3013-02-27 GID: Home to do updates

For being sick this last week I've made some good progress with the house, and if you follow me on instagram then you've seen a glimpse into my progress.  It's been fun getting some of these little projects done that I've been procrastinating because I'm really not crafty or real great with any power tool other than my power drill.  

My mom had brought home a Wardrobe for us to use in the living room, but it was just way to obtrusive into my entry way and there was no other place to put it.  I decided to use it for a while, but when we started to post more items onto craigslist she agreed to put this up.  We ended up lowering the price & re-listing the ad each time in the few weeks (always deleting the old one, such a pet peeve to see duplicate ads).  I was glad to get what we did since 2 sellers in Baltimore were selling the same on for half of what I got out of it and the two ladies who bought it were delighted to get it.  I think as delighted as I was to see it gone when I got home.  

What's even better is the IKEA TJUSIG Hat and coat stand that I was going to replace it with I scored on the 9th from a person in Camp Hill who was selling the white and silver one for $20, that's a $30 savings from the original price and it was in new condition and all put together. 

My inspiration for this project came from a pinterest search for Scandinavian wall art.   More to come in a post soon.

Can you believe it I not only committed to a color for my kitchen, but I actually started painting it!!!  With all the priming and prepping I had to do I only managed to complete this side of the kitchen, but more to come with Martha Stewart saves the day part 2

I found this curtain pair at Marshall's Wednesday while out and about and had planned on hanging it in my living room, however, it was a food to short, but turned out to go very well in my kitchen.  I grabbed my Home Depot curtain rod that I've been storing for my bedroom, but had recently decided not to use for, and attempted to install it on the wall.  I like the look, not in love with it.  I still really want it for my living room, but for now this is the home where it will reside. 

I had bought these pretty curtains from Marshals and I thought they would look amazing in my living room, well once the walls are repainted, but they turned out to be a food to short for the space.  Plus, in order for them to look amazing I would need 2 panels for each window, and they only had 1 set available.  I ended up putting the current curtains back up, and moved the new curtains to the kitchen, as shown in the photo above. 

January cure w4

Day 19: Catch up and take a Photo

I haven't had a change to take another photo and finally yesterday I activated my iphone, which I'm hoping will allow me to take better photos.  Though you wouldn't recognize how neat and open my main floor is looking since we've sold so much furniture this week.  Yeah, Craigslist!  We still have quite a few small pieces to post and move either to the basement or the 3rd floor office so we can find them when they sell and my IKEA Wardrobe that's being used as a coat closet in the living room.  I bought a coat rack Saturday and saved $30 buying it now instead of when we sell the wardrobe and it's the same one I wanted.  Yeah again Craigslist.  

 child's vintage rocker

Hopefully, the wardrobe will be leaving this week.  I have a buyer coming Friday to take a look and if it goes that leaves my child's rocker and one-arm sofa left on the main floor of furniture that were selling.  There are a few pieces scattered throughout the house well be posting to, plus some household items and I still need to move the bookshelf from the dining room (1st floor) to the office / guest room on the 3rd floor, but I'll need help with that. 

Day 20: Hang Your Artwork

I combined this green frame, a black and white floral fabric square and a BIKE print that I purchased off etsy last year that had been meant for my living room, however, it's looking pretty good above my bed.  The image looks better in person, my camera phone didn't do real well at capturing how nice it looks.  

It's nice to finally see the BIKE print up, as it's been sitting up in my guest room basically since I bought it since I wasn't able to find a frame for it until now.

I'm really excited about this photo.  It's of a dance friend of mine and myself dancing at a Swing Dance in Pottstown from December.  Another dance friend photographer took the photo and he was nice enough to send the picture to me so I could have it printed and framed.   It took a few weeks once he sent me the photo to actually forward the print to walmart's online print orders and another two weeks before I was able to pick it up.  I had paid for it to be mailed, but I didn't realize I hadn't finished the order and it never went through.  They were supposed to arrive around the 23rd of January, but never showed up so I had to reorder them and picked them up at the store.  

I love this photo, and that I now have this and one other photo of me doing the one thing I love, dancing.  It's being added to my dance wall and is framed in an IKEA RIBBA high gloss white frame.  I'm actually planning on swapping out all my art frames in my bedroom for this style.  I really love how the white goes softly against the LemonTwist by Benjamin Moore walls and is very much preferred over the black, which I really had liked.

