Back In Business!

After a long break... I guess long is an understatement.. After a: extra long extensive MIA period

I'm back in business.

and man does it feel good!

Once again Ladies and Gents, Its that time of year again:

The smell of Cinnamon as you enter the stores
mad house
head aches
gas lights
decorations
pine trees
Rudolf
and EVERY radio station is nothing but Christmas tunes..

... Yeah that about sums it up.

Now I'm sure all of you have been frantically shopping for the fam and friends, decorating the house and constantly checking the bank account.

well stop.

I teamed up with Bambi last night, and we made quite the decor for under 20 bones

this is the first decoration I have up for the season.. don't judge me. I'm doing better than last year by a whole week!

I was first inspired by Bambie's brother...

Isn't he a stud!? ...

well..

I'm sure you've all seen on pinterest, facebook, and other blogs the

"reindeer silhouette"

I give credit to all of them.

It literally takes 10 min guys, do it.

However my advice to you is not to attempt to draw Bambie's brother (seen above)

We did NOT get along.

If you think you can take him on.. by all means, go for it.

all the supplies you need are:

1. Canvas $3 (currently on sale at Micheal's, I stocked up)

 

2. Elmers Glue $1

3. Glitter! $4, this is the best part of this project

Choose whatever color you want.

and of course your reindeer wither it be Bambies brother or any other member of his family... a silhouette is all we're goin for here.. it doesn't need to be a masterpiece.

I'll prove it.

This is the glue and glitter in process, if you look close you'll see Bambi and I had a rough go, especially around the ear...

yikes..

that's kinda embarrassing now that i look at it.

You get it right?

Step1: Draw up your own personal Bambi friend/ or you can trace

Step2: Line the Elmers glue around your tracing, Make sure you put it a little bit outside your pen/pencil markings so it doesn't show in the finished project. 

Step3: Pour a good amount of glitter throughout the picture, I did the glitter and glue in sections so that the glue didn't dry before I started glittering.

Continue step 2 and 3 until finished.

AND!!!..... (Que the music)

Buuuut dooo youuu recalllllll the most fammmmousss reeiinnndeerrr offfffff alllllll

No.. he's not Rudolf but he's pretty famous in my eyes.

and he looks A LOT better than I do.

its fine.

Good Luck Guys!!! Let me know how it goes!!!

I'm proud to announce:

I've cracked open these babies again... Stay tuned

Looking forward to sharing what this pile turns out to be!

xoxo!

Jess

!!On the Horizon!!

Well My friends, Its been TO long.

I'm pleased to announce that I have fully re couped from the

13.1

over a month ago!

And I'm ready to get back in the game!

I have a lot of updating to do don't worry, we'll keep it to a minimum that way we can get back to the

slivers

nails

hammers

drill

and

PROJECTS

Yes ladies and gents that is a balded "S"

Be excited, because I AM!

In my time of absence I promise I haven't been slacking!

I've had a lot of IDEAS running through my head as far as projects go!

While soaking up the sun with an ice cold dp A lot struck my mind but it quickly disappeared by splashes of the pool and

my goal to reach a golden brown this summer..-Fail .. getting there!

Along with the summer sun, our break has been full of trips and family time

Husband went on a trip down to Lake Powell (yes without me)  with some of his friends for a bachelor party!

 and ...IIIIIII... went for the exact opposite effect.. I headed to IDAHO! to visit the grandparents .. Yippeeee!!! Be Jealous!

Fact is.. my Grandpa is cooler than yours, I was that lucky girl on the back of his Harley!

It was nice to "get out"

Here is a few fun facts about Idaho:

The only gas station for MILES is in snow ville, by the one and only name :

 "Welcome to the Middle of Nowhere"

They don't believe in mirrors there... just signs that make you feel OH SO GOOD!!!

