weekend adventure through pictures

I absolutely LOVE the outdoors: camping, hiking, swimming, beach lounging, roller blading, biking, and about anything else outside. 

Here’s a couple shots of my in-laws land we roamed this weekend....peaceful and serene.

Amazing adventures & oh so good for the kids. (Minus the “weeding” of the poison ivy by hand...hello, stupid!!!) 

best sunset picture I could get with my phone...doesn't do the moment justice

They Will Change Nations--Growth Chart



 I finished a new, uh, work of art, I guess you could call it.It’s a growth chart to mark my boys’ height on the wall throughout their life (so I can move it around as my décor or mood change). I’ve been meaning to create one for quite some time but needed to be inspired.

I started with an old cabinet face, I guess.  After sanding I decided to use old maps I found in my Dad’s map stash that he had obviously used repeatedly.  The tape was so brittle it just fell off. 



with such a deep passion for traveling & seeing the world, old maps always inspire me
so here we go....now what?

I used heavy duty spray adhesive  to get the maps in perfect position
(big mess for your fingers)
lay them out before hand so you have a better idea of the finished
product before starting the mess

(see the picture above for detail) I added some old measuring items I found in my Dad's tools so I'm passing some funky, aged, usefulness down from Pops.


I painted these words: They Will Change Nations.

You may or may not understand the power of the spoken word...but I'm here to tell you.....Words have power, my friend!  My children will see this & hear the things we speak & pray over them & I know my boys WILL lead a FULL life of victory, joy, favor, peace and love.  I strongly believe that words shape our lives and the lives of our children. 

I had some powerfully negative words spoken over me as a child that rang in my ears for years....taunting me.  I refused to believe them, I forgave, I released those thoughts and cares to God & have entered into success, joy, peace & VICTORY because God loves me SO much.

And HE LOVES YOU!!!!!  You can affect nations....starting with your neighbors, friends, family, strangers in the grocery store.  You don't have to preach, just LOVE.  Ahhhh man, I'm preachin' right now:)  hehehe.  Anyway, you know what I mean....just love folks. 

and by the way...I love you!  And thanks for stopping in today to my randomly organized blogging ideas and thoughts:)

Trish

exterior staging...updates

With a severe case of poison ivy from our outdoor weekend adventures I'm taking a day of rest (with a doctor visit).  It’ll all get done, don’t worry. 

a couple more treasures from
my Dad I've given new life

Staging Update:

• Finished landscaping front yard with about a $200 (soil, flowers, lining, mulch) and loads of elbow grease. 
• Painted garage (fun video soon to follow)
• Hated the color so we painted it again.
• Finished all trim & cutting in
• Trimmed the bushes & raked the mess (thanks Leslie)

Still to go:

• Build laundry room shelves
• Paint those shelves
• Touch up paint entire house...interior
• Clean all windows
• Paint
  

To build a home...

Sometimes I have to make myself take time to enjoy the things that matter.

Yesterday, I got home early and spent some QT with Koen.  His personality is bursting through his toddler frame as he "becomes a person".  He's super funny and inherently obedient (which is refreshing!).  Getting down on the floor with him makes him giggle (maybe I should take a hint and schedule some floor time).  And I can't escape the fact that, on a seemingly weekly basis, I am reminded that these days will fly by.  That we will turn around and our children will be grown.  And I refuse to miss it.  I refuse to blow the ONE chance I get with them. 

We have a friend that is in the film industry.  And she's golden.  We film little promos for

Staging Update...lots happening

Only about 45 minutes of cutting in the trim on the exterior along with painting the garage door, front door & window trim (all happening tomorrow) then exterior paint is finished.

Break time:  my boys at the park...
there's.always time for my amazing little guys....
NEVER be too busy for the ones you love!!!!

 I spent 2 nights ago in the closet till 3am making sure everything was facing the same way just like I suggested in my video, decluttering shelves, packing up winter clothes, perfecting my shoe positioning, hanging my hats in a more orderly fashion and organizing my husband’s clothes & shoesJ whew....thank God for the white noise coming from Marc’s alarm clock:)


Staging your home can be a full time job...especially on a

Fast Photo Recap

With a sliver of time to post I’m introducing to you my quick photo wrap up version.  Hang on tight & enjoy the ride.

Food inspired me last week as you can see.....decorating my belly while making my taste buds do a happy dance.

As you may know already I’m a HUGE fan of Chick-fil-A...best chicken sandwich ever (order the #2).  However this Jack in the Box chicken sandwich caught my eye.  I love colorful fresh food and this presentation was superb...

Staging the Exterior...take 1

Previous plan....get our house ready for sale in 2 weeks while still taking care of my family, keeping God first, fulfilling church obligations, juggling the 3 clients I’m working plus staging consultations and keeping you, my friends, up to date....whew! 

The beautiful new plan came tonight, as I was scrubbing the kitchen cabinets debating whether to freshen up the paint. Rather than pushing me past my physical and emotional limits by my self-imposed 2 week window God told me to use my faith to get this house ready & to possess my dream home (which I’ve already picked out...beautiful .....after loads of work & money, that is). 

So as I simply obey Him....His perfect plan will be played out in my life.  WOW!  So I’m doin’ it....following Him each step of the way.  Sound strange?   I’m OK with that....  Ever since the challenge I posed to both of us, you and me, I’ve been yielding to Him each day and now I’m seeing the fruit of it.  WOW, is all I can say!

So I hope you’re along for the ride....staging, selling, buying, and LIFE along the way.  Following God is the ultimate thrill ride.  If you haven’t experienced the rush for yourself jump on in.....the flowing river of Life! 

Oh HI.....Back to staging:

a few things I MUST do before selling:

·         Paint Exterior

·         Paint garage door, front door and window trim

·         Pressure wash exterior --might be fun to learn to use one of those things...how hard can it be?

·         Touch up paint interior walls, doors, cabinets & trim

·         Paint master bedroom & study

·         Stage Master bedroom & study

·         Stage back porch

·         Pot loads of plants in pots & ground

·         General landscaping—no clue ‘bout this one...new to me

·         Replace one shower curtain

·         Replace one lamp shade

·         Clean furniture & pillows

·         Replace light fixture in baby’s room

Some things I WANT to do before selling:

·         Build out laundry room shelves --will look AMAZING...in fact I might move it to MUST list...whatcha think Marc?

·         Build side fence to allow next buyers a way to hide trash cans & misc. stuff -- another MUST?

·         Build out dining room entertainment cabinets with side shelves

·         Replace both bathroom lighting fixtures

·         Paint bathroom cabinets (Ha!  As if I have time for that!)

·         Replace laundry room light fixture (already have light)

·         Hire a lawn maintenance guru

·         Hire a maid:)  heheehee...no, seriously!

·         Buy fresh flowers then have an Open House Party:)

The Exteriors: Video 1 is the first of at least 3 for staging videos for the exterior...had to spread ‘em out due to length. not sure if the LOW quality is my fault or my camera's...oh well.

Ciao for now my dear friends

Trish