Nature's Toothbrush

   I'm a planner and always will be.

As much as I'd like my planner to be free 

of X marks covering my beautifully organized calendar, 

I've come to the unfortunate realization that it's freaking impossible.  

Plans change all the time, which makes me go absolutely cah-razy. 

Even though I have not been diagnosed by a professional, 

I am fairly certain that---through extensive self diagnosis---I've got a mad case of OCD.

Because the second I get word of changed plans,

I hate having to pull out that black Sharpie pen to drag that ugly X on my calendar.

The moment I cap my pen and take a long look at that calendar, 

I get ticked at its imperfection-ness.

My once perfect and free-from-error calendar is now ruined with this crappy X, 

all because of a change of plans.   

Trust me, I've tried the alternatives.

White-Out is clumpy and pencils make smudges.  

And I don't have an IPAD, so this will have to do...

unless you would like to send one my way.

As you know, this past weekend I was set to visit my sweet sis on Saturday for a fun-filled day of beer drinkin' and good southern tailgating, and I was beyond excited.  (You might have gathered that from my last post). 

On Friday morning, I got a call from my sister as I was rushing to class.  I answered with an enthusiastic "Hey!" and in response, I got a cough followed by scratchy, weak "Hey".  After hearing that painful and forced one-syllable word response, I knew my weekend plans were dunzo.  Sister was sick, and after my hell week of sickness, I was not trying to catch whatever she had.

Saturday's plans were a no-go, and I was definitely bummed; however, we went ahead and said we could try and meet up on Sunday to pick apples if everyone was feeling well enough.  

Thankfully, Sunday morning rolled around and my sister was feeling ten times better.  So, I hopped in my car, turned on the stereo full blast, rolled the windows down, and let that cool fall air blow my hurr.  I was cruising down the highway thinking---Fall weather, you are wonderful.  This moment of peace was quickly ruined by kettle corn. 

I brought Lauren and Gracen, neighbors from home who are practically little sisters to me and my sister, along on the trip.  They are sweet girls, but once you add kettle corn into the mix they ain't that sweet.  Kettle corn must be the bomb-diggity to these two little ones because they sure were hootin' and hollerin' at each other as they played tug-of-war with it. 

Don't worry, I calmed 'em down with some tunes.  We had a marathon of Glee songs. And why yes, we are just as talented as Rachel Berry.  Watch out---we will be on tour soon.

 

 

After the drive up to the mountains, we arrived at sister's dorm.  Before I put my car in park, the girls had already taken off their seat belts.  After a valuable life lesson about safety in cars, the girls jumped out of the car and sprinted to sister as she walked out of her dorm.    

 

Sister was pleasantly surprised to see the two little tots from home.  It sure does help take some of that homesickness away.  Also, getting 79988537226 hugs helps, too.  Those two had that covered.        

 

After the intense chewing gum that helped cure the crazy ear poppin' as we reached higher elevations driving up the mountain, we finally got to the very top.  

And boy---we sure did find some Golden Delicious apples that screamed "EAT ME!"

 

Lauren said she wished she brought a trampoline with her so that she could bounce on it and grab the apples at the top of the trees.  What a goober. 

Also, Lauren also asked me if I knew that apples are nature's toothbrush.  I had never heard of that saying, so I asked her where she heard that.  She simply said, "I just know."  What a natural wiz.   For some reason, I'm thinkin' her 6-year-old self didn't come up with that one on her own...Hm.

 

We all may have smiles on our faces in these pictures, but we sure were freeeeeeeeeeeeezing on the top of the mountain.  It was in the 40s up there.  

 

Along with the amazing apples, there was also apple cider donuts for sale.  All four of us now have a new and unhealthy obsession with these things.  Lets just say, we gobbled those donuts up in no time.  

Besides Pink Lady apples, Golden Delicious are my favorite apples ever.  

 

Running behind these girls was a workout in itself.  When it came to finding the "good" apples, we let Lauren and Gracen take care of that business themselves.  Sister and I would take the pictures and laugh at the ridiculous-looking apples the two would bring to us. 

 

Some of the apples were bruised and just mushy.  Even though they were lookin' rough and not appetizing at all, Lauren and Gracen were very adamant about those being the apples they had to have.  

 

 

Once Lauren and Gracen darted to the next tree in search of more apples, I would sneakily toss the yucky apples out of the bag.  Even though apples are inanimate objects, the girls would somehow give them emotions.  "These apples are sad because they fell off the tree and have big bruises!

 

They would take the gross apples and "give them a home" in my plastic bag.  Thankfully, at the end of our apple pickin', the girls didn't ask to see the apples in the bag.  I swear I'm not heartless, but all of the "sad" apples didn't make the cut. 

 

 The ugly apples were still back at the orchard, still homeless and ugly. 

