Junk to Treasure

Friday night after work Marine and I went to the pub for diner and a beer (YUM). Then in our typical date night fashion, as of lately, we took a trip to Lowe's. We needed another gallon of red paint along with a few other things....

And then our big Friday night consisted of me taking my online final. Another class down!! I am one class away from getting my Website Design Certification. But truth be told this last class I just did enough to scrape by since things have been so hectic. I'm going to wait till after the honeymoon and things have settled down before I take the last class. And I plan on going back over my notes from this previous class and really learning it once things settle down.

Saturday was so much fun!!! Marine, Marine mom & stepdad, my mom and I had a fantastic day! We went to several estate sales --- I had never been to an estate sale before.... they are very interesting! One man's junk is truly another man's treasure!!

Marine and I came home with a few treasures that I will be sure to post pictures of later. I know I should have already had them to put in this post, but lets face it I had to much fun this weekend to pause to take pictures! Sadly but true. The picture fanatic in me surely has been a slacker lately for some reason!

Ok I can't stand it, I have to share! So here are a few Blackberry Pics (love the phone but the camera sucks).

First up I thought I had hit the jackpot when at the first Estate Sale I see a table with 2 large mason jars. I am getting all the jars for the wedding from Marine Mom's canning stash. But all of her's are the medium size quart jars. I have been looking for a few large jars to use as centerpieces on the food tables. I have been looking on etsy and ebay for these and guess how much the cheapest ones I found were? $16 before shipping. Outrageous, right?! Of course you know I wasn't going to pay that...... but I was more than willing to snatch up two for $2 each.

And yes that is my treasure box in the background.

This beautiful dish cloth also caught my eye. Call it crazy. I know. But for some reason I just fell in love with it knowing that it would look perfect hanging up in my red kitchen above the sink next to the window. Just wait and see it will add a great decorative flare to the kitchen. Even if it doesn't it gives me something pretty to look at while I wash dishes........

Marine and I bought several other things that I will post pics of later. We left for a box full of stuff and spent less than $25.

At the last sale I found several things I wanted. They were priced a little higher though and I am all about bargain shopping. But I was able to bargain a little and was able to get this soon to be beautiful piece thrown in for free :)

I loved the design on this old door knob. I'm wanting to collect a bunch of random knobs and make a coat hanger something or similar to this:

Or I may paint it and put it on mine and Marine's bedroom door. 

For the first time in my life I may actually be in style! *Gasp* Hey, I know it shocked me to. I have very little fashion since..... I like to lie to myself and think I do but really I don't. Shirt and Jeans. That's my style. 

I love vintage decorations. And think about the word vintage for a minute. I love that word cause if you think about it it has so many meanings. I typically think vintage as in early 1900's to maybe the 50's.  Others may think of different time periods. 

My favorite score of the day though was this Graflex 22 camera.

It needs a little cleaning and polishing but I love it! I have several cute ideas for it..... but in the end I plan on putting it on my picture table. I think it will be a nice decorative piece. Plus a fun prop for a few photo ideas I have. 

Here is what the camera looks like opened up:

Taken From Google Images

Yep it was my favorite find of the day. I was grinning from ear to ear upon finding it piled under a bunch of junk. I think Marine could tell also because he says that I don't show excitement very much, especially over something that isn't a horse. 

For a late lunch we ate at a wonderful restaurant called The Boathouse. It was wonderful! I had Voodoo Chicken that had a little kick to it. Everyone seemed to have a great time. I enjoyed spending the day with our parents. Our mom's have definitely hit it off and have a lot in common.... They especially like to remind us (when they are together) they are ready to be grandma's. And they aren't subtle. Other than that though they a quite the hoot.

Marine Step-Dad tells them they are like hens cackling because they laugh so much. That makes me happy though. It's great to see my mom smile. 

Saturday night Marine and I fought the urge to go home and crawl in bed but instead went out to meet up with  Marine's best friend Ford and his wife.

We met them to have a drink with them while they ate diner - we were still full from our late lunch. After diner they suggested we go for a drink. The night was still young so Marine and I agreed. 

