Happy Birthday Shout Out!!

Happy Birthday Rachael!!!!!

....here, real quick for your birthday.. a cake for you. =)

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I'm pretty sure you'll love it.

Signing off,
Ida Jade


NFL Picks/Weekly Goals Post #2

First I have to applaud myself for keeping on top of this blog. I'm having a great time doing it and it's keeping me quite productive. Also, I've gained some more followers and know of some who aren't "subscribed", but are reading along daily. THANKS!

NFL Picks
We did our picks a little earlier today so here they are..let's see how we do.

Buccaneers VS Saints
Falcons VS Colts
Browns VS Texans
Jets VS BillsDolphins VS Chiefs
49ers VS Redskins
Seahawks VS Cowboys
Bengals VS Titans
Broncos VS Raiders
Giants VS PatriotsRams VS Cardinals
Packers VS Chargers
Ravens VS Steelers
Bears VS Eagles 


Weekly Goals
Let's see how I did and what's in next weeks agenda..

Incomplete
Complete

Work Out of the Office More this Week
Paint Hallway, Begin Painting Foyer
Complete the Fireplace in it's Entirety
Purchase Fireplace Electric Insert  
..Lowe's didn't have it anymore so  we will have to order it online
Look for Sectional for Living Room and Purchase 
 ..Can NOT wait to get this, I'll blog about it once we receive it!
Move Gas Stove to Garage to Get Out of the Way
..at least it's out of the living room though =)
List Projection TV, Light Fixture, and Gast Stove on Craigslist
Complete 4 Days of Running to catch up on C25K 
..My ankle is FINALLY feeling better, I'm really hoping to get back out there this week (it's so hard to get remotivated though)
Start Photo Project for Downstairs Hallway
Select and Order 300 Photos from Snapfish for $3 (Coupon Code: SPOOKY300)
Blog 6/7 Days of the Week at Least
Work on Book (even if just for 5 minutes)
Read on Kindle (even if just for 5 minutes)
..I've been reading almost daily, Steve Jobs Biography is quite good!
Clip Coupons
Go Through Coupon Binder and Get Rid of Expired Coupons
Clean Car

In addition though I did..
*Clean all of the hardwood floors with my new Bona Hardwood Floor "mop" =)
*Dust everything in the the living room
*Put together the living room since the fireplace is complete
*Started Christmas shopping (okay so we bought ONE gift, but STILL!)
*Currently working on some laundry

This Weeks Goals

Begin Organizing Kitchen/Dining Room
Work Out of the Office More this Week
Paint Hallway, Begin Painting Foyer
Purchase Fireplace Electric Insert
Move Gas Stove to Garage to Get Out of the Way
List Projection TV, Light Fixture, and Gast Stove on Craigslist
Complete 4 Days of Running to catch up on C25K
Start Photo Project for Downstairs Hallway
Blog 6/7 Days of the Week at Least
Work on Book (even if just for 5 minutes)
Read on Kindle (even if just for 5 minutes)
Clip Coupons
Clean Car
Find and Purchase Cabinets for "Ellie's Corner"
Order vinyl letters for "Ellie's Corner"
Work on DIY table top
Go Grocery Shopping at Martins
Work on House Folder - plans and measurements for all rooms
Make Christmas List (Who to buy for and what to buy..)
Schedule day to get pictures taken for Chrsitmas cards
Organize and back up photos

I'm sure there is more, but that's my list for now. Hopefully, this week is just as productive as last week. =)

Signing off,
Ida JadeI feel quite accomplished this week.

Pic of the Week #1

Pic.
      Of.
           The.
                   Week.

This is in no way a "quality" picture (I took it with my blackberry), but I just loved it and this moment.

Saturday we woke up to snow, heavy and wet snow. This is Ellie's first winter with us..and we cracked the blinds when we woke up and she just STARED out of the window. This is not a normal behavior, she doesn't do this on a regular basis, but she was just watching the snow fall. It was the cutest thing!

So I see I've gained some more followers..thanks, guys!

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Fly..

I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive

I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise

To fly

To fly

Nicki Minaj Lyrics featuring Rihanna - "Fly"

Okay, so I know I'm not the only one who listens and interprets songs in their own way. Some reason this song gets to me. Alot of you don't know the story of my past (it was nothing extremely major, but it was life changing). I never thought I would have all that I have right now. I tend to take what I have for granted. I don't do it on purpose, but sometimes I just forget to count my blessings.

Life really is great.

About a week or so ago I saw a facebook status of a former class mate in highschool and planning of our 5 year reunion is underway.

Okay, so I know I have so much more life to live and many of you are probably thinking I'm just a "baby," but in these past 5 years out of highschool I have accomplished far more than I ever believed possible. So many of my dreams have changed and where I am is definitely not where I thought I would be, but it's wonderful.

Here's what "didn't" happen:
*I didn't attain my bachelor degree or even my associates
*I didn't attend Point Park University and Major in Dance and Minor in Business
*I didn't stay in Pennsylvania

I guess that's really not much, but it's what I thought back in my junior year that I would be doing for the past 5 years

Here's what did happen:
*I did take 3 full semesters and one 1/2 semester online for Small Business
*I did move to WV with my boyfriend (at the time) for his career
*I did get engaged to that wonderful boyfriend
*I did get married to that wondeful fiance
*I did buy a beautiful home
*I did go to school online and pass the test for my WV Real Estate License
*I did get a sweetheart beagle puppy
*I did find my career as a Realtor

Holy moly! It's not what everyone always tells you, you have to do or should do, but it's worked well for me. I think I'll eventually get at least my associates if not my bachelor's in business, but for now..I'm very content.

