Never saw it coming...

I few weeks ago my sweet friend Whitney and I were catching up... I absolutely treasure these talks. She always has her hand in something cool or stylish or yummy. Everyone needs a Whitney... or two... or four! Well anyway, her husband's birthday was coming up and I was on pins and needles to hear what fabulous things she had planned. Much to my surprise, she said it was going to be a low key thing because Ty wasn't a big birthday person and was really jonesing for this cooler. A cooler... um OK? Like the thing you put beer and fish in? (I don't even slightly pretend to understand the mind of a man). Well, that's sounds good. She said, "well it's not just a cooler, it's a a YETI". A "Yeti", right, I think I know what that is? Well tell Ty we love him and Happy Birthday!

MAYBE, a week later... We were so blessed to be able to spend the 4th with some dear friends in Clay's home town. In prep for the big weekend we had food, drinks, etc. Whoops! We threw out the cooler after the last fishing trip, nothing to transport all this stuff. In retrospect this is the part of the story I should have gone to Wal-mart and picked up a nice $20 IGLOO cooler. But no, I send my charming husband out on the task. He was so thoughtful to bring home a huge, expensive, bear proof cooler that will keep ice solid for a week. Seriously?!?!? I would have loved to get really steamed but I haven't seen him that excited since he got his new truck almost four years ago! He actually read the entire instruction manual and spent an hour on the YETI website. It was really cute. And even though I lost my shopping budget for July, I have a freezer for ice and there are no bears in West Texas, I am really glad he splurged on himself. But I will say this... that cooler is staying in our house no matter how ridiculous it looks. If it gets stolen, it is NOT getting replaced!

Love you Claybear

If you need a gift idea for the men in your life.. check them out here.

City Girl Secret #2- Sunless Tanner

God made me redheaded and pasty. Supposedly, that was "beautiful" but as a teen I just felt like a sheep in a herd of cattle. Texas women are supposed to be tan, with big hair and lots of make-up, right? Not really :) But you get what I am saying! When I was 14, my mom introduced me to sunless tanning creme. Even though I immediately turned streaked orange and smelled a mix of sunscreen and cheap perfume, I was hooked! Looking back I was not fooling anybody, but in my head I had finally joined the club. Unfortunately for my poor friends and family, I stayed in this smelly, streaky, orange state until my late teens. Randomly, my senior year of high school I started tanning for real and my angel kisses (freckles) disappeared... I didn't question it, I just reveled in my new bronze color and layed out whenever I could! Well, thank goodness I have the pictures to prove it because about a year or two ago the glory days ended. I am back looking like my old teenage Scandinavian self- white, freckled and staring skin cancer in the face if I try to fight it. But after an 8 or 9 year hiatus, I was thrilled to find ... there are some really amazing sunless tanners that actually turn you TAN!

My mommy lola always says, "A good tan is the quickest way to lose 10 pounds!"

Sign me up, right?!?!... here are my faves:

1. My all time fave- airbrush tanning that a stylist actually hand sprays on you with something resembling a gardening hose! Beautiful, perfectly tailored and even. A yummy splurge for a big event or a confidence boost during one of those yucky weeks.
Works: Immediately! But can't shower for 8-10 hours
Cost: $30-75 depending on retailer (*tip- the people you find on Internet or yellow pages will be cheaper than ones you find at department store or spa)
Lasts: 1-2 weeks
Con: Have to have an appt and takes about 30-45 minutes start to finish. You will get addicted!

2. Versa Spa- the updated "Mystic Tan" (at most larger tanning salons). Looks very natural, not streaky. Only takes 5 minutes if there is no wait at the tanning salon. A great cheaper alternative!
Works: If you choose the (more expensive) bronzer solution it activates within four hours but this can rub off and ruin your clothes. The clear solution that I have gotten activates in about 12-16 hours, but you can shower after 6.
Cost: $10-20 depending on the shade you choose (the bronzer solution is $20-30- unless you are on a time crunch I would rather pay the extra $ and get an airbrush)
Lasts: 1-2 weeks
Con: Only you will able to tell, but it is not quite as even. Not good for a pool party, comes off in chlorinated water. Also, make sure you wipe down your palms and nails so it does not turn them orange.