One drink, turned into two, two turned into three..... and well you see where this is going. Ford wife and I drank way to much as we chatted and the guys visited. Our early night turned into walking in the door about 1 am. But it was a great way to end such a fun day.

I definitely owe Marine a night as D.D. though ;)

Sunday we worked awhile and then went on a trail ride with Mom. It was a beautiful day and we couldn't have asked for better weather. 

Overall I think Mom and Marine both had a wonderful Birthday weekend!

Oh I almost forgot!!! At a last stop on the way home Saturday Mom wanted to stop at this store to look at bathroom vanity's and Marine and I found a couch. Things are coming together slowly but surely! Couch picture coming soon. 

Phoebe, "You bought your sheets at a flea market? Come on, Ross, you gotta loosen the purse strings a little!"

~ Friends ~

Check, Check, Check!

57 days!!!

57 days to pull it all together. 

Lots to do, lots to do!

I am checking things off this list though!

We have the officiant booked..... kinda last minute I know. But Marine and I were torn between who to use but decided to go with the preacher from the church we now attend and who is also a member of our saddle club so he knows us both well. I am happy with this choice :)

I have ordered the ring bear's boards I wrote about in this post.

{Date Girl I agree I could maybe have made these myself but right now I just don't have the extra time! If you were closer I would have assigned you to that task! lol}

I ordered 2 since I have 2 ring bearers. The first one will look like the above expect with our information but I'm not sure what to put on the second one...... Cheryl @ MyPrimitiveBoutique  told me she could put anything I wanted one it. Any suggestions? After the wedding I plan to hang them on the wall with our wedding pictures. So whats something that would look cute?


Went to Michael's last night and got the flower girl baskets.

Yes, I said baskets... because we also have 2 flower girls. The baskets were $3.99 each and I bought some ribbon to dress them up some. These will be cute and casual. I'm thinking of maybe painting it though and adding some ribbon or something. Something like this:

Or maybe leave it natural but dress it up a little like this except with my flowers:

We'll see I'll come up with something creative.

I also was able to find a guitar player! I haven't mentioned this yet but I am very excited! I have been looking for someone to play the guitar while guests are seated, during the processional and then during the recessional.  

Here are a few songs I told her I liked so that she could get an idea of what I was looking for.

Listen to the guitar in this song. I really like the upbeat temp.

Again just listen to the guitar. I like this song for when I come riding up on Miss B. I love the upbeat :)

Not sure yet what song I want to do for when I actually walk down the aisle.

I like this song for the recessional though:

Any thoughts? 

I have also ordered the champagne flutes ----- what's up with all the tacky, ugly choices? -- I went for simple flutes from Crate and Barrel.

Plain Jane, I know. I prefer to think simply classy.

I also ordered the cake cutter and knife. Again simple. 

I've got the garters, the candles for the mason jar's, the flower petals for down the aisle, and the things to assemble the programs I'm going to make.

Now 57 days to work on the other million+ things on the list :)

Reaching The Top Of The Hill

Happy Birthday!!!

Mom & I back in the day

Happy 50th Birthday to my wonderful mother!! We may not have always seen eye to eye over the years. We may not have always agreed on what time I should be home, or what clothes I should wear, or what horse I could or could not ride. But looking back I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you for your love and guidance. 

And please dear lord let me look as good as she does when I hit 50. 

I asked her how it felt to reach the top of the mountain.

She told me with a laugh, "What top? I'm still climbing!"

Ash Wednesday

This year I have decided to participate in lent with today, Ash Wednesday, being the first day. I consider my self a spiritual person but not really a religious person. Maybe thats because I was raised exposed to different beliefs. My mom was Catholic and my dad was baptist. I grew up attending both churches never being told which religion I had to be but aloud to choose for myself. As an adult I attend a nondenominational church and I don't attend as often as I should...... But that doesn't mean I don't pray on a daily basis.

Ok so thats enough religion talk. For lent I am giving up Dr. Pepper. I drink a Dr. Pepper daily and if I was stranded on a desert island that is the thing I would want with me. An unlimited supply of Dr. Pepper.... aaaahhhhh...

