Happy New Year! One last one for 2013.....

I know I am cutting it close, just under the wire. I was going to do this earlier today and then go out this evening and enjoy sometime with our running group, but fate stepped in and decided I should come down with the stomach flu. Well so much for best laid plans.............so after stuffing myself with turkey soup and crackers I am feeling somewhat better.......hopefully:)

The last few weeks of the year have been hectic as it is for most. I wasn't totally into the Christmas spirit with not having all our children around. We did have our daughter Kait home and talked to Jane up north, we skyped our son from afar......and that had to be the worst, knowing what kind of Christmas he was experiencing for the first time in his life......but it is what it is, but not what every other parent, wife, husband, brother, sister, was experiencing who have military family. It will be a wonderful world if and when we can ever live without war and live in peace. I wonder if WestJet and Santa could fill that wish! So onward we go into 2014 with hopes and dreams for a better future for one and all......

So this morning before the plaque took hold of me, I had a mission to complete.......I had a vision.................BM 2108-40 Stardust.......yes painting a new color in our living room. It was a big commitment......but like they say "it's only paint".
 
I did remember to do the before photos, and really there was nothing wrong with natural linen, and pashmina, but a tad boring.......and nothing seemed to "pop" on the walls.

Steve enjoying the heat.....

 

Sorry but I can only do neutral for just sooo long......



Yawn.......

 

The hubs left for work at 7, and the games began.............paint brushes, drop cloth, trays, "tape", ladders and away we go>>>>>>>>oh and a gallon of BM Aura Eggshell. I really should work for Benjamin Moore........oh ya right "I do!" What a great paint! It really is true, and I am a hard customer to please! But it is true what they say. I really can't say anything bad about the paint. I am not a professional painter so I do not know all the tricks of the trade but I have opened a few lids in my day. There are certain techniques that work better with Aura but being the non-conformist that I am, I painted like I always do and "wha-la" success!

I think for this long plain wall I am going to get some
floating shelves in black, and then a place to put those
chatkas, and knickknacks, and then I am going to
paint a picture for the wall.
Betcha didn't know I was a artist as well!

 

Front Entry table

 

Well, that's it for 2013 my friends,  I wish you all a goodnight, well wishes for the coming year, may you have much happiness in your lives, know the meaning of love, and find comfort in the everyday simple things.........be well, be happy, be content.

 

 



Hmmm.....not much for superstition

Friday the 13th,  well I never think much about it being an unlucky day, because everyday above ground is a good day!

Well last weekend was spent in Sacramento. Soooo much fun! Seeing all my old running friends was the highlite of the weekend. Amazing good friends, and good times! Now if you know anything about runners you will know that we aren't huge partiers.......because there is always a run on the horizon. A good time was had by all, and the company was fantastic!

The running was fabulous, the weather....... not so much!!!!! People what do you think when you think California? I think decent temperatures and palm trees. Okay lets talk wet, cold, snow, and  okay blue skies and sun.......but -10C and -15C??????? What were they thinking! The cold front that travelled down from Canada definitely made its mark on California.......But being good northern stock we were good with it and I came prepared with a down jacket, and winter running gear. So that part was A-Okay!

A few PR's happened also this weekend, that's runner lingo for Personal Record.....congrats to those girls.

Annie and Joanne, great finishes!

Of course a trip to the States wouldn't be complete without a little shopping and of course, I made sure there was a DSW before I left. So I introduced my GF's to the experience, and all but a few were drawn in "hook, line and sinker"! Glad I could accommodate my shoe loving divas!

New shoes for the season!

So now that I am back home the rush was one to get the house decorated for Christmas. I did a few things before I left but it was seriously lacking my usual fanfare. Having a small house has certainly put a crimper on my decorating frenzy! I still have three trees but in comparison to previous years they all together are the size of one of my big trees......oh well such is life.

Skinny dining room tree

Christmas Party tonight, beautiful red draped dress from Ralph Lauren, gold shoes, yup and thanks to the Fast Metabolism Diet we are all good to go!

Busy week coming up but I will return sooner than later, hopefully! Ciao my friends and enjoy your weekend!