new new new

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Junk in the Trunk new website launch party yay. It was great, [after the worlds worst traffic I had to endure to get there of course] I ate my weight in pizza and chocolate cake. SO GOOD! Any who you should stop on by and check out their new digs.

reunion

Angela came to visit YAY! One the drive to the airport we were discussing how it has worked out so nicely that since I moved away in October we had still managed to see each other once a month - even twice in January if you consider the Milwaukee trip thanks to new years covered both December and January. Unfortunately now due the busy season being upon me at work it will probably be a few months now until we meet again. sad sad. I guess that means this weekends memories will have to cary with me until then - not to be dramatic about it or anything.

But for reals I had SO much fun. It is just plain old great to have people to chat with and hang out with all the time....you know those people they like to call friends. I don't think I have laughed so much in a long long time.

Sticking to our usual form we made the most of each day. Going only 5.2 million places in the 48 hours that she was here. Most of which either included food or couches. We did also catch a movie, some shopping and some quality TV we do have to keep up with the Kardashians after all. 

But really Angela is such a pal, she let me drag her along on my hunt for the perfect couch. Which dun dun dun I learned is not to be found. I (again not to be dramatic or anything) decided that buying a couch is more difficult than buying a car. Or as Angela says it is like house hunters you can't have everything on you wish list, you have to make some compromises. So after two days and at least 6 different stores I think I have made a decision. Here are a few of my quick reflections on couch shopping: Just because you like something and you see it lots of places online does NOT mean that it is available in any store anywhere in Phoenix. Mor furniture is the place to go if you want good eats, they offer you soda, popcorn and cookies while you shop YUM! Some sales people don't even ask you if you like/want the couch they just go on spending 30 minutes picking out the color of your throw pillows, no thank you Thomasville. Some good conversations happen while just relaxing on the couches on display, I am pretty certain we sat on the Macy's display for a good twenty minutes at least.

here's some quick pics from the weekend:

1. breaking in the kitchen table with tasty breakfast sandwiches

2. hittin up Pita Jungle, I had to have 5 guys of course because they have the coolest soda machines I have ever seen in my life!

3. .....couch shopping

4. solving some mysteries - and of course in the movie they go to Paris, like nearly every movie we have seen together in the last year. Pure coincidence of course, but also more motivation/inspiration for our trip this summer.

5. Angela may have become a wee bit obsessed with Cacti [yes that is the plural form - even if you vote on it!]

6. oh look the table is getting used AGAIN...planning out trip to Paris!!

here, there and everywhere

Sorry my bloggin peeps, I hate to say it but there is no grand post today. Unless of course you count this one. Between work getting busier, pillow orders up the wazoo, mom in town, and Angela visiting this weekend[YAY!] I just don't have anything great for you all. But I how much you miss when I am away (or so I like to pretend) so you can visit me over at Junk In the Trunk for my weekly post over there.

Happy Thursday!

house guest

Friday night the Holt clan came over to watch Chuck. It was quite an adventure. I quickly learned that my apartment is not really childproof, at all. Audra ran into the TV cabinet at least twice, one of which was pretty bad. Then I had no child friendly cups for them to drink out of, nor napkins to clean up their spills. Man oh man, I've got a ways to go. 

So after one whole hour, most of which was spent running circles around the island, they left. The kids weren't really into Chuck (I know you're shocked by that) so they were going crazy. They left in a bit of a hurry. 

In the morning I noticed that they had left a few things behind. First I found a football guy and then I found a board book of the nativity story. I packed them up and returned them each to their rightful owners. Only to return home and find yet another football guy.

The remaining guy really likes to watch TV. This is exactly where Gavin left him. I keep forgetting to return this one, but then again maybe it is not me forgetting as much as a subconscious choice to keep him. He is now sitting on my counter, when I walk in the door, there he is, just waiting for me. Now if only he talked....

On a sad note, you guys should all know if you don't already that Friday is the last ever episode of Chuck. How sad is that? Although I must admit that it is not the same as it used to be. I realized this year that a large reason I enjoyed it so much was that I always watched it with a big group of friends. Now without those friends the show does not seem quite as good. My Monday night crew I miss you all.

Most

Yesterday at church we watched this video. It is a condensed version of the 30 minute Czech short film Most (2003). Have you heard of it? I hadn't, which kind of surprised me. But regardless it's a must see. Well,  I have not actually watched the full movie, but just this six minute version alone is really powerful. So I am sure the full version is even more so. If you have a few minutes I recommend watching it, I really don't think you will regret it.

a tale as old as time

Saturday I had the pleasure of taking Gavin to see Beauty and the Beast. The day began with a sing a long to the Muppets soundtrack, then the movie and then rounded out with some Chick Fil A. 

