I have pictures!!

But, I forgot to download them to my computer.

So that will have to wait.

Sorry!

HOWEVER,

have I told you yet I have a new job?!?!?!?!?!? :D :D :D :D :D I cannot truly express to you my excitement over this job. Ridiculously happy, perhaps, but really, wouldn't you be happy as well chatting with people and getting to 'play' with pretty clothes? That's right, I am now a new employee of one of my favorite shops, The Loft [little sister to Ann Taylor].

YAY!

So, you should all come visit me, end of story. ;) [unless you are a guy, because we don't sell mens clothing... unless you want to buy for your mom, sister, etc. Then you are more than welcome :) ]

Actually, what already cracks me up is watching the husbands come in with the wives. There are three types of husbands that I have seen so far: The type that follow the wife like a little lost puppy, furtively looking over their shoulder to make sure the door isn't too far away; the husband who is brave enough to branch out into the store, looking for clothes he would like his wife to try on [personal favorirte]; and then there are the door-huggers. Like tree- huggers, they love the feeling of freedom and the outdoors. Or they are scared of women's clothing. Either or. But they are pretty fun to watch. They step in the door, walk around with their wife uncomfortably for a few minutes, then move to stand in solitude right beside the door going out into the open world. Oh, they might move when another customer comes in, or someone goes out, but they rarely leave the comfort zone of about 10 feet in diameter. I understand this feeling, as it is probably how I am when I go into any video game store or men's shoewear.

I thought I'd include my list-of-things-I-really-need-to-accomplish-ASAP to make myself feel responsible [now I've told you, I really must get to work]:

- get a helmet for rollerblades. when as unbalanced as me, this is a pretty important task.

- set a date for a family photoshoot. [super stoked about this, but my best lens is in VA, and I don't have any saturdays free for 2 weeks! ack...]

- clean up basement boxes. even though we moved about 7 years ago, I still have a mess of my own boxes that haven't really been dealt with yet. [sorry mom!]

- create a budget for the money I am now earning. This one won't be very difficult as I've been going over it in my mind to where I know what I really need to save up for, and how much I can splurge. ]

- Study for the Government CLEP. [big one- Im supposed to take it tomorrow, but unforeseen circumstances mean I have to put it off until next week.

- Study for American Lit, College Math. & English Lit CLEPS [all three must be taken by June 9th at the very very latest. goody.]

- prep for art show reception this Saturday!

Ok, I really am going to try to post some pictures soon, so hopefully it won't be too long!

Thanks for sticking with me!

Because He lives,

me.

Light blue is a good color for a room.

Thus far, I have been turned down for every job I've had an interview. I didn't realize how stressed I had become about finding a job until I talked with my sister the other day and blurted out, "I don't know what I'm going to do!". ... Well, of course I know what I'm going to do. I am going to continue applying and hoping there is the interview call. I am going to keep showing up at places hoping they hire me just so I won't show up so much. ;) I'm going to pray, a lot. But mostly, what I had forgotten until I thought about it, I am going to trust and love.

I don't know about you, but I find it much easier to trust God with the big things than the little, everyday obstacles we encounter. I have no problem asking God to prepare the perfect life mate for me, the one guy in the billions of people in this world thats made JUST for me, and that we grow old together. But I have an issue asking God to provide the money for my next tank of gas and next CLEP test.

Why? Why do we worry and concern and fret over these small details, unwilling to give them up to our Lord? I love Luke 12:22- 32 ...“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things... I love knowing that when I am following the way God has shown me I need to go, He is going to make everything fall in place.

What about you? Any "moments of revelation" happen to you lately? What are your joy stories? :)

because He lives,

me.

Love Colors

This is just a quickie, as I really ought to be asleep by now, but.....

Have you ever heard of Hello, Friend? This is probably my favorite blogger in the world, second only to dear friends that are smashing at blogging as well, but have decided to hit pause [*coughcoughjasminecoughcough*].

Anyways, she and I apparently are in love with the same color right now: Mustard!

Check out her blog post here on all things lovely and creamy burnt yellow. By the way, I LOVE how she does these pictures, but am still not sure how to do it. Any ideas?

Anthropologie has an adorable long sleeved cardigan. I'd love to own this and wear it with possibly a white sleeveless shirt underneath, nice form fitting [but not tight] slacks [rolled up 2 on the bottom] and possibly some cute flats? A nice turquoise or coral necklace? What would you pair with this?

