life. love. happiness.

sadness.

2011-01-26T15:11:00.002-06:00

The killings persist. If you have seen The Cove, I will warn you, this video is far more graphic. Let the truth of the what the Japanese hunters are doing be known. My heart aches.

For more information on this cause and to get the latest information, visit www.savejapandolphins.org

hearts on a string.

2011-01-25T23:01:00.002-06:00

I haven't had a lot of ambition to read through a lot of blogs lately because we all know it can absolutely consume your soul for hours on end. Don't get me wrong, it is an incredibly satisfying, inspiring thing to get consumed by but I really do get lost in reading sometimes! It is very similar to me and Etsy. Don't even get me started on that one.

So today I stumbled upon a cute little idea for a creative, inexpensive Valentine's Day decoration. I couldn't keep this one a secret. I am thinking these would look cute in our apartment but also in my office! I am already thinking of the various ways I can change it up and make it more "me" so I am toying with the idea of adding a splash of color and maybe even some photos.

If you are interested in giving this a try, there is a full tutorial over on the blog Dottie Angel. Now I just need to find myself a book I can cut up...!

p.s.

2011-01-19T22:33:00.001-06:00

Someday I am going to create a wall like this. I think I'm in love with its adorable cuteness.

energy. or lack thereof.

2011-01-19T22:20:00.001-06:00

I have to blame Old Man Winter. The cold is finally starting to wear me down. That was made blatantly clear as I endured a horrendous mood change today as I watched and listened to a webinar which was facilitated by a woman, working at home, in Miami, Florida. What made my mood change so violently; so quickly you ask? This kind, soulless woman, turned her camera so that we could see out her front window...the sunshine, the palm trees blowing gently in the breeze and the paradise we can only dream of here in our currently frozen solid tundra stared me right in the face and didn't even feel bad about it. I'm a Minnesota girl through and through, but man. I'm not bitter. That's just the wind. Did I mention this woman's name is Margarita? No folks, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. Sigh.

So I haven't posted for nearly two weeks. And as much as I'd like to stop pointing fingers [yes, Old Man Winter, I am still giving you the stink eye] I have been busy with the semester transition at work but finally feel as though I am catching up. So as I fight my icy cold mood swing today, I felt the need to post something positive and wise. I was looking for inspiration recently, and as I was perusing through some inspirational photos, I found this blog.

...the notebook doodles...

Simple, beautiful, truth. Those are the things that I love most about what this talented individual can do. I invite you to check out this blog and get lost in the images, the quotes and the path your mind will take you as you surround yourself with it all. Grab a cup of coffee [and a blanket if you live around here] and enjoy a bitter sunrise or sunset; I am trying to find the beauty in the cold.

rock candy.

2011-01-04T19:15:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure when it happened, but growing up I somehow developed an absolute love for rock candy. Although I remember all the geysers and buffalo from our summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park, I somehow maintain a special place in my heart for eating rock candy during that time frame. I'm not sure if it's the texture or the adorable old-fashioned stick, but today I stumbled across an actual RECIPE for this childhood favorite. Why haven't I searched for a recipe prior to now? I cannot answer that. All that matters is I found one now!

Check out the post over at Creative Juices for Decor blog for the full directions and recipe if you are interested. I may try to do this while D is gone this weekend on his first conference road-trip of the new year so I'll be sure to post pictures if I do!

spaces.

2011-01-03T19:17:00.005-06:00

Some days, I really dislike living in an apartment. I dislike the boring colors on ALL the walls and not being able to change them. I dislike knowing that it really isn't ours, and it's only a temporary space. And I also really dislike paying rent to a landlord who is less than noble.

Of course there are plenty of other things I really love about living in an apartment. Like not having to worry about shoveling or blowing snow after a blizzard. Or paying to fix something when it stops working. And I guess the lower-than-if-we-lived-in-a-house utility bills we currently pay, although that could be debated.

Regardless of my love or dislike, there is one thing I know for sure: I cannot wait to make a cute office/work space just like these pictures show below. If I had anything that looked like these spaces, I would definitely find a job I could do from home. Perhaps I should add that to my goal list for 2011? :)

here's to 2010.

2010-12-31T20:20:00.005-06:00

Since I inadvertently decided to take a hiatus from the blog for the month of December [where did it go?!] I had to get one additional post in before it officially became 2011.

In light of the big blizzard of 2010 which has kept us bundled up inside the past few days, I did some thinking about the new year and the resolutions that tend to go with it. At the turn of the calendar year in the past I have decided to lose weight, exercise or drop ten pounds [see a trend, by any chance?]

The most memorable of these was during my freshman year at NDSU when my good friend Lynnette and I decided we would get up every morning and make the trek across campus from our dorm room to work out at 5:30am. Naturally, as freshmen in college, we had class at 8am every day [calculus, of all things] so we needed to work out, walk back, shower and get ready before heading to class. Every morning after we got back from break, Lynnette would come down to my room and we would manage to drag ourselves [through every warm building we could find] over to work out and then come back. After a short time, sleep got the best of us. Getting up at 5:30am when you go to bed at 12:30am or later, well, let's just say, it didn't work out for us.

So this year, since we are starting off a new decade, I decided to give myself 11 goals to accomplish in 2011. Some are short-term and others are long-term, but this seemed to be more meaningful and appropriate going forward...and also ties in with a little something I will be doing for my birthday as well, so keep reading for the next few months if you want to find out what that is. So without further adieu, here's wishing you a safe and cozy New Year full of life, love and happiness!

11 Goals for 2011

1. Use less water and electricity
2. Floss my teeth every day
3. Leave the computer in my bag when I get home from work
4. Create a budget
5. Put more money in savings [hoping to increase this by 50% or more]
6. Eat breakfast [along WITH my coffee]
7. Go to bed earlier
8. Organize the guest bedroom closet
9. Donate/Support to Save Japan Dolphins
10. Start a Bible study with Jeff and Sarah
11. Be content :)

makeover.

2010-12-05T21:56:00.005-06:00

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving was just over a week ago and we are already under the three week mark to Christmas. Where in the world does the time go?

Well, in honor of the fact that it is now December [okay, I admit I am officially 5 days behind the turn of the calendar but my energy level has been a wee bit on the non-existent side] I decided to change up the look of the blog for Christmas. Isn't it cute?! It was tough to pick just one layout but I am certainly looking forward to updating monthly with other adorable winter themes. I just love changing it up...or maybe I love utilizing my own creativity...either way, I love it!

So what have we been up to? First things first - D won his first conference game of the season on Friday! They are on a two game winning streak [their game Saturday was postponed due to the weather] and we hope to see some more W's very soon!

D and I spent part of the day putting up the Christmas tree and carefully placing all our cute little snowmen in locations where they can best be showcased. With limited space, I think we did a job well done! By the time we finished decorating [and watching Elf in between football games] I decided I need to either make or buy more decorations. Oh, and I also need to install a mantle or fireplace of some sort. Does anyone else feel like it just can't be Christmas without a chimney or fireplace? I guess I was spoiled with that growing up but I miss it!

Here is a blurry and dark glimpse at our beautiful tree! My childhood memories are scattered throughout which brings a big smile to my face. Mom and I went through all my ornaments when I was home for Thanksgiving so I could put them on our tree this year. But my favorite ornament is a cute little snowman in a tux holding his snowman bride. I placed this ornament right in the middle at the top of the tree for everyone to see; it is the most wonderful reminder that I am not only celebrating over a year of blissful marriage, but we will be celebrating our 2nd Christmas as a married couple.

