B -Day

Birthdays are somewhat of a no big deal around here.

We usually work, we don't usually get gifts for one another, so it usually ends up playing out like any other day.

Well, a couple of things have combined to make this birthday a little more special.

1) It ended up being Memorial Day so we both had the day off of work (really awesome)

2) I've received so many well wishes (phone calls and facebook).

*Seriously, seeing how much this made my day makes me want to be better at this for others...I currently stink at it*

3) I got a killer present: A Nikon D5000

Ooooh, pretty.

OK, so I actually had it in hand before Mother's Day, but that's just because Curt can't say no to me.

Now I just need to finish reading the manual on all of it's neato features.

5K in Detroit

I ran the 5k in Detroit this morning with some friends. It was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I did it. The Race for the Cure is a great cause, and it's nice to see so many people supporting it. Here are some quick pictures.With Devonie and Mark afterwards at Hockey Town.
Like the new-do? I buzzed it last night for 'increased aerodynamics', and I think it helped! I finished in 23:40, but it was actually quicker than that because I was tying my shoe when the gun went off, and probably didn't even get to the start line for 30 seconds and was slowed down by lots of other runners.
Soooo many people were there...there were still walkers starting the walk when I finished the run! This is near the starting line.
Cool location, right near Comerica park
The finish line before the race started. Good times.

Piano: sneak peek #2

I'm almost ready for the big reveal, but I couldn't resist another teaser in the mean time.

Piano: sneak peek (before photo)

Guess what we got?

And guess what promptly became my next project?

4 years ago today...

We were married

from our engagement shoot - spring 2006

I love my Shaners...

So...I never get the mail.

I don't find it exciting enough to walk the length of the driveway to retrieve.

If I didn't have college roommates, the mail would have been woefully neglected.  I didn't even know where we kept our mail key. 

Curt on the other hand, even if he is sicky sick in bed asleep, will perk up at the sound of the mail truck and bound through snow in shorts just to get that bundle of ads.

(the only thing we seem to get as we get electronic statements and I pay bills online)

But the other day when I saw a little envelope in Curt's hand addressed in what I was sure was my beloved littlest brother's handwriting, I couldn't get over to him fast enough to rip it out of his hands.

"Dear Carmen & Curt,

The Day Befor easter

Mom, Grandma, and me whent

to see How to train a Dragon.

ToothLess is the Dragon on

the front page.  Hiccup is a Boy Like

on the front page.

Love, 

Shane

P.S. I'm reading ERaGoN"

Shane is 9.  

I think he is a wonderful draw-er.

Totally made my week, maybe the whole month.

Front Guest Room: Bedding & Window Treatments

 

Want to see what I've done in the last little bit on the front guest room?

Here's a peek from the hallway....

{cue heavenly choir of angels singing}

Just kidding, he he, that's just the sunrise.

I know that when people do ta-da posts I am always curious what they cost.

So I made a price summary picture:

We'll start with the bedding.

I made the comforter out of two canvas drop cloths ($10.00 ea) sandwiching the filling from the old comforter.

I bought the gray sheet set ($29.99) from IKEA.

I bought one gray decorative pillow cover ($6.00) at IKEA.

I bought two gray euro pillow covers ($4.49 ea) from IKEA.

And then I made two decorative pillow covers from some extra canvas and quilting fabric squares (3 @ $1.99 ea) from Joanns.

I had the pillow forms already from the deconstructed bedding set.

Next on to the window treatment...

This is just one canvas drop cloth ($10) split into two and then two white flat sheets ($1.99 ea) from IKEA.

The curtain rod ($6.99) and clipping hooks (2 packages of 10 @ $2.99 ea) are also from IKEA.

IKEA seems to be an integral part of many of my projects, bless its cheap prices.

The side tables....

Just two flimsy stands from Walmart that I already had and two tablecloths that I made for my wedding reception back in '06.

I put one of my dresser redo projects on the opposite wall, along with decorative twiggy stuff that I already had.

I just love how having a color on the wall makes the trim stand out so much better.

I still need to accessorize the walls.

I have this map (I love maps) from National Geographic of the rivers of the world.  It is in the right group of colors so I think I might iron out the folds, mat it, frame it, and hang it on the wall.

Good, inexpensive, large scaled, interesting.

We'll see if it works out.  I'll also have to think of a few other vignettes for the other blank sections of walls, but for now it just feels good to have the bulk of the room done.

Summary so far...

Before :

After: