Wood Canyon Lake

Last weekend, we went camping and fishing with the Craig family at Wood Canyon Lake. We had so much fun with them!

It was so nice to get out of the heat and away from stress at work. Lets do it again real soon! :)

Oh My Goodwill-ness

Confession : We have been in our home for over 1 year and I can count on one hand how many things are hanging on my walls. Yikes! And with a small "home beautification" budget , a girl has get creative in order have things to put on the wall! I went to Goodwill the other day and found these little treasures.

I saw these and instantly had a great idea. And no, the idea was not to hang them in my home in their present state! Lets take a closer look...

Doesn't this look like the well that freaky looking girl from "The Ring" crawled out of?! When I brought this home, I was just waiting for my TV to flip on with a static background and see an unpleasant visitor crawling out of my thrift store find. (Don't mind me. I let my imagination get the best of me most of the time!) Anyhoo, so of course I didn't want my home to be decorated like a freaky prop set to a horror show (a little dramatic, are we?). I knew these little treasures needed a little spray paint and scrapbook paper make-over.

And wallah-

Much better. Now to find the perfect little home for them on one of my blank walls (and yes that is my terribly painted toenail job in the bottom left of the photo). There isn't anything that a little creativity can't fix to make a thrift store treasure your own. This whole project was completed for $12. And I still have a whopping $13 left to beautify my home this month! :) Who says being cheap isn't any fun?!

Joy To the World!

I have been follow a blog, Joys Of Home, for quite some time now. I don't remember how I found it, but I'm glad I did! She has excellent ideas on how to beautify your home on a small budget. I truly appreciate her creativity because it has sparked mine! I love how she uses her gift to inspire others on how to beautify their Zion on earth in their own creative way! I don't ever comment - just silently soak her ideas and thoughts in. When you visit, be sure to take a look at her past posts too! One of her many creative inventions : an entertainment center built out of old doors. One of Joy's creative ideas involved painting and mounting a wooden letter on a plaque. I've had a large letter "B" hanging around since my wedding. I have never been quite sure on what to do with it. Once I read her post, my creative juices started flowing and I knew what to do with that letter B!

So, the project started like this....

And ended like this...

I am really happy how it turned out! My scrapbook paper wasn't large enough to cover the plaque (!) so I had to improvise. I think I'll cover the part where the paper doesn't exactly meet up with ribbon or something. But for now, its the creativity - not perfection - that counts!

Oh What Is A Girl To Do With A Wreath On Sale?

I love this wreath! I believe its beauty comes from its natural elegance. I remember admiring this wreath at spring time but not being able to justify the price tag of $29.99. And since our budget only allots $25 a month to "home beautification", this wreath was simply out of the question. I chalked it up to "it was never meant to be" and continued my search for the perfect wreath. Imagine my surprise when my most recent shopping trip brought me face to face with this beauty again. Since I always shop the clearance first, I was anxious to see what kind of deal I could get on. The price tag wasn't on the wreath so I asked the woman behind the counter to do a price check. I nearly died when she told me this beauty was $4.25! I quickly grabbed the last four, texted my husband to make sure he was ok with it (which, as always, he was) and made my purchase. Why four you ask ? For each one of the windows downstairs, of course!

I couldn't get a good picture of all four together because of the way my house is positioned but I snapped a picture of two hanging in my windows to give you an idea of how it looks. By the way, this picture was taken at 6:30 am - the sun is bright and shining already at our house!

Calling all runners...

Wanted:

A running cohort in crime for 5 am (or 10pm) runs. Needs to be versed in a wide variety of topics - from thought provoking conversations to the ongoing drama of BraJolina. Should be willing to laugh at self when drivers make crude remarks, flips you the bird or almost hits you on the side of the road. Must be willing to run aimlessly in one direction for long distances. Cheerfulness and CPR certification required.

Seriously, though - if you live near me and want to run in early mornings (or late nights) let me know! And if you are reading my blog and just barely know me from church or school, you are invited too!

You know you want to....

For the Love...

Please tell me why I have to be here, doing this...

When I would clearly rather be doing this...

When You Wish Upon A Star

Dear Jiminy Cricket (and friends),

I am a BIG fan. Really. So don't take this little note personally. It's not you, it's me. Ok...so maybe it's you. I really appreciate you visiting me nightly. With your friends. In my kitchen. Oh and in my living room. And the garage. (You get the drift.) Anyhoo, the fact that you keep doing your song and dance in my home on a nightly basis is bothering me. I figured when I brought my flip flop out and gave a couple of you a "love tap", you'd find another gig - but you haven't. And after I so lovingly bathed you in Eau de Raid I thought for sure you and your friends would find a "happier place" to live. Yet, I was mistaken. So, just a friendly reminder to please stop using my house as an all night venue for you and your friends.

Your not-so-BFF,

Rachel

P.S. Remember the story about the pioneers that prayed for the seagulls? Don't make me go there!

Ain't That the Truth, Sister!

Amen!

Just Say Yes!

Wouldn't this fireplace mantel look awesome in my living room?!
(Just say yes)

Its a whopping $950 on Craigslist. Let's see, house payment or a totally kickin' fireplace mantel? Huuuummm...

Dreamin' Life Away

So I've been thinking of all the things I would do if I had an excess of time and money...

First, I would learn to rock the longboard. I mean seriously, doesn't that look fun?

Second, I would go to hair school and learn how to rock new 'dos. And I'd give everyone a smokin' deal on colors and styles. Any donations to my hairschool fund? :)

Speaking of "rocking" something, I wouldnt mind training to run a marathon around this little lump of dirt...

On the way home I'd swing by Argentina, start a foster care program and build a safe haven home for these little guys..

And since I have all this free time and money, I've always wanted to start a sister missionary clothing store with afforable yet stylish clothes..

Oh..and on the side, I'll turn this...

Into this...

::Sigh:: Oh, what is a girl to do with all these dreams and so little time! Now - it's your turn to dream! Tell me what you would do.. :)