wordless Wednesday

retreat

I have a question for all you blog readers... if there are any. Have you ever been to a retreat as an adult?  I went to them growing up for different things, but I have seen a few out there and would love to go, the problem is that they are crazy expensive. At this point in my life I think I would rather spend the money towards a couch for my living room so guests don't have to sit on the floor than for a few days at one of these retreats. But.. if I did have money, I would definitely be going here or here.  My sister goes to Brave Girls Camp and loves it. I guess I will have to start saving money for another time, the only thing is these two just so happen to be in Salt Lake so I wouldn't have to pay for lodging on top of the registration.

What do you think? Are they worth it? Have you ever gone?

office

I am so excited at how this room is turning out!!  It is one of those rare times where it actually looks good like it did in my head.  I don't know if you have ever had something planned out perfectly in your head and then it just doesn't look good when it actually happens.

Since we have way more room then we need in this house without kids and I work from home, we are using the first bedroom off the kitchen as an office.

Here are the before pictures.

This is before we moved in, obviously horrible lighting, but you can see the color that all the ceilings were- even darker than the walls. The walls were a yellowish tan color.

Here it is before we started tearing it apart. You can see we painted the ceiling white and my sample color is on the wall. This room will no longer be called the "pee" room.  (The previous owners had a dog and it peed all over the carpet so it smelled all the way down to the pad). I don't have to keep the door closed any more and pretend it isn't there. 

My idea for this room was a board and batten type idea. I originally thought of using bead board, and also love wainscoting, but the wainscoting is a bit out of my price range right now and I wanted it to be even simpler than bead board.  I wanted a charcoal gray for the room, but did not want the room to be too dark.  As it is, the white on the bottom half gives it a great contrast and allows enough light into the room. 

We first placed the top board all around and then the base boards. 

Next came the vertical boards, which we placed 2 feet apart. I love how it turned out. 

The color on the walls is High Speed Steel.

Last night we started on the laminate flooring (I wish I had money for real hardwood)  and it is looking so good.  I am happy with how it is turning out and can't wait to see the finished room!!  

Mainly life

What are you good at? I said & she said, Mainly life. I work best with stuff that has a high tolerance for mistakes. 

–story people

wordless Wednesday

Harry Potter part 2

We saw it last night with some friends in IMAX 3d.  It was great. Totally worth driving to Salt Lake to see it.  Like most books that have been made into movies, there were a few parts that I pictured differently in my head, but it was wonderful. Good triumphs over evil.  

I still think my favorite character is Luna Lovegood.  She rocks. and the fact that Neville and her are in love is awesome. 

And yes, I still want my hair to be like Narcissa Malfoy's.

and, in case any of you haven't seen this quote by Emma Watson that's been floating around, it's awesome. I hope she really said it and hope she sticks to it, because my respect for her goes way up because of it. 

I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me - dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt. It’s nothing to do with protecting the Hermione image. I wouldn’t do that. Personally, I don’t actually think it’s even that sexy. What’s sexy about saying, ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder.

- Emma Watson

52 photos project: a summertime treat

week 12: a summer time treat

52 photos project : the blue hour

week 10: the blue hour

52 photos project

I am way behind but figured I would post some past weeks when I can. here is week 11: in the garden

not my garden of course, but it's pretty.

vulnerability

I watched this video the other day and found it very interesting.


-the courage to be imperfect
-Let go of  who they thought they should be in order to be who they were.
-They fully embraced vulnerability. They believed that what made them vulnerable made them beautiful.

June and July 12of12

If being behind on posting was the only thing I was behind on in life, I'd be ok.

July 12 of 12

1. The Artist's Way- just started reading 2.sno cones 3. my grocery list and snack

4. my work with my 12 of 12 sticky note reminder 5. tried this recipe over the weekend

6. jake 7. 4th north in Logan 8. dinner- another new recipe 9. our front door with a small glimpse of my new door mat 10.  our blue kitchen ceiling 11. cookies 12. sunset

June 12of12 was in California for my Grandfather's funeral. All 8 of us siblings were there with my parents and most of the grandchildren

1. Kurt's cute hair bow 2. fun nephews 3. the girls being silly 4. pretty plants 

5. my parents with most of their grandkids 6. attitude  7. Grandpa's look out spot 

8.  my mom + me and my sisters 9. Grandpa's look out spot again- he always went there on the way to church 10. my brother and his family 11. an awesome boy with an awesome claw 12. my five brothers

wordless wednesday

home improvement

Don't let them fool you, she said. It's impossible to remodel without deep & painful personal growth & they don't let you put therapy under home improvement
-storypeople


If you're wondering what I'm up to- it's home improvement- both literally and personally.  And it's needed both places, trust me. 

homeowner

I am officially a home owner. (although I don't know if it's official because mostly I'm in debt to eventually own the home, but you know what I mean).

It feels good. There is a lot to do, but it is good. We went to a new ward for church yesterday and are excited to meet new people.  We are lucky enough to still have a student married ward to go to.  We have tons of extra space and visitors are always welcome!

Most of my life is still in boxes, but we are making progress and have 3 rooms complete with paint, etc.  Pictures to come when it looks decent enough :)

wordless wednesday

Happy Fourth of July!

pillow 

Have a great day, here is some great trivia for our wonderful Independence day.