A Hint of Self-Control?!

So last I posted I updated on my resolutions.  I said the "no sugar for one day a week" was really, really, REALLY hard.  And it was.  I do not lie.  Apparently sugar is like crack to me.  I crave it to the point that that is all I can think about.  It is a wonder I am not 3000 pounds.

Anyway, I made this resolution because I really wanted to get a handle on this addiction and learn some self-control.  I never want to be one of those people that says, "Oh no, I can't eat that because I am on a diet."  But I do want to be a person that can have some self-control and recognize when they don't NEED something.  Or maybe just be able to stop at ONE cookie.  Instead of 9.

I just wanted to give a little status update on that because I think today I had a big moment!!  Maybe.  Although, it all crash and burn tomorrow.  I was looking for a pre-workout/after-school snack.  I so badly wanted a cookie.  They were sitting on the counter, just looking at me, saying "EAT ME!  EAT ME!  YOU NEED ME!"  But I knew I would want a cookie (or two) AFTER dinner too.  So I made a good choice and decided to eat an apple INSTEAD of a cookie.

Just so you know, I totally ate the cookie later.  I actually ate 2.  Whatever.  I had self-control for a little bit.  

Resolution & Renovation Updates

Hello all!  I am writing to update about my resolutions and "debut" my kitchen pictures!  My kitchen is DONE!!

We'll start with the boring stuff first.  Feel free to scroll down if you only want to look at pictures.  Just keep in mind that I am cursing you in my head because looking at pictures and not the words IS CHEATING.  At least that's what I tell my students.  You are just cheating yourself out of becoming a better reader.  I assume y'all can read though!  So skip if you must.

Here's the resolution reminders...
1.  Run a half-marathon.---We've had some bizarre weather in Ohio.  I continue to run inside 3-7 miles at the Y depending on the day.  I was able to run 10.77 miles on a beautiful day on Saturday!  So I'm working it.  Not tellin' my time though...  
3.  Go one day a week with NO SWEETS.  I AM STRUGGLING HERE.  Today is my no sweets day and seriously all I want in the entire world is a cookie.  This will be week 3 and day 3 of it and I know it will benefit me later!  BUT STILL I WANT A DANG-GONE COOKIE.  
4.  Work on my abs and legs.  I have been doing the machines at the Y and my favorite pilates instructor added some inner thigh stuff at my request.  Also, each morning since January 1 I have spent about 5 minutes stretching, doing sit-ups, push-ups, and plank.  I look pretty cool doing it in m penguin PJs.  Be jealous.  
5.  Lose 5 pounds.  (Khloe)  We are walking more and I am trying to feed her less.  
6.  Pay off my Sears credit card.  I made a $50 payment this month and plan to make another next pay too.  I don't know I am going to make the May goal though.  :/

.....DRUM ROLL....KITCHEN UPDATE!!

Just a reminder as to what the kitchen looked like before.  Patriotic theme.  Red.  White.  Blue.  Go America.  Old Glory.  ICK.  

Before.

Progress.  My dad took all the cabinet doors off and labeled each one so he knew what was what.  

Taking Old Glory down.  But look, another border!  

You can see the soffet is painted and part of the cabinet base is painted.  

Notice, the cabinets are just builder's grade cabinets.  Totally flat on the front.  On Pintrest, I saw all these great ideas about adding molding to the front of the cabinet.  So after a lot of convincing, my dad agreed to do the labor!  Here were his steps.  

1.  Take cabinet off wall.
2.  Degloss cabinet with deglosser.  This eliminates the sanding step and helps the paint to really "stick."  
3.  Add molding with Elmer's wood glue.  Secure with clamps.  Let sit for at least 24 hours.  Fill in any gaps between wood with wood caulk.  
4.  Paint one side.  Dry Completely.  Do a second coat.  Then paint the other side with the same process.  We used Sherwin Williams ProClassic because all the blogs recommended that.  It supposedly can deal with the wear 'n tear cabinets naturally get.  
5.  Add door handles and pulls.  I purchased these from the Home Depot in the bargain bin.  The handles were $1.50 and the pulls were $1.99 each.  I think they were Martha Stewart brand.  

Dad's supplies.  

My dad added the molding.  They were $1.99 for 4 ft. of poplar board.

My dad likes to make sure things are secure!  He let them sit like this for 24 hours.  

FINISHED PRODUCT.....

Cabinets!
My mom made the Roman Shades with fabric from JoAnn's.  

