showershower, shower, tennis and drinks.

that's what I did this weekend. oh, and I also showered twice for myself. :)

and it was decidedly a good time. indeedily-do.

so, the only time I really took pictures with my camera was at tennis--I used dana's at the showershower (it was for two people) and I didn't take any at the other shower. I had not played tennis in yeeeeeeears. I think I played a little in college. Okay, I know I did. But I think other than that? Not since early high school. My (un)stepdad used to take us to Zink Park to play. Which was kind of fabulous, I might add. But I haven't really played since then at all.

Matt got us rackets for our anniversary, and Lisa and Richard were going to go with us. Turns out that Janice was having a bit of a tourney/free-for-all so we all got together. I was definitely nervous. a)because I hadn't played in for.ev.er, b)because I was SO not up for anything competitive, and c)because if I was ready to stop playing I wanted that to be okay--I didn't want to mess up a bracket or anything. Oh and? I was assured there wouldn't be a "loser's bracket." We were going to call it "non-winners." Not motivating! :) I suggested that we have an "all-stars" and a "super-stars."

We didn't use any of those! Which was for the best.

Matt and I played Richard and Lisa for a while, and then we switched to a girl's court and a guy's court. I was on a team with Janice's mom, who totally held back until it was 4-4 and we were playing our tie-breaker. It was pretty awesome! I had some very good hits, and some very very "not great" mistakes, but it was still fun and I did not make a complete arse out of myself. Mission accomplished.

We were there for around two hours, and I was all sunblocked and covered as much as I could be. I even spent the last half an hour standing in the shade, covered up in a sweatshirt, waiting for Matt to finish. Thankfully, all I ended up with was a little bit of pink on my face, and it's gone today. In my book, that's a win!

Oh and? My pink racket and pink balls were a hit! (pun absolutely intended) Unfortunately the court was kind of dirty and it made the pink way less pink-ee, but it's not like those are the only ones in the whole wide world, we can get more. I kind of want to see if an even brighter pink is available. Or ones made from recycled materials? So far I've just found recycling programs--ones who take the "dead" tennis balls and give them to animals, or separate them into their constituent parts, or whatever. We'll see...

My right arm and right thumb are sore today. It usually takes me the full 24 hours or more to experience the full soreness, so I'm a bit anxious about what I'll find out in four hours. :) Matt and I are *maybe* going to go play again today, even if it's just for 20-30 minutes, 'cause it's a nice, pleasant workout.

ps: status of tooth is still the same. hurts with cold things, but not the rest of the time. BIZARRE. I think my dentist thinks I'm nuts--I rescheduled the cleaning from wednesday so I could let my tooth not be aggravated further, and basically said "look if it's not better in a week I'm going to NEED the root canal, I can't keep dealing with this." Apparently most people would rather avoid a root canal at all costs--even when it's totally annoying and there's a simple way to fix it. UGH.

one more photography thing--now through june 14th

see my blog and website for availability! Also, if you send any customers my way please be sure to have them mention your name--you'll get a little thank you for referring them, too!

sg thinks I rooooooooock.

do I mean him or the character he writes, hmm?

this was a good start to what will, hopefully, be a good weekend!

First of all, KD elections. Can I just tell you, for the millionth gazillionth time, how thankful I am to count so many wonderful KayDees as my sisters and friends? I LOVE it. Exceptional women! It makes me miss the ones who aren't here anymore (Mary Alise and Andrea and Amy are the first to come to mind) but it also just makes me smile inside and out. :D Also, yay me for managing to NOT be an officer!

Also, I like the plans that are cooking up for Easter. Might rival the one I spent with Mary Alise, Michael and Kara S. maybe, just maybe...

