What’s Brewing

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am full of ideas.  I have to admit, this really came about as a direct result of Jason’s way of thinking.  I didn’t see myself as creative or innovative or even really as a dreamer before I met Jason.  Obviously I now recognize that the roots were there, but I, like many of us, had fallen into the box-thinking of the world around me.

Through Jason’s influence, I began to let my mind wander- thinking of businesses, thinking of creative projects, thinking of less-restrictive ways of living.  Although he got me started on this path of thinking, it seems my mind has only wandered farther since Jason’s passing.  I am antsy.  I can’t finish any project or completely develop any idea before another one is jumping out at me.  I’ve become restless.  The proposition of being able to go anywhere I want, do anything I want has come to fruition and taunts me daily as I strive to figure out my path, my purpose, my reason for life, and, ultimately, to figure out my desires.

Many of you know that I have reduced my hours to part-time at work, and when I say part-time, I mean severely part-time.  Amazingly, this has reduced my stress and increased my opportunities.  Opportunities to serve, to create, to explore, to live.  In the end though, everyone needs a means of income.

Jason and I toyed with many business ideas before his passing- unfortunately a number of them I don’t understand at all, so they are kind of off my list of possibilities right now!  However, since his passing, I have developed many of my own ideas and begun to transform a few of our original designs.

I am specifically driven toward real estate.  Originally Jason and I wanted to own rental properties, most likely condos or apartments to start with.  We planned to own rentals in our area (Raleigh, NC) and we had a fun niche to use as a draw to our rentals.  As exciting as that was, after Jason passed I started to realize it just wasn’t the direction I wanted to take.  Even though I am still interested in Real Estate, residential rentals just didn’t seem like something I could be truly passionate about.

One of the things I have learned from becoming a widow at 25 is that life is simply too short to do anything I don’t love.  I love teaching, and I realized that with the way public education in NC is going, I can’t love teaching full-time- hence the resulting part-time teaching status.  So what do I love besides teaching?  Serving- I definitely love serving others, so I currently serve in my church’s Temple 3 Saturday’s a month, and I teach early morning Seminary for my church as well.  I also get to use my freer-than-usual schedule to help serve friends and family when they need me, and don’t worry, I’ve still been doing my Jason’s Acts of Kindness, I’m just terrible at blogging them. Okay, so we have teaching and service- what else?  Well, of course I have to add camping, hiking, and just general adventuring to the list.  Jason and I used to try to spend every possible summer weekend engrossed in some sort of adventure, whether camping, repelling, rock climbing (thanks for that Sarah and Eric), rafting, biking, canoeing, cliff jumping, oh the list goes on.  I have to admit, though what I love most about myself is my adventurous spirit, I haven’t done nearly enough adventuring since Jason passed away.  More than just adventuring for myself, I want to inspire a love of adventuring in others, and I want to make adventuring a bit less-intimidating so more people will try it out! 

So what does all this mean?  It means I’ve been working on idea.  An idea that I want to [partially] unveil to the “public.” I heard about a study recently that states people shouldn’t verbalize their goals to others because when they do, they get a false sense of accomplishment due to people’s excitement for the goal, so rather than telling you what I want to do, I’m just going to tell you there is an idea in motion.  Something I’m excited about but that still requires a lot of background work.  My secretiveness isn’t because I don’t want to share, but because I want to succeed! 

Wish me luck!!

Jason’s Acts of Kindness: February

 

I don’t know about y’all, I refuse to contract “you all” as “ya’ll” ~shudder, but lately Facebook seems to be flooded with requests for helping others.  Facebook is used for so many things {ie, airing dirty laundry, complaining, baby announcements, wedding announcements, the list goes on…} yet I think Facebook and the good ‘ole world wide web may have a bit more to offer.  For example, I think shares like this are one of the best ways we can use Facebook. …and pictures of that cute new pup you just rescued! 

There are so many websites that are popping up to help in the cause of giving to others.   Give Forward, and You Caring are a couple that I have seen.  Donating to cover trips for children, medical bills, and lost homes are just a few fundraisers I have seen.  These sites allow you to give anonymously or under the name you choose, they allow you to show or hide the amount you give, and they allow you to leave a message with your donation.  What an incredible way to reach out to those in need if you can, even if you don’t know them, and lend a monetary hand.  The day that I officially decided I wanted to move forwards with “Jason’s Acts of Kindness,” one of my amazing SIL’s posted a link {on Facebook} about giving to a family she knew.  The family’s house had just burned down {that day} and a family friend created this GiveForward page to help them.  It seemed the stars were aligned, so I made a donation in Jason’s name to a family who certainly seems deserving. 

Seeing people sacrifice for the good of others never gets old!

Know of another site that collects monetary donations for those in need?  Know the name of a deserving family who needs a little extra help on their GiveForward or YouCaring page?  Share it in the comments below!

