Bah-Hummbug

The Christmas spirit has failed to infiltrate my soul this holiday season.  I have a hunch that it has a lot to do with Retail

Engage rant....

Retail sucks.  There is nothing enjoyable about working the holiday season in retail.  People are rude, impatient, and ornery.  The list of things I WISH I could say to people without losing my job is a mile long.  I sure wish people would realize how much more difficult their shopping excursions would be without the 'People of Retail'.  We are saints really, going above and beyond, throwing on a fake smile and speaking in a cliched 'happy' voice all to try and make their shopping experience more enjoyable.  NEWSFLASH:  IT WOULD BE MORE ENJOYABLE IF YOU WOULD CHEER THE EFF UP!
Calgon, Take me to WhoVille :)

Ok, I'm done :)

Anyways, I'm still not done with finals and I have one more day of work, equating to no Christmas spirit.  I have tried listening to Christmas tunes on the radio and it makes me want to vomit (but I do enjoy the tree being lit up and my Christmas candles), and present wrapping was dreadful, and the shopping was nothing short of annoying.  I'm hoping for some real magic at about 12 noon on Thursday...

I have been slacking on my 25 Days of Things I Love and I have had a lot on my mind and a lot to write about, so I'm hoping this short, imageless post will renew my motivation to study.

Days 7-20

*7*
Home is where the heart is <3 and creating a home is even better

*8*
I love logic- emotion is messy (pardon my rant above)

*9*
Writing

*10*
Champagne

*11*
My Birthday

*12*
Family time

*13*
Adventures

*14*
The future

*15*
Those black and white keys (I need to clean off the dust)

*16*
New life and experienced life- so much to learn

*17*
Books

*18*
Naps

*19*
My new couch

*20*
Midnight walks with my Boy and Pooch

I have much more to write about, but its not as pressing.  Thursday if you're lucky ;)

Merry Christmas!  (see, I'm trying)

25 Days of Things I Love

 Days 1-6

*1*

I love being crafty

*2*

Baking (S'mores bars.... oh man) 

*3*

Silly Doggies

*4*

Front wheel drive (although I will miss the "Charge!" attitude of my ol' Tank)

*5* 

The 'real life snow-globe' atmosphere

*6*

The smell of Christmas (thank goodness it has been captured in a candle)

Stay tuned....

Always a day late...

and a dollar short....

It's been far too long.  Fall has come and gone (sort of- the weather is wacky here) and it is nearly Christmas!  I always seem to be at a loss for words.  But, I have been busy.  I've learned to crochet (pictures soon, I promise), been busy with school, survived black friday another year, attempted to conquer the daunting task of gift shopping, yelled at the TV every time a damned Target commercial comes on...

But, I am SO happy!

Thanksgiving was beautiful and delicious.  I found myself being truly thankful for more than just family and friends and my health and having all the things I want and need- the important things to be thankful for of course, yet slightly generic- or "this is what I say every year, along with everyone else at the table"

This year, I am grateful for Opportunity.  I have been given the opportunity to work hard and live life the way I want to.  I've had the opportunity to go to school and finally have found what I am passionate about.  And lastly, I am thankful for finding Love- it's extraordinary, and rare to find the real thing (and know you've found it).  I heard a beautiful thing the other day (at yoga- which is not for me, I quickly learned this as my joints screamed at me) and it really stuck with me.  Every moment is the ONLY moment.  Our lives are made up of moments, yet we often forget.  These precious moments turn into appointments, dates, time frames and meetings.  Once they're gone, there is no turning back- they're gone.  Many of us are so blessed, we often take things for granted.  It's not on purpose either, we are human we just forget sometimes.  Those times are the moments we lose opportunities to really appreciate what each little one has to offer.

Well I just wanted you to know I hadn't forgotten about you, this is all for now!

Check out the art section for food, art and crafty things I have time for occasionally :)

Looking forward to filling our house with Christmas...

