Happy 2009!

I can't believe it's going to be 2009 in less than 6 hours! Where have the last 29 1/2 years of my life gone?? :) To me, New Years Eve isn't the greatest "holiday." It's always a let-down, and this year is no exception. Patrick and I had planned to do something great tonight, but nothing is panning out. It might be a quiet night at home, which isn't a bad thing, but it's not what we were hoping for. Maybe we'll walk over to Green Street or something...

On a more positive note, I'm pondering my "list of resolutions." The list needs development, but here goes:

1. Finish my bachelors degree (I'm all registered for the Spring semester and will graduate when I finish the semester!!!)

2. Build up a respectable savings account, making weekly deposits

3. Make significant progress in getting out of debt

4. Get physically fit...exercise regularly (i.e. 3 times a week would be nice) :)

5. Work on strengthening myself (emotionally, spiritually, intellectually)

6. Work on strengthening my marriage

7. Go camping and hiking (nature is one of my best antidepressants)

8. Declutter the house~~~SIMPLIFY

9. Embroider, scrapbook, craft, create

The color test

I took the Color Test and the results are freaky:

Your Existing Situation

Imaginative and sensitive; seeking an outlet for these qualities--especially in the company of someone equally sensitive. Interest and enthusiasm are readily aroused by the unusual or the adventurous.

Your Stress Sources

Wishes to be independent, unhampered, and free from any limitation or restriction, other than those which she imposes of herself or by her own choice and decision.

Your Restrained Characteristics

Believes that she is not receiving her share--that she is neither properly understood nor adequately appreciated. Feels that she is being compelled to conform, and close relationships leave her without any sense of emotional involvement.

Feels rather isolated and alone, but is too reserved to allow herself to form deep attachments. Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense.

Willing to become emotionally involved and able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity, but tries to avoid conflict.

Your Desired Objective

Intense, vital, and animated, taking a delight in action. Activity is directed towards success or conquest and there is a desire to live life to the fullest.

Your Actual Problem

Fights against restriction or limitation, and insists on developing freely as a result of her own efforts.

ENFP

I just took the personality test, and mine is ENFP. It says it's really uncommon, but I swear I've heard of a lot of people with this personality type. It could be that we answer questions in a way that we think we should answer them. Or maybe I associate with people like myself, so I find people with this rare personality type. Who knows...

Either way, it works for me. Here's my favorite description of this personality:

"ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it."

- Portrait of an ENFP (The Personality Page)

If you know me, does this seem accurate?? :) I want Patrick to take it too...

Painted Canvases for My Bedroom

Now that I have a camera again, I can finally post some pictures of what I've made! One of the girls I work with has "Craft Day" with her roommates every so often. Her name is Makayla. She invited me a couple months ago to participate. I made the lotus pillow for another friend's birthday on that day. Before we got to crafting, we hit up Michael's and Big Lots for supplies. Big Lots had small, medium, and large canvases for a great price, so I grabbed 3 large canvases to do something with. I think they were $10 or $15 each. The smalls are $5, so the large was probably $15. I want to go get some small ones to paint for friends. I still haven't done Christmas gifts, so I better get on it. (YES, I am a huge procrastinator!!!)

I finally decided what I wanted to do with the canvases, so I bought some paints and went to town. Now, I am not really an artist. I can be creative once in awhile, but it's not something that comes naturally to me...and I don't know the ins-and-outs or shortcuts for what paints to use on canvases. So, I used a foam brush to paint the dark brown paint on these canvases. It took forever. Next time I'll buy some spray paint to save loads of time.

I can't remember where I got the inspiration for the designs, but this sort of design has been my favorite for awhile. (***I found the link that inspired me: It's the MUJKA ILLUSTRATION BLOG.) Anything with swirly stems, leaves, etc. floats my boat. So, here's the set, hanging above my bed, and a close-up of each:

Family Photo

It's pretty rare for us to have any pictures around with both of us in them, especially those taken by other people. So, on Christmas Day, I had Patrick's sister take a picture for/of us. I think we make a pretty cute couple.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!

Christmas Memory

One of my favorite memories of Christmas as a child was reading Luke 2 as a family on Christmas Eve. And eating oranges that my dad would peel for us. :) He had a special knife he would use, and we would patiently wait for another orange to eat. My dad is awesome.


A blog I follow, Design Mom, posted this cute nativity that the children in her church participated in. It's narrated by one girl, and filled with photography of the different scenes. The sheep are my favorite. It's so very cute...check it out:

Denver

I arrived in Denver on Monday to open up the new downtown Ling & Louie's. It's a brand new experience for me, which is exciting. It's also a big honor and privilege that I was selected from all the servers to represent the restaurant where I work. I really love being a server and doing my job well. I hope I can transfer that passion to the servers I train.

This morning my sister picked up me and another server I work with, Makayla, and we went to breakfast. It is really nice to see my sis again. I miss living close to family, and I really miss living close to my sis. I'm excited to get to spend time with her while I'm here.

I'll try to post little updates about my experience. For now, I need to go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long and full day!!

I can't wait for Lost Season 5!!!!

Patrick got me hooked on this show. I'd embarrass myself if I openly admitted the hours I spent in front of the tv and computer catching up on all of the seasons. :)

A couple photos from Phoenix

Our family went to the park on the Friday after Thanksgiving. My sis-in-law snapped these shots. I figured I'd put them on here as a reminder to me to 1) suck in my belly more often, 2) enjoy the sun as I did during my nap, and 3) lose 30 lbs.

That's all. :)

Vintage Gift Idea

I'm pretty sure I've posted this picture before, but I need to remind myself of this project. My creative juices are flowing in regards to this one!!



This is a collection of vintage multi-stamp transfers of old cars. My husband is a vintage freak and an old-car freak. This would be an awesome project to do for him. I just can't decide if I should do a wall hanging or a quilt.

My mom and her neighbor have been playing with her neighbor's humongous quilting machine. This thing takes up an entire room, and they've done some amazing work on quilts my mom has made. She is finishing a project and asked me if I want it. I am so wishing I had a camera so I could have taken some pictures. It's so pretty. I just don't have a lot of space. So don't kill me, but I said no. She told me (and I knew) that she would rather it go to someone who really wants it and will treasure it. A lot of time has gone into that quilt.

So, I want to embroider the old car patterns, put it together as a quilt with some sweet vintage fabrics, and have my mom and her neighbor quilt it. I'm giving myself 12-18 months for this project. :) Either next Christmas, or a year from Patrick's birthday sounds like a reasonable timeline.

Thanksgiving Report

I posted a summary of our Thanksgiving trip to Phoenix on our Family blog:

Thanksgiving in Phoenix

It was a great trip. :)