Day 21:  Speedy Spruce up and Surface Clean
Last Friday and Saturday I spent several hours sprucing up the sofa and cleaning up all the odds and ends that were left from selling our furniture and trying to either donate the leftovers or find a new home for them. 

Day 22:  Shop for the Get Together Goodies 
I've not planed the get together yet.  

Day 23:  Weekend Chores: Pat Yourself on the back, Relax, and Celebrate
Definitely, cleaned out this weekend and also painted my 3rd floor 3/4 bath on Sunday {post to come on the 20th}

2013-02-06 GID January Cure Updates

Since the January Cure began I've been working hard on little and big projects and thankfully, finally crossing off house to do's off my list.  My main floor is looking pretty amazing right now and is actually presentable for guest.  I had thought I would throw a Mimosa and Pancakes brunch for my gathering, but with still so much to do I've decided to keep it small and just have an old friend over for dinner instead.  I plan to still host the Mimosa party, but after I've repainted the first level and hopefully by then I'll have sold my one-arm sofa and IKEA Adobode Wardrobe {using for coat storage} and replaced them with an IKEA TJUSIG coat rack and IKEA Strandmon Wing Back Chair.

IKEA WARDROBE CRAIGSLIST AD

KLAUSSNER SOFA CRAIGSLIST AD

Lately, my mind has been going in lots of design directions for my bedroom, kitchen and office/guest bath and I've got lots of index cards with ideas that are ready to be implemented.  Last weekend I headed to JoAnn Fabrics and gathered a few supplies, but will need to revisit and swap out a few items in order to finish.

Here are a few index designs I'm working on:

I'm really loving this design and that it inspires me to wake up in the morning.  I had originally thought to spell out WAKE UP, then went to MORNING, and am now set on RISE & SHINE.  Once the letters have been wrapped in yarn and spray painted the gallery will be added in between my windows.  The current gallery wall will be taken down that I had added in my last bedroom redesign, but didn't have any particular meaning. The mirror is one I purchased second hand and plan to paint the cream plastic floral frame white to match my RIBBA IKEA high gloss white frame.  It's also a nice symbol for the sun. 

I have a beautiful heavy duty copper frame that's 24x36 that has an ordinary print that I'm not a fan of, but I love the frame. I've been on a debate on what to do with this, but now plan to hang it to the left of my bed with the quote from Paul Reese Believe You can do it, Think no other way, but "Yes You Can." The Human Body is Capable of considerably more physical endurance then most of us can believe. I really love this quote and hope to read it everyday as a reminder that I can be more and do more then I think I can. The art print I plan to spray paint white and then use stencils to paint the letters on.

I purchased a gallon of the Sea Glass {minty green} for my guest bath and the Endive {celery green} for my kitchen as well as a KILLZ primer to paint over the California surfer blue that's currently on the wall.  I also purchased sample of the nimbus cloud {grey} to see if I want it on more than one wall.  I'm pretty excited for the colors and look forward to seeing the new colors on my wall.  The plan is to tackle that this Saturday and forgo my trip to IKEA.  I figure it would be best to go when I can also Purchase the Wing Back Chair - once the sofa and IKEA wardrobe is sold. 

October 22, 2013 update
I have since decided not to do the rise and shine cardboard letter art nor the copper frame art, but I did spray paint the flower mirror and am using it above my dresser as part of my make up station.

2013-02-05 January Cure w3

Day 15: Exercise a little Cord Control

Our cell phone cords are the main cords I would love to be able to tame.  Anyone have any suggestions on how to make them not seem so obnoxious?  The TV cords on the main floor are our second problem area.  We did have our contractor split our cable connection in the living room so we could keep the old cable connection, but also have a connection on the wall where we currently have the TV and it's so nice not seeing the cord.  The rest of the house the cords are very minimal so I'm not to concerned with those. 

Day 16: Give your Bathroom and Medicine Cabinet a Clean out

My bathroom is actually pretty sparse since I don't really have anything to store what i use on.  I currently have a very small bookshelf that's only 6" wide to hold what doesn't fit on my sink.  I do have a medicine cabinet that I plan to have installed over the toilet once I paint.   Although, our bathroom / laundry room, which currently is my mom's bathroom is a total disaster.  You would never have known that I did help her clean it out.  I don't understand how one person can have so much stuff.

