Blogging Is For Lovers

2012-01-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you can't say or do anything right? That your feelings are real and valid to you but seem ridiculous or exaggerated to others? What do you do when you just want to run away and start over, rewind the clock and set up a life of totally different experiences?

I want my mom.

Who's Happy It's Friday?

2012-01-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

I only hope that someday I can be as happy as that dog. Heck, I'd even accept half as happy!

Have a great weekend!

Can I Get an Amen!

2012-01-26T14:46:00.000-08:00

This is short and sweet - click this link for more amazingness from a writer of yesteryear. Who is going to be the first to make some amazing multimedia about his things to worry about? Whoever it is, hurry up and do it so I can pin it and mount it on my wall!

Aquari-fun

2012-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we went to the National Aquarium to celebrate Nate's belated birthday. He would marry his own aquarium so Megan had the brilliant idea of going to our nation's....

He was especially interested in the albino alligators (a bit underwhelming, if you ask me). I don't like zoos or any sort of animals on display. Animals want to roam! Nate hates that about me

We like each other.

And then we pigged out at Shake Shack.

Nom.

2012-01-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”

- Alan Cohen

(I added the underlines because they are my favorite)

Steinbeck Love Advice

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

My friend emailed my roommates and me this link today. I sat reading it at the kitchen table and I wept. It was not an ugly cry, it was what one does when the beauty of the written word becomes too much for your body to contain. My favorite lines:

First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so

And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

nothing good gets away

HELLO

2012-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hello from ant1mat3rie on Vimeo.

As a huge Lionel Richie fan this just tickles me to no end!

"Common" Sense

2012-01-20T23:53:00.000-08:00

(photo is not at all related to the topic, I just like him)

Recently I have had two situations completely boggle my mind at the sheer level of absurdity they have presented. It has brought another issue to my attention -

I am uncomfortable with those who have different common sense than me.

Odd statement, no? You're probably thinking that I'm confused about that actual definition of common sense, but because of these recent experiences, I assure you, I have a firm grasp on the phrase. That last sentence had too many commas and was poorly constructed. Deal. Anyway, I have recently butted heads with another person's perception of reality and have even done the painful thing of trying to understand their reasoning. I have even accepted that maybe I'm the one who's common sense ain't so common. (luckily I have Devon and Megan to assure me that I am very much (mostly) normal). In each situation I have walked away flabbergasted as to what I could possibly do to mitigate any further annoyances without compromising my intellect.

How do you tell someone that they are SO wrong?

I get along with people I disagree with all the time. I don't need to share a religion, political party, or taste in music. I even get along with people who like peanut butter! Granted, that's almost everyone and I recognize I'm definitely the minority here but *yuck*. The people I am most uncomfortable around are those who I feel lack common sense, yet feel as though they have it and can tell you why.

Ugh. I wish I could tell you both stories in entirety so you could really understand what I mean but that's not what I do on this ole' blog. Nope, I take the more passive aggressive route. Classy, and don't I know it. Sorry for the rant, your regularly scheduled program will be back shortly.

.yum.

2012-01-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

I am devouring this dish lately! It's super healthy, easy, and most important - it's delicious!

-half a medium sized tomato

-one third or half of a cucumber

-half cup(ish) of sweet corn

-half an avocado

-one third(ish) cup black beans

-dash of salt

mash it all together, yo!

Seriously, I eat this everyday! I have a hard time getting enough protein in my diet so this helps quite a bit and lessens how much fish I have to eat. I feel so vegetarian when I eat it, which practically means that I'm on par with Natalie Portman or Carrie Underwood since they're both vegetarians. Yep, I'm famous.

Try it, if you like those ingredients, you'll love this dish!

star

2012-01-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

oh, this just gives me such a happy heart today

............

it's probably how moms feel for their babies all the time

Wicked

2012-01-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

When Becca was here we made the ~~crazy~~ ~~awesome~~ crazyawesome decision to drive to NYC and see Wicked onstage and then turn around and head home. We drove a total of 9 hours and were in NYC for about 4 and a half. WORTH IT!!! We got home at 4am fueled by 5 Hour Energy drinks and Diet Mt Dew. Delicious.

away we go! yes, modeling with a tuna wrap in your hand is the only way to successfully start a trip

rest stop love. we drove through 5 states that day

bright lights, big city

MECCA

megan's fifth time, my second, becca's first!

even the "cheap" seats are pretty great

elphaba and glinda were amazing! especially my girl, elphaba

i just really like both of them

CONFESSION: every time I go to NYC I desperately hope that I will finally get a ride in the Cash Cab. planning another trip soon, I will make this happen

Rube Goldberg

2012-01-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

This man is not Rube Goldberg, he is just a specialist in the method. The idea is to take everyday objects and have them accomplish some mundane task - but it has to be in indirect, creative way. It's kind of like domino's but with a simple goal at completion.

The band Ok Go did a music video featuring this method a couple of years ago. Think about how long it must have taken to set this up! The engineering! More exclamation points! This really does it for the nerd in me.

I hope they got it right the first time......

Happy Friday, Y'all

2012-01-13T09:54:00.001-08:00

Charlie the Genius

2012-01-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

not the best advice but is seriously tempting sometimes

Georgetown Love

2012-01-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

I will always take visitors to Georgetown. Period. It's pretty much my favorite place in DC and they have the best treats there. Quite an easy decision if you ask me!

We started in Paper Source. Yep. Started the tour in a paper store.....where we managed to stay for over 40 minutes and had to talk each other down from spending WAY too much money. We could have spent that time on just the card section alone, however we had to hustle over to Baked and Wired to meet Devon.

Oh hello, Peppermint Patty cupcake. This is the best cupcake place in DC, hands down. Everyone got the perfect cupcake for them and while we all offered to share, I think the mutual feeling was "keep your dirty hands off my treat!"

We finished the tour at Dean and Deluca. Always so much to look at!

This was one of my favorite nights of Becca's visit. Lots of favorites all in one spot - what's better than that?!?

2012

2012-01-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

This was an especially phenomenal New Years Eve. We dined, danced, and did a whole lot 'o lovin. I honestly have the funniest/best/coolest/tallest friends on Earth and there was no one else I would have rather started the year with. Behold, the only photo we took in all our dressed up glory -

I have a gigantic crush on everyone in this picture. Myself included.

I would get into details, but those are for our memories and they just wouldn't be as funny to retell. And let's face it, I don't want to make anyone jealous. You're welcome.

One last photo to sum up the evening.........

Becca, Nate - this pretty much sums it up, no?

Happy New Year! May this one be better than the last!

01/12/12

2012-01-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite TV shows is back on Thursday.

I'm pretty sure only Danica and Madi care.

But seriously girls, AREN'T YOU SO EXCITED?!?!?!

(D and M, you totally read those in their voices, didn't you?)

Founding Farmers

2012-01-10T12:41:00.000-08:00

The amazing Becca came back to DC with me after Christmas. It was quite possibly the greatest week of my life! She came here for professional reasons but we spent all of our time outside of work eating, playing, laughing, and speaking in British accents. Twice we went to our favorite restaurant, Founding Farmers, check it out here. This restaurant just makes me do happy sighs all over the place.

mid chicken and waffles bite

fried green tomatoes! my first!

more happy sighs....

oh heyyyy

Come visit me and I will be sure to take you there!

Catching Up

2012-01-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

This is quite possibly the longest blogging break I have had in years! Glad to be back! You ready for a crazy onslaught of holiday pictures? Good. Here goes -

I got to spend some amazing quality time with Ashley and Owen (Becca too but no picture, boo). They picked me up from the airport and we promptly went and ate too much.

We met up with my family at the Children's Museum in Salt Lake for a bit. Look at my beautiful Haven-girl. Nothing beats being an aunt!

We walked around Temple Square and took in the lights. I'll be honest, I love the Square but I could do without the lights and the freezing.

Aunt Rachel brought rock candy, show me your tongue!

Naomi was SO cute! Everything she pulled out of her stocking she had to show everyone

Skyping with Aunt Maria who is on a mission in Italy

I heart technology - family pictures from across the world!

Naomi and Grant - I'm obsessed

Skyping with Taylor in Chile. What a cool kid.

Such a fun age! Grant at 5 months

Elisabeth won the sentimental gift this year. They made my parents a sign with the location of each of us kids and how many miles we are from my parents.

What's up, DC!!!

This is how Porter smiles

The neighbors brought over farm fresh eggs for a Christmas treat. Gorgeous!

Naomi modeling the beanie I got her

We like each other

My nieces and nephews are my happiness.

Being home with family and friends was amazing. I'm grateful for every moment with them, I just wish they weren't so few and far between! I hope yours was equally lovely!

A Good End

2011-12-30T06:03:00.000-08:00

(click the youtube link to watch)

My friend, Lizzie, posted this video a while ago and I was immediately drawn to it. I don't make a habit of listening to Christian rock, nothing against it, it's just not typically on my radar. I'm more of a J Beibs girl (kidding!).

Now the year is coming to a close and after many bumps and bruises I remain grateful. The message of this song is so applicable to all of us, no matter our situation. The message being that He will let us hurt and let us stumble, but never fall. He really is all around us. So I end this year and look forward to next year knowing that yes, He is always with me. My faith in Heavenly Father has been tried and tested but I know that His faith in me is constant.

Have a wonderful and safe New Years!

"No, I can't deny that you are right here with me"

2011-12-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

I hope your day is filled with love, family, eating and smiles.

Anyone else grateful it fell on a Sunday this year? Kinda brings it all home, doesn't it?

xoxo

Where I Learned My Moves......

2011-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Just a little bit of cheer to kick off the weekend! I hope your is fabulous!

Guest Post

2011-12-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

I guest posted on In Morse Code today! Check it out and stay a while, Bryton is a pretty dang cute blogger!

Vietnam

2011-12-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

On the Vietnam Memorial people are listed two ways:

1 - with a diamond to signify that they died in battle or later from their wounds

2 - with a cross for those who are missing in action or prisoners of war, about 1200 people total. If/when they are found the cross is blasted into a diamond shape

A museum is being planned that will house some of the knick knacks and personal memorials left at the site.

I often feel very detached from this war, but whenever I visit this memorial I feel such love for these servicemen and women. The spirit here is undeniable and so, so special.

God Bless America

Just Like That, It Happened

2011-12-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

(I definitely did not make these cookies)

By now it is well documented that it takes me a while to get into the Christmas spirit. I cannot predict when it will hit, typically it's when I get to my parent's house and I see all the decorations I grew up with and I get to be with the greatest joys in my life.

It happened today at church. I was interpreting and we were singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem", the third verse reads -

"How silently, how silently

This wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heav'n

No ear may hear His coming;

But in the world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in"

The tears started immediately as I reflected on those first two lines. Jesus came into the world with little fanfare and few who sought Him. But what a truly wondrous and remarkable gift was given to all mankind on that holy night. I've never noticed how this song is not limited to that special event but also serves to encompass His ministry.....

"Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in"

Merry Christmas

2011-12-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't."

-Anatole France

How Hitler Became Famous

2011-12-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

This seriously had me laughing so hard!

For Devon

2011-12-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

via

I was not the most attractive middle schooler. True story. My situation did not improve once I entered high school, but then of course I got to mix in two heaping scoops of awkward, a dash of too tall, one gorgeous, popular older sister, and the disastrous result was helpless, hopeless Rachel. Ta da! My family has joked that rather than having an awkward phase I had an awkward decade. Gems, every last one of them.

When I began sophomore year my self esteem was in the toilet and I didn't see how it could possibly get any better. I knew that I needed to do something to pull myself out of the doldrums, so I simply opened my eyes. I started looking around and ended up making a very astute observation - ugly people get married too! Hallelujah! One day I was sitting in 10th grade Chemistry class and I realized that while I probably couldn't get anyone based on my looks, maybe if I had an awesome personality I could con someone into marrying me eventually. (editors note - I know this is crazy and a uh, TMI to the extreme. Remember, this is for Devon's benefit). I thought it was such a novel idea to have someone like me for me, rather than what I could outwardly provide.

