11 years...

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope you are all optimistic about 2014 in-spite of ObamaCare and anything else looming that may be causing you some anxious thoughts...

I read the book 1,000 gifts last year and I've been challenging myself to write down things I'm grateful for...To be honest some days are easier than others but there is Always something!

I'm not as faithful about it as I would like...I began last spring and I have currently written down 573

But I know I have a much bigger number than that to be thankful for.  One thing I have been very thankful for is our home...

Its not grand...there are no granite counter tops or fancy fixtures...

But it is ours and I continue to be thankful...

However....

I am a restless sort and this past Christmas was our 11 year anniversary in this house!

As a kid I moved a lot and that continued after I was married.

The first 14 years of our marriage we moved 10 times!

I believe the longest I had ever in my entire life lived in one place before now was 4 years...

My point being...I love our home but I am restless!

What does this mean?

No we are not moving...

But I am nesting...

I have pulled almost all the pictures off my walls, bookcases etc and reorganized and rehung them...

I didn't take any before pictures so you will just have to take my word for it...

The empty spot to the left is for Tyler's senior picture...

I love it! It's amazing what a difference something like that can make...

I am left wondering what I do with the large family portrait that was hanging there...

Obviously you can't throw it out...

But I only have so much wall space and I'm trying to de-clutter...

It's too big for a photo album...

Oh and on another note...look at how cute my boys are!

I miss those little guys!

I also tackled our teeny tiny master bathroom...

I had painted it some awful color and then used a rag on it about 10 years ago and as I was painting it I kept thinking...

This is so UGLY! Why on earth has this been on my walls for so long???

Not any more...

This map came into my possession about 10 years ago...

I'm not saying how I got it...but I have had it tucked in my closet for years with the intention of hanging it up somewhere in my home...

While I realize many people would not appreciate this vintage WWI map of Europe...

I LOVE it!

So it is now hanging in our bedroom.

I also decided my desk needed some shelving about it...

So four areas of our home have had mini makeovers and it feels good...

I have also been purging...

Going through cupboards, shelves, closets etc...

I'm even going to move the washer and dryer and refrigerator and vacuum under them...

Its a very exciting life I lead!

Happy 2014 may it have many new beginnings and blessings for you!

Frychik