Monday, January 28, 2013

Lionel Richie

I am not afraid to admit that I am a Lionel fan.

So, fellow Lionel lovers, listen up! Best. CD. ever. Today at school, a substitute teacher & I got to talking about music. He was mentioning some newer stuff like....Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Alicia Keyes. (Which is funny because he is an older black gentleman, who apparently loves pop music.)  Well I've always been an old soul, so when he said "Lionel Richie," my ears perked up. Not only do I love Lionel, but this album has a twist. Lionel Richie apparently went to a variety of different county artists (Tim McGraw, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Willie Nelson, etc.) and asked them what their favorite was out of all his songs. Then, he did duets with them using his songs. A good crossroads album cannot be matched. CMT Crossroads, anyone? For instance... James Taylor & the Dixie Chicks or Bryan Adams & Jason Aldean. Did I just say "album?" Do people still use that word?

My favorite right now is a close tie between Sail On with Tim McGraw or Stuck on You with Darius Rucker.

The album is called Tuskegee and I believe I'm going to wear it out.



Caroline

Monday, January 21, 2013

Holiday

Ms. Wilson is happy because she doesn't have to work today
I had big plans for getting things done today. Thanks to MLK, I do not have to go to work today. Its now noon and lets just say, I woke up an hour ago.

I'm overwhelmed by the things on my to-do list today, so clearly I'm sitting in bed blogging. This seems to happen every time I have a 3 day weekend. It won't be the end of the world if nothing gets accomplished, but the week would be oh so much smoother if I did the things I should.

Like...

1) swiffer the floors downstairs
2) make a meal plan/grocery list for the week
3) actually GO to the grocery store
4) do my nails
5) wash clothes
6) change sheets
7) do the dishes
8) clear off dresser & dust the furniture in my room
9) exercise in some form or fashion
10) transfer the insides of my old raggedy wallet into the new one I got for Christmas
11) Go my the DMV- my licence is expired. (looking forward to a new picture)


Oh! Its Monday night. Guess what happens on Monday night? Only the cheesiest show and most guiltiest of all my pleasures: the Bachelor. I don't even like Sean. Not sure why I feel so compelled to watch every episode of every season. I'd like to think its because true love will be found....eventually.

Ok, so I'll leave my list at 11 things. Now that I've shared with you I feel a little more motivated to start.

What's on your list for today?

Caroline

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Rumi

I've been enjoying my birthday roses so much. Today I decided to break up the full bouquet and put a few flowers in bud vases all around the house. It adds a little splash of "special" in lots of places instead of just one big bunch. They seem to last longer that way too.

Anyhow....I have a favorite poem that the roses reminded me of. One of my yoga teachers read it to us in class one night and I loved it so much that I had to come home and google it. I haven't been able to find it written out anywhere, but there is a man who reads it to music on YouTube and it is sooo soothing. I've never been much of a "poem" person, but there is something about this one that gets me every time!



What Was Said to the Rose
by: Rumi

What was said to the rose that made it open
Was said to me here in my chest
What was told the cypress that made it strong and straight
What was whispered the jasmine
So it is what it is
Whatever made sugar cane sweet
Whatever was said to the inhabitants of the town of Chigil in Turkestan that makes them so handsome
Whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush like a human face
That is being said to me now
I blush
Whatever put eloquence in language
That is happening here
The great warehouse doors open
I fill with gratitude
Chewing a piece of sugar cane
In love with the one to whom every that belongs

PS: here is the YouTube link ---> What Was Said to the Rose


Caroline

Friday, January 11, 2013

29 & Feelin' Fine


On Wednesday I turned 29 and so far, I still like getting older. I feel like a little kid when I get to turn another year older. Like I'm turning 9 instead of 29. I think most people get over that after the age of 25 or so. Not me.

I received more than one card that had a cat on the front. I think this officially defines me as a "cat person." 



So many people showed me so much love on my birthday that I'm going to make it a point to return the favor throughout the year. Birthdays should be a big deal. They should be dragged out for the entire week, at least. The more celebration the better.

Here are the highlights of my celebration.

-Cha Bella for dinner, Simple Life wine, some of my favorite people, dessert, cheese plates, local/organic food. ( I'm a food picture-taker, so bare with me)



-Opening presents at mom and dad's house. In case you're interested in what was in all those nicely wrapped boxes.....I got soaps from Nourish, yoga pants, a Brighter Day gift card, a new scarf, a handmade sweater, and some moo-lah. Somebody loves me.  (That's an apple slice I'm holding in my hand. Didn't want to put down my snack for the picture. The Clean Diet started on my birthday & I will be participating again this year, along with Cathlin this time- Yipee!)


-Surprise roses on my doorstep



-And all of the facebook/text/phone call and school "happy birthdays"I appreciated each and every one.

So I leave you with one of my favorite thoughts for when birthdays roll around. It goes:

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."
author unknown


Caroline

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Fresh Starts

To go along with a fresh start to the new year, I decided to give my home page a fresh look as well. I went for a simpler, cleaner approach. As of this moment, I have deemed "simplicity" my word of the year. It will be my theme, so to speak.

A few things...

I've used up half of my Saturday trying to make the home screen more user friendly. I'm not really sure that I've succeeded, but here are a few new features :

1) The search bar in the top right corner. You can type in keywords and it will magically search all my posts for what you are looking for.

2) If you click my picture, you will be linked back to the home screen. I always get frustrated when I'm searching for something and can't get back "home" with one click. If I'm the only one who uses this, so be it.

3) There is a "subscribe to" bar underneath my followers. I'm not really sure what this does. It looks official though & if you would like to explain it to me, I'd be more than grateful. Basically, what I'm trying to say is... FOLLOW ME! I get really excited when I see that someone new has been added to the list.

4) Finally, the most popular posts are linked on the side for your reading pleasure :)


Here's to the happiest of new beginnings....and to the last year of my 20's!
Caroline