Home Tour Part I and Pumpkin Carving

My home greets you with a friendly hello and I think the pumpkins add a nice fall touch. A lot of the house is not finished yet, which is why this is only Part I. Here is the living room and it's fully decorated.

In the early evening we enjoy lots of natural light. Here is the bedroom with the glorious gold chevron paint. 

In the mornings, its so bright in our bedroom. I love all the natural light we get at this time of year.

The kitchen is great but there is a definite lack of a pantry. We will have to buy something. I want a butcher block kitchen island on wheels with storage underneath and a pantry or hutch.

The laundry room is functional with a space to fold clothes.

Finally the backyard is fantastic with two patios but we only use one of them.

I hope you enjoyed Part I of our home tour. Now here is some pumpkin carving from last night!

This is my pumpkin masterpiece. 

Somebody else is much better at pumpkin carving than I am.

Thankful Thursday: 1000

I'm thankful for:

41: my current home, we've had ups and downs but good memories were made.

42: the new home we're moving to tomorrow, where new memories will be made.

43: elevators, to move my stuff. Please work tomorrow!

44: movers who will move faster than we can on our own.

45: coming out of the storm safely.

46: Chomps and Kirby surviving without us for a few days.

47: friends who let us stay with them for awhile.

48: good weather, which is much better than severe weather.

49: being able to move in nearly a week early, I hope!

50: safety for everyone during this intense season of weather.

What are you thankful for?

Make A Difference Monday

My stress levels have elevated to a new high with the house hunting. I'm second guessing every thing I've done. Have I found the right home? I don't know.

It's time to rejoice in The Lord and rest in his perfect knowledge. If God could give me a sign, such as closing the door on this house then I'd know to keep hunting.

Thank you for supporting me. The giveaway goes on until next week. Please stay tuned for travel Tuesdays.

Thankful Thursday

Dear Friends, Welcome to Thankful Thursday. If you have followed my journey, it comes as no surprise that I am passionate about being thankful. Even when times are tough. Today, I am thankful for the generally good times I am enjoying. There is much to be thankful for. I have a sweet little family of my loving husband and to adorable kitties. We have a roof over our heads, food in our fridge, and jobs to provide support for our artistic and traveling adventures.  Please stand in prayer with me as we continue the house hunt. I know the right house is out there and I pray for the wisdom to see it at the right time. Please remember I am co-hosting a fun giveaway!   Please stay tuned for High Five For Friday!  

 

Thankful Thursday

Dear friends,
How important is it to stay positive in good times and bad? How hard is it during trials and tribulations? That's the hardest but those are the moments that matter the most. I have been through tough times and I am sure there are other trials to experience in the future. Being thankful even when you don't "feel" it will help you power through anything.

Today, I am thankful for God's provision. Stand in prayer with me. I will find a perfect home for my family. In the past this daunting task has been overwhelming. I will find a home and think its the best. After moving in, problems arise. I'm praying this time, we will not have problems. After all, this will be our third home in Oklahoma City. I don't want to move again when this new lease is up.

God will provide.

Please stay tuned for high five for Friday.

Make A Difference Monday

I hope these verses encourage you and bring hope to your day, week, and month.

Please stand in prayer with me as I prepare to find the perfect home for my family. Our two week window opens next week but I'll start browsing this week.

Silly Saturday

A comparison:

Tornadoes versus earthquakes

Personally, I have found these two powerful forces to be very disturbing. Watching walls and floors shake in unnatural ways defies all logic. Witnessing the destruction of entire towns is mind blowing. Having lived in places where these natural acts occur regularly, I can attest to which is preferable. Folks who live in tornado alley should count their blessings. There's a days notice beforehand. Tornadoes are easily visible on radar and weather professionals will tell you when to get to safety with 20 minutes to spare. I have lived here for nearly 2 years and I'm constantly quizzing the natives. Tornadoes are no big deal to them. I am regularly terrified but I am not a native. I don't consider tornado alley my home but merely a pit stop in life. Earthquakes are as terrifying and can be as destructive. There is no warning. Boom! Your feet can't trust the ground and there is no where to hide. There's no earthquake shelter to take cover. That is impossible. While I will pay due respects to tornadoes and their destruction, there is a way to hide and protect yourself. Tornadoes are better. If you live in a place that has tornadoes but no warning system, such as a siren, you are in grave danger. My recommendation is to move or get a weather radio. In fact, I need a weather radio to ease my fears. Tornado season will be here in no time.

Please stay tuned for make a difference Monday, where I will share an inspiring quote.

