2 steps back

I know I’m not alone in this so tell me why is it so hard to force myself to stay fit?  How is it I am on-on-on for a few weeks, doing everything just so and then I miss or skip a day and it’s over.  What is the deal?  

I was watching The Biggest Looser this week and they had a 24 hour challenge.   With 9 hours remaining one team was trying to talk the other into quitting.  They weren’t having it, one team member said if he quit this it would all be over.  If he didn’t finish this challenge, if he quit now,  he may as well go home.   Quitting was what got them all there.   For a moment I was like ‘Yeah!!  You tell her Sione!”  And then,  gah, am lazy glutton. 

I am the only person in my family (one aunt excluded) that exercises at all.  No one does.  No one.  My sister Heidi has come around in the past few years and certainly struggles as I do, but with 2 children she has a better built in excuse.

The reason to exercises are clear, the way I feel when I am active, the way my jeans fit, the way I sleep, the way my skin stays clear, and they way I pay more attention to what I am eating because of it all.   But the reasons I don’t are clear too,  because I want to watch that show,  I just ate, I already took a shower, I’d rather read,  I need to mop,  or talk on the phone or pick my nose.   Any excuse is an excuse and most of the time I will use one.  Feeling guilty immediately and then for the rest of the day I pretend that running up the stairs is a form of cardio.

It’s a vicious cycle with me.  Right now I am off.   I need to get back track.  I want to, too.   I realized yesterday while Nate and I were at the park that spring/summer IS coming.  And that means swimming with the boy.  I promised myself years ago that the size of my thighs would never affect my parenting.  I would not deny my child(ren) a day of fun because I didn’t want to put on a suit.  Well, this is right around the corner.  So I have to do it now for me and for him. 

What do you do to stay on track?   I need help.

Ask

Last week was fun.  One person was really happy and the other liked my ideas but none of them worked for her space.   Which is really too bad but a realistic issue when you try to help people via email and bolgging without seeing the space in person.  However, I loved it and would love to keep it up.  Maybe once every two weeks I will check in and see if anyone wants to talk decorating.

Is there anything you’d like to ask this week?  It can be anything at all: any room, any issue.  I’d be so happy to help.

Never Done

A home is never really done.  Sometimes I think I have completed a room when I can stand in the middle and everywhere I look makes me smile.  I think okay, lets move on.  But really it takes time to layer in things to make any space feel homey and to tell a story.  To feel like you live there and not like it’s some sort of staged house for sale.  I somehow forget this though it happens a lot.  The truth is, once I add something new and love it I am so satisfied it’s as though I ate a vat of ice cream covered in magic shell with the guarantee of no weight gain, or belly ache.  Anyway, I do this.  I add something and stare at it, love it, and eventually my eye finds a new spot to rest.  Maybe it’s a spot that I once thought was “done” maybe it’s a a new spot that suddenly looks unfinished.  Or in this case, maybe the spot is fine but you happen upon something to make it great.  Herein lies part of my compulsion. 

Yesterday after Story Time Nate and I went to Michael’s.  I had spotted something there on my last visit that I wanted to get photos and measurements on (for another project) and came across little trian like letters.  I played with them for a minute and thought they were really cute but I moved on.   Later that night I was relaxing for a few minutes rocking in Nate’s room listening to Mike bathe him down the hall and out of no where those little letters pooped into my head.  First it was of one idea, then of another.  Then it all came together.  A small floating shelf.  Move the owl prints  side by side with the shelf below.  Possibly with a photo or two depending on space allowance.    A very small addition to a room but it is these tiny things that make a space better, your own.  It took just an hour and a half to paint and stain them.  Then a little longer to patch and paint over the old holes , rehang the owl’s and hang the shelf. 

It surprises me that his room is my favorite in the house.  I don’t know why really, I put the same amount of thought and effort into others.   Maybe it’s because its for him?  That I have chosen things for him, that he will grow with, play with what have you.  I don’t really know but it is what it is.  My favorite.

There is another project I’m cooking up for his room.  Hopefully it will be done soon.   When it’s finished I will show you the whole thing, maybe a video tour.

Coming up…

I have a fun little project that I will be working on tomorrow in Nate’s room.  Details and photos later.

Also, start thinking of any decor related questions- we’ll go for round 2 later this week.

Not that you asked

There is a meme going around in the spirit of Valentines day (month).  It started on Face book and has made its way through the blogsphere.  Figured I’d give you all more information than you ever wanted to know about Mike and I.   

What are your middle names? Mine is Lee.  There is nothing wrong with his, I’m just not telling you because he uses it professionally.

How long have you been together?  10.5 Years- Married 6.5

Who asked whom out?  Neither.  We were set up on a blind date.  

