Really Good Item #2: Martha's on a roll

So another 'dur' idea (meaning, 'Dur! I can't believe I didn't think of that myself!).

I don't know about you, but I hate that my boxspring shows. In fact, I think it's tacky. However, I strongly dislike bedskirts; not because of the look of the bedskirt, but because they always get bunched up, and involve so much straightening and fidgeting with. This would not produce good karma for a person who has behaviors that suggest obsessive-compulsive disorder. ;)

Solution of the tacky visable boxspring? FITTED SHEET.

Yes, my friends. It IS that easy.

Martha says: "If you want to dress up your bed but find dust ruffles a bit fussy, consider slipping a fitted sheet over your box spring for a streamlined look. Use a sheet that matches those on the bed, or set off a coverlet or duvet by choosing one in a matching pattern or contrasting hue."

Thanks http://www.marthastewart.com/ for your fabulous daily emails!

Homemade Duvet Cover - It's a Good Thing

So ... I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner on my own. It might have to do with the fact that I don't sew, but I digress. Anyhoo, check this idea out - it's SO economical, and SO brilliant!

To make your own duvet cover:

- pick out 2 flat sheets (using the same size as your comforter - twin, full, queen, king)

- Place sheets right sides together, and sew around the perimeter with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving an opening along the bottom that extends to 24 inches from each corner

- Turn right side out

- To fasten cover shut once the comforter is inside, sew twill-tape ties, buttons and buttonholes, or Velcro tape along the two inside edges of the opening.

Compliments of MarthaStewart.com

Lucas Grabeel

Here is proof that I got to meet Lucas Grabeel. He's a fabulous singer and performer, and I'm a HUGE fan. He was very kind, humble and so graciously took a photo with us.

Note: this is an AWFUL picture of me, unfortunately. So just look at Lucas. ;)

Appropriateness is Just Good Taste

A gal in our ward gave a great talk on Sunday in Sacrament meeting. It was on the 13th article of faith. She focused specifically on the last sentance of the 13th article:

"... if there is anything lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

I was quite impressed with her talk, because it is so important to seek after the lovely and praiseworthy things in life. After all, they are all around us!

She kept repeating a phrase over and over that I just LOVED. She said, "Appropriateness is just good taste".

I loved this because that's what my parents taught us kids growing up. There is nothing more inviting, warm and welcoming than a kind person who is appropriate in their actions, words, jokes, thoughts, and indulgences. And there is nothing less inviting, warm and welcoming than a person who is crass and inappropriate in their actions, words, jokes, thoughts and indulgences.

Not only do we need to seek after that which is lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, but we need to seek to BE a person which is lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.

SO! My new motto is "Appropriateness is just good taste".

Husband Tag

Note: This was originally titled "Hubby Tag", but I'd just like to note that I'm opposed to the
word 'hubby', just as I'm opposed to the words "pregers" and "Mo Tab choir". HUGE pet peeves...

Anyway, I was tagged by my cousin so here goes:

Where we met: BYU - cliche I know, but what do you do?

How long we dated before we got hitched: 2 years, 5 months

How long have we been married: almost 4 whole months

What's my favorite feature about him: His warm smile

What's my favorite quality about him: His love of doing our taxes! His humor (he gets my jokes), his intelligence (he understands when I use 'big words', which I've been criticized of in past relationships - lol), his wisdom and sense of responsibility and honesty. He is also constantly looking for ways he can serve and help me throughout the day - making the bed, running the dishwasher, going to the grocery store, taking out the garbage, doing the dishes after dinner; all without ever having to be asked. What a sweetheart.

What's his nickname for me: we don't stick with just one at any given time - it's kind of a game of what new funny names we can come up with

His favorite color: blue

His favorite food: I'd say sushi, steak and chocolate. He'd say he doesn't have a favorite - why pick just one?

His favorite sport: UofI basketball and football

Who said the L word first: I'm assuming this means "Love". Kent.

First kiss when and where: June 2007 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Favorite couple thing to do: critique new restaurants

How many kids: 0

His age: 27

His favorite music: bluegrass, folk, classical

What I admire most about him: his constant desire to be better, to do better and to work harder (although he already is such a hard worker)

His favorite pastimes: camping, traveling, music

Will he read his: When I tell him that I wrote a new post he will

Tag: Kent (only it will be Wife tag!) ;)

Valentines Day Gift

I got a delivery at work today! It was a box from ProFlowers from my very sweet and attentive husband. I just had to share.

Here is the bouquet he sent me (except my flowers are still tight and waiting to bloom - which I'm excited about). Way to go hon! He must know of my affinity for pink. :)

You done good. Thank you, sweetheart and Happy Valentines Day!

$30 Homemade Head Board

My BRILLIANT sister saw this idea on HGTV and she made one for her bed a few months ago. I saw it, we loved it, and we needed a head board, so today she and her husband helped Kent and I make our own!

I am very happy with how the head board turned out - I LOVE it!! The best part about it is that it only cost seriously $30!!

For instructions on how to make your very own head board, see Kent's e-how article here.

25 Random Things

Coley tagged me on her blog, so here goes (PS - I love your drapes Coley!):

RULES: Once you've been tagged, write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, tag the people that you want to know more about. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it is because I want to know more about you.

1. I incessantly pop my knuckles and joints, including my wrists, back, neck, toes, fingers, and ankles
2. I fidget ALL THE TIME
3. My first name isn’t Ginger
4. I had pet chickens growing up, and my favorite one was Popeye. She would come when I called her, and would sit on my lap
5. I love dogs
6. I love chocolate
7. I love pumpkin spice, warm brown sugar, or vanilla flavored candles/room scenter thingys
8. I play the organ
9. I love cooking and making new things that I didn’t think I could actually make myself.
10. I talk in my sleep occasionally
11. I dream almost every night
12. I HAVE to sleep with a noisemaker or I won't sleep a wink. Silence is way too loud for me!
13. One leg is longer than the other because I broke it when I was a kid
14. I broke the same leg as my big brother and we both have the same birthmarks on our legs
15. I think frogs are cute, but they stink so I won't get one
16. I dyed my hair black when I was 16
17. I lost 60 pounds when I was 15, and have kept it off
18. I lost that weight because I was mad that I didn't get the part of Juliette in the middle school's school play, even though my audition got a standing ovation and I was obviously the better actress; the part went to a really skinny girl who didn't even show up to rehearsals
19. My junior year I was the lead in our high school's school play "The Man Who Came to Dinner. I played Maggie Cutler.
20. I married an extremely sweet and smart man who goes out of his way for me every day
21. I have a rooster themed kitchen
22. Kent and I tacked up the only pair of drapes you'll see hanging in our apartment (yes, with thumb tacks)
23. I can't sew on a button - I'm that bad
24. I'd love to learn how to quilt
25. My favorite beauty products are the "Benefit" brand, and you can only get them in Utah by ordering them online or through the mail. So everytime Kent and I go to Chicago, I stop by the Benefit counter at Macy's.

I tag Debbie, Cherilyn, Rachel, Vanessa, and Shalise.

(see below the photo of our tacked up drapes)

CISA Exam

Kent took a test last month called the CISA exam and today we FINALLY found out the results. Kent, of course, passed with flying colors like I told him he would.

Seriously, it amazes me how smart this kid is! He had this thick 500 page book to study, and between getting married, going on a honeymoon, moving his wife into his apartment and the holidays he managed to still take his test on December 13th. Way to go!

Now, what is CISA and what does this mean? This means that Kent is now one of the more than 60,000 professionals worldwide who have earned the CISA credential, and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Good job Kent!