I'm in the dark.

For Christmas, my husband received a good number of Lowe's gift cards.  Being the sweet person he is, he allowed me to use the money for something that I've been wanting since we moved into our house back in March:

A new dining room light.

Nothing against my aunt, who owned the house before we bought it, but I HATE the light that is currently hanging in our dining room.

I realize that this isn't overly offensive.  It could be so much worse.  It could be brass, it could be a crystal chandelier, it could be a stained glass pendant hanging over our table.  All that considered, I still hate this light.  It gives off a yellow-ish tint, it's not my style at all, I just hate it.

So.  Back to our Lowe's trip.  Can I just go on a little rant for a second?  Why on earth is every single thing related to home improvement so FLIPPING expensive??  Rugs, lights, kitchen remodels, all of it.  It infuriates me that I don't know the secrets to do everything on the cheap and still make it look good.  Ugh.

Anyway.  Lowe's.  We walked in, only to be completely assaulted with a ton of ceiling light options.  However, every single thing was insanely priced!  Here's where my eye immediately went:

Allen + Roth light made to look like candles on a shelf.  Drooling.  But it's $160, and I think the lighting would be very, very dim.  I like bright lighting.  So, as much as it hurt me, I ruled this one out.

Then I saw this:

The shade is burlap-y and it just gave me a "country" vibe. Loved.  But, like it's Allen + Roth candle brother, it's $179 and way out of my budget.  I think it is completely insane to spend that much on a light over my table.

Then I found this really cool round burlap pendant. It was very different than anything else hanging up AND it was only $25.  I squealed a little.  We bought it and Marty hung it up the next day.

It looked so cool!  Just what I was wanting!  I was so excited!  

Until we turned the light switch on.  This pendant literally puts off ZERO light.  In fact, last night, I turned it on to see what it would look like in absolute darkness....you can barely even tell that there's a light on.

Needless to say, little burlap pendant is going back to the store and I'm back at square one.  

A friend recommended shadesoflight.com.  Except that crap is expensive.  So now I'm addicted to shadesoflight.com and still don't have a light for a reasonable price!  I know I'm being too high maintenance.  I just want something that's.......different.  I want a unique light that you're not going to find hanging above 90% of people's dining room tables.   I want stuff like this: 

Except that they're $349 and $99, which isn't bad, but I'm afraid one single bulb won't put off enough light and we'll be back in the same situation.

Someone shed some light on this situation.  Because I seem to be in the dark. 

*snicker*  I love play on words gags.

Bust the Windows Out.

I don't sing in front of people.  Ever.

If I think I'm singing loud enough for people to hear me in church, I lower my voice to a barely audible whisper.  My husband and I have been together for 8 years and he could probably count on one hand (not including singing our daughter to sleep at night) the amount of times he's heard me actually sing.  There are only a few people in this world that have heard my singing voice:  my father, mother, sisters, cousin and best friend from college.

I don't sing around people.

It's not that I am a horrible singer.  While I'm no Carrie Underwood, I don't have a bad singing voice, per se.  Actually, given the right song, I can sound pretty darn good.  It's just a self-conscious thing.

However, when I'm in my car, completely alone.....I rock out.  We're talking windows down (given that the temperature is over 60 degrees), volume up as loud as it will go, rocking. out.  And I listen to it all.  I love 90s country, boy bands, pop, Broadway, Contemporary Christian, hymns, soundtracks.  If it's got a good beat, lyrics that make sense, and I sound halfway decent while singing, I'll listen to it.

Here's a couple of my favorites:

Song that makes me cry like a baby every time I hear it:

"What it Means to be Loved" by Mark Shultz

 A song about two soon-to-be parents finding out their unborn daughter is going to have a health problem.....and choosing to keep her anyway.  It feels like it was written for my parents about my sister Kristen and it turns me into a weepy mess every single time.

Silly song that I just can't help loving: 

"Grow Old with You" by Adam Sandler

 The actual song is less than a minute long, but I love it so much.  We even played it during the cake cutting ceremony at our wedding. 

"I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold."  *sigh*

Song that takes me back to college: 

"Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show

I'm at a house party with all my friends and my only worry in this world is how early my 8 am class is going to come.  

P.S.  Get that Darius Rucker remake action out of here.  Not even close.

Song that takes me back to high school:

"I Want it That Way" by Backstreet Boys

Let's be honest.  Anything by Backstreet Boys takes me back to high school.  In fact, my very first concert was a BSB concert.  I think I was 13.  My mom let my sister and I buy new outfits for the concert.  I bought a red Calvin Klein shirt and black loafers.  That picture is considered blackmail now. 

