One great Friday Find

I've mentioned before how I love Jeremy Larson. His previous CD is one of my favorites. His new CD Salvation Club is out now (although there is a little hold up at the moment to actually get your hands on it). I pre-ordered mine, which means I was lucky enough to get a download of it (through him).

I had my first listen today, and OH MY, it is absolutely fantastic. Just beautiful to sit and enjoy. I HIGHLY recommend it when it becomes available again. I think it's also cool that he is an independent artist with no label, who is going at it alone.

You can get a sneak peek of the new stuff here.



I'm off to see the United Tour! And I'm giddy with excitement for what God is going to do tonight!

no, not today

No, I didn't sit with my feet propped up all day. I wasn't in warm fuzzy slippers soaking in the last few warm rays of Fall sunshine. I wasn't staring at the water as it sparkled and shimmered.


I didn't sip water out of a wine glass just because I want to.
Cause it makes me feel fancy.
Side note: does anyone else remember that episode of Arrested Development when GOB wore the "fancy eyebrows" he stole from the man with Alopecia? That's what that sentence reminded me of. Sigh...I miss that show....


I didn't wear this outfit 2 days this week. Although I am thinking of wearing it tomorrow cause I've got some special plans for the evening. Special, fantastic plans.
However, I won't get to wear my squishy slippers that my roommate gave me last year for Christmas. Wouldn't it be nice if you COULD wear your slippers out in the big wide world though.
Side note: Does anyone else have outfits that they create on whim and then want to wear everyday for a week? Is that just me?


I did NOT sit on my porch and write in Story Journal #2 today. My ideas didn't come spilling out through my pen.
I had previously filled up my first story journal with a story (duh), but ran out of paper. I covered an old camp "lost and found" journal with vintage paper and my elsiecake embroidery patterns, which are just too lovely.
Side note: I love writing by hand rather than typing. Yes, I do write my blog by typing, but I would LOVE to hand write it first. Just too time consuming. Stories just ask to be written with a pen a paper.


No, I didn't sip water out of a wine glass today. I WANTED to. I really did. Work was on the agenda instead. Busy, busy little bee I was. But I dreamed of days like this.
Side note: Somehow drinking water out of a wine glass is just so lovely. Since I don't drink any type of alcohol, I don't usually get to use these fun glasses that are in my cupboard. But recently I decided to start drinking water out of them to feel fancy. (see above for "fancy" reference)

What did you NOT get to do today?

anyone else miss summer already?

I sure do.

But I did get some good news today.

I may actually have a warm/heated bedroom this winter. No more wearing gloves to blog anymore. More glorious heat in a house with no insulation is a GOOD thing, let me tell you.

It's the little things in life sometimes....

more evidence of my "i like random" weirdness

Do you ever wonder what is going through the librarian's mind when you go up to the desk with your stack of books? I sure do. Does she judge my book selection? Does she think "what in the world is this girl reading this for?" Does she make a mental checklist to try out something in your stack that she'd never seen before? I ponder these things.

Yesterday, in my wonderful day of nothing to do but hang out with myself, I spent a good long while at the local library. After hunting around for a good long time, trying to find something else to read this was what I came up with. I really, really wished that it was 4 years ago and I was picking up Harry Potter for the first time and discovering a whole new world to fall in love with. I didn't find anything like that, and a couple of the things I wanted were out on loan already.

I noticed what a weird, strange, diverse mix of goods I ended up with.

a graphic novel (this is #3. I read the first two while standing in Borders cause I didn't want to spend the $ on another book. I. am. cheap.) I'm really enjoying this series. Very creative.

politics and Jesus (another Shane Claiborne book. i really liked Irresistible Revolution)

an Oscar classic (although I think the book is better, no make that amazing! Good movie though. I get a hankering for it sometimes.)

Gwenyth Paltrow's best roll (my sister and I watched this movie about 20 times when we first discovered it years ago. Sometimes a girls just needs some Jane Austen, you know?)

a Russian classic (cause I still feel the need to read it)


Such a random mix. Sorry you had to share the stack with a comic, Tolstoy.

this is a long one

(my skirt in the sunshine yesterday. random photos....love them.)

What have I been doing?

Pre-ordering Salvation Club, which comes out tomorrow. Wishing to the high heavens I could go to his concert....

Finishing up engagement pictures. Yup, they are going in the mail before the end of the week, R & K!

