Fashion? I Call it Peer Pressure

As I will be joining my favorite gal Jenni, from Story of My Life, while she encourages the blogging world to blog every day in May I am going to try to keep this post short and sweet.  I plan to get started on some of those posts because in my excitedness of joining in on the fun, I forgot that Babe has a surprise trip planned for our anniversary.  I will be gone almost an entire week in May and as I am new to the blogging world have never done the scheduled posts thing, but we are going to give it a try.

While I work on those please enjoy some outfit pics.  I don't have great fashion sense.  I call this entire outfit "What my friends made me wear".  With the exception of the shoes, this entire outfit was picked out by Wally (she is my person and when I win the "I am going to do a post about you" battle she will be on here) and her sister.  We were at TJ Maxx and she forced me to buy the entire thing (after forcing me to try it on).  Luckily the pants were only $15 and I think the top was $10.  I am quite the thrifty shopper (that's actually at the top end of what I will spend on an outfit)! The shoes were $6 at Target! I was quite proud of myself for buying those.  I texted a picture to Wally first though; she said they were a good find.  So I guess, from head to toe, she was my personal fashion consultant.

Meet Prim!  Yes, she is names after the Hunger Games.  It was originally
going to be Cat-niss but that was just too, well I don't know too what, but too
something. Prim lives outside now, though I sneak her back in on occasion and am
trying to convince Babe to let her in at night sometimes.  

I actually had a lot of fun taking these pictures, even though Babe got discouraged, announced "I am not the photographer" and then left me to finish the pictures with the self-timer.  Love him!! Anyways, I may do a bit more of these then I thought I would.  Though don't expect many.  It (aka I) doesn't often come together like this.

Questioning Myself

I am joining Erin at Living in Yellow in answering the following questions.  Some of them were a little more difficult then others.  Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!! 

1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be?

Not that long ago I would have said about the same answer as Erin's but I have realized that I hold on too much to what I could have done differently.  I am an over-thinker and a what-ifer and it was beginning to get in the way of my life.  So I have stopped (for the most part) asking myself that question.  Awhile back I had written the following... "If I had the chance to, I would go back and do it all over again, but this time, yes, I think I would do things differently. Is it possible to do that and still end up with the same future; still be right where you are?"  At times in my life I thought the answer to that question could be yes.  It can't be! If I had done anything differently I wouldn't be who I am, I probably wouldn't be married to the man I am married to (if married at all) and I wouldn't be in the place I am now.  I have learned to embrace that and be content with that and realize that there is a reason things happened as they did, because things are as they should be.  I think if I did have to pick one thing it would have been to have spent more time learning all that I could from my Mimi, because that would not have changed anything other than to make me a stronger woman and to give me more time cherishing her.  

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Oh man! 5 years from now?  I see myself content (happy).  I see myself loving the life that has been given to me and learning how to embrace it.  I am thinking there may be kids in there somewhere (my own).  I am hoping that my photography will have flourished and grown and that I will still be blogging.  I am LOVING both and I am hoping that I don't give them up, because I can have a tendency to let life sidetrack me.  

3. Do you honestly want kids?

Yes (though not for a bit)! Things got a little iffy there for a while if I am being honest.  My entire life I have never not wanted children.  Having children was always my main focus and goal in life.  Last year was an interesting time and I had a slight 'freak-out, how-can-I-bring-kids-into-this-world' break from my own reality.  I think that time in my life was needed.  It has taught me that children (though they can be a large focus) can not consume my being.  They have to be apart of my being.  I have to live and let them live and still embrace life outside of my children on occasion (we will see if I actually hold true to this haha), otherwise I will not be doing them, myself, my husband, or those around me any favors.  Life is a balance and it all has to even out.  

4. What has been the best moment of your life so far?

I have had a lot of great moments.  It is hard to decide on one.  For now, I am going to go with this evening right here.  

This was one of my first dates with Babe (our first movie date if I remember and I love the movies) but it was also the day that my nephew was born.  I had rushed to the hospital from school and was there when he came into this world.  Seeing a baby come into this world is a miracle and this is the first one I had ever witnessed.  I loved that little soul from the first moment I saw him.  After visiting and pictures I rushed over to meet Babe and some friends at the movie.  There was so much hope that night, so much happiness.  I can still remember the feeling like it was yesterday.  

