Big News

Friends. Guess. What. As of this morning I'm officially a business owner!



Yay me!

If you had asked me even a year ago if this would happen, I probably would have laughed at you. I am not an entureprenuer. This is not something I had always dreamed of doing.

It just kind of happened. It feels right so I'm going for it.

I'm pretty darn excited.

I own my own business.

That is so wierd. And so awesome.

I feel like I just got inducted into some club or something.

So feel free to check me out and like my facebook page. Or my etsy shop. Products coming soon! I got some fun plans.

Oh, and hey. Guess what?!

I own my own business.

2014 Bucket List

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2014 is going to be a good year. I can tell. Even though it's starting off with me having a slight cold and sore throat--it's going to be great. :)

Last year I created a bucket list instead of doing resolutions. I did pretty well and so want to do it again.

Let's see what I'm going to do this year...

1.    Read at least 60 books.

2.    Pay off my car.

3.    Make two new stockings (for Erin’s baby and Monica’s baby!).

4.    Go to Idaho to visit my family.

5.    Go to Washington DC/ New York City

6.    In conjunction with the above trip…visit the DC and Manhattan Temples

7.    Go to three new states

8.    Go to the Oakland Temple

9.    Finish Paralegal Associates degree (MAY--YAY!!) (haha)

10. Spend time each week with my family

11. Make a headboard for my bed.

12. Get a power tool and use it on a project (didn’t get to do this last year)—Maybe for the headboard?

13. Sew a bed skirt.

14. Switch over to the family ward (Sunday will be my first one in the new ward!)

15. Keeping going to the temple at least 3 times a month

16. Get my sewing machine worked on.

17. Finish Cait’s wedding scrapbook

18. Finish my Chicago scrapbook

19. Apply for a design team

20. Finish little projects from bedroom make over.

21. Get bookcases and organize books.

22. Create an inventory of my books.

23. Paint my dresser

24. Take a fun art class this summer. Oil Painting? I’ve always wanted to learn how to use that medium. 

25. Visit two local museums.

That is all I can think of for the moment. Can't wait to find out what this year has in store!

Resolutions Recap Part 2

Yesterday I began recapping my bucket list for this year. Let's see how I did with the rest of the list:

17. Learn a new skill
           I learned to sew! And I learned several different types of skills within the realm of sewing (basting stitch, french seam, ruffling, etc.). It's been fun and pretty easy. And I can't believe that I've struggled with it my whole life. Maybe on my 2014 list, I should make some clothes...because that really makes me nervous. I did get some cute patterns that I want to try...
18. Make my stocking
            This didn't happen. Bummer. I started it, but then I stopped because I was busy with so much other stuff this year. Oh well. Maybe next year!
19. Make stocking for my new niece/nephew!
          THOMAS! YAY! He got a stocking!! This came down to the wire, but I did it. And now he has stocking to go with the rest of his family! Yay!
20. Fix my sewing machine
           The original problem was solved by Caitlin (we won't talk about how simple it was to fix...) but now the timing is off so I really need to have it serviced. Maybe this next year? Hopefully?!
21. Get new bed linens
          Working on it still. Why do the nice ones have to be sooo expensive?! Sheesh.
22. Sew a duvet cover
           Heck yes I did this!! As you well know. Bam baby.

