Decorating

Anyone who has been to my house knows I love to decorate. It's one of my hobbies and it is really fun and relaxing to me! I've done a few projects lately that I hope to take pictures of and post. I made a chalkboard & corkboard from frames I found at a garage sale last summer. Now my little "office" (in my laundry room) looks complete! I realize that everything I have in my office corner either came from a garage sale or from my parents house (almost as good as a garage sale!). I'll post pics soon.

Last weekend I took down all my winter decorations and brought out the few Spring decorations I have. I ended up going to two cute stores to get a few more things (all ended up being birds). I need a few more things still so I'm on the lookout for some cheap, cute decorations or crafts I can do. I tried making a sign that says "flowers" but I don't like it. I plan to redo it soon. How do you decorate for Spring? Do you use birds, bunnies, nests, flowers or...?

Simple Pleasures...

On one of my favorite blogs today she is having people blog about "simple pleasures"...

Here are a few of mine:

- coming home from a long day to a happy, lovable dog- she always puts a smile on my face and is so excited to see me each and every day
- the first flowers of Spring
- being able to savor my morning cup of coffee on a weekend or day off
- having a good hair day
- reading magazines- my favs are Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens & Country Living
- a good conversation with a friend
- waking up to snow and not having to go anywhere
- a baby smiling
- waking up without an alarm clock
- walking across campus at work in the Spring or Fall
- an unexcepted sunny day in the middle of winter
- a friend or family member saying they love me
- chatting with my mom on the phone about nothing (or something)
- my dog laying her head on me
- snail mail
- having a day or evening of sunshine to garden
- seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset
- laying on the beach watching the waves crashing, enjoying the sun and taking a nap (or reading a book/magazine)

What are some of yours?

Senses...

I was thinking the other day how we can go through each day ignoring our senses. We get wrapped up in our busy days (or wrapped up in ourselves) and can unknowingly or knowingly ignore everything around us. For example, I can drive to work and not even notice the sunrise because I am focusing on how tired I am or how I wish it was Friday...or I can look up at the sky and thank the Lord for the beautiful sunrise He made! Or as I get out of my car every day after work I can walk right in my house glad the day is over or I can take a minute to notice the flowers sprouting out of the ground in my garden which brings a smile to my face. I remember one morning after living at my house for awhile I was taking my dog out to the bathroom and I looked up and realized I can see the tip of Mt Hood from my porch! Why I never noticied it before was shocking to me...but I am good at ignoring what is going on around me. I can walk through the grocery store never looking anyone in the eye...I can go through a morning not realizing it is sunny outside because I never looked out my office window...I can eat a meal and not slow down to taste what I'm eating...

As I was reflecting on the senses God gave us and how I don't always give them a chance to take in the world around me I thought about what I don't ignore... I don't ignore smells...my nose is very aware of good or gross smells. Smells can make me gag and I often have to plug my nose to avoid such gagging. I love good smells...candles, cologne, flowers, fresh air, the ocean and so on.

I hear things going on around me...I am sometimes too aware of sounds around the office that might annoy me or around my house that might scare me and I can't stand silence...I always have music on at work, music or tv at home, white noise at night, music or talking in the car... awkward silence in a group drives me crazy...I think the only time I am okay with silence is when I'm out in my garden... I am busy focusing on the creation around me...I also realize it is the only time I talk to the Lord without some noise in the background...

I know it's a small realization but I want to be more aware of my senses...of what is around me...not taking for granted the gift of the 5 senses...

Paint colors...

I don't have very many pictures of my house- I think I need to take more- but I am linking with a blog that is sharing favorite paint colors. I painted my living room/kitchen in Sherwin Williams Celery. However the paint swatch and how it turned out do not look the same! I've always wondered if they got my order mixed up. BUT I actually LOVE this color and plan to get it matched if I ever move. It looks great agains my white trim (plain old white- I think Valspar). I think I started the trend of this shade of green :) When I painted it 4 years ago sage was in style but this brighter green was not.

Anyway, enjoy! The best picture I could find of the color...

Spring...are you coming?

I have a really hard time with winter...once the holidays are over the winter months drag on. The weather really gets to me and I notice a change in my energy level and motivation. So I am trying to find ways to get through yet another dreary Oregon winter. A few things I am doing this winter include taking Vitamin D supplements, planning some fun things to do, buying cold hardy flowers for my porch and trying to notice the signs of Spring. I have already noticied the days are bit longer then in December.... We have had some BEAUTIFUL sunrises lately... Yesterday was close to 60 degrees and I got too hot in a sweatshirt and was able to open my windows... I also noticied little sprouts coming up around my yard... a sure sign of Spring- FLOWERS!

What do you do to get through winter?

New Year's Resolutions/Goals

I am not big on New Year's Resolutions because I do not like to fail :) But I was thinking through some changes I'd like to make in my life this year to keep moving forward and growing into the person Christ made me to be. I'd love to hear yours as well!

- I have decided to take more risks. I am not a risk taker and have become even less willing to try something new or do something that might make me uncomfortable the older I get. I have already done 2 things that I normally would shy away from in the first week of 2010!

-I would like to spend more time studying the Word. Ever since Bible College I have had a hard time keeping up with truly studying the Word, not just reading it. Anyone interested in doing a Bible study?

-I would like to eat healthier. My first step is consistently taking Juice Plus+. If anyone wants to join me in this step I am a distributor now :)

-Once I can start working out again (post car accident) I hope to get into a consistent routine. Isn't this everyone's new year's resolution?? Ha!

Just a few thoughts as we start a fresh, new year!

Peace

I have a lot going on right now as I work through the details of an accident I was in last week. I have been trying to hold on to the truths that I know..."that all things work together for good for those who love Christ" but fear and uncertainity have been trying to take their grip on me. I started out this day after a few discouraging days asking the Lord to give me peace and joy today. He has brought me JOY through my co-workers and friends today. We have a fun time together and I thought "wow, I am so lucky to have a job I love where I can see my friends every day!". JOY! On my break I read a blog I keep up with. She is a friend of a friend who lost her husband a year ago. Her story inspires me and her post today was so fitting with where I'm at this week. Read it here: http://taranewby.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-i-am-about-to-tell-you-is-huge.html
As I read her post an overwhelming peace filled me. Not only because it reminded me that my life and struggles are so little in comparison to hers. I think that often and I know the Lord cares about all our needs- big or small. What spoke to me were her words...the truth she spoke and the verses she shared. I am thankful for the Lord and how He hears our cries and really knows just what we need and when we need it. I don't know how rest of my day will play out as I hassle with insurance companies, but I do know the Holy Spirit is my comforter and can fill me with peace.