Nature Baby

This weekend was the last weekend of summer, so naturally I packed in one more trip to see dear friends.  My trip to visit was much overdue, and it wasn't until I saw them that I realized how much I've missed them.

Rosemarie, or Mz. Wag as I still call her, was my choir accompanist in college.  We quickly became friends and have been so for the past thirteen years.  She and her husband, Jim, are very dear to me.  The weekend consisted of catching up, good food, nature, naps, a movie, church, more catching up and more sleep.  It was wonderful!  I couldn't have picked a better way to end this summer and begin the school year.

The Waggoners have a beautifully landscaped garden, on the lake, complete with every animal, insect and bug you can imagine.  I encountered a family of deer on my morning jog, cranes inching into the water and a huge dead snake on the side of the road.  Hummingbirds graced their windows as squirrels lept through the trees.  Watching each of these animals made me feel very much a part of life, realizing how significant I am in my insignificance.

  As I sat on dock reading and writing yesterday,

I Dreamed a Dream

In conjunction with a writing project, I am also working on a compositional project. In college I dabbled with composing; I even took private composition lessons. 

Looking back, I realize that I never really put all I had into it. I took a lot for granted back then, and was an even worse procrastinator than I am now. This is my 10th year out of college, and hindsight is 20/20. I've decided to tap back into some of those dreams and talents I had before I let "life" get in the way.  

Getting today's mailbox treat was like greeting an old friend!!!  (Finale is music notation software for the computer.)

Design on a Dime

At the beginning of the summer I began tackling a couple of remodeling projects.  In May I started with my balcony-  Man, I Feel Like a Woman.  My living room was next on the redecorating list.  You might remember my post in June with pictures of my mom and me repainting a chest "mermaid green" to go with the new look- Summer Break Has Begun.  It's taken me a little longer than anticipated, but I am finally finished with my summer project!  

I had originally purchased vintage travel posters from the 1920's as a focal point and theme, hoping to go with an art deco feel.  This proved much harder than I imagined.  Apparently, art deco has not recycled through the area in which I live.  Travel is my favorite thing on earth, and I knew I wanted to weave it in somehow, but ended up not using the travel posters.  I had to start from square one, but this ended up giving me many more options.

A couple of my friends have a great eye and were willing to help me finish up decorating, so this week we hit the stores and got it done.  I'm really pleased with the purchases we decided on.  I was able to keep a travel theme, tie in my love of birds and the whimsical and use the color palette I wanted to.  I used several things I already had.

Shout out to the "Design on a Dime" decorating team: Mother, Daddy, Karena and Karen.  I wouldn't be near as pleased with the result without any of them!  And, they didn't argue when I picked my St. Francis of Assisi figurine as my MUST KEEP item. :)

Below are the before and after pictures.  You'll notice that I changed out several pieces of furniture.  I loved the look of my old decor, but I was ready to personalize and brighten things up a little more.  Besides, I'm the kind of person that needs change every few years.  Note: The before pictures were taken during the day on my digital camera.  The after pictures were taken at night on my cell phone.  You'll probably notice, not only a difference in picture quality, but lighting as well.  I kept the wall colors the same, so even though they appear darker in the after picture, they are the exact shade as they are in the before pictures; the room is very bright.  You can click on any picture for a larger view.




DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...............

Kinsley and Her Ady

I didn't have to work today.  Ironically enough, it was a pre-scheduled "bad weather day".  Last night I came to my parents' and today I got to spend the entire day with my niece, Kinsley.

Click the pictures for a bigger glimpse into our day...

Social Painting

Last night I hosted a social painting party for my women's Bible study group.  Even though we missed the other six in our group, we girls had a blast!  We started with blank canvases and a black and white picture of our pattern.  Once we'd gotten a good idea of what we were going to do, "went to town" painting.

10,000 Reasons

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes"

-Matt Redman, "10,000 Reasons"- 

I am not a huge fan of modern choruses.  Hymns get my vote 100% of the time; I think they are full of sustainable "meat" and not "fluff".  But, every once in a while a chorus will come along that really hits me.  "10,000 Reasons" is one of those- it has been playing on my iPod and in my head for about three weeks now.  If you're unfamiliar with it, click the link to hear it.