Isn't it beautiful?! It took me months, but it was so worth it.
23. Take an online craft class
           Well, it wasn't a "craft" class necessarily, but it was a "organizing your craft stuff" 27-week class--which was necessary for me so I could get a handle on my goodies. I did it and now everything is beautiful and organize! Yay me! (See the white boxes in the above picture...yep. That was the result. :) )
24. Take myself on a date once a month
           This didn't happen as much as I would have liked. But I did make time to do stuff I enjoy...even if it was just 20 minutes window shopping at a craft or thrift store.
25. Visit a local museum
           Bummed this didn't happen. I should try to do this next year.
26. Organize my books
            Nope. I wish....I still need two more bookcases...
27. Catalog my books
           Didn't get to this either. Time. I need more time!
28. Write more
           I did! But I didn't finish anything. But I did write...so that is a start.
29. Work on my Grandpa's Autobiography
          Yay! Another thing I did...well not really. I pretty much handed this over to Caitlin. My schedule has been so tight this year, and she had access to tools I didn't, and more free time, so she pretty much did it all...but it's so close to being done! Next year is the year it will be done.
30. Upholster my bedroom chair
          I decided that I didn't want to upholster the chair. I like the solid wood, but I did make a cushion so its more comfy...so that counts, right?
31. Build an ottoman
          My new roommates have plenty of furniture so I ended up not needing to make one...but when I do have my own place, or they move, I will make one. Just not this year.
32. Buy a power tool and use it on a project
          Does a staple gun count? Because if it does, then I did! Yay! But if not, maybe next year.
33. Take an art class
          I was so busy with my program's classes, that I didn't have a chance to take one. Maybe next summer?
34. Teach a class
          Well, at church I got called to be the Family History Class Teacher, so since this is my list, I'm going to count that. :)
35. Take 5 family names to the Temple
          Heck yes, I did this! Over 50 names! Bam! I was really lucky, blessed to get in touch with a 4th cousin from Australia that I don't know that had a whole family with 9 kids and several generations that my family didn't have. Glory! And I got the names ready and took them to the temple. My ward did the baptisms/confirmations and then I farmed the rest of the ordinances to that side of the family to help. It was an incredible experience. :)

So that my friends, is how I did on my goals. Considering my hectic schedule, I think I did pretty darn good. :)

And I really liked doing the whole bucket list thing and then recapping it. I think I'll do it again.

Let's see what 2014 brings!

Resolutions Recap Part 1

At the beginning of this year, I created a Bucket List of things I wanted to do this year. So at the end of 2013, I want to recap what I did (or didn't do) to fulfil each of these.

1. Read 50 books.
        I did it! I even upped my goal to 60 because I was doing so well! I ended this year with 65 books.  
2. At least half of the books I read need to be new ones I have not yet read.
        Totally got this. :) Probably 75% of them were new. Yay!
3. Read at least 2 non-fiction books.
        Well, I did read lots of non-fiction paralegal books, does that count? No? Well then yeah, this didn't happen.
4. Travel somewhere new
        Unfortunately not. I did get to go to Chicago a couple of weeks go, fairly unexpectedly and was a total blast, but I didn't get to go to Washington D.C. / New York City like I wanted to. Bummer. Hopefully in the fall I can?
5. Go to three new states (Currently I've been to 21!)
         This goal was in connection with my D.C. trip--so hopefully in 2014.
6. Go to the temple every month
          Yes I did! I'm pretty sure I averaged 3 times a month, maybe 3.5. I really was trying to go every week, but sometimes that just didn't happen. I'm pretty sure that because this was a priority and I built my schedule around it, it was the only reason I survived school this year!

7. Finish Cait's Wedding Scrapbook
          I worked on it! Which is better than last year. So there's something...
8. Finish my Chicago Scrapbook
          It's over half-done so I did work on it quite a lot, just not in the second half of the year. So....yeah. Moving bedrooms and trying to get that set up so I can scrapbook took me a lot longer than I thought it would. That happens when you have grand-ish plans and little funds. Hopefully with school winding down next year, I'll have more time to spend on things like this.
9. Go back to school for Paralegal Certificate
          I did! Eep! And I did better than I thought I would. As I've discussed before, I even survived going to school and working full-time this past semester. And I found out that because I already have a Bachelor's, I automatically qualify for the Associates in Paralegal Studies. So that is exciting. By May I'll have another Associates degree. Yay.
10. Spend time with my family each week
          This one was really important to me and thankfully Cait gets bored so she lets me come visit her and hang out at her house. And she feeds me and helps me with my projects--which we don't usually work on, but still. It's pretty awesome.
11. Teach Rachel to say my name
          She totally can! Though usually it sounds more like "bacon" than "Megan." Not sure if that is a good thing or not yet. :) But she is adorable and gets so excited when I open the door. Good news is that Rachel knows all her body parts. That is a hilarious game to play. She even throws in some body parts that Cait didn't teach her. hahaha. And if you ask her what the fox says, she busts into song and start dancing. Its totally hilarious. Her favorites are that one, wheels on the bus and ring around the rosie, but usually she forgets the "sh" sound in the "ashes ashes" part. hehehe.
12. Create some kind of art wall hanging
          I had plans for one, but I ran out of time. Boo.
13. Apply for another design team
           I seriously considered applying to two different teams (of companies that I really love), but after reviewing their requirements if you made the team, I realized that I just wouldn't have the time to put into it. It was super sad. Hopefully this next year I can do one.
14. Get two new tires
           Yes and I got a incredible deal! The guys were so nice and found me gently used tires to replace the scary ones on my car for only $50 for two! Awesome!
15. Replace the brakes on my car.
           Thankfully I have an awesome brother-in-law that lives conveniently close-by that was kind enough, somewhat willingly to do this for me. :)
16. Go to at least two new temples.
           Salt Lake (beautiful and so ornate!!) and Chicago. Both awesome experiences with incredible friends.
 