"Well now, Aint you Purdy"

While exiting the gas station, there is a sign that says the following (I kid you not)

Idaho: 254 Miles

Salt Lake: 367 Miles

Hell: 3 feet

I assure you I legitimately ran out of that gas station

Husband and I both made it home safe n sound

We've officially started thinking about what our "sad little front garden" needs

(sad is an understatement)

Regardless

we're proud to announce, the Bascom Family Has a FIRE PIT!

Remember way back when, when I posted those embarrassing pictures of our sad little house? and there was that picture of a "sad excuse of a tree"... let me refresh your memory....

AHHHHH so pretttyyy!!! TWIG...

Well...We pulled the twig, and dug a lovely hole, and is now Officially

The "fire pit"

Pictures to come!

Our yard is slowly but surly coming together...

Along with Yard work came family get together and a lot of vitamin D!

Project on the horizon stay tuned!

# 1 6 8 0

13.1 mile day

5:00 am - Alarm goes off

5:05- Husband finally nudges me awake letting me know my alarm had been going off for 5 min

5:06- a few anti morning person words run through my mind

5:45- Leave the house

by 6:00- the gitter bugs kicked in

Nervous as ever!

7:00 sharp the race begins!

-No. I wasn't wearing a swimming cap. just and overly large head band-

Each mile seemed to be getting longer and harder as would any other half..

By mile 8 my legs started to cramp and my thighs started to burn,

I wanted more than anything to walk

But each person that ran by me kept asking "whose

CDH

I immediately got a smile on my face and said

"My Mom"

and pushed harder.

I was running with an angel today.

This race was for her.

Not only was the race dedicated to her..

The night before I Made a list of some of the most important people in my life and dedicated each mile to them, and told myself I would think about them that entire mile.

To tell you the truth..it may be cheesy.. but that is what got me through this race

 It was with me the whole time. Each mile marker I'd pull it out and see who it was that would be cheering me on in my head,

(If you cant read my chicken scratch handwriting)

Mile 1: Jake Bascom (Hubs)

Mile 2: Ron Hale (Daddio)

Mile 3: Candice Bement (Sister)

Mile 4: Heather Barrus (Sister)

Mile 5: Aly Hale (Step Mom)

Mile 6: Jared, Parks, J (Brothers)

Mile 7: Entire Bascom Family

Mile 8: Entire Hale Family

Mile 9: Sandy and Phee Richter (Amazing Friends)

Mile 10: Tay and Corb Mtcalf (Amazing Friends)

Mile 11: Anytime Fitness Gym (bless)

Mile 12: Amazing Friends and Support

Mile 13: MYSELF

Not going to lie, this race kicked my butt

and I speed walked half of the 12th Mile due to

calf cramps and jello legs

I wanted more than ever to run through that finish line

I was talking to my mile number 3 (Candice Bement) a few days before, asking for advice about racing and the last thing she said to me was

"The BEST feeling is crossing that finish line!! Don't Quit!!"

And Boy was she right...

(over on the far right in black)

13.1 Complete!!

First Race

Seriously one of the greatest experiences of my life

Salt Lake Half Marathon 2012!

A One HIt Wonder

I've been MIA for the past month or two...

My apologies

To be completely honest I think... I Know I've taken a bite to big for me to chew

In Fact

3 bites to big to chew 

In the excitement of spring, I think I went a little overboard with my projects

in result of having not ONE project complete in a span of 2 months.

Pathetic!

So of course I gave up and starting blaming

T.V Show

Friday Night Lights

for my "waisted" time

Okay Now that I've justified my absence I'm happy to announce I have

COMPLETED

1

Project

Its Much Like my "love" Project 

Same simple steps just has a little bit of a different meaning to it

Lets begin

All You need:

2-8' 1x4's Cut in Half

8 Wood Screws

Drill

Skill Saw

Stain

Paint Brush

Lettering

Desired Spray paint color

Desired Number of Bolts

Confused?

