New tunes

Cool music I found last night....

Jeremy Larson My favorite is "Swim." It was on repeat last night for a while.

Have I mentioned how much I love Myspace Music!! Entire songs for free!

One on one

Two nights ago, God and I had the coolest talk. Ever had one of those? Where you just know that He's sitting there next to you listening intently. I was pouring my heart out and just being totally honest (so, so hard to do) with Him. It was amazing. This photo was taken just a couple minutes before the talk. Kinda looks like He was waiting for me, huh? Totally cool. Moments like that give me chills. Moments like that make everything else I worry about seem so stupid. Moments like that give me the kind of peace I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Love that this photo will always remind me of that talk.

last night...

The new camera...tweaked it in www.picnik.com but only a tiny bit. The sky really looked that amazing outside of my living room window last night!

Totally rad find...

I haven't been taking pictures with my new photgraphic wonder very much. It's just not at all inspiring to look outside and see trees with no leaves and brown dead grass. But the other day, I couldn't take being stuck inside anymore and the day was warm (at least for February). Found a totally fun place to take a picture! I'm dying to take one of a family or a group of friends sitting on these benches. Decided to try one of myself to see how it looked. This picture turned out really bad (still figuring out all those manual settings..). So I messed with it some and this what I came up with. I used a new program that is FREE to all!

The wonderful,Tara Whitney, to whom I bow in regards to anything having to do with photos, posted a link to this site on her cool blog. Want to make those pictures look better with just few clicks? Head on over and play.

www.picnik.com

It's one of the best free sites for manipulating your pictures that I've ever used!

Mmmmm.....

Went here today. Cool stuff to tell. So much inspiration. It was amazing. And wait till you see what I bought.....

Warning...girly movie alert...

Thank you, Jane Austen.....

For these two amazing stories....I watched them one right after the other tonight with a friend who had never seen them before (shocking, yes, I know!)

This one is my all time favorite. I think I know it by heart now, but still can't stop watching. It was when I fell in love with Kate Winslet's characters. Her Marianne performance in this is probably my favorite of hers, but then again it's tough to choose out of so many Oscar worthy ones.

And this one...just lovely. It doesn't get old either. It's still "new" to me since I haven't memorized it yet. We (my 2 gal pals who watched it with me tonight) were commenting on how Mr. Darcy becomes more adorable as the movie goes on. By the end, you just love him to pieces. Just talking about it makes me want to watch it again right now!

And yes, to all you English majors out there, I read Sense and am in the process of reading Pride. I never read either in high school. Pity! I am terribly behind in the normal classics that most kids read in high school. Been trying to rectify that in the last few years. These 2 books have quickly become some of my new favorites.

And this one has always been one of my all time favorite movies. Gwyneth is perfect. And if you don't just fall in love with Mr. Knightly...well, shame, shame on you!

Such great flicks. Great night of laying on the couch watching movies with the old English language and yummy British accents. Great, great, great.... My hat's off to you, Jane.

Surrender

The green eyed monster won. My tax returns were out of my pocket before I even got them. And every penny was worth it.....

Can't wait to practice with this baby. The Nikon D50 is mine after a long search.

Anyone need photos of their families? I'm dying to take some family shots!! Time to go visit Luke again.

Flashback

Have had these pictures sitting on top of my computer monitor for a couple days. Crazy how little we were.

This picture is so awsome! #1 I look like I have really long legs and am probably really tall (wouldn't that be nice!) #2 We used to have ice cream cones every night after dinner in the summertime. They had a name on them, so we would call each other that name until the cone was gone. Plus, we were allowed to ride our big wheels and roller racers (how awesome were those!) out on the concrete carport while eating at the same time. #3 I love how little and cute my brother looks with his two big sisters.

ice storm pics

Here are a couple shots from the ice storm last week. The last one is the day after. All the ice fell (cause of the horrible wind) and just stayed in these weird broken bottle shapes cause it was so cold. It would be fun and beautiful if it didn't mean no electricty and no heat as well...

creating

Here's some stuff that I've made lately. There's more, but I've been bad about taking pictures of everything.

