Home Improvement: Chapter One- The Hall Bath

Well, well, well…it seems that this blog has gotten pretty dusty.  To be honest, I haven’t really been stimulated to compose a blog piece.  We’ve had some pretty nasty weather in my old Kentucky home, and I have become a hermit wrapped up in a blanket, watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix, cuddling my sweet Little Boy.

That being said, a friend from high school basically called me out and said she wanted to read something.  So…here is my something.  I know that I documented our journey with selling our first home.  The thought occurred that I should document the remodeling/updates we are making to our dream home.  I don’t know how long this will take.  I finally feel like we have accomplished a finished product that I am comfortable sharing with you all. 

Our New Hall Bathroom!

Well.  First let me show you how it looked when we bought the house.

The hall bath was straight up 1997, from the oak cabinet with gold accents, to the pink painted walls, to the flowered boarder accenting the top of the walls.  Everything had to go!

We painted the bathroom Valspar’s Vintage Grey, I wanted something warm and neutral- I think this paint color was a win.  We ended up getting this paint from Lowes.  With the tile we ended up buying, it hand some gray tones, in it- therefore I wanted to make sure the paint was gray to accent the tile.

This is the flooring we ended up ripping out.  (Yes, this flooring is all throughout the other bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room.  Vintage 1997.)  We ended up replacing it with this beautiful ceramic tile we found at Lowes called Leonia Silver. 

 After laying the tile, and it was completely ready to walk on- we put in our new toilet and brand new vanity we got from Lowes as well.  It’s from Style Selections, and the finished is called Java.  We had a quartz countertop made for it, created by Design in Stone Louisville. 

To finish off the look, we are using Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes- the vanity knobs, the faucet, and shower curtain rod- all bought from Lowes.

The shower curtain was bought at Target, as well as the soap dispenser, and toothbrush holder.  The clock was purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond; and the sweet-framed quote was purchased at Hobby Lobby.

All in all, we could have paid thousands of dollars to have some professionals come in and redo our hall bathroom, but I can take pride in saying that Mr. and I did it ourselves.  With some guidance from my personal interior designer (Mr.’s Sister), I think our hall bath turned out beautifully!

Currently we are working on our kitchen; hopefully I’ll have an update for you in a few weeks!  Thanks for taking time to read this…I know it probably doesn’t matter to a lot of people, but this was a great way to get back in touch with you!

I’m a Survivor!

Did you know that the third Sunday of January is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday?  It sure is!  Ronald Reagan declared it on January 13, 1984.  Sanctity of Human Life Sunday was created on the 11^th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of legalizing abortion due to the Roe v. Wade (1973) decision.

A conservative estimate is about 55 million unborn babies have been aborted in the US alone since this Supreme Court decision.  55 million.  55 MILLION AMERICAN BABIES!  That’s baby boys who never grew to throw a ball with their dad.  Baby girls who never grew up and planned their fairy tale wedding.  55 million Americans, who never laughed, played, walked or talked.

These are babies who could have been born and found the cure for cancer.  Babies who could have been born and ended World Hunger.  Or babies that could have been a productive member of our society and made this world a less crazy place.

This January 22, 2015 will mark the 42^nd anniversary of the legalization of abortion.  You may stand with this decision.  I on the other hand do not!  I believe a baby is a baby from the time of conception to their arrival into this world, via delivery room, home births, or any other form of delivery. 

If you’re reading this and are pro-life, you understand where I’m coming from.  If you’re pro-choice, you’re probably thinking that I’m an idiot.  So…if that’s the case, I do have a few questions for you.

1. How can you fight to save baby animals, but not baby humans?

2. How can you fight for the rights of the environment, but not the rights to protect human life?

3. You fight for ‘equal rights’ for everyone, right?  Why does that exclude the unborn human, growing, inside a woman? 

4. Have you ever been to a baby shower?  I have.  Have you ever been to a fetus shower?  I’ve never even seen fetus shower decorations available at retailers.  Therefore, if party supply companies and party supply distributors celebrate a new life- why don’t you?  

If you’re reading this- you’re a survivor of Roe v. Wade.  The people in your home, your family, your friends- they’re survivors too.  Take a moment to let that sink in.  How much different would your life be if they wouldn’t have survived this decision?  Are you so thankful that they were not aborted?

My Year in Review

I’m sure you are well aware that Facebook created this year in review thing, in which Facebook will look at your page and figure out what your best moments were on social media for 2014.  Yes, I fell prey to it.  I created it, watched it, and shared it with hundreds of ‘friends’.  The whole thing seems kind of funny now.  A short, 10-second, flip through clip shows everyone that’s your ‘friend’ what kind of year you had.  If you honestly care about my year in review, I will be more than happy to share with you here…in my own words.

