Home Improvement

After a fabulous date last night (the concert was o.k. but it was more fun just hanging out with the hubby) Matt and I were exhausted and slept in this morning. After we ran a bunch of errands and took my car into the shop (apparently my muffler was about to fall off). Now that we are finally getting a lot of the "bigger" house projects finished like establishing a yard, we get to move on to the more fun ones like decorating. We honestly haven't done much decor wise. We finally painted a wall in the kitchen and I whipped up some curtains that are only partially finished. There is SOOOO much more that I want to do. I did get to redo some garage sale finds that I decided to put in our entryway.

Before: The mirror was nasty gold.

Now it's nice and white. The table was also a garage sale find. It was an old sewing table whitout the sewing maching. It looks much better now that it has a fresh coat of paint.I only have one mroe photo: my handsome husband standing in front of the Virginia Theatre. :)

It's FINALLY FRIDAY!

I am SO happy it's Friday. Not only do I get to wear jeans to work, but Matt and I have a date tonight to see Jars of Clay at the Virginia Theater. It should be interesting considering they haven't done a full concert in awhile, but they are one of Matt's favorite Christian bands and we are both pretty excited. Can I admit to you all that I am a little more excited about the theatre? I am totally intrigued by old buildings with lots of detail. Tonight is the perfect night to go out to a show. It is dreamily dreary and misty. Would it be too much to request that Matt wear an over coat and hat? ahh... the good old days.

Only cool people own poodles...

What I've Been Doing

Although the honeymoon scrapbook is well underway... I have A LONG way to go (I blame it on my obsession for documenting EVERYTHING.)

Sometimes I get sooooo engrossed in the process that I end up spending hours upon hours sitting in the craft room creating away. (Good thing the ESPYS are on tonight, I can make up to Matty)

Just for her fans... Here is an Izzy photo. I brushed out her fur after her bath yesterday. Matt kinda likes the afro look. I personally prefer the baby curls.

A WeEknEsS

I'm sure I am not the only one in the world who LOVES soda from a glass bottle. Right?? I have been sorting through/sending off Matt and I's honeymoon photos (I am finally starting our Honeymoon Scrapbook) and I ran across these. Glass bottles were all you'd find when going into the villages. You can sense my delight... can't you???

View From the 38th Floor

I had to travel again this week and this is my view from the 38th floor.

I guess the view is o.k. but it makes me lonely that I am up here all by myself. I wish this guy was with me. Everything is better when he's around. On a pleasant note, the weather has been spectacular up here, as well as the shopping. Tomorrow I am meeting up with my good friend Brooke after work. We are hoping the weather is nice, maybe we could take a stroll on the lakefront.

Here are a few last pictures from this weekend. My mom and dad came to visit in the convertable so we rode around town and headed to the park. Izzy was sooooo worn out. We ended the outing with some Jarlings Custard Cup. YUM!!!

A Family Affair

Matt and I have had quite the eventful weekend!
On Friday night Matt's family came to visit.
They had been on a short vaca. in Chicago and decided to stop by our house on their way back to O'Fallon. After a quick bite to eat, we hung around the house and played Catch Phrase... Pat's favorite game! It was so great to see them...:)































On Saturday afternoon, Grandma and Grandad Dudley (my paternal grandparents) drove over from Pleasant Plains to see the new place and visit for awhile. Hanging out with these two is one of my favorite things to do! They told us all kinds of stories and things about the past... like the time they took their 5 children to Alaska in a made-from-scratch camper. Sometimes I wish i had a book of all the stories they have told me.

Today, my parents are coming to hang out...

How blessed we are to have such an incredible family.

The Plight of a Puddleglum

If you have read The Silver Chair, the 6th chronicle of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, then you would be familiar with the character Puddleglum. Puddleglum is a Marsh-wiggle who is well-known for his pessimistic views on life. From his introduction in the story "Puddleglum's my name. But it doesn't matter if you forget it, I can always tell you again" he is a character of pessimism and a beacon of downright gloom. "I see you're making the best of a bad job. That's right. You've been well brought up , you have. You've learned to put a good face on things." His bad attitude affects those around him and keeps a dark cloud over them all throughout the entirety of the story.
To be honest I have totally been a Puddleglum over that last few weeks. I have been convinced that every situation is a lost cause and will lead to eminent doom. I am getting more and more responsibilities at work, commitments at church and elsewhere are getting more intense, and schedules are getting tight. I enjoy having a busy and productive life... but where is the joy? A great Christian coworker and I have been discussing this phenomenon of joy/contentment lately. We want to wake up, shower, and go to work with purpose and vigor NOT gloom and despair. After all, we DO have a Savior who made a way for us by giving up His own life.
I have officially made a promise to myself to make the best out of the monotony of everyday life. I have already seen such a difference in my attitude over the last couple days. When I feel a Puddleglum moment coming on I ask God to fill me with joy and contentment. After all, how am I supposed to serve the Lord if I am the queen of hopelessness. So that's IT Marsh-wiggle, you are formally evicted.

Independent. Fancy. Free.

Wave On American Flag... Wave On.

(No, I don't know any of these children, but I couldn't help myself. Who doesn't love a small waving flag in the hand of a child?)

Bringing Back the Mall Bangs

In reference to my last post...
This photo was taken the last time the four of us were in Nashville.
My photographer Aunt was living there at the time and had a studio set up in her garage:)
gotta LOVE the early 90's bangs...
EEEEK!!!