You are invited!

We have been waiting for fall since we moved in last fall. We want to line the driveway with trees, add some crype myrtles in the back and maybe add to the landscape around the house. Come join the fun if you can.

Learning from Neil

Marriage is a learning process but thats kinda the fun in it. Getting married, moving in together, moving, and getting new jobs is a lot of change in a year. But, in the one year, 3 months and 2 days that I have been married. I have learned a lot.

I have learned:

- to enjoy a LOST marathon

- some history

- to appreciate a good Jeopardy show

- how to conserve energy

- how to love and show your love for books.

I have been inspired by:

- his passion for social justice

- his never ending patience

- the fact that I have NEVER heard him talk bad about anyone!

- the power of prayer in a marriage.

- his unbelievable support of me in every way

and those are just the first five I could think of! I love when people ask "How is married life?" because I truly love it and I hope that it shows.

Man, I can't wait for more.

Homestead Heritage

School just started but we were both very grateful for a long weekend. It was fun and relaxing but by Monday, I had to go "do something". After some debate, I decided on a trip to homestead heritage. It is only ten minutes from the house but not too popular but I had heard about it from a professor so we headed out around 10:30am.

The idea of Homestead Heritage is educating on self sustainability and community. You can take a tour of the homestead. There are a few houses and barns that are for specific trades. The first one we went to was a gift store. Everything they sell is made on site. There was soap, furniture, quilts, jams and a whole bunch of stuff. There were some ladies working on a quilt. They STITICHED EVERY SINGLE STITCH BY HAND! That is way more patience than I would ever have. Of course, they were beautiful quilts.

We also visited the woodworking shop and the pottery barn. The pottery was beautiful. From start to finish, they do it all.

There was a grist mill that was really cool. It was really intricate and very involved.

There was a textile barn were they make towels and clothes and scarves and stuff.

I like these simple spools placed on top of the support beams like a piece of art.

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that we happened to be there on the 2nd busiest day. It was the annual Shorgum syrup festival! The busiest time is Thanksgiving weekend.

They had some samples of the syrup and they worked whole process. It looked something like this:

First, a few guys cut up sugar cane stalks and put them into this grinder.

Then, the horses walked around causing the grinder to grind. (as you can see, I am not well versed on the process)

One of the men caught the liquid portion in a small bucket and transfered it to this huge open oven where a bunch of women stirred it constantly. If it looks like its hot, thats because it is. It was about 95 degrees out and the stove was heated to about 250! Then they filled every jar!

There was music, homemade ice cream, a restaurant, farming, and BBQ. We even visited a restored barn that housed Washington's horses. It was taken down piece by piece and rebuilt on the farm. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun.

Hope you had a good weekend too. The next one is almost here already!

Dad and Megan are up for a football game this weekend....there will be pictures.

Its that time again -Football season!

We have been waiting so long for this one and we are expecting great things, maybe even a bowl game? Yesterday's, game ended well but also brought the biggest opening crowd out since 1965! The Baylor bug is spreading. Stay tuned for our progress.

Celebrate Dad

Its been awhile. Life has been so busy so I'll work backwards.

Lets go back to August 28th - Dad M's Birthday.

We celebrated in a way we had never celebrated before. We went to the river. Just us. That has NEVER happened before. Usually there are 20 or so people but it was nice to be in the company of just each other. We BBQed hotdogs and hamburgers, spent time in the water, and just talked. It was a great way to spend the day.

