I'm dreaming of a bathroom remodel...or two!

Usually I get the urge to remodel & or redecorate in Spring, so why this is constantly on my mind now I cannot fathom.  I want to remodel my bathroom!  I have gone so far as to take measurements of the space and look up some of the items I want. 

Why is it that I can Google thousands of pictures of bathrooms and cannot find ONE that remotely resembles what I am looking for?!?  I am somewhere between Cottage and French Country. 

Here are a few items I have found at Home Depot that I LOVE (I looked around on competitors sites and the prices were nearly double...so Home Depot and I will be renewing our friendship!)



MOEN Glenshire Pivoting Mirror

 This is the item that actually started the whole "I need a new bathroom" urge!  Who wouldn't love an oval pivoting mirror (or 2) in their bathroom?  It's absolutely lovely and I can see myself owning it in the near future!

I have a color scheme in mind...soft whites, brushed nickel fixtures, a lovely green on the walls with dark plum or raisin colored accent pieces. 

MOEN Eva 4" centerset faucet



MOEN Eva 2-Handle Roman Tub faucet

I love the soft curves and delicate lines on these faucets!  They are beautiful and I know I will enjoy using them for many years.

In addition, MOEN has several other pieces I am drooling over...take a look at these:

MOEN Lounge 24" Towel Bar

MOEN Lounge Towel Ring

MOEN Lounge Eruopean Single Post Toilet Paper Holder

I found a couple of lighting fixtures I like...of course, at Home Depot!

Glomar 3 Light 17" Flush Mount Light



Glomar Empire 2 Light 15" Vanity Light

After a bit of research I have decided I want to purchase a Corian countertop in Rain Cloud...love the resemblance to Cararra Marble without the upkeep and the more economical pricing.  Again, it is available at Home Depot!

Corian Rain Cloud

I have searched and searched for the style of cabinets I want, but I am afraid I will have to have them custom built...I cannot find EXACTLY what I am looking for!  :(  However, I have found something very close...



Vanity Countertop




Cabinet at end of tub

After much debate, I have opted to keep my drop in sink, toilet & tub and to keep them where they are.  This will save me MUCH money!  Because of this decision, I need the vanity to have the sink hole on the far right hand side of the cabinet.  The space fot this cabinet is 53".  I want 36" tall cabinets.  I would love the cabinet doors to be directly under the sink with a shelf inside, a drop down sitting area (at 30-32"?), and 4 small drawers on the far left hand side next to the wall.  I'm not the least bit picky, huh?

The cabinet at the end of the tub is a concept I have not completely made up my mind on.  The space is approximately 24" wide between the wall and the tub.  I want 2 stacked drawers on the floor, each deep enough to contain a rectangular laundry basket.  I would like some form of shelving/cubby on top of this, but I don't want it to go to the ceiling.  I want the look of a separate piece of furniture.  I would love there to be a small cabinet on the outer side (29" depth) with a shelf in it for linen storage, with a narrow (4-6") cubby with a shelf on the side facing the tub that would hold candles and a couple of pretty knick-knacks.

Sigh.  I can see it...but I can't find it!  Hopefully I'll find a contractor who can build this for me without too much expense.

I have not been able to decide on a floor tile, a backsplash, or paint.  I know I want the cabinets painted antique white and the walls a soft shade of green, but finding the exact color is going to be a bit of a challenge for me.

I am hoping to re-do this bathroom on a $2,500-$3,000 budget.  We will see.  In addition, I'd like to update the guest bath for less than $500!  :)  I'm picturing beachy cottage!  Pristine white bead boarding on all the walls to about 8" higher than the pedastal sink (we already have!).  Again, I do not want to buy new sink, tub or toilet, nor do I want to move them.  I'd like to paint the upper walls a nice, bright aqua blue and use silver accents.  I have 2 doors on the ceiling to floor linen cabinet that I would like to change out and buy new knobs, a new shower curtain and towels, and a new light fixture...maybe a small chandelier?  And I'm really hankering for a tile floor done in 1" squares of white with an occassional black tile thrown into the mix.  Can anyone else picture this?  If I can get this done over the winter months I'll definitely post pictures! 

Once that's done, I hope to tear down the wallpaper and trim in the living room and paint the walls RAISING with a soft white (grey tone) paint for the trim and the bookshelves.  Nothing like BIG plans!  Oh well, I redecorated 3 bedrooms this Spring!  There should be no reason I cannot get 2 relatively small bathrooms and a living room done this Winter!  :) 

Wish me luck! 

