Thoughts on blogging.

I've blogged since the spring of 2005.  2005!!!  I cannot believe that.  I recently looked up my old xanga to reminisce.  (Yeah, remember xanga?)  :)  Hilarious.

Throughout my blogging "life," I've blogged multiple times a week and I've gone months with not a word.  I was better back then, with the ritual of sitting down, most likely a mug of coffee in hand, soft tunes playing over my macbook speakers, inspired to put my thoughts on the screen.  These days, I'm sporadic at best.

I want to change that.

To save money for the wedding, I moved home a few months ago.  Consequently, I've been sleeping in my old bedroom, filled with old pictures and magazine clippings, old notes and journals and memories.  I used to be so good at capturing my day-to-day life on paper.  In high school and college, I wrote constantly.  About everything.  Pages and pages!  I don't really have time to do that these days, but what I do have time to do is this:

I found this on my new favorite website, pinterest.com.  Go there, and you will be hooked, I promise you.  It's a treasure trove of DIY project ideas, style & food inspiration, and lots of dreamy things that make you go ooh and ahh.  ANYWAYS!  This is "week at a time journaling."  My Grandma actually does this.  She records what she does all day: if she had a meaningful conversation, what the weather was like, what's going on in the world.  I am seriously considering this. How fun to look back on!  I like it.

In addition... I am going to make a bit of a blog comeback, here.  I miss it.  And there's much going on these days to write about.  :)  More later!

Best Day of My Life.

On an unseasonably gorgeous March 17, Jack and I marched alongside an Irish dancing float in the Dogtown St. Patrick's Day parade.  He has asked me a few days earlier if I'd march with him.  I didn't ever really understand why we were marching, but I didn't ask questions...  I thought it would be fun, so I went along with it!

After about 15 minutes of bead throwing and waving, Jack grabbed my hand.  "Hey, let's go see our families!" he said.  "You know where they are?!" I asked.  He knew the exact intersection.  Weird...  He began taking huge Jack strides, while I ran to catch up.  (Confused, but still oblivious.)  Upon finally spotting our families, what did I notice first?  The huge "Blake, will you MARRY ME?" banner???  Nope.  In the excitement of the moment, I immediately spotted my brother in the crowd, in town from college.  I freaked out.  "PAUL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"  Ha.  :)  ...Upon taking a step back, I read the banner.  And well.  You should probably just take a look at the pics and video.  All captured for your viewing pleasure.

TOTAL SHOCK.  He got me goooooood!  And now we're freakin' ENGAGED!!!  I get to marry my best friend on December 17, 2011!!!  Christmas wedding!!  And then guess where we're honeymooning?  Yep, Ireland.  SO excited.  :)

When I'm old...

I want to be this lady.



(Shoutout to my sis!  Thanks for sharing this, El.)  :)

Lately.

Per usual, I have fallen into a blog drought.  ...  Aaaand, no one is surprised at this.  Ha.  I keep getting nudges to write from my sister and a couple other friends who may or may not even read/check this blog anymore.  I don't blame you!  However sporadically, I promise I'll keep writing.  So, feel free to check back from time to time.  :)

Life lately...  It's been good.  I've been so deeply encouraged and challenged by my church and Bible Study group these past few weeks.  I'm in a really good place.  In Bible Study, we've been discussing and dealing with our own personal roadblocks that are in the way of total freedom in Jesus.  I've wrestled with some things.  But I've also experienced total peace and freedom... the kind that just washes over you.  Know what I'm talking about?!  So beautiful.  OH!  And I'm about to start membership classes at church.  Exciting things.

This past weekend was unbelievably beautiful.  70 degrees and sunny in mid-Feb?  I'll take it!  I know it's inevitably going to get cold again, but I'm hopeful that at least the ice and snow are over.  I doooon't really know how much more of that I can take.  Once March hits, it really better be over.  Too many fun things happening!  In addition to all the usual St. Pat's parades, parties, and festivities, Jack and I are going to see the "trifecta" of Irish bands.  Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm, AND Dropkick Murphy's!  All in March.  All in St. Louis.  Sorry we're awesome.  I can't even tell you how excited I am for March.  15 days till it alllllll starts.  (Oh, and did I mention that all of this is tucked in between Mardi Gras on March 5 and Opening Day on March 31st?!)  Geeze Louise.  Slowly exhale.

