Sunday, December 30, 2012

New things to come in 2013

Well, we all know that I am not a consistent blogger. But, at least this time I have a pretty good reason. We are PREGNANT!!!!!!

I found out that I was pregnant at the end of September. We took a short trip to Miami to celebrate Jerry's birthday and luckily the "magic" happened and we conceived there. We had only been trying about 3 months. I think it was surprising to both of us because we thought it might take a little longer to conceive due to my age (35) and Jerry's age (37), but it appears now that everything was "swimming" like it should lol.

Okay, so details on how we found out. Well, I just felt like I was pregnant one day after work and told Jerry that I would take a test to see. Jerry admitted that my chest did look a lot bigger to him. I took the test and it immediately changed to positive. I was shaking and couldn't believe my eyes.
I rush out the restroom and yell to Jerry upstairs, "I'm Pregnant!" He yells back down. "Yeah, right, Tonya." I said, "No seriously, I am" He says well why didn't you come upstairs then. So, I go upstairs with the test still in hand (capped of course) and show it to him and he goes. Hmm, oh wow that does look like a positive. The line was a little light but the was definitely a line.

So, we both decided to go get another test to make sure. Jerry mentioned getting the digital test, but being cheap, I went with a plus or negative sign one. Of course, that one came back as positive too. Then, Jerry celebrated. I was still in shock....happy but in shock. I guess because I didn't think it would happen so quickly. We had already decided to go see a doctor or fertility specialist if we had not conceived after 6 months of trying....just to check out our plumbing and such. So, we were ecstatic!!

We decided to only tell our moms and no other family members or friends until after I was out of the first trimester (just for precautionary reasons).  It was hard but we succeeded. We announced to the rest of the family at Thanksgiving. A week or so later we announced to friends and facebook.

Currently, I am 19 weeks and I feel like time is flying by.
It 's unbelievable that I am almost half way done with this pregnancy.

So, far the pregnancy gods have been good to me...no morning sickness, just some occasional headaches (I notice these tend to occur if I don't eat frequently enough).

I think I am carrying baby pretty low, but my belly is finally starting to grow or show. I like it!!!
But, it seems everyone says that I am carrying in my hips.

We have began preparing a little for baby, but it is a bit overwhelming to me. It feels like there is so much to do.

In the next post, I will discuss the baby's room and changes to come.
2013 will be an  exciting year full of changes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Monday, October 8, 2012

Backyard oasis

If you remember back to the "things that I'm loving" post from a while back, one of the things that I posted was.....mmmmm pergola.

I have been wanting to turn our backyard into a backyard oasis, and I FINALLY got the pergola that I had been wanting.

My birthday was back in June, and the pergola was basically my birthday gift. I was in Atlanta for a workshop when it was installed. I was very excited to see it when I got back.

This is how it looked after it was installed and without our furniture in it. They guy who installed it also put a chandelier that holds t-lights. It's cool!


I wanted to put my outdoor pottery barn curtains that, if you remember from a previous post, I had on our patio on the pergola, but I could not find any rods long enough. My sister, Sharon, gave me the idea to buy some dowels from Home Depot. Dowels are the poles that you will see or use in your closet. I thought that was a great idea.  I bought some dowels and came up with the idea to stain them the color of the pergola. The guy that installed our pergola left two cans of stain for us. So, this was perfect!

I began staining...
 and staining .....
















It took a few coats to get it like I wanted, but it turned out great.
Here's the finished product.  I think it is a great upgrade to our house and hopefully will be a great selling point when we get ready to sell.

You will see a hammock in the pic. I got this on sale at big lots. It was originally $129. I almost gave up an paid original cost, until I noticed it was marked down to $99. I still procrastinated. The next couple of weeks it as $64...wooo hooo! I jumped on it. It is such a comfy hammock. 

Our friends love it too. Here's my friend, Esha, hanging out in it. It's ivory and is basket weave type material. It matches the curtains very well.  We also bought the white pot in the background from a place close to our house.



 We also installed a flower bed in the backyard. This gives some great visual interest as it is on the opposite side of the yard from the pergola.
You can also see our veggie garden in the corner.
 
I moved the bird bath, that I made, from behind the veggie garden to the new flower bed. Hopefully, I can sip my drinks in the pergola as I watch the birdies splish and splash. I've only seen one bird in the bird bath and I was so estatic that I screamed and scared it away LOL.
 
