sugar and spice and everything nice.

If you haven't already, click over on Full House. She has great taste, and I get a lot of my inspiration there. But her current post, is about her girls room that she did with $250. Yeah, and it looks great. Even if its not to your taste, you have to appreciate all the hand made and discount shopping that went into it.

You're the reason in my life, you're the inspiration

Yeah, I went there, cheesy lyrics I KNOW. But they're stuck in my head. And they're true.

So yesterday was our (husband and I) anniversary. Two year anniversary. And tomorrow is his birthday. So this is some sort of dedicatory post to us/him. Warning: I ramble, so this could get long.

When we met neither of us were looking to "meet" someone. I was pretty uninterested in dating due to my lack of good dates or boyfriends. And was more interested in hanging out with my friends and partying. TJ had a serious girlfriend. Serious enough that he had bought a ring for her, like a diamond ring.

But of course when we met there were sparks, can't deny it chemistry. I had met him once before but the time wasn't right at all. And a few weeks passed after that friendly dinner and TJ asked me to go out on a friend date. It wasn't really a date per say (remember, the girlfriend?) but we can't pretend that that wasn't when we knew we liked each other for sure.

TJ asked if I would accompany him to the cherry blossom festival, he had to write a story for DINFOS and didn't want to go alone. And I really didn't have anything going on during the day so I agreed.

And for the first time in probably years, I was actually nervous. I knew I liked him, but I wasn't going to pursue anything, also being the other woman isn't really my style. But apparently it was because I went anyway... So, moving on.

The date was great, I was nervous that we wouldn't have anything in common, since everyone told us we had nothing in common. And even though we have very different interests, there was enough that we have in common to get us thru the date with out it being awkward, except for a really awkward moment where I decided it was a good idea to play "Business Time"*. Yes... I did. But we connected and no wonder it was our last first date, because I thought it was basically perfect. Other than the girlfriend and the ring thing...

That night was the last time I decided to go out to a bar with friends, and that Sunday was the first time I went to church on my own for almost two years.

TJ and I had made plans to just hang out that day at my house, bake cookies watch a movie. I know, we're totally wholesome. Well that night I walked him out to his car, because I' a gentlelady, and we had our first kiss. Which was perfect... oh except he had a girlfriend.

Don't worry, I'm not a complete home wrecker, I felt guilty. So the next day we talked about it and I told him, that we could be friends, but I wouldn't date him unless I was the only one. And well... we all know who won that one. And a few weeks later he sold back the ring and got a Macbook which I am typing on right now... And yes, I'm laughing about it.

So, there's my story about being a home wrecker, and I probably enjoy calling myself that more than I should. But I'm so glad that I did, I've never regretted it. TJ is one of the best things to happen to me (the other being Kemper of course). I couldn't ask for a more loving, caring and supportive husband. And I can't wait to be with him again and finally never have to say goodbye. Which happens tomorrow. We'll be together tomorrow.

* by flight of the conchords. They're a new zealand comedy act, and while there are no bad words, it is a little suggestive, but I promise it's nothing bad, you just might not want kids repeating it.

wood paneling.

I wonder what the people in the future will hate as much as we hate wood paneling now?

Anyways, I've been researching, A LOT of ways to deal with wood panel without painting it. And I'm curious as to if anyone has suggestions? Please!

Well, heres two pictures I've found that I really like both from Apartment Therapy:

This made me laugh. A lot... enjoy. Found here.

why having a toddler is like being at a frat party:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.


8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

chalkboard

I just love the idea of having chalkboard paint somewhere in the House. I think I'd like to put some in Kempers room or play room. Or even our dining room. Plus I have to write everything down if I want to remember it or if I want to think straight so it'd be perfect to write on the wall. And I like the idea of having some framed in the living room for an ever-changing piece of art, like the picture with the Christmas stockings and cards...

vivafullhouse for credit

both at design*sponge

charleston mag

ohdeedoh

outta my head

I get images stuck in my head just like songs. I can't get these images out of my head. So I'm sharing. The below kitchen I think I'd like to incorporate into our new home. And the living room is what I had in my head when we moved in here, and did not turn out that way at all.

I saw our new house last week... and we're going to be busy with it for a very long time.

both found at design*sponge

all the single ladies

Single mothers. I don't think of myself as one, seeing how I am married, just separated due to the military. But technically, I am a single mom. I think in questions. Its how I function, I ask as many questions as I can until I feel like I fully understand something. Tonight I kept asking, How do they do it? How are there women out there who are single and doing it all themselves? They have kid(s), and work and sometimes even manage school. On their own. Alone. Sure maybe they have support, but I'm sure there are plenty who don't. How do they do it. How do they keep going? And then wake up in the morning and do it all again.

I've been working a lot lately. Housekeeping at one of the family's motels. I live rent free in a house TJs family owns so I basically "earn my keep". Its pretty simple work, not rocket science, I have someone to watch Kemper for free, but it is time-consuming. And my back is typically sore by the end of the day. My own house is a disaster and I'm glad no one visits, because I wouldn't want anyone to see. I try to put Kemp down to bed as early as possible, because my patience wears thin. And then instead of cleaning up, I usually put a few toys away and decide I'm tired, turn on a netflix movie and go to sleep.

Its the summer, tourist season, busy season. So I've been working a lot lately. Kemper has a hard time being somewhere different, playing with new things, he misses out on naps. So when I got home this evening I put him in his highchair, gave him some snacks and five minutes later hes passed out. I take him upstairs and figure he is down for the night. I sit myself down on the couch and zone out for a while. It isn't until a while later I realize my baby is crying. And not the whining I want attention. He was crying so hard that he was barely crying. It had to have been for awhile. I know this could happen to anyone, but I felt like because I was so tired, I was being neglectful. The stress hit me and I cried with him as I cuddled him back to sleep. And I thought, "How the hell do people do this?" I can barely keep it together just knowing that there is a light at the end of my tunnel. I won't be single parenting for very long. And I know I'm blessed but I just lost it today. Maybe I'm overly sensitive, or emotional. But my emotions did all flood me tonight. And I cried that I wasn't strong enough to be the working single mom. I am so thankful for the people who care, and for my husband who serves this country. But it can not be over soon enough. Only nine more days.

And single ladies, your next drink is on me.

a wedding possibility

So if you know us, you know we didn't have a wedding. We just went to the court house and that was that. And I don't regret it one bit. And wit TJ almost home, we're getting ready to take temple prep classes and we'll finally be sealed.... But I DO want a wedding, I guess the princess in me is coming out. Anyways, this wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and its pretty much perfect. Except ours will hopefully be held outdoors. I love the dress, I think I'm going to try and find one similar. I know TJ won't like the suit, but the color theme is perfect if he wants to wear his dress blues. Anyways, enjoy.

TJ was home

And he's gone again. But of course it was amazing to be back together again. I just can't wait until it's for good. TJ is opting for the early out choice and should be back home in only a few short weeks. Most of the two weeks were spent catching up with friends and family. We did take a day and a half to ourselves and drove up the mountains to a town called Ouray and visited Telluride. It was great to be just the two of us, I forgot what that was like.

Anyways, enjoy some pictures!