3. Jergens Natural Glow- A cheap, great alternative if you have a lot of time. Skin gets super soft and smells good.
Works: Over 2-4 weeks with regular application. Also, a great way to extend a spray tan.
Cost: $6 tube for body lotion, $10 for face lotion
Lasts: Hard to say for sure, maybe a few days once you have reached the color you want if you do not continue application.
Con: Takes dedication (daily application) to reach the color you want, but easy to maintain once you get there. MUST wash hands after application or your knuckles and palms will color orange.

There are so many products on the market, it is a little overwhelming to try and figure out what actually works without having to pay the price of walking around like an "umpa lumpa". This is only what I have tried with success.

Will you tell me what you know?

Summer Fun

Wow! When I get off track... I REALLY get off track! Sorry bloggy friends, I really have missed you! Nothing wrong just a summer haze :)

West Texas has had one of the worst droughts EVER this year! In fact the current stats for the area we live in say it's the worst drought since the Dust Bowl. So if you have ever seen the movie Giant or Gone With the Wind, you might be able to visualize my back yard (if you have not seen Giant or Gone With the Wind your to-do list just got a little longer :). Well, after a glorious getaway last week to a land of still skies, humidity and cloud cover, I found myself moping around at the prospect of going home. However, every cloud has silver lining right?! I came across this DIY kite and I have been dying to make it ever since! It may be dusty and hot but it's sure WINDY!

Hope you are having a great summer! xoxo

It's Strawberry Time!


I love this time of year! If it's not enough that the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the sun stays out until nine, just stop into your local grocer: the price of strawberries magically changes from about $5+/ box to $2/ box! I wait all year for this. I LOVE. love. L.O.V.E. strawberries! I found this adorable recipe online. Even though the picture above would be geared most towards the 4th, you could easily change the sprinkles color and use for a theme party or just to spice up your everyday. Enjoy!

Change

My Mom always reminds me the twenties are all about change. If you are in them I don't have to explain that to you. New relationships, new jobs, new towns... it goes on and on. I came across this adorable shadow box in the blogosphere and had to share it! I wish I had thought of this for my first paycheck, my first apartment out of college or the first place Clay and I lived. Maybe someday I will do this when we get our first house. But I thought it was so sweet. I am so guilty of worrying and stressing over the little things and forgeting to be present and thankful for all the blessings of today. Click on the image above to take you to this easy keepsake and the adorable blog Young House Love.

Some quotes I h.e.a.r.t. on change:

In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.

Leo Tolstoy

 If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine.

Morris West

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.

Abraham Lincoln

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Chinese Proverb 

What t.h.e. b.i.b.l.e. says about being "present":

Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

³⁴"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I won, I won!

I am so honored to win a "Versatile Blogger Award" from my sweet bloggy friend Elizabeth! She is always inspiring me with her kind words, encouraging stories and fantastic recipes. Check out her beautiful words here:

Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box

When receiving this award the rules are:

1. Thank and link to the person who awarded you

2. Share 7 facts about yourself

3. Pass on the award to 7 new-found blog friends

4. Let your friends know they were awarded!

S.E.V.E.N. things you should know about me.

O.N.E.

I am the oldest of F.I.V.E.

We all have F.O.U.R. names.

Taylor Allison Olivia (Weitzel) Arrington (26)

John Mason Christian Weitzel (24)

Larsen Aubree Meriweather Weitzel (21)

Chappel 'Chaps' Spencer Nelson Weitzel (16)

Courtlandt 'Court' Hamilton Sharpe Weitzel (14)

T.W.O.

I love old garden-esque cemeteries. Not in a morbid way! I love admiring the old stones and reading epitaphs. They are also a peaceful place to remind us what we look forward to as Christians (nobody is really there). 

