New Traditions

My family has changed. I now have a neice and I am now more attached to my boyfriends family. Both are an adjustment but happy ones. This Christmas eve I spent with Stephens family. It was lovely. I was sort of dreading it since I'm not in favor of change but I put a smile on and hoped for the best. And the best I got! It was really fun. We (Stephen, his parents and his younger sister) all got in the car and headed over to church. The whole way there we sang Christmas carols and laughed as we forgot all the words. Once there we enjoyed a really nice candle service (which I'd never been to before). Afterwards we went out for chinese and then went back to Stephens and exchanged gifts. I recieived a gift card from Stephens parents and stationary and a beautiful jewlery box from his sister. And then after that we headed over to Stephens oldest brother and sister-in-laws apartment. It was over all a very happy and festive evening. I'm really looking foward to starting even more new traditions with Stephen in the coming years.

Fingerless Gloves

Here they are. The fingers are a little uneven and they don't match perfectly. But I think they are worthy of my good friend.

Scarf and Fingerless Gloves

I finally got around to learning how to cable! I made Stephen a scarf which I think came out really well. I followed a fantastic pattern and it came out just splendidly! Just like the picture. Stephen is very happy with it and it is oh so warm and cozy. But luckily for him I cannot wear it being that I made it from an acrylic and wool blend and I am super sensitive to wool. It is probably one of the nicest things I've made (not to boast too much!). I have also recently finished (still have to sew up a few fingers!) a pair of fingerless gloves for a friend of mine. Not my greatest work but not bad either. I will have pictures when I finally finish them completely. I really don't enjoy knitting at all. I would much rather make a nice banana cake. But there is something about having a nice pile of knitting in your lap on a cold winter night while your watching a movie. Although knitting has to be one of the most frustrating things I do for a hobby. Go figure!

Thanksgiving Surprise

Well I just have to start by saying that I love thanksgiving. I love to eat so what a perfect holiday for it! I have just always loved the time spent with family and it's always simple and I rather enjoy that. Every year my mom, being the mom she is, always makes sure to invite people who may not have some place to go. So she invited some people here and there but everyone has somewhere to go this year. As of a few days ago we thought it was just going to be the three of us. So I mentioned this to my good friend Grace and asked what she was doing for the holiday being that she is from Canada and living in Nashville. She said she wasn't doing much of anything and one thing led to another and she's coming to the NJ for Thanksgiving!!! I am too excited for words. She is such a good friend and I so rarely get the chance to see her. And now I get to spend a holiday with her. It is truly a blessing!

Across The Universe

So on Sunday Stephen took me on a date and we had dinner (Thai of course) and then saw "Across the Universe" which is a musical set in the late 1960's and the score is all music by the Beatles. Now being a Beatles purist I thought I would cringe at every song sang. But I didn't. Songs such as "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" were actually very tastefully done. Most of the songs were sung with a different feel but kept the beauty of the melody. Of course there were a few songs that did make me cringe. "Helter Skelter" being one of my favorite Beatles tunes did indeed make me want to leave the theatre. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" wasn't great either but it was during the credits so I only had to listen for a bit. "Strawberry Fields", "Dear Prudence" and "Hey Jude" where some of my favorites and I have to admit I never thought I would enjoy those three being that they are on my top 10 list of all-time best Beatles songs. "I am the Walrus", sung by Bono, as well as "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite", which was hardly sung at all, were both a little too strange for me. Being that they were during scenes of LSD use it did seem appropriate. Although, there wasn't much drug use at all. They story line was simple. Boy loves girl. Boy loses girl. Boy finds girl again. Happy ending. The part I thought was powerful were the parts depicting the Vietnam war and the way they portrayed the process of "brainwashing" the soldiers. Very interesting indeed. All in all I thought it was very enjoyable. Stephen didn't really like it but I thought it was fantastic and very surprising. Not worth seeing in the theatres though. I would have been just as happy waiting for the DVD. But I was hardly disappointed the way I thought I would be.

