Where Ever You Go - Go With All Your Heart

.:.Home Sweet Home .:.

This past week I was able to move into my apartment. Being a whole week early prior to my rental agreement - I had time to get everything settled before having to pay for it:) I started by hauling most all my stuff from my parents on Friday (Jan. 29th) the day I signed my lease. I wanted to not make too many trips back and forth and save on gas. I received my keys - and unloaded the truck...Since it was just bits and pieces of what was to come throughout the weekend, I couldn't do much putting away and organizing. So here it sat in the living room:)

I did however have everything I needed to set up my bathroom! Above you notice DAVID. David (said Dah-vid) came from Sweden. My sophomore year in High school my family hosted a Swedish exchange student named Emilia. Emilia brought David to be "our friend" Many nights of laughter came from jokes made about David - and conversations/secrets with David. I have kept David with me since Emilia left. He has always been in my bathroom! Whether it was school/Alaska/ or home, David has traveled with me!

I seem to hang my necklaces the same way everywhere I go.

Bits and pieces of Alaska:( Although I was not able to return this summer - that is truly where my heart will always be. The experience and memories I created while working at McKinley Princess Lodge will forever be close to my heart. This shows the organization process of my bathroom, and the first picture frame hung up on the wall. It says "It's a wonderful life" and was given to me by my friend Kiara that I met in Alaska. I figured the bathroom would be an appropriate place for this particular gift - as each morning when I get ready, I can reflect and remember how truly blessed I am.

I wanted the shower curtain to be the first thing I purchased for my apartment. I was so excited to decorate my own place. I know that at school I had that opportunity too, but most everything had to be agreed upon by roommates! Now that I don't have roommates I'm able to make decisions about what goes where without consulting anyone else! I love it. Mom helped me furnish the bathroom (thanks mom!) It's hard to tell what it is but my shower curtain is a shimmering blue, with red, and yellow flowers...the bath rugs are a green color which ties in the flowers embroidery. My towels are Yellow and green to match the curtain and rugs:) It looks great! Mom knows best when it comes to color matching!

Saturday, oh...Saturday. A day would love to forget all together. Friday night I text the Stake YSA rep and asked him if he knew of anyone who might could help me for a couple hours. He sent out a text message to all the singles in the area about me moving and asked if anyone would be willing to help. He said where to meet, and what time. Saturday morning at 9 am (the meeting time) Jake, the YSA rep showed up with his brother....and you bet your bottom dollar that's all who showed. Originally thinking if we had help it would only take an hour or so - we didn't take into account we'd not have enough help. Being that dad was still in the hospital, mom ran to grandpa's to get the truck and trailer

it was wet and nasty the whole day!

Getting to the furniture mom and dad said I could borrow was like playing tetris!

Mom finally arrived with the trailer just before the rain and snow really started coming down! But Jake and Cody had to leave at 2, and with the lack of help it took us that long to get everything out and organized! So frustrating. So after they left it was up to me, mom and Grandpa to load the queen mattresses, dressers, couches, and much much more. Talk about tough work!

after finally getting everything loaded up, mom and I decided that it'd be best to not unload all this furniture back out into the rain. We planned to park it at grandma & grandpa Nobles. Grandpa went to pick dad up from the hospital and take him home. Being as stubborn as he is, dad insisted he go out to Grandpas house to see the truck and trailer. After viewing the furniture inside, damp - not good on the wood - he and mom decided we needed to get the furniture dried off and out of the cold asap. Almost in tears, I called a good friend of mine that used to work at the theater, he was more than willing to help right away and even suggested one of his friends would be willing to help too! I was so grateful for their thoughtfulness and willingness to help! I for one didn't think it was possible to have everything unloaded and in their correct places in UNDER AN HOUR!:) Thanks Steven and Mike!

I felt like this pretty much the whole day. But when everything is said and done, we get this! (see below!)

All my bedroom furniture in my room (except we couldn't find bed rails so I am just sleeping on my mattresses on the floor until dad can build some) I am missing the dresser and night stand to this set though, we're lucky we found this much though!

Washer and Dryer in place!

Living room being put together!

And my Kitchen almost set up!

I love my new place & have had so much fun decorating, organizing, and going through old things! I am having such a great time, and am so thankful to all those who helped me this passed week move in!

Tire/Brake Nightmare

Here is the jist of the story. I had a squealing noise coming from my tire so I took it to the tire store. They said it was time for new front brakes...I told the guy that I needed my truck to get home after work at 1am, so I couldn't do it that night (at 4:30) HE SAID IT'D BE DONE BEFORE CLOSING THAT NIGHT. So - I called him back and said "okay, go ahead and replace them and call me when you finish and I'll swing over from he movie theater and pick it up!" Well 6:30 rolled around, and I still hadn't heard from them...Knowing they close soon, I called over there to see if it was nearly ready, and no answer...they close at 6. So dad had to come to town to get mom so that I could keep her car. I called this morning and apparently it was the assistant manager who guaranteed me it'd be done - and didn't call. I explained to him how frustrated I was that I didn't have a ride, and that when I pick it up at 3:30 (today) my bill better not be full price for the inconvenience. It wouldn't have been as bad if he didn't guarantee me over the phone that it would be done that night for me to pick it up - and then not call. And they HAD THE ONLY KEYS TO MY TRUCK LOCKED INSIDE! Therefore - I'm so mad at les schwabs and they will forever rotate and balance my tires that they claim aren't theirs - which they are - just because they poked a thorn in the wrong persons side... hhahahaha dad said they'll probably just take $50 off my bill, but hey that's better than nothing:)

Father knows best

My father knows everything. Why am I just now realizing this?!

bahahahaha bahahahah bahahahaha thanks dad.