A birthday card for a friend

My playing card art journal. I am loving this project. Find out more about it here.

Another card in the journal.

Finally, this is not my creation, but I am so enjoying using it while I'm using the paper and glue. It's a fantastic-o CD. Listen here.

This week has been a crazy one. We've had some nasty weather here in the Mid-Atlantic. Ice storms. Yuck, yuck. Power out. FREEZING COLD. My little cottage is cold when the heat is on (no insulation) and with no heat...let's just say I spent the day on my couch covered in 5 blankets reading Harry Potter #6. Dinner was grilled cheese and tomato soup cooked over a camping stove by a friend. Fun memories, but not so much fun to actually live through. Please, please come soon Spring! I'm really ready to be done with the cold weather!

Happy Thoughts

Of course this little guy is #1 right now!

#2 This picture that I keep on my desktop. It makes me stop and dream about standing on that beach at least once a day.

#3 This CD. Heard about it here. You have to listen to "oh, it is love." Can't get enough of these fun songs right now.

#4 The Weasley's. Harry. Hermione. Snape. 2nd read is just is as good as the first. CANNOT WAIT FOR THE LAST BOOK!!!

#5 Layouts galore. Inspiration is brewing. Her style is addictive.

#6 Jack Bauer. 2 hours last night. Edge of your seat fun.

#7 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I'm not depressed about it. That's encouraging...

#8 Pictures in my hands and not on the screen. That's right. I printed out my photos!

#9 Tax returns...mmmm...here comes my new camera.....

#10 My little bloggity blog. It makes me so happy. And all of you that read it!

4 states away...

is just too far. Oh, my gosh! I love this kid!

Had to go back home today. Yes, I know it had been a whole week and work was calling, but man-o-man was it hard to walk out that door and give that little cheek one last kiss. I keep smelling my clothes hoping I can smell his baby smell. And hugging my sister goodbye was super hard this time (don't cry sissy-poo!). She has just become the most amazing mom since the very moment Luke was born. And not to ignore my brother-in-law (or Darth Vader as the kids call him)...he's pretty darn amazing too.

Seriously...babies are magic and any person that they touch seems to catch some of it.

How cold?

Still alive and kickin' on the frozen tundra. It has seriously been colder than cold here. The day Luke came home, it never reached above 7 or 8 degrees and it was windy which made it feel like -10. The past few days have been fridgid. I know I complain about it being cold at home, but nothing compares to this!

Luke is getting better and better each day (and yes, Steph, we called him Lukey from the first moment too! I think of you each time I say it.) He's such a sweet baby. He doesn't mind that we cover him in a million kisses every day and just stare at him for hours on end. We are just smitten! And I can't even begin to articulate how incredibly excited I am that he and his mommy and daddy with be with me all summer. That will make leaving on Friday so much easier.

Thanks everyone for the comments! Each one is so special.

and now...

without futher waiting, praying and hoping, I proudly present to you my dear, sweet little nephew, Luke Everett. Isn't he adorable?!!

He arrived at 7:52am on February 2nd. He's 6lbs 11in. A little bundle of huggable, yummy magic. You can see more pictures on his mommy's blog.

Don't know why...

but I adore this picture.

It's from the cruise in September. The fun story behind this photo. I got majorly seasick this night. It was fancy dress up night for dinner. When the bro and I sat down at the table with our fam and 2 other couples (don't you just love meeting your new "tablemates" on a cruise.) they looked at us and kinda stared for a second before saying, "well, you look a lot different!" (in a good way, of course. We aren't the dress-up type.) Then as dinner was served seasickness won and I had to leave the table. My brother was quite the gentleman and took me back to the cabin where I happily popped some medicine and then we went back out to enjoy the evening. We ended up going to all the stupid little photography set-ups that the ship sets up for you to have your pictures taken when you are dressed all fancy. We, on the other hand, took stupid pictures. Those (example...the bro with his eyes crossed and me smiling overly happy) were hanging up with all the other serious couples who were smiling their best.
This picture now hangs in my room and I still smile at it a couple times a day. I just love how dumb we both look.

surfin'....

the 'net tonight cause I don't feel so well. Found 2 things I can now not live without. Come on tax return....

