Nick 13's Solo Album

Nick 13, the lead singer from my favorite band Tiger Army has recently finished his much anticipated solo album. Today I preordered the album online and I cannot wait to listen to it! When I preordered the album they included a free download of one of the songs titled "All Alone". After all these years his voice still gives me chills.
Allow me to elaborate how much I love this artist. I went to my first concert when I was 13; the lineup was F Minus, Tiger Army and Rancid. That was the first time I saw Tiger Army. Since then I have seen them 8 more times. Yes, 8. The most I have seen any other band is twice. The first band tee I ever bought was a Tiger Army one. I have driven 16 hours road trip just to see Tiger Army. As you can, I am very VERY excited to get this CD!

My First Custom Order Is Complete

This lady, Claudine, found me on Etsy a few months ago and requested a custom rag quilt made out of baby clothes that she had saved from when her daughter was little. I told her I had tons of leftover flannel squares from other quilts I had made and could use those to supplement the baby clothes. It was so fun for me to be able to put my own creativity into the project. I was able to match up almost all the baby clothes she sent me and out of 24 blocks (9 x9) only four of them didn't have any baby clothes. (I didn't have to buy any extra fabric for the front side of the quilt.)
To keep the combinations from getting mixed up I stacked them in a box with a piece of copy paper between them and any notes if I needed them. (Like a drawing showing how many squares I needed of each pattern. It was a life saver!).
I asked her a couple times if there was anything specific she wanted for the back of the quilt and every time the only definite thing she wanted was pastel colors. When I went to Joann's I found several patterns that featured one pastel. Green with white polka dots, white with pink flowers but I just wasn't sold on any of them. I just kept thinking it was way too much of whatever color it was. On my way up to the cutting counter I found a flannel with a floral pattern with green, blue, pink and off white! It was kind of a risk but I was super pleased when she emailed me back saying they loved it!
After I got all the squares into blocks I worked on the layout. It didn't take as long as I thought it would, thank goodness. I notice things that a lot of people wouldn't so I thought it would be challenge. (For example, I have to blocks that are safari theme, they can't be together. Vertical stripes and horizontal stripes can't be together. The only two red blocks in the quilt, can't be together.)
I put the finished product on Etsy last night and the client emailed me to say she loves it and can't wait to see it in person. I will be mailing it to her tomorrow and I hope it's everything she wanted. She also said she would give my name to some friends who are looking for something similar!

Here is the finished product!

I got a job!

I didn't want to say anything until I had gotten the job because I didn't want to jinx it. I applied for a job at the Shopko Optical center here in Helena. I know a few of the opticians that work there and one of them, Melissa, told me about a position opening up. At first I wasn't really interested but when Home Depot continued to cut my hours I decided to at least apply. I didn't think the cut hours would be an ongoing thing but so far it has been. Unlike some other jobs I've looked into around town this one actually starts out at a pretty decent wage which is another selling point for me.
I was nervous for the interview because I haven't had to do one in so long. I felt like it had gone well and it seemed like the manager had responded well to my answers; so I was feeling pretty good about my chances. She liked the fact that I had taken some medical based classes in school such as Medical Terminology. Then I found out it was only between me and one other applicant so I was feeling even more confident.
I was so excited when I got the call saying I got the job Matt and I jumped and danced around the kitchen for a while singing, "I got a job! J-O-B!" The manager is still trying to work out a time with the main store for me to do my orientation and then I can start training!

Mother's Day Present

After I finished my photo star for our apartment I got the idea to make one for my mom with pictures of all her grandkids on it. I managed to get at least one picture of every grandchild. I wished I could have had two of each but 6 grandkids and 10 sides of the star doesn't really work out. I picked out the supplies weeks ago and got the pictures from the printer but just didn't have time to put it together. When I found out she was coming to visit at the end of April I really wanted to get it done so she could take it home with her and I wouldn't have to mail it. (The tin star is pretty big and awkward).
It was so funny. When she came over to see my new apartment she kept staring at the star I have in my living room and dropping hints. "Oh it's just so cute" and "That would make a great gift" and "maybe I'll have to go to Ben Franklin and pick one up." I tried so hard not to laugh since I already had the stuff for hers stashed in the next room.
I had SO much going on in April I didn't even get it started until the day before she left to go back home. Somehow, someway I was able to get it all done for her! Then we had to try to wrap it which was an adventure all it's own. We did end up finding a bag that was just barely big enough and we had to go with it even though it was a baby shower gift bag. Oh well! She was so excited when she opened it that it made all the work worth it. I can't wait to see it in her house the next time we go visit her.


This is what the finished product looks like. (I had to take a picture of it outside my car before we wrapped it on our way to dinner.)

Only 3 classes left!

I cannot believe I am almost done with school. When I first started getting the information together for Coding I just kept thinking to myself, "A year and a half?! I can't wait that long. That will take forever!" But, here we are. 3 more class sessions and I am finished with school! Two weeks from now I have my Coding "boot camp" and then (drum roll) my Coding certification test. It makes me so nervous and so excited at the same time. I'm just amazed that a year and half has passed already and I'm well on my way to becoming a certified Coder.

Gym Update

Matt and I have been doing a great job going to the gym. We have gone every day since we took a tour of the place. It is so much more fun to have someone to go with rather than have to go alone. We joke and play and laugh; to the point where it hardly seems like working out. When I had a membership at Fuel I barely used it because I hated going by myself it has made such a difference to have a gym buddy.

So far we've only made use of the cardio machines (treadmills, cycles, etc) and the weight training machines but, our gym has multiple pools and Matt asked if I would help him learn how to swim. I look forward to that since I always bug him about taking me to the lake during the summer.

This morning I did my very first Zumba class with my two girlfriends. It kicked my butt! I had a blast though. I swear every time the instructor took a step she jumped into it. I don't know how she did it. (Just watching her made me tired.) Her leg muscles must feel like marble. I can't wait to try Zumba again and improve my skills!

Our Gym Is Finally Open!

Our new gym finally opened this weekend! After work this afternoon Matt and I went over to get a tour of the place, get membership cards and all that jazz. The place is HUGE! I am so excited to start working out with my guy. I hope they are able to maintain the cleanliness and warm atmosphere as business grows. We're planning on going tomorrow evening for our very first work out! Wish us luck!