tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48740832683415743252024-03-14T02:06:59.121-07:00shiriously?Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-16188008550436465342011-11-01T14:41:00.001-07:002011-11-01T14:44:02.957-07:00Shirioke WeddingSo I haven't felt much like posting these days. Not for any reason other than I just haven't felt like it. Really. Life is great, and married life is even better. To tide you over til I feel like posting about our latest projects, here is the video of the song I re-wrote for our wedding. Enjoy!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pXZlAkRO9w8" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-79104513349589355752011-07-08T14:41:00.000-07:002011-07-08T14:57:16.237-07:00Check out our 'SplashAnother big thing that happened over the 4th of July weekend is that we finally finished the kitchen -and by finished the kitchen, I mean we finally had the backsplash installed. We stuck with the original <a href="http://shiriously.blogspot.com/2010/02/thrice-bitten.html">mood board </a>when it came to the tile selection. In fact, the only things we stuck to on there were the tile, the hood, and the pendants. We ordered our tile from <a href="http://www.susanjablonmosaics.com/">here</a>. Not quite as cheap as some tile stores, but they were nice enough to send us a sample of EVERY shade of green they had -which was close to 30 tiles! In addition, when we ordered a sample 12"x12" sheet, they suggested we send back the sample to swap out for one of the same lot of the final order in the event that the glass color might be slightly off. The green we chose <span style="font-style: italic;">perfectly </span>matches our dining chairs and it really ties the whole room together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipPlD6bS8to/Thd7VnXF3PI/AAAAAAAAA-o/JvuR6kn0S90/s1600/photo%252823%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipPlD6bS8to/Thd7VnXF3PI/AAAAAAAAA-o/JvuR6kn0S90/s400/photo%252823%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627101870696029426" border="0" /></a>Here is where I admit that I suck at measuring and we ordered WAY too much. The one downside of Susan Jablon Mosaics, is while they accept returns, they charge a 45% restocking fee, plus with shipping something so heavy back, it's just not worth it. -So you might just find some super nice subway tile on CL for a steal of a deal. If anyone's reading this and you're in the market for some dark lime green 1x3" subway tiles, feel free to contact me, and I'll let you know if we still have them. My guess is we have about 15 12x12" sheets, maybe more.Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-3709919627556153322011-07-07T10:07:00.000-07:002011-07-07T13:16:25.260-07:00I pledge allegiance to our bathroomThe room in our house that has had the most amount of time invested in it for the least result is for sure our guest bathroom. First I was determined to make it purplish blue. The first time, that was a monster <a href="http://shiriously.blogspot.com/2009/07/time-wasted-and-time-enjoyed.html">fail</a>. Mark and I scraped the entire room and I took a second stab at it with oil based primer. That time the paint stuck -but almost two years later, I was so over the purple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eopqoU1Q-9M/ThYQrbDriHI/AAAAAAAAA8s/_ObQocw7aWA/s1600/P9200824.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eopqoU1Q-9M/ThYQrbDriHI/AAAAAAAAA8s/_ObQocw7aWA/s400/P9200824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703122629625970" border="0" /></a>There's something about walking by a room when the door is opened and all of a sudden, BAM! IT'S PURPLE!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0qQaRTAurA/ThYQqRnCUgI/AAAAAAAAA8M/O99YCcHyf-U/s1600/photo%252822%2529.JPG"><br /></a>We are not in a position to gut the bathroom and redo it entirely, so over this 4th of July weekend, I decided to see what I could do with the shell that we had -a blue tiled shower/tub and an old, severely over-painted vanity.<br /><br />I first started with the walls and some Killz. It took 2 coats of heavy duty stain blocking primer to block out the purple.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPt7MTOs_iY/ThYRCAe5OVI/AAAAAAAAA80/2E9reSoVDHw/s1600/photo%252817%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPt7MTOs_iY/ThYRCAe5OVI/AAAAAAAAA80/2E9reSoVDHw/s400/photo%252817%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703510633003346" border="0" /></a>In between coats, I had the brilliant idea of starting to peel off the white paint that I had sloppily applied to the vanity when we first bought the house.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-US9B85wbHC4/ThYQrMcTO4I/AAAAAAAAA8k/gH8PciCHn0g/s1600/photo%252819%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-US9B85wbHC4/ThYQrMcTO4I/AAAAAAAAA8k/gH8PciCHn0g/s400/photo%252819%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703118706359170" border="0" /></a>The previous owners must have switched from pulls to knobs, because on each drawer or cabinet, there were 3 holes. The extra holes had been hidden by small white ceramic rings, but I decided just the knobs looked much better and filled the holes with putty.<br /><br />Cut to 2am on Saturday morning. I was tired and high on paint fumes.<br /><br />I continued the project on Saturday, with 2 coats of Glidden's <span style="font-style: italic;">Arctic Blue</span>. The color tied perfectly with the tile in the shower and was much more subtle and serene than its purple predecessor, Behr's <span style="font-style: italic;">Endure</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyf3zZj2-Wc/ThYQqpuIp2I/AAAAAAAAA8c/-z_uKMvSJHk/s1600/photo%252820%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyf3zZj2-Wc/ThYQqpuIp2I/AAAAAAAAA8c/-z_uKMvSJHk/s400/photo%252820%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703109385922402" border="0" /></a>I then redirected my attention to the vanity. I had hand-scraped all that I could. It was time to bust out the hand sander. I sanded the entire thing through who knows how many coats. I didn't ever get down to the wood, but since I knew I was just repainting it, that wasn't necessary. It just had to be smooth.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ua1xulclsY/ThYQqrVwUPI/AAAAAAAAA8U/X0Z5pdlUkq4/s1600/photo%252821%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ua1xulclsY/ThYQqrVwUPI/AAAAAAAAA8U/X0Z5pdlUkq4/s400/photo%252821%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703109820535026" border="0" /></a>I applied 2 coats of Killz and then 2 coats of Behr Pure White (Satin Kitchen and Bath). The transformation is remarkable.