Time continues to tick away but there is no moment too small to take for granted. Here's to our life, love and happiness!

i heart dave barnes.

2010-11-22T19:31:00.006-06:00

While I spent one of the best summers of my life interning in Nashville, my boss C introduced me to an artist she knew I would instantly fall in love with. She was right. I instantly fell in love the moment I heard the first melodic sound. Dave Barnes. *sigh*

I still remember sitting in the passenger seat of her car as we drove out of the big city on our way to her hometown in southern Illinois. I remember almost every moment of that summer, but having C take me home with her meant more than she could ever possibly know. It felt so easy with everyone, almost too easy, so when I first heard this soothing voice coming from her speakers, it was hard to stop listening. He instantly became my favorite artist of all time, even above Rascal Flatts [boy is that a whole other story...or twelve...].

I hadn't heard anything new from DB for quite some time so imagine my utter joy today when I found out he not only had a new album I hadn't heard many songs from but he also has a new Christmas album! With the snow falling and quickly turning our fall into winter, it seemed like the perfect discovery of the moment. And my heart was instantly happy; filled with his voice and overall sound. Needless to say, both of these albums are on my wish list. Now if only I had an mp3 player to download them to...hmmm...I just may have to find myself a good Black Friday deal.

Click on either of the photos below and you can listen to DB for yourself. I linked to one song from each album which thus far, are my favorites. Invite DB into your library of musical loveliness and swoon along with me.

friday. oh friday!

2010-11-19T13:25:00.005-06:00

I can honestly say, I am thrilled it is Friday! Not only does D have a game at home [and boy do I love game days] but I found a pair of earrings I instantly fell in love with from Lauren Elise's Etsy shop. Seriously?!

I.N.L.O.V.E.

[I am fully aware this isn't proper use of punctuation or grammar]

Lauren is stocking up her Etsy shop so if you have a jewelry lover on your Christmas list, you should definitely check her out.

One last thing, if you think about it this evening at 5:30pm, send up a little prayer for D's team - a big ol' W against a Division II team would be a nice touch. Go Comets!

hope.

2010-11-14T17:32:00.007-06:00

Here in our home, we are slowly working ourselves toward financial stability. It has been an ongoing process, and likely will be that way for most of our lives, but I feel just a little lighter in my heart knowing we are making headway. I've made mistakes, and continue to do so with spending money, I think we all do no matter how disciplined we are, but I cannot express enough gratitude to my Mom for teaching me the things she did [and continues to teach me to this day]. She is hands down, the most inspirational person I have met in my life.

Now I entitled this blog entry hope because once we do reach that point financially, I am hoping to be able to give back. Give back to my Mom, give back to those in need, give back to the issues which weigh heavily on my heart. I have learned through my own life that very little bit makes a difference...and I want others to see and know that too. This has become another financial goal on my list.

One of the issues that continue to plague my heart and soul is what is happening over in Taiji, Japan and the work being done by the Save Japan Dolphins organization. If you are reading this and don't know much [or anything] about the brutal slaughter occurring over there, I encourage you to watch the video in the right column at the top of this blog, visit the website listed above or go out and rent [or Netflix!] The Cove and see for yourself why this continues to haunt me.

Part of the things that can help the Save Japan Dolphins organization is the purchase of their merchandise, which you can imagine, have been at the top of my "want" list for quite some time. But because the needs far outweigh the wants, always, these things have moved far down the list and have nearly fallen off completely. I want to show you just a few of the items that are on my list; not only because they help raise awareness of the issue and are great conversation starter pieces, but because a portion of the funds from all merchandise sold goes directly to the cause. And that is why I am trying to move these items up my list.

A daily reminder: Save Japan Dolphins bracelet

A simple statement that means so much. I love this.

Who doesn't love a comfy hoodie for a good cause? I know I do!

A conversation piece and a statement. If you click
the photo, you can see my favorite part of this tshirt on the back.
Adore. It.

i actually won!

2010-11-08T20:02:00.007-06:00

Over the last year I have increasingly become what I would consider a savvy consumer. Or maybe you'd just call me cheap. Either works. If you've ever seen my Firefox browser, you know that I have a very special folder with my favorite links entitled "must read blogs" that I check on a daily [okay, more than just once a day] basis. Things are just far too expensive to not take advantage of savings when and where you can; that's my whole-hearted opinion.

There is a point to this post, which I am getting to right now. I need to share some love for one blog in particular called The Frugal Girls. If you want a free sample, free music downloads, coupons and deal ideas, money saving tips, recipes or craft ideas, well then this blog is for you. I love it. What do I love even more? The fact that The Frugal Girls also has giveaways...and I just WON!

Today my name was selected for a $25 gift card for TJ Maxx - one of my all time favorite places to shop! Along with all the freebies and coupons I got in the mail today [it was so full our mail lady had to put some of it on our steps!] I am one big happy camper.

p.s. I woke up to the sun AND next to my dear hubby again this morning. Perfection.

simple joys.

2010-11-06T20:15:00.004-05:00

There are few things I enjoy more than waking up with the sun in my face. Very few things indeed. When you wake up feeling such warmth...such majestic beauty...it's nearly impossible to not wake up with a smile on your face, hope in your heart and spring in your step.

The long days of summer where the sun rises early and sets late, make my heart simply sing. Ultimately, what this means is that adjusting to the shorter days and darker skies does not bode well with my heart. Or my eyes. How do I know? Well, because I have successfully been waking up late for about two weeks straight. Oye.

Today, I woke up to the sun shining brightly on my face. I instantly knew it was going to be a fabulous and productive day and all felt right in the world. Although all is most definitely not right in the world, not even close, it was refreshing to remain in my bubble of happiness for even a short period of time.

I believe in finding joys in the little things; I think that's something that living in a small town has made me appreciate. Too often I take for granted my daily phone call to my Mom, feeling safe in my home and in my community, or hearing the sound of my sweet hubby's voice when he is on a road trip. I like to think that some part of me has always cherished the little things, but as I have gotten older and as I continue to learn, they deserve more than just that. Here is a small list of the little things that made this a perfect day:

1. Waking up with the sun on my face
2. A full hour of cardio dance routine thanks to my daily sidekick: NETFLIX
3. Listening to my Mom talk about what a pain the Christmas lights are; I miss being home to help with this project, although if you ask my Mom, I never wanted to help when I was actually living at home!
4. Catching up with Lynnette
5. Feeling a complete sense of accomplishment from scouring our apartment from carpet to ceiling, every room, and organizing while I went. It feels blissful!
6. Texting back and forth with Carly
7. Although there wasn't a live broadcast to listen to, the stat updates on D's game had me running around the apartment like I was actually at the game. They lost in overtime but they played hard and I am proud!
8. Watching my happy fish swim in their clean tank
9. Writing a "welcome home" message on our entryway chalkboard
10. Hearing my hubby tell me he is on his way home - zero sleeps until he's home!

What little things made you happy today? I hope you enjoyed every second of your Saturday as much as I did!

vintage beauty.

2010-11-03T21:25:00.006-05:00

While I am thinking about it, I had to post a photo of this necklace I literally fell in love with after seeing it on Lauren Elise Design's blog. You may be wondering, who is Lauren Elise? Well...it would be my extreme pleasure to tell you.

Lauren is an incredibly beautiful and talented woman who I had the pleasure of meeting on the happiest day of my life...our wedding day! Lauren came along with Eden Photography to help capture our moments that day; and she did so beautifully! It truly was amazing to see her finished work with a different perspective. If you are interested, you can see all of her photographs right here at Lauren Elise Photography. Pst! If you stay on the main page long enough, you just may see D and I in a few photos...!

