Sharing the Love

Valentine's Day is coming up fast and it made me think about all of the things that I love. I love so many that it's impossible to make a complete list, but here are a few (some obvious, some insignificant):

1. My family
2. My friends
3. Puppy kisses and tail-wags...nothing makes me feel more accepted and loved than a dog.
4. Good books
5. Candy suckers
6. Wasabi peas
7. Sunny days when I have nothing to do but read in the shade
8. Ocean waves
9. Cranberry horseradish
10. The feeling of possibility and hope
11. Good chats over coffee/tea
12. Weekends
13. Scrumptious pancakes
14. Chemistry lectures when things get blown up (on purpose)
15. Sledding and ice skating (when the temp outside is not too cold and not too warm & slushy)
16. Sitting on the hearth of the fireplace and chattin' with family
17. Board games
18. Good movies that make me think a little, laugh a little, cry a little, and leave me feeling rather content
19. Lazy, rainy days and bookstores. A great combination :)
20. Thin Mints and cheese (not together, but they tied)

What's on your list? Do you have a Valentine?

Thankfulness.

I can't sleep right now. We had a bit of a health scare with my grandfather earlier tonight. He's fresh off bypass surgery and takes daily medication for seizures...needless to say, he's had a trying year, and those things considered tonight's little scare was a big one emotionally. Having lost my maternal grandfather last year, I can't stand the thought of losing another. Hence the sleeplessness. He is, it should be noted, doing much better and in great care.

It got me thinking about my childhood and my life now and how unbelievably grateful I am to have the family and friends that I have. Earlier today I met two of my friends for lunch and it was so nice to be reminded that no matter where life takes us and no matter how far apart we might be, true friends will always be there. It was like the three of us had never been apart. Those two are my friends forever. I love them dearly.

Later in the evening when we got the call about my grandpa, my dad quickly rushed over there (just a few houses down) along with several of his brothers and sister who live in the area. The ones that live too far away definitely made several phone calls. It reminded me that my family is always there for each other. I feel so fortunate to know that I can count on them to be there for me and for one another. God has truly blessed me.

I knew most of my great-grandparents growing up and I hope my children will one day know most of theirs. Families (and friends who have become family) are important. As I get older and considering graduate schools out of state (and country), there is this nagging feeling of not wanting to move away from my family. Every once in a while something happens that makes me realize that no matter how far away we move from one another, we're still family and we're still there for each other. Love knows no boundaries.

2010. Welcome to Dinoland.

2010. Crazy to say, even weirder to type. It is here, Ladies and Gentlemen, a new decade!

OK, now I suppose I should explain the title of this post. Let me take you back in time...

As a second grader there was nothing I loved more than dinosaurs. No exageration, they were my everything. Granted, this infatuation only lasted until third grade when I fell in love with rocks, then fourth grade it was marine life, fifth grade outer space, sixth grade airplanes...you get the point. The truth is, I have never gotten rid of my love of any of these things, they've just lessened slightly over the years. However, on a recent trip to the book store I had the opportunity to fall head over heels for dinosaurs all over again. I was like a kid in a candy store-Jurassic Park style. There was an entire section right inside the doors dedicated solely to dinosaurs. Three hours later I was still there in that section and no closer to finding what I came for, a book to read on a trip to our cabin that weekend. I have to say I'm both disappointed in and proud of myself for walking out of there with two age-appropriate books and no dinosaurs. There's still time before school starts though, I may have to take a second trip to the store.

My roommate also recently informed me that my Christmas present was a dinosaur cake cookbook she found for me, but her dad saw it and figuring it to be old, donated it to the public library. Sigh. Oh well, perhaps someone else will get as much joy out of it as I would have.

Two things I love to do, bake cakes and read about dinosaurs. At least I got a four-tier cake decorating set for Christmas! I can make my own dino cake for one lucky recipient.
Hmm, all this talk about dinosaurs makes me wish I had a book about them to read...

The two non-dinosaur books I'm currently reading:
"The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel"
and
"The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World"

Not too far into either at this point and momentarily misplaced the second of the two listed above. So far though, I'm liking them both.

Happy 2010. My wish for you is a year full of happiness, cake (preferably in the form of extinct mega-beasts), and whatever it is your heart desires!

This week has been crazy. Last week was crazy. Life is just busy right now. Above all other worries, my grandfather is currently in the hospital following some heart surgery. Please keep him and a speedy recovery in your prayers.

Much love and many blessings!

P.S. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, so take care of yourself and take care of your lungs!!!

Have a Spook-tacular Halloween!
(I like Halloween puns a little too much.)

October is almost over!

I can't believe it's almost the end of October and I haven't written since the beginning of September! School has swept me away in a cloud of homework, exams, and just plain busy work. Right now I'm in the process of preparing for another round of midterm exams and Halloween :)
Actually, I suppose right now I'm procrastinating and have been for the last several hours. Sometimes you just get burnt out, you know?

I have officially decided on a major and am just waiting to hear back about whether or not I was accepted into my program! Also, after this semester I will officially be completed with my minor. All of this is very exciting, considering I've been swimming in a pool of indecision since I was a freshman. It's nice knowing I finally have some direction as to my career. I realize nothing is set in stone and I may end up doing something entirely different than my major may suggest, but once I find out if I was accepted or not, a definite weight will be lifted off of my shoulders!

Just as I stated in an earlier post, Autumn is the shortest lived of all the seasons and every year I am disappointed by how quickly it comes and goes. We had our first snow fall in the beginning of October and just this past Friday we had nothing short of a small blizzard! I truly hate winter driving and Friday I saw far too many cars in the ditches. Be safe on the roads this year everyone! And have a Happy Halloween!!

Busy Bee

Finally, I am settled in my new (old) house. It has so much character compared to my old apartment. It's creaky, slanted, and full of life! I love it!
Summer is coming to a close and fall is quickly approaching. It is my favorite season, but also the most short-lived of all the seasons. I went to the fair yesterday and ate my fill of fried foods, and boy was it delicious :)
My classes begin tomorrow and for the first time in a long time I feel completely unprepared for school. My summer was crazy full and went by really quickly, so my mind isn't exactly in school mode yet. Hopefully it gets there sometime today!
The next time I write I'm sure it will be all about school adventures (or misadventures...we shall see).

Happy Labor Day!