Song I can listen to on repeat all day, every day:  

"Love Your Love the Most" by Eric Church

No words.  Love.  This.  Song. 

Guilty Pleasure Song: 

"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus

I'm not a Miley fan.  I think she's turned into a certified wackadoodle. But when this song comes on the radio, I morph into "Pop Star Mode."  Complete with hair swinging and hand motions (Although not while driving.  That'd be silly).

Song that turns me into a Broadway star:

"Popular" by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked Soundtrack)

If I'm in the car alone, this is my go-to soundtrack when I want to sing.  When "Popular" or "Defying Gravity" or "For Good" come on, just step aside and call me Elphaba.

Newest song obsession: 

"Let It Go" by Idina Menzel (Frozen Soundtrack)

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you're doing yourself a disservice.  It's SO good.

Favorite praise song: 

"Where I Belong" by Building 429

The volume on my phone doesn't go high enough for how loud I want to blare this song.  Thank God that I'm not home yet.  This is most definitely not where I belong.  Praise hands up! 

What are your favorite songs?  Guilty, praise, on repeat or otherwise??

Read, Vote, Win!

I think I've decided on a design for my large blank (and damaged) canvas.

 I won't give away all the details yet because I want to have a big reveal when I finish it.

But I do need your help.  I've decided on a Kentucky theme for the painting.  I need you to help me decide between three quotes.  The quote that receives the most vote will be the one I go with.  I'm a big fan of all of them.

Quote 1.

"I've never met a Kentuckian who wasn't either thinking about going home or actually going home."  {Albert B. "Happy" Chandler}

Quote 2.

"Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place." 

Quote 3.

"I take with me Kentucky, embedded in my brain and heart, in my flesh and bone and blood.  Since I am Kentucky, and Kentucky is part of me."

{Jesse Stuart}

Alright.  What's your vote?  I think I have a favorite, but every time I start considering that it may be the final decision, I look at the others and think I love those too. 

Don't feel like voting?  Maybe this will entice you.....I'm opening the votes until this coming Friday (January 31st.  And I'm making it a contest.

So, to win, you must: 

1.  Share my status with this blog post, or share this blog post link.

2.  Comment on my Facebook page or here on the blog and tell me two things: 

                                                                       1.  You shared the post

                                                                       2.  What your vote is for favorite quote.

People that chose the quote receiving the MOST votes will all be entered into a drawing.  Drawing winner will be announced on Saturday, February 1st and will receive an 11"x14" version of the canvas I'm making for my mantle.

You have until Friday, January 31st at midnight to vote.  I'll announce a winner on Saturday, February 1st at 9 am.  

Let the votes roll in!!

Big Canvas. Big Blank.

Now that my Christmas decorations have come down, my mantle is a bit bare.  I don't really want to recreate the exact mantle I had up before I decorated for Christmas.  But I can't really think of any good ideas right now.  Call it "Decorator's Block," if you will.

What I do know:

1.  I have a blank mantle.

2.  I have this canvas and I want to use it over the mantle.  It's a 24" x 30" canvas (aka BIG) that came from the Clearance section at Michael's.  The original price on this bad boy was around $50.  I picked it up for $12 (cue happy dance).

3.  This canvas has two holes.

Now, what I don't know:

1.  What I'm going to do with this canvas to cover up the holes and still make it pretty.

Here are some options, as provided by Pinterest.

All these options would involve having a background that would be Modge Podge'd onto the canvas.  I think that would cover up the holes.  Plus, I love the dimension it brings to the canvas.

My problem is:  this is a large canvas.  And will be placed in a prominent location in my home where everyone that enters would be looking at it often.  I just don't know what word or phrase I could live with forever.  Nothing is just screaming "THIS HAS TO GO IN MY HOUSE!" to me.  I love the ideas above.  But I think, whatever I decide, needs to be kept simple because the canvas is so large.

Suggestions?  Comments?  Ideas??

Planner Update!

You guys have really overwhelmed me with your responses to my post about making my own planner.  I've gotten tons of compliments, questions about how I made the different sections, an old friend of mine telling me she's copying it exactly (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, friends!) and even two people asking me to make one for them.  You all are so sweet.  :)

Since there's been so much interest, I thought I'd do a little update to show you a few changes that I've made to my planner.

Since I have three sections in my planner, I HAD to have some sort of tab/divider system.  Flipping through the pages was getting really annoying.  Insert Post It Note Durable Tabs.

I picked the large, 2 inch white tabs to distinguish between the calendar, blog and "28th and Hudson" sections of my planner.

