Our new seersucker bedding!

We got seersucker bedding today!

Does that drawn in all of you southerners?

We got the white cover and matching shams, I already have green accents to add some color. I am so excited to have a new duvet cover! We have a very similar one already that I bought four years ago. I still love it though but it was time for a new one. Today I put on the new sham and layed it on the bed, I was shocked to see how dingy the old one was. The old one was sewn to have texture but this one was woven to have it so I think it will be a little crisper than the other one that doesn't fit the comforter as perfectly as I would like it to. We picked it up from Crate and Barrel, well I should say we got the shams today and they are shipping the duvet to us because they were out of the king size.

Thanks for still sticking around after yesterdays post. I just had to get it off my chest before I exploded at my husband.

I talked to my best friend yesterday and she suggested that we have a 15 minute clean up everyday. I remembered that we use to go around and make sure that everything was picked up before we went to bed and it worked quite nicely. I am hoping that we can keep our place clean so I don't always feel like I am playing catch up, especially if I get a full time job.

I still haven't heard anything after my interview but I am guessing it is because they are so incredibly busy, two snow days last week doesn't help. I am hoping to hear something this week.

keeping clean

I know that I was feeling a little down about how to get our house clean the other day, I have located the source of the problem...

My Husband.

Truly he is an amazing husband and I am so lucky to have him.

He works 24 hour shifts at the firehouse and I seem to get bursts of cleaning energy on nights when he is working. He comes home in the morning when I am still in bed and by the time I roll out of bed the kitchen is full of dirty dishes again. I think part of the problem is that he is gone when I decide to clean for 8 hours straight. He comes home and sees the final product but really has no idea how much hard work goes into it.

Prime example Thursday I worked super hard and took our kitchen from this...

to this...

It may not look like I did a lot but here is the list of things I did.

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changed the decorations to spring and Easter

went through all of our food (fridge, freezer, pantry even baking supplies) and got rid of the expired food then organized it

cleaned every drawer and shelf

(how does a drawer where you only put clean stuff into get so dirty?)

found room (in our tiny kitchen) for almost every appliance and cookbook that was on the counter and top of the fridge

cleaned out the fridge and freezer including the top of it, they get so gross

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I am pretty sure it may look like 30 minutes of work before you open the cupboard.

Our kitchen looks so much less cluttered but now I am unsure of how to get hubby to keep it that way. I just feel like I get three steps ahead then he comes home and I am 2 steps back. I have to undo what he has done before I move on to the things that really need to be cleaned.

Any suggestions?

My mother taught me better

I realize that it isn't right to steal but I have to admit I may be addicted.

I love "stealing" photos that I come across that inspire me.

There are so many amazing house, wedding, maternity and photos of children that I come across and would like to recreate someday. Check out any photography or decorating blog if you don't know what I am talking about. I feel like they have captured something so great I can't pass up seeing it again. We plan on purchasing a top of the line camera as soon as we have our debt paid off or we are pregnant, which ever one comes first.

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This is one of my favorite and most creative maternity shots I have seen

The photographer is Jessica Claire and she does amazing work, I just wish she was in Colorado.

From the Colorado blizzard!

I stole this survey this morning from Footballs and Crowns... Life with the Browns. It was just too cute to pass up. I sent it to hubby and had him fill out his answers before he saw mine. Mine are the red ones if he didn't get it right. He did an amazing job though and even reminded me on some of them!

What is my favorite?

Song-love story right now

He is so smart! I didn't really have one in mind
Food- frosting, artichoke

I would say sushi but I LOVE frosting and artichokes as well

Color-pink and green

Very true

Time of day-night

Love night

Drink-coffee

I would say a frozen bear (a frozen coffee drink from a locally owned shop)

Alcohol-wine

white wine, Riesling

Store-jcrew

and forever 21 for cheap finds

City-cherry creek

I really didn't have one in mind but that works

Candy-candy apple sucker

3 musketeers if I am breaking my diet though otherwise those!

