Cruzin' downtown Spokane...

This morning, I had an appointment for a much needed oil change and then had plans to go to Funky Junk Antique Show afterwards. I invited my high school buddy's girlfriend to come along to the show with me. She just moved here from Florida and when I found out she likes to go to flea markets, I knew we'd be friends! I had only met her once and wasn't sure if I was going to have to pick her up (not knowing if she had a car here yet). After texting the night before, she said she bought a car when she got to Spokane and that she could meet me downtown. I figured I would just leave my car at the dealership so I wouldn't have to deal with parking. When she picked me up in this '88 Wagoneer I about peed my pants! We were laughing so hard driving up and down the streets trying to maneuver downtown. Although I didn't find any treasures today, I had so much fun hitting up Funky Junk, Pink, Roost & Goodwill. And I do have to admit, I'm a little jealous of the Wagoneer. :)

A few of my latest obsessions...

ob*ses*sion [ab-se-shen] noun. the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. Such as, but not limited to, a really good book, a classic award winning TV show, or an impossible 1000pc puzzle.

For my birthday, Anna invited me over to her place so she could give me the cake she baked for me and possibly watch a movie. That was after going out for drinks and appetizers beforehand, so feeling a little tired, I told her that I'd come over for cake, but I didn't know if I could sit through a whole movie. She asked if I'd want to watch an episode of Downton Abbey instead. I had no idea what Downton Abbey was, but thought what could a 1/2 hour hurt? Little did I know they are hour long episodes! And although I was very sleepy, I couldn't stop at one! I insisted we put in another episode. I borrowed her DVD and by the end of the weekend I had finished watching season one. I couldn't take it. I.WANTED.MORE! At the time season two was available to watch online, but only for another three days. So, as Joe was away in Vegas, I continued to watch Downton Abbey into the wee hours of the morning (and the whole next day) and finished season two. Anyone know when I can expect season three?!!?

Next, I decided jump on the band wagon and start reading the Hunger Game Series. When I was last home, my brother got sooo excited when we saw the preview for the movie. I'm not going to lie, I thought it looked stupid. (futuristic movies are not really my thing) He even told me the gist of the story and I still wasn't interested, but then I thought back to Twilight and remembered I felt the same way before I read the Twilight series. I remember thinking, "books about vampires? How juvenile!" So I decided to give HG a shot. Once I started, I couldn't put them down and I think I read all three books in two weeks. I'm embarrassed to say I read the second book in one day... from the moment I woke up until I went to bed, I read for 12 straight hours! The fact that I had 12 straight hours to spend on reading a book is the embarrassing part. :)

In between books, I worked on the above puzzle until I felt like I needed toothpicks to keep my eyes open. The thing with me and puzzles is that I can't have them sit on the table for too long. Not because I need my table, but because I become so obsessed with finishing them. This was probably the hardest puzzle I've ever done, and believe me, I've done plenty of puzzles in my day living with my mom.

soaking up some sunshine

Location: Kellog, Idaho
Place: Silver Mountain Resort
Date: Sunday. March 25 2012
Reason: my birthday get-away planned by Joe

Joe planned a surprise out of town trip for my birthday. Although it ended up being a month after my birthday, it allowed for some lovely weather! He wanted to take me to some antique shops, but apparently Kellog is a ghost town on a Sunday in March, so we headed to the next town over and hit the couple that that were open in Wallace. We spent the next four hours sitting in the sunshine, sipping on refreshments. Aahhh...I can't wait until summer! Or spring for that matter (as I sit here typing and it is snowing). We went to the water park for a while and before you knew it, it was back to Spokane the next morning and back to work.

A 12 month baby book for baby harper...

I feel like I'm always making baby books! :) This one was for a friend at work, who happened to be a couple days shy of giving birth on my birthday!

Normally when I use my cricut (a scrapbooking tool for all you non-crafters) it's to cut out letters, but this time I used it to cut out all the little animals you see from a new cartridge I got for Christmas. :)

my thrifty find

I'm always on the look out for fun ways to store things for my craft room... old tackle boxes, cute tins, pretty boxes... I have a lot of supplies that requires a lot of organizing! So, when I saw this vintage robin egg blue box the other day for only $3, I  had to have it. It needed some love, but nothing a little paper and glue couldn't fix. With a little more embellishing I think this would make a darling little gift box or memory box for someone special :)

 

 

Go Gonzaga!

While Joe is in Vegas supporting the Zags for the West Coast Conference Championship...

I thought I would add a couple of pictures...

of my crush, Rob Sacre :)  ...so sad it's his senior year!

Sending love your way...

Hope you had a swell Valentine's Day!

1.5 months ago...

I know, I know I'm really behind on posting! It's been a combination of things... 1. I no longer have my computer, so I've been having to share Joe's. Which isn't a problem, but he is often on it for school or checking Zags updates. 2. Since I've last posted I've been super busy with projects... helping with Tara's wedding, hosting a baby shower, handcrafting gifts for weddings, birthdays, Christmas & all the new babies that are on their way. All things I love doing, but now that I'm working 8-5, M-F...it's a little different from when I would be done with work at 10am. Although I still feel like I'm working on 20 different projects, for once I'm not pressed with a deadline. So I promise to write a little more... I have many pictures & projects to share with you!

let's...

< < Rewind.

...to Christmas-time.

Joe & I went home for the holidays and spent Christmas Eve, Christmas & New Year's in Ohio. Of course it was great seeing my mom & brothers & sisters, but it was also nice to see all my aunts & cousins. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. We played games, stayed up late, caught up on Greys, put together puzzles, did some antique shopping, and ate lots of food. Oddly enough I really didn't take that many pictures, but here are some of my favorites.

Fun with my brothers

{the hand on the chest is an inside joke}

a close up of Ryan...

...and his dog ~Silas. 

Melissa & my cousin, Trixy (who I've missed the passed 2 years I've come home)

Quentin & cousin, Bill

New Year's with ~most~ of the family.

30 before Thirty

 {read a book} √

Ok, so the reason this is on my list, is not because I have never read a book before!! It's just that when I compiled my "30 before Thirty" list, I hadn't read a good book in a long time. I wanted to once again curl up with a cup of tea and read into the wee hours of the night... I really do love reading, but once I start a good book, it takes up every free minute I have...I get behind on house chores, crafts in progress come to a halt, and I've been know to get a little less sleep. Since I'm a little behind on my blogging, I have since read three books. I received some new books for Christmas, but I think next on my list is going to be Hunger Games.

 

visit a state I've never been to

run a 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours

cut hair (short or straight across bangs) 3/4/11
get Joe to organize his mail
take a cooking class

open up an etsy shop

get married ;)

refinish our dining room table

camp out in Yellowstone for a week

go fishing for a day

go skiing or snowboarding
make it to the coast 5/26/11

find the perfect pair of black boots

purchase a digital SLR 2/26/11

read a book

run a marathon

learn how to swim tread water

get Joe to try cream cheese

host a girls night

make a scrapbook for myself

learn how to sew... and sew something

take an exercise class with a friend

learn how to knit

s k y d i v e

put together a book of inspiration

make the perfect pot of chili

volunteer

create a piece of jewelry
find the perfect letter E
throw myself a kickin' 30th birthday party

Oh baby!

Lucky Joe is a proud Uncle of lots of little kiddos, and recently this little fella was added to the mix. Leo James Lofstedt was born on July 28th with a head full of dark black hair. I love it! He is so precious and so teeny. I'm excited to watch a Lofstedt grow from day one :) Welcome to the world little Leo, you are very loved!

I love making little albums for baby gifts; something easy that mom's can just insert a few pictures. I usually do a month by month book until they're one, but this time I did a book of "firsts" (first picture, first bath, first steps, etc...) if I know Kelli well enough, she'll take lots of pictures :) I made this mini album from paper lunch bags (so easy!). I love the idea of sticking extra pictures in the "pockets".

A few pictures from Kelli's Baby Shower:

Lastly, before I left Starbucks, I helped throw our store manager a baby shower. Here are some pictures from Shilo's Baby Shower: 

a little banner I made for Baby Kellen

And how cute is this diaper cake one of the girls made!