5. What is your life theme song?

Oh my?! I feel like I would need a theme song ensemble...  It would definitely include some country music (I'm thinking "My Life's Been a Country Song" or "Love Like Crazy"), the theme song from Friends, maybe some Casting Crowns, it's gotta have a little Tim McGraw thrown in there, and some Reba too.  I am also loving the new "This Ain't My Mama's Broken Heart" song by Miranda Lambert; that whole "run and hide your crazy and start acting like a lady" part ?! Yup, I think that's pretty fitting too.  I'm also going to add a little, "Don't worry, be happy" because I find myself singing that a lot.  Ok, I think I am done now.  

6. What is one thing you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die?

I want to learn how to truly let things go.  I want to embrace life and not worry about things that I have absolutely no control over (give my worries to God). I would like to stop thinking I have control over them.  And motherhood, I would like to know what is like to have a life growing inside me before I die. Oh, and I would like to see my name on the cover of a book.  The question said "more than one thing" right?! 

7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be?

Being good to those God gave me to love... Being a good mother, a good wife, a good friend, a good daughter, a good sister, etc. 

8. If you could do anything you wanted right in this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc), what would it be?

Cruise, I would cruise!! Someone take me now please?! 

9. What has been the most challenging moment in your life?

A few months ago I probably would have said the past year up until a few months ago has been a pretty good size challenge for me.  I asked myself more questions than I ever thought I would and some came back with unknown answers. However, looking back, as challenging as some moments were I have learned so much and I think I am a stronger person woman for it.  I think if I had to pick one moment though it would be the death of my grandmother.  I did not cope well. Oh how I wish she had been around this past year.  Just the comfort of being with her would have been enough to calm some of the choppiest days.  

10. Summarize yourself in one word.

Me personally (or at least the way I see my life sometimes): Chaos... but beautiful chaos (and not the appearance kind) 

I found a quote not long ago that I felt summed me up pretty well, "She is a mess of gorgeous chaos and you can see it in her eyes." 

My life: Blessed, so blessed! 

*If this hasn't helped you realize it, I am also not a one word type of gal.  The whole just-one-word thing is very hard for me.  

Ode to my 17 year old self

In fitting with yesterday's post I thought I would share some of my own prom pictures. As I was looking at them it really got me thinking about the things I thought then vs. how things seem from this side of my life.  I was technically almost halfway through my 18th year when I attended prom but I am sticking with 17 because I remember thinking back then that 18 was the magic number with which I went from 'just some teen' to this 'I am grown, I can do it all' person.  Oh how untrue that was.  I was still in high school, I was still taken very good care of at home, and I was naive.  Young, naive, and basically 17 (based on the standards now of what my 18 year old self thought).  All of that led to what you find below.  

Ode to my 17 year old self

You think life is only going to exponentially get better and you think adulthood is some fairytale; Ha! Try again; life ain't no joke kid.  

You think that you will go off to college, be wild and crazy for awhile and then settle down; Ha again! You stay in your hometown for college (something you swore you would never do) by choice, you will get married as soon as college is over, after having spent the majority almost all of your college life acting as if you already were.

You think that after getting married you will start a family right away and all will even out and be as it should; Ha ha!! You actually partake in some of that crazy college-like life that you didn't have about a year after getting married and realize that while fun, life happened as it should, you personally didn't miss out on much and had you actually done said "full-blown-crazy-college-life" you would not be where you are (God knew what He was doing).  You will also realize that as much as you assumed jumping right into having said baby would be a wonderful idea you had to learn to be a good wife first.  Good wives set good examples for children down the road (or so you are now assuming).  And you now know to think, "Life as it should be? What does that even mean?"

You will not even think about the things you will have lost along the road to where you are; please make sure you have told the people you love how much they truly mean. 

You will find comfort in the fact that you think she knew how much you loved her, but it will not make missing her all the time any easier. 

You think that things have gotten as bad as they can get with issues involving your brother; I am really sorry (for him and you and everyone) that that is just not true.  There is grace thrown in there though. You will learn how to play your part and when it is time to just bow out and realize that the best help you can give is to not try to fix everything.  You will learn to focus more on yourself and the things in you that need fixing. 

