day23: eight things you (probably) didn't know about me

1) I have a lisp. 


2) Sometimes, I act.

In "Nightmare, The Musical" at Dog Story Theater, GR
Yep, that's a mustache. 
Photo by Bradley Briegel.

3) I had straight hair for most of my childhood. When I was 13, I literally woke up one morning and it was curly. (It's still curly to this day.)

4) I'm a flexatarian. I don't eat meat 98% of the time, but put a Yesterdog in front of me, and I'm going to eat it.


5) I played flute in my high school marching band. (Shocking, I'm sure.) I also had a brief stint as an alto saxophone player in jazz band.


6) My least favorite chore is vacuuming. Good thing Kyle actually enjoys it, or we would have very messy floors.


7) While I'm not a fan of winter at all, I love to ice skate. Love it. It's the one physical activity where I don't feel clumsy, fat, or awkward.


8) I wish I was more artistic.

Catching up with...

happy thanksgiving

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May your Thanksgiving Day not be assailed with John Hughes-ian antics.

(Unless you're into that kind of thing.)

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I'm so very thankful for you.

midweek rambles

+ Kyle and I will be making the 2 hour drive to my parents' house tonight after work. I'm hoping for safe travels, Starbucks, and iPod sing-alongs.

+ My favorite movies to watch on Thanksgiving are Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and Home Alone. (Does anyone else remember Home Alone being shown on TV every Thanksgiving?) I love John Hughes. And John Candy. So much. 

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+ One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I know it's cheesy, but I love it. Fingers crossed for Muppet appearances!

+ This year I'm responsible for bringing desserts to our family feast. I'm baking pumpkin cookies with homemade cream cheese frosting and Moosewood brownies. I've been really into baking recently, so I'm excited to have a wider audience than just Kyle.

+ I'm so thankful to be spending my favorite holiday with my family. It's been a stressful year, but I have so much to be thankful for. 

Have a lovely holiday!

day22: some place I've traveled

We took a cruise to Key West and Cozumel on our honeymoon. I loved them both and can't wait to go back someday. These were all taken on Key West.

Catching up with...

day21: something I could never tire of





I live and breathe Lake Michigan. 

Catching up with...

day20: a childhood anecdote

When I turned 4, I planned my own surprise birthday party.

The best part? 

 I was still surprised. 


Catching up with...

A special thanks to Mom and Dad for the pictures, and to Svet for getting them to me. <3

day19: a silly self portrait



The truth is out there.

Catching up with...

day18: what I wore today

I feel so very awkward posting pictures of myself like this. Kudos to all of the fashion bloggers who do this on a daily basis and look gorgeous doing it!

Rundown: Blazer-Goodwill; Jeans-Old Navy; Boots-Target;
Scarf-purchased on our honeymoon cruise 

Catching up with...

thankful fridays |3|

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Nov12: Today, I'm thankful for the chance to visit with Kyle's family. We helped his parents move some furniture, and then went out to dinner.

Nov13: Today, I'm thankful for a dreary afternoon spent curled up on the couch watching Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 special features. Hello hour-long interview with J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe!

Nov14: Today, I'm thankful to have all of my software back on my laptop. I was able to reinstall iTunes, my camera software, and Netflix. I'm not technically inclined, so this is a huge accomplishment for me.

Nov15: Today, I'm thankful Kyle didn't have rehearsal and we were able to have an evening together during the week. It was so nice not to come home to an empty house.

Nov16: Today, I'm thankful for an evening spent at Yesterdog's with Morgan laughing our asses off. Fingers crossed that all that laughing burned off the calories from the hot dogs and Vernor's.

Nov17: Today, I'm thankful that my aunt's surgery went well. Hoping she will be feeling much better by Thanksgiving Day.

Nov18: Today, I'm thankful for a good week at work. It's been a struggle for the past few months, and this week I'm finally feeling like things are starting to click.

What are you thankful for? I'd love to know!

Happy Friday, friends.

happy birthday, dad!

 

Old Styles at Wrigley
Sept2009



Interpreting art
ArtPrize2010




Waiting to walk me down the aisle
Aug2011


To the father who taught me how to ride a bike, root for the Cubbies, and believe in myself...I will be forever grateful.

Consider this your gift for under $5 that comes from the heart.

Love, Goose

P.S. GO CUBS GO!

midweek(ish) rambles

+ Morgan recently introduced me to Bookshelf Porn, a collection of pictures of amazing bookshelves. *swoon* If you're like me and love the smell of books and spending the afternoon in the library, you will love this website.

