Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.

this is the year...

for homemade gifts!! working double time this week. only five more days left!!

 

1201 Hudson

♥ I found my one

I wish I may I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight!!

I love everything about it. It's like I dreamed it up and came up over the hill and there it sat. Tis perfect.

happy birthday to my teenager!

happy december 13th!

El Camino!!!

I know it's only been 3 days but I am in Loooooooove with the whole damn thing! Definitely different from Brothers, but always in a good way. I'm still learning my way around it, but some early favs are Gold On The Ceiling, Stop Stop, Run Right Back, Mind Eraser and of course Lonely Boy. Nothing is more exciting!!

Windy

November was a crazy month. It's like I just now realized it's Christmastime. So many crazy things have happened lately I feel like I've been caught up in a wind storm! I was offered full time at work. They asked and I said yes!! So that'll be changing after the first of the year. I'm excited about it, for now. Especially until the move and I sort out what's going on with the rest of my life.

Today I'm grateful for a day off to write out Christmas cards, do a little holiday shopping and work on some homemade gifts. Next week is a little crazy so I'll take the down time!

I'm always excited for the holidays but this year I cannot wait. I can't wait to see my sons reaction when he opens his guitar. He has several already, an electric that we bought used after his other was stolen, which was also a used one. He has a little acoustic that he's had for several years that's a cheapy and he's been playing my moms for several months now. So I think he's going to be pretty excited about his Fender acoustic-electric in starburst. He's always wanted a Fender and I've always wanted to get him one but never felt it was really necessary. Well the time has definitely come. And who knows...this may be one of those that he keeps forever and always remembers that he got it when he was 13. I love suprises!!

I found the lady that made Jasons guitar strap on RKOP but didn't really wanna pay $50 for one, so I settled for this one on etsy. I think he'll love it!

I've had a lot of fun with gifts this year. And with etsy.

November went by in a whirlwind. I'm still stuck on the same songs and the same breakfast and the same navy blue sweater. But I'm quickly getting with it and gearing up for all that is December.

T H I S....

is happening Tuesday. Beside myself!!!

And congrats to my man for a grammy nomination for Dearest!!! Hell yes!

Happy December! Happy date night Friday!! And happy Black Keys new record week!!! Double hell yes!!

Turning Page

*sigh*

LOVE this song. I think it's quite possibly the sweetest song in the world.

Dealbreaker

Ouch. This one stings a little. The good ones always do though, don't they??

For sure

Everything you got...it's just what I always wanted. Right down to a T. There's nothin bout you that don't please me.



One of my all time favs. This video is one of the first things that made me fall in love.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Henry Van Dyke

November

My most favorite. So many wonderful things it's hard not to have a perma-grin. Such a cozy time.  Perfect nights to listen to some Mister with some Starbucks and read a good book. And wrap presents and cook home made goodies and wear toasty sweaters. And smile and wave to strangers. And pay for someones coffee in the drive thru behind you. And to remember all the things you're thankful for. I definitely have so many things to be thankful for. So many I can't count them all.

Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version)

Very lovely ♥

! ♥ !

As super duperly stoked as I am about this song/video/album, I'm sad to post this because I don't want to push Little Bird farther down the page. It's my favorite song at the moment. Big time. But there's no way I wasn't gonna post daddy's shiny new single on the very day that it came out! Roll on December 6th!!

All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.

- Ernest Hemingway

Lisa Hannigan - Little Bird

This song is so stunning. I love it so much.

this song is kind of creepy. something about it is haunting to me. i love it nonetheless. fits them both perfectly. i can't stop listening! ♥

of all times

Sitting around the fire this weekend playing the favorite song game, everyone was surprised by my answer. But it's been my favorite song for years and every time I hear it I love it more. Don't think it'll ever change.

happy fall!

To night!!

Oh Daddy!

Ahh...you again

“Groceries,” Richard says, “listen to me. Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing and you were in the best possible place in the world for it – in a beautiful place of worship, surrounded by grace. Take this time, every minute of it. Let things work themselves out here in India.”

“But I really loved him.”

