Dabblings in Self-Sustainability

With all of my experimenting with making things, I had been bursting at the seams to tell everyone what I have been making.  I have had lots of requests to share my recipes, so here's a few to start!

Laundry Detergent
1 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda (not the same as baking soda)
1 bar Fels Naptha laundry bar soap
**NOTE: all of these items can be found in the laundry section - I found Walmart to have the best variety, unfortunately..)

Carefully - I stress CAREFULLY - grate the Fels Naptha bar.  From experience - grating fingers is NOT such a fun endeavor...  Add to the shavings your Borax and washing soda.  Voila!  That is it!  You can add a couple drops or so of any essential oil for scent if you would like, but I LOVE the scent of Fels Naptha - so fresh and clean and lemony!  I keep my detergent in a plastic container with a tiny scoop.  Besides the awesomeness of making your own laundry soap, another bonus is....  It only takes a Tablespoon to clean your clothes!  What a deal!  :) 

Vanilla Coffee Creamer
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk (I use the fat-free one)
14oz. milk (your choice - I use either 2% or nonfat)
2 tsp. vanilla extract (or any other flavor you would like)

I combine all ingredients into a quart mason jar, tightly screw on the lid, and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE my frustrations out.  See?  It's a dual-duty recipe!  The result is a tasty, custardy, vanilla creamer - AND less stress.  :)  Emma also likes this mixed with her milk for a treat.  I also have old creamer containers that I have saved and just refill these with MY creamer!

Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
a couple drops lavendar essential oil
Ok, so this is more of conditioning rinse, but hey, it does the trick.  I mix the ingredients in a large jar and just keep in the shower.  After cleaning my hair, I simply pour the rinse over my hair (usually less than 1/2 cup) and rinse well.  Don't worry about the smell - after your hair dries you won't be able to tell!  The result is soft hair - that isn't weighed down by those heavy conditioners. 

That's it for now - I have many more recipes to share, but need to head out to find beeswax for my next endeavor - moisturizer!  Pics coming soon....

Long time gone....

Guilty.  I am absolutely shocked to see it has been almost a year since I have been on here (red-faced right now...).  Life has clearly gotten the best of me.  :)  Although I could write a page or too to catch up, I will try my best to condense...

Micky and I finally took a honeymoon in December (better late than never, right?) to beautiful Playa del Carmen in Mexico....  What an experience - one of my highlights was definitely the local food - WOW!

We took another amazing fishing trip with Tres Hermanos in Cozumel while we were down there - always successful!

The girls are getting soooooo big: Chloe just turned 7 and Emma will be 8 in May - Crazy to think about that! Chloe is kicking butt in Tae Kwon Do and Emma is still rockin her guitar lessons - she might even get to start Rock Band classes this summer! 

My dear husband has had a promotion - he is now the Assistant Manager of Critical Care at our hospital. It has been quite an adjustment, but very exciting for him.

As for me, I have been delving headfirst into trying to make as much as I can from home, from laundry detergent, skin care, shampoo, clothes.... Lets just say, my husband HAS accused me of becoming a hippy. ;) It has been WAY too much fun - but more posts about that later! For now, this is the quick update! 

The Imperfect Perfection that was our Wedding...

So here it is, over a month after the wedding, and I finally getting around to posting about our wedding. 
Pathetic, I know.  But my hope is that I will be redeemed after you see the AMAZINGLY KICK-ASS pics that Chris & Julia Sanderl shot of us...

Let me preface our wedding by saying the weather hadn't been particularly ideal in the days before our wedding....  The occassional rainshower was perfectly fine - we're used to that!  30-40 mph winds, however, another story... 
Our friend Darcy did a gorgeous job on my hair and makeup, but by the end of our ceremony, I interestingly enough had a new hairdo.  :) 
Our ceremony was held on Anini Beach, on the island of Kauai - Chris & Julia helped us pick this beach - and it couldn't have been more perfect.  We had water, sand, trees, roads, and even mountains in the background - all in one location..

We did have a few rainshowers, but Micky had picked up some adorable umbrellas that we had a lot of fun with...

While Micky and I were having all the fun, Emma had a little surprise for us...  The cutest thing of all, though, is that even after everyone (including Emma) left while we did the last of our pics, we found three more of these hearts!

The ceremony itself was absolutely beautiful, but that was also the moment the wind decided to join in the celebration as well.  That was the moment the hair took on a whole new style..

Emma had another surprise for everyone at the beginning of our ceremony: that morning, Emma had taught herself how to play "Here Comes The Bride" on her flute she had bought the day prior.  She did perfect!

As with most weddings, it was an emotional experience.  It was very hard for us not having Chloe there, and I know Emma was longing for her to be standing next to her as well...

