Friday Favorites - week 10

I love this song. This is the radio edit so it's quite a bit shorter than the album version which is over 10 mins long, but it's so awesome you don't even realize you've been listening for 10 mins. But since the video is just a still image, let it play in the background and give this shorter version a try.
Anyway, BT, the artist, is an electronic musician who has actually been around since the early 90's but has become a favorite of mine since Collin and I started dating. His music is incredible. If you want a little background information on him go here and read up. And if you like the song above, take a listen to some of his other stuff off that album, These Hopeful Machines. It's quite an incredible album.

On Sunday we went to Ikea and bought a bookshelf and doors to use as a pantry in our new apartment since we won't have a true pantry area. I LOVE it. Collin put it together on Monday and actually moved our food over to it in our current place. I suppose he wanted to test it out before we move. Anyway, it's fantastic! Everything fits really well in there and it's quite nice looking. Plus it matches my other cabinet thing I have in my kitchen to hold kitchen linens. The picture above is not of ours, though I will post pictures of our new place when we move in 2 weeks!

I love these ideas for bedroom decor. In the first photo I love the clean look of the blue and white with a little splash of yellow thrown in from the flowers. I want to have flowers on my night stand. And in the second photo I love the yellow with the pop of orange. I'd probably prefer to make it a pop of blue with the yellow but in general I love that room. And it doesn't hurt that there's a cute little Yorkie on the bed; it makes me miss my puppy. I want to have a yellow based bedroom so bad, it's a shame Collin doesn't like it for our bedroom. Maybe I can compromise somehow...

What are you loving this Friday? Also, if you listen to the song above, let me know what you think. I'd love to hear others thoughts on BT!

Cindy

Updated Stuff

I did a lot of updates to my blog yesterday! I changed the layout and look of it a bit. I changed the font a few weeks ago and I was just itching to change the rest of it so I did finally! I really like the way it looks. What do you guys think?

I also added a button! I figured out how to make one, or rather how to get it onto my site, and so I went to work creating it. If you'd like to add it to your blog you can find it on the sidebar or actually here's the link.

<a border="0" href="http://theotherdayandthat.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/piano_angel04/sunflowerfield-1-2.jpg"/></a>
I was also pretty pleased with how that turned out.

The only thing I'm frustrated about is the navigational tabs at the top of the page. I have a link to my homepage, a link to my About Us page, and then a new link to all my Friday Favorites posts, however, I want to have navigational tabs and not pages and I can't figure out how to do it. I want to be able to put a tab to my Friday Favorites label search page instead of how I have the page currently with a link to each of my posts individually. Am I making any sense? Does anyone know how to do it? I think the main thing I'm frustrated with it I've tried doing it and I've gotten it to work but the formatting isn't right with the way the tabs look at the top of my blog. And I love the way they are formatted right now. Can anyone help me with this or do you know of anyone who could?

On another note, I am so tired. I want to just curl up in a ball and take a nap. However, I hate naps. I hate them mainly because I hate how I feel when I wake up from them. I feel so groggy and out of it and almost sick-like. And it takes me longer to get out of the funk than I spent actually napping. But another reason I hate them is I feel like I'm missing out on so much when I nap. I feel like I have so much I should be doing instead of napping and in the end the nap isn't very restful. I don't think I'll take a nap today. I'll just suck it up and manage through the evening. I sure can't wait to sleep in on Saturday!

Cindy

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

My two favorite boys playing a video game. Well, actually, Collin is playing the video game and Stank is "helping". I love these two so much!

Cindy

Falling in Love

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
― Mignon McLaughlin

I know we've only been married for less than a year but all the time I'm continually falling more and more in love with Collin. And that's good! The more time we spend together reveals new things about him to me and I find new things to love about him. And even the times that we spend apart make me fall in love with him. It's fun being in love therefore it's really fun continually falling in love with my husband!

This weekend was an extra long one, Friday was my regular one off from work and Monday was a holiday. Collin had off Sunday and Monday so we were able to spend a full two days together this weekend instead of just one. And just this weekend I fell in love with Collin again. Spending time with him and getting things ready for our new apartment when we move and planning for the future is so exciting and I'm so glad that I get to do it all with the man I love. And even just cuddling in bed each morning just filled me to the brim with love. We definitely had a fun and love-filled weekend.

So here's to infinitely more times of falling in love with my husband!

Cindy

Friday Favorites - week 9

I've recently become a fan of the band Chasen. I regularly get free music downloads from Free CCM and Itickets and I had gotten I think 3 total Chasen songs from that. They all happened to be from the same album and I liked them so I decided to buy the rest of the album in iTunes. I LOVE it! And I just wanted to share with you one of the songs called "One in a Million" from their album That Was Then, This is Now.