In addition to her photography, she just so happens to also be an incredible jewelry designer [i wish i had a talent for just one of these things yet alone BOTH!] She is the one who designed this beautiful necklace and I invite you to also check out her other items. You will not be disappointed! Visit Lauren Elise Designs and fall in love for yourself.

inspire.

2010-11-03T21:01:00.004-05:00

I found this cute little quote while perusing through some amazing reading material. There are plenty of other inspirational quotes plus some really fantastic items available for purchase. Check her out at volume twenty five or if you want to go straight to her Etsy shop, just put your mouse here and click! Easy as that. Enjoy!

all hallows.

2010-11-01T21:21:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe another weekend has come and gone again in the blink of an eye. Somehow, it always seems to go by so quickly. Despite the speed of the days, I am extremely thankful for a lovely weekend spent at home, cheering on my hubby and my favorite girls and enjoying a goofy little Halloween!

D's game on Saturday unfortunately didn't have the outcome we were hoping for. With 38 fouls called on our team alone and 53 free throw attempts by the other team, let's just say it's hard to come out on top. More film to watch...more practices to endure...and lots of improvement to make...and I have all the faith in the world that the w's will start coming our way. I was able to snap a few photos at the game and happy to report my "action" shots turned out much better than last weekend. I'm hoping to sometime get this added to the MSU Women's Basketball Facebook page eventually...so if you haven't "liked" them on FB yet, head on over and show some love!

We didn't do anything crazy for Halloween, but I was excited beyond belief to actually have trick-or-treaters this year! D and I got "ready" before it got dark so we could be prepared for anyone who came to knock on our door. I used to spend so much time decorating with my Mom for Halloween that it has become second nature. In fact, she has passed on the Halloween tote full of goodies to me so we could make our apartment a bit more festive. Buried deep in the tote [I am exaggerating] were a couple of masks that bring back fond memories for me from growing up. If I had a penny for every time my brother used one of these to scare the crap out of me...well...let's just say he did it a lot.

Anyway, we anxiously listened for car doors and voices outside [even opening the window despite the cool weather just so we could hear better!] and finally we got a little traffic! I have to admit, I was disappointed in the lack of costumes but was still happy to hand out candy to those who came. Here's a little sneak peak of what you would have seen had you come knockin' on our door...

Can you guess who's who?!

A man and his pet gorilla...

Not so creepy without the masks!

yum.

2010-10-28T22:06:00.003-05:00

Although I accomplished making my seasoned pretzels and easy sugar cookies, in all my excitement for Charlie Brown I somehow forgot my cup of cider in the microwave.

I wonder if it's still warm? Zoinks... TGIF everyone!

oh, charlie brown!

2010-10-28T15:24:00.004-05:00

If there's one thing you should know about me by now, it's that I not only adore Fall but also, everything about Halloween. This has taken some getting used to for D so I have been "breaking him in" with baby steps. I've kept the decorations to a minimum...at least for now! Yes, this means there are no spider webs at a five foot level...much to my Mama and old college roommate J's dismay, I am sure!

I just love the crunch of leaves, carving pumpkins, eating apples and going to the orchard, brainstorming for costume ideas, decorating and most of all, listening to little footsteps outside turn into whispers just before that knock on the door and a sweet little "trick-or-treat" spurts out of their candy-eager mouths...seriously...what's not to ADORE?

In addition to this, I am an avid Charlie Brown and Peanuts fan. One of the things I look forward to most are holiday specials around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas when one special television station decides to make my day and air my lovable, irresistible Charlie!

Well folks, that just so happens to be tonight! A big THANKS to my Mom who told me about this but at 7pm ABC will be airing none other than It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

Since D will be heading to Valley City to scout Viterbo University, whom they play at 12:00pm on Saturday, I will be snuggling up with some warm apple cider and some fresh seasoned pretzels [thanks for the recipe, L!] and indulging in a classic favorite. Perfection!

right up my alley.

2010-10-27T21:23:00.004-05:00

I have several blogs that I check periodically...multiple times a day. Mostly I am looking for updates on free samples, coupons or one-heck-of-a-deal, but the other day, to my surprise, I came across a post for a DIY autumn wreath.

Now a few weekends ago, my good friend A [and former boss while I was working at The Forum] gave D and I our wedding gift. A is an Uppercase Living representative and has been struggling to find a frame to fit our names but finally found the perfect one and gave it to us. We absolutely LOVE it! So much in fact, that I changed where I had originally thought I wanted to hang it and decided rather to make it a focal point in our "entryway" right when you come into the apartment.

Well, after looking at it, I realized that what I currently had hanging on the wall wasn't going to work at all. So I took an old cupboard door that I bought at Habitat for Humanity Restore [in Moorhead] about two years ago, and decided to make a chalkboard to hang underneath it. I completed that little project and found myself with another empty space on the wall. And that's when I remembered the blog post I had read...and I knew right away it would be the perfect piece to my entryway puzzle.

The end result? An arrangement I am not only in love with, but also rather proud of how well it turned out. Not to mention, it cost me next to nothing to put together. The picture is a little fuzzy but you get the general idea!

If you are interested in creating your own wreath, check out the original post with step by step directions at Centsible Savings. I made mine pretty "fluffy" but you can do it any way want - so fun and easy!

boots = love

2010-10-26T21:20:00.005-05:00

So after finishing my last post, I checked my email for approximately the 63rd time today. To my surprise [not really] I had a couple email blasts I hadn't seen yet, one of which was from Nike. Now because of my fanaticism with free samples and coupons, I have found myself receiving TONS of email. But the stuff I really take the time to read comes right to my gmail account, which is where the Nike emails just so happen to land. Although I choose not to buy regular priced Nike clothing or shoes [or anything else regular price, for that matter], these winter boots were too cute to resist posting. They come with a rather hefty price tag but perhaps an end-of-the-season-super-duper-clearance will emerge in June and they just may make the $15-or-less rule I tend to stick to with purchases. Who knows! But if you aren't as 'frugal' as me, perhaps you'd like to add these to your Christmas Wish List. These are my two favorites:

These beauties appear to be very warm,

but I'm not sure they can handle a true
MN/ND winter. You can find them here.

These are cute as a button if you ask me!
They come in black or brown - check them out.

a perfect day to post.

2010-10-26T20:06:00.008-05:00

It seems dear Mother Nature has issued us a bit of a wake-up call today so since we are bundled up inside our apartment [still putting off turning on the heat] it's a perfect time to get this baby updated. Instead of offering a futile attempt at an explanation as to why I haven't posted, I decided that I'm just going to jump right back in with what's been going on with us over the last several months. Enjoy the photos and a bit of a rewind...

In June, D and I celebrated our one year anniversary! It's hard to believe how quickly the past year [and then some] has gone by, but we were able to take a weekend getaway to Bemidji. The hotel was fantastic [RIGHT on the lake] and we spent our time enjoying canoeing, hiking/trail walking, sight-seeing, soaking in the indoor/outdoor hot tub and eating some yummy food! It was only a few hours away but it was a really special weekend basking in our growing love!

The view from our room.

The trail we explored.

We thoroughly enjoyed the statues before heading back to Mayville [and before the rain hit!]

D + Chief Bemidji

A trip to Bemidji wouldn't be complete without Paul and Babe. Fun!

My "little" cousin marked a big milestone in her life: high school graduation! I made the trip down to Big Lake, slowly crawling through 5mph traffic, hail and torrential rains, but eventually got there in one piece. It was a fun day with family, but boy was it sticky and hot!

