two.

Two years ago this happend.

(Post-wedding ring shots with my $3 band from China!)

The 'official' band. 

It's been a crazy couple years, we both thought it was our third anniversary! A lot has happend, and yet not much has... it's weird. People still tell me how much fun the had at the wedding, which I am always happy to hear. Happy two years, Husby! 

Also, these were my goals for last year...

12 goals for 2012.

01. Get a job.
02. Listen daily.
03. Convince husby he likes doing dishes. (goal/dream/fantasy - whatever)
04. Spend less.
05. Save more.
06. Move into an apartment.
07. Change my freaking name! 
08. Move more. Physically. Take walks.
09. Eat more greens.
10. Revamp/replenish my Etsy.
11. Save for a real computer so blogging isn't a hassle, but a joy. 
12. Pray. Daily.

Okay, so while it feels good to cross some things off...perhaps I'll make a some more specific and more realistic goals (ha!) for 2013. Can we all just be happy 2012 is over though? 

"i love you."

"I know."

Classic.

If you aren't familiar,don't admit it and watch this:



I saw this on Pinterest and decided I needed to make some art for above our bed. I had intentions on doing some painting to go along with the blue & brown theme that just happened. I was going to do these lyrics but then decided to cater it to my husband's taste.

from www.abeautifulmess.com

Since I knew it was going to be a big piece of art and wanted to change the look of the room anyway, I took Husby to HD with me to get some paint samples. He, of coarse, chose red and black as the colors. Like I had to ask.

I googled some images and found a way black and red could work. Greyscale, baby. With red letters.

I had found some big "frames" (cardboard backing and hard plastic as the 'glass') that were a perfect size for a statement piece. That, plus the free paint samples = a FREE project that will fill my empty wall space!

So then I went to work when he was gone a couple days. Here are 10-ish steps on how I did it!

Step 1: Letters. I was able to use the Star Wars font so that eliminated hours of my trying to find a font I liked. I printed them on some peel off photo paper (in later photos) and cut them out.

Step 2: Figuring out a word layout you can live with !

Step 3: Begin making your mosaic ..line up those paint samples. (I had to cut mine in half to make squares, but if you find some square ones that will cut your work in half!)

Step 4: When you are satisfied with the mosaic, (gently) try the words again and see if you want to move anything around.)

Step 5: Do the same with the second piece. (sorry for the crooked photo...just tilt your head!)

Step 6: I used a glue stick for the first two rows then gave up. Tape saved the day. Double-sided would be best, but you got to work with what you got! Seriously, Step 6 sucks. I need a big table. My back hurt so bad!

Step 6 (cont...): I started at the bottom middle to keep it centered then did the rows from L to R, making sure my corners looked good. 

Step 6.5: Have sing-a-long music handy and playing loud.

Step 7: When you are (finally!) finished, stand up, stretch, eat a cookie, and marvel at your awesome work. Make sure you get the words right where you want them and then...

Step 8: Peel & Stick! (Or tape or glue...just get those letters on the piece!) I used  THIS. I love it.

Step 8.5: Admire your work then realize this did not come out all center and have perfect edges like you imagined...

Step 9: Get a real frame, or if you are ghetto crafty, like me, finish off your uneven frame with electrical tape!

Step 9.5: Run out of electrical tape just a few sides short! (Grrr.)

Step 9.6: After getting more electrical tape, make sure it's secure and stuff. If you are ghetto money-less like me, and you get your electrical tape from the Dollar Store you might have to help it stick to the cardboard...

Step 10: Admire the awesome and decide that this table cloth would be better as curtains than a backdrop.

Here's our wall BEFORE:

And here is too many angles of AFTER:

And if you are the type that needs a side by side and edited photo, your requested is granted:

 Happy crafting!

dance in the graveyards.

The world lost another beautiful soul.


We are not of this world.
We are not of this world.
We are not of this world.


And cancer? I. Hate. Cancer.


