"Please Fish, for me?"

Yesterday I found out that March is National Peanut Month and because this is the last day of March, I thought I would do a post on peanuts. Most people who get to know me soon find out that I love, love, lub, lub lub, peanut butter. I actually prefer peanut butter to *gasp* chocolate, that is how much I love peanut butter. If I lived on a desert island with only fruit and grass to eat, the food I would miss the most would be peanut butter. I would have to bribe the fish to swim to the nearest inhabited area and bring me a jar before I went the way of most castaways: insane. Come on, I mean seriously peanut butter is like one of the most versatile things out there. You can have it with every single meal of the day without even feeling overly redundant. Like, for example: breakfast you can have pancakes with peanut butter and bananas, a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey on it, or a bowl of oatmeal with a spoonful of peanut butter mixed in with it. For lunch you could have the original peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple or celery dipped in peanut butter, or a peanut butter granola or energy bar. Now you might ask " Megan, your forgetting dinner. You can't have peanut butter with dinner!". Here you would be wrong. First off you could have a chicken wrap with peanut Thai sauce (my personal favorite), a Oriental salad with peanuts on top, an African peanut stew, peanut butter enchiladas, I've even found recipes for peanut butter fried chicken (I'm not sure how good that sounds to be honest though). Now lastly, desert. This is the easy one. you could do cookies, sundaes, smoothies, brownies, cheesecake, the list goes on. So there you go, you could live on a diet of peanut products without going completely mad in a few days. You might gain quite a few pounds, but I know I'd be happy. Lastly, I decided to leave you with one of my favorite peanut recipes. It's quite simple, low mess, and great if your short on time.

Peanut Butter Quick Fix

First make sure you have everything you'll need. It's really disappointing if you find your short on an ingredient after you start.

You will need:

1 Tb Peanut butter

Spoon

optional: sugar

First find the right sized spoon, not too big, not too small. I personally prefer our small spoons, but it really is up to your personal preference. Next find you jar of peanut butter. I like creamy, but crunchy would work just as well too. If you only have almond butter or another kind of peanut butter knock off, that can work too.

After opening the jar slowly scrape the spoon along the sides of the jar. I like to go in a counterclockwise motion, but again it is ultimately up to you.

The next step is the hardest. When you have your desired amount on the spoon you take it out and close the lid without setting the spoon down. It can be tricky to close the jar with one hand holding your spoon in the other without getting any on your hand*, but after some practise you'll have it.

If you really want a sweet treat you can sprinkle some sugar on the peanut butter. I personally don't really like that, but I've heard of some people who do.

No waiting, cooking, freezing or cooling off is necessary, your Peanut Butter Quick Fix is finished. You can slowly lick it, or eat it all at once. However you choose, enjoy!

*If you do get any on your hands, it's OK to lick it off.

seven chocolate covered espresso beans

Right now I'm watching drips of slush leap off the gutter and then merge with all the other drips into a gushy puddle. I don't like this weather at all. It's a wraith that sucks up any positive feeling and upbeat energy and laughs as we wither in self pity, wishing for a glimpse of a better, warmer future. This morning I even tried picking up my mood by drinking a cup of caffeinated tea and chowed some chocolate covered espresso beans. I had seven in all. Three just didn't cover it, and then one more, and then I was like "whatever!" and decided to have three more. So yup, I should have been little miss sunshine, but I'm not. Although I'm not grouchy, or even depressed, just drained of this weather. If you haven't noticed by now I really don't have anything important to write about, I just felt like typing. So if you were looking for some exciting story, go read a book because from here on out all I'm doing is rambling. Umm.... now that I admitted that I don't have anything to write about my brain just had creative meltdown, maybe I should go back and delete the last paragraph.... Well, if you are reading this, I probably didn't:) I made a really yummy sweet sauce for dinner tonight and left it in the crock pot while I went to music theory with some stew meat, onions and mushrooms. I thought it tasted fantastic, but all three of the other opinions in the the house didn't really like it. Ergo, that meant finishing up my brothers plate, which now sitting here probably wasn't the best idea I've ever had (not that my good ideas come in abundance). I really should be practising my speech right now for tomorrow. But I'm not. No excuses, just not. Oh, I decided I wanted to learn how to do the Melbourne Shuffle! I was on ehow and I found this instructional series and after watching one was like *gasp* "I want to do that too!!!". So from 11:30 to a little after midnight, I was in my room trying to do the running man. Learning a new type of dance really isn't a seldom occurrence in my life. Like just a few weeks ago I was at the college's talent contest and after watching one girl I knew do this funny little dance, came home and learned it in around two days. Then I was on YouTube (wow I sound like I spend my time productively;) and I watched this other dance that is like a cross between the bunny hop and macarana. So I took a evening and learned that too! Or for another example about 9 months ago I learned the Charleston, around 10 months ago the Lindy hop (hard without a partner), oh, and I almost forgot the robot around 5 months ago. Even though I do like to learn all these dances, I seldom ever master them and I go through long stunts of doing nothing. Ugh, I wish that there was like a dance studio right next door that had an instructor that knew every form of dance imaginable and would customize styles personally for you. But there is not, so I will just have to be content with YouTube and ehow. *sigh*