Working. Lots of mopping, sweeping, wiping off tables, serving food and trying to understand how women can scrapbook for 48 hours straight?!!

Finishing up season 2 of my current obsession and not being able to stop watching what was next even if it was 11:30pm and I had to be at work the next day @ 7am. Well, I guess technically most of the watching was done while editing pictures, so at least I was accomplishing something. What, oh what, will I do when I finish up this show? How will I ever edit? I'll have to find a new secret weapon. But it won't have the Cohen's....boo-hoo.

Cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering my closet. I took an ENTIRE car trunk-full of stuff to Goodwill. It felt SO good to drive away from all that stuff. Stuff is consuming sometimes.

Taking a day by myself. Going to Target, the library and Panera Bread to read. Sometimes I really love being by myself.



Why I took a break.....
It's funny....I started trying to blog once a day - every day - a couple months ago. I really loved it. I loved going back and reading my rambles. The last week or so, I had been really just blah about writing and trying to think of something of interest to say. Not that I really say anything that interesting - ever. But I enjoy the process of writing.
So when I started to get in a slump, I got kinda scared. I thought that this whole phase was over and my little blog would become forgotten. I was kinda mourning its loss when I signed off Friday not knowing IF or when I would come back. I didn't want to return to writing just because I felt obligated to myself to do it. I know there aren't really many people that read this. I know that I don't write thinking that people really care about it, but it mattered to me. I was sad that it would all be over.
Well, Saturday was a good break. I didn't miss it. Again, slight panic that I wouldn't miss it ever again! But then Sunday rolled around, and I was constantly thinking of posts to write. Every little thing I did was an "oh, I could post about that" zing. I kinda wanted to write...kinda. But I didn't let myself. I said no and watched the OC instead and wrote more of my little story.
Today, I WANTED to write. I think I realized that writing is a big outlet for me. No, it's nothing important. It's not the next best selling novel, article, post or script. It's not any of those things.
But I enjoy it. And there are so few things in life that we can truly jump into and LOVE. Something that is OURS and not our family's or significant other's or best friend's. It's ours. It makes us breather easier and live a little more fully. Those little things are what make us special, what make us tick. They are how we are uniquely created by God, unlike any other person on earth. It doesn't even have to mean anything to any one else. It's just who we are.

"Make careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself to others. Each one of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."
-so says Paul in Galatians 6

I'm still learning on this journey God has for me. Lately He has been making me think in ways I never have before. I'm open to things I used to be terrified of. I'm starting to see a little more clearly what He has created me to do and that has only happened as I've gotten to know HIM better. When HE is more dear and familiar to me, then I don't feel like my thoughts and dreams are ridiculous. I see them through the light of who HE is.

I know, I know, a little too deep for taking a blog break, right? Well, sometimes God speaks to me loudest in the mundane, the quiet times, the moments that I'm not so consumed with myself. Sometimes I have to take a step back to see the whole picture and discover what He is painting in the details.

And with that.....

I'm happy to be back.


Tonight's post written while listening to: Owl City and Sigur Ros (word of warning...beware the album art... I'm loving their newest album Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust at the moment)

Friday Finds and a note at the end

Elsie's post on creative artists was so great. I love hearing how people do what they love for a living. Such an interesting read.

On My Happy Little Life, Kelli had a great post on inspiration. Again, I just love her blog.

More fun pictures from The Image is Found. I'm so jealous of their mad photo skills.

I want some of this chocolate milk pronto. PW always makes the most yummy stuff.

My Flickr fave's are so delicious right now. The colors blend so beautifully.

Don't make fun....I want to see this movie, which opens this weekend. I know, I know.

Heather Bailey's fabric had me drooling this week. I want all of these. Her blog is so beautiful too.

As I was driving around our BRAND NEW Target's parking garage, I almost re-ended someone when I saw a little girl in a Matilda Jane outfit. They really are just as beautiful in person. I'm crossing my fingers that my sister will have a girl so I will have an excuse to buy some.

After 1 entire month of having the same Netflix DVD, I finally returned my Young Riders Season One Disc 3. It really is embarrassing how long I keep my movies. I've been having a hankering for some of their crazy antics, so this is up next. Excuse my lack in proper television choices, but I can't help myself.



That's all for this week. Hope you find something fun and new.

I'm going to take a couple days off from Cottage Girl. Been feeling a little blaahhh when it comes to posting. Time for a break.

