Redecorating, part 1

Tonight I spent awhile in Target looking around while Kevin was at home studying. I'm taking a week off the first week in July to work on home projects (organizing the basement, reorganizing the office, adding a few extra house decorative objects), so I thought going to Target would be a fun way to start visualizing some of the changes I want to make.

Here are a few of the items I liked (I only bought one thing just because I'm only starting to figure out exactly what I'm wanting and will likely get items from other stores, too):

OFFICE:

The first thing I found that I liked!  This fits the color theme I really like for the office - and I liked the size and that it is canvas

This was a no-brainer - I wasn't planning on purchasing anything tonight, but obviously this was something I had to snag!

Love this bulletin board 

Great curtains - color and pattern - for the office

Fun organization in good colors and patterns - sorry about the sideways orientation - tried to flip a couple times and gave up

Pack of 4 picture frames in various shades of teal

Not sure if I would need a throw in the office, but I liked this one

Throw pillow - I like the gray with teal - again, not sure if I would need in the office, but I like the color scheme and may incorporate gray with the teal

Cute, and cheap, clock

So, obviously I really honed in on the teal element of the office. I will definitely want to incorporate another color (probably gray or yellow), but I thought this was a good start!

LIVING ROOM:

Another sideways shot - I like the gray and yellow chair a lot! I don't think I would buy furniture from Target, but it's so cheap it might not matter if it didn't last that long.

This looked a lot more gray and yellow in the store - I think I would like this if I went with a neutral chair instead of a pattern

LOVE THIS for the living room!!!

And, just a random shower curtain I liked for the master bath:

Summer Fiesta

For a few months in the summer, there is nothing better than breaking out the Fiesta!

Homemade Limeade

My mom always made homemade limeade every summer, so now it just doesn't feel like summer without it! I always wait until limes are on sale to make this really easy recipe.

2/3 cups granulated sugar
6 limes, squeezed (I use an electric citrus juicer)
2 quarts chilled water

Slice limes and measure out sugar into pitcher

Squeeze juice of six limes

Add lime juice to dissolve sugar

Add water (and limes for decoration) and Voila! Kevin loves it, too! He's not a fan of carbonated drinks, so this is one of the few limeades he likes!

Kevin's Birthday Party

Kevin's birthday was on Tuesday, and I put together a party for him on Thursday! It was so fun to see everyone, including a little girl who just had her birthday six days earlier (Welcome to the world, Corra!).  We had barbeque for dinner from Hog Wild, then we all enjoyed carrot cake!

I made Kevin's favorite carrot cake!

Britt holding Corra, Becca and Shawn's brand new baby girl!

How many guys does it take to light 27 candles? 

Still working on it! I'm guessing they just enjoyed playing with the fire.

Making a wish! If I had to guess, I would think it had something to do with travel!

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Seattle

I had a great time in Seattle a couple of weeks ago! I left on Friday and returned on Monday morning.  The conference was fantastic, and I brought back many neat ideas for my office.  I also had some down time in Pike Place Market. 

The first ever Starbucks!

The first day I went out, it started raining on me unexpectedly!  By the time I got back to my hotel room, I was soaked!

I stayed at the W Hotel in Seattle, just two blocks from Pike Place Market! I think Benton wishes he could have come with me!

The rest of my time in Seattle was gorgeous weather and around 50 degrees!

Pike Place Market

I can't wait to go back sometime with Kevin! I think we would really enjoy vacationing in Seattle!

Sarah's Baby Shower

 On April 14, the Grad Girls threw a baby shower for Sarah Buchanan!

Stacey's cute little dog, Bailey

All ready for the shower

The shower ended up differently than most I've been to before, though.  The morning of the shower, we got a text that Sarah had started labor! She was just shy of 34 weeks, so this was a surprise to everyone!

We still had the shower and were sending well wishes! Beautiful Braelynn Rae was born that afternoon in Topeka, and she is home from the NICU as of yesterday!  We love you Sarah, Bryce and Braelynn!!!  I can't wait to meet her!

More to come

I have lots of information to update, but I just haven't had time!  A few quick details with a promise of more information later.

1.   Last Sunday, my Uncle Jim passed away at 66 years old.  He and my dad were very close.  Kevin and I traveled to Holton, KS on Thursday for the funeral.  It was a very sad day, but it was nice to see family I had not seen in a long time.

2.  My job is going great! I love it! There is SO much to learn, but I really am in a spot I want to be!

3.  I am going to Seattle May 4th through May 7th for a TRiO conference for work. I'm super excited because my hotel is right across the street from the VERY FIRST STARBUCKS!!!! Oh, and I'm excited about the conference, too. ;)

4.  My parents are in a time of transition. They purchased a home with 12 acres near Alta Vista (closer to Manhattan by maybe 15 minutes?).  They close on the house around my birthday, and they are planning to put their house my childhood home for sale soon.  I have mixed feelings about this, but it isn't my decision, and I think Jim's passing has really reminded my dad that life can be short.

Ok, that's about it for now.  Gotta run!