Since we are celebrating Dad in honor of his 52nd Birthday, here are 52 things my daddy taught me. -in no particular order-

1. to respect myself

2. how to throw a spiral

3. how to do a spin move (in 1st grade)

4. How to throw a behind-the-back pass

5. all things basketball

6. to appreciate Pistol Pete

7. to always pick the kids that get picked last, first

8. how to sip spaghetti

9. to forgive 70X7

10. how to build a closet

11. how to start a BBQ pit

12. to be confident

13. to want to support myself as an adult

14. how to dance to Tejano music

15. to appreciate my sister

16. The importance of family

17. to remember where I came from

18. how to drive standard

19. how to paint my bedroom walls

20. to lay tile

21. to respect elders

22. how to properly position the two pieces of bread on a a sandwich

23. to put ice in my milk

24. that Big Red and Barbacoa are perfect together - even for breakfast

25. how to jump start my car

26. How to jump start my car without jumper cables

27. how to check my oil

28. that chips in a sandwich are good for texture

29. how to change out a light fixture

30. how to camp

31. how to pitch a tent

32. how to roast marshmallows - i like to roast them but not eat them so i would do it for him

33. that the best restaurants are the "hole in the walls"

34. to try new things

35. my love for sports

36. all things basketball

37. that a hot tub or hot bath helps soreness

38. how to wrap an ankle

39. that I don't need to wear a lot of makeup

40. that going to college was not an option

41. that setting goals increases success

42. to wear a t-shirt over my bathing suit

43. how to go tubing

44. that girls can wear caps too

45. how to dunk an Oreo properly

46. to eat all my food

47. that you can modify anything

48. how to pop firecrackers at the ranch

49. not to settle

50. that we always came before his work

51. its okay to cry

52. how to show my kids that i love them

Of course, there are probably like 100 that i didn't mention but its never ending! Thanks for being a good daddy!

I love you - Happy belated blog birthday!

I'm feeling HOT HOT HOT

If you don't know....it is HOT here!

We are setting all sorts of records.

Yesterday, Monday, the temperature hit 107! That is NOT heat index. The high broke the previous record of 106 set in 1988.

Today was another scorcher, but not near as bad as yesterday. It got up to 103...and it rained. Today gave us day #25 of consecutive triple digits, tying the 5^th all time record streak.


But I see the end in sight. Tomorrow should ONLY be 95.

It is 8:00 now and it is 88 degrees. There is just no escaping it.

I can't wait for winter-Texas winter of course :)

The power of words

We use words everyday but sometimes we take them for granted. They are so powerful. A simple hello could change a life. A "sorry" could turn a relationship around. Of course, there are hurtful words but sometimes words don't have to be said to have an impact.

As Pastor finished up his sermon today the lights began to dim and he introduced a segment called 'Cardboard Testimonies'. Church members were able to witness how God transformed situations and lives for His glory in countless ways. From cancer to imprisionment-- from the death of a spouse to the addiction of pornography, God never let go and never gave up on those who called upon His Name.

The effectiveness of the simplicity was amazing. Families stood up there and expressed individually how thier father's death impacted them without saying a word. Tears were shed among the congregation.


It was a Very pleasant suprise and so effective that I had to share. I attached a youtube version of one from another congregation.

The BIG buy

The day I vitisted Laverty's is the same day that Neil made his big purchase.
I was unaware of this purchase.

I got home and he asked "How would you feel about putting something in that corner"
"It doesn't need anything" I said.
"Well I bought something for it, and its big"
"What? From where?"
"Craigslist"
"Great" I thought, it could be anything.
"Guess what it is"

For some strange reason the first thing I though of was a totem pole...? I don't know why. I guess I was just expecting something ridiculous. And something that would be on Craigslist.

"Its a .... PIANO!" He was soooo excited.

The first thing I thought was, "Where are we going to put it?" I'm sad at my reaction now. I know how excited he was. He went out there to see it and test it and it all worked out. It as a GREAT price and it does appeal to my antiquing side. It was made in 1909 and has been really well taken care of. It matches our furniture and Neil loves it.


Its a little bit crowded now but I'll think of something.

Laverty's

Let me start out by saying that I know all the cute boutiques and antique shops in the small town of Waco and my favorite is LAVERTY'S! It is best described as a glorified junk yard. I mean that in the best way possible, of course. They find really unique pieces, antique dressers and beds, old lamps and broken pieces of stuff that they somehow make look really appealing.

for example....


