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We finally finished some projects!  Amazing right? We finished all the floor (took us 5 months... geesh). Its so nice to have it all done and out of the way. I didn't think it would happen!

We also finished our kitchen cabinets. They turned out nice but there are a couple things that I want to fix, surprisingly enough i'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to refinishing things. And there are a couple places on the cabinets that are distressed too much. So that one is about 95% finished!

To put the crown on Shaun had to router off a weird lip. It was worth it but i'll tell you what, every single thing in that kitchen was FILLED with saw dust. 

While browsing some online yard sale sites I found a bunch on celling lights for 20$ that means I only payed 3 dollars a piece! Score. I couldn't reach the celling (even when standing on a chair)  so Shaun had to do them all alone. He was getting pretty sick of it, as you can tell. 

And our last little project we did was an entry way table! When we bought our flooring it was delivered on a pallet, so instead of throwing it away I decided I wanted to build myself a table! 

I was pretty proud of myself, I did a lot of it with out Shaun, but lets just say i'm far from independent. Our idea came from this....

And this is how it ended up! I wanted a darker stain and a bit more of a sturdy look, success! 

We were really excited with how the grain turned out. Pretty yeah? 

Focus Syd, Focus!

The 4th is among us and I'm so excited! I love this holiday... probably more than I love any other holiday! This will be the first year that I actually get to spend the 4th with Shaun. Well, spend the 4th with Shaun in this country (last year this time we were in Greece). Here is a little something I found floating threw social media that I think everyone should hear.

If that doesn't get you ready for the 4th, I don't know what will!


Anyways,  aside from being overly giddy about my favorite holiday we must mention  show you some updates on our home! Its been quite the process and we have yet to fully finish any of it but if I wait till we actually finish, you will never see a thing. The sad thing is that i'm pretty helpless with out Shaun's handyman skills. Yes I could use all this boredom i'm experiencing to do the quarter round, but I don't trust my measuring skills...and neither does he! Thats why we have to wait for Shaun to have time! And.... he is a busy man with this whole MBA and all.

Here is the before and after of the floor. This is right as you walk in the front door and look to you left

Before:

 After:

This is the biggest change..but of course still not done. We are still putting up crown molding and looking for hardware... freaking expensive little buggars! 

Before:

 After:

I HATE that orange paint... makes me feel like i'm living in a Halloween house. The black didn't help did it? Well I plan on painting a grey/pewter color so that is why I went with black. 

In addition to finishing our cabinets we have about 50 other projects. Shaun keeps telling me I need to finish at least one before adding another. But i'm too ADD for that.  

We/I need to refinish our dinning room table:

P.s. that chevron rug... ugh. I'm trying to be hip but I hate fads! If everyone loves it.. I  usually hate it. I have a very spiteful attitude, its a curse. Anyway, lucky for me Shaun hates it too... so its headed to craigslist. 

RIP fashionable Chevron Rug... I tried. 

We also bought a dresser that will someday be reincarnated into an actual entertainment center. 

Ignore Toby, he is ALWAYS in the way. 

And the last thing that is taking up my garage is an entry way table inspired by this: 

Maybe just maybe it will get done this weekend.. Shaun says i'm being optimistic but I think he's being a Debbie Downer.  So we shall see.

PLUS last night I found my way to some more pallets (free wood) so that we can build a desk.  we NEED a desk.  I have the idea in my head, just need Shaun to draw it up for me. I LOVE that we can come up with these things. He's super good and seeing what i'm seeing...usually. 

See what I mean about needing to focus? 

My bad.

My bad is right... Sorry family (and friends).

I could say that we have been super busy but aren't we all? I've decided that saying were to busy is a lame excuse. EVERY ONE is busy. And you truly can make time for what ever you need to. There are those days (or weeks) where this are jammed packed to the point that you feel that you can breathe but maybe those are the times we need to say yes to that one thing a friend, neighbor, or family member asked. So yes, we are extremely busy but who cares? It's great to be busy! And using it as an excuse will get us no where...

Ok on to what we have been busy doing!

As many of you know we decided to by a house! Last year we put an offer on an adorable little green home but more or less got cold feet. So when February hit we realized that our rental contract was up and started playing with the number and realized that it was a MUCH better option for us to buck up and buy a home. So... we did! We love it! Its a 4 bed 2.5 bath so there is plenty of room for us to grow. Plus we have a yard! We were so excited for a yard and to put a fire pit out back but I'm pretty sure thats against the HOA rules... dang, right?

Here is a few pictures.

Kitchen Area

We'll get some more pictures once were able to actually go over and get into the house! We closed last week but sadly haven't been able to spend more than a few minutes there. I'll explain why later....

So buying the house was fun and even though it took a little time to get everything set up and making sure we got all the forms to the right people the process was so easy! I was shocked. We had some great guys behind us helping us through the whole process! 