Revelation 21:4 (King James Version)

 ⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

T.H.R.E.E.

I am a card carrying member of the Teamsters Union.

In a lapse of judgement, I decided I was not going back to college one summer. My dad was happy to help me find a job with some of his clients loading trucks at UPS. Two weeks later I was happily exstatically enrolled and driving to Baylor University.

F.O.U.R.

I debuted into the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League in 2005...

and the National Debutante Cotillion in 2006.

F.I.V.E.

I attended half the schools in the Big 12 South:

University of Oklahoma- tennis team

Baylor University- for a change

Texas Tech University- Nursing School

I hated OU, liked Baylor and LOVED TECH!

In Lubbock I found myself, my best friends, my husband and my God.

S.I.X.

I told my best friend I would marry my husband before we actually met.

We made it official in San Antonio, Texas June 13, 2008.

Our guests threw tortillas instead of rice- an old Texas Tech alumni tradition.

He completed my heart.

S.E.V.E.N.

Valentines Day is my favorite holiday.

I have made handmade valentines for friends and family as long as I can remember.

I already know what my valentine will be in 2012!

S.E.V.E.N. people you cannot miss.

O.N.E.

Lori Weitzel: Orlando Illustrator

365 days of custom inspiration boards on pop culture, faith and family.

T.W.O.

The Wiegand's

An artist's perspective on faith, family and juggling it all.

T.H.R.E.E.

REAL FAT

An inspiring journey of weight loss from a christian perspective.

F.O.U.R.

P is for Party

A former party planner and mommy catalogues latest party trends and tips.

F.I.V.E.

Take Heart

A blog filled with encouragement, humor and DIY crafts.

S.I.X.

Texas Style and Substance

Cataloguing everything in vogue around the state of Texas.

S.E.V.E.N.

Letters from Coco

I am always inspired by her words on faith, family and everything else.

Me and the mouse

The last week has been crazy. Beyond crazy. I think I am crazy. Ironically, the only thing I can I think to write about after a week of crazy is seeing my first mouse. Really?! yes... here's to coping skills.

I met my first mouse Monday. I named him Merle Simon Trolly.

I don't really like that name. I don't really like him. It works.
I'm sorry if you have a friend named Merle Simon.

A little history:
We had a mouse militia (I never saw a one) this winter. Yuck! This didn't seem to phase my country boy. He put out some poison and moved on. I on the other hand was not too thrilled. I had trouble sleeping and became increasingly paranoid that the mouse was the cause of every malfunction in our home. Including:

• why I could never find my keys- oh no it's memory loss!
• my favorite pink socks were are missing 
• the DVR mysteriously forgot to record One Tree Hill... twice 

Then WA-la the mouse (mice?) just left... or went to mouse heaven. Gone. Victory! One Tree Hill!

Then I started hearing suspicious stirrings... again. They came back. A week or so ago. Merle and friends ate Macy and Molly's food. That was it! Mouse traps set. Welcome paranoia that the mouse would crawl in my ear and eat my brain and hide my favorite Christmas socks. Seriously. Well, something like that.

Clay decided we should make it a game so I would relax. We call mouse trapping "fishing". Merle was our first fish. I. WAS. SHOCKED. Sleep deprived and grumpy I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Could my nightmare really be that... small! Well I can asure you after catching f-i-f-t-e-e-n more fish, yes! Merle could fit in an Easter egg... with his brother. I really think Highland Park High School should consider adding curriculum on this. sleep. at. last.

Easter Eggs and Good Friday

The Incredible Edible Easter Egg

I originally started out on a quest to figure out why we eat hot crossed buns on Good Friday (or for Easter)... I am sure there is a very important and interesting reason we do but the search could not keep my attention. However, I ended up finding out why we have Easter eggs instead of say Easter oranges...



Click here for some adorable egg decorating ideas!



