Counting on Spring to Come Again

My friends Bevin and Dan got married in December and when the reception was over her mom told us to PLEASE take any of the arrangements. The wedding was beautifully decorated in what I would call a rustic Christmas wedding. Burlap squares covered the tables and I gathered them up not wanting them to go to waste. I didn't know what I was going to do with them until I stumbled upon this blog.

I thought..."Hey, I can do that." So I did. Just in my style. I bought a straw wreath to cover (3.99) and I used fabric I already had. This wreath cost me 4 dollars! I love it and can't wait until spring to put on my front door!

The Kitchen: A Story of Before and After

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Sorry, I cut out the window but you are basically looking at the same thing. The counter tops will be replaced with something in the black scheme. The flooring will be replaced with a faux wood linoleum. I know what you are thinking but you are staring at faux stone linoleum so I consider it a step up! Just as a side note, the stuff on the laundry room door is actully a over the door hanger that holds anything from recipes to pictures (or in this pic Christmas cards) and I LOVE IT! It is from Southern Living.

BEFORE

AFTER:

We have changed the light fixtures. The rest is just paint.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Ahh, A better picture of the over the door thingy! Notice my Christmas present from Mom and Dad? A NEW STOVE! Good bye Golden Drop In and HELLO Mr. Ceramic Slide IN! Oh by the way, THANKS LISA! Notice the hardware that you gave me almost 3 years ago! They are up!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Now I am just waiting for the funds for a counter top and flooring. I am so thankful for my parents help! It was actually fun!

P.S. There are more pictures on my facebook.

Year in Review

January

• My best friend left State Farm Insurance for a job at SFASU. It was the first time in nearly 5 years that we didn't see each other every day.

February

• Made an effort to be more GREEN!

March

• For the first time since working at State Farm I was finally doing what I wanted to do!

April

• Celebrated Easter and Andrew's First Birthday!

May

• CARL GRADUATED and I took him to the Dr. Pepper Mecca!
  
  

June

• I lost my job. It was the biggest blessing in my life so far!

July

• I enjoyed not having a job for the first time since I was 15.

August

• I had my first day at First United Methodist Preschool and I reconnected with my true calling...teaching.

September

• Adjusted to this new, wonderful, semi-grown up life.

October

• Fell in love with 16 toddlers and realized I really want one of my own! (Still discussing the next steps to fulfill that little dream with Carl!)

November

• Went with my brother and husband to get my tattoo for Nini.

December

• Redecorated my kitchen. Thanks to my awesome Christmas present from my parents, a stove.

Jacqui and Brice's Wedding

WATCH THIS!

That was the "Second Day" shoot and I can't wait to see more!

Top Ten: Preschool

I did it.

I completed my first week as a teacher to an awesome group of 1.5-2 year olds. Thank God it was only 3 days long. That being said, I really can't wait to go back to work on Monday and I REALLY can't wait to see how much these little ones grow over the next 9 months.

That being said here are my Top 10 observations on Preschool:

1. Sticky is a permanent feeling.

2. Parents please think again about putting jelly on your kid's sandwich! It doesn't make it in your child's belly! It does, however, make it on the walls, tables, chairs, toys, floor, clothes, hair, etc. Now imagine 12 kids with jelly! That's 24 sticky hands!

3. Nap time does not equal teacher break. Nap time = wipe tables, disinfect toys, wipe down changing table, sweep floors, empty sippy cups, put art work in folders, pat backs, rock children, eat lunch, potty (for the ONLY time in the day), set out next round of diapers, etc.

4. If your kids come home dirty it means we did our job. Your child played HARD!

5. When your child starts having Bowel Movements that represent a full grown man's, it's time to start potty training.

6. No your child does not NEED their pacifier as much as you need them to need it.

7. All 2 year olds are like the characters on "Jackass". They will try ANYTHING!

8. Snot comes in all sorts of colors...even ones you wouldn't expect.

9. Hair bows don't stay in.

10. The "David" books are can give a teacher 5 minutes of sanity.

The House: Before and Some What After and Hope to SELL!

BUMP:  Next month will mark year 7 as homeowners.  We don't want to be anymore!  Not because of the house but because we are moving to Tyler!  Check out what we've done with the place over the years!  

Carl and I have been SLOWLY but SURELY making changes to the house. Hopefully you can see the difference. While we are not done yet at least we have a start!

The Front Entry Way:

BEFORE

AFTER

(We have a new purple front door, a better paint job and a gnome friend. We lack new flooring!)

Living Room:

BEFORE

AFTER

More After

                                      

Kitchen:

BEFORE

     

AFTER

Guest Room:

BEFORE

AFTER

More After

Hall Bathroom:

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

More After:

We haven't done much with our bed and bath. We have a "man cave" that needs a litttle work and the kitchen could get some more love. We are just waiting for the funds to allow for more changes!

UNEMPLOYED

That's right. Right now I have no job.

Oh. Don't feel sorry for me. I didn't have a good job to begin with.

Oh sure I had been there for 4.5 years. But it was time for me to go. It was no longer a healthy environment to be in. Not healthy at all. For anyone really.

Let me tell you it wasn't pretty.

But I am much better off because I deserve better.

Right now better is in my parent's pool with Tilly.