things I want to do in 2010

-be less afraid and more daring -have a vacation in my own hometown -learn to cook well -only wear clothes I love -travel and see the world -get a car -make a ton of friends -see every day as an adventure -learn to live simply -laugh often -love much -be more active -be less pessimistic -chase those dreams I've ignored -go on road trips -play hard -learn to play guitar -eat more good food -learn to listen well -take more pictures -see the ocean more -write everything down...

and that's only the beginning...

Miss you...

Today I've been thinking a lot about my friend Heidi. (if your reading this...don't kill me for the photos please) I miss her loads. It's been far too long since I've seen her.
I first met her when I moved in next door to her house on a farm in Coburg. She was seven, I was eleven. We were inseparable and had many adventures together. Everything from being prairie girls to stealing green beans and having cabbage fights on the farm. We rode our bikes everywhere and I wish I had a 1/4 of the energy now that I did then.
So many books could be written about those days. But right now I just want to send a hug out to you, love. It's amazing how long we've stuck together even through long distances. Let's be friends forever okay? Love you. :)

Look forward to a chat and coffee date with you one day in the hopefully not to far off future.

xxxxAnna

*all photos in this post taken by Heidi :)

In which I meet my first male Twi-Hard and get over caring what people think

Yesterday I got off work 2 1/2 hours after I was supposed to and so I was in a very deserving mood when I entered Target. In other words, I felt I deserve a special present for me because I was tired and had a long day.

So when I happened across the colored fine point markers and the score to New Moon...there was no hope left for my piggy bank. They were coming home with me.

The only awkward thing was taking my purchases to the cash register. The only available one was a guy..."oh great...here comes the ribbing," I thought. But I decided who the heck cares anyway? I like Twilight...why be embarrassed? I'm not a crazy fanatic fan, I just enjoy it. So I put my items on the conveyor belt and hurried over to the debit card machine, thinking maybe if I acted like I didn't know I was buying the New Moon soundtrack, he wouldn't notice either. But oh no. This is where it gets better.

"You like the music in New Moon too?" My head jerked up and I eyed him suspiciously. Was this a trick question?

"Um...yeah. I do actually." I replied, debating how to defend myself...lying and saying it was a Christmas present for the 13 year old sister I don't have was the first thing that came to mind.

"Me to!" He gushed. "I love the music in both movies. Especially Robert Pattinson's piano playing in the first movie."

"Um...yeah...me too. I was kind of disappointed he didn't play in the second movie." (Seriously...what guy knows Robert Pattinson plays the piano??)

"Yeah...I'm sure he has something in his mind for the upcoming movies. He's so talented he shouldn't stick to just acting."

"Yeah...he's really good." I'm saying all this in shock response, wondering if this guy is for real. He just kept talking.

"Yeah...I'm like the only guy Twilight fan I know...I even named my cat Esme. I was like the oldest male at the midnight showing." I just laughed and said something like..."Good for you," as he handed me my bag.

"Well, have a great day."

"Yeah you too."

I hurried off to where my mom was waiting by the front door and laughed all the way to the car. And I'm still laughing today. And I've decided...there's crazier people than me out there who don't care what people think of them...so I'm going to try not to care either.

the end

ps: this is why sometimes good old fashioned cd's are better than iTunes:

Give Me Your Eyes

Brandon Heath is one of my favorite Christian artists and this is my favorite song of his at the moment. Every time I listen to it I'm reminded of how little I pay attention to the people in the world. I get so easily caught up with myself and my schedule. My annoyances and my struggles. If only I could see the world in God's eyes. This song is a great reminder of that.

Summertime

Movies in the park have come to an end. But my Summer is not over yet. Oh no...

Wednesday

Visited Belle today and:

Admired all the baby hats she's been making.

Wound my big mob of yarn into balls.

Made one fingerless glove for my Etsy shop.

Listened to Marty Robbins on casset tape.

Drank tea and ate fig newtons.

Talked about Revelation.

Came home with a bag full of yarn to figure out what to do with.

Tomorrow it's back to work.

Life

Life's been so busy and full lately with work, last minute get togethers with friends before they zip off to college, a camping trip, and various other things that pop up and keep one busy. :) And can you believe it? I forgot my camera at every one of these.


