Broken to Beautiful!

Last week I thought I found a great deal on Craigslist, but it turned out to be a total bust. The only problem is I didn't realize I got ripped off until after I paid $50, hauled it down 3 flights of stairs, and drove over an hour to pick up the stupid thing. Once I got home, Brandon helped me haul our "new dresser" inside then started freaking out at me once he realized some of the drawers were broken. Saying things like, "This is all my fault. I should've gone with you. I can't believe you didn't check the drawers first". Well, I tried to check the drawers but when they didn't work, the girl selling the dresser to me said, "oh one of the drawers is just off track. It'll be easy to fix, I just haven't gotten around to it". Is it so wrong that I actually believe what people tell me?? That I actually treat people like they are innately good and not liars until proven trustworthy?? I think wasting a measly $50 is a small price to pay to keep my faith in humanity.

Enough preaching....Here's some pics of the infamous dresser and what I decided to create out of the broken pieces...

(Disclaimer: Brandon just read this and "freaked out at me" b/c I said above that he "freaked out at me" when he clearly didn't. He in no way shape or form was angry or mad at ME, just upset someone ripped me off. I tend to over-dramatize the situation at times...)

The broken, ridiculous excuse for a dresser! I'm such a sucker for a good deal!

The remaining drawers that wouldn't work


I decided to make the broken dresser into something funcional. The 3 broken drawers are now a side table :-)

After I took the knobs off the drawers I made them into door hanger thingys.

Working on my meditation corner!

The finished project! It actually turned out kinda cool. I even hemmed the fabric before I nailed it up. Who knew I could sew?

The Law and the Criminaly Insane

Today as I read on the fourth floor of the law library, my topic of study for my Criminal Law class dealt with what constitutes insanity. After watching the Washington Huskies get dominated by a Stanford team loaded with intellects, I feel I can explain how insanity feels. The Huskies, losers of 12 in a row last year, are coming off the programs biggest win in over 6 years, a win against 3rd ranked USC. The pundits have been drinking purple kool aid and even the draft gurus have began praising our QB as a top 10 NFL prospect. As a die hard Husky fan who has stayed by the team through Gilbertson, Willingham and an 0-12 season, its been hard not to want to believe the hype and the positive signs. Then we go to Stanford, a team that has not gone to a bowl game since the 2001 Seattle Bowl (which by the way doesn't exist anymore), and proceed to get our you know whats pounded into the ground. Is it insane for me to believe that this team will one day turn it around? Should I just give up when I see a 6'1'' 235lb white guy run for 200 yds on our defense as if we wanted him to win the Heisman? Is it crazy to think that our QB should be able to hit an open reciever when the game is on the line? Is it too much to ask for our defense to get one sack all game? After tonights game it was clear the Huskies are overrated and not worthy of a top 25 ranking. Will that day come when us Husky fans can once again complain about going to the Holiday Bowl and winning 9 games? I think so, but after tonight it would be insane to think it's going to happen this year.

Brandon's White to Red Day...

We both got up early this morning so Brandon could go to the library to put a couple hours of studying in, and I could, well, have really good intentions of being productive, but seemed to fill my time by talking on the phone, painting my nails and browsing the internet. Around 1pm or so, Brandon called to get a ride from school so we could go to the beach.

We were both excited to go do something fun since he's been couped up in the library, and I've been couped up at home all week. So we packed our cooler, got some lunch, and grabbed the boogie board and headed to Coronado Island (which is 2 exits down from our house on I-5 BTW...). We had every intention of getting in the water and going boogie boarding, but with the cool ocean breeze, the 94 degree heat just didn't seem that hot. We laid out relaxing, listening to the new Pearl Jam albumn, and read smut magazines all afternoon. What a fantastic life I lead! At one point today, Brandon looked over at me and said, "This is amazing. Look at this. Can you believe we live here?" Well, believe it baby, we live here and we love it. Mom(s), James...if you ever want to see your grandbabies you better be ready to move down to SoCal. :-)

BK's first day at the beach!

We totally look naked. I swear we're not...i'm pretty sure we're NOT on a nude beach.

Falling asleep to PJ.



The view driving over the bay. We live right down there...CRAZY!


BK and I found a photo booth at the Sports Bar we went to tonight to watch the Husky game. It was not a pretty sight!

To My Grey's Girls:

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget."

