SOLD

Well, as you may or may not know, Alex has been wanting a new truck ever since I met him 3 1/2 years ago. In 2007, he ALMOST bought one, but then decided not to and we got engaged instead... awwww! Last month Alex FINALLY got a new truck (see blog below.) So as of today the Red Ranger has SOLD! We've had it listed on Craigslist for over a month and have met some very... well... interesting people, but no sale! Luckily, today we found a buyer! Hooray! So the Ranger is gone.... it's bitter sweet I suppose. I mean it's Alex's first and ONLY car he's ever had and for me it represents our first date...the truck he drove EVERY single weekend back and forth to Tacoma to come see me during our time apart. It was a good truck... lots of memories, but it was time to move on. We think the Ranger found a good home and even better we got full asking price! :o)

Farewell Rangaaaaaa.......

PET PEEVE!

One thing that has been driving me crazy is all of these “Expectant Mothers Parking” signs that have been popping up ALL OVER!

*First Point: Pregnant women actually NEED to walk. Exercise is GREAT for them! Also, if you are planning on going in and walking the entire mall can't you walk a FEW extra parking spaces?

*Second Point: Being pregnant is NOT a handicap! Period. You are pregnant not disabled and if for some reason you can't walk that distance because of a troubled pregnancy than just stay home. Think about your baby and don't push it!

Third Point: If stores REALLY want to help out women....drum roll here...... make special spots for women with toddlers and babies. Don't put these spots next to the entrance, put these next to cart depots so you can get your child in and out of the car and cart safely and return your cart without having to leave your child ALONE!

In all seriousness how pregnant do you have to be? 1 week? 3 months? 9 months?
Who watches to make sure only pregnant women park here? 90% of the time douchebag teen boys park there anyway.

Duh!

Rate My Space!

Okay, so I am totally a member of Rate My Space on HGTV and I am always open for suggestions on what to do to make my house better! Someone suggested that I "glaze" my rocks on the front of the house to make them look wet. I LOVE when they look wet, I mean c'mon I purposely hose them every time I water the plants and grass to go give them "that look!" So long story short I researched.... and researched some more.... and FINALLY found some stuff to do it! Yesterday I hauled my butt up to Home Depot and bought the stuff and I spent a few hours last night "glazing" and a little while today "re-glazing" and here is the finished product!!!!
I am still not sure if it really did anything....but whatever I tried! Here are some pictures!

Before...

After...

Before...

After...

It's Been Awhile: Here is Our Update!

Sorry guys it's been almost a week! This not having a job thing has actually been keeping me really busy! I made a complete list of EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING that I want to get done around the house. From little things like sewing up the comforter that somehow got a tear in it, to deciding that I want to paint the outside trim of the house! I want to get some stuff called "Wet Look" it put of the outside of our house where the rocks are to give it that always wet look! I may work on that today!
Beginning today Alex works another 7 day straight schedule (2-Midnight, of course!) Luckily, I am not working right now, so I can spend every morning with him until he leaves at 1:30'ish, but if I was working I have no idea what I'd do- I would seriously NEVER see him! We are hoping that his schedule will be changing once he reaches his 500 hours and he's done with the training of the grocery department. We are keeping our fingers crossed!
Let's see what else..... Alex ended up getting the 4th of July off! Whoo Hoo! We are TRYING to plan something fun, but have no idea what. Also, July 10-12th we are camping with my family and then our "secret" trip that Alex has no clue about. All I know is that he will LOVE IT and boy will he be surprised! :o) Hmmmm... like 36 days until Las Vegas! I am so excited! It's my first trip there and I cannot wait. Not too much else to report! That is kind of the low down for right now....
Thanks for checking in! It means the world to me!

....cookie disaster... enough said.

So I had GREAT aspirations of using some cookie stencils that I got as a house warming present, but....





They didn't turn out so good, but they sure taste GOOD! :o( (see Below!)





also I learned that if you have this kind of counter top....





Do NOT use it as a work station! There was FLOUR, DOUGH, and everything else stuck in the cracks and it took me forever to clean it all up! Whew....

I am going with simple Banana Bread tomorrow instead! :o)

Oh the Agony!

