Found

"I just want you to know I will love you dearly forever. No matter what happens. You are the older sister I never had." -Dani - 6/22/10

I am so glad I found this.

I think of you slash miss you every single day.

December 2010

I could not have gotten through the last six months without a few amazing friends and my family. Kathe is one of those friends. The kind of friend that you know will always be in your life.

There was this one night in December '10 when Kathe had me over for dinner, catching up, and Spruce Goose wine. Yep, we bought some fancy aviation wine like good tourist should.

It was just what I needed in the midst of everything that was going on at the time.

We found her Grandparents records and record player.
They had my jams on vinyl.
1940-1950's style jams.

Check out the treasures Kathe gave me.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants cookie jar and train case.
I told Kathe,
"This photo looks very Papa don't preach-ish. At least I got to keep the train case and traveling pants cookie jar...and the baby. Thanks Madonna for paving the way."
This night almost did not get any better.

Until we thought dancing would be a good idea.
I was all sorts of, "Eff you pneumonia and life. Kathe and I are going to try and re-create the Maniac dance from Flashdance."
Cell phone videos documented everything.
Very 2010 of us.
There might have been singing too, but that did not make it on the fancy video phone.
Next time.

Snail Mail Love

These were waiting for me in my mailbox when I came home from single Mom town.

I have amazing friends that send me mail.

Impeccable timing Moriah and Sam.

I needed these that day and I loved/love them.

They are proudly displayed.

Bed & Breakfast

Sometimes I stay at Modern-Day Martha's house.

If you ever get the chance...stay there.

1. It is cozy and the cutest house you will ever see.

2. She crafts and will give you something.

3. She yell-talks (it is something) from her room about the events of the night in the most hilarious way. You will be in stitches.

5. She will make you a mid-night snack. This usually begins with, "I don't have much right now." Then she gives you a plate full of gourmet snacks that appear out of thin air. Harry Potter. She can cook or bake anything. Oh, and the meal is always accompanied with a beautiful cloth napkin or something fancy.

6. She will play the hits while yell-talk (that should be a band name) time happens. She still needs some new speakers if you are wondering.

7. In the morning she will make you coffee and make fun of the lame stuff on TV. In stitches again.

8. Then she will help you solve the rubik's cube of life.

9. Positive energy.

10. One of the greatest friends you will ever have.

Pneumonia

I dropped Brasil off at the airport at 1235 on a Thursday.

At 1236 I came down will what felt like a slow death.

Instead it was just pneumonia.

*****

One of my best friends was nice enough to bring me medicine, a green smoothie, and soup the day she found out I was sick.

Love her.

She also knew me well enough to know that I would not allow anyone to do anything for me. She basically showed up at my door and barged in like she was the Kool-Aid man.

Excpect she did not say "Oh Yeah."

*****

After a week of death, she also lovingly forced me to go to the doctor.

Thank you for knowing me so well.

Well done out bossing me.

*****

Thank you to the rest of you that offered to help (crosswords and oranges!) or came to visit.

Friend love.

*****

P.S.

Guess what my famous last words were when everyone around me was sick and they were sure I was next?

"I do not get sick...duh."

Brasil and Army Parachute Jumpers

This really happened.

Such a good hostess right here.

What didn't she get to experience while she was here?

Plus, she looks like such a babe.

This is where you should have found an American to make out with Brasil.

Saving the Planet

After breakfast I made everyone help clean up at the house.

Such a mean Mom.

I think it is only fair since we all stayed there.

Brasil and I got the job of recycling bottles that had been sitting there for many years.

She thought this was pretty funny.

I can see her rolling her eyes and laughing.

That image is burned into my head forever.

Love it.

I told you it was a long 24 hours.

That is right.

All of this happened in 24 hours.

From the moment we picked up G.S.W. from the airport.

I also lost my camera in these precious 24 hours.

Tweens Sing Teenage Dream

Since Brasil (still not spelled wrong if you are Brasilian....Sol) is really slowing down my blog entries I am proud to present you this:

How much teenage love are you in right now?

Dear Mutual Friend, New Guy, and Sad Sound Guy,

I thought the limit of our brilliance was met the night we planned future weddings that included Gremlins, Willow, Ewoks, and more.

Then the next day you posted this video.

Well played.

You three teenage dream/lovers win.

Vinyl Treasures

Many years ago I decided to sell all of my records and my record player.

One of my few regrets in this life of mine.

*****

Then there was this day when my friend said he was getting rid of half of his collection, and said that I could have what I wanted.

Sold.

I even got to replace some of the vinyl that was special to me back in the day of me being a collector.

I also happened to find some amazing treasures in his 'get rid of' pile.

Including.....

Music You Can Dance To by The Sparks and The Game (entire album!) by Queen.

My brothers are about to be sooooooooooo jealous of those two finds.

Priceless.

Look at those guys right at home on my shelf.
Dear G.S.W/Ol' Buffalo,
You are one of the greatest friends I have ever had.
Thank you for passing all of these records on to me.
I am in love with this gift of music.
*****
Now all I need is some more Bob Dylan and my life is complete.
*****
Dear Brasil,
Remember how you napped through the sorting of these records? How I kept yelling across the house that I could not believe someone would get rid of such gems? You have a talent for napping/being dead to the world. I was right next to you! Then you woke up and said, "I didn't hear anything. You never stop. Did you do your homework yet so we can do something fun?"
That day was awesome.

