The Royal Family Ramblings

Rachael Ray - 1950s Wives Part 1

2010-09-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Not unorganized but not organized either...

2010-04-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about participating for the first time in Kelly's "Show Us Your Life" Fridays...ORGANIZING!

And yes, I realize it is now Sunday but I figure better late than never, right?

The above pic is one of my favorite organizing techniques though I cannot take credit for it. A Mormon friend I had when we lived in the state of Washington gave me the idea. She said she got lots of like ideas from ladies in her church and this was one of her favorites.

King Jeff and I literally call this our "Junk Drawer." I love how with the clear plastic over the door shoe hanger you can see everything and you don't have to dig. I will admit ours is a little over stuffed and we might just have to purge some or get another one.

I can't take credit for this necklace organizer either. It came from a home tour I did at a fellow Realtors house during the fall social a few years ago. Hers was much cuter. It was a collection of wine corks framed. Nevertheless, I love not having to mess with tangles of necklaces in the mornings when I'm getting ready.

This china cabinet was inherited from King Jeff's grandma. It feels a little retro and doesn't really go with anything else in our living room, but that's why I like it so much. We have china to put in it, but as long as we are in our current house we don't really have room for it and an additional bookcase, so "WA LA!"

Oh, the plastic drawer! I admitedly have an obsession. I have one in just about every room of our house. Of course, they are in Princess Annie's room. One for Barbies, one for dress up clothes, and one miscellaneous. These are in our "office" underneath my scrapbooking table. The top left drawer houses all of the notes and cards Annie has ever received, the middle one has Annie's artwork, and the bottom is for her memorabilia. The top right one has every note and card my BFF from the 4th grade has sent me, the middle one has every note and card King Jeff and I have ever exchanged and the bottom one is for cards from everyone else.

This is a wall in our office that I started after Christmas. It was a blah wall and I had a refrigerator overflowing with pictures. So I used some puddy and put up all the pics from our Christmas cards last year and figure I'll add to it year after year. There is also one of the King and I in the middle and one of me and my flowergirls at our wedding. They are some of my favorites.

This is a picture of the cabinet above my washing machine. The top shelf houses all of our medicines and the bottom shelf has all of our "electronic" cords and of course, laundry supplies.

This is a cabinet in our garage that is home to cleaning supplies, extra paper towels, toilet paper, boxes of Kleenex, vinegar and bleach, watering can, extra towels, and our dust buster and juicer.

In the past I have been compared to Monica on "Friends." I am mostly organized but I do have a few "closets" that have remained hidden until now. Why I am about to show you these I have no idea...maybe you will be encouraged in some way :)

Here is the only drawer in my kitchen that lacks organization. I use to have all my kitchen utensils in a turntable on the counter but then I wanted more counter space. They may end up back on the counter before long.

This is my nightstand/dressing table. It is a beautiful piece of furniture given to me by another BFF, but you can't see it due to the mess. King Jeff is just happy it is not on his bathroom counter anymore. I try to keep it clean then about once a week I oversleep and get in a hurry and well it gets like this.

For 9 years we have been married and for 9 years my address book has consisted of about 100 sticky notes, envelopes, scrap pieces of paper and typing paper in a pile on or near my desk. When I need an address I have to dig through this pile. It's not that I don't know what to do. It's just always overwhelmed me more than anything else. Maybe because address, phone numbers and emails change and sometimes frequently. I don't know but it's embarrasing. This is the reason I haven't sent out Christmas cards for two years.

Well there you have it. I'm an open book as always. Until next time...

My Dream Home...

2010-02-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

I absolutley love the front porch and circle drive. I can picture a swing on the front porch and fabulous decorations at Christmas. I envison crown molding, and chair railings, built-ins in every room, a wood burning fireplace, a kitchen and living room separated only by a bar, but wall space enough for my Thomas Kinkade collection. I want a master suite complete with adjoining office. I want a built-in dressing table in the bathroom and closet big enough to leave my ironing board up year round. I want custom curtains for all the windows and a mother-in-law quarter out back.

I love you Joyce!

Three years ago we bought the house that King Jeff grew up in, remodeled it and moved in. It's a 3 bed, 1 1/2 bath home with approximatley 1200 sq. ft. To say that we have outgrown this house is an understatement. Infact, I can't even fathom having another child and still living in this house (we are currently trying for baby #2.) I find it interesting when I think back to when I was growing up, it was very common for a family of four to live in a house such as this. But, that was before computers, home offices, scrapbooking rooms, and etc. I want a new house BAD.

But...

