I received this excerpt from Dave Ramsey in a weekly email and wanted to share. And speaking of companies going out of business...I sure wish a car dearlership in the area would have to liquidate soon so I could get a great deal on a car! Is that bad of me?
Well, we the people have a new president. It’s an exciting time for Americans, whether or not you agree with President Barack Obama’s plans. My hope is that our new president will instill some confidence in people, not necessarily set out to fix everybody and everything.
There are some bogus government strategies floating around to stimulate the economy and "save us from ourselves." Just because they’re all everyone talks about doesn’t make them true! Here are a few of the big issues:
Tax Breaks
These aren’t bad, and I would never turn them down. But to think that tax breaks single-handedly stimulate the economy is laughable. Remember last fall? Those stimulus checks didn’t fix the problem, so what makes us think it’s going to fix everything this time? Did you know it was your money to start with? They’re just giving it back to you and making you feel good about it. If you’re looking for $1,000 to change your life this year, you obviously don’t have a life to start with!
It may help you today or this month, but $1,000 will do very little for you in the long run. To win with money, you've got to think long term.
Patriotic Duty
The government wants you to spend, spend, spend—and many Americans are taking this advice while still in debt! No matter what the talking heads say, it is not your patriotic duty to spend money you don’t have. Your duty is to take care of yourself and your household with the money you earn from an honest day’s work.
If you have your full emergency fund and are in a position to buy something, now is the perfect time! You can get some fabulous deals, but don’t let the deals entice you if you haven’t planned ahead and don’t have the cash!
National Deficit
The dog is still chasing its tail.
Debt started the problem, so what is the current plan to fix the problem? More debt!What really drives the economy? Is it D.C.'s programs or small-business people scattered throughout the country? This down economic time will begin to heal itself. Do we have to go $1 trillion in debt to do that? No way!
The good news is that our future as an economy isn’t coming out of Washington. Our future prosperity is coming out of the hopes, dreams and individual freedoms of the American people. When left alone, we have a tendency to prosper.
The healing of the economy will begin and end with you. Yes, you, the person you see in the mirror! You have to make your decision as to whether or not you’re going to take part in the recession.
As for our new president, if you’re not a fan, pray for him. He’s your president. If you are a fan, pray for him. He’s your president, not your savior. Your hope will be crushed if you wait for him and his administration—or anyone else—to fix your life and give you money.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dave Ramsey's Thoughts on Obama's Plans
Sunday, February 1, 2009
25 Things about Yours Truly
Ok. I think I'm just going to have to face this and get it over with. When these things start going around I always think "oh geez, don't they have anything better to do with their time?".
And then I end up doing it too.
Hi, I'm Mary and I'm a victim of peer pressure!
So here we go. I will try to think of 25 very interesting, distinct, and unusual things about myself to share with all of you.
1. I could live on ice cream. Blue Bell, to be exact. None of that no-sugar, low-fat, skinny cow stuff! (Although Skinny Cow is actually quite good, but stay with me here). I rarely turn down a scoop (or several) of this frozen goodness. Want to know the trick to getting me in a good mood? Ice cream. Either plain in a bowl...or in a cup with milk, caramel syrup, and sprinkles! YUM-O!
2. I tried kiwi for my first time today. I've always been a little turned off because I thought it tasted like melon for some reason. But it's also YUM-O!
3. My husband calls me the mail nazi. I check the mail everyday, without fail. If we don't get home until midnight, I make him drive by the mailbox. This REALLY irritates him. I just love love love getting things in the mail!
4. I have a crazy memory. I rarely forget people's names, specific details about their life, social security numbers (scare ya?!), etc etc. I have several calendars but the best calendar is in my head - I don't really need to write things down. This is making me sound crazy.
5. When I walk by the elevator in the parking garage at work (I usually take the stairs), it often "dings" and opens as I'm walking by. As if it were opening just for me. And I always wonder if it's God wanting me to hop on in!
6. I'm not a fan of surprises. I don't think this is normal because you always hear girls on The Bachelor say, "OH! I love surprises!". I think it's a control thing. I have a very hard time not knowing what a gift, present, etc is going to be.
7. If, hypothetically, I ever found one of the above, it's not a big deal because I'm very good at acting surprised!
8. I've always wanted to write a book. I still do. I just don't have enough confidence to follow through with it. I don't want to deal with the rejection.
