Dining Room Makeover

Well, I talked about my interest in primitive decorating, but I've not shared any photos of my home, nor have I done any projects since I started my blog. I have finally made a decision which room and project I will begin with. We are going to be replacing the carpet in the dining room with hardwood flooring (white pine) within the next few weeks. I have never been satisfied with the paint color in this room, so I will be re-painting and tweaking this room as my first project. I will also be re-flooring the entry way with the same wood floor as the dining room and re-painting it as well. Wish me luck!

So, I will keep you all posted of the changes as we make them, and hope that very soon, I will have the finished project ready to show~ !

Wednesday with Gramma!

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As you all know, I have the privilege of babysitting my granddaughter, Audrey on Wednesdays each week. This, of course, is the very best day of the week for me! She is growing so fast and changing so much each and every week right now. She now has facial recognition, luckily for me, she recognizes me and gives me one of her great big smiles each time she sees me! She is sitting up quite well on her own, and loves reaching for her toys. As you will see in my photos, she also is interested in the tv remote. Isn't it amazing how early that interest develops. She also loves Grandma's cell phone, mainly for chewing on it though! Speaking of chewing, just this week she has had two bottom teeth come in. I will say though, I had forgotten how busy it is watching a little one. By the time you change them, feed them, short nap them, feed them, change them & play --- that's your day! I wouldn't want it any other way either! I can't wait for the weather to get nice so we can have some outside time . . . work in the flower beds and talk some walks and golf cart rides! She did have her first golf cart ride this week, which put her to sleep! Hmmm, there's a thought! LOL!

Her Mommy has had a very busy week herself. Daddy is away at a training seminar and Mommy is working and taking care of little Audrey by herself. I know they both will be so glad to him!

Andy & Alexis couples shower

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Wow! Did we ever have a great couples shower for a wonderful young couple - Andy & Alexis. We have been friends with Alexis' parents for about 17 years and have watched her grow from a young girl into a beautiful, warm-hearted successful young lady. We were so happy for her when she met and fell in love with Andy. We anxiously awaited to meet him for the first time. . . to see if he would meet with our approval as well! I am happy to report - he did! He is a wonderful, funny and sweet man. He has a wonderful family who treats Alexis as their own - what more could you ask for~? We can't wait for the wedding in June~it will be awesome!

March madness!!

Wow! Can you believe it? March is here already! If the rest of this year keeps moving along as fast as January & February, it's going to be one crazy year!

March is going to be a busy & fun month! Lots going on at work, and I have several friends with birthdays this month. We also have a very special young lady and man in our life with whom will be hosting/celebrating a couples shower for. We are so happy for Alexis & Andy on their upcoming marriage in June! We can't wait for the wedding and to share their day with them.

I am looking very forward to Spring and getting back out in the yard! I love, love, love to be outside in the yard and garden. The vegetable garden is not so much my thing, luckily, Hubby takes very good care of that. I, on the other hand, like my flower garden. :) I have a few ideas for some new plant beds. Can't wait to get started.

Fun times!

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Well, to say the least the last month has been a busy one! I did not realize it had been almost a full 30 days since I had last posted. I would like to tell you that I have started and finished lots of projects, but, this is not the case. What I can tell you is that I have been able to get "caught up" at the office (both at my "paid" job and my "free labor" job- that being working for hubby!) I do feel good about where I am at with that. Now my next immediate goal is to organize and burn all of my photos that are on my old computer to CD's and label them. I'll let ya know how that works out for me! LOL! Anyway, the weather had been cold the last month, with a lot of snow (not a lot in accumulation for us, just several days of it). Lucky for us though, not near as much as our northern neighbors. My daughter-in-law, Teri's older brother, Michael & his family live in Northern Illinois and her youngest lives in Chicago, unfortunately they were not so lucky - they had 14" or more of snow. We just had a beautiful weekend here, the sun was shining and the temperature was on the rise. Sunday was a very warm, windy day - which unfortunately brought a dreary, rainy day to us today. I don't like the rain much (except in the summer), but we do need it.

I have been able to get a few pictures of Audrey on my weekly Wednesday babysitting days! She is almost always in a good mood. She was quite sick a few weeks ago, which had all of us worried to say the least. Her pediatrician treated her for asthma (I think in part because of her family history) and we are hoping and praying that she does not have this condition. She is much, much better now - back to her happy, smiling self. Her mommy & daddy are doing very well, still just busy, busy with all they have to do!

I went to Amber's house yesterday and we hung some more pictures, a clock & a mirror. Her house is so cute - she was very lucky that her uncle Mel bought the farmhouse next to him and she was able to live there. Her dogs love it - except for when Mel's dog Abby (big black mixed dog) comes down and tries to gobble them up in her mouth. NOT so happy then :( I will definitely post some pictures of her place for you all to see!

Well, March is right around the corner! Lots to do before then! Later all!

"My girls"

What a pretty picture of Amber, Audrey & Teri! I just love it!

Happy Hump Day (Wednesday)

Wow! I can't believe that it is January 26th already!! Where has this month gone? I always think with the beginning of each month of the year, that I will accomplish so many things on my to-do list that month. Then, reality sets in and within a blink of an eye, the month is gone and I did not accomplish nearly what I wanted to. I don't set myself up for failure for the month of January, since, I am a bookkeeper for both the law firm and my husband's business. I don't get any "projects" done other than bookwork. I do have several "primitive" decorating projects lined up and hope to begin on them next month, but for sure the month of March!!

