Are you living Forward or Backward?

This was posted on the blog of a family member, and I thought it was really good to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

Are you living Forward or Backward? I agree with my Stacey, I will live backward.

Feel free to share with your friends and family!

So much going on...

It has been quite some time since my last entry! Where to begin?

Let's start with Christmas. As I mentioned in my last post, I was making Christmas presents for my neices, nephews and a few of my cousins' children. I made scarves and hats, with what time I had between two jobs and trying to keep my house somewhat clean.

Christmas a lot of fun this year because Brant and I got to spend it with both of our families. Christmas Eve and Morning were with Brants' family at his sisters' house. We opened up presents, enjoyed a great dinner and awesome breakfast, played with the kids, and enjoyed being able to relax from work. Later, Christmas Day, we drove to my parents' house where we had another nice dinner and relaxed watching tv, my mom and I crocheting, and enjoying each others' company. I love going to my parents house because it means I can totally relax and not have to worry about anything.

Right after Christmas, we bought Brant a laptop so he can start school this summer. We missed enrollment for the police academy, but we both want him to start some general classes to get him used to it again. I took a semester off after I finished my Associate degree fron CEU and it just about killed me. We're hoping he can get right in next January so he can be finished the following year.

Last week, at my new job (eFurnitureShowroom) I was approached by my boss and asked how I felt about taking a few days off. I didn't like it, but said "okay, I guess...." in a very unhappy tone. Of course, who am I to argue with my bosses' will? So I did and immediately started looking for other jobs. Come this past monday, he still couldn't afford to have me come in and type all day, so I quit. My boss at Staples took me back for full-time hours, working a mid-shift Monday - Friday. I'm much happier there because it's a more comfortable atmosphere and he's the best manager I have ever had. Brant has noticed that after 3 days, I'm much happier and it's easier for me to sleep. I get paid less, but sometimes your sanity and happiness is not worth it. We both felt that if my boss at the other job would send me home once, it was likely to happen again. I figure then next time that happens, he'll be going out of business.

I wish I had pictures of Christmas, but I can't find my camera anywhere. I'm wondering if I left it at my parents' house or my sister-in-laws' house. I'll post them as soon as I find it. I had to post an update though, I didn't want it to seem like we had disappeared!

New Job, Projects, Christmas, etc.

I recently started a new job. Brant and I were trying to figure out how to pay for coming-due student loans and I was fretting, to put it lightly. I hadn't been getting the amount of hours I needed at Staples, nor was the pay enough to help make due. So, Brant pushed to have me look on the Utah Jobs website to look around for something, regardless of whether or not it was in my field. I found a listing for a Technical Writer, and found it was for a business called EFurnitureShowroom.com. It's an online furniture retailer. It was also a place where two friends of mine had applied and were hired. I had heard the manager wasn't hiring anymore, but put in my application and resume anyways. Well, I heard back a day or two later and Wah-la! I had an interview. I had the interview, and again Wah-la! I had a new job! I had to work two weeks of 60 hours each to switch over from the job at Staples to the new job. It was hard, but it's been worth it. I'm doing pretty well at the job, still lost on a lot of things, but getting the hang of how things work. I got my first paycheck and I can say I am relieved.

Amongst all this chaos, I've been working on Christmas presents. This is the year of the hand-made gifts and family books. I can't make a lot, but I can at least give to some family members. I've been making scarves and hats and working on little projects for me. I like making things to put in my house. Such as my Harvest sign:



I had seen several signs at craft stores and decor stores, but they were vinyl lettering and cost more than I could afford. So, I bought fall-ish type paper, printed the letters reversed from the computer on the backside of the paper, cut them out, and Mod Podged them to the stained wood. I'm rather pleased with myself. I think I spent a total of eight dollars or so. My neighbor let me use a little of her wood stain. Bless her!

With Christmas coming up, I'm getting excited to start decorating. Brant and I are having our first Christmas in our own place and there is so much room to put up decor! Day after Thanksigiving, I am decking the house! I already know how I'm rearranging the furniture to fit the tree and everything. Now if only I can get Brant to help me put up all the lights.

I'm sure I'll have more projects soon enough. Once I start decorating for Christmas, I'll get ideas for things to make.

The Long Awaited Day I Thought Would Never Come...

