I'll Spare You The Mush

So....you saw my fancy sewing machine, but I didn't have a good place to put that beauty. So, I desperately needed another desk for two reasons:

1) Awful Walmart corner desk for the computer
2) Really cute refinished desk from craigslist that ONLY holds the sewing machine

CHECK OUT THIS BABY................

Hand crafted by my awesome husband

(that's right ladies...he rocks)

Don't let the picture fool you. This bad boy is long enough to hold not only the computer, but also my sewing machine, AND the serger. It's a small room's dream table.

My personal carpenter offered to cut cord holes in the top to organize all the chaos and he even suggested carving out the back of the legs so it would sit flush to the baseboard and wall.

I decided it was perfect the way it was and I didn't want to risk not thinking it was perfect, so I had him leave it just like you see above.

Hasta la vista nasty corner desk!

AND.....if you know anyone that wants a really great desk that I refinshed, just let me know :)

Bliss from Blessings #7

• An AWESOME husband that cleaned my yard last night! I came home from a work trip to California and I heard 'our neighbors' raking in their backyard. I thought to myself, "I can't believe they are actually cleaning that mess!" Then, what do my wondering eyes see appear? I tall handsome man in my backyard that's clear! No dog poop, no clippings, no tall grass or tool, just a nice clean backyard...my husbands no fool :)
• Talking to my brother that is serving in the military in Korea. Things are a little sketchy there right now, so it's always nice to chat with him.
• A nice lunch in the office with a new-bee around these parts. We got a good visit in and now I have a new friend!
• I'm so grateful that I get along with my in-laws! I LOVE getting texts from my sister-in-laws. Woot-Woot!
• A nice (FREE) all you can eat dinner tonight with friends. Can't beat that!

Bliss from Blessings #8

Better continue my blessings....I can't just leave 8 sessions out there unfinished!

• Great family time this weekend. I got to see some cousins I hadn't seen in probably 3 or 4 years and it was a good time to reconnect.
• Seeing both moms shine with their fancy new bracelets! It is so fun to make your mom happy!
• Being able to joke around with Tyler. Everytime we goof off I sit back and think how great it is that neither one of us is offended and we can just laugh our head's off.....trust me, we can get ridiculous.
• Having the opportunity to exercise my creative side as I get ready for our youth Girls Camp! Having to keep 30 12-15yr old girls occupied for 5 days can be a daunting task, but it has really stretched me in a good way.
• Maybe I have said this before but I am so blessed to be able to make choices. Tyler and I are choosing to live our lives the way we do and we can choose to live it another way if that starts sounding better. We are blessed to have options.

Bliss from Blessings #9

Due to my particularly "Debbie Downer" post last Friday.....I'm loading up on blessings!!

• An awesome weekend with my mom! We cooked, laughed, and talked all day Saturday and it was much needed mommy time.
• Early morning drives on the weekend. Even though Tucson is a good jaunt away from our house, getting up and driving as the sun wakes up....is actually kind of fun. Roll the windows down and let the puppy slobber fly!
• Acting like a crazy person and trying to carve shapes in my mom's pies as vent holes. She makes a very pretty 'wheat' design usually, but I decided to switch it up and make a full-on peach tree. It was a good time.
• Seeing my little nephew and snuggling him up!
• Seeing my cousin's little girl and snuggling her up!
• Washing my little weenie dog, getting in bed, and snuggling her up!
• Listening to inspirational words all weekend as I watched the 180th General Conference!
• Peace and quiet at home with the boy on a Sunday night
• My amazing friend Shaylin! I went over to take her some food and she sent me home with a HUGE ham! This was not supposed to be a trade, but she is too nice to resist!
  
