Night Out

Find me on Polyvore


On the eve of my little "STAYcation", I am dreaming of a hot night out on the town...
Let me just quick call my financial advisor and ask her if I can purchase the above items! (That's a whole 'nother blog post.)

not normal

"Jesus' work in a person's life has always begun with a call to leave behind the goals, purposes and distractions of this world and to say yes to a whole new life, a new way of thinking. "Follow me" is what he told the disciples as he recruited them. And they did, abandoning their fishing nets, their tax collector's money bags, their permanent homes, their everyday duties and pleasures. And they never went back. Sure, they still did a little fishing from time to time! But once they made the choice to follow Jesus, their lives were forever changed. They never returned to "normal." -Sally Clarkson

I read this over at Amanda's blog today and it immediately encouraged me. Often times I might say or do something that I just know is right, and I receive a lot of questions and maybe even a little flack for it. Because it's not normal. Following God and earnestly trying to do His will is NOT normal. Let's face it, people, we live in a fallen world. So, the next time someone rolls their eyes at one of my crazy ideas, or accuses me of seeing the world in black and white, I guess I'll just embrace it. As long as I'm not getting lost in the crowd, I must be doing something right.

On my mind this Friday

I am totally obsessed with being debt free. If you know me you're probably rolling your eyes, shaking your head, or thinking this is another one of my emotional-drop-of-the-hat-ideas. (I've been known to make decisions based on emotions--tisk, tisk.)

Lately I've been devouring the blog "Money Saving Mom". She has some fabulously frugal ideas--including The Grocery Shrink, and access to thousands of coupons, etc.

But when I read THIS story, I became passionate about living debt free. Read the story and watch the video for yourself, but I'll give you a quick little synopsis.

Trevor and Michelle Thomas married twelve and a half years ago with $25,000 in debt. They immediately committed to getting out of debt and STAYING that way. In 13 short months they were living completely debt free, and have been EVER since. They started building their home in February of 2000 and paid cash as they went along. It took them about 3 years and they lived in the finished basement for a while till the upstairs was completed, but look at what a beautiful WHITE home they have now...and the best part? It's paid for!

This blog is all about memories and inspiration for me- Their story is definitely inspiring.

Beautiful House Wednesday

This mountain home is gorgeous.

And I would totally make it my own. In a heartbeat.

For the life of me I cannot remember where I found this house, but I saved it in my inspiration files for future reference.

It looks like a compound....and I want to live there.

Merle.

I was a bad blogger yesterday-- I totally left my memory card at home. Had a camera, but no memory card. What a disappointment. So, I have no fun pictures of our trip up to Sault Ste Marie to see Merle Haggard perform.

Jake and I rode up there with his two sisters, two brother-in-laws, and his parents following behind us. If you knew the Henski side, you would understand that we laughed until our cheeks were sore and our abs were completely worked out.

At the ripe old age of 74, Merle is no longer a spring chicken, but he still puts on a good show! We sang along to all the classics, including "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee."

There were some serious die-hard Merle fans in the audience, my father-in-law included. Andrea and Wendy (sister-in-laws) decided to get their "inner-groupie" on and chase Merle down for an autograph to give to their dad. The opening acts, including Merle's son, Paul, were signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, but not Merle. He was hiding out in his massive tour bus. My brother-in-law, Paul joked that he was probably hooked up to his oxygen tank. (Not funny? Ok, bad joke.)

So, the girls found the bus, loitered around next to it, begged every band member, tour manager, and sound guy to let them on so they could speak to Merle and get an autograph for their dad-who is a huge fan. They were unsuccessful getting ON the bus, but they did score an autograph. One band member was kind enough to jump on Merle's bus and come back out with his signage.

We were, however, a little disappointed that he never showed his face.

The rest of the night involved a little drama-- My insane cheeseburger craving that led to the guys and I missing the shuttle, Wendy yelling at Don because he missed the shuttle, leaving my purse at the casino because I was so focused on my cheeseburger, making friends with the shuttle driver and his toothless girlfriend when riding the shuttle a third time to pick up my purse...

But the night ended wonderfully with the six of us huddled around one of our small motel rooms, telling stories, cracking jokes, and of course making fun of one another:)

Show Us Your Single Boys!

So, I hope he doesn't kill me for this, but I am "submitting" my friend, Roarke, in this weeks' "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner!

In my opinion, he's such a great catch!

And ladies....

He's SINGLE.

Roarke Joseph O'Brien (don't be mad that I gave away your middle name!)

Age: 28

Business: Advertising

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Gaylord, MI

Activities: Traveling, Snowboarding, Water Sports, Hanging with friends, family, etc.