I have finally decided on paint colors for the bathroom to and I'm pretty excited to start, especially since once the wall is painted I can hang up the towel rod, medicine cabinet and art piece.  Then once I have more funds I can swap out the lighting and mirror.

The main color will be Sea Glass by Martha Steward and the Chevron pattern I plan to paint Popcorn by Martha Stewart.  I will most likely repaint the trim to

Day 17: Looking at Living Room Lighting

We currency have 3 light sources for the living room, the ceiling fan light,  a table lamp when your first enter, and a natural light floor lamp that we use for reading.  We use the table lamp most as it allows some light into the room for TV viewing and then the floor lamp is behind the sofa ready to be turned on when we want to use the computer or read.  The ceiling fixture is rarely used as it's very bright and not usually needed. 

We do have small windows in the living on the same wall as the door, which allows some natural light in, but living in the city we don't tend to open the curtains much.  The curtains are wonderful for privacy, but also allow some light to reflect into the room

Even with all these lights it still seems a bit dull in the room and I will definitely be on the search for a more mcm floor lamp to put in the back corner. 

Day 18: Weekend Chores Flowers, Living Room & Empty your Outbox
There is still much cleaning out of furniture needed before I do a deep clean of the living room and possibly a new paint color for my focal point wall in the dining room.  Like selling my IKEA Anadobe wardrobe, IKEA TV stand and a tall 70s style bookcase

We did take two 2x3 boxes of stuff out of the house and we have a 2' pile up of books that will be going to the goodwill once they are written up. 

Plus, on Sunday February 3rd we donated  this box of books to the Goodwill.  The two vintage suitcases I am giving to a friend of mine who also collects vintage items.

January Cure w2

I've been co caught up in mini-projects and catching up on week 1 that I haven't really been focusing on week 2 of the January Cure, but surprisingly I completed 75% of my assignments and I'm moving on course toward having a more organized home.

Day 8: Weekend Chores - Flowers, Kitchen Cleaning & Make Yourself a Meal

The whole kitchen sadly didn't get cleared out, but the floor was swept and steamed mopped, and I cleaned out the fridge and even added fun hand scripted labels.  The cabinets are still pretty clean and organized, except 2 or 3, but those will have to wait a bit and there is still a very large pile in the middle of my floor of items to sell  that have yet to be listed, but I did upload 6 of our large furniture pieces to Craigslist on Sunday so I don't feel to bad about the pile.  Though my goal is to have them all listed in the next 2 weeks.

The shelves were wiped down with warm soapy water along with the drawers and all the old food was cleared out.

 Find a Recipe and Make Yourself a Simple, Enjoyable Meal:
I decided to keep it yummy and simple and I had been craving pancakes anyways so I made protein pancakes.

Day 9: Create a Landing Strip & Start Using it
            {January 14}

I don't have current image of my entry way as it changes frequently, but this is the latest photo I took when reorganizing my living room layout.  Really the only difference is that under mirror I have an IKEA media stand and everything else is moved to the right just a bit.

A Doormat

I'm quite content with my exterior doormat, but my interior rug is not the right fit.  It's a nice black rug from IKEA, but it's a bit small for the space and shows far to much dog hair so at some point when I find exactly what I'm looking for I'll get anther one, but for now it does the job okay. 

Coat Hooks/Hangers

Right now I have an IKEA Adobe Wardrobe in Birch, but I'm in the process of getting it sold and out of the house.  It's far to deep for my entry way and needs to go and is one of my projects for the living room.  I've had several inquiries, but no one has come to take a look.  I plan to swap it out for a TJUSIG coat stand by IKEA

A Landing Strip

I'm still on a debate for my entry table, but am currently using an extra IKEA TV stand that seems to be working for now.  I'm still trying to figure out what to do with incoming mail.  This is a constant issue that I have yet to resolve.  I've thought about putting a binder system together, but haven't gotten to it yet. 

Day 10: Work on Your Goal Project

I selected 2 projects as noted in week 1 Day 5  to complete this month and 1 is completed and the other is still in process.

#1 is to find a replacement shelf for our extra toiletries and this project is completed last week.

#2 was to sell my IKEA Adobe Wardrobe.  As noted above I have it posted on Craigslist, but it's not sold yet.

