Design On A Dime... Almost

Sometimes I get the itch to spice up the decor in my apartment, but I never seem to have the money to do it.  This week was one of those itches, so I took the opportunity while my husband is gone for a youth camp all week (I guess I'll find out if it's truly better to ask for forgiveness than permission when he returns) to do some redecorating on a budget.  My goal was $100 or less to redecorate my bedroom and bathroom.  

Here's the Before & After pictures of what my very drab bedroom looked like.  It needed some serious help (and some major color coordination)!  

My next obstacle was to tackle my bathroom.  It always seems like the main problem with bathrooms is storage, so I added the shelving unit which freed up the cubbies (not seen in this picture) for all our towels and  wash cloths (which, in turn, freed up some much needed space in my wardrobe).  

(Why yes, I did assemble that shelf all by myself!)

Let's see how my checkbook fared:

• New Comforter Set (includes bed skirt & 2 shams):  $64 (Because it was on sale, I ended up saving over $140 on this purchase.  Hooray for Kohl's!) 
• New rugs for bedroom (set of 2):  $12 (Thank You Bed Bath & Beyond.)
• Shelving Unit for bathroom:  $29.99 (a little expensive but it's the cheapest I could find.)
• 2 Wicker baskets for storing bathroom products:  $8 (Hobby Lobby is the best.)  

The final total was $113.99!  Ok, so I went over budget a LITTLE, but I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out!  Plus, when I added it all up, I saved over $150 for everything!  You can't beat those savings!  

Goodbye, Harry!

I was in 6th grade when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was published for the first time (1997), and I can honestly say that is when the love for "everything Harry" begin for me.  I have stood in line at every book release, gathered with the masses at every midnight showing of the movies, and have spent countless hours reading and re-reading the books!  I am rather fond of the little "Potter collection" that I now own.  

Before going any further, though, I have to stop here and say that it was the urging of my two little sisters that convinced me to start reading the books, but it was the wizarding world of Harry Potter that kept me enthralled.  From the countless adventures that Harry, Ron & Hermione found themselves in to the mysteries that would keep me questioning until the very end.  It was Harry that kept me coming back each time.  His endless quest to conquer evil, his dedication to his friends, and his love for humanity are just a few of his admirable traits.  I'll miss him very much.  


Therefore, it's needless to say that I pre-ordered tickets for HP&DH Part 2 (and by "pre-order" I really mean that I made my husband walk down to the theater and purchase them for me) and anxiously waited for midnight of July 14th to get here.  And it finally did...

Armed with our homemade t-shirts and replica "Potter glasses" that I received while waiting in line at Barnes & Noble in 2000 with my older sister for the book release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  

I will dearly miss reading of Harry's latest adventures, but I'm excited to share Harry with future generations (aka:  my children) as I'm sure they will love him just as much as I do!  

My Feline Family

Those of you that follow my blog (all 5 of you) won't be surprised by this post.  For what good is having a blog if you can't brag about your children!!  Mine just happen to walk on all 4 legs and sprout whiskers from their faces.  


For those of you that knew me growing up, you may be surprised to learn that I am now a very avid cat lover!  My family primarily consists of dog lovers (specifically black labs in my immediate family), so I'm sure you are wondering how it is that I became a lover of all things that meow.  Two words for you:  my husband, who I have forever deemed "The Cat Whisperer".   Entering into the Goodman family not only comes with a new set of parents and a different last name, it also stipulated that I become a cat lover.  It didn't take Luke long into our dating relationship to suggest that I adopt a cat.  Well, being the "people pleaser" that I am, I decided to hear him out, and off we went to Petco one Saturday where we met -and about 20 minutes later- adopted our first "child", Ralph.  

Ralph, who is part maine coon, will celebrate his 5th birthday this September by, I'm assuming, lounging around all day on the many blankets we have placed around the house for his leisurely comfort.  You see, Ralph suffers from not only being the only male child in the family but he's also got a bad case of "oldest child syndrome".  In his spare time, Ralph likes to torture his 2 little sisters by body slamming them to the ground and then stalking off to take whatever napping spot he lured them out of.  However mean he is to them, however, they would follow Ralph to the ends of the earth just to win his approval.  


Our second child, Edna, came to us one blistering cold autumn evening when we kept hearing a very sad and pathetic cry out our living room window.  

I instantly fell in love with her sweet personality and hazel/green eyes and she soon had a blanket lined box set-up on our back porch so that she'd stick around long enough for us to take her to the vet (which she did). She now loves to lounge on her very own 3-story cat tower where she can nap in peace, that is, until a certain black cat awakes from her nap.  


Speaking of black cats.... 


About a year ago I decided that I wanted to adopt a kitten and raise her (since we didn't adopt Ralph & Edna until they were fully grown).  Needless to say, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  We received Lucy 8 weeks after she was born and she probably weighed about 8 ounces of pure black fuzz. 

However, she quickly grew very long legs and tail and is now content with running crazy throughout our house, chasing whatever brother or sister is closest.  

She is a HUGE fan of the red laser light as well as feet that are moving under the covers (she's gotten smacked a few times for this one).  Apart from being crazy, she has provided Ralph & Edna with a loving little sister, and in my opinion, a great work-out buddy since they are constantly running from her!  


So there you have it.  You have just met three of the most adorable (and sometimes crazy) creatures on earth!