Resolutions

Today is the 10th and not only have I abandoned my previous New Year's Resolutions, but I've decided on new ones.

1. only 1 hour of TV on weekdays
2. get to work on time
3. spend less, save more
4. eat less, exercise more
5. learn to play the piano

Hopefully I can remember to post an update on my goals by the 15th of each month.

I'll set a reminder on my phone :)

Nailed It

I haven't taken any pictures for proof of my accomplishments, but I am proud to say that I did actually complete some DIY stuff I pinned on Pinterest.  I spend a lot of time pinning things and one of my resolutions is to make those things happen instead of wish online about them.

So, I made chocolate covered potato chips for my sister.  She's pregnant and totally craving chocolate and chips.  I didn't get the chocolate quite melted enough to squeeze through the bag the way I wanted, but the chips got mixed with melted chocolate and even though they looked a little creepy, they totally tasted great!

I also have a long white skirt that I got from Target for $5.  It's an OK skirt, but I saw how someone had dip-dyed their old skirt and I've been planning on doing it myself for a few months.  I did it this afternoon!  It's in the washer right now, but so far, so good!!!

I've also been loving the glitter tipped nail polish on top of dark nail polish.  I already had a dark purple color that I could use, but thanks to a Christmas gift, I totally pulled off the fancy nail polish that I've been pinning!

I'm so proud!

Now if I can just start working on the house stuff I've been pinning, I might actually get something lasting accomplished :)

Someone To Vent To

I have a hard time opening up to people.

There was a girl in high school who asked me if I ever have any problems.  I have tons, I just don't like to share them with just anyone.  And I usually choose which problems to share with certain people.  I don't give anyone just anything and I don't give certain people specific things.

I need to know that you have similar problems before I share mine, and if we don't have that thing in common, you won't hear me talk about it.  Unless it's in passing and not a true reveal.  I'm careful how and what and with who (or is it with whom?) I share.

One of the reasons for this blog was to force myself to open up.  What better way to open up if not the false anonymity of the internet?

I'm really annoyed right now.  Like, really.  My tendency is to blame myself, but I'm also trying not to do that any more either.

It's not my fault.

It will all work out in the end.  It really isn't that big of a deal in the big scheme of things.  However, is it too much to ask for someone to put me first? That's really selfish, but I feel like we all need that every once in a while.

Someone that uses everything they have to please you. Someone that puts you first.  Thinks of your feelings first. Considers you before themselves.

Not all the time.  Not every day.  Not just one person.  Just an occasional, "I knew you would need me today" or "you asked and here I am" or "I thought you might need . . ."

Everyone is human and maybe today is just one of those days where everyone is needing everyone.

I have a close family that loves me and friends that care about me.  I'm not lonely or sad or longing, just really annoyed right now.  I'm sure I'll be over it in a few hours.

P.S. Does anyone want to fund my dog's knee surgery?  Poor puppy!

TV Boyfriends

Ever since Jim married Pam, my TV love life has been a little lacking.

I know it's TV.  I just like to suspend my disbelief for 30 minutes at a time and believe that there are plenty of handsome goofballs falling in love with quirky girls.

The New Girl isn't even really that great, but I do enjoy watching Nick getting frustrated with everyone being crazy around him and then pulling the emotional closure together at the end of the episode.

It's about time, because I was beginning to resent the fact that Jim isn't as good married as he was single.

What I've Been Up To

So much!

September, October, and November were busy and now it's the middle of December!

Let me see what I remember . . . I did my cousin's wedding day luncheon, Zoe was born, I had a Halloween party, hosted Maryn's birthday party, went to Disneyland, I had a birthday, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas is 2 weeks away!

I took pictures of everything, but they might be out of order a bit now...

I bleached this shirt for my brother's birthday.  It's a direct quote from him, "I'm always at least two steps ahead."

 

    

I made this recipe book for my mom's birthday.  It has extra info and note pages in the back.  The list picture is the wrapping that I did.  I cut up and weaved old magazine pages together.

   

I made this for my brother and sister-in-law's anniversary. I bought the pillows, took a picture of Katie's head and then a picture of Jesse's head.  Then I printed each picture, cut out just the hair, traced it onto an old pair of jeans, cut it out, and stitched them onto the pillows.  It turned out pretty cute for having limited sewing skills!   

