Friday, November 11, 2011

Happy Friday Cat Post!!!

I am dying to get my arse in gear and put together a wedding post....but that will take some time and work and well, it doesn't help that Staples called and told me my computer has 9 different viruses on it.  Oppsy.

So I leave you on this chilly Friday with none other than a cat post!!!!

Remember that little fur ball Little Bit that came into our lives?  He is growing up to be quite a handful.  He dominates the house and the other animals (yes, even Olivia.  He tackles her everyday and we now have to feed her seperatly because he refuses to let her eat out of her bowl.  A 3 lb kitten is destroying the life of my 25 lb cat)

He is spoiled.  Rotten.  And he needs to have his balls chopped off...like NOW.  Maybe that will calm him down. 
I saw this video on FB and it perfectly depicts what happens EVERY.SINGLE.MORNING. in bed. 



Just sub the baseball bat for Lil' B biting our faces. 

Exhibit A.

ouch.  what happened to my sweet little kitten? 
 (& why do I have Angelina Jolie lips in this pic?)
 
 
tootles!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

You Swept Me Away



One of my bridesmaids made this video from the wedding day on her Iphone.  I love, love, love it.  

Monday, October 24, 2011

Wedding Bliss!


It came, happened all to fast, and now we are basking in the glory of a beautiful wedding and honeymoon.  I have so much I want to share about that weekend and more, but for now, life is calling and needs me to catch up.  

So much love goes out to our friends and family who made this day a dream come true!

Monday, September 26, 2011

I want to marry you



I wonder if Andrew ever feels this way?  
Let's hope not.
;)


Sunday, September 25, 2011

my cup runneth over

I don't think I could have ever been prepared for the amount of love that this wedding has brought into my life--into our lives.  Yesterday, friends and family showered me with the most thoughtful presents.  I think I finally have a fully outfitted kitchen now.  There was a vintage theme (love) and I couldn't stop smiling the entire time.  My friend Katie even made me an apron.  How adorable is that?  

No.  No one can prepare you for this feeling.  Everyone prepares you for the stress...but the love---all this love has been a hidden surprise. 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Oh! My Mama

I had an entire post laid out in my head.  And then my phone decided it didn't want to send any pictures to my email.  

So I will have to hold onto my thoughts (scary) and leave you with a song that I have listened to over and over the past two days.


xoxo

Monday, August 29, 2011

there is only one of you in all time

"There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

Martha Graham

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

did you hear about the earthquake?

via here and lots of people's facebook


Where were you when Virginia stopped turning, that August day?  Okay..bad joke.  South Park ruined that song for me anyways. (and no, it is never my choice to watch South Park...someone else that I live with whose name rhymes with Mandrew is a wee bit obsessed)

I can't wait to be old and crotchety and get to tell my grandbabies about the earthquake that rocked our world.  

And what's up with people not letting us easterners have our moment in earthquake glory.  Why do people puff up and want to play "i've had it worse"....ah.  who knows.  some strange sociological phenomenon that I can ponder on for the week.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

the wants. a post to myself.

You know what always happens to me in the fall?  I get the wants.  I'm sure it has to do with marketing strategies but I also still cling to the idea that I can "start over" with the new school year.  And now that I work in a school, I reallllly have an itch for it.

So this is a post to myself.  To remind myself that you have had the gimmies a lot in life and none of those dear objects will, as you usually say when you are throwing a temper tantrum, "going to make my life easier/better/organized/put together"

My first gimmie that I can remember was a Poly Pocket.  

I can remember wanting one soooo bad and I just KNEW that when I got a Polly Pocket my life would be better.  I would be entertained for hours and I would be able to whip mine out at friends house and show them that I, too, was cool enough for Polly.

Except....I have big hands and it was really difficult for me to place Polly in the .5mm chair she was supposed to sit in.  I'm pretty sure I ditched Polly after a few days.

My next gimmie was a Jacksonville Jaguars Starter Jacket.  This was in 5th grade.  I don't know why...but this was the thing I just HAD to have.  I remember begging my parents for one.  And I knew, I just KNEW that when I got one and wore it around school I would instantly have more friends.  
 
