Big news - we bought some new bedroom furniture! We found a set that we both really like, and we are really excited to upgrade to a king!! I know this sounds ridiculous but the master bedroom is really big, and only a king looks remotely the right size in there. At least, that's what I convinced Andrew of :-)
So that leaves the living room and dining room as our two other rooms that need the most work. We are contemplating a sectional in the living room, again, kind of because of the size and layout. I never have really liked sectionals, but we found one we like, so now we have to measure it out to see how it will fit.
The main dilemma we're having is with the dining room. We don't have any furniture for this room. I can't decide whether to have more of a china cabinet type piece of furniture or something more along the lines of a sideboard/buffet type piece. My parent's have both, a sideboard/buffet and china cabinet, and Andrew's parent's have 2 china cabinets. I'm not sure that we have room for 2 big pieces of furniture, so I can't decide which way to go if I can only fit one. I like the sideboard/buffet idea because I can put lamps, frames, decorate, and even serve food on it. I like the china cabinet idea because I can display our china and crystal.
If you have a dining room, what kind of furniture do you have? What are you're pros and cons for each? Any help or advice is appreciated!
Showing posts with label Just Wondering?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just Wondering?. Show all posts
April 7, 2011
January 30, 2011
My One Word
One of my favorite ways to start the day is to listen to K-LOVE on the radio. For the last few weeks I've been hearing them talk about choosing one word to set the tone for this new year. Forget the resolutions that we know know we'll never do or keep. Let's just keep it simple. One word. You can read more about the My One Word project here.
The hard part is choosing JUST ONE word. I had a lot of words that I want to be a part of my year this year. Open, Wait, Surrender, Deeper, etc. But I finally chose MY one word. It just felt like the right one.
Engaged.
The hard part is choosing JUST ONE word. I had a lot of words that I want to be a part of my year this year. Open, Wait, Surrender, Deeper, etc. But I finally chose MY one word. It just felt like the right one.
Engaged.
Absorbed. Captivated. Involved. Interested. Immersed. Go all in. Betrothed. Committed. Guaranteed. Fascinated. Enthralled. Busy with. Bound to. Participate. Present.
I desire to be more engaged with my Lord, my husband, my family, my friends, and even strangers. I chose this word because if two people are engaged, they are in-sync, in-love, completely obsessed with each other, busy making plans for a future together, committed to each other, involved in each other's day-to-day lives, un-guarded, vulnerable, open to what lies ahead, and excited, fascinated by spending time together. The results of being engaged should be two committed people bound together, inseparable. That's how I long to be with the Lord and with the people around me.
Taking a deeper look at my life and relationships right now, I feel like I have one very deep relationship with my husband, a pretty-deep relationship with my Savior and parents, and a sort of surface-level relationship with a lot of other people. Obviously that's completely out of order and not fair to any of the relationships that I have.
I want to have my relationship with Jesus back at the #1 spot, where He belongs, and that means being fully engaged in my daily time with Him. Not just checking it off my to-do list because I feel like it's something I am supposed to do - but craving it so badly that I know I won't be able to make it through the day without it. I want to be engaged, immersed, and absorbed in the Word. When you're engaged, you're glowing, and it's all you can talk about. He's already captivated by me, enthralled with me, committed to me, interested in me, in-love with me...
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45:11
Even though I have an awesome relationship with my husband, there's always room for improvement. I want to be present for him, a better listener, and more involved spiritually together. I want to always be engaged to him, bound to him, committed to him. I've always said I never want us to stop "dating" but I guess I also never want us to stop being "engaged" to each other and with each other. I look forward to growing even more.
I want to be engaged in my relationships with friends and family. More involved in their lives, a better listener. I want to go deeper with them, past the surface. Learning more about them, but allowing them to learn more about me by letting guards down and opening up more. I want to be present in their lives, too. You have to be a friend to have a friend, right?
So I hope you'll participate with this challenge to choose just one word to set the tone for your year, too. The process itself of choosing just one word is worth it alone.
What's your one word?
December 8, 2010
Real or Fake?
In keeping with the holiday spirit, I was just wondering about what everyone's tradition is with Christmas trees.
Do you decorate a fresh-cut or "real" Christmas tree? Or do you decorate an artificial or "fake" Christmas tree?