Thoughts on Dance

I took a ballet class last night for the first time I think since the spring. It felt pretty good. Emotionally. Not physically! Although I'm not as sore as I thought I would be. Every time I get back into class I remember all the reasons I wanted to be a famous ballerina. And I also remember all the reasons I quit. After deciding I no longer wanted to pursue dance as a career I felt so free and unburdened but as time goes on I realize it was something I had always wanted and I really do have some feelings of regret. As I think about it deeper though I do remember all the emotions connected with my leaving that life behind. I know God will bless me for following his plans for my life and I really do look forward to seeing what they are. I have also spent alot of time thinking about the importance my dance education had on my life. And I found some really invaluable things. I posses a skill that few others do, I am confident and disciplined, I had some fantastic opportunities, and I have gained an appreciation of all art that I will have for the rest of my life. Not bad for 14 years of my life.

This is a picture of Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev in rehearsal. She was what I had always aspired to be. She was a true artist who loved ballet not for the perfection but for the beauty of the dance.

Lucy Renee

Well I am finally the proud aunt of Lucy Renee. I've waited for a little under 9 months and that was plenty long enough. I'm happy to say that she is everything I expected and so much more. She's beautiful and sweet and just right. God is so wonderful with his perfect creations. Sarah is doing fantastically well. Her labor was only about 9 hours and it all went so fast. I was not able to actually be there when she came into the world but I saw here just 12 hours later looking perfectly happy and serene. She is the most beautiful little baby I have ever laid eyes on. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when I have my own children!! Here are pictures. They will be so many more over the next few years most of my friends will probably want to slap me and tell me to stop bragging! Oh well. It's a small price to pay for all the happiness she has brought and will bring to my life.

Camera

So I finally got a digital camera. I went with the Samsung nv3. Its sleek and smooth. 7.2 mega pixels and very fun and easy to use. After doing alot of research I found out the nv10, which is the one I originally wanted, just wasn't up to par. So I went with the nv3 and so far have been very happy. I am still learning how to use everything since I haven't had a digital camera is about 5 years but it's coming along nicely. Here are some pics I took with it this weekend.

Not Global Warming Global Boring!

I read on my cousins blog that today is "Blog Action Day". Apparently as bloggers we are supposed to write about how we are saving the world. Now I am in full support of "going green" as Al calls it and I love the earth the way it is and want to keep it that way. But I don't believe in global warming and I don't think that we should be scared into taking care of the planet God created for us. Few people, myself included, besides hippies and over the top environmentalists, ever really took notice of the earth until Al Gore started blabbing about it. But I am happy people are aware of how much we are a country of excess. Not only do we use way too much plastic and then not recycle it we use too much of everything! Food for example. How much food do you throw away every day or week? Leftovers in the fridge, that little bit on your plate you just can't eat cause we stuff ourselves so full we can't eat that last piece of 12 ounce steak. People in other countries don't live in such excess. So I do encourage people to try to be a little more conscience about these things. But don't do it cause Al wants you to. Do it because it what God calls us to. Protect the earth He so graciously provided for us.

Sorry I got preachy.

College Bound!

So I officially applied to Rairtan Valley Community College! I am so excited! Nervous too but excited. I got my student ID number and I wrote up my homeschool transcript and now all I have to do is send it in along with my SAT scores, take an entrance test for math and I can register for classes in January. I really didn't want to do it but now that I'm on the way I'm so excited. I love learning and it's been awhile since I've done any hard core learning. I plan on taking one or two classes. Definitely math (so I can get it out of the way) and maybe an English. I have to say I am very proud that I scored high enough on my SAT's to go right into English I. Even though my math score was embarrassingly low. I really do take this as a new adventure for my life and it is something I never knew that I wanted. But I'm going to College! How cool is that?!

Echappee's and Sar Pei's

Shar-Pei –noun
one of a Chinese breed of large muscular dogs having a distinctive wrinkly skin covered by a fawn to dark brown smooth coat, originally developed as a guard dog.

Échappé[ay-sha-PAY]
Escaping or slipping movement. An échappé is a level opening of both feet from a closed to an open position.

So I have this one 4 year old student who is just so cute (aren't they all) and she asked me last week if we were going to do "Shar Pei's" I replied with a confused "Maybe!" Not quite understand what she ment but trying to sound on top of things. So this week she asked the same thing and it clicked in my head! She calls Echappee's Shar Pei's! It took everything in me not to crack up laughing. Especially cause she asked so seriously. Since this one girl was having trouble saying the name properly I had the whole class say "Echappee" with me. But there she is saying "A Shar Pei!" It was a very funny moment.

