That’s what a blog is for, right? Rambling on about random things that you don’t want to bore the people in your real life with? Er, well that’s what mine is for today. 
- We’ve been thinking of painting our kitchen cabinets white. It was my idea, and I thought it was a great idea, and then I decided it wasn’t. Later, when I mentioned the idea to hubby, he thought it was a great one and thinks we should do it. So now I’m leaning more towards doing it again. We got the standard oak cabinets when we built this house, they’re nothing fancy and certainly not the very best quality. I’m regretting this decision now for 2 reasons: because the wood grain on the panels looks cheap and that drives me crazy, and because our kitchen is in a location that doesn’t get a lot of natural light so even with the addition of under-cabinet lighting last year, it still feels a bit cave-like. I’m thinking white will cover the ugly grain and will bounce a little more light around the room, making it brighter. Also? We can paint up some pretty crown moulding trim for the tops of the cabinets and make them look a little less builder-stock and a more like a custom build. Well, that’s my hope anyway.
- If we paint the cabinets white, it should mostly go with the current color scheme (green, red and yellow), however the light, natural shade of finish on the kitchen table has to go. Hell, that has to go anyway. I’m so not a light, natural finish kinda girl. I’m all about paint or deep rich wood tones. Soooo… I’m thinking the table needs to be white to match the cabinets. And I think it would be fun to paint the chairs a darker shade of the green we have on the walls. Although I could also do yellow or red. Or even black (our appliances and countertops are black). Maybe I’ll do a chair in each color, that would solve that problem!
- We’re doing away with our dining room. We never use it. I hate the furniture (inherited from my Dad, it’s very nice but not at all my style). We desperately need a study/office (whatever you want to call it, I’m going to call it a study from here on out because it sounds good, LOL). So, I’m going to sell the dining room furniture and use the money to fund my dining-room-to-study renovation. Glass double doors, built-ins, desk, the whole nine yards. Last year we put up a chair rail and painted two shades of yellow on the walls, I’m going to keep all of that because I love it, and I think I’ll accent in a dark indigo blue. White built-ins w/ black accents, and I’m thinking black furniture (filing cabinet, accent chair, etc). I’m super excited about this project because it will mostly be my space and I’m making it all about my photography work (both displaying my work, and also a place suited for processing my work).
- Hubby and Jag are going away for the weekend to help our friends with their fence again. Two girls’ weekends in a row! I’m kind of excited for the quiet time, but I get super lonely when they’re gone. Kitty and I might need to do some shopping to pass the time!
- Confession: I love the free gift sets from Ulta. Everytime they have one of those deals where you purchase $17 or so of Ulta brand stuff and they send you a free makeup bag full of goodies? I so totally do it. Last time I got a ton of stuff - nail polishes, lipstick, lip gloss, lip plumper, eye shadow, bronzer, a few brushes, eye liner, a cute little purse mirror… see, I guess I’m kinda cheap because while I do like having lots of makeup, I don’t like having to actually pay for it. Especially when I wear it so rarely, it seems like a waste paying full price for full size. This works out perfectly for me. Anyway, what I’m getting at here is that Ulta has one of these free sets coming up on the 15th. I have the ad on my desk in front of me; bright and early Sunday morning, I’m putting in an order and gettin’ my free stuff!
- I want new camera gear. I don’t *need* new camera gear, what I have is really nice stuff and it fits my needs. But I’m jonesing for something new anyway. I have a short list: the Canon 10-22, a battery grip and a new Crumpler bag. Too bad that short list comes with a tall price tag!
- Have I reached the max on random thoughts yet? If you’re still reading this, I’m impressed.
- What in the world is a girl to eat when she’s home alone for a weekend? Last week it was beef & broccoli stir-fry, egg rolls, coconut cake and a 6 pack of Newcastle. Maybe I should do the same again.
- Jag starts school in 10 days. School! As in full day kindergarten. Gone all day. Starting his school career, the one that will take him into adulthood. How did this happen? I thought 3 half days a week of pre-k last year would prepare me for this, but it hasn’t. I can’t let myself dwell on it because it only makes me weepy. My baby boy is growing up way too fast.
- And speaking of school, I have to admit, it *is* fun doing the school shopping. He’ll wear a uniform, so we bought uniform shorts, polos and zippered hoodies. He picked out a backpack. On Wednesday, after his orientation, we’ll take our supply list and hit Target for fresh pads of paper, pencils, crayons and glue. I hope he enjoys it as much as I did as a little girl!
- AND on another bright note re: Jag going to school - Kitty and I will get a lot of really great one-on-one time. I have to say, although their age gap was not planned (we were originally aiming for closer), it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Just when she’s getting to the age where she really needs some individual attention from mama, she’ll be able to have it. I’m excited for that, and I look forward to getting to know her as she grows up and develops her personality this year!
That’s all I’ve got for now. I feel better. 
