Be safe!

Even the lions who "protect" the Art Institute in Chicago are a good reminder to wear masks.  Stay safe and be smart!

Covid-19

We were in Madrid, Spain middle of January to the first week of February visiting our daughter who moved there last year.  When we watched the news, there was brief talk about the coronavirus, mainly that it started in Wuhan, China and possibly from bats or pangolines (an animal whose scales are used in ancient medicines). The news was not alarming and it seemed to not be a big story. We learned that there was only one case in Spain in the Canary Islands. It didn't become real until we were at the Madrid airport and saw large groups of Asian travelers wearing masks and 2000 additional cases were reported in one day in China. I still naively thought that this was going to be contained to China.  I was very wrong, as Italy and then Spain quickly becoming an epicenter.  We were fortunately that our daughter returned back to the States before things escalated.  And now, just a few short weeks later, New York is now the epicenter and no state in our country has been spared.  This seems so surreal.

Happy 2015!

As for my 2014 resolutions:

We all know that blogging every month  was a major FAIL!!!  But I will try that one again!

So my simple project of taking down the wallpaper in the mudroom and laundry room, became not so simple.  It became affectionately referred to by both my husband and me as "the project from Hell:"  I don't even think I am being dramatic or sarcastic here.  This project lead to drywall repair, to priming the walls, to painting the walls, to painting the ceiling, to cleaning up paint spatters on the wood, to paint touch ups, to a misunderstanding on drilling holes for a key holder, to spackling, to priming, to another paint touch up, to changing the hardware on the coat hooks, to painting the key holder, to  removing baseboard that broke, to additional wall repair from the baseboard that broke, to a floor repair that was not simple, to washing the baseboard, to using a restorer on the baseboard, to finding similar baseboard to use for the broken baseboard, to staining baseboard, to finding new tile since the tile I wanted was discontinued, to new light fixtures.  I actually got to the point (where to my husbands delight) I said "shoot me if I want to do another home improvement project".

But for some unknown reason, I had a mental lapse and forgot all that!

I did go on as if nothing had every happened. Okay, maybe I am getting old and forgetful!

I finally, FINALLY found light fixtures that I love for my foyer and dining area, but even that did not turn out to be simple.  I knew my husband and I could install the 4 lower fixtures ourselves, but I did not want my husband on a ladder to install the foyer chandelier which has a 2 story ceiling.  My estimates from electricians were as high as $400 (yes for one light fixture!), so when I found a licensed electrician who said he would install it for $100 I quickly hired him. Sounds simple huh?  Of course not!  He showed up 3 times, each time late.  First he came without a ladder, then he came with a friend to help him but they got into an argument and left, and his third time he asked for more money (despite having a written estimate) and told me he couldn't be held responsible for any damage to the walls from using a ladder.  At that point I politely declined his services and found someone else.

I also changed out the faucet in the main level bathroom, even though I did this less than 3 years ago.  I had bought a copper one that turned green in places and looked terrible .

My "easy," "simple", and "inexpensive" landscaping project of a few plants and some pavers turned into an expensive removal of a tree  ($400) which was not part of the "simple just have the roots grinded" plan that the landscaper told me.  In the end the the landscaper never showed up to do the job after many calls.  I also was hoping for a reprieve of shaping and trimming  bushes, but that never happened.  Whoever designed 54 bushes for our landscaping should be shot or at least made to come and trim once a year!  So this in on the list for next year!

I did manage to finally find a towel bar and toilet  paper holder for our lower level bathroom which I was able to install myself.  I also found  a light fixture which I was able to install  by myself (okay with my husband coaching and insisting I could do this!)  I guess after the helping with the upstairs light fixtures, I gained some confidence!

My flooring was finally redone by someone else in our master bath, the girl's bath and the laundry room and mudroom after another "Yes, I will do it. " but don't show up installer.

So over all this has been a productive but very tiring year for home improvements!

But as for 2015--I am not sure of my home improvement projects.  I will definitely cut myself some slack this year as my daughter is getting married and that is the priority.  I would like to get new carpeting for our lower level and stairs.  I would like to do some additional landscaping with a landscaper, but the chances of one showing up is questionable and I am undecided on what to do with out master bath--a major renovation or a simple fix?  So, not sure and I have to admit, a little, no, a lot, burned out on home repair from last year! Again the wedding is the priority!

As far as my fitness plans I did well and plan to continue!  I exercise regularly and ate healthy.   I plan to do even better this year as I received a fit bit for Christmas.  No more "Google mapping" my walking to see if I reached my target goal!

As for my personal goals, I want to become a better person in many ways,  This is a continuation of the Rick Warren transformed Bible study I took this fall.  I also want to find more ways to serve others using my gifts,

So here is to a happy, healthy, and family by my side year!

New Year New Resolutions!

Something about a new year just excites me--it's filled with new beginnings, new possibilities and new outcomes!