Flower-peines

Same answer I would just spell it right! Boys don't know how to spell flower names.

Holiday-easter

LOVE Easter, I may do a post soon why I love it so much

Restaurant -cheesecake factory!!!

You love Cheesecake... I would say any sushi restaurant.

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Also in case you haven't heard Colorado is in the middle of a BLIZZARD currently! I love it because it isn't affecting me. I don't have anywhere that I have to go today! My husband is working at the firehouse though today so say a little prayer for his safety. He gets off tomorrow morning at 7 am right when the blizzard is predicted to stop. He is also acting as the lieutenant since the actual lieutenant is on spring break with his kids. He is trained as a lieutenant and is currently acting as one but not officially promoted yet, he will be in the next 6 months hopefully. Today is a great day to prove himself!

(For those of you who aren't sure what lieutenants do they are in charge of the crew shift they are on. He takes command of any scene they are on, basically a manager at other jobs.)

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While we are stuck in a blizzard today it is a spring blizzard! It will be very wet and most likely melt very fast. They are also great for us because we get most of our moisture from the snow. It is a little sad though because things have already started to bloom outside. The trees that have already bloomed won't produce fruit this year because the blooms will die, they would normally turn into fruit.

One the snow melts and the weather heats up everything will turn green almost overnight.

I love spring and summer and I am starting to think again about purchasing one of these...

I really wanted to get one for my birthday last year but since my birthday is in October the timing with the weather was a little bit off. Since hubby doesn't have a bike I think I may get this one for myself and fix up my old one for him. Buying one at Target isn't really a good option because I could see it falling apart on him in a matter of months, he is so muscular that he weights at least 215 lbs, too heavy for a cheap bike.

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I am thinking a cruiser would be perfect for my favorite Colorado trail...

It is called the Highline Trail and it runs 66 miles through out Denver and the metro area. It is pretty flat and easy so I think it would be perfect. I would love any advice any of you have about Target bikes or cruisers. Do you love them or hate them?

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I also found this at online at Target...

I believe it was around $35, what a great way to easily store a bike.

Baby and Wedding Shower Etiquette?

So I have implemented a new rule into our lives.

If we do not see you on a bi-yearly basis I will not be attending an event where I will be bringing you a present. This applies for kids events and Christmas as well. I am personally sick of being invited to showers and such where I am expected to shell out $30+ if you can't even make the time or effort to hang out or get lunch just a measly two times year. This may sound silly but seriously I am putting my foot down doesn't matter who you are, family or friends.
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Here is a prime example.
I was invited to a wedding shower, fine fun day.
I was not invited to the wedding.
I was invited to the baby shower.
I get the feel that I am being used for presents.
??Please let me know your thoughts??

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That was actually a post a did almost a year ago on our family blog.

(Don't worry this blog is much more interesting.)

I receive an e-mail today requesting that I save the date for a baby shower for the same friend in the above story. I have only spent time with her one time since her 20 month old was born and I am not going to shell out money for a second baby shower. I understand that you may want to get a few new things for your new baby and some pink things since you are expecting a girl this time. I understand purchasing a gift for your second if we are close but I am not really sure though how I feel about baby showers for a second baby.

Thoughts on either topic?

The other woman in my huband's life

While I am spilling secrets I figured I would share with you my husband's celebrity crush...

Who really can blame him. Didn't she look great at the Monsters Vs Aliens premier?

I love the hair, the outfit wasn't her finest day though.

She looks much better here! I love that she didn't feel the need to tan in either photo and she still looks great. I have embarrassed my whiteness lately, I am not willing to waste my money or endanger my health on such a temporary beauty fix.

The girl knows how to work a red carpet.

I have this picture stored on my phone for inspiration to look cute!

Some times you need a little inspiration.

This must be an older photo of her, she is so much tanner.

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I don't want to leave any of you feeling like you could never measure up.

I also found this picture...

No one is perfect, even her thighs touch!

My dirty little secret

Remember these bulbs from just a week ago?

They have already bloomed and are gorgeous! I love how they bring spring to my kitchen!

Costco may still be selling them if you like them.

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I unpacked my easter decorations today!
I had such a hard time at Christmas filling my canisters that are above my cabinets, you can see them in the picture above. I had much more luck today filling them for spring.

I used this decoration to fill one, I didn't really have room for it anywhere else. I think it looks nice in it.

The other two are filled with eggs I got last year.

I also picked this up for 75% off after Easter.
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I have a question for all you domestic goddesses out there! How do you keep your places clean?
I seem to make great headway and get our place 95% clean and organized then it all goes to hell in a handbag and gets trashed again. I am not sure if it is my husband or me but we can never seem to be 100% constant with keeping our place in order. It may look somewhat clean in photos but I really need a lesson from those of you who have perfected keeping a clean house. Do you have a daily list of things you do every week or day?

1st round completed!

I am all done with round one of interviews! I think today went well but I didn't get a huge indication either way. I was there for just over an hour though and he talked about setting up a second interview with the rest of the staff. He gave me a description of the personality that was correct for the job and I felt like I will be a great fit! I can't thank all you enough for your thoughts and prayers! I also promise not ever post will be about my interview.

Tomorrow is the big day!

I am about to go to bed and try and get some beauty sleep before my big interview tomorrow!

I am so excited but trying not to get my hopes up.

I have spent the last hours getting ready for tomorrow, here is my list of things I have done.

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retried on tomorrow's clothes

washed a white load so that I have a clean cami

taken off the tags

ironed my shirt

done my nails

plucked my eyebrows

washed my makeup brushes

packed my laptop bag instead of a purse

(it really is a Kate Spade baby bag!)

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It's funny the little things I am doing to make myself feel more prepared for tomorrow.

I did think back though and realize I have never interviewed for something that I didn't get! I have never seriously searched for a professional job though.

I will update again hopefully tomorrow after my interview!

Please still keep me in your prayers.

I realized that I didn't have any appropriate clothes or a resume for my interview Monday. I guess that's what happens when you weren't actually looking for a job but are called to come in for an interview! I was luckily able to find some great things today though. I picked up some button downs from J Crew as well as 2 pairs of nice slacks. One pair is black pinstripe and the other is a brown and off white plaid, they look like 70's golf pants but they are cute with the right top and brown boots. For $14 for J Crew pants I was excited!

I was also in luck because a friend forwarded me her resume so I just used her formatting and filled in my info!

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Please keep me in your prayers. I am not asking to get the job but for guidance.

Working full time 9-5 would be a huge adjustment for our marriage and just life in general.

Also what do you girls who work all day do with your dogs?

Cloud Nine

I am on cloud nine right now! Saturday night I was out celebrating Saint Patrick's Day at a friend's house and ended up meeting someone who thought I would be perfect for a job opening at the company that she works for. I received a call today from the owner of the company saying he was really interested in talking to me! I have been thinking about trying to find a full time job so that we could completely pay off all of our debt and better our future. We would be able to start thinking about purchasing a bigger home and have the down payment to do so. It would also be easier to have piece of mind when thinking about kids if we didn't have any debt.

I am trying to enter this decision prayerfully and only if it is right for me.

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Speaking of debt I was told the other day by the owner of the real estate company I work for "Credit card debt is a fact of life, you will always have it." I was FLOORED by this comment. We are working really hard to free ourselves from these mistakes. I feel like if you have this mindset aren't you always playing catch up?

Sick as a dog

Our sweet little Ridley is as sick as a dog

I took her to the vet yesterday for her biyearly checkup and today she is a completely different dog. She won't eat or get out of bed. She won't even eat any treats we try and give her.

Do your little dogs feel this sick the day after the vet?

Spring flowers

My hubby came home from work and surprised me with these!

I can't tell you how much I love getting flowers from him, especially when it is a surprise!

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I also picked these up today from Costco today.

