Inspiration Station

Well I've been totally freaked out about the quickly approaching end of my grad school career and the looming "real world".  But lately, I've let my mind toy with the excitement that broad horizons can bring! Ideas and dreams are whirling around in my mind and I am beginning to be excited about the seemingly endless possibilities for what might come next.
I rushed out and did what I always do when I feel inspiration striking, and that is...to buy supplies! So I put together an Inspiration Kit, an easily accessible go-to kit for when I need to brain storm or fine tune an idea. I found a fabulous 100% recycled materials clip board and note pad combo along with a lovely green file folder. And of course, multi colored felt tip pens were an absolute necessity, kept neatly inside the file folder in an adorable (also recycled) zipper pouch. The kit itself inspires me! It speaks to the organized and driven side of me that sees the power in being put together, yet the materials and designs speak to the creative, fun side of me that is very important in the processes that this kit will hopefully be a part of. 

I'm excited about putting all of me into developing my professional self. Not just the organized, driven, put-together self, but also the fun and creative dreamer self too. Now that's a career I could get excited about!

Now I have a space to dream out loud! So, come on, ideas and the future. Come on, graduation! I am prepared...

Cutest song ever!

So, to add on to my last post, here is an ADORABLE video by Drew Daburry! Please check it out for proof that there is still fresh, happy, lovely music out there! Oh, and btw, the gal in the video is the one who made the satchel.

Lynette I Love You

You can follow this link to youtube or scroll down to my video bar right below "About Me" and watch the first video here on my blog.

surprise!

Austin surprised me one night with a super cute hand made satchel made by : Lady Danburry Follow the link to see her Etsy shop! Her husband plays music and Austin played a show with him this week and she was selling her wares at the show. My bag looks like this one...

...only it's a lovely lavendery color with vintage purple buttons! And has a vintage yellow floral fabric inside. So cute! It comes with a hand written note telling you where the materials come from. Mine said, "your satchel was made from vintage fabric from American Fork, Utah and vitage buttons from Mrs Holman of Delta, Utah"

Makes me want to break out my vintage Singer and get to work! Austin knows me pretty well, wouldn't you say? Kudos!

Goodbye, 2008...

Hello, 2009!


Happy New Year!

Highlights from 2008:

1. Moving Back to Abilene

2. 6 months living with my parents (yes, that was a very GOOD time!)

3. getting back into school! (only one semester left!)

4. getting the best job of my life at the counseling center

5. celebrating 2 whole years as Mr and Mrs Brown

6. moving into our first free-standing house

7. making wonderful new friends!

8. singing on a worship team

9. empty bowls project!

10. my digital rebel

11. second-shooting a wedding with my friend caroline

12. putting christmas lights on our house

13. going to Gruene and Dripping Springs to see old friends

14. Austin's grad school experience

15. spending lots of fun times with my sister

There are so many other things that could go on this list, so I'll stop there. But in a nutshell, 2008 started for us in a new place with new goals and new beginnings. It was a little rough at first trying to find a place again after leaving the incredible community that we had. But God is so good and had a plan all along.

We've seen him work in mysterious and wonderful ways and though there have been rough patches, he has been a vibrant part of our lives this year. I'm never going to get it perfect, but that's the beauty of it. We are resilient and very plastic creatures. We can change, we can adapt and we can grow. Who knows what the end product will be, if that's even a feasible assumption.

Resolutions:

1. Run a 5k

2. Graduate and start grad school

3. establish good habits/disciplines

4. read the Bible more

5. continue seeking God's will

6. play more music!

7. continue building relationships with dear friends

8. take more pictures

9. be a better blogger!

10. make time for crafty things like sewing, painting, baking

11. grow tomatoes

I'm sure I could add a billion things to this list too, so I'll stop here as well.


And so, Happy New Year!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind ?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !

And surely I’ll be mine !

And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pu’d the gowans fine ;

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,

Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine ;

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !

And gie's a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,

For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

tagged

my mom tagged me so here goes the little survey:

What was I doing ten years ago?
- I was 13, so I was doing the middle school thing and riding horses every saturday.

Five things on my to do list:
-Sign up for the GRE
-Apply to grad school
-Sew grocery bags
-go visit our "family" in Dripping Springs
-give Rocket a bath...that might be on Austin's to do list...

Five snacks I enjoy:
-Does coffee count? cream no sugar.
-a bowl of cereal
-creme brulee
-chocolate
-berries

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:
-own a horse!
-travel the world
-pay my parents back for school and get my PhD (after my masters)
-decorate my dream house Domino style
-last but not least, serve God with my money (which I should be doing even though I'm not a millionaire)

Places I've lived:
-Abilene TX
-Dripping Springs TX
-Abilene TX again

Opening Pandora's Box

Well, this is my official review and rave about Pandora. Pandora is an ingenius online radio station that tailors YOUR radio station to YOUR musical preferences. You tell it what you like, and it reaches into it's extensive database of music and plays song after song that is similar in a number of different ways to the songs you suggested when you set up the station.