I recently stumbled upon a blog of an awesome lady, Kerry.  Kerry is working hard to spread random acts of kindness with her “Be the Change 2014” campaign.  Click the button below to see what she’s been doing and share what Random Acts of Kindness you’ve done lately!

 

 

 

Linking up for the first time today-yay- with Kerry {above} and Shanna!

Jason’s Acts of Kindness: January

 

North Carolina’s winter has been especially snowy so far in 2014.  People often think of emergency workers during snowstorms because they are out, often risking their safety, while the rest of us get to cuddle up by the fireplace with the ones we love.  During the storms, this cute cartoon circulated Facebook, reminding us that linemen are out working to restore power to those who lost it.  And that’s not all- there are so many other businesses that require their employees to be out during storms because they provide a service that is vital.  One such business is generator service.  Most people think of generators being a luxury, but for pharmacies, hospitals, assisted living homes, generators are a necessity during bad weather.  Hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, and other storms can all knock out power leaving these facilities helpless {not because the lights are out, but because equipment like respirators won’t work without electricity.}

With those hardworking generator technicians in mind, a care package was assembled and sent to National Power Corp, the company where Jason was employed as a generator tech before he passed away.  Hopefully a few hands {or heads, or feet} will be a little warmer in Jason’s name this winter {after our 70 degree days diminish again!}

The Love of One

 …you can consider this my “In  Thanks-giving” Day 6 post- ha!

I have recently set a goal for myself.  What am I talking about; it’s February, everyone recently set goals.  I did make some resolutions, but this goal isn’t actually one of them.  Maybe that’s why I have so much conviction for it?  Resolutions and I have a love-hate relationship…Well this goal is special- I’m making this goal in my husband’s honor.  For any who may not know, my husband, Jason Edwards, passed away last year. {wow, yeah- it hasn’t been a year yet, but it was last year: May 26, 2013}

Jason was {and is} a lot of things.  He’s a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle, a best friend, a believer, a hard worker, an entrepreneur, a creator, just to name a few!  Above all though, my husband is a servant.  A servant to God and a servant to all those he comes in contact with.  I’ve never met someone who is so willing to give of his time and talents.  Jason served in callings at church; he has been a DJ, an assistant scout master, a young men’s leader, a member of the Elder’s Quorum presidency, an Elder’s Quorum teacher, and even a missionary in Idaho for 2 years {yes- he served in the Pocatello Mission- poor guy ;) } Jason has helped organize service projects, through our church {like for the day of service}, and also on his own, for people we know and care about.  Often those projects included helping people move—no offense world, but it seems everyone wants to move on a day that qualifies as one of the following: the hottest day ever, the coldest day ever, the rainiest day ever, or some erratic combination of the three!  What I love most about Jason’s service to others though, is that, most often, it was spontaneous and a huge inconvenience. 

Yes, I said it, his service was often an inconvenience, but isn’t that what makes it so unbelievably beautiful?  That despite the sacrifice, he was always willing and never {at least within my earshot} complained about that sacrifice.  There were many times that Jason got home from work later than planned because there was someone on the side of the road, with a flat tire, a smoking engine, shoot- there was even one time we were running late to meet family and saw a young lady whip her flaming-yes flaming-car off the road.  As I was suggesting {okay, maybe shouting} that we should pull over, Jason was already on the shoulder calling the fire department.  The sacrifice never seemed to matter as long as he was serving.

When Jason passed away, we had a Celebration of Life for him.  He always said he wanted a party when he passed away, so we gave him one.  Never in my life have I seen so many individuals gathered in honor of one person, especially a deceased person.  I was blown away.  What I found out that night, was that all this time, through Jason’s many acts of service, he was doing more than just moving boxes, and changing tires: Jason was loving.  I wish I had been the one to realize it, but it was friends of ours who pointed it out that night.  Jason had a way of making every person he met feel like he/she was THE most important person to him.  What a phenomenal talent.  I have to admit, early on our relationship, this was hard for me.  I couldn’t separate his love for everyone else from his love for me.  It got easier, the longer we were together; I began to recognize the differences in the type of love and the ways he showed it, but it wasn’t until the night of his Celebration of Life that I finally understood why it had been so hard in the beginning.  Jason literally loves everyone.  He didn’t even want me to talk about people to explain how infuriated I was with them; he always wanted me to let it go {not a Frozen reference…}.  LOVE: such an incredible way to serve others, and sometimes a harder way than just helping when it’s needed. 

Over the past few months I’ve explained over and over what an incredible example Jason has been to me during our time together in this life, and this is just another way he has taught me.  But I am determined, determined to put my knowledge to use, so that all those days and nights my husband sacrificed can continue to bless my life and the lives of others.  So here is my goal:

I’m going to serve.  Each month in 2014, I will complete one act of kindness, maybe random, maybe not, but every act will be done in Jason’s name.  I plan to record my “Jason’s Acts of Kindness” {JAKs} here {but maybe not in complete detail- because secret acts of kindness are always more fun} so that you can follow along.  My hope is that through Jason’s example, we can all learn to love more purely, more completely, and more abundantly because we never know who needs to feel loved.

