Stuff

I found some stray photos from NJ. They brought back some fun memories. I'm not sure if it's the grey skies, cold weather, or what....but I have been feeling sort of gloomy. No energy, and perfectly content to lay on the couch with a bag of chocolate (yes, the whole bag). I have a million projects to be completed and don't feel like doing anything. Though, we did finally finish the dining room painting project-woo hoo.

 Problem is, I have 2 active boys who are not into the whole laying on the couch eating chocolate thing. The responsibility of motherhood seems so huge sometimes. Some days it feels effortless....other days, I think about how my direction plays into their futures. How my choices make such a difference in their lives. Oy! I've been thinking a lot about how I was raised. How life was so different when I was a girl....a super shy little girl. I didn't participate in any sports(my choice), and never took a  music lesson(again, my choice. though we had a piano and guitar, and my brother was in a 70's rock band). I don't remember reading tons of books. I do remember my mom after schooling us (but that's a whole 'nother story). We had lots of books, and I'm sure my mom read to us when we were little. I think? Yes, I'm sure. It was just all so different. More simple.

My mom never worried that she was messing us up. She never fretted that I didn't want to join a sports team or finish that art lesson....or that I was super duper shy. She really listened to and supported me. She gave me security. Even today, she still encourages me and reminds me of these things. Now, I'm not saying it was all perfect. Oh, I could tell you stories. But it was a pretty good childhood.

What I find interesting is that today... I love reading, I play sports, and I'm not as shy. I never was prepped or nurtured in those areas, yet.....I don't know. I can't put my finger on it, but that makes me think. 

onto the stray photos.....

 Our homeschool gym class. Coach Brandon would take the train in from the Bronx. This same group would go to a science class held at a ladies home. I remember always having to make sure we had money for the meters.....

 The boys look excited, huh? They actually really liked gathering for our Friday group. We met in the basement of our church....the kids did science experiments, art projects, and because all the moms spoke Spanish (except me) they learned Spanish.

 One of the moms arranged for us to dissect a starfish for our last class.

                   

More Pics

Everytime I write a blog post, I think...."why am I doing this?" and then I remember that only a handful of friends and family read this, so what does it matter? Meaning-I need to either stop keeping this blog, or quit feeling so vulnerable by keeping it. Soooo, guess I will post more pictures....

 After having limited space for the past 3 years we are pretty excited to have some extra space. The bedrooms are on the small side, but thankfully there is an extra to hold our school supplies. We can shut the door and move on....

 My dear friend, Tiffanie, surprised us with the neatest house warming gift. What is extra special is that she made it herself (she makes custom wreaths and door hangings). This picture doesn't even do the monogram justice. It arrived with an awesome bow, ready to hang. I have been alternating between our front door and over the bed. So far, over the bed wins....or maybe the door? Love it!

                    I actually centered it, and really do make my bed a little neater than that. (at least the part about the monogram being centered is true).

Lastly, I give you our entry window. I love that big window....except our bedroom doors are across from it. It makes privacy as we are all getting ready for bed really crazy. We usually have to turn off the hall lights so the boys can walk from their bathroom to their bedroom. Weird design...and a pain in the neck to wash. Literally.

A little tour.....

Here we go....I'm tired, so my sentences may be choppy.
We inherited this dry sink (I think that's what it is) from Greg's grandma. My mother in law remembers it being in their house when she was little. I was going to paint it,but think we may keep it as is. We keep shuffling it around the house....looking for it's proper place.

We've been loving our kitchen area. The area gets all warm and sunny in the morning, which makes it a good spot for coffee. I'm not a morning person but this area makes me enjoy mornings. Still figuring out what chairs to use (currently using our Ikea folding chairs).

One thing that surprised me.....we have not painted one wall since we moved in. I think it's partly because we were just so tired from the move. We did spontaneously purchase a couch and chairs. I found the big flower painting at the Christmas Tree Shop for $29! Still deciding if we will keep it over the fireplace. What do you think? We are changing out the coffee table for the one I grew up with (thanks mom), and we're planning on spray painting it "hammered metal".

I tend to be impatient when it comes to decorating. When I get on a roll I don't stop. One day, Greg and I just started randomly hanging these photos(from storage). I'm not thrilled with our layout, but it works for now.

              I found this pillow at TJ Maxx for $15....love it. It's made of felt and super soft.

I have a large collection of my father's paintings. His oil paintings are hanging on the walls of Greg's parent's house. I was so happy to finally be able to hang some of his watercolors.

While searching for our sofa, we found this dining room sideboard at Raymour & Flanigan's clearance center. It now sits in Greg's office.

And this is one of the walls in Greg's office. The diamonds are painted on (by previous house owner).

The dining room is currently brown. We are on a hunt for a new color... maybe grey? So, there you have it. I hope to take more pictures. I love going back to old blog posts and looking at our previous house....it just encourages me to keep posts of this decorating process as well. I've definitely noticed how our style and color choices have changed.