Finished my first project for 2012!!!

Woo hoo!!!

Excited.  I have HATED how my built-ins around my fireplace have always looked.  The shelves were too skinny.  I wanted a more finished look so the hubs and myself made it happen : )  It was pretty simple and cheap for a nice finished looking outcome.  I ALWAYS say it's in the details where good design comes through. Your eyes will always be drawn to a flaw.  My eyes were always drawn to the shelves...not the pictures being displayed.

We went to Lowes and picked up some molding that wasn't too fancy schmancy.  I didn't want it to look weird since the built ins are pretty simplistic.  We had two 8ft. pieces cut there into 4ft sections.  Made for easier transporting : )  (Nothing like trying to fit lumber in the car with kids)

I painted the pre-primed pieces.

Eric measured and cut them to fit : )

He glued them with wood glue and used finishing nails to secure them.

I then filled in the nail heads and painted over them once they were dry.

Ta-da....beautiful finished looking shelves.  You can totally do this with cheap bookcases or any shelf lacking substance : )

I plan on adding more detail to my built in doors later on.  Excited : )  Bring on 2012 projects!!!

Next we do wainscoting!!!

Clutter and toy control are top on my to-do list too!!!  As you can see below...

Cedric was helping me "clean up' his ball pit balls.

We plan on building built-ins downstairs for toy storage. Welcome 2012 home projects : )

Goodbye 2011

Hello, 2012. It's insane how much has happened and how much has stayed the same this year.  My two beautiful boys grew taller, smarter and faster this year.  I think I grew slower.  Friends have gotten engaged, moved, and graduated from college.  Our house has taken on different looks and become more of the home we have envisioned.  I celebrated 5 wonderful years with my husband and turned 30.  My youngest outgrew his eating disorder!  A HUGE triumph in my book.  My little guy was able to eat cake at his birthday party : )  I went on some fun trips and made lasting memories.  All in all 2011 was a very kind year to my family.  I have to pay respect to the ones who passed on.  I pray the ones that feel the pain from their passing find peace and joy in the year to come.  I know they will never be forgotten.

I'm excited for the new year.  I'm not going to make any new years resolutions but rather goals ; )  Shout out to Vanessa for this idea @  http://cooperave.blogspot.com/2011/12/goals-not-resolutions.html : ) I love the idea of not tying yourself to completely change but rather setting obtainable goals.  Goals have a much more positive imaginary than the word resolution.  I like to envision bettering oneself...and I know they both mean the same thing...but I like the word goals better ; )

2012 New Years Resolution Goals:

~ Create more art...either from knitting, jewelry making, painting, sketching or any other medium...just create MORE : )

~ Exercise and eat better.  Eric and I are really serious about this one.

~ Be a kinder more understanding person.  I try to be more understanding, but sometimes frankly, I'm not.

~ Recycle more!!!

~ Get organized: closets, cars, office, drawers, basement and craft/work room.  I'm tired of never finding anything I need or knowing where an item is.  I also am tired of my closets busting at the seams.

~ Go on a trip to somewhere new.  I try to do this each year.  I love a good adventure.

~ Get Cedric potty trained : )  We started today and he has already gone twice in it : )  Insert the pee pee potty dance....yup I went there ; )

~ Love more and love the people who need it.  AKA the jerks, the brats and the mean people.  Obviously, they're hurting inside.

~ Volunteer more!

~ Work more.

~ Pay off bills!!!  I have one credit card left and would really love to have no debt.

~ Finish the plethora of house projects I have concocted.

~ Throw more awesome parties with friends and family.

~ Lastly, live and be happy.

I would like to wish all my blogging buddies out there an amazing New Year!!!  I hope it's filled with good health, friends, family, love and warm hugs all the year through : )  Make 2012 the year you are you, and follow your heart and dreams!!!

PS...don't forget to kiss someone at midnight...it can be your hubby, your babies or your fur babies...just seal it with a kiss for good luck : )


Goodbye 2011....

Current thoughts...

I have so many thoughts running through my mind.  I should be prepping my dining room for painting.  I should be working on my built in project or I should be cleaning.  Instead, I'm sitting here avoiding them all.  I'm excited for 2012.  I have some ideas and projects in the works.

Today started off with us getting some molding for my bookshelves around my fireplace.  I want to give them a more finished look.

The nice guys at Lowes were super helpful...and the boys loved watching them cut the pieces.

I then ran to Target for diapers...everyone knows that's code word for, I'm going to take my sweet ass time looking at all the new stuff : )  A chevron explosion has happened there BTW.

I WISH I had bought the giant white finial vases at Zgallerie for my fireplace.  I've been on the hunt for something similar to those for awhile now with no luck.

I had to laugh at these.  A few years ago I was IN LOVEEEE with these.  I wanted chrome jacks.  Searched the internet and found some but they were $$$.  Now you can find them at Hobby Lobby or Target...sheeshhhh...my luck.

*** Excited**  I love these black and white containers.  I plan on buying some for my office and putting them on the floating shelves I also plan on installing...heh....yeah...I still need to get around to that.

Finally, I saw this necklace and thought it looked cool.  I may attempt to make something like this at my jewelry night : )  Sometime soon, Eric is going to go off and work on arcades with a friend and I'm going to have all my friends over to make jewelry.  Hopefully, I will find a babysitter for Cedric and Spen will be able to play in the toy shop/basement with everyone else's kids.  If I don't make it...I might go back up there and buy it ; )

2012 Projects projects projects!!!

I have a LONG to do list.  I keep adding to my list daily.  BUT we will start off small and work our way up.