The graduate

Releasing balloons for the grad's future

I let loose the final three.

My good friend J got married at the end of July and I was lucky enough to share in the special day. Unfortunately, I had to miss out on good friends J+S who got married that same day, so Dave and I split up and I headed south and he went a little north so at least half of our duo could be present at both special events!

M + S + L

J and S

D's basketball season got going last weekend with the first home opener. There was lots of excitement, anticipation and perhaps a little bit of nervousness, but even though they ended up in a 91-93 loss, it's exciting to see the talent and potential on this year's team! I'm so proud of my hubby; it's truly where he belongs and hopefully that is evident in the next few photos [try to ignore the lack of skill from the photographer!],

introductions.

2010-06-08T23:09:00.001-05:00

Without further ado...allow me to introduce you to our dear fish pals. The first photo is of our three fish all together. You may wonder why in the last post we only had two fish and now we suddenly have three. It's a good question but it can be explained relatively quickly. We bought another one.

Crush, Belle and Meeko (respectively)

Crush (dominant male) and Belle peeking in the back

Fair Belle (fertile female)

Crush and Belle are both creamsicle lyretail mollies, although you can see that Crush has a much more vibrant orange hue and Belle is more subdued and yellowish. Their tails are what set them apart from other mollies (and Meeko) as the lyretail looks like a giant "C" that seemingly floats and glides through the water. These two are often inseparable, although that's not for lack of trying on Belle's behalf. Crush is quite the brute and since he is the only male in the tank, tends to chase the females every second of every day.

Sweet Meeko (peace keeper)

Meeko was our latest addition and is a beautiful silver molly. Although we wanted another lyretail, we arrived at the pet store only ten minutes before close and didn't have the heart to ask the guy to fish out a different molly after struggling for what seemed like forever to get Meeko into the container. So although you could say we didn't really want Meeko in the beginning, she has quickly become one of our favorites due to her curious behavior and quick wit. She is definitely a keeper, although her tail isn't the "fairest" of them all.

These three together keep things very interesting in our household; as I am sure you will soon find out.

fish tales.

2010-06-08T00:03:00.001-05:00

Since I have absentmindedly ignored updating the blog for several months, I feel the need to get you up to speed on the latest happenings in our "house." Don't worry, I will keep it short; or at least I will try.

About two months ago, my wonderful husband finally convinced me we were ready for parenthood. NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT. But since we aren't allowed to have dogs or cats at our apartment, a perfect little ten gallon tank that has sat empty for many years, started calling his name. If you don't know that story, follow along.

Once upon a time, I had two beautiful roommates who blessed me with this complete ten gallon fish tank set for my birthday. It came complete with gravel, water heater, lid and decorations. I, of course, jumped the gun and immediately hopped in my car and went to the closest pet store. I carefully chose the "prettiest" fish and brought 14 of them home to my new tank. I named them all. And when I woke up in the morning, I rushed to that tank to greet my new scaly friends; and found a graveyard of what had once been neon tetras.

I tried out a few more fish, but those too died. The only thing I seemed to be able to keep alive was a pretty little beta, also a birthday gift, given to me by my good friend Brandon and appropriately named Sheena Fish. But eventually, Sheena Fish died too. And it was then that I swore I would never try to become a fish mama again; I just didn't think I was cut out for it.

Back to present day, I found myself staring aimlessly at the selection of fish at the pet store. We walked up and down and examined them all very carefully, knowing this was a large step we were about to take. I walked gingerly past the tank filled with neon tetras, remembering vividly the smile on my face as I brought them home and the sinking feeling in my stomach six hours later when I found them all lifeless and strewed about in miscellaneous fashion. Was I ready? We talked for a long time with the "fish expert" each time we visited the store before finally making an educated decision the fourth time around. Each person we talked to seemed to know just a little bit more than the other and so our knowledge, in turn, continued to grow.

Finally, we had made up our minds and decided we would begin with just two mollies based on their hardy nature and ability to fit well in a ten gallon tank. We were given a male and a female, which we didn't realize until many weeks later; one was a subdued yellow hue and the other, bright orange. Appropriately, they were given the names Belle and Crush, and they are the very beginning of our ever fascinating, fish tales.

now more than ever.

2010-02-24T23:18:00.001-06:00

Eight months ago, I found myself in the middle of a dream come true. Sitting next to me was a handsome man I now call my husband that years prior to that moment I didn't even know. While I sat, staring at water that appeared to be so pure, so perfect and full of hope, I waited for the creatures I knew would soon appear. Anticipation. Excitement. Hope.

The music started and they appeared. So majestic and surreal to me - this beautiful animal that I had only seen pictures of or read stories about - was now right in front of me. I smiled, as though they were smiling back at me; as though our hearts were now connected somehow that I saw them in person. I envisioned myself there; in the tank as though I belonged there with them, just as I had done so often growing up. My face continued to beam as my heart filled with joy; my love at my side and this dream taking place before my very eyes.

Today, I have a difficult time with my emotions; reliving the picture, the sounds and the feelings all while in the back of my head I fight the issue of captivity as brought forth in the documentary, The Cove. Today, in those very waters photographed by our camera in Orlando, a trainer by the name of Dawn Brancheau, lost her life to one of these majestic creatures. A trainer that we, along with millions of others, watched in amazement as she worked with these animals. You can read the story here. The sinking feeling in my stomach cannot be explained but for reasons beyond my control, I fought back tears as I watched the numerous videos documenting the whales in their tanks thinking how unfair their existence has become. This life that they have been forced to live, is not truly a life at all but merely a captive existence.

I was one of the millions who dreamed of going to Sea World; I was one of probably thousands who dreamed of working as a marine mammal trainer to these very whales and dolphins someday; I was one that completely bought into the captivity industry. But I don't know if I can find joy where I only see sadness...if I can find purpose where I only see dollar signs...if I can find hope where I only see suffering.

In the words of a man I not only highly respect but admire, Richard O'Barry states that " Dolphins [and whales] are free-ranging, intelligent, and complex wild animals, and they belong in the oceans, not playing the clown in our human schemes." We need to see the bigger picture...we need to end it...now more than ever.

more.

2009-07-16T22:37:00.004-05:00

If you sit down and have a conversation with my Mom about what I was like as a child, she may tell you that I hated when she brushed/braided/touched my hair because I thought she pulled "too hard"; or maybe she would tell you that I was obsessed with mimicking my brother's every move; but most certainly, I am sure, my Mom would tell you that I was absolutely in love with dolphins.

I'm not sure when it started or even how. As much as I hate to admit it, it could possibly have come from my mild addiction to Baywatch. I can't lie to you, I still know every word to the theme song and if you don't believe me, just ask me to pop in my soundtrack the next time you are in my car. You are in for a treat. In any case, I found a special place in my heart for dolphins and animals of all kinds.

That is why the video I stumbled across this morning hit me so hard. I understand we live in a society with HUGE issues; healthcare, budget and spending, the economy; international relations; just to name a few. But for me, those things always seem out of my hands. I live my life, day to day, as we all should. After awhile, at least in my case, you begin to feel as though you can do more. You can do more than wake up, go to work and come home at the end of the day. I can do more. And this video made me realize that.

A documentary film will be released at the end of the month that although I don't want to watch, I know I can't not watch it.

I invite you to visit the following link and watch the trailer for yourself.

Perhaps it will make you think about just what you can do. On the other hand, maybe it won't. All I really hope is that it makes you think.

life as usual.