   

These are some pictures from my cousin's wedding day luncheon. I just ordered sandwiches from Port-of-Subs and made some salads and brownies, but the decorations were pretty cute thanks to Martha Stewart and the blogging world. I wish I was better at keeping track of where I get everything so I could give credit.

   

I made this tutu for Zoe's baby shower

ZOE! September 27

I made this wreath for the door at school.  Everyone's pretty impressed.  I just hot glues crayons to  an embroidery hoop and wove some ribbon.  It's great for school!

I made this tutu for Bubbles (Carrie's chihuahua) so she could be a fairy for Halloween.

And now for the Little Mermaid Birthday Party.  The decorations were so fun that we had to dress up :)

Ariel's Grotto with all of her hoarded items, including her Eric Statue.

The grotto in position under the mantel with seaweed for effect (Dad's idea, Mom's execution)

View from the front door. Thanks to Dad for helping me get the waves in place.  Thanks to Mom for helping me get the seaweed, fish, and mermaid decorations in place.

Our pictures of Eric.  They've become a permanent fixture!

Part of your...WORLD!!! (Imagine a huge splash fanning out behind Maryn)

And then we woke up at 4:00 in the morning and drove to Disneyland to be irresponsible (but within responsible limits - we are 30)

This is Day 2. We were T I R E D ! ! !

Responsibly Irresponsible - going on a ride that will make Angie puke, but doing it before she has food from the day to make her puke - even though she got close :)

Responsibly irresponsible - playing on the rails, but only when the line isn't moving

And then it was time to decorate for Thanksgiving...

I got these giant pumpkins a few days before for only $5 each!

Next Thanksgiving I'm hoping to have these pumpkins covered in glitter!

After dinner, we sang happy birthday to me and opened presents. I totally got what I wanted!

And now the Christmas decorations:

I think I might actually be up to date!!!

It's been crazy fun, but I'm almost ready for a few party free months.

Birthday Card

I've been trying to be more fiscally responsible lately.  I'm trying to make anything that could be purchased and thanks to blogger land, I'm getting some good ideas :)

It's my friend's mom's birthday tomorrow and we're meeting for dinner.  Instead of buying a card, I got to make one.

I just happened on to this card idea today!  Perfect timing!!!

Here are the pictures:

The finished project

Open card side 1
- Pay no attention to the mess in the background :)

Open card side 2 

I loved the card but I felt like I couldn't just hand it to her.  I needed an envelope.  Enter You Tube.  I found an envelope tutorial for any size card and a flat tissue paper flower for a little something extra.  I used tissue paper for the envelope and the flower because I have an obsession with tissue paper.

The beginning of the flower for the front of the envelope.

The finished flower attached to the envelope.
I wish that I had thought through to the end of the flower better.
I wish that the Happy Birthday print on the paper was easier to see.

The created envelope with flower (all propped up for a picture).

Below are the sites that I used as inspiration:
CARD TUTORIAL
ENVELOPE TUTORIAL
FLOWER TUTORIAL

I hope she likes it!

Blessings

I need to count my many blessings.

So, I bought a house in January.  Since then, I seem to keep making bad judgement calls with my money.  Why-o-why do I constantly overspend?  Because of this, I had fallen behind on all of my bills, not to mention my tithing.  I needed to renew my recommend, so I told the Bishop my money problems and he told me to pay my tithing and let him help me.  That was hard.

I payed my tithing on July 25th.  Since then, these are the blessings that have come into my life.

1) My mom was able to get another consulting job and she was able to help with the phone bill.

2) My aunt needed someone to do a luncheon for my cousin's wedding.

3) My sister offered to pay the co-pay for my dentist appointment.

4) After my brother pointed out that my front tires were shredding, my mom offered to buy new ones for me.

5) My next paycheck was more than expected.

6) I went on a date.

7) I found a free energy audit that determined the repairs that were needed for my air conditioner.

8) The air conditioner repair guy cut us a deal and my mom offered to pay for it.

9) The air conditioner was fixed before the record high temperatures started.

10) My pregnant sisters are healthy and happy.

11) My friend got a job.

12) I'm happy.

13) Maryn got some cash and the my parents and the Bishop are helping us to get caught up on the overdue bills.

14) My brother got some job prospects that will help his family.

15) I have a current recommend, I'm a primary teacher, I serve in the Humanitarian Service room, and I have a job that I love.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God's plan.
I'll follow him in faith.