Growing up, I've always [I repeat, always] had a real, fresh-cut Christmas tree. When Kelly and I were younger, my parents took us out to a tree farm. We'd ride on "santa's sleigh," aka a hay-ride out to the trees, pick the best one out there, chop it down, and wait for Santa's sleigh to come back and pick us up. So much fun. I loved it. Since then, we've usually picked out a tree somewhere in town that is donating part of the proceeds to charity. Still lots of fun. Nothing beats it in my mind.
Andrew has never had a "real" tree, only the "fake" tree. Which is just not the same. I will admit, the clean-up and no-watering is nice, but the where's the smell?? [Also, I will admit that they are less likely to fall over and crash and break all of your pretty/dainty ornaments like what happened this weekend at my parents!]
When we got married, he already had a hand-me-down Christmas tree, so I decided it would be ok for us to use it last year. I quickly learned why it's a hand-me-down. (a) it is absolutely enormous...as in wide, not tall and (b) you have to stick practically every branch in individually. It swallowed our living room whole. Ah, newlywed bliss.
This year we are nomads, so we have no tree of our own. Therefore, the battle of the Christmas tree will continue until next year...
What kind of tree to you have??
Do you decorate a fresh-cut or "real" Christmas tree? Or do you decorate an artificial or "fake" Christmas tree?
Growing up, I've always [I repeat, always] had a real, fresh-cut Christmas tree. When Kelly and I were younger, my parents took us out to a tree farm. We'd ride on "santa's sleigh," aka a hay-ride out to the trees, pick the best one out there, chop it down, and wait for Santa's sleigh to come back and pick us up. So much fun. I loved it. Since then, we've usually picked out a tree somewhere in town that is donating part of the proceeds to charity. Still lots of fun. Nothing beats it in my mind.
Andrew has never had a "real" tree, only the "fake" tree. Which is just not the same. I will admit, the clean-up and no-watering is nice, but the where's the smell?? [Also, I will admit that they are less likely to fall over and crash and break all of your pretty/dainty ornaments like what happened this weekend at my parents!]
When we got married, he already had a hand-me-down Christmas tree, so I decided it would be ok for us to use it last year. I quickly learned why it's a hand-me-down. (a) it is absolutely enormous...as in wide, not tall and (b) you have to stick practically every branch in individually. It swallowed our living room whole. Ah, newlywed bliss.
This year we are nomads, so we have no tree of our own. Therefore, the battle of the Christmas tree will continue until next year...
What kind of tree to you have??
November 22, 2010
Christmas Stocking Tutorial
Last year, right before Christmas, we realized Izzy did not have a stocking. Tragedy, I know. Plus I wanted to have a stocking for Andrew and myself (and Izzy) for our own house.
Side Note: Since I didn't do a "just wondering" post last week, I'll add it to this post...
Do you "do" stockings at Christmas? If so, what's in a typical stocking? Is it a few simple stocking stuffers and little "happies" or is it filled to the brim with smaller-sized "big" gifts?
We always hang stockings at my parents' house. Their mantle is very "hole-y" now thanks to all the nail holes we've added. These days there are 8 stockings up there!
Dad, Andrew, Me, Izzy, Lucy, Kelly, Grandma, and Mom...whew!
As you can see, Santa loads these stockings up, but there's a lot of candy, and random things like socks (?) and calendars and so on.
Andrew's parents don't do stockings, but they hand out ridiculously huge bags of candy to everyone after the present-opening. Yum!!
Ok, on to the tutorial...
Mom and I made several new stockings in a hurry last year. They were SO easy to make. I've seen so many cute stockings on blogs, websites, magazines, etc. this year that I already want to make a new set, take my time, and embellish them a little more :-) But then again, I don't have my own house for Christmas this year...so maybe next year!
We made our stockings out of felt, so they were very inexpensive, too. These are a great idea if you want new Christmas decor, but have a small budget. You can use any type of cute fabric for these. I've seen lots of fun patterns and even burlap used this year.
We used red and white felt and had some red and white polka-dot ribbon on hand for some trim. Using two layers of material, draw an outline of the shape of stocking you want to make. [If you are using a pattern or a material with a front side and back side, place the two front sides together on the inside, so that you draw on the back side/outside.] We used a very basic and traditional outline. [also, don't stress if your shape isn't perfect, you can perfect it as you go] Our stockings were roughly 18" long, to give you an idea of size.
Then sew along the outline, leaving the top open.
Then fold the next color of felt (white in this case) in half. This will be the "turned over" part of the stocking. Ours was 4 1/2" wide.