Remember when Brasil was here and my computer was in Portuguese for a month?

Snail Mail

I have this really great friend that sends me the most incredible mail.

She must know how much I love snail mail, because she kills it every single time.

What was in said box?

******

Let me tell you:

-Mini-discs and a Walkman to play them

-Bracelets and a necklace

-A picture of Vern

-Anatomy drawings by Lils (amazing)

-Self Reliance Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

-An artificial lei (Thanks. Really fulfilled by that.)

-I am drug free, alcohol free, and unstoppable sticker

-The Xanthone Effect by Dave Morton (best anatomy teacher ever)

-Jamie O'Neal Lyrics

-The article: Love the Anti-drug-A Tip for Parents (totally used it on my not kids)

-Braille Alphabet

-Sexy time wrapping paper

-Luna bars

-Adult Mad Libs

-A Guide to Depression

-Pins

-Ballerina Notecards

-Field day awards

-I love my bike bell (I do!)

-Food handlers permit reminder card

-Best frog pictures I have ever seen

-Incredible painting folder made by Lils

-Notebooks

-Lastly, the best note/photo explaining the gift.

-One sweater

-One shirt

*****

Check it out/believe it:

This is when I was a giant in a house, Alice in Wonderland style, when trying on received snail mail sweater.

Lils, I have already been busy making things with your gifts.
Waste not; want not.

I even used a mini-disc as a coaster.

I love you and your talented snail mail ways.
If I could have filmed Brasil's reaction to this magical gift you would have died from laughter.
Awesome.
A million thanks.

Treasures

Guess what is awesome about helping people organize?

Finding items like this.

Tie-Dye

I was cleaning one day and I got bleach on my hipster grey V-neck.

Sad face.

Thanks to my friend, Modern Day Martha, I decided to tie-dye it with bleach.

Waste not. Want not.

This was the outcome.

Can you believe it used to be grey?

Can you believe rubber bands and bleach will create something so beautiful?

Loves it, and hilarious that I am that into Watchmen in this photo.

Comic nerd.

This was also the day I broke the plane.

Well....just the day the battery died.

I killed it.

A master switch fiasco if you will.

*****

I learned so much that day.

Mistakes equal learning.

CFI thought it was really funny that the propeller was going and my hair was everywhere.

And.

That I was in trouble.

Practically grounded.

He kept taking photos with his phone.

Real funny guy.

I will never forget this day that is for sure.
Me and my Pops being fixer uppers.

Birthday Card Magic

We love to make homemade cards.

I would say this is one of the best ones thus far.

One of these days I am going to venture into this radical place from my childhood town.

Maybe it is secretly magical inside.

Volunteer Night

Once a month I volunteer at this place.

I love it.

These nights have become something I look forward to.
So cute. So simple.

I love that I get to sit outside, listen to music (sometimes good-sometimes not my thing), and hang out with great people or read (alone time love).

This is what it looks like when my boss is bossing me around/barking orders.

Intimidating.

I was surprised at how much I liked the band on this particular night.
Candy Claws.

Check them out.

Their costumes and performance were very entertaining.

Rad House

To quote my co-worker, "You like very strange things and you wear weird clothes."

It is true, which is why I am in love with most of these things found in one of my favorite person's house.

Exhibit A.

Exhibit B.
Exhibit C.

Exhibit D.

He painted that painting like a little genius.

Please give it to me when you are over it.

Exhibit E.

Raw Food

One morning I woke up and decided I needed a cleanse.

I chose to go raw for ten days.

I am too active to do a full cleanse right now.

Plus.

I think I have done one too many cleanses in my life.

I overdosed on cleanses.

After the ten days I kept eating raw foods, because I loved it so much.

When this posts I will have been raw for nearly two months.

This lifestyle change has been an emotional and physical journey that was well worth it.

Life changes.

This is what my cupboards look like now.

Yes, they always look that organized.

I get that question often.

Organizing is what I do.

Duh.

Guess what never looks like that?

My car and purse.

I love that there is a) something in the cupboards 2) it is all delicious and healthy, and 3) that almost anything can be made with these ingredients.

I love making raw meals.

I think it is more fun that cooking with cooked items.

In fact, I kind of like "cooking" again.

This was the start of a mushroom soup I made.

The mushrooms and onions (yes, onions) were dehydrated first.

Then blended to make soup.

My Grandma's china makes everything better.

And.

Yes, I really do eat daily meals with china.

I happen to also use silver daily.

I was born in the wrong era.

One thing I have noticed that can get old is the amount of dishes I now do.

I am only one person, but cutting fruits and vegetables all day can make a mess.

But.

I get to wear my cute aprons more often.

Yes, I really wear aprons.

What did I tell you, born in the wrong era.

Myspace-esque photo for Lauren, who gave me this one as a gift.

So cute.

So simple.

So in love.
My favorite.

I thought about posting recipes, but then I remembered I did not feel like it.

Random

One night I was sitting on my balcony and up walks this little guy.

Wearing this amazing outfit.

Happiest bird visor wearing kid I have ever seen.

On this night I also made the best raw dinner of my life.

I was newly raw and wanted something really good.

Jaime gave me the dinner tip.

Mushrooms, pesto, avocado, nutritional yeast flakes, and olive oil.

Delicious.

I love you mushrooms and your hearty raw ways.

Random

I go to the post office often.

Yes, I still use snail mail.

On my way I pass this truck.

The interior happens to match the exterior.

That is some serious zebra love.