaisical money-management methods (that's saying it gently!)
• my daily quiet time with God (which seems to have been put on the back burner lately)

We can definitely say that I've been a bit on the lazy side in these areas. Maybe by instilling a little (maybe a lot) of discipline, I can grow closer to God, be a better steward of his financial blessings, and stop treating my body so badly. I've even found a Bible verse to go along with it:

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."

Proverbs 13:4 (NIV)

Do you have "One Little Word" for 2009?

Stephanie over at Homegrown Hospitality is even offering hand-drawn, framed doodles of your "One Little Word" for 2009. Go check her out!

Out with the old...

New Year's is a time for looking back over what has been and for looking ahead at what could be.

In times like these, its easy to get caught up in how bad things are and how bleak the outlook is. Its easy to get discouraged. But in the Bible, Jesus reminded us,

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:28-34 (NIV)

As I look over the past year, I see how our family has been blessed so greatly. There are so many ways that God has been good to us, and I think its time its time that this worrywart counts her blessings:

• my family, for whom I am eternally grateful


• my salvation and faith in Jesus Christ


• my home


• my job (even though it has caused me more headaches than I care to remember!)


• God's provision during the dark times when we had trouble seeing the tunnel's end


• my new friends in BlogLand


• and most recently, my new great-nephew Caleb!

I pray that even though everyone is telling us how dreary the world is and that things look hopeless, we are able to look beyond that to the One who is the source of hope. And with that hope, let's make 2009 a wonderful year!

Though I don't know what our future holds, I know Who holds our future!

Ahhh...

As much as I love decorating the house for Christmas, I am relieved to get it all taken down and packed away after the big day. Don't get me wrong-I adore fixing the house up in all its fancy-ness for my favorite holiday. But there is something to be said for normalcy. Having everything back in its place is quite comforting, especially during these long, cold months of winter.

To make the transition even more fun, I stopped in at Hobby Lobby over the weekend and got a couple of things. Isn't this little guy cute?

And then there's this egg basket. I thought I was going to put it on top of the cabinets, but for some reason, I couldn't get it to fit. And its a bit too big for the counter. So I'm still trying to work this one out.

The best part is that everything I bought was 50% off! The bird was $2 and the basket was $4. I do love bargain shopping!

Seasons Greetings

"For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

May you and yours have a blessed Christmas!

Oh Holy Night

My favorite Christmas song sung by one of my favorite singers, David Phelps. Enjoy!

Holiday House Party...

Don't you just love Christmas parties? All the food, games, food, gifts, food...well, I digress. When I got the invitation for Kimba's Holiday Open House, I decided that I'd bring the entertainment. Who doesn't love a good Christmas movie? One of my favorite Christmas traditions is snuggling up on the couch and watching some good holiday movies. For Kimba's party, I brought along a few different ones. I hope there's one that you'll like!
The first is one that I'll watch whether its December or July, "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. Dennis Morgan is Jefferson Jones, a war hero who is spending Christmas with Elizabeth (Stanwyck), her husband, and baby at her Connecticut estate. The trouble is, its all a farce, and things get a little sticky when Elizabeth and Jefferson find themselves falling for each other. Here's a scene:




The next movie I brought is another oldie but goodie, "White Christmas". Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen star in this classic holiday film.




Here's one that's been one of my favorites since I was a little girl. Who can resist this little guy?



And finally, my favorite one of all: "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Charlie and his friends learn what many adults never do, what Christmas is all about. Here's my favorite scene:




I hope you enjoyed my holiday flicks!
Do you have a favorite Christmas movie that you can watch over and over each year?

A Christmas House Tour...

Last Friday night, I had to miss our Sunday School class' Christmas party because our daughter wasn't feeling well. I really hated to miss it, too. However, I seem to be making up for it this week, since it seems there are Christmas parties around every corner in BlogLand!

BooMama is hosting a Christmas Tour of Homes over at her place. I'm sharing a few things from our house.
Here is the garland on our piano. We don't have a fireplace, so we dress up the piano like a mantel. I shared my garland over at The Nester's Garland Show and Tell, but I added a bit more to it since then, and I think it looks much better. Not as puny understated as before.

This is our tree. Every ornament is different. Here are a few of my favorite ornaments:

a Shepherd that was a gift from my mom

a Santa with a dreidel that my Father-in-law brought back from Denmark many years ago

a cardinal (I've developed a love of redbirds this year)

And finally, my nativity that I've had since I was a little girl:

And Ol' Saint Nick watching over it all!