2 Rooms in Your Childhood Home - Tuesday Topics

I know......it's not Tuesday. Like I said in my last post....I have been feeling really blue this week and haven't wanted to blog, or really do anything for that matter. It's been tough, but I am working my way out of this new slump. Keep calm and carry on right?

This week's Tuesday Topics is really hard for me, because I don't have digital access to many photo's from my childhood home, but I will make do with what I do have.

First up....not a great photo of the actual room, but more of the location in the home. I would lie on the floor in front of that fireplace for hours with our pup Einstein. I would play cards with my dad and watch television. It was my favorite place in the home. I remember only wanting to sleep right there after the Northridge earthquake hit. Knowing that the warmth (even though it wasn't on) of the fireplace made me feel at ease.

This photo was from our house in Lancaster. I love that my parents are cuddled up on what is the UGLIEST sofa's in my memory. My mom loved it! It had a matching armchair to go with it too. I love this photo though because its true happiness in their eyes! Despite an ugly seat! (Sorry mom, but it wasn't attractive!)

Sorry they aren't the best photos of the actual rooms, but they are memories non the less!

Happy Friday!

Feeling Blue.....

Hi friends. I know I have been MIA this week and I wanted to jump on here to say a quick I'm Sorry. I have been feeling blue all week and haven't really had anything to talk about. Well let me take that back, I have had things to talk about, I just needed to get my head together and work through it all. I promise I'll be back next week with some interesting content. I try not to leave this space un-updated, but sometimes you need to take a break!

In other news....remember last week when I told you we got some organizational stuff for our closet? Well we still needed to re-organize everything. Here's what it looked like pre-clean:

 Nothing had any sense of organization. Shoes, and blankets and everything just strewn about and it was driving me CRAZY! We took about 4 hours out of last Sunday and did a through deep clean. On Saturday I had re-organized both dressers and was able to empty 2 full drawers and that mean I could take some hanging items out and create more space. I cleaned out shoes, purses, bags, and trash. I had a full trunkload of donate when we were finished. We stacked jeans and sweatshirts in the cubbies. Shoes went on the middle shelf and blankets, games and other items that don't get used often (including all my crafting stuff) all went in boxes and on the high shelf. We overhauled where everything goes and of course color coordinated in all. The hubby even took all of his ties and put them in a basket.

I know it doesn't look a lot different in photos but trust me, it feels a million times better. Having that extra hanging room helps to avoid wrinkles on the clothes too! YAY! Next task.....tackling the garage. Sigh. We are in full Fall Cleaning in our parts! What about you?

Mid Century Mod - Inspired Furniture

I love Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern furniture. Just something about the simplicity of the lines that are created makes me swoon. We get so many catalogs at our office that I cannot possibly look through all of them. Usually they just go into the round file because I am just too busy to thumb through them. Last week I was waiting to meet with my boss and I glanced down at "The Pile" and saw the autumn West Elm catalog and immediately fell in love with the piece on the cover.

In thumbing through each page I discovered that they are in a Mid-Century modern inspired trend and I WANT EVERYTHING! Where's my house and the money? I complied a list of things that I would totally die to have! Lets first off talk about the piece that caught my eye.....the Lubna Chowdhary Tiled Dining Storage. Seriously could this piece be any cooler? It comes several different ways too!!! I am loving the entry table also!

Below is a glimpse of some of the things I wouldn't mind one bit if they magically made their way into my home!

// 1. Mid Century Desk Seriously. I love the entire look of this desk. // 2. Slope Leather Arm Chair // 3. Adjustable Metal Floor Lamp // 4. Glass Jug Table Lamp // 5. Isla Wall Print // 6. Rochester Sofa Just looks super comfy to me. // 7. Spoke Dining Chair Reminds me of a Macintosh chair // 8. Bentwood Pendands Something about these are just cool! // 9. Emerson Buffet //

One other thing that I totally love and want to try and convince the hubby that we should get are these Mid Century Nightstands....they would go PERFECTLY with our headboard in our master! Please Please PLEASE!

What's you favorite design style?

Never Have I Ever Scuba Dived: The Boys Behind the Blog

Hey Everyone. It's that time of the month again when we hear from the men that support our crazy little idea called blogging. They love us for it, and sometimes might not understand it. One Thursday a month, several bloggers open up the day to let their readers hear the voice of the men that keep us going, give us topics to write about and just overall love us. On these posts they get to have their voices heard....of course with our own little tidbits thrown in! Take a read at my hubby's answers to this month's set of questions. My comments are in purple. Don't forget to join in on the conversation to with your S.O.'s!

1. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
Well that is a tough question. Like Diane found out at her bridal shower I like monkeys, although I think I would like to be an eagle. I choose an eagle because they are a bird that to me displays strength and also represents our great country!  I consider my self pretty patriotic so staying along those lines I would have to pick a bald eagle, to be exact, for the animal I would want to be if I magically was able to become one. Where did magically come from? Oooooook. Yes that was a question I missed during one of my bridal shower games and have not let him live it down! I like that he has a bald eagle. They are rare, and for him to love something so precious and also representative of our great nation makes me feel good about my decision to marry this man!

2. What is your favorite meal?
Ok. I definitely like my food but if I was choose my favorite meal I would have to say Tacos. I would probably have to blame/associate that with when my mom was pregnant with me that's all she craved. Jack in the Box tacos to be exact. But my favorite tacos would be homemade tacos in the fried shells that Diane does up or Del Taco has my favorite tacos, if homemade are not an option. Does anyone remember the Boy Meets World episode where all Cory does is say "taco" and make the hand eating gesture? Everytime he wants tacos, he says it exactly like that and does the hand gesture! He really does love tacos!

3. Do you use any forms of social media? What is your favorite?
 Ok. Is this really a question?!?!?  What social media do I use?  I think I am like almost (I said almost because I know there are a lot of people that refuse to have an account due to the drama) everyone when I say "Facebook". Don't know what it is about it but I am addicted. I can't stay away. I tried to cancel it for a bit and it only lasted a day. I also use Instagram and checked out twitter. I would have to say I don't have a favorite because I would rather be socializing with people out side playing team sports like volleyball. This is true. He is a social butterfly and given the choice would prefer to be with people....I love my bloggies and all my social media! Although, I could try and stay off Facebook for a while.

4. Beer, wine, liquor or other?
I would have to say I dip into all. My favorite liqueur at the moment would have to be "Fireball". It's a cinnamon whiskey that is delicious. I can drink it straight with no mixer while usually I can't even take Jack Daniels as a shot. Fireball is very smooth with the spice of cinnamon. If you haven't tried it I recommend it. I also like beer and wine. My first choice for a beer would have to be a "Blue Moon" with and orange. For a wine I would say any red wine preferable a red blend like John Clancy's. Oh yea! We are so in sync here its not even funny! Although, I'd take a Angry Orchard over the Blue Moon!! Give us simple and we are happy!

5.  Complete the sentence: "Never have I ever....."
So you want me to complete the sentence "Never have I ever..."  Hmmm...never have I ever been scuba diving. This is one my bucket list of things I really want to check off soon. I have always, since I was a little kid, loved to swim. My mom told me that when I was young the first thing I did was swam under water the width of the pool under water after she removed my water wings for the first time. I have been drawn to the water ever since. All growing up my birthday parties were always at our community pool in high school I was on the varsity swim team. I also coached the swim team at our community pool for four years. My favorite vacation location is Lake Tahoe during the summer for all the water related activities we are able to do. My dream is to some day go scuba dive in a beautiful reef someone like Hawaii or the Bahamas with the fish and other sea creatures. It is so peaceful underwater. Agreed! Also things haven't changed very much....what did he want to do on his 30th birthday? Invite our friends over to lounge in the pool!

This or That?

What day is it???? It's HUMP DAY! Well, I know for a lot of my readers.....east coast and abroad....its almost Thursday. Anyways....this week has been completely nuts and it's been really hard to get in a decent post.....and today is no different. I saw this floating around the blogosphere and thought that it would be fun to participate. 

Vacationing in Florida or vacationing in NYC: Well, this is kinda hard because I have been to Florida many many times...so I think that a vacation to NYC is in order! iPhone or Droid: iPhone....I had a Blackberry and honestly WHY did I wait so long to switch?! The iPhone tap dances all over the crackberry! NSYNC or Backstreet Boys: Ohhhh....tough one. I loved both of them, but NSYNC's music was way catchier and easier to dance to! Being forced to delete Facebook or being forced to delete Twitter: I still really don't get Twitter....I keep Facebook just to keep up with family. So probably Twitter. Fireball or Miller Lite: Fireball cause I can mix it with things like my Whiskey Apple Pie cocktail! Full House or Family Matters: Full House wins over Family Matters! Dumbledore or Gandalf: Dumbledore! I seriously bawled at the end of the Half Blood Prince! I was SO SAD! He turned into the father figure and I couldn't take it! Dying Easter eggs or Carving pumpkins: Pumpkins are a pain! But I don't know how to hard boil eggs so I guess carving pumpkins wins. NFL or NCAAF: NFL.....BUT we have canceled cable so I don't have to watch any of it! YAY! A hangover forever or sobriety forever: I am too old to handle hangovers.....I typically choose to stay sober as it is because I hate feeling like garbage for the entire next day. Red wine hangovers are the WORST. January or July: Nothing really happens in January so July. At least there is lots of things to participate in, regardless of the heat. Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus: Miley, post Hannah but pre twerking nonsense at the VMA's. I seriously was speechless during that entire spectacle! Shark Week or Fashion Week: Shark week hands down. I am fascinated by those creatures! Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Saved by the Bell: Saved! Who didn't want to be Kelly and date Zach?! I mean honestly. I also wanted to be as smart as Jessie....Screech however was annoying! Britney or Christina: It's Britney Bitch!!! She was/is the Queen of Pop. I don't care if she lip syncs because lady puts on an awesome show! Burrito or Burrito Bowl: Burrito. I love refried beans, meat and cheese in a warm tortilla! Reading blogs on your phone or reading blogs on your computer: Computer, because I love to see peoples pages that they took time to create. I read on my phone, but everything doesn't load and I would just prefer to see it on a larger screen. Angelina or Jennifer: Jennifer. She's funny, smart and beautiful.....seriously Brad, you missed out! Jenn....congrats on dodging the bullet! Doug Funny or The Rugrats: I never really was into those shows..... Ren and Stimpy! An open mouth chewer or a heavy breather: UGH....both irritate me sooo much, but I guess loud breathing when I'm trying to sleep is worse! There you go....not an exciting post I know....but come back tomorrow for The Boys Behind the Blog! The hubbs will be back with a couple of more questions to answer!

Tuesday Topics Favorites

I haven't been participating in these Tuesday Topics for a very long time so it's quite easy to pick the ones that were my favorites over the last 16 weeks. 

From the last round I would have to say that my favorites were:

10 Things That Make Me Happy

and

5 Songs That Bring Back Memories 

 With the honorable mentions being: 9 Photo's of Your Spouse and 8 Goals which I can say I mostly accomplished! Score 1!

For this round I would have to say my favorites were:

8 Photographs of Nature and 7 American Cities You Want to Visit

I can't wait to see what the next round entails! Happy Tuesday!

I thought we'd be farther along......

I have been feeling a little down the past couple of days. I realized on Friday why that was. On this day last year, the hubby and I found out that we would be expanding our family. We were both so excited and could wait to start planning everything. Our excitement was short lived, as we lost the baby. We thought that since it happened once that it would be very easy to fall pregnant again. Well, that has not been the case. 10 months after the go ahead, here we are with not even a blimp. It's disheartening to say the least. People keep telling us that it will happen when its supposed to, or that we are trying too hard. Honestly, if we had known it would take this long, we probably wouldn't have waited at all. I know that we should be patient, but I have talked about this in the past and we are waiting for our time. We hope that our time will come soon, as we are trying to do everything in our power. Until then, we try to continue to live our lives and continue to love one another.