I love the look of molding on doors and built-ins. I stumbled upon an awesome little trick for detail that I am debating on doing in my house.  I have crown molding everywhere so this might look nice.

http://mycottagecharm.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-add-molding-to-your-doors-door.html

Is where you can find a whole DIY for adding molding to your doors.  I love it.

Source: mycottagecharm.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I love the finished look and detail.  I'm a stickler for details.  It makes a room or space.

I have so many projects I need to finish.  Soon I will start painting my dining room : )))))  I plan on adding wainscoting beneath the chair rail.

here are two DIY's I might use...

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: southernhospitalityblog.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I can't wait to get started on all my projects : )

Christmas 2011...

Cedric with his new mini!!!  How freaking cute!!!  He LOVES it as does my husband.  A mini is one of his dream cars. He actually tried talking me into buying one a few years ago as a family car...Ummm....no. 

My house looks like a bad episode of Hoarders.  I keep expecting a knock at the door and a camera crew along with Dr. Z to burst through.  I will proudly proclaim I attempted to clean the Christmas Aftermath up.  I collected all the boxes, paper and gift bags and threw them away.  Ok, that was a lie...I totally kept the gift bags...everything else I tossed.  Gift bags are like receiving two gifts in one....especially if the name tag isn't used.  hah...I joke with my friends and family about this.  Often times we trade back and forth the same bags.  I need to figure out where to house these toys.  It's pretty insane.  I need to figure out some type of storage for these toys.

This was a great Christmas!!!  I loved that the kids had a truly magical one.  Eric and I totally suck and gave each other our gifts before Christmas.  But the kids...we made magic happen.  I played it up to Spen that I was clueless to what he would be getting.  That it was all in Santa's hands and I only got him a few gifts.  Cedric just knew Ho Ho was coming...and no real concept of what that meant.  Christmas morning came and my kids had the best reactions on their faces    : )

Take note to the left hand corner...that is a GIANT BALL! 

 When they came into the family room...they saw IT...It was the giant red ball you can climb in and roll around in.  OMG best thing EVER!!!  Spen dove in and Cedric soon followed.

This is how Cedric spent the morning...either lounging playing with his trains or riding in his car.

I swear he is so adorable!!!  (and he knows it ) It's funny I have people stop me all the time telling me he should be a child model.  It's a sweet thought...but no way.  My child hates having his photo taken.  I had to explain this in line the other day at TJ Maxx.  Spencer used to get the same thing.  My oldest was a beautiful baby and toddler.  It was funny with him.  People were more forthright.  It was kinda comical. 

Spen inside the giant ball.

 This is where Cedric stayed during the present opening. He wouldn't budge.

He would climb in and out. Over and over again.

Spen and his spy gear stuff. He loved it!

I wish I had known Cedric would have taken to the drums so well. I would have bought a better set.  He LOVES them.  He rocks out and sings...too cute!!!

Eric bought Spen this.  He was super excited!!!

I do this every year.  Notice the powder foot prints.  They are Santa's magical prints from the fire place.  Every year I end up hurrying and cleaning them up because the "magical powder" gets EVERYWHERE!

 This is the face of a child who got the gift he has "always" wanted...I love it!

Funny story, these are a few things from Spen's stocking.  I'm evil and refuse to buy honey buns.  They are so full of fat, calories and sugar.  But Santa...Santa does what he wants.  Hehhehehe...Spen LOVES honey buns so he was over the moon when he saw them. 

The ring to rule them all...The Lord of the Ring Ring. Spencer was soooo excited.

Finally we were able to drag Cedric away from the car and Spen helped him open gifts.

Cedric had to share his toys with his best new buddy....the car.  It's funny my friend explained the reasoning behind this to me with psychology.  It was rather interesting (he's a psych professor) 

Look to the left...that's the ball...and it has been moved back and forth from the kitchen to the family room.

He is TOTALLY not ready.  But when he is...I will be prepared.  I looked at all the "fun" potty chairs...but this one was simple and easy to use.  I also figure he would not be scared of it.  We are having toilet fear right now and I didn't want to get anything that he would freak out to sit on...hehehe...it's completely normal to sit on a frog...hummmm....

My two boys...being two little boys.  I love it!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or Holiday!!!  

So much to do...tonight : )

I have my checklist in hand for the nights magic making.

- Hide Christmas pickle

- Camera(s) ready and battery charged

- drag all the toys hidden from around the house out and place said toys in the family room

- try to remember where all said toys are actually hidden

- Place the letters from Santa by the fireplace

- Eat some of the cookies and drink some of the milk

- Spread the reindeer food outside...gotta look like they enjoyed it

- Leave Santa's foot prints from the fireplace to the tree and back

- Charge what gifts that need to be charged...and put batteries in what needs them

- Blow up the giant ball and somehow magically find a space for it in my family room

- Snuggle with my hubby after everything is said and done

I have a feeling this may be Spencer's last Christmas believing in Santa so I plan on having him go out in a bang   : )  We bought the gifts he really wanted but never thought he would get.   I can't wait for morning.  I'm awful...I'm worse than one of the kids, I'm so excited.  I love seeing their faces light up as they walk into the family room.

Tonight we had Christmas with my mother-in-law.  It went really well.  The kids LOVED their gifts.  Dinner was yummy and we actually managed to bake cookies before night time.  Usually, we are running behind. Although, their was a slight hiccup.  Each year the kids get new Christmas pjs.  Well, Cedric gagged on some food and managed to cover himself and the floor in vomit.  Nothing says Merry Christmas like trying to clean up vomit off your wood floors in front of guest getting ready to eat. Yeah....nice...  So his new pjs went straight into the wash.  Lovely.

Ok...off to rock this night hard!!!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my fellow bloggers.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday : )