Catching Up

(Only read if you like long posts where I wax poetic on life. If you want to see the house, scroll fast to the bottom -- but don’t get your hopes too high -- not much going on right now.)

At the end of last week Blake and I got to take a trip up to my favorite place in the whole world. I’m sad I didn’t actually take pictures of that place to show you, but I was too busy doing absolutely nothing effortful. :)

My parents watched the girls for three nights and two days while Blake and I went to the cottage in Michigan. 

It’s an entirely magical place to me -- closest thing to Narnia I’ve ever known. My grandparent’s bought the house in 1969, so it’s just always been for me. We went up plenty of times each summer, and sometimes for non-summer holidays, I think we had some Thanksgivings there, and I remember my Grandpa cutting down a small pine tree outside for us to take in and I got to decorate it for Christmas -- tinsel and all (we never got to use tinsel at home -- too messy. ;) )

The past year or so my parent’s have been renovating it -- tons and tons of hard work, sanding through layers and layer of tar to get to original hardwood and pine floors. Gutting the kitchen, widening doorways, making the bathroom new again, painting and un-allergifiying all of it -- out with the old furniture, in with a hand made (by my dad!) table and benches, leather couches (to wipe dust off) a new bed. I mean, they just gave it their all. And it is FANTASTIC. (Which is why I’m sad I didn’t take pictures.) I spend the whole first day just walking around saying out loud (and I’m not an out loud thinker), “This is AMAZING." 

So while Blake and I were there, we just kind of detoxed from everything. Did whatever seemed relaxing. We did some guitar and singing, we did some out-to-breakfasting, we did some movie nights (in and at the theater.) We went to the beach (the beach we got married at -- Cherry Beach)

7 years ago

and played in the waves (Lake Michigan doesn’t always boast good waves, but it did have some pretty decent ones the first day.)

Hilarious photo from shaking sand out of the sheet.

Balance

About a week ago my mom gave me the chance to be at my house for a full day, alone. (She watched my girls at her house.)

I got a small bit of construction-type-work done but I spent most the day cleaning. Cleaning like crazy. For me, it felt like deep cleaning. But it was essentially just tidying, plus bathroom duty, plus ALL the laundry, and hanging all my clothes back up (since I had previously tried to organize my closet but couldn’t find time to finish).
I can’t tell you how awesome it was to have a clean house for once. I mean, I don’t think this house has ever been clean since we bought it. One part or two may have been at once, but never ever the whole thing.

While I was cleaning, the entire time I felt guilty for “just cleaning” not getting some more mudding or sanding or painting done. But it was exactly what we needed. It gave me a fresh start and I can’t believe how much it has cleared my mind.

I feel like I have so much more clarity on what to do with my time since clearing the surfaces off.

So with this clarity. I am working towards balance. (Read: I might be getting past survival mode in this house.)

via

The first thing I decided to do was limit Facebook use.
Me and Facebook have always had a love/hate relationship. In the past I’ve dealt with this by taking leave of absences. This time I figured I’d try a in between take. I’m making Monday my Facebook day. And the rest of the week I’m not gonna touch it.

I was getting a lot of tension, some anxiety, TONS of guilt, and ENORMOUS amounts of irritation from being on there as of late. I’m not gonna really get into it, but suffice to say, I think my personality type seriously cannot handle Facebook -- it breaks me.
So I decided to respect myself enough to acknowledge that. But I don’t want to lose touch with everyone, so I decided one day a week should work out nicely. And it can be a short day of Facebooking -- because even one full day of Facebook is too much Facebook for me, at least right now.

In the past when I did Facebook breaks I’d feel really disconnected and almost shaky the first day. And then I’d detox within like 3 days.
This time. The moment I chose to stop reading stuff on the newsfeed I felt this awesome peace and I knew this was gonna be good.
I don’t remember what day last week I told Facebook I’d be on there less, but whenever that was…since then my brain has been my own -- and I LOVE THAT! I’m not hearing all these doubts in my head about my moming style. I just have a day. And they’ve been good ones -- even if the kids are a wreck.
I’m not feeling tempted in the slightest to go back to Facebooking on the regular based on that alone.
But I’ve also had TONS more time. I can’t believe how much more time I have.

I’ve been studying and learning all about Colonial Architecture (cause I’m a design geek.) I feel like I have more ideas on what to do with the girls (without pinterest’s help -- I’ve not limited pinterest or anything -- I’m just saying, it’s like my brain just needed to be freed to think on it’s own.) (Although I think naturally I’ve been using pinterest less too -- just less screen action happening -- unless it’s to learn something about some cool concept in my architecture book I want to expand on -- or stuff like that.)

