business partners!

finish by Martin Painting Corporation, design; George Cameron Nash
as of this week I am officially a partner in ownership of Martin Painting Corporation. holy moly, that is a crazy thing to say(write). zach and i feel so incredibly fortunate, excited, anxious, nervous and optimistic about our family's business and future.
growing up i spent many summer days "going to work" with my grandfather and father, and once in college, my dad gave me the opportunity to work part time in the office, allowing for me to be a college student with a flexible work schedule, a little extra cash, and an understanding boss. after bouncing back and forth between degree plans i finally graduated with a bachelor degree in psychology, but by then had come to the realization that my true passion laid in the work of my family's business. i could not imagine doing anything else. my job responsibilities have continually grown and shifted since i started and i can not wait to see where this business takes me! Over the past few years Barry A. Martin Painting Contracotrs, Inc., our residential & commercial speciality painting business has expanded the 'Martin' painting services by creating a full service furniture finishing company; Martin Painting Corporation. recently, my mother and father graciously offered their children the opportunity to stake claim in this new and expanding business....and so we did!
needless to say, things have been pretty busy around the shop, and my job is becoming more extensive, but i have my heart and soul in these two companies and am willing to do all that i can to make the both succeed. *wish us success!

finish by Martin Painting Corporation, design; George Cameron Nash

the holidays

christmas has come and gone, new years has been celebrated, and recovered from, and now it is back to life as usual. these past few weeks have been very busy and have certainly reminded me that time is flying bye.
this year's christmas was spent with lots of family, food and gifts. it truly is my favorite holiday for so many reasons.



then we were lucky enough to spend new years eve surrounded by our favorite friends.

i couldn't have asked for more.

to top it all off...i do believe our house has become an even happier place, namely because of the following additions:
*our new stereo system, my parents gave us,

which has been continuously playing the likes of ryan binghm and stoney larue

*and, our bedroom accessories beautifully made by my sister


*and although i haven't found the perfect place to hang the painting my father created and gave us, i know it will be just lovely wherever it ends up


it's hard to believe the celebrations are over and a new year has begun.
i can't wait to see what's in store...

we're having a(nother) nephew!!

it is official - my sister & brother-in-law are having another boy!!! we are all so excited. there is something about finding out the sex that just seems to make things "official"(at least for those of us who aren't actually carrying the baby).

i can't wait to see how this little boy loves his new brother


crosby nelson, we can't wait to meet you!

onions

i think everyone in the blog world follows 'a cup of jo' (and if you don't, you should!) but her post today provided a little trick to keep you from crying while chopping those mean onions. can't wait to try it! check it out here.
picture via

greatest hits - trying to be like my sister

although i spent most of my childhood trying to be as 'cool' as my sister, i'm not quite sure i succeeded. however, we are definitely two independent people, both cool in our own right... :)
today i am stealing one of her weekly blog post ideas and creating my own "greatest hits" - sorry cort. if you haven't checked her blog out lately you certainly should!

so, although i have again been under the weather this week, lots of fun and festive things have taken place! here is the documentation of a few of them:

1) zach and i traveled 30 minutes west to the great city of ft.worth last weekend for a little get-a-way. we saw a country concert, ate yummy bbq, visited the zoo, and caught up on much needed sleep.





2) as tradition would have it, the wednesday before my dad's birthday, the family visits a local dive bar to eat burgers, drink beer, and listen to "red" sing old waylon and willie songs



3) as for christmas traditions, the women of my family have been getting together for the past, i don't know...10+ years, for brunch at the festive neiman marcus store downtown. it is something we all look forward to every year.




4) for the past few years, my lovely friend elizabeth has hosted a christmas cookie decorating evening for all us girls. this year we combined it with our potluck dinner and white elephant gift exchange. it was wonderful.



5) and finally, zach and i were able to keep the tradition alive, courtesy of texas paint, by attending a yearly cowboy's game!



i just love holidays, and the traditions they bring. i hope everyone else is enjoying this christmas time of year!

he asked me a question...

yesterday marked three years since zachary got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. and yesterday, he surprised me with these at work:

and we spent our evening decorating for christmas


my sister's words of wisdom when we got married was to write everything down. such good advice.
the day he proposed i remember;
-we arrived in new york city (with my family) to snow and a very delayed rent car arrival
-he was unusually tense
-he tried on at least three outfits, all of which he complained about
-the parents rented all of us a limo for my dad's birthday
-he excused himself from the dinner table to go to the bathroom
-he tapped on my shoulder and i turned to him on one knee
-i hit him, and said shut up
-then yes
-he fell asleep in the limo shortly after dinner (stressful day, i suppose)
-we sat up most of the night trying to decide who would be in our wedding party
-i was so very happy

such a great memory!

pictures needed

so it has been a while, to say the least. i have been super busy at work and once i get home and go to the gym, all i feel like doing is lounging on the couch mindlessly watching tv. sad, i know.
lots has happened since i wrote last...thanksgiving, christmas shopping and decorating, fun times with family and friends....all of which have been undocumented due to me "misplacing" our NEW camera. uuuggghhh. i shouldn't be trusted with expensive things.
so without any fun pictures to post i will simply provide you with a link to one of my bestie's blogs where she has the cutest post on a hanukkah project. her little video makes me miss her more.

miyan