9. Before Seth and I got married, I had to sleep on my stomach with my head facing left. Now I can only sleep on my stomach or side facing right. He's got me all messed up!
10. Seth asked me out on an attempted first date on Valentine's in 2003. What a way to freak a girl out! We stayed friends and didn't start officially dating until October of that year.
11. I think Valentine's Day decor can get obnoxious. I am not ok with those lovey-dovey teddy bears. Think twice before you buy those for your wife, guys.
12. I wish I could read every book in the whole world. Whenever I'm in a bookstore I start to panic because there are so many books and I feel like I should have/read them all. And then I start thinking "there will never be enough time" to read everything I want to!
13. This will be my third year to ride in the MS150 from Houston to Austin. You'd think I absolutely loved bike riding. I still occasionally ask myself, "why in the HECK am I doing this???"
14. I must have a soda when eating hamburgers or pizza. It seems wrong not to.
15. I went through a small phase in college where I drank only diet soda. BLECH. I soon realized the error of my ways.
16. No matter what clothes, jewelry, shoes, and other accessories that I own, I never feel like I'm completely in style.
17. I don't think I tried salad until I was in college. My tastebuds have been opened up to many things in the past few years!
18. I used to only eat the turkey, green beans, and rolls at Thanksgiving. Can you imagine how upset I was when I found out what I'd been missing??!?
19. I'm a pretty decent snow skiier. I haven't been in 4 years so I wouldn't be able to prove this tomorrow but I don't think there's anything more fun than skiing down a big mountain!
20. I think I'd be the happiest person alive if I could live in the mountains. I'd just want to take everything and everyone I loved with me! Waking up....seeing that incredible view out your window...breathing in that fresh air with a cup of coffee...THAT'S the life.
21. I'm very good at making lists. Mostly because you get to cross things off, which can be exciting. Unfortunately I can't cross things off this one...
22. I think everyone would hate me if I were on a reality show. I hate to admit it, but I'd probably be the whiny one causing drama. And really...if you were stuck on an island having to eat bugs...or running around the US in an intense race for lots of $$$ wouldn't you whine a little too??
23. I love my dogs so very much. I cannot imagine our lives without them. I'll even go so far to call Maggie my best friend (you know, us girls gotta stick together). I wish I could take them everywhere with me! Work, shopping, out to eat...
24. I'm also a sucker and my dogs know they can completely take advantage of me. There's no messin' around when Dad is home but once he's out the door it's a par-tay! (For them, NOT me)
25. I still feel like there's a lot to cover. But I'm in a rush and the Super Bowl is starting soon. I really don't care about either team. I just want the chips & dip.
So there you go! I tag all of you to make your own list of 25 if you haven't already.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Overloaded
Does anyone know how hard it is to push a grocery cart at Sam's that has 64 bottles of Ozarka and a 55lb bag of dog food???
I don't know what's worse...sweating while pushing the cart around...or that the check out lady made me lift them up AGAIN to scan them. Good grief.
As a newer member of Sam's Club, I'm still testing the waters. Sure...I can get a great price on dog food and water, but I fail to understand how ANYONE would need 12 cans of cream of chicken soup or a 10 lb tub of mayo. Maybe when I have a house full of kids this will make more sense. Because who has room to store all that?? It's a frustrating dilemma. And I still had to stop at Kroger on the way home because I didn't need 3 lbs of spinach leaves and 5 lbs of shredded cheddar.
Hm. That's really all I had to say.
Bike ride #3 in the morning...I hear it's going to be fuh-reezing!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Chicken Nuggets +French Fries = Love
You can tell by my dinner tonight that Seth is obviously at school. Salad. Cereal. Popcorn. A totally nutritious meal of greatness! I relish in these evenings I don't have to cook. As much as I enjoy whipping up various entrees en la cocina de Anderle....it's nice to kick back, relax, and be lazy with my bowl of cereal and the Bachelor!
Since I haven't really commented on the show thus far, I decided to highlight my thoughts as I watch tonight's episode. And since nobody is here to steal the computer from me, this works out quite nicely!
Molly's Date:
-Another tank top and scarf ensemble. Molly...really? If this is the new style, this is going to take awhile to get used to. I'm just getting used to long-sleeves and scarves!
-I don't quite know if Molly is sincere. She's got that look...
-Very sneaky of Jason to schedule an overnight camping date. I can't wait to see Shannon lose it!!! And ABC, was the tent-moaning really necessary? I threw up a little in my mouth.
