Vote!

I'm trying to decide which curtain looks best for my kitchen window - so please vote by leaving a comment and let me know which one is your favorite!

A

B

Please ignore the sinkful of dishes and the cluttered countertops...deal?
Thanks for your input!
B

The Corner

Decorating large spaces overwhelms me, so I tend to focus on mastering the smaller ones, first. Hence, the large wall in my living room is still empty. But today, after a great shopping trip with Mom, I finished decorating this corner of my living room. I'm pleased with the way it turned out!


Chair: from J's grandmother
Recovered: Upholstery Shop, Houston
Pillow: Stein Mart
Lamp: Lowe's
Photo: Marshall's Home Goods
Side table: Harwin
Flower arrangement: Harwin

How do you think it turned out? I think its the perfect place to curl up with a good book and a Coke Zero.

Happy Saturday -
B

End of an Era

Well, I grew up a little tonight. I got rid of something that I've had almost 10 years. Deep breath - I no longer have a belly button ring. Exhale.

The ring, after I removed it

You're probably thinking - I didn't even know she had one. Exactly. Why did I still have one? I'm so rarely in a bathing suit that no one sees it, anyway. I doubt the hubs even realized I had one. I think my cheerleaders are some of the only people in on this secret, only because I have a bad habit of rolling up the bottom of my shirt when I'm thinking out loud (read: fidgeting). So, why did I have my belly button pierced? Read on.

April, 2002
Tried out for HBU cheerleader and made the squad (the only freshman among the scary upperclassmen!)! Had a deal with Mom that if I made it, we'd go get my belly button pierced. I was pretty against a piercing, it was more of a joke between me and mom. Almost all of the cheerleaders on my high school squad had theirs pierced, and I wasn't about to follow suit. Plus, I'm petrified of needles. But, it just sort of happened. After I made it, we were on our way home and mom said, "I guess we are going to get your belly button pierced, then." Cool mom, huh? Several hours later (but several hours before the intoxicated folks frequent the piercing parlor) me, mom, my high school boyfriend, best friend and my Aunt Dana (and Uncle Rick, too, I think) piled into mom's car, cameras and all, and went to the piercing parlor, Sacred Heart. Yes, they thought we were crazy! Getting my belly button pierced actually hurt less than when I got my ears done! I got a blue and orange belly button ring (had to show my HBU spirit, after all). Here I am with Aunt Dana showing off our rings (she already had hers done....my inspiration)! Side note: Aunt Dana is not my actual aunt, she's mom's BFF that I've known since I was 8 years old and therefore gets the loving title of "Aunt".

Wardrobe sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch

Early, 2006
Took the belly button ring out, felt like I'd gotten to chubby for it. How's that for transparency?

June, 2008
BFF takes me to Vegas before I get married, and I am a sucker for famous sayings, such as "When in Vegas..." so I got my belly button re-piereced. Again, it didn't hurt. It was a fun thing to do while in Vegas! No regrets!

TODAY
Took belly button ring out. I'm 26 years old after all. Probably don't need any jewelry shoved through my body unnaturally any more. And, besides, I'll have to take it out when I get preggo one day. And, no, that day is not today.

So, there you go. Way more than you ever wanted to know about my belly button. I'll kindly spare you the picture of it, sans ring. You're welcome!

B

Half Marathon - Check!

Two weeks ago I ran my very first half marathon! That's 13.1 miles and I did it in 2 hours and 31 minutes. My family and friends stood on the sidelines and cheered me on at various points of the run, which was amazing (especially since it was cold and raining). I am quite proud of myself, and would love to run another one again someday. It was a lot of fun and such an accomplishment to know that I'm capable of running for that length of time. Honestly, I still can't believe I did it!

If you would have asked me a year ago if I could run 13 .1 miles, I would have said something to the tune of "Do you KNOW me?! The only athletic bones in my body were likely injured during my 14 years of cheerleading." When I began this journey nine months ago, I didn't even like running. I could hardly run one mile without being extremely exhausted. What a difference a great training regimen makes.

I ran a 5K yesterday, and it was my first time running again since the half, and it felt great! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to get back on the track and do more long distance runs!

A visitor in our Sunday School class last week heard that I ran the half and asked if I was a runner. Having never been asked that question in my entire life, I paused, thought for a moment and said...."Well, I guess I am."

Thanks for your support, friends!
B