But now everyone is gone, and I have 5 whole days off. What is to be done with me? I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm hoping to get my rooms in order and get some sewing done and hopefully get a hair cut. I'm in desperate need of one! My hair has gone all wimpy. Bleh...not a nice look. My sister is a hair dresser so I just have to arrange a sister date. So lovely. Oh and pick the actual hair cut I want. Hmmm...what are some options?


The hair I'm loving most right now would be...

Kirsten Dunst

...in Elizabethtown. I just love her layers and side swept bangs:

Kristen Stewart

I love her beachy layered look as well. I guess I'm all about layers right now. :)

Those are my two favorite looks at the moment...maybe I get get a mix of both. :) We shall see...alright, I'm off to do some tidying up. Will post pictures of my newly arranged room soon! (Yes, I did it again...I think it's a seasonal thing for me.) ;)

Sometimes I like to ramble...

So...I've totally gotten sucked into reading the Twilight series. (thanks to Tessa and Ella for sending the first two on the bus home with me last week, you girls are mean but I love you ;) This distraction has made me a pitiful blogger. I've reached the point today...after 1, 300 pages in 8 days...of wishing it were over. Not because I want it to end or I'm not enjoying it. but because I can't seem to get much else done. It's wretched. Yet wonderful. But I only have a few hundred more pages and I'll be done. Then I can be a really good blogger. Then I can have a real life again. Then I can not blog about how obsessive I am. That will be good.

*Deep Breath*....moving on...

So....about a month ago I said I was starting to organize my sewing room...and I still am. (How slow am I!?) But I'm really going to try to kick in gear now and get it presentable so I can show you pictures. That's my motivation because the idea of a clean sewing space doesn't seem to be helping me get it done. But it definitely does need to be done. Then I am going to make some clothes for me. :) Hopefully... ;) Not to mention my room could use a good De-clutter.

Anyway...it's probably far to late for me to be aimlessly writing all this. But sometimes I just like to ramble on about things that probably no one else cares about. So there it is. :)

Now I'm off to read a chapter...or two...or five...;) and then sleep.

BBC Robin Hood

Where have I been lately? Watching these:

I'm addicted. :P

But they're great for getting lots of hand sewing projects done. I can't wait for Season 3 to come to the US. I've been watching as many episodes as I can on YouTube.

They have a new costume designer for this season so it's a whole new look. Looks like a lot more leather, which is awesome!

And there's some new characters, which I'm excited about.

Kate, from Locksley. I'll admit I wasn't to excited about her at first but after watching a few episodes with her in it I'm warming up to her! :) I think she and Alan-a-Dale would make a good couple. But I have a feeling that's not the way it's going to end up. We'll just have to see. :P

I'm super excited and can't wait for Isabella, Sir Guy of Gisbourne's sister to come into the show. Should be interesting! :)

And finally! Friar Tuck joins the cast...he's pretty awesome. :)

Anyway...apologies to all of you who could care less about my Robin Hood obsession at the moment. I just can't help myself. :)

These Days

I'm all about books on tape. They are so much nicer than movies while your sewing because you don't have to watch! :) My favorite of late has been James and the Giant Peach. My favorite is the Centipede! :D

I'm also all about designing my own wardrobe. I think it's the downside of being a seamstress, you start to be more picky about clothes because you would like this sleeve with that cuff and those buttons...So, I'm going to TRY and make myself make me some clothes, and not sell them. haha I have a bad habit of selling everything. But that's good too, right?

And...I'm all about washing with baking soda...

I put about a 1/4 cup in every load of laundry along with the soap and everything comes out so fresh and clean! I'm a bit obsessed with it. :)

So anyways...I've been sewing, cleaning, and today I even made gingerbread! It almost feels like Spring today as the sunshine has come out and there's some tulips or something popping up in the garden. Yay. :)

Random

I haven't been posting much at all lately because I've been so busy sewing and my laptop seems to have some sort of illness where it falls asleep with out any warning. So now when I have a moment to post....I have no idea what to post about. So I uploaded this really random picture I took a few weeks ago of all the stuff laying on my bed. I lined it up and took a picture...because I'm weird that way. ;)
So, as a sort of a game...can you guess the one thing in the picture above that I don't like very much? haha

1. Watch
2. Leafy Ring from London
3. Cell Phone
4. Spotty Wallet
5. Kate and Leopold
6. Boots Hand Cream

Random...I know. I think I should get back to my sewing and not post again until I have something clever to say.

Me thinks...

It's time for a new blog layout. I want something simple. I just may go back to the old blog layout. So...be warned. ;)

Don't you love orderly thread?

