Celebrating beginnings

Yesterday was the last day of the Hubs's first seminary class. All he has left to do is a take-home test.

Then he'll be taking the summer off and is planning to hit the books again this fall.

And, I'm sure there will be plenty of books to hit. There definitely were this quarter!


Yesterday also marked 7 years since our first date. (7 years!) We went out last night - nothing fancy, just burgers and movie - but we had a great time.

And we have a lot to celebrate.


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Yep, photos by me. Including the grainy one I took of the Hubs yesterday without enough light. Oh well.

First day of school

Tomorrow the Hubs starts a seminary class.

Before I continue, I know that some of you who know us in real life may not have heard about that. The thing is that, while he was considering this as an option and going through the application process, he told very, very few people. He wanted to know it was a sure thing first. I guess this must be kind of a guy thing, because my dad totally got it. Anyway, then, all of the sudden, he was accepted and ordering books and - boom! - tomorrow he starts.


And, if you know him in real life, you may already know he is very intelligent and a voracious reader and brilliant with languages and gifted at explaining things in just the right way so the light bulb goes on.

He's wanted to go back to school for a long time, and now things have fallen into place. Although he's pursuing a Master's (and I can totally see him as a professor), we're taking things one class at a time. We'll see where it leads.

For now, we're both really excited about him embarking on this journey. And I am so very proud of my Hubs!


Oh, one more thing, he recently signed on to Twitter (as @felipeviajero). So he'll be posting periodic updates on his seminary experience, as well as his adventures on the light rail and other random observations, there.

Hubby birthday

A week ago Saturday we celebrated the birthday of the Hubs.


After changing the plan (because of the Hubs going out of town) and changing it again (because it's been so hot and monsoony), we just went with a laidback afternoon. In fact, it started with a post-work nap.

Once he was revived, we had coffee and a lemon tart at Liberty Market, and hung out there for awhile.

Then we walked across the street to Joe's Barbecue for a seriously good dinner. (Yes, in that order. Dessert first!)


Nothin' huge - relaxing, quiet - but he has at least one more birthday celebration in the works. Maybe more. Maybe we'll just keep partying until my birthday...and then start again. Sounds good to me!



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Photos by me. Thanks to Aunty for help on getting them from phone to blog!

Quick Takes: Better late than never?

One Friday I forgot to blog, the next Friday I just had some things I needed to finish up - a logo proof, a brochure quote, good stuff like that. Today I'm sneaking this in real quick while I wait for approval on an ad. So some of these items are a little overdue, but, still, here are my quick takes on this week the last few weeks:

(1)
Thanks to everyone who stopped by my blogiversary party! You made me smile and smile! I definitely felt the love! I hope you enjoyed "meeting" each other, too.

(2)
Also thanks to those of you who wrote a poem or chimed in for our Quatrain edition of Perfectly Poetical Tuesday!

(3)
The next PerPoTues is three weeks from Tuesday. Since the style is haiku, you could write one line each week and totally be done in time.

(4)
Work is still staying busy. I'm grateful. And tired.

(5)
The Hubs was pretty disappointed he didn't get to execute his meal plan last week. So he told me he'd take care of dinner this week. Have I mentioned lately that he's awesome?

(6)
We had a nice, relaxed Independence Day celebration with part of the Hubs side of the family. We didn't go see fireworks, but we did - at the insistence of his cousin's four-year-old - put candles on a cake and sing happy birthday to America. The kids blew out the candles on the country's behalf.

(7)
I'm pretty far behind on dealing with photos - getting them off the camera, posting them, etc. There's also a few things I've felt like I should post about, but haven't for one reason or another. I'm thinking of instituting Things I've Been Meaning To Tell You Thursdays. What do you think?


What are your 7 Quick Takes? Dish it at Conversion Diary!

Little Stuff of Life is 2!

That's right! It's been 2 years since my very first post here at LSL!

And ya know what I was thinking? This isn't just about this blog or me being long-winded enough to keep yakking for two years. It's about you. No, really. Why would LSL have existed this long if it weren't for you stopping by, reading, commenting, contributing.


So I wanna make today about you!

I would lovelovelove it if every single person stopping by this week - even if it's your first time here - would also comment on this post. Kind of like we're all at a big party, and you're mixing and mingling.

Some options:

• Tell us your favorite LSL post(s), if you have any.
• Say who you are (I know, but does everyone know?)
• If you're shy/busy/whatever, you can totally just say "hi" and leave it at that.
  

The point is at least to make an appearance - and have fun seeing who else has been hanging around.

So grab a party hat and introduce yourself!

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Photo by cdw0107.

