tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65672057200776690052024-02-20T06:22:30.136-08:00BLESSED PATHblessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-24391511948063320012012-02-03T17:53:00.000-08:002012-02-03T18:29:12.583-08:00TGIFFor most of my working life, I have always had a job where evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends were just par for the course...until now. I work mon-fri, and even though it has been an adjustment going to work 5 whole days each week, one new thing I can now shout from the roof top is TGIF each week. THIS week in particular, it is said with GREAT excitement and relief! First, we have some very special guests coming to stay the week with us!!!!!!!!!! You know who you are, and we are counting the days!!!!! Second, we have just taken on a new HUGE account at work and it has been incredibly stressful for me and all involved. I have been saying this move to florida has been without a doubt, the MOST stressed I have ever been in my life, and this week here in sunny, warm florida has not disappointed, in that respect. Thankfully, God in all His awesomeness has placed people in my life to help. My family has been so great and in particular, my wonderful hubby, Mike has been so supportive. God has also blessed me with wonderful Christian friends at work, we pray together for eachother, for strength, for peace. Today, in particular two dear friends at work, Teresa and Pam got me through a terrible day. Thank you girls!!!! I guess things can only go UP from here, huh?! I AM thankful to have a job, it just gets overwhelming at times. I know that Mike would love to have my stresses at work :) He has been having several interviews lately, and we are very hopeful that the perfect job for him will come along soon. We know it is all in God's timing....but man is it hard to wait! On a side note, those of you who know me well, know that I love me a good Craigslist find...I found this beauty a couple weeks ago for $40 and snagged it quickly, as I saw an inspiration chair in a model home, which I am positive was at least 3 times more expensive!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZQsYVGkG8KDNTbQp5WhgxwiV8toRH6HqpbSD3matx4-D2jH9UcPJx0ZJEBN-viM-BVHsHfUdz385tizvT5KiQXx_DnnPuuYKc_ugkaSnOwQCVDO8jKxtT9ALL49CgikX4zUTfgRRU1DH/s1600/chair+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZQsYVGkG8KDNTbQp5WhgxwiV8toRH6HqpbSD3matx4-D2jH9UcPJx0ZJEBN-viM-BVHsHfUdz385tizvT5KiQXx_DnnPuuYKc_ugkaSnOwQCVDO8jKxtT9ALL49CgikX4zUTfgRRU1DH/s400/chair+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705101614251832850" /></a><br /> What's new with all of you?? B is having a sweet friend from school sleep over tonight, Chase is playing army games on line with his friend (they can talk with eachother while playing against eachother with headsets), Dewey is sleeping at my feet, Mike is watching sports on TV. Sunday we are going to Kelli and Lees for Superbowl Sunday- aka commercials, snacks, friends..:) Miss everyone!!!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-30802098739468500922011-09-25T18:41:00.000-07:002011-09-25T19:47:06.302-07:00Building friends and Eight is great!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ-rWfH3SVTA-j35Xg7vVOUVxXGIzMFIcdELT0Kp-r1FkdtqkwjkPoIdZJEQALtQtgzaSK_xXHYZ7BQv9VOQtX0MqkvbVQdip4eGgVUZBbWrYktcjlrj3yYThLpFd39fmxv0Hb7gz5jf3/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ-rWfH3SVTA-j35Xg7vVOUVxXGIzMFIcdELT0Kp-r1FkdtqkwjkPoIdZJEQALtQtgzaSK_xXHYZ7BQv9VOQtX0MqkvbVQdip4eGgVUZBbWrYktcjlrj3yYThLpFd39fmxv0Hb7gz5jf3/s400/brooke+8th+bday+047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656483270177820658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpokp0M7Xhg0E_yTCblvJExMv5hNMmX8mOV3zm0lyvKvkXPmPOY3tCwWDwZMcc03_QNCrop0IDgLLUG-y9UoUVSKZHL29_KEUeTURA3fB9rXkMl6nankYJoGQRK-QwHQChlwF7EZcYDr7z/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpokp0M7Xhg0E_yTCblvJExMv5hNMmX8mOV3zm0lyvKvkXPmPOY3tCwWDwZMcc03_QNCrop0IDgLLUG-y9UoUVSKZHL29_KEUeTURA3fB9rXkMl6nankYJoGQRK-QwHQChlwF7EZcYDr7z/s400/brooke+8th+bday+041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656483262696469538" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QFiYII4yjOgyQ67ZDAj0H1wf_0jguFKch7uDQJ4wtLLMpmRq0Uaa-0KfzZNYxPjl-wI5_euoc2riEe7Va2q3Qa74xoWdoAWMuq9jkHoweFZwlq5Ix-vlD-kpDus7kW9oTVNYFVEpvRWV/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QFiYII4yjOgyQ67ZDAj0H1wf_0jguFKch7uDQJ4wtLLMpmRq0Uaa-0KfzZNYxPjl-wI5_euoc2riEe7Va2q3Qa74xoWdoAWMuq9jkHoweFZwlq5Ix-vlD-kpDus7kW9oTVNYFVEpvRWV/s400/brooke+8th+bday+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656482519936525714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRvwQhe-DHlGI9l6ErRwFU0aLxxM97b4NQYfZF2ZYtQBfFL4d1AhtMXNZa6B8oYAjZItWhkYWjmzzA1iE9geaey2dGXj1CX3G_nzm72ojD2JMT08TQ66UQSnaaOtkC52tleTZ8khV01lU/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRvwQhe-DHlGI9l6ErRwFU0aLxxM97b4NQYfZF2ZYtQBfFL4d1AhtMXNZa6B8oYAjZItWhkYWjmzzA1iE9geaey2dGXj1CX3G_nzm72ojD2JMT08TQ66UQSnaaOtkC52tleTZ8khV01lU/s400/brooke+8th+bday+033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656482512203792178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLqyh3MY0z5x10dc-9hPznDlrJqY0mmb-Le4n8aIculswrjqnSBBm8ix86LweI69_Lab-9ePEONjXOEtIp8Esmps9Mg36YuhG5_uwHeAyi9qR2K8KdZMjWpidhdiZeAYZtvvZScciG0qZ/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLqyh3MY0z5x10dc-9hPznDlrJqY0mmb-Le4n8aIculswrjqnSBBm8ix86LweI69_Lab-9ePEONjXOEtIp8Esmps9Mg36YuhG5_uwHeAyi9qR2K8KdZMjWpidhdiZeAYZtvvZScciG0qZ/s400/brooke+8th+bday+021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656482508826306130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yalcfiQfuEYp4zpLTnBm6kHbZwnOwLs01BB4gashFe4yVrw3jlT1-UoPvLfnCFKdy1YzpUWckNYA10gcIpADr92VgqxMTaTPdkyR_HLTxWoMYde9mwJRyfjtS7r75ZrBDYoxn25Q7bHx/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yalcfiQfuEYp4zpLTnBm6kHbZwnOwLs01BB4gashFe4yVrw3jlT1-UoPvLfnCFKdy1YzpUWckNYA10gcIpADr92VgqxMTaTPdkyR_HLTxWoMYde9mwJRyfjtS7r75ZrBDYoxn25Q7bHx/s400/brooke+8th+bday+020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656482509904442306" /></a><br />This past week was Brooke's 8th Birthday! On her actual birthday, we just had cake at home, but we had special guests from far away join us. My parents and sister and nephew gathered at my parents house and they face timed us to watch Brooke open her gifts!! We all sang Happy Bday and while we had cake, they ate cupcakes. Technology!! Love it. <br />Today, Brooke had her party with her friends. She wanted her party at Build a Bear. We had been before, but a few years ago. I tell ya, they know how to throw a party. It is the best money you will ever spend, as a mom, no stress, sweat, tears. Awesome. They got to pick out their new special friend and stuff it, add a heart, brush it and dress it. They have so many fun outfits, too cute!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNn1I6u43x2_RVFG90FmNUlRqo1rLzCESG7rSi9IpKiBcJqpnd93m9lno6fY24TvXixHFtY7mSC8CFHJdDuFr0qQGb0xBvQqV_GudUFvOI0MZrglPu-fSFYkHlSPtCB0FN-unYKPs70Ml/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNn1I6u43x2_RVFG90FmNUlRqo1rLzCESG7rSi9IpKiBcJqpnd93m9lno6fY24TvXixHFtY7mSC8CFHJdDuFr0qQGb0xBvQqV_GudUFvOI0MZrglPu-fSFYkHlSPtCB0FN-unYKPs70Ml/s400/brooke+8th+bday+015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656482506174549090" /></a><br /> While Building thier new friends, they also got to build up friendships with real friends, by playing fun things! Brooke invited 3 new friends from school who are all soo very sweet and caring. God certainly has blessed my kids, by placing wonderful friends in their lives, so quickly. What made it extra special, was Brooke having one very special friend there, Tia, who she has been friends with for many years. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ep5mUtrLXqbJRLArqcztIIa0NvxdSXDmIPa5bEO8k6WyOnAqU1N89xQ2T4kcHdpotREy_GstrtTcJW4mjFbsG6Io0tysFiL856NG4MmhJ_5nLShzN_wnkyDtZ1IVw1AX8NcCBOP7mct-/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ep5mUtrLXqbJRLArqcztIIa0NvxdSXDmIPa5bEO8k6WyOnAqU1N89xQ2T4kcHdpotREy_GstrtTcJW4mjFbsG6Io0tysFiL856NG4MmhJ_5nLShzN_wnkyDtZ1IVw1AX8NcCBOP7mct-/s400/brooke+8th+bday+042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656483265879650818" /></a><br /> It has been an extra blessing to bring forward this sweet friendship to Florida from Missouri. As many of you know, Tia is the daughter of our great friends, Kelli and Lee who used to be our neighbors in Missouri. They also just moved to florida and we now live a short 10minutes away from eachother. B-L-E-S-S-E-D! <br />I know on special occasions like this, however, Brooke is missing her old friends. :(<br />But I always remember the song from Brownies. "Make new friends, but keep the old, One is silver and the others gold".<br /><br />And then there's brotherly-sisterly love.....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaIwo267UT3zH1SVLEzsO59UNGj84Qzpd2E8hXtomebRlTWJaecNkTNLuV4mud1hGKHNffJ1Cr5pNwrk8w-c7aa38A52jo4ElxYUJa09WzC1U-_Z4d46DMdrylXGur8DCeCXAFuUcocB2/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaIwo267UT3zH1SVLEzsO59UNGj84Qzpd2E8hXtomebRlTWJaecNkTNLuV4mud1hGKHNffJ1Cr5pNwrk8w-c7aa38A52jo4ElxYUJa09WzC1U-_Z4d46DMdrylXGur8DCeCXAFuUcocB2/s400/brooke+8th+bday+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656483273901547522" /></a><br />Oh yeah, did you know that 8 is GREAT!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2lsXjB3qDVP-i5hfSWH7aM5Uv0VQ__ZCm2AtUZkAxb8eLiRhZJBnnxaVbcEvRXEmETpSF4JeY1cl8juyVxHPweR6U75WaJBxK_IX1pLBgTTKSI3pSEdreEzpC7Zv95LuZAfHsdFedUuN/s1600/brooke+8th+bday+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2lsXjB3qDVP-i5hfSWH7aM5Uv0VQ__ZCm2AtUZkAxb8eLiRhZJBnnxaVbcEvRXEmETpSF4JeY1cl8juyVxHPweR6U75WaJBxK_IX1pLBgTTKSI3pSEdreEzpC7Zv95LuZAfHsdFedUuN/s400/brooke+8th+bday+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656483280173841842" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-869089886721340752011-09-24T16:01:00.000-07:002011-09-24T16:34:01.011-07:00Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morningWe have been wanting to get over to the beach now for the past few weeks, but one thing after another, kept getting in the way of that plan. So last night, we decided that in the morning, we would get up bright and early and do it!!! So, by 8am we were out the door, and by 8:25 we were on the beach! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rquHfISZmku5CXnDmxmSTmgGWKEJ3JYxqOemUe78eTDewBVFKLXVVMpystdxwwd_UIwisK3onxE5exIR3NdRq0BP2V1yxoh369H0iRhne1QxuiSdLvcA9u7JBR_yVDQUBW6dLfpnOnCg/s1600/carol+phone+944.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rquHfISZmku5CXnDmxmSTmgGWKEJ3JYxqOemUe78eTDewBVFKLXVVMpystdxwwd_UIwisK3onxE5exIR3NdRq0BP2V1yxoh369H0iRhne1QxuiSdLvcA9u7JBR_yVDQUBW6dLfpnOnCg/s400/carol+phone+944.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656069645963032786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnt5InQKPnLiCfBqyApX2xfMWOPRXRMYcWFZgMMTfPKU034P0dTSCDS13-mvFGwCT4Xw2NB4Kx_sCURu8-nPnKdiqJVszZoWGPfhC6dgPn7fLRtvslVmOM7RsxJUoqTasfTCzck8v0T2U/s1600/carol+phone+925.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnt5InQKPnLiCfBqyApX2xfMWOPRXRMYcWFZgMMTfPKU034P0dTSCDS13-mvFGwCT4Xw2NB4Kx_sCURu8-nPnKdiqJVszZoWGPfhC6dgPn7fLRtvslVmOM7RsxJUoqTasfTCzck8v0T2U/s400/carol+phone+925.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656069641397809826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKuV-5MyuRqTgBTuOJNdc5tR1QfMFIsilzciUR64iYUEn8H6dYrU9H0-9GDtEKAiQGy8qv7ERAFrUjF03Ale_Nf3b9HQr2FC_eNjH0kuuwYujJhbg9IZDaYol-Jy5R6Oo0A8aum0xqXng/s1600/carol+phone+908.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKuV-5MyuRqTgBTuOJNdc5tR1QfMFIsilzciUR64iYUEn8H6dYrU9H0-9GDtEKAiQGy8qv7ERAFrUjF03Ale_Nf3b9HQr2FC_eNjH0kuuwYujJhbg9IZDaYol-Jy5R6Oo0A8aum0xqXng/s400/carol+phone+908.