Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

Wall Color Quiz Answers!!!

Today is my daughter's TENTH Birthday! Which means this weekend has been busy. And fun. And now I'm exhausted. But I know you are waiting around on pins and needles (ha, ha, ha!) because I haven't posted the results to my quiz.

So, ok, the answers you've all been waiting for (drum roll please)...

a) Smiley Yellow

b) Overalls Blue

c) Water Can Blue

d) Stars & Stripes Blue

e) Blessings Red

f) Bookcase Khaki

g) Organizing Green

Which means there was a tie between Angela and Jamie (HAYNES!!). And no, Jamie, that Water Can Blue wasn't a trick questions... and you got it right! So Ange and Jamie - you've got bragging rights and a free place to stay when you make it to Okinawa. And to the rest of you who played along, the free place to stay offer still stands. Now...to the rest of you...YOU I will be charging $10 a day. Per person. Oh wait...I"m feeling generous. Kids STAY FREE!  Wait. My husband just elbowed me and told me I was being unreasonable. So I guess that means the rest of you get to stay after doing a few loads of laundry and some dinner dishes. Deal! (I'm making you want to come visit us in Okinawa more every day, aren't I?)

Great job at guessing everyone who commented, called, emailed and pushed their way into my house to see if their guesses were right! Thanks for playing along. And I promise I'll be posting some more pictures of the rest of the house (not just snippets of my walls) once I've hung a few more pictures and mopped my floors!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Stay tuned, pictures of Allyssa's 10th Birthday Bash coming soon!

Wall Color Quiz - Downstairs Edition

This post is dedicated to my mother. She has been curious about what I've been doing and what colors I've been painting rooms. And I've been keeping her (along with the rest of you) in the dark. Because I wanted my "after" photos of my house to be a surprise, you see. But my mom, I think she's getting kind of anxious. And wanting to know what's up around my house. Especially since I let it be known that I'm DONE painting the lower level. In fact, when I was on the phone with her today, she gently reminded me that she hadn't seen pictures of the painted rooms. To which I said, (in a very loving way I might add) "You're really bent that I'm not telling you the colors I'm painting, aren't you?"

Then she quickly said, "Well, yeah!"

At which point we both broke into a minute of gut laughter.

And then I said, "Ok, fine, I'll post some pictures on the blog".

So...I think my Mom's not alone. I think some more of you have been wondering how we've been doing with unpacking and settling in here in Japan. The kids and I have officially been here for two months now and some of you are wondering if we're still living in this mess! Others of you have wondered what I've been up to around the house since we decorated Allyssa's room. 

Well...I've been working on things. And now I'm done painting my downstairs. I'm not done decorating or organizing - which means you'll have to wait for all the real pictures. But I'm done enough to show you some pictures of wall color.

And to make it fun. For you and me both, I decided to make it a little quiz.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

First look at the pictures below. I'm giving these pictures captions for your reference. 

 

Stars & Stripes Blue

 

Bookcase Khaki

 

 

Overalls Blue

 

Organizing Green

 

Smiley Yellow

 

 

Blessings Red

 

  Water Can Blue

 

Now, here is the list of the rooms/walls I've painted:

a) long wall in entryway

b) short wall in entryway

c) hall closet

d) 1 short wall in living room

e) 1 long wall in living room

f) the other short and long walls in living room

g) dining room

Now all you've got to do is match them up. The letters to the captions. What room or wall do you think is painted what color? Then post your guesses in the comments.

WHAT YOU WIN:

The first person to match all of the pictures to the captions will win a) bragging rights and b) a free place to stay if you ever decide to visit us in Okinawa, Japan.

On second thought...I think anyone who participates will walk away with a consolation prize: a free place to stay if you come visit us in Okinawa.

Good luck!

Color Mishap

So...as many of you who follow me on facebook know, I've been painting like crazy. Well, not really like crazy. Because I keep taking breaks to do thinks like go to the beach, attend water aerobics, and take my kids out to lunch. But I am painting. To me, painting is part of unpacking and settling into a home...so my base house can look more like my home. And it seems like the painting is taking forever! Part of that may be because I keep picking jacked up colors!! Check this out...

The paint on the left is what I wanted. (Keep in mind, it's the first coat, so it doesn't look great yet.) The one on the right is what I got THINKING I had gotten the color on the left. Do you see the difference? My goodness...I couldn't live with the sea-foam green any longer, so I REPAINTED that room. Yes, I did!!

I have a wall in my living room awaiting another color too -- 'cause the color it's painted looks FUNKY and just not right!! I've NEVER had so much trouble picking paint. In all the houses and rooms I've painted. I usually hit the nail right on the head with color choices. This go 'round, not the case. I'd like to attribute my poor choice in wall colors, though, to things beyond my control. Because surely it can't be me. Right? Right!?!?! I'd like to think that I keep picking horrible wall colors because the light here is different, making the colors look different once they're put on the walls. Or maybe it's the sea air, or all the humidity. Maybe it's because I have really high ceilings. (Yeah, I know, excuses!)

