Awesome Job

My cousin Aubrey has the most awesome job. Can guess what it is based on these pictures I took on our latest trip to California?

If you guessed "Lead Performer in Universal Studio's Waterworld Show", you are CORRECT!

Before this, she was a dancer and a choreographer at Disneyland. She basically gets paid to work out.

Sometimes I fantasize about having a different career. I don't know what that career would be (apparently my only talent lies in teaching), but Aubrey's job looks pretty fun. I know it's also exhausting, but WOW!

Here we are with her after the show:

Do you ever dream of having a different job? If so, which one?


PS: Have you entered this sweet giveaway yet?

PPS: Did you know I'm giving away a large ad spot and a $10 gift certificate? Enter here!!

2012 New Year Blogging Party

I'm celebrating a new year of blogging with a fun swap hosted by Casey, Danielle, and Alycia!

My partner was Sharon, and I had so much fun putting her goody package together :)

I was equally excited to get her package in the mail (such a welcome change from the usual bills and junk mail!). Take a peek:

She did her homework and knows I like pretty paper! That's why I was especially excited to for those cute little tabs:

What a fun way to start off the new year!!!

Looking Back

2011 has been a fun year! Take a peek at all that happened:

- I led an effort to raise money for Amy and her family.

- I had my first shamrock shake!

- I finally found a way to keep track of my etsy sales (with help from the hubby)

- We remodeled our kitchen!!

- I had my first tent camping experience. (Yes, it rained.)

- I realized coffee tastes better with cream (my biggest "duh!" moment!)

- I started a new blog series about my life as a missionary kid in France.

- I got pregnant!!

And... we finished off 2011 with some fun family time in Michigan:

Here's to an awesome 2012!!

Fun while it lasted

A while back, the hubby and I went to Game 1 of the Rangers-Tigers series. We were in hostile territory, rooting for the Tigers at Arlington stadium! (Max grew up in Michigan and he informed me that you are "born into a team").

I'll happily follow his rules.... just give me the FOOD:

Ahhh. The series was fun while it lasted - and now we truly don't care who wins the World Series!

I didn't grow up going to baseball games, but I find them to be quite fun as an adult! What about you?

How to Reclaim your Weekdays

If you're like me, you live for the weekends. You plan social things and date nights and crafty projects and new recipes.... and you try to cram all of that living into two little days. Friday night is the top of the roller coaster. Sunday nights you sadly step off the ride (and eye that looooong line to get back on).

I was thinking recently... what if I could make the weekdays a little more fun? What if life could be reclaimed Monday through Thursday? Even a little bit? 

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The key for me is having something to look forward to. Here are some little things you can plan to look forward to, even on a weekday:

1. Trying a new recipe
2. Actually printing out one of those free printables you've been pinning on Pinterest
3. Calling a friend on the phone to chat for a little bit
4. Wear a new accessory, or a new outfit
5. Send a loved one some good old-fashioned snail mail
6. Get up 30 minutes earlier and make yourself some pancakes - even if it's from a mix
7. Color in a coloring book (such a FUN de-stresser.... I promise!)
8. Paint your toenails a new color
9. Pick up a pint of Ben & Jerry's on your way home from work
10. Style your hair differently (I love looking up hair tutorials on Pinterest, don't you?)
11. Do something nice for someone else
12. Try a new drink at your favorite coffee place
13. Eat dessert first 
14. Take your lunch break outside
15. Take a walk around the block with your hubby!

What about you? Any tips and tricks to share for making weekdays more fun?

I wish......

I wish Life was an eternal Saturday morning!

With a yummy hot breakfast:

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And a bottomless cup of coffee:

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And lazing around in pajamas:

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And even watching cartoons:

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My version of heaven is an eternal Saturday morning... with all the possibilities of a great weekend ahead! Happy Saturday, friends!

My goal today

My plans today aren't anywhere near as fun as they were last Saturday... This is what I'll be doing today:

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What about you?