I've been slowly working away at my sewing room getting it into some kind of order. It's not as easy as it sounds. I figure out a good place for something and then end up needing that place for something else and move it out, but eventually it will all come together. I'm just not as good at thinking orderly these days. Not sure why!

I also started a doily yesterday at Belle's house. Belle is a really amazing elderly lady who taught me to crochet. She has so many interesting stories to tell! When she was 6 she traveled in a covered wagon and she's lived through the depression and 2 World Wars. She's a pretty amazing person. And I'm rather loving my doily. I'm calling it my "Faraway Downs" doily because it reminds me of all the plants and cut outs in the Faraway Downs homestead in the film 'Australia'. You'll see what I mean when it's finished! ;) Or maybe it's just all in my head? Just like Australia is all that's in my head lately...costumes, sets, cinematography, it's all so amazing. :)

Chico (my sisters dog we're watching for awhile) is always cuddling up next to me while I'm doing hand work. But yesterday there was sunshine coming through the window and he had to go lay on the back of the chair. He refused to smile for this picture, as I disturbed his nap. (cheeky fellow!) Well, there is a hint of a fake smile there I guess....

He actually has quite large ears but whenever I take a picture of him he hides them, maybe he's self conscious? ;)

Alright...I'm off to finish up some sewing. Just thought I'd give you a few peeks into my days. :)

Crusoe in Danger

Why is it whenever a show comes on tv that I actually enjoy...they cancel it? I read something online that said the last episode shown on 1/30/09 will be the last ever. It's so upsetting! It didn't even conclude anything...in fact left you hanging. I've been getting so into this show the past few weeks because it's all leading up to something and then there, they've gone and left you hanging. He's left on the island trying to get back home to Suzannah who is having her own struggles in England.

This is such a great family show and actually really clean and wholesome. Perhaps one of the reasons it's not so popular?

It's really well filmed and the acting is great. I love the sets and location...the costumes and props are awesome! It reminds me of the good old tv shows I used to watch.

Crusoe and Friday are such an example of true friendship and they so often lay down their lives for each other. And I love the fact that Crusoe and Suzannah stay faithful to each other over the years, neither knowing if the other is dead or alive.

Has anybody else been watching this show? There's a petition to sign which I'm not sure if it will help but would be worth a try! I'm hoping if they don't continue the show that they will at least give us a conclusion.

Here is the petition and be sure and watch past episodes by visiting the link on the side of my blog. I love this show. I really hope they will keep it going. Seems I never have popular taste anymore.

I understand that they need to keep shows on that are the most popular and that the most people watch...but really...at least give those of us who do watch it and ending!

Oh Happy Day...

It's been one of those days...the kind where everything gets on your nerves, nothing goes the way it's supposed to, and you just want to throw something across the room. I haven't thrown anything yet though, so I guess I'm doing pretty good. :)

Anyway...ironically I was going through my music for something that wouldn't get on my nerves and landed on Tim Hughes. I only have one Tim Hughes song though and guess what it's called?

Happy Day :)

Anyway...that kind of made me rethink my mood by reminding me life's a lot bigger than just me. That's actually such a relief to be reminded of now and again. I mean, if all the world counted on me having it together every minute, I think I'd be in more than a bad mood.

So while I was hunting for that video to show you, I ran across this one, which I just found encouraging. I stinkin' love Tim Hughes. I went to a couple of his seminars at Soul Survivor last Summer and was just so encouraged by his heart for worshiping God and serving people.

I was thrilled recently when I discovered you can buy mp3 downloads of the seminars on Soul Survivor's website! I bought one a couple weeks ago...love it. I might buy another one tonight.

Anyway...I hope you all are having a "happy day" and remembering who we belong to and where we're going!

Random Wordage

Hello. :)

So, I'm really sorry I haven't posted hardly at all lately. I feel so lame. Our Internet hasn't been very cooperative and I've had a cold. The former supposedly is to be fixed this week. (huzzah!)

