Lessons Learned

{Looking up through the trees}

I have had an extremely busy week that started with a stressful weekend.  Have you ever wanted something to work out so badly it almost hurt? So much you wanted something to work and all you did was try to make it so, basically just willing it to. And then you finally realize that you can’t force it to work out and that what happens will happen and you can’t change it? Well I learned that lesson again this week and I didn’t like it. It breaks my heart.  All I want is things to go one way and they just won’t. So now I must work with what I have and accept it.  Life seems so unfair at times, which is when I remind myself of all the wonderful things I have. I think I’ll go home soon for some laughs and love from the people who know how to make me laugh the hardest. 

Celebratory

Some people have no interest in little landmarks or occasions. I, however, find them to be very important so that you can take a moment to get your perspective and sense of the present. We spend so much time thinking about the future and dwelling on the past it's easy to lose the now. And once we regain it, we can be on our way.

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!” 

-Dr. Suess

As Pretty As Trash

I was recently publicly patronized in such a manner that I was left literally in disbelief.  Apparently I am very creative although have no concept of money, but my enthusiasm is great!  So I made my sister a birthday card:

I think it’s lovely. I made it out of a Coach shopping bag, an empty tissue box, and a brown bag all of which I was throwing away, some glue and nail polish I already had. In other words: trash.  See the resources below:

Apparently I can make something thoughtful and elegant with economy in mind. I need not spend money to create beauty in this world.  I will let this person slide on the notion that they do not know me well. But all I have to say is bring it on. In a short amount of time, when they actually see me, I will prove them so wrong. Just wait and you’ll see what I mean.

Lunch Trip

{the beauty of the beach}

So a while ago my friend and I decided we wanted pizza for lunch. More specifically we wanted Mack and Manco’s, which is in Ocean City, New Jersey.  We finally made the trip out to my favorite place in the world for some down right delicious food.  If you have never been I highly recommend getting a slice of plain and some birch beer to go with it. You can eat your way to happiness and soak up the beautiful beach.  It was lovely because it’s still Spring so it was chilly and not crowded at all.

{If you've neve riden a surrey I recommend you do it}

{It changed this year to Manco and Manco's in case you weren't aware}

One Long Hot Memorial Day

{Rufus}

This has been a long weekend. I was reunited with some of my best friends Friday while we stuffed our faces with good pizza and curly fries.  Then I went down to Maryland for a wedding reception that was beyond beautiful.  It literally looked like it was out of a magazine.  And I am kicking myself because I brought my camera and then forgot to bring it to the reception. It was absolutely stunning and I think everyone had a good time.  They also have three stinking cute pitbulls that I made friends with. I love pitbulls and then only picture I managed to take was a semi-decent picture of one of them.  Then today, Memorial Day.  I have spent quite a few Memorial Days hot and sweating in a wool band uniform but it does not compare to today.  Those days were awful but today I had to work and the zoo was bumping.  It was also 90 degrees and there was so much work to be done outside. I am utterly spent and I'm curling into a ball and passing out right now.

Thursday: A Recap

{Pretty roses I stole from the rape garden to liven up my desk}

This weekend my best friend came home.  Then I got a sore throat.

Monday I made a delicious dinner. It made me like mushrooms. Then I had dinner set for the week.

Tuesday I was sick.  I was coughing like crazy and felt all around not well so I left work at noon. Then I came home and napped.

Wednesday I fell in the duck pond at work.  I was collecting the eggs and my leg slipped, causing my entire right leg up to my butt to go sliding in.  How I managed to not fall completely in or break the egg in my hand I do not know.  Then I had a gross wet foot for the rest of the day.

Today I’m going apartment hunting, still blowing my nose and wearing full on make up to make me feel good after my duck-and-terrapin-water soaked leg yesterday.

Tomorrow I’m seeing the rest of my best friends from home. Then I'm going to a wedding party.

{Cornbread and Beef Skillet Pie}

{I think any recipe involving dumplings or biscuits baked on top is worth a try}

No Words Required

{Naomi's beautiful decor}

Do you know what it’s like to have a conversation without saying anything? That feeling that a person knows exactly what you’re thinking without putting the slightest bit of effort into it? I do. I love that feeling. My best friends can read my mind. We have whole conversations by simply sharing a look or have conversations that consist of no subject matter but just words like “what if” “and then” “but the” “right, so” “how about” “yes”. And that’s the end of the conversation. I miss always having people around who know what I’m thinking. Not many people at school have mastered that skill yet; they’re still trying to keep up with my fast paced talking. Lucky for me though my favorite people in the world are gracing my presence this week and we are having many conversations both spoken and not.  Funny how having a conversation without words is what made me realize how much I missed having people who know me so well constantly around.

{same brain}