Oh Happy Day

Rockstar Diaries inspired me a few days ago to make a happy list. So here are things that are making me happy this week:

10. New fall scented soaps/candles I bought.
9. The weather- sunny and crisp.
8. Getting to make my first promo flyer at work.
7. As a result of #8, getting asked if I wanted to do more marketing at my company...... YES!
6. A great talk with Jeffer yesterday while sitting outside at a beautiful park.
5. Weekend plans of pumpkin patches and fun with Kelly.
4. The fact that my hair is almost back to my natural color (dirty brown/blonde- see pic below) which is amazing considering I haven't seen my hair naturally since 7th grade.
3. I'm learning that distance sometimes brings people closer. My best girl friends from college... I feel that I'm closer to them right now than I ever was in school.
2. I'm going to have a niece any day now :)
1. Happy that I'm learning to find contentment in the strangest of places.

Hair au natural! Hooray!

What's making you happy this week?? I'd love to know.


love you e,
love, t.

a call

"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand."

-Chinese proverb

 Do you find this to be true for yourself? I do. I think of all the times I've sat in conferences listening to speakers talk about their calling in the world, to give, to serve, to be selfless. They commonly show slides and short films on why everyone else should do it too- an attempt to pull on people's heart strings and bring the depressing subject to everyone's reality.

I've watched those videos and without fail have sobbed my eyes out every time always thinking in my head, "I'm so ungrateful, and I'm so undeserving of what I have." How often did I leave those moments of selfish realization and sincerely felt called to action? To be honest, not once.

 So that brings me to this proverb's way of thinking. For me, it applies. I have been involved in some service projects here and there and a few mission trips- was obligated to at some times- but every time I am there doing the work (shoveling, folding laundry, cleaning toilets, gardening, painting, cooking) I feel very humbled and my own soul slaps me in the face. It's not until I have dirt on my pants and sweat on my forehead that I realize the importance of taking time out of my precious life to give back to others. It's not until the end when I'm hugged by a property owner, or homeless woman, or a diseased child- not until then do I understand what other people are going through and how I ignore it on a daily basis.

So here's some encouragement to you and myself- what ways (small or large) can you start to give back? In what ways can you show that you care about someone else? I really want to start making this a focus in my life...

Leaving you with another quote by Horace Mann: "We must be purposely kind and generous, or we miss the best part of existence." Just think about it.

love you e,
love t.

come baby come baby baby come come

Today was my last day with my sister before she has her baby. It really hit me how quickly life passes us by while I was driving home. It felt like it was just yesterday I was sobbing my eyes out because she was leaving me for college. And now she's going to be bringing home her daughter next week.

I am so proud of her. She is going to be one hell of a mother. I can honestly say that my life would have been hard without her as my big sis. I learned so incredibly much from her as she paved the way for me in life. She is and will always be my best friend. I couldn't be more excited for her and my brother-in-law, Steve. They are going to be amazing parents.

To my future niece, who I have already decided to nick-name "Nee Nee," you are going to be loved all the days of your life.

Come baby, come!!! We're all ready for you :)

love you e,
love, t.

A Thursday Sweet

Grammie is down in Roanoke now visiting my Aunt while everyone gets ready to head to Chicago for MY SISTER'S BABY (crazy.crazy.crazy). Auntie C just e-mailed this picture to me yesterday. My Grammie is so sweet that even wild birds flock to her like she's freaking Snow White. 

Oh, she is just precious. Just something sweet for your day. Now everyone, sing like Giselle from Enchanted. "Ahhhhhhhuuhhhahhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhuhhhhhhh!"

love you e,
love, t.

Etta James & An Apron

I was in the mood to bake last night- crazy baking like that one episode of Grey's Anatomy where Izzie bakes all of those muffins to escape her reality- that's just what I did. And it was magical!

I searched allrecipes.com for a good hour trying to find something that I could bake that didn't require me to go get AN egg, or A stick of butter... I don't like going to the store for one thing. I ended up finding a vanilla cupcake recipe and a cinnamon bun icing that ended up working just perfectly!

