Birfday

Birthdays are fun. Today is mine.

I like planning parties for other people, but not so much for me. I really prefer a nice quiet simple birthday. And by simple, I mean I want lots of nice quiet little things sprinkled through out the entirety of my birthday month.

Cory is such a sucker/sweetie about it. And really, its his own fault. I was never this way before he got involved in the birthday planning. You see, if I say I want something within a 6 month period of a gift giving occasion (read: Anniversary, Birthday or Christmas. (read further: it's ALWAYS within a 6 month period of one of these occasions)), he'll say "Why don't you just wait and ask for it for your birthday/Christmas?" And so I do.

And so I end up asking for a million things, and Cory will say, "Well, okay. It is for your birthday, after all."

This was not my intention, really. But sometimes things just work out.

We both like using occasions as an excuses to get what we really want. It works for us.

 Maybe some people would find it sad that I tell Cory exactly what I want, then get on the internet and order it for myself while yelling out to Cory, "I'm buying my birthday present!"

But I don't feel sad. I actually feel the complete opposite of sad. I get what I want, I'm never disappointed ( I very rarely let myself down), and when it gets here I get to love it and hug it and rock it to sleep...

Would you like to meet my precious?

Oh you glorious bag. How do I love thee? Shall we count the ways? 1) Your pretty color matches my favorite pair of flats exactly. 2) You look so chic. 3) You come with two straps. 4) You have lots of pockets. and 5) You're really a camera bag.

That's right. This bad boy has effectively solved the issue I was having regarding bringing my other precious out into the world. Our camera came with it's own very nice, very big, standard issue black bag. A bag that wouldn't fit into my purse. So, if I wanted to bring the camera, I had to carry two cumbersome bags around. Annoying.

Also, I felt the black bag sent a message along the lines of: "Expensive technological equipment inside. I would be an excellent choice for mugging, if you felt so inclined."

Safety first, right? I needed the bag. So Cory told me I could have it. So I got it. And I love it.  And it was my official birthday present.

I also got some shelves this month. I've planned on getting them since we moved in, but I got them this month so in our house that makes them a birthday present. Cory complained less than usual as he put them up, seeing as how it was my birthday month. And that, my friends, is truly a gift.

I looooove these shelves. They sit over my desk, and hold crafty supplies, and books, and knick knacks.

A lot of knick knacks. I have a problem.

Even on top of that, he wanted to celebrate yesterday! He said, "We can go to the mall and get you some new clothes for your birthday!"

Ummm...who are you? Where's my Cory?

We went. It took me four hours to find one shirt I liked. I don't think Cory will ever go with me again. 

So, Happy birthday to me! 22 years and still going strong. 

Now, you'll have to excuse me while I go eat some cheesecake.

P.S. On an unrelated note, ever since we watched The Music Man with my parents Cory has been randomly shouting, "Not one POOP outta you!" It's hilarious. And awkward sometimes. Also, it should be known that his favorite song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is "Toot Sweets." I'm sensing a theme here...

Cooking Up a Storm

A while ago I found a copy of my Mom's classic Betty Crocker Cookbook at Goodwill. My mom got hers as a present from her mom, and it's the cookbook we grew up with. It pretty much tells you how to do everything. Here's an excerpt from the front pages:

Its been tested people. By Betty Crocker herself. It's one of my most favorite cookbooks. Many a dinner has been loosely based on one of these recipes. (Very loosely.) And every time I see it I'm hit with the urge to put on an apron and cook something.

Speaking of cooking something, we made some homemade pizza with our friends Chris and Kendal the other night. Kendal made the most delicious dough from scratch. Scratch! She's awesome.

Chris broke out the ol' Chuckie Cheese skills, and taught us how a real man rolls out pizza dough.

He makes it look so easy!!

And then we spread on the toppings.

Kendal's side vs. Chris's side.

Pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, and mushroom.
Pretty much anything goes over here.

Dinner was delicious, and it reminded me, yet again, of how much I like cooking things. 