Well, look'e here, I actually did a whole post on practically nothing! This post actually looks a lot like all my journal entrees, so if you ever wondered what I write about in my little green book, here is an example; pointless, disjointed, and climaxless (is that a word?).

yesterday was a good day

You know those little things in life, that if you made up a list of your favorite things they might not be on it? But when they do happen they make you smile because you realize just how much you love them. Yesterday I had five of those exact things happen.
First: Compliments from old people you don't know. Unless your a sad mean person that despises all things vintage, I think most everyone appreciates a completely unexpected encouraging word from a grandparently like person.
Second: Grocery shopping. Because I'm in college Mom tends to do the shopping when I'm not around. I forget how much I love just walking up and down the aisle gathering the food we need or might like to try for the next week or so. A lot of people say that they hate grocery shopping, but I find it so therapeutic and relaxing that it almost made me be like "Forget it! Never again will I go to a class because I must go shopping!". Well, not quite, but almost....
Third: This one goes hand in hand with the second one, but it still is a little different. I'm always so happy to find out that my favorite organic Wallaby Banana Vanilla yogurt is on sale. I just love it! It is thinner then other yogurts, but has so much flavor. And you have to admit Banana Vanilla is just way too fun to say. Go ahead try to say it out loud, I know you want to:)
Fourth: When you go to a store to find something specific, but your still unsure of what you want exactly, and after a few misses you finally find it. You can practically hear the hallelujah chorus and you feel like dancing for joy. Because despite all odds against your ideas of what you might have had in mind, as soon as you see it you know that that was what you were looking for after all.
Fifth: When your in a store and you hear one of your favorite songs playing. Often you tune out the background music because you either hate the song, have never even heard it before, or are just trying to ignore it in general. But on those occasions when that one song comes on that I just happen to love, my whole day becomes just a little bit brighter, and I often will find myself singing along much to the embarrassment of not only my family, but myself as well.

I seldom actually think of these things when they are happening, It's usually at the end of the day, while reminiscing the ups and downs that I think "oh, that was really funny!" or "That lady really was nice". I find that it's often the most overlooked things in life that I find the most pleasure in, the seemingly unimportant joys that float into my life and leave it's mark somewhere in between pure happiness, and that quirky surprise

