Motivation

The last few years have seen massive changes to the interior of our home. We still have a few things we want to change, but for the most part, we've completely revamped the house to our taste. It is completely different from when we bought it, and we love what we've accomplished.

The outside of our home, however, is a different story. It looks pretty much abandoned. Any changes that have taken place mostly center around removal: we ripped out ugly bushes in front of our porch; we took a chainsaw to several badly placed or dying trees; we've drug wheelbarrow full loads of rocks from our vegetable garden area (and by "we," in most instances, I mean "anyone in my family except for me").

We have had the best intentions of making the outside of our home as beautiful as the inside. But...the best laid plans...

Then, last weekend, my in-laws dropped by with an amazing gift. They gave us a set of chairs and table that they had found on sale. I had wanted to purchase something for our front porch for a long time, but it just never happened. And then, like magic, they showed up; I couldn't have chosen a better set; I absolutely love what they found. They are pretty much the best in-laws ever.

This has helped provide the motivation that I needed. I finally called a local landscaper. His estimate will arrive this week. Once we get a nice, rain-free weekend, Husband and I will finally stain the front porch a lovely dark brown (and this will also hopefully eradicate our carpenter bee problem). Then the landscaper can do his stuff, and we can get our electrician to install some new light fixtures.

I am so darn excited.

A single daisy, in repose

Happy birthdays

August is a big month for birthdays 'round these parts. The month begins with Husband's birthday, and it ends with several friends' birthdays, as well as my dad's birthday. So happy to celebrate these milestones together with our closest friends and family.

Happy birthday to all!

A short, hot summer

I cannot believe September begins next week.

Already a kajillion students are back to swarm the campus, as classes began yesterday. Husband and I can no longer eat, drive, or walk anywhere with ease. I am currently whimpering beneath my desk, the only place I feel I won't be run over by a myopic co-ed who can see nothing but the phone in her hand.

While the afternoon has warmed to just under sweltering, the morning was so chilly that I thought about wearing a jacket. A jacket. Jacket weather.

While I enjoy the crisp fall days and the changing leaves and the fresh school supplies aisle, I feel a little cheated out of summer. Yes, we were fortunate enough to take about a week's vacation to New York, and while it was a memorable experience, it wasn't at all like the gentle, leisurely vacations to which Husband and I are accustomed. I admittedly run at a slower pace than NY, and I didn't feel like Husband and I got the chance to re-charge our batteries in preparation for the long, icy winter ahead.

I never wore a swimsuit once this summer. And I really, really like to swim.

Sistercousin and I had discussed plans to visit a water park, which I happen to adore (don't judge me). The plans almost became a reality, but time and work got in the way, and now the plans are postponed until next summer. Just like the plans have been postponed every summer in recent memory.

Husband isn't a list maker or a plan creater, so activities are generally left to me to figure out and organize. And I'm so tired of trying to plan.

Maybe next summer.

Daily Eye Candy: For a Friend

P.S. I adore RedBubble, which is where this design originated (artist Karl Gookey). You can buy it there as a poster for $22.80, which I think you should go do!

Showering with a group of women

Last weekend I worked 25 hours on my home computer. Out of the 48 hours allotted for a weekend. On a project for my "day job," which I do not get paid extra for in any way. Because I'm that dedicated. For the record, I feel I have earned the right to whine about that.

I earned a short reprieve on Saturday morning, when I attended one of the nicest bridal showers I've ever experienced. It was for one of my best friend's fiancees, who has quickly also become a dear friend. She is a doll.

We were met at the door with mimosas, we had a lovely plated brunch, and we feasted on adorable cupcakes. And there were no games. Bridal Shower For The Win!

I can't wait for their wedding!

Birthday celebration (cont'd)

And it is finished.

Daily Eye Candy

I love fonts on paper, but I bet I would like them even better on person.

Lenora Dame, Alphabet Necklace, $95.

Lenora Dame, Syntax Stretch Bracelets (set of 5), $70.

Birthday celebration

I submit to you the following exhibits, proof that I am a pretty darn good wife.

We celebrated Husband's birthday this past Thursday, and I finally got to give him the gifts I've been hiding and plotting about for a long time. I was very excited.

When we visited Katz's Deli during our vacation to New York this summer, I started to wonder if I could somehow order up some of that deliciousness back home in Indiana. By the magic of Fed-Ex, I could! A two-person meal included pastrami (you get a choice between pastrami or corned beef), 2 pickles, 8 slices of seedless rye bread, 2 square potato knishes, and a 1/2 pound of Katz's mustard. I ordered the deliciousness at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and the package arrived by 3:30 p.m. the following day.

Husband was pretty happy (and extremely surprised). He's also now a pastrami convert; I don't think there's any possibility of a return to corned beef after this experience.

In addition, ever since the New York vacation (are you seeing a trend here?), when we visited the Lego Store, Husband has been coveting the Lego Death Star Kit. He kept talking about it, and talking about it, and talking about it, and I had to keep disparaging it so he wouldn't know that I'd already ordered it in mid-July. Or, rather, that I was extremely sneaky and asked sistercousin to order it so that the charge wouldn't appear on our credit card statement! I had the (giant, heavy) box shipped to my parents' house where I wrapped the monster and then snuck it over to my in-laws', where he finally opened it. My in-laws went in on it with me, which turned out to be a great gift from all of us.

He was shocked by the size of the manual.

He almost has it completed (in just five days). If he wasn't required to go to work and to sleep, I think it would have been finished a bit earlier.

I will post pictures of the final product soon.

Oh, and I also made him a pecan pie (perfect recipe here). Because I'm like that. (He said it was the best pecan pie yet, but I'm afraid he may be legally obligated to provide that compliment.)

I hope you had an amazing 28th birthday, my love! I have more fun planning for your birthday than I do mine! I'm so glad we got to spend it together!

Happy birthday to Husband

Happy birthday to my dearest love, my one and only, my darling; to the man with the best sense of humor, the best eyebrow raise, and the best derriere; to the guy who will let me use his computer from time to time, who steps up to take care of the household when I am buried beneath work, who always makes me feel special and pretty and worthwhile; to the person with whom I share my life. I love you!