I Coulda Been on TLC

This spring my mom bought me a small three-drawer cabinet from a garage sale. It was hideous. It was painted a white glossy paint and it was super-dingy. It had ugly fake-wood-colored knobs. I believe she said she paid $3 for it.

(Okay, it actually doesn't look too bad in this picture, but trust me, it was.)

I told her I was going to repaint it and put new knobs on it. She said that would cost more than what she paid for it. She was right, but I knew it could actually look pretty decent with a couple upgrades.

I went to Home Depot yesterday and got some paint and knobs. Let me tell you, those Home Depot people are HELP-FUL. I faced my fears and admitted I'd never painted anything in my life, except for that CD box I made for my sister in 7th grade shop class. Fortunately the Home Depot people didn't laugh at me for all my stupid questions. Or maybe they just waited until I left...

A man there talked me into spray paint over regular paint, so I went that route. I wanted a flat finish but they didn't have that in red spray paint so I got a satin finish. Anything but a gloss, and I was happy. The spray paint was $4.50. Claret Wine, it was called. I think.

The knobs were a little more than I was hoping to pay at $3 a piece, but I only need three of them and they were absolutely perfect for what I was picturing.

So...drumroll...here is the finished product!

I would like to point out that while you can see some lighter spots in this picture, you can't really notice them in real life. I blame it on my camera flash. It looked much more flattering without the flash, but the knobs looked gold instead of silver. I had to sacrifice something, and I LOVE those knobs.

So this picture is more the actual color and sheen, but just imagine it with silver knobs. I can still see a little bit of the lighter spots, so I'm thinking I might distress it a little bit to help with that. Not sure yet, though, since it's that ugly white paint underneath. I'll have to put more time into thinking about that one.

My uncle helped me with the spray paint, otherwise I would have been up a creek without a paddle, for sure.

Don't you just love it? I'm so happy I painted it!

this could change my life

The Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker.

It is, indeed, a thing of beauty.

I owe my thanks to my mother-in-law for getting me addicted to daily cappuccinos. And I don't even like coffee. It's a strange, strange world, people.

We got this beast at Target last night for about $80. And no, it didn't come with those two cute demitasse cups. Sadly. Not that it would matter because you couldn't pay me enough to drink straight espresso, even if it is in pretty little cups.

WalMart did have one I liked better, and it was cheaper. Fortunately it was out-of-stock so I didn't have to change my life-long habit of avoiding WalMart at all costs. The only reason it is necessary to go to WalMart is for fish and fish food. And elliptical machines. Did you know WalMart sells elliptical machines? Like I said, strange world.

Major Detour: Last time I got fish at WalMart there was no one around to help me. That's what I don't like about WalMart. Darren and I looked and looked for someone to help but I swear there were only two people working in the store. Well, I've bought enough fish (because I've killed enough fish) that I've seen those WalMart people scoop them out plenty of times. So that's what I did. Scooped out my own fish and bagged 'em up. Worked like a charm, except for that nasty fish water all over my hands. The fish are still living, by the way. Their names are King Julian and Mort. Watch Disney's Madagascar and you'll understand.

Back to my espresso/cappuccino maker.

You should have seen the milk frothing disaster I had this morning. Literally, there was milk on the floor. And the counter. And my hands, because I was using them in an attempt to scoop the frothed milk up before it hit the floor. Yes, you heard me. No, it didn't work. No one warned me how much the milk would expand when it was heated and frothed. Frothed. Is that a word? Frothed. It should be. As in, I frothed the milk.

First off, it didn't help that I didn't have the proper equipment. Yes, this machine requires special equipment. You can't just use any old thing, a lesson I learned the hard way (see above paragraph, a.k.a. "milk frothing disaster"). Target doesn't sell anything you need for proper cappuccino creation. I asked for small brew pitchers to catch the espresso when it comes out and the woman handed me a box of four shot glasses. Not kidding. I didn't buy them. Instead I went on Amazon and bought these.



Don't let the picture size fool you; they're only 5 ounces. I bought two, one for each side. My mother-in-law has something similar and hers work like a charm. Much better than the too-high coffee mug I stuck under there this morning. Very difficult to pour from.

I got a 20-oz milk frothing pitcher which will hopefully help me avert the disaster that awaited this morning. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT fill the pitcher full of milk. It WILL end up everywhere. There are some things you cannot learn from the instruction manual.