SO.

things things things.

a) Remember how I rented that camera in February (here and here)? well, I was anticipating waiting for my tax return to purchase it. my XTi just isn't cutting the mustard anymore. however, if I buy it now I might be able to save $250 on the lens, and some on the camera body too. we'll see what happens, and I need to decide if I want one of the kit lenses in addition, but yeah. It's exciting for me. I will LOVE using it on my trips this summer, and of course for business too!

b) also, I am having SO MUCH FUN playing with photoshop. A few weeks ago, 'cause my awesome friend Gurdas mentioned the super sale to me, I was able to get my hands on an inexpensive copy of it. I hadn't really had a chance to play with it until yesterday--and it is SLICK. I'll still use Elements 7 since it is quicker, at least for now. but I've downloaded some cool "actions" and I've been playing with them, see? I'm not sure that I love all of 'em, and I've only played with like 8 actions here, but you get the idea. I think that sometimes it will really add a lot to the photos, you know? I am going to really enjoy the add versatility, methinks. All the ones on the left and originals and the right are modified. I definitely need to find more actions though!

c) and this weekend I am *hoping* to get to test out my new lens this weekend as well. It's funky and unusual, you'll like it. It's very much my "style." And it'll finally be sunny (it's not exactly intended for use w/ a flash...) so I can play. :)

d) and now for the non-photography related...this weekend I will be playing tennis. and going to two showers. AND CELEBRATING WITH OLIVIA!! (she defended her masters thesis!) and having brunch with matt at bogarts. we LOVE it and I exchanged coupons with a lady at my church, so now I have THREE sets of the coupons to bogarts and other glenwood ave restaurants. I.Am.Pumped.

e) I got a FANTASTIC package in the mail yesterday. My bff, sjg, sent these in the mail. He is a fancy writer of things that I don't want to write in case someone googles him (it has happened before and I've had to delete it!) but the pictures will show you. Also, yesterday he told me that really I should just store them on the back of my toilet seat because they're just long enough to read while you're "doing your business." I will refrain from storing them there, but that made me giggle.

f) so, apparently my retelling of matt and my anniversary induced exactly two responses. a) aaaaaaw. b) vomit. so, one more thing and I'll stop with that, I swear! Yesterday Matt's final present arrived in the mail. I got a free photo book from shutterfly. It was kind of an ordeal (hint: make sure you like the cover BEFORE you create the book, sometimes you can't change it and have to create it all over again), but the finish product turned out better than I expected. And he LOVED it. I think it probably helped that I put little parts in to remind him where the picture was taken, but we went through it all together and he just thought it was super fantastic. Which makes for a happy Carrie, indeed.

and that, m'dears, is that. time for more ghg and wastewater, beers with Olivia and then a night in with Matt. I'm excited to not be going to Florida this weekend!

[yellow] his house with the [yellow] little window and a [yellow] corvette and everything is [yellow] for her and [her]self and everybody around...

~eiffel 65. ish. take anybody back to college? at least I didn't quote that "you're my butterfly, sugar, baby" song...

I realize today that I am rocking a yellow sweater. with my yellow purse. and had put my lunch in my orange-yellow (I think they call it saffron?) . and I have two yellow file folders on my desk. and yellow and orange post it notes. I think today is a yellow day, hmm? and I think I like it.

it's quite the change from yesterday when I had a hormotional mini-meltdown. too much homework. and choir suuuuuuucked. I don't mind singing/practicing songs that I don't like, 'cause obviously you can't like them all, but our ENTIRE Maundy Thursday thing is just painful. Lots of ugly clashing. Lots of Episcopalian-style hymns (where the text is all at the bottom instead of between the rows o' music.) And I'm singing alto, which I often like, but this part is lowlowlowlow. not good for the carries.

And to top it all off, our choir director is anxious about whether or not we'll pull it together in time. As well he should be, I must say--we're certainly behind, but I think that has a lot to do with how no one really digs the music. Word on the street is that come that evening we'll really be glad we did it, but I'm not holding my breath. Normally choir cheers me up (and I'm sure that extra oxygen helps too) but yesterday it just made me really, really annoyed. Anyhoo, moving on. Today is a much happier day. :) I feel much less stressed having completed my paper progress report and having done all but one part of the homework right--I'll be doing that tonight.

I also really, REALLY want to paint something. I think I need the stress relief. I definitely enjoy photography and find it a creative release, but it is just not the same as painting. Plus, my recent photos have been mostly portraiture, where I'm trying, of course, to please people. With painting I just have to please myself. :)

I think my Sunday plans might have to include brunch at bogart's, tennis with lisa and richard and painting. I was doodling some cool stuff in class, so we'll see what I do. I really want to get a little projector to make my little doodles big!

oh yes, and thanks for the supportive comments and emails on the last post. they please me. :)

so, I never showed y'all these, but they are flowers made of recycled soda bottles. too cool, huh? I really wanted to get one to take home! these were also in baldwin park's art show.

what else...this afternoon I go to the dentist. If I were a betting woman I'd bet you $10 that they're going to tell me I need a root canal.yeehaw I have had quite a few in my day (I think it's six. or seven. I forget.) but not in a couple of years, so I'm not surprised. I just won't like the part where it eats up all of my flex spending money!

aaaand it's time for my taco lunch. oh and go see pictures of corrie and clara--isn't that little girl PRECIOUS?!? she's even more adorable in person. :)

something better than getting engaged.

let's start off with some clarifications, shall we?
a) if at any point you're offended by my post, please kindly stop making everything about you. the sun doesn't revolve around you and neither does this post. it is in no way a comment about your marriage/relationship/lesbian lover. that list is meant to be illustrative, not exhaustive. k?
b) um...I think that's it. ;)

ps: this one's for you, m.

Yesterday was Matt and my two year anniversary. As many of you know, we met on St Patrick's day, our "lucky day." It was awesome. Neither of us were looking, really. And we hit it off tremendously. We've had ups and downs like every healthy relationship does, but I'd say we're well above that seven good things for every bad thing mark that denotes overall goodness.

And I am happy. And so is Matt. And anyone who tells us differently is clearly misinformed.

But something we aren't, that seems to really kinda bug some people (and also, I must admit, occasionally me) is engaged or married. I mean, we live together (shame, shame, I know your name) and we visit each other's families for Christmas, and we have talked about it for sure, but at the end of the day? We aren't there quite yet. And most of the time we're both okay with that.

and, for the record--there are quite a few people who I genuinely appreciate their wondering/curiosity/questions. people who are my friend and who think "gosh y'all are great together, when are you making it 100% official?" that's a lot different than the "what, you're STILL not engaged?!?s" so if you're one of the former, I appreciate it. and if you're one of the latter, please leave us be. :)

And it's not like it's not in the plans some day, it's just not happening, y'know, like yesterday. So moving on...

We're attending SO many weddings this summer/fall. I'm in one, he's in one, I'm photographing three, one also as a guest. I just went to one. There are 2 in april, 3 in may, 1 in june, 1 in july, 2 in august, 1 in october. that's eleven remaining, people. ELEVEN. plus one makes a cool dozen. gracious.

and of our couple friends? of the non-marrieds/non-engaged we are generally the ones who've been dating the longest. I mean, two years is quite a while. heck, two couples getting married this year haven't even been together as long as we have. and though we are very happy for them, we don't feel any less valid or whatever just 'cause we aren't doing that part yet.

because (this is the part where you might need to go revisit item #1) I don't need or want a brand new car on my finger. not now, not ever. (vintage, please. in the I-came-from-a-pawn-shop kind of way. oh and cheap. and small. if anything) And more than that, I definitely don't want anything just 'cause someone who isn't Matt or me thinks it's about dang time. I know that for who we are, there won't be any grand gestures, and our relationship is solid. That's what matters the most to me. And those moments when I think about "hmm, they have a point..." I realize that's because I'm letting the joneses dictate what I think and feel. not me. Anyway...I'm pretty sure I had quite a few people thinking that I might have a 1990 honda on my left hand yesterday, and you know what? I think I got something better.

yesterday we went out to dinner. it was kind of awesome. and yummy. I had never had yellowtail snapper, and it was deelish. good wine. good bread. deelish apple and winter fruit crisp. and then we came home and changed into pajamas and exchanged gifts.

me? I gave matt things that came in pairs, because great things always come in pairs. Casablanca. A set of sheets (eucalyptus wood--I'll let you know how they work out). Hugs and Kisses (a'la hershey). Dinner and movie (we'll have sushi and go to a show!). Benny and Joon. And a picture of Elvis from the craft fair we visited on Saturday in Orlando--not a pair, but he did have a pair of blue suede shoes...

