tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46602115350627343762024-03-13T18:20:52.158-04:00small good thingsstaying old fashioned, but never growing old.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-66206583367423154112012-12-16T19:02:00.001-05:002012-12-16T19:02:29.137-05:00let your heart be light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQDSyOF-rbrPJCL8XEXZUTgQm2pZMt4HmYB1BmZxIv_3Qa8fAz521kG_7jtTZvLWsvpOrAXf2OjZVZzILStpcBevib-t1pIHnRVTxQvTBe4xs6D1xvh_9ZdMM_cNafFpt0bJ5Oow-fXev/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQDSyOF-rbrPJCL8XEXZUTgQm2pZMt4HmYB1BmZxIv_3Qa8fAz521kG_7jtTZvLWsvpOrAXf2OjZVZzILStpcBevib-t1pIHnRVTxQvTBe4xs6D1xvh_9ZdMM_cNafFpt0bJ5Oow-fXev/s400/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
sinatra's singing, christmas goodies for our near and dear are slowly melting into form in the oven. my love is in the kitchen sneaking a taste.
somewhere; there's a candle burning.
i've always loved the lyric "let your heart be light" -- just the idea that we as humans have some control over the weight of our hearts. it's hard to remember, but i think we do.
at christmas, a lot of times i'll let out a sigh (or a secret huff inside my head) and lament that it's all passing by so quickly and i've yet to <i>feel</i> it. do you ever have that? like i could be sitting on santa's lap with an eggnog in hand and somehow...i just can't feel christmas.
i've got to stop doing that. christmas is a lightness. a beauty. something tangible. and as an adult, it doesn't come as easy to me. but when i catch a glimpse of a tree lit up in a bay window, or snuggle in under some blankets to watch the same movie we watch every year...the magic finds it's way in and settles under my ribs; warms my cheeks. maybe the lightness comes when we're doing other things. like an old friend showing up on your doorstep.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-14487711819548614942012-01-10T12:04:00.004-05:002012-01-10T12:06:57.245-05:00wedding feature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w6eWLebuIhoReUH_ZaRrDbcPt-KS0qtq_YIT7WfZSrlqJoD6O-_CvM-b9AuNFsPjF8-LiO86vvA4tyOa40MHNN0bePezoWbqh2WECDQIgDP3aKOOFXbOVjQgwyeES571xsTPZAdaeQsJ/s1600/392219_1625279077184_1392721059_31699602_1083314292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w6eWLebuIhoReUH_ZaRrDbcPt-KS0qtq_YIT7WfZSrlqJoD6O-_CvM-b9AuNFsPjF8-LiO86vvA4tyOa40MHNN0bePezoWbqh2WECDQIgDP3aKOOFXbOVjQgwyeES571xsTPZAdaeQsJ/s400/392219_1625279077184_1392721059_31699602_1083314292_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Of all the things about these past few months that feel surreal, I'd say waking up the morning after Christmas to see our day on Style Me Pretty has to top the list. After admiring this blog for years, our love (as captured by a great friend) was featured on it. <br />
<br />
Kind of like how, after dreaming of these days for so long, I finally get to go through life with my favorite man. I'm such a lucky girl. I just have to remember to keep opening my eyes, and to give thanks. <br />
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You can find the feature <a href="http://bit.ly/tydOah">here.</a>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-40148694199686315772011-12-01T21:43:00.004-05:002011-12-02T08:33:17.440-05:00west elm; kind of like growing up.i started crying almost immediately, which surprised me. i almost never cry. upon getting off the phone with my sister tonight, it was clear i would be going to <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/sales-events/handmade-holiday-workshop-a-charity-event-from-west-elm-seattle-161661">this event </a> alone. <br />
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boo hoo, right? god. you may be a yuppie if...you cry about going to craft workshops at home stores alone. the logical answer (for me) would be to not go, if i was so worried about it. (i'll be real with you. i had visions of walking into a store packed with very lovely and very mean ladies in striped shirts and top knots, all falling silent when i dared to step across the threshold.) but something about me wanted this evening. <br />
<br />
had i woken up today as a normal, well-adjusted, recent college grad, i'd call someone else after my sister declined. but you know what? my other friend was working. (just so you know, that last sentence is the most honest portrayal of my life at this very moment. i've been blessed with these beautiful, incredible friends...and none of them live within three hours of me.) <br />
<br />
so you know who i called? the most random person ever. i mean really, this person is exceptionally random in a room of random people. not because we don't have that strong acquaintance connection thing going, but because we're really just totally different people. and i can only say this because i know she agrees. in conversation, we'd probably refer to each other as "sweet," and that's about as far as it would go. <br />
<br />
i texted her, held my breath, and she responded. "sure. sounds fun." and off we were, speeding towards the glowing beacon of the unknown universe that was this event at west elm. <br />
<br />
here's a shocker: me and the rando had fun. actually, the whole night was great. it felt very anonymous, do you know what i mean? like walking around as a comfortable chicken with your head cut off, experiencing the world, and knowing very soon it will all be over.<br />
<br />
i dropped rando off at her apartment, and then i read books at barnes and noble. as i flipped through the first few pages of five different books, i felt thoroughly pleased with myself for pushing through the sadness and awkwardness that usually accompanies unknown situations for me. instead of giving up, i drove to west elm with a girl i hardly knew <i>and</i> i had a really nice night. and to top it all off, when i walked to my car, the air smelled like vanilla powdered donuts. <br />
