Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go!

I know, I know, I fell off the face of the Earth. Sorry, I was furthering my education. ;P Anywho... What have you been up to? I've been super duper busy with school and all that jazz. I'm on summer holiday now, but somehow I'm even busier now than I was in school! I've been traveling all over the place and even as we speak I am out of town visiting my dearest Grandmama. I LOVE visiting my grandma and I LIVE for the days of summer when I can come visit her all the time! So many happy memories at her house it makes me smile just thinking about it... All the times she baby-sat me as a child. All the times we cooked side-by-side in the kitchen. That time she taught me how to sew. And when she showed me how to make my first batch of brownies. And how we used to make cookies and sing "Cupcakes and Lemonade." Ahhh, it's always a pleasure being here. <3 Let's talk garage sales. I am not sure how you feel about them, but I really enjoy them. Growing up I went to a lot of garage sales with my grandma and now they have a sort of relaxing vibe to them. (For me at least... ;)) How do you feel about them? Grandmas are the greatest aren't they? I love mine to infinity and beyond and everything after that, but I know that some people aren't too fond of their's. This boggles my mind. Maybe it's because they don't know what to do when their grandma is around? Or maybe it's because they think their grandma isn't modern enough? There could be a thousand reasons, but in this post I'm going to try help those of you who can't quite seem to get the hang of chillin' with your grandma. Step 1: Address Any Problems - There is no time like the present. Why don't you take some time to fix any family problems you may have with your grandma. Now is the time to do that. Right now. Go, I'll wait right here. Step 2: Common Interests - In this age of electronics it's hard for seniors to keep up with advances in technology. If it's frustrating for you to explain electronics to your grandmother you may want to find other interests that can keep you both happy. *Go garage saleing* ;) Anything really would work. Many female seniors enjoy crafts, such as quilting, scrap-booking, jewelry making, painting, etc.. Being around people with which you have common interests is always enjoyable; seniors are no different. Step 3: Time Management - This third step is all about making time for your grandma. Anyone can take pick up the phone and catch grandma up on current family news, but how many people presently visit their grandma regularly? Weekly visits to Grandma's house sound like a hassle and besides, Grandma knows you love her, right? Not to rain on your parade, but when Grandma isn't around anymore, who'll be wishing they'd spent every minute they could have with her? Hmmm? Ooh, you'll be doing that? I thought so... So call your grandma and schedule a visit, just to catch up or chat about old times. Go garage saleing! :) You'll be amazed with the old stories that you hear. Great stories are easy to spot; they usually start with "when I was your age..." :D Happy Garage Saleing! xoxo

Lessons Learned, Sisters, Photography and Love:

I recently read that life is like photography. You use the negatives to develop… I’ve discovered that this couldn’t be more true. You see what you want to see and get what you want to get out of life. Because this is the case, you have to go through life looking at things positively and see everything as a learning experience.

My sister told me the other day that from each guy you date there is always, without fail, a valuable life lesson to be learned. At first I scoffed it off as just another overly positive, life is all rainbows and unicorns, kum-by-ya kind of thing to say. Then I started to think about it… She was correct. However, I think that way of looking at things can be expanded to all relationships.

From that guy I was utterly in love with, but who couldn’t find it in himself to love me back: I learned that fairytales are just that, fantasy. And that nothing is perfect and things don’t always work out the way you want. Sometimes, you just have to let it go.

From the guy that loved me, but I couldn’t love back: I learned to love when I’m ready, not when I’m lonely.

From the guy who fell for me, just as I fell for him: I learned love at first sight does exist, and it is magical and everything it should be. I thank you, for showing me that true love is out there. (I was beginning to lose faith…) Unfortunately, responsibility trumps all and apparently you can’t handle a relationship right now. Luckily for us we are one in the same, we’ll wait and see. I really do believe that this will work itself out and we will be great. In the words of Emilie Mover, “we can make it happen, we were made for each other.” As always, I love you, too.

Dedicated to everyone who wonders if I am writing about them… I am.

Madison goes to Monterey

Deer in a cemetary.

Recently, I went to the beautiful seaside town of Monterey, California. Not only was it breathtaking, it is where I always imagined living. I was able to visit grand places like, Asilomar State Beach and Park, Carmel along the Cabrillo Highway, Point Lobos State Reserve, and the Monarch Butterfly Pavillion. All the while, able to spend quality time photographing with my Aunt Holly and spending time with my Grandma Dorothy. It was the best trip I been on in a long time and I am counting the days until I can return. Hopefully sooner than my honeymoon which, after visiting Monterey, will definatley be in part spent there. Hope you enjoy some on the photos posted, I took them on the trip.

Surfers along the beach, I took shots of them while taking pictures of waves hitting rocks.

Madison Avenue

Okay so I deleted all my old posts and now I'm starting fresh... Again... I never know what to write about, but on this blog I promising not only myself, but also I'm promising you that it doesn't matter if I post every day. What matters is that I am enjoying this blogging experience, and if I only blog once a week then thats fine. It okay with me because lately I really have no idea what I want to do with my life, long and short term. So, since it makes me happy to write, be it in a blog or in a journal, I've come to the conclusion that it shouldn't be something that I force myself to do. I will simply blog when I have something to say.