I also liked the idea of having tabs to easily access every month of the calendar.  For that, I went with the smaller, 1 inch colored tabs.  They had different colors available...a pack of 3 neon colors and the basic primary colors.  Since I hate both pink and orange, primary colors were a given.  

Yesterday, I asked a question of my Facebook friends, looking for suggestions for good pens/markers for my brand spanking-new planner.  The overwhelming response?  Paper Mate Flair pens.  

I bought the twelve pack.  I love lots of options for colors (I'm a doodler).   I actually caught these babies for $10.99 at my local Staples (regular price was $18.99) AND I had a 15% off coupon.  Score!  

I've had these pens for less than 24 hours and I'm already in love. 

Not only did I get some tabs and some pens, but I also picked up these adorable clear pockets to hold the tabs and pens in. 

They're Post-It brand pockets (which I'm already obsessed with), came in a pack of three and were only $5.  Love 'em.  

If you've been inspired to make your own planner, send pictures!!  I want to see the different ideas you come up with to make your planner unique!  Happy organizing! 

Prayer for Patience.

This morning was a rough one for Avery and I.  The past week has been a horrible display of 2 year old attitude, temper tantrums and pushing every boundary she could.  It's been an amazing test of my patience and my limit as a mother.

This morning, though, it all came to a head.

Avery woke up early and, as a result, fell back asleep before I was ready to dress her and get her ready for school.  When I went to wake her, it was obvious that she was not waking up in a good mood.  It was a barrage of screamed "NO!"s, "I want my daddy!!!"s and "YEAVE ME A-YONE!"s.  Normally, I can calm her down.  I can talk to her in a soothing voice and help her realize that she's not being a good girl.  She has her few minutes of crying and then she's calm.  Not this morning.

This morning, I could do no right.

She didn't want to take her pajamas off and wear real clothes.  She wanted to wear her Dora slippers to school.  She didn't want me to dress her--she only wanted her daddy.  She didn't want me to fix her hair, put her scarf on, help her with her jacket.  She didn't want me to get her Minnie out of bed or touch her new baby doll.  She didn't want me to carry her to the car.

This morning was HORRIBLE.

Normally, on the way to school, Avery and I talk the whole way.  We sing along with Dora.  I laugh when she declares that the "baby sun is too bwight" for her eyes and very diva-ishly puts on her pink Dora sunglasses.  We talk about school and who she's going to see.  She asks me about the cars and buildings we pass by and I listen in wonder when she tells me "Dat's a bank.  Dat's where dey keep all tha monies."

This morning, we sat in silence.

In the silence of my car, I fought with myself.  Is this worth it?  Is it worth getting on her when she acts like this?  Is it worth listening to the screams and fighting with her because I just want her to be well-behaved and polite?

I'm tired.  I'm so tired of being the disciplinarian.  For once, I'd like to be the one that steps back and doesn't have to do the ugly job of disciplining.  I'm tired of fighting with my two year old.

I second-guess myself.  Am I doing the right thing?  Am I getting on to her too much?  Should I just be letting all of this go and not worry about if she wants to wear the same Dora shirt for the 4th day in a row?  Or am I not getting on her enough and that's why she's acting out like this?

This morning, I felt like a total and complete failure as a mother.

I see friends on Facebook talk about their polite, well-behaved children.  Don't get me wrong, my child is polite.  When she does something wrong (most of the time), she knows it and she apologizes on her own.  She says please and thank you without me reminding her.  She's mostly well-behaved.  She's great in town and on shopping trips and people tell me all the time what a good girl she is.  But lately, there have been more and more instances when she's been sullen to family members.  Growling at them whenever they say hello.  Refusing to go talk to people.  Grunting when people attempt to talk to her.  And these are the situations in which I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

This morning, I felt defeated.

Motherhood is the hardest job I have EVER held, by far.  And this morning, I was waving the white flag. Tears ran down her face and I fought back my own.  I hate fighting with her.  Yes, she's the daughter and I'm the mom and being my child's best friend is not my number one priority in life.  But that doesn't mean that I enjoy disciplining her.  I hate it, in fact.  I hate putting my child in the corner.  I hate making her apologize to someone when she's in the wrong.  I hate making her pick up her toys, while she fights me with every step.  I hate, hate, hate when she looks up at me, eyes full of tears, like I've completely broken her heart.  I don't want to be the bad guy.  I would love to be Fun Mommy, 24/7.  I would love to play with her and let her make messes and never clean them up.  I would love it if I never had to get on her for the rest of our days.  But I know that if I want to be a good mom and raise a well-behaved child, that's completely unrealistic.