Day 11: Try a Media Fast
This I have not done this week.

Day 12: Declutter Books and Media

Saturday and Sunday I took some of my extra books and looked them up on Amazon.  Most of them were no more than $3 and had more than 10 copies avaialble so I didn't feel the need to try to resell them and added them to my outbox.  There are about 6 there and I have another 10 to check still.

My mom went through a bunch of books in her room, mostly this came about because she's looking for a particular DVD set that we've misplaced, but at this point I don't care what inspired her all I care is that she is finally sorting through her books, which have mostly consisted of overflowing pile and excess messes in her bookshelves.  Plus, most of them are for resell so I'm glad to finally see her put them in the basement until we are able to actually list them.  

My goal is to clean out the house and sort through everything - take out the things we are willing to give away and put together the items we would like to sell so we're not so overwhelmed with trying to do everything at once.  Once we have a space that is cohesive for flow we will be able to better keep organized with the items we would like to sell. 

Day 13: Weekend Chores - Flower & Bedroom

I still have yet to buy flowers.  I'm really just not a flower person, and the smell sometimes stuffs me up.  I've also neglected on buying any green plans.  It's really just because I have issues with commitment.  I did find a pretty flower from IKEA {yep it's real}, but I was hesitant on buying it since I had plans that evening and didn't want a live plant in my car for several hours in freezing temperatures.

I did complete a  few things in my bedroom.  One being that I bought myself a new bed frame Friday. It's pretty fantastic and works well in my space.  The only downside is it's not on wheels, but luckily I really like where it's located and don't plan on moving it so it still works out.I found it at our local secondhand furniture store for only $20 for the whole set - headboard, foot-board, and metal bed frame.  You can't beat that price and I love finish and pattern in the headboard.

I also organized my dresser drawers with the 2 packs of  SKUBB drawer organizer's that I picked up at the Baltimore IKEA Saturday.  so far I like the organized look and it was only $16 minus a few dollars since I had 3 bins to spare.

Day 14: Get Papers and Files together
I have been sorting though my papers little by litter the last few months and pretty much most of it is done.  I do have a small pile on my desk, but that's only about 3 weeks old, and really isn't much.  It's sitting there because it's all 2013 files and I need to archive my 2012 and shred any minor papers I no longer need.   I also need to gather my tax papers so I can get those done early this year.   Currently, I'm just awaiting my work W-2.  It's nice only having to worry about 1 address and 1 job this year.

I would like to reconfigure my current filing binders, mainly, because how I have it filed is far to confusing and some files just need to be put in the same binder like all my bills that come via paper each month.  Plus Id like to keep it simple like Bowl Full of Lemons did.

One of the major things I need to do is create a specific financial binder / folder where I can track my spending.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  One of my unspoken goals is to be aware of where my money is going so I know when I'm overspending on my nonexistent budget, but I really do need one and where to cut back.

I'm not sure if I should be prod of this or just ashamed, but I'm one of those people who will return a $3 item if I'm not using it, or if it's been sitting around the house for months, even a year and if I don't have a use for it or it really wasn't used much and is in as new condition condition I'll gather the receipt and original packing and return it back to the store for a store credit.  I've done that a few times when I've changed the scheme or design of a room and the item I bought (still in the original packing) will be returned.   I especially LOVE Target's 90-day return policy.  It's worked for my benefit many a times.  I will also return stuff for friends when they are to ashamed to return things.  I don't feel it's right if something doesn't work for your intended purpose that you should have to lose out on any money, especially if it can be resold.

 

2013-01-22 January Cure w1 part 2

I know I should be on week 2 for the January Cure Project assignments, but I'm still catching up on week 1.  I've also tackled a few projects on my project list as you can see below.  My goal is to work on week 2, even if it's only a few days, as it still gets me closet to my end goal.

I crossed off and linked to this post all of the projects pictured below from my w1 recap so I have a running talley of what's done and what I will need to tackle next. let's get started with showing you all the projects I completed.  Whew, so glad they are done.

Organize the TV Stand

I had a slew of DVD's stuffed in the shelf and a project or two in waiting to be done, that after all was said and done I decided to nix's since I liked the baskets so much.  I had originally planned on using the spray adhesive {on the bottom right open shelf} to spray the white and tan poke-a-dot fabric  to add some color to the stand, but I think the green baskets fit rather well and add the green I wanted.  The baskets I found at Michael's Craft Store on the 16th when I was looking for cardboard letter, which I didn't find.