This handy-dandy thermometer will tell me when the milk is warm enough so I don't have to stick my finger in it to check.This morning I used ground espresso coffee we bought at Target last night. I would like to someday buy beans and grind them myself, but...baby steps. One near-disaster was enough for the day. Lord only knows what would happen if I tried to grind my own beans. The espresso/cappuccino maker was supposed to come with a measuring spoon and tamper but it didn't. No harm done; I just bought one on Amazon. It was either spend $7 on a tamper and qualify for free shipping, or pay $7 for shipping. I chose the former.

Yes, I paid $7 for this. Although I discovered this morning it was totally unnecessary. I used an old SlimFast shake mix scoop (I save them for times such as these) to scoop out the coffee and the bottom of it fit perfectly in the filter and worked as a tamper. So if you need a tamper, let me know. Or if you need SlimFast scoops, I have those as well.

My mother-in-law uses Torani syrup for flavoring, so that's what we got as well. Darren got a White Chocoalte and I got Caramel and Sugar Free Chocolate. They didn't have regular Chocolate, so I had no choice but to go with Sugar Free. You used to be able to get these at World Market but it's gone now, so we got them in tiny little bottles at Cub. We got 375mL bottles for $4.49 each but I've found some sites online where you can get 750mL bottles for $4.99. Plus there are way more options, including seasonal flavors such as Pumpkin Pie Latte. Sounds disgusting to me, but hey, to each his own. I might go the online route next time, depending on shipping. Go here to see Torani's website. The syrups there are pricier than elsewhere, but it's fun to look around.

My instruction manual had some recipes using Hershey's chocolate syrup, and some "Over 21" recipes, most of which included Brandy. Never tried Brandy, but I was a little intrigued. I can't see myself ever making one of those because I don't drink alcohol in the morning and I don't drink caffeine at night. Seems like quite a contradiction to me. Maybe if I went the decaffeinated route...

You can get espresso/cappuccino machines for big bucks, but I wanted to go the cheap route the first time around. When this one dies out I might invest in a more expensive one, depending on how much we like it. This one seems to be working fine so far, but most of the reviews I read said "good quality for the price." That doesn't inspire much confidence. Target has a lot to choose from online, but not very many in stores. I saw one for $2400. At TARGET. I think if I were going to spend $2400 on an espresso machine I wouldn't buy it at Target. There weren't any reviews on it (shocker) so I didn't get to see why it was so special.

I'll keep you updated on how well my cheap version works. Some of the reviewers were thrilled, others...not so much. I really enjoyed it this morning, although the thing makes enough noise to wake the dead. And I had a near milk-crisis on my hands. Overall, a successful first attempt.

The Best Store on Earth

Gander Mountain Outlet.

WAIT! I didn't say that. Everyone knows the best store on earth is Target.

The Second Best Store on Earth: Gander Mountain Outlet.

So Darren found this GM outlet store, and you can bet your butt he wanted to go there. I went with him, and truth be told, IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING. Everything was at the very least 50% off.

Check out all this stuff we got!

I got this super-cute swimsuit. The three pieces were originally $124. Want to know what I paid for it?? $14.91. Seriously. And I don't normally wear two pieces but we're going to Florida in January so I thought I might break it out then.

I love the details.

And I love the bangles on the skirt.

I got these shorts for $19.97. Regular price was $39.99. They'll be perfect for Florida. And they're so comfy.

I also got a fish skirt. I love the pattern.

And the fish. This skirt was $12.97, originally $36.00

Got these hiking boots. Darren convinced me to get them for when I go traipsing around the woods with him. They're girly boots, so I like them.

These were originally $129.99 and I paid $39.98 for them.

I won't bore you with all Darren's camo purchases, but I will tell you he got a pair of hunting bibs for $14.98, originally $99.99.

Some of the things we bought didn't have the original price listed, only the first markdown price. The total of everything originally (and some at the first sales price) was $859.78. We spent $280.56, which is a savings of 67%. Not too shabby.

Welcome Home

Two years ago today Darren came home from Iraq. That was a great day.

I went back and found some pictures to share with you. They aren't the best quality since I took them off facebook, but they're still fun to see.

It was a Monday. I went to my morning classes and skipped chapel so I could go back to my dorm room and shower and get ready. My friend Courtney picked me up and we drove to an elementary school where the Welcome Home Ceremony was scheduled. All I remember is it seemed to take forever to get there. And it was cold and there was road construction.