Items 17-35 up tomorrow

A New, Scary, Exciting Dream

The last couple of years (ok, a lot longer) I have just been kind of floating around. Working, paying bills, hanging out with my friends and family, working, and then starting school again.

Life has been fun, good, and kind of boring.

Boring in the way that I'm not challenging myself. I'm not growing and pushing myself as much as I used to. Once I got my bachelor's degree I felt like I hit a plateau. For awhile I stopped. Then I slowly started growing again, but the last couple of years I've hit that plateau again.

I've struggled to find out what I'm "meant to do." To find a new dream to pursue.

I thought it would be going back to school to get my paralegal certificate.

Now that I have my first semester under my belt, I don't think that was it. It's good, and I'm certainly going to finish it, because I do need to still pay my bills. But it's not my dream and I'm not passionate about it.

Back in March I went to a conference and the message I walked away with was to find your dream and pursue it.

But ever since then I've been frustrated because I don't know what my dream is. What is my passion? What is my dream job? What makes me happy?

I'm 29 and I still don't know. I'm sure that is probably normal that I don't know. I imagine it takes some people their whole lives to figure it out.

The last few months I've tried, struggled, and gotten a little frustrated trying to figure it out.

I've discovered the following in this little journey:

     1. Being a paralegal is very interesting and a good job. I enjoy it, but I don't LOVE it.
     2. I want to LOVE my job. I want to be excited to go to work every day.
     3. I LOVED making the invitations for Fallon's baby shower.
     4. I remembered how much fun I had making invitations for other parties I've done.
     5. While I'm at work, I find myself wishing I was home to do something crafty...to make
         something. I feel the need to do it.
     6. I feel fulfilled when I am creating something.
     7. I've found myself wishing I could do this all day. Being creative and making stuff
         is what I think about when I'm not thinking.

On more than one occasion, I've wished there was business locally that was crafty and would let me work for them.

I thought I found it at my local scrapbook store, but then they closed last year. (Boo!)

Then I heard this little voice: what if I started my own?

I laughed at the absurdity of the thought and quickly dismissed it. Yeah right. I'm not that type of person. I'm not aggressive enough. Not ambitious enough. Certainly not crazy enough.

I kept thinking why make my life that much more busy? I'm already working full-time. I go to school almost full-time (I will in the Fall). And I having a fantastic calling at church that keeps me quite busy (but not too busy!). Why would I want to throw something else in the mix?

Ok. I am crazy enough.

The thought has come across my mind often in the past few months. Friends have encouraged me many, many times. I always laugh it off and thank them for the compliment of having the opinion that someone would like to buy something I make. I always joke that no one can afford me. :)

I've worried that IF I did have a shop (or whatever) that I would stop loving my hobby. I've worried that I literally have NO IDEA how to run a business. I hate money. I hate trying to put a price on what I make.

(Seriously. I do. It's so hard. I just want to giveaway everything I make. I don't want to charge people--part of it is that I don't think that what I make is worth it, and part of it is guilt for taking people's hard earned cash. So I would need to get over this.)

Why would I want to add more stress to my life. Why?

Why not? Why wouldn't I want to get paid to do something I love?

The idea of having my own business has crawled into my brain and taken up residence. It won't leave. I keep finding myself thinking. If I did have my own shop...then I would do this. Or I would sell that. Or what would my brand be? Logo? Business name? So many questions I keep answering or wanting, needing to answer.