This is one of the most raw, beautiful, inspiring stories I have ever witnessed.

So many lives have been touched. So many hearts are broken. They have given to the cause. (And you can too.) Whole cities are grieving. 


There's nothing I can say that isn't said better than this:

Thank you, Ryan.

I will never get tired of sharing your story.


Say Hello to Adam.


Have you encountered a Hero of Faith in your life?
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."(Hebrews 13:7)

~  ~  ~ 

When I die
I don’t want to rest in peace
I want to dance in joy
I want to dance in the graveyards, the graveyards
And while I’m alive
I don’t want to be alone
Mourning the ones who came before
I want to dance with them some more
Let’s dance in the graveyards

Gloria, like some other name we kept on calling ya and waiting for change
But I belong to all of your mysteries

And all of us, we’re meant for the fire, but we keep rising up and walking the wires
So when we go below don’t lose us in mourning

’Cause when I die
I don’t want to rest in peace
I want to dance in joy
I want to dance in the graveyards, the graveyards
And while I’m alive
I don’t want to be alone
Mourning the ones who came before
I want to dance with them some more
Let’s dance in the graveyards

Oh my love, don’t cry when I’m gone
I will lift you up, the air in your lungs
And when you reach for me, we’ll dance in the darkness

And we will walk beyond
Our daughters and sons, they will carry on
Like when we were young, and we will stand beside and breathe in their new life

’Cause when I die
I don’t want to rest in peace
I want to dance in joy
I want to dance in the graveyards, the graveyards
And while I’m alive
I don’t want to be alone
Mourning the ones who came before
I want to dance with them some more
Let’s dance in the graveyards


(A friend shared this video in response to the death of Ryan. I can't get it out of my mind. So beautiful.)

this is halloween...

So this is not only a late Halloween post, but an uneventful one to boot! We spent the night in (shocking, I know) and we're pretty much lazy bums. We didn't even dress up. :( But next year we have plans for awesome costumes. We now have a year to save and scrounge around for them. Here is a hint:

In other news, semi related, I had too much fun last night editing these photos via this site. I am obsessed with it and the effects you normally pay for are free for a while so how could I pass up this chance to make awesome disturbing photos!?

Um, speaking of zombies... #killcarlalready

Skipping Thanksgiving entirely, I've been brainstorming cute Christmas card/photo ideas... they WILL happen this year! So...send me your address. : ) The real dilemma is what kind to do... funny, more funny, cutesy, barf cute... so many options!

lately.

So Spencer and I are going into week 4 of FPU. I know budgeting can be tough, but when you are in the red every month it's nearly impossible to make a zero budget. Alas, somehow it's at zero. (Actually, it's because all our debt is on Irregular Income Planning form).

I really like that Dave says nothing is going to happen without hard work. It's not a pray you are blessed with riches mumbo jumbo. It's pretty legit. And Spencer doesn't seem to mind it, so that's a major plus. Since we are starting this now I have high hopes for us.

On a brighter note I have two job interviews this week. One of them (the full-time, higher paying one) comes with at least two recommendations for me...so I'm quite hopeful. But it all comes down to me. Ugh. I really hate interviews. Even a crappy job would at least put us in the green.

Also, if you have student loans... do this.

Too much money talk.

Christmas list begins HERE!


I really like this picture of Husby. Das a nice bowtie. These are a few from his sister Amy's wedding : )

a wedding shower.

This past Sunday I hosted a wedding shower for my friend Shannon, with the lovely ladies of PUMP at the Russell home. I love parties and decorating and planning things so when the opportunity presents itself I will take whatever I can and go with it!

We had a dessert table and hot chocolate bar, and a few healthy options too. We played a couple games, showered Shannon with advice and gifts, and got our sweets fix in for the month!

Not too shabby for a Sunday afternoon.

THIS was my main inspiration. I loved the "rain" theme.

And here's how the shower turned out!