From my personal collection of bookshelf porn. Classy.
Argos Book Shop,
Eastown, GR

+ I mentioned awhile back that if/when I hit 15 followers, I would host a giveaway. I'm currently at 17 and am so excited to get this giveaway underway! (Psst...Look for it after Thanksgiving.) 

+ Ok, I'm not a huge Glee fan. I am, however, really loving Adele right now. A few Gleek friends posted this video on Facebook and I love it. *hits repeat*

+ "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing it is stupid." (Albert Einstein)

I came across this quote this week and it's really encouraged me. Lately, I've been struggling with some career issues and it's really brought me down. This quote reminds me to not be too hard on myself. Maybe I'm not meant to climb. This doesn't mean I've failed, it just means I'm meant to swim...


+ Sometimes, Henson has to save the universe. No big deal.

And by "save the universe," I mean sweep my kitchen floor. Yikes.

Let the weekend commence!

day17: my family

Kyle, Henson, & Molly
Dec2010

Mom, Dad, Molly, & Svet
Aug2011

Clockwise from L: Sarah, Arielle, Maureen,
Jason, Robert, Darion, Ryan,
Kristin, Morgan, Lauren

I can't say enough how blessed I am to have such amazing people in my life. I love, love, love my family. With all of my heart.

day16: someone who inspires me

My husband, Kyle inspires me every day.

He makes me laugh.

Photo Courtesy of Mike Emerson


He keeps his cool when I'm stressed and feel like I'm losing my mind.

Most of all, he has such a kind and caring heart. 

Should we lose each other

In the shadow of the evening trees

I'll wait for you

And should I fall behind

Wait for me.

-Bruce Springsteen-

Catching up with...

day15: some style inspiration for the season

This fall, my go-to outfit has been a cardigan and a scarf, paired with tall boots and skinny jeans. Nothing terribly exciting.

I've decided recently that I don't care if my outfits match or "go" together. I know...I'm such a rebel.

However, I'd love to have these outfits in my closet.



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All images found via Pinterest. 

Catching up with...

day14: a favorite movie

I've mentioned a few of my favorite movies before, and I'm pretty sure most of you know by now that I pretty much watch Ghostbusters on a monthly basis. (No shame.)

Confession: I LOVE The Money Pit. So. Much.

As you can see, I don't have particularly pretentious sophisticated tastes when it comes to movies. Most of the time, I just want a good laugh.

But seriously. How great is Tom Hanks?

Catching up with...

day13: something I'm proud of

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I'm proud of where I'm from.

I've lived in Michigan my entire life. I was born in St. Joseph; raised in Berrien Springs; went to college in Allendale; and now reside in downtown Grand Rapids.

Living in Michigan isn't always a picnic (especially in the dead of winter), but it's home.

I spent a majority of my life wanting to be anywhere but here. Now, there's no place I'd rather be.

Catching up with...

day12: three blogs I can't get enough of

Camille has to be one of the sweetest bloggers I know. Her posts are always so truthful, inspiring and optimistic. She's also quite the artist!

 

Cat is an amazing photographer, and always shares the most beautiful pictures of her life as a military wife and mom. Her recipe posts are my favorite! 

 

Kara's blog is honest and so relatable. I love her outfit posts and the sense of humor she brings to whatever life throws her way.

Catching up with...

day11: something I've been craving

For whatever reason, this prompt really had me stumped. Perhaps because I've felt  in a constant state of longing for a few months now, and I wasn't sure which "craving" to go with.

So, to make this simple...

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Mmm, pumpkin pie. I'm so excited for Thanksgiving.


Catching up with...

thankful fridays |2|



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Nov05: Today, I'm thankful for a gorgeous, sunny day spent thrifting with my mom and sister. Sometimes, it's just nice to go "home."

Nov06: Today, I'm thankful for a gorgeous day so Kyle and I could walk to the library. (And that the book I wanted was in!)

Nov07: Today, I'm thankful for the ability to take a sick day. Napping on the couch, watching X-Files, and sipping tea helped me feel a bit better.

Nov08: Today, I'm thankful for a repaired laptop. I'm especially grateful there was nothing wrong with my hard drive.

Nov09: Today, I'm thankful for Henson. We adopted him a year ago, and he has brought us so much happiness.

Nov10: Today, I'm thankful that the snow that fell didn't stick or create icy road conditions. I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet!

Nov11: Today, I'm thankful for the troops, past and present. So very, very grateful for their service.

What are you thankful for?