(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

*Recipe for these amazing, delicious chocolate chip cookies to come tomorrow!*

Cindy

Surviving Irene

Picture of Irene radar found at Weather Nerd

We made it through Irene safe and sound! It was a pretty intense storm at parts but we were cozy and comfy inside our house. Collin and I even baked cookies! We had very minimal damage. We definitely fared better than most and we are so blessed. The roof lost a few shingles causing some minor water damage in one of the spare bedrooms and the Crape Myrtle out front is leaning a little from where the wind was beating it all day, but it held up. And that's all the damage we had. Praise God! And the amazing thing, we only lost power for less than 2 hours on Saturday night. And we had a generator to power the essentials in the house. And while the power was out we spent about half the time trying to figure out why the power wasn't working and the other half playing a really fun game called Words of Wizdom. It wasn't until we finished the game we realized power was back on. With using the generator we had to turn off the breakers to the house so we only knew power was back on because the neighbor's without generators had lights on. But we are so fortunate we have power. In Southern Maryland there are currently 43,097 people without power (including my parents) and 23,000 in my county without power. And at one point during the peak of the storm over 100,000 people were without power. It could be days though before some of the places get power again.

Anyway, yesterday was GORGEOUS. Simply beautiful. And today is shaping up to be the same. The temperature is perfect, there's a nice little breeze and the sun is shining! It's incredible to think that only two days ago there was so much rain and wind whipping all around. It just goes to show you the true power and majesty of God. Incredible!

I hope that if you were in the path of Irene that you made it through safe and sound yourself. I pray that there was minimal damage and your power is restored! I will definitely continue praying for those who didn't fair as well as we did. And I hope you will keep them in your prayers too. The Northeast got hit yesterday and though Irene wasn't as strong, she left some pretty bad flooding in her wake. They are not in the clear yet! Let's keep those who will be assessing damage and rebuilding and fixing things in the next several weeks whereever they may be in our prayers!

Cindy

Fill in the Blank Friday

Helloooo Friday! Hurray! It's Fill in the Blank Friday day! If you'd like to play along or see other's blanks visit Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren at the little things we do...! Onto the blanks!

1. One of life's most simple pleasures is watching flowers grow and bloom.
2. Seeing a cop breaking the driving laws (s)he is supposed to be inforcing makes me want to punch someone.
3. I like planning parties because, the process is fun and the end result is something special that people enjoy!
4. Manila is a funny word.
5. If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be mascara. I really don't use many beauty products and I'm not completely loyal to a brand.
6. I'm happy that I get to bake and cook this weekend!
7. I would never do anything intentionally to hurt another person.

Today's Live Every Moment photo challenge is bokeh! I know I posted this picture on my post on Tuesday but it was just too perfect not to enter into this contest. =)

So, this weekend should be interesting... Hurricane Irene is on it's way full force towards us. They evacuated Ocean City and we're only about 70 miles from there as the crow flies... We're definitely gonna get hammered. But, it's alright. It's not like living in Southern Maryland I've never experienced a bad hurricane before. And we're prepared. We've got lots of supplies and a generator in case power does go out. My only concern is that Collin is scheduled to work tomorrow and though I highly doubt anyone will be getting their oil changed or having things done to their tires in a hurricane, he still has to go in. I pray he makes it home safely. I've told him if it gets bad he has to just tell them he's going home.

It's definitely been an interesting week here in terms of natural disasters. Tuesday we had the 5.8 earthquake that originated in Mineral, VA which I'm sure you've all heard about by now. And that was a freaky experience. I had never been in an earthquake before and never thought I would living in MD, but oh well. I wasn't scared it was just really freaky. And then yesterday evening we had a HORRIBLE thunderstorm and a tornado warning. I'm not sure if a tornado ever touched down, but still... and now we've got this hurricane. Welp, that's just how it is. I figure, get them all done with at once and we won't have any more for a while. ; )

Anyway, just pray for safety for all those in the path of the hurricane! It's sure to be a doozy. If you're on the East Coast, stay safe and try to have a good weekend!

Cindy

Getting Over the Weekend

Hello blog friends! Can I just say that Mondays are hard? I hate going back to work on Monday after having a good weekend. It was cool because my weekend was full of relaxing like I wanted but it was GOOD. I got to spend time with Collin, I attended my first Stampin' Up workshop, and we finished watching The Office season 7 on Hulu+ and began watching Modern Family season 2. I've seen it but Collin has not and it's SO funny it's wonderful to watch again. Though I must admit, I think my favorite part of the weekend was Sunday afternoon when we sat out on the back porch for about an hour or so talking and watching/listening to the storm. It was so relaxing and so special to have that time together. Anyway, all that to say, yesterday was hard. It was really hard to come back to work. However, there were a few good things keeping my spirits up and getting me through the day.

