sweet and simple.

To one of my very best friends.


I kinda have like this great best friend. She is going to my roommate in 26 days. And I couldn't be more excited. We have set up so many rules for ourselves so we won't end up hating each other. I am not worried though, and either is she. I have learned so many different lessons from my amazing friend this past year, just simply by her example. I am constantly learning and bettering myself because I know her. Our lives are kinda similar sometimes, and it never fails to take us by surprise when the same exact things happens to us both. I think about Alyssa and her stories and they just always make me smile. Although life isn't always the most kind, she always finds the sweet things to point out.
Between sunflowers, pictures and laughs....
I think we deal just fine.




Just for you...
always.

A Whole New World....

Magic in my Monday.

Something magical happened.

Sunday Rocky and I packed Goldie with bout a fourth of my school stuff and hit the road to Thatcher. I decided to make Rocky drive. (A serious act of faith) But the kid only made it to Apache Junction, when he got to tired to continue. So we know that he will never be coming home.

Some people may think that Thatcher only holds dirt, cotton farms, abandon shops and a hand full of geographically challenged people. This is all true, or so I thought. Maybe if you are driving through you might believe this, or just stopping in for a rushed visit. But if you really are "in" Thatcher you realize it has magic, hidden all around the edges, pulling the town together.

Sunday night we (10 people) played games in my apartment. I met new friends and laugh so very hard. Then today we were standing in line at the college when my new friends walked up and said hi. We decided in 20 minutes we would met at Casa's to have lunch. Then in Casa's our waitress came up and asked us how Sister Black was doing, talked to Rocky about starting school and just caught up on life with us. I sat in my most favorite restaurant watching the people there. As people would walk in the door they would spot a familiar face and go over to give there greetings. The owner was constantly walking around asking customers about family members and recent trips they had taken. Driving out of the town you see people waving to one another and just generally smiling. That is magical.

It was a fast drive back to Phoenix where I went straight to work and had a reality check, not every place is as friendly as my Thatch Town. Some people might read this and think, "Wow, this girl is really being deprived of the trills of traveling." I guess that might be right. But I can't think that another place could hold such love and welcoming open arms as my Thatcher does.






I believe in magic.

Oh brother.....

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

A song came on the radio that made me instantly think of one of the most caring person I know. The lyrics and words sounded like they were written for him. As I listened to the song I started to feel so proud for just being related. My little brother is such a blessing and example to me.

A few weekends ago my brother, dad and two cousins when to visit my grandparents up north where they were RVing it for 2 weeks. Only now that my grandparents are home am I hearing Rocky's heroic rescue. While in the mountains, one of my cousins and Rocky decided to drive down to the lake. While there Rocky saw a dirt biker wreck and went over to offer some assistance. I will spare the details on the extent of injuries, but I can tell you it wasn't pretty. When I asked Rocky to tell me about he didn't even want to repeat it. But Rocky was quick to help. As I understand the man wasn't in any position to move or help himself. Rocky introduced himself to the man and told him he had a first aid kit and was going to help. He went to his truck and brought out the huge tin red-cross box (something I am constantly making fun of him for) put on gloves and got to work. He stayed and helped until more could come. My mom asked him how he knew what to do, and he said, "Mom. I am CPR trained and learned all about first aid." I forget about how old my little brother is.

I was tearing up in the car as my mom told me this. But she continued, making it impossible not to cry, telling me all the times Rocky and his friend stopped to help those in need. One time they were driving and saw some girls that had car trouble. (of course it was girls...) One car broke down and the girls decided to tie ROPE to it and tow it with another car to the gas station. Well the rope broke. Duh... (I was LAUGHING at that part.) So Rocky and Tyler (his friend) got out and pushed the car to the far away gas station.

How luckily am I to have a brother like that? Someone I know that will stop and help with the messy, hard, and sometimes gross things. And he has friends that are the same. And he doesn't even stop to brag, it is just part of an everyday occurrence. I am truly blessed with my brother.

I seem to be in a rush most times I am with Rocky and forget to see the subtle changes turning him from a boy to a man. I am so excited to share a semester with him at EA! I cannot wait to for our crazy stories, that I know inevitability always follow Rocky.

Somebody's gonna drop everything

Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart

You find out who your friends are

yOu CaN cAlL mE pRiNcEsS

Childhood is not from birth to a certain age and at a certain age
The child is grown, and puts away childish things.
Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.