Just when I committed to electronic tasks and to do lists on my iPhone- save a tree right?- I find these lovely and free downloadable lists from Baca Creative! Oh the agony of not being able to use these! Can I cheat just this once?
Aren't they pretty? I love lists. The only thing better than a good list is crossing off a task once you've completed it. Call me crazy but the shear joy of looking down at my crumpled piece of paper with my cat scratch notes and a crossed out "completed task" makes me {swoon}.

It was so hard for me to commit to an electronic to do list. Honestly I hate it. Just not as much fun. Once you complete a task, it just gets deleted. Goes away into space. No fun crossed out, wrinkled page to look at with a feeling of accomplishment. Boo!

Imagine all the fun I'd have with these lovelies? Every addict has to fall off the wagon once right? I can rationalize anything and have officially convinced myself that this is okay. Off to download...

Lady Bug Cupcakes

Ingredients

Makes 24

* Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes
* Swiss Meringue Buttercream
* Green, red, and black gel-paste food colors
* 7 ounces marzipan
* Cornstarch, for work surface

Directions

1. Tint buttercream green with gel-paste food color. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small multi-opening tip (#233). Starting at the center and moving outward, pipe rows of grass on top of cupcakes: With tip on surface of cupcake, squeeze bag, then release while quickly pulling up to form 1/4-inch-long blades, making some slightly longer than others.
2. Form ladybugs: Divide marzipan in half. Working on a surface lightly dusted with cornstarch, tint one portion red and the other black with gel-paste food colors. Form a 1/2-inch ball of red marzipan for each ladybug body, and a 1/4-inch ball of black marzipan for each head. Flatten the red ball slightly into an oval shape, and press the head onto the body. Pinch off black marzipan to make tiny balls for the spots, and press onto the body. Repeat to make additional ladybugs with remaining marzipan. Place one or two ladybugs on top of each frosted cupcake, gently pressing them into the buttercream grass. Refrigerate 30 minutes to allow frosting to set. Cupcakes are best served the same day they are decorated; keep at room temperature.

Home Tip

Did you know that your mattress needs to be flipped four times a year to keep it at optimal performance? Especially true if you and your hubby are different heights and weights and I'm assuming most of us are.


Label a small piece of card stock with January & April (see picture one), laminate with self adhesive laminating sheets and pin to your mattress. Do the same on another piece of card stock labeled with July & October (see picture two). When the corresponding month arrives, flip your mattress so that the month is at the foot of the bed. Easy Peasy!







Martha would be upset with me that I am two weeks late in flipping my mattress!

It's really over... or is it?

Well summer is here and school is out! Oh.... waittttt maybe I am speaking too soon... I HOPE I am speaking to soon, but the reality is that I am probably done teaching until September 9th. Officially Vancouver School District is not out until the 17th and Evergreen on the 18th, but those are all half days I am pretty sure they won't be needing subs.
It's been a good year of teaching... maybe I great one. I have met some of the most inspirational teachers (I don't need to name them because if they are reading this they'll know who they are) and I have learned so much.
I went into this year of subbing being fairly opened minded, but at the same time fairly naive. I thought because landing a long term substitute position the year before in Tacoma after student teaching was so easy for me that it would be the same here in Vancouver. WRONG! The year started out S....L....O....W I don't think I worked a day until the end of September, but when I did I was on a role. I was lucky enough to establish a relationship early on with a certain school and I was there most of the year. The great thing about my job this year was that I worked when I wanted and I was home when I wanted. It was totally flexible.
April 2009 I was invited to interview for Vancouver SD and Evergreen SD for potential jobs for next year! I interviewed and felt GREAT about both of them and then BAM budget cuts.... teachers being laid off! Greattttttt! So what does this mean for me, you ask? Well it means most likely another year of being a substitute! Honestly.... that is not what I want at this stage of my life. Of course I want my own classroom and of course Alex wants to continue up the ladder as his job as well. I just have to remember to look at where we are with what we have! Even though we aren't where we want to be in our jobs we ARE getting there! I mean c'mon we bought a new car and a home and are debt free! (oh well that 30 year mortgage doesn't really count right??) lol....
What I am really trying to get at is that I think it's important to be happy with where you are in life. I desire things that friends of mine have... babies for instance... traveling the world for instance....super hot new cars... wink wink, but then again I here from people that they desire what I have... marriage....college degree.... a house. I think that the bottom line is that we are ALLLLLL going to get there and some people are going to do somethings before others, so we need to accept that, encourage our friends and loved ones, share in their excitement and accomplishments!
Sooo I think I may have gotten a little off topic, but these are the things that are going through my mind, so I thought I would share! Oh... so what am I doing this summer now that I am unemployed? Why THANK YOU for asking....! :o)
Being a WIFE and SIMON's MOMMY! Doing house work, baking, cooking, cleaning, year work...and whatever else I might find to do! Oh....scrap book my wedding after over 10 months!!! Oh yeah don't think that I have not applied for TONS of summer work... the jobs just are not there! Boo!
Anyway...so for now fingers are crossed that I will get that call that they want me this fall for a full-time job and if not another year in the crazy world of substitute teaching!!!

