...you seem so normal at times.

-LBL

Psalm 27:14: Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Aw, just found the source of why one particular post received 180 views over the past couple days.  http://mobile.twitter.com/jonaspeterson

Happy Monday

Who knows what this week holds.  No doubt there's something beautiful.

I once wrote about a song I loved.  Only, I also decided to tell how one of my friends had deleted the song from her laptop because she couldn't stand the singers voice on that particular song.  A few days later, I had one of the longest comments I'd ever received... from a member of that band. 

Last week, I posted a link to a specific, beautiful wedding on a photographer's site. I also posted a photo below, laughing at the funny grammatical error, dreading the thought of me doing that. Both the photographer, and the groom replied.  (Obviously, there was a story behind it. I could have mentioned that we spent an hour scrolling through that wedding! But of course, I didn't.)

You'd think I'd learn.  :/

PS, I liked the sign before...but now, I kind of want that sign!

Hearts are broken.  

Alex Morgan, I'm joining your fan club.  We're sending in for pins right now!  Can't decide if we should go with the giant picture of your face or the I <3 Morgan.

I can account for US, Canada, and France (ay-o Meg!).  I also know my reader in Malaysia, since she messaged me, but I'm not so sure about the others. Pretty fun to look at. Another favorite past time, looking at the "key words searches" that lead people to my site. In tribute to tomorrow, I'll tell you one current one is "Hope solo is my hero." Another favorite: "irony in "I carry you in my heart.""

Thanks to all of you who read my blog, either from time to time, or several times a day (alright, I only know of one who does that, but I like her a lot so she gets her own shout out.) It's great to have an audience reading my blog. It's even greater to have friends who care enough to read through all my ramblings, or at least skim read... like my own family. :P

I realized tonight, one way to improve my reach of audience is for my friends to just keep traveling. :/ So, if you go to a random country, do me a favor and take a quick gander at Hope is an Anchor. 

Dad surprised Kristin and I with tickets to Aladdin.

Once we adjusted to the fact that this was really more like an adaptation of Aladdin, we were able to enjoy it. Still, taking out the carpet, Abu, and Iago...??? While understandable practically, it's just not the same. But they were clever. The singing was unbelievable, the acting was well-done, and the costumes of the second half especially were awesome. However, the special affects were nearly non-existent, and the writers must have overdosed on old Broadway showtunes. Remember, this is coming from a girl who loves the 40's and would pay to watch Singing in the Rain and Guys & Dolls weekly, but those don't exactly belong in Aladdin. I don't want to see Aladdin and Jasmine waltz, nor do I want the words "the rub" sung by the villain. Leave the rub to Shakespeare! The first half especially just seemed unfaithful to the story, and it deeply irks me when writers decide to make something their own, without honoring the original nature of the piece. You have to understand what's really at the heart of it before you try to add or adapt it. Aladdin's numerous speeches to his mom made me wonder if these guys SAW the cartoon?! That said... back again to the positive: some definitely funny moments, amazing singing, well-performed by all the actors. And maybe it was the reality that the second half really was better and seemed more in-line, or maybe it was that I had finally accepted that this was not going to be the piece we were expecting, but I completely enjoyed from intermission forward. Come to think of it, it might also have to do with the detail that Aladdin didn't mention his mom once after the intermission.

I know, we were tough critics. Aladdin was one of Kristin and my's favorite Disney movies- still is. It's one of the Disney cartoons that got released in our childhood. Plus, she wasn't blonde. We memorized all the songs, had the pajamas, played the video game (with the awesome bonus level where you flew the magic carpet and collected jewels in the stars!), we dreamt of having pet tigers and monkeys! And I'll admit, I tend toward being a bit of a traditionalist... I have perhaps somewhat appropriately earned the family nickname "The Tradition Nazi." So all that considered, it is pretty impressive that they were able to win us over some and get us laughing by the end. Favorite moment of the play "We're making music while we're fighting."  The song of three characters completely added, where their lyrics mostly mock their existence and actions. Kind of great how self-aware their part was, perhaps redeemed it a bit that they seemed like the three characters taken directly out of Guys and Dolls-- even starting out in the market just the same. :/ Being that the 5th presented that play only a few months ago, they must have expected their audience to recognize what they'd done... I hope.

