Things I've nearly stepped on

These are the Things I've Nearly Stepped On, 2011 Edition:
[Please note that this was all while running around the neighborhood]

-dead squirrel on 2 separate occasions
-dead cat
and today [insert drumroll]...
-big, huge, dead snake.
I'm so thankful for the "dead" part of that equation....that thing was big, and I was very close to it...

What does this mean?  I hate to be that person that looks for meaning in everything, but seriously.  I've had alot of close encounters with alot of lifeless creatures.  What is up?

For a Monday

Went to a coffee shop after work.  Came home.  Went on a long walk with one of the roommates at my favorite time of day--when the sun has about two hours left.  Had good conversation...on complacency, contentment, and what houses we liked.  Picked some flowers along the way :)  Taco salad.  Decaf coffee.  Cookies.  Dallas Mavericks...even though they have played horribly.  All in all, good day.



Number Nineteen

I was very happy to be able to cross number 19 off The List this weekend!

I made the trip across the metroplex with my friend who hadn't been before either. We ended up at the cupcake mecca, Sprinkles. The idea is special and neat--a whole business only for cupcakes! I must say, though, in the end a cupcake is just a cupcake. Sure, it can be a really a really tasty cup of cake, but it's still a cupcake :)

A very tasty outing! The line was out the door but went by quickly. I was also impressed that they had Dublin Dr. Pepper! AND, the variety of cupcake flavors was impressive. Way to go, Sprinkles! All in all, a good experience. And I would do it again. Especially if I had a coupon :D

Peace, love, and sweet things!

Slow Days

While working over the past year and 10 months, I haven't taken any time off...that is until the past two weeks. Over the past two weeks I have worked 3 days. Can I just say that it's awesome?! It is.

Yesterday and today it was rainy, cold, dreary, etc, and I had absolutely nothing to do. It has been a long time since that's happened. What did I do?
Well...

+ I sat around for alot of the day and didn't do anything
+ I rearranged my room, and I like it TONS better; it feels like there's so much space!
+ I made cookies
+ Had a friend over for tea and conversation
+ For Bible study we helped a girl in our group move in the freezing rain
+ Went to Michael's and Joanne's...those places always get me into trouble...
+ Drooled over the ideas in Gifted
+ Made an accordian/circle/fan thingy that I'm going to hang over my bed along with some others.


In between all those things there was alot of laying around, listening to music, and doing nothing :) I have to work tomorrow, but I'm having a good feeling about it. I don't think I realized how much I needed a good, solid break. It came (and went) and now we're back to normal :)

Happy half-of-the-week-is-over day!

Big Thicket!

[This is me apologizing for being a little too in-tune with my 12-year-old self on that last post...and for putting it on the internet. Next time you will at least get a warning!]

Isn't it a lovely Fall? Not too hot, not too cold (until today), colors changing, crispness in the air, it's lovely. This past weekend I went camping with my best friend from nursing school, her husband, and little brother. We met up with some of their friends from Houston (who first introduced us to Niko Niko's) and hit the creek with our canoes. The creek was low, so there were several parts that we had to walk with our canoes in tow :) What a sight! I wish I had a picture of that, but here we are in the deeper water:


We set up camp on a large sand bank, played games, made Silver Turtles, and told plenty of outrageous stories of course. I love how campfires bring people together; even perfect strangers. This is some of the bustle before we all sat down around it:

Another thing I love about camping: seeing the stars. And wow. The sky was clear and the stars were bright. I couldn't even find the Big Dipper! I was able to find a few other constellations and what we think was a planet, though.

While we're talking about reasons to love camping, I will add the smell of tents, S'mores (obviously), wearing wool socks, listening to nighttime creatures while trying to fall asleep, waking up quietly with the fog, dew, and chill, and getting to know people on a whole knew level. There's really no hiding :)


Okay, and I know that it's not all about The List, but there goes number 9, 10, 21, and maybe even number 3 (if we count a national land reserve as a national park?). I don't think I can do that. Anyway, we'll say I crossed off 3/24 things! Not too shabby for 3 days :)

Doobedoobedoo

All of that rain last week (thanks again, Hermine) has me in the mood for a good, heaping dose of Fall! Summer has been good, but I'm ready for some crunchy leaves, apple cider, and scarves. Hmmm...

Well, since that is out of my system, here's where my head's at today:
:)

Wanting one of these.

Consumed far too much of this goodness lately. So quick and tasty! It's reached addiction levels people, and there is no turning back.

