Tumblr Thursday

3/29/2012


I thought it was about time for another one! ;)
All photos found via my tumblr
**Credit is always given, if requested!


Enjoy, friends!























Smile.
& have the happiest Thursday.
xoxo



Hello, there!

3/28/2012



Happy, Happy Wednesday!
I hope you all have a beautiful day.
xoxo

PS. I love getting moring emails from Charlie.
They inspire, encourage, and bring a smile to my face.
Please check out it out here.
Then get added to the mailing list.
Your mornings will be brighter. I promise.
:)

Are the odds in your favor?! ;)


The Hunger Games.
Where to begin?
No, seriously. Where to begin??


Sometimes I hate how novels can take over my life.
It happens frequently. :/
This has definitely been no exception, I'm afraid. 
So, I must start off by saying that if you have not read the books then you probably don't want to go past this point. -- Of course, unless you have now seen the movie.
But, if you HAVEN'T read them, then you need to be slapped. 
I'm sorry. I'm only being honest. ;)

Now I must say that I am happy that I didn't read Book 1, again, before seeing the movie last night! 
I already had a preconceived notion about how my expectations would NOT be met.
However, once I was able to let go of the reality that every aspect of the novel could not be fit into the movie, I was able to except it a little more. 

Into the first 15-20 minutes, they have the reaping in District 12.
Now let me tell you all that I obviously knew what was going to happen.
I knew the crazy, Effie Trinket would pull out a single piece of paper from the "girls" bowl, which contained Primrose Everdeen's name on it.
I KNEW that Katniss would volunteer as tribute.
I did NOT know how strongly I would be effected by her response.
Which seems silly since I was in utter shock and sadness when I first read it so long ago.
But after Effie calls Prim's name, and she walks off tucking in her "tail", everything is silent. 
So still.
I sat in the theater chair just bracing myself.
And then ... the blood wrenching scream "I volunteer. I volunteer as tribute."
I was a goner.

So, I was in trouble from the very beginning.
I should have known better. ;)

ALSO! Can we please take a moment to talk about Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark.
 Now I really like Josh Hutcherson.
I think he is a cute guy and has played some really decent roles, especially for his age.
BUT!!! I must say that I was EXTREMELY worried about his role as Peeta.
I honestly wasn't sure if he could pull it off.
With that being said, I went into the movie thinking I would very much dislike him as Peeta.
However, I'm not sure at what point -- maybe the way he looked at her the whole freakin' movie, maybe when it flashed back to him throwing the burnt bread to her when she was about to starve in the freezing cold, maybe when he screamed at her to run when she was hallucinating from the tracker jacker stings, maybe when he told her that he had always noticed her, maybe when he held her in the cave, maybe when they kissed and you knew that he gave his all because it wasn't just an act for him, maybe ... just maybe when he was willing to DIE for her because the rules changed and said there truly could be only ONE victor! 

    I just stopped worrying
 about who was playing him and started focusing on the Peeta I knew from the books. & then at some point Josh just shined through as Peeta, for me. 
  I'm pretty sure I became even more
 in love with a fictional character than ever before.  
This is sad. I know.
But please ... just let me have my moment. ;)

I can say without a doubt that I loved everyone else who played each character.


Rue. Sweet, sweet Rue.
Another tearjerker moment people!
Ugh. But I was so mad when she died. 
I just wanted to punch President Snow out.
Which is quite a shame considering I like Donald Sutherland as an actor! ;)

Aw ... and Katniss.
I'm telling you all ... Jennifer Lawrence is phenomenal!!!
I truly couldn't picture another actor to play the part.
For me, she was so invested in the character. 
I didn't doubt her for a moment!



That is all for now.
I just want to take this time to apologize for my full length novel. ;)
Please do yourself a favor and read the books or at the very least, go watch the movie!

Happy Hunger Games! 
xoxo


TED Tuesday

3/27/2012

It's Tuesday.
That means it is time for another 'TED talk'!
This week, I wanted to share Brene Brown's talk from the TEDxHouston back in 2010.

I have watched this video twice now.
I have taken notes.
I may have shed a few tears at just how accurate she is on her research done over the past six years (and longer now!).
I suppose that is the power of truth and honesty that we are unwilling to share with the world.
Please take 20 minutes to hear what she has to say about how vulnerability is connected to shame, and where we can find worth in ourselves.



Have the courage to be imperfect.
Have the courage to be YOU!
Unitl next week's talk...

much love.
xx

PS. I will be back this week for a post on my thoughts of 'The Hunger Games'! ;)

Friendships.

3/25/2012



I love meeting new people. 
I love building relationships.
I love learning & growing together.
I truly love making friends.

