A few minor details...

At church the other day Pastor Mark was talking about taking account of the evidence of God's grace in our lives. Big ones. Small ones, whatever, they all count. In my college girl's bible study we called these " Yay God's!" This week has been good things. Lots of them. All in a row. My heart is swelling joyfully, and before I burst I think I'll make a little list.

1. I discovered this website: Cox & Cox! It's full of beautiful things. You will swoon, guaranteed.

2. My florist is the best, ever! I met with her on Wednesday to talk about flowers, duh, and ended up with a volunteer catering crew and a high tea reception. So fun! She has the best ideas and is so generous. My i'm-planning-a-wedding-i'm-a-bride-and-this-is-the-best-thing-ever-o-meter just went off the richter scale.

3. I've got some much deserved time off coming my way!

4. My management works hard to make sure I feel appreciated.

5. Kind words from Julie's daughter this morning. She hardly knows me and she said some of the sweetest things ever!

6. It's pumpkin spice latte season at Starbucks!

7. I've been sick for the last week and my 89 year old Grandmother, who is so kind to let me live with her, doesn't even have the sniffles.

8. I have Sundays off through the winter, and so does Johnny! What? We get to see eachother on a weekend? Unheard of.

9. I have a new doctor, who is super cool, super young, and super open.

10. Joel makes THE BEST sloppy joes ever. Velveeta overload!

11. The community center is hosting the best Thanksgiving dinner ever at the end of the month. Tiny foods, ahoy!

Ok, I could go on and on forever. But reflecting on the good things puts a huge grin on my face.

I am sick. Throat sick. Can't talk sick. No appetite sick. I love Nyquil sick. But not sick enough to stay home another day. Port Gamble calls my name and so I'm here. Weddings, meetings and ghost walks welcome me back. As well as a box of tissues and bottle of hand sanitizer (Julie said not to take it personally :)

I just hope this weekend isn't a disaster. I'm rusty.

Psalm 37:23-24

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.

This is the time of year I start to get tired. No more weddings, please!

I'm dreaming of adventures on the high seas and late night romps through the city --- Nick and Norah's Infinite Adventure style.

Who's with me?

Short road trip. Portland. Spokane. BC. And beyond!

We are SO frickin' cute. If I do say so myself :)

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! 28 years.

I have to say, I feel pretty blessed to have parents who stuck it out through good and bad...and have come out the other side smiling. All of my realistic expectations about marriage come from watching them. They done prepared me good.

I found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4

This makes me happy :)

An ode to my tiniest of cousins.

Mitch and Cami. I had the best 15 minutes of my life with you yesterday. While you crawled all over me and knocked everything off of the bookcases my heart was melting. Please stay and play with me.

love, your grown up cousin, Val

Somewhere I have never travelled, gladly beyond

somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully, mysteriously) her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the colour of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

-- e. e. cummings

5

Today marks another year for me and John.

I'm such a lucky girl.

Ok. So I got a personal trainer.

And I LOVE it!

It's only week 1 of my 10-months-to-go-time-to-bite-the-bullet training. I've been left feeling positive and motivated about doing something good for myself.

My trainer, Katie, is a total sweetheart with just enough silly and drill sargeant to make the sessions productively-fun. She loves showing me all the ways I'll be able to discreetly show off my newly toned muscles.

She started competing in triathalons after she had kids. Isn't that hardcore?

Muscles I didn't know I had are sore. And I'm sleeping more soundly than I have in months.

Basically this is the beginning...of something good.

I'll keep ya'll posted :)

Ok.

From Bird and Banner.

These are sweet. I'm searching for photobooths in Seattle right now.

Flea markets are awesome!

I just picked up this manual typewriter for $20!

Guestbook = done.

Eureka!

I just came across this inspiration board. It's exactly what I've been scouring the internet for over the last 6 months.

I think I've finally settled on a simple centerpiece that I (or my wedding posse) can do without any trouble.

