I Heart Craigslist

I heart Craigslist. I really do. I have been wanting (pining for, drooling over) the Arhaus iron bed for over ten years now. Seriously. I lurve this bed. But with the high price tag...I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money when there are always other necessities that need our money more.

A couple of weeks ago I was searching Craigslist for a captains bed for Kyle and came across an ad "Arhaus Iron Bed Cheap-Moving, Must Sell". I clicked on the ad and there it was. My Arhaus iron bed. Cheap. They were selling it as a set with the mattress and box spring. I called the woman, offered her even less than they were asking and told her I just wanted the frame- no mattress and springs. She accepted the offer. Then, I called Marc. We had recently sold our bed frame because we were going to do an upholstered headboard. Marc knows of my love for this bed so all he asked me was "when do I go pick it up?" I LOVE my husband! He is so good to me.

The only difference is that I always thought I had wanted the black finish on the bed and this was the antique white. Marc and I decided that we would just paint it. No problemo. When he went to pick it up he called me and said "We're not painting this- it's awesome as is." And it was! After running the idea by my ever-so-talented design consultant- LeAnn, it was agreed. No painting the bed!

It has the most amazing, antique looking paint finish on it. It truly looks like it is 100 years old. Leave it to those amazing folks at Arhaus- genius I tell ya!

Pay no attention to the stuff under the bed. I have since made a bed skirt!

This bed makes me smile every time I walk into our room now. It was worth the wait! I still can not believe I found it on Craigslist. I have never seen one on there before. And for less than a fifth of what I would have paid at the store- I got my dream bed. Thank You Craigslist. You totally rock.

Sorry for the blurry, dark pictures. I need to take more pictures during the day. ;)

Also, did you notice the ruffled duvet at the foot of the bed? I scored that for a song on eBay! It was one of those "best offer" listings. I put in an offer and got it! I was so excited. It is Pottery Barn and made from the softest linen you have ever felt!

The master bedroom redo is coming along nicely, just not as quickly as I would like. I think it's a good thing that it is taking awhile. I am following through with my plan and waiting for things I love instead of settling for the first thing I see. The room has taken a slightly different direction than what I started out with and I am happy about that. I am making it our own and not something straight from a magazine. With more Craigslist items, and some recent yard sale scores on artwork and accessories, it is just about done. All that I have left to do is paint the walls, figure out window treatments, buy new sheets (and add crochet trim to them), and pillows to fill some dreamy shams I found. I can't wait to show you pictures! For now, though, all of that is still on hold.

Bella is still sick. We have been fighting this fever for a week now. The antibiotics don't seem to be working at all. The fever will go away for a day and be back with avengance the next. I have been on "seizure watch" five days out of the last 7. Tonight included. I spoke to Bella's pediatrician today and they want to see her in the office tomorrow. They will be doing testing tomorrow to try and figure out what is going on with Bella.

I ended up at my doctor's office last Saturday with a diagnosis of a virus, sinus infection and pneumonia. I knew it was coming. I had been feeling under the weather but brushed it off because Bella was so sick. It finally caught up with me and knocked me down. I am beyond exhausted and ready to lose my mind trying to figure out this wacky fever of Bella's. I have to give Bella Tylenol or Motrin every three hours to try and keep the fever down. The lack of sleep has really taken it's toll. Not that I would sleep anyways. I am worried sick about her. Tonight when I tucked her in she said her prayer: "Dear God, pwease make my feber go away so I can go to the pwayground. Amen."

Sigh.

I pray we get answers tomorrow.

Thank You all for your prayers, thoughts and concerns for Bella. They mean so much to us.

Blessings,

Heather:)

Terrified Isn't Enough

I want to get this written while it is still fresh in my mind. More for my self than anything. Another chapter in Bella's story.

We have been hit by a virus of some sort around here lately. Cali was the first to get it, then me and then Bella. Yesterday morning Bella woke up with a bad cough. Last night Marc and I were up with her until about three in the morning because she would cough so hard she would get sick. My washing machine has run non-stop since midnight last night.

