2012: A year in review

At this time every year on every news and radio station they are counting the top 10 biggest new stories, best songs, photographs, celebrity stories/drama, hook-ups/break-ups, births and deaths that have happened over the past year.  Certainly, our world has seen some wonderful moments over 2012 as well as horrific.  Though those news stories will be in our heads and we will recall them those are not the things that really "make" the year.

Perhaps we (or maybe it's just me) are egocentric, but when you think of 2012 you will most likely (again, maybe it's just me) think of things that happened to you.  On my friends' Facebook pages I have seen babies born, marriages began, loved ones' passing, new jobs, college graduations, engagements, new houses, cross country moves, and personal goals achieved.  Those are the things we remember as we look back at the years.  Not the music or celebrity breakups.  Not the elections.  Not the sports.  Not even the news events.  It comes down to what happened to you.  When someone asks you what happened in 2012, you won't give them a news report.  You will give them a personal report.  And that's not a bad thing. Years are how we mark our time here on this planet.  The people, jobs, memories, and experiences that we encounter throughout the year give that time on this planet a reason and purpose.

So in 2012 here is my top 10 list of changes, lessons learned, accomplishments, goals achieved, and memories.

1.  Running.  In December of 2011, I could barely run a mile on the treadmill at the Y.  Today I ran 9.68 miles in the cold and ice and loved every second of it.  My longest mileage so far is 9.99 (which I obviously round up to 10).  I ran in 9 5K's] and even won a few medals!  Running has given me a peace I didn't know possible.  I love setting a goal and accomplishing it.  Lessons learned:  PEACE, ENDURANCE, and PERSEVERANCE

Running in a very cold Candy Cane 5K.  Not my best time, but it was COLD.

2.  Trips.  One of my lifelong goals is to be that old lady who has been everywhere, seen everything, and just had really cool experiences.  This summer I was able to go to a few cool places, but my favorite was my vacation to Oregon and Washington state.  If you ever get a chance to go, DO IT.  It's beautiful, amazing, and BEAUTIFUL.  I loved the peace of the west coast and the friendliness of the people we met.  I also got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  Lessons learned:  INDEPENDENCE and APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY

Me at Multnomah Falls in Oregon

Me at Haystack Rock/the Pacific Ocean in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Me at Cape Disappointment in Washington state

Cape Disappointment

3.  Changing sizes.  I don't want to toot my own horn, but I would like you to compare these 2 pictures of me and see the difference.  I look thinner and feel better about myself.  I accomplished this through eating right (more veggies and portion control), drinking tons of water, and exercising daily.  Hard work pays off.  I'll say it again and again.  Lessons learned:  PATIENCE, HARD WORK, and SELF-CONTROL

Me with my brothers in May 2011.  

Me with my amazing friend Sarah in July 2012.

4.  Address change.  Thanks to some research from my aunt, a good family friend's knowledge, and God's goodness I was able to buy my first home.  While I never thought I would be the 25 single girl owning a home, I do.  And so far it's been great.  Lessons Learned:  GOD'S BLESSINGS and TIMING IS EVERYTHING

My house.  Come and visit anytime.  

5.  Amazing family.  I am beyond lucky to have an incredible family.  My brothers are funny and honest.  My mom is caring and loving.  My dad is hard-working and wise.  I also have amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  They show me they love me so often whether it be a phone call, a gift, a hug, through wise words, or just a smile.  They go to their local Targets to buy me running pants.  They make place mats for my new house.  They come to my house for a weekend to do gopher work.  God gave me an amazing family.  Lessons Learned:  LOVE and GOD'S BLESSINGS

Christmas Eve with the fam.  

Me, Mom, Aunt Cindy

Me and my cousin Haley at a winery in Oregon

Uncle Bill working hard on my house.  

6.  Miles don't matter.  I must admit I am not a good friend.  I forget to call.  I am terrible at remembering birthdays.  I don't realize people are having a bad day.  I forget to be kind.  Despite that, I have wonderful and amazing friends.  I have friends who call when my world falls apart, text me to encourage me, try things they don't want to because I want to, insist on hanging out, and just be amazing friends.  It doesn't matter if they live across the country, they are friends despite the miles that separate us.  I have also learned that friendship can come in the most unlikeliest of places: a pilates class, the weight room at the Y, or a neighboring classroom.  Lessons Learned:  FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS, LOVE, and SOME OF THE BEST THINGS COME WHEN YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM

Running & teaching friend:  Chris

I have awesome co-workers who are also my friends!