Happy Days

You know those days when you wake up and all you want to do is roll over and try to forget that you saw that little hour hand almost completely diagonal, and then there are the other days when you feel like "release me you blankets of bondage!" as soon as you wake up? Honestly I'm not sure what that has to do with my post, but I was just thinking about that right now.
Anyhow, I have been in an incredibly good mood these last few days for no blatant reason besides that it's just so much more enjoyable to be happy, then unhappy. Wouldn't you agree?
The strange thing about being in such a great mood is that I have had some reasons to not be in a good mood.
I'll start back on Wednesday, which is the day I started my happy high.
After Aural Perception I was in a tired daze, a little mopey, and not talkative at all. Aural P always wipes me out, especially if we have to do dictation (which I stink at). So I came home all "I don't know", "OK", "sounds fine" to my poor family, who sadly has to deal with all my negativity. I went through the normal nightly routine, and then decided that I should listen to some music. Always a cheerer upper. So I was listening to some of my more upbeat songs and I was like "I really want to dance". So before my feet and brain had a full communication, I was up and jumping to 99 Luftballons. That is were my metaphorical life started on a brighter path.
Thursday I went to school and even though I was really nervous about a speech I had to give, I was still in a good mood. Hey, I even broke out in the Banana Boat song in Costco (ask Hannah if you want verification).
Friday I went to a piano concert and I don't know about you, but getting dressed up always makes me feel so good. I love that mental haze you get when you have put on perfume and take a drive. Like, I don't care if I'm in a VW bug, truck, or limo, I smell of something wonderful. Unfortunately are car got stuck in the driveway. Suddenly, I didn't feel quite so lovely, just useless. My mom called Dad and walked to the neighbors for help, while I clod in heals, stayed in the van. We got out pretty quick and where soon on our way. It was a really good concert (even if I was over dressed a little *blush*). The pianist has traveled all over the world playing and just recently came back from the Middle East. She is fantastic at her trade.
Today was the "big" day. The same pianist that I had listened to the night before, I was going to play my Mazurka. I'm not really sure what to call it because it wasn't a performance because pretty much every one's song was still in the process of becoming "their song", and it wasn't an adjudication because we weren't being judged. What it was about was we (meaning the students) would play our songs and then the lady Dr. Jody Graves, would come up and work on it with us to help teach the other teachers there how to teach. Like with one kid she worked on how to sit on the chair correctly, another on dynamics, and so on. With me she helped me with the opening tone, and also worked on getting all the notes in this one measure. Overall, she was really funny and personable. At one time, taking my hands, Jody exclaimed "your hands are so cold" and taught everyone this exercise to warm our hands up. It was defiantly an experience that I will remember.
So, I'm still in a good mood surprisingly enough. Some more things that adds to my superb mood is that homework wise I don't have too much, I'm in my comfy cloths a.k.a pajama pants and a cami, blogging, and planning on making a pizza and chocolate coconut cookies. Life is good, you just have to believe it.

S.A.D.

I'm so tired of grey and white: Grey sky, white ground, white sky, grey ground. It seems to never change. On those few days it is actually sunny it feels wonderful (even if it is only like 10 degrees out). This winter has felt so long. I've heard someone say something along the lines that we have only had around 12 sunny days this whole winter. I can't wait for summer, forget spring, I just can't wait for Summer. I believe this is why they throw Valentines Day right in the middle of the gloomiest month; to get some color into this world. Now it's white...., grey....., PINK, and RED! The change is somewhat a welcome. I'm normally not a Valentines Day person, but this year I have been having fun with some crafts.

A few weeks ago I started making lots of cards. I first drew an anatomically correct heart card, then moved to somewhat morbid cards, to well, even more morbid. I eventually decided that I needed to tone it down a little and started sketching these S.A.D. little people. Yesterday I found this neat craft on a blog where you wrap yarn around a wire. It was a little frustrating at first, but I eventually figured it out. I think it would be fun to do names or sayings with this technique. Lastly I found these instructions on how to make these paper flowers on Green Wedding Shoes, and on a whim decided to give it a try. I like the way it turned out, but seriously what do you do with a huge paper flower once it's done?

Besides these few crafts I haven't done too much in the creative department. My life mostly consists of homework, and because I have been a little sick lately; naps, lots of naps.

I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day this year even if you don't have a special person in your life. It's so easy to find someone or something to love. Just look around and tell them you love them. It can be your parents, siblings, dog, random person on the street, I don't care maybe you even love that flowering bush in your room. God gives us so much love everyday the least we can do is spread it around a bit.

*Yawn*

So, I'm settling back into my old routine quite well; wake up, feel tired, do homework, feel even more tired, go to bed, and so on. This is what my "off" days are like, the other ones look more like this; wake up, feel tired, go to classes, feel exhausted, then go to bed. See the resemblance?
OK, it's not all that bad, but I have to admit it the new sleep schedule is killing me. Although (here is were you applaud) I have been getting to bed closer to 12, rather then around 1:30ish! So I'm not sleep deprived or anything just *yawn* pretty sleepy 24/7.
This is what my new schedule looks like for this semester;

Monday: Piano lessons, and Music Theory
Tuesday: Intro to Fiction, Sign Language, and Public Speaking
Wednesday: Aural Perception
Thursday: Same as Tuesday.
Friday: Homework, homework, homework, and possible some extra sleep:)
(In April I add Practical Botany which will add classes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

So far this semester is looking similar to the last one, with the exception of speech and fiction. I think Public Speaking is going to be fun. On Tuesday I'm giving a how to speech on "How to jump out of a speeding car", which I'm both excited and terrified about. Also the teacher is really funny, so I'm looking forward to how that class will progress. Fiction I'm still not sure about, we haven't really done anything besides read yet. So far I don't really like it, but I'm really trying to keep a positive outlook and not hate it this early in the semester.
Although it's been over a month since I was at the college It doesn't really seem like it and I'm readjusting fast. I just hope I don't become overwhelmed in these next few weeks.