And he gave me a gift with the theme "commitment."

he's committed to my health--three things of sunblock (SPF 70-face, 70 body and 85 body) and zyrtec. and a tennis racket.
he's committed to my entertainment and well being--handheld tetris. pretty in pink. 27 dresses. dan in real life.
he's committed to my interests--reduce-reuse-recycle sign. conserve painting. tulips--two colors, one that matches the kitchen, so I can take pictures of them. waist band water bottle holder--so I can have a water bottle handy during my shoots.
he's committed to doing things together--he got me a tennis racket.
he's committed to making me laugh--he bought me a sock monkey jack in the box.
he's "even" committed to my cats--he got two eco-friendly cat toys.
and there was more.
and then, of course, he told me he was committed to me. :)

and I think that kind of thinking carries a whole lot more weight (for me) than jumping into things when we're just not quite to that point.

and 'cause I'm down with the listage today...other things that make me glad that, right now, we are right where we are.

-no one calls me Mrs. Anything. (I actually hate being called "Miss" too. Miss Richardson is what people would call a 5 year old on a formal invitation--I'm 28 and support myself, thanks. And Miss Carrie? kind of sounds like what happens when someone doesn't carry their baby to term)
-read the list for that gift again. what an AWESOME way of expressing that sentiment. non-traditional, creative and real. just like me. :)
-If I got engaged then I'd have to stop hanging out with all my other boyfriends. KIDDING. I only have the one. :)
-when sales people say "go home and talk to your husband" I can make them feel awkward.
-no one is pressuring us to have babies.
-I don't have to make any big life decisions right now.
-I can be a little selfish with my money and my interests.
-and I can still try to catch the bouquets at receptions.

I am sure the list of being engaged/married is potentially longer and better. I know it is/could be--I've been there, remember? But for now, I really like the list I've got. :)

ps: please excuse the quality o' the picture--my point and shoot is being persnickety. And it wasn't worth breaking out the slr.

watch this. read it too. it is worth every one the hundred and four seconds.

seriously, do.

I saw this 'cause there's a blog I read. I've told you about it before. Y'see, I found her blog 'cause someone commented on mine, and they also read hers. We're both eco-friendly, socially aware people, and I think we both inspire each other and teach each other new things, and I like that. reason number one million and seventeen why I like blogging. :)

my, my, my

two years ago: party-hopped after studying my ass off for the GRE. I had decided on wednesday to take it the following monday. made a deal with myself: I could go to The White's party and Chris and Ariel's You Can't Spell Hospitality Without Hospital party #2 if and only if I went through the vocab and covered my shower wall with words. So I showered, dryed my hair, barely thought about my appearance at all--and it didn't even occur to me that I was at a house full of single guys with character references until Patty pointed it out. :) At the White's house, Kara introduced me to Matt. At C&A's house, I told them about the cute boy I met. 36 hours later I took the GRE and got exactly what I wanted. 48 hours later Matt called me and we spoke for two hours. And so it goes. :)

one year ago: cuteness.

today: dinner at bloomsbury bistro. :)

Enjoy your St Patrick's day! When you drink that green beer/wine/champagne, have a little green sip for Matt and me, okay?

cute little bag!

I saw this on TWO blogs--a fun little monogrammed bag for free! See Lauren Nicole Gift's blog and site--this is her "wacky wednesday deal!"

She has some REALLY cute stuff and she was able to make me a KD ring, which I'm excited about--especially because she was willing to test things out and see if she could do it BEFORE I ordered.

the first 15 people to comment on her page and blog about it get a free bag, so hurry up and visit if you want one! or visit her site to look at her other cute stuff!

gorgeous!

