Little Italy

I promise I have more to say...and I meant to! Until my body was fighting off whatever Mr. Smith has.

Rundown and on the couch is where it's at, yo.

Be back soon!

Life is Beautiful - Part 1

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and i know what it is to have plenty. I have learned that secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

- Philippians 4:11-13

I've been praying more. Lots of Thank Yous and I Need Yous and Please and Show Me. And an occasional High Five God You're The Best!

"Thank you for all you have blessed me with. I need you to help me through this day. Please guide me to do what's right. Show me how to reflect you to my students."

I've always turned to the bible in a time of need. Usually it was me needing some guidance, a light in the dark. But I found that as soon as the storm had passed, so had my interest in reading about God. 

But you know what?

That doesn't sustain you. That doesn't give you peace. That doesn't fuel your hope.

And that's what I've learned recently. That a relationship with Him is worth the time and effort. I mean, I knew that...but I didn't do it. I didn't really know how. Until now. And what a world of difference that has made.

 I also found some books.

Draw the Circle - The 40 Day Prayer Challenge

I haven't made it through all 40 days...heck I haven't made it through 10! But you know what? I'm reading and reflecting and believing. And it's helped me to pray. Prayers of supplication. Prayers of forgiveness. And most importantly, prayers of thanksgiving. My favorite part so far? Where he talks about having a prayer journal, a place where you record what you are praying for so you can see God working in your life. A place to record all that you have been blessed with. 

The Duck Commander Family

I know, right? But the show is hilarious! And more importantly, their faith is strong. I watch the show and heard about the book and was intrigued. It's really quite good and speaks of their total devotion to faith and family. An added bonus? The recipes. I'll let you know if I ever make any.

Waking up in Heaven

I just recently started reading this based on a recommendation from a good friend. I started reading it that night and was sad when I saw what time it was knowing that I HAD to go to bed. It's really very interesting and relatable. (Well not the dying part, obviously.)

I truly feel that part of the reason why my life has taken such a distinct turn for the better is because I have actively pursued a relationship with God. I am grateful for what I have been given, and just as importantly, what has been taken away. I have taken that step back and realized that it is His doing, not my own, that dictates what path this life will take. 

And based on what I've seen so far, it's going to be a good one.

The Accidental Month Long (Or More) Break

I needed a break.

There was so much going on. ALL. THE. TIME.

And it was good! But I wasn't good. Well...more like I wasn't feeling good. 

I was so tired and no amount of sleep was helping. Just run down and beat.

 

So I took a break.

 

I rested. And relaxed. And changed my diet, a bit. 

And cleaned. 

My home and my mind.

 

And I found space. 

Space to breathe. 

Space to create. 

Space to live. And do so happily.

Space to figure out what I wanted to do with THIS space.

 

I reflected quite a bit on my One Little Word. Do you remember this?

I realized that I was trying too hard to be something I'm not. I was comparing myself to others and I wasn't matching up. And that is a fun sucker. Seriously. 

So I did some reflecting. I decided on authenticity. I decided on quality over quantity. I decided that my life, and those in it, where important and worthy of the best I had to give.

And you know what? Amazing things started to happen! And I can't wait to share them here :)

The Girl on the Other Coast: April 27, 2013

Dawn and I have been collaborating and are partnering on a blog project. We're both sad that we live so very far apart (2.573 miles, to be exact) so we thought it'd be fun to simultaneously share facts, thoughts, and pictures about us! The catch? You'll have to find my answers over on her blog!

This week I wanted to do a little "Who? What? When? Where? Why?" and how it applies to your favorite hobby. What's your favorite way to enjoy your free time? And why?

Here we go!

What's your favorite hobby? I would have to say photography.

When did you start? I've had a camera as long as I can remember. Seriously, my dad got me one when I was probably in second grade? I've always loved photos--looking at them and taking them. I've always had a camera with me at any sort of event, big or small. I started to delve into a little more earnestly about eight years ago when I got my first digital camera.

Where do you do it? Anywhere and anywhere I feel inspired! I I am participating in a great photo-a-day prompt challenge, so I have to be prepared anytime the opportunity presents itself!

Who inspires you creatively? No one specific person. I am inspired by certain angles, lighting, perspectives that I see in other photos. I try to make note of them and use that as a springboard when I am taking my own.

How did you start it? My old family photos have always been a treasure to me. I love looking back on old memories--things we did, places we went, holidays we celebrated, everyday life I cherish--and I wanted that legacy to continue through me. So I took photos. And then I got a basic digital camera where I could immediately see what worked or (far more often) didn't, instead of having to wait while I finished a roll of film and had it developed when I would no longer remember what I did when I took the photo. As I graduated to bigger and better cameras, I have begun to explore, experiment and teach myself how my camera and each of my lenses (I only have two for now) works and how manipulate the settings to achieve the photo I'm hoping for. I haven't used my current camera (a Canon 

EOS Rebel XSi) on automatic since I got it (other than to see what the camera thinks is best for a situation in which I am struggling to find the right setting, then I see what it uses and switch back to manual to tweak the settings it used to fine tune for the image I want)! I'm pretty proud of that. I still have a lot of throw-aways (much cheaper with digital!) but not as many as I used to and every once in a while, I get one I am really proud of.  It's fun a hobby, it's challenging, and I have something I value to show for it. 

 

 

Want to know what I had to say? Or how similar our answers are?? You can find out on her blog here.

Thanks for playing Dawn!

 

The Girl on the Other Coast: April 13, 2013

Dawn and I have been collaborating and are partnering on a blog project. We're both sad that we live so very far apart (2.573 miles, to be exact) so we thought it'd be fun to simultaneously share facts, thoughts, and pictures about us! The catch? You'll have to find my answers over on her blog!

