Winter Blues

Since the cold temperatures of winter have finally hit us, I can not help but think how much I need the summer back in my life.

The sun.  The heat.  The endless possibility that summer brings. 

Even though I am a winter birthday baby, I am a summer girl at heart.  And this little heart is aching for the summer time.

No matter how many country songs I listen to, or how many summer pictures I look at, I can not help but wish summer would get here sooner.

This is my love letter to warmer weather, as soon as you can, to come back to New England.  We all need the sunshine and warmth back in our lives, please.
 

I'm a Little Drunk On You...

If you are tired of all my pro-summer posts, then I recommend leaving this post right now.  If you aren't, press play on the Youtube video, and enjoy another great summer song provided by a big country artist.

As I was thinking about the concept of a great summer song, I realize most of them are from country artists and I can't say that I hate it.  Country music is all about love, being comfortable in jeans and tshirts and drinking.  And they also happen to have a lot of music about enjoying the summer.  Basically country stars know how to live life a hundred percent.

Part of me believes this song would have been my anthem last summer, but if you think about it, a person can be "drunk on you" with anyone, not just someone they really like.  I'm such a fan of summer that even the most boring activities are better because of the season.  So maybe I'm drunk and high off summer because it's a magical time.  I sometimes wish I could have summer all year long, but then I wonder if I would love it as much as I do now.

Tell me you don't think of a specific person when you hear this song.  Because if you tell me you don't, I will tell you, with all kindness, that I think you are lying.

P.S. This little girl has become a fan of country music again.  

I Think About You in the Summertime

Two posts in one day.....aren't you all lucky. (This was in my drafts because I guess Starbucks didn't like me that day....

So summer is winding down and I have to actually accomplish some of my summer goals. Let's review what I have left to finish by the end of August.

First things first.  I need to jump off Signal Rock if it kills me.  This weekend was a fail on achieving that goal, but I gotta do it soon because I'm so pumped to actually jump, but I know when it comes down to it, I'm going to be terrified.  Totally fine though, cause I'm going to jump with the beach family advising me where best to actually jump.

I gotta still come up with the ultimate summer soundtrack.  Unfortunately, the Ipod I have will probably not allow me to play it in a Ipod dock. But I figure if I make it on my Itunes, whenever I have people over I can play it.  Plus I can share it on this wonderful blog in case anyone actually wants to hear it.  (Speaking of playlists, anyone hear the Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart break up one....)

BBQ's and family dinners have been lacking. Which means that sometime soon I gotta have everyone over so we can sit around all evening/night and just be our normal weird selves and take tons of pictures.  We have been taking a lot of pictures, but I just feel like I don't get to see everyone as much as I would like.  I know, totally my fault because for a few weeks, I was working myself down to nothing.  But that has stopped and I plan on playing with my friends more often.

Beach days have been coming about a lot more then I did last year and I HAVE to make sure I take off the ultimate beach day that is Jersey Shore.  Let's be serious, I would love an adventure like that so freaking much.  But I have more of a tan then I did last year and I'm so excited about that.  I love my time in the sun.  Plus, I just feel more fit then I did last year.  Maybe it's because I haven't been on the steroids as long or maybe because I'm actually trying to do some sit ups and push ups so I don't feel like such a waste of life.  I would like to thank the Olympics for making me want to get in shape like all those athletes who train their whole life to look that good.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.

Let me share with you some of my current favorites on this beautiful Saturday.

Favorite song/music video: Both of Us- B.O.B. ft. Taylor Swift

Yes, I'm a typical girl that LOVES Taylor.  I think she makes songs that resemble my life completely and as a girl that loves song lyrics, I find meaning to most of her songs.  I love this song because I know people that I wish I could be strong enough to have them still in my life.  But now I gotta work on me as selfish as that is and eventually if life allows, I will have them in my life again.  Plus I think this video is stunning.  Not only am I a lover of song lyrics but I love images.  Photography is a hidden passion of mine, and I think this video has stunning use of light and filters.  

Favorite saying:

Yesterday a girl at work joked with me about my status on Facebook saying I would love to be a beach bum.  But I grew up spending every weekend at the beach from early in the morning to dinner time. I love how my hair looks after a beach day.  I love the feeling of sand beneath my toes.  And I'm totally happy sitting around in a bathing suit chatting with all my friends.  My motto in life has been and always will be that there is no problem in life that can't be solved at the beach.

Favorite current trend:

 

Love letters.  I may only see this trend because a girl from town is making a huge difference in the world by writing love letters, but I also really enjoying writing people notes.  Holly left me a love note at work which really said how much she disliked me after a crazy day, but it came from the heart.  And last summer, we use to write each other tons of love notes and leave them in each others lab coats.  Love letters though can make a person feel invincible and be a reference point whenever they are feeling down.  They let you know someone really does care and love you no matter what you are going through.  

