Christmas Tree.

Yesterday Casey and I went to get our Christmas tree. It didn't start off too well. First we went to the place we went last year and had a bit of sticker shock- as well as disappointment in the quality of the trees. We left and stopped at another place on the way back to the apartment- again, the sticker shock. Casey was talking about just getting a fake one, as we had discussed several times, or just getting a pre-cut, but real, one at Walmart or Lowes. As we drove away from the second place, I was in tears. I guess I didn't realize how much a real tree meant to me until then- and how much I really didn't want to get a tree at Walmart, for goodness sakes! While we were at the second place, a woman asked us if we'd been anywhere else and she mentioned a place called Ticonderoga Farms. Well, after the second place we went back to the apartment and Casey looked up more places to go, including Ticonderoga Farms. I was being pouty laying in bed while he was looking all of this up. He says from the other room that "duh, the trees are more expensive because of the drought we've had this year." Good point, I guess. Anyways, a few minutes pass and he comes in with a few sheets of paper and a grin on his face. My spirits lift a little because I can see he's got something in mind he knows will make me happy- his only goal- but I'm still kinda sad about our day so far. We get in the car and head back out. He says that at Ticonderoga Farms, you can cut your own tree- just like back home... as well as being out in the woods... on a dirt road! It may seem silly to be excited about such things, but I'm a Vermont girl- where dirt roads and cutting your own Christmas tree are what I've always known- and it was so sweet that Casey found a place for me to experience these things, even though I'm in Virginia. It turned out that we didn't even get our tree at Ticonderoga Farms, where they charge by the foot and all the trees were tall, but went back to the second place and settled for the most inexpensive, but pretty shaped, tree we could find. I was really happy to get the tree back to the apartment and decorated. There is something about a lit and decorated Christmas tree that just makes me happy inside. The memories you share with your family around a Christmas tree from the time you are little. The special ornaments you put up each year- remembering each sentimental moment those ornaments hold. Christmas trees remind me of home and of family. Although I'm away from home, I'm so glad to have Casey to share my Christmas tree moments with for the rest of my Christmases. He really turned a not so great morning into a expression of the love and devotion he has for me. That's a great thing to experience during this season... better than any material present, that's for sure! I also love how he will only put up "us" ornaments- as in ornaments with our names on them. He hangs them next to each other and leaves the rest of the ornaments to me. It's great to share such moments with him- and to eat the yummy pizza he makes while I decorate the tree! That may become a tradition... one that we share with our future family... in our home away from home.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So, I didn't exactly get all the cleaning done that I wanted to this weekend, but I did get most of my Christmas decorations out. I am especially pleased with the dining room. Christmas decorating put me in a great mood- listening to the festive music and placing out joyful symbols of the season. Last year, my first year away from home, Mom sent me details on how our family has traditionally put out the most important symbol of all- the nativity. My pieces are few right now, but I have "all the important dudes." ;) Today I put out my angel and my "extra" animals... as well as a few miscellaneous pieces I've aquired. My nativity is made up of Fontanini pieces, which my Grama and several of my Aunts also have. The cresh was made for me by my Dad last year. I look forward to expanding my pieces as years go by, but more importantly I look forward to sharing the tradition and Christmas meaning that goes along with a nativity with the family of my future.

In the living room, the nativity sets the stage for the season.

Pretty glasses and mugs, as well as the beautiful, and unique, advent calendar Mom gave me last year.

A table partly set- I'm hoping I can get through the season without the cats pulling the tablecloth off- along with the plates and other decorations.

My favorite part of the room- the "window treatments." It's very simple- all I've done is hung small ornaments and put wrapping paper over cardboard for the top trim, but I just really love how it turned out. I also love the framed paper from a Pottery Barn bag. I love that pattern, and this was an inexpensive way to get it in my home! Oh, and of course there is Lucy playing with the blinds.

Getting into the Christmas spirit!