When Bella woke up this morning she didn't have the cough. I was so happy thinking it was gone. At about 1:00 this afternoon she said she needed medicine because she didn't feel good. When I went to pick her up she was hot. I took her temp and gave her Motrin. At 3:30 the kids all laid down for a nap and I attempted to tackle the laundry mountain that was taking over my bedroom. At about 4:30 I heard the most awful noise coming from Bella's room. Not thinking the noise could be coming from Bella, herself, I went ahead into her room to see where the noise was coming from.

The noise was, in fact, coming from Bella. I don't even know how to describe it- it sounded like an old man moaning mixed with a loud gurgling noise........I don't know. Bella had foamy looking bubbles and drool coming from her mouth and her eyes were partially open but her eyes were rolled back into her head. I tried waking her and she didn't. I kept shaking her, lifting her arms- everything I could think of. I was calling her name, and the calling turned to shouting. I lifted her eyelids and her pupils were so small. She continued to make the weird noise but she was completely unresponsive. I called Marc and told him he needed to come home right away. I tried once more to wake Bella up (she is normally hard to wake but not this hard) and then I called 911.

I have never had to call 911 before and it seemed so surreal when I was dialing those numbers. I answered all of the dispatchers questions and she told me not to leave Bella's side for fear that she would quit breathing. I was hysterical. The word terrified would not even begin to describe the emotions I was feeling. I yelled for Kyle and told him to wait by the door and when he saw the ambulance people then he needed to let them in and bring them to Bella's room. He was very calm and did just what he was told.

When the squads arrived it was like a whirlwind. Four EMTs surrounded Bella's bed and started working on her. One of the EMTs pulled me into the hallway and asked me questions for the forms. The maintenance supervisor for our property was here and as soon as I saw him I felt more calm. A familiar face I guess. Another EMT came out of Bella's room and asked me which hospital I would prefer. When I told him the head guy told me they didn't want to take that much time getting her to the ER. Then I completely lost it. I told them to choose and tell me where to go. The next thing I know, Marc's boss was walking in the door. She and the maintenance supervisor, "J" were there to watch the kids until Marc could get home so that I could go in the squad with Bella.

Marc's boss "P" told me to put my shoes on. I ran down the hall and grabbed a pair of socks and then ran back out, grabbed my purse and started heading for the door. P said "Honey, you need to put shoes on." She proceeded to find me a pair of shoes and then help me put them on. She told me to get shoes and I grabbed a pair of socks! Yeah, I was hysterical. I couldn't think. My body had gone numb and my brain just stopped working. I could hear people talk but I really couldn't hear what they were saying and it felt like everyone was running around me and I was standing still. "J" walked me outside. I was headed for my van and he made sure that I got in the squad.

They had Bella strapped down on the stretcher, hooked up to all kinds of machines and were giving her an IV. They told me they had to try and stabilize her before we took off. I saw Marc pull in so he came over to the squad to see Bella. He asked the EMTs what was going on with Bella. They told us that they were pretty sure she was having a seizure but wouldn't be sure until she was seen by a doctor. Marc saw us off and went home to get the kids.

The EMTs were great. He tried to answer all of the questions I had and some that I was too out-of-it to think to ask. Bella was still not responding while we were in the squad but she finally did look at me when I called her name.

Once at the Emergency room they did blood work, urine culture and chest x-rays. They monitored her, gave her lots of fluids and medication. She was getting more and more alert the longer we were there. It felt good to see her coming out of it. Marc came with the kids and there was such relief written on his face when he saw her sitting up and alert.

The x-rays showed that she had the very start of pneumonia. That caused the fever and the fever caused the seizure. They diagnosed her as having a febrile seizure. They said, even though they are scary to watch, they cause no long term damage. They gave her a prescription for an antibiotic for the pneumonia and told us to alternate between Motrin and Tylenol in order to keep the fever down. The doctor told us that she will probably have these seizures now every time she gets a high fever, so we have to do whatever it takes to keep her fevers down.

What I don't get is why she has never had one of these seizures before? Bella had cyclic fevers every month for 3 years (with her PFAPA). Fevers up to 106.8 and not once did she ever have a seizure! Why now? I am angry. I'm upset. And I feel like my heart is now in a million tiny pieces. After all she has been through.....I felt like we were finally breathing a sigh of relief. And now.....now I feel like I'm holding my breath again. My poor Bella.

Bella doesn't remember anything leading up to her chest x-ray. I am so grateful for that. Can you imagine how traumatic that would be if she did remember?

I need to set my alarm to make sure that Bella gets her Tylenol or Motrin every three hours. Not that I will probably be sleeping anyway. It's going to be a long night.

Blessings,
Heather

Kyle's Curtains

We have been working on a little redo of Kyle's room. His bedroom has always been an.... "issue" with me. It always looked as though it were a thrown together, hodge-podge, side note kind of room. Probably because it always has been. Boy's rooms are hard for me. I don't know why. The room was lacking adequate storage, matching furniture, a personality. It is very hard to bottle Kyle's personality and poor it into the room! So, we have been working on his room little by little. One project I tackled was his window treatments. He has had these tab top curtains in his room for a couple of years now. He picked them out himself. Although they were nice they always looked sloppy and were just too long. So, in order to save money and keep the curtains that he liked, I changed them up a bit.

I started with the tab top curtains.

I cut about two feet off of the top and then cut that fabric to sew ties. The hem in the bottom of the curtains made a perfect rod pocket. I sewed a hem along the cut edge, sewed my ties to the front and back and then covered the seam with white buttons. Kyle loved the buttons and I loved the extra umph they gave the window treatments. This is what they look like now...

Kyle absolutely loves his new window treatments. They look a lot better! They are just long enough to hit the window sill when the ties are loosened. They can still be pulled back like typical curtains if we want, too! In order to hang them inside the window frame I just used an adjustable spring loaded shower curtain rod!! It works perfectly and you wouldn't know it by looking.

The other night I went into Kyle's room and found his curtains like this...

Upon closer inspection this is what I found...

He had used his toy wrenches for tie-backs!! Very creative! My funny little man. :)

Love it.

I plan on sharing more pictures of Kyle's room soon. We added some great storage and got him a new bed. Still lots to do! He is loving his room and spending a lot more time in there. That makes me feel so good.

I am still working on my bedroom and making great progress! I am so excited to see it transforming. It has been a slow process (for me) but a very enjoyable as well. I can't wait to show you pictures!! Next post!! Hopefully it won't be two weeks before the next post. ;) LOL

Blessings,

~Heather:)

A Perfect Weekend

We had such a nice and relaxing weekend! On Saturday we took the kids to a local festival. The town was beautifully adorned in red, white and blue. This is Marc's and my favorite town and, maybe someday, we will live here. It's dreamy.


We dressed the kids up in proper holiday attire and made them pose for a couple pictures before the fun started (and they got dirty and sweaty-Boy! It was HOT!)

I took about two dozen pictures of the three of them and this is the best shot I got.......

Love the falls and the ducks....
The kids and I rode the carousel first...

It was fast! Cali wasn't quite sure what to think...

Cali rode her first fair ride! The kids loved this one. Again....Cali was so sober the entire ride!

We made sure that Cali rode with Kyle because he is so protective.

Bella rode with a boy she had never met. His name is Will and she says he is her boyfriend.

Kyle did not stop smiling the entire ride! As soon as the ride was over Cali started clapping and said "Yay Cawi!" Every time we passed the ride after that she would reach out her arms and say "Go! Go!" Apparently she did like it!!

There was so much to do and see and Kyle wanted to experience it all- while Bella was content just taking it all in.

Kyle wanted so badly to play the dart game so we let him. Marc and I were shocked when he hit and popped THREE balloons!!!! Three hits out of four darts!

He chose three stuffed snakes for his prizes so he and his sisters could have a prize. My little man.

Cali was content with her red balloon and the live band playing.

Kyle and Bella wanted to ride the Ferris wheel so Daddy went on with them.

And mommy and Cali were quite content staying on the ground watching them!!

This was the point where Daddy started freaking out a little. Realizing the bars didn't quite cover enough and just how high they were going to go. He made sure to hold on to the kids as tight as he possibly could. Such a good Daddy.