 

Our trip to the apple orchard was a great one.  Short, but super sweet.  Seeing sister was great, and I'm glad that I was able to visit with her, even if it was for a short time.  (SN:  Look at my dorky shadow in this picture).  

Sister promised me that I would be coming back very soon to tailgate.  So, lets hope that next time will happen and that everyone is feeling good as new.   

 

Hope everyone has a beautiful day.  

XOXO.  

Stumbleupon, my new best friend.

Today is a good day.

Why...?

#1

I woke up feeling 20xs better than yesterday.  

#2 

It's pretty outside.

#3

I have discovered quite possibly the cutest DIY projects while on Stumbleupon.

WARNING:  This site is HIGHLY addictive.  If you have things that need to get done, then I highly advise you to avoid this website at all costs, friends.  You won't get anything accomplished for the day (I know this from experience.  Trust me.)

 

#4

I get to see my baby sister tomorrow.  Yipee!  

 

#5 

Tomorrow's GAME DAY!

#6

I'm just in a happy and excited sort-of-mood. 

I recently posted some fun projects that have kept me busy decorating my apartment.  One being the quilted coasters and the other being the scrapbook paper photo frame.  On top of these two projects, I have tackled even more projects that are filling up my walls! 

Fabric-covered Canvas

 Materials needed:  Canvas (s), Fabric, Picture (s), Scissors, Hot Glue/Fabric Glue

1.  Measure and cut out your fabric so that it fits the canvas appropriately. 

2.   Hot glue the canvas and place down fabric.

3.  Glue pictures on canvas (optional).

3.   Display whatever way you desire! 

I decided to hang mine up, and I'm loving 'em.  

 Fabric Mat with Picture

Materials needed:  Picture Frame, Fabric, Picture, Scissors, Hot Glue/Fabric Glue

1.  Measure and cut out your fabric so that it's a little bigger mat size of your picture appropriately. 

2.  Glue fabric down on edges of picture.

3.  Place in frame and enjoy!

I have the flowers one in my kitchen and the leaf one in my room.  Have already gotten lots of compliments!  Definitely spices up the boring, solid mats.  

Hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.  

I'll be trying to stay warm.

Apparently, VA will be getting some cooler weather this weekend.  

It's about darn time that it sticks around!  

Mother Nature, don't let me down.

XOXO. 

It's a Saturday morning in the fall... do you know what that means?

Game day.

These two glorious words were sweet music to my ears back when I attended school at Ole Miss.  I'd wake up a tad hungover on a Saturday morning, and head down the hall to the showers.  After showering, I would walk back to my dorm dressed in my silly, pink robe and squeaky shower shoes flip flops, and then I'd open my closet doors.  From there, I'd ponder.  What dress will it be?  Not long after I'd slip on my chosen dress, I'd hear the girls in the hallway chitty-chatting it up.  Then, I'd hear a camera flash.  

 

Game day was, without a doubt, a well-documented event.  I can't even begin to tell you how many pictures were taken on game days.  Actually, I can.  The day after game day I had 284574 notifications on Facebook, all of which were from tagged photos.  Lets just say, the picture-taking was excessive.  Okay, that number is a tad exaggerated, but you get the picture.  Pun intended. 

Even though time has passed and my current school doesn't even have a darn football team, (which I find absolutely ridiculous) when someone speaks about game day, I'll start to get the goosebumps.  Call me silly or whatever, but game day is a big deal, people.  You've got your tailgating, snazzy outfits, good friends, and a crap-ton of burr (beer...you just have to accent it).  That just sounds like a darn good time, if you ask me.  Anyways, these tailgating days were some of my most glorious days, and I sure do miss them.  A lot. 

But this weekend, friends, I get to re-live the glorious days.  Granted, it's not the same sort of tailgating as Ole Miss, but hey, it's tailgating and that will do.  My baby sister is off at a pretty southern school, so she gets all dolled up for the games, so I get to dress up for her school's game.  Yay!

Since she's a baby freshman in college, I told her there was no rush for me to come to the games.  I wanted to be sure that she was well-adjusted in her new home before I came to visit.  After about a month of being in classes, I got the okay that my sweet sister is adjusted, so I'm heading her way on Saturday.  I couldn't be more excited to see her and my old friend, Game Day.  

Oh, Game Day.  It's been too long, and I can't wait to be reunited with you (and my sister, of course).

XOXO. 

 

Sickling

I am sick, and IT FREAKIN' SUCKS.

Okay, sorry.  That was really a rough way to start off today's post.  Let me try this again...
 
I am sick, and I am hanging in there.

There we go.  Much better.  Wait, that isn't even the slightest bit true.  I'm miserable, and I'm hardly "hanging in there".  I've been in a ticked-off-at-the-world sort of mood today.  Don't lie---you have been there, too.  Everyone has those days where you wish you could rewind the day and start all over again---this time, hopefully on the right foot.  

