Not off to a good start...

Well, day 2 and I am not getting off on the right foot.  Yesterday while my daughter was doing homework...while she "just sat" there and did her work, she miraculously fell on the floor and landed on her arm/elbow.  I'm sure you can guess what happened next....

Yes, sadly she broke her elbow. So its been a little hectic over here.  I am still not sure what happened and I am only being filled in by my 6 yr old daughter and by the one who was "just" sitting there.  But regardless my poor girl will have to be in a cast for a couple of weeks.  She seems to be in good spirits and really that is all that matters.  She told me today that "this was her life for a while so she was going to make it work."

I love that perspective!!! Motherhood can be gut wrenching sometimes.  But that is the way of life eh?

I will return tomorrow back on track....(at least this tied in perfectly to the subject). 


                                                  

31 Days of Perspective

                                            

Well....there is no better way to get me going and motivated than to do Nester's 31 days.  I figured if I had to do a post every single day of this month I could have no excuses, I would have to fight the laziness and just do it!!! 

My 31 days will be on "PERSPECTIVE"...in the home.

It started with this post I did  a couple weeks ago.  I have been thinking a lot about perspective.  I had a huge incident happen this year that made me think of the true me, of the things that are the most important in life.  I feel like some days I am doing life at its best and others I feel like I am gasping for air.  Its the "I should have done this" or "why didn't I do that" or "why didn't I do this better."  The things I have no control over.  The things I can't change.  

But during my freak out tirades I stopped short and came to my senses.  In the whole scheme of things who cares about all this stuff.  But what really matters is whether or not I showed love and compassion.  Did I lift others up? Did I bring joy to others? Did I spend quality time with my sweet kids and hubby? Am I content with what I have and how my home looks?

And most importantly...lets take it easy on ourselves. Be patient with ourselves. 

Hopefully these freak outs give me a different perspective, allow me to ponder and gain an understanding that I don't think I would have had otherwise.

Cheers to 31 days of perspective....

BIG thing...

My heart and mind and body seem to be paralyzed…

I can’t seem to quiet my thoughts and emotions and make sense of it all.  I keep coming back to this little blog that I wanted to start 9 months ago!! Nine!!! I love to write, writing is therapy to me…so as I was putting one of my littles to sleep tonight I had this strong impression to come and write. This is my solace!

I have all these dreams, all these ideas of what my life should be, I am waiting for this BIG thing to happen….I want a sign! And so I over think everything and wonder if whatever is happening or whatever I am going through is the “sign.”  Why am I so consumed with this? What am I missing in life? What do I need?

And right then and there I realized that is not how I want my life to be.

The truth is there may not be this big change! Life is what it is now…and now is great!! Why am I wasting it! Why am I waiting for something better to happen when greatness is right around me.

Being a mom has taught me so much! And although it’s my responsibility to teach my littles, they seem to teach me more! They are my teachers…. They live in the moment, schedules and repetition is comfort to them. Normalcy is what they thrive on. Coming home from school and having a snack and telling me about their day with anticipation and that sparkle in their eyes, the endless fashion shows and dance routines they put on, the endless questions and the simple things...these and countless others are the BIG things.

I fell in love with this quote from another blog:

When you surrender to that fact then real balance comes, of having your soul and mind and heart in sync. ...We can never go back to the fleeting moment that constitutes our children's childhood. We only get one chance to get it right. And doing it right takes a lot of time. How we choose to spend our time is ultimately our greatest power as human beings." (Surrendering to Motherhood by Iris Krasnow).

Right now the only BIG thing I need to worry about are the moments with the people I love more than anything on this earth.

Perspective….

Have a Lovely Friday...

I know with Pinterest now, seeing beautiful rooms is as easy as 1-2-3.  But some of these I had way before Pinterest was around, and although Im sure you can view them on there I wanted to post these and have you enjoy some sweet eye candy. 

Here are some lovely rooms...

Have a Lovely weekend!

Pictures via : Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens, DecorPad, Coastal Living, Cottages and Gardens, House Beautiful and Southern Accents.  For some pictures I do not have links or whom to credit them too, if you should know let me know.

A little Chalk Painting

Let me start by saying that I had before pictures of my furniture below, but of course, I couldn't find them. That is really the story of my life...I can never find half of my stuff. So just work with me and hopefully you can kinda see the before.

I know in 2011 the big thing was Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  And for many the hold back was the cost for a quart...$39 for me.  But I went ahead and bought me some Old White and a Clear Wax.  I have to say I like the paint A LOT but I am not sure if I love it. I won't go into pro's and con's but what I will say is that I don't regret getting it. I have painted two pieces of furniture and have a few more that I would like to do and I will surely use the chalk paint.  Its super easy to paint with (like butta) and amazing to distress.  Nonetheless...I will stop chit-chatting and show you the magic.

I bought these two desks in separate places but the one I painted actually looked 'just' like the one pictured.  You could tell they were older pieces with original stain and needed some TLC.  The one I painted was purchased at a Barn Sale and right away I loved the piece:  the lines, the legs, and the simplicity.