This weekend is going to be a busy one. I've already started cleaning up the apartment- it will truly be an overhaul- to prepare for Christmas decorating. I say it will be an overhaul because as I'm cleaning, I'm also going to be moving some stuff around and purging things I don't feel will make the move to the new condo. Maybe I'm planning too far ahead, which I doubt, but the condo closing is during tax season, meaning the boy will be working LONG days (over 12 hours a day during the week, probably!) and I'd really like to get started preparing for the move... especially because a lot of it will be done by me and me alone. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind that much- it's the control freak in me! :)

Anyways, I'm really getting into the Christmas spirit the past few days- I guess going anywhere shopping right now will do that to you- and I'm ready to get creative in the decorating. We don't have the budget for new decorations, but I'm looking forward to taking what we have and making a cozy Christmas home for us. I only get one full day in Vermont for Christmas this year, so I want to make our apartment here in VA as warm and welcoming as possible for those days I come home from work during the holiday season. Plus, Mom, Dad, and Sister are coming for a little Christmas at our place this year, which I'm really looking forward to, and I want it to be pretty and un-cluttered when they visit. Hopefully I'll have some pretty decorating to take pictures of and share- but we'll see where my creativity takes me!

Friends, old and new.

When I got done the job I left for my current job, a girl who also worked there, who was becoming a good friend, left on the same day to move back to her parents' home in New York. Today I got a message from her saying she was moving back to Virginia and that she's starting work back at the old (to me anyway) place on Monday. I am really excited that she is coming back- especially because I think she could continue to become a really great friend, which is something I could really use down here in Virginia. Casey is the greatest- my best friend and love of my life- but there are some things a girl just can't share with a boy. She is loud and a little crazy, but I love it- especially because I am one or both of those things a lot of the time. I could really use a friend like her close by. My girls back home mean so much to me, but it is hard to keep up with each other living so far apart. I have been thinking about how much I want to keep in better touch with my family and friends back home, especially after the last few trips home without having one of my besties around (she's studying abroad in France), yet I haven't tried very hard so far. Although my France-friend frustrates me with her lack of effort towards our friendship and towards keeping in touch- which hurts because I really value her as a friend and confidant, we've shared a lot of the same experiences and it's nice to have someone to relate to- I still want to know what's going on in her life. It sucks that I can't be there sharing the awesome experiences she's having in France- with new friends- but she's living her life, as am I, and I can't be angry or upset with her about that. I've just got to cherish the moments I have with all of the beautiful people in my life, the old friends and the new, because if you don't share life's moments with someone, who on Earth is going to believe you when you write your autobiography? :)

Blog makeover.

As you can see, the blog got a makeover. Although dolphins at sunrise still awe me, my life has changed a lot since this blog started. When it started I was still obsessed (a strong word, but nearly fitting) with moving back to Vermont- I never thought I could settle in Virginia. Yet here I am with a great job and homeownership in the near future- in Virginia, not Vermont. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not settling completely- Vermont will always be home and I can't wait to move back! But I'm not so anxious about it anymore. When this blog started, I wasn't sure Casey would ever propose- and here I am now less than nine months from the big day! The wedding day that is, mentioning nine months makes is sound like something it definitely isn't! Some things remain the same, like my love for my family and friends, and especially for Casey. Life is good, and I'm glad I have this space to share the goodness with whoever wants to read about it! Life should be about sharing and enjoying great experiences, and not so great ones, whether they are our experiences or someone elses... that's how inspiration happens.

Almost Thanksgiving?!?!?!

Wow, I can't believe Thanksgiving is this week! I am not complaining because I am very excited to take the trip home and share a bountiful meal with those I love most. But I find it crazy that November is almost over- which will leave just one month until the new year. This past year has brought quite a self-transformation, as well as huge life steps and changes, and I look forward to what next year will bring. I am eager for two of next years events to be here- homeownership and marriage. In the beginning of the year Casey and I will be homeowners for the first time and will move into our beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a wonderful, growing area just west of where we live now. We have often taken drives out past this community, where things aren't overwhelmingly developed yet, and it makes me feel a little sense of home- Vermont home. Both of us are so excited and wish we didn't have to wait until then! But I'm sure it will be here before we know it. I just hope we'll be truly ready! The wedding is another thing I'm really looking forward to- of course! I haven't had much to work on for it lately, but things are starting to come back up on the to-do checklist. So, I'll be busy the next few months preparing for our move- and then I'll be busting out wedding projects before the big day. It's great to have such opportunities for creativity and I can't wait to see how everything turns out! As Thanksgiving comes closer, I give thanks for the ability to be creative, for the blessings I have in family, friends, and home, and for the events that make life memorable!

Life is... funny?

I don't think that funny is the right adjective, but life sure does take you in all sorts of directions. Last year at this time I was miserable because I wanted to move back to Vermont, this year I'm in the process of buying a condo with my fiance- meaning a more permanent tie to Virginia. Who'd have thunk? I'm really not worrying about it either, I'm actually very happy in my life right now- yes, I would MUCH rather be in Vermont- but I'm okay where I am. I've been blessed with lots of beautiful things lately- the engagement (which leads to a wedding- the most memorable day of all, right?), a new job, and now a place to call my own... and Casey's too! :) I think this new job has really changed my perspective about living down here- it's a place that I actually feel appreciated and where I actually enjoy what I'm doing! Sure there are some slow days, but where I work (at a police station), isn't that a good thing? And Casey seems to be moving up and taking on new responsibilities at his job, which is great- I wouldn't tear him away from it because I'm homesick. I'm sure he's homesick too- but he's also driven to succeed and reach the goals he's placed for himself. I'm definitely not standing in the way of that! So, although I'd really like to be moving in next door to all my besties back in VT, closer to my family, at least getting a new home means I get to finally do some real interior decorating! Mostly I'm excited about paint- and on the tight budget we'll be on, it will also be fun to get really creative to revamp the stuff we already own to make it look nice and inviting in a brand new home... not just new to us, but new in general!

Pumpkin bread.

This post is inspired by a post my Mom just did about homemade applesauce, which my Dad apparently made last night while watching the Bo Sox kick the Rockies' butts. Making homemade applesauce is a sentimental fall activity and it has yummy results- I just hope I get some of it! Well, another fall delectable is pumpkin bread. Pumpkin bread is something Casey has been asking me to make- the way his mother makes it, of course- for a very long time. I had been saying "no" because I think a mother should retain some recipes and food items that only she makes- especially because sometimes the food just can't be recreated the way Mom makes it. Well, that didn't fly with Casey, so when we were home last he had his Mom give me her recipe. When I went grocery shopping this week, I bought the required 100% pumpkin in a can, and last night when Casey came home from work, the smell of pumpkin bread was wafting from the oven. Of course, I only had one loaf pan, so I had to make muffins... and then that was still way too much batter, but the loaf was just very tall! When it came out I tested it and I thought it tasted pretty good, but that it seemed kinda crunchy on the outside. Well, it turns out that's the way Casey likes it! He kept cutting off little pieces, and then after dinner he had a toasted slice with butter for dessert! So, I am proud to say that I can make pumpkin bread the way his Mom does- maybe not as well, but it got a passing grade from the boy and that's all that matters! :)

Morning time.

Lately I've finally gotten into the swing of sitting down in the morning to write (and read my daily Simple Abundance) while I eat my breakfast. It's a simple but beautiful thing. Of course, this requires getting up at 5:30AM when it's still dark out, but really, it's not as bad as I thought it would be! This morning I had an english muffin with raspberry preserves and a chocolate-protein milkshake for breakfast... gots to get my protein! Especially because I've been getting exercise in after work- oh how I love getting home at 4:30 instead of 5:30! It's amazing what that extra hour in the afternoon does for me. So even though I have to get up earlier, I feel like I'm getting a lot more accomplished in terms of the goals I've had set for such a long time. I get my "chores" done in the morning, and in the afternoon I work out, make dinner, clean up, and have plenty of time for relaxing and doing creative things... or just bumming and watching TV. :) I'm glad to be making progress on some of the goals I've been working on. It's a good feeling to be successful and get things done!

And finally, GO REDSOX! Big win last night, let's hope they keep it up!

Busy bee!

So, I've been rather busy lately. Unfortunately, it hasn't been a particulary creative busy. I got done at my old job, had a wonderful week off- which I spent in Vermont, and have worked a week at my new job- which is really great so far! I worked on a few wedding projects at home, which can be seen below. The tree looking thing is an idea for entryway decorations for the white reception tent. This test is very sparse- I will be using more branches- and the lanterns will have tea lights to be lit when it starts to get dark. The hanging items are shells with pearl beads.

