The other day I was driving home from work and I was thinking about how fun a road trip that am going on with a few of my girlfriends this summer down to California will be (more on that later). We will be driving right by my hometown of Tenmile, Oregon and as long as it is ok with everyone in the car, I would love to swing by the house I grew up in and maybe the elementary school. I've been back technically twice, but never did more than a drive by. I of course wouldn't want to ask the people who live there now to come in or anything, but I would love to take some photos of where I grew up. As I was thinking about this a song came on the radio that I like, and have probably heard a thousand times. It's called The House That Built Me, by Miranda Lambert. If you've never heard it, even if you don't like country, it is one of those songs that resonates with everyone I think.

National Holidays

I have been discovering all of these random national days lately... my first discovery was National Chocolate Cake Day, which I happily celebrated!

Today is National Margarita Day.

Who am I to NOT celebrate a holiday ~ here I come 'rita!

In case John is unaware, tomorrow is National "Curling is Cool" Day! :-)

The Plunge

Last night Ricky and I made the first big purchase together in our marriage. We bought a brand new bed set!

I realize this is not as exciting to anyone else except for us because you are unaware of what we sleep on currently. We have a full size handed-down mattress set that we received from my grandma. She was moving to California, and was not taking any furniture with her so she generously gave us her bed which was relatively new. It is a little firmer than I would pick for myself (and Ricky as well) but it's done us well so far. However, it is no secret that we are big people (hopefully only for a short time longer). You get two big people on a full size mattress and there is no where to go. We are cuddling all the time, even if we want to or not!

Love.

We all love and care for other people, but most often than not we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to tell those people how much they truly mean to us. Tell the ones you love that you love and care about them. Not this afternoon, not tomorrow, not next week, do it now. You never know when they might need to hear it the most.

This goes out to my dear group of friends (you know who you are) I love you all and think of you often. You mean so much to me and I wouldn't be who I am today without each and every one of you.

Oops I Did It Again

So it's no secret, I am trying to change my eating habits and lose weight. I don't want to do some fab diet and then turn around, go back to what I was eating before and gain it all back. I was over the moon when I lost 7+ lbs in 2 weeks. I was eating a ton of fresh veggies and fruit and lean fish and meat, but mostly fish. Then I got over confidant, slacked on exercise, and slacked on the food choices.....and I have not lost a single bit of weight since. I haven't gained either though, so I guess I know I can maintain once I lose it all!

If you build it....

I am on board with all things crafty lately. I have begun an "Irish Green" rag quilt as a gift to my grandma. It was supposed to be a Christmas gift , but it has kind of turned into a Christmas/New Years/winter/spring gift. I am really hoping to make some progress on it this week after work and hopefully finish this weekend.

I am now completely obsessed (I don't use that word lightly) with building a few pieces of furniture for my home. Big undertaking I know, but I was so impressed by my wonderful friend Sarah's daybed and kitchen island, I think I might be able to pull some of this stuff off. By the way, please check out Sarah's projects so far because quite simply they are amazing. I don't expect to come close to the quality of her craftwomanship but if I can get even half the quality level, I will be doing ok! :-)

Reading Sarah's blog has helped me discover Ana White's website, where she posts plans for an unimaginable amount of furniture as well as people submit their revisions. You could spend hours on there gathering inspiration. I know because I did it! Somehow I ended up on Ana White's facebook page where tons of people were posting their projects.... and I just spent 2 hours looking at all of the stuff, which is amazing!

This morning I complied a list of what I want to build, with a tentative list of things I want to build once we actually own a house, and I can make more permanent changes.