As I post each month, feel free to get in on the action and start loving others through service!  I miss getting those service reports each afternoon, so I’d love to hear some creative ways you are serving!!

With Love,

Cassie

In Thanks-Giving: Day 5

Day 5: Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Time and All Eternity

6 months.  Tuesday made 6 months to the day since my Jason jumped into our beloved falls, never to return.  It was a normal camping trip, the first one of the season, Memorial Day weekend.  One year before, we were at the exact same falls, launching our camping season with some friends.  This year Jason and I opted to make the trip alone.  We had just decided to grow our little family.

Growing up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was always taught to strive for a temple marriage, a marriage in which husband and wife are not married for just time, but also for all eternity.  How magical it all sounds to a little girl growing up with dreams of forever with her night in shining armor.  Although it has always sounded magical and always been my goal, it is what we hear over and over growing up, and so as an adult, I knew it was important, but could never truly wrap my mind around what it all meant. 

It makes sense now.

When your husband is alive beside you, next to you as you wake up in the morning, cooking and cleaning with you in the evening, and snuggled back beside you at night, it is hard to grasp the necessity of eternity.  I have him now, and even though later is important, it can't be as important as the here and now.  I've had 6 months to ponder what being married is all about.  6 months reflecting on why Jason and I got married and what the purpose of marriage really is.  6 months to fume over the time I let slip by.  6 months to let the concept of eternity sink in.

I'm going to tell you a little about what I've discovered.  Some of it deals directly with God, some of it in a more round about way, but the first thing I need you to understand is that, for me, marriage is directly linked to God.  Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in his own ^aimage, in the image of God created he him; male and ^bfemale created he them." Just as God created us in His image, He gave us a like-minded purpose to come to earth, receive mortal bodies, and learn and grow.  Just as God is literally the Father of our spirits, he allows us to be mothers and fathers of his spirit children.  We are here to learn how to be like God.  Remember the crazy fad of "WWJD?" bracelets reminding us to be more Christ-life as we consider "What Would Jesus Do?" in the situations arising in our lives?  That is part of the reason we are here.

When two people unite in marriage, they are making a commitment to one another.  There are lots of pretty, fun, flowery things a preacher, pastor, or even justice of the peace might say when two people are united, and that is great, and there is a deeper purpose.  We must learn how to work together, how to literally become one in our principles, desires, and ideals.  No, that doesn't mean you can't have different interests than your spouse, but how much more of a successful marriage will you have if you take the time to understand a little more about your spouse's interests and encourage him/ her in the development of a new talent.  Marriage is meant to help us learn how to be "one."

Jason and I got married so we could be together, not just literally next to each other, but so that we could begin to become one, to work together, to share together.  I know "girls/ boys weekends" are fun, and I am not judging any of you or the quality of your marriage with this statement; Jason and I didn't want to have those weekends.  We still did them, but in the end, we wanted to be together.  We got married so we would have "that person," the one you tell your deepest, darkest secrets, the one that helps you hatch crazy-wild plans, the one who brings out the best in you, the one who makes you who you are.  Not just a best friend, a SPOUSE.  I'm not sure at what point these became separate things, but don't we often here, my spouse is my best friend." Well, duh!  If your spouse isn't your best friend, you're missing out. 

So how is a sealing different from a marriage?  When two people get married, they are making a commitment to one another; when two people get sealed, they add God to the mix.  A sealing is a covenant with you, your spouse, and God. God is literally the "missing link."  With God as part of our marriage, it means we don't stop learning and growing together as one even though Jason has passed from this life because God can link us beyond the grave.  It means that every step I make in the right direction is a victory for both of us, not just for me.  Don't worry, we aren't automatically just stuck together because we are sealed, it is still our choice, and that is what is so amazing: I know that Jason is striving to learn and grow in ways that will strengthen us, both as spouses, and as future parents. {Yes, I believe that one day, after the Savior's return, when we are reunited with our loved ones, that Jason and I will still have the opportunity to raise our children.}

It didn't make sense before, but now I understand that Jason and are one; if you have ever seen a weld, think about that image, the two pieces of metal, joined as one.  That is what Jason and I have, we have sealing; we have a weld.  I am grateful for my weld!

April 16, 2011
Our Welding..I mean, Wedding Day

In Thanks-giving: Day 4

...still catching up; Colorado is incredible!

