So, apparently this blog was just a way to stave off summer teacher boredom because I haven't posted since things picked up around these parts! Last week I was in a math training conference all week and was occupied with various social activities in the evening. This week was spent in the classroom and doing the whole school-year kick-off stuff. Now we start in 5 days and I can't believe it.

I hope to get a picture post up from Montana, my classroom, and the new family companion (my mother got a rescue dog, found by my mother-in-law and she is the sweetest dog I"ve ever met!

Anyway, just a short post - no one reads anymore. But hi!

Who knew I'd be contacting the outside world from a camping trip - but here I am in our tent getting Wifi. My how it has changed. We got into Missoula, MT last night around midnight and stayed at a Hampton Inn. Today we just hung out around Missoula - there was a farmer's market and a saturday market, a Carousel, and some history museums.

We are now in a KOA in Missoula and are headed to Glacier tomorrow, where we will be taking a Red Bus (open air) tour of the park. Very exciting.

Well, all for now!

**I finally posted a few wedding pictures - then the computer/website started getting a little testy so I stopped

On Saturday my mom, dad, and sister came over and we tackled 2 of the areas I was avoiding painting solo - the upstairs hallways (with 6 doors) and the bonus room, which is nearly the size of a 2-car garage. In about 4 hours (just as my dad had predicted) we finished both areas, which we painted Glidden Olivewood, the same color as most of the downstairs.

We don't have any decorations up yet, but it makes SUCH a big difference. I no longer feel like upstairs is a work zone with half taped trim. It looks SO much more like home and the house feels more complete. Now we just want to get the master bath done when we get back from our trip.

Speaking of trip, hubs and I are leaving on Thursday for a road trip to Glacier National Park in Montana. We're stopping in Clarkston, WA for a jetboat tour, some other cities in WA, ID, and MT, Spokane to visit some cousins, Silverwood, and Kalispell. I will have pictures. It's our yearly vacation but also our celebration of 1 year of marriage! Very exciting.

Well, all for now. Thanks for reading.

I did my least favorite thing today - hang up clothes. I transferred both John and my's clothing from the bonus room, where they were laid out on the floor in all states of disarray, to the closet. Then I color-ordered mine. And donated a few. It took a long time and I'm tired of clothes. However, this is a HUGE weight off and our upstairs is a whole new place! Just in time, too, since we're painting the bonus room on Saturday.

I also hung up those Wordle pictures I framed for our new hampers, that we got at Target for $17 each. I think it will really help with organization in the bedroom and laundry room. There's a wedding photo we had in the apartment hanging above it.

I'm so glad I painted the closets white, too, because we'll never have to take down all that stuff to re-paint. Also, I'm glad we got the stackable floor closet system instead of the wall-mounted because we can take it with us if we ever move.

Here are a few before and after pictures of our bedroom. I am quite satisfied with the results, despite having to put 2 coats on. Of course, I would be happier with anything. No, it's really the perfect color. Much more airy. Now we just have to add in all the fixin's from my design board!  Paint was recommended by Michelle at Second Street East. It's Benjamin Moore Horizon Gray but I got it matched in Glidden at Home Depot.

I am mid-way through painting our master bedroom and covering up the bright periwinkle ways forever. Benjamin Moore Horizon Gray (matched by Glidden at HD) if you must know.

Things I have learned from my painting expedition:

- I need to keep chapstick on me at all times while painting because I tend to lick my lips and stick out my tongue while I paint - especially the ceiling.

- Blue tape is only partially protective from paint.

- I need to time myself as motivation to paint. Otherwise I do half a wall and take a break (like i am right now)

- Painting in booty shorts is the way to go - it's much easier to maneuver, and also easier to get wet paint off of legs than pants.



Well, back to painting. I'm thinking I'll get lunch after I put coat 1 on the biggest walls... Happy Painting!

I was hoping that I would have pictures of our closet to show you, but not yet. John successfully put up HIS side, and hung up most of his clothes. And then he mowed the lawn. So I am still without. Ha. Someday.

Today I am painting the guest bathroom and am considering trimming out the hallway... but we'll see. John is picking up a tester of the paint for our master bedroom, and I'd like to get that knocked out since it's just a rectangle, nothing crazy. Then we'll be almost done...

Current to do list:

- Paint hallway
- Paint Master Bed and Bath
- Paint Bonus Room
- Install towel bars for downstairs bath
- Curtains for dining room
- Shelves for dining room?

Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about some rad new frames I got for those Wordles I made for our master closet - jeesh! Check out this small transformation these little guys made while I did some tidying up around the house:

Oh and I made this on Powerpoint (so sophisticated...) while watching Ellen. Just in case you're curious what our house is like. I hope to do an updated photo tour soon, too...

Of course I accidentally deleted all of the step-by-step photos I took... Anyway, you can read the instructions here, on the Little Green Notebook blog. I read about how to make Roman Shades by using a mini-blind skeleton (disassembling it, taking of all but a few slats, and putting it back together). I definitely did not want to paint today so I decided to try this out for fun. John was very resistant... but, he'll be happy because here is the price breakdown:

23"x42" Mini Blinds - Target, $2.50
1 yd fabric - JoAnn's, on sale $5.50
Total = $8

Also bought fabric glue, which was $3, but that will continue to get used. It didn't turn out perfect and it probably doesn't look all that great from the outside, but what a FUN idea!

We'll see what the Hubs has to say when he gets home...

Our Living Room is basically done enough for now (like that?). However, our current TV stand does not fit in the room at all - it's way too small! One day we will catch up with technology and get a flat screen tv. And when that happens I plan on getting a credenza to put underneath it. The size is great (about 60-70", much more to scale) and the pieces I've come across are so unique - not to mention they're still wayyyy cheaper than an entertainment center or brand new sideboard. Here are some I am drooling over at Craigslist Seattle:

Some of these I don't think I would even paint. Gorgeous.

I'm off to get some supplies for a surprise craft.... Thanks for reading!