I want to post more on the girl from town later, but I'll leave you with these few favorites of mine before I go enjoy this beautiful Saturday.  Enjoy everyone!

It's Always a Good Time

Ever have one of those weekends that was so amazing, when you try to put it into words, they don't do any justice to it?

That was this weekend for me.  I wish I could account all the wonderful details, but whenever I try, I fail miserably.

Magic Mike.  Beach.  Patio dinner with the Milford family.  Margaritas.  Laughing until my stomach hurt with the Milford loves.  Prepping for Bar crawl.  Celebrating birthdays.  Sitting on the grass. Long lost friends. Cake pops. Pictures.  Fireworks.  Sam Summer. Oomcha Music.

A bunch of words that may not mean anything to anyone else, but it makes me smile to know I had such an amazing weekend.

Throwback Thursday: Ocean Avenue

Today, as I was taking a nice little walk, my IPod shuffled to "Ocean Avenue".  Now for those of you who don't know this song or even this album, I guess you weren't a huge fan of music back in the early 2000's.  

This song reminds me of high school and the idea of summer.  I mean, the title of the album is Ocean Avenue, how can one not think of the beach and spending the time at the beach with your friends.

I love everything about this song, minus the music video.  I love the lyrics.  I love the whole CD. I love how it brings me back to singing this in a car with my friends (mostly Meggie) in the car.  I love how even to this day, I still will sing this song out loud whenever I hear it.  

Tonight, I was discussing the song with Shannon and Meghan before trivia.  And Shannon completely agreed that this was THE song of high school.  Now I know that there were other songs we fell in love with in high school because in high school you think everything means so much.  But the thing is, if you ever hear this song if you are in your mid 20's, you immediately think of high school.  For me, it's a wonderful memory.

I discussed this with Tom and his friend Adam back on my birthday, this whole album was a non skip album.  You could listen to every single song of this CD and not skip ahead because a song was bad.  Shannon agreed tonight.  Take the time to go back to your high school days, or wherever you were six-ish years ago.  And it will honestly make you smile.  Where you want to turn up the whole CD and just jam to it the whole afternoon.

Where Are All the May Flowers?

April showers bring May flowers is what the old saying states.

But four days into the month, I think I have seen more showers then the whole month of May.  It's totally fine though because the Earth needed a good watering, but still, some sunshine soon would be a nice thing.

I keep dreaming about the sunshine and summertime.  I changed over my closet yesterday which means I saw all my summer dresses that I hope I get to wear a lot.  And I just got so excited for the possibilities of the summer.  Last night when I went out for dinner, we talked about all the fun adventures we wanted to do.  Summers always hold great memories with my friends and I and we plan on documenting and creating those memories like crazy this year. 

I can not wait for these May showers to go away to give us some beautiful summer weather.
 

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?

Normal enough question right?  Everyone has those goals in their life whether they share them with other people or keep that list to themselves, every single person has a list of things they want to do before they die.  Their bucket list.

I have three different lists.

Crazy some may say but if you know me, I'm not the most normal person you will ever meet.  Hell, if you read back on these posts, you will know I'm not a normal 25 year old.  But like I said, I have three different lists.  One is a typical bucket list, everything I want to do before I die.  Then I have a food bucket list.  The places I want to visit.  The dishes I have to try.  Then I have a book bucket list.  The majority of this list are the classics, but the Hunger Games had been on that and that deserves a check off it.

Anyway, I was discussing my bucket lists on Wednesday night and I got all sorts of excited about them.  Now I want to take action.  Don't ask me why all of a sudden this has become important but it has.  I'm thinking about doing a 5k in June with Emily and Katelyn.  I got the tattoo last week.  Signal Rock and I are going to become best friends.  And all the books I can read once I get this test over with?  It's going to be magical.  Plus, Paul has agreed to go to restaurants with me because he has never seen someone like me eat as much food as he has. 

And during this journey?  I want to document it.  I want pictures, I want detailed reports, I want to have fun.  Summer is fast approaching and I'm looking to make some memories.

Diaries from a Power-less Girl Part 1

I had written the following while power was out during the hurricane.  I'm finally getting around to posting these here....

 Generators.


They are a life saver for hospitals and homes that take care of the elderly.  Of government buildings (at least I assume this) so our officials can make informed decisions. And for homes that are destroyed by storms, say like Hurricane Irene.


But my goodness, they are so effin loud.


And sometimes a method of showing off.


Does a generator need to be on all day for you?  Absolutely not.  Should it be on until ten o'clock to light your driveway on a pitch black street?  Probably not.


