Another random update

How was your holiday? Ready for the New Year?


We have had a lot going on, with the holiday, still unpacking from our move, work, Dakota... plus Husband and I have teamed up and been working on a little bloggy surprise... life is busy!


Husband and I traveled to South Dakota to visit family. We had an adventurous time, especially with puppy Dakota. He decided the comfy back seat with his pillow and blanket wasn't good enough. He instead sat between us nearly all the way home. The last hour, he crawled in the back and seemed quiet. Needless to say, he ate our Nibs.



On the way back, during one of our puppy stops, Dakota found a good pile of snow, ran up it, lay on his back, and slid down the hill with his feet in the air. Over and Over. It was hilarious!



Husband and I exchanged gifts after Christmas once back home. He couldn't have done better. First, I opened this:






Then, my handbag weakness was fed with this beauty:






Even Dakota got me something:







We also hit up the local stores trying to find after holiday deals. Michaels and Target were the best. I got these for 60 cents each at Michaels.





This ribbon was also only $1.00 each! Amazing!






Sunday night, we grabbed takeout... Dakota LOVED it!





On Monday, the 29th...

• Dakota ate through the laptop computer cord
• Dakota chewed through a 2nd collar
• Husband and I went to Marley & Me. When we returned, Dakota had excaped from his kennel... he didn't make any messes, or tear apart anything... however after we were home for 5 minutes, he make a huge mess...
• We also attempted to take our photo next to the Christmas tree. Husband and I have taken our holiday photo next to our tree for several years as part of the holiday tradition. This year was no different. Well, almost. Many, many, MANY photos later, we still didn't have a photo with Dakota looking at the camera. The last shot somehow startled him. He ran under the tree and, well, below is the very last photo

Stay tuned for more updates!

New Scrap Space!

Some time ago I asked for your advise on what color to paint my craft space. Remember the "swimming pool blue" it was before?

Then, I had a heck of a time deciding what color to paint....

Finally, I teased with showing the "Honey Bear" paint color...

Now, the final results...

Before:



I don't have everything put away, however here is what it looks like so far!

After:




The red stripe rug I found on clearance at Target for $6.00!



Today, I found these adorable red tin buckets for 50 cents at Target!
They are a perfect fit!



It is amazing what a little bit of paint can do to change a room!

Happy Holidays!

The doggie diaries #1

Dakota L.O.V.E.S peanut butter. A couple weeks ago, we bought a puppy kong for him and was advised to put peanut butter in it. I was a bit skeptical, however I'm now a believer! I had put PB in his kong today and he disappeared to his pillow. Next thing I know, I turn around and see this...







Luckily, it was the PB container that was marked "Puppy" anyhow. Yet, I don't like how he is already jumping to the counter!

Brilliant ribbon

I found this ribbon at Archivers in the $1.99 section!
They are each 15 yards!!!
And brilliant colors that match the Bazzill cardstock!

Honey Bear

It was just a few days ago when I was skillfully avoiding unpacking my scrapbook supplies. I had decided the swimming pool blue had to go. Then, after several days of trying to decide what color would work, I finally just went to the store and didn't leave until I had a paint bucket in hand.

"Honey Bear" was the final pick! What do you think?



I am done painting (after a night of being up until 4 am), and now putting all my supplies in their rightful places. I will post more photos soon!

Menu Plan Monday 11-15-08

It has been a LONG TIME since my last menu plan post! Life suddenly got crazy and planning ahead (for nearly anything) went right out the window. However, I'm back! I remember how great it was to have a plan, instead of coming home and asking Husband "what should we have for dinner?" for him to say, "I don't know, what do you want"...

Plus, it really does help me use what I have, and plan ahead for grocery shopping, instead of just randomly grabbing stuff in the store and hope it works out.


Monday - - Yummy Potato Soup

Yummy Potato Soup
6 potato, 5 celery stalks, 2 carrots, 5 bacon strips (sometimes we substitute ham bits), 1/2 onion, 1 tsp salt, 4 oz sour cream

Peal and dice potato. Place in pot with just enough water to cover. Add celery, carrots, and salt. Cook until tender. Add bacon and onion and stir in sour cream.