-She'll be a dark horse, but she's not the right match for Jason. In my opinion. Cute girl though!
Group Date:
-OMG ANOTHER SCARF. I'm telling ya, this is the YEAR of the scarf!
-Stories (excuse me...soaps) are the ultimate cheese. Did anyone else think the guy actor was kinda unattractive?? And who is Lulu??
-Could Shannon have attacked Jason's lips any faster? I bet she puts that on her myspace page.
-When is DD coming back?
-Nicely done with the strategic placement of the General Hospital commercial.
-I'm afraid Lauren is a closet-psycho. Well, second to Shannon at least. Could she be more obnoxious?
-An inkling of me feels sorry for Megan. Oh wait...no, not anymore. Man up girl!
-Yikes Naomi. You're going home soon!
-I pray Shannon is never ever ever my hygenist!
-Yikes...spoke too soon about Naomi. And yes, Lauren, you are an idiot.
Two on One, Tag Team Date:
-Initial prediction...bye bye Nikki. OR both girls.
-Nikki - WE GET IT! You don't like to be unprepared.
-Stephanie is a ballet teacher? Oh that makes me love her more! A real-live ballerina!
-Ah! I am loving this! It's almost like So You Think You Can Dance! A true dance-off.
-Explain to me how every single girl on this show feels "chemistry". I mean, really. Isn't there ever a girl who comes on and says "eh...not so much." Ok, maybe it did happen on one season but it is funny how every girl has an instant "connection" with Jason!
-YEA STEPHANIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
-What's with all these girls talking about how pretty they are? Did they really mean to apply for True Beauty??
Rose Ceremony:
-First of all, Ty is going to be so embarassed one day when he sees his dad making out with all these girls on national TV
-I feel sorry for Lauren's students. She is a big ol' bad word. She is completely lost in her own little world...
-WHAT IS SHANNON WEARING?? A knitted mumu??
-I'm still rooting for Jillian, Melissa, and Stephanie
And in the MOST DRAMATIC ROSE CEREMONY EVER...the roses go to:
Molly
Stephanie
Naomi
Melissa
Jillian
Ohhhhweee this is getting good, folks!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Year of the Scarf, Starbucks, and The Bach
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
If you remember, I just recently had a post that contained this verse. God is funny because I feel like this verse has been "following" me around. Hmm...maybe I should listen! I got it in an email today, heard it on the radio the other day, and obviously blogged about it too. Does this ever happen to anyone else???
Anyway. I knew today was going to be fabulous because it was...you guessed it...my free Starbucks day! The Kroger Starbucks by our house is great because after buying a certain number of drinks (I don't know the magic number), you qualify for a free one. I had a feeling this morning was my golden ticket and boy was I right. It's like winning the lottery or something! And since I can only go once a week, I think I am fully justified in going tomorrow morning too...because today did not count. Am I right, ladies??
Um. Now I cannot remember what I really planned to write about. I'm sure it was good though. Maybe this is the "anxious thoughts" parts. My mind is going a million miles a minute and I already forgot what I was on here for anyway. :)
OH RIGHT...scarves! If you haven't noticed, scarves are a BIG deal this year. In fact, I received 2 for Christmas and I must admit my initial thoughts were, "Oh great, I can never pull these off."
But I so did.
If you follow Big Mama's or Angie's blog you might have seen their great debate on the scarf and how it must be tied. After thinking about it with intense scrutiny and taking many notes...I have mastered this skill.
Now, I'm probably the only person you know who takes pictures of themselves at work. And I truly truly hope nobody was walking down the hallway as I was doing this. But here is an example. And if you feel that I could be a scarf model, please submit pictures to your agent:
Do I rock at scarves or what??
I'm just sad it's warming up outside. Although that sure didn't stop Melissa on The Bachelor from wearing one with her tank top. Maybe I should invest in some classy, colorful, and light-weight ones to use for the spring and summer.
And speaking of The Bachelor, I really do have some thoughts. I've just yet to post them. And I'll tell you they start and end with "Will somebody out there please marry Stephanie, and soon, because we know Jason isn't going to pick her!!"
More later.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
someecards.com
This is the funniest website! Now granted, it may not always be the most appropriate. And yeah, I probably shouldn't be sharing it with all of you...but regardless, these e-cards can really brighten my day. And hey, they give you something to laugh about!
