Target

Yesterday's post Target at Goodwill made my think of this hilarious Saturday Night Live video.

Target Lady- It isn't on Youtube, so I couldn't straight post the video. But, click the link, it's worth it.

Also, I found this bonus: Target Lady Returns! With Daniel Radcliffe! Win!

Enjoy!

Target at Goodwill

Here's a tip for all you thrifty thrifters: Target apparently donates their surplus to local Goodwill thrift stores. Now, don't get too excited yet. The options are limited and random, and sometimes priced higher than you would want or expect to pay at a thrift store. Sometimes, however, you can find a gem.

Remember yesterday when I posted about my scarf obsession? Well, after I posted that, my husband and I took a trip to our local Goodwill to check out what housewares they had received from Target (I have been keeping my eye on a duvet cover, but it hasn't even hit the clearance level yet.) I didn't find quite what I was hoping I might stumble upon, but I did find this!

Surplus scarves from Target?! A dream come true! They even had my plaid one, which is always a little frustrating, but I had only paid like $4, so it wasn't too bad. They had a bunch of this pink scarf.

I mean, who can resist for $1.99? (1.99 are you out of your mind? What's that from?)

Zorro was kind enough to model for me. 

Even he loves a great scarf and a great deal!

So, check out your local Goodwill and see what treasures you can find!

Scarves

I love scarves!

I don't know what it is, but I think scarves are the perfect accessory. Sometimes they are practical, sometimes they are just for aesthetics. Prints, solids, wool, cotton, chiffon... I could go on forever!

In the past month, I have purchased 3 wintery scarves on clearance at Target! And now they have an abundance of spring scarves that I can't wait to go on sale! (My birthday is coming up...)

Here is central Florida, we don't get a lot of opportunity to take advantage of this accessory, but I jump any chance I get. I do the summer scarf thing. In fact, I wear scarves more than I wear necklaces.

Currently, about some of my lesser worn scarves are in storage. Here are the ones I brought with me plus my new ones:

This is definitely my go to. I love blue and I love patterns! Plus, it matches most of my shirts, since they are mostly blue also. It's light and fluffy, so it's not too warm. But in the winter, it does keep my neck warm. I am pretty sure I got this one on a Black Friday one year. What a great investment!

This one was a Christmas present from my sister not only made, but also sent straight from China!

These are my most recent purchases. I am also a big fan of plaid, so that one has probably been worn the most. It was nice to have that one random cold day each week last month. I think I wore a scarf every time the temperature dropped to 70. 

Well there you have it. So, if anyone is ever at a loss for what to get me, here's a good fall back! Keep it cheery, peppy, and in my color scheme and I'm sure to like it! 

Do you love scarves too? What do you love about them?

Hunger Games

If you don't know that this is happening, it's a current event of which you should be aware. Not that you should get your news from me, by any means. Anyways, tonight is the night! The phenomenon that is Hunger Games the movie comes out tonight at midnight! For those of you attending the midnight premiere, I hope you enjoy it, but please don't spoil it for the rest of us who are waiting til Saturday. For this reason, I will be refraining from Facebook tomorrow. 

To get you through the hours, or to even more boost your excitement, enjoy this amazing video of a Hunger Games parody of Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go." And this was made locally! Awesome!

Belated

March 17 was St. Patrick's Day. It was also my eldest sister's birthday. Since she lives on the other side of the world, we sent her presents weeks ago. My present was DVDS of home videos of our childhood. In the process of converting these videos to digital files, I made plans to post this one on my blog for her birthday. Well, Friday (when her her birthday began in China) and Saturday were both really busy days. Oops. So, here is your belated birthday blog, Angela!

This was a precious treasure I found on one video. This particular VHS had broken (the tape broke, that's why we don't use tape anymore), and therefore there were many years that we did not watch it. A different VHS which contained footage from later years was watched and quoted repeatedly in our house, but Angela's earlier years were neglected. That is why this clip is a gem. 

Synopsis: Angela was the first child and consequently has plenty of pictures and videos taken of her. Deborah was the second child and consequently has no pictures and videos taken of her. Baby Lydia enteres the world and Mom realizes that Deborah had been forgotten for the last 2 years and tries to make up for lost time. But Deborah has already felt the sting of neglect and will not forgive easily. Angela, used to the limelight, just goes with it. 

