March Recap

During the month of March I've had a goal to blog everyday. I missed nine days, so not too bad for me. Tomorrow marks the first day of April and a new month of everyday challenges. I've been contemplating what to do for several days. I've considered doing 250 abs per day or writing in a prayer journal. Right now the prayer journal is winning. I think it's appropriate since Easter is on Sunday and David and I have some big decisions to make soon.

Eve's Daughters

I've been in a book funk for the past several months. I've gotten some books from the library and recommendations from friends, some better than others. I'm currently reading Eve's Daughters. I picked it up from the library based on a friend's recommendation. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading it and I'm loving it. It's a Christian fiction book, which is a genre I haven't read since high school or before. It's a story about generational sin and how the choices we make affect our children and our children's children. I love that the story is told from different points in the characters lives.

Anyhow, it reminded me that there is uplifting and encourage books out there that have a positive message. I love my fiction books, but I think I've gotten bored with them and this book is refreshing.

A big shout out to Katie for the recommendation.

Quilling

I'm making a scrapbook as a wedding gift for my sister. I have less than one week to start/finish it before I leave for STL. I've been so uninspired. I've never made a wedding book, and it's overwhelming me. I did what any scrapper would do and searched the internet for ideas. I found a site that I had been to before, scrapbooking.com, and typed in weddings. Ton's of layouts emerged. Most of them weren't what I was looking for, but I did come across a technique new to me "quilling". It's basically wrapping paper around itself. I'm sure most of us did this in art class.

I googled how to quill and searched several sites before I found what I was looking for. Quilling really easy and involves scrap paper and a straight pen or toothpick. Here's the results. I'm undecided about whether or not it will become a part of my crafting repertoire, but I gave it a shot. Here's a photo of my page.

Whew!!

Wow! What a busy weekend. Our sale was a HUGE success. The finally number are still coming in, but I think we reached our goal and maybe surpassed it. I'm exhausted. I spent a great deal of time at the site this weekend and experienced the sale in so many different ways, from Preview Night, to the sale opening, and today at bag day.

Bag day was an interesting experience. People bought black trash bags for $40 and stuffed them full of goods, whatever they could carry. The best part of day was the fire alarm that went off in the middle of the day. When we told everyone they had to leave the site, people didn't want to part with their loot and stayed until we forced them out. After several in and out weaves the fire department gave the all clear. Somewhere in the building the painting fumes (propane fumes) set the fire alarms off.

I spent the day in clothing, picking up clothes, removing hangers, and consolidating racks. I can't believe how much merchandise we moved today. The rest of the week different groups will come by to pick through the stuff and with FreeCycle coming in on Thursday. I really thankful to have been a part of this experience. I even found several great buys myself.

New Blog I'm Following

I've recently taken an interest in making fabric flowers. I've downloaded several FREE patterns from various sources and I've even started following several blogs.

Over the weekend I was scouring Etsy for flower headbands. I want to find yellow ones for my nieces to wear to my sister's wedding in a couple weeks. The ones I found sold out in no time. While I was searching Etsy I found several e-patterns for purchase. I toyed with the idea of buying them, but I also wanted them for FREE. Tonight I broke down and bought one of the patterns from Snazziedrawers. I can't wait to use it. If you're a crafter or love girlie headlands check out her Web site, Distinct Designs.

What Everyone's Talking About

Social Media has lit up this weekend with coverage of the passing healthcare bill. I won't claim to know what the bill includes and don't want to discuss particulars, but here's my opinion. Side bar - since moving to DC I don't pay attention to politics, not that I ever really paid attention, but I am apathetic towards it now.

Instead of focusing all efforts on creating a bill that no one really cares for (parts appease both sides enough to be passed) maybe the government should be focusing on the unemployment rate. This bill puts us further into debt and more depentend on other countries. If more people had jobs maybe they could afford healthcare. Don't get me wrong I do realize that there are plenty of industries that do not provide healthcare to workers. BUT in most of those instances, people have choosen that career path, with the exception of part time/minimum wage employees. I feel that I have a right to say this since I grew up without healtcare for the majority of my childhood. I thank God I was never seriously hurt and the few times I did go to the hospital we did have insurance. It wasn't until I accepted my first job after college that I knew I would be covered. Maybe that's insensitve but I don't think healthcare should be a right. I also don't think it should be a luxury. We shoud have a gov't plan of some sort for people who can't afford it or whose jobs don't provide it. But you would have to prove your need for it as well.

