Slim Fridge Water Jug

I have space issues in my fridge and freezer, who doesn't, and I have Costco to blame.  The bulk items give me less room in the freezer and fridge and because of this, I don't have room in my freezer for ice trays.  I used to have a large pitcher of water in the fridge, so we had cool water at hand, since we don't have ice, but given my space issue, I had to take that out too.  It never bothered me that we didn't have cool water.  I usually have my water without ice anyways (healthier I think), but the hubby loves cold water.  So, finally after 2 years, I have found the perfect compromise to space and cold water.

Welcome to my new, super cool slim water jug.  It's perfect.  I'm in love with cold water again!

I got mine at Big Lots, but the container store  has them as well.  

I highly recommend.  

iPhone 5

I know it's been over a week since i've posted.  It has been one busy, crazy, hectic, stressful week.  School has started and I'm TAing two classes and there have been many research/lab related issues that have just worn me down thin.

On a more exciting note, I finally succumbed to the world of the smartphone and pre-orded an iPhone 5.  It took 3 weeks, but she finally got here :)  I have been in love from the moment I saw the packaging, haha.  I can't believe I have lived this long without one.  Just kidding, but, it has been great and I'm having way too much fun playing with it.  So much so, i've been distracted from my blog.  Shame shame, I know.  I'm glad I waited this long to get an Iphone, as the size and thinness of the new one is exactly what I have been waiting for, and one of the main reasons I didn't get an android, amongst other things.

:)

DVD Organizer

Since I live in student housing, I don't really have a choice in my furniture (it came furnished, sigh), so I've had to deal with a horrible TV stand (don't get me started on the couches), that just doesn't ever look right.  I was getting tired of the look, so it was about time I did something to spruce things up.  So, I decided to "hide" the DVD's, so as to make the space look less cluttered.

 It does the job, for now.

Being Grateful

I got a call at 9am from my mom this morning which woke me up in shock. She usually knows I sleep in (yes, I sleep in on work days sometimes, I have a flexible lab schedule...it helps that my boss is never around) and only calls when she really needs me and this morning was one of those days.  I picked up the phone and I could tell from her voice immediately that something was wrong.  Maman (what I call my mom), what happened? Are you ok?  She says, "I'm sorry I woke you up, I just needed to talk to you. I was in an accident."  I knew deep down she was ok, I could just tell, but from her voice, I could hear panic and shock.  We talked for a few minutes, I calmed her down, told her not to worry, it wasn't anything serious (thank God), it wasn't her fault and everyone's ok....and so forth.  She had to run to class so we didn't talk much, but after I hung up, I just sat in bed, shocked, worried and started thinking about EVERYTHING.  Why does this happen?  Why does everything seem to fall apart around you all at once. Without too much detail, school has been stressful, money has been tight, things have been hard in every way on so many itty bitty levels about so many itty bitty and sometimes big things.

We always talk about what we wish we had.  I know I do.  I semi-jokingly tell my husband I can't wait till we move out of our TINY one bedroom student apartment and move into a house.  I tell my mom all the time about things I wish I had, things I wish I could do, how I can't wait till I move...blah blah blah. A big house, with a white picket fence and a garden to plant vegetables in, sounds really nice.  All that space, so many organizing opportunities, sounds like heaven to me :D   A fancy car, lots of beautiful clothes and handbags (not really a shoe person anymore...I have foot surgery to thank for that).  I remember telling my husband when we first got engaged all the things that I wanted, until I realized how much money we didn't have.  I'll wait, I'll be patient, lets save money and spend it on the more important things.  It was hard at first, and still is (sigh, a house to call home), but, and I tell this to my husband all the time, if I never get that house or that Europe trip or any of the millions of other things that I want, I have him.  I said yes to him, not to his money or to the stuff I would be getting.  He makes me happy...he really really does and I'm content with that.  I have my family, they're healthy, breathing and safe.  I have life, I have food to eat, water to drink, a home that I can go to.  Anything can happen to take all of that away.  So many people have lost everything and I need to count my blessings.

My moms accident reminded me of all of this.  All of the many things I take for granted.  We get so wrapped up in life and all the materialism that comes with it that we forget to be in the moment.  So, why do these things happen?  To test us, to remind us, to wake us up and make us appreciate all that we do have and not focus on what we don't.  I am happy with what I have, who I have, where I am and occasionally, on a good experiment day, what I'm doing. Things could always be worse and, God forbid, we could lose a loved one. Thank you God, for EVERYTHING you have given me.  For keeping my family safe, for all the opportunities you've given us, for all the beautiful things in this world and for a wonderful husband that loves me unconditionally.  Thank you!

DIY Gift Wrap Savor

Here's a great idea I came across on pinterest (wish I could take credit).  Take a toilet paper roll, cut in half, and use it to keep gift wrapping paper rolls from un-rolling. You might want to use more than one toilet paper roll to get the whole length of the wrapping paper.  

 Another really great idea is to always keep a stash of cards at hand.  You never know when you may need one.  Here is a picture of my card box :)  I "collect" cute cards whenever I find them on sale, so I don't have to worry about rushing to the store to get a card (expensive and time consuming) before I go off to a birthday or shower.  This truly helps my procrastination ways.

Baby Shower

A friend of mine is pregnant :D YAY, and I went to her baby shower on Sunday. It was so beautifully decorated and organized, and the theme was purple, sigh.

Mine's the top one :)

Oh, I love presents and wrapping paper...  :D 

 Adorable centerpieces

Amazing food...

 Pretty napkins...

 Baby diaper butt cake :D 

 I was in charge of taking pictures and video, so this was a nice break, a piece of cake and cup of tea. 

My shoes :)

Much love for the new parents to be.  Wish them the best on their new journey and may theie little one grow up to be a beautiful, healthy and strong woman.