We have a few plans to make the house "ours", we are going to lay wood flooring throughout the main floor, paint to get rid of a few [weird] colors and then of course I have dozens of furniture ideas I want shaun to build. First of a desk then these bookshelves... 

I showed Shaun this thinking that it would be a bit too difficult and he responded "no thats a super simple design- we can easily do that" Alrighty then! 

Oh on the topic of building things.. Last week I decided that I wanted to go for a run on this little city trail thats about 5 minutes from our apartment well sometime during that I dropped my keys..out of my hand and didn't notice. Not sure how it happened but they are very  much gone. Well of course i needed a new key for the house so i sent Shaun to HomeDepot to get a couple made... this is what he came home with...

He was so excited we had to set it up right away. It was pretty fun to do and I loved seeing Shaun fall in love all over again...with a big 12in, dual bevel, sliding compound miter saw WITH a laser! 

Speaking of Shaun... He is in his last week of the quarter so that brings another level of stress and tests into our home. He has been studying nonstop getting ready for these finals and also working a bit of overtime to keep up on some projects he has been put in charge of recently. He is one hard working guy i'll tell you what. There must be something to that raising boys on a dairy farm because all these Allred's know how to work and don't quit till the job is done. I truly admire it! 

I have just been doing the good ol' school deal and  luckily found a grad program that will be starting come January! Some how we always feel like we have something we need to do. We don't really sit around here.. My dad asked me a few weeks ago what the last movie I saw was and I truly have no idea! Kinda sad! But we do other things for fun like pulling the extra mattress into the front room for a sleepover! 

Because it was the extra even Toby was allowed to lay and sleep next to us. I loved it! Simple things right?

Simple things like my best friend and our best friend that happens to have pointy ears and 4 legs...these two make living in the city quite enjoyable! 

Uno Ano

Remember When (2013)

-Shaun Walked for Graduation

- The temporary apartment that I HATED?

- We almost bought a home?

- We bought a car?

- I made over 50 dozed cookies... because im obsessed?

- We went flying with Ryan?

-I almost quit school?

-We went to greece?

- We went snorkeling and saw a octapus?

- We ate the best gyros ever?

- Ate lunch in an amazing vineyard?

- Played enough mini golf to become pros?

- We went to the fair?

- We ate more food at the fair than we could hold?

- We got Toby?

- We got Toby a kennel that he literally got lost in?

- We went to Savannah?

- We rode around in a golf cart to see the cool old homes?

- We Kyked to a little island and went swimming in the wamerst water ever?

- We saw a fisherman catch a stingwray?

- We flew on a plane at least once a month the ENTIRE year?

- Jetson and Caden left on their mission?

- We rode mopeds up the mountain in greece?

- I decided to break through a cornice and could lift my head for a week? (ouch)

- We set up the tent in the living room to go "camping"?

- We went to an EVE 6 concert?

- We went to the mountains to fish?

- Bought Shaun a new table saw?

- Almost moved back to idaho?

- Shaun Started his MBA?

- Shaun was offered a new position...with a raise :)?

- I started working again?

- We redid our table?

-  We went to Trans-siberian orchestra?

- We prefected the oven cooked steak?

- We went back to Utah State for Shauns Work?

- We realized our time at utah state is over?

- We played with baby lambs?

- I took the lambs inside to see Shauns Dad?...EVERY DAY

- We got to know a cute little boy named Gage?

- We threw a new years party for Charlie?

-  Charlies friend was "dared" to hug Shaun.... and was SO SCARED?

-  I tried to be funny and put a glob of tootsies rolls on our bed, thinking shaun would think Toby pooped?...fail

- We went running...4 times?

- We signed up for a ragnar..in hopes to run more?

- We went shooting clays and I FINALLY hit one!

Years go by...

Holy crap! ITS OCTOBER! 

Did you know last week (last year) Shaun took me on the scavenger hunt of all hunts. Such a crazy day, with a great outcome!

Now a year later we are in a different state, different side of the country, different environment, and truly loving every minute of it! 

We don't have many friends or family to lean on but we have each other and good ol' Toby Joe. 

This move across the country has been hard, worth it, but hard.

I was bitter to give up my school and [possible] publications.

Shaun was bitter to give up his fourwheeler and hunting rifle. 

We were bitter to leave good friends, our hobbies, and overall the life we created. 

Now, thinking back to those bitter moments I couldn't be more happy for the opportunity to be here in Georgia. I truly love it!

I do hate that im surrounded by city, traffic, and trees. But I love that it is the one place that has no other memories than the ones Shaun and I have created. 