Lifting the Burden

"There is a wise old saying, 'Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.' Thrift is a practice of not wasting anything. Some people are able to get by because of the absence of expense. They have their shoes resoled, they patch, they mend, they sew, and they save money. They avoid installment buying, and make purchases only after saving enough to pay cash, thus avoiding interest charges.
-President James E. Faust Link to full article

I have been raised in a religion that encourages and teaches financial independence, freedom from the bondage of debt as reiterated here by President Ezra Taft Benson, "No man is truly free who is in financial bondage. ‘Think what you do when you run in debt,' said Benjamin Franklin, 'you give another power over your liberty.'" Yet, when I began dating Jason, I was digging a hole down the opposite path.  Of course, like every other twenty-something, I had school debt, but I was still in school and any payments on those were deferred until after graduation- those weren't {the real} problem...I had credit card debt and poor spending habits.

My parents didn't encourage credit cards, and when I decided I would get one, strongly counseled me to use it carefully.  I entered my credit card agreement with the right outlook: it was only to help build my credit, and I would pay it off every month.  That is how it all started.  Soon I was whisking myself off to Ireland and shopping away relationship woes...needless to say, when I met Jason, my financial record was one to be ashamed of.  For those of you who know Jason, he has spent the latter years of his life living quite frugally.  When he took me on dates they were often free, if not, he talked people down to a price he thought was reasonable.  {This is only the tip of the iceberg by the way, I have seen him {successfully} finagle prices at Wal-Mart...we'll save those stories for another time!}

Aside from my spending disasters, Jason and I started dating right before my last semester of college, when I would enter my teaching internship.  This {unpaid} internship would take the majority of my time, so I would have to quit two of my jobs, and drop to just one.  I knew how important money-smarts were to Jason, so I worked hard to manage my finances without having to reveal how poorly I was doing, but with the shift from 3 jobs to 1, things weren't going well.  Jason and I normally alternated weekends in Greenville and Raleigh, and soon the revelation came of just how poorly I was doing.  For about a month Jason had been supplementing my gas money, so I could make it up to Raleigh, but on this particular Saturday while we were rushing to meet some friends, Jason walked into the room to find me hanging up the phone in tears.  My credit card bill was well overdue, and I didn't have the money to pay it.  That day Jason sat me down and we started working out a plan.

With Jason's help, I shut off my credit card and started a payment plan that would slowly allow me to pay off my debt.  It was set to take a few years, but with Jason's encouragement, I paid off my credit card shortly after we were married!  This experience truly opened our eyes, and we made a joint commitment to be debt-free.  Together we paid off our school loans and vehicle debt and set an 18-month plan in motion to pay off our house! 

Our financial plan was pieced together from principles we learned at church and from financial gurus like Dave Ramsey.  We calculated what it would take to live with no income for 6 months, and used that calculation to establish our 6-month savings blanket.  Next we set our budget, and all excess began going half to the house and half to another savings account.  The final step, aside from paying off the house, was calculating what we {me and three children} would need to get back on our feet if something was to happen to Jason.  We calculated that amount, and set up Jason's life insurance...in December 2012.

Fast forward to 5 months later.  Jason's life insurance is in effect {and only needed for me and one cute puppy dog}; I'm out of work for the summer {because I'm a teacher}; I can't access our extra savings or our main account {which were both in Jason's name}; I can access our 6-months savings account.

What a road Jason and I have been on financially.  Six months after his passing, the only debt I have is our beautiful home that now has a low enough payment, that my single income can easily handle; I had the money to comfortably get by until I had access to our other accounts, and I started back working; I am still on track to pay off the house if I decide to do so.

What an incredible blessing that Heavenly Father's gospel set a base for us both, and that He then used us both to establish a financial foundation for each other.  Without each segment of this path, I would not have been prepared to live the way I am now.  I would be drowning my woes in new clothes.  I would likely have needed to sell our house and vehicles.  I would not be in Colorado spending Thanksgiving with incredible family.  Heavenly Father allowed Jason to come into my life at the moment I needed him most, and much of that was for the sake of my financial education. 

I love my Heavenly Father; I love the Lord; and I am grateful they gave me my Jason to love too!

In Thanks-Giving: Day 3

I should have known I'd get a bit behind in posting once I hit the lofty mountains of Colorado...
Now to catch up!

Day 3, Sunday, November 24, 2013


Take Me Back





I heard this song for the first time the other day and instantly fell in love. 

I kept wanting to sing " I will hold on," but those aren't the words...they are "I hold on."  This change may seem like nothing to you, but once I realized the possible difference, I was blown away.  He isn't make a statement about his actions, he is making a statement about his being, his core values, who he is:  he is a guy that "hold[s] on." 

When the song opens, Dierks Bentley is singing about a busted up truck everyone thinks he should sell, but then informs the listener of what no one knows, "...my dad and me/ We drove her out to Tennessee/ She's still here, now, he's gone/  So I hold on."  I was immediately connected to his emotions tying him to that truck. 

Though Jason and I celebrated a "mere" two year-anniversary shortly before his passing, we packed a lot of love and a lot of memories into that "short" time we had together.  I have repeatedly been told since Jason's passing, that we lived and loved more in those 2 years then most people do in a lifetime.  Please don't be offended; please don't think I am making our marriage out to be something it is not: those people...are RIGHT!

