day fifteen & day twelve

Theme: Silhouette





I've got to get this Day 12 crossed off my list. 
Last night I attempted to get a shot of sunset, but it was overcast.

So, here is a shot I took last week {and used in the new header, so technically you've already seen it, but my OCD can't wait much longer for the perfect sunset}...

...Back on track. 


p.s. still waiting on the internet to be officially hooked up. Possibly Friday now. The little wireless signal that could, keeps going and helping us stay connected. Thank goodness.

day fourteen

Theme: Eyes


While we are on the subject, I eyed this on Pinterest...

A Vintage Boxer Dog Planter.
I know you all probably think I am crazy but I die for this.
(the only person who probably doesn't think I am crazy is Mrs. Kate Schetzsle, are you dying?)
 I can already see it on a shelf in my home, my former home where I had shelves and lots of things to decorate with. After seeing his adorable face I was inspired to search for more vintage boxer art.
Etsy, thank you. You have opened my eyes to a world of vintage boxer ceramic art that I did not know existed.

And if you don't think I am crazy take note.
I live in Colombia, break out in random rashes, and take pictures of my eyes.
Convinced?

day eleven & day thirteen

well, it happened. I missed day 12. mostly due to the fact that the theme was a sunset and I wasn't home nor did I have my camera at sunset. so please forgive me, but day 12 will be shown out of order.

...and while we are on the subject of my skillz, check this out.

A job like that deserves skills with a 'z', right? My recipe Friday night called for some white wine. I attempted to use the standard wine opener that was provided at the apt and quickly discovered it was broken. Plan B was this "special" wine opener we bought in Napa, that we quickly discovered only Matt could use. When I attempted to use it, I ended up pushing the cork in, pressurizing (Matt's word) the bottle, and took some wine in the face. So I rewarded myself with a glass.

now, down to business.

Day 11: Something blue

Something{s} blue...

{When I was getting ready Saturday morning I realized I have quite a few blue-toned products}

{a blue bandanna. but to me it means a lot more than that. before I joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of Cartagena" I worked as a counselor for a non-profit that provided services to youth that are involved in the juvenile justice system. It was an experience that absolutely changed my life and I am so thankful for the opportunities I was provided. I met so many interesting young men and women who truly touched my heart. My dear friend and former co-worker Brandi equipped me with this blue piece as a memory of my 'gangsta ways'}

{this is the pool that is located below our patio off of the master bedroom. It's the kiddy pool. The adult pool, complete with a swim up bar (back up: this isn't like an all inclusive resort with a bartenders and liquor in the pool, there is simply a bar) is under construction, but set to open next week}

Good News.

My rash is healing and practically gone. This weekend I was able to bare my ankles without anxiety.

Matt and I went to the Old City and wandered, hoping to familiarize ourselves with the different areas, stores, bars, etc. I am sure he is more familiar. The only way I could get you back to where we were is if I got lost and stumbled upon it.

If the pictures above look familiar, it is because I have taken pictures in the area before. And yes, I am familiar with this area. I could get your there and back. Impressed?

On Sunday, Matt and I traveled to the mall for one last large haul. This is our updated apartamento.

Notice anything different?

We picked up a few items to personalize our home. We also purchased another tv. Now we just need to get Directv out here so we can actually watch it.

Matt saw this one on sale as we left Home Center. I imagine it's color (hot) may have had something to do with it's price, but we had been looking for more seating for the patio and this little number had 4 chairs. We moved our small set to the patio off the master for now.

Day 13's Theme: You with 13 things

Random.

A few things to note: 

*Today was pilates & cleaning day. Hence my casual attire.

*Speaking of casual, I have made a decision. After weeks of blow drying & straightening my hair, only to have the humidity do a number on it, I am going au'natural. Some spray & a diffuser is much easier.