How NOT to Grow your Blog

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How NOT to grow your blog:

(A semi-tongue-in-cheek guide from yours truly!)

1. Be fake.
2. Never comment on anyone else's blog.
3. Write in long, never-ending paragraphs with no line breaks.
4. Don't include any pictures.
5. Exclusively talk about your shop non-stop.
6. Don't write about anything worthwhile to your readers.
7. Write one post every other month.
8. Don't bother responding to any comments you get.
9. Insult others to make yourself look better.
10. Avoid participating in linky parties and blog hops.

Old-fashioned blogging

I have the most glorious morning planned for today:

In the early hours of a quiet morning, I'm going to sit down by the fireplace here:

And drink this:

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And write in here:

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Yay for me time! Hope you all have a fun and restful weekend ahead!!

Promise you won't laugh at me before reading this

I have a confession to make. Kind of an embarrassing one.

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You see, way back in the day when I first started drinking coffee I was living with a Dutch family at my boarding school. I was fourteen and trying to be polite. So when they passed me a mug of strong, black coffee, I didn't refuse it. I choked it down. As was their family tradition, they drank a half mug of coffee every Sunday after church with cold sandwiches. After a few months of discreetly wincing, I actually came to love it!

And then I turned into a complete coffee snob, looking down on anyone who "doctored" up their coffee with any cream or sugar. It was black or nothing!

And then in Maine this summer, I took a cautious plunge. I had ordered a mug of house coffee. When I took a sip, I found it to be quite strong, actually..... I thought: "Am I getting weak in my old age or is this maybe a little TOO strong?"

So even though I had just finished teasing my sister for doctoring her coffee, I poured in some cream and sugar into my own mug.

And..... ohmygosh I am such an idiot for just drinking it black these last 15 years!! HELLO YUMMY COFFEE, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?

Me and the hubby on that fateful day!

What about you? Any duh moments for you lately? How do you take your coffee?

PPS: Don't forget to enter the giveaways here, here, and here!

Our Barney Baby

I was excited to see that Scatter Girls is hosting a pet love linky party: we don't have any children yet so our dog Barney is all we've got!

He's half papillion and half toy fox terrier. We picked him up from our local shelter when he was just a puppy! He's almost two now (about 12 lbs) and he's still just as affectionate as ever :)

And very energetic! He loves to run and chase things in our backyard!

What about you? Do you have furry friends in your life?

Save at Starbucks

A few months ago, I read a tip in Real Simple about saving at Starbucks and I thought I'd give it a try!

source

I ordered one shot of espresso over ice (70 cents plus tax). Then I went to the condiment bar and filled up the rest of the cup with half and half, sugar, and some vanilla flavoring. It was delicious!! And all for under 80 cents. I love me some iced coffee....

click here for super affordable rates!

Flashback

Two years ago, when we moved from Michigan to Texas, we called it the Great Texas Exodus of '09.

That trip has been on my mind because we're driving back down to Texas after our week visiting family here in Michigan. This time, we're just in our little Saturn with our dog Barney in our lap.

But last time....

Last time we drove down HILLBILLY style, with all of our worldly possessions in the back of my father-in-law's truck.

Here's Max, packing said possessions.

And not only did we look like hillbillies, we drove 21 hours in the summer heat, with NO air conditioning and NO cruise control!! 

Fun times, I tell ya'. Fun times.

Bookworm

When I was younger, my dad used to say that if I need three things to survive: food, water, and a library. It's true. I love to read! The smell of a book's pages is like some sort of drug to me.... a healthy addiction, to be sure.

ACEO print by Purr.

Unfortunately, when I pick up a book I get engrossed to the detriment of everything else. Housework? Ignored. Going to work to teach? An irritating distraction. Eating? Later. Because of this, I try to save my reading for the summer months when I have far fewer responsibilities.

Over spring break, I read Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant and enjoyed it thoroughly. And now, I'm on the hunt for summer reading recommendations!

Got any? Please share!