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656068436770582674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7PWYtGX2S_FaanVDA494ictwtWnE4amuE0x-I_xdgpH9DFWr70VT6dDYcuCWGAm5fVs_M2x1XmaXHdJfv0jGwIA8GAeSIAA-kS3bY6ePg9KznX6fYdK__o88hgHiSmha3WSmF4arIjcf/s1600/carol+phone+901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7PWYtGX2S_FaanVDA494ictwtWnE4amuE0x-I_xdgpH9DFWr70VT6dDYcuCWGAm5fVs_M2x1XmaXHdJfv0jGwIA8GAeSIAA-kS3bY6ePg9KznX6fYdK__o88hgHiSmha3WSmF4arIjcf/s400/carol+phone+901.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656068430379684754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXNT0-2nM4FVuxEzfYeQ7rQnkKW_4LEYvSTYmn-gQq7rK5Ql3D8gXO_ofVVSeUeEKhmzJwWEtgB1NoNGdnColW_-mIr3AwtR7IIaBOG000UhwtEJFFkPsLGViPFsQGN4oA3Nx-zBTGnoN/s1600/carol+phone+895.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXNT0-2nM4FVuxEzfYeQ7rQnkKW_4LEYvSTYmn-gQq7rK5Ql3D8gXO_ofVVSeUeEKhmzJwWEtgB1NoNGdnColW_-mIr3AwtR7IIaBOG000UhwtEJFFkPsLGViPFsQGN4oA3Nx-zBTGnoN/s400/carol+phone+895.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656068428074732050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfALz2RvGuTNst1v8w8AcyU1cfo60UoPYOqKcHCRKot-PlZZbzjWNBiQ08kvD6X8-kv0PExCMyer5MulK_0zYZeZquB_orKUmZuJ0sxovuhVETW0ivZ-cSIK010vS3eUxEM9DnXRHaUtrC/s1600/carol+phone+891.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfALz2RvGuTNst1v8w8AcyU1cfo60UoPYOqKcHCRKot-PlZZbzjWNBiQ08kvD6X8-kv0PExCMyer5MulK_0zYZeZquB_orKUmZuJ0sxovuhVETW0ivZ-cSIK010vS3eUxEM9DnXRHaUtrC/s400/carol+phone+891.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656068427131810706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FFCfCgXV6RLVN6p3cFo30919LMTUC3zlR9JVbPPEXdp446NOf1wIvG6cL8yduwbRStX11_iMyBdddJdbxSTUzT-vBnfM9iXVP7AyF8A2jqlYYNaGZx5yIHC36UEBhWRPv-3VyW2vuzGq/s1600/carol+phone+889.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FFCfCgXV6RLVN6p3cFo30919LMTUC3zlR9JVbPPEXdp446NOf1wIvG6cL8yduwbRStX11_iMyBdddJdbxSTUzT-vBnfM9iXVP7AyF8A2jqlYYNaGZx5yIHC36UEBhWRPv-3VyW2vuzGq/s400/carol+phone+889.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656068423156691362" /></a><br /> <br /><br />This is a state park called Howard park in Tarpon Springs. I didn't get pics, but there are some AMAZING homes all around there!!! Once the kids are out of the house, Mike and I would LOVE to live somewhere like that!<br /><br />This beach is almost like a private island. Palm trees line the beach, and there were barely any ppl there. While there, we saw some amazing sights. When we first pulled up to the park I immediately said to the kids "THIS is why we live in florida!!!" Chase just rolled his eyes at me :) We saw a group of about 5 dolphins swimming and diving just out in the distance from us. We also saw some cool sea creatures...not sure what they were, but it was a mom and baby. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquIK-9teJgqa3avZiU67YcMFsYxHnoi3nxwwzIlm8UUh7Um-blJlopUQQevHPucMhVONB-lYXeDuv9_lQEAlYIiVvw4I2M9zE1zIzJByFJ0gKOILuJQR_bSp5cCJz0n6X8dbmQqx7ROGC/s1600/carol+phone+982.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquIK-9teJgqa3avZiU67YcMFsYxHnoi3nxwwzIlm8UUh7Um-blJlopUQQevHPucMhVONB-lYXeDuv9_lQEAlYIiVvw4I2M9zE1zIzJByFJ0gKOILuJQR_bSp5cCJz0n6X8dbmQqx7ROGC/s400/carol+phone+982.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656069653099155026" /></a><br />The water was so unbelievably calm. No waves!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5PVD7k-WPxaF06ZfWOTloSw29BtUsDAqzSIIAk5kD6E0arWJlkPZ7n-04ROicY9_Qy-vscaTZhNrNyUDT0hG3A8t4ZZkc4w_2eDzgVs3s61KIjdD0Fyio3gNzgDrM9WkpDU4odrq0YrI/s1600/carol+phone+960.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5PVD7k-WPxaF06ZfWOTloSw29BtUsDAqzSIIAk5kD6E0arWJlkPZ7n-04ROicY9_Qy-vscaTZhNrNyUDT0hG3A8t4ZZkc4w_2eDzgVs3s61KIjdD0Fyio3gNzgDrM9WkpDU4odrq0YrI/s400/carol+phone+960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656069651118235426" /></a><br />We hereby claim this beach, Rogers Remote Slice of Heaven. Oh yeah, then we had Chick-afal-a for lunch. According to the kids it was the "best day ever". I agree.<br />What are you all up to this weekend? Do you have a favorite place you claim as "yours"??blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-54315068116943580232011-09-19T09:47:00.000-07:002011-09-19T10:02:55.470-07:00My new rideYesterday I mentioned that I got a new bike. Here she is, in all her purple glory. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3iAwPsMDRCyhjPzwWx1PY2wi86ftBK-l29ezgvCwXo-3A8Z0wOxwJME79Lp1QCWuqrf-5-Ibv97shdZuOY5MyMbaQdrRV9FIHCdLyxXuzlBCAN89HjGX76xGRyBWsMyhIrl5OBsvi9cD/s1600/florida+random+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3iAwPsMDRCyhjPzwWx1PY2wi86ftBK-l29ezgvCwXo-3A8Z0wOxwJME79Lp1QCWuqrf-5-Ibv97shdZuOY5MyMbaQdrRV9FIHCdLyxXuzlBCAN89HjGX76xGRyBWsMyhIrl5OBsvi9cD/s400/florida+random+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654116198652426914" /></a><br /> I had to get one that is easy on my back, so I went with a beach cruiser! Mike and I just got back from over an hour long bike ride. We rode through our subdivision, and past Chase's school to a subdivision we are considering on building in, AFTER of course we find jobs....details, details. Yes, I came home and downed a mini diet pepsi, but as i am sitting here i am also on my second water bottle for the day. :) I also have ice on my back, just to keep things well. I told Mike, the next time we go for that long of a ride I will have to sit on a roll of toilet paper!! I THOUGHT my seat was cusioned, but not so much! Julie, thinking of you, and wondering how your diet is going?!<br />Here are a couple random pics too. Monday was Chase's picture day at school and I made him model pose before he left.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmTDPGKHkKYwAkIAHZt_7c9FhJ6DcMpQUZuuIOxc30C2MKIZL74Xn5sdl7PrCZrTTyh0kC9dzpVF1keqErXaml61we8Utu-jAplIw09rXJgR595VCU6ySHlM_Sv-dpZzOSzs0RkK34JrI/s1600/florida+random+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmTDPGKHkKYwAkIAHZt_7c9FhJ6DcMpQUZuuIOxc30C2MKIZL74Xn5sdl7PrCZrTTyh0kC9dzpVF1keqErXaml61we8Utu-jAplIw09rXJgR595VCU6ySHlM_Sv-dpZzOSzs0RkK34JrI/s400/florida+random+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654116201208842354" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here are some of the cool birds that we see daily in our neighborhood. Sometimes, like here, they even come up to our front porch!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBoxZipfOsxKEF9sbVaO4rmnarNL37jMnbMcbWmm7U4ndOqRJ6z2uzXHltGo2ThoAQ9n0WFBfZVlykJeq1GhCMn5kiZTGHmtVb2ZkTfB43wKbPtH1HHDRXQL_ngey_yIscLDH4k5EbWDZ/s1600/florida+random+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBoxZipfOsxKEF9sbVaO4rmnarNL37jMnbMcbWmm7U4ndOqRJ6z2uzXHltGo2ThoAQ9n0WFBfZVlykJeq1GhCMn5kiZTGHmtVb2ZkTfB43wKbPtH1HHDRXQL_ngey_yIscLDH4k5EbWDZ/s400/florida+random+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654116219674564338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ow5_Vl2Tsr5oswvuhKLlMWl2Glk2u2wFPOtd870yTXNetfuHRQavCQomT96DAMFcKsUOrfLa63cR6BBC3i3kyU7UNaODlOFQ7KRlulYxZ_5TstKXE1iPwLN4yefQ78q0rI1C8p_eCaDQ/s1600/florida+random+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ow5_Vl2Tsr5oswvuhKLlMWl2Glk2u2wFPOtd870yTXNetfuHRQavCQomT96DAMFcKsUOrfLa63cR6BBC3i3kyU7UNaODlOFQ7KRlulYxZ_5TstKXE1iPwLN4yefQ78q0rI1C8p_eCaDQ/s400/florida+random+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654116215622135906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r6NQfeSPkEPMFLMJbCsyjBv7FyAYgg1DnA6ykkBhyelrAlRY3yemSOBd9z5Hzq-6AFApnx7Pe_VHh3EqmFir-bFBmIIRSfnS9fcaPgOF42O5fIdEC-80mbdB5H4EnicQ2FALW1Mybd0z/s1600/florida+random+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r6NQfeSPkEPMFLMJbCsyjBv7FyAYgg1DnA6ykkBhyelrAlRY3yemSOBd9z5Hzq-6AFApnx7Pe_VHh3EqmFir-bFBmIIRSfnS9fcaPgOF42O5fIdEC-80mbdB5H4EnicQ2FALW1Mybd0z/s400/florida+random+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654116207403630786" /></a><br /><br /><br />Have a great day everyone!!!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-74114418903691983782011-09-17T14:34:00.000-07:002011-09-17T15:35:53.419-07:00A little bit of this, a little bit of thatToday will be a mish mash of stuff :) <br /><br />*I am so proud of Chase. Last week I got a call from the asst principal, saying he had Chase with him in his office. "This is a good thing" he cheered. He said they like to call parents when positive things happen! Chase was recognized by his lang arts teacher for being caring, compassionate, and helpful to ohter kids in the class. This earned him a special prize and the cance to win even more prizes. I am proud beyond words at my son. He is amazing me everyday with the way he has handled this move and adapted to new friends, school, etc. Our friends back in StLouis will never be topped, but it warms my hear to know that he is making the transition so well. <br /><br />*Brooke is becoming quite the little swimmer! It really helps to have our own pool. She wears a mask and wont go ALL the way under yet, but she puts her whole face in and swims all over the pool!!! finally!!<br /><br />*Mike and I bought some new bikes to get in shape. The area around here just screams for you to ride your bike around, so even though money is tight, we felt it was a wise investmet in our health!<br /><br />*I broke my toe about a week and a half ago and it is still sore!!<br /><br />*Mike and I are still looking for that perfect job!!<br /><br />*We feel like we are working full time, by looking at the computer for jobs alllll day.<br /><br />*Chase went to a friends house last night and they took part in a dodge ball tournement with over 500 kids at one of the local churches, they made it to the semi-finals. His team consisted of new friends from school - all of them are new to the area, so they called themselves the "new kids on the block". Chase also had his first sleepover here in florida. <br /><br />*My biggest prayer has been answered...Chase finding new friends easily here!<br /><br />*Brooke is getting sooo excited for her birthday next week!<br /><br />*our next door neighbors are wonderful, Christians!<br /><br />*Dewey needs a haircut!! Oh, yeah, and he DOESN"T like to swim!<br /><br />*I am trying to keep from stress getting the best of me, but I have been getting headaches the past few days! So, I finally went to a chiro. I also went for some xrays to help with treatment. I will NEVER find as great of a chiro as I had in St louis :(<br /><br />*Florida has LOVE BUGS, that are numerous right now and fly around mating..ew..<br /><br />*The BIGGEST news.....I am weaing off of diet soda!!!! I have been drinking a ton of water and have only had 2 mini diet pepsi sodas today. Those of you who know my addiction, know that this is great for me! Also another reason I have a continuous headache!!<br /><br />*I am gonna go and try out that new bike of mine!<br /><br />*Have a great weekend everyone!! I miss all of my friends and family so much!!!!<br /><br />blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-34415084733925483222011-09-10T11:31:00.000-07:002011-09-10T12:10:37.076-07:00Roller Coaster rideHello Everyone (that is, if anyone is still out there in blog land). As many of you know, we recently moved our family to Florida, after several years of visiting the Sunshine State. It most definately has been the biggest, scariest, loopiest, steepest roller coaster ride I have ever been on. We feel like God planted the seed in our hearts about 2 years ago, to move here, and things fell into place over the past couple months, to make it happen! Our house was on the market, and sold in less than one month, we found a perfect rental, awesome schools and I even interviewed and got a job....all in a week's time. Now, that is NOT to say that because God's loving hand has been in all of this, that it has been a bed of roses! For each fabulous, bright day..there has also been an even darker,yuck day. We know that God is still with us and is totally in control, but fear and doubt just keep creeping in at unexpected moments! The kids are adjusting well in their schools, and have even had a few play dates! BUT now my job has turned out to not be what I thought it would be..so..I will continue to search for that job that will help provide for my family, but that I will also like :) We prefaced this move with the idea of living more simply and to work to live! I am comforted by God's word in Isaiah 66:8-14 "..8Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. 