How old are each of you?   We are both 31, I am older by 3 months.  Because of our birth dates I was a year ahead in school.

Who’s siblings do you see the most?  I think his since 2 of my sisters are typically MIA.   This works fine for me, I love my In Laws!  Though we don’t see anyone enough, his family or mine.

Which situation is hardest on you as a couple?  This is a two part situation.  The answer is Mike’s job-  He works so much we don’t spend enough time together.  Also, living away from our families is really difficult.  Raising Nate without his cousins and grandparents stinks.  Not to mention we could really use a “village.”   I think if I had my network closer it wouldn’t be so hard to deal with his working so much because I wouldn’t be so alone.  It’s hard.

Did you go to the same school?  No. 

Are you from the same home town?  No- we grew up on opposite sides of Washington State.  Ultimately we met when he attended undergrad in my hometown.

Who is smarter?   Well he does have 3 degrees so I suppose he is, technically.  He really is brilliant and it blows my mind.   I’m no dummy though.  We balance each other out really well.   He is really book smart, I’ve full of snark and common sense.

Who is the most sensitive?  I am.  Though he’s no robot- he has cried at a few movies in our time.  In delivery rooms, at vet offices. etc. 

Where do you eat out most as a couple?  Probably Joey Changs.  A Chinese fusion place near our house. 

Where is the furthest you’ve traveled together as a couple?  St.  Thomas – USVI- I’d go back tomorrow.

Who has the craziest exes?  Neither of us- we both made pretty clean breaks.

Who has the worst temper?   Him, I think.  I get mad but I don’t fight, I shut down, cry and won’t talk.   I slam doors and storm out.

Who does the cooking?   Yeah, that’s me.   There was a time, long long ago when he would cook to be romantic or if I was sick he’d come off the bench.  Now?  He gets take out. 

Who is the neat freak?  Both of us- he fanned his magazines as a kid!  But, my standards are a little higher.  He wants everything put away- I want everything spotless. 

Who is the most stubborn?   ME!  I’m a spoiled brat- I want my way and I will get it.  You know that scene in Wedding Crashers when Isla Fisher puts her fingers in her ears, holds her breath and stops until he Daddy says yes.  That’s pretty much me if Mike tells me no.

Who hogs the bed?  HIIIIIIIM!!  OMG- the sleep I loose.  The number of times I will get up and move to his side or throw in the towel and sleep in the guest room.  We really need a king.  This is absolutely absurd considering how small we both are.

Who wakes up earlier?  Him, hands down.  I could sleep until 10 any day of the week.  He gets up at 7 on weekends.

Where was your first date?  It was at an Italian restaurant (where we had our rehearsal dinner) and then at a University dance.  It was surprisingly fun.  I did NOT want to go.

Who is more jealous?  Me, I guess.  But not at all related to our relationship.  I get jealous over someones new car or great hair.    Though I am constantly asking “is she cuter/skinnier/flatter than me?”  I’m half joking, but I do want to know.

How long did it take to get serious?   About 2 months.  Though our first month together was over Christmas break which we spent apart.  He went home (to the other side of the state) I went to Florida and to Europe.  So we spent a lot of time apart.  I bet if we’d been in the same place that first month it would have happened even faster.

Who eats more?  I’m not sure.   It looks about the same but I never have 2nd’s so maybe him.  Yeah, him.  I buy a lot more for him to eat than I do myself.

Who does the laundry?  Me.  But, he will throw in a load here or there if he needs something.  Occasionally on a day where I do all of the laundry in one day I can invite him to an “old fashioned laundry folding party”  and he will help fold and put away.   I stopped caring about how he folds years ago, help is help.

Who is better with the computer?  Probably him.  He does things on the computer that amaze me but are about as useful as algebra to a SAHM-  He doesn’t know how to do most of my daily things like download and edit photos, or anything about the technical side of blogging.  We do different things well.

Who drives when you’re together?  Mostly him- but if we go out to dinner I usually drive home.

Stay or Go?

This new design looks like it’s a little hard to read.  Is it?   

No More Nuk

Nate is 16 months now and he still uses his Nuk to soothe himself to sleep.  We don’t take them out of the house, or out of his room for that matter.  There is a  bowl in his top drawer where in the morning and after his naps I open the the drawer and tell him to put it away.  He drops it in the bowl, waves goodbye to it and we leave his room.  End of story.

