Kansas

Ryan was accepted into University of Kansas last week. Such a relief for him and me.

He's since interviewed with University of Kentucky, Kent State University, and University of Utah, however he wasn't impressed with Kentucky's program or facilities in the slightest, so even if he's accepted he said he's not interested.

This weekend he's heading to Indiana for Indiana State University and next weekend we're heading to Colorado.

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So as I've been looking into houses for Lawrence, Kansas, I decided to look at pictures of campus. Look how beautiful!

Natural History Museum

aerial view of Univ. of KS

It's going to be so hard to decide where to move!

Valentine for a Man

Ryan's not much for candy, cookies, or sweets in general (I'd love to have that problem), so making him heart-shaped sugar cookies -- what'd I'd like to do -- really wouldn't be as much appreciated.

Instead I found the little sheets of beef jerky they sell in convenience stores and cut them into hearts and tied with baker's twine.

The tag has something written on the back that I won't share to protect the innocent. Ask me if you're really that interested.

Luminaire

you REALLY have to click on the pictures to see how brilliant these are

More colors to come. These sparkle and shine like delicious pink diamonds.

Rest In Peace, Blowdryer...

I had to part with a friend yesterday. One I've known for almost 9 years now. My beloved hair dryer decided to throw me a curve ball --and a few sparks-- and die. So now it lies in the garbage, strangled by its own cord.

This is my new hair dryer - I sure hope it lasts more than 2 yrs (the avg time my sis' say theirs last).



found here

I know this is weird, but I loved my old hair dryer. I had it since high school and it still worked beautifully. Then it suddenly had a hair attack and died. Sheesh.

Project Time

Someone mentioned it's been awhile since I've posted any new crafts I've done, so I thought I'd share this one I just finished putting together (sans ribbon in this photo).

red peach and natural wool felt; stitch-witchery

Also, I found a picture I used to remember the layout of Evonne's baby blanket. It's cute, huh? I think I want to make another one. I just need to tinker with my sewing machine a little bit more and figure out my thread tensions. The last 3 times I've gone to sew up a quilt square it keeps being either too tight or too loose and it's driving me batty.

faux suede fabric (found at wal*mart), blue Peas & Carrots line by American Jane for Moda; not sure what the red one is, I got it from the Quilting Cottage in AF; Michael Miller's Lil' Cowpoke; white chenille; Warm & Natural cotton batting

Also, family related, Ryan heard back from Nebraska and wasn't accepted. I think I was more devastated than he was! Actually, possibly equal. I just can't believe he wasn't accepted. When we found out I, of course being the baby I am, cried and he was at work but I could tell he was totally bummed. I ended up taking the next morning off of work to hang out with him because I didn't want him sitting at home by himself being upset and sad. I think what helped was later that same morning he received a call from a different University inviting him to interview! and then 2 more that afternoon! Thus far, we've heard from 8 out of 10 schools and he's been invited to interview at 7 of them. Praying he gets accepted to 3 or 4 so we have a few options.

Over the next few weeks he'll be rigorously preparing and interviewing for these 6 schools. Luckily, one of them is local (UofU) and two are over the phone interviews (awesome on our savings account) so he'll be flying to Kentucky and Indiana on Valentine's day and my birthday, and then the following weekend we'll both be driving to Colorado for his last (known) meeting. Busy month and I get the raw end of the deal for both holidays - yes, my birthday is a holiday. take the day off of work, all!

Wish him luck!

Baby Shower and Thrifty Weekend

My crafty-friend Evonne is 6 weeks from delivering her first baby boy and her awesome friends threw her a fun baby shower this weekend. I finished my WIP blanket, just barely. Minutes before I dashed out the door, I pulled the blanket from the dryer and didn't even think about getting a picture of it, dang it. It's so cute and I hope she really likes it.

I love hanging out with girls like that. I think I need to do it more often instead of being a loner. I'm not saying I don't like being alone, but for my social well-being, I probably ought to hang out with girls more. The shower was until 1 but most ended up staying until almost 2. She's going to have one cute cute boy.

Later that night Ryan headed off to work while Kayleigh moved stuff into her new apartment and she and I headed to DI in search of a bed frame or futon for her. She found neither, but instead scored an awesome nightstand for $5 in the yard section (which I'd never been out to before - totally has better stuff. I found this really cool cottage-y looking sideboard that had a built in turntable and old school radio that I would love to have...although, in order to make it functional I'd have to rip out the radio and recordplayer...) and I think she and I will have a furniture refinishing party and make it look new. I picked up a couple books, one somewhat new and this awesome Wedding Etiquette Guide from the 1940s. I originally got the old book to tear apart and use the pages in craft projects, but now I'm thinking I'll just photocopy the pages I want and keep the book intact....not sure yet.

Yesterday Ryan's alarm didn't go off at the time we set it for church so we woke up 20 min before meetings started and there was NO way we'd make it in time. I would have had to shower, do my hair, everything, PLUS iron my skirt. So I enjoyed sleeping until 10:45 and doing nothing all day except sweep and vacuum, a couple loads of dishes and make some awesome beef stew. Such a lazy Sunday, which, oddly enough, I'm exhausted this morning.

Winner

My blog giveaway winner was #42, which happens to be Robin. I'll be dropping her winnings in an envelope this evening!

Thanks everyone for playing. I ended up with around 265 entries. Awesome.