Happy New Year to all!

Looking forward to setting goals and accomplishing some great things in 2017!

After much reflection, I have finally decided on my word of the year:

Transform 

Looking forward to setting some goals over the next few days, using this word as my focus. There is much I would like to "transform" in my personal and professional life. Ultimately, I would like to enjoy myself more this next year. I am very excited to use my new bullet journal to set up ways to track my goals and focus on transforming many areas of my life. And, I am very excited to share my progress with all of you!

After trying out the whole "bullet journal" thing with a temporary, inexpensive notebook, I found I really enjoyed the process and felt like the format really worked for me. So, I broke down and ordered the highly recommended Leuchtturm Medium Hardcover Dots Azure notebook from Amazon. I was so excited that I would be receiving my new notebook on December 31st - just in time to start the new year!

When I received the email notifying me that my notebook had been delivered to my mailbox and was just waiting for me to dive in, I could hardly contain myself. I tore the package open, removed the plastic wrapping, opened my new, beautiful notebook and my heart sank. I had ordered the blank page notebook instead of the dot grid version. I may have said some unpleasant things. Thankfully Amazon has an easy return process. I logged on, scheduled the return, printed my label, repackaged my beautiful journal and dropped it back in the UPS box. My new/correct journal will be delivered in a couple of days. Lesson learned.

Until I receive the new Leuchtturm Medium Hardcover Dots Azure, I plan to browse through my "bullet journal" Pinterest board and make plans for how to lay things out. You can follow my Pinterest board here: J9billings/Bullet Journal Board. I have learned a lot from my bullet journaling over the last three months and really have a good plan for how to improve things as I move forward. I love the flexibility that the bullet journal provides. I can make it whatever I need it to be - and that seems to tame some of the chaos in my world!

One area of "transformation" that my husband and I decided to tackle before the year ended was to finally paint the woodwork and walls in our entryway. It has made an incredible difference in brightening up a dark, closed-in space. As with every project, I keep asking myself why we didn't do this a long time ago. We have now completely eliminated all of the ugly, brown woodwork from our downstairs and all of the rooms are now coordinated. The amazing thing is that by lightening the wood and the walls, we were able to keep our retro, herringbone tile floor - and it looks great! I will share the before and after pictures in my next post. Because - who doesn't love a good before and after!

Here's to less chaos in 2017!

I'm Back!

Arghhhhh!  I feel like I am always apologizing for my absence from this here little blog!

I would really like to be more regular in my posting - but life always seems to get in the way.  Isn't that everyone's story these days?

Lately, I have been understanding more and more what it means to be a "soccer mom".  I spend most of my late afternoons, evenings and weekends either sitting in my car waiting for a practice/tutoring session to end, or watching one of my children play or perform!

Somewhere in there, I do find time to get a few projects done.

Just yesterday I was able to finish a wreath that I had purchased the supplies to make, but just hadn't had the time to get started on.  It actually took less time than I thought it would and turned out really nice!

We are getting ready to start a major renovation project at our house - removing a wall and installing hardwoods throughout our first floor.  I'm excited to keep you posted with pics throughout the process!

The J9

Happy 2013!

I really love the promise of the new year - an opportunity to set new goals and get a fresh start on some old ones!

I always like to start out with a word of the year, following the example of one of my favorite bloggers, Ali Edwards.  My word this year is "ACT".  I really want to work to tackle my problem with procrastination in all areas of my life.  I know that if I can stop procrastinating and begin "acting" I will decrease the amount of stress I feel each and every day.  I'll keep you posted on how that goes:)

Today I will work on my list of goals so that I can share those here with all of you!

Also on my list of things to do today - get started on cleaning up and organizing my office!  I decided to participate in an online challenge to get organized in 2013.  First assignment is office - and I am ready to make mine more workable!

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful 2013 and that we all reach our goals!

- The J9

Laundry Room Reveal

We are finally finished!!!!!

We have been working on this project in stages for a while now.

I won't bore you with all of the details.  I'll just share the eye candy!

Well - first I'll share the "Before" pics:

It all just felt so dark and heavy to me.

Now for the eye candy "after" shots:

There's actually a bin next to the small coat tree that corrals our beach towels in the summer and the kids' hats and gloves in the winter.

My favorite parts of this room:

• The countertop over the washer and dryer.  In the words of my good friend, Mindy, "it's life changing!".
• The grey paint on the walls!
• White cabinets and trim!
• The amazing ceiling treatment!
• The fun shutter/key-holder project!  (I'll share how I did that with you later.)
• My unexpected little collage wall!
• It's so pretty - I just want to keep it clean and organized!

I would still like to install some hooks, or a better way to keep my kids backpacks organized since this is where we come into and go out of our house most regularly.  But, I need to keep pondering that one.

This little room is making me feel very motivated to continue painting our woodwork white and bring the grey into my kitchen, dining room and the other rooms of our first floor!

Thanks for looking!

- The J9