My pretty blue toenails made me feel a little bit daring and excited because I don't normally wear blue polish.

My bright, yellow dress kept me happy and "sunny".

My Best Friend, aka My iPod, kept me company - most specifically my music and ANGRY BIRDS. I am obsessed.

The beautiful sunflowers we have growing kept me excited to get home to see their beauty.

Knowing I'd get to go home and play/snuggle with this cutie.

And last but certainly not least knowing I would get to spend some time with this handsome man snuggling on the couch.

So, Monday wasn't so bad after all. I had lots to keep me going! Now here's to getting through the rest of the week and enjoying another fun weekend!

Cindy

Fill in the Blank Friday

Helloooo Friday! Hurray! It's Fill in the Blank Friday day! And it's my day off Friday! So this is one good day. I've got lots of stuff going on (mostly errands) and I'm excited for my day off! Anyway, if you'd like to play along or see other's blanks visit Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren at the little things we do...! Onto the blanks!

1. My idea of pure perfection would be not having any student loans and being able to live off teaching piano lessons and being a worship leader.

2. Laughter and love makes the world go round.

3. If it weren't for student loan payments, bills, and work I'd travel the world with Collin!

4. Bloggers are some of the sweetest and most fun people! I love how honest and transparent some of them are. I have made great friends through blogging!

5. If I had a million dollars I'd buy you (as in Collin) (well first I'd pay off my loans) a nice house with a beautiful yard and a pretty chocolate lab. Then I'd buy you the Jeep you've always wanted and your completely decked out Mac Pro and any other music software you would want.

6. I'm glad it's Friday because I want to relax this weekend and spend some quality time with my husband!

7. Something I'm excited about is our camping trip with my parents coming up Sept. 30-Oct. 2. We'll be spending the weekend in Gettysburg and having fun at the Apple Harvest Festival! I'm super excited about it.

This week's Live Every Moment photo challenge is organic! I thought this was really cool since we're growing our own grapevine and I got to take some awesome pictures of it just after a storm this week.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy the time you get to spend with your loved ones!!

Cindy

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

I wanted to share with you a picture from our ASP trip as a little teaser but I couldn't decide which one to post so you get three today. I absolutely loved how beautiful it was up in the mountains of Appalachia. I am so excited to show you some of the beauty. If only pictures could really display the complete magnificence.

The fog in the early mornings was breath taking!

A stream that ran near our family's house.

Appalachia Mountains on the way home.

Wordless Wednesday

Cindy

Washing the Windows

I was gonna post pictures of my project I posted about yesterday but here's what happened... I went to Jo Ann's after work to pick up a heart shaped hole punch and some string. Then I was heading to Wal-Mart to get some groceries and I was gonna grab some paint samples while I was there. Jo Ann's did not have a heart shaped hole punch. I looked EVERYWHERE and not a one. They had other cool shapes but none that I wanted/that were big enough. So I headed to Wal-Mart hoping they might have one but of course they didn't. And by this time it was storming off and on and I had groceries so I wasn't gonna go to another store to look. So I didn't pick up any paint samples while in Wal-Mart either because I figured I'd get them once I finally found my hole puncher. I get home and find out my mother-in-law has a heart shaped one I can borrow. So, now I have my hole punch and string but no paint samples. Fail. Anyway, I'm hoping to get the samples sometime this week and then I'll post my pictures!

So because today's post will not be filled with pretty hearts, I figured I'd leave you with two short videos of my adorable Stank "washing the windows". He does this ALL the time when he wants to go out onto the back porch. We think it's quite amusing. I love that cat to death.




Cindy

Hearts All Around

I was browsing around Pinterest earlier and I found this picture. Or I suppose it's a tutorial picture. Anyway, I am doing this. I love to look around Pinterest and see all the pretty projects and design ideas people post. I love getting my Real Simple e-mails and my Good Housekeeping e-mails and viewing all the pretty decor things. But not having a real space of my own, it's hard to decorate. It's almost like I'm living in a dorm again but even in my dorm I felt like I had more room to decorate than I do living in my in-law's basement. Now don't get me wrong, the place is decorated, it's just not *my* decorations or designs and what not. So, I saw this and I decided I am going to make it. It's something simple and inexpensive to make. And I won't feel like I'm intruding by hanging this up. So this afternoon I'll be heading out on an adventure to collect paint samples in fun colors, pick up a heart shaped hole punch (it's a good thing to add to my collection, anyway!) and some string and then I'll be going home and making myself an awesome garland to hang in our bedroom! I'm really excited about it!