The bird bath is made from small dowels and and ikea candle plate (it's big). I love that I have a modern bird bath.
 
 
So, what's next for the backyard oasis? Hubby is dead set on installing a fireplace in front the pergola. I think its a good idea. It wouldn't get used much in Houston, but this time of year it would be great to cuddle by the fire and most importantly, still get to enjoy our pergola in the fall/winter months.

Here are various ones that I have seen at home depot and lowes. These were taken during the summer. So, knowing my luck, they probably have gone up in price.





Which one of those fireplaces do you like?

Lastly, we want to get new patio furniture for the pergola. Something modern, of course, this is what we have our eyes on, but we will have to wait until it is in our budget.

But, as you can see, we are enjoying our pergola and backyard as it is now and so are some of our friends that drop by!!!
 
Please comment with the fireplace that you like. Also, would love to here your ideas of some other items that would contribute to our backyard oasis.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Loving Fall. Weather and Decor.


I love when fall rolls around in Houston. Not only is it a very welcomed changed] from the hot summer, but to me, it gets me excited about the holidays, family gatherings, and of course house decor. I like changing the decor as the seasons change. It keeps the home looking fresh and exciting. I was anxiously wanting to decorate our home for fall/Halloween for some time. Hubby thought that I was crazy when I wanted to decorate in September and suggested that I wait until the beginning of October.

Once October rolled around, there was no stopping me! I pulled some items out of the attic that I used last year to decorate the mantel. I also pulled out our scarecrow. After checking out my items and installing what I had, I decided that I wanted a little bit more this year.

I visited Home Goods, Garden Ridge, Kirklands, and Michaels. I decided that I wanted more of a fall theme as opposed to a halloween theme. This way, I could leave to decor out thru Thanksgiving, if I wanted to. So, I bypassed the aisles and aisles of ghosts and goblins at Garden Ridge. I ended up leaving garden ridge with just three things, a fall candle and two white pots/planters.

I found a simple bale of hay that was 50% off at Michaels. I decided this would look great in our front yard. I also got the scarecrow from Michaels last year when it was 40% off. To go with the bale of hay and to give the yard a "pumpkin patch" appeal, I decided to put a pumpkin outside. I was a little bit leary because I am always afraid of rodents and such. But, I thought putting the pumpkin on the hay would hopefully avoid this.

Next, I wanted a wreath. Back in September when I was looking at fall items at Home Goods, they had TONS of wreaths at decent prices, but now there were hardly any left. I searched Garden Ridge and the least expensive wreath there was about 19.99 and was very small and not very cute, in my opinion. Michaels had small wreaths around $19.99 as well and some larger wreaths for $30 and up. I refused to pay this much for a wreath. So, while in Michaels, I got the idea just to make one. I found some garlad for about $6 and a wreath wire form for $2. So, my wreath cost me a total of $8. Take that, you stores!

My last stop of the day was to HEB to pick up pumpkins. I love white, cinderella pumpkins. I get one every year for the mantel. They look so modern and different and maybe a little "spooky".  I picked up two so I could put one in the front yard. I also picked up two orange colored mums. Since they are considered the fall flower.

Here's the wreath that I made. I just wrapped the garland strands around the wire form. easy, peasy. I used two strands.


Below is the finished product. I loved that the garland had white pumpkins attached.
 
Here's the front of the house with the mums. I got tons of compliments in HEB about how beautiful the mums were. The pots from garden ridge were $19.99 each. The front door mat is from Target. I bought it a while back. I LOVE it. It's so modern and is very thick. I lusted after the door mat for sometime waiting for it go on sale (I'm so frugal) and just gave up and broke down and got it.  It went on sale some weeks later...blah lol
 
 
Here's the front yard/flower bed where I put the scarecrows and hay.
 And here's a little bit farther away.
 
 
 
Last, here's our fireplace mantel. I still think it looks a little bit off or needs more or needs something else. I saw some blocks last year that spelled out f-a-l-l. I wish I would have gotten them back then. :-( Hmm, guess I could make my own.

Today, in Houston the weather feels great and feels just like fall...for the next two days. So, I am blogging to you from the couch with the gas fireplace lit for ambiance lol.

How are you enjoying the fall weather? Have you decorated your home? Do you prefer a Halloween/spooky decor or more a fall/Thanksgiving type or both? Please feel free to comment below. I love comments! And, love to know that I'm not talking to myself LOL.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What we've been up to

Okay so I have fallen off on blogging (big surprise).