For some time now, my Rodeo has needed new tires. My mechanic, during my inspection over the summer, told me my tires wouldn't make it to see winter. Naturally, this had me a little nervous. Since receiving this nerve-wracking news, Brant and I have been saving up frantically. Last week, my parents called and said the tire place they've been going to for years was having a great sale on tires. This caught my immediate interest. Come to find out, Johnson Tires was selling my tire size for $99 a tire along with a 60,000 mile warranty. I AM STOKED!! They look so nice on my Rodeo. Brant was pretty excited too. We still didn't have the last $100 but that'll be paid Thursday. I'll have pictures up along with some little changes we've made to our place. I know we haven't put up any pictures of it all yet, but that's because I'm embarassed of all the boxes.

Target Shooting Togetherness

Several years ago I may not have considered target shooting as a 'fun' activity. Ever since meeting Brant, I have learned that having a gun isn't necessarily a bad thing. I used to think they were dangerous and idiotic to have.

Well, I sing a different tune now.

Brant and I both had a day off together (and we didn't even plan it! wow!!)

and after running miscellaneous errands,

decided to go target shooting up against a mountain, on the outskirts of Smithfield.

It's a nice place to shoot. Brant had his 30-06 and

I had my 17HMR bolt action rifle

(mine is better! and only because it doesn't kick when I fire and

because it sounds more impressive when I say it)

Below is the area where we shot. The picture turned out rather disappointing. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day.

These are our casings. the bigger casing is one of Brant's.

Obviously, mine are the smaller, faster casings

A closeup that really doesn't seem to help..... hmm...

Here is me and my awesome rifle.

I don't care if it has synthetic stock on it, I prefer a smaller-kick to looks.

Here I am lining up my shot

" See Brant lay prone on the ground.

See Brant envision an elk on the distant horizon.

See Brant drool over monster elk.

See Brant line up the shot. "

Lining up that perfect shot.

Here is a better shot of what a B-E-A-Utiful day it was.

More creativity!

Yet another installment of stuff I've been making. It's been fabulous having this wonderful thing called 'time' and being able to use it to create! Homework is entirely overrated.

This is a set of frames I painted like my previous set. I found this color scheme in some scrapbook paper as well. Brant doesn't seem to like it, but then again, when do men appreciate pinks and red?

This is what I created for my first comission job. I ensure that personal info is changed if I reuse and display the card. I had a lot of fun with this. I found I have a lot of skill with Adobe Illustrator, yay!
I love this one. It is simple and yet, elegant. It is visited a lot on my etsy shop.

This one is a lot of fun. It is lighthearted and speaks volumes of personality

This one was inspired by and older movie, That Touch of Mink with Carry Grant and Doris Day.

Odd, isn't it?

I have to say that Brant has been a great support for me. He encouraged me to pursue this because it lets me release my creative energy. I don't get so antsy and it cheers me up when I'm alone while he is at work. The other upside is it very well may help me buy new tires for my car. We've been tight on money and my tires are going VERY bald. Meaning I'll need new ones before another nasty Logan Winter. Wish me luck!!
Thanks to my friend next door, too. She's great at helping me critique my work.

My First Commision Job on Etsy.com!

So, I got the idea from my friend next door to start selling wedding, birthday and other invitations on this website called etsy.com It is where vintage and handmade things are sold. I decided (after much research) to just sell digital copies of my invites until I can afford to print them myself (which will be a while). I format them at 5x7 and sold for between $13-15. I think its a good deal considering you can print the entire thing for the price of a photo house print. PRETTY CHEAP and great for a BUDGET!

So I had been signed up for about a week when I get a message from a mom who wants to comission a custom invitation for her two boys' birthdays. Turns out she has a HUGE fall festival bash for her boys who are both under the age of 4! So, after about a week and ahalf of working with her, we finally have the perfect announcement for her. My custom designs are $30, so I was pretty excited. I have made wedding announcements/invites for a friend or two (as wedding gifts) as well as my own so I figured I have experience enough for this.

The mom LOVED what I came up with so I'm feeling even more confident in my abilities. She was great to work with too.

I can proudly say I have positive feedback on my little etsy shop. I have a little more confidence in my shop now and I think it'll turn out better for making a little extra money for bills versus selling my stuff on ebay

(stuff I no longer use, of course)

www.serendipitidesign.etsy.com

My Shop Web Address!