Have you ever completed any fun projects like this? I can't wait to see how it turns out. And I can't wait until I have my own place to really decorate and do more fun DIY projects!

Cindy

Fill in the Blank Friday

It's Friday! Hurray! I missed not doing Fill in the Blank Friday last week. Though I suppose I didn't too much since I was enjoying my time in Appalachia. =) But it is good to be back and doing it this week! If you'd like to play along or see other's blanks visit Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren at the little things we do...! Also, today is Lauren's birthday so go by and wish her a happy birthday and since it is her birthday it's a birthday themed blank day.

1. My most favorite birthday was probably my 21st. Nothing crazy happened but it was a good day. I got to sub as a music teacher that day, I got my license changed, and I had a sorta surprise party at one of our local Mexican restaurants with a bunch of family and friends!

2. My worst birthday was my 19th. I had been home for Christmas break and J-Term and I had to go back to school on my birthday. It was so depressing, especially since I didn't have many friends in college yet.

3. My favorite birthday memory is when I turned 22 and it was just before Collin and I started officially dating. He called me up during a break between classes and sang happy birthday to me and he wished me a great day even though we weren't going to see each other!

4. The best birthday present I've ever received was probably my diamond stud earrings from my parents one year. I still wear them every day.

5. The best birthday present I've ever given was taking Collin on a trip to Disney? Or pre-ordering him his Metal Gear Solid PeaceWalker PSP. I really don't know or remember. I love to give gifts though so it's fun for me to think of stuff!

6. Birthdays are so much fun! Whether it's your own or someone else's! It is so much fun to celebrate others and the fact that they are a part of my life!

7. My favorite age so far has been either 21 or 24. 21 not because I could finally drink (I rarely did (or do) drink) but because SO MUCH awesome stuff happened that year. 24 because it was the year we got married and for the first 3 months of being 24 I was having so much fun planning my wedding and then for the last 9 months I was a newleywed enjoying life with my new husband!

Happy Birthday Lauren! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with those you love and your favorite things!

Today I'm also participating in the Live Every Moment photo challenge and the theme is aqua.



I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! I will be doing housework and going to a minor league ball game tomorrow night! Should be fun!

Cindy

Home Again, Home Again

Hi guys! I just wanted to stop in really quick to let you know that I did indeed make it back from ASP safely. We arrived home on Saturday evening about 6:30 after a 10 hour day on the road. I am tired. It has been an interesting transition back into the "real world" after spending a week in the mountains of Applachia. It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to share it with you. I'm still processing my thoughts on everything and I want to be sure I'm sharing what God wants me to with you all. Plus I need some time to organize all the photos I took! For now though, I'm going to leave you with this picture taken by me via self-timer on my friend Lauren's camera at the end of the week of our team and the family we helped.

Cindy

Wedding Week - "Day After" Shoot

I call it our "Day After" shoot because it was more like a 6 months after shoot! Our wedding day was wonderful as I talked about in my other posts but unfortunately we didn't have enough time for many romantic shots of Collin and me. The ones you saw in my Ceremony and Formals post were pretty much the only ones we got. I mean, there were a few extras but they were all generally the same poses and what not. And I really wanted some pictures taken outside. So, our awesome second shooter photographer at our wedding Chrissy Wolfrum took a bunch of photos for us at Greenwell State Park so we could have some nice romantic shots! The great thing about when we did it, it was the week after my sister's wedding and Collin hadn't returned his tux from their wedding yet!

Our pastor who married us always incorporates props into his sermons and so therefore he uses props during his marriage ceremonies.  He finds a prop and somehow ties it into both God and marriage.  Our prop was a set of walkie talkies.  The best thing, the couple gets to keep the props so we used them during our photo shoot.  In these photos we are actually talking to each other.  Which is apparent on my face at least. ; )

When I found out it was going to be rainy on our wedding day I had really wanted to take a picture of me in my pink golashes while wearing my wedding dress.  I figured this was a good opportunity since the beach would be kinda gross for heels...

This is the same horse that I encountered at my bachelorette shindig!!

It was a fun afternoon taking pictures and I was very pleased with how they turned out! I could totally be a model. =P It was great to be able to have some pictures of Collin and me taken without the hectic schedule of a wedding day and I love the love that's evident in the pictures!

Cindy