2009-07-15T22:16:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure if anyone else is counting the days, but Dave and I have officially been Mr. and Mrs. now for 39 days! Although we don't have a lot of candid photos, looking back all still feels like a dream. Good thing we have the marriage license to prove it really did happen!

I don't have a lot to update on quite yet. We haven't found any larger apartments in our price range. With Dave having to drive back and forth to Mayville every day, finding something a bit further "north" was what we had originally planned on but that hasn't amounted to much of anything either. Which leads me to my new slogan: take life one day at a time. They always say not to live in the future, or the past and to focus on the present but that's so much easier said than done. Fingers crossed that something comes our way!

Photos will be coming very, very soon. If only I didn't have the need to crop and edit photos - it would be much less time-consuming! But, that's the perfectionist in me. I guess you will just have to wait like we are.

Stay tuned (I mean it this time)!

whoa.

2009-05-22T12:46:00.003-05:00

And then the wedding was 15 days away and it had been nearly three months since my last post. I will say this over and over, but no one ever has an answer for me: WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!

Okay. So on the agenda, first and foremost is to let everyone know that today is the LAST day to make reservations at the hotels with the discounted block rate. So if you are planning to stay overnight and really kick up your heels, make sure you reserve today. My personal choice in hotel? The Candlewood. They are less expensive, have a shuttle to take you to and from the reception if you wish and it is where the gift opening will be on Sunday, if you are interested in joining us for that. Any questions, just let me know or hit up www.kindsethmoe.com

I promise I will write more later, but that is the message I want to get out at this time. Check back - I assure you there will be photos and more info to come by the time the clock strikes midnight!!

snow flies.

2009-03-11T23:11:00.006-05:00

In case you didn't know, I was in a blizzard the past couple of days. I mostly felt and saw the effects of it yesterday, with a bit of aftermath today, but it was an experience all-around, I will say that. I had fully intended to post a photograph of my chapped, wind-burned face in addition to my pants that were able to stand completely on their own after spending over 2.5 hours digging my car out of the driveway to my apartment, but, the picture somehow got deleted off my phone and I have no proof of what I went through. I simply adore March.

One thing I would like to interject before moving forward: just when you think there are no wholesome, warm-hearted people left in the world, you are faced with something that completely changes your view. To the sweet woman who came out with her shovel and spent well over an hour and a half with me outside; to the guy who was just coming to cozy with his girlfriend who lived in my apartment and also spent a good part of his afternoon digging me out; and to the hand full of others who stopped to help, offered advice or added a couple extra hands to my car to push it out...a sincere, deep and oh so grateful THANK YOU!!

Now, I have obviously spent a great deal of time searching for shoes over the past month (or so) and I am happy, actually, exuberant, to update you all on the fact that I have indeed found a pair of shoes!! And I can't even tell you the price I got them for because I refuse to make you envious of my deal! I am THRILLED to get them in the mail...they shipped today - yippee!

I do have five others who are looking to find shoes and I promised some photos and links tonight...but my computer decided to take an hour to load one webpage therefore making a post nearly impossible. So stay tuned for many fun things tomorrow!

Also, I want you to know we are in the final stages of proofing our invitations. My dear friend Beth who moved out to Denver almost two years ago (how has it been this long?!) has been working on designing the perfect invitation for Dave and I and with a few more tweaks, I am certain we have it! You may ask why I am having someone design invitations for us who lives so far away.

Let me explain.

I have a great number of extremely talented friends - extremely talented, but from the moment I met Beth, it was as though she already knew everything about me. So, after my first date with Dave, I walked into work with a huge smile plastered on my face as Beth looks at me and says, "Just promise me I get to design your wedding invitations when you two get married." I never get sick of that story and I know I never will. So Beth, with little to no direction from Dave or myself, designed invitations that capture a simplistic elegance that I find so apparent in our relationship and is what we are striving so diligently to portray in our entire wedding. And Beth understands that...she always has, from the very beginning, which just says how true and how deep our friendship runs. I believe I am speaking for both Dave and myself when I say that absolutely nothing could make me smile more than looking at what some may consider "just a piece of paper" and knowing how much heart, compassion, talent and understanding went into every letter and every inch of the design. As I told Beth earlier today, I cannot say thank you and have it truly mean what I want it to. I find the word blessing to fit more appropriately.

Yes, it's true Beth, that used to be your desk (shared by eight other people) - GHETTO!

So, here is a sneak peek. But for the real deal, you'll probably have to wait for your mailman. Sorry, this is all you get!

yowza.

2009-03-03T23:46:00.005-06:00

So I was just perusing (I adore this word!) through my journal, which I have kept since I was in high school, and realized that I haven't wrote in it since last March. Yep, 2008. One year ago. It kind of hurts my heart that I have strayed from my writing for so long (even though I have my blog which is kind of like an electronic journal). Anyway, I'm sure I'll think of a point to that random observation but for now, I am just going to move on.

I have just a few things to mention before I call it a night.

First of all, MY DRESS IS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMAZING! It is safely being kept at the Moe house since I have no space in my little apartment. No peeking!

Second of all, Dave has decided and picked out the tuxes for the wedding! It's such a relief to have that scheduled and out of the way - yippee!

Last update of the day: our website is almost complete! That is correct, we have developed a website aside from this blog. I figured since we didn't send out "Save the Date" cards, it would be a really great resource for wedding information, things going on in the area for out-of-town guests and of course the online RSVP option was a bonus too!

Oh, and if you are interested in taking a look at the website, either click here or click the title of this post to be taken there!

back on track.

2009-02-22T13:47:00.009-06:00

Back to wedding posts! First things first...my dress is in!!! Mom is planning to come up next weekend and we will try it on for the first time...oh me oh my!

(I thought this adorable picture of Brynn was 100% fitting to use to describe my excitement - isn't she just a doll??! )

Now, with the dress ready to be picked up (and in my possession) the issue of shoes becomes a bit more pressing as no alterations can be done until the shoes are decided on. Hmmm. So I spent some time last night searching for shoes. (thanks Chmoe and G for your opinions - believe it or not, you do have one and it is held in high regard!)

I saw these fun blue shoes at the mall and snapped a photo with my phone. Kind of fun, but are they exactly what I am looking for in a wedding shoe?? I don't think so.

After some more searching and finding all sorts of shoes with price tags that seem to continue to rise the more I look, I got to thinking of an idea. Why in the world can't I order the basic shoe that I want and add details that I would like but can't find for a decent price?!

Genius! Don't ask me why it took me this long to figure out...I'm kind of ashamed of myself!

I was looking around a British site (yes, not in the U.S.) and I found a PERFECT pair of shoes. I emailed the company to find out a few more details, most importantly, if they ship to the United States. After that, I will make a decision. I'll keep you updated!

Also, I stumbled upon a website with centerpiece ideas and I absolutely LOVE this birch look and feel they have incorporated into the decorations. It makes it look so natural and simple yet elegant...I love that. Once again, it gets my head a-spinning...

a special day.

2009-02-20T19:54:00.010-06:00

I haven't exactly been sticking to the wedding topic the past few posts. There have been a few very significant days that are more important to me than talking about some silly detail...like the anniversary of my dear fiance being brought into this world. Yep. It's Dave's birthday!

That being said, I wanted to recognize how incredibly thankful I am for that smiling face pictured above that in a few very short months, I will be able to wake up next to every morning! That thought alone is enough to make my heart skip a beat. I simply cannot wait!

