Beauty in a bottle

A few years ago, I snagged a very large box of random old bottles at an auction for a few dollars. I gave some some away and used some in home decor. However, the look is tired and old So, I have been seeing some really cool techniques on Pinterest and decided to try it out. My bathroom recently got a facelift with a crisp new coat of paint, so it needs some snazzed up knick knacks. Putting one of these flairs into the bottle as is would be a really cool rustic look, but that isn't what I was looking for. I wanted something that popped.

Idea overload

What do you do when you have so many ideas, don't know where to start and have no time!? I have ideas for decorating my house and my classroom as well as working on awesome crafty projects. I have a list compiled of materials to pick up. I have ideas stockpiled on Google reader as well as Pinterest. I need to organize my brain. I even have visions of bringing my ideas back to my blog. I love reading other blogs, so I hope my can be relatable and useful, too.

Cherishing moments

How lucky am I? I have the little girl I always dreamed of. I'm creating memories just me and her and it's amazing. Of course, she frustrates me and pushes my patience...but at the end of the day I take a few moments to watch her Angelic face asleep. Today we ran on the boardwalk, went on our first water slide and rode the teacups. I can't wait to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman, but until then I'll cherish the little moments along the way.

Craft corner

Well....it was time. My craft supplies were in the very large closet of our spare bedroom. When we made the other extra bedroom Ayla's nursery, a lot of furniture was moved to the front room 

leaving little room for me to work. Also, that room is going to be Ayla's, so while I had the time and energy, I created a corner of our basement into my craft space and hauled everything down two flights of stairs while she napped. It wasn't easy. But, it was rewarding. I have a place to escape to when I need it. The first picture shows set up of the blank furniture. I got the shelves at a yard sale for $15 for both. The sewing table was s $1 at an auction and I repurposed it. The stack of while shelves were $5 at a year sale and I had the plastic table to the left that I have always used for working on my crafts. The piece of carpet is actually just an outdoor rug from Home Depot for $18 that is intended for outside RVs. Even though our basement is water free, it is still damp and I didn't want to spend a fortune on carpet unnecessarily. Below, you can see that I started to fill the shelves. I had way more stuff that I thought I did. I tried to sort some out, throwing some in boxes for a yard sale.  I think I have everything transferred from cardboard show boxes to plastic containers (14 for $15 at Costco). I scoured my house for baskets and storage containers. All in all, I still think it's too cluttered and would like it to look more stylish. I have a few more things to add and I have to take a new picture. Hopefully, that is to come.

Look how far I have come...

Well, I'm looking back at my blog, and I see this post.
That was more than 3 years ago. I am now a fully certified teacher. Not only am I certified in Special Education, but also Secondary English. It's been a challenging 3 years, but I am so thankful I made the change. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a teacher. And, I have net so many wonderful people, mostly co-workers who humble me every day. This year, Journalism and yearbook are on my schedle. I can't believe it. I am teaching about something I love, Journalism. I am so excited.

Basement clean up

Well, after nearly four years after we realized our basement gets wet a few times a year, we decided to put an end to it by hiring the pros to redirect the water problem. Now, I am scheming ways to unclutter and organize that little baby to look and function as a more appealing living space. I've been scouring the Internet and come across a million great ways to reuse cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, coffee cans and other household leftovers. Now, I need the time and the boxes. I did make some toy bins for Ayla out of diaper boxes, but that took some time and she is really rough on them...and they are already starting to look a little worn. I came across this blog called Sew Many ways that has me wishing I had weeks and weeks to go crazy! However, my first goal is to start collecting boxes that are the same size and shape...I am starting with copy paper boxes...it might take some time, but I am collecting them at work! Let the clean up begin!

Christmas Eve

Wow, this time last year I was not yet a mother. This year, I am taking toys out of the package and preparing the presents for my very own little girl. It is making my heart soar.
Tonight at church, tears welled in my eyes for this wonderful and magical night. Not because of the legend of Santa Claus and his eight tiny reindeer, but of the truth of Jesus Christ and what his birth brought to all of us.
My favorite Christmas song is, "Mary Did You Know," and seeing the beauty and wonder of my little baby, a normal baby, I can only imagine what joy and wonder Mary experienced all those centuries ago. Christmas, to me, will always be about Jesus Christ's birth. In this politically correct society that we live in, people are offended by Christmas Carols and the mention of Jesus, but no matter how materialistic it becomes, I will always remember that I am a child of Jesus, and that is why I celebrate this season. I celebrate this season as a time of giving and kindness. I celebrate extra time to spend with my family and friends. I celebrate the chance to proclaim my love for my Savior.
Merry Christmas Eve! May the peace and joy of the season well in your heart!