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0qQaRTAurA/ThYQqRnCUgI/AAAAAAAAA8M/O99YCcHyf-U/s1600/photo%252822%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0qQaRTAurA/ThYQqRnCUgI/AAAAAAAAA8M/O99YCcHyf-U/s400/photo%252822%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626703102913696258" border="0" /></a>While it's definitely not my <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/52991376/">dream bathroom</a>, it's a bathroom that we can absolutely live with, and doesn't hurt the resale value of our home the way it may have before. Mark has already installed a nice white cabinet above the toilet that adds more dimension (and storage) to the room. Overall it was well worth the weekend of work it took, and I think I'll leave this room alone for a while. :)Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-49372014540654633772011-06-13T11:45:00.000-07:002011-06-28T09:23:07.924-07:00DIY Mother of Pearl braceletA couple of weeks ago, while Mark was in Vegas for his bachelor weekend, I decided to get in on some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DIY</span> action. I was originally inspired by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/25622663/">this</a> bracelet, but couldn't find a similar chain at Joann's. <a href="http://www.forzzx.com/webcontent/default.asp?ID=959&pageID=40">This mother of pearl strand</a> of beads however was marked down from $3.99 to $0.97 -cheaper online I'm finding.<br /><br />So here's what I came up with.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Step 1. I separated embroidery thread into two sections and then took one length of thread and thinned it down to a few strands so it would fit through the beads.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RZ7S5IeS4/Tgn5usC1n6I/AAAAAAAAA8A/qUwETXF880E/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RZ7S5IeS4/Tgn5usC1n6I/AAAAAAAAA8A/qUwETXF880E/s400/photo%25287%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623300190241136546" border="0" /></a><br />Step 2: I threaded the thinned strand onto a needle and strung 6 of the mother of pearl beads, knotting it at each end.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8XHELJzYow/Tgn5uqMicPI/AAAAAAAAA74/BomKas3bd2o/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8XHELJzYow/Tgn5uqMicPI/AAAAAAAAA74/BomKas3bd2o/s400/photo%25288%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623300189744951538" border="0" /></a><br />Step 3: Take one of the sections of embroidery thread and wrap a piece of scotch tape around the end so it's almost like a shoelace and can go through the rectangles easily.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3M6jWbmfbuw/Tgn5uTxe8lI/AAAAAAAAA7w/Uji73woBK58/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3M6jWbmfbuw/Tgn5uTxe8lI/AAAAAAAAA7w/Uji73woBK58/s400/photo%25289%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623300183725896274" border="0" /></a><br />Step 4: Weave through the rectangles.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClUhJ_8CdAE/Tgn5uDwq_KI/AAAAAAAAA7o/fLC2Nqq6SBY/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClUhJ_8CdAE/Tgn5uDwq_KI/AAAAAAAAA7o/fLC2Nqq6SBY/s400/photo%252810%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623300179427523746" border="0" /></a><br />Step 5: Do the same thing with the other strand, but weave the opposite way. Knot the two sections of thread on each end. Don't pull too tight or the beads will start to bend upwards and zig-zag. Combine the 2 strands and then separate them into three equal sections.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJyMYEUfp8I/Tgn5MmN534I/AAAAAAAAA7g/gI4GPL06F-U/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJyMYEUfp8I/Tgn5MmN534I/AAAAAAAAA7g/gI4GPL06F-U/s400/photo%252811%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299604561387394" border="0" /></a><br />Step 6: Braid the sections.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlOmQp0gQ5w/Tgn5Mf68UpI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/J-e94n1cLE4/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlOmQp0gQ5w/Tgn5Mf68UpI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/J-e94n1cLE4/s400/photo%252812%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299602871243410" border="0" /></a><br />Step 7: Knot the end with a toggle clasp inside. I affixed my knots with a little bit of epoxy glue to make sure they hold up.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zL7y-osHNpE/Tgn5MEiuiII/AAAAAAAAA7Q/upTmoAI3nPs/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zL7y-osHNpE/Tgn5MEiuiII/AAAAAAAAA7Q/upTmoAI3nPs/s400/photo%252813%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299595521919106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tadaa! Finished product.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nISb1zqwKm8/Tgn5MNV58wI/AAAAAAAAA7I/Sj2MUmaB9k4/s1600/photo%252814%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nISb1zqwKm8/Tgn5MNV58wI/AAAAAAAAA7I/Sj2MUmaB9k4/s400/photo%252814%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299597884060418" border="0" /></a>Also in navy...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V0M8WiKkJ4/Tgn5L_sEwfI/AAAAAAAAA7A/i_roWwmzIEc/s1600/photo%252815%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V0M8WiKkJ4/Tgn5L_sEwfI/AAAAAAAAA7A/i_roWwmzIEc/s400/photo%252815%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299594218947058" border="0" /></a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-29323321082865302512011-06-07T09:12:00.000-07:002011-06-07T09:38:08.222-07:00Closet updateBehold my organized closet. Before you laugh and say, <span style="font-style: italic;">that's clean?!</span>,<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>let's not forget the <a href="http://shiriously.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-kind-of-slob-sometimes.html">before</a>. First of all, I got rid of a TON of stuff. I try to go through my closet a couple of times a year and donate/give away anything I don't think I'll wear, but I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> bad at parting with things I love. I got rid of so much this time, which, while it sucked in the process, I will say that getting ready in the morning and picking out what to wear in the last couple of days has taken far less time.<br /><br />So on the right side... I'm not one to organize by sleeve length or color, so don't judge. I've always stored my purses and clutches on the top shelf. I kept them there, however, now all of the clutches and small bags are in the plastic drawer containers. To the right of those are my designer/nicer purses that I keep in the original dust bags.