In the shopping cart... Seriously?!?

Okay so I REALLY have to vent....


Getttttt ready!


Why oh why do people feel the need to bring their dog to the grocery store? And much less put it in the shopping cart that I put MY food in??? I just find it SO disgusting!
I was at Fred Meyer today and I see this lady pushing around a shopping cart with her little straggly dog in the main basket. I mean this dog was dirty, greasy and honestly looked sick. Is it just not common sense that it belongs at home and NOT in a cart that I put my PRODUCE in? My goodness....Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww

Alex got a new TRUCK!

Finally.... The Red Ranger is out of our lives! (Welllllll.... almost it's still for sale!) :o)

Here is our new addition: a 2003 Chevy Silverado!

We are HOMEOWNERS!

On March 9, 2009 Alex and I FINALLY got the keys to our very first home! We are so blessed! Alex and I decided in October that we were tired of renting and that it was time to buy a house. We went in and got our financing and began to look. In January we found a house that we fell in love with and made an offer! Sadly later that night we found out that our offer was outbid and we would have to start all over again. Luckily, a week later we found another house and rushed to make an offer....but BAM it was gone TOO. The bank accepted another offer that morning. So now what? We kept looking and found ANOTHER great house. Ok... ok.... I admit Alex was a little more in love with it than I was, but Hey! So we made the offer anyway and GOT IT! We hit a few bumps in the road even after that, but long story short (or kind of short) we have our house! Check out pictures!

Kristina's Bucket List

Marry My Soul Mate.......August 3, 2008
Become a Certified Teacher.......March 14, 2008
Experience Child Birth.......
Own a Home.....March 9, 2009
Go To Hawaii.......August 2007
Be in 2 Places at Once.......
Get My Own Classroom.......
Plant My Own Flower Garden.......May 17, 2009
Have My Portrait Painted.......
Be a Member in the Audience of a TV Show.......
Send a Message in a Bottle.......August 25, 2007
Learn not to Say YES When I Really Mean NO.......
Learn How to Ballroom Dance Properly.......
Fall Deeply in Love- Hopelessly and Unconditionally.......2006
Shower in a Waterfall......
Accept Myself for Who I am.......2009 and Always
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.......
Be Kissed in the Rain.......
Catch a Ball in the Crowd of a Major League Baseball Game....... August 2002
Look Into My Child's Eyes, See Myself, and Smile.......
Reflect on My Greatest Weaknesses and Realize They were My Strengths.......
Travel to all 50 States.......
Sing in the Rain.......
Get a Masters Degree.......
Ride a Horse on a Beach.......Summer 2003
Learn to Ice Skate......
Shoot a Clay Pigeon in Mid Air.......
Ride in a Horse Drawn Carriage.......Victoria, Canada 2004
Ride a Mechanical Bull.......
Accept an on Bended Knee Marriage Proposal.......October 20, 2007
Spend New Years Eve in New York City With Katie.......
Learn to Be Good at Playing the Piano Once Again.......
Wear a REAL Hawaiian Lei.......August 23, 2007
Fly First Class.......August 21, 2007 to Hawaii
Ride in a Helicopter.......
Stay in a 5 Star Hotel.......
Party the Night Away in Vegas.......
See the Hollywood Sign in Person........
Go to the Super Bowl.......

and more to come.....

...Simon Rex...

I thought I would share some pictures of our baby Simon Rex. He was born March 11, 2008. He is a purebred Shetland Sheepdog "Sheltie." He is just the sweetest little boy and we are so lucky to have him.