“Big deal. So you fell in love with someone. Don’t you see what happened? This guy touched a place in your heart deeper than you thought you were capable of reaching. I mean you got zapped, kiddo. But that love you felt, that’s just the beginning. You just got a taste of love. That’s just limited little rinky-dink mortal love. Wait till you see how much more deeply you can love than that. Heck, Groceries – you have the capacity to someday love the whole world. It’s your destiny. Don’t laugh.”

“I’m not laughing.” I was actually crying. “And please don’t laugh at me now, but I think the reason it’s so hard for me to get over this guy is because I seriously believed David was my soul mate.”

“He probably was. Your problem is you don’t understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it. Your problem is, you just can’t let this one go. It’s over, Groceries. David’s purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of your marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master and beat it. That was his job, and he did great, but now it’s over. Problem is, you can’t accept that his relationship had a real short shelf life. You’re like a dog at the dump, baby – you’re just lickin’ at the empty tin can, trying to get more nutrition out of it. And if you’re not careful, that can’s gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it.”

“But I love him.”

“So love him.”

“But I miss him.”

“So miss him. Send him some love and light every time you think about him, then drop it. You’re just afraid to let go of the last bits of David because then you’ll be really alone, and Liz Gilbert is scared to death of what will happen if she’s really alone. But here’s what you gotta understand, Groceries. If you clear out all that space in your mind that you’re using right now to obsess about this guy, you’ll have a vacuum there, an open spot – a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with the doorway? It will rush in – God will rush in – and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. So stop using David to block that door. Let it go.”

“But I wish me and David could —“

He cuts me off. “See, now that’s your problem. You’re wishin’ too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be.”

Some days it's that easy, and some days it's not. Some days it's like it never happened, and some days I can't stop remembering. And some days I know I'm strong, and some days I'm just not.

And that's okay. Part of the reason I was always desperate to get rid of these thoughts and feelings was that I never accepted that it's part of who I am. But once I realized that they're not going anywhere, I learned to process them in different ways than just drowning in them. Although some days it still feels that way.

But then I redirect myself and focus my mind in the right direction. This weeks been somewhat of a challenge for me. But that's life! And I can handle it.

vacation times

I can't believe it's already over! It was a lovely time, other than the seasickness. I did love Savannah, Georgia as much as I thought I would. It's so much like Wilmington that it kinda made me homesick for my little town. It's been too long.



Even though Tennessee lost to Florida, it was fun to see how many "GO VOLS" we got around the ship wearing our TN gear.

My son and his girlfriend. Yep, it's love.

Atlantis, Bahamas!!

I knew Savannah was awesome!!

Our little vessell

Me & Momma at dinner

Pretty Paula Dean store

Cutie

I can see a perfect lil pottery store right here.

Love it!

Awww

This was my favorite house in Savannah. I even peeked in the windows and saw their lil library collection in their most coziest living room. ♥

Long Distance Operator

I missed some goodies while I was away.

happy vacation!

I love road trips!

and this picture
and their faces
and dan
and dans beard
♥

love it

"We don't realize that somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace."

 



yes please

this old house

This will be the second night spent looking at this house. Tonight a realtor is coming along and I have the bubble guts! I am so nervous! We probably walked 10 laps around this place last night, peeking in windows and making plans like we already owned the place. It's a huge undertaking. A lot of work to be done here but so much potential. I love everything about the house, except the location. There's always something. But...there has to be some sort of compromise in this situation I think. If you want the old charm, you have to take it where you can get it. And at this price, it's a steal. Long ago when I decided that I wanted an older home, I guess I dreamed that I could just fix it up a little and ta-da! a new house. But the more I've looked into older homes the more I've learned just how much work would have to go into making it livable and safe. A shit ton. And this oldie is no exception. Built in 1889, there's sure to be foundation problems and who knows what else. But we are so on the fence that I think seeing inside is the only way to make up our minds for sure. For the price though, we could buy it now and still have almost the price of the house left to use towards remodel. Very very exciting and also very stressful. What if????

"If you could clear all that space in your mind, you would have a doorway and you know what the Universe would do? Rush in."

in that moment i loved you

Happy Monday for sure

Quiet

I forgot how much I used to so love this record. And this song. Lotsa memories wrapped up in those songs. I think this is my favorite from them.

my first antique!

