Sneak Peak: Entry Way

A few days ago I had posted here that I was on a mission to organization following another bloggers ideas. Well, lets just say that I started yesterday, and I think my project a week is going to have to be a project a month. I was just going to organize everything, but I found this $14 rug at Ross, and I went into full-on decorating mode. I guess I could have turned the light on before I took this picture. It is dark brown, light brown, cream, a hint of pink, and a bunch of other colors. My husband said it is a huge eye sore, but that is just because I won't let him walk on it with his shoes - you would think I had paid big bucks for it.

Here are the before pictures. Nothing too wonderful.

Here are the after pictures - I really need to work on my lighting in these pictures. On a side note, I used really bright ribbon and colors in the closet because it is just fun. I think homes that are all color coordinated are just flat out boring...well my husband says our house looks like an Easter egg, but hey, it's fun, bright, and cheery.

I jazzed up some plain white hangers for guests to hang their coats on this fall/winter.

 Our newspaper recycling bin and our donate bin

  I got this crate for $2.99 at Target and made a "Blankets" tag for it

 

 These are for all Brandon's keys and stuff he brings in from his car everyday and my running stuff - dollar spot at Target

This is an old whatchamacallit - I don't know what the proper name is for it but it makes a delightful door stop.

 This red rack we found while going through Brandon's grandparent's stuff before their move. It is an OLD newspaper stand - how appropriate. I'm definitely going to paint it, just don't know which color yet. I'm seeing it as a plant holder right now, but that could change.

 This is Brandon's old nightstand the he acquired from a previous marriage. With the chair railing, I thought it would be the perfect height. I'm going to stain it as well, just don't know what color yet. Also, I'm going to change out the knobs on it. I had to sit it so far over so our door could still open all the way back.

 Yes, these are pictures frames I got at Hobby Lobby for 50% off with no pictures in them and a vase with nothing in it as well. This table is going to display seasonal type things for Fall, Christmas, etc, and it is self-contained storage underneath for all of it. 

 And last but not least my smashed thumb from trying to put that newspaper stand together. It is old and the shelves didn't want to go on.

So, I guess that is a little more than a sneak peak, but I still have painting to do and a few other things to spruce it. I'll be sure to post pictures when it is completely finished. OHHH..I also added a vanilla packet to the closet to give it a nice smell.

I'm not painting any of the walls in our house just yet - they are all a neutral color and will practically go with any decorations, and lets face it as much as I change my mind on decorating, they need to remain neutral.

Do you have any big projects going on this week? 

The Bird's Fall and Getting Organized

So, it seems as if I've let our family blog go a little bit. I do still blog, but all my posts the last few months have been running posts which you can read here

Life has been a little hectic in the Bird house the past few months and we have made a lot of changes/improvements to our lives. I have become even more involved in my career and set new goals for running. Brandon has been busy with work as well and running around doing everything I've asked him to do since I have limited time now. We have made hard, hard decisions in our life over the last few months.

I've decided to set goals every day/week to continue to help us grow as a couple and for me to run our household while training for a marathon and having a career. Last week, I decided that I was going to cook every meal and that we wouldn't eat out, but once. That was a complete success. I spent $130 on groceries for the week, instead of approximately $200 eating out. Healthier and we saved some money - win win.

The end of summer into fall consists of my 25th bday party this weekend, a board meeting for TCMA and a trip to Fredericksburg next weekend, a river trip with Kyle and Jessi, a Ranger's game, our cousin's wedding, annual company picnic, concert with Marcus and Christy, surprise bday trip for my husband, hunting, and Marcus and Christy coming for a visit, all before Thanksgiving.

Today, as I was searching around on Pinterest I found this blog. It has inspired me to take on a project a week until I get our house organized and fully functional. We have been in our house since May, but with me not being a stay at home wifey and our busy schedules, I haven't had the time to get fully settled in. I wish I could just twitch my nose and it would all be done...but that hasn't worked.

This blog breaks down by room how to organize your life - which is exactly what I need. Rather than trying to find where to start, I'm just going to follow her blog, and tweak it to my liking as I go along. Looking forward to posting weekly updates and progress!

What are your fall plans?

Girls Weekend in Dallas

This past weekend I went to Dallas to see my very best friend in the entire world. It was the absolute best weekend I have had in a long time. I went up Friday night and stayed with my parents. We went out to dinner, drinks, and dancing. Saturday morning I headed to Arlington to meet Christy and then to head to Dallas.

We checked into our hotel, The Crescent, and immediately changed into our swimsuits. We laid out at the pool for hours and the pool boy, John, kept the Mojitos and food coming all afternoon. We of course people watched and talked about how disgusting it is that the "Dallas girls" all smoke. They are these super model looking girls...that smoke. Pretty awful. And, yes I am super white, and no, I don't ever try to tan. Who wants old, wrinkly, leather looking skin?

