One day you're in, and the next day... YOU'RE OUT!

We don't have tv. Well, we have a tv, but the only thing it's useful for is watching movies. So we use Hulu to keep up to date on all the current pop culture... ok, not really. I didn't know who that Justin Beib... whatever his name is was until a couple weeks ago. But the one current tv show I do watch? Project Runway. I know, I know. But I just love seeing how people find ways to creatively express themselves.

This week's episode was the best I've ever seen. I'm sure it will be a long time favorite. Enjoy! Hehehe...
(PS, I would put it in full screen so you can see the subtitles all the way. And of course, so you can more fully enjoy the amazing fashions as they come down the runway.)

:)

Kids are the best. I wish all reality tv was like this.

*amber*

Don't Say Nothin'

Today I took three tests.

Tomorrow I have another one.

And a big project due.

The next day, another test.

I have 4 classes and 5 tests this week. (?)

And I have work and class during the times I should be doing my normal homework.

We don't have any food at our house.

I haven't slept for days.

Among other things.

So...

no comment.

*amber*

Yuck... Need a Lift?

It's one of those days... Well, one of those months really. As you may have noticed by my long absence. Sorry to say, that probably won't change any time soon. Life right now is pretty much spinning out of control. I've been feeling it today especially. Here are three little things that have helped me get through my day.

Amazing huh? I used to practice my tap dances with my hands, but this was incredible.


* * *

Next up... the classic psychology experiment. Way too great to pass up.


Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Oh yes, today I needed those simple pleasures and a few laughs.

* * *

Last up... a good application of that last video.

Read the full talk here.

It's so funny that I laughed at the intense struggle those kids were having, but in my own ways, I'm going through the exact same things. Life is hard. Right now, I feel like I have more than I can handle sometimes. There's a juicy marshmallow (or, let's say, slice of cheesecake, because I don't particularly like marshmallows) sitting before me saying, take me. Just quit everything you are trying so hard to achieve and take what you want now.

It's true, sometimes I need to take a break and have some fun. I need to live in the moment sometimes. But lately, I have been so tempted to opt out of all of the hard work that many of my obligations require. I've wanted to find an easy, more instant way to happiness. But let me tell you, it doesn't happen that way. Life is hard. But sometimes, we just need to breathe, and remember that we can do it.

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us and will never give up on us. Not just a shapeless God out in the universe somewhere, but a Father. He's your Father. My Father. And if He is our Father, what is ever stopping us from accomplishing anything we could ever dream of? Sometimes, I have to remind myself. I've been given a body, a wonderful family, and countless other blessings. But if I continue with patience and faith, my blessings will not only be doubled, but multiplied more than I can possibly imagine.

Sigh... Thank goodness it's General Conference this weekend. (TGIGC?) I can always use more wisdom like that in my life. It keeps me going. Have a great weekend everyone!

*amber*

Dickson Dream Home- Kitchen Inspiration

...

Yep. I don't think there's anything left to say. It's beautiful. Simply beautiful. If I could have any kitchen in the world, this would be it. The whimsical designs on the windows are PERFECT. Sigh... It's as if I designed my own ideal kitchen, and happened to have the skills required to design something so breathtaking.

Mmm... i could stare at it all day.

You can see more views of this room here. 

*amber*

Change of heart??

Let me say this up front. I hate MacDonalds. Probably  always will. Although part of it probably does have a lot to do with the whole Super Size Me obesity thing, I really just think their food is super cheap and disgusting. However, I may have to have a change of heart... for the next little while at least. 

We've all had those kids meal toys that look really cool, but end up breaking while you're still at the drive through window. But, guess what Mickey D's is promoting right now? MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS!!! What?! See for yourself here. 

Granted, they're probably just about as cheap as most fast food toys... but they're so adorable! I've had a soft spot for Madame Alexander dolls for many years. And yes, these may not be great quality (or even moderate quality), but I'm certainly not willing to pay full price for the dolls. I think a kids meal price is much more reasonable. 

So... who wants to go get 8 kids meals at McDonalds with me?

*amber*

The Dickson Dream Home: Numero Uno

So I have a confession to make. We are officially obsessed with having our own house. Someday. Far far in the future. When we don't have to worry about school anymore... Anyway, we've fallen in love with the idea of having a real home someday. You know, a place that won't be infested with spiders but have landlords that won't pay for pest control. A stove that won't randomly start the washer and dryer instead of the burners... oh yeah. That will be the life.