The paper laying onto was the inspiration photo for organizing the stand and is in the paper recycle now that the project is complete.  It came out better then I hoped. 

Hang the 2nd pair of IKEA curtains

I have only 1 pair of the Henny Rand curtain panels hanging in my living room for over 6 months now, but after taking the 2nd pair down from  my kitchen I thought ti would look nicer in the living to have a fuller curtain wall.  On the 16th I gathered the extra panels and placed them on the couch so that after work Thursday I would get it done.  so after about 15 minutes - gathering the tall ladder and removing the Finial's on each side and loosening the screw on the rail bracket I was able to add the 2nd panel to each side. 

Hang Live Love Bark

I had a plaque from TJ MAXX that's had a few homes, but none have really had the same impact that I want and a few weeks back I had added it to my extra stash of stuff pile of things that I liked and didn't want to get rid of, but had no place for it and now finally it has a home.  I love how it looks on the wall with a new plaque I found at Marshalls last Wednesday.  I also have a home, finally for my non-matching apron, but I love it anyways.

Find a Toilet Paper Holder
While at Marshall's I found a unique paper towel holder that I wanted to use to hold my extra toilet paper and I really like how it looks. 

Projects in Process:

Frame Art - I submitted some photos to the Walmart photo center to have printed and I'm waiting for them to come in the mail.  Once they come I'll see what looks best and then figure out what size frames I need to purchase at my next trip to IKEA.  

Dance Schedule Art Print - I printed off the dance schedule, but need to figure out how I want to go about.  

Art above Bed - I did try a few wrapping paper examples on the wall, but haven't been able to find a layout that I like.  I did find two quotes that I liked that I hope to make a black and white word art with.

Sell IKEA Wardrobe - I posted on Craigslist and Yardsellr.com 01/20

Hang Family Photos - I started a small bin on the dining table to put photos that I come across.

Entry Table - I moved my IKEA TV stand that I was using at the end of my bed to the entry for a drop table and so far I like it there.  I'm on the lookout for tapered wood legs to add 12" height to it.

3/4 Bath - I found a frame that I want & a phrase Hey Good Looking

January Cure w1

Welcome to my GID for January which will consist of the assignments for the 2013 January Cure from Apartment Therapy.  It's taken from the book The 8-Step Home Cure, by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan who founded Apartment Therapy.  

Were already three weeks into the New Year and I've been working diligently on my tasks, though I still have a few that are unfinished, but it's about small maintainable and attainable steps to help you clear out the clutter and free yourself of things you really don't need.  I also appreciate that some of the contributors on Apartment Therapy are joining along and I like reading how their progress is coming along.

Day 1: Make a Project List  Download available of the full schedule.

Entry:
+ Hang New Wall Art - Choose a better layout
+ Remove price tag off of mirror
+ Sell IKEA Wardrobe
+ Replace Wardrobe with IKEA TJUSIG coat rack
+ DIY Tray with stones for shoes

Living Room:
+ Hang New Wall Art - Choose a better layout
+ Organize TV Stand
+ Find a new Bin for Bain's toys
+ Hang the 2nd pair of IKEA curtains
+ Sell Rocker {02/08/13}
+ Sell Wood Coffee Table {02/08/13}

Dining Room:
+ New Lighting Fixture
+ Put Danish Dining Table back up
+ Triangle mcm stencil on back wall to create a focal point
+ Eliminate the need for 2 bookshelves - downsize
    Sold Brown one on 02/08/13 / moving other to 3rd floor for Linen Storage

+ Buy 2 LACK Wall Shelving Units From IKEA

Stairs:
+ Hang Family Photos
   1/19 I started a small bin so as I find family photos they will all be in one location.
+ Paint walls Vapor by Martha Stewart

1/2 Bath:
+ Hang 1 Art Piece
+ Add Insulated Curtains
+ Buy a Towel Rod
+ Buy TP Holder
+ Buy shelf for under mirror
+ Replace Mirror
+ Buy a new Rug
+ Repaint Walls Martha Stewart Vapor or Nimbus Cloud