They are bulbs that will bloom in the next few weeks. $15 for 4! Well priced in my opinion especially since they will last for weeks.

This is their temporary placement, it is a little cluttered.

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My orchid also bloomed this week! Our place is covered in flowers right now.

Saint Patricks Day

I really have nothing great to share with you today but I

will leave you with a picture of us celebrating Saint Patrick's Day!

New Running Shoes

I just realized that I haven't posted since Wednesday evening. I have however been working on getting all of the posts read in Google reader. I had over 1,000 at one point and I am glad to say I have read over half of them! I have been terrible about commenting though, sorry.

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I was a little too busy this weekend to post and add the fact that I only had my iPhone for internet service all weekend. I spend another lovely weekend with a family of three kids while their parents were away skiing. They are a great family but truthfully, the kids can be a bit much for most people. The little boy, Will, is the strongest willed child I have EVER seen. Hows that for irony?. We had a great weekend though and I left feeling great. When the mother first called me about the weekend she mentioned how it would be such great birth control but truthfully I felt like it was such a breeze. I can't wait till the day when it will be our own kids!

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The worst part of the weekend though was being apart from my husband for 72 hours straight. He would normally come and visit me but he worked on Friday and Sunday, taught the fire academy on Saturday morning and then picked up one of my babysitting jobs that I couldn't do on Saturday. He had a great time babysitting and made us an extra $95!

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We spent all day today together to make up for the lost weekend.

I mentioned to him that I would really like to get a good pair of running shoes from a running store. He suggested I run to DSW first to check out what they had to save some money.

We ended up going to Boulder Running Company though instead.

I had such a great experience and would recommend visiting a true running store to anyone who runs.

First, they had me try on a pair of shoes with no extra support to see how my feet naturally reacted when I ran. They put you on a treadmill that they have in the store and then they record you running so they can analyze it in slow motion. He asked me if I had any sort of ankle injury ever, not a comforting thing to hear when I never had. He then put me in a pair of shoes that had quite a bit of support and my ankles reacted so much better!

We found a pair of Brooks that feel so great. I can't wait to try them out tomorrow!

I do have to say today that it was so weird to be picking out shoes of any kind purely by the way they fit not the way they looked. If we would have gone to DSW I would have just picked out what looked good and not what my foot truly needed. The shoes were a little more than I would have normally spent at $110 total but I know they are going to make such a difference. I did the same thing with my heart rate monitor and I am so happy I splurged for the perfect one rather than the cheapest one!

(Every time I post about my heart rate monitor I get questions. Here is the link to mine! Worth every penny.)

Prayer Request

Ladies I wanted to pass along a prayer request to you. I know that many of you have faith and know the power of prayer. Many of you know I volunteer with Young Life. For those of you who don't know what YL is here is a link with a quick explanation.

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Basically we are on the front lines of ministry. We find the kids who have been left behind and are forgotten by the rest of the world. We seek out these kids and earn the right to be heard. These aren't the kids who are seeking God, rather ones that God Himself is seeking. YL can get a bad rap because it isn't as deep as people want but it is truly for kids who know nothing about God.

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We have an amazing head leader, Drew, who has done an amazing job of getting the outcast emo kids to our biweekly club. (Most clubs are made out of rich prep kids because they can be the easiest to find/be around.) Most of the kids at our club though are the very roughest of the rough. The kid that you hope your kids (or future kids) don't associate with. I know that some of these kids have already seen more terrible things that most of us could even imagine. You should have seen the anger that these kids had when we talked about how they saw their fathers.

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Every time I am around them it is a complete drain because they are such hard kids. They are constantly pushing the rules and every boundary. We are constantly having to watch them and make sure they are behaving. At a typical club they are climbing on the roof, digging through the cupboards for food even though we are making food for them, smoking in the backyard even though we tell them not to every week, making out and something is stolen every week.

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There is some serious spiritual warfare going on in our community.