My very condensed version is that the Catholic Church used to ban eating eggs during Lent. Therefore, eggs were often served on Easter, decorated and colored, as a celebration of Christ's Resurrection and the end of Lent. They were frequently decorated red, so the breaking of the shell was symbolic of the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross to give us new life. Also, eggs were boiled to preserve them during the Lenten season- do boiled eggs stay good a long time? I didn't know that! There is a lot more detailed info including stuff on Easter bunny, hunting eggs, etc. here and here if you are interested.

Good Friday

I absolutely love the Message translation of the bible! Even though some feel it controversial, it always makes things so much more clear to me. Just in case you are like me and wanted to read how the Message translates the original Good Friday in Mark 15, go here. And for more on Good Friday go here.

I love everything that is Easter- the candy, the clothes, the music, the colors.... But, today I am feeling sad and somber that I has taken me until Friday of Holy Week to remember what Easter is really about. How close did I come to not getting it at all?

I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns:

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,

and did my Sovereign die!

Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I? 

Chorus:

 But drops of tears can ne'er repay

the debt of love I owe.

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'tis all that I can do.

 Was it for crimes that I have done,

he groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! Grace unknown!

And love beyond degree! Chorus

Well might the sun in darkness hide,

and shut its glories in,

when God, the mighty maker, died

for his own creature's sin. Chorus

Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears;
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears. Chorus

Have a blessed Friday and wonderful Easter weekend friends!

Birthday Dilemma

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today {P is for Party} here, and she touched on something I am always curious about. Every year June comes and goes and I have the same internal conflict...

Is it tacky to plan your own birthday party?

I have historically checked the "yes" column, and passively left celebrating until someone else brings it up. But I have also been to some really fun parties where the host was the birthday girl? I went to one of my favorite websites, Emily Post's Etipedia, and as always found a lot of jewels, but nothing on this topic. I did love this quote...

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

-Emily Post

What do you think?

Mudroom

Love this boot rack!



I am not really sure why, but I have house planning on my mind this last week. Odd... usually I walk around party planning...

We aren't getting one.

Nor are we for a while.

No matter, I couldn't help but share one of my favorite things about country houses today- the mudroom! This is a little odd considering me and mud are not really friends. But I guess the best way to describe it is:

{A place between the garage and living areas or room just inside front/ back door to disrobe if covered in cow patties, take off your muddy/ wet shoes, boots and hang jackets, overalls and (cowboy) hats; usually have a bench and a boot jack}

Sidebar-Yes a boot jack! I didn't spell that wrong city friends. It is this amazing device where you can get your boots off without having to bend down and hop around on one leg while trying to pull. I think I could do I whole post on my love for boot jacks... another day.

Even if someone's home is spotless and entertaining ready, the mudroom is usually the same as always. A little messy, a little unorganized, a lot of character. But isn't that how we are in life? Sometimes I like to just sit there and watch Clay's family stagger in as the shred layers of coats, hats and boots and emerge a little lighter and a little cleaner, leaving behind the day. It may have something to do with the heated floors in that rooms too... and all the cute (I mean manly) cowboy gear...

I wish there was such thing as an emotional mudroom sometimes. How different would life be if you left all "dirt" from the day at the door and your home was like this...

Ephesians 4:29

Good News Translation

Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.

PS- Couldn't find a good picture of a mudroom... all the ones I found were clean and Martha's vineyard looking... defeats the whole purpose :( I guess you will just have imagine until I can get to the ranch to take a pic

Remembering breakfast

Clay left on a fishing trip this morning and I am off to work for a few days (nights). If I was better prepared I would have cooked something cute like this... instead we ended up at IHOP.

I absolutely treasure breakfast with my husband. Its our little thing. I work nights, he lives a busy "day" life. Breakfast is the time of the day where we seem to have two seconds to meet in the middle. I am in a good mood because thank goodness I am done and he is in a good mood because he is one of those odd morning people. We talk about the day, my night, Leno, the dogs, the weather, whatever... some of my best memories over the past few years are over cheerios and coffee. And whats funny about is it's never the time for big decisions or "talking" it's just random, simple thoughts where I fall in love with him all over again. I also love that he only really eats breakfast so he can spend some time with me. He will here or there, but generally he just drinks some coffee and waits til lunch.

