drool.

I've been researching and applying to jobs in Sacramento. And to help me narrow my search, I ask myself these questions:

1. Is this a job that will challenge me and utilize my strengths?
2. Is there opportunity for growth?
3. Am I passionate about the industry or product?
4. And can I wear fun shoes like these:

Just kidding... (but only sort of). Is it ridiculous that shoes can do so much to motivate my job search? Probably... but it's the (embarrassing) truth.

For more drool-worthy shoes, see Piperlime's new vintage collection!

I just went on a "quick" grocery run to get cinnamon sticks. That's it—just cinnamon sticks. But I couldn't resist the nectarines and peaches that were on sale. They were HUGE and looked soo good! And broccoli, too. And then I discovered the natural foods aisle and to my delight, found that they have bulk bins full of such yummy whole grain goodness like flax seed and oat bran! So I got some of that too... and whole wheat fig bars.

I went into the store for one item, and I came out with two bags of groceries.

football season

I'm sitting at home, watching the Niners game—all by myself. Wayne would be proud.

Of course, I did take a nap in the middle of it, and now that I'm awake, I'm also perusing recipes online and in my cookbooks, which I'm probably more into actually... but it still counts, right?

Anyway, watching (or kinda-watching) football makes me miss Mission Bowl! I wish I could play again this year... but good luck, ladies! I know you'll kick butt! or............... at least have a lot, a lot of fun! ;)

**whoa! The Niners won!!

Home Improvement

I finally finished cleaning and organizing the house (this was actually a couple of weeks ago), thanks to Colleen and Angela's mid-week visit, which really lit a fire under my butt to get the house clean and ready for visitors. I vacuumed and dusted (actions which I don't think had ever been performed before in this residence) and even scrubbed the walls and evicted innocent spiders from their homes in the corners of our house (good riddance!).

after
(Steve, your bed is now all clean.)

And now I'm on to decorating! I would love to install new window treatments—blinds and curtains—and paint our walls! I have dreams of a yellow kitchen and red dining room... and I absolutely love, love, LOVE the orange door below! But, Wayne's dad still owns this house, and as I was relating to Sabrina, I don't know how he'd feel about his house looking like it belonged to Rainbow Bright and her posse.

As for the interior furnishings, I would love to replace most of the existing furniture and hang up colorful prints and photos, but I may have to lay aside much of what I'd like to do, as Wayne and I have decided that it would be wisest to save larger projects and purchases for after I find employment and/or settle into a more permanent residence (if we do decide to buy). So for now, I am satisfied—and thankful—for our "vintage" furniture and heirlooms, like our dining table that has a rustic look with its naturally peeling varnish (some pay a lot for distressed furniture!) and its mismatched dining chairs that is oh, so Friends-esque.

Waste of Life

I did a lot of nothing today. Well, I guess I can't say nothing. I did spend the entire afternoon reading ALL ABOUT Anthony Caine, the fictitious character from the widely read comic strip "For Better or For Worse" who ends up marrying Elizabeth Patterson, watched the 2-hour E! Hollywood special "Beyonce Revealed", and then took a nap. Actually, reading Anthony Caine's "bio" was really fun, and I CRIED throughout the last part of his story about how he finally marries Elizabeth after a lifetime of pining for her (sounds like a familiar story, no?) Oh, and "Beyonce Revealed" was not bad either.

Yes, I am pathetic. I am currently looking for a job, but before I actually have one, I am just a stay-at-home... wife.

Settling In

Wayne and I have been married one month as of today! So far, so good! As Fay, a church friend, jokingly said, "Oh, you're still in the stage where you like each other." Haha, thankfully, yes. And hopefully, we'll continue to do so!

Wayne went back to work last week, with yesterday being the first day of school. And what have I been doing? Well.......... I have been unpacking and organizing our house—supposedly. From the LOOKS of things, it doesn't seem like I've gotten anywhere, and I guess given that I've had over a week, the prognosis would seem fairly accurate. But see, it's not just a matter of putting things away, but ORGANIZING and evaluating the stuff we already have and figuring out where best to place and store all of my stuff plus our new stuff. And often, a bigger mess must be made before everything is tidied up. That's where I am right now. In the middle of a BIG mess!

Cleaning, though, has been entertaining, as I often come across things that are unexpected and make me laugh... Like when Angela came over to help me clear the kitchen last week, and from the depths of one of the lower kitchen cupboards, she fished out a GIANT bowl of pennies! (???) And just now, I counted 21 cans of chicken broth while organizing the pantry! What did a bachelor who doesn't cook need 21 cans of chicken broth for? I also found a half-eaten bag of Costco trailmix that had a sell-by date of November 2005! (ew. toss!)

And so this is how I've been spending my days. Oh, that, and searching for bedding online. I really liked this comforter duvet from Haven by Hotel Collection, but it retails for $270!!! yikes. Yesterday, I found it on ebay (brand new) and got it for $49 including shipping! Yay, for ebay! I hope the duvet works out (I only briefly looked at it in the store).

Today, my goal is to finish the pantry and dresser.

our disheveled house

Thank You All for Coming!

It's Today!!!

YAY!!!!!! :)

I KNOW cognitively that I'm getting married today, but I'm still so strangely calm. Except for the first couple of days when I first moved back home and was faced with the enormity of work we still had to do for the wedding, things have been (surprisingly) pretty much stress-free! Even on Thursday, production day, when we made and put EVERYTHING together, the mood was light, energetic, and cheery! ... and now it's here! I am so thankful for today and the many blessings that have led up to this day! I can't wait to see all of you! And for you to enjoy all the details that went into planning this event! I hope you all have fun (and that I remember it! I hear from so many brides that the day is such a whirlwind that it becomes a blur).

See ya'll soon!

BYOB

Breathing Yucky Onion Breath?
Baking Yummy Olive Bread?
Bathing Your Outer Body?

Bring Your Own Beer?! YES!

We will have a bathtub full of ice with sodas and beers for all of our guests, but feel free to contribute to the community stash. It's going to be a nice, warm evening, so the more drinks, the merrier!

Oh! And if you know others who are going to the wedding, please feel free to spread the news!

Always saw at Costco, never thought I'd ever purchase...