Ok.  It's this working woman's bedtime, but before I sign off...  a few pics from the past few months to catch you up on my life.  :)

 TBOX in Chicago: Ethnic Santas.  

 Christmas Day in the Dominican Republic!

 My 24th Birthday!  Celebrated at McGurks, of course.

 Indy with the girls.

 Aaaand these last two are random...  but I just finally hung things on the walls last week.  (Yep.  Been here since Sept!)  Anyway, this is my cute little room.

Don't you love that retro flower chair?!  Courtesy of the g-ma.  

Alright.  Now, goodnight!

Little Women.

Lately, I've been sick.  (Hence, the absence from the blog that I so convincingly promised I'd be better about writing in!)  Anyway... sick.  Real sick.  And when you're sick, what better way to spend your time than on the couch, watching movies?  Like Little Women.  LOVE!!!!  Seriously.  I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it, when it came out in 1994.  Little 7-year-old Blake!  Haha.  I vividly remember unwrapping the VHS at Grandma's house on Christmas Eve.  And then, of course, watching the movie until it literally wore out.  (No joke.)

All these years later, it remains my favorite.  And I don't forsee that ever changing!  It's just too good.  I watch it a couple times a year...  sometimes when it's raining out...  or I'm sick...  or I'm sad... or need to be inspired.  It's the perfect cure.  I highly recommend.  And can also quote the whole thing.  Ha.  But really...

An update of more substance to come later.  :)

Pic update.

I promised some pictures of life over the past several months...  Sooo, here's a small smattering of the favs.  :)

 Niagara Falls!

 A trip to Toronto to see the Cards play the Blue Jays!

 Summer vaca in Myrtle Beach.

 Beach cheers!

 The whole fam!

 Kristen and me on Uncle Tom's boat.

At the Forest Park Balloon Glow!

  Schlafly's Hop in the City.

 Friends, cousins, and fam, tailgating before the MIZZOU game!

 Wedding in Kansas City.

In front of the Wheel of Fortune bus after the tryouts!  Yeeeah!

My bad.

Geeze Louise!  7 months, missing in action!  A new record?  Probs.  I know you all have been dying to know what is new in my life.  All.... 2 of you?!  Ha.  My bad.  I don't know if anyone still reads this, but here goes!  In the spirit of new beginnings and a fresh update, I redesigned the blog a little.  I mean, who doesn't like a hearty, solid background of... wood?!  That's what I'd like to know!

Ok.  Well.  Since my last bloggage, a few things have happened.  A lot of traveling and even a move to a new address!  Recap.  Let's start with... March.  Going off of memory, so just the highlights!

March... A month full of Irish/St. Pat's festivities and general merriment. April...  Cardinals Opening Day... my first ever, which included beautiful weather and some tailgating!  (Went to many more great Cards games in April.... before they started sucking it up.  Ugh!)  May...  Ellie graduated!  (I think??  Or maybe it was June...  oops?)  She's at Mizzou now, by the way... and joined a sorority - Theta!  All grown up!  Sheesh.  June...  Weddings, A trip to Canada to see the Cards play the Blue Jays (SO MUCH FUN) and Niagara Falls (one of my dreams - check!).  July...  Work conference in D.C. and family vacation in Myrtle Beach!  August...  Irish Fest in Milwaukee!  September...  Moved into a cute new house in Webster Groves!  Pics to come soon!  Joined a new community group/Bible study at my church.  Annnd also a visit to Mizzou for fam weekend!  (Which means tailgating like pro's and some great Tiger football with fam, cousins, and friends!)  October...  ANOTHER fam weekend at Taylor (haha...).  And as of yesterday, Jack and I have been dating officially for 1 year!  Time flies when you're having fun, eh?!

Once I get my pics organized, I promise I'll post a few from the past few months. 

Welp.  Guess that's it for now!  More to come... and more frequently, I promise!  Well... at least something new before another 7 months pass.  ;)