9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.11"For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts;you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." 13"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...14When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants..." <br /><br />We are definately in a time of threshing. We are comforted also in knowing our good friends and old neighbors kelli and Lee have also felt a calling to move to Florida too. We continue to experience a lot of similiar triumps and pitfalls, and are thankful that they are moving close to us soon, when they close on their new home. They will be a short 10min drive from us. <br /><br />I am excited about what the near future holds for us here in florida. The animal lover in me is daily in awe of the amazing birds, lizards, and other wildlife that call florida home. I promised myself to never let the site of them, the palm trees, the beach,to lose their AWEsomeness!!<br /><br />Well, Brooke is wanting to go swimming. Guess I will have to oblige ;) Here is a shot of our pool. Yes, we said we want to live more simply, BUT with a pool. Hey, when in rome....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hKUjjl52qovepEf1y2ASSvBRIClvMuQsNnuJ6eQ6L-wG3hL6Pv2iCHrwkcLEHY-PPbLj0YBMn_Z5bzHTMpetiwY_J9JOa2wrUNb_8msZfBbUjKaKWUz1M9XFlp7i89uXgE4eq6FtOkrw/s1600/pool+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hKUjjl52qovepEf1y2ASSvBRIClvMuQsNnuJ6eQ6L-wG3hL6Pv2iCHrwkcLEHY-PPbLj0YBMn_Z5bzHTMpetiwY_J9JOa2wrUNb_8msZfBbUjKaKWUz1M9XFlp7i89uXgE4eq6FtOkrw/s400/pool+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650810165915766386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieTS1uObTSul05Tvl0FNSofBLWvEGJBd9whM34S6neq3ZNx_DZQgOb3ismRbSe4O9VrUgD9bC3IKMonZ1Tc-W9sz309oVB99m9vTyTs2NXk-GTevG20lkVWESl-rnweigwRtct4zHF1l2/s1600/house+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieTS1uObTSul05Tvl0FNSofBLWvEGJBd9whM34S6neq3ZNx_DZQgOb3ismRbSe4O9VrUgD9bC3IKMonZ1Tc-W9sz309oVB99m9vTyTs2NXk-GTevG20lkVWESl-rnweigwRtct4zHF1l2/s400/house+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650810157278826242" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-56162539333829061152011-03-08T05:58:00.000-08:002011-03-08T09:23:26.102-08:00When you know it's coming..Yes. It's that glorious time of the year when the buds start to appear on the trees. Little green shoots start to pop out of the once frozen ground. More and more birds start to appear and build nests getting ready for their young. Outside the temperature is starting to rise...the only bad thing is, so is the temperature INSIDE. See, as you all know this is springtime, but also cold & flu season. We knew this day was coming as everyone around us has been getting it. The school nurse even sent home a letter to parents warning it was going around. Somehow, you think, hope, pray it will skip YOUR family. But alas, the flu has hit my sweet Brooke. We just came from the dr and one nose swabbing later...influenza B. My dr said he does not reccomend Tamiflu so Motrin, fluids, rest, and Purell it is. I hope the buck stops there!!! Hoping you all are staying well.blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-33063448593569503832011-02-25T17:08:00.000-08:002011-02-25T17:22:04.842-08:00Cake Pops by Koren at Pop Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NW0hM-wd46B-vMwN9hkJjZqC3Jf3OM-Sy94S2YXCXo6hqKB8-F3LSk-Aheyobsmq5hq5XCve5mIW5h6xpIM3rF1_UXNTYG-Qd_lFDZxqv1zTyht7GW6YNXgKgblqufUrGbGFy50xJneF/s1600/pop+art"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NW0hM-wd46B-vMwN9hkJjZqC3Jf3OM-Sy94S2YXCXo6hqKB8-F3LSk-Aheyobsmq5hq5XCve5mIW5h6xpIM3rF1_UXNTYG-Qd_lFDZxqv1zTyht7GW6YNXgKgblqufUrGbGFy50xJneF/s400/pop+art" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577801836535138434" /></a><br />I work with an amazingly talented girl, Koren, whom makes <strong><a href="http://popartkoren.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-and-improved-smilies-part-two.html">these</a></strong> adoreable cake pops! Check out her blog and all of her POP ART creations <em></em><strong></strong><a href="http://popartkoren.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-and-improved-smilies-part-two.html"><a href="http://popartkoren.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-and-improved-smilies-part-two.html">here</a></a>.<br /><br />I plan to order some of her creations for Brooke's Birthday in a few months!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-38601968393772216932011-02-15T08:07:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:27:06.465-08:00BlessedWhat a great Valentine's Day I had with my family. They showered me with sweet gifts of love! Chase was so proud of his gift as he told me it took him THREE weeks to complete!! It was a book of quotes and words from his heart about his mom. Things that seem like a trivial part of the day to me... Mean the world to him. What a great reminder to me of the impact the role of motherhood has in the lives of our children. What a humbling experience to be a mom - my purpose in this life.<br />I also got to go out on a date with my husband. We ate bread and pasta while laughing with good friends and listening to live 80s music!! I am truly blessed in this life!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-75675478648470192642010-12-21T07:56:00.000-08:002010-12-21T08:24:47.686-08:00Santa is on my "naughty" listWe have only one "believer" left in our house this year. So, we went to see the big man in red yesterday at the mall. Chase came along, because he still likes to "see" him, but he would not be sitting on his lap this year because "he is a cool middle-schooler now". Brooke was very excited. In the morning yesterday before school, she started to get a little teary eyed though. She said, "mommy, I think I might be on the naughty list!" Why, I said, did you do something that would put you there. (this was gonna be good)- "Well," she said, I was arguing with Chase the other day." I assured her that Santa knew that was normal brother/sister behavior, and that she was a very kind, sweet girl- and is definately on the nice list. That seemed to put her mind at ease, so she was excited to see Santa! <br />When she got home from school, she changed into her fanciest dress, combed and sprayed her hair, and we were off to the mall. We entered the mall and could see him sitting on his chair, the excitement grew! There was nobody else there, so we went right in. BUT.....you won't be seeing a sweet, priceless picture of this moment of her childhood, that will never again be recaptured. Why??? because you couldn't take your own picture. You would have to pay $18.00 if you wanted a piece of this memory!!!! I asked the "elf" if I could simply take a short video on my camera instead. NO... Mind you this is the same exact Santa and spot that my dear friend Julie visited 3 days ago and got oodles of pics (taken by HER own camera). I was NOT happy. I was dissapointed. I didn't want to make a scene, so I dropped it. AFTER i asked the head elf once more why my friend could take photos and I can't. His reply? I must not have been on duty that day. Great. <br /><br /><br />Here is the picture I did get... Look real hard, can you see santa WAY in the backround? Nice. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Vvw7CoytBGpSWapkEYdjntHdTKB1_4SMJ0f2sPmRYnCly-x7xPDWTVyuOy-oFhbCHaGaG5lXPkkPQcrKEBiqRO4WImiXWPKsxw7-pUaFFPDThNHo1hCV8LTqmhx2Z0b76VEBaCC9IPo/s1600/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Vvw7CoytBGpSWapkEYdjntHdTKB1_4SMJ0f2sPmRYnCly-x7xPDWTVyuOy-oFhbCHaGaG5lXPkkPQcrKEBiqRO4WImiXWPKsxw7-pUaFFPDThNHo1hCV8LTqmhx2Z0b76VEBaCC9IPo/s400/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553169274955350690" /></a><br />Brooke has been wearing these play glasses around, because some of her friends wear real ones, and she thinks it's pretty cool :)<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-36LHCUUjf0Rxc9VKJcr2i20w6e3sR7a2PNsUKUqNc_XSKhhP1KdD4WV0Bj9Ih0nHDmwtC06nNvX31LpYtmTkosqVp8hb3SJ7XaCRKJnyez0rIM13kURwlM0djYBpzYQthL3bXFMPOmB/s1600/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-36LHCUUjf0Rxc9VKJcr2i20w6e3sR7a2PNsUKUqNc_XSKhhP1KdD4WV0Bj9Ih0nHDmwtC06nNvX31LpYtmTkosqVp8hb3SJ7XaCRKJnyez0rIM13kURwlM0djYBpzYQthL3bXFMPOmB/s400/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553169283541555058" /></a><br />This pic is in the little tunnel area you walk in before seeing santa.<br /><br /><br />We did have a great time at the mall though, the kids got a drink at the Bubble Tea house and Subway for dinner. Brooke rode the merry-go-round and we had fun browsing around!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpPvc_tyrlbkJMmmVuVeDSlMYWAkOEPChfGZvMPtZpiIaX83fdsrdM5v4Lp3MHszUHQr3vYIVpdpP7QeEmhjo4z9vksWjSCfK5q-vgbLwXn_x_Eq2hqNrV6Uszg_tPPqt5EGGqhfy1f_S/s1600/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpPvc_tyrlbkJMmmVuVeDSlMYWAkOEPChfGZvMPtZpiIaX83fdsrdM5v4Lp3MHszUHQr3vYIVpdpP7QeEmhjo4z9vksWjSCfK5q-vgbLwXn_x_Eq2hqNrV6Uszg_tPPqt5EGGqhfy1f_S/s400/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553171797129218306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4mjd5rp-XfYAp59hWf0w8erTNqnD6lPPsARDMgKg5z5yWnlsZfZ6SkhWNbc3y9-WrwnAFUzxiX6o6b1S7SoclszYLRq-w5Y3VBrxnFxJvVrQB_ogYHZx527lPqE-eqHgqOL7thxPs9RK/s1600/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4mjd5rp-XfYAp59hWf0w8erTNqnD6lPPsARDMgKg5z5yWnlsZfZ6SkhWNbc3y9-WrwnAFUzxiX6o6b1S7SoclszYLRq-w5Y3VBrxnFxJvVrQB_ogYHZx527lPqE-eqHgqOL7thxPs9RK/s400/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553171786126362322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YHvQfhP_4SU3VN2eCiGiablIk-vwZyLKTIRPEfYe_I94dt9y-PW5fm1guNI0whTR5m5EobA4WcaMBt7u-BBvHinYdm5R_T8aqn9mY0TiVn30A4k8lBVyrbFtVo1sYWHpwDW2r8VI19sh/s1600/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YHvQfhP_4SU3VN2eCiGiablIk-vwZyLKTIRPEfYe_I94dt9y-PW5fm1guNI0whTR5m5EobA4WcaMBt7u-BBvHinYdm5R_T8aqn9mY0TiVn30A4k8lBVyrbFtVo1sYWHpwDW2r8VI19sh/s400/HOPE+2010gifts+and+fieldtrip+and+santa+049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553171766267385570" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-61507197392026698392010-12-05T13:08:00.000-08:002010-12-05T14:07:53.448-08:00Daily RemindersAbout a year ago I was over at a freind's and saw a really cool picture hanging on her wall. It was her family's last name spelled out with letter art. Soon after that I started to "see" letters all around me in every day things, and started to start a collection of my own. My first attempts were not so pretty. It is a lot harder to do than it looks, but it is fun for me. I recently made some framed art for some friends to buy as gifts for Christmas. It is DEFINATELY more of a challenge when doing it for a paying customer....I want it to be perfect. Here are some of the 'words' I made for them. They serve as great daily reminders of God's love. I also had the challenge of doing a LONG last name. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HMIAzdqulBKC-ufYqUMFcwqLw5eTNmY9blo7j-VwTDePF86o1ZCi-Tdf4vB9Gn9oDdOkdLjicGbx6kZBsWuyrm9rTGIjuHxnc08QukxtkZpET9GbstC643CnmD2yC-IO7ZikamLlVGQU/s1600/letter+projects+done+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HMIAzdqulBKC-ufYqUMFcwqLw5eTNmY9blo7j-VwTDePF86o1ZCi-Tdf4vB9Gn9oDdOkdLjicGbx6kZBsWuyrm9rTGIjuHxnc08QukxtkZpET9GbstC643CnmD2yC-IO7ZikamLlVGQU/s400/letter+projects+done+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547318494014661170" /></a> "PRAY"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxlrDGfw3O55WP8JCUPeE0eb3sZdQmdkcSL1ZvtM-AS9wJfen_Fc-7fjPEpv-fC47C_d6NaUJGS85ZBfe1SLJrJRvwErk6t82PL6V_L6GOZlSNjaqtQjz6SYuRYpZpqKlTZTF8iwQpAfW/s1600/letter+projects+done+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxlrDGfw3O55WP8JCUPeE0eb3sZdQmdkcSL1ZvtM-AS9wJfen_Fc-7fjPEpv-fC47C_d6NaUJGS85ZBfe1SLJrJRvwErk6t82PL6V_L6GOZlSNjaqtQjz6SYuRYpZpqKlTZTF8iwQpAfW/s400/letter+projects+done+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547318489641324338" /></a> "BALLARD"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_8ZPTcWCI-BuuJxrR7DDAKfYb4kT6NP0BkFIRqx_PyUMF0RT3W359__S5gR8DgdSp-TBef4QdJF-C6ccrg5C7pwewzvFY7yjxd2jsjYim0xYazLqVP6ko86zoLWheHIqQiZYZiT4LPNa/s1600/letter+projects+done+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_8ZPTcWCI-BuuJxrR7DDAKfYb4kT6NP0BkFIRqx_PyUMF0RT3W359__S5gR8DgdSp-TBef4QdJF-C6ccrg5C7pwewzvFY7yjxd2jsjYim0xYazLqVP6ko86zoLWheHIqQiZYZiT4LPNa/s400/letter+projects+done+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547318473265018818" /></a> 'JOY'<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tFWCpYuqfJ3kgq6i0l1ST7aJUxYJznat2mcgB4fi5QQsR1rIT3QsHY3MCazyngUYm5cfEz6jZTYeK6hDMUH4OMePbNQyUprBv4OdfdgxbzSXjJYxanh306e626GZs7DF56PjRMn09a-c/s1600/letter+projects+done+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tFWCpYuqfJ3kgq6i0l1ST7aJUxYJznat2mcgB4fi5QQsR1rIT3QsHY3MCazyngUYm5cfEz6jZTYeK6hDMUH4OMePbNQyUprBv4OdfdgxbzSXjJYxanh306e626GZs7DF56PjRMn09a-c/s400/letter+projects+done+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547318465781524722" /></a> 'HOPE'<br />Sorry for the Blessed path scribbles.....have to protect anything on line :)<br /><br />We had our Women's Christmas Banquet last evening at church and I got the opportunity with my sister, Kathy, to make little plaques using some of my letters and her crafty skills for table hostess gifts!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZKFZoSa7tQ1eX6wAHwd5VnHi4zcFKpyaavRdLFUZjn_2CsJYg2Nl6978_SJpvEZ4hhqFvcvT28Swc2igdyrWwpLFXELcAIWatp89Ij-HYT0I6jqNMlUL6Dn-FJX0wKDooTJn06OpfT20/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZKFZoSa7tQ1eX6wAHwd5VnHi4zcFKpyaavRdLFUZjn_2CsJYg2Nl6978_SJpvEZ4hhqFvcvT28Swc2igdyrWwpLFXELcAIWatp89Ij-HYT0I6jqNMlUL6Dn-FJX0wKDooTJn06OpfT20/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547322283099506802" /></a><br />"JESUS"<br /><br /><br />I don't know if anyone finds these interesting at all, but I would love the opportunity to make something for you....maybe to give as Christmas gifts or for yourself. $5.00 a letter plus frame or you can frame them yourself :) Thanksblessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-20424358391605822542010-12-02T07:20:00.000-08:002010-12-02T07:39:17.673-08:00Advent tree tradition time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6sB6l-muREh1sYZFmNfnrYYzD3mRWcL8xC47WzMXcfOLWvKTvGMJRx0B62GKjk8wyJvAeHuHFiWKoc7Rv8ZQvKosEMPaDYMjdhmfTu4lRe6p66dUxA0u9ZVZRXUdxs27EG7KdF6t863x/s1600/letter+projects+done+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6sB6l-muREh1sYZFmNfnrYYzD3mRWcL8xC47WzMXcfOLWvKTvGMJRx0B62GKjk8wyJvAeHuHFiWKoc7Rv8ZQvKosEMPaDYMjdhmfTu4lRe6p66dUxA0u9ZVZRXUdxs27EG7KdF6t863x/s320/letter+projects+done+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546109254553380514" /></a><br />Last year I started doing an advent tree to help the kids get excited about Christmas (okay, like they really needed help in that department)! Each day they take turns opening the numbered boxes, to discover a small surprise of some sort. It is the very first thing they do when waking up! I put things as simple as gumballs, chocolate gold coins, chapstick, toothbrushes, new christmas socks, make your own card kits and ornament kits, note pads, pens. Most of it comes from the dollar bin at Target (not the candy or toothbrushes (made in china). This year I found some adoreable little pots that look like santa and a snowman, to grow grass hair. I put a note in box #1 for them to 'ask mom' for the gift of the day, since they wouldnt fit into the tiny box. I decided to give them these the first day so they could hopefully have grass 'hair" on them by Christmas. Box 25 is always the same. I tell the kids it is the most "expensive" and biggest gift of all. They open it to find baby Jesus. Then we all go over to the Nativity scene and place Him in the manger. <br /><br />This year it is a teaching tool in a different way as well. Chase opened #1 so he will be opening all the ODD numbered boxes, so Brooke gets all the even #'s. She has been really learning all her odds and evens, because she wants to know all the ones SHE will get to open! :)<br />What are you doing with your loved ones to get you in the Christmas mood??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t0WPJ77ywiVeL3wdEQmjGIMWjDqJe6hyphenhyphenzkYCsImvYWoLM_Bprk7ouWlp8BwrkOdTWZfGsB0Ei5MQOm04_YzSzAygn7GubdziM0WgyPHfqpMS3ic6fxtnubda0FxECRn_fVeb_s7T2y0X/s1600/letter+projects+done+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t0WPJ77ywiVeL3wdEQmjGIMWjDqJe6hyphenhyphenzkYCsImvYWoLM_Bprk7ouWlp8BwrkOdTWZfGsB0Ei5MQOm04_YzSzAygn7GubdziM0WgyPHfqpMS3ic6fxtnubda0FxECRn_fVeb_s7T2y0X/s320/letter+projects+done+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546109277775967474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgIruO4lxx7fpt_jcCpJBVMXOjmnnvlX4HDH822VsPrfHEZd1Ma337H6JkXMjnEtMng7alYcj9nRlIaPUso9ahPOW-OnvQJPAAjKy4GGYB0Z0Q7zrmXk_ZFt7uDBsGBA77uxYyrQfDNF6/s1600/letter+projects+done+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgIruO4lxx7fpt_jcCpJBVMXOjmnnvlX4HDH822VsPrfHEZd1Ma337H6JkXMjnEtMng7alYcj9nRlIaPUso9ahPOW-OnvQJPAAjKy4GGYB0Z0Q7zrmXk_ZFt7uDBsGBA77uxYyrQfDNF6/s320/letter+projects+done+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546109266374310258" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-49576406970935411482010-11-30T07:05:00.000-08:002010-11-30T07:27:14.149-08:00A new tradition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewqeZqsrpNeopNjjA0qP8NXKx577JUq3GLBC3EENpv0MxGiKoe8PzWKR3IJIC6iEvjSXrzmSr8d4RVjFmFkZsxhY0GSD_cQaNx8xseEuOGkdpPXnVRiYFycrIa8zagE9s6Sht62suh9b/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewqeZqsrpNeopNjjA0qP8NXKx577JUq3GLBC3EENpv0MxGiKoe8PzWKR3IJIC6iEvjSXrzmSr8d4RVjFmFkZsxhY0GSD_cQaNx8xseEuOGkdpPXnVRiYFycrIa8zagE9s6Sht62suh9b/s320/thanksgiving+etc+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361861963914434" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNSpvm0jcQ0cAgeQwFwn7y87-gDDayLsrS3NuKasv0o7kkK_gbBuugptTIKAjJ24VYpV-t9FW1uH3zajU57bJ9-YLBsPP-et_Wif2ce-zDNKIsMT7Vj0iXRukzCruB3PBow5wOVFfSR38/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+012.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNSpvm0jcQ0cAgeQwFwn7y87-gDDayLsrS3NuKasv0o7kkK_gbBuugptTIKAjJ24VYpV-t9FW1uH3zajU57bJ9-YLBsPP-et_Wif2ce-zDNKIsMT7Vj0iXRukzCruB3PBow5wOVFfSR38/s320/thanksgiving+etc+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545363228190825058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctB64VYTgLmXYOJi5aoClMyfXJXc3BzUkNEgagBwtl7o_IRAx8i8qvbRw970N5Vo_Cr2IP5T7eU7C-82qyt7xI9lZdWaeYhPf5pqz0H2Xm27tIEJgQ6hJOaxq3x1tWl6Q4kyjXIFffKbM/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctB64VYTgLmXYOJi5aoClMyfXJXc3BzUkNEgagBwtl7o_IRAx8i8qvbRw970N5Vo_Cr2IP5T7eU7C-82qyt7xI9lZdWaeYhPf5pqz0H2Xm27tIEJgQ6hJOaxq3x1tWl6Q4kyjXIFffKbM/s320/thanksgiving+etc+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545363213684677970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDiiXXzhCTeloUeRl-9i32Iq_PCVmHUdjWt4Y1jTSfL0ZYbT2W9Bx5ItlFGieco1b8Mbu5Kg-eBc8ZDOtBXdRE1-kcrEphf7QTENkxN1h1pKL2eF8lAUTJtuwSxlTRPPpVT3T3HRpTD89/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDiiXXzhCTeloUeRl-9i32Iq_PCVmHUdjWt4Y1jTSfL0ZYbT2W9Bx5ItlFGieco1b8Mbu5Kg-eBc8ZDOtBXdRE1-kcrEphf7QTENkxN1h1pKL2eF8lAUTJtuwSxlTRPPpVT3T3HRpTD89/s320/thanksgiving+etc+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545363206755000226" /></a><br /><br />We had a great Thanksgiving with family. Ate too much. I still cannot believe it is this time of year already. We went to my brother's house for Thanksgiving. They have graciously hosted it for the past many years. It is always sooo good!! My sis in law makes some great popovers and her desserts are to die for!! Anyway. For the past year or so, my parents have all the grandkids over the day after Turkey day to help decorate their house and tree for Christmas. The kids really enjoy this time with Grandma and Grandpa and of course their cousins. My parents also love the time with all of them, but mostly enjoy all the help putting the ornaments on the tree and setting up their Christmas village. They have decided to make this a new tradition! What kinds of Holiday traditions do you all have with your families or friends??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuHBumAx3KtcDdnTOzbifW00Z6Y5yUkiriqPE_iY1vaTZW4bpZiIzh_smajpacvR6Nt1zjolkR18qmVeoxfERUMJ075TDu5tW0Vwo2wMoxdb0Lcv8RaA4o1lhrLfiCbIaMjBuAnBagCFS/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+010.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuHBumAx3KtcDdnTOzbifW00Z6Y5yUkiriqPE_iY1vaTZW4bpZiIzh_smajpacvR6Nt1zjolkR18qmVeoxfERUMJ075TDu5tW0Vwo2wMoxdb0Lcv8RaA4o1lhrLfiCbIaMjBuAnBagCFS/s320/thanksgiving+etc+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545363239319954482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0FeJ8aL2hvImYtjazEmoDwmfMpaZU4A0j9jSxHTF6DF7_ZrBRptK2QeZU8_yRZQt9aOsczY-gQm1lbqSGj_0vg_mFuWLqYsy2up5ztUqz6l_470xh5I36-j9UUs3y9wKM5bCyeDq5flF/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0FeJ8aL2hvImYtjazEmoDwmfMpaZU4A0j9jSxHTF6DF7_ZrBRptK2QeZU8_yRZQt9aOsczY-gQm1lbqSGj_0vg_mFuWLqYsy2up5ztUqz6l_470xh5I36-j9UUs3y9wKM5bCyeDq5flF/s320/thanksgiving+etc+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545363189158156610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFsmEAfmNEg_YA4curmJUw1ovILWM5P-r1k1aIq2j3ck6eFDBG_e2hmVZNJQ1w7IhV2Y-op_g1B3ZAilUDy-gkibvzKHaY2-792wY87z3MLRX7U-AmdVo8U8HlADgEQHZ9bw-oN52l1tL/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFsmEAfmNEg_YA4curmJUw1ovILWM5P-r1k1aIq2j3ck6eFDBG_e2hmVZNJQ1w7IhV2Y-op_g1B3ZAilUDy-gkibvzKHaY2-792wY87z3MLRX7U-AmdVo8U8HlADgEQHZ9bw-oN52l1tL/s320/thanksgiving+etc+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361915184269698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESgbh6Mu1jmsjGhVCjp8ruvB3E8JB1xHE8qrcjJFXqBNIRMP0S8oAo3Xdw8Jyxer4kscS8FQbS5pq-aQqnqyayIaQLNknDzhnU_K1HduFoLThKcPrcV1B21EuCmB28dOWLAa6GyekEBkP/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESgbh6Mu1jmsjGhVCjp8ruvB3E8JB1xHE8qrcjJFXqBNIRMP0S8oAo3Xdw8Jyxer4kscS8FQbS5pq-aQqnqyayIaQLNknDzhnU_K1HduFoLThKcPrcV1B21EuCmB28dOWLAa6GyekEBkP/s320/thanksgiving+etc+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361875637515858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m0w-ZkPKD9n8TWCH5sQ4Y4h87wO0vyxMrDxwx-BvwcSe_bqwUVdy_IZX7ymSrkrU9oT73C-guCLOoVaUb2ViqRIt7BtBgSNVg81Rzti-bXT6_Ph7hlG2XcmDVBhsxx39-783_tK_V0VN/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m0w-ZkPKD9n8TWCH5sQ4Y4h87wO0vyxMrDxwx-BvwcSe_bqwUVdy_IZX7ymSrkrU9oT73C-guCLOoVaUb2ViqRIt7BtBgSNVg81Rzti-bXT6_Ph7hlG2XcmDVBhsxx39-783_tK_V0VN/s320/thanksgiving+etc+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361870130904738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewqeZqsrpNeopNjjA0qP8NXKx577JUq3GLBC3EENpv0MxGiKoe8PzWKR3IJIC6iEvjSXrzmSr8d4RVjFmFkZsxhY0GSD_cQaNx8xseEuOGkdpPXnVRiYFycrIa8zagE9s6Sht62suh9b/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewqeZqsrpNeopNjjA0qP8NXKx577JUq3GLBC3EENpv0MxGiKoe8PzWKR3IJIC6iEvjSXrzmSr8d4RVjFmFkZsxhY0GSD_cQaNx8xseEuOGkdpPXnVRiYFycrIa8zagE9s6Sht62suh9b/s320/thanksgiving+etc+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361861963914434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsnAh6L8Re8tDK5qou7SVucs4fstFmsoST-bzvIz3pQLCF5GMbDOM9agW4jPsJUX9yMvu5C3_sleg4H5kaKy-DxPLPjiXFbMZxMeGFCmZSpwb0xO-G0JTQQsUoHjyIrKtnLDw4nE9ppPe/s1600/thanksgiving+etc+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsnAh6L8Re8tDK5qou7SVucs4fstFmsoST-bzvIz3pQLCF5GMbDOM9agW4jPsJUX9yMvu5C3_sleg4H5kaKy-DxPLPjiXFbMZxMeGFCmZSpwb0xO-G0JTQQsUoHjyIrKtnLDw4nE9ppPe/s320/thanksgiving+etc+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545361857294333058" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-19844715196764374272010-11-15T09:28:00.000-08:002010-11-15T10:17:48.128-08:00A sweet friend's room rearrangementHi everyone. Hope you are enjoying this week before Thanksgiving. Is anyone else in denial, that it is this time of the year again? I usually start to listen to Christmas music early, however last yr I started wayyy to soon (in October) and grew tired of the songs by this time. One of the local radio stations just started playing Christmas songs this weekend, so they are starting to put a pep in my step and get me excited for the Holidays. I do have my shopping done for the kids :)<br /><br />Anyway...God really has given me so many opportunities this past month to do what I love to do. My neighbors staging, my parents living and dining room redo, and then my sweet friend from church asked me if I would come over to her house and help her change around her family room. All totally different types of tasks, one to help sell a house, one spending money and repurposing by painting for a whole new look, and then this one, just moving and removing items to make her room more user friendly. This is her room before (yeah!!!! Carol actually remembered to take a before). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-OzKyK0vvNDV7zTRIDWaCvR7bdyu9a2U9W4DiaIogR9kCY9EmHMIuHmNDvn_HtiX7YJLT8hf8QAPqNVXuq-yB-VWYhqRy3TPdVAWG_ekhCNZYykV70NAUsNj1_ZuC4yfoOoSR7dB9nkB/s1600/julie+rearrange+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-OzKyK0vvNDV7zTRIDWaCvR7bdyu9a2U9W4DiaIogR9kCY9EmHMIuHmNDvn_HtiX7YJLT8hf8QAPqNVXuq-yB-VWYhqRy3TPdVAWG_ekhCNZYykV70NAUsNj1_ZuC4yfoOoSR7dB9nkB/s400/julie+rearrange+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539837519189181474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznGhoKEs2_KPizwdBcm02JwGFtC_ZvM8gXzO7zZ0-W9mso22coRx90sPgcxJVtwzotA4H4BHJMg7X_QqHJR4gCp85BchVgXvKtP3Y7eqwk42Jh7qLgC53PYf30Q7mUL-PGzm03YkPpZb9/s1600/julie+rearrange+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznGhoKEs2_KPizwdBcm02JwGFtC_ZvM8gXzO7zZ0-W9mso22coRx90sPgcxJVtwzotA4H4BHJMg7X_QqHJR4gCp85BchVgXvKtP3Y7eqwk42Jh7qLgC53PYf30Q7mUL-PGzm03YkPpZb9/s400/julie+rearrange+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539837515779899778" /></a><br /> I have to say, I have never been to her house before, so have never seen the room until the moment I walked in. It was kind of cool to experience that. My mind just started to process, think, wonder, plan...FUN!!! I started our time together, by first listening to her. What does she DO in this room, where is her favorite spot to be in it, what other functions does this room have. What are the trouble spots or things that just aren't working for her in the room. The biggest thing was there was just too much furniture in the room, making it feel smaller. But, her family gathers there, so we needed to leave much of it in the room. Another issue, there just isn't enough light. Also, a craft table that she uses, has become her "catch all" place. I assured her we ALL have one of these places in our homes, mine is my breakfast bar! We talked and I bounced some ideas off her and then told her I just need to start moving things - it's easier to see if an idea is going to work or not. You can see the before and then after pics to see what all we did.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT70sJjqbkjauFl-5VLYSOf6IAq9OQtB-_uQbJSiMupLRfpcplTY0sMTl3R4-T9ec-DHx9SbidcMviBG5wWXbxiGAU2fetC7IhG8Wpgq_QDiVHhqP9jtSbmuU_-8nsMbkRaZvfffwy9rF/s1600/julie+rearrange+002.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT70sJjqbkjauFl-5VLYSOf6IAq9OQtB-_uQbJSiMupLRfpcplTY0sMTl3R4-T9ec-DHx9SbidcMviBG5wWXbxiGAU2fetC7IhG8Wpgq_QDiVHhqP9jtSbmuU_-8nsMbkRaZvfffwy9rF/s320/julie+rearrange+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539840689754381426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDURe_MOfhJ7YTYerTRe-Qb36ivxGsgz8DMz87kHonnhOeanZ9kHudtVbgIqehAzV7v2PkYA-0Jp1M-SPlDr_XQxm2F2_Hk40qpMiMN7aJhtFg8NDaeOzEKNvT71bVTKAVjdUkZqfPxaiF/s1600/julie+rearrange+006.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDURe_MOfhJ7YTYerTRe-Qb36ivxGsgz8DMz87kHonnhOeanZ9kHudtVbgIqehAzV7v2PkYA-0Jp1M-SPlDr_XQxm2F2_Hk40qpMiMN7aJhtFg8NDaeOzEKNvT71bVTKAVjdUkZqfPxaiF/s400/julie+rearrange+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539840129571992802" /></a> A few things were: removing one of the bookshelves from the room. The other one, we removed the backing of it to let the taupe paint on the walls show through to really highlight her stuff and to update the look. We moved that bookshelf to the back wall and flanked the 2 chairs around it. The chair on the left is her "spot" to read, craft etc. So we shopped the house and brought in a great floor lamp to place behind her chair. We also placed a smaller antique table that was hiding in the corner before, by the othter chair with yet another lamp for that side of the room. We replaced her beautiful (but too big for the space) trunk she was using for a coffee table and again shopped the house and found a smaller one that we left on its side. This takes up less visual space in the room. We changed some artwork around, staged her items on the bookcase and temporarily hung curtain she bought on the existing rod. I think floor length panels actually make your room look bigger than just having a valence. They also make the room look more cozy and current. Well, I am rambling now. Here is the after pic. I had great fun doing this for her and she is happy with how the room turned out. Oh, yeah, about her craft table. I suggested she get her son to make her a fold down table that can mount to the wall with door hinges, it can fold up to do her crafts, but she can drop it down against the wall to hang so it can't be her Catch all place anymore :)It will also free up more space when her family comes over!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5m6CxuBIi4jMNib8cfpaUcPqCbLNfNlu2eV_fTcdlEyT4oGlA-kBVvVdirwPMRzZqbMV0BpqaC8xHGLJ2rCwpyy6M8mguYZkzMoYYnOsU5s41aa9piYcxVgm1zc7VtcjiRZ8YPggb-66/s1600/julie+rearrange+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5m6CxuBIi4jMNib8cfpaUcPqCbLNfNlu2eV_fTcdlEyT4oGlA-kBVvVdirwPMRzZqbMV0BpqaC8xHGLJ2rCwpyy6M8mguYZkzMoYYnOsU5s41aa9piYcxVgm1zc7VtcjiRZ8YPggb-66/s400/julie+rearrange+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539839406303067106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOBvGkO3aoxG0FI3mLrQFpq9YwpAHOgldc6WMPORpwdiNdKto0Hq9mZ2FgVcDMQVVHeFzL-uHT7kPywWlVaxfY3Sa9miGbSCiWh-NG45X6bgz-2AIzNtsqS2ZicZeyvbufXOiVKzLBfMm/s1600/julie+rearrange+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOBvGkO3aoxG0FI3mLrQFpq9YwpAHOgldc6WMPORpwdiNdKto0Hq9mZ2FgVcDMQVVHeFzL-uHT7kPywWlVaxfY3Sa9miGbSCiWh-NG45X6bgz-2AIzNtsqS2ZicZeyvbufXOiVKzLBfMm/s400/julie+rearrange+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539839393552464114" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-52413842389171652412010-11-12T06:19:00.000-08:002010-11-12T07:01:05.557-08:00My mom & dad's living room redo*** okay. I was able to find this pic of my parents living room "before". You get the idea of what it looked like by the curtains and pillows. Please note, unfortunately we CANNOT go back in time and REDO our wedding look. That is all I am gonna say. :) We did keep mom's same couch, but look how different it looks just with new modern pillows and throw.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9drJAohzpv2X01tM0nzyJPZ74odfqStBWq1-Am08yPx-Ls6Oj8Z2gWv5hV2zf_-UasZWpjoHKgodM2zULkRSccZzh3a2CHQtkhIn0RALQU-1KMZRmsxwrXtXJ7Yv-yqUulwcJbk-9EZ-L/s1600/IMG_NEW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9drJAohzpv2X01tM0nzyJPZ74odfqStBWq1-Am08yPx-Ls6Oj8Z2gWv5hV2zf_-UasZWpjoHKgodM2zULkRSccZzh3a2CHQtkhIn0RALQU-1KMZRmsxwrXtXJ7Yv-yqUulwcJbk-9EZ-L/s400/IMG_NEW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538677574484510850" /></a><br />Mike and I went over to my parents' house yesterday to hang the remaining 2 light fixtures. One was their old brass chandie, turned brushed nickel with black shades. I painted this, but I have to say, it was NOT my best work. Of course when you are trying to do your best work for someone else, you always encounter problems, don't you?! Anyway. It looks pretty good, I took my camera with me yesterday, but did I remember to take pics? NO. I will get pics of the dining room next time I am over there, but here are some pics of the living room. It really feels inviting for a living room. Makes you want to go in there and actually sit. Most people hardly ever use their living rooms, because they look to so, so. My sister picked out the great wall colors!! My parents chose the awesome club chairs. It really was FUN to do this with them. We are almost ready for the Holidays over there. Again, wouldn't a 'before' pic be nice....ugh. Picture tailored floral curtains with shears, mauve and blue plaid wingbacks and all the fixins. It really was a beautiful room in the 90's, but times change :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXo1J8vcBCBfApPtW_jYIQEy1HfkxJuQtaQMjKhmOYEn2kaAU0g0qseBWtGVF-yFS0Os5M01GyHnNcqJhyPiIYH5VFDdeesv7rCnmpS7Z-K1NI9Iopoh4fXdyZzJavo3EDNmtPdGqv55H/s1600/147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXo1J8vcBCBfApPtW_jYIQEy1HfkxJuQtaQMjKhmOYEn2kaAU0g0qseBWtGVF-yFS0Os5M01GyHnNcqJhyPiIYH5VFDdeesv7rCnmpS7Z-K1NI9Iopoh4fXdyZzJavo3EDNmtPdGqv55H/s400/147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538673173963810706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CAAzvk5rLaiQfPFIjrmOEXvk6rlHM_98N8BQHliZCY3ZBlVUz-LQYwLmamt3oFomimhTZc7S-744h2w6-8aDUED5MXZVLgO-wxP7DcMuI2sckw4jc4vLdTKwkXtDncb66lHY2BVDou4W/s1600/142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CAAzvk5rLaiQfPFIjrmOEXvk6rlHM_98N8BQHliZCY3ZBlVUz-LQYwLmamt3oFomimhTZc7S-744h2w6-8aDUED5MXZVLgO-wxP7DcMuI2sckw4jc4vLdTKwkXtDncb66lHY2BVDou4W/s400/142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538673172492512706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHchMJ-Ctmfd3J09ID_2iy5y0i2iKga5rQQdT3HGlYcF7y86wsobDyoVvMlBi_rRqRkLRHFTkAunjNZsqcYNbkMdo15DRzhrBNfkCGUvA2KHL8K0mlTT1scrrUMjedaO2FimAQvDsKGZNG/s1600/149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHchMJ-Ctmfd3J09ID_2iy5y0i2iKga5rQQdT3HGlYcF7y86wsobDyoVvMlBi_rRqRkLRHFTkAunjNZsqcYNbkMdo15DRzhrBNfkCGUvA2KHL8K0mlTT1scrrUMjedaO2FimAQvDsKGZNG/s400/149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538673160883589682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeKHS7DC5l61O5ky3SVDgK-EzfLfs9wlTDk04OB_eHXmTaafBGlrYG5lFxDOgdFus0G5NEwT3rMgGDImZfdVokbNpKUGg56x0hptqifqgutdCSA4lQZjY739AP-tprUmBO8k7gPIbEQkw/s1600/148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeKHS7DC5l61O5ky3SVDgK-EzfLfs9wlTDk04OB_eHXmTaafBGlrYG5lFxDOgdFus0G5NEwT3rMgGDImZfdVokbNpKUGg56x0hptqifqgutdCSA4lQZjY739AP-tprUmBO8k7gPIbEQkw/s400/148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538673158683700418" /></a> This lamp used to be a brass beauty too. Look at that gorgeous artichoke now that it is white. Love the shade too. The candlesticks above were brass too with crystal middles. I just taped off the crystal and used the nickel spray paint. We did the same with many things, it really updates the look of things you love without spending money. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHlc6ptaCW_M4TsUyCN7AVlbQKZh0ZPzE7m1bWbEsHvSFYh0mjCvnDmSjbbPhEU4DOAvrNPICCUbZvB7CyNTjEs2sfgn4cdordDPn8nEazQmbtLn7nXjnit_KFyzxwZqsDylay4gfIH0c/s1600/142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHlc6ptaCW_M4TsUyCN7AVlbQKZh0ZPzE7m1bWbEsHvSFYh0mjCvnDmSjbbPhEU4DOAvrNPICCUbZvB7CyNTjEs2sfgn4cdordDPn8nEazQmbtLn7nXjnit_KFyzxwZqsDylay4gfIH0c/s400/142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538675861328840674" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMvknArCqhc6WQUxzHdLA6leu0iBohSvJVZHXdMYOkcMw_4D46uekIlLY0gMS4E8dFY3OIhVrWwKB4cCDvG3GuLmYtHPggfjVGgcMfd6A3qReI-qsgJwRVFSMiyknKz_WVQwnlbYzOCjy/s1600/143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMvknArCqhc6WQUxzHdLA6leu0iBohSvJVZHXdMYOkcMw_4D46uekIlLY0gMS4E8dFY3OIhVrWwKB4cCDvG3GuLmYtHPggfjVGgcMfd6A3qReI-qsgJwRVFSMiyknKz_WVQwnlbYzOCjy/s400/143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538673149170132178" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-30287941675378718522010-11-06T11:34:00.000-07:002010-11-06T12:00:20.590-07:00Easy ArtworkI shared in my last blog post how I have been redecorating on a budget by repurposing the things I already own. Well, you know how expensive new artwork can be, so how do you change things up without breaking the bank?? I have a ton of frames. One trick I learned over the years is to buy a big frame, even if your picture is small. It makes soo much more impact on your wall to have an 11x14 frame with a 5x7 or 8x10 pic in it than to simply hang your 5x7 photo in a 5x7 frame. Also, buy (or spray paint :0 ) frames of the same color. Have some old outdated brass pic frames in the basement?? Whip out the ole black, brushed nickel or white spray paint and go to town. You'll be glad ya did!! I had an old framed piece of art from Pier1 that I got over 15yrs ago. I was tired of it. It was in a brass-ish colored frame, so I of course sprayed it black. Then, I took the back off the frame and turned the pic around to reveal a solid cream piece of paper that already fit the frame. Next, I took the matting from another frame and placed it in the middle of the cream paper. Next, go to Joannes or Michaels, armed with your coupons and brouse the hundreds of possibilities in the craft paper/scrap book paper aisle. I have recently fallen in love with fleur d'alis (how DO you spell that). I found several differnt pieces of craft paper for .50 to $100 each. Place it behind your matting or on top of a plain piece of black or cream construction paper so it looks like matting! and Voila..new art. Here is what the finished product looks like. (I have GOT to get better at taking more "before" pics). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RbbivOjrRkDM-GtDEOU4o_ftkkcFtXONd7wE3rc2GIvAPoXmMTtrBnADB6VP5C5QSZ0G5QLd4V0BbBPbo5FG2U1Em-eYOL7C2NXmf1tRrhyphenhyphen_WaB6ooMDID_x55PSN5dijiSfGAqTOual/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RbbivOjrRkDM-GtDEOU4o_ftkkcFtXONd7wE3rc2GIvAPoXmMTtrBnADB6VP5C5QSZ0G5QLd4V0BbBPbo5FG2U1Em-eYOL7C2NXmf1tRrhyphenhyphen_WaB6ooMDID_x55PSN5dijiSfGAqTOual/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536511255407399778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Fy61WgflkA_xZ5fOYY-ujghmKgbk-N_tz-PpsBKuvDADQDB0mxsUbM1VyKRTVbHsoUEyrJDQ5_Azzyzs9QlO7aotODZUEel3YqX02eoH6_MQAMbWXZl0aTHbEasCY6UqFIulTcxLaUYv/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Fy61WgflkA_xZ5fOYY-ujghmKgbk-N_tz-PpsBKuvDADQDB0mxsUbM1VyKRTVbHsoUEyrJDQ5_Azzyzs9QlO7aotODZUEel3YqX02eoH6_MQAMbWXZl0aTHbEasCY6UqFIulTcxLaUYv/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536511251641026018" /></a><br />Here is another piece I made for the bedroom.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLA6dvbAenCUstV2S2fcTQmUL1D7oX2BmztEUSX4sEao5VuM1tdcoVAs-arE3t43mAGU4PSZNAXyA2MIpQj670BQ6BY3T9fw2cACb3PV388cIrL4hyphenhyphenD7CTESuEua1Ml0mmoj7Va8mrkAS/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLA6dvbAenCUstV2S2fcTQmUL1D7oX2BmztEUSX4sEao5VuM1tdcoVAs-arE3t43mAGU4PSZNAXyA2MIpQj670BQ6BY3T9fw2cACb3PV388cIrL4hyphenhyphenD7CTESuEua1Ml0mmoj7Va8mrkAS/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536511578073855010" /></a><br />And....the hallway.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGgngQWCF28VC61sCkSkj4JWBUr4er_Zogd9nmzLjBLqQW0BVUX5uUlhWEiH-dr2uZMJynJWyVMneGxBtmxPfLZIXBVo6yhHZ8OGmr16Z-Har1BngsvivNosvJOKEU1eohJiYHGczbKNS/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGgngQWCF28VC61sCkSkj4JWBUr4er_Zogd9nmzLjBLqQW0BVUX5uUlhWEiH-dr2uZMJynJWyVMneGxBtmxPfLZIXBVo6yhHZ8OGmr16Z-Har1BngsvivNosvJOKEU1eohJiYHGczbKNS/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536512244952853362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGabmqjQceMepVnFjsQ8eWQ9TC_8HrPAGu7gsKzbm77HafSMuiSRry0eMzCpYJdT2W2779TYnawsbw4JGInlJ0Z3EjCCt2bqQIbR5UK1pb3s5tDaTKDiLJKTHZCzRSHsvsq8cgpbuPBEr/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGabmqjQceMepVnFjsQ8eWQ9TC_8HrPAGu7gsKzbm77HafSMuiSRry0eMzCpYJdT2W2779TYnawsbw4JGInlJ0Z3EjCCt2bqQIbR5UK1pb3s5tDaTKDiLJKTHZCzRSHsvsq8cgpbuPBEr/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536512239800692178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJitlXMJNwO98tPim_tq3PYf2zmvhuCW1ntjS7T2vsL3ClsRp4D2k2tTOifnJwk9K64Extclh01Rp4iiJ_9TwoTwQgadojveAPJmeoUuxwfHQkPZp_j3DbvyEwrzSdpr5_meWMT-srM-i/s1600/purina+farms+and+artwork+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJitlXMJNwO98tPim_tq3PYf2zmvhuCW1ntjS7T2vsL3ClsRp4D2k2tTOifnJwk9K64Extclh01Rp4iiJ_9TwoTwQgadojveAPJmeoUuxwfHQkPZp_j3DbvyEwrzSdpr5_meWMT-srM-i/s400/purina+farms+and+artwork+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536512230569694866" /></a><br />And, if there weren't enough fleur d'alis yet....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat1LOL712KWf4mjyXOybiVzhbCYwBwMJ0olbrpf8d_MNbtYiWZWkOkc_P4oHRXOeC6e9mD3p4TmAmlEymKQBhaoMjvwVo7xuA2QGbBUx0Pvzs_Jqc_GMA66UojrF-Ap-d5vbFHBfX6HqV/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat1LOL712KWf4mjyXOybiVzhbCYwBwMJ0olbrpf8d_MNbtYiWZWkOkc_P4oHRXOeC6e9mD3p4TmAmlEymKQBhaoMjvwVo7xuA2QGbBUx0Pvzs_Jqc_GMA66UojrF-Ap-d5vbFHBfX6HqV/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536512836360518850" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-55376970782331491062010-11-03T08:31:00.000-07:002010-11-03T09:14:06.068-07:00quiet but not "still"Hello bloggy friends, that is, if I still have bloggy friends out there. I check all of your blogs daily, but haven't been feelin my own lately. I HAVE been busy though. I have found my new passion. I love to watch staging shows and love to help others repurpose, redo and rearrange what they already own. Let's face it, in this tough economy, we still love to redecorate, or just want to freshen things up a bit, but without spending much money. I actually spent an hour and a half at a neighbors house last week staging there home that is on the market. Keep in mind, that I really don't know these ppl all that well. Just in passing and waving and the occasional conversation. But, they invited me in for my 2 cents worth, and ended up getting an hour and a half worth. :) THat was SO MUCH FUN!!!! I also just helped my parents redecorate their dining and living room and bath. We bought some new pieces, pillow, accents, but we also repurposed a ton of stuff with by best friend, spray paint. Again it was a blast!!! Oh, to make a living at this. Unfortunately my own house lacks... mainly because of money. But I try to update and change things with paint. I will take some pics of my parents rooms after we find the last items to complete them. We are having problems finding just the right overhead lighting, but man are the rooms GORGEOUS!!!<br />I have finished our master bedroom. It is just simply decorated in neutrals to make it look bigger. It is a very small space. We got a new Queen bed ( we downsized from a king) and it has made the room much roomier. I sprayed the curtain rods black for a punch of contrast, hung new curtains, new bedding. I think I may end up painting the tall candlestick lamp post black for more contrast too. What do you think. That lamp was from Goodwill for 8bucks! Oh yeah, I also pulled up the wall to wall old carpet to expose the hardwoods!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-SNJuk_gxWNLKuJX-nKr-oa2MzFT464mw7MBdUFsyYPNKr2Wp5-I4gD0ktFkdiDlRDV1ytc6kNsxmCaeOOFDbnWQlWj1XuCvoNchEdci34Eg0VqkIdurE4hyphenhyphenfCHPQDXOtosWgDXd8ikQ/s1600/projects+fall+2010+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-SNJuk_gxWNLKuJX-nKr-oa2MzFT464mw7MBdUFsyYPNKr2Wp5-I4gD0ktFkdiDlRDV1ytc6kNsxmCaeOOFDbnWQlWj1XuCvoNchEdci34Eg0VqkIdurE4hyphenhyphenfCHPQDXOtosWgDXd8ikQ/s400/projects+fall+2010+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535351876988672802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WwS2oFj5tuqQpMqXhg_2OJEZXliT0bAI1bO0EYOV7-RTXZ-8Mvr4Nc9uIA2m5LuUtHvMW8R7V1KVMLJ6_27maaJ52pIbKaRQsw47it6pfa7QgqTh9EvjxI7L22UwZ0a0ZMwzz2LPA07G/s1600/projects+fall+2010+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WwS2oFj5tuqQpMqXhg_2OJEZXliT0bAI1bO0EYOV7-RTXZ-8Mvr4Nc9uIA2m5LuUtHvMW8R7V1KVMLJ6_27maaJ52pIbKaRQsw47it6pfa7QgqTh9EvjxI7L22UwZ0a0ZMwzz2LPA07G/s400/projects+fall+2010+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535351874033083586" /></a><br /><br />I finally painted my old green desk white and found some cute pulls at Marshalls. I like it with the brown walls and other green accents in the room.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnw3Pwp3PN23H3MexbynNQqRA9YdmAZavK4Ed-HigSYd7YQ96CtjfEoCgAyMbH3sT9QG4l5XuoHqbOnl08j7pEQ3n8FvVI1ZhnOVhCVkN3zeHw-eGqith1xdkTR1z5LXJzKHgpExZDV81/s1600/projects+fall+2010+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnw3Pwp3PN23H3MexbynNQqRA9YdmAZavK4Ed-HigSYd7YQ96CtjfEoCgAyMbH3sT9QG4l5XuoHqbOnl08j7pEQ3n8FvVI1ZhnOVhCVkN3zeHw-eGqith1xdkTR1z5LXJzKHgpExZDV81/s400/projects+fall+2010+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535351900653280258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mR1yCG39KccKfWFjcugJPxuAwnW9nXIs8VMPTJVqnG6_IhbxxorHfXWSg1J_7qx3zwPc0z8RcGn849hbUWK9cbVvR4tpEgezHxEZpR2fWGfG75niMDIliixehvrUhS6KuKCEA5UgLpYY/s1600/projects+fall+2010+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mR1yCG39KccKfWFjcugJPxuAwnW9nXIs8VMPTJVqnG6_IhbxxorHfXWSg1J_7qx3zwPc0z8RcGn849hbUWK9cbVvR4tpEgezHxEZpR2fWGfG75niMDIliixehvrUhS6KuKCEA5UgLpYY/s400/projects+fall+2010+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535351891099559938" /></a><br /><br />I finally painted my kitchen table. It too was green. What was up with me and the dark green?! Anyway it is now black and I love it. I also sold my old kitchen chairs on craigslist and bought "new" ones from the same. They are orig. from Pier1 from a nurse gone stager!! go figure :) This is the only pic I could find of the before. You can see the chairs at least.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4EaSGBtVDvR-DKgqmtSAWQ4ya2T2i-z24oyeo_P2wB2OcXfOd42Fsqwp4Y8JXMfAU-JZcqVEN2DxyxTNUSVfprpIdkoOBOVNGRj9TcMO3IjfU9_2I9mnLvDEt6JPV54xY4fMPuHXBuBW/s1600/chase+bday+2010+and+letters+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4EaSGBtVDvR-DKgqmtSAWQ4ya2T2i-z24oyeo_P2wB2OcXfOd42Fsqwp4Y8JXMfAU-JZcqVEN2DxyxTNUSVfprpIdkoOBOVNGRj9TcMO3IjfU9_2I9mnLvDEt6JPV54xY4fMPuHXBuBW/s400/chase+bday+2010+and+letters+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535356259184500850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xvfKHf8se-o8t27filI-VAtWWUoaoyGnda8vCLdtN4xwrTSdgrrBQcdHZiAfR0vRGTZCORlNjYusCFT2biAnZynKbEN9g_Rau23_Cp7C6Ux_U3Czx3M1Ig6IIWCXB0loj-8lsmq0C-JR/s1600/projects+fall+2010+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xvfKHf8se-o8t27filI-VAtWWUoaoyGnda8vCLdtN4xwrTSdgrrBQcdHZiAfR0vRGTZCORlNjYusCFT2biAnZynKbEN9g_Rau23_Cp7C6Ux_U3Czx3M1Ig6IIWCXB0loj-8lsmq0C-JR/s400/projects+fall+2010+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535351886309825010" /></a><br /><br />The little black table is a score from my new next dr neighbors recent garage sale for 10bucks. It was already black. What have you all been up to???