Learning how to sail my ship

2012 goals!

2012-01-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

Resolutions are so cliche, Im going for goals and a theme!!

So, for 2012 my goals are...

Inversions

2012 will be my inversion year!

I can't say I would mind inversions on the beach...or with legs like that, but lets just stick with inversions....this year anyways!

Volunteer

I haven't gotten into any volunteer work since moving to MN and it just doesn't feel right. I will make time this year!

30 books in 2012

Im excited to try this through Goodreads.com, wanna try with me?

Notice the widget on the sidebar --->

and the best goal yet, (drumroll please......)
I get my tam this year!!!

Take that grad school!!!

Finally, I love the idea of a theme word for the year, so my theme for 2012 ~

Aspire!

There are big things ahead...

What are your 2012 goals, themes, resolutions, thoughts.....?!

Quotation Wednesday {38th Ed.}

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

I love how this quote adds to the idea of how much of ourselves is unconscious. You know, the whole iceberg idea.... Well, I love how this quote reframes the unconscious portion as "invisible and untouchable." It shows the individuality of people, provides a good reminder that we don't really know people and therefore shouldn't make judgements, plus it is just so empowering! It gives you a reason to own that large portion of yourself that only you can know, only you can understand, cherish, and love!!

On the injustice of fairy tales

2011-12-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

Rachel and I had our 4 year anniversary last Friday. 4 years! We had a wonderful dinner, filled with good food, laughter, love, and memories; both good and bad. Relationships are hard. Divorce rates are sky high, infidelity rates are likely higher, and broken homes are rampant in this society. Seriously people, relationships are hard work. Why then is this something that is not readily discussed? Why do we read our children fairy tales where the princess always gets the man and lives happily ever after? We, as a society, romanticize the high school sweetheart, turns marriage, turns old married couple on the porch. That is beautiful, but do we ever show the pain that exists in between? The disappointments, heartbreaks, and struggle? Relationships are hard work!

Don't get me wrong, they are pretty amazing as well. It is fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding to share your life with someone else, to find someone who makes you laugh, smile, and genuinely love. But. There is also the hurt, the frustration, the differences that lead to questioning what the hell you ever saw in each other, and pain....relationships can really hurt. I guess the balance is in finding someone who you can have a relationship with where the happiness makes the difficulty worthwhile. Someone who will stick it out through the hard times, and who you are willing to trudge through the pain with, in hopes that your hard work will result in finding the beautiful part again.

I don't mean to sound so depressing, I just had an anniversary for cripes sake! Plus, we are in the beautiful, comfortable, happy time now. The time where it all just feels right. I cherish that, I really do. We work hard, are constantly working to keep our relationship blooming and happy. But. As I type, I know we will come upon difficult times again. They are inevitable, a part of life, and therefore obviously a part of a relationship. It is these rough spots that make us stronger, that help us learn how to better deal with the next one, that help the good times be that much stronger and truer.

That is why I am posting. We need to talk about these difficult times. We need to share. Nobody should have to go through any pain alone. Particularly this though. Have you ever been in a relationship during a rough spot, only to have everyone around you claim the fairy tale in their own? It isn't true. Don't be fooled by the rose colored glasses. Relationships are hard people. Working through the difficult patches is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it is exactly how marriages are able to last decades. We need to be able to share in life's darkness as well as it's beauty.

Happy Monday {54th Ed.}

2011-12-18T20:11:00.000-08:00

I have been absent...can you sense a new years resolution coming on?! Anyways, Happy Monday blog land!! Here is what is making me smile..

My charlie brown "tree"
I can't take credit for the idea (thank you Pinterest), but will totally take ownership of the awesome execution! Its the scrap from a tree lot, how stinkin' cute! Oh, and its perfect for my table and completely fills my need for real tree smell :)

This non-tree christmas tree

Its just so unique! Too bad my cats would have it knocked down in 10 seconds flat.

source

Sweater blanket

I love this, and if MN ever decides to have a winter, I think I will actually need it! I think (fingers crossed) I am getting a sewing machine for christmas...if so, this is the first project on my list!

source

My new owl painting

I found this guy at this awesome antique shop a few blocks from our house. It was the first time I had been in there and I am so excited about it, its just an old house with rooms and rooms filled with antique / consignment / awesomeness! Anyways, I saw this beautiful owl painting and conveniently showed to to Rachel the next day....hint hint :) Guess what I got for our anniversary (which was last Friday, 4 years!)

the picture doesn't do it justice,
but doesn't she have a beautifully stately look on her face?

Trader Joe's Mini Gingerbread Men Cookies

Warning; unless you have incredible willpower or no care for your waistline, do not get these!! Seriously, they are heavenly!

dangerous link ;)

No joking; my mouth started watering as I uploaded this picture....damn you Pavlov!

Ok, that is all for me this week. What is making you smile?

This commercial rocks!

2011-12-09T18:52:00.001-08:00

It just makes me happy every time I see it, I hope it makes you smile as well :)

Happy Monday {53rd Ed.}

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

Happy happy monday everyone!!! Here is what is making me smile...

Cake batter anything
I love cake batter! Doesn't this recipe sound awesome?

recipe

This curious owl

Too cute :)

and this scruffy one!

Being the crazy pet lady every time I go to someone's house
No shame...

Dogs playing in the snow

I know, I know, you are probably sick of seeing pictures of my dogs, but they are just so cute in their ecstatic snow fury!!

That is all for me this week, what is making you smile?

Oh please tell me these 2 are actually friends!!

2011-12-03T10:54:00.001-08:00

Did anyone else see this perfect duo on Wednesday? I saw mention of it on facebook a few hours before it aired and let me tell you, I could not wait! Two of my favorite female singers playing together....and then they sang my favorite Gaga song! Can I please please be their 3rd bff?! ;)

Oh I have such a soft spot for shameless quirk!

Quotation Wednesday {37th Ed.}

2011-11-29T19:12:00.001-08:00

No need to explain the beauty of this quote, it's just phenomenal...

"because there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away" -Sarah Kay

Happy Monday {52nd Ed.}

2011-11-27T12:07:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what has been making me ~~happy~~ Thankful :)

Family
I love family dynamics during the holidays, the interconnectedness of love, frustration, fun, food, laughter, and a healthy dose of family drama is all just so amazing to me :)

Random lettering
I love this idea! Now I just need to decide what to spell out...

Reading everywhere

This picture just looks like heaven to me!

Sweatpants

Or really any clothes that make you say "Ahh..." after a long day/week of wearing something real clothes ;)

That is it for me this week...all the food put my brain into hibernate mode I think!! I hope everyone had a holiday weekend filled with things that made you smile :)

Quotation Wednesday {36th Ed.}

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

I don't have any profound reason why I love this one, except that the pairing of the words "passionately curious" is just so appealing to me...

Happy Monday {51st Ed.}

2011-11-20T18:51:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday Everyone!! Here is what is making me happy this week, well besides the fact that it is a 3 day week that is :) ...

These gloves
Seriously, I NEED them!!

you can by them (ahem, for me?!) here

Big bright shoes

Aren't these super fun?

via here

This swing

Its just so whimsical...

via here

And of course...the first snow

Big fluffy gorgeous flakes, if only it stayed so pretty (and didn't last so long!)

Have a wonderful short week everyone, what is making you smile?!

Grad school was totally worth it!!!

2011-11-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

I have had this post in edit mode for a couple of weeks, then my friend Lisa posted something similar and I thought "Crystal, you need to get your enthusiasm out there as well!" So, here it is; my "I love my job and grad school was actually worth all the pain" post!! Enjoy :)

I just spent my Friday morning (well, 2 weeks ago...edit mode, remember) sitting in a conference room with 3 other interns, a psychologist that I totally respect for his intellect and wit, and 4 male offenders who are in on life sentences, awesome no?! It was a panel to discuss life in prison, viewpoints on the corrections system, and life in general. lt was amazing!

I spend 2 mornings every week in the best process group you could ask for. (Non psych people ~ process group = group therapy format that has no specific plan or outline, its just open to the process.) Seriously, I leave the room every single time thinking something along the lines of "wow, that was the most insightful / amazing / thought provoking / emotionally draining and yet fantastic, 2 hours of my academic career so far!"

I have found myself saying or thinking "my job seriously rocks!!" at least a dozen times in the past 2 months. Seriously, who gets to say that? I know I'm an intern who is new and fresh into a long career that will be filled with stress, work politics, and general bad days. I get that. But, it will also be full of such amazing cathartic events. I love that psychology challenges me, I love that it is literally never boring, that it requires continual lifelong learning, and that it makes me feel good about what I do. I am continually amazed by the human mind and am so stinking happy to be around other people who are also amazed by it and are as excited as I am to discuss those amazing complexities.

Seriously, I have the best career in the whole world, and Im just entering the path!!

