Trials in domesticity...

Do.mes.tic: devoted to home duties and pleasures
I don't know how devoted I am to home duties and pleasures, but it never hurts to pretend. Since I have had an usual amounts of time on my hands, I made a list a little bit ago of perhaps some of the projects that I could complete ranging from finishing some cross stitching that I started 4 years ago to teaching myself how to sing. Some goals obviously have more hope for success than others, but one having a list made me feel good, and two it gave me some productive things to do amidst the job search.

Well project one was stenciling my wall with the phrase "Live well Laugh Often Love Much." Trial 1: Failed. As you can see in this lovely photo I did not use the right kind of paint for "Live Well". So it actually looks more like Halloween lettering, with the dripping blood affect. Creepy. Trial 2: A work in progress. Luckily I finished the rest and it did not look quite as bad. Also I hung some wire to hang up my pictures. I think it is pretty cute, not perfect but ok for a first time idea.

Then on Wednesday I decided to attempt cake decorating. Nothing too extravagant but just to give it a try. My grandma Willis made BEAUTIFUL wedding cakes. I was always fascinated by the fake cake that was covered with plastic in her basement. I remember being 11 and as I was frosting a cake having her pull me aside to tell me a trick. It is a talent that I don't think that I really have, but would like to work on. So I busted out a my decorating bags, tips, pans, icing knife, etc. Unfortunately it did not quite accomplish the look I was going for, but for a first try it wasn't too bad. I just hope for steady improvement. :)

As for now that is all, I will keep you posted on further adventures in domesticity, perhaps including my plans to make pesto from scratch on Sunday. Nothing too exciting, but hey it keeps me from being bored. Also I did get a job offer today! Finally. I can finally breath! :)

CAN YOU HELP? (Nothing serious. :) )

Last night I read through one of the 5 partial journals that I have in which nearly every entry begins... "I really should be better about writing in here..." I must admit that I am quite a terrible journal writer. In fact there is little documentation of many of the different occasions of my life. And as such I am determined to work on writing about my life until now and continue it as a work in process. This is where YOU come in. I often find that it isn't until I am in a certain situation or with certain people that certain memories are triggered. Therefore, I am requesting the help of my friends. If you could please email or comment with a memory that we have together. It can be funny, sad, silly, dumb, fun, happy, etc. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind, but whatever it is, it will be helpful. With your help I can fill in some of the gaps that I may have forgotten about. I realize that your time is precious and limited so if you can only write down one that's great. But if you have time for more GREAT! It doesn't need to be anything lengthy either it maybe just two words depending upon the situation. :) I would really really appreciate it! THANKS!

My little blog house warming party...

Tonight I had my first visitors over to our apartment. Seeing as I know few people in Mesa, I invited Shanna Garrett a sister from my mission, and Angelo a kid I know from my mission over for dinner. We had chicken pillows, one of my personal favorites, with awesome broccoli, fruit salad, and rice. I got to use my pewter dishes which I've never used before, and actually used my inherited dining table and the awesome chairs we got at IKEA. Although there is still plenty of room for improvement, it has been fun to put some of the pieces together. The living room has bits of South America, including two paintings we bought in Tiajuana two weeks ago. The little corner collection contains a lot of random pieces from all over south america. Then the kitchen wall has a European influence with my plates from Spain and Michelle's bells from Holland. Then my room, I figured I'd be honest and not really clean it. :) I love my bed spread, and the wall I painted to match. I plan on hanging more black and white photos that I've taken. And that's about it. Hope you enjoy the small insight into where I live. :)

Playing in the Rain! :)

Michelle and I said that the next time that it rained we would go outside and play in the rain. So last night I was putting something away in the closet when I heard what I thought was rain but turned out to be just a busted sprinkler head. But looking at the sky and smelling the air, I knew it was going to rain. So we waited... and then a few drops came and then it just opened up and poured. It was great! I wish they could capture the smell of rain and dirt in a candle. I love that smell. Michelle and I ran around in our parking lot, splashing each other in the puddles that quickly formed, much to the amusement of our neighbors.

Sketchy...

So today I was just chilling in my apartment when I heard what sounded like an announcement over a megaphone. So I peeked outside to see 8 cop cars outside. And then the SWAT truck... with the building next door all taped off... so I looked it up to see what was going on. Here's the story.

Even more traveling...

The other day I did a rough estimate, and I have traveled nearly 13,000 miles this summer. Before my trip to Europe I had traveled to Tucson, Houston, and Las Vegas. And following my trip I drove to Mesa one weekend, Los Angeles the next, San Diego the next weekend, and this weekend I will be in Las Vegas. Will I ever sit still? I doubt it. :)