Best. Freebie. Ever.

Okay, I know I'm totally outing myself as a giant nerdy nerd, but I love getting freebies in the mail! I've gotten makeup, toothpaste, all sorts of skincare stuff, deoderant, food, coupons, CDs, seed packets and countless other nifty things, but this one is the best yet!

See those beautiful Ziploc Twist 'N Loc things? I am obsessed with those! About a month ago I tossed all of our random storage cartons in the trash and bought some of these babies. I got two sets of the small ones and one of the large. Well, now I have three sets of the small ones! Humor me, for I am easily amused! These are from the Clean Home Journal. I've requested it so many times and finally got it. I think this is one I requested back in April. There's also a free Glade Plug-In and a booklet full of coupons from Johnson (when did they drop '& Johnson'?).

You can always find lots more nifty freebies at fun places like Money Saving Mom, Freebies 4 Mom and Budget Helps.

deep breath...

I must really be brave, posting these photos for all the world to see! I decided to join everybody's fun and post before pictures of my bedroom and bathroom. This is even more of an incentive to get the work done. I don't want to be embarrassed come July 25!

First up, here's my lovely master bedroom. The room has some very good things going for it: it's big; we have a comfy queen bed; we're using my antique dressing table, bedside tables and chest of drawers; we love our bedding set and curtains; and we have room-darkening shades on the windows, so it's always cool and dark. Perfect for sleeping. Now for the bad.

Ooh, check it out, interwebs! Our headboard isn't even attached to the bed, for one thing! My husband brought it into the marriage, and I do hope he doesn't miss it when it finds its way to Craigslist soon and he finds himself at Miskelly's buying us a new one. Also, please note the baby poo brown walls. This must have been the default color for the house, because when we moved in, all but the kitchen was swimming in this unappealing color. And the kitchen had black prison stripes. Don't ask. Also, please note the beautiful splodge of blue paint next to the window. We got a pint (thankfully only that) of what we were sure was THE color. As you can see, it is definitely not. And doesn't any room look better with absolutely no pictures on the walls? I thought so, too, which is why it's been this way for a year. Gah.

Here's another view, looking into the bathroom/closet.

Don't you just love the lack of personal touches, and another splodge of light blue paint? Me, too.

Next we move into the bathroom. Control your excitement!

In a word: yawn. I don't even have the energy to snark it.

Seriously, though, I adore our house. It's perfect for us and we've had lots of fun decorating and settling in. It'll be even better once these rooms are fixed!

BooMama's Before and After

Thank you, BooMama! You have no idea what a kick in the pants your little before and after carnival is to me.

My husband and I bought our house in May 2007. We got a little bit done then, and have gotten bits and pieces done since (despite having a new baby who arrived in November!) but have a lot left to be finished. I've been saying for weeks that I'm going to buy paint and get to it, so now I'm actually going to get to it! Here are my goals:

1. Paint and decorate the master bedroom

2. Paint and decorate the master bathroom

3. Paint both short hallways in our house and hang pictures

4. Frame husband's watercolor and hang it over the couch

There's more that needs to be done, but those are the biggies. Numbers 1 and 2 are the top priorities. Now it's time to get to it! I can do this by July 25, even if I do it all myself!