I'm like any other mother out there with a toddler.  Trying hard and constantly feeling like I'm coming up short.  If I have another morning (or afternoon, or night) like this one....and I'm sure there will be many more to come....I'll recite this prayer instead.

And this isn't just for me.  This is for you, too.  You, mother of two, with a quick swipe of eyeliner applied in a hurry in an attempt to look even halfway presentable in public.  You, mother of a daughter that is the spitting image of yourself, crying for those pink sparkle shoes in Walmart, when you really just want to get your jug of milk and loaf of bread and leave. You, mother with Cheerios in your hair, rewinding that same episode of Paw Patrol for the 5th time that day, because it'll buy you another 30 minutes of peace.  You're just like me.  You're trying hard.  You're burning dinner and forgetting that load of laundry that's been in the washing machine for 48 hours.  You're stepping on building blocks in the dark and picking up bath toys every morning so you can take a shower.  I feel for you.  I'm here.  I understand.  And we can say this prayer together.

Lord, I love my child with all my heart, 

but she's testing my patience today. 

Her shoes aren't right, her pants aren't pink,

she's screaming just to get her way.

Moments like this, I want to quit,

I think I'm failing at every attempt.

At 9 months pregnant, I thought I'd be perfect, 

Motherhood is not all that I had dreamt. 

I thought it'd be easy, I'd have all the answers,

I'd know exactly what to do. 

Instead, I stumble, I fall short daily, 

which is why I'm calling out toYou.  

Help me to remember that I have a Father

in whose footsteps I should walk. 

Give me Your heart, for patience, 

in my actions and how I should talk. 

I need a reminder in times like these
to think and act patiently.
Help me love her, despite the flaws,
just like You do with me.

Fantastic Week.

This week had some low points.  Avery's two year old temper and attitude have come in full force and this has been an extremely trying week, to say the very least.

Despite all that, this week has kicked butt and I'm still smiling about it.  Here's what my week went like:

1.  This is what my living room rug looked like early in the week.

Yikes.  This rug was beyond looking like crap.  Every single spill, every food stain that won't come up, worn marks where we've walked over it hundreds of times.  I was so far beyond over this rug, I couldn't stand it.

After MUCH deliberation and narrowing it down to four choices, I blogged and put it up to a vote.  There was a clear favorite out of the four.

This is what my rug looks like now.

When it first arrived, I couldn't decide how I felt about it.  The colors weren't as vibrant as I imagined them to be from the picture on Wayfair.  Despite that, I promised to give it a week of consideration.  

At first, I would look at it and think "That doesn't look so bad."  Then, I'd walk by and think "Actually, I really think I like the fact that the colors are more subdued than I was originally expecting."  Now, I look at it and think "I LOVE this rug."  

Win. 

2.  Did you miss the part where I made my own planner??  I'm still geeking out about it. 

 AND, I've had an order for one!  A fellow crafter has been looking for a planner like mine to keep up with her orders as well.  I wasn't really looking to sell these, but it makes my day when people like what I'm doing.  I don't blog for the followers or the comments on Facebook, but it is SO nice to know that people actually read my stuff.  Not only that.....they like it.  It's the biggest pick me up anyone can give me. 

3.  I don't make it any secret that I'm not a good cook.  I can follow a recipe and I do get a sense of accomplishment when I make dinner for my family, but I cannot cook.  Lately, I've let it get me down and I haven't been cooking dinner at all.  It's been a whole lot of frozen pizzas and "fend for yourself" nights.  Ashamed, yes.  But that doesn't mean I couldn't pick myself up and start over.  The past two weeks, I've made a conscious effort to make dinner for my family.  Not every night, because I know that's unrealistic.  But several nights a week.  It's a good start.  I've made bean chimichangas, ham and cheese sliders (I could eat these every single week and not feel a shred of guilt about it), BBQ chicken and sweet chili.  It really makes me feel like I've accomplished something when I make a dinner for my family.  

Now if I could just get control of the laundry....

4.  I am a proud, bleed blue alumni of the University of Kentucky.  Our football program may be......less than stellar.  Our basketball program may be......a little bit of a rollercoaster ride.  But there's one sport we've always dominated in.  Cheerleading.  Laugh if you must, but Kentucky Cheerleading is really something to behold.  Today, they won their 20th UCA Cheerleading Championship.  More impressive than that, is the sequence in which they've won: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and now, 2014.  In 2003, when they broke their 8-win in a row-streak, they came in second.  In 2007, they came in third.  They're the only squad to have ever won three, four, five, six, seven and eight championships in a row.  I don't care who you root for, you've got to admit, that's impressive.  I love my Cats.