We saw the movie in 3D, the only thing available, however it was a waste as Gavin refused to even put his glasses on. He ate all of the snacks that we brought with us two bags of popcorn, fruit by the foot and then some fruit snacks - can you believe he was still hungry for lunch after?

If you recall last time I took Gavin to the movies the funny moment came when he started belting out Justin Beiber in the bathroom. Well this time our incident also involved the bathroom. After using the restroom at the movie theater we went to Chick Fil A, which was SO crowded. We waited in life for twenty minutes and finally we reached the front. We were next. This of course was the moment that Gavin decides that he has to go to the bathroom again. I of course didn't believe him because we just went....and I didn't want to lose our spot in line. When I asked him again if he really had to go the bathroom he started jumping and holding himself so I figured it was worth losing our spot to not have him having an accident in the restaurant. Well guess what? We got into the bathroom and he decides he no longer has to go. oh joy! It's moments like these that I have a lot more respect for what Lindsey must go through each day, as I am sure this is quite normal for her. We ended up in the drive through (as I didn't want to wait in the long line again) under the guise of taking the food home to share with the fam. 

Fun fact when I asked Gavin who his favorite character was after the movie I fully expected him to say the Beast, Gaston or maybe Lumiere, but no. His favorite character was Belle. haha. 

holidays

I realized this week the only good thing about working on a holiday is that there is absolutely no traffic. Seriously, I thought just schools, banks and post offices got the day off but I am thinking I was wrong. There was no one on the streets, everyone must have stayed home. They didn't even have the meters running on the freeway. It was fantastic.

But then you know Tuesday rolled around and my normal commute suddenly felt five years longer than it used to, it was tragic. AND since the post office had been closed everyone and their mom AND dad decided they HAD to mail something. I waited in life for over an hour. Ugh! Not my favorite. But you know when you consider that the reason I had to go was that the pillow business is booming (nearly out of control actually) I guess I can't complain too much.

Speaking of holidays....I got some new stuff up in the shop last week. You know some pink and red stuff for the upcoming most fun to decorate for holiday ever. The one that causes stores to have aisle and aisle of only pink things. Oh that sweet sweet Valentines day.

dining in

Yet another project is all done.

Tonight was the first night with the table in my apartment and did I eat at it? Nope. I would guess it won't get used until I have company, which I won't have until I make some friends. hhhmmm could be a while. But regardless I LOVE it. After many layers of high gloss paint, a lot more that ended up on me than I expected, she looks even better than I had hoped. 

My $25 craigslist table officially looks like it is worth a few dollars more. But I have to say as much as I love it, it does make my apartment feel considerably smaller (I am a little afraid of how small it will feel once I get a couch in here). In the 24 hours it has been in the dining nook I have run into the counter three times. I guess the two and a half feet of clearance is just not quite enough for me.

Yet another thanks to Pops and Kevin who moved the table in while I was at church (such a great surprise to come home to) and for hanging my curtains. Definitely the best kind of house guest!

spoiled

This weekend I have been feeling quite spoiled, thanks to Pop's being here. The second weekend in a row he has stayed with me, he is now referring to my guest room as his room. But that's ok I don't mind in the least. He always does more than his fair share. Thus me feeling spoiled. I was able to sit back and watch as he changed the closures on my armoire, hung my mirror, hung some hooks and even brought over my table (with Kevin thank you thank you) None of those things minus the table moving are particularly hard. I am more than capable of doing them all on my own. And under normal circumstances I would, or I would even volunteer to do them for others *cough  Rachel & Angela cough* but I have to say it was SO nice not to have to do any of it. I just sat back and watched as he worked, all the while thinking I could get used to this. haha.

Here is a nice little peak at my newly painted table, that now resides in my dinging room and not in the Holt's garage. But more on that later in the week.

from drab to fab

As promised earlier in the week more details on my great recovered ottoman. I know you were all just DYING to hear more about it. haha probably not but you get a little more too, just because I think it is so awesome.

Here is you little before and after photo, or as the title says the dram and the fab.

Way back when....before Rachel and Nathan were married he ever so kindly helped me carry it back to our garage where it sat until I moved. And every time someone saw it I felt the need to inform them that I had intentions of covering it and making it beautiful....just in case they thought I was going to use it as is.

Now I will solemly swear to never talk about how much I love my ottoman anymore. Unless of course you want the step by step of how I did it in which case you can hop on over here and read about it.

the still of the night

While most people are at home sleeping I am busy sanding. Just kidding, but I do look rather sneaky in this photo, making it look a whole lot more suspicious than it really is. This is my sweet table I got on craigslist for just a few buckaroos. 