It all started this Summer. We've spent a lot of time at my parents' house this Summer for family events, things to do up in Salt Lake, etc. Every time we're there, we watch tv. Bad habit, I know, but we don't have tv so we take advantage of it when we can. Usually, the television ends up on HGTV. Thus, we have been watching lots of shows like "My First Place" and "House Hunters". And guess what? We've caught house fever! (Oh ya, and I've been watching Design Star on hulu all season... This is not a good combination)

As a consequence, our conversations lately have consisted largely of layout discussions, theoretical design questions, landscaping ideas, and plans for our future home. Now let me tell you, our dream home is turning out to be quite the little pad... completely state of the art of course.

Since our future nest has been on my mind so much lately, I've been noticing things that I like and good ideas everywhere. So I've decided to put some of those things on our blog. That way, I'll have easy access to all of my good ideas and I don't have to worry about forgetting things.

Thus begins... THE DICKSON DREAM HOME PROJECT! 

By: Amber and Seth Dickson

* * *

Many of my favorite ideas and inspirations have come from pretty pictures I've seen. Photographed rooms and homes always look so perfect don't they? But what happens when you take a closer look? Often, you find a lot of vignettes of random objects that don't necessarily go together, and furniture pieces that serve absolutely no function. But hey, they always photograph well, right?

Recently, I happened upon this blog by LA comedian Molly Erdman (who you might recognize from the Sonic commercials.) She takes pictures from catalogs and adds a story based on what is in the picture. I guarantee, as you follow Gary and Elaine through their perfectly photographed world, you won't be able to help falling in love with this blog and its perfect satire.

Here's one of my favorites:

The only things Elaine treasures more than her prized blue and white urn collection are the framed drawings of her blue and white urn collection.

Visit Catalog Living to see more goodness.

*amber*

First Anniversary Goodness

So basically, I am the most spoiled wife ever. Saturday was such a beautiful day... it couldn't have been more amazing.

The first thing we did to celebrate our anniversary was head up to the Salt Lake Temple. We hadn't been to the Salt Lake Temple since our wedding a year ago, so it seemed an appropriate time to make another visit. It was such a wonderful experience and we both enjoyed the remembering the covenants we made to each other. It was the perfect Anniversary activity :)

To find out why the temple is so important to us and our marriage, click on the picture to the right. 

After we finished up at the temple, Seth asked if I wanted to go to Caputo's for dinner. Caputo's is this amazing Italian market in downtown Salt Lake that we discovered earlier this Summer. I am completely smitten and will take any excuse I can to go. After the temple though, I was just in a peaceful, contemplative mood and didn't really feel like going to a bustling marketplace right then, so we ate at the temple and splurged on some yummy pie.

* * *

After that, we were headed home. I was sitting in the car, probably just babbling on about some random topic, when Seth pulled into a parking garage. What?? I had no idea what he was doing. We got out of the car and walked into a building, which I soon came to recognize as an Embassy Suites hotel. (My family has stayed at them on many vacations.) I was completely taken by surprise (even though Seth said I'd had plenty of opportunities to figure it out but was just too naive) and couldn't decide whether to be overjoyed or mad at him. Luckily for him, I chose the former :) 

We got to the hotel right during the Manager's Reception (what is known in other states as cocktail hour, haha) so we snagged some popcorn and pretzels and headed up to our pretty room. We got to go swimming, watch a few movies (with popcorn), hang out together, and really relax. It was only a one night stay, and we weren't very far from home, but it was just the getaway I needed.

In the morning, we went down to the complimentary breakfast which, at the Embassy Suites, includes a chef prepared meal of your choice. We ate omelets, french toast, hash browns, fresh fruit, and hot chocolate to our hearts desire. Mmm... After we checked out, we headed over to Liberty Park. We walked around for a while and just enjoyed the sunshine.

* * *

Thank you so much Seth. This weekend was absolutely perfect. But really, could my husband be any sweeter?

... The answer is yes! When we got home, he hit me with yet another surprise. He got us gift certificates to a nice little spa day! :) We'll each get to spend time in the oxygen bar, then head over to a nice long full body massage, and then try out what is supposedly the world's best massage chair... whatever that means. I am so excited... I've never had a professional massage before so I can't wait!

Mmm... Happy Anniversary Sweetheart. Thank you for everything.

*amber*