So this post is basically based off jealousy.  But this storm has brought an early civilization feel that is completely killed when a generator is heard though out the whole neighborhood.


Would it be nice for you to offer the neighbors anything if needed?  Yes.  My boyfriend's family has basically opened their house to me, and my family, even if I'm the only one to take the offer.  But if all I had to do was walk a small distance to a noisy house for a shower, or even a community meal, I wouldn't complain.


More ramblings from a power-less girl to follow....

Come on Irene

I had written the following while power was out during the hurricane.  I'm finally getting around to posting these here....

8/30/11
Boy there is something to be said for 2011.  Everyone always said 2012 was the year the world would end, but I gotta question if this is really the case.  2011 has had some crazy storms, never ending days of rain, an earthquake which I'm still not sure happened (okay okay I know it did) and now a hurricane which has left a wave of destruction on the East coast.  And my family has been without power and water for 48+ hours and counting.

I am currently writing this is the depth of the power outage on my back porch, enjoying a cocktail before it spoils.  Yes, that's right, without power a butt load of beer is going to be tossed because of Irene.  I feel as if that's tragedy enough.

I must count my blessings though, family and friends are all safe and apart from a tree destroying Nana's deck, there is no real bad damage.  Heather and I are still roughing it....no power since Sunday morning.  I had my first shower since before power went off earlier today.  Can I just tell you how amazing that is?  Just imagine having no running water to even flush a toilet and you will know how I have been living.  Well water means we need electricity for water to get into out house.

I volunteer to go into work for the plumbing and to charge my phone.  I wish I was joking.

I don't know when we will get power back or why it's been down.  Tom said a tree is down across the road, but I haven't been that way yet. 

Coming home in pitch black is terrifying, let me tell you.  The stars are beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the sound of generators are sort of a buzz kill.

More on that topic later....

But like I said, I'm glad there is no significant damage to my loved ones.  I'm just crossing my fingers for power to be restored.  And I do not need internet and cable at the moment, just running water would be nice. 

Cause it Led Me Straight to This

Have you ever wondered how you have gotten to certain places in your life?  Like how things can change one hundred percent because of some decision  you made?

Last night I was talking about this with someone, how if they had made different decisions and if things had worked out the way he was imagining, then life would be completely different now.  This idea is very similar to one of my favorite songs by Darius Rucker.  It's called This and I highly recommend listening to it.


Anyway, this year has, to put it lightly, sucked.  Or at least it was.  Six months into it, and it's finally changing.  I never imagined that I would go to sleep with a huge smile on my face every night, but that's what has been happening.  My dad said I deserve this, that I deserve to be happy.  And yet, I still feel the need to almost pinch myself every day because I don't think that this is real life.  I mean I understand that I deserve to be happy, but when things finally work out for me?  That I do not expect at all.


Okay, I'm just rambling and I'm sure this makes zero sense.  Basically I do not want to spell out exactly what's going on because I do not want to jinx it.  But the happiness that I have been talking about? Yup, it's still there and my smile is getting bigger and bigger.


Even though I have the big smile on my face, there is still some frustration on the medical front.  Dr. P still is not my favorite what so ever.  She once again stressed me out when I was told my INR levels and quite frankly, it sucks to worry about it even more now that the trip to Washington is quickly approaching.  Strangely enough, I'm more frustrated about not getting my blood work results back that will tell me what medicine I will be on for my colotis.  It's more annoying then anything; I have been home for about a month now from the hospital and still nothing.  I guess the bright side is the fact that I wasn't expected to even be on the medicine yet because I was not supposed to know what my stomach issues were.  Maybe I need to focus on that and know that, like I said before, all of this is happening for a reason.

To One of the Most Beautiful Women in my Life

Today is my mother's birthday and I could not be more grateful then having her in my life.  This picture is from last summer when we went to the Jersey Shore as a family and this particular evening, we all went down to the beach to see the flag ceremony.  I love it because the picture was taken without either one of use knowing the camera was on us.


My mother has been so helpful throughout my entire life, but especially these past six months.  I have not always been nice to her, in fact there were times I was a straight up bitch, and yet she would still come and give me a hug, or rub my back in support.  I don't think I would have been able to survive without her, and I'm eternally grateful to have her in my life.

So to my mom---who I know reads this.  Thank you so much for all the support you have shown me throughout the years.  Thank you for being my rock these past few months, not only for me but also for the rest of the family.  For never once breaking down in front of me no matter how scared you may have been.  Thank you for bringing me breakfast when I couldn't walk, and just laying down next to me and hugging me when I broke down in tears.  Thank you for sharing your love for the beach with me and showing me there is something magical that happens during the summer.  Thank you so much for just being there and loving me no matter what I do.  I don't know what I would do without your daily support in my life.