I have been listening for several months and have been delighted to find that Pandora not only understands what music and which artists I already enjoy, but cleverly introduces me to new artists, broadening my musical horizons daily.

The other major plusses?

1. It's free

2. No commercials

3. It has a seemingly unlimited library

4. You can create multiple stations for your different musical moods

5. Brilliant.

Check it out for yourself at www.pandora.com

Job Hunt and other Activities

Well guys, I'm going for it. I'm going to try to find a part time job. I mean, it's the least I can do considering Austin is going to be in school too in the fall. I'm kind of excited.

I've turned in my resume and one possible position, but please if you read this send up a little prayer! It seems like the perfect job for me right now, and I just randomly happened upon it, so please just keep it in your prayers. Finding a job was going to be one of my summer tasks. That and:

1. Go to the dentist

2. Take the GRE

3. Turn in my application materials for grad school

well, none of these have happened yet, but at least I made an appointment with the dentist.

Oh, I finalized my decision on the color of the vanity, robin's egg blue with natural wood top, and can't wait to get it! I don't know when exactly it will be done. And JoCarol gave me the coolest old mirror in a gold frame to put above it! I'm so excited! Oh, and if you're reading this, JoCarol, everything my mom brought me looks fantastic! Thank you thank you thank you!

I'm also totally excited about my new, or old, sewing machine! Mom gave me my great grandmother's singer sewing machine. It's a beauty! I changed out the belt on it today and it really does sing! I can't wait to start my new "go green" project...yet to be revealed...

nesting

I've been so busy lately! sorry for the lack of "postage" these days. We've been working on our little house, unpacking boxes, repacking boxes, reminiscing and decorating. I really love decorating! I think that might be my career choice #2. I love hunting for the perfect peice of furniture or funky little extra, I love placement of things, and functionality, and most of all I love making each room have a personality. I'm absolutely devouring each Domino I get in the mail and even issues I haven't read in a while.

Anyway, I really need to save up for my other half of my camera, because I'm so inspired to take pictures right now! And I know I would remember ideas for my house better if I could snap a picture of something I see.

Since we only have one little bathroom, I decided to find a vanity for our room. After much searching, I found one and one of the best kept secrets in Abilene, Bloomingdales. This place takes old furniture and repaints it and then sells it unbelievably reasonable prices. I happened upon a piece that she had not started yet, and so I got to choose the color. I'm having it done in a soft, dusty blue, and keeping the top natural wood. I'll post a picture when it's done! Now I want to find one of those little chairs like my Mema had when I was little. It's a low backed gold wire sort of stool with a little round cushion.

Anyway...

Austin and I had a wonderful friday night in our house last night. We settled in with a Little Ceasar's hot-n-ready pizza, crazy bread and dr pepper and watched Juno. The whole event cost $15! Not bad for a date.

Dog Days

I don't know why dogs are used in such a negative connotation in phrases like. "gone to the dogs" and "dog days of summer" or "you dog!" but alas, it is so. I have never met a dog I didn't like and they have been nothing but joy in my life. So maybe we could coin a new phrase that praises the solidarity of dogs, the happy-go-luckiness of dogs and the dopey loyalty they are wired to express toward us.

Anyway, I was inspired by the book "The Dog Who Loved Cheerios: And other stories of indulgence" with it's beautiful dog portraits. And so got out my camera to make a tribute to my dog, Rocket, who truly knows what its all about.

This was a one second exposure with no tripod, so pardon the slight fuzziness.

I love this little dog because he doesn't worry about anything. He knows there will always be food and a nice comfy chair. He loves life and everyone he meets, human or canine. Unfortunately his grace does not extend to the feline, but we all have our flaws.

Mount Righteous!

So last night at my favorite spot, Monks, Austin and I went to one of the best shows I've been to in a long time! Check them out here:

And why were they so cool? I went not even knowing who I was going to see. Mount Righteous is an 11 piece band...ELEVEN...including tuba, trombones accordion, bells, percussion, and a melodica. Their lyrics were so happy and I dare to use the word innocent. Talking to one of the guys after the show he said, "There's enough sad music in the world, we play the happy stuff." I couldn't stop smiling. And although their style might not be the one you chill to while studying or even choose for your everyday background music, the show was definitely a DON'T MISS. You leave feeling like, "Hey, life is good. Whatever else is going on in the world, life is good."

Coffee Shop Kid

I'm sitting in my favorite spot in town, Monk's, listening to conversation and the Postal Service, sipping guatemalan coffee from a lime green mug. This is nice. I am a coffee shop kid. No denying it. And Monk's is definitely my favorite. If you haven't been, it's great. Cool atmosphere, always interresting people, great coffee, and Jerry the owner, he's awesome.

They've got Toms shoes and cool t-shirts, making it possible to be socially active while getting your morning free trade coffee! So yeah, there's a lot more you should do than just convenient charity, but it's a start!

There's also some sweet pottery in the front window... haha...