Enjoy your weekends while I work, work, work....

a few more

happy thoughts

• These verses in Galatians 6: "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." (The Message)

• The folks of Dillon, TX. FNL is back and better than ever this season. Thank goodness The Bro has Direct TV. I heart FNL.

• A story that I can't wait to share with all of you. It involved yet another animal in a building here. Yes, another one.

• A post on A Beautiful Mess and one on My Happy Little Life that I'll share on Friday Finds. Good stuff.

• Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins. The Academy got it right for once when they bestowed an Oscar on her for this performance. It. is. magical. (and totally scary at the same time.) And I think she has one of the best entrances EVER in a movie.

• I ran today. And it wasn't pretty. And it didn't last long. BUT I did it.
  

And with that, I say goodnight.

where are they now?

Anyone else ever wish that VH1 would do a Where are They Now with your favorite TV characters?

I was pondering this the other day when I was watching Veronica and Logan. I wonder what happened to those star-crossed lovers....


I miss them and their snarky remarks....sigh...


ps....I love TV a little too much. But you all already know that, don't you? And you still like me, right?

So in love

(click to see bigger)

My friend from high school recently got engaged. He called and asked me (which I am still in shock about) to take his engagement pictures this past weekend. I'm still so new at the whole picture taking thing that it shocks me that people think that I am good enough to take THEIR pictures. Not to mention when people I KNOW ask me. It's such an honor.

I've known Rob since he was in 3rd grade. He and my sister were in the same class until they graduated (and then @ LU too, so 4 more years!). We all went to a TINY Christian school and everyone knew everyone. I graduated with his older brother.
This was the first time I met his adorable fiance, Kirsten. She is SO sweet and kind and funny and adorable. Plus, she loves Battlestar, Harry Potter and Firefly. Oh, yeah! A girl after my own heart.

They were so much fun to shoot. Completely in love. No poses here (I HATE posed pictures). I just told them where to stand and let them be themselves. Or I said "can I get a shot of your ring?" and this is what they did...

(click on the photo to see bigger)

Can't you just FEEL the love in this shot....

(click to see bigger)

Oh, there are more to come, don't you worry. Just wanted to get a couple up for them to see.

Thanks, guys! I had so much fun.

yard sale find

Because I was working last weekend, I couldn't go to all the fun yard sales that were going on. Low and behold, my sweet friend Beth came back with these for me. Just cause she thought I'd like them.
She has amazing taste, don't you think?!! Thank, Beth! I LOVE them!

lovely Fall day

(photo from Nov 07)

Sometimes I like to list out my day to see everything that I got to do. I want to remember what a lovely day today was.

• The weather was cool. A little too cool for my liking, but nice.

• I got to spend time with my parents.

• My dad and I did a barter/swap today. He fixed my car brakes. I'm watching their dog in a couple weeks. Sweet.

• The drive to my parents and back home is full of Fall colors.

• I took an amazing nap. 15 minutes of dreams. Waking up and feeling much better. Love short naps like that.
  

• I found Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland on VHS for $1 each at a yard sale. Been wanting to see both lately.
  

• Enjoyed Angels and Airwaves. One of the 40+ CD's my brother let me listen to from his collection. The cover of I-Empire is totally Star Wars. Love it.
  

• A photo shoot with a friend and his new fiance. So much fun. They are so sweet. Thanks for asking me guys!
  

• A birthday party for a little friend whom I adore. Her smile literally makes my day brighter.
  

• Talks with friends. I love my little community here so much. It hits me sometimes how blessed I am to be surrounded by these amazing friends whom I love so dearly. Truly blessed, that's me.
  

• Still writing my little story and loving it so much.
  

• Taking a few moments to just say "thank You, Father" for those moments when I feel His presence and see His love evident in my life.
  

I hope you all have days like this. I am humbled by my Father's love for me today. His grace. His immeasurable mercy. He is more than enough for all of me.

Friday Finds

I want to make one of these. This one is pretty too. I always get in a knitting mood once it turns cooler. During the summer, no thanks!

I want to figure out how to do my hair like this. I used to do all kinds of fun things with my hair. Now it's BORING.

My heart was a little lighter after seeing this sweet post. What an amazing, God-loving man he is.

My favorite post this week of all the blogs I read. Hula Seventy is always, always inspiring. I adore her photos and her words.

