At The End of All Things

(Okay, seriously, do you know the title? 100 points if you do...)

As always, credit to where it is due: I am stealing this layout/idea from Heather.

This summer has been one of my most crazy, happy, upside down, depressing, productive summers ever. It seems insane to even think back on it, but hey, that's how it works, right? Our memories are what bring us to who we are.

Projects & Such

Knitting
So, of course if you have read my blog at all, you know that I picked up knitting from Heather this summer. I had absolutely no intentions of learning knitting because of my wrist. Still, my sister really wanted me to as well, and so when I asked Heather to teach her, I jumped on the bandwagon. I loved it. It's soothing and crafty and dang it when you finish a project you just feel all cozy inside.

I didn't get as far as I would have liked (and the funny speech Bilbo gives at his party just went through my head.... Geez, I'm a nerd!), but I learned a lot and spent some great time with friends on Sundays. Those meetings fell by the wayside the past two weeks but hopefully we can pick them back up soon when school settles into rhythm. Heather is a wonderful teacher and ridiculously patient (it does not come easily to me).

Still, I finished my scarf. I'm very proud of it, and can't wait for weather that will allow me to wear it. I learned how to knit, purl, read patterns and one day will start on cabling. A hat is in my future to match my most fantastic epic very me purse that heather knitted. Oh and because it just so .... epic:

"Fallon found an image of the most beautiful purse in all the land and bestowed it upon my eyes. She gave a love-sigh, deflating eloquently in a chair.
"What is this?" I asked with all the wonder in the world fluttering in my chest.
"A purse to match my very existence." She fluttered her eyelids.
"My dear, did you want me to knit this for you?"
She erected her girly pose on the chair, "Would you?" Her voice squealed in happiness.
"Of course, my dear friend."
So, I did and she loved it."
                                  --Heather's Blog

Blogging 
So, in April I began blogging thanks to Heather's inspiration. This is my 47th blog. Too bad I wasn't quite awesome enough to make this fifty... oh well. I must say that it has allowed me a place to vent, to share and to ponder my future (even if all of three people actually read it...).  I don't have much on the land of blogging, but I wanted to share this tidbit of my summer. Obviously, I like it as I'm blogging about blogging. HA!

Pinterest
Projects!  I cannot believe the things I managed to do this summer. Heather helped with quite a bit of it. We painted my bedroom and my utility room. We repainted all the trim as well. Then we painted by inspiration of pinterest, my cabinets. I also made Chicken Fried Rice from pinterest for Heather and I. As well as egg muffins. My dead trees in my yard were finally chopped down. I finished knitting a scarf. I babysat a friend's cat. I managed to get a Heather to knit me a purse, my brother-in-law to work on a headboard for my bed, and my sister's mother-in-law to sew me a Jane Austen dress and a Renaissance dress. Yep. Probably more should be on that list, but I can only remember so much.

Writing
 Okay, so this is the section I really failed in. I didn't finish a novel whatsoever. I did add about ten pages to the story I had, as well as begin a journal just for the details, background, maps, characters, etc of that story so I hope that through ideas this year I will be ready to really crack down on it next summer. Ah, well, wish me luck.

Reading
All right, so I read all these books!  I still didn't manage to finish The Fellowship of the ring but I am over halfway there.  I can't believe I read over 7000 pages. I'm quite proud of myself. I read new things, reread old things and really surprised myself. I missed reading, when I had no cares in the world and all I would do would be go home, shut the door, and lose myself completely to escape my own life into another full of fantasy and dreams. I rediscovered that love again this summer, and I hope I always manage to have time here and there for some reading of my own joy.  Also, through reading I realized several things. Because of Rachel Morgan getting a tattoo that represented her, I decided on one for me.  I decided that if I get a tattoo it will be on my back and say "Not all those who wander are lost" which says a million things about myself, and maybe a second one that says "The road goes ever, ever on" around my wrist.  I also discovered that I love learning about the forgotten but just as important people in history after reading Mary Boleyn. I still really think that a study needs to be conducted to figure out how many civilians were killed because of the Civil War.