Happy Monday {50th Ed.}

2011-11-13T16:56:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday Everyone! This is my 50th Happy Monday post, wow! Well, here is what is making me smile...

Skype
I am not a huge fan of talking on the phone, I just think it is too easy to be distracted and not fully present for the person you are talking to. Skype is so much better! Not only can you see the person and read body language, but you are forced to be truly there and engaged with each other. I have a few regular Skype dates with friends (Hi Lynn!) and family back in Seattle and I really look forward to them!

Crazy Stupid Love

I watched this movie on Saturday and really really liked it. At first I was upset because Julianne Moore plays almost the exact same role as she did in The Kids Are Alright, and I just don't like that character. But, it got better, the story was good, and I adored both Steve Carell and Emma Stone's characters!

Has anyone seen this movie? Isn't this part the cutest scene ever? She is stinkin' adorable!

Eggnog...everything!!
I love this time of year, there is eggnog everywhere! Shakes, coffee creamer, I just made some cookies (yum!), and my favorite, Eggnog Chai Lattes!! Oh, my poor waistline :)

Fun tights
There is just so much potential...

Big loose curls

Im obsessed with trying to make my hair look exactly like this...

That is all for me this week, what is making you happy?

Happy Monday {49th Ed.}

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what is making me smile this week...

Whimsical Fairy Tale Houses
It just doesn't even look real, I love it!

source

This guy

Too cute :)

Purple Starry Shoes

I need these!!

buy them here

Rocking Bed

That's right, I said rocking, the bed rocks! Plus it is just plain gorgeous.

got a bunch of money? Then go here

Beach huts that levitate over the ocean

Look at the tub!! Plus the deck/dock is just heavenly...

What is making you smile?

Quotation Wednesday {35th Ed.}

2011-11-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

This quote is from a great book! Have you read the Perks of Being a Wallflower? If not, go do it, now! I love this quote though. I think it is hard sometimes to hold 2 seemingly contradictory emotions or ideas. It is entirely possible to love and hate, to dream with fear, to be happy and sad, all at the same time. The trick is to learn how to accept that and live within the contradiction.

Happy Monday {48th Ed.}

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday everyone, here is what is making me smile...

Baggy Cozy Fall Outfits

I love absolutely everything about these looks, they are comfy and scream fall!

see more of her cute outfits here

this one is just too perfect for words!

Bright Tattoos
I find it interesting that there seems to be 2 types of tattoo people, those who like color and those who only have black and gray. I am definitely a color type!

gorgeous, no?

loooove this one!

Banana French Toast
Really any kind of french toast, but banana...oooh, or banana nutella french toast, yeah I think I am drooling!! We had brunch at a place called the Happy Gnome (which was awesome by the way) and there is really no better meal than lazy Sunday brunch with calorific french toast and mimosas :)

source

Rusty Taco

Sounds bad, I know, but name aside, this restaurant rocks! They have really really good authentic tacos and all you can eat chips with fresh made guacamole, yum! Plus, it is right next to Trader Joe's so it is our weekly Sunday lunch stop.

What is making you smile lately?

Oh and ps: Happy Halloween!!

Random Simple Pleasures {13th Ed.}

2011-10-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #13 ~ Dog Walks at Dusk
Ok yes, I really enjoy walking the pups! In particular though, the scenic route that we have, in the fall, at dusk is just awesome!

view of the river from the park

Domino kicking up some leaves :)

another of the river

and the St Paul skyline! (ps: Im particularly proud of this pic because I had no tripod and
2 dogs tugging at me to keep walking!)

I love fall

2011-10-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore fall! Seattle is great, but I really missed the changing seasons while I was there. There is something so beautiful and comforting about fall that is just impossible to describe. Here are some of my favorite highlights though that just cant be beat out by any other season....

The oh-so-beautiful leaves
I love everything about fall leaves; the colors, the smell, the sound they make when you walk through them, and how they make the whole landscape look different each day.

source unknown (but I wish it was my backyard!)

Pumpkins
Everything about them, from picking them out, to carving them, to making tasty seeds!

local pumpkin patch

Plus, pumpkin flavored everything!
Coffee, chocolate, cheesecake...yum!

Crock-pot meals

Yum!

our minestrone

The fact that it is the perfect temperature for all of my favorite clothing items...
Boots

cute! (source is full of awesome fall pics)

Scarves

Sweaters
Seriously, what is better than a sweater?

how cute is Zindle's?!

My favorite accessory; sleeves!

yup, I love them!

Ahh fall, you are so perfect, why do you have to ever give into winter?

Quotation Wednesday {34th Ed.}

2011-10-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

I strongly believe that it is very important to experience new places, either through travel or moving. That is why I love this quote so much, because I often find myself when I travel. There is a psychological phenomenon called a dissociative fugue when someone disconnects from reality and unknowingly travels to a new place. By no means do I intend to romanticize the psychopathology of this disorder, but there is a small aspect of it, the idea of a new discovery through travel, that is quite appealing...

"Sometimes you have to travel to a new place to rediscover the old you."-Terri Trespicio

ps: thanks Lynn for sharing the quote! :)

Happy Monday {47th Ed.}

2011-10-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Whew, its been awhile, but here is another Happy Monday for you! This is what is making me happy lately...

Drooling over boots
I ~~need~~ really want some new ones, so of course I am seeing gorgeous ones everywhere that I just can't quite justify...

Brian Andreas
I really love his art. Both the quotes and the drawings are just so whimsical and happy.

"for a long time she flew only when she though no one else was watching"

see more here

Cowl sweaters

Maybe it is because I am anticipating a cold MN winter, but I am obsessed with big cowls lately. Doesn't this just look awesomely cozy?

find it here

Sea salted caramel chocolate

Anything with that glorious combination, yum!

That is what is making me happy this week, what about you? Oh, and Im happy to be back in the blogging world! :)

..crickets...

2011-10-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Oh wow, I have been gone for a month!! Where have I been you ask?

Ha, just kidding...well sort of! I started my internship at the prison and have been super busy! I really really love it though. It is so amazing to finally be doing what I have been working so for so long hard for. More on that though over the next year. Here is a little picture montage of my past month...

First things first, I got my first new car ever and I looooove it!

Isn't she cute? Her name is Sprout :)

It was my grandma's 70th birthday on October 3rd, so my mom came into town from Seattle and we drove out to see her. It was awesome to spend time with my mom and to see my grandma on her birthday. My family is absolutely amazing!

2 weekends ago we went to a corn maze/fall festival with our upstairs neighbor, Roma, and it was surprisingly fun. There was a corn pool that was oddly comfortable, I kind of want one!

Oh, and alpacas!! (which I also want)

Fall here in St. Paul has been absolutely gorgeous. The dogs have been enjoying extra long walks through the beautiful colors and leaves.

As much as I loved Seattle, I forgot how much I enjoy the distinct seasons here in the midwest, fall in particular.

Well, that is where I have been. Sorry to be so distant, I am getting settled into my new schedule and will be back to blogging as usual now, thanks for hanging in there. What has everyone else been up to?

Ellen love

2011-09-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have decided that any time I want to express something that I am passionately outraged over, I am just going to hire Ellen to write a monologue for me!

I have so many incoherent ramblings that I want to spew about this Chaz controversy (watching him dance will make your children want to change their sex....really?!?!), but Ellen just sums it up in her adorably humorous way, thank you Ellen!

Quotation Wednesday {33rd ed.}

2011-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

I loved this quote the minute I read it. It can be interpreted and applied in so many different ways; speak up for the underdog, don't believe everything you read, impart power to those without, ..... I love that about a good quote, it can be so easy to personalize and there truly is no wrong interpretation.

"Until lions have their own historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunters."
-African proverb

Personally, I resonate most with the idea of speaking up for those who can not. Advocating for the disenfranchised, be it people, animals, or even ideas that are not recognized, is something I am passionate about so when I read this quote that is what I make of it. What about you?

Random Simple Pleasures {12th ed.}

2011-09-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #12 ~ Scenic Dog Walks
I love living in a neighborhood with so many different dog walk routes! It never gets boring that way :) We have a couple of small parks close by so the dogs can run around mid walk. There is also a really big beautiful park within walking distance that has trails and awesome trees that just scream "hey come over here and read under me all day!!" My favorite route takes us by a beautiful view of the downtown St. Paul city skyline and then down a path towards the best park.

click on it, it's even prettier when it's big!

Happy tired dogs and happy exercised me...awesome!

In lieu of a Happy Monday post...

2011-09-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

...Im going to share what I did this weekend that made me very happy :)

Our awesome neighbor, Roma's art show
It was so fun to go to an art show downtown and see a friend's art displayed!

Farmer's market and drinks with a great friend
There is just something special about old friends, we have shared life experiences since 5th grade and will continue to until we are old ladies!