"Setting Up"

I'm calling it a Quarter-life crisis.....

My mind is so stuck on getting older and going from childhood to adulthood... Lots-a changes comin'.  I'm realizing all these things I want in life, but unfortunately they aren't realistic.  I want a life that doesn't revolve around just a job- I wish a career would magically fall into my lap (now that's something my life can revolve around).  I want a life that is simple and uninhibited.  I was thinking today about Barbies and a child's imagination.  I had the strong desire to play with little kids today.  I long for their naive outlook on life... they live in this sweet little bubble unaffected by reality.  Their creativity is so genuine and real.  If they think it and believe it- you bet it's gonna happen (even if its just in Barbie's dream house).  I wish my mind wasn't so plagued by reality and could return to the land of princesses and dragons.

I remember lugging my bins of Barbies and accessories from the basement to the front porch- once upon a time when summer wasn't filled with work and adult things.  I would spend hours on the porch just setting up a perfect world.  I never found myself actually "playing" in this perfect world, because by the time I was done setting it up, it was time for dinner or for friends to go home.  There were always promises to pick up where we left off the next day, but we always knew we would do it all over again and spend the day "setting up".

I don't think we realize it, but we spend a lot of our lives "setting up".  Our time is so fleeting and precious, yet we waste it and rush it away.  It blows my mind how many people are, in my eyes, rushing to get to the next step in life; whether it's marriage, babies, or other crazy things (and that's in no particular order...).  SLOW DOWN!  Did you happen to notice the leaves have changed colors yet again?  Or the ethereal clouds passing in front of the full moon at dusk?  It's all pretty amazing and will be gone before we know it.  No more "setting up", it's time to start "playing" this life and living the great fairy tale we've spent so much time thinking about.

It's been awhile... I have been lacking in ways to articulate the thoughts in my head.  The last few weeks have been lovely though.....

The leaves were falling all around us, so we stood there for awhile

Oh, it was grand!

Until we meet again.....

Obsessed

It's Friday again.....We have a love/hate relationship.  I am much more in love with the weekdays than I am with the weekends.  This week was simply amazing.  Monday I had to force myself into getting the week started, once it got going though- WOW!  It was just one thing after another!

Monday night I created something pretty neat-o.  Melted crayons baby.

Tuesday was good too... Learned how to develop film the old fashioned way (I guess film and old-fashioned go together like PB&J)!  I also sold the Volvo Tuesday.... It's gone!  Oh, and I got 100% on a quiz; and yes, after 17 years of school (that about knocked me out of my chair! Holy smokes Batman!) it's still just as exciting as the first one.

 Wednesday I woke to a puppy who thought the flash was too bright

Spent some quality time with my Pa in the evening, always cherished.  Thursday was busy, busy!  I'm pretty sure I went non-stop all day! I developed film and it was a day full of my wonderful grandparents.

(832, This is what happens....Obsessed)

So, let's talk a little about obsessions, or maybe addictions.  The ever changing Facebook sent people into a tailspin this week.  Even I am a little miffed with the changes, it has gotten a wee bit confusing- not to mention creepy (like "every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take, I'll be watching you..." creepy.  Thanks Sting).  Goes to show, I may have hit bottom.  My name is Sara and I am addicted to Facebook (1st step).  You would think that people might give up on an obsession or addiction once it gets so bad that it's no longer enjoyable... but then it wouldn't be a problem. 

I have to say though, Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with old friends (and new for that matter- really breaks the ice) and family since no one writes letters or calls people anymore (heaven for bid).  

Anyways- I don't even like Facebook anymore!  It has gotten much too complicated... but get ready kids- there is a new hot-shot in town.  Google+ is the new Facebook, just like Wine is the new Black.  It's open to the public and before we know it, poor little Facebook is going to take a backseat just like Myspace (or is it my____ now?) did about 5 years ago.  As one door of obsession closes another one opens!

