Maybe Soon?

I still have banquette dreams.

Although we are currently enjoying a break from sports(other than ballet/dance), our weekends have not provided the opportunity to take on this project.

[BTW, has anyone else noticed that home ownership is quite demanding? I am grateful to still even be in our house, especially considering all the financial difficultly in the last couple of years. That being said, maintaining a home is very time consuming and expensive.]

Of course I contemplate paying someone else to help us, but then I am snapped back to the reality that we are trying to reduce our expenses. Hiring anything to be done, mowed, painted, built, whatever, is not in the monthly budget.

Plus, Shane and I both struggle to pay someone else for things that we can do ourselves (within reason). Zoiks! This post was not intended to be a published complaint! My apologies.

I'm just hoping that if I write about our breakfast room project, maybe it will be catapulted to the top of the list. The tabletop itself is a big task because it will be a mosaic.

The construction and painting of the benches and table will take many weeks from start to finish, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Our Transplants

This is one of the cherry trees that Shane brought home many weeks ago. We planted the other between us and a neighbor(it's bigger and lately not lookin' too good), two Dwarf Alberta spruces, and two other evergreen shrubs. A small excavator was used to dig the holes for the trees and for their installation.

I made a planting area that has three of our transplants. We were amazed when the cherry tree bloomed! It seemed like a huge shock, but guess she's doing okay.

Glad to have something green in the backyard other than the weeds.:-)

Girl Talk

Today, Tater and I were having a little chat while I was switching the laundry. She mentioned wanting to go to a tourist attraction in a nearby town. Then asked if we could go. I told her that we couldn't afford to go this month. (after Easter outfits and other extra expenses, the disposable $ is gone)

We skimmed over spending, budgeting, cutting back, etc. Personally, I'd way rather eat out less and make other changes in order to go on an actual vacation.

She said she'd like to go to the beach or Colorado(to ride horses--silly girl) and I assured her we wouldn't be going to Colorado. LOL

But, I would love to go to the beach. Tater was giddy just thinking of vacation. I suggested that if it was something that she wanted, then she should pray about it. After all, if we end up going it will be a gift from Him. T crossed her arms. She was thinking.

"Well, I can't decide which one to pray for: going on vacation or a baby sister." For those of you who don't know, she's prayed on and off for years for a sister. I chuckled. "You don't have to choose one. Pray for both. The Bible says that we should take everything to God in prayer."

Oh my Tater Biscuit, she's a treasure.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

Wanna Use My Purdy Brushes

Spring is one of my fave times to paint. As long as the pollen count isn't re-donk-u-lus, it is awesome painting weather. Not too hot. Not too humid. You can open windows for ventilation without the guilt and fear of your power bill at the end of the month. It's just, in my opinion, an excellent time. I'm a big fan of painting. Rooms. Pictures. Furniture. Nails. Faces. You name it, I would attempt to paint it.

We have many areas of our home that need a fresh coat. The other day, I picked up some swatches. I'm thinking that I may do the playroom or the schoolroom. (but not the stairwell-it's a booger) Neither are particularly challenging, and both have horrendous markings from about waist height down. Guess the guilty party.

I have some appreciation for hand prints on the walls. But these aren't hand prints. Or smudges. They vary from scrapes, to scratches, to dry erase marks, and various inspired Crayola creations. Not a fan. Keep the crayons on paper, kids! I'd rather frame them.

Purdy brushes, prepare yourselves! I have a feeling you gals are gonna be working hard very soon!!

No plans for green paint, but I love green rooms and this one feels fresh, springy, and conducive for naps. I likey.

On the Radio

In the last week, I've been in my car much more than usual. It's been so nice to hear the radio because I usually don't listen to it. (at home we don't have it on) I've known of Mandisa, but wasn't familiar with the songs that she sings or her albums.





I'm probably the last person in America to realize that I'm a big fan of her music! LOL Guess that's what happens when you don't stay current to the Billboard charts or regularly listen to the radio. Alas, my beloved Travis Cottrell cd is going to have to be used in moderation...don't want to be this behind again. Mandisa's latest album has some great stuff. My fave so far is #9 titled "He is With You." Check her out at http://mandisa.sparrowrecords.com
[On the preview, my pic looks small, so I apologize if it looks little. Still learning.]

Hooked on Salad instead of Suga

Many months ago, we hung out with some friends and ate dinner together. They served a Caesar salad and chicken casserole. Well, I don't know if I had the beginning stages of scurvy, but I was crazy about that salad. It was so good. (She used Ken's dressing, so you know it was off the chain.) It began what I'll fondly refer to as my salad obsession.

Caesar, Greek, pasta, whatever--salads everywhere have been enticing me ever since that night. Even coleslaw(we'll consider it salad) from Calhoun's has been a near errand running diversion! But, I didn't cave. Aren't you proud?! Even a little side salad can catch my eyes...silly, I know.

An added mental benefit is I don't feel guilty eating them the way I do about so many other foods. The more I am conscious with my diet the less I have to exercise. YIPPEE!

Little side note: I decided a while back to start paying attention to what I was eating. Let's just say my clothes were letting me know that something needed to change, either my eating habits or their sizes. Not cool with the latter. My life long sidekick 'suga' had to be taken down quite a few notches. Surprisingly(to me), I've felt so much better since I've reduced my sugar intake. It's been really hard to say no to myself so much. Still have coffee everyday, but not three or four cups. Don't gasp, it's true. And I switched to half and half(not my fave) instead of using my delicious hazelnut creamer. Every little bit helps.

Suga, I can have you in small doses, but you can't be the center of my food interest and affections anymore. Still love you...and miss the junk outta you some days, Me

(Disclaimer: I can always make exceptions for mint chocolate chip ice cream. :)