Show Me the Progress! (Party)

Welcome to the Show Me the Progress party! This post is open for new links until 10 pm (ET) on Friday.

<a href="http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><imgsrc="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/ProgressPartyJuly2010-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Show Me the Progress"></a>

I thought it might be fun to invite anyone in Blogland to link up and proudly display the Progress they've made in any area of their home or life. This party is all about encouraging other bloggers to reach their goals!

Progress can be a "Before" and "After" photo, a list of ideas you'd like to implement, or a post detailing the strides you've taken to reach a goal, whether it be for work, home, or personal reasons. (Did you start a couch to 5k program? Did you choose bedding for that guest room makeover? Are you working on a summer reading list? Have you been working on an activity list with your kids this summer?)

Before you link up with me, please take a minute to review my party rules:

1. Please be sure to enter the link to your specific party post, NOT your blog's homepage.

2. Please include a link to this post somewhere within your entry. If you'd like to include my button, you can swipe the code at the beginning of this post.

3. Please leave me a comment with your party link as well. Check to be sure that it posts correctly on the list! IF you can't get your link added, let me know and I will add it for you. Also, I like comments too. (wink)

4. MINGLE. A party is not a party unless you visit! Please take a few minutes to visit at least one or two other links on the list and leave a thoughtful, genuine comment.

Really, I can't say enough about going out and visiting some of the other links. It will hopefully bring some traffic to your blog. It is totally okay if you need a day or two, but I'd like for each participant to visit at least one or two of the other blogs by the end of the week. I think that's a doable request.

Okay, that's enough...link up and have fun encouraging one another. I am excited to share my own Progress below!

My progress this month sort of involves another Dilemma, which is my very outdated Kitchen and my plans for said Kitchen.

I looove my white cabinets (grubby toddler fingerprints and all), but I do not like the brass hardware. One bit.

I plan on learning to use a drill and testing one cabinet's hardware with spray paint while T is at work. (Sssh. Don't tell.) I know I could just measure and buy new hardware, but I need to this on a shoestring, people.

I'm thinking nickel or chrome (brushed) for a classic look?

This wall used to contain one large framed painting, Van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night, which I adore...but it wasn't working there. I've been collecting white platters and plates to decorate this wall with.

I don't hate yellow walls, and the yellow in my kitchen isn't as dark as my computer screen is showing, but I'm ready for change.

Some friends suggested going for chocolate brown walls above the chair rail to make the white cabinets pop, but I think I'm going to go in a lighter direction. That room gets pretty dark in the afternoon, and the hallway the leads into the dining room from the Kitchen is already as dark as a grotto. I have khaki walls in most of the other rooms downstairs, and I am considering going a shade or two darker in the kitchen.

Aaannd....new light fixtures. Please.

The brass trimmed ceiling fan, which hangs over our table, was actually a hand-me-down from a friend to replace the turquoise one that came with our house! Wasn't that thoughtful of the previous owners?

Nothing says "my kitchen is visiting from Back to the Future" like a turquoise ceiling fan.

I'd like to replace it, but want to make sure it jives with whatever I choose for the light above the window (see it in the background?). Maybe something like one of these IKEA pendant lamps for above the window?

Not sure about the second ceiling fan (near the window), because it actually does help when the oven range hood thingie doesn't do its job during dinnertime.

Stuff like new window treatments and accessories will come as the project (hopefully) moves along.

So, there you have it. I do have a plan of action, which is more than I could have said a few weeks ago. I'd say that's Progress!

{What about you? Can you Show Me the Progress?}