Jason and I packed a lot of life, love, and memories into our time together.  There was rarely a moment we weren't adventuring in one way or another: waterfall hikes and campouts, new jobs, home projects, business ideas...the list goes on. 

A few months ago I told those closest to me of a very personal struggle that was overtaking me: an identity crisis.  I love the person I have become since Jason Edwards entered my life, and I have been deathly afraid that I will lose me, thus losing him, again...and then Dierks' song comes into earshot..."I hold on."

I have been blessed with a million surroundings that give me what that truck gives the boy in the song.  It is hard to articulate to someone who hasn't lost a close loved one, a loved one who literally helped define you as an individual, but everyday I get to "hold on." Sometimes I hold on to trivial items around our home, and sometimes I hold on to the feeling of his arms around me; either way, "I hold on..." tight!

Today {or Sunday, rather ;)} I am thankful for the memories, and a man who worked so hard to capture the memories via camera, and I am thankful for a memory that continually recollects more and more about my precious Jason, and I am thankful for a God who gave us TWO WHOLE YEARS!  I don't make a statement of the actions a plan to take in the future by stating, I will hold on,  I make a statement of who I am when I say, " I hold on."

In Thanks-Giving: Day 2

 

Day 2: Saturday, November 23, 2013

On the Drive

Driving to Greenville today, to celebrate Thanksgiving and Mom’s birthday early, I had the opportunity to listen to several amazing songs.  Before Jason’s passing, we began listening to a Contemporary Christian station, “HIS Radio.”  I never knew Christian music could be so awesome!  Not only is is packed with positive, faith-inspiring messages, it is clean, and it is actually fairly…contemporary!  Needless to say, we enjoy it…back to the point: today I heard some awesome songs that inspire me, so I thought I should share one!

As I began to sing along, I was flooded with thoughts of “what faith [truly] can do,” and I was reminded of Ether 12: 4, which states,

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

“…hope cometh of faith, [and] maketh an anchor.” I have heard people say that religion is needed because people need something to hope for.  Oh how that only scrapes the surface.  Yes, my religion does give me hope, and that hope is nothing without my personal faith…in God, in His plan, and in His promises.  To me, “faith is things which are hoped for, and not seen” (Ether 12:6), so yes, religion gives me something to hope for, and only because I have faith in the promises that have been made to me.  Take a look at the imagery in the passage: it makes “an anchor.”  Merriam-Webster defines anchor, “something that serves to hold an object firmly.” Mere belief does not anchor, but faith-based knowledge does! 

Now for the “what faith can do” part: it “would make [men] sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works.”  I’m pretty sure the world could use a few more people who are “sure and steadfast.”  I know I can use a little more “steadfast-ness” in my life.  Then we would abound in good works, not merely doing good works, but “abounding” in them!  I long to abound in good works.

Because of hope, I have a bright future ahead of me.  I can wake up everyday and go to sleep every night with the hope of a better, brighter day in my future.  Hope gets me out of bed each day, gets me working towards the goals Jason and I set, gets me dreaming of my mansions above.

I want to leave you with one more song that reminded me today that my hope has become an anchor to me these last 6 months. Enjoy!

I am hopeful that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to as long as God is by my side, and Jason is rooting me on.  Here’s to hope = my anchor in times of sadness.

In Thanks-Giving

The month of November has been full of posts, comments, and celebrations of thankfulness.  This month will mark 6 months since I rode away from the Pisgah without my husband.  In the face of tragedy, it is often difficult to find reasons to give thanks. I need to give thanks.

In light of this need, I have decided to spend the next week {Friday to Friday} illuminating for myself, and for others, all that I have to be thankful for.

Day 1: Friday, November 22, 2013

Epiphany

Had a revelation...of sorts...tonight while watching Hunger Games in preparation for Catching Fire tomorrow.  As I watched Katniss, so at home in the woods, I realized that I too feel at home in the woods.  Of course this got me reminiscing all the fabulous adventures Jason and I have had in the mystical NC mountains, and I quickly became bitter wondering how I could ever feel truly "at home" when my world has been flipped upside down.  Then it occurred to me, in the moonlit darkness of our "home" that holds so many memories, that my husband isn't ever gone.  

Our lives do not end when the life of our bodies ends.  Jason Edwards is still very much alive, we are just in different locations; he literally is away for a while.  This may seem delusional to some, and I mourn for you.  I am well aware that my husband isn't on some business trip from which he should be returning any day now, and I am also well aware that we will be reunited.  Yes, that day may be afar off, and that is okay because I will continue to build our life here; I will continue to learn here; I will continue to achieve our goals here, and while I do, he will be working there.  He will build our life there; he will continue to learn there; he will achieve goals I didn't even know we had- there! 

It's true what "they" say: absence truly does make the heart grow fonder.  I despise that I did not appreciate my husband for all that he is while he was on this earth next to me, so I work now to show him, by emulating his actions, that I cannot be the person I am without him as my companion.  I am purely in love with the man of my dreams and only wish I could convey to him now, a fraction of what he means to me.  