 Usually, in January, I am still recovering from the mad rush of Halloween/Thanksgiving/Annual Holiday Party/Christmas, where there is an overabundance of things to do.  But this year was different, I wasn't  exhausted from that Halloween-Christmas preparations as we were in Germany for over 6 weeks.

 I missed our American traditions.We saw only a few children dressed for Halloween.  At Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a seafood plate at a brewery instead of turkey. But the Germans know how to do Christmas!  Each town and neighborhood has a Christmas market with a different theme.  We probably went to 15-18 different markets.  I was enthralled by them! My favorite one was in the downtown of Hamburg, where Santa magically flew through the sky and even stopped high above the crowds to tell the story of Rudolf and to remind the children and adults to be good!

 By the time we got back to the States, there was only a week until we were leaving again to spend time with our daughter in Milwaukee.  I debated getting a real tree, because we ALWAYS have a real tree, but that didn't make sense.  The thought of a fake tree seemed unbearable, but decorating for a full house seemed foolish.  And I wondered would it feel like Christmas if I didn't do all the "normal" things.  I ended up taking out a small table top tree from storage and hung a Christmas wreath on the door.  I finished the Christmas shopping in 2 days and make a batch of cookies.  And I didn't feel as guilty as I thought I might.  In fact, it was nice to just have a break from all the pressures we seem to put on ourselves especially that time of year.

But December quickly passed to January and with time to reflect on the past and the future. I did well with my most of my resolutions.  I even lost that extra five pounds while in Germany from walking 6-12 miles every day.  Not to mention climbing numerous stairs, one day we actually climb 30 (yes, thirty) flights of stairs just from sightseeing. I was surprised I lost any weight because I ate wonderful unknown cheeses, pretzels, breads and beer daily.  I even ate a delicious fruit and nut chocolate bar everyday (and I rarely eat sweets!)  Fortunately for me, I have not found this candy bar back in the States!

I also manage to blog once a month.  And for my house resolutions, I completed the following projects:  new landscaping where the 7 bushes were removed, new planters for the front of the house, new bar stools in the kitchen, new desk chair in the kitchen, painted my daughters bedroom, install new faucets in 2 of the four bathrooms, changed out the towel bars, toilet paper holders, bath hooks, toilet handles and cabinet hardware in 3 of the 4 bathrooms, installed ceramic tile in the lower level bathroom and changed out the cabinet hardware in our laundry room.

This year I planned to blog monthly (and as you can see by the date of this post, I broke that one pretty early!) and make sure I do cardio regularly.  As for my house projects, I plan to take down the wallpaper in the mudroom and laundry room, do drywall repair and skim the walls, paint both rooms and install travertine tile in those rooms, install new ceramic tile in our master bath and in the girls bathroom, change out the hardware in the mudroom, find new light fixtures and find new towel bars, toilet paper holder, and a bath hook for the lower level bathroom.

New Year's Resolutions

Yes, that's plural!   Although I don't have 2,013 of them, I do have a few.  That way, at the end of the year I can always say I achieved some of my resolution!  My first resolution is to blog at least once a month! (Did you notice the gap from November to now, apparently some of my friends did!!!)  Second, of course is to exercise at least 5 times a week.  And third,  is to eat healthy.  These should be fairly easy to keep!

Now to my house goals, which for some strange reason are harder for me to keep.  Don't get me wrong, I manage to update and redecorate each year, but they are not always the rooms I intended!  Again, this year I did not buy new light fixtures for the inside of my home, nor did I buy new rugs for the kitchen and dining area, and I did not reupholster my gathering room benches.  And I probably won't this year unless I find something that I truly love.
 
I did manage to take down the wallpaper in our master bedroom and sitting area and repaint.  I also painted the lower level bedroom and the multipurpose room.  Along with taking down the wallpaper in my daughters bedroom and having custom bedding, curtains and ponder area covers made.   I also found new  bedding for the second bedroom in the lower level that coordinates nicely with the bathroom, that I redecorated last year. 

I was hoping to do more to my house this year, but my big distraction was that we bought some rental properties.  We ended up tearing everything out of all three places.  I pretty much spent most of my time redecorating (flooring, ceramic tile, vanities, counter tops, paint, lighting, etc, etc and even the kitchen sink!!  I also (along with my husband) painted two entire houses!!!

So for this year, I plan to paint my daughters bedroom, put new ceramic tile in 3 out of 4 of my bathrooms (one has hardwood floors so I don't need to do that one,)  find new planters for the front of the house, since the one I bought last year broke (!).  And I hope to find lighting (don't quote me on the last one!)  But who knows what 2013 will bring???  So here's to being open minded!!!

The best of plans...

I wrote this last year (and if you know me, you know that I when I set goals, I reach them (ok, that's not true--I exceed them) , that is just a given.