I know Dave's birthday usually come at the end of each basketball season which usually puts game time or practice time above celebrating his special day. Once again this year, that same fact is true. But I want him (and everyone, everywhere!) to know how very special this day is; whether you have met him once or known him your whole life, there aren't enough words in this world to desribe how incredible he is.

So although the situation isn't ideal, I have been celebrating every minute of today for YOU...my one true love and one and only...HAPPY BIRTHDAY my incredible husband-to-be!

today.

2009-02-18T23:47:00.003-06:00

Today, February 19th, is my big brother Jeremy's birthday!

(Jer at the top of the Canyon...before we started hiking)

It's so hard for me to think about how long it's been since I last saw his face or the last time I heard his laugh. It's those little things that I miss the most. Although Chile doesn't seem that far away, the distance has made a tremendous impact.

(Jer, Mom and I sitting down for a short break; well-deserved AND needed!)

I was just remembering back to one of our last "family vacations" we took together. Mom and I flew out to Arizona to help him finish up on the house he had moved into in Tucson. To this day, I can't help but wonder how one person could be so intelligent and talented but seeing the work he did on this house would have made anyone inspired. During that time, we went to visit the Grand Canyon and it was one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen. We hiked down into the canyon on a rustic trail we thought would be a good idea. On that very day (due to my own lack of physical fitness), I truly believed I was going to get stuck in the Canyon; and by stuck I mean unable to physically push myself past my limits to climb out.

Scary? Yes.

Surreal? Yes.

Weak? Oh my YES!!

But we made it!

(Jer in the Canyon; as usual, no fear whatsoever)

(Getting a better glimpse from the edge)

Anyway, I stumbled on a few of the pictures we had taken while we were there and wanted to share some of my brother on his special day! I wish you all the happiness one day can possibly bring to one person and wish I could spend this day with you.

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

(I know you have to look close, but that "speck" on the protruding white rock is actully my brother; he climbed over an outlook at the top of the Canyon and I think many of the tourists thought he was going to jump off the rock into the plummeting Canyon as he was hurling himself down there. Entertaining and yet scary. Again, no fear!)

UP. date.

2009-02-16T23:46:00.007-06:00

I started a countdown of wedding days about a month and a half ago. I used to use a timeline of months which allowed me to believe we still had LOTS of time to decide on things. But once you start using days, it really puts things into perspective. For instance, observe the following:

"We are getting married in about four months."

this message = plenty of time.

"We are getting married in 110 days."

this message = a lot less time.

Do you see the difference?

(reality check: we are getting married in 110 days; not just a random number)

I think it's kind of humorous. It's not the fact that I am panicked about the time frame by any means; it just means we have to start making final decisions and I don't feel I have shopped around enough to do that! In fact, my Mom who is so great at keeping me on task, finally looked at me last weekend and said, "you really do need to make up your mind..." Isn't it funny how your Mom is almost always right??

Well, in any case. Here is a little update. I got the ring situation figured out and Dave's ring is currently on layaway. Hip-hip...Hooray! It's classy yet simple and I know it is going to fit his personality perfectly. I think that is why I had a difficult time finding the right ring for him. I wanted this to not only be a symbol of my neverending, head-over-heels love for him but also who he is as a person. You'll have to tell me how I did once you see the ring. Of course I can't post that here...that would make it too easy.

Also, I stumbled upon this cute little blog site tonight as I was searching (yes, again) for shoes. Not a hard search, just browsing to see if I've missed anything in my past 83 searches (did you know Cole Haan has designed shoes with the Nike Air technology? I was totally intrigued until I saw the $400 price tag. I still want to try those things on...). I came upon this and created my own little kissing tree. Isn't it cute??!

(It says "sheena hearts dave" in the heart on the tree)

I'm kind of sleepy...so I guess I need to break the update into two different parts. That's okay though, I will fill you in on more details tomorrow.

long time coming.

2009-02-05T23:33:00.014-06:00

Dave's birthday is right around the corner...literally. And since we are saving every last penny that we possibly can, I can't afford to get him what I really want to. At least not this year. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that the opportunity will arise again...I mean, this idea is so good that if there were even a slight chance (which I know there isn't), of him falling out of love with me, this would seal the deal for GOOD! I know, I know...you are all CRAZY with anticipation about this "perfect" gift but guess what? I can't tell you.

Let's keep going, shall we? Okay then. I have been perusing various jewelry stores trying to find a ring that "fits" Dave. No, not his finger. His personality! And I found the perfect one at the same store he bought my ring at...but there is a problem. Both of the sales guys I was working with over the past couple months suddenly don't work there anymore. Color me bewildered. And I have to be honest...I don't care for any of the other people there except the owner. Dilemma.

So while I figure this out, I decided I absolutely had to devote a blog to ugly rings I have seen. I am warning you now, if you own a ring, have bought a ring, or know someone who wears a ring like the ones I am about to post...well, I would apologize but I can't because it is merely my taste doing the typing. Consider yourself warned and hopefully entertained!

Okay, so you are marrying a man. Congratulations, me too! But is it really necessary to purchase a ring that looks like a bunch of bolts glued together? I know there is something to be said about being "manly" but this might take it a bit too far. Ick. *

Hi, my name is gaudy and we've never met. $2,000 for this? It's a combination of "I always wanted a class ring" and "I believe the bigger the ring, the more money it appears I have." *

This ring speaks a lot of words. Wow. I guess if you'd rather say "you are an emperor, rule over all the land!" than "I am so madly in love with you and this is a symbol of that love," this is definitely the ring for you! *

One more thing before I end this...you may be wondering what Dave's birthday has to do with all the "bashing of the rings." Well...it just so happens that he may be getting a wedding band for his birthday! Talk about original, eh?

* Disclaimer: none of these rings have been, nor will they ever be purchased in my lifetime.

quotable quote.

2009-02-04T19:45:00.006-06:00

At the end of the day, whether it was up or it was down, I find comfort in several things. One of those things, is a quick email from a friend, even if it only takes me five seconds to read, it puts a smile on my face. Today was one of those days - as I was packing up and shutting my overworked computer down for the day, I received an email from my dear Missy Dale, an old co-worker, who always has a good quote up her sleeve for honestly, pretty much any situation. Here is the quote she sent today...I heart it.

shout. out.

2009-02-04T13:00:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to send out a special THANK YOU to Jane, again, who not only got me started on this blog idea but also inspires me in the whole blog world. I recently changed my layout, much thanks to a site I saw on Jane's blog and am loving the look. I just wanted to give her some credit...and think you should all pay her blog a visit and see how adorable her two little girls are. Such sweeties!!

So here it is...my shout out:
Shout. Out. To. Jane. Thanks!

soul searching.

2009-02-03T21:51:00.023-06:00

So my title might be just slightly dramatic. Just a teeny bit. So anyway, I decided to get creative in this blog post. And by creative, I mean I simply borrowed some incredibly artistic photos taken by none other than, my photographer extraordinaire, Eden Photography (click here). Brace yourselves folks, it's an original blog picture story!

Once upon a time...hmmm...well, that might be overdone. Let's see. I'll try a different angle. Here is my story on what has been happening lately both for real and simply in my mind!

Spring is just around the corner...I mean if you think about it, by next weekend, February is already half over (how is that for perspective?). The weather last weekend, although a tad on the windy side, was enough to send me head first into: SPRING FEVER!

