Monday, December 31, 2012

One Word ~ Explore

I was recently asked what my New Year's Resolution(s) were and guess what??? I am not making any!! What I will be doing is focusing on One Word for 2013.

I was doing some blog-hopping a few months ago and came across the website OneWord365.com.
The website is based on the principal of picking one word to guide you for the New Year. It challenges you to pick a word that has personal meaning for YOU, not your neighbor, and not your BFF...YOU!
More information can be found on their lovely website.


I have been thinking of my word for a few weeks now and to be honest I have been struggling with it. Nothing was waving at me saying "Here I am.. I am your word!!". After much prayer and pondering I was sitting in traffic the other evening behind a Ford Explorer and since then I could not get the word Explore out of my mind.

This word just is not "Me" in so many ways that at first i didn't acknowledge that this was what I had been praying for. Surely God knows that I am comfy with who I am, I am not an adventurer by nature. I prefer things to be calm and unchanging for the most part. I tend to be a homebody who is happy curled up on the sofa with a good book rather than out with others most nights. Why on earth would He keep showing me the word Explore? Surely there is another word that I need to incorporate more in my life. Maybe Faith, Compassion, or Enjoy? What is so special about the word Explore??
Since I am learning to be more faithful to what He tells me and I know that He knows that I need to get out of this comfort zone in order better myself for Him, I am simply going with it. Thankfully He has given me the gracious gift of loving to learn so I am looking forward to see where this word takes me.


Here is what the dictionary says about the word Explore.
4. Obsolete . to search for; search out.
verb (used without object)
5. to engage in exploration.
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Romans 12:2 says:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

It is time for me to be transformed and to renew my mind and through exploring I know I can accomplish this.


Here are some of the ways I will strive to put my word to use in 2013:

  • Explore my thoughts.
  • Explore my life.
  • Explore my health.
  • Explore deeper into Faith
  • Explore my marriage.   
  • Explore my family.
  • Explore my surroundings.
  • Explore everything possible for the next 365 days.
I am challenging myself to step out of my comfort zones in numerous ways this year as I no longer want to be dull or sluggish. I have no illusions that this will be an easy task but I look forward to seeing what I can Explore and I will be sharing my findings. :)

Edit to add: Check out my awesome new button made by the fabulous Melanie@OnlyaBreath.com.
Thanks Melanie~~I love it!!

Will you take the One Word 365 Day Challenge with me?  What will your word be for 2013?

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A visit with Willly Wonka

Who doesn't love Chocolate?? I know the movie was really about Mr. Wonka but oh heavens the chocolate river was my favorite part. I just wanted to jump in and go swimming. Seriously I did!

The other evening we noticed a sign on the Square that said "Willie Wonka Tour" and we were all like  
"SIGN US UP"!!

Tonight we met up with the Wallace's and got to take out tour of the Chocolate Factory!!


Ok, ok, while it may not have been with the eccentric guy in the purple coat and top hat we did get a fabulous tour of Paul Thomas Chocolates. We also got to sample a few of their yummy creations!



Emma and Mark got to learn how the Chocolate Pretzels are made.
(I thought we needed a smaller version at the house but was vetoed)

I really wanted to sample the beauties below but alas they were not offered :( :(


It was a fun, FREE, evening and if you are ever in Dahlonega and see the sign for the Willie Wonka Tour I suggest that you sign up right away!

Have you experienced anything new in your own town/city lately? If so, I would love to hear about it!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Rainy Day Dreaming

It's a rainy day here in the South and we just got home from a yummy cookout with my parents, so I am spending a little time dreaming on Pinterest this afternoon.

The Handyman and I have talked about going somewhere off-the-chain for our 20th Anniversary next year and here is my suggestion. :)






Or maybe I should be honest and say that I just want to go relax at an Island...anytime!!

I hope you are having a great Labor Day!!


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Perk it Up! Vanity Redo

Project E.M.M.A.: Round 2

1 Free Vanity
1 Teen Age Daughter who detested the beige and gold finish. 
2 Cans of Purple Paint
1 Bottle of Lime Paint

= 1 Fabulous Purple Vanity!!

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In my on going mission to make Emma's room more colorful this vanity was our latest change.
I received it for free awhile back and the beige & gold finish was just not doing it for her. 


She took her own sweet time deciding on what colors she wanted to use but finally settled on Purple and Lime. We grabbed the paint, lightly sanded the piece, and started spraying.

Em seems to be happy with the results so far! 

We still have the chair to paint in Lime and we are going to pick out the material for the seat.
After that we are on to picking out fabric for her new quilt!! 

Before/After
What have you painted to "make new" lately? Did you make it colorful or did you tone down the color?
I would love to see your projects!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Project E. M. M. A.


I am a MOM on a mission! If I do not accomplish my mission then I will fail as a Mom!!

Yea Right who am I kidding?!? Seriously though, I am on a mission to redo Ms. Em's room. The last major update we had on it was her new bed back in August of last year! Hmm I have been totally slacking!!

If you happen to follow me on Pinterest then you know that I am always on the lookout for colorful pieces to add to Ms. Em's room. We have a few larger projects that we will be working on soon but I stumbled across something this weekend that I knew I had to go ahead and do.

I have always loved seeing my kids names on things. I am sure it stems from the fact that my own name is never on anything unless it is a custom made piece due to it's crazy spelling(love you Mom!) I also have a major love of letters, any kind of letters will do as I am not picky at all! This time I did find all the same style letters in Ms. Em's name so I knew I had to get them. I also knew that I wanted to make some sort of hanging sign and this is what I came up with.

 Plain ole street sign letters(no I did not steal them!!)

 Pick out some pretty papers.


 Trim to fit and ink the edges.


 Stack of letters and finished paper before the mod-podge was pulled out.


 Add some ribbon and WaaaLaaa you have a Name Sign!!


I tied a knot in the ribbon and just hung it over the top of her bed. 
It may not stay here but for now she likes it :) and I LOVE it!!

Is it crazy that I like seeing her name so much? I happen to think that it is cool to see your name on things.
Is your name easy to find on items at the gift shop? Do you have lots of pens, mugs, license plates for your 10-speed bike or are you all sad and nameless too? (laughing -- kinda)

Friday we are starting on one of the bigger projects for her room and I couldn't be more excited about it! Can't wait to share it!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Full Steam Ahead!

The 4th of July in our family always involves the Steam Engine Parade in our hometown. 
It is dirty, loud and ohhh so much FUN!!


Top Left: Tim Hubbard leading the way!
Top Right: The girls are all smiles before the start of the parade: Melissa, Whitney, Colette, Emma, and Autumn!
Bottom Left: My fave parade watcher of the day! Her cheeks were the cutest!!
Bottom Right: The Case Engine and Thrasher that has been a tradition for my family since the 60's!


What are some traditions that you and your family celebrate on the 4th?