February 14, 2014 by Stephanie

Bound By the Ties of Friendship

Sometimes it is hard to put into words what an experience means to you.

Ten years ago, I started an experience that changed so many things for me.

I joined an honors fraternity.

Phi Sigma Pi was more than just a resume builder, although it did plenty of that.

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I gained friends and family. My best friends came from this organization.

It was a platform for me to become a leader and learn how to be confident in who I was. It gave me opportunities I would never have dreamed of putting myself in, even long after I graduated.

I was able to travel and make connections across the country.

It was also just a lot of fun. PSP things are some of my fondest memories of college. We had meetings I will never forget, events that make my heart smile, and relationships that have gotten me through so many things good and bad.

This organization is a big reason why I want to do the job that I do. I saw how impactful being involved can be for my own success and connection to a university. The ideals of scholarship, leadership, and fellowship have shaped my Student Affairs philosophy. I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today without being a brother in Phi Sigma Pi. (Yes it is a brother. It was a co-ed organization). Obviously, I would encourage others to be in PSP too, which is a big reason I assisted with the charter and activation of the chapter at Iowa State. Although, I feel that any positive connection to a university is going to have such a drastic influence on students.

I can’t believe that it was 10 years ago I was waiting for my bid card on 3rd floor Hosey with several other people from my floor. I was uneasy about joining because it was so out of my comfort zone, but knew that I needed to branch out more. That’s what college was for. It was honestly one of the best and most transformative decisions I made while at Central.

This was my rush class in 2004.

Today is our Founder’s Day! Happy 98 years Phi Sigma Pi!

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Founder’s Day was always really special for our chapter, because we were the founding institution of the organization.

So as the Alpha chapter, we felt like we were celebrating more than most chapters. This was our only Founder’s Day, so we had to do it up big.

We visited the grave sites of our founders every year since they were buried in town. It sounds a little creepy, but it was actually really cool. And inevitably every year, we couldn’t find one of the headstones.

And now for the crazy amounts of photos I have of PSP.

Hey, it has been 10 years in the making so I have just a few!

This was at a regional conference.

It is so funny to look back and remember what was happening then and see where we have ended up now. Rianna (left) is a fellow Army spouse, and Jeannette (right) now has two bouncing baby boys.

Jess and I did so much together in college! She was one of the first people I met at Central.

Janelle (who is another military significant other) and I at a jello fight turned mud brawl. Come to think of it, there are A LOT of us who have become MILSOs.

Officially becoming alumni brothers.

My family had a unique way of expressing ourselves.

I was fortunate enough to win a national scholarship through the organization while in New Orleans.
So honored and touched!

Mr. and Ms. Phi Sigma Pi
(I told you PSP was a big deal to me!)

We were some of the lone survivors of our class to the bitter end. We came in together and went out together.

It gave me plenty of opportunities to dress up.

At a western themed social

And I got to craft! What a deal!

You get to learn from some pretty amazing people.

Most of the time, we were just plain silly.

We knew how to make anything fun.

And again, who doesn’t love dressing up?

This was for a 40s themed event. Whoop Theta class!

I got to show people who was boss during my presidency. (Eh not really though) It is pretty neat to see things that we started during my time still being implemented today in the chapter.

But it really is about the bonds that you make.

These are my best gal pals, Annette and Jeannette! We grew a lot together during our time in PSP.
3 for 3!

And who could forget about formal fun?

This guy is an Alpha alum from way back. He became like a grandfather figure to me when I was president. He wrote such delightfully encouraging letters and would send me birthday and graduation cards for a long time well into grad school. He is a pretty famous person across the nation for PSPers.

We got spirit! Yes we do!

So while I may have been a nerd going in to this honors fraternity, I came out a more mature and self-aware nerd. Some things you just can’t change!

So happy birthday Phi Sigma Pi and thank you for everything you have give so many of us over the years!

February 13, 2014 by Stephanie

All Those Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

In early December, we dismantled our bed, and have since been living on the floor. This bed we made last summer was just too high for the dogs. There were several times that both dogs fell or rolled off the bed. And Grace really struggled to get on it sometimes.

So in fear that we would see one of our dogs get injured, we decided to forgo the idea of having cubbies underneath the bed for storage.

It really is about the dogs.

While I do love camping, I don’t want to feel like I am doing it all the time.

No fear since that bed was made in pieces, we are now using those cubbies as shelves in our closet. So it has actually worked out pretty nicely, except for the whole sleeping on the floor for a couple months part.

We finally got around to making our new bed recently.

We saw a headboard in the PX that was the inspiration for this. We just didn’t want to spend $900 for just the headboard.

I also don’t get the idea of bed skirts.