Yes, I'm an optimist and always look at the best in any given situation, but lets face reality for a second.  We aren't perfect.  Sometimes we have our "off", far-from-perfect-sorta days.  And today totally was mine.  And, guess what?  That's okay. 

It all started this morning.  I was awakened by Cricket, my roommate's kitten.  He's a cutie---don't get me wrong, but he's an absolute demon-of-a-cat.  That was so not a cool way to be woken up.  Not only was I beyond ticked that that demon cat woke me up from my beauty sleep, but I swallowed and felt a painful sensation in the back of my throat.  What the heck. 

This sick crap always happens every year when the weather starts getting all wacked out.  I want to shake Mother Nature and say, "Listen, crazy woman.  Pick summer or fall.  You can't have them both!"  One day it's in the 80s, then the next day it is in the 60s.  I can't do it!  My sinuses cannot take it anymore.  

Even though it felt like my head was the size of a planet, I still managed to make my way to Psychology.  Please be proud of me.  By this time, the meds were starting to kick in, so the pain was not as severe (Thank God!). 

So, what could have been the worst possible thing to have happened after my Psychology class? 

Thunderstorm.

Yes, friends.  I walked out into the hallway and students were blocking the doorways.  At first, I thought something cool was going on because everyone was congregating around.  I was hoping Lil' Wayne was on campus or somethin'.   Nah, just torrential downpoor.   

NBD.  

 
Actually, it was a BIG deal. I looked down at my white t-shirt and navy blue Soffee shorts.  In my mind I said, "Nope.  It ain't gonna happen.  Not today."  

There was no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that I was going to leave that building until the rain stopped fallin'.  

White T-shirts + Rain = Death

I was not trying to take part in a wet t-shirt contest.  So, there I was inside...waiting...waiting in the hallway.  Eyes glued to the window.  I kept thinking, "God, when oh when is this rain going to stop?"  Well, it didn't any time soon---that's for sure.  In fact, twenty minutes had gone by and the rain hadn't let up, even just a tad.  I happen to have a life, so I glanced at the clock and realized that I couldn't stand here and wait any longer.  The ran was not going to hold me back any longer.    

I walked out of the building, letting the rain pour on me and my white t-shirt.  I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping it would keep the passerbys from getting a peep show of my nunga nungas. 


Perhaps, a combination of these things could be the reason why my day was not so pleasant.  It just started off on the wrong foot, and by golly, don't you just hate that?

It's like nothing works the way you want it. 

For now, I'm gonna try and be my optimistic self and hope for a much, much better day tomorrow.  

XOXO. 

Home is wherever I'm with you.

Traded the city life to spend

time in suburbia with 
my sweet Mama for the day...

I must say, it sure is peaceful in the sweet suburbs, a place without the constant sounds of sirens and beeping horns outside of my apartment walls.  It's like a breath of fresh air.  I honestly forgot how soothing the sound of the crickets really is.  Man, it sure is nice to have a break from the hustle and bustle.

Don't get me wrong---I do like the energy of the city.  Something is always going on, and I swear there is never a dull moment.  Being a busy bee is how I thrive, so the city and me, well, we are super duper tight.  Like BFF tight.  However, it's nice to have a change of scenery and just get away.

I sure am one lucky ducky because I get to have the best of both worlds.  (No, I will not begin to sing that Miley Cyrus song).  The drive home to my mom is only 30 short minutes or one Spongebob episode away (as I tell my sweet little girl neighbor).  With this short distance, I can change my surroundings real fast.   


So, what will it be...Urban or suburban?    

 I must say, it's been so good seeing my mom (it always is).  Right when I opened the front door, I could smell yummy-ness filling the air---a mixture of candles burning and a home-cooked meal ready to be gobbled up.  That's my sweet, southern Mama for ya.  Tonight, she made one of my all-time favorites---the nothing-short-of amazing Taco Soup.


Go ahead, I gave you the link.  Click it!  And cook it!  You won't regret it.

After a delicious dinner and an intense game of Scrabble, I must say, I am exhausted.  The bed is callin' my name, ...and I'm answerin'!


Cheers to a goodnight sleep without being woken up by some obnoxious truck driver who lays on his horn just for the hell of it. 

XOXO. 

PS:  Below I added some creative Etsy artists for my "Home" theme.  

Check 'em out, y'all.  These items are all for sale on Etsy!  The links are also below the pictures. 

Home Shabby Chic Cottage Sign

Floral Shabby Bird House Arrangement

Woodland Lifestyle Roses Wall Hanger

Mom in Photos

Sweet Home Wood Sign

Shabby Little Teapot Cast Iron Wall Hook

Dish Towel Purple Birdies

Chairs Fine Art Print

XOXO.