Our safe suburb was ripped apart 10 years ago and it is happening again in a different way. Perhaps you were touched by Columbine as much as we were and you will remember our pain and once again pray for us and our schools. Although we are not at columbine high school it is amazing to see the warfare that is still going on in our community.

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I just ask that you keep these kids in your prayers. They are hurt and broken and need God's love more than anything else. If you could spread the word and once again pray for Littleton, Colorado and the kids that live here.

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Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things

Jeremiah 33:3

We had an amazing dinner last night! The prime rib was everything that I thought it would be!! It also turned out really perfect because Hubby was running late and arrived home about 5 minutes before we had to leave, it was almost as if he was picking me up for a date again since he didn't see me get ready!

The restaurant was really dark but I still thought I would share photos. The dress I had on had a nude slip and a pretty black sheer overlay. I got it from Banana Republic a few years ago.

He really is such a goof.

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Today we ran by Hubby's mother's house to go through some of his old stuff. I was shocked to see that she kept not only all of his and 4 other siblings toys and all the packaging they came in. He was pulling out Transformers that his mom had taped into the packaging. Packaging that she has kept for the past 25 years, these toys are older than I am.

He also found his old lacrosse jersey...

I am so shocked to know that he could once fit pads under the same jersey that now fits him, it's all muscle though that has filled it out.

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On another random note.

I just painted my toes this color, Pompeii Purple! It's the perfect spring pink.

I still love it just as much as I did in high school!

Tonights Hot Date

I have a hot date with my Husband tonight!

There are two things that make me even more excited than normal for this date...

It is a beautiful 70 degrees outside in the shade. It makes it so much easier to get all dressed up when the weather is nice! It is the second week of Denver's restaurant week and we have a reservation at the Broker!

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This is what I found online describing the Broker and their menu for restaurant week.

The Broker Restaurant brings one hundred years of tradition to your table. Located in the old Denver National Bank Building, this restaurant is listed as one of the most beautiful venues in the United States.

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First Course

Appetizer:
The Broker's famous bowl of chilled shrimp with tangy cocktail sauce - our own recipe!

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Second Course

Soup/Salad (choose one per person):
Freshly made Soup du Jour
Caesar Salad
Mixed Field Greens with your choice of Dressing

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Third Course

Entree (choose one per person):

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Roasted Prime Rib -

Served to your desired temperature with classic mashed Potatoes, Au Jus, and creamy Horseradish

Alaskan Salmon - Fresh Salmon Fillet grilled medium rare and served with rice and seasonal vegetable Entree

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Fourth Course

Dessert (choose one per person):
Baked Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis
Light and silky Chocolate Mousse Dessert

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All of that for $52.80 per couple! (5280 is how many feet are in a mile, Denver is the mile high city. Just in case you were wondering about the random price.)

I know I will be getting the prime rib!

Today's Oprah

I am watching Oprah today and getting some great ideas. Today's show is all about simplifying, cutting back and saving money. I have always been one to get deals but lately I have been looking for more ways to do so, more nontraditional ways.

One of the biggest things we do is unplugging everything that is easily accessible. I don't think most people realize how much money you spend everyday for the little added convenience of turning on an appliance that is already plugged in. Most people think that I am crazy the first time that I talk about this but when I ask them what they would do with an extra $600 a year they are shocked. A few months ago we weren't as good at unplugging, the next month we saved $45 just by being a little more aware when we turned something off to unplug it. We have also started unplugging our washer and dryer. It is so simple to do, think of how little you are actually using them verses how long they are plugged in. My husband thought I was crazy when I first told him what we would be doing but he was on board when he saw we cut our electric bill in half.

One of the other things that has helped us save money is by splitting our spending money into two. I put half of the money away for the second half of the month. We have to make sure to buy enough groceries to last us 15 days because when the money is gone we are out of money until the 1st or the 15th roll around. This makes sure that we don't spend more money than we have. We use to just buy what every groceries we needed on credit cards and then make a huge payment every month , if you are not tracking though it is so easy to go way over board and slowly add debt.

Do any of you have great ways to save money?