I can use power tools!

Today I stepped out of my element and installed a clients valances myself! Usually my husband/installer does all the labor for me, but since he is MIA in Jacksonville with his real job, I had to put my big girl pants on and do it myself. It went off without a hitch.

Here is the before





Here is the after




My client didn't like the gathered valances that came with the bedding set. I took them and made these soft cornices. The plaid fabric is ready available, so I did purchase a few yards of that. I'm always amazed at how a little color up on the wall in the form of window treatments can change a room. I'm even more amazed that I pulled off the installation all by my lonesome.

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"I Do" love weddings!

Our pastor and his wife have 4 daughters. The oldest is getting married in May. I offered to help in any way I could and was asked to help with decorating the church and the ceremony flowers. This is what my dining room table will be looking like for the the next few weeks while I try to get everything done. Well it actually looks worse than this right now.


Here is the lovely bride. We we getting the designs finalized for bouquets and boutonnieres
The bride likes things a little out of the ordinary. The boutonnieres are going to be made with buttons. Here is one that I made to make sure the bride liked it.


I am very happy with how it turned out. The buttons all belong to the bride, her mom and her grandmother. These are so cheap to make. I estimate these cost about 50 cents each. Looking online, boutonnieres cost about $12 each, so I think this is a big money saver since we need about about 22 of them.
She has also chosen an unusual flower for a wedding, the magnolia. We just wanted small bouquets for the bridesmaids so this is our starting off point.


Did I mention her colors are white, cream, gold silver and zebra? We're still tweaking the bouquets. More to follow over the next few months as we prepare for the nuptials. Stay tuned.

I'm spending the weekend in JAX. Getting a chance to get a closer look at our new place and spending some family time. We're hoping to go to St.Augustine and take the boys to the pirate museum. Should be lots of fun.

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New House

This is our new house in Jacksonville, FL.


It looks like most other Florida houses. Not sure what I'll do to make it stand out a little since it is a rental. We have a 2 year lease, so we'll be there a little while. My DH will be living in a mostly empty house until we officially move at the end of May. He started his new job last week. I have a feeling I'll be doing some projects here before the big move. I'll keep you posted.

I Entered A Giveaway!

And I hope I win!! Jones Design Company is having her monthly drawing and look at the loot!

So cute for Valentines Day. Did I say I hope I win? Well I do!!!

No More Dog Hair!

Since we are moving and will be living in a rental for 2 years that does not accept pets, we cannot take our dog Michael with us. He has been living with us for 3 and a half years and my house has not been the same since his arrival. We got him from my MIL and he is almost 13 years old. It's not that I don't like dogs. I never had ANY pets growing up and have had a hard time getting used to him. He sheds ALOT!!!! He has short white hair and I have dark wood floors. I can't keep them looking nice. Well today my dog has gone back to live with my MIL. I had to have a long talk with him not to pee on her rugs, because she won't keep him if that happens. My boys really like the dog, but they don't want to take any responsibility for taking care of him. They can visit him at grandma's when they want to see him now and my house will be dog hair free!!!
Here are a couple of pics from my phone.

I'm not sayin' we'll never have another dog, but not for at least the next 2 years. Yeah! All of you dog lovers out there don't hate me. I like dogs, I just don't want to own one. I'm off to vacuum and clean out the mudroom.

It's time to shake things up around here!!!

We're moving to Florida! We're leaving Atlanta and going South to Jacksonville.

Here is a great night view of downtown JAX. It's really pretty. I love all the water everywhere.

Here it is during the day.

A move has been coming for a while for us. My husband's company got bought out by a company in Chicago. It was either move there or find a new job. We really considered moving to Chicago, but felt it was not where God wanted us. We lived there for five years before coming to Atlanta and we know how very cold it get's there. This opportunity in Florida kind of fell into our laps and we grabbed it. Who would want to live in this all winter,

when you could live near this?

Not me that's for sure!!!!

Our boys are excited about the move. They don't seem to mind the fact that we will be leaving their friends. But, this is the age of video chatting, texting, and playing Xbox online. So I know they will stay in touch. We also softened the blow by telling them we would get annual passes here.

I guess Mickey and Mini will be their new friends :)

My husband has already left to start his new job, and we will be moving at the end of May. We will see each other every weekend. I have to get everything organized for the move. It will be an interesting and busy 4 months around here. I will keep you posted.

Merry Christmas to All

Here is our Christmas card for this year.

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I hope that you are all happy and healthy this Christmas season. It has been a trying year for us, but through it all God never fails. We look forward to exciting changes ahead for our family in 2011 that I will reveal in the weeks to come.