I'm weird I know.

So no Dr. Pepper. It's water, juice, tea, milk, or Sprite Zero for this girl. I'm saying Sprite Zero because its no caffeine and no sugar. Is that cheating? I don't think so.

Anybody else giving up anything?

Big: What religion are you?

Carrie: I'm open to all

Big: Like a Seven-Eleven!

~ Sex and the City ~

Post It Note Tuesday ~ The Big 5.0

Red Stained Nails

Marine and I spent this entire past weekend painting what will be our new home. Ever tried to paint over dark wood paneling? Not so easy. Well just takes several coats.

We painted the bedrooms, hallway and living room a creamish tan color and we are going to paint the trim and doors white (haven't gotten to that part yet). For the kitchen I gotta a little brave. I decided I wanted a red kitchen. I am so plain jane this was a BIG variance from the norm. I almost chickened out. But then I figured, what the heck we are going to be here for a year or two so then after that it doesn't matter!

This weekend I painted on about 3 coats. And I have to say..... I'm LOVIN' it!

Here is the before picture..... ignore my poor Blackberry Torch quality here. Also ignore Marine in his sexy painting clothes.

Before

Oh and the floors are going to be replaced to! 

After

Much better right? I really like it! I wasn't going to paint the cabinets but I'm starting to think I might paint them white. That's not a right away must but a project I can tackle once everything else is done and we are officially moved in. 

Needless to say by the end of the my nails were stained red! We have also been talking about doing a back splash maybe. Our light fixtures our bronze so I was looking at something like this maybe:

I'm not sure though. I'm wanting kind of a country theme kitchen I think. We'll see. We all know I change my mind often.

We are going to put in the flooring from Home Depot called barnwood.

Picture Taken from homedepot.com

I'm excited and ready to have it all done! 

To Many Options... Brain Overload... Close Eyes & Point!

I made a list of things I still need to get done for the wedding that is very fast approaching. The list is rather long so we won't even talk about it.

Taking one item at a time lets talk about ring bearer pillows. I want something unique. Something that after the wedding I can sit out in our home instead of stuffing it in some box that will go in a closet and just take up space.

Have you ever shopped on Etsy? I seriously LOVE everything on there. People are so crafty and creative!! *Sigh* if only I had the time.

I typed in "ring bearer pillow" and I was presented with endless options!

Did you know some people now uses trays or boxes instead of pillows?

Ring Pillows

All above pillows By Freshline

astylishdesign

I love the line by Freshline but they are a little out of my price range. And we have two ring bears so I will need two pillows..... I like the last one especially if I decide to use burlap on the hay bales. But I'm not real crazy about the butterfly and I'm not real sure I would really display this in our home afterward.

Ring Boxes

Above boxes by jenniferraichman

The boxes are super cute and not something I had seen before but at $38 each thats still a little more than I'm willing to spend (not to say they aren't worth it - they are totally cute and a lasting keepsake). 

Ring Board

MyPrimitiveBoutique

I would have never considered a ring bearers board but I thought these were really cute! And only $14.95 each - definitely more budget friendly. Plus after the wedding these could easily be hung on the wall next to wedding pictures. (I'm all about multi-use) I made the mistake of looking at the other items MyPrimitiveBoutique had to offer. If I had money I would want to order almost one of everything!

Ring Dish

SayYourPiece

aphroditescanvas

lovegrowsbygiving

Again I had never heard of a ring dish. I think they are cute but not really me.....

Other interesting ideas

AprilHilerDesigns

AprilHilerDesigns

MackensleyDesigns

People are just so creative!!!

My favorite is still a pillow but I'll be honest the ring board is running a close second. I thought about making my own pillows. 

But then I realized I don't have enough time as it is so when could I possibly find the time to sew two pillows??? You can only give up so much sleep....... I may ask Marine's grandma if she will make them for us. I'm sure she would be happy to. 

But I really do like that little ring board..... hhhhhmmmmmm......... What do you think?

Sure I could ask Marine but we all know that would turn into a scene from Friends. Or he would want to know which one's the cheapest and if we really needed one at all. Guys really just don't get it sometimes.

