2010 Kitchen of the Year

Did you ever wonder what a Kitchen of the Year looks like? In 2010, it looks like this:

Read (and see) more here. It's so lovely!

The Power of Paint

I don't know what this piece looked like before, but Jamie brought it to an amazing after:

I so wish I could visit Furbish. On my next trip to Raleigh to see Ashley, I must! Sadly, that might not be for a while. But not-so-sadly, she's coming to see ME next month! Woo hoo!

I'm off to do laundry. Go find a piece of furniture and paint it. And put on pretty knobs for good measure. I love a good after!

Letters to Dead People

An interesting project.



















































Don't you think?

Sleep, Interrupted

Disclaimer: I have never seen the movie Girl, Interrupted, but I always liked the title.

My wonderful hubs works at Starbucks. Sometimes he opens, which requires him to be there at 5 a.m. Now my sweet hubs is almost always willing to walk to work (it's a 7-minute walk from our apartment, or so he tells me), but I feel like a terrible person whenever he walks. Especially when there's any sort of inclement (read: not perfect) weather.

BUT (and, like mine, that is a big but) -- if I take him to work, I usually can't get back to sleep. And if I am actually able to get back to sleep, it's usually not until an hour or an hour and a half later. So if I take him to work at 5 a.m., that means that I can generally fall back asleep at around 6:30 a.m. On a weekday, that's when I'm getting up for work. So on a weekday, there's no point in even trying to go back to sleep... and that means I've gotten 1.5 hours less sleep than normal... and if you know me at all, you know that I require sleep. Lots of good, quality sleep makes me a normal person. Similarly, little sleep = little ability to function. If it's on a weekend, it's not that big of a deal... except it kind of is, exemplified by instances like this morning:

This morning I took Wes to work at 5, and I went back to sleep at around 6:30. I got up at 9 to pick him up from work (he usually walks home, as it's a lot lighter outside when he gets off as opposed to when he starts, but it was raining this morning). I was supposed to stay up, get a shower, and then we were supposed to go to church. Instead, I came back and tried to go back to sleep because I was still exhausted. But I couldn't fall back to sleep, so now it's 3:00, I just showered an hour ago, my whole day is thrown off, and I have no energy to do anything.

I got 6 hours of sleep the first time (11 p.m. - 5 a.m.) and 2.5 the second (6:30 - 9), but somehow that didn't add up to 8.5 hours. Thus my title. For some reason, interrupted sleep isn't the same as non-interrupted sleep. It adds up to not just a little less, but a lot less. Is this true for everyone (not just me)??

(Now hubs, if you're reading this, don't feel bad. You work hard at Starbucks and I certainly don't want you to have to walk to or from work in the dark or in the rain. But I do wish you didn't open so often!)

In other news, and with no transition whatsoever, I really like these shoes:

I would get them in black, as I've worn my black heels down to the metal stubs and can barely walk in them. But (big but!) they are $79, and I think that is a lot of money for a pair of heels! How much would you pay for them?

Post-It Mania

[Warning: this is so random. Brilliantly, amazingly random.]

This is what you get when you combine 3 months of planning, 4 days of shooting, and more than 6,000 post-it notes (!):

Here's what the creator/designer has to say about it:

This is my senior project at Savannah College of Art and Design. Where my idea comes from is that every time when I am busy, I feel that I am not fighting with my works, I am fighting with those post-it notes and deadline. I manipulating the post-it notes to do pixel-like stop motion and there are some interactions between real actor and post-its.

And here's the "making of" video. Pretty incredible.

Originally seen here.

My Little Iguana

Because I can find little else to blog about currently, perhaps this will make you laugh.

Last night Wes and I had this conversation:

Beth: Let's go buy your new computer!

Wes: [makes hissing noise]

Beth: Did you just seethe at me?!

Wes: I was pretending to be an iguana!