I'm just afraid that it won't be so easy, now that I'm older.
I just feel like I am at a strange stage in my life. 
People I know are either a lot younger than me.
They have different goals and are headed in different directions than I am.
Or I know people who are settled into their life.
They are married, have a career, and have/plan to have children.

I think that even though I am an outgoing person, I try to shield myself from new friendships.
I am so worried that it will be a waste.
For so many in my life have been.
Friendships, just like any relationship, takes time.
That means you have to MAKE time for your friends.

Life gets busy.
I know that full well.
But I hope I never forget to set time aside for those that matter most to me.

I apologize for the rambling.
It has been on my heart all weekend, so I thought I'd share.

Wishing you all the happiest Sunday!
much love, friends.
xoxo

Oh, Instagram ... how I love thee.

3/23/2012

I'm not sure how it is possible for a phone app to capture one's heart ... & yet it has happened, I'm afraid.
It seriously is becoming an issue.
I don't mind, though. ;)

Here is a glimpse through my life lately, via instagram!








 Happy, Happy Friday!
much love.
xoxo

PS. I just realized that my life looks pretty boring through photos.
So, let's just pretend that they don't show how exciting my life REALLY is, ummkay?! ;)


TED Tuesday

3/20/2012

I'm pretty sure that I will be doing this every Tuesday.
I love listening to speakers from TED conferences.
There are some speakers who aren't as interesting, but I promise there are so many amazing things to learn and be inspired from by others. :)

If you have never had a moment to visit TED, I welcome you to do so here.
In this talk, Shawn Achor discusses how happiness improves productivity.
I hope you have about 12.5 minutes to watch it.
It's interesting and informative.
Plus, Mr. Achor is actually quite funny! ;)



So now a challenge, my friends.
I plan to do the five points he mentioned to create lasting positive change.
I am encouraging you all to do the same.

1. Write down 3 things you are grateful for for 21 days.
2. Journaling about one positive thing that happened in 24 hours.
3. Excercise.
4. Meditation.
5. Random acts of kindness.

My promise is to share with you all, in a months time, how these five key points has helped improve happiness in my life. :)
Happy Tuesday!
much love.
xoxo

Whisper

3/18/2012




There are mornings that you wake up before the sun.
You have a cup of warm coffee in your hand.
There is a light breeze.
The birds are chirping, talking to each other with their sing-song voices.
A peace is placed in your heart...
& in that moment life seems as "still" as it can be.

That is how I felt this morning. 
I wish so much that those moments could last a lifetime.
Life is so easy to get caught up in.
We tend to push what is most important aside, while not intending to.
It just happens.
I wish I could say that I tried harder to listen to the Lord. 
I don't.
That must be the selfish side of me who wants to be in control.

This morning, in a very clear voice I heard:
"BE STILL"
& all I could think was that at the age of 24,  I still don't know how to do that.
I should.
It's so simple.
And then, ever so sweetly in a soft whisper, I heard:
"Be still my sweet child. I love you. "
Aw.
I'm so thankful for that.
Words. are. just. NOT. enough.

Life is full of moments.
Some are not so good.
& others are so beautiful that you wish you could capture them in a jar and save them forever.
All I can say is to remember the beautiful moments.
Be grateful for them.
Use them to push forward.
To grow.
To learn.
To love more.

I wish you all the happiest Sunday.
xoxo



Update.

3/16/2012





Hello, hello friends!
I attempted to do a vlog ... & let's just say that I was NOT very successful. :/ ha.
I'll be more prepared next time.
Anyways, I tried to do it because I figured it would save me from typing a long post.
EPIC FAIL.;)
I think it is easier just to write it all down.
It was an absolute nightmare for me to figure out how to upload my vlog.
So sad, I know! ;)

Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you so very much for all the sweet comments from my last post.
I have so much going on with family, relationships, finances, etc that I let my anxiety get the best of me.
And when I get to that point, the tears just start flowing. :(

Things are still bumpy.
I don't expect that to all change in a day, but I'm being positive and praying that this season doesn't last forever.
I think the key to change is learning that we have to actually do something different to put that change into motion.
It won't just happen on its own.
I definitely have to remind myself of that a lot!

Well, I'm about to head off to work in the dreaded rainy weather we have here. 
I'm a little sad considering my nephew will be over most of the day while I'm at work.
I am excited that I get to spend some time with dear friends tonight. :) That always makes thing so much better!
Nathan is at drill all weekend & then he works on Monday & Tuesday. So, I won't see him until Wednesday.
Bummer.
OH! & one of my baby sisters just left for North Carolina for Spring Break! Eek!
Am I jealous??
Umm... YESSS! 
She gets to go to the beach! Aw. :)

Anyways, I'm rambling now but just wanted to update you all.
Have a wonderful Friday!
much love.
xoxo



  


...

