Priorities....

So, I've been off of the internet for about 4 days....because of 2 reasons!
1) Priorities
2) I'm exhausted!

After 4 12-8/11-7 shifts in a row....I'm POOPED!

I am so sorry that I haven't posted anything lately! Looking at my traffic, I'm definitely letting some people down! :(

SO - tomorrow is the bathroom/bedroom post that we've all been waiting for - ok so maybe not...but still! AND then...the Craft room and a PEEK inside Kenny's MAN CAVE! This rooms are not yet complete - so I'm excited about getting that done!

Today, I wanted to mention priorities because they have been on my heart lately... I have been so off course when it comes to those - and really, are we EVER on course?
It seems like everyone is .... BUSY, tired, stuck in traffic, and their schedule is too full -so when does that stop?

Well, the truth is...it doesn't - it only gets more full!
The key is prioritizing! Now, I'm DEFINITELY not preaching on the matter becuase I'm not a prioritizer, but I really want to show the people I love that I do keep then in priority over my job, the internet, etc.

Not to say I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE hanging out online & chatting!

In order to fill the void at home - MAINLY because Kenny is off and I'm working (or have been!) - I've been leaving love notes! Poor guy is probably SUPER exhausted after working only to come home and find an empty house and chores staring him in the face!

He's my love, and I'm SO lucky to have him - AND he's my priority - to show this I've been leaving these -

and these -

Do you? Do you leave these for your priorities in your life? Remember when I added that to my 101 goals? I've seen a great response! :)

God included. I'm definitely not preaching on this either because I have a long way to go...but do you leave love notes for Him?

Here's what I found about priorities....

· What we can afford and how much time we can find all boil down to what’s important to us.

· Priorities aren’t spoken – they’re lived.

· So, let’s dig in and discover how to beat “busy”! I wholeheartedly believe that busyness is one of the biggest battles we must fight in our war on mediocrity. If mediocrity is the opposite of excellence, then busyness is the biggest enemy of excellence (followed closely by laziness and unawareness). But we must march into battle positioned to win. Warriors stand taller, walk stronger, and march with purpose when they know that victory awaits them. But they also know that they still must be willing to march into battle in order to actually claim the victory.

· Claiming busyness puts you in the passenger seat of your own life, because you’re just along for the ride, reacting to whatever is next on the schedule. Succumbing to busyness is a life of existing from day to day at the mercy of obligations that we’re not passionate about. [Found here: http://www.allisonlamarronline.com/digging-deeper.html]

So while we take the time to read blogs (believe me, I do too), go to work, sit on the couch and watch t.v., we must ask ourselves if our priorities are feeling like priorities today!

Wishing you the BEST day ever!

See you tomorrow!

Lida

Until Tomorrow!

I'll be posting the bathrooms tomorrow....sorry for the little break!

The Dining Room

Well, I guess you are just gonna have to wait for our living room pictures!! But here's the dining room! :)

A before:


Nice, huh? Just kidding - the color of the walls is what I call FLESH....oh yeah, it's not tan, it's not orange - it's the color of the crayon in the multicultural box of crayons....
it's this:

And now....the BIG reveal!!!!!!



Sorry the pictures aren't great - I don't have Photoshop on my laptop!! So we have gray walls ... we love them....and black accents - and as you can see on the shelves that we are gathering some fun stuff to add to them (so please send us some!) - I love vintage stuff & unique stuff that can remind us of great times!!

Sorry the post is so short - but I'm SO tired ... so I'll see ya tomorrow for the living room & office tours!
I can't wait!

Love always -
K & L

FINALLY....the HOUSE! First stop, Kitchen -

**WARNING: LOADS OF PICTURES**

Kitchen .... finally! :)
Well, the kitchen was the MOST work and we knew it from the start - the kitchen needed MAJOR work - here are some BEFORE pictures! Warning, these are scary!

Click on the pictures to see the REAL scariness of the house! At first we thought that we could refinish the cabinets (ie. PAINT) and redo the counter tops so we did this....

