start to march

an hour left in the month of february. time flies! i did pretty well on my intentions for the month by accomplishing about half of my list: 1) on the 3rd, i put all 28$ in my money jar for the month and plan to do the same for march; 2) i went to church twice, complete with communion & hearing/seeing clayton king preach; 3) finish, pack & ship the gift to georgia for leah/kyle/baby emery!! (hopefully it will arrive just before she does!); 4) finish my prep work for the gym; 5) box & label linens/towels/etc.; 6) continued skin care regimen.

also, last week, my sister and i went to see the new familiars at the pour house. it was awesome! (we got, okay..rephrase..i bought us t-shirts & a cd for me)

so, here's my list for march:

* GREENVILLE 3/2-4 (adina is in nc from orlando & i need QT with my little one!)

~ put 1$/day in my money jar (or 31$ all at once)

~ go to church at least twice

~ reframe "jessica" -> i did spray (hopefully) a final coat

~ plug holes/paint touchups in bathroom

~ hang floral plaques (currently in my room) in bathroom

~ move white dresser to computer room & reorganize

~ put TV on cart & carry coffee table to attic

~ floral installation (get wood/prime & paint/hardware/flowers/hang)

~ hang steeple photos (2) (where plaques were?!)

~ hang floral prints (3)

~ HEADBOARD!!

~ bonus room (sort/storage/make space for my sofa/etc.)

~ hand-painted gift for ldb (hopefully in time for her shower on 3/5!)

~ dr. appts. (lady/dentist/physical)

~ continue skin care regimen

i PROMISE, once my bathroom & bedroom are complete, i will post pictures!

transparency

i am challenged each day to live an honest, God-focused life. i'd like to think i'm doing a better job but each day brings its own set of challenges..it is my hope that i can return to the me i used to be, so in love with Jesus, ready and willing to worship, pray and listen, in spite -- or more, because of --what i have been through in my 27 years (particularly at age 12, 21, 22, & 26). He saved me, before i even knew what it really meant to have my life saved. He taught me to give it all over to Him; He is the reason i believe in the ability to forgive..even the worst act.

i am praying for:

* optimism

* faith

* thirst only God can quench

* ability to start to to turn away from my vice (idea: use that money to tithe instead)

* ability to let go of the people that don't deserve to be in my life

what are you praying for this week?

i heart spring

even though it technically isn't spring, it is in the stores! my mom and i spent the afternoon at southpoint. we both had coldwater creek gift cards and i had a return for the loft (sweater that my folks gave me for valentine's day). i had great luck! :)

~ coldwater creek: gift card 71.21$. they were running a promo on certain items + my mom had a 30$ off 100$ purchase. i got a cute top and a jacket i'd been looking at (but in blue instead, since i already have a few black jackets). full price @ 119.90$ + tax. after the discounts and my gift card, the total amount due was 4.11$. (and my mom put the balance on one of her gift cards, so i paid nothing.) amazing! :)

~ ann taylor loft: return 79.50$. they were doing 25% off your entire purchase today. i got an exposed back zipper sweater and a sea blue stitched skirt. full price @ 109.00; - return = 29.50$. but with the promo, it was 81.76 - 79.50 with an amount due of 2.26$. better! :D

~ belk: my mom bought me a pair of super cute shoes (see photos)..so, technically, for my wallet, they were free; saving me 85.12$. best!

~ among my miscellaneous purchases: clinique makeup & eyeshadow + free gift = 39.33$; mumford & sons cd on sale from 11.99 to 9.99 = 10.76$; 3 birthday cards at hallmark = 8.29$; and a pkg. of 5 paint pens (even though i only needed 1) 16.99 - 50% off coupon = 9.15$... = 67.53$.

if you add up everything at full price, it equals 372.60$. i paid 69.79$. so fun! :D

happy valentine's day!

hope you are using this day to spend time with the one(s) you love

and those who love you in return.

today is my dad's 68th birthday.

and while my family is out to dinner, i am stuck at home..sick. i started to feel ill yesterday...last night i ran a fever, complete with chills, aches & pains, scratchy/sore throat with cough...and now, the nose is beginning to creep in. excellent.

at least i got in my priming marathon last night while i could...i painted in the cold (the heat up front only heats one room!) for nearly 7 hours (with breaks). but both dressing rooms are done with 2 coats and ready for color. :)

february

looking at my goals for january, it's pretty sad. i had good intentions, but sadly, am only able to cross 2 things off my list: save $1/day in my money jar (yay for $31.00 in my jar!!) & going to church at least twice (1/22 & 1/29)..at the summit. i DID finally finish ironing my curtains..i still intend to hem them, but just having the linen ones so soft & smooth is enough for me right now. ha! but anyways...here are the goals for this month.

2/11 good intentions

~ put $1/day in the money jar
~ reframe & find a place for my "jessica" piece

~ go to church at least twice

~ finish part ii of baby emery's gift

~ finish my prep work (priming/etc.) for the "other" project
~ work on the bonus room

- vacuum bag linens, box and label

- sort area near stairs

- figure out new solution for art/creative storage

- build and install new shelving from ikea (can't be put together until i figure out solution for art cube!)

- figure out what to do about dad's corner (filing cabinets)..move them into office?
~ make doctor appointments (lady & dentist)

~ continue with my skin care regime & in general, take better care of myself

who knows? maybe i'll even have someone take me out in honor of the retail holiday for love.