In Memoriam.

Posting this feels a little surreal, because I still keep thinking it's a bad dream.  Here goes.

My Thanksgiving was wonderful, but a little shadowed.  Earlier that week, this world lost an amazing person.  His name was Benjamin Wright.  Our friendship was far from perfect; full of fights, tears, misunderstandings, shouts, heartache, complications, differences of opinions, and choices that may have, in a sense, become barriers between us.  Regardless, I loved Ben.  Our friendship was also full of hope, forgiveness, trust, honesty, laughs, joy, youth, late-nights, lots of food, shared angst, camaraderie, friendly banter, and so many more good and wonderful things.

 

(The Format was the soundtrack to our friendship.  This was Ben's favorite song by them.  One time, I was going to learn it on guitar for his birthday; it didn't work out, because I didn't learn it fast enough.  But I can still play the first half.  Once, we went and saw The Format, and Ben cried when they played this song.  I took a video of his tears and teased him about it, but I really thought it was beautiful how much he connected with the music.)

Here we are at said Format concert.

 I "met" Ben the summer of 2007.  I've always been a little embarrassed about this, but we met on Facebook.  Ben was a little nervous about moving across the country to go to school in a state where he knew absolutely no one, so he started cruising the BYU network, browsing profiles, searching for anyone that caught his attention.  Despite the fact that Ben was infinitely "cooler" than me, my online persona was one that stuck out.  (Although it may have just been my vibrant hair color...)  He messaged me in a completely non-creepy manner, and against the well-intended advice of family and friends who believed he might possibly be a 43-year-old creeper, I replied.  We continued talking online for the rest of the summer, discovering more and more we had in common.  My first night at BYU, we went out to a movie.  After that, we were pretty much inseparable--except for those times when we were mad at each other for usually silly things (but sometimes not so silly).  We tended to get past those pretty quickly though.

This awkward picture of us was taken on my 18th birthday.

 Ben left BYU after our freshman year.  He wasn't really cut out for it (perhaps the understatement of the year).  Although the move back to Missouri put a few thousand miles between our friendship, we stayed in touch.  We helped each other through the ups-and-downs of adolescence on the phone and interwebs, just as we had when we only live a few hundred yards from each other.  I'm grateful for the advice and lessons (and oh, so many laughs) our continued friendship provided.  I'm grateful for the two times I was able to see Ben after his move back.

This is my favorite picture in the world of Ben.

 After I got married, our friendship distanced a little further, but we still kept tabs on each other.  One of the biggest regrets I've ever had is ignoring/forgetting a feeling I had that I should call him earlier this week.  It never crossed my mind that I would never have another chance to hear Ben answer the phone with an overjoyed, "SQUEAKER!"  It's truly a tragedy to lose someone with whom you have shared such an intimate friendship, especially so early in life.  Ben was so full of life, so full of talent, so full of potential.  It's heartbreaking to know that he isn't here anymore.  This Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time contemplating my gratitude for the hope I have that someday, I'll be able to hear Ben shout that silly nickname for me again.  I'll be able to give him a hug and tell him I'm sorry for any pain I caused him, that I'm grateful for the growing up we did together.  Benjamin, you are still in my prayers, whether you like that or not.  You're one of the most inspirational people I've ever known, and I'll never, ever forget you.

This is a supremely horrid picture of me, but it's just too classic.

The last picture I ever took of Ben.  From when he came to visit me in Florida.

Soaking up a little culture.

I have wanted to go to the Getty Museum forever.  Yesterday I was finally able to make that trip with my friend Mandy.

Here are a few reasons why the Getty is wonderful:
It's free.  It costs $15 to park, but split that between everyone in the car, and this may be one of the cheapest outings ever.
There is something for everyone.  The Getty is an art museum, housing art with a time span stretching from 800-present time.  You like modern art that pushes boundaries and makes you rethink what makes art?  You're golden.  You want to soak up history and pore over Medieval illuminated manuscripts?  You're golden.  You love Impressionist paintings?  You're golden.  Renaissance masters?  Golden.  Interior decor from Neoclassical and Rococo designs?  Golden.  P.S. The Neoclassical and Rococo interiors were my favorite.  Maybe I'm a nerd, but I'm a classy nerd, dang-it.

If you have kids, the Getty is incredibly family friendly.  There are audio tours for  your kids, a room dedicated to children activities, a children's store, and my personal favorite, a "sketching gallery" full of artwork of the masters and little kid-size easels so they can make their own souvenir. 
Say you're not really that into art, but your significant other dragged you to this dang art museum.  You could enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding valley, the Pacific Ocean, or maybe just a stroll around the garden.

It was clear earlier in the day and we could see all the way to the Pacific.  Beautiful.

I realize this is starting to read something like an advertisement.  No, the Getty is not sponsoring this blog (although that would be awesome).  But maybe I'd like to go again sometime and maybe you can join me.

A little randomness: One of my favorite moments was browsing through some Medieval religious paintings and realizing I was staring at a depiction of a beheading.  Blood gushing from an ancient Pope's neck, his head rolling on the ground, halo and all.  I wish I'd thought to take a picture of it, but I was too busy laughing.  How's that for worship artwork?