All in all, weather included, it was imperfectly perfect.  I have finally married the man I am meant to spend the rest of my life with...

Although we weren't able to have our family with us, we had some of our closest friends and family with us for our lucky day...

Here are a few more pics...  (Will try to post a few more later...)



New Artwork Inked..

Quite the busy weekend here!  Was happy to finally get the tattoo I have been waiting for for quite some time!  I brought a few of my ideas in to George at Lacey's Finest Tattoo here in Lacey, and he drew up the most beautiful tattoo...  Also appears that I have about a half sleeve going now!  Even tonight, as my arm is sore and still a tad swollen - I am stoked.  :)

Sunday was such a beautiful day as well.  My dear sister Amber threw a kick-ass retro-themed bridal shower for me at my good friend Erika's place.  Deviled eggs, pigs in blankets, cucumber sandwiches, cherry pie, and Coca-Cola in bottles.  Does it get any better?  Oh, and rounded out by a bit of bubbly.  Fun, fun, fun!!

(Will be sure to post some better tat pics when the swelling goes down....)

Karma, anyone?

A knock on my front door today yielded a very nice surprise: my latest shipment of Karma is here!  No, karma didn't actually come knocking on my door.  :)  My newest delivery of Karma wines arrived today - and not a minute too soon!  As I looked at the plain brown box it came in, I see the simple words

"Karma.  Do good.". 

Such a simple, sweet concept.  We all mean well, right?  It causes me to think a little harder...  Karma isn't consequence or reward, per say, but actually the cycle of cause and effect.  Being responsible for our actions.  I feel my choices are good, but could they be better? 

Makes me hear my own voice in my head whenever my daughter leaves "Emma - make good choices." 

As I continue to ponder my own karma, I end today's post with a quote to consider....

"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." - Wayne Dyer

Treats from Portland?!

So, my mom, Ben, Britt, and Nick are the lucky ones that get to go to Portland tomorrow night for the Celtics game...  But I am the lucky one that gets goodies on Friday!  Super excited because my mom says she will go to Voodoo Doughnuts on Friday and bring me some delectable yeasty raised goodness....

Bacon Maple Bar, I will be dreaming of you tonight....

Breathing at a normal pace - almost..

No worries everyone.  My funk was short-lived.
Back in the game..

And just to prove I am back....  

Our weekend was spent up at Mick's parents place at Hood Canal.  It's one of those places that you love to get away to, but somehow it's so hard to find the time to go...  In light of the recent stress and excitement here, I knew this was the perfect weekend to go.
The girls had such a great time fussing around in the rocks, looking for shells and baby crabs - They were kind enough to stop (briefly) for a momentary photo..

Of course, one of the highlights for me was the fresh oysters - doesn't really get any better than fresh seafood, eh?  Being the clumsy individual that I am, Micky was kind enough to do the dirty work - doesn't look like he minds too much though!

 Best of all, I wasn't the only one shooting them down raw!  That's my girl!

In.... and out....

Deep breath in...

Deep breath out...

Sip (I mean gulp?) of wine...

Why does it seem that when life finally starts cruising....  You feel like you get slammed into a damn brick wall?

So.  My day in a nutshell. 

Deep breathing my way through this glass of wine....

Tomorrow is a new day, right?

Just an excerpt from our weekend at the Canal...

Me: "Emma, Chloe - I'm gonna run in the house super quick.  If anyone comes over here?"

Emma and Chloe: "We will scream."

Me:  "Good job, girls."

Emma:  "Scream like AC/DC" (serious face)

Thank you Lord. 

Egad! What a slacker!

How is it that I have neglected this blog AGAIN?  Just realized that I never even posted pics from our trip to Kona! 

Micky and I had a wonderful time on the Big Island with our friends Tod and Jamie.  This being my first trip to the islands, I was excited to get a glimpse at this island lifestyle.  Wow.  This was exactly what I was needing.  Why can't everyone back home be so chill, laid back, so...  zen-like.  I want that!  I actually told Mick on the way home "I love this laid back feeling.  I am determined to stay like this when I get home.  Bye-bye stress!  I am LAID BACK!".  His response?  "Good luck with that."  What can I say - he knows me too well.  It actually did last for a few weeks....  But I am determined to get it back.... 

Done deal

So I did it - my motto is now permanently inscribed on my forearm as a constant reminder: "everything I could want, I already have." We can truly have NO regrets in life, can we?

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Obsession.

Yellow.  Oddly enough, I have been lying in bed at night obsessing over wedding plans.  Not odd?  No.  The odd thing is that I have been obsessing over the shoes to wear with my wedding dress - and all I picture is yellow.  So as if that isn't enough, I have managed to find way too many options.. 