And then I remind myself that it's crazy and just a silly idea. It's impossible. I shouldn't waste my time on something so frivolous. I mean, why waste time and energy on something that probably wouldn't go anywhere.

Why not?

I doubt myself and my abilities and then a little voice says, "Who's to say that it wouldn't go anywhere, or be wonderful, or be exactly what I am supposed to do? And even if it's not those things--you'll learn something."

Anytime I try to talk myself out of it, a little voice in my head finds a way around the doubt. (I don't know anything about business accounting. Oh wait, I know several business accountants...including my best friend.)

Maybe I'm supposed to do this? But I'm not brave enough. I act like I am, but I'm not.

But maybe I could be. What's that quote from We Bought a Zoo?

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."

I think this just might be my 20 seconds of insane courage....




P.S. Right after I finished writing the above, I turned on the radio. This was the song that came on:

Brave by Sara Bareilles

Love the song and love the video. And I'm feeling a bit braver. :)

The One Where I Woke Up Squeeling

This morning at 4:15am, I woke myself up from squeeling out loud like an excited little girl.

It was awesome.

So I had a dream that I was in Manhattan visiting for a short period of time and so to get the "New York City" experience, I was walking around looking and watching and taking it all in. I've never been to NYC so pretty much my dream was making it all up, but I could even smell it--it was kind of like over-cooked hot dogs. I have no idea if the city actually smells like that, but it did in my dream. The air was crisp and fresh feeling, and bright.

Anyway, so at one point I was walking a street with lots of street vendors and I was taking pictures of just about everything. I saw a really cool horse statue thing and so I took a picture. Then the vendor saw me, waved me over and said that he had an even prettier, more ornate one and offered to let me take a picture of it--as long as he was in it. The horse-thing was goldleafed with jewels around the neck and where a sadle would be. The eyes were jewels and had a white mane and tale. It was beautiful. I laughed and agreed and befriended the man as I took his picture.  I waved goodbye and kept walking down the street.

Then I was approached by a man that seemed to be homeless. We chatted and he suggested a couple of places for me to visit. I gave him some money to buy a meal. In my dream, I made friends with a homeless man. In New York City. Yeah, that would ONLY happen in my dreams. If I were alone, I would be too scared to do it in real life.

After I befriended the nice homeless man, I continued meandering down the street until I came across this chic, expensive little resturant. Apparently watching the chef was encouraged because I came in and stood in corner and watched the chef prepare and plate a meal in front of a couple. I took some pictures to document my experience and then tried to quietly slip out of the resturant when the famous chef finished.

This is where it starts to get really weird....(as if it wasn't weird already....)...

As I walked past the chef, we made eye contact and I smiled. He asked if my name was Megan. I stopped, suddenly scared that I had done something wrong and little creeped out that he knew who I was.

I slowly nodded and he smiled and waved me over. I walked a few steps and suddenly he was holding this large, beautiful bouquet of huge, gorgeous white roses, complete with green sprigs, and tied with a beautiful gold ribbon. He handed them to me. I was confused and tried to give them back, telling him that he had the wrong person. He smiled and shook his head and said that they were for me...and I was to follow him to a private table for a surprise. My mind was blank while I tried to figure out who had done this. I didn't know anyone here. I was confused and a little freaked out.

I asked the chef a bunch of questions about who it was that I was supposed to be meeting, but he just smiled and told me that my "friend" would be there shortly. I sat there admiring the beautiful china and glassware. There was a lovely view of Central Park outside the window. The sound of quiet voices and tinkling silverware was a peaceful contrast to the nervousness and figitiness that I felt.

Then I looked up and saw a man coming towards me. with a big smile on his face. A man that I instantly recognized. We were old friends after all (news to me!).

I jumped up and ran to Nathan Fillion. I was so excited! I hadn't seen him in years!

He opened up his arms and I jumped up and caught him around the neck as he swung me around. I laughed. And then started asking a million questions.

"Why are you here? How did you know I was here? How did you know I was this resturant? I'm only in town for a few hours. How did you do all of this? Why did you do all of this?"

He laughed and said, "I know people and wanted your visit to the city to memorable. Let's eat, I'm hungry."

That's when I woke up smiling and squeeling like a little girl as he hugged me tightly again.

Man, I wish I hadn't woken up.
****

This dream was weird, even for me. I very, very rarely dream about celebrities. I can't even think of a time when I did.

But hey, if I'm going to dream of one, at least it's awesome AND it's Nathan Fillion. :D

*
And someone please tell me that other people have dreams this detailed. I did not add any flourish to this dream. This is exactly what happened. Yeah, I'm weird. :)

Resolutions

I've been debating doing resolutions this year because 1) They never get all finished, 2) I feel awful when they don't, and 3) I don't like feeling bad about how awful I feel.

All over blogdom I've seen people's resolutions and, while they are wonderful for them, they don't work for me. Then I came across this idea...and it's brilliant!

So this year instead of doing resolutions, I'm going to do a Bucket List for 2013...Things I want to do this year. Because it's a list, and I like crossing stuff off of lists, I'll probably actually get at least some of the things done. Yay!

1. Read 50 books (That's not as many as it sounds...at least not for me.)
2. At least half of the books I read need to be new ones I have not yet read.
3. Read at least 2 non-fiction books (this is really hard for me!)
4. Travel somewhere new
5. Go to three new states (Currently I've been to 21!)
6. Go to the temple every month
7. Finish Cait's Wedding Scrapbook
8. Finish my Chicago Scrapbook
9. Go back to school for Paralegal Certificate
10. Spend time with my family each week
11. Teach Rachel to say my name
12. Create some kind of art wall hanging
13. Apply for another design team
14. Get two new tires
15. Replace the brakes on my car
16. Go to at least two new temples
17. Learn a new skill
18. Make my stocking
19. Make stocking for my new niece/nephew!
20. Fix my sewing machine
21. Get new bed linens
22. Sew a duvet cover
23. Take an online craft class
24. Take myself on a date once a month
25. Visit a local museum
26. Organize my books
27. Catalog my books
28. Write more
29. Work on my Grandpa's Autobiography
30. Upholster my bedroom chair
31. Build an ottoman
32. Buy a power tool and use it on a project
33. Take an art class
34. Teach a class
35. Take 5 family names to the Temple

Alright, that is all I can think of for now. I may add more later.

This list has made me kind of excited for this year now. Excellent. :)

Best Christmas Present

Today I got an early Christmas present.

And I love it! Seriously, I'm not sure anyone can top it.

Oddly enough it came from my Bishop.

Tuesday during FHE, my Bishop pulled me into a meeting. He usually only does that if there is some problem or issue that I need to be aware of or if there is something he needs me to do.

This time it was to give me some news that I've been waiting for for over 5 years.

He started off by doing a tithing settlement (an opportunity to talk to the bishop about tithing and the blessings of paying it, and just a general "how's life?" conversation). I responded positively to his questions. He asked, "Do you know Heavenly Father loves you?"

"Yes, most definitely," I answered.

Then he got a big smile on his face and asked me,

"If you could have one thing this Christmas, what is it?"

I was perplexed and totally awkward. What kind of question is that? Where was this conversation going?

"Um...I don't know." Was some anonymous person going to play Santa to me? My mind was spinning with possibilities and lots of questions.

"Really, what would you like for Christmas?"

My thought: A new TV? Two new tires that I desperately need?A Husband?! Where in the world was this conversation going?!

"Well, I don't really need anything so probably to have my family all together and have Erin and Jim be able to come home." (I decided that this was the most acceptable answer to give. :) )

"That's a good answer. I'm not sure I can deliver that, but how about something else I know you really want."

"Oooookay." I was really puzzled.

"Well, I talk to the Stake President today and on Sunday I'd love to have you come in during Sunday School so I can get you set up with a Temple Recommend so you can go through the temple."

It took me a moment to process what he was saying.

"That is the best present I could get," I said with a big smile on my face.

"I figured it was. It's the best present I'm giving this year" Bishop said.

"It wasn't even on my list, it didn't even occur to me to even ask!" I started giggling because I was (am) so excited.

"I know. You've been so patient. And now it's time. Congratulations!" Bishop was so proud of his present to me. It was really cute.

I really wanted to jump up and down and shout! I am so excited!

Finally! I finally feel happy and know that I'm in a good place in my life.