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUp82dScS-0/Te5OBTUNAUI/AAAAAAAAA64/kd_IY2FXY78/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUp82dScS-0/Te5OBTUNAUI/AAAAAAAAA64/kd_IY2FXY78/s400/photo%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615511569649434946" border="0" /></a>The shoe solution is not long term. I suck at keeping my shoes organized and need to figure out a better rack system. -or something. The other half of my shoe collection lives in my half of the bedroom closet and in our coat closet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ariFRjkByw/Te5OA8avtdI/AAAAAAAAA6w/iWJfqxyxMe0/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ariFRjkByw/Te5OA8avtdI/AAAAAAAAA6w/iWJfqxyxMe0/s400/photo%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615511563502859730" border="0" /></a>The right side is mostly sweaters and dresses. On the bottom are a couple larger plastic drawers and a wicker hamper where I put my hand wash/dry clean only clothes. You can't see it too well, but on the top shelf are all of my jeans/cords. Up until this weekend, I hung all of my pants, but in an effort to not smush all of my clothes, I opted to go with folding them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agw3JFi6duo/Te5OAi-YRXI/AAAAAAAAA6o/X2oHNgxgt_0/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agw3JFi6duo/Te5OAi-YRXI/AAAAAAAAA6o/X2oHNgxgt_0/s400/photo%25285%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615511556672996722" border="0" /></a>The rest of the room is much cleaner now too. I still have a couple of mail stacks/magazines to go through, but in the meantime, I'm pretty happy with the results. It's far from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/15551938/">dream closet</a>, but for now, it will do. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpWt2_XUa40/Te5OARpbMbI/AAAAAAAAA6g/YxdKNcf_5cU/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpWt2_XUa40/Te5OARpbMbI/AAAAAAAAA6g/YxdKNcf_5cU/s400/photo%25286%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615511552021705138" border="0" /></a>I know what you're thinking. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wow Shiri. This blog content is so insanely interesting. </span>I know. Pretty lame. Well if you're still reading my blog, (it may be more of a diary at this point,) there will be more updates soon. We finally bought the <a href="http://www.susanjablonmosaics.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/700">tile</a> for our kitchen backsplash and will be putting that in soon, which will make our kitchen 100% complete. Plus, we're in the process of planning our backyard rehearsal dinner and I will try to share some of the details on here too.Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-89066054976921110362011-06-06T09:21:00.000-07:002011-06-06T14:05:14.608-07:00I'm kind of a slob sometimes...A good chunk of my day on Saturday was spent cleaning my closet. While I'm far from a hoarder, I'm perfectly content with a hidden mess. Our house usually stays pretty clean and organized, as long as you stay out of the office (where my closet resides).<br /><br />Up until this weekend, the office looked like an episode of <span style="font-style: italic;">Hoarders</span>. -And not because I'm a hoarder. I know. First stage is denial, right? Well I seriously am not. I swear. The office had just become an easy dumping ground for all of my crafty wedding stuff (tissue paper, pink wagon, shoes, bridesmaids gifts, the list goes on). Plus all of the mail, magazines, and other need-to-file crap that I thought looked okay as long as it was neatly stacked. Neatly stacked... I wonder how many hoarders say that about their collections. Mark finally deemed an intervention appropriate. It was necessary. He even offered to help and create some overflow temporary storage for all of the wedding stuff.<br /><br />Well we did it folks. I no longer have to keep the office door closed! Once I was done, the last thing I wanted to do was take an "after" photo. I was burned out. So I'll leave you with a couple of befores. These only show one side of my ridiculous mess, but I assure you the other side was no better. I'll try to post the afters soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Ry9k7YEdM/Te0Ba2hjQsI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/uBSxK3dp0lY/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Ry9k7YEdM/Te0Ba2hjQsI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/uBSxK3dp0lY/s400/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615145871225340610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcf9WW7JZ1w/Te0BbDlMPdI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/hRjlRCM9r2Y/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcf9WW7JZ1w/Te0BbDlMPdI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/hRjlRCM9r2Y/s400/photo%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615145874730270162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Ry9k7YEdM/Te0Ba2hjQsI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/uBSxK3dp0lY/s1600/photo.JPG"><br /></a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-70166427957680087062011-05-16T15:37:00.000-07:002011-05-16T15:50:18.684-07:00Mystic Tan is not an editing option in PhotoshopTali posted our engagement photos on her <a href="http://wildhousephoto.com/blog/?p=341">blog</a> last week! We absolutely love them! It's amazing how a photographer can suggest a pose that seems so unnatural in the moment and it ends up looking so real and perfect in the end. Tali's talent never ceases to impress me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1D35j-sOmY/TdGpmeKoHWI/AAAAAAAAA6E/ZuItt4bUxIQ/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1D35j-sOmY/TdGpmeKoHWI/AAAAAAAAA6E/ZuItt4bUxIQ/s400/Untitled-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607449489450736994" border="0" /></a>Thank goodness my wedding dress will mask my pale legs, as they are blinding... <br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PH3RLuRvHPg/TdGpmCkgPII/AAAAAAAAA58/x_USyGmRfCQ/s1600/DSC_5889.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PH3RLuRvHPg/TdGpmCkgPII/AAAAAAAAA58/x_USyGmRfCQ/s400/DSC_5889.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607449482043079810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAWYmcD9rjU/TdGpl5XgcYI/AAAAAAAAA50/bIbnP_lcoZE/s1600/DSC_5863.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAWYmcD9rjU/TdGpl5XgcYI/AAAAAAAAA50/bIbnP_lcoZE/s400/DSC_5863.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607449479572648322" border="0" /></a><br /> For more photos with higher resolution, head over to <a href="http://wildhousephoto.com/blog/?p=341">Tali's blog.</a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-28236761885215834632011-04-28T11:33:00.000-07:002011-04-28T12:37:16.622-07:00Sunshine, fruit kabobs, and rainbows everywhereWhile we were in Austin a couple of weeks ago, Tali and Cliff hosted Dahlia's first birthday party. It was no small feat! There were about 40 attendees including the kids. Tali really went all out with the rainbow theme. There was rainbow food, colorful photo backdrops, and Dahlia even wore a rainbow dress!<br /><br />Here are some photos captured by Tali, Francis and a few other guests.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydJGWKjetj4/Tbm_zOTMCTI/AAAAAAAAA5s/6E70cw2VDsc/s1600/dsc_5970.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydJGWKjetj4/Tbm_zOTMCTI/AAAAAAAAA5s/6E70cw2VDsc/s400/dsc_5970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600718498344732978" border="0" /></a>The rainbow food spread included fruit kabobs, skittles, baked mac n' cheese cups, rainbow cupcakes, veggies, and more!