I added a little to the recipe, about 2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon spice, and about a cup of diced apples to give mine a fall-cinnamon-y flavor. I also sprinkled some cinnamon in the icing as well as on top of the cupcakes themselves. I brought them into work today and they were a hit!

*The toothpicks and cupcake liners were purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I would like to say Gram, I believe I made you proud and have represented by true, Southern VA roots! Nothing in this world will ever top my Gram's homemade baking.... I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Happy cup-caking!

love you e,
love, t.

Nostalgia [for some, this will make so sense]

RUSH Brunch 2007

First Camarada/Dativus Bonfire 2007

RUSH Barn Dance- Jordan & I Rushees of the Year 2007

Halloween Party 2007

Formal Banquet 2007

America Skit 2008

Scavenger Hunt 2008

Shii Skit 2009

RUSH Initiation 2009

RUSH- first night, 2009

RUSH 2010- Alumni back at RUSH activities

My Noblesville apartment- 2010

TJ's house, 2011 - going through old officer binders

Hillary & Todd's wedding, July 2010- Fireman Song

Homecoming weekend- 2010

I am feeling very nostalgic today as I reminisce about Camarada, Dativus, and all the ways that RUSHing changed my life. This week the "social clubs" back at AU are holding their annual RUSH week, or now called SURGE (still ridiculous to me- a name change forced by Administration). This week is monumental for both clubs as the entire process has drastically changed (not by choice). As I think about all the wonderful people that RUSH brought into my life, and the experiences and memories I have from both clubs- the tears, the laughs (BELLY LAUGHS), the hugs, the long, late-night talks.... the unforgettable testimonies, SENIOR CLUB, and the endless amount of inside jokes that still get to me this day..... I can only hope and pray that SURGE brings all of these things and more for those involved. I am beyond thankful for these clubs and for all they brought into my life.

And I can't leave this out,
D-A-T-I-V-U-S, Delta, Kappa, Alpha, I. LOVE. DATIVUS.

Best of luck, everyone.

love you e,
love, t.

a recap

This woman did a whole lot of cleaning this weekend. The ENTIRE apartment I tell you! I must have worked some muscles during my cleaning because my body was mad at me this morning. So, I snapped some photos of my room "after," only to be mad that I forgot to take the "before." Humph, oh well. Take a look:

 

 

I don't have it exactly the way I want it, but for now it will suffice. I will post the rest of the apartment very soon. We still have some big things to get on our walls- then it will be complete!

Speaking of hanging things on walls... I used a hammer several times this weekend. And funny story- I hit myself in the mouth with one. My lips were swollen for a good 24 hours... as they were starting to deflate, I thought, "Ooh! I need a picture of this!" So here they are, pink and puffy. They still hurt pretty bad.

I didn't make Chili because it got warmer on Sunday, but I did order pizza and hung with my roommate's pooch, Cooper. He is an old little raggedy thing, but she rescued him from an abusive home. So, he's safe and happy in ours. :) He's nice company when you're sitting alone- such a snuggler.

Hope your weekend was wonderful. Onto another work week.... Lord, help us all.

love you e,
love, t.

Solitude

....a weekend HOME! All week I have thought about how excited I am to have a relaxing weekend in my apartment. I love to travel, I love to spend time with friends, but I'm one that needs some time in between to myself. I don't understand how people can go-go-go all the time- want to surround themselves with people and things to do every second of every day... how do you people do that? I'm seriously asking; tell me.

Warning- fired up tangent coming your way-----

To ' you people' I say, stop! Slow down. Lock yourself in your room for a while! If you never set time aside for yourself, or can never allow yourself to separate from your friends, cell phone, or your computer, or the experiences that would be fun or memorable- if you do not have the strength to say "no" for your own soul's sake- to you I have no sympathy for. You are literally going to burn yourself into a hole...in the ground...and people will stomp on you. 

