Journey Forward: Pictures

Today's Journey Forward challenge was to share pictures that exemplify the word we chose for our journey. I chose "integrity".

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Remember to treat others with respect even when it is unpopular.

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Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

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Be yourself, not what others want you to be.

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Monday without Diet Coke

Good news, I'm still alive.

I know you were worried.

My lack of attention comes from the fact that we're nearing the end of the worst month ever invented. February has been worse than normal just because despite the constant gray we haven't even had a good snow. This yo-yo ing between 60 degrees with rain and 40 degrees with sun is quite capricious. Mother Nature - get your act together, you're toying with my emotions. No one likes a tease.

However, by the end of the week, annual awful will have ended and I can get back to sorts.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with all of my sisters. We celebrated the youngest's birthday with lunch, mani/pedis and some new jewelry for her.

She's 15 and it is VERY STRANGE. I left for college when she was 8 years old and now she's most definitely a teenager. It's hard to start treating her as more of an adult - I just barely started seeing my 19 year old sister as an adult! But, her life is full of boys, cell phones, parties and new clothes so I'm pretty sure it's time I get over it and let her be as old as she is. This was the first year I had to check her schedule before I planned her birthday festivities. 

So Weird

As far as life without diet coke, I hate to admit this, but I think I actually am starting to survive without it.  

Wednesday was bad, headaches and shaking hands. 

Thursday was crippling. 

Friday the headache didn't kick in until noon. 

Saturday it didn't kick in until 4pm. 

Yesterday, no headache just exhaustion. 

Today, going good so far! 

I think I'm beating this thing!

Anyways, here are some pretty and happy things to help you survive the last few days of the most terrible month.

Since we've had a serious lack of snow this year, I thought I'd share a snowy paradise, straight out of a fairy tale.

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When I went to Germany, we visited the Neuschwanstein Castle. It's the castle the Disney castle was modeled after and is very bizarre.  When you visit it, you feel like you're visiting a museum - everything is ornate and over the top. 

It was built in the late 1800s by King Ludwig II of Bavaria - at the same time the first skyscrapers were being built in America . He was a huge fan of music and theater and adored Wagner. His castle celebrates his love of art and he apparently had elaborate sleighs built so that he could travel around the countryside in historic attire.  It struck me as strange that such an old fashioned building decorated lavishly was built so recently. 

The location is gorgeous though and the castle really is magnificent.

I'm hoping spring is just around the corner. As such, I'm planning my garden for this season. One of the problems I've encountered with planting seeds is I always forget what I've put where.

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I saw this idea on pinterest and can't wait to try it. We have plenty of corks at my house and I think this looks so much nicer than seed packets that get bleached and torn in the elements.

Finally, Easter is coming very quickly. I'm really excited to try Martha Stewart's spin on traditional Easter Eggs. These eggs are so sparkly and I think they will be really fun to make!

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Some Silly Things

How cool is this colorscope? I was rhubarb and beet because I couldn't decide! 

One of these things is not like the other...


Who wants to send their kid to this school?

via

Wasting Time and Reviewing Books

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My housemate and  I have successfully boycotted a cable TV subscription for over a year now. We do subscribe to Hulu and Netflix, but you'd be amazed at how much time you save when you don't have a place to just crash easily and channel surf. I do have a couple shows that I try to keep up with here and there on Hulu, but it seems to happen a lot less. It only sucks when we want to watch live events. Typically, the only live events I want to watch are football games though, and I can easily watch those at a bar or at my cousins' house. 

If you could cut the biggest time waster out of your life, what would it be? Who or what steals your time? 

My biggest time thieves are:

Facebook, Pinterest, Catching up on Blogs, Reading

Last night, after drinking way too much caffeine and finishing the accounting homework that provoked me to drink that much caffeine, I managed to read until 2am. 

UNNECESSARY sleep deprivation!

I did just finish an awesome book though. Have you ever read Shantaram?

Gregory Roberts wrote an amazing story based loosely on his incredible life. I use the word incredible very literally here. He escaped from a maximum security prison in Australia, made his way to India, lived in a slum, was recruited by the Bombay mafia, and  lived to tell of his adventures. His writing doesn't just tell a story, it communicates his philosophy. I found his insights were both challenging and profound. Even if you disagree with him, his words will make you think. 

"It's forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would've annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive." Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

This book was the culprit that kept me up last night. Worst of all, when I got to the end, I was sorely disappointed. Nicholas Sparks must make a lot of money. 

Shame on him, he just keeps regurgitating prior work.

I keep reading it though -shame on me. 

You know how when you make a copy on the copier, and then you make a copy of that copy, and then a copy of that copy, and by the end of it everything is blurry and ugly?

 That's happening here. 

The dialogue is a stilted, awkward amalgamation of every book he's written prior to this. 

The story has great potential but becomes unbearably predictable. Do not waste your time. 

10 Day Challenge: Day 4

Day 4. Seven wants!

Greenhouse overlooking the water - amazing. 

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Hammocks are the best. If it isn't hanging above water, this would be second best.    

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For now, I'll take any real closet over my stand alone wardrobe!

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Elegance    

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Window seat aka reading nook

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Hobie Cat

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China Food & Vino

Last night I got to hang out with my friend Jilly. Weeknights that aren't consumed with school, work, or homework have been pretty rare recently. It's so nice to have friends who are up for a midweek date in yoga pants and glasses. 

I came to a conclusion a while back, and recently life has reinforced it. There are friends who can pick up exactly where they left off, no matter how much time passes in between visits. These friends are the friends who are there when you need them; who love you when life is crazy busy and you neglect them. I've concluded  these friends deserve a little extra love when you have a minute to spare. So, to those of you I've neglected recently, I love you and when I have a minute to spare, expect something fun. 

Just thought I'd share some things that have inspired/made me happy me this week:

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 From Chelsea @ Life is a Sunset

                                                                                      Love the look of this

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                                                Source: shabbyapple.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

                                                             Shabby Apple's new SideSaddle Line has me swooning...

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