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Da1t5lt3sH4/Tbm_yqJH9JI/AAAAAAAAA5k/CfSeQMDHlKk/s1600/dsc_5971.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Da1t5lt3sH4/Tbm_yqJH9JI/AAAAAAAAA5k/CfSeQMDHlKk/s400/dsc_5971.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600718488638846098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ng2eRQUxfI8/Tbm_yXKWFZI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Q7MxUYvovD8/s1600/dsc_5972.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ng2eRQUxfI8/Tbm_yXKWFZI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Q7MxUYvovD8/s400/dsc_5972.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600718483543692690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jqKsS3M2Wc/Tbm_x-Vh7LI/AAAAAAAAA5U/hYA828-ZVw0/s1600/dsc_6086.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jqKsS3M2Wc/Tbm_x-Vh7LI/AAAAAAAAA5U/hYA828-ZVw0/s400/dsc_6086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600718476879719602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gINgshWYnSg/Tbm_SXzzwQI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Vfjt37mj2ZA/s1600/dsc_6121.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gINgshWYnSg/Tbm_SXzzwQI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Vfjt37mj2ZA/s400/dsc_6121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600717933961789698" border="0" /></a>Dahlia is asking for her cupcake!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNFfayONFHs/Tbm_SJVyDhI/AAAAAAAAA5E/wyoIjvttPcA/s1600/dsc_6173.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNFfayONFHs/Tbm_SJVyDhI/AAAAAAAAA5E/wyoIjvttPcA/s400/dsc_6173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600717930077752850" border="0" /></a>she approves :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGczWvws6LE/Tbm_RhurQtI/AAAAAAAAA48/BL9D2Q84QBI/s1600/dsc_6254.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGczWvws6LE/Tbm_RhurQtI/AAAAAAAAA48/BL9D2Q84QBI/s400/dsc_6254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600717919444746962" border="0" /></a>photo bomb<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SD6H2uiQc2s/Tbm9BOiZ-JI/AAAAAAAAA40/2tQr2b_NeJQ/s1600/dsc_6257.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SD6H2uiQc2s/Tbm9BOiZ-JI/AAAAAAAAA40/2tQr2b_NeJQ/s400/dsc_6257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600715440391846034" border="0" /></a>rainbow love<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmpYZTrbbr8/Tbm9ArzXvqI/AAAAAAAAA4s/OhZ6Yd2Rpts/s1600/dsc_6292.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmpYZTrbbr8/Tbm9ArzXvqI/AAAAAAAAA4s/OhZ6Yd2Rpts/s400/dsc_6292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600715431067762338" border="0" /></a>isn't she the cutest? Dahlia's pretty cute too :)<br /></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-67442815304217704282011-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:002011-04-21T11:31:34.797-07:00In case you didn't know we were engaged...Here are a few photos that prove it! ...Actually they totally don't, but they're engagement photos.<br /><br />Both our wedding photographer <a href="http://francisjosephphotos.com/">Francis Joseph</a> and <a href="http://wildhousephoto.com/blog/">Tali</a> collaborated on our engagement photo shoot on Saturday.<br /><br />Mark and I had a blast. We started at the Dripping Springs Founders Day Fair, and then navigated our way deeper into the country and found a nice field.<br /><br />We are dying to see all of the photos, but Francis and Tali were kind enough to share a few teasers to tide us over.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrhE-Y9A6RY/TbB2wLdSV7I/AAAAAAAAA4M/P1zziOnoiao/s1600/dsc_5847.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrhE-Y9A6RY/TbB2wLdSV7I/AAAAAAAAA4M/P1zziOnoiao/s400/dsc_5847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598104906902951858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(c) Tali Wildman</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_7qBNhtsxE/TbB2wbaxBKI/AAAAAAAAA4U/uMrjlOCmUgU/s1600/sweetspot.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_7qBNhtsxE/TbB2wbaxBKI/AAAAAAAAA4U/uMrjlOCmUgU/s400/sweetspot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598104911187346594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(c) Francis Joseph</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNSkYDPOK_I/TbB2wn6wNzI/AAAAAAAAA4c/iF5ZTgV9Wu4/s1600/field.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNSkYDPOK_I/TbB2wn6wNzI/AAAAAAAAA4c/iF5ZTgV9Wu4/s400/field.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598104914542737202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(c) Francis Joseph</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXJORirKksk/TbB2xLFzbVI/AAAAAAAAA4k/s_1kgjH7R_Q/s1600/dsc_5891.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXJORirKksk/TbB2xLFzbVI/AAAAAAAAA4k/s_1kgjH7R_Q/s400/dsc_5891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598104923984325970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(c) Tali Wildman</span></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-29193390455147354792011-04-08T13:02:00.000-07:002011-04-08T13:13:46.858-07:00One.A year ago yesterday, something awesome happened. My beautiful niece Dahlia was brought into the world.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DchyBvkkQw/TZ9rR68dVAI/AAAAAAAAA38/lMUbYYmPTW8/s1600/photo%252834%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DchyBvkkQw/TZ9rR68dVAI/AAAAAAAAA38/lMUbYYmPTW8/s400/photo%252834%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593307217842230274" border="0" /></a>I can't even begin to express how happy she has made me. Yes, we may have 1500 miles between us, but the iPhone 4 is awesome, and I get to see her at least a couple of times a week.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwhu6X2mn1Q/TZ9sMD-8zhI/AAAAAAAAA4E/bT6Tfq-86uY/s1600/iphone.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 317px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwhu6X2mn1Q/TZ9sMD-8zhI/AAAAAAAAA4E/bT6Tfq-86uY/s400/iphone.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593308216701013522" border="0" /></a>Yesterday Tali, Cliff, and the folks celebrated with Dahlia, and she got her first dose of cake!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsddGuHTg1w/TZ9rRnMgnOI/AAAAAAAAA30/6jgHoiqF1kw/s1600/1243833212_dsc_5041.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsddGuHTg1w/TZ9rRnMgnOI/AAAAAAAAA30/6jgHoiqF1kw/s400/1243833212_dsc_5041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593307212540845282" border="0" /></a>And her first tutu...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXMEDl7owsU/TZ9rRVnrW5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/QCQEjPC9E_0/s1600/1243828281_dsc_4909.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXMEDl7owsU/TZ9rRVnrW5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/QCQEjPC9E_0/s400/1243828281_dsc_4909.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593307207822957458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhjFPydNarU/TZ9rQ2HIIMI/AAAAAAAAA3k/L7lqAOZTcYM/s1600/1243836469_dsc_5104.