She will soon be a shining bring white and fill my empty dining room. The pretty turquoise chairs are just begging for some company. Now who wants to help me paint?  

No that is not my apartment in the background [i will get you all some photos of that real soon] that is the Holt residence, which I now notice in this photos really needs to take down my wreath from the front door. As the Christmas season has come and gone. It is nearly time to cover everything in PINK yay for Valentines day.

presto pesto

I used my pink food processor for the first time yay! Isn't it just so cute? Rachel gave this to me for my birthday way back in July, and due to the move and what not, it just never made it out of the box until now. It was only fitting that the first thing I used it for was pesto. It turned out pretty decent, definitely edible just not quite as great as the original (aka any pesto made by Rachel). But it makes for the perfect dinner to settle in for a viewing of Sunday nights episode of Dowton Abbey. If you are not watching do yourself a favor and catch up ASAP, it's so fantastic. The first season is available on both Netflix and pbs.org.

[Did anyone catch the quick reference to Downton Abbey in Chuck Friday night? Probably not, only crazy people like me would have noticed....but it was there... Casey and Alex were watching it.]

project love

This is more of a teaser, posted out of love. After many months of holding on to a ugly old ottoman that I picked up off the curb in Fullerton I finally got around to recovering it [with lots of help from dad of course]. And well let's just say I really really like how it turned out. I shall post more on it later in the week while I have time. But for now I just wanted to look at it a little more so you get a photo. yay!

the open road

I never thought me the girl who dislikes driving and is perpetually lost would be excited about a road opening. But here I am not just excited, but so excited [or possibly hitting a new low/level of patheticness] that I am blogging about a new road. Since I moved here they have been working on a new road, it has looked finished for nearly a month now but it still wasn't open. I really began to think it never would open, they were just taunting us with the idea of a quicker route. I anticipated that the lovely new road would cut a good five minutes off of my morning commute.

So needless to say, this morning when I saw the traffic lights working, the barricades removed and cars going through the intersection I got SO EXCITED!! So excited in fact I almost ran a stop sign. I guess I got a little distracted by the sudden onslaught of ideas of all the things I could do in those extra five minutes I would have in the morning.......like sleep!

Doesn't get much better than that.

feelin hot hot hot

Sunday morning I flew back from Milwaukee bright and early. When I got to my car (eventually after taking the wrong bus to the long term parking lot) I was dripping sweat. It was SO HOT. Seriously, according to my car it was 83. Having just come from the snow I was just not having it. But really it just got me thinking if it is this hot on January first how in the world am I going to be able to survive a summer here? Yikes! Let's hope my body acclimates quickly.

On a different note last week everyone was having their annual reviews at work. Mine wasn't really an annual review since I have only been there two months, but still a review.  To sum up I can say they like me they really like me. It was so nice to have that review, and hear that I was doing well and they wanted em to stay......forever I think were the words used. The day I signed my lease (way back when) I had a small internal panic attack that now all of the sudden I was going to get fired and not be able to pay rent. I guess I can always find something to worry about, even if it is completely ridiculous. So to sum up I am not going to get fired haha, and I am doing well. Oh and I got a [small small] raise. How cool is that? Two months in and I got a raise and a Christmas bonus all in one week.

Rachel's big day

This post contains lost of very very similar photos with not so great lighting. So lucky for you you get all of my great descriptive words to give you more of a picture than all that is below.

The wedding weekend began for Angela and I on Thursday when we ventured to our first city of the day to help with the decor and set up of the reception site, which was at a historic court house in  West Bend [the city is only important so you can get a good idea of how many cities we visited a day] it was a really neat old building and even more fitting for them seeing as Nathan is working his way through las school. After that we ventured over to the next city for the bride to get her nails done, followed by a journey to Cedarburg for the rehearsal. Where I got to fill in as a groomsmen. hehe it was pretty fun I must admit to be on the other side of things, starting at the front instead of walking down the aisle. Did anyone watch the live webcast online? I just couldn't believe that they webcast their wedding and rehearsal. My favorite part of the evening was the sharing time as the dinner. It was fun to hear everyone's version of Nathan and Rachel's relationships, and to hear new stories from their childhoods and growing up years.

Then on Friday, the wedding day Rachel got her wish, it snowed! It was perfect [minus the slowdown it put of traveling from the ceremony to reception site]. The ceremony was filled with great music from many different friends and family members, including Nathan's grandfather singing a song accompanied by his wife that he sang at their wedding many years ago and Nathan's brothers wedding earlier in the year. Rachel was quite giddy and looked absolutely gorgeous, Nathan began to get misty before the ceremony even started.

