Most Recent Inspiration:
Unicorn Whales. How magical.

They are actually called Narwhals and are rarely seen in the cold arctic sea. They grow to be about six feet long and weigh 1.8 tons. They are mysterious, magical creatures.

Since they are rarely seen not much was known about them, that is until a couple of years ago.
The biggest mystery? Why do they have the 8 foot long tooth sprouting from their head and what is it's function? It's beautiful spiraled tusk looks much like that of a horn on a wooden carousel unicorn or any other unicorn toy we had as kids.

Here is the coolest part, Scientists discovered that the tooth has hydrodynamic sensor capabilities. Ten million tiny nerve connections that tunnel their way from the central nerve of the narwhal tusk to its outer surface. Their tooth is like a membrane with an extremely sensitive surface, capable of detecting changes in water temperature, pressure, and particle gradients. Science Article

I love it. There's nothing like it in tooth form. These animals are rare, beautiful creatures. It's inspiring.

So inspiring that I think I'm gonna write a story with about this animal...perhaps include another favorite sea creature...

Look how ferocious that creature is.

On another note, I am so done with talking about voting. I am tired of discussing it, sharing sides and "did you knows" and getting all riled up over something out of our control. I just can't wait until it's all done with.


This was inspired from a sick day spent watching Arctic Tale.

A Lovely Little Diddy...

Just one of my favorite songs...


My new favorite Regina song...I think I could listen to it again and again...
beautiful.

Romulus

Try this...
Google each one of the questions below. Get the first and favorite picture of the bunch and put them up on your blog!

1. The age you will be on your next birthday

2. A place to which you'd like to travel


3. Your favorite place


4. Your favorite person


5. Your favorite food


6. Your favorite animal


7. The town in which you were born


8. The name of a past pet


9. The first name of a past love


10. Your favorite color


11. Your first name


12. Your middle name


13. Your last name

I randomly saw my grandma at the grocery store today.

I was driving home and remembered I needed coffee creamer. I made a u-turn and sped up to the green light. I had just been thinking about grandma on the ride home and how I wished I spent more time with her, visited her more, perhaps even stopped by her house this afternoon.

As I walked into the store I saw her short, petite swaying body walk through the automatic doors dressed in her typical ankle length skirt she's worn since I can remember. I quickly tried to catch up with her, hoping I wouldn't startle her.
"Hi Grandma!" I hugged her as tenderly and lovingly as I could. She hugged me a few times, each time a little longer.
"Well Hello." My grandma says. She always says that. I could tell she had been crying, but I never asked what was wrong.
"What are you getting here?" I inquired.
"Oh, I just need some creamer." She responded in her laughing-voice she often uses.
"Me too!"
We walked back to the dairy isle and made small talk. I asked about Grandpa, she asked about John. We made jokes about creamer.

I can still feel the knot that was in my throat as I walked with my grandma to the checkout line. I can remember her character so clearly. The love she always showed, the million games of Skip-o we would play when I was a kid, the tender hugs, soft kisses and thoughtful birthday cards. And her laugh. That sort of awkward, soft laugh that tends to trail into the next sentence.
She's getting older. Her memory is going. She'll be driving somewhere and forget where she's going. Grandpa loses his patience and makes her feels horrible. All of this is going on, but she is still in there. I still see her. My mom is panicking about how she's changing and how they need to move into a home, but I still see the spunk and spirit and love she has in her. I wanted to hug and and kiss her cheek only to say, "Don't give up yet, just hang in there a bit longer." She is one of the hardest working women I have ever met in my life. She took a train across the United States by herself when she seven because her dad had tuberculosis and she had to live with her Aunt in Arizona. She raised seven children. She ran a chicken farm with my grandpa and when her kids were in school took a second job to help make ends meet. She took care of her own mother after she had a stroke and later passed away. She is a pillar of strength and an example of a woman of God. She is incredible. I pray that Jesus will bless me with half of her genuine smile, honest concern, hospitable nature, creator of incredible food, story telling ability, singing talent and tender heart, if He wills it.

My mom thinks she's "fading fast" and "who knows how long she'll be around." but I won't believe it, not yet. When I see her sweet smile and loving demeanor I can just see God's not finished yet. There are still things He has for her here. In His time, I know she will be re leaved, but until then I think I should just visit her more.

доброй ночи.

A Little Bit of Friday Delight

I'm not sure why I like this song so much. It's definitly not because of the show, I wasn't aloud to watch it as a kid. I think it's because of the words and the joy in the song. It reminds me of Room Six mate Kate. We wrote these lyrics above the sink in our room and would play the song occasionally on hard-to-wake-up mornings. I think it might also be the dancing...the dancing...I love the dancing.

Kind of like in this one,


Another memory of our Kate.
Where is she?
In Bronx, New York.






Teaching lovely kindergartens.
What I would give to be 5 years old and be a child in her classroom.

Tonight I was listening to Delilah.

