Some Valentine's Inspiration for you and yours....

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/valentines-day/crafts/valentine-projects-moms-can-make-for-kids/?page=13
These mice are all heart!!! Thanks for the inspiration BH&G

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/miniature-chocolate-town/  (Wouldn't this be cute with pink and or red candies????  Go to the link for specific directions...thanks BH&G!!
And for some lunch box LOVE???? Look at these great ideas........BH&G rocks for Valentine Inspiration!! I think I will do the fortune cookies for my daughter's Bible study group this evening.....quick, easy and adorable!!!  And edited to add this last link in case you are feeling like you need inspiration as a parent, go watch this youtube video (with kleenex in hand) about loving the Ordinary Moments.....

Some Valentine's Inspiration for you and yours....

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/valentines-day/crafts/valentine-projects-moms-can-make-for-kids/?page=13
These mice are all heart!!! Thanks for the inspiration BH&G

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/miniature-chocolate-town/  (Wouldn't this be cute with pink and or red candies????  Go to the link for specific directions...thanks BH&G!!
And for some lunch box LOVE???? Look at these great ideas........BH&G rocks for Valentine Inspiration!! I think I will do the fortune cookies for my daughter's Bible study group this evening.....quick, easy and adorable!!!  And edited to add this last link in case you are feeling like you need inspiration as a parent, go watch this youtube video (with kleenex in hand) about loving the Ordinary Moments.....

The domino effect......

What do YOU do about the domino effect?  
Here's what I'm talking about.  The big BUT.  How often do you get stuck in a project because the but is in the way?  You know what I mean....here's an example:
I want to replace the couch, but
I really need to first  pick out fabric for the new window treatments to match, BUT
I really need to decide what to do with the wall color, but
then the flooring is an issue, too, but
we don't really have the money for new flooring.

I want to replace the couch, but
I don't want to do it as long as Lucie is a puppy because she seems to chew on things, but
it looks bad, and I really want to replace it but
then I know the chairs might not match and I'll want to at least re-cover those, too.

Or here's another example:
I really want to re-do my master bedroom, but
I need to choose a new color paint.  I need to repaint it but,
there is some sheet rock repair that needs to be done, but
I cannot do that myself.
So, I really want to re-do it, but I feel stuck, and I also want the
master bathroom re-done, but it's got all that old wallpaper that needs to come down, and I can't do that until I decide what I'm going to do with the rest of it........

You've been there right?  You've been stymied by the BUT before, haven't you?
Then there's the other kind of domino effect, where you actually DO get the DIY project started, and the DIY project takes on a life of it's own, because you realize when you get that room painted, the floors sure could use cleaning, and the upholstery spiffed up if not replaced...and on and on.

How do YOU conquer the "buts"?  What gets you past the roadblock that keeps you in a  procrastinating mode, that keeps you from moving on?  What do you do to "get the job done?"  Flow charts, pie graphs?  (oh, see the engineering in the mister is rubbing off on me.......AAACCKKKK......)

Lest you think I sound discontent, or ungrateful.....I really am not.  I like my house, and can live with it the way it is, just fine.  I do crave to channel my creativity and love for decorating into my own house, rather than simply helping others!  I do want it to be pretty!  Yet, I also look at the reality of the fact that this time next year, we will have TWO kids in college, and facing graduate school for both of them, as well.....
WHOA , Nelly, that will stop a DIY-er in their tracks, right?  Although, one could argue, that being a DIYer makes it much more of a possibility because you couldn't afford to have someone in to do the work for you !!!!!!  So I feel just a little caught in the loop.  I can afford to make some changes, and really need to decide how to make those happen without having to take on more than I can afford right now.  So here I've rambled on and on about my dilemna.....and it's really not one.  I know others face TRUE dilemnas today that seem insurmountable....
I'm just thinking out loud here and wondering what YOU do to quell the arguments in your head!  You DO argue with yourself, right?  I'm not alone in that, am I????  What do you do to make things happen, and get over the buts?  Yes, the BUT, it gets us everytime........
And I"m not EVEN talking about the butt, that's a whole 'nother post to conquer!!!! I think I need Jillian's help with that one!!!!

The domino effect......

What do YOU do about the domino effect?  
Here's what I'm talking about.  The big BUT.  How often do you get stuck in a project because the but is in the way?  You know what I mean....here's an example:
I want to replace the couch, but
I really need to first  pick out fabric for the new window treatments to match, BUT
I really need to decide what to do with the wall color, but
then the flooring is an issue, too, but
we don't really have the money for new flooring.

I want to replace the couch, but
I don't want to do it as long as Lucie is a puppy because she seems to chew on things, but
it looks bad, and I really want to replace it but
then I know the chairs might not match and I'll want to at least re-cover those, too.

Or here's another example:
I really want to re-do my master bedroom, but
I need to choose a new color paint.  I need to repaint it but,
there is some sheet rock repair that needs to be done, but
I cannot do that myself.
So, I really want to re-do it, but I feel stuck, and I also want the
master bathroom re-done, but it's got all that old wallpaper that needs to come down, and I can't do that until I decide what I'm going to do with the rest of it........

You've been there right?  You've been stymied by the BUT before, haven't you?
Then there's the other kind of domino effect, where you actually DO get the DIY project started, and the DIY project takes on a life of it's own, because you realize when you get that room painted, the floors sure could use cleaning, and the upholstery spiffed up if not replaced...and on and on.

