A Room for Our Princess

So here's the first glimpse of Claire's Room!  We finally put some things up today - still a few more to go up and need to fill the frames with pictures but,...that could be months and well...haven't done anything else I can brag about so gotta use what I have! :)  Unless you want to hear about the left-overs I tried to pass off as dinner tonight or how convincingly I talked myself out of cleaning the house today (to be honest, it wasn't that hard - so it probably isn't that impressive of a tale anyway...).

Before 

(Given I always use the before pics with the previous owners stuff -and well,....the doily count is a little high - but that just makes the the transformation between the before and after all the more I guess!)

After

My friend Barb brought over a old pine shelf she had taken down at her place.  So out came the can of white paint and my much loved and used paint rollers...and it definitely helped fill the space above Claire's dresser.  Gotta love white paint!  And free furniture! 

Hopefully, soon I can show you the other side of the room too!

Have a great night! :)

I think I'm in love.

My sad empty little dining room needed something shiny and fabulous.  And, it has been found...! :)  absolutely LOVE my pretty pretty shiny new mirror.  

Seriously - tell me you aren't in love??  ...and it was the last one in the store and on sale for 30% off???! :) CRAZY good!

Night all....

Ralna

my casa

So, check it out....  polished up our front step - painted the railings, doors, power washed the concrete, moved the house numbers, new mailbox and door handle and lost the screen door....oh yeah, and killed the tulips. Actually,....THAT was probably Mom M and Kristy! :)

before

after

seriously impressive hey??  (I have a REALLY good camera.  sometimes things don't look exactly as photographed....)

But here's from a different angle...

Have a good one!


Ralna

Jaden's Room

HUGE achievements today.  Not only did I finally hang some pics in Jaden's room.....we have also almost installed the shower rod upstairs.  For that to happen Aaron had to fix the slow gradual leak in the tub which he did in about thirty seconds.  So smart that there husband of mine!  So -  I'm guessing only about another two days until I figure out the shower rod install.  K - I'm probably making it sound way more complicated than it is...but there were bolts and measuring and drilling and then on the way to the workshop for the tools there was the tv and the kitchen and Aaron made cookies yesterday and....well...now I sit here. :)

So here's the first draft on Jaden's room... knowing that it's all going to change in the next few months when we get him his big bed and bedding, not too much different than his old room, but he's happy,...and I'm happy 'cause it's done...more or less!

The Before

And the After...

Project Organization.

so - I think I'm coming to terms that the renos are going to drag on and on and on...ok more realistically I think I'm coming to terms with avoiding manual labour in 35 + heat.  but I do also realize that I need to find sanity and and even if it's not finished and perfect....it can be organized and clutter-free!  There is nothing more stressful and tiring for me than living in clutter and mess - well, whining kids.  But I think that's the only trump card.  So, enter project organization.  which does not sound inspiring by its namesake but may not be flow off the tongue as well to call it Project Super Duper Fun Organizing Extravaganza - which we all know you'd be a fool NOT to get behind.  so, we have almost made it through all the boxes.  emptied the boxes.  but really just emptied them to shelves and corners and floors.  not really found the final and logical resting place for anything.  so I think this shall be my new achievable goal for my home and life.  because well.  funds and time are limited.  But obsessive compulsive tendencies...that I can channel forever.... :)

Project I - The Pantry....

Before

After

now seriously get the girl a label maker... :)  

PS.  Aaron is collecting money should you wish to participate in the 'How Long Can Ralna Maintain a Clean Pantry' pool...

Please also note....I have secured days two and three....

Looky looky...

so....what I'm learning about myself is that I have no patience.  I suck at waiting.  I want it done now.  No five year plan, no waiting until we financially recover, no waiting for the time and energy to get things finished.  I want to get 'er done now! :)  


Sadly,....I do not have the energy, resources, or skills to realize that dream today.  Actually I think I am now morally opposed to paint brushes and given the 35 degrees  outside...kinda morally opposed to any activity at all today.  but lucky for me...my guests are not.  Mom M and Kristy are here for the week to attack the jungle that was our yard and they are deserving of a medal. :) 


This was what we inherited and have been skillfully neglecting since we got possession June 1st....

And two days later...we're looking at this.....

and more importantly this...

BEAUUUTIFUL!  
THey have done amazing and we are so so so grateful~ for the blisters, bruises, rose bush cuts, sunburns, sore muscles, and heat exhaustion...


THANK-YOU!  Don't you want to come visit?? ;)


and ps...the scooter on the road...that's what my husband is proudly driving to work this week. I think it came with a pink helmet....

Toy Storage - Part I

So, I finally uncovered a piece of our family room after a few hours - sadly basically just transporting mess from one section of the room to the other....but I found my toy storage unit and am super excited to have it placed in its new home!  The paint did get scratched a bit in the move...(FREE movers but perhaps need to temper their testosterone with patience and care) so I will have to give it a little love, I still need to add the crown around the top and eventually I will build a desk off the side and storage for kids craft supplies.  But that will most likely be a few months away.  And I'm pretty proud of my little accomplishment with my very own two hands - knowing that all the toys I trip over all day COULD be in their enclosed organized home.... Nothing but good intentions I'm sure..... :)