January 20, 2010

Today I am thankful for a little sun, a little rain, and these unseasonably warm temperatures.

It's almost like SPRING outside!  But I won't get my hopes up just yet.  We might get two feet of snow tonight.

I focused on a little (lot) more organization in my retreat today.  If you want to see all the photos in progress you can just stop by my "REAL" blog to see how things are coming along.  I'm actually pretty pleased with the progress; although I must confess I'm stumped when it comes to organizing my ribbons and fibers.  I'm really wanting to use what I have around the house, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for . . . 10 clear glass lidded containers that MATCH; preferrably vintage.  I feel a trip to the flea markets coming on soon.

January 19, 2010

Today I am so thankful to see a little light at the end of the tunnel.  This cleaning binge I've been on has definitely taken it's toll on me, but I have reclaimed so much more TIME, by doing this.  I can now look around and see CLEAN, instead of CLUTTER; and with a little maintenance time each day I can keep it clean, instead of letting it pile up and it taking another month off of my life, to clean it all back up.  I'm finding time each day to spend with the kids, and even a little time for myself. 

Right now I'm working on my "retreat".  That huge stack of papers I was sorting through yesterday, has been sorted and purged within an inch of it's life.  If I didn't absolutely LOVE it, it hit my ever growing purge pile.  (*I'll be doing a giveaway over at my "REAL" blog sometime soon, if you're interested in any paper crafting paraphernalia.)

And as I was thinking ahead to my next project, I came up with this SUPER functional idea to hold my alphabet stickers and such.  I took an old curtain rod and attached it between my cubes.  I was hesitant to actually drill holes in my storage cubes, but I had high hopes that I wouldn't tear things up too badly.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  (And yes . . . I borrowed my hubby's orange Snap On screwdriver again.  I think I'm just going to keep it in my desk drawer until he misses it.)

We headed to the library late this afternoon and one of the ladies was setting up a computer in the kid's area.  (Don't you just LOVE this keyboard?!)

Bayleigh was the lucky girl who got to be first in line to test it.

When we finished checking out books and movies, we headed to the grocery store, and when we came back out, it has started raining.  I caught this street light, across from the grocery store, from inside the Jeep.  I liked how the drops of rain stood out like little white stars on a canvas of inky night.

I'm eager to get back to organizing my retreat, but it can wait until tomorrow.

January 18, 2010

Today I was thankful for Monday.  A fresh start to a new week. 

A foggy morning . . .

with the sun trying it's best to break through;

Plants hanging heavy with dew . . .

that were prettier than any jewels.

We live in a strange area.  One week we're in the negative digits with 6 inches of snow and the next, we're wearing short sleeves and tromping through the mud.

My little guy was busy this morning, too.

I swear the kid can tear up ANYTHING.  But as this photo shows . . . apparently he has his purposes in doing so.  He took the wheels off of his semi, and used them to make a "bigger" train.  I can't say the child isn't creative!  And speaking of creative . . .

today I focused on my retreat.  And I started out with my 12x12 papers.

I worked most of the day on a pile that measured approximately 1 foot 4 inches.  I'm ALMOST done.  Another hour and I should have them all in color order and filed away in their appropriate places.  WHEW!  I've also lost at LEAST four inches off the pile, by purging.  Is that angels I hear singing in the background?

Well . . . hubby probably doesn't think so at this point.  He decided to let Bayleigh use her face paint on him, while he worked on his homework.  I don't believe a lot of homework got done at this stage in the painting.  All I can say is . . . I'm glad it was him and not me!

January 17, 2010

Today I'm thankful for the freedom we have, to worship in whatever way we choose.  I am honored to have been chosen to teach the children's Sunday school class, even though there are others who would be much better qualified than I.

And I think it's cute how, almost every Sunday, Eli dials up "Baby Jesus" to chat.

Today I focused on relaxing with the kids.  I did a few leisurely loads of laundry and helped Bayleigh with her first batch of spelling words.

I have no doubt that she will do wonderfully!

**In regards to our possum saga . . . I believe we have a commune living under our deck.  I took out #2 last night at 9:00 p.m., with the .22 rifle.  I wish they would move to a different location.  Our deck is a bloody mess.**

January 16, 2010

Today I am thankful for encouragement and the ability to move onward.  I hope you all are in the mood for lots of boring and mundane photos today! 

I chose to focus on maintaining today.   So I maintained Pantry #1 . . .

Pantry #2  . . .

the kitchen . . .

Bayleigh's room . . .

Eli's room . . .

the kid's bathroom . . .

(which is still in the midst of remodel)

the entry, and entry bathroom . . .

the master bath . . .

the master bedroom . . .

