Friday, November 30, 2012

Better Late Than Never

I know this is way past due, but I wanted to make sure I did it. Better late than never, right? I just wanted to talk about what I'm truly thankful for.

First I'm thankful that my basic needs in life are met. I have a home where, for the most part I'm safe. I  have food and drink to satisfy my hunger and thirst and, other than my weight, I have my health. I have a bed to sleep in and clothes to wear. I have two parents who take care of my needs while I can't.

I'm also blessed to be done with school (at the moment) and although I really need a job, I'm grateful for the time to relax and do my own thing. As much as I desperately want my own car I realize how blessed I am to have access to a car that I can use when I need to. I'm also extremely appreciative of the things my parents provide for me that I think I need but don't necessarily, like a cell phone, computer, movies, nail polish, etc. :)

Cassi and I in 2005 at Disney World! The first year of our friendship!
I also have wonderful friends who are like family and are always there for me even though most of them are many miles away. I'm grateful for the one really true friend I have here in Cove with me, Cassi. Without her I would spend all of my time in my room alone or driving my parents around. She has become even more important to me since I've moved home which I didn't even think was possible. She gets me through and through and doesn't judge the things I say or do especially when they come out wrong. I can tell her absolutely anything and she gives me an honest opinion whether it hurts or not and I'm grateful for that. She's my sister from a different mister!


Tim and I at Midnight Yell for the last
Texas A&M vs. UT game Thanksgiving 2011!
Tim is also really special to me but he is in College Station at school most of the time so I'm grateful for the time I do get to spend with him or talk to him. He is definitely someone I can be myself around and who respects me and my beliefs. Cassi and Tim have always been dear friends and I'm grateful for their very special friendships with me.
One very special group of friends from my time in college.
Becca, me, Kaitlin, and Rochelle waiting to see Breaking Dawn Part 1
at midnight Nov. 2011!





The majority of my friends are in Huntsville or scattered throughout the states and this is where I become very grateful for social media and phones. No matter the distance I'm grateful for the wonderful friendships I've made over the years and the many different things they have done for me. 


Lastly, but certainly not least, I'm blessed to have a heavenly father who loves me and is constantly watching over me and a Savior who died for my chance to have a relationship with that father. I know even through the hardest of times, there is always a purpose and a plan. I always have faith in him whether or not things are going well.

I could go on and on about all of these things and could list so many more things I'm grateful for but it would take until next Thanksgiving to write and another year to read so I'm going to leave it at these major points.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Closer Than We Think

At this moment I'm sitting here in my little small town of Copperas Cove, Texas watching a live broadcast of Children in Need on the BBC in England on my computer. The main reason I am watching this is because of One Direction performing but I can't help but realize the amazing reaches of technology.

I mean honestly 10 years ago we would never have imagined we could stream live TV from halfway around the world and we would have to settle with hoping that someone would put the clips of our favorite celebs performing overseas on YouTube or something so you could see them. Everyday the world gets a little smaller. We have access to news and media outlets across the globe and we don't have to wait days to find out about events happening in other countries.

Social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter increased our access to individual people around the world. Now we can find and talk with people who share our interests without having to be geographically close. I follow people from as far away as Australia on my Twitter and friends who have spent the last year or so living in Greece. It's amazing how we can stay connected when we are so vastly apart.

We don't realize how huge of an accomplishment some of the everyday things in our lives are. This generation is the most widely connected generation in history and I am just amazed at the amount of influence and outreach we are capable of. I think sometimes we don't realized just how influential an individual can be just because of the technology of our world. It's crazy and kind blows my mind that if I so choose I can have a conversation with someone on the other side of the world. The responsibility of our generation is to use the technology at our disposal to make the world a better place and not waste the opportunity to be a positive influence on our world.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Spirit Tutus

Cassi and I at the Sam Houston vs Baylor game.
So it's been awhile since I've been on here. I wanted to share one of my most recent and fun to make craft projects.

In September my alma mater, Sam Houston State University, played my "little brother" Derek's current school, Baylor University, in Waco and we made sure to get tickets so I could cheer on my school and see Derek perform at the game. I was looking for a unique way to show my school spirit but I was also torn between who to cheer for (the school that got all my money or the school I have grown up sort of supporting). It seems like everywhere you look girls are wearing tutus. (I absolutely adore Sophia Grace and Rosie on the Ellen show and they always wear a different tutu each time they are on the show).

I decided I was going to tie-dye green and orange shirts and wear tutus. Originally I was going to sew tulle on the bottom of the shirts in layers of orange and green but that just became too much work (and I've never really sewn before). I found this awesome post on pinterest for no-sew tutus (link is at the bottom). After looking at the details it seemed simple enough. Let me tell you it was much easier than it looks and turned out so much better than my idea would have been. I made myself and my BFF Cassi orange and green tutus so we would represent both teams.

The split decision tutu as I'll call it.

My Copperas Cove themed tutu. I used glittery white tulle as a nice accent and filler. 



















Seeing as I waited until the last minute I had to rush to Hobby Lobby for the rolls of tulle used on the blog and was therefore left with a problem when they did not have orange tulle on the roll. I decided to use a wide non-wired mesh ribbon which ended up working great. The only problem in using ribbon is the ends need to be sealed or else the ribbon will fray (as anyone who has ever worked with ribbon will know) especially the mesh ribbon. I sealed mine by burning the edges. I had to run the lighter back and forth a couple times to completely seal it but make sure not to linger too long on one place or it will catch fire and you have the pinch it out quickly. Each tutu only took me about an hour and a half to make. Cassi loved it and I loved it, so much so that I made myself another to wear for my local high school football games (and to band competitions). I call them my spirit tutus.
The first time I wore it was to support the Pride of Cove Band at their first contest.

Treasures for Tots