2014 was a beautiful year, but there were also so ugly moments.  I hate to think that social media portrays this glorious year with a few pictures to prove to people that you’re the happiest person around, or if you are reading this and you’re already passing judgment thinking that I am a horribly miserable woman because I haven’t said anything positive yet- I am neither of those things.  Let me explain.

2014 was a great year of reflection on friendships for me.  I had days where I thought about past relationships that ended with no real closure and thought about trying to get closure.  I had days where I thought, “you know, I have really tried to make this friendship work- why am I not getting anything back in return?”  Then I had days where I avoided Facebook because ‘friends’ would post things and all I did was roll my eyes.

2014 was a year where I thought about deactivating my Facebook page on several occasions.  Then a small voice in the back of my head would say, “Oh, but how will people see pictures of Little Boy?”  “How will I keep in touch with old friends?”  “How will people contact me if they need me for something?”  (I’ve thought about deleting all of my Facebook ‘friends’ and letting people who actually care about what’s going on in my life be a Facebook friend.  I know, that’s a crazy thought, isn’t it?)  I still have the thought of deactivating Facebook; I will let you know when I have made a decision.

2014 is the year I turned 29.  Let me say, this was a hard birthday.  Usually, I’m pretty pumped about birthdays…not my 29^th.  I can’t really explain to you why I was dreading this birthday but I was.  Maybe because I don’t feel like I have really accomplished anything.  Or the fact that I’m not happy with what my bathroom scale has to say.  I don’t know.

I can sit here and type this, and tell you with 100% honesty that 2014 was a year that taught me that I am human.  (I can’t do everything myself.  I have to ask for help.  I depend on others.)  Watching my year in review on Facebook reminds me of how blessed I am though.  I am able to stay home and raise my little boy.  I am healthy (even though I am not happy with the scale).  I have a roof over my head, a warm bed, unfailing love, and faith.  (And those are just the things that come to mind when I think of my Mr.) 

I am confident enough to speak my mind, give my opinion, and admit when I am wrong.  2014 was a year where I had to do all of these things.  In doing so, I learned that I am not perfect, nor do I need to act like I have it all together all the time.  I have days where I’m not happy.  There are days where I am wearing the clothes I had worn the previous day.  There will be days where I can’t find the positive.  Then there are the days where I can’t wipe a smile off my face.  I get everything on my to-do list done.  I am able to get a nap in!  (Those are good days.)

So, Facebook- I’d like to tell you what my year in review should have been.  It should have showed that throughout 2014, I have grown into a woman who I would want to be friends with.  I’m honest, a little over-whelmed, not always put together, maybe a little random; but I am filled with joy.  That’s what you should have shown.

Christmas Traditions…Are Christmas Cards Gonna Make It?

The Christmas countdown is on!  I love the Christmas season!  I can see the shift in people’s attitudes, demeanors, and views.  People tend to be a little bit friendlier, a little more outgoing, a little more stressed, a little more relaxed.  It just all depends.  I love seeing people saying hello to strangers or holding doors open for the people walking in behind them.  I think people genuinely try to be ‘nice’ during the Christmas season.

One of my most favorite things about the Christmas season is…CHRISTMAS CARDS!  I absolutely love walking to the mailbox in the month of December, wind whipping my hair in my face, opening the mailbox and seeing who sent my little family a card.  There is nothing better than getting a card from someone you’ve known since you were little, or an old high school friend, or a former co-worker. 

I love ripping open the envelopes to see what picture cards have been sent.  I love getting the old fashioned cards where people actually write a small note of hello to us.  I think Christmas cards are an amazing thing.  Sadly, I think they are on their way out the door.  Social Media is killing the joy of Christmas cards!

Can I tell you to not give in!  Don’t think that you can get away with posting your ‘card’ on Facebook and think that I’m OK with that.  If I have sent you a card, you can believe I am hoping that I will be getting one back in return.  I mean, what’s better: seeing a post on Facebook wishing you a Merry Christmas or physically opening up mail from a person who cared enough to let you know they were thinking of you this season?  (I’m going with the second option.)

I am in the middle of getting our cards ready to send out.  To be brutally honest, I have made a list, and will be checking it twice.  I hope that I get the same amount of cards back that I send out.  If not, I guess I’ll have to look my list over again and cross off names of people who do not send Christmas cards to my little family.  (That’s a little petty isn’t it?  Yes.  But, if I have taken the time to think of you, and spend money on cards and postage, I think the favor should be returned.)

Really think about sending out Christmas cards this year.  It’s a simple way of letting someone who has been an influence to you at some point in your life that you still think of him or her.  I promise, it will make you feel amazing to get a card back from them!  And, if you take my advice- Christmas cards will make it!