A Fine Friday

Last night Stephen and I went to Pennsylvania to eat at a restaurant where one of my friends cooks. We got a little lost but it was a fun time. Than on our way back into the NJ we were like hey lets call up some friends. So we called Chirstopher Robin and met up at an all night diner and we each ate a strange thing. Stephen had a waffle and coffee, Christopher had a bacon, egg and cheese sandwhich and I had a hot chocolate and cottage cheese. It was so much fun. We talked about movies and dating and I realized yet again how old I'm getting. Or rather how my life is in transition from childhood to adult hood. It's fun but scary! It was a really nice friday night spent with good friends.

Memories

My parents have been slowly cleaning out the attic the past month or so and this weekend I lended a hand. We were going through this box of all my stuff from I think 1st grade but some 2nd grade as well. I haven't laughed so hard in ages! I was one strange child. Well, I guess no weirder than any other but it was so fun to look at. I was a terrible speller! Although in Flemington, NJ they invented "inventive spelling" where kids got to spell things however they wanted. Not such a good idea. Cause I still can't spell. And I think I spelled the word weather "whare" yeah that makes sense. But it was fun to say the least. I spent alot of time going through old favorite books and finding one of my fave toy! A small asian inspired umbrella. I loved that thing! And after going through all those boxes I spent the evening reading "Theres a Wocket in My Pocket" and "and "The Very Bad Bunny" to Stephen. I wish I could be 6 again....

No Eating Out

Stephen and I decided that for the whole month of September we would only eat out once a week for our weekly lunch at our favorite Diner. It's been rough. But we are saving alot of money. And getting in touch with our inner chef's again! I've noticed I'm eating much healthier and I can't believe all the money we are saving. It was a good idea. But I am very much looking foward to October!

Oat Bran Delight!

So the past few days I've been having Hot Oat Bran Cereal for breakfast. I have to say I think my Grandpa Howie would be proud of me! My mom had suggested I try it so I did and I spiced it up with some brown sugar. It tasted pretty good. Than this morning I got really creative. I added some dried fruit which was inspired by my cousin and her husband who made me oatmeal and added dried fruit which was delicious! So I added some crasians and some apricots and brown sugar, cinnamon, a little milk and voila! a wonderful healthy bowl of oat bran. I suggest giving it a try. I even had it for dinner one night!

Bagels, State Parks, and Cities

The past year I have really come to appreciate all the things around me. I think it took my sister moving to the crazy state of Kentucky for me to realize this about a few things. Like Bagels. It's hard to find a good one some places. Or any at all. A good Italian deli. Good New Jersey Pizza. Also, I'm within 10 minutes of two different state parks with walking trails, a lake, fishing, boating. And I'm centrally located between both Philadelphia and New York City. I need to stop complaining and be happy. I have so much around me. Especially the Bagels!

And it all came tumbling down....

Do you ever just get the feeling that your whole life is just falling apart? Well I have that feeling just a little. Only certain aspect of my life are crumbling. So if you think about me could you just pray I keep on trucking and don't wallow in my own crap? I would appreciate it.

Just One of Those Days

Warning: I am now going to rant.

Ok so I'm a dance teacher. I like to think I'm pretty good at it. I mostly teach ballet and frankly thats the only form of dance I'm good at teaching. I'm ok at Jazz and according to a certain mother I'm a disastrous tap teacher. And hey I agree! I am terrible! And I tried to tell my boss that and did she listen? No. And now I'm left here feeling a like a piece of poop. I'm good at what I do. It's not my fault her kid wasn't good and I couldn't teach her. I mean they were saying she'd been taking tap since she was in the womb but I couldn't tell! And I'd been up since 7am and teaching all freakin day! I'm sorry I complained about my feet hurting in front of your child. You try being on your feet and dancing since 3:30 and it's now 7:30. You'd be tired and cranky and you're brain would be fried too. And to top it all off I had be in a non air conditioned studio for all those classes and I try to switch for this one freakin tap class and the other teachers have the guts to say "Well I don't want to go in that studio the ac's broken" Well guess what?! It's been me and one other teacher who have had to be in there all freakin week!!! And yet I'm always willing and easy going. I don't complain about the stupid AC. Whatever. Rant over.