A few weeks ago I bought a five pound bag of green apples. I wanted some apples, but buying a few single apples was just as expensive as buying a whole five pound bag! So I bought it.

Turns out, that was a little excessive. Also turns out, Cory doesn't eat apples.

The combination of our newfound Betty Crocker confidence, Chris and Kendal's homemade pizza inspiration,  and half a bushel of leftover apples made for what some would call, The Perfect Storm. You know, if you liken kitchen experimentation to a storm. Which, over here, we most definitely do.

I told Cory we could make some apple empandas. When he asked what an empanda was, I told him I wasn't sure, but I think its kind of like an apple turnover. When he asked what an apple turnover was, I told I thought it was kind of like a hot pocket and apple pie had a baby.

Finally, we were on the same page. And so I looked up "Apple Pie" in the good ol' Betty Crocker bible, and very loosely came up with this.

Then we took a four hour break to have Sunday dinner at Cory's parent's house. So...yea. The lighting is significantly worse from here on out.

We broke out those crescent rolls. Ready to bake is how we decided to go here. We'll go real home made next time. Maybe.

I love the "pop" of the crescent rolls. Always have. Cory wasn't expecting it though, and when the tiny explosion happened he was very concerned. "Are you okay??" he asks.

My method of filling was, haphazard at best. Plop some apple slices down, roll up the dough, and call it good.

Cory was not having it. "Haphazard" is not how he rolls. The sounds of general consternation were unceasing from his end.

I thought it was going swimmingly. I got excited about one of the more perfect of my little apple-crescent balls o' happiness, and said, "Ooo, this is gonna be a cute one"

Cory holds up the mangled, oblong pile of dough and apples with this disgusted look on his face.

He says, "Lindy. I don't think these are going to be as cute as you think they are."

But, they totally were.

They taste alright too. 

An herb update and rose colored dishes.

My herbs are growing!! 

The basil sprouted about five days after I planted, and is really taking off:

And the parsley has finally decided to make a showing.

The chives have yet to make an appearance. I haven't given up on them yet though.

When I was in Utah in June, we hit up the DI. It was awesome. I found this little pink cup.

I bought it (For like, fifty cents) and told my mom I was going to start collecting pink depression glass. She told me that sounded nice.

Then a few weeks ago I was thrifting with my girl Kristen, and saw this little beauty:

I bought it (Ninety nine cents. Sold.) My collection was moving right along!

A few days ago, my mom called and asked me for my address. I gave it to her.

This showed up a few days later:

My mom mentioned my fledgling collection to one of her friends in North Carolina, and then when her friend was thrifting in Minnesota, she saw the little beauties above. She bought them and mailed them to me!

I jumped and squealed and maybe even did a little dance in the kitchen when I opened the box.

Cory says that "now I'll never win."

That's right. Filling up my house with junk has now become a national pastime. Coast to coast, baby.

Now it's a real collection.

If you're first response to this is, "That's nice, but WHY, Lindy?" You should know that it would look
really cute in a baby girl's room. Yes, the one that doesn't exist yet. 

Its kind of fun to have a specific "thing." I've never really had one before that I know of. Well, some people would count random ceramic animals as a thing. Then maybe I have two "things."

But sometimes they overlap.

Matchsies!

It won't always be this way

Note: I wrote most of this post last week while I was working through some work frustrations and general dissatisfaction with current events, but thought it ended up a little too sappy for the public. But I changed my mind. I feel like most people that read my blog can probably relate, so I clicked publish today.

Sometimes I find myself longing for the future. This magical time that I've built up in my head that is going to be so awesome and happy.

Sometimes this is when I'm sitting at my desk at work for the 9th hour that day, staring at a computer screen and silently screaming at the e-mails pouring in: "I DON'T care about your problems; I have a graduation to help plan! And phone calls to answer...and degrees to post..."

Sometimes I get a little tense.

And then I comfort myself with the phrase  "It won't always be this way."

