I really am thankful!!!

I had this post sitting on my desktop for days and just realized that I never posted it. Whoops! Pretend it is almost Thanksgiving day as you read!

As a wonderful, food-filled day is approaching, I suppose I should express my love and gratitude for everything I am thankful for. I’ve seen people constantly updating their facebooks daily with items they are thankful for. I am truly blessed and have a hard time just narrowing it down to only 25 (I say 25 because there are only 25 days in November before Thanksgiving.)

So here is my list:

-Family – they have to be first. They are who made me who I am today. Their constant love and support constantly blows my mind. I don’t say it enough for how thankful I am. I can not even begin to imagine my life without any of them and I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

-Friends – life would be miserable without them. My friends constantly brighten my day and make me laugh. They have the best shoulders to cry on and ears for listening.
-Puffs Plus tissues with lotion – these are a lifesaver! After finally getting over a gruesome cold, these tissues truly put my nose at ease. You would think after going through about 4 boxes of tissues my nose would be raw but these wonderful pieces of heaven speak true to their commercial – a nose in need deserves puff indeed!
-Cold medicine – considering the previous item on the list, this goes hand-in-hand – Equate brand nighttime/daytime cold medicine definitely a cold miracle
-Hot showers – something so simple that I take granted for daily.
-One bedroom apartments – Don’t get me wrong- I have had some great roommates who are some of my closest friends – but MAN do I love living alone. I don’t have to be considerate! (Haha) I can clean whenever and I can’t get mad about it because it is my mess. I love leaving the bedroom and bathroom door open. I don’t worry about where my roommates are when it’s late at night and they aren’t home yet. I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever have to go back to having roommates.
-Chrysalis – words cannot express my gratitude for the experiences I have had with Chrysalis. I am just in love!
-Best friends – I feel like this is pretty self-explanatory. The greatest gift I have ever been given.
-Sleeping – I just love sleeping. Nothing is better than curling up with cushiony covers and being so comfortable you don’t want to move. A comfortable bed is something I definitely take for granted.
-Beautiful weather – I love walking outside in just jeans, chacos and a sweatshirt and it feel absolutely perfect.
-Courage – so thankful that I have overcome so many obstacles in my life with even just the smallest amount of courage
-Charlie Brown – what a pal, that guy! One of my favorite parts of Fall – watching Charlie Brown specials on TV. My sweet baboo!
-Becoming an Aunt – I have never been so happy before! I cannot wait to spoil this baby boy and just love him unconditionally! The end of April cannot get here soon enough!
-Music – I love that I have music for ANY mood I am in. It definitely makes my life happy.
-Love of Books – I think I am fortunate enough that school did not cause me to hate reading. Of course, I don’t like reading forced material but I still love to read a good book. I hope that as a teacher I can pass on to my students a future in a love for reading.
-Photography – Over the past few years I have discovered this love for photography and taking pictures. I am so blessed to be given the opportunities to expand my love by being a camp photographer and learning new things in a free photography class at school.
-Children – I am incredibly thankful that I have a strong love for children and teaching them. I can’t wait to have my own classroom and I hope my love for children will get me through the hardships that come with education
-Hot Chocolate – Hot chocolate just warms the soul – I have found that Swiss Miss trumps Nestle but who knew Land o’ Lakes could make some bangin’ mint hot chocolate?
-Morningstar foods – as a fairly new vegetarian I am so thankful for Morningstar foods – who knew veggie meat could taste so real!
-Parents who pay for things – I am SO incredibly thankful for having parents that could pay my way through undergraduate school, my apartment, my cell phone and my car. I forget these things often but they sure mean a lot to me.
-Good food that reminds me of other things – I don’t really know how to describe this except for there are times when I eat something, smell something or hear something and it reminds me of really great memories. I am thankful for memories.
-Snow – truly a beautiful gift from God and I am thankful that I get to sit here and watch it fall peacefully as I write this
-Fuzzy socks – they keep your feet warm and are fuzzy – enough said
-Laughing – I love to laugh and I am so thankful to have so many things in my life that allow me to laugh and have a good time
-My life – I am just incredibly blessed and thankful for the life I have. I am happy. I rarely have complaints. I have a great and supportive family. I have amazing friends. I don’t think I could do any better.