Socializing
This summer has really opened my eyes to a few things. I managed to make a great friend in a certain person named Heather who I never ever talk about. She has taught me new things, shared in many crazy conversations and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing with me, from gazing at a meteor shower, to being drug into spray painting things and cooking icky raw chicken. I hope fifty years from now we can sit as those eccentric old ladies in rocking chairs, knitting and ranting about the good old days (with my sister as well, and maybe a few other friends along the way.)  I even helped Heather open her eyes to her nerdiness.  She opened my eyes to my crazy ranting/off subject/never ending crazyiness.

I spent some great days with my best friend from high school, Nikki.  We had many discussions about life, huge decisions, the future and what our plans will be.  I realize that no matter what, no matter where out paths take us, I can always call her and she will be there for me and vice versa. Which is a good thing, seeing as how when my career tanks, I am going to be her secretary for her vet's office.  We went horse back riding, zumba'd, shopped, danced, got tipsy, dressed up, and overall just had some blasted much needed fun this summer.

I also spent a great deal of time with my family which I loved. Sean and I spent days together, going on dates, dancing, talking and making some big decisions and plans. My sister and I spent tons of time together, talking, laughing, learning, and joking around. My sister and I may have tried to kill each other when we were younger but I am glad that we know have each other and will always be close.

I spent time with others who were just as important as well but might kill me if I write about them on here. I realized that some people are much more dear to me than I knew, and rerealized others. Went swimming several times with an awesome person named Cole and had some great conversations. Danced the night away a few times, played WOW with my hubby and my mom, spent time with Sean's family, and a million other things.

It is nice to know that I have people who will always be there for me, will watch out for me, and who understand all my wackyness.  I am surrounded by people who care, even if sometimes it feels like the world is caving in and going all crazy.

The Goals of Summer
1. Learn French (gave this one up - changed my future plans for now)
2. Get ahead on Latin (Eh - still not sure on this but didn't do it)
3. Bake/Cook new Recipes (did this! See above)
4. Organize my house (Seriously did some major progress on this!)
5. Redo my bathroom (most wanted and most defeated... sad days)
6. Have a yard sale (Eh - waiting till next year)
7. Read. A LOT (7000 thousand pages. I say mission accomplished)
8. Exercise (YES!)
9. Lose at least 10 pounds  (HA! 15 pounds baby!!!!)
10. Set habits for exercising and other routines (Yep!)
11. Go through everything and get rid of what I don't need!!! (Yep!)
12. Habit of eating healthier (Yep! I'm eating way less and always trying to pick better options)
13. Clean and organize the storage room/garage (No - too freaking hot. That's an autumn chore)
14. Potty train the cats (or at least attempt) (pah on this)
15. Get ready for next semester (did this!)

So, I managed 9/15. I think that's pretty awesome, seeing as how some were silly or changed completely. I also blew some out of the water, so I'm excited about this. Not too bad. Not too bad.

Overall
I am pretty proud of myself. I managed to accomplish quite a bit in a small amount of time. I worked full time at work all summer as well, and did quite a few projects there.  I went to a Jane Austen Festival and had a freaking cool time. I tried new foods and drinks. I opened up. I cried. I laughed. I planned. I discovered a new shopping mall. I changed. I helped. I bought the most adorable puppy ever, met new people, and fell in love with exercising and my puppy, Arwen. I presented a powerpoint to new freshmen. I exercised. I decided to go for a Student Affairs Master instead of a History one to open up job possibilities and to get free classes.   I just did a million things, and I blogged about it. It's fun to go back and see my posts. Really. DO IT!