Times almost up!

I knew my break would go by fast and it did. I had over a month, but I start classes again tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. I have to admit, besides the constant dread of homework, and the stressful overburdened feeling I get on the not so rare occasion, I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine. For the last few weeks, besides the occasional "activity" I'm been completely bored! I have actually had days where I hesitated getting dressed, and some days spent the whole day in sweats, yes you heard me sweats (don't worry not the baggy guy type). So in honor of boredom I thought I would share with you some of my pointless endeavors that I have done in some of my more extreme states of boredom. I've drawn one too many pointless sketches. Watched almost a whole season of Bizarre Foods "cow stomach anyone?" I spent way too much time on the computer; Playlist, Pandora, Modcloth, Anthropologie (which is were the adorable jacket its from..I think), etsy, ebay, just to name a few.

Wrote around ten poems:

The Sorrow of the Stars

Time is blowing the leaves away

to a place so far unseen.

The stars they came and stole the day

and I'll see the last no more.

Why? I entreat the grass to talk.

Why drain the color so?

The birds look down at me they mock,

and with the wind they fade away.

Why flowers bloom ye then ye die?

Why goslings must they feather?

The rustling hillside webs a lie.

The clouds they part in sorrow.

Sun is shedding tears for me,

enamored with my woe.

Infringing on the Willow tree,

I hide my voice among it's bark.

Time has blown the leaves away

to a place I once had been.

The stars did show me their dark day,

to watch with them forever more.

I've done other things like sewn a skirt, did some logic problems (In my most insane state of boredom), baked a lot (I'm suffering for it), and although I can't think of anything else I did, I might have done something somewhat worthwhile.... I hope.

my life wrapped up for the year

As the year is starting to come to a close, I was reminiscing about everything that I have done over the last year. I thought I would make a list of not necessarily personal accomplishments, or spiritual growth, but things that have changed or I have learned since January 1st. I'm sure I'll forget hundreds, but I'll just start and see how far I can get.

1. I went skiing for the first time in three years.
2. Made a pound cake, vanilla wafers, banana cookies, a lemon chiffon cake, a three layer German chocolate cake with chocolate fudge frosting, and many other new things.
3. Finished my Kimono.
4. Made myself do the splits with my right leg all the way down.
5. Found out that I have Ehler's Danlo syndrome.
6. Went to physical therapy for a few weeks.
7. Burnt my fingers on fudge and went to the ER.
8. Finished my log and lace pillow.
9. Went to a coffee shop and ordered a coffee for the first time ever.
10. Went paddle boarding.
11. Felted a sweater.
12. Went to 2 different swing dances and enjoyed both thoroughly.
13. Made a duct tape slingshot.
14. Decided to go to college.
15. Taught myself how to wire wrap.
16. Discovered many new songs that I really like, as well as some new artists.
17. Graduated High School.
18. Went camping three times.
19. Went rafting three times.
20. Jumped off a bridge into fast moving, frigid water.
21. Took a tour of the Libby Dam.
22. Dressed up as Genghis Khan and went to Hu Hot to get a free meal.
23. Sat on a Vespa, and rock climbed on the army wall, at the fair, in a short skirt.
24. Went to my first concert.
25. Used dad's power tools to make a wall hanging.
26. Started college.
27. Had my wisdom teeth removed.
28. Changed what I have for breakfast every morning.
29. Hosted a bridal shower for my best friend.
30. Got my first cell phone.
31. Did hair for many different people at multiple weddings.
32. Saved enough for my braces and finally got them.
33. Went to Deaf bowling nights, and helped with the Wha(D)t Deaf World.
34. Signed a song during the Valley Voices choir.
35. Gave a power point presentation.
36. Was a MOH in my best friends wedding.
37. Had my 79th-61st birthday.
38. Brought and carried a pathetic gingerbread house around college all day with me on a dare.
39. Found out that Dystopian is the name for my favorite genre of books.
40. Wrote 2 five page papers for college.
41. Finished my first semester of college.
42. Taught myself how to make an origami butterfly and Ninja throwing star.
43. Registered for my next semester of college.
44. Taught myself how to do Chinese brush painting.
45. Crocheted a panda.
46. Finished my Nocturne on the piano.
47. Wrote many poems.
48. Started and then gave up on a novel I was writing.
49. Did all my Christmas shopping in one day.
50. Can give you a limited life story in sign language.
51. And had my fist manicure since moving to Montana.