I am thankful for the man that taught me to love with all of my being, and I am thankful for a God who clearly must have bribed that man to love me!  

Organization Motivation

I love trying to find new ways to organize, yet I am probably the most disorganized person I know!  I've found that the best way for me to motivate myself to complete this is task is to make my organization decorative...For lack of a clear explanation, I will have to use pictures to illustrate my point. {Can you tell I just finished teaching my 9th graders how to be punny?}

A few weekends ago, my husband took our neighbor J out to the Father-Son Campout since Jason was taking our nephew.  This left me and J's wife to girl time!  {I love having girl time as adults...yummy dinner, crafty time, smoothies, and yard sale-ing! Score!}  While N was busy making bandanna bibs for their little one, I decided I would try to make some organization motivation.

Organization Motivation at its finest:

I have since completed a few more motivational pieces.  Don't these just scream, "Fill me, FILL ME!"

We also sold our stand and replaced it with a bookshelf for now.  The plan would be to return the bookshelf back up stairs where, yes, it was already occupied and build a custom shelving unit here...We'll get around to it I'm sure.

Remember that yard sale-ing I mentioned? My spoils are featured below:
 

What helps you stay organized?

-Cassie

What a Weekend

I think our weekend finally ended today.  We have had an amazing past few days.  Here's a rundown:

Friday- Hobo meals and s'mores in the fireplace and an indoor game of Extreme Croquet (if you haven't heard of it, it's because we invented it) with 2 awesome couples- a little date night of sorts.

Saturday- We spent all day (yes, all day, as in 12 consecutive hours) working in our back yard.  We have decided that we should start utilizing our acre and a quarter...so that's the plan.  First step was to move our shed. (The problem was, after a little more forethought we realized that even though moving the shed was the first task we wanted to accomplish, actually moving the shed requires lots of steps before it.  Check out the time lapse to get a glimpse into our chilly Saturday.





Sunday-Although I was home in bed sleeping off a migraine for the 3-hour expanse of church, my selfless husband sacrificed his sanity to teach my Primary class of nine 10 and 11 year olds- yikes!
When he got home I was feeling much better and we took the opportunity to "meal plan" for the week.  We cooked up a lot of food, including banana cake and my first successful loaf of bread in our ($2) breadmaker!

Besides Primary, my headache also made me miss one of my students competing in the Rotary Against Drugs Speech Competition.  She placed 3rd in our region out of 18 students who were there and won 50 bucks!  I'm a proud little teacher- great job, Amber!!

Monday- This used to be our night for FHE (Family Home Evening) and business meetings with our neighbors, but due to N's awesome new work schedule we've shifted to Tuesday.  That gave us the chance to hang out with another awesome couple that couldn't make it to our Friday night fiasco.  B made some awesome crockpot chicken bbq (no, not bbq chicken, chicken bbq, silly) and corn on the cob while we caught up on our beloved Once Upon a Time.  Our poor husbands just had to "suffer" through it with us, ha!

Tuesday- Our new FHE and business meeting night!  I am truly loving this.  Jason got on a financial/ business kick a few months back, so we started listening to audio books on these topics.  Since then, our neighbors have picked up the fever too, so we are working together to glean as much knowledge as we can, then share it!  Right now we are reading Get a Financial Life and discussing (like a little book club but with a financial theme!)

Our business meetings are definitely one of the highlights of my week; it actually feels amazing to have homework and be accountable to someone.  Yeah...I might be a teacher through and through.

TONIGHT- The end of my weekend.  Jason is at Scouts and I am home (in need of grading tests) and procrastinating through blogging.  Good, but not quite weekend worthy.

After a 5 day "weekend," I have to say that I am excited to have extremely productive, incredibly fulfilling evenings more often.  Try it out; I highly recommend it!

-Cassie

Gotta "LOVE" a Discount

Special discount for my blog "readers" ;)

Effective now through Valentine's Day, receive 25% off any AdventurUsCreations item on Etsy with the code Smooches

Plus, check out our newest item!

Click here to check out our Etsy Shop and start some buying!

-J and C

Our First Custom Order

Well it didn't exactly come through Etsy, but it will go out through Etsy...our first custom order has been requested! Whoo hoo, whoo hoo!!

This is the image we received to go off of.  I must say it's a good sign for a project when I already want to make one for myself!

CK wants this awesome piece for her husband, so they have a way to organize shoes!   How awesome is she?!

This project has quite the array of pallet sizes; we haven't made anything this large from pallets yet, so this is a fun undertaking for us.  We have been rummaging through our pallet collection for a couple days, but think we have finally found just the right wood.

Most of our pallet projects have been one-sided, so it has been okay for the back to be ugly...not this time, folks.  Since the front and back faces are visible, they both have to look aged.  I'm not sure if you're aware, but naturally aged wood is typically only naturally aged on ONE side...since the other side doesn't see the elements.