*It's hot here. Sunday was a temp of 90, but felt like 107. And the McQuinn's are experimenting. Due to the high cost of air conditioning we are seeing what it is like to leave the windows & patio doors open during the day. Some days the breeze is amazing. This was not one of those days.

1) A picture of the Bella. There are more pictures of that darling girl in this home than anyone else. I had a dream the other day that I returned and she didn't remember me... so technically I guess you could call it a nightmare.

2) My cell phone. After losing it, I don't like to have it out of sight for too long. And today I had to go to the store and pay my bill. It was much easier than I originally anticipated. I spoke all Spanish during the transaction (it was a rather quick transaction).

3) My pilates socks. 

4) The special cream Doc Cartagena gave me for my rashy arms. It was rather pricey but totally did the trick. Rash free.

5) After pilates, Alice and I took a gander at some shops near our apartment. I found some shorts. I did mention it is hot here right. And the 6 pairs of jeans I brought that I thought I would be wearing... wrong. Jeans have been worn twice. To a movie. Apparently chilly theatres is a universal thing. 

6) On my shopping trip I stumbled upon some lotion from Victoria's Secret. They do not have those stores here, so I was quite pleased to find some lotion that I know does not make me break out in a rash.

7) Nail polish. I intended to paint my nails. I can now tell you that did not happen today.

8) Agua. I received a bit of a "lecture" on the importance of drinking water this weekend. While I have decreased my Coca Cola light consumption, I still need to work on increasing the H20.

9) My mop. These white floors are my enemy. They are high maintenance and I am constantly finding my brown locks all over the place. I will be bringing a swifter back from the US. Until then, I mop. a lot.

10) I also wash a lot of towels. Here is evidence.

11) Does this look like Tide? That's why I bought it.

12) My ipad. Our Internet signal is not strong enough for me to connect to the bookstore so I have been reading a lot of the samples I previously downloaded. Last night, we visited the Alexanders and I downloaded 3 books:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Smart One & The Pretty One by Claire Lazebrik

Gangs in Garden City: How Immigration, Segregation, and Youth Violence Are Changing America's Suburbs by Sarah Garland

My reading taste is quite eclectic.

13) Sex and The City: Season 3. SO happy I brought the entire series. I could watch them over and over. And they are truly my only form of television right now. Thank goodness it's good television.

Well, that brings us to the end of one really random post that has been written through the day at really random times.

And guess what?

I missed that sunset again.

See you on day 14.

    

Day Ten

Theme: A Childhood Memory


I knew this was going to be a challenge. In fact, the conversation last night surrounding this topic went a little like this:
S: Guh, tomorrow's theme is childhood memory. How am I going to do that? I live in Colombia.


M: Sarah, it's not that hard... Think about it. I know this doesn't apply to you, but let's pretend as a child you would go to your grandparents and ride horses. You could go take a picture of a horse and that could be your childhood memory. It's not like you have to take a picture of a specific toy, that you specifically played with in your brother's room when you were 8 years old.
(does he know me or what? except for the playing in my brother's room, maybe he doesn't know my brother...)


But, still I struggled. Childhood memories flew through my mind...

{the backyard swing set & sandbox, Santa coming to the house, 

Worlds of Fun & Disney World, Oatmeal Cream Pies, 

feeding the ducks at the airport, Hart Ranch, Bear Country USA,

Mt. Rushmore, painting pumpkins for Halloween before we carved them, 

swimming lessons with Gigi & Mitzi, my carousel horse collection,

picnics in the backyard, reading Laura Ingalls Wilder, 

the 5 time flower girl & Les Miserables playing

 on Saturdays as mom cleaned}

Then I had an idea.

This is a photography challenge right. It just so happens that I have a childhood memory that is fitting of photography.

This is how I recall it:

When I was in kindergarten some representatives from Better Homes & Gardens came to the school. I suppose they were there looking for students to be in a new line of children's craft books they were publishing. 

And I was a chosen one.

Now, I know you're probably really impressed right now, but I think there were 3-4 students chosen from my half-day kindergarten class alone. A model I am not. 

