This Old House

no, this one is not mine.....

I'm obsessed with searching exterior home renovations...... We have a ranch style home ( you know.. the kind that has a one plane roof line and no architectural detail) and I have wanted to do something about it ever since we moved in about 5 yrs ago. We even got a quote on landscaping but we haven't done that because if we ever do anything, I didn't want that money spent on the yard to go to waste and be destroyed by any redos.

I think I spent an hour online searching before and after pics yesterday. Here are two pictures of things that I like... Picture number one has the porch floor I love and the posts are nice too. Of course a rustic brick floored porch would be great too.

picture number two here shows the gable over the front door that I'm drawn to. Only thing is our front door is not centered on our house. Not that it really matters right? I have no clue about home renovations except for what I see on HGTV and DIY.

The whole concept of remodeling/adding on scares me for a lot of reasons. Getting the right contractor, the cost and I have to be happy with the finished product. But I don't want it to be 5 more years until we do anything.



Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated. We are looking at painting our brick as well. If you were going to put the shutters shown at the top of the page on your home, what color brick and trim do would you go with? I think I know I want a cream trim. Dark painted brick or light painted brick?
And while you are thinking about what I should do, check out this beautiful transformation!

As for me, I like to share

If you visit my blog, and your speakers are on then you have heard some of my favorite tunes. The other night I was blog stalking as we call it here in blog-world and found a post on blog etiquette. It said that music on one's blog is disruptive to the reader as they may have a sleeping baby at their side and not expect the music.

Well.

Personally, if I had a sleeping baby at my side asleep while I was surfing the net, I would make sure the volume was low or off. But that's just me.

This blog started off as something to not only keep up with family and friends, but an alternative way for me to document happenings with my children and my life. One day I hope to turn my blog into a book. Most of all, this blog is a place I can hopefully encourage others. No matter the topic. As I never intend to offend, I'm not worried about offending. Does that even make sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is my personal spot in cyberspace and while not always, it will get personal. I think you can tell from being here , I love the Lord. I am not perfect. I am a sinner that needs forgiving on a daily basis. Yes, daily. As much as I would love to say that being a Christian means life is flawless, it's not. I was one that used to think that way until I started growing. Even though I'm 33, I have a long way to go in my walk. I don't think we ever "arrive." God always has something to teach us. We just have to be willing to learn.

I'm still learning how to be a Christian with all of my tendencies to control the situation and worry about everyone else thinks. It's soooo much easier to try and take care of everything myself or at least I think it is. This is when I will hit a wall so to speak and keep hitting that wall until I say.. ok Lord, it's yours. Oh my how hard this is for me. I am definitely one of strong opinions (if you can't tell already) so when I believe in something, it's very hard for me to not speak up about it (or defend) and I'm even guilty of closing my heart to others that have a totally different opinion than me. Esp. when I get frustrated with a situation. Ouch. This is not how my heavenly Father wants me to behave on His behalf. We always need to love each other and while I'm asking God for help in this area, I will stand firm in how I think he wants me personally to live.

I hope you will listen to what I love to listen to and really hear the words of the songs. I'm in awe of what the Lord has done for me and my most favorite way to worship Him is through song. Oh and I also love rap music. I always have and always will. Just now, I choose the clean versions (ha). So don't be surprised if I get in an old school mood and you come by to visit me and hear some Outkast, Tone Loc or Salt N Pepa.....make sure the volume is down..... I wouldn't want to wake the baby!!

Lazy Week

It has been somewhat a lazy week here. I took KE to get her school uniforms and took the boys to the doctor yesterday. Fever, runny nose, cough. One has a red throat and other has a red ear so they were both put on meds.

Our debt diet is going fairly well. We have cheated a couple of times. It takes so much discipline to stick to a strict spending schedule. Have any of you paid off debt? How long did it take? What were some of the things you gave up?

Tomorrow we will welcome a new church nursery worker! She is eager to meet the kids and I think everyone will love her.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Summer is flying by

Today I realized that KE has about 5 weeks until she starts school! That is nuts. We have been sleeping until 9 most mornings and doing whatever everyday. It is so nice. I think we will have to start training ourselves to get up a week before we actually have to. There's nothing worse than being rushed in the mornings ( well, there is but....)

Today KE had a long awaited playdate. Afterwards when the boys were napping, a sitter came and I took KE to the pool for a couple of hours. I try to take her by herself often. She enjoys it and so do I :)

Back to Skin Care

Okay, so I appreciate all of your skin answers and it has lead me to lots of research. I went to Wal-mart this morning and decided to take a look at what they had OTC before I even think of spending big bucks at the Dermo. I was bombarded with tons of products that claim what I would call a miracle. My condition is a mild one but I'm not getting any younger!

My condition you ask? MELASMA. This is often called the mask of pregnancy and I was blessed with it when I was prego with my first boy ( didn't happen with KE) Those durn boys! It went away somewhat and now that Nathan is 1 1/2, I think I may need some assistance in getting rid of it completely.

Anyway, it causes brown spots on the face and it only gets worse in the sun..... soooooo, a friend gave me the name of a sunscreen her Doc Rxd. So starting today, I will use this product everyday.. . Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spf 55 sunscreen with helioplex

I did notice alot of microdermabrasion kits.... I'm funny about stuff and just the word microdermabrasion sounds scary. Anyone ever had this done?

Skin Care 101

I have been using the same skincare products for about 4 years now and I feel that it's time for a change. Is there really anything topical out there that helps with the dreaded fine lines???? I cannot BELIEVE that I'am starting to notice these boogers in the mirror.

My question to you is, what do you use and why? I want your entire skincare routine.....

Thanks in advance!