Whats your book flavor?

I love to read but rarely find the time to really indulge in a good book. Joe and I recently visited a local used book store in downtown Campbell, and I was once again hooked. Joe and I's "book flavor" is drastically different but it's really fun to be pulled into a section of a bookstore that I normally would not go into myself. Joe likes to read about specific things that are interesting to him at that moment. He is usually on a mission as soon as we enter the door bee lining to section he needs knowing exactly what he wants. I on the other hand like to read books that are truly about nothing. Some people get great pleasure in reading gossip magazines and keeping track of their favorite celebrities. I enjoy that as well but I love to fiction novels about ordinary people thrown into different situations and how they handle them. 

As a child my favorite author was Judy Blume who it seems was not afraid to write about anything. When I was able to read her books I came across uncomfortable and awkward topics that I was also going through as a young adult. I immediately had to read everything she ever wrote because I could relate to her books on a personal level. I actually just learned that she now has three adult novels out... can you say exciting!

This trip to the book store was originally initiated to find Joe a couple books to read at work when its slow. Once I lost Joe I headed to the... yes... sale section. (Another guilty pleasure of mine - finding a bargain) I skimmed the eight foot tall bookshelf not really seeing anything that caught my eye. Then I started to feel guilty knowing I had books at home I had yet to crack open. Right before Joe and I were about to leave I found this...

I know the rule is not to judge a book by it's cover but is this not the cutest? In a nutshell this book is about a former child pageant star that has developed OCD in her adult life. Her character is introduced to a young mother to be and it explains further how each character helps the other in unlikely ways. (And yes I purchased this book for the bargain price of $1.99)

I am about two-thirds way through this book and I love it. My goal for myself is to read all the neglected books I have on my personal bookshelf.

With all that said what's your book flavor?

IT'S REAL!!!

Most of you know Joe and I have been planning to move to New York in the near near future, but now it’s REAL. Even in my last post I was planning the move and sharing updates but today totally changed things. We booked our ONE WAY flight to NYC! It may not seem to be as big of a moment as I am making it but it sure is. After I clicked the purchase button for our flights I got head to toe chills, I didn’t know if I should cry or jump for joy. I have so many emotions going on I can barely sit still. I am nervous, scared, excited, and more I can not even put my finger on. I seriously can not wait to experience this part of my life with my husband and I will try my hardest not to let my habit of stressing ruin the fun. I guess a part of me never believed the day would come but... WE ARE MOVING TO NEW YORK!!!

Celebrating Bravery

Last weekend Joe and I attended a going away party for our good friends who will be deploying soon. I was honored to be invited and be a part of this celebration. I look up to those who have the courage to fight for our country. It was a great evening spending it with people we love wishing our dear friend a safe deployment.

Good luck and be safe!

Big Apple Update

After much discussion and planning our official/unofficial (?) moving date is...

We have made the decision to stop expecting everything to come together from across the country. So on May 21st 2012 we will be taking a huge jump and Move to New York with no place to live and only job prospects! Crazy?! People that know me best would never in a million years expect me to make a move like this. I am a planner and I need to know every last detail to feel secure about something but now this. For some reason I am not as nervous as I thought I would be. Joe of course "knows" everything is going to work out and keeps telling me to relax and have fun. It amazes me that people live that way - no worries just having faith. In all honesty it makes me jealous, I really cant imagine no stressing over the little things, but I will start now... I have faith that everything will work out and we will be happy where ever we end up. (I swear I really mean that... really!)

:)

Side note: When I googled May 21 2012 to find the image above I learned that apparently its supposed to be the end of the world? Creepy...

Our Goodbye California Party

As you know Joe and I have made the very big decision to leave our life behind in California to follow our dreams in New York. We have been planning for about two months where we experienced extreme highs and lows as well as exciting surprises and little setbacks. 

This past weekend my mother threw us our going away party for her side of the family. It was amazing to get everyone together and visit before we move so far away. I could not help but feel a little odd talking to everyone about our plans, when we will be back, and how we will keep in touch. I spent most of the party floating from person to person trying to visit with everyone for as long as possible. My Grandmother even told me a couple times throughout the evening that I never sit still. 

Today I sit here reliving the day in my head I realized that even though I have been planing and preparing I have never really had the time to sit back and "live" this decision. My heart is heavy not because of our decision but because I see how our decision is effecting the ones we love in both happy and sad ways. 