Monica: Here! (She sets a bag down in front of him.)

Chandler: What’s this?

Monica: It’s your suitcase. We’re going to Las Vegas.

Chandler: Are you serious?! I mean like eloping?! No more stupid wedding stuff?! No more these flowers or these flowers or these flowers—Think of the money we’ll save!! (Monica just looks at him.) We’re not eloping. I love the flowers. Can our wedding be bigger please?

Monica: We’re going to Las Vegas to see your dad. It’s time you two talked, and I want to get to know my father-in-law.

Chandler: Y’know we already went over this and I won!

Monica: No you didn’t. Oh and honey just so you know, now that you’re marrying me, you don’t get to win anymore.

~ Friends ~

The Perfectionist In Me Should Be Shot

I got an email this morning that pretty much fit me to a T and kinda helps explain why I have been M.I.A. lately.....

VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word.. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy.. Often shy. Pessimistic... 


Ok well maybe not all of it. But the first part. "The Perfectionist" part. SO TRUE! I have spent the better part of a month working on a website job. I have made not 1 not 2 but seriously...... are you ready for it?......... 12! 12 layouts! I have made 12 layouts for this company!!! Do you know how many of these I actually like? Zero. 


You read that right, Zero. I mean I like them but not enough to call any of them the "finished project". It all boils back down to that perfectionist aspect. I have finally figured out my problem. Design can only take a website so far. I mean what's the main thing you look at when you view a website? The pictures!


Despite how beautiful the design and layout is the pictures just don't look good enough. I've tweaked them as much as I can but still they just lack pizazz. Now I have to think of a nice way to tell the company this....

So if I would stop being a "perfectionist" and "worrying" so much I could maybe get it done and lose some stress! lol

The other part of that horoscope summary that is true is that I have to have the last word. Not sure why its just like some twisted law of nature.

Not sure that I agree with the "hard to please" part...... but maybe it is true at times....

Also last week Marine and I planted a garden. Maybe I'm stretching that slightly...... Marine plowed and planted a garden. I hoed and planted a strawberry patch :)

I have never had a garden before. Yeah some southern girl I am. lol I grew up on a horse farm. Horse being stressed in that sentence.

Marine's parents and his grandparents do a garden together every year. This year Marine has volunteered us to be a part of it as well. He made the garden about twice the size as it was last year. Just to give you an idea my little overachiever planted 75 pounds of potatoes. lol He plans on taking any excess to the local farmers market. I'm telling ya he's an 80 year old man trapped in a 24 year old body. Bless his heart gotta love him.

Since Marine got home everyone has wanted to visit with him, friends and family. Everyone is so happy he is home. One night last week we had diner at Red's parents house. I think I have mentioned before that Red's brother is Marine's BFF and best man (small world I know - lets name him Ford). Marine and Ford & Red's family's go way back.

Diner was steaks grilled on a Green Egg. I had heard how great these were but had never experienced one myself. It was a wonderful! Think Marine has definitely added one to the "things we need list"! :)

It was a fun night all the way around. I loved sitting and listening to Marine and Ford talk about crazy things they did over the years. And Red would chimed in with different stories like the time they helped her move while in college. Apparently they decided she had to much stuff and started dropping non-breakable boxes off her 3rd floor balcony. Needless to say they were never asked to help move again.

Saturday night we went over to Giggles and her husband's house. Giggles and I addressed shower invitations while the guys cooked fajitas. Giggles husband and Marine hit it off big time. He is also an ex marine so they have a lot in common.

At 1 a.m. I had to remind Marine we had 45 minute drive home.... I think there may be a new bromance brewing! Which is fine by me! Always great to spend time with Giggles :)

I'm still Zumba-ing away to! Dance and feel the burn! I'm still waiting for them to kick me out of the class due to lack of coordination.

 Monica: Did you ever feel like sometimes you are just so unbelievably uncoordinated?

(Rachel taps into view. She is in perfect sync with the rest of the class)

Rachel: What? You just click when they click. 

~Friends~