What We're Making: Graduation Time Capsules

This past weekend, my family had a special dinner planned to celebrate the high school graduation of one niece, junior high graduation of another and 6th grade graduation of another. It's crazy grad times around these parts.

Anyway, rather than just giving the girls money (which I did) I wanted to give them something fun and creative and memorable. At first, I thought about scrapbooks but then I got the idea to make time capsules that they could fill, give to me and receive back in a decade. How fun it will be for them to read their little youngster handwriting when they're 22, 24 and 27!

To create the capsules, I upcycled empty protein powder containers and covered them in paper I bought at Michael's Craft Store (using spray adhesive).

Then I printed each girl's initial onto cardstock, cut them and spray-glued them to the lids.

Inside, I included sheets for the girls to complete that included facts about themselves, their favorite stuff, their favorite memories from the year, and where they see themselves in the future. Then I added "Dear Me" stationery so that each of them could write themselves a letter that will get sealed in an envelope until I return the capsules in 2022.

I can't be totally sure, but I think they liked the gifts. And I liked them so much, I'm tempted to create one for Mr. W and me! There's nothing better than looking back and seeing how far you've come!

I Thought This Day Would Never Come

 

Yes, I made Mr. W pose for a picture with me just so I could write this post.

 

You know those couples who to go Disneyland wearing matching t-shirts or twinsies hats or carbon copy fanny packs? The ones who feel they have to show the world through their wardrobes that they are united in love for all eternity?

They make me cringe to my greatest depths. My spleen feels embarrassed when I see them.

I don't know what possesses a duo to think it's a good idea to dress in identical getups and go out in public, but I (like most sane people, I hope) think it is completely ridiculous. And this is why, when Mr. W and I entered the living room wearing eerily similar outfits last week before a walk, I really should have changed my clothes.

I didn't quite realize how alike we looked until we got outside and by that time both of us were feeling too stubborn to go back in and switch out our shirts.

"Let's just stick to the back roads," I told him, hoping that every occupant of Hollywood would be inside their homes, far away from the sight of us.

Of course, not ten seconds down the street, one of our neighbors appeared in his driveway and said hello to us. I'm sure he was thinking something like, "Poor guy gets married and his wife starts making him dress like her..." or maybe just "Lame." Or maybe he and his wife dress alike at theme parks and I'm totally wrong about his reaction. Anyway...

We passed several other early evening walkers as we wound up through the hills, and all of them mercifully ignored our attire. Until we were just a couple blocks from home and a man in all black put his hand to his brow to block the setting sun and get a better look at us.

"Nice outfits!" he exclaimed as we approached.

I almost ripped off my shirt and finished the walk in my bra.

"We didn't plan it, I swear!" I shrieked at him.

"Uh huh."

For the record, my shirt at least had a little embellishment on the front. But I learned my lesson: no matchy-matchy EVER again. Unless we're in the Caveman Room.

Big Zucchinis and Little Ideas That Can Change the Course of Everything

I just had to share the beast that Mr. W and I grew in the backyard. I swear I could swaddle this thing and rock it to sleep. It's pretty much the size of a human infant.

And in case you haven't yet visited my other blog The Path to Wonderful, I thought I'd share my most recent post on the power of the five-minute brainstorm. Thanks for checking it out!