You assume that because you have stayed on a pretty good path you won't be tempted by anything "bad"; Oh contrare.  You just realize that temptation takes on different faces and while at 17 you would have never considered certain things "bad" they can still be just as damaging to your world if you let them be. 

You think that there may be the possibility of marrying the man in the picture next to you; yay for you! This one actually worked out for you (though there were times due to your own ignorant head that you could have wrecked everything).  Thank heavens the person next to you was already well on his way to being a stable, level-headed man and not some dumb boy who would have actually let you let yourself just walk away. 

You never think about how much said man in the picture will teach you; Oh my dear young soul; things; profound things (and not just laundry).  Remember to be thankful for him and not to take him for granted.  You do it far more often than you should; stop!

Oh the list of things I could continue to tell you about yourself and who you were and who we have become.  We are still changing.  We do not like change by the way (at least for right now), though I think I remember you did (does that mean that 26 year old you is scared of 17 year old you? Oh help us, maybe it does).  So I guess for now that is all I will leave you with, but please remember to be grateful always.  You have never had it all that terrible (and that is an immense understatement). 

Nine years between proms!!

Over the weekend, we took this kid...


















turned this young man...

to prom!

It REALLY put things in perspective.  I am aging!! Oh my goodness, I know I am not that old but to think that this kid went from the little boy who introduced me to Harry Potter to this teenage-man-like-thing in the span of nine years seems crazy to me.  I mean that's nothing right? Isn't he supposed to still be little?!

Either way, it was something really special to be apart of (even though it doesn't seem like all that many years ago his brother and I were doing the exact same thing he did.  It was nine! NINE!).  What Queso (that's what I call him) and his girlfriend do not know however, is how close I came to prom stalking them.  Babe and I were discussing where to eat as we drove to drop them off.  Once we dropped them and they were out of the car I realized I had never been to a Benihana, which just happened to be at the hotel that prom was being held at.  I figured hey, now is the perfect time to go!  I think Babe may have gone for it... if I hadn't added that after we could sneak down to the ballroom and maybe catch a glimpse of KC (he has a lot of names, though he would prefer I call him Kevin).  Babe made no reply and just drove straight out of the lot.  When far enough away he mentioned that I was not allowed to relive my youth through my brother-in-law.  Oh well!  Though I like to think that was not my intention at all, I just wanted to see him enjoying my his prom.  My mom came to mine (she even danced with Babe). And yes, I know I am not his mother but he was just this lil dude and now he's this big dude and I wanted to see them enjoying themselves.  That wasn't too much to ask, right?!

A Thousand Lives

I have attended Hogwarts.  I have lived in Forks.  I have been to a reaping and I am Divergent. I have seen the end of the world and I have been there for the beginning.  I have walked through the Wardrobe and I have flown to Neverland.  I have felt the grief of a love lost and I have seen the grace in one restored.  I have walked in the Garden and I have been at the feet of the Cross.  I hope that I was one who wept and that I didn't join in among the scoffers.  I have lived many different lives and I plan to live many more.

The amazing thing about a story, be it fiction or non, is that we get to make a choice.  With every new story, or in some cases even a new chapter in the same one, we get to be whoever we want to be.  And the choice is ours alone.  Am I going to be a defender of the underdog? Will I be the leader of the pack or the trusty sidekick? Will I be a lone ranger and forge my own path?  Will I fight against evil and see good prevail? Will I stand firm in that decision even when goodness may not seem to be winning the battle?  Will I trust in the truth or be surprised when my friend (or an enemy) was really not what he seemed? Will I be the one who will always fight for love even if it means giving everything I have?

I have loved the quote at the top since I came across it sometime ago.  A good friend actually posted it for me recently saying it reminded her of me and the fact that reading that would make her think of me made me smile. It could be the fresh excitement of a new book that I can't put down or another visit with "an old friend",  each time I read something that truly captures me I am taken outside of myself and I am forever slightly altered.

How many lives have you lived?  Outside of your own which has been your favorite?

Things for Thursday

Thankful Things

1. I am thankful for much needed breaks from reality.  And for swings (I am a total "swinger")! You know the whole Peter Pan, never grow up, adventure thing?! The second picture there would be that part that lives on in me.  I stop for all tree swings; it is a must (even ones like this that hurt my feet and reveal my lack of strength by the inability to hold myself up)! And the first picture? That would be the lazy, old soul in me that enjoys basking in sunshiny glory with a book in my hand.