Item #1 Photographic wonder because of images like this (click on Holga in the top left corner. I LOVE the palm tree shot!). Makes me want my own dark room even more.

Item #2 Elsie yumminess. I want the whole sha-bang. The papers are just begging to be used!

What fun things have you found today?!

New project

I've started a brand new, little project and am LOVING every minute of it. Will post pictures as soon as I remember to take them....

Here's the totally cool idea:

Emily's art journal (Thanks Emily! Such an amazing idea!)

Too cool

Updating my blog with the "new Blogger." New links on the right
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thinking

I've been pondering lots of big questions lately. Huge, life altering things. Brought about by a tragic event. Been thinking about life and why we are here on earth. Why God decides to "take" people when He does. What will my legacy be when I leave the earth? Do I live with an eternal perspecive? Do I put my time into other people and invest in their lives? Do I stand up for what I believe? Do I put my trust in earthly things when I know they won't be here forever?
So many questions. Again, I am reminded that I don't have to have the answers, I only have to trust the ONE who does. That's my comfort. He's my rock. Life is short. So short.

While my mind has been on these things, I came across this quote on another person's blog.

"Grand and mysterious things are in operation. We are not alone. My prayers are perhaps a single note in a symphony, but a necessary note, for I believe in the communion of saints. We need each other." -Elisabeth Elliot

While praying this week, I felt almost silly and useless and didn't understand why God would even want to listen. This quote and Bible study this week on Psalms 10 reminded me of this one important thing. God loves. LOVES. He invented it. He does it far beyond what I think I can understand. He loves to hear my prayers. He loves even more when they come from an honest heart who is searching for him. And that's exactly where I am right now.

Why is this so funny?

I mean these are torture devices, right?Somehow, when you get into them to take pictures...okay, maybe it was just us, but we couldn't stop laughing. This weekend: took a trip to one of the oldest spots on the East Coast. Back in the 1600's, this place was "THE" place (more like the "only") to be and be seen. We had a grand time and FROZE. Winter has finally come.

working

Yes, this is work. I know doesn't look like it does it? Well, let's just say I have the coolest job on the planet. This weekend was our winter retreat and you can't have a winter retreat without ice skating, right? Actually, we were supposed to go snow tubing, but there was no snow in a 200 mile radius due to our totally awesome warm winter. So we went ice skating with 50 kids. Played lots of games. Sang songs. Had a campfire. Talked about God. Too fun. I love my job. Don't get me wrong. I have those days when I want to pull out my hair or curl up and cry. But there is something about being exactly where you know God wants you to be. It's that perfect peace.

Oh and this is the brand new bride and groom to be from this post. And don't you also love that this is my 4th post today! I've had so much to tell and no time to do it. Playing catch up.

ETA 2 more weeks

So hard to wait for the little guy to be on the outside! Isn't technology insane. I can SEE him still on the inside!

Check it out....

wow

Found this site today. Brianna Graham. Click on engagement sessions. These photos kept me captured for a long, long time. Plus the music is ultra cool. Love finding new sites that inspire me.

again

Going to be a bridesmaid again. This will be #6. Does that cancel the "3 times a bridesmaid, never a bride" curse? A girl can hope.... Went to the bridal shop to help the bride pick out her gown. Had some fun with the girls. No photos of "said gown" to protect the secret!

Did I mention....

it starts in T minus 3 days and counting. Bring it on, Jack Bauer. Bring it on. 2 nights. 4 hours. Now that's a season premier, baby. No phone calls on Sunday between the hours of 8:00pm and 10:00pm, please. My phone will be off (unless you are my brother calling during commercial breaks to discuss said television show. These calls will be accepted.).