This flower arrangement is a centerpiece test- which will pretty much be what the actual centerpieces will be. I love them! It's white spray roses, white snapdragons, and baby's breath (the flowers were used for the engagement party my Mom had for us and then we used them to create this after). The vase is a 4" square vase covered in turquoise napkins to make it the color it will be on the big day- it's actually an orange vase. I found some 4" square vases that are actually aqua/turquoise and I will be ordering those.

Today I went to an invitation workshop at Paper Source. It was a treat from Mom and it was excellent! Some of it was simple for me, but it was still a really excellent experience. I learned some new stuff and got to bring home some great invite examples. Below are some of the invite examples we created.

This first one is just an example of the use of rubber stamps.

This is just a square folded card with layers. I like it because it has a diagonal pocket inside (seen below), for RSVP cards, etc.

Inside- diagonal pocket.This is a pocket style envelope. The invite is tucked inside and has a bookmark style ribbon for pulling the invite out. This also utilizes a pretty paper wrapped around the center of the envelope.

So, although I haven't been doing very well in the creative department, I think once I get into a swing with my new job and new job hours, I'll find more time to work on some projects- trust me, there is a list for the wedding that I am excited about working on! I've got plenty of ideas, I just need to get into the stage of executing those ideas as projects and finally, finished products.

Mushy, homesick day.

I don't know why, but I'm feeling very mushy and homesick and am majorly missing my friends and family today. I think a big part of it has to do with seeing all the fun my best friend is having in France, where she is studying for a semester. She posts pictures and she looks like she's having such a great time. She is sharing this awesome experience with all these new people, and it makes me sad that I can't be a part of it... or maybe I just wish that I could have such an experience. I would love to be able to travel and study new things, but I am stuck with working, in a state I don't really like living in, with bills and responsibilities. This morning I saw kids walking to school and I was like, I want to be in school again. I have this strange love of learning, I guess- I just love books, and taking notes, and expanding my knowledge. Maybe it's time to check out some online courses again... although I really don't think I can afford to take more classes right now. Why does education have to be so stinkin' expensive?!? Aw well, I will figure something out- even if it is just picking a topic and going to the library to get books about it. I've always had a desire to "self-educate" and I just never seem to get into it. Maybe this would be a good time- it's free that way, and I can learn about whatever I want. I wont be in a beautiful European country, but I can find new and beautiful places where I am. In the meantime, I can still miss home and I can plan up awesome vacations to take in the future when I've settled more and can spend that time and money making those experiences. Good, I'm glad I've had this talk with myself. :)

It's been two weeks since I last posted. I think that I have been lacking an inspirational drive lately, but I'm slowly getting it back. After the weekend at home and the engagement, I kind of lost track of what I was working towards, but I've done well to pull back together these past few days. Many personal goals remain and another goal has been added: to plan a beautiful and memorable wedding and reception- without making myself nuts with stress. That is a big goal because I easily get stressed with such important things, but I am trying really hard to be more lighthearted and easygoing about life- after all, I shouldn't be grumpy about such a beautiful event as a wedding!

So, an important subgoal of the wedding goal has been to find a dress. Last weekend, I'm pretty sure I found it- THE dress! Mom saw it online and thought that it would be the one, and I had seen it online before and liked it a lot, so I made an appointment to try it on. I was alone for the appointment, but as soon as I left the salon I called Mom to tell her I thought I had found my dress! I loved it! It had everything I was looking for and even though I have a few more to try this weekend, I'm pretty sure this one will be the one I return to. I'm not going to share pictures because I'm trying to keep the number of people who see it limited- after all, it is that moment when I walk down the aisle and everyone sees it for the first time that is so special!

Finally, for now, I was reading "The Best Year of Your Life" last night. I read the section on "living your life as an example." It hit home for me, especially because I've been grumpy the past few days, and made me think about living my life in a different way. It said you should find someone to live as an example for, and although there are people I would like to set a good example for, I think I would rather live by someone else's example at this point and hope that it turns into an example for others. That person is my aunt, Dolly. She passed away in May, but she set a great life example for me and for many others. She lived her life with kindness towards EVERYONE, with a purpose of serving and helping others, and she inspired many people- including me. I just hope that from this point on I can remember that Dolly didn't waste life being grumpy and taking for granted the blessings of the world, she changed the world with her kindness and ability to live life to the fullest.