A Hawaiian Honeymoon

Alex and I honeymooned in Honolulu, Hawaii from August 4th through the 12th. This was an AMAZING trip to say the least! I thought I would share with you some of our favorite pictures!

08.03.08

We are Married!!!

Thank you to everyone for making this the best day of our lives!

The Wedding Countdown

223 days to go:

Well…just 223 days left! We have our place, our pastor, and our photographer! I have been dress shopping and I fell in love with an amazing dress, but it's about double what I wanted to spend, so I am keeping an open mind when I go to my next fitting on January 7th, at 6 PM. The flowers are planned out and the invitations picked! We still need to do the cake and pick someone to cater the event! We have not taken our engagement pictures yet, but hopefully the formal ones will be later this week and then the other sometime next month! There are so many decisions to make and so many people that I feel I need to make happy, so it is not always easy and/or fun, but it is going to be an amazing day no matter what!!!

206 days to go:

I bought my wedding dress yesterday. It is the most BEAUTIFUL dress ever! I am so happy that I decided to get it even though it was about double what I had planned to spend on a dress. We got our first set of engagement pictures taken about 2 weeks ago, so look for those to be posted soon. The next mission is the catering and the cake!

193 days to go:

Our next set of engagement pictures is going to be on February 9, 2008! We are going this weekend to get the catering and the wedding cake figured out!

181 days to go:

Today marks 6 months exactly until the wedding day. I am up to my neck in student teaching stuff and I don't feel at all that I have the time of the energy to plan a wedding right now. So many things that I thought mattered to me many months ago are now becoming less and less important. I know we will have a first dance, but to what song? I don't care anymore it’s the fact that I will be having it with the person that I love that really matters. Same goes with the cake....does the flavor of the style matter that much? Not really anymore....whatever works will just work. It is going to be an amazing day! There is NO doubt about that. The only think that I am struggling with right now is finding out that the catering is going to be more than double what we originally planned on it being. I don’t really know what to do about that part of it because I don’t know where we are going to get the money for it. Alex and I are both fresh out of college...No jobs and trying to plan and pay for the dream wedding. So far we have managed, but I begin to worry that out luck will run out.

166 days to go:

5 months to go! We were not able to get our engagement pictures taken at the pass on the 9th like we were suppose to because it was closed! Now the new date is set for the 8th of March. I am trying to balance student teaching and this right now. We changed our mind about our honeymoon because of passports etc….so we just decided to go back to Hawaii and go to a different island. We are thinking probably Maui, but maybe Oahu within the next month we will be booking it for sure. After much stress and tears about the catering turning out to be MORE than double what we thought it would cost I think the stress with that is over and the catering will be a gift to us for our wedding. Hopefully that comes through and then we can actually feed our guests! Nothing else is new really. I am getting ready to order wedding invitations and I have a bridal shower set for July. We still need to figure out the cake, it’s becoming less and less important to be as the days go on!

153 days to go:

On March the 8th we are finally going to get our engagement pictures taken (it’s about time). We now have the catering figured out which is such a huge blessing because that has been the biggest stress thus far. Next mission is the CAKE! It’s much more expensive than we thought just like everything so far. This wedding is costing more than double what we had originally planned for and it’s not like we are trying to go over the top, but even just the basics with a nice touch are A LOT! I am happy that the catering is done though- it will be a nice summer afternoon buffet with a great variety of food. We still need to order the bridesmaid and groomsman attire even though it’s all pick out for the most part. And of course the honeymoon...I think we are pretty much set now on going to Oahu (Honolulu). Our original plans of Jamaica had to be changed because of passports and all the time and extra money involved with that and blah, blah, blah. Hawaii last summer was wonderful, so we are looking forward to going back. It will be a new experience so it should be great. We are looking to stay at one of the many Outrigger Resorts. I have 9 actual days of teaching left for student teaching and then I will just be hanging out and waiting until my subbing paper work gets into the system and I can get on the payroll. During that little break I hope to spend a lot of time with Alex and just relax and focus on my wedding.

