Getting Saturday’s Projects Lined Up

Unfortunately, it is work on one of our rent houses and not our own house 😦  The Alexandria Housing inspector tested the exterior paint on one of our bungalows and it tested positive for lead paint.  Bleh…..  I scraped and painted one window on the house before finally calling it quits.  I intended to go back and scrape and repaint them all.  However, after that one experience, I moved scraping and painting windows up to the number 1 spot on the list of Ten Things I Found I Absolutely Hate To Do.  It is now unavoidable.  So, I am going to scrape windows again (double bleh!!) and, if the weather permits, paint them black.  The house is white, trimmed in black, with a red door.  It is very cute.  Painting the window trim black will sharpen up the house and give it a little more curb appeal.

I am also thinking about painting the overhang black too.  Is that too much?  White perhaps?  It is good condition and my renter likes it.  Thankfully I do not have them on EVERY window!  I find that overkill!  It seems these overhang things became popular around the 50’s or so.  I saw something ridiculous last week, it was a house with the overhang shading HALF of the window, and on the outside of the overhang were shutters! HA!  I am going to go back and get a picture.  It will definitely go in the What Were They Thinking archive.

Happy Friday everyone!

Andrea

***UPDATE***  I scraped two windows before wimping out and hiring a guy.  Hey, his bid was $10 a window for scraping all the paint off and making it smooth enough to prime and paint.  Can’t beat that.  He finished yesterday, so this Saturday I will be priming and painting the windows.

I am going to paint the overhang white and paint the two black stripes back on.  You can see a little remnant of the black stripe on each side of the awning.

Hopefully (or, it is to be hoped) that I will have this project completed this weekend and will post pictures for your viewing pleasure then.

Wow! What an Improvement!

During my Mardi Gras vacation, I decided to paint the living areas of the bungalow we recently purchased.  Gone is the garish orange and the brilliant green.  In its place is a neutral, light green called Timothy Straw by Glidden.   By painting both connecting spaces the same color, it makes the space look bigger and less like a fun house.  The room you can see through the swinging door, which is another bright shade of orange, will be painted the same color.  The hall, which you can see from the living areas, will be painted Cream Tan, which is also by Glidden and on the lighter side of the same paint chip as Timothy Straw.

BEFORE:

Living Room and entryway

AFTER:

Once we refinish the floor and put down a baseboard shoe, I am going to repaint the trim in a white oil based paint.  Right now it is painted with a flat wall paint!  So, every time you touch it, it gets smudged.  Who would paint their trim in flat paint?  Insane!  I wish I had the time to strip the paint off of all of it.  There is a small chip missing on one of the columns and underneath all 3-4 layers of paint, the trim boasts of beautiful wood.  If I were going to live there, I would take the time and scrape all of the paint off.  However, I have enough paint stripping projects in my own house to contend with.  For the time being, it will get painted and if someone buys the house from us in the future, I will let the paint stripping become their headache.  Right now, I just have to get the thing back in good condition (New HVAC, new windows…most of them are broken or cracked….new appliances, floors refinished, new light fixtures, etc.) so we can rent it out without having to make two house payments! 

This color turned out so well, I can’t wait to get the rest of the house painted!  😀

Andrea

“Spirit of Alexandria”

I have been longing for New Orleans of late.  Just like the song says, “There is no place like home”.  I think what I miss most about New Orleans is the fine dining and that everything is always open late.  I loved the low light and ambiance of Houston’s on St. Charles Street.  I loved going to the Apple Seed for lunch in the Business District.  I loved walking up Canal Street and shopping at some of the trendy stores, or looking at the well prepared window displays.  Coffee and beignets?  No problem, Cafe Du Monde is open 24/7.  On any given day, I could get on a Street Car (trolley) and ride the entire Garden District line, just to gawk at the large commanding historic mansions that New Orleans is known for.  All of these things, to me, encapsulate the “Spirit of New Orleans”.

Moving to Alexandria was a shock.  Well, let me back up….moving to Provencal, Louisiana was a SHOCK!  According to Wikipedia, the population is 708 and there are only 300 housing units in the whole town.  This was a shock to me, I swear I have only seen around 200 people and they ALL knew MY business whether I wanted them to or not.

When our jobs moved us to Alexandria, I certainly was relieved and glad to live somewhere I could get high speed internet and did not have to make all of my purchases at Wal-Mart (not that there is anything wrong with that…but, when you have no other choices….).  I viewed my move to Alexandria as moving back closer to civilization.   Now, don’t get me wrong, Provencal had its charms.  It was close to the Kisatchie National Forest, had beautiful rural roads and its very own walking track right smack in the middle of town.  It also has one gas station/pizza place/typical country store that was a Circle K when I lived there, but that everyone lovingly called “Po’s”.  Now its a Chevron.  When I would say I am going to get gas at Circle K, I would get very odd looks from my husband’s family and some of the church people there.  They had no idea what I was talking about.  When they would say, “You mean Po’s?”, that would completely confuse me because nowhere on the sign did the store say “Po’s”.  Needless to say, I am very literal and from the city.  A combination that usually got me off the hook, because people normally just sighed, rolled their eyes and chalked my “ignorance” up to my being a “city folk”.

So, I thought, moving to Alexandria would be an improvement, right?  I guess I got the high speed internet, but I am surprised to find that, even though Alexandria is sprawled across a large area of Cenla, it is relatively still behind other comparable cities of its size.  I find that, even though we have a good Administrative leadership in Cenla, that most entities, businesses, charities and non-profits are still singing their songs solo.  Alexandria severely lacks cooperative involvement from corporations, as well as private citizens.  A lot of people sit around pointing fingers and laying blame at someone else’s door instead of getting up off their tushes and working together as a cooperative whole to find a solution. 

Anyway, I am thrilled to see the two beautiful trolley cars that the City purchased.  Of course the trolley causes my nostalgia all over again but I am hoping that, in time,  it will make the pangs of longing for my hometown subside.  Maybe the City will come up with a tour through the Garden District?  Thrilling!  I am so glad to see some charm rattling down the streets of Alexandria.  What would be even better, is  revitalization of the downtown area.  Alexandria has so much potential with the old store fronts and buildings relatively intact, to host a number of thriving businesses which would cater to the local professionals, tourists, yuppies, bicycle riders, etc.  Can’t you see it?  Coffee houses, music, loft apartments, entertainment.  People leisurely walking the streets enjoying the scenery.  We already have a wonderful orchestra and a great art district.  I think what Alexandria is lacking though is a little “soul”.  I love the quote from Winston Churchill:

“We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.”

Isn’t that so true?  We need to shape our buildings in the downtown area to become a pleasing recreational place for families, for tourists, for convention go-ers, you name it.  It would give our city a little “spirit” and “soul”.  I wonder if that perhaps is the reason we have such limited cooperation, prevalent racism and negativity in Alexandria?  Is it because our “soul” is gone and we feel empty and destitute which causes us to angrily lash out?  What we need in our city is a little romance and nostalgia from a gentler era of Alexandria’s history.  Whatever they decide to do with the trolley cars, I am 100% for it.  If they ever decide to use it for public tours or transportation, I will be the first in line to buy a ticket!  Thank you City for some putting Spirit back in Alexandria!

Spare Bedroom, Before and After

Ah-ha!  I found the realtor walk through picture of the spare bedroom too.  Once I was finished painting the spare bedroom this past November because guests were coming to stay, I looked at the pictures and I did not feel that I really changed the room much at all.  However, this picture reminds me of how ugly it was.

Before:

Presently:

Well, off to make waffles for my patient.  I am surprised she wants to eat since she is feeling so bad this morning.  But, if she wants waffles, I will make her some!

Andrea

Vivian’s Costume is Here!

This may not seem like news to you, but if you were bugged by a four year old for four months about when her costume was going to come in, you would think this newsworthy too!  Vivian in the Tippy Toes class and she hopes to graduate to ballet next Fall.  Her whole fascination with ballet started with watching the movie: Game Plan.  It is a very cute movie.

Andrea

Valentine Dinner

Saturday night, our Valentine dinner was lovely and I had a great time. We had 18 adults, 8 kids and 2 babysitters!  Thanks to all who came and brought food.  Here are some pictures from our lovely night.  Forgive my camera, it does not like low light.  If I cross my fingers, I may get a better one for my birthday next month.  🙂

My favorite thing in this picture is the ladder in the background.  Will I ever get all of these tools and things outta my house????  🙂

For an icebreaker game, we played: Name as many couples as you can in the bible.  Ashleigh and Brad took home the prize for naming the most biblical couples.  I believe they managed to name 9 -10.  Mike and Cynthia won the prize for being married the longest and Tony and Maggie won the prize for being married the shortest.  I was relieved, I thought that Steven and I had been married the shortest.  I am glad I did not win my own prize! Ha!

After we games and dining, we discussed, “If God Sent Valentines, What Would They Say?” and we talked about how God already sent Valentines (little messages).  God tucked them into our Bibles to give us encouragement and hope for all of our life situations.  

Then, Sunday night, Pastor preached a wonderful message along the lines of: Since we have favor with God, what do we have to fear?  That no matter what situation you find yourself in, you can always take comfort in the fact that we are HIS kids and he knows and understands what we are going through. He is our shield, He is our hope, He is our protector, He is our friend.  He gives us strength, He lifts us up, He is our food, He is our drink, He supplies our needs.   Here are his scriptures from that message.  I hope you find encouragement and comfort by reading your Valentines from God:

I am complete in Him … who is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10)Andrea

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:1).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the greater one living in me; greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus … the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and none shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17, 19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him who created (Colossians 3:9-10).

I have given, and it is given to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).

I have no lack, for my God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I show forth the praises of God who has called me out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child – for I am born again of the incorruptible seed by the word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being – alive to God (Romans 6:11).

I am a believer, and the light of the gospel shines in my life (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:2).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and long-suffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

With all this in our favor, we don’t have to live in anxiety, fear, doubt and gloom!

What we desperately need is a spiritual break-through … a fresh refilling of the Holy Ghost every time we gather together so that we can remain “steadfast and confident and unmovable to the end!” (Hebrews 3) … “always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15) … “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13).

Connect Group Meeting Tomorrow Night!

Don’t forget!

See you all there!

Tomorrow Night – YMCA

YMCA (Young Married’s) invites you to join us for our “Four Keeps” series February 8-March 1 as we explore the four things you must keep in your marriage.  From dealing with communication and handling conflict to seeing the Creator’s role in marraige and exploring your questions, this series will be an exciting journey into some of the most frequently occuring issues in marriage.

If you have been married 0-10 years, we invite you to be a part of our class, which meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the Family Room (located in the GA Mangun Center).  In addition, we will have two Wednesday night sessions (February 11 (this is tomorrow night!  Come out and join us!) and February 25 at 7:00 pm) for further exploration of these topics.

We hope you will join us as we work together to build strong marriages and families God’s way!

Rock Band

Jonathan, my brother, gave us his “Rock Band” set that hooks up to the Xbox.  I have heard of Guitar Hero and my friends have said that it is “Soooo much fun to play”.  So, I heard that you could buy the game and download Christian songs.  I thought that was pretty cool, so I got talked into playing “Rock Band” with Steven and Vivian (my four year old daughter).  In case you do not know what I am talking about, Rock Band comes with a bass, guitar, drums and microphone.  You can play with all, or you can choose one and play the game solo.  So, Steven got it all hooked up.  Vivian was on drums, I played bass and Steven tried guitar.  Folks, it is NOT as easy as it looks.  Now, me being a music major and having a degree, I thought I was going to outshine these two and show them how to do it….HAHAHAHAHAHA………I got booed right off the stage.  That’s right, if you miss enough notes, the crowd will boo you off the stage.  Let’s just say, I am glad I don’t do this professionally.  It was a lot of fun though. My favorite is the drums.  I have always dreamed of learning how to play.  It was definitely the easiest out out of the four to do.

What is interesting to me, is that when you sing in the microphone it detects the pitch in your voice and it will tell you if you are hitting the notes or not.  So, if you are flat or sing offbeat, you get booed off the stage.  Wouldn’t it be hilarious if we had these at POA?

Andrea

Priorities

I have heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here is my picture:

I was cleaning the house Friday night and decided to straighten the avalanche on my night stand.  I put my bible beside my bed so I would remember to read a few scriptures before going to bed.  I was trying to start a nightly routine.  There is nothing like going to bed with the peaceful and sweet reassurance from the Word of God.  So, that being said, I was very convicted to find that my good intentions got buried amongst the mail, catalogs, magazines, work assignments, etc.  I work in an Elementary School library and bring books home to read so I know what the children are reading and also when I find out what they are interested in, I can recommend a particular book.  So, I have all of that stacked up too.

I have found though, good intentions are not always enough to help me remember.  I am trying to devise a strategy to help me remember.  So, tell me, when do you read your bible?  What helps you remember?  Do you have a set time everyday?  What works for you?