Well......that never really panned out for me.  I just looked like a skinny white girl with freckles wearing a huge starter jacket.  I think I lost friends with this one. 

My next gimmie was a 17th Street Surf Shop t-shirt.  By then I was in middle school and mixed in with the oh so cool beach kids.  I just knew, if I had one of those shirts everyone would think I was super cool and not living down the road in military housing playing in dumpsters (true story).  


welp..we all can guess how that went over as well.


High School came around and that was an era full of "oh my god, if I could just have a CKone sweatshirt or all of my clothes from Abercrombie and Fitch life would be AMAZING".  yeah...it didn't get too amazing.  

College was a sea of gimmies.  I was a fish out of water.  I was still hoping to snag a CKone shirt and these girls were dripping in David Yurman, Tiffanys, and Lily Pulitzer.  

I knew I didn't stand a chance.  So I drowned my sorrows in pizza, beer, and a good extra 20lbs by senior year.
Needless to say, I have been playing this game with myself for a long time.  Since moving to the farm and getting out of any type of "scene" I realize how happy I am with so little and my favorite place to shop is vintage stores and goodwill. 
But.  There are days.  There are days when I have a temper tantrum because, well, dammit, I just want to have pretty molding and expensive rugs and drapes and pictures on the walls and kitchen floors without lighting bolts going through them.  My wants have matured into adult wants....but they are wants all the same. 

The gimmies.  They always getcha, don't they? 

Right now I feel like the only way I can succeed in life is if I have the following:
 an "I am smart and organized" brown leather bag. 

 Entire wardrobe from B.R.

 They never stop.  The dishes just never stop.

 I would be so cool, hip, and on top of my shiz with this.

 
hours are spent dreaming of a new camera.  *sigh*



But guess what self, you would probably get all these new gadgets and LIFE WOULDN'T BE BETTER!


So take a lesson from your own book and stop the wants.  And as mom would say, "it's the inside that counts"


(but I kinda sorta feel like life would change with an ipad---just sayin')

Thursday, August 18, 2011

sweating less



This piece of art made me do one of those silent giggles at my desk....but enough of a giggle where you are just making that weird throat noise.

Wanna hear some good news?!

1.  My invitations are printed and assembly is ready.  I'm in love.  They came together so much better than I imagined!  (sneak peek as soon as I mail!)

2.  We are going to see GILLIAN WELCH tonight.  I am excited for two reasons:  one, I get a date night in the middle of the week, and two, I am in LOVE with Gillian.  

3.  My mom is coming into town this weekend!  

4.  I'm sweating less!  Yes, Virginia is cooling down.  

see ya later

Friday, August 12, 2011

people of the world! happy friday!


This weekend I will be swimming laps in this ocean pool...


I kid.

That pool is actually my worst nightmare.  Even though I grew up at the beach, my heart has always been for the mountains.  I don't like sand getting everywhere or getting super hot or having to slather on SPF every 5 minutes (let's go Irish) or getting killed and attacked by sea creatures.  And waves are the most frightening thing ever...like that one in the picture that looks like it could rip you from the ocean pool. 

Give me a mountain pool any day of the week.  Heck..just give me a creek.

I am headed to my best friends baby shower this weekend!!!!  I cannot wait to see her and that belly.  This is my first best friend having a baby...and it is so exciting/scary.  I am just glad she is going first so she can tell me the Gods honest truth on what to expect.  Every rip and tear. (ouch..too much?)  Is that selfish?  maybe... 

I am in charge of planning the games/schedule of the shower.  I thought I was really funny when I told her that we were playing a modified twister game, but only using our hands on her belly.  Note to future non-preggars planners out there:  do not joke about worst case scenario baby games to your pregnant friend.  She loves me...but she thought I was serious and now we are just laughin' and laughin' over it.  (or maybe I just still am?)

The one baby game that I am insisting we play is "who's water is gonna break?" .  So you put a tiny plastic baby in an icecube tray (yes, at Michaels yesterday I had to specifically ask where their tiny plastic babies were) and then you put one ice cube baby in each drink and whoevers ice cube melts first to release the baby wins a prize!  