Drag show at the Gay 90s!!
Everyone needs to experience a good drag show at least once in their lives :)

That was my holiday weekend, pretty great! Im rested up now and ready to start internship finally tomorrow! I hope you all had a great weekend as well, any fun stories?

Quotation Wednesday {32nd ed.}

2011-08-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Beauty comes from within...that seems to be a theme in my quotation choices huh? Well it's true!

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."-Kahlil Gibran

More Gaga love

2011-08-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Did you see this performance? I wish I could write something eloquent about how amazing it is but all I can think is....wow!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Lady Gaga

I am absolutely in awe! I think she is phenomenal, I adore that everything she does is 150% and is meant to convey a message. She is an advocate, a beautifully self-assured woman, and an astonishing artist!! .....that is just my humble opinion though, any thoughts?"She comes out of the bathroom dripping wet and she's still got the heels on!" ;)

Happy Monday {46th ed.}

2011-08-29T03:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what is making me smile...

These Lollipops
Aren't they pretty? Plus, watermelon pink peppercorn? Yum :) There is a red wine one that I just may have to try.

see more here

Bright Chandeliers

Fun!

more pics here

This picture

I love unique photography, plus this is just so true...we are all a little crazy! This woman takes some really awesome pictures, I love the story she can tell with just a photograph.

Beautiful Owl

Isn't this guy gorgeous?! I love close up pictures of animal faces.

Ahh, that is all for me this week, what is making you smile?

Quotation Wednesday {31st ed.}

2011-08-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

This quote is beautiful and so wonderfully true. In everything, inner beauty and strength shine through, even more so when life is difficult. I particularly love that it is Elizabeth Kubler-Ross that said it, the "death woman" writing so eloquently on inner beauty, awesome.

"People are like stained glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is light
from within."
-Kubler-Ross

Happy Monday {45th ed.}

2011-08-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone!! Here is what is making me smile...

Reading under trees
Is there any better way to spend an afternoon? This tree is so gorgeous, I want it in my yard!

source

Rainbow cake in a jar

Yum! Actually everything from this "food in a jar" post looks awesome.

Mismatched chairs

Maybe it is because it reminds me of Monica's house on Friends, but I really love the look of mismatched kitchen chairs. I just think it is so warm and welcoming :)

This bed

No words, just awesome!

Also, finally meeting Mel and A this weekend, yay! :) and the fact that the bat that was our "houseguest" for the past 2 days is finally gone (thanks to Roma, the neighbor/bat whisperer extraordinaire!). What is making you smile this week?

Quotation Wednesday {30th ed.}

2011-08-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Do you believe in magic? I used to think that if I can't see proof of it's existence and understand it, it could not exist. Now, I truly believe in the possibility of everything! Ghosts, angels, wizards, the possibility that trees have feelings, aliens living in a secret government hideout, whatever! Who are we as egocentric human beings to say that nothing exists unless we have discovered it? The world is a much more interesting and fun place when you never know what magical creature is just around the corner...

Sorry, I don't know the source,
apparently its from the show One Tree Hill...?

Happy Monday {44th ed.}

2011-08-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what is making me smile...

These prints

I just found this shop on the suggested shops page on Etsy and everything is just so stinkin' cute!

what an adorable little owl family!

I love how she is hugging it :)

This....whatever it is!

I don't even know what this is really, but I want to spend all day on it reading and stargazing.

This jacket
I don't really know why I love it and I don't think I would like it on myself, but for some reason...?

via here

This dog

Yup, just makes me smile! :)

What else? The beautiful weather here in MN, the fact that our new duplex neighbor is awesome!!, and the fact that I have read on the porch every day since moving here...every single day!! What is making you smile this week?

Who doesn't want a secret hideout?!

2011-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

(warning; if you are not a female this will probably be categorized under TMI!)

So, when I get stressed out my period decides to go into hibernation. This wouldn't be bad except that during this time Im pretty sure it is actually just hiding out somewhere getting angry at me and plotting how to retaliate once my life evens out a tiny bit! Meaning that when it comes back it enters with a vengeance! During my "dissertation deadline meltdown / relationship falling apart and building back together / neighbors from hell torture" time period I think I went about 5 months without it and then had a super fun and extra long pms experience that made me understand why hormones make people do seriously crazy things! :(

Anyways, this is coming up because the moving experience brought hibernation back of course and now I am enjoying the benefits of that (insert sarcasm). Im crampy, tired, bloated, ravished yet nauseous, and crabby...fun! All I want to do is lie around and complain. Wouldn't that be much better done here?.....

Oh what I wouldn't give to be able to hibernate here (wherever this is) once a month! Is this not the most perfect grown up doll house you have ever seen?! (Ok, maybe a little less white though, yikes!)

Quotation Wednesday {29th ed.}

2011-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Yikes, Ive been so focused on my dissertation participant stress that I almost forgot about Quotation Wednesday! Anyways, here it is. I love how whimsical both the print and quote are for this one. Isn't it just adorably optimistic? I figured that I needed a little bit of that, so maybe you guys did to :)

via here

Happy Monday {43rd ed.}

2011-08-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone! Here is what is making me smile..

Purple Vespa
I know, I have said this before, but how stinkin' cute is this? I need one!

Mason Jar Herb Garden
I think I am going to try this, its adorable and a great idea!

via here

Muggle reading

Yes, I finally gave in and started reading the Harry Potter series...and Im hooked!!

Damn, I wish I would have gotten this version of the series! I love the covers!

New places and people!

I finally met my blog friend Lisa yesterday and we walked over the Stone Arch Bridge to a cute little cafe. I love finding cute places in a new city and it was so much fun to meet a blogger friend in person :)

That is all for me this week. What is making you smile?

Quotation Wednesday {28th ed.}

2011-08-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

Oh Mother Teresa, how amazing is she? I love this quote because I am such a huge fan of people who act with their whole heart. I instantly thought of children when I read this, how they treat a dandelion like a prized gem when they give it to you. When do we lose that? At what point to people judge gifts and acts by their monetary value rather than the true heart and emotion behind it? Lets all make a pact to put our heart and soul into even the small acts in our lives...and also to receive in the same manner. How beautiful this world could be!

"Do small things with great love." -Mother Teresa

Happy Monday {42nd ed.}

2011-07-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone!! Here is what is making me smile...

Book nooks
I want a house filled with cozy little book areas!

a slightly more grown up version :) ...

Super sexy shoes
Im madly in love with these!

via here

A modern teepee
I know, it would me more work than it is worth, there would be bugs, and rain, and yada yada...whatever, I love it and want to sleep and read in it all day long!!!

An adorable WA shout out
Isn't this cute? I love how simple a statement it makes :)

via this etsy shop

That, as well as discovering beautiful St. Paul is making me smile this week. What is making you happy?

Farmers Market!

2011-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love farmer's markets! We gave the St. Paul one a try today and wow! Lets just say, it is giving Pikes Place a run for it's money :) Look at all this great stuff!

Cheap, fresh vegetables...

My personal favorite, the beautiful flower bouquets for $4....

Seriously, where else can you get this much fresh produce for only $20?!

(click on the picture, it looks even better blown up!)

Do you guys shop at farmer's markets? Which one is your favorite?

Quotation Wednesday {27th ed.}

2011-07-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is actually a print from an Etsy shop and I just copied it, but I really like it. My yoga teacher from Seattle, Terilynn said something like this often and I just think it is a really good reminder, particularly in our goal oriented society. Sometimes it is good to remember that right where you are is perfectly lovely!

via here

Love wins!

2011-07-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

This article made me cry this monday morning, but it was a good cry, so I wanted to share!
This is love people...

Phyllis 77 and Connie 85; the first couple to be married in NY

To all the marriage equality protesters, this is what you are fighting against!

Equality and love will always prevail in the end. Everyone go out and hug the one you love :)

ps: check this page out too, you can listen to couples' comments as they come out of city hall

Happy Monday {41st Ed.}

2011-07-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday Everyone!! I am back on track with blogging finally and here is what is making me smile...

Bookcase cocoon
aka: heaven! I need to be reading in this right now.

This print
My time in Seattle made me realize how much I need water in my life. This quote sums up exactly how I feel when sitting by the water...like life is somehow "reset."

I love this entire Etsy shop actually

and This Print

I think I need her to go with my owl girl print (which I am still in love with by the way!)....maybe I just need everything this shop has!

These votive holders
The look on their faces just cracks me up!

get them here

That is all for me this week, what is making you happy?

Paddle board yoga

2011-07-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

I just found out about this and really really want to do it! Does anyone know of any resources and/or classes?

Doesn't it look awesome?! Plus, its probably the perfect core workout! Who wants to do it with me? :)

Just an update...