Now, I should let you know that this is not a rare occurrence for myself.
Last December I took a liking to her late night show simply because during the entire month of December she plays continuous Christmas classic! It's awesome!

Back to tonight... I was driving home from class, it was late, and I had just had an annoying encounter with a Wendy's employee.

"How much is a mini Frosty?" I yelled from my car.

"Uh, eh....er....a dollar something?"

I repeated my question again.
Exactly the way my mom does. I shudder to think.

"HOW MUCH IS A MINI FROSTY?" I bellowed. Come on, it had been a long day.

"Uh, 2 dollars."

Another employee took over shortly after and I drove home with my Frosty in the cup holder and a chicken nugget in my hand.

I turned on 99.9 and Delilah was reading a sappy letter about an appreciated person and why she was so loved. I listened, but was focusing on my new shortcut to see if I could get home faster.
But then, I heard it. It started out softly.

"Oh YEAH!" I shouted alone in my car. And there you have it.
Elton began his piano prelude into Tiny Dancer.

In recent celebration, one of the CP's in this lovely video (credit to Spiro) is getting married! Bonnie will wed this awesome guy in February.

Bon was a room mate at Capernwray Bible school and a dear kindred spirit.
i miss her.

Register to Vote.....says Leo.

I still don't know what I think about this. It's kind of weird the influence they know they have on America.
Who do they think they are?
Oh well, it will get people to register, I guess. Kind of weird.

My favorite part is when Sarah Silverman says "you can literally register to vote while you're pooping...if you have a laptop."
She is hilarious.

It's All Happening....

SHEJust came out with a

CD
We'll see how it is...

"Bounteous is Jehovah in His nature; to give is His delight. His gifts are beyond measure precious, and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He gives grace to his elect because He wills it, to His redeemed because of His covenant, to the called because of His promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it. He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly; doubly enhancing the value of the boon by the manner of its bestowal. Grace in all its forms He freely renders to his people: comforting, preserving, sanctifying, directing, instructing, assisting grace, He generously pours into their souls without ceasing, and He always will do so, whatever may occur. Sickness may befall, but the Lord will give grace; poverty may happen to us, but grace will surely be afforded; death must come but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour. Reader, how blessed it is as years roll round, and the leaves begin again to fall, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this, “The Lord will give grace.”
-Evening C. H. Spurgeon

//

Fall, in all it's splendor, has truly arrived. I love the changes. The sun setting earlier. The day beginning later. The warm cups of coffee. Potentially wearing sneakers instead of flipflops. This morning I was reminded of the beauty in change.

//



O, and when I say sneakers I mean these badboys that just arrived...hello fall.

.a current joy.

Bollywood dancing is a truly enjoyable, feminine way of dancing. My fascination began a couple of years ago when my cousin introduced me to belly dancing. We spent an hour prancing around her room to Indian music--and had smiles plastered on our faces the entire time. I love dancing in any way possible, but belly dancing is something so beautiful and captivating that truly celebrates the beauty of a woman.

I rented this DVD from the library and LOVED the workout. I don't even know if I could call it a workout. I'm not an exercise person (as many of you know) but I actually LAUGHED as I danced with this one. It's a blast. There's such a simplicity to belly dancing--almost like it's instilled in a woman.


My dream, someday, is to be able to dance like the beautiful Aishwarya Rai.


Yeah, right. Maybe not.

///

I've had so many post ideas lately! Inspirations, shall we say.
The first ones was this:
These were a pleasant Autumn surprise I found at... Anthropologie...but I resisted and didn't get them---even though the big owl was only $12. (I'm regretting it now.) They reminded me of Bridget (who I've only met once, but shared a connection with.)

I had never really enjoyed owls until she started writing about them. In fact, in a matter of a year they are a SUPER popular and I discover owls everywhere! (Including Target, which is much better prices.) Needless to say, this Bridgetreminder brought along a dream later that night. In my dream we were in a house and I saw her little guy Finn running around barefoot. I smiled, said hello and he looked up at me and said a very, VERY complex, sophisticated, not-likely-for-a-1-year-old-say. I still can't remember what it was, but I was impressed.
I think it was because of this commercial:



I love it! At the end of my dream I kept telling Bridget how impressed I was of Finn...little genius. (Which he truly is.)

the end.

What I'd Like to see For Christmas

My brother and I were catching up on the phone last night. In the Fall we tend to browse apple.com trailers and see what is to expect that winter. This was one that he told me about. It's incredible and I can't help but want to watch more.

My favorite movie from the summer?

I saw it 4 times.

Once with my sister and cousins,

Another time with John (I really kind of made him, but he says he liked it!)

And a very late showing with Our dear Kate who was visiting for the weekend
And lastly, with these precious friends right before Rachel's wedding!

It was a great movie! I totally recommend seeing it.

NOTE TO SELF: When having bratwurst, grill the entire package. They make the best leftovers.