Now, why the coming week will be just as good:

1.  I'm planning a trip to Hobby Lobby. 

2.  I'm tackling THIS.

This, my friends, is Avery's playroom.  I'm scared.

Hope your week to come is as fabulous as this week was for me! 

Personalized Planner.

I am SO ridiculously excited about this post.  Like, can't convey it into words excited.

I made my own planner.

*Squeeeeeeeee!!!!*

Sorry.  I'll try to calm down enough to get through this post.

If you know me, you know I have a slight addiction to planners.  I buy one, use it for a couple of months, then get bored because it's not exactly everything I need it to be, so I go buy another.  Currently, I was carrying around a calendar/planner, a binder for 28th and Hudson orders and a notebook with blog ideas.  It was getting ridiculous.  No one needs to carry around THREE different books to keep up with their life.

One night, I was perusing Pinterest, when I came across a post that literally made me sit up straight.

"Make your own blog planner." This post was a place for a full time blogger to buy a personalized planner.  Post schedule, checklists, pages to keep up with how much money their blog was making them a month.  A lightbulb went off.

Make. My. Own. Planner.  BRILLIANT.

First, I made a list of everything I wanted in a planner.  Big spots to write, a place to plan dinners, spaces for contacts, places for notes and doodles.  Most importantly, I wanted a place that combined my social calendar (I use the term "social" loosely....let's get real.  Other than Avery's monthly playdates, I have no social life), my blog pages and things for my 28th and Hudson business.

Then, I got to work.  I laid the pages out, I added pictures, I added color, I added backgrounds.  Finally, I printed.

After printing 90 (yep.  NINETY) pages, front and back on 28 lb. premium paper (recommended by my local printing experts), I took the entire thing to my Staples store and had them bind it together.  The result quite literally has me giddy with joy (I'm telling you.  The highlight of my life is my very own personalized planner.  I may need an intervention.).

I'm telling you.  I'm in heaven.  My very own planner that is unlike anything else anyone is carrying.  *sigh*  Big spots for each day's activities.  A spot on each day to plan dinner and to write what I need to do to prep for the next night's meal (i.e.  defrost hamburger, get out crockpot).  A place for notes and a "quote of the week."  Pages to write down blog post ideas and checklists to make sure I've posted to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest when I'm done.  Pages to keep up with painting orders....all in one place.  Lists for costs of each painting item.

It has EVERYTHING I've ever wanted in a planner.,

And I haven't even told you the best part.

The entire thing cost me $7.66.

I could die happy right now.

Bean Chimichangas.

Have you ever found a recipe that was so easy and then so yummy that it made you want to stand on the kitchen table, fists raised in victory because you've finally mastered at least one simple task for the day?

No?  Just me?  *awkward silence*

Anyway.

Last week, I made Bean Chimichangas.  They were so easy, I almost thought I was leaving something out.  Dinner is NEVER that easy for me (except popping a frozen pizza in the oven).  Since I'm a giving person, I thought I would share it will all of my lovely readers (adapted from this recipe).

Bean Chimichangas

Ingredients needed:
-8 Burrito sized tortillas (or 12 regular, taco sized)
- 1/2 block of Queso Blanco Velveeta (Yes, I realize there's a Velveeta shortage.  Maybe you can make these when they replenish their stock).
-1 can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies
-1 can refried beans
-Canola oil (or vegetable oil, whatever is on hand)
-2 eggs
-Mexican blend shredded cheese (optional)

1.  Put refried beans, Velveeta and Rotel in a saucepan and heat until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.

2.  Pop your tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds so they're more pliable and easy to fold.

3.  Whisk your eggs together in a small bowl.  Put the bean mixture in the middle of a tortilla--I put about 2 1/2 large scoops with a spatula in the middle of each of my burrito sized tortillas.  If you like cheese, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the beans.  Take a small brush, dip into the eggs and spread around the beans, then fold the tortilla up.  To fold, I started with the bottom, closest to me, then worked my way around the tortilla.  I added more egg on the tortillas where I was folding to make it stick better when closed.

4.  Add a little oil (approx. 2-3 tablesppons) to a skillet and put over medium heat.  When the oil is heated, flash fry the chimichangas, heating about 2 minutes each side.

5.  Once the chimichanga is heated, put it seam side down into a casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

6.  After baking, top with whatever toppings you prefer (I put salsa and sour cream on mine....I also think lettuce, sour cream and diced tomatoes would have been good) and serve. 

When I served this to my husband, he took ONE bite and said "This is awesome!"  Ladies and gentlemen, in the 4 1/2 years we've been married, that's NEVER happened.  Not once.  He's complimented me on dinner, thanked me, or told me he liked something I made, but never declared something to be awesome after one bite.  Talk about a confidence boost.  

