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Bits of Love

Here are a few bits and pieces of our Thanksgiving weekend with some of our family.  Seeing family is not something that we can do very often, so getting together is so special and important to us.  I miss them all so much and would give anything to have us all living near each other.

Old family photos on the mantle.

 Relaxing together, watching a morning movie.

 Uncle Buck!  One of the best movies of all time.

Visiting at Grandma's apartment.
 

Learning about the history of the art and photos on Grandma's walls.

This is a photo of Grandma and her parents!  Look at how fabulous they are!

Still life.
Everything in it's place.
 

My beautiful little sister, Lauren.
 

Shaking our heads!

Looking at old photos with Grandma and hearing about the history of our family.
 



The table is set for an amazing dinner.  There is not a lack of good food to eat when we all get together!
  
 

Seeing our parents as babies!
 



Telling stories, talking of memories and making new ones.
  

The hardest part is saying goodbye.
  



           

Until we meet again.

Now Introducing: Canon Digital Rebel XSi

Thanksgiving Day was the first day with my new DSLR.  

I'm brand new to this type of camera and am humble enough to say that I know nothing about how to use it.  With the exception of the bits that I've been reading so far - the only things I truly knew how to do were put the lens on and turn the camera on! Important, yes.  But there's so much more to figure out before great picture taking can begin!

Here are some photos from Thanksgiving evening... all taken by trial and error!  I can't wait until I know what I'm doing.  Practice makes perfect... so, I'm off to take more pictures!

  

Halloween Preview

Last year was a bloody zombiefest.

We had no shame in our ripped jeans, popped collars and douchy attitudes - as long as they were doused in mockery and fake blood.

It's fun to be scary... gross... creepy... weird...

But I want to swing the pendulum the other way this year for Halloween.

Sugary sweet.  Sickeningly cute.  But - still a little on the demented side, of course.  Most of that will come into play with the make-up and the attitude.

I can't wait to show you the entire look!!

Ode To Mother

I feel so lucky to have a great mother.  She really.. really... realllllyyy is THE best.  

She has become my very best friend.  The older I get, the closer we get and I love that.

I look up to her for so many different reasons.

She sacrificed so that I could have the things I needed.  And sometimes even the things I wanted!

She did not marry this guy!  Phew!

She taught me to think for myself and to learn how to find my own path in life.  She allowed me to have my own beliefs and never told me WHAT to think... she instead taught me HOW to think.

She always knew how to be goofy and silly and make people smile.  She once did a cartwheel and splits in the living room during a sleepover I was having.  A strange mix of totally awesome and super embarrassing.  For her - lots of pain after realizing it has been too long since she's tried those tricks.

She was always nurturing but never overprotective.

She supported me always.  It did not ever matter to her what I wanted to do.  She never made me feel like I needed to be something I wasn't.  I never had to prove to her that I was great.  She accepted me and loved me unconditionally.  She of course, still does.

She never made me have those poofy curled bangs that curled downward AND upward.  She mostly let me do my hair however I wanted.

She always told me that even though she has two kids, I will always be the favorite and she vowed to always give me more attention than my brother.

Just kidding, Bri.  ;)

Seriously - LOOK at my brother's face in that photo.  The Devil with the broken arm, that's him.  

Luckily for her, I was always an angel - not just on Halloween.

My mom was always doing silly things - like trying to... wait... what IS going on in that photo?  Ohh she's trying to rollerblade!  In a unique and creative way!  She is unique and creative :).

And she always made sure we spent lots of quality time with my Grandma... HER beautiful and inspiring mother.

I have been told I am a lot like her.  That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.  My Grandma is my hero.  She was artistic, witty, honest, energetic, motivated, organized, responsible, open-minded and open-hearted.  She, like my mother, did not judge or hold expectations.  She did not complain or demand.  Her essence will always be with me as I live my life.

Thank you Mom.

I'm sending you all my love today and always!

Welcome, 2009!!!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

I hope that you rang in the New Year with happiness and love!
Let's make it the best year we've ever had, shall we??

 

Inspiring Christmas

This Christmas has been inspiring.
I feel like I'm on the brink of a whole new life that is ahead of me.

Only a couple more weeks until Evan and I make it super official that we're sharing our lives together and it feels like a fresh start.
The beginning of our life story.
The kind that starts with "Once upon a time..." and I will refer to him as "my Prince" just like my Grandmother did about my Grandfather when writing the story of her own life.

I think this time I'll just share some photos of things that made me happy this Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

Work Christmas Party 2008

Work throws us a big party every year right before Christmas.
I mean... BIG.  Like, a couple thousand people are there.

Each year there is some form of entertainment.  This year, we had Girl Talk.
Things got a bit crazy.

  

Even sitting on the floor, we give thanks.

A bit belated, but just as good - a story of my Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving dinner this year was so much fun.  Evan and I went to Peter's apartment downtown with Heidi and Dan.  We all brought some of the necessary Thanksgiving foods - and when combined - became a feast!

 

We're out of college but still not totally transitioned out of those college-like ways.  For example... none of us own a dining room table with chairs.  The closest anyone comes to that is Evan and I because we do have a pretty nice table but no chairs for it.  :).  Peter has the biggest and best living room so it was an easy choice.  We were going to have Thanksgiving dinner on his floor!  Don't worry... I brought a piece of fabric for a tablecloth!