Oh, what's that you ask? UMmm...yeah it's ROACH POWDER...and dead animals...in my cabinets....at that point Kenny & I rethought our decision to redo the cabinets - good thing we did because we also found this:



The left picture was under our sink and the right picture was under the dishwasher - so we mold re-mediated (obviously)!

To truly understand what it looked like for a while, this is what it looked like:

And now - the BIG reveal!

So, we still have some work to do, we want to decorate more; especially adding a little sign that says 'Life is Sweet' along with paint the top of the bar ... and finally flooring! Our little breakfast area was turned into a long term pub area/laundry area. Here's the picture:

Can you see the flooring in the back?

So, what do you think?? Little improvement? We'd love your feedback!

Love always-
K&L

The Jaws of Life

Today was ... interesting! Sorry for no posting yesterday - I knew I wouldn't have time! Got LOADS to tell you about Saturday...but the excitement also happened today! I witnessed the Jaws today! Here's how it all happened:
On HAPPY NEWS...my final day was today at the Kirk jazz! I'm so excited to be moving on to different ventures and feeling like I'm actually moving in my career and moving myself in the right direction!! My day was filled with both an excitement and a nervousness about leaving something that I've been a part of for a long time (almost a YEAR) - in any case, at the end of the night EVERYONE was so amazing - G made me cake & everyone was hugging! I'm pretty sure CJ shed a tear, it was little ... but maybe so, HA!

In any case, on my back from lunch I came over the intersection and saw the scene of an accident. Although I didn't see the scene my first instinct was just to check and make sure everyone was ok. I saw a lady on the phone and the other car was completely smashed. The driver of the other car came towards me and said that the girl was hurt inside the vehicle. I went over and started talking to her - completely relieved that she was breathing and coherent - the emergency crews came shortly after! I decided to call her family because I know that is something I would have wanted- one of the worst things to have is a family member in a car accident ... especially when it's a bad one... but then to have a police officer not give you details, that would be awful. I called her parents and chatted with them..waited to find out what hospital she would go to and called them back to tell them. At first they were supposed to be closer but the ambulance decided to take her to a better hospital further away. So the most interesting part of the time (not that I'm measuring) - was when they cut her out of the car -

*NOT the actual accident, this is courtesy of: www.blenheimfire.com*

I've never witnessed someone being 'cut out' of their car. The emergency workers let me stay because I was in touch with the family, and to be honest, it was a moment I will never forget. As I was standing there watching this I was thinking about my life....and how we're

sometimes in that state where we feel like we couldn't move. How we have to be cut out of our shells - wow, crazy thought, huh? But until recently, I had felt that way - I had felt as though I was trapped and I needed specialists to come and get me out. I cannot TELL YOU how much freedom I feel leaving my job. I ABSOLUTELY adore my team, and that's who I'll miss...but I knew that my friends at Kirk Jazz would always be there for me, and I'm super thankful for that! They have been my friends through all the adventures...really and truly, besides Kenny's co-workers our friends for almost a year. But that trapped feeling was so real - it's super easy to get caught up in the drama, the business, the meetings, the early/late days, (I could go on and on) - but at the end of the day ... do we really want to feel trapped? And do we?

I strive to always live out of the box and since I've been 'cut out' - I've felt like a new person. If you are struggling in your current state and need someone to help you out - reach out - I know I'll be there for you!

J was taken to a hospital and I've tried to call her parents, but to no avail - so I'll make sure to keep you updated on how she's doing!

On a mission to stay out of a trapped life -
L

House Intro! (finally!)

Sorry if this is a little disconnected, I'm writing this in the middle of the night, after a long night at work! And I have to be back at 8 a.m.!! In any case, this is the story about our many houses! You may or may not know it, so I'll go ahead and tell you the story!

We didn't come by this house without much grief and anguish, in fact, we came to this house by pure grace! After a GRUELING time dealing with builders, moving, sickness...and house!

We first started having the desire and push to move to Houston in 2008 so Kenny set out to find a job in the around February. He found one quickly...REALLY quickly - and although we questioned the timing, we figured that it was perfect timing for us.

In short - we were wrong!

Amazing things happened during this time, 2 hurricanes, an illness, and MANY lonely nights later Kenny moved back to Alexandria 9 months after moving to Houston to pursue a career there!

This was one of our homes...

It was custom built for us....WAY out of our price range...but SO cute and right where we wanted it! It was in our S-T-R-E-T-C-H budget - but we could make it work! So we signed the contract in April....2 weeks later (supposedly) groundbreaking was to occur....but late August we were told that the company was going out of business and our home was no longer ours......BUMMED, MAD, UPSET...many emotions flooded this time in our life! At the time I was still living in Louisiana and Kenny was in Houston...only he was sick and having to take treatments...which made it HARD on everything else. This was devastating...so the realtor found us another house and we looked at it the same day....

But we just didn't feel right about the entire plan....why should be pay more for less...and we shouldn't be pushed into something that wasn't us.

So we moved back to Louisiana, not that our whole family had moved...but it was still a process!

Finally, last summer we decided to move again. It was going to be the final time we tried and we couldn't look back - so we didn't take ANY chances....we rented a cute little place on Melham Lane! Since that point we have grown so much, we have worked harder than EVER, and now we're finally starting to see something from our hard work! But we wouldn't change what has happened, because it's only made us realize that we can ONLY count on what we do and NOTHING is handed to you. Not that we thought it was, it just seems that sometimes you find yourself in a place where things DON'T happen as quickly and you thought and you realize that it's LIFE. So, finally after a YEAR of renting we purchased our first home! Although you have probably heard about it....you haven't seen the ACTUAL house! So here is the front shot....

Every day this week I will be posting different rooms in our house, what we've done to the room & what it looks like now! I hope you'll follow our house tour, we can't wait to share it with you!

The Schedule:

Sunday - Different posting (not house related)

Monday - Kitchen

Tuesday - Living Room/Dining Room

Wednesday - Office

Thursday - Bathrooms

Friday - Master Bedroom

Saturday - His & Hers Rooms

When I was your age....

While I'm going to be posting twice today (since it's past midnight) - I wanted to bring up a conversation that Kenny & I had the other day!

Remember the long running joke that grandparents were supposed to say?

"Well, when I was your age I had to walk up a hill barefoot in snow, both ways!"

Now of course, joke is the word because one, it's Texas (or Louisiana) and it snows ... ummm...close to never - but I'm not going to say NEVER! And two, because you can't walk up both ways...ok, I knew you knew that..it's just for my fellow...well, I'm not blonde!

Anyway - our question was...

What will we say to our children when they are born & grow up?

Honestly, our children (when we have them...um, in a LONG time from now) are going to grow up where social media is the real deal. They are born with a blue tooth in their ear, have a facebook account prior to birth, and expect Disney HD/3D before the age of 2! Our 'when I was your age' statements are going to be...

· I had to dial a phone, and if you weren't home...you didn't get the phone call!

· I had to rewind a tape, it took 3 minutes!

· I didn't get my cell phone until I was 23! *Lida only!

· Facebook didn't EXIST

· We had to read books....(this is a sad reality, but it might be true! I love, love, love books...but I do read monitors most of my life!

· My first computer didn't have windows, word, adobe, or internet!

· My third computer had dial up internet, and we heard the dial tone.

· My first phone didn't have internet....or apps, or anything except a keypad!

· I had to pay cash at the gas station

· Our privilege at school was going to the Apple Lab and playing games

· We had to write on chalk boards

· We had overhead projectors

· Heck, we had to write our notes!

The list of course goes on and on...but isn't it a little sad to you? That our children will never experience NOT living in a socially driven society? Well, that opens a HUGE can of worms...but my thoughts are

...I want my children to grow up reading books, understanding the value of personal relationships (not on the phone or on a monitor), and feeling as though they have to work for what they get.

Sure, we make our lives the way we want, but I'll never forget the conversations I had with my grandmother about her childhood - the typewriter papers that I created in the fifth grade - and the value of spending time with my friends in the summer, outside in the heat!

We need to see the seasons in person (well, if you live in a place with seasons) - not because your screen saver changed... or carving a pumpkin during this time of the year, or savoring a moment with your family and friends.

