{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Originally posted last week, but reposting again since there is an actual link up this time. Click the button to visit the other ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter! :)

{pretty}

Look who got all crafty and finally did this project off of Pinterest! I'm seriously so proud of myself. I actually got my butt in gear and completed something - and it really does look Pinterest worthy!

I made two (one on each side of my fall flowers). Here is the price breakdown and where I got the supplies from:

Vases from Joann's $6.99 x 2 = $13.98

Pumpkin Spice candle from Joann's $4.99 x 2 = $9.98

4ply jute/twine from Joann's = $3.99

Yellow corn kernels from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Small Red Beans from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Green Split Peas from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

20% Off Coupon at Joann's = -$5.59

TOTAL for 2 Seasonal DIY Decor = $29.50

Or $14.75 for each Seasonal Vase

It's amazing how something as simple as beans in a vase can brighten your dining room. I can't wait to do a variation of this for every season. 

{happy}

I generally stick to a lactose free diet as it is easier on my ulcerative colitis. I drink lactose free milk, have soy milk with my Starbucks drinks, avoid yogurt and all soft cheeses, etc. Of course, I let myself indulge every once in awhile.

12 pack at Walmart for $5? Yes please. Nothing makes this pregnant mama happy like a can of chocolate gold.

{funny}

 I succumbed to the pressure and bought that damn giraffe everyone harps on about.  Don't get me wrong, I love me some eco friendly baby toys (or really eco anything, since I'm generally pretty crunchy) but $20 for something my baby is going to suck on? We had a gift card to Babies R Us so I felt justified in splurging.

You should have heard the sales lady.

Me: "So do you have that giraffe thing-"

Sales Lady: "Oh, you mean Sophie? She has her own section right over here, and there's only one left! She's really popular."

I'm sorry...are we still talking about the giraffe teether?

Just look at her, with her big eyes and rosy cheeks...I know she's plotting something.

{real}

While taking a bubble bath the other night, there were strange rattling sounds coming from the ceiling. I texted my husband (because that's how we do things around here) and he came to investigate... 

By spring boarding off the tub rail and onto the bathroom counter. BECAUSE THAT'S SAFE. First I'm freaked out that some creature has gotten into the air ducts, and NOW I'm freaked out that he's going to slip and fall, kill himself, and I'll be a pregnant widow. With no one to help me out of the tub.

No small mammals or husbands were harmed in the making of this post. Turned out to just be windy outside.

- - -

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Home Sweet Home

Well, Brian and I have been pretty busy these past couple weeks just trying to get everything in order with the apartment. It finally feels about 95% complete! We just want to hang a few more photos or posters up on the wall and that should be it.

Believe it or not I have actually enjoyed cleaning and coming home to a nice apartment that shines and sparkles and smells like clean laundry and febreeze. I assume I will like it even more when I finally get a job...which hasn't been going so well. I've had three interviews in 2 weeks, but no calls back. Hopefully I will keep getting interviews though. Otherwise I have to go back to being a nanny. And for the right family that would be fine, but those seem hard to find.

Today is Brian's birthday. He is playing the Halo 3 ODST game I got him in the other room. We are just stuffed from dinner. He requested filet mignon, garlic green beans, and scalloped potatoes. For dessert we had (reduced fat) cinnamon rolls.

So far living in Santa Barbara has been great. It is so beautiful up here and the weather is very mild, which I like. It doesn't get as hot up here as it does back in L.A. or the OC. The only bad thing so far, is with the increased amount of trees, grass, and plants here, my allergies are killing me. I'm actually sick right now. Not sure if it is from the allergies or if I caught a cold, but it definitely stinks. The last thing I wanna give Brian for his birthday is a cold!

I wish I had some pictures to show you...I've been really bad about taking photos lately. I used to take pictures of all the meals I cooked and send them to my mom and dad so they could see my cooking progress. Now I guess cooking has become so normal to me that I no longer take pictures haha. Maybe if I feel better tomorrow I can get out and take some pictures.

This weekend in Santa Barbara is Founding Day, the Wine Festival, and Earth Weekend. So, if I feel up to it, we should have plenty to do!

Happy Easter!

Jesus has risen! It is a joyous day that I hope, between eating lots of food and hunting for eggs, every one remembers.

We had a beautiful celebration at Our Lady of Refuge, where will be married, then had brunch with Brian's family. We just finished our Easter egg hunt, which we all play in the backyard, even the adults, because Brian's mom hides money in some of the eggs. So it's fun for everyone!

Around 5 we will begin packing my car with the remaining things we need for Santa Barbara. We bought a microwave, two bar stools, a laundry hamper, and who knows what else. When we get to my house we will have dinner with my family, and then load up whatever I need to take up (my clothes mostly).

I hope everyone is having an excellent Easter and enjoying family and friends and lots of love!

Final Week

Today is my final week at work. It's bittersweet showing the new tutor how things are done and watching the kids interact with her, but ultimately it is for the best. I need to be with my future husband and get a full time job so I can use my college degree. I will miss the kids very much, but I know how adaptable they are and I don't think they will have a problem with someone else.

I have an interview tomorrow, so tonight I will be driving up to Santa Barbara and then heading to the interview at 9am. Then Brian and I will be driving home together in my car, I will drop him off at home, and then I will go to work. Needless to say, I'm going to be exhausted.

I had dinner with Jenn last night at BJ's, and that was so much fun. I'm sad to be moving now because I think she's a really great friend and I wish we could spend more time together. But I also know Brian and I will be coming down at least once a month so hopefully everything will work out for the best. I'm going to miss her!

This past weekend we got a lot of stuff done at the apartment again, hanging up pictures and trying to make it look more homely. You can see the album here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/110765024091697507770

Brian and I also created a wedding website, which you can find here:

http://www.ewedding.com/sites/ernstwedding

We are very excited about our upcoming wedding, and still have so much to do. It really is a never ending process but after we meet with a DJ this weekend things should feel better. This whole week is going to be a mix of many emotions for me: nervous, anxious, excited, sad, exhausted...but I'm excited for Easter and look forward to a new time in my life!

Happy Anniversary(s) and Moving Day

Where has the time gone!? Every time I turn around I swear another year goes by. Today is my one year blogging anniversary! My oh my! I have had lots of fun cataloging our adventures and hope to continue as my fiance and I get married (six months!) and start our family in a few years.

Earlier, you know, when it was still the 18th, Brian and I celebrated 4 years of dating. It is kind of bittersweet to realize this will be our last day celebrating our anniversary on the 18th of March, but exciting because we our getting married and our new anniversary will be September 18, exactly six months later. We kept it pretty low key this year...reason to come...and decided to eat some leftovers at home and then go out for Pinkberry. We exchanged some pretty simple but exciting presents (he got a ps3 game, while I got some DVDs and a book) as well as sweet cards. I think we're settling in haha.

So, the reason for the low key anniversary? We're moving today!

Surprise!

We are moving into our new apartment in Santa Barbara this weekend, which Brian will stay at permanently, while I finish up my two weeks at work. We are very excited to start our lives together and create a (little) home for ourselves. It will be difficult being away from friends and family, but ultimately it is the best decision for Brian in order for him to finish his PhD. So, Brian is going up tomorrow afternoon, and I will come up tomorrow night with my car packed to the brim! Grandma's chair, and my Dad's Grandma's coffee table. Plus whatever else I can fit.

It's going to be a busy weekend, but I think it will be an exciting one too. Here's to new adventures!