And here is a list of things that haven't changed or I've not done yet.

1. My spelling has not really improved at all.
2. I still have never been on a four wheeler.
3. I never did make up that exercise routine.
4. I haven't donated blood yet.
5. Haven't made a lemon meringue pie.
6. I'm still awful at e-mailing or calling people back.
7. I'm still not on Facebook.
8. I still plan on sky diving someday.
9. And I still don't know what I'm going to work towards in college.

Like I said I'm probably forgeting lots and maybe I'll add more as I think of them throughout these last few weeks.

my life. the changing book.

I'm officially finished with my first semester at college. It's hard to believe it's over already. In a way I'm glad it's done, in another way I kind of miss it. I'm such a creature of habit, I could have kept going on with this schedule for a lot longer. But time moves, things change, and experiences come and go.

Life is like a really good book: You practically devour it whole, page by page, living each moment just to turn the paper over and see what comes next, but then suddenly you realize your almost on the last chapter and you wonder if you should have savored it a bit more instead of reading well past midnight every night. When you do finish the book and stare at the cover for about 5-10 minutes (depending on how good the book was) reminiscing, you wonder "can any other book live up to this one?" But although there might be some books that are a waste of time, completely boring, and not well written at all, you find one. One that not only meets, but maybe surpasses the first book. Then you feel somehow that the first book you read was worth it, a sigh of relief. Like wow, that one was good, but this one is better and now I know that even though I wish the first book could have gone on forever, the book and I morphing into one, I'm glad I was able to move on, because change can be good. New characters can be just as interesting, different plot lines can be even more intriguing, and who knows, someday they might make a sequel.

I don't know, maybe it's late, and I let my imagination go a little wild, or maybe I'm just thinking about the book I am presently reading, but this whole book analogy seems pretty legit to how I'm thinking right now. Like I said before time moves too fast. I've never was one of those kids who all they wanted to do was grow up. if anything all I've ever wanted to do is grow down (if that makes any sense) but I just have to keep reminding myself that change is good, and God has me in his hands, and even when I don't know what I'm doing, He does.

All I want for Christmas is "The Zombie Survival Guide"

So, I was strolling through Modcloth (does anyone notice a pattern here?) and I came upon the book that any sort of "off the deep end" type of girl would just kill to get. Well, I just happen to be that very type so I decided to post my Christmas wish, emphasis on the "wish" list.

First up is the Zombie Survival Guide. Complete Protection from the Living Dead. I know how absolutely weird of me to actually even look at a book like this, but come on, you got to love a little imagination and adventure in one's life, and you never know when it might be needed info. Second up is a very girly, comfy, wonderful looking wrap sweater. I don't think I can find one thing that I don't like about it. It's just about as perfect as a sweater can get. I don't really know why I liked this necklace so much, I think I just found it intriguing. A necklace, with a bike, with a watch, it will multitask for you! Last, but not least, is my favorite pair of boots ever. I found these on amazon, and had they not had been almost $200, they would be in my closet at this moment. *sigh*. Anyhow, I just love the color, laces, buckle, you have to love a good buckle, pocket, POCKET!!!, perfect heal height, and so on, how much better can boots get. I mean seriously, could they add anything else to these things that would improve on them? Like the sweater above, they are, as clothing goes, almost a good as it gets.
I hope I didn't waste your time too much, I just really wanted to blog and share my finds with you all, and now when I mention my dream boots you'll know what I'm talking about. Well, I'm so close to being done with my first semester of college, and have enrolled in my classes for the spring, but it's late, and that will give me something good to post about later, so bye, and keep an eye out for zombies (especially around this time of year).

Tooth Bling!

How much wood, could a wood chuck chuck, if a wood chuck had braces?

It should be over, and I'll be smiling before I know it. Right?

How 'bought a diet of pain pills!

Shark bait, hoo, ha, ha.

I feel like a horse with a bit in my mouth.

Can you read my pain? Because I can.

I only have around six more months of life without gum. Could it get any worse?

I need baby food.

No pain, no gain, put to the test.

Make new friends, and keep the old, mine our silver and none are gold.

Well, it sort of makes my lips look bigger. Although I think it would have been cheaper to have them pumped.
I wonder if anyone has ever died from braces before....

This it the most expensive pain I've ever been in.

If you were hanging from a tree by your braces, would the braces pop off, or would your teeth pull out?

