The one with Lawrence

I had the pleasure of visiting with the Great Alvord's of Lawrence, KS for a couple of days. It was nice to eat, play, and laugh with them for awhile and to enjoy some time away from Independence.

The most memorable part of the weekend was playing "Put it on a Cracker". Some photos:

Mmmhmm, yeah. 

The one with The Help

How can an evening filled with sangria, chocolate chip cookies, jewelry, family, friends, and a movie at the cinema be anything less than wonderful? It cannot.

The film viewed at the cinema was ‘The Help’. It’s about segregation and suffrage, love and hate, making a change and survival. Most of all, it seemed to me, it was about learning- learning to accept, learning to love, learning to grow. I couldn’t help but think during the film about how little I understand about others, really. I cannot understand how people are so incapable of loving, or at least showing love. I cannot understand why people cannot get along.

Maybe I am super optimistic, but I still believe that people are capable of good things. I believe that people are capable of love, genuine love. And not just genuine love, but genuine love that lasts.

Maybe it’s the white wine sangria I drank hours ago, maybe it’s the film, or maybe it’s the anniversary of September 11^th, but I am thinking a lot about being agreeable, loving enemies, and learning how to move forward and love again.

God Bless.

The one with the shelf

I had the pleasure of working with a cousin of mine a few weeks ago. Together we built a bookshelf. I say bookshelf, although it houses my movies. Truth be told, my cousin did most of the work. I did, however, help with the gluing and nailing. I am waiting to paint it until I have my own place and more concrete decorating ideas. I was going to take a picture of it when I first got it home, but was too anxious and immediately filled the shelves. It was then that I realized I would have to wait to take the before/after photos. Last night Dharma woke me up to inform me that the shelf had fallen on her bed, my couch’s ottoman. The shelf remained in tact, which proves just how much love went into making sure it would survive such unforeseen instances. The movie collection, on the other hand, was strewn half way across the basement. Before I placed all the movies back on the shelves, alphabetically this time, I made sure to take a picture. There is enough wood left over to make a second shelf, so I still have that to look forward to. After I get the second shelf I can spread my collection out and not have to cram as many as I can onto the lone shelf. I love having homemade stuff, especially stuff that I helped to create!

The one with 8th Grade Gym

Mallory Eryn Flippin is one of the only good things that came from 8th grade gym class. I'd say that we were both glad to have each other during that nasty class. A lifetime or two has passed since then and I'd say that we're both glad to still have each other. I'm super proud of my friend for being strong enough to move across the ocean to teach English to some super precious Japanese kiddos. I'm also proud of her heart for that nation and for her willingness to help. I got to hang out with Mally today and it was fun yet bittersweet seeing as she is to return to Japan is a mere few days. Proof of our time together today...

I'm thankful that my friend made some time for me while she was home and I wish her safe travels for her return to Japan.