Now, you all know I love Battlestar Galactica, but I don't know that I love it this much. How crazy is this! Oh, and let the countdown begin to new (and last) episodes!!!

I saw the book The Hunger Games recommended on Stephanie Meyer's (author of Twilight books) website and it looks like a fun read. Always looking for one of those.

These photos, 1 & 2, from a Flickr contact made me miss Hawaii. They aren't miniatures. The shots were taken with a tilt shift lens, which gives them that cool effect.

I love this jewelry I found by way of decor8. A Fine Romance, The lady is a tramp and time for Adventure are my favorites. The artist's name is Kristen Townsend. Also, the "magazine" she is featured in is really cute too.

Found a new destination to visit. This Cottage Girl needs to live here, don't you think? It looks so magical....



Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be busy doing a photo shoot (hi, Rob!), going to my little friend's 1st birthday party and going to my childhood home because my dad is fixing my car's breaks (thanks, Daddy-O!). Plus I may try to fit a few yard sales in because they are everywhere this time of year! Happy Fall!

the day I felt like Pioneer Woman

You all know that I love and avidly read Pioneer Woman. It is one of, if not the, best blogs on the internet in my opinion. Ree is fantastic and hilarious and so generous.

Now, I enjoy her stories of cows and horses and ranch life, but it is VERY far from anything that I encounter in a day. My days are filled with sailboats and tides and sandy beaches. Not quite the same. And I'm not complaining either cause I do love the water. Love, love, love with all my heart.

Well, yesterday our little camp crew had a big project to work on. We needed firewood. You see, when we have rental groups use our property, one of their options for activities is a campfire. A camp fire on our waterfront no less. Not that you can really see the water in the dark, but people seem to think it's amazing just to be NEAR the water and have a fire at the same time.
We have many, many campfires. Sometimes 2 or 3 in a weekend. Lots of campfires = lots of wood. Over the last year or two, we have seriously dwindled our supply. It was time to do some replenishing. Guess who was called upon to do so? Are you guessing? Are you guessing Cottage Girl? Well, you are correct.
Note: when you work in a ministry that only has about 8 people on full time staff, your job title is merely a nice suggestion of the things that you will do in a given day. This means that while my job title suggests that I will answer phones and get the mail and do other officey type things....suggestion is all that it is. My job will entail many different things on any given day. For example...in the last 2 weeks I: painted trim in our Dorms, helped measure our boats for their winter shrinkwrap, went to the dump, belayed on the climbing wall (kinda like this), etc and so on. Like my Facebook profile says, "job titles mean nothing here."

So, when it was discovered that we need more firewood, it was basically an "all call" for everyone to get on their gruby clothes and buck up and haul some wood.

On this particular day, yesterday to more precise, we all jumped into vehicles, one of them being the camp truck, which only has 3 gears and none of them are in the proper spot on the little dial (ie...to go in reverse, you put it in 1st gear.) and headed out to one of our co-worker's parent's farm. They graciously allowed up to use some of their downed trees FREE of charge. How nice is that?!
We pull up and begin heading to the downed trees and suddenly, I feel like Ree on her ranch. We are surrounded by cows. Mooing, moaning, staring cows. I could see why she takes photos of them. Their faces are cute in a cow sort of way.
The morning was a busy one. We carried tree parts (large and small), tried to avoid cow manure (I can see why Ree has laundry covered in manure now. Yucko.), chainsawed(is that a word? No, not ME using the chainsaw to be exact), split a bunch-make that a HUGE pile-of logs (yes, I did do this. Are you impressed?) and made nice neat stack of freshly chopped wood (this made my OCD heart very happy). It was a lovely (read: hard work) morning.
Over and over, I kept imagining what it must have been like for people in the olden days that used to do all of those things by hand. No chainsaws, log splitters or trucks. It would have taken them about 2 WEEKS to finish what we did in 2 hours. I'm happy to live in this day and age. I love power tools.

There you have it. An adventure (read: cow poop) filled day in the warm October sun, camp style. Now, how many of you wish you had my job? Yes, yes, I see those hands. I wish you were here too.

reading is fun

I read The Host by Stephanie Meyer when it came out in May this year. And lately, I've been thinking about it a lot. Guess it's time to go back and re-read.

