What's been going on?

Just an update as I haven't been blogging a whole lot the last several months (not in any particular order)...

1. We've been traveling to see family & friends a lot, and spending quality time with them.
2. D got me a new camera for Christmas, Canon Rebel T5i, along with some nice lenses.
3. I've been trying to learn new camera.
4. My brother Brett FINALLY proposed to my bestie, Ashley, on NYE!
5. I took a co-workers engagement pictures last month.
6. D's been busy taking his Fire One class 2 times a week, plus every other Saturday since December.
7. I sold my Cricut Expression, and purchased a Silhouette Cameo (I haven't had any time to try it out, hopefully soon).
8. I hit a writer's/blogger block, and haven't had any motivation to record everything I've been up to.

Hopes & Dreams for 2014...

1. Sell our small home after we do some small renovations to help sell it.
2. Purchasing our next home, something a little bigger.
3. To expand our family (prayers, please).
4. For D to pass his Fire One training later this March that he's been working towards.
5. Keeping up with this thing, as much as I can.

I'll leave you with a few phone pic's to show what we've been doing lately...

D & I went to a KU basketball game back in January with some great friends! It was a fun experience!

Visited with our besties Aimee & Ryan, and the twins back in January! This is Carter.

This is Brooklyn & D

Me & Brooklyn

I took a selfie this morning! ;)

© [Kayla] and [Small Town Lift], [2010-2014]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Kayla] and [Small Town Life] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Craft/Office Organization Inspiration & a Thirty-One Party

As you can see here, our home is pretty small, and there is only 2 tiny bedrooms. We turned the extra room into a guest bedroom with a day bed, dresser, and D's closet is also in there. It has also became our "catch all" room, when we have a lot going on. Meaning that's where I air dry a lot of my laundry, all of my crafting stuff is stacked in a corner, when we got married that's where all of our supplies & gifts went, etc. It's kind of a mess, and I want that to change.

We do have guests that come visit, but mostly are couples and will sleep on the air-up mattress, so the daybed hardly gets used. We don't have a whole lot of overnight guests, so it's not useful at this point. I would say laundry collects on it more than guests sleep on it! So I've been thinking it's time to get rid of the daybed, and put in a small desk of some sort so I can have room to do my crafts and also somewhat of an organized office. But what happens when it's time for baby to come (no, not pregnant, just saying for the future)? The room will have to become a multi-purpose room, and of course rearrange & purge as necessary. So that is why whatever we come up with will have to be something small, but also something that will get the most out of our space. We can't forget about functionality either.

This is the area I have to work with currently known as the guest room (furniture arrangement/decor isn't exactly like this anymore, but pretty close)...



Will be getting rid of the daybed, some of the decor,
and possibly the dresser (it currently holds more craft supplies) & nightstand.

***UPDATE*** I sold the daybed, and purchased a desk!!! It's happening, and I can't wait! :)
Learn more about this:
I Found a Desk!


I've been browsing online (searching the web & Pinterest) at some great craft room ideas, even if it isn't a small space, these are my inspirations!

source: BHG

 



source: Thistle Wood Farms

 

source: Thirty-One

 

source: Clean & Scentsible

 

source: Farm8.Static Flickr

Gotta have a shelf for the Cricut to set on!



 

source: Schlitzhren

 

 

Tonight I am also hosting a Thirty-One party, in hopes I can start to gather some lovely organizational pieces (I just love that thirty-one office I posted above!). On the for sure list for me to get is a Large Utility Tote for my Cricut. Why? #1 Because I'm not a fan of the ugly bulky Cricut bags they have for the Expression, and #2 the Thirty-One option doesn't take up a bunch of room if I want to put it away (plus way cuter!). They have a lid you can attach on the top, which is also on my list! 





source: Thirty-One

 

 

I seen a pin on Pinterest that came from the Cricut forum, someone used the Large Utility Tote for their Cricut Expression 2...sold!

 

source: Cricut

 

 

I already have the Room for Two Utility Tote, ordered for my gift wrap storage and I love it! Got the idea from Thirty-One, and also seen it on Pinterest as well!

 

source: Thirty-One

 







source: A Dash From Donna Lynn

 

 

I have several other things on my "wish list" that I would like to order tonight, and if not tonight then I will order when my friends have parties! I am ready to get organized! If you would like to order, my party (click the link to order) will probably be open for about a week online (3/6/13). Thank you!! :) I have also attached the March special, too good to pass up!