3/12/2012


Today was the pits.
I think I was on the verge of tears more times than I could count. 
I have a lot going on lately & feeling extremely overwhelmed. 

I am trying my to make the best of what I have been given.
It is not always easy.
There are times I want to throw in the towel when it comes to the people or struggles in my life.
Today has been one of those days.

I pray that God would continue to give me strength and wisdom to get through this season.
I'm exhausted.

I am always reminded, however, that tomorrow is a new day.
For that I am grateful.
So. very. grateful.






Just a quick hello + a couple photos!

3/10/2012



Hello, hello!
That was me on my way to work.
It was so nice to fix my hair, put on some makeup, and dress all fancy-like. ;)
I rarely do that for work so it was nice.
It was kind of funny to see everyone's reaction because I normally look like a bum.

Today was another good day.
I'm so grateful for them.
As soon as I got off work, I got to spend dinner with an old friend.
We work together now, but have known each other FOREVER
Nathan got to stop by for a few minutes on his way home from work.
He was so tired.
Bless his heart.
He is so sweet, though, to spend even a few short minutes with me. :)
I'm so glad I have a keeper!

So, now its off to bed especially since I am losing an hour of sleep. :/ BOO!
I'm attempting to wake up at 7am to exercise and have enough time to get to work by 9am. 
I pray that I actually do that and NOT decide to sleep in longer!
& after my long day at work I get to spend the rest of the evening with Nathan. 
Lucky girl. I know. ;)

PS. This is random, but I could live off just the smell of coffee alone. Maybe they should make a perfume that smells like it. Or I could take coffee beans with me everywhere I go.
You are probably laughing.
That's ok. :)
But, really, I'm serious!

This was me right before leaving work. 
I'm loving my new bangs!

I hope you all had a lovely Saturday!
much love, colie.
xoxo


Oh, how the tables can turn ...

3/09/2012








Hey there. 
Do you ever have those days that you wish you could relive?
I do. Today was one of them.
Nothing exciting happened, but it was wonderful.

I got contacts for the first time in over a year, spent time with my family, & had dinner with a sweet friend. 
Plus, I got to snap some quick photos of my "blacker" hair, favorite red shades (only $1), and trimmed bangs.

I was also reminded that even the smallest of things can disrupt a wonderful day.
I choose NOT to allow that to happen.
I'm learning that you can not always change circumstance or people.
So, there comes a point where you accept it, move past it, pray, and let things fall where they may.
Don't stop being happy.
Never let anything or anyone ruin your day.
Life is too short, friends. 

I hope today was lovely for you.
Remember to always find the good in every day your given!
much love.
xoxo

Happenings.



Lately:
- I am trying to work towards my goal of losing 35 pounds. 
-In that process, I'm letting go of sweets ... slowly. :/
-Wishing there was more time in each day to do more of the things I love.
-So happy to have my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews back home. It has been wonderful having them here. :)
-Stressing over finances (same ole, same ole)
-Happy that I get to dress up for work this Saturday, but sad to have to miss church on Sunday!
-I watched 'Moneyball' & 'Reel Steel' this week. Very different movies. I enjoyed them both.
**PS. No matter how you feel about Brad Pitt, I still believe he is a phenomenal actor. & Jonah Hill's performance was awesome. 
-Working on my posture because I'm pretty sure I stay slumped over far too much.
-Dyed my hair all black. (It pretty much looks the same, though)
-After today, I wish I had bought rain boots. 
**I ALWAYS say that when it rains. Do I ever go buy any? Obviously not! :/
-Reminding myself to find the good in others, even when it isn't always evident. 
-Trying to read about 6 different books at the moment.
-Finding new & interesting sites + blogs this week. :)
-I miss watching Top Gear, the UK version, so bad!!
-Thinking we need a Chick-fil-a, then deciding on breakfast wouldn't be so hard!
-AND ... waiting patiently, but on the edge of my seat, for the release of 'The Hunger Games'! Aw. I'm beyond excited & praying that all the actors hold true to each character. So, of course, I had to leave you with the official music video for Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars!!!


Lovely, right?! :)
Its strange because I used to not be a huge Taylor Swift fan. I just didn't think she was that great of a singer. However, there is such a genuine quality about her that I can't help but like.
She has definitely grown on me.
I'm so happy she did this song and included some of my favorite people!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thursday. 
much love.
xoxo