creative decor

A couple creative decor areas I have in my cottage....more to come!

I've seen this done in other homes, so I thought I'd create my own. 

They are photos of my grandparents' weddings/anniversaries. I hold them all dear to my heart. I really admire all of them and their amazing marriages. 

I didn't have a wine rack, so I used my old magazine basket. Works perfectly! I love it.

Tuesday Ten

Here's my ten for Tuesday....

1. It was a slow morning.

2. Happy to be able to have lunch at home today.

3. Exchanged some great emails with Amanda...she helps me get through the day.

4. Talked to my grandma today....love her! I try to call both of my grandmas every week. :)

5. Gym after work today = successful workout.

6. Killed 2 spiders at my house today. Eek! That's what I get for living out in the country, right?

7. I have successfully managed to keep my house clean (I haven't lived here a week yet...we'll see if I can keep it up with my busy schedule).

8. Watched the TV show, "How I met your mother" today....LOVE!

9. Blogging to avoid my paper for class (due tomorrow).

10. Love love love having my windows up in my house feeling the breeze come through and listening to all the birds outside. So relaxing.

my cottage

Thursday was moving day. I was able to move everything in one day with some surprise help from Matt's cousin, Anne, and her husband, Nate. THANK YOU!

I finally got everything unpacked and settled in my new cottage today. Yay!

my cute little cottage

living room & kitchen...before

living room...after

living room...before

living room...after

living room...before

living room...after

kitchen...before

kitchen...after

bedroom....before

bedroom...after

bedroom...before

bedroom....after

bathroom...before

bathroom....after

Love...

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. - Maya Angelou

friendship

"I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff." - Jon Katz

Do you ever feel like you've lost touch with an old friend? I do. As we get older, we only become busier. Jobs, marriage, families, school, travels, and long-distance can often be wonderful distractions in our lives, but can slowly diminish friendships. 

I remember in high school, my best friend and I shared a locker senior year and we still passed each other notes in the hallways throughout the day. What happened to this? Friends don't do things like this as they get older (not everyone anyway). This is why I try to send a friend a card every once in awhile...either just because, for their birthday or a holiday. It keeps us connected and they know I am thinking about them, even if we're hundreds of miles away.

Like a relationship with a spouse, friendships take effort. It's easy to lose a friendship, but I am thankful for social media such as Facebook, to help me stay connected with friends and family. 

 My future sis-in-law and I email each other every day. Sometimes multiple times throughout the day. We even schedule "phone dates" to catch up with each other. 

No one seems to call each other anymore with all this texting and "Facebook-ing."  

Call an old friend today...just because.

Tuesday fun

After work yesterday, I picked up Matt's birthday gift. I didn't plan to give it to him early, but I did. We are getting together with friends for a BBQ on Memorial Day and he mentioned playing bags, so I thought, "Oh gosh, I should give them to him, so he can use them this weekend." While it is extremely early (June 13 is his birthday), he was excited when I opened the door and there they were on the lawn. I think I totally surprised him (at least I hope I did).

the kustomkornhole.com

Afterward, we had a nice homemade dinner at my apt (BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad). Delicious! Because I am in the middle of packing and about to move, I didn't have anywhere for us to sit, so we used what I had....

A romantic dinner for two...on boxes. :)

10 on Tuesday

1. It's almost moving time! Yay! Thursday...I can't wait.

2. Boxes & more boxes! I feel like I've cleaned out the local grocery stores out the last week.

3. Iced coffees are all I want today. Yum!

4. I'm picking up Matt's birthday gift today. SO excited! Pics to come later (after his birthday) :)

5. My grad class this first summer session is AWESOME! Global leadership & Team development. I am learning so much already.

6. The work day is FLYING by. So much to do...lots of planning for next year (already).

7. I am so ready for June...warm weather and the beach. Mmmm.

8. I am loving the smell of my lavender chamomile sugar scrub.

9. All I want to do today is browse wedding stuff for my brother's wedding (it's not until March).

10. Woke up feeling extremely happy this morning.

Happy Tuesday everyone!