Tell me that isn't the creepiest/greatest game ever?  I'll tell you how it goes over---might just be me giggling in a corner.


OH and one last thing.  I will be singing this Sunday for a very good cause.  "Music For MaDee" is an event  presented by the MaDee Project, a project developed in memory of MaDee Boxler to assist pediatric cancer patients in Virginia.  I will be singing at 5:00 and there will be food, vendors, and my favorite featherhead will be there feathering and selling some of her awesome jewelry.  Come on out!!!!  


Thursday, August 11, 2011

boots and bit

 Excuse my blurry camera phone pics.  Olivia is getting used to Lil' Bit (seems that is the name that has stuck...maybe until he the size of our other 20 lb cat).  But only sorta.  She has come out of her corner and now allows LB to be in the same room as her.  She even got up on the couch while Andrew was holding her.  But as you can see from the picture, she still has that "I swear, if you get close to me, I will break some ass up in here" look on her face 24/7.


Happy Thursday....almost Friday!


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

trust me.

Yesterday was such a good day.
A "pinch me" day.
I felt alive and happy.
I even got to sing for some sweet souls yesterday and then took a car ride through the valley where I took this picture.
yes, yesterday I had it all together.
and then at 1:00 am I woke up in a panic.  
I had forgotten to call my Dad on his birthday.  
The kitten woke up shortly after and I had to put my worries aside to feed him, trying (and failing) not to be angry at his growing belly.  
little sleep was had.
And this morning before work, while calling my Dad to apologize--to make up for that missed phone call--I felt myself crumple up inside.  I cried one of those "ugly face" cries.  
I felt someone rubbing my wet, stringy hair, telling me it was okay and then he played our favorite Maya Angelou interview on the television so I could walk out of the door, puffy faced, but trying to make my world a better place.  
 



we are human beings. 

we stand up and then fall

over and over
in a course of a lifetime.
we laugh and then we cry
over and over
in a course of a lifetime.

we suffer

over and over.
we pour out joy
over and over.

we are tides

coming in
going out
smooth at sea one day
swells and spray the next.

we search

over and over
for the meaning of it all.
and just when we think we have found it
we lose it
over and over.

what keeps us turning?

what keeps us searching?
I don't know the answer.
But I feel the answer.
Inside of me.  Scratching to escape.
Quietly whispering, trust me.

trust me.


trust
in me.

at times it screams through my body.

taking forms of sickness or disease.
but when I listen, the calm begins.

trust me.


trust
in me.

i have felt like an octopus,

tentacles radically reaching out
from the stem of my body
grasping at what it can hold onto to feed.

and then a little voice says


trust me.


trust
in me.

lay your hand on your heart, on your stomach.

lean into each breath
you are good, child.
you are good.

trust me



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Scenes from another trailer



"If you wanna live to see tomorrow You better start fryin' them eggs a little bit better then what you been fryin' them.  I'm tired of eating sloppy, slimey eggs."

Marriage is tough.  I haven't even officially entered into it yet and I know this.  Good thing we have friends like Jesco White to set us straight.  And if you were wondering if he was up for grabs again ladies.....alas, he just got married.  

Monday, August 8, 2011

inspirational posters make me happy.

Grabbed this from a friends FB wall. 
And on this Monday my dears, I like it.  I like it a lot. 

Friday, August 5, 2011

a new lil' one and elephantiasis


Some of you have seen on facebook that we have a new addition to the family.  A little baby kitten was left on the farm with no mom in sight....until I came around.  

Andrew called me and said, "I have a present for you.  Guess what it is?  It's something you probably never thought I would give you"

New floors for the love trailer? 
You cleaned the hair out of the drain?
You fixed the front door so we don't have to pick it up with both hands on the handle and shift it into place? 
You built me a deck?
Cleaned out my car?

after my series of secret chores that I wish he would surprise me with he finally let the cat out of the bag.  (there's a knee slapper for you)

  A new baby kitten for me to nurse back to health!!!  dreams do come true.

