Swim 2.4 miles, Run 26.2 miles, Bike 112 Miles

Here are the details to the 30 Day Triathlon Challenge that I am committing to.

Swim 2.4 miles

Run 26.2 miles

Bike 112 Miles

all during the month of April. Why am I doing it? To prove that I can! And to get in better shape! I will be blogging about my progress along the way.

It's the time of year to grill out!

Isn't it hard to believe that rich, juicy, mouthwatering meat

can come from this rusty grill?? Well, it does!

Not just from the grill, but also from this hottie (my soon to be hubby) who insists on using the rusty grill instead of investing in something nicer. And honestly, everything is so tastey I'm not about to make a change!

Our dog Rio thinks it's mighty unfair that he has to smell the meat cooking but can't eat any. At least he can pretend with his bone!

In my opinion the only thing better then grilling out is using the smoker. If the weather cooperates, we are smoking pork ribs this Saturday!

Spring Cleaning/ Organizing in the garage

I FINALLY finished painting the inside of the garage! White just makes everything feel fresh, roomy and clean. Originally, I decided to paint it because we had some extra white paint around and I need a clean canvas for the Jayhawk mural. 7 gallons of paint later... it's finally done (and actually I could probably use another gallon for some touchup, but I am tired of painting right now).

After I finished the painting my 'soon to be hubby' and I started organizing the garage. We are delighted with how versatile the Rubbermaid Fast Track wall organizers are. Check out the system on their website here, Rubbermaid.

We purchased what we wanted to start with from Lowes and plan to add to it as time goes on. I have my eye on the ball holder (only I need more than 1) and a few other accessories.

As everyone knows organizing is a process. We have a long way to go to be completely organized, especially in the garage where most of our junk (of all shapes and sizes) seems to gravitate to.

I told you in an earlier post, More Storage Space, how we added some space above the actual garage door. We liked it so much that we put in a another one recently.

Here are the pics....

NOW

NOW: The Wheelbarrow holder is one of our favorites!

NOW

NOW

NOW

NOW

NOW

BEFORE: As embarrasing as it may be!

BEFORE:

My Springtime Snack Tablescape

I've been wanting to take place in Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) weekly tablescape but week after week I am intimidated by all the beautiful tables. This week I decided to start simple and participate, I was encouraged by another first time participant. So here is my springtime snack tablescape.

I told you it was simple! ;)

Also, linking up to Shop the House Sunday

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I started reading a new book today, that I think most everyone else has already read, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

So far it's great. It's simple to follow and very easy for me to relate to. Mainly because the 30 something year old main character just went through a divorce (done that), is trying to find her meaning in life (done that) and traveling to India, Italy, and Indonesia are all involved in doing so (okay, haven't done that, but I do love to travel and it sounds like a great idea to me!) I think this is going to be a great read and there is a movie beging released based on it in August. And Julia Roberts has the staring role. And even better yet, it's all based on a true story!

Reading and writing about it really makes me miss my old book club. I used to be encouraged by them to read books that I had no interest in reading, only to find out that I loved them. I really need to find a local book club!

Has anyone read a good book lately?

Easel is painted

I finished painting the easel and it's all ready for the reception. Well, almost all ready. I just need a picture of us getting married on the beach to put in the frame.

First sign of my Tulips and Daylillies!

Here is the very first sign of my tulip bulbs surviving the winter in the ground! You have to look closely, the snow is still melting. I was super excited to spy these and am even more excited anticipating their blooms.

I decided to head around back and see if there was any sign on my daylillies, and sure enough! (Note to self: buy more mulch!)

Home Depot Garden Club

If you are not already a member of Home Depot's Garden Club, you should go sign up now. http://www.homedepotgardenclub.com/

They will mail you special coupons to redeem at their store that are not available to anyone other than their garden club. They also give great garden and lawn advice via email.

Today I used a "Buy 1 houseplant get 1 free" coupon and came home with these...

I love orchids!

More wedding stuff- Chalk board for bar & Music

This weekend I worked on some more wedding stuff with one of my best friends that came to town to help me out.

She did this chalkboard for the bar area, to list the available drinks. My signature drink is going to be called, HAPPILY EVER AFTER (my mom came up with that one). In fact, I'm going to wait for my mom to write on the chalk board because she has excellent penmanship.

I also picked up an easel, that I am in the process of painting. This is going to host a picture of my soon to be hubby and I on the beach in Jamaica and have a place for everyone at our reception to sign the matte around the photo.

We also worked on the music for the reception. I think we are pretty well set with 8+ hours of music ready to play! Now if my fiance and I could just decide on three songs for the actual beach ceremony.

Today I'm putting together a dvd slideshow for the reception and relaxing.

More snow?! Where is spring?

I cannot believe we got dumped with snow again. I'm soooo tired of snow. But I am delighted to have found a snow blower on clearance! No more sore backs from shoveling snow for us. I also bought a new little metal bird to bring some more spring inside our house.

Wednesday Gratitude

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to pick something you are grateful for and share it over at Heart and Home.

Today I'm grateful for our family dog Rio. He is a joy to have around, stays out of trouble (for the most part) and rarely ever makes a sound.