Please enjoy:

Happy Belated Birthday, Sister!

DIY Ipad case: functional

The only thing I am only ever jealous of in regards to my husband is Mac. Apple is has come between us on more than one occasion. There are pros, of course, in that he is knowledgable, and therefore can help me use functions to my advantage. In fact, he often will post tips on his blog about how to use your device to the zenith of its potential. 

Well, the one thing he really wanted for Christmas was a Red Ryder BB Gun. No, he wanted an Ipad, but I still told him he'd shoot his eye out. Anyways, by the generosity of our families, his dreams came true. So, the first thing I did after Christmas was make him the perfect case. 

It is modeled after the smart case, sans the magnets (though, in doing research, it seemed like the magnet part is definitely DIY-able.) 

We looked for a snazzy, but manly, black and gold fabric to represent our past and future schools, but to no avail. Fortunately, I had this black and white hounds tooth print from high school when I made a purse for a friend! 

I created a rough model of what I wanted the case to look like and how it should function. The measurements weren't exact, but it helped me see where the folds/bends should be.

Some of the materials

Once again, my resourceful Father stepped in to save the DIY day! We used these plastic binder dividers to create panels for the case. They gave a sturdy base. We considered using cardboard, but I wanted to be able to wash it.

I covered the plastic panels with felt or batting. I had limited amounts of both, so I worked with what I had. I sewed it tight so that it became a padded pannel. 

I had 5 panels total. 2 for the front flap, 2 for the back, where the Ipad sits, and the last 1 (skinny black) is the top flap.

Next I laid out the fabric. The dimensions were tricky because of the functionality. I needed the back panels to be wide enough to base the Ipad, and the other panels to be the right distance to fold together. I calculated the width of my panels, adding .5 inch between, and about that on the ends for sewing together. 

I sewed the fabric starting like a pillow case, but only on 1 long side and 1 short side. I started at the end of the skinny panel (the over flap.)

I stuffed the panel into my already sewn corner as tight as I could. Then I sewed straight down the side next to it as tight as I could, leaving the bottom open. I repeated this step for each panel. Between panels that need extra space (especially the flaps), I sewed a seam on both sides of each panel, leaving about a .5 inch between seams.  At the end, I sewed the open edges (bottom and final side) together by folding under and sewing together. 

The trickiest past was the elastic. Because of the panels, I couldn't use the sewing machine. I had to use a round needle (which killed my fingers!). My fabric was a little touch, and the needle was thick. But they seem to be holding up. 

This case has 2 standing functions:

Stand 1: Upright

Stand 2: Reclined

I intended to add some kind of fastener, but never got around to it. And it works fine without. 

Now you can do it, too! I realize this is not quite a tutorial. But if you want to make one for yourself, I would be more than happy to give you better instructions, or answer questions you have along the way! 

Happy Creating!

Engagementversary

2 years ago today, my hand went from this 

to this!

Sorry, it's blurry.

I am by no means a hand model, so let's focus on the bling!

Anyways, you get the idea... it's our engagementversary!! Last year we celebrated by attempting to recreate the events of the proposal. But, the Chinese place didn't give us chop sticks (or any utensils), and there were other people on our Dinky Dock, plus we had Zorro with us. So, we ended up at Park Avenue, which landed us a treat of Kilwins ice cream!! Score! (Ice cream is not my favorite dessert option, but I sure do love Kilwins!)

The start of the rest of our lives

I love you, wonderful husband! Thanks for proposing!

It's all God's money

You really get a true sense of what "it's all God's money" means when your income is the result of other's generous giving.  It is incredible to see people respond to God's call to give!

Yesterday our church ended a 6-week sermon series entitled "Second Stories" explaining the details of expanding our church facilities. This final day was called "Commitment Sunday." Thinking about giving just made me so excited! The way God moves us to action to initiate, serve, and give to a community or a cause is amazing. That anyone would give their money away is a sign of a merciful and loving God!

I think about how people give to us for God's work, and we give to our church for God's work, and then they give back out to missionaries for God's work, and those missionaries provide for people in need, which is God's work. So this money is just circling, and at every stop, it does a little of God's work! Why would we not want to be part of that?

Let's just say, I have never had such a great desire to give than since I have seen hearts open and lovingly give to our ministry!

