The gorilla social stucture

Since Amber wanted me to explain this one, I thought the gorillas family is very similar to our family.

There is me, the leader and protector of the household.

There's Amber. Loves us but does not like other females ; )

There's Bus who falls into both categories of a mature adolescent but loves to get his playtime on as a juvenile.

Then we have clingy Caleb the infant who has the maturity of one and most certainly acts like one.

Monday Poll

One of my favorite blogs does a survey every Monday, and I thought I would join in!

1. Mood:
Reflective and thoughtful. Grey skies, moody indie music and some things I need to work out have my brain whirling.

2. What’s your favorite number?
21! My best friend and I REALLY liked the arms on a football player in high school and adopted his jersey numbers as our favorite number. 12 years later (12, the transverse is acceptable too), its still my number

3. Are you more outgoing or shy?
More outgoing, but it takes me a little bit to warm up to you

4. How do you feel about matte nails?
Bring them on! I would love some matte black nail polish.

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
Nada. Once the uniform and the safety glasses are on, there ain't much going on in the face department!

6. Last book you read and loved?
I'm reading A Game of Thrones, a fantasy novel my brother in law loaned me, and I am loving it. Slow going, but really enjoyable.

7. Brussel spouts — yay or nay?
Negative

8. What was the last awesome thing you bought for less than $10?
Little Miss Sunshine, a kid's book from my childhood. I read it twice and then I gave it to my nephew, who I actually bought it for.

9. Outfit:
Workout clothes, I am waiting for the crowds to ebb at the gym, then time to bust my butt!

10. Weekly goals:
Follow my diet plan, find something waist friendly that I can make as a Halloween treat, and refill my prescription that I just can't seem to go to CVS for!

Moody Music Makes Magic for Me

On repeat as I cook and clean today. Its the "you stop, i start" line. Kills me each time.

Life is a zoo

Joe and I went to the zoo today! The Riverbanks Zoo is just a little over an hour Northwest of us, in Columbia. We had so much fun walking around and checking out all the animals! We meant to go on the 18th, but we stayed up a little too late to make it in time. Joe and I always have a blast checking out all the stuff in our state.






Doesn't this snake look REALLY angry? All the snakes we saw had a serious face on, but this guy was ticked! We must have looked at him for about 5 minutes, which may explain the attitude.




I loved this tortoise! He was trekking along, slow but steady, with that one eye watching us the whole time.







I'll let Joe explain this sign, he had some funny opinions on it!

Look what showed up this morning

I was making breakfast for Joe, and when I walked back into the living room, this lovely package had sneaked his way in the house.

I feel so complete now. :)

And a little something from my momma

My mother did the best gift you could give a 27 year old: cash baby! I kid, just a little bit. Anyway, I had my eye on this rad poster for a week or so, and I did it! We ordered it on my birthday, and when I came home on Wednesday, it was waiting for me.

I really love it, and I simply cannot wait to hang it up. I have already decided it is going on the landing, right next to the linen closet. This mashes up my love of maps with my love of skulls, AND you won't find this hanging in everyone's house at that. I love having unique things that stand out, especially in a place where non plaid couches seem to be quite risque.



Get yours!

It's a birthday bonanza!

Joe has been spoiling me with gifts all week! On the 12 (5 days before the big day) he asked me to pick a "door". Each door was a gift that he thought up, and I would get to choose the number. I picked door number 1, which turned out to be 5 Martha Stewart cookbooks! They have been arriving every couple of days, and I am loving coming home to a new surprise each day!

Here are the ones that have arrived so far:





I really can't wait to test out some new recipes! Thank you so much Joe, what a thoughtful gift! : )

Business Trip

I went on a business trip Tuesday afternoon and returned on Wednesday night. I had a lot of fun! My boss and I drove up to North Carolina to meet with my customer. I learned a TON and earned some extra hours in the process.

We stayed in an extended stay hotel, so I had a little studio all to myself. I loved it, I got to drink coffee and watch the news before work.

Carvng pumpkins

Ok, just one pumpkin. Excuse my HORRIBLE pics, this is after a night of birthday chatting with Joe. We went to the pumpkin patch and I tried my hand at carving. Yeah, that could have went a little better.

Such comfort.

A lovely reminder from our Loving Father.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21

Credit

Top 10 List!

I LOVE lists! Love them. I even like to make lists of lists to make. I know, I have issues.

But since Joe and I had such a GREAT (can't emphasize how great of a time I had) time on our vacation, here are the top 10 places I want to go. Some I have been to before, and some I haven't and just may never will (did you check that lotto ticket to see if we can book some plane tix honey?).

10. Austin, Texas

I hear the culture is great here, between music, art and food. YeeHaw!


9. Germany

My Dad says I would really like Germany, and from what I see, what's not to like?


8. Nashville, Tennessee

The Vegas of the South! How great would it be to rock some cowboy boots and a hat?


7. St. Lucia

The Sandals resort specifically. How relaxing and peaceful..


6. Great Britain

History, shopping and great accents!


5. Canada (Montreal top of that list)

My teen obsession with America's Hat lives on..


4. South Dakota (The Badlands National Park)

We visited the Badlands when I was a kid and I loved them then. Can't imagine how awesome they would look now, when I can truly appreciate them


3. Ireland

Green, green, green. And even BETTER accents than the English!


2. Maine

I obviously have something for coasts. And green trees. I think I would be able to find some great antique shopping here.


1. Sacramento, California

No explanation needed, I simply miss home sometimes. It's a little boring of a city, but it has most of the people I love in it. And there is something about being in a place that you know inside and out. Only 9 months.....

October Inspiration

This month I am inspired by....

1. Having Way Too Much Fun with My Mum, 2. Sunita Marshall, 3. American Flag, 4. making life easier, 5. Heart in a Bible, 6. Marilyn Monroe, 7. beauty has her way, 8. Lord Eomer, 9. Day 83 15.10.08 when autumn leaves start to fall.., 10. final-sunroom-after-1, 11. three frenchie puppies, 12. lobby model, 13. Flip Video, 14. Ideas for small spaces: Lovely yellow + white + black bedroom, 15. Black, black, black. , 16. Neutral paint colors: 'Veil Cream' by Benjamin Moore + Corbusier chaise, 17. domino blue, 18. daria werbowy, 2006 chanel spring campaign, 19. Nursery, 20. keri-russell2, 21. Early Autumn Leaves, 22. 176/365 , 23. Holding hands, 24. 30th Birthday Cake, 25. Freedom

It's not October until....

I make my birthday wish list! Here are a couple things on my wish list...

Laura Mercier Face Kit


Benefit Full Finish Lipstick in Ladies' Choice


MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack


This lovely necklace


Gorgeous purse


Adorable wallet!


These lovely shoes


A Flip camcorder