I was blessed this weekend to have a going away party at the Stanleys house. It was so great to be able to hang out and enjoy my family and friends. I also got to share my story at Eccelsia today, which was good. There were a lot of connections made, so that is always exciting.

If I had to put a picture on community, these would be it. I found it when I was in Washington DC last spring break, and it is just beautiful to me. These sculptures looked like weebils (the kind that wobble but don't fall down, not the gross bug that gets in cereal). But what I LOVE is that one is falling over, and one is grabbing him from the front (even though it looks like he may be pushing him, I promise he's not), and one is supporting his back. Community. I fall, you fall. THIS is what I will miss.

In one week, I'll be in Philadelphia, enjoying all of my Kaz20 friends. That is crazy.

This MAY be my favorite picture of the day. The jury is still out. This is Reese Stanley, being held by her daddy. We call this her grumpy face. :)

'more blessed in you than i know'

-berry

poor little AC...

i took my car (which i lovingly call AC Slater) to a few places today to see just how much it would take to fix him.

by the third place, i was convinced that he is broken beyond repair. they said it would cost 95% of the value in order to get it fixed. insurance only pays if the cost is 65% or less of the total value of the car. they used the phrase 'total loss.'

but on a serious note, i will miss that car. lots of memories of trips to abilene, proctor, south carolina, all over texas. its been good to me.

if rosetta stone was a physical being, i might kick it in the face. seriously. it is just very particular, and my russian is coming out with a little spanish accent. sounds kind of funny.....

oh and ps...if you are reading this and dont have plans for saturday, come to my party!:)

Jacey and I got to go to the beach for a few days, and it was amazing. I decided I am a big fan of laying in the sand and doing nothing. So relaxing! 

Then, my mom calls with sad news. Eduoard is coming! It actually was (and still is) headed toward Galveston, which is way north of where we were at, but we came home early anyway. It's supposed to bring lots of rain, so plans might change for this week, we shall see. 

Good to be home though. Can't believe I'm 12 days away from Philly!

impeccable timing.

I went to Dallas/Stephenville/Proctor this weekend for one last grandparent trip. So, I got to see lots of friends and drove lots of miles.

But what I really want to tell you about is my accident. 

No, I did not pee my pants. I had a car accident.

'How did it happen?' you ask. Please let me tell you.

I was on my way to Stephenville to see my beautiful friend Michelle Ellis, who is due to give birth in 2 weeks. CRAZY. Anyway, so I am driving on a dirt road in order to get to said friend. I was driving up a hill, and when I got at the top of the hill, I see a truck flipped over, and a green car RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I'm not gonna lie, I said some not nice words. But the situation was quite deserving of those words. I tried to swerve around them, and I just couldn't stop, so my passenger side hit the back of the green car. 

So, I pulled out of the way and found out that the green car had stopped to help the flipped truck. I thought it was a little fishy that she kept telling me that I could leave, and everything was okay. I mean, I've never been in an accident, but I was pretty sure that you're not supposed to leave the scene of a crime. Hit and run, yes? Yes. So, I waited and did what any grown up would do in the same situation. 

I called my mommy. Got some reassurance, and waited for the police to come. 

When green car girl heard the police were coming, SHE said some not nice words, and informed me that her license is currently suspended. Oops. Then, her boyfriend shows up. When he discovers that the police are on their way, he freaks out and says he needs to leave because he has a warrant out for his arrest. Wow. I was shocked. 

I ended up not getting a ticket, which was good, because I really couldn't have avoided the situation. But, my poor AC Slater, who has been such a good car to me, will have to have a little plastic surgery.

My passenger side doors won't open. Awesome. What really stinks is that we are t minus 17 days from Jill leaving the country. Insurance is not that quick about these things, I am figuring out, so it looks like I am leaving a headache for my dad (read Jacey) to handle. 

But the good part of this crappy situation is that I am okay physically. It could have been a lot worse (let's remember that a pickup truck flipped). My back is a little sore, but I press on. 

In other news, Jacey and I are going to Corpus Christi this weekend! Yay for days filled with books, sun, beach, and perhaps a few adult beverages. And, no I don't mean diet coke.

'just keep going, no feeling is final.' - rilke

I had my garage sale today (and it continues into tomorrow) and it was a lot more emotional than I thought. I had to take a moment to compose myself before I faced the swarm of people saying 'how much do you want for this.' I know that it's just stuff, it's replaceable. But it was still hard.

I think I am realizing that it's coming. I'm leaving in 20 days, which seems a lot more real than 2 months. I am still very excited and ready for August 17 to come, don't get me wrong...this is just harder than I thought. And I am so very grateful for sweet Spoede's who don't let me be sad alone. And for my sweet sister who makes time to talk and listen to me.


'long you must suffer, knowing not what,
until suddenly out of spitefully chewed fruit
your suffering's taste comes forth in you.
then you will love almost instantly what's tasted. no one
will ever talk you out of it.'
-rilke

working for nothing

Apparently I am just in love with Wendell Berry lately. Especially when sleep escapes me...

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. Whenthey want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and
embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plan sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion--put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Sweat allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
--Wendell Berry
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

Love this. Yay for Barnaby's with sweet friends tonight.

I am garage sale-ing this weekend. As in, I am having one. But of course, in order to have a garage sale, one must collect things to sell in said sale. :) So, it has been an emotional week. I've been going through things, and deciding what I can sell and what I absolutely cannot live without. The hardest thing to part with was my books. I love to read, and have built myself quite a collection despite not having a permanent place to put them. I was going through them with the Spoede's (AKA family I live with), and it was just hard.


I'm trying to wrap my head around 2 years, how long that is, and how little I can take. I'm trying to be a big kid in my decisions and be practical. But despite what my sister says, I am taking my hair straightener. You heard me. I'm taking it!



But, in the words of wisdom from my dad...'well, now when you get back you can just get new stuff.'








In other news...my mom got married this weekend! And I got to be the picture taker, which I enjoyed. I was glad that I got to be here for her big day. I love my mamasita!

And this is probably my most favorite sister picture EVER. Add this to the list of things I will miss...funny photo sessions with my sister!