Home Tour 1: Meg

I have some VERY talented friends! I want to do a "home tour" of some of their creativity.

My friend (since kindergarten) Meg and her husband Scott bought a home that needed some renovations; they did an incredible job!! Check this out:

master bathroom

master bedroom

They installed hardwood floors.

before and after of master bathroom:

before and after of living room/kitchen (very open floor plan & her couch is awesome!):

before and after of laundry room:

before and after of kitchen:

another before and after of kitchen:

before and after of guest bathroom (I LOVE THE CABINETS!):

before and after of breakfast area (love the bar stools!):

Valentines Decor

Happy Valentines Day!
I realized that I don't have much to decorate with for V-Day. I need to find some things on clearance later in February.

This is my sofa table that's the first thing you see when you come into my house. I like to decorate it for holidays.

I found this vase for $0.50 at a yard sale.
I LOVE fresh flowers! These tulips came from Walmart.

Valentine M&Ms! :)

I don't like the taste of these (Ava does:), but I think they are so cute. I got this vase at Goodwill for $2.

I've had this heart-shaped silver bowl for a long time. I got these cute heart napkins at Walmart last year.

I had to include Ava's balloon in this because she was so excited about it!!

And last, but not least, Ava's Valentine outfit from Target. We played dress-up last night and took some pictures in front of our fireplace. The rocking chair was given to me by my grandparents 26-ish years ago.

January

I've been getting back into the swing of things the past few weeks. I went back to work for three days before having a LONG weekend due to "snow." Here's a picture of Ava at her first movie! We had so much fun- it was a great mommy/daughter date:) She loves popcorn!

My hubby is an Alabama Crimson Tide fan. I got him this shirt for his birthday (31:).

Ava loves to help with present opening, of course.

It was finally cold enough for her to wear this coat and hat to church.

Brooke's Bargains 15 & Random Stuff

Goodwill, Christmas Cards, & A Few New Things Around the House:

I bought this blue vase at Goodwill for $2. I like the shape of it. The green glass one was my grandmother's.

My sister had this made for us for Christmas. It's a nice addition to my "M" wall.

Goodwill rain boots for Ava: $4

Ron hung my $2 yard sale curtain in our guestroom. I bought the decorative rod at Walmart- their Better Homes & Gardens line has cute stuff.

I didn't get a good picture of my new chalkboard. I'm so forgetful about doing before and after pictures too! This was a mirror that's been sitting in my garage for 6 months. The frame was silver. I wasn't sure how it would turn out because I first spray painted it, and it didn't look good. Next, I painted it white and sanded it so that the green spray paint would show through...

I bought these three plates for $3 (Goodwill).

This was a wreath from my grandmother's house; I hung it over my yard sale shutters ($1).

My sister gave me these shutters; she found them at a yard sale. I haven't re-decorated this area since I took down my Christmas decorations.

I LOVE picture Christmas cards!
Here's my 'fridge:

More Christmas cards:

Hey! I'm taking a three week break from blogging/internet stuff. I hope y'all have a wonderful start to the new year! Be blessed in '10! :)

I'm linked to Reinvented & Goodwill Goodies & Thrifty Thursday & Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday.

2009 Reflections & 2010 Resolutions

2009 Reflections:

• I'm thankful for a closer relationship with my husband. We've focused more on our life together. We're truly best friends!
  
• Watching Ava grow from a baby into a little girl has been amazing (and bittersweet). She is JOY!
• I started a part-time teaching job at the local community college in addition to my full-time job, which is an answer to prayer, because it opened a door of opportunity and hopefully, a full-time job in my NEAR future:) I was also blessed beyond words in my full-time teaching job.
  
• Ron & I started a REAL budget, and we've stuck to it- what a difference that makes!
• I've been able to do lots of decorating in my home throughout 2009. I still have lots to do, but it is looking good considering we've only been in it 2 years- it just takes a while (especially when on a budget:).
  
• I learned the art of thrift shopping- yard sales are my favorite hobby! It is such a blast to get a deal and do it with one of my favorite people in the universe-my sister, Brittany!
  
• More than ever I learned that good health is a gift from GOD and can never be taken for granted. I watched as my 84 year old grandmother quickly went from a healthy, independent woman to very sick and dependent. She went to be with Jesus in August. I also witnessed how horrible cancer is when my beautiful, 30-year old friend lost her battle in November and left behind a loving husband and precious daughter. Health is truly a gift. Don't take it for granted.
  
• This year I was once again reminded of the healing power of the Lord when the 10th anniversary of my mother's health crisis passed with her still here!
  

2010 Resolutions:

• Spend more time in personal Bible study and prayer time (put it first over blogging, Facebook, ...)
• Pray as a family daily.
  
• Well, this one is super-predictable: Lose 20 pounds! Do it through eating healthier and smaller portions and exercising 4 or more times per week. I want to run the half-marathon with my sister next December- boy, do I have a lot of work to do!
  
• Continue with our budget system and getting out of debt!!
• Do more for others.
• Finish home decor projects/wants: curtains, buffet, armoire, ...