 

***UPDATE*** PARTY HAS BEEN CLOSED!!

 

 

Linking up too...

Today's Creative Blog
The Shabby Chic Cottage

Somewhat Simple
Lovely Crafty Home
Polka Dots on Parade
Ginger Snap Crafts
Sugar Bee Crafts
BruCrew Life
Semi Homemade Mom
Craftionary





Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to post a quick HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you who actually take the time to read my blog! I know I haven't been the greatest at posting lately, we've just been on the go and I haven't had a whole lot of time.

We are off today to go visit D's grandma in Iowa who we haven't seen in 2 years, so it will be nice to see & spend some time with her. I talked D into going Black Friday shopping with me, or actually Thursday evening is when we'll head out after having our family time. I normally go with my Mom and Ashley, but this year I will be blessed with my hubby's help! :)

 

I hope you all have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and be sure to eat lots of food and spend a lot of time with your families. And to everyone traveling and braving the crowds, be safe!!

 

 

 

Life lately...

Whew...it's been crazy around here lately!  We've been on the go it seems for the whole month of July...where has it gone?!  Here is what we've been up to lately...

A few weeks ago, we met up with my brother & Ashley, Mom, and Grandpa for supper and racing.  We first started off the day shopping, went and saw Ted the movie (totally hilarious, btw!), and then supper.  After supper we headed out to the racetrack to watch mainly the Sprint Cars & School Bus races (those were too funny!).  We sat at the south end of track, thinking that would be the best since it was windy and the track was dry.  It worked for awhile, and then the wind switched.  By the time the races were over, we were filthy!  We had a blast though!


Me and Ash



a little hard to see....Sprint Cars



School buses racing

The 23rd was my 26th birthday, which turned out to be not too bad after all.  However, it didn't start off the greatest, because when I woke up, I could barely move my neck.  I felt really crippled!  About a week before the wedding I had the same issues, and it appeared again the morning of my birthday.  So I have been going to the chiropractor a few times last week, and once this week to try and get it worked out.  I am hoping that I won't need to get an MRI (I've already had an xray, and they found out that my neck is way to straight) or shots for the pain.  So far the pain has subsided on it's own, so I'm thinking it's getting better.  Anyways, back to my birthday...my sweet hubby sent me a dozen orangish red roses and box of chocolates!  I was really surprised when they delivered them, and made my day better.  My inlaws also cooked me my favorite birthday supper: ham & beans with fried noodles...so good! 

This last weekend we went back to my {small} hometown for our family reunion.  Friday night we were out at the farm with my grandpa's family, played games, ate way too much home cooked food, drove golf carts around, and shot the breeze.  Saturday morning was the golf tournament out at the farm, and Ashley & I drove around with beer, water, and Gatorade.  We donated the money made towards the golf course, which my brother Brett takes care of.  D's team (D, brother Jerrod, cousin Tom, and Uncle Danny) ended up taking first with a score of 4 under.  They were pretty stoked about that!  Saturday afternoon is when all of the whole family got together (decedents of the original 5 brothers).  Saturday night we met back out at farm and redid Friday night all over.  It was so much fun, and so good to see all of our family, some of which we hadn't seen since the wedding 3 months ago, and some for at least 3+ years.  Sunday we were exhausted and didn't do much after we got home.


Me, Bernie & Ashley on the drink cart!

 

Decedents of the original 5 brothers
(cousins & siblings..not everyone present)

 

This is my Great Grandpa's family, who was 1 of the 5 original brothers (passed away when my dad was little).
A little fact about him...he was 16 when he came over from Russia, and he hid on the boat all by himself.
They found him, but since he was such a big kid, they put him to work instead of throwing him overboard.
What a brave young man he was, but that was his only option if he wanted to escape Russia alive.

 

Front: Grandpa, Grandma, Dad
Back: Jerrod, Kelli, D, Me, Brett, Ashley

The next couple of weekends we don't have a whole lot planned, but I have a lot I need to get done at our house/shed...it's a disaster!!  It's just been too hot to do much after work, so hopefully I can get things done soon.

How has your summer been?  Has life been busy lately, and do you feel as if the summer has completely flew by?  I know I do, the only thing I'm not liking about summer this year is the heat.