Serious Sunday: Vent Edition

 

Welcome to Serious Sunday: Vent Edition. Please excuse me and my theraputic ramblings. Writing is a form of therapy, after all.   Hands down, the worst decision I have ever made is to buy a condo in Denver. This is something that I actually regret and I don't usually regret my stupidity. I just learn from it. I bought it when the housing market was hot and the price was high, too high. (Stupid #1) I couldn't stay in it since the geologist got a job in Oklahoma City but I also couldn't sell it because the bubble burst. (Stupid #2) I found a management company to rent the place for me. They can't seem to keep a decent tenant in there. (Stupid #3) The management company is complaining about the HOA not fixing the stairwell landing and keeping caution tape up around the unit. (Stupid # 4) The current tenant is breaking the lease and causing us to pay court fees. (Stupid #5) I'd go live there again but I just accepted a new job in Oklahoma City that hasn't started yet and the geologist would need to find a job too. (Stupid #6) Originally, this was purchased to be our home. Now that we can't live there, I don't want it but can't afford to sell it. (Stupid #7) Short sale is not an option either since we have a good credit score and don't want anything to taint our hard work. (Stupid #8) I loathe every single detail about this debacle. Having to deal with three organizations and tenants that can't keep it together is more than I wanted. Doing all of this from a distance is a major hurdle.

  Dear Lord, Please help me deal with this headache. I need your patience, wisdom, strenth, mercy, grace, and everything else that you have to offer. This test on our finances and patience is wearing us thin and stressing us out. Please help us get through this trying time. Amen   Dear Sweet bloggy friends, Do you need a place to rent in Denver that is a one bedroom/one bath and has a panoramic view of the Rockies? Please call Echo Summit and help a hapless blogger out. Thanks for all your encouragement and support!  

I need a beer. Please stay tuned for Make a Difference Monday.

Top pick Tuesday

This is one of my top photos and it turned out to make great post cards.

Dear bloggy friends, If you like any of my photos please let me know which one. I will be happy to send you a hard copy. If you would like to post my photos on your blog, I will happily share. We all love beautiful things and that's why we spend time decorating our homes and dressing in cute outfits. Surrounding ourselves in beauty is a way of creating calm in a stressful world. I believe beauty should be shared. I also think I have some awesome photos. It would be an honor if you agreed with me. 

What is your top pick for Tuesday? Thanks for sharing with me.

E

Sandals

Dear Sandals,
I had so much fun at my last trip! I can't wait to go again! I have to wait until September but hopefully time will fly by. I love all the amenities and activities and food! I ate so good that I had two dinners! You always make my favorite drinks and I appreciate the hospitality that you provide. I always feel at home at Sandals.

Dear September,
Please hurry up and get here!
Thanks.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that today is Thursday and the day is almost over. I have been working so hard at work and at home. I am tired. My nutrition has been ok not counting the chips that I ate today.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life? That's been my problem this week. There's jobs, a condo in Denver, and my home in Oklahoma to worry about. Decisions will need to be made. Research needs to be completed. All at the same time, I am working so hard to get a decent commission at my job.

Dear Lord, Please help me deal with all of life's challenges. Amen.

We Need Balance

Tonight, I attended a seminar on the work/life balance that most women struggle with. Apparently, we are born with at least two genes that make us feel guilty. We feel guilty for many things such as working instead of taking care of family or taking care of ourselves instead of working. We have to learn that it is ok to let stuff go and to pick our battles. Its important to be present where we are at that moment in time whether its work or home or helping out in the community. We need to understand that sacrifices and choices are made. Don't stress out! Be happy with what you have. Understand work/life balance does not mean the same for every person. We all have different priorities, which dictates how we handle the equation. This was an enlightening seminar, which also had some good career advice. I'll share that next time.

Staying strong

Today’s rating is Positive.

I have made it through another day of work and I wore the red shiny heals. I have only Friday to get through and then finally family comes home. Permanently. It will be a blessing and I will be able to close this stressful chapter of my life. Thank you friends, family and Lord for being my support. There’s no way I could have been successful without all the support and assistance.

Distractions are good

Today’s rating is Positive.

Work was less demanding, I had a good conversation with HR at a company for a potential opportunity, and scheduled an appointment to show off the home. A lot was completed today, which is always very good.

I read an article about what to do when you hate your job. I found it useful because it is so important to distract yourself from a stressful situation. I find that I need a new distraction every day. Some days, I’m distracted by tv and other days I’m distracted by an activity with friends. This has been an effective strategy for me. If you find yourself blue and wallowing in misery, find something positive to distract you from the tough situation. You’ll feel better, like me.

Confidence boost

Today’s rating is Positive.

I had a good day and that was partially because of my shoes. I had my shiny red comfy heals, which I wore with jeans to dress them up. I felt great walking tall in these shoes. I’ve had these shoes for about a year but haven’t worn them because of the colder winter weather. Maybe you have a spring outfit that you haven’t been able to wear for awhile. If you bring it out, your confidence could reach new highs and help reduce some stress.

On the job hunt, I have added one more company to the list that I am researching. I hope to schedule a phone interview with at least two companies this week. I’ll be moved in 20 days. Perhaps, I’ll have a job lined up by then. I am also praying for our home because we need to find a qualified person to rent. We have a company taking care of that work for us. I know all these issues will work themselves out with God’s help. Not knowing the answer can be so difficult and stressful though. Thanks for reading!