A little home on the river...

We have been working on a little project over here in Portland and Salem.  My mother-in-law just moved into the most beautiful place right on the river.  It was a clean slate just waiting for me to get my hands on.  So I offered to help put some finishing touches on this lovely riverview retreat.  First...

The River

We did not have much for a budget, so off I went to Goodwill, the fabric store, Home Depot. DIY projects here we come!  Now we need some before and after pics...

The bedroom before

Not much change here, just a $3 shutter painted green, a garge sale wreath and a new duvet cover.

The hallway before

I seriously think that Sharon thought I was going to throw away all of her pictures.  Well I kinda wanted to throw away a few dozen empty frames cause she has way more than that.  But I neatly arranged them on her walls and then threw this wagon wheel up there...big lots special for $8.

The bathroom...no before pics, but hey it was a bathroom :)

She likes shells A LOT!  Well really she just likes the beach a lot...who wouldn't!  So needless to say we have a beach theme in here.   This was bathroom was extra special because it came with a washer and dryer.  We had to hide them behind this curtain so they would only be revealed when they perform.

The riverview room/family/dining room

 

Ben painted this beautiful wall, it took him all day and we had no air conditioning.  Needless to say he was a little grumpy.  Nothing a little mexican food and the funniest call to citibank (long story)would not fix.  It was a fun two days without Boston and he was in good care with his grandma :)

Portobello Road

Have you seen Bed knobs and Broom Sticks?  K well you would know that cute little song about Portobello Road if you had seen it.  This is my new venture...It is a little stressful but you can read all about it here.
http://portobelloroadnw.blogspot.com/
Ben does not love my new projects.  But maybe when I make a little money here and there he will.

Love,
Christie

Boston's shirt...

I did not think he would be in this shirt so fast! My brother David got it for him soon after he was born. But my little 18 month is already in 2T and growing quickly.

Love this video, sorry it ends on a cry. But that is kind of how our days go lately...some fun, some smiles and laughs, happy then sad and then well you may know...arched backs and tantrums on the floor :) Yay for toddlers...

Crafty McCrafter in the house..

As I have been a little slower in the winter months I have revived my inner crafter. Joining Makia Creations as a group leader with Valerie (my sister-in-law) has also helped. You may or may not know that I grew up in a crafting household. My mom, and my two sister-in-laws, Vicky and Cindy were boutiquers. We would stay up to the wee hours in the morning sanding and painting...sewing and stuffing and then painting some more. These times of laughing untill you almost pee your pants were some of my fondest memories during my pre-teen years.
Then we would drop off all the fruits of our labor at the boutique and hope they sold!

I have always tried to keep and foster that creative gene. Through college I was a business major and then an interior architecture major and then I finally changed for good to a hospitality major. All those art classes were enjoyable though eventually I traded up for traveling.

Anywho here are few crafts I have been working on the past few months...

My entrance for the Makia Craft contest....not the most original idea but it is made of wood and it was fun to make.








I made this quilt for my best friend Jen and her new baby Capri (entering world soon). I love the dalia pattern that I made up and quilted on the front. It is the coziest blanket ever!

So this is a wreath that I made out of all of Boston's crib bedding scraps. It was super easy and took me a day or two. We are kind of a red, white and blue family so it will go on the door most of the summer months.

Winter Wonderland for 5 hours...

I realize that I have neglected my blog when I go to my camera and I have not downloaded them since Ben's Birthday in December. Well we have had an exciting week this week with some snow!

Here is a little update of our situation (and then you get cute pictures). If you don't know yet, Ben is looking for a new job. One that pays a salary :) Ben has had two interviews for a Credit Analyst that went well. We are just waiting there, while he applies for 5 jobs a day and waits for other calls. I think he really would like to have a government job, so we are exploring options there too. I have had one and have another one next week for a Senior Event Manager. Not sure how I feel yet about going back to work....just relying on faith to get me through.

Here is our cutie, that is babbling daily, exploring everywhere and is learning his signs. He can say banana (nannnannna), thank you (tank you) and cheese (eeeese?) and of course mama and dada.

Loving every minute of my last days before busy season is upon us and I start traveling again, which would be tomorrow. Stay warm this winter!

My Boys..

Boston's buddy Westly (1 yr)

Boston's buddy Forest (3 yrs) I think Boston weighs more than him. But Boston was a little squished after that ride.

Yay Packers

Happy Superbowl Sunday! In honor of the GB Packers winning today we are posting this video of our young athlete, Boston!

And a special THANK YOU to Michelle and Aaron for generously giving us their Flip camera... Loving it! (I think of you every time we break it out because of the engagement picture printed on the front) We recently went up to Seattle for my friend Tev's 50th birthday, but had the chance to stay one night with Michelle (my old roommate) and Aaron. They gave us the Flip and also a beautiful rug. Hmmmm, we are searching right now for things to give them for when they come visit us sometime this spring!

Seattle was as lovely as ever. And Tev's party was fabulous and quaint, a special dinner for 12 with her closest friends. And the amazing pedicures beforehand were a special treat from her. Thank you Tev!

10 pounds and one month down...

2011 is going great for us so far! Here is the update...

I have lost 10 pounds so far, thanks to my combo of Jillian Michael's Master your Metabolism Book and the Couch to 5K program. Yep, I have finally come to realize that after 34 (almost 35) years there is no secret to weight loss. Well there is and it is.....ready...... eating less bad stuff, more good stuff and lots of exercise. So me and Boston have been wogging (walking/jogging for those not familiar with the term) our butts off for two weeks now. Add in a few turbo jams, yoga, kick boxing and Jillian's 30 day shred program and wha...la, 10 pounds off!
I love when Boston is in the stroller and about half way through when I am breathing really heavy he realizes I am there, turns around and just smiles a me. Talk about motivation!

I have been working a little here and there, in which I like not being busy. But my mom just insists on taking care of little B even if I don't have work, so I get a few hours of me time to workout or whatever.

Ben just closed his first loan. Wish we had more of those lying around. But still a tiny bit exciting.

We are going to Seattle tomorrow for my friend Tev's 50th Birthday, just me and Ben! Should be a nice getaway in our free hotel room that I won. We also will get to see my old roommate Michelle and her new baby June. And my friend from Hyatt Jessica and her new baby, Beau (only 12 days old).

So for the most part, even though we are little poor, life is good and we are happy! That is all that counts right!