I am BAD with money. After nine years of marriage, I finally relinquished control of our finances to the king and I'm pleased to say we are making progress!!! The credit cards have not been used in months, the emergency fund is growing monthly, and the debt is dwindling. Intersting enough, we argue a lot less too :) I realize our situation is not going to drastically change overnight. It's like weight loss. It takes time to put the weight on and it takes time to get the weight off. We could buy a new house now, but then nothing will have really changed. The problem with so many Americans in our situation is that we are spoiled. We want instant gratification. So, King Jeff and I have agreed to live in this house we call home for at least 3 more years when; Lord willing, we will be able to afford an upgrade. In the meantime, I am allowed to dream!

Something you may not know about me is that I was born here in Stillwater, OK but lived in Leesville, LA from Kindergarten through 7th grade. I lived in Winchester, ID from 7th through 12th grade, and returned to Stillwater to go to Oklahoma State University. The family followed. King Jeff and I moved twice while he was in the Army (Ft. Lewis, WA and Ft. Bliss, TX) but returned to Okla_HOME_a the first chance we got. This is home! Though as I browse my "Dream House" folder on my desktop the majority of the photos come from the south. I guess I'm still a Southern Belle at heart.

To blog or not to blog...

2010-02-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Well obviously this has never become a habit. I do love the thought of being a "blogebrity," though I've never really considered myself a person of interest. I often wonder if I have something to say worth saying, let alone worth hearing. Do I use this space as a diary? Absolutley NOT! I've never kept a diary; not even as a teenager, for fear of it getting into the wrong hands. Though that is strange considering I've always prided myself on being an open book. Do I use this space as a platform? A platform of what? I already have a professional blog. Well there is always the obvious...a place where I can be me! A place where I can feel free to randomly ramble about whatever I want to, whenever I want to. That's it! A place where I can go when the clock strikes 10 (pm,) during the time between when I climb into bed and when King Jeff climbs into bed. It will start out FOR ME, though I reserve the right to change directions at any time. I'm kinda fickle like that. So if I haven't bored you to death yet...."Climb aboard, get ready to explore, there's so much to find, Little Einsteins. We're going on a mission, start the countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." I have had 3 different songs running through my head as I have written this post, amusingly enough 2 out of 3 are kid's tunes! Speaking of, Princess Annie is the reason I want this vintage locket. It's on Ebay right now. 3 hours of bidding left, and a little over my price range but it is fun to dream! I can see a picture of Annie in one side and a new baby (one day) in the other. I love gold! I also picture it on a long chain. Wouldn't that be super cute!!!!

Baby Names

2009-08-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not pregnant. Just wanted to document some names I like so I don't forget, if and when we are blessed with another child.

Girls-
Keely Shayne,
Clara Joyce,
Colleen
Janie

Boys-
Nicholas Shane,
Harrison Shane,
Pierson Shane,
Brighton Graham
(I think all these boy names are getting axed. 2/23/2010)

The Best Intentions

2009-02-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

I want to be a regular blogger, I have the best intentions. However, I think it's only fair for me to state that I most likely won't be back until the end of the month when I will (Lord willing) have my real estate class finished!! It has totally consumed me , which is good since I have put it off for years; and most notably the last 9 months that I have been enrolled in the online class. Uggg... I have until the end of the month. If I finish by then, mom said she would take me to San Antonio for the Century 21 convention. I'm totally stoked. I haven't been to San Antonio since I was like 10. Plus it's almost a week off work! Wish me luck!

Oh no! I just realized I'll be away from my sweet Annie for that entire time and I haven't been away from her longer than 24 hours ever!!! She'll be totally fine, she loves her Daddy and I trust him implicitly. But me, that's another story!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure the last time (if ever) that I actually made New Year's Resolutions. I think of them as goals more so than I do resolutions. But here goes...

1. Daily quiet time with Jesus.

2. Exercise at least 3x week.

3. Attend Weight Watchers meetings regularly and lose 30 lbs.

4. Get my real estate license.

5. Build Century 21 Global Realtors property management up by 20.

6. Become actively involved in a service organization.

7. Start a Bunco group.

8. Read four books.

9. Finish scrapbooks from Annie's birth to present.

10. Date night every other week.

I submitted them on "The House" website and won a 2009 Wow cd for my originality! So who can teach me how to hyperlink websites from mine (like the above mentioned "The House?")

Anyway, I've already started Weight Watchers, stopped WW, and started again. BUT, I'm super excited about a Bunco group that is going to officially start next month. It's composed of some long time friends, some new friends, some from our Sunday School class, and some from Jeff's office. I'm soooo....excited! Should be fun!

Now back to studying for the real estate license.

Is anyone out there?