I love that our church's youth group gave out carnations to all the women on Sunday as they entered the church. It was such a sweet act of love. And I love that the verse printed on it was one that was read at our wedding from 1 John 4.

I've been watching Modern Family since it first aired in 2009 but Collin had only seen one episode. I got Season One on DVD for Christmas and we've been watching the episodes together and laughing so hard! I'm enjoying watching it again though it does get a bit confusing trying to differentiate what is from season one versus season two. But I love the show so much! You should totally check it out if you don't already watch it. And be prepared to LAUGH!

Have a great weekend!

Cindy

Crazy Cat

Our cat is crazy. Stank was playing around beating the flaps of these boxes we have in our living room (we're collecting boxes for packing - we're moving in less than a month) and then next thing I know he's jumped into the box and playing with the flaps from the inside. He's adorable and so funny. I wanted to share some of the photos with you guys.

Playing with the flap from the inside of the box.

He's so handsome.

And here he started eating the box. Notice the teeth...

He was trying to get to the string on my camera.

And proof that he really is a sweet boy!

I love our big boy. He's such a fun cat to have. He loves to play but he's really sweet, too! I love it when he comes and curls up in my lap or even on my chest. And boy does he love his daddy. He will go out of his way to be with Collin. So cute! I love our kitty cat!

Cindy

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

I really want to be back there. That's Atlantic Beach, North Carolina where we stayed for our honeymoon last April. It was a bit too cold and windy while we were there to be at the beach but we went one afternoon anyway and played in the sand and got our feet wet. It was such a relaxing and wonderful afternoon. I miss that place and would go back in a heartbeat.

Cindy

Valentine's Special

My Valentine
Collin and I had a good Valentine's Day yesterday! Even though I had to work (Collin has off Sundays and Mondays) we still got to spend some good quality time together. I was able to go home on my lunch where we spent some time together and then after work we went to dinner and watched a movie back at home. We didn't exchange gifts this year since we're on a very limited budget, however, I left Collin little sticky love notes around the house to find throughout the day and then wrote him a love letter. And he wrote/improvised a song on guitar and sang to me when I got home from work and he had handmade the card above. You can kinda see the heart he drew in chalk. It was very sweet and the song had me giggling. He's so silly but I LOVE it!

We decided that we would go to Applebees for dinner since we had a gift card and that was really the only way we could afford to have eaten out last night. However, we both really like Applebees so it worked out well. We went early, at 5:00, to hopefully beat all the other couples going out for dinner last night. And it's a good thing we did go early! It was already pretty crowded but we got seated right away! We placed our order and got buffalo wings for an appetizer and I ordered a small steak and Collin got riblets. Our appetizers came and we enjoyed every bit of those things! And then our meal came a bit later. However, when I cut into my steak it was well done and not at all medium like I had ordered. Our waitress apologized profusely and told me she would take care of it. However, I ended up waiting almost 45 minutes for my new steak to come out. And then when it did come out my broccoli was hard and cold, like it was barely cooked at all and I ordered it well done. My waitress told me she would take care of that too and make sure it gets brought out the way I ordered it. Fortunately this time my steak was perfect and had the BEST flavor. But then I had to wait about 15 more minutes for my broccoli to come out. I understand it was Valentine's Day and they were really busy but they could have gotten my food out to me a bit quicker. And I wasn't mad about it, I was just hungry and disappointed that I had to wait so long to get my correct meal. But our waitress and the manager were so nice. The manager came over and told me he would take care of the problem and make sure my steak got to me soon. And he kept me updated on the progress of my meal. He personally cooked and delivered my broccoli! And he even told us our meal was on the house. We didn't pay a thing! And we ordered dessert shooters that we didn't have to pay for! I figured that because my meal was so messed up the manager might offer us a free dessert or something but he paid for our meal! I was so grateful! They definitely want you to have a good experience there and overall, it was a good experience, I was just sad I had to wait so long. It will not stop me from going back though, I do love Applebees.

One thing that struck me though was that our waitress was so surprised that we were happy at the end of the meal. She said, "I'm surprised you guys are still happy after all this." But why wouldn't we be? It wasn't really that big a deal and we were enjoying each other's company. We had good food (once it was right) and we had a free meal! What's not to be happy about? I guess she deals with so many customers who get flaming mad when something isn't quite right with their meal. But what's the point in that? It's not a big deal. And it's most certainly not the server's fault when your food isn't how your ordered it! I suppose I don't let things like that get to me. It's not worth the effort to get upset over that. Life's too good to be unhappy all the time over little things.

So how did you spend your Valentine's Day? Did you go out to dinner? If so, how was it? Hopefully it wasn't like ours, but if it was, I hope you were able to still enjoy yourself!

Cindy

Happy Love Day!