On a side note....
Does anyone else re-read books? I thought every one did until I talked with several friends who said that "nope" they don't ever re-read a book. WHAT?!! That's, like, my favorite part of reading! I've read Little Women and the Anne of Green Gables series so much my books are tattered and torn. Sometimes I love a book MORE the more times I read it. Like Harry Potter or Jane of Lantern Hill (which apparently isn't available on Amazon, which is a travesty because this is one of my favorite books of all time).

Anyway....it's a great book. I can't remember if I ever recommended it here, so I shall do so again. It's about aliens that have taken over Earth. No, not robots. Robots are Battlestar Galactica. These are aliens. These aliens use the human bodies as hosts. They are little wormy creatures that attach themselves to the brain and spinal cord of a human being and take over who they are. Humans are basically extinct except for a very few who rebel against the aliens and try to win back Earth.
Sounds weird, right? Well the story takes a weird turn when one of the hosts decides that she doesn't want to go away quietly and pushes her thoughts into the aliens thoughts. Craziness insues and people learn a lot about each other.
It's a good read. Even if you don't like sci fi, I think you would enjoy the story. It's a little slow in the beginning, but picks up. I like the whole idea of it and the questions it raises.

There you go. Who doesn't love a good book recommendation?!


ps....don't forget to post your thoughts on this post. time is almost up!

the next day

Thanks everyone for your kind words yesterday. They were so wonderful and encouraging. It's so nice to know that even when I'm having a bad day, you all still read and care! Much appreciated. I hope I can do the same for each of you one day.

I AM feeling better today. Not spectacular, but better. I spent a good while outside in the warm October sun, which was so very helpful. I think some of this yuckiness may be from the fact that it's getting darker even earlier and earlier now. Dear goodness I HATE that! Almost more than the cold. Almost. Guess I have to grin and bear it and hunker down for the winter to come...

On a completely different note....
I hope you are all going to jump in on the great discussion going on in the comment section of Monday's post. There's so much to ponder. I'm going to leave it alone for a few more days in case anyone else wants to join. Then I'll do a wrap up and write my own little thoughts on the subject. Please, do join in!

And to top it off....
My roommate was watching 100 Greatest 80's songs on VH1 tonight. Talk about some awesome tunes. Flashback express. It's scary that I know all of them.
Also, it's scary that the clothes that are in the videos are now in Target for kids to buy today. The 80's are back, man. The 80's are back. If only I had kept my jelly bracelets and denim shirts. I so remember a kid in my 5th grade class who wore a white glove on one hand like Michael Jackson everyday.

Alright, I'm off for the day. Friday Night Lights is on tonight. Mmmm. That always makes me a little happier. Night all!

leave it at that

I don't have anything tonight.
I've felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster today.
No particular reason.
In fact, today was a pretty normal day.
Mundane in fact.
But sometimes my mind over reacts, and I can't make logical sense of things that are pretty straight forward.
Things like a super high bill for my car getting fixed.
Things like being angry with myself for not running today when my only excuse is "I don't want to."
Things like getting frustrated with God cause I feel like He is far away, but not taking the time to pursue Him like I need to.
Over analyzer = me.
Some days, I just don't want to deal with everything.
Some days, I want to just go to sleep and start all over.
Some days, I want to not be lonely.
Some days, I want to just be me and not feel so guilty about it.

Today was a yucky day, mentally. And to really be honest, to really write what I feel, I just couldn't make something up or cover it over with a post about TV or books. Today, I just wanted to write what I feel and leave it at that....

Questions to ask

There was an absolutely beautiful post on my happy little life today. I just love Kelly's blog.

Her post, which you need to read first, is right where my thoughts have been lately. Getting older and what to do with your life.

I have a question for each of you. One that I constantly struggle with and re-think.

Where is the line between pursuing your passions and accomplishing God's will for your life?

What I mean by that is...are you supposed to "follow your dreams" like so many people say you should or do you quietly wait for the plan that God has for you? Is it possible that you can do both at the same time. What if your dreams/passions aren't what He wants your life to be about? Or do you have those passions because He has given them to you to accomplish here on earth? How do you know that difference?

I have more thoughts on this, but I'd love to hear from you. If you would like to, leave a comment and share your thoughts. I'll wait a couple days and then come back to this whole thing. I can't wait to hear from you.....

which movie to choose

Why does the weekend have to fly by so quickly? Mine seemed to disappear way too fast. Of course, I did work for half of it, so that may be why.