Here is the desk/table all painted in Old White...with some distressing and clear wax.

I have moved this table around and used it for many things but currently its a side table next to my sectional.  I know the height of it is not to decorating standards (its too high compared to the couch) but I like the look and it fills the space next to the couch perfectly.

This next piece, a small hutch, I purchased at a place called "Treasures n Junk."  Don't you just love that name. It was hiding in someones space and I snagged her.  It was originally a Robin's Egg Blue-ish color but the color just stood out too much in my home. I went ahead and painted it in Old White and have yet to distress or wax.  I keep holding off (its been 3+ months) because I don't know if I want to go the distressing route.  I think I may keep it this way and just wax.  Its a small piece that doesn't take too much room and holds some of my white pieces just perfectly.

The hutch came with a small door attached on the bottom part.  When I painted it I left it off. I have put it up so you can get an idea of the color and what it looked like before it was painted.

Linking up to the following parties...you should join in on the fun.

   

               

Home Goals for 2012

 

They say if you write down your goals you are more likely to accomplish them and in my case have some accountability. I wanted to link up to 'Nester's home goals' and hopefully be able to finish these projects plus many more this year. I love how the month of January makes you feel like you are on top of the world and can accomplish anything...fingers crossed.

The most important goal this year, and hopefully sooner than later, is to get new carpet in my whole house! This is #1 and if this is all that happens this year then I am one happy gal. (not really)

1. In my living room I want to switch that ugly chandelier that came with the home for something that makes a statement. (The first chandelier is from Ballard Designs and the second one is from Pottery Barn). Striped curtains would be a dream because not only do I love anything black and white but these would make a statement. I'm also hoping to build some bookshelves...it will get done.

2. My windows need warmth and I love the look of bamboo blinds, so this is another cha-chinger! (is that a word??)

3. I currently have all the kids toys in a room. It works but I want something warm, fun and creative. I don't know what I want to do yet but I do know I don't want to spend too much. I think this will be a garage sale, around the house, DIY, thrift store type project. Should be fun!

4. The kitchen is the biggest project. Padlock the wallet!!! But it will make such a difference in our home. We just finished painting out cabinets. Wowzers...that was a big project. Now I want to focus on small expensive details. I definitely need knobs and pulls for the cabinets. I would love new counter tops, and I keep wanting to lean towards butcher block but long term I don't think its the best choice. I would love to buy the farmhouse single kitchen sink from Ikea but that involves a new faucet and a bit of cabinet reconfiguration...its a big sink that needs more room than the current one I have.

5. Another big change would be in our guest/kids bathroom. I would love a smaller pedestal sink since its really a small space, the one pictured is from Pottery Barn. I would love to add bead-board all around the wall and then do black and white stripes like the inspiration picture. I want to take out the big builder grade mirror and add a nice round one or something more custom.

6. I have a few items that need to be painted, this sweet table was purchased at a thrift store over a year ago and it still remains to be painted. The Anne Sloan Chalk paint can is sitting pretty in the garage...no more excuses Liz!

In the end, I need money...a lot of it. Who knows how much I will be able to accomplish this year but what I do know is I want to take it step by step, be thorough and not get over my head. The hardest part is; I am NOT a patient person, at all. Keep checking back on me and see what happens...Happy Goal Setting!

Word of the Year...

Layla over at The Lettered Cottage is hosting a word of the year link party...so here goes mine.

HEART

Well, here's why...  The year 2011 brought many things, both great and sad.  Every one of those experiences has changed me. And in some ways I dealt with them good and in other ways I wish my response to them would have been more positive, perhaps in a more loving way. And now, as I look back I wouldn't change anything but I know deep down in my heart each and every thing that happened is a blessing.

Last year I gained new amazing friends and lost some, had a beautiful baby girl, had some postpartum depression, we got to keep our home (which we almost lost), I learned to be a mom of four (geesh still learning), I grew spiritually, my marriage is stronger, and sadly lost my family (not in a dying way but that's another post).  I also learned to love and accept me more, I did a lot of comparing, I had some harsh feelings towards others and had some pity parties for myself.  The list could go on and on...

And so this year I have committed to do everything with my heart.  I want to do everything more lovingly and more wholeheartedly.  I want to listen and follow it without any reservations.  I want to love myself more and not be so hard on myself, have more faith.  Comparison is nasty, I refuse to do that this year. I want to love others, truly be happy for everyone and everyone's accomplishments or blessings.  I want to love my trials/experiences whether good or bad and grow from them and hopefully in return bless others.  People come in and out of our lives all the time, I want to embrace that and love it and be grateful for those whom did love me and were there for me some point in my life even if it was short or it didn't turn out how I wanted it too.  I want to spend more time loving those around me: my kiddos, my hubby, my friends, strangers, family, and anyone I come to know.

In the end, it all comes back to my heart. I want to genuinely say I followed it this year.

So here is to another year...hopefully an amazing 2012 for all of us.  Lets embrace whatever may come!!!

What is your word of the year???