<br />
<br />
all of this is to say: tonight, i surprised myself. and maybe my world (which ended up looking a teensy bit more like a grown up world) surprised me too. <br />
<br />
and that's the story of how i grew up a little bit at west elm. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdKQYJ5Sh1mBLR43P3ktEFkOuirPA97zkCE5AK__1n89hDSG8KRYtZT5a2zuwA0Zvo_8AvyFHb9B0VrNoN0OKalCujr67LTTyii3yzN9jcF0Y0AwB-fhtnJmNc8ZGkVAv1sGhftNXaamu/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdKQYJ5Sh1mBLR43P3ktEFkOuirPA97zkCE5AK__1n89hDSG8KRYtZT5a2zuwA0Zvo_8AvyFHb9B0VrNoN0OKalCujr67LTTyii3yzN9jcF0Y0AwB-fhtnJmNc8ZGkVAv1sGhftNXaamu/s400/photo-1.JPG" /></a></div>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-60494152980042130522011-11-30T17:44:00.008-05:002011-12-02T08:35:08.793-05:00on my way back to where i started.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nJlggsHgNLi8vY_6ymYbA-awcwMRqlJm6OkHlsqNUq6DbJYxal0AXjEf8t6q5dBpK8Jawfy1liZc5_-6-gmoGFq-Z338sN7WBL2cy8w_F5VF20gb0Lv3bZgEsXp1mhJ3Su1TyPW5yfAb/s1600/20040_1215218785933_1392721059_31041892_6914181_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nJlggsHgNLi8vY_6ymYbA-awcwMRqlJm6OkHlsqNUq6DbJYxal0AXjEf8t6q5dBpK8Jawfy1liZc5_-6-gmoGFq-Z338sN7WBL2cy8w_F5VF20gb0Lv3bZgEsXp1mhJ3Su1TyPW5yfAb/s320/20040_1215218785933_1392721059_31041892_6914181_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680930102734232162" /></a><br />
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feelings come to me in the form of lyrics, sometimes. do you feel the same way? songs that sing like poems are the best ones. <br />
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i woke up this morning, my eyes sticky from tears. i don't dream much, but when i do, they're nightmares. what does that say about me? probably nothing i don't already know. i'm a happy girl that's got a lot of underlying fears. mostly of things that could happen. i've always viewed it as the happier you are, the more you have to lose. maybe that's pessimistic. i see it as a law of gravity.<br />
<br />
i digress, kind of. <br />
<br />
i've said it before. never have i felt so many highs and lows in one 365 day period. the highs have been life changing, but the lows have been too long and too frequent. and ever since i've moved back home, this lyric has struck at my heart. not until today did i realize why. (isn't that beautiful? we know ourselves, underneath it all, better than we realize. perhaps our subconscious has got it all figured out. maybe that's why things work out in the end.) <br />
<br />
i moved back to the place i grew up, slept across the hall from where i grew up, and dated (then married) the boy i grew up with. returning home should have been the easiest thing in the world. like breathing.<br />
<br />
"life" hit. or the things people like to refer to as life but which actually mean heartache. i was sad. sad from too much change, from growing up. sad from being in the same place but everything feeling different. sad at the way things happened and what i saw and how things happened. sad for everything i lost. sad from stress. sad at the fact that i didn't recognize myself anymore. (who am i if i can't wake up and walk to class? drink hot tea after my shift at starbucks? play in the rain at two-o-clock on a wednesday afternoon?) <br />
<br />
and suddenly, this place called home couldn't have felt more like death. like a slow, painful, caught under a rock death. but slowly, slowly...something changed. perhaps weight shifted. maybe chemicals flooded back into my brain. but i felt this real and lovely shift and then it was like, <span style="font-style:italic;">oh hello lungs, there you are!</span> somehow you've been pumping away all along. <br />
<br />
<br />
and now, days and weeks and months away from the heartache, i can see it for what it was. i've been on my way back to where i started. i moved one hundred miles back to my childhood home six months ago and i've just finally arrived. where i can see, feel, taste and touch comfort. things aren't perfect, they're not the same, but they're mine; and life is actually better. i'm better. <br />
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sometimes i wonder if it's all worth it. kind of like one of my favorite movies, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. if you could erase it all, the good and the bad, everything that caused your heart to burst to pieces, would you? i don't think i would. <br />
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but, i suppose that's what all good romances are about. loving til it (because?) it hurts. and that's what i'm going to keep doing, every single day.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-57612123343934349802011-11-30T17:20:00.006-05:002011-11-30T18:20:44.081-05:00five (or something like that) things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYOeiCLhC-kqaa6pHQYB_UhN8C4brVEECSvE4JbKSIqA8FWxe2Lb1G0rRFIOTNpRTcDiKR0XMeTOuMB5DS_6YV9nEr_dHif2MyEapkhhzalgD-DVv8aQY0gFh5KvSKRdBYrvAlWjocdzB/s1600/384673_1610415105594_1392721059_31692599_2063560807_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYOeiCLhC-kqaa6pHQYB_UhN8C4brVEECSvE4JbKSIqA8FWxe2Lb1G0rRFIOTNpRTcDiKR0XMeTOuMB5DS_6YV9nEr_dHif2MyEapkhhzalgD-DVv8aQY0gFh5KvSKRdBYrvAlWjocdzB/s320/384673_1610415105594_1392721059_31692599_2063560807_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680923257347094050" /></a><br />1. i arrived home yesterday to this guy setting up our new table. shortly after, my sister and brother in law came over with their family to break it in. something about sharing dinner on our new table in our new house felt very real. you know those moments? this is our life. i have to peel open my eyes sometimes and look. <br /><br />2. just made it home from work (and it's still light out! hooooray), listening to <a href="http://shop.sheandhim.com/products/a-very-she-him-christmas-cd-lp">this</a>, about to make <a href="http://shop.sheandhim.com/products/a-very-she-him-christmas-cd-lp">these</a>, and <a href="http://www.diannesdishes.com/2007/02/vegetarian-sausage-balls.html">these</a> and drink them with some cheap red. (is there any other type? perhaps, but you'd never know it from my pantry.) such a lovely winter evening. <br /><br />3. not sure what it is about this song that completely undoes me. probably something about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcbRMzH27GM&ob=av2e">1:47 in.