Officially opening my auction for NieNie Day... (Officially closing Monday Morning at 8am MST)

Item for bid #1: GREEN GLASS BIRD

Item for bid #2: SET OF 5 HAND-MADE

OLIVIA GREETING CARDS

(AND ENVELOPES) - CUSTOM-DESIGNED

FOR YOUR NEEDS

(The birthday card pictured above is made of cardstock, a Nat'l Geographic image & press-on letters from the 80's. That's basically what I'll do: use found items and then add my painting/handwriting to create a new composition for the kind of card you want. I'm sorry I don't have finished products to give you a better idea of what they'd look like, but I make each card specifically for someone & then give it away. However, Ben happens to have kept some stuff I made for him, so I snapped some pics of envelopes & letters just so you can get an idea of my style. See slideshow below to get a better idea.)

To bid, please comment & list your name, the item # you want, your bid amount &

your email (if not a 'blogger member' already).
All proceeds will be donated to the Christian & Stephanie Nielson Recovery Fund.

THANK YOU!

Oh! And click here or here for lists of links to more amazing silent auctions for the cause.

BE GRATEFUL

Okay. Today is my first 'real' day off: no wedding to plan, no reception to prepare, no job to work. But there is a big job ahead of me, actually. I feel like I need to fit 5 elephants into my car... (there is A LOT OF STUFF to fit into a TINY APARTMENT). I'm excited for the challenge, but it means work, time, thinking & effort.

Anyway, I feel like, on this 'day off', I deserve make a blog post. It's going to be about the things most on my mind. I've narrowed them down to four, hoping that I can be back to being productive in 15 minutes!

FOUR THINGS ON MY MIND:

1. I love Ben. Today, perhaps, more than ever. He is imperfect, like us all, but this morning, he was perfect, and I'm so glad I get to be his WIFE. (Still an unfamiliar term).
2. I have a constant itch. Literally. While smiling for some family wedding shots before the reception, I felt a sting/poke on my hand. After the photoshoot, I was able to look down & see that it was certainly some kind of bee or wasp sting. Ouch! It must have been hiding in my glorious bouquet. (So I can't blame it). BUT, my hand is still itching A LOT! Last night, it itched to the point of waking me up. Thanks to Kurt, I had some anti-itch cream by the bed, & that has helped. But I still itch!
3. Stephanie & Christian. I don't know them. But I now know a lot ABOUT them. I've spent much time on the family blogs & news reports about their plane crash and about the actions for their cause & benefit. I've decided to contribute to the silent auction in their honor. I know I don't have many blog-readers, but perhaps this can help in SOME way. My item up for bid: A set of 5 greeting cards: custom, hand-made Olivia cards. You tell me what you want (Birthday, Thank You, Get well, whatever) & I'll make them & get them to you with envelopes and all. You can even tell me WHO you'll send it to, & I'll custom design it for them. I'll make them my best ever, I promise. Or, if you're not interested in that, there's this cool green glass bird I have that I love, but I'd be willing to give up for this cause. I'll post a picture of it soon, but if that interests you more, say so. I guess whichever goes for the highest bid (meaning more $$$ to donate to the Paypal fund), will be the selling item. Click below to skip the auction, & donate now:
   
   
   
   
   (This is really a GREAT thing about Provo. It's an example of an INSTANT network of support -- mostly just because of people who know people. Stephanie went to Provo High and so did I and that is all the connection between us--other Provo people. I heart Provo!)
4. Luke & Family. We received a shocking email from a long-time family friend apologizing for missing the reception and explaining that it was because their 2 1/2-year old Luke had been in a lawn mower accident. He is still in recovery at Primary Children's Hospital. How kind of Gina to even THINK to send an apology to us when that should be the last thing on her mind! We love you Glassfords and know that your history of quiet acts of service will be returned with acts of grace and blessings at this hard time. Thank you for your example always!

Bottom line: I am grateful for my blessed life. It is hard (itchy wasp stings) & I wish it were different sometimes, but I must remember how much I cannot complain. We are here with our specific trials for a reason. I'm dealing with mine--however minor--and I'm trying to remember respect all those around me for enduring their own.

I must admit that it triggered some tears last night--to kneel with Ben & humbly express these feelings with our Father. They were tears of immense gratitude for blessings. Most recently, the blessing to physically SEE the support and love for us and our families. THANK YOU to those who came to celebrate our marriage--especially if it meant you had to wait longer than you planned! Sorry!

(I must also admit that some of those tears were just in pure mourning for the loss of the Knudsen home-a BEST part of Provo, as it is all finally hitting me & coming to a close much sooner than later. I know it was never really MY home, but it has certainly become very close to home nonetheless since Fall 2001. I will miss it MUCHO.)

FRESH BASIL

I decided basil makes everything better.

{ I decided this after loving your rice/zucchini dish from Sunday, Becky. Thank you. }

This morning I woke & Ben was outside pondering our furniture dilemma. I made the bed & washed dishes while he readied for work. The dishes were from our first dinner in our new home last night:
[I microwaved some leftover olive lasagna that came when I visited my dad at his work across the street. Ben sauteed (sp?) zucchini, boiled string beans, and sliced a giant tomato & fresh basil with a butter knife since we have no knives. I spent under $3 at a roadside sale of garden-fresh produce earlier that afternoon & it made for a fun dinner. To top it off, we used a bottle of "O" brand balsamic vinegar that I was given for my birthday in 2006. I had never opened it because of its exemplary package design.]

Then, as the classic scenario goes, I sent Ben off to work with a kiss, and then felt like there were 2 good options to use my time between 9:30 and 10. Either go on a run, or catch up on blogs. The mysterious free wireless was working, so here I am.

It's a choice that's left me a bit sad: sad how addicted I am & how much I love it, & sad for my body that has been craving more physical activity for SOME time now.

But a lot has been going through my head since the moment we returned to Provo. Not to mention just a lot of new firsts have taken place. I wish I could share it all, but it's nearing 10 now & that's shower time.

MARRIED

. . . and happy about it . . .

(i don't even know who to thank for the image, but thank you)