I am ready to take it away all together because I am worried about his teeth.   You have all see my flip top head of an overbite and this is after 4 years of orthodontia (though I have no idea if I used a pacifier but I know I wasn’t a thumb sucker.)  Nate was born with a bit of an overbite, I don’t want his teeth to buck further than they will naturally.    I have read that toddlers palates are really flexible and that this isn’t really going to do any real harm.  I have seen in real life that it can.  I don’t want to take it away because hello, he is an amazing sleeper.  I don’t really consider him using it an issue since they stay in his bedroom outside of it messing with his mouth.   I want to take them away because he goes to the drawer points and puts his index finger in his mouth and signs please.   I am conflicted.  I want to take it away because it feels like it is time,  I don’t want to because I think I love them as much as Nate does.  It’s like a mute button at nap time!  A kid, with a Mute Button!  Heaven!

Talk to me.  Is 16 months a good time?   At what point did you take it away and how.  Am I over thinking?  Let me have it!

 

Alternately titled:  Piss off, Paci!

Space Planning and Color Choices

I woke up at 4 am and before I even hit the bathroom I was thinking about this post.  How to answer the questions without blowing my entire wad- give just the advice that pertains to the specific question.  I don’t see that happening.   Go grab a snack, this may take a few minutes.

 AJU5′s Mom asked what to do with a 2nd sofa.  She gave some crazy directions that actually worked for my drawing up her actual space.  With N-E-S-W locations for what was in the room.  Ultimately I asked for her to confirm my own drawing and she sent me a work up- which I regret that I am not able to upload it here.  Without it this could be hard to follow.   I think the 2nd sofa should go just in front of your french doors allowing for foot traffic behind it.  The reason I choose this location is that this is her Family Room.  Where they watch TV- I think the couch should look toward the TV rather than in the direction of the fireplace.   I would place the two chairs opposite, looking toward the fireplace.  Here comes the extra.  She mentioned that this will also be her 1 year olds primary play space and that they may do a bookcase or two near the TV to house her things.   That is fine, it will work.  But, I have two other ideas.   They have a built in (or are building in) a nook with a bench.  I think it would be great to put hidden storage both below the bench, and above near the ceiling.    Make the bottom easily accessible for little hands with sliding doors or just large baskets that can slide underneath.   The top can be used for anything, books that she isn’t ready for yet, board games, or little trinkets you want to display.  If you are building this from scratch, you could cover it with doors, too.  Another idea is the back SE corner of the room.  This area seems like it will go unused and be more of a walkway.  I think this would be a great little area to set up a low lying bookcases one on each wall creating a L shape for her.  Create a little area where she can read and play- an area away from the AV equipment where her chubby  little fingers will be opening andclosing the DVD player.  It will be behind the living area and out of sight when its just Mom and Dad or guests.   Which is really nice, you don’t always want to see all of their toys.  With that and if you use the space provided by the built ins this room can look neat and mostly adult when you want to relax.  Lastly and also unsolicited, I would choose a fabric that you love for that bench and make a throw pillow (or many) for your couches.   A really easy and fun way to help each side of the room relate to each other.

 

BessieViola asked about how to add accent colors, and about window treatments.   So far she is working with a very neutral palate.   A warm beige color on her walls and  sage green sofas.  Bessie is a brand new reader and I don’t know a thing about her taste so this one is going to cover a lot.  She is either afraid of color or just not sure where to start.  Hopefully this will help.  Bess, If you want me to tell you what to do, I can, but I will have to see photos of your space first.

So, what do you do when your living in a neutral space.  

1. Color Story.   Take a walk around the surrounding rooms.  Kitchen, dining, the main areas of your house.   Do they speak to each other?  Is there a color that repeats in every room, or do you live in a box of crayons with each room a different color?  (not that there’s anything wrong with that)  If you see that yellow, or brown or insert color here is showing up in every area that’s a great place to start.  Keeping a few colors throughout maintains a cohesive feel.  Like you thought about flow, flow is good. 

2. Do you have a favorite?   Seriously, its that easy.  Do you have a favorite color?  Use it!  Pale green and beige are pretty safe, you can put most colors with green.  Lets say for argument sake that your favorite color is green, that’s why you choose your couch.  I say- awesome!  You’re already on your way.   And you say- “But I still don’t know where to start.”   You have a few options.  Go bold, go earthy, go beachy/victorian/modern.   Think about that for a bit.   Stop thinking about just color and think about style and feel.   If you choose earthy, get more green, emerald, moss, and throw in some browns and cream.    You want beach like- go with pale blues, whites and khaki and add texture with a throw, get a wooden bowl for the table, buy a bag of starfish and put them in a clear vase.  (Less is more with Themes- BE CAREFUL!)  So my point is if you can nail down a style it may help ideas start to flow.

3. Inspiration:  Is there something in your room that you are in love with?   A pillow, a picture frame, a candle, the color of your dogs chew toy.  It can be anything!  If something moves you, go with it.  Often times one tiny item can shape a whole room.  If you don’t have this item, yet.   Start looking.   Inspiration is free, don’t be intimidated by high end stores. Try your local junk shops too.  These can be just as fun.  Get in there and check things out.  

Her other question was about window coverings and she mentioned that her room has 5 windows.  Without knowing what these look like Im gonig to take another stab here.

I think curtains are really important in any room.  Next to paint they are the easiest thing to add to a room for instant change.   There are a lot of options out there.    Good and bad.  I lean heavily toward regular curtains, not blinds, nothing puffy or fussy.  I think that no matter your taste this is the best way to go.  Please, for the love of cheese do not put up a valance.  It is 2009.  I know these were in, I had mini blinds and valances in my room in HS and on purpourse but the 90′s are over, and no, they are not calling for your scrunchies OR your vanlances’! 

Think about why you want to cover your windows. Is it because your room is cold, because they look naked, or for function.  Maybe all 3.    This can help you decide what type will work for you.  Cold?  Long insulated panels.  Naked, then your looking for something purely decorative- you’ve opened a can of worms,  function,  you need something that slides open and closed easily, maybe up off the floor if pet hair is a concern-maybe a simple roman shade is your answer.  There is a ton to think about if you are having a hard time with just going shopping and grabbing what you want.  

The moral of the story with both color and the curtains, is get out there.  Start looking at what is available.  Don’t be afraid to pick up 6 throw pillows and 8 window panels and bring them home to see how the look in your space.  Take them back if they don’t work and do it again.  Eventually you will get it right.  If you love it, it works.  It doesn’t matter what your Mom or sister or neighbors Uncle think, it’s your home and if it makes you smile then it’s perfect!  And when you figure it out that’s when your house really starts to feel like home.

Anybody else have a question?  Should I do this every once in a while or let it die?

For Hire

I was out with Carrie yesterday having lunch, shopping a bit, and we ended up back at her place to try and configure her living room.  She recently added two chairs and a coffee table and wasn’t sure what to do with her space.   Most of our day was about design and decorating and she gave me an idea.  She told me I should have another blog, one about decorating.  One where you can ask questions!   You write me about some dilemma or where you got stuck on a room or anything really, and I try and solve it for you.  I liked this idea.  But, I don’t know if I should commit to a second blog  so how about we do it here today?

Let me be your designer!  Ask any question you have and we’ll see if I can put my money where my mouth is.  This is a big leap for me.  My own sister doesn’t “get” most of my ideas or like them even.  My own mother told me “Oh,  I love it, it’s perfect!”   Only to put the room back and repaint after I had returned to the other side of the country.  So I’m not making any promises that what I come up with will be what you have always dreamed of.  But, it can be fun to try.  Right?

After

 I wish that I’d have taken “before” pictures.  Some can be seen in the first post of CUYMH.  Here is what I’ve accomplished with the Kitchen+Dining Room challenge.

The dining room after removing the leaf in the table.  I am so glad I did this.  The room looks less awkward and like the table was purchased for a different home. (it was) – cost $0

We picked this little deal up at Ikea a few weekends ago.  If yours is a home that does doggy duty a few times per day this is a must have!  For 8 years we have been keeping our plastic bags in a milk carton in the kitchen.  The leash has always been where ever we left it.  Now they are both in one place, the coat closet since you need a coat or shoes or both.  One stop.  Why didn’t I think of this before?  Cost $1.99 (!)

Junk drawer- oh man.  I threw away so much you wouldn’t believe it.  There was no excuse really. I told Mike the no junk drawer rule and he said forget it.  I agree, I think you need a place for the random crap.  As long as I stay on top of it.  Cost $0

The spices.  I go nuts every time I cook, searching for what I need and it is never in front.  Turned out I had lots of duplicates (no wonder when you cant see anything)  I kept what seemed to be the newest, moved some of the funky ones to another cabinet and put a ramekin of coarse salt in there.  I am constantly getting the box out of the pantry and thought this would be easier since I usually want just a pinch.  Cost $ 7.89- Target

And finally, the area over the stove.  Stretching on my tip toes I’m 5 foot 3 so I usually need a chair if what I need isn’t right on the edge here.   I have lots of cooking oils and different vinegars.  I got two lazy Susan’s and now I can reach it all with one easy spin.  Cost $5.79 each- Target

Today I took the challenge a step further by doing some deep cleaning.  Magic eraser’ingthe floor grout, washing the floors, walls and baseboards.   I am so happy that I decided to do this.  The results while small are amazing.  Anything that helps you edit and make your life easier is so worth my time.  This month provided lots of improvement for under $20!  Not bad.