Fishing in the bay

I finally got the film developed from Florida!  Yayyy! 

I took a waterproof disposable camera down to Ft. Myers at the beginning of the year and then I didn't use it again til this most recent trip to Ft. Walton Beach.  I guess I didn't find myself in water/underwater in between January and October? That obviously means I must not have been doing summer right this past year.  Hrmpf!  (Note: add water activities to next summer's bucket list.)  

Anyway, these photos are from the day of my cousin's rehearsal dinner.  The dinner was at my aunt and uncle's house and everyone staying at their house helped with it.  Spenser and I were one of the first ones up to get our assigned jobs done, so we could have some extra time.  Thus, we baked desserts fast and furious first thing in the morning, then we went out to the dock.  My aunt and uncle's home is right on the bay and they have a great long wooden staircase that leads to a dock walkway, which you can see in the photos.  Spenser tried his hand at net fishing and caught a crab really quickly!  Neither one of us knew what to do with it!  After taking some Lion King pride rock-esque photos and snapchats with it (think Rafiki holding up Simba), we ended up putting it back in the water.  We then tried our hand at catching small fish, but to no avail.  We tried waiting patiently, very still, and then going for them, but the fish outswam the humans.  We still had fun just swimming in the bay, enjoying the sunshine. 

Also, here is a video of how to pick up a crab in case you should ever need to.  

And just in case you didn't get enough of my face up, close, and personal above, here's one more lovely shot.  Have a happy weekend!

Sunday musings

I wish I could go back to this moment.  Everything about it.  My open smile at Spenser.  Us laughing.  Surrounded by friends.  The sun just getting to that perfect time of late afternoon going into evening.  The afternoon-evening light that comes with it.  The feeling of unending summer.  All the love and joy.  The freedom to run around and just be outside.

This photo just captures such a easy, relaxed moment brimming with love and happiness.  It's lightweight, simple, but perfect.  It's what I wish for and really what we all wish for.  I hope everyone can remember a time like that; pure and wonderful.

I guess I'm feeling pretty nostalgic tonight.  Do you ever do that with pictures-where it really creates a longing for feeling/time/event gone by?  I certainly like to look back and just smile over certain memories.  But tonight I want to be in that photo.  I want to be who I was at that time and be able to feel exactly what I felt.

Thank you summer 2013 for this precious gem.

Goodnight, and best wishes for the holiday tomorrow.
    

thought for today...

please read this love letter.

thanks. xo, c

Monday Confessions

So here are some things to spice up your Monday morning...or not...maybe just some odd, slightly embarassing thoughts?

I like the movie 17 Again.  Yes, that's right: the one with Zac Efron.  I first saw it at a girls' night a few years ago.  We had watched a bunch of sad, sappy, depressing, bad movies (eek, sorry girls!) and then at three in the morning they decided to put in 17 Again.  I was sooo charmed! I was ready to give it an Oscar.  Afterwards, I decided my liking must have increased exponentially due to tiredness and lack of liking the other movies.  However just last Friday, a high school class I was subbing watched it at the end of the day and I realized I still very much liked the movie.  I didn't actually watch it (I had work to get done), but I could hear it and I still give it two thumbs up.  Also, how could you not be touched by this scene?

I wear my contacts longer than I'm supposed to...like a lot longer. :/

I could listen to this on repeat.  Can't you? Doesn't it get you dancing or at least a smile?

Now on the other hand...when I listen to this, I feel like this little guy.

Sometimes I can't decide if I'm a messy person or an organized person.  It's so strange, but I'm so much of either depending on the situation.

I think Bradley Cooper in American Hustle looks like Lindsay Buckingham back in the day.

Well, that's it for now.  Happy Monday!!

*picture found here

friends.

Last night, these ladies and I went out and had a splendid time.  That was to be expected.  What wasn't expected was the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that we experienced.  My friends and I have often joked that we are a dysfunctional family.  We have grown up together, we have the same memories of random experiences, we roll our eyes at each other, we have parents and families that treat each of us like their own even if we aren't theirs, and lastly we have an unseen connection that binds us inexplicably.