Random update

Hey all!! Sorry I haven't posted this week, it's a short week for me, so I've been busy trying to things done at work. We were off yesterday for the 4th, which we had so much fun ay the pool, and I'm taking off tomorrow to head back to the {big city}. I'm going there to hang out with Aimee and help her with wedding planning!! I'm excited, BM dress shopping and whatever else she wants to accomplish!! D is going the opposition direction to his friends house in Denver just for the heck of it. So its been a busy week for a fun weekend!!

Next week I will show you maycee's party pics, and a couple of tutorials. Stay tuned!!! Have a fabulous weekend!!

Vote for Maycee & her Dad - daddy look-a-like contest

VOTING HAS ENDED!! THANK YOU!!

Happy Friday y'all!! 

Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend, and what about Father's Day?

I have a huge favor to ask those of you that are reading this that have facebook...

Even though you probably don't know me, and probably don't know my friends, head on over to Central Mall Salina (located here in KS), and vote for Maycee & her Dad.  They are hosting an online Daddy look-a-like contest, and without a doubt they should win!!   I believe their picture is #17, so just click the link above and click "like" on their picture!! 

Maycee is almost a year old (at the end of this month), and STILL looks just like Aaron!!

The contest goes on until June 28th!!  So hurry on over and vote!!

Thank you everyone, have a fabulous weekend!!! :)

Garage Sale Time!

Sorry I haven't been around much this week, we've been getting ready for our BIG garage sale!!  Me and one of my friends are having one together, and man do we have A LOT of stuff to sell!  D and I are getting rid of the "old" so we can start using all of our new wedding/shower gifts.  I can't believe we have so much stuff...crazy! 

Oh and we are selling our dining room table, which is not only where we eat, but where I put my makeup on in the mornings. Now what to do??  Guess the TV trays will have to work for now, until we find the perfect one of course!! :)  Wish us luck!  Have a great weekend, y'all!



yep, lots of stuff...including our Christmas Tree. I want a new one!




Adult clothes...and Bernie even snuck in the picture!



Kids and Adult clothes, and a bunch of misc.

Happy New Year...excuse my lack of posting

Hey ya'll!!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a fun New Years!  We sure did...it's was crazy, on the go the whole time, but we still enjoyed it!

Christmas was great!  We were able to spend some time with both of our families, ate way too much food, and received some wonderful gifts.  D was a little spoiled by me this year, but then again so was I!  I got him some hunting stuff he's been wanting, tickets to George Strait & Martina McBride (on his bday weekend in February, holler!), new pair of Oakley's, and some other odds 'n ends for our shed.  I think I'm more excited about going to see Gorgeous Strait more than he is...after all this will be our 3rd time seeing him.  Ya'll know that's how D and I met, right?!  So yes, this is extra special!!  He got me some bLinG bLiNg for my ears!  I've been wanting some nice studs for a long time, so excited that I finally got them! 

New Years was such a blast!  First I spent all day cleaning, tearing down Christmas decor, and getting our house back in order.  Then I cooked D and I some Chicken Fried Steaks for supper, and we eventually made it out the door to celebrate with our friends.  We stayed out way too late, so the next day wasn't as fun!  We pretty much lounged all day, took naps, and watched tv.  Monday we didn't have to work so we lounged in the morning, looked at Honeymoon stuff, and then I finished my cleaning in the afternoon.  It was a great day!  We came back to work on Tuesday, but I wasn't ready to come back.

I've been really busy with wedding planning....we are under 4 months away, I can't believe it!  Save The Dates are a little behind schedule, but are going out today and tomorrow.  We are this close to booking our Honeymoon in the Bahama's.  I've been googling, pinning, and brainstorming like crazy for decorations, flowers, etc.  My mind has been going non-stop lately, I kind of feel like I'm in a whirlwind!  Me and the girls picked out a date for my bachelorette party and 1 of my showers for the end of March. 

So yes, it's been a little hectic around here, which is why I haven't been blogging much.  Hoping to change that, or at least get 1 post in a week from here until April...I will try, but no promises!!  Hope you are having a great start to the New Year!! :)

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks to catch you up (Chiefs game, Christmas, and New Years)...


Andrew, Ashley S, Aimee, Mom, D, Me, Trevor, and Nicole
We went out to eat at a Japanese Steak House while in the {big} city, yum!