This little girl/guy is melting my heart.  And Andrew's.  I almost cried when I first saw it because I just think it is so sad that it doesn't have a mom or brothers and sisters to play with.  It looked up at me with those little crusty kitty eyes and said, "are you my mom?" just like Babe the pig did to the sheep dog in the barn.  


(i love this movie and will admit that I own the soundtrack.)

So my days and nights have revolved around the lil' one lately.  We are bottle feeding it and wiping it down all day long.  I even have a little rice pack that Mamaw had made me that I heat up and put in its little bed so it can have something warm next to it. 


I'm hoping that was just some spit up milk. 


Olivia is not dealing well with this.  The pups LOVE the kitten but Olivia hissed when she saw it and has been hiding out in a corner of the house.  My dreams of her taking over mothering the baby have gone down the toilet.  She will always be my #1 baby cat though.


oh and about the elephantiasis.  Andrew got stung by some ground hornets last night and had to use his epi pen and go to the urgent care up the street.  He is okay now but it was quite a scare in bee land.  His entire arm and leg are so swollen and since he allowed me to take a picture of his hands I assume that means he doesn't care if I post it all over the internet. (aren't those unspoken laws?)

poor thing.  It is even worse this morning. 


Very adventurous around the Kingdom of Traiylor lately. 

TGIFFFFFFF

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Swanna what?

Okay.  I've come down from my Swananoa high.  It was quite a buzz and I flatlined when I got home (as expected) when you leave this utopia world.

So what is this band camp that I have been yaking about?  It is one of the most beautiful places in the world held at Warren Wilson College.  Each day I took four classes (co-writing, songwriting your story, vocal masterclass, and how to get unstuck in songwriting). I had no pressure assignments but I was constantly working on ideas.  It is amazing how your brain just sorta opens up and lets so much creativy come out when you aren't worried about cooking, cleaning, wedding planning, and that thing called work.

Every night we would have some sort of concert to go to and then we would have song circles.  A beer and food tent was set up and then people stayed out all hours of the night just sitting around playing songs for each other.  It is magical.  

It is really something to have strangers from all over the country come together and create this community that supports and loves everyone.  I cried more times in front of people than I would like to admit...but your heart really just does pour out when people let you into beautiful moments in their lives through song.  

My goals for the week were to release and stretch......and I can tell you I did a lot of both.  I'm really proud of myself (can I say that?  its my blog...yes I can).  I let myself free this trip.  I stopped myself from "proving" myself as a musician.  I let my heart open to the experience.  And I grew and grew even more.

Typical class room setting.  This was from my cowriting class with Jon Vezner.  

 Flashback to dorm living.  No ac.  No comfy mattress.  Community showers.  I do not miss dorm living. 

 First day of class!  

I even found some horses and a barn on Warren Wilson Campus.  Felt just like home!


I could go on and on and on about this place but it really is something you have to experience for yourself!  One more year until Swannanoa 2012!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Where did you go? My lovely...



It is that stage of the Virginia summer where most days are just h-o-t and humid.  So I have been hiding out in my internet free love trailer most days.  I just don't do hot weather very well.  Or cold weather.  I'm a fair weather kinda gal.  

Life has been hectic.  Wedding planning is in FULL swing.  I am trying, desperately, to enjoy it.  But there have been moments where I just want to say...."can we go to the courthouse?".  But I don't dare let those words come out of my mouth because Andrew would take me up on that in a heartbeat.  It will all be worth it.  And it will all fall into place as it should.  I've had some practice planning big events so this isn't my first rodeo--but nevertheless it is my rodeo this time.

What else is going on in my life?  Andrew woke me up this morning on top of a horse.  Let's back that up.  Andrew was riding this morning while I was still snoozing away and he came down to wake me up.  I had my prince on top of a horse waving through the window.  For real?  Did that happen?  Why yes it did.  *sigh*
We are about to venture off to our separate vacations this year.  It's where we both re-energize and get our juices flowing again.  Andrew will spend a week hiking on the Appalachian trail and I will spend a week down in Asheville NC at the Swannanoa Gathering---aka heaven for any musician.  We will come back shiny and new with all sorts of good energy to give to each other.  It was the best thing for us last year and I think with all this wedding mumbo jumbo it is highly needed this year!  I have heard from lots of married folks that having time for yourself as individuals is one key to a successful marriage.  AGREED!

