Like Icarus Before Me These Wings Are Not My Own

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

Mary Margaret

I'm super thankful that she's my sister.  My life would be completely different without her.

(Happy birthday!!)

Formal Occasions

Sometimes a girl just needs to dress up.  The Crystal Ball gave me (and my parents that reason).

Auburn Hair

I love my new hair color, as I always say when I change the color of my hair.  I might stick with this one.

Homemade Pretzels

I'm extremely proud of my large and tasty pretzels.  It was my farewell present to Will since he went back to college last week.

Life Experiences

I guess this could go under something else, but I feel like my actions are finally starting to reflect the mature state of mind I've been claiming to have for years now.

(I'm not really sure how to put that into a picture.)

Saving Grace

My pride gets the better of me time and time again.  Without grace or mercy,  I would be a lost cause.

Like the title says these wings are not my own.  I could not and would not be anywhere near where I am today without God and the people he places in my life every day.

Title: "Icarus" by The Staves featuring Keaton Henson

People Keep A-Talkin'

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

Christmas Traditions

Last-Minute Shopping

Creative Outlets

Family Get-Togethers

Open Houses

Title: "The Poet" by Ryan Bingham

We Can Sleep When January's Here

     Weird fact number one about myself.  I don't like Thanksgiving.  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea behind Thanksgiving, the whole counting-your-blessings thing not the forefathers-and-indians-first-meal thing.  Don't even get me started about how things were always and will be always an us versus them mindset.  It's part of the sinful world, but the "settlers" of North America weren't exactly kind to the existing inhabitance to the land.  (Because "we" know better than "them.")  From this day and age we look back on the "glory years" but they're only glorious because they didn't happen to us (or even if they did, we only see the good parts not the good parts with the bad mixed in).   Sin didn't just stop happening because America was founded.  Okay, so done with my political, not so political rant.  Back to the original topic.
     I'm not a fan of Thanksgiving because of the food.  Any side dish you might think to make for a typical Thanksgiving feast, I don't like it.  I don't like the smell, the texture, anything about it.  I'm not going to make it for you, but I will suffer through cleaning it up--you just might owe me something big.  I love the decorations and the idea of it, but just not the actual meal itself.  When I grow up and have my own house/family, I'm going to figure out a way to have Thanksgiving without a tradition meal.  I've been thinking through some ideas but I haven't come up with anything solid as of yet, but I will.
     For Christmas dinner we have steaks--and I get to have my little piece of meat wrapped in bacon--so I love Christmas.  Plus the whole giving and receiving presents--giving is just as much fun, especially planning out what you're going to give people (because it's never about them, it's about you).  I love Christmas music.  I would say that it's my favorite kind of music, but really it's just my favorite kind of seasonal music, as opposed to Easter music, St. Patrick's Day music (though St. Patty's music is a close second), Halloween music and Valentine's Day music. Anyway, I could have sworn I had already written a blog about it because I'm partial to "contemporary" Christmas music (or just original songs).  I have a newfound affection towards the oldies, but I love the songs that I've never heard of before.  It's strangely hard to find.  Jack Johnson's record company (Brushfire Records) has released two compilations of original Christmas songs from their recording artists (one in 2008 and one in 2011).  Once I find a CD I play it over and over again because I love each song.  We'll see what new ones I can find this year.  If you know of any I'd love to hear any helpful tips.
     Basically this whole post was just so I could get to the simple reason why I'm already posting Christmas songs as my song of the day.  It's because I want to like Thanksgiving, but I'm already so over November in general so Christmas here we come!

Title: "I Bet On Flying High" by Matt Costa

(off This Warm December, a Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 2)

There Is Nowhere Else That I Belong

     This weekend I went down to Oxford to visit a friend (and possibly go to the grove).  While we didn't make it to the Grove, we did have an amazing time having a movie marathon and relaxing.  I didn't open my computer or write.  One those thing was good, the other not so much.  Not opening my computer also meant that I missed out on my Sunday thankfulness post something that isn't so great, especially considering that November is a time for counting your blessings leading up to Thanksgiving. So here are my belated five things I'm thankful for this week.

My Owl Oreo Truffle Stuffed Cupcakes actually turned out nicely.

(These cupcakes have been previously featured on my blog.)

(Photo Credit)

Things that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.

(I'm also thankful for the things that aren't any of that because I love bread, candy, and cheese.)

Even though I'm a little behind on my writing, I've still made some amazing progress.

(I'm on my second legal pad and hit about 12,400 words on page 62.)

The adorable sheepdog I call Oscar.

(Who is super proud of his new wood disk from the trees that have been cut down.)

The whole weekend.

(It was fun, relaxing, and filled with laughter.)

Which I don't seem to have pictures from.

I am also very thankful for the ways in which God has blessed me, not with just material items, but things like:

 my imagination which keeps me guessing

my mind which tackles problems like they're quarterbacks

my parents who support me in everything I do

my friends who have become incredibly important these past few weeks

my attitude which wants to be chipper and happy all the time

and that's just some of the small things.  

God blesses us with the strength to make it through any trial that might come our way.

Like Morgan Freeman says in Evan Almighty, 

"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

(All of this I found very enlightened coming from Hollywood.) 

Title: "New York" by Snow Patrol

I Know How It Works, I'm Not Dumb

     Exhausted but loving everything local.

     I've been blogging over on "The Front Porch" so check it out.  Also, you should think about entering in the Mammogram Giveaway.  (You never know who could win...)
     Sometimes I fall in love with songs that have nothing to do with my current life.  Somehow I feel like I can relate, but I tend to fall more in love with the voice combined with the rest of the things that compose a song.  When this happens, I wish that the lyrics would be changed or something.  And sometimes I don't quite understand what the artist is trying to say with the lyrics until after I've already fallen in love with it.  This pretty much taints the song (as common sense would dictate), but once I love a song, it will always have a place in my heart.  (Then again, the song I was talking about just might be about what I thought it was...)