Beth: [LOL]

This morning, he sent me an email. It said:

If I could be a lizard, I would be this one:

Or this motha (yes, he said "motha"):

And no lie -- as I type, he is currently watching a YouTube video about an obese chihuahua. Oh my. Yet when asked why he hasn't put together my new shoe shelves, it's because he has so much school work to do. Really, my little iguana? Really?

List Format

I don't know about you, but I'm on my fourth day off in a row. Nice!

I am thinking in list format today.

1. I am thinking about making this for dinner, but it sounds like so much work. Want to make it for me? (I think that's called going to the Olive Garden.)

2. Target has Cheer on sale for $9.99 this week. I try not to buy it for more than $8.99. I just registered on cheer.com for a $1 off coupon, but it won't arrive for 6-8 weeks. Bummer.

3. 24 was great last night. I am ready for another 2 hours tonight. I love Jack Bauer, and my husband is ok with that.

4. I think Candice Olsen is absolutely brilliant. I could watch Divine Design all day long. I mean seriously -- just look at this bedroom:

Click here to see the before shot. I wish they would show the cost of each finished room!

5. Today has been a day of slow accomplishment. For example: lay on couch. wash dishes. lay on couch. do a load of laundry. lay on couch. shower, shave, put away dishes, swiffer the floor -- wow, that was a lot! -- lay on couch. etc.

Boring update, I know. But so goes my day.

Just keepin' it real.

Friendship & An Application to Date Me

Today Pastor Daniel spoke about friendships from the book of Proverbs. God has blessed me with some great friendships over the years (and some challenging ones as well). One of my dear friends -- a friend who has stuck with me through the good and the bad -- is Jennifer Smith. Jenn and I met during college through our mutual friend Jessi. There are many wonderful qualities about Jenn, but one of the ones that comes to mind immediately when you think about her is that she is fiercely loyal, as you will see below.

After I went through a particularly hard break up in college, Jenn made an application to date me. Oh yes. It was five pages long. Wesley actually filled it out! (And for the record, he was apparently treating it as a joke, and Jenn was not impressed. I'm serious. She sat me down and talked to me about it.) I stumbled upon it as I was sorting through some boxes of notes I've saved over the years. I found it parts of it extremely funny; I thought you might, too!

Excerpts from the five-page document entitled "Permission to Date the Fabulous Beth Ann Willis":

Full Name

Present Address

Permanent Address

Phone Number

Cell Phone Number

Primary Email

Other Email

Social Security Number

Student ID Number

GPA

Major

Minor

Foreign Language Skills

Musical Skills/Talents/Knowledge

Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Yes or No. (Circle one.) If No, you may stop filling out the application now.

Describe your current relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.

How many serious relationships have you been in during your life? In general, what was the outcome of those relationships? If none, see the next question.

Have you ever had a girlfriend? If yes, explain in full detail why you broke up, how you handled the situation, and [describe] your current relationship with your ex-girlfriend. If no, please describe why you have not dated, and how you feel you would handle a breakup situation.

Enumerate and explain, in order of importance, your favorite things about Beth Ann Willis.

Explain how you could love Beth "as Christ loved the church." If you don't know where this quote can be found in scripture, you may seriously want to consider withdrawing your application.

What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why?

What is Beth's favorite book of the Bible?

In general, how much time do you spend with God per day? How much of that time have you spent praying for Beth? (If you haven't been praying for Beth or your future wife, you may want to consider withdrawing your application; however, you may elaborate and defend or support yourself in the space below.)

How are your grammer skills? (Lol -- yes, that's how she spelled it.)

Please describe in full detail why you want to date Beth Willis and how you think you could make her happier than anyone else in the world. Use the space on the back of this sheet if necessary.

I, the undersigned, understand and will comply with all dating regulations as stated by the committee on dating Beth Willis. This form has been completed to the best of my knowledge, and I agree to submit to a full background check and interview should I get past the application process.

Name (print)

Signature

Date

Note: I am no longer accepting applications. ;)

Spring is like a perhaps hand

I have been feeling especially good and motivated these past few days -- I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with the weather. The snow is melting, and I was able to get away with only wearing a jacket today! I know I'm getting my hopes up too early... but come on, Spring!