K.  Bye now!

Happy 17th Birthday, Malissia Lynn!

Yesterday was my baby's 17th birthday!  It doesn't seem possible!  She has grown into such a lovely young woman and I am extremely proud of her!

Kirstyn, Ryan, Malissia & Anthony

She was the child that slept from 7pm until 7am from the night she came home from the hospital.  She never cried...well, almost never!  When she did cry, all she wanted was Daddy!  Such a blessed relief!  If he didn't get up with her, she would cry until he did.  How many times he fell asleep sitting in the rocking chair while his hand was just inside the crib so she would sleep!?!  Hahaha!

Angels



Typical!

Malissia has always exhibited a sweet disposition, always wanting to make others happy and maintain peace.  However...with a sister like Kirstyn and a brother like Ryan she quickly had to learn how to defend and stand up for herself! 



Golden Corral's cotton candy!  YUMMY!

 Some of you may not know that Malissia's nickname is Snacky.  I know, I know...you're all wondering...WHY?  Well, that's because Malissia thinks that sugar is it's own food group!  :)  She loves her some Skittles, cotton candy, AND oddly enough, Macaroni & Cheese!  Beware...if any candies come in individually wrapped packages, you may find them hidden under the base of a lamp, tucked into the side of the couch, under a pillow, between mattresses, etc...!  For some reason, she believes this is what she is supposed to do with the wrappers when she eats the candy! 

Bronwyn & Malissia

Cora, Malissia & Kirstyn

Malissia & Carissa

Malissia & Autumn

She has many friends.  God has blessed her with good friends at church, at school, and they are very close!

My Beautiful Daughter

Malissia Lynn Barrick

She has grown into such a lovely young lady.  She is learning to lean on and trust in God.  She is preparing to one day become a wife and mother and to cherish these opportunities.  She is crafty and artistic, loves to sew and cook, and loves animals.  Her favorite pasttime is reading (and eating candy, lol). 

Malissia, you truly are a joy and bring such a great measure of love to our family.  I love you bunches and bunches and pray God's bountiful blessings on your life.

Love,
Mom

K.  Bye, now!

When to let go and when to hold on...

Today is a topsy-turvy day for me.  I feel torn in several ways. 

My baby passed her drivers text Wednesday and drove her own car to school by her own self today!  Aaaauuuugggghhhh!  It's so HARD to let go and let them grow up.  Evidently I have trust and faith issues!  :)  I'm going to have to leave my faith in HIM to keep her safe and sound.  I don't remember it being this hard with my 2 older children.  Is this the beginning of "empty nest" syndrome?  Seeing the last child take the last steps toward adulthood?  I'm not so sure I'm ready for that yet.  God's got His work cut out for Him, getting me ready to face that part of my future.

In other news, Colby has called off the wedding.  I'm not sure if it's temporary or not.  We're gonna leave that in God's hands, also.  He is under a massive amount of pressure in his personal life with his family.  His mother was diagnosed in the early stages of Alzheimer's a couple of weeks ago.  Yesterday they found a brain tumor.  They are going to run an MRI on her and hopefully we will know more soon.  She is so young - late 50's - for this to happen.  Please keep her in your prayers!  And Colby.  Pray that we can convince them to go to MD Andersen, malignant or not.  We serve an AWESOME GOD who can do anything.  He is our creator, our savior, our friend, our healer, our comforter, our heavenly father.  He knows our every need before the need exists.  We don't know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds the future.  That is where I'm going to place my trust and faith that He will work all of this out for our good.

Ryan has moved back home...well, he's living on his own, but he is back in Nederland, TX!  I'm glad.  Hopefully God will continue to stir him and convict him to re-dedicate his life to Him.  He has a new job and is beginning to pull himself up from the financial trauma he has been through at the hands of his former employer.  He, too, needs everyone's prayers.

Kirstyn is doing as well as can be expected.  She took it hard when Colby called off the wedding, but she is trying to be strong and putting her faith in God.  She has grown so much in her faith.  I am so proud of her.  She is also trying to be there for Colby as a friend, when he needs someone to talk to and confide in about his family situation.  That takes an enormous amount of strength and courage.  She's going to be such a great Mom and Wife someday! 