Should I go for something simple, understated, slightly elegant? Such as these from J. Crew?

Or these by Soda?

Or maybe I will just tweak an existing pair (Mellow Yellow Flower Shoe Clips by Etsy starz selection)?

Then I started thinking...  Why the hell must I be traditional or even semi-traditional?  Since when did this wedding become anything other than what we wanted...

I actually started looking around the web for "converse shoes" + "weddings" - and what did I find?  Way too damn many self-righteous individuals stating that that would be "tacky" or "disrepectful to the the sanction of marriage".  Wow.  Seriously people?  Can you really tell me that anyone is really going to care what I slap on my feet? 

So, I will end my obsessive ranting and raving for now. Leaving you with a bit more lovely foot candy.... (Found these on Etsy of course! - spirocreations)

Ready and Swinging!

Hey wedding!  Yeah you!  I'm back in business.  Watch out.  I'm ready to plan again!!

Yup, this pic motivated me.  What a lucky girl I am!  :)

Breathe in.... And out....

I have hit such a lull... Is this what happens when you plan a wedding? It has been literally a week since I have done anything that had an inkling of something to do with the wedding. Not that I don't have anything to do. My brain is literally overflowing with worry here. Seriously.

I'm not giving up on planning this wonderful, perfect, sappy -  I'm just just taking a break. Letting my mind BREATHE....

I'll get there eventually...

Perfect Check-ups x 2!

What kind of mother schedules her daughter's dental checkup and doctor checkup (+flu shot) on the same day? Guilty.

But what makes it all better?

Double inguldgence at Casa Mia (Emma's choice, of course). The meatball sandwich (Emma's), veal tortelini (mine), and spumoni ice cream? In Emma's words: This is A-MAZING!

Note to self: double workouts tomorrow.

Let's kick this up a notch!

Yes, I admit it. I have a picture on my phone. I look at it every single day. It is of me - in my wedding dress. The dress that is not even yet altered!

So... After spending countless days on the treadmill, busting my ass on the bowflex, I am still not owning the body that needs to be poured into that wedding dress.

So I did something that I DO NOT DO. I ordered a DVD workout program off the internet. Didn't see a commercial on it - didn't even get a good referral from someone. I just saw pictures and videos of asses that I wanted in my dress. Pathetic, no?

Today was Day One of my Brazil Butt Lift (www.beachbody.com). It does sound a bit sexy, yes? I DO NOT FEEL SEXY right now, as my glutes and hamstrings as still burning, 4 1/2 hours later. But the pain will be worth it, I say! 6am will come quickly, I'm sure...

Add this to the list of firsts...

So the summer is gone, along with it, lazy days sleeping in, weekly trips to the library, late movie nights... But yet, Emma is ready. Her first day of 1st grade as finally arrived. But what is she most excited about? Her first-day-of-school outfit, of course! The diva has arrived...

I am excited, of course. Just admittedly a bit sad. Granted, I did not cry at her first day at daycare, first day of school, etc. But, yesterday, the tears were welling up...

We were driving home from her dad's house when I brought up the topic of our first jaunt to her new class the next day, asking if she knew which classroom she is to go to and such. What she asked me next I couldn't believe:

Emma: "Mom, could you just drop me off at the front of the school tomorrow?"
Me: "Are you kidding?!"
Emma: "Uh, no. I know where to go."
Me: "But I always walk you to your class! I need to make sure you get there ok!"
Emma: "Mom. I AM in first grade now. But maybe you could walk me to class the first THREE days."
Me: "Ok then."

Talk about a devastated mom! I truly hope she forgets we had this conversation...

omnia quae cupio iam habeo

I am been reflecting. Honestly, I am not a huge "reflector". I am a pessimist by nature, thankfully counter-balanced by my optimistic better-half.

So I have been reflecting. I feel that I have finally reached that point in my life where I have perfect contentment. I am going to end this post on that perfect, simple note.

"Everything I want I already have"

Disneyland: Just Em and I...

The trip to Disneyland for my mom's birthday has been a wonderful experience for some truly one-on-one time with Emma. The highlight? Hearing her tell someone that she was so lucky to have me as her mom. *sniffle* I am REALLY the lucky one.

Coming home....

It is done. Vacation is now over. You know that feeling: slightly sad to return to the day-to-day, yet overwhelmingly relieved to be back. Almost bittersweet. This was my first trip away from Mick and even though we had fun, it just wasn't really complete. So here I am, flying over northern California, relieved that in less than a couple hours he will be picking us up. Very happy.
The trip was great - it is Disneyland, after all! No worries - I will try to post pics promptly!
And now - back to planning that wedding!