Good Bye Summer

It's over. My friends went back to school. I start teaching on Monday. It's sad. But I spent the last week of my summer doing fun things. I really enjoyed myself. Here are pictures to prove it!

Wild West City

So since yesterday was the last day of summer for most of my college friends we decided to do something fun. My friend David had won a pass for four people to attend Wild West City for free! So he invited Stephen and I and an old friend of ours from high school. So we went and had a great time! We saw Indian dancing and took a stage coach ride and saw a saloon fight! It was a very nice day all around spent with good friends. Pictures to follow soon!

What A Week

It's only Wednesday and I want it to be Friday again. Although, I am having a good time. My week started by going to the shore and it was rainy and crappy but we had fun anyway. We stayed over at a friends and came home Monday. Now I've been working the past two days teaching an advanced dance camp. It's fun. The kids are great. But today my boss left for Canada! One of my co-workers started to cry. She's been dancing/working there for 20 years and she's taking over as boss while Leesa is gone for two months while her son trains for Cirque du Soleil. So she's nervous. And her crying made me cry and I realized how much I love my boss and I'm going to miss her. It's been crazy the past two days and I'm loosing my mind.... no joke. Lets just hope I regain sanity for the next two days.

All My Adventures

I had so many adventures this year but by far my best was going to New York state to see my Grandparents. I went with my cousin Katherine (or Faffie as I call her) and Sephen met us up there mid-week. We did something different everyday for 6 days. It was so much fun! Grandpa said I had to write a blog about it and make a list of all the different things we did. So here it is:

Monday- We arrived at the house and went into the shop and made a game board for Rummy Royal. Then we picked wild blueberries for Grammy to make pancakes out of. Then we had a fire and played Rummy Royal (which we did every night there after)
Tuesday- We decided to got for a 11.6 mile walk to the nearest town. So we woke up at 6 and left By 6:30. It 5.3 there, where we ate breakfast and rested for an hour and 5.3 back. It was amazing but I was sore for days! It only took us about 6 hours too! We all took naps. Personally I slept for almost 3 hours.
Wednesday- We slept in and then went to the county fair and Grandpa even rode some rides with us which was fun. We had another camp fire that night too I think.
Thursday- We went on a big hike through the woods. Up a river bed and back down the road to the house. Then I baked a rhubarb crisp from Grandpas own home grown! I think we went for a quad ride that day too. Oh and we went out on the pond in the boat.
Friday- We went to the mall and the movies and then went out to dinner. It was very relaxing.
Saturday- We went for a 4 mile walk "around the block". Then we worked in the yard with Grandpa digging out stones and what not. Then we locked up the boat (a tricky thing!) and took another quad ride and then we had to go home.

But let me tell you! I had a great time. I could have stayed there another few weeks for sure. So thanks Grandpa and Grammy for such a fun time!

P.S. Pictures will soon follow!

"It's been a long time....

oh how I've been alone"...



So I never even posted pictures from Kentucky or said anything about my trip! I had a great time. My sister looked out of this world! Both because she was preggers and looked so cute and happy and because she just looked great! My brother in law and I had so much fun and I felt baby Lucy kick quite a lot. We spent most of the time hanging around Wilmore and watching Freaks and Geeks (a show I highly recommend getting on DVD!). But we also did our share of touristy things. We went to The Henry Clay Estate which was a home of an old orator and politician. We went to Beria which is an awesome college town with tons of stores with hand made crafts. It was a lot of fun and it was hard to leave them! But I have the memories and the pictures!

Poor Rex

I love my car. And she has a name. And her name is Rex. I have no real emotional attachment to her or anything but shes my car and shes a damn good one! So here's the reason I said that...

While down here is Kentucky I parked in front of my sister and brother in laws house. I didn't want to block Alan in the driveway so since Sarah was driving she parked on the street. No problem. So about 30 minutes later the doorbell rings and a very young girl (or so she looked) said "Is that your car on the street?" "Yes... well it's my sisters car" said Sarah. "Well," Said the girl "I put a dent in it backing out of my friends driveway" So I ran to the door and said "Oh boy. Lets go look at it" So I walk to the car expecting a small dent on the drivers side door where she said it was and oh my glory!!! I wouldn't call it a dent!!! It was more like a smashed door! I was pissed to say the least. But Sharon (the young girl) gave me her information and I called the insurance company (we had the same company which made it easier) filed the claim and dealt with a very nice southern man by the name of Albert. But my window doesn't go down and I can't unlock the car door from the outside. Poor Rex. At least I can still drive her. We go to the adjuster on Wednesday down her in Lexington and we'll get her fixed when we get back to the NJ. Sigh... one can never really get a break from life. As my father always says "It's always something!"

