Christmas Pictures

I decided to decorate for Christmas last weekend. Yes, I know, I'm a weekend too early. I have a good reason though! My grandparents are coming into town for Thanksgiving this year, and it's the first time they are going to see our new house. I wanted it to look festive and pretty and have lights hanging everywhere. I don't know when they will be down again, so it sounded like fun! After decorating, crafting, and putting glitter on anything that sat still long enough, I was finally done by Sunday afternoon. Haley had pretty much followed me around all weekend, she had glitter stuck to her head, she had tried to eat all of my pine cones, and was completely over the whole ordeal. So, like any good mother would do, I took her picture all over the house. I will add more pics of some of my DIY Christmas projects, but thought this would make everyone smile in the mean time!

When we first moved into our house, we noticed that someone had decided to take the mantel shelf with them as they moved out. It's typical in foreclosures for stuff to be taken out of the home, but this was just weird! Either way, had to decorate that space. I had to have a place to hand stockings that my mom and I made last year! Doesn't Haley look so pretty!

I was attempting to hang lights in the window, she thought it would be a good idea to play with those lights, so I thought it was a good idea to decorate her with them. Such a sad face! This may make the Christmas card this year!

And of course, like any good child, she sat in front of the Christmas tree for her picture! I am actually surprised that everywhere I asked her to sit, she not only sat immediately but she stayed there until I took her picture a couple of times for good measure. So proud of my sweet pup!

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!

The Big Reveal

I am so excited to finally reveal my new master bathroom! It has been a few long months, and several snags along the way, but it is finally finished!

I know it is a little difficult to tell height, but this vanity was right above Jay's knee. He is 6'2", so it was a long reach to brush his teeth. Beyond that, the home had been sitting empty for so long since it was a foreclosure, and the sink was leaking the entire time. The bottom of the vanity was rotting through. Not was I was looking for in a master bathroom. 

The lighting is bad here, but you can see the fabulous carpet that was in front of the vanity. The 80's are calling and they want their look back! I wasn't having any of it. I asked Jay if I could rip it out and start over, the next day, this was all gone!!

My dad found a guy in Atlanta (real sketchy side of town) who builds custom vanities for very little money. We had odd sizes in our master and guest room so thought it would be worth a shot. Home Depot was going to run about $1200 for just the vanity in our room, and about $850 for the guest room. On top of that, they would need filler strips to fill in the extra space on either side. We were able to have these custom made to size, no fillers, for about $900 for both. Definitely money saved. I just had to prime and paint them. If you are thinking that bead board is a look you like, rethink before you paint them yourself! Love the look, almost threw my paint brush at it in the process!

I hate to even mention my flooring, because Lowe's almost died over this. I bought Armstrong laminate, yes I said laminate, flooring from them. The guy in the flooring department guaranteed they would be there in 5 days, it ended up taking 13 days. The only reason I was upset is because I wast trying to finish this project before Jay's parents came into town. Also, the store manager couldn't have cared less after I called him. That's right, I am one of those people. I feel like after working so many years of retail you should do whatever it takes to take care of the customer. I still think I could have walked them from their distribution center in Valdosta quicker than that, but enough with my rant. After they went in I was so happy! I love them! But, in the guest room I am going to find and Armstrong distributor instead of going to Lowe's. I think it will be money well spent!

See what I mean about the floor? It's fabulous! I had already painted the walls by the time Stuart came to put the floors in. If you are in the Atlanta metro area and need a handyman who can do everything, email me I will give you Stuart's number. There is no one else I would trust to be in my home all day other than him, and he is so reasonable. He can seriously do anything!!! His wife came with him the day he had to put the vanity in because he couldn't move that beast by himself. She played with Haley all day, and Haley was a very satisfied customer as well!

Once the granite went in it seemed like this project was almost over! Love it! I also have a granite guy I could recommend. He is fairly priced and it seems like he can get to you and work around your schedule whenever you need to. 

TA DA!!! The finished project. I am in love. I know it looks like my mirrors are way off balance, but the light above my mirror is out. Even though I put a new bulb in...another project for another day I guess! All in all we did the entire project, including materials and labor for less than Home Depot was going to sell us just the vanities for. I am pretty impressed with myself. It looks great and I found bargains all along the way! Now this is the bathroom I was always hoping for!!

What can I tear out next? Jay...keep breathing, I'll wait until after Christmas ; )

A Day on the Plains

Jay and I were so excited that his parents, Beth and Gary, were able to come down and visit a couple of weekends ago. We were able to show off our new house, and take them down to Auburn for a football game. We had a blast! Jim and Rose Carey, some of Beth and Gary's long time Atlanta friends, came with us to the game and hung out for our tailgate.

I just couldn't wait to show them our new house. Of course my bathroom wasn't ready, even though I had the timing planned perfectly. By the way, it's still not finished! Jay was able to take a day off work and go play golf at the Country Club of Roswell with his dad, Jim, and my dad! Here are some pictures from our wonderful weekend.

The Williams Clan Tailgating!

Jay and I...10 am and breaking into the first cape codder of the day!

The Williams Clan again

What's that spell? AUBURN Who's gonna win? AUBURN WAR EAGLE!!

Jay, Beth and Rose

Love our pre-game

Let's get this party started!!

This...in a single picture...is how you know that God is truly an Auburn fan! Nothing beats a sunset like that on the Plains.

Love every picture I can get under Toomer's Corner. Sad that our kids may not have this same experience one day!

Everyone who knows me, knows that I bleed orange and blue. There is nothing more memorable to me than my time spent on the Plains. This is a magical school that enough good things can't be said about. I don't need any comments from Georgia or Bama fans on this, because at the end of the day it isn't family that surrounds your school. Auburn is all about family, everyone brings their kids there, and everyone is raised the Auburn way. So proud to be a part of this tradition!!

WAR EAGLE!