wow....

nearly 3months have gone by w/o a blog post. Oops!! I don't know where I have been or what I have been doing, I guess living life. I am hoping to finish up some projects around the house and post the "after" pictures (that I promised oh so long ago!). But, I also have some upcoming projects...a BIG BOY room!! I am so excited! So until I can get all that together...maybe you can enjoy my renovation on my blog ♥

Hello all....yes I am still alive and well in the blogging world, just been out of commission for a little while. I have decided to join the Nesting Place's linky party called "Lampapalooza." I love these parties. It is so much to check out other peoples decorating styles...my house just suffers a bit for it. Now on to the lamps/lights...

This is from the local habitat store. I painted it the pink and black..I am re-thinking the black but my husband says this was a tough one to put up so if I want to re-paint it I have to do it w/ it hanging...sounds like fun!! I may have paid $2 for this

and this I have had for a long time...I bought it for a $1 at some kind of sale along the side of the road (it was the kind where the stuff sits out on the table ALL year long). My dad re-wired it for me (before I was married or I am sure my husband would have) and here it is..don't mind the missing berry ring, I had used them in past for something else, then redecorated my bedroom and thought they belonged there.


this is another light I got from the habitat store here in town..this was maybe .75~ such a good deal!!

and this is my version of a "chandelier," the main living space of my house is primitive and I had been wanting a light like this for sooo long. I got this one from a friend who was changing up her style (lucky me)...I had to pay a little for it but nothing compared to retail!



and the final lamp on the "tour" is an antique lamp that my parents got for us as a housewarming gift...I apologize for the sideways photo...the other ones were taken at an angle this just didn't get turned. oops

thanks for stopping by!!

computers crashing, cardiac unit, chick fil-a, cutting teeth and cutting out teeth

I will just start by saying no pictures on this post, bummer! But...this has been my life lately....
Our computer crashed! It is amazing how reliant you become on a computer. That began the delay of me doing my "decorating post." Then my mom ended up in the hospital having open heart surgery, praise God she is alive and recovering. (the details of this miracle will come at a later time) My little Moose had his 1st real taste of Chick Fil-a while visiting her at the hospital. (he has received numerous times "second hand.") The poor fella is cutting 4 teeth. He and I are having a rough time w/ this. And the cutting out teeth part, well that would be mine!! My previous post talked about crowns I had gotten. That started a whole new issue for me. It got my wisdom tooth all fired up!! So off to the oral surgeon I went. I thought no big deal...get them out now that way I can help when my mom gets home. Yeah RIGHT!! I have been back every day since. I guess when you get "older" it is a little tougher to bounce back and you have a higher chance of dry socket! Well I fell hard in to that category and it has been kicking my butt all week. But I am praising God today for the relief I am feeling and the beautiful sunshine outside. He is faithful and has gotten us through these trying weeks. (once I get a way to download pics I will post the ones that go along w/ these events)
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

dentist=delays, decorating..

So...I admitted that I am completely unreliable in posting although I had high hopes that my "decorating" posts would be closer together.
Well I had to go to the dentist last week...which I thought would be no big deal. I have bad teeth and have had to be in the chair many times...but at the end of this visit I was gifted w/ 3 prescriptions. (I had to get crowns, but 1 was much more involved than we all thought) So the pain got intense and it has been a long/painful week. But today has offered relief and I am back to blogging, sorry for the delay!!
I have been attempting to get some decorating done in my house. I tend to get lots of decorating started...and 1/2 way finished. Drives me NUTS!! I get stumped on how to pull it all together, of course the budget always plays a part too. So I will now reveal some befores pics and in the days to come reveal where I am at w/ decorating and hopefully get some clever ideas from all you talented bloggers!!!










our house was winterized due to foreclosure hence the duct tape. SO...there are some before photos..there are a few more rooms to add, but I will wait on those. The basement is the BIG kicker that will make you cringe!! (I am just thinking about it!)
*****If you all noticed my "praying for Stellan" button PLEASE take the time to get on your knees and pray for this little guy. He has been battling a serious heart condition the past few days and is in need of a healing only the great Physician can provide. Click on the button to read his whole story...it is an amazing one!!!

so I have this mantle....

Okay...not sure how many people actually read this blog...especially since I am soo unreliable on posting~BUT~if you do and you have some decorating tips, more specifically mantle decorating tips..please share!!! I have this mantle...


now there are a few changes since this was taken...the wall is now a cream color, the trim is gone, (hopefully) soon to be replaced w/ wide trim, the carpet is gone, the floors are stained darker and we have removed those shiny gold doors, and if you have a really good eye and see that corner of a curtain peeking out...it has exited the building as well. :)
just in case you are curious: I am planning to do some posts of what our house looked like when we bought it (wait till you see these..oh some of you will CRINGE!!! I know I did!) and what it looks like now. I have quite the handy man for a husband who loves to do things on a "budget," which quite honestly I don't always appreciate. In my mind it is better to spend the $$ and have it done in less time w/ me only cleaning the mess up once. But he is slowly winning me over w/ his "budget" ideas...and I have to say he does good work. Check back if you want to see what I am talking about....