I can feel you smiling at me.

Can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus? Because I can.

My old familiar friend, how bid thee blog world?

It really hasn't been all that long, but it seems like it's been a while since the last time I blogged. I've been insanely busy with school this last week. I had way too much homework. They must think we are all cyborgs, who never sleep or something. Last Monday I had one of the most intense tests I've taken in a long time in Music Theory. I think I was more fried after that test then I was after my GED. It felt as if I was suffocating on my own breath, or on the breath of others. The whole test was a hazy fog of stress.

Today was another long day, but it ended up going much better than I thought it would. I first had a quiz in ASL, and I think I did just fine. I was stressing over not being prepared enough, but I knew what I needed too for it, and it went smoothly.

Next I had test Aural Perception (do you see a pattern here?). Aural Perception is interesting. If you ever walk by room 251 around 2ish on Wednesday, you will probably see an odd assortment of people sitting in the hall way. Mr. Z has us go out to test us individually on our voices. It is like walking into the room of doom when it's your turn. It's not that the singing is that hard, it's everything. Imagine singing your common do re mi solfege, but set to some tune, getting all the notes right, the sofelge, conducting, pitch, and timing right, all at the same time! For me it's the making of a disaster. My singing alone is OK, it could use much improvement, but OK, but add my arm waving around and I'm lost for good. I seriously can not get the conducting thing. Every time Mr. Z would try to help me, I would just start laughing, because to be honest, my hand ends up just looking like a dieing fish flopping around.

Next I had my presentation in World Music. I think I mentioned something about doing this before, but in case I'm delusional I'll just write about it again. I had to do a 15 minute presentation on the Argentine Tango. I could probably tell you just about anything you wanted to know about the music if it so intrigued you. Believe me, it didn't intrigue me. OK, I give it that it wasn't so bad, I do enjoy the music. But by last night I was so, so done with it. It took me so long to complete, as I had well over thirty pages of information printed out all redundantly stating facts(I know, what a horrid waste of trees). Rachel came over a few times and helped me to organize, de-stress, and overall help with the power point. It was nice to have someone smiling with you over your homework, instead of just being alone with a head sized hole in my wall.

So, like I said before the presentation was today. I think it went good. I talked a little fast, but when do I not? I didn't pass out or start uncontrollably sweating or anything, so I think all's well. Now I just have the waiting game to see what my grade is.

Have you noticed that whenever I do a blog post at night they all end up being really long? So long that I think most of you won't even read all of it. Oh, well. It's like my therapy. My couch, so to say. Which would make you all my psychiatrists. Hum.....

Now that I have midterms over with I'm planing on blogging more. So hang in with me, and I might be back soon:)

If life gives you lemons, make a lemon chiffon cake!

Today was the first day in what seams like forever, that I didn't have anywhere to go. Life right now jumps from one place to another, one week to the next. Everyday I feel like I have to put thought into what I'm going to wear and do, asking myself "will I get cold? does this even match?". But today I grabbed an old tee shirt, let my hair go wild, and *gasp* didn't put any makeup on.
It wasn't a boring day though. I started off playing piano, doing a face mask, and then making a lemon chiffon cake for my dad's birthday. While it was baking I did my music theory homework *yuck*. After letting the cake cool, it was successfully inverted:) I then made up the lemon frosting (which was sinfully yummy) and overall it turned out great. It had a nice consistency, not heavy, but light, sweat, but not overpoweringly so.

For once I really don't have much more so say. School went pretty well yesterday. I did much better on two tests than I thought I would, and I got an hour and a half of lab time in for ASL (because the teacher was absent). I don't think I did good in Aural P, but oh well, I didn't really practice much anyway, so it's my fault.
For World Music I have to write a contemporary music paper about once a week on a certain country, and I'm getting horribly tired of it. At first it was sort of different, now it's just *blah*. And now I need to start preparing for my midterm presentation. We were given a list of places to chose from and were put on the spot to chose one to do it on. I took Argentina (tango) I hope that was a good choice. But as you can probably tell from my playlist, I like tango music. It's hard to believe that I'm already half way done with the semester. Where does time go? If you find it please bring it back. It's hard to even think of the future. When people ask me what I'm planning on doing I'm like "Um, maybe this, but I'm now thinking that, but I still want to do...." I'm trying to just live day by day. Having a ruff draft for the next year or so, but ultimately leaving it up to God. I'm so glad it's God's decision, because if it was all on my back, I would be so, so lost. Well, I have more homework, and some hooks and eyes to sew, so ta ta. I guess I had more to say after all.