Oh! And The Office Season Finale? No spoiler here, but I'm mad! Not cool! If I were on the show I'd smack 'em all in the head. Except Kevin. He was an innocent victim. All I'll say is...they know how to keep you watching! We'll see how the next season goes.

This computer thing is really working out nicely by the way. Definitely a worth while investment. I'm so happy!

Happy Day!

Hey everyone! This is the inaugural post of my new notebook! Austin and I decided that if we are both going to be in school next semester, new computers might be necessary. So we've done some research and then today went out and got them! I chose a Gateway M-6841 at Circuit City and Austin chose an HP. It's funny because looking at the specs they are almost the exact same computer. Someone said it best when they said that it really comes down to preference. So anyway, a big decision maker for me were the rave reviews for the Gateway, the roomy hard drive and processor (and the clearance price!) and last but not least the glossy red chassis! Yum! So I'm very excited and hoping that it turns out to be as good a deal as I think it is!

May I?

Happy May 1st everyone! I can't believe that it has been a semester already! Tomorrow is my last class...followed by finals and then I start a May term class the very next week...so no break for me!

So a few things I am excited about for this month:

1. one semester down, two to go!

2. being a bridesmaid!

3. hopefully finding a place to live...

4. warm weather

5. getting a job (excited? not exactly but it'll be a very good thing)

6. finishing Life of Pi (I'm 1/2 way there)

7. getting familiar with my photoshop elements

8. Prince Caspian

9. Pandora.com seriously. check it out.


Well, eight is a weird number to end on, but that's all I got.


So, this finding a place to live thing is proving difficult. I feel homeless! But not, becuase I'm living in this beautiful house out in the picturesque country and I am lacking nothing...
It's just that for the first time in my life, I have realized that I can't have everything I want right now. I'll admit it. I've never felt the strain of money before, and I am very blessed with the family that I have that always provided for me. But you know what? If Austin and I are both in school, there's gonna be some changes. And that is gonna be fine, but it's kind of like you've gotta get your mindset right.
We'll figure it out. Probably sooner than later. There are many things on the horizon. But for a couple of years, school is going to have to be the priority.

It's like an adventure!

Happy Birthday

Well it is appropriate that I am posting the day after my birthday because my birthday was so busy I didn't even realize I was twenty-three until ten o'clock last night driving back home from a very hectic day. So today is my "real birthday" the day that conveniently fits into my and everyone else's schedule. Today we celebrate!



So here's what I got so far:



first and foremost and previously agreed upon, was part of my camera! I'm so thrilled to have my digital SLR, and I can't wait to go crazy with it!



From Austin, I got the coolest shoes out there: Toms! For every pair you purchase, they donate a pair to a child who has no shoes. Check it out at their website. They're comfy, adorable, and lets face it, a little hippie. Totally rad shoes. Change the world!

Also with b-day money from my Mimi, I got a 2 year subscription to Domino, the totally hip decorating magazine that I am way into! I've talked about it before and you can check out their website here but be warned...it is addictive. If you want to subscribe, do it now! They have an online offer that will knock your socks off and it comes with a nifty tote bag. Can it get any better than that?















I did find a few minutes to settle in at Books-a-million and read through a really inspiring book called Meetings with Remarkable Trees by Thomas Pakenham. I absolutely loved it! It is filled with the most beautiful pictures of famous trees in Britain. Ancient trees and the stories behind them. Trees hundreds, even thousands of years old. Think what they have witnessed! Check it out in the Nature section of your local Books-a-million.

Trees are very spiritual to me. I enjoy looking at them and stopping for a moment to consider them. They are all unique, silent witnesses to the world. They remind me of a God so much bigger than my little world, a God who cares about something so much grander and quieter than we sometimes believe. He is in control, and maybe my own quietness and stillness is not something to feel guilty about but a good thing, a rest for my soul. It is good to be quiet and consider a tree.

No Average Joe

Ladies and Gents,

After an exhaustive search for the world's best cup of coffee...which I did not conduct, I am pleased to announce to you that I have found it! This may be a well known secret by now, and maybe its a conspiracy of Starbucks to keep it under wraps for as long as possible, but the award goes to...drum roll please....

Mc Donalds!

Not only is it deliciously "rich bold and robust" as the paper cup advertises, it is also a very satisfying eighty cents a cup! Eat that, Starbucks! I am now one very happy coffee drinker.

My Fab Faves v. 1

I've always wanted to do this...and I'm totally copying you, Caroline! But here goes...





Here are a few things that are totally inspiring me at the moment:





#1 Domino Magazine. I could totally eat this site up and still be hungry because it's awesome! This has got to be the best place to get all kinds of great design ideas for home and well, life! And they have some awesome blogs to read to!





#2 Ultra smooth music from The Gotan Project. This group has got it! Steady beats and the lightest touch of a moody accordian melt with warm spanish vocals.





#3 Cairn Terriers. Now obviously, I'm partial becuase I have one, but this dog is the coolest dog around! I highly recommend cairns as great family members!

well, it's a start!