That day in Chem I decided that I wanted my future self to be funny. Funny could eventually be attractive enough for someone to overlook whatever was going on from the neck up. I started studying what would make people laugh. Honestly. I was very scientific about my approach because I was literally planning a total personality overhaul. If I was going to be this new person for the rest of my life I wanted to be sure that I became someone I liked!

I like myself now and I definitely don't feel the same way I did back then (PS - this is NOT a post fishing for compliments, thankyouverymuch). I wish I could spend a day with anyone who reads this dumb blog so you could really know me. I promise, all my studying paid off and I'm way funnier in person.

I wrote this post because from time to time Devon will say, "I'm so grateful for that decision you made in Chemistry class". I am too. It was born from a place of horrific self esteem, desperation at the perceived circumstance, and being bullied. I am very lucky in how it has turned out for me, just the amazing ability to like myself, but I recognize that this is not the case for everyone who has experienced bullying or who gets down on themselves. We have to teach our children to love themselves and to always look for the beauty in others. Everyone has something to contribute - let's find out what it is.

Oh, what a wonderful world it would be.

(New Years resolution #114 - no more soul bearing!)

Surprise Gift

2011-12-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

I stepped off the metro on Monday morning and walked toward the gentleman handing out the Express, the free DC paper. I like the crossword puzzles.

Chuck handed me a paper and we chatted for a moment. I may be crazy awkward with guys my age, but middle aged men passing out free things seem to be my forte. As Chuck and I were conversing, a guy handing out the Examiner (another free paper) came over to chat with us. He pulled this sweet little box out of his pocket and said,

"I have a gift for you"

It could have been full of dirty pennies or ketchup packets, but look - it was Hersheys kisses.

I love this place.

National Disappointment

2011-12-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Here it is - the national Christmas tree

It looks awful in real life, like something from a parallel Dr Seuss universe

What an attractive bunch!

Each state and territory has sponsored a tree that borders the main tree. Check out the White House in the background

My favorite of all the ornaments

I'm sloooooowly getting into the Christmas spirit.

I just need a few more days - I promise

The Love Affair Continues......

2011-12-12T20:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoons are always exceptionally lazy 'round these parts. Yesterday was the exception, and may now become the rule. My dear friends' sister's Girl Scout troop was performing Christmas songs downtown so we went to throw our support her way.

I walked past the Navy memorial while on my way to meet them and I had to pause a moment to reflect on my dad's time in the service. Happy tears ensued, naturally.

"I can imagine a no more rewarding career, and any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction:

'I served in the United States Navy'

-President John F. Kennedy

Creepy Segway tour!

They were adorable. Congratulations to them for making it so long, I quit Brownies after a year or two.

Quite possibly my favorite family, other than my own

After the Brownies we watched the Country Steppers, a group of seniors who two-step or something like that. This lady was our very favorite, she really understood the enthusiasm necessary to get me in any sort of Christmas spirit.

Big finish!

Just like Megan to be sandwiched between two gorgeous gents

I seriously love this city. I need to take better advantage of living here! Come visit if you want to see for yourself

Product Review

2011-12-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Ladies (and gents, I suppose) this stuff is wonderful! I wanted to call it a miracle but that word is in the title and I feel a bit awkward about that. One word to describe it? magic

I use it maybe once a month and I adore the results I get. Soft, shiny hair - who doesn't want that?

Recommended!

2011-12-09T14:43:00.001-08:00

“I am simply a ‘book drunkard.’ Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.”

— L.M. Montgomery

Why I Like the Fall

2011-12-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

I definitely do not like the cold. Fall is just a cruel reminder that the sunny, carefree days of summer are over and soon we will be faced with frozen noses and toeses (you like how I forced that rhyme? yeah....me neither). Well I suppose Fall is now pretty much over and the bleakness of winter is descending upon us. I promise, the negative tone of this post is going to turn around very soon. So despite all these horrid reasons to dislike Fall, I have some reasons to be somewhat onboard with the season.

I like the colored leaves -

I like reasons to guzzle hot cocoa -

but I especially like.....

FALL TV!!!

All your favorite shows returning with new episodes and brand new series to fall in love with! *happy sigh* I am a TV junkie so the past couple months have been great! There are some pretty great new series to get addicted to, so let's discuss. My new favorites are:

Once Upon a Time

New Girl

Suburgatory

Allen Gregory

and the winningest winner of all -

HAPPY ENDINGS

How about you? (Come over any time and watch TV with me, nothing gets you to soulmate status faster than having *good taste in TV)

*good meaning my same taste in television. it may not actually signify that you have good taste because i sometimes doubt that i do

I Really Like This

2011-12-08T20:54:00.000-08:00

Oh how I adore the Muppets! I haven't seen the new movie yet, is it worth it?

2011-12-07T21:09:00.001-08:00

via

Beach Boys and John Stamos - Oh My!

2011-12-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

I was asked to interpret for an event at the Kennedy Center this evening. It was a tribute to the troops, emceed by John Stamos and the current Miss America with performances by the Beach Boys and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Coolest night of my life. The end.

For starters - I'm a HUGE Beach Boys fan because my parents raised me right. So I already knew the songs (bonus!) and who doesn't love the opportunity to completely dork out?

Mike Love, original member, waved at me twice and kept giving me big smiles! The little flirt.....These guys are darling! They sound just as good as the records we would dance to as kids and that I car dance to now. John Stamos - what can I say? Charming, good hair, talented, the future father of my children. He was good, to say the least.

At one point he walked off our side of the stage but I was temporarily oblivious. I had my back turned so my saint of a team, the lovely Andrea Smith, told me to turn around and I came face to face with my future. He smiled at both of us, said hi, and then TOUCHED MY ARM. May I repeat - John Stamos touched my arm! Oh, the giggles that escaped my mouth and would not quit. Honestly, I giggled like a fool for quite a while.