The best part about this meal:  since I only needed to serve two chimichangas for dinner, I was able to make all of the chimichangas at once and freeze the rest for future meals/lunches.  I simply took my Reynolds Wrappers (These things are the best for wrapping individual foods...and they were just a dollar a box at the Dollar Tree), wrapped them individually and put them straight in the freezer.

I ate one for lunch the other day.  I simply unwrapped it, popped it back in the oven at 350, for about 10 minutes.  It was actually better as a leftover because putting it back in the oven made it even crispier (more crispy??).  So. Good.

The fantastic part about this recipe is that it is completely customizable.  You have the basics of how to make homemade chimichangas....now just roll with it and add whatever you like.  Want meat?  Add chicken or beef to the Rotel and cheese mixture.  Like the taste of regular Velveeta?  Use it instead of the Queso Blanco.  Like yours spicy?  Buy the can of hot Rotel chiles and tomatoes and add some spices to your bean mixture.  This can literally go wherever you want it to.

And there you go.  Simple, yummy, customizable, enough for leftovers.---and Marty approved.  Shouldn't every recipe be like this???

Ter-rug-fic.

Hello.  My name is Devan and I have a phobia of committing to a rug.

What is my DEAL?!  I swear, I've talked about rugs on this blog more than I've talked about Avery.  Okay, maybe not quite that much, but still a lot.  I'm just nervous about dropping a significant amount of money on an item that I have absolutely no idea how it's going to look in my room, with my decor or, most importantly, how it's going to hold up when Hurricane Avery--with all her juice spilling, glitter shedding, Spaghetti-O dropping goodness--hits.  Maybe you're not like me.  Maybe you're the type of person that can head over to Anthropologie and drop $800 on a rug that you'll switch out in a year.  Sorry peeps.  That ain't me.  In fact, that's so far from me, I can't even relate to that kind of person.  I'm the type that sees rugs for $200 and wonder how many organs I have to sell to be able to afford something like that.  And I'm just really freaking nervous about spending that much money and hating the rug when it arrives.  To me, rug = HUGE commitment.

You all may remember awhile back, I thought I found the perfect rug for my living room.  Check it.

I am so sad to say, that after less than a year, this rug looks like crap.  It's worn down, shows every little mark, spill, every Avery mishap.  I honestly think this rug was meant to be an outdoor rug and it just fooled me with it's pretty yellow flowers.  

But, in the time I've had this rug, I've realized....I want color.  I want a rug that's going to match a variety of different color schemes if I decide to change from the navy and grey theme I'm going with now.  I'm so afraid of color in my real life.  I'm afraid of paint colors, afraid of colorful accessories.  I would never paint a main wall of my house a bold color.  It's just not me. But I love color.  So I think the perfect solution to bring a little color in my room is through my rug.  Problem is.  I cannot make a decision.  I think I've got it narrowed down to four.  Help me??  (tip:  I couldn't get the entire rug in the collage.  Click on the different links to see the whole rug so you can get the full effect.)

Option 1 rug is from Wayfair.  It's $150 for a 5' x 7' and I get 10% off.  I love the subdued color.  It's color, but not "punch you in the face" color.  The more I look at it, the more I love it.  

Option 2 is from Joss and Main.  It's $195 for a 5' x 8'.  It's by far the safest option out of my four favorites.  "Safe Devan" is begging me to go with this one.  "Adventurous, Wants to Go for Color Devan" is mad that I'm even considering it. 

Option 3 is another from Wayfair.  It's $155 for a 5'2" x 7'6".  It's fun, it's colorful, it's got a lot going on.
 Too much?

Option 4 is from Home Depot.  (Whoops. The link is wrong. Go here-- http://m.homedepot.com/p/Shaw-Living-Chromatic-Ivory-5-ft-x-7-ft-9-in-Area-Rug-3UA9279100/204354317/). It's $179 for a 5' x 7'9".  I'm obsessed with this one.  It's like Option 3, but the colors are richer, deeper....I think it looks a little more luxe.  The more I look at it, the more I think it might be "the one."  But there's no reviews for it on the website.  And I'm scared to death to buy this rug and hate it when it comes in.

S.O.S.  I need help deciding!!

Dress up a dresser.

So, I got bored last night (it's not like there was anything to do....you certainly can't go outside without becoming frostbit in a matter of seconds) and decided to do a little redecorating in my master bedroom.

Here's the beauty of this little redecoration project:  it didn't cost me a dime.  I used items that were already in my house, some being used in other places, some not being used at all.  Free.