Jars

Around the summer of 2011, even before I entered the world of pinterest, I decided to stop throwing away all my glass bottles and jars. I hated the fact that I had to throw them away in the first place, since we didn't have recycling at our apartment. But even to recycle them seems like such a waste!

I googled different options of how to use these jars that I began to collect. The best practical use I found is simply to store things in your pantry. They are perfect for dried rice, beans, or pasta. It creates a semi-uniform look, and you can see what you have while simultaneously keeping it fresh longer! I do the same with baking supplies such as flower, sugar, and anything else that comes in a bag.

Different ways that I use jars.

Even with this great use, I have quickly accumulated more jars than I know what to do with! Any of you Pinterest users know that Mason jars have become all the rage! I love the idea, but I think buying jars is the silliest thing I have ever heard, since the average person goes through jars on a regular basis anyway!

I am eager to have a garden so that I can can fruits and veggies, and make jams, jellies and salsa. But until that day, I need to figure out what to do with all these jars!

What creative ideas have you thought of or found to do with jars?

Storage Wars

My husband's family introduced us to the show Storage Wars on A&E. Basically, these guys go to storage unit auctions, get a minute to observe an abandoned storage unit from the outside, and then bid to purchase it. If they win, they see what treasures are inside and if they can sell anything for a profit. Naturally, they find some interesting things.

I am curious, how much do you think they would bid for this?

That is just about everything we own right there. And I can't imagine they would make anything off of it. Maybe from our vacuum. It's legit. 

My husband likes to refer to this as "3D Tetris." I think it's his new favorite pastime. Though, this structure was erected by me, my sister, and my brother-in-law. 

Oh, Tetris- now, that'll be another post. 

Bump to Baby

This week I have been thinking about Daisy being born- how in a matter of hours she will go from a belly bump to a baby. What a wild transition from being pregnant to actually having a child! Maybe that's why God made pregnancy take 9 months, so that parents could prepare.

This morning I read in 31 Days on the Life of Christ by J. Oswald Sanders about the miracle of the virgin birth. It made me think about how Mary felt for those 9 months. Not only was she about to have a child, but she knew this Child was who her people had waited for! How do you prepare yourself for that, even in 40 weeks?! Even if she had experience with babies, all bets were off as to how this baby would act.

Talk about trusting the Lord! I would have been a wreck!

To those who have experienced this transition (not birthing the Messiah, just a regular baby), was there a moment when it all hit you hard? How did you react?

Dogs

We are house sitting for my aunt and uncle while they are away for 2 weeks. That means that we get to enjoy the company of 3 crazy canines.

Zorro you have met before. Let me introduce Mariah and Sissy:

Can you get any more opposite on the poodle spectrum?

The little white fluff is Sissy who apparently owns all humans.

Mariah is so sweet and very well trained! If you're gonna have a dog that size, you better train it well!

For the most part, all 3 dogs ignore each other and lounge in different places around the room. However, if we try to play with one (usually Zorro), Sissy will run up and bark because only she deserves attention, and Mariah will bound around wanting to play and often steal the toy. Why can't they just play together?

Mariah often sits in the foyer, watching out the window so that she can sound the alarm if anything at all goes on outside. At these times, we are privileged to enjoy a chorus of 3 part harmony.

The bed we are sleeping on is about 3.5 feet off the ground. Zorro cannot jump onto it, but he also cannot sleep in his own bed (For fear of the other dogs? Loneliness from lack of our attention?) and thus must be picked up like a child. Also, he is afraid to jump down. So he will whine or yip in the morning to wake us up so that he can get down. Don't tell my sister.

All in all, I actually really enjoy having 3 dogs around. There is always a being to give you some attention if your husband is reading Mac rumors; or to sit on your lap and cuddle you if your husband is making dinner. Dogs really are great companions and I can see why some people treat them like their children. If I didn't want to have kids, I would have a herd of dogs!

Personally, I am not big on big dogs. Don't tell anyone, but maybe I am a little scared. More intimidated than scared. I mean, who isn't intimidated by something that can knock you down, and wants to. It's the rowdy ones that I fear the most. Kevin and I would like to get a husky some day. That would be the biggest I could do. Once I saw dogs that looked like polar bears!! It was magical, though I never have been able to see a dog that looked the same.

Do you love dogs? Or just your dog? What is your favorite breed?