Kitchen:
+ Paint Walls Endive By Martha Stewart
+ Entry Art  {completed 1/16}
+ Hang Live, Love, Bark plaque above door  {completed 1/16}
+ Sell Island
+ Menu Wall
+ DIY Hand Soap

Bedroom:
+ Dance Wall - print photos and trim to fit frames {1/18 ordered prints from Walmart}
+ Dance Wall - find quote for wall
+ Dance Wall - Create poster of dance weekly schedule
+ Search for a mcm slat bench for the foot of the bed

+ Move IKEA TV stand to living room

+ Find an Art Deco style mirror for my dressing table {1/24}
+ Fridge: find way to disguise
+ Art Above bed
+ Art on window wall to inspire me to wake up
+ New Headboard

Office/Guest Room / Home Gym:
+ Move IKEA Bookshelf from Dining to use for Temporary Linen Storage
+ Find a MCM Desk
+ Move Bookshelf to add books/dvd/cd listed on Amazon

3/4 Bath:
+ Paint Chevron Pattern on towel rod wall Martha Stewart Popcorn
+ Install new Towel hook
+ Paint walls Sea Glass by Martha Stewart
+ Art
+ Install medicine cabinet above toilet
+ Find a TP holder for extra rolls 

Basement:
+ set up new bench from Home Depot (as of 03/23 it's been taken to the basement)
+ Add new stand for Toiletries  {completed 1/16}
+ Find or Build Shelving
+ purge items not using

Day 2: Set up Your Outbox
This is located in-between my window's in the Living Room

Day 3: Weekend Chores - Flowers, Floors, Green Cleaners & Outbox
+ Buy Flowers.

This I didn't do, as I just threw out my Christmas Flowers from my boss and would rather invest in a green potted plant.  I'm debating between these so far:

+  Vacuum the Rugs and Mop/Dry Mop the Floors.

I did vacuum the Living Room, my bedroom, but the hallway and my office still needs to be done.  I also do need to mop all the bathrooms (3), and the Kitchen.

01/19/13 I finally swept and mopped the 3/4 bath on the 3rd floor.

+ Stock Up on Good Green Cleaners. 

 My roommate has a ton of cleaning supplies and she's not going to let me throw them out, so well be using what we have and then I plan to make simple household green cleaners to use then.

+ Use Your Outbox as You Go.
I have placed a few items in the outbox.

Day 4: Get a Fresh Perspective in just 10 Minutes

I decided a view from the top of my stairs would be a good perspective to try.  Plus, I love that I can see the main floor, though not so good as it looks pretty crowded with all the furniture we have up.

finally added 2013-02-05


Day 5: Select One Project from Your List to Complete this Month
+ Add new stand for Toiletries

+ I chose this shelf that I purchased at a second hand store within the last year and it's been used for several different rooms, but now I think it will work even as a temporary storage item for the extra Toiletries until I can have some built in made. Plus, the basement gets pretty dusty since it's unfinished so it will be easy to wipe off. 

+ I also want to post the IKEA Wardrobe so that  can have that space opened. and then hopefully head to the 2nd hand furniture store a few blocks away and see if they still have these mcm stools for a steal at $15 so I can take the legs and attached them to my IKEA TV stand that I want to use for my entry table.  

Day 6: Choose a Piece of Art Work & Get Going on Hanging It.

+ I have a bicycle quote print {living room} I ordered from Etsy a while back, but it has yet to be framed, because it doesn't fit into any of the frames I own and it needs to be rematted.  I think what will end up happening is that I'll purchase some green felt {for added color} to make a matte with and use a frame I already have.

+ Plus, I also have a copper frame {bedroom} that I purchased from a second hand store, that I would like to hang, but the wire is set for horizontal so I need to get a screw driver to swap out the wire to fit it vertically, then create a poster board with the quote: the best way to make your dreams happen is to Wake Up.

My hope is to accomplish both projects in the next week.  First step is to just go to the craft store.

Day 7: Get Your Get-Together Together - Date, Guests, Invites
The main objective of this clean out is to get your home ready for dinner party, so this is something I still need to put together.

01/18 decided that I want to have a pancake and mimosa brunch

Feel free to join along during any part of the serious, especially if you want to prepare for a dinner party.  This will definitely help get you get to that point.  Also, you can read about Sweet Suite 10, a blogger that I follow, and her progress on the January Cure.