Here is the book:

(If you are curious it is available on Amazon brand new for $1.50. If that is not in your price range the used books start at $0.01)

What is funny is that I totally remember this entire experience. I recall exactly what I was wearing {if only I could find a picture of that shirt}, going to the studio, being shown how to hold my hands & pose, etc.

Oh, did I mention what my craft was. I made a peanut butter monkey sandwich. What is that?

Guess what?

You're in for a treat! 

Sarah's Peanut Butter Monkey Sandwich

22 years later

{disclaimer: this is my recollection. Actual process of Peanut Butter Monkey sandwich could be much different)

These are the materials needed.

Using a glass {I don't recall if they used a glass. For some reason I am under the impression they used a cleaned out can, like of corn. That doesn't seem very kid-friendly. If you have not yet, please see the disclaimer above} make 2 circles of bread for your monkeys head!

After putting your sandwich together, it's time to make your monkeys face. {I don't remember how they applied the peanut butter to the raisins to make them stick on the bread, so I just put some peanut butter on the cutting board and dipped the raisins in it}. I don't remember getting to snack on the raisins as I placed them on the sandwich. 22 years later, I snacked.

Here if your finished Peanut Butter Monkey Sandwich. 

{apparently I needed a director for this photo shoot, you can't even see the subject, the monkey}

Happy Friday. 

Enjoy your Peanut Butter Monkey sandwiches.

Day Nine

Hi.
Today I went to the doctor. He was pleased by how my legs are healing.
He was not so happy to see my arms.
We are chalking it up to new lotions and soaps. So Dr. Cartagena {this is not his real name} instructed me to get rid of the lotions and soaps I am using, which have all been purchased locally since I ran out of my American supply.
I was instructed to shower with water solamente. {this is not a forever thing, just until I unrashify myself}
Don't fret. I can wash my hair.
I just can't use any product to cleanse the rest of my body. Could be an interesting habit to break...
I was given an additional "calming" lotion to use 3 times a day and some allergy pills.

What have I learned from this situation?
Apparently I am sensitive {I knew this about my feelings... I did not know this also applied to my skin}
and I need to watch what I buy here.

What else?
When I return to the States, I am devoting a suitcase to lotions and body washes.

Today's theme: Someone You Love


Why do I love him?

Well, there is lots of reasons.

#1 on my list right now...

...He loves me regardless of my rashy situation.

Day Eight

Well, here I am again blogging from the future...
the wireless signal that could, just couldn't anymore and I fell completely off the map.
Oh, but that is not the most exciting part of my day. Wait for it....


.... I woke up with a rash on my arms. Yep. 


Picture much less dramatic than my legs, but at this point the slightest bump is sending me in a tizzy. The doctor was called (not by me, it is difficult enough to communicate face to face, you should try this phone stuff) and an appointment was scheduled for tomorrow.


Today's theme: bad habit.
Well, honestly I have a lot... too many. But after my day this picture was not super high on the priority list, but I did take it on the correct day and have still kept up with the challenge. 

What is this a picture of? 
That's what you are saying to yourself right now, right?
Well, this is what happens when I get in the kitchen. I open cabinets, drawers, the fridge, and my brain moves forward to the next task I must complete and skips that whole "closing" part. It's a habit. It used to drive my mother mad. Now it drives my husband mad.


Two for the price of one, why not?

Another habit or addiction if you will. 
That's literal.
Addiction.
Diet Coke or as it is currently known to me, Coca Cola light.
It is a necessity. If I go without I have headaches and I turn in to the opposite of a princess.
So there you have it {a few of} my bad habits.
I guess I could add another one to the list...


tendency to break out in random rashes when moving to a new country.

Day Seven

Theme: Fruit



Pineapple
Mango
Oranges
Watermelon (no seedless watermelon in Colombia)
Grapes (no seedless grapes in Colombia)