Chalkboard Magic

Chalkboards.  The new creative fad in home decor.  We made a few for our wedding decorations, and I decided to make a couple this weekend just for a fun side project.  A friend of ours renovates furniture and offered to let us sell a few of our chalkboards in her shop, so I decided it was time to practice perfecting the home chalkboard.  Here's what I did:

1.  First I went to Goodwill, and purchased two frames  - both in good, but worn, condition.

2.  Then I headed over to Wal-Mart for Chalkboard Spray Paint and two colors of spray paint, for my frame colors.

3.  Next, I removed the glass from both frames, to allow me to spray paint all pieces.
4.  First, I painted both of my frames - I decided on purple for the smaller frame, and white for the larger.  Then I set these aside to dry.
5.  Then, I painted the glass with Chalkboard Spray Paint (one of the greatest inventions ever).  Unfortunately, the larger piece of glass broke in half before I was able to get it painted (cutting my finger in the process...boo), so I was only able to continue on with one.
6.  Next, I set the glass aside to dry.  I coated both the frames and the glass with three coats of paint, just to be sure they were all fully painted and smooth.  It's a good idea to wait at least 24 hours to actually write on the chalkboard surface - just to make sure it is dry and the paint holds.  After that, write away!

7.  After everything dried, I put my pieces back together and Ta-Da!  Completed Chalkboard with a purple frame.  I'm thinking this might look good in a colorful kitchen, bathroom, or a girl's room...What do you think?

So there you have it.  Here's a breakdown of the costs involved:

-Large Frame: $4.99
-Small Frame: $1.99
-Chalkboard Paint: $3.50
-Purple Paint: $3.00
-White Paint: $2.50

With tax and everything, I think I spent about $16 dollars (that includes the Chalkboard I didn't get to complete because of my, well, "accident.")  So, that said, keep in mind that the next time I decide to make a chalkboard, my only purchases will include a new frame, piece of wood, or other hard surface, and spray paint, should I choose a new color.

Thrift stores, consignment stores, and garage sales are all GREAT places to find frames, and/or pieces to create your chalkboard.  I love seeing something like this come together, and having an opportunity to create something new.  So. Much. Fun!

Gulf Shores

My sincere apologies...it's now been over two weeks since I've posted an update.  Just for the sake of making excuses, mine is that I got hired as a server at a restaurant in downtown Fairhope and have been working almost everyday since.  Needless to say, I've been a bit tired and am really feeling the effects of the move over the last few weeks.  The excitement of the trek to Alabama and unpacking has worn off and the reality of actually living here is setting in.  Todd and I are both adjusting to life here and the changes that accompany moving to a new place, but we're hopeful for what's to come and are looking for ways to get involved with others and build a community here in "Mayberry" (as some Fairhopians like to call it).

Todd and I had a day off together late last week, so we decided to drive out to the beach.  Gulf Shores is a little town right on the Gulf of Mexico and is the closest beach to Fairhope - just a quick 45 minute drive.  So for the first time, I put my toes in the waters of the Gulf and experienced the
warmer water, white, fine sand, and jellies that call the waters home.



We celebrated our 4-month-a-versary yesterday.  I can't believe it's already been that long - it seems like a only a few weeks ago that we voiced our vows to one another and celebrated our union with our wonderful family and friends.  Someone at work asked me the other day how I liked being married.  I can honestly say that I LOVE IT.  There is nothing better than to walk through life with my best friend by my side.

In reference to my previous post, I found a literary journal that accepts short stories and poetry.  I have some ideas for a new story that I hope to begin working on this afternoon, and already have a few pieces of poetry I'd like to try to get published.  I know the writers market is difficult to get into, but I'm going to give it a shot and see how it goes.  I also wrote a new song over the last week, and am daily finding more inspiration and ideas to work with.  What better time to find writing inspiration than when life hands you a multitude of changes and adjustments?

I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

The Writer's Market

I've been encouraged recently (by no other than my wonderful husband) to work on getting some pieces published in a journal or magazine.  I own a book that I had to purchase for school called "The Writer's Market" that is literally three inches thick and full of thousands of magazines or journals that one could submit an article, essay, or something similar to, in hopes that they might be chosen for publication.  Since I actually have a bit more time now, it's something I think I'd like to pursue further...even if that means just sending out a few query letters and seeing if there is any interest.  Now...all I need to do is get into writing mode, editing mode, and searching for a topic of interest...mode.  Easy right?  We'll see.  :)

Todd, Matt, Liz and I went out to my first saloon on Saturday night.  Now called "Double Deuce," but formerly known as "Pa Pa's Barn" (kind of wish they would have kept the name) was little country dance club with a big wooden floor and tables to get your pool on.  I enjoyed it.  Not quite like the dance clubs I visited in LA, or even in Russia for that matter, but fun and cozy just the same.  We played darts and a heated game of table tennis, and then headed to Orange Street Pier.  The guys enjoyed a couple of cigars and we all had a good time hanging out and watching the water and lights across the bay.