I’ve had time to clean.

This may be a pitiful statement on who I was while using Facebook -- but whatever -- I’m just being real. Facebook limiting sounded daunting -- but it’s been extremely fantastic.


The other thing I’ve been doing is, well…I prayed about how I should be balancing normal house work vs. reno work. And also how I can try to work out again.
I felt God lay out certain days for certain jobs -- they aren’t off any pinterest pin I’ve ever read -- they were a special gift from Him to me -- because he knows me and my circumstances.
I could tell you what they are -- but I encourage you to ask God what would work well for you!
Besides mine might not even get close to a normal level of clean for most people (they don’t even cover all the bases)-- but they will get us a lot closer than we had been.
I was just surprised at how good this list felt and how well it’s working for me -- I wish I had ignored the internet sooner and went with prayer faster!

I’m gonna try and work out again.
I wrote up my own schedule, combining three programs I like, instead of going with exactly what the programs I’ve used have told me to do. And I think I can keep up with that better too because it fits me better.
I’ve combined 21 Day Fix with Brazil Butt Lift. Using Brazil Butt Lift’s toning work outs but throwing in 21 Day Fix’s cardio and upper body. Also I’ve switched out 21 Day Fix’s Yoga work out (which is pretty low key) for Praise Move’s AM/PM workout*.
    *As a Christian I try to mostly avoid yoga -- I know everyone has their own take on it. Personally I’m ok with doing the moves as stretches in a workout if it’s not like a “Yoga centric” thing. But overall -- from anything I’ve read (both by Christians and Hindus) Yoga and Christianity don’t go together. The 21 Day Fix’s workout is mostly just the moves as stretches, but she does use the word Namaste (which means "The Deity in me bows to the Deity in you.") I’m not opposed to using the workout and ignoring that. But I seriously LOVE Praise Moves AM/PM workout. So I’m using that now instead. It’s a Christian alternative to Yoga. And hearing her say Bible verses throughout the work out is so enriching for me. I usually use the PM -- it’s very light no breaking a sweat -- but it’s a perfect end of the week muscle and mind renewing.
(If you are looking to get one of these Praise Moves workouts I have a couple of them (got 2 other ones off ebay for a low price) and the AM/PM one is by far my favorite -- the look of it’s production is by far the best.)

Anyway, as far as working out goes, I’m gonna mess around with what time of day I do them -- I’m gonna try and not do them at night because then I can still use my nights to work on the house.

But I think pretty soon I want to join the YMCA so I can swim -- it’s the only working out I actually love. (Although I do love endorphins from any workout because they make my brain and emotions better -- I think swimming is my match.)

And in random life balance news. I’ve been using two Beach Body workout programs -- they sell Shakeology -- its a healthy meal replacement drink. They have a commercial for it before, during and after each of my workouts. Eventually my brain started to cave to the pressure and wanted to get it. But the stuff is $129 for 30 meals shakes. I couldn’t possibly get over that sticker shock. So you know me, I researched! I found mostly people selling the stuff, found a couple people refuting it’s claims, and finally found this guy who seems like a real and normal person. He recommended vegan protein powders -- which is perfect because I’m keeping foods my kids are allergic to out of my house and vegan means no dairy! So I ended up buying Raw Meal in Chocolate. Which at $35 for 28 meals was a much better deal. (The servings call for 2 scoops, but if you only use one scoop you get the same calories as one serving of shakelogy.) I was nervous because a lot of reviews of this Raw Meal stuff claim that it tastes bad but is so healthy and filling. I won’t say the stuff tastes great, like a milk shake, but I don’t think it tastes bad at all. (You should know I was hard core healthy for 2 years prior to having my second baby-- with no sugar at all -- so I know how to enjoy less sweet stuff.) I’ve never tasted Shakelogy -- but I’m guess it tastes better. But I still don’t want to spend $94 more dollars to get it.
Just sharing my randomness today.

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings.
I don’t know if they mean anything to anyone but me -- but I’m feeling reenergized by these small but big changes.

New Favorite Bra

While pregnant the first time I ran into the issue of not fitting into standard size bras, so I started altering them to fit me, which saved me tons of cash since 34Gs and 34Hs cost like $80 a pop. I blogged that altering process and since then the post has had well over 40,000 views. (Which blows my mind!)

