Kitschy.

Recently, Mairin, Molly, Sarah and I have been working on some off-campus living stuff and it has just made me think a lot about my own house someday. I can't wait to have a home that I can decorate to my tastes, and everything isn't beige, maroon and green like my mother's. Not that there was anything wrong or upsetting about that, it just isn't me. It's too planned out. I know, right? Shocking that something is too organized for me. . . or not really. I just want a living space that is filled with stories. Where did I get that? Who gave it to me? Why is it important to me? I want to carefully create a sloppy vintage look in my house/apartment/van down by the river. Something mildly avant-garde or kitschy, if you will (even though the latter has kind of a negative connotation, but whatev). And of course, I have some ideas, because the interwebs has a lot of great ideas. Thanks for the ideas, dear, sweet interwebs.

I mean, really, how great is this clock?

Those are just a couple of ideas. Other things I want in my dream house:  a library or built-in bookcase, a breakfast nook, a back porch, enough room for big dogs, and a dungeon (lol). Are there any listings in the Lincoln area? Hope you're having a great Saturday.

Love and things of that nature.

Well, let's face it - I'm obsessed with love. All of it. True love, puppy love, brotherly love, it doesn't matter as long as it is love. And I can't wait to be in love for that matter. Sadly, it's starting to control my mind and actions. I've become a love junkie. Somehow, even though I know that God loves me and has a splendid plan for me, I've grown impatient with the idea of Mr. Right being out there. He's probably just jacking around until we bump paths while ordering coffee and accidentally mix up our drinks or something serendipitous like that. Or waiting in line for the doors to open at a concert. Or in the weight room. Or in traffic. I'm not picky about that. Just the idea that he could be out there is killing me. I just need to be faithful to God. Until the fateful day that we meet or realize that we're made for each other, I'll just hang out, being awesome or something. Marvel in these lovely pictures for a bit.

I've composed a list of things I'd truly enjoy for my future husband.

A fusband, if you will.

1. Must be a God-fearing and God-loving man, who will always love God more than he loves me. Even though he'll love me a whole lot.

The rest of these are just preferences, but it's whatever.

2. Preferably politically left-winged, but if he's not, we just won't talk politics. Easy as that.

3. Baseball fan, and will not make fun of me for being a Royals fan.

4. Loves his family. And mine.

5. Will not make fun of me for drinking PBR.

6. Must like big dogs because I plan on owning a couple.

7. Taller than me. And if you know me at all, you'll know that I appreciate the heavier guys.

Roll tide.

8. Will watch horror movies with me. And won't make fun of me for believing in ghosties.

9. Appreciates my eclectic music.

10. Loyalty is key.

I want something like this: wildly euphoric and vulnerable, but comfortable knowing that this person will never intentionally hurt you in any way. I think I can wait for that.

Slippahhs.

I've been a fool. CROCHETING FOOL, that is. Cowl: donezo. Afghan: blehhh. It's taking forever, but I love it. Slippers: I just keep going. I can't stop making slippers. They're so quick, easy, and above all else, CUTE. Just 12 (or 14) granny squares, some single crochets, and some chilly feet for them to cover -- that's seriously it. Once I drop out of college, or fail out, whichever comes first, I will make my living off of the manufacturing and retail of granny square slippers. Maybe if you play your cards right, you'll get a pair of them. Just shoot me an email or something and I'll get them to you.

These were made for my friend Kent.

Made these for my grandma while she's in the hospital.

All the nurses are peanut butter and jealous.

These are mine.

Made these for A-Rose. They'll be on their way soon!

But really, if you want a pair of these bad boys, let me know. I love making slippers. And I'm proud of my work. (: Well, that's all. Hope you have a stupendous Thursday. Stay frosty, kids.

2011

I look fly, I look good.

And I made that cowl.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. It's something special, though. Sometimes I forget that I don't talk to some of my friends every single day, let alone update them on my life. That's what I'm doing right now. That glorious picture of me is from a Cru event a couple weeks ago. We went bowling (yeah, I bowled a 59). The phrase, like a boss, comes to mind.

Anyway, God has been doing some pretty cool things. After a series of some stupidity, I was really humbled. Like, really, REALLY humbled. It kinda made me realize that I've been taking my faith for granted. This was probably one of the most challenging epiphanies I've ever experienced, but by His goodness, He has brought me back to a much better place.

