Things That Distract Me

I'm not, even for one second, going to pretend that I'm being original here. These guys became famous last year. I'm about as current with music as I am with reality T.V.  Which is, not at all. The music I listen to was all recommended by someone much more trendy than I am.

So, I am behind on the game, but I am currently LOVING these guys. I got the album in December, and it's pretty much all I've listened to ever since. So I thought I'd share, in the off chance that perhaps (heavens to Betsy!) there is someone slightly more behind than I am.

A Guilty Pleasure

This is not a Valentine's Day post. Damon and I celebrated last Saturday, as it's just a lot easier to get a babysitter on the weekend than on a Tuesday. Let me just give you a quick tip. Go to Claim Jumper. Order the Warm English Toffee Cake. You can read below to see how to thank me for this tip. You're welcome.


Modcloth is my guilty pleasure. Guilty because it's so darned expensive I can almost never afford anything they sell (especially on a Missionary's salary). Pleasure because every once in a while something will go on a sale low enough that I can afford it. Or, more likely, I'm gifted something pretty. 

For Christmas my father gave me a gift certificate(!!!). I spent an entire day looking at every single thing on the website to determine how to get the most out of my gift card. I finally settled on these two pretties:

Then, for my Birthday, I requested this:

I'm turning 30. It's a big birthday. That's how I justified it. 

I just hope it fits because it's been sitting, duct-taped in a box, in Damon's closet and I'm pretty sure the window of opportunity for returns has passed.

*This is an update: Damon caved and let me wear my new dress for Valentine's day! The fabric is even more stunning in person, and the dress fits like a glove. Happy girl!

Next on my list? These:

Feel free to tell me "Happy Birthday". 

BabyHalfOff Giveaway!

No, it's not MY giveaway. That would be the easiest thing to win ever, as there are only about five people who read this blog. But I'm a missionary without her own house, or stuff, or money, so you'll not be getting much from me. Except my love. Sorry.

However, there IS a giveaway over at BabyHalfOff.com. I love this website a little too much and consistently have to exercise restraint. They're giving away the exact thing I was coveting a couple weeks ago, so, naturally, I'm eager to improve my chances. Hence this post.

I use bags all the time, for everything. Most of my kid's toys are store in reusable bags. I use them for my knitting, to hold Joy's diapers when we go out, seriously everything. And these bags are pretty. Much prettier than the black ones from Fred Meyer, or the maroon ones from Sheri's.

I'd encourage you to check out their website, especially if you've got kiddos. And I guess you can enter the giveaway. But maybe you can share a bag if you win. 

Public Service Announcement:

For those who have done a little exploring into the archives and have most likely been disappointed/irritated by the obnoxious black boxes where photos should have been - rejoice! (Almost) all of the pictures are back where they belong (which took forever, letmetellyou).

Also, there is now something to read over on the "About" page, as well as a contact form up there where it says "Contact."

Enjoy all the newfangledness! (Spellcheck didn't highlight that one. Could it be a real word??)

Things That Distract Me

My family has been sickly for a solid two weeks. The first week was rife with congestion, exhaustion, and coughing. The second week we'll call the "recovery phase" in which we were mostly just tired and grumpy. But somewhere between the raving sickies and the extreme grumpies there was a day when we all felt well enough to veture out into the public. We were also so stir-crazy that if we hadn't managed to leave the house, we probably would have eaten eachother.

Anyway, having no clear destination we decided to head toward the Tigard Goodwill. About halfway to Sherwood our bodies and spirits started to give out and Damon and I were taking turns saying things to eachother like, "But it's so faaaaaaaaaar." and, "I'm soooooooo tiiiiiiiiired."  That's when we noticed the little antiques mall and trading post (Do they call it a trading post? I seem to remember that on a sign somewhere). We figured, close enough!, and made a quick U-turn.

And I'm glad we did. I love that antique mall. The place goes on and on and there's no end to the treasures you can find. We found a lot more than was good for us, but we exercised restraint and only came home with two little gems.

This is the first:

I have a small obsession with children's books, even if they're not in book form. A couple of years ago I scored a set of four Beatrix Potter teacups from Marshalls (They're in storage, so I don't have a picture for you). I love them. They're delicate and dainty and oh-so-cute. So when I found this matching (!) teapot, I just couldn't leave without it. Chances are it'll go straight into storage to keep my teacups company until we have a Stateside home once again, but that doesn't matter. It does my soul good to know that one day they will all frolic together in tea-time bliss.

Staying on the tea theme, the other beauty that followed me home that day was this awesome little necklace:

It's a teapot! Isn't it cute? It's been on me just about every single day since we met.

Oh, and by the way, I took this photo the day after I wrote about my honey skincare treatment. Notice that spot on my chin? No? Told you it worked!

One other thing I'd like to draw your attention to, as it will most likely never occur again: my hair is cooperating.

Ok, almost. Point is, this kind of cooperation will probably never happen again and I got photographic proof that once, it did. It was pretty much an awesome day.