Are you a fan of Anthropologie on facebook? They posted an e.e. cummings poem today of which I'm fond, along with pictures of some of their spring window displays. Too cute. This one is my favorite of the ones they have posted so far:

Spring is like a perhaps hand

(which comes carefully

out of Nowhere)arranging

a window, into which people look(while

people stare arranging and changing placing

carefully there a strange

thing and a known thing here)and

changing everything carefully

spring is like a perhaps

Hand in a window

(carefully to

and fro moving New and

Old things,while

people stare carefully

moving a perhaps

fraction of flower here placing

an inch of air there)and

without breaking anything

I Have No Relatives in Russia

Why the strange title, you ask? Because someone logged on to my online banking today... from Russia. And also from LA. We got a call from BB&T's Fraud Department advising us of the strange behavior and urging us to close our accounts and open new ones.

Isn't that crazy!? My Thursday was much more exciting than I anticipated.

Fortunately, our money wasn't touched. But it still makes me uneasy, you know? Identity theft is something that happens to someone else -- not me!

I was surprised at the amount of places I needed to update my banking information. I use our checking account to pay a lot of things online (utility bills, credit cards, etc.), and our paychecks are directly deposited. Now we need new debit cards. New checks. Oh my.

Thank you, BB&T Fraud Department, for doing your job!

Before & After: Bedroom Pictures!

Before:

After:

Surely you remember what the furniture looked like before. Isn't it amazing what white paint and new hardware can do??

I'm 98% pleased with how everything turned out. Still on my to-do list:

-Make a decision on the "headboard situation." I've never not had a headboard. Even on purpose, it feels strange. I'm thinking about making my own... I've heard it's not that hard to do. I'm thinking creamy white linen; yes?

-Get a new bed skirt. One with cleaner lines and heavier fabric that will hang straighter. And perhaps an off-white one instead of bright white.

-Re-paint the stripes. I much prefer the subtle look of the hallway over the "LOOK AT ME! I'M A STRIPE!" appearance you see here. It shouldn't be hard; I just need to do it!

-Get rid of the clunky TV. Just kidding. It says. But I wish it wasn't there!

Thanks, Alicia, for taking pictures! Now go have that baby, ok?

So... what do you think?

Photo Shoot: I'm Not Lion

(What a clever title! Aren't I so funny?)

I recently had Alicia take pictures of my bedroom, and I am excited to post them in the next few days. But until I do, why don't you enjoy some shots she took of Judah in an improptu photo shoot?

Lots of married people sleep with a stuffed animal... right?

The funny thing is, I don't know where I got Juds. I wish I had a great, sentimental story, like he was a gift from my late grandfather, or maybe even from Wes. Nope. I'm pretty sure I bought him for myself, actually.

And now he's just part of the family.

2010: The Year of ?

I previously talked about a few of my New Year's resolutions goals, but I'm wondering this: do you have ONE THING? One thing that, in spite of everything else, you really hope to accomplish in 2010?

I do! 2010 is going to be The Year of the Makeunder in the Crouser household.

What exactly is a "makeunder"? Well, one of the blogs I read is called Makeunder My Life. And Jess, the blog's author, answers that question: I use this term to describe any action that improves one’s life through addition by subtraction. For example, every Friday I get rid of something that I don’t need, use, or love anymore (I call this my "end of the week exfoliation").

It's inspiring to watch Jess and so many of her readers simply their lives each week. I really hope to do the same this year. So after church this morning and lunch with our wonderful neighbors, I'm going to organize our large closet. And you'd better believe there's going to be a large "going to Goodwill" pile when I'm done!

Honestly -- I'm just astounded by the amount of "stuff" that I have. What do I plan to do with it all? Or an even better question -- where did it come from? Why are there sweaters hanging in my closet that I think are "cute," but yet haven't been worn since I moved here 2.5 years ago? Why do I have so many decorative notebooks in which I never write? Why is there a closet full of stuff behind my couch that I "need," but that, again, I haven't needed in 2.5 years (or it wouldn't be in the closet behind the couch!)??

