Well, It's {Almost} Official

I am halfway to registering for my first marathon.  After I ran my first half in Colorado this fall I became hooked and officially became a wannabe runner.  I am not teeny tiny skinny.  I can't run an 8 minute mile.  I don't have cute running clothes.  I am pretty sure speed walkers can pass me.  But heck, for my 30th birthday I want to cross the finish line.  Even if it's on a stretcher.  This once college athlete can certainly conquer a little over 26 miles, right?  Stay tuned as I curse myself for taking this on.

Side note: The reason I say "almost" is because only the hotel is booked due to spreading out costs...okay, and me being a little bit chicken.  Well as I said before, look out Rock and Roll Marathon, here comes this old lady!



Operation: Renovation {Part I}

So here's how the story goes...

A few weeks ago my husband and I dropped Everett off with my parents and went out looking at houses.  We are those people who are constantly looking around for a house with absolutely no intention of buying it.  Not for now at least.  On our way home we saw that one of our neighbors was having an open house.  They've had a hard time selling it even though they have lowered the price substantially since they have put it on the market.  Of course I am that nosey neighbor who wants to see what's up. 

We go in for a peek and yes, again I am that neighbor who basically tells the agent that we are snooping around because we eventually want to put our house on the market.  Long story short, Grant finagles the agent into coming over to our house to let us know what we can do to sell the place down the road. 

Now, let me just say that I have wanted new counter tops and a kitchen makeover since we moved into our house 5 years ago.  I have asked and asked and asked.  Do we even look seriously?  No.  Now, a complete stranger comes into our house and tells us that we could sell our house quickly if we updated the kitchen and POOF, Granite Transformations appointment made, back splash torn down, paint colors picked.  Just like that.  Well, at least I can say it was originally my idea.

Why this post is called Part I is because the kitchen pictures aren't coming until it is completely done.  however, I thought that since the kitchen is getting a makeover, I might as well give the old fireplace a mini-makeover.   

 Sorry I didn't have a complete before picture, but there used to be a giant clock on our mantle, a few pictures and a couple vases.  I wanted to put some pictures up thanks to something I saw on my love Pinterest.  I didn't want to hammer a bunch of random holes in the mantle so I chose to buy some of my new loves Command Picture Hangers.  Those puppies are worth every. single. penny.

 First I used paper to make sure my layout looked good. 

Presto!