Lent

I've been reading from a few people about the 40 bags in the 40 days of Lent...a purging kind of thing. Let me tell you I could do that! I am one to get rid of things in almost too quick of a manner, but I believe I could come up with 40 bags. They wouldn't have to be big, right? I wonder if the stuff I've gotten rid of lately would count?

I decided the other day that I'm going to have a garage sale this summer...it's been a while and I've been in the get-rid-of-unneeded-stuff-mode. Would it count if I bagged everything up, then displayed it this summer? Hmmmm...might just get started on something new.

I think what prompted this idea of purging, garage sale, etc. was the fact that we decided that the kids' rooms desparately needed painting. I'd been talking for quite a while now about wanting to change the dining room, living room, kitchen areas because I was tired of what I had done so long ago. I've also been feeling the need of some deep spring cleaning [it's been a long winter, hasn't it??]. So this one little idea evolved and grew and developed into where I'm at today:

All the holes in the walls have been patched, all the ceilings have been painted (except for the bathrooms, which is on the agenda), new light fixtures in the living room have been purchased and installed and we got a majority of the rooms painted on Monday. And when I say a majority - I mean both entryways, the kitchen, dining room, living room, hallway and master bedroom. (Didn't we start out with the kids' rooms? Following me here?). Mike was hesitant at first about my getting quotes from professional painters, but I know us...and while Mike certainly doesn't lack the talent to carry out the tasks at hand here, what he does lack is the time to complete the process before I change my mind again with the colors. I say that with the most respect ever...he's very much a perfectionist, and loves to save a buck where he can. So it was really difficult for him to grasp the concept of paying somebody what he is capable of doing. In the end, he agreed to having it professionally painted, and folks, let me tell you! These painters came in and did it all in one day!!

What we are waiting for now is the carpet place to install our new carpet. Oh yeah! That's how it all started! We had our carpets cleaned this last fall and the cleaner guy mentioned how bad our carpet was coming apart (you could pull pieces out of the carpet at random and it was like they weren't even attached). So we made some calls, and about 6-8 weeks later, found out that they were going to replace it for us, so then we started talking about how that would be the right time to do the walls too. But in the midst of all that, we did also talk about how the kids' rooms needed updating so very badly.

Really? Are you following? Cause I'm getting confused here myself, and it's my head this is coming from...see why my head is a scary place to be sometimes?! Jeesh!

Moving along, I couldn't be happier with the colors I chose! I was initially going to go with three colors, but in the end {after MUCH himmin' and hawin' and discussin' with a friend} I decided to only go two colors. LOVE IT!! I know, you're thinking "where the heck are the pictures??" but I need to wait till my house is put back together before I can seize the photo op. No worries though - I'm too excited NOT to share!

It's been fun looking at all the color options with Drew and Andie for their rooms. I love the color Andie has chosen - it's very "Andie-ish" and I believe she is going to paint a mural on one of her walls. Can't wait to see the completion of it - she truly is an artist at heart and I know she'll be in her glory painting a scene on her wall! Drew is going with the school spirit theme and will, too, be painting a mural on his wall, only it'll be a Viking. He practiced on the window with snazzy window markers that Andie got for Christmas and he did a great job! He'll also be getting some Fathead "W" things for his walls...a gift from Mom and Dad.

Andie's 12th birthday is coming up in just over two weeks - unbelievable that they're growing up so fast! Her birthday happens to fall on a Friday, so for our family get-together, we're doing a fish fry at our house with our families. Since it's Lent and all, us Catholics can't have meat on Fridays, and my Dad has perch from Drummond Island all cleaned and cut, so we're going to dip those babies in some batter and fry 'em up! Yum!!!

Andie's wish for her birthday this year was to have she and I go to Your Plate or Mine in the mall and paint something. No family, no friends. Just the two of us for some mom and daughter time. Wouldn't even think of trying to talk her out of that one! Heck yeah I'll do that with her for her birthday! So we are going to go to Salon 297 for Pedi's in the morning, then head to the mall for some good 'ol painting! Can't wait to spend time with my girl. Hope she never loses that 'want' to be with her mama!

Oh....Lent. What to give up? Negativity. I like to think that I'm a positive thinker, but it's something I could still improve upon. A few other things too, but those will remain private. Such a reflective time of year. Kind of somber, but necessary all the same.

Is anyone else looking as forward to spring as I am?? I can't remember ever being so ready for it! I thought with the sun shining yesterday that it was a good sign, so I took to cleaning my windows, inside and outside, and getting ready for the screens, because I know that Mother Nature is going to get in a better mood real soon and turn the weather nice for us :).