You Were Born an Original...Do Not Become a Copy.

(Originally posted 04/03/2012)
Yesterday I was sick. Like couldn't work, went to the doctor, and then didn't move from the couch until 10pm when I moved to my bed kinda sick. This is why yesterday is today...

Mail! 

Far from exciting...but it IS yesterday's mail...since today's mail literally just arrived and I have not went out to get it...yet.

Today was my day off for the week. To have a day off during the week is so bittersweet. I am able to get a lot done...however...I then have to work Saturday...which is NO fun even if it is only a four hour shift...that four hours plus drive time really cuts into my Kyle time! 

I was able to almost finish the cabinets downstairs that I am painting...well...the painting is done...whew. That took way longer than it needed to, that's for sure! Now for the hinges...the ones I got were wrong. The ones I got to replace those. Also wrong. Damn hinges. I hate you! So for today I have given up. Maybe I will put my clothes away...or at least get the out of the dryer...
<3

(Originally posted 04/02/2012)
COLOR!!!

Yup. Sloppy painted finger nails...that have actually already chipped because I was lazy and didn't use a topcoat. But this is NEW polish and  that is exciting. For whatever reason pastel colors never apply or dry right on my nails. I have tried the .99 cent brands to the $9.00 brands with no luck. This seems to be working out pretty well though so I am pleased. It is Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Lacey Lilac and Mint Sorbet. The price was right (2/$4 at Walgreens) and I have tried this brand in the past and it seems to stay fresh...if that even makes sense...for much longer than many of the other brands that I have.

Today was totally a Monday...let's just say I have a killer stress headache and I think I am off to bed a bit early tonight. Good night world...until tomorrow!
<3

(Originally posted 04/01/2012 )
Four months into the "new" year and here I finally start. It's actually been so long I couldn't remember my password! Oops! But,  I found something to get me motivated to post more. 

Photo a Day!

April 1st: Your reflection.

It's Sunday...and it's a work on the basement painting kind of day...hence the haphazard hair-do and lack of make up. Ah well. This is life. This is me. This is Sunday, April 1st.

The upstairs is MOSTLY done now. I still have some finishing touches I would like to complete before I post photos. Now I am working in the room that was a bar. Was. Some reconstruction and some frustrations with painting this weekend it is slowly turning into the craft room/office. Someday we will probably want the actual office to be used for other purposes. Someday...

We decided on getting rid of the office once we realized that my totes and bags and piles of fabric, paints, yarns, scrapbook papers etc are taking over the upstairs and they need a home. Not to mention our lack of desire to drink enough to have an actual bar...or  to entertain. We tend to be hermits in our own little world. Working diligently on making our home perfect for us...and inviting very few over. It's nothing personal...I guess maybe we are all the company we need when we are together.

In other news. I saw The Hunger Games last week. I am now about half way through the book...I am so in love with this...I want to go see the movie again SO bad!! Not to mention buy all sorts of goodies off Etsy that are based on the book/movie. Love. Love. Love.

<3

(Originally posted 12/20/2011)
Being that the year is coming to a close I think that now is a good time to reflect back on the year and see what I have learned from my travels in 2011.

First off..I am pretty sure that 2011 was the fastest year of my life! It makes me a little afraid for next years to come.

So onto what I have learned...and in no particular order..

*The process of buying a house is exhausting. Proceed with caution.

*The process of renovating a house...while working full time (not to mention your other half working full time in a different state) is the most work you will ever do...but SUPER rewarding.
 (We bought our house in April and we had the wonderful  idea of  painting our trim and doors white...as well as changing out all the hardware in the house. Let's just say that we are ALMOST done with the UPSATAIRS. Yup...haven't even cleaned the basement yet :/ Whenever the upstairs is done-done I will post pictures. It is coming along nicely...but it is SO MUCH WORK.)

*Exercise is hard. Even harder is sticking to a diet/exercise regimen. This NEEDS to get done in 2012. I planned on losing weight in 2011 and ended up gaining around 5-10 lbs. I don't really know as I purchased a scale only a few months ago...but that is my guess.

*I would have LOVED being a manager at the retail store...but the many closing shifts were just too much for this early bird.

*I LOVE baby things. This is not limited to babies and buying them things that are so freaking cute...but I have developed quite the talent to sewing said cute baby things...and there is a Etsy shop soon to come!
(I am so excited for this it is unreal! I just hope I will have time to work on the house, work full time, and craft said lovely things...oh...and that exercise thing too...I suppose).

*The amazing feeling you get from truely helping someone is beyond words. I am talking actually helping out...not just half-helping.
(Two friends and I helped out a family member with Christmas this year. We suprised her and her children with extra presents since it was a tough year for her. It was awesome.)

*Waiting until Thanksgiving to start thinking of Christmas when you are hosting...is WAY too late.

*Everything happens for a reason. I re-learn this yearly.

*Finding things that you are passionate about really makes life better. My important things are; sewing, baking, organizing, making my house pretty, and enjoying being lazy (ok...being lazy to me is watching Netflix for two consecutive hours while working on something like crocheting or some other small craft task).

*Pinterest is amazing. So many ideas and suggestions for an easier and cheaper life. Love it.

*Cake balls are WAY harder to make pretty than Pinterest leads you to belive.

I am sure there is plenty more but let's leave it there...

For the new year...
I really want to live healthier. Not a diet/exercise but a lifestyle change. I know dougnuts, ice cream, and pizza while delicious...are bad...now I need to live with less of that junk.

Remember all the wonderful things in my life...and no not be jelous of the things others may have that I want so badly. All good things come in time.

Start my Etsy business!

Lastly...
I NEED A VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3

(Originally posted 10/27/2011)
Today was my "day off" ha.
I should be happy that I was quite productive today...and I am. I just would have liked to have spent the day being oober lazy.

I started my day shopping for some new work pants...that was a fail. I am too fat. I seriously need to start some sort of exercise routine again...it is depressing.

Then I went home and painted the spare room...to save money I mixed paints. The bathroom's green with our bedroom's blue and the leftovers from the trim paint (even though I still need MORE trim paint. I have gone through at least four gallons already). This gave me a greyish blue color. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. However I ran out with a two foot section, ceiling to floor to go. Awesome. Now I need to get a color match quart to finish...IF it works out. All three colors I used were different finishes...yay.

Then I cleaned and took out the trash. As I type...Kyle is working hard in the attic on that damn insulation...what a champ! 

I guess that is all for now. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the weekend...even though I work Saturday I am still looking forward to it...we will be carving pumpkins at some point...
<3

(Originally posted 10/25/2011)
It has been far too long (and I feel like this is how all my posts start...) I am sorry...

I am making a sort-of-goal (because...seriously I am REALLY bad at keeping to them) to blog way more often...for some reason it is therapeutic to know that the whole world can know what's going on in my mind...and SOMEHOW that makes me feel more...normal.

This past weekend I went to a friend's halloween party. I brought an old friend with. For some reason arriving stag is not for me. It's kind of like how it was in elementary school...grab your buddy and all will be okay. It was unlike any party I had ever been to. When we first arrived we were handed a card to fill out...there were dead "bodies" all over the house as well as weapons. We needed to figure out how each was killed...as well as hunt down some scrabble pieces to unscramble  and figure out who the killer was. 

Yea. We sucked at this game. It was kind of fun though...like "real" life Clue. I guess neither of us played that enough when we were kids...but these bodies did make a pretty amazing photo op. Those pictures will be posted soon-ish. 

We also got to talk to a psychic. I have never done this before and it was really pretty interesting. I am not sure how much I believe in all that...but it was still fun...and I do believe that some people really do have some sort of gift...but I have also seen it debunked on tv...not that all you see on tv is true. 

Anyways...she read tarot cards and said that I need more patience...if I let things be and stop worrying about the "when" things will be simpler and everything that I desire WILL happen. (At this point I am thinking...that is a great positive thought...but...couldn't you say that to anyone?) She also said other things along those same lines...nothing that REALLY stood out. I also asked her when Kyle and I will finally get married and if we would have kids. After speaking to the Angels she told me that yes, we will get married but not until 2014. I promptly informed Kyle that that is too long to make me wait...he chuckled and said that her prediction seemed about right. She asked the Angels again and then told me that we will for SURE have two kids and even strongly consider a third. Kyle asked if she also told me how we were going to pay for all those kids (we have discussed this and have come to a "lets have one and see how that goes...someday" consensus) so even I was taken aback at the possibility of three...I mean we would need to do some renovations in this house...there wouldn't be enough rooms and I am sure that this place is far too small for five!

In the end...I am not sure what to believe. Her answers all seemed too general and too what I (meaning anyone) would want to hear...I guess only time will tell... 
<3

(Originally posted 09/15/2011)
Lately I have been neglecting my house updates (sorry, Kyle) for a new-ish addiction.

Crafts. By this I mean just about any crafts. I have found so many amazing blogs that have given me the most amazing ideas...I have plans that could very well possibly take forever to complete. 