I did get to the movies for the first time since I saw X-Files in July. Body of Lies was the picture of choice this time. I liked it. However, I enjoy Leo, whom I know some people don't. But I think he's a superb character actor. The Aviator, Blood Diamond, Titanic, Romeo and Juliet, Gilbert Grape. Sorry to all of you who disapprove, but I enjoy seeing him create a new character. IMDB rated it a 7.9. I agree.

And speaking of rating a movie....
Yesterday, when The Bro and I decided to go to the movies, we did the "which one are we going to see" debate. Now up until this month, there hasn't really been anything that I would pay $10 to see. But this weekend we had several good options. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (I miss George Michael-aka Michael Cera), Flash of Genius, Body of Lies, Appaloosa. All with the possibility of a great story.
It all came down to The Bro determining factor. How did they rate on imdb.com? This goes into a lot of decisions for which movies we see. MOST of the time it's pretty accuarte. For instance, its number one of all time is The Shawshank Redemption, which I would agree is a fantastic movie in the great world of movie making. Maybe not my favorite of all time, but a superb story and wonderfully acted.
IMDB is voted by actual viewers too and not movie critics, which drive me crazy at times. I would rather know what 10 of my friends think rather than some guy who watches movies day and night, wouldn't you?

The other movie I saw was from 2005. A documentary called Why We Fight. I started it while ago, but finally watched the whole thing tonight. Very interesting. It's about the war in Iraq and really just wars and America in general. IMDB gave it a 8.1. Again, I agree.

So, if you are every trying to decide what to watch...whether it's something you are going to pay $10 to see or just another title to add to your Netflix (I don't trust their ratings much. Been led astray too many times.), do what The Bro makes me do. Check IMDB.

snapshots

Couldn't think anything that tied them together. Just liked them for their little details.

The lamp in the dune walkway.
The corner of shells in focus as the wave arrives.
The campers lined up with pull-outs out and a hint of ocean in the background.
The camper's window edge in the right corner (and I look cross eyed for some reason...)

I love photography.

Friday finds

Who What Wear. I found this about 2 years ago and then forgot about it. I love seeing how people wear clothes even though I usually can't afford them or see the need to have an enormous closet full of them. Plus, it doesn't have all the stupid Hollywood gossip that I can't stand.

A little note from Mary Beth Chapman. A great reminder to keep them in prayer DAILY!

These ACEO cards from Elise are so perfectly lovely. And I loved these bags too.

I've been listening to "Lack of Color" and "All But One Saint" way too much this week. Repeat, repeat, repeat... And "Something Pretty" is my new favorite song in the world. More repeats.

I just loved this girl's blog and photos too.

Flickr fun...one, two, three.


And finally....

I was laughing hysterically at this part of The Office last night. Oh, so perfect!




I'm working this weekend and hoping to take some photos. My camera is neglected and lonely. Have a great weekend everyone!

My town wants to be Stars Hallow

I've been missing Stars Hallow something fierce lately. The funny, quirky people which inhabit that place. The silly events like a town knitting festival. Luke's Diner. Boys who love you so much they build ice rinks in your front yard...




Did I ever tell you that I got to actually GO to Stars Hallow? On my cruise down the west coast in '06. We toured LA and did the Warner Brothers' backstage tour. They were actually shooting the day we were there so I couldn't take a any photos. Boo-hoo. I did get to walk up to Luke's Diner and see Miss Patty's dance studio. Miss Patty's was the location for the town meetings.

In my missing Stars Hallow phase, I began to wax poetical about what a town meeting must be like. I imagined it being so fun to go to something like that. All the neighbors arguing over silly things.

Then I remembered that MY town has one of those. We have a sign that announces the next "town meeting" or potluck or beach cleanup date. I heard from a reliable source that they are very similar to those good old Stars Hallow meetings. Neighbors arguing over lawn ornaments and golf cart usage. The hierarchy of the old timers vs. the newbies. Arguments over trash day and beach usage. Fights with a neighboring community. All the drama is there and I'm missing it!
My roommate and I have decided that we are going to try to go to the next meeting. "Technically," we aren't in that community (our street and all the houses on it are shunned and forbidden to use the boat ramp. Oh, the horror!), but I wonder if they would try to stop us. I mean if they are so busy with keys to the beach gate will they notice two girls who sneak in the back and just watch the whole time....

I'm sure it won't be as good as Stars Hallow, but maybe it will fill the hole that the end of Gilmore Girls left. Man, I miss those girls and their hairstyles and fast talking and their pop culture references.