I've been quite busy lately. Not so much with work...work is steady and interesting, but not at all stressful,which is great!
Some things that have been keeping me busy:

1. I've been busy helping hubby with some of his college courses. I love his determination to go back. I know its difficult for him as he is working full-time and all, but he is doing a GREAT job.

2. We  planted our new veggies. We just planted Basil (again), Okra (again), Cucumbers, Bell peppers (again), Jalapeno Peppers (again), watermelon, rosemary(mmmmm, it smells so good), and cilantro. We are trying several new items as you see. I can't wait to see what actually up and what doesn't. The fun part is seeing the things grow. Now, if we can just watch out for those pesky birds and rabbits from last year lol.

3. We are planning our vacation. YAY!!!! can't wait. Planning a vacation is as fun as the actual vacation. We are also going to plan a getway soon and a couples getaway with some of our friends.

4. I have been trying to get into couponing. I have started clipping some coupons. I read some were recently that you should try to clip use at least $20 of coupon when you grocery shop. So, we will see how that goes.

5. We have been working on some ideas for our backyard. I need to get some plans in stone. I want to make sure it comes out to be something that I really like and backyard oasis that I can enjoy. I LOVE BEING OUTSIDE!!!! I have become obsessed as always with outdoor items. I will do a post later of the items that I am lusting over LOL.

6. We planted a new tree in our front yard. Due to the drought, one of the trees was looking miserable. So, we went ahead and replaced it before we get a nasty letter from our homeowner's association.

So, all in all, I have been quite the busy bee.

What have you guys been up to lately. Post a comment and let me know!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Resolution # 2 to workout/be more active

Yay! I have updated my blog within a week. I'm doing good with this New Years' Resolution thing. :-)

Also, I have re-visited one of the places that I haven't visited in a while.....Our home gym!!

I really want to make working out as important as going to church every week. I just think, God gave us these perfect bodies, and we don't take care of them.

On Monday, I was going to get on the elliptical, but when I got home from work, my hubby was already on it (with his dedicated self - love him!). He was running a marathon or something on the elliptical because he was on it forrrr-everrrr hahahah. Just kidding, but he actually did 4 miles in 30 minutes.

Since the elliptical was "occupied", I did the P90x disk - Legs and Back. I'm always more interested in working out my legs because I can usually see the results quicker. Also, I love to wear shorts and summer and swim suit weather will be here in no time. Not only did I do P90x Legs and Back, but I also did ab ripper X which as at the end of the legs and back disk (ab ripper x  is 343 reps of ab exercises). I got pretty winded through the workout. .I could tell I was really out of shape. It astonished me how a person can get out of shape so quickly. I remember when I could pretty much complete the ab ripper X entirely....not so much now.

Let's just say that the next day (Tuesday) I was in PAIN from Monday's workout. I think I may have pushed it a little bit too far for my first workout. I got home from work a little early on Tuesday and really did not feel like working out, but my muscles hurt so much that I felt I needed to at least stretch. So, to the workout room I went. After stretching, I felt a lot better. I decided I could do today's workout, and I wasn't going to let this soreness stop me.

I jumped on the elliptical for 10 minutes while hubby did some weight training on his weight machine thingy (its kinda like a bo flex machine). I did pretty good, but I was definitely feeling tired toward the end.After the elliptical, I put in the Arms and Shoulders P90x disk.

I was really impressed with myself! I have to admit working out has made me feel pretty good from the endorphins.

Next, I might... just might try going to the free Ladies bootcamp in our neighborhood on Wednesday mornings.....but 5:45 am....ummm I don't know....but I will try one Wednesday, but not tomorrow lol.


Below are pics of our workout room. Its pretty bare bones....so its a work in progress. I want to get it painted, but once we have a baby, "baby X" as we call it, the workout equipment will be moved to Jerry's man cave. So, we won't paint it for now. Although, a nice yellow or orange color or light green  could be appropriate for either sex for nursery, huh? hmmm, I will have to think about that.