And to give credit where credit is due. T, you are the reason I so enjoy Jack Bauer. You are the best. You win. You were right. Happy?

Finally

I found a type of exercise that I enjoy. That $$ I put down for 15 visits to the pool is also another great motivator to get out and do something active! (I get a thrill seeing the man punch my swim card each time I go. Clunck. Has been to pool. Has exercised this week. Yes!) Gotta do something about all those calories I consumed during the holidays with the fam. Hello, swim center....

How to cure a crappy day...

Buffy Seasons 3 and 6 in the mail from Amazon....check.

In Style' February issue PLUS TV Guide with Jack Bauer on the cover, also in the mail.......double check.

Having nothing to do tonight other than watch the Heroes that I taped last night while I was swimming (triple check to exercising!) and play with some paper, paint and playing cards (thanks E!)
Plus, I watched my favorite episode of Firefly today on my lunch break....I've been journaling like crazy lately and that always make me feel better....Getting super excited to take some more pictures. The ones on this post are the first that I've taken since the beginning of December!

And most of all, my boss was able to recover our entire mailing list which decided to corrupt itself and send me into panic mode. It's now backed-up 3 times. Thank you, M!

Ahhhh......

Yummy

Got this yummy book yesterday. Love Ali's stuff. Her blog is so fun and inspiring. She inspired me to do this, which I still have on my computer staring at me everyday.
Decided that I want to create more this year. In so many different forms: yarn (knitting and crocheting), paper (cards and scrap), writing (journaling. I am really, really loving it again. Been reading back over past stuff. ), photography (film, digital and Photoshop) and painting. Want to step out of my comfort zone and do something new.

I couldn't sit still because...

the room was so full of ghosts from the past. So much that I was almost in tears because of all the memories.

That's how I felt when I went home for Christmas and went to my old church that I practically grew up in. My parents still go there. I spent so much of my growing up there. Childhood, middle school and the horrible high school years. I got saved in a little room in the basement during Sunday School in 4's and 5's class. I rolled down "the hill" in my Sunday dress. I ran around the circle painted on the parking lot. I played hide and seek with all the lights out. I had lock-in's and Bible studies and lead praise and worship. I taught Awana's, played with kids, made life long friends, found mentors, just basically learned who I was and who God within the walls of that community. It's as much of my growing up and a part of who I am as my family.

I was sitting in the pew singing a hymn on Christmas Eve. My brother was standing right next to me. We were sitting on the same pews that we had sat on for years and years. And as I sat there, I suddenly was overwhelmed with the 1,000's of memories that I have from that place. SO MUCH has changed. When I go back now, many of the familiar faces are gone and have moved on. But in that moment, in that breath, it all came alive again. Everything melted away and I was seeing things like they were then. My youth group friends were all around me. We were laughing and talking about school and friends and life. My youth pastor (who was an amazing influence in my life) was looking at us laughing and cracking jokes. A million tiny, memories that I've forgotten were suddenly so tangible that I could reach out and feel them all over again. I had to choke back the tears.

At the end of the service that night, I was standing talking to a group of my old youth group friends. We were standing, much like we used to, in a circle discussing life and work and everything else that came up. I looked over and the new kids (the current youth group kids) were doing the same thing in their own circle. I laughed and said to my little group, "look at that! It's just like us 10 years ago." It's kinda comforting to know that the tradition lives on.

Dear goodness, I miss those days.

Dancin' the night away....

My house was full of people, music, laughter and lots of dancing last night. What better way to ring in the new year than to be with friends. Not that any of us were very good at it, except for the bro. He was the master last night. Smokin' on the dance floor. I thought our ancient floor would give way last night in the cottage from all of the foot stompin'. Watched "The Ball" drop on TV and was thankful I was warm in my house and not on the streets of NYC. Crazy fun time. If you have never tried DDR, it's a must for your New Year's list of things to do.