Before:

Shew, what a hot mess. Books I never read, a couple pictures, the painting of "Mooey" that's going back on the mantle when my Christmas decorations come down. And do you remember that square piece from my "October Do-Overs" post (you know, forever and ever and ever ago)?  Here's what it looked like before:

Honestly, I don't even know what to call this thing, because I have absolutely no idea what it is.  I do know that it's a cardboard-like material, but harder and that it was a gigantic pain in the rear to spray paint.  So....let's just call it "The Thing," shall we?  Once I finally got The Thing painted, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Problem is, The Thing has been painted for a couple months and I've never really done anything with it. 

After!

After I hung The Thing up, I envisioned it as a bulletin board type of set up. I hung up a clock that was in the corner of our bedroom that wasn't easily seen anyway. I also hung up the "Love you more" sign that was just sitting on top of another dresser, just waiting to be hung up. The picture frames are Walmart cheapies that were scattered around the house. The basket holds all my ideas that I've ripped out of magazines. And the flowers have been making their way around my house. I think they've sat on a table in every single room, at least once. 

Doesn't it look nicer than before?? It looks like I actually took the time an effort to decorate the top of the dresser. I'm going to add two more picture frames to make it symmetrical (yes, I'm one of THOSE people) and then it'll be done. I'm pretty pleased. 

After I finished the top of that dresser, I started looking around my bedroom. An my eyes instantly fell on my bedside table. 

Before:

How sad. I will say, I do think I have an eye for interior design (I just don't have the money to prove it!), but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to decorate a table top. I'll arrange furniture and pick out picture frames and wall decor all day long. But ask me to decorate a bookshelf and I'll stare at you like you're speaking another language. I just don't know how to arrange random things like pictures and knick knacks to make them look like they belong. So this table was perfect practice for me. 

After: 

I got rid of the old radio that isn't used anymore. I put the books upright an added a bookend. The picture is our wedding invitation that one of our guests had framed for us. I found the cake stand at TJ Maxx forever ago. I was thinking it would be the perfect place to hold my earrings or jewelry when I take them off at night. 

The table is far from perfect, but I think it's a good start.

Do you have any tips on how to decorate table tops or bookshelves? I'd love to hear them! 

2014 Resolutions.

It's January 1st.  So, naturally, I feel compelled to do what people are doing all over the world today:  making my New Year's Resolutions.  This year, though, I'm doing it a little differently.  In the past, my resolutions would be things like "Lose 15 pounds."  "Blog every single day."  "Make dinner 5 times a week."  

Get real.  You and I both know that I'm not going to lose 15 pounds or blog every single, we're talking 365 posts, day this year.  I'm really not even sure why I make resolutions like that because I KNOW I'm going to break them before March 1st (if I'm lucky).  So this year, I'm making my resolutions a little less specific, yet more attainable.

[insert fireworks, applause, whatever celebration you prefer]

1.  Be a better Christian.

2013 contained several events that really shook my faith.  I'm not proud to admit it, but I've been a horrible Christian this past year.  I've picked up my Bible a handful of times and I haven't prayed like I should.  I feel my best and in control when God and I are close.  Get back to that in 2014.

2.  Save money. 

I feel like this is on my list every year. But this year, with Marty's extra job, we have the potential to make more money than we ever have before.  I don't want to blow all that extra income by being stupid with our finances.  To save money this year, I will:

--Make a written budget.
On Black Friday, I scored my own personal budgeting book from May Designs.  It's a place where I can have our budget, in my hands, and look at every single day to remind me what our financial goals are.

Want one?  Get yours here.

--Do the 52 week plan. 

Marty and I would really like to take a Disney vacation this year.  That crap is expennnnnnsive.  I've found multiple sources that have tips to save money at Disney World.  But I would love to have the money set aside ahead of time, so when we go we don't have to worry about if the trip is putting us in the poorhouse.  If you haven't seen the 52 week plan, here it is (corrected by me because the original was incorrect at 49 weeks):

--Couponing

I'm planning on diving into the world of couponing this year.  While I don't want to become an extreme couponer that's hoarding 300 tubes of toothpaste, I would like to learn more about how coupons can save me money at stores.  Because, honestly, they confuse me right now. 

I have other ideas for saving money like cash envelopes, making any and all gifts, follow blogs that offer money saving and budgeting tips, but these are the three that I really want to stick with. 