2011-07-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

...cause we are still unloading and life is a bit crazy! :) My family (dad, gram, and aunt) came to help us and we definitely put them to work!

Ok, so that picture doesn't show it, but we did I promise :) We made an Ikea trip, got everything unpacked, dealt with the damn heat! What is with this heat, MN?! Meanwhile, back in Seattle, my mom was dealing with the crazy Goodwill pile that we left and cleaning the old place.

how do we collect so much stuff?!

Isn't my family amazing?! Poor Domino was having a difficult time with the heat, so we decided to shave him...

...and left him a mohawk! :) We also got them a kiddie pool and tried to lure them in, no luck yet.

My grandma treated us all to this amazing dessert after unloading.

...and then (finally!) a relaxing moment on the front porch, which is going to be one of my new favorite places.

There is my photo update, I will be back to my regularly scheduled blogging soon!

Moved!

2011-07-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Ugh, we are finally in St. Paul! The trip was interesting, 1700 miles with 1 Uhaul, 1 car, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 gecko, and 2 very tired and sore drivers! Luckily the scenery was beautiful because that was far too much monotonous sitting.

Now for the unpacking...

Quotation Wednesday {26th ed.}

2011-07-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

Learning, growing, and thriving from your pain; this is something I feel strongly about. This quote states that beautifully.

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls;
the most massive characters are seared with scars."
-Kahlil Gibran

Happy Monday {40th ed.}

2011-07-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Well I took a holiday break, so its Monday joys on a Tuesday! Here is what is making me smile...

Purple chandalier
Damnit, I just fell in love with this chandelier....don't even bother looking at how much it is!

ok, if you must...here it is

This dress

from here

...with These Shoes!

Ahhh, gorgeous!! :)

Four-eyed cat
He is too cute for words!

Alliums

I love these flowers! Not only are they purple, but they remind me of Horton Hears a Who :)

find out more here

Pinterest

Do you guys know about this website? Its awesome! All of today's happiness can be seen here as well. You should all join and we can follow each other's smile inducing items all week long :)

That is all for me, what is making you happy this week?

Love

2011-07-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

I keep coming back to the idea of this post and for some reason the lyric from Hallelujah has been in my head all day, so I finally decided to get it down on...well not paper, screen I guess.

"Love is not a victory march, its a cold and its a broken Hallelujah"

First, I adore this song even though it makes me cry every time I hear it! I have always been drawn to this line for some reason. I take it as a "weathered" look at love, like someone who has been broken and hurt, but still finds the small hallelujahs in love and life. I feel like we all start out with this romanticized version of love, that we will find our perfect soul mate, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Then we get hurt. We cry. We vow to never love again, to never hurt again. And we do it all over. Love and relationships are really really hard work! I take this line as a statement of that.

But that is just me. When searching for the lyrics to be sure I was quoting it right, I found some very opposite veiwpoints. One woman stated that the song is "largely a disillusioned point of view about love....a bitter realization that can only break you forever." Im not going to say that I disagree with her, basically that is the feeling of the song. Its depressing, like I said, makes me cry every time. But, I don't think that singing about or looking at the depressing parts of love makes it a "disillusioned point of view." I think it honors the fact that love can hurt, it can hurt like hell actually, and still be love. The pain is just as much a part of it as the absolute joy and embracing love's entirety is what makes it so unique and amazing, and well, worth it! What do you guys think? Am I just being emotionally dramatic, true to my Pisces, introverted, psychologically minded self?! (Its ok to say yes to that!)

Anyways, this gets to the post that has been brewing in my mind about love. I believe that love can have a multitude of forms, both within an individual and throughout people in general. Personally, I use the word love to indicate many things; a strong bond with my friends, the feeling that oozes out of me when I see my pets, when I like something so much that the word "like" or even "really really like" just doesn't seem to cover it (most things purple!), the warm and comfortable love I have for my family, and of course romantic love. These feelings are infinitely different, and yet all are encompassed by the word love. I would say that there needs to be different words for each form of love, but I don't really believe that. I think that the feeling you get when you say your own versions of love are enough. Just watch someone say "I love you" to their partner and then watch someone say "Look at my new shoes, I absolutely love them!" You can see the difference in the words, you can feel it. That doesn't mean that it each isn't it's own version of love.

I have heard many people become irritated or uncomfortable when friends say "I love you" or when someone says "that singer is amazing, I just love her" and I never know how to react to that. I agree that saying you love someone who is not really close to you, or who you don't even know may make some people feel like you are discounting the idea of love. I disagree, but I understand it. Maybe we do need more words to describe the different forms. Maybe that would honor the love that people feel for shoes, movies, singers, whatever, while still honoring the profound feeling of love for family, friends, and partners. I don't know, I prefer to see it and feel it in people's use of the word, I think the minute differences are what make the word love so beautiful. What do you guys think? Would a language be better if there were different words for different types of love? Do you think that is even possible? Does it bother you when people use the word love in so many different forms?

Quotation Wednesday {25th ed.}

2011-06-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

This quote is whimsical and yet motivating at the same time. I love the idea of telling the dreamer to dare to dream big, just remember to build the foundations that hold the gravity of such amazing goals!

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;
that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
-Thoreau

Love is a battlefield!

2011-06-28T23:19:00.000-07:00

This performance is absolutely, ridiculously, be-still-my-beating-heart-because-I-love-you-Vicci!!! amazing!!!

Seriously, how amazing is she?! She makes everyone adore her right? Its not just me and my fanatical attraction to adorable lesbians who ooze emotion...right?!

Moving is annoying!!

2011-06-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

That about covers it, Im annoyed! The moving companies are all about money. Can't they just stop and think about the people behind those boxes? I don't want to pay an extra $500 just so I don't have to sleep on a blow up mattress for an indeterminate amount of time waiting for my stuff that would likely just be sitting in a storage facility in the middle of Montana on the basis that I didn't pay extra money!!

Arghh...I bet rich people hire someone to take care of all this crap. I bet they just sit on their butts while someone finds them a wonderful place to live, deals with the landlords/sellers, packs their crap, decides what to keep and what to give away, figures out the logistics of getting it there, cancels their cable, gets them to their new home without them even knowing it, cleans the old place (I hate that the most!), unpacks all their crap, and then says "hey, just so you know, you are now moved!" Im pouting...

Happy Monday {39th ed.}

2011-06-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone!! Here is what is making me smile...

Im not entirely sure what these are, but they are cute!

via here

Pedal Pub

We saw this strolling down the streets of downtown St. Paul, how awesome is it?! Im pretty excited to give it a try once we get there!

Pride pictures

I didn't go this year, but just looking at pictures even never fails to make me smile! There is just something so wonderful about thousands of people celebrating being exactly who they are. If you have never been to a Pride parade (regardless if you are gay) you definitely need to make it to one!

Naked bikers...you may not want to zoom in! :)

Porch swings

I am so excited about the front porch on the place we found! I can't wait to get a porch swing, how amazing are these ones...

via here

I want to live in this one!! (from here)

That is all for me this week, what is making my lovely readers smile?!

Thank you New York!!

2011-06-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

We are getting there, slowly but surely....

Oh, and happy Pride everyone!! :)

Companion Animal Grief

2011-06-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Well, as I have mentioned (and complained and fretted!), I am working on that pesky dissertation and am finally to the research collection portion! So here is my plea for help. If you or anyone you know fits the critera and wouldn't mind taking my 15-20 minute survey, I would greatly appreciate it!! (Using Survey Monkey does keep it completely anonymous) Here is the info...

COMPANION ANIMAL GRIEF STUDY

I am a doctoral student at Argosy University in Clinical Psychology and am seeking participants for my dissertation examining grief following the loss of a companion animal.

You may qualify if you meet the following criteria;

· You have experienced the death of a companion dog within the past 5 years.

· You have attended therapy following that loss.

· You are over the age of 18.

Participation is completely anonymous and is conducted strictly online. It will only take about 20-30 minutes of your time. Participation will include a chance at winning one of 2 $50 gift cards of your choice from giftcertificates.com!

*Please contact CAgrief@gmail.com*

Thank you in advance for your time.

St Paul bound...

2011-06-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

I've been distant my blogger friends and I apologize! The past week has been crazy with trying to distribute my dissertation flyers, plan a trip to MN (not as easy as it sounds when petsitting and scheduling rental showings are involved!), and then actually going to MN for 3 days to find a place to live!!

Our Tuesday was ridiculous! We took a red-eye flight (not my best idea), got in at 7am and grabbed the rental car, then were at a loss for what to do until noon when our first rental showing was scheduled. We were exhausted and hungry, so we ate and then slept in the car (not fun!). The afternoon was filled with rental showings and true to our form, there were some *interesting* ones! The first one was in such a bad neighborhood that we didn't even look at it, just turned around. The next was a cute little place, but the realtor told us that the people right before us filled out an application, damn! The next one didn't exist...seriously, the road just stopped even though GPS was telling us to continue into the trees, weird. The next one we liked (and eventually decided to take) but I will get to that.

The final one we looked at on Tuesday was the craziest one of all! When I talked to the lady on the phone, one of the first things that she said was that she was "adamant about meeting dogs first." I politely told her thanks but no thanks since our dogs would be in Seattle, but she stated that she maybe would make an exception (sounds promising, right). We decided to look at it anyways since that was the point of the trip. There were people living in the house and she asked them to leave when we got there (apparently they had no warning) and then showed us around the house. When we got to the yard she started asking about the dogs again, then she said that she was "very strict about poop."...ok, I asked her to clarify and it came out that she did not allow dogs to poop in the back yard! What?! I was confused so I asked if she meant that she wanted it picked up every day, but no, she meant what she said, no pooping in the yard...at all! She also mentioned that she would drop by periodically (no warning) and if she saw any poop or if she saw them pooping, we would be evicted on the spot! We decided to leave at this point, but on the way out she blessed us with a little more of her crazy. Apparently she needed a $700 (per pet?) non-refundable deposit, she wouldn't show the lease at all until the full deposit was received (illegal!), and she made it sound like she was always lurking in the bushes waiting for you to do something wrong. Um, nope!! Plus, she kept mentioning that the neighborhood was the "gay area" and that we would not like any other neighborhood, and oh we should go to this bar or that restaurant. I hate when people assume they know everything about you based on one little fact, like that we are a lesbian couple! Anyways, we left, that was too much crazy at 7pm after 36 hours without real sleep!

We looked at a few other places on Wednesday, but the neighborhood had been hit by a tornado and was completely uprooted (literally), plus one had lost the fence and garage, which were our main selling points. So, we picked the place we loved on Tuesday :) It is beautiful and cozy, has a front porch, is in a nice quiet neighborhood, and the landlords are awesome! Yay, I can't wait to move in and get settled!

Somehow we always end up looking at some crazy places (remember these gems?!), does anyone else go through all of this before finally finding a place?!

Random Simple Pleasures {11th ed.}

2011-06-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

Random Pleasure #11 ~ walking barefoot through the grass!!

Is there any better feeling in the world?!.....

Quotation Wednesday {23rd and 24th eds.}

2011-06-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I was not an active blogger last week, I even forgot my favorite posts, Quotation Wednesday!! (Side note: my IRB finally got approved so I was busy getting my dissertation survey out there!) Anyways, here are 2 of them, have to keep all of my fans happy :)

This one I just love because I am a quiet person and only speak up when I truly do have something to say! I have never been on of those people who can talk until their voice goes out, so when I say something, it honestly is important to me! Kudos Plato for encompassing that idea for me :)

"Wise men talk because they have something to say;
fools, because they have to say something."
-Plato

And this one is just awesome! Pardon my french, but you are all fuckin' perfect to me!!

"Pretty pretty please, don't you ever ever feel like you're less than fuckin' perfect!"-Pink

Perfect is being exactly who you are, not something that fits into a mold. I want to make it my life's mission to make people believe that they are all destined to be their own version of absolutely perfect!

Happy Monday {38th ed.}

2011-06-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone!! Here is what is making me smile this week....

This adorable owl in a cup
Too cute! :)

find the print here

Transparent kayak

Now that I have seen this, all I want to do is float around in it, really it is all I can think about!

via here

Cool trees
I love trees! I really love unique ones with funny curves or shapes to them. I went hiking with my mom yesterday and we saw this cool one with a cute little "cave" in it!

(and while we are on the topic of hiking, another thing I love is burning 900 calories while doing something that is just plain fun!!)

My new crocs
Now before you laugh, these ones are actually cute! Plus they are ridiculously lightweight, super comfy (seriously!), and solve my dilemma of needing summery shoes that don't hurt my poor arthritic knees...I love them!

and they come in super cute colors, you can buy a bunch of them here!

Ok that is it for me this week, what is making you happy?!

Happy Monday {37th ed.}

2011-06-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!! Along with the recent "sun bursts!" here is what is making me smile...

Salt and Pepper shakers
I need these!!

from here

This dress
The sun is making me search for fun summer dresses and I adore this one. Damn being poor...

if you are not a starving grad student, you can buy it here!

The slight change that tie-die might make a comeback!

Fingers crossed :) Oh and also the fact that this shirt would show off Professor Hoot!!

from here

Pride cupcake

Although Cupcake Royale is not my cupcake shop of choice, I will definitely have to give this one a try before the month is over!

hehe... :)

Ok, that is all for me this week. What is making you happy?!

Random Simple Pleasures {10th ed.}

2011-06-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #10 ~ Reading in the park
Sunshine, grass, and a good book...does it get any better?!

ps: this book is amazing!!

Soundsuits

2011-06-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

I just went and saw Nick Cave's Soundsuit exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. They were really amazing! They just have a beautiful aesthetic to them, it was everything I could do to not touch them! If this exhibit ever comes to your town, I highly recommend seeing it. (Oh and I saw the Picasso exhibit at SAM awhile ago too and that one is a must see as well!!)

I really liked these ones, they look liked they are exploding with excitement to me!

This one was my favorite, but the picture doesn't do it justice. Similar to the above one, it was a "man" in what can only be described as an afgan bodysuit and he was encased in a birdcage of sorts. I think he just found every tacky bird bric-a-brac item at a thrift store and made this surprisingly beautiful cage out of it...awesome! Oh, and to top it off, the man in the cage had a really awesome vintagey lion mask on :)

Ahh, as I am typing this I am realizing that these small distant pictures run the risk of making the work look tacky, but it really isn't! It is awesome to see in person, like it is art that is painfully sitting still and you can just picture it breaking free into a joyously beautiful dance!

ps: watch awesome videos here and here!!!

Quotation Wednesday {22nd ed.}

2011-06-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

This is another one from the daily meditation book that I am reading and I think it is really beautiful. I love that it honors the difficulty of breaking out of the comfortable place of a bud, but also shows the beauty of blooming!

"And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk to bloom." - Anais Nin

Happy Monday {36th ed.}

2011-05-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!! Here is what is making me smile...

This coat rack
How awesome is this?! Its going on my list of things to make, someday...

if you want to buy it instead, go here

A lightbulb garden

I love this! Apparently the rainy spring we are having is making me crave nature :)

I lost the source, oops!

Four Season Mugs

Going with the nature theme, I love these! Why are they so damn expensive?!

via here

This t-shirt!

Ok, its not with the unintentional nature theme, but I am in love with this shirt!! How cute is this guy?

via threadless

That is all for me, what is making you smile this Memorial Day?!

Quotation Wednesday {21st ed.}

2011-05-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

Well, its her last day, so it only makes sense that Oprah gets my Quotation Wednesday today! She has said that all everyone wants is to be validated. It is such a simple, yet amazing thing to offer, just listen, offer yourself as validation and love.

"I see you, I hear you, and what you say matters to me."-Oprah

Playful coyote!

2011-05-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of coyotes here in West Seattle. People tend to get scared of them, but I strongly believe that as long as we respect them and their space (and keep cats indoors!), there is no reason that we can't respectfully coexist, and hey, maybe even enjoy each other! This post from the West Seattle blog proves my theory!

How freakin' cute is he?!

Happy Monday {35th ed.}

2011-05-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! Here is what is making me smile this week....

Alternative Perspectives
I love this idea! Katie over at Color Me Katie did a post of pictures behind people taking pictures. I love how it shows the hidden love :)

see more here

These Owl Vases
I really want one!

from here

Removable tag rings

If you have dogs, particularly ones with multiple collars, this is the best invention ever! Its just a simple little band to go around the collar with a snap and a key ring for the tags. I hate switching tags, but refuse to have my pups outside without them. How did I go so long without these simple little doodads?!

Its the black thing in the pic, you can buy them here

Mason jar chandelier

I really want to make one of these to go over a kitchen table (when we get one...the damn dog kennels are where one should be now!)

from here

Ok, that is all for me this week. What is making you smile?!

Quotation Wednesday {20th ed.}

2011-05-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like my 19th edition is still lost in blogger world, I will get it back up though. Anyways, here is my 20th!

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way,
the correct way, and the only way,
it does not exist."
-Nietzsche

There is no Truth, only what each individual believes to be their truth. Its hard to keep in mind sometimes, but always good reminder!

Quotation Wednesday {19th ed.}

2011-05-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Edit: *Yay, its back!!*

Thank you all for your encouraging words yesterday, I really appreciate it! Ok, now on a happier note :) ....

This poem was included in the prologue of a book I am currently listening to and the last line really stuck with me, the image I make of it is just so beautiful and empowering to me. I really hope it resonates with all of you too.