How do YOU conquer the "buts"?  What gets you past the roadblock that keeps you in a  procrastinating mode, that keeps you from moving on?  What do you do to "get the job done?"  Flow charts, pie graphs?  (oh, see the engineering in the mister is rubbing off on me.......AAACCKKKK......)

Lest you think I sound discontent, or ungrateful.....I really am not.  I like my house, and can live with it the way it is, just fine.  I do crave to channel my creativity and love for decorating into my own house, rather than simply helping others!  I do want it to be pretty!  Yet, I also look at the reality of the fact that this time next year, we will have TWO kids in college, and facing graduate school for both of them, as well.....
WHOA , Nelly, that will stop a DIY-er in their tracks, right?  Although, one could argue, that being a DIYer makes it much more of a possibility because you couldn't afford to have someone in to do the work for you !!!!!!  So I feel just a little caught in the loop.  I can afford to make some changes, and really need to decide how to make those happen without having to take on more than I can afford right now.  So here I've rambled on and on about my dilemna.....and it's really not one.  I know others face TRUE dilemnas today that seem insurmountable....
I'm just thinking out loud here and wondering what YOU do to quell the arguments in your head!  You DO argue with yourself, right?  I'm not alone in that, am I????  What do you do to make things happen, and get over the buts?  Yes, the BUT, it gets us everytime........
And I"m not EVEN talking about the butt, that's a whole 'nother post to conquer!!!! I think I need Jillian's help with that one!!!!

Friday Fives............

It seems y'all have really enjoyed the Friday Fives feature I've been doing......so let's keep a good thing going, shall we?

1. Favorite movie?  Do you prefer the theater or a good DVD and the couch?

2. Is the sun shining today where you are?

3. What ages are your children if you have any?

4.What quality do you admire in your spouse or best friend?

5. If you were given $1000, what would you spend it on?

Friday Fives............

It seems y'all have really enjoyed the Friday Fives feature I've been doing......so let's keep a good thing going, shall we?

1. Favorite movie?  Do you prefer the theater or a good DVD and the couch?

2. Is the sun shining today where you are?

3. What ages are your children if you have any?

4.What quality do you admire in your spouse or best friend?

5. If you were given $1000, what would you spend it on?

It's Amanda's party and I'm going.......are YOU?

I'm also linking this one to Blessed Moon's party, because she's not at Blissdom, either....and she rocks, by the way, with her mad photography skilz.....go check her out here.........

So HEY, two parties in ONE from girls who missed out on Blissdom this year!  At least it's fun not being there!!!! :D

Amanda, over at Serenity Now, is hosting a super fun party!  She was feeling a little like she was missing out on Blissdom, so she decided to throw a party!  Isn't that fun for all of  us who aren't going to Blissdom either?
So we get to find some new friends, some new resources and encourage one another even if we aren't participating in Blissdom.  For those who don't know, Blissdom is a blogging convention, of sorts, with speakers, fun, and lots of partying and networking amongst bloggers.  Hey we can do that too, right?  So even though Amanda's party seems just a little bit like tooting my own horn, I decided to join in....and this is why.  Yesterday I blogged about my "why" and my purpose in blogging.  I don't really feel like a particular "niche" blog, just one that does exactly what the title implies.  I love to inspire.  I love to encourage, motivate, befriend, and share what life brings along.  I love to share recipes, helpful hints, some decorating ideas, and whatever else pops into my head, like Friday Fives...(y'all loved  those recently)...that's just the way I roll.

And the first reason that my blog rocks is YOU!!!!!!!!!!! My friends!    I was so encouraged and uplifted by each of you who left comments encouraging me to keep doing what I've been doing.  I don't fit into a particular niche, but you don't care......you keep coming back no matter how many ellipses I use or the number of exclamation marks or parentheses I incorrectly insert!  You guys are what keep me motivated and inspired to keep blogging!  I love that we all are different and yet feel a common thread that keeps us all interested in one another.

A second reason my blog rocks is that I try to use interesting pictures.  They are not necessarily my original pics, because y'all know I LOVE Google Images.  I try to give credit where credit is due, but I feel like pictures, used creatively, hold interest.  I am a very visual person, so I try to make my blog posts visually interesting.  Too much type and no pictures, and I tend to skim, and I miss things.  So, you will find fun pictures on my blog.

A third reason my blog rocks is that I speak of God, my salvation and the hope that I believe in by believing in God. I am motivated by that hope, by my faith, and I share it here.

A fourth reason my blog rocks is that I share some really good recipes here!  I will offer from time to time, tried and true recipes that work for me.  I don't like to work TOO hard when I cook, so when I find a recipe that is delicious AND easy, I am going to share it here!
And the fifth reason my blog rocks is that it is unpredictable...you never know what you might find. I don't really fit into a niche, so I don't particularly fall into any particular themes. Sometimes I join in parties, like this one, but often I just blog about whatever interesting thing that pops into my brain.  It may be a Southern Living at HOME idea, it may be a decorating idea, or a great recipe, or a helpful hint, or something I find in a magazine.......or about Lucie, or the quintuplets, or a friend.  So come back, because you'll never know what you'll find, except it is my hope that you leave inspired!!!!

 And a fifth reason that my blog rocks is that I occasionally do giveaways....I think it's really fun to make others happy!  I love great mail days, and I bet you do, too! So you never know when there might be a good giveaway!!!
So the party continues, over at Amanda's....go check it out. You'll be wanting to network and see just who rocks!!