But I have been thinking about blogging. I keep wishing I had something really clever to say or something beautiful to show you. But alas, I haven't taken many pictures lately and my mind has been quite dull. Well, that's not entirely true. I've been endlessly daydreaming of Duchess gowns. It's my new obsession. Or at least it was until my dearie girls gave me two patterns from Sense and Sensibility last night as a belated birthday present. Now I'm all about Persuasion. I want to make one of Anne's gowns (the blue one) and her amazing military inspired pelisse. And now...I even want to read the book again. I blame them entirely. ;) I think, if I'm feeling up to it tomorrow, I shall sew. But that's what I said I was going to do today and I ended up only laying on the couch watching Disney films and eating crackers. hee hee I felt like a little kid. But you know...I may as well, the only time I don't feel guilty for this is when I'm sick so I may as well enjoy it, right? :)

We had our movie night last night and watched The Patriot and I almost finished all the eyelets on one half of my Elizabeth Swann corset. I'm loving it. Except it's taking too long because I already have three more corsets planned out.

You should see my bed right now. Piled all around me are heaps of fabric with papers pinned to them telling me what I want to use it for. I have patterns everywhere, sketchbooks, notebooks. A pot of (jasmine green) tea is on top of my wardrobe as there's no other clear surface for it. (and I really think it's safest up there) I feel like Professor Bhaer from Little Women only I have fabric and patterns everywhere instead of books. Ah, well...it's good to be inspired I suppose.

Well, I ought to be off to bed. I'm not saying anything of great importance anyway. But I like writing so hopefully you all don't mind. And even if you do, I guess it doesn't matter. haha Because this is my place to talk. ;)

Well, goodnight to those of you with the courage great enough to make it through this long and random post. I respect you greatly. :)

Flurries and Gift Giving

It's been snowing like mad the past few days. I'll confess...it's pretty. But it's sooo cold! I've been staying inside, which you'd think would give me more time to finish Christmas presents. but alas...I'm so behind.
However...here is one I finished and already gave away. YES! I'm almost on top of it! :D
I made a journal "junk book" for a friend who loves 'The Office' and tropical places.
Hee hee....scary, I know:

Then this is the back:
I scribbled/doodled all over it which was fun. haha

Now I must be off to work on the rest of the presents and clean my room.

I can't believe what a slob I've become lately. No order whatsoever...*sigh*. It drives me crazy. Normally I'm such a neat freak. Oh well, it was good to have a slob faze...but now it must end.

Don't forget to sign up for the Givaway if you haven't already!

Happy Christmas!

Australia

I went to see this film with my sister yesterday...it was breathtaking. It may be the best film I've seen since The Patriot or Lord of the Rings as far as how much it inspired and challenged me.

So beautifully filmed, showing the incredible scenery of Australia in a remarkable way. The characters were stunning. So much bravery and selfless sacrifice for one another. They're living life to the full. Even when it seems impossible to carry on...they keep going, even if it costs their life, to finish what they set out to do.

There's a quote early on in the movie...I wish I could remember it better. But Hugh Jackman's character, Drover, says something like, "All a person takes with them from life is their story, I'm just trying to live a good one." Wow, if I would live with that mindset and not get so concerned with all the material things of the world. It's the things we do, the lives we touch that really matters. What story are we telling through the life that we're living?

Well done Baz Luhrmann, in directing a truly epic masterpiece that can speak to all hearts and make us stop and think about where we're at and what we're doing. At least that's what this film did for me.

Old Mill

Yesterday I went to town with my sister and while she had a job interview I wandered around one of my favorite places...

I love this bridge and loved the reflection of the flags in the water here:

And I know I'm really quite strange but I loved the shadow on the wood:

Great place to shop. :)

The lovely river and Red Robin hiding behind the bushes. That's where we ate dinner. :)
I had a bit of fun playing with different color settings on my camera:

Then we picked my brother up from work and....*drum roll*...I got a cell phone! So exciting. :) I haven't had one since I was in England and I've missed it.

So anyway...that's my day in photos. SO exciting...right? ;)

Rain...

Rain makes me feel so cozy. We haven't had much lately but we've been getting little bits. It always seems to happen while I'm asleep or distracted watching a film or something...but I love those moments when I'm able to catch it raining and I can sit by a window and watch it. There's something so captivating about those little drops of water falling from the sky, leaving the world refreshed and glimmering with wetness. I love the sound of it falling against whatever. (The sound of cobblestone is probably my favorite sound) When I was in England I would sit by the window with one of my Lemony Snicket books and a cup of Twining's peppermint tea. Nothing quite so delicious.
Even if your going out into the rain...I think it's so much fun to wear wellies and get to use an umbrella and rain coat. I've always felt like I'm a part of an adventure when I've been caught in the rain.
So, that's my gushing post about my love of rain.