Grateful Sunday

Today, I am grateful for:

• the sideboard is looking so beautiful - I stained the drawers last night.


• After G. agreed to watch a Barbie movie, I. called him a "Laurelgirl." When questioned what that meant, she said it was the opposite of a Tomboy (Tom is my hubby). That has made me laugh for days.


• At church, G. complained that his foot was hurting. His primary teachers let him take his shoes off, and found a shoehorn in it! He had worn it that way for 2 1/2 hours! G. makes us laugh.


• Kim asked me to participate in her Dare to DIY party - looking forward to it.


• When our lives get really busy and hectic, I know I've got a partner in Tom. We're barely having time to wink at each other lately, but being busy is something we know how to do.


• I. had a perfect Parent/Teacher conference and G. started reading books independently.


• M. has long hair that I can braid or curl - love that.

Have a great week - I've got a giveaway planned for tomorrow, so check back.

I'm Flattered

I've recently received some awards and don't want them to stop with me.

Peanut Petunia awarded me this one:

Isn't she cute?

Room Remix awarded me this one:

Both the rules vary - you know, tell some things about yourself and then pass it on. I'm not sure I could tell you something interesting that would make you love me. In fact, I try to keep that info pretty private so that you would like me more. BUT . . . .I'm going to try. It would probably be funnier if I had my sister write some random things for me. Here goes nothing:

1. I have never been pulled over by a police officer and have only received one ticket (which came with a totaled car) in my life.
2. I was a drum major in my high school - you know, the person who leads the marching band. I did not wear a big hat, though.
3. I have to floss my teeth every morning. I can leave the house without make up and without my hair combed, but not without my teeth flossed.
4. I'm 5'9" and used to have huge issues with my height, but now I realize that's a silly thing to have insecurities about. I try to teach my daughters to love their height.
5. I am a compulsive reader. If there's words, there's a pretty good chance I'm reading it. I read while I blow dry my hair, while I'm cooking dinner, while I'm watching TV . . you get the idea.
6. I burnt a baked potato in my microwave last night - BAD. Part of the microwave melted, it's broken, the plate it was on is ruined. My daughter called my mother to tattle on me. I don't even know what to do with my microwave, so I'm just pretending I don't have to deal with it.
7. I am brutally honest - I get it from my husband. I appreciate honesty and get annoyed at insincere compliments - but often feel that I'm the only girl like this.

Some of my favorite reads:

Ruffles and Stuff

Design A-Peele

Painting the Roses White

The TomKat Studio

Sherbet Blossom

Something To Do

Clean and Classic Interiors

Seriously, the hardest parts about awards is narrowing down the blogs to give to others. I am totally flattered that I'm even recognized by anyone!

Have a great weekend - I have a giveaway planned for Monday, just because.

My Pretty Little Desk

She's finished . . . yes, this desk is definitely a she.

I asked your opinion and was even more indecisive when I finished reading.

I like white, I am drawn to white, so I painted it white. It's actually called Dover White by Sherwin Williams. It is the same color as the bead board in the girls room and the trim throughout the home and it was what I had on hand.

I love it.

I never wanted this to be a focal point, which it would have been if I painted it black, or even a pewter/blue. This just adds to the feeling I'm hoping for in this room.

The desk was a $10 Craigslist find, I had the paint on hand, and spent $20 on new hardware.


Amazing what paint and hardware can do.


Next up for this room - chair rail and headboard.

Organizing Loves: Bins

I'm teaching a class on Saturday about organizing and my thoughts have left the crafting world and returned to my love of organizing.

I've already have praised my labeler, and hooks. I can't praise those two without professing my love for the BIN. Simple it is, but it is an organizing must have at my home!

We use them to corral just about everything.

Of course, they are down in my basement:

We also use them in the toy room:

But I use them in my pantry:

I use them for my spices (but I don't really like this set up):

I use them in my girl's closet:

This is our arts/crafts cupboard:

Sometimes I use the lids, sometimes I don't. I use a ton of different sizes. I usually get them at Target. That is just because I started getting them there, so I just always get them there so they'll match and then stack better. I do usually prefer the see-through ones better. Although they are labeled, it still seems easier to grab what you want when you can see it.

It is so much easier when things are contained. My kids (the biggest reason I organize) can grab them and take them to where they want. Then they can put them away if they just have to throw them in a bin.

This is a great time to start looking for them. You usually can find them around the holiday season, and in January they go on sale. I think they figure every one's goal is to get more organized!

So . . . what's in your bins?

Grateful Sunday

Happy November to you all!
I am grateful for:

• 55 degrees and over a foot of snow. G. went sledding in his shorts. Only in CO!
• I'm a stay-at-home mom. With three days off of school, I was so appreciative of the fact that it really didn't mess up anything - just fun for us.
• Halloween - ours was great - and you?
  

Have a great week!