Happy 2012

Boy this year has zipped by! Even though I had some health challenges and I was still adjusting to having my son away at college, the year has been better than the last several. I am thankful.

I've spent some time writing down both personal and decorating goals for 2012. I only accomplished one major personal goal from last year (out of 5) and I'm looking foward to a more focused and purposeful life this year. On the decorating front I hope to finish my living room, dining room, bathroom and 2nd bedroom. Those rooms are 85% finished. I just need to focus (see a theme?) and get them completed. I'll love to have those projects off my to-do list.

One goal I have is to get back to my writing. I want to blog once a week this year. I had to decide which blog to use (I have several) and I think Pink Laundry Room is a good spot for my ramblings mixed in with some decorating and design inspiration. 

What about you? How was your 2011? What are your goals for 2012?

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day! We commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

We are afforded many freedoms in our country some not lawful in other countries. During this time of celebration I like to reflect on my political, religious  and  personal freedoms - to choose what I believe and how I want to live.

Mostly I choose to celebrate my freedom to be equal, believe, not believe, abstain, practice, voice, protest, write, create, express, worship, vote, join, and many, many others. I realize these freedoms are upheld in the Constitution and subsequent laws and are all not necessarily spelled out in the Declaration of Independence, but it seems right to think of them on the day that we stood united and declared our freedom from tyranny and started the process of building our great nation.

I hope you enjoy your 4th of July and take a minute to reflect on its significance in addition to enjoying your  B-B-Q's, parades, family, and fireworks.

Countdown to Christmas

It is only 242 days until Christmas. If you celebrate it do you make handmade gifts? Do you know what you are giving and to whom? Do you have a plan for when you will start making them? And then the real start date, when do you think that is?

I usually have ideas for gifts around September but don't start really making anything until around Halloween. Then I pause a little and have a mad dash after Thanksgiving to get things done. I'm usually working on something right up until the last minute. (And I'll confess that sometimes my son's (18 years old) gifts don't get made until after Christmas or July). But once I've made up my mind in September I stick with the project, no matter how tedious it becomes.

I was so proud 78 days ago when I posted that I knew what everyone would be getting. Well things have changed because I saw something similar to what I was going to make in a Sister-in-law's house - quelle horreur!

Now I have to rethink things and still try to use the supplies I've already purchased. Darn it. I was creative once, I don't know if I can be creative twice!

What are you making for the holidays?

Belief

If you have a religious belief

A bunny belief

Or it's just a Sunday belief

May you have a glorious day.

Happy Washington's Birthday

In the United States today is the federal holiday officially known as George Washington's Birthday. President Washington's birthday is actually February 22 but the celebration was shifted to the third Monday of February by the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act.  In the mid-1980's advertisers started calling the day President's Day, also recognizing President Lincoln's birthday (which some states already did although it was never a federal holiday) on February 12, and the name seems to have stuck. As such about a dozen states have officially renamed their holiday Presidents Day to honor both Washington and Lincoln. 

Just a little history lesson with your coffee this morning.

Countdown to Christmas - 320 days left

I love giving homemade Christmas gifts. I love  the planning, shopping for the supplies and making them. I really love when my family is just as excited about the gifts as I am. I'm going to brag a little: I already know what everyone is getting for next year! I even have most of the supplies for the gift for the girls (Sister-in-laws and Step Mother). Some are silver and shiny and personalized .... oh I wish I could give you a peek! But my family reads my blog so I don't want to spoil their surprise. 

You only have 320 days left, do you know what you are making for Christmas?

Unfinished Gifts of Christmas Past

Do you have homemade gifts that weren't finished in time for Christmas? From last year too? I do. 

I mean, it's not unusual for me to have UFOs (UnFinished Objects) hanging around the house for a couple of years(!), or until I do a major declutter and they get passed on to a friend or donated. But I feel particularly bad about having unfinished Christmas gifts lingering. I had good intentions. I had plenty of time. I had the supplies and even started. I just didn't have the "whatever"to finish. 

The unfinished Christmas gifts make me feel guilty. Like I'm somehow disrespecting the person they were intended for by not finishing them. The giftee received something else just as lovely, just not made from my marvelous hands. 

What about you? What's your guilty unfinished project secret?