Started A Business!

So over the weekend I started a business, a shop on etsy.com
Please check it out, tell your friends and family about it, share it on Facebook and Twitter if you like!

Check out the Link below!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/streetsofskaggs

About Time for an Update!

We're all moved into our new home, all the boxes are unpacked and the pictures are hanging on the walls. The offices are set up and it's been work work work since we moved in!

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we did some makeover/housework that we had planned since the very first day we saw this house!

WE TOOK DOWN WALLPAPER!!!

(here are some pictures of our progress)

This is the room, after its been painted and the Tv Mounted!

I'll Post a video another day after the new furniture is in and all the pictures are hung!

We also Put up our new Tree, The original plan was to buy a black tree, but when I went to purchase one, apparently everyone in the Louisville area also had the same idea and they were sold out everywhere, even online!! so we purchased a white one and I'm even more in love with it than I could have ever imagined!

(heres some pictures of the Christmas Tree!)

Here we are hanging the first ornament-which is also the ornament that we gave out at our wedding!

I also completed my tree skirt that I had been wanting to make for the new tree that we purchased. 

I've been in the crafting mood here lately and I also made this headband over the weekend with some left over materials from the tree skirt!

Interstitial Cystitis

As some of you know I suffer from interstitial cystitis. It isn't something I broadcast but it is something that effects me on a daily basis. Today has been especially rough and I thought I needed to share this to inform people about it. Its a society of "Secret Sufferers" Most people that suffer from it don't talk about it as it is somewhat embarassing and overwhelming.

You may be asking yourself; "What is interstitial cystitis?" Let me explain:

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a  chronic bladder condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain during vaginal intercourse.
Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity, most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In IC, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff.

Some people with IC find that their bladder cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal bladder capacity when measured under anesthesia or during urologic testing. People with severe cases of IC may urinate as many as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination.

I have had the HydroDystention(bladder stretching that's spoken about here-painful-and my bladder is only 450cc, the average bladder size is 1000cc)

 An estimated 3.3 million U.S. women, or 2.7 percent, who are 18 years of age or older have pelvic pain and other symptoms, such as urinary urgency or frequency, that are associated with IC.

What Causes IC you may ask?

Some of the symptoms of IC resemble those of bacterial infection, but medical tests reveal no organisms in the urine of people with IC. Furthermore, people with IC do not respond to antibiotic therapy. Researchers are working to understand the causes of IC and to find effective treatments.
Many women with IC have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, Restless Leg Syndrome and fibromyalgia. Scientists believe IC may be a bladder manifestation of a more general condition that causes inflammation in various organs and parts of the body.
Researchers are beginning to explore the possibility that heredity may play a part in some forms of IC. In a few cases, IC has affected a mother and a daughter or two sisters, but it does not commonly run in families.

What are the Treatments for IC?

Scientists have not yet found a cure for IC, nor can they predict who will respond best to which treatment. Symptoms may disappear with a change in diet or treatments or without explanation. Even when symptoms disappear, they may return after days, weeks, months, or years. Scientists do not know why.
Because the causes of IC are unknown, current treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Many people are helped for variable periods by one or a combination of treatments. As researchers learn more about IC, the list of potential treatments will change, so patients should discuss their options with a doctor.

No scientific evidence links diet to IC, but many patients find that alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid foods may contribute to bladder irritation and inflammation. Some people also note that their symptoms worsen after eating or drinking products containing artificial sweeteners. Eliminating various items from the diet and reintroducing them one at a time may determine which, if any, affect a person’s symptoms. However, maintaining a varied, well-balanced diet is important.

Mini Vacation to Indianapolis

Luke and I needed some time away BADLY! We both had been working so hard, and I've been putting in alot of overtime at work to pay for the things for the new house(inspections, surveys etc) I had worked some overtime earlier this year to pay for a little something that Luke has been wanting for awhile now, So we planned a getaway to Indianapolis!



We packed our things up and walked out the door to find a FLAT TIRE!!

Once we got that taken care of we were on the road, in which they shut down the highway and a 2hr drive turned into a 4 and a half hour drive!

Here I am bored and taking pictures of us being stuck in traffic!

Once we got there our first stop was Richard Holt's Tattoo shop; Carmel Tattoo Ink in Carmel Indiana. Which is where Luke got the first session of his arm worked on!

That evening Luke, Matt(Luke's Brother) and I went to dinner at Banura 1 (the old restaurant I worked at when I lived in Indianapolis) chowed down and visited friends.

Afterwards we went to the hotel and hung out with Matt.

Matt recently moved to Indianapolis and is attending IUPUI.

~Matt I tried to upload the pictures I took of you and Luke but they kept uploading sideways :( ~

The Next day on Saturday Luke and Matt's Parents came up and we spent the day with them, we walked the canal for several hours, went to lunch and at the end of the Day Matt and his roommate Bret made us all Dinner.

All in all it was the perfect weekend getaway we needed!

Our First House!