YES!

I'd like to say that I'll have all this Dan slash Black Keys outta my system soon but don't count on it. I can't and won't ever get enough. Every second of this video is sexy uhmazing perfection. They are really so, so good.

Bonnaroo 2011 aka Dustaroo

My 4 days on the farm this year were amazing. We learned many lessons last year which made for a much nicer experience this go round. We came at a much later time, took a totally different route and pulled right in the gate. No 8 hours of waiting in line like last year. There was no line whatsoever. Although our little camper is very, very vintage haha we have setting it up down to a science. We had our entire camp set up and were enjoying in a half hour.

Didn't see much musically Thursday night. We went to Centeroo for dinner and to have a look around but turned in kind of early. I wanted to be as prepared as possible for my Friday mission, which was to get up front for Mister. I was nervous about the day though. I knew it would be a task, and a task it was.

We got to the Which stage at about 11:00 a.m. and rooted to our spot which wasn't exactly where I had intended to be. But Ray didn't come on until 6:15 p.m. so I knew there was time to move up. My plan all along was to stay put the entire day and just see whatever shows were at the Which stage. We saw Sharon Van Etten which was a very nice surprise. She was great. Bela Fleck, which I was super excited about. That was a fun show, especially all the crazy dancing that was going on. The Warren Haynes Band was good and groovy but it lasted absolutely forever. After Warrens show it cleared out for a brief second, just long enough to snag the perfect spot before people started filing in for Ray.

It's hard to imagine what a feat it is to wait out in the blazing sun in those temperatures for 7 hours. After hour 1 I had doubts that I was going to make it. But we were so prepared. So very prepared it looked like we were moving in at the Which stage. We brought a mat to sit on, our squirt fans, our neck wraps, a cooler with 8 waters, 2 apples, an umbrella (which I could not and would not ever live without at bonnaroo), our backpack with the rest of our supplies. We looked like we were going on a safari in the jungle the way were were dressed with our big hats and all our stuff hanging off our necks and off our arms. It was a struggle at times, especially from 2:00 to 4:00 when it's the hottest part of the day. I thought about bailing a time or two but talked myself out of it. And when Ray and his lovely crew walked out on stage it was so worth it.

It's pretty neat how your body works, especially under extreme conditions, which I would absolutely define Bonnaroo as. It's a complete miracle that I didn't have to pee one time on Friday, even with all the water I drank. It's like my body just knew what was happening and did what it had to do. The only thing I regret about Friday is that we didn't go back up to Centeroo after Ray. We got dinner, went back to camp to shower and recoup after a day in the sun and had every intention of going back up to see My Morning Jacket, but just couldn't make ourselves do it.

I guess I should have mentioned in the beginning about my condition. The day before Bonnaroo I had blood work done. Several things have been going on with me and I got the results of my blood test Thursday night after we'd set up our camp. I have mono again. My white blood cells are pretty low and my platelets which is the cause for the fatigue. So that definitely played a part in our staying at camp on Friday night.

Saturday we decided to hang out at camp for a while and read, as none of the shows I was really interested in started until around 3:00. I missed Old Crow Medicine Show but we did make it to Alison Krauss. She's lovely. We got a lucky spot for Mumford and Sons which were so awesome. We had planned to leave their show a little early and catch the end of Loretta Lynn but they were just too good, we couldn't leave. Even if we had wanted to leave it got so unbelievably crowded for M&S I was a little shocked.

The craziest part of the weekend happened right afterwards. M&S were over at 7:45 and The Black Keys started at 8:00 over on the What Stage. Months ago when I found out they were gonna be on the big stage I was immediately stoked. Last year, my biggest heartbreak was not getting to see them at This Tent because every living soul attending Bonnaroo was crammed in there. But along with them being on the big stage also is the fact that it's quacking huge and getting a frontish spot is practically out of the question unless you're there super early, which obviously we weren't.

It was clear that everyone had the same plan. See Mumford & Sons and then run over to the What stage for the Keys. Not good.

this is the mumford and sons crowd. we were way up front in that mess.