 

Chiefs vs Green Bay Packers Game!
Michele, Ashley S, and I!



Bernie is his Christmas sweater on Christmas Eve



Me and Aunt Hatty on Christmas Eve



D with his new Chiefs shirt and Chiefs flag for the shed



D and his new Oakleys...yep total dork! ;)



Us on NYE!



Me and my friend Jess on NYE



Our friends, Jess and Jeff



D and Jeff on NYE!



What I Wore Friday {because of Pinterest}

Tonight I have a Funky Zebra Party, that means I get to leave my real job an hour early.  I like to look nice for my Funky Zebra Parties; I push away my normal go-to shirts that I wear to work and wear something cute along with accessories.  I wanted to wear my new sweater dress that I got from Body Central, but it's a little chilly and I have to travel a little bit to my destination.  Plus, working in an oilfield office wearing a sweater dress, not really something I want to do.  However, maybe I'll wear that tomorrow for my "Open House" Funky Zebra Party I'm hosting...we'll see! ;) 


Pinterest Pin


Anyways, on to what I'm wearing today...it was inspired by a Pin I spotted on Pinterest yesterday...that site is way too addicting.  My version is pretty similar, but my scarf is more of a peach color. 

Sorry about the poor picture quality, I took it at my office this morning since I am the only one here today. Yay for Camera timers!! ;)

The breakdown:
Black long sleeve shirt = Kohl's Black Friday deal $6.99
Pink cami = not sure, have had it for years
Jeans = BKE Brand purchased a couple years ago, Sabrina style
Black Slouch Boots = Maurices (Christmas gift last year. For the party tonight, I will slip on my dressier black heeled boots that D got me for Christmas a few years back!)
Peach scarf = Christmas gift last year from my employer
Bangles = Funky Zebra $10
Blingy Hoops = Store in Lakin KS $7.99
Flower Ring = Dillard's clearance (not sure, but I think it was like $6-7)
Hair = curled with an Infiniti Curling Iron Wand and pinned back half way

I think it's very simple, but fun with all of my accessories!  What do you think?  Have a great weekend y'all!! :)

Just Ask Bucket List

I've been a little slow at posting here lately, I blaming the time change and weather!  So today is a little random blog post, which I saw over at Today's Creative Blog and thought I would join in.  I will share some things with you that are on my bucket list...

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details. 

1. Visit all 50 states - So far I've been to: Kansas (duh), Missouri (also lived there), Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington.

2. Go back to Europe - My senior year in HS we went to: Germany, Poland, Austria, and Czech Republic. I.want.to.go.back.

3. Live in a humongous house out in the country.

4. Have a cabin in the mountains.

5. Meet George Strait (omg!)

6. Own my own little business - would love to have a coffee/bakery shop, or even a fun little boutique!

7. Open an Etsy shop - to sell my fun tiles, coasters, etc.  Maybe after the wedding?!

8. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.

9. Swim with the dolphins.

10. Go diving and see the Coral Reef.

11. Learn how to ski - totally know the basics, but I'm a huge scared-y cat/clumsy when it comes down to it. I want to go on the blues and blacks with my babe and not freak out!

12. Travel all over the world...heck see 1 & 2, plus other countries and islands!

13. Like Salad and eat it often - anyone that knows me knows I hate salad. It always looks so good, just can't get passed the "dirt" flavor!

14. Have my own crafty space/room.

15. Own an old Chevy Pickup - a late 70's early 80's model...makes my heart flutter a little bit!


Some of mine might cost a lot of money, some are most definitely do able, and a few might be a stretch.  But hey, it's my bucket list so I can dream...right?!  I thought it was something fun and different to blog about, plus I get a chance to win a trip or a $500 gift card.  If you want to participate, head on over to TodaysMama and link up your Bucket List, but hurry it ends November 12th.

Lacking

So sorry for the lack of posts lately.  Things have been a little crazy around here!  Saturday we went to the Fall National races to watch our friend race the last race of the season, and to watch some other engines that our company built race.  Sunday D ended up with food poisoning, so he was out of commission until this morning.  Yesterday I had a dentist appointment, so I was gone half the day.  Bernie is back to his normal crazy little self, thank goodness!!  Although, I think he keeps wondering where the wet dog food went...he kind of loves that stuff!!  I'm also gearing up for my next Funky Zebra Party this weekend...Ashley (bestie) is the host!  I'll be loading up tomorrow afternoon, bowling tomorrow night, and leave to go to my {small} hometown after work Friday for the weekend.  Should be a great time!