Found here

I've always liked Valentine's Day. Even when I was single and yes, a little sad to be so, I still liked the day. Maybe it's because my parents always showered us with gifts and love, maybe it was because I was surrounded by lots of friends and family who loved me. But regardless of the reason, I think I've just always liked Valentine's Day because I love love. I have always loved the idea of love and seeing others in love. And not just romantic love either. This day is about loving all those close to you! And boy do I have lots of people close to me to love!

So today, whether you're celebrating this day with your spouse/signifcant other, or spending it with your friends, or even just spending it by yourself, know that you are loved. And share the love you have in your heart with those around you. Just tell your friends you love them. Call your family. Enjoy this day filled with love!

And I'm especially thankful for the gift of love given to me by my God and Savior. I know that in all things I have the greatest love ever surrounding me today and all days through!

1 John 4: 7-21
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Love to you!
Cindy

Friday Favorites - week 8

So I've been a horrible little blogger this week. I've been busy with work and my evenings have been busy too, so I just haven't had time to write. Not like it really matters, no one reads this thing anyway. But for the three or so of you who do, sorry I've been MIA!

But today is Friday so here I am with some Friday Favorites!

I made this cross at the Women's Retreat last weekend. Well, I didn't make the cross, I decorated it. And I'm not one for arts and crafts, it's not my strong suit, but I think it turned out pretty well. It's supposed to be a reminder to me to put all my concerns, worries, and the things that I hold dearest to me at the foot of the cross and let God handle them. I've set it atop our entertainment center so I can see it and be reminded every day.

I love that on the Women's Retreat I laughed SO hard on Saturday night with some girlfriends. We sat around in their bunk room for about 2 hours just laughing and laughing. We even had one woman walk into our room with a bag of Poise pads saying "I thought you ladies might need these". Which then of course made us lose it and laugh even harder! Laughter is the best medicine and it was so great to get to know all those ladies better and share in a great time of fellowship. Plus, laughing is the only thing that exercises your liver! Our livers were WELL exercised that night!


I am simply in love with this cardigan I got at Old Navy for my birthday. It is one of the softest cardigans I own! Plus it's so bright and cheery. I'm wearing it today to will spring to come sooner! And I like how the yellow tank underneath compliments it so well. Also from Old Navy. =) Sorry if the quality of the picture isn't the greatest, I just took the picture on my phone.

So yeah, what are you loving this week? Do you have a new favorite cardigan like I do? What are your plans for this weekend? Anything fun and exciting? Mine will be nice and relaxing!

Cindy

Blessings in Disguise

This past weekend my church's annual women's retreat took place at West River retreat center near Annapolis. I've gone every year since 2005 with the exception of last year. I'm really glad I went this year. I needed the weekend to refresh my soul and to remind me of some things that I'd "forgotten" about. You know, it's those truths that you know in your head but sometimes don't always feel in your heart. This weekend helped me to feel them in my heart again.

I've been so frustrated lately with not getting the answers I'm seeking. About not hearing God's voice or having him remove us from the struggle in our life right now. This weekend didn't give me the answers I've wanted, it didn't magically make us financially sound, but it did give me an understanding that in His time we'll get through this. God is with us even the midst of our financial struggle and this very thing that I consider to be a burden is a blessing. I just need to choose to look at it that way.

On Saturday morning our guest speaker talked a bit about Tibetan monks and how they don't have food in their monastery. In order for them to not go hungry they must take what they call a blessing bowl into town and the people of town will put food into their bowls. Whatever food they are given is considered a blessing, even if it may be something they think is bitter. We did a meditation exercise where we held our own blessing bowls out and met with Jesus and asked him to fill our blessing bowl. During my time of meditation, when Jesus was supposed to be talking to me we sat there in silence. He didn't say a thing; He just sat there with me. At the time I was frustrated because that's what I feel has been going on this whole time, every time I've prayed recently I've just felt silence. However, this time I realized that it was truly silent. There was nothing in my head, I was quiet for once. My mind is so loud that God probably isn't able to speak to me, or He is speaking and I just can't hear Him. The silence I think was Jesus saying it's okay to be silent; that it's in the silence I'll hear Him.

I've decided that from now on I'm going to hold my blessing bowl out and even if it is filled with something that I perceive as bitter, I'll be able to see it as something beautiful, something that in the end will be a blessing for me. God tells us in Romans 8:28 that everything happens for the good of those that love Him. And in Jeremiah 29:11 God tells us that He knows the plans He has for us. And those plans are not to harm us, but to prosper us and give us hope and a future. How wonderful those promise are. Even the bitterness, what I perceive as not very good, is ultimately for my good!