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORA~

I won!!

I am so excited I won a giveaway for waaaaay cute hair clips!!! It just so happens it is from my brand new blog friend!!! (who has helped me set up my website and would be more than happy to help you too!!) If you want her info let me know....and by the way she made these hair clips!!

a little...well actually a lot about me

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? closed
2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? no, but my husband does
3. Are you afraid to fly? I wouldn't say afraid..a little hesitant
4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before? I didn't steal it, it was just laying there
5. Do you like to use post-it notes? yes...they are very handy
6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? umm yes actually
7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? neither
8. Do you have freckles? just a few, when I tan
9. Do you always smile for pictures? I try to
10. What is your biggest pet peeve? honestly...not getting my way, but I am working on that!
11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk? no
12. Have you ever peed in the woods? not in the woods...but
13. Do you prefer the beach or mountains? I want to GO to the mountains!!
14. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing? yes..but I am playing it in my head
15. Do you chew your pens and pencils? no
16. Favorite reality TV show? Jon&Kate plus 8
17. What size is your bed? queen
18. What is your Song of the week? Shadow Feet
19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? maybe for some...but I don't think mine will
20. Do you still watch cartoons? only w/ my babies
21. What's your least favorite movie? Father of the Bride
22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? my treasure is in heaven
23. What do you drink with dinner? on a good night vanilla coke or sweet tea...although a new favorite is peach tea
24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? from Chick- Fila polynesian, at home ketchup&mustard
25. What is your favorite food? Italian
26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Father of the Bride, Christmas Vacation and Christmas Story aka "don't shoot your eye out"
27. Last person you kissed/kissed you? moose
28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout? no
29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? NO!
30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? I don't remember
31. Can you change the oil on a car? sure
32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? 1
33. Ran out of gas? nope
34. Favorite kind of sandwich? this minute..ham&swiss dipped in tomato soup
35. Best thing to eat for breakfast? hubby's waffles w/ strawberries and powd. sugar YUM!
36. What is your usual bedtime? too late!!
37. Are you lazy? sometimes
38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? crayon box-it was pretty cute
39. What is your astrological sign? Scorpio
40. How many languages can you speak? just 1
41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions? no
42..Which are better legos or lincoln logs? lincoln logs
43. Are you stubborn? yes, but not proud of it
44. Who is better...Leno or Letterman? Leno only for the newspaper funnies
45. Ever watch soap operas? no
46. Afraid of heights? no
47. Sing in the car? sometimes
48. Sing in the shower? nope
49. Dance in the car? only to make monkey laugh
50. Ever used a gun? no
51. Had picture taken by photographer? yes
52. Do you think musicals are cheesy? maybe when I was younger, but I enjoy them now
53. Is Christmas stressful? sometimes
54. Ever eat a pierogi? yes
55. Favorite type of fruit pie? black raspberry ala mode
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? mommy, teacher, interior designer, hair stylist
57. Do you believe in ghosts? no
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? yes58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? yes
59. Take a vitamin daily? I try to
60. Wear slippers? yes
61. Wear a bath robe? yes
62. What do you wear to bed? jammies
63. First concert? New Kids on the Block...I even ran to their bus and touched their hands!
64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Target whenever I can get to one, but usually Wal-Mart
65. Nike or Adidas? whichever one has the style I like
66.Cheetos Or Fritos? fritos
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? seeds
68. Ever heard of the group Tres Bien? no
69. Ever taken dance lessons? yes
70. Is there a profession you picture your significant other doing? coach
71. Can you curl your tongue? yes
72. Ever won a spelling bee? I don't think so
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? yes
74. Own any record albums? I do, but I don't know where they are (care bears)
75. Own a record player? no
76. Regularly burn incense? no
77. Ever been in love? yes!
78. Who would you like to see in concert? ???
79. What was the last concert you saw? Trans Siberian Orchestra
80. Hot tea or cold tea? iced sweet tea
81.Tea or coffee? coffee but only w/ some yummy flavoring
82. Sugar cookies or snickerdoodles? preferably something w/ some chips or frosting!!
83. Can you swim well? no
84. Can you hold your breath without plugging your nose? umm...no
85. Are you patient? I try...again a work in progress
86. DJ or band, at a wedding? DJ if they will let you pick the songlist
87.Ever won a contest? yes...a young authors in first grade for my story "Valentine Bear" :)
88. Ever have plastic surgery? no
89. Which are better black or green olives? green
90 .Can you knit or crochet? a little of both, but I would like to "master" one or both
91. Best room for a fireplace? living room
92. Do you want to get married? I am already married
93. If married, how long have you been married? it will be 7 years
94. Who was your HS crush? my husband
95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? I don't cry...and the rest I am still learning (sadly enough!)
96. Do you have kids? yes
97. Do you want kids? definately
98. What's your favorite color? it changes...right now green
99. Do you miss anyone right now? not really
100. Did you watch Next Great American Band on FOX? no