Now, back to my excitement... I will post some photos of my apartment (yes, sorry, I haven't forgotten!) and will get lost in a book (I'm reading Left Neglected), probably re-arrange my bedroom a hundred times and hang some more stuff, and lastly but certainly not least, watch some Sunday football while eating some Sunday comfort food- I'm thinking Chili and cornbread. All of these things are getting me through this Friday spent at work. Only six more hours, people!


It's cold again today, and I'm wearing a new sweater I bought on sale at J.Crew (I bought a small- roomy enough to tuck in jeans). It was $40, but worth it. I don't see this color online anymore, but they have other cute ones you can get here.

Solitude shows us what should be; society shows us what we are.  -Robert Cecil

love you e,
love, t.

Fleeing

I aspire to continually invest in my messes. I've seldom seen myself run away from _____ (troubles, worries, sorrows...fill in the blank). Instead, I stand and face, whether I leave wounded or perfectly untouched. There is something so paramount in sitting through the hurt, the brokenness- letting it sting me to my core. That burn brings wisdom, lessons, and some of the greatest stories ever told. This post is not to illuminate myself, but more so to persuade those around me to do the same. Your strength as an individual will astound you. Never flee, always face.

love you e,
love, t.

Florida

I arrived to Disney this past Friday to this torrential downpour. 

Meg and I decided to say goodbye to our cute hair and make-up and embraced the joy of the Magic Kingdom (and the waterfall of rain).We rode some rides, ate some ice-cream with Mickey ears, and listened to some Christian bands. It was a fantastically wet night. [In case you're wondering, the event was called Night of Joy].

The next morning we woke up bright and early to head to one of Meaghan's work events (check out Change This World here). This was my second one I have volunteered at- it gets me every time.

The rest of our Saturday was spent getting manis and venturing to new restaurants and bars. This night was perfect in my book. 

Lastly, yesterday was a beach day. My toes touched the sand and I was in heaven. The ocean was warm and we spent the day floating and dodging huge waves. Yes, the waves were gigantic. There were surfers everywhere! Perfect ending to the most perfect weekend. Thanks, Meg.

love you e,

love, t

Heavenly

Fall, fall, fall. Here are some photos from my first three days of fall-like weather. 

New seasons bring new things.

I love new seasons because it's a new feel, a new look, a new excitement. You can tell other people feel it too with all this talk about the weather, boots, football... for my friends, pumpkin spice lattes. There is just nothing better than the feeling of something new- a change. I hope that this season brings you the excitement that it does me; for those that welcome change usually have more enjoyment in life (just saying). Here's my comfort fall song by Patty Griffin. [I started listening to her in high school and she has been such an influence to me musically and lyrically- and for the record, this will be played at my wedding one day; don't you even think about stealing it, :)]. Go light your scented fall candles, cozy up on the couch with some tea, and have yourself a heavenly fall day with your new season. You and change are friends, remember? 

love you e,

love, t.

p.s.- My girls and I are separated by hundreds of miles, but we still managed to drink and share in our first pumpkin spice of the season together. Ally Boardman put all of our photos together that we sent each other- this was just too cute to leave out. Love to you all and happy drinking!

Ally Pal, Lo Lo, me, & Kort. Kelly was too cool. Leah & Meg love Starbucks too, but they live in the south and it's not cold yet. Suckas.

 

bump

 

 Here are a few photos I took from this weekend...holy baby bump! The shower was precious, the time with family was well spent, and I was even treated to some pampering. I am very excited about this three day work week, because on Friday I am off to sunny, warm, Florida!

ps. I am wearing a sweater and jacket today. You just slapped me in the face, fall!

love you e,
love, t.

September is here

 I'm heading to West Chicago this weekend to visit with my whole family (minus Gram)!! It's going to be an exciting weekend as we will be throwing Jess' last baby shower before Madison comes into the world. This weekend will most likely consist of eating out (YES), laughing, and shopping.... all great things in my book. I hope to snap a few prego photos of the sis as well... we'll see what I come up with.

Also, Ashley Casterline & Mike Schacht will be tying the knot tomorrow night. Excited that I get to share in their day with them. Congrats, you two!


Well, my mom and dad will be here in... just over 30 hours! Let the fun begin.

love you e,
love, t.