  

Bliss from Blessings #10

• Having a mom that knows so much about animals...she will really come in handy when we have kids, I'm sure.
• A wonderful Cara Cara orange today on the drive home! I peeled it during lunch so I could just pop those sweet pieces in my mouth as I drove. It was the best orange I have had in a LONG time.
• An extra computer at work! I brought mine home to work from the house on Friday and forgot to take it with me on Monday morning! Thankfully I could grab the extra and just use my ID.
• The ladies at church are such a blessing! They are full of support and inspiration and I know I could depend on them if I needed something. It is wonderful to be a part of their lives.
• It was a blessing that only one puppy got sick while I was at work today...yikes! Unfortunately it was the big one that made a mess, but at least I didn't have to crawl in a small crate to clean it up...it was in a very convienent spot on the kitchen floor. Oh....the small things :)

Bliss from Blessings #11

• Having the opporutnity to sing in a small group again. The other 7 people are SO talented and it has really helped me get back on my game. What a difference it makes when you just take about an hour a week to focus on building your talents!
• Unexpected rain the other day! I love the rain!
• Feeling like I am at a really good place in my personal life. I am happy and I am surrounded by people I want to be with. It's a nice place to be.
• We are so blessed to live in the area we do. So far it has been a very safe and family oriented place to live. We don't expect it, but when we realize it, we recognize the tremendous blessing it is.
• Having friends that are such wonderful mothers....you are such examples!

Bliss from Blessings #12

• The foresight to buy ridiculous teal shoes that I couldn't justify in anyway but just had to have. I have used them so much and I am finding so many things they match with! YES!
• Forgiveness for not following my legitimate promptings. I will buy a pair of shoes, but I will ignore the whisper to call someone and check on them. I have let myself down by not being there for friends when they really needed me lately. No matter if I talked to them 20 minutes ago, I am making a resolve to follow my spiritual promptings.
• Going and coming safely during my trip to Minneopolis this week. I can't help myself, I always say a prayer before take off and before landing. I am very grateful for His watchful eye and protection.
• I am grateful for the renewed energy to be a better person. No more slacking for me.
• The weekend ahead is sure to be interesting. So many projects, so little time, and meager desire (haha). We'll see what happens but I am oddly looking forward to it.

Bliss from Blessings #13

• A good morning breakfast with some invigorating hot topics and just enough stress to make the rest of the day seem like cake :)
• A fun shopping trip with my girl Katelin! Thanks for going after all my reschedules....I am really excited about the stuff we picked out. I would have NEVER done it without you and I love it.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie....
• Feeling like I'm making some great friends at work. I've got some people that I know I could count on and it really makes a difference.
• I am blessed to be able to make choices. Luckily, those choices have worked out for me which makes me feel even more blessed. "Our lives depend on the decisions we make, those decisions determine our destiny" - Thomas S Monson

Bliss from Blessings #14

• A mid-day run to Ann Taylor Loft....can I PLEASE just buy all the pretty things I see!? I would love to throw caution (and my bank account) to the wind. It would feel so awful and so wonderful all at the same time. who are we kidding...I'm WAY to repsonsible for this
• Fresh pink tulips at the front desk in the office
• Talking to the conceirge desk at a fancy hotel for the first time. They just make you feel so special! I am so blessed to have the life opportunities given to me through my job. I have seen places and experienced things that I probably never would have on my own; Colorado, Nor Cal, Santa Barbara, Chicago, Texas, Food Shows, Being comfortable in all kinds of airports, riding in a new Camaro, eating at yummy restaurants. It's really fun.
• Surviving my first homemade lasagna...I think it turned out pretty well.
• A wonderful friend who doesn't mind that I have literally cancelled our lunch date at least 5 times. She is such a good sport. This call out is for you: THANKS KATELIN!!!

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Bliss From Blessings #15

• Sleeping in until 8:45 and not even caring one bit. It was awesome.
• Remembering those that have gone before with a walk to support brain tumor research.
• Meeting an amazing woman named Dixie who is full of life and energy as a positive result of her loss
• A casual lunch with Tyler at our favorite sub sandwich place. It was really a great 'visit' with this man I will spend forever with.
• Finally buying some more weed killer. I LOVE killing weeds. It's probably an unhealthy obsession.

Bliss From Blessings #16

16.

