I’d just like to thank…

“the little people.”

Isn’t that how it always goes? Who are these little people? I’m not very tall. Do you think all those award winners were secretly thanking me for their victory? Definitely possible.

I have big plans for today.

We’ll see how it goes. I’ll let you know if I go through with it all!

It was a kitchen table :)

Yesterday I acquired a 40″ diameter round kitchen table with two chairs for $15.00. It’s pretty old and not-attractive.  Additionally, it’s made of particle board, but we were using an end table to eat on before yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll miss the little guy, cute little table that it is. However, it’s found a better bedroom-esque atmosphere to dwell in these days.

So, what did I do about the ugly purchase? I immediately brainstormed with ideas of paint and primer, designs and using masking tape to get my lines perfect…

But Mr. Engineer called at quarter to 7pm, as I was at the Dollar Tree. He was home. He wasn’t working nearly as late as I had assumed. The surprise was ruined! RUINED!

In the long run it’s probably best that the table isn’t “improved” by the use of additional items that would cost money. It serves it’s purpose right now.

Thus, I came home with two bags of goodies from the Dollar Tree. After Mr. Engineer was wonderful enough to put the table together, I sent him upstairs so I could prepare!

I covered it with a green tablecloth with a white table runner. I had two snowman cloth place-mats (a very old looking type of painting/print) where we’d each be sitting. Two very tall thin candles stood proud in their new glass holders. A center jar with peppermint candies brought additional holiday cheer.

The table, in it’s 40″ diameter glory, turned into a nice romantic, holiday setting for our dinner last night. Spaghetti a-la Me! I couldn’t stop giggling and I was the one that setup this candlelight dinner in the first place!

To all the women out there, I say don’t wait and see if he puts candles out on your table. Do it yourself and I swear you’ll love it just the same! Who cares how the setup was arranged or who surprised who?

In the end, we had a lovely dinner between two candles in a darkened house amongst a lot of dust and debris from the remodeling. It was perfect.

Life is grand

Excitement!

I can’t say much yet…but maybe I’ll post a picture.

I’ve got a surprise that’ll be waiting for Mr. Engineer once he gets home after a long hard day of work.

It’s exciting! I can’t wait to get it in the house and all fixed up!

I have to make a blogroll…soon…

For now I have to point you to this blog and the woman that I raved about last night to Mr. Engineer. “SHE SAVES SOOO MUCH MONEY!” It’s not just her site that boasts such a thing though. There are thrifty moms galore online! I’ve been bookmarking them all slowly but surely.

I love how she breaks down her purchases to show you how much she spent, saved and even saved over the past months, etc. That’s what stuck out in my memory the most.

So, for now, just go here!

http://www.thecouponkate.blogspot.com/

Daily Goals: Check!

As mentioned before – we’re remodeling our home. It was in an interesting state when we found it (layers upon layers of wallpaper…and paint on top of that…even on the ceiling!). Fell in love though and have been working ever since!

The house, built in 1923 is a cozy little two story. I love it. I feel more “at home” here than anywhere else I’ve lived. You know what they say though. Home is where the heart is. And where ever Mr. Engineer is, my heart is right there.

My goal has been to do “something” no matter how small, every day. We didn’t work very much over this past weekend, but you have to do that sometimes. Truly.

Yesterday I got into organization mode. I brought all the movies upstairs from the dining room. I got rid of more boxes (that I had to empty first) and did laundry as well. Additionally, Mr. Engineer finally got a button sewn onto his work pants…I loved the expression on his face as he went to put them on and found that he had a button! Classic. It was hard not to tell him that was one of the things I accomplished prior to his getting home.

Granted, sewing a button and organizing a few rooms isn’t a big deal, BUT it meets my goal and that makes me feel good.

Mr. Engineer tackled the light switch/GFCI outlet in the bathroom along with the drywall I  had previous cut. By the end of the night it was done! I was actually giddy about it. He’s a learned electrician…learning more and more as he goes. His determination on some things reminds me a lot of my own determination (whenever it sneaks out of hiding). He wouldn’t give up until he had it right. I think that’s why I was so excited.

Dear Mr. Engineer,

You fascinate me every day.

Love,

The woman that adores you

Life is grand!

Gift ideas, recipes, items, ahhhhhh!!!

I keep bookmarking all these wonderful websites with a million and one ideas for treats and meals, gifts and standard crafts. I keep checking every morning (I have a list I go through) to see what new posts are up and who’s doing what.

I’ll have to break it all down for you at some point. What I’d love to make, which ideas I love, and the links that I hit up every morning.

The holidays are so inspirational to crafters.

Life is grand!

It’s like they were in my head…

Yesterday I mentioned that I found the Chuck-socks…well I completely forgot to show you the true gem. These shark socks!

I know you’re in the dark on this as of this moment, but I love sharks. You don’t understand. I LOVE sharks. Weird? Perhaps. A million teeth strong, these arsenals of death are a true fascination to me. Someday I would love to cage dive with the Great White. That’s a pretty far off dream though. It costs a lot of money to do that sort of thing.

Just by Chance

Mr. Engineer was flipping channels on the TV last night and happened to arrive at the last five second count-down before the tree was lit up in New York…you know, that HUGE Christmas Tree.

It was a nice thing to see and we didn’t have to wait forever to see it or ensure we flipped back in time to catch it! So, it was great timing on his part!

I’ve got my final list of goodies to create and place into the gifts I’m making for Mr. Engineer’s family (the ladies only though).

I originally planned to make 5 pop-top can gifts, but I’m adding one more. His mom should be included for sure!

Life is grand!

I can trade in my Chucks!

My “Chucks” are a bit beat up and covered in dust/plaster/and who knows what else. There’s probably some mud on the bottom from when we went paintballing.

So…I wouldn’t wear them “out” if I had a pair of these awesome socks!

I don’t really really want them or anything – but isn’t that kind of crazy in a weird, neat type of way?

Mama’s Holiday Wishlist

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? If I had to pick…I want a day of gaming with Mr. Engineer, a trip to Goodwill to maybe buy a shirt or two, a light fixture installed in the bathroom, the switch for the light fixture installed, and thus, the drywall all screwed in and ready to be covered in mud!

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? My gram always makes the best blankets. I’ve got a few from her and like them all a lot.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?  I always wanted to recreate the wooden Jumanji game board from the movie…

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?  I loved Polly Pocket 10+ years ago in it’s original form…I used to get a lot of those!

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?  No kids, nor buns in the oven…

6. What is your favorite holiday food?  My gram’s swedish meatballs with home-made noodles

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?  6 custom Christmas gifts that I will reveal on the blog when all is said and done, but they’re very “spa” related!

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?  I do love all the old Claymation type movies like Rudolph and the one about the misfit toys. Fred Astaire was the voice narrator in a few of them! A Christmas Story is a classic though!

9. Favorite holiday song?  Anno Domine and Wizards in Winter performed by Transiberian Orchestra

10. Favorite holiday pastime?   Decorating the Christmas Tree…though it’s been quite a few years since I was able to do this.

Feel free to add the meme to your own blogs!