Going to look at a bunch of these since my other one has been out of commission for some time now.

Can't stop listening to their new album. So catchy and bright.

Happy close-to-the-end-of-summer Day!

Blame

It's times like these, when I haven't posted in what seems like ages (to me) and I feel overwhelmed. Where do I begin? What to I do with all of these partial posts mulling around in my head? Well, the first thing to do, obviously, is point the blame. And so now without further adieu,

The "It's not my fault it's theirs," List:
1.) The Ukulele that was hiding in my mom's closet, for being so manageable and fun to play.
2.) Nancy Drew books, for being so...classic and predictable [mostly].
3.) All of these frozen yogurt places that've popped up, for their classic tart flavor con delish fresh fruit and for being an ideal location for laughter with friends.
4.) My laptop, for still being located in my grandma's spare room on the desk [in Oklahoma]
5.) The kitchen computer, for being in the kitchen.
6.) Naps, for being irresistible around 4pm when I get home from work.
7.) And while we're at it, I'll go ahead and blame the economy. Just for generally stinking. ;)

Okay, now that this first post 'back' is out of my system...I'm back :)
See you soon.

[And while I'm here writing stuff on the internet, I will go ahead and say that I really, *really* love Channing's, "My Symphony."]

Boutten-what?

Bouttenier...what a weird word for such a pretty thing. I am finished making them for Sam and Nick's wedding! Sam is spunky and playful and easy-going, so she was my inspiration :)


Today we are going to Oklahoma for my cousin's wedding! I really love driving. More than that, I love packing for car activities.
In my bag right now:
1. iPod (of course!)
2. embroidery thread & my Sublime Stitching book
3. Nancy Drew: Nancy's Mysterious Letter
4. Holga and film
5. Hair ties
6. "Let Me Be a Woman," by Elisabeth Elliot (more on this later...)
7. Flowers/buttons/floral tape to make corsages
8. Sudoku puzzles
9. Nursing book (just in case I get caught in a wave of ambition)

Eight hour drive in the backseat with Mulder, here I come :)
Happy week to everyone!

A visit from Holga

Got my first ever Holga pics back from Kendrick tonight (we shipped our film together)!! To say this roll was an experiment would be a gross understatement. But all, in all, I'm happy! You will notice some common themes...the first--blurriness! I learned what the "B/N" switch on the bottom of my camera did....when I was at the end of the roll :) Being on the "B" made all my pictures blurry. That's okay though, I'll just pretend like these are captures from a dream :D

These are the first blooms this spring from the rosebush that Gran sent mom last summer:


This is me with K&J in downtown Ft. Worth:


Hey, it's a feet find!

(I also learned that I had the wrong plate with a wrong setting, therefore OFFsetting the film...giving us these lovely lines and partial pictures. I mean, I meant to do that!) :D

Pictures that I took with the lens cap on:
-Parents in front of the Christmas tree
-a typical Mulder dog shot
-colorful lights at yogolait
-Me, Sarah, and Amanda at Orange Cup for Sarah's Bday.
*Note to self: ALWAYS double check for the lens cap!!* :D

This is addicting. I can't wait to send in my next rolls!!

Six Smiles for Saturday

1. Because the U.S. tied England 1-1 in the world cup [even if it was a fluke goal, a goal is a goal!]

2. Because of this video:

3. Because it's 94 degrees outside and feels wonderful.

4. Because I had *the best* patients today!! [And one of them used to work for the circus!]

5. Because my parents re-figured out how to work the VCR....so I can watch the said U.S. v England game.

6. Because I remembered there is one Dreyer's Coconut fruit bar left in the freezer. [There isn't a bad flavor...these are seriously going to make my summer!]

And a Happy Day to you. :)

On my mind

I went to a coffee shop concert with some friends from Bible study tonight. It was in Dallas. It was SO fun! Unfortunately I made the "caffeine-past-3pm-mistake" again. Sheesh! It seems I will never learn.

So now I'm thinking about things....like...
--hearing live music urges me to make really good music; to play the piano better, or maybe even learn something new.
--does it hurt for catepillars after they've morphed into butterflies and are trying to get out of the cacoon?
--how when you're volume depleted you would think that you're Na in your blood would be high (like a higher concentration) BUT REALLY it's low, because in the meantime you've secreted ADH which makes your body RETAIN fluid...so the Na is actually lowered!
--earwax seems to come out of nowhere sometimes...
--my arms are sore from trying to trim our bushes today
--i've kind of forgotten about my 24 Things to Do Before 25 list....i need to print that thing out and get crackin.
....
yeah, I guess that's about it. I hope I can wake up in the morning.