This is the amazing salad I had, pool-side.

We had dinner reservations at 7:45 at NoBu, a Japanese restaurant. We had a 7 course meal and it was to die for. I have no pictures because my phone had pretty much died, but it was amazing nonetheless. After dinner we went out, and finally around 2:30 a.m. we were back at the hotel.

I don't even know what was happening in this picture

Of course neither of us wanted to get up, but finally managed too at 11:00 because we were both starving. We went down to the Observatory and had a 3 course brunch.

First Course: Corn Chicken soup - they have been serving this same soup for 26 years

 Second Course: Egg and ham sandwich

 Third Course: Creme Brulee

 The most awesome hot peppermint tea I have ever had

 Yes, Christy poured the whole jar of honey in her tea.

That was the end of our girl's weekend, but we are planning on doing it once every couple of months. However, we will have to find a winter activity - as we can't be lying out by the pool in bikinis.

I stopped through Weatherford on my way home to see my parents again and topped the weekend off with this wonderful Fro-Yo.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I wish I could have many more weekends like last, but then I guess that is what makes weekends like last so special.

Our Second Child...Ranger

Hey everyone! I just realized I hadn't shared our story of our baby, Ranger. Brandon and I were not looking for a dog, nor did we want a dog. A dog is a HUGE responsibility, or at least we think it is.

I was on pinterest one morning and saw this dog that looked like a Welsh Corgi, but I knew that he had something else in him as well. The caption said "Augie." I did some research and found that it is a cross between Welsh Corgi (which is my favorite breed) and an Australian Shepperd (which I have always loved the markings of).

Now as some of you may know, I once had a Welsh Corgi that Ty gave to me for my 19th birthday. However, my parents became super attached to him and have kept him, and he really enjoys living there with Sugar (red heeler) and my parents.

I knew as soon as I saw the picture on pinterest that I had to have..and I mean had to have..this dog. I did some research on breeders and found one in Oklahoma with only one puppy left. I immediately e-mailed her (this was on a Wednesday) and we discussed me buying it. On Saturday, we went up to Oklahoma and picked him up. He was the runt of the litter and still only 4 lbs when most of his siblings are around 8, but that didn't matter to us.

He is just a doll. His mother is an AKC Welsh Corgi and his dad is an ASDR Mini Australian Shepperd. Since he comes from two herding breeds he is extremely smart and agile. He knows what NO means, he is learning to sit, stay, and fetch. He sleeps in his kennel without whining and lets us know when he needs to go out (most of the time). He is the perfect dog for road trips.

Here is our first picture together in Oklahoma.

Taking care of our babies, Buckwheat and Ranger, is the MOST important thing in the world to me. So they might be a little spoiled. This is one trip to PetsMart. We switched over their food. I've always been an Iams fan for animal food, but did some research on www.dogfoodadvisor.com and found that Iams is a 3-star food. Well my babies will not eat anything but a 5-star food. So now we pay $20 for a 4.5 lb bag of food for our children. Crazy I know, but well worth it for their health.

There are more stories to come for sure.

PTK induction

This post is solely dedicated to my husband. This last Thursday he was inducted into PTK, an honor society for junior colleges. At this same ceremony he also was recognized for making the Dean's List. After six years of being out of college, he started back and is pursuing an Accounting degree. I couldn't be more proud of him.

Working full time, going to school full time, and being a husband, is not an easy task. However, when you see the rewards that an education gives you it is well worth it. I'm glad that I get to be the woman by his side and champion him through this process.

A little blurry, but this is Brandon walking across the stage after being inducted into PTK. 

So proud of you, Love.

1 Yr Anniversary

So, I'm about a week late in writing about our 1st anniversary. Our celebration of our anniversary lasted an entire week. To start with our actual anniversary fell on Monday April 23, 2012. Brandon and I decided to do "traditional" wedding gifts - PAPER. We both have everything we could ever want or need, so we decided to make something for each other that would be meaningful. Me being the creative one, or so I thought, knew that my idea would be fantastic - boy was I WRONG. I made Brandon a paper coupon book and he made me 4 beautiful origami birds.

We ate year old cake, which was actually amazing. Our good friend Adam Spencer had brewed us a Raspberry Mead that took a year to ferment and gave it to us as a wedding gift. It was so yummy with our cake.

Friday afternoon we set out for Fredericksburg to spend the evening with my parents. Mom and I did some shopping while the men folk sat in the air conditioned motel room. Like always, we ate at our favorite German restaurant, Friedhelms. It didn't disappoint. Below is Brandon at the restaurant with an empty beer mug in front of him. He finished the entire beer in 3 seconds.