I am Grateful

Hard to believe that the end of November is upon us, and we are just 26 days away from Christmas!  Where has this year gone?  Well, I can tell you my year has gone into growing a newborn into a toddler.  What an experience that has been.  I am so grateful to be able to stay at home with my Little Boy and watch him grow, learn, and love.  He is my greatest blessing.

I know there are a lot of people on social media who think the whole “30 Days of Thanks” is stupid.  (I, in fact, love scrolling through my newsfeed and seeing what people are thankful for.)  I think the month of November makes us more aware of our blessings, and I think people are more intentional about what it is they are thankful for on a given day because they have to post to Facebook what they are most thankful for.  I think that’s great accountability!  I love seeing the brutal honesty of people’s thankfulness- if it’s just a simple, “I’m thankful who the lady who paid for my coffee”, to “I made it through 65 traffic without killing anyone!”  I think it’s awesome! 

I did not participate in the 30 days of thanks on Facebook this year- though I have for the last four years (thanks to my timehop reminder).  So I thought I would write to you about what I am most thankful for in one place. 

1.    I am thankful for love.  God created it, He allowed me to learn it, and He allows me to show it. 

2.    I am thankful for the people who are in my ‘love bubble’ and who have let me into theirs.

3.    I am thankful for stubbornness.  Without it, I don’t know if Mr. and I would be married.

4.    I am thankful for stretchy pants.  I have learned that my body is not going to ever be the same…and I’m ok with that.  I love the fact that elastic waits are now apart of my wardrobe. 

5.    I am thankful for temper-tantrums.  Although they are not fun to deal with, they are a reminder that my Little Boy is growing and developing accordingly.

6.    I am thankful for mindless entertainment.  Sometimes it’s nice to watch a TV show and realize that there are some really pointless shows on television- but they allow me to escape the reality of the messiness that surrounds me in the basement.

7.    I am thankful for glasses.  Without them, I don’t know if this post would make a whole lot of sense.

8.    I am thankful for Mr.’s job.  It allows me the opportunity to stay home, and I am so proud of how hard my Mr. works to provide for his family.

9.    I am thankful that I am called mother.  I don’t know what my life would be like if I did not have my Little Boy.  He is simply amazing. 

10.I am thankful for my education.   It will allow me to re-enter the work force one day.

11.I am thankful for Savannah, GA.  This is where we honeymooned.  I think of this place often and it just makes me happy.

12.I am thankful for vacations.  It’s always nice to get away and live someonelse’s life for a week.

13.I am thankful for a basement.  I no longer am afraid of storms…and the fact that we have a place to store Little Boy’s toys is a bonus.

14.I am thankful for friendships that span over decades.  I am blessed that I have friends that have been in my life since I was in elementary school.  I may not see these people everyday, talk to them everyday- but I know I could call them and they would be there for me in a heartbeat.

15.I am thankful for the influence of my grandparents.  They endured and conquered.  They are overcomers.  (And I really do miss them!)

16.I am thankful for my Mother.  She is in a league of her own. 

17.I am thankful for my Father.  He is a pillar in our family.

18.I am thankful for my Sister.  She is one of my best friends. 

19.I am thankful for my youngest Sister.  She is the comic relief our family always needs.

20.I am thankful for the two guys who married my two sisters.  They are just like brothers to me.

21.I am thankful for my in-laws.  I was blessed with good ones!  They have always taken care of Mr. and me…and they take even greater care of our Little Boy.  Mr.’s sister and I are sisters and I am thankful for the relationship she and I have.

22. I am thankful for the fall season.  I think it’s the season where God shows off His artistic ability.

23. I am thankful for books.  I love to read.

24.I am thankful for Dave Ramsey’s principals.  We are debt free! (Except for our house.)  I couldn’t be more ecstatic about that.

25. I am thankful for gifts (it is my love language), big or small.  I love gifts.

26.I am thankful for good days.  (You know those days where you get everything on your to-do list done.  There are no problems that pop up.  Things go according to plan.  I love those days!)

27.I am thankful that Mr. allows me to be me.  He doesn’t judge me.  He just lets me be me.

28.I am thankful for good photographers.  We have so many great pictures because of these professionals.

29.I am thankful for my church.  I always leave feeling recharged.  (I also leave convicted.)

30.I am thankful for Jesus.  My relationship isn’t perfect with Him.  It’s a work in progress.  I am so thankful that He understands I want to draw nearer to Him, and some days I screw that up.  I am thankful that He loves me, and saved me. 

Thanks for sticking around and reading this.  I am thankful that you read this blog and allow me to share my thoughts, opinions, and feelings.  You make me feel like you’re really listening to me, and for that I am grateful!