My Happy Place

See this closet?  (pardon the very poor lighting and composition.)

This closet used to contain an awkward storage unit, a weirdly placed clothes bar that didn't actually fit anything well, and some odd sized shelves.  I had pretty much just left it alone- storing my biking, hiking and ski gear there and writing it off as a poor design decision someone else made, and an issue that I didn't want to deal with. 

Then, over Labor Day weekend, I was itching for a little DIY project and this closet was where my mind landed.  I have wanted a dedicated space where I could spread out whatever project I was working on for quite a while, and I realized that, with the right modifications, this closet might fit the bill perfectly. 

So I did some serious deconstruction work - those organizers and shelves were screwed, nailed and glued into the wall (I guess whoever put them in really didn't want them to come out).  Then I did some serious reconstruction work- I basically ended up tearing down to the sheet rock in most places, the deconstruction causing a couple of large holes in others.  I ended up patching, taping, mudding, texturing, priming and painting the closet walls before they looked right. 

Then I hung new shelves, added a table that fit the space, figured out some lighting options (although this will be upgraded in the near future) and moved my supplies into their new home. 

And.....VOILA! 

  

It doesn't look like much, but I now have a perfectly appointed space where I can sew, craft, work on jewelry, paint, whatever....

I spend a lot of my time here these days.  I am really enjoying having somewhere I can let my creative juices run wild, and the best part is that if I leave an in-process project spread out, l can shut the doors from curious little four year old hands.  

I didn't expect to enjoy this closet re-do as much as I have, but I have found that I'm more apt to work on things now that I have the space to do them without leaving a huge mess around the rest of my condo.  

Who knew?

I love it when a project comes together even better than I expected. 

Thankful

Riley and I spent Thanksgiving in Idaho with my family.  We stayed at my Dad's home, and enjoyed four days of family, fun, and aMAZing mexican food (we branched out a little for Thanksgiving Dinner this year.)  We drove back to Utah this afternoon, and I spent most of the drive thinking about how good things are for us right now, and how thankful I am for the life I live and for how things always seem to turn out how they are supposed to.  It reminded me that I needed to catch up on posting my November Gratitude lists here.  

upside down me

Nov. 14 - Grateful for Mondays, for my full schedule and the fulfillment that I find in my work.
Nov. 15 - Grateful for the opportunity i have to work with several 8-11 year old girls in my new church commitment.
Nov. 16- Grateful for a flexible schedule and an understanding boss - taking a sick day to care for Riley is not nearly as stressful as it could be. 
Nov. 17- Grateful for the sorted and organized home and mind that comes with some time to myself.
Nov. 18- Grateful for the chance to end the week with some of my favorite people and for an evening of rest and relaxation.
Nov. 19- Grateful for my dear friend who helped me out at a moment's notice, and for the cheerful spirits that she and her three girls posess.  Being in their home, even just for a very short time, left me uplifted and happy.
Nov. 20 - Grateful that, despite the fact that Riley is not feeling her best, we were able to enjoy a quiet Sunday at home together- reading, cooking and napping.
Nov. 21- Grateful that my girl was well enough to go to school today, and that I finished up my Christmas shopping today.  I still have to work on some gifts that I am making, but by and large - I'm done!
Nov. 22- Grateful that I'm finally able to work out at my normal level.  It's been almost a month since I've been able to work hard at the gym, and I really missed it!
Nov. 23- Grateful for my daughter's newest obsession - Gala apples.  I'm always happy when she adds another healthy item to her limited eating repertoire. 
Nov. 24- Grateful for my family, especially those that are not with us today.  I'm very blessed to be part of such a tight knit family, a group that truly enjoys each other's company.  I'm also thankful for the hilarity a turkey pinata adds to the traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.

Riley and Lexi and the iPad

Nov. 25 - Grateful for the friendship my sweet nieces offer to my daughter.  As an only child, they provide her with a sense of what it would be like to have siblings, and she just adores them (as do I).  I'm so grateful that we can spend time with them this weekend.
Nov. 26- Grateful for the truly excellent sleep I've had for the past three nights.  I sleep better at my Dad's home than anywhere else on earth, and three days of that type of rest will hold me for several weeks.  I always leave there with a rested and happy heart.


