Conversations with a Conservative

Well, I made it to Friday again – I guess we all did.   Okay, so it isn’t actually Friday yet, but I’m hopeful we’ll make it to tomorrow.  Since Kelly already posted the Show Us Your Life for the week, I figured that was an easy post for me to do.  I kind of just had a disagreement with the hubby so I’m not feeling too cheery at the moment.  Sorry if that is too honest, but this is me.  I know I need to humble myself before Jesus and patch up this between my husband, but I guess my pride is just too big right now.  Pride – that is a problem I have but a post for another day.  OK – so onto my “dining room” My real dining room has been converted into an office nook, so now our dining room is just our eat-in-kitchen dining area.  Here is what I first painted it as: So remember how I used to have a crazy colored kitchen?  Well, this was the yellow that really made me start questioning my decision.  I mean it photographs well because bright colors always look better in pictures, but t

By it, I mean the changes and frustrations of the new healthcare bill.  My employer actually is its own insurer, and recently wanted to create a new preventive wellness program for us employees.  Basically, we were going to get $400 a year to use on various preventive procedures (one of them being adult vaccinations).  However, for some reasons pertaining to the new healthcare law, they couldn't start this program.  I think it had something to with the fact that there was a cap or something.  I'm not actually sure.  Anyway, I'm going out of the country in a little over a month, and I was going to get some recommended vaccinations, but I found out today from my doctor that two would cost $300 and I still need anti-malaria pills on top of that (and insurance won't cover those either).  Maybe it is just me, but that seems a little steep seeing as how I still have to pay my copay to see my doc.  I could go to the health center, but let's just say that I might get what I

So I missed last week’s “Living Room” post so I’ll have to catch up on that one later, but I do have pictures of my Master Bedroom for the house tour.  Kelly over at Kelly’s Korner has started up the “Show Us Your Life” series again so I decided to participate this time around because it seemed like a lot of fun. Here is the main shot: We live in a 1300 SF Ranch style home from the 1950’s so we don’t have a huge master suite.  I love our room though.  I like Americana type decor – something you would find in an old farmhouse.  I love quilts and rich, warm colors.  I love the color palette.  The bottom half is actually chair railing and (vertical and horizontal) to give an appearance of molding and paneling from a craftsman style house. I made the curtains and the Texas flag art, and my mom made our quilt for us for our second anniversary.  I also got the mirror above our bed from a swap meet and painted it to match the room better. This is my dresser – it was my grandp

So my cicadian rhythm must be off.  For the last few days I have been waking up at exactly 3:00 AM and it has got to stop!  I don't fall asleep very easily in the first place so waking up in the middle of the night really sucks up sleep time for me.  Any ideas on how to change this?  This weird sleep pattern is really affecting my productivity during the day.  I just want to sleep through the night again!

Do you watch Parenthood ?  If so, last week you heard this word?  Christina (one of the moms) described it as what she does by looking into the future and imagining the worse possible scenario.  I think I do this.  I always called it worse-case-scenario planning, or just “planning” to not sound crazy, but doesn’t Catastraphisation have a better ring to it? I always think in my mind all of the different things that could possibly happen and solutions to all of the problems.  It may be a sickness, but it gives me peace of mind.  Some examples, I always looking into the parking situation before I go somewhere new to make sure I have cash if needed.  I never check bags anymore because I assume the airlines will lose them, and I usually pack my favorite items when going on vacation.  I think about what a citizen might say when I’m call them back at work to make sure I have an answer for any angle.  I would have made a great boy scout!  Actually, just writing all of that makes me realize

Do you love accessories?  I love necklaces, but bracelets seem to annoy me.  Bags are my fourth love (God, Husband, Family, purses), and lately I have been eyeing the scarf.  I bought one last winter from Coldwater Creek that I had so much fun trying to style. It is loooooooooooooooong, and bright, and soft.  It is made out of the softest knit, and I just want to swim in it sometimes.  Here is a picture (mine is a bit brighter): I recently just purchased three more in green, orange, and blue because they were marked down to $6.99 with a 25% mark down.  Then I got an additional 20% off and free shipping!  I can’t wait to wear them.  While choosing which colors I wanted to purchase, I saw a link that said “Six ways to tie a Scarf.” I was intrigued and clicked through to find this: This is only the first way – but you should check them all out here . Some of the ways are fairly well-known, but I love the added flair of 2 on a classic (way 1).  I also like 4 and 6 too!  Whi

In 1787, on this day, September 17, our forefathers signed the Constitution.  I don’t care what your politics are, but this is a day ALL Americans should celebrate.  (Photo from: department.monm.edu) For your reading pleasure, here is the Preamble of the Constitution: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (Taken from here .) If you want your own free pocket copy of the constitution, go here: http://www.askheritage.org/premium.aspx?utm_source=PocketConstGoogleText&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PocketConst If you want to learn more about Constitution Day celebrations, go here: http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_progs_constitution_day.aspx I hope you’ll take a few minutes today to cel

Not like that… I just actually have a lot I want to blog about and no time.  Work and life have been so busy I haven’t even talked to my family much in the last week (which is odd).  I used my free time tonight to catch up with my parents after I got home from my Bible study.  Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say “hi.”  I hope everyone is doing well! 

I have so many thoughts in my head about this day, but I don’t know the right way to get them out.  I know that this day forever changed the world in ways I do not yet understand.  This was a pivotal moment in life, and I pray that God always be my strength so that I can stand for Him.  I don’t care what anyone says, this was a religious act and it is a religious war.  I will not forget, will you? (Photo from: http://www.stcharleslibrary.org/blog/good2know/2009/09/ )

Is anyone sick of thinking about Fall yet?  I hope not.  I hate to rush time, but I need a break from the heat down here.  We have had one all this week so far due to Tropical Hermine, and last night we even got to have a tornado scare!  Therefore, I’m ready for the pleasant crisp days of Fall.  Today I’m going to share just a few of my favorites from an unlikely place – at least to most of you.  I only ever started looking at this store because my mom shops there, but I realized they have beautiful handbags and fun accessories.  I have even seen a change in their clothes and I see so many more items geared to a younger demographic.  Have you guessed the place yet? COLDWATER CREEK – seriously, check out some of these new items in their fall line.  First up, Jackets: How about some cardigans and sweater coats: Here are a few more items I love: a cute sweater dress, romantic top, leggings, and a great work skirt Lastly, the accessories – s

So my poor neglected blog doesn’t know what to do to get my attention.  For starters, I need a weekend home and this pesky sinus headache to go away before I can fully devoted time to blogging again.  However, I did promise some new pictures of the kitchen so here ya go! Old gray blue: New gray: I’m not sure if it translates super well in the pictures, but it is definitely not blue anymore.  I LOVE the new color!  Trust me, I won’t be repainting anytime soon.

I am soooooooooooo ready for Fall.  Isn’t everyone?  I have actually been picking up a few Fall pieces over the last few weeks that I have found on sale already, and I’ll be sharing my frugal finds soon. I have also been drooling over new arrivals from some of my favorite stores so I’m going to share a few over the next few days.  Today, I’m sharing my favorite picks from Lands End Canvas and Lands End . I have actually already bough the dress in the lower left!  I was trying to hold out until it went on sale, but it was already selling out in my preferred color and size so I’m hoping it isn’t too big.  I just know I will get a ton of wear out of it.  Doesn’t it just look cozy?  I ordered it in gray.     I love a classic trench, and wingtips are all around!  I have a red trench that I love, but it fits a little weird so I might replace it.  Also, I already shared my version of wingtips I'll be sporting this season, but I think these are a grea