We are SO Hollywood

For those of you who are unaware, my husband is a man of many talents. He is an exceptional writer, photographer, cameraman, editor, cook and overall vessel of vast knowledge. He is also now a famous actor: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3609014/!!! Well, ok, maybe not so famous, but an actor with an imdb credit nonetheless.

THE PEANUT BUTTER THEORY was a project that many of Ryan’s co-workers were involved in and asked Ryan to step in when an actor flaked out. He thought the stage makeup was super cool.

It’s Pumpkin Pickin’ time!

Every year without fail, the Joiners head to the closest pumpkin patch (NOT the nearest grocery store) to pick our own pumpkins. This year we decided to go the first weekend in October, which just happened to be the weekend that one of my best friends Alysha and her husband Clifford were coming to town. So…..they came along!! J This is not the first Joiner family tradition that Lysh has been a part of. She has spent at least one Easter in the Inland Empire during college, so she is definitely part of the family.

I think we all walked away pretty pleased with our selections. I know my pumpkin is adorable and currently making our balcony very festive! As you can see, we not only found our pumpkins, but also went through the corn maze, picked out some gourds and managed to convince Dad to bring home half a bale of hay for Mom to get her fall decoration on.

My Girls

All my bridesmaids (minus my matron of honor) all in one place and “no one was wearing a white dress” as Valoria put it. We all got together last weekend at the Jones’ house for a BBQ- it was so fun to hang out! Valoria & Brian have a beautiful home that was full of delicious food. It makes my heart happy to have all my girls with me and this time (for the first time ever) all the hubbies were there too! Too bad Aaron Wolf has serious issues smiling…

Fun fact: Claire, Valoria, Alysha and I ALL had wedding ceremonies within one year of each other (08-09). How CRAZY is that?! I say wedding ceremonies, cause Alysha and Clifford got married the summer after our freshman year (those crazy kids) but just had their full wedding last summer. Claire, Lor and I all got married within 8 months of each other. I swear it wasn’t planned……well, maybe Claire’s and mine. We like to do everything together. Just kidding…mostly. ;)

A Trip to the 'Bu

This weekend one of my best friends (and bridesmaids) Valoria came to visit us with her brand new hubby Brian. We had a blast!

We went hiking at Solstice Canyon in Malibu, where there is a house that was built in 1950 but burned down in 1982. Cement, stone and bricks are left for hikers to imagine what the sprawling ranch house once looked like in it’s glory (and, thanks to Lor’s discovery, a new plaque with a picture of the house). We decided to keep exploring up the waterfall and ended up rock climbing for a ways back in the mountains.

I LOVE to be outside, especially in green nature getting exercise, so I was very content with the day. We were definitely covered from head to toe in dirt by the end, but I am positive we all thought it completely worth it and wouldn’t change a thing! Good times with good friends make me happy. Thanks for coming Lor & Brian!

p.s. Yes, in answer to the threatening picture below- we are hardcore.

6 Months

So, yesterday, Ryan and I walked to a costume store by our apartment in search of a good Halloween costume. The shop ended up being a dud, so we continued on in hunt of a Sunday newspaper (we are all about the coupons these days). We found a newspaper stand outside of Yum Yum Donuts where Ryan spotted an ad for “puffies”, delicious looking, little cream puffs. After we went in search of quarters for the stand and ended up finding a newspaper elsewhere, I made him walk back to Yum Yum’s to get those puffies. Sadly, they were out for the day.

This morning I got out of the shower and walked into our room where I discovered a Yum Yum Donuts bag with a card. My adorable husband wrote the sweetest note to commemorate that today is our 6 month wedding anniversary and he went to Yum Yum’s to buy me puffies along with fresh squeezed o.j. on his way back from working out. Let me tell you-the way to this girl’s heart is through her stomach! But more than that, I really appreciated the thought behind it. The only way he knew I wanted those puffies is because he had spent quality time with me going on a walk the day before (quality time is my love language). I love thoughtful & meaningful presents, especially heartfelt cards! I thought that was so sweet. I took a picture of my puffies & o.j. with my phone so I could blog about it later cause they made me so happy.

THEN, I got a call at my desk (later at work) saying that there were flowers for me in the lobby. He had a beautiful bouquet delivered to my work with another sweet note! I love fresh flowers. They especially cheer up my desk at work and make me happy throughout the day.

So, THANK YOU my wonderful husband for making our 6 month anniversary special. You made me feel especially loved and extraordinary like you do every day. I am the lucky one.

New furniture!!

For those of you who have seen our apartment, we have been sans coffee and side table for 6 months. We looked around at some and were surprised to see how expensive they both are, even at places like Target! We decided that they weren't really necessary for now. THEN we got an Ikea catalog in the mail (I don't know why) and they were advertising super inexpensive coffee and side tables in classic, simple styles, so we decided to go for it.
As you can see, my adorable husband put them together (because I was working on another project, not because it was a "man's task" or something). Don't they look great (besides the fact that nothing really matches in our apartment-we're aware, thanks)?!I have to admit that I was starting to get tired of not having any tables in the living room. It makes it a bit more dangerous to eat or drink anything while sitting on the couch. I am very excited!

Los Angeles Wildfires

Hi All -- the wildfires in CA, especially the ones in LA are only getting worse, unfortunately. Please don't worry--Ryan and I live so far into the city, that we are not in any danger although it is raining ash where Ryan works (and large parts of the city). In case you are wondering what you can do to help the people who have been directly affected, I've put together some resources below. At this point, organizations are saying the greatest need is monetary in order to sustain supply lines of food and to maintain counseling and relocation services.

Red Cross

To make a financial contribution, call 310-445-2685 or go online at:http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=COGP_CA_LosAngls_main.

To volunteer, call 310-943-5268 or visit: http://redcrossla.org/volunteers/american-red-cross-volunteer-info-for-station-fire.

Numerous blood drives have been canceled due to fires and the blood supply is dipping. To make an appointment to donate blood, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or visitwww.GiveLife.org.

Goodwill

Donors of clothing and household goods at Goodwill stores in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can ask that their gifts be used to help provide shopping vouchers to fire victims under an arrangement with the Red Cross. Goodwill Southern California has 100 stores and donation centers, which can be found by calling (888) 446-6394 or going online to www.goodwillsocal.org.

Salvation Army
To donate or volunteer, call (800) 725-2769 or visit: www.salvationarmy-socal.org.