Keep Reading

Like I said before its a lot like the Love project

Take your 1x4's and aline them to your desired positions

Mine weren't perfect so I off set them just a hair

That Skill saw will be your best friend for the next step

I just used a piece of scrap wood for my anchors

and cut it, making sure it crossed over all four 1x4's

(if you need assistance with the skill saw ASK someone, we all know you' re not Jack Lumber, its okay)

Set your anchors and DO NOT make the same mistake I made last time..

RemembeR?

Aw that's nice..isn't it!!!?

No, it totally sucked!

SO

My friends this is why this special drill bit was invented....

PRE DRILL

I can't tell you enough

Otherwise, your project will look like literal crap, like my sad looking anchor on my

love project looked

I know its an extra step and its annoying but take my word on it.

I'm happy to say its

Smoooooth Saillling

from there.

Remember, I off set my strips.. I promise I'm not blind, I know.

Now for the Fun part..

Stain!

I was close to doing dark walnut stain but I chickened out and went with my one and only

Special Walnut

and I'm glad I did.

It Turned out to be just as I had imagined!

Now for the "Lettering"

This project wasn't only inspired by blogs, pintrests or the fact it required screws and a drill

but because of the lettering chosen

F

A

M

I

L

Y

I've always been a home body,

I moved for college and somehow found myself home every weekend

I live by the saying

"People may come in and out of your life, But you start and end with family"

I don't know where I'd be without any of them in my life

I'm one lucky girl to say the least.

Hale Family

Bascom Family

Alright time to put down the tissue box and finish this project!

For wood lettering Micheals is the place to go,

although.. they were out of the white selection for letters

"I"

and

"L"

Wrong color, Don't Care!!!

I just used my "go to" satin spray paint

and

Its like it never happened!

Almost Finished

Letter placement

Once they're placed

Pre drill where you want your bolts

 I wanted the "industrial look" So I went with..

 Great little wonders

yeah.. "F" is right, when you don't have the right drill bit size.

So I spent a little extra time pre drilling my holes not a big deal.

It was worth it

Ladies and Gents

The Final Project

I haven't found a placement for it quite yet I have a few ideas..

I'll let ya know!!

ENJOY!

May the odds be ever in your favor

The Past two weeks I've had to say

"see you later"

to Two amazing examples in my life

Sister Stephanie Haertel

Steph and I played soccer growing up together and were related in some way..

we just considered ourselves cousins

Steph is a beam of light everywhere she goes, she's always been a huge example to me along with Many others

She did an AMAZING job in her farewell talk

the people of Texas are lucky to have her,

She's an amazing person

GOOD LUCK STEPH!

And

Elder Jaxon Keller

(Far Left)

I grew up with these 3 and (maddy) who is missing

all 5 of us were always getting into trouble, wither it be

sneaking out in the middle of the night to get food

shooting spiders with air soft guns inside the house

or

leaving two behind running up 1800 south in there underwear.

(don't ask)

We have so many memories together its so weird to think that

we're "THAT OLD"

I'm so proud of Jax and his decision to serve a mission

He's always been one to look up to.

London, you dont know whats comin to ya!!

(Jake and I in the Kellers Beautiful home)

lets zoom out a little...

Yeah.. Amazing home!!

.............

May the odds be ever in your favor!?

HUNGER GAMES

Last night

Us girls went to the premier of the

HUNGER GAMES

it was Amazing!

So amazing I legitimately spilled all my reeses pieces all over the floor

I don't know what happened or why..

the worst part was that it was at a quite part of the movie so when those babies hit the ground it sounded like a hail storm...

then of course all 3 of us laughed like little girls

And I'm STILL picking popcorn out of my hair,

I wont ruin it but there was an intense part of the movie and lets just say popcorn went flying..

all in all it was a great night with amazing friends!

The Husband and I are off to

VEGAS

for the weekend

so no projects for awhile

cause you know what they say

"What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!

Have a good Weekend Everyone!

!Hey Hey Hey!