... laughter is the best medicine ...

ver the past few months, DVR has become my new best friend. i don't know what i'll ever have to do if i have to get rid of it! i've realized that i now would rather not watch shows in real time (i even just like starting the show halfway through), it's much more fun to fast forward through commercials instead. a few days or so ago, i recorded "Women of SNL" - i finally made it through watching (most of it) and found myself remembering my favorite three skits... - such classics and a great cure for a bad day! (i couldn't find the videos on youtube but found them on NBC.com)

First there was the Spartan Cheerleaders - LOVE! (sorry that it's not the best quality)

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin is always a good time.

But my favorite would have to be Debbie Downer at Disney World. especially when everyone starts to loss it (at about 3:30) - i probably rewound and watched this 5 times!

Thank you SNL for many years of parodies and laughter!

...these are a few of my favorite things...

lhat a wonderful and relaxing weekend it has been. there is nothing i love more than sleeping (ok, maybe there are a few things...) and sleep is what i've done. i started out my weekend listening to some very talented friends play at a benefit show.


and then ...

for the first time ever...

i watched....


...the sound of music.

i know i know. gasp all you want. but in my defense - when i was little, i watched (multiple times) the movies we had on VHS. the sound of music was not one of them. seeing as how i loved mary poppins, i'm sure i would have loved sound of music, but we just didn't own it. i also feel that the sound of music is one of those movies that if you don't watch as a child, you most likely won't ever watch it. so there. so upon numerous gasps and WHAT?!! from my mother and amy motley, i rented it on netflix. knowing this is one of their favorite movies, i tried my best to fall in love with it. however, it was 3 hours long and i just didn't have a connection. i didn't hate it - but i probably won't be purchasing it any time soon - sorry! at least i tried...

so keeping in tune with the sound of music, i decide to make a list of a few of my favorite things that i experienced this weekend:
(side note - why would a favorite thing be whiskers on kittens?????)
-snow
-movies
-ice cream
-Avett Brothers and Pearl Jam
-photography
-reading a good book
-curling up on a couch
-sleeping
-being lazy
-a warm bed
-laughing


...so long, farewell...

... Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise...

Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise

just spent the last hour watching the Avett Brothers on a live streaming concert on facebook. My love for them grows more and more every time I listen to them. I discovered them years ago from a friend I worked with and my life has never been the same! I have seen them multiple times and concert and just smile thinking of watching them live. If you ever get a chance to see them, I highly recommend it! 

The first time I saw them, I caught myself just watching instead of singing along. They are such incredible performers. You can just feel how much they love what they do by watching them. So much energy is brought to their performances – I just can’t get over it. They have come so far and are now making it in the "big time" and I am so happy for them. I was lucky enough to see them in Raliegh a few weeks ago and was blown away. They played for about 3 hours and did two encores. Not only do they perform with such liveliness, they are SO grateful. They are continuously thanking their fans and are so appreciative. It just makes me smile to see them do anything. They are so genuine and I love that they write all of their stuff. Just pure talent.

One of my favorite songs to listen to and see live would have to be “Talk on Indolence”. If anyone has been to a concert with me, they can vouch by saying that I cross my fingers and say this title over and over and over again until it is played. It must work, because they’ve played it at every concert I’ve been to. Why do I love this song might you ask? Well, I shall tell you. Last semester I had two classes off campus from ASU and I had to drive to Wilkesboro and Hickory weekly. This allows for many hours of music listening. The first time I heard this song live, it was one of the only songs I couldn’t sing along with because it was so many words in such a short amount of time. I decided on my nice long journey to class, I was determined to learn all the words. So I put the song on repeat and listened until I got it down pat. Now I request this song often so I can show off my skills of memorizing this song. J My next goal – “I Killed Sally’s Lover”

While watching, I heard someone sum them up to a tee –“They write music that hits everyone – it can really speak to your soul – just listen to “Salvation”; they came here for truth and family – they have strong morals and values and they have always kept to themselves”

Thank you Avett Brothers for coming into my life. You are such a pick-me-up and I can’t wait to see you AGAIN to ring in the New Year!!!

(p.s. - the video at the top is all one painting - how awesome!

... peace out October...

ow... it's already November? i feel like I just watched "It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and now it's time to get out "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". i'm not complaining too much, because any excuse for a Charlie Brown movie is a good enough excuse for me! and since i just started a monthly trial of Netflix, i can watch good ol' charlie anytime!

-tomorrow/today is election day - praise the lord! i am so ready to stop seeing campaign ads on tv, getting phone calls, having my mailbox stuffed and seeing road signs everywhere - especially since i voted weeks ago. i hope you all will use your voice to vote -otherwise, you're not allowed to complain.

...so, in the past few months, i decided to set goals for myself. i'm trying to accomplish all of the to the best of my ability but they definitely are going to take time
-learning to play the guitar (i've learned numerous chords but am not so great at strumming)
-watching all my movies from a-z (i am in the "s" section of over 350 movies and tv shows on dvd)
-continuously updating this blog
-getting back in shape and losing at least 50 lbs. (this may sound extreme but this is not a drastic number, it's where i used to be before gaining the "freshman/sophmore/junior/senior 50") - one of these days i hope to wake up with so much motivation to actually accomplish this goal
-watching oprah's last season (i have laughed, cried and learned so much during this season of DVR'd episodes)
-reread all seven harry potter books (not for the movies, just because)
...so there are just a few -hopefully i can keep it up...


appy birthday Scott Coggins - i am so thankful that you are in my life. you've taught me all i need to know about -using my own mind when it comes to picking out favorite music, -successfully escaping any WWF wrestling move, and -making mom laugh when she's trying to be mad at us. thank you for the wonderful and loving man you have become and for loving me the best way any older brother could.

...until next time...

... it starts ...

o after hours upon annoying hours, i have finally created this blog. thank you to all of the thoughtful minds that helped me create this. my goal is to update this regularly - and i hope i can stick to that goal. i must first say that i will try my best to spell check my words but i cannot promise i will punctuate or capitalize correctly. therefore, you are not allowed to criticize or "fix" my grammatical mistakes. this isn't a paper for school - it's just me writing with whatever comes to mind. (i hope it doesn't turn you off...)


having no idea what to write about for a first post, i guess you can just get to know me...


Facts of my life:
-i don't think i will ever get tired of snow and i get frustrated with people that come to ASU and hate snow, as well as being cold.
-i am left-handed and i have the worst, smallest handwriting ever.
-i love power outages. i think it is more fun to be with people and play board games then to just sit and watch t.v.
-i have wanted to be an elementary school teacher since i was in kindergarten. no lie.
-i have an issue with patience; as in, i don't have any.
-M&Ms are my weakness.
-i absolutely hate to lose. anything. EVER.
-when in physical pain, i laugh. (when i was little, the only way to make my brother mad when he was beating me up was to laugh - he would get frustrated and would then leave me alone - and it stuck.)
-my life would be complete if i could wear chacos every day and duke never won a single game (in anything) ever again.
-give me ice cream and you'll win me over.
-(don't judge) - i still sleep with my baby blanket, but now how most people would - most people hold theirs when they sleep ... mine has always been balled up like a pillow
-i eat peanut butter out of the jar (and cookie dough out of the tub)
-with anything, it has to be set on an odd number - mostly, volume.
-i drink apple juice like it's water and it's going out of style.
-for some reason, i have always worn my belt to the side instead of the buckle being in the middle like most people.
-i get excited when i am eating peanut M&Ms and i find one without a peanut and it's just a lot of chocolate.
-i never thought i'd have a "real" BFF. i mean sure in elementary school and what-not you say you have one but you feel the same about everyone else equally. i love the fact that i can say that i DO have a REAL BFF and she knows more about me than i do myself.
-green is my favorite color because back in the day, green M&Ms were the "prettiest" out of the five original colors and before blue came along.
-i think life at camp is better than life anywhere else. you are disconnected from the outside world and you are nothing but happy. it's ok if you don't shower daily and it's ok to wear hot pink shorts with a green shirt and no makeup. no one cares.
-i really want a tattoo and already have it drawn out but can't seem to make myself get it. i keep coming up with excuses.
- i am ALWAYS in the middle of reading a book... sometimes i start books without finishing others. books are on my wish lists as gifts. romance/chick reads and children books are the fave but there is no limit if i find it good.
-i laugh at COMPLETELY inappropriate times... especially if Helen Keller is mentioned. i also literally am the person that laughs about something that happened yesterday at a complete inappropriate time...
-i don't do mayonnaise. ever. even in my thoughts. (which limits a lot of foods but that doesn't bother me)
-every time i hear the song "chasing cars" i stop what i'm doing and just listen. i don't think i will ever get tired of that song




..and so starts this blog...