So I guess the key lesson here is "Things Change."

I'm a HUGE believer in "Everything Happens for a Reason" and I know that I'm on the right path.

Thank you to all of my friends, family, and also those who ever doubted me. This brings me back to..

I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise
To fly
To fly

I have so much more to accomplish, so much more I want to do. To have all of that in 5 years?! I can only imagine what I'll be able to capture in the next 5, 10,...50 years.

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Pantry Makeover

Tried. It. Out. Thursdays
So I did this one about two weeks ago, but I'm so proud of it and believe it or not it still looks like this!





Icky contact paper..

This was just ONE shelf..there was alot that
1. Was Expired
2. I Didn't Know We Had
3. We Don't Use

Removed the contact paper..

Painted the Shelves

Painted the same color as our kitchen cabinets on the inside

Added this easy storage shelves I purchased on clearance from Walmart

This is the project I did that was inspired by Pinterest. Here are the examples:

So I took a similiar shaped box we've had laying around forever from our dvd player and measured out the cuts..
I then used a box cutter to cut it.



I used this alot for our invitations for our wedding and I loved it, so I pulled it back out for this project.



 

I used scrapbook paper and cut it to the same shape.



This worked so nicely, such a space saver.

 And again..the finished product!



Signing off,

Ida Jade

1/2 Bath Transformation..

House to Home

I didn't really accomplish much today, so I thought I'd post more pictures of one of our first projects...the 1/2 bath.

When we bought the house it was a foreclosure that sat for about 2 years, the toilets had wax seals on them and began to leak from no compression. For some reason, one of the previous owners put hardwood floor into the bathroom. *smack head* Hate that! So it began to rot and so we, okay more like Josh had to pull up the floor, fix the leak, and put down new cement board and flooring. We also hated one thing about that bathroom,..the color. It was a really icky yellow. Let me show you..



Bleh!!



Ripped up the floor..



Put down cement board..



Painted (haha)..



Purchased a brand new marble countertop for $15 at the ReStore (love that place)..
It didn't quite fit, so we put down cement board on each side and added seashells from our honeymoon.
As you can see we painted the cabinets too.
We also took the leftover tile that was left by the previous owner (that is also in our kitchen) and put that up...



We grouted the tile (you can also see the flooring we put down in this picture)..



Added trim to the tile and this is the finished look.
Oh, and the counter we bought had 3 holes and our faucet required only 2, so we used the other and added a soap dispenser.

Since then we've added a few pictures, a stand above the toilet, a mirror, and we spray painted the lights (they were gold, and I hate gold!) I really should take a picture of it completely finished. (Maybe another time).

Signing off,
Ida Jade

NFL/NHL Update #1

Okay, let me me just say...How on earth is it November, already! It'll be 2012 before we know it! Time goes far too fast.

Alright, so let me start out with I don't know everything about football, but boy do I love to watch it. Sundays have become our Pizza and Football day. I just love it! I've been a Steeler fan since I can remember. I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and my main reason for loving them?..they're a working mans team.

Currently Josh participates in a Pick 'Em League and the past few weeks I've been helping him. Back in week 5, the week I started helping, we won for the week. He had to pick this weekends without me since we didn't have a chance to choose together, but he did pretty well. He didn't win, but he did come in 2nd.

NFL Update..
Games                  Scores     Who We Picked
Dolphins VS. Giants          20-17               Giants
Saints VS. Rams               31-21               Saints
Jaguars VS. Texans           24-14             Jaguars*
Vikings VS. Panthers         24-21             Panthers
Colts VS. Titans                27-10             Titans
Cardinals VS. Ravens       30-27            Cardinals*
Lions VS. Broncos           45-10               Lions
Redskins VS. Bills            23-0                 Bills
Patriots VS. Steelers         25-17             Steelers
Bengals VS. Seahawks     34-12             Bengals
Browns VS. 49ers           20-10               49ers
Cowboys VS. Eagles        34-7                Eagles
Chargers VS. Chiefs         23-20            Chargers

* - Won due to additional point spread factor
* - Lost due to additional point spread factor
I have to say one of my favorite plays the Steelers made during that game, though there were many against the Patriots, was the Saftey at the end. Just love my boy, Polamalu. He got it done!

One more thing..why was Brady wearing a freaking suit at his press conference? Now I'm not sure if this is procedure anymore, I usually turn the channel before seeing any of them, but I know that I can't recall seeing a Steeler ever wearing a suit. I'm sorry, but just more reason for me to dislike him. It was so nice to see him drop that ball at the end.

So the Steelers are 6-2..on to the next week.
VS. Ravens 8:20PM on Sunday. Should be a good game.

On that note..Let's Go Steelers!!
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N H L ..Okay Pittsburgh Penguins Update..

I was unable to watch any of the games this week, I don't even know that Josh got to watch any and he loves hockey. Afterall, he's the one who got me into it in the first place.

 Date            Who We Played           Win (W)/Lose (L)          Score
10/27/11            Islanders                   W                      3-2
10/29/11          Maple Leafs                 L                      4-3

Current Record.. 8-3-2
Facing the Sharks @ 10:30PM this Thursday and the Kings this Saturday @ 10:30PM.

Let's Go Pens!!
Signing off,
Ida Jade

PS..Please comment and let me know how this format of this post looks on your computer. It's near perfectly line up on mine, but I worry I may have to design a different (maybe upload images of the same text) so that it fits any and all computer screens.

Let me know! Thanks!