Bachelorette party fun with Alexx 

The Color Run with Mandy

7.  Heartbreak.  As much as I don't want it to define my year, it does.  Going into 2012 I had expectations that were not only not met but were destroyed.  It hasn't been easy.  It hasn't been fun.  But when I look at my left hand now, it's a different hand than before.  In some ways it's better.  In some ways, it's not.  But through this heartbreak, I have had many blessings (#1-6 on the list).  I wish I could say I am done struggling with this and that I'm over it.  I wish every day for that.  One day it will happen.  Lessons learned:  FAITH, GUT-FEELINGS, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SMILING WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO, LIVING, RISING ABOVE, BEING BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT, NEW EXPECTATIONS, BEING POSITIVE, LIVING LIFE, BLESSINGS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, PEACE, ACCEPTANCE  (Okay I might still be working on the acceptance portion....)

8.  Saying yes.  After #7 happened, I decided I needed an attitude adjustment.  One of those things was that I had to stop saying "no" and starting saying "yes."  I truly believe that #1-6 happened because I have a say "yes" philosophy.  My life might not be how I imagined it.  My life might not even be exactly how I want it.  But that isn't going to stop my from living my life.  Lesson learned:  LIVE YOUR LIFE

9.  Dogs are people.  I just want to confess and put in writing that I am obsessed with my dog.  She makes me laugh, smile, and appreciate the world a little more.  Lessons learned:  BLESSINGS, APPRECIATION, and LAUGHTER

Khloe.  

10.  Gas ovens cook so fast.  Let's end on a less-serious note.  I consider myself to be an experienced baker, but my new gas oven has me totally mind boggled.  There has got to be some Harry P. magic in that thing.  I can cook so fast with this gas oven.  I love it.  Not that I cook/bake often.  Like once a week and then I eat that same meal for the next 5 days.  I have burnt a few things.  But just because something is new and scary and different doesn't mean it can't be amazing and you end up loving it.  Lessons learned:  GAS CAN BE GOOD and TRYING NEW THINGS IS GOOD


There you have it on my 2012 year in review.  I am so ready for 2013.  A new year with new goals, experiences, and memories to create.  I have a few resolutions that I will share soon!

The post-Christmas Christmas post

So I have been meaning to post for a long time because I have all these amazing Christmas crafts and recipes that I wanted to share.  But time got away from me.  I guess that's the holiday season.

Also, my dad has been sick with heart problems and a broken foot.  It's been so scary to see my dad in and out of hospital beds.  My dad has always been a big guy and has not lived a healthy lifestyle so a lot of this has been a long time coming.  Still though, that doesn't make it any easier to see someone that you love so much in a hospital bed or not feeling good.  I love my dad and cannot imagine my life without him.  It's been scary but he has been making some good food decisions and is excited to start exercising once his foot heals.

ANYWAY.  Here are some fun pictures of things I did for Christmas!

In my classroom, my students made these cute little reindeer fingerprint ornaments.  I have a million of these ornament bulbs so I thought I would use them up!  We used acrylic paint for the head, eyes, and nose.  (First graders love Rudolph so all of them were red-nosed reindeer.)  Do it in steps so that the paint completely drys.  I (and another teacher) did the reindeer antlers on all of the kids' ornaments in black Sharpie.  I am sure kids could do it themselves, we just didn't have the time.

Here's one of the students who decided a whole herd was needed.  It turned out cute!

So cute!

I can't claim this idea by myself.  I got it from here, and she totally takes a picture of each step so enjoy that from her.  Not me. 
http://www.littlebitfunky.com/2011/11/20-minute-crafter-reindeer-thumbprint.html

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is BAKE!  I think I made like 10 different types of cookies this year, 2 kinds of popcorn, 3 different types of bark, and a peppermint cheesecake!  I said I like baking right?!

Here are a few pictures of my favorites.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Here's a plate of my "variety pack."

Grinch cookies, Gingerbread, Swirl cookies,

Peppermint Swirl Cookies, Aunt Cindy's white velvet cookies

I'll include a few recipes and links, but I just can't share ALL of them or else no one would eat my stuff when they can make it themselves!

Peppermint Swirl cookies:  http://www.overthebigmoon.com/peppermint-kiss-sugar-cookies-and-santa-hat-cake-pops-guest-post-by-kinnas-kreations/
Grinch cookies:  http://pinlavie.com/grinch-cookies-mint-chocolate-chip/

Hot Chocolate cookies (recipe from Real Simple magazine)
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. sea salt (or kosher)
1/2 tsp. baking power
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. unsalted butter
24 oz. (2 bags) of semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 mini marshmallows

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  (Definitely do this because the marshmallows get sticky.)
2.  In large bowl whisk flour, salt, baking power & soda together.  Set aside.
3.  Combine butter and 12 oz (2 cups) of chocolate chips in separate bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until all melted.  Stir each time.  Cool slightly.  Then, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to mixture.
4.  Add the flour mixture a little at a time.  Mix in remaining chocolate chips and marshmallows.  Don't overmix!
5.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  Electric oven is like 12 minutes.  Gas oven is like 10.  Rotate sheets halfway in between.