Finale
What I learned:
I can always make friends.
People are there for me.
People will encourage me and be proud of me.
I can like new things.
I can learn new things.
I can change my future.
I am proud of myself, darn it.
I can change my future.
I realized I loved new things.
I found joy in different things.
I changed.
I discovered new talents.
I want to help others.
I have a heart that is always ready to accept.
I am calm around others who are stressed.
I can have faith in myself.
I accept some pretty different truths than I grew up with.
Scary possibilities are always going to be there.
There are always two roads and I can't regret what I chose.
The past is the past - the future is there for the taking.
My thoughts are the most important for my sanity.
I can surprise myself.
Actors can surprise me.
Not everything is as it seems.
Double standards are everywhere.
Politics are as stupid as I always believed.
Abraham Lincoln was a vampire hunter.
History will always be my love.
My husband and I truly know what's best for us.
Fun. is an amazing band.

The summer ends, school begins, and as such, my end is beginning.

Have sweet dreams friends, the first school night is here.

Stress, School, Stress, Stupid....

All right, so S words seem to be my favorite thing right now. Lately I've been hyperventilating because of school beginning next week. Things have been crazy and hectic. So this is the story of the crazy/hectic-ness.

I have been thinking about changing my major from English:Creative Writing to English:Literature. This would allow me to take more Literature classes, which I have honestly enjoyed more than my writing classes. Not to mention the fact that I found out that the only teacher who teaches Im. Poetry allows no absences and I have to have that class next semester. The Nonfiction class that I would have this semester is a three hour night class, which is terrible and I'm not fond of nonfiction.  So, in order to switch my major and it all work with the classes I have, will need, and be able to graduate on time in the Spring, I needed this web class.

Well, the web class showed as closed but also showed one slot open. I contacted the teacher, who told me to contact the English secretary, and gave me no name. I finally found her email, and also contacted a previous teacher, and got an answer. Between the three classes she was teaching of it the numbers totaled full. Well why not limit the numbers more? I thought that was stupid. So there went my hope and I gave it up. Then Monday I randomly went and checked and someone had dropped! I added the class! I was soooo freaking excited. Yesterday, I checked to see if the money had gone out and realized the web class was going to cost me an extra 213 dollars because of the new fee WKU has applied to all web classes (WHICH IS STUPID).  So... I was pissed. I can't really afford that.

My husband has told me not to worry about it, but I still am. I also have Latin, which is not required but will help when I try to get my history masters, and I can't afford the hundred dollar book for it anymore. What makes me feel worse is that someone who is beyond awesome has offered to "loan" the money to me for it. Which I know he won't let me pay back. But still, very upset, and unclear what to do. I was looking forward to Latin even if I was worried about actually being able to do it. -sighs-  So confused, stressed and school is stupid!

So, there is that.  Last night I got to spend two hours in a hot tub with my wonderful friend Nikki and if you need something to destress you - that's it. Going back tonight after we go ride horses.  That should be fun. And destressing. Wish me luck!

The Blog of All Blogs!

Okay, so this is a super post. Friday I went out with Nikki and got this amazingly awesome dress on sale that I am in love with. Sadly I have no pictures of it (shocking right?). Saturday I went out with my sister, and we went out to eat and hung out doing different stuff. Then Heather came over and we went crazy. We made Chicken Fried Rice from a recipe I found on pinterest and it was great. Heather cooked the chicken while I tried to mix everything else up. It was lots of fun. We added more veggies to it. It turned out really well and I was quite proud. Thanks to Heather for cooking ze chicken, and don't worry, it wasn't hardly a mess at all (and I wouldn't have cared anyways!) We made baked egg cupcake things Sunday morning for breakfast. Heather chopped up veggies while I prepared stuff and mixed the eggs. We used green peppers, mushrooms and cheese along with a Garlic/Herb spice. Twas tasty but I'm not sure about the texture.