At the races...we were a little dirty!

Anyways, just a little update on what's going on with us lately.  I'll be back tomorrow with a yummy Biscuit recipe!!

Eventful weekend...

We had an eventful weekend...most good, part of it not so good!

Not so good party first...Friday afternoon, D and I headed out to eat lunch together at our favorite local Mexican restaurant (we call it Mexico).  On our way there, D was called out on a fire...30+ hay bails were on fire out on a farm, not to mention it's been so dry here.  He went out on the fire call, and I ordered a couple of sandwiches to go instead of Mexico.  I was sitting here at work, when D called about 20 minutes later...he was headed to the ER.  My.heart.sunk.  Luckily it wasn't anything too bad, but he did slice his finger open to the bone.  It was pretty nasty looking, and even took a picture (his idea!), but I'll spare you the gross-ness!  So you want to know how it happened?  There was a tractor and implement sitting there in the way, pretty close to the fire.  They wanted to get it moved, so D was holding the tractor hitch.  A classmate/good friend of his (that's whose farm it was) was in the tractor trying to get the hitch and implement hooked up.  The clutch slipped, which made the tractor jump back and it smashed D's thumb in between.  He immediately tried yanking it out, but that didn't work.  Finally he got it out, and took his glove off...it.was.bad.  So the fire dept got the ambulance out there and took him in, and I met him there.  He was in a lot of pain, they had to numb it twice before they could do the stitches, which he ended up only having to have 5.  I figured he would've gotten more, but they spaced them out.  So that's how our weekend started...we didn't go back to work after that, the day was already shot.  The pain meds didn't really help him, just made him dizzy.  He took it easy most of the weekend, minus getting our pictures taken and cleaned up the shed.


D and his poor thumb...still handsome!! ;)

On to the good...Saturday morning I spent awhile getting our outfits together for pictures, and getting ready.  I don't like being rushed when I have to curl my hair and make sure its just the way I want it!  LOL!  We headed to Hays in the afternoon to get our pictures taken.  At first we were really worried about the weather; it was cool with an overcast.  We were totally wrong, they turned out awesome!!  We didn't have to worry about the sun, sweat, and got to use some new spots they have been waiting to use until the perfect day.  Lucky for us, Saturday was "that" day!  I think we shot for about 2.5 hours, and we loved it.  They had a sneak peak on facebook later that night, only 5 pictures on there, but were amazing!  We couldn't wait to see the rest.  As soon as they send us our CD, I'll share some with you all.


On our way for pictures!

 

My new boots!



Bernie even got to go along! :)

Sunday we lounged around the house for awhile, watched a little football, and then I decided to clean the house.  It seriously needed it, I had neglected it for quite sometime!  Once I start cleaning, it's hard for me to stop!  I got everything dusted and took down my summery decor, then I got out my fall stuff.  You guys, it was seriously like Christmas for me!!  I purchased stuff last year after fall, and I had forgotten all about it!  I was so excited!  Remember last years fall decor?  Well it's a little different this year, and I LOVE it!  Post on that later this week!  Now I just need to get my porch in gear: pumpkins, mums, fire pots, etc.  Ahhh!  I also plan on re-painting 2 small side tables with some ORB.  Was going to do that yesterday, but it was a smidge breezy out.


Oh, and something else I wanted to share...I had a fun and exciting opportunity offered to me Friday morning!  There is a funky boutique here in my {small} hometown, that has decided to branch out and do home parties.  That's where I come in...I'm their newest "rep/consultant", which I'm super pumped about!  It's still very new to them and me, but I really hope it takes off...we could use a little extra cash!  They offer FuNky, FuN, FaBulouS and AfFOrdaBLe jewelry, hair accessories, hats, purses, and clothing!  It's not your regular catalog party with the same boring stuff; you purchase what is on hand, which is always changing...even better!  I think these parties will be a fun Girls Night Out!!  You know do a little "shopping", drink some wine, and eat cupcakes...what gets better than that?!! :)  I believe my first party will be in a couple of weeks when I head back to the {big} city to go shopping for my bridesmaid dresses!  And yes I will be traveling for some of these fun parties!! :)  So stay tuned, you might get to see some posts from the parties!