</a><br /><br />4. just compiled our christmas wishes. looks like it's going to a bookish affair. <br /><br />5. as i sit here, i can't think of anything that says it better than this: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9jyaFr2niHanAZPmtNSQUE83FM7ITUlXePZi55XKdHD5oHwNITw-h8W7wRjaSEwvLC0BoRz6SXLEs3FMRZxq_M3HzLxMl3Q3PjmouYgN9Jcyae8ii2-ooaEwW73lhkQ3KrLjiVoLZF6N/s1600/thankful+ralph+waldo+emerson-blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9jyaFr2niHanAZPmtNSQUE83FM7ITUlXePZi55XKdHD5oHwNITw-h8W7wRjaSEwvLC0BoRz6SXLEs3FMRZxq_M3HzLxMl3Q3PjmouYgN9Jcyae8ii2-ooaEwW73lhkQ3KrLjiVoLZF6N/s320/thankful+ralph+waldo+emerson-blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680923080775630994" /></a>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-56143752980337818482011-11-13T17:58:00.003-05:002011-11-13T18:08:31.903-05:00a return<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSv3Ep8OBVvrXIorcNKN6A9_deb6o1Gm57HU2k2Nz74lYbeAhRpPxLu9eTWcEBRTyAtg01sZTGr4lwWLXMBfGG3WY6bAbaABuqjYgZ_tjjQx-KU0gZcPYqgcPuyC9PdsfXjtz3FaKsgys/s1600/311318_10150425036506779_507791778_9912436_330484575_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSv3Ep8OBVvrXIorcNKN6A9_deb6o1Gm57HU2k2Nz74lYbeAhRpPxLu9eTWcEBRTyAtg01sZTGr4lwWLXMBfGG3WY6bAbaABuqjYgZ_tjjQx-KU0gZcPYqgcPuyC9PdsfXjtz3FaKsgys/s320/311318_10150425036506779_507791778_9912436_330484575_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674620829086332130" /></a><br />good evening, friends.<br /><br />i've found my way back to this little world. i've been looking forward to this moment--when life would slow down enough for me to sit down and reflect, share the good things, remember and rejoice. it's such a luxury to write down thoughts, to preserve them and share them, don't you think? <br /><br />i've walked a long way since that last blog post...i've thrown my cap, i've said the type of goodbyes that still make me cry. i've received my first "big" girl paychecks, i've married my sweetheart, i've moved too many times...and all the while i felt this little journal calling me back. <br /><br />it's been a long, long road through probably one of the most noteworthy years of my life. but as anyone who has lived many years knows, the memorable years are often the hardest. they're sweet, but they come with sting. the sting of change, of endings, and of loss. <br /><br />but, then i think about all the lovely, beautiful things i've experienced this year. the moments that take my breath away with just how perfect and how fleeting they are. and my god, has it been worth it. <br /><br />in returning to this little neglected blog, i'm returning to consciousness, to thoughtfulness, and to myself. i can't wait to see where it takes me.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-57505158706010945852011-03-22T17:13:00.002-04:002011-03-22T17:26:04.560-04:00in the end.the end is approaching--the end of life as i know it. <br /><br />so many things to be scared of. so many things to question. so many things i could try to hold onto but will have to let go. <br /><br />and as i let my mind wander, my sweet fiance dreams of our life from the other side--<br />his life has already started, and he's just waiting for me, more excited by the day.<br /><br />as i complain about the sweat inducing heat in columbia today:<br />(in relation to a city we're talking about moving to with even hotter weather) <br />me: "but i'm already sweating. i don't think i could stand it to be any hotter. can i just wear dresses all the time?"<br />bub: "of course, i think you look beautiful in dresses. and we'll have the windows open and fans blowing and we'll be happy living in our tree house. we don't need anything else." <br /><br />swoon. how did i get so lucky as to find the one man that is happy with me and only me? <br />and will listen to me groan about <span style="font-style:italic;">really stupid crap</span> all day. <br /><br />as everything gets a little crazier around here, i definitely could stand to focus on these silly, happy things a little more. <br /><br />happy spring, lovebirds.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-39547412212706078722011-02-04T17:36:00.003-05:002011-02-04T17:47:02.731-05:00weekend.happy friday, lovelies!<br /><br />this week was slow but stressful. <br />right now, i'm looking forward to an even slower, but considerably more relaxing, couple of days.<br /><br />i'm planning on craft night, hot yoga, a bridal shower and a chinese new years party.<br />along the way i'm sure i'll spend some time running errands and planning our wedding.<br /><br />i'm off to finish baking some cookies! <br />hope you have the greatest of weekends. <br /><br />talk soon!K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-85694481190198806692011-01-28T23:58:00.004-05:002012-01-10T11:52:48.152-05:00engaged.a few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to spend the day frolicking around with one of our best friends. she took tons of lovely photos of us that we get to keep for a long, long time. <br />
