this weekend

Paul and I haven't had a weekend just us in so long, so this past one we decided to spend some quality time together. We made no plans, talked to no one, and did what we like best: made things from scratch.
We've been throwing around ideas for a coffee table for a long time and this weekend just seemed perfect to get started! Wood working is kind of a one person job, so while Paul was figuring out how to make our table, I was deciding on a project I could work on. After pinterest and buzzfeed searches I finally settled on a project and got to it.
We had another two hour Lowe's trip [the people there now know us by name!] and got all of the wood that we needed, headed home and got to work! This time the table and art only took us a day and I became very handy with a jigsaw and a sander but we did it! Oh and we had an amazing sushi date! Finally realizing seafood isn't all that bad down here. Another perfect weekend for the books!

 Our Lowe's Cart

I'm wayyy to proud of building this frame!

 Our workstation!

The finished project!

Paul's table will be in the upcoming living room post!

You can take the girl out of the city..

But can you take the city out of the girl?

Since Paul and I started dating he has slowly waged a movement towards getting me to like [shock] country music. And [bigger shock] it's working!

This started by sneaking on country radio when I wasn't paying attention in the car, singing songs to me, and the next phase of this was a concert.

That's right people. Paul and I went to a country concert this past weekend and [biggest shock of all] I actually liked the music. You'd be hard pressed to find a concert I wouldn't go to, especially when there is beer and sunshine involved, and this one wasn't any different.
We went and saw Lady Antebellum and Kasey Musgraves with a ton of my coworkers/new friends this past weekend and had the best time.

And i think maybe just maybe I'll start listening to country music on my own between my regular classics like the Beatles, Elton John, Queen, The doors and the rest of the world of music that I love.

Us at the concerts with work friends!

When I have more time I'll post more about work and all of the amazing people, but for now.. check out how Beaver Orange this carrot juice my coworker got me at lunch is! 

awakening

Even though it is March [gasp] already, i thought i would share with you guys what my new years resolution is. It's so silly but I never really feel like it's a new year until like June but this year with all of the changes going on in our lives everything has been new. I generally like to pick a resolution that is fun for me and that i can make exciting, and this year is no different! My past ones have been to make every meal more colorful, to try something new every months, etc. This year, i knew there was going to be a lot going on in my life that i just wasn't prepared for.

As my friends & family know, i am a pretty consistent, stubborn person. When i find something that i like i tend to stick with it and never change my mind, and i don't try new things very often. This year i knew that that just wouldn't be an option for me because i was moving completely out of my comfort zone leaving Oregon and all of my habits and go-tos along with it.

 So in honor of change, i made my new years resolution to be more open-minded.

I know this might seem like a pretty broad idea [and it is] but i wanted a simple phrase to repeat to myself when i'm scared and feel like retreating into a safe zone. And believe me, everything about moving is scary and unknown. So far some things have been easy, like being open-minded to eating sea food in a land-locked state [for my fellow PNWers you can probably appreciate how terrifying this is]. And some things have been really hard, like making new friends and opening up to people. But as i continually challenge myself to step outside of my box and be more open to the world, moving has become more of an excitement and less scary. I don't mean to say that i wasn't excited about moving, because i was, but for me whenever i venture into the unknown theres always a little voice in my head that says 'what if...' and 'wouldn't it be easier to...' I think a better way to say it is that this move has been challenging, but my sticking with my resolution it has been more like an adrenaline-heart-pumping-oh-my-god-rollercoaster-challenge and less of a 'im-too-scared-lets-go-back-challenge'

So here's to challenging yourself and keeping an open-mind!

madison

A few weeks ago Arizona was made a lot more lovely by the arrival of the sweetest person I know, my dear friend Madison. Her visit was short and sweet and we talked & laughed all weekend, and it was perfect. I could write about how great the trip was [which it was], but i think i'd rather give you guys a little glimpse into the fantastic world of being Mad's friend.
If you're lucky enough, then you know what it is like to have an unexpected friend. And that's what Mad was to me. unexpected. In fact neither of us wanted to live together! But somehow we found ourselves in our dear Chateau one summer four years ago all alone in that huge house for three months. And after about a week of weird hallway passing and 'see-ya-laters' we found ourselves actually getting along, which was definitely a shock to me, and i'm sure it was to her too! As the summer went on we had the best time. And it became the beginnings of a fantastic friendship. Not one of those friendships because you live together...an actual friendship. Over the next two years Mad's incredibly kind heart and spirit became a rock for me. and BONUS- she is hilarious! and goofy! and sensitive and welcoming and opinionated and fierce. I can go on and on and on. And I think anyone who knows her will agree with me 100%. She is a shoulder to lean on and a silly dance partner and can talk about politics and serious issues with the best of them. I learn something about being a fantastic human being every time i speak to Mad and I couldn't be more grateful for her friendship. And that is the reason that those 72 hours of her visit were the best. Because even if it was just one hour I knew i would be a better person after, and because i got to see my sweet, unexpected, lovely, graceful, crazy friend.

 love you so much Mad and I'm a better person for knowing you!

Taking Stock

Making: more diy projects! This weekend Paul is finishing up the table with more staining and a sealant, and I am making simple art to hang around the house!
Cooking: Really?? Well as I'm out of cheerios my go-to has been strawberries in lactose-free milk. I LOVE dairy but over the past few years realized it doesn't love me. Since I switched to a dairy free life my tummy has been way happier!
Reading: Nothing right now! I'm on the hunt for my next good book... suggestions?
Wanting: honestly? nothing right now. 
Looking: at Bear and Penny play in the yard. I love how they are such buds
Playing: music all day long! Pauls choices? Country. Mine? Classic rock. [and musicals, duh]
Wasting: away the sunshine. because I get so much by accident i try to stay out of it as much as possible. Sorry Oregon family!
Sewing: ummm nothing. I should sew buttons back onto Paul's shirts though. 
Wishing: that August would come sooner! I just got my save the date in the mail for Madison and Tyler's wedding and got SO excited. 
Enjoying: work! I love the atmosphere and all of the people and feeling like I'm actually doing something that I am good at. 
Waiting: for Paul to get home from his third trip to Lowes today. Such a dude.. I can't keep him out of that store!
Liking: life right now. It feels like everything is falling in to place!
Wondering: what else i can make for the house for under five dollars...
Loving: work! give me a few months and I don't know if I'll be saying that but I can't wait for Monday!
Hoping: that Bear's teething ends soon. This dude is chewing EVERYTHING, including his supposedly 'indestructible' bed
Marveling: at how good it smells here today! Juniper, orange trees, sunshine.. yum!
Needing: to go to the store 
Wearing: my favorite jeans, a flowy grey tee and white converse! Perfect Saturday outfit.
Following: bear around. this teething has resulted in lots of chewed up socks so i'm trying to nip that in the bud
Noticing: my skin! think i'm actually getting some color [shock]
Knowing: that this year is going to be a huge one for me. I don't know how or why but i can just feel it
Thinking: about how excited I am! Paul and I are going to a rodeo tonight! 
Bookmarking: book clubs! It's something I've always wanted to do and I think i've found a good one in town!
Opening: mail!!
Giggling: at paul, always.
Feeling: prepared