Breakfast was special when I was a kid too. On Saturday mornings Mom would sleep in and me and my Dad would sneak away to a different breakfast place each week. Sometimes we would ride bikes or walk if it was nice. I think when I was young I would look forward to it all week- my little date with Dad.

They say one of the habits if healthy people is not skipping breakfast; I know that has been true for me.

Pinterest

In the catalogue for my 'someday' house

I just added Pinterest on my 'To Inspire and Encourage' links... after scouring the Internet for inspiration for so many years I can't believe I had never heard of/ seen this. If you haven't checked it out you are REALLY missing out too! Every hour of every day people (nationally/ internationally) are posting pictures of things that they love or inspire them. And you can check it out for FREE. Attn: DIY section, pure treasure :)

Decorating Ideas

"A house is made with walls and beams, a home is made with love and dreams"
-Unknown

I seem to have writers block the last few days and my nose stuck in a book, but I have found no shortage of pictures that just inspire me to create... something. Enter- this amazing bedroom. I. AM. IN. LOVE. I just found this woman's super creative blog and there are some really neat DIY (cheap) design ideas. Click on the above pic for the link to how to make this beautiful headboard.

Don't you want to just cozy up in here... ahhh!

Here is a close-up of the homemade barn door, I think it is fabulous! I think I will tuck this away in my design book for 'that someday house'. In the mean time maybe someone else might have the perfect place for one. Click on the above picture for the link of how to make one and here for how to hang it... and here for the handle (not shown).

My girl{s}

Clay and Macy

Somebody who reads this may think I am borderline nuts... they are just dogs. I get that, I was that! Growing up we didn't really have dogs. The occasional pet here and there, but they never lasted very long. And 'those' dog people drove me nuts: getting their hair done (with bows), including them in the family Christmas card updates, doggie car seats, cooking meals for them- YES COOKING... "so weird, do they think it's a kid or something?!?!"

I must have rolled my eyes hundreds of times over the last 26 years of life at people and their dogs. And now I am one, what happened to me...

I met my husband around this time five years ago... maybe six, not so good with dates. He was tall, strawberry-blond, with the deepest blue eyes. Just dreamy. I think he could have spit on me and I would have blushed. Well, as I'm sure you can tell by my description, I fell head over heels pretty quickly. He on the other hand, I just wasn't sure...

We were out one night and I mentioned how much I loved his roommate's dog and I said he should get a puppy (you don't have to be a dog person to love puppies). Kinda forgot about it but a week or two later, Macy- our boxer, magically appeared. I guess that's when I knew he REALLY liked me too. His mom jokes he got the dog to get the girl, it worked! Overnight I became a dog lover and our girl has been with us ever since. Thankfully (I think it is the breed), she has totally eased me into the dog thing, she is obidient, calm and loves to cuddle.

Me and Molly

Then there's my Molly! Macy is definitely Clay's dog. She loves me but she follows him around everywhere just waiting for his attention. Molly is my dog. We got her for Thanksgiving (?) in 2009. She is a lab/ German Sheppard mix. She is spunky, energetic, SWIMS and just wants to play ball. I'm not really sure how it all worked out but my girls love us and they love each other (even thought they are so different). I think life would be rather boring without them. While they are very spoiled, don't worry! No bows, no cooking for them, no car seats and definitely no Christmas card updates... so far.