(Photo- compliments of my youngest son.)

Reception Table Decorations- Sneak Peak

Tonight, I started to put my reception table centerpieces together. I hand picked each one of these glass dishes over the past few months for this very purpose. Fortunately, the tables will be spread out, amoungst two floors and are different sizes/ shapes. So each one of the arrangements is unique and special in it's own sort of way.

 

I actually plan to hold on to each of these glass pieces after the wedding reception... not with sand and shells though. I picture my 'soon to be hubby' and I using them for different purposes during the remainder of our lives together, like flowers on our anniversaries.

Plates and napkins have arrived

I know, I know.. I'm obsessed with this whole wedding thing. But isn't that how it's supposed to be? I am excited about every last detail when it comes to marrying my best friend. It's not just the act of getting married, it's the fact that I will spend the rest of my life with him at my side.

Besides I am a party planner by nature, and I want this to be the grandest party yet! I am really looking forward to celebrating with my closest friends and family.

I also rented this to keep a steady flow of pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris going.

Beautiful Blogger Award

Brooke over at  Creative Decor by Brooke gave me my very first blog award! Funny how I say first, as if there might be more! ;)

Brooke is super creative and is always full of great ideas! You will have to stop by her blog to visit. You never know what she will be up to on any given day, so stop back often.

And now it's my turn to pass on the award to 7 other bloggers.  Here they are in no particular order.. and oh how I wish I could pass out many  more as I find SO many blogs beautiful!

1) Blooming in Kansas - A brand new blogger that I am particularly fond of, probably because she is a fellow Kansan.

2) Confessions of an Ugly Mom - I just recently happened upon Deb's blog and she is absolutely hilarious! And case you are wondering.. she is NOT ugly!

3) My Repurposed Life- Gail is always creating! A blog I visit often!

4) My Romantic Home- Cindy in California has a beautiful home and is constantly finding more beautiful things to add to it. I love to stop by and be inspired!

5) Organize and Decorate Everything - Leanne's blog name says it all! And she is wonderful at doing both!

6) Relatively Unique - Wendy is also very creative and has a fun family. I visit her blog more than she knows. ;)

7) Vintage Home and Garden - I always check Mary's blog to see what project she is up to and if she has found any new resale bargains. She always posts beautiful photos for inspiration.

Do I really have to stop there? Happy blogging everyone!

I've lost 10 lbs since January 1st!!

Tonight I'm celebrating the fact that I've lost 10 lbs.... by eating pizza, is that wrong? ;)

Mussie Tussie Swap- Sneak Peak

I'm been working on my Mussie Tussie for my swap partner.

Here is a sneak peek!

I used some vintage sheet music that came from the gift that arrived from Dublin, Ireland.

Our spring home

Since it's been raining for days and still on the chilly side, I've been working on bringing some spring inside our home. I just LOVE flowers and greenery when it's really green! Today the fertilizer went down on the grass so I hope things start turning green outside soon.

I picked up this mirror at a resale store recently for $1.99! What a steal!

As much as I like roses, can you believe I've actually never have had a rose plant outside? I might have to consider planting one this year.

I am linking to Chatting at the Sky- glimpses of home.

A wonderful gift from Dublin, Ireland!- Thanks Sonja!

I got a great box full of goodies from Sonja at http://craft-werk.blogspot.com/

She posted a giveaway for her 100th post (which gave me an idea to do the same, 27 posts to go!). Everything she sent is just wonderful and was very nicely packaged. I wore the beautiful flower pin she made the very next day to work and had a bunch of compliments on it.

THANK YOU SONJA! And happy blogging!

Happy Birthday to my sweet fiance!- Gift = Garage Mural

One of the gifts I made for my soon to be hubby, was a mural in the garage of a KU JAYHAWK!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!! I painted it yesterday and today. Today it was raining so I still need to do a second coat of blue. The wall it's on is pretty large so it's about 5 feet off the ground. The jayhawk is 5 feet tall by 4 1/2 feet wide. Pretty cool, if I might say so myself. Any time the garage door is open people will know that we are true KU fans! (You can see the light switch on the far left and the two garage door openers. That gives you an idea of the size of this thing.)

How is this for a cool balloon arrangment? I saw it in a catalog and had my balloon lady (who I work with) make me one for my fiance's birthday. The smaller (clown like) balloons are supposed to look like confetti! As usual, she did a great job. It looks way cooler in person.

Card Holder, Table Tiki Torches, and more

Today I was out doing some more shopping/ planning for our wedding reception. I found some great stuff!

First, to be a bit different, how about this for a card holder on the gift table?

I'm going to go a step further to put some Jamaica travel stickers on them. I had it propped open with a marker for this pic to give you an idea what I am going to do with the top one. 

I bought these charms for the table decorations that I will post after they are made.

I found the teal colored table coverings I have been looking for.

As well as two table tiki torches to dress up our bride and groom table.

And you can't have frozen strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas without umbrellas!

And a little something for while we are in Jamaica... Bride and Groom flip flops that leave a message in the sand as you walk. "Just Married".