Snow days make for interesting puttering days...

     The kids have a 5 day weekend, 2 of those days thanks to a whole lot of this.

 

 

 

 

I've heard we got 14 inches of snow.  I don't know if that's true or not.  My yard stick and I are happily staying indoors.

 

Despite my best efforts at keeping some semblance of order (note the cute basket, a Home Goods buy) near the front door for all wet stuff or items typically left on the floor, I have to accept the excitement of snow far outweighs any projects really getting done.

 

 

 

So, I spent time thinking about this wallpaper as a possibility for my hallway.  It's navy and white even though it looks a little black and white in the picture.

 

 

I added fabric scraps to my Ikea magazine holders.  You might recognize the fabric from this project.

 

 

 

Hmm, I'm just slightly hooked on this game.

 

 

But while I wait for my "lives" to add up, I do a little of this.

 

 

 

Left over fabric turned into hot glued pillows.

 

 

I need a lot of this to make it through the day.

 

I organized my coffee shelf (on the bottom), household medicine is kept up high and in child proof containers, also labeled as "Adult", "First Aid", "Bigger kids", and "For the little".  The top shelf has recipe cards/cookbooks, molds, and wine glasses.

 

 

Every time one of my kid's has a Doctor's appointment, I cut out the information with their weight and high light what dosage they can receive, I also put their name on it. I used some laminating paper and stuck it to the inside of the cabinet. The pocket contains several dosing sheets to keep track of which medicine, how much, and when, as well as whomever is in need of medicine.

 

 

While I bundled them up as well as a few extra kids and sent them  to conquer the landscape, I cleaned out and organized the cabinet that has my Husband's Grandmother's china.

 

Oh, and I um changed up my poor mantel, yet again.  This time with a roll of wall paper. 

 

 

He had to turn the power off first, and then take the sconce down.

 

 

 

 

I have no tips for hanging wall paper as we had to do this a couple of times.  I need to take a pin and "pop" some of the bubbles.  I'll paint it white (paintable wall paper), and then we are going to frame it.  I'd like to this year work on my fireplace.  We don't use it as my allergies are horrendous.  My thoughts are to create a decorative wood molding surround, maybe some tiling, and perhaps an electric insert.

 

 

 

 

 I love my faux deer head.

 

 

Now, I'm going to sit (children willing)  and drool over some of my favorite blogs.

 

 

 

 

Where I am going to put all this stuff?

     It's to dark right now to take a picture of my mini-van filled to the brim with Christmas gifts and purchases made after the holidays.  I'm not sure I want any reminders in the future as to how spoiled my children really are.  Each year I'm always left scratching my head as to where all these things are going to fit?  Don't get me wrong,  I haven't forgotten just how lucky I am, but still a house can only hold so much stuff without looking like it should be on an episode of "hoarders".  I did manage to get some purging done before going away for the holidays so that will help with some of the things.  My question to all of you is "What do you do with the toys your children receive but don't seem interested in playing with, or that you feel they already own something like it?"  That's what I'm deciding on currently. 

     I'm also behind on taking some time in reflecting on this past year.  All of it, the good, the bad, and the just ho-hum.  Grateful for experiencing it all, and hoping to have gotten a positive message from it.  I'm thinking about starting a new tradition for myself and my family.  Maybe coming together once a month and sitting down to write about an event or a moment, or a laugh we might have had during that particular month.  It would be a nice way to end each year by remembering all those big and small moments that we have shared throughout the year.  I also need to sit down and make a list of all the things I would like to accomplish next year, like possibly running my first and no doubt last marathon.  I have lots of house projects I'd like to see get done but I need to be more realistic.  Hey some girls dream about shoes, I just happen to dream about which color I should paint the walls or use wall paper instead.  But I need to keep those favorite heels of mine grounded as it's not really realistic to think I can re-paint my entire house, walls, ceilings, and trim as well as get done the other projects I would like to see happen.  I should mention both inside and out.  I'm a little hesitant about getting any major landscaping projects done.  I have kids that I WANT to be tearing up my yard, and not yelling to them to get off of it because I just planted grass seed.  I seriously need to get better at sucking up the fact it's hot out and get my weeding done during the summer months.

     Here is something I am going to give a real try too as well.  If you haven't heard of (but I'm sure you have) the amazing blog A bowlfull of lemons.  She covers just about every area you can think of, from budgeting, to decorating, to organizing as well as cleaning.  Part of my anxiety is not wanting to become overwhelmed with stuff. 

     I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, but Sunday if all goes well *fingers crossed*, I will be meeting my blogger idol as well as purchasing a truly beautiful piece of furniture as in not from Ikea.