I'm so excited. <3

Maybe the coolest thing ever...

A few years ago, when I lived in Burien, my roomie/big sister Kim took me to the church she was attending in Tacoma. It was called New Song. I remember her telling me that they do a lot of neat things with prayer. I didn't really know what that meant, but I went with her and really enjoyed the vibrant/worshipful atmosphere.

After service she took me up front and asked a couple of girls to pray for my original design. It was a really memorable experience for me. As they prayed they wrote down 5 things that God had showed them about who he designed me to be. So, if you look at my big ugly banner that says "generate" and wonder what that's all about...this is where it comes from.

Here's my list :)

1. A picture of a generator: used to bring life where there has been a lack of life of hope. The Lord will confirm this through people's reactions to you. Pick-pocket: you see life and people with a fresh set of eyes. You pick the "obvious" (to you) things out of a person's pocket to show them hope!

2. Worshipper: He will put a song in your heart! There's a purity to your worship that's unique. Exposes who God is.

3. Instrument of truth and woman of integrity: You are a really good friend because of these qualities. You see a gap in friendship - you stand between them, the two join hands.

4. A heart of prayer: Emotional and physical healing. Something hard breaks because of your prayers.

5. Woman of intuition, wisdom and discernment: Picture of a puzzle - you are able to move things to where they are complete.

Hahahaha.

Melissa, Nate, Me and Angelene.

Waiting for instruction during the civil war square dance we attended last Saturday. I have no words, just giggles.

And this.

Ok. Who wants to make a giant J & V for me?

I love these.

A new favorite.

My mom hosted a party for herself this past Saturday. You see, all of her children have now graduated from high school. She is "done raising children." Her words, not mine. I just rolled my eyes when she said that. The house was jam packed with family and friends. Aunts, Uncles and cousins I haven't seen for years dropped by to say hello and have a hamburger. It was such a good time. I wish I had taken pictures. Unfortunately, I was too happy to think of that. :)

Uncle Butch had all of us cousins gathered around while he told stories about my Grandpa and our Montana family. I don't remember what he was telling us, something to do with my grandpa's tough demeanor and strength. My Aunt Marj piped in to say "Well, my favorite was when Hal was walking around the house grumbling about his skivvies bothering him. Remember? He reached into his pants and ripped them right off his body!"

Tall tale? Somehow, knowing my dad and uncles, I believe every word.

Shoes!

Girlfriend got herself a new pair of shoes today. And they are pretty hot!

I can't wait to go home and traipse around the house in them :)

Listen.

"

I had forgotten how happy it makes me to see Johnny in his element, doing his movie thing.

Tuesday night he took me to see one of his short films (a webisode, to be more precise) show at the NW Film Forum. We have the same "we HAVE to be on time" neurosis, which is comforting. As a result we showed up to the showing 40 minutes early and had just enough time to walk through the local park. By the time most of his friends showed up the place was packed. Not one empty seat to be found. I thought I might be there all night because so many groups had entered. It was 25 shorts strung together to make one feature length movie called The Exquisite Death. There were definite highlights and lowlights. But hey, Adler and Zenith was great! Sweet job, 47 North!

I wish I had taken pictures for ya'll. (Art = Life, ya'll) I did just acquire a new digital camera, and one of my goals is to take more pictures. Let's cross our fingers that I follow through.

:)

I found this featured today on greylikesweddings. You know how I love to prowl wedding blogs. Anyway, absolutely charming, no? Custom dishware by Jessica Rust Designs. Too cute not to share.

So, the results of my great April budgeting experiment are out :) If you'll take a look at appendix A I think it's pretty clear where I need to cut back. Washington State Ferries is my favorite place to spend my money? What?

Mint.com is amazing. They do the budgeting for you. With pie charts, and bar graphs connected to all 53 of your bank accounts. No need to bust out the receipts and sort them into piles. Although I collected my receipts in a pretty envelope this month anyway.

Better awareness of your spending = more responsible management of your money. Check that one off my list.

Does anyone else find this a little eerie? And not just that they turned themselves into cartoons for the wedding invitation...

Pretty shoes.

And another thing...

All other wedding related business can be done here: Poulsbo's Central Market. Flowers, champagne, cake, other dessert buffet delights. And all taking advantage of an employee discount.

Yay for cheap!

What day is it? How did spring creep up on me like this? I've been pretty lax about wedding plans up until now. But with the 1 year to go mark in just a few days I've been feeling the need to lock in my vendors. I ran across Troy Nesby Photography at the Tacoma Wedding Expo in March. He's a Washington State transplant, originally from Texas, who works as a personal trainer and wedding photographer.

John and I met with him this last Wednesday at a Starbucks near the Super Mall. We got lost on the way...so lost...If you know me at all you are familiar with my anxiety about being late. We managed to get there after a scenic drive through Auburn. I felt bad because we had to rush him through the consultation to get back to Seattle within the hour. But we had a lot of fun chatting about a little of everything. As it turns out this could be a good connection for all parties involved. We walked away feeling really good about asking him to be part of our wedding day.

Check him out, www.troynesbyphoto.com. We're going to do a shoot with him this summer. I'll post the pictures when I have them.

Housesitting = sleeping in, dinner parties, hot tubs and wifi!

Psalm 17
A Prayer of David.
17:1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life.You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Wonder drink.

A floral designer told me last weekend about the importance of body pH, dangers of aspartame, and blah blah blah. After doing a little research I came across this "wonder drinks" call Kombucha that claim to do it all: supress appetite, increase energy, restore body alkalinity...I'm intrigued.

Anyone else into this stuff?

Zombies of Mass Destruction

This movie was filmed in PG about...a year and a half ago. I got a good laugh out of this trailer.

I'm famous!

That's me! In that little picture!

Cathedrals have tried in vain
To show the image of your face.
But we are, by your design,
The signature of divine.

Adler & Zenith, Episode 7: High Potency from 47 North Productions on Vimeo.

I am having a happy kind of day.

Today's Forecast

FATHER, FATHERS (n)
male parent; ancestor(s); characteristic of a mentor or provider relationship; name and role for God in relation to the children he fosters/adopts; originator or creator

Wedding & reception sites = booked.

See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are. The reason the world did not know us is that it did not know Him.

1 John 3:1

When it rains...

It's been one of those weeks.

That is all.

<3 VL

Toyota Love.

Before it gets stale, I want everyone to know that I got my car on
Monday. :) It's beautiful. And it gave me an excuse to spend a whole
afternoon with my dad. I feel totally blessed to have acquired such
an awesome ride.

One thing's for sure, next time we hang out I won't mind driving.

<3

VL

Mmmm.

It's a play-dress-up-kind-of-week.

I've got a marathon wedding dress shopping session coming up this Saturday. My impulse buy Nordstrom special occasion dress just arrived. And Jenny Yoo has lots of gowns that are just my speed.

This is big news.

http://www.hanson.net/site/hanson/blog_entry/1?entry_id=6379

I love Hanson.

Yesterday John and I took a boat ride with our friend Deanna. She snapped a few pictures in honor of our engagement.











































































These are just some of my favorites!
Didn't they turn out great? Thanks, Deanna!

:)

My car broker called this morning. A 2006 Toyota Corolla CE has been acquired at auction for me! Let's take a moment of silence in memory of Romy, my beloved Saturn SL2. She was one heck of a team player. We'll all miss her, I know. So many memories. Anyway, back to the new car...He said I'll have it by the end of the week. I'm brainstorming for names. Any suggestions?

Just wanted to say hi to Jered and Ollie, my favorite DJs. When is GenXPro getting a blog?

<3

Well, my valentines went out in the mail this morning to my out of town friends (To my Poulsbohemians: You'll have to wait until Saturday). I've had fun looking for DIY projects for this holiday, in particular. Something about it has always appealed to me (maybe because the holiday has my name in it?). I don't really do Christmas cards, never have. But I started making my own valentines every year when I was pretty young. I'm usually covered in glittler and doilies for 3 weeks before I mail them out. This year I took a different approach with something I found at Creature Comforts and Twig & Thistle. I hope you're looking forward to Valentine's Day this year. I AM!

Tradition

Mom and Dad circa 1981.

Art Walk 02 06 09

I had a great time at the Art Walk last night. All of the businesses in town had something unique going on. Gourmet dinner. Open mic night. Free massages. Oh. And lots of art. Check out this t-shirt that I screen printed (for FREE!) at 1010 Graphx! It was the highlight of my night. What a cool souvenir for those who made it out.

Some of my faves.

The blogs I read obsessively.

Green Wedding Shoes

Style Me Pretty

Creature Comforts

Twig and Thistle

Snippet and Ink

The Bride's Guide

Making it Lovely

Simply Stated.

By Chaz Dean

You know you've seen the infomercials. Wen by Chaz Dean. One of the benefits of housesitting is having the opportunity to use new products. I mostly rely on friend recommendations, but have discovered some of my favorites on the housesitting circuit. I used some of Julie's Wen this morning. Best hair care system I've ever used. Bouncy, sleek, clean, shiny, mmmm.

Coming Soon

Two movies I can't wait to see! Who wants to go with me?

All Day I Dream About Blogging

Nate doesn't think I blog enough. This second post is for him. It's the least I can do for one of my FFs (favorite friends).

F is for Funky

I'm sitting in the McAfee homestead taking full advantage of their la-z-boy couch, surround sound, flat screen tv, and wireless internet. I'll be happy hanging out on the couch all evening perusing wedding blogs, which seems to be my newest hobby.

I did my first round of wedding dress shopping this past Saturday at American Rose Bridal in Poulsbo. My mom and Aunt Kathy chaperoned. Several drop waisted, sequin covered dresses later my verdict was "meh." It was fun to play dress up, but they don't have what I'm looking for...something without sparkles.

I've got a white dress coming from nordstrom.com. Can't wait to try it on!

Bottom of the Barrel

The 47 North Productions crew posted the latest episode of Adler and Zenith. You should go watch it! I got a special thanks in the credits :)

Nate, Christine, and I skipped the Superbowl and went to Mars Hill Ballard last night. It was the first time I had attended a service at that campus.

My honest first impression was...well, that it felt like we were walking into a television studio audience. To an extent we were. Mars Hill broadcasts Mark Driscoll's sermons to it's 6 other campuses.

The message, on 1 Peter 1:13-21, was awesome. It resonated with me in some pretty uncanny ways. I can't wait to go back. We're going to start making the commute to Ballard for church every Sunday. Wanna come?

Second thoughts.

I have my own plans for John and Val 2010. But after seeing these pictures by Ben Chrisman I'm tempted to take my mom up on her offer: $2000 in cash now and elope.

Yes!

I got my tax return today! Which means I get to buy a car! I'm a little scared. A little nervous. A little anxious. But it's a totally necessary thing (if you live in Kitsap). And I'm SO ready for an upgrade. My dear friend Angelene recommended Car Finders of Edmonds to me. They do just what their company name says. She's hired them twice and come out with really great used cars. So we'll see. I may have a new ride in just a couple of weeks.

<3

From the BBC

Just some food for thought from the BBC to you.

Tea 'healthier' drink than water

The researchers recommend people consume three to four cups a day
Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.
The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.

Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found.

Experts believe flavonoids are the key ingredient in tea that promote health.

These polyphenol antioxidants are found in many foods and plants, including tea leaves, and have been shown to help prevent cell damage.

Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it

Public health nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, and colleagues at Kings College London, looked at published studies on the health effects of tea consumption.

They found clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of tea a day can cut the chances of having a heart attack.

Some studies suggested tea consumption protected against cancer, although this effect was less clear-cut.