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhjFPydNarU/TZ9rQ2HIIMI/AAAAAAAAA3k/L7lqAOZTcYM/s400/1243836469_dsc_5104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593307199364931778" border="0" /></a>Mark and I are headed to Austin next week for Passover, engagement photos, and most importantly, Dahlia's first birthday party.<br /><br />I can't wait!Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-55506021442198171802011-04-05T11:06:00.001-07:002011-04-05T11:19:14.285-07:00It's not like I hate blogging...Really, I don't, and now that my readership consists solely of people who have googled a paint color and my parents, I figure an entry is in order... To entertain all two of you.<br /><br />I haven't even been that busy to tell you the truth. I just plain haven't felt like it, and by golly, sometimes The Real Housewives take precedent. (Mark is cringing right now, if he by chance is still part of the readership, which would make three in that case.)<br /><br />A lot has changed with the house though -namely the backyard. We finally bit the bullet and got some landscaping! I'd love to claim we did it ourselves, but then I'd be lying, and no one likes that. We had sod put in, along with 3 trees, flowers, plants and some gravel. All in all it is way cool. Don't believe me? See for yourself.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6UnSlA7rQ4/TZtcuuCkFlI/AAAAAAAAA3U/4jaCf-M27KU/s1600/backyard.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6UnSlA7rQ4/TZtcuuCkFlI/AAAAAAAAA3U/4jaCf-M27KU/s400/backyard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592165320013125202" border="0" /></a>One of the biggest pluses about having grass, is the dogs don't come inside muddy any more. grass+dogs=clean floors+happy Shiri<br /><br />Another thing we (Mark) did was put down some cobble stone in the front where there was uneven dirt. This serves as a great place for all of our potted plants. We plan to eventually do it on the other side of the front door too and create a quazi-front porch.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SKDKdrN97N4/TZtcvFDayoI/AAAAAAAAA3c/AmEHUF91jk0/s1600/cobblestone.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SKDKdrN97N4/TZtcvFDayoI/AAAAAAAAA3c/AmEHUF91jk0/s400/cobblestone.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592165326190725762" border="0" /></a><br />So there you have it folks. I don't hate blogging, I'm just too busy thinking about what I should be doing for the wedding. :)Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-79056203547864042142011-01-22T16:26:00.000-08:002011-01-22T16:48:46.434-08:00There will be doors.Wow, it's been a while since I've posted a solid home improvement entry. Hope you're ready for it.<br /><br />Where to begin? I guess it's worth starting with the fact that Mark and I have been lacking doors... We took the linen closet doors down when we first moved in and thought we'd paint them. Fast forward a year and a half and the closet is still exposed. That would be fine and dandy if I was say, Martha Stewart and had all of my towels neatly folded and cute baskets housing all of the random crap in there. But alas, I'm not... and I don't...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JrRHauI/AAAAAAAAA3E/W9Ke7QNkW08/s1600/openlinen.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173872175049442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JrRHauI/AAAAAAAAA3E/W9Ke7QNkW08/s400/openlinen.JPG" /></a> So I took a trip to Lowes and picked up the below supplies.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4Jrk8jCI/AAAAAAAAA28/9RBdiPeWVVM/s1600/linenmaterials.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173872258223138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4Jrk8jCI/AAAAAAAAA28/9RBdiPeWVVM/s400/linenmaterials.JPG" /></a> ...and got to sawing. I had the backings cut to size at Lowes and then used our friend Aaron's mitre saw to cut the trim.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JRDkHYI/AAAAAAAAA20/sVjQlNxi3_g/s1600/shirisaw.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173865138888066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JRDkHYI/AAAAAAAAA20/sVjQlNxi3_g/s400/shirisaw.JPG" /></a> Don't I look professional?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JNx5nMI/AAAAAAAAA2s/a4T4HfoCQf8/s1600/linenbig.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173864259493058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JNx5nMI/AAAAAAAAA2s/a4T4HfoCQf8/s400/linenbig.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JGGfjhI/AAAAAAAAA2k/NjXUTBhzzp4/s1600/linen%2Bsmall.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173862198382098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt4JGGfjhI/AAAAAAAAA2k/NjXUTBhzzp4/s400/linen%2Bsmall.JPG" /></a> Now I just have to sand, prime, and paint...</div><div></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">But no folks, that's not all. We were living with a door-less office as well as a door-less master bathroom. Not to mention the non-fire door we had connecting the house to the garage. Fear not people. Aaron and Mark sanded, shimmed, and installed those too!</div><div align="left"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173380091528946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3tCHQxvI/AAAAAAAAA2c/uClpyLieckk/s400/firedooruninstalled.JPG" /> The uninstalled fire door</div><div align="center"></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3tBIqL7I/AAAAAAAAA2U/tMakZLKS94o/s1600/aaronsand.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173379828953010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3tBIqL7I/AAAAAAAAA2U/tMakZLKS94o/s400/aaronsand.JPG" /></a> Aaron sands down the office door<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3sy4TtZI/AAAAAAAAA2M/ERwrlahE9us/s1600/firedoorframe.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173376002274706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3sy4TtZI/AAAAAAAAA2M/ERwrlahE9us/s400/firedoorframe.JPG" /></a> Installing the fire door frame<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3soPNfTI/AAAAAAAAA2E/ytSlE-n5N4Q/s1600/firedoor.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565173373145546034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TTt3soPNfTI/AAAAAAAAA2E/ytSlE-n5N4Q/s400/firedoor.JPG" /></a> We've got doors!!!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Now we just have to re-trim the fire door and prime and paint the others. All in a day's work...<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-81207648009370097372011-01-12T10:42:00.000-08:002011-01-12T10:58:34.380-08:00Lean Mean Wedding Planning Machine...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TS35u7zCURI/AAAAAAAAA18/KfpIl6OAbfw/s1600/tandembike.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TS35u7zCURI/AAAAAAAAA18/KfpIl6OAbfw/s400/tandembike.