2009-01-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

So obviously it's been AWHILE since I blogged. I've decided it's time! I've been reading a variety of blogs and I'm totally inspired! I don't have anything real inspiring to say today though. I'm running off of 1 Grande Carmel Latte with Skim Milk and even that's almost gone. We've been having some rough nights the last couple of nights. I'm not sure if Annie's having night terrors or what. Please pray that whatever is happening will stop so that we can all get some rest! Talk to you soon!

"We're Home!"

2008-10-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have followed Jeff and I through the seven 1/2 years of our marriage, you may know that when it came to church & God (I'm speaking only for myself on the God part) we were extremely fickle! We very much talked the talk but did not walk the walk. We took the typical route for those in their 20's and 30's and became very complacent. I don't even think we can count on one hand the number of churches we "joined" and thus left. We were very critical of the church leaders and members. If one Sunday we showed up and the pastor re-introduced himself to us, we were out of there! It was definitely all about us!
In the last 2 1/2 years God has been working in me in very large ways! He has shown me that it is NOT all about me!
As a child, teenager, and young adult I longed to be a mom! I envisioned my husband being the "head of household" and I his help mate! I would be a stay at home mom and home manager. I would train, teach, and discipline my children to be Christ like and Christ centered rather than self-centered. I would strive to train them to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him, and to serve Him!
But, in my selfish ways it became all about me! I became very controlling---for example; I wanted Jeff to be the head of household, yet I would not give him the chance. I made all the decisions. I balanced the checkbook, paid all the bills, and spent all the money. I only worked because I wanted more stuff! I was very unhappy! For years I struggled with the question, "what am I going to do with my life;" meaning where am I going to work to earn money, "what will make me happy?"
When Annie came, minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day I fell in love with her. Through my love for Annie I was able to see (be reminded of) the resemblance of Christ's love for me. And so began my journey to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him, and to serve Him, because I can't train my children to do this unless I am doing this. I have been so blessed...when I finally admitted that I was powerless to change and when God enabled me to let go of so much I was controlling, Jeff was able to blossom (don't tell him I used this word, as it's not very masculine, I just couldn't think of a better word :)) into the husband I was so longing for! We have worked together to get our finances under control, to the point that very soon I may be able to stay at home to take care of Jeff and Annie! Because I am called to be a wife and mother, and if I am living in the Lord's will I WILL BE HAPPY!
In conclusion, God has brought us home. We are members of Countryside Baptist Church (although it's more of a Bible Church.) www.countrysidebible.com We are growing, and learning to serve Him in so many ways, because it's not about us! It's about Him!

FIREPROOF

2008-09-29T06:34:00.001-07:00

Jeff and I went to see the movie "Fireproof" on Friday night in Tulsa! I loved it!!! Not only was it incredibly romantic, it was also thought provoking and challenging. The movie demonstrated much of what I believe...when married couples feel there is no hope and we are just not happy anymore, when we are powerless to change ourselves or our partner, just look UP! God is the one and only who has the power to heal hearts! He is a God of Healing! (He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3)

On a side note...I loved the fact that during the kissing scene they flew in Kirk Cameron's wife to kiss him instead of the actress. That says a lot!

"What a testimony!"

2008-09-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

Monday I went to a Get Motivated Seminar in Tulsa with several from work. There were about 10 speakers throughout the day attempting to motivate us in whatever area we needed motivating. Some of the bigger names included...Joe Montana, Gen. Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and my favorite ZIG ZIGLAR.
I had never heard him speak before or read any of his books. But what I heard on Monday touched me in such a way that I will never be the same! You see, Mr. Ziglar is 81 and recently suffered a fall down a flight of stairs that has ignited some major vertigo and short term memory loss. Despite this fact, he was joined on stage by his daughter; Julie, who ran an interview format to keep her dad on track. Despite her best efforts, Mr. Ziglar made mention of his "Beautiful, Red Headed wife of 68 years" innumerable times while on stage. He could not stop talking about how blessed he was to be married to her and how much he loved her. I was so incredibly touched by the testimony his wife had in that. To think that she made such an impact on him, that when his mind was not at it's best, she is what he remembers! I believe that is the kind of wife God wants me to be, and the kind of wife I am striving to be!

One Hundred Dollars

2008-09-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Is it possible for a family of three to eat on $100 for 2 1/2 weeks? Traditionally, I've said "Yes, but not MY family of three." Through CR (I'll explain what CR is in a later post) I've realized that I have issues with self worth. I can totally proclaim that God will meet all YOUR needs, just not mine. Phillipians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." When someone says "claim it" is this what they mean..."And my God will meet all Erin's needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."