• Waking up at our own pace in a quiet house with morning light pouring in the window above the bed. It was so wonderful and relaxing to just take a moment to enjoy our house and our weekend.
• Going to the NHRA drag races for the first time! Happy Birthday Tyler!
• Making my very first Texas Sheet Cake...all you Texans would have been so proud. The most delicious cake ever!
• Playing with little Kaydence as she ran around our kitchen... and away from the dogs.... and tried to tickle us all at the same time. It was so fun to hear baby giggles all night. I love her, thanks for letting her play Beth!
• Giving my puppies a bath so we had nice cozy little beasts to curl up with on Sunday afternoon.

Bliss from Blessings #17

17.

• Soul Food for lunch! Complete with fried chicken & waffles, yams, and collard greens....mmmm.

• Hearing an inspiring message from co-workers around Black History Month. Beautiful stories of a life that I am not familiar with. It was awesome.


• Getting a little fire under my keester to do some extra work and hopefully in turn, make my life a little easier in the long term.


• A mid morning talk with my sweetie pie.


• Confidence that everything will work out...everything.

Bliss from Blessings #18

18.

• Rebates! I love rebates! It's dumb because I shouldn't have to spend the money in the first place....but....I still love rebates :)
• Church choir. It is nice to have a quiet moment to myself to stretch my talents, serve others, and appreciate the message.
• Christie having a baby!!
• People that have such amazing talents. It makes me frustrated with myself at first and then it makes me push myself. Thank you...yes you.
• An eternal perspective.

Bliss from Blessings #19

19.

• Developing a coping strategy. Somehow I have learned to skim over the top of the drudgery....that could be unhealthy....but for now, it is my sanity
• That my trees survived the crazy rain a few weeks back :)
• A pink starburst candy from my friend Daniel, my favorite!
• Talking with my brother on the phone for a long time! I haven't talked to him for a while so it was really great to catch up on his life.
• That I am not a picky eater (thanks mom&dad!) I can be selective if I want to, but for the most part....bring it....if I'm hungry, I'm eatin' it.

Bliss from Blessings #20

20.

• A very successful shopping trip to Ann Taylor. I never, yes...NEVER, buy myself nice clothes. I just buy clothes to keep me from running around in my birthday suit and try to get them to look good while I'm at it. I went and bought myself wonderful things at Ann Taylor today and I could see how someone could get addicted to the experience. I loved the wonderful little package all tucked away in my pretty shopping bag for me to open when I got home. It was great.
• Making it home safely in all of the crazy rain tonight. I was lucky if I could see 4 cars in front of me.
• Talking to my oldest friend Megan. It was nice to have her spill her guts a little bit. She's the strong one, it's nice to be her shoulder sometimes.
• Here's to a new semester at ASU for Tyler! I think we have a good grip of what's our plan of attack will be and all of his syllab'y' are taped above the computer to remind him how much homework he has....hahaha....poor guy. I'm glad he has stuck with it even through the challenges. Almost done!
• I have put aside some time each night for the past 3, to read my scriptures and just relax before I go to bed. It's a good habit, I'm grateful.

Bliss from Blessings #21

21.

• FRIDAY!!!! Today was a rough one, so this is a much needed weekend.
• Getting some stuff done around the house. Our poor casa is suffering from lack of attention.
• A big fat weekend of no plans
• Painting my kitchen! I know I know....I owe ya'll tons of pictures but I'm too lazy to hook my camera up :)
• Our new phones. Well, they are a blessing and a curse. Hello technology, nice to meet you.

Bliss from Blessings #22

23.

• A dog that tells me when she needs to go outside to use the ladies room so I don't feel so bad about the dog that still doesn't tell me she needs to go outside to use the ladies room.
• Fresh oranges from a co-workers tree in her backyard! Yummy! I have a feeling this could be a very important relationship in my life...lol
• New phone day! It was actually yesterday. I do feel like a grown-up - yes. I'm not embarassed to pull my phone out on account visits - yes. I like being able to take a picture and email it to myself - yes. I like having the internet at my fingertips - yes. HAVING TO ACTUALLY FIGURE THIS THING OUT - no. It is almost too much phone for me at the moment, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
• That after all of my hard work to make Tyler a Christmas quilt in 2.5 days, that he still refuses to sleep under our comforter and must use his new blanket. He's awesome and makes me feel super appreciated.
• Having a weekend of choices ahead. I could or could not do a lot of things and it wouldn't really matter at all to me or anyone else. That is nice.