So excited for this project!  Our business is really happening! Yay!

-Cassie

I Really Wanted an Infinity Scarf

Anyone who knew me before I met my husband knows that I had a spending problem. A serious spending problem.  When Jason and I started dating I was literally getting collection calls from the credit card company.  It was awful.

2 years into knowing my amazing man, I got that credit card paid off and had taken a lesson or two on thrifty spending from the hubby-to-be.

Now that we've been married for almost 2 years, I have learned not only how to be a thrifty shopper, but a thrifty blog-follower.  Ladies like this one, inspire me.  I often shop at second hand stores and yard sales, but not for clothes that are perfect the way they are (because I'm not dedicated enough to dig through piles to find that rarity) I search for fabrics that I love and can someday transform into something that I love!

Needless to say, I have been collecting lots of items like the ones described above without actually doing anything with those items.  Last week I decided to wreck that trend and get 'r done!

Last week's project was a sweater I got in a $0.10 big bag of clothes, a too-tight tank top I never wore, 

an old stretched out hair tie, and two buttons I got in a big $0.50 bag of buttons!

Via this tutorial,

These...

...Became this.

Tonight's (yes, in one night) project was a 58" x 8" piece of material left from a project from 

last Christmas, and an old lace valence I got in that same $0.10 big bag of clothes!

Via this & this,

These...

...Became this!

 I can't tell you how excited I am that I just made this scarf for under a dollar! Ha! Plus, I just love it!

Hope you have a productive icy night too!

-Cassie

We Have a Winner

Two posts in one day- I think the world might end.
We just announced the winner of our first Giveaway!  Just in time for Valentine's Day, a lucky "liker" of AdventurUs Creations' Facebook page won this super cute pallet plaque!

Check out our Facebook Page to stay up to date with all our shop happenings!

J&C

Day 3

Wow! Today is day 3 of having the Etsy shop up and we are LOVING it!  No, we haven't sold anything, but just running (or rather attempting to run) a business together as a couple is a blast! We both have our roles to play and we get to help each other as we go.

I have very quickly discovered that the hardest part of owning a business that sells things I like is HAVING TO SELL THINGS I LIKE! Ah! It is so hard to post an item that I am truly in love with.  This is my favorite item we have for sale:

The warped, grayed wood is a feature I adore, not to mention this is one of my favorite phrases, and isn't it just so befitting for the "AdventurUs" spirit in us all ;)

Even though selling will be hard, I do love having the extra decor around the house! 

-Cassie

The Big Day

Yay!  I couldn't be more excited (this week) than I am today!  Today we plan to open our Etsy Shop: AdventurUs Creations.  I would like to add a link here, but since we haven't officially opened it, it wouldn't actually take you anywhere...sadface.  Don't worry, I'll come back and add the link later today!

***Update: We are UP and running- http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdventurUsCreations

We have decided to use the blog as a personal link between us and the Etsy shop, that way people can see some of the things we do just for fun, and have some background on what has lead us to opening our shop!

I am using "The Beginnings" as a way to photo-document our process from regular-old-couple to crazily-creative-couple.  Who am I kidding? The crazy part was always there...well, and so was the creative part really, we just had to find and unleash it!  This page will bean on-going addition of all the projects we have done leading up to this point.

AdventurUs Creations uses pallets to make rustic home decor.  Our focus is pallet signs, but we also make pallet plaques, frames, and blocks.  We started out toying with "signs" we wanted around our home, like this one we hung outside our house:

Then we started giving them out as presents, like this monogram sign we made when our friends S&E got hitched!

So hop on over to "AdventurUs Creations" to check out what we've done and to get an idea of some of the projects AdventurUs Creations will be selling.  We are super stoked to share our love of all things rustic with the world!

--J and C

Top 3 Pins of 2012

There is no doubt that one of my worst mistakes this year was finding Pinterest.  Even though most of my pins are just things I like...okay LOVE and want to try, it is always fun to see what my followers are liking and re-pinning.  It's silly, I know, but I feel kind of proud when I see that I was able to share something that others are enjoying enough to re-pin for themselves!

Here are my top 3 pins for this year.  {Not necessarily my favorites, but clearly your favorites!}

1. Elegant

Originally found here

I think this decor is simply elegant, whether for the holidays or a specific celebration (such as a wedding), and it has by far been my most re-pinned pin! (With over 200 pins)

I do have to admit it is beautiful!

2.  Punch

Originally found here

No offense, but this one kind of makes me laugh.  I pinned it randomly while trying to help my mom find ideas for my sister's graduation party.  I haven't read it too closely, but apparently people love it (although it is at a very distant 2nd).

3.  Framing Bathroom Mirrors

Originally found here

(This one may not be my official #3, but it sure seems to have filled my inbox the most lately.)