I'm talking about the bride, the flowers, the weather, you name it! I really had a great time this weekend!

friday: arrived. lunch at the hotel. nap. rehearsal dinner. Darin gave his groomsmen boxes of cigars as their present--and the one he gave to his best man (also his brother) said "it's a boy!" This was not purposeful. hilarity ensued.

we also had a guy come play the bagpipes, and they actually sounded really, really GOOD. the rehearsal dinner was outside and it was wiiiiiiiiindy. I took some pictures (per the photographer's request, actually!--that's him in the picture below) and I'll share 'em when I get them edited. I only had a chance to edit a few! oh also, my hotel-mates ended up being pretty fab. I was a little anxious about staying with two people I'd never met before, but as soon as they showed up and we got in the car I knew it was going to work out juuuuust fine. :D

saturday: got up and ate breakfast at a mom and pop place with deelish sweet rolls and gross omelets (they used kraft cheese on them, ew!) and then went to the baldwin park art fair. I got the pieces I showed you below, two other items (one for my mom and one for matt!) AND an opal necklace. All for less that $75, which I consider quite the accomplishment! we grabbed some snacks for lunch, hung out in the room for a bit and got ready for the wedding!

another girl (dina? deanna? I can say it but I can't spell it!) showed up and the four of us scooted off to the ceremony. in the pic that's cassie, me, dina and lashon. the pastor was great (and interesting, he talked about the brownings!) and del looked so beautiful, and the flowers were wonderful, and man, it was just really good. And Darin was cutely nervous and oh, goodness, so great. Love it!

the reception was really fun too. Got to see Beth and Dave--Beth and I were the only KDs there and no, we didn't sing, but Del DID do something special for us--see the picture of our table card. :) there was LOTS of dancing and eating! they had a mini-cake for the two of them and served everyone else strawberry shortcake. and had sparklers when they left, and MAN did people attack their car with toilet paper and shaving cream, yikes! And I had fun with the sparklers, too!

when we finally headed home...
a) I noticed I had a HUGE blister on the bottom of my left big toe. holy smokes. I took a picture. It is gross. Just trust me on that. It's much better now though!
b) we found out that our air conditioner was soooo not working. cassie's alarm clock was also a thermometer--and it was 77 degrees in our room.
c) we giggled. a lot. it was like a big ol' slumber party. :)

and then sunday (yesterday) I flew out, had bruegger's when I got home and then matt and I watched tv and napped all day. which. was. glorious. it was also Renee's birthday, and I miiiiiight have neglected to hang up the phone after I left her a birthday voicemail--so she got a good giggle out of us deciding if we were having waffles or french toast for dinner. french toast won by the way!

I am VERY thankful that I will not be going out of town for two weeks, and that when I do it will be much less of a whirlwind. I am so glad I could go to Del's wedding too--I've been so sad to miss other KD sister's weddings 'cause I couldn't afford to go at the time, but I'm thankful that I could this time!!

new art for my home!

We went the art festival in Baldwin park today and I found some art I LOVED! I think it might all go in my kitchen and dining area and I'm excited. Right now 99% of works in the house are from yours truly, and then there's one from the talented Brooke Apker Knight, so I'm excited to expand!



Time to get ready for the wedding!



-post from my iphone!

florida flight two...

I've already realized I forgot my laptop charger and shower stuff. Oopsie. I remembered my shoes, dresses and purse though :) time to turn off the phone!



-post from my iphone!

random urge to paint.

It has been quite some time since I last broke out the ol' acrylics. Since before I moved into my home. And I've been wanting to paint for a while, but now I must REALLY want to paint, because I am thinking of doing some crazy things.

case in point: the bathroom. I haven't decided for sure which one I'd rather paint, but I'm pretty sure it's the half bath on the second floor. It's a pale blue right now, and I want to paint over it. Mind you, we painted it, oh, 9 months ago?

I want to paint a tree in there. I want to get some colors and mix a little gloss into it, and put clouds on the blue to make it a sky, and put some green and brown at the bottom, and give the tree a big ol' trunk and lots of leaves, and perhaps a bird.