Boxers
Best... don't bark, calm, obidient, generally friendly, short-haired (less shedding), love to cuddle
Worst... ear infections, can't swim or tolerate cold, really no purpose (don't fetch, can't hunt with them, low endurance, don't protect), moody

Lab/ German Sheppard
Best... fun, friendly, can fetch, swim, hunt, tolerate cold, protectors, happy
Worst... long hair/ shedding, bark a lot, not cuddlers, less obidient

The Potato Diaries

If you think back to my first post ever {We're in Texas... Let's Talk Beef...} you might remember my ongoing potato conflict. I actually got used to the beef before I could ever get used to all the potatoes in this country club cowgirl life. But a few months ago we started entertaining a little more and I was on the quest to find some new semi-healthy, cheap options to serve. WA-la... I discovered the super easy, yummy, cheap ($3/5lb bag), semi-healthy BAKED potato and (company or not) Clay and I have both been on the potato train ever since. I never thought I would say that... in fact the potato might as well have been called 'cheesecake' in the Weitzel house growing up- off limits. This is a big deal!

Baked Potato

1. Buy your potatoes at store (new, red, Idaho, u-daho... whatever)
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3. Scrub under cold water
4. Dry
5. Puncture with fork or knife 3-4 times per side (so you have a puncture at least every few inches)
6. Rub outside with quarter-ish size drop olive oil and salt to taste (I use sea salt because it is more coarse and hard to over salt things)
7. Place in open Pyrex or tray with lip for 1-2 hours depending on size of potatoes (they can be touching)
8. After about an hour squeeze to see if soft, continue to cook until able to squeeze between fingers easily

Best part of this recipe is it is very hard to overcook these because the olive oil keeps them from drying out but they are not oily either, love that! Also, don't judge me, but they usually keep in the fridge for 4 or even 5 days (after that they start to get a little soggy).

Now that you know how to make them, here are some interesting facts about potatoes... click here.

Now, if you douse yours in sour cream and bacon there's no getting around it- not healthy. But a few toppings I love are: cottage cheese & salsa, feta & veggies, Laughing Cow 35 cal Swiss with salt/ pepper, marg & mozzarella, mozzarella/ basil & tomatoes... and of course every once and while... sour cream and the works. Let me know if you know any other potato ideas. I am all for trying them!

Identity and cathedrals

• I am kinda a closet book nerd. Last year one of the books I read was Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I love loved it! If you are a book worm you MUST add this this to your to-do list, simply put- amazing but very long. It is not a christian book by any stretch but it is a detailed story all about the building of cathedrals over the 13-15th centuries in Europe.
• Another thing about me- I am kinda a ditz (maybe not class A, definitely class B). Sad but true, IQ just fine, common sense- a little behind. I am not complaining, keeps life funny and interesting, I have learned to embrace it. The only reason I bring this up is God is so good to often reveal things to me slowly, just the way I will catch on. Jer. 1:5 Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you...

Last night was a light bulb moment a long time in the making. I spent a lot of time reading the 'Pillars'; then, recently I visited the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and got to see the real life craftsmanship and detail is put into one.

Sadly the significance was totally lost on me.

It was brought up yesterday in a message that cathedral workers would spend their entire life working on these churches only to die before they would ever see the finished product and then never received credit for their individual work (like in 40, 50, 60 years of dedication to one goal).

I remember in the book, Master Builder Tom, never saw the finished cathedral, not even close. When it was done it was named "Kingsbridge Cathedral", no dedications, no plaques. All the glory was to God for providing the hands and resources to build such a wonder (even in this secular book).

The speaker compared that same passion of the unmentioned, dedicated cathedral workers to the everyday things we do that are invisible/ go un-noticed, that are sometimes hard to keep doing. She said they are part of God's plan, that they may never be recognized, that our recognition is not the point. What is your motivation?

CONVICTION- red blinking light...

I am soooo guilty of being a people pleaser, of wanting people to notice how good I am for the little things. Of getting my feelings hurt because of thinking... if they only knew... in fact if I were honest, a large part of my identity is in being a good and nice person, not in serving the Lord. OUCH

Psalm 51:9-10

⁹ Don’t keep looking at my sins.
      Remove the stain of my guilt.
 ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God.
      Renew a loyal spirit within me.

 Have you ever heard the story about the carver... he was carving a bird on a pillar that would soon be covered by the roof, someone asked him if he knew that. He said he did. They asked why he would do some of his best work in a hidden place and he replied "because God sees".