Wait a second! Seth Cohen?!! How did he sneak his way in here?

Not that I'm complaining. Cohen and Summer and sneak onto my blog anytime they wish...


...and technically he was a Stars Hallow resident before he became "the" Seth Cohen.

magical spot

I really believe that there is something magical about the ocean. Something that calls out to each person. It can only be heard when one sits quietly and just enjoys it. The sounds. The waves crashing. The seashells rolling across the sand. The seagulls squawking above one's head.

And then there is the sweet experience of being in the ocean. Bobbing up and down over the waves. Toes squishing into the wet sand. The salty smell of the water in the air.

I have an extreme love for it. It's been there since I was a child. While I also enjoy the beauty of the mountains and their charm, they just don't have that connection to me like the ocean. I NEED to be near it every once in a while. If I could live by it, oh, that would be heaven. (not that I'm complaining about my little cottage on the river, which is perfectly lovely in its own way)

Something about this unique beauty inspires me.


I started writing again while I was here.

Sat down at our campsite's picnic table to journal (which I often do while traveling). But instead of writing about me, a story came tumbling out.

I couldn't stop writing.

...and I still haven't.

Oh, how I have missed that feeling. I haven't written like this since high school.

31 things

Since she's been my mom for 31 years:

Things I love about you, Momma....

1. A prayer warrior
2. Kind
3. Loves Jesus
   
4. Taught me the importance of travel
5. Gave me your skinny/thin genes
6. Creative in so many ways. Quilting, sewing, cake decorating, photography...
7. Loves dogs, which meant we always had one growing up.
8. Caring and compassionate.
9. Thinks of others first.
10. Amazing card and letter writer.
11. Never forgets a birthday.
12. Has always looked young for her age and passed that down to me too!
13. Loves her kids immeasurably.
    
14. Good with money and made sure I was too as I grew up.
15. Made me learn to do my own taxes.
16. She still loves when any of her kids come home for a visit and has a bed always ready.
17. Amazing cook and baker.
18. Always had a homemade meal, complete with veggies every night.
19. Loves to hike and be outside.
20. Never gets tired of Disney World, in fact loves it!
    
21. Still married to my dad after all these years.
22. Still holds hands with my dad when they walk.
23. Ingrained in me that church is important.
24. Read stories out loud to us when we were younger.
25. Takes me on trips with her.
26. Calls just to say "I love you."
27. Loves camping in a camper and not tents.
28. She goes to SCC concerts with me and loves them as much as I do.
29. Loves chocolate, especially Hershey's dark chocolate.
30. Help put me through college.
31. Gives me hugs whenever I see her.
    

Hope you had a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Momma!

I love you!

Before & After

A few weeks back I mentioned that I wanted to do a before and after post. To the few of you who asked to see, these are for you.

These are all processed on Photoshop CS3. They were created using...honestly, I can't remember what I did. I know there is some Totally Rad Actions (the free trial actions cause I never bought the whole shabang collection. Couldn't spend the $$ right now). Probably some of Mariah's Vingette (I ADORE this action. It's my "go-to" when the photo need a little something.) And then it's a little playing with this and that.

So, here you go. The original is on the right and the "after" is on the left.




***Links to the actions I mentioned are on the right in the sidebar marked "My Bag of (photo) Tricks"

forgive me for more TV talk

I'm finally caught up on on all the TV I missed while I was gone on vacation. I know, tough job, right? If only I could find an actual job watching television shows and writing about them. Then I wouldn't bore all of you with my mindless drivel of this show or that character.

But since this is my only outlet, I shall continue to drivel and ask you to just grin and bear it. I have to feel like I use that college major sometimes. Did you all know that I majored in production? Yup, I did. Four years doing camera work and editing and writing scripts.

Anyway, now that I'm caught up on all the shows I WANT to watch. There are a few that have fallen by the wayside that I probably won't pick back up this year. Lost (I missed the whole second half of last season and still don't care that I haven't seen it), Heroes (did anyone else think last season was just TERRIBLE!), Sarah Connor Chronicles (didn't really love it last year and never finished the season).

So, after catching up and watching a bunch of episodes on Hulu and other station websites I chose this as my favorite moment.