(which is still partially under construction)

the dining room . . .

the sitting room (which I still need to find furniture for, after I drag the rest of the stuff in the corner out for donation) . . .

and the little breakfast nook, which will end up being part of the kitchen, when we're completely done with the remodel.

I also managed to squeeze in this part of the living room.

Bayleigh "dressed up" to go visiting with grandma this afternoon, and my good friend Nancy came over for a visit!

I'm so glad she came to visit this afternoon . . . even though she DID end up seeing this:

Which will be my FOCUS for next week.  I MUST get the rest of my crafting supplies sorted and put in their proper locations, so I can get ready for some serious creative time next month.

I'm also hoping to dive into the spare bedroom and finish it up.  I've got two corners cleaned out, and really don't have that much left to go (believe it or not!).  Most of it is just plain old trash that just never got thrown away during the main remodel. 

I'm thinking the big black industrial size trash bags will be in order for THIS one!

Just a few more rooms to go!  I hope my energy and motivation hold out that long!

January 15, 2010

Today I am thankful for God's strength . . . for without it I wouldn't have been able to do ANYTHING today. 

I woke up to a beautiful foggy morning . . .

and then proceeded to "play".  Eli and I watched some T.V., put a train track together, built a cabin out of Lincoln Logs, and just had a blast in general.  But alas, duty called . . .

With all the remodeling and home projects going on, cleaning has been somewhat of a challenge.  I've re-arranged furniture, and re-arranged it some more, trying to make due with what we have.  I had been using this particular piece as a make-do desk, when I moved my "real" desk upstairs . . . and then when we moved hubby's desk into my old spot and I finally got my computer moved upstairs; he started using this table as a catch all.  When he gets home from work tonight, he's going to get a big surprise.  All his excess paperwork and paraphernalia has now been moved to an 18 gallon tote next to his desk.  Maybe he'll get the hint and go through some of it in his spare time . . . like in May, when he finally graduates. 

But I digress . . . I scrubbed down this little spot (which used to be our old dining room), and moved this little table and chairs in, so the kids can use it for a breakfast area, instead of it ending up as a catch all.  I'm trying to "focus" on function here.

All that playing this morning must have worn Eli out.  I really wish I could have layed down with him . . . but it was almost time for Bayleigh to get off the bus.

It was still kind of foggy at 3:45 p.m., when I went out to get her off the bus, but the temperature was great!

The only thing I don't like about the snow, is the mud that comes after the thaw.

I hope the above photo doesn't scare you.  I caught a possum out on our deck eating the outside cat's food.  My little girl is completely terrified of the things.  I started to go for the .22 rifle, but my firearm of choice was closer.  One shot, one kill, two relieved kids, and one gun for hubby to clean later.  lol  By the way, honey . . . I only nicked the deck a LITTLE bit.  You probably won't even notice the hole!

January 14, 2010

Today I am thankful for diligence.  After I posted yesterday's photos, I looked at my planner and realized that the P.arents A.s T.eachers gal was going to be coming at 10:00 a.m.  ACK!  Both the dining room and the living room were TRASHED.  So after I fed the kids supper, I got a good start on the dining room and had it somewhat presentable by the time Jaycee got here.

We played some games . . .

and then got to make one of our very own, which we promptly played with daddy!

After Jaycee left, I finished cleaning the dining room, and I now have a huge pile of things to donate and give away.  (Like those stacked jack 'o lanterns in the background of the above photo.)

Seeing this photo of my clean dining room, just shows me how much more finish work I have to complete on the addition (like touching up the paint on the walls, staining the nail holes in the floor, and painting the door so I can get that lovely blue tape removed).  It's almost depressing . . . but I'm not going to let it deter me!  I WILL get the touch up painting and doors painted in March or April when the weather warms up another 60 degrees or so.  Then maybe I can DECORATE!

I had planned on finishing off the master bedroom today, but plans change and I'm glad I'm a pretty flexible person.  I completed part one of the dining room, cleaned up 90% of the living room and carved out a niche in the spare bedroom for the kid's play area upstairs.  Now they'll have something to keep them occupied while I'm up here in my retreat, editing photos and playing with papers, scissors and glue.

Ahhh yes; to make things a little more interesting . . .while I was cleaning away, Dave took Eli back to our bedroom, so they could both take a nap in peace.  Eli slept for a REALLY long time and when Dave got up, Eli had had a little accident . . . and of course it was on MY side of the bed.  Poor little guy must have been completely exhausted.  He hasn't had an accident like that in a few months.  So a few hours before bedtime, I was washing sheets.  Surprises aren't always pleasant, but I've found that my best course of action is to just roll with the punches.  Such is the life of a stay at home mom.

Tomorrow I plan on tackling the hallways and the rest of the living room . . . but things may change.  We'll just have to see what tomorrow brings.