David and I will be faced with a healthcare decision soon. (No it's not baby related) He is planning to return to school this fall. We currently are enrolled in his plan through work. When he stops working the coverage also stops. This is problematic because I will most likely be out of work for awhile if we leave the area. We will then be faced with a decision - pay out of pocket for any checkups, enroll in an independent healthcare program, or pray that we don't get sick.
If we decide to enroll in a healthcare program (which we most likely will) we'll have to give up some things in order to afford it.

It's all about the choices we make.

T-Minus One Week till Tossed & Found

I spent 4 hours today pricing candles, notebooks, random kitchen ware, and trinkets all in preparation for this weekend's sale at Tossed & Found. It's the fourth shift I've worked in the last 8 days. You'll find me there this weekend, Thursday - Sunday. I've already found several items I have my eye on.

The event I'm most excited for this weekend is Hoops & High Heels (Preview Night). League members and the public can purchase tickets for Friday nights event. Enjoy food and beverages, silent auction/live auction, "Man Cave" (big screen tvs showing Sweet Sixteen games), and preview to all the goods sold at Tossed & Found. There's also a drawing with prizes - 1 week Time Share stay anywhere in the world, Wizards tickets, designer pair of heels, and much more.

All proceeds from the events go towards Junior League community placements. See you there!

March Madness

I like filling out the March Madness bracket. I don't follow b-ball during the year (except for catching the MIZZOU vs. KANSAS game) so I have absolutely no strategy when it comes to choosing teams. I vote the #1 seeds and several underdogs. That strategy this year has failed me. A lot of my chosen teams are already out. The biggest disappointment/highlight was the KANSAS loss to Northern Iowa. As a Tiger fan I HATE the Jayhawks. The minute you step foot on the Missouri campus is the minute the hatred begins. It's an unwritten rule and the have a stupid mascot. I'm only disappointed that my bracket is now shot. At least I didn't have them in the final game.

Good Luck to my TIGERS tomorrow.

Promotion Ceremony

We have a friend who is receiving an ARMY promotion tomorrow and we have been invited to the ceremony. David is out of town, but I'm going. I'm really excited. It's inside a huge office building. I'm really excited for him. He and his wife are moving in May for his training. The great thing about it is they are moving to Kansas, not too far from Kansas City. When we visit David's family we'll get to see them. We also have another couple friend moving to Kansas this summer too.

Saint Patrick's Day

I love St. Patrick's Day. I love seeing green EVERYWHERE!
We had several traditions growing up that accompanied St. Pat's Day in my house.

Tradition 1
When I was a child a Leprechaun would visit my house each year and leave gifts for my me and my siblings. We would arrive home from school to find his footprints all over the house. We would each take turns picking up a foot. It was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow except it usually was coloring books, jewelry, or cds in my case. As my siblings grew out of the tradition, my parents continued it for me. By that time I knew what was going on, but I always looked forward to the hidden treasure. I never knew how they accomplished it, but they did. I guess that's the school teacher in my mom. I'd love to share this with my kids when I have them.

Tradition 2
My mom always made cornbeef and cabage. I didn't mind the cornbeef, but the cabage yuck! Cabage is the only downfall of St. Pat's Day. My mom still continues to make this meal ever year. Me, I've created a new food option on St. Pat's Day.

Tradition 3
David and I went on our "first date" on St. Patrick's Day 2003. It was a lunch date between classes and we ended up at Chipotle. I don't remember how we ended up there but we did. Maybe because it was classy fast food and if the "date" wasn't going well we could easily split. I'm glad that's not the way it turned out. Every year now we eat at Chipotle on St. Pat's Day. It's become our tradition. Last year I think we were lazy and didn't go out, but we managed to continue this for the past 7 years. Today David is in Chicago and I'm in DC. While we won't be eating Chipotle together, I've purchase my burrito in our honor our the first day of the rest of our lives.

