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Outside

We bought our house two years ago and it was nice but kind of boring exterior…  (this is actually my neighbors house but they were all painted the same)

We decided to jazz it up a little and I think it really helped the curb appeal.  The two tone really helps the features stand out.

Now if I could just figure out what to do with the little strips of landscaping you get when you live in a townhome neighborhood…

I have this strip of grass on the left which is slowly growing grass in.  In this photo you can also see that we added new light fixtures from the original tiny ones. (they desperately need a cleaning)

I have this tree with a barren area and ditch in front of the left grassy section.  I’m thinking maybe adding some ‘Purple Jew’ under the tree for color.  I don’t have the best green thumb and I know that it grows really well without much care.

On the right side we have this area where we ripped out the bushes so that you can actually get out of your car.  I would like to redo the rock section.  When we moved in we had planted plants between them but a sick tree nearby killed all the plants underneath it.  Now that the tree is gone i would like to relevel the rock section and add plants back in.  I also want to come up with something to hide the trashcan with, maybe a trellis with ‘Star Jasmine’?  You can see the ‘Star Jasmine’ over my neighbors garage, so I know it grows well.

In front of that section I have another small tree with an area of weeds and no ditch…Should I do the same as the other side and put ‘Purple Jew’ here?  or should I do some ‘Plumbego’ or ‘Esperanza’ with the ‘Purple Jew’ growing around it?  Only problem with these front areas is people have the tendency to run over them with their tires.

During our house painting we decided to take the numbers down bc our final plan is to remove this mailbox…

And replace it with this….

At $500+  We are holding out for other options or a nice sale!  I did notice that one sold at our local auction house for $75 a few weeks ago.  All it need was a little spray paint love.  We would need to have a custom address plaque added so that people can find our home again!

Between the houses we have more small strips.  In the middle section I planted ‘Chocolate Chip’ and ‘Blue Chip’ groundcover.  I scored these last year for only $1 piece.  They haven’t all taken off, but for only $1 I thought it was worth a shot for the ones that did.  I need to buy a few more to help it fill in.  On the right side the past two years I’ve spent $75 each year on ‘Caladium’ bulbs.  These have seemed to flourish in this area and I’m glad I chose them.  My neighbor on the left planted from the plants instead of individual bulbs…

‘Caladiums’ close up.  Last year I had one color, this year I added a little variety and am really enjoying the different shades and styles.  If you have never planted them before or call your plant’s “victims” as I do, try these, they took less than an hour to plant all of them and the seem to grow very easily.

For security reasons we decide to add some decorative iron work to our front door.  This allows me open the door and talk to someone without letting them in (super handy when the hubs is gone).   I love the way it adds a tuscan/mediterranean flair to the house and it looks much better than burglar bars.  (excuse the dirtiness and the bottle of insecticide)

This is the path leading the backyard.  I really can’t stand these rocks.  They are so small and space apart.  I’m thinking I want someone to come in and pour concrete pavers…any thoughts?  I’m looking for good inspiration photos of this.

As unhappy as I am with the landscaping, I guess you can guess what I’m doing this weekend… (in the 100 degree heat – crazy!)

See you soon, for an inside house tour!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Flaxseed

Morning Snack: Oatmega3 Chocolate Mint Bar

Lunch: Scallop Hibachi (Totally not on my diet but I owed a coworker from LSU lunch bc A&M lost last week)

Afternoon Snack: Fruit & Yogurt

Dinner: Fit Mac from My Fit Foods (I turned down dinner with a girlfriend bc I’d already been bad at lunch)

After Dinner Snack: Glass of Milk & Almonds

I was actually able to drink the 80 oz of water but do you know what the hardest part of the day was????

NO CAFFEINE!!!!  I thought I was going to die about 4 pm.  I was either going to fall asleep into a coma or go crazy.  I allowed myself to have 6 oz of coffee when I started to feel a headache come on.  I really had no idea I was so addicted.  I usually just drink one cup in the morning and then have one other caffeine drink during the day (diet coke, glass of tea, etc.)  I applaud all of you who make it through the day without the assistance of caffeine.  Now that its actually cold here in Texas (26 deg yesterday), what am supposed to drink to keep me warm?  Any suggestions?  Well, off to start Day 2.  I’ll try to make it all day without that 6 oz.

1.  Bad Habit #1 :  I never blog!!!

I am probably the worst blogger of all time.  Being new to this, I didn’t realize how much thought it would take into deciding what to post.  The best way to remedy this is to make myself or schedule (this free for all, whenever I feel like it thing isn’t working).  So my new goal is once per week post on the following topics:  A. Events/Happenings in Downtown Houston  B.  Cooking   C.  Dieting   D.  Home Decorating/Craft Projects

2.  Bad Habit #2: I find excuses not to workout!

We all do this of course, but I think I have mastered it, making myself feel guilty if I do workout, telling myself I could have cleaned, cooked, laundered…when I know really I would have just been sleeping or watching a rerun of L&O.   I signed up for an amazing workout class.  My husband has been going to this gym for a while now so I thought I’d try it.  Seun is great!  The good thing about this type of workout is you never get bored and you get your cardio and weights done in one hour without having to bore yourself on a treadmill/elliptical machine.  Check it out here:  F3 Cross Training

3.  Bad Habit #3: I eat pasta every day!

No wonder I’ve packed on the extra 20 lbs.  Not just pasta, but it usually is topped with some butter and parmesean cheese…can you say lardass??!!  My new goal is to follow Jackie Warner’s “This is Why You’re Fat” diet plan.  To help, while my husband is traveling I will be ordering foods from MyFitFoods.  This will keep me on track and also give me more time for other things…like blogging

4.  Bad Habit #4:  I am quick to anger!

For some reason, the planner/scheduler/perfectionist in me has a “freak out bitch out take it out on everyone” session when something in my “plan” goes awry or changes.  This year I want to focus more onbeing calm and going with flow keeping this verse in mind Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  My sister is amazing at this, so hopefully I can learn to be more like her

5.  Bad Habit #5: I beat myself up over not being able to do it “all”.

I think this is something all women struggle with.  What does it mean to do it “all”?  Perfect wife, Clean and Organized home, Chef Quality Cook, Sucessfull Career, Patient and Loving Mother,   Swoon-worthy sewer/crafter/decorator, Tireless Volunteer, Christian Warrior….I could go on and on.  I just want to applaud you women who try this everyday!  I don’t think its wrong to have these goals, but lets not get upset if we can’t get it all done today…tomorrow will be another day.  1 Peter 3 says “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight . That is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.”

Of course I have have other goals for our house and our yard..but those are more of “to-do” items than resolutions.  Hopefully this year can be a rewarding one for all of you out there.  I’m curious to hear your goals and find out your successes throughout the year.  Happy New Year to all of you!

Instead this is what I came up with….  Let me know what you think.  Next year I want to start earlier to have some paperwhites ready for the table.

¹ Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.

¹¹ Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

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