There are so many other situations and people suffering...I wonder how people survive without God and a good, solid core of church family to pull them through!  It's such a relief to be able to call, email or text my church family and ask them to pray and sit back and watch their immediate response and concern.  They truly exhibit the love of Christ, the love of the Holy Ghost.  Such a priviledge to serve an awesome God!  He makes this life worth living.

Love you all!

K.  Bye now!

Kirstyn

Happy Belated Birthday to my first born child, my oldest daughter, Kirstyn Gayle Barrick.  On September 11, 2012 you turned 22 years old!  You made me the happiest woman on earth when you were born and I became a mom!  You were a gift to me straight from God and I am so thankful for you.

Never in my wildest imagination could I have dreamed of the woman you would become!  You are such a unique individual.  :)  You are the daughter who has tested me until I was at my wit's end and when I thought all hope was lost, you actually listened to what I had to say, your pastor had to say, and what God was trying to tell you - and applied it to your life and made yourself a better person for it!

You are the daughter who will drop everything you are doing to take me to the doctor when I am sick, only to take pictures of me at my lowest and post them on Instagram!  You are the daughter who will clean the house to a T when you want to have a party or friends over, only to fight with Malissia about who's turn it is to take out the trash or close the garage door!

You are the daughter who always wants to include me in your plans to go out to eat with all of your friends, but only because Colby isn't going and you need someone to pay for your meal!  :)  Bwahahaha!  (You didn't think I figured all that out, did you?)

You always sound so sad when you hear about me and the girls at work going out to eat because we "left you out" even though you don't work with me and have your own friends to go out with. 

You are a mess!  A complete, total mess and I love you for it! 

You see no age limits between yourself and others - everyone is a potential best friend.  You love them ALL!  The children, the teenagers, the parents of all your friends, and the elderly.  No one is excluded from your circle!  You are who you are.  No show, no false image, no "putting on a good face" for company - just plain old Kirstyn. 

You are always the life of the party, always have a smile to share, a joke to crack, or someone to make fun of.  Again - you are no respecter of persons - you feel free to make fun of everyone, friend or foe, acquaintance or stranger - no matter.  Everyone is subject to your opinions - including yourself.  You do not get offended easily and are always quick to forgive and extend the olive branch.  You never hesitate to apologize when you realize you have been wrong, and never hesitate to accept apologies from others when they have hurt you.

You will soon graduate from college and I know you will be the best special education teacher in the world - because you are "special" yourself!  :)  Whether you choose to work with the young children in pre-school or the high-school crowd, they will all be blessed because you were in their life!

In 6 short months you will become Mrs. Colby Howell.  But I will not be losing you - I will be gaining a son-in-law.  Daniel and Anita are in for a BIG surprise when they take you into their family.  I am sure that you will bring much joy and laughter to their family!  In a few short years God will bless you both with darling, fat, blonde, dimpled babies - and I will be blessed to be their grandma!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, the path God has chosen for you.  I pray that you always follow after and seek His will.

I love you for ever, always, my baby you'll be! 

Love, Mom

K.  Bye now!

Monday, Monday

Back to work today!  Tons of emails to work, a few voice mail messages to respond to, and then...the paperwork!  Seriously - a major fire hazard!  :)  Oh well, job stability.

This weekend was rather eventful.  I had a class in San Antonio so I brought along Kirstyn.  We had a  nice stay in the hotel - it was very pretty.  BUT as luck would have it (:)) with all the rooms in an 8 story building MY hotel room was on the 8th floor!  :(  AND all 4 elevators were GLASS!!!  Kirstyn got a good laugh out of it, but it was pure torture for this "height sensitive" person!  I cannot complain about the hotel room or the service.  It was fabulous!  And the Life & Health Insurance class I was there for was pretty interesting, too, for a L&H class, that is!  :)

Malissia went along to Round Rock for the Youth Conference there Thursday - Saturday.  Such great reports were sent back.  The wonderful testimonies - I wish I could have been there!  Awesome church.

Getting excited and ready to go to Ink's Lake next week.  It's gonna be loads of fun and I hope to have some pictures to post.

And all along the way, God has tugged at my heartstrings.  With all of the stresses and cares of day to day living in this world, it has been nice to feel His presence so close to me when I felt so alone.  My Sunday morning prayer meeting was just the soul cleansing experience I needed!  Can't wait to meet with Him again - this evening! 

