my friend, mindy kaling.

Ok, ok so obviously I have yet to post the second video from my trip to Atlanta for the Passion Conference. In my defense, that is because I have been deathly ill this week. 
I probably wouldn't have died, but in my over-dramatic mind, it sure felt like I might have.

So, maybe I'll post a follow-up video soon.
Maybe not.
Who knows. 
Honestly, I'm terrible at committing myself to something and following through most of the time.
Which isn't a great quality, I'm aware.
I just try to remind myself that I'll get better. 

Anyways, this morning I had plans to get up, clean my room up because it looks like the tornado from The Wizard of Oz came through it, do my large pile of laundry, and attempt to clear out the mess in my vehicle.
None of that has happened thus far.
It is 11:25am.

So what did I do instead?
Oh, I finally sat down to read Mindy Kaling's book.

Let me just say that I wish we were friends.
Like if I knew where to find her, I would be one of those creepy stalker people you hear about on television.
Of course I wouldn't be arrested or charged for anything.
Because she would find me in her house, probably in her library (I'm not sure if she has one, but I'm assuming), we would start talking, make jokes about our weight and how we will never be skinny, and become the best of friends that I knew we would always be. 
Yes, that is how it would go.
Afterwards, we would make arrangements to meet for dinner where she would introduce me to Zooey Deschanel. 

But for now, I have to go into town with one of my "real-life" friends.
Then, I will come home and clean.
Maybe...or nap.
It's raining outside, I don't have to work, and that basically means I should nap all day.
Oh, and then I'm meeting friends to go watch 'Pitch Perfect' at their house.
If you haven't seen that movie, then get off the computer now, go to RedBox (or wherever you rent movies), rent it, and then get ready to laugh so hard you'll cry. 
I'm serious.
You can thank me later.

Happy weekend, friends.
much love, 
colie.

Guest Post: Funny Lady.

I'm stoked about this guest post.

I know you are all going to love, Heidi.

She is so funny! Seriously.

& I am pretty sure I tell her that EVERY time I talk to her.

She is probably sick of it, but it's true.

Plus, she and her husband are the cutest. 

Oh, and she gets to travel A LOT, which makes me jealous!

----------

First off I want to say thank you to Colie for having me. I have loved our email/text exchanges over the past few weeks, she is truly a breath of fresh air. And she has fun Instagram pics, you should follow her. Bonus, her birthday is my wedding anniversary! Happy May 29^th to us!

Hey! My name is Heidi and I blog over at Heidi of the Future. What a strange name you might be thinking... yes, yes it is. I started my blog when I moved to China in 2009 to teach English to university students. My family and friends needed to stay up to date with all the weird food I was eating, so my blog was created. At the time I was in the future, aka 14 hours ahead of America, but now that I'm back stateside it sounds like I'm into science or time travel or something...

Life didn't become normal just because I was back home in Oklahoma (love you Oklahoma!). It actually might have gotten crazier, and China is crazy. Ten months after returning from China I was married to my super long distance out-of-the-country boyfriend who stuck with me when I said, "I'm going to China, date me if you want, I'll be back in a year". He is also from Oklahoma (miss you Oklahoma!) but moved to Philadelphia to start optometry school.

So, I found myself married and moving the next day to Philadelphia where he was the only person I knew. China prepared me for this... my independence (I also was living in the city where independence happened… or something like that). I lived there for 8 months before starting out on the next journey of our life... optometry rotations. We move every 3 months to a new state, and there is never a dull moment.

So I write about our day-to-day (or week-to-week, not a lot happens sometimes, that's when I just post youtube videos) crazy adventures. We have no money, no friends or family around us usually (we do right now in Denver!), so it's just us... being gypsies... loving life, trusting God, and seeing the country in a really unique way. I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, okay, maybe getting paid, but that's all. Okay, and having my people to travel along. That would be cool.

So come stop on by, say hi. Who knows, maybe I am moving to a city near you, and I need friends... Like, really, I need friends. Anyone? Also we need a place to live in Miami... anyone?

----------

So, now go do yourself a favor and pop on over to her blog.

Say hello and stay awhile.

It will make her day! :)

Happy Wednesday, friends.

much love,

xoