Spring Break 2014

We did not travel for spring break this year.  So I decided to do some things around the house.  My list quickly turned into a "jam packed" week.  The kind of list you make and think to yourself "I am going to be super productive this week" when in reality you accomplish less than half of what you intended.  OR the kind of list that consists of crafts and recipes you found on Pinterest one morning while sipping coffee and feeling highly motivated.  Either way, my list was LONG!!!

I decided to take it one day and one task at a time.  First project... organize the pantry!  I chose this task first because our pantry had become a death trap.  We couldn't retrieve anything from it without dodging falling objects or just giving up on what we were looking for.  L&L also liked to sneak in there when mom or dad left the door open to eat crumbs, dust, etc off the floor.  GROSS!  Needless to say... it was time for a makeover!  I went to Walmart to pick up some organizing materials I saw on Pinterest of course!! Guilty!!  I scanned the kitchen isles for a good 25 minutes trying to piece together some type of system of organization... a harder task than I thought.  Once I had decided on my plan of action I came home and removed EVERYTHING from the pantry.  The dogs (L&L) were watching me in shear terror.  I think they were thinking we were moving again...thank goodness that was not the case.  I assured them mom was just taking control of the situation that was our pantry.  Here is a picture of the finished product... I will not show the before pictures as I don't want to lose readers this early in my blogging career.  Pantry...check!

Next up, the closet.  Yes, I am one of those people who throws clothes on the floor when I decide not to wear them instead of hanging them back where I found them... don't tell my mom!!  After a few days, I have unknowingly created a bed for L&L to sleep on while I am getting ready.  Not exactly my intention and I would rather they didn't!!  Closet...check! While I was in there I also gave our master bathroom a little spit shine!

 

Last, the kitchen bench!  We have a bench under the windows in our kitchen that serves as seating for the wall side of our table.  When we built the house the thought was to have a cozy little nook... only I never "cozied" it up.  So, a few yards of fabric, a dusty sewing machine and a semi thought out plan later I was ready to go.  Here is the result.  Kitchen bench... check!!

All in all I felt pretty productive and accomplished the important things on my list.  Like I said at the beginning of this blog... I was a little overzealous in making my list.

Last, a quick, and I mean QUICK, trip to ATL for a good friends birthday.  We love you Matt!

Here Goes Nothin'...

Welcome to our blog!  We are the Halstons.  Ardell and I have been married for almost 2 years.  Ardell and I share a love for friends, family and fun!  We are extremely laid back and go with the flow... most of the time.  I met Ardell at Auburn and from our first date I knew "he was my lobster".  That was a friends reference... I should probably mention that I am a FRIENDS fanatic.  I have seen almost every episode at least three times.  I own the complete series, seasons 1-10, and sometimes feel like I am the 7th friend.  Ok, that's wishful thinking but fun to think about.  Moving on, we both moved to Nashville, TN after college where I earned my masters degree and we both worked at our very first job.  Two years later, we got married and moved to Birmingham.  In the last couple of years we have moved back to my hometown, started new jobs, built a house and added two little pups to our small family.  Sounds like a lot but it was so much fun to start building our lives together!  Here are a few pics of our family.

Christmas 2013

Typical

Wedding Fun

Let me introduce my pride and joy... Lamont and Louie!  They are 5 and 6 year old Pugs.  My in-laws rescued them in Florida then moved up north.  L &L were not fans of the cold weather or city livin' so they came to live with us where they occupy their own room and bathroom.  They have a place to hang their coats and a cozy little nest to sleep in.  We LOVE having them and the Halstons still get to visit them all the time!  I'd say its a win win!  Here a few funnies of "the boys".

It took all of 6 months from start to finish to complete our house.  We signed a contract the week before Christmas and closed May 31st.  It was so much fun to watch the process from start to finish and see our ideas take shape. Our house is a work in progress and we are slowly but surely filling it up.  Even though we spend most Saturday mornings glued to HGTV we made the decision to build our first home and avoid the headache of renovations.  As much fun as the Scott twins, Allison Victoria and Hillary and David make it look... we are not cut out for such labor.  For now we will stick to decorating and shopping for furniture.  Here is a quick photo of the pad.

May 31, 2013

Well, that's us!  You will meet other members or our family as my blog grows.  There are a lot of wonderful people in our lives and they make for tons o' fun and entertainment.  Oh... I should mention that my in-laws are moving to Birmingham to join the fun!!  We will soon have our whole family in one city... CANNOT wait!!  Now, I just have to get my brothers to move back here... I need to remember how I used to get them to do things for me when we were little... it didn't seem too hard back then ;)  That's all for now.