<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaRBfnE_NuZgvMy7en-0TbSwAAMhlAAk7vecY0hHgrmaLB0jlBExDUlOHUdbhWEaQwnAmcXgfxKATqrLXtOyIVSG5QpPRPJUHSIqafiQ6l7nCL-nA7EsP6o5dhvJmThAJbgCW5vlzfonB/s1600/projects+fall+2010+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaRBfnE_NuZgvMy7en-0TbSwAAMhlAAk7vecY0hHgrmaLB0jlBExDUlOHUdbhWEaQwnAmcXgfxKATqrLXtOyIVSG5QpPRPJUHSIqafiQ6l7nCL-nA7EsP6o5dhvJmThAJbgCW5vlzfonB/s400/projects+fall+2010+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535352033576058434" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-71291614909992218812010-06-30T09:27:00.000-07:002010-06-30T10:01:56.559-07:00A promise is a promiseMonths ago, while at Lowe's looking at paint swatches for our bathroom, Brooke decided she wanted to paint her room pink. I put it off for awhile, saying we would do it, but not untill the summer. That bought me a couple of months. But the other day I was hit with the fact, that it is now summer, sooooo. I am not quite ready to unveil the finished product, as "we" (Mike) are putting in new baseboards too so I will post the whole room when it is done. But I HAD to show you this find from Lowes. I came across it while picking up the baseboards....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84sO5YBLkzrgkmTCFH7YWeQT9yVQvPjaCeMPT5Gdi5pzJdTEDw6adl-QGcEZOYm5Vk7YKSoAcNqSoh_edTkwzVVR_SLg3191kTpumXRk9DfKbX55LMXj3L_n7_JgqLM0jm0c5GfOELK6u/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84sO5YBLkzrgkmTCFH7YWeQT9yVQvPjaCeMPT5Gdi5pzJdTEDw6adl-QGcEZOYm5Vk7YKSoAcNqSoh_edTkwzVVR_SLg3191kTpumXRk9DfKbX55LMXj3L_n7_JgqLM0jm0c5GfOELK6u/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488608005248083922" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCTFGoPOgL31I4jOyqr668rDXC4ul2yvBGlER8Tmdal-ZqtHYZLn14mOaKWZbrwW3w9cKo1YDmM6XCmM1X_lD8Hl3cvVe48oaXyiRJdX_s67lKymzq5LF111JwRirHLUnh99oSN3ffdaB/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCTFGoPOgL31I4jOyqr668rDXC4ul2yvBGlER8Tmdal-ZqtHYZLn14mOaKWZbrwW3w9cKo1YDmM6XCmM1X_lD8Hl3cvVe48oaXyiRJdX_s67lKymzq5LF111JwRirHLUnh99oSN3ffdaB/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488608027188434818" /></a><br /><br />Look at this lamp!!!! It has a crystal, heavy base. Did you see that original price and the price I actually paid for it. LOVE at first sight. I am trying to offset the headache inducing pink aka Berry Much pink, by making everything else in the room white, so it looks crisp. I have painted her little vanity that was purple and pink and also found a white mirror at goodwill for 8bucks that I put little poms into the holes. We had some white sparkle curtains down in the basement already in her play area, so I moved them to her room. She had some Pottery barn striped curtains, that actually match the pink, but it was just tooooo much!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwZgMN16lAz7x6HfQbRVRudWWx5NUiGLe4e3hQ7zYyFP0_KNrrYN5vGmAe4JK40E-3Pe3jjRWx4yS9fOmGyw1B895fIPl3aTnIzJnM2cdSRqZwAk8TuV1vIiiHsfTewQCdhYBXVhzLXJB/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwZgMN16lAz7x6HfQbRVRudWWx5NUiGLe4e3hQ7zYyFP0_KNrrYN5vGmAe4JK40E-3Pe3jjRWx4yS9fOmGyw1B895fIPl3aTnIzJnM2cdSRqZwAk8TuV1vIiiHsfTewQCdhYBXVhzLXJB/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488609005288811074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVByI4JIEWfZ2UpesZvZGXOGqSBB-T-rlagyEAt1hDROqAoYunImFz_kpr6lLq8mpV70jEsWRVaNVvJRWU4XS0VmvfPAP_SF1o8YIRynaHD2R1wsgcdGI7Rdtmr93Vm5cHwgmY0bcBfNd/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVByI4JIEWfZ2UpesZvZGXOGqSBB-T-rlagyEAt1hDROqAoYunImFz_kpr6lLq8mpV70jEsWRVaNVvJRWU4XS0VmvfPAP_SF1o8YIRynaHD2R1wsgcdGI7Rdtmr93Vm5cHwgmY0bcBfNd/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488608996936668962" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLziTG_diRvLLCY8RR4c4Dgv1JHGVIWCgM96yyeSiZniA6a1RCNFL4b3SXSfL0j2Nh373hcfxpwLCTOFcBHDbRqVUYy_5hn8l85PFZQ45Slj0kWo9L_pOOBp46Fdjbe3lkFhWMujfGt2O/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLziTG_diRvLLCY8RR4c4Dgv1JHGVIWCgM96yyeSiZniA6a1RCNFL4b3SXSfL0j2Nh373hcfxpwLCTOFcBHDbRqVUYy_5hn8l85PFZQ45Slj0kWo9L_pOOBp46Fdjbe3lkFhWMujfGt2O/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488608012423859170" /></a><br />It is turning out fun!! Hopefully the baseboards will be done after tonight and i will show the room all put together! <br />Oh yeah, I was able to buy the new lamp and mirror because I am back on my coupon kick and saved $32.00 in coupons at the grocery store this week :) What projects are you doing this summer??blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-57691425016701493652010-05-25T06:48:00.000-07:002010-05-25T07:14:59.030-07:00Tables are highly over-rated<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_akchODcsnHoryWbYSmLc4SHfrneWRaWJUDlTfTVM6FpEmKsEsGoUAJefMLXjsHllu__RUSt1hLtOQaFgyFz0nfojBy3g_59T7Gv_Dh_XK0aF0jfg0v_I_f-gIVmGxnL33vQMTYxHRwp0/s1600/chase+bday+2010+and+letters+061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_akchODcsnHoryWbYSmLc4SHfrneWRaWJUDlTfTVM6FpEmKsEsGoUAJefMLXjsHllu__RUSt1hLtOQaFgyFz0nfojBy3g_59T7Gv_Dh_XK0aF0jfg0v_I_f-gIVmGxnL33vQMTYxHRwp0/s400/chase+bday+2010+and+letters+061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475210438901846258" /></a><br />My husband thinks I've gone crazy! Yesterday as he pulled down the street in his work truck after a long, hot day of back-breaking work, it happened. He spotted me standing in our driveway - with the table that once stood in our family room, adorned with framed family photos - now, lying on its side on the ground. I stood over it with his giant saw in hand....one look at this sight, and he sped up and flew past our house and drove down the street!!! I guess he knew what he was in for!! He eventually came home :) and "we" began our work on the table. This is another project I have been thinking about doing for some time now. I have spent the past few weeks living with the table without anything on it but a lamp, to help spur me on to starting this task. I feel we need more seating in our family room, more than we need a table to display pictures. Pictures that need dusted! So, "we" cut off part of the legs of the table and now have a new bench to sit on. What do you think??? Does it just look like a table that had it's legs cut off, have I completely lost my mind? Was my husband right, to flee down the street?? What crazy idea have you had lately, that may or may not have turned into something you love?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME_z-AdPKBmjn4S2xrYQ-n1AAMGkTvGgawf0bIagEv3Edst9nZ26af8zaI62C75-aYfWIYeTcuLaz7AONqUSl3471w9FqWMYW4kdwozLfxCnkgtr8s7_fWi0bgUR77y3SoDLhKhPzaA4U/s1600/table+redo+bench+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME_z-AdPKBmjn4S2xrYQ-n1AAMGkTvGgawf0bIagEv3Edst9nZ26af8zaI62C75-aYfWIYeTcuLaz7AONqUSl3471w9FqWMYW4kdwozLfxCnkgtr8s7_fWi0bgUR77y3SoDLhKhPzaA4U/s400/table+redo+bench+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475210431802158450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyHZ6LSzEPOVedK6SFXN_aaqKp0xwcki8AoyFQSxed4b5McEuQiQdZ2s-Y10qQYLacquiGFmiKThYTEvDNjWoRsr397gKSujnluLXe5Vk_0lHBnDHYvMjV6lXAyBvqyaXdWh7ety5GEJc/s1600/table+redo+bench+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyHZ6LSzEPOVedK6SFXN_aaqKp0xwcki8AoyFQSxed4b5McEuQiQdZ2s-Y10qQYLacquiGFmiKThYTEvDNjWoRsr397gKSujnluLXe5Vk_0lHBnDHYvMjV6lXAyBvqyaXdWh7ety5GEJc/s400/table+redo+bench+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475210426768738242" /></a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-69091845983771868862010-05-13T12:24:00.001-07:002010-05-13T12:53:57.762-07:00What I've been up to...It has been over a month since my last blog post. But that does not mean I haven't been busy. I have been working on things that have been on my to do (some have been on my to RE-do)list!! Ever since I painted my kitchen cabinets 2 yrs ago...i hated the way they turned out. Hence, every single time I walked in the kitchen, which was about 30 times a day, I looked at said cabinets and said outloud, "I need to re-do those someday". That day FINALLY came!! I just had to jump in and do it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6F8WRe0AKaeDgfmv3sF7Nv3zkhPtt2Dv-0K5iPhBuCBWg4ahAE6eFKNs6D_OhHk4zyXoDLVmXg-M_0LvFAT1NGiDSOOJTshggfPFLyMxtjEBRHx4tsdyBsE3mpyJMwKs5F43j81IKaU0/s1600/advent+tree+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6F8WRe0AKaeDgfmv3sF7Nv3zkhPtt2Dv-0K5iPhBuCBWg4ahAE6eFKNs6D_OhHk4zyXoDLVmXg-M_0LvFAT1NGiDSOOJTshggfPFLyMxtjEBRHx4tsdyBsE3mpyJMwKs5F43j81IKaU0/s400/advent+tree+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470841416555813202" /></a><br />This is the only pic of the kitchen "before" that i could find. Look behind the advent tree.....see the Yellowish cabinets from a staining project gone wrong?? Now, I have just creamy white cabinets...ahhh, much better!!....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2CBYej_lCdW65mQP9gnK88H2w7srVgw9LsUOmAzqpRaezeghD1nZTeyDmcV6c22pPw4dBxM1bni6H4WQ8RNVHTOrpjD6y-I1Xtt0-84RGB3FdzF9jIUyJ79hu4Xd1-oeSLkfZq5T4C8/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2CBYej_lCdW65mQP9gnK88H2w7srVgw9LsUOmAzqpRaezeghD1nZTeyDmcV6c22pPw4dBxM1bni6H4WQ8RNVHTOrpjD6y-I1Xtt0-84RGB3FdzF9jIUyJ79hu4Xd1-oeSLkfZq5T4C8/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470841426095161346" /></a>< Next, I painted our living room from a dark green to a dark brown now. I am loving it too. I wanted a small window seat in front of our wall of windows, so tried to repurpose what I already had. From this....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaglMUblljdQDjohcAXNy-lenuaFf2sNhkv3SW87bYcg4gfdg6PNLP2IGQQ0IYDrUmwC38hI8GlIk7doLZnozIczk7T1ngAqAgYPtsCntRYnjh-JFJsacY3W3FeH1qH1VUGbVEHYO0o43g/s1600/chase++or+craig+II+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaglMUblljdQDjohcAXNy-lenuaFf2sNhkv3SW87bYcg4gfdg6PNLP2IGQQ0IYDrUmwC38hI8GlIk7doLZnozIczk7T1ngAqAgYPtsCntRYnjh-JFJsacY3W3FeH1qH1VUGbVEHYO0o43g/s400/chase++or+craig+II+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470841452899328226" /></a> to this.......<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMEUZjbN4wXXwFxSdccwquVVUonXHKt-YEbSqsMkKCGjiYxcodC3v1Jx4_CdtSbhx_S2BwIZZRSckqMQ-eYvqS19sEe5kVs63SdkEYRhXl2eqBSp2J36eQEJhfE9nZsoksGeUVkXU8rNv/s1600/redo+bench+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMEUZjbN4wXXwFxSdccwquVVUonXHKt-YEbSqsMkKCGjiYxcodC3v1Jx4_CdtSbhx_S2BwIZZRSckqMQ-eYvqS19sEe5kVs63SdkEYRhXl2eqBSp2J36eQEJhfE9nZsoksGeUVkXU8rNv/s400/redo+bench+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470841442508361938" /></a><br />Next on the to-do list is to paint our master bedroom. We have NEVER painted it and we've lived here for almost 9years. I found a great color for just $3.00 at Lowe's on their mistint shelf!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-3270089733042539342010-04-04T06:04:00.000-07:002010-04-04T06:04:48.650-07:00Discover the Meaning of Easter<a href="http://www.cbn.com/special/discovereaster/">Discover the Meaning of Easter</a>blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-21709049784848455152010-04-03T11:07:00.000-07:002010-04-03T11:26:50.403-07:00An EGGcellent