I find myself saying "so true!" after reading each one!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Let Freedom Ring
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Today is a memorable day. Inauguration Day 2009 will be one to make the history books. Our children won't believe we were alive when our country elected our first black president! Do we all agree with the decision our country has made? Maybe yes. Maybe no. However, God commands us to pray for our leaders and those in authority. To get down on our knees, opinions aside, and pray fervently over them.
But the best part is that Jesus is our true king! He guides the president and he guides us. This is all part of His plan and He will ultimately take care of us and our country.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
1 Timothy 2:8
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1
May God bless America and President Obama today!
p.s. I know it's probably a mistake that Seth & I never received our invitation to the Inauguration Ball? Very weird. I had pulled out my old prom dress and everything.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A Weekend of Randomness
You'll be thrilled to know I finally pulled out the ol' bike this weekend. Finally. It was a little embarassing because I had yet to take off all my numbers/stickers from the MS150 LAST year. Pathetic proof I haven't touched the thing since April.
But it is that time of year again so Erika and I, along with the APC team, rode 20ish miles around The Woodlands on Saturday morning...if anything, to make sure we still remembered how to ride a bike.
Luckily we did.
And it was really an eye-opening experience for me. I've been sheltered out here in Spring Trails. Who knew there was so much of this bubble I hadn't seen?? Did you know The Woodlands High has a 9th grade campus? And that there was another Wal-Mart back there?? Or that Seth and I could've totally afforded a home in Carlton Woods had we known it existed? :) We could've been neighbors with famous people!
But anyway, it was good to finally get out on the road and to remind myself that I stilllllll got it! And Erika did a fabulous job as well...this is her first year riding and I hope I don't scare her away.
Seth and I also had a very overdue, much-deserved (in my opinion) date night at Landry's. YUM. It seems like we go every few months and are both stubborn enough to always order the same thing. The Snapper Hemmingway is to DIE for! But it's worth it. We had a budget discussion awhile back and brainstormed different things to cut back on. But it was unanimous that we could still go to Landry's and (of course) still purchase Blue Bell ice cream.
I don't care what kind of recession we're in folks. I don't care how poor I might be. I will still buy Blue Bell. Because to eat any other brand is just plain wrong.
Things have finally slowed down a bit at work so I am very glad to get my free time back! It seems like life never quite slows down though...so we have a busy week and then will be heading out of town Saturday morning. Bike ride #2 on Sunday morning.
I want a vacation.
Psalm 139
I love the following passage and happened to stumble across it today. It is David's meditation on God's omnipresence and omniscience...and speaks to the all-encompassing love God has for us...
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
-Psalm 139
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Jack. is. Back.
Wow.
What a FANTASTIC 2 night, 4 hour, season premiere! This really is one of the BEST shows on TV!
(I know I said that about Eli Stone too so let me clarify...Eli Stone wins best moral-wise. 24 wins best overall)
As if Jack coming back wasn't good enough, the producers threw in Tony Almeida AND Bill Buchanan (one of my favorites!!) And yeah, Chloe was around there somewhere.
Clearly, Agent Renee Walker will be Jack's love interest. She has to be! It must have been love at first sight for him when he asked her how far he could go to get an answer from Gabriel Schechter And she said "do whatever it takes".
Can you hear his heart palpitations???
Oh, and it gets better. I did a little research to see who else might be joining us this season...
Karen Hayes. Kim Bauer (BOO HISS). Morris! Martha Logan?? Aaron Pierce! Nina Myers!
Ah, gotcha. Kidding about that last one. But how great is this going to be? And really it should be...they haven't had 2 years off for nothing, ya know!
There is never a greater amount of excitement in our home than when 24 is on. So You Think You Can Dance is a close second. It seems that every 5 minutes we turn to each other with "oh my gosh" expressions or someone (usually me) is yelling "OH SHOOT!"
Who doesn't love action-packed TV drama full of shooting, terrorists, nerve gas, nerdy computer geeks, an agent that could smash both Chuck Norris and McGuyver in 3 seconds, romance, national crisis, mole after mole infiltrating CTU (and now apparently the FBI...what kind of security checks do they run??), more shooting, more terrorists, scandal in the White House, and MORE!
Ah. Can't wait. I didn't even watch The Bachelor...because yes, this was more important.
Stay tuned, folks, stay tuned...
Friday, January 9, 2009
They Call Him Juan Pablo...