Close to the end of the evening I was onstage signing "Fun Fun Fun" when Mr Bruce Johnston (pictured above) came over, grabbed my hand and pulled me over to sing! (honestly, what? who? is this real life?) As he was pulling me over the little section we stood in front of gave a loud cheer. They were so fabulous and attentive the whole evening even though not a single one of them were deaf. I totally sang onstage with the beach Boys and John Stamos. Me. Huh?

I don't even understand what just happened, but I'm so glad. I needed a win and I would call this just that - I'm not coming off this high for a while!

UPDATE: What Andrea wrote on my facebook concerning "the touch hear 'round the world" -

"I'm just sayin'...this married old hag got a simple "hi". You got eye-molested and then actually molested. I am seriously thrilled for you. The night couldn't have gone better!"

Cafe Rio Comes to Virginia

2011-12-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

Oh yea, this is a big deal.

There has been one 45 minutes away from me for the past few months but it has been kind of a hassle to make the trek out there. Finally(!) one has opened about 12 minutes from my house.

I took myself on a date tonight and got the lonely lady special for one.

It was divine.

I foresee loaded punchcards in my future.....

(PS - the "free meal" cheer is very lackluster out here)

(#disappointed)

One Last Time

2011-12-05T05:50:00.000-08:00

My theme for the year was to take more risks. It is completely out of my comfort zone to be spontaneous and risky so I thought that it could be a great challenge to make it my year long theme. I'm happy to report that I was tried and tested,stretched and bruised, but I did it. I was faced with several situations this year that I would normally have handled differently but I was brave (or fake brave, same thing).

I'm happy to report that I took one last risk and am finally feeling the peace that should come with living boldly. Hopefully nothing else will come my way by the end of the year because I'm too busy planning my theme for next year to be worried about that nasty little thing called the comfort zone. I like it there and I want to stay in it a while!

Have a great week!

You Have One Week!

2011-12-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

(i know, i know...those are muffins. whatever)

My darling friend, Aubry, is doing a cookie recipe swap. There really is nothing this girl can't do! Check out the post here. Doesn't matter if she has never met you, she's just all about sharing fabulousness!

I still haven't figured out which recipe to send her because my family is not one of those who claims to have the "be all, end all" recipes. But I will do ANYTHING to get the treasure trove of amazingness that she is collecting!

You have until December 11th! Get on it!

You Should Be Reading This.....

2011-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I stumbled upon a Tumblr called Suri's Burn Book and I immediately fell in love. It is "written" by Suri Cruise (the offspring of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) and is her burn book dedicated to Hollywood. It's snarky, clever, and super funny....it speaks my language.

In case you aren't familiar with burn books, please watch the instructional video below:

An Awkward Start

2011-12-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

I pulled on my knit gloves before leaving the house because today was the first day I had to scrape the frost from my car. Have I ever mentioned that I despise this time of year? Well I do. I drove to the metro, parked, and went in.

As I got on the metro car I did a quick scan to see if there were any seats available. Nope. No big deal, it was only two stops. I have been battling insomnia this week and that is the only reason I can think of for why this next thing happened. The train started and I zoned out. I was like a fat baby in a warm car who was on the cusp of a lovely REM cycle. In a few seconds I realized that I was no longer holding the pole. I was holding a hand. I had gotten so relaxed and my gloves were so slippery that my hand slid down the pole and came to a rest on top of the guy's hand that was below mine.

He didn't even have to buy me dinner! How does one recover from that? You pretend like there's something REALLY interesting on your phone.

Have a great weekend!

Baltimore

2011-11-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

My buddy came to this side of the country a couple weeks ago for a conference so I went and hung out with him for a day. We went to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and I loved it so much that it then inspired the day trip that Devon and I took the next week.

This is in their memorial to 9/11. It is the top story of a tall building that overlooks the city and this part of the memorial has all of the names of the victims.

The original USS Constellation is docked there and is now a museum

There are signs guiding you to it and I was really excited to see the ship because my dad was stationed on the USS Constellation in San Diego. When we turned the corner and saw this I had to check my memory to make sure he was actually on it. Yes, he was, and the two now look VERY different.

The Inner Harbor has some really cool buildings and lots of amazing history

Oh hey, Judd. It was fun, buddy!

2011-11-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

"Why am I afraid to dance, I who love music and rhythm and grace and song and laughter? Why am I afraid to live, I who love life and the beauty of the flesh and the living colors of the earth and sky and sea? Why am I afraid to love, I who love love love?"

-Eugene O'Neill

motivation, please come back to me

2011-11-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

Am I the only one struggling with motivation lately? Sheesh! My room is a mess,I haven't worked out in a looooooong while, and the thought of Christmas makes me physically shudder. Granted, I never really love this season until a few days before the actual event but I was told last night (ahem, Devon you're a gem) that I am EXTRA Scrooge McDuck this year.

What's so bad about wanting to lay around all day? Oh, I know the answer - you don't make any money and your thighs expand to the size of baby hippos. Not something I'm interested in presently. So who is going to share their tips on motivation with me? Other than paying for a 24 hour live in life coach, I will accept all wisdom you care to impart.

Visit Highlights

2011-11-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

We had such a blast! Mom and dad left this morning but very few tears were shed because I'll be home for Christmas in a few weeks!

#1 place on my dad's list was Gettysburg and now I know why. It's fantastic!

This is in front of a giant cyclorama in the museum at Gettysburg. This oil painting was done in 1883 and it depicts the charge during the battle that won it for the Union. We heart history in this family.

In Georgetown. Aren't they just the cutest?!?

At the American Art Museum. If you enlarge the photo you can see the Preamble on the plates

Mom dorking out over this Alexander Calder sculpture. After we took the picture and walked away then we saw the plaque that says "no touching or climbing on the sculpture".....oops

In the war exhibit in the American History Museum

Rachel the Riveter! I did really well on my first try! It said I was ready to work with Rosie

At the Korean War Memorial

This little brazen squirrel wanted mom's strawberry scone

Vietnam War Memorial

Monument to the 56 signers of the Constitution

(totally one of my favorites)

Thanksgiving day was absolutely beautiful

I had a wonderful time having my parents all to myself. It was wonderful to share my love of my city with my two favorite people.

Ashley.....Right?

2011-11-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ashley - this is for you and you know why.

ieyuilys

It's The Week Of......

2011-11-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just days away and I have yet to post a single thing that I'm thankful for! During a time of such upheaval and uncertainty all the world over, I am especially grateful for happiness.

Happiness should be simple. I overcomplicated it for too long but this has been the year of learning for me. It has been a year of a million tiny heart breaks which have helped me to recognize what real happiness is.

I'm grateful for the hurts because they help make me to celebrate all the good.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Women in Service Memorial

2011-11-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

What better compliment could you give to a woman who devoted part or all of her life to service? I teared up, I'll admit it.

They Came to Play

2011-11-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad are in town! They arrived Friday night and are staying through Friday. Saturday we set out on our first adventure -

Arlington National Cemetery

We saw the changing of the guard and a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I am always so impressed by the sentinels at the Tomb. The reverence for duty, country and those boys in the tombs are just overwhelming for our little family. Learn more about them here

I like them.

It was fantastic to be able to walk around and hear stories from military history from my dad. He is so knowledgeable!

My dad was most interested in seeing the grave of Audie Murphy. I hadn't heard of him before yesterday, but of course, dad filled me in. He was the most decorated enlisted man in WWII, and for quite good reason. Learn more about him here

This one is for my dad - he served in the Navy for 20 years

My mom is obsessed with the leaves around here. She kept stopping and picking them up and would hang on to one for a few minutes before returning it to the ground and selecting another.

She's quite darling.

I always feel so humbled being at our nation's most sacred shrine

From Arlington we walked to the Marine Corp memorial, most commonly referred to as Iwo Jima. This one is easily my favorite.

I just can never get enough of my boys. If you need a recommendation for a phenomenal book, read "Flags of Our Fathers"

Those hands......they get me every time

Some Happiness for Your Day

2011-11-17T09:25:00.001-08:00

soexcitedicannotbreathe

2011-11-14T21:59:00.000-08:00

oh mah gawsh! i lovelovelove this series and cannot WAIT for this to come out! might have to make a trip home to see it with a few special people.....

mom - please show dad this trailer, thanks!

George Peabody Library

2011-11-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

On Friday Devon and I took a day trip to Baltimore. Our first stop was the George Peabody library. I wish you could have seen us freaking out, we are such happy nerds!

hey there, friends

Pointing to Devon Island in Canada

I was either signing "finish" or demanding my camera back

whatababe

Because It Was Her Birthday

2011-11-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

It was Megan's birthday last weekend! We started the festivities with a double surprise party for Meg and Rachel. They were very, very surprised!

Anywhere we go we tend to class up the joint. Rachel's "cake" was actually a giant rice crispy treat.

Sunday night we did what we do best and had people over for treats

I don't love hug sandwiches.......

We made a DELICIOUS apple crisp!

Thanks, Pinterest!

And thank you for being born, Megan! You make everything better when you're around, I'm so happy you're here!

2011-11-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

Catch 22 - if I say that this fact makes so much sense then I'm basically admitting to having a good blog AND to being crazy.......

To Be or Not To Be

2011-11-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of work with a local university and I love seeing the students with their backpacks as they rush to and from class. I miss school! I think I'm forgetting what it was like to be a broke, stressed out student. But I miss learning in a classroom and that camaraderie you get from your classmates.

So this the question -

Back to being a student, to be or not to be?

ASL Users Will Drool!

2011-11-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

Are you just dying right now?

This is Eric Witteborg. CODA. Duh. If you read his description this was basically off the cuff sign songage......huh. This is the sort of thing that inspires me, but at the same time makes me want to cut my hands off because I will never be this good! At the moment, I'm more leaning toward the side of "inspired" rather than "sharpening my blade to disfigure myself". But it could change at any moment.

My Megan showed me this video (thanks girl!) and we have been dorking out over his stuff ever since. Oh, did I mention that we met his brother a few weeks ago? Megan may have screamed when she made the connection. I tried to play it cool. Not sure if I was successful or not.

Some people like cars or new gadgets - we like rockin' sign songers. In fact, when I go home for Christmas it is officially ON. All my Utah peeps - you better be practicing because there will be a sign song party. Oh yes, yes there will.

GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

My friend, Lizzie, and her family are working on adopting a baby and they have partnered with a wonderful program called Ordinary Hero. They sell merchandise and give a large part of the proceeds toward the insanely expensive adoption process.

Check out their blog HERE to check out the sweet giveaway they are doing to help them win a contest with Ordinary Hero. Here's the deal - the top 3 sellers will get an additional $500 toward their adoption. There is a TON of cute stuff in the OH store and one other perk is that you get to say,

I'm an ordinary hero.

And actually mean it.

Good luck Lizzie!

xoxo

Our New Obsession

2011-11-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

Devon found this boy band from England, One Direction. WE.ARE.OBSESSED. I am going to marry Louis (striped shirt, red pants), we're in love. Fact. He's almost 20 so it's totally fine. Devon's boyfriend is Liam, the lead singer with the shaggy/curly hair. Totally darling, but he's no Louis.

Kristin's boyfriend said that if boys were gathered around the computer screaming and calling dibs on a tween girl group they would be labeled perverts. Welp, that's not the case so, who cares! Not being labeled a perv because of my gender is alright with me.

I'm partially devastased because while this is available on YouTube it is not yet available on iTunes. Dev - a - state - ed. I guess I'll just have to fly over to England and find them.

Happens Every Time....

2011-11-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

I had this exact conversation yesterday -

Him: Cool pants, where did you get them?

Me: A thrift store

Him: Oh really? Which one?

Me: Oh, it's by my parent's house

Him: Where do they live?

Me: Utah

Him: Lots of Mormons there

Me: Yep

Him: Are you Mormon?

Me: Yep

Him: Cool......so what do you think of Mitt Romney?

EVERY TIME!

m.o.r.e.

2011-11-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

via

isn't it amazing that this is all under our control?

*happy sigh*

2011-11-02T17:53:00.000-07:00

"If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that."

- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Makes Me Chuckle

2011-11-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

These are the pins on my Pinterest pinboard that have the highest number of repins. Basically, these are the popular kids -

via

and now my favorite......

via

(sorry mom!)