Along with Spring comes...flowers! And flower choices. Since we are doing real flowers for the bouquets, corsages/boots (as I like to call a boutonniere because it makes more sense), I met with a couple different florists last week. Since I judge my experience primarily on customer service, hands down Designs by Becky won me over (but I suppose I should wait to get an actual quote). I had pretty much everything figured out in my head as to what would look best and what I have always wanted (don't worry, Dave did have a say in this...yes or no and he of course, had the right answer!) but after looking at the hundreds of different flower varieties...a small cloud of doubt rolled in and clouded my train of thought. Three hours later...I had a solid grasp as to what would probably be a final decision.

Simplistic and Plain?

Elegant?

Or Extravagant?

I like to keep you guessing...the possibilities are endless (truly!)

Moving on...the bridesmaid dresses have officially been ordered and will arrive on or before April 15th!!!

(this is my happy dance - yes, I am fully aware that there is no snow in this picture)

And on another note...my very own, gorgeous gown will be here in about a week and a half. It has passed through customs and now has to make the final leg of its journey to Fargo, North Dakota where it will soon be in my possession!

(this was my initial reaction...disbelief/shock/astonishment)

But now everything is coming together so well that I can't help but smile...just like this adorable little fellow. Only four months left...woot!

Here ends the story. I think it's sleepy time now. Abrupt ending, perhaps, but that just means you have to keep checking back to find out more. Like I said before, I like to keep you guessing...each and every one of you! Sweet dreams.

frugality. psht.

2009-01-22T23:54:00.008-06:00

I'm sure most of you take one look at my blog and say to yourselves, "like I have time to read this...where are the pictures?" Hmmm. Good question. I am really lacking on the picture side of things, but totally going overboard on the words. I hope you can deal with it. Just like my random postings that I would love to do every day but somehow manage not to...

Anyway, on my quest for shoes (so Dave is more than a foot taller than me...and apparently my Mom won't let me get married in bare feet) has turned rather fruitless. Strappy this, shiny that...sequins here and rhinestones there. I have one word for you: cheesy. Not to be picky but if I am going to pay for shoes to be on my feet, I want something classy, classic and beautiful...with just a slight vintage touch and a simple, natural look. What? Too picky?

Well, much to my surprise, I came across a shoe that not only took my breath away but also stopped me on my mad search for shoes...that is until I saw the price tag. What can I say, Dave, you are marrying a woman with excellent taste!

Seriously. How good would my foot look in that shoe? Sigh. With the price tag attached, however, I better keep searching. And while I search, I am going to pout, just because I can.
(how did I do? a little shorter and a picture...I'm practically a pro!)

banana.

2009-01-16T01:06:00.002-06:00

I had a conversation/photo exchange/compliment session over email today with a client I have been working with on an upcoming project. I sent her the link to this blog today, so if this incredibly wonderful but insanely busy woman ever stops by, I hope she knows I am talking about her!

Anyway, after exchanging just a few words with her, it made me stop for just a brief moment and think to myself how incredibly blessed I am. This is something that I am fully aware of on a day-to-day basis and something I truly never forget, but there are those little moments and exchanges that really make you stop and just say out loud to yourself, "I am one incredibly lucky person."

I have a Mother who has given everything she has just to pave the way for success for her children, and to her I will forever be eternally grateful. She taught me; I learned. She loved me; I loved back. She let me learn from my own mistakes; I fell and she helped me pick up the pieces. She supported me; I gained insight to her immeasurable strength and applied it.

I have Friends who no matter what, never cease to amaze me by their continued love and kindness. To have those people that you can turn to in any situation and know that they will be there to punch someone in the face for you or just let you use their shirt for a kleenex; that is an incredibly humbling thought and one that I am so grateful for.

I have a Family that I am marrying into that not only accepts me, but welcomes not only me, but my Mother as well with open arms. It is a dream I have always had, to have those two families come together as one and I see that dream lies before me. Words cannot explain how wonderful that truly is.

I have a Fiance who somehow manages to make me fall deeper and deeper in love with him on a daily basis. He is a source of laughter, a comforting voice, a smile on my face, and the breath from my mouth. Every day I am reminded how truly amazing God is and how he brought us together and it brings in me a feeling that I can't possibly put into words. I cannot tell you how much, I cannot tell you why and I cannot tell you how - but it is a feeling that I wish upon every single person in this world.

I apologize for getting sappy. Let's mix things up a bit. I met with Bethy tonight (our photographer) and instantly became an adoring fan of hers. She is so beautiful, so sincere and so passionate...after meeting with her I just wanted to jump up and down. Literally. I just cannot wait!

Also, I will have you know that I baked some banana crumble muffins tonight for my turn at "treat day" at work tomorrow. My apartment smells like heaven. Just a little FYI for you all. More tomorrow...

sugar.

2009-01-14T23:26:00.006-06:00

It's been too long since my last post; no excuses but it truly has been crazy busy with the holidays among other things. I'm sure none of you missed me too much, but for those of you that actually do read this, I apologize!

This past weekend, as I sat in front of Dave's television (which remarkably gets cable channels unlike my own) I stumbled upon the most remarkable show. It's called Amazing Wedding Cakes on the WE channel. It follows three different high-end cake designers in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York as they work with clients and develop the most amazing wedding cakes (funny...how ever did they come up with the name for the show??)

After watching four hours of this show (in a row), I came to the following conclusions:

1. It is a blessing that I do not have cable. Yes, a blessing. There are a plethora of wedding shows on television. Seriously. If I had access to those shows in addition to the endless sources on the internet, I think my head would explode.

2. I had no idea just how complicated and intriguing baking wedding cakes truly was. Wow. That is all I can say.

3. There are a lot of shows about weddings on television. Yes, the word plethora is used again. And for good reason.

The Cake Girls out of Chicago are by far my favorite artists to watch (the images above are also some classic examples of their work). From concept to sketch to finish, it is incredibly difficult to take your eyes off of their every move (you can even ask Dave, he watched two hours with me and actually enjoyed it!). Check out their website here. I dare you to not be impressed.

in the air.

2008-12-10T22:53:00.003-06:00

I started to mentally compile a list of the little things I think I am going to want and/or need come wedding time. Since I want to spread out costs as much as possible so we aren't bombarded at the end, I wanted to at least start thinking about these things and write down a concrete list within the next week or so.

With many retailers fighting a sluggish economy, discounts are around every corner. Including the fragrance counter. Which leads me to the thing that has been most on my mind. Renee (my beloved Matron of Honor) was actually the first bride to bring this tradition to my attention. Because our wedding day is going to be one of the most magical days in my life, I want to remember everything about it. That's why wearing a special fragrance on that day that you've never wore before is such a unique idea. The first time you wear the fragrance is the day of the wedding...after that point, you can wear the perfume for special occasions, other weddings you attend or on any random day. Every time you spray that perfume, all the memories of that day will wash over you and take you back to that magical place.

I've been "sniffing" around the fragrance counter and haven't found anything that has truly stood out to me thus far. I have done a little research and although I haven't actually smelled this scent yet, I am mighty curious to try it out. It's called Sheer Veil by Vera Wang (see photo below). Other than this scent, I'm not sure where to look or what to look for. I would love some suggestions on places to check out or fragrances that might of interest. I'm ready to "sniff" out any leads!

obsessive? compulsive.

2008-12-08T23:32:00.019-06:00

By definition, the word plan (according to one of my favorites, Merriam-Webster) means:

1: a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: as a: a top or horizontal view of an object b: a large-scale map of a small area

2 a: a method for achieving an end b: an often customary method of doing something c: a detailed formulation of a program of action d: goal , aim

3: an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective

4: a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service)

A four letter word with truly four different ways to define it. Coincidence? Not a bit. You see, you would expect a four letter word to have a simple definition. Although the definition is .easily comprehended, understandable and what some may consider common sense, it is by no means simple. Actually, it is really complex. It's like each letter has a different meaning...each letter represents another way the word can be used. And that, dear friends, is not simple.