I *might* talk Matt into letting me put some clouds and green if I buy a tree decal and put it on the wall, but I am not a fan of wall decals in general (especially ones with words--sorry if you have them, but they are not my cup of tea), and I kind of want to PAINT it. It's a very small space, we can always paint over it to sell it later...right?!?

"now where's your picket fence, love? and where's your shiny car?"

~the all american rejects

Hiya. It's wednesday. And that makes me pleased, despite the fact that I have something due that I have SO not finished, and despite having choir, and despite the fact that I have not yet fully unpacked from the trip to Naples, and I'm leaving for Orlando in 48 hours. FORTY EIGHT HOURS! EEKS!

I think it might be the coffee talking. :)

things:

-yesterday I got my test back. I was a skosh nervous about it, since, y'know, I went to see Ben Folds the night before. I did not get an A, and I am more than fine with that--I got my As when it was important, now a B is more than acceptable. And that's what I got! I am SUPER pleased. Totally the right decision. :)

-last night I went to that college and career thing, figuring I at least needed to check it out. I'm glad I went, but I don't think it will become a regular part of my life. I did make some suggestions (thanks Leanne and Renee and everyone!) such as: hows abouts we have one tuesday meeting a month and then the other thing float? And, hows abouts we try to do things in conjunction with things we're already doing? e.g., lunch after church? They seemed like they thought that could be okay.

-I just paid off a revolving medical expense balance I had. This pleases me greatly. It means I no longer have any dental work debt. Yippee!

-I went to the grocery store last night, and I noticed that back side of the receipt was covered with coupons--two of which are for BRUEGGERS!! They don't expire until the end of the year, either. Matt and I are DEFINITELY going to be using these. It's kind of like they gave me $7ish back, because we would SO be spending that money anyway!

-I am catching up on photo editing. This pleases me too! I put up some maternity/family photos yesterday.

and most exciting of all...drumroll please...

Yesterday I officially helped impact environmental legislation. Like, in real life. Check it out. Many, many people were involved in this from many different businesses, to be sure. But I was one of them. This is a big BIG deal to me. And I. Am. Stoked. The press release is here.

okay, back to metal HAP process vents. oh, the joy. you should be jealous. ;)

{it.has.been.too.long.}

I do apologize for the lack of posting. Clearly the rest of Friday and all of Saturday and Sunday were, to say the least, exhausting. I am SO GLAD I could be there, but my goodness.

On Saturday there was the family viewing, followed by a public viewing, followed by the service, followed by a reception at the funeral home, followed by people coming back to the house to spend time together. It was a long, difficult day.

and on a sidenote, I learned that blueberry coffee is totally disgusting.

One part of everything was pretty remarkable though--as I stood with my cousins, greeting the people who came to the funeral and accepting their condolences (and explaining that I am Lila's granddaughter and sometimes elaborating that I'm the closest relative to them) I was OVERWHELMED. This extraordinary Aunt of mine was a very active TriDelt. She'd always been so, and she jumped right in as soon as she moved three years ago--and what an incredible display of sisterhood--there were so, SO many TriDelt women there to honor Mary Ann. It was just, wow.

One of my cousins in unaffiliated, and the other two are an Alpha Gamma Delta and a Kappa Kappa Gamma. We actually have a lot of Greeks in my family--you know that my granny and I are both Kappa Deltas, as was one of my aunts, but then we have another TriDelt, a Kappa Alpha, a Sig Ep, and at least two other men and one other woman who are in houses but I can't remember which ones. And someone is a ChiO, but I can't recall that either. But anyway--meeting all of these women who came out just really made me proud to be a part of it, proud to be Greek. And thankful, of course, on behalf of my Aunt, because I know it would mean so much to her to have her sisters there.

******

While in Florida I also had some really great conversations with my cousin Kim. I told her how supportive her mom always was to me--how she'd offered to pay for the sorority if I couldn't afford it (though once I got all my scholarships to TU my grandparents were able to use the tuition $ they'd set aside since I didn't need them), how she sent me care packages at the dorm on holidays, how she always gave me little pep talks every time she saw me. Kim told me how her mom was always impressed by what I'd accomplished and how far I'd come from where I started. Which is a gigantic compliment coming from such a lady.