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561375699593482514" border="0" /></a><br />That's right folks. If you just chanced upon my blog or are secretly stalking me and don't know me too well, I'm a planner and a doer. I suffer from anxiety and can't rest until things are handled, which in the case of a wedding that's 8 months away, may be difficult. Don't hyperventilate on my behalf though, we're gettin'er done.<br /><br />In the 3 weeks since our engagement, Mark and I have picked a date (9.10.11), booked a venue for the ceremony and reception, picked out our menu (with the exception of hors d'oeuvres which we'll pick next month and cake which we still have to taste), booked a photographer (the amazing <a href="http://francisjosephphotos.com/blog/">Francis Joseph</a> who will be flying out from Austin, TX), started our wedding website, found a dress (I think -ordering it today), picked out a color scheme (girls in various shades of purple, guys in grey suits), decided on flowers, and a couple of other things...<br /><br />The alternative was sleepless nights or xanax, neither of which is a good long term solution. So there you have it. This process is surprisingly fun once you handle some of the bigger pieces. This weekend we will hopefully create our save the dates and perhaps even begin registering...Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-8153292622222430732010-12-27T15:31:00.000-08:002010-12-27T15:50:37.658-08:00And the clouds partedShortly after posting my last entry on Weds, the rain finally stopped and the sun peaked through. Mark and I were both home early from work, and after suffering from some major cabin fever for a week, Mark had the brilliant suggestion that we get out of the house and go on a bike ride.<br /><br />And so we rode. We took a route that's fairly familiar to us that passes through a nice park in our neighborhood, where on nicer days, it's fun to bring our gloves and play catch. Mark suggested we travel through the park rather than go around it. I rode a bit ahead, when suddenly I heard a crashing noise and Mark yelling. Man down. That's not what he said, but I turned around to see him on the ground next to his collapsed bicycle. I turned my bike around and walked it back towards him.<br /><br />Me: What happened?!<br /><br />Mark: I slipped.<br /><br />Me: Let me see your hands<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(I expected his hands to be scraped, because that's what I remember of every time I've fallen off of my bike.)</span><br /><br />It was at this point that Mark (still on the ground) reached over to my bike, put down the kickstand, and lifted himself onto one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket. He made a beautiful proposal, much of which is a blur, as I was so surprised/confused/shocked at the moment. All I know is I said yes and was giggling uncontrollably out of excitement and happiness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRklzsQ6iaI/AAAAAAAAA1s/jVwIofWP9n4/s1600/doublerainbow.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRklzsQ6iaI/AAAAAAAAA1s/jVwIofWP9n4/s400/doublerainbow.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555513185323878818" border="0" /></a>As we got back on our bikes to ride back to the house, we were greeted with the largest rainbow either of us had ever seen, which I have since learned was a double rainbow. I'm not one for mushy, serendipitous talk, but in that moment, I knew everything had fallen into place just the way it was meant to.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRkmIVylMCI/AAAAAAAAA10/PKi15iXjmCM/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRkmIVylMCI/AAAAAAAAA10/PKi15iXjmCM/s400/photo%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555513540068323362" border="0" /></a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-50329838420623534602010-12-22T10:10:00.001-08:002010-12-22T10:17:21.079-08:00Effin' RainAs you can probably guess by the title, I'm so not a fan of the rain, and the week straight of it that we've had here in So-Cal, I could frankly do without. This is not why I moved to California. The view out my window is dismal. Behold exhibit A:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRJAOdqF_1I/AAAAAAAAA1g/t7K6ID8xXJo/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TRJAOdqF_1I/AAAAAAAAA1g/t7K6ID8xXJo/s400/photo%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553571907724771154" border="0" /></a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-32377034878029340382010-12-10T11:05:00.000-08:002010-12-11T11:05:16.976-08:00Best Holiday Gift Ever...It's no secret that dogs (all of them, not just my own) hold a very special place in my heart. Mark and I have been so lucky with Griffin and Lola, and this time of year especially, I think it's important to remember our furry friends that may not be so lucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQJ9Bwq1lJI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/PtU0Eljpb9E/s1600/photo%252846%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549135160071787666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQJ9Bwq1lJI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/PtU0Eljpb9E/s400/photo%252846%2529.JPG" /></a>Both Griffin and Lola came to us from the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter, via <a href="http://animaladvocatesalliance.org/">Animal Advocates Alliance</a>. The Baldwin Park Animal Shelter receives anywhere from 30 to 100 dogs A DAY, that are either brought in as strays or dumped by their former owners. Unfortunately not all of these dogs make it out, as L.A. County shelters are severely overcrowded, and the dogs (even the adoptable ones) have a very limited time to find their forever homes.<br /><br />I shudder/cry/dread the thought of what if we had not gotten Lola or Griffin in time? You may think, well they're adorable and well behaved, someone else would have saved them. That's not always the case. Great dogs are euthanized daily at these shelters.<br /><br />Okay, before you swear off of reading my blog forever because it's just too sad and depressing, I want to share with you the latest networking list of dogs at Baldwin Park. Along with each photo and description, there is a video of the dog. If you are not looking to add to your family, but know someone who might me, please pass the list along.<br /><br /><a href="http://animaladvocatesalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/12-10-10-BP-Networking-List.pdf">Latest Networking List</a><br /><br />In addition, there will be an adoption event this Sunday, December 12th, at Pan Pacific Park in Hollywood from 11am-4pm.<br /><br />And please, please, don't shop, adopt!Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-51630658332082977232010-12-09T11:00:00.000-08:002010-12-09T14:26:49.396-08:00Where cars go to die...So I've been trying to work out at least three days a week during my lunch. Two of the three workouts are organized by a trainer, and the third I just wander around, making sure to include some hills for good measure. I came across these old cars and trams that are likely used as props now, but I thought they were just awesome and worth sharing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXG0MeG9I/AAAAAAAAA1I/aV2VI4ABjA0/s1600/photo%252845%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXG0MeG9I/AAAAAAAAA1I/aV2VI4ABjA0/s400/photo%252845%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548811990498941906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXGmk_zyI/AAAAAAAAA1A/ejy-pz_y9d8/s1600/photo%252844%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXGmk_zyI/AAAAAAAAA1A/ejy-pz_y9d8/s400/photo%252844%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548811986843717410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXGPpQCTI/AAAAAAAAA04/2TvH8HKYT5s/s1600/photo%252843%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXGPpQCTI/AAAAAAAAA04/2TvH8HKYT5s/s400/photo%252843%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548811980687542578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXF_YswfI/AAAAAAAAA0w/vsOrGvmuJ4U/s1600/photo%252842%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TQFXF_YswfI/AAAAAAAAA0w/vsOrGvmuJ4U/s400/photo%252842%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548811976323154418" border="0" /></a>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-75005113809758378212010-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:002010-12-03T11:34:17.611-08:00Eating NakedBefore I tell you where Mark and I went for our anniversary dinner, I'd like to show off some photos.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s1600/OPAQUE.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s400/OPAQUE.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546536814918686018" border="0" /></a>Appetizer: amuse bouche (single bite) goat cheese-stuffed grape tomato<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s1600/OPAQUE.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s400/OPAQUE.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546536814918686018" border="0" /></a>Salad Course: Mark: Baby green salad with a vegetable springroll, Me: Heirloom tomato salad with cucumbers and prosciutto wrapped melon<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s1600/OPAQUE.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s400/OPAQUE.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546536814918686018" border="0" /></a>Entree: Mark: Fillet Mignon topped with shitake mushrooms, Me: Herb roasted chicken breast<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s1600/OPAQUE.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPlB2Kra1UI/AAAAAAAAA0o/ykmVPvQ8sik/s400/OPAQUE.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546536814918686018" border="0" /></a>Dessert: Mark and I shared a chocolate lava cake and mango panna cotta<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">No, there's nothing wrong with my camera... I surprised Mark with a dinner at <a href="http://la.darkdining.com/">Opaque</a>. Opaque is a place I had heard and read about, but it wasn't until it was featured on <a href="http://www.groupon.com/r/uu2796641">groupon</a> that I took the bait (it's rather expensive otherwise). The concept is unique -the entire dining experience takes place in pitch black darkness and the wait staff are all visually impaired.<br /><br />The experience was amazing to say the least. Our order was taken in the reception area, and we were quickly greeted by our waitress, Beatrice. Mark and I lined up single file behind her as she led us into the darkness. She mapped out the table for us and explained where each of the items was or would be. There was a lot of nervous laughter -not just from us, but from other diners as well. We quickly acclimated to the darkness -and by that I don't mean that we adjusted, as this was the kind of darkness that you just can't adjust to.<br /><br />The eating part of the experience was a bit more challenging. First we tried just stabbing at the plate, hoping to pick up some food, but I quickly resorted to using my hands when necessary. The food was delicious. It was hard to tell if I was picking up on more flavor because my senses were heightened, or because the flavors were just plain robust and yummy.<br /><br />My favorite part of the meal was when Mark commented, "I wish I could eat naked all the time." It was hilarious and the table next to us thought so too. That's just how dark it was. We could have all been naked and no one would have known...<br /><br />Happy Friday!<br /></div></div></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-40984029306687159402010-12-01T14:52:00.000-08:002010-12-01T14:58:20.982-08:00Family PortraitMark and I spent Thanksgiving in Austin this year, and it was great! The weather was fantastic, the food was amazing, and we got to spend quality time with the family. <br /><br />Here are some photos from our family portrait session that Tali took.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSg-VUlxI/AAAAAAAAA0g/60o8ysGXIEw/s1600/1110551491_dsc_5177.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSg-VUlxI/AAAAAAAAA0g/60o8ysGXIEw/s400/1110551491_dsc_5177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545851455083419410" border="0" /></a>This one is just too funny :)<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSgoL4LRI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/zlaaDI5SjpM/s1600/1110552585_dsc_5209.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSgoL4LRI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/zlaaDI5SjpM/s400/1110552585_dsc_5209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545851449138228498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSgHSa45I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lxecQKHKTpE/s1600/1110550312_dsc_5167.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSgHSa45I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lxecQKHKTpE/s400/1110550312_dsc_5167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545851440307299218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSfkL-leI/AAAAAAAAA0I/5nvS8Q9vdBA/s1600/1110549934_dsc_5150.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSfkL-leI/AAAAAAAAA0I/5nvS8Q9vdBA/s400/1110549934_dsc_5150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545851430885037538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSfT0QHUI/AAAAAAAAA0A/v_m7Z9eDOUw/s1600/1110549988_dsc_5148.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbSfT0QHUI/AAAAAAAAA0A/v_m7Z9eDOUw/s400/1110549988_dsc_5148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545851426490555714" border="0" /></a>I'm Thankful for the great visit, these lovely photos, and my wonderful family. :)Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-73926605361091642092010-12-01T14:02:00.001-08:002010-12-01T15:50:21.192-08:00The way to a girl's heartis through Sprinkles' cupcakes...