I'm tired.  Today was a long, but good day.  I think it's time for some much needed reading and relax time.

And the job search continues!

Piggly Wiggly

Piggly Wiggly.  

Your down home, down the street, southern market - with a name I can't help but enjoy saying.  I'm loving all of the small stores and farmers markets that surround the little towns around here.  After all, who doesn't enjoy a store where you can actually find your items in a timely manner and with employees that make you feel right at home?  

And you just can't help but love the face of this little guy, now can you? :)

We finally got the road bikes out yesterday morning.  I loved our ride to the local health food store for a tasty protein bar to keep our energy high for the day.  I found our old training schedule for the last triathlon, which reminded us of how much we enjoyed preparing for the race.  I know we'd both like a little motivation to get some cross-training back in, so I'm thinking that a search for the next local race might be in order. 

I hope everyone is having a lovely week thus far!

New Beginnings

Well folks, we made it to our to sweet home, Alabama.  I'm really enjoying Fairhope thus far...the bay is a quick ten minute drive from our home, and downtown, with all of it's cozy little boutiques and coffee shops, is right up the road as well.  So far I've survived my first tropical storm, encountered a multitude of southern accents, drank some delicious sweet tea, and have been warmly greeted and taken care of with some serious southern hospitality.  I thought that while I take a breather to sip on some coffee goodness at "Latte Da" (clever), I'd take a moment to share some photos from our trip across the country -

The Grand Canyon was even more grand than I had expected - so incredibly breathtaking and inspiring.  I loved every moment of it, and I was so glad to experience this wonder of the world with my wonderful husband and friends, Matt and Liz.  We finally made it to Fort Worth, Texas and went to dinner to celebrate Todd's birthday with more of our friends, Drew and Adrienne (in the picture above).  Even though I was pretty ready to be done with the trip and catch up on rest, I had an awesome experience getting to see the countryside and states I had never before visited.

We're almost unpacked...so now on to scouring the internet in hopes that someone will give me employment! :)

Little Pink Box

I'm afraid to step on the scale now - they fed me too many donuts at this job.

My husband likes to say that so much of self control is about avoidance.  TRUTH.  My wonderful boss thought that he was being kind when he brought in donuts to us girls in the office.  If only he knew that it's nearly physically impossible for me not to eat them when they're sitting in that glorious little pink box on the table over there, smelling up the office with that sweet, fried goodness.  *Sigh*  That said, I can't wait until Todd and I are able to finally stop packing/moving/settling and start the Paleolithic Diet full time.  Check it out...Paleo Diet. It really is the most healthy lifestyle option for "dieting" that I've seen or tried.  We bought a cookbook recently and have tried a number of recipes that are absolutely wonderful.  More on that later.

Today is my last day at the job.  Though I can't say I'm going to miss the work, I will miss the people and the entertainment that occasionally sweeps through this office.  This is all beginning to feel less surreal and a little more final as I'm realizing that I'm not coming back to work tomorrow and the next few nights are our last in our first apartment. It's sad, but I know that we have so many things to look forward to - beginning with our trip across the country.

First stop, Grand Canyon.

A New Chapter, A New Novel

They say Aunt Marti's sweet tea is the best, and I guess I'll soon know for sure.  I'm told the recipe for sweet tea is simple- just three easy ingredients create the refreshing drink that is so dear to a southerner's heart.  Just to further intrigue you, the magic isn't found in the ingredients you use, but in the way they are combined.  I imagine I'll be learning all about this process in addition to other purely southern things in the weeks to come.

We leave in just 4 days - my wonderful husband and I, along with our two friends, loaded down pickup truck and my sweet ride (or rather, the little ol' mazda).  We're headed to a quaint little town called Fairhope, Alabama, and it's literally about as far south as you can go!

It's bittersweet to leave,  but here are a few things I'm really looking forward to:
1.  The drive across the country - stopping at the Grand Canyon and in Fort Worth, TX to hang out with our friends.
2.  Southern food.  Uh, YUM.
3.  Spending time with Todd's family and friends (note the connection with Aunt Marti's sweet tea)
4.  Exploring the town and figuring out where the locals go - restaurants, festivals, coffee shops...
5.  Getting to take on a new life adventure with my husband by my side.  I couldn't imagine doing it without him.

So here begins a new life chapter - a new novel for me, if you will.  I'm excited for another opportunity to get my thoughts out there on a fresh sheet of virtual paper and share with you what types of things are filling my days.  Thanks for reading!