"Suddenly I realize that if I stepped out of my body

I would break into blossom"

-James Wright

Isn't that awesome?! I included the whole poem below because I really like it, but that last line is just gorgeous to me. I admittedly do not know much about poetry but I want to buy one of his books, he seems like such a hauntingly beautiful poet.

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,

Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.

And the eyes of those two Indian ponies

Darken with kindness.

They have come gladly out of the willows

To welcome my friend and me.

We step over the barbed wire into the pasture

Where they have been grazing all day, alone.

They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness

That we have come.

They bow shyly as wet swans, They love each other.

There is no loneliness like theirs.

At home once more, they begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.

I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,

For she has walked over to me

And nuzzled my left hand.

She is black and white,

Her mane falls wild on her forehead,

And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear

That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.

Suddenly I realize

That if I stepped out of my body I would break

Into blossom.

-James Wright

What is going on Blogger?!

2011-05-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, so now my format is all messed up! Is anyone else noticing this?!

Happy Monday {34th ed.}

2011-05-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday!! Here is what is making me smile...

Boring things
This just makes me giggle! As you know, I am an old soul...so yeah, boring is good to me :)

buy it here

This picture

I reblogged it from my friend Rachel. Too cute :)

The danes I stayed with this weekend

Big gentle giants, love them!

This picture
I don't know why, it just looks so free...maybe because it makes me think of a Sunday morning...

Tattooed brides

After I got my first tattoo someone made a comment about regretting it later, particularly on my wedding day when it would "ruin the look." This stuck with me for some reason, and I have to say that I couldn't disagree more! There is something so beautiful for me in the contrast of an elegant white dress and bold tattoos.

more pics here

That is all for me this Monday, what is making you smile this week?

Until all the books are read...

2011-05-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

I adore this commercial!

If pets could talk...

2011-05-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Rachel shared this with me and it literally made my day! So I figured I would share...

This cat one is pretty funny too, I love the cat is patronizing to the dorky human!

We are always "talking" for our pets and laughing at what they would say, Im pretty sure its something along the lines of these videos!...ahh, isn't anthropomorphizing hilarious?!

What happened.....?!

2011-05-13T11:39:00.001-07:00

Im missing my last few posts....is anyone else?

I swear I posted 2 happy things after my horrible neighbor rant! :)

I have this thing for emotional singers...

2011-05-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Seriously, nothing is sexier to me than someone who can sing or dance (or whatever really) with complete abandon and emotional release. Pure raw emotion without regard for what others think is amazing to me! This is why I love my Brandi so much, she oozes emotion when she sings. I have seen her cry on stage when the orchestra started up to the chorus of her song (oh be still my beating heart...)!

This is also why I love Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland (super cute video here) and Paul from American Idol (see his adorableness here), they both dance from their soul, truly like the saying goes, "dance like no one is watching."

Why is this coming up, you ask? Well I was watching the voice and am now in love with Vicki Martinez as well (yes, it helps that she is a ridiculously cute lesbian!). This performance shows the epitome of performing with raw emotion!

I hate our neighbors!!

2011-05-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Im sorry, I need to rant! I know I have alluded to the horribleness that is our neighbors before, but now I am going full out. They are horrible horrible people, and that is coming from someone who sees the good in everyone...including offenders incarcerated for murder!!

Short and definitely not sweet overview of them; They are a large family, I guess, of around 3 women and anywhere between 5 and 15 kids, sometimes a few male stragglers. In others words; I have no idea who the hell lives there, but a ton of people are always hanging around! The "adults" are never outside, I can count on 1 hand the amount of times that I have seen them. The kids are loud, rude, obnoxious little brats! Every last one of them!

Ok I know what you are thinking, we all have annoying neighbors right?! Here is why they are beyond annoying and to the point of horrible and "move out" types of neighbors;

1) They do this horrible "drill team" practice thing for hours on end every single day during the summer. They do it in the middle of the street, without regard for traffic. Its all pre-teen or early teen girls and it is disturbingly sexual at times. Plus, they use drums and a fucking whistle!! (I wrote a very mature and respectful letter to the "adults" about this after we moved in offering many compromises so that it would not ruin the summer for the rest of the neighborhood....they refused to talk about it and started doing it more often and even louder)
2) They throw rocks and garbage at my dogs!! This one literally infuriates me to the point of shaking and crying because Zindle goes into panic attack mode trying to protect Domino and he cowers in the corner trying to get away. (For the record, this is the one thing that I actually went over there and initiated actual communication with the "adults" about...it resulted in being called a racist and having threatening remarks made about the safety of my dogs!)
3) They repetitively get animals and neglect them by leaving them on a short tie out in their back yard when they get bored of them. I do call animal control when it gets to the point of being disturbing, but that means that my own animals' safety is further at risk.
4) As I said, all the kids are unruly little brats, which I know is a direct result of the horrible parenting (or extreme lack there of) one in particular though is beyond a brat, she is a downright scary person...and get this, she is probably about 12! She picks fights with us, yells names at us, walks by our house yelling "black power" and other derogatory slurs in our front window, and threatens our dogs! And all of this is while we are literally minding our own business!

So, we don't get to enjoy our yard, or even an open window during the summer because of their horribleness. Our dogs don't get to go outside in our own yard safely when their kids are outside because they purposfully antagonize them, stressing Zindle out to the point of seriously disturbing anxiety, or throw crap at them making Domino cower in the corner! All of the other neighbors are great (seriously, all of them!) and everyone is disturbed by them. They all sporadically call the cops on them, which I guess is good, but for some reason they blame us. So they retaliate against us and justify it by saying that we call the cops every week on them (which we have done literally 3 total times in the year and a half we have been here!).

I hate them! I hate that I have tried every responsible method to communicate with them about this! I hate that they make me dread being home on sunny days, the few nice days that the Pacific Northwest allows us! I hate that they make me question my belief that everyone is inherently good and wants to at least attempt to peacefully coexist. I hate the most that they invade my space, my desperately needed safe haven of home.

Happy Monday {33rd ed.}

2011-05-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what is making me smile...

Spending time with my mom and sis
We had the most amazing brunch ever at Salty's on Mother's Day! The food was awesome and we had so much fun laughing at our "piggyness!"

1 plate down...

Chocolate fountain!

...and the food coma is settling!

Cute little owl pillows

I really want owl pillows, but am not sure how to keep them out of Domino's mouth...

get them here

Rubber Ducky Messages

I took a hint from this blog and made some rubber duckies to cheer up some of the Seattle puddles that are dragging into Spring and making everyone dreary!

"Think Sunny Thoughts!"

That is all for me this week, short and sweet! What is making you happy?

Water for Elephants

2011-05-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

*I do not recommend reading this book or seeing the movie, but if you plan to,

be warned that this definitely includes spoilers!*

My short review: I want the last 331 pages of my life back and I want to go protest at a circus!
My longer (slightly rant-ish) review....
I started this book about a year ago and couldn't get into it so I put it down. I questioned even picking it up then because I have many moral issues with circuses and I see now that I should have stuck with both of those gut feelings; something was telling me to not read it and I should have listened! But alas, Im a sucker for reading a book before seeing the movie and the previews make this movie look so appealing!

Although there are many reasons why I did not like this book, the one that is making my blood boil and driving this review is that it is chock full of tolerated animal abuse!! Yes, in the end they "save" the animals by stealing the ones they wanted, but that was the last 30 pages. Plus, why did it take the animal's revolting for the humans to grow some balls?! And then the "balls" that they grew were in the form of releasing a heard of animals to trample each other and the crowd in a fury of fear....aka: further animal abuse!! The part that bothered me the most about this is that the author wrote it in a way that leads us to believe that we are supposed to feel sorry for these people. As if they are in so much agony about the abuse that it is painful for them to watch or hear it. What?! No, if you are in agony about an animal you profess to love being repeatedly stabbed and beaten you get off of your ass and you do something about it!! I disliked every single character in this book for their complacency and selfishness (aside from one man named Greg who came to Rosie's rescue twice and was allotted about 10 sentences of total book space, thanks Sara).

Aside from that I was not a fan of the writing. I felt like the characters themselves were not put together well and their actions sporadically fulfilled whatever she thought the plot needed at that point. There were so many inconsistencies and anti-climatic fizzles that I was frustrated throughout the whole book. Oh, and the random graphic sex scenes that felt like they were implanted form a trashy romance novel, what was that about? Finally, I have a big problem with authors who do not do their research, and she did not do her research here. Or rather, she did research into the areas that she wanted to and decided to just "make up" the rest. I know it is a novel, but come on, all she would have to do is google "horses" to find more accurate information. Also, the DB (I forget his name already and I finished the book 10 minutes ago, that's how invested I was) absolutely did not have paranoid schizophrenia. Come on Sara Gruen, you don't get to just throw that diagnosis out there when you are painting the picture of a villain. Again, do your research!!

