Paint

It's amazing what a little paint can do.

Here's what our dining room looked like when we first moved in. Oh and don't worry those vertical blinds are gone.




We removed the wallpaper (yes that yellow is wallpaper) and painted the top half of the wall. At first we didn't think the tan wainscoting was that bad. Ok maybe it was but we were kind of lazy about painting it. So this is what we looked at for the past couple of months. (Don't mind the mess)




Well I got bored the other night and finally painted the wainscoting white. So glad I did! It makes the room so bright. I need to take a better picture. Maybe one day my kids will keep their stuff off my table long enough for me to take a decent picture.



Do you notice the set of ugly oak cabinets that are in the mirror? Those particular cabinets are over our sink/breakfast bar. They are coming down. And soon the rest of the cabinets will be painted white. Although this is a project I will have to tackle after my husband deploys. I'm so ready to get it done.

Speaking of paint doing amazing things, back in November while my husband was away for some training, I got bored and painted some cubbies. These cubbies are in the wall that goes downstairs to the basement. Does that make sense? Here's how the previous owners left the cubbies.


After a little paint.



I have a feeling paint and I will be best friends.

Deployment Goals

This time last year I posted goals or resolutions for 2010. Yes I will admit I don't think I ever went back to that post.

This year is different. This year will be spent without my husband. So instead of doing New Year Resolutions, which I know I won't keep up with, I am doing Deployment Goals. I did this last time he deployed. Only difference is I didn't write the goals down. I got the idea to blog them from Julie. You may ask, "What's the difference?" Well any military wife can tell you that one of the ways to survive a deployment is to have goals, projects, a million things to keep you busy and help time fly, things to look forward to, to laugh about, smile about, cry about, etc. Deployments are a time for growth as individuals and as a couple. So we take deployment goals seriously.

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** Focus on and survive my first year of school. {I start on the 31st..so scared!}

** Finally get around to decorating my house after 6 months of living here.

** Paint kitchen cabinets and walls finally!

** Become a real runner again.

** Grow closer to God.

** Strengthen my friendship and marriage with my husband.

** Take several road trips.

** Make everyday the best I can for my children.

** Take on new projects and adventures.


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There they are. I could come up with more of a list but I figured let's start this off simple. Day by day.

I will miss my husband, sure, but this year is my year. I'm ready to own it.... live it.... and get through it with as much laughter, joy, and happy tears (little sad ones please) as I can muster.

Bring it on!