Then wrap it around the stocking and cut it.
Once you have the white flap piece cut, then sew the ends together so that it'll be a circle or loop.
flip the red stocking part, to where the true-outside is on the outside, and the seam is on the inside. Place the white flap piece on the inside of the red stocking piece and line it up at the top, and pin the two pieces in place. Note that the folded edge of the white piece is further down in there.
Now, sew along the top edge, kinda on the inside...
If you pull the white flap all of the way out, it should look like this (before you fold the flap down):
Congrats! The stocking is made! Now time to give it some flair. Flip the whole thing inside-out again.
We used ribbon for trim. Pin the ribbon along the folded edge of the white flap piece. and sew in place.
Turn it back to where the whole thing is right-side-out. Now create a little hanger loop. We just used the same ribbon, but you can use cord or twine, or really anything! Cut a small piece and hand stitch in place.
Ta-da!! Mine was complete at this point, but like I said, feel free to embellish or add as much or as little flair as you'd like.
We had ours monogrammed, too - which made it super cute!! I already want to make some more :-)
What's your family's tradition with stockings??
To continue with the Christmas spirit, Mom and I are packing up boxes of Christmas goodies to send overseas to our troops! If you have a chance - take some time to do the same. The post office sells boxes specifically for sending to the military overseas, and it's a flat rate, so you can pack it FULL! It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy, just send something :-)
Side Note: Since I didn't do a "just wondering" post last week, I'll add it to this post...
Do you "do" stockings at Christmas? If so, what's in a typical stocking? Is it a few simple stocking stuffers and little "happies" or is it filled to the brim with smaller-sized "big" gifts?
We always hang stockings at my parents' house. Their mantle is very "hole-y" now thanks to all the nail holes we've added. These days there are 8 stockings up there!
 |
| after Santa loaded 'em up last year! |
As you can see, Santa loads these stockings up, but there's a lot of candy, and random things like socks (?) and calendars and so on.
Andrew's parents don't do stockings, but they hand out ridiculously huge bags of candy to everyone after the present-opening. Yum!!
Ok, on to the tutorial...
Mom and I made several new stockings in a hurry last year. They were SO easy to make. I've seen so many cute stockings on blogs, websites, magazines, etc. this year that I already want to make a new set, take my time, and embellish them a little more :-) But then again, I don't have my own house for Christmas this year...so maybe next year!
We made our stockings out of felt, so they were very inexpensive, too. These are a great idea if you want new Christmas decor, but have a small budget. You can use any type of cute fabric for these. I've seen lots of fun patterns and even burlap used this year.
We used red and white felt and had some red and white polka-dot ribbon on hand for some trim. Using two layers of material, draw an outline of the shape of stocking you want to make. [If you are using a pattern or a material with a front side and back side, place the two front sides together on the inside, so that you draw on the back side/outside.] We used a very basic and traditional outline. [also, don't stress if your shape isn't perfect, you can perfect it as you go] Our stockings were roughly 18" long, to give you an idea of size.
Then sew along the outline, leaving the top open.
Then fold the next color of felt (white in this case) in half. This will be the "turned over" part of the stocking. Ours was 4 1/2" wide.
Then wrap it around the stocking and cut it.
Once you have the white flap piece cut, then sew the ends together so that it'll be a circle or loop.
flip the red stocking part, to where the true-outside is on the outside, and the seam is on the inside. Place the white flap piece on the inside of the red stocking piece and line it up at the top, and pin the two pieces in place. Note that the folded edge of the white piece is further down in there.
Now, sew along the top edge, kinda on the inside...
If you pull the white flap all of the way out, it should look like this (before you fold the flap down):
Congrats! The stocking is made! Now time to give it some flair. Flip the whole thing inside-out again.
We used ribbon for trim. Pin the ribbon along the folded edge of the white flap piece. and sew in place.
Turn it back to where the whole thing is right-side-out. Now create a little hanger loop. We just used the same ribbon, but you can use cord or twine, or really anything! Cut a small piece and hand stitch in place.
Ta-da!! Mine was complete at this point, but like I said, feel free to embellish or add as much or as little flair as you'd like.
We had ours monogrammed, too - which made it super cute!! I already want to make some more :-)
What's your family's tradition with stockings??
To continue with the Christmas spirit, Mom and I are packing up boxes of Christmas goodies to send overseas to our troops! If you have a chance - take some time to do the same. The post office sells boxes specifically for sending to the military overseas, and it's a flat rate, so you can pack it FULL! It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy, just send something :-)
November 11, 2010
Just Wondering...
I promise, I'll try to do better about actually posting on Wednesday, but let's just roll with it...
Now that I'm FINISHED with studying for the board exam, I'm trying to figure out Christmas decorations, plans, and gifts. We are on an extremely frugal budget this year, so I'm trying to plan ahead and use a little creativity!
This week, I was just wondering...
Do you draw names for gift-giving in your family at Christmas time? Or do you buy a gift for everyone?
Growing up, my mom's family always drew names for the entire family. Let me remind you that she's the youngest of 9 and everyone has a lots of kids and grandkids (except for her, of course!). I always thought it was a fun idea. We don't really do it any more - I think it just kept growing too big! We also did the whole draw names thing with some close family friends, too.
Nowadays, we buy gifts for everyone in the Hogan family and Ross family. We're still pretty small - only about 10 people (parents, us kids, my grandmother). Whenever there are children involved, I think it'd be cute for them to draw names amongst themselves.
I'm trying to plan ahead for gifts this year, maybe even some creative home-made gifts, too. I'm hoping if I think things through a little more and start buying/making now, I can prevent pricey impulse buying at the last minute.
Do you have creative ideas for gift giving and/or gift buying?
On another note...Happy Veteran's Day!! Please say a prayer for and/or a thank you to someone who has served our country. Several of my family members and close friends are veterans, and I am so proud of them and so very thankful for them. Please say a special prayer for our good friend, Russ, who is a marine in Afghanistan right now. This is his second tour of duty (first in Iraq). We have other close friends who have come back home and are about to go back again, too. Pray that they will continue to have positive attitudes and know just how thankful we are for them!
Now that I'm FINISHED with studying for the board exam, I'm trying to figure out Christmas decorations, plans, and gifts. We are on an extremely frugal budget this year, so I'm trying to plan ahead and use a little creativity!
This week, I was just wondering...
Do you draw names for gift-giving in your family at Christmas time? Or do you buy a gift for everyone?
Growing up, my mom's family always drew names for the entire family. Let me remind you that she's the youngest of 9 and everyone has a lots of kids and grandkids (except for her, of course!). I always thought it was a fun idea. We don't really do it any more - I think it just kept growing too big! We also did the whole draw names thing with some close family friends, too.
Nowadays, we buy gifts for everyone in the Hogan family and Ross family. We're still pretty small - only about 10 people (parents, us kids, my grandmother). Whenever there are children involved, I think it'd be cute for them to draw names amongst themselves.
I'm trying to plan ahead for gifts this year, maybe even some creative home-made gifts, too. I'm hoping if I think things through a little more and start buying/making now, I can prevent pricey impulse buying at the last minute.
Do you have creative ideas for gift giving and/or gift buying?
On another note...Happy Veteran's Day!! Please say a prayer for and/or a thank you to someone who has served our country. Several of my family members and close friends are veterans, and I am so proud of them and so very thankful for them. Please say a special prayer for our good friend, Russ, who is a marine in Afghanistan right now. This is his second tour of duty (first in Iraq). We have other close friends who have come back home and are about to go back again, too. Pray that they will continue to have positive attitudes and know just how thankful we are for them!
November 2, 2010
Snoozing...
Well I did get a few responses last week, so I'll keep "Just Wondering..." Wednesday going. I was bored the other day and actually wrote a little list of questions to ask for the next few weeks. And then my computer freaked out on me completely out of the blue. Apparently the fan was broken among other things, which included the MOTHERBOARD. awesome. So that conveniently saved list along with every other document and picture, etc, are in computer heaven. May they rest in peace, amen. So I can't remember some of the "good"questions I wanted to ask, even though I "wrote" them down.
This week I was just wondering...
Do you make your bed EVERY day? Do you really make it with shams and throw pillows and all, or do just pull up the covers and fluff your pillow? Also, do you wake up when your alarm clock goes off? or do you always press snooze?
