Catch Up

I did it again. Months passed, and the blog got completely forgotten.

Until last month's wedding palooza (2 weddings, 2000 miles apart, 24 hrs) where a friend from the opposite side of the country said she missed them. And so, I'm back to outlet my mind's wanderings and update my out of town friends and family on what our lives look like these days.

For starters, pretty exciting news: Joseph has a full time job!! We got the offer this week and are thrilled. We will be in Bellevue, WA. We love our church here, New Grace, and are making friends and getting settled. Joseph will start the beginning of October after we have a few weeks of deliciously unhurried time with our family and friends in Oregon.

After weeks of intense searching, we have found an apartment. After living in Indiana, the prices here were a SHOCKER. But we finally found a place with some decent square footage and a price we could handle (without a nasty commute-Bonus!). I am so looking forward to FINALLY using all the wonderful gifts we got for our wedding! It's going to be a blast setting up house.

I am working as a full time Health Coach, helping people lose and maintain their weight. I love being able to really help, give good advice, and encourage. My clients are amazing, losing 2-5 lbs a week, and encouraging me just as much, if not more, than I am them. I get to "bear up with one another" every day and wouldn't have it any other way.

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary this month. Where did the time go?! We stayed close to home (after 4 straight weekends of travel) with a beautiful hike, delicious dinner out, romantic picnic in the park, and a glass of wine while watching and crying (It is me after all) through our wedding video. Pure perfection. I am so blessed to be 12 months into our honeymoon :)

I'll try to be more involved here, but with life so full and vibrant, it can get a little hard. Bear with me :)

A Sewing Type of Tuesday

Look at these beauties!!!

I have been STRUGGLING to get started on my quilt, but when I actually just buckled down today, it started coming together so fast! It's an Improv quilt, and therefore, very simple and easy on my mind. My machine acted up (she was a little sleepy, I think), but even with that stress, I loved how fun it was today. I got through 10 squares (70 total are needed).

Also...

This past week has been VERY hectic for J and I. J had his FE exam on Saturday, and so I planned date night on Friday. I went all out on the food: Cornish game hens, roasted asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes. Yay for romantic nights at home :)

Quilt Update

This past summer a super sweet family friend, Vivian, gave me quilting lessons. It was one of those hobbies that had always appealed to me (practical and beautiful, hello!) and I found I really enjoyed it. I decided to make one over what I expected to be a long cold Indiana winter.

Instead, I was "blasted" with bunches of 45-55 degree days and never quite snuggled in for the winter. So, the quilt came ever so slowly, cutting what felt like thousands of strips. Unfortunately, once I actually started sewing, the measurements were off. I wasn't sewing at exactly 1/4" and let me tell you, I stalled. I didn't want to pull it out and re-sew (what I had done so far had taken at least 3 hours and the whole project was already freaking me out), but I definitely didn't want to have a dumb looking finished project.

So I called Vivian, talked it through, and found I had picked about the hardest project I could have. Doh! I thought I was doing good- all straight lines- but if ANY seam was off, it was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

And so, new pattern time!! In my quilt book there is a fun one called "Improv". You take varrying sizes of strips and blocks, sew them together, then cut into blocks. The prospect of this gives new life to my otherwise daunting quilt. I only have a two more months until it needs to be finished, and I can't wait to share some photos!

"Mrs. Wright, are you pregnant?"

Last week I had a couple days with a class of 5th graders. The first day one of the girls asked me if I was pregnant. No, but thank you so much for that confidence booster! lol! I was wearing a slightly baby-doll cut shirt and slouching slightly. Busted!  

pinterest

I have been standing close to the A figure. It's subtle and so easy to fall into. In fact, I've been watching most of the week and tons of people do this. It starts in the shoulders (especially college students with the backpacks and messenger bags to hold up) and the rest of the back roll follows. I have been having J help catch me (and I him :) when I start to slump. It happens so often! I wonder if not only our computer slumping is to blame, but also our couches. We used to sit on couches like this:

Top part :)

Straight, holding our torsos as tall as they could be. Now how do we sit?

Exactly. Do you see the problem? Like keeping your legs together, sitting or standing tall takes muscle, and muscle doesn't like to just appear out of nowhere. Even as I am constantly reminding myself, I still have trouble staying correct. It's a work in progress, but so worth it. I look so much more graceful and lady-like, my waist looks smaller, and hopefully no one will actually think I'm pregnant :)

Sick day

Today I am still sick. My throat is still killing me, but my head is more clear than yesterday and my spirits are high. So I decided to get a few errands done this afternoon. The weather is so beautiful and warm- no clouds and highs close to 80. I pulled myself out of my sweats, threw on the easy skirt from last night with a pink v-neck and some sandals. Add a headband and some earrings and voila! Did I look like a totally pulled together fashionista? Absolutely not. But! I didn't give up. I'm so tired of seeing baggy sweats in public. It isn't any harder to put on a cuter shirt and pants. And even easier for a dress- only one piece after all. Come on ladies of America, no more sweats in public (unless you are actually working out or DIRECTLY on your way to and from the gym. Those are my guidelines at least :). Let's take more pride in how we present ourselves. Here are some pretty and easy options to inspire you!

Date Ideas

We've been making more of an effort to have set aside date time. Unplugged, no homework, time together. Joseph planned this date for Sunday and it was the most fun I've had in a while. He made me dinner- curry= yum!! and then we went to Rose Hulman for the Black Violin concert. 

These guys were AMAZING! We bought the CD, and I love their music. Look them up on Youtube and decide for yourself (here's one of my favorites. It was audio dessert. The concert was fun, and I made the decision that I've always thought concerts were uncomfortable because I was so worried about people watching me. Who cares?! And so I danced and laughed and enjoyed. It also helped that we were in the back and I wasn't blocking some poor grandma's view. 

Afterward we went to Coffee Grounds for a little dessert. 

Check out my hairpiece! I made this, with some help, on my wedding day actually, 7+ months ago and have tried to wear it numerous times. It kept looking like an over-sized facinator. I'm not English, this is the Mid-west, and I am not that brave. Finally, putting it with a totally monochromatic outfit at the back of my updo made it work. (Please don't be bothered by the updo that is falling apart at this point :)


Sometimes dates are hard to think of, especially when you're on a budget. Here are some that I have gathered together to give you some ideas: 

• Take a walk around the nice neighborhoods in your city and dream about your "house of dreams"
• Play cards at your local coffee shop
• Go see a play- check out local colleges
• Go to a concert
• Pizza and a movie, but stay in and make your own! Homemade pizza together and a rented or redbox movie is so much more reasonable and just as much fun.
• Give each other massages. Your muscles will thank you.
• Do community service together
• Go to a driving range or play mini golf.
• Work out together while watching the same TV show at the gym. Bonus if it's a home improvement show. Then you can dream together about things you would like to change about your house currently or things you would like in your dream house.
• Make a fancy dinner together, light some candles and find a list of great questions to ask each other.
• Painting together whether it's a piece of furniture or getting some canvas out and letting your creativity flow.

So go spend some quality time with your Honey!!

Wardrobe 911

Yesterday both J and I woke up with a sore throat. By the end of the day with my 5th graders (3rd day in a row and I was loving them), the throat was worse and I was just plain ol' tired. By the time I picked J up from classes, I was not feeling well at all, but he was doing fine. Dr. J said to be in bed by 7 (the sun's new set time is only 7:45..), but I did try and made it there by 8! After a fevery night of sleep plus some (I woke up at 11 am. Yes, 15 hours of sleep later), I'm feeling better but still not great. I've eaten some today, went on a walk in the sun, and surfed the web. My fever isn't back yet, but I'm still "under the weather" for sure. And here comes the problem:


Tonight J and I are being taken out to one of the nicest restaurants (at least one of the most expensive) in town by a company based here in town. If they want to meet me, this isn't just a nonchalant thing, and I am very excited. Only problem is this sickness I'm fighting. What do you wear when it's suddenly become summer (77 and sunny right now)? I was not prepared for this. My mind is still in thick skirts, tights, boots, and warm sweaters. Also, on a scale of 1 to feminine, you could say I'm near the bottom. My voice sounds funny, I haven't had the gumption to get "made up" yet, my eyes look like I've had 1.5 hours of sleep instead of 15, and my hands are constantly clammy because my body can't decide what temperature it wants to be. Ah! 