Close up of the cabinets.  What do you think?
You can see the added flat molding on the door and the new pulls.
My dad added the mini-crown molding on the bottom too.  

Roman Shade by Mama!  What do you think of that light?
It came with the house.  It's not awful, but something might be better....

Close-up.  

I love the handles and pulls!

Other side of the kitchen!  You can see the aluminum sheet my dad added
to the left above the oven to prevent splashing.  

My favorite corner to stand and spill stuff at.  

The white tile was with the house.  You can barely see where we painted over the Old Glory
border.  One day I might add 2 rows of subway tile to really cover it up.  My dad hates tile work though,
so I'll need a new contractor!  :)  

My pull-out trash can.  Bargain find from dad.
Don't you love how I took out the trash for you?

Pull out kitchen-cleaning supplies under sink.
Dad installed!

My dad found this wooden drawer that didn't quite fit for $5.
He added  2X4s on the side to make it fit.  

Another drawer by dad!

So from this.....

To this....
I lived with the open-concept kitchen for a lot of weeks.
It was great.  I always knew I didn't have any food.  :)

FINAL PRODUCT!!
The walls/soffet are Sherwin Williams Gateway Gray.
The cabinets are SW Dovetail in ProClassic.  

What do you think?  I am totally in love with it.  Like I said I would love to add some accent tiling eventually and maybe a new light.  But that can wait for now.  I got really lucky with the counter tops matching being really neutral and matching perfectly.  I don't totally love the floor.  It seems cheap to me.  But for now, it works.  

Now, we are working on painting the trim and doors in the hallway.  And finishing up the living room totally.  It's 95% done.  My reupholster-er (i.e., Mom) is still working on a chair.  

I'll keep you updated, but I'd love to know what you think of my kitchen!

Purple Progress

Hey there.  I was sick today and couldn't go into work so I pretty much feel like a unproductive shlup.  (I guess shlup isn't a really word, who knew?  Oh well, I am keeping it.  It's my blog.)  I hate being sick and hate missing school.  I just knew I couldn't give my kids my best if my head and body were aching.  Still though, I worried all day and imagined what they were doing every hour.  And worse, I couldn't go running which means 0 miles in 2013 since this head cold started on New Years Eve.  I think I am getting to be a little obsessive about this running thing.

I thought my productive thing for today could be an update on that dreaded purple wall.  I had already taken pictures so I can type from my horizontal position on the couch.  Here we go!

Remember that horrible purple accent wall mistake?  Remember how I cried and sobbed over $30 of wasted paint?  Remember how my sweet dad tried to comfort me but to no avail?

Dad starting to paint the wall.  

He stopped at this point because I was SOBBING.

I don't think these pictures even do the purple justice.  Seriously it was like MAGENTA.  We have all heard of hot pink right?  This was like hot magenta!  But it really just looked like a hot mess.

So it was back to the drawing board.  I considered just painting everything grey to match the rest of the walls in the living room.  But that made me sad.  I love grey but I really wanted an accent wall/hallway that was bright and different.  Grey is not different.  Grey was the color of the rest of the room!  

I looked into like 400 different paint samples and a very nice lady at the local Ace Hardware tried to help me.  Eventually I settled on another purple that was actually the purple I originally wanted to go with.  I thought it would be too dark originally.  So I took the risk.  It's Expressive Plum from Sherwin Williams but its Behr Eggshell finish from Home Depot.  (You should know that when I got to the store, I STILL looked at colors for like 35 minutes just to make sure I was totally sure.  THEN I talked to the paint ladies for another 25 minutes about what I wanted to do.  THEN my dad talked to the paint ladies for another 5.  THEN they started to mix the paint.)  

Home Depot can match any color.  It's also a little cheaper than Sherwin Williams.  (Not that I don't love Sherwin Williams, but I had a gift card to Home Depot from my cousin Nina---thanks Nina! so that's what I used it for!)  So I brought in the Expressive Plum sample from Sherwin (my dad keeps calling them Shermin, so funny!).  

Here is Home Depot's first attempt.

The first time the Home Depot lady tried it, she and I were in agreement that it wasn't quite right.  At first she had just used the computer to match it.  On the second try, she scanned my color card from Shermin :) in her color match system.  This worked better.  

Second attempt.  You can see the difference already.
Less of that BRIGHT red.  

