Yesterday I bought something on Craigslist for the first time. For the last month I have been stalking the furniture listings knowing that many people would be getting new furniture for Christmas and cleaning out due to resolutions. Some of the “great” condition pieces of furniture were far from it and that was just from looking at the pictures. Being on a tight budget to convert our formal dining room into a reading/sitting room kept me determined, or more or less made me a Craigslist stalker of sorts. On Sunday after hitting the refresh button way too many times I came across a listing that said “Help me keep my new year’s resolution” and there was a picture of these beauties.

The price $225 for both. I knew I had hit the jackpot. I contacted the poster immediately, praying they were not some crazed killers or into a cult looking for new members. After hearing back plans were made to go see them, with Mr. K of course, the next day. When we got their the couple were as normal as you and me and as nice as they could be. The sofa and loveseat  combo were perfect for our project and the right price – SOLD! Thanks to friends who helped us haul them back to the house an hour later.

I have a lot of ideas swirling in my head for this room in the house and Mr. K is letting me and my gay boyfriend have complete creative control. I am hoping in the next few days the accent color on the walls will be on. A beautiful and bright blue teal or turquoise. We’ve been getting our design inspiration from Pinterest, of course.

One of the things we are planning on doing is making a rug for this room from old t-shirts. I’m pretty sure we have totally lost our minds but since I have more time (LOL) than I have money at this juncture, plus it would be totally cool, we have decided to make this attempt. Inspiration came from this t-shirt latch hook rug tutorial. So over the next few weeks spray paint will be my friend and I will be visiting garage and estate sales this side of the Mississippi state line in search of interesting and cool accent pieces and hopefully some large pieces of furniture to store all our crap books and games in like this piece below.

As this projects progresses don’t be surprised if I begin begging my readers to send me their old teal and turquoise t-shirts for the rug.

I’m snuggled in the bed under big blankets next to Mr. K. I am sick. My only semi-off week and I’ve been sick for half of it. I am not sure if this was a blessing or a curse. I’ve slept a lot.  I’ve read a lot. I’ve enjoyed doing nothing.

I quit my job. Yes, a job I loved. A job I got so much out of. I made new friends, challenged myself, and learned new skills but it was time to move on.

But I will still be working. More on that new-old adventure later.

A new year is upon us. 2012. I can hardly believe it. According to old Bible teachers I had in highschool and church sermons from pentecostal pews we shouldn’t be here. But we are. I am not like other Jesus followers, there is no urgency on my part to go to heaven. I like living right here, right now with these people I love. There is so much to learn here, do here – I don’t want to miss out.

I’m looking forward to 2012. New stories. New adventures. More life lessons. 2011 taught me to live in the right now. Soaking in every moment. Noticing the simple things no matter how fast I am going or what I am doing. Spiritually I feel more defined.

I’m not sure I need resolutions. I just need to take action, one foot in front of the other working towards a life more meaningful, more enjoyed. Savoring the bitter and sweet. Embracing new and old relationships. Choosing joy.

In the new year there will be date nights and weekends away with Mr. K. We both learned that we need time together, just us, undisturbed and unplugged.

Recycle, reuse, and upcycle will be a theme for our family this year.

Service. Involving every member in our family in acts of service.

Family nights. Unplugged.

Healthy meals. Homemade breads, cooking from scratch, and gardening.

Spending time in the woods and in the water.

Crafting and reading alone and as a family.

What are you going to be doing in 2012 to make your life more enjoyable?

knock knock knock …. anyone still around? I know, I am neglecting this whole blogging thing. Neglecting my writing. Just today I finally got caught up in my reader. Things have been crazy around these parts.

In fact insane.

Since the last time I wrote here I may have become an ordained minister. Email me if you are in South Alabama and want me to marry you and your significant other.

I found out it is not a crime to have sex with animals in the state of Alabama. It is only consider illegal if it is considered cruel. Don’t ask me how that is determined.

I may have blessed out an attorney who was being a total ass outside of a courtroom. Trust me, he deserved it.

My anti-anxiety meds make visits with my mother in law bearable.

I may have agreed to work two weddings in the next year, for free. One for someone I love, the other for a complete stranger.

No I am not addicted to Pinterest. :::cough:::

I may have done this:

I may have smoked way to many cigarettes in the last 30 days. And I am not a smoker. Well not really.

I have completely failed at the whole Before 38 list. Next time maybe I should be more realistic.

I may have big plans in store that you are about to become aware of.

Maybe.