Be sure not to miss out on the REALness in life; take a break from the monitor and LIVE it out loud!

My List!

Well, so far it seems as though I've inspired one!! :) Please let me know if you are inspired too; three is my goal! :)

Here is goes....

My 101 in 1001

(October 5, 2010 - July 2, 2013)

Financial

1. Design a budget

- research budget strategies

- automatic bill pay

2. Pay off three debts per year

- Refer to chart in excel doc

- Map out plan

3. Add an extra mortgage payment every year

- Start a quick savings plan & by end of year pay 1 principal

4. Finish Christmas purchases by December 1

- Create a list, stick to list & budget

5. Purchase a party barge

- Price boats, find out what we need to save, insurance quotes

6. Give $100 every three months saved specifically from not eating out at restaurants - do this 5 times during the 1001 days ( /5)

- take out cash every time we don't eat a restaurant

7. Save $5,000 (1,000 /5,000)

- automatically withdraw, divide & plan out how to save

Professional/Personal Development

8. Finish my Master's degree

- Transfer to Phoenix, decide on major, finish program

9. Become a teacher (2011)

- Get books from Cassie, register for class, pass Texes exam

10. Join Toastmasters

- Wednesday morning at 7:30

11. Write a children's book

- With S, research topics, design character & genre by Nov 1

12. Develop & write my life mission statement

-research other mission statements, draft mine by Oct 15

13. Learn how to write grants

-sign up for class, volunteer to do this temporarily

14. Become a store manager

15. Study how to build a rental property business

- study what is needed for start up, by Jan 2012 start business

16. Become a life coach

-get more information about how I can develop the skill by Dec1

17. Become a role model to others (develop followers, become a speaker) - this will come in time

18.Build a children's book library of 200 books (for use when I am a teacher) ( /200)

-Garage Sales, library sales, book sales at stores

- Organize into genre

-Read & develop reports for all

19. Learn about non-profits

-Take a class, read a book, find out what is necessary & which programs to run by Jan 2011

20. Assist with Pet Fest

- work with Shelly, discuss Howloween Parade, network

21. Work on Operation Santa Paws initiative

- introduce this at Pet Fest

22. Action Leaders

- this will be developed in Summer 2011

23. Start MarriedStrong

- logo, plan, start blogging, get followers

24. Learn fundamentals on volunteering

- study volunteering trends, read books, ask coordinators

25. Start a training program for volunteering

- develop a program for volunteers

26. Join the Chamber of Commerce

- network through Spring, go to meetings

27. Develop a speech in order to speak at various groups/organizations

- research good speech practices, work on it at toastmasters

28. Begin a business

- Decide what I want to do, brand it, and go!

29. Read 30 books on leadership ( /30)

30. Read 52 books in 52 weeks - no cheating! ( /52)

31. Track my progress with this list

- Print list, plan accordingly

Love & Home

32. Collect items & decorate for every season

- New Years - Summer - Christmas

- Valentine's Day - 4th of July - Birthday

- St. Patrick's Day - Harvest

- Spring - Halloween

- Easter - Thanksgiving

33. Host a Thanksgiving dinner at our house

- BEG Kenny's family to come!

34. Plan family traditions with Kenny

35. Take weekly dates for 3 months straight

- Mark them on the calendar (big date guideline)

36. Paint a picture for the living room

- Purchase supplies, find design, do it!