"It's the new year and I always make resolutions and goals. This year for my home I have been thinking of the updates that I want to make. (Insert my husband rolling his eyes and saying no.) I always start my home improvement projects with "I won't even need your help"... which is never true.

But on my list for this year is to update all the light fixtures (the four bathrooms are excluded), buy new rugs in the kitchen and dining area reupholster the dining room chairs, reupholster the two bench chairs in my gathering room, remove the existing banister and add rod iron banisters to our lower level and replace the existing light fixture there, repaint the gathering room it's existing color to "freshen" it up, and take down the wallpaper and paint our master bedroom and paint the lower level family room. Whoo! That should keep me busy...jeez...I wish I had someone to help me....Oh...Sweetie...."

Yes, that is what I wrote in January 2011. I admit I am a compulsive goal setting/seeking person, determine to reach my goals....and I accomplished....

none...

that's right none...

NADA..

You wonder what happened???? YES!!!!...me too!!!!

Here is my side...I got distracted!

Yes, my light fixtures did get updated.... just on the outside of my house not the inside! Which led me into a "curb appeal" kind of mode, I loved the changes so much that I focused on the outside instead of the inside. Which led to having the six huge arborvitaes that I hated and one burning bush removed! Which led to a new door mat and new planters to flank the door way. With the front of the house looking better it led me to the bushes in the back of the house receiving a massive cut back.

Although I looked endlessly, I could not find rugs or upholstery material that I that I loved (I am not one of those people to just like change for the sake of change, I have to love it or it will not happen).

And I never took down the wallpaper in our master as my daughter exclaimed it was one of her favorite rooms in our house. And painting the master never made the list as other rooms took priority.

I decide against the rod railings in the lower level, after giving it further thought it was not what I wanted.

To add to my distraction, my daughter moved home to attend law school, so her bedroom needed to be turned into an office.

We had to take down "the high school shrine" as we called it, highlighting her "then" dancing accomplishments and make in into a place for studying.

Which meant getting rid of bedroom furniture and getting office furniture, painting, spakling, new curtains, adding accessories and artwork, along with shelving and transforming the room into a study area. Her sisters' room became her room which meant rearranging furniture and a few new accessories.

And somewhere along the way I decided we need to update the guest room in our lower level with new bedding. Which led to wanting to make the lower level bathroom over by painting, and adding a new shower curtain, accessories, artwork, towels, bath mat and a new faucet.

So as I look back I am glad for the distractions. I am happy for the outcomes. But I am looking forward to my 2012 house goals, which include adding a new light fixture to our kitchen and buying new patio furniture and I will pursue last years goals hoping that I find what I want.

The one thing that has not changed from last year is that my husband is still rolling his eyes!

2011 House Goals

It's the new year and I always make resolutions and goals. This year for my home I have been thinking of the updates that I want to make. (Insert my husband rolling his eyes and saying no.) I always start my home improvement projects with "I won't even need your help"... which is never true.

But on my list for this year is to update all the light fixtures (the four bathrooms are excluded), buy new rugs in the kitchen and dining area, reupholster the dining room chairs, reupholster the two bench chairs in my gathering room, remove the existing banister and add rod iron banisters to our lower level and replace the existing light fixture there, repaint the gathering room it's existing color to "freshen" it up, and take down the wallpaper and paint our master bedroom and paint the lower level family room. Whoo! That should keep me busy...jeez...I wish I had someone to help me....Oh...Sweetie....

Confession

Confession--I have another man in my life, his name is Tony. After being with him for over 3 months, I wondered if I could continue being with him...our relationship is becoming "routine". After spending seven days a week with him, I am able to know what he is going to say before he says it and I find him demanding. I thought about about giving him up... but I am getting something out of the relationship that I have never gotten before. But still the relationship is hard....so many times I just want to quit... but my husband encouraged me not too! Yes, I am talking about Tony Horton--the P90X trainer.

After 2 weeks with Tony and his P90X, I felt more energy. After 1 month, my legs which were in good shape to begin with from walking daily looked better and after 60 days I had muscles in places in my arms that I didn't even know muscles could be (and I thought nothing was wrong with my arms!!!). (Now I know why guys like to flex their muscles!) But as in any relationship, it can be hard at times, but I think I will stick with him!

Give Thanks!

Although Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, I try to be thankful everyday. My life is truly blessed and honestly I do not know why I am so deserving of all that I have, so it makes me even more grateful! I am fortunate to have wonderful children, a good husband, a job I am passionate about, lots of friends, good health and a life I never dreamed possible!

So on Thanksgiving we spent the day in a church kitchen prepping, cooking and serving those who were alone on Thanksgiving...being humble... and very grateful for all that we have... for there are so many who have less. Later we enjoying the turkey with all the trimmings in our home as we celebrated our many blessings.

I have to smile and be proud... that both my daughters give generously and also volunteer in their communities...and that I have instilled in my children the mantra that "to whom much is given, much is expected".

Yes, I have much to be thankful!