Hit play and enjoy one of my favorite songs at the moment.  While I have a different version for my Itunes, I find this one simply breathe taking.

Last night, after the thunder storm woke me up, I was tempted to write this post but decided to put it off and try my best to sleep.  While that failed, I was able to think about what I could write about and decided it's going to be the first of that some of my favorite things.  This one is going to be about books because I'm a huge nerd and want to share my favorite books slash write about my favorite author.  While the author is for young adults, I found her while I was a teenager and still get excited when she has a new book out.

Sarah Dessen.  Probably the single author from my youth that I will be reading no matter my age as long as she keeps publishing books.  I don't remember when I started to read her books, sometime back in high school, but I feel in love.  In the beginning, I noticed a trend in the material she wrote.  Some of her earlier books were about girls who entered bad relationships.  While I don't have any experience with that, you could not help falling in love with the characters and wanting to shield them from all the pain that these relationships caused them.  Sarah's writing has progressed throughout the years.  I'm happy to say she publishes about a book a year and I often go back to reread them.  One of the great things about being a loyal reader is she inserts some of her older characters into her newer books.  

While I love all her books, This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever the most.  Funny story is I wrote about This Lullaby in one of my college courses junior year.  I honestly can not say enough good things about her books.  While all her characters are often seniors in high school, I still can not help remember going through all the emotions they did back while I was in high school.

Now this book?  I reread it at least once every six to eight months.  This is hands down my favorite book.  Could it be because it takes place during that magical time of summer?  Possibly.  Actually, that is probably a very high likelihood.  This book is amazing, from the relationships Ann makes so realistically to the struggles that the main character, Alice, faces when she has finally become an adult and must face relationships with childhood friends and a sister who does not want to grow up.  While I read it, I longed to have the summers of traveling to an island, like Fire Island in the book or a vacation spot of the Cape, where you have a whole different life.  Now that I think about it though, I sort of have that with my Milford family, but that's a story for another time.  This book I highly recommend; I was sold after seeing the cover (hello the beach!) but fell in love with all the characters, Alice, Riley and Paul.  Its a great book for the summer, and for all the people who are like me who believe the summer is a very special time.

Welcome to the Good Life

This is a video I found sometime last year.  I don't remember why I ran into it; possibly because I'm obsessed with Taylor and when people sing it.  Or maybe it was on some friend's page and I claimed it as mine.  But from when I first saw it, I fell in love.  I love the boy band moves, I love the fact that they are on a train, and I wish this happened in my real life.  

Needless to say, I went to the West Virginia game last year with Julia when the coach eventually got tosssed out (for once it wasn't Jimmy).  We were standing by these guys who looked familiar to me but I knew I didn't know them.  Well it was the guys in this video and I thought it was awesome to see Youtube sensations (at least in my eyes).

Okay, I have gone off on a small tangent about a subway sing a long and I'm not really sure why.   I did want to share with whoever reads this something that I really love.  Because whenever I feel down, I tend to find this video and just smile thinking about what would happen if this happened in my real life.

Real life though has not sucked recently.  And by that I mean ever since I have gotten home from the hospital.  I have run into some good luck in the end of May and beginning of June.  I have been able to eat whatever I want without being in pain.  I have been able to pick up hours at work a bit, even though yesterday I was sent home because it was so dead.  I've decided I'm going to see O.A.R. whenever they come around, I think it's August when that will be happening.  And I have other fun things planned coming up this summer.  

I truly believe summer makes things better.  If you don't believe that, think back to all the summers in your life, and I'm sure you are remembering the days that lasted well into the nights with the friends that you can never forget.  It's almost like during the winter time we have to hunker down and almost hibernate to make rest up for the fun that summer always promises.  

This post is nonsensical but most of them have been.  It's because I'm such a scatter brain on a regular basis that you tend to get the posts that have really no connections to anything I have written about.  It's fine though, adds to part of the charm.


One more view until I have reached the 1,000 views which I can not thank you enough about.  I can not believe that people continue to come to this thing that read about not only my health and daily life, but the ramblings that come about for the things in my life.  I think to honor when there is officially the thousand views, which may happen as I'm writing this, I am going to post some of my favorite things.  From books, movies, shows, and memories, I think it could be a good time.  Maybe I would make it a series of posts because I have realized this past week when I'm asked my favorite of something, I really don't have one specific favorite.  


I hope everyone is able to enjoy some of this beautiful weather we are having.  And that after watching that video, whenever you hear Taylor Swift, you will think of these boys and even of me, because it's just that memorable