Things are good.
Things are just really, really good.
I'm so very Thankful. 

Right now, I'm:

Processing (finally) the photos from our Disneyland trip.  It was such a fun time, and seeing the photos are bringing up some silly memories.  This photo is one of my favorites.

 Eating a big bowl of quinoa black bean salad - quinoa, black beans, tons of veggies, cilantro and a cumin lime dressing.  Divine.  And an easy, healthy way to use up all the veggies that were cluttering up my fridge.

Tired from a day of caring of a sick little one.  It's nothing serious - just a cold- but sick days really take it out of both of us.  We are both heading to bed early.

Listening to Riley's soft snoring.  Ever since she was an infant, she's snored when she is the slightest bit congested.  It makes me think of this video of her - she was about 4 months old.


Anticipating the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Riley and I are going to Idaho to be with my family and I'm very much looking forward to a low-key, relaxed holiday with the people we love.

Looking for book suggestions.  Got any you want to throw my way?  Please do!

Grateful for a job I really enjoy and the fact that on Sunday evening, I am usually looking forward to the week ahead, rather than dreading it.

Editing a few personal writing projects.  Looking forward to sending them to the places they belong shortly.

Excited about the possibility of getting out to do some snowshoeing and XC skiing this week.  Let's hear it for Idaho snow and family who will keep an eye on the Girl while I get myself out into it!

Thankful my mom's back surgery went well.  She's home and resting and doing as well as can be expected.  I'm glad she's a step further in the process of getting her health back on track.

Sore from the first real workout I've been able to do for about three weeks.  Yesterday I felt well enough to so some strength training, and run for about 40 minutes.  I'm feeling it today, but it's that good kind of sore and I'm looking forward to getting back in my regular routine this week.

Hoping I'll be able to finish up most of my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving.  I only have a bit left, and I prefer to avoid the stores after the holiday craziness hits. 

Thinking about the possibility of a spring vacation for the Girl and me.  I like to have something to look forward to during the cold days of winter (preferably somewhere warm and beachy) and I have some frequent flier miles that could be used for this purpose.  Hmmm....Florida Keys?  South Carolina beaches?

November 12of12

I wanted to get this up a few days ago, but oh well.  Better late than never.  And I decided to skip the grid this month again, because, well...I'm lazy like that.

I blame the cold medicine. 

This month's 12of12 was fun to capture because my brother, his wife and their three little girls were staying with us for the weekend.  K&J did some christmas shopping on Saturday and left the girls with me for a while- such a fun way to spend the day. 

the morning started off with cereal and coloring.

Slurpees seemed like a good idea at the time.

I forgot how sweet it is to have a sleeping baby around.

We made cookies because, you know, why not?

My hallway became an art studio.

Oh, my Hallee.  Sweetest girl on earth. I adore her. 

For some reason, i decided to can some homemade pizza sauce in the middle of everything.  I blame the cold medicine. 

One of several pillow fights that erupted throughout the day. 

Chilling after a hard day of shopping. 

The girls made personal pizzas for dinner.

Then wound the day up by doing a little bit of yoga.

Jamie and I wound the day up with Alkaseltzer cold medicine.  Disgusting, but surprisingly effective. 

Hello out there! and November Gratefuls

Hello.  Hi.  Remember me?

I'm the girl who usually posts here three-ish times a week?

Yeah?  You do remember?  Oh good.  Just wanted to stop in, say hi, and that I'm hoping to be back in full swing soon. 

 

Her current choice of "me" time entertainment - the Riley playlist on my iPod

The past three weeks, I've been hit and hit hard by a wicked sinus infection, which joined forces with a double ear infection to really give me a run for my money, health-wise.   Sure, there are much worse things I could be suffering from, but for a person who is usually insanely healthy...well, I'm frustrated.  And tired.  And irritable.  And ready for this bump in the road to smooth out.  I'm trying to stay positive though, and am grateful for great medical care I have access to, and that things are getting better day by day.  I'll get there.  I'll make it.  Still, any prayers or positive energy or healing vibes you want to throw my way are very much appreciated.  Thank you.

