Happy Halloween

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Halloween! 

 My family's favorite pumpkin patch is...

...a small side-of-the-road stop. I love that people still believe in honesty, refreshing. 

 This time, they were bringing more out on this awesome old tractor.  Of course...

 ...we asked for a picture, and they told us to get on it! No wonder we love their little patch. 

My instagramed version. 

My plans for the night consist of trying to play card games with boyfriend while being interrupted by cute trick-or-treaters every few minutes (: Can't wait! 

What are your Halloween plans? 

EOW

A year ago I wrote this post.  As this day comes around it means it has been an entire year since two little girls I love so much lost their father. A year since one of the strongest women I know lost her husband. A year of the "firsts" without him has passed.

I wear this bracelet every single day. It's now so faded you can barely see what it says--but I know.

I never know when it's going to hit me.  The other day with J's entire family, someone mentioned another officer death in the state...I had to leave the room because I didn't want to loose it in front of all of them. I can't watch an episode of "Cops" where there's a bank robbery, it makes me ill. 

So please, just pray for his family--his beautiful family--& friends as they finish out a year of firsts and try to cope with a new "normal." 

As I pray about and dwell on these things, I hope that you hold your family tight today, and everyday.

The Perfect Autumn

...consists of... 

...savoring the last days of heat with a walk with J.

...spending time with my sisters.

...nightime fires with the family & friends.

...fried food cookout with the family--pickles, onion rings & chicken--I'm getting hungry again.

...the annual library book sale--stocking up for my classroom (:

...pumpkin Spice Latte. (sidenote: I don't like coffee--I know, I know--so I get it with one less shot of espresso and one extra pump of flavor...delicious) Also, very impressed that he spelled my name correctly-everyone always spells it wrong. 

...vacation with J that included wine-tasting in Traverse City. More on that later. 

...playing this with my two favorite girls when I babysit them.

 ...Grand Rapids Art Prize...incredible. 

...pumpkin spice donut from the local (as in 2min from my house local) apple orchard. 

I can't wait to continue to create my perfect autumn (: 

What would be included in your perfect fall?

Pinbusters: Nail Polish Remover

I find a lot of awesome tips & recipes on Pinterest*, but who knows if they really work? I've decided to make a series called "Pinbusters" (ever seen the show Mythbusters?--I know, I'm clever) to let you know what really works! 
*and around the web...this is one I Googled tips for, but GoogleandPinbusters doesn't sound as cool.

This one was sparked because a male friend (who wishes to remain anonymous) got his toenails painted. I tried to help him get it off, but there was no polish remover in his house so we got creative.

FYI: These ideas were all found on google in various locations--we just wrote them down and most were found on sites like ask.com and sites where I could not find authentic/original credit. 

Here are our results. 
1. Hand sanitizer.     -We didn't have much faith in this one, but even     
     letting it soak a bit didn't get anything off. 
2. Hydrogen Peroxide.
    -This one seemed a little more promising. Used a
     cotton ball just like normal remover. Nope again.
3. Rubbing Alcohol.
    -I really had faith in this one. Used a cotton ball.
     I wouldn't call this one totally busted. However,
     it took far too much effort for barely any to come
     off--not worth it. Plus there was a strong
     warning about how drying it could be, so I
     wouldn't risk it--especially on finger nails.   
4. Vinegar & Olive Oil.
    -Yes, it smelled awful. Unsurprisingly, it didn't
     work.  After the failed attempt we went back to
     see what may have gone wrong...this method
     was designed for use on wooden surfaces! haha
5. Nail Polish Remover.
    -Finally! Something that worked...a day later. 

As much as we worry about chemicals around, sometimes nothing works better than the product that was made for it.  

It's official, this "pin" is *busted.* 

5 Years

...is how long J and I have been together.

I edited this picture before we started dating.  We were seniors in high school. 

Someday I'll write our love story...but we officially met in 5th grade, so it's a little long. 

Our entire relationship up until July was long distance (except the 3 months we spend studying in England).  Which means that it has not even been close to perfect--but we worked at it because it's worth it. 

So here's to my best friend and the love of my life.  Someone who challenges me, teaches me, comforts me, makes me laugh, helps me grow. 

And here's to the next 5.