Off to feed the social networking monster inside of me!

Tootles

Crazy Life

A week ago, it rained so hard we raced paper boats down the river (aka our street).  It rained so hard the basement flooded.... And boy, that sure set the tone for my week!

It's pretty bad when the week days are more exciting than the weekends.  I have fallen back into this awful routine of school 4 days a week, and the other three are filled with work and then it starts all over again.  It's pretty gross.  The little things are so bittersweet- I always want them to last longer than there is time for.  They are few and far between, but the little things were good this week.

The rained prevented the planned sailing adventure my dad and I had anticipated on Wednesday.  Instead, we went out to dinner and he shared his knowledge of photography with me.  I always learn a lot when we are together.

Not a whole lot went on the rest of the week.  The days came and went- the weekend was a real bitch and I am SO glad it is over.  I have to say though, Saturday night was the silver lining.

The evening began with hot dogs and a calm breeze.  I was with my two favorite Guys and my favorite puppy, and I was pretty sure it couldn't get any better.  Oh, was I wrong!

We set our sails and before we knew it, the wind shifted 180 degrees and we were flying!  The waves picked up right along with the wind and we sailed long into the night.  Senses were heightened and the stars were "turned up" all the way.  We watched the sun set and the horizon turned to a dark silhouette.  It was so calming and beautiful.  Everything was put on hold and for those few hours, nothing mattered.  Work, school and all the other things were put on the back burner.  We were living in the moment and it was wonderful.

Sailing calms me completely, it renews my outlook on things and realigns my thinking for the week to come.  Sailing on a weekly basis is necessary for my soul.

Izzy loves a good sail (she even enjoys her life jacket!)

I love sharing the things I love with the people I love.  When you go sailing, you can't be worried about time.  The wind is in control- time is not relative to sailing.  My Guy is very schedule oriented- it's a good thing.  But getting him to go sailing is like pulling teeth because there is no schedule.  

He told me after our sail on Saturday that he is "becoming a sailor"....He has no clue what hearing that meant.  

There is lots to accomplish this week, trying to slip in as many "little things" as possible.

Have a good week and keep smiling!

10 years

10 years ago I was in the 7th grade, sitting in Choir class.  I was twelve and had no clue what the word "Retaliation" meant.  I remember that was all kids were saying, "We are going to retaliate, aren't we?" and "We have to retaliate!".  They wouldn't turn on the TV, but I remember parents rushing in to pick up their children and hurry home.  They cancelled school for the rest of day.  I remember going home and watching it over and over and over again on the television, it flooded the networks (kind of like an election- only way worse).  One plane after another, one attack after another.  10 years ago, I learned what a terrorist was.  

Today, I was in the right place at the right time.  As I listened to the radio on my way to work, I heard my favorite morning show talking about a memorial they were hosting right in Royal Oak this very morning; they were letting go a single balloon for every person that lost their life on September 11, 2001.  As I pulled up to the stop light at 13 mile and Coolidge highway (right where the park is that they were broadcasting from), I was fortunate enough to see 3,000 red, white, and blue balloons being released into the sky, in memory of those who were taken too soon.  I felt a rush of sadness and pride, and I couldn't contain the tears (partially why I don't have a picture to show you).  It's hard to believe that it has already been 10 years.  My heart goes out to the families and friends who lost dear ones on that horrible day.

But... We are so very lucky to live in the country we live in.  Despite it's downfalls and shortcomings (which we all have, as individuals or as a unit), we have so many opportunities and are so fortunate to have the freedom and equalities that we have.  There is no other Country that knows how to come together like we do.  And it's not retaliation- for the past 10 years we have been protecting what is rightfully ours.

To all the selfless men and women fighting for us- Thank You!

All 3,000 and those still fighting today, they will never be forgotten.  I sure am glad I was stopped at the stop light at 9:40am this morning.

Where were you 10 years ago on September 11th?