This weekend

We went on a few hikes.

We made homemade macaroni and cheese.

We watched four episodes of the Office.

We talked about what's to come this next year and our move downtown.

We ordered a climbing harness for me and a climbing helmet to share.  Thank goodness our heads are similar in size.  Mine is bigger, just in case you were wondering.

We ripped our hair out trying to figure out how to sew a laptop case (more to come soon).  Seriously, I have so much respect for people that can sew and especially for people that sew clothes.

We saw Lake Michigan in it's mid-February state.  It looks and sounds like a slushy.

Power Cleaning

We didn't get hit with Nemo like the east coast, but we did get about 8" of snow on Thursday, which is the most snow we've had all winter.  Husband told me that he was going to drive into the storm to go downhill skiing in Wisconsin with some of his co-workers.  As he is leaving work he says, oh, and we're all meeting up at our house, and we're leaving now.  My response, "are you serious????" Hah.  Mostly because our house was a mess.  So like a champ, I power cleaned our house in twenty minutes. I was quite proud of my accomplishment, vacuumed, swept, toilet cleaned, dishes done.  When hubs got home I jokingly said, hah, watch no one even come inside! And yes, no one even came inside.  But who doesn't like a clean house.  So, next time you really don't feel like cleaning, but you need to.  Either pretend company is coming over or have someone lie to you and tell you company is coming over.  Works like a charm.

xo,

L

oh, hi!

Sorry, that was rude.  I really never introduced myself.  Although that little summary on the right tells you just about all you need to know about me.  But, I guess I'll fill you in a little bit more.

I'm currently going back to school to pursue graphic design.  Now, most of you would think, oh congrats on getting your Master's that's so great!  I'll stop you right there.  Due to so many factors that I don't even feel like talking about, I am going back to school for an Associate's Degree.  Yes, I have my Bachelor's and yes this might be a step backwards, but it's better than nothing and right now it's what I can do (mentally, financially, geographically, financially).  And yes, I'm excited.  I think I always knew that I wanted to do graphic design but didn't realize that people actually got to do this for a living and get paid for it.  I mentioned a few posts ago about that high school graduation announcement I did.  Which seriously, for the record is nothing special.  But that should have been by ah-ha moment!  Silly me.  Fast forward nine years and here I am.  So, I'm enrolled as a full time student and love my classes.  That was not something I've said before.

I met my husband back in high school and we never looked back.  We moved into together after we graduated college and a year later we brought home our baby boy, Moose.  He's a chocolate lab.  We didn't name a child Moose.  But, we would totally name a child Bear.  It's different.  We got married a year after that, which was seriously the best day of my life.  I We put our heart and souls into planning our wedding (again, ah-ha moment Lauren!!) and it was just so so much fun.  We became husband and wife, we ate really good food, and we danced all night long.  Oh, and it was in Lake Tahoe on the Truckee River.  So the setting wasn't bad either.  Last July we brought home Moose's baby brother, Otter.  They have the same parents and are three years and a day apart.  More to come on the boys.

That's husband on the left, little Otter, and Moosey.  This was taken in December in Minnesota.  Yes, our dogs are wearing jackets, boots, and dog gaitors.  For the record it was really cold out and we stay outside for a long time.

So.  School, husband, and the boys.  Add some outdoorsy activities, a few good television shows (husband will tell you they probably aren't good even though he watches them too), and traveling and that's me.

the 14th.

So, Valentine's Day is never really anything the hubs and I celebrate, at least in the way we are told we should celebrate Valentine's Day.  And that means we don't exchange gifts, especially jewelry.  Hubs told me that my engagement ring & wedding band were the only pieces of jewelry I was ever getting from him.  I know, it sounds totally mean, but he did good on those, and I really don't wear much jewelry so it really works out.  I usually try to make something nice for dinner or if I'm really lucky we'll get Chinese take out.  Unfortunately, I heard rumor that everyone was getting food poisoning from the good Chinese restaurant down the street.  Not so hungry for Chinese food anymore.

