Projects; tricky math, beautiful results.

So carpentry is hard. And projects only "sound" easy because you haven't started yet.

That's what we learned this last week and a half as we built a headboard. I got this killer idea from HGTV and wanted to turn a piece of artwork from one of their shows into a headboard for Jon and I.

Headboards from the store are expensive and we have been saving for some time, so I figured I would make one, EASY! Not so easy, but luckily I have Jon (aka Math Robot).

We finally got all the supplies and started putting it together two Saturdays ago. It was a long process, but acutally not too complicated (Thanks to Dad and Steve for tools, advice, supplies, expertise).

Now for the reveal!

Don't mind the empty space (at the bottom) it's covered by our bed. Yes, we did have to hand glue, pin nail, and place every single wood shim. That took the largest amount of time.

Staining was quick, just a little tricky cause there are lots of angles and corners!

The last step was a polyurethane sealer so it's kinda semi-glossed.

Pretty sweet don't ya think?!

And it cost half the price (plus labor =free - our time.)

I'm so excited to put it up in our new place!

Say "YAY" if you want a good deal!

So my sister, LeShel, is something of a bargain hunter. She's quite the expert actually and while I was visiting her in February she let me in on a few secrets of the "good deal finder."

Well, (just some background) I have been given the task of finding a whole new wardrobe for work this summer and challenged to do so for less than $500. Yesterday I was running errands and stumbled across a huge clearance sale at Ross in Ft. Union.

WOW!

Because Ross is already a reasonably-priced place, finding half the store on clearance and the other half loaded (just that day) with new items was inspiring.

I took to the racks like a vulture feeding on wayside kill. I put all LeShel's tips to good use and I found all this stuff (7 tops, 1 pair pants, 2 skirts) for under $100.

I have so much more stuff than I even thought I might have when I got to the end of my budget and I still have various $100s to spare! It's spectacular! I may even go looking again today and for those of you that know me, I'm rarely inspired to shop. I detest shopping! But I could really get into this bargain thing.

Thanks LeShel! And just as she would here are some of the articles I found yesterday with prices:

Top - Bottom, Left - Right

springy green shirt: $7 (retail $32), red sweater combo: $6.50 (retail $28), hippie looking thing on the top-right: $10 (retail $32), super-cute black: $11 (retail $28), amazing flower skirt: $12 (retail $36), blue workpants: $10 (retail $42), red asian-inspired: $8 (retail $28), and black asian-inspired: $7 (retail $36).

I also got a plain black skirt for $9 and another top.

UPDATE: In related news: I purchased a black suit coat retail priced at $110 for $35! YAY!

Wednesday, non -wordless.

I have recently stumbled upon some hilarious blogs and vidoes that I deem worthy of sharing.

Just to brighten your day.

<

and this one... it helps with the video.

ooh, don't forget: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ especially this story and watch the video too!

this one is for meditation --> http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

this is classic! http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

and inspiring... http://dirtycarart.com/index.html

educational: http://www.detentionslip.org/

and i'm not against the vietnamease, this one is simply for anyone whose been to a nail salon.





Have a great Wednesday!

and no, I will never, ever call it "hump" day.
fools.

Take a picture... It'll last longer.

Back by popular demand to post some pictures. Hopes this helps, LeShel!

Where to Begin.

bears, beets, battlestar galatica.
-jim, the office.

So I mentioned before on my "too funny" post, there is much to write; so much so, that I don't even know where to begin. I debated on whether I should try to make it all sound extremely exciting by giving you a detailed description of everything Jon and I have been up to since, well, March 1st. But this would take up... a whole page or something.

Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.
-george carlin

Instead, I decided to make a list. Many of you may be on my list. (hehe) What more can I say? Here it is.


I don't think there's a punch-line scheduled, is there? -vince lombardi



-beginning of March, taxes are done. actually getting a refund.

-visited with grandpa cecil and grandpa darrel. these two men are so amazing, everytime I am in their presence I feel the spirit so strongly and I am in awe of what great and humble men they are.

-completed huge work kit for next year's team. glad it's done.

-had dinner with grandma and grandpa galbraith. good rolls, way good. lots of laughs.

-printer gets sick. needs new cartridges.

-lunch with sarah. she's pregnant! going to be such a great mom. love her and will miss our lunches. (not because she's going to be a mom and mom's don't eat lunches, but because of moving to houston)

-Had my 24th birthday. I got cookies and cream ice cream with a candle in it, which we had to buy a lighter for at a gas station on our way to a parking lot. yay. Okay I should mention that before that Jon took me to a great Thai restaurant downtown and we got to shopping; I got a super sweet oversized beanie! No more bad hair days.

-we buy a car, wait this happened before my birthday. ... I love it! traded in "Toad." (the taurus) and got a saab. "upgrade" is an understatement. it's beautiful.

-the otteson's give their homecoming address in kamas. so good to see them. I will never forget what great impact they had in my mission.

-Draper temple dedication, memorable. I love the prophet.

-Jon gets accepted to University of Houston, Business Administration program. YAY!

-lunch with Krista. what a great friend. I feel peace to know that her mom is doing better and great admiration for hers and krista's strength and faith.

-Cami has a bridal shower. lingerie everywhere... really. so excited she's getting married.

-I business trip to Logan. Weather is awful. I don't miss sardine canyon. I do miss Ligget.

-I get sick. again.

-fly to houston

-big interview. even bigger test.

-meet Jovanda, Alex, Karen, and Amanda. Laugh harder than I have in 17 years.

-fly home from houston. still sick.

-color hair. feel like a rockstar.

-russell comes to town! blessed fun with mission companions and good friends. Diana is my new Canadian buddy.

-Cami gets married! What a beautiful day. I couldn't be more excited for her and Derrick. YAY!!

-saw Ricky "Hackett" :) in concert. I love the comedy and it was a fun night out with my hubby.

-started stressing about my new job and moving.

-frantically trying to get a load of crap done before May.

-oh yeah, still sick. (i think)

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life...
-tagline, facts of life.

So I think this is where I end and/or begin.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out. -anton chekhov

but remember....

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.
-friedrich nietzsche

AND

Life itself still remains a very effective therapist.
-karen horney

oh yeah, and we got a goldfish... only 49 weeks to go.

too funny

I know there's much to write, but this is just too funny!

Yup, that's you.

I saw this on Amy's blog and she saw it on Christie's and I'm sure we all saw it somewhere, but we should see it AGAIN.



Just think about it.