The reception had so much GOOD food, and as mentioned the other day lots of waiters who took your food before you were done. It became a challenge, see if you can keep your plate until you are done. They tried to take Angela's plate at least twice before she finished. They took four of my cups....until there were no more, by the time dancing came around we were all parched and searching high and low for cups of some kind. I was tempted to remove the candle and use the candle holder as a glass.

After dinner, time in the photo booth, fun family toasts, hot chocolate, cake cutting, cookies, more hot chocolate, and dancing they exited into the cold night under a shower of snow. Not the real kind as it had stopped snowing by then, but instead under a manmade shower of the fake white fluffy stuff that we threw onto them.

new years eve

The day of New Years Eve was a grand one. It was the day after the wedding, and we were still in town, so what were we to do. Visit with Megan Brown of course! She being as great as she always is drove up from Wheaton to visit with us for a few hours. We had a fun lunch at The Sawmill Inn, don't really know if it's a local hot spot or not but we wanted to eat somewhere we couldn't get in Fullerton and Phoenix. After lunch and lots of catching up we went to the movies. Which are considerably cheaper in West Bend, WI and saw but of course New Years Eve which was so so so cheesy that I couldn't not enjoy it.

When the movie ended and the lights came back on I got momentarily confused and could not remember where we were. It felt like we should be in California because that is where the three of us usually spend time together. But Wisconsin? Since none of us lived there it just seemed so funny to be hanging out there.

After our farewells Angela and I got to enjoy a fancy feast prepared by Laura Ouimette. I am pretty sure I packed on a few pounds from eating all the great food at their house. Dinner was followed by a crazy round of kinds charades, which makes you feel like the best actor ever because they are so easy. We then played pin the 2 on 2011....I don't know if that is the proper name but it's close enough. I may have been the worst of everyone. Twice landing on the wrong wall, and knocking things over. Woops! Then at eight pm we had a new years count down for the children.

Have no fear even though we had a count down at eight we still stayed up and watched the ball drop at midnight, for the second time in one day. This was the first in at least three years that I have not only not been alone for new years, but that I actually stayed up till midnight. If you had asked me last year where I would be for the next new years I never would have thought it would be in Milwaukee for Rachel's wedding, nor that I would have traveled from Phoenix and not Fullerton. So who knows where I will be next 12.31. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. 

finally!

It finally feels like home, like I live here. In my apartment that is. Last night I spent my first night alone in here. Then today after a not super successful couch shopping trip with multiple screaming children I visited the fitness center and made my first meal here. I feel like I broke in the kitchen with some enchiladas. And I must give a shout out to the parents who gave me so AWESOME pots and pans for Christmas, I used them for the first time and they are so wonderful!!

Unrelated to the apartment while shopping today Gavin had to go to the bathroom, while we were in the car. So in the parking lot he peed in a cup, which Lindsey then put in the cup holder and it was forgotten. Well later in the day Audra picked up the cup and..........don't worry she didn't drink it, but she did tip it upside down and pour it all over her and her doll. It was oh so funny and so gross all at the same time ha!

quick review

This will be the first [quick version] of a few posts from this weekend, where oh so many things happened. the biggest of all, and reason for being in the Midwest, being Rachel's wedding. 

So here are just a few photos from my phone, mostly of the set up of the wedding. More pictures and details will come in the next few days as I upload photos - in between unpacking boxes. All of my belongings seem to have multiplied while I was away, and I keep finding more boxes that need to be taken care of. Soon I may actually be settled in my apartment.

1. First time in Milwaukee YAY! It was fantastic cool weather, and we even got some snow, perfect!

2. Christmas trees used at the reception.

3. the beginning of table set up

4. the great photo booth backdrop 

5. The cake, made by Rachel's mom it was SO GOOD!!!!! And because the overzealous waiters kept taking all of our stuff we had to eat it with our fingers.

6. Name cards, I greatly enjoyed that my card said Amanda, but my table setting said Mandy. I guess I have a split personality.

7. Part of the programs, Angela and I both intended to keep ours and yet neither on of us managed to walk out with one.

8. The Photo booth room aka the Judges Chambers

9. Dessert, the cake as I said was fantastic, and then I would say the second runner up would be the cardamon star cookies

10. Favors (calendars made by Rachel) and the Menu - all the food was like the cake great great great. And eating became a challenge for some as the waiters kept trying to clear the plates, weather you were done or not they wanted to get rid of it.