In June, I wasn't feeling well. Chris was convinced I was pregnant. I was in denial and brushed it off to a bug of some sorts. Then finally, one morning, I woke up thinking, "Oh my, he might be right." It was 6:15 am and I HAD to go get a pregnancy test. Granted, they […]
While sifting through my box of paintings and drawings this morning, I found a treasure wrapped up in a manilla envelope. It was a survey I filled out as part of a young women activity, written to my future self. I even wrote a note to myself on the front of the envelope: Inside you […]
Last year, we bought an artificial tree and all the trimmings. We also got some decorations for the house from our parents and some other family members and friends. The day after Thanksgiving this year, I insisted we bust it all out. I am under doctor's orders to not be on my feet--so I was […]
(Iron Chef Marcum and Chef Marcum) I got my first chef's hat, apron (pictured above) and cookbook for Christmas in 1995. I immediately put them on and started my own at-home restaurant, JULIE'S PLACE. Serving up my family all of the cuisines a 10 year old can think of--adding secret ingredients to every dish. One […]
Often times I get asked what I have craved so far. I have never understood "cravings." I'm in my 27th week of pregnancy and so far I haven't been one of those women that HAVE to have something very specific to eat right now. I mean RIGHT now. Cutie pie, Chris, has made no trips […]
All in one month (October) Chris applied for a job, interviewed for it and got it. Whoa. I know. Official start date being November 4th left us all of ONE DAY to find a place to live. It took 10 hours and lots of disappointments (now funny stories) to find our new place, but it […]
Our vacation was just beginning. We were so excited to spend a whole week away from the world. Just us. This was the very first picture we took. Getting on the cruise took some time, but once we got on and unpacked our things--we explored the whole ship (or tried to)... that thing was huge. […]
Chris's To-Do List- July 9th, 2009: 1- Do paperwork at work for 30 minutes- spend the remaining 11 hrs and 30 minutes staring at the wall, driving around town giving stuff to businesses and playing dominoes. 2- Get yelled at because a guy can't figure out how to save a new contact on his phone. […]
I really scrounge for something to make for dinner nightly so when Thursdays come around, I get excited to eat good food without having to think about it. Thursdays, Chris cooks. He is so creative and the food is always delicious. Sometimes he enlists me as his sous chef and I get to cut things […]
There is something about warmer days that makes me wish I was more tan, had long hair, whiter teeth, and a skinnier waistline. I basically go through this cycle every year. In the winter I joyfully put on the weight in cookies and homemade bread —nothing beats a warm roll—and hide it all under my […]
Don't get me wrong, we have had it good. Chris's grandparents have also had it good escaping to St. George for the winter. They have allowed us to stay in their home. It's really cozy. The downside: it's not ours. We haven't really used any of our wedding gifts. We haven't even taken them out […]
I was on a mission last year. I was completely absorbed in my work. I promise. However, Valentine's day 2008 still managed to be sweet as it possibly could be. I was 1357 miles away (thanks mapquest) from my Valentine, and he still managed to make me smile. He overnighted a letter. He sent me […]
I am in bed right now. Typing it out online. On my new laptop. That my husband got for me. I know, right? I am stunned by his sweetness daily. I have NEVER been able to experience the luxury of wireless Internet until my latest electronic--which to me--kinda makes me wonder why I even had […]
Yesterday I was in Wal-Mart picking up a few things. There was a mother and father coaching their son, who looked about 7, on Valentines. He seemed really stressed on which ones to pick. I hung out in the cosmetics department and heard his dad try to convince him to get the CARS ones. His […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations