I love my teeth!

Meet my co-counselor, JaMicheal.  ;]  This is the type of fun we have.

Two weeks of camp left!  Yikes!

Hello!

What's up everybody! 

I'm chillin' at my friend Meredith's house and helpin' her our with her little corner of blog heaven.  I think I may have heat exhaustion because I'm feeling a bit silly.

Two and a half more weeks of camp!  Yikes!  Maybe I'll write more when school starts back up...

We'll Use Any Excuse

We'll use any excuse to spend time together (the "we" being my group of college friends).

This past weekend it was a friend's wedding.





Clint and Brynn drove up from Alabama...

Brynn is my favorite wedding date.  It's funny to think that last summer I was at a wedding with them...and it was their own!

And Hook and Julie stopped by after their trip up north.

This is actually Hook and his sister, Bonnie.

We played a TON of Beatles Rockband, which quickly evolved to Beatles Horse (of Many Colors).  Hook added the "of Many Colors" when he lost miserably to me.  When we quit the game, Hook had "Horse of M" (I think), and I had "Ho."  So that you know I have nice friends: Hook told his family I was a "Ho" at the dinner table.  I had to explain that one really quickly.

One of the best parts of the weekend: I stayed with my "long-lost family" for two days!  I don't know when we realized it, but I am definitely a long-lost member of Hook's family.  Chilling with them is always awesome and I'm so glad to have my second family.  Now I have two families I can count on, which is fantastic.

I'm so thankful to have all of those people in my life, especially on days like today.  This morning I had an interview for a job that I'd really like to have, and I know they were all lifting up prayers for me.  If you'd like to pray as well, that would be great.

And last but not least...
Kelley (my little sister) is quite aghast about my tan, especially compared to her lack of one.  I feel so accomplished: I'm darker than my "Native American" sister.

Mwuhaha.  So tan.  And an epic Chaco tan, too.

Has anyone been to a great wedding lately?  Or shamed someone with their lack of a tan?  ;]

Bragging

Sorry to brag, but this has been the best weekend ever.

{Well, not really the best ever, but it is definitely in the top 15.  I've had lots of good weekends.}
When is hanging out with four college friends not a good idea?  Never, that's when.

More to come when I get back to TN.  I'm chillin' at my second family's home at the moment. 

(P.S.- You rock, Winsteads!)

The Joys of Technology

I love all of my technology, especially my computer.  This lovely Viao enables my new Pinterest addiction, along with all of the blogs I try to keep up with. 

BUT (and this is a big "but" as they like to say at camp) sometimes I hate my technology, like when it gets a nasty virus.  

The Geek Squad guy chuckled when he saw the virus I'd acquired and proclaimed, "Oh, this is a fun one."  Joy. 

Anyways, Oopie the laptop is back with me tonight, and here are some beautiful pictures from my life to make up from my absence from the Blogger scene.

Last week was Riverbend and it was great! We saw The Beach Boys--with John Stamos!

Sunset before seeing Casting Crowns @ Riverbend.

Last Thursday we took our day camp kids to a nature center...it was beautiful!

I could live in a little cabin by a lake.

Insane storm that Michaela and I got stuck in.  Our "smart move" turned into "getting soaked."

A few hours before my computer went comatose...enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

A camper asked me today, "Ms. Abby, what's wrong with your feet?" And no, my legs aren't hairy. That's the photo effect.

Jon and Michaela's garden is INSANE.  Jon picked 16 cucumbers today, and yesterday they picked 10.

See?  Cucumbers galore.

I am a very nice counselor. The candy is my proof.  ;]

This cracked me up. The small print reads: Agent Secrets Revealed Inside.

Well guys, it's good to be back.  Does anyone else have insane gardens right now?  Or maybe insane computer issues?

Summer Reading Program @ Twenty-Something "Librarian"

Some of you may know about my love of books (ok, maybe a slight obsession).  When I was a kid, I would get sent to my room to clean, which really meant I sat and read a book for a few hours instead.  But as I got older, something changed.  School became more intense and I started doing this thing called "working."  I'm sure there were years when I read maybe one or two books--but now I'm changing that.  Reading is so rewarding and enjoyable...some of my favorite moments are at Starbucks with a good book.  

All of that to say...I'm joining a summer reading program for grown-ups!  There's this super cool girl that I've known for years named Melissa (or if you're me, you can call her Moosie). 

That's Melissa on the far right and me in the crazy wig. Anyone else do OM?

She works at a library back home and loves books even more than me.  I love reading her blog about the inner workings of our local libraries and she's a very entertaining writer (check her out!).  This summer she's set up a way for all of us older folk to catalog our reading and share the books we've read.  I know some of my followers enjoy books as much as I do, or even just want to set a summer reading goal for themselves.  Head on over to her blog to check out the program, and let me know if you decide to do it! 

I've posted two books so far:
The Help by Katheryn Stockett


East of Eden by John Steinbeck


Both were great books, but The Help was definitely my favorite of the two.  I highly recommend it. 

Ok, ya'll...now it's your turn!  Go check out Twenty-Something "Librarian" and let us know what you've been reading!

I'm alive!

There are 421 unread posts currently chillin' in my Google Reader.  Yeah, needless to say, I've been a bit absent from the blogosphere.  Camp is keeping me pretty darn busy.

But this weekend was all about FUN FUN FUN!  Namely, The Beach Boys at Riverbend (a big music festival in Chattanooga).  And *surprise* John Stamos was playing with them!  It was awesome.  I also ate a ton of Mexican food and explored some neat local spots with my friends.  I'd say it was a successful weekend.  :]

Life's Better in the Water

Man, that 3-day weekend was exactly what the doctor ordered.  I was completely exhausted and worn out last week, emotionally and physically.  Hanging out with my buddies in Alabama was perfect.  We spent all three days in the water and it was glooooorious!  ;]  

And now I'm definitely waterlogged. 

Of course I didn't take any pictures to document my trip, but I did get this one of the AL welcome sign on Friday:


And this one of my wonderful, relaxing morning at Starbucks:

Now it's back to camp and "real life" until my trip to NY over the 4th of July.  Camp can be a lot of fun, but MAN it's getting hot.  This is what I saw when I got in my car at 4:00 this afternoon:

YIKES!  Stay cool, everyone!

Song of the Week

I love music, although I don't talk about it often.

Today I was inspired by my friend, Mr. Strange (a fitting title):
Why don't I do a song of the week?

So here I am, with my first featured song, by one of my all-time favorite bands.  Enjoy.  :]

Artist: fun.

Track: Walking the Dog

MFT: 8 Tracks

     As we speak, I am listening to Sleeping Lessons on 8Tracks, aka my new favorite website.  On 8Tracks you can upload your own mixes and listen to endless mixes made by other folks.  I've found some I listen to in the morning, some that are great for springtime, and others that just make me smile.  There's just something magical about a mixtape (well, really a mix CD), especially the first time you listen when you don't quite know what to expect.  My recommendation is that you create your own profile and start finding your own favorite mixes.  Also, I'd like to take this time to make a shout-out to Mr. Strange, who creates the best mix CD's I've had the pleasure to listen to.  Thanks for making me a more pretentious music-listener.  ;]

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     So this week, my favorite things are 8Tracks and the awesome songs I've listened to there.  Share one of your favorite things with us below, and maybe go visit another person's page and check out their favorite thing.  Happy Monday!  :]

What is MFT?  Learn more here.
MFT from two weeks ago is here.

Finito.

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Spring break is over.  :[

     I had an awesome week...camping, hanging out with dear friends, and catching up on sleep (hooray!).  Now I feel refreshed and energized--ready to take on the last several weeks of school!  Bring it on!  ;]

Delicious BBQ with two friends from college...such a blessing to see them.

What did you do over your spring break?