37. Take a cooking class with Kenny

- Find online at Lone Star

38. Encourage Kenny every day ( /1001) with notes, etc

39. Clean/Paint/Fix up Craft Room

- By November 1

40. Decorate our living room

- By October 11

41. Create a headboard

- By January 15

42. Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it

- Research schedule, print, & follow

43. Finish our home improvement list

-Create master list, put on fridge, carve out time, complete

44. Finish Kenny's man cave!

- By October 31st

45. Get the remainder of the stuff @ Kenny's parents & organize

- By Christmas

Social & Friends

46. Start a couples group - complete with dinner & events

- Outline, design invites, create timeline, host first event

47. Host a Christmas party

- Plan event by Oct 30th, Invites out by Dec 1

48. Reunite with long lost friends

-Reconnect on FB, visit once per month

49. Visit Harper & Nate

- By Feb 1

50. Start a friendly neighbor program & develop relationships

-Join the Homeowner's Association, develop a plan to impact

51. Host a block party

- Work with HOA, schedule for March 2011

52. Boo our neighbors!

- Halloween 2011

53. Meet 10-15 new couple friends

- Network with others

Travel

54. Go to an LSU game - Fall 2011/Fall 2012

55. Visit Sara & Nic in England (Spring 2013)

56. Take a road trip to a northern state to see the leaves change

-Find some great last minute deals, go in September 2011

57. Go watch the 4th of July fireworks over a lake (July 2011/2012)

58. Take an anniversary trip (cabin in the mountains...:) 2011/2012

59. Go to Halifax to see Dad (2011)

60. Take a random Texas road trip (Fall 2010)

61. Take a cruise (Summer 2011)

62. Go to NYC & see a musical (and Clif!) - by Summer 2011

63. Go camping - Winter 2010

64. Go RVing with An & Alan - within 6 months

- Research location

-Coordinate with them

-Plan/Purchase supplies early

65. Visit Rhonna in Colorado (Spring 2011)

66. Take a train to Chicago & explore! (April 2012)

67. Go to Disney with the family (November 2012)

68. Learn to scuba & go with Kenny (on cruise?)

Physical & Emotional Well-being

69. Update my wardrobe/look by November 2010

70. Run a marathon

- Get on a training program

- Run the 5k at St. Jude, Dec 2011

71. Get my hair cut for locks of love by November 2010

72. Take the dogs on walks every day for a month (rainy? in house play) - starts Sept 1

73. Go to the spa twice in one year (November 2010/Jan 2011)

74. Drop 25 pounds by the 500th day ( March 2, 2012)

75. Be positive in my thoughts during difficult times (track by self- reflection)

76. Take 1 day per week to analyze progress & plan ( /143)

Family

77. Take Ronny to an Astros game

78. Send photo cards/newsletters every quarter ( /12)

79. Call Grams & Gramps once per week ( /143)

80. Take Ronny to Splash Town - Summer 2011

81.Send Mom to Uncle David's - Summer 2011

82. Create a photo montage for Mom (from pictures of our childhood) - Christmas 2010

83. Visit Kenny's family once per month ( /33)

84. Family photos three months ( /11)

85. Take Ronny to a Back to School celebration dinner/ice cream

Spiritual (Personal) Growth, Volunteering, and Warm & Fuzzies

86. Find a church I love & become a member by Jan 2011

87. Make sandwiches every week & hand out with water ( /143)

88. Buy school supplies for a child in need every year

89. Take 365 pictures of things that are meant to tell a story and remind me of each day - Start October 11th ( /365)

90. Make a book of the pictures

91. Blog every day for a month ( /30)

92. Do something for a good cause - a benefit or a walk by Spring 2011

93. Complete 10 pay it forwards (complete with cards) ( /10)

94. Pray every night with Kenny for 30 days straight ( /30)

95. Serve at a Shelter on Thanksgiving day

96. Volunteer at the KSBJ Share-A-Thon

97. Send 10 cards randomly every month ( /34)

98. Encourage 3 other people to start their list

99. Give $1 towards a charity for every completed goal, $2 for every incomplete goal

100. Be honest with myself about this list, track the list & finish it!

101. Start a new list on May 17, 2013

Some things are directly related and very specific and some are JUST PLAIN FUN! This really gives me a track to run on ... basically because it's hard to really see the future if you don't have a guideline! Why did I go with financial first? Because that is how I'm going to get anywhere else! All of these areas matter..but cannot be accomplished without a plan and without goals!

Did you know that only 4% of people even WRITE goals? Wow- 4%! I'm not longer part of that percentage of people....and I don't want to go on without a plan!

Have questions about my 101? Or want to see progress, I'll make sure to update you as I go!

Get on your goal! :)

-Lida