Off to a good start. . .

WOO HOO!!

We are kicking into our 65 in 365 and it feels great!!


Yesterday, we finally took our tree down. *sniff,sniff*

Then we started working on our closets and master bedroom and OH MY GOODNESS, do we have stuff and LOTS of it!!!

So, we started seperating it into piles (keep, goodwill and ebay.)

The goodwill pile was by far, the largest!

If I wasn't so embarrassed I would show you the before and after pics but I'll spare you and me. LOL

Oh, and I also started to "shop the house" for my master bedroom project!

I'm so excited by the changes, in store!

Project Master Bedroom. . .

Our Master bedroom has become a bit of a "catch all" room and this year I want to change that.

I want it to be a place where we can completely relax and retreat to.

It's been neglected for so long and I want to make it a project for the upcoming year.

So, this is what I am looking at, thus far.


I love how bright and cheery it is.

Since we have the wood paneling walls, I want something to offset that.

I think this would be PERFECT.

Of course, this is Pottery Barn.

So, my challenge it create a similar look for a fraction of the cost.

I already have a quilt that is somewhat similar to this design.

Here's mine.




Of course, I would love to just order the PB one but it's not in the budget, right now.


I also found these baskets at Pier One that are close enough fit for me and WAY cheaper than the $129 price tag of PB's Beachcomber basket.

These are a bargain at $12 for the small and $18 for the bigger one.




These aren't in the inspiration picture above but I came across them and love them but at $129 a pop, it's not gonna happen.


But, I could use two of these Ikea Barometer lamps for $39.99 a piece and place them on bedside tables!




I also love these curtains from Ikea and think they would brighten our room up nicely.



You can't tell in the pic but they have a really pretty jacquard print woven on them.

I also see old shutters frequently at local shops, so I am sure I can get some of those and maybe hang them on the wall for a pop of color for pretty reasonable.


It's a start, right!?!

Oh and did you happen to notice that the bed's not made?

Maybe, I should cross that resolution off my list! ; )

Fave song Friday. . .

Loved Kris Allen when he was AI and I love his new song!

Thought the message of the song was appropriate for the new year, as well!

Happy 2010!

2009 Music Mashup. . .

My friend Becky shared this with me and I thought it would be appropriate to post this on the last day of 2009.

It's a montage of some of the popular songs of the year and I love it!

Hope you enjoy it and that 2010 holds many wonderful things for you!




2009 mashup

John | MySpace Video

65 in 365 . . .

I stole this idea from Snarky mom.

Tara at Mom Jeans and Minivans has also done the same thing.

These ladies have totally inspired me and I loved the idea of 65 in 365.

The idea of this is to accomplish these 65 things within the next 365 days.

Can I do it?

We'll see!

Here's my list

1. Read the bible cover to cover with the help of a bible reading guide
2. Be more involved in church
3. Continue on my path to getting healthy and reach my goal weight
4. Learn to be more comfortable in my own skin
5. Faithfully use a skin care routine, eye cream, moisturize etc.
6. Take more time off to attend school functions with Maddie
7. Make a point to have "date night" with Jeff on a more regular basis
8. Exercise 3-4 times a week
9. Establish a better morning routine. No more sleeping until the very last second
10. Go to bed earlier!
11. Make my bed on a regular basis. ( I never make it, how awful am I?!)
12. Meal plan
13. Get my home and work more organized and keep it that way!
14. Make a point to tell my family and friends how much I appreciate them on a more regular basis
15. Start yard saling and antiquing and possibly open an Etsy store?
16. Learn how to use that fancy schmancy camera on something other than auto! : )
17. Buy a photo editing software
18. Make more of an effort with my daily appearance
19. Fix kitchen flooring
20. Buy a house (hopefully!)
21. Learn to sew!
22. Be more on task when I need to be
23. Be a more positive person
24. Give more, ask for less
25. Buy a new car...maybe?!
26. Paint my kitchen table
27. Catch up on my laundry
28. Re enroll in school
29. Cook healthier meals for my family
30. Learn new recipes
31. Have Maddie's artwork framed
32. Eat dinner at the kitchen table each and every night
33. Have more Mama and Maddie time
34. Tackle more DIY projects
35. Follow Dave Ramsey's plan
36. Read more
37. Go to the dentist every 6 months
38. Plan a family vacation
39. Use the grocery game
40. Get our wills done
41. Have a professional family portrait done
42. Restock my gift closet
43. Start having more Sunday dinners with my parents and my brother's family.
44. Start a Christmas club account
45. Open an Education IRA for Maddie
46. Finish my projects, I've started
47. Manage my time better
48. Blog on a more consistent basis
49. Be a better friend
50. Quit focusing on what I don't have and appreciate what I do have
51. Volunteer more
52. Paint corner hutch in living room
53. Refinish hardwood floors
54. Clean carpet in bedroom
55. Make curtains for bedroom
56. Be more patient
57. Visit family out of town on a more regular basis
58. Stop procrastinating so much
59. Stop worrying so much, as well!
60. Become stronger in my faith
61. Establish a craft area for myself
62. Clean attic out
63. Fix up family room
64. Try not to take things so personally
65. Enjoy each and every day to the fullest because we never get that time back!

Phew! It's a lot but I am gonna take it a day at a time and as I accomplish these things, I will check them off my list.

If I get 1/2 of these items accomplished, I will be a happy camper!

What about you? Do you have any resolutions for 2010?

What would be your 65 in 365?

Show and tell gifts. . .

Mrs. DIY at The DIY showoff, is doing a show and tell gifts, so I decided to participate.

We scaled way back this year, but I still got some pretty amazing things and wanted to show and tell it to you. : )

I had bought myself this a couple of months ago and wanted to just call it my Christmas gift.




It was kind of spendy so I was totally cool with calling it my gift and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

Seriously, it's the best thing for your skin ever!



But, Jeff wanted me to have something to open on Christmas Day.

So, this is what he got for me.



I have been wanting a pair of Sperry's forever but was to cheap to buy them.

So, he bought me a pair for Christmas.

I was so excited b/c you know, that's what all the cool kids wear these days. ; )

He also bought me these Jessica Simpson aviator sunglasses that I had been eyeing for a while.




Am I gonna look cool or what?!? LOL

My parents bought me this glass beverage jar that I had seen at TJ Maxx and fell in love with.




I knew I was this getting b/c I had picked it up myself at TJ Maxx when they marked it down to $10.

But, I didn't know I was getting this.




A 12 piece set of Paula Deen cookware! WOOT! : )

I'm such a lucky girl!

Everything I got, I can and will definitely put to good use!

I got more than I had expected but am so thankful for everything and I gotta say that I love it all! :)

This about sums our Christmas up . . .

See the look of pure joy in her face?




She, and well all of us, had a WONDERFUL Christmas.

I actually hated for Christmas to come, just because I didn't want it to go.

For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed every minute of it.

I still have yet to take my tree down and probably won't until New Year's Day.

Just because, I love it so.

How was your Christmas?

I hope it was as magical as ours was!