And we talked about memories together--of family reunions and drawing carebear symbols on our tummies and their old house and family gatherings and how important family IS.

It was so sad, but then at the same time, so heart-warming. We talked about being "blood" and how our children would know their "Auntie" and the last name Junk and anyway...it was really good that I could be a part of that. I think that since my granny and aunt mary ann were the ones with the close friendship we all wondered if the family would go their separate ways--but now we know that won't be happening. :)

okay, enough recollections, onto the pictures.

Florida was SO PRETTY. Saturday was GORGEOUS. And Sunday started off a little hazy but cleared off at lunch. Wow. And? I managed to get a tiny sunburn sitting on the patio Sunday, so I definitely enjoyed the sunshine, per people's instructions. :)

below you will see: the girls' father's tie pin (he passed away when I was 4ish), sunny florida and flowers and the gulf of mexico (I'd never been to the gulf!), birds by the airport and luggage being loaded onto the plane--the polka-dot suitcase is mine!

oh, southwest.

so I'm on the plane. waiting for others to board. and think we probably have the most literal flight attendant EVER.

as you know I fly pretty often. and every time I have my backpack and my kd tote. and I put my purse in the tote to give them my ticket. and then I take it out while I wait to board.

and for the first time in my life the attendant made me put it back in my tote until I was seated. seriously. had to step off the plane and everything. (I had rearranged while I waited)

anyhoo almost flight time. catch you in Florida!

-post from my iphone!

I am absolutely still working on it

BUT I made this layout all by myselves. er...mostly. I didn't like come up with the font or whatever. but I pieced it all together myself! I am still doing some changer-oos though and I may totally scratch it and try something different, but in the meantime...enjoy. and please let me know if you have suggestions. the header looks a skosh fuzzy so I'm going to work on that.

churchity churchchurchchurch

as you loverly readers know, I am a regular church-goer. I sing in the choir. I volunteer. I'm on the communications committee. I worked with the youth group. I help with VBS. I'm the "church photographer." Recently I even got to participate in a Bible Study there. And I liked it.

Overall, I enjoy being a part of it. And I love our pastor. I love the building. The people are fantastic. Well, except for the part where they're always asking me to do things and be involved with this or that, but still...generally good.

However, I am having a bit of a problem with a new activity they're working on. You see, I am in that awkward age for most churches--the twenty-something. If you were involved in church before, you've graduated and moved on from whatever that was. You might've gone off to school for FOUR years which really changes things. Maybe you have a new career, or a new marriage, or a new baby, or a new house. New friends. You're paying for your own everything, from qtips to life insurance, and you're just in this period of CHANGE.

So, okay, fine, it makes sense that the church, any church, would want to cater to that group. They're probably establishing their lives and it's easier to encourage them to make room for church from the get-go than it is to have them carve out time later.

But, here's the thing:

My church is forming what they're describing as "a youth group for the 20 somethings." Play games, do service projects, raise funds, etc. Also, sounds fine in theory. But--and I'm guessing here--maybe MAYBE 20 people in our entire church fall into that category. MAYBE. Probably more like 12-15. That's including both of the ones that are a couple and anyone who is on the rolls. I'd imagine that if you broke that down to those who regularly attend you're at more like 8. Maybe 7.

It's just...it's not that I think that doing this is bad or dumb or anything. Really, it might be a great opportunity for some people to become more active and all. But I guess I just feel A LOT of pressure to be a dedicated part of it. Like if I don't, someone will think less of me, or have their feelings hurt, or whatever. And quite frankly, I don't have the time/desire to make the time to go to a tuesday night meeting every other week. I don't want to stop rock climbing, I don't want to have another standing time commitment and I don't want this to "become a big thing" and "give all the help and support I can." Except I also don't want to deal with the whys and the wonderings.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, so I will be going to that just to see. I mean, I know it can't hurt. And I was honest with the gal who seems to be kind of leading it--I told her I'd come with I am available but I'm not making a commitment to be there--but still. I feel like I need to go explain to three-ish of the higher-on-the-totem pole people in the church.