Becca, Laura, and I were sitting, giving each other a hard time-preying on each other's weaknesses-and I said, "Isn't it great that we know everything terrible about each other and yet we still completely love each other and can laugh about it?"  Laura replied promptly, "Of course!  We're stuck together forever, for better or for worse.  This is it."  Becca agreed.  I agreed too.  A few more words were spoken about how well we know each other and how we're glued together for life.

Even though it is now the next day, I still am reeling in gratitude for my friends.  What a beautiful thing it is to know someone's greatest attributes, but also their greatest faults and to still love them unconditionally.  I think we'd all like to believe we do that, but it's not as easy as it sounds.  It's easy to be around for the fun times, but a friendship is nothing if it can't weather the not-so-fun parts of life.  These girls have stood by me numerous times and I'd like to say I've stood by them as well.  They are friends that have transcended environment and event.  It's easy to have high school friends, college friends, work friends, etc.  But how many of those remain through the years and life changes?  Usually you have your high school friends in high school, college friends in college, work friends at the job, etc.  Part of that is because it's easy to find camaraderie in belonging to an institution, sharing activities, and being in close proximity.  But the friends that can last through different phases of one's life, they are a treasure.  I would even go so far to say they are the "really true" friends.  I love these girls wholeheartedly and as time goes by, I realize just how much it means to have them as true friends in this world.   

for after all the turkey...

I thoroughly enjoyed this and had to share!

Happy Black Friday!  Hope you're finding lots of great deals or if you're not into the craziness I hope you're having a relaxing day at home.  I've never been one to go Black Friday shopping, but I can definitely see the pull-all the ads are making me feel like I'm missing out.  Maybe I'll go out later, when everybody's worn out from this morning. haha!

 

Also, may I just say that in this video Rashida Jones looks hot!  Major girl crushing.  So, uh, on that awkward note...

this is how i'd like my next birthday to go...

hipster friends included. (wink.)

the road to bonnaroo

That's Boo boo at the top.  Many people may not know him, but he's our favorite resident monkey who rides in Spenser's car.  While on vacation one year, we saw him at a Starbucks.  Spenser was being his cute, funny typical self by putting the monkey in my face and joking around with it.  A while afterwards I was in another Starbucks by myself and had to get it for him.  Ever since the monkey, known affectionately as Boo boo, has ridden in Spenser's car.  My heart was warmed when I got in the car and he was up front with us.

We saw a bunch of huge crosses on our drive.  I'm serious.  There were others.  I guess it's a good sign?   Speaking of signs, we had to get a photo of the event traffic sign.  Every year we're going to have to get one.  It's become a thing.

When we got into the camping grounds, we got working like nobody's business.  We're getting pretty good at getting that huge tent up.  (Yes, we brought the same tent we used to sleep five people last year for ourselves. :-) )  Everyone around us was in amazement.  Many of them were opening up brand new tents and had never set them up before, let alone pitched a tent in general.  Basically we looked like wizards.  Spenser set up the inside, while I handed him our stuff, and the bottom picture is the result.  The man knows how to set up a cozy camp.

be back soon!

 Spenser and I left this morning for bonnarooooo!  We are both super excited.  I won't be on here for a few days, so I thought I'd post a few photos to scroll through for while we're gone.  These photos are from last year's bonnaroo!

The glory and downfall of film is sometimes you can get some irregularities. But on the nose, really?  Come on, film. :/

I love this photo of Spenser.  I think he looks so cute here.  Also, I'm a sucker for crowns/headbands.

Spicy pie!! 

So glad we're back on the road to the farm. 

Shopping for bonnaroo

 Last year at bonnaroo, everyone had a camelback.  We saw them everywhere!!  We saw all different styles, but it was clear-the camelback was the way to store your water.  Spens and I decided that we better join the masses and get one.  So tonight we went shopping at Wal-mart and looked at their version of camelbacks.  We had a little too much fun trying backpacks, camelbacks, and even fanny packs on.  Don't worry, we didn't go home with the mess you see above. ;)  I did get a small off-brand camelback and Spens is going to keep looking.  We also stocked up on food and other camping necessities so we did get something accomplished.  Can't believe it's only in a day.  I need to go pack!