So, to update you on the more recent events, lets talk about the weekend. Friday we had our once a month visit with our dear friends and had a nice relaxing evening playing Cards Against Humanity, its like Apples to Apples for adults. Earlier that day, I was treated to the most amazing sandwich at a local restaurant in Pasadena called The Raymond. If your ever in the area, make a reservation and hit it up. I can't wait until they have their pumpkin ravioli back on the menu. We had been reveling in the cooler weather until that day and spent every evening on our porch last week just relaxing.

Saturday we headed down to Ikea to pick up a new dresser, and some other storage items for Fall cleaning. It's time to get rid of the old and get organized again! Then we headed out to my grandmothers house to have a faux Thanksgiving. We had turkey and all the fixings with lots of family. It was a great afternoon.

Brimmes Chest of Drawers from Ikea

Sunday, D's sister, brother-in-law and us took D's parents out to lunch for his dad's birthday. Good conversation all around. Then we headed home to do some assembly. It took the boys 2 hours to put together the dresser while I move furniture around and cleaned out the old dresser. Then D and I had dinner and watched a movie. It was a fairly busy weekend, but not really uneventful. Hopefully I can get an after photo when I get the closet re-organized. No I didn't take a before, but I can take a midway to show you what we did, and still need to do.

Also, last week the hubs and I decided to have a little date night at the shooting range. It's still so much fun to do target practice, however I do need to get out more. My aim isn't nearly as good as it once was. Were just testing things out to see if there's any shopping to be done. It was a fun night just the two of us!

Hope everyone in blogland had a great weekend!

Vivid Memories

I had a moment today. I was out of the office, going from jobsite to jobsite, sitting in traffic just listening to the radio. A song came along. Not just any song, one that was filled with happy memories that have since turned sad. Memories of friendship and laughter that have long since died. This happens to me a lot. It's not always sad memories, but songs stick out to me and certain ones leave a lasting impression on my soul. When I listen to them I am instantly returned to that time and re-live each moment with vivid clarity. Some of them tend to come out in the form of tears, whether happy tears or sad. This is when I realized that I do a lot of thinking on the road. My commute to work is a minimum of 45 minutes each direction. That's a long time to sit and reflect. Reflect on the day, the month, the year. Any memory that may flood into my brain at any given time. That's when I realized that my little silver friend has seen me through many times. She has seen all the tears, some of the fights, heard every story. She hears my prayers that I send to God, or to up to heaven to my dad. I have many moments during these times. I sing, I dance, I laugh, I cry, but mostly I use the time to reflect. I think about everything that has happened in my life and I dream about the future to come. I can't explain why songs seem to have this affect on me. They truly make me very contemplative.

I had a talk with the hubby the other day. We have seriously been considering uprooting our lives and moving out of state for a change of pace. It's something that has been on our minds a lot the past couple of years, but in the last six months or so have seriously considered. If he would have asked me two years ago, I would have said absolutely not....now the answer is yes, but give me a yearish. I guess the idea of leaving everything I know, and all my family is scary. Then I think to myself, if I ever need them all I would have to do is put on a song and be taken back with them. My emotions tend to ebb and flow like the ocean. I am re-missed to believe that I am back in an ebb state. Feeling a little insecure, and lonely. Lives are changing all around me and I so desperately wish that my dream will come true soon. To give my husband all that he dreams of having. When I am feeling this way, all I have to do is put on a song and have him hold me in his arms. Gently rocking back and forth, moving to the sound of the music. Feeling his strong embrace around me, and it makes me feel better. Knowing that I am not alone, that someone truly understands me and loves me.

I know I am not alone in these feelings. Also that songs can trigger many memories. I guess that's why it's the most powerful form of art that we can use to express ourselves. Please take a listen to the playlist below to hear a handful of the songs that have triggered a memory over the last week or so. Some have been so powerful that I was silent for several minutes after the song ended. It just had me wondering, where do you all do your thinking?