I think a move is in our not-too-distant future, and the one thing I love about moving is that it forces you to purge. Makes you ask the hard question, "Do I really need -- or even want -- this?" -- and give the often hard-to-give answer of "No, I don't."

Today's goal: our large closet. The closet behind the couch? I'll do that... next week.

Pretty

Found here.

Domino: Inspiration Overload!

Ok, you guys. I bought myself one* present for Christmas, and I am so happy I did.

I just got it in the mail today, so I haven't had a ton of time to look at it, but omg. I can't describe to you how happy it makes me. There is so much great advice and so many inspirational (read: gorgeous) pictures! If you're into decorating/design at all, I highly suggest you click here and buy yourself a New Year's present pronto.

(And if you buy it on Amazon.com and spend an additional$3.88, you'll get free shipping. I don't know about you, but I love free shipping. Might I suggest one of these beauties? I got 5 of these beautiful cloth-bound Penguin Classics for Christmas from my mom, and I love them. Thanks, Mom!)

*Wes might argue that I bought myself more than one present based on the number of times I went "Christmas shopping" and brought home a few things for myself. He may or may not have a point.

My Very Own Prayer Rug!

Today a resident came in the office and mentioned that he got an unsolicited prayer rug in the mail. I basically had no idea what he was talking about until I checked my own mail this evening -- lo and behold, I got a(n unsolicited) prayer rug, too!

Here is a picture of my prayer rug (an 8.5x14 piece of paper with a picture of "Jesus' face" on it):

At the bottom, it says, "Look into Jesus' Eyes you will see they are closed. But as you continue to look you will see His eyes opening and looking back into your eyes. Then go and be alone and kneel on this Rug of Faith or touch it with both knees. Then please check your needs on our letter to you. Please return this Prayer Rug. Do not keep it."

Ok, so I didn't "go and be alone" or "kneel on [my] Rug of Faith or touch it with both knees," but I did stare into Jesus' eyes, and they remained closed the entire time. I think my prayer rug might be defective!

And why can't I keep it? Why do I have to return it? At least they will pay the return postage:

Here's the letter that you're supposed to return with it:

You can check your needs and they will pray for you. They will pray for your soul, or for a better job, or for a new car! They will even pray for God to bless you with a certain amount of money. I could use a new car....

(Please forgive my sarcasm. The red ink just draws it out of me.)

"Read the enclosed brochure on how a sister used the same type of Bible faith prayer rug that we are sending you with this letter, and how she was blessed with $46,000.00!"

Look at those promises! Strength! Salvation! Prosperity! Great Joy! True Love! Sign me up!

Perhaps my favorite part of the whole thing is how the church boasts about being a "very old church of 59 years." They sign the letter, "Friends of Jesus for 59 years of Glorious Service!" and part of the letter reads, "If you need more joy, peace, health, money, a new car, a new house, healing in family communication, or whatever, we, as a very old (59 years) church, want to know about it."

Lol.

I mean, they did get one thing right: "Due to Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection, we all who are redeemed can gain eternal life." Very true. (No sarcasm here!)

Sigh. No wonder some people think Christians are crazy....

The Magic of Macy's

Back in the day, I never really went into Macy's much -- but then I met Kirstin. Kirstin advised me that Macy's has really good deals; you just have to watch for them! Lo and behold, that was great advice. Macy's does have some really good deals (especially if you're a Macy's card holder, which I happen to be). For instance, check out this pillow I bought today:

It was originally $49 (who pays $49 for a pillow that small? Maybe the same people who would buy this), but I got it for $11.99! I was very pleased with myself.

Kirstin also wisely advised to always check Macy's items under a price scanner. Lots of times there are sales going on that aren't well marked. Many times I've discovered that an item was even cheaper than I thought, and who doesn't love that?

The moral of this story: the next time you're near a Macy's, it might be worth passing through!