No Laptop ... More Painting

I have missed my blogging friends!  I'm still waiting on my laptop to be repaired & returned, so I am still "borrowing" Dan's when he's at the office (or at church meetings such as right now).  I know that laptops are laptops ... but he has an extra monitor,  a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse all hooked to the laptop. This laptop also serves as his home office computer so it's hooked into his office server (and all that comes along with that).  It can be rather intimidating to this Granny ...

 

 

 

Long story short .... I know -- TOO LATE! -- I miss my own laptop!

And I miss my blogging friends!  I really do need to learn how to manage my time better and set aside a block of time each day to write or create or just pick up a hobby.

 

But, here's a little glimpse into what's been going on in my house lately ...

Yes ... more painting!  Our Home Depot has little sample paints that can be mixed to any color swatch -- and also transparency sheets that you paint on and then peel & stick to the wall to see what the finished product will look like!

 

                   

 

 

Since we were changing the color in the entry foyer, we wanted to update the light fixture. I sent Dan this picture and told him that I really wanted it -- he didn't buy it from me nor from Lowe's!  {By the way, it takes 18 bulbs!}

 

But, I do like the one we got {it was the first one we saw} -- my husband knows me all too well!

 



 

So ... my next project is the stairway wall and the small upstairs hallway.  Dan's already taped it off for me, so I'm ready to prepare the walls for painting.  It doesn't show very well in the pictures, but the entry is now a "Dew" color -- almost like a soft pewter ... the stairway/hall will be "Candlewick" -- a very soft yellow.  The little ones say that we're "coloring the walls" ... and we agree.

 

As I'm waiting on my laptop ... and painting and painting and painting ...

I have a couple of questions ---

 

How do you manage your time?

What do you do for you?

{hobbies, creativity, ministries, etc}

 

Hope to catch up with you again soon!

Have a blessed week, my friends

 

 

Project (after) Project (after) Project ...

I cannot believe how fast this summer is flying by.  It seems that all we've been doing is {much needed} projects.  But, Dan & I are really feeling good about the way things around our house are coming together. 

 

I finished painting our kitchen/dining room area (that included our "chocolate" wall as Lucy & Tag call it)... and then it was on to our sunroom.  We were pretty tired of the cream-colored walls, so we went pretty drastic with the color.  And we learned something new too... you can actually tint primer -- most people already know this, but since it's been years since we've gone with a darker color, we hadn't a clue!  It sure would have saved several extra coats of paint had we known.  But, now we know!

  

Kitchen/Dining --
Bronze Amulet {Chocolate} ...

Wild Porcini
 

Sunroom --
Bold Sangria

 And then our next project that we've had for a few months on the back-burner... Dan worked from home last Friday so that we could {finally} install our backsplash!



 

We had gotten the tiles a few months ago during tax season, but just could not get a full day to install them until a week ago.

And we're very pleased with our

12 hour project!




Tomorrow marks the end of Lucy's summer dance class.  The big Summer Showcase!  This fall she will most likely be with us a couple more days a week since she received a "by invitation only" spot in a new pre-intensive class that will be 2 days a week

(Mondays & Wednesdays) ... so, I'm looking at the last couple of areas that need painting -- living room and hall/staircase.  Not sure what colors yet ...

 

but since I'll have a few days next week to myself ......

 

 

Have a blessed weekend!

 

{{This weekend we also have to load-up my laptop & send it off for repairs that will take a couple of weeks.  Sure hope I can hop on Dan's home office one to check in with my blogging friends!}} 

 

The Lazy Days of Summer ...

Where are you, Lazy Days of Summer???

 

 Dan & I have been getting projects done that we haven't been able to get to for the past few years... so the "Lazy Days of Summer" has pretty much skipped our house for a while.

And that's okay.  We've actually been getting quite a bit accomplished ...

 

Dan has wanted for several years to lay down outdoor carpet around our pool deck... we are half-way there!  He & I laid the biggest parts down and then the weather turned too hot & humid.  So, the rest of the carpet will wait until cooler weather arrives.  