Saturday morning we all got up at the crack of dawn so I could run the Wildflower Run (10k - 6.2 miles). More details and pictures can be found here at my running blog.

After my race and brunch, Brandon and I headed to Austin to see Blue October at Stubbs. Blue October = amazing Stubbs BBQ = sub par Austin people = rude. Not a great experience for us.

 The apple crisp was the most amazing part of our Stubbs experience

 Brandon outside at Stubbs - they didn't have any Coors light, so he had to drink yuck Miller.

Sunday morning we got up and had breakfast at Gueros which was a treat. This green salsa was A-mazing and so were my  migas. They definitely weren't San Angelo style migas, more tex-mex, but still yummy.

Although we did nothing extra special, we didn't take some wonderful trip, or give each other extravagant gifts, our anniversary was wonderful. The last year hasn't been rainbows and butterflies, but it has been worth every minute. It is nice to look back over the last year and see how much we have grown as a couple. We are looking forward to many more wonderful years together.

Happy Baseball Day

Yesterday was Happy Meeting Day and today is Happy Baseball Day. 2 years ago today, April 10, 2012, Brandon and I went on our first actual "date-date." This is the day we actually claim as our anniversary because it was an awesome date, much better than the dinner date the previous night, and this just so happens to be my parent's anniversary as well.

Our first date was unforgettable. I woke up early and was equally as nervous as I had been the night before while getting ready. While I wasn't a huge Ranger's fan at the time let alone baseball, I wanted to impress Brandon with my ability to look cute while wearing Ranger's colors of course. My husband has been a fan of the Rangers practically his whole life - yes, even when they were terrible he still liked them. He is a walking encyclopedia of baseball knowledge, just ask him a random question sometime - you'd be amazed. So anyways, I digress, I ended up picking out a button up dark blue top with red and blue jewelry.

We went to breakfast in Godley at one of the best breakfast places ever - the City Cafe. Lydia by far has the best coffee I have ever had in my life. We then made our way to Arlington, got there early, found our seats, and soaked the sun in. On a side note, that was opening weekend, I bought tickets 3 days prior to the game at face value about 20 rows up, by the end of the season you couldn't find tickets on the 20th row and certainly not at face value. How quickly things change!

OUR FIRST PICTURE

Watching Brandon was like watching a kid in a candy store - this first date definitely won him over and I stole his heart forever.


After the game, we went to visit Kristin, Brandon's sister. He got his first two Kanji symbols that day on his right arm "Love and God." He has since got his third "Wife" and someday he will get "Children"

THE FIRST TWO "LOVE, GOD"

For my last first date with anyone, it pretty much topped the charts on great dates!

Now you don't have to hear any of my other mushy posts until our actual anniversary on April 23.

Happy Meeting Day

This month is a month of anniversaries for the Bird's (Brandon and I). April 9th, two years ago marks the first time Brandon and I saw each other since Brandon graduated from high school in 2004. That makes almost 6 years that we didn't see each other. I won't elaborate on our entire story of how we reconnected; the important part is that we did reconnect and we are living happily ever after. However, I will tell you in 3 parts about the "month of anniversaries."

April 9, 2010 fell on a Friday and was a day Brandon and I had been anticipating for quite some time. I was so nervous all day and couldn't wait till work was over - I'm sure that I probably left work early that day. I had more important things to be doing, like baking him cheesecake brownies like I had promised.

THE CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

 Brandon had to drive from San Angelo, so I don't know exactly what time he was to arrive, but I knew the minutes were ticking way too slowly and way too fast all at the same time.

Finally, he called me and said he was at his hotel and settled in and that I could come and we would go to dinner. As soon as he opened the door, it was like seeing each other for the very first time ever. I had cheesecake brownies balancing in one hand and my other arm was giving him a hug. He brought some whiskey that I had never tried, Maker's Mark, so we had a glass of that (he knows the way to my heart), and listened to "Yours and Mine," a song by Kyle Park that he had wanted me to listen to. "Yours and Mine" also happens to be the song that Brandon sang to me at our wedding.

We ventured out to dinner after that. I wanted to take him to Babes...real romantic looking back on it but oh well. He says I did not act interested at all the entire time at dinner, but he has later learned that I just enjoy people watching more than anything.