Some artsy, pretty pictures I've taken while at the beach... a most inspiring- and photogenic- place to be. :)

Love by sunlight...

Footprints in the sand...

Sunny petals...

Sandy abode...

"Most beautiful umbrella I've ever seen"

Boardwalk shadows...

At the beach again.

Casey and I are in Myrtle Beach this week and it is lovely! The ocean is a completely different creature here than it is in Virginia Beach, but it's an exciting adventure trying to conquer the powerful waves, which come one right after the other! In addition to enjoying being engaged, we have also celebrated that I got my new job- the one I discussed awhile back- at the police department. I am excited to work in a job so close to the job I truly want to do, which is investigation, but I'm also nervous about having to write my first letter of resignation. I think those where I currently work will be disappointed, but I can't think too much about that- I need to do this for myself, and there is nothing wrong with that. Anyways, here are a few pics from our trip so far and I'm off to the sun and sand! :)

Blurring by.

Life is a bit hectic lately- but it doesn't seem that it is that way for any good reason. Time is just flying by, and yet again I feel a little left behind... although I'm actually caught right up to where I've been wanting to be. I'm engaged- a good step towards the future I desire. Everything else, however, seems to have been put on stand-still- even though time never stops. I'm trying so hard to savor moments, but sometimes it seems like the moments pass too quickly to remember. Well, I'm trying, and that is what is most important, I guess. I've just got to focus! I've got to focus on what I want to accomplish- a creative life, a comfortable and welcoming home, and for next year: a beautiful and memorable wedding. I've got to focus on cherishing the moments that are involved in planning a wedding- searching for that perfect dress, picking out favors to help thank my guests, asking people I love to be my attendants in a special and creative way. Life is great, I've got to treat it as such! Casey is wonderful and I am so in love- being engaged is delightful! I guess I just need to relax and slow time down on my own, because it's certainly not going to slow down for me.

Here are some more wedding inspiration boards I like from Style Me Pretty. Although I'm into using tropical colors, I love the country inspired elements of some of these boards. I think they are simple and comforting.

I really love the cobalt blue with orange in this board! It's a neat combination and incorporates not only some of my fave colors, but also some other elements I love- like the lanterns.

I'm not into purple for my wedding, but this had a great outdoor, country feel. Hmm, a repeat of that barn. :)

I really like the lanterns in this board! And also the use of various colors- it shows that you don't have to pick just one!

Wow, I am not doing very well with posting, but I have been quite absorbed by being so happily engaged and by coming up with a tangle of ideas for my wedding. The date is set, we have a wedding party chosen, but the rest is a jumble! I've got so many ideas- all linked in some way, but that need to be brought together. Fortunately, I have plenty of time to straighten things out and make it a memorable day. Below are some photos that I like and that inspire the color for my own wedding.

I really like turquoise/aqua and other tropical inspired colors. I'm thinking about using turquoise or some other blueish color like turquoise with peridot/green and orange accents. Casey and I both love the beach, so using colors inspired by a tropical vacation makes sense! The last photo is a board done for the blog called Style Me Pretty. I love the mason jar lanterns and the flowers in the various vases- especially the turquoise pitcher at the bottom! And the pink cowgirl boots under the dress! I think that is great, although I'm not going to wear boots with my dress, I was thinking of wearing white boots with jeans and a "bride" t-shirt for the reception... after all the pictures in my dress have been taken of course! It's just a thought, but we'll see if I actually decide to do it! Below are some boots I like for the idea...

Wow, what a weekend!

So, I can finally spill the beans! I have been planning for months, with the help of some family members, a surprise 25th Anniversary party for my parents, and this weekend the party all came together! I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was, but the party was great anyways! There were a lot of special people there, the cake turned out beautifully, and Mom and Dad were really happy. Annnnnd, in addition to the anniversary fun, I also got engaged! I am so excited! I've been waiting for that moment for so long, and it was just wonderful! I think I'm still in a bit of shock, but I'm sure that will wear off when I start planning the big day! So, this blog will now not only be a place for me to spill my creative thoughts about every day life, it will also likely become a place filled with inspiration for my wedding.

Yay for me, I've started already!