Friendship

2011-11-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

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You know, the bad thing about human relationships is that we have our agency. My relationship with my shoes is unchanging (it's fabulous, thanks for asking), my relationship with peanut butter is the same, except on the other end of the spectrum (yuuuuuck!).

But humans have emotion. We don't always see things from the other's perspective. We can be selfish. We lie.

I'm done. As a very wise roommate always says, "I'm trying to figure out the line between justice and mercy" and I have been merciful in a certain situation for too long and now I'm feeling like a doormat. I have been overly concerned for this person's feelings whereas not an ounce of concern has been shown for mine.

But the great thing about human relationships is that we have our agency. Despite this bump in the road, I can proudly say that I make excellent decisions when it comes to friends. Our decisions to show and speak love and support to each other is the most amazing exercise of agency I've ever been witness to.

In the end, I'm grateful for that agency because in my life there have been several heartaches but those times are worth the many, many more instances of pure joy. Be bold, clean up your closet of friends, and don't let anyone get you down. You are enough, you are worth it, and I'm sure you can count at least a handful of people right now who think you're pretty great.

So a great big THANK YOU to my true friends. And thank you for anyone who reads this ridiculous blog, you're A-OK in my book.

xoxo

Halloween

2011-10-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

We did a group costume for a dance on Friday night.

TETRIS pieces.

Devon, Megan, Abbey, Natalie, and me

I found a balloon and became a pregnant Tetris piece. This is Tim shirking his baby daddy responsibilities.....

Devon, Laura Jayne (a friend from college), and me

After the dance we went to IHOP where we encountered some ASL students and Megan and I had an across the room conversation with them about interpreting.

And then I did a sign song for them.

At 2am.

Saturday night we went to a friend's party

Natalie and me as the Black and White Swan

Devon and Ken as Lily and James Potter

Megan as Murie Curie

We have fun

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Occupy

2011-10-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Natalie, is visiting this weekend and our first stop was to check out 'Occupy DC'. I cannot begin to describe how lame they were. This is not a political post, I have my opinions on all these "occupy" protests but I'm not going to write about it here. People were at least true to their word - they were just standing around.

Occupy!!!!

McPherson Square in DC

If you can't see the sign, it's the quote by Margaret Meade ("never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people......). Right, because standing around a public square is definitely bringing about that change.....okie doke.

The lone child protester

I have NO idea

Not a clue

2011-10-28T08:04:00.001-07:00

"People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves."

- Salma Hayek

a fourth thing

2011-10-27T09:19:00.001-07:00

I don't intend to correct the ever so lovely Maya Angelou, but I think she can add a fourth thing to her list.....how a person deals with split pants in public.

Because I can tell you, I'm sending a photo of my behind to just about anyone who would appreciate a good laugh at my expense today. A security guard pointed it out, thankyouverymuch

3 things

2011-10-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

1 - drink lots of hot chocolate

2 - laugh, what else is there to do? (I've had lost luggage 3 times - St Thomas, Hong Kong, Istanbul)

3 - I don't handle that part of decorating

This mini survey can't possibly tell you any more about me than you already knew. I'm a lazy, passive girl with a sweet tooth. Nice to meet you.

Homecoming!

2011-10-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Homecoming for Gallaudet University. I had no idea what a big deal it was until I got to experience part of it. One of my good friends, Jamie, came out for it because she is fabulous and fabulous people do things like that.

I was bad about having my camera on me, except for the day we got crepes.....they were ohsogood!

Megan, loving up on her nutella, strawberry and marshmallow crepe

Beautiful Jamie

Girlfriend, get your bum out here ASAP!

2011-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

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Kayla + Eric

2011-10-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

My insanely gorgeous/talented/smart/funny roommate asked me to take her bridals and a couple shots of her and her fiance last weekend. Kayla is an actual photographer - people pay her to take their photos. We used my camera a bit, but mainly used hers because everything about hers is better. So what I'm saying is that these are unedited, off my rinky dink camera, and Kayla is gorgeous. That's what I'm saying.

For more pictures from her camera check out her blog here

(I took the pictures, she provided the camera and mad editing skillz)

2011-10-24T09:15:00.001-07:00

"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too."

- Voltaire

But Really....

2011-10-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

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My buddy Nate came over last night to chat as he does from time to time. And as single person conversation tends to, we ended up talking about dating. !shocker!

He gave me some interesting insight that should not be taken as the rule of thumb by any means, but was interesting nonetheless. He told me that sometimes boys will immediately put funny girls into the dreaded friend zone. Not all guys, but some will see the girl as someone who entertains them and therefore discounts them as a potential love interest. Huh.

My first thoughts -

1) Well that's dumb

2) Maybe I should tone it down a bit, I sometimes command a bit too much attention

3) How stupid, I'm not toning anything down. I gotta be me!

I have to laugh and I need someone I can laugh with. My life is guaranteed to be full of laughter and maybe some guys will discount me because of that. Oh well, their loss. I guess it's not the worst thing in the world to be "friend zoned" for. What if I had really bad breath or was extremely awkward around guys? (only one of the two of those is true)

Someday I shall blog about how I developed my own brand of humor....

By the way, if you've never met me, I'm much funnier in person. I promise.

Guest Post

2011-10-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

I guest posted on my friend Suzie's blog today, check it out here!

Optimism

2011-10-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love this picture.

I am noticing a shift in my life lately. A completely unintended but more than welcome shift toward optimism. I think I'm somewhat of a natural pessimist and it has always been a struggle for me. Don't we all want to be happy? I think 9 out of 10 dentists would agree that most people want to have a cheery outlook on life.

I don't care that it took this long, and I'm by no means a full fledged, dues paying member of the optimists club, but I'm happy to feel the change.

Looking at that picture I don't know who needs to be feeling more positive, but at least they're going for it! In my scenario I'm the elephant (Nate! Fat joke!) because I'm always taking risks, forcing myself out of my comfort zone, and maybe it has been those risks that have got me here. Here meaning DC, working in a field I adore, happy, surrounded by amazing people, and constantly feeling loved.