School-wise, I'm really looking forward to this semester to be over. Let me lay this out for you: Drawing, Environmental Literature, French History, Medieval History, and History Seminar all on top of track practice. Yup, I regret it. Though, I do get to go to the Nebraska Archives on Thursday for my seminar. (: However, I'm done with my history after this semester and only need 6 more hours of art. And only need 21 more credits to graduate. SOOO CLOSE!

Speaking of track, I just started actual javelin training this week. I'm sore and out of shape. I feel like I'm turning into Hulk Hogan or the Situation because I'm in the weight room so often. It's gross! I just wish that my doctor would just do the elbow surgery and get it over with instead of around for me to tear it out myself. I can't wait to have a Tommy John surgery. . .

I'm doing alright. So don't worry about me. (: I'm just asking for prayers for my Grandma. This January she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, so she needs our prayers. And my friend Mina. She's 25, Nepalese, and is in the process of recovering from years of slavery. She's in need of seeing that there are people out there that have never met her, but love her unconditionally.

Miss ya'll so much. <3 And I'm in the process of making something for ya'll, so be patient and something neat-o will be coming your way! Love you!

Ghost hunting?

I wonder if it requires a hunting license that can purchased from Cabela's. Okay, not really. This intertem, I'm taking a class called Ghosts in Fact & Fiction. And it is sick. We've been split into groups and have been told to go hunt these bad boys. Straight-up Ghostbusters style. I just want this assignment to be LEGIT. I've been trying to research the location in Lincoln that we'll be stomping tomorrow night. . . to no avail.  I think I've delved through all of what the internet has to offer on the location. Yup, it's by a church in Lincoln. That's the extent of what I've researched. But I've compiled some interview questions that I'm hoping to ask the occupant of the location. I'm looking forward to some stories of experiences from someone who has actually lived there. It'll be sweet. I've also bought a red-lensed flashlight, electrical tape, and a ghost hunting note book. I'm just pumped about it. Saturday evening, 10 pm, I'll be hunting ghosties. I wonder if TAPS is looking for someone to fill a position. . .

Crocheting Like a Champ

In honor of the season premier of Jersey Shore, I completely destroyed the sacred art of crocheting. Whatever. Worth it.

I love interterm. You get to come back to good ol' Doane after DCC, hang out with the suiteys, hunt ghosties for a class, go to track practice (wait. . . what?), and crochet like it's nobody's business. The past week I've been back, I've completed a pair of purple and grey slippers, which, by the way, I'm completely stoked about. I'm working on a popcorn-stitch cowl scarf (almost done). And that darn afghan is still incomplete. I just want you all to know that I have rekindled my love for yarn. And knots. And having crochet hooks in my hair. Yup, I'm living the dream in Crete. The pictures of my completed projects will come at a later date, but these are the colors I've been working with:

Afghan Colors. It's one big granny square.

Slipper Colors. Again, a bunch of granny squares.

Cowl Scarf color. It's so great.

I hope you're all excited to see them complete. May God bless you this glorious interterm day.

Oh, Me of Little Faith

Well, I'm at it again. This past semester/year/21 years/whatever, I've been spectacularly douche-tacular. I try to make things happen when it's OBVIOUSLY not time for it to happen. God has just really been stretching me in my patience and trust in Him, because I know that His plan for me is perfect and awesome, and if I accept Jesus, who sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay for my blatant stupidity, I can experience His plan in whole. But will I give up my crap? Oh, of course not because I'm stubborn and don't want to get hurt by having that immeasurable faith in the only One who deserves it. Do I want to? With every ounce of my being. Perhaps I will. By that I mean I want someone to hold me accountable. (So, if/when you see me being an idiot, call me out.)

God just wants what's best for me in order to grow closer to Him. Something that I learned over this Christmas break (@ DCC) was that a person's walk with the Lord isn't always a joyous walk. There isn't anywhere the Bible that says once you give your life over to Jesus everything will fall into place. Having faith isn't always easy, or pain-free, for that matter. As a Christian, you will experience heart break, physical ailments, let-downs, failed tests, disappointments, bad bosses, traffic tickets, and the most amazing joy in the history of everything: knowing and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. My negativity may not be the most effective way to evangelize, but it's true. Accepting Jesus doesn't turn you into Clark Kent. That's not how it works. Letting Jesus work through you by surrendering everything eventually makes the tough stuff easier to deal with. But it's all a part of His infinite plan. God is a sovereign and merciful King, and we must trust Him to provide the gift to be able to discern what He's trying to teach us through the hardships. Then, in turn, He will bless you, whether in this lifetime or in heaven. I'm just looking forward to seeing where He leads me next. . .