Hope everyone is doing well, the Mr. and I have been pretty busy the past little while

Yes, that includes endless episodes of

Friday Night Lights

Husband has been putting up our fence, and I'm happy to announce that it is complete!!

I'm so proud of him!

I looks Awesome, I don't have pictures yet but you can use your imagination

It definitely completes the house

Tuck and Aspen sure love it

No more being couped up in the house all day until we get home!

You'd think that having them in the back yard all day would make em a little tired

...

No..

It doesn't

well not for tuck anyway.

Jake and I took the pups for a walk yesterday,

I made Jake walk Aspen so i could attempt to "train" tuck in Walking!

Not speed walking

Not running

just Walking

Simple task right?

No wrong

Observe the following

Notice the urgency in tucks body language?

That's how it was the

ENTIRE

TIME

I had to "assume the position"

whats the position??

I pulled this one off google

but just imagine the legs spread a little wider and her back more parallel to the ground

He was ridiculous!

Jake laughed every time I changed my normal voice to my

"large and in charge" "I'm the owner""man" voice

and would grunt

"HEAL"

Dang dog still didn't get it. Any tips!?

Speaking of dogs..

My sister and I pulled this one off the street in my neighborhood

Now this isn't the first experience we've had "saving" dogs "lost" in neighborhoods

I think this time we realized its better they just find their own way home alone

We went to find the owner and turns out we yanked this sucker right off her front lawn

No, we didn't admit to the owner. So we just told her she was down around the corner.

Of the fence in the front yard!!

Whoops!

...............................

(insert jaws theme song here)

Check out those pearly whites!

Before I get into those, let me explain

I am a die hard Dr. pepper addict

its an issue

a BIG one!

I can't go a DAY without the sweet dew

On a good day I'll have 2 maybe 3

32 oz

Clear Cup

Extra Ice

and

Skinny Straw

Dr Peppers a day

Yes that's the only way I'll drink it.

I love it I really do, but my stomach dropped when i saw this:

Its hard to see but if you can, look close at the circled spots

See the

dark

gross

CAVITY!!

I have my one and only sweet sweet Dr. Pepper to thank for those!

I couldn't believe it

 I came to realization that i needed to cut back on the dr pepper intake

not only because of the cavities but for my health sake as well.

So, I asked you guys what to do via facebook

                        Anyone know of a good replacement drink for a Dr.Pepper addict?

Here were some of my favorites:

Kaitlin Vernon Ah you poor thing. I cut out coke and drink coconut water when I crave something sweet.

-I'm for sure going to try it out.

Taylor Metcalf Lemonade :) but don't listen to me I'm downin a dp as we speak ha

-That's what Best Friends are For

Lindy Gubler Gale Water!! Jk Jess. Good luck.

-I'm going to need all the luck i can get!

Mavanie Mills Vodka!

-hahaha I love it!!

And to top it off......

Cailey Boren Nothing. Dp is gods gift to earth. Don't even attempt cutting down!! Anything but dp is garbage.

-TRUTH!

There were many others following, I thank for your great ideas!!

Any other Tips would be much Appreciated!

Its been

44 Hours sense my last Dr Pepper

Be Proud!

I nearly caved today during lunch

As a stood in subway staring at the drink dispenser

my finger hovered over the Dr. pepper button for a good minute

I thought, I had made it "this far" (not far at all)

i cant go back now!

and quickly dispensed power aid

which by the way tastes like crap...

I texted Jake and the conversation goes as follows

Dr.Pepper Addict: "Babe, You'll never Believe what I'm drinking out of my cup right now"

Doubting Husband:" Well i know what it is not...;) ANYTHING healthy... Like water or Juice

Rehab Dr Pepper user: Sense you wont believe the words coming out of my mouth..

Shocked Proud Husband: "Wooooww Babe! Looks Like your getting ready for mud!

THAT I AM!

Tough Mudder October 2012 Here I come!

Call me Crazy

Training has been a little lazy lately

I've got til October

Up coming project! Stay Tuned!

JnJ