That being said, I thought I might be somewhat of a bra-blogger. (Not really at all -- but I do know the perils of bra shopping.) And that being the case, I thought I’d share with you my current favorite bra. (By the way, no one is paying for for saying this. Kinda wish they were! But they aren’t!)

Since being pregnant the first time (5 years ago) causing me to go up 5 bra sizes, breastfeeding, losing the baby weight plus 15lbs, then breastfeeding while pregnant, getting very pregnant, breastfeeding some more, losing that baby weight, and then fluctuating a few pounds up and down, while working out and not having time to work out, and almost weaning my two year old who maybe nurses a couple times a week right now, I’ve seen more than my fare share of bra sizes. I haven’t been in one size bra for more than a few months for 5 years now. Bra shopping is almost on my to-do calendar. But I don’t like sorting through so many bras anymore. I just want to reach in my drawer and come up with something that fits.

Normally I like molded cup underwire bras.

But this last time I started really working out, coincided with my toddler basically self weaning, so my bra size just evaporated and I had to go shopping. But I didn’t know where I would end up. So I started looking at not molded stretch bras.

And I landed on this one.
Bali Comfort Revolution Underwire with Smart Sizes

It doesn’t look like it’s got a lot going for it on the rack. But I am really impressed by it.
It’s way more supportive than I would have ever thought possible. I even wear it during low- medium impact workouts. It does give a nice shape -- although it doesn’t give you that same full shaping as a molded cup, and it also can’t give you quite the same nipple concealing as the foam cups, but even still I’m impressed.
AND here’s the deal maker for me -- I’ve never tried on a more comfortable bra IN MY LIFE! I want to sleep in these more than my sleep bras!
So while this might not be your sexy bra -- it is a FANTASTIC at home bra!

Another bonus -- it’s super easy to nurse in, because you can just stretch and pull it down. I’m pretty sure this would work for anyone.

Other awesomeness? One size fits through tons of sizes, and/or sizes changing. (Like when you are nursing and your changes a few sizes during the day between nursing sessions. Or like when you are just generally getting back to a non-nursing size, or just losing some weight.) I don’t think I’m gonna need to buy a different size bra for a long time. (We’ll see what happens if we have another baby. But till then I think I’m set! no matter what my weight and or boobs do.)

The other great thing is, I’m technically still not a normal bra size, but I can wear this off the rack.
Just so you know what I’m saying, and you might see if t could work for you, I’ll give you my measurements.
My rib cage is 29” around, and the fullest part of my chest is 36.” Which technically makes me something like a 30E or maybe a 28F. I’ve totally give up on knowing what size I am -- for one thing I’ve not stayed one for long. And for another thing brands aren’t consistent. Also most stores would probably end up putting me in something like a 32C, maybe even a 34B. (Even if that’s not technically correct. Only REAL(often self owned and not inside the mall) bra stores (not Victoria Secret) actually know what they are doing.)

ANYWAY. It doesn’t matter with this bra.

I did think, based off my band measurements, I’d wear an extra small -- but the cup was too tight.
So the small fits in the cups perfect, with room to go up or down. And the band still fits great too -- no riding up.

I love the no thinking aspect. And the no bra snootiness of it all. (No more worrying about REAL bra stores.) I’m so done thinking about my boobs.
(But I don’t feel like this bra is a “I give up” bra. Like I said -- not your “sexy bra” -- but a fantastic every day mom bra. And I mean that in the best way. I might never buy a nursing bra again -- even if I nurse another baby forever. I’ve never experienced any issues from using underwires while nursing, I know that’s not the case for everyone, but I’m good with them.)

It comes in cute colors to make you feel a little fun too.
I found my first one in Kolhs. I bought one off the clearance rack for $7 (discontinued color) and another one for a higher sale price. After that I’ve bough a few more off amazon or ebay because you can get the cheaper there.

So if you are wanting to give it a try -I’d go in store to check it out, and if you have time for shipping you can save some money shopping online.

But just thought I’d share my great discovery!
(I get zero money from you clicking these links -- they are just there to help.)

The Longest Short Space

When you come in the front door and go straight into the house you find a seven foot hallway

That will bring you past our downstairs powder room, past two closets and into our kitchen eating area.

When we bought the house it had 80’s sorta glass-cloth like wallpaper. Which was sorta neutral (overall it looked tan, but it had pinky beige and baby blues in it) but was clearly coated in dust and grime.