146 days to go:

We took our engagement pictures at the pass yesterday and I think that they are going to turn out great! I can't wait to see them. We have the cake ordered and I bought the PERFECT cake topper to match it! I booked our honeymoon tonight! We are going back to HAWAII! We leave Monday, August 4th and come back Tuesday August 12th. We are staying at an Outrigger Resort and it’s amazing. Our room looks FABULOUS and I am sooooo excited. Everything is come together so perfectly. I am at a stage of pure bliss right now.

130 days to go:

We are now approaching the 4 month mark and it feels great! All the major details are taken care of and only the little minor things are left. I need to get the music part of the ceremony and reception figured out, get the flowers ordered from the wholesale house and book a hotel room for our wedding night. Other than that just here and there things need to be done. We also have our wedding rings ordered now- just like with my engagement Alex's dad will be making our wedding bands! Alex's band is AMAZING- white gold and square all the way around. Just timeless! And I am just SO spoiled that he bought me TWO wedding bands. I know, I know keep your comments to yourself ;) They are just SO pretty that I needed a band to go on each side of the ring I have now (ok.. I didn’t need it, but I wanted it)! Now that I am finished with student teaching I have all the time in the world to plan it, but it’s already done! =) It feels great! Alex and I have been looking for a home to buy and have not quite found one we like yet. I am still not sure what part of Vancouver I will be teaching in, so we may move to a rental for a few months on a month to month type lease and then when I know where I will be then we can get more serious in the home search. It feels really great to have the opportunity to get into a home and know that it is something we can afford! I should be having a bridal shower in Vancouver on June 28th and then another in Tacoma on July 12th. Hopefully everyone can make it to one or the other. Other than that life is still life- I am MORE than anxious to move to Vancouver and have my own place again. These next 2 months will drag on I am sure, but from June on life should be Amazing!

101 days to go:

Just over 3 months to go! I don't have much to say. We are at the same place we were at about 30 days ago. I now have my veil and hair style picked out as well as my shoes now. My super blingy white flip flops! I still need to order in the flowers and find a place to keep them. Still don't have a hotel booked nor do we have transportation to get from the wedding to the airport. As I read back to the Day 223 I can't believe how fast the time has gone. It will be here before we know it!

90 days to go:

So less than 3 months now and its getting to the point where everything is fitting together so well that I see my wedding unfolding in front of me and it is amazing. It's going to be a perfect day above any other. Invitation stuffed and almost all addressed only about 3 1/2 weeks until I can send those out! The details that are left really are pretty minor. MUSIC! Ahhh that has really been stressful, but I think we are doing live music for the ceremony and then cd's for the reception. Still need to book a hotel and leaving transportation. Other than that it’s all...at least I think for now. I now have the hotel picked out for guests if they choose to stay overnight. (If you need that information let me know and I will get it to you.) We are still looking to move around the 1st of July, so less than 2 more months. Life is slightly stressful, but really good right now. I am so blessed to have a well paying job even if it is only for the next 6 weeks or so.

82 days to go:

Finally we have a hotel booked for our wedding night! We are staying at the Raddison in SeaTac and got a great deal on a room and a free upgrade to a honeymoon suite! My bridal shower is now set in TACOMA for Saturday, June 21st 2008 at 1pm. Invites will be in the mail next week, so look for those!

68 days to go:

Wow! It’s FINALLY beginning to feel real. My bridal showers are in less than a month and I am beginning to all the final arrangements for the wedding day. Just a little over 2 months away now! I am getting really excited to move- we have been searching for a place to move into like crazy. We are thinking sometime in the first week in June. I only have about 3 weeks left to teach this school year, so after June 17th I am a VERY free woman. Free to plan my wedding (the final touches at least), free to move into our new house, and free to FINALLY start enjoying this moment that is only going to happen once. I dream about this wedding a few nights a week. I wake up in a fright because I dream that is it all going wrong, that I forgot to order flowers or something else crazy. I am getting REALLY nervous...not in a bad cold feet kind of way more nervous for everything to go as planned, I am nervous to have all eyes on me and just the intensity of everything that is going on. I have planned so many months for this I am just ready for it to happen. Alex and I have been doing our relationship long distance for SIX whole months now! I have been lucky enough to get to see him every weekend. I know it will be over soon, within 2 months, but it still is very hard and I will not miss this part of my life for anything!