Well, I have no complaints.  Many cares, many worries, but no complaints! 

K.  Bye, now.

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

This post is completely frivolous, no depth or merit to it at all!  Over the last 5-6 years my girls and I have "dreamed" of what they want for their weddings.  As some of you know, my oldest, Kirstyn, will be making her debut as Mrs. Colby Howell on March 09, 2013!  :) 

All this wedding talk has put Malissia, my youngest (16) in a frenzy of dreaming up her picture perfect "princess" wedding.  I am creating today's post for no other reason than to post a picture of these shoes that she found online at ETSY, but I am unable to pin it to my pinterest board for some unknown reason - probably because the one of a kind shoes have sold and are no longer available.  I want the picture so that we can either order them or make them ourselves when the time comes - SEVERAL years from now.



"Something Blue" Ballet Shoes

To give credit where credit is due, there are MANY more lovely shoes found at BeholdenBridal on ETSY.  Check her out!  Beautiful work making dreams come true!  :)

K.  Bye, now.

Charity, Love & the Heart

This weekend was nice.  Productive and relaxing all at the same time.  Went to the gym Friday night to fellowship, play games and play ball.  I participated in the fellowship - not so much the games or ball!  I had already had my exercise for the day and they were playing Nertz - a game I refuse to play.  My OCD kicks in and I get frustrated!  Not good for me, but hilarious to the other players!

Saturday was nice, slept all the way to 9:30am!  WOW!  Got up, had coffee, and cleaned out my sewing space.  I also cleaned out several drawers in my bedroom to make room for my fabric stash.  The drawers previously held remnants of old crafts that I have not and will not use or complete.  I filled up a trash bag and a box of TRASH to throw away, filled 3 bags full of stuff to bring to Goodwill, and placed a small handful of "keepers" in my closet on the shelf.  This gave me 4 drawers to place my fabric stash in.  I filled them to capacity!

Since this cleared up much needed space in my sewing area, I was able to re-organize my pattern collection.  WHEW!  I have a LOT of patterns!  :)  No complaints here, though!  After I got that all straightened out, we completely filled my trunk up with Goodwill donations, dropped them off at the local donation center, and headed to Bridge City for another night of good food, fellowship and NERTZ!  Again - I watched from a distance!  :)

Sunday was a beautiful day - my car temperature registered a nice, toasty 103!!!  Let me tell you this - if you've ever spent a summer in SETX, you will want to get your life straight with God!  Hell's gonna be HOT!  HOTTER than here!  :)  Bro. Hammer preached his heart out Sunday morning - admonishing us to keep our old landmarks and to stop putting pressure on him to move them or remove them!  Thank God for strong men of God who will stand up and stand firm.  Pray for the ministry daily!  They are under siege daily by Satan and the pressures of this world.  They are only human, after all, and it can be so taxing on them mentally, physically and spiritually!  Bro. Cade Howard preached last night, but I didn't get to hear him because our team was serving baked potatoes and dessert ole's after church and we had to head out to the kitchen. 

Since we have been studying about being a submissive wife, it has really got me stirred up.  Being a submissive wife has SO MUCH material to review.  It also parallels our submissiveness to God.  One of the basic bonds between a husband and wife is love.  This got me to thinking, so yesterday afternoon I took a few minutes to study I Corinthians Chapter 13:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

¹³ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.



Profound, no?  I took the time to look up the words Charity, Love, and Heart in the Miriam-Webster dictionary.  Charity is defined a "benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity".  Love is defined as "strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties".  Heart is defined as "one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations; the central or innermost parts; the essential or most vital part of something". 

I believe in the text from I Corinthians, love can be substituted for charity.  However, if my heart is not right, clean, pure...it is unable to contain true charity/love.  Quite a bit to think about, I should say.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  The words of David ring in my mind.  What a pitiful creature I am but for the grace of God.  I am thankful today for the Holy Ghost, for it's cleansing power, for the change it continually creates in me.  If there be any good thing in me, all the glory goes to Him, my creator, my savior, my friend, Jesus.  I am so thankful for the redeeming blood of Calvary that still flows today.  Our next goal will be to memorize I Corinthians Chapter 13 in its entirety.  It's good to memorize God's work and keep it safely in your heart everywhere you go.

source

K.  Bye, now!