  So I might not be back here for a bit.  But please don't leave me.  I have attachment issues.

Happy Summer! :) 

Friday, July 8, 2011

devil horns


I guess I fell a little short on producing a fourth of July post.  Or following back up on painting my kitchen & living room.  And I definitly fell short of my Ultimate Life Challenge  (Jillian got one week of my life.....I'm not giving up, just taking a break).  

So I'll post this picture of myself. (I look very serious in it though....I was trying not to cheeseball smile)    

I looked in the rear view mirror this morning on my way to work.  Little whispies of hair caught my attention and I smiled.  I remember being a little girl and always having a million fly aways or "Devil Horns" as my family so nicely put it.  If you could see the other side of my head you would see an identical devil horn poking out the other side.  As a kid I didn't pay any attention to it.  It was just me.  Just my hair.  Just crooked teeth, big freckles, and devil horns.  

Then came adolescence and the devil horns became a life or death situation.  I was a cheerleader so I had to wear my hair in a pony tail a lot.  I would dry and blow them out (this was before God gave the gift of the straightening iron to the masses) and then spray hair spray on the little boogers.  If there was a drop of moisture in the air you better believe that the devil horns popped right back up.  
Life was tramatic and there were days that my hair RUINED my life.  Oh the drama.  
So this morning when I saw my little horns going out of control I had to laugh.  I still feel the same as that little girl and to a degree that dramatic teenager.  I part of me wanted to take my hair down and freak out about my devil horns but another part of me said, ah, let 'em be.  They are me.  Always will be.  It feels good to get to the age where you go back in time and just accept what you have.  Even if what I have and will always have are devil horns. 

    hope you have a happy weekend.  :) 

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

waltzing with you...

I have a post in the works about the weekend but I can't stop listening to this song and weeping at my desk.  Wouldn't it be perfect for a first dance? 


I found this singer while doing my usual stalking of the Dutch and Dutchess.  She performed for them in Canada. 

*more to come!  

OH, I'm giving twitter another whirl.  Follow me and count how many times I mention my cat!  @Val_McQueen


Friday, July 1, 2011

my country tis of thee

Have a safe & happy 4th!  I love this time of year!


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

shut up Jillian

That's what I have been screaming at my television each morning.  Listen to this craziness.  I had a dip in life motivation for about two weeks so then I decided to have a total life makeover (I've had many of these my dears) and made this my ULTIMATE LIFE CHALLENGE

Really all that means it that I am waking up at 6 a.m. each morning and doing Jillian Michaels new 30 day Shred DVD.  It is ridiculous.  Ridic.  I can't walk.  I waddle.  My whole body hurts.  Each morning I dream of sleeping in and spooning Olivia.  But it's off to Jillian I go.  (that bitch)



My breakdown came after I found a pile of Snickers Ice Cream Bar wrappers in my car, home, and purse.  And I'm not talking about those teeny tiny ones that come in a box from the grocery store.  I'm talkin' about the KING SIZE monsters from the gas station.  I can eat those suckers like there is no tomorrow.  I had no motivation to get off of the couch watching OWN & contemplated joining a gym but didn't want to pay the $$ and then about 4 girls told me how effective this DVD is.  

So I bought some self tanner and the 30 day shred at Wal-Mart.  Let the challenge begin.  Why self tanner?  Not sure....I just wanted to be all fake tan when I got shredded.   

The workout is only 24 minutes but I swear to the good Lord that it feels like an hour.  I'm really excited to feel motivated again and hopefully this will get me into pre-wedding day shape.  And then I will dive my face into piles of Snickers Ice Cream bars for my entire honeymoon and live blissfully happy every after. 


