Home Projects

Wow I am so excited I actually uploaded some pictures from our house project! Unfortunately they are more "after" than "before", but since it is still a work in progress, some day soon these pics will be "before". Does that make any sense?
Firstly, this is the wood we are using for the counter tops. Josh salvaged it from attic; I was skeptical at first (see wood on left), but after planing it, I realized how beautiful it is. Status: Not finished.

 Below is an angle of the kitchen before we put the handles on the cabinets, then after.

This is an angle of the kitchen before and after handles. Not a huge difference, but I was pretty excited about it.

All those blank walls will (hopefully) have open shelves on them. And...of course, counter tops, which will then allow us to put in the sink and then hook up the dishwasher. I will be very thankful when this happens, since I'm currently (since last March) doing dishes in the bathroom sink, which is...annoying. And kind of gross, I think.
Also desperately needed: curtains, duh! More on that later.

Its only Monday!

Would you believe me if I told you it's only Monday? I hardly believe it myself, but here we are. I am so thrilled, because I have a practicum in one of my classes, and today I spent my first day at a local elementary school. I spent a little time with a reading specialist, helping one little boy focus (not sure if that worked or not), then about an hour in a first grade classroom. It was a bit crazy because they had a sub who normally teaches middle/high school, and she made it very clear she was uncomfortable teaching younger students. This worked out for me, because she kind of just handed them off to me, but it was interesting to see The System at work. I feel like they liked me well enough, so mission accomplished for my first day (back) in elementary school. I even left with a pocket full of (clean) tissues and a broken paper clip someone gifted me.

This weekend was really nice; after a great dance class Friday (currently the ONLY day I am getting my own dance lesson right now due to school), I had a Twilight girls nice with my bestie, which was LONG overdue and really fun. I taught Saturday morning, then after a little yard work, headed off to Eugene, like I mentioned before. We missed seeing Jackson, since he was already in bed when we got there, but we had a great morning hanging out with them, then we came home and had a movie night. A couple weeks ago we watched Scream 1 and 3 (not sure why we've skipped 2), so last night we rented Scream 4...yeah. It was whatever.

So after my practicum and teaching tonight, I'll grace my husband with my presence around 8:30 or so. Whew!!! The great thing is that the sun is out, and I'm contemplating borrowing my mom's bike for the week. I'll let ya know how that one turns out.

The Possibilities are Endless...

Happy Thursday! To all of my adoring fans out there!
Anyway, I don't know what it is about this time of year, but it just feels like there are so many possibilities out there. The weather is changing, so new clothes must be bought. School term has begun, so there are books to buy! The holidays are coming, so there are decorations to make, gifts to start buying (and asking for), and traditions (new and old) to think about.

I'm very excited to say that I have begun some craft projects around the house (thanks pinterest!). My sister came over Sunday and we painted pumpkins (and drank cider). I also (finally) utilized a huge vase that has been empty since our wedding by filling it with (inedible) gourds and branches...I also decorated a gourde up as a mummy. So cute! I'll try to put up some pictures. If it all sounds too cutesy, I think you'll find Josh in agreement, which is fine because some of it is going to the dance studio, where I have kids who will love it all.

A few other possibilities:
Travel- We are driving down to Eugene this weekend to visit Toby and Jess, and their everydayhegetscuterespeciallythoseeyelashesohmygod baby Jack. Have you ever thought how many awesome people there are named Jack? I can only think of two under all this pressure- Jack from Lost and Jack from 24, however I know there are more. Anyway, we'll watch the Duck game with them, which is awesome! Also, we are going to Hawaii in the summer...but there are other possibilities! A train ride to...Bend? Seattle? A weekend trip to visit our best friend in San Fran? Or our friend in San Diego? Or the brother in Philadelphia? Or, a random place, to a random competition? Which brings me other thoughts...
Dance- Dance! Dance in the Fall means new steps to work on!! It means that everything from last year- the wins and the losses- are behind everyone and anything is possible. Dance is twofold for me, since I compete but also teach my own students. This means even more possibilities! Dance class in the fall means its dark out, which means we are warm and cozy in our little studio, and I can soon (NOT until December) start playing Christmas music. Aaaah.

I know there are so many more, but these are what I am thinking about this morning. Besides the homework I should be doing, of course.

Been there, done that. Or not

Place I want to go that I've already been:
Squaw Valley, California- it is snowing there right now, and they are calling it the earliest return of winter conditions to Tahoe since 1969. If my memory serves me right, that is the year they hosted the Olympics. But seriously, I would love to be in Squaw right now, riding the funitel in a car that we hijacked from any possible gapers.

Scotland- More specifically, the Highlands, or even more specifically, Strathdon. I've only ever been to Strathdon once before, and only for one night, but it blew my mind. Just a small town with not much in it, but sooo beautiful. Also the drive there from Skye was mind blowing, not to mention I was with my little sis and it was quite an adventure anyway. I would also settle for Edinburgh, or just any piece of road in Glen Coe.

Places I want to go that I've never been:

Las Vegas, NV- More specifically, this weekend, since its the World of Highland Dance Conference. I'm very, very bummed that I'm not going, and if someone offered me a ticket right now, I would drop everything and go. Duh.

Hawaii- I am going there next summer! Josh's parents are renting a condo/house for everyone to stay in (parents, Josh and I, two brothers, a wife and a girlfriend). I've never been, but since I tend to vacation in places that have dance competitions, this vacation should blow everything out of the (warm, beautiful) water. To top it all off, we are going right after I graduate from PSU, which will be a great time anyway.