Makes you stronger.

I love Kelly Clarkson's newest song. The lyrics really resonate with me. I often wonder what I would do without music. It truly is the reason I get through some days. Amazing how some songs seem like they were written for you. About you. It's good to know you aren't the only one. That there are others who share in your feelings and your experiences.

...What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter...

Must love dogs (or just my dog).

No better truth could be said. This should also read, "Who loves me, will walk my dog." One of my favorite things these days (especially in the brisk, fall evenings) is taking Gizzie on long walks around where I live. The changing and falling leaves- shades of autumn. Mums on front steps. Gizzie rolling around in the soft, spongy grass. I love it.

Número Dos.

Everything you would ever want to know (and that I'm willing to share)

2nd installment of many

Confessions

- I don't cook. I am not any good at it. And I don't enjoy it.

- I love to watch Golden Girls. I've seen every episode at least 3 times.

- I used to dislike movie premieres, until recently. Now I love them- they're like mini movies!

- I eat cookie dough, even in spite of it not being good for you. Not a lot though. Usually a small square of the slice and bake on a given day.

- I sometimes let my dishes pile up in my sink.

- Every night, around 11 pm, my dog jumps up on the couch and sits about 3 inches from my face and just stares at me (she's saying, "bed time!"). I would be lying if I said it didn't creep me out a bit.

- Every day is a Dido, Frou Frou, and Zer0 7 sort-of-day.

- As an undergraduate, I drank Dr. Pepper everyday. One day, I decided to stop drinking soda altogether. Now, I almost never drink soda-- maybe once a month.

- I'm usually the opposite of a defensive driver...especially now that I live up north near one of the most populated cities in the country.

Questions

Questions I find myself asking quite regularly or just once.

When did people stop saying, "thank you?"

When did the world become Noah's Ark- everyone paired in 2's?

When did summer in Pennsylvania and Jersey start feeling like summers in Florida?

When did Americans decide it was ok to wish someone dead in cases where the justice system didn't hand down the decision they wanted or expected (e.g., Casey Anthony case)?

When did it become acceptable for a girl to wear a sports bra as a top to the movies?

When did promises stop being promises?

When people qualify a statement with "just kidding," how often do they actually mean it?

When people ask "how are you?," why don't they stick around to hear the answer?

Is alcohol really a truth serum?

Does Facebook perpetuate laziness?

Just a few to ponder...

Fall.

Fall is....

- Pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks.

- Brisk mornings.

- Blazer weather.

- Fresh, crisp air.

- A pup with even more bounce in her step.

- The start of the holiday season.

- Visits with family.

- Changing of the leaves.

- Falling leaves.

- Apple cider.

- Tones of burgundy, rich chocolate brown, and rust orange in shop windows.

- Potted mums in shades of yellow and orange on doorsteps.

- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

- Trips to New York City.

- Knee high boots.

- Beginning of the year's best fashion.

Philadelphia, PA. 2010.

Things.

Everything you would ever want to know (and that I'm willing to share)

1st installment of many

- I'm old school and like Times New Roman font- it's pretty much all I ever use.

- When I was young (as in elementary school and earlier), I wanted to appear not as a follower and stereotypically "girly" so I always said my favorite color was blue when in reality, it was pink.

- If not for the Sun-In catastrophe in high school, I may still be blond today.

- I prefer shopping alone. I like to spend hours, or not, but want the freedom to chose my own pace. I feel odd when shopping with others (usually), unless it's my mother.

- I tried wearing heels to work the other day. I'm pretty sure I've worn heels 3 times since I moved up north, 2 years ago. I lasted 2 hours.

- I wish I was that person who got up half a hour early in the mornings to read the paper and drink a cup of coffee, but I'm not. I wake up with just enough time to get myself ready. I probably never will be that person.

- I look forward to the holiday season all year.

- I have no problem listening to Christmas music in October (gasp).

- I love to vacuum.

- I spend about 10 months of the year wanting (or enjoying) cold weather. I spend only about a month wanting hot weather. I was meant to be in the north.

- Still, I take driving in the rain any day over driving in the ice and snow.

Camo

...something missing from my blog during the past 2 years- my scrapbooking creations. My scrap projects have been few and far between. Since I moved from Florida and started graduate school, life got in the way and I haven't had the time to scrapbook. I did bring all my materials and supplies with me (I had high hopes), but it has been an impossibility. The only things I have been able to create have been gifts such as the one below. I made this for my brother-in-law. It's their chocolate lab, "Camo." I thought John might like a piece celebrating one of the loves of his life. I included all his nicknames for him too. It's one of my favorite pictures of Camo. I really like the way it turned out and the color combination compliments the sepia toned picture well.

Now that I have finished graduate school (yes!!), I will have more time to devote to one of my favorite things. It's such a great release for me. Very therapeutic.

[click on images for a larger view]