2. I am thankful for strength (even small doses of it) because I needed it was to get through Friday. At least I was rewarded with the above day on Saturday, despite the rain that Orlando newscasters had called for.  Strength was then needed again for those on Monday.  The events of which also make me thankful for the faith that can be found in humanity and the restoration that can be seen through the stories that come out revealing the best of people in the worst of situations.

3.  I am thankful for sunshine on Saturdays! My burnt back may disagree but the rest of my slightly tanned body and the vitamin D infused cells within it are very, very thankful!

4.  I am thankful for evenings spent like this...

a great friend to split the meal with and yummy tea! I am always thankful for yummy tea (and great friends of course)! 

Things I am loving right now
1. This book!  

It is a beautiful story.  Typically, I am not one for reading time period pieces but I am really captured by this story right now.  It mirrors the book of Hosea and although a fictional recounting, the selfless love of the main character, Michael Hosea, for the main female character is so tender, forgiving and true.  I read it and can't help but think of how blessed I am to be loved not only despite all the flawed and bruised parts of my heart but sometimes because of them.

2.  I am loving that the little girl I nanny for is reading Harry Potter! It is so much fun to enjoy them with her.  Our Wednesday afternoons can often be spent partaking in dramatic readings.  The kid is only 8 but she speed reads those things like it is nobodies business! And when she reads out loud to me she does the voices (we are working on our accents) and has perfect intonation.  She is genius I tell ya! I am loving that she will be is a read-a-holic and that the joy of a quiet afternoon spent with a book in hand is still very much alive in the next generation.

3. I am loving that because of her new love affair with Harry Potter I shall probably reread them again as soon as I am done with Redeeming Love.  She can only read through the fourth for now and I know I will just want to keep going.  So I think I have that to look forward to in my near future!

Which is perfect because I just got this pretty thing in the mail a couple weeks ago. I couldn't
find my original copy (so sad) so I ordered this one for her to read and then to  have one
to put in its spot of glory on the shelf! It's looking a little too "unloved" though so read it I shall! 

Any good things for your Thursday? What are you loving lately? 

Hope, Heros and Help

I hadn't planned for this to be today's post.  I guess I never thought of what it would be like to have a blog and a place to share how I felt when events like yesterday happen.  I also don't feel like I really have words for what happened or that even if I did, don't know if I have the right ones.  What do you even say to something like that?!

I read through some of my quotes last night and the following was one that stood out to me and somewhat reminds me of Mr. Rogers' words, which are so very true.

"Great occasions do not make heros or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men.  At last some crisis shows what we have become." -Brooke Foss Westcott

We know who the cowards of this story are and of any event in history such as this one.  They are ones who feel that by igniting terror in the lives of others they will win some kind of battle that no one even knows they are fighting. What they don't seem to realize is the open range they give to make heros out of "the least of these".  

I was watching a short video that had been posted to Facebook of the events after the initial explosion (the person taking the video had been filming those crossing the finish line).   In the background of the video you hear a voice say "there are people hurt" and see a man run into view.  You see others running from all directions to help those around the bomb site.  They have no idea if there are other explosives (if anything, due to the second explosion, they know there very well could be), yet they chose to run towards those needing help.  They stepped in to help not realizing that they have a made a choice as to what this event will reveal about them.  And the other's? The runners and spectators and those who were terrified and trying to seek shelter.  The courage that they found to simply have been present and witness to something so tragic and yet pick up to go on again the next day, to say "I will cross another finish line" and "I will not let the evil actions of another define me"; that in itself is its own type of heroic.  I choose to focus on those actions; the ones that bring communities closer and show strength in times when strength seems far from reach.  

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who lost someone yesterday and for those who are healing both externally and internally.  I also pray for hope.  I will continue to believe that there is always hope, even in moments such as this when it may seem so hard to find.  

Words: The Host

I hadn't planned to start my first words post with quotes from The Host, mainly because I had wanted to start with one of my favorite books (though this is one I have now read twice).  However, Babe and I went to see the movie last night so I thought in honor of that I would begin the week with my favorite quotes from the book.

