Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns #BHBC

You know the phrase, "sometimes life gives you lemons..."?  Most of the time, the phrase ends with making lemonade out of said lemons, but honestly that isn't always so easy to do, which was the case on more than one occasion with Gal in Margaret Dilloway's "The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns".

From the beginning, Gal's life was not like everyone else's, mainly due to her non-existent kidneys and almost daily dialysis.  Through it all, Gal tried remain independent and make the best of the cards she was dealt by focusing on teaching biology and her love of creating new types of roses.  However, when her niece showed up on her doorstep after years of no contact, all of Gal's plans flew out the window.


In the end, Gal realizes what she's been missing all her life - companionship - and a dream she never realized she had takes front and center stage.


To read more reviews, check out BlogHer’s Book Club page and even join in a few discussions.


While I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review, all opinions expressed above are my own.

Monday, July 23, 2012

#photoadayjuly Week 3


Looking back, this week was kind of tough.  Not necessarily picture-wise, but just life-wise. Between Sam being sick most of the week and my unfortunate fall yesterday {that thankfully, everything seems to be fine with baby + me right now}, we're ready to move on from this week.  And today, we get to find out who is inside of me, so that's got us all kinds of excited :)  Any last minute guesses?


+ Day 16 - sign {of a great husband + cook}
+ Day 17 - my addiction {lately, watching Gossip Girl from the beginning}
+ Day 18 - plate(s) {I heart Fiesta ware}


+ Day 19 - pet
+ Day 20 - eye {wear of choice}
+ Day 21 - 9 o'clock {this morning, garage sale-ing with this cutie}
+ Day 22 - upside down {photo above our bed}


If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

18 Weeks!


How Far Along: 18 weeks!

Size of Baby: we have ourselves a mango this week {6 in., .5 lbs} according to What To Expect.

Maternity Clothes: Same as before - tops + bottoms are maternity and dresses are non-maternity.

Gender: We find out on Monday!  Any guesses?

Movement: None that I can feel, but I'm anticipating when I finally do!

Sleep: It's been kind of rocky this week.  I have been sleeping through the night, but finding myself away around 4am and kind of lying there thinking about things.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

Cravings: Nothing major this week.

Other crazy symptoms: Being emotional about everything {but to be honest, I was a pretty emotional person even before I got pregnant}.

Best Moment this week: Celebrating my birthday & thinking that this time next year, we'll have added a little baby to our family :)

Monday, July 16, 2012

#photoadayjuly Week 2


Last week was a special one, as it contained my birthday!  Turning older doesn't seem to bother me much, but maybe that's because with each year, life seems to be getting more exciting.  This year is no exception :)

This birthday was pretty low key, with a little birthday lunch with coworkers, dinner with Sam, and an outpouring of love via gifts, calls, texts, & Facebook posts.  My people sure know how to make me feel special!


+ Day 9 - big {pile of Kleenex, thanks to the horrific head cold I have going on}
+ Day 10 - my favorite color {pink!}
+ Day 11 - letter {M!}
+ Day 12 - texture {handmade birthday flowers}


+ Day 13 - open
+ Day 14 - building {material for upcoming projects}
+ Day 15 - finger {most valuable}



If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

17 Weeks!


How Far Along: 17 weeks!

Size of Baby: a sweet potato this week {5.5 in., 5 oz.} according to What To Expect.

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear some of my pre-pregnancy dresses, but as for tops + bottoms, it's much more comfortable to wear maternity.

Gender: The appointment was just made --- July 23rd can't come soon enough!

Movement: Still nothing, but I'm told it should happen soon.

Sleep: Since returning from our vacation {with a head cold}, I have been sleeping like a rock!

What I miss: Being able to take any medications I want, specifically for aforementioned head cold.

Cravings: Salt has been a big one lately.

Other crazy symptoms: None too crazy, I'm actually feeling my energy creeping back a little.

Best Moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat again after 5 long weeks!  Such a wonderful, reassuring sound!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

#photoadayjuly Week 1


Last week was refreshing.  I like to think that's what vacations are suppose to be like.  Full of... beautiful weather, lots of time to read & relax, trying new things, and enjoying the people around you.  And while there wasn't a lot of need for technology, I was able to capture some of great moments from our week in Nova Scotia.


+ Day 1 - self portrait {two of my favorites}
+ Day 2 - busy {day of travel}
+ Day 3 - best part of my day {vacation life}
+ Day 4 - fun {kayaking with Sam}


+ Day 5 - on the floor {Wilson + his toys}
+ Day 6 - chair(s)
+ Day 7 - garden {lettuce seems to be our #1 plant this year}
+ Day 8 - lunch {+ a delicious burrito, not pictured}


If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Pinterest Project: Wooden Doormat

Have you ever come across something on Pinterest and thought, "I can totally make this!", only to realize {weeks/months/a year later} that you haven't done it yet? Yeah, that is me on a regular basis.  At least until a couple months ago.

Back when we were working on our floors, the garage was our central location.  Usually a place left for more husband + his tools, I rarely took the time to see what was in there, until I was forced to spend a lot of time in there.  And that's when I saw them - a pile of discarded 2x2's that I knew would make the perfect doormat, thanks to the image I found on Pinterest months prior {below}.



So with little convincing, my husband helped me create a own custom doormat for our back deck by simply reusing what we already had on hand.


We opted not to stain the 2x2's at the time of putting this together, but may end up doing that in the future.  The assembly of the doormat was actually much easier than I imagined and simply required stringing & knotting the rope in between the 2x2's that we had drilled through.  Easy right?


So with one Pinterest project under my belt and a baby nursery to put together, I forsee some more projects in my future.

Have you found something on Pinterest that you ended up making?  Or is it better to just dream about it instead?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

16 Weeks!






How Far Along: 16 weeks!

Size of Baby: still an Avocado {4 to 5 in, 3 to 5 oz.} actually a turnip this week {5 in., 5 oz.} according to What To Expect.

Maternity Clothes: I've introduced a few new {to me} pairs of shorts this week and am still trying to wear some regular shirts if I can manage.

Gender: Just a few more weeks to wait...

Movement: None that I can feel.

Sleep: Thanks to jet lag & vacation this week, I've been sleeping longer lately, but still find myself missing my bed. A friend mentioned picking up a pregnancy pillow on last weeks post and I plan to do that when we get home {thanks Rhi!}

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

Cravings: This week it's been candy, mainly Sour Patch Kids.

Other crazy symptoms: Just the usual {tired}, but not as hungry as I have been.

Best Moment this week: Being on vacation and enjoying time with my dad!

Monday, July 2, 2012

#photoadayjune Week 5


This week's prompts had me feeling quite homey.  All were either actual places in our home, things I do at home, or people I love {which make me feel like home}.  I've decided to give July a shot and hope that I find the excitement I once had for these photo-a-day challenges.  If I can remember that it's all about the little things that make me smile, maybe I will find the creativity that I feel my pictures have been lacking lately...


+ Day 25 - something cute {my favorite girl}
+ Day 26 - where I shop {online lately with cash back from ebates}


+ Day 27 - bathroom
+ Day 28 - on my shelf {wedding memories}
+ Day 29 - soft {one of my favorite spots in the house}


+ Day 30 - friends {some of my favorites}


If you'd like to follow along daily on Instagram, check out my feed here!