MIA...AND NEEDING YOUR HELP

Hello everyone...while I see that you all have started the new year out feverishly working on this year's project list at your place, I have been somewhat MISSING IN ACTION...

I've not had much of a chance to work on projects around the house or do much any blogging...I did get the downstairs landing painted right before the WASHING MACHINE went out...yep, I was sitting downstairs playing on the internet waiting for my last load of laundry to finish up and then all the sudden a loud popping noise and then nothing...the clothes in the washer still dirty and very soaking wet...that was a week ago Saturday and we are still waiting for our new washer and dryer to be delivered...it is supposed to be in tomorrow...crossing fingers...I don't like going to the laundramat (spelling?)

There is also another reason I have had to put household projects and blogging on hold...I have been working FEVERISHLY on some assorted craft projects for an upcoming marriage retreat in February. I can't wait...it is going to be SOOO much FUN...First Apostolic Church (my church) is hosting this retreat (February 16-18 in Branson, Missouri, Honeysuckle Inn for anyone in the area interested in coming)...and we are going to have a few things for sale there to raise money for our building fund...I am SOOO excited...this is ONE of the things I have been working on....

Embellished photo frames...of course, I got this idea from Kristen @ Kristen's Creations but took it a step farther by adding a little inspirational flair with scrapbook paper and vellum...I should've taken more pics as I have several more varieties made up but I've just not had the time for picture taking...I will take more pics before the sale, maybe even after we have everything set up to share with you...PROMISE...I will also tell you a little more about them and how I made them...but for now I NEED your help...

I have been asked to decorate for this event, SIGH, and I need some ideas...I have a few ideas of my own, but what I am looking for is some ideas that incorporate both feminine and masculine properties...it seems that when we decorate for banquets and weddings and such, they are frou frou and feminine...you know an all white wedding is beautiful but it seems so "girly" to me...(yes, I know weddings are all about the bride), but a marriage retreat should be about both the wife AND husband and I want something that incorporates a little masculinity...know what I mean?   Anyway, I could use your help and ideas...I'm all ears!!!  Can't wait to hear from you...and...THANKS I knew I could depend on you!!!

Since posting this I have had a few folks ask what the space I am decorating is like and the theme of the event.  Sorry for not posting this information originally...

To be honest I am going into this blindly.  I have never personally seen this banquet room.  I have only seen the layout of the room online.  From what I can tell, the space is just a plain old square banquet room which will be filled with enough tables to accomodate around 100-150 people.  I will most likely be using round tables and white tableclothes (I may be able to get black tableclothes) from the hotels catering service.  The theme of the event is "Marriage, it's forever".  I hope this helps!  Thanks for your input!!!

Sharing this at:

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow US Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Rock N Share @ The Shady Porch
Share your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Savvy Homemade Monday @ The Savvy Home
Make it Monday @ Make It Monday
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
Show & Tell @ Mrs. Hines Class
Sundays Best Par.Tay @ My 1929 Charmer
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

HAPPY NEW YEAR...AND SOME RESOLUTIONS

Happy New Year everyone!!....Yeah, I know I'm a few days late...but better late than never, right?  So how did you ring in the new year?  I rung in the new year at church with my immediate family and my church family...we had a great time fellowshipping and playing games...there is no better way to start a new year than with the one's you love by your side.

I also started the new year by getting rid of the Christmas decor and setting up a few fresh new vignettes...you know "out with the old and in with the new"...I haven't decided what to put in these jars yet...just thought they looked good here...what would you put in them?...any ideas?  I would love to hear 'em...

A somewhat new look for the buffet...I'm glad the Christmas tree is gone...I really like the SPARSENESS of everything now...although I love holiday decorations, they seem to make things so cramped and cluttered.

I also managed to get one of the projects on the list for my master bedroom redo done over the long weekend..."HIS" and "HERS" framed prints...

I found two large matching, matted frames at a local thrift store...spray painted them (hammered metal brown)...took out the old prints and flipped them over...glued leopard print fabric to the backside...made the "HIS" and "HERS" on the computer in Scriptina font and printed them out...then I glued them to the centers of the leapard print and reinserted everything back into the frames...I placed the "HIS" one over the side of the bed where my husband sleeps and the "HERS" sign over the side of the bed where I sleep...CUTE, EASY and CHEAP!!

Okay, now onto to something I don't like to talk about so much...RESOLUTIONS...

Have you made any new year's resolutions yet?  I am typically one that steers clear of resolutions...that's probably because I usually break most of them within the first two weeks of the year...I know, I know, I'm HORRIBLE!!!...It's not that I can't stick with a diet long enough to lose weight, or make other long term adjustments to certain areas of my life...it just seems that when the PRESSURE is really on to do something of that nature, I REBEL...and instead of losing weight, I gain or do exactly the opposite of what I set out to do...are you like that? 

This year; however, I have decided to make a resolution or two...well, THREE to be exact...and I am sharing them here...you know so they are in writing...for some reason when things are in writing they seem so much more important to me and I tend to follow through better....also I find it helps to inform others of my goals...it puts someone in place for me to be accountable to...sort of like a support group kind of thing.  This year I have decided to work on making some changes to three specific areas ...my MIND, BODY and SOUL...so here goes...

I will start with the most important first:

• SOUL---I would like to have a more indepth relationship with God this year...in order to have that, I need to devote more time to daily prayer and bible study...I need to faithfully fast at least one day a week and faithfully participate in family alter (family prayer night).

• MIND--I want to increase my intellect this year, perhaps learn a new trade or hobby...I would like to take a night class or two...perhaps a photography class, cake decorating class, or a refresher computer course just something to keep my mind sharp and expand my knowledge for something new.

• BODY--Of course, I would like to lose a significant amount of weight this year (yes, I know this is on EVERYONE'S resolution list) however, for health reasons I must make this one work...but instead of setting a specific weight loss goal such as 50 pounds, I am deciding to just make some changes to my eating habits...(NOT DIETING)...you know lifestyle changes...

                                                 -- drink more water
                                                 -- abstain from fast food
                                                 -- limit soda intake
                                                 -- limit sweet/snack intake
                                                 -- take a brisk walk daily (15-30 minutes)
                                                 -- eat more fresh fruits and vegies
                                                 -- eat only lean meats
                                                 -- abstain from fried foods


Though the holidays have set me back a little, I had already changed my eating habits somewhat over the past several months and have lost around 15 pounds.  I just need to tweak things a bit to ensure continued progress.

Over all I just want to make some improvements to these areas...I may not follow through completely but any amount of improvement is still improvement and that's good enough for me...Wish me luck!!

What do you have planned for 2012?

I am sharing this at these fabulous parties...

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Rock N Share @ The Shady Porch

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creation @ Kristens Creations
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

For a complete list of the places I party and share my posts...see the "LET'S PARTY" list on my sidebar...stop by these parties for a PEEK at what everyone is up to...mingle a little, get to know everyone...leave some comments and be sure to become someone's follower....

PS...If you like what you see here become a follower.  Also, subscribe to BTP by email...there is a link set up at the bottom of my home page to do this...simply enter your email address and hit the "submit" button...then every time I publish a new post you will receive it in your inbox...EASY.