Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Saturday night projects

I twisted Ben's arm. Please, please let's make the chair pretty. He started to unscrew the seat.

History lesson here: The chair has a sticker underneath the seat "Crocker Chair Co". After an investigation (aka google) it turns out these chair were made in the 1920's! We debated if we should mess with an antique since the going rate for some of the chairs were around $100 ea, but this one is holding together by some glue (and now some staples) - so we honestly don't think we could have tricked ANYBODY to buy it for $5 as is.
Let the fun begin...

Foam + Fabric =

New look! Bright Granny Smith apple green and aqua.
Saturday night we also assembled Ben's new grill.

Ben's birthday present from his parents! He loves his new charcoal, and I do too! I'll admit it has great flavor, but I think it's so silly while we continue to live in apartments...we manage to fill the deck with Ben's grilling supplies. Our prior apartment had a gas grill, a smoker and a mini gas grill. Now, we have added a charcoal. Someday (when and if) we eventually buy a house (who knows where) I hope we have a large deck to accommodate for ''Ben's Grill 'N Chill''.

One last tasty item:
Perhaps you can't read the message or the item clearly. Allow me to explain:
I've been driving around with my trunk full of clothes, pillows, rugs, etc. all of which have patiently waiting to be donated. About 1 month ago, I dropped off SOME items at an consignment store in Avon, CT and the left-overs were meant to be donated. Glastonbury is a pretty rich town, so I figured I would donate our items to a second-hand store THERE (so that I could shop around while they unpacked our stuff). While I did see some great finds (for super cheap), I only spent $2 on this fun treat - a vintage 'New England' pie pan! I'm sure it's nice enough to bake with, but I'm planning to hang it in the kitchen (through one of the perforations) or keep it on a stand. I love the New England on it. A little cheesy? Maybe.

During my time browsing the store the ladies unpacking my donations small talked with me. Sure enough the question "where are you ORIGINALLY from" came up in conversation, and quickly another lady answered "the Midwest". I smiled and laughed. I take it as a compliment. :o) Although we're happy and excited to be living on the East coast, I love it when I get the chance to talk about Nebraska or the Midwest in general. *Although, I have to make a secret confession* Every time we travel to NYC I make bets with Ben on how many times I am going to be asked directions (b/c I want to appear to be "from" NYC). Hehe. I don't want to look or act like a tourist. It never fails, I DO mistakenly get asked questions about the city when we're in the city! I nudge Ben and with a smirk say, "See, I'm really a New Yorker". Ha! Maybe you would have to be there to get it. We have a strange sense of humor.

Speaking of NYC - this weekend is the "TASTE OF NEBRASKA" in NYC. We're stoked! We're heading down with Helge's and making a weekend trip out of the deal. Ben has high hopes to catch a BBQ restaurant (we're desperate for BBQ out here - nothing compares to Kansas City's). We also hope we can snag some tickets to see the Yankees! Ben's work offered free tickets to the Yankee game tonight (vs. White Sox) but we had to work late, so it just wasn't going to work out. It was depressing to pass up FREE tickets. Oh well. Better luck next time.

Peace out.


Sunday, April 17, 2011

'Twas a late night.

Saturday: we cleaned. we did laundry. we went through the mail. we vacuumed. we went to dinner with some Nebraska friends. he had beer. I had vino. We caught up with cleaning, caught up with friends and wanted some R&R.

Ben assembled the blow-up bed in our living room (yes, for a slumber party) while I grabbed the sheets and started a movie on Netflix. We tried the NEW Ben & Jerry's Late Night Snack, for dessert... well it was after all, a late night snack. It was really good too! For all you salty & sweet lovers out there, check it out.

Funny how at 1:30AM with one eye closed, I could hear our phone ringing on VIBRATE. In college it was a 'drunk dial' but now the new thing is a 'drunk skype'. Haha.

Long story, short: We caught up with friends/family in Nebraska until 3AM.

It was a good day and an even better late night. :o)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Birthday!

It's your birthday...
but you're the one
who's given me more than
I could have hoped for.

And I want you to know
just how grateful I am...
for the day you were born,
for the person you are,
for the wondrous ways
you've changed my life.

Happy Birthday to Ben!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Attitude is everything.

“Attitude”

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude to me is more important than fears.
It is more important than facts.
It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a business or home.
The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude that we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change the past. . . .
We cannot change the fact that people will act a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. . . .
I am convinced that life is 10 percent of what happens to me, and 90 percent of how I choose to react to it.
(By Charles Swindoll)