But there is no harm in putting together a little wish list, right?

1. Ruched Bandeau Hidden Underwire Top // J.Crew 2. Foldover Bikini // J.Crew 3. Primrose AL Harness // Black Diamond 4. Bamboo Capture Graphics Tablet // Wacom 5. Swedish Fish 6. Woman's Down Sweater // Patagonia

This is also known as part of my Pinterest wish list board.  Feel free to follow me on Pinterest.  I am really crossing my fingers on the Patagonia jacket and the tablet.  Not necessarily for Valentine's Day, just because he loves me.

Project Life :: Title Page

I finally received all of my Project Life supplies and am well underway and pretty much up to date so far!  Here is a glance at my title page so far.  There is a good chance I may keep working on it, but for the most part it's finished!

I ordered some Studio Calico wood veneer letters and I absolutely love them.  They are pretty tiny but they are nice because they don't take over the picture.  I'm using the Seafoam kit as my core kit and love it.  I didn't work out of a kit last year, which worked great, but this is definitely easier and looks really put together.

The LMNO stand for all of our names: Lauren, Moose, Nick, and Otter.  We didn't realize that when we named Otter this happened, but we think it's cute.  And yes, we are obsessed with our dogs.  This is your official warning that I talk about my dogs a lot.  #sorryimnotsorry feels appropriate. :)

I just machine stitched around the bottom photo.  I'm guessing it is the photo paper, but my sewing machine didn't go over the picture as easily as it does paper, but I made it work.  Definitely something I'll be doing again.

I'll be posting weeks 1 - 3 soon.  Stay posted!

52 Projects ::

I’ve been seeing a lot of bloggers that are doing a project every week.  While at first, the thought of this was so overwhelming, and stressed me out. But, I’m going to push myself to do this.  A few bloggers I know are pushing to take a family portrait a week or make a scrapbook layout a week. I think that is so awesome. But, I’m going to take all of the rules away.  Just one project a week.  A (photoshop developed & edited) photograph, an invitation, a poster, a card.  Anything goes.   This is totally and completely inspired by this going around Pinterest.  There are so many inspirational pieces on Pinterest, but this one totally hit me. 

Quote by Ira Glass via Pinterest 

I love how completely honest it is.  I read it and was like, yes, a lot of the things I create are totally terrible.  But, isn’t that how we get better?  I’ve heard people say that they cringe when they think of work they’ve done in previous years.  And I totally feel the same way.  The announcements I made for my high school graduation?  But I was so proud of these at the time.  I think that was the first thing I designed.  And I loved all of it.  The idea, the sketches, talking to the printers, heck, even stuffing the envelopes.  It was so satisfying.  And that’s why I’m doing this.  In a few years I will probably cringe at most of the work I do in 2013, but I’ll remember how I felt when it was done.  Pure satisfaction.  

So here’s to 52 projects this year.  I’m only a month behind.  Anyone want to join?  No rules, just fun.

Currently :: 2.1.13

Wearing // Smartwool socks, Underarmour leggings, and a sweatshirt I bought on a ski trip in Steamboat, Colorado.  Also know as, I just got back from taking the boys on a walk and it is 9 degrees outside.

Thinking // I just realized the Super Bowl is the weekend and am totally okay with that.  Although I do love Super Bowl food.  I saw a recipe for corn dog muffins, perhaps I will make those this weekend.  

Listening // Passion Pit on Spotify.  How great is Spotify?  I just have the basic version, so I just try to tune out the commercials.

Looking // At my desk that was clean just yesterday.  But that means I'm working, right?

Excited // For Patagonia's major sale they are having next week.  I look forward to these like you wouldn't believe.  To start my fifth class next week.  Not excited for the time it is held, but oh well.  To get my thoughts and ideas on here more often and on a more regular basis. To watch last nights Grey's episode after dinner.  This girl has big plans on Friday night.

Watching // The boys nap on the couch in the office.  I love that they like to hang out in here with me.

Hoping // For a fun weekend!

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Currently is by Tina, from lifelovepaper.