It's been a long time...

Since I've blogged! I was away and got home a week ago. I went to Illinois on a camping trip with 5 of my closest frieds. We went to Cornerstone, a Christian music festival, and boy did I have a neato time! We saw tons of bands and went to a few seminars and just had so much fun. I really wish I could have stayed all summer. Well.. not really... But it was so nice to be away from television and cell phones (!!!) and just life! Everyone there is silly and crazy and the bands were amazing. I have some pictures which everyone should look at. Sarah Clark was nice enough to let everyone use her camera and take pictures of eachother. So we all took some great ones. I will hopefully have more when my other friends get theirs on the computers.

All Work And No Play....

It's dress rehearsal week I worked almost 12 hours yesterday. I went to the studio and taught my last class of the year (woo!) and then tagged t-shirts, went to staples, loaded up cars (including my own) with boxes of shoes, bags of costumes, and so much more. Then I headed off to the middle school where the show is to be held and worked straight until 9:30. It was insane and I felt so out of place. But I'm learning which is always a good thing. And after all that I have to go back at 4 and work until late every day this week! And I'm leaving for vacay on Sunday! AHHH! But I suppose the vacation will be all the more sweet since I'm working so hard. Right?

Grandma's

Growing up I never was in want of grandma's even though I never got to know either of my biological ones. As long as I can remember my Grandpa Howie's wife Cathy has been my grandmother. I remember her comforting me when I was upset and letting me eat cupcakes before dinner and all the wonderful things grandmother's do. And my best friend when I was a kid had a wonderful grandmother whom I called Grammy (just like he did) and she also loved me like on of her own. It is really amazing that even though when I was young it upset me I never knew the great women who my family always talked about so fondly I was, and still am, so blessed! Even now I am loved and cherished by Stephen's grandparents. His Grandma Clark has just treated me with such love that I could never even thank her enough. So between Grandma Cathy, Grammy, Grandma Clark and so many other wonderful women who have shown me love I have all the grandmothers anyone could ever need! So thank you! You all are loved in return.

On Sunday I went to my old dance studios performance. It was such a good show but it is always strange going back and seeing all the old people. Some friends some not. But I did see my one friend who decided to stop dancing and she looks so good and so happy. I told her how proud I am that she made the choice and isn't ashamed of it. It's good to see her so happy. I also saw one friend who has been in Miami the past year and a half. She too looks great! And I saw my old jazz teacher. He invited me to take class with him on Thursday in the city. I don't really want to go but it's free! And one of my friends is going with me so I feel like I won't make such a fool out of myself when I have someone there to laugh with. It should be fun. I hope so anyway.

Oh! And if you want to see this old jazz teacher of mine watch The View tomorrow morning he's performing on it!

Beach and More Beach

Last week Stephen and I decided to go to the beach on Tuesday and so we went and while sitting there soaking in the sun he said "We should come again on Thursday". So we did! And we went to the Barnegat Lighthouse and had the most enjoyable day! I love living so close to the beach. I used to take it for granted till my poor sister said how much she misses it being in Kentucky. I will be sending her some shells and sand though. Poor Sarah.

If you want to see pictures from the beach click on the link to the right!

Train Track Adventure

I had a very lovely weekend yet again. It was very relaxing and fun. I especially enjoyed Monday. After we had a lovely dinner with my fam Stephen and I went for a walk down the railroad tracks by my house. We had no idea where they lead since the train always stopped right outside my house. We walked and we walked and we met a turtle! We named him Benny the Turtle and we struggled with what we should do. After all the poor little guy was right in the center of the tracks. We decided to leave him though. He looked tough. Then we came upon a bridge what was rather creepy. But decided that we should climb up to the road and see where we were and have my parents come pick us up. So as Stephen was seeing the best way to climb up he stepped into the underbrush and a turkey flew out!!! It scared both of us out of our wits! But when we climbed to the top (after being assured nothing us would fly out at us) and found ourselves looking at a very lovely view of Spruce Run reservoir! And when we found the road it was quite a long way from my house! It was a very good adventure to say the least. Stephen took this incredible picture of me too!