Dreaming of Party

Check out this ADORABLE party on Cookie Mondays, a modern twist on a party my mom did for me when I was this girl's age (no really go check it out, one picture cannot do it justice). I still remember it- the hats, the aprons, the messiness of it all. I think there is just something about littles cooking that is so precious! Oh how I wish I was born in the digital age so I could show you. Is it weird that minus the milk I would love to have this party again... now?!?! Attn: cupcake liner garland- WOW!

Speaking of WOW... Clay asked me one time in a marathon "stare at the stars" kind of convo what it would look like to me if we 'made it' (for ex. cars, dream house, dream wardrobe, travel, etc.). For me: I will totally know we have 'made it' when I get my party planning budget! How nice life will be when every year I can have "X" amount of dollars set aside to have all the parties I want... ahhh. I could go on and on about this, but when I have it I am planning a party where I can get one of these- Merry Maps.





This is one of my favs, but click on the pic to go to her AMAZING portfolio...

  

Meet Daley Harris. As far back as middle school I can remember her doodling beautiful lettering and pictures in English class and now, years later, her talent has blossomed into an amazing business! She makes custom, hand-lettered and illustrated maps of... anywhere you want. Her work is pure eye candy, I want one of her maps so bad! I wish we would have know about her for my wedding. If you are having an event- check her out, you won't be sorry! Or if you're like me, just check it out to gush... oh, and if you are having her do a map for your your party- will you invite me please?

just.for.laughs.

Dialysis and Bragging Rights

So I am a nurse. Three days work, four days play- enough said. But anyway, I was pulled into a co-worker's room last night to learn a new kind of dialysis. I almost couldn't contain myself when I saw one the key components to this life-saving treatment was a.... FISH SCALE- an awesome, top-of-the-line, fish scale. Really?!?

The first year we were married I was last minute Christmas shopping for Clay (one of the best things about being married to an outdoorsy guy- there is never a shortage of things he wants, I just go into Academy or Cabela's and done!) Well this particular time I veered into one of the many fishing aisles and got a fish scale at the bargain price of $5. A scale is a scale is a scale, right? He will never know...

WRONG! DISCLAIMER: If you learn one thing from reading this- fishing is ALL about bragging rights! You never hear about a fishing trip without hearing who caught the most fish, the biggest fish, the most rare fish, etc.

Well the particular fishing trip after Clay accumulated this lovely Christmas scale, he caught a big fish, huge 'apparently'. When he went to hang it on his new, shiny scale and bask in the glory of his catch in front of his crew- the scale broke, wire snapped, no back-up. I still hear about this illustrious catch that got away, un-weighed (aka un-braggable) and his almost infamy among his fishing buddies. Upon arriving to home sweet home, he inquired about his xmas gift and was oh-so-kind to educate me in fish scale importance and consumerism. Just in case you have a 'Fishin' Frank' in your life here's what I learned:

• There are 2 types of scales- spring and digital
• Spring is a hook attached to a lever- the weight of fish pulls down on hook to measure weight
• Digital is same principal but calculates weight for you
• Digital scales are often more expensive but not any better. In fact, some digital scales are not waterproof and may require batteries. A "dead" fish scale is no different than not having one at all. Remember- all about the bragging rights!
• Better to get one with a handle so if the fish is flopping your scale doesn't go flying
• Unless we are taking about deep sea fishing, you probably don't want a scale that will weigh fish greater than 50 lbs, they get less accurate the more potential weight they can measure
• The reason spring scales vary in cost is the length of time the lever will stay accurate and strength of wire (ex. the more times the lever/wire is pulled may not retract fully and weight not accurate or as evidenced above- may snap)
• Make sure you purchase a scale with rust resistant aluminum
• Most importantly- don't shave a few bucks here!

Ironically, after the whole 'spring scale is better thing' Clay ended up with the above Rapala Scale- digital. About $30. He is adorably obsessed with all that is Rapala...