Decorating Dilemma Wednesday--Time Crunch!

Too many things to do and not enough time! Or, should I say, time management and priorities? I could type a super long list of things I need to do around the house and projects that need to be completed...but I won't bore y'all! I did finish spray painting the lovely new wicker bookcase! It's a shiny black and only took 3 cans of paint at 98 cents each!! And, I wore my gardening gloves so I have no black finger disease! I love projects like that! Now, I simply have to determine what I put on it! But...I need to clean up the house first!

With it being Spring Break, the boys and I traveled a couple of hours yesterday to visit my parents. I had great intentions of helping them get some things done around their house. I even took a hammer and nails for the boys and me to repair a portion of their wooden fence! But, it was cold and windy, and we needed a post to complete the project--which I didn't have! So, that project was left for another day.(When Hubby can help as well!)

I also had a plan to help clean out the attic. Both parents are in their 80's and do NOT need to be climbing up rickety stairs into a dark place of old boxes filled with things that belong in the trash or Goodwill! I was ready! I even stopped by Wal-Mart and and purchased a super duper strong flashlight--a single drop down bulb in one corner is all that illuminates that attic! Child #2 and I got up there and began--until he found my diary that I had written as a 12 year old! That sent him downstairs and into a big chair to read and giggle! I continued with my task at hand. I would holler down to Daddy about this or that, and he would reply to leave it up there...he'd get it later! People, I am later! It will be me up there again at some point trying to go through stuff! Why not now? I even found some law books that were ancient that were given to him over 50 years ago! He thinks that this lawyer's grandson might want them one day! I don't think so!!! They were nasty looking and falling apart!!

Realizing that I wasn't getting anywhere, I closed down shop and came on down with one box of old Christmas ornaments that were my Grandmother's, ONE bag of throw aways, and finally, a treasure....Daddy's 1940 High School Diploma! Already framed by my darling Grandmama!That is going on my new bookcase!

What then occurred was plain and simple.... just visiting! Mama, Daddy, and I sat in my bedroom and talked about everything under the sun! I love times like these! And they do as well. It reminded me of what Jesus said about Mary when Martha was so bent out of shape while trying to prepare a meal and clean for her guests--all by herself. Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, you are distracted about many things, but only one thing is needed." Mary chose to sit and listen! Did I, too, make the right choice yesterday even though it was not on my agenda which was to clean and repair? Oh, yes m'am! There's always time to clean and decorate, but there's always a question of time when it comes down to your family and friends. God has a set timeline for each of us on His Kingdom calendar. We have no clue as to how long we will be here. Only Jesus knew his. During this Holy Week, as you spend time remembering the last moments of the life of Christ, remember to enjoy your time with family and friends and let the dust bunnies play. They will be there tomorrow, I promise!!

Many Blessings!

Decorating Dilemma Friday--What To Do?

I sorta missed my Wednesday post! There's just a lot going on. And, I'm trying to sneak in extra mileage on the roads right now in preparation for a race in just a few weeks! Spring Break begins tomorrow! I don't know who is more excited--the kids or me!

I got one of those wonderful phone calls yesterday afternoon from a precious friend! She had a wicker bookshelf that she no longer needed....could I use it??? Well....y'all know the answer to that one! Most definitely "yes!" This is what I got, and it's lovely! I am thinking of spray painting it black--it's going it the study(everything is going in there right now!) What would y'all use to fluff it up a bit???

Now,this is definitely a dilemma! I found two of these at my favorite thrift store down the street for 2.00 each! But they are just UGLY! Should I paint them? They are in the den on the mantle...I need lots of advice on what to do here. I use red, blue, and yellow in this room with some pops of black. Help me, friends!!! Oh, and remember the bu-jay!!! Hubby and I went to the envelope system this week. We are actually seeing some positives! But, it "ain't" easy!!! (This is the system that Dave Ramsey teaches).

