I'm Ruined and I'm OK with it!

RUE MAG IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!!! It is more than I could ever dream it to be! Click and you are there...on every page!!! I now have an excuse to go into debt! (just kidding...kinda) CHECK IT OUT!!! Ruemag.com

Leapord Love

This post is mainly for three ladies...(*cough, cough* my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and the sweet Mrs. Wagy)! I would have to say that these three women have warmed me to the idea of wearing leopard print. I just don't think I can pull it off, especially not as good as these three rock it, but I know have one piece in my closet that may grow with time! And after seeing how the exotic print can look so classy and stunning in the home, lets just say my mind is consumed with ideas right now! I never though leopard could look so good! The Tile...My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!

Pops of Blue

Remembering...

I'm loving...

West Elm's new products. This room took my breath away. I am starting to see my style changing a little. I absolutely adore the french/victorian look but I am also loving more of the modern traditional style. This bed is amazing and the gold bedding is amazing! I may have found my new bedding :)

Unemployment: an economic condition marked by the fact that individuals actively seeking jobs remain unhired.

The definition is exactly on target but missing a couple other parts that are attached with the "actively seeking" part.

Unemployment...Part II: while actively seeking jobs and remaining unhired, feelings of frustration, highs and lows, day dreaming, worry, boredom, depression and more dreaming will likely occur.

I have a friend that was laid off about 9 months ago. In her situation, she was very fortunate because it was not her decision to take part in the unemployed statistic. She gets a small but still comforting unemployment check and continues to search for her next job while still being able to budget in some fun dinners, coffee dates, shopping trips and travel. I'm jealous of her. She gets an unemployment check! That sounds glorious! Now to my current situation. I differ from my friend because I chose this unemployment. What? Did I really say that? Yep. Although I am still completely confident that God will come through with the endless resumes and cover letters I have submitted, it is a fight to wonder and worry of how long I will be living with a VERY open, available and flexibly schedule. It's so crazy how the grass always looks greener. When you are in a job, all you look forward to are vacations and days off. But when you are blessed with an over abundance of (unpaid) "days off", all you want is to be back in the schedule that is made by someone else. Summer is now ending in the Northwest. I have been spoiled by the weather thus far. I was starting to wonder if the "rainy/gray weather" was just a hoax people talked about. 99% of the days in the past month have ranged between 65 and 85 degrees with blue skies and sunshine. Today is beautiful but definitely gray. I'm thinking the gray might not be the most productive weather for me to stay positive and focused. I need your prayers for doors to open! I'm completely confident that they will! But every little prayer will help! Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:9

This pretty much says it all.

Doggy Divas

Since moving to Washington, Jonathan and I completely lost our mind and decided to let our dog sleep on the bed with us at night. This was initially supposed to be a one night event because we felt bad for being gone too long that day. Well that ONE night has turned to every night since and now Walter thinks he owns our bed. We can't get into bed at anytime of the day without him going crazy and wanting up as well. Interesting enough, he was first completely content with sleeping at the foot of the bed but last night I woke up with him sleeping just as people do...his head on the pillow and his body parallel with ours. I'm considering taking away his new throne but I don't know if I will win that battle. Of course I still want my pup to have the best sleeping conditions so I have found a couple of alternatives to look into... My sister will need the bunk beds for her two... And this one is for the ultimate diva. I want this in my size for me!

Loving...

Since I am constantly job searching online during the day, I frequently take breaks to look through way too many blogs. I think I have officially realized I have a relationship with my Google reader. As I have posted before, I absolutely love this room, the piece that pops for me is the zebra hide rug! I have been on the look out for one ever since and found Saddleman's of Sante Fe which have an awesome remix of rugs in metallic! Lovin' these options! Now all I need is a job to support the purchase!

Sleepless in Seattle...

...OK, I'm definitely not sleepless in Seattle. I've actually slept very well up here in the northwest. After 2 1/2 days and 36 hours of driving, we arrived at our destination. The past 2 weeks have gone by so fast. We have met some pretty awesome people and we really like the church we will be plugged in at. We were blessed beyond belief with all the support we had in KC before we left. Jonathan and I feel very loved and will never be able to express how thankful we are of the love and relationships we have back at home. (Why do the tears start streaming every time I think/talk about that?) I will frequently be telling you all what all God is doing in our lives here. We are excited and expectant of what God has done and what He will do in the next two years. So let me first just fill you in on our travel to Washington... We left Monday, August 9th at about 7:45am. Jonathan was a stud and woke up early so we could have our Starbucks as we pulled out of the gravel drive of the O'Reilly home. We were so blessed to have Phillip and Susan/Dad and Mom/Filly and Dilly (whatever you want to call them) offer to make the trip across the country with us. I don't know if they fully understood what they offered until the second day of the trip. Jonathan, Phillip and Walter pulled the trailer in the Xterra while Susan and I followed in the Prius. We drove 17 hours on Monday, 15 hours on Tuesday and 4 hours on Wednesday. I think we are completely burnt out on road trips for a while. The first day of driving flew by surprisingly but the second day was a little different story. In case you didn't know already, Montana NEVER ends. It is the longest state ever! We are in a wonderful apartment (total favor of God) and have room for visitors if you feel like coming up to hang out! We would love to have you! We were lucky enough to have our Mom stay about a week with us and help us get settled, unpacked and pick up some of the odds and ends that didn't make the move! The weather has been absolutely amazing! The average temperatures have been in the 70's and low 80's without one drop of rain so far. We are loving it and Walter is enjoying it too! And in case you were wondering how Walter did on the drive out... (about 5 minutes into the drive) (about 5 hours into the drive) He slept the ENTIRE 36 hours! Love and miss you all!