Cheap High

House updates seem to have gone a bit slow this winter.  I suppose its the holidays and the obligations that go along with it.  Winter weather by nature is a bit dreary and that always seems to suck the energy out of my.  We had a few nice days this last week, and coupled with two days off in a row in the middle of the week, I found myself ready to tackle a few projects.

For me, painting a room instantly personalizes a space and elevates my mood.  It might just be the paint fumes (even thought I prefer to buy low-voc) but I feel instantly happy afterwards.  I chose to paint Handsome's room and the dining room.  We did both in two days.  I am thrilled with the results.  Baby boy's room received a coat of navy blue paint.  It looks great with his white bed, but I probably won't show you the results until I get a few more details worked out.  The dining room was painted the same gray as our master bedroom (Benjamin Moore Gray Wolf).  I knew I wanted gray in there and thought I might pick out a different one, but why change what you know you like?  So I bought another gallon.  I've been bitten by the bug and want to paint everything in sight, I'm sure that will change once I work another twelve hour day or two, then I'll be tired again and return to longing on the couch and stalking Instagram.  At least that's what my hubby is hoping for.  He hates painting.

What about you?  Anyone else have a a rush of energy when the weather perks up?  Or do you hate painting as much as my hubby?

Yes, m'Lady

I confess, I finally got hooked on a TV show.  Hubby and I started watching Downton Abbey.  I admit, I'm a bit embarrassed.  Its not too often that I'm enamored with a show and day-dream about the characters.  Would you believe this one wasn't even my idea?  My sweet husband suggested we watch it together, as a "date activity" after the kiddos go to bed.  We both heard it was a decent show and thought we'd watch the first episode on Netflix.  The rest is history.  We breezed through the first season and waited in agony before finally purchasing the second season on iTunes.

I'm a sucker for beautiful clothes and scenery.  While the show is definitely a soap opera, if feels a bit classier when set in the 1910s and spoken with an English accent.  I can't say the last time I've been drawn into a show like this (House? WestWing?), and I understand more why some people spend the evenings in front of the tube.  There is something relaxing about escaping into an alternate reality for 45 minutes.  While I'm not sure how long this will last, we are enjoying it while we can.  I treasure the time I can curl up on the couch in front of the fire with my honey, sipping a drink, and yelling at the kiddos to go back to bed.  I'm rooting for Anna and Mr Bates.  I know they will make it, I just know it.

Anyone else a sucker for English accents?  What are your guilty pleasures on the tube?

still trying

Another month, another lack of posts.  Will this ever change?  I hope so, because I'm not ready to give up.  Anyway, here is a taste of what I've been up to and what I hope to share.

• Handsome learned to climb into his crib, while his sister climbs in and out to play with him during nap time.  Time for a new bed for Handsome.
• New bed calls for new bedding, new paint, big boy decor, you get the idea.
• Why paint one room when painting two rooms gets you twice as high? (high on change and improvement, not fumes)
• Haircut!
• TV Drama:  I'm addicted
• Blue is my favorite color, honestly.

I can't wait to share what we've been up to.  I hope you'll keep reading!

Picture Perfect

Last fall, I accomplished a goal of mine.  I had family pictures taken.  By a professional.  And it was just at terrifying as I thought it would be.

I've wanted to have pictures done since Princess was a baby.  And even more so once Handsome was born.  A few years ago, I had a friend of ours take pictures of us, but sadly, we live a few states away from each other now.  Finally, this November I took the plunge and scheduled a session.

Why am I so afraid to have our pictures made?  Well, for one, you have to to pay someone.  And there is no guarantee the kiddos will cooperate.  In fact, both kiddos will probably run in opposite directions and I will be forced to keep me cool in front of a stranger when I really want to yell and scream.  Not that I ever do that.  Then, after paying a nice photographer to take pictures of screaming children and feeling thoroughly embarrassed that I am responsible for raising them;  I'll have to have pictures printed for family, etc.  The photos will remind me forever how rotten my kiddos are and how I am failure at parenting.  Oh you think this sounds a bit extreme?

While this story has a bit more truth to it than I might care to admit, the photographer I chose is really talented and did capture a few precious images of my angels.  Even if they did run in opposite directions.

We had a lot of this going on.

And this:

But I did get a few precious ones:

(this was after a meltdown)

But I did get the coveted family photo:

 Isn't this typical?  A great picture of our backsides as we chase the kiddos....

Nevertheless, just before the sun dipped too low, we had success:

I'm not showing you the outtakes, there is too many and I don't have the patience to upload them.  I did find the whole ordeal a bit exhausting.  I had high hopes and the whole event didn't go quite as I planned.  Despite the lack of cooperation by my offspring, I am pleased with the results and I am eager to try again.  I'm not sure what really took so long for me to do this.  Perhaps simply the fear of the unknown?

All photos take by Middle Child Photography at Myrtle Beach State Park.