Watch me. 

lunch date




what a lucky day. 
Andrew worked on a friend's field today that is close by my work.  Being the good American that I am, I scooped up food from both McDonalds and Wendy's and we found some shade under a big birch tree.  I tried out the new almond fruit chicken salad thing from Wendy's and it was pretty decent for a fast food salad.  It didn't look nearly as good as that stud next to me eating a quarter pounder with cheese and french fries.  

Then we (that means I) played a movie quoting game and Andrew couldn't guess the EASIEST movie quote ever.  

"if you're a bird, i'm a bird"

I've said that to him about a million times and made him recreate the scene if we are ever near ocean water.  He claims that he blacks out usually when I start to make him recreate movie scenes.  


then we had a sad goodbye and andrew jumped back on his tractor and I jumped back into my non air conditioned car and made the drive to work, sweaty back and all.

stay cool people. 

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

bears and mountains


I am back from the best staycation EVER.  I didn't have anything planned except for a loverly hike in the blue ridge mountains.    




We hiked to the top of Hawksbill Mountain, which happens to be the highest peak in the Shenandoah National Park.   It was a short but steep hike.  I kept up with my hike with Endomondo, a new little phone gadget that a friend recommended.  It records how many miles you have hiked.  It also tracks a host of workouts.  I'm getting so tech savy. :)  

OH, and just a little fashion tip for you guys:  Wearing crew hiking socks really highlights the stump look.  You know, where your legs & ankles look like they have no definition--just stumps.  hotness.  

This was my bug spray dance.  It was more exciting in person. 

Since this is my blog and you weren't on the hike with us (or were you???hrmmmmm) I can make up a story and tell you that I took this picture after a really tough hill and that's why I look so worn out.  But in reality I think this is just me sans makeup in the morning trying to force Andrew to take a picture with me.   

pretty pretty.  



So this isn't a picture I took.  Surprise.  BUT we did see a big black bear.  I was in front of Andrew going down a trail and I looked up and BOOM....black bear.  Right in front of me.  I swear it was 10 ft. away and very large.  Andrew's side of the story is that it was 50 ft. away and a teenager bear.  Whatev.  Believe who you want, this bear sighting was a little too close for comfort.  I wanted to take a picture but I was freaking out a little and just held my phone close to my chest waiting to have to use it as a weapon.  We hooted and hollar'd and the big guy ran away.  
Nevertheless I was super excited to see my first bear of the year!  It's good luck they say!  

Happy trails!

Monday, June 20, 2011

i curse when i hike

It's true.  I do.  
Sunday's hike was supposed to be "church" for me, so I hope that God forgave me for cursing while I went up the side of a dang mountain that liked to kill me.  (I was wondering when I could ever use that phrase...liked to kill me)

Andrew and I woke up fighting like brother and sister.  So we thought the only rational thing to do was to take it to the mountains and create some inner peace.

After I got over the steep passes I do believe I had some moments of Zen, interrupted only by the fact that we didn't have bug spray.  Bad call.

Here are some photos from our adventure to mountain land...


Out trip was slightly delayed when we need a tune up by our local mechanic/best future father in law Mr. Glenn Crummett.  What would we do without you Glenny?

Then we had two pups that were hell bent on going on a car ride to the mountains (lilly is in the passengers seat).  They might be spoiled...a little.  

Once we got water from the spring down the street we hit the road!  (ps.  this is the best water you will ever drink.  AND an old man told me it is a healing spring and I have physical evidence that it cleared up a bad case of planters warts on my feet.  These are just the facts people.)

Isn't this moss shot divine?  I told Andrew that I wish I had a little hobbit home in the mountains and all of the walls could be covered in moss. 

Do you see his mountain creature feet at the top?  He told me to stop saying cuss words and to smell the mountain laurels instead.  I chose to do both. 

woah mr. snake.  what's up?  We saw bear poo, no bears, and two snakes. 

This hike didn't have a look out per say, but this was a pretty little shot of the mountains once we were on top of the ridge. 

It was my first kick in the butt back into hiking/having any physical activity in my life other than flipping in between the OWN network and walking to my sad, lifeless food pantry.  We have another big hike on Thursday (My Friday starts at 12:00 Wednesday..woo hoo!!!)  Wish me luck! 



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