Most precious angel in the world

Stephanie I thought you might like to see these pictures mom took on my camera. I just saw them for the first time, they are beautiful.

Ephrata

Last week I got to go see KAYNIE! Yes that's right, Kaynie Nelson. She was home (Ephrata) on break from SUU. I drove down to see her a week or so ago, and the fog through Sprague was miserable. I was creeping along at about 25 mph. It was really hard to see anything whatsoever. I had the best stay, her family really made me feel like I was one of their own:) They were so kind and I truly got to feel the other side of what my friends have always said about my family - and how my family always made them feel! It was so special, and also so fun to see Kaynie. I haven't seen her since New Years 2009, so it had been nearly a year! How horrible is that. Oh how I missed Alaska this summer.

We went to Leavenworth for a day. We ate at a Mexican restaurant that had a nativity set with a panda, and a giraffe, and a bear. We said it was her Birthday. They brought her Ice Cream, and Sombrero and a Mexican flag. She licked the candle. It was probably used - and will probably be reused. Best lunch ever, with good company!

On our way into Leavenworth, WA (it was freezing) We spotted this hot mess. I convinced Kaynie to get close so that I could get a picture. Red spandex pants...furry white coat, white boots, and flaming red hair = total hot MESS.

Best trip ever. But then the trip home happened and that was the worst experience of my life. It's too sensitive to write about. I was an emotional wreck, and anything that could go wrong that afternoon - you bet your bottom dollar it did. Go ahead, laugh it all out...but my truck breaking down, having to call an uncle for a ride, having to have a friend pick it up, having to pay lots of money and after the fact finding out nothing monumental is wrong. DANG! Like I said, too sensitive. So I'll end on a positive note. I love the Nelsons:)

Most be-a-utiful Place in the world!

I like to go for drives, and take pictures. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place! I love N. Idaho. It truly is the most beautiful place on earth. So here are some pictures I've been able to collect over the past few weeks while we've had gorgeous weather!

OH BREATHTAKING!

The tree line up the road from my house:)

You know how you hear people sometimes talk about how proud they are to be from a specific area. Texans are the worst at this, the are SO GOSH DARN PROUD of their state. In fact - when I was in Alaska I saw the best tee shirt. It was a picture of the state of Alaska, and on the inside the text read "Alaska - putting Texans to shame since 1959" I laughed so hard. I had roommates my first semester at school from Texas...I loved them to death, but they sure were proud of the very hot, humid, and dry state. McKenzie even hung a Texas flag in our HALLWAY! Pretty proud I'd say! Others who love where they're from....Californians. Anytime something about California comes up, their attention is like deer in the head lights. They won't miss a word. It could stop traffic how in tune they are to the conversation when California is brought up. They love where they're from, and they love to tell you all about it. So this mambo-jumbo is me getting to the point that I too am very proud to be from N. Idaho. It's weird, cause technically....I didn't grow up here (shh...don't tell anyone that) I am from Central Washington, but I think it's fair to claim your from where you graduate high school...is that OK? I think so. I never say I'm from Wenatchee, WA. I simply have more experience, more growth and more maturity that have stemmed from being North. I've learned Love, Passion, Appreciation, Value, Family, Work, Service...all lessons and experiences I don't recall having too much of in Washington. I speak of the place where I grew up (Wenatchee) As if it's so far away. In fact, I have only been back like 5 times since I've moved...for a 4 hour drive that's surprising! The weather, the people, the scenery, the experiences...everything North Idaho has to offer is perfect. Great, now I'm sounding like one of those people who grow up in Sandpoint and never leave...but wait, is that such a bad thing...I mean I think the pictures speak for themselves. Gosh I'm so lucky! Thanks Mom and Dad for the most beautiful gift you've ever given me. A home - a refuge from the storm . . . in lovely NORTH IDAHO! ( you have to say north, cause if you just say Idaho....it doesn't work. Not all of Idaho is as wonderful and beautiful ) sorry Stephanie.

I know my place

It's christmas time. Which means you know what I do best....Wrap presents.

Below is my station.

I had to wrap all the kids presents so we could get them in the mail in time. I was the only one that was able to be home for the holidays. It was really rough on mom. She felt so alone, and it was really hard for her to get into the Christmas spirit. Especially since the theater has been CRAZY busy lately, she's had to put in a lot of hours, which doesn't leave much time to appreciate the season, and do things that make the season what it is...like wrapping gifts.

Merry Christmas Morgan and Jeremy and Family, and Curt and Jen and family!

all in all - I know my place.

Merry Christmas From the Dock On The Bay

So this Christmas, my parents and I were sitting around the house late one night (2 am) thinking about how fast this year has come and went. When I looked out how tired and ridiculous we all looked from a long winter day full of snow, shoveling and plowing ... I realized "we kind of match!" This never happens. I was so excited I told mom and dad that we should take a picture! Not only a picture - but a CHRISTMAS PHOTO, and send it to all who can appreciate how redneck this Christmas picture is. Points to notice - My hair on top of my head, the fact I'm wearing blue workout shorts, over black spandex which match my black and white flannel shirt. Mom's pajamas and the best of all...dad's Santa hat to really tie in the holiday spirit to our photograph. I balanced my camera on top of the TV, set the timer and ran as fast as I could. We took one picture. and this is how it turned out. The next day I took it to the local walmart and had 6 copies made. Merry Christmas from your redneck family in N.Idaho at 2am. The Noble's really know how to party:)