That was our first real date, but I don't classify it as our true first date for a couple of reasons. Come back tomorrow and find out why :)

Wednesday Night, Date Night

I've only shared one date night so far with you all here, but we do have "date night" every Wednesday. This week's date night I think is so worthy to share with you. I really hadn't considered what we would do this Wednesday, but figured it would consist of the normal dinner and fro-yo. I had known for awhile that Titanic 3D was coming out that day, but with as busy as I was at work it had completely slipped my mind. Now, while most people probably aren't stoked about the re-release of Titanic, I was BEYOND EXCITED! When Titanic first came out I was only 11 and way too young to see the movie. So since then I have only been able to catch it on TV and have to deal with it being edited and commercials.

Wednesday about 1:00 my wonderful husband text and asked if I wanted to go...Well of course I wanted too! He went and picked up tickets and our 3D glasses for the 4:50 showing. I snuck out of work a bit early and we went and indulged with hot dogs and popcorn...which I don't even like hot dogs, but this one was good. Titanic 3D was awesome..I was one happy wife. Finally, at 8:05 we walk out of the movie theater and it just so happens that there is a Marble Slab right next door, so we traded fro-yo for the real thing. It was yummy!

I'll let the pictures do the rest.

MY ROCKY ROAD IN A CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BOWL

 HE JUST HAD A CHEESECAKE WAFFLE CONE

Who Says Newspapers are Dying?

As you all know I do work for a newspaper...yes, I said it.. "a newspaper." Now, most of you are thinking this girl is crazy..She works for a newspaper, well she will be out of job in 10 5 years. Well rest assured that is NOT the case. There is still a lot of life left in the print product. Maybe not for world-wide news, but who else is going to effectively distribute local news. I don't think CNN, ESPN, Google, and any other Internet site (besides a newspaper site) is going to publish pictures of local student sporting events, local city politics, etc. This local news is what people still want.

I could go on and on with the reasons why newspapers are still very viable, but I will spare you all of that. I said all that to say I spent the last half of this week in Austin at the Texas Circulation Management Association annual conference (TCMA). I work for the Standard-Times which is a Scripps newspaper, so my counterparts from Corpus, Wichita Falls, and Abilene were there as well as other Circulation folks from across the great state of Texas. It's nice to see and talk face-to-face with people that actually understand and are excited about what you do.

It was 3 days of mental hard but fun work. I now have a laundry list of things to do that I wasn't doing before..40-50 hour weeks will probably be non-existent for me for the rest of the year my career. HA!

My Publisher also nominated me for the 2nd Vice President position on the TCMA board, so I'm quite excited to be on that now and participating as a board member for the next 5 years.

That's about it..I haven't blogged in awhile, so I just wanted to catch up on what has been going on in my world.

I'll leave you with these parting words from Jimmy Breslin, a Journalist in the 1930s

"A job on a newspaper is a special thing. Every day you take something that you found out about, and you put it down, and in a matter of hours it become a product. Not just a product like a can or something."

So true...everyday the company I work for starts out with a clean slate and reinvents their product. EVERYDAY..how cool is that?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

This is my first baking post so please bear with me. I haven't had the urge to bake in a long time which is quite strange since I used to bake almost every day. Being in a one bedroom small apartment with an even smaller kitchen has extinguished all desire to cook/bake. Well with yesterday being national Pi Day (3.14), I asked my sweet husband if he wanted a pie for Pi Day. His answer was "like moms?" So I made a Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie like Michelle had made for us a couple of weekends ago. It wasn't until I started mixing the ingredients that I thought "I should blog about this." And then because it was my first I didn't do so great at taking "tracking" pictures along the way. So, like I said bear with me, I promise I'll get better.

Michelle found this on the back of the packaging of Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chips. 

Here's what you will need:

1) 2 eggs (husbands say egg beaters don't count, you have to use the real thing)
2) 1/2 c. flour (I prefer King Arthur, it is unbleached and supposed to be "better" for you)
3) 1/2 c. sugar
4) 1/2 c. finely packed brown sugar
5) 1 c. butter, melted and cooled (use sticks of butter and not a tub as husbands mother always uses sticks)
6) 1 6oz package of Nestle's Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips
7) 1 c. chopped pecans
8) 1 9in unbaked pie shell

If using a frozen pie shell like I did make sure that you let it thaw completely out before you pour the filling in it

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Step 2: Beat the egg beaters eggs until foamy

Step 3: Add flour and both sugars

Step 4: Beat until blended and add in melted butter (sticks of butter get to room temperature much easier than tubs of butter)

Step 5: Stir in chocolate chips and nuts

Step 6: Pour into pie shell

Step 7: Let husband lick the spoon since he has helped with the dishes from dinner

Step 7: Bake for 1 hour or as the Birds do for 45 minutes so it is still gooey in the center

 This is a quick, easy, and yummy pie to throw together and the husbands will love it with ice cream and coffee or milk. 

Thank goodness the weekend is almost here!!