Hitting a hundred to that special kind of paranoid

Yes, folks, it's time for another 7 Quick Takes Friday - the part of the show where I share my fascinating interesting amusing thoughts on the week. So, without further, adieu, here are this week's quick takes:



When is it going to hit 100 degrees in Phoenix? I'm not asking in a wistful way, like "When am I going to win the lottery?" I'm wondering because the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) is sponsoring a contest to see who can guess correctly guess the date that the temperature at Sky Harbor Airport will take off into triple digits. Think you know? The prize is a weekend at a Scottsdale resort.



Since the weather is still gorgeous, the Hubs and I took a spontaneous little hike at South Mountain last weekend, where I decided I needed to photograph trail markers and signs for today's post*. And in the spirit of quick takes (and because it was starting to get dark), they were taken quickly. (Sorry they're a bit shaky. But makes you feel like you're hiking right along with us, doesn't it?)


Our freesia bulbs came back this year. And this week, they bloomed! The pics are on Flickr. Yes, our plants have their own photo set now.


Kinda tested the limits this week with stuffing more bedding, etc. in our small stack washer-and-dryer unit at one time than I probably should have. I was afraid it would overflow. (Remember Freaky Friday? No, the old one.) So I kept an eye on it. And refrained from chewing gum or listening to groovy music on my headphones until I was sure insane amounts of bubbles would not come pouring out the top. I lucked out. That thing sure beats the laundromat!


Also, we are busy, busy here in Phoenix this weekend! There's a lot going on, but here are my top event picks:

• Art Detour - walk through art galleries in downtown Phoenix (if you're into abstract photography, check out "3" at Jordre Studio). | Sat. (3/7) 10a-6p, Sun. (3/8) 12p-6p | free
  
• Arts & Flowers exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum - innovative floral designs created to complement works of art | Thr. - Sun. (3/5-3/8) 10a-5p | included with admission, free Fri. 6p-10p
  
• Heard Museum Indian Market - American Indian crafts, music and dance (most kid-friendly event) | Sat. + Sun. (3/7-8) 9:30a-5p | adults: $15, children under 16: free

The Hubs got his braces adjusted Tuesday, and, much to our relief, he has been able to eat without putting anything unusual in the blender or food processor.



Our neighbors a few doors down got broken into this week. So I've been that special kind of paranoid that results from those kind of events. Yesterday, I kept hearing noises. No, really. I jumped up and went to the window ten or twenty times. Every time, it was my next door neighbor unloading his car.

His method went something like this: throw open door, throw open creaky gate (which slams shut), rummage around in the car (preferably slamming trunk and/or doors), dog whines, open gate (preferably hard enough that it slams against the fence), fling open door, bang around inside of house, repeat. At some point in the process, I would think, "What was that?! I don't think that was the neighbor." But it was. Every time.

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P.S. If see numbers and not photos, you probably are blocking images or reading this through a feed that doesn't allow images. Don't worry. You're not missing much.


Photos by me. But you knew that. ;)

Coffee anyone?

I got this sweet new coffee pot from my awesome hubby for Christmas. (He had some help picking it out - thanks, Christine!) I think it's coolest feature is that it's programmable, so when I wake up, I know that delicious caffeinated goodness is brewing downstairs.


Speaking of which, it sounds like it's about ready. You wanna try some? I'll pour you a cup. With cream, right?

Here ya go. Isn't it delicious?!


P.S. Thanks, too, to Christine's brother Josh for the fabulous coffee!

*****

Photos by me.

12/24 recap

Phew! Lots to let you know about this last week! Finally have a chance to catch you up on the morning of Christmas Eve...


The people: Dad, my brother E, E's girlfriend Christine, Christine's brother and mom (in from out of town!), my hubby and - you guessed it - me. Wasn't sure how well we'd all fit our little dining area, so the Hubs helped me move the table out into the living room. Looked slightly odd, but worked great!


The food*:

• Sweet potato frittata with spinach and onion
• Red potato frittata with herbs and shiitake mushrooms
• Cinnamon oranges
• Honeydew melon
• Juice
• Delicious coffee from Christine and E
  

*Recipes in an upcoming post.



The shopping: We ended up splitting into groups to finish shopping for gifts. There were only a few specific items we were trying to hunt down, but we were largely unsuccessful. We did find some great stocking stuffers, however. And we had a great time in the process. We met back up at Bass Pro. Even on a busy day, it's always good to take time out to watch the fish swim by. (Isn't that how the saying goes?)

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Photos: 1 & 2) By me. 3) By Dad (with his phone!)

A day of beauty and thanks

Can you still call it tradition if you don't do it every year? On and off since I was a kid, my family has celebrated Thanksgiving with a picnic (and a walk), rather than a traditional sit-down dinner.

This year, for the first time, we picnicked at Boyce-Thompson Arboretum. (You've already seen a couple pictures - here and here.) It was fabulous. Mom made sweet potato chips (also a first), and we had those along with turkey sandwiches, cranberry sauce and veggies under the trees.



We took a hike around the arboretum...





enjoying the views....





...checking out interesting plants...






...and learning new things.



The previous day's rain had stopped, and the weather was perfect.