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it was a bit exhausting, but we were so grateful to be able to work with her. <br />
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someday soon, i'll share our engagement story. <br />
until then, here's a few shots!<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-GYVMO3-NGLqzBQOAQFEr4sbD67lH151HMOVGJmt1FmwwaplH3tIeTyn5fAIMjs8J3p3b51V3-0OU1gRsa2y5HSA7nNo_BFNztfNh-nFrFeiHX8wRhBoJIkf6yDofoED-jWHP15ahamo/s1600/167389_190185997658583_112292142114636_733781_4492521_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-GYVMO3-NGLqzBQOAQFEr4sbD67lH151HMOVGJmt1FmwwaplH3tIeTyn5fAIMjs8J3p3b51V3-0OU1gRsa2y5HSA7nNo_BFNztfNh-nFrFeiHX8wRhBoJIkf6yDofoED-jWHP15ahamo/s320/167389_190185997658583_112292142114636_733781_4492521_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567493117049369330" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZCpCdXSpsyf8ehxpySfVEpABDDd3CTQ_OoC3ApI4sGKTRdantXguV7RfHN3yo72eFJ8xnIgbe6p9smA0vPk1lVekp4OMxRsbVbDF4u-of0VanfUNzhStKFaq_vTOItyMzFXcYTbIgOsa/s1600/164529_1333344298997_1392721059_31395472_4754473_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZCpCdXSpsyf8ehxpySfVEpABDDd3CTQ_OoC3ApI4sGKTRdantXguV7RfHN3yo72eFJ8xnIgbe6p9smA0vPk1lVekp4OMxRsbVbDF4u-of0VanfUNzhStKFaq_vTOItyMzFXcYTbIgOsa/s320/164529_1333344298997_1392721059_31395472_4754473_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567493115509522002" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwaSsOpRZ8cryC2qOsE7fhUfa6UDsX6SN-1cRukgcf1oBIp2hvl0PRQjpuKKPEEw3PZiJot6PtmIix8yie1hcKys-DZbfxvbbGAT1t1-I01sTh48M_Gh05ol0J4Z5BSGFE60wfQu8Y0zw/s1600/164858_1333343818985_1392721059_31395465_5047578_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwaSsOpRZ8cryC2qOsE7fhUfa6UDsX6SN-1cRukgcf1oBIp2hvl0PRQjpuKKPEEw3PZiJot6PtmIix8yie1hcKys-DZbfxvbbGAT1t1-I01sTh48M_Gh05ol0J4Z5BSGFE60wfQu8Y0zw/s320/164858_1333343818985_1392721059_31395465_5047578_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567493116551996610" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oS2JqO2i3cDTTNoKuSob7hpTy5KopH64-i7nURARJCTl8SXHBlAzc9xphchg68M_DFb1oFt0od__5lVfX2gbKO3RR1bXGmoKF9xaTZUn0bPLV78JpTyobNoFFsqZrZlnqhEpZ67vpaX5/s1600/167401_190185277658655_112292142114636_733763_56369_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oS2JqO2i3cDTTNoKuSob7hpTy5KopH64-i7nURARJCTl8SXHBlAzc9xphchg68M_DFb1oFt0od__5lVfX2gbKO3RR1bXGmoKF9xaTZUn0bPLV78JpTyobNoFFsqZrZlnqhEpZ67vpaX5/s320/167401_190185277658655_112292142114636_733763_56369_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567493109034375442" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcwoULSfv8yxQRiI664BgUJ2VooIVJh5lTb6PLOcD4XcGR-yZDQRyJSUzYTiP4BwDpiCx96HUA1b4CHexo22ynZRkSzKWjaUiWhHGWVboKtS77VP4iGjEvK10l9Lx7hVGNL-9gLdpWhYw/s1600/166110_190190830991433_112292142114636_733800_1080334_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcwoULSfv8yxQRiI664BgUJ2VooIVJh5lTb6PLOcD4XcGR-yZDQRyJSUzYTiP4BwDpiCx96HUA1b4CHexo22ynZRkSzKWjaUiWhHGWVboKtS77VP4iGjEvK10l9Lx7hVGNL-9gLdpWhYw/s320/166110_190190830991433_112292142114636_733800_1080334_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567493111163098706" /></a>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-80063732482670450612011-01-24T10:18:00.004-05:002011-01-24T10:52:12.928-05:00an itch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpTzDJZMUhgyp-NKpdqdFgBd24AeDclm6oFb54I-mjppG1qq20z7yZKs9afHSVbgKVPC2mFMxCxNE23myjV2Rvmm-RHQmn6ppadL91j1nai493T5aetN8Eu9XSWlMiW3BDAAGvMQFHFCA/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpTzDJZMUhgyp-NKpdqdFgBd24AeDclm6oFb54I-mjppG1qq20z7yZKs9afHSVbgKVPC2mFMxCxNE23myjV2Rvmm-RHQmn6ppadL91j1nai493T5aetN8Eu9XSWlMiW3BDAAGvMQFHFCA/s320/IMG_2661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565780765885683938" /></a><br /><br />happy monday! i hope your weekend was full of belly laughs, warm blankets and a couple people you love.<br /><br />today at work, one of my coworkers was saying that they wanted to have a "funny wedding themed party" to celebrate my engagement because he wanted to wear a cheap suit. then, a supervisor turned around and said "no, no we can't do that. not cheap. not for kelci." <br /><br />i know it sounds silly, but it was the sweetest thing. sometimes a little compliment like that speaks volumes.<br /><br /><br />in other news, i'm getting that itch.<br />in every sense of the word, i'm a cold weather kind of girl.<br />but last night, as i was looking through my photos from the last year,<br />(i love looking back over my iphone photos--kind of like a daily journal)<br />i started yearning for those days where it's a little chilly, but just warm enough to keep your windows open,<br />hanging out in green grass with your friends,<br />and soaking up the last of the day's light,<br />and switching over to cold drinks at starbucks. <br />there's something about the spring that's entirely intoxicating, don't you think?<br /><br />some pictures from last year: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoFZ3LpM2Czx2LZhDSLogCvQ3vG0o6msp9eI2zv4vL8RtyJ3YGzMrkz2YC5SVvxEf5eOV-ZEPAuzWli1TsVUNNl_TAuwnWi333ScUkyR3YO_EVl0A9Sg80YnX4Nxn5AlFk31cUAuuK5B1/s1600/IMG_1588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoFZ3LpM2Czx2LZhDSLogCvQ3vG0o6msp9eI2zv4vL8RtyJ3YGzMrkz2YC5SVvxEf5eOV-ZEPAuzWli1TsVUNNl_TAuwnWi333ScUkyR3YO_EVl0A9Sg80YnX4Nxn5AlFk31cUAuuK5B1/s320/IMG_1588.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777039274651794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewd-SYcAfNIp4FXns6ULgobIcjURPHfT0M-5ol6qnVPTw8ilyWDRaaTUOhujhk53rG40Sv1ofV0l7z0xV0srnPyEmAFphCxugerhUN3-W8J0MLBH1rxxkyK2f9CJ1A9s0UiDSAJgvKLC0/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewd-SYcAfNIp4FXns6ULgobIcjURPHfT0M-5ol6qnVPTw8ilyWDRaaTUOhujhk53rG40Sv1ofV0l7z0xV0srnPyEmAFphCxugerhUN3-W8J0MLBH1rxxkyK2f9CJ1A9s0UiDSAJgvKLC0/s320/IMG_1633.