Last night was the premiere of Grey's Anatomy. For the past 3 years, my girlfriends and I have made Thursday nights our "Grey's Girls' Night". It's been a great way to make sure we find at least one night a week that we can all spend together and catch up on both Grey's and our lives. I've always appreciated our nights "in" together, but last night made me realize just what I was missing...
My friend, Alexis, sent out E-vites a couple weeks ago announcing that the Grey's kick-off would be held at her house. She asked everyone to wear scrubs and bring over a Grey's inspired appetizer. I was bummed I couldn't be there as this was the first official "event" that I would be missing out on...sooo...after sulking all day, Brandon suggested that we have our own Grey's theme party. He put in extra hours of studying at the beginning of the week so he would be able to take last night off and spend it with me! So with dinner cooked...chemo cakes, and heart shaped crackers and brie for an appetizer, we set up a little operation table and got in character.
I was so excited I was able to see all my "Grey's Girls" and chat with them on Skype before the show began! AND text messaging them during the "dramatic" scenes definitely made me feel like I was there with them (well, almost). With my spirit lifted, Brandon and I actually ended up having a great time! BK said last night during the show that he's going to do this every week with me...Maybe this new "Grey's night" won't be that bad after all... :-)

Me dressed up as Dr. Isobel Stevens. Brandon wrapped my head so tight it gave me a headache, but after 2 hours I think my head went numb, and I grew quite accustomed to my new do.
(Side note: Look at all the CRAP behind me..I still haven't unpacked all my stuff. It's been a disaster...but that's for another blog, another day.)

Dr. Brandon "gloving up"

This picture cracks me up. Brandon was trying to figure out a way to get his glove in the pic so he busted out a GQ pose. Gotta love him!

Feels like Home

As of today it has been one week since Lindsay arrived "home". We've already survived a San Diego beer festival, been witness to "Montlake Jake" and the Huskies triumph over USC, seen our sheets go from white to pink and dealt with massive sleep deprivation (okay that's mostly been me). The beauty about being with the one you love, is that everyday is a wonderful new adventure. Here's to many more days in our new "home".

My first weekend in San Diego

Hotel del Coronado: the oldest wooden structure in America. It's beautiful! Last weekend was the 50th anniversary of the filming of "Some Like It Hot". Tony Curtis was even there!

We're so happy to be together again!


Jen, me and BK downtown San Diego

Stopped to get a slice in Little Italy. It's 2 streets down from our place! It's such a cute area.

The beach on Coronado Island. It's beautiful!! I can't believe I live so close to so many beautiful beaches!

On the road again....Jen and I on our road trip down. I think I'm done taking road trips for awhile.

Kayla & Matt's Wedding September 12, 2009

Brandon flew up the weekend before I moved down to San Diego to suprise our good friends, Matt and Kayla, at their wedding in Portland. I wanted to share some of the pics of their special day! Kayla is one of my best friends from nursing school. I was honored to be part of her wedding. She was a beautiful (low stress) bride! I'm trying to adopt her laid back, easy going ways...

The bridesmaids and flowergirls

Brandon and I just after he arrived! It was the first time we've seen each other for a month. I was oh so happy he made it! I kept saying, "Wow! Your hair is so long! I can't believe it! You look so handsome!" over and over again... I think we were both a little nervous to see each other :-)

Matt, the groom, and Brandon. They both have crazy, curly hair that they've definitely bonded over. I hardly spent anytime with Brandon at the reception b/c Matt and his brothers kept shooing me away...they said Brandon was their long lost "favorite" brother.

Brandon explaining to Matt the secrets of a happy marriage... Actually, I think BK was updating Matt on the UW and OSU football games they were both missing.

Katie (another nursing school friend) and Rebecca

Here's some pics of our new place!
Our couch from craigslist...we got a smokin' deal :-)
The front yard--I love it!

The front of our new house!

I'm officially the worst stay at home wifey in the world!

Brandon got up early this morning and made us breakfast then headed off to the library. I thought while he was gone I should clean up a bit and do some laundry. Well...I just went to change the laundry over from the washer to the dryer and all of our NEW towels and sheets are now dyed pink and red. Apparently, the new beach towel I bought the other day bled and dyed everything else in the wash. So I've realized that I need to find a job ASAP so I can afford a maid! Meanwhile, I'm forfeiting my household duties and catching up on The Office On Demand.

We did it!!

So...we finally moved to San Diego! Brandon moved down here a month ago and started school at California Western School of Law at the end of August. He is absolutely loving it!! He's already met some great people in his class and even though he's been studying for 8 hours a day he's really happy doing something he enjoys.
I drove down with my girlfriend, Jen last Monday but didn't arrive to San Diego until Wednesday evening. We took our time driving down, taking the scenic route down the coast. Monday night we stayed with Kyle (Brandon's brother) in Chico then stopped for lunch in Napa and ended up in Ventura Tuesday night to stay with Jen's cousin. Wednesday we to L.A. where we went to the taping for the show Chelsea Lately. We got to meet Chelsea and Chuey since we were seated right up in the front row! After the show we went to Ventura and walked around then finished the drive to San Diego.
When we finally arrived in San Diego, I saw a sign next to the front door...It was so funny I posted it below:


Brandon had dinner ready for us and a made a "Lindsay Ray Welcome Home Kit" too!! And the house was spotless!! He's so good to me! :) Jen left us this morning to fly to Vegas to see her sister so today was officially mine and Brandon's first day together!!
And what a great day it was! We went to a BBQ over at some of Brandon's law school friends' place to watch the Husky game. AND I'm sure everyone knows but the Huskies beat USC 16-13! Brandon was SOOOOO excited it was hilarious! So in honor of our new beloved coach, Sark, I put some pics up when Brandon and Jonathan met him and BK got his projogs signed.