Maybe...I need to just suck it up and realize I've lost "the knack" for picking good wall colors the first go 'round. But hey, on the bright side, the paint is free and my arms are getting one heck of a workout!

And, even though I've almost been here a month, things are moving along with the unpacking, painting, and settling in. Hopefully in another week or two I'll be able to show you the "finished" pictures of my house. That is, if I don't have any more color mishaps!

Allyssa's Room: Before and After

Before.  This was what Allyssa's room looked like before we got here.  (Pictures taken by my wonderful husband, Craig.)

 

 

 

 

Inspiring? Makes you want to just dig in, right? No!?! Well, me neither. But my daughter must have felt differently. Or, she was just sick of not having her own room...of living out of suitcases...she wanted to feel "at home". So, she started unpacking and putting things away before any of us did. And because of that, I decided that her room deserved to be the first to be painted and unpacked. So, without further ado, I present to you the After of Allyssa's room. (Pictures taken by my excited daughter, Allyssa. She couldn't wait to share the pictures of her room with you. She is so proud of it!)

 

 

  

 

 

She loves that poster she made in 3rd grade, so we had it framed before we moved here. As for the rest of the room, its pretty much done. We have some finishing touches, but that'll have to wait until the rest of the house looks more like this room.  I can't wait to show you more -- because that means I'm closer to being unpacked and settled in!

7 days until Japan

Yes, I am counting down the days until I get to give my hunky husband a hug. Until I get to see my new home. Until I'm no longer picking my clothes out of a suitcase. No, I'm not counting the hours and minutes...but I feel like I should be. It's been almost four months since my dear husband left for Japan. We NEVER thought that this move would take the turns that it has, or, that we would be apart this long. But, it is what it is. And here we are today, still a strong family... after all of this. We are so super excited to be reunited again soon. And because of that excitement, I know that this week could be one of the longest week's of my life. But, fortunately for me, I have a lot of things I must do before we catch our flight Sunday afternoon that will keep me busy and distracted.

Today...I spent the majority of my day (after doing some laundry and making some important phone calls) helping my sister, Ange, set up shop. Yes, Ange is the sister who does the wedding flowers. And for the past four-ish years, she's done them out of her home. But, she has recently decided to start a new venture and open up an actual brick and mortar store...

where she will not only do wedding flowers, but where she will have retail things to sell...alot of homemade things. Because, she is also very artsy and makes amazing things. Like jewelery and really amazing altered collages...and she is now needing a bigger place to make/display these items. But she also thinks that she will be able to do some events centered around her artistic abilities. Some classes and parties...workshops. And, I think that the college town she lives in is the perfect backdrop for such a business. And I also think that she is capable of making it work. Her product (her creativity) is definitely marketable! It has already proven to be!

So, today, we worked on this two-room shop. One room will be her flower shop/retail space. The other room will be where she holds classes/workshops/parties. These pictures are of the blank slate, the before. In this aspect, my sister and I are alot alike. So today, it was alot of fun getting to help be creative, and to help her set up something she has dreamt about for a while. I know it will be a success...I only wish I lived close enough to help for longer and more often.  But, at last, Japan awaits. I leave here (the Spokane, WA area) Wednesday night to head to my Mom's for a few days. Tomorrow I will need to work on packing up my suitcases and tying up a few lose ends. But today, today I got to hang with my sister...and play. What a good day!

Japan -- the "before"

Yes, we are in the middle of moving to Japan. My hubby, Craig, is already there. He left in March and has been working hard since he got there. Mostly 12 hour shifts...if he's lucky. And, he's worked alot of weekends too.  When he's not working, which is rarely, he is usually sleeping, doing laundry -- you get the drill. He has had the chance to do a little wandering around though. Here is a picture he took and emailed to me. Doesn't the water look gorgeous?

 

I can't wait to see that water!! So my darling husband is in Japan enjoying that water, and I am still in the states because we were waiting on a passport...blah, blah, blah...and I'm still not there. (More on that in a later post.)

My dear husband was able to get our house on base assigned to him, which is a good thing! Otherwise, he would have spent the last three months living in a hotel. Another good thing is that our household goods (in other words -- all our STUFF) has been delivered. And, he's bought a van for us to drive while we're there.  Did I mention, he's been busy!?!

 

So, yep, that is the front of our house. And our van. I can't wait to get there, to take my own pictures...to plant a flower, or two (or ten).