Now, on to the real topic of this post....


In November, I join several friends in recounting something I am grateful for each day.  Many of my friends post these thoughts on Facebook, but I am spending very little time on Facebook these days.  So, I am writing them in my journal instead.  Still, I wanted to post them online, as well, since many of the good in my life is due to the amazing people I am surround by and I think it's important to acknowledge the good in our lives out loud, and often.  There is no rhyme or reason as to why I chose to post the list, thus far, today.  I just wanted to get it out there and am excited to continue through the rest of the month.  

Nov. 1 - Grateful for a small home that goes from trashed to tidy in less than an hour.
Nov. 2 - Grateful for a much-needed evening to myself.
Nov. 3 - Grateful that my little girl is learning the value of "me" time (see photo above.)
Nov. 4- Grateful that I have an objective person on my side, to listen and to advise.
Nov. 5- Grateful for the dedicated 'creative space' in my home, one that I can close it off to keep little hands out of projects.
Nov. 6- Grateful for a quiet day at home to rest and get myself back on the road to health.
Nov. 7- Grateful for excellent healthcare providers and insurance.
Nov. 8- Grateful for a productive day, despite large amounts of cold medicine and antibiotics and painkillers.
Nov. 9- Grateful that a much anticipated meeting went well, and for an early night and 10+ hours of sleep.
Nov. 10 - Grateful to have spent the evening at a good friend's home, soaking up her wisdom and her girls' playful happiness.

Nov. 11- Grateful for my military experience; for the opportunity to serve, for the life lessons I learned and for the committed, brave, and generous people I met along the way. 
Nov. 12 - Grateful for a plethora of little girls; for giggles and hugs, for dances and drawings.
Nov. 13 - Grateful for a new chance to serve others, and for the songs and words of children.

What's going on around here

It snowed today-the first real snow storm of the season.  At first, I was sort of "ew! ick! snow!" but an early morning romp through the freshly fallen powder with Riley and Harley was all it took to turn that attitude around and remember that I can enjoy it.  I guess it's time to get the snowshoes and XC skis out.

 Riley's new bedtime regime leaves me with more free time in the evenings than I have had since she was born.  Besides catching up on my own sleep, I've been using the time to work on various crafty-DIY projects that I've had my eye on for a while, but haven't had the time or energy to undertake.  I like stretching my creativity in these ways and it's always fun to learn new skills.  I'll post some pics of the projects I've been working on soon.

Today has been a majorly lazy day, all around.  We got up and made pancakes for breakfast, played in the snow, watched a movie and made salt dough, went to our favorite burger joint for lunch, watched another movie and now we are eating cereal and bananas for dinner.  On the agenda for tonight- yep, another movie.  It's a pretty atypical Saturday for us (usually they are filled with errands and housework), but it's been very nice, nonetheless.

November is the month that I have to apply for Riley to go to the school I'd like her to attend (I'm hoping she can attend a school that's a bit closer to my work rather than the school that she'd attend based on school boundaries.)  Making plans for her to attend school is such a reality check for me.  Where did my tiny baby go?  Where is the toddler?  How do I have a child that is starting to read and write?  It's bizarre!  And it makes me really try to savor each moment with her.  They are fleeting and precious, indeed.

Riley just told me that our house looks like a "tomato" hit it.  Haha!  I'm happy that came out of her mouth while I'm writing here. And for the record, she's absolutely right.

I'm not a huge fan of the holidays (in fact, to say I sorta dread them is a much more accurate) but I'm really working on changing my attitude this year.  Riley is excited about them, I have all my christmas gifts planned and many are ready, and I'm going to slash and burn through the invitations that have already started to arrive.  It's going to be ok.  It will all be ok.  *deep breath*

So...What's new with you?