Memories can be very powerful, especially on a day like today. I would like to take the time today to remember all those who lost their lives on this day twelve years ago, and thank all the hero's that have come since to help protect our freedom. Without each other we would have nothing. All I can say is a heartfelt Thank You. Always remember!

via

Homemade Banana Bread

In an effort to continue to ween us out of summer.....thinking thoughts of sweaters and fireplaces. I decided to make homemade banana bread over the weekend. Every time we have a banana that is about to go bad I throw it in the freezer, in hopes of making the bread. We had quite a decent collection of banana's in the freezer and since I was having a sweet tooth, I figured now is a better time than any to try my hand at this festive fall treat. I'll admit I was a little nervous, while I can bake cookies and cakes....bread is a whole different story! Good thing was, the hubs liked it so much he went back for seconds!

What You'll Need:
3 or 4 Ripe Banana's
1/3 Cup Butter (Melted)
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg (Beaten)
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tsp Baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
1-1/2 Cup Flour
4" x 8" Loaf Pan

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degree's. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed banana's in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg and vanilla. Then mix in the baking soda and salt. Finally add in the flour and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool and serve!

I hope you all try your hand a baking this fall! It really makes the house smell so festive. Recipe found here.

Instagram Stalking - Tuesday Topics

I think that Instagram stalking has become my new favorite past time. It used to be lurking on Facebook, but as we all know, fads die out and my new one is definitely IG. Before I got my IPhone, I used my IPod to post favorite photos, but shortly after I entered the world of Apple and the craze that is IG. I'm not a crazy poster, at least I don't think so. I usually only post about 2-3 times a week, but I have still managed to wrack up a decent amount of photo's on my account. When it comes to my favorite people I stalk follow, I'll admit that I have a couple of shameless celebrities on there (the cast of the Jersey Shore and Pretty Little Liars) but I also follow blogger celebrities like Dooce and MODG and several YouTube vloggers like the SacconeJoly's and It'sJudy'sLife. It's fun to look into the live's of others to see that they are the same as you. Normal people just dealing with day to day life. Also because they post cute and adorable photo's of their children doesn't hurt either.

When it comes to family and friends, I love to see snapshots from their lives! I think it's completely better than Facbook, because honestly I scroll to find the photo's anyways! Who are your favorite IGer's?

Whiskey Apple Pie Cocktail - Adults Only

Labor Day has come and gone and that means the beginning of Fall right? Well California's weather is protesting this with a vengeance as we are experiencing the heat that we should have had last month. It's been over a hundred every day since last week. I cannot wait to be able to cuddle up under a blanket in my sweats and have something baking in the oven! Instead I am baking inside our apartment! In order to help ease our way into fall, the hubby and I discovered a new beverage. And I am here to share!

If you don't know about Fireball, then you either A: don't drink, B: don't drink whiskey, or C: don't listen to country music. It is the new fad in drinking whiskey because it's cinnamon flavored. The hubs used to love Southern Comfort, and that's still his choice when we are out, but at home he will go for Fireball on the rocks without even flinching. I'm telling you I have had my fair share of Jack in my time, and it's completely in my past. Beer's are also relatively new for me, although I love a good Blue Moon from time to time. I don't care for whiskey or things with cinnamon flavor all that much, but this little recipe is pretty darn good. Like apple pie in a glass. All you need is: A shot of Fireball mixed with an Apple Orchard beer (my new favorite beer! It tastes like apple cider and its uh mah zing! Picture Martinelli's with a kick! Dangerous!) Pour your beer and the shot of whiskey into a frosty Pilsner glass, garnish with an apple slice and it's almost like your having a cold slice of apple pie. Thoughts are rolling around in my head about maybe topping it with whipped cream also. Like a dessert cocktail??!!? Ok lets not go crazy here! It's just a light and refreshing cocktail, and sometimes at the end of a long day, that's all you need!

Ingredients:
Fireball Red Hot Cinnamon Whiskey
Angry Orchard Hard Cider
Beer Stein of Choice
Apple Slice

Always remember to please drink responsibly, and only if of legal drinking age!

Things That Inspire Me - Tuesday Topics

This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but since we were on vacation I didn't get the opportunity to do so. Oops, better late than never right!

