These windows need some love

I've done the floors, the paint, the furniture, half the windows. But the rest of the windows still struggle. I've got 2 in the kitchen and 2 on the way upstairs. They are still as-is since the day I moved in. They successfully provide privacy. But they do nothing else.

The kitchen has these cafe curtains, which are nice because they let some light in (bonus on the south and east sides of the house) while still allowing privacy. But I hate them. They fall down unexpectedly, get dirty, never look right.

I don't love the scalloped wood above the sink window, but that will likely stay. New countertops are in the distant future. Also, don't judge the clutter.

Then there are the windows going upstairs. Plantation shutters with ugly green valances (which I removed once and have never gotten back on correctly). Oh yeah, and don't mind the wallpaper... it will go eventually as well. Just as soon as I tackle a bathroom-full of wallpaper.

These windows are also on the east side of the house so the light is nice.

Help? Suggestions??

By the way...this is the first post all year. Wow, 2011 has been busy.

My newest addiction

Christmas came early at my house. That's allowed to happen when it's a gift you give yourself.

Well...I can also thank a bonus from work and credit card reward points for this:

I have long wanted one and there seemed to be no better time.

Do I know how to use it? Uh, not really... yet.
Am I a good photographer worthy of an amazing camera? Nope, but I think I can learn to be decent.
Have I spent numerous hours during my week off trying to figure this thing out and taking pictures of anything and everything around my house? You bet.

"Wait...I thought you had a tree."

Recently I posted pictures of my (mostly) finished living room area. At that time I wasn't able to show the wall with the fireplace because it quite honestly was a total mess on that side of the room. Mostly because I had just brought up boxes of Christmas decorations from the basement.

This past weekend I was able to finish unpacking those boxes and added a few new things.


Most of the decorations are things I already had. A few were given to me by my mom. Though tempted every time I've been shopping these past few weeks, I've tried to avoid buying too much more for a few reasons: 1) I don't really need more; 2) I'm trying to better respect my own pocketbook these days; 3) I'm also trying to avoid the hyper-consumerism temptation in today's world and 4) by not buying more I can keep a few extra things out of the landfills.

This weekend I had second thoughts regarding my resolve to not buy more when I had a few friends over. We had pulled in chairs from the dining room for more seating, and after sitting for a few minutes one of my friends looked around and said, "Hey wait... I thought you said you had a tree."

Yes, this three-foot tree was hidden when someone sat in front of it.

Oh well. On any ordinary day you can see it all, and it's Christmas cozy to me.

25 years

We three have been friends that long.


I love these girls.

Tradition

For as long as I can remember my family has traveled for Thanksgiving every single year. In my early days it was to Tennessee at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Then when they moved to a much smaller house in South Carolina (at a time when our family was getting much bigger) we started going to random cities. For the first few it was Pittsburg, but then we ventured out. A lot of years it was keeping it fair to geographic distances, some years a city near someone in the family, and other years a truly random city that someone had suggested.

We've been to Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Knoxville, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Indianapolis...just to name a few.

I've always had a hard time explaining this tradition. Whenever I tell someone who doesn't know me well of my Thanksgiving plans, they ask if I have family there. Nope! We all stay in a hotel, Grandpa takes us out for Thanksgiving dinner, no one does dishes, and no one has to have an over-crowded house. We also have two other traditions that are main-stays - bowling and Chinese food/pizza on Friday.



For the past few years, as the family has continued to grow, it has gotten harder for everyone to get there each year. And this year was one of the first that my immediate family decided to stay in Grand Rapids. But we had to keep the tradition alive! Friday brought us together for bowling and then pizza at my parents' house. Not the same as spending the holiday with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. But still a fun time.

Love these kiddos...

The Circle Tour

It recently came to my attention that I have shared no pictures of the inside of my house since floor refinishing and privacy blinds hanging.

I was going to wait until my living room was "done." But, let's get serious, that may never happen. I am way too indecisive, painfully slow thoughtful about what should go where and choosing things to hang on the walls. The clock in these pictures just went up today, after leaning against my fireplace for at least 2 weeks.

I actually chose my furniture surprisingly quickly, which was delivered over 3 months ago. It's very neutral -- which likely is why the decision was so quick.

Here's the circle tour around my living room...

There did not seem to be enough space to buy both a couch and a loveseat, so this comfy chair provides seating in addition to the couch. Those split doors lead to the front door.


This couch is amazing. Great for all things a couch should be great for: reading, napping, television watching, chatting with friends, drinking coffee, eating dinner, accidentally sleeping for the whole night.


And here's the third part of the room. Again is the chair with the clock above. And my TV. I had never in my life bought a new TV. I was still watching on this miniature 13 inch TV that I had in college. Every man who entered my house would make a comment about how teeny-tiny my TV was, so I bought a new one (well, and I wanted a new one). Figured it also was the only way I'd ever get anyone to come to my house to watch a football game. And honestly? Even though I'm not a big TV watcher... I must say, it's awesome.

Just to the right of this last picture is the opening into my dining room (table currently covered with mail and bills). And on the fourth wall of the living room (which is farther to the right) is my fireplace -- currently cluttered with all of the Christmas decorations I brought up from the basement today. Need to organize and buy more before I actually get excited about decorating for Christmas. Oh, and eat turkey tomorrow too -- no Christmas decorating until after Thanksgiving in this house.

birthdays + up north

Both of my parents celebrated big birthdays this year (Dad in September and Mom in November). And since my parents aren't really into big parties, my siblings and I decided to take everyone up to Traverse City for a fall weekend in October - smack dab in the middle of their respective big days. Rented a condo, visited wineries, watched college football, ate great meals, enjoyed one of our favorite parts of Michigan, played games, and just enjoyed good family time. Quality time is one of the best kinds of gifts, anyway.

The colors on Old Mission Peninsula were phenomenal (unable to be captured in a photo). The kiddos had so much fun running around and playing with each other.


Nothing says fall like a pumpkin patch...


...or playing in a vineyard!


Uncle Brian giving a wagon ride


That side of the table


This side of the table

Joe even loved his new hat!

...have I ever mentioned how much I love northern Michigan?!