CSO

 I recently got the film developed from when we went to the Clinton Symphony Orchestra's concert in the park.  Told you it was right around the corner!  It's a tradition of ours that I really enjoy.  It's always so nice and relaxing to sit back and enjoy a summer evening of music.  I hope we continue to go as long as we're in the area. 

The photos were taken on a disposable camera.  Please excuse me, it was no make-up day. ;)  Also, what is up with me and pictures of flowers?  Lately you'd think they were one of my favorite subjects to shoot.  I swear if a flower is near me, I take a picture.  Not that it's a bad thing, just kind of funny.  One of the things I love about film is the surprise of a light leak, such as in the picture of the dock.  It's so popular to add light leaks and filters post editing these days, that it's fun when it happens inside the camera.

*I'm happy to report the older patrons of the symphony still think we're just as cute.*

One last random car window picture of a church we passed by.

Decisions, decisions

So I've got some big decisions to make and I keep extending the deadlines for commitment.  Though I'm thankful to have extra time, I still feel the pressure.  The worst part is I don't feel any closer to any answers.  I guess time doesn't answer all questions. :/  I know everything will work out in the end-it's just getting there, haha.

At this time I'm deciding what to do for next year, which of course will invariably affect a multitude of people and things in my life.  So far this is what I've come up with for options:

*Go to National Louis University and start school psychology program.

*Spend next year getting my master's in Special Education or Administration at St. Ambrose.

*Take a year off from school and work.

*Move to a commune for a year.

That last one is my favorite. (wink.) 

5 Years

Today is our fifth anniversary.

To many people that might not sound that long, but I'm pretty proud of us.  Not many high school loves stay together these days and not only did we make it through high school, now we've made it through college too.

The photo above is one of the very first taken of us together.  We're at the Clinton Symphony Orchestra summer concert.  We are going to go to that same concert this year-it's right around the corner.  Back then, in 2008, I remember we were some of the youngest people at the concert.  We sat towards the back and all of the older orchestra patrons kept turning around and telling us how cute we were and how glad they were that we came.  I wore a green dress that Spenser loved.  I still have it.  Oh, and we had a picnic!  I made us fajita steak sandwiches and packed grapes to go with.  Spenser brought the prettiest colorful quilt to picnic on.

Among these scattered memories, this one will always stand out to me.  We had packed up our blanket, were walking out of the park and we passed by this very abstract sculpture, just a bunch of metal half circles interwoven.  (I know, that was a terrible way to describe a piece.  sorry!)  I asked Spenser what he thought it was; what it represented.  He replied, "Courage."  I have no idea if that is what the artist was going for and I probably will never know, but what I did know was that he was for keeps.  It really didn't matter what he said, it just mattered that he had an answer.  To me, it showed his creative side, the way he can think out of the box.

I've always believed that Spenser and I live our lives as artists.  Not just in the literal sense, even though he is a musician and I both appreciate and dabble in various arts.  Rather our life is our art; the way we live is our art.  And that day at the concert back when, I had my first sense of that in Spenser.

Spenser, happy 5 years.  I love you now and forever.

Can't wait to go to dinner tonight!

a crazy birthday and a little guy...