45 days to go:

School is OVER! I have a bridal shower in about 3 days and I am so excited about it. I am really looking forward to moving and being closer to Alex. As the parties and big events come up I am truly learning who my real friends are. I am learning about which people really care about me and which people will truly be there in those moments that I need them the most. I really cannot imagine not being a part of some of these people’s lives. I would drive anywhere and do everything in my power to make that day the best I could for them. I am also learning that there are some ties I need to cut with a few people in my life who refuse to answer phone calls, return phone calls, and never return emails. Oh well I guess...I am happy with the close friends I have and after this wedding and everything is all over with those who matter most to me will still be there.

39 days to go:

That's it... 39 days until my wedding. I cannot believe it. It will be here before I even know it! I am very anxious and very excited and very ready for it to happen, but at the same time I am very scared. I am thinking I will look back and miss this time in my life. I am scared that I will miss being engaged, that I will miss planning my dream wedding and I am very scared that the day will just pass me by and then it will all be over. Once you are married and that whole exciting time of your life is over what's next? I am a little nervous about that as well. Alex and I have not lived in the same city for over 7 month and it will be more like 9 by the time the wedding is here. That worries me... what will be like to see him every day? Everything is just happening so fast and before I know it - it will all be over! Maybe that's good and maybe not?!?

29 days to go:

Wow...LESS than a month now! I am getting so excited and so SUPER anxious and nervous. I just cannot believe how fast the time went by. It seems like yesterday that we met and fell in love. I have had 2 amazing bridal showers now and still have one more on July 12th and then my bachelorette party on July 26th. Hopefully by the end of next week Alex and I will begin to move into our new town home together. We are both VERY anxious to move in and get settled. We are also looking forward to having our puppy living with us- unlike now when we get only some weekend visits! Very exciting things are about to happen in our lives and I just cannot wait.

11 days to go:

Only 11 more days to go and I cannot wait! I have had all my bridal showers and each one was amazing and unique in its own special way. (Thank you to all those who attended and made each one that much more special.) Alex and I have now moved into our new home. It’s a beautiful townhouse with lots and lots of room! About 1,000 or 1,000 (we don’t really know) square feet and a garage! We bought new furniture etc. so everything is brand new so it feels amazing. The location is close to Alex's work (about 5 minutes) and we are right in the middle of the Evergreen School District where I will be teaching. Oh and of course we have our puppy Simon now (see Simon picture album on my page!) He is amazing and fully housebroken, sleeping through the night now and is everything and more that we wanted in a dog. It's amazing how it feels that life has changed for the better since having him. We are a complete family for the time being! I have my bachelorette party in Tacoma on Saturday the 26th! Sorry to say out of the 15 people invited only 2 are coming! I am pretty bummed about that, so hopefully it will be fun anyway. I have my little sister there and the best friend anyone could ask for so what's better than that?!? I am so happy to say that the 7 months of a long distance relationship is over. It was very trying at times on our relationship, so now I am just looking towards the future and moving on with life. I am looking forward to the wedding and of course Hawaii!!!! 11 days and counting.............

Married!!!
Last time I wrote it was 11 days till the wedding now its 11 days since. I can't believe how quickly it came and went! Nothing can prepare you for the love and emotions that you experience that day. The day was perfect. Alex and I worked VERY hard to give ourselves the wedding we both always wanted. We saved money for a long time and we able to pay for everything without going into debt. The weather was beautiful and all of the people we care the most about were by our sides. I cannot explain the feeling of being married. It's just a little different than before. Don't get me wrong it’s an amazing feeling. My heart just melts when I hear him refer to me as his 'wife' and I get little butterflies in my stomach each and every time I look down at his wedding ring and knowing that he wears it proudly. Nothing though could have prepared me for how differently I would feel about my husband- much more differently than I felt about him as my boyfriend or fiancé. It was amazing to come home to spend the first night actually living in the same house in the same bed. Waking up next to him and our puppy is amazing. I am so glad we did things how we did, when we did and where we did. Thank you to each and every person who came or sent gifts and their best wishes. We love you all!

E.N.G.A.G.E.D

Can you believe it? On October 20, 2007 Alex proposed to me at the top of the Seattle Space Needle. Oh my goodness... I can hardly contain myself.

We are thinking summer 2008!


We are getting MAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRIIIIEEEEEEEEEED! EEEEK!!