Photos_Summertime

 

BFF

 

BF

 

Summer Lovin'

Words_Grateful is as Grateful Does

It's been a little while since I've written here which I attribute to part busy-ness, part laziness, and part blah-ness. Put all of those together and you get me: a perpetual cycle of short-term consistency and long-term neglect. One day in the future I hope to be wholly consistent and committed, but for now, I'm inevitably sliced all different ways.

June is flying by and since its start I feel like I've blazed a trail of mini-adventures with friends, old and new. I've assumed high school behavior which includes knocking on stranger's hotel doors (say hello to human trafficking). I joined a Bible Study which, to my great surprise, I think I'm slowly falling in love with. I've witnessed one of my best friend's lives completely change with a new permanent responsibility: a baby girl. I reached out to a young girl who so sweetly and unexpectedly reached out to me; what's to come of this I'm unsure and honestly cautious, but I'm looking forward to the next step. I felt the aching relief of my Robbe's hard work over the last five years finally, finally, finally come to fruition. Believe me, there is more to be said about this, but I want to wait until he and band mates have signed on the dotted line.

All in all, people are moving in and out and around me while I am generally the same. And as much as that makes me exhale the most frustrating of exhales, I do feel blessed to be a part of those who are here for a day or weekend or month here and there. I'm more than grateful for my friends here that I don't see nearly enough (i.e. Misie), which is probably illegal or something. I know that I have so much that I don't see or appreciate and I hope this is a start to giving credit where credit's due.

So, I'm still lazy. I'm still busy. And I'm still here. But I'm grateful. Or at least learning to be.

Words_a la Evie

My 6-year-old niece Evie wrote her first story. Goes a little something like this:

The Little Flower

Once upon a time their lived a little flower. Then a little drop of water fell from the sky. Then a sprout came up from the ground. The clowds were mooving until the sun came out of the sky. The flower came up and the flower was saved. People came to have a picknick their. They had a good time. End of the story.

 

Ten bonus points for writing it in a scroll-esque fashion. Another ten for included artwork. And twenty for giving her first story away as a birthday present.

Photos_Viva la Vivie!

In black and white

 

 

 

In color

 

 

 

Words_Ode to Robbey

If it weren't for Bob and Cathy, Robbey Redd would not be here today celebrating his 28th year of life. If you don't know Robbey, you probably should. He's what I like to call a "prih goo guy." But that's a whole 'nother story.

Robbey Fun Facts

1. He only eats once, maybe twice a day. And sometimes it's old pizza from a dumpster when he's on tour. I'm not judging.

2. He slaps dee bass in a band but generally hates talking about it so if you're going to make conversation, it's best to stick to sports, namely, the Orioles, Steelers (burp), or fantasy anything (that doesn't sound right).

3. His eyes go down like Hugh Grant's. Mine go up like Asians. If we were to procreate, our child would probably have level eyes.

4. He's generally a mumbler/low talker in conversation. The only time he's not mumbling is when you're actually supposed to mumble, like in church. He thinks he's whispering when really he's talking in a completely normal voice. So everyone in our row usually knows exactly what he's thinking or observing throughout the entire service.

5. He can grow an impressive handlebar mustache and talk passionately about how to properly care for one. This is usually done while on tour when I can't actually see him because he knows how much this generally creeps me out. Such love between us.

6. Under conditional circumstances, you may find Robbe karaoke-ing songs from Weezer, the Gin Blossoms or dueting "Your Love" by The Outfield with one of his best friends. It's a must-must see.

7. Robbe's dream is to live on a boat and sail around the world and surf with, no, not me, but his best friend David. I just can't compete with David's tall, dark and handsomeness.

8. Robbey is a what you see is what you get kind of person. He's not here to impress anyone (unless you're Cal Ripken). He treats everyone the same no matter who you are (unless you're Cal Ripken). He gives everyone a chance and is slow to judge, if he judges at all.

9. He's a guy's guy.

10. More importantly, he's my guy (take that, David!) Happiest birthday, Robbey. <3

Photos_Happy Birthday Vivienne

My best friends just had a baby girl tonight, their first child. Here's to the beginning of everything terrifyingly amazing.

 

Vivienne

Photos_OPP_Other_People's_Paper

I like coming across people's personal to do lists scribbled down, obviously forgotten or left absentmindedly. I found this one in Hallmark, placed in a card slot as if it were for sale. This person's handwriting (probably a woman's) reminds me of my grandmother's.