The picture is on the left, not in the middle.

These last few days have been pretty uneventful for me. Aural Perception and World Music were canceled for the day, so I only went in for an hour and a half this morning for ASL. The only thing that I can even think of that happened this last week, worthy of note, is that I went to a swing dance last Friday (which was a blast), and I unofficially learned how to parachute (just don't push me out of a plane quite yet).

This afternoon I went to grab a plum, and found them pruning (is that a word?), going the way of all ageing plums. Mom said to give them to our chickens, but I wanted to find a better use for them than momentarily pleasing our feathered friends. I googled "recipe plums" and after a little searching found a recipe for upside down plum cake, and guess what? It took four plums, which happens to be the exact number of those wrinkled things we had.

I was quite happily going along, curdling the milk (weird), grating a clementine (Hey, we didn't have any oranges, and it called for only half an orange anyway), caramelizing the butter and brown sugar, when I hit a kink in the hose of life. I cut my finger on, you'll never guess what, the can of baking powder. I think I was way more shocked than in actual pain, because when I cut myself and my mom walked by, I stated that, well, I had cut myself. My mom commented something about it being little when I exclaimed that it was pretty deep, I still don't understand why, but for some strange reason, my mom cracked up laughing. Anyhow, back to the plum cake.

After it cooled, I has so happy on how easily it inverted. I just love saying that "I inverted the cake" "the cake successfully inverted" "After inversion, the cake was thoroughly enjoyed". Sorry, but seriously try saying it and you will be addicted. Dad and I really liked it, it had kind off a tangy sweetness to it, mom thought it was OK, and Luke refused to try it. So if you are ever around my house in the next day or so, stop by because there is half a delicious (in my opinion) inverted plum cake in our fridge that I don't really want to finish.

Seven ways to identify that you are a craft addict

1. Even when you know you should be doing homework you decide to craft instead.

2. A new craft idea ways on your mind so hard you want to explode.

3. You stay up well after midnight because your "all most done".

4. You bring your laptop to your craft room so you don't have to keep running between rooms for instructions.
5. You can't see your desk anymore because it's covered with who knows what.
6. You find that your gift card to Joanns didn't have quite as much as you thought left on it, and you find yourself breaking a twenty.
7. You know your sanity will deteriorate if you don't find something new to make quick.

So I'll start and you can join in if you need to;

Hi, my name is Megan and I'm craftoholic. I've been at it for about my whole life and can't stop. The last time I did a craft was yesterday, and before that it was a few long days. I go on stints of doing nothing, but then I just get the urge, and before I know it I'm cutting up, or sewing something together.

There I admitted it! But now the fun part, do you what to see what I made?

Your probably thinking "what crazy thing did Megan make now?" or possibly "that's so cool I want one too!" either way I like it. This isn't actually the craft I made yesterday, but last Sunday after church. I found the how too on etsy and asked dad if he could help me make it even before I had finished watching the video. He said he would but that it would be harder than it looked, but they made it look so easy on the show, how could it be that hard? I promptly went off into the woods and found a branch. Unfortunately it was attached to a fallen tree, so I got the hack saw and started sawing a chunk off. After about 7 minutes of sawing, two cuts on my hands from the blade, and a sliver on my toe, I finally had my branch. I proudly marched it back to dad who said that It had a crack going down the middle and wouldn't work. *sigh*. So off I went again, this time with dad, and found a new branch. We took it to his shop in the garage and he showed me how to cut it using the power saw. I ended up letting him do the cutting, while I sanded each cut with the electric sander (scary). We found a board, and I brought it inside to begin placing the slices in a pleasing arrangement. I eventually glued them down, and the next time we went to town I got some spray wood gloss to finish it.

So, was it worth it? I think so. I have it hanging in my room, not really matching anything, but there having collected memories, now collecting dust.

the last rose (sunflower) of summer

Although it still looks green outside, you can feel Autumn sneaking up. When I go out now I have to ask myself "do I need a jacket?". Along with Fall comes good and bad. The good; sweaters, knee highs, hot drinks, pretty colors, and hats. The bad; winter is on its way, colds *cough*, no more swimming, no more flip flops, no more gardening (besides tearing it up), for my brother school, and it really doesn't matter what color I paint my toenails because no one sees them anyway.

