Memorial Day Weekend

Peter's parents came to visit us this weekend! We had so much fun hanging out, visiting the Waterfront for Starbucks, and going to Phipps. As the weekend progressed, it got warmer and warmer so we eventually turned on the A/C. First time this year! It's Memorial Day weekends like this that make me wish I had a lake house. We made due just fine without, though.

Here's some of the pictures we took this weekend. I wasn't thinking most of the time because we should've taken more pictures, but we were too busy enjoying time together. :)

Disappointed...in myself.

We're having renovations done on our house. The bathroom is getting a new tub with caulkless surround and fixtures. The archway is being removed to raise the ceiling. This means that Peter won't have to slouch to take a shower anymore - yay! The kitchen is getting a new counter, sink, and fixtures. We prepared, but not to the extent that we needed to.

I won't get into all of the details here, but on Wednesday after work, I came home and just cried. There were some small things that added to it with extra holes in walls, chipped cupboards, and a cracked bathroom sink, but I guess it's just not how I thought it was going to go. I thought it was going to be the bathroom then the kitchen. Coupled with other stress and the renovations going on at work, I just had a girl moment. After that, I was fine...for the most part.

The week continued and my attitude was a constant struggle. God has really been working on me in that area. After a week which included helping a woman with 2 autistic kids, helping at church where a 12 year old girl died, and attending an event for people who can't speak without the aid of a communication device, I thought I'd have a better perspective. After encounter those situations this week, you'd think I'd be more grateful for the many blessings in my life, including having a house and being able to make fantastic renovations to it.

I kept justifying my attitude in my mind. I had work renovations, "I needed to get ready somewhere", and other reasons why it was "Ok" to react the way I did. Those are all bogus. I'm glad for the growth opportunity that God has given me, but very disappointed in how I reacted to it all. Selfish. Inpatient. Ungrateful. Rude.

Peter has been an awesome source of strength and encouragement. He's been able to roll with the uncertainty and changes much better than I have. He's been so sweet and thoughtful and intentionally caring for me during this time. I wish I could say the same about myself. I'm so thankful that he is able to bring me back to reality, calm my nerves and stress, and put a positive spin on the situation.

A little switch-a-roo

Our beloved "West Wing" is officially gone. After getting my craft desk all ready for its new space, we did a little switching of rooms upstairs. Here's my new crafting space. I just love it! As you can see, I already made some adjustments to the stuff on the desk. I didn't like how the 3 drawer organizer was see through, so I cut some craft paper for the front and like the way it looks much better! I'm debating painting my sewing machine cabinet and the little wooden cabinet next to it white as well. I could fill with green instead of tan on the bins, but that might be a little too matchy matchy. Thoughts? I have a love/hate relationship with the wrapping box in the corner. I also need to do a little more organizing of the stuff on the bookshelf. All in good time...


This is the other corner with my closet and dresser as well as the hampers. Exciting, I know.


This side of the room is less fun. Maybe in time it'll get fixed up some way all pretty-like.


My desk. Love it!


And what became of the West Wing? Oh, just our adorable new little guest room. Sorry, 1 guest at a time, please. Unless you don't mind sleeping on an air mattress, pullout couch, or couch.


I love these room layouts muuuuuuch better than before!

My New Craft Desk

I finally found a great desk to add to my "craft room". It's really a spare room that has my closet/dresser in it as well as all of my crafty stuff and exercise stuff. It's now just referred to as "Mal's room" haha. It used to be our "guest room", but we finally did some cleaning out of our beloved "West Wing". (Beauty and the Beast, anyone?) So now we have "Mal's room" and the "guest room/office".

For $30 on Craiglist, this desk was a great find. It actually has a drop in area for a sewing machine and a drop leaf on the back that you can wheel out (yes it has hidden wheels!) for double the work space. Perfect in so many ways! :) But it needed a little sprucing up...

After a tedious weekend of cleaning, sanding, and painting, I had the main part of the desk with drawers/door done. Because I have the attention span and patience of a 5 year old, I wanted to get the desk in the room ASAP. I'll do the drop leaf later.

I also added new drawer pulls for $1 each. So for a total of less than $45 (I had to also buy a new hinge for the drop leaf part), I have a great new desk!

I also won a $25 gift card at Michaels from Allison's awesome giveway so I bought myself a new self-healing cutting mat to use with my rotary cutter. :)