Tuesday - - Potato-Veggie Frittata

Wednesday - - Chicken Veggie Stir fry (Brown extra chicken breasts for wraps for Thursday work lunches)

Thursday - - Hamb/Rice Casserole

Friday - - Spaghetti and meatballs

Saturday - - Lime Jello with pineapple... Edit... HAHA! For those of you that have expressed concern, we are not just eating fruit and jello... :) I totally forgot to list another main dish (but remembered I had jello and pineapple to use up, thus listed it as a side)

Sunday - - Pancakes and sausage



Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to participate or for more menus and recipes!

TGIF

I need a day off... work, home, dog, family, holidays... I'm being pulled every which direction. It is insane!

A couple random thoughts

• I did paint my scrapbook room... guess what color....
• I also helped husband paint his office....color guess here?
• Our puppy, however so adorable, likes to play. When we do not want to play, he nips... okay, bites a little to hard. We are now attending PetSmart puppy class every Sunday for the next 8 weeks. I never thought I would be one of these "Pet Parents"...
• The class and clicker training helps, however he still has his crazy moments. Any ideas? (however, and interestingly enough, we are not having any trouble with house training...)
  
• I'm trying to get caught up on laundry, dishes, etc while still unpacking. It is difficult balance
• I miss being a regular blogger.
  
• We are getting ready for our first house payment on January first. We are enjoying buying little things here and there for the house (from rugs to water softener salt) however are also trying to avoid the credit card habit

Hope you are all having a wonderful December!

Indecisive

Urgent... opinions needed!

I know, I know. It is nearly 4 pm on a Friday... who wants to think!? However I am in need of some serious opinions, and FAST!

Husband and I were not planning on doing any painting to our new home, however the more I look at this



the more I want to paint it and paint it now!

Yes. Welcome to my craft room!

I have not been able to convince myself to put away anything. "Swimming Pool Blue" just doesn't do it for me :-)


This is where YOU come in! I want suggestions! What color should I paint? Any affordable lighting ideas(see those ceiling tile lights)? What about shelving? Those "built in shelves" need to go! Plus, what is up with the window that isn't a window (the house was renovated a few years ago, so that 'window' doesn't look anywhere).

Please I need ALL ideas! Anything goes!

Oh, how could I nearly forget... this...



Yeah, I have tripped over it a few times now. How can I fix this one? Hurry, as time is limited! I might pick out paint 'n' stuff in the next 24 hours!!!

THANK YOU!

What fun project are you working on this weekend?

What a ride...

Wednesday, November 26 - Husband and I both took the day off work. We continued to pack, and after taking Husband's sister to the airport for her Thanksgiving journey, we went to OUR HOUSE! It was all ours. As we opened the door, there was a sence of amazment rush through my body. We ran through the house, checking out each and every room. Then, reality sunk in... we still have to move in! :)

Our families arrived later in the evening. We moved a few things over (including beds and towels) and all spend the night in the new house!

Thursday (11-27) - Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for! A wonderful loving husband, a supportive family, a beautiful house, a silly puppy... wow. It was a great feeling to wake up on Thanksgiving Day in my new place! We moved much of the day (technically, it was a lot of work, but we only moved about 20 miles)!

Friday (11-28) - We just hung out. My parents had to return home (after a quick run to a couple stores), however husband's family was able to stay one extra day. We went to the mall and a couple stores.

Saturday (11-29) - Our monthly anniversary. We did a little more shopping with Husband's family before they headed home. Otherwise, we enjoyed our time in our house. We picked up some more puppy stuff... yeah, it is sad how spoiled our little Dakota is already!



Sunday (11-30) - Grilled out on our new (well, new to us, thank you craigslist for making this affordable) grill! Husband did some errands as I put away more stuff. It has been amazing how much junk I have found.
Monday (12-1-08) December? When did November run away? Geez. Back to work. It was hard to return to work after so many days of anxiety, joy, excitement, fun, and family time.

Tuesday (12-2-08) - I can't remember... how sad is that? :-) Went to work. Went home. Walked puppy a few times. Oh, he has a very bad problem with nipping/biting. Any ideas? Sure just a puppy, but it needs to stop! Oh, also, any advise on how to 'social' him with other dogs? He is afraid of larger dogs and barks at little dogs...

It started snowing like crazy before we went to bed. I did a little preventative scooping, however it didn't do much good.




Today... well, not much new. Husband had to get out the snow blower this morning... so much for "just an inch of snow!"



I stayed a later after work to use the campus wi-fi, as we do not have internet at the house. It seems the previous owners didn't disconnect their services, and until the disconnect, we cannot connect! Geez.

I have been updating my twitter, including photos, at least daily, from my cell phone! Be sure to check on that!