Redo, like new

When Brett and I first got married we found a great deal on a couch and loveseat off craigslist. It even came with cream colored slip covers. These slip covers worked alright in our old apartment but since we moved they have caused me heart ache. Our living room is easily my least favorite room in this house. Since we live in the basement the lighting is dull. Additionally, it is an awkward shape that isn't conducive to two couches and a TV. Consequently we have moved the TV to the bedroom and have rarely spent time in the living room. Lately though, I've been longing for a cute, put-together and homey looking/feeling living room. You know, something that feels good to come home too. And so I decided to change it.

Step one was to add some color to the drab area. The walls are a cream color and the couches blended right into them. Sure we have a few pieces of black furniture, but the black and cream combo make it look very blah. Fixing this problem left me with two options. 1) paint the whole living room or 2) change the slip covers. Painting seemed a little too daunting and I like the color of the walls, so it wouldn't be worth the time. That left us with the task of changing the slip covers. I looked around to buy some new ones, but the price for new ones were more expensive than we paid for the couches initially. I didn't want to invest more into the couches because, lets be honest, they aren't the most comfortable and some day we'll buy new ones. So, I decided to dye the fabric.

Before I show you how it turned out, lets show you a picture of the before. (disclaimer: I couldn't find a better picture of the couches, I guess I really didn't like them enough to take any pictures with them. This picture Brett took on moving day at our old apartment in August. Please ignore the mess.)

I chose the "Wine" colored Rit Dye. It is doing its thing in the washing machine right now. So stay tuned to hear how it turns out. It looks promising!

In the meantime I am Mod-Podging a clip board. I'll be sure to get that picture up here also.

Two Facts

Fact #1: I got a cute plaque from a co-worker today that said "Friends are the Chocolate Chips in the cookie of life"

Fact #2: I'm not particularly fond of chocolate, I often pick out the chocolate chips and throw them away.

Conclusion: ...?

Fall Fun

In the realm of Social Work (and in many other professions) there is a rule of thumb that says "If you don't document it, it didn't happen." I've learned this lesson well at my current job. I document every visit, every phone call, every conversation about the case and certainly every disclosure from the client. However, if this adage holds true outside of the office then I'm in trouble. According to my "documentation" (ie: blog posts) I have been doing absolutely nothing all day everyday. Now, I know that isn't true, but as the saying goes, if I don't write about it no one will know that it happened.

There is another saying I like to live by. It goes like this: "A picture is worth a thousand words." Okay, so maybe I don't live by that saying, but it sure holds true when it comes to blogging.

Enjoy the pictures. (click on any picture to enlarge)

These first few pictures represent my love for Brett.
These are two of the cards he has gotten me in the last month or so. Are the pictures just precious!
Fun hanging out together.


Our 6-month anniversary dinner date.


These are from our 2nd annual halloween date with Brittany and Rob. Somehow we made it through the night without getting a picture of the 4 of us. whoops.


We were so blessed to be able to get our new car. I count my blessings everyday when I get into it to go to work.


Our car took us on a Thanksgiving road trip. Through the whole state of Oregon and back.


While in Portland Brett, played in the ward Turkey Bowl. My dad was one of the refs and Brett was the all-star QB of the 2nd half.


We also got to go to a Blazer game and sit in one of the boxes.


After our time in Portland we traveled back through Baker. We got to watch Dekker play an awesome game of football that opened the doors to his team playing in the State Championship game. Way to go Dekker!


This picture is out of order, but Brett went hunting recently. Look at those big guns!


We returned home to a Kitchen. This may not seem like a big deal but we were doing some projects in the kitchen prior to our trip that put it out of commission for almost a month. We were very grateful to have in back.


We decorated for Christmas!! In addition to our silver and red ornaments you'll notice the Santa and snowmen. Brett's grandma gave us these last year. Thanks! I was going to make a bunch of homemade ornaments to add character, but never got around to it. If you have any good ideas, send them my way!


My Christmas craft this year was to make stocking for Brett and I. I designed them in my head and aside from a few minor details they look just like I wanted them too. (sorry I forgot to rotate them)