After almost a month of looking, we have finally found "THE ONE"

We have looked in countless neighborhoods in Louisville, without any luck. We honestly were getting a little discouraged. Friday we went out with our realtor Sherrye to look at 4 houses, it was raining...it always was raining when we went to look at houses! The first 3 homes were just not for us, it was either the area or the amount of work it needed. After the 3rd house Luke and I expressed how discouraged we were, and Sherrye said to us " we are going to walk in to a house and you are gonna be like 'THIS IS IT!' dont worry guys we will find it!"

Sherrye was hesitant to show us the last house, she expressed to us she thought it was going to be a dump because of the price of the home wasnt consistant with the neighborhood it was in-her aunt lives across the street. Luke and I followed her over to the house and as we were driving I was overwhelmed with the neighborhood! I didnt know neighborhoods like this existed in Louisville! And I certainly didnt know we could afford to live in one! So when we pulled up I got out the car and shouted "I'm ready to make an offer!!" Only half heartedly kidding!

We went inside and it was as perfect as it could be, the nicest home in the nicest area we had seen YET! We told Sherrye we were seriously interested. She said 'go home talk about it and call me back.' So Luke and I went to dinner and we decided after talking that we wanted to go back and see it again, so we called Sherrye, set it up and went back Saturday Morning. We walked through again, thouroughly! and after lots of discusssion we made an offer...it is now OUR HOUSE!!!

Big ole Tree in front WILL be decorated for Christmas!

This is the back of the house, other than the HUGE yard barn, it has a small deck and patio.

Full privacy fenced yard

Our yard barn!--Lots of storage!

You enter the living room when you first come in.

Another view of the living room.

Our HUGE eat in Kitchen! Complete with a New Range!!!

The Master bedroom with His and Hers closets!

Bedroom #2--Luke's Man Cave/Guest room/future childs room(many years from now)

Bedroom #3--This will be my office

Jack and Jill Bathroom, you can access it from the hall or the master bedroom, it even has a pocket door!



Over all it does need some updating, which were ok with doing. Right away there is some wallpaper and border that needs to come down, but everything else is completely doable and liveable. And I actually really love those yellow countertops-they are just so retro! they will stay for awhile :) Luke calls it our 'Diamond in the rough' and honestly it is just that. Its a home in a FANTATIC neighborhood, that needs a little paint and some updating. Once our furniture is in, and those small things are done this house will shine!

My Baptism!

Yesterday September 4th 2011 I got Baptized!!

Luke's mom and sister came up to Louisville to visit and while they were here I got baptized in front of my whole church family!!

I've been wanting to get re-baptized for awhile now and I've finally done it! It was an amazing an refreshing experience.

I was originally baptized at the age of 8 in the Mormon(LDS) Church. Since I am not practicing that faith anymore; along with many years of inactivity in any faith, some poor life choices and the reconnection with my savior Jesus Christ I decided that I needed to be re-baptized. I needed to have an outward sign of my inner commitment.

I wanted to share this with all of my family and friends as this is one of the most important days of my life! I hope you enjoy it as much as i did!

Finnegan

So as some of you know I started Volunteering at the Local Humane Society, everyone was scared that I'd turn into a crazy animal person because of my love for them is so strong. I assured everyone that we were not going to be adopting anymore pets with Gerdy away and with Izzy here with us.

I surprised myself. I went in to for training on Saturday and completely fell in love with Finnegan; an 11 month old beheamith cat that got surrendered because the owners children were allergic to him.

As you can see he's nothing special to look at, no unique features, no patches of color; all black for Mr. Finn. It was his charm and loving unique nature that won me over. I personally love the tabby's so I thought I was safe playing with him, I was wrong!!

He stole my heart and I quickly called Luke up to meet him. Luke too liked the cat's personality and affectionate nature and we had to have him!

So the newest edition to our family is: FINNEGAN!

As you can see Finny loves to lay with me while I work and I dont mind, I like the company!

Day of Production

We have been now living at our new apartment for over 2 months and since the untimely event of having to get rid of Gerdy

we ( or more like I) have not felt at home. I have had no motivation to hang pictures or decorate in anyway as Gerdy is part of my life. Shes my "child" if you will and her not being here breaks my heart.

Well today we did somethings around here to make it feel more like home.






We hung some pictures in the dining room...(please excuse the messy table i was about to paint...)

 in the Hallway..

and in the office...

 I even Painted a 3 piece Project for our living room!

As Much as I miss Gerdy everyday, I know shes comfortable "taking a vacation" with Luke's Parents. And we should try and get as comfortable here as we can until we can buy a house next spring. Yes were actually going to buy a house!!

Introducing The Skaggs

 Ok so I've been wanting to create a blog for some time now but always felt that I needed some sort of "life event" to start one i.e pregancy, buying a home, marriage etc. Well I am married and I contemplated creating one after we got married but life got so busy all the sudden and before I knew it; here we are a year and a half later and no blog! So lets begin...

 We moved to Louisville in February 2010, 2 months after we got married. We moved from Evansville, IN as we felt our hearts being pulled to Louisville. Within a week Luke discovered a church and we have been coming ever since; we knew instantaneously that this is where we were supposed to be! We are both dedicated to the calling on our lives and feel a passion to lead and be used by God in any way.