Running

I signed up for the National Half Marathon last fall. It's one of two long races that I have yet to run in DC. In 2007 I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and the Marine Corp Marathon. The two left are the National 1/2 Marathon and the Army 10 Miler. The Army 10 Miler is held every fall. I've never been able to run in the race because a) it fills up within a week and b) I also seem to be away at work. I've had the same trouble with registering for the National 1/2 Marathon, however it's never been work related. Last fall I decided as soon as registration opened that I would register. I did and forgot about it. Over the past 4-5 months I kept telling myself that I would get into the habit of running but first it was the holidays, then the big snowstorm hit, next I was traveling. Now it's a week before the race and the farthest I've run is 4 miles and that may have been on the elliptical. So naturally I do what anyone training for a race would do, I ran 8 miles yesterday. There were some rough spots during my run, but I think I'm going to make it. It may not be the best/fastest race this weekend, but I will be able to complete it.

Owls

Recently I've become obsessed with owls. I don't know when it started, but I love most things owls. I have found myself buying stamps, paper, etc. that have owls on them. I've even started making owlish cards. I tried to make some for Christmas, but I ran out of time. For Valentine's Day, I made several cards with owls on them that said "You're Tweet". I made another card tonight that said "Owl always love you".
The picture quality is poor horrible thanks to the lighting in my apartment.

Jodi Piccoult

I love Jodi Piccoult. She is my favorite author. The first book of hers I read was My Sisters Keeper back in 2005. I loved it so much that I read through all her books in two years. I definitely have my favorites: 19 Minutes, My Sister's Keep, Vanishing Acts, Handle With Care, Change of Heart, and Plain Truth.

Her newest book House Rules is about an autistic boy. It's the first time I remember her writing a male as the lead character. I'm enjoying it. I love that Jodi writes about real life topics. She is an amazing storyteller.

While I was at home last weekend my sister informed me of the release of Jodi's newest book. We went back and forth on who was going to buy it. I volunteered that my dad should buy it for us, my sister did not agree. We both decided we would check it out from the library. I however, couldn't wait. When I returned home I promptly purchased it on Amazon. I've started reading it and it hasn't disappointed me.

Jodi has been an author at the National Book Festival two out of the past four years. I've been out of town both of those times. I'd really like to meet her and have her sign my books.

If you haven't read any of her books I encourage you to stop what you are doing and read one.

Time Travelers Wife

I read the TTW several years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite books. Last summer when the movie came out, I was there on opening night. At the time I thought the movie was just ok. It had been so long since I had read the book that I didn't remember what happen. I've been re-reading the book lately and I remember why I loved it. I rented the movie tonight, and enjoyed it better than the first time. I love Rachel McAdams!

If you haven't seen it or read it you need too.

New York

Today I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to head up to NYC. I rode the acela amtrak train from DC to NYC. The trip took 3 hours. Upon arrival I promptly boarded the subway and made my way to TIme's Square. I had about an hour to kill before heading into Brooklyn for my meeting. When I was visiting with my sister last weekend she asked me to exchange a coffee mug, she purchased at Starbucks a few weeks back. Since it was before 9:00 a.m. I decide to go ahead and make my exchange. I thought the Starbucks in DC were busy, they were nothing compared to NYC ones. I actually passed several before finding one that wasn't crowded. I made the deal, and headed over to McDonalds to kill more time. Little did I know that it would take almost an hour to travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn. I arrived at the meeting with minutes to spare. The meeting took 2.5 hours and then it was back to Manhattan.

When I was in NY several weeks ago, I really wanted Pinkberry, but we were never around it. I had the cab drop me off a block from where I remembered a location. It was as delicious as advertised. I indulged in chocolate with fruity pebbles, strawberries, banana, and dark chocolate balls.