The clouds started rolling in later in the afternoon, but they made the mountains look gorgeous.  Also, say hi to downtown LA.

I only have two complaints about the Getty.  First off, my chicken burrito from the coffee cart was a little dry.  Don't get that.  Get something more delicious, or just pack a picnic.
When we were viewing the Medieval and Renaissance art, people were snapping pictures right and left (no flash, obviously).  Then, in a modern art exhibit, I tried to take a picture of this really neat sculpture.  P.S. This sculpture was constructed out of garbage.  Garbage.  It was cool, but let me be clear, the artist used materials found from a dump.  I pulled out my camera to take a picture and share it with you....but the docent stopped me because apparently we couldn't take pictures of the dumpster art.  I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation as to why, but I mean come on.  Does anyone else see the irony of this, or am I really that uncultured?

One last thing, Mandy and I didn't realize how HUGE the Getty is.  It's multiple buildings and involves lots of stair climbing.  We're both pregnant and had to take lots of snack/potty/rest breaks, and I'd assume if you went with kids it'd probably be the same.  Just be prepared for it to take most of your day, and to be potentially exhausting if you want to see everything.  Still worth it.

All in all, the Getty is a great experience, and I can't wait to go back. Maybe next time I'll remember to take more pictures.  But only in the exhibits which I am allowed to do so.

P.S. I hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Veteran's Day AND 11-11-11 yesterday!

Gettin' my craft on.

Those of you who know me well know that I am not a crafter.  I've always struggled when it comes to scissors, glue, and especially sewing machines.  So when I tell you that these two lovely wreaths I made are simple, I really, really mean it.  Like, they couldn't be easier.  And they're also way cheaper than if you were to buy something similar at the store, and I'm not even embarrassed to hang them up.  AND I've even gotten compliments on them!  I bet you're so excited to learn about them.

Wreath #1

 My inspiration for this was found via Pinterest.  However, the wreath it linked to wasn't a how-to, but one which I could purchase on Etsy for 40 buckaroos, if I so desired.  I did not desire, because I figured I could probably make something pretty darn similar for much less moolah.  This wreath is the easiest thing ever to make.  I didn't take how-to pictures because I made this around 11 PM one night while Dan was out of town last week and I couldn't sleep.  But here are some instructions if you're interested.

What you will need:

• A wreath form.  I used a straw one because it was cheaper than the styrofoam/wire ones, and it gives the wreath more of a harvest feel, which is autumn-appropriate.  The straw wreath was $3 or $4 at Jo-Ann's.
• Tulle.  I bought about a yard each in different Fall colors.  Each yard was $1.99.  I used almost all of it to make this wreath.  If you'd like a fuller wreath, I'd recommend getting more.  
• Seasonal embellishment.  I saw the leaves and berries in the clearance pile at Michael's.  89 cents!  Yay!
• Ribbon.  I got this awesome Fall-themed ribbon at Michael's, also on sale.  It was a dollar.

Total cost: $13 and one hour of my time.  Much better than $40.

How to:

1. Cut your tulle into strips, about six inches.  I wasn't really stressed out about getting them perfect, so some are wider than others.  I cut my strips lengthwise and then folded them in half, to make the wreath a little fuller.  But really you can make your strips however you'd like.  I won't judge you.
2. Tie the strips onto the wreath.  I decide to do mine in a pattern, alternating the lighter and darker colors: brown, orange, purple, gold.
3. Add your embellishment.  I just stuck the stem of the leaves through the tulle.  Feel free to hot glue if that's a better option for you.
4. Tie on ribbon to hang.

My door can now keep up with the Joneses.  I'm pretty sure everyone in our building has a cute wreath on their door for every month.  I can't have a bare door!

 

P.S.  One more thing I like about this wreath: you could make one for any time of the year, just change out colors of tulle.  I have a friend at work that is thinking about making one for Christmas.  

My next wreath was also super simple.  I have a link to a how-to here.

 

I followed that how-to pretty closely, except I decided not to dye my coffee filters in tea, because I figured if I kept this wreath white, it could change seasons.  I used the leftover tulle from my last wreath as a little embellishment.  It's just stuffed in there with the coffee filters, no glue.  That way I can pull them out and use something different for Christmas, winter, maybe even spring?? We'll see.  I like this wreath because I made it baby size.  It's so cute.  I also like that it took me less than an hour to make, with no frustrations involved!

So there you have it, my progressing homemaking skills.  I'm practically a prodigy.

Also, before I go, I just wanted to give a shout-out to my Grammie!  Remember those shoes I was pining for in my last post?  My grandmother sent me a check in the mail so I could get them!  Isn't she a doll?? And aren't these shoes gorgeous??

  

Thanks Grammie-girl!

P.S. I'm getting more and more excited for this holiday season, we'll be traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!  Fun times!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Best of times: finding out your little baby is going to be a girl!

Worst of times: finding the perfect pair of shoes you have been lusting over for months at Marshall's, and they're still too expensive.  Donations? Please?

Look at how perfect they are!! [via Atlantic-Pacific]

I'd still say the best outweighs the worst, and that's pretty dandy.
Getting oh so excited for the holidays!