Apple Orchard

Fall break was so wonderful, and so full of love. We all need affection, and I definitely got my fair share. This was my first over night babysitting job, and I thought it would be a good distraction to start out at the Apple Orchard. I'm sure by now you've realized that I adore fall, and I was so happy that this adventure could be worked into my short time at home. We played in the hay maze, the wooden train, picked apples, and played hide and go seek in the corn maze! Everyone was exhausted and went right to bed! Mission accomplished :)

Website Wednesday: Operation Beautiful

My fabulous friend Hannah sent me this website the second week of college when I was having a difficult day. She always knows the right thing to say, and is so supportive when I need her. College is the perfect place for something like Operation Beautiful! The mission from their website gives you a little idea of what they're all about!

The goal of the Operation Beautiful website is to end negative self-talk or “Fat Talk.” If this little blog only does one productive thing, I hope it helps readers realize how truly toxic negative self-talk is — it hurts you emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Through my own experiences fighting Fat Talk, I’ve realized the power behind an anonymous act such as Operation Beautiful. When I post a note, I’m saying, “I CHOOSE to be positive!”

I began Operation Beautiful by leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public restrooms — at work, at the gym, at the grocery store. I scribble down whatever comes to mind — "You are beautiful!" or "You are amazing just the way you are!" My personal goal is to leave as many Operation Beautiful notes as I can. Maybe some people read them and just smile, but I bet some people are truly touched by the effort of a random stranger.

Now go spread some love! <3

Weekend Get Aways and Lovely Finds....

I have so much catching up to do! This past weekend my mother and I took a weekend trip to North Carolina. The weather was a balmy 50 degrees for the first day, and we spent it attending mass at Belmont Abbey and meeting my uncle Clint's new fiance, Katherine! The next day, however, the whole state came to a standstill because of the shocking inch of snow (yes, literally one inch). Never fear, we didn't let this dampen our spirits as we found Bronte, A Novel Bistro (how cute is that?!) which served rather large cups of tea and had a wonderful bookstore attached. This would be none other than the lovely place I found this book, Letters to Juliet, for the wonderful price of $8.50. It traces the story behind the story, and has lots of information about love in Italy. Which brings me to the ever joyful topic of Valentine's Day. It wouldn't be February if I didn't share my feelings on the subject. If I was proposed to on Valentine's Day, I would stand there until it was the next day. I think it's a cop out for people who don't share their feelings the rest of the year. If you don't get your girlfriend chocolates for the rest of the year, why should you on Valentine's Day? All in all, I can say that this year it passed will less pain then most years. Although I am convinced Becka was trying to kill me, I do like the present and cards she got me (only because she has been known to do this same act on other days). And I must say I did a pretty splendid job with her card. Edmond got me a lovely Paris book box, and John Chambers made me three cards saying "Thumbody Loves You". Oh and I must not forget Hannah Mason's wonderful treats :)

2010 Masterpiece Classics Schedule

This is the Schedule for Masterpiece Theater which airs on PBS.
Cranford - Dec. 20 (part 1) Dec. 27 (part 2) Jan. 3 (part 3)
Return Cranford - Jan 10 (part 1) Jan 17 (part 2)
Emma (new adaption) - Jan 24 (part 1) Jan 31 (part 2) Feb 7 (part 3)
Northanger Abbey - Feb. 14
Persuasion - Feb. 21
The 39 Steps - Feb 28
Sharpe - Mar. 28 (Shapre's Challenge) Apr. 4 (Starpe's Peril)
The Diary of Anne Frank - Apr 11
Small Island - April 18 (part 1) Apr 25 (part 2)

For more information visit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html

Dear John

About once a week I try to look through the new trailers posted on www.apple.com/trailers just to stay informed. This one was recently posted, and I knew when I started crying just from the trailer, that it was a book I wanted to read. I finished reading it in about a day, and I'm still astounded by how well it portrays what love actually love is. The ability to do what is best for the other person, even when that's the hardest thing for your life. I have much more to say about this book, but since I've currently let Becka borrow it, I'll have to post more at a later time.