After eating I headed back to Times Squares for last minute shopping, then it was back to the train station. While I was waiting for my train I saw the inconceivable man from the Princess Bride waiting to board a train. It was the first time I've seen a famous person in NY.

Overall, not a bad day.

Exhausted

This post will be extremely short. I'm amazed that I need a vacation from my vacation. Traveling is still fun, but it takes so much more out of me than it used to. One more trip this week then hopefully some rest. I'm EXHAUSTED.

Busy Month

March will probably be the busiest month for me this year and why I decided
to try blogging every day I'll never know. Maybe it's the challenge it presents
for me or the fact that it should be easy to do anywhere.

Right now I'm sitting in the Chicago airport waiting for my flight back to DC. My sister
dropped me off little over an hour ago on our way back from St. Louis. We celebrated
her wedding shower yesterday. I can't believe she'll be married 33 days from now. It feels like she just
got engaged. All the details are coming together. I can't wait to see how things turn out.

Im also involved in a Junior League event at the end if the month. I didn't plan that well. Thing at work
are picking up in anticipation for our conference next month and I'm running a half marathon in two weeks,
definitely not ready for that.

I'm exhausted and excited just thinking about it all. Please excuse any typos as I'm writing
this on my phone.

Tossed & Found

As some of you may know I am a member of the Junior League of Washington. We have two annual fundraisers we host each year - Tossed & Found and ACC. This year I am on the committee for Tossed & Found and we are gearing up for the sale at the end of the month. Here's some things to note about this year's event.

Sale Weekend:

Sale begins on Saturday, March 27 and ends on Sunday, March 28. The site location is the Crystal City Shops, free parking on weekends.

Special Events:

March 4, 2010, 7:00pm - 9:00pm – Matt Swingly Trash to Treasure Event at Crystal City Shops. $10. Learn fast and easy tricks to update an old piece of furniture, give a tired lamp a new look, or decorate a tough space on a budget.
March 13, 2010, 1:00pm - 3:00pm – Children’s Trunk Show at Crystal City Shops. $10. Everything you could ever want for your baby, toddler, or little girl or boy...clothes, toys, books, and so much more at great prices
March 18, 2010, 7:00pm - 9:00pm – Denim and Diamonds at Junior League of Washington Headquarters. $25. Searching for great designer jeans but don’t want to pay full price? At our special Denim and Diamonds presale, come enjoy a glass of champagne, enter to win an authentic diamond, and purchase discounted designer jeans.

Please click here to purchase tickets to any of these special events.

If you can't attend an event, but would still like to take part in our fundraiser, you can purchase a community card (a $40 value "gift card" giving to local charities or a person in need of your choice) or drawing tickets. If you are interested in either of these two things, send me an e-mail.

Busy Week

So I already missed one day this month in my blogging challenge. But this week has been super busy and here's why.

I met up with a college friend yesterday for coffee. It was great to catch up. She currently resides in Omaha and is in her second year of residency. I haven't see her in over a year. She's quirky as always.

I found out my sister is moving back to the Lou. For all you non-Missourians that's St. Louis. My future brother in law was offered a job at Midway in Columbia. I'm a little shocked that they are leaving Chicago. It's bittersweet. I love visiting her in Chi-town, but I will also love seeing her at home when I am there.

Today I packed for my trip home this weekend. I basically swapped out the clothes from last weekend. I heading there to celebrate my sister's bridal shower. Her wedding it in little over a month. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.

Lastly I gathered my rummage for the JL's Tossed & Found sale at the end of the month. Any one in the DC area is welcome to stop by a find lost treasures. The sale will be the last weekend in March at the Crystal City shops.

I'm exhausted now. G'night!

March Madness

I haven't talked about my "New Years Resolutions" yet but here it is - Do one thing every day for a month. In Janaury I read the Bible everyday. Ok, I missed like two days. My intent was to get into the habit early in the year so I would continue through the rest of the year. I've continued but, February was a rough month.
In February I took a picture every day. I will post those on another post. March is blogging. So here's my first attempt. Short and sweet. More about my weekend in NYC to come.