I want to get a sign like this to put in the room
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Break down of amount spent on workout room
$100 elliptical (on craigslist...it was our first purchase after we closed on our house. Luckily the person we bought it from lived near our area in a beautiful subdivision called "Long Meadow Farms"
$60 Bo-flex type machine (craigslist)
$20 Mirror (dollar general store)
$5 Aerobic Step (from Katy Christian Store)
$20 Pull up bar (walgreens or Ross)
$40 dumbells (various places)
$15 Dry Erase Board Calendar (from Home Goods)...to make workout schedule

Total cost is less than paying for gym memberships for a year for two people!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

Everything else was pretty much given to us by family. Including the flat screen TV from my sister. LOVE HER!!!

Below are pics of our workout room (and me after my workout)
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Photobucket So how are you coming with your new year's resolutions? What are some things you picked to resolve?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012 look back at 2011

My resolution for 2012 is to be a better blogger, workout more/be more active, and eat better.

So, for my first blog of 2012, I would like to do a look back at 2011 and some of the things that I didn't post about.

1st up - some home decor/updates that we did to our home
We installed hardwood floors...real hardwood. I always wanted hardwood flooring in our home, but since we built our home from ground up it was not very wise to buy the flooring from the builder as I hear that they mark the price up tremendously. Plus, who wants to pay 30 years for their flooring (i.e.rolled into their mortgage).

Hubby promised me we would get hardwood eventually. Well, finally after several budget meetings, it fit into our budget. YAY!  We searched so many places and online and finally found EZ floors. They were the best place to buy flooring, economically and yet still have the quality that I wanted. After some online searching I found someone that recommend Mustafa at an EZ floors location in Cypress. Granted, there is a EZ floors near our neighborhood in Katy, we found Mustafa's store to be more friendly and helpful. So, after many and I mean many trips to the store we finally settled on our flooring. From my research, I DEFINITELY wanted an American based company (as many of the chinese companies are said to be sketchy) The chinese brands are cheaper but lack in quality and customer service after the sale, in my opinion. I read some of the brands even begin to peel.

 I also wanted a DARK hardwood. For me, it looks richer, more expensive, and less like laminate. Plus, to me, it is so much more cozy and calmer after a hard days work. I want to come home from work and my home feel like an oasis. MOST importantly, it HAD to be in our budget, or my husband would freaking flip and cancel the whole thing lol.

 In addition, I did not want a smooth floor, I wanted a handscraped/hand sculpted look. To me, this was better in the event that there was future damage to the floors....God forbid scratches and such (although in our home we have a shoes off policy) , the handscraped floor will hide the infamous accident (i.e. dropping a glass, etc) .

 Lastly, we wanted a material that was hard and durable. I researched all the brands of trees and their hardness factor.  You can find this online if you are ever in the market for flooring.

And Ta-da, Mustafa brought out Andersen's Applachian flooring - Black Hills is the color. I loooooooved it!!!!!!

So, to stop all my rambling, here are pics of our flooring being installed back in June - July 2011-ish. We got it installed in the living and dining room. I LOVEhow it turned out. Wish we could afford to get it installed all over the downstairs (except for the bedroom) , but that will NEVER happen.



You can see my dining room curtains here, talked about later

The workers put my furniture back exactly. It was weird that they knew where to place it without me telling them.

They are working hard



Before the flooring was installed, indecisive me started freaking out....worried the color wasnt dark enough....HA, I am so silly.  I sent this pic to Hubby at work screaming...I dont like. hahahha


Next up, we finally got Curtains in our 2 Story living room. Before I say anything else, I have to say Drapery Montage is AWESOME!!!!! They are located in Houston on fondren road and I have been stalking their website for a while. They have done 25 foot ceiling curtains in the past so I knew I could trust them. The owner, Edith, is very nice and patient (especially with an indecisive person like myself). She helped me pick out a cohesive color that went with my furnishings, that went with the Tiffany blue curtains that I already had in the dining room (since my first floor is an open concept floor plan....things need to "go together".

 She helped me pick out Living room curtains and tied those into the Kitchen Nooks curtains that she made, which then tied to the Tiffany Blue Curtains that I already head up in the dining room.  Let's let the pics speak for themselves.



Igonore my slippers on the floor..HA! Sorry, Messy me

I will post the kitchen nook pics a little later....sorry to tease you, but drapery montage, made pillows for my couch that matches the kitchen nook curtains.....as a surprise to me. I loved it!!!! You can see the color in the above pics (a tiffany blue and brown color.

So, how has everyone been? Any new an interesting home updates? Please update me via email or comment.