Finally, I am really being convicted to memorize scripture! It is so important! I have always struggled with this. So, the boys and I have found a scripture for the first half of this month. It's "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6). It's on the refrigerator on hot pink paper that cannot be helped but noticed!! We'll give it a try! I surely need my paths to be straightened!!

Y'all have a wonderful weekend! Pray that the wind (major wind gusts here!) doesn't blow me away as I run for the next few hours...I am truly procrastinating here, chickadees!!!

Many Blessings!

Decorating Dilemma Wednesday

Oh, what can you do with a yard of lovely zebra print upholstery fabric from Hobby Lobby? Well, you can take the 1970's golden fabric that your Mama redid for the 1940's red print that your Grandmama did and turn it into a fashionable and fun 2010 chair! We don't throw anything away here! Simply measure the "Susan way" and cut to your little heart's content!

Get out your handy dandy staple gun--that you received for a birthday present one year and go at it!

How fun is this? I still need to paint the chair black. With all of the snow outside, spray painting is a little tricky this week! I'll get to it! Cute and funky!

Now, I still have a lovely strip of fabric left over. I am a pack-rat! It comes from saving things for kindergarten centers--buttons, bottle caps,anything to sort! I know my weaknesses, y'all! This little step stool has followed Hubby and me around for almost 19 years. It was my Grandmama's too! She used to stack a ton of newspapers on it. I remember climbing on that stack when I was a little girl. I tried to delicately balance on those papers....and kerplop! I slipped off and landed on my bottom! My precious Grandmama didn't fuss or say"I told you so!" She quietly and gently helped me stack them back up. Proverbs 19:11 says that "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." I had a wonderful Grandmama! The era in which she lived--the 20's and then the depression--encouraged her to save everything and not be wasteful. So, this darlin' little stool is going to be brought back to life! With zebra and ?????

Well, child #2 has started to use the stool already! It still needs a pop of color and some fun fringey stuff on the side to cover the seams. Glue gun is getting hot! Let me know your thoughts and suggestions for the finishing touches for the little stool!! I'd love to hear what you would do!

BTW, your ideas from last week were awesome! But, with sick children and snow and power outages, I haven't worked on the magazine rack yet! Just about figured out what I'm going to do.

The kids have a 2 hour delay before school. I have 3 dozen picture frames to paint before our ladies' retreat this Saturday! I will post about that on Friday--hopefully. Please keep this retreat in your prayers that hearts will be touched, and God's presence will be experienced by all! Thank you so much! Happy Wednesday!

BTW, Kimm over at Reinvented has a giveaway!! Check it out!

Many Blessings,

Runnin' in the Rain, Just Runnin' in the Rain.....

Do y'all remember that wonderful Rogers and Hammerstein musical starring Bing Crosby? I loved to watch him dance! These movies--back then!--only came on Saturday and Sunday afternoons! None of this AMC stuff! We are some spoiled people!

Anyway, I needed to do a short run this morning, and by the time I had piddled around and finally laced up my Nike's, the rain had begun. Not much, but enough for a hat to keep it from stinging my eyes! As I began running, this song played through my head. I have sort of taken a leave of absence from running on a regular basis since the marathon in November. I wasn't training for anything in particular, so I didn't run any particular distances! Didn't need or want to! As I was asked to run with friends who at one time ran slower than I did, I was now seeing the benefits they were reaping of consistent training runs. These people were faster than me!!! Oh, I've had excuses, things to do--that could have waited, and of course, the cold frigid weather down here in the south!!

Sometimes, our spiritual lives get in a rut. We need to "spice things up a bit!" I'm not talking about reading your Bible while standing on your head!! I mean looking into new Bible Studies, taking a class on a particular book in the Bible, attending a retreat or ladies' conference. Something to light a fire under your feet again! We live in a time and place where so many opportunities are available to us throughout the year. No excuses!

Well, back to the morning jaunt in the rain. No ipod, just my Lord and me. I prayed about a new run coming up that I think I'd like to attempt. But it has to be His timing and His blessing on this! To some, that sounds crazy! You just pick a race and do it. But....submission is the key! I have signed up for some races in the past, and His blessings were not on these. Failure occurred. Oh, I have some tales to share! But another post!!! I now have learned to be in tune with Him and obey His timing. In the long run, it's for the best all around!