Mom came to the rescue: skirt and cardigan. Yes, this is my "uniform." It'll work perfectly. Here's what I picked: 

Navy and white polka dot skirt, navy ruffle front tank, and cream colored cardigan. I'll pair it with some tan flats, pearls for accessorizing and voila! Comfortable, cool enough, warm enough, cute enough :)


Pray for us tonight while we are at this important dinner!

Minimalism

I live in America. I therefore have owned, in my lifetime, more than is ever necessary. Actually, the way that we even define necessity is excessive compared to other countries. My parent's house is beautiful like living in a magazine (and they are great at keeping clutter out- everything has a home). Living in a much tinier space (big house to under 500 sq ft) causes you to think through all the things you think you need. I have boxes of things I haven't really used. Or shirts I only can bring myself to wear a couple times a year since I'm never in the mood for it. Yet, I'm storing it. We are paying rent to house all our STUFF and dealing with the visual noise of it all. But I am done, done! I have been going through my things, getting rid of those things that are holding me back from walking in the door and feeling peaceful. A few small bags of clothes and some kitchen things have gone so far. I'm hoping J will be able to sit down with me soon so we can go through all his school related things. I remember how hard it is to get rid of all those papers you worked so hard on. It's hard not to think you'll need them again. In J's case, I don't know, he might need them. My scribbles on my professor's ideas about the deeper meanings of Walt Whitman will never be useful again. Ha! And so, I'm excited to pare down our life to more of the truly essential and beautiful things. 


A lot of pictures have been inspiring me to keep this up: 

 I love lots of light and all the neutrals

 Such a sweet breakfast nook. All white dishes make for pretty open shelving.

 Love the simplicity

 Beautiful floors add nice depth to the lighter pallet 

 Love this reading spot

Happy yellow kitchen :)

If I want my house to embody these photos more, pointless stuff can't get in the way. I want our space to look like a magazine and have space for creativity. Off I go to de-clutter, de-junk, and minimalize our space!

The Little Ones

I have spent the past 6 or so months as a substitute teacher here in Vigo county. There have been good days and bad days, and I've learned a lot about the different ages of students. For starters, I thought high school would be the most enjoyable. This isn't the case. Usually there are enough low achievers to make my life interesting, enough phones out to make me the bad guy, and a few students sent to the Dean's office for really bad behavior. Alright, not all in one day but easily in each week. Most of the time it's so stressful I wonder if it's even worth it at all. And then the next day I'm with an AP class watching movies and amnesia kicks in. Middle school is pretty much the same as high school, just less attitude and more constant questions. Upper elementary school has been the worst so far for me. Constant chatter, us getting nothing done, and no one doing anything quite bad enough to get sent to the principal's office. So I avoid 4th and 5th grades now. However, I think I have found my love. I love love LOVE kindergarten and preschool. The children are adorable and love to learn. Time-out is still a big enough consequence, play-dough is the best free play option, and stickers are the ultimate in rewards. Coloring is a skill, reading is enjoyable but hard, and they all are learning their numbers. They tell you the sweetest things (no lies, just more information than their families realize :), and they see the best in everybody. I don't know exactly where we will be next year, but I'm going to trade in substitute teaching for something else for sure- perhaps a bank teller, secretary, or preschool teacher :)

The Job Hunt

It's been awhile since I have posted, but that is not for lack of things to write about! I'll be posting over the next couple days to try and catch everyone up on the important (and trivial :) details of life.

First and foremost, J's job hunt is at full speed. He had 3 interviews this past week (all over the country. He's such a world traveler :). The first was last Saturday in Dayton, Ohio. Well, technically Fairborn, but really it's just a suburb of a suburb of Dayton. He felt interview went well and the company and job I think would be a really good fit. Only problem- Dayton is not any closer to home sweet home. We're waiting to hear back and see if this is the door the Lord has held open for us.