All that cookie talk has made me hungry....I better find something to snack on!  I'm feeling pretty nostalgic about 2012 coming to an end so I am sure tomorrow I will post again. 

Revamp the Lamps

Okay, I am not that clever of a person, but HELLO was that not a clever title?!  I thought of it while running my 9.86 miles the other day.  (Oh yeah, I increased my mileage again!!!!!!!)

Anyway....upon moving into my house I immediately realized how DARK it was without lights!  It didn't matter how cute my sofa was if no one could see it.  So I started looking at table lamps and floor lamps at stores.  IMMEDIATELY I realized how EXPENSIVE lights were.  For goodness sake, did you know a base to a lamp can be like $30?  Then the shade is like $20!  And if we are talking  a floor lamp plan on like $60.  Not cool.  Didn't God say, "Let there be light"?  So why does lighting have to be so expensive?!  And of course I have expensive taste and couldn't even bare to look at the ugly cheap ones.  Forget it.

So for a few weeks I sat in the dark (with no TV) and pretended to be Amish.  That got old fast.  Then my mom came up with the idea of secondhand stores.  GENIUS MAMA!  It takes a bit of creativity and paint but you CAN find a lamp with a shade for under $25.  And it can be cute!

Before:  Look at this "beautiful" lamp!  It had a shiny wood finish to it.
Goodwill $3



I used this sanding deglosser which is like my favorite thing.
It gets the shiny finish off of anything without sanding.  Just rub it on with a towel.
You can see the change in the color of wood as I deglossed.

After!!  I spray painted the base with Rustoleum Hammered Spray Paint
in a steely gray color (Conveniently found in my parents' garage).
The shade was in the bargain room at IKEA for $3.
New lamp for around $7.



Before:  This metal lamp had a reddish brown color with black
specks on it.  Purchased for $8 at a local secondhand store.



After:  I used the same color spray paint for the base.
Had to do a couple layers on this one because I had to hold it
upside for the very bottom.  The shade was 50% off at Shopko for $10.
Total:  $18 lamp

I am really liking my new lamps!  I honestly like them better than anything I found in stores for mega bucks!  I like getting what I want for cheap!  So go to Goodwill or another secondhand store and use your creativity.  A bottle of spray paint can be your best friend!  

I also bought a floor lamp base for $10 at Goodwill and a shade for $20 at Shopko (again, 50% off).  It's not my total favorite base but for $10 I can't beat it.  I am debating on spray painting it because right now it is a tan and so is the lampshade.  What do you think?  I can't decide.  Don't worry, I don't think it is actually going to go in that place either.  Opinions are welcome!!  

Only 7 days until Christmas break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This teacher is excited!  

Getting crafty!

So yesterday was a rough day, but I got through it!  The day started with breakfast with a friend and then I spent some time with my dad.  Then my mom and dad came over and put themselves to work on the house. We finished the evening with a family dinner at a restaurant which was fun!  As long as I stayed busy I didn't think about what the day was....too much at least.

I just have to keep remembering to move on.

So in moving on I wanted to share a craft project that I made to get in the holiday spirit!!  This blog (A Diamond in the Stuff) has TONS of great holiday ideas that are mostly DIY and not too expensive!

http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/

For a take on the "traditional" Christmas wreath, she used a frame, ribbon, and ornaments to decorate her door!  I did something similar!

I just started with a regular picture frame.  Remember how my sellers left me lots of holes in the walls?  Well a few of those holes actually still had pictures on them.  They weren't pictures that spoke to me (i.e.:  ugly...), so I selected one of the frames and took it apart!  The frame wasn't old and cool, just regular!

1st step:  The frame had a glossy coating on it, so I used my favorite DeGlosser to get the sheen off and allow the spray paint to stick better.
2nd step:  Spray paint it!

3rd step:  Start adding ornaments & bells with ribbon.  I recommend using shatter-free since it will be hanging and banging against your door.

I attached the ribbons using the flat, metal thumb tacks.  I pushed them into the back of the frame.

                           

Make sure you vary the type of ornaments and the length of the ornaments.  

Here's my finished product!!  I am not super-duper crafty or creative but I really like the way it looks.  And I already had the frame, spray paint, thumb tacks, and ornaments.  All I bought was the ribbon!  What do you think?  

Definitely use 2 door-hangers so that it hangs evenly.