There’s our vintage door bell. And our louvered doors.  

Side note:  Our realtor immediately said that door bell HAS to go.

I was indifferent.

Then I started looking them up online and saw that these old bells can go for a lot of money on eBay. Which made me want to keep mine for nostalgia.

But it turns out that with kids, those long bells don’t fare too well.

So we’ll be updating.

And I may to see what a slightly bead up model (that’s missing a bell -- we got it that way) might fetch on eBay.

Here is inside our coat closet.

(That carpet smelled at least 1,000 years old!!)

So, you’d think the fact that this hall way is only 7 feet long would make it an easy space to update.

NOT SO.

I’ve now begun to quote longer times for smaller spaces because I am learning the smaller the more intricate.

I guessed this would take me a while.

But I’ve been giving it major work for two weeks now! 

I didn’t think it would take THAT long!

But here it is, looking new and fresh.

This may possibly be the most anti climatic post for readers looking at our home.

But for me this hallway will always be precious, because I have INVESTED into it!

A while ago I look the wallpaper down. Eventually I got down to washing the old, left over from the sixties wallpaper, paste off. 

The smidgen of original wallpaper we found under the old thermostat.

Getting the past off took so much washing I literally wore through the rag I was using.

I might have wore through my hand too.

At some point I did the deep cleaning of the floor grout too.

After that I did a lot of dry wall mudding and some sanding.

Then

painting the doors in the space.

Using semi-gloss means lots of coats. I did at least 2 sometimes 3 coats on the doors, front and back.

You’ll notice we switched the doors. We did that right off the bat. 

All but the coat closet doors. 

I liked how they had french doors before, I think it worked well for the space. A full size door opens alright in there. But since there are doors to each side, it is nice to have a smaller opening width there. And I thought it kinda have the space a visual break from too much repetition.

I found these doors as a set of bifold doors at ReStore Thrift store.

(My friend couldn’t believe it -- she said I always find what I’m looking for at thrift stores. I say I’m just always looking for everything, I’m bound to find something.)

Blake took them apart and hung them like french doors. They actually fit the space great because our floors are up higher than normal, so even though bifold doors are shorter than normal (to fit their tracks)  it was just right for this spot. (We had to trim down our other doors.)

As you can see, I’ve not gotten to the entry part of this spot.

I thought long and hard about the door knobs in here. The old ones looked strangely huge. When I laid eyes on these babies at Hobby Lobby I knew. They are actually drawer pulls. But they look like just the right size knobs for these doors. And I like that they appear to be old. They come in a brownish, almost oil rubbed bronze color, but more like rust. So to make sure they really match our other doors, I spray painted them ORB.

They are the perfect size!

I also knew I wanted a mirror on the inside of this door, as a “one last look” mirror.

I actually have a lot of full length mirrors already. But none of them fit just right. I had two that sort of would, but they had frames on them. And my ever thinking too hard self was worried the frames would look dated. So I went and bought a frameless beveled edge mirror and we glued it to the door.

Glue because there wasn’t enough room for clips on the side. And also because…kids.

The fact that the glue pretty much means forever is the main reason I didn’t want to worry if the frame would look dated or not work with future colors.

I also hung it way higher than I’d need it because I wanted to make sure non-short people could use it too. And I tested it -- Jasmine can see herself as well. Win-win-win.

And the other closet across the way is our under-the-stairs closet.

Which can be used for anything. Most likely it has been just extra storage.

But my goal is to turn it into a Pantry. Since our kitchen doesn’t have one, nor is there a real space to put one in the future.

My first step is putting this adjustable rack on the door.

Having that put on there has totally made my week.

I love it! And I feel just a smidgen closer to moved in for real.

As for the rest of the closet, it is basically our hole of paint.

I got crafty and nailed up a wall planter that came with our sunroom, to hold our chips for now. :)

FANCY, no? ;)

It’s an akward space to house shelving, so I’ve been pinning away again. Racking my brain to make it the best it can possibly ever be, based on what it is!

But it will probably be a while till we get there. 

Anyway.

So this space is almost done. I actually only have one coat of paint on.

(Painting around all these tight edges of the door frames is time consuming too.)

I need at least one more coat, maybe two because of all the dry wall mudding (that absorbs paint differently so it shows through.)

So like the title says, after all this time, this is the longest short space. 

But it sure feels good to walk through now. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Hope you enjoyed -- sorry it’s not more thrilling.

Stick around. Good stuff to come.
It’s just slow moving around here.