Granted, a little stubble is fine. But I draw the line when he either starts to resemble a mountain man or a homeless one.
We took some pictures to document his growth:
Now, prepare yourself for this nasty one. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. And I refused to stop calling him Juan Pablo until he shaved it offcompletely!
I also felt like I should take a picture of my thoughts on his facial hair. Since he got 2 pictures on the blog after all...
My thoughts exactly.
Thank goodness for people like Mr. Remington, Mr. Norelco, and Mr Bic!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Anderles Strike a Pose
We are so lucky to be friends with a professional photographer! Brittany (click on her name to check our her awesome work!) is a high school friend of Seth's. I happened to meet her at church in College Station and to make a long story short...she is the one to thank for bringing our little family together!
We are forever grateful to you, Brittany, and are so blessed to have you in our lives!
For those interested (and you should be), she works out of Austin and has tons of examples of her work on her blog. She is also photographing my sister's wedding in June! So I thought it only fair to give her a shout out here on my blog...give the girl a little more publicity...introduce her to the masses!
Over Thanksgiving we had a mini-photoshoot. Mostly to attempt a successful Christmas card picture with the dogs. But since the camera was out...and her subjects were looking good...we decided to have some fun!
Our "reindogs". Unfortunately the kids didn't love their antlers as much as I'd hoped they would.
Clearly, this is our glamour shot.
Best friends!
No, this isn't our house
This picture makes me laugh! I don't think we'll be models anytime soon...
Sweet Maggie Girl!
Tucker D...T-Money...Tuck-a-luck...Tucker-de-ducker
One happy familyWitty Spousal Banter
Over email today:
Seth: My pectorals are kinda sore today after the ultimate gym pull up bar work out last night
Mary: uh I could barely get out of bed this morning after my push ups.
Seth: You mean your push up? You added an "s" like you did more than one…
Mary: I did at least 3!!!
We. are. pathetic.
I can't wait to see how sore I am after my bike ride in a couple weeks!!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Busted by the Bloody Gums
I was BUSTED this morning at my dentist appointment.
First, let me say that my appts take so much longer than Seths. And I think I finally figured out why.
It's because they spend a good 30 - 45 minutes scraping plaque, other sorts of build up, and stains off the back of my teeth.
Hm. I'm sorry folks...but you had to know.
So I'm cringing in the oh-so-uncomfortable dentist chair while things are whirring and whizzing, nervously anticipating what I've come to call "the bad flosser speech".
Do I floss? Absolutely not. It is weird. It hurts. It takes way too much time.
And sure enough...
Hygenist: So...do you floss?
Mary: NOPE! I hate it
Hygenist: Well, you really should. Because your gums are really swollen. And you are about to bleed out on us.
Mary: Well, it just takes too long. I DO brush my teeth 3 times a day though!
Hygenist: Are you using the prescription toothpaste we gave you?
Mary: Hmm...yes, sometimes.
Hygenist: Let me give you this pamphlet on the benefits of flossing. You don't want to lose all your teeth now do you?
and then...
Dentist: Ah ha! We have a non-flosser on our hands here.
Mary: I'm SORRY. I DON'T LIKE TO FLOSS AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Dentist: Your gums are bleeding all over the place. Still. You have all 4's and you need 2's (or something like that)
Mary: It just takes too long
Dentist: Why don't you floss with your husband? It'd be a good activity to do together. And you could encourage each other! It'd be fun!
Flossing - a marriage building activity??
Bless their hearts.
Perhaps this should be my New Year's Resolution a week late. Then again, perhaps not. Bloody gums never really killed anyone...right??
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Useless Thoughts...by Mary
Oh the powers of advertising.
About every 20 minutes, I'd think, "Hey, I'm going to eat some chips & salsa!"
Then I'd sadly sit back down after I remembered we were out of chips.
The logical side of you is asking, "Well, why didn't you go buy some??"
Well, because that breaks the after-work rules. Unless an otherwise previous engagement is scheduled, you put on your pjs immediately after arriving home from work and stay in the rest of the evening.
Unless of course your husband offers to take you to Marble Slab. That is an exception to the rule.
So we sat chipless, and cheered for Texas the one time of the year we can. Actually, there are two times. Bowl games and when they play Texas Tech.