Mom and I were in the garden tonight picking some of the last beans for dinner, and I asked if she minded if I picked a sunflower. I hadn't this year and they are all either facing the wrong direction, bug laden, or dying. Just being out there for the few minutes, the cool breeze reminded me of the upcoming season. I don't know about any of you, but I think of different things for times, or places. Like right now I feel like the Swan River Walk, Choir, chocolate chip cookies, and Little House on the Prairie. I have a feeling next year it will be homework. I'm not overwhelmed yet, but I've never really had to do homework before and I'm going to have to readjust my schedule, because going to bed around one, isn't going to work in the long run. I started piano lessons again today, and I'm almost done with all the dresses for the wedding. So on with the new, off with the old, on with the year.

Day 30: How to poison a chicken

Today is my last day of the challenge. Although I haven't been completely consistent, It gave me a something to blog about daily even if it was boring or pointless.

Have any of you noticed the new Stats button on your blog? It is so cool and funny. So, I was looking over my traffic sources, (oh, thanks Carstensens for sending me over 148) and I noticed that my number one searched key words for my blog was for "how to poison a chicken" from my opera I put on years ago. I don't know about you but I found it funny that 18 people googled how to get rid of there feathered friends. Why would you even bother poisoning a chicken anyway? Wouldn't it be easier to just go Henry Vlll on them? Anyways, if you have time you should go check out why people are visiting your blog, you might find it enlightening.

I'm supposed to leave you all with some parting motto or philosophy. So here is one of my favorites from the ultimate philosopher.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

I hope you all enjoyed my challenge as much as I did, and I determine to keep my posting up, even with all my homework. So you might not see me quite as often, but don't worry, I'm still here.

The End

On the Road Again

Just about every day now when I do my blog rounds, I noticed that I haven't been posting enough. Unfortunately I've been monstrous (my new favorite adjective) uninspired lately. It seems like the blog world has been very slow lately too, and I've been enjoying reading Laurel's posts every day. So I decided to give the thirty day challenge a try. I hope I don't completely bore you all, but it is more for me (not in a selfish way) than for you anyway. I just think it will be neat to look back in a year or so time and see what my likes and some ideas were at that time. So here I go on my newest quest!

Day 1: A favorite song

Day 2: A favorite movie

Day 3: A favorite book

Day 4: A favorite television program
Day 5: A favorite quote

Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive

Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without

Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life

Day 9: A photo you took

Day 10: A photo of you taken over 10 years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently

Day 12: A song you want played at your wedding (or was played)

Day 13: A guilty pleasure

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take

Day 15: A person you admire

Day 16: A song that makes you cry

Day 17: An art piece

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive

Day 19: A talent of yours

Day 20: A hobby of yours

Day 21: Someting you know you do differently then most people

Day 22: A website

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love

Day 25: A recipe

Day 26: A childhood memory

Day 27: A physical feature you love

Day 28: A scar you have and it's story

Day 29: Hopes, dreams, and plans you have for the next 365 days

Day 30: A motto or philosophy

A penny for your thoughts

I recently heard this song Goodbye, Goodnight, by Jars of Clay and it really intrigued me. I know if any of you are like me, posts that have song lyrics are, well, to be honest really boring. But not to fear like always my blogger won't let me copy and paste and I'm to lazy to do it manually. So I have it on my playlist on the bottom for you to listen to.

Besides just really liking the sound of the song (I love accordions) the words interested me. I had my idea of what they might mean, but I wanted to find out more. When I googled the meaning I found some very conflicting results.

The first one I found said that it was a song about the Titanic sinking from the perspective of the band.
"Strike up the band and play a song, and try hard not to cry, and fake a smile as we all say goodbye"

I hadn't expected that at all. Rereading the lyrics, it fit, and now seemed like a really sad song. I've always admired the band on the Titanic, how they stayed.

The second one said that it was about the saved leaving the unsaved. How sad it was that they don't know the truth, and are heading for hell, and the need for Christians to preach the gospel. This one fit very well too. Being by Jars of Clay I thought this one is more likely.

But reading more I came to think that it might be both. Using the story of the Titanic as an allegory about how Christians can be. It's sad but we do tend to be that way. Going about our lives, not caring about the unsaved unless they directly influence us. We can be so busy worrying about ourselves, or problems with other believers we forget about our true mission. I believe we can be missionaries just by going through our daily lives. But are we going through are daily lives trying to be a good example for Christ? I know I fall short of that more often than not, living to live, not living for God.

What do you think?