I also can't wait to get ahold of that house. Because...you see...since my dear and lovely husband has been so busy with work -- AND -- because he knows that painting and decorating and organizing is my domain, he hasn't really painted, unpacked or organized much. If anything. Well, I guess I should give him credit where credit is due. He has unpacked what he has needed. (i.e. - his clothes, bed, bathroom, kitchen). And I'm not mad. I'm not hating. I'm really actually ok with it. Because I understand that he hasn't had the time...and because I am the kind of girl who likes her house a certain way.

And, I actually appreciate that Craig has left the house pretty much untouched. Because getting to paint, unpack, and organize is my way of getting settled into a new home on a new base. (Yes, I said getting to paint, unpack, and organize instead of having to...it's all in the way we look at it, right?) So, I'm looking forward to getting my house all unpacked and put away the way I want to do it. Call me an organizing freak, but I look forward to organizing the closets, labeling the fridge, and just figuring out how ALL of our things will best fit in our quaint (translated to charming, but LITTLE) house. It gets me all giddy and excited, just thinking about it. (Yes, I know, nerd alert!)

And because I love you and can't hold out on you (and because I know I don't have to take full responsibility for the mess you're about to witness), I am going to share with you some pictures of my house in Japan. Yes, that house that I have yet to see or step foot in...but please don't judge. It's not pretty. It is still in the...in the middle of unpacking, I am only being taken care of by one hard working man, my momma ain't here yet...stage.

And...one more thing. After you see these -- I bet you will be seriously itching to see my "after" pictures!!

Our House in Japan-- BEFORE the Charity touch (Pictures by Craig)

Living Room (I think.)

O 

 

Craft/Computer Room (I think)...which is just on the other side of the Living Room (I think) which is at the back of the house (I think).

 

 

 

Yes, this is my home, folks. Doesn't it look lovely?

 

And, yes, I actually am looking forward to getting there. Why do you ask?

 

So that was The Kitchen (yep, I'm pretty positive about this one).

And this is The Dining Room (I think).

 

 

Now, lets go upstairs. And yes, I am certain that these are The Stairs!

 

Now, on to The Bedrooms. We have four bedrooms in this house, and I'm pretty sure that this one is The Master Bedroom (I think). 

 

On second thought, I'd like to make a minor change. I don't like the idea of calling this meager room The Master Bedroom. So, from now on, it's going to be called Our Room. (I had debated calling it My Room, but I thought Craig would feel left out.) So, that was Our Room. And by the way, thanks for understanding.

Now, lets go see the rest of the bedrooms.

 

So, these are the rooms that will belong to my boys. Yep, you got it. These are The Boys' Rooms (I think).

 

 

 

Wait -- oops -- that room belongs to the darling daughter in this family.

This one too -- it's Allyssa's Room (I'm pretty sure).

 

Ok, so we do have a couple of bathrooms and a storage room. But my lovely husband didn't send those pictures along -- I know -- as if you wanted to see them anyhow.

So, here is what I ask of you, dear friends and loyal readers. Please, when I finally DO get to Japan, remind me that I WAS excited to get there and to unpack. Remind me that I kept talking about loving to paint, and organize, and decorate. When I get there and turn in circles and look at the chaos and the boxes and the mess, remind me that I told you that I was "giddy" about getting to deal with this. When I cry and wonder WHY, remind me, ok? OK!?! Ok...thanks!

So that's it folks. That's our house in Japan, BEFORE I've laid my hands on it.

Now, I'll show you out..

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, anyone want to come help me unpack? Anyone? I'll take you to see that gorgeous water...

What "almost summer" looks like...

in the northwest.

 

Yep, that's hail!

(*Picture stolen from my sister's camera while she wasn't looking -- shhhh, don't tell her.)

What's behind that door?

Some of you may be wondering what is behind that door...

 

and I will share with you...in a sec. But first, I have to tell you, it's not a pretty sight. You see, I'm having alot of anxiety about this. This is the part that my OCD self hates about moving! I abhore deciding what will get shipped and what we'll pack and take with us. And during this move, there's even more to it. We had to decide which stuff was going to go by air (which is limited) and what will go by sea...what will be stored and what we'll take for luggage. Uggh, I hate it, really I do! I hate that no matter how much organizing and planning you do, you end up with things that you forget. I hate having people, strange (but nice), people in my house for days on end, touching all of my stuff. And especially during this move, I have hated that I have a room that looks like...

like...

AAAHHHH!!!

 

Spring Planting - Summer Dreams

I've had the planting bug, and got a bunch of flowers last week...

and spent my whole Sunday afternoon making my back patio a secret garden...

and love the sights and smells when I walk out my back door...

and have been dreaming of summer so I can really spend my afternoons like this...

and while my nose is still in the school books, I will dream of my summer afternoons...

that will include ALOT of this!

**Those of you who really do have a green thumb, please, feel free to fire away with some corrective criticism, or suggestions, because I really have no idea what I'm doing.  I've just promised Craig that these plants will be alive when he gets home.**

Inspired and Creating

in this space....

My favorite room in this house.