We celebrated Adele's 21st birthday on the 21st!  (Her real birthday is the 16th.)  Becca was nice enough to have all of us over to her porch.  Since Dan left for his internship there aren't any other guys home yet, so it was just the ladies.   We had dinner and then got together to visit at Becca's.  Not only was she nice enough to have us over, she made pretty hanging paper decorations.  You know, the ones you can always find on pinterest.  She always makes things look great, she's a pretty awesome hostess.  The night was a fun one, with Adele indulging in her 21st and enjoying every moment. That is, if you couldn't tell by the picture...  ;)

 

Yesterday, I babysat for a fairly new family of mine.  I've only babysat for them one other time, but I already really like the family.  I babysit for a group of grandkids when the family's adult children come home, so it's whole gang of kids, chaos, and outdoor sports.  The grandparents (the ones who actually hire me) have the most impressive collection of Leica cameras.  The grandmother had a strong interest in photography and still does, so those pictured^^ are not just collectibles, they were her cameras at one time before digital.  Her interest in photography, specifically lifestyle photography, is still very evident in their house.  She has a beautiful photo wall that has all sorts of film photos from when their children were young.  Their den is littered with albums and photo books of various years and events from birthdays to vacations, etc.  And lastly, photos are everywhere!  I mean it.  She even tapes them to kitchen cabinets.  It's kind of a funny thing because they have this nice house, with well-made furniture, fancy décor, everything in it's place and well taken care of, and then there are these little tacked up photos in random places.  I love it and to me, it is a testament to her strong sense of family in the way that she preserves and displays memories.

 

Also, how adorable is their youngest?? :)

True Things

This is the card I bought the other day while in Galena.  When I looked at it, it was instant love.  It's by Brian Andreas whose work I adore.  I thought, "I'd want to frame this and hang it up!"  Other times while out, I've seen prints by various artists that I have the same feelings about.  However, Spenser isn't always there with me with me when I see these things so I don't get his opinion.  (I will say though that we both generally like anything a little quirky or out of the ordinary.)  Anyway, when I see something that I like, I buy the card form or smallest print.  I have no idea how Spens and I will decorate in the future, but that way I'll have a sample and all the artist info if he should like it too.

 

I also love many of Brian Andreas' other works, so I urge you to check them out!

an evening walk

^^I wish I had some cool, inspirational quote to go with that picture, but I don't.  Haha. 

Last night, Spenser and I took some time just to walk up and down the riverfront.  We sat on the barrier walls and just laughed and talked about what we wanted to do this summer.  I love when we can dream and make fun plans together and tease.  I can't tell you how good that felt.  I don't even want to bring this up, but last summer I screwed up various aspects of my life up.  Big time.  And I feel like this summer is going to make up for lost time.  I am so happy to have Spenser by my side.  He has been there all along and has been the best.  I'm still anxious about finding a job and getting into grad school and all of that, but last night it didn't really matter. 

This is my summer.  This is our summer.  I just feel it.

Galena

My aunt Teresa is still here visiting from Florida.  She came for my graduation and is staying a little longer.  We thought it would be fun to take her to Galena while she was here, so on Friday, the two blondes and I took off for a little day trip.  Galena is filled with the cutest, small, locally-owned shops.  You won't find any major corporations there, which is so refreshing.  We spent the day weaving in and out of many of these shops. 

 

One of the first stops was the Great American Popcorn Company where I was more interested in their fun sodas rather than the popcorn.  I did have to go home with a few fun sodas. ;)  We browsed a lot of neat and unique home décor in numerous shops.  Teresa enjoyed the bead shop, of course, since she is a jewelry-maker.  One of my favorite shops, Poopsie's, is just filled with the best things.  There is no other description.  Vague, right?  Haha.  It is the store that had the mustache etched glass above^^.  Its a store of odds and ends, but beautiful odds and ends.  They had these pieces of art that had lyrics printed on the sides that I absolutely loved.  However, they were a bit pricey.  I also really appreciated the magnet that said, "I wish Morgan Freeman narrated my life."  Um, yes.  That is me.  What I did go home with, however, is a Brian Andreas card that is the perfect size for framing.  I'll have to share it on here sometime.   

 

We had lunch outside and it was so quiet and beautiful.  It was great just to take it in.  And later in the day we shared fancy Italian desserts.  I'm glad we were able to spend the day together.

 

P.S.  I read in the De Soto Hotel that they are having a rooftop party for the Fourth of July that is open to the public.  I need to remember to tell Spenser and see if he's interested!