I personally love this one; it was the inspiration (and directions) for our master bath mirror frame, which has put us one step closer to finally being done with our master bath reno.  But alas, it seems we may NEVER be completely done with that project!  I love continually adding to it and making it more our own!

Now that I have begun to even find it possible to regulate my time on Pinterest, I seem to appreciate (and enjoy) it much more!

One Proud Sister

" ...faith [without] works, is dead...Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works:
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
James 2:17-18

Today I get to brag about my little brother.  He chose to serve the Lord through a 2-year proselytizing mission, and left December 18th for the Missionary Training Center in Salt Lake City.  In our church, young men  used to be able to leave on a mission at 19 years old.  When Mason turned 19, he didn't jump up and down ecstatically and leave right away...he just wasn't ready.  Then, almost a year later, he started talking about going on a mission, and slowly but surely began completely the paperwork, doctor's appointments, and other processes in preparation for his mission.  Now, almost 2 years after his 19th birthday, Mason has begun an amazing journey.  He waited until he was ready, and I know that because of that, he will be able to serve humbly and selflessly.

I'm a little envious.  I believe this is an incredibly faith building opportunity, not to mention the spiritual rewards that must come from choosing to serve the Lord and His children, rather than oneself, for TWO years.  Today I hold my brother, and all other missionaries in our church, in high regard as Christmas came and went without the typical family celebration.  These young men and women know about sacrifice, about love, and about dedication.

Thank you, Mason, for your example to me and to our family.  I love you big, little brother! Great job!

Go here to find out more about LDS Missionaries and what they do.

Project # 2

Working on 2 projects simultaneously actually worked out really well for me...this time.  Anytime I got frustrated with one (like after slicing my fingers open with sewing needles) or needed to let something dry, I could switch to the other and not waste a productive mood!

I finished the "Fall" blocks first (because I was most excited about them), then I went to work finishing my leaves!  Buttons projects are floating around lately, and since I had already made a letter 'F' for my friend's baby shower, I figured I would attempt some leaves just for fun! Here is the project I made for my friend's baby shower!

Jason actually helped me out a little because I waited until last minute. Either way, it turned out pretty well!

As for the leaves:

I have this AWESOME frame that I bought at a yard sale a while back.  I really like it, but was never able to figure out what to do with it because it doesn't have a back or glass.  I realized recently that I just wasn't thinking outside the box.  Since when do frames have to have glass? And how am I not capable of making a back myself? Hello....cardboard is awesome! So with all my excuses out of the way, it was time to find something to do with this frame...cue my button leaves!


Step 1: Find a template!
Your template will, of course, depend upon what you want to make.  Templates can be found in varying locations; I just did a Google image search and found free templates of what I wanted.

When I made the letter 'F,' I  found an outline that I liked, but in the end, it didn't really work for the overall look I was hoping to achieve; unfortunately, this is also true for the leaf template that I found :(  One of the leaves was much easier to create with  buttons- I ended up using this template for both leaves.

Step 2: Select your buttons.
I have begun collecting buttons from places like yard sales, but unfortunately people only seem to sell ugly, drab buttons for cheap.  If you want a specific color or theme, you will need to plan it out prior to purchasing and make sure you have extra buttons in your chosen colors.  Once you have the ones you want, you can arrange them on the template to get a feel for what buttons you will use and how they will fit.

I always end up using more buttons than I expect.  For the leaves, I chose two or 3 similar colors that I could use to fade into one another to ATTEMPT to get a more natural look.

Step 3: Find a better way!!
The next few steps are a little rough because I am crazy and want to make sure my final product is EXACTLY the way I want it.  I will tell you the ways I have tried this so far and recommend some ideas for a better strategy.

Step 3 (the first time): Place template over desired placement on cloth and attach.
I put the template over the exact position I would want it on the cloth and then arranged the buttons on the template.  At this point I busted out needle and thread and stitched each button where I wanted. **This was very difficult to do without moving the buttons, but like I said, I am crazy, and I wanted my buttons in JUST the right place.  Once I stitched all buttons through the paper and cloth, I pulled all the paper off from around the buttons and discarded it.  Then I went back and put a dab of hot glue under each button just to be sure they would be good to go.

This is where my husband stepped in to tell me I am ridiculous!! Thank goodness!!  Halfway through sewing them, he had me arrange the buttons directly on the cloth so that we could hot glue them directly to the cloth FIRST and THEN stitch them just to reinforce!  The hard part about this: sewing through hot glue SUCKS!! Beware the hot glue, and make sure you have a very sturdy needle!!

This is similar to how I did it for round two...but here is what I would recommend instead: 
Figure out some way to trace your template onto the cloth in a way that will not be visible when you are finished.  I am not sure what the tactic is, but figure it out because it is not worth the time and effort otherwise.

...or don't be a ridiculous perfectionist, and you will have no problems!

Last problem I had: one of my leaves looks like a chili pepper :(

Halloween Wreath is up next!!

-Cassie