So even though we're struggling financially, there is beauty in this struggle. Something good will come. God is working in and through us. I feel it now. I'm still frustrated and ready for it to be over with, but at least now I'm able to see a bit of beauty in this struggle. A quote that came in my email today says, "Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet." I look forward to the fruit at the end of this struggle.

Glory be to God!

Cindy

Friday Favorites - week 7

I saw this video yesterday morning on facebook and I posted it to my wall but I also wanted to share it here because it's so cute and makes me laugh every time I watch it. I love the little boy's determination and then his shock at the end!


For my birthday last week my mom made me funfetti cupcakes. I absolutely adore funfetti cake. They were so delicious! And the best part, even though mom cooked them, my dad iced them for me! Very special! I've been enjoying the extra cupcakes all week!


Found here
I love the fact that for my 25th birthday and my 21st birthday I wore the exact same shirt and totally didn't plan it. I also love the fact that 4 years later it still fits and is still in good condition. It's one of my favorite sweaters so I'm really glad it still fits! Look at these pictures, 4 years apart, of my mom and I. =)

25th birthday

21st birthday

So what are you loving this beautiful Friday? Share with me some things that have made your week great!

Cindy

College Food!

Disclaimer
*Not everyone will think this dish is as delicious as we do. Most will probably think it is gross*

Back when Collin and I first started dating we would be hanging out at his parent's house and it would come time for lunch and/or dinner and if his parents didn't have anything planned we would try to find something easy to make. More often than not it was soup or mac and cheese. One day Collin suggested that we combine a few things and make our own special dish. Here is that recipe.


The Thing
(yes, we call it the thing... lol)
Ingredients
2 packets of Chicken flavored Ramen
1 box of Macaroni and Cheese
1 slice of Spam about 1/2 inch thick
1 tbsp of Buffalo sauce

Directions
1. Prepare two packets of Chicken Ramen per directions on packet.
2. Once noodles are soft, place noodles and a bit of the water in a bowl and add flavoring packets to noodles. Stir and set aside.
3. Boil water for mac and cheese.
4. Prepare mac and cheese according to directions on box.
5. While the macaroni is boiling, dice up Spam into tiny squares.
6. Once you have completed the macaroni and cheese, add the Ramen to the pot and stir it all together.
7. Once your mixture is well combined, add diced Spam.
8. Pour in 1 tbsp of Buffalo sauce.
9. Stir until evenly coated.
10. Serve warm and enjoy!

This is a dish that we definitely love and don't make too often because it's not the most healthy for you, but it's fairly quick and simple. And it's rather cheap as well. We consider it college food since most college kids eat a lot of Ramen and Mac and Cheese. We figured why not combine it! If you do try this, let me know. I'd love to know what you think. I won't be offended if you don't care for it. I understand it's not for everyone's taste buds. However, it probably is better than you're imagining. I thought it would be gross but I love it!

Cindy

A Few Years Down the Road

Collin and I are not ready to have kids. Not for a while anyway. However, my best friend sent me a link to the cutest nursery ever on the Bed, Bath, and Beyond website. She said she came across it and knows we're not planning on needing it for awhile but that she could totally picture us doing our nursery like that. And I SO agree! I told Collin that I wanted to buy the stuff now so we could have it for when we do have kids!

Anyway, here's the nursery I'd love to have if we have a little boy.


You can view the bedding and the room decor here.

Isn't that just adorable!? If our kids don't turn out to be musical then there's something seriously wrong. This little nursery would just make me smile every time I walked into it.

So after viewing that I was curious about the options for a nursery for a little girl. I found and fell in love with this one.

You can view the bedding and the room decor here.

Isn't that just so precious? This nursery would also make me smile every time I walked into it. I definitely want my little girl to be surrounded by pink. And those little animals are so cute. It gives it a touch of whimsy. Here's hoping I have both a boy and a girl so I can decorate both ways!

Do you ever dream about your children's nursery's even when you're not planning for kids? Am I crazy? I just like all things having to do with decorating!

Cindy

Dreary Day = Dreay Me

Where is the sun? I am so ready for spring time. I am ready for the new growth on the trees, the flowers budding up, and birds chirping and bees buzzing.

Today is much too dreary. It was pretty dreary like this yesterday, too. When the sun disappears for a while it makes my mood a bit like the weather: dreary. Everywhere else in the U.S. it seems is getting snow, or it's warm and sunny. We got a little bit of ice last night and today it's just cloudy. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain all day. But, on the bright side the high will be in the mid 50's! At least it won't be quite as cold tomorrow as it has been.

So, to brighten my mood a little I'm going to share some spring time pictures. If you're feeling gloomy too, enjoy these photos!

Spring is on its way. Soon, so soon. Here's hoping Mr. Groundhog won't see his shadow tomorrow. I don't think I can take 6 more weeks of winter.

Are you just itching for spring like I am?

Cindy