3.  Organize my "28th and Hudson" business.

I am ashamed to admit that, in 2013, I found myself WAYYY too many times, at my kitchen table until 2 in the morning, rushing to finish painting orders that needed to be sent out the next day.  Thank you to everyone that ordered in 2013 and was patient with me, but I HAVE to implement a better system.  I have all my orders in a binder, but that binder stays tucked away in my car.  What good does it do when I'm not seeing what orders need to be completed on a daily basis?  So, I want to do the following things: 

--Set hours for my painting.  If this is going to be like an extra job, I need to start treating it like one.  Which means deciding that I'm going to paint on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 11.  Or Sundays, while Marty takes Avery to play.  Even if this means that I have an order that the customer doesn't want for another 3 months, I need to go ahead and make it, so I'm not waiting until the very last minute to get the painting completed. 

--Setting up a workstation.  Did you miss the part where I paint at my kitchen table?  My set up right now is less than ideal.  In our old home, I had an office.  I could go in, shut the door and shut out the rest of the world while I painted.  I don't have that luxury now.  We decided to make the 3rd bedroom in our new house into Avery's playroom.  A decision I don't regret.  But now I have no place to go.  And my painting business is scattered all over the house as a result.  Paints in the living room, canvases on the kitchen table...it's chaos.  I NEED my own space.  Which brings me to......

4.  ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT. 

A.k.a  Make room for a home office.  Our basement isn't finished, so it's not ideal, but I still think I can come up with some creative ideas to make it "my" space.  A table to paint, a table for shipping, corkboards to display current orders.  I NEED this space.

While I'm setting up my home office, I'm going to also unpack.  Yes, unpack.  Marty and I have been at our house since March and we still have probably 15 boxes FULL of stuff that needs to be unpacked.  In 2014, that's gonna happen. 

5.  Feel better about myself. 

In the past, I would have put "Lose 15 pounds."  But my issues with self-confidence go much deeper than that.  I'm the heaviest I've ever been.  I hate looking at myself in the mirror.  I cringe when my husband compliments me because I have a very hard time believing that I could be attractive to him.  I realize this isn't healthy.  And, as I've mentioned before, I worry about the example that I'm setting for Avery.  The absolute last thing I want for her is to have confidence issues.  For me though, it's more than my weight.  I'm not a very good cook, I've been a HORRIBLE housekeeper this past year and I don't feel like a very good mom.  And I think it all stems from my self-confidence issues.  If I didn't worry all the time that I'm doing it all wrong, I think I'd feel confidence in my abilities as wife and mother.  Instead, I worry that I'll mess dinner up, so I don't even try.  I worry that I'll never be able to get my house clean, so I let the laundry pile up.  To a normal person, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  So, in 2014, I resolve to feel better about myself.  To try things and not feel like a failure when they don't succeed.  To laugh more with my daughter, instead of worrying about if I should be working with her more on her manners/alphabet/development.  To feel like I'm good enough. 

6.  Single-handedly bring back snail mail. 

Okay, maybe not.  But in 2014, I resolve to send more snail mail.  I love getting it.  Why not pass that joy on to someone else?  So, if you get a written letter from me asking you how life is, don't freak.  I'm just trying to save the Postal Service and bring you a little piece of snail mail happiness. 

7.  Finish my furniture redos. 

Remember all those pieces I keep saying I'm going to redo?  Hasn't happened.  I've found some pretty inspirational ideas on  Pinterest and I'm ready to rock that crap out.  Once it gets warmer, of course.

8.  Keep my house picked up.

Like I mentioned in #5, I've been a horrendous housekeeper this year.  2013 was a complete whirlwind.  In August, I was pregnant and too tired.  In September, I was depressed and just wanted to sleep all day.  In October, I miscarried and had little energy to walk from the bed to the couch.  In November and December, I was so overwhelmed with painting orders that I barely found enough time to wash underwear for my family.  My house has suffered.  I would be mortified if any of you stopped by my house right now.  The old Devan wouldn't stand for that.  In our Bardstown house, save a couple of piles of laundry to do, I kept my house clean.  Maybe not polished, dusted, mopped clean, but picked up, not a thing out of place clean.  It's time to stop making excuses and make my house something I'd be proud of again. 

9.  Keep up with my blogging. 

I took quite a lengthy break this Christmas from blogging.  It felt good.  But now I'm ready to get back to regular blogging.  I enjoy it.  It brings me so much happiness, even if no one reads it.  I'd like to blog at least 3 times a week, but I'm not going to tie myself to that.  Just blog  more. 

That's it!  Of course, I have tons of things I want to accomplish in 2014:  be more organized, redo Avery's room, organize the playroom, overhaul my kitchen.  But the 9 above listed things are the ones that I'm REALLY committed to.  The ones that I want to read back over on December 31, 2014 and say "Heck yes!  I did ALL those things!"  

Here's to 2014 being the best year for me yet. :)