OK, I'm really off to sleep now. Otherwise, there is no way I will make it up in time to go to Augusta-- super stoked, going to see my 7 [almost 8!] yr old niece at her gymnastics meet this weekend! Yay for amazing and fun families! :D

Because He lives,

me.

Quick Ideas

So, I have another blog. Its called "Becoming More Crafty" ... :) And, as youknow, I am terrible about posting so two blogs is rather ludicrous. However, I can't really make up my mind to delete either of these blogs, so I am going to make this blog more about serious posts and pictures, and the other will be more about... crafty things and fun ideas I find online. But I have a total of 1 follower on that blog, and 47 followers on this blog! So, Here I am, asking for followers, and if my followers go up, I think I'll feel more inclined to keep posting.

Alright, that was just a quick sideline. Today I am supposed to hear back from Barnes & Noble! I interviewed with them this past wednesday, and I think it went well... of course, we will know how it went later on today, Lord willing. Also I interviewed with Anthropologie on friday, but I became really nervous, so who knows how that went. :/

One of my best friends, Eve, had her senior recital @ Reinhardt friday night, and she was incredible! I can't believe I've been allowed to listen to her phenomenal playing since we were in 3rd grade.

I entered an Arts Contest and just found out 3 of my pieces have been accepted!!! So, the showing is in May, and now comes the pre-show stress... I have to get them printed, framed, and prepped for hanging. Want to see them? ... Ok, since you begged, here they are :

Diabetic's Best Dream and Worst Nightmare {Paris}

Morning Mail {Paris}

Sidewalk Crepes {Paris}

I was a bit disappointed that my pictures from Kenya weren't excepted, but I am thrilled to have these three in the contest. Neat,huh?

Alright, I promise a real post later-- hope you have an incredible day!

because He lives,

me.

On the Hunt

71 days. 1704 hours. 6,134,400 seconds. I stood at the doorstep for a moment and thought over the past 2 months and 11 days. How many miles had I gone? 147 miles from my home to Birmingham, where I met up with the Chanceys. From Birmingham to Washington, D.C. - 743 miles. From Washington, D.C. to London- 3678 miles. From London to Nairboi, Kenya - 4238 miles. And then back, Nairobi to London - 4238; London to Paris - 213 miles; and back to London, those same 213 miles. From London to Dallas - 4757 miles. From Dallas to Birmingham - 638 miles. Then those same 147 miles to my home, where I stood, remembering the memories those miles held.

Now I am home, and what a lovely word it is! I miss the places those miles cover, but it has been so fantastic being with my parents again, seeing my friends, sleeping in my own bed. The little things, like how the sheets smelt freshly laundered, have become a sudden reason for little bursts of happiness. It was a crazy week and a half when I first got home. Helping Mom with her final two webinar classes, seeing my nieces in their various school and ballet performances, going to the Jimmy Valiant premiere and so on. I entered the Arts Festival again! I am hoping at least a few of my pieces get in. We shall see...

Today I am going to try, once again, to outline the next few months of work that I need to accomplish. I am starting back college with CP! again, so that will be hard but good. Also, I am in the market for a job now! I am hoping to find one in either sales, or dealing with food. I love what both opportunities present, now I just need to find someone I can convince I am worth hiring. Not having any formal experience is difficult enough, but I know I can do the task at hand, with God's blessing. Remember the last time I said I was outlining the following months? Well, though it was incredible, I do hope nothing like that will happen for now. I don't think my body can go through jet lag again too soon.

Alright, I need to run-- have a fabulous day!

Because He lives,

me.

Day #12

"Airplane, airplane, sorry I'm late..."

I've been thinking a lot about trips, especially since the time of my departure from Kenya is imminent. It has been such an incredible experience, living here for 2 months. One of my favorite parts of this house has been the office upstairs, with one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen.

Today's picture I took from a line in lyrics:

"Could we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars; I could really use a wish right now."

because He lives,

me.

Day #11 [yesterday]

I seem to have a hard time posting on the right day... Poli!

Yesterday our power was off, again, during the entire day. This was a minor frustration, limiting only internet access and the power to use the oven and blender.

Sadly, we were having puree'd tomato soup... and we only had fresh tomatoes. Thus, I got to make tomato puree by hand!

...

We were all grateful when the power came back on before the soup was finished ;)

In the meantime, I created a video of how to puree tomatoes by hand [will try to post soon], and I got to wear one of my favorite necklaces, made for me by my oldest niece Jaybird when she was 7. :) Life is good.

Because He lives,

me.