Anyways, I did not like this book. After doing a quick Google search though, I realize that I am definitely in the minority here. So do share, if you liked it, please tell me why? Has anyone seen the movie? Please tell me it is better? I will definitely not be seeing it...

Adorable art that makes people happy, I love it!!

2011-05-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this blog, this idea, this art, this girl!! I want to be in her pictures :)
(ps: I could not get the video to line up, it was that way on her blog too. You just have to mess "find" the play button, I just clicked my mouse when the hand popped up, its right below the middle/left side-ish of the door...)

So true

2011-05-05T05:19:00.000-07:00

I needed this today, thank you Bits of Truth...

Fighting for Justice

2011-05-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

The Oprah show today is honoring the Freedom Riders as today is the 50th anniversary.

I will admit, I did not know much about them, I had heard of them and knew this movement was pivotal in repealing the Jim Crow laws, but that was about it. What I didn't know was that all of the Freedom Riders were ordinary people, black and white, who volunteered to risk their lives to defend equality and the rights of others.

I am in awe, not only at the level of hatred and violence that is in this world, but even more so for the bravery and compassion of those willing to stand up against it. I can be very emotional about the values that I believe in. I can not imagine though being able to find the courage to agree to this, to train to be nonviolent in the face of abuse, to sign my will and get on that bus. As someone who feels passionately about advocating for the disenfranchised, I have so much respect and adoration to these brave men and women. As I said, I am in awe!

Thank you to all the Freedom Riders and happy anniversary

Thoughts?... Did you guys see Oprah or know the details of this amazing event? Would you have been able to get on that bus?! Is there anything you feel this passionately about, enough to risk your life defending?

Quotation Wednesday {18th ed.}

2011-05-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

I saw this poem in a daily meditation book that I am reading (which I absolutely love by the way, you can find it here) and I really liked the last line. I am not entirely sure what it is, but something just resonates with me.

"every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home"-Basho

Random Simple Pleasures {9th ed.}

2011-05-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #9 ~ Flowers from Pike Place Market
I love Pike Place Market!!! I used to walk through it all the time when I would take the bus to my school and I really miss that routine. If anyone has not been there the one thing you need to know is that they have the best flowers ever! I would have fresh beautiful flowers on my kitchen table constantly. Now that I am not going to the school as much, I don't get there nearly enough. My mom and I just went this weekend though and Im happy to say that I still get excited about it. Everyone needs a local place like that; not too touristy, but just fun and exciting. Anyways, I got flowers of course, $10 for a huge beautiful bouquet! That is the best part, they are so cheap! A standard bouquet like this would be at least $40 anywhere else.

Im definitely going to miss this place...

Just something to make you smile...

2011-05-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

picture from here

Too cute! :)

Happy Monday {32nd ed.}

2011-05-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday!

This adorable French Bulldog Print
Too cute!

find it here

Bookish owl jewelry

Perfection! :)

find more here

Mmm..Oreos!

pic via here

My confused christmas cactus
I have had this thing for about a year and a half and it has not bloomed until now...in May. I was so upset last holiday season when it didn't bloom, but apparently it is just a little bit confused. Oh well, I still love it and am super excited that it is finally blooming!

That is all for me this week, what is making you happy?!

Quotation Wednesday {17th ed.}

2011-04-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

I love this quote (I say that every week, I know!). As with most quotes, there are many ways it can be interpreted. I think of it as a way to indicate that the true places are not destinations, but rather the feelings that you get from being in a place that moves you. Beautiful towering trees do that for me, the ones that can encompass you and make you feel like nature has you wrapped in a loving embrace. The feeling I get from sitting under a gorgeous tree with only the smells and sounds of nature surrounding me, there is no place truer than that for me.

"It is not down on any map, true places never are."-Hermin Melville

Isn't this picture gorgeous? I want to live under that tree!

Random Simple Pleasures {8th ed.}

2011-04-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #8 ~ The smell of rain in the spring

I have always been really in love with rain....until I moved to Seattle! :( I was upset about this until I realized that rain in the summer and rain in the winter are 2 very different things. In the midwest it only rains in the summer, its hot and sticky and the air has that pre-storm feel, so when it finally rains its a beautiful relief. Here in the Pacific NW though it rains in the winter, so it is always a cold drizzle that chills you to the core, blech! But, every spring when the first real "warm rain" comes along I am reminded of why I love it, that glorious feeling of cool rain on a warm day, and the wonderfully indescribable smell...yup, I love that!

Happy Monday {31st ed.}

2011-04-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday my lovely readers! Here is what is making me happy....

This shirt

I love lacy items in bold colors and I just think this is gorgeous!

find it here

This "Alpha Dog" picture

How typical...

I love that just his butt is on there...comfy!

Vegetarian options that really truly taste better than the original!
Im a vegetarian mainly for animal rights reasons, meaning that I do did love meat! I like most of the meat substitute products, but I love when I find one that is so good, it actually beats the original. Take that carnivores!!

Yum! These are awesome! I know many non-vegetarians who eat and love them :)

Flo from the Progressive commercials
Usually when a company sticks with the same commercial theme for this long I get annoyed, but she is just so freakin' cute! I love the one when they are talking about things that go together and she says "Unicorns and glitter!!"...makes me laugh every time! Plus I have a serious dork crush on her :)

That is all for me this week, kinda random :) What is making you happy?

Random beauty

2011-04-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

I really love seeing random acts of beauty, particularly when someone uses an opportunity to complain as a medium for art!

Turning potholes into sweaters!

see more Parisian sweater streets here :)

...or flower gardens

via here

this one is right here in West Seattle
(we have far too many potholes, so someone got creative!)

Or, one of my favorites...

Random acts of knitting!!

both in my beloved West Seattle as well! link here

such a cozy tree :)

They all just make me want to find my creative bone so I can commit my own random acts of beauty! What would you guys do to make your neighborhood more interesting?!

Oh, and Happy Earth Day!! :)

Quotation Wednesday {16th ed.}

2011-04-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Living in the present without fretting about the past or future can be really hard for me. This just makes it sound so beautiful and blissful though...

"Live in the present, launch yourself on each wave,
find your eternity in each moment." -Thoreau

I love the line "find your eternity in each moment," isn't that just beautiful?!

Book questions!

2011-04-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

My blog friend Lisa does a "Ten on Tuesday" post that I love reading every week. This week is a book theme again, so I'm taking the bait.....

1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?
This is a hard one to answer because it depends on the person and it changes with whatever book Im most excited about at the time! In general though, I have recommended these books more often than any others; The Perks of Being a Wallflower (to all the emotional introverts out there!), A Million Little Pieces (yes, even though it was all a lie..gasp!), and Eat Pray Love (to all the women who are afraid to be alone). I did just read Room though and loved it, I am recommending it to everyone!

2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?
I would say I am mainly a library type of person, mainly though because the King County Library System absolutely rocks!! I buy them though when I am like 1,000th in line and I don't want to wait, or it's one that I know I want on my bookshelf. When I do buy them though it is almost always from Half Price Books, which is one of my favorite places in the world to be! :)

3. E-readers, yay or nay?
Nope, they are just not for me. I was ambiguous about them for a long time, my mom finally bought me one (probably so I would quit fretting over it!) and I just couldn't get comfortable with it. I like the idea of a book collection always right at hand, but I just get so much joy out of the aspects of real books; the look of them on my bookshelf, the excitement of a good used book store, and most importantly...the smell, I just couldn't give up the smell!

4. What was your favorite book as a child?
Well, I read the Babysitter's Little Sister series religiously, so I would have to say that. My dad and I would have monthly dates to B.Dalton to get a new one and I think its that aspect as much as the books themselves that made the series so memorable to me.

5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
Oh wow.....this is a tough one! Im going to show the polar sides of my personality here and give 2 answers, either Ruth from Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe...

...or Lisbeth from the Millennium series!

6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
I just read A Dog's Purpose and think it would make a really cute movie :)

7. What is your all-time favorite book?
I always have a tough time with this question! I think I would have to say Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg though. Its just a really good entertaining book about love, without judgement on the details of the type of love. Plus the movie version didn't butcher it, and its rare that I love the movie almost as much as the book!

8. How many books do you read at once?
2, sometimes 3, but one is always an audiobook in my car.

9. What is your favorite book genre?
I really like books about animals, does that count as a genre..?

10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?
As a bibliomaniac, I am ashamed to say that I have not read the Harry Potter series yet! *hangs head in shame* The first one has been on my TBR shelf forever, I always stopped myself because I know I will probably want to read the entire series in 1 sitting!

Happy Monday {30th ed.}

2011-04-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

Happy (30th!) Monday everyone!