I wasn't totally sure it was right.  But then the paint lady stuck her finger in the paint and painted it on my paint sample.  She then dried it with a hair dryer and it looked exactly like it was supposed.  (Paint ladies are SUCH risk takers.  I never would have stuck my finger in a gallon of paint!)

So then my dad painted the purple on the wall.  (He doesn't let me paint....)  At first I wasn't too sure about it.  (I know again....)  But I googled purple paint and it said it deepens over a whole week.  It's been like a month now and I LOVE it.  It did deepen slightly.  Or maybe I just got used to it.  Whatever.  

Purple wall!!  And some artwork by me.  

Looking down the hall.  At first I was worried that the purple would be too dark.
But I took this picture at night, and I don't think it's too dark!  

Here's a sneak peek to what we are working on now.  My dad is still working on painting the rest of the living room grey.  Since he's been sick it's kind of on hold, which is okay since I just want him better.  He is also working on painting the trim and the doors white.  They are all a medium wood tone right now and very '60s-ish.  

I'll give you a glance at the before so you can remember what the living room looked like......

Before.  It was a tan color.

In progress.....but looking good!  (Note, this is not the same wall but it is the same room.)

The white trim makes a huge difference.  I can't wait until the rest of the house has it too!  But I think I'll be waiting a while!  

One more picture....because I am just a little obsessed.  

The red buffet stand was an auction find ($45), as are most of the accessories.
The stained glass window was from my parents' basement.  They bought it years ago and never used it.

The kitchen is almost finished too!  But I'll make you wait on those pics!  

Goodnight!  It's 8:46 and I am off to bed!

2013 Resolutions

I know some people think that having resolutions is dumb and that "no one ever keeps them."  But I don't think it's dumb.  I think it's very important to set goals for oneself and to reassess them and see how that goal is going.  I consider resolutions to be goals and I like setting goals.

Last year my resolution was to not eat from the school cafeteria.  I accomplished that!  No more unhealthy foods!  It saves me calories and money!

So here are my 2013 resolutions/goals for myself.

2013 Goals & Resolutions
1.  Run a half-marathon.
I am already working on training for this goal.  I don't have a "dream time" either.  I just want to finish.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll run more than 13.1?
2.  Be more positive about my life.  
I know sometimes I can be negative and grouchy.  And I know that that really comes across in my blog at times.  BUT I am making a conscious effort to be more positive.  Positive thoughts.  Positive life.  Each day is precious and a gift and I need to take advantage of that day!  I'm trying!
3.  Go one day a week with NO SWEETS.  
I have the biggest sweet tooth ever.  It's horrible.  It's to the point where I feel like each meal needs to end with something sweet.  I need to get a handle on this.  So this is my attempt....
4.  Work on my abs and legs.  
Last year I worked really hard on my arms and there is still some work to do.  But this year is the year for abs and legs.
5.  Lose 5 pounds.
The vet said that Khloe is just a little overweight and that she needs to lose about 5 pounds.  She will be eating less food, less treats, and more walks.  Maybe I'll lose 5 pounds too!
6.  Pay off my Sears credit card.  
I really try to live debt free but I had to buy a washer and dryer and the only way to do that was to use my Sears credit card.  My goal is to pay it off by May.
7.  Continue to live in and enjoy my home.
There are many projects to do on my house but I want it to be fun and cost-effective!
8.  Try new things.
This is ALWAYS my goal.  Every year, but I like to put it in writing.  I want to try new foods, meet new people, travel to new places, and just have amazing new experiences.

Here's to 2013!  It has to be a wonderful year!

2012: A year in review

At this time every year on every news and radio station they are counting the top 10 biggest new stories, best songs, photographs, celebrity stories/drama, hook-ups/break-ups, births and deaths that have happened over the past year.  Certainly, our world has seen some wonderful moments over 2012 as well as horrific.  Though those news stories will be in our heads and we will recall them those are not the things that really "make" the year.

Perhaps we (or maybe it's just me) are egocentric, but when you think of 2012 you will most likely (again, maybe it's just me) think of things that happened to you.  On my friends' Facebook pages I have seen babies born, marriages began, loved ones' passing, new jobs, college graduations, engagements, new houses, cross country moves, and personal goals achieved.  Those are the things we remember as we look back at the years.  Not the music or celebrity breakups.  Not the elections.  Not the sports.  Not even the news events.  It comes down to what happened to you.  When someone asks you what happened in 2012, you won't give them a news report.  You will give them a personal report.  And that's not a bad thing. Years are how we mark our time here on this planet.  The people, jobs, memories, and experiences that we encounter throughout the year give that time on this planet a reason and purpose.