I posted earlier today about wanting a more creative home. Well, I came home from work and got started! I rearranged a bit the top of a dresser in my bedroom. It's not greatly creative, but I like the way it turned out... so far! I used some regular acrylic paint on the set of plastic drawers I keep jewelry in. It has an almost opaque look, but I think it looks neat. It's a good start for what I'm looking for, I think!


I also took a photo of a corner in my kitchen. I've had this set up for quite awhile and I still really enjoy the way it looks. The painting on the cupboard door is done on scrap paper and then just taped onto the door. There are a few knick-knacks on the top of the basket-like shelving unit I've collected or been given. The calendar is a Vermont calendar my sister gave me for Christmas- a daily reminder of home! The grayish mugs with flowers are some Casey's Mom gave me as a gift- they belonged to her and I had said how much I loved them and so she gave them to me. They still make me very happy! :) The little ceramic plaque hanging on the glass water bottle (which I like because of the label colors and because of drinking that brand over dinner with my Mom and sister once) says one of my favorite Scottish blessings:

Dance like no one is watching;
Sing like no one is listening;
And live like every day is your last.

All in all, I think I had an okay start on my goal to make my apartment a more creative and beautiful atmosphere. I'll continue to tweak a few things and share as I go along!

Pretty living space...

So, I am moved today, in addition to Curbside Treasure collages, by some posts at Design*Sponge. She discusses people who post photos of their homes, as well as gives us a peek into her own work-in-progress place. Having such a creative space- not just to create, but that looks creative- is something I really want! I already drive Casey crazy with my compulsive organization, pretty boxes, and what he calls clutter, but really I'm just trying to express myself and I would LOVE to have such pretty spaces as some other people have and share! My apartment is small... and we are only renting... but I still think I could do some really great things to help motivate me to be creative more often. I've tried already to make changes that will inspire me, but I just haven't hit that spot quite yet. I'm doing some creative stuff, but not to the extent that I'd like to be. I guess that's another project idea to add to my list- spiffing up my apartment so that it inspires me to be creative and make, as well as surround myself with, beautiful things!

Below is a picture of my bedroom back home. My Mom fixed it up for me like this before my last trip up there. She has the benefit of working for a luxury linen company, so that is helpful! But her creative touches are what make this area so great- such as the simple idea of putting scrapbook paper in a frame to use as art. I love this idea, actually, and have a piece of scrapbook paper I don't really want to use for a scrapbook, but think is very beautiful, that I could use in this way. The best part about this space is that it is simple. It is not fussy or frilly, it is just simple and beautiful. These are some characteristics I like and will take into account when I work on my apartment. I'll post some photos of my apartment soon with changes I've made, or things I already have, but I wanted to include some sort of photo in this post and this one fits the concept.

Calm Before The Storm.

A storm is making itself known in the area of my apartment right now. It's raining a little and thunder can be heard. Casey and I have been sitting on the balcony trying to sight some lightning, but we seem to be facing the wrong direction in relation to the storm. We've seen a few amazing streaks, but mostly it's just flickers of light behind the clouds. The wind carries the essense of the storm and the air feels the way it always feels when there is potential for lightning and thunder and rain. When a storm comes around lately, I am reminded of a particular experience. It happened last time I was home in Vermont- in early July of this year. Tana and I were at Treasure Island (a little beach on a lake) and we were about to go down in the water, us and the two kids she was babysitting, when the lifeguards announced everyone had to get out of the water because a storm was moving in. Sure enough, when we turned around and looked over the trees, there were dark clouds hovering quickly towards the sky above us. As we prepared the kids to get them to the car, there was this sudden stillness. It was a powerful stillness. We both looked up from what we were doing and said almost at the same time "Did you feel that?" It was the calm. The calm that takes hold of the air and the trees and everything just before a storm hits. I had never experienced it so bluntly before and it was amazing, a serious experience of God's power through nature. This is one of those crazy natural occurences that gets transferred to life experiences. You may go through a calm period, where everything is peaceful and right, and suddenly your world falls apart around you. Although this is a hard thing to go through, I am glad to know that the rain always ends- often taking away hurtful and bad things that you didn't even know where there, cleansing you- and lots of times this cleansing causes another of God's great creations- a rainbow, a colorful symbol of forgiveness, of purification. They say there is gold at the end of the rainbow, but maybe the rainbow is the gold.

