Finally---woo hoo!

After a few years, I FINALLY got my pictures from Paris framed. These have been sitting rolled up in a tube since we went, I think back in 2005. I am a huge procrastinator, and sometimes I just need to decide to do things and get them done.

So we went to Michaels, and despite being shocked at the cost, we went ahead and ordered the framing. When I picked them up yesterday, I was very pleased. They looked better than I expected. I wanted them hung on the wall by my staircase, and couldn't decide how to hang them. Troy wanted to do side by side, but I didn't think it looked as good. Plus, if you're a tiny bit off, and they're not even, it's really noticeable. So I suggested putting one lower than the other. The stairway goes down anyway, so I thought it would look okay.

And I think it does look okay. I couldn't for the life of me take a good picture of them, though. The right one was always blurry. And in this picture they look crooked to me, although they're not crooked on the wall. Anyway, here is the finished product. I love them so much, and I bet they're happy to be out of the tube.

Wasting Time

Today was the first day that I had both of my older kids in school for a full day, and just Ethan and me at home. I got to thinking how little I get done in a day, and I can't really figure out where my time goes. I want to be more productive. There are so many things that I want to do around my house, books that I want to read, etc., but nothing ever gets done.

I think the internet is my worst time waster. I tell myself I'll just check my e-mail, or check Facebook for just a minute, and I find myself sitting at the computer for hours. So, I've started thinking about what wasteful things I can cut out so I can start doing the more important things.

The first thing I did was cut down on the blog links that I have in my sidebar. I tried multiple times to catch up on my blog reading, and I never could. There was just too much, and I don't need to read that many blogs. So I narrowed it down to 10 that I can read every day. Then I saved the rest in a blog folder under my bookmarks. If I ever find my house clean and everything I want done, Ethan asleep and the kids at school, I'll have a nice, relaxing time reading blogs. Why are you laughing? One of these days it could happen.

My second thing I'm planning to do is cut back on TV watching. I really don't watch that much. Just one or two shows about three days a week. But I know that fall is coming soon, and all the new fall shows will be starting. If I start watching something, I'll get sucked in and won't want to miss it. And I want evening time after dinner to be family time. I don't want the TV to always be on. I'm ashamed to admit that at just about every dinner, we have the TV on. I don't want that, but it's not always my choice, unfortunately. So my plan for the fall is to maybe pick one show to watch, or if I can, none at all.

But back to the internet. I need to think of a better plan to not spend so much time on the computer, but still get the enjoyment that I get out of certain parts of it. I really like to read blogs. I love getting new ideas for my house, and just seeing what other people are doing. But I want to be reasonable. I like staying in touch with people on Facebook, but I don't need to spend so much time there either. So I'm going to have to think of a computer time schedule, or some way to limit myself that is enforceable. Like maybe a computer seat with an automatic ejector that will throw me out when my time is up.

Just some goals I'm thinking of with the kids back in school. I'm going to keep thinking about ways to be more productive and to actually feel like I've gotten something done at the end of each day.

A quick chuckle

I have pictures in my camera of our trip to Arches with my family, and I could probably think of a thing or two to say about it. It was a great time, and being out there in God's creation was wonderful, even if someone put fine sand all over that I had to hike through. ;)

But before I forget, I wanted to share something funny Kevin said. We had just hiked up to one of the arches, and were on our way down, and Kevin said, "I was almost to God." Hey, at least he's not trying to build a tower or anything.

It's a Sickness

I can't stop messing with my blog. Even when I like it, I get the urge to change it. And right now I don't care for the header all that much, but I finally had to give up last night because my computer was being so slow, and it was two in the morning. Good thing Troy's gone on a business trip, or he'd think I was crazy staying up that late.

I almost wish there wasn't the option to edit the looks of my blog, because as long as it's there, I'm going to keep changing it. I can't stop myself.

Editing to add: I changed back to my old header. I really do like it. Maybe I'll satisfy my changing urges with just changing the background and the text colors and stuff.

Gifts at My House

Awhile ago I tried joining along with Ann at A Holy Experience listing things I was thankful for. I didn't keep up with it, and I'd like to begin again. So, a few gifts for today:

~Ethan cuddling next to me on the couch
~Digging my feet in the sand at a beach, in Utah!
~A friend to call at any time, to talk or to hang out with
~Phone calls from a husband gone on a business trip
~Walking on soft green grass
~Playing with my chubby little nephew
~Bounty from the Earth at the local farmer's market
~Seeing a grandpa and his grandson work side by side

Anniversary

After 10 years, you still make me smile. You still make me laugh. You're still my best friend, the one person I can talk to about anything. You still make my heart race. You still mean the world to me. You're still my favoritest person in the whole world. I love you, Troy!

Decorating

I've been trying to add some more cute touches to my house. If there wasn't so much clutter all over the place, I think it would look a lot nicer. Where can I hide my clutter? ;) The counter tops in my kitchen seem to be a magnet for every single thing in our house.

I just bought the case thing that says Paris at Hobby Lobby. It was half off, and I thought it would go cute. I'm not sure I love the setup on the top of these cabinets, but I don't know what else to do. I'll take any ideas!

I bought this flower container that I was going to put above my cupboards, but it didn't work. So I decided to pretty up my mantle. It'll never look fancy like in the magazines because my TV is up there, but I'll do what I can, I guess.