The Hall of History: Boeing &UW (I just named it that). Suffice to say, we look every time. Dad gives a bit of a speech ever time, examining each picture as if he'd never seen it.  FYI: This is Denny Hall, one of my favorite buildings on campus :) I've taken dozens of photos of it over the years, many of them posted here of course.

The Chief.  We've taken many a picture with this fellow. 

'Lil Sis & Big Sis

We picked up Katherine before heading out to a lovely dinner on the water in Edmonds.   Don't worry, Kate will be seeing it on the 31st.   ;) 

City and Colour

Came across this video the other day and found it delightful.  (Love the filming.)

Sara sent me this one today too... what a sweet song.   :)   And what I'd give to play that violin.

I’m only enough
because you believe I am.
I’ll be more for you.

— tylerknott

Love this man's ^ love haikus. :)

Coffee and conversation on a Saturday morning? How darling. :)

Happy Friday!

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday. My neck and back have really been getting to me this week, and by yesterday, I was done. Add a less than pleasant.... work atmosphere, and all my energy went into finishing the day. I'd definitely planned to just stay home today, lay in bed, take some advil and ice this back... but when my alarm clock went off, I just couldn't do it. Kellys don't quit well, or call in 'sick' well apparently.

After quite the chaotic morning, which included a mad search for the missing green coat (that held the gold ticket- aka- orca card) that took me from the bus stop, back to my house, into the Walkers house twice (nothing like sneaking around your neighbors house at 7:30 in the morning hoping no one wakes up and is scared to wetting themself!), back to my house, and eventually discovering it right inside the front door. Thanks to an amazing sister the morning still managed to pull itself together from there and I was hardly late. I'm here, and it's Friday, which means I'm sipping a latte and I'm wearing jeans, a t-shirt and my green Purcells. My hairs in a pony tail and my face is just...my face. Why the details? Because, this morning, I'm enjoying simplicity and the beauty of it. I'm quite content and happy to be just me right now, in my old jeans and loosely pulled-back hair. Sometimes, the most beautiful thing really is to just be at peace, especially amidst stress and coming chaos.

You know how much I love it when friends send me "This made me think of you"s - be it a picture, a song, or a website. Jordyn just sent me this link. I love so much about this wedding, and especially this bride. You were right Jordyn, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me that it made you think of me. Now, would you come back to Seattle please?

What's wrong with this picture?

Oh Lord, let me not make stupid gramatical errors on giant signs for my wedding! :0

Open the blinds, stand still, and stare. This is my favorite moment of the day, the time between times. When hearts are coming alive and minds are being found by peace. That brief moment when the sun and moon might kiss, when lovers kiss not to say hello, of goodbye, but just to kiss. Yes, that's what the dusk is for, it's to pause and be, and be with those you love. It's to be alone, aware of your waking heart, and find peace with the day that's kissing you goodbye, and the night that kisses you good day. Open the blinds, stand still.

I know she's going to be emabarrassed, and she might even be a little mad, but I'm betting that she misses me enough that she'll forgive me (hopefully). I just had to steal this photo from whatever stranger posted it on their facebook and tagged M. Landies in it. Isn't she LOVELY?!! I miss this charming blonde's wit, smiles, literary allusions, plaid pajamas, fake british accent, and scone-man's-scones induced sugar comas. And I especially miss her morningness. Looking at this photo, I can't help but think that something has taken place in her heart abroad that's changed her forever. And of course something so literary-tested and poetic like that would happen to her. All great transformations do take place overseas, don't they? ;) Just more proof you're a leading lady in this story. Your face betrays you Miss Landies, and I can't wait to discover the beautiful changes that have been happening in your heart.

My sister Kristin just sent out an email to all the members of the family entitled, "I dare you to read my blog." The post is entitled: Things I Find Amusing About Katrina. All I can say is I have a very special relationship with my big sisters. Numbers 25- 28, which she emailed in follow-up to the fam, are probably my favorites. But big sister, you are mostly all right. :)