80,000 + people all trying to hurry to the same exact spot at the same exact time does not work. I was bummed. I knew for sure that we were not only going to miss some of the show but that we would be way in the back. It was chaos. People were pushing and yelling and everyone was packed together so tight while the dust just engulfed us. People were choking and coughing and there was a buzzed kind of energy. I thought something bad was about to happen because people were climbing trees to get over the hoard and then all of the sudden we broke through and were some of the first there. We hurried over to the left side of the stage. It seemed like everyone was sticking to the right side when you first come in. The left side had considerably more room. I could not believe how close we got. We probably could have made our way to the front front, but I learned my lesson last year at a Black Keys show how crazy it gets, so we claimed our spot center stage awesomely close. I was beside myself excited. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in my entire life.

It was one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. By far the best show I've ever seen at Bonnaroo. Dan was definitely feelin it and he sounded amazing. So good. There was a little something special about the entire show. It was so much fun I didn't want it to ever end. And just when I thought it was over that beautiful man of mine sang I'll Be Your Man, just for me. It was blissful.

our black keys happy faces!

There was an hour and a half break until Eminem came out so we had the bright idea that one of us would stay put and the other would go get dinner. Terrible idea. I sat there by myself for probably an hour getting more panicked by the second. It was impossible to find anybody in that mess of people. But she finally saw me jumping and flailing my arms. Another lesson learned, never split up in a hundred thousand people if you ever want to find eachother again. The food wasn't even good.

So Eminem came and went in the middle of a lightning storm. Fun show and fun glow stick war! I really wanted to make it to Girl Talk at 2:30 am but I just couldn't do it. I could barely hold my eyes open. So we trudged back to camp somewhere around 1 in the morning.

Sunday was super hot. We packed everything up before heading up to Centeroo which was the best thing we could have done. That way, whenever we were ready we could just walk back to camp and get in the truck and go. We saw G Love, Amos Lee and Iron and Wine. The sound was messed up and it was too quiet. I was a little bummed about that but it was still an awesome day.

It was dirty and grimey and hot and sticky and exhausting but it was amazing.

etsy wishing

While my hair is still short enough, I want!

The Grim!!

Keyhole flats! Adorable!

work me

baby work me.. till I want no more

baby work me.. till I want no more

want you to want me baby

lord how it make me feel

wont you do me

baby i will do you too

if you do me

baby i will do you too

want you to want me baby

lord how it make me feel



Very much loving daddy today

Hemingway

I am currently sort of fascinated with Ernest Hemingway. I knew little about him before The Paris Wife, but couldn't get him out of my head afterwards. I checked out most of his work from the library the same day I finished Paris Wife and delved in. I am very confused by him, but equally as fascinated. I wrote up an essay, just to get all the facts straight in my head, and because I love to write anything and everything and have always loved to write about books or anything having to do with literature.

At first, and especially since I chose to read 'In Our Time' first, It blew my mind that he was so very famous and idolized. But the more I read, the more I began to see how remarkable his writing was, especially for the 20s. He was the first of his kind in those days and people craved his style. I have yet to finish his books, but I will. He, as a person and as a writer is what intrigues me. Even in Paris Wife, my first thoughts of him was that he was insane. And the more I've learned about his life, the more I know it for certain. The way Hadley describes him when they first met as passionate and alive, and later says those were his best years, when he was young in Paris, I do agree. The war I think was the major cause of his psychiatric problems, among other things. His upbringing, his drinking, and probably his brilliancy too. The way he saw things as 'work', such as going to the horse races and betting on them. He spent so much time there he honestly considered it a job and called it "hard work".

He was, in my opinion, terribly selfish. I think if I had to describe him in one word that would be it. But it's interesting that he truly did not believe he was or see himself in this light. Everything for Ernest was literature. He would study people and paintings and his surroundings, all for writing. He lived in his own reality and I honestly don't think he ever lived for anything other than his work.

After reading his stuff and learning about him, I think people either love Hemingway's work, or they hate it. I do not see very much room for in between. And at first, I hated it. But then I began to have a love hate relationship with it that eventually turned to love. He won me over. He has crept into my mind and took up permanent residency there. So much so that I have actually considered going back to school to study literature. I probably won't, but he does inspire me. And fascinate me. I am looking forward to reading the rest of his books and seeing more from his point of view.

daddy-o