all you can do sometimes

I've always thought one of the coolest things about animals is how they can tell you're having a bad day. I mean, people can too, but they get weird about it - stay away from you or try to smother you, or they talk too much about all the wrong things. 

So some days I prefer animals to people, you know? They don't say much (imagine that), but they do love you. With cuddles. And sometimes that's the best kind of love. 

we need a corgi, and now, I like spinach

My little brother texted me last night saying he's thinking about becoming a vegetarian. Obviously my first response was "heck yeah, brah!" but then the second was "uh, why?" because my brother is not one of those fruit and veggie loving people. Not that I am either, really, but I'm getting there, and it's pretty awesome. I've even learned to like spinach. Now that is a big step. Anyway, it turns out he watched Forks Over Knives the other day and it was some kind of game changer? Have you guys seen it? You'd think I would have, but nope. #badvegetarian

The whole eating vege thing is going pretty well. I've messed up a few times (okay, more than a few - but let's keep that on the DL) but overall, I'm really proud of myself. It's definitely a permanent lifestyle choice.

Once A finally woke up yesterday we did a bunch of shopping and a lot of walking and also some eating and napping, which is a pretty good Sunday in my book. Funny story time: we saw a guy biking who looked a lot like one of my environmental professors (who I'm kind of in love with). Both of us took off running towards the guy, A screaming, "Rich! Rich!" Guess who the guy on the bike wasn't? Rich. Guess who got the you're a freakkkk stares? We did. 

Mmmmm what else ... I'm working on speaking my mind a lot lately. A's been getting on me about it; saying what you mean instead of sugarcoating things needlessly. It feels pretty good. In return, I'm trying to convince him that we need a Corgi post-graduation. I think we're both making some good progress. 

Another thing I'm working on - loving people where they're at. I'm not perfect (wait, what?) and I have got to stop expecting other people to be. It might be even more ridiculous to expect myself to stop expecting so much of others but hey, time will tell.

There's something really nice about not having absolutely anything to say, isn't there? Liberating and shiz. I taught my work people to end all their sentences using the phrase "and shiz." It's going swimmingly. 

The end. 

saturday morning pretties

I'm heading down to see A again today :) But he isn't awake yet (the danger of dating a non-morning person when you are one, I suppose) so I thought I'd show you some of the things I picked up at Joann Fabrics yesterday. 

I shouldn't have gone in there, and I knew it the second I stepped inside. Sort of like one of those moths that go right for the flame, knowing full well they're going to be zapped. Couldn't help it though. I think the sales lady knew it too; she got my information on their mailing list good and quick. So I find myself with a random gorgeous box, two fat quarters,  iron-on transfer paper, and that dazed feeling that comes when you get blindsided by something like you love. Damn you, Joann. Damn you and your craftiness. 

Friday's Letters

So, it's Friday again. And how that happened when I feel like I just woke up Monday morning, already angry at the week ahead ... well, I don't know. But thank you, Friday, for getting here so darn fast!

Dear A - I don't know how many times I'm going to say that I love you here, but add one more to that number. I can't wait for you to graduate so we can figure out our next steps together. Oh, and we need to watch more soccer games together with your crazy friends.  What is it about sitting with the loudest people in the stands that's both embarrassing and exhilarating? 
Dear Campus Safety officer who gave me a ticket at Ursinus - Please. I gave you my life savings and my first kidney and my paychecks for the next however many years. You think I'm going to pay you because I parked in a staff spot after hours? Ha. What're you going to do - hunt me down an hour away? 

 

Dear Texxy - You are the freaking cutest dog I've ever seen, not even kidding. Maybe it's because I've never had a dog before, but coming home to your little face and you trying to knock me over every day, well, it's the coolest thing ever. 
Dear work - Okay, so New Orleans in two weeks. Hugest industry conference in the world, and it's my first time going. I got this? I got this. 
Dear people of the blog world - Does Biotin actually work? Ever since I died the ever-loving bajezus out of my hair this summer, things haven't been looking so hot. 
Dear self - 8 am is entirely too early to start throwing around words like "fortuitous," especially when your boss is already exhausted looking. Not everyone appreciates your obnoxious SAT vocab. 
Happy Friday guys :)

I Believe In ...

Linking up with Erin at Living In Yellow today :)

I Believe In ...

Making at least one person's day, every day

Best friends, the kind you can text and say "I'm making dinner at your house tonight" 

and they welcome you with open arms and a cheese grater

or at the Cheesecake Factory. either way.

Eating homemade Mac & Cheese until you can't move, and laughing until 

it hurts

Honesty, always

Boyfriends that are your best friend, unconditionally, and never let you forget it

(and also our friend Travis. hey there, Travis)

Old black and white love movies

The healing power of Meg Ryan

best scene ever, yes?

Learning how to stand up for yourself

Puppies

Having fun with your parents - and learning how to appreciate them

The beauty of grace

Cowboy boots, good food, and that a good hug can fix

almost anything 

Never taking yourself too seriously 

ahem.

What do you believe in today?

why women shouldn't write

Have you guys heard about the BIC Cristal For Her Ball Pens? Not yet? Well, you're welcome.

Last night, my Juliefriend emailed me with very important news, as she usually does. Apparently, BIC has come out with a line of "just for women" ballpoint pens. How are they "just for women?" Well, even though they write in black like a "normal" pen, they come in delicate, feminine crystalline shells with a "sleek design" ... I'm sorry, I can't write anymore. I'm laughing too hard.

People all over the internet are going crazy over these. The reviews I've read are beyond hilarious. Oh, and the Brits are in on the review bandwagon too. So you know they're going to be good!

Some of my favorites:

I'm dying. Please, please go read more of these. Unless you're easily offended, I suppose. Or are against female humor. You might not like them so much then.

To the rest of you who stuck around - obviously I'm going out to pick up some of these fantabulous pens pronto ... who wants to go to Target?!

Me Myself & I

Happy Tuesday! Today I'm linking up with Breanna, Shane, Kristen, Danielle, Jenna, and Amanda for their Me Myself & I link up party!
1. When you're feeling down, what do you do to pick yourself up? Depending how crappy I feel, any of the following: Eat. A lot. Go for a run. Watch She's the Man (this is for serious emergencies) Buy something frivolous like nail polish or tea.
2. If you had to live in a different time period, which would you prefer? Hands down, the mid to late 1800's. For a few years I was involved in Civil War re-enacting and I loved every second of it. Although sleeping outside in tents I maybe could have done without.
3. What is the most creative Halloween costume you've ever worn? When I was little, my parents used to make my brother and I the craziest costumes! One year I was a zombie and my brother wore a cardboard box with just his head cut out and a  pot on top. When our neighbors opened their door, I pulled the pot off his head and they screamed ...  it was a great Halloween :)

4. Name five weird things about yourself we've never know otherwise.  - two of my toes on each foot are slightly webbed together - I will never, ever eat a brussel sprout - libraries are one of my favorite places. A teases me because I say they "smell like knowledge." He says they smell like cat ladies. - people with bad tempers terrify me - I am absolutely terrified of having babies

5. What would you tell your 16 year old self?  That older guy is nothing but trouble. Run - don't walk - away.