After eating and cooking the Fried Rice, we preceded onto the main event. Painting my cabinets! I have more pictures on facebook but below there shall be a few. I saw it on pinterest and thought it was the coolest thing ever. All you do is have some lace, spray temporary adhesive on it and the item, then put them together. After that, you spray... paint! Viola! Let it dry however long (ours was ten minutes) and pull of the lace. And your cabinet looks like lace!!!!!!!!  I sadly didn't get to do all my cabinets. Most of the screws are stripped so it's going to take some doing to get them down. I shall have to borrow an actual drill. Heather also tried and she managed to get the two top cabinets down. So exciting.  My green linoleum floor is hideous and I apologize for it. (Oh and Heather, I don't mind pics).

 Ahem, so then we were winding down for sleep when my hubby disappeared. He had gone outside to look at the meteors. We followed and when I got fed up of staring at the sky and hurting my neck, I got a quilt, pillow and blanket, and outside we went. It was awesome. It's been ages since I have done that and it was all nice and chilly outside. I saw quite a few. So much fun. I'm hoping Heather had as much fun as I did.


Today I went to my sister's birthday party. Sean taught my sister how to play chess, while Heather and I played Battleship. She had never played!!! It was fun, and I actually won which I think is a miracle. I never win games. We then preceded to play scrabble with Becky and Sean (Becky won. I came in third), and then Smart Ass which is always fun. My sister got the new Nook glow so I got her old one!! I have a Nook!! Yay!!!  Heather's birthday is also the same day as my sister's and I gave her two rubber duckies, money and a really awesome card. I realize now she's only five months older than me. Fun fun. I'm sure I'm forgetting something... oh well.

Short, Sweet, With no point...

Well, not much has been going on. I'm most of the way through Abraham Lincoln, The Vampire Hunter. I told me sister I would never read it.... and then she read it and made me. Darn it. Stupid Sister Pressure. So I'm probably going to finish that tonight. Other than that, I spent about four hours cleaning because Heather is coming over tomorrow and well, I want my house to be mostly nice. That and I needed to do a sweep before school starts back. Oh the dreaded school. Tempted to drop Latin.Oooh, but I did buy this absolutely fabulous dress that was on sale.

Tomorrow: Running around with my sister, then completing a million projects with Heather.
Sunday: Birthday Party at Becky's.
Monday: ... Back to work.

My new purse!!!!

    All right so I am in incredibly happy!!! I have my new purse (all lined and everything) as well as two new aprons!!! Tonight was an awesome night! 

Exercise!!!

Okay, so I'm starting off slow, but I'm starting and that's what matters right? I've gotten much better about what foods I'm eating and how much. For the past two nights I've walked at least a mile.  Arwen has even gotten used to the leash. Last night though we almost had an incident when a bunny spooked out of my neighbors yard and ran right in front of us. Arwen start to go after it (luckily she was on a leash) but I still thought "Escape Bunny, Escape!!"  Of course, I was telling Heather about this today and what do I do but say this out loud while throwing my hands up and my voice spiking. Ah well. It was funny. She even put it in her blog. I'm funny enough to be blogged :P

In other news, I haven't done much. I know I mentioned going out with my friend Nikki on my last post, but what I didn't say was that I weighed myself too.  I was 160 pounds. I haven't seen that number in over a year and I was joyous to see it. I know that my weight fluctuates so I may be a little above that, but who cares? It was there then and I was so very happy!!! I'm actually going to go set up my own scale in a minute. Have to keep track, you know.

I spent today working on the LAC bulletin board, and it's a bucket list for classes. It was my coworkers idea, and it's very groovy. Probably because the only buckets I could find were really bright colors and so we wound up with tye dye border because it was the only thing that matched.... but that's beside the point! It looks great. I would post a picture of it but I'm a but lazy and do not feel like going to download it.  I also spent a large amount of time surfing etsy today and looking at costumes and other random items. -sighs- I have so much I need to do in the next two and a half weeks before school starts back and it seems like I just keep wasting it. It's annoying!!!