Movie rendition review: As books go I liked The Host.  I thought Stephenie Meyer did a much better job with writing this one then she did with Twilight (though I do probably enjoy that story line a little better).  As movies go though (just as with all books made into movies), I found it dismal.  In comparison to other book-movies I thought they did a decent job of leaving out the right parts and changing and condensing where needed.  If you haven't already seen it and were wanting to then I would recommend waiting until it comes out on DVD (though I know if someone had said the same thing to me I doubt I could have resisted seeing it in theaters).  It is worth seeing if you have read the book (I always have to watch movies of books I have read) though not worth seeing in theaters.  A lot of things are hard to convey as so much goes on inside Wanda's/ Melanie's head.  One bonus though, she has my name! And I would like to believe that if anything of the likes ever did happen to us I would be just as strong as the Melanie in this story.

Words (from Stephenie Meyer, The Host):

"This love was tricky; it had no hard-and-fast rules- it might be given freely, or earned through time and hard work, or completely and heartbreakingly unattainable."
- Love? I am not really sure if I like that word.  This description of it though is fitting.  Love takes on so many forms.  It is never and has never been what they lead us to believe when they read us fairy tales as children.  There are so many examples of people that I can think of who fit each category.  Sometimes those thoughts are bittersweet and sometimes they just are the way they are no matter how much we think we might be able to do to change them.  Where do the people you love fit in? 

"Perhaps there could be no joy on this planet without an equal weight of pain to balance it out on some unknown scale." 

- I have often felt this way but I like to think of the pain of certain situations as instances that help to make us stronger.  If anything I think pain helps us appreciate joy just a bit more than we would if we didn't have the memory of pain to remind us of what is good.

"There was no bond greater than one that required your life for anothers."

- I think this takes on a different meaning for everyone.  It strikes me now to think of the amount of people that I feel like I would give my life for.  I would like to think that I could give my life for anyone but I also know that is probably not true either.  I don't think I am selfless enough for that.  So what makes someones life more important than our own and how do we fully understand the distinction between a relationship that would mean giving all and one that doesn't?

The Mr. beside the Mrs. aka BABE!

This is Babe (or Andrew if you would so prefer).  He is the boy beside the girl behind this blog.  I thought it may be notable for him to have a post but he would probably disagree.   While I am loving this little space of mine and am happy to share my thoughts with the world he would prefer to not have his life displayed all over the internet.  He is truly the yin to my yang. I have told him that I will try to blog about him as little as possible, but I make no promises*.  I mean I kinda like him a bit so it is only natural that he find his way on here from time to time.  I thought a little intro on him, as it relates to me, would suffice for now.

Babe is not like me-   I am a talker, he is a man of few words.  I am not neat and tidy, Babe likes things in just the right place (thank heaven for a husband who cleans).  I love to read, he would prefer not too (though he did read the last three Harry Potter books which melted my little soul).  I do not work out, Babe works out daily (I tried to join a gym when we first got together, I lasted about a month).  Again, I love to read, Babe loves numbers (if math was a deciding factor to my fate I could give you 2+2=4 and then I'm a dead woman).

Babe is like me-  I love these babies, I think he may love them more (OK, debatable but at least close to a tie).  I like movie night with popcorn, he is the popper of the corn and I am the salter.  I like to think I am a decent enough person and, well, he married me so I am thinking he may agree?!

Perfect rendition! Even though he would usually be smiling in pictures such as this (someone distracted
him from pure niece-and-nephew-fun-and-bliss).

While we definitely have far less in common than we have in common, it works for us.  He completes me and compliments me in a way that makes me constantly strive to be a better version of myself.  He has never tried to change me (though he would like it if I were just a tad bit tidier I am sure).  He accepts my faults and loves me with a grace that teaches me all the time how blessed I am to have him.

Babe has taught me- He has taught me how to do laundry (many a years ago), the importance of self-control, how to be a "grown-up", and the happiness that comes from contentment in a life lived together.

Words- This hung amongst other quotes on the stairwell as people walked in to be seated for our wedding.  It has always struck me as completely fitting for my thoughts on Babe.