-Edna St. Vincent Millay
Breaking Dawn

Apparently my post have been without smiles.
I am going to try to make for that and write something delightful.

I started cleaning out my drawers for a donation drive. The girls misinterpreted it as "dress up" day. And I was all too willing to let them have their fun. What can I say? They are the cutest kids. You couldn't say no either!!!


Chloe twirled like the princess she is.

Sophie adores Chloe and Chloe is eager to help sissy.

Once the crown is on, its all business and no smiles.

I've started reading, again. I am very nearly, hesitating, maybe, perhaps, almost decided, to read the Harry Potter series again. I am desperate for a good book.
Any suggestions???
You can only read about emotional werewolves and romantic vampires so long. My dreams have started running wild and hiking the mountain has me jumpy.

We were ROBBED! Robbed I tell you!

When it rains

it pours.

A few years ago one of my cousins didn't really live in the best of neighborhoods. Actually, it was quite scary. But if you live somewhere you acclimate to your surrounds and just deal. Well one day she went out to buy some ice cream from the ice cream truck, she was about 9 here, and there was a shooting. People fell the the ground and the ice cream truck took off without a backward glance. Thankfully no one was hurt, but still that isn't something I would get over very easily. But the only thing that she kept saying over and over again was, "AND the ice cream man JACKED my quarter."

Today I feel the same way.

As our routine calls, every morning my mom and I hike North Mountain. We park at the visit center and hike through the trail to the actual mountain. Today was especially exciting because it rained a bit on our way over there. My mom and I were hoping for a down pour, well I was more than she. People stood at the foot of the trail and debated whether or not to continue, but we were eager to start. It was so beautiful today. The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds through the first part of the hike. The shadows and deep blue of the far away sky had me in awe the entire time. I love the way the wind blows and the smell of rain combined with the desert air. It gets you just waiting for some drops to fall on your head. The lighting was getting extremely close as we reached the end of the trail. The thunder always reminds me of a very hungry giant man. I was thinking of all this when I got to the parking lot. But then, all thoughts of this raining day quickly went out of my head.

Our beautiful little golden egg car was hurt. The back passenger window was smashed in, glass everywhere. It automatically sent me in panic mode. I yelled "Mom!", but still not quite sure this was our car. I mean, this kind of thing doesn't really happen . . . does it??? They first thing she said, even before looking in, "They took my purse," totally stunned. I immediately felt upset that she was sad. Logically I know that I should be mad at the act of the stealing and breaking of the car, but the fact that my mom was upset and I helpless on how to fix it made me angry. We paused for a grand total of 2 minutes and looked for anyone with a cell phone. Then decided that the best option was just to drive on home and start cancelling. I broke out the rest of the window so it wouldn't fly in my face while driving and tried to clean my seat off the best I could, but am sad to report I think I sat on a piece of glass. I asked me mom my what was in her purse, she said, defeated, "My whole world."

So now we are home. Police reports, cards cancels, SS card reported, credit lines calls, insurance claims and plans cancelled for the day and it isn't even 7:30. They had already used it for gas! It's an awful thing to steal. My mom listed the number of brutal things she would like to do to the people on the way home. There were lots of red lights and plenty of time to think, I would never want to meet her in a dark alley... She is insanely cruel. (at-ad girl)

On the up side, I have been wanting my mom to get a new wallet and purse. At least she can start new and not have all the clutter left overs. While this is awful, I am thankful that we weren't hurt or anything, I can only imagine what would happen if my mom saw the people commit this crime. It is a little scary knowing they have our address. It is truly a different world we live in these days.

On the way to the mountain this morning I thought,
'I live in the city, but nothing ever bad has happened to me. The city is a safe place.'

Ironic.

My FaVoRiTe BlAcK bOyS.

Ladies prepare yourselves...





It gets better...





See, I told you so.

Thanks Stacie and Geoffrey for getting them to smile. And for listening to our stories. You were the best.

I am pretty much ecstatic about these photos.

Seriously.

My little friend is 19.

The youngest of us all,

FINALLY turned 19.

Taylor turned 19 July 7th! We celebrated much like my own 19th birthday. The best things about best friends is that no matter where you end up, it is always a party. I love laughing and all the little insane jokes we have accumulated from over the years. Happy Birthday my best-est friend. I know this year will be great for you!

Disclosure: I WOULD HAVE POSTED THIS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW... WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED! But SOMEONE decided to just now to upload the pictures. But the great thing about pictures is it can bring you back to the day so you don't feel like you missed a thing!