The State Of Our Home

Well....our house is slowly coming along. The renovations have turned into quiet a nightmare. We've been living with my inlaws since sometime at the end of September or beginning of October. And we'll probably be her for quiet a bit longer. Turns out there was so much more hidden damage than ever anticipated. In fact, my mother-in-law came home one evening and told me the kitchen had been gutted. Yes, gutted. Apparently, as they were taking down the outside stucco, they realized the floor joists were rotten and needed replaced. They were going to try and remove the cabinetry, repair the damage, and then put the cabinets back. But when they attempted to remove the cabinets, they all splintered beyond repair. So....we're getting a new kitchen too!

I'm incredibly excited about that and some of the other plans that are going on but at the same time, I desperatly miss home. Since Aubrey is due in just ten days and there is no way the house will be ready in time, we have resigned to the fact that we will be bringing Aubrey home to my inlaws. I know that we will receive a lot of help but I can't help but wish we were taking her to our own home. It's been quiet an upheaval at my inlaws house. There are seven of us living under one roof, plus our three dogs. One who is coming into heat soon. And soon there will be a newborn here! To say it's crazy at times is an understatement. Please keep us all in your prayers!

Here are a few photos of our house: (Some of these are a bit out of order but you get the general idea.)

The backside of our house.

The backside of the garage.

The side of the garage.

The laundry room sheeted in. Once all of the outside sheeting is done,

we can add Typar and the move inside to do the insulation and drywall.

The backside of my house at night.

Before - all the stucco is being removed to eventually put up siding.

And after. This is looking into the Roger Raglin room from the outside. See our new windows?

Kitchen - Before.

Kitchen - During.

Kitchen - almost After.

Kitchen - Officially After.

Standing in the entranceway looking into the kitchen...err...backyard.

Looking from outside into the kitchen. Shane is celebrating Mo-vember here.

Looking into my home from the outside. God Bless This Home. PLEASE!!

If you'd like to hear how my pregnancy is going and to see some crafts I made for Aubrey, please scroll down!

My Fall Decorations

I've spent the past couple of nights decorating my home for my most favorite season, Fall. We've been experiencing some sweater weather here - in fact, they were calling for sleet on Tuesday. As if! I'm not ready for the white stuff but certainly bring on the red and orange leaves!

Here are some photos of my decor. I really apologize for the color quality of the photos. My house was unusually dark today and my camera left a number of the photos fuzzy. Again, totally apologize!


The front entrance way. I removed the boots and added a giant crock. It holds loose shoes that haven't yet made it back to the closet. The dogs kept knocking down the pretty barn boots.

My dad made me this bench two Christmases ago. He had painted it a lovely shade of red but in transit, the paint had faded so I opted to paint it a lovely shade of black this week.

This little corner in my dining room is something new I decorated this week. I resurfaced this chalkboard from my childhood. Need to get some chalk to write some inspirational messages. I'm maybe thinking of hanging a wreathe over it too. We'll see!

These little pumpkins came from Amanda at Imperfectly Beautiful. I won them for a giveaway she was doing. I was soooo excited! I love white pumpkins. They work perfectly on my $3 plate rack.

Some fall stuff in my Ikea enamal pitcher.



I collect fruit jars. Here are a few of my Ball jars and Crown jars. Thinking that they are a bit too "light" for the season, but I love to look at them.

My favorite corner in my living room.

More living room.

I snagged all of these white faux pumpkins at Michael's last year for 90% off!! 90%!! They were originally $16.99. I bought six or so. You do the math. :) Cheap! I love them because I don't have to worry with my wild dogs around them.

My shelves. I love to display my goodies on these babies.

The white thing is a door from Ikea. It was in their "damaged" section for $5. I plan on hanging it on the wall later. I'm not sure what I will put on it but for now I have a little crow plate taped to it with some green painters tape. I purchased the lamp at a yardsale for $2. It was brass but I painted it with my trusty black spray paint. I recovered the shade as well. I didn't do too great of a job but at least it's done. :)

I didn't so much care for the leaves in all of my vases but love them in the photos. They really seem to pop to me!

There are some more little decorations around my house. I will take some photos as things start to take shape with them. Have you started your decorating yet?

Drop Cloth Drapes

I know that I promised my canvas drop cloth drapes yesterday. I'm so sorry that I didn't post them. But here they are today. I have three windows done in these mis-treatments. I'm only showing one. The other two aren't quiet done yet. The bottom fabric and fringe still needs added. I ran out of hot glue. Woops!

I started with two drop cloths measuring 5 feet by 12 feet. I just cut and tacked and pieced and slapped these bad boys up there. I would whole heartedly recommend to iron your drop clothes BEFORE putting them up. I used the cheap-o curtain rod that came with my house. I stitched a pocket to run the rod through using what I had...choke...black thread.

I like to put something in the middle of my curtains. I've hung a star of some sort on all of my windows. I feel my windows are nekked without it.

My mum-n-law bought a meter of this bottom fabric the other day to make tote bags with for the craft show we are in on Saturday. Well, after washing it, she realized how puckered it became and opted not to use it. I on the other hand, fell in love with it. I went to the fabric store to buy the last two meters of the fabric in the store. I also bought the ball fringe - buy one meter get TWO free! I was so happy!

Like how the sheers are far too short and my trim isn't painted? I'm learning that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.