This week Dawn chose to hit up the 4x4. What?? Oh! Simple and fun :)

4x4!

4 Things on Your Weekend Agenda
1. Round Two of Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT.
2. Transplant the potted Easter lily into its permanent new home in the ground.
3. Return a library book I just finished and pick up the one they are holding for me.
4. Clip back the basil and make a little pesto!

4 Things on Your Current Grocery List

1. Grape juice.

2. Refills for my Swiffer duster.

3. Toilet bowl cleaner. (Yeah, I know, keeping it real. At least you know I keep them clean!)

4. Linguine.

4 Little Things You're Grateful For Right Now

1. My new work computer. So fast!

2. My weekly cleaning routine. Someone can drop by unannounced anytime and I am never worried about the state of the house.

3. 28 blossoms on the cherry tomato plant and the fact that I haven't killed the thing.

4. They didn't have to replace my DVR yet again, causing me to lose all my recorded shows for a third time in less than two weeks.

4 Things That Made You Happy This Past Week

1. Those people on social media who tend toward cheerfulness rather than bitterness.

2. The photo I took for my daily photo prompt which was "dreamy." It came out *exactly* the way I set out to capture it.

3. The new color of our master bedroom, every time I walk in that room.

4. Jasmine in bloom. Smells almost as good as orange blossoms.

Want to know what I had to say? Or how similar our answers are?? You can find out on her blog here.

Thanks for playing Dawn!

The Girl on the Other Coast: March 23, 2013

Dawn and I have been collaborating and are partnering on a blog project. We're both sad that we live so very far apart (2.573 miles, to be exact) so we thought it'd be fun to simultaneously share facts, thoughts, and pictures about us! The catch? You'll have to find my answers over on her blog!

G wants to know my makeup must haves? I will be the first to admit I am probably the least fun girl ever, when it comes to my makeup. I spend my fair share of time drooling over Sephora, but my budget dictates that I do my actual shopping in the cosmetics section of Target. 

With so much humidity in the air here, I steer clear of foundation. (Humidity = good for the skin, bad for any heavy makeup.) I start with some lightly tinted Cover Girl loose powder and a little blush -- right now, Maybelline FITme!, but I'm really not loving any of the shades I've chosen; I like them but I don't *love* them, so when this one is gone, I'll try another. 

With the base finished, I get to the real focus: my eyes. I always feel like a fraud wearing any lip color, so I tend to keep that to lip balm (SoftLips! Love it!) and I play up my eyes, my favorite feature, but they are easy to lose behind my glasses. I have several go-to color options, depending on my mood. I play around with various combinations. My favorites lately are copper-brown, rosy pink-brown, taupe-brown, smokey grey-charcoal (I am running pretty low on my stockpile, which means I get to choose some new colors soon, but some of my favorites are Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush in "Copper Chic" and "Taupe Temptress," and Maybelline EyeStudio Color Explosion in "Caffeine Rush"). I usually do a lighter color on my lid, with the darker color along my lash line as a "soft liner," slightly blended. Sometimes I apply a layer of subtle gold shimmer or some (subtle) silver glitter (Revlon Diamond Lust in "Celestial Silver) -- you know, when I'm feeling the need for a little sparkle. A little brown or black eyeliner for definition (I really like Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus in "Onyx" and "Espresso"), and then I finish up with my absolute must-have: Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal mascara (in "Glam Brown" because black looks too unnatural on me and it doesn't come in a black-brown, but I *love* the formula, so I can live with that).

And there you have it. Ready to dry my hair and get on with my day!

 

Want to know what I had to say? Or how similar our answers are?? You can find out on her blog here.

Thanks for playing Dawn!

 

 

I've been thinking about

...taking a small break from blogging. 

Although I love it, I'd love to get some things taken care of (emotionally, physically, mentally, around the house-ally) first. That way I don't feel guilty when I sit down to blog instead of doing {enter loads of other things here}. 

Added bonus? I'm sure there will be many organizational/crafty projects that I can then blog about!

See you in a couple of weeks!

 

ps. Dawn, I'll still be posting for you :)

The Girl on the Other Coast: March 2, 2013

Dawn and I have been collaborating and are partnering on a blog project. We're both sad that we live so very far apart (2.573 miles, to be exact) so we thought it'd be fun to simultaneously share facts, thoughts, and pictures about us! The catch? You'll have to find my answers over on her blog!

This week Dawn chose to showcase our meals for the day. Super simple for our super busy week!

Want to know what I had to say? Or how similar our answers are?? You can find out on her blog here.

Thanks for playing Dawn!

 

Content - March 1

1. A fantastic haircut, like usual. My hair is shorter, healthier, fuller, and happier.

2. Dinner with Ms. Dillon. Sharing a meal with her always makes my heart happy.

3. Speaking of happy...happy hour with Scott.

4. A huge dream of mine becoming official plans for this summer. I can't even begin to wipe the smile off of my face!

5. Spending an evening with my very favorite little girl, Baby Niece. 

Is Anyone Out There??

Sometimes I am torn. 

Sometimes I feel like I'm too busy to blog. I should be grading, resting, cleaning, ...ing. 

And then there are times when I sit down to write.

What should I write about? Will it be interesting? Will it capture and convey my thoughts?

Will anyone read it? (Is it even something someone would want to read about?!) And how will I know that anyone has read what I've written and enjoyed it?

I'll admit, sometimes I get overwhelmed by comparison. I'm amazed by how much is out there. Blogs showcasing amazing insightful posts, amazing projects, amazing pictures. And I wonder, "What can I contribute to all of that?"

But then I stop and think.

This is my space.

This is my journal.

My thoughts.

My place to record my memories.

And if by chance someone else enjoys it too?

Well that's just an added bonus ;)

(via Etsy)