Home Improvement

I have the very best parents in the world.

It's true.

They came to visit this past weekend to move Jordan down and took it upon themselves to do some home projects. I really didn't mind too much. I feel bad that we basically worked all weekend so it wasn't very relaxing, but it was great to have time together and to get to enjoy the benefits of having pretty talented parents.

After spending a couple of hours in Home Depot (I have seriously been there more in the past 2 months then I have in my whole life prior to home ownership), we came home with a truckload of projects to fill the next 1.5 days.

First up, a ceiling fan in the living room.

 

Bless my Dad's heart. This was such a beast. And, it's pretty much a one-person job so all we could do was cheer from below - and find and pick up the tiny screws and washers that he kept dropping. He said it was on accident, but I'm not so sure.

He not only had to hook up the fan, but the light attachment as well. It was slow-going but it's so worth it.

Yep, I just left it up to the old folks...

Just kidding, I helped, I just couldn't take pictures while I was working.

On to spackle some holes in the drywall.

I'm also excited about the new plants I got.

I actually planted them this time before they died (good idea, right?) and I am bound and determined to keep them alive.

This is lavender that I put by my front door. It smells amazing.

I don't remember the names of these plants but it was something 'creepers.'

No joke. I sure hope they creep their little hearts out.

The last big project we (let's be honest, Dad) did was hang blinds! Hooray!

They are so nice and it's awesome to actually be able to have privacy, but also open them to let in light during the day.

Little by little this house will become a home!

***

On Saturday, we went to the local Tesoro to fill up the Explorer. My parents literally washed the entire car with 2 squeegees.

They embarrass me like it's their job.

I still think they're the best though.

Hermana Scanlon Returns!

I got this new time lapse app on my iPhone and it's really cool. This was my first video and it's hard to gauge how much it's going to condense the video, so I filmed it too fast - I should have gone slower - and held it more steady.

Sorry if watching the video makes you barf.

I'll do better next time.

SHE'S HOME! 

I'm so excited!

One of her companions came to welcome her home. Hermana Tucker - Courtney - is awesome. She and I rode to Idaho together.

We ran into some crazy weather, but it made for some cool scenery. I love how the sky goes on forever in So. Idaho. So pretty.

We went to our grandparents house for lunch. Does she look like she hasn't slept for 72 hours?

On our way to Hailey, of course we had to stop at the Snack Bar in Shoshone.

They really do have the best mint Oreo shakes in the whole world.

Dad made some awesome welcome home signs for her - and Janae. Janae met her in Salt Lake and flew to Idaho with her.

I'm super jealous that she got to see her first.

My dad swears he was never a cheerleader, but his mad sign making skills say different.

Jo wanted a picture of what she saw each day. She is kneeling on her shoes so I could get the right angle.

She's so crazy.

The beloved mission plaque.

This was the incredible sunset that welcomed us into the Wood River Valley.

I know I shouldn't take pictures in church, but I couldn't help it.

She gave a great talk.

I got to accompany my nieces and nephew on the piano while they played their violins and sang. I was pretty excited to be a part of it.

They are so cute and worked so hard. They did a great job.

These pics are me and Courtney road-tripping it to Idaho. She's so cool. We had fun.

I am so excited Jordan is home. She is going through the adjustment process which is always hard but I think she'll adjust quickly. She moving in this weekend so let the party begin!

My mom got me and Krystal a birthday cake. Her big day is June 5th.

I'm always okay stretching out birthday celebrations. Kyle makes fun of me that I have celebrate my birth month, not just my birthday.

Real Estate On The Web

Yesterday, I was with most of my family at my grandparents house.

[Yes, Jordan is home, but (much) more on that later.]

One of my adorable nieces handed me a birthday card. When I opened it, 4 business cards fell out.

4 business cards with MY name on them!

A couple of them had those QR squares on them that you can scan with your phone. My sister brought her phone to me and scanned one of the squares.

A slideshow with pictures that I took started and at the end of the slideshow, it went to my very own website!!!

What?! Really?!

SO AWESOME!!!

Seriously, I'm still smiling about it. I can't imagine the hours she has spent designing a super cool website - just for me! My sister is the best!

Check it out:

www.caliscanlonphotography.com

Creeper

The first weekend I lived in my new casa, I met my next door neighbor who is a very sweet older lady. A couple of days later, I met her son, his girlfriend and her daughter who also live next door.

All super nice. In fact, the son has helped me a lot with my yard. Who knew that there was such a learning curve to caring for a yard?! :)

The girlfriend's daughter is my lawn girl and I appreciate her so, so much.

Well, about a month ago, I was talking to the guy and he made mention that they should leave a spare key to their house at my house in case of an emergency. I'm okay with that. I'm gone a lot, but I am okay having a spare key at my house in case they ever need it - as long as I'm home when the emergency hits.

In the same breath, he suggested that I leave a spare key with them - just in case. I said okay, but in the back of my mind was thinking that there was no way I was leaving a key to my house with him. But I didn't say that because I didn't want to be rude.

The crazy/slightly scary thing is that every single time I run into him (at least a couple of times a week), he mentions me leaving a key with them. It's so very weird and makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable. 

How do I politely decline?

I think it's a great idea for someone to have a spare key to my house. Heaven knows I am spacey enough to lock myself out on a regular basis (twice already) but I'm going to leave it with someone I've known more than 5 minutes...






...and who isn't creepy.

Oh, and someone who actually knows my name. He calls me Cassie.




I haven't felt the need to correct him.

Besides, Jordan is moving in with me in a week and she'll have a key, so maybe that's my out.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't know about my gun. I need to casually mention that the next time we 'run into' each other.

Birthday Cheer!

I'm so glad that I'm at the age that I don't actually get older on birthdays, that it's just a celebration.

After all, I'm 27 and holding...

Today was such a great day!

I'm such a big fan of Facebook on my birthday because I get to hear from so many great people who - like me - have busy lives and don't get to stay in touch too often. It was so great to get a text every time someone posted on my wall. I definitely felt loved. I know some pretty great people.

So, here is what I found when I got to work this morning. My lovely co-workers not only decorated my cube, they Saran-wrapped every single item on and around my desk.

It was pretty awesome and took a good amount of thought and time.

They even wrapped up my chapstick. So funny.

I loved the birthday 'prank' so much that I left most everything wrapped all day. Pretty sure I got high from saran wrap fumes, but it was so fun.

I needed Chapstick, so I had to break in.

I really left my chair wrapped up too.

I got to go to lunch with a few of my favorite ladies. We went to Tucano's and ate ourselves silly. Totally worth it. However, I was not aware that the waiters not only sing to you, but they give you a tambourine and make you dance. 

I will never eat there again on my birthday. Never ever.

Lisa's gift was wrapped in this wrapping paper that she found in her grandparents' basement.

She's pretty sure that it's from the 70's.

Vintage.

After work, Amelia and I went to see Men In Black III. It was so good!

As I pulled into my driveway, I saw that the birthday fairy had visited my house. Nikki and her kids decorated my house and left balloons in my yard. I loved it!

I had such a great day. I know some pretty great people and am so blessed.