Just call me pachyderm.

xoxo

Another New Obsession

2011-10-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Joy the Baker?

You need to know this woman.

Go look at her recipe index, wipe off the drool, then come back here so we can talk about this...

For starters, she has amazing looking food. I mean, come on! Try and tell me that doesn't look incredible!

Secondly.....vegetarian!!!! VEGETARIAN! I have been looking for a good vegetarian recipe blog for a while and I am delighted to try a bunch of her recipes.

Lastly, I want to be friends with her in real life. I think we'd get along.

this.....

2011-10-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

via

A love story sounds like a jolly good time right about now.

I'd even accept a like story.

2011-10-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

i just got the most insane outpouring of love from a couple different friends within just a few minutes. did you all coordinate this? when it rains it pours.....pour away dear friends, you make me feel loved

xoxo

2011-10-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."

- Epicurus

Why Yes, This Is Another Cat Video

2011-10-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

What The Kids Are Listening To

2011-10-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not super tuned in to what the tween crowd is listening to. I just downloaded 5 Hanson songs so can we say living in the past? Yes, yes indeed. I recently came across a song by Selena Gomez that I'm in love with so now I'm officially 3% cooler to the tweenagers of America. Yesssssss! That was all I wanted for Christmas!

And just think, only a few months ago the only credit I gave her was that she is Justin Bieber's girlfriend. Girlfriend, you have a new fan.

a win for popsicles

2011-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

these babes are the best thing in my life

My Least Favorite

2011-10-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

A few months ago Mama LaMay was visiting and asked me what my least favorite movie is. Whoa. Hold the phone. I can tell you all my favorites, all the ones I love to hate, but I have never been asked what is my least favorite.

My roommate, Kristin, will not be happy about my answer......

via

I really dislike this one. You can't deny that the visual effects are spectacular, but that's where any greatness ends. The acting was fine, the story was thrice recycled, and three hours? Really? And the hype - oh, the hype!

Therefore, Avatar wins the award for being my least favorite movie.

A veeeeeery close second is Pay It Forward. I don't like movies that try too hard to make you feel something. That movie feels forced and makes me uncomfortable. Also, Helen Hunt's hair color is awful.

What is your least favorite? Which movie do you despise?

Just A Few Hours.....

2011-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

I'm in NYC for just a few hours today to meet with an accountant.

Seriously.

Sooooo Photogenic

2011-10-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend was our annual retreat for my singles ward (church congregation, not a mental hospital wing devoted to the non-married). We went up to Camp Greentop which is right next to Camp David and joy of all joys - the Obamas were there for the long weekend (thanks so much, Columbus). Roads were closed, helicopters hovered and had there guns at the ready. How relaxing for us.

Here are some pictures of the ones I love -

Megan and Sam. Photos of all of us gazing into each others' eyes are VERY common

Oh look - Devon dancing. That's not common, but catching it on film is!

Daron walking up to us looking like this was not a surprise in the least. Yes, that's a headband under the crown

Obligatory nature picture

Abbey! I love this girl! And me, the brownette

Where Megan goes, so does her tutu (homemade!)

This is probably the best representation of what is always happening with us. Devon looking smashing, Nate dreaming of some one on one time with Reese (she's Reese Witherspoon and I'm Julia Roberts) and Abbey being a background creeper

A caboose by a lake. Why not?

I found a snake on the road and named him Nathan

Yep.

We are a very serious, introspective group

The only one where everyone looks somewhat normal

David, Marj, Sam, Megan, Nate

Rachel, Megan, Abbey, me

They did ward standouts like you do in high school yearbooks. In high school I was "Most Huggable" (check out that post here). At the ward retreat I "won" Most Photogenic.....here was my acceptance speech, almost verbatim -

"I take issue with this award because what you're basically saying is that I'm busted in real life but somehow that comes out nicely in photos. Thanks to all who voted"....

.....I don't know if people caught that I was 90% joking....

I Thought of That

2011-10-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

When I was little I wanted to invent an alarm clock that you could set to wake you up with your favorite song. Mine would have been set to play "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys.

Now we have cell phones that we can set special alarm tones and ring tones for different callers, etc. I totally came up with this idea. I'm not jaded, I'm excited to see my vision come to life.

My alarm tone?

"Kokomo"

2011-10-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

"There's always going to be bad stuff out there. But here's the amazing thing -- light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light."

- Jodi Picoult

Demand Euphoria

2011-10-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

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That's what it comes down to, isn't it? We have to demand what we want and that demand has to solely be placed on ourselves. Demand love, honesty, passion, euphoria, acceptance, faith.

I'm done asking for a certain life, I'm now demanding it.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Le Mis = Le Love

2011-10-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

In a very, very last minute decision I went to see Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center last night. It was my first time seeing it (I know, I know) and I LOVED IT. LOVED.

I knew the story and a couple of the songs but there is nothing like seeing it all put together as a stage play. I was surprised at how funny it was in certain places! And confession time - I always cry at the end of plays/musicals. I just really appreciate how much time and effort these people have had to put in to their craft. Cue tears.

Yep, just Megan, Kate and me. We had a ball!

Megan and I like to speak in British accents (please now read the rest of this post in an accent). On the shuttle to the Kennedy Center we ended up chatting with Ernie G from L.A. and he asked where I was from. Kent, England. It just slipped out!

Anyone know any good trivia about Kent, England? I do, I do!

(Deaf Studies friends, y'all better know what I'm talking about)

Confession

2011-10-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of emails in my draft folder that I have started and never sent. Never sent a single one! I just went through and deleted a bunch because what used to be important was just a brief moment that amounted to nothing more than a stupid story in my timeline.

....and because I'm always too chicken to send them!

(Lindsey's is my favorite....chaw chee chaw)

Oh Yes....There Was Singing

2011-10-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Devon loves rock and roll. She put another dime in the jukebox, baby.

Megan was hidin' somewhere in the night....behind Nate

Well that's just unfortunate

Devon and me calling out all the womanizers

Karaoke, conference, CALORIES.

So, how was your weekend?