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565780154581951554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheexWy8wMQzVwEpDMnwxol8A7o9JHCng0S0ACxUovcRDX6acuKGW5psdb8ksz9dvzrldzNTmKXQyeerfJYTkoSlIrDKeszS4TSsHIZ409r7iHTmkXVHR2BTyTnVNNfwP8nUAuohsz5Nv6Q/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheexWy8wMQzVwEpDMnwxol8A7o9JHCng0S0ACxUovcRDX6acuKGW5psdb8ksz9dvzrldzNTmKXQyeerfJYTkoSlIrDKeszS4TSsHIZ409r7iHTmkXVHR2BTyTnVNNfwP8nUAuohsz5Nv6Q/s320/IMG_1562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777035672577906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHsSP2X4NAqdSO8guWK_1uCqiyKKWhZ0OHJ8L2_LaVrXTaH0QafjYi0XOFLFFPKoPELwwBCisjjnGHuGwj6ZDZwqGEq68_t8YCISFO-zav2N2wxxsZfuUmriy4F0HsbhjnEYWiM7UQKvG/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHsSP2X4NAqdSO8guWK_1uCqiyKKWhZ0OHJ8L2_LaVrXTaH0QafjYi0XOFLFFPKoPELwwBCisjjnGHuGwj6ZDZwqGEq68_t8YCISFO-zav2N2wxxsZfuUmriy4F0HsbhjnEYWiM7UQKvG/s320/IMG_1475.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565777024500154498" /></a>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-24241376663989957322011-01-12T21:13:00.002-05:002011-01-12T22:50:56.956-05:00the shalom seriesi don't believe in new years resolutions.<br />i'm not going to say i've never made one, or tried to keep one,<br />but i just don't believe that they work.<br /><br />what i do believe in, however, is introspection. and age giving way to insight.<br />so for this year, and every year afterwards, my goal is shalom. <br /><br />shalom: peace. <br />"it is well, it is well, with my soul."<br /><br />have you ever noticed that you rediscover yourself in small ways when you are alone? sometimes alone time is so rare that it's easy to forget the impossible to express feelings and deep set details that lay within you. this world can be so overwhelming, relationships and getting by can be so all-consuming, that sometimes i absolutely forget to stop and think. <br /><br />when i drove back to school for the last time on sunday, i was amazed by how everything flowed into me. <br />i love everything i have, but sometimes it is so <span style="font-style:italic;">nourishing</span> to reflect on it alone.<br /><br />my words and my thoughts are my soul. i hope i never forget that. <br /><br /><br /><br />my goal is to focus on the things that nourish my soul, and in turn, give light to those around me.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-66232574903794197912011-01-12T21:11:00.001-05:002011-01-12T21:13:04.720-05:00hooraytoday i signed a piece of paper<br />and sent it in the mail which means<br />i get to marry my favorite person on october 22, 2011. <br /><br />cue girly moments and happy tears!K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-65398145291313713792010-12-23T10:02:00.003-05:002010-12-23T10:07:36.201-05:00hey, i've got nothin' to do today but smile.hey friends!<br /><br />sorry for the radio silence, there's been some big changes around here. <br />i'm feeling a bit under the weather today, which is actually kind of nice because it means our christmas break starts a little early!<br /><br />tonight, we're heading up to my parent's house an hour north,<br />to gaze at the frosty lake<br />to bundle up under blankets<br />to play with puppies<br />to practice traditions<br />to sing carols<br />to bake<br />to eat<br />to rejoice.<br /><br />and oh yeah, "we" would be me, my sister, brother in law, niece, brother, parents...<br />and my fiance :) <br /><br />my love asked me to marry him on december 15th.<br />can't wait to share. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0jy2NYnTAq6_7GMdoES6Y6Nr9Bc1bIbjuwQ2CLnOsVp1is_MkU54Gj49I7H9WSJ4ALOIpdH3mqMiMKMbwK9ugCPboR0ZwAlf73kKAqme6PtJkQrExFR9MIxlHurZD8FEaoeyXll_wohh/s1600/SAM_1206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0jy2NYnTAq6_7GMdoES6Y6Nr9Bc1bIbjuwQ2CLnOsVp1is_MkU54Gj49I7H9WSJ4ALOIpdH3mqMiMKMbwK9ugCPboR0ZwAlf73kKAqme6PtJkQrExFR9MIxlHurZD8FEaoeyXll_wohh/s320/SAM_1206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553894336039802146" /></a>K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-79800334495948408322010-12-14T01:04:00.005-05:002010-12-14T01:14:22.943-05:00The One Where I Can't Say No.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_RUDnPcj5kbOlgRX4LtbcMyWyea7kA82AuxlAbNGhwF_AOJ25oyxnx2wDSHBRPf068DZcJoCoXE1NrGSMfFR7Xc7nOqIzXX6NK_8NjieWnAZprB5IcztfLEZz8Q6B5EqijQXFqogxh7y/s1600/19240_1211004080568_1392721059_31029106_4490130_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_RUDnPcj5kbOlgRX4LtbcMyWyea7kA82AuxlAbNGhwF_AOJ25oyxnx2wDSHBRPf068DZcJoCoXE1NrGSMfFR7Xc7nOqIzXX6NK_8NjieWnAZprB5IcztfLEZz8Q6B5EqijQXFqogxh7y/s320/19240_1211004080568_1392721059_31029106_4490130_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550416898911138274" /></a><br />My room at school, last year<br /><br /><br />Today I woke up at 7 am,<br />worked at my first job until 2,<br />grabbed a bite to eat,<br />worked at my second job until 10,<br />then painted for clients until 1 am. <br /><br />All because sometimes I'm too much of a wuss to tell people no. Phew. <br /><br />I'm ready for a day lounging in bed (even if it's not mine), the warmth of my parent's home (nothing creates cozy like an empty nester mama), and a second to unpack my month's worth of bags (i'm staying at my sister's while i'm home). <br /><br />Off to sleep. <br />Happy Tuesday :)K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-53671559752271650042010-12-09T16:57:00.005-05:002010-12-09T17:01:41.181-05:00the dog days are overhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnBau6fL8S8<br /><br />^ that baby is the best. especially around 2 minutes. <br /><br />tomorrow is my last day of the semester so i'm just finishing up the last bit of it all--this time of year always makes me so reflective. it's my last time experiencing all of it and i just want to remember every bit! <br /><br />tomorrow, i'll drive home with a car load of laundry, presents and clothes. i'll eat chinese takeout (i've been craving egg drop soup. gross, i know.), watch a few movies and relax with my bub before everything starts. i'm going to be working like a mad woman while i'm home, which is so sad! <br /><br />i hope you have a lovely weekend!K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-5729043005600989592010-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:002010-12-07T06:00:00.712-05:00sometimes all it takes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-A57rXl8-rWlKhuDgdTjLlDZjnXVOpTts6KJFn_giiFGXjUHn-i7pAACuI3IANWL8XBFnBwt0ztsVgJ1Mm2Bs2LCXQuAPz1H-JnJSlEUfKx3cEBN_dpJASee4xb7qiU0lulDRd7MwyQA/s1600/Photo+84.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-A57rXl8-rWlKhuDgdTjLlDZjnXVOpTts6KJFn_giiFGXjUHn-i7pAACuI3IANWL8XBFnBwt0ztsVgJ1Mm2Bs2LCXQuAPz1H-JnJSlEUfKx3cEBN_dpJASee4xb7qiU0lulDRd7MwyQA/s320/Photo+84.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547706911864218962" /></a><br /><br />is a new coat, a fresh drink or a lovely song...<br /><br />to make your insides all smiley on a cold, stressful tuesday.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-82062297193748938992010-12-06T23:20:00.003-05:002010-12-06T23:23:47.703-05:00just a quick note to sayi just got back from dessert with a group of my close college girlfriends. <br />my stomach's full of delicious chocolate fondue, fruit and martinis. <br />my cheeks are sore from laughter. <br /><br />this year has been anything but carefree-fun-soak-up-the-last-of-it-good.<br />needless to say, i would be happy to have more nights like tonight. <br /><br />as my roommate so expertly put it, "that is how i want to remember senior year."K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-78969244864824348892010-12-06T17:21:00.005-05:002010-12-06T17:42:33.347-05:00now i get to twiddle my thumbs...right?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVb8DWX24KDWbOopokVtlNrXDbhjem8u8Uaak_RFqPhTOT64C_GEjtki8g4Vp2OXzQQsmhunHjgciN2aegdzrDEwNCws8EFkWuxZyoFm_u3lRbP6Fta03URkul0XjzRE-qMP0OC-BO1oA/s1600/20040_1212581600005_1392721059_31033524_6725187_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVb8DWX24KDWbOopokVtlNrXDbhjem8u8Uaak_RFqPhTOT64C_GEjtki8g4Vp2OXzQQsmhunHjgciN2aegdzrDEwNCws8EFkWuxZyoFm_u3lRbP6Fta03URkul0XjzRE-qMP0OC-BO1oA/s320/20040_1212581600005_1392721059_31033524_6725187_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547699829957200114" /></a><br />(christmas presents, wrapped) <br /><br /><br />i'm happy to say that i've almost completely knocked out my christmas shopping this year. matt and i finally wised up and decided to buy presents together, which is so much more fun and sensible! <br /><br />we set out to find a few little things, and finished the day with tons of check marks on our list! it was so fun. christmas shopping can be really stressful, but sometimes it feels good to go into those things together. it's like "okay, this will most likely be too crowded, too long and too expensive, but we're going to support each other and have fun." <br /><br />which, if i think about it, is what a life together is all about. choosing to be sweet, supportive and enjoy things in the middle of madness. <br /><br />i think i might try to get all my shopping done early from now on.<br /><br /><br />hope your monday has been productive and lovely! <br /><br /><br />p.s. the only problem i've found with this idea is that, now that it's been a couple weeks and the presents are tucked away for christmas day, i'm wanting to go out and buy more and more for my loved ones! my checking account begs me to chill out. we'll see :)K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-38169252380197396172010-12-05T12:44:00.007-05:002010-12-06T17:44:37.089-05:00stopping to look around.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfx0lKZY_kg0phfsxr7n4Lckp3jAuwAzWzPZa8fW7yM7t6kQkFmNtd96pSpsF9jea1OASEMZ8Kl0xWZb0wFOqUb4JYYvVgGmRseZkcwuDJt-rjUYbBX23TinodN3KKmsvhmtxXmvubUX8/s1600/14240_1194131578766_1392721059_30974219_5800807_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfx0lKZY_kg0phfsxr7n4Lckp3jAuwAzWzPZa8fW7yM7t6kQkFmNtd96pSpsF9jea1OASEMZ8Kl0xWZb0wFOqUb4JYYvVgGmRseZkcwuDJt-rjUYbBX23TinodN3KKmsvhmtxXmvubUX8/s320/14240_1194131578766_1392721059_30974219_5800807_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547260212781977346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCMYfF6DotBVsz8jwZEI4bPJQKFaWRZTwuN8lCS69lmmX94_0Y4Ply5fHVduJEI9VUZY7YW3X0wDKcqVVUXetS_qRuETOa1XrOPEjGl1CmdtFVirY9nVFkXj51nCNy4DQ6OC6Xk_BDGse/s1600/20040_1212581880012_1392721059_31033529_6464391_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCMYfF6DotBVsz8jwZEI4bPJQKFaWRZTwuN8lCS69lmmX94_0Y4Ply5fHVduJEI9VUZY7YW3X0wDKcqVVUXetS_qRuETOa1XrOPEjGl1CmdtFVirY9nVFkXj51nCNy4DQ6OC6Xk_BDGse/s320/20040_1212581880012_1392721059_31033529_6464391_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547260206123110402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEezP3TjiDGrwpc2mHOJVV52mU43lxNa8qgDDTYJLt4uOOPQdLOsVhGqRLwbZNszymKUADeyxhZ_pZ3LmQYz-zEl2k2HIUALznNKcU0F8skhlMMY8VGl8f___K3TXwteVI40qiV6EoF4B/s1600/14240_1194134458838_1392721059_30974252_4472566_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEezP3TjiDGrwpc2mHOJVV52mU43lxNa8qgDDTYJLt4uOOPQdLOsVhGqRLwbZNszymKUADeyxhZ_pZ3LmQYz-zEl2k2HIUALznNKcU0F8skhlMMY8VGl8f___K3TXwteVI40qiV6EoF4B/s320/14240_1194134458838_1392721059_30974252_4472566_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547260204466148274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBrWWWuqEm1ZgYCiCmZ_57adO0d6LJLwKFiClVazkSsaHqaRVhLH8OSrMSlzwQQpY3c-zeF5PNpcl1gVckSK7E93b5iI6qTmQ8KpmACs591IE4BtSRgf5vstde83nYG14HU9FfqKQdVEZ/s1600/20040_1212581520003_1392721059_31033523_8221812_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBrWWWuqEm1ZgYCiCmZ_57adO0d6LJLwKFiClVazkSsaHqaRVhLH8OSrMSlzwQQpY3c-zeF5PNpcl1gVckSK7E93b5iI6qTmQ8KpmACs591IE4BtSRgf5vstde83nYG14HU9FfqKQdVEZ/s320/20040_1212581520003_1392721059_31033523_8221812_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547260197788841810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gvfJnP8ifOYpTtEpgtSx3igJ2ufkAZek52vPaHO-auIh4TQGRcvjeJfkoxM6Uz11z-Csax8w5MutI-4bImNmJuCalCTagl952SXergIxvVI2wOeRx9kqf94Trg75062jSm7D-g9ai_Ax/s1600/7729_1176431256269_1392721059_30914875_606417_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gvfJnP8ifOYpTtEpgtSx3igJ2ufkAZek52vPaHO-auIh4TQGRcvjeJfkoxM6Uz11z-Csax8w5MutI-4bImNmJuCalCTagl952SXergIxvVI2wOeRx9kqf94Trg75062jSm7D-g9ai_Ax/s320/7729_1176431256269_1392721059_30914875_606417_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259956062081906" /></a><br /><br />1. radio city music hall<br />2. a lovely tree on my walk to class.<br />3. carousel in bryant park. <br />4. my niece and pup: christmas welcome party 2009<br />5. ra trip to the pumpkin patch with my love.<br /><br />sometimes, in the fall, i slow down a bit.<br /><br />it seems like life picks up, days fly by and the months fade from your fingers just too quickly. maybe this is why my brain and my heart declare a strike. <br /><br />christmas trees.<br />warm drinks.<br />lovely gifts.<br />leaves scraping the sidewalks. <br />city lights. <br />twinkle lights.<br />children's joy. <br />family warmth.<br />tradition.<br />frank, bing and duke. <br />future, past and present. <br /><br />the world is flickering by and my entire system forces me to slow down. it's like i'm unable to process things as fast as usual. at first glance, i physically can't read the words or absorb a picture. i have to take a second to think about meaning; to think about the beauty of it all. it usually just takes a moment or two for the picture to come in focus or for the words to sink in. then, i am able to move on.<br /><br /><br />with all of the lovely things in excess this time of year, if i don't stop to soak something in, it will be lost in the flurry. not only do i want to live surrounded by beautiful things, but i want to savor and remember them.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-41205123365669244262010-09-12T23:52:00.003-04:002010-09-13T00:11:44.293-04:00i know we are young but we won't always be<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3cDV4SMl-Z6GSrYff293AVUuuyu1l1La_eKRsfZ-Kmun5oUeJGaMY3cXP1rN2vW2U5leys6T-30YQRaoQUjacWzeh4q6RVKzkGABVbQLXcMRin0KJRaD_IEAEUAvEVMwRvxg1V7vOtHo/s1600/n1392721059_30591293_301.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3cDV4SMl-Z6GSrYff293AVUuuyu1l1La_eKRsfZ-Kmun5oUeJGaMY3cXP1rN2vW2U5leys6T-30YQRaoQUjacWzeh4q6RVKzkGABVbQLXcMRin0KJRaD_IEAEUAvEVMwRvxg1V7vOtHo/s320/n1392721059_30591293_301.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516244539933139570" /></a><br /><br />five years ago we visited the labor day carnival in my hometown.<br />fall air was just beginning to creep in and we walked hand in hand in the nighttime, savoring the scent of kettle corn and leaves. <br />while our friends walked ahead, matt stopped me under a canopy of balloons to pull me close and tell me he loved me for the first time. <br /><br />on october 20th, i'll put on a dress and meet my bub at the state fair down the road from my apartment.<br />we'll listen to the avett brothers, eat fried snickers and walk in the glow of the bursting lights.<br />if i'm lucky, i'll get him to ride the ferris wheel with me.<br /><br />the scents, the textures, the anticipation of things to come--each detail makes autumn lovely. but i also believe warming your toes next to your love does the trick, too.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-92174312545560814332010-09-12T00:50:00.004-04:002010-09-12T01:04:24.603-04:00onward christian soldier<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYNN6CQVsYaqLrpFF1GKswRaWAammI3gCPnJtTxEnggAM-zWw_qre9tkkAyTkK939f9hVcRUqMqio1Mx-sdW7AHidZtQnFC8-8LYGyXnR2iimpnfN8kIikcfNb_QWYP7XiwhidrLdK-_/s1600/40433_1592103961692_1208671608_1671570_2283826_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOYNN6CQVsYaqLrpFF1GKswRaWAammI3gCPnJtTxEnggAM-zWw_qre9tkkAyTkK939f9hVcRUqMqio1Mx-sdW7AHidZtQnFC8-8LYGyXnR2iimpnfN8kIikcfNb_QWYP7XiwhidrLdK-_/s320/40433_1592103961692_1208671608_1671570_2283826_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515887369128124210" /><br /><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">hello again.</span><br /><br />i've developed the nasty little habit of forgetting about my dear blog, haven't i? <br /><br />well, we certainly have a lot to catch up on. life is hurtling forward faster than i can process it. my body is currently here and my mind is somewhere fifty miles or days ago. i'll catch up at some point. for the most part, everything that's happening is positive, which i suppose is all i can ever hope for. <br /><br />when i say it that way...i've got nothing to complain about. lots and lots of good things are happening. a few highlights of the summer: <br /><br />1: my sister is pregnant again. such joy.<br />2: celebrated five years with my man.<br />3: started my senior year of college.<br />4: on the first day of the aforementioned senior year, i switched my major to something far less mind blowing and i'll still graduate on time.<br />5: last night, i got to explain to my little niece that once her mommy's baby is born, i'll be home for good. (i left for college right after she was born, in 2007)<br />6: moved back in to my wonderful apartment with lovely roommate.<br /><br />it's hard to take everything in as each new week brings a new development or plan. i'm remembering to breathe (literally, it's 100 degrees here) and thank god for everything i've got. which is a lot. <br /><br /><br /><br />here we go.