Before and after

It’s shameful how long it's been since my last post. I’d like to blame it on the season – it’s been hectic personally and professionally – everyone wants to get something in before the year ends… then again the fact that I pretty much had two weekends in a row with a day spent entirely in my PJs I think that excuse might just be void and null.

So I lament… and now I’m over it.

To kick-start my efforts again, I have to share a before and after I’m very jazzed about.

We closed on our house on May 13, 2011. Until last Saturday we had two pictures hanging in the entire house… in the bathroom. (I know!)

Then this weekend I decided I wanted more for our walls – I wanted them to say – “someone lives here…”

And so it began... before:

No - the painter's tape hasn't been here the whole time - we're not THAT low-rent

After:

And only three unnecessary holes in the wall!!

A small start – but I have to say I think I've stepped up the decorating ante - home wall art did increase by 350% after all… Nerd alert.

I’ve also definitely had the project completion high for the past few days – walking past the wall just to look at it. Here’s hoping I can keep some momentum going… or maybe at least set a deadline for myself so that more gets done. I’ve found that by inviting people over I’m often inspired to finish projects… that or con people into helping me finish.

So you might be on the lookout for an invite for the Super Bowl… we’ll either be BYOBing or BYODing (bring your own decor)!

Our first holiday together

Although Justin and I have been together for more than five years – we’ve never spent a major holiday together. Ever.

My adage was that until a ring on was on my finger I would be eating my turkey and drinking my Christmas wine with my family and no one else’s. Then after our engagement it was easy to rationalize that we should spend our last “single” holidays with our respective families… I’m sort of surprised that we managed to spend the holiday together AFTER the wedding.

What can I say? I like my family traditions…

Although evolved since I’ve gotten older, for the past 7 years or so the holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) usually starts off with mimosas and breakfast. I then usually help my mom by making snacks to pick at before the main dishes are ready (I leave the heavy lifting of the real cooking to my parents… I’m helpful but I’m not THAT helpful).

About lunchtime we switch it over to wine and my fabulous cousins come over. We eat, we visit, we drink… After everyone leaves the rest of the day is spent picking over leftovers and doing whatever. It’s a small event (in terms of people) for us but a good time nonetheless.

This year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I asked Justin about what they do and the response was “We eat and I hunt.” Thanks for the 411.

The “we eat” result:

Although it was definitely weird not being with my family (I only teared up once!), the holiday was nice. There was good food, a TON of people (I think I counted 20 or so) – all wonderful, black Friday shopping planning, and the typical overeating and turkey-induced naps.

The “I hunt” result:

In true fashion with all my hunting excursions with Justin - I got in trouble. Apparently, whispering “Bambi” after 3 hours of boredom of seeing nothing is hunting faux pas… so naturally I did it again as we were leaving to go home.

The life lesson:

For me it was another moment that reminded me that as soon as I get used to the way things are… they change. And although not always easy, as long as you’re in the company of good people who care about you – you can’t ask for better.