By the time I realized The Bachelor was on, it was too late to steal the big TV and too late to use the other one since it doesn't have a DVR. I really think it's time for ABC to break the streak of re-using Bachelor/ette characters. And really, does Jason REALLY want to go through this whole process again? On national TV? Is he thinking straight? Does he REMEMBER all the trash that sometimes ends up on the show?
I'm just sayin'. Maybe he should join a singles group at church up in Seattle. Or register on eharmony. Or heck, he might even find better options at a nightclub or bar (doubtful, but).
Can you take your 3 year old to a nightclub?
In other news, who saw that Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn recently had their twin daughters? And did you check out those names?? I'm really ticked off because they stole MY baby names!
Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip!
Jerks.
I guess I'll just have to go with my second choice, Beverly Francine Chrysanthemum instead.
Has a nice ring to it, eh?!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Working Hard? Or Hardly Working?
A couple weeks ago we created our "2009 goals". And when I say "we" I mean "me". I just have to get the nod from Seth.
One of his conditions was NO painting! Oh, silly boy.
I decided to get a jumpstart on my first painting project (don't we LOVE crossing things off the list!) yesterday. I'd had the color picked out since our last painting escapade but was waiting for my arms to fully heal before I picked up the brush again.
We have 2 art niches...one in the dining room...and one leading into our bedroom. Relatively small job. And thank the Lord above because nobody really told me that using cranberry...in no matter how big or small the area...would be a pain in the arse.
(Paula, I KNOW you told me so...but I thought surely you were exaggerating.)
This is after 2 coats and some touch up...unfortunately after looking at some of these pictures I think a 3rd coat might be in order...
I need some REALLY tall to fit in here. My only idea is sticks/reeds. Or maybe I can just rig up some sort of picture. Help?
It's hard to give a perfectionist a paintbrush because then it's hard to take it away. I stayed up until midnight touching things up and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't get out the green and yellow paint today too...Seth and I also have the age-old tradition of eating on our fine china for New Year's Day*. We both grew up eating special meals on New Year's so yesterday was no exception. Kyle, Jessie, and Karla joined us for turkey, mashed potatoes, beer bread, black eyed peas (would you believe stores were actually sold out of these earlier this week?), and corn...YUM.
*I more or less created this "tradition" since when the heck else can you use it??
We cannot wait to see what 2009 has in store. We have been blessed with great friends and family and were lucky to ring in the new year with several of them! Our New Year's Eve involved making play-dough, breathing fire, and many other things you don't want to know about. I'm sure our neighbors greatly appreciate us. Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Celebration of Two
In celebration of TWO years of our marriage, I have decided to post how "two" has made an impact in our lives.
(I'll admit, I was just going to post two great things about Seth...which probably would've been easier...but it would have also looked silly too. Don't worry, I'll have a great list ready for our 25th!)
Here's to 2 great years. I cannot imagine my life without Seth.
One day he will decide to blog and tell you he also cannot imagine his life without me :)
Yesterday I was trying to figure out what the traditional 2nd anniversary gifts were. Seeing as we just got back into town, neither of us had really put thought into anything. So we decided no gifts. Even no cards. I've never seen Seth grin so big.
I just told him he had to tell me what the card would say, had he bought one.
Then the grin went away.
But it did say the tradional gift was cotton. How about that. Maybe back in old times women got a cotton plant. Or maybe an entire field! Lucky for me, the mall had great sales right before Christmas and let's just say I got plenty of cotton.
I can't wait for LEATHER for #3!
But back to the celebration. We had your typical romantic night of take-out chinese and taking down the Christmas decorations. Oh, and he also took me to a fancy lunch at Jason's Deli! It was perfect ;) And, since he was also probably scared out of his wits when I said no gifts, he bought me some beautiful lilies and the Anniversary Willow Tree Angel.
That means I have received EIGHT new Willow Trees in the past couple of weeks. Jackpot!
But the house looks so sad now with no more Christmas. Although I refuse to take down the nativity scene quite yet. I want to enjoy that a little longer.
It's hard to believe 2008 is over. This year has been full of excitement, disappointment, learning, and more. I pray that God blesses us just as abundantly in 2009 (as well as ALL of you!). This will be the year we are finally closer to 30 than 20.
Yikes.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Shoe Doesn't Fit
Twice a week I get these "Shop it to Me" sale alerts. I put in preferences for styles I like, places I prefer to shop, price limits, etc. It's basically your online personal shopper.
Today I get this:
My "match" from Piperlime.com.
God help us all if I ever wore those shoes.
Hideous!