2011-10-02T18:40:00.001-07:00

among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and sickened by human behavior. you're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. you'll learn from them--if you want to. just as someday, if you have something of offer, someone will learn something from you. it's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. and it isn't education. it's history. it's poetry.

the catcher in the rye
j. d. salinger

the help

2011-10-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

pinned

For such a big fan of the book you would have thought that I would have seen this movie three times already! I finally got around to seeing it this week. I went by myself - bliss - and it was perfect because I was alone with the movie and my thoughts. I cried. Let me tell you, I cried and cried. I had my phone out (annoying, I know) so that I could take notes on the spot, right in the moment I thought them. Here they are:

i cry because....

...I will never truly know the despair or the hope of a whole community

...I can never know the experience of living in a different skin color

...I want to understand that experience

...this story is not fiction, the hatred continues it's just not as obvious

...some people preach about loving everyone as God's children but then don't practice what they preach

...everyone is smart, kind, important - no matter what

...I have never had to fight so hard for equality for myself, yet it is a huge part of other people's daily experience

....the innocence of children is SO beautiful

...that innocence is so fleeting

....I don't understand. I just don't.

and lastly -

I cry because so many people will leave the theater not having learned a single thing

i'm doomed

2011-09-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

(i will never be a morning person)

No Untold Stories

2011-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Maya Angelou said,

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you"

Don't we all have those stories that we're too embarrassed or too afraid to share? Sometimes those can stay for days and then be gone, but sometimes they can stay for years. It's quite a big risk to trust someone enough to be gentle with your story so sometimes we keep it inside on purpose. Other times we don't think anyone will understand.

Tell your story, the people in your world want to know. If they didn't, they wouldn't belong to your world.

xoxo

We Like Free

2011-09-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History which is totally my favorite out of all of the Smithsonians (shhhh, don't tell the other ones).

I have yet to do a thorough walk through and again on Saturday there wasn't time for that so we just looked at a couple exhibits before moving on.

The Old Glory exhibit chokes me up every time. It is quite sobering and reverent, definitely something that everyone should see.

This statue of George Washington cracks me up every time. I think if he had been alive when this was made he would have been horrified.

The First Ladies dress exhibit is fabulous! Jackie Kennedy's is easily my favorite. I feel like it could be worn today and would make it on all the best dressed lists. Donating the dresses is such a neat tradition.

A Dumbo from Disneyland

A Michael Jackson hat - sob! We miss him.....

Playing the "drums"

Saturday was National Free Museum Day. All the national museums in DC are free, but this one is not a government museum. It is normally around $25 but we got free admission! It was quite interesting, I especially liked the exhibits about medieval crime and punishment, and the one on serial killers.

Megan and me in the line-up. I'm innocent!

My dad taught us a song about Lizzie Borden when we were little:

"Lizzie Borden took an ax

Gave her father 40 whacks

When she saw what she had done

She gave her mother 41"

........

Dad, that's awful! Why did you teach us that?!?! (i love it...)

And a completely gratuitous picture of my girl, Devon.

I lurve this girl

Lisa Frank Fun

2011-09-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Do you remember Lisa Frank stuff? It seems like I had a Lisa Frank trapper keeper with coordinating folders for 4 years straight in elementary school. I know I'm not alone in this because all the girls in my class did.

What is better than brightly colored leopards riding unicorns who are prancing in a field? The answer to that is nothing. There is nothing better than that. Do we know if she's still around making seizure inducing school supplies?

You totally had Lisa Frank stuff, didn't you? The boys had lame trapper keepers with Nolan Ryan on the cover but us ladies knew what was up. Always have, always will.

For the Better

2011-09-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

pinned

Saw this on Pinterest today and basically had one of those movie moments when all the times in my life where this was applicable flashed before my eyes and the room spun around and my hair looked awesome in the mini wind storm. Yep, that basically just happened.

I'm thinking of the ways I've had to adjust my life when my plans haven't worked out, when the guy who is perfect for me couldn't possibly care less, when disappointment threatens to erect a tower around my heart, when I have time and time again made the decision to be happy and change for the better. There is so much in life that we cannot change and there are then only two ways to deal with that - let it change us for the bad or for the better.

It's a battle though. One worth fighting, that is for sure.

Some of us actually heard something along these lines on Saturday night, find it here

"put it back!"

2011-09-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Megan - you rock my world. I am SO glad you live here now and show me awesome videos like this!

Blogging Is For Lovers

Who's Happy It's Friday?

Can I Get an Amen!

Aquari-fun

Steinbeck Love Advice

HELLO

"Common" Sense

.yum.

*star*

Wicked

Rube Goldberg

Happy Friday, Y'all

Charlie the Genius

Georgetown Love

2012

01/12/12

Founding Farmers

Catching Up

A Good End

Where I Learned My Moves......

Guest Post

Vietnam

Just Like That, It Happened

How Hitler Became Famous

For Devon

Surprise Gift

National Disappointment

The Love Affair Continues......

Product Review

Why I Like the Fall

I Really Like This

Beach Boys and John Stamos - Oh My!

Cafe Rio Comes to Virginia

One Last Time

You Have One Week!

You Should Be Reading This.....

An Awkward Start

Baltimore

motivation, please come back to me

Visit Highlights

Ashley.....Right?

It's The Week Of......

Women in Service Memorial

They Came to Play

Some Happiness for Your Day

soexcitedicannotbreathe

George Peabody Library

Because It Was Her Birthday

To Be or Not To Be

ASL Users Will Drool!

GIVEAWAY!

Our New Obsession

Happens Every Time....

m.o.r.e.

Makes Me Chuckle

Friendship

Halloween

Occupy

a fourth thing

3 things

Homecoming!

Kayla + Eric

But Really....

Guest Post

Optimism

Another New Obsession

this.....

Why Yes, This Is Another Cat Video

What The Kids Are Listening To

a win for popsicles

My Least Favorite

Just A Few Hours.....

Sooooo Photogenic

I Thought of That

Demand Euphoria

Le Mis = Le Love

*Confession*

Oh Yes....There Was Singing

the help

i'm doomed

star

Confession