Other health benefits seen included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, plus bone strengthening.

Dr Ruxton said: "Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so it's got two things going for it."

She said it was an urban myth that tea is dehydrating.

"Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid.

"Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth," she added.

There was no evidence that tea consumption was harmful to health. However, research suggests that tea can impair the body's ability to absorb iron from food, meaning people at risk of anaemia should avoid drinking tea around mealtimes.

Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink

Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation

Dr Ruxton's team found average tea consumption was just under three cups per day.

She said the increasing popularity of soft drinks meant many people were not drinking as much tea as before.

"Tea drinking is most common in older people, the 40 plus age range. In older people, tea sometimes made up about 70% of fluid intake so it is a really important contributor," she said.

Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation said: "Studies in the laboratory have shown potential health benefits.

"The evidence in humans is not as strong and more studies need to be done. But there are definite potential health benefits from the polyphenols in terms of reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancers.

"In terms of fluid intake, we recommend 1.5-2 litres per day and that can include tea. Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink."

The Tea Council provided funding for the work. Dr Ruxton stressed that the work was independent.

Announcement Inspiration

You might think I'm crazy. But. Give it a chance. I think a little movie poster wedding announcement would be awesome! Val and John 2010!

To Summarize...

I had the most fabulous day off.

Monday was "date night." John and I got some teriyaki and took in a movie at the historic Lynwood Theatre. They're featuring Slumdog Millionaire this week. If you haven't seen it yet, please do. It's nominated for a million awards. I'll take the risk of spoiling the movie for you by saying there is a random dance scene at the end. Any movie with a random dance scene at the end gets at least two thumbs up from me. Oh! and lots of M.I.A. in the soundtrack.

We met up fairly early Tuesday morning and started the wedding registry process. If there's anything fun about planning a wedding, it's creating a Buy Me This list. I won't go into details. But is it proper etiquette to put a Wii on your wedding registry? :)

We stopped at The Global Bean after the scanner gun madness for a cup of yerba mate and a quick game of Guess Who? Then went over to the "community center" for our first wedding invitation consultation with Nate Braceros. We've got a few ideas to explore. I'm sure Nate will be talking about them on his blog. We high-jacked Melissa when she got home and went downtown for the best pizza around and some friendly shenanigans.

Lots of fun. I need more of that.

<3

I've got my DJ's! Generation X Productions. Jered and Ollie work in Port Gamble a lot. It was them or no DJ at all and I'm so glad they'll be at our party!

One step forward. Two steps back. But it's coming together with plenty of time to spare.

Woo!

Tsk. Tsk.

I shouldn't be blogging at work. But, Julie is out of the office this morning for a doctor's appointment. And I can't help but catch up on some online stuff. Checking my favorite blogs, reading the news, filing my taxes (!) : What can I say? I don't have internet at home.

I'm getting married in...a long while. I feel like I've been moving so fast since the engagement. I already have the dress, the venue, the invites, the girls, the website, the favors...it's all going to be done months before the big day. But that might be a good thing. Vendors I'm concerned about finding: photographer (know any good ones?), officiant (working on that through NewLife Kitsap), florist. My budget is...cute (think small). I wouldn't have it anyother way. My goal is to get as many friends/family involved in the process as possible. Weddings are about community anyway, aren't they?

My birthday was last week (thanks everyone for the well wishes!) Everyone tells me 24 is a great year, and I'm counting on it.

A few things I'm looking forward to, in particular for 2009:
1. Buying a car. Romy's been great, but it's time for an upgrade.
2. Taking care of myself. (This will manifest itself in all sorts of ways. No need to list them.)
3. Planning for what's to come.
4. Having someone to split weekend shifts with in Port Gamble! (this one is a huge perk! no more 12 hour Saturdays and Sundays!)

<3

Back in the Day

John and I are sitting in Hot Shots Java on Front Street in Poulsbo. While we were looking through old photographs we stumbled across this one. And that's all I have to say.