 

And honestly - because of this "not eating at a table" for two whole years... it actually feels a little akward when I DO sit at a table to eat.  So this whole eating on the floor thing was totally cool with me.

 

 

Even though we're sitting on the floor, we're still sophisticated enough to have an adult Thanksgiving conversation!
We played the "what are you thankful for" game.  There were some good ones.  "My Job" came from Heidi who knows the struggle of working for a company who cut jobs left and right, including hers.  Also "Being alive" came from Dan, her fiancee who is soon to be off fighting for our country overseas for a year and a half. 

 

Not to sound typical but honestly - I felt grateful for everything.  I couldn't pick something when I just kept thinking of EVERYTHING that I was so thankful for.
I'm thankful for having the ability to appreciate what I have.

 

The next evening we took a 5 hour drive north - to Michigan to see some family and friends.

Look!  Eating at a table!  We were visiting Grandma with my cousin Katie and her boyfriend Dustin.  She told us stories while we indulged in rich and creamy Beer Cheese Soup (made with Guiness!) and grilled paninis.  Check out her cute poka-dot bowls!

Later that night... out for drinks with friends!  Melanie and Corey!  Melanie and I met during our first year of college when we got involved with the Pom & Dance team.  We've been BFF's ever since.

 

And just for fun... here's a pic of Melanie and I as far back as my digital pictures can go...

Be Grateful and You Will Receive.

Appreciating what we have is something we often forget to do.
It's so much easier to see the lack.

Why does the bad seem to outshine the good?

It's all about where you put your focus.  I've been slowly and steadily training myself to see the good and to always be thankful for what I DO have - even when there is lack or when the situation is not ideal.  Why?

The more you focus your energy on something, the more of that something you will receive.  It's not magic.  It's not ignorance or denial of reality.
It's a way of thinking (a way of FEELING) and a way of living that is a BETTER alternative than to be pessimistic.  Plus, it works.

If you're always concentrating on being happy and noticing the "good" in the moments, you will find more and more reasons to be happy and more situations where "good" arises.  It's like... selective thinking.  This also works for giving thanks and being  grateful for what we have in life.  If you constantly make notice of the many things that you DO have in this life that you really do love and are happy to have (even something as simple and obvious as a warm home or a good lunch) - then more of these things will flow into your life!!
If you notice the lack - you will continue to see more and more lack.

What are you grateful for in your life?
Remember, even the simplest things can seem great once you don't have them anymore.
Be grateful for everything!

What am I grateful for in my life right now?

hover over the pictures to read my notes

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
        
         
And that's just a short list of the many many things!!!

And some wise and related words:

From The Secret Daily Teachings - Thank You Thursday
"Today is Thank You Thursday. Today and every Thursday is your day to say and feel "Thank you" in as many ways as you can.

Write a list of all the people and events you want to give thanks for. 

Return thanks today to those who have done things for you.  

As you walk say "Thank you" in your mind with each step you take. 

As you drive, make each time you stop your cue to say "Thank you." 

At various times in the day, think and feel "Thank you" inside you seven times in a row. 

Look for every opportunity to say "Thank you" to other people, and say it with so much meaning that the person looks right at you. 

Thank your way through every Thursday, and make "Thank you" your predominant thought, feeling, and words of the day.

"Thank you" - two words, inconceivable potential power, and all they need is you to put the power into them by expressing them.

Thank you!"

ALERT! Flesh Eating Zombies!

Warning: Aberzombies (zombies in Abercrombie) have been spotted roaming around Columbus on Halloween night and early the next morning.  The article below provides information on the descriptions, whereabouts and habits of the creatures.  For your own protection, please put your children to bed and lock your doors.  The Aberzombies have yet to be detained.

......................

The first appearance of the Aberzombies was on a warm and dark Halloween night.  The strong smell of FIERCE and the sound of flip...flop...flip...flop as they walked was the only indicator that they were approaching.

 

How do you know if an Aberzombie is in the vicinity and what should you do?  Typically you will notice the smell first.  Their cologne is strong and powerful.  You will also notice their perfectly coiffed hair, heavily branded outfits and their shirt collars will often be popped.  Be warned that if bit by one... you will become one of them!  Unfortunately there have yet to be any techniques discovered that are successful in killing these creatures.

 

They typically travel in multiples so you must be prepared to fight off more than one at a time.  They also have been seen traveling with a Deranged Tooth Fairy and a skeleton dressed as the guy who sings Putting On the Ritz.

 

They have been spotted at some of the neighborhood establishments mingling with other local freaks of nature.

 

 

The Aberzombies thirst for fresh blood of the human variety.  But if none is readily available... red wine, vodka and cranberry or tall chilled glasses of Guinness have all been known to tide them over.

 

The Aberzombies are naturally attracted to extremely loud music and therefore can often be found at venues where live music is present.  
If attending a live show, please beware of Aberzombies in the audience and leave immediately if you spot one.

 

Researchers report that the Aberzombies do have one apparent weakness.  You will often encounter them stopping for long periods of time to model and pose for photos.  They take breaks from their hunting spree to take snapshots of themselves and of each other.  If you spot them in this act, you have enough time to get away before they spot you.

 

 

 

 

In order to help with the identification of these specific Columbus Aberzombies, the following photos are the myspace pictures of each zombie.

   

 If you live in the Columbus area - please call in if you happen to spot or identify any of these Aberzombies on the loose.  Their zombie virus is incredibly infectious and no one is safe. 

If you live elsewhere... you're next.