A Somewhat Excusable Excuse

So.  It’s been quite a while since my first post as a new Mrs., and without completely excusing my absence and abandoning my “you-really-can-do-it-all” belief, l must provide even the smallest reason for my extremely tardy, second-ever post.

I’m PREGGO!

And let me tell you… {which, depending on your life stage and gender, I may not need to}, this pregnancy has kicked my little, normally-can’t-sit-still, must-always-be-productive rear end!  If your heart ever desires, look up even the most basic list of pregnancy symptoms and go ahead and put a check mark near every. single. one.  And while I am so super excited about holding our new baby, growing our family and can completely forgive-and-forget all symptoms for the greater end-result, one of the worst parts of this pregnancy has been the baby-brain.  Just call me Dory {think, Finding Nemo}.  Seriously, I have to make a reminder to remind myself to make a to-do list…

It’s BAD!

So.  Now that I have provided a somewhat excusable excuse and shared some big news, I have to share one of my recent, {smaller} home improvement undertakings that was spurred on by needing a little more functionality, a little less “everything is hard-to-reach” {hello, 5’2”}, and maybe the earliest case of nesting ever.   The goal: lower the washer and dryer and create a counter top so folding can be done in the laundry room and we could gain some much needed, extra space in the cabinets.

And as a disclaimer… I must give credit where credit is due.  I was NOT the implementer of our new, beautifully-functional laundry room.  Just the semi-creative mind.  Being pregnant kind of puts a stop to lifting washing machines and dryers… {as does being me in general}.  So.  Thank you, Hubby, for giving up your Saturday so that the new baby’s room can actually be turned into a baby’s room and not continue on as a laundry-folding-habitation.

It’s still not completely beautiful {I could stand to decorate a bit more creatively and change out the rug for something with more color}, but I’m proud!  Sorry, I forgot to take before pictures. Go figure!  If I can find some from back-in-the-day when we bought our house, I’ll add them!

Laundry Room Makeover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials used and Cost:

* Basic tools to remove the bolted-on pedestals (already owned)
* New dryer connection tube so the dryer could be pushed further back against the wall (about $5.00 at Home Depot)
* Primed hollow-core door ($25.00 at Home Depot)
* Washer and Dryer feet (already owned…we also learned that the pedestal feet don’t necessarily fit the actual machines)…so make sure you keep yours if you put your machines on pedestals!
* Quite a bit of time…maybe 4 hours. Especially if you only have one person disconnecting, moving, re-positioning and re-connecting the machines.

Total Cost: One Saturday afternoon and about $30.00.  Not. Bad.

I, of course, have plenty to post about recipes and teacher’s gifts that were made during the Christmas season {which I personally L-O-V-E}.  Those will be posted soon (who cares that it’s February and not December anymore, right?).  I promise you, I am NOT abandoning being a new Mrs.!

As I always will, I wish you blessings!  Talk soon.

The Nest Revealed: Peach & Gray Fox Nursery for Our Baby Girl

THE NURSERY It’s finally time to reveal the nursery we’ve created for our baby girl. Yesterday marked my 38th week being pregnant, which means I have a maximum of three weeks left (that’s a week extra if she’s late). Your … Continue reading

The BIG move!!

So I haven’t told you readers, but we bought a house. 2 months ago! You could say my excitement has been somewhat delayed because we did a “rent-back” to the previous homeowners, as their new home was in the construction process. But as of today, we will be able to walk inside the house. We are not actually moving in YET because we are having some work take place over the course of this next week, so our big move  will actually be next weekend. If you are a regular reader, you know, I was feeling discouraged for a long time , mostly in part to this crazy Dallas housing market, but, also due to a bad attitude. You see, I suffer from a “want now” mentality when it comes to houses. I “wanted” everything to be already done, or looking exactly how I always envisioned my future house to look, within a couple of weeks. However, I had a “self” attitude adjustment, and thank God alone, got myself out of the “discontent spirit” that had taken hold of me. A house is what you make it, and not everything is going to be the way I want it, right away. Projects take money, and when you first buy a house, its not going to look like that “dream house” you found one night on HGTV. Everyone has different incomes in life, different backgrounds, and stories, and one of the things that I am personally addressing is to be just thankful with what God has blessed me with RIGHT now.  I might not have that “perfect” kitchen right away, or beautiful bed, or amazing backyard like the ones I see in my Southern Living magazine ALL the time…But, I have to remember I have other things that God has blessed me with instead. Like my health, and family.  I am working on not comparing my life (stage) to others, or sinking into the “I need-Must have” pit of despair, but focusing on being patient and appreciative of life and the little moments. I am excited that you get to share in this next big step with me reader, and hope that you too, realize all the things you have to be thankful for.

Ciao!  Till next week!!

me

Update a mirror for $.99

I’ve had this old wrought iron mirror since college, it was a gift and to tell the truth it was never my favorite piece, so lately it has been sitting in the back of a closet, but a fresh coat of $.99 spray paint gave it a shabby chic update.

Before.

Country Chic Bud Vase

This gallery contains 8 photos.

This Memorial Day, we decided to throw a fairly last minute cook-out (I’m now suspicious that my husband put the idea of this in my head as an elaborate scheme to get a new grill) but anyway, I needed some decorations quick and made … Continue reading

Our House a.k.a. Presley’s Clubhouse

This gallery contains 29 photos.

My scrumptious baby boy Presley turned TWO on February 12th! My oh my how the time flies. He is turning into the sweetest, most tender hearted little boy. He has a heart of gold and never meets a stranger. He … Continue reading

DIY Photo Gallery

My husband and I love to travel, and in the 5 years we have been married, we have built up quite a collection of photos from our trips. I was looking for a creative way to display some of these … Continue reading

DIY Painted Canvas: First Item Checked Off My Pinterest Bucket List

This gallery contains 18 photos.

It’s only been about 6 months, but I can cross one thing off my pinterest bucket list. “Make my own art for the house.” Well, maybe I can only put a check mark next to item #1 on my list, … Continue reading

Go Dramatic with Charcoal Walls

When we bought our house, my dining room and study were one long, formal sitting room. I felt like this was a waste of space, so we split the rooms up by adding a wall with french doors. We also ripped … Continue reading

Be Original With This DIY Candy Buffet

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I have seen lot’s of different versions of  a DIY Candy Buffet on Pinterest in the past. It’s one of those projects I have wanted to do for a while. This weekend I had to make a trip to The … Continue reading