 For part of my Valentine's surprise, I got to come on the 3 hour drive and J turned it into a romantic getaway. We stayed at the most adorable bed and breakfast called the Simon Kenton Inn, just 20 minutes away from Fairborn. We had a romantic dinner at the restaurant there, definitely took advantage of the HUGE tube and enjoyed being homework free for the first time in months. 

 The next day we checked out air museum in Dayton. It was enormous. I've been to a few hangers in my time, but they did not compare. It was hard to go and enjoy it knowing that the other three men in my life. My dad was in the Air-force, Zach stored up plane info like the stat-spewing kid from How To Train A Dragon, and Caleb is hoping to fly after college graduation. So, it was amazing to see that many different aircraft all together, but it made me miss you boys. :) 

J left for his interview in Sacramento, California on Sunday for a quick trip and was back Monday. This interview also felt like it went well. J has family in the area, and we were definitely thinking this would be an amazing place to land. Unfortunately, we found out today that this one isn't going to be the job for us. The search continues!


Thursday J left for an interview with Schlumbeger (pronounced Shlumberjay, with the french j as in jauques). This is a trickier position as the hour are very demanding and we would be apart for many months at the beginning while he trained. And I planned a little trip around Indianapolis when he came back for the afternoon. We went and saw the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 We are inside the track. It is HUGE. 

 We also went to a Deli for an early dinner. These were the BEST Rubens I've ever tasted. Go to Shapiro's in Indy!

(Also, my awesome friend Jess cut my hair. I'm working on growing the length out a bit and the layers feel so fresh!)

There is an interview with Halliburton in a few weeks and although the job would be also be a field engineer, we probably wouldn't have to be apart as much. 


Please keep us in your prayers. We are know the Lord has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. It's just hard not to be anxious for this little lady :) And if anyone hears of any openings for a civil engineer, let us know!

Something Old, Something New

I love the show Pan Am. Not really even for the drama, but for the outfits. The styles are so sweet and refreshing. The women dress to flatter their figure. There are ladies with tiny waists and fuller figures and they all celebrate their body in a flattering way. And so, my high waisted black skirt has become my go to when I want to feel pretty and sophisticated. The other day I wore this to our Amway meeting:

Now, to the real reason I am up past my bedtime to write to you all, whoever you are ;) I went back to that awesome thrift shop..


 The coloring is a little tricky in these pictures, but I'll try to get some more tomorrow outside before work. Using the tutorial I posted the other day, I was able to transform it! Most of my recent sewing endeavors have ended with more frustration that positive feelings. Thankfully, this one has redeemed all those bad ones! I picked the shirt up this afternoon, did other housely duties this afternoon (made up a bunch of potstickers! Yum!!), brought J dinner at work, and then spent the evening focused on this. I am finishing it before sleep, and that feels so good! I only could get off this one shot before my camera battery got tired. What do you think?

Much better than this, right? 

Not a bad new blouse for $0.80 right? ;)

Thrifty Day

Alright, confession time: thrift shops have always scared me a bit. The organization doesn't make sense to my brain, things are often dusty, and once I finally find something pretty it never seems to be my size. Usually I walk out disheartened and frustrated. But I read this one particular blog post that used some simple sewing to make a funny shirt into a beautiful and wearable blouse. Maybe the clothes will get another chance soon.

As far as other things go, I'm much more optimistic. And I do like that I can drop off the things I don't need and buy thing someone else doesn't need. It feels good to help cut back on waste. Today I ran into a new-to-me shop and was able to grab:

a fruit basket,

a sweet tea cup,

and a few greeting cards. The total was less than a $1.10. Are you serious?! We no longer have fruit strewn about the counter. That's worth the whole price to me. :) And since I went in for the basket, it's a good thing that the other items were a cheap splurge.


On a side note, I've never been a big collector of things. It always seems like if you say out loud that you like to collect something, you will be getting that for every holiday from everyone you know forever, which is quite daunting in most cases. However, I love tea cups. Something about them is so precious and light. Please note family and friends, this does not mean I want to have a house full of every type of tea cup :), but if someday I had a wall similar to this in my kitchen, I would be thrilled.