We got there at the same time as Darren's parents, who I hardly knew at the time. It was awkward. But hey, I'm used to awkwardness. It happens.

We found a seat in the front row and waited. And waited. And waited. It was intense, let me tell you. Darren kept texting me to tell me where they were at and how long of a drive they had left. They had been in Wisconsin for a couple days doing de-mobilization or some such thing, so they were driving in on buses.

Courtney holding Ava (Krista's girl), me, and Krista. Waiting for our men to come home. :)

And yes, I am that tall compared to those two. I always feel like a beast in their presence.

We had made these signs two days before. And cookies. I'm not sure why we made cookies but they were delicious. I think I ate most of my share before Darren even got home.

When the guys finally walked into the gym the crowd exploded. I'm talking LOUD. For several minutes. It was amazing. The guys came and lined up on the bleachers right in front of us. Chris ended up right in front of Courtney, so that was kind of funny. Some man talked for forever and then the men were released.

We finally get to see each other after months.

Darren and me, Courtney and Chris after the ceremony.

I'm so proud of Darren for the sacrifices he made. Thank God for our veterans!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

On Monday, October 12, I went to Target. I saw Christmas decorations. They were behind the Halloween decorations. For real.

Why I Love...

...Vanilla Bean Noel.I broke out the Vanilla Bean Noel today. It's my favorite lotion scent EVER. And we're talking in the history of all the scents ever created. Better than Cucumber Melon and Sweat Pea and Japanese Cherry Blossom. Probably the only person to understand my manic obsession is my sister, and that's only because she's equally obsessed.

If you've had the misfortune to never have experienced Vanilla Bean Noel, I urge to you buy some. Today. Because--wonderful news--Bath & Body Works just put it in stores today. Time is limited; you can only buy Vanilla Bean Noel, and all the other holiday lotions, during the Christmas season. And yes, it is already the Christmas season, whether you like it or not. Christmas starts when it snows; that's the law.

I generally buy about 4 or 5 bottles of Vanilla Bean Noel. Why do I buy so many bottles, you ask? Because I use it from October to February and it's only on sale during Christmas. Like you literally cannot buy it other than the holiday season. So sad. Right now in my lotion stash I have three bottles of VBN left, which should last me for a couple months. But you can bet I'll be buying more soon.

I usually also buy one or two of Winter Candy Apple and Twisted Peppermint. (A warning about Twisted Peppermint: it will make you cold and tingly. Seriously. It's the peppermint.) Although I don't believe Twisted Peppermint is on sale this year. Looks like this year is Winter Candy Apple, Festive Vanilla Fig, and Yuletide Pear Vanilla. Why they would put out three vanilla Christmas scents is beyond me, when everyone clearly knows Vanilla Bean Noel is the best vanilla scent ever. Which brings me to my next point: if you think you can substitute Warm Vanilla Sugar for VBN, you are sadly mistaken. Nothing, nothing, can compare to VBN. You just have to experience it to believe me.

So, make a moment magical. Vanilla Bean Noel is a warm blend of fresh vanilla bean, warm caramel and rich, comforting cream.

No, I did not make that up. It's on the website.

Blast From the Past: Powderpuff Football

Sometimes something happens to me and I think, "Oh, I need to blog about that!" Or sometimes I see something and think, "Hey, that would make an interesting blog." And sometimes... sometimes I have to search. Today was one of those days. I went digging through old pictures and files and found some stuff from my senior year of high school. I thought you might enjoy it.


Every year during homecoming week we had a powderpuff football game. When I was in 7th or 8th grade one of the senior girls hurt her knee badly and the game got kicked off school grounds for a while. So my junior year we played in some random field in the dark, using only car headlights. But my senior year, someone talked the school into letting us play on the football field again.

Senior girls.

My best friend in high school, Kelcie.

But wait, it gets better. There's video.

I have no idea what we're singing. I can't understand a word of it until "ARE YOU FIRED UP?!" "YES WE'RE FIRED UP!!" I think we were pretty excited.

I also have no idea why Kelcie is on the ground in the middle.

In case you can't tell, I'm the one in the blue Cabela's sweatshirt with the white paint on my face and the crooked ponytail.

Carrying the ball, screaming as someone tries to grab my flag.

I was sore for days after powderpuff.

Kind of reminds me of the Bodypump class I just started at the Y.

We're talking serious pain, people. Can't-walk-without-shuffling-and-moaning-pain.

It wasn't pretty.