Title: "Spirit vs the Kick Drum" by Derek Webb

And I Pledge Myself Allegiance To a Better Night Sleep at Home

     I just discovered dried veggies.  They are awesome, specifically dried okra.  It tastes just like boiled okra without the stringiness (and with crunchiness).  It's completely amazing.  Just saying.  You should try it sometime.

     I've been super exhausted and stressed today (and all this week), but that didn't stop me from enjoying shoe shopping (for my birthday!).  I found the most adorable boots (that have sparkle to them!).  I'll have to share some other time.

Title: "Fader" by The Temper Trap

Now I'll Be Bold As Well As Strong

     I find myself in cycles of obsessively having a camera almost glued to my hand and never having anything resembling a camera near me.  With my iPhone camera, these cycles have some what changed a little (meaning instead of never having a camera near me I might take a few photos here and there but there is still usually a limit to that--like no people pictures).  Of course, as a freelance photographer when I'm covering an event (or taking portraits) it doesn't matter what stage of the cycle I'm in I will still cover an event like it's my job (because it is).  As of right now I'm in my not so favorite cycle, the never taking picture part (or at least not as much as I should/wish I would).

     I hosted book club tonight.  Preparing for tonight was so much fun.  I spent a good part of the day melting chocolate and puréeing watermelon.  I definitely would not have been able to proficiently do any of the hosting without the help of my mom and my dad.   (My dad helped me make the peanut butter cups.)  One of the things I was most excited about (besides all of my recipes being a hit) was the fact that everyone enjoyed the book (Wicked City by Ace Atkins)!  We had a lively discussion about it before deciding on some new books for the coming months.  Our list seriously rocks (it's extremely diverse) and I can't wait to read it.  

     In the coming days and weeks, I'm going to try and work on maintaining a happy medium of pictures.  After all, this weekend is a Game Weekend (as in a Grove Weekend, since I never really go to the games).  I enjoyed Wicked City so much, I honestly wouldn't mind reading other books by Ace Atkins.  The next title of his on my list would have to be Infamous.  I heard him speak about it at the Literacy is Key event in Memphis (last January, benefiting Literacy Midsouth).  Just the way he spoke about it made me want to read it (even before I had read book by him).  After reading Wicked City, I want to read it even more because I know he can develop characters as fully as they deserve.

Title: "Nothing is Written" by Mumford and Sons

My Mind Has a Tendency to Wander

     Today is Will's last day on US soil.  Tomorrow he embarks on his journey to Germany.  I'm a little jealous.  In honor of his last day, I made the whole family take a picture.  Also in honor of his last night here, we went to P.F. Changs, where I dominated a Great Wall of Chocolate (with the help of my parents).  I plan on not eating for the whole day tomorrow to make up for all of the calories I ate in that one piece of dessert.  (P.S. I'm just joking, I do not condone dieting in that way.  But I did accidentally miss lunch... I was busy getting ready to go run errands, so I felt that I could splurge a bit.  Plus I've never been one who did very well on a diet.)

   I gave Oscar an empty water bottle to play with, but was soon told that it wasn't safe for puppies because he could tear a hole in the plastic.  Well as soon as I walked over to get the bottle from him, Oscar takes off and goes deep into the woods (on the back of our property behind our house) and buries his prize in the leaves.  He comes trotting back out like he didn't have anything to hide.  Yep, I have a smart little puppy (and he gets all his brains from me! haha).  But seriously I have a feeling this little guy is going to get into a lot of mischief.  He loves playing in water and being wet all the time, although he tries to fit his whole body into the little bucket instead of playing in the pool we got him.  I don't know what to think about that.  And Oscar is still very, very curious about the kitty cat.  He barks at Dante, but I think he just wants Dante to play with him.  The cat still hisses at him some, but he's been coming up to the house more and more.  Mostly because he knows he can sucker some attention out of it and some food (we carry him from wherever he appears to his food bowl in the garage).

Title: "You and Me" by Diamond Rings

I Don't Know How and I Don't Know Why

     My appointment today went well.  I got to see some of my X-rays and the top bone in my cervical spine is out of alignment.   I'm hopeful that I might be able to see some results after some treatment.  Hopeful and optimistic but not expecting a miracle.  I just want some relief.  My early morning appointment (at 8:15) and being poked and prodded definitely wore me out.  One thing that was the most interesting to me is that today I was asked more questions about my pain than I have been asked before.  Not just about where it starts but specifically where it hurts, if it's just on one side or uniform across.  It just seemed to me like he was a little more detailed than I remember.
     I got a comment asking for photos of my new shoes.  You ask, I deliver!

     We grilled fish for dinner (and by we I really mean Mom seasoned the fish and Dad grilled it while Will and I sat outside with them).  The puppies were completely thrilled that we were outside with them.  Oscar was dirty dirty (Dad just watered the back yard).  

Dad gave Oscar a tiny taste of his Mike's hard lemonade.  (He mostly spit it back out I guess he was surprised at the taste.)

     I'm also thinking about going back to school.  Maybe for an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design/Art?  I've been looking at Northwest Community College and Southwest TN Community College.  They're both about 40 minutes away from me.  However, I'm halfway wondering if I'm trying to go back to school because right now I'm just floating and not doing anything.  Maybe once I start feeling some better I'll be able to intern with a photographer or something and I won't need to go back to school.  I just don't know.  (I looked into going to University of Memphis, but I think if I did that I would almost have to go back for another Bachelor's.  I know I definitely just couldn't jump in there and get my Master's.)  

Title: "My Heart's on Fire" by Passenger (feat. Georgia Mooney & Stu Larsen)