Now there were plenty of good moments to choose from. Lots of great episodes and fun character moments. But this little one made me "rewind" and repeat about 3 times in a row. But I always was a sucker for that Jim Halpert (again with the skinny, funny, brown/messy haired, dorky boys. Just add him to the list...).

But I do have to say, and I'm almost ashamed to admit, that the show that is still keeping me glued to the screen during each episode is....gulp...I can't believe I'm saying this....Gossip Girl.

Yes, I'm serious.

One week ago....

sighhhh.....I miss the beach.

And I hate the cold already.

But tomorrow is Ren Fest day, so cheers!

Friday Finds

I found a great present for my brother for Christmas. A storm trooper hoodie. Too bad they don't make one in my nephew's size. (btw...it went out of stock in the 5 minutes I was looking at it. I had to change the link. Pop Candy recommendations are sell like hot cakes I guess)

I really want to see this movie. I love Greg Kinnear AND Lauren Graham. Plus, I'm in the mood for a movie where the characters drive the story and not the special effects.

I about died when I saw these from Vie Moderne. They are SO cool! I wear lots of headbands and have been in the mood for feathers lately. This one is my favorite at the moment, but it's tough to choose between so many beautiful ones. I love that Gossip Girl is bringing back the headband again! (found them on Danielle's blog)

Joshua Radin has a new CD. I heard some of his new stuff when I saw him in concert this past spring (one of my favorite concerts of my life, right, Leah?!). His voice is incredible. And his music is...heavenly. His first CD, We Were Here, is one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time.

William Fitzsimmons also has a new CD, The Sparrow and the Crow. I have his other CD Goodnight, which is perfect for lazy evenings.

Flickr goodness....number 1 and number 2.

I LOVE these illustrations by Dyna Moe. I just finished the 1st season of Mad Men when I found them on Pop Candy. Trying not to find out any spoilers from season 2 which is running on right now. My favorite pieces are this one (so many fun details and inside jokes), this one (Joan's outfits and hairstyles are by far my favorite), this one (Betty is one of my favorite characters) and this one just cause it's cool. I wish so badly that I could draw like that...

Look how cute my nephew is....sigh....I miss him...



That's all for this week. I'm off to a wedding tomorrow for a friend/cousin (in other words, he's not "technically" family, but really is). I can't believe he's getting married! Then Sunday is...dun-di-da-dun-dun-dun....Renaissance Festival day! Yippeee! My favorite Fall tradition. Hope you all have a great weekend!

pssssst...

Guess what started last night. Oh, yeah! Boy, oh boy, I missed those Dillon folk. Thank goodness The bro has Direct TV or I'd have to wait till January.


****ALL of the first and second season episodes are available on Hulu for FREE. Or you can buy them (even better) or rent them (I love you, Netflix). Please, oh please give this little show a chance. And don't be fooled that you won't like it cause it's "about football." Just think of it as another drama that takes place in a small town with a little bit of football thrown in. If you like well written characters with laugher and heartache thrown in for good measure, you'll love this gem.
And yes, I'll keep annoying you all until you give it a try....

not what you want to have happen when you are pulling a travel trailer down interstate 95

A flat tire on the trailer. My mom was terrified that my dad was going to be killed. The giant semi-trucks go barreling past him at 75 miles an hour shaking everything around them. Yeah, it was kinda scary. Thankfully, my dad is an expert tire changer and we had a spare. 15 minutes and we were back on the rode to Charleston.


This was the scene back in the truck. "The Beast" as I like to call my parents spastic dog was freaking out that she was stuck in the truck.

Note the ENORMOUS green suitcase that I brought on this 9 day trip. It was about to burst. Now under usual travel circumstances, I can pack like the best of them. I pack REALLY light when traveling especially when I have to fly. This time, I had no restrictions, so I threw in everything and didn't plan it out and, good gracious, I had way too many clothes. But I knew I wouldn't have to cart them all over 5 airports, so I gave myself grace. I unpacked this thing in to the wardrobe in the camper and everything was good to go.

Also note the red fleece jacket on top of the green suitcase. This is my favorite, go-to warm layer in the world. And it is NOT really suitable for out of the house wear anymore. I got it for $4. My sister and I had gone into the mall, deciding that we were not going to wear coats IN because it's always warm in the mall and then you have to carry around said coat. Then the temperature dropped while we were in there and it turned bitter cold. We both decided that we had to buy something to save us from a cold death. This little red number was my $4 clearance purchase. I love it.

the end....