day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGGaiYBMdzvKcVmJJ2UDw4VVFP1RzGuBTal-Ikxguv_a_8r7Tf7hBGjJ1ofGGHqWu5zT4nA8jw7Wb5oMsSD1L0Fps9i76Lnr9kuJLohYcOIywLQh2T3EmTW2iMAdUbwo9Xb7c3SxBq_jT/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGGaiYBMdzvKcVmJJ2UDw4VVFP1RzGuBTal-Ikxguv_a_8r7Tf7hBGjJ1ofGGHqWu5zT4nA8jw7Wb5oMsSD1L0Fps9i76Lnr9kuJLohYcOIywLQh2T3EmTW2iMAdUbwo9Xb7c3SxBq_jT/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455979150064567714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO_jfwOdCcyYzrUjATr7WgmGeodBns9Q58Cna1w70eRBFeIf6tYFiQuTjM1rghCzE18MjJmg6vbIUkl1DB9l7Ahja2BSxxNxrGObO0pFUghQwt8Pcfq9IgCCHpKodikiwqWW9L7gh-yjU/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO_jfwOdCcyYzrUjATr7WgmGeodBns9Q58Cna1w70eRBFeIf6tYFiQuTjM1rghCzE18MjJmg6vbIUkl1DB9l7Ahja2BSxxNxrGObO0pFUghQwt8Pcfq9IgCCHpKodikiwqWW9L7gh-yjU/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455979135834696914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vEJLbgiducL_tgwzVi4DT8K7HqK_lS0pQW8F0o1Ym-KV07QSm-IpXl8r8mDhwOU1ZA-AxfUHsc36I__DdO6RKhvyW-CgeR_j4nQ1k5jJhsx7dCYQvZgEtXPpeFudGgbyEiHim6zTl8v9/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vEJLbgiducL_tgwzVi4DT8K7HqK_lS0pQW8F0o1Ym-KV07QSm-IpXl8r8mDhwOU1ZA-AxfUHsc36I__DdO6RKhvyW-CgeR_j4nQ1k5jJhsx7dCYQvZgEtXPpeFudGgbyEiHim6zTl8v9/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455979126832577026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_-TzFd-rGpW-JGiZ0F9B-7hWwpo3mowh-FpNH_n6QsWVb3P7U1Th2c7HT9spVmG9u_58E0SUbgQ-X12e8_i3q6YzJTizU_uOJtE9Ri9Np0QndVUGQWnXu2dzc1VtK12ivmjj3VUQBDYM/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_-TzFd-rGpW-JGiZ0F9B-7hWwpo3mowh-FpNH_n6QsWVb3P7U1Th2c7HT9spVmG9u_58E0SUbgQ-X12e8_i3q6YzJTizU_uOJtE9Ri9Np0QndVUGQWnXu2dzc1VtK12ivmjj3VUQBDYM/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455978313105273794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNidl3LozANu3NYF0KJVq8-hgLFTYu_SuFXAGKATYpc5L80O0DGrdGeDOtks9b3L3ze703yf9Ys-t_YhFUYza-bX2RQrpr9WWsqnOu5eIDXQeIpJUrR2aHGo1G_LNeCitz6odCdavHMNAZ/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNidl3LozANu3NYF0KJVq8-hgLFTYu_SuFXAGKATYpc5L80O0DGrdGeDOtks9b3L3ze703yf9Ys-t_YhFUYza-bX2RQrpr9WWsqnOu5eIDXQeIpJUrR2aHGo1G_LNeCitz6odCdavHMNAZ/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455978304252714386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstImph3ieXYrWKj16qPpk1evgXJ2CSrPzxPqsgmaGtFo0dn08zFXAJy9kPDnxYUTIb5hG50tF0ruM0Gh7mb4j8OBO7rhkKG_phcUZ2cbSJlxc1Fmd8TICqQeJtQGVV8zzuoWMl3nXl6oh/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstImph3ieXYrWKj16qPpk1evgXJ2CSrPzxPqsgmaGtFo0dn08zFXAJy9kPDnxYUTIb5hG50tF0ruM0Gh7mb4j8OBO7rhkKG_phcUZ2cbSJlxc1Fmd8TICqQeJtQGVV8zzuoWMl3nXl6oh/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455978290200654834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe4xU7qlDEe-NrbRY5EB9Jy_MSPwsV7FGNCcFNBfKbYZZ1OkUxTJN-RaJBflyCE3WTGFsOCQMB549vlIAWSv2ln2X_3jpKt8YqpgLIZiQuH2AuhgpaVcWNUvjIutyYcJXIYJjm4V2P103/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe4xU7qlDEe-NrbRY5EB9Jy_MSPwsV7FGNCcFNBfKbYZZ1OkUxTJN-RaJBflyCE3WTGFsOCQMB549vlIAWSv2ln2X_3jpKt8YqpgLIZiQuH2AuhgpaVcWNUvjIutyYcJXIYJjm4V2P103/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455978287676481826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJPnUMLI5QbVRdWyuGo-axxsG5JqU2vNPhKwGleH_NxK99wt9hXjJWpyqI9oohLT7F0q9yFCUSGxxcGkkEOk9KOTN-4joVVqxc-APuSRcxYzSYtTUgyBaYMLFn1Zuauvm8_pOsQwBo3TU/s1600/easter+hunt+etc10+081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJPnUMLI5QbVRdWyuGo-axxsG5JqU2vNPhKwGleH_NxK99wt9hXjJWpyqI9oohLT7F0q9yFCUSGxxcGkkEOk9KOTN-4joVVqxc-APuSRcxYzSYtTUgyBaYMLFn1Zuauvm8_pOsQwBo3TU/s400/easter+hunt+etc10+081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455978279182658002" /></a><br />Today is a gorgeous day outside! The trees are all in bloom, bursting with pinks, white, purple, yellow - what a perfect day for an Easter egg hunt! This is the very first year we actually took the kids to my work for an egg hunt. In years past, we would always go to Grandma Jan's work, but she is retired so we decided to give my hospital a chance. It was a great time for the kids and free!!! Chase even found one of the only 6, special eggs, that if found, would give you an extra prize! We figured this would be his last yr to partake in such festivities, so that was great that he found a special egg. Brooke was like an egg machine. She filled her basket to the top! Besides being very windy, it was fun. Mike thought the Easter bunny they had there, looked like it was choking....I guess he was in the right place if he was :).<br />Today is also the day I married my wonderful, handsome husband,17 years ago. Today would be a gorgeous day for a wedding! My gift to him was that I have lost my voice, so no nagging today, at least not that he can hear:). <br />Last night was our Good friday service at church. It was such a moving and powerful night of worship, and testimonies. My sister and I watched the Passion yesterday afternoon also. What an emotional, very hard to watch movie. But it serves as a reminder of what Christ went through for US!! <br />Tomorrow, we will go to church and then head to my parents house for Easter brunch and another egg hunt with all the cousins! I pray that you all have a blessed Easter and that you see new life all around you in the spring blooms and your loved ones.blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-29041308609729663392010-03-03T09:43:00.000-08:002010-03-03T09:56:41.464-08:00To paint or not to paintAwhile back I finally crossed another thing off of my lengthy to-do list. I sit around my house and look intently at the walls, windows, closets, etc and try to decide how to change things up or make them look better. Lately, I was looking at my fireplace. As you can see from this pic, there has only been a brick "mantle" if you can even call it that.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU5vSfQTUXFGt8n4wsrnCsXNr6QTlGc7e-ezUedC_R5v92yyNy2fPMhQtgTMDpVumJOjV8JcCGP90jtUbs6-54hBP3xemK_N8sHsO77dmsdxSJEGhFIeEThA_NUVuO_3qV9Nfc0PBiObg/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU5vSfQTUXFGt8n4wsrnCsXNr6QTlGc7e-ezUedC_R5v92yyNy2fPMhQtgTMDpVumJOjV8JcCGP90jtUbs6-54hBP3xemK_N8sHsO77dmsdxSJEGhFIeEThA_NUVuO_3qV9Nfc0PBiObg/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444467168650449586" /></a><br /> I have been wanting to add a very simple mantle with the scrap wood in the garage. Here is the finished product.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni5d8cjcniFZqJw_XM5c-NdeFVWVf6twzMQpAVLPSGoamvEo6m3NXSCcuJ_9haQmDGTndSGkMXmDIdeno91kzoqbq1trX7OukDUIPwsyGAc-7eWrBXNKlt1iS9sBhfl8UsTyKzXtc7eUj/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni5d8cjcniFZqJw_XM5c-NdeFVWVf6twzMQpAVLPSGoamvEo6m3NXSCcuJ_9haQmDGTndSGkMXmDIdeno91kzoqbq1trX7OukDUIPwsyGAc-7eWrBXNKlt1iS9sBhfl8UsTyKzXtc7eUj/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444467161269281090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy8GS2GOqZ8dE3MBgP6S00LQegSHSQom0X4pJXq7YesbkEEiNPyT2p-rxL42vnEe2k_HjxT8IK7YIhURSIl7Pd9ixdZt9oe8hZeX7iITNanBYPdOzMQ3j2BDlBzC6b-FVXINl-oea4mGP/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy8GS2GOqZ8dE3MBgP6S00LQegSHSQom0X4pJXq7YesbkEEiNPyT2p-rxL42vnEe2k_HjxT8IK7YIhURSIl7Pd9ixdZt9oe8hZeX7iITNanBYPdOzMQ3j2BDlBzC6b-FVXINl-oea4mGP/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444467158989272082" /></a><br /> I know it is just very simple and plain, but it helps the fireplace have a little more prescence in the room. Thank you to Mike, my wonderful hubby, for helping me with this project. Of course I got the usual response at first, the ever popular eye-roll, but I reminded him how much I loved him and flashed him a smile. Now, I need your opinion. Should I paint the fireplace brick white also??? We do build a lot of fires. Please leave me a comment with your vote :) Thanks!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-13482009495371856632010-02-22T09:09:00.000-08:002010-02-22T09:23:28.855-08:00latest savings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhM6bpN-gromVE-6Zvy8hhZqEsAqFEANtP86qKI7zSnk4eIZ6RKV_aQy5pxnb54nwvLIkVn5m9v1WPU7TMI_UMS8NZCMz1vLzGm8cFlU8rrgr5dFvpJJD1xkSR_jNMb9qoDxE9sLBgrsz/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhM6bpN-gromVE-6Zvy8hhZqEsAqFEANtP86qKI7zSnk4eIZ6RKV_aQy5pxnb54nwvLIkVn5m9v1WPU7TMI_UMS8NZCMz1vLzGm8cFlU8rrgr5dFvpJJD1xkSR_jNMb9qoDxE9sLBgrsz/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441118595996824978" /></a><br />Sorry if this is torture to some (most) of you, but I find saving money exciting and somewhat a challenge I have now placed on myself. I am learning the tricks of the trade. One big one is KNOW exactly what you are going for, and try not to get anything else extra. Also, you have to enjoy going to a lot of different stores, even if it means getting one or two things at each just to save save save! I went to Walgreens yesterday and bought a few things and this is what I paid for each after using coupons and in-store sales. <strong> Crest </strong>$2.29 - $1.50 off Walgreens coupon-75Cents manufature coupon...= .54Cents each! <strong>Deoderant</strong> $4.49 each. Walgreens special buy on get one free, plus $2.00 off when you buy 2 (I had 2 of these) so each deod cost me $1.00. <strong>Body spray </strong>$4.79..I had a buy one get one free coupon, and a $3.00 off when you buy 2 coupon and they let me use BOTH!! Love Walgreens for that fact. They let you stack coupons. So each spray cost roughly .90cents! <strong>Excedrin Migraine </strong>on sale for 2 for $5.00 and I had a coupon for $2.00 off and one for $1.00 off. So each box cost a dollar. Have you found any good deals this week?? I always keep extra of daily items on hand (I learned this from my mom years ago) That way you can only buy items when you have coupons AND they are on sale!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6567205720077669005.post-55620328464162663412010-02-18T13:54:00.000-08:002010-02-20T08:29:58.764-08:00I am in love......with couponsI know, i know, this sounds really sad. But I have recently been hooked on coupons and saving money. I have a lot of new favorite blogs and websites that I check daily. They have awesome coupons, free samples, weekly deals, etc. I have recently joined some sites that ask your opinion on products or ask you to take a survey...and you can earn points towards a gift card. Anyway. Today is thursday. Okay. Well, it is one of my favorite days of the week now. It is the day I go to the grocery store, because as many of you local girls know, you save $10 on your $50 purchase at Shop and Save. The thing that I love now, is that the past 4 weeks, they let you do two separate $50 purchases, so you save 20 bucks without trying!!!!! Plus I always look at the weekly ad to see what is on sale and what I also have a coupon for. That equals almost getting some products for free!! It does take doing some homework, but well worth the effort! I also mark a "C" on my shopping list by the item i have a coupon for. I then arrange my coupons to the order the items are in the store. For example, bread is in the first aisle, so my bread coupon is first. It becomes a little cumbersome holding your coupons, pushing the cart, crossing off items from your list, and keeping a running total of money spent, but again well worth the effort! Today, in particular, was a good savings day. With the 2-$10 off automatic savings for spending 50 and 50, plus $34.36 in coupons, and $33.58 SRP (money saved just by shopping at Shop and Save, their daily low or in store sale prices for the week) I saved a grand total of <strong>$87.94!!!! </strong>I spent $121.40 and our weekly budget is 130.00, so now I am under budget :) I am sure this isn't exciting to anyone else out there, but I was so thrilled, that I had to write it down. Here is the actual receipts to prove my savings :) What good deals did you get this week? or what deals do you know about that you can share with us?? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswXB5k6n1rHV5ekeuSFu2lFgIYLkxdFutG4R-p-Jk0dpJ7O8eDzCaYK1fdslzgHjbRZu9kHQ0dRipJGB_iY44G4TIT_J6T8s01at59MZwdKZgsRpJboOADkD1T4Nc8KaVnJznTl0FNifm/s1600-h/febuary+various+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswXB5k6n1rHV5ekeuSFu2lFgIYLkxdFutG4R-p-Jk0dpJ7O8eDzCaYK1fdslzgHjbRZu9kHQ0dRipJGB_iY44G4TIT_J6T8s01at59MZwdKZgsRpJboOADkD1T4Nc8KaVnJznTl0FNifm/s400/febuary+various+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439715636238103826" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh yeah, one tip. If you do go to shop n save and split your order into 2, make sure you save all the items you have coupons for till the 2nd ring, otherwise if you just throw everything up on the line, your cashier may not take the time to sort which items you have coupons for and not. My sweet cashier today, told me "you did a great job" saving with all those coupons, but he also said he'll have to remember me in the future (I guess to avoid me) :)<br /><br />For more savings fun head on over to <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/02/super-savings-saturday-9.html">SUPER SAVINGS SATURDAY</a> where you can check out lots of other links to great sites where people are saving a ton of money too!!!blessedpathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763281963843588427noreply@blogger.com3