God truly knew what He was doing when He picked this man out for me.  I would never have thought to ask for anyone like him but he is just right.  He shows me all the time how abundantly more God can give us then we could have imagined.  As I type this Babe is staying the night with my brother (who has some demons to face).  When I told him I would stay with John Wayne so he could work on homework, his response to me was "You shouldn't have to worry about this." As blood goes JW is my brother, but Babe took on loving someone who struggles with addiction as if it were his own flesh and blood.  Really?! How I deserve him still ceases to astonish me.

7 Dwarf Status- Some friends and I nicknamed ourselves after one the seven dwarfs when we were in middle school.  I was Happy.  On a recent cruise Babe and I participate in a marriage game show.  When asked which 7 dwarf our husbands would be the other two blissful wives answered "happy".  My answer needed no thought, Babe would be... Grumpy! Fitting, Happy and Grumpy together.  So while I may gush over him in the above paragraph (which he deserves) life is not always sunshine and daisies.  Babe is prone to grumpy demeanor and a need for solitude.  We are the poster 'young-old-married-couple'.  It may have something to do with the fact that he is working full time and finishing his masters all the while being a person who despises school. Still, facts are facts and the man can be grump city!

Alright well, enough of that for now.  You have a little insight into one of the main back characters in my life.  I am excited for next week and to get into more of the heart of what I started this blog for.

* The big house rule!! If you promise something in this house and you don't follow through well then "see you on the other side my friend".  It can be something as simple as "Hey Babe did you happen to grab me some 'Nera (Panera) this morning?!" And he would reply "Nope, I sure didn't." To which I would make him then go back and forth as to if this was a lie or not.  Finally when I was done putting up with our marital communication I would ask "Promise you didn't?" If he says promise then I know I am just plum out of luck.  This came about due to the face that we joke around (or he does) A LOT and I would have the darnedest time telling if something was for real or not (I am highly gullible).  Finally frustration impatience won out and resulted in the 'P' word. Which is why if I make you a promise, it will be adhered too.

Have a wonderful, glorious, weekend!

Got Quirks?!

You wanted the inside scoop on some of my "crazy" right?! Sure you did.  Hope you enjoy these random get to know me quirks.

• Movie night is a fave!  Probably my top date night choice. I love movie night at home, feet curled under on the couch.  Popcorn is always a must (it is my favorite food).  We have a whole movie night regiment process.  Popcorn is cooked via stove in the Whirley Pop (it is the best present I think I may have gotten from Babe, it has definitely gotten its use) and he is the popper, I am the salter, and he is the 'salt-to-popcorn-ratio-checker'! I always start with the popcorn dance! That's how I make my way into the kitchen on such nights.  It often leaves me winded (again probably should run to strengthen that lung capacity but, nah!!)  I will just stick using the popcorn dance (the taco dance helps some too, I have a dance for taco night also.  It's just like the popcorn dance but instead of singing "po'corn, po'corn, po'corn" I sing "tacos, tacos, tacos".  A little too much info? Sorry, just thought I would paint you a pretty picture)

• I have somewhat of an old soul but I am also a humongous kid at heart.  Disney World is truly one of my favorite places in the entire world. Got engaged there, been there probably hundreds upon thousands of times and yet it never gets old! There is so much magic there! Even with the lines, the sunburned tourists, and tired babies it leaves me with a feeling of innocence and wonder. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• I love road trips! Traveling excites me! International travel freaks me the heck out! I don't know why.  I think it goes along with my fear of the unexpected and unknown.  After going to Greece on our honeymoon I decided I probably wouldn't be making many trips abroad in my lifetime (even though it was a gorgeous trip).  I have since ratified that decision but I am still terrified.  Before boarding a recent flight to Costa Rica I had a "minor" freak attack and I don't have those often.  I mean unstoppable tears mixed with uncontrollable bouts of laughter, it was one strange moment.  I've got to get that business under control!

• I often contradict myself.  This will be one of those times.  I LOVE to cruise! It is always international.  For some reason traveling internationally on a big ole' boat doesn't terrify me; it thrills me.  This may be due to the fact that I pretty much think I know what to expect from cruising (though I probably shouldn't because, good gracious, have you seen what is happening on some of those ships recently?!).  I know where I will be sleeping each night.  I know that I will most likely see the same friendly serving staff at dinner and that sometimes they will break out into random dancing (love it).  I know that if I have a scary, anxiety ridden experience in a specific port I can haul my behind back to the boat where I can find a lone spot on deck while everyone else is out exploring and read to my hearts content while basking in sunshiny glory and sipping a pretty drink! I know that each night I can find a towel friend waiting happily for my arrival, just waiting for me to name him (for some reason they always seem to be dudes). 

