This is no ordinary piece of trim!

This may look like a really boring picture but there's a lot to tell.

We started a home improvement project last year that included puting in new floor, painting the wall, ripping out trim and replacing it with a higher quality version. A year later, the last piece of trim was nailed in place tonight while I was teaching class. YAHOO!

I've lived with this unfinished project, silently loathing the blasted angles and curves which make putting up trim a huge chore: measuring, cutting and measuring again. My ki energies are NOT conducive to such detailed, precise work, that's Chad's department! I'm very happy that the things have come into alignment and this project is now complete. Check.

Next phase is to add the quarter round between the ceiling and the wall, which will complete the top level. I am bouncing with joy! This is the motivation to tackle the depth below......pictures coming on that one. The basement will take my organizational skills to the next level, or cause me to host a radical garage sale on our property (which is not out of the question!)

I'm celebrating this completed task by sitting on the couch staring at a wall and floor, there's never been one that's looked better to me!

I am grateful to have such a talented, handy husband. If left to me, I promise that trim would never have fit nor would it be even! I know where my skills lie and measuring sure aint one of them!

I have another full day ahead. I kind of feel like a steam-roller this week and tonight, after an awesome 9*ki class I'm definitely ready to recharge. So is my carpenter. By the way, have you hugged your handyman (or woman) lately?! I just did!

Besties!

Normally I would cringe over taking my youngest to a long production but her bff is here and she's so excited (and entertained)!

This is the break in our day, which was supposed to be a lazy Sunday! Ok so much for that; the warm, gorgeous weather activated my hubby into high gear and we spent the two hour gap betwen church breakfast and Easter Pagent putting up trim in the kitchen! (Its only been a year, right?!) I am amazed at how splendidly that little piece of wood "finishes" the spaces in between the cupboards.

I certainly hope the momentum continues, we still have much to wrap up before its time for outside projects; time is of the essence.

I have a BUSY and exciting week ahead of me, maybe that's why I was wishing I could be lazy today?!?!

As soon as the pagent is over we'll likely finish the trim. I'm guessing we will run out of daylight before we run low on supplies. Chad will far outlast me in terms of energy and motivation. I do make an awesome cheerleader though!

I have so many projects popping up, it is definitely Spring, isn't it?

Cowgirl Latte

I love coffee. If I were any closer to NP, I'd drive by my beloved Winfields and have an Irish Cream every day.

I live too far though so this is what I do; brew a very hot cup of Gloria Jean's Butter Toffee, add half n half and a good dose of agave nectar. Ahhhhhh. Staying awake has never been easier.

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Green Tea a bargain and cards

Since the sun is not shining and March appears not to have gotten the message that spring is here.....I had to add some heat!

Normally I'd set my pitcher on the deck; today I fired up the stove and a kettle so my tea would brew more quickly.

We'll have friends here this afternoon and possibly a campfire tonight! (Its almost time and I can't wait to incorporate this ritual into my weekend routine!

I'm also excited to re-season my decor. I love all the bird decor that is cropping up. I am not one to go out and buy but when I find a great deal and I know I can use the item for many seasons I will bring it home. This little treasure was a $2 clearance special! It is the inspiration for a series of spring/mother's day cards I'll be designing.

Next week I'll be excavating and organizing my craft room! Big job but will be worth it---my creative energies are jazzing right now! For anyone who desires homemade, unique cards for Mother's Day, won't have time to whip them up, or prefers home crafted to store bought, give me a shout! I have some FUN story card packets (you send me the pics and I work my magic!)

One of these days I'll post pics so you can see what I'm up to. Friend discounts apply if you read this blog!

Here's wishing you a lot of Spring in your step!!!

Good Bye Dr. Pepper.....forever!

In light of our recent travels my life-long habit of soda guzzling is over. Normally I wouldn't post this because of fear of backsliding, but I have completely lost the craving for the sugary concoction.

The addiction reaches back to my early elementary years, spanning most of my adult life. Dr. Pepper was my 2:30 pm salvation during nine yrs of public school teaching.

Its been a long haul. One of the coaching techniques I use with clients (and myself) is to use time away from daily routine to incorporate a new habit or pattern. Upon returning home, rather than picking up the old habit, its a great time to align with a new supportive one(s). This is the first of many new changes I'm introducing. The spring energies have provided a wonderfully fresh platform to make shifts (don't look to the weather and temps to confirm this.)

Since 2:30 seems to be my "temptation" hour I've replaced the habit of popping a top with brewing a pot! One Yerba Mate Chocolate is an old favorite and I've purchased a new box. Today at lunch I had a wonderful (cheap) refreshment. It totally hit the spot. No aftertaste, no headache and no self-guilt!

Please note, I make no judgements toward others who have tango with soda, its truly a tough dance to step away from. It is a personal change I've wanted to make, one notch in the belt, many more to go.

Does this mean I'm leaving behind coffee? Don't be silly! I prefer gradually stepping down! I could possible break an ankle with out my java!

The cool side-effect is that my kids noticed and they are excited in joining me (power and support in numbers!) They are wild about green tea. We even brewed some on the deck this afternoon.

So this farewell DP. Its been "sweet". I won't miss you. In fact you rarely cross my mind at all these days. Don't worry, there are thousand who adore you, I saw you sneaking out with another woman in Wal-Mart today. Apparently you are already over me too, so I don't feel bad. Here's to a fresh start.

Proper Balance

Here's a full view of the decor on the mantle. Do you notice/sense/feel the balance?

I can hear the ooooo-ing and awwwwww-ing now. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much!

CC Decorating

I'm pretty sure the waitress at the T-Rex cafe had no idea that I'd be using a $13 drink glass in my decorating scheme (well at the time, I was thinking of it either!)

For those of you who follow the blog and my sometimes whacky cowgirl antics, you may appreciate the touch of creativity (just a touch) and be inspired to craft your own theme as well!

When the weather warms and the wind goes down, the lovely T-rex image will be covered with a fresh coat of buckskin yellow (dinos just don't go aling with the wester scheme!)

For now though I wanted to do a test run. I really like the shape of the glass and any good Feng Shui consultant knows that two of the same items brings instant balance to the mantle! Something was missing though.....and as I was putting away the whole wheat noodles, inspiration struck! The noodles were "icing on the cake" so to speak. I'm also seeing wheat and some little red vine to make this display pop!

You get the idea! I hope inspiration and creativity find you today, when you least expect it, like when you are cleaning out a cupboard!

Feel free to share what inspired you to today!