Titov Papa, Mama, & Ella Come to Visit

The past three days have been rather sweet. Sweet in being able to be near our parents + little sister. The visit was long awaited, and went by fast. We went around town, from the beach to the hills, ate lots of food, and most importantly spent time together. I am so thankful for the loving family that I have and do wish we didn't have to take month long breaks from seeing each other. I am very thankful for the frequent visits of people visiting us and when we have the opportunity to come up North.

On Friday night we stayed local:

 

Yup, we L-O-V-E her

with my faithfully loving dad

my amazing beautiful mama

 Saturday: we went to Manhattan Beach and Griffith Observatory

yeah they kid around

Thee best little sister- in her outrageous teenager years

 

My one and only Vlad

It was perfect beach weather.

 

It does say Hollywood back there... 

We saw the moon from earth while it was still daylight

Through that!

 Sunday: Went To Our Church

Lessons From Hanging Curtains

My window is bare no more! What-a-difference some fabric can make. After measuring my length, width, and height I headed out to Joanne's Fabric Store. I walked in with a skip in my step, ready to pick up some fabric. After I walked isle after isle lets say I wasn't skipping anymore and I dragged my feet out of the store empty handed. Not only did I not find any fabric print that I sort of liked... I also well.... don't know much about fabric yet. I will go back to Joanne's for some fabric, I'll share for what later--- hint it will not be for curtains.
Instead of buying fabric and making curtains I opted out to just go ahead and get ready made panels. The ever so faithful Ikea did the trick this time. The standard panels they sell are 98" long and the panels come in PAIRS. Everyone else seems to be tricky and sells ONE PANEL in a pack when you most of the time need two- sheesh! I've come across some nice panels or wait I thought it was panels... it was actually ONE panels and the prices usually obviously doubled. I'm not in the business (what business?) to pay double the prices... I only like to go the opposite way (-). Anyhow the only tricky part about this was ordering special hardware that would go out at least 5" for the clearance of my favorite vertical blinds, which I talked about here.
The best part of hanging these curtains aside from waking up and going to sleep by something pretty were some lessons I took away from this.

Lessons From Hanging Curtains:
1. I have a husband who is pretty much right most of the time, I don't know how he does it. If I started admitting to about what it would need a post length, so instead if you want to know ask me.
2. The arrows on the floor of Ikea will actually lead you out into the marketplace and to the exit. I will never go back to Ikea without Vlad or someone else that I can look silly with walking by the bedroom section 12 times and act  as if that's normal... those shortcut doors aren't shortcuts if you are shortcutting every time--- I think it might take you in circles.
3. 84" curtains are short curtains.
4. There is a significant difference between drywall and plaster when it comes to hanging hardware.
5.  You should get curtain rods that are longer than what you actually need. Say you need 95" in width go with the 120" because it will be much more sturdier than if you get a 98" rod and stretch it out as far as it goes-- it'll become rather flimsy in the center.

Now here are the curtains: I know I've mentioned to some that I want a pop of color or design, but I decided to be myself and go with what is my favorite for these type of things. We ended up purchasing three different packs of curtains, the white to go into the middle, the beige panels to go on the sides, and the brown panels to go on top... Here's what I mean:

 

TA DA!!

Here's a before picture:

This before picture, faithfully reveals the real size of the window.... so hang your curtains wide and high :)!

Natalie, Anya, and Inna Oh My!

It was such a fun girl-time filled weekend when Natalie, Anya, and Inna came to visit us! To tell you the truth, I was rather doubtful that they would actually come when Natalie contacted me. 400 mile drive, just to spend one night and 1.5 days here with us. But it was true! They came and it was such a blast. They came into town about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and us girls headed out and in the evening Vlad joined in on the fun.

Here are just some pictures:

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Little Sister Yuliya

I can't believe how old my little sister Yulichka has turned. She has hit the big twenty-one. I still remember her little baby hands (as weird as that may sound- I hold sentiment in that). I actually remember when one day I took her hand and was surprised- I was used to it being the cute baby chubby, shorter fingers, and little nails type of hand; but instead it was a hand of lady, no chub, no baby fingers, and pretty nails-.and.that's.when.it.hit.me.or.so.I.thought.- & it hit me again this year when she climbed over 20 years of age. She has grown into a beautiful, God loving lady.

God is good, it's the best thing to see in my little sister: the evidences and fruit of her faith through out these years become stronger as she matures. 

If you would want to meet one of the kindest people in your life, it would be my sister Yuliya.

Love.Love.Love.Love.Love.My.Yuliya.

Burlaka Mom and Dad Come to Visit!

It was such a treat to have our mom and dad come visit us on the 4th of July- middle of the week- holiday! They came by on the evening on the 3rd and stayed with us til the afternoon of the 4th :). 

Showing them around our hometown:

 

The Americana at Brand:

Out to breakfast @ Black Cow Cafe:

 

Thanks Mom & Dad!