It all started when I decided I was too cheap to buy a pattern to make a skirt. I found some helpful ladies online at different blogs and I sort of compiled their directions to make my own. 

Once I was at their websites....wham....I was a goner. Ideas upon ideas...and now I can't seem to stop searching for more ideas...

Back to the skirt. I need a longer skirt for a wedding that I am attending in November...but I can NEVER find clothes that I like anymore (perhaps this is a "I am 26 so does that make me an adult? But I don't want to be an adult yet." tug of war whenever I shop....

Anyways..I found the directions for the circle skirt. SO EASY...I may make a dozen. Seriously. I started out with a fabric that I loved but I also knew it would A.) Go with a variety of clothing and B.) Not be my final "wedding attending skirt". It is a dark/light purple...thin sweater like material. If you have access to a sewing machine and are crafty in any way at all..you can make this...in an EVENING!

All you need is 2 yeards of lightweight fabric (unless you are very small...like size 5 and under, then you could probably get away with a thicker fabric). Fold it in half...and then in half again. Figure some math...cut a quarter circle...sew on some elastic, hem or add lace to the bottom hem and YOU ARE DONE. 

This is the website that I mostly used: http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-circle-skirt.html

If you decide to go through with this...contact me and I will dive deeper into my edits and some helpful hints. I am not quite cool enough to have a crafting blog yet...maybe some day.

Some other things I am excited about...felt play food (birthday gift for a special little girl...and if her momma is reading this...act surprised at the party!), more clothing, pillowcases, "screen print" tees (If you can think of any funny sayings for men/women/kids please share...I fear I am not creative in that aspect), and everything Christmas!

Oh, yes. And my Stictin' Bitch book. I WILL learn to KNIT...although after paging through the book I am quite terrified.

So excited! And once I get the lace trim on the bottom of that skirt I will post a picture!

The doors and trim will paint themselves...right?
<3

(Originally posted 08/28/2011)
Again. It's been forever since I have posted. 
I am a horrible blogger. Too sporadic.


Anyways. My mother always told me if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I hope everyone gets taught this and takes it to heart. There is too much anger in the world.

I was not happy at my job...which made me unhappy with everything. When I was at work all I could think about was how much I wanted to leave...and when I wasn't at work all I could think about was how bad I didn't want to go back. I am not able to pin point why...I made a bunch of amazing friends...people I honestly like. Luckily I was able to find a new job. One that I don't mind going to every day. Also complete with awesome people. I am also trying to keep in touch with everyone from my previous job...true friends mean too much to just say goodbye and be on my way. Along with work and trying to keep in touch with friends, I am STILL painting. Seriously. Volunteers welcomed. I am sooo over it. 

That's all for now. I will try and be better about posts.
Bad, Jennafer. Bad.
<3

(Originally posted 07/18/2011)
It has been so hot the last few days...actually I don't even remember a day that it was under 80 out. I am not a fan. It has been record highs for days with no end in sight....I am talking my air conditioner is on and it is still 80 in my house. Lame.

I have still been spending my every waking minute painting. I feel like I will never be done. 

I went to Verizon yesterday. I wanted to inquire about the Droid Bionic. It is supposed to be pretty amazing and the best android phone yet...and it's been postponed several times from its original release date in January. The guy told me that it has been cancelled...he then recommended the Revolution.

Kyle said that this information was not true...so I used trusty Google to find the truth. 

The guy is full of shit. It is not only NOT cancelled but it has a release date of August 4th. Oh, and the Revolution actually has very mixed reviews. I kind of want to go back and tell him whats up.

But what I was thinking is the whole time I was talking to him I kept saying "we"...I was alone. 
I tend to say "we" and almost never "I"...makes me wonder if people think I am slightly crazy and have a split personality or something...it's not like I have a pretty sparkly on my left hand or anything.
Just saying.
<3

(Originally posted 07/13/2011)
Wow. Time flies. July is half over already. I don't know about you...but I am almost looking forward to fall. Although I always do. Fall mornings smell the best and fall nights are perfect for cozy sweaters and comfy boots.

I have been spending my every waking moment working on the house...and being sick. It's been awesome. But I have made some serious progress on our home. One bedroom is completely done...minus some window treatments and in another one I am nearly half finished with the trim. Of course there is still lots to do! We would love to have a house warming gathering sometime...whenever we can get things a bit more situated. I know plenty of people that want to come see the place!!

I just watched Ramona and Beezus. It was really, really cute. I recommend it. 
<3