Bliss from Blessings #23

23.

• I am so glad I am not a bird! I saw a huge flock or several flocks of geese flying over the freeway on my way to work this morning. I know this is going to sound lame, but I almost started to cry thinking of the long journey birds take as they migrate. How beautiful is it that something that would seem so daunting to me, is second nature to a bird. That would be such a hard trek yet they do it with ease. I'm blessed to be who I am.
• Mmmm....granola for breakfast. I haven't had milk for the past week so I have been eating yucky oatmeal. I bought milk last night and it was like I was having dessert for breakfast.
• Tyler made dinner last night: Chorizo and Eggs in a warm tortilla. (I also had a cup of peas to make myself feel healthier). This blessing isn't about the food, but the fact that I didn't have to make it. Thanks!
• Finally getting my family letter out for Christmas?? hahahaha.....one could be coming your way! If you want one and you didn't send me one or are not in my family, let me know. They aren't that excited but I didn't want to put that teaser out there and have someone get dissapointed for not getting it in the mail. Like you would really care.
• Catching up with a friend I started this job with. She is working back in Minnesota and it was really fun to visit.

Bliss from Blessings #24

24.

• I love having time to do things that I want to do, especially when it comes to being crafty. Below are the results.....my first Holiday Centerpiece!
  
  

• Mustering up enough dedication to myself to take care of my body. I am realizing how grateful I am for the blessing this body is and I have decided to treat it with extra care. (Plus, if I treat it with enough care...I've got a shopping trip in the works...wink, wink)

• Finally figuring out how to use our grill! Yay me! I'm an offical "griller" now.

• Being able to look back at a year and feel like I did it right. I couple things to tweak, but overall....we did a dang good job.

• Having so much fun with family that my mother in law almost...well I don't know what she almost did, but you can tell it was funny.
  

Bliss From Blessings #27, 26, and 25

25.

• My first full day of my Christmas vacation. Holla-back youngins....two weeks off...woot woot!
• Going walking with my friend Nicole. We don't get to talk often because all we do around my house is work, but she is so amazing. If anyone is an example of how to live your life happily, humble, and with courage....it's Nicole. I'm glad we get to have our morning walks this week.
• Making a real dinner for the first time in 2 or 3 weeks. My poor husband has been surviving on scrounged up garbage from the kitchen. Seriously, it has not been pretty around here.
• Dental insurance! It is so wonderful to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and walk out without one penny missing from my wallet. (besides my obvious monthly payment...but roll with me here...it saves me money)
• Taking some time for myself at breakfast so I could read the Ensign and listen to the words of our living Prophet and Apostles.

26.

• Tyler surviving a fever and a small bout of flu. He's not 100%, but oh what a difference a Sunday full of sleeping will make
• Being able to sing in our wonderful church choir and totally feeling the spirit of Christmas and the truth of the gospel while we sang for our ward.
• I love leading the music in Relief Society. I pick songs that go with our lessons, but most importantly I can take some time to teach all of those wonderful ladies a little bit about music. I think it is so much fun; one of my favorite callings ever.
• Getting all of the presents in the house wrapped. There is still a few more to pick up, but everything is up to speed and under the tree!
• Laying down and not worrying about what tomorrow may bring because Monday was all to myself.

27.

• A visit from my friend Sush, from the office and his awesome wife Kristy. They came out to visit the Olive Mill near our house. They drove ALL the way across town so it was nice to visit.
• I forgot to mention this like 8 million years ago, but my cousin Morgan had her little baby girl!!! Her name is Carsyn and she looks like a beautiful little doll. If she is only half as cute as her older brother, she will be a man eater.
• A real date night with Tyler. We went shopping and he bought us two pretzels so we could sit on the bench and visit and people watch. It was so nice.
• Visiting with some awesome ladies I go to church with. Once again, amazing people. I am so blessed to see their example and have their friendship.
• An uplifting way to start my day with the final choir practice before our meeting on Sunday.