Okay, kind of a random introduction but it leads me into the statement of a fact. According to a magazine article I read (or a website I visited...or a consultant at a store once told me...let's just stick with the fact that I heard or read it somewhere and now it is in my head for me to share with you), the average bride spends the same amount of hours planning her wedding as she does working full-time for five months. Without amazing you with my quick math skills, that is A LOT of hours to plan (averaging 40 hrs. a week, with a standardization of 4 weeks a month, that comes out to 800 hours - I know, you're impressed, right?)

This leads me to my next point. Although that statistic is quite the staggering number, I think it might be accurate. Actually, after the past week or so, I find it to be very accurate. Why, you might ask, do I believe the statistic after the past week? Simply put: Etsy. After discovering a couple friends had started blogs way before I had even thought of it (ahem, Karley...Mary...thank you for proving I am totally unoriginal), I also discovered a link to a website that I have been absolutely fascinated with and have actually scheduled into my daily routine for the past week. No really, I found myself searching through the jewelry, the clothing, the paintings...and do you know what is so great about this site? Every last item is made by hand. Handmade. Really. Cool. Stuff.

So, as I was saying, this site had me hooked immediately - of course always looking for a unique find, a really good deal to brag about...or a section of the site completely dedicated to weddings. Sigh. Why do you have to do this to me? From invitations, to jewelry, to hair accessories to garters, this website has all the little intimate details to make your special day even more special. And everything is handmade. How can you not look? I dare you to even try it. You will continuously hit the arrow to take you to the next page and you won't be able to stop. I can almost guarantee it. Scattered throughout this entry are little pictures I have compiled of some of my favorite things (thus far, my friends, thus far) that I have found and truly wanted to keep in the back of my mind for future use.

...the talent and beauty that so many different individuals from around the world have created simply leaves me breathless. It truly is an amazing world. And this website allows people to sell a piece of them...a piece of them that they've created that somehow fit and match your very own personality so well it almost seems unimaginable. But when you see that item...that simply takes your breath away because you know it was made for you...that's when the beauty of the world truly makes me smile. And on that highly poetic note, I have picked the one piece that literally sang to me when I saw it. My favorite Etsy find (I'll let you decide which of the four items it is):

And with this many ideas multiplied by about 6,876,919, floating around on the internet, in magazines and basically around every corner you turn, the real question is, how can a bride not spend the equivalent of five straight months of full-time work planning her wedding? I can guarantee you, when it's all said and done, I will have thought about more projects in this 10-month time frame than I ever dreamed I could think of. Compulsive. Obsessive. Plan. But what can I say...there's nothing I'd rather be spending my spare time on. I love it!

wish.

2008-12-02T21:37:00.009-06:00

I've been doing it since I was a child. I'm sure you have too. An eyelash on my fingertip. A shooting star in the sky. The candles on my birthday cake. A four leaf clover that I diligently spent hours lying in the grass trying to find just so I could make a wish. And of course, the very special time of 11:11. Somewhere along the way, "wish" turned into much more than just a word. More than a want. It became much more than that. It turned into hope.

Recently, I stumbled upon a book called The Wish Trees. As a child who found herself wishing more often than not, it struck a special chord inside me. The book is based upon the idea that every child can help to make the world a better place. Each page brings a child planting a new tree and making a wish as they plant that tree. Along the way, they discover the wonder of trees and learn that a wish is really more than just a want, but truly stands for hope.

That being said, Dave and I have set to work on a special "wish project" for the wedding. It's been in the works for a few weeks and we are close to putting the finishing touches on it and calling it good (I love being able to cross things off the list!). I have a small preview below but I refuse to give away all the details here. You'll just have to come see it in person. At least I can hope.

inspire.

2008-11-20T12:13:00.010-06:00

As some of you know (ahem, Tig), I subscribe to a daily email type thing called Daily Candy. If you live in a larger city (Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, etc.) you should definitely sign up and even if you don't, it's fun to see the daily updates. There is information about health and beauty, fashion, weather, weekend guides for what to do and of course fashion. Call it the inner "fashion major" in me, but I love getting updates on new designers, retail strategies, etc. Okay, okay, all this does have some kind of tie to the wedding. Believe it or not.

A few days ago, I opened my Daily Candy and read an introduction about the founder of Nettleton Hollow...

"The name Nettleton Hollow comes from a valley in Litchfield County, Connecticut, through which the founder's family drove their cows home from the summer pastures to one of the last dairy farms in the area. "

Seeing as how I am from Litchfield, Minnesota, I of course took upon this as a sign and clicked to the website. Lo and behold my inspiration! Branches and grasses and foliage, oh my! This creator has managed to capture the true essence of nature in an artificial product. After browsing through craft store after craft store, allowing my thoughts to wander and collectively put together a collage of images and ideas for the wedding, I realized how true his words were about not finding true natural items like this in a store.

Pure. Beautiful. Natural. Everything I want our wedding to be.

passion. photography.

2008-11-18T13:05:00.017-06:00

One of the most challenging aspects of the entire wedding was finding the perfect photographer to capture all the incredible moments we will have on that special day. Dave and I both said from the very beginning that we knew a good photographer was going to come with a fairly significant price tag but that it was worth it to us. After all, after all the music ends, the cake has been cut and the food has been served, what do we have to look back upon? Pictures.

I started hunting for photographers within a matter of days after Dave proposed. At that point we didn't even know where we were getting married but it didn't matter! I knew I wanted to get in touch with Dana Widman, a phenomenal talent who did my dear friend Sarah's engagement and wedding photos (http://picasaweb.google.com/DanaWidmanDesigns). After much praying and numerous facebook messages, I came to find out she had already been booked.

Not sure where to turn, I googled photographers in the Fargo-Moorhead region for the next month! (Quick Note: I definitely underestimated the amount of talent in this area! SO many amazing people) So, one night, I was just really bummed and browsing through Dana's photos again online and somehow got taken to Eden Photography. I looked. I loved. I contacted.

I am so incredibly drawn to a photographer that is able to catch a personality on camera - I think it is so difficult to do that and do it well and Elisabeth has nailed it on the head! Every time I browse through her photographs I get more and more excited about what she will do for our big day. Although she is a VERY busy woman and I have yet to meet with her, we have her booked and can't wait to discuss her vision as we get closer to the day!

**Note: I have included just a few pictures that I adore and invite you to check out her website for a glimpse of our fabulous photographer!

it's a go!

2008-11-18T12:37:00.003-06:00

This shouldn't be a difficult thing for me - to type out my numerous thoughts and ideas as I used to regularly do in my journal, but for no apparent reason I put more thought into it than I used to. Perhaps I am just not used to divulging personal thoughts "out loud" to share with others, but regardless, I am ready for this new adventure I have begun!

When I moved to Fargo, I moved away from the majority of my family and after graduating college, it seems most of my dear friends have made their lives outside the parameters of the Fargo-Moorhead walls. With that in mind, the computer has been my primary form of communication with many of them and wonder how on Earth I would have stayed in touch without the use of technology? Okay, I'm rambling. Back to the main point. I thought this would be a great way to not only keep myself on track over the next 6 and a half months (whoa!) but also a fun way to let all of you know what we are working on and what we have left to do.

So without further ado, welcome to our wedding blog (I know, I know, that was totally corny but like a great movie once said, "I'm looking for a little corny in my life")!