Forget and Not Slow Down

My friend Tim was home from college on Fall Break last week, so we planned a small road trip to KC to see RelientK at the Beaumont Club. They just released their 6th album two weeks ago, so it was great to hear their new songs. Counting the Warped Tour, and the Granada in Lawrence KS, this is the third time Tim and I have seen them. They seem to get better and better each time.

Tim's favorite TVshow is "The Office," and apparently the lead singer loves it just as much. He's written a spin-off of the theme song, and I must admit he did a pretty good job.

Gifts

- A homily by Fr. Anthony Ouellette

Imagine making a gift for someone and pouring your blood, sweat, tears, time, your very self into this gift. It becomes a representation of you. You give this gift to the person you made it for, and they take the gift and walk away, without so much as a thank you. They are so enthralled with the gift that they forget the giver.

God gives people to us, friends and family. They greatest gifts receive in our lives. Sometimes we come to love them and forget their Maker, we appreciate them without appreciating Him Who gave them to us. And sometimes, God takes them away from us, because He loves us so much, so that we will remember Him.

Marriable

I just finished reading the book Marriable by Hayley and Michael DiMarco. Alyx gave it to me, and the Omaha hockey trip was the perfect amount of time to finish it.

To quickly sum up why I loved this book, it's because it's not like other books!

I know, I know...every single book will say that they are not like the others. And one must admit, that this is true. Every book is told just a little bit different. But it seems that the message and meaning are always the same. Don't date until you're ready to get married. Follow Christian teaching. Guard you're heart. And while this book says those things too, it does so in a totally different way!

I've read Josh Harris' book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, along with many others. But this one stated the point, and then moved on! (yes Josh Harris...moved on!) It was humorous, and fast paced. I wanted to be reading it!

It stated the 10 most common lies that guys will tell girls. I talked about being friends with the opposite sex, and how only gay people marry their best friend.

There were many parts of the book that I would like to post, but I will stick to one, and you can read the rest (after Kristen, who currently has it).

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Top 10 Rejection Lines Given by Women (and what they actually mean)

10. I think of you as a brother (I don't want to kiss you, ever.)

9. There's a slight difference in our ages (I'm not Mary Kay LeTourneau or Anna Nicole Smith.)

8. I'm not attracted to you in that way (again, I don't want to kiss you, ever.)

7. My life is too complicated right now (Instead of "you complete me," you complicate me.)

6. I've got a boyfriend (And his name is TiVo.)

5. I don't date men where I work (And if you quit, I still work on Earth.)

4. It's not you, it's me (It's me not wanting to date you.)

3. I'm concentrating on my career (Until I find someone that I see a future with.)

2. I'm celibate (How many times do I have to say it? I don't want to kiss you!)

1. Let's be friends (You won't mind when I tell you about all the other guys I meet and have a crush on, will you?)

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Top 10 Rejection Lines Given by Men (and what they actually mean)

10. I think of you as a sister (I'm just not attracted to you.)

9. There's a slight difference in our ages (I'm just not attracted to you.)

8. I'm not attracted to you in that way (Um, what he said.)

7. My life is too complicated right now (I can't keep juggling you and dating my new crush.)

6. I've got a girlfriend (I'm just not attracted to you enough to dump her.)

5. I don't date women where I work (I see a nasty breakup in our future, and I need this job.)

4. It's not you, it's me (It's you.)

3. I'm concentrating on my career (I'm just not attracted to you.)

2. I'm celibate (This is getting redundant...)

1. Let's be friends ( I value you as an important influence in my life and can't imagine navigating my free time without you being a part of it. Did I mention that I'm just not attracted to you?)

The secret life that will never know...

So, when I was putting my summer list together I thought it would be good to read "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. The books I read depend on the mood I'm in, so I usually have three or four going at once, so I can have a choice. Today was the third time I have tried reading it with no luck at all! Someone tell me it gets better after chapter 5??!!

