One Busy Bee

I've been one busy bee this past weekend! I am so thankful to be able to say that. I have not had an excess of energy since becoming pregnant, but I have had an awareness of the many things I'd like to do before I become a full time mom.  While I feel limited to a certain extent due to the baby and the bump in which he lives, I have found a certain amount of clarity of thought that I've so longed for since moving to Indianapolis. This clarity comes in the form of vision for our house- vision to turn it into a home! And where vision still lacks, I am choosing to take risks! I've decided not be too scared of failing, but excited that I might stumble onto something great or at least an acceptable solution to hold us over until GREATNESS.

While James was on call this past Saturday, and I was desperately trying not to think about my recent visit to my doctor's office, I finally finished the slipcovers for our living room chairs. I had been debating about how to finish the skirts for months. I made several prototypes with trims, and pleats to boot. I consulted with my husband. (And just in the nick of time, he is not as fond of the pleats as I am...) We finally decided on a look we both liked, and I worked on how to practically make it happen. This is my finished product.

The project is finally completed. (Many, many months later...) I made matching pillow covers to coordinate until we find something a little more decorative and eye-catching. Notice the pretty table cloth in the background :)

I also decided to cover a few stools we had. I had re-covered them in the past to work in my bedroom, but we no longer keep them there and we find it is nice to have them close to the dinner table for extra seating for dinner guests.

This is how I used the extra pleats initially made for the chairs. I may still paint or stain the legs of the chairs and stools, but not until our baby is here. 

I used the same canvas I had used on the slipcovers. I may try to come up with a way to give these stools a little more character. They were previously covered in stripes and looked too busy with the other color and patterns we had going on in the living room. Until we figure out a definite, solid direction, the neutral look keeps our eyes from crossing and blood pressure from rising.

A close up of the pleats I love. James didn't mind them on the stools nearly as much as he did the chairs. 

We are still trying to find our married design footing. How do others make these decisions in their marriage? With their roommates? Are there any suggestions you can share?

In our first year of marriage we made a lot of compromises in hopes to reach a middle ground. We ended up with some strange solutions that neither of us liked, but settled for in an attempt to honor the other and avoid conflict.

This is our infamous "beverage station." A first of many weird compromises. We had decided on colors for our first apartment due to things we already owned, the wall color already on the walls, and a lack of communication. This lovely unit served a very functional purpose. It housed all of the lovely wine glasses we received as wedding gifts. (James registered for over 100! And no, he is not a drunk and I am not a lush, he just got carried away, he must have been planning on entertaining many, many guests at once.) We still own this. It looks like a weird refrigerator in our dining room. We are moving away from these colors as neither of us love them. We will need to find a solution for all of our wine glasses when we finally get rid of our first collaboration. We both look at it and chuckle. It serves as a good reminder of the benefits of communication and the risks of trying too hard to please the other person.

We have since learned to communicate a little better. We're still working on the idea of compromise. We have decided that it isn't crucial for both of us to LOVE every decorating decision that is made.  This weekend I bought a table cloth with flowers on it! James doesn't LOVE it, but he thinks the colors work well and he knows that table cloths are not a permanent fixture. He is gladly encouraging my new found desire to take risks when it comes to life and our home. He trusts my judgment likely more than I trust myself. This is an area in which I will continue to grow as keep taking risks and learn not to fear failure.

An update on my recent personal FAILBLOG:

Last Friday I went back to the doctor's office for the three hour glucose tolerance testing. I was instructed to fast for 12 hours prior to the lab work. (Easier said than done when you're pregnant!) To my great delight the phlebotomist working that day was wonderful! She took a fasting blood sugar upon my arrival and then gave me glucola to drink. (This drink contained 100mg of glucose and tasted like super sweet orange soda.) I then spent the next three hours reading, texting, trying to distract myself while I waited for them to take blood every hour on the hour.

They called with the results today. I passed! I do not have gestational diabetes!! I am so very thankful! While this is definitely the news I wanted to hear, had I heard otherwise, I know I would have been okay. After sharing my concern and frustration last week, I received so much support and encouragement from sweet friends that had been through the same thing. Thank you so much! I was overwhelmed by your kindness and support. It turned a scary situation into something much more manageable. Again, perfect provision in my need.

I'm thankful!