04/16/2010

(photo courtesy of weheartit)
Things that make me happy on this very day:

1. Still writing [or in this case, typing] 2009 on everything
2. Waking up without the alarm clock
3. Living near a long, hilly street
4. I AM
5. Monday night soccer at Blue Sky
6. A group of girls Tuesday nights who are becoming my community [whether they know it or not]
7. The purple pincoushin flowers that decided to come back this year!
8. Occasionally having days to sit. And think. And just stare at things, you know, if that's what I want to do ;)
9. 85-year-old patients who are just so...encouraging.
10. 22-year-old patients who are just...sweet. And alot lazier than the 85 y.o.! haha
11. A job that I really love.

[Things I don't like...
1. Not knowing what to write on here.
I've been having big-time blogger's block for what seems like....months? *sigh*]

Go, Go, Go!

Life gets so busy sometimes. I am glad for it mostly :) On my day off tomorrow, I'm going to:

--experiment with fabric flower techniques (they don't look that hard, but it's new for me)
--make button rings
--go to Bible study
--run
--take Holga
--drink coffee slowly
--turn in my taxes
--hit 'publish' in a post that I started last week
--sit and do nothing at all for a little while

Our first indoor soccer game was tonight at 10:45 (way past my bedtime). We lost 6-1, but we played like champs! It is so much more fun to play with people you know and love :) Now I am wide-eyed and not sleepy...it might be a good time to organize my closet...

Peace!

24 things to do before I turn 25

So, I just had my *Golden Birthday* and turned 24 on December 24th! I saw this list idea on Hula Seventy's site a while back and thought it was a really neat; so here I am following suit! It's good to dream a little, right? I have tried to make these reasonable and realistic goals, but I suppose only time will tell :) *Drumroll please* Here are 24 things I want to do before I turn 25.

1.) Rollerskate
2.) Learn how to make the perfect French Knot (Mine always fall apart!)
3.) Go to a national park.
4.) Find a place to volunteer and get plugged in to.
5.) Take on a First Monday in Canton.
6.) Put at least one thing I make on Etsy.
7.) Make a book of inspiration.
8.) Run Bear Creek Parkway without stopping to walk (or smell what people are grilling).
9.) Go camping with friends.
~~separate but equal to...~~
10.) Roadtrip it up. See it!
11.) Host a postcard swap.
12.) Read 3 Classics.
13.) Learn a new dance.
14.) Make 4 things (at least!) from my Posie Gets Cozy book.
15.) Finish the dress I started last year.
16.) Memorize 1 new verse every month.
17.) Convert the last 1/2 of my quote book into a memory book.
18.) Explore this.
19.) Go to Sprinkles
20.) Be a guerilla
21.) Learn some of the major constellations.
22.) Host a party for no reason.
23.) Make a CD with songs representing this year.
24.) Enjoy being 24!!

Put your garlands up!

Goodness! Meeting up with frinds, decorating, making/buying gifts, baking, singing...Christmas is here, huh? :) Oh, I finally made use of all those pom-poms that I made! Here's one of two garlands:

And for the close-up....


I am beginning to feel like this Christmas is reinforcing my transition into adulthood for a few reasons...

1) I haven't peeked for presents one time! Historically speaking, I am a Snooper.
2) It has been more difficult to get in 'the Christmas Spirit,' if you will. I suspect this is because a) there was a lack of finals, b) no celebration/relief from finishing finals, c) no MONTH LONG BREAK.
3) Christmas songs are taking on new and truer meanings for me. I love them. Why don't we sing them all year long? How worshipful! I love them alot (have I said that?). It makes me sad that I didn't pay attention sooner. I feel like I did last Thanksgiving when I tried sweet potatoes for the first time...

We sang "O, Holy Night," tonight at The Village and it was the most worshipful Christmas song I've ever sang or experienced. I wish I had a video of it...but, this one is good too :) The words!!

Goings Ons

--I have had 3 days off in a row and have done close to nothing productive. Which I am totally okay with.

--Made an official list of things needed to be done because I keep losing my sticky notes. You can't lose the internet, people. Well, you can I guess, but...nevermind.