I have been friends with Roarke for about 10 years or so. We started hanging out when I had a slightly ridiculous crush on one of his best friends. We became fast friends and he eventually was thought of as part of the family. Everyone loves him; My dad even used to say "Roarke, why don't you and Karlee just get married??" To which we would all laugh. It was a ludacris idea--Roarke's basically another big brother!

(Me, visiting Roarke in AZ in 2006. Always a great time!)

He's funny, energetic, driven, motivated, adventurous, genuine, and kind. Not to mention, he has hair most women would kill for. Be it an 80 year old woman or a 2 day old baby, he's a lover. Snatch him up, ladies--After I approve, of course:)

Dining Alfresco

Last night the weather was beautiful, so we decided to have dinner outside- alfresco style!

Insert a couple of colorful place mats, cloth napkins, candles, and wildflowers.....

and you have a simple little outdoor diningroom.

Of course Layla's dinner was moved out onto the deck as well.

(She did get some garlic bread but ate it almost as fast as I dropped it in her bowl.)

Insert the dinner. Now people, I am no cook. We had spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad. That's how we do.

During dinner Jake was saying how much I've changed over the last year. I wasn't sure what he was getting at until he said, "A year ago you never would have moved to Beulah!" And you know what? He's right. I wouldn't have moved to Beulah...or enjoyed a simple back deck dinner the way I do now. (Don't get me wrong- the move was not something I was excited about!) But I'm really starting to delight in the little things.

Lately I've been bombarded with bad news-- This couple's divorcing, this couple's going to counseling, this marriage was destroyed by infidelity. I am FAR from perfect, FAR from the ideal wife, but I will say that I am determined to do my best. Despite all of the things that bother me, the quirks I'm learning to live with-- I am blessed.

worry not

"Does any of your worrying add just one minute to your life?"

-As seen on another church marquee sign

Be sure to check out my favorite flowers today on Layers of Meaning!

Living Simply

Ever since we moved my motto has been "less is more." I really appreciate people who are able to live with little, but still be chic. Whether it comes to clothing or home decor, living with less is a positive move. Jake and I decided that we have too much stuff. There are people all over the world who don't have a quarter of what we have, and I started feeling guilty. There are several things we can do to change the way we live- only buy what we need, save more than we spend, use what we have, and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Recently, I read a blog about a couple who cut back on their everyday luxuries and actually paid cash for their first home. Now, that's something to strive for! I truly intend to embrace my new motto and reap the benefits of living simpler. 

Here are some of my favorite classic, simple looks as far as the home is concerned:

food for thought

Seven days without God makes one weak

-As seen on a church marquee sign

"Baddest one out"

The weekend's winding down; I'm burnt and tired, but what a great time we had!

Our good friend, Rich (whom we haven't seen since he was a groomsman in our wedding 10 months ago), came up to visit for a couple of days.

Friday night we avoided the TC Cherryfest madness and headed to Frankfort for a little "Northern Michigan nightlife." If there is such a thing:) The Cabbage Shed on Betsie Bay is the epitome of a "hippie bar." The three of us didn't exactly fit in which I was oblivious to in the beginning. We made several friends that night, including a father-son duo. We cheered as the free-spirited barefoot dancers hit the dancefloor, ate off a random wedding reception buffet, and used text language such as "O.M.G." and "TTYL."

The phrase of the weekend was definitely "baddest one out." Or was it "I can't live like this"?

Saturday, we headed to Empire's North Bar Beach. My friend Ashley joined us and we had a great day soakin' in the sun, blasting music, and getting completely fried. Someone forgot sunscreen-- way to go me. But Lake Michigan is beautiful, so it was totally worth lying with cut up tomatoes on my bare back later in the evening. They're suppose to take the burn out!

That evening we headed downtown to the Cherry Festival for the first time all week, Ooh-ed and Ahh-ed over a fireworks show, ate some pizza and headed home!

Good times with great friends!

Beautiful House Wednesday

Loving this small home by interior designer, Lisa Teague. The color palette is a new fave of mine, and wish I could pull off such a serene look, but I think I may be a little too bold for it!

The kitchen is my fave

I totally have the matching dresser to that Pier 1 bedroom set! These days I am anti-furniture set. I do, however, still like the dresser.

For more, go to House of Turquoise!

Be sure to check me out at Layers of Meaning today in the "Through Her Eyes" Series!

holiday weekend

Had a great Fourth of July weekend with my family, minus Jake- he had to work all wknd:( 

Friday afternoon I went on Crystal Lake on my Aunt and Uncle's boat, then they camped on our property that night. We officially had our first overnight guests!

 Saturday, I headed to our cabin for a fun-filled two days with my family; boating, sunning myself, eating, drinking, and lounging:) There was plenty of laughing, humidity, and "Houghton--No!"

We even planted a little plum tree in Emmersyn's memory:)