This weeks Tuesday Topics is five things that inspire you. I get inspiration from everything. It's really hard to narrow down a specific five that are my main inspiration. But I will give it a go. First off, if we are talking about being creative, my main source of inspiration is Pinterest. Honestly, what did women do before this website? I cannot stay off it for more than a couple of days before I feel the desire to go and find new things! This addictive site also inspires me to cook, clean, and be fit all at once. The next thing that inspires me, my family and friends. They push me to be a better person by setting examples of how to act and live my life. They helped to guide and shape me into the adult I am today. I wish I was more involved in my faith, as it has proven to me that I might need additional guidance here and there that these people cannot provide, but needing to find a place to worship has been long on our list of things to do for a while. My husband was raised Lutheran and I was raised as a Catholic, so it's finding a medium place.

Nature and architecture inspire me. I love looking at the structures that are provided from nature and in man made. People's minds amaze me and I love to see how things come together. The colors of the world are truly the most magnificent thing. Culture is also something that is truly inspirational. Seeing how people from all walks of life can come together and be truly wonderful. It's amazing to know that even when we come from different backgrounds and cultures that we all still are human and our basic needs are the same.  I can truly find inspiration anywhere. Inspiration in how to love, how to create, and how to be me.

Lake Tahoe Vacation (Part Two)

We're coming to a close on our anniversary vacation. The hubby is packing his suitcase as I write this (mine gets re-packed every time I take something out or put something in.) I figured I could give you a little recap of our last couple of days.

The smoke was gone until Saturday night and then it returned. It was sad, but it was still a great trip. Saturday we spent most of the afternoon talking and enjoying time with D's grandparents before we headed into Reno for their annual Rib Fest. We went to The Summit (an outdoor mall) for a little shopping first. Once at rib fest we people watched, listened to country music and of course ate ribs. We met up with both of D's cousins and just enjoyed each others company. We also got our first pair of cowboy hats. Albeit cheap and fake non-authentic, they still work and can be used for years to come! Bring on a country concert!

Sunday was our anniversary. We awoke and went to a local casino for breakfast with the family and then managed to get in some gambling as well. D's grandma was the only one with luck that day as she won well over two hundred bucks. I managed to last on $10 for about an hour but eventually lost it. Next stop was a local feed type store where we ALMOST bought cowboy boots. They didn't have the hubs size, so we will visit Boot Barn when we get home. D is turning into Johnny Cash, you know "the man in black." He continues to want all things in black. It's pretty funny. We went back to the house for happy hour then made our way to Reds 395 for a makeup 21st and anniversary dinner. I'll have to tell you another time about D's 21st birthday. We preceded to have the saltiest chicken wings ever, and were disappointed that they weren't like The Abbey, but honestly no wings compare to the wings we get in Florida. After we just had a nice relaxing evening playing cards and visiting.

Oh I forgot to share with you. We did manage to find the spot and take an "after" photo. I did a side by side comparison and belly laughed looking at it. It's obvious to me that our styles haven't changed that much when looking at the photo and we haven't nearly the identical outfits on that we did 11 years ago. I smile now remembering how far we have come and still love each other so much.

Hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day. We will be bearing the traffic trying to get home with everyone else!

I would say "I Do" all over again

 

Today marks the 6 year anniversary of our wedding. It is amazing to me that it has been that long. We have been married longer than most people we know, our own age, and still love each other more and more each day. We still talk about the biggest party of our lives and the memories that it created. Every year we like to watch our ceremony video and re-live those words that we spoke out of our hearts. Holding hands and snuggling, we remember the vow that we took and the love that we share. I always ask if we can have the wedding again, because I truly mean that I would marry this man all over again. He is my soul mate and my best friend. Even during our struggles we can always overcome them and in the end it makes our bond that much stronger. Remember my love, "If you knew how happy you are making me, I never thought I'd love anyone so much." There were never truer words spoken in a song and listening to that still brings tears to my eyes as I re-live each memory.

This year on our anniversary we are going to be in Lake Tahoe. Our first vacation spot together. I wish to re-live a memory that we created by driving up to the Emerald Bay overlook and taking a "now" photo. Once of my favorite photo's from our early years is in this spot and I wish to re-create it.

Cheers to love! Happy September!