So in 2012 here is my top 10 list of changes, lessons learned, accomplishments, goals achieved, and memories.

1.  Running.  In December of 2011, I could barely run a mile on the treadmill at the Y.  Today I ran 9.68 miles in the cold and ice and loved every second of it.  My longest mileage so far is 9.99 (which I obviously round up to 10).  I ran in 9 5K's] and even won a few medals!  Running has given me a peace I didn't know possible.  I love setting a goal and accomplishing it.  Lessons learned:  PEACE, ENDURANCE, and PERSEVERANCE

Running in a very cold Candy Cane 5K.  Not my best time, but it was COLD.

2.  Trips.  One of my lifelong goals is to be that old lady who has been everywhere, seen everything, and just had really cool experiences.  This summer I was able to go to a few cool places, but my favorite was my vacation to Oregon and Washington state.  If you ever get a chance to go, DO IT.  It's beautiful, amazing, and BEAUTIFUL.  I loved the peace of the west coast and the friendliness of the people we met.  I also got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  Lessons learned:  INDEPENDENCE and APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY

Me at Multnomah Falls in Oregon

Me at Haystack Rock/the Pacific Ocean in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Me at Cape Disappointment in Washington state

Cape Disappointment

3.  Changing sizes.  I don't want to toot my own horn, but I would like you to compare these 2 pictures of me and see the difference.  I look thinner and feel better about myself.  I accomplished this through eating right (more veggies and portion control), drinking tons of water, and exercising daily.  Hard work pays off.  I'll say it again and again.  Lessons learned:  PATIENCE, HARD WORK, and SELF-CONTROL

Me with my brothers in May 2011.  

Me with my amazing friend Sarah in July 2012.

4.  Address change.  Thanks to some research from my aunt, a good family friend's knowledge, and God's goodness I was able to buy my first home.  While I never thought I would be the 25 single girl owning a home, I do.  And so far it's been great.  Lessons Learned:  GOD'S BLESSINGS and TIMING IS EVERYTHING

My house.  Come and visit anytime.  

5.  Amazing family.  I am beyond lucky to have an incredible family.  My brothers are funny and honest.  My mom is caring and loving.  My dad is hard-working and wise.  I also have amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  They show me they love me so often whether it be a phone call, a gift, a hug, through wise words, or just a smile.  They go to their local Targets to buy me running pants.  They make place mats for my new house.  They come to my house for a weekend to do gopher work.  God gave me an amazing family.  Lessons Learned:  LOVE and GOD'S BLESSINGS

Christmas Eve with the fam.  

Me, Mom, Aunt Cindy

Me and my cousin Haley at a winery in Oregon

Uncle Bill working hard on my house.  

6.  Miles don't matter.  I must admit I am not a good friend.  I forget to call.  I am terrible at remembering birthdays.  I don't realize people are having a bad day.  I forget to be kind.  Despite that, I have wonderful and amazing friends.  I have friends who call when my world falls apart, text me to encourage me, try things they don't want to because I want to, insist on hanging out, and just be amazing friends.  It doesn't matter if they live across the country, they are friends despite the miles that separate us.  I have also learned that friendship can come in the most unlikeliest of places: a pilates class, the weight room at the Y, or a neighboring classroom.  Lessons Learned:  FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS, LOVE, and SOME OF THE BEST THINGS COME WHEN YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM

Running & teaching friend:  Chris

I have awesome co-workers who are also my friends!

Bachelorette party fun with Alexx 

The Color Run with Mandy

7.  Heartbreak.  As much as I don't want it to define my year, it does.  Going into 2012 I had expectations that were not only not met but were destroyed.  It hasn't been easy.  It hasn't been fun.  But when I look at my left hand now, it's a different hand than before.  In some ways it's better.  In some ways, it's not.  But through this heartbreak, I have had many blessings (#1-6 on the list).  I wish I could say I am done struggling with this and that I'm over it.  I wish every day for that.  One day it will happen.  Lessons learned:  FAITH, GUT-FEELINGS, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SMILING WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO, LIVING, RISING ABOVE, BEING BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT, NEW EXPECTATIONS, BEING POSITIVE, LIVING LIFE, BLESSINGS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, PEACE, ACCEPTANCE  (Okay I might still be working on the acceptance portion....)

8.  Saying yes.  After #7 happened, I decided I needed an attitude adjustment.  One of those things was that I had to stop saying "no" and starting saying "yes."  I truly believe that #1-6 happened because I have a say "yes" philosophy.  My life might not be how I imagined it.  My life might not even be exactly how I want it.  But that isn't going to stop my from living my life.  Lesson learned:  LIVE YOUR LIFE

9.  Dogs are people.  I just want to confess and put in writing that I am obsessed with my dog.  She makes me laugh, smile, and appreciate the world a little more.  Lessons learned:  BLESSINGS, APPRECIATION, and LAUGHTER

Khloe.  

10.  Gas ovens cook so fast.  Let's end on a less-serious note.  I consider myself to be an experienced baker, but my new gas oven has me totally mind boggled.  There has got to be some Harry P. magic in that thing.  I can cook so fast with this gas oven.  I love it.  Not that I cook/bake often.  Like once a week and then I eat that same meal for the next 5 days.  I have burnt a few things.  But just because something is new and scary and different doesn't mean it can't be amazing and you end up loving it.  Lessons learned:  GAS CAN BE GOOD and TRYING NEW THINGS IS GOOD


There you have it on my 2012 year in review.  I am so ready for 2013.  A new year with new goals, experiences, and memories to create.  I have a few resolutions that I will share soon!

The post-Christmas Christmas post

So I have been meaning to post for a long time because I have all these amazing Christmas crafts and recipes that I wanted to share.  But time got away from me.  I guess that's the holiday season.

Also, my dad has been sick with heart problems and a broken foot.  It's been so scary to see my dad in and out of hospital beds.  My dad has always been a big guy and has not lived a healthy lifestyle so a lot of this has been a long time coming.  Still though, that doesn't make it any easier to see someone that you love so much in a hospital bed or not feeling good.  I love my dad and cannot imagine my life without him.  It's been scary but he has been making some good food decisions and is excited to start exercising once his foot heals.

ANYWAY.  Here are some fun pictures of things I did for Christmas!

In my classroom, my students made these cute little reindeer fingerprint ornaments.  I have a million of these ornament bulbs so I thought I would use them up!  We used acrylic paint for the head, eyes, and nose.  (First graders love Rudolph so all of them were red-nosed reindeer.)  Do it in steps so that the paint completely drys.  I (and another teacher) did the reindeer antlers on all of the kids' ornaments in black Sharpie.  I am sure kids could do it themselves, we just didn't have the time.

Here's one of the students who decided a whole herd was needed.  It turned out cute!

So cute!

I can't claim this idea by myself.  I got it from here, and she totally takes a picture of each step so enjoy that from her.  Not me. 
http://www.littlebitfunky.com/2011/11/20-minute-crafter-reindeer-thumbprint.html

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is BAKE!  I think I made like 10 different types of cookies this year, 2 kinds of popcorn, 3 different types of bark, and a peppermint cheesecake!  I said I like baking right?!

Here are a few pictures of my favorites.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Here's a plate of my "variety pack."

Grinch cookies, Gingerbread, Swirl cookies,

Peppermint Swirl Cookies, Aunt Cindy's white velvet cookies

I'll include a few recipes and links, but I just can't share ALL of them or else no one would eat my stuff when they can make it themselves!

Peppermint Swirl cookies:  http://www.overthebigmoon.com/peppermint-kiss-sugar-cookies-and-santa-hat-cake-pops-guest-post-by-kinnas-kreations/
Grinch cookies:  http://pinlavie.com/grinch-cookies-mint-chocolate-chip/

Hot Chocolate cookies (recipe from Real Simple magazine)
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. sea salt (or kosher)
1/2 tsp. baking power
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. unsalted butter
24 oz. (2 bags) of semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 mini marshmallows

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  (Definitely do this because the marshmallows get sticky.)
2.  In large bowl whisk flour, salt, baking power & soda together.  Set aside.
3.  Combine butter and 12 oz (2 cups) of chocolate chips in separate bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until all melted.  Stir each time.  Cool slightly.  Then, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to mixture.
4.  Add the flour mixture a little at a time.  Mix in remaining chocolate chips and marshmallows.  Don't overmix!
5.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  Electric oven is like 12 minutes.  Gas oven is like 10.  Rotate sheets halfway in between.

All that cookie talk has made me hungry....I better find something to snack on!  I'm feeling pretty nostalgic about 2012 coming to an end so I am sure tomorrow I will post again.