Friday, August 1, 2008

It's a good thing

An ode to my mentor, my idle, my friend (ha...) Martha. Here are a few good things from the Bingham household as of late.



RED VANS.
About 8 months ago we finally went to purchase the red vans I had been pining after. Once we got there, Nic decided he wanted them too (but not to wear on the same day, if you are wondering) they were out of both of our sizes so we ordered them. In a couple of weeks Nic's arrived in the mail and mine never did. They eventually (4 months later) sent me a refund and said they never got my size in. I was crushed. I really liked Nic wearing his but every time he did I was so sad that I didn't have them. He checked relentlessly for me at every store and online distributor but to no avail. Then, last night we went to Sacramento. We each had "an allotment" to shop with- but only for each other. We split up and came back 2 hours later with lots of great stuff for each other... and there they were. Nic had found my vans! Thanks lover- you're the best.

PELL GRANTS
Fabulous news from yesterday, we each received full Pell grants for the year so tuition, books and our insurance (plus probably a few hundred in cash since we are both taking lots of art classes which don't require books) is ours courtesy of the government! Thank you USA!

JANIE AND JACK
Nic wasn't quite done spending all his alloted money on me yesterday so I had some time to kill alone in the Arden Fair mall in Sacramento. So, of course, I went looking at baby clothes! Janie and Jack is one of those stuffy little children's boutiques where every outfit should be worn on a yacht. Not really our style but still- mini clothes- I love them! So while I was perusing the racks of $80 6 month jackets the woman employee asked me: Do you know what you are having yet? AHHHHHHH music to my ears! I answered, "Not yet. But you are the first stranger to assume I am pregnant, that is so exciting!!!" She said that I looked the part plus I was going back and forth between the girls and boys side, well, whatever was the giveaway, I was thrilled!

POKER
We love poker... does that make us horrible people? Perhaps, but love it we do. We bought a set to a few weeks ago (we used to always have poker nights in Rexburg and everyone would gamble with candy. We all had stomachaches in the end from eating our stash but it was good) and we've been playing with Nic's fellow-employees (and are only friends here because the Solomons are super busy) and I love it. I used to be really awful at not giving away my hand (I am not going to say "bluffing" because I still can't do that.. I really never bet if I don't have anything unless I am tired and want to go to bed so I don't care how many chips I give up- I just mean whenever I had a good hand i would smile from ear to ear, I couldn't help it! I am a little bit better at hiding that now)

WE ARE NOT BUYING A HOUSE RIGHT NOW
This is not on the "good things" list. In fact it could be the soul entry in a blog titled: Bad things that make me cry uncontrollably (I realize that we are very blessed that this blog only has one entry) But, I just can't bring myself to make such a post so I am adding it here. It turns out that in order to get a loan, you have to have a job. Who knew? We, of course, do have jobs. I am a professional blogger, oops, I mean I help out with our graphic design business EVAPAUL. But since we haven't been doing that for 2 taxable years, that income doesn't count. And Nic is working SO HARD this summer so we can both just concentrate on school in the fall. Well, lenders don't like that so much. They want consistency. paychecks. taxes. So, it didn't work out. All our wishing and hoping and my hours scouring the internet for houses for sale in the greater Rexburg area couldn't help us get the loan. I understand we are only 22 and 23 and buying a house now isn't the norm but it would have been great. Now, we are trying to find a place to rent, a month before school starts. Everyone who isn't idiots got their housing months and months ago and so we are in not the best situation. We have a few things pending, we'll see how it works out. I can't end this post on such a bad note... so here is yet another GOOD THING!




INFOMERCIALS
A few weeks ago I got up at 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep. It must have been over a month ago because my morning sickness was keeping me up. Nevertheless... AM tv means infomercials! I love them! I remember opting to watch infomercials on Saturday mornings rather than cartoons (shopping AND sitting on the couch, I am SOLD!) So I have never actually bought anything over the phone but I love all the hype. Billy Mays kind of drives me insane but that doesn't mean I want his Big City Slider Maker any less. But what really caught my attention that morning was the Bare Minerals 30 minute dazzle! I've always liked makeup but never been that good at it... especially finding a foundation that matches perfect and that gives me enough concealing (i really need it :) but doesn't look like a clown mask. So there it was... bare minerals! perhaps this is my long sought after solution! I didn't order it over the phone, that seems kind of weird plus you have to talk to people which probably means they would try to talk you into spending even MORE money. So eventually I ordered online and the beautifully packaged set arrived Wed. I LOVE IT! It really makes me excited to get up, shower and make myself presentable before Nic gets home for lunch at 1:00 :) I think pregnant women need all the help they can get and if this can make me feel even a little better about myself, it was worth all the money.

12 comments:

Megan said...

Sorry about the house stuff! Okay so have ya'll thought of baby names? Just wondering...I am always trying to think of good combos.

Julie K said...

I want red vans! They just don't fit my feet right. But they do fit my requirements for foot wear--slip ons. All my pants are slip ons too. Just so very lazy.

Ashley Wray said...

Love your list and so happy that you got your red vans. I've been so tempted to try that Bare Minerals but it almost looks to good to be true, but if you love it, maybe I'll have to try it! Oh, what OB are you going to see in Rexburg? I went to the Madison Womens Clinic (ABC Clinic) Alllred, Barton and Crouch, whatever it's called and loved it. Especially Alred, anyways, just curious!

The Strouds said...

Those darned lenders.... how silly are they. I'm nervous about qualifying ourselves! We've got a few months though before we head down that path. Anyway, I like all the stuff on the list! Glad you are looking preggo, but sad that I may not see it while you are preggo. Take more pictures of yourself! I know it isn't so fun when we are feeling like this, but you'll be glad later.

the binghams. said...

you're right leslie.. i think i will. check back on the 18 week update and you may see ME next to a quarter (just for size reference) And you will see my pregnant! We are coming to CO for my friend emily's wedding oct 4th. I get to be a huge and lovely bridesmaid!! (thankfully black is ever-so sliming. nice pick Em) We'll have to meet up then!

Carrie S. said...

I am really glad that you said we are still friends...phew. Trust me, I would rather hang out with you than torso model, Dave. I named him just now. Oh, and my class is over next Thurs. Wanna hang?

Emily said...

Oh don't you just love bare minerals!! My mom, sis and I are all hooked. Yippee for joining the club!!! Very sad about the house, but maybe if you got a real job... just kidding! You will get one eventually. Keep your beautifully make-uped chin up!

Carrie S. said...

He's dating Camie Solomon? Crazy! What's the stat on that? It's a small, small Mormon world!

the binghams. said...

yeah Carrie- things are getting pretty serious. she is flying to TX to meet the family in Sep. I'm surprised you haven't heard anything about it! I'll fill you in more on Sunday (if you don't ditch gospel doctrine again...)

Seth said...

the red vans are an excellent choice. We got the pell grants as well, make sure you leave some for art classes though because they actually are quite expensive (printing, sketchbooks, pencils) art classes have ended up being me and maddy's most expensive classes.

Seth said...

oh and if you are still looking for an apt. our old one is available, $430/month just blogz us up if you are interested.

Adrienne said...

I LOVE red shoes! So happy you have your vans. There's nothing like trying to be CUTE and preggers, while still on a budget. I'm so impressed still by ANYONE who has a skincare regimen of any kind -- I still avoid foundation like the plague, and at 30, that's kinda sad.