For me, I try my best to make our bed most days, but only half-way make it. That means the covers are straightened and pulled up and pillows are fluffed and 2 shams, but not all the pillows and sometimes not the shams. I actually have been campaigning to try to talk Andrew into making the bed as one of his chores. He doesn't have many, so I'm trying to convince him this should be one :-)
As for the alarm clock, that has changed drastically in the last few years. I used to wake up in that split second of silence that you can sometimes hear right before the alarm goes off, then immediately roll out of bed and go on with my jolly self. Not so much any more. It's a few rounds of snoozing and 2 alarm clocks later that I drag myself out of bed. I wish I could go back to the old way. I felt more productive. and jollier. (is that a word?)
I know it's a random question, but I'm trying to do this week's post without my "list" and it was the first thing that popped into my head since I'm staring at the bed while I sit on the couch in our room, and I needed to do it quickly before I get caught blogging and get in big trouble....This time next week I'll be FINISHED with my board exam!!
[Disclaimer] Yes, I do know that it's Tuesday, not Wednesday...just wanted to post while I had the chance :-)
This week I was just wondering...
Do you make your bed EVERY day? Do you really make it with shams and throw pillows and all, or do just pull up the covers and fluff your pillow? Also, do you wake up when your alarm clock goes off? or do you always press snooze?
For me, I try my best to make our bed most days, but only half-way make it. That means the covers are straightened and pulled up and pillows are fluffed and 2 shams, but not all the pillows and sometimes not the shams. I actually have been campaigning to try to talk Andrew into making the bed as one of his chores. He doesn't have many, so I'm trying to convince him this should be one :-)
As for the alarm clock, that has changed drastically in the last few years. I used to wake up in that split second of silence that you can sometimes hear right before the alarm goes off, then immediately roll out of bed and go on with my jolly self. Not so much any more. It's a few rounds of snoozing and 2 alarm clocks later that I drag myself out of bed. I wish I could go back to the old way. I felt more productive. and jollier. (is that a word?)
I know it's a random question, but I'm trying to do this week's post without my "list" and it was the first thing that popped into my head since I'm staring at the bed while I sit on the couch in our room, and I needed to do it quickly before I get caught blogging and get in big trouble....This time next week I'll be FINISHED with my board exam!!
[Disclaimer] Yes, I do know that it's Tuesday, not Wednesday...just wanted to post while I had the chance :-)
October 27, 2010
Just Wondering...
I feel like my blog has been lacking a little lately [I do have my board exam in 12 days...what am I even doing on here??], so I was trying to think of something new to do. I read a few blogs that shoot out a weekly "getting to know you" type of question. I'd like to start it but I need YOUR help - it'll only be worthwhile if you comment and answer the questions with me. OR you can all leave a comment telling me this is a stupid idea if you think so! :-) So without further adieu...
so I was just wondering...
Christmas is less than 60 days away! I always prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. Living in Mississippi, we don't have much of a true "fall" season, so I like to leave the fall decorations out as long as I can. That way, I'm in the fall-mood whether or not it feels like fall outside. Growing up, my family was more of the "decorate whenever you get around to it" group. I remember we often went to pick out a tree on or around my birthday - December 15. I realized that's only 10 days before Christmas!! Nowadays I like to decorate shortly after Thanksgiving, to maximize the Christmas magic! Many people decorate the-day-after-Thanksgiving. We don't do it, but I like that idea. Usually most of the family is together and can participate in the decorating and get in the Christmas spirit. Maybe we'll do that one day. You may remember last year I gave in to some early decorating. Hubs made me do it. This time every year, he begs to put the tree up. He is hands-down the jolliest person at Christmas time. Love him!
so I was just wondering, what do YOU do?
· Do you decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving? Or do you decorate during Thanksgiving? Or do you decorate whenever you get around to it?
Christmas is less than 60 days away! I always prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. Living in Mississippi, we don't have much of a true "fall" season, so I like to leave the fall decorations out as long as I can. That way, I'm in the fall-mood whether or not it feels like fall outside. Growing up, my family was more of the "decorate whenever you get around to it" group. I remember we often went to pick out a tree on or around my birthday - December 15. I realized that's only 10 days before Christmas!! Nowadays I like to decorate shortly after Thanksgiving, to maximize the Christmas magic! Many people decorate the-day-after-Thanksgiving. We don't do it, but I like that idea. Usually most of the family is together and can participate in the decorating and get in the Christmas spirit. Maybe we'll do that one day. You may remember last year I gave in to some early decorating. Hubs made me do it. This time every year, he begs to put the tree up. He is hands-down the jolliest person at Christmas time. Love him!
so I was just wondering, what do YOU do?
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