Bliss at the Beach

What an amazing weekend! Casey and I got up very early Saturday morning and made our way to Virginia Beach for a weekend of sunshine. We hit traffic on the way, of course, but we made it down there in plenty of time to make a full day of beach fun. After parking, we headed to the beach and set up our spot. After relaxing in the sun for a bit, we decided it was time to get in the water. BRRRRR! It's so cold when you first get in, but soon we were feeling grand as the cool water enveloped us and shooed away the hot, sticky thickness of the air on the shore. We spent some time floating on the waves, relaxed and at ease with the powerfulness of the ocean. Soon we decided to go and check into our room, which looked out on the ocean and even had a jacuzzi (surprise from Casey)! After settling in our things, we headed back to the beach, where we spent some more time lounging in the sun and floating on the waves. Eventually the tide changed so that it was right for boogie boarding, which Casey and I took full advantage of. This activity is something that just over a year ago I never would have dreamed of doing! I used to be very fearful of the water, but last summer Casey helped me overcome my fear by coaxing me into the water, holding my hand so to speak, until I was brave enough to go out to the sandbar with him. He let me try out his board, and soon I was rushing out of the water to go and buy my own! I am grateful that he helped me overcome my fear and now I have an excellent activity to look forward to doing with him when we visit the beach. Sometimes I get in the water even faster than him now! :) Saturday night we had a nice dinner on the beach and enjoyed some fun at the arcade. Sunday brought another sunny day, as well as one of my favorite experiences the beach can bring- dolphins. I looked out off the balcony and thought I saw a dolphin right off shore, and sure enough, there was a school of fish fluttering around the top of the water and the dolphins were having some breakfast. I was very excited to see the dolphins so close to the shore line! I watched for a few minutes until Casey dragged me away so we could load up the car and head down to the beach. Fortunately the dolphins were still going back and forth along the beach by the time I got there. It's definitely one of my favorite things to watch in the whole world! Sunday we spent most of our time just lounging on the beach under our newly purchased umbrella. We spent a little time in the water, but mostly we just relaxed on shore... Casey even took a nap! It was wonderful to just sit there and listen to and feel the sounds of the beach- the waves crashing, children shrieking in delight as the water splashes them, the ocean breeze, a barely audible radio, sand between my toes. It is such a peaceful feeling the beach brings to me. I think that my love of the beach has been passed down to me through my Mom, who used to spend a lot of time at the beach in her childhood. It certainly is one of my favorite places and I am so grateful to be able to share it with someone I love, who loves it as much as I do!

To Nap and Play Like Kitties

"Pets live so contentedly in the present moment."~BanBreathnach

Every day I am humored by my kitties and their crazy antics. But I'm also given a sense of peace when watching them sleep. I guess it is like having children in that sense. No matter how my little ones make me feel, and I can tell you that sometimes they drive me up the wall, I am often envious of their ability to be content no matter what they are up to. Now, I don't want to contradict myself because I believe that if we are unhappy in our lives we should not try to force ourselves to be content- we should take steps to do better- but I also think that when living in the present moment and doing the best we can to live our most fulfilling lives, we need to take time to look at ourselves and say "Okay, life is good, I'm content with this." Most people will never have everything they want, but as long as we are striving for a purpose greater than our own needs, I think that we can feel pretty good about ourselves.

"The greatest use of life is doing something that will outlast it."
~ William James

While striving to serve a purpose beyond ourselves, it is also important to play, to be merry, and to have fun. My cats play with a vivacity that makes me laugh uncontrollably at times. They run around my apartment as if they had a never-ending reserve of youth and energy. Although we often become so exhausted and stressed that it is hard to be pleasant, it's important to remember that each minute we stay grumpy we lose out on precious time we could be spending doing other things- like playing, loving, and making memorable moments. So, next time you are feeling down and need a pick-me-up, look at all the good things in your life and be content with those things- love your family and let them love you back, watch your pets play, rest and rejuvenate yourself, take a nap, curl up with a book-- liive in the moment and smile!

(This post expresses some of my feelings, but it is mostly a great excuse to post pictures of my little sweethearts! Aren't they cute?!)