Mistreating These Ol' Windows

I realized with this move to NC in April, that in the 7+ years that Dan and I have been married, we have moved SEVEN times! Because most of our moves have been to rentals, limited storage space, and/or realizing that window treatments just don't fit the budget, I've felt very limited in what I could actually do in that department....until now!

I'm not too sure how I came across this blog...but here I found another woman whose family is constantly on the move, lives on a budget, and y'all she works MAGIC with a piece of fabric and a few easy-to-use tools (plus she's insanely creative and stages homes to sell for a living).

This particular post caught my eye while I looked around at our particularly old, ugly windows with mis-matched blinds and rods...and the wheels started turning, I thought "maybe I can do this!" Mom bought me a sewing machine for my last birthday, and while I stare at it longingly most often, and even have a cute cover for it, courtesy of Aunt Cindy, (so that it doesn't collect dust of course!) I still haven't learned how to use that thing! One of the most appealing things about the nesters window mistreatments is that most of the time, there's not a STITCH involved...which means that when we move or if I change my mind *whichever comes first ;)* the fabric can be re-used for anything my heart desires.

The two fabrics in the living/dining room I found after digging around a while at the remnant table of the local fabric store for about 3.99/yard and the fabric for Reecie's room I found at the same fabric store and used my 40% off coupon.

The Nester's got so many ideas for how to mistreat windows (and hers are GORGEOUS!), but here are just a few that I've tried so far. Disclaimer: from far away they look good, but don't examine too closely! But like most things, I'm learning that the more I practice, the better they look. Each treatment took between 30 min. to 1 hour. So, without further ado, I give you window mistreatments:

First, the dining room-I used the upholstery tack technique for this:

Then, the windows on either side of the fireplace, the don't match because they're different sizes (one's a reg. window and one's a door) The rods were already there so I just added the ring clips plus a little pinchin', pulllin' and hotglued some pompom ball trim:

And last, the princess room, upholstery tack technique, again. Except it looks different because this fabric is light-weight (no rods or rings here):

Then I added a glue dot and a little daisy to cover each tack........voila!

"I'm FRRREEEEE!"

Sweet Hannah Reece,

Three years ago, when you made your grand entrance into a hospital room, (with no doctor present!) I knew that you were going to do things in your own special way, and that life would be an adventure with you around! But three years later, I could never have imagined how rich, how exciting, how sweet our lives are because of yours, Hannah Reece.

Look how cute you were in that little bassinet...you baked on that little biliblanket for several weeks after your wild ride into this world, the jaundice lasted for several weeks....we called you our little glow worm!

You are not afraid to enjoy life, let go, make a mess...I love that about you...God has used your adventurous, carefree spirit to teach me to let go, get my hands dirty, and make the very most of every moment! You sure know how to make us laugh! Here I come to get a towel after my shower...HELLO!!!

Now you see her, now you don't! ;)

Baby, you can rock it. I will shamelessly admit letting you stay up way too late once a week to watch So Y*u Think You C*n Dan*e. I love to listen to music and dance with you, my boogie buddy!
I never could've imagined or dreamed up a more wonderful you. As you blow out the candles, know that my only wish for you, my only prayer, is that you will live your life basking in the love of your dear Savior, Jesus.

I pray that your beauty will glorify and draw others to Him, precious daughter. We love you, happy 3rd birthday!

Family Fun (minus one)

One of our family fun night favorites is a living room camp-out. Daddy's usually our "camp coordinator" but since he's been away this weekend-I filled in as substitute camp coordinator! *grin* Daddy does it better.

I put together the easiest little movie dinner spread: apples w/ peanut butter, white chocolate covered pretzels, cheese and crackers, almonds, chocolate milk, and of course...all you can eat popcorn!

We blew up the air mattresses and cuddled up together to watch our movie under lots of blankets. The fun lasted until about 1:30... when I woke up on Hannah Reece's TWIN air mattress with both kids piled on top of me! As camp coordinator, I decided we'd better make a move to the big comfy bed, nobody even budged. It was a good night.

Grateful...

Reecieisms

*note: please don't judge me on the food contained on my daughter's plate, thank you. :)

Psalms for Joy

I've hit the wall. I love change, in theory. There is so much about this season that I enjoy and even welcome...realizing that the stretching, the growth is so worth the issues of discomfort in change. But there are also times where I long for ordinary. Normalcy. Routine. Familiarity. These things are good, but at times too...safe.  God has used the Psalms to minister to my heart and restore my joy and peace, so many times in life.  So grateful for God's Word.  It is healing and life-giving.  

Friday Flashback

How can it be? Our babies are growing up. It hit me hard a few weeks ago....and of all places, in the children's department at Dillards!

My mom pointed out that we could no longer shop for Hannah Reece in the baby department. Stop right there. Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. I know...pitiful, but it's true! Now missy sis wears a 3T which happens to be found in the "big girl" department, home to Hannah Montana t-shirts and psychadelic-colored mini-skirts...much to my my darling daughter's delight (and to her momma's dismay!)

She's developed quite the strong opinion about fashion, and wholeheartedly prefers to pick out her own clothes. Dress shopping with Nana was no exception! Most of her choices included dresses that were pink, sparkly, striped with loud colors, endowed with ruffles, or...did I mention PINK?

Gone are the days of Wal-Mart style shopping-where I strip her down in the aisle to do a quick try-on. Not for this little fashionista. Hannah Reece insisted on trying her dresses on in the "bathroom" (dressing room). First was the spin test, and of course she had to spin in front of EVERY bless-ed mirror in that dressing room. Because you never know, some mirrors lie, right!? Next, was the bounce test, which included vigorous jumping to test the buoyancy of the ruffles. Then, she'd turn around, close the door to the dressing room and move on to the next. Letting us know that she needed some "pwivacy."

Thankfully we all agreed and settled on the one with the rainbow butterflies. She said it "matched" her butterfly sandals and was as happy as a clam. The next day, after breakfast, she turned around, looked at my mom and said "Nana, let's go to the store and try on dresses today!"

Graham is growing like a weed. At age 5 1/2 he's almost in the big boy sizes for shoes. One of his favorite pasttimes is reenacting scenes from Star Wars with his lego collection. He recently informed me that for his birthday (which is still 7 months away, mind you!) he'd like to have a Star Wars party. Graham also has become quite the wordsmith....he enjoys using big words expressively-and most of the time, appropriately-even if they are laden with 5-year-old attitude! He seems thrilled to be back in Florida right now. He really misses his buddies and his cousins while we're away. Playing and going to VBS with them this week has been good medicine for his sweet little heart.

Speaking of sweet hearts...I came across this photo in my dad's computer on this day last year....my how they've grown!