So Tom solved both of these problems with this new design. We spent a little under $200 for this. Bargain!

Here is most of the wood. We also had wainscoting pieces as well.

This is the frame for the headboard.

The frame with the wainscoting added.

A closer look.

Then Tom made posts for the ends. It is super expensive to buy solid posts so he just made them out of thinner wood. Then he put a cap on the top and used a router to add a nice trim.

He made the base box that the box springs can fit in. We only had three sides because the top will be covered by the wall and headboard. We used one coat of stain for everything.

He rounded all the edges to make sure we wouldn’t hurt ourselves.

The staining was my only contribution to this project. Heads up, wainscoting is really difficult to stain because of all the grooves that collect globs of the stain. You have to work super fast! But I made it happen.

The pieces all together.

It looks great next to the side tables he made too. We are thinking of cutting them down just a bit to make them a little more even with the bed height, but for now they work just fine.

Sorry for the drabby bedding. With two boxers, we don’t have decorative pillows or nice bedding. We go purely for comfort. Judge away if you must.

Tom did this all in an afternoon. It is a fairly quick put together from watching him. I love that I can point at something or think of a design, and then Tom can make it come to life. He is so handy!

If you would like more directions on how to measure and whatnot don’t hesitate to ask!

Our bedroom looks like a bedroom again! I really love the headboard, and the dogs love the ease of getting up on it.

February 12, 2014 by Stephanie

Lately and A Giveaway!

I had full intentions of writing a full post today, but this week just got away from me. So here is what is happening lately:

We haven’t had hot water for the past couple days. We have a silly hot water pump, that every couple months it needs to be recalibrated or something. So I have been taking a 2 minute cold shower every morning. Super. (They did fix it today though, thanks to my hubs getting them out here!)
I still can’t eat a full meal, but I have graduated to tuna salad sandwiches. Much better!
Tom has had two separate ranges this week, so we haven’t really seen much of each other this week. At least that means that the dogs and I can take over the bed! And they cuddle with me so sweetly when Tom is gone.
I really think that the country should shut down during the Olympics so everyone can stay at home to watch the events live to support our athletes. I have filled our DVR full of Olympic goodness!
I miss running with the dogs, but I am a baby when it comes to cold. And I don’t want to subject them to the freezing concrete.
I don’t there is an episode of Ellen that I don’t end up crying. I just love this show and her. It is on my bucket list to go to her show.
I am ready to stock up on Valentine’s Day clearance chocolates. Peanut caramel clusters come to me!

That’s about all I have as far as happening around here.

BUT…

I participated in another giveaway with several other bloggers! Jane from Poppiness is the brainchild behind this, so thanks to her for putting this all together!

I have been so fortunate to connect with other bloggers over the past few months, and I can’t wait to see where this blogging journey continues to take me!

So enjoy the giveaway!

$110 PayPal Cash Giveaway | Kara Ramblings of a Marine Wife | Alex Radiating Sunshine

Becky Rebeckann’s Random Thoughts | Katie Going Coastal | Elizabeth The Young Retiree

Jen Beebeebelly | Rhea Rhea Et Cetera | Kari This, Too

Stephanie Army Crafter | Sue As It Seems | Jane Poppiness

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 11, 2014 by Stephanie

30 before 30 Update 3

It does not seem like it was 3 months ago that I made this list!

Let’s see how much I didn’t do this last month…

1. Crochet something else besides blankets or scarves-so something that isn’t straight lines.

Done.

2. Do a 30 day photography challenge

I did pick a challenge to do. I want to do it later in the spring or in the summer so the weather is better for me to include outside opportunities.

3. Visit 3 cities I have never been to before (1/3)

Nothing.

4. Tour at least one of the distilleries in the area

Nothing.

5. Send at least 5 snail mail a month

Done. I really enjoy mail, although I wish the stamps didn’t keep going up in price.

6. Become a “professional” photographer

I have some things coming up in March that will hopefully propel this business further. I was able to take pictures of our friend’s homecoming a couple weeks ago. (It was just as much for me as it was for them though.) We had planned on doing a Facebook ad in February, but decided to wait until the events in March happen so potential clients can see those in my portfolio as well. I have also been brushing up my flash photography for one event. I would rather do natural lighting and not press the flash, but the exposure of this event is just too good not to take the time to hone my flash skills.

7. Run at least 5 races (any distance)

I have signed up for one in April. I am hoping to do a couple 5ks during the summer. Anyone want to run with me?

8. Go camping with Tom

We are going to celebrate our anniversary this summer at Land Between the Lakes.

9. Pay for the car behind me in a drive through

I did not do this, however we did give a tip that was 100% plus more a couple weeks ago!