And this is when I started freaking out. I do not like heights. Terrified actually. I wouldn't be able to ride this but I was even having a hard time watching! Woozy.

Kyle and Bella, of course, loved every second of it! My little daredevils.

After we rode the rides we had to get something to eat. Ahhh........fair food. Kyle was fascinated with the cotton candy and the woman working was thrilled to answer all of his questions and show him how to make it.

Cali enjoyed her hot dog. Funny girl.

They even got to meet Stanton Island George- the monkey.

Another lesson from another vendor- this time the lemonade stand. And the guy working inside was so cute to explain- and show- Kyle every.single.step. of how to squeeze fresh lemonade.

We ended the day by going to the local ice cream shop and eating ice cream cones on the sidewalk and watching all of the cars and people walk by.

Kyle's face cracks me up in this shot....

Saturday was an amazing day. Sunday and Monday were rather lazy...........and that was such a nice, and needed, change for us. We have been so busy that it feels as though life has been passing us by lately. It was nice to slow things down and absorb life, live life, and enjoy each other.

Is it Friday yet? tehe

I have been working on some projects lately! I can not wait to show you. Soon!

Blessings,

Heather:)

Inspired & Determined

I find inspiration everywhere. Magazines, catalogs, the Internet, nature, hotels and restaurants. I have a folder in my picture file titled "Decorating" and every time I see something that inspires me I save it to my folder. I look back at it often- especially when I am wanting to do a project. Unfortunately, I don't always save the source of where I find these pictures. I so wish I did! I would love to give credit where credit is due, so if any of you own these rooms or know where they came from please let me know.

Lately I have been really pondering what to do in the master bedroom. I started decorating the master bedroom over two years ago. Guess what- it's not done. Nope. Not at all. In fact, I never even really got started. I ordered bedding and sent it back. I bought curtains and returned them. I got frustrated and gave up. Just call me the inferior decorator. Yep. That would be me. I am so afraid of making a mistake in that room that I don't even try. One of my big issues the last couple of years is that I felt like I was finally coming into my style so I was hesitant to make choices. Now I realize, I HAVE found my style, and I have found the confidence to once again start the master bedroom. Another problem is that I didn't have a plan. Or a vision of what I wanted the room to look like. I would buy bedding and then be stumped, or pick out curtains and then get confused trying to get the rest of the room to "come together" in my head. But without a clear vision everything got blurred. I sat down with a piece of paper and wrote down everything I could think of:

1.) How the room needed to function
2.) What I/We wanted to feel when we were in the room
3.) Elements I wanted to incorporate into the room
4.) Fabrics I liked- look, feel, etc.

Once I had my list I started looking through my decorating inspiration folder and picked out all of the pictures that "spoke" to me. I noticed that out of all of the pictures, and my notes, that they all shared a common thread. Hmm. Imagine that. Now I have a plan.

Our master bedroom also has to serve as a home office. The problem is I don't want it to look all "office-y"..............I don't want to see the computer or the printer or bills that need to be paid or filed. I want to disguise that stuff as much as possible. I want the bedroom to be soothing, romantic, fairly monotone, and have sort of a vintage feel. I want it to be comfortable, crisp and airy.

Here are just a few pictures that have me inspired and determined to make this room a reality. Finally.
The perfect duvet...

Loving these gorgeous sheets from Pottery Barn. I think I can get this same look by adding some crochet trim to my existing white sheets.

The detail on this dresser...........swoon

Candles. Lots and lots of candles.

Built in cabinets and shelves to hide the office "stuff"

I heart these slipcovers

Ahhhhh........... a centerpiece for the bed

I love this room by Linda Woodrum. Iron beds.....vintage romance

Monotone, window seat, chandelier...

This window seat looks like a perfect spot for a good book and some hot tea. Oh the hours I could waste away here..........

White linens

My dresser is almost the same as this one. I just need to paint it black and distress it like this one. What a great look.

So, there you have it. A sneak peek into my plan. I can't wait to get started on it!

Where do you find your inspiration?

Blessings,

~Heather:)