I find it very hard to get "on board" with anything in January and find that I have a hard time getting "off the couch" during this month, other than work. I think I settle into my hibernation mode! LOL! If I haven't told you before, I am NOT a winter person. Most importantly, I NEED sunshine!!! Which, I haven't seen much of lately either!

Today was my FAVORITE day of the week -Wednesday (Audrey day!!). I really don't know if I could make through the week if I didn't have this special day!!! She changes so much each and every week! She is the best little girl to take care of - such a happy, happy little girl! Her Mommy had been gone since Sunday evening to an out-of-town regional meeting and she and Daddy had their special bonding time together. Mommy was able to get in early today from her meeting and was SOOOO glad to see her baby girl! I can't imagine how hard that was on Teri - it would have torn me apart if I were her. I'm so glad she's home safe and sound with her family now. Audrey had lots of visitors while Mommy was gone, her Uncle Dustin came to see her and so did her Aunt Amber. It think it helped pass time for her since she was missing Mommy!

I'm looking forward to the weekend. We are going to have family game night on Saturday! Love to do this in the winter - it sure helps pass the time.

Chat later!

jena

This is dedicated to my hard-working husband!

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison

Brandon's 21st Birthday!!! Wow!

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I can't believe my little nephew is all grown up and 21 now! It seems like just yesterday that he was born. He has always been the sweetest and best little boy, and as he has grown that hasn't changed at all - still a sweet, kind and respectful young man. I know his parents are as proud of him as we all are.

I didn't get near as many photos as I wanted or should have because, (I KNOW you won't believe this) I was talking too much. I had so many family members to visit with, both on our side of the family and all of Brandon's mother's family. They are all so fun to hang out with!! It has been such good times celebrating Brandon's birthdays over the years with both his dad & mom's families all together at the same time. Such a good way to keep in touch! Funny thing is, as his Aunt Cindy pointed out, she (with her two grandchildren in attendance) and I with my granddaughter there, are now at the time in our life that our mothers were when we first started celebrating Brandon's 1st birthday~ how did that happen so fast?

As I was beginning to make supper this evening, I was thinking about the fun we had yesterday, but also thinking forward to the next "Birthday Bash", when it suddenly dawned on me . . . my Dad turns 70 - in February!!! Holy cow! That one almost slipped by. So, no time for idle time - gotta get busy & talk to the "crew" to see what ideas we can come up with for "Old Pops"! Whatever it is, I'm sure there will be no shortage of food~~or fun!!

Brrr it's cold!

I am not a fan of winter at all.  I'm sure when I was young it was fun, as I remember loving to go outside with my brothers and play in the snow and build snow igloos and make snow ice cream.  Now that I am "older" it is just plain miserable.  I can't ever seem to get warm and it makes my bones ache :(
We have had a little bit of snow here this week, only around a couple of inches.  It was a very pretty snowfall and since the temperatures are so cold, it hasn't melted as of yet.

A funny thing happened in relation to the snow - as you know, I get to babysit Audrey each Wednesday.  Well, this week I had a hair appointment in another town from where the kids live.  Since we had gotten most of the snow on Tuesday, when I spoke to my son, Wes (Audrey's daddy) on the phone to make arrangements as to the time I would be at their house the next day, I informed him of my appointment.  I got a chuckle when he told me that if the roads were icy it would not be a good idea for me to travel with Audrey in the car.  My feelings were twofold, one of pride that my son was that concerned for the welfare and safety of his daughter, and two, that he thought his Mom incompetent of making the right decision about putting HER granddaughter's safety at risk.  Luckily, for me and everyone that had to look at me, I was able (without any risk to Audrey) to keep my hair appointment!  She was overall very good for Grandma at the hairdressers!  Can't wait until I get to watch her next week - we don't have to go anywhere!

This weekend is going to be another fun-filled birthday weekend!  My nephew, Brandon, will be celebrating his 21st birthday on the 15th and it is also my two nieces, Heather & Melanie's (sisters born on the same day - 2 yrs. apart) birthday as well.  I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends again.  Isn't that what it's all about!  Hope you all have a great weekend as well.

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The Birthday Party!

Well, as expected, the boys birthday party was FUN! My niece, Teresa, has a God-given talent for hosting a party. She always outdoes herself, as you will be able to tell from the pictures! She baked all the food herself, and what wonderful creative, fun ideas she has for her party themes! The kids (and adults) had a blast! Thank you Teresa for letting us share this memory with you and your family. Can't wait until Laney's birthday!

The Birthday Party - Hails Boys!

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Thought for the day/week

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.
Bill Cosby

Enjoy your weekend all! We have a birthday party for my two very sweet great-nephews who were born 5 years and 1 day apart. It's going to be a FUN birthday party! Love those little guys! Pictures to follow :)

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Here we go - 2011

Well, 2011 is certainly off to a fast start!  I love Christmas, but am certainly glad it is over.  January is a very busy month for me at work.  I have to close the books on one year and begin a new.  This week has been very pleasant so far.  The highlight of my week is always, WEDNESDAY, for that is the day that I get to babysit my granddaughter, Audrey!  Yea!  She and I have such a wonderful time together - although she doesn't realize it yet, since she is only 3 months old!  She is so precious!