I am praying about a particular race in May, not too far from here. It's free!! The director simply asks for a donation to offset her snacks, prizes, and H2O bottles. This is something that fits in my budget! But, even so, I am going to pray about this over the weekend and see if I get any red flags from God. I would love to have your prayers as well...for wisdom and guidance...as I seek a peace from Him. Just a little background about the race and me....I love a challenge! I want to push my body and see just what it is capable of doing. Two years ago, some friends and I trained for longer races on trails in the woods. That's such an awesome place to be nearer to God! I get chills!! No cars, no sidewalks with cracks in them, no gum on the roads!! We'd spend hours and hours and hours training. Finally, the big day arrived. There were 5 of us. There was a time limit--people, running in the mountains in the dark is not my idea of fun and safety! Of the five, only 2 of the girls completed the entire distance. I wasn't one of them. I was pretty close, but not close enough. But God is good! I have a different outlook on running and life and priorities! Lots of lessons learned on the trail! I'll have to write a book one day!

I would like to try this race, called an ultra, to actually complete a longer distance and not be stopped because I was running--actually walking!--too slowly! That's a goal. But I have to make sure that it lines up with God's goal for me during this season of my life.

I thank you in advance for your prayers! Y'all are wonderful! Oh, and thank you SO SO much for the great decorating ideas from Wednesday's post! I want to use them all....but I can't! I promise to let you know what I decide!!!

Many Blessings,

Decorating Dilemmas #1

Have you ever had one of those days where you DID begin with a Quiet Time, but things simply started falling apart afterwards? Welcome to today! I did carpool, then I proceeded to run by Kohls and return something and use my handy dandy 30% (yep!! I got one this time!!woohoo!) coupon. Unfortunately, I left said coupon in my handy dandy Bible Study bag which was at home. No purchases. Then, I had to run to Wally World--forgot to pray before entering! Got to the checkout, and reached in for my debit card. No debit card. It was still in my running vest from yesterday when I filled up with gasoline. Pull out credit card--yuck!!!

On the drive home, I started to have a pity party, but then remembered something that I had read in my latest "Proverbs 31" magazine...praise! So, I wiped away those tears and started to lift up praises, one by one. "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. " Col. 4:2 My pity part was quickly over, and I'm at home now blogging--and I really need to be cleaning!

I've been reading comments on some blogs about the Blissdom conference last weekend in Nashville. It sounded like fun! One of the tips that I read from an attendee about blogging was finding your voice. Some blogs are only about this and others only about that. That's what we expect to read when we visit our bloggy friends. We have come to appreciate what their voice reflects. I started thinking about my voice. When y'all visit my blog, bless your hearts, there's no telling WHAT randomness I'll be writing about! I'm too ADD--adult onset with children and self diagnosed--to be that focused on one thing. I never know what I'll post about. And, I hope y'all are OK with that!

One of my favorite things to do is look at magazines and blogs for decorating ideas. I have a ton of areas in my home that need attention! The only room that is completely redone is the downstairs bathroom. It's pink and green and black! Too cute! The boys are slowly getting used to it...they'll have to unless they want to repaint! I'll post pictures at some point of the before and after (I haven't taken the after pics yet which is why I can't show them!!). What I would love to do is this. Maybe....just maybe, once a week or every two weeks, post a decorating dilemma at my house or at a friend's house. Give y'all some pictures to see and hopefully, you'll have an idea or two or three as to what you would do. And...all of this is on a budget people! A tiny little budget!

Here's my decorating dilemma for this week. How do you paint an ugly laminate desk that is in WONDERFUL condition? I would love for it to be black not laminate. I need for the paint to stay on said desk on not peel off! Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Ok, I've gone from Wal-Mart to a lost debit card to "Proverbs 31" magazine to budgets to laminate desks. I told y'all I was ADD!!

Many hugs!