A year and a half ago I wrote about how I struggled with having to wait so long. I'm so happy that I don't have to wait much longer.

Best part? Well it might actually be a two-for-one deal and this might get my family to come home. I want them all there when I go through. :) So take note everyone (ERIN): You're coming home for Christmas! :)

Dream Home

Thanks to Pintrest, I found this AMAZING website that lets you create a floor plan for your dream home. You pick out the features and other details and it'll come up with examples. So brilliant.

I found this Georgian Beauty.

 

 

 

 First Floor Layout:

 Second Floor Layout:

 
Here are some of the features:

Primary Style	Georgian	Bedrooms:	5
Half Baths:	2	Baths:	3
Living Area:	5,048 sq.ft.	Width:	83' 6"
Foundation:	Crawlspace	Depth:	71'
		Stories:	2
Styles:	Colonial Georgian Country Cottage	Garage Bays:	4

Fireplace

Country Kitchen

Patio/Terrace/Veranda

Columned Front Entry

Deck

French Doors

Columns-Interior

Storage/Attic Space

Private Outdoor Living

Jack and Jill Bath

Porch/Deck-Upper Level

Outdoor Kitchen

Art Niche

Balcony-Exterior

Balcony-Interior

Breakfast Nook

Built-In Booth/Banquette

Built-In Cabinets, Shelves, Desks

Dressing Room

e-Space/Computer Area

Family Room

Fireplace in Master Suite

Formal Dining Room

Formal Living Room/Parlor

Game/Recreation Room

Great/Gathering Room

Home Theater/Media Room

Kitchen Island

Laundry Room-Main Floor

Loft

Master Foyer

Master Suite-Second Floor

Mud Room

Office/Study/Den/Library

Open Floor Plan

Optional Bonus Space

Plant Shelf

Side-Loading

Sitting Area

Snack Bar

Walk-In Pantry

Window Seat

Workshop/Hobby Room

Butler's Pantry

I think it's PERFECT!

Medium cost to build: $669,460. The high cost is over a million dollars! Eek. I don't think that cost includes all the stuff to furnish and decorate the house. :(

Maybe not so perfect. But still so beautiful!

A Secret Dream

So I've had a secret dream for a long time. But it is vastly different than anything I've ever done or studied. I've never done anything about it because I worry I'll fail. And that it will be an epic fail. But I suppose with risk there is always a pretty good chance of failure. But without risk, there is no chance of change or growth.

I've been thinking a lot lately about needing to take some risks in my life. I've thought about moving to the East Coast (still a possibility). About changing jobs. About getting my Master's Degree. Something. Anything. I need a change. I need to grow. I need to get outside my comfort zone. I need to take a risk.

So what is this risk? I want to write a book. I've always wanted to see something I that I've written in print, available on a bookshelf, and maybe even make a few bucks. This is actually on my secret bucket list. I always thought to myself, "Self, some day you are going to have a wonderful story to tell and everyone will want to read it! And then you can write it!" Well I think I'm going to have put some work into and learn how to write. A story isn't going to just magically appear in my head and magically work its way to a bookstore. So I'm starting now. I am going to pursue one of my dreams. :) And I'm terrified! (It terrifies me so much that I've considered writing under a pen name so I don't get laughed at! I'm still undecided about that though. I don't want to put myself out there too far!)

I love reading good books, and I've read A LOT of them. Especially LDS books. I love how clean and uplifting they are. So I want to write book in that niche. Conveniently, I know someone who knows people in the LDS publishing world.

Problem is, I don't know what kind of story I want to write. Mystery? I'm not sure I'm clever enough. Romance? I'm definitely not an expert. Children's? Well at least I was a child once upon a time. Also, I don't know anything about creative writing. I'm not even sure I have a good story to tell. All I know is technical writing--which isn't very good for writing a fictional story. So, time to learn!

Well the first step I've taken to accomplish my risk, er, goal was actually to start this blog (I just didn't tell anyone). I wanted to get in the habit of writing and see if I could find my style. I've definitely gotten into the habit, but don't know if I necessarily have a style.

Next step is to learn about creative writing and practice it. Hopefully I'll get some ideas about the type of story I want to write. I thought about taking a class, but that costs a lot of money. Then I thought about getting a few books, but again $. So library, here I come! Perfect! The library is a perfect place to get a book or two about how to write a book. Ha ha ha. I love it. :)

So I am officially starting my journey to become an author. I'll probably fail in epic fashion. At least if I fail, I'll fail with glory! (I love that hymn!) But at least I'm trying......right?! :)

A Movie, A Dream, and A Dog

Last night for FHE, we watched the movie we made last week. It was hilarious!! We also played Disney Scene It. So fun. As an explanation, we split into three different groups and filmed each of the acts independently. We had no idea how the other groups were filming their part of the plot. And then it was edited and polished. It was fun to make and fun to watch. Enjoy!

***

I think my dreams are getting out of control again. This happens every so often.

This morning I dreamt that I was hiking a hill with some guy (I don't know who, but he was super cute!). We were searching for something and he slipped over the edge of cliff near the ocean. I grabbed his arm so he wouldn't fall and as he was just hanging out (*snicker*) he looked around and saw a small opening in the side of the cliff below him. We both looked into the hole and saw an old '30's era car in a cave. Weird, right?! Well then we noticed a landing that if I swung him correctly, he would land on and then we could explore the cave.

Suddenly we were in the cave, which had electricity, and were looking around. It was like someone had stuck all their treasures in this cave and the car was just the beginning. Everything was super old and it looked like someone had lived there (I remember some beautiful rugs on the floor. It was so exciting! At first we couldn't figure out who put it there and how it got there. Then I decided that there must have been a road that had been washed away by the ocean. As we were exploring, we found a painting of an old man. It was my friend's grandfather or something.

And then I woke up. The end.

***

The last thing for today is a little shout out to my doggy Rufus. He died yesterday. We got him when I was probably about 14. We found out a couple weeks ago he had cancer, but decided not to put him down yet. Then he was found in the afternoon and given a little doggy funeral and buried in a favorite spot.

He was the best dog. Always sweet and loyal and a great listener. Isn't he soooo cute?? 

Weird Dream

So I had a really wierd dream this morning. And I kinda liked it!

I started out at Wal-Mart (which looked like Target) and was walking up to check out. Then this lady that had 2 items and 4 very big sons tried to run in front of me so she didn't have to wait. She didn't make it. I offered to let her go in front of me because she only had a couple of items. She got all offended and her sons looked like they were going to pummel me. So I quickly checked out and left.

As I was driving home, I decided to drive through old town Folsom (not sure why--seeing as it is way far on the other side of the valley and completely opposite direction of home). The town looked like it was still a dirty, 1840's gold mining town, complete with tack stores, wood sidewalks, blacksmiths. Seriously. As I was driving through enjoying the scenery, I saw 3 men standing in the middle of the road. They were dressed in overalls, and no shirts. :) They looked dirty, like they were miners or something.

Just as I pulled up to them and stopped--because they were in the middle of the road--one turned and looked at me. To my surprise it was Matthew McConaughey! mmmmmmmm...

He stared at me for a couple of seconds and then climbed in my car! Um, okay. Then he kinda gets after me about abandoning my dreams of becoming a fashion designer! Whaaaa?! I had dreams of becoming a fashion designer??!?!

He said that he had his heart set on having a suit done by me for the big upcoming awards ceremony. He said that is wife also wanted a dress done by me. I told him that I don't do that anymore--that I had failed and didn't want to do it anymore. He told me too bad because he was commissioning me to do it anyway. And I only had 48 hours to do it.

And I did it. His suit was a dark charcoal color with weird seam lines. I wish I could draw what I drew in the dream. It was kinda wierd. And I had some mad drawing skills in the dream.

Then came his wife's dress. It was so beautiful. It was white and flowy (not tight, but not frumpy either) and had a grecian flavor to it. It covered the right shoulder and had a long open sleeve. On the top of the shoulder there was a diamond square buckle/brooch thingy (that's the technical name). I loved it! It was simple and very elegant. I wonder if you can see the same picture I can in my head. I'm having a hard time describing it. Maybe if I was actually into fashion design I could. But I'm not. :)

Anyway, just as I was watching my famous clients walk down the red carpet for the awards show, I woke up.

Weird, eh? I guess this is fairly normal & low key when it comes to the dreams I have.