There is no trash receptacle in front of our apartment building. For some reason they skipped our  building. We have to walk quite a ways to get to one. Taking the trash out is Cory's designated chore, and he doesn't relish the long solitary journey. When our trash bag reaches its limit he alluringly calls out: "Want to go for a walk?" So, I put on my pants and he holds me in one hand and a stinky bag of garbage in the other and we take a walk. To the dumpster.  And then I even recycle sometimes.

And I get a little wistful when I realize it won't always be this way.

Sometimes I go to bed at 10:30 PM, and sleep for 8 hours straight. No interruptions. Just me and my pillow. Doing what we do best. All night long.

And I get very, very nervous when I realize that it won't always be this way.

When we drive down the road together, Cory likes to hold my hand. He sneaks his over to my lap, and gets frustrated when I'm holding anything "in his spot." So I put down whatever I'm holding (unless its breakable. then he just has to suck it up and deal.) and hold his sweet, sweet hand.

And I hope it will always be this way.

Cory's noticed something about me. Its a huge character flaw, really. I'm always, and I mean ALWAYS dreaming and scheming of what I want to do next. I show him pictures of shelves we can build, the garden we can plant, clothes I want to buy, places I want to travel, and crafts I want to do with the money we don't really have.

"Lindy," he says,"Why can't you be happy with what you already have?"

It's a problem. I've acknowledged it and I'm working on it.

I blame fabulous blogs and Pinterest. Enablers!

Also, I must say, we both acknowledge that generally I'm very easy to please--just give me some garbage and really, I'm happy. Thrilled even.

But nevertheless, I accept the challenge you didn't know you issued, Cory. I will be happy with what I have.  I will make do.

(Starting right after you put up those shelves over my desk.)

 I'll probably still be scheming, dreaming, and have a million little projects around.   But, I will allow myself to just enjoy this stage for what it is.

This blissfully quiet, and relatively responsibility free time. We're working towards our goals--graduating debt free, saving for a Europe trip, our very own house someday, a new car (oh to dream), and maybe even a baby or two (or three or five) down the road.

Take the time we have now to work on ourselves, our habits, and our relationship.

Because it won't always be this way.

Apparently I'm really into green right now.

Yesterday I went shopping. I also helped my brother and sister in law move. But that went just about like every other moving journey goes, while shopping trips are always full of surprises! So I'm going to focus on that.

I've been wanting some containers for baking supply storage. I had not been impressed with what I've found so far. I needed it big enough to store the entire bag of the ingredient (be it sugar, flour or what have you) and I wanted to to seal up air tight. Also, I wanted it to be cute. And most importantly, I didn't want it to cost a small fortune.

I guess I was being pretty picky.

But I searched and waited. And finally found these little sealing beauties at Goodwill yesterday!

The wooden lids seal! Yippee!

I gave the lids a coat of green spray paint. Well it was really enamel paint. Which I didn't know. And so I kind of messed it up a little. Enamel is tricky. Oh well.

White sugar, Brown sugar,  Powdered sugar--the PERFECT size for each bag.

Here they are in their new home:

I'm still looking for the perfect containers for flour--I need two for whole wheat and regular. Good things come to those who wait. I'm sure of it.

I also got a little fancy with some planting yesterday.

I saw the same herb growing kit that my friend Kendal had, and I wanted to give it a try.

This is what it looks like now:

This is what I'm promised it will look like soon:

We shall see.

And I made a terrarium! Or terranium. Or a jar filled with some plants that may or may not be doomed. Call it what you will.

It's an ecosystem! Hopefully it won't die.

It goes on our table. Like this:

Speaking of our table, while I was at Lowes I picked up some paint swatches. Because, you see, I'm not sold on this whole "shiny black table" situation. It's a really, really nice hardwood table that we got for a STEAL of a deal ($50.00ish). I really want to strip and refinish it but....that is a lot of work. So, I'm entertaining the thought of adding "Just paint the table!" to my future projects list.

These are what I'm kind of leaning towards:

What do you think? Or should I just wait until I have the time/will to refinish it?

Decisions, decisions.

Semi-Annual Check Up

Do you guys remember this post from 7 months ago? You know, my New Year's Resolutions post?

I made some goals, and I've been pretty hit or miss.

1) Get organized. Slowly working though this one...I kind of had to start all over last month though. So cut me some slack.

The kitchen is the closest to feeling moved into...You're seeing my washer and dryer solution here.
Thanks Dad and Jesse!

And I finally hung those plates up in the dining room...getting closer!

2) Get dressed. I actually feel pretty okay on this one lately. Getting a "real person" job helped. 

3) Eat what I need. Not what I want. Epic failure. 

4) Ummm...workout. 3 times a week. See above.

5) Sleep. (8 hours a night) Could use some improvement, but overall I'm doing really well.

6) Blog more. Averaging one blog post a week baby! Whoop!

7) How about: GRADUATE. I can almost taste it. Done and DONE.

8) Take pictures. Making progress here too.

9) Kiss my niece and nephew. In person. This could also coincide with a sister's reunion? Sister's reunion was a smashing success! Let's make it annual?

10) Save some clams. Umm...I do okay.

11) Read. I love reading. Daily scripture study and some fluff too. I've read a lot of fluff. And cried in the food court at school while I was reading this book:

That's normal right? Right. Anyway...

What I have really brought you here to talk about is numbers three and four (Eat right and Work Out), but I figured I could use a self evaluation of the whole list.

Last week I finally implemented my plan to force myself to work out. I got my brother Jesse to drop me off at work in the morning on Tuesday and Friday. Then, I'm left without a vehicle, and must find my own way home at 5:00. Our new place is just 2 miles away from school--the perfect wogging distance. That's right: wogging. It's what you get when you combine "walking" and "jogging." Mostly walking. But I did it! Twice! And this week will be even better! It feels good to be doing something again.

 I'm planning to add a little bit more to the routine over time, but I know me, and I know how easy it is for me to slip off the ol' fitness wagon. So I'm taking it slow, and trying to make it a habit. Now that I've told you about it, you should ask me how its going sometime. That way I'll feel accountable. 

Also, if you ever see me wogging, don't mention it. I gets embarrassed.

As to my eating habits, I have been eating a little better, and bringing my lunch to work. With apples, carrots or grapefruit for a snack. Yummy.

 I have a whole board full of recipes I'm planning to make for work lunches. The plan is to make enough of a salad for a few days, pack it up in separate containers, and then I have lunch ready to grab. 

I'll let you know how it goes!

Also, I made some cute rain cloud inspired by this cute baby shower:

Tut, tut, looks like rain! Anyone?

Camp Lindy

Last semester I watched a 9 year old girl named Bridget after school. We did all kinds of fun things together, and it was the best job ever. Last week I took the day off of my real job, and did fun things with Bridget and her friend Sydney. It was awesome.  (Going in at night to catch up on my "real" work= not as awesome. But oh well.)

They called it "Camp Lindy". And there was even a sign they made that proclaimed: "Camp Lindy Rocks!!" Has a nice ring to it, yes? 

One day we made home made whole wheat bread, butter and cherry jam:

Another day we packed up some books and lunch, and built a fort in the woods:

Another day we explored Wakulla Springs, and grilled our food. With fire! By ourselves! And we saw a manatee,  which has been my personal goal for the past 8 years I've lived in Florida. Check that one off the list! It was a cute. And kind of looked like a floating rock.

We stopped by McDonalds and picked up some Ketchup packets on our way to the Spring.
I told the girls to "act casual" when we walked in. They did.  It was hilarious.

And finally we got dressed up in our fanciest clothes, did our hair and make up, and went to fancy plantation house for brunch.

I loved spending time with my favorite nine year olds this week. Seriously, these girls are so sweet and fun.

Tomorrow it'll be back to the office bright and early. I simply can't wait.