Non-reunion Extravaganza

 I was more than a little bummed that I couldn't make my 10-year High School Reunion. Ever since I started teaching, I've grown even fonder of my high school days. I'm so glad I'm not a teenager NOW- they have way more pressure... I promise. 

Anyway, I spent my Friday night with high school kids at the Baker vs. Blount game (want to watch our production? Click here). I drove my little camera operators into Eight Mile, AL and we definitely had a bit of an adventure trying to find Blount HS. I may or may not have accidentally sent a student into a bar for directions. After the game when we were all back in the car, they were scream-singing like I used to do with my friends when I was their age. I couldn't physically be back with all my HS buddies last Friday, but I felt like I was in spirit.

Anyway, Caleb drove in for the weekend and we tried to pack in a lot of fun stuff since I was being mopey about missing the reunion. We ate out for breakfast, lunch AND dinner and it was all places I picked. Here's a shot of us at my favorite restaurant in the Bay area.... Guido's.

 The Chef/Owner pulled up a chair and talked to us for quite a while and told us how to make some of the dishes. We thought that was really cool.

Earlier in the day, when I was walking PJ, I came across a yard sale with this work table on sale for $5 dollars! SOLD to the girl with the crazy dog! I have plans for painting it, but until now it is perched in my "office" and it is already coming in handy.

For the record, the table is MUCH bigger than you think. As in, I still don't know how we fit it in the car to get it home. It was hanging dangerously half in and half out of the trunk all the way home. Redneck!!!!!

Has anyone seen my throw blanket?

 Never mind. Found it.

  I know as the DogParent I'm supposed to get my blanket off the floor and tell her "no", but look how she has it all tucked in like a pillow! She's just so cute! Never mind the fact that she must have snatched the blanket off the couch and proceeded to waller all over it.

 Oh Peej. We got you as a practice dummy for parenthood. Yikes. If our future kids turn out to be as spoiled as our current dog, we will have some bratty Butts on our hands.

But seriously, isn't this dog so adorable.

Have glue gun... will craft.

 Caleb and I set out to acquire a Fall Wreath. We almost bought one at Hobby Lobby, but it was a little too "Live, Laugh, Love-ish." 

Then, I went on Etsy to buy one. I almost bought one, but shipping on everything was major $$. 

So, the logical next step was to turn to Pinterest- oh, look out. The search bar on Pinterest has changed my life. I found the perfect fall wreath and clicked on to read the tutorial. Then, I set back out to Hobby Lobby to buy the supplies. 

Once there, I went rogue and just started improvising. This was Mistake #1. Improvising in the kitchen rarely works out for me, and crafting is proving to be no different. 

Here's a photo journey of my crafting adventure. I will not be exhibiting the original "inspiration piece" I found on Pinterest because it is so much more awesome than what I made. If you saw it, you would realize that I really should not have gone rogue. 

So here we go, I got a wooden ring. Directions called for foam circle. A wooden ring was a dollar cheaper, so in my going-rogue state, this seemed like a good idea. Mistake #2. Spend the dollar and get the right supplies! Instead of buying cute fabric to cover the ring, I thought yarn would be just as good. WRONG.  Mistake #3.

 Winding yarn around the huge ring took FOREVER. I regret not buying the fabric. My fingers were cramping up. I'm a crafting whiner.  

After 7 hours of winding yarn, you are now ready to create your burlap flowers. These are really easy to make and there are thousands of tutorials on Pinterest (Pinterest + Tricia = in love forever). 

 I added moss balls and raphia to "add texture" which is supposedly the buzz words when it comes to crafts these days. My last mistake, Mistake #4, involves my new glue gun. I should have kept it on a low setting. I burned every single finger in that sizzling glue.

 Anyway, here she is, hanging on our front door. Total cost (not counting the glue gun) was around $15 since I had the burlap at home already. I figure I saved at least $5 by not buying the hokey one at Hobby Lobby, then at least $30 more for not buying one from Etsy.

I am fairly pleased with it, but I do wish I had just followed the original directions on the Pinterest model. It really is so much cuter. It would have saved a ton of time, too. Oh well, Live, Laugh, Learn. 

I have this recurring vision of Martha Stewart doing a banshee scream and running into the ocean whenever someone doesn't follow crafting directions. Sorry I disappointed you, Martha!

A little of this and that

 Residency Interviews are officially underway.

Caleb is interviewing in Macon, Georgia for a surgery spot. Perhaps we will be calling this city our new home. Macon is one of several places he's interviewing at, and I can honestly say we are open to any of them. They all sound pretty great. 

  

 We will find out in March where he matches. The entire process is very exciting, and a little nerve-racking. I'm glad the Lord is in control, otherwise I would be pretty much a wreck.

Here's an update on our mushroom family. Despite his warnings about "spore spreading," Caleb accidentally kicked over half of the fungus community the other day. I was kind of sad. Now this one stalk stands alone. Caleb sprayed more poison on it, but it's such a fighter. You go, little shroomie!

And last but not least, I was told today by a student, that I am the source of all her pain.

Literally, she looked at me and in a very serious voice said:

"Mrs. Butts, you are the source of all my pain." (dramatic much?) 

Teenagers. 

The Weekend

Sorry to keep pictures of mushrooms up for way too long! I don't have many pictures of this weekend to post, BUT we had a great time!

Saturday took me to Gulfport which was advertised as a Gulfport Christmas Card Family Day, but was really just an excuse to hang out with my friend Lindsey. It was so wonderful getting to visit with such a good friend. It made me even more excited for November 12 when I will get to see more great friends!

Sunday, we went to Fairhope for the millionth annual Fine Arts Festival. We did not come home with any fine art. Fine art is almost too expensive for us to even LOOK at. 

However, while in town we did stop by this house:

It was an Open House being put on by our friend from church. It was his very 1st Open House! We walked around and complimented things like crown molding to build enthusiasm with our fellow open house guests. I'm pretty sure we sold the house for him.

In MAJOR news, Caleb is about to embark on his first interview for residencies! More on this exciting journey soon!