They are open most of the year but they tend to take summers off. So, this day is the day we have all been waiting for. It was the first day it has been open in two months. I thought I would go early and leave early.....wrong! I arrived ten minutes before it opened and there were already thirty people waiting outside the door. One would think that they were giving away free stuff.

What was even more extraordinary was the strategy the was put into the groups that arrived. They came in teams, set up locations, brought walkie talkies and personalized sticky notes! There was no time to decide. You tagged everything you liked and decided on it later. I overheard some people spending thousands of dollars within ten minutes.

Even though it was hectic it was kind of fun too. My little pile was nothing compared to the mounds of merchandise some had but it was fun to see all the hustle bustle over reused and recycled stuff.

I did manage to snag a few things.

its the basket..not the stuff in it. I have a thing for boxes. Its just so old and handy and $3

Its the scale, not the fruit. I have always thought it would be cute to use a decoration.


I was not sure exactly what this was but have since found out that it is a replica of an armillary sphere.? Whatever, its cool. Neil likes it because all the rings inside rotate.


This was really random. I have been trying to break up the matchy matchy-ness of our all brown living room and I really liked this cart. I figured I could try it as the coffee table. I am still not sure that it will work in our living room but I'll find a place for it. It was just too cool to pass up.

but, I kinda like all the different textures in the room.

Anyhow, those were my purchases. Join us Saturday for Neil's BIG buy!

hint...its from Craigslist
....and it is large
...possibly too large for our house.

Free Art

Sometimes when I have an urge to redecorate, I first try
changing out new art pieces. I always like personalized
stuff. I found this website that allows you to make some
fun, easy,free personalized art pieces. You just input
words and it will randomize them into different styles.
You can choose colors and font until your heart's content.
This would make a great piece for any occasion.You can
print it off directly from the website, put it a frame and voila!
It also a great website to just play around on.



For your own art visit www.wordle.com

Today...

was a great day!
I worked super hard from 9:00am - 8:00pm.
There were so many successes within the rough day.

9:00 am- I made 10 phone calls soliciting our community garden.....but I landed a spot at a RETIREMENT HOME!!! how cute is that? i am much more excited about it now.

1:00 - I ate way too much at the 2 parties during work hours, but...... i got free ice cream.

5:00 - I had to lead a work wellness walk in the 100 degree weather, but.... I pushed a participant to walk 2 miles that he had NEVER walked before!

6:00 - I had to host ZUMBA class but..... got to celebrate with a participant who lost her first 10 pounds since starting our program!

7:00 - I had to work late but....I met 15 abused women who were so excited to learn about nutrition and kept me an extra 30 minutes asking questions :)

Sometimes its worth it to go the extra mile. Life is much better when we look for the positives, huh?

p.s Neil has poision ivy or oak again :(

Create a Plate

I found this website called Dollarstore crafts.com and there was this tutorial on creating your own plates. I thought I would give it a try. It is super easy and it cost $1.00.

Materials:
- White ceramic plate ($1)
- Ceramic Marker (already had one)

Directions:
Basically, you just draw or write whatever you would like. You can buy colored markers and get really fancy. You should make it kind of think so that it will show up better. Then you let it dry for two days. Then you bake it for 15-30 minutes at 300 degrees. (make sure the plate is microwave safe)

These are the test plates I did. I could not think of anything to draw so I put our favorite and most used recipe at the bottom of a bowl. Every time I make this dish, someone always asks for the recipe. Now, if i serve it in the bowl, they can take it back and have the recipe! For $1 its a quilt free give away.




I tried it on a plate too. This one will be for my mom's birthday. I like to think of it as a hidden message. I always make my moms cake so I thought that if I put the cake on the plate, she won't know there is a message on it until the very end


These are pretty basic but I think all get more creative with it. Its a great way to personalize. Just a fun craft for those lazy weekends.