Thoughts on a Saturday.

I happened upon this article about uncomplicating your life and I've probably read it 10 times in the past 3 days-- it's that good.  The whole blog has some great stuff. 

I'm thinking a good book, maybe the pool and some grilling are good ideas for filling my today.

Have a good weekend!

-m

Vacation: My family and DEB.

My first family vacation with my husband, my parents flew us down to Florida for some relaxing days at the beach.  Although it wasn't quite a week full of beach, sun and sand, it was definitely unforgettable.

 Being from Kansas, we're good at tornados.  We know what to do, how they sound, all the hoopla on TV and what-not.  Hurricanes on the other hand, not so much.  The day we arrived in Florida, Hurricane Debby did as well.  It was very very very very very (very?) rainy, windy, oh and some tornados (on and off land!) added in the mix.  There was one night that I got up just to make sure the windows weren't broken, and seriously considered taking my pillow into the shower for some safety!

Biking through the floods! 

Dolphins swimming in the bay.

Homemade soft-serve vanilla-pineapple ice cream!

Awe.

Luckily, we made the best of it.  We were able to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle who live in Florida (Hi guys!!) and it's alwasy so great to see them.   They made us some yummy BBQ and we sat on their beautiful screened in porch looking at deer in the rain.  Another day we saw Madagascar 3 and had pizza.  We were able to grill outside at our rental house a couple of nights and my brother made some mean inside-out burgers.  J and I rented bikes that we rode around the island as best we could in flooded streets and wind!  One day we ventured to Orlando for a day at Universal Stuidos.  I'm no Harry Potter fan, but that theme park was awesome!  Best of all, we had seven full days of time with my family.  We shared tons of laughs, I fought with my brother for ol' times sake, I ran on the beach with my mama, had we good food and good fun. 

The high tides washed away a lot of the sand, leaving painful, yet beautiful seashells!

Fresh Fish Tacos.  My fav.

Our backyard!

Now a sunny day in Florida just sounds boring.  Wouldn't trade that week for nothin!
-m

I'm a sucker for the sale.

It happens once a year.

If you live near KC, you may have heard of a store called Nell Hills.  It's packed full of the most beautiful furniture, pictures, home accessories, rugs, etc. In the store, prices are not friendly with my budget, but this one day a year they mark 'em down and people go crazy.  People like me, and my mom, and even my dad.  :)

drooling...

We got in line at 6am and waited for the curtain to the sale tent to open at 9am.  There were about 20 people in front of us, and believe it or not, it was FREEZING! Maybe if I had posted this closer to when the sale happens (first weekend in June), that wouldn't sound so shocking.  About an hour before the sale opens, they open the curtain and people get to browse from afar.  This might be the best part! They open the door, and people literally run down the aisles (some with laundry baskets!) filling up on the deals.  Here are a few things I couldn't walk away from.

Spotted this baby and ran for it first thing! $40

The mirrored chest was another great score! $50.  In the bookshelf you can see a blue bird, black and white mugs and the woven glass jugs, all which I scored at last year's sale! The clock was handmade by Justin's Grandpa, and was given to me for my Bday this year.  Love it.

Drink bucket $8.

Silver birds, $3 ea. Cookie Scoop, $1.

Most things are marked down because of slight damage, but nothing I couldnt' live with.  The chest has a small crack on the very bottom, the lamp required a run to the hardware store to secure the shade, the bucket had a small dent, and the bird has a chipped tail.

Not only did I score some cool stuff, but I had SO. MUCH. FUN.  I love that my parents enjoyed it, too, because really, it's about spending some time with them, getting up too early, waiting for three hours in the cold, and trying your best Tetris skills to get the stuff to fit in the car.  (and sometimes it doesn't.... hi AB!)

Can't wait until next year!
-m

Cake topper DIY.

One of our dear couple friends got married this month, and we couldn't be more excited for them!  J was the best man, and the groom was J's best man in our wedding, too.  I've so loved getting to know J's best bud and watching him fall in love has been so fun.  And the best news? They're moving close, well, closer, to us!  They had a small, intimate ceremony at the groom's parents' house that was absolutely gorgeous.  It was the most beautiful day and the event was just perfect.  I wish I had taken more pictures. 