Once it was closing time at the arboretum, we drove back to my parents' house for pie.



(What? Did you really think we would skip pie?!?)



I am so grateful for this beautiful day of family and friends!

Birthday fun!

So last Saturday was my birthday. The Hubs had been very secretive, so other than going to a friend's morning wedding, I had no clue what was planned for the weekend. I just knew he had been busy planning, shopping and even conspiring with my mom!

And you know what? He did a great job.

I had presents to open all throughout the day on Saturday. We had coffee at La Grande Orange.




I got to take a nap, and when I woke up, the Hubs surprised me with some really gorgeous flowers! All that AND we went to Pepin for tapas and the Flamenco show that evening.

Sunday we partied with the fam. More good food (including 2 chocolate desserts!). More presents. Plus, I got to wear a crown. I'm a lucky girl!



Thanks everyone!

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Photos by the Hubs and me.

Quitting my day job

Actually, I already quit, gave notice, and today is my last day!

What's next? All Bold Avenue all the time. Ok, not ALL the time. I will be doing other things too. Like going to visit my dad's side of the fam in Indiana next week.

Overall, though, I will be focusing on taking my business to the next level - this includes my current shop, as well as some fun new additions that I'll let you know about at a later date! ;)


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Photos by me.

Hello, rain!

Did you Arizona people just get a crazy storm dumped on you last night? We sure did. Did your power go out? Our lights flickered just enough to make the computer restart and to keep me from working on today's post (and I knew this morning I wouldn't have time).

So I went out and took some photos, which I'll post later. Have a fun day!

Other 8-8-8 news

You may have noticed that some days I just have a lot to say. Today, I not only felt the need to wrap up World Breastfeeding Week, but to say Happy First Day of the Olympics! (What's with Yahoo putting the metal count right on their front page before the events have even aired?! SPOILER ALERT: don't go here!)


And to note the date.

I remember 8-8-88. I thought it was so cool. Because I was...8. (So, yep, that makes me 28 now.) I had a will-this-ever-happen-again conversation with my mom, in which we established that there would be an 8-8-2008 when I would be all grown up, and an 8-8-2088 when I would be really old - if I even made it that far. Anyway, I remember coloring pictures and writing the date on them in very large numbers and wondering what my life would be like in 2008.

Have you seen 50 First Dates? If not, SPOILER ALERT: you're gonna need to skip down to the next paragraph. I love the ending of that movie. Every day Lucy wakes up - thinking that the day before she was single and living in her dad's house - and realizes she's met and married the love of her life, had a beautiful daughter, is surrounded by the beautiful Alaskan coastline, and someone is playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on a ukulele in the background. Pretty sweet. Pretty hard to take life for granted. I cry when she hugs her daughter like it's the first time she's seen her. Sigh...


If 8-year-old Steph could have had a glimpse 20 years into the future - see that her hanging out in the condo with her wonderful Hubs, see the friendships, the church, the growing family relationships, the car she can drive all by herself - she'd wonder why grown-up Steph would ever complain.


Maybe grown-up Steph should rethink the whole not-being-extremely-grateful-for-all-she-has thing.

Maybe I'll get that down by the next 8-8-88.

In the meantime, I have Opening Ceremonies to watch.

*****

Photos by me.

Seeing is nice.

I called the glasses place on Friday. Then again today. Finally, they were in.


I'm all for lines not being blurred. And for (hopefully) fewer headaches. And...yikes...I need to dust!

*****

Photo by me.

The fish with no name

Another change that occurred this weekend was that E and Christine gave the Hubs a beautiful Beta fish for his birthday.

So we now have a pet in the house.



The fish doesn't have a name...yet...but we're working on it....

Ch-ch-changes

Speaking of getting around to things, Saturday I crossed two big things off my list that I've been meaning to do for a long time.

1. Eye exam. My glasses will come in later this week, and I'm actually excited. Because seeing would be nice. And less headaches would be too, so keep your fingers crossed for that!

Also...

2. The big chop. Oh yes, I finally did it. First, a before shot....

(Here's me concentrating really hard on keeping the camera steady on Friday night before we went out for Peruvian.)

So Saturday morning I headed up to Toni & Guy Academy...

...and let Tellie cut off 10 inches of my hair.


Which I'll be donating to Locks of Love.

Oh, yeah, we did lowlights too.


(I say "we" like I contributed to the process in some way other than picking out the color, then sitting there drinking my Daily Rush. Right. It's all I can do to take a photo and smile at the same time...)

And the result...


Voila!

The funny thing is that I forgot to bring a bag with me to put the cutoff ponytail into. So I ended up walking out with this...

It works, though, right?

So since I currently do not hate my hair, maybe I'll put a photo in my profile.

Maybe.

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Photos: The ones where I'm holding the camera are by me. The ones where I'm getting my hair cut are by Claire - also from Toni & Guy Academy.