We are moving!

Welp, it's official. We are moving!

(Queue the mini panic attack. I hate packing.)

Paul, Emma, and I are moving just across the Bay to the little island of Alameda, CA. It's a slow-paced suburb complete with Trader Joe's, Target, and the sweetest little main street with shops and cafés.

We prayed (A LOT!!!!) about where we need to be after I graduate and Paul and I feel called to stay in the Bay Area for a while longer. Paul's recent promotion, raise, and benefits provide stability and I know in my heart that we need to pursue his career growth for the time being. I will be seeking associateship opportunities in the area. Emma and I will also get to spend our days together when I finish up school and search for a job. (EEEK!!!)

I am excited about what this new chapter will bring and I feel blessed that I will get to spend some time home with Emma. We found a wonderful apartment in a newly-renovated victorian just two miles away from Paul's office. As he has been commuting from San Francisco for the past four years, we are both excited that he will get to be so close to home.

It will be quite the change for us and I am a little nervous from all the unknowns but I have the utmost confidence that God's grace will continue to guide us.

On a more personal (selfish) note, I am THRILLED/EXCITED/ELATED/JUMPING FOR JOY that our new apartment is bigger than our current place with many more cabinets, closets, a deck, and bells and whistles. (Can I get an Amen?)

Emma is excited too.

If anyone wants to help us move in mid-August, it would be greatly appreciated.

Something I collect

Today, we are constantly plugged in. I know that I am guilty of having my iPhone and iPad within arms reach at all times. As a society, we are constantly connected and do most of our collecting and curating online (oh hello Pinterest). While I thoroughly enjoy blogging and social media, I believe that it is important to unplug and actually have tangible things to create, curate, and collect. I read more and more about people actively turning off their computers, leaving their phones in the other room, and reconnecting with the real world - you go Glen Coco!

To unplug, I enjoy baking, scrapbooking, and spending time with my family. I also think it’s important to have something tangible to collect. Whether it’s stamps, snow globes, shot glasses, or shoes (accidental alliteration there), collections are little tangible reminders of memories made.

I had a small bedroom growing up then moved to the dorms in college and now live in a tiny one-bedroom San Francisco apartment so I’ve never had a lot of space to work with. It would be difficult to house a collection of garden gnomes or antique globes in that sort of space. What I do collect does not take up much room and though I never really set out to start this collection, over time I have found this collection expanding into something very meaningful.

I collect greeting cards. I have kept (almost) every card I’ve been given since around 1999/2000. What I love about this collection is the memories attached to each card. I can look back at a card and think of how I celebrated a special occasion or who was there or who took the time to send a special note my way. I also have several messages from those loved ones I have lost, with their handwriting and words of love frozen in time. 

If you visit our apartment, you will see our cards displayed on our wall. I have to switch out the cards as new ones come in but I keep everything. I love seeing them as I walk through the door. Currently, there are a lot of baby shower and welcome baby cards with a few Valentine’s, birthday, and Mother’s Day cards thrown in.

One of my big projects is to hole punch and bind all the cards to make little books for each year. I truly love each and every card I receive.

What do you collect? What do your collections mean to you?

BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

How to clean silver jewelry

I am a big fan of silver jewelry. In terms of my every day jewelry, it goes well with  my skin tone. Unfortunately, silver jewelry can become easily tarnished, especially if you do not wear your pieces regularly. I thought I would share an easy way to remove tarnish from silver jewelry with stuff you probably already have lying around your house. 

Bring filtered water to a boil. In the mean time, line a small glass container with aluminum foil.

Fill your container about half way with boiling water and add equal parts table salt and baking soda {about 1 teaspoon each}.

Add in your silver jewelry and let soak for a few minutes {up to five depending on how tarnished your jewelry is} - oh look, bubbles!

Carefully remove your jewelry and wipe with a clean, soft cloth. 

I do this about every six months to keep my jewelry looking shiny and beautiful. Remember, do not use any abrasives on your silver jewelry as you may scratch your pieces. Store your jewelry in a soft jewelry box or the cloth bags in which silver jewelry usually comes.

Happy Wednesday!

BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

The Embarcadero

Last weekend was incredibly beautiful. The sun was shining and there was a light, cool breeze. Paul and I took one of our favorite walks from our apartment towards AT&T ballpark, down The Embarcadero on the Bay, to the Ferry Building Saturday farmer’s market. This part of the city is stunning so I wanted to share some photos I took during our walk. 

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Hopefully this weekend is just as gorgeous. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and enjoy the Spring time!

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A day in the life of the husband / Part 2

Today, in his second post, my husband is sharing a few of his thoughts. Check out his first post here.

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Being A Supportive Husband

Each relationship requires different levels and elements of support from the husband. Over the years of our relationship, I have discovered some of the most important ways I can be a supporting hand to Samantha in her personal and professional life. Here are the ways I do this!

Make sure she is fed! Samantha is a workaholic and doesn’t always find time or remember that she needs to eat. Seems silly but this happens to me too! During the week, when I know she is busy studying or has had a long day in the clinic, I know I need to be prepared to either make us a meal at home or get us some take out. It is always recommended to make the decisions on meals before she even asks. Having a plan to make sure she is fed always goes a long way in making a happy relationship!

Keep things cleanly. One of the interesting things I have picked up over the years is that even when I think things are clean, they probably aren’t. Guys, including myself, do not usually see the dirt and grime around the apartment or house. I have learned to always take a second look or just clean over a surface even though I do not see anything. Make sure things are tidy and cleanly around the house is something she will truly appreciate.

Take time out of the day/week to hear what she is feeling. It obviously is important to know how your significant other is feeling emotionally but this isn’t always clear in every relationship. Whether you are extremely consumed by work or anything else personally, it always is necessary to regularly check-in with her on how she doing emotionally. In all relationships, communication is key. The man should show maturity in making sure his wife’s feelings are heard which will make her know she is loved and cared for. This should happen regularly and even if you are unable to provide answers to issues she is having, it is always important for her to have a listening ear.

Surprises! I like to try and keep Samantha on her toes and sometimes this can be a huge challenge for me. One reason for this is my lack of creativity but I cannot let this hold me back in planning regular surprises for her. Whether it is a spontaneous weekend trip up to Lake Tahoe or picking up flowers in downtown on my bike ride home, I believe it is essential to surprise your woman. Make sure you really think about what makes her happy before you surprise her with something. It doesn’t always have to be something expensive but it must be thoughtful! Some of the best surprises I have given to Samantha have been the small thoughtful things.

Like I said in the beginning of this post, these are things I do to be supportive and present in my relationship with Samantha. Each relationship will have their own set of needs and you will need to figure it out and stick to them. It is always important for each person in a relationship to discover what support they need. Your significant other should want to help you in these areas!

Hope this personal insight can be of help to anyone out there.

Paulie

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