Even though each dawning day brings with it a new song, I find that in my life it seems to carry with it the refrain of yesterday as well.  

Bach and Beyond

The orchestra members were warming up.  The persistent chime of the gong was calling music lovers to their seats.  Excited chatter was accompanied by the sound of scurrying feet coupled with melodic snippets.  All elements of the concert coming together for a brilliant opening.  There was only one problem.  The final piece, the conductor, was slated to appear in five minutes and seat EB7, at the Meyerson, was still empty.

Man, I Feel Like a Woman

Power Tools.

Potting Plants.

Two Trips to Home Depot.

Four Trips to Wal Mart.

DIY Projects.

Spray Paint.

First Time to Have Live Plants.

Yep, I feel like a woman today, or at least a real adult.

*****

Home Team

As I've sat here on my lunch break thinking about what I should write today, only one thing has come to mind: relationships.  Now before you get all excited about the possibility of a post about romantic relationships, don't!  At thirty-one and single, I would be safer writing about how to care for your twenty cats than about how to relate to the opposite sex, and I don't even own any cats. (see yesterday's post)  No, this is a post about people.

Book Bombing

Ok, before you avid readers think this is a post about burning books, Ray Bradbury style, let me put your mind at ease and simply say, it is not.  You're safe to continue reading.  :)

Serendipitous Treasures

Community.  Life Together.  Laughter.

Growth.  Bearing Burdens.  Love.

Encouragement.  Connection.  Acceptance.

Things we all desire.  Things we all need. 

A-dream Take Two

If a picture paints a thousand words, then this is my longest blog entry to date!

Weekend With A-dream

Ethan and Evan, one of my best friend's kids, are spending the weekend with me.  I've known the Lipsey boys practically since they were born and they've called me "A-dream" since they were old enough to talk.  They are two of four of my pseudo nephews/nieces.  I love them to death and we always have a fun time together.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Today has quite possibly been the birthday I've had since I turned nine.  I'm pretty sure I say that every year, well every year except year twenty-nine when I got dumped by my boyfriend ON my birthday, but that's another story.  My special day just seems to get better as time goes on!


My birthday celebrations actually started Sunday when my parents, sister and brother-in-law surprised me with one of my favorite meals and gifts.  On Wednesday my best local girlfriend and her parents had dinner, cake and gifts for me.  And today....

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Disclaimer: I don't really believe the title of this entry.  :)

In college God, through a mutual friend, gave me one of the best roommates ever.  Although we always had a good relationship, our friendship has grown even deeper in the years since graduation.   Kristina is a vital member of my “inner circle”.   She is deeply caring, creative, an incredible cook, adventurous, appreciates the small things in life, is passionate about people and relationships, has a heart for God and His ways, and sooooo much more.  I am so grateful to call her one of my closest friends.  If you get a chance, check out her blog- All Is Well (she’s also an great writer).

We had a wonderful time of catching up, encouragement and good food.  Life keeps us from getting together often, but when we do have a chance, I leave with my heart feeling just a little bit happier.   On this occasion Kristina brought me a gift- a book entitled, “One Good Deed a Day, a journal”. 

Happy, Happy, Happy

In honor of tonight's Ducky Dynasty marathon:
Things that make me happy...

Gypsy By Nature

Travel.  Jogging.  Prayer.  Water. 

No matter what is bothering me, no matter what I'm trying to sort out, no matter how stressed out I am, any one of these four things can help clear my head.  They help me relax and refocus.  (I even enjoy them when I'm not strung out.)

It is no secret that I love to travel.  I am probably more passionate about travel than even music.  New places, new people, and new experiences both excite and energize me.  I am not happy if I am forced to stay in one spot too long.  There is just so much of life I feel I'm missing when my wings are clipped.  One of my favorite poets, Robert Service, sums me up very well...

You May Be the Walrus, But I'm the Pigeon

Ok, so I'm not really a pigeon.  BUT it is my current favorite yoga pose.  I was reminded of this tonight when I went back to yoga for the first time in two weeks.

Me Experimenting With Acrobatic Yoga