Up-cycled Filing Cabinet

I have had this ugly gray filing cabinet as my bedside table since we got married. Finally this weekend I decided to fix it up.

Happy Birthday to my Best Friend

I've been with Connor for TWO birthday's now. It's crazy to look back and see all the changes and growth we've made together. Just because I love him so much, I wanted you readers to see and understand why:

23 Reasons I Love Connor

1. He's the best shower singer
2. He knows all the lyrics to nearly every song
3. He can fix anything
4. When we watch movies, he judges the quality of them by the sound the cars/motorcycles make
5. He can make some mean mashed-potatoes
6. He loves to grill
7. He has soft feet, which makes it nice for when his feet touch mine in bed
8. When he does make the bed, he makes it perfect (better than I could)
9. His calloused hands make for amazing back rubs, and are a sign of his hard work
10. He listens to me when I need to vent, because I need to vent a lot
11. He never judges me when I have issues
12. He studies hard in school to learn, not just get good grades
13. Did I mention he's a hard worker? 
14. He's a quick learner and picks up on skills, concepts, ideas very quickly
15. He loves my family and plays with my sisters
16. His dance moves are phenomenal
17. He loves the Gospel, Jesus Christ, and God. 
18. When I need help in my Primary calling, he doesn't mind being volun-told
19. Excellent snowmobiler 
20. Cuddles at night even when he's hot
21. Holds my hand wherever we go
22. Is very thoughtful when he gives gifts (take the GIANT bag of milano cookies from yesterday)
23. He is my best friend in the entire world. 

So there you have it. He's the greatest and you all should be jealous. 

Meal Plan February 12-19

We have a BIG week ahead of us. Valentine's Day, Connor's birthday, and lots of time with family.

M- Ramen
T-(Valentine's Day) Papa Murphy's Pizza, chocolate covered strawberries
W- (Connor's birthday) - Texas Roadhouse -- per his request
R- Baked potatoes
F-Hu Hot with the Reeds
S- Burgers
S- Indoor Winter Picnic with my grandparents.

Groceries:

bananas
lettuce
apples
oranges
bacon
crystal light
eggs
milk
strawberries
sparkling cider

I'm really excited for Connor's birthday! On the morning of his big day, I'm going to get him a Texas donut with "Happy Birthday" written on the frosting.

Can't wait!
What are your Valentine's Day plans?

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

We are on a water restriction here in Cache Valley. Too much rain, too much snow melting has caused flooding all over the Valley and has backed up the sewer line. So I apologize my dishes aren't done.

But these chocolate chip muffin are probably the thing I've made the most since being married. As Connor put it one morning, "These are what our kids and grand-kids remember about you. They are your legacy." I wish I could take credit for the recipe, but the original comes from How to be Lovely.

I love them for their moistness (is that a word?) rich flavor, and chocolate-y goodness. They definitely aren't healthy but who cares.

TOPIC: Collaborative and Interactive Communication Platforms

When I first heard of this topic, I admit, I had to look up what collaborative and interactive meant, as far as social media goes. To my knowledge and findings, there wasn't one set definition. Instead I looked up the words separately and came up with my own definition:

The process of two or more individuals working together on a common project through the use of some form or social media or other digital technology or platform.

 With that in mind, I started thinking about all the platforms that I use at work and school and how they help me collaborate.

One of the biggest ones that I think most people use, is Google Docs or Google Drive. This platform falls under my definition because it allows me and my coworkers to work together online and to see real time updates of each other's progress.

This article from Tech Radar explains the benefits of using Google Docs for work:

• Share presentations with your friends and co-workers.
• Upload and convert existing presentations to Google Docs format.
• Download your presentations as a .pdf, .pptx, or a .txt file.
• Insert images and videos, and format your slides.
• Publish and embed your presentations in a website, allowing access to a wide audience.
• Draw organisational charts, flowcharts, design diagrams and much more right within a presentation.
• Add slide transitions, animations, and themes to create show-stopping presentations.

I also love Google Docs for class assignments. We've all had those large research papers that we have to work on and being able to both access the same document is beneficial for many reasons. I love not worrying about coordinating times with a group member, and just hoping on the document for homework. It makes getting projects done a lot easier.

The last feature I love about Google Docs, is the "track changes" functionality. This allows whoever is editing the document, to show exactly what changes they made. I use this function at work all the time to help me improve my writing and see better way to say something.

"Tracking changes is is most useful when (for example) supervisors are editing drafts for students to then improve so they can produce a post-feedback edition of their work if they wish (or they can be required to do so as part of the overall assessment process)." 

                                                          -  Alt Article

In conclusion, I love using Google Docs for a myriad of reasons and can't wait to see what other ways it can be used.

Why I Blog

I've started four blogs.

No, maybe five.

And each of them for different various reasons.

To make money, to write, to be an author, etc.

I even started this blog to make a few bucks.

You see these articles everywhere about "How to Make Money Blogging From Home" and "Quit Your Day Job to Blog." But I realized, that I don't care about that anymore.

I blog because it makes me feel good. It helps me have a creative outlet. It helps me share my food without feeling silly all the time.

I blog to keep me sane.

I blog to remember.

So whether people read it or not, that's fine. Because I'm going to keep writing.

I also understand that this time in our life is very short-lived and that one day, we won't be married students anymore. And I am totally ok with that. But for now, it's our life. And we have lots of friend in this stage, so why not have fun with it while we can. It's such a unique time and I want to document it as much as possible.

The end.

TOPIC: Location Based Platforms

Sometimes, I am a little creeped out by how much social media knows about my life. It knows what foods I like, what my hobbies are, when I got married, where I go to school ... Ya. Creepy.

But the biggest thing that creeps me out, is how some apps know exactly where I am, all the time. I understand that you can turn these things off, and I have most of them turned off, but I still don't like it.

For instance, did you know that your iPhone keeps track of where you've been and how long you stay in areas? Check out this BuzzFeed article if you don't believe me.

But for this post, I wanted to touch on two of my favorite location-based platforms and their uses.

The first location-based platform that I want to discuss, is the app Waze. After hearing a classmate give a pitch about this tool, me and my husband downloaded it on our way to California. If you have ever driving in California traffic, you can understand why this real-time app is helpful. We were updated as to where all the gas stations were, cops, accidents, ice, weather conditions, everything. I loved that I just hooked it to the Bluetooth system in my car and didn't have to look at it. The app just piped up in a kind voice letting me know that a hazard was ahead. We were prepped and made it to and from Southern California in one piece, thank to Waze.

The next one I wanted to talk about was Snapchat. One of my favorite geofiltering features that Snapchat offers, is the new filters it offers based on your location. After taking a photo, it's exiting to swipe and see the various filters available your area. So for instance when I'm in Jackson Hole, WY, the filters are completely different than when I'm in Disneyland. It's a really fun way for people to share their travels.

Did you know that by paying a small fee (usually around $5), Snapchat will let you design a custom filter, geotarget a specific location, and let people use it? Cool right? This blog post walks you through, step-by-step, how to create one!

What kind of possibilities do you see in this location-based tool that Snapchat offers?