My husband bought me this really cute owl journal and I've turned it into my own guide for the world I'm creating for my novels. Everything from character descriptions to maps will be housed in it, and it's a great place for me to explore my own imagination. Wish me luck!!!

Heather came by to print out our hat patterns today. She's pretty confident my hat won't be that hard. I'm a bit skeptical. Wish me luck. I'm hoping I can manage. I need to learn how to cable. Oi, I hope that won't be too terrible. Then after I learn to cable maybe I'll make a scarf with cables. You know, I really don't need anymore scarves.... I want my purse!!!!

.... Anything else random enough for today... Nope. Laters!

Knitting/Fun/Yep

 So, isn't it beautiful? This is my new purse! Or well, as soon as the lining is added in by sister's mother-in-law. I didn't take a picture of the fabric I bought, but it is awesome as well. I will as soon as I get it back. It's rather cool.  I am in love with how this purse turned out, and Heather is the coolest person ever. It only took her like a week to do, and she knitted a hat!!!  I'll put another picture on after it's all finished.

I have over a hundred yards left of yarn (I think it's over two hundred actually), so I'm going to make a matching hat. I was looking at patterns, and I've decided on this Lucy hat because I love it and the pattern is cute. It calls for the same weight in yarn which is also important.  I'm rather excited. I had to buy the pattern for four dollars, and I have to wait for her to email it to me.

 I also found this hat, but it requires super bulky yarn. I'm in love. I'm such a nerd!!!  I plan on getting it as well and hopefully knitting it eventually. It's fun to be making my own stuff. For a little over forty dollars I'll have an awesome purse that's one of a kind and a matching hat!!!  Heather is awesome for teaching me!!!!  It was also my sister's idea to learn and she encouraged me to do it, so awesomeness all the way around.

My friend Nikki and I went out the other night, and this is a picture of us.  We got all fancy :P She even put makeup on me.  I had a great time and I got to wear my sparkly purple shoes again. Other than that, and Becky's today, not much has happened in the past week. Read another Rachel Morgan book of course (two actually) and am on the last one that is out. Umm, worked... yeah, not much to report on. If you want to know about the book, I've updated my blog post on it, and there is a link on the side --->

Laters peeps!

So Very Behind

 Okay, so I am so behind on blogging. I meant to post something on here at least a dozen times and I haven't done it. Which is crazy because my scarf is finished and I'm insanely proud of myself, and where better to brag but my own blog! So TA DA! Below is my finished scarf. I love-iz it. I would post a pic of me in it but I'd rather not as I didn't like the one I took.

 In other news, my puppy is doing quite well. She came in last night and refused to do anything but sleep on my foot. I went with it. I really need to give her a bath again.  I also put Frontline on her, so I'm hoping that will help her out.  She now weighs twenty pounds and is finished with her shots. She goes back August 17th for her Rabies shot. This is her on the way to the vet last time.  Darn, she sits so dang cute. I've taught her to stand now, so so far that should be Sit/Stand/Shake/Lay/Roll/Crawl/Roll Over/Up up/Come/Stay/Leash walking  -- Yep. I need to work with her more, but I've been so exhausted lately it's been crazy. I need to work on taking my vitamins again. Plus, I zumba'd and jogged the other day and immediately fell off my own bandwagon. Going to exercise again tonight. Promise.

I missed work this Tuesday because I cleaned my closet Monday night and found more dry wall dust which I think I'm slightly allergic to. It resulted in me hacking up my lungs at about 2:30 am to 4:00 am. I have to wake up by six to make it to work on time. I woke up at 7. Was going to go to work but after I fell asleep after a shower I said screw it and called in. I slept more. Needless to say I spent the day pretty much doing nothing. Which was kinda awesome. My husband also brought me this journal as a surprise present :) Isn't it cute? Heather is almost finished on my purse!! Pictures will ensue.  Anything else to ramble about? Oh yeah, finished another Rachel Morgan book! Now on the 8th.  Gotta love them.