58 Days...

I almost cannot cantain myself for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!! I almost can't talk about because I get so excited and so full of questions that I want answered! I am extra excited because I will be reading it aloud to my mom as we drive to Kentucky this summer. It's hard to believe she is actually reading the books! And then when we arrive in Kentucky Sarah will be reading it and we will all be reading it together and... and... and.... I am so excited!!!! This will also be the first time I'll be going at midnight to retrive the book. I'm nervous someone will be a big jerk and shout the ending out like supposedly people did last time! Poo on them because that is mean! I mean if someone does that to me I can shout swear words at them and do another rude things back but little kids read these books! Those kids would be so sad to hear the ending of something that means alot to them (and me!). Hopefully that won't happen. And if it does I'll cry but there are worse things in life... right?

Well our plans got cancelled for tonight. Actually our friends aunt is very ill and he is going down to Virginia to see her... I really don't like sad things like that...

But on a lighter note! My Key Lime Tart came out amazingly well! It's smooth, creamy texture goes perfectly with the graham cracker and nut crust. It's tart but with the smoothness of it is perfect in your mouth. I love it. I think it'll be one of my favorites for the summer!

Key Lime Tart!

Today I am making a Key Lime Tart. Stephen and I are having a pirogy cookoff with some friends of ours and I of course thought "Hey I need to make something sweet!" So I asked Stephen what he thought was best and he said Key Lime Tart. I am of course not squeezing my own juice (I did that with Lemon Squares and it took me ages!) and I don't think I could find Key Limes anyway. But I am excited since my grocery store has bottled Key Lime juice and that is what the recipe calls for anyway. I have to buy a tart pan though and with money low this week... But ack! who cares?

Can't.Stop.Baking.

OK so my baking as almost moved beyond being a hobby. Or it is a obsessive hobby at least. I have now ventured into the land of creating my own recipes! How exciting. See with knitting (as much as I love it!) I was never comfortable enough to try my own things. I mean I did a few times and maybe it needs more years of practice but with baking I feel like I could make anything (as long as it is fairly simple). This Friday I took a recipe I liked in theory and made it better with my own twist. I changed quite a bit so I feel confident to say it is my own recipe. I changed the flour, sugar, and flavorings. I'd say that's pretty adventurous. I'm happy and I just did some research on baking and all the ingredients involved and feel ready to tackle something maybe like a coffee cake or muffins. Yay for baking and yay for creativity!!

I love the warm weather. I am so happy it has arrived. The change of seasons always reminds me of new life. I always feel a sort of awakening at each new season. Even winter. But spring is particularly special. All the flowers bloom and the grass turns green again. It reminds me of Gods love and how he renews our hearts. It's quite amazing.

Aunt Poopy

I am so excited to be an aunt. I can't get over it. I think tomorrow I'm going to start knitting some baby booties for the little one. I can't wait for this little child to be born. I want to kiss it and love it and spoil it absolutely rotten! I'm so excited about it I can't imagine how I'll feel when I have children of my own! I also decided for good that I want to be a kooky Aunt. One who always breaks the rules (in a good way) and is just kinda crazy and fun. So I think in order to be kooky enough I have to be Aunt Poopy. Now it must be understood that my sister for a long time now has called me Poopy. So it's not like I made it up out of the blue. So I think Aunt Poopy adds just the right kookyness! I'm so excited!

Book Worm

I have become quite the book worm lately. In the past few weeks I have read: The Diary of Anne Frank, "Misery" by Stephen King, "Dolores Claiborne" by Stephen King, and "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis. And I just started "The Count of Monte Cristo". I have never read books this quickly before. I am reading a book in about 5 days! It usually takes me at least 10 days to finish something and thats if I really like it. But I think it's because I haven't been watching really any television. I have been spending most of my mornings and afternoons in the kitchen with Gus. So I just sit with him on my lap and read. It's really nice! I love reading and I'm finally getting around to reading the books I've wanted to read for years now. My brain was getting kinda mushy there for awhile. It's also made me rather excited to go to college. After all I think I want to study literature.