  

  Meet some of my said towel dudes.  Their names are Syd, Ernie, Cardito, and Sal respectively.  Each picture taken
  with said towel friend requires imitation; it's a must.  

  Short version of the last however many sentences = take me cruising now please!

• I have recently been suffering from random bouts of insomnia.  My eyes have been seeing 3 am and then 4 am roll around on my clock far too often.  I like to be asleep by 11! So either this new drive of motivation and passion pursuit is keeping my brain spinning all night or the following find is true.  

If the above is the case then I am not real sure whose dream it is that I am awake in, but can you please find another one?! No fairytale here I can assure you!  If you are some long-lost girlfriend pinning after Babe, well sorry he's taken.  Though I never mind a little healthy competition, it takes a good bit to turn his head (God love him).  And if you are pinning after me...  Hello?! Did you read the what not to expects?! I do not make superb housewife status.  So, now that we have determined this is probably not your dream can you please send a note directly to my brain to let it know that at night, when the lights are off, it is time "shush up"!

Great Expectations- Part II: The Actuals

Words- I love words! And I will share them with you.  Many of these words may not belong to me.  I have these "journally" things; their actual proper names when you buy them in the store are journals, I call them quote books. The second is almost finished and the third is itching to be written it.  Well, they are filled with quotes from books (and some movies) that really jump out at or speak to me in some way.  I got the idea from ‘A Walk to Remember’.  I love them! The help bring my peace (though sometimes they also raise all kinds of questions).  So expect for me to share some of them with you; others words and my thoughts on them. 

Books- Expect to hear about my love affair with them! It’s a pretty big one.  I must have one ready to be read at all times! I also reread books that I love… just kinda have too.  Harry Potters? Read them all four times.  Read the first three probably at least 7.  You may not have read them repeatedly but I am assuming if you have read them at all you understand why.  If you hadn’t read them (or even more so if you have and still don’t understand this), then well, I may not understand you! Sorry it’s just the truth and trust me when I tell you that I never thought I would love them either.  Used to laugh when people told me I should read them.  Now I laugh at myself for my own stupidity.  Ok, I will stop. I could go on! I probably will (actually I can promise I will) later at some point, but he needs more space then just these last few lines.  Oh, I am also learning to embrace my closet nerd! So you can expect some of that if you haven’t seen it already.
 

Life- Mine that is; and sometimes I can barely get this one figured out so I probably wouldn’t be much help on yours.  I’ve learned some stuff though and am still learning all the time.  I hope you enjoy my journey! 

Oh, one more do not expect! It just popped into my head.  Random, I know (I promised that remember).  I will get this blogging flow and balance thing down soon hopefully (in the meantime I apologize). 

Outstanding fashion or makeup advice- My clothes? They mostly all come from a girlfriend’s mom! Her mama be stylin’ and I am lucky because she doesn’t wear out her outfits like I do.  I’ve got some high school stuff still in my closet (and that be a L-O-N-G time ago).  They keep trying to help me out.  Apparently, I finally accept a fashion and try to get with the picture right as it’s going out of style.   Remember, I don’t like change (and I like to be comfy).  I be stuck in my ways and the warming up process takes me way too long.  And make-up? Well, I can do it! However, it’s not very good and half the time I half-behind it.  See, I think make-up is a waste of money (and I don’t even buy the expensive stuff) so if I know I wont be seeing anyone I just put on enough to cover any witch warts and I go along my merry way.  Can’t be wasting that stuff on just any old day!   I know I am good to go when I meet up with a friend and she says “oooo girl I like your makeup”.  You know that’s when I’ve decided to use a little mascara and maybe some blush because girlfriends just not used to seeing all that on this face.  *If you would like to help me with any of this ‘I’m all ears’ (or body I suppose) as I would really like some kind of fashion sense.  I think my new hair deserves it!

See?! The new hair likes makeup! This special occasion took place due to a surprise weekend a la Babe.
 The dress? Didn't originally belong to me, it came shipped in a little happy package from a favorite person
of mine who was cleaning out her closet and thought of me.