Rolly Polly Little Owls :)

So cute! I love their eyes...

shop here

Color drops
These are awesome, they were created by putting ink on a speaker and photographing how it reacts to sound! Aren't they beautiful?

more info here

A book planter
Awesome!

buy one here

Kettle Corn
Its a perfect mix of sweet and salty, what more could you want?! :)

Summer dresses
Im obviously itching to break free of the sweaters!

from here

I love love love this one!!

Quotation Wednesday {15th ed.}

2011-04-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

I heard this on Oprah, she said that one of her guests said it and it stuck with her. I really like the idea of it because its not saying "forgive and forget" but to accept and let go. Sometimes I feel like being asked to forgive means I am expected to act like whatever it was that hurt me never happened. This is different, to me it means that you can accept it and honor the pain of it, but move on. There is just something comforting for me to think that the pain can be honored and respected, but it doesn't have to overcome me. I can accept that something horrible happened to me, but it doesn't have to become me...

"Forgiveness is letting go of the idea that the past can be changed."
-Unknown

Happy Monday {29th ed.}

2011-04-10T22:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday my lovely readers!

A tree bookshelf...awesome!
My friend Rachel reblogged this from somewhere and I love them! I would need an entire forest though to hold all of my books :)

Naughty Bits
This etsy site is hilarious, she makes little pins out of excerpts from trashy romance novels. I love the idea!

more naughty bits here

Garcia and Reid from Criminal Minds

How awesome is she?! I just love her!

Oh Reid, I just love his brainy and quirky charm :)

Cowboy boots and tights
A friend recently gave me her much loved cowboy boots and I have been dying to find a fun way to wear them. I love these ideas...

Cute!!

Asymmetrical hair
Its cute, its fun, and it screams, "what? I have the personality to pull this off!!"

Hilarious post about it here on one of my favorite blogs!

Ok, that is all for me, what is making you happy?!

7 fun things!

2011-04-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, Kym tagged me so here it goes...

The Rules:

Thank the person who gave you the award

Share 7 random bits about yourself

Pass the award on to a few of your favourite blogs

(And don't forget to let them know!)

1) I have recently come to the realization that I really truly am a country girl at heart. I love the opportunities provided by a city, the excitement of so many things to do....but I need silence and privacy. When I finally own a house it will need a good balance of a nice open yard and peaceful solitude, but close enough enjoy some "city time." (and really, I would give up the "city time" aspect way before I gave up the solitude part!)

2) The sound of people chewing drives me absolutely crazy! Its really a problem...

3) I really really really want a baby alpaca! I mean seriously, how cute are these guys?!

4) If I was staying in Seattle and not going somewhere snowy I would totally trade my car in for this...

Gah, I love it so so much!

5) I keep a dream journal (not religiously, but when I think about it) and when I read some of the old ones over, I actually can see and feel them again, its crazy and a little creepy. Does anyone else do this?

6) I have recently been thinking that it would be cool to have my therapy practice in a tree house in my yard. Thoughts...? I think it would be really peaceful.

My private practice plans are a long way away, but its fun to dream...

7) When I am overwhelmed, stressed, sad, or just emotional there are a few fool proof things that never fail to make me happy again; watching an episode of Friends, taking a walk along Alki (or somewhere serene and by the water), or my dog coming up and asking to be pet. So simple :)

Ok, Im going to tag;

Lisa

Rachele

Benny and Lily :)

Rachel (if you want to tumblr it!)

Sometimes I wish I was a bird...

2011-04-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah, its a Forrest Gump reference, but god flying far far away can seem so damn appealing! Im having a crappy day. My hormones are out of whack, I just had a horrible confrontation with my neighbors about their kids throwing rocks at my dogs (rocks GD it!!), Im feeling distant and overwhelmed.

I am so sick of this limbo that I am in right now. I have a couple of months until moving, its close but not quite close enough to start looking for places or to do any packing. My relationship is in a post-havock state and is very uncomfortably ambiguous (granted Im the one dragging my feet, but with good reason).

Oddly though, the most difficult part of this limbo is the fact that I am in the middle of this between coursework and internship state and I hate it....I should be enjoying the freedom and lack of "hustle and bustle" but Im not, which actually makes it worse because then I have to examine my own inability to enjoy it. I feel useless. I have been in school and working since...well, forever (literally!). I was so stressed out for so damn long, thinking that I can't wait until its over and Im free of deadlines and papers and tests....and now I just feel lost. I have this set amount of open time and I should be so productive on what is left of my dissertation, I should be enjoying Seattle, enjoying sleep, and whatever I want to do with the 75% of my time that is left over after my very part time work.

But Im not. I just want to move and start this internship so I can, what? Work like crazy again until I retire? What is wrong with me? Ive spent my last few therapy sessions talking solely about this, but alas, here I am on a beautiful and completely open day with about 1 hour of edits to do on my IRB and a million outdoor adventures, or a shelf of books in front of me and instead Im crying to my computer.

Wow, that was depressing, sorry. Like I said, crappy day...

Quotation Wednesday {14th ed.}

2011-04-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

(Oops, late! I forgot it was Wednesday...)

I like this quote, I like the idea that courage does not have to be a huge thing, but just continuing...

"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"
-Mary Anne Radmacher

I want...

2011-04-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

I really want my bedroom to look exactly like this!

more pics here

I love it! Its just so calming and serene, and there is an adorable owl lamp! I want the entire thing recreated in my bedroom! Apparently it is from a themed room bed and breakfast place in Italy, but their website is painfully slow so I couldn't book a trip, shucks! :)

Happy Monday {28th ed.}

2011-04-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Monday Everyone!!

Jennifer Nettles (oh, how I love her!!) in a purple jumpsuit!!
I know I have gushed about her before, but she is just so adorably quirky and unique and Im pretty sure she wore this outfit just for me :) Be still my beating heart...

Herbert the Owl Loves a Good Book
Im not joking, that is the name of this print...absolutely awesome!!

see all of Herbert's tale here

This adorable gosling

He looks so cozy and cute :)

from the West Seattle blog

Cats and their eternal search for sunlight

I want to be a cat! Their day consists of following the sun and sleeping in it....sounds perfect!

Comfortable? No. Sunlight? Yup!

Yoga church
My yoga studio has a Sunday morning class with a Bhatki focus, meaning it is basically "yoga church" and I love it!!

Ok that is all for me, what is making you happy, my lovely readers?!

My Idol thoughts...

2011-03-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

...cause Im sure you are dying to know!! ;) Here are my favs ~

Pia
Ok, she is my pick to win, not because I want her to (Ill get to my winner later!), but because I think she will be America's pick. Don't get me wrong, I think she is a great choice! She is beautiful and her voice is absolutely effortlessly powerful.

Casey
Oh Casey! He is cute, a very entertaining performer, unique, and has that surprisingly sexy raspy growl to his voice. Plus, he just seems genuine and really emotional about his art, I love that!

Haley
I have very mixed feelings about her. I love her voice, like Casey, she has that raspy quality that I really like in a singer. Her musical style is quirky and fun. This is where my ambiguity lies though because she doesn't seem to match her music at all! I came to the conclusion this week that it is because she is young, she hasn't embraced her inner quirkiness yet, so it is dying to come out through her music. I want her to make it so she will grow into her true uniqueness and match her music because then I know I will absolutely love her (in true Sugarland style!).

Oh, and I like his "tail!"

James
He is very Adam Lambert, which is fun and obviously entertaining. That is not what I love about him though, it's his "humanness." He has Tourettes and Aspergers and he is ok with that, he gets emotional and cries on national tv and he is ok with that. I love that, I think it is so important for male figures on tv to show that side and I applaud him for being so true to himself.

and my all time favorite Idol contestant ever (ok, in the 2.5 seasons that I have seen)...
Paul
ahh, I adore him! He is quirky and whispery and he looks so effin happy when he sings! Plus, his dancing never fails to make me smile. Love, love, love :)

Ok, thanks for indulging my Idol musings, who are your picks?

Quotation Wednesday {13th ed.}

2011-03-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

Im not going to lie, I actually chose the picture first and found a quote to fit it! I just really love this picture, but I like the quote too. Maybe because I just read the Unbearable Lightness of Being and am struggling with the idea Kundera presented of lightness being "unbearable." I definitely resonate more with Toni Morrison and believe that it help you to fly...

Random Simple Pleasures {7th ed.}

2011-03-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Simple Pleasure #7 ~ Enjoying your local touristy spot, before the busy season

Alki beach here in West Seattle is absolutely gorgeous! Its a long stretch of beach and beautiful walking trails overlooking the sound, mountains, and the Seattle skyline ~ awesome!

Unfortunately though, this means that in the summer it can get crazy. We had a random beautiful day here though last week, so we decided to go enjoy it by sitting on Alki and reading with just the locals, nice and serene....in other words; absolute heaven!

Seriously, does it get any better?!