The band wagon broke down...but it's all better now :)

It happened again! Wow, sorry guys. This time two months went by without me posting my song of the week! I don't know how it happens, but the time just seems to slip away.I'm trying to get my life back on track. I realized today that I have not been to Starbucks in about a week, and I'm pretty sure that's the source of all my problems! Plus we are out of peanut butter and string cheese...so I'm pretty much dying here! I've also been slacking on the good things book (sorry Becca), but I'm trying to start that again too. This week seems to be ending a lot better. Thanks Andrew for all the laughs and support. :)
March:Week 1: Sorry by Buckcherry
Week 2: Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar (free song on iTunes!)(very very good song!)
Week 3: Brighter by Paramore / I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
Week 4 (this week): Stay Beautiful by The Last Goodnight
Before that...
Take It Home by White Tie Affair
1,2,3,4 by Plain White T's
My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson (Love you Ray!)

Charles Schultz

For a while now I have been a firm believer that Charles Schultz understood life better than most people. He didn't have all the answers, but he took what he did know, and lived his life to the best of his ability. A while ago I made a list of some of his quotes as a Nationals gift for Becca. I came across it the other day and decided to look them up again. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”

“Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night'."

“My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right?”

“I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.”“Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.”“Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.”

“Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is.”

“Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.”“Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life.”

“I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time.”

"Exercise is a dirty word - Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate."

"Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."

"There must be millions of people all over the world who never get any love letters . . . I could be their leader."

"This is my depressed stance. When you're depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you'll start to feel better. If you're going to get any joy out of being depressed, you've got to stand like this."
"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves and then we have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos."

White Tie Affair

My friend Rachel introduced me to this great band called White Tie Affair. After looking them up on Youtube I have completely fallen in love with them! They are great! Up beat and easy to listen to! I can relate to their songs, which is always a good thing, and today I found out that they are coming to Warped Tour! I can't wait to see them live, as I'm sure they will be even better!
So far my favorite song is Take It Home!

Marry Me

Well I know that I have lots of thoughts about this, but I want to hear yours too! Please comment and let me know what you think! :)
P.s. Thanks to Tim for sending me this!

A letter from God to us women

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.
From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you.... I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.
Your eyes......don't change them.
Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose, so perfect in form.
Your hands so gentle to touch.
I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.
I've held your heart close to mine.
Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
So man......treat women well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile but yet strong at the same time.

~Author unknown

I Will Possess Your Heart

I am such a slacker! It almost the end of January and I haven't once posted my song of the week. So this is kind of a catch up for all four weeks. This weeks song: I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie.
This song has always been one of my favorites, but I have been listening to it a lot this past week. If you look up the lyrics they are very short, and repeat a few times. But I think that this song comes very close to what love is all about. Possessing the other persons heart. So many times we give up love because it becomes hard, or inconvenient. But if we fought for people, until we possessed their heart, think of how different the world would be.

Just in case you wondered...
Week 1: Girl Next Door by Saving Jane
Week 2: You Can by David Archuleta
Week 3: Vienna by The Fray

How To Say I Love You

Thoughts after watching the video:
Megan: I don't believe in love at first sight, but somehow, it worked for them...
How? How did it work for them? How do you know after watching that 7 minute clip that they will live happily ever after? This really sums up the main question in my life: What is love? Where do we find it? And how do we keep it?

Timothy: I really don't think the video is even about them *sam & nicola* I think the point of the video is the power of conversation combined with honesty. Personnally, it made me think of all the stuff that I wanted to, but didn't because... well idk why. As far as love, I would say that love is doing what is best for someone else. No matter what. As far as finding it, I really think that God shows us who we should love when he wants us to find them, and for keeping it, it's just a commitment, saying 'I'm going to love this person' and sticking with that unless you think God, not your emotions, is pointing you in a different direction.

Me & Mr. Darcy

While packing like a mad woman on Tuesday morning, I grabbed this book that was sitting in my "read these books someday" pile. I figured I would be at Grandma's house for two days, and it never hurt anyone to be prepared. Turns out I couldn't sleep for anything on Tuesday night, so I started reading this book, 'Me & Mr. Darcy". My mom picked it up at a bookstore a few months ago, and I figured if all else fails, it has a cute cover and can sit on my vanity!
I was surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the book. I couldn't put it down! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that this is best fictional book that was ever written. As you know I am a big fan of the Twilight books, and this doesn't come close! But it was worth reading.