We've also transplanted some of our shrubs from the front of our house to our rock walls along the driveway.  It's been challenging uprooting some of these, so we are still "babying" them to make sure the roots get grounded in their new soil. 

 

 

And we've been busy creating a new look in front of the house ...

 



 

 

Still a work-in-progress, but our new landscape is taking shape! 

 

And then ... the inside of the house that has not been painted in about 14 years (we moved here on July 1, 2000).  So, we decided on some colors ... then changed our minds.  This is one side of the wall in our open dining room-kitchen area. Changing to a darker color is not as easy and smooth as I had wanted it to be.  But, the results are well worth every moment I spent up & down the step stool!

 

Tag asked if we could leave up the green tape because it is his favorite!  I almost hated letting him down...

it took Dan close to 2 hours to get the tape off. 

 

 

Now I just need to find a few new switch-plate covers. 

And we're already starting on the corresponding walls too ... new paint and a backsplash! We've never attempted a backsplash, so we are planning on several days to get that project done.  Thankfully it won't be too big of an area to cover.

 

I'll post some more pictures soon of a little summer fun with our little ones...

they had a spectacular July 4th celebration!

 

But for now, more wall preparations await ...

 

 

Have a blessed week, my friends!

 



 



 

 



The First Week of ... June???

I simply cannot believe the calendar says "June"!  This week has been cool and rainy for our little corner of the Mid-Atlantic... okay, maybe more like COLD and rainy (when the temperature says 50s in June -- it's cold!)   And more outdoor projects on hold.

 

This little triangle was "supposed" to have been leveled, terraced, mulched and planted by now... hopefully by NEXT weekend now! We have some pretty awesome plans for our yard and we have completed some mulching along our driveway (waiting to transplant some of the above along our rock walls).

 

Dan has his plans all diagramed so that we will know what plant will be transplanted where, so hopefully we can get a bit of work done this weekend.  I think it will really brighten our landscape up when we're all done. 

We had originally intended on putting our house for sale this spring, but I just could not get rooms painted and the outside landscaped. As we get deeper into cleaning and maintenance, we see more and more potential here. So, we will continue to do our projects and maintenance and then see what God has for us... either staying here for a while longer or bringing us the perfect family who will make their home here. But, we are fine no matter which way we are led.

 

 

We are gearing up for a very busy summer (that's one of the reasons we've been working so hard on household projects)... Monday begins Lucy's summer dance classes, so she will be coming down here to stay with us a few days a week just like she did this past year. Then she has a summer dance camp for a week... which is the same week as Mega Camp at church (like Vacation Bible School) that she & Tag will be down here for... as well as regular church activities and events/activities they will have on the military base. There's so many awesome organizations that provide some stress relief to all of our wounded warrior families.

 

She brings joy to everyone

 Jacqueline had the kids at the base pool last weekend and Tag scraped his foot getting out of the pool... upon seeing a little bit of his blood, he passed out.  He checked out good, but it was very stressful and scary for the girls. Michael had stayed at their house because his leg was bothering him -- a lot. 

 

I melt in his smile

 By Tuesday evening Jacqueline & the kids had Michael in the ER... there is an infection in his leg that took the direct hit from the rocket over 3 years ago. They took him back to get the wound redressed yesterday and now he is under the care of a wound specialist. She told them that the abscess has been growing for "quite some time" so they will closely monitor it. They're trying to get rid of the infection by medication... and praying for no more surgeries (he had numerous surgeries on that leg within 2 weeks of his injuries). He can barely walk on it, but is determined to help Jacqueline give the little ones a good summer on the base. This is (hopefully) their last summer there before he is medically retired.  And they have weekend events today & tomorrow... and we will bring Lucy down with us Sunday - Tuesday.

So ... a busy summer indeed ... but a good kind of busy!

 

I am so very thankful that God sees what we cannot ...

that He knows His plans for each of us ...

that He loves us.

 

Wishing you a blessed weekend, my friends ...