I created our wedding cake topper for our wedding after falling in love with a personalized one on Etsy that was way out of our price range.  This couple asked me to make one like ours for their wedding, so of course I said yes!  I love any excuse to get my craft on.  

 

I can't really say I had a plan.  I just bought some fabric/ribbon that I thought would work and got my glue gun ready.  I'm not much of a seamstress, so the glue gun is my BFF.  

Congrats B+K! We love you!

-m

At the moment.

don't worry, i'm still here! ... just lacking in the posting department and rocking in the living it up department.  here's to catching up!

:: Obsessing over...

summer clothes.  no hair dryer. little or no make-up.  no ironing.  peeing when i please. 

:: Working on... 

curriculum writing for next year.  overwhelming, but sometimes it's good to have a little challenge.  inspired, but exhausted of this stuff!

:: Thinking about...

planning a vacation... for next year.  summer break is just too fun. 

:: Anticipating...

girl talk. this weekend, i get to catch up with some of my old roommates, and a good, good friend who is coming into town for a few days. can. not. wait.  oh, and it's father's day, and i'll get to see my dad, too! (what should i get him?!)

:: Listening to...

E! News.  i need to grow up.

:: Munching on... 

that's a salad i whipped up for dinner for one tonight, and it actually turned out good! (that doesn't happen often).  it's baked tilapia atop a bed of spinach, grilled corn, red pepper, fresh cilantro (from our garden!), flax chips, jalapenos and sour cream. whoa.

:: Thankful for...

my DF family.  after the DF reunion last weekend, i realize how lucky i am to have such wonderful teachers, mentors, friends and family who have supported my love of dance.  as our teacher stated, it was dance that brought us together, but really, it's about way more than that.  i must say, it was kind of scary showing up to the reunion after 8 years.  would anyone remember me? would anyone talk to me? maybe i'm just a nervous freak, but it was intimidating!  it was one of the most fun and refreshing weekends in a long while. 

hope you all are having a good week!

-m

100.

What?! That can't be right. This is my 100th post.  Thanks to anyone who reads my rantings, babbling and other random thoughts.  I love keeping up with friends and other strangers I don't know via the inter-web, and it's fun to have my little spot here, too.

Speaking of blog stalking, if you're not currently using Google Reader's "Next" button feature, it's worth your time (oh, about 3 minutes) to read this post and install it in your bookmarks bar.  Basically, it makes clicking through blogs practically as easy as blinking an eye. You don't have to have your own blog to install it, just a google account.  The button on your bookmarks bar takes you to the most recent post in the list of blogs for which you are subscribed. (You can also install a "subscribe" button that is equally awesome).

Enjoy!
-m

Diet Coke.

Today marks the 100th day that I've been Diet Coke free!  I hadn't been counting, but was curious a few days ago, and it turned out to be so close to 100 that I figured that was worth celebrating... or mentioning at least.

On a whim one day I decided to give something up (not really a whim; it was lent, but I, personally have never participated in Lent until this year).  I had consistently drank about 5 cans of diet coke per week for a very, very long time.  I had a feeling it was affecting my health, and I knew it wasn't the BEST idea to drink pop, but I kept telling myself that it was "okay" because it's diet.  Also, I recently read this after I saw it linked on Pinterest.

I still don't think it's bad to have a pop now and then, but I just haven't really wanted or craved it after I made it 40 days!  I know I'll drink one again, occasionally.  It's nice to know that I don't NEED a diet coke.  And really, it doesn't really do anything for me except make bubbles in my tummy.  So now when I'm really thirsty for something of a treat, I drink a beer. Sorry, mom. :)

On a different note, I'm hoping to get back into project posting soon.  I have some DIY projects planned for the summer (which BTW, started yesterday!).  I accidentally left my computer at my parents, which has only meant I've had more time for Real Housewives and The Bachelorette laundry and cleaning.  I'm anxious to catch up on some blogs!

Hope you're having a good week!
-m