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-52777674319371808592010-06-08T12:01:00.004-04:002010-06-08T12:09:21.997-04:00let it begin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NTKcmYf_jLdM3R8NZ2Vvp9g3FBNOLzHKijIgeRLhF5Y8zUk8tz3X4S_lALXqux2BKon5fAJ8sGkebeh4DlmL61FTisFq5M9eglpY_9DM6igeztK18AixVYLQgeljMJ_1tf4jBH6qibAG/s1600/Picture+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NTKcmYf_jLdM3R8NZ2Vvp9g3FBNOLzHKijIgeRLhF5Y8zUk8tz3X4S_lALXqux2BKon5fAJ8sGkebeh4DlmL61FTisFq5M9eglpY_9DM6igeztK18AixVYLQgeljMJ_1tf4jBH6qibAG/s320/Picture+10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480434481888084482" /></a><br />hello again!<br /><br />it's been a while. <br />my computer crashed.<br />i met my favorite musician. <br />i've splashed in the lake.<br />returned home.<br />planned the future<br />(planned too much)<br />been scared for the future<br />and overcome it all with one email.<br />i feel like summers finally underway. <br /><br />yesterday, bub and i skipped our afternoon responsibilities and got to spend the day eating junk food and lazing around. it felt great; like we were cheating the system. <br /><br /><br />now, i'm lounging in bed--freshly showered and about to go to work.<br />it's going to be a good day.<br /><br />how are you doing?K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-22092981990511855022010-03-15T22:40:00.004-04:002010-03-15T23:15:33.483-04:00the post spring break itch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbCcPz5LtVdBAA4KKEEG2O36iEIm1qJlNGOmxWN_QZvRlnd4izXB9Af8RygpMlk_ZFJqT0qf7ys1UdXnkQA71lXthdCkEkBz40tymV2LAbF6OQBVNmF4HzOG_tcxdSAwNkbNLhP34-Ovt/s1600-h/n1128780023_30159042_6972958.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbCcPz5LtVdBAA4KKEEG2O36iEIm1qJlNGOmxWN_QZvRlnd4izXB9Af8RygpMlk_ZFJqT0qf7ys1UdXnkQA71lXthdCkEkBz40tymV2LAbF6OQBVNmF4HzOG_tcxdSAwNkbNLhP34-Ovt/s320/n1128780023_30159042_6972958.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449064761631117970" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm back at school. I can feel spring creeping into my bones, even though I try to fight it off. Truth be told, I'm a fall person. Even still, I can't help but love the in between times of each season. <br /><br />It comes every year: that irresistible urge to shed layers of clothing, to slurp icy cold drinks, to eat fruit with everything, to blast the oldies and goodies from your ipod with the windows down. And if you're like me, spring can also manifest itself in your nerves. Case in point: an hour ago, when in the middle of my phone conversation with Matt, I started to move my bed across the room. I just <span style="font-style:italic;">had</span> to. I was going crazy. The reason? It felt like winter in my room. <br /><br />After putting away dozens of photo frames, knick knacks, and dust bunnies, I felt that sigh of relief. Windows open, fan blowing, the smell of fresh linen in the air--I'm finally ready for warmer days. <br /><br /><br />Am I crazy? Do you feel the need to clean and purge as soon as the temperature rises? <br /><br />Anyway...happy spring. Enjoy watching everything bloom!K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-87815132645705818872010-03-10T18:26:00.004-05:002010-03-10T18:31:41.160-05:00macbooks and toddlers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGeTeyAHTxwagjdxs2gjRsm4p27WxzQIYRHd2UGfliZvhSLgHSJJlXzpPS1nNOTCZ7P03NCAybG6oL2CubF2HBLfw1L6kJddiULf7hJqq10QwTo4g67Ed1h0Uv7omLqHHUu8GWlj8x1II/s1600-h/Photo+154.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGeTeyAHTxwagjdxs2gjRsm4p27WxzQIYRHd2UGfliZvhSLgHSJJlXzpPS1nNOTCZ7P03NCAybG6oL2CubF2HBLfw1L6kJddiULf7hJqq10QwTo4g67Ed1h0Uv7omLqHHUu8GWlj8x1II/s320/Photo+154.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447151937118833314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdl0j1tWd3UnkQcjG_g3TcNpTB4TIXmtj3S3Iof0x-cbAZlwBblxj_4o8e1fFK_BG0X-hK7Xxw6riOmorRVzItMx0xuYa54eXNtGgSBgOmaMdvoxTeXijyC1Ps5Z9BroaY2kY2KOtd41z/s1600-h/Photo+139.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdl0j1tWd3UnkQcjG_g3TcNpTB4TIXmtj3S3Iof0x-cbAZlwBblxj_4o8e1fFK_BG0X-hK7Xxw6riOmorRVzItMx0xuYa54eXNtGgSBgOmaMdvoxTeXijyC1Ps5Z9BroaY2kY2KOtd41z/s320/Photo+139.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447151800001240610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8-QMcIqdjaA4XJLLzrrb5MExtsASO8PM-3hYa4DfDlPyqcJAIOgLEBDDsaclX5FDi7lbPOIXi0RgXWtHseO1j9yzEEwT6UurKuyaCeNciRFrLTpPRJRR8IWDCFsAw2wLrgfzpfd1HaY4/s1600-h/Photo+108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8-QMcIqdjaA4XJLLzrrb5MExtsASO8PM-3hYa4DfDlPyqcJAIOgLEBDDsaclX5FDi7lbPOIXi0RgXWtHseO1j9yzEEwT6UurKuyaCeNciRFrLTpPRJRR8IWDCFsAw2wLrgfzpfd1HaY4/s320/Photo+108.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447151571722689026" /></a><br /><br /><br />Some of my best friends are two year olds.K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660211535062734376.post-85462838636074980242010-03-07T22:56:00.000-05:002010-03-07T23:03:22.170-05:00a cute picture of my puppy and some good music.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcZ6Uaytv-LIbgtRG7Ux67qR0QjV40mrQOLmD_YqPWJKR-7U9NqytwnZkQMQrTjKdtyZX26JzD09xSoP01Ksv1cOREf_ZK8KsOYFy6JVhS_JYXSf31FLBG64JRw1IH72f6PIre3EsTJhL/s1600-h/n1392721059_30660100_2455.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcZ6Uaytv-LIbgtRG7Ux67qR0QjV40mrQOLmD_YqPWJKR-7U9NqytwnZkQMQrTjKdtyZX26JzD09xSoP01Ksv1cOREf_ZK8KsOYFy6JVhS_JYXSf31FLBG64JRw1IH72f6PIre3EsTJhL/s320/n1392721059_30660100_2455.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446107527392897026" /></a><div><br /></div><div>and</div><div><br /></div>Can't stop listening to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/chipswow#p/u/27/dGP2_IEd3R0">her</a>. Can we be friends?K. Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916921316773343123noreply@blogger.com0