Many of you might not know, but this change was us following a life time dream and goal of Shauns. Shaun is  true-blue farmer who loves his tractors. He loves to learn the ins and outs of every piece of agriculture equipment. We moved here because ever since Shaun was little he has wanted to work for  a Tractor company. AGCO is that company. They are a fortune 500 company, that is the parent company of Massey, Challenger, Fendt, and many more. This company was Shauns dream job. Shaun found a way to get here, worked his butt off to do so and has been an amazing employee. It may not be exactly what we thought it would be but it doesn't matter, Shaun set a goal and made it. We have no idea where we will be in 6 months, 1 year, or 10 years ... heck, we don't even know where we will be in 30 days. But it doesnt matter. I couldn't be more happy than being able to share this dream with Shaun.  

Thanks for the best scavenger hunt ever, Shaun. 

Goodness me.

The last few weeks have been WILD!

A new semester starting

Shaun getting ready to start his MBA program

Shauns Family coming to visit. 

Crazy/Evil Toby Joe.

I actually decided i needed to chill out with school. I decided to take a few less classes and will graduate when I can. I have ALWAYS piled it on a little too high and... I'm freaking sick of it. I'm now going to get a part time job and enjoy not pulling all nighters every night to keep up. I'm still busy but i don't have to been so stressed that I can't enjoy time as a newlywed or proud puppy owner. 

Shauns classes start tomorrow which will be crazy! I'm so excited and proud of him! He is super excited to see what an MBA is all about and finally get going. Its going to be a lot though. For the pre readings he had to read an entire book, for each class. Good heck! They also told him that he needs to have at least one person that will no matter what tell him that he can't quit. They told him that it will be the hardest and slightly worst 2 years so he needs to have someone that will keep him going. Comforting. 

We also found out that Shaun will be coming to logan to recruit for AGCO. Since they are paying for all of his airfare and hotels we decided i would tag along as well! We're super excited to go visit, and see some friends that we have missed! Cody...Lauren... bonfire?? That isn't till the end of october though. 

Toby went from the best most perfect puppy in the entire world to a complete pain in my... He is very much a puppy and we truly love having him.  Our place constantly looks like a tornado came through but it keeps him busy while I work on homework. He still does really well with sleeping through the night, peeing outside, and not chewing on our furniture so i would say he is a keeper. He is great to have, when I get overwhelmed with school or Shaun does with work, heading to the park with Toby completely changes our day. He is a lot but I still think it was a great decision to get him... Shaun might tell you otherwise. Ha, he is still adjusting to having a dog in the house. It really quite bothers him but he is a good sport.  

Here is a bunch of pictures of our little beast. 

Giving him a bath. 

He snuck into the closet and got to his treats. He even figured out how to open it! Grrr.

Right out side of our complex. Gorgeous!

Other than that we haven't been up to much! But i'm sure that will change here soon. Shaun just mentioned that i won't see him till tomorrow till 10pm FREAAAAKKK Thats not ok,  6-10 thats a long freaking day! Yaay gradschool....  


Also,  I was craving cookies today but didn't want to make 4 dozen. So I made up my own recipe! Turned out pretty great! Go HERE to my personal recipe box. Cookies for two!

SAVANNAH

There is a little place down south, on the coast called Savannah. This little Savannah may just become my new favorite vaca spot!

Shaun's family came to see us for a few days so we decided we would head down the the coast that weekend to see what Savannah was all about. Instead of getting a hotel we decided to rent a little house from the site home away.  We actually use this site a lot when we travel and have really come to enjoy it. People rent out condos, or homes pretty much anywhere in the country/world. Its so much better than a hotel and we have been able to take Toby which of course is a must.

Saturday we went to Tybee Island and went Sea Kayaking across to a little beach. All but Shaun's dad struggled to get across to that island. It was hilarious. That man could kill a bear with his bare hands, or knock out a bull with one punch (true story).

After the kayaking, we ran to an amazing restaurant called the Crab Shack. We ordered a big tray of seafood and ate till we couldn't any more. I think there was literally 5 lbs of shrimp along with 5 lbs of crab, mussels, and every other type of shellfish you could think of.  We took home 4 boxes! 

The restaurant also had a big "swamp" area with a bunch of alligators...or are they crocodiles..? Doesn't matter, all i could think of is what might happen if Toby got away from me... and he wasnt even with me. Morbid right?! 

The next day we rode around around on limo size golf cart and saw the city. It was an amazing. The buildings there are so old and beautiful. I want to buy one so bad! I think it would be amazing to buy them, restore them, and sale them. Hobby for the future I suppose.

Scott was about as wild of a driver as my dad! Thats a scary thing folks. 

 Toby didn't so much enjoy the ride. He was pretty bored.. as you can see.

After touring the city for awhile we decided to stop and grab some cupcakes and head for the 5 hour drive back to Atlanta. I hate driving, it makes me so bored and restless, and when I get restless, I get annoying. I can admit it, it's fine. Luckily for Shaun I sat in the back with the dog on my lap meaning i couldn't possibly bug him. most peaceful trip he has had yet. 

I love savannah, I think there would be some awesome dives, and deep sea fishing down there as well! hint hint... dad!