And? This is probably the part of church that people like the least. The guilt-ish feeling for not giving more, more, more. Perhaps I'm just in a negative mood? Perhaps.

I'll let you know how it goes...

happier things

I got some rocktastic mail last week. Totally made my day(s).

Item #1: (late-but-I-won't-hold-it-against-you-even-a-little) birthday present from guess who...

If you haven't heard yet I loveloveLOVE Alice in Wonderland. It's my favorite book. I have a rockin' halloween costume that I'll be sporting again when my hair is longer. It is fantastic. I have an amazing Alice in Wonderland Pop-Up book. My mom wishes she named me Alice. LOVE it. Love these. LOVE.

and my mom is going to be SO jealous.

and if you didn't guess already, it's my fellow lover-of-all-things-alice, Sterling.

Item #2: a little something-something from Maria. I think it's from when I won her pay it forward or something, is that correct? So now I need to do that? Maria, clear that up please and I'll do my part. But I had actually been eyeing THIS VERY BAG on baggu.com, and I realized I needed more produce bags because mine are constantly in use...and then look what comes to my doorstep, hmmm? YAY! and thank you again!

I also made TWO of my favorite dinners this weekend. One is called Botanas. I told you about it before--Patty brought it to me and then was gracious enough to share the recipe. mmmmmmm. easy. delicious. quick. mmmm.

AND I got to make Chicken with Paprika Sauce. I used canned tomatoes and added some garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne to give it a little kick, but MAN did it hit the spot. I am excited about eating the leftovers tomorrow!

and and and-post number 2 for the greeny blog to which I contribute went up today, see? I'm really enjoying writing for them, so please check it out!

And I got to see my friend Kelly on Friday night. Y'know, the guy from the airplane to Portland. Never, ever thought I'd see him again. Now? Think I just might. It was really fun to hang out with him, and he and Matt got along well.

Also, I took pictures for Audrey and Corrie and their little ones on Saturday morning. We had FUN. I am so excited about editing more of them, I can't even tell you. It was chilly and rainy but everything worked out and we got some GREAT shots!

I have only been to florida like three times EVER

and now I might double that in less than a month.

yesterday I found out that my Aunt Mary Ann passed away. Her youngest daughter Kelly found her--in her home, on her couch, peacefully deceased. Her youngest daughter who is only a year younger than I am. In addition to the shock, since this was totally unexpected, and in addition to the experience Kelly had to have had, matters are even worse since a) in a situation like this they have to treat it like a crime scene, and b) they aren't really sure what her wishes are. It's just sad on so many levels, not the least of which is that my loud, tell-it-like-it-is, fantastic Aunt Mary Ann is no more.

I am sad, but I don't think it's really hit me. I hope to go to the funeral, or if I can't make it for that, at least go to Miami for the weekend to help my cousins with whatever they need. (and, if you're someone mentally thinking about my family tree, technically they are all my more-than-first cousins, a few lines over and some spaces across--but I saw them as much or more than some of my first cousins and real aunts.)

And, my family members just dealt with another death not so long ago, too. My mom's cousin Steve, just a month ago. Apparently I met him when I was like 3 months old, but I never saw him again. I've heard lots of stories though, like about how the "Keep 'Em Separated" song was appropriate for him and my Aunt Gayla--the two of them weren't allowed to sit next to each other at the table or they'd fight or get into trouble or cause a ruckus.

Anyhoo. It's all very sad, but I am okay. If you're the thought-thinking type, please think of my cousins and my granny and my mother and aunt gayla, because I know they need it more than I do.

fortunately the other two times are more pleasant--one is for the wedding of my fantastic KD sister Del in Orlando, and the other is for a trip with Matt's family in Ft Lauderdale.

But yeah. Doubling my trips to Florida in less than a month. Gracious.

Happier post later, I swear. This day has been kind of a downer, sorry.

the trees look like this...

Yet I am at work. Boo hiss.

I am way behind on blogging I'll fix that asap. Happy International Badge Day!


-post from my iphone!