Also, have you ever heard of the Librarything Suggester? You type in a title of a book you recently enjoyed (or hated if you're using the "unsuggester" feature) and a list of books is generated that you also might like. It's kinda fun to play with!

A Shopper's Dilemma

I have some birthday money to burn (yay!), but I need your help! As you may or may not know, I'm addicted to buying rubber stamps and fun patterned paper.

I came across Papertrey Ink the other day, and spent half of my teacher planning time online shopping (Shh! Don't tell!)

I couldn't decide between two great sets. That's when I thought: hey, maybe my loyal-readers-with-excellent-taste can help me out!

Set A: Handwritten Notes

Set B: Mixed Messages

Would you be so kind as to leave me a comment with the one you love best? A or B? And no saying "both!" :)

Thanks! You're all the best!!

Earth Day = Free Starbucks

Remember how much I like coffee? (I also love tea but that's a post for another time...)

Well today in honor of Earth Day, Starbucks is giving away a free cup of coffee (or tea!) if you bring in a reusable travel mug!

I'll be bringing in my favorite travel mug: The Mustache from Vessel Drinkware. Behold:

The first time I brought this beauty into Starbucks, the two baristas fawned over it! They talked about it the whole time I was in there.... they couldn't get over how cool it was! So naturally I felt exponentially cool!

Do you have a favorite mug? If so, bring it in to Starbucks today and score a free hot beverage!!

Smooch Your Pooch

The local pizzeria near our house runs a promotion in April called "Smooch Your Pooch." Every Wednesday, if you bring your dog in and give him a smooch, you can walk away with a FREE large cheese pizza!!

Truthfully, I would give my pooch a smooch for far less!! 

What's the whackiest thing you've ever done to get something for free?

A first

I know St. Patrick's Day was last week, but it's still on my mind!! While I was on Spring Break in Michigan last week, I had my first Shamrock Shake. McDonald's sells these yummy mint shakes only in the month of March, and only in certain states (find the shake where you are!)

On the way up to Michigan, I asked my husband what they tasted like anyway.

"Are they pistachio?" I said.

"No, they taste like ground up shamrocks and leprechauns. In fact, you have to pick out all the red beard hairs."

Yes, I married a real funny man.

In any case, when I finally tasted my first Shamrock Shake, I was ADDICTED! Seriously so tasty, people. But they don't sell them here in Texas so I'm going into withdrawal.

Can you get them where you are? And if you can, will you go get one for me?!

Why I like you

Hey Pigeon, I like you - by Jacki Lehmann

I like you, my internet friends.

I really, really like you!

I like that you give me endless inspiration, motivate me to be creative, and show me how to make cool stuff.

I like that you share your secrets with me, bare your heart wide open, make me laugh and make me cry.

I like seeing your dogs, your cats, your family pictures, your cute babies and toddlers.

I like seeing your great new handmade finds from around the web. I like it when you give stuff away!

I like that I can hang out with you, and you don't even mind that I'm in my pajamas and haven't brushed my teeth yet.

I like when you go out of your way to say something directly to lil' old me.

I like when everyone is so giving and encouraging and promotes each other.

I just.... like you! I really, really like you!

A mouth full of sweet teeth

"Disco Gummi Bears" at a farmers market in Poland

Yes, it's true. I'm addicted to candy! Last Saturday I ate gummi bears and Reeses Pieces for dinner and hardly felt remorseful at all!

When I was little (living in France at the time), my dad would leave a bowl of change on the kitchen counter. We were allowed to help ourselves should the need arise. I actually "needed" some change quite often. A third grader like me didn't have much impulse control walking from the house to school in the morning and passing by a bakery on the way.

This bakery had rows of bins lining the walls with all sorts of delicious candy. It was a veritable rainbow of sugary heaven, my friends. You paid by the gram, and if I only picked five or six pieces, it only cost about fifty cents!

Every few steps, I would pop another sweet into my mouth, saving the best for last (right before I walked through the school doors)!

Ahhhhh.... I do miss those days!