Updates.

Just a few random updates around our home that have taken place...

First up, I've been stalking Craigslist lately looking for a table for our playroom.  I really wanted a Pottery Barn Kids table, but I knew the only way that would happen is with a good Craigslist deal.  Sure enough, the Lord pulled through and provided this PBK table for a fraction of what it cost brand new.

If you've been to our house, you know that our kitchen is in dire need of storage space.  When we first moved in, we had our pots & pans below the oven, which made it impossible to use them without having to take them all out and put them all back in.  Such a hassle.  My Mom and Sister were out at garage sales one day and found this pot holder from Ikea, still brand new in the package plus the hardware, for $10.  

{info on kitchen cart here}

My Sister and I were thrifting one day, when I saw this empty frame.  It needed some paint, but I couldn't pass on the $2 price tag.  I painted it with a color I already had from my bench project...and wa-la, cheap, easy, and cute! 

That same day I saw a set of shutters for $2.  I took them apart and gave one to my Sister, hot glued the boards together so they wouldn't flip around, and gave it a good clean job.  Now it sits by our front door to remind me to put bills or cards in the mail.  

Nothing overly exciting, but just a few fun (and cheap) updates!

Writers block.

I keep checking my blog every couple of days.  Waiting for someone else to say something, because I'm not sure what to say.  Hopefully some of you can relate to that.

It's hard when every day feels like a Monday.  I do fine for the most part, but weekends are especially hard. And even though it's Friday, it still just feels like a Monday.

You know the movie "Groundhog Day"?  Yep, that's me!

Okay, enough whining.

Sunday after church I decided to be spontaneous.  This doesn't come natural for me because I'm a little OCD about staying on schedule, but when my good friend Andrea asked me to join her on a 4 hour trip west to see her parents, I was pretty quick to say yes.  It was a great escape from the norm of every day living.  We toured the (kinda small) town, found a coffee shop or two, ate some good mexican food, lounged in our pj's, and let the boys play.  Three days later we returned back home, and I feel refreshed and ready to conquer the world ... or, at least the laundry I'm drowning in.

I am so grateful for a friend that I can be myself around, spend 8 hours in the car talking and not run out of things to say... and someone I can just journey along-side in this crazy life we live in.

My husband picked me up Wednesday night in our new (to us) vehicle, a Chevy Traverse.  Dang, that man did amazing on this purchase.  We walked away paying about $45 less a month than we would have, if I would have had my way a few days earlier while we were there doing a test drive.  Oh, and let's not forget all of the upgrades: a DVD player, new tires, 2 sun roofs, leather seats, and more space than I ever imagined.  I am so thankful to be married to a WISE man who cares about nothing more than what's best for his (our) family.  Between my research on the vehicle, and his mad negotiating skills, we walked away extremely confident in our decision and mostly just feeling thankful.

Hold on to your seat, I'm about to get random.

Anyone ever heard of project life?  I am thinking about doing it.  It seems to be a happy medium between crazy scrapbooking and nothing at all.

I went to Trader Joe's for the first time last weekend... sad to see the store closest to me did not sell any wine.  Side note:  almond butter = ahhhmazing.

I want to make this, and this, and these.  None of them would go good with my diet, but diet schmiet.

This article made me feel really good.  Understood.

Considering these shoes for my next tennis shoes purchase... or maybe for my birthday coming up, hint hint.

I'm in love with chevron prints and I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate that style into my house.

The whole SOPA and PIPA thing has my stomach in knots.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can read about it here.  Please consider signing a petition, here is one from Google.

The next 'big' project in my house will be re-decorating our bedroom.  This picture is my inspiration.

Oh my, these seriously make me laugh.

Have I mentioned today that I love Jesus?  And coffee?

Loved this article about using YOUR words.

 where's cohen... peek a boo!

Ahh, feels good to be back.  I'll try and be a little more regular in my posting next week.

Happy Weekend!  Any big plans?

Winner - Erin Condren giveaway

Thank you so much to everyone who entered... whew, lots of entries and I was so happy to share some EC love...

My husband very rarely reads my blog but knew about the giveaway.  I told him to pick a number between 1 and 77, and he chose #23.


DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

Congratulations Stacey!!  Email me at meg.keith@gmail.com and I'll give you the code!

Thanks again to everyone who entered!

Tragedy.

Two years ago today, Haiti was hit with a catastrophic earthquake.

I didn't go overseas to help, I didn't spend countless hours volunteering and giving.  I've been thinking about it a lot this week, and how I'm thankful for the people who DID give of their time, energy, and who made a lot of sacrifices to stand in the gap.

But, something I did do was ache along side them... and I prayed.  I remember my heavy heart.  As a new Mom, I tried to put myself in their shoes and imagine what it would be like to lose loved ones, to lose everything you once knew.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to put things into perspective, and today is one of those days for me. In the midst of tragedy, in the middle of a trial... we may lose everything in this world, but we will never lose what really matters, our relationship with our creator.

I find myself going through these materialistic phases, where I want,want,want and after I get one thing, my mind jumps to the other.  It takes a heart transformation for me to realize what's really important.

source

Anyone else thinking about Haiti today?

Erin Condren Giveaway!

Oh sweet friends of mine... I have a treat for you today.  :)  The best giveaway of all time...

You all know about my love affair with Erin Condren... it is so extreme that my husband has kindly labeled me an "Erin Condrenaholic".  I have the life planner, the address book, the note pads, and an iPhone case on the way.  It's nuts, I tell you... but what's not to love?  If you didn't see my post about my life planner, you can catch up here.

Such a fantastic company... quality products ... CUTE cute stuff ... and I'm so excited to partner with Erin and give one of my lucky readers a

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE!

So, if you've been holding out for a sale... here you go!  Half off a life planner.  Or maybe you have another product of theirs on your mind... whatever you decide to spend it on, I know you'll love it.

Here's how to enter!

Mandatory entry:
"Like" ErinCondren.com on Facebook, then leave me a comment saying what you would buy with your gift certificate if you won!

Extra (optional) entries: 
Become a follower of my blog, or leave a comment saying you already are!
Share this giveaway on either Facebook or Twitter, then leave a comment saying you did!
Sign up for the newsletter on their website, then leave me a comment saying you did!

Make sure to leave me a separate comment for EACH one of your entries. 

I will count them up and randomly pick a winner at NOON on JANUARY 14.

GOOD LUCK!

In the details...
Giveaway begins today and ends January 14. Winner will be picked at random and will have 48 hours to claim their prize before a new winner is chosen.  The gift certificate cannot be used towards iPhone cases.  Open to US residents, ages 18 or older.

Extra fine print:
I was given this opportunity from erincondren.com.  All opinions are 100% my own and no compensation was made.