Home Improvement Projects

So, it's official...I AM NEVER PAINTING ANOTHER CEILING!!! From now on it is totally worth paying my painter to come paint my house...especially the ceiling. I worked all day on my day off from work. I started the tedious project at 11 and finished at 9!! What a day off, huh? Granted, I know I am complaining a lot (because it was pain in the neck, literally) but I am pleased with the results. I painted the ceiling a lovely color called Coconut Milk. Below is a picture to give you an idea of the color, before and after. It is a huge relief to have this project put to bed though. It's been on the to-do list since we got married!!

In addition to the new paint, we also got a new kitchen light fixture (goodbye florescent). It isn't the most fancy but hey, we're working with a budget here. Also, we got a new fixture for the downstairs hallway (goodbye brass). I think it looks really good! I'm really looking forward to getting rid of all of the brass in our house....upstairs hallway light, door knobs and half bath light fixture. It all takes time but it is so pleasing to get each little item checked off the list.

Please ignore the messy kitchen!! I should have cleaned up before taking a picture, but I didn't feel like it! :)

I am hoping to start on the shoe room soon. I have decided that I'm going to go with the pinker color (Berry Blush, I think). I can't wait to find some cool furniture and accessories for the room!

Lastly, as I was on a conference call on Tuesday I started to smell some smoke...smoke of a burned out motor...from my washing machine!! I knew the washer (and dryer) was going to kick the bucket soon, but we were really hoping not this soon. We have done our research and I think we're going to go with a high efficiency top loader. It has the same energy savings as a front load, but the convenience of a top load. I'm not really looking forward to making this purchase, but I am looking forward to washing clothes! You won't hear me say that often!!

I think that is all for now! By the way, 2 blogs in 1 day!! :)

Valentine's Day

I must admit that Valentine's Day was a success!! I woke up and Patrick brought me flowers & a box of chocolate in bed. You just can't have a bad day when it starts like that. We went to church, ate lunch, played a 3 set tennis match (unfortunately, we lost) and came home to prepare dinner. We had shrimp cocktail. Garlic & Thyme Roasted Filet Mignon with horseradish sauce, broccoli & cauliflowerCheesecake for Patrick & Chocolate Covered Strawberries for me

The filet was amazing!! It was so easy to make and so delicious! If you want recipes I'll be happy to share!!

I'm back!!!

Okay, wow, I knew it had been a long time since I had written a blog, but NOVEMBER 18th?! Simply unacceptable. I will need you all to keep me accountable for being better at this! Thanks to those of you (you know who you are) for encouraging me...I really need it!!!


To recap the past 3 months (almost)...


Thanksgiving was great!! We ate too much as usual...Christmas was even better. We ran around like crazy people in order to spend ample time with each set of parents/grandparents. New Years was very relaxing!! We went to dinner & a movie with friends, came back to our house and crashed just after midnight!! Valentine's Day is tomorrow and I am in charge this year! :) I have a great menu planned:


* Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail
* Main Course: Thyme & Garlic Roasted Filet Mignon with Horseradish Sauce
* Veggie: Steamed broccoli & cauliflower (I'm going to fancy it up somehow)
* Dessert: Chocolate covered strawberries & Cheesecake


I will let you know how it all turns out...the strawberries are done along with the "homemade" Cheesecake, the steak is marinating and the shrimp is waiting to be eaten. Hopefully it looks pretty so I can take a few pictures to show of my "skills" in the kitchen. Haha, I have to laugh out loud at that!!


So we got snow yesterday...which is very unusual for Georgia. The forecast called for snow but no one really believed it since we get those forecast and are almost always disappointed. This time we weren't!! We ended up with 4 inches of snow!! It was beautiful!! I took some pictures to show off the beauty!

I'm also starting a project...a home improvement project!! I was supposed to start today, but I got too busy running errands that I didn't have time to start when I got home. I suppose I technically have two projects...the kitchen/den/family room and my SHOE ROOM!!! Guess which one I am more excited about. In the kitchen/den/family room I am going to paint the ceiling... I went to touch up some spots the other day in hopes of making things look better and now I have a speckled ceiling. Attractive? Not so much. I figured since I messed it up so bad and don't have time to save money to pay our painter (who would do a much better job) I would take on the task...eek! Also, I'm (Patrick) going to replace the hideous fluorescent light fixture in our kitchen and replace it with this one.


I really would love to do recessed lighting but I am not about to cut holes in my ceiling and run all that wiring! We would end up giving up and putting lamps in the kitchen. Ha, it wouldn't be a pretty site!!


Anyhow, my fun project is going to be my shoe room. Now, I'm sure you are thinking, "This girl has a shoe room?! She must be crazy!" My response to this is, "Yes, I am. I love shoes!" I figure why not have a fun room right now I don't have kids and I can be selfish. Truthfully, I want this room the become my "Dressing Room" and ironing room. Since Patrick and I got married we have literally changed every single room in this house from new carpet to paint except for my "shoe" room. It is still painted as the baby's room from the previous owners. Don't get me wrong, it's cute, but we don't want kids for a few more years and it just isn't working for me anymore. I have dealt with it as long as I can. I am thinking of going for a shabby chic look! I am going to paint one of the two colors shown in the picture below. What do you like better?


I want to bring in some white furniture and accent with colors of green and pink...unless it starts looking too much like a kids room...this is going to be kind of an experiment. I want to paint a chest of drawers I have white. I'd like to find a cute round ottoman to put in the middle of the room. Also, I want to organize my shoes (just over 100 pairs) better than just sitting on the floor but I haven't found a cheap, decorative option yet that I like. Any thoughts?


Also, I found an idea of these jewelry boxes to display some of my jewelry. I would paint them white though instead of black. I think the black would be a bit too bold. I am really excited about starting this project!! If you have any ideas (whoever reads this, if anyone) please let me know!!!


Well, that's all for now...until next time (not 3 months) :)