Autumn is finally waving it's breeze from around the corner. I have already tried to create an atmosphere that invites the Fall leaves (although they will never come.) and makes me believe things are changing. I have truly tried to embrace the early setting sun and cooler mornings and ignore the 100 F heat and inability to wear anything warmer than a pair of jeans.

I'm not complaining. I truly love the fall in Arizona....when it gets here.
After a recent trip to Kansas, I told John that the real deal isn't that Scottsdale is too big, it's just that I, myself, am a small town girl. That's all there is.

I keep trying to trick myself into thinking Fall is really here. I try to imagine it is in some other places.

So, remembering fresh fall days like this one in Ohio,

And try to enjoy warm days like this one. It IS beautiful just not the Fall I fondly remember.
Though Monsoon season is a blessing...
And thankfully, Prescott is only an hour and a half away,
Oh well, grass is always greener on the other side.
Lord, help me to be content.

Today, John and I woke up late (10:30) and decided to go to Border's for Seattle's Best Coffee, a "Maple Mocha." It was delightful. When I ordered the drink the guy behind the counter responded with, "Oh, you don't want that, it tastes like french toast loaded with syrup." I looked at him and then at John. "Oh, she'll love it then." John quickly responded. I didn't even know what to say to the employee. I mean, truly, come on. The whole point of going to Borders in the first place was for this drink (annnd a coupon that said buy one get one free) so why would I suddenly change my mind because it tasted like French Toast? I happen to LOVE French Toast.....drowning in syrup. It was amazing. But it hardly looked like the picture, ;)

At any rate, I do believe Autumn is my favorite season.



the end.
and i take entirely too long doing this blogging thing. goodness.

Welcome To My Worst Nightmare

...I wonder if you can even rent this movie anymore?

A Week In August

"O merciful God, be though now unto me a stronger tower of defense, I humbly entrust Thee. Give me grace to await Thy leisure, and patiently to bear what Though doest unto me; nothing doubting or mistrusting Thy goodness towards me; for Thou knowest what is good for me better than I do. Therefore do with me in all things what thou wilt; only arm me, I beseech Thee, with Thine armour, that I may stand fast; above all things, taking to me the shield of faith; praying always that I may refer myself wholly to Thy will, abiding Thy pleasure and comforting myself in those troubles which it shall please Thee to send me, seeing such troubles are profitable for me; and I am assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest cannot but be well; and unto Thee be all honour and glory. Amen-"

Lady Jane Grey
(1537-1554)

My dear crony sent this to me these last couple of weeks. It's great to know that even back in the 1500's people had reasons to write such incredible poetry.

for anyone else who gets roped into American Idol

when you think America is going downhill one of the most popular tv shows does something like this...i can't help but wonder, where did this come from? it's really cool, but i wonder what inspired it. (besides the Truth, obviously)

...and, yes, i sadly admit that john and i watch this show (only the tuesday episode) we really enjoy spewing out our opinions at the television. we even voted once. mostly, we enjoy being able to be as critical and opinionated as we want.

inspiration

top fives...

5 things you can't live without under 5 dollars:
1) orbit gum
2) coffee
3) new iTunes song obsession
4) gobstoppers
5) good shampoo

5 favorite movies:
1) Stand By Me
2) Lord of the Rings
3) Billy Elliot
4) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
5) X-Men

5 Songs I could listen to over and over again (and do):
1) Our House-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
2) Happiness is a Warm Gun-The Beatles
3) Tiny Dancer-Elton John
4) Rocky Mountain High-John Denver
5) Cannot Lose My Love-Sara Groves

5 People who have had a positive influence in your life: (besides friends and family)
1) Hans Peter Royer
2) Louisa May Alcott
3) Corrie Ten Boom
4) Stephen King
5) whoever introduced John's parents to each other (so they could have him. obviously.)

5 moments that changed your life forever
1) Marrying John on June 2nd
2) Stepping off a crowded Ukrainian airplane to an open field with no idea where to go
3) Listening to T.D. for the first time in the Sports Hall Lounge
4) Rachel's birthday that began blessed friendships
5) the day i let go

5 current obsessions:
1) Finding Chaco Shoes size 8 for under 50 dollars
2) Law and Order re-runs
3) Across the Universe soundtrack
4) The Cosby Show
5) late night laughter

5 places I would like to go (in order of reality)
1) Michigan (and around)
2) Belarus
3) California (i'm itchin'for another amusement park visit)
4) England
5) Ukraine

5 peeps that should also do this:
1) Everyone
2) One
3) Who
4) Reads
5) This

Where Are You Going?

One of my favorite childhood songs was in a commercial during the 60's...crazy that my mom can remember this.

a year ago today...

this happened.
its hard to believe that ALL this has happened since.

the condo turned into....

...this!!! (praise Jesus!)

i said goodbye to my old room...

and married John!!!

and saw all these dear friends again!

We rode in a canoe on a hot summer day

saw the CP's again....after many long years

my brother married the love of his life...

We carved lovely pumpkins...

Enjoyed our first Christmas together...

And celebrated our first married New Years!!

....what a year....
and so many more to go.