10. See Tyrone Wells live again

He will be in Nashville on May 7th, which is two days before my birthday! You better believe that I will be there, even if I am by myself!

11. Tour Fort Defiance here in Clarksville

Waiting for warmer weather.

12. Water ski with my dad

Also waiting for warmer weather.

13. Do a 5K with my mom

We need to get a plan for this.

14. Take a swing dance class with Tom

So with the upcoming deployment, I need to find a class this summer.

15. Read at least one fun book a month and one professional development book every three months

I am working my way through Monuments Men for fun and another book on the digital age for my professional read. Keeping on track!

16. Take a pottery or stained glass class

This needs to happen this summer as well.

17. Learn how to make sushi

I think I will wait to do this while Tom is on deployment since he doesn’t like sushi.

18. See both a Clemson and UCM football game live

I was hoping I would be able to do this with Tom, but with the deployment schedule not confirmed yet who knows. Although, I am sure I can convince my dad for a football road trip to distract me from my empty house. Plus I would really like to go to my undergrad for Homecoming so I can march with the band at halftime…some day.

19. Volunteer with MCFOTS and Special Olympics on a regular basis

I am fairly positive that Special Olympics isn’t going to happen so I am going to just change it to only MCFOTS, which is the animal shelter in town. I love it there. It definitely gives me my little dog fix. I do have to share about one dog horror story-now funny story. There is one dog who loves to play off leash, and we usually let dogs who have been there for awhile hang out without a leash in the yard to play. She however does not like to come back inside after play time. It was the first week of super cold temps here, so it was around 5 degrees. I chased that dog for about 45 minutes in my snow gear. I looked like a sobbing marshmallow (obviously I was crying) because I couldn’t get her to come inside for anything. I eventually had to lay on the ground with hotdogs as a trail to me to get her back on the leash. Needless to say, this dog has not been off leash since. She is otherwise the most darling dog. She cuddles so well once she is inside, and she never barks. She just really loves to run outside as much as she would like to dictate. I still want to bring her home with me. Who am I kidding; I want to bring them ALL home with me.

20. Explore Land Between the Lakes

Anniversary trip

21. Ride in a hot air balloon

My best friend and other half are going to do this with me.

22. Go to at least 10 “new to me” restaurants in Clarksville. (3/10)

We went to China Town. Yep we unintentionally started a tour of the Chinese restaurants with this one.

23. Stay at a bed and breakfast

Not yet.

24. Spend a day without electronics (phone, t.v. and computer)

I will do this one day in the summer when the weather is nice.

25. Go to the Kentucky Derby

I need to change this to Kentucky Derby themed 30th birthday party.

26. Go to non-touristy parts of Nashville

We are actually going to try to do this one this upcoming weekend.

27. Watch at least 10 movies that I have not seen before that won Best Picture at the Oscars and at least 10 documentaries (not necessarily Oscar winning) Movies (0/10); Documentaries (3/10)

I made my movie list, but I didn’t watch any. I also watched two documentaries: Shelter Me and William and Katherine: A Royal Love Story. The first is about different shelters across the nation and the good work they do. It wasn’t the best documentary; I am going to admit that I fell asleep in the last 30 minutes. HOWEVER William and Kate, I could watch for hours! This one was really fascinating. I learned a lot about the Royal family. If you are obsessed with the Royal family as I am, or just mildly interested, you should check this out!

28. Sew an item of clothing from scratch

I pinned a whole bunch of items on Pinterest to be inspired…

29. Find a church home here in Clarksville

We have, but I have been too sick to go the past couple weeks.Womp womp.

30. Become a mom

If you read my post on Sunday, you saw that we are definitely not pregnant. Dang hormones. We are going to a specialist this week to talk about some other tests and our options since all my blood work came back normal. Thank you to everyone for the sweet words of encouragement and all the thoughts and prayers in our direction. We know that it will happen when a baby is supposed to come into our lives. We just need to be patient and just continue to enjoy our time as a twosome (well foursome with the pups).

I guess I did better than I thought! Who knows what the next month will look like!?!

If anyone would like to partake in one of the tasks with me, just hit me up! I would love to have friends along this endeavor!

February 10, 2014 by Stephanie

Talks With Tom #18

We had this conversation recently about the idea that we are actually going to be raising little people and teaching them how to be grown ups.

Tom:

Can you imagine that we are going to teach our kids things?

Our kids will think we are experts at everything. Things that are just normal to us.

They can’t even wipe their own butt, and I can. So everything I do is pretty amazing to them.

Kids can’t even dress themselves. And I can get naked in 3 seconds, kick my underwear in the air and catch it with my hands.

Me: So you are going to show our kids how to kick-flip their underwear and catch it with their hands?

Tom: Well yea.

I envision Tom being this kind of dad.