delight in life

happy mail happy mail

I had three pieces of fantastic mail today, made even better by the fact that I had 0 pieces of junk mail.

Happy mail part 1: This gorgeous calendar from this etsy shop.

Happy mail part 2: A letter from the child that I sponsor in Nicaragua, through a fabulous organization called Compassion International. If you have a little bit of extra cash every month that you just don't know what to do with, I highly recommend this program. I love getting letters from him every few months -- they always come with crayon drawings!

Happy mail part 3: A letter from my credit card company. You'd expect that to be a bad thing, but they were actually letting me know they've approved my request for 5000 reward points. (That is the equivalent of 5000 dollars of purchases!) I saw that new accounts of the exact same type I have get 5000 points just for signing up, and I decided I wanted that too. So I called and asked. They said it was unusual, but they would put in a written request, and I was sure I'd get denied, but hey, that was the worst that could happen. And surprise! They said yes! So, I've said it before, I'll say it again: it never hurts to ask. (ps: Dear Citi, you rock!)

would be interested in borrowing a time machine, if you know anyone

We have a church now, and a reception site. I have a dress and the beginnings of a website design. We have a flower plan, a photographer, a minister. This is really going to happen! I am so excited. Only...8 months and 7 days.

Can't wait.

i love the sound of rain.

I was up early this morning for something that got cancelled. I am all right with that. I am glad to have the rest of this rainy, cozy Saturday to watch The Office, clean and make some stuff. And probably play with my cat.

currently

Not feeling so hot the last couple days. I've been spending a lot of time in bed with a furry friend and Mad Men and Chuck on dvd. 

 

I am looking forward to this 3-day weekend. I have to plans to make some stuff, to do some more birthday celebrating, and to not be sick. Here's hoping my body cooperates!

adios

i would call this one silly.

left to right: 1. iceberg, 2. watermelon, 3. gone.

 The stamps are from Studio Calico and I love them.

he's kind of like michael phelps, but more articulate

So, Chris is a euphonium player. He is really good at it. There is a big competition every year that he goes to, the Falcone Festival. It's a big deal for euphonium players. Most of the rest of the world doesn't know euphoniums exist, let alone the Falcone Festival, but for the small group of us who know what it is, it's a big deal. Anyway, so Chris goes to this competition every year, and spends a weekend up in Michigan with no cell service. And a few years ago he placed second. Then he placed third. This year, he came home victorious.

High fives all around! I am so proud of him.

shake it off

Every 2 or 3 months I go through a week or two of funk. The symptoms are a pile of wrinkled, clean laundry in the floor, no clean spoons, no blogging, and naps on the couch after work. There is no known cure, but I usually just get sick of the mess and snap out of it. As of right now, the dishwasher is unloaded, the clothes are hung, and hey look I'm blogging!

The next couple weeks will be a little crazy but I am looking forward to them. This weekend I am headed home to do fun wedding things. (like try on a dress!) Weekend after that, Chris and I are off to Chicago for a little birthday celebration and an adventure in a new city. I am excited to do something new and take lot of pictures, and make something when I get home. It will be good to have fresh pictures and new experiences! I have lofty goals of getting some excellent journal wreckage in as well.

To give you something interesting to look at, here are 5 of my recently starred posts in Google Reader:

• pretty recycled packaging at Design*Sponge
• a pretty inspiration board at Style Me Pretty
• creative travel journals at Black*Eiffel
• recycled wine bottle torch at Design*Sponge
• lovely fabric flower garlands at Oh Joy!

look dudes, it's official!

hello baby!

This is sweet Olivia Cathleen Diaz. She was born on July 20 and she is absolutely adorable. She and Molly and Hiram are healthy and and they're all happily getting used to each other. I love her.
 
She is lucky to have two such fantastic people for parents. She can't help but be awesome; it's hereditary.