 

and until my next post

{whenever that may be}

 

may God continue to be your Light

and your Direction

 

 

 

 

 

 



Thoughts Behind the 'Tiller

Dan & I have been doing quite a bit of yard-work over the past couple of weeks.  And when I've finished for the day, I am completely worn out! And that's good. My Granny always said that hard work never hurt anybody ... and she worked hard all of her life. 

 

One of the areas we're working on is a little triangular piece between our front sidewalk and house.  Up until the other day, it was a pesky little piece of grass to mow and keep weeded ... until this ol' Granny pulled out her rototiller ...

 

Have you ever used a rototiller?  Or been anywhere within hearing distance of it?  Let me say this -- they are loud ... LOUD!!!!  When I use the 'tiller (yes, me... for some reason I would rather use it & let Dan work on something else... so, when the 'tiller is needed - Granny works it) I cannot hear anything but the 'tiller.  I cannot hear anything at all.  This morning I thought about the 'tiller and this picture that hangs in our sunroom for us to see as we enter our house and as we leave our house. It's our reminder...

Make time for the quiet moments

as God whispers and the world is loud.

 

 



 

And so I envisioned my rototiller as "the world" ... the world is just as loud as the 'tiller.  The world can drown out any message that God whispers to us...

 

When the world shouts that's not fair!

Do you hear the psalmist whisper

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want

 

When the world shouts they don't deserve your forgiveness!

Do you hear Jesus praying

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

 

When the world shouts you're not good enough!

Do you hear God whisper

I began a good work in you and I will complete it

 

When the world shouts but you're entitled to more!

Do you hear God promise

your every need is already supplied

 

When you hear the world shout you'll never be good enough!

Do you hear Paul's encouragement

I am not perfect but I press on for Jesus

 

When the world shouts give up!

Do you hear Jesus quietly welcoming you

Come unto me and I will give you rest

 

When the world shouts you're a nobody!

Do you hear God reflecting

I know the plans I have for you

 

 

 

There's so many "things" the world shouts at us.  And just like my rototiller, the world can drown out any and all other sounds around us.  But ...

 

there's always HOPE in the promises of

God Almighty

 

And just like the many different household projects that Dan & I have going on around our place, we are all a work in progress.  We take one step at a time to move forward into the direction that God leads us. 

 I like the way Lysa TerKeurst phrases it as we all are making "imperfect progress" ...

we may fall into listening to the shouts of the world from time to time -- but the very next decision we make will be the most important...

listening to the quiet voice of God as He whispers to each of us.

 

God bless you all, my friends!

 

 



Being Anxious {for nothing}

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 
{yes, I know the next 3 verses go along with this one but I will post on those later}

 

I've been focused on this verse for the past several days -- okay, probably more like weeks. 
It appears that Granny has been a little anxious over the past several weeks ...
from cleaning out closets, garage, cabinets ... to projects that are in need at our house ...
to schedules of 2 households with 'Joe's appointments and helping with the little ones when I can ...
and the list goes on. 

Continuing our driveway rock-wall project

The other day I told Dan that since I have a few days a week, I feel like I have to get our long list of chores & projects completed within a short time.  Feeling anxious --- overwhelmed --- ready to be done with the projects which lie in front of us.  So, as I primed our bedroom walls today, I started thinking about being

"anxious for nothing" ...
absolutely nothing ... not one thing at all ...

not the tasks that lie ahead
not the regrets of the past
not even the here & now

Like many others, Dan & I have goals and plans for the near future as well as the distant.  We know some things we would like to accomplish over the next year -- and we have a few things we would like to see come about in the next 10 years.  And yet --- before time even began --- 
God breathed the words "be anxious for nothing" ...

1st room for repainting -- our bedroom

It's good to set goals.
It's good to plan for the future.

It's imperative to turn our agendas over to God ...
to align our hearts' desires with our very own Creator ...
to pray His will to become our will.

The next few weeks are going to be very busy for our family ...
and each little step of progress we make will be prayed over &
given to The One who knows His plans for us.

And this Granny will continue to learn to

be anxious for nothing