On the silver screen...

Lately Graham and I have seen quite a few movies via Netflix, and I wanted to share a few that we really enjoyed and I would highly recommend.

1.

Based on a true story, starring Hilary Swank (I adore, Graham can't stand) and Sam Rockwell (i.e. Buffalo Bill from The Green Mile)...I really enjoyed this movie quite a bit. I love movies that are based on true stories and it has a feel-good message. Rent it!

2.

This movie came highly recommended by my brother-in-law. I was hesitant, as I have spent the last 2 1/2 years watching Disney and/or Pixar movies every day. My hesitation was NOT warranted-this movie rocked! Great effects, better story line, and was not all that predictable. Super funny. I pass the recommendation on to all!


3.

Hangover 2-We saw this opening day, 2 days before our wedding. It was funny, but not as funny as the first. I would still suggest seeing it and I could bet money my husband purchases the DVD when it is available. Smh.


This weekend we are hoping to see Larry Crowne, the new Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts movie. I've never seen a bad Tom Hanks movie...(is there one?!?!), so this should be a good time. Other movies we are wanting to check out this summer: Horrible Bosses, Friends with Benefits (I HEART JT!), and The Change-Up. Anything we are missing??

A New Hobby!

Sorry for the lag in posting...I have had a touch of food poisoning that has left me less than energetic and creative!

So last week, in the midst of a little homesickness/low feelings of self-worth due to the non-existent responses to the dozens of job applications I have sent, my husband suggested I check out www.meetup.com and find a hobby, bible study, women's group, or ANYTHING to give me a break from the job hunt. I did and found a really neat-o card making group that meets about 2 minutes from my house. I went to my first 'meetup' last Thursday morning and here is what I made:

They were definitely fun to make, and much easier than I had anticipated. Believe it or not, I can follow step-by-step instructions with the best of them! I enjoyed meeting new people and also getting tips on where to go for groceries, dinner, and fun places to hit nearby. I went to another class (being taught by the same instructor) on Saturday morning, where we learned how to make 6 cards from 3 sheets of paper. There weren't as many people at this class as Thursday's class, but I really liked learning the new techniques and 6 cards from 3 sheets of paper (can't beat that)! Unfortunately I forgot to photograph these when I was finished...but maybe you will find one in a mailbox near you!

What's all the buzz about?

After only being able to find this product in Pike County, Missouri for the first 29 years of my life, it made its debut in St. Louis a few months ago. And now there are commercials in Seattle. What do I speak of you ask? This glorious beverage:

What's next? Porkburgers being sold at Cardinals games? Keep it real people. And know this-we had Sun Drop first, we loved it first, and no one can take that away from us!

First Day of Summer in Seattle...

Today actually got pretty warm here...I think the high was 78 degrees. The funny thing is, for those from the midwest-this would be a beautiful, shorts and t-shirts kind of day, to be cherished as the future is holding 100 degree, 100% humidity days. In Seattle however, 78 degrees is HOT. I was running errands this morning and saw NUMEROUS guys with their shirts off-driving, waiting for the bus, walking in neighborhoods, etc. I picked Graham up from work this afternoon, and upon leaving the apartment complex I saw a large group leaving the pool in bikinis, swim trunks, and wet towels. I think these kids need a trip to St. Louis for a week in August :)

Dude. It's not that hot.
Needless to say, Graham and I are loving this weather-and particularly loving the fact that we don't have to turn on the air or heat.  Oh wait, we don't even have air conditioning in our apartment (most places in Seattle don't). Supposedly, we will rarely use the heat, even in the winter...so hello low utility bills!
Hope everyone had a great first day of summer!

Furniture? Yes, please!

On Wednesday, Graham and I decided that we needed some furniture for the living room (we only had the couch and tv), and we desperately needed lamps, as there is minimal lighting provided in the apartment. We went to a furniture store in Bellevue that I had read about online-it got rave reviews for quality furniture at discount prices. When we walked into the store, the first thing we saw was an end table for $499. We quickly assessed that we weren't in the right place! After a brief stop at a HUGE Crate and Barrel, we headed here:

This place was ginormous. The size of a city block and it was ALL painted that bright blue color. Only this one was like a warehouse with no windows...very strange. We entered the building and proceeded through the human mouse maze checking out furniture. We were able to find some good deals-we got 2 end tables, a coffee table, an entertainment center, and 3 lamps-all for $200! It is a dark wood (called black-brown) and not the greatest quality, but it will definitely get the trick done for the next year or two or three.

We had an issue getting all of the furniture in the rental car and ended up taking one of the pieces completely out of the box in order for it to all fit. All of the pieces come in ready-to-assemble pieces with instructions...but not written instructions, just pictures! I was able to quickly put together the end tables and 3 lamps while Graham put together the coffee table. Those were all simple enough-and then we opened the entertainment center. This is a very simple piece (pictures coming later) but it had approximately one million pieces/parts/nails/screws/knobs. It took Graham 4 hours!! to put together. See, I have proof:

My hard working man! Finally, we had it all finished and our home was coming together! Stay tuned next week for a full photo tour of the apartment.

Hello, Seattle!

We're here! After 8 long months of planning the move to the great Northwest, it has finally happened. We flew out of St. Louis on Saturday evening, after our belongings and cars had been shipped earlier in the week. We spent Sunday at the hotel and shopping for clothes and shoes for Graham (gotta have him looking sharp for the new J-O-B), and the movers arrived at 9a Monday morning. It was a long, exhausting day-but we were pretty fortunate-nothing got lost and only 3 things got broken-2 pie plates and a whisk. The apartment is cute...bigger than I initially thought, so that is helpful! Yesterday we went to Ikea (more on that in a later post!), so bit by bit the apartment is slowly coming together. Graham is tackling the guest room/office, but other than that, we are doing pretty good.

The weather has been awesome! Mid 60s-70s everyday, with little to no rain. When it does rain, it rains for about 30-60 minutes, then the sun comes out. Everyone we meet tells us we came at a good time, that the real rainy season doesn't start until Sept/Oct (and goes until May!). Here is a beautiful picture from when we were on Whidbey Island a few weeks ago.

Graham starts work on Friday. I continue to look for work and apply for jobs. We are writing this blog to easily keep in touch with friends and family, and share our newlywed adventures-hopefully it will make you laugh a little along the way!

First Post

Hello world