--I've been playing alot of Scrabble online lately (Playing over Thanksgiving helped me to realize my spelling shortcomings and lack of word knowledge.) and I PROMISE that the computer makes up words and also uses words that the average human is unaware of. Including (yes, I kept a list on a sticky note): aver, ae, ya, el, roue, kraals, xi, and roc.

--Since the cold has moved in, the ants have moved in. Why do they always love the bathroom? At least it's not my room...

--I always "like" the cold until it actually gets cold. I have a letter waiting to be sent in the mail that's sitting by the door...because I don't want to go outside.

--Fantastic Mr. Fox is SO cute! I like to think that Mulder is the fox and now he has George Clooney's voice. :) Everyone should go see it. Taste test:


--It happened. I am finally tired of making pompoms.

--I work the next 3 nights. :/

--That frowny face up there has reminded me--sometimes I don't deal with potential stressors very well. I get anxious. I need to hand my worries over to God--it's not like I can control anything anyway.

--Time to turn on some Sufjan Christmas wonderland music and think about decorating!


Happy Weekend to everyone!! :D

One more reason

Why fall is my favorite:

-Mavs games all the time
-Fall foods like Pork with cinnamon apples:


-Fleece jackets (of course!)
-Perfect running weather--seriously. I ran my usual and didn't even break a sweat thanks to the perfectness. Man, I love running--it always makes me feel so good.
-I finally fixed my estate sale clock and it now has a home on my wall. That's not a reason why I love fall, but it happened.

What is it about fall that inspires productiveness and creativity? I've found myself wanting to start new projects, cook, and tidy. And I've also been burning lots of candles (Mulled cider from Walmart is a keeper!). Whatever it is (the fresh air?), keep it coming! I'm praising God for days like these. He's so good to us.

We've been Pen-Pals for 5 years.

Blue skies, low fluffy clouds, white beaches and bright green mossy trees that can make you feel like you're in a rain forest. I went to Florida last week and it was beautiful. I'm so thankful that God allowed my friend Julia (from Ukraine) and I to see each other. We had talked about meeting up some day in Egypt, but Florida turned out to be okay :)

The trip came just in time, too. You know when you fall into a routine funk? When it seems like you work, come home, rinse, and repeat? That's what I was feeling like. I've been seeing lots of friends and been pretty busy, but I needed a time like this--to fill up, get re-centered, and be sunburned. (Next time, remind me to take my earrings out. My ears are bright red with just a little circle of white on the lobe. haha!)


Some highlights were:
1.) Navigating the airport and renting a car and reaching Port Charlotte all on my own! (Thanks GPS!)
2.) Laying out on the beach, reading, playing Uno, and catching up on each others' lives
3.) Helping Julia get presents for people back home
4.) Going to a baseball game and sitting first row behind home plate!
5.) Trying on ridiculous second-hand clothes
6.) Playing with the Pokorny's precious dogs and cats
7.) Walking down to the Pier with Julia and Maddie (the 3 y.o.), watching little fishies and waving at the passing boats
8.) Sitting next to a jovial couple from Omaha, Nebraska on the plane back to TX
9.) Getting to read "Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

This book is SO, SO good. It's not a 'girl' book, but I've already cried 3 times (at least) and laughed out loud a minimun of ten. Since it's about a true story in Ft. Worth, it's pretty cool to know what they are talking about, too. For instance, I work with one of the doctors that took care of one of the 'characters.' I would recommend it to be at the top of the reading list!

After 6 days off from work, I'm sure my 5am alarm will slice about as smoothly through my sweet dreams as a knife through an aluminum can. But on the other hand, maybe it won't be so bad. :)

A list

Before my life is through
These things, I want to do
(but am afraid that once I'm in the middle of it I'll freak out):

1.) Ride in a hot air balloon
2.) Scuba dive
3.) Sky dive
4.) Hike the PCT
5.) Go spelunking
6.) Cliff diving
7.) Skateboard (simple, but there was a bad childhood experience)
8.) Have kids

:)

Mosaic Cube of Picturas

Rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search (http://www.flickr.com/).
b. Using ONLY the first page, pick an image.
c. Make a mosaic out of the first pictures that appear.

The Questions:

1. What is your name? lauren
2. What is your favorite food? mangos.
3. What is your favorite color? green.
4. Favorite drink? blueberry pomegranate juice.
5. Dream vacation? i'd be happy pretty much anywhere.
6. Favorite hobby? crafting.
7. What you want to be when you grow up? wife & mom & nurse.
8. What’s one thing you call valuable on this earth? people.
9. One word to describe you? loyal.