On A Side Note

A Resolution: To Get Fit, To Feel Healthy

and perhaps loose 10 lbs.

I've been on and off so many crash diets in my life its not funny. However I've finally reached a point where I just don't feel good about my body any more and I'm tired of dealing with the problem in such a half hearted way. I feel like I've lost touch with my physical self, like my mind just happens to have ended up in this skin- Have you ever felt this way? I want to feel whole again and this time my goal is not to squeeze into a dress that I need to wear or to look good for a big event. Its deeper then that, I need to reconnect. I want more energy, I want to feel strong & healthy!

My Goal: To make it to the gym at least 3 times a week for a good, solid work out. To eat in moderation and to eat things that make me feel good. (I'm not vowing to never eat chocolate again- cause that ain't gonna happen) And if the stars align, maybe I'll loose 10 pounds.

Why I'm Sharing: I want to share this with you all because I need be accountable. I'll post twice a month regarding my progress, I hope you'll tune in and if you like, join me!

Hey Its Friday Why Not Two Posts In One Day?

Well, I'm bored at work so I figure, why not do another post?

On Winter:

Now that we are into February I'm beginning to feel a little more optimistic and happy, winter is almost over, sure we'll probably get two or three more big storms before its all said and done, but its OK, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, in an act of typical craziness on my part I've marked sunrise and sunset times on every other Monday in my calendar. I know, that's kind of spastic but during winter in Maine the sun sets around 4:30pm and it doesn't come back up until 7:30-8:00am. This means that I often drive to work and and return home in the dark. And I mean pitch black dark....its quite depressing. Add to that the fact that I dislike cold whether and you get one unhappy, unmotivated person. But like I said....we're almost through it! In fact, on Monday the 22nd the sun will rise at 6:30am and set at 5:30pm. WOOOHOOO!!!

Plans for the In-Law's House:

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been doing a lot of searching on the net for cottage style ideas. One of my favorite blogs, Simply Dandy ,was a first stop. She has amazing ideas when it comes to color. She is color- fearless! Check out her recent bedroom transformation, very cool! Of course, the blogs are always a first stop when it comes to finding inspiration. All of you have such beautiful homes and such courageous style.

Here are a few cool ideas I found from other places on the net.

Gorgeous Greens

Y-Not Yellows

Beautiful Blues

See You All Soon!

Fun Times Ahead

I'm getting very excited because I love to have projects to do and starting in two weeks, I'll have some very big ones ahead of me. And you know what means for you! BEFORE & AFTER PICTURES! I personally love a good before and after picture, and in a few months I hope to have lots to share with you. Here is my agenda...

My mother & father -in-law are turning their Maine home into a vacation rental available this summer for weekly rental. I've been in charge of marketing the property, taking reservations, building a website, and now handling the renovations. Oh yeah.....and picking out paint colors, buying bed linens, etc! Oh my gosh, this is the best!! I get to go shopping and don't have to the pay the bill...does it get any better then this?

So the last week I've been contemplating colors and have decided to go with a bright & colorful approach inspired by Maine Cottage and this home which is currently for sale in Maine and rumored to be featured in the next issue of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. ( I love the yellow, blue and green bedrooms!)

I have four bedrooms to decorate, 2 baths, an office and an open living/dining/kitchen room which I think will be the most challenging because its a multi-purpose room.

I've decided on the shade of each of the bedrooms, Blue for the Master, Yellow for the 2nd bedroom, green for the smallest of bedrooms, tan for the 1st floor bedroom and tan for the office. I have yet to settle on a color for the multi-purpose room.

Here are my before pictures---tell me...what do you think? Do you have some ideas?

The Office (Above)

2nd Bedroom (all this furniture will be gone & new floors installed)

3rd Bedroom ( I actually like this color but its not very beachy)

Master Bedroom

Main Room ( New kitchen will be installed and probably some new furniture purchased)

Well that's all for now. I'll be sharing a bit more in my next post because I have lots of ideas!

Thanks for stopping by! ~

Bad Blogger! Bad!

So yes, I know. I 've been gone for a LONG time. I don't want to be the ADD blogger who starts a blog then deserts it, and I'm sorry to say I have no real good excuse for being gone. But I'm giving you my puppy dog face and hoping you'll forgive my absence.



Its winter time here in Cundy's Harbor, burrrrr. It was about -12 degrees when I first woke up this morning. The snow is our yard has turned to ice and we are scheduled to get about a foot more snow by the end of the weekend. Did I mention that I HATE winter? I do. I despise it.



As you can see...it snows in Cundy's Harbor!

Below is Poor Hubby Trying to Shovel us out of the Driveway

I should be hibernating right now, but instead its the daily grind of work, work & more work. Here's a surprise, the real estate market is slow! :-) So my job is less then exciting lately, but that's alright, I remain optimistic that things will bounce back.

LOL, I'm not really that worried......

We had a nice little holiday in the Harbor with immidate family which was nice. My parent's new house is underway right in front of ours so we've been watching the dailey progress and reporting back to them in Michigan.

This was our first Christmas in our little house.

Santa brought me a new chair for my living room, a ceiling fan and some new drapes!

Santa also brought me all new wood floors, but he told me I had to wait until spring to install them. I can wait!


Lastly, I've been working on getting my mother & father-in-law's home here in the harbor marketed for summer rentals. I've just finished the website, check it out! http://www.ourharborhome.com/

Well thats all for now, I promise to back- I have a lot more to share, if you'll listen! :-)

Happy New Year Everyone!

October Vacation

Husband and I took a late fall vacation around the 24th of October to Acadia National Park on Desert Island, ME. That late in October and many of the trees are past their peak but we were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather, the national park was quiet with very few visitors and there were still some amazing sights to be seen!

Here are a few photos of our mini-get-a-way.

The new bridge headed north

View atop a mountain looking down on Bar Harbor

Truly Spectacular View

Driving through the park loop...look closly and you'll see some wild turkey!

As you can see--there was still quite a lot of colorful leaves still on the trees!

I fully expected to see a moose at this spot- It looks like moose habitat to me..but as is my luck---no moose to be found

Look at all that fading fall cover.

My favorite place in Acadia-- Sand Beach!

We were lucky to have such a mild day for our visit

Thats a view of the "Beehive"

Looking down on Sand Beach.

Thunder hole but without the "thundering waves"

Our bed and breakfast in Southwest Harbor

Well, I have a million pictures I could post, but I think i'll save some for another day.

Thanks for stopping by!

And We're Back!

Phew- I have had a very busy month and I sincerely apologize for abandoning my blog!! But I am back and I am ready to celebrate the fast approaching holiday season with all of you!!!!

I suppose you would like to know what I've been up too??

Remember that wedding I was preparing for in Chicago? Well it was fantastic!! Check out the pictures below. The bride, Jenica, found the most amazing photographer- I wish I could show you all of her beautiful photos but there are just too too many.

So here are some of my favorites. :-) Enjoy!

The Bride & Groom

The bride looking out of her hotel room window.

Bridal Party & Bride's Mother

Getting Ready

The Ceremony


Pictures Around Town

The Amazing Cake!

The Wedding Favors: The Father of the Bride's Famous BBQ Sauce! (Recipe is Secret to All!)

Thanks for visiting, more adventures to tell you about soon!