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbG2ImHj-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/7i4pBIx6eRM/s1600/photo%252840%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbG2ImHj-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/7i4pBIx6eRM/s400/photo%252840%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545838624475942882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbG2GVMDqI/AAAAAAAAAzw/8lX2GuFG7vM/s1600/photo%252841%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPbG2GVMDqI/AAAAAAAAAzw/8lX2GuFG7vM/s400/photo%252841%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545838623868063394" border="0" /></a>Mark had these sent to my office today, as it's our three year anniversary, not aninversary. (That was my bad, the NI smushed against the A, so I took it out and put it back upsidedown...). We'll celebrate tonight with sushi -we made sushi on our first date, and then tomorrow,for my gift to Mark, I'm taking us to a very special place for dinner. Shhhh, it's a surprise!Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-6055733832195003832010-11-29T14:16:00.000-08:002010-11-29T14:21:37.163-08:00I think I'll go for a walk outside...I decided to go for a long walk around the lot today during my lunch. It's amazing how calm and serene it is once you get away from the noise...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPQnBAtWbQI/AAAAAAAAAzo/KMTUl7a40c8/s1600/photo%252831%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPQnBAtWbQI/AAAAAAAAAzo/KMTUl7a40c8/s400/photo%252831%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545099939523489026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPQnAw9ZnGI/AAAAAAAAAzg/6xoXBn7aoOo/s1600/photo%252832%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TPQnAw9ZnGI/AAAAAAAAAzg/6xoXBn7aoOo/s400/photo%252832%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545099935295839330" border="0" /></a>These were taken with the Hipstamatic app.<br /><br />Photos and updates from our Austin Thanksgiving coming soon...Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-7413197420792389532010-11-23T10:50:00.001-08:002010-11-23T11:12:18.073-08:00That's a Wrap...for my first generation iPhone, that is. Say hello to my little friend, the iPhone 4. Ok, you can't quite see it, but you can see a photo I took with it (with a flash, in the <span style="font-style: italic;">dark</span>). Mark and my anniversary is coming up, and just so happens to fall on the first night of Hanukkah. My phone was starting to act all possessed-like, so I made the reluctant request for a new one. I say reluctant because if it aint broke, why fix it? -and my old iPhone was just possessed, not broken.<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm in love. With Mark. -and the new phone, well it's awesome. I'm still learning the ins and outs of it, and am not holding my breath for more of my friends to get it so we can video call each other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TOwQWZb0EwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/OsBzpiIxNUQ/s1600/photo%252830%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TOwQWZb0EwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/OsBzpiIxNUQ/s400/photo%252830%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542823218356949762" border="0" /></a><br />This is a photo I took last night of the gallery wrapped canvases I recently ordered. Tali took these great shots of Griffin and Lola back in August, and I'd been waiting (not holding my breath) for <a href="http://www.groupon.com/r/uu2796641">Groupon</a> deals for <a href="http://www.canvasondemand.com/">CanvasOnDemand</a>. If you're not sure what <a href="http://www.groupon.com/r/uu2796641">Groupon</a> is, run, don't walk. They offer daily deals for cities across the US. Some are city specific, some are online deals.<br />Tali introduced me to this <a href="http://grouproundup.com/home/all">website</a> that helps you sort through other cities' deals. And as for CanvasOnDemand, they produce the best gallery wrapped photo-canvases.Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-61769101323487025882010-11-08T14:04:00.000-08:002010-11-08T14:27:02.807-08:00Magnitude 5.3<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TNh0KU2n3UI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/RUqkpFOF858/s1600/dogrun.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TNh0KU2n3UI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/RUqkpFOF858/s400/dogrun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537303462597352770" border="0" /></a>...jackhammering going on...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's right folks. We're never done. Now that we have the inside at a good temporary stopping point, it's time to divert our attention to the backyard.<br /><br />Mark's got some sort of aversion to people being able to see into our windows. I just don't get it. The old people need entertainment too! (Kidding...or am I?)<br /><br />Anyhow, the plan is to plant a living wall of bamboo around the back yard fence to add a few extra feet of height and maximize our privacy. In order to do that, we have to get rid of what appears to be a former dog run (i.e. giant slab of concrete). Once that's done, we (Mark or whomever we hire - as I have an aversion to shovels) will dig and line trenches (line so that the bamboo doesn't take over our yard). Then we (I can be included in this one) will plant the bamboo.<br /><br />But for now, we're at stage one: get rid of concrete.<br /><br />To be continued...<br /><br />P.S. this entry clearly shows that I have no aversion to the word aversion (or parentheticals for that matter)<br /></div></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-50777777522017210802010-11-05T20:56:00.001-07:002010-11-05T20:58:10.071-07:00The Greatest Love of All<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TNTSOA-IhuI/AAAAAAAAAzI/viBG_hcJfY0/s1600/IMG00032-20101105-1944.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TNTSOA-IhuI/AAAAAAAAAzI/viBG_hcJfY0/s400/IMG00032-20101105-1944.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536280980165789410" border="0" /></a><br />I love that Lola and Griffin love each other... and that they love sleeping on my lap :)Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874083268341574325.post-20067614437790830592010-11-01T10:08:00.000-07:002010-11-01T10:12:09.572-07:00Hannibal Lantern<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TM70Zn1Kg9I/AAAAAAAAAzA/-HMsb7p1mF0/s1600/photo%2823%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TM70Zn1Kg9I/AAAAAAAAAzA/-HMsb7p1mF0/s400/photo%2823%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534629713110795218" border="0" /></a>My masterpiece<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TM70ZL08K2I/AAAAAAAAAy4/SvcYdxasRdI/s1600/photo%2824%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UzheUmuKO-w/TM70ZL08K2I/AAAAAAAAAy4/SvcYdxasRdI/s400/photo%2824%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534629705593662306" border="0" /></a>Don't eat me, Hannibal Lantern!<br /></div>Shiriouslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00775704052521230360noreply@blogger.com0