Summer Madness

Life has been absolutely crazy lately. The heat isn't helping and, looking back on the week, I'm not really sure what I've accomplished. Maybe something, maybe not, but it feels like we've been running around non-stop, with or without purpose, in order to escape the heat. I don't remember the last time I felt clean and dry. I really was not built to withstand hundred degree temperatures and humidity...I think I'm melting.

I am still loving the time I get to spend with Holly, Parker, and my grandparents. There have been numerous trips to the "baby doctor" (in Parker's words) and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat (and look for cute, handsome, single airmen). I can't WAIT to be a Godmama again! I was volunteered to make Holly's belly cast so got to work with plaster strips for the first time, and I think it turned out well...I was happy with it at least. I don't know what I'm going to do when summer's over, I know I'm going to miss them and I know that they're the main reason I've been able to keep it together this summer. I suppose I'll have to worry about it when I get there.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my Senior Independent Study (basically a senior thesis). It's hard to think of a topic that will get you through endless hours of research, will capture your interest for a year, and allow you to write nearly a hundred pages of original research. It's a big deal; I just don't really know where to start looking. I would love to work with veterans, but I'm not sure there are a lot of WWII veterans around who would be willing to work with me on a project so extensive. Yes, I recognize that there are other wars...but WWII fascinates me. I'd love to find someone with stories to tell, maybe a wartime journal, someone who hasn't had an oportunity to tell their story and wants to write it down. I'd love to help someone tell their story, write their memoir...I just don't know how to find someone, particularly someone in good enough health. *sigh* I'll keep brainstorming.

It Was Love At First Sight...And Still Is

I know it's been a couple days since I last posted anything, but I promise I'm still here! Right now I'm thoroughly occupied visiting my grandparents, Holly, and Parker. I have the most wonderful, precious godson in the world and there's nowhere I'd rather be! Needless to say, I have many, many stories...he is two after all. There are so many moments that I wish I could share but I certainly can't share them all. Today he was running around with a pair of freshly laundered underpants on his head, yesterday we had a music lesson on recorder (he danced and jumped up and down every time he made a sound), tonight he crawled into my lap and cuddled with me...I was enthusiastically hugged to death. I will remember every moment I spend with him, and I'm so blessed to have him in my life, even if a few months from now he will be thousands of miles away again. I love that little boy with all my heart!

Wordless Wednesday: Natural Beauty

When Words Fail...

...Music Speaks! It's just a part of who I am. I've always loved music...loved playing it, loved listening to it, everything! I could go on and on about all the ways music has changed my life, but the point is...it has. Whether it's sitting down and wailin' some blues on my trumpet, cruising down the highway blasting a favorite tune, or dancing my heart out, music will always be a part of my life. Music is my obsession. Not my only obsession, for sure, but it's up there! Being the theater geek that I am, I would venture to say there's a Broadway tune for everything...I can say with certainty that there is a song for everything.

Today was one of those "What the heck do I feel like listening to? I NEED MUSIC!" kinda days. I reluctantly selected a playlist on iTunes, and I found the perfect song for me right now...two songs actually...make that three. *sigh* There are a few people I've been struggling to find the words to talk to, and I think I may be sending out a few music clips. Sometimes, you just can't say it any better. Landon Pigg...you have a ridiculous name, but I love you right now! You may not be my typical listening material, but for some reason I always come back to your music. Right now, it speaks to me.

God Bless America...

...Land That I Love! Happy 4th of July! I completely forgot to write yesterday until I was already curled up in bed, comfy, and far too lazy to get back up, get my computer, and think about writing a post. Soooo, I apologize for my laziness and I'll try to make up for it with a quick summary of yesterday's activities. Ready? Nothing...I did absolutely nothing! I walked around the house in my pajamas all day and, besides some minor cleaning and sorting, did nothing. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I told everyone that I planned to do that every Sunday and declared Sunday "Pajama Day"!

Today, however, is Monday...which means I'm awake, dressed, and ready to go! Not quite sure what my plans are today; I suppose I'll have to figure that out. Most of my town's 4th of July festivities are pretty much over already though there are still a few things going on. But before I figure that out, I wanted to share some fireworks! Yes, I was one of the nerdy people taking firework pictures, so all the pictures are mine...and I'm proud of them! :)

Have a fantastic 4th of July, and please don't forget the wonderful men and women who are fighting and giving their lives for their country each and every day. They pay the ultimate price for our freedom, often thousands of miles away from their loved ones, and expect nothing in return. The least we can do is recognize that sacrifice while we enjoy all of our 4th of July festivities!

Speechless Gratitude

A couple of weeks ago I was ready for change, ready for my life to turn around, ready to put the past behind me, and I was living in a world full of inspiration. I made a 180 degree turn for the better, but I'm starting to feel like I'm losing that...sometimes it feels like I take one step forward and two steps back; I'm ready for TWO steps forward and ONE step back. It's time. Life just seems so limiting right now. I feel like I'm living in the past, and that isn't entirely bad. I'm seeing parts of my life differently, and I recognize how fortunate I've been to have certain people in my life to help out along the way. I have so many people to thank!

I went from feeling like I had no one to turn to, to realizing just how many people care and how many doors are unlocked if only I had the courage to open them. Finding that courage and the words to thank these people means digging into memories I'd rather not touch...the accident, the memory loss, everything. It's all flooding back and it's emotional, not so much because of the accident itself, but remembering just how painful the aftermath was and how thankful I am for the people who helped me, pushed me, let me make my own decisions, but weren't willing to let me fail. I just don't have the words to express my gratitude...they come out in pages and pages of mental fragments.

If only I could find a way to to verbally express tears of gratitude, to tell them just how much they mean to me and how much of an impact they have had on my life. How do you tell someone they've changed your life forever? It isn't easy. My experiences have shown me just how many ways people can show support...and I appreciate them all. From the warm and fuzzy to the people who pushed me and didn't cut me slack because they knew I could do it and needed me to believe in myself. I couldn't have done it without any of them. If only I had the words...

Getting Crafty...Photos At Last!

I've been promising photos of my latest crafty endeavor...so here they are. In fact, I got a little carried away with the clipboard photoshoot, so I have A LOT of pictures. I'll try to resist the urge to post them all. I also realized I didn't take pictures of the backs...which are ALSO decorated (I was on a roll)! Oh well, I'm done taking pictures for today and now it's late.

Today has definitely been a "Photography Friday". Soooo many pictures, so little time! In the next few days I'm sure you'll be seeing more...and I promise firework photos, lots and lots of firework photos. I was trying to decide whether to go ahead and post them tonight or hold off and get some sleep. I choose sleep...

So, back to the clipboards. These were super fun, super easy, and super cheap to make! I have a fourth clipboard waiting to be decorated but need to pick up some more ModPodge first. It is a magical substance. I also have individual pictures of all of the clipboards...SEE!?!? Yes, I am aware that they have bows on them...don't judge me. I had ribbon. It seemed logical at the time. Also, now I have less ribbon, and for me using up a few miscellaneous craft supplies is a good thing!

That's it for now! I had a million things I wanted to write about today...this is probably the least exciting, but I still need some time to think before I can put those thoughts in writing. There's still a lot of muddled up information in my brain that I need to sort through. All in good time! For now I'll enjoy the Fourth of July festivities, fireworks, and all that jazz...

Have a fabulous weekend!