Done and Fun!

This weekend was such a fun one. On Friday, I finished my last assignment for my Masters program, submitted it, and then texted all of my family to tell them the exciting news. I'm done, I'm done! 

 Many people have asked me if I am excited to have more time for other things now.  YES! I have been making a list of the things I have been wanting/needing to get done, but never seemed to find the time for it.

1) Update my Journal

2) Change the playlists on my ipod for my workouts.  I'm so sick of the ones that are on there.

3) Deep clean our house (we're talking base boards, blinds, etc.)

4) Begin Personal Progress (again).  Our Young Women Presidency was asked to participate in this program which we encourage the teenage girls at our church to do.  It's called personal progress.  I know it will be a good experience for me to do with the girls and it strengthen my testimony of the Savior.

5) Make Christmas gifts

6) Read the talks from General Conference in October

7) Make Christmas cards.  (I have never done these, but I think I'll try it this year)

8) Iron and fix all my clothes that have buttons missing, etc.

9) Find new recipees and try some new dinner ideas.

10) Spend more time with my friends by going to more of the church and club activities. (I would say spend more time with Joe, but it's not like we both graduated so that probably won't happen) :) I also want to go with my friends to see all of the cool Amish and shopping places around here that people have told me about.

 On Friday night, Joe and I went out to eat with 5 other couples at a new steak house restaurant that just opened called Coltons. The rolls were so yummy and the atmosphere was so awesome.  Most restaurants in Kirksville are, well, under-whelming as far as atmosphere goes.  While we were there, I said over and over, "This feels like a real restaurant! It feels like the ones back home!" I had so much fun with everyone there.  Thanks everybody that we got to spend time with!

On Saturday, I went to the worldwide leadership broadcast, which was very good and I will be reading the handbook over the next few months as a result.  Then, I went for about an hour drive with two girlfriends to Centerville, Iowa.  We had heard about these two mansions there that have been turned into boutiques and we wanted to check them out.  Boy, was it worth the drive!

This picture is somewhat dark, but here's the first one; it's called "The Columns."

Both of the mansions were filled from floor to ceiling with the cutest holiday decor, women's accessories, furniture, canned foods, candles, etc. etc. We could have spent hours in each mansion if we'd only had that much energy and time!
Lisa.Me.Kenzi

Mansion #2.  I think this one was my favorite of the 2.  It was four stories tall and it used to be

used for large parties in the town back when it was owned by some residents. It is called "Bradley Hall."  The inside was so elegant and it was completed covered in Christmas decor!

Down Town Centerville.  Cute, right? It reminded me of the little town in "It's a Wonderful Life" with its old fashioned light poles covered in Christmas garland.

There were so many hats in the mansions! Most of them looked like they were from the 1920's and Kenzi tried on almost all of them.

This room was decorated completely in bright red and lime green Christmas decor.  It seems overpowering (and it totally would be in a home), but it was so cool. We're definitely in the Christmas spirit now!

So what did I bring home?  I'll show you when I have it all put together. :)