My Grandmother means more then the world to me and I will never forget all her quirky phrases she tells me to prove a point.

"I have more shoes then Cater has pills."

"You spend money like a drunken Sailor."

but my favorite lesson from my Grandmother and probably the most laughable is:

"Ladies can go to a bar but they can never sit at the bar. Ladies just don't do that!"

I really hope that she will be able to come visit us in our new town because I know how much she loves to travel. I don't live with regrets but I do kick myself for not taking advantage of living so close to her. I know she is proud of Joe and I but she is probably the hardest one to leave behind... but we WILL be back before she knows it.

My mother has always been and will always be my best friend. If I ever need her I have no doubt she will be on the next plane to be by my side. She is the most selfless person I have ever met. I think I am more like my father but just because my mother is truly one of a kind and I will be proud to be half of the women she is. I can not wait to make more memories with her on the east coast!

I will forever be my Daddy's little girl and I am so thankful that we have always had such an amazing relationship. And as his girlfriend Julie says "We are nothing alike." ;) If you know my father and I you know what a lie this is! The relationship I have with my father is truly a special one. Mothers and Daughter sometimes have to learn not to love but how to get along and show their love. This was the case with my mother and I during my teenage years because we are both very strong women but I kick myself for losing those years and frustrating my mother. Unlike Mother and Daughter relationships Father and Daughter relationships seem to be the strongest they will ever be right away and never fade. My relationship with my father is special because I have and always will be his little princess. My relationship with my mother is equally special because I was older when we had that special bond and not only does it feel like a Mother Daughter relationship it has a feel of the oldest of friends that are always there.

My brother is someone I can barely think about leaving. He was the one I looked up to and wanted to be like. (Although I never told him that!) He was always there to protect me or tell me I'm being ridiculous when I needed it.  Joe and I will be back because I can't even think of having my kids living so far from their Crazy Uncle Mikie!

I can go on and on but I need save more for another night. I really can't believe how life can change. About three years ago I was a single girl that never wanted to get married but look at me now. It amazes me how you can change as a person and what you are willing to change in your life once you meet the one you love.

More crazy married life to come... stay tuned!!!

Let Wedding Season Begin!

Last weekend Joe and I had the pleasure of attending one of our favorite couple's wedding! 

I was absolutely blown away by this wedding! The entire wedding was oozing romance. It's always fun to attend different weddings and see each couples unique style. Every aspect of the wedding was customized to the couples style. See their reception area below:

Joe and I had one of the best nights in a long time. Attending weddings also doubles for a romantic night out with the husband. Hearing other couples commit themselves to each other brings us closer and we were very excited to celebrate another couple making the same lifetime commitment.

Congratulations Jon & Sarah

4-14-12

Crafty Edition: My 1st Quilt

As some people know I can be a very spur of the moment person. This was the case about a month ago when I was visiting my Dad and his girlfriend and I was flipping through one of her many quilt magazines. I came across a quilt that was themed after the very popular Richard Scarry children's books. I decided right then and there I was going to attempt to make my first quilt for my nephews upcoming third birthday. 

My dads girlfriend co-owns a very popular quilt store in Manteca, Ca (Ladybug Quilts) so not only did I have someone to teach me the ropes but I had somewhere to work where everything I needed was at my fingertips. At Ladybug Quilts they have what they call a Long Arm Machine which stitches the back and front together as well as the padding on the inside. (Remember I am a beginning quilter so I don't have much of the lingo down.) The way it does this is it stitches a design throughout the entire quilt.

My mother has always been interested in quilting as well so we decided that she would help me. Once I received all the fabric and materials my mother and I set aside two Sundays to visit the quilt store and quilt ALL DAY! Surprisingly our quilting days flew by and it really became something I enjoyed. (Keep in mind before I attempted to quilt I had never touched a sewing machine.) After two Sundays with the help of my mother and my dads girlfriend the quilt was done! Although I was not told I still had to hand-stitch the binding onto the quilt. In about three days I had the binding done and had some very sore fingertips. 

The Finished Product:

I could not be happier and more proud that not only did I attempt to quilt but I finished my project in record timing. I am excited to give this to my nephew so he can enjoy it for years to come. 

If your in the area check out my favorite quilt store :)

Ladybug Quilts Manteca, CA