Another Great Weekend

I had another great weekend! On Friday after work I just hung around and watched Spiderman 2 in preperation of the 3rd! And then on Saturday Stephen and I went to the Mexican market and made some enchiladas! They weren't the best but we made our own corn tortillas for crying out loud! But I think with some more practice our enchiladas will be fantastic. It was nice because we spent about 3 1/2 hours making everything. Starting with the tortillas and finishing with Mango Cream. It was fun and I really enjoyed it. And then after dinner we walked to the park and swung on the swings and then I drove Stephen home and I went to bed early. On Sunday I just did alot of catching up. Started my laundry and finished up a book I was reading. It was relaxing and in the evening my parents and I went to Diary Queen which is one of my favorite summertime traditions. I never seem to be too old for that! It was just another fun and relaxing weekend!

Dresses Galore!

I went shopping today and realized that I have become completely obsessed with dresses. I now have a total of I think five sun dresses. That is from last summer and the ones I've gotten recently. I just love them! I love to put one on on a saturday or sunday with a cute pair of wedges and just feel cute as can be. And I love feeling girly. And if there is one thing a sun dress does is make you feel girly and pretty. So I'm happy with the fact that I almost have enough dresses to fill an entire summer week. I am looking foward to being able to wear one on a wednesday and not look silly since it's still a little chilly.

Leaving the Nest

So just a few weeks ago my parents told me they were planning on moving to Florida next spring and that I was more than welcome to go with them but I frankly don't want to do that. So I made the decision that come next spring I would move out on my own. And ya know what? I think it was just the push I needed. I really feel like my parents are saying "OK it's time to fly" as they push me to the edge of the nest. I don't mean that in a bad way though. It actually is one of the best things they could possibly do for me. As the thought sets in I'm actually looking forward to it. I mean of course I'll miss my parents and my dog and my home but I'm excited to start something new and by staying to Hunterdon County I think it'll make it easier than if I were moving to a strange state and city. I feel good about this and I am getting truly excited! Since I was planning on moving back in September I already have a lot of what I need so all I need to do is secure my full time job (which is basically done), look for an apartment come January, and find a roommate. Not too bad. It's kinda fun growing up.

Baked Goods Taste Good!

So I have become crazed with the baking bug! I have been baking non-stop for about three weeks. It all started with a need for perfect scones. And now I've made dozens of scones, a banana cake (see picture), butterscotch congos, cranberry pistachio biscotti, and I just pulled a pinapple upside down cake out of the oven. Most things have been very delicious. I took a book out of the library and read through it and have about 25 things book marked. So this gal is going to be baking for a few more weeks!

Weekend Fun!

Stepen and I had a really nice weekend and I felt the need to share. On saturday we were going to go out to dinner but the weather wasn't great and I was cranky so we just hung around the house all day and I baked a Banana Cake (that will have it's own post) and went to a book sale where I bought some great classics and a cook book from the 1960's! Then we went to our old stand by for dinner. It was really a nice evening. On sunday we went to church, where Stephen did special music, and then went to lunch at the place we were supposed to go for dinner. To be honest it wasn't very good but we made the best of it. We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful weather and then came back to my house and made homemade flour tortillas! And baked them into delicious bean burritos. We just have so much fun together and I really enjoy just being silly and doing nothing with him.

Love Hate

I realized today that I have a love hate relationship with my job. I love teaching children how to dance and I love answering the phone and typing notices and letters to parents. But every once in awhile I have one of those days where I hate the fact that every mom has to complain about something or other! "I don't like that costume" "So and so doesn't like that girl in her class" Blah blah blah. Oh well. At least I only have one of those days every so often.

On a lighter note I had some delicious Mac and Cheese today that Stephen made for me and then we went for a walk and took some nice pictures. And now I'm back and work and enjoying it!

Oh, Camera.

Well the first thing that came to my mind to write about was digital cameras. I have wanted a good one for a very long time and so I said to Stephen one day "We should go in together for a camera." He agreed so the hunt began. And I now have my eye on a very nice Samsung. It's oh so pretty. And to rationalize spending money on something like this and that I have a niece or nephew on the way and by golly I want to take lots of pictures of that baby! So there. Rationalzation over.