Flamin' Ridiculous

     Anyone out there ever eaten any Flamin' Hot Cheetos?  They are seriously flamin'.  Chester Cheetah isn't kidding around with the spiciness of these bad boys.  My mouth is currently around a million degrees, but I can't stop eating--MORE CHEETOS.  Good thing I have a Lipton white tea by my side.  *whew*


     Second random thought: I've been cleaning all day for a very special guest: my dear friend Sarah!  She moved to Thailand to teach Kindergarten after we graduated last May, which means we haven't seen each other for almost a year (!).  I'm super pumped to see her and spend some quality time together.

Our first photo together...almost five years ago.  Such babies!

Graduation last May!  The last time we saw each other in person.

Don't you love seeing friends after being apart for a long time?  And do you dislike super spicy foods as much as me?  :]

MFT: Friends (part one)

     Alright guys...I don't mean to brag, but I have some kickin' friends.  And today, they are My Favorite Thing. 

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Hook and Julie.  We ate, walked, threw the frisbee, and made a Sonic run.  Perfect afternoon, if you ask me.  I'm forever grateful for these two in my life: Hook introduced me to good music and Julie introduced me to the joy of baking/decorating/house-wifery.

Clint and Brynn...they've been discussed on here before.  I was supposed to go visit them this weekend, but that didn't end up working out.  I'll have to get out there soon.  PROMISE.

My terrace ladies: SJ, Michaela, Wigal, Amber, and Meredith.  I never would have survived my senior year of college (or any of the years, for that matter) without these five friends.  We lived together last year and we had so much fun.  I miss living with them every day.

     God has truly blessed me in the area of friendships, so this is only part one of my friends.  I don't know where I would be without the support and influence of each of these people.  They have all impacted me in huge ways, and thinking about the memories I share with them is guaranteed to brighten up the gloomiest of Mondays. 

     Remember to link up with one of your favorite things!  I was having a kind of melancholy day, but thinking about my favorite things has really given me a new outlook on the rest of the day.  :]

Ok, I just realized that tomorrow is MARCH.  Talk about surprising...2011 is moving crazy fast.

Fill in the Blanks: Random-ness

     Hey, everybody!  Tomorrow I owe you a "for-real" post that's not linking up for anything, but today I'm coming to you with the Fill in the Blanks Friday linky from the little things we do.  You should go link up, too!  And I know this is a Friday party, but I'm being a rebel and doing it on Saturday.  ;]



1. I am having a kinda "blah" day.  I woke up feeling sick and sad.  My best friend's dad passed yesterday morning, so my heart has been heavy for her.  All of those things led to me going to Publix at 10:30am to buy chocolate ice cream.  Yep.

2. The bravest thing I've ever done was jump off a cliff into a river.  Ok, so it was only 10-ish feet high, but I am terrified of heights, so it was really brave for me.

Yep, that's me jumping into a river with Chacos on.

3. I feel prettiest when I'm wearing a favorite outfit and hanging out with my friends.  Also, when a guy tells me I look nice.  I can't help it: I love compliments as much as the next girl.

4. Something that keeps me awake at night is mulling over conversations.  If I had an important conversation I tend to think through it over and over and over again.  Not healthy for my psyche, but I can't help it.

5. My favorite meal in the entire world is a #1 with sweet tea (and Polynesian sauce) from Chick-fil-A.  No lie.  I'm a simple girl.

6. The way to my heart is through a cup of coffee and heartfelt conversation.  Every week before Tuesday night church I meet up with some friends at Starbucks and it's probably my favorite hour of the week.

Some of my favorite amigas!

7. I would like to get my master's in special education with a focus on emotional/behavioral disorders.  Subbing has shown me that I have a passion for working with special needs students (specifically children with autism), which is the last thing I thought I had a passion for.  Guys, I love these kids so much.  On Friday, one boy looked in my eyes and said, very clearly, "water" because he was thirsty.  Literally the highlight of my week.

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I really liked the open-ness of this week's questions.  Head on over to your own blog and answer them, too!  What was the highlight of your week?