After a string of disastrous dates, Emily Albright decides she’s had it with modern-day love and would much rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and spend her time with Mr. Darcy, the dashing, honorable, and passionate hero of Jane Austen’s classic. So when her best friend suggests a wild week of margaritas and men in Mexico with the girls, Emily abruptly flees to England on a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead. Far from inspiring romance, the company aboard the bus consists of a gaggle of little old ladies and one single man, Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date.
The last thing Emily expects to find on her excursion is a broodingly handsome man striding across a field, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. But that’s exactly what happens when she comes face-to-face with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, every woman’s fantasy becomes one woman’s reality. . . .

I think the reason I liked this book so much was because, in the end, she realizes that Mr. Darcy is not all that she thought he would be. He is stiff, and quiet, and awkward. Nothing like she thought, or maybe exactly what she thought...

The true meaning of Christmas?!?!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
All the radio stations are playing the same Christmas songs over and over and over. And when you drive down the road ever business screams "come shop here" or "we have the best discounts" or "come save your self from spontaneously combusting because of all the "good cheer" that is being spread!" (ok maybe not...). All of it drives me insane! It makes me want to scream. But there is no getting around any of it. The mind set of our society has us all sucked in. We can't avoid it. You can't not buy the ones you love a present, but deep inside that is really what I want to do! You can't skip Christmas. I want to go rent a cabin somewhere far off in the distance and sleep for the next two weeks. (or at least until Walmart gets the "Christmas sent" out of their store). Now don't get me wrong...it's not that I hate Christmas, but I hate what the world has turned it into. This was never what Christ had in mind. And it wasn't what President Ulysses S. Grant wanted when he declared Christmas a legal holiday in 1870. So where did we go wrong? When did our world turn Christmas into a shopping frenzy where every women has a chance to find the best deals they will all year long? I don't know exactly when this happened, and I doubt it was an exact moment in time. More like a gradual downhill slope that has now gotten us where we are today.
So spread some real Christmas cheer. Don't get sucked in this year. It's less than two weeks until Christmas, and I have zip shopping done...but you know what? I don't care! Maybe a card will warm wishes will be all my friends get this year!

Thoughts for Sunday night....

Well the weather outside is fright full for anyone living in the sad state of Missouri/Kansas.
It's cold outside and my heart is just as cold. It seems like every time a holiday rolls around I end up feeling sorry for my self and getting depressed (in a stretch of the word). I forget what the purpose of my life is...
Why do people like me? Sometimes I wonder...
After watching You've God Mail last week I've been thinking a lot about my life.
"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void."
This is exactly the way I feel about my life. It's hard to deal with the fact that people will let you down. Sooner or later, no matter how close they are to you, they will always let you down. It because we are a fallen race. It's not really our fault...but sometimes it's hard to see things this way.
Sometimes I wonder about love. It's this strange thing that God has placed in our world...and sometimes I wonder if He just put it here to get a good laugh out of the human race. No one fully understands how it works, why we feel empty without it, and why we love who we love.
Last week Becca and I, during our weekly "therapy session", we asked the question "if I died...what would happen?" No one goes around telling their friends "if you died, I would miss you, and so would all the human race". But that's what we think in our hearts. What true friend would you not feel this about? We just forget to tell them this. We take for granted all that we have been given. We don't realize how much we depend on those we love, until they are taken away from us. I don't know if my friends will read this, but I love you all, so much. Even if you do let me down, even if I never impact your life, I still love you, and I can't imagine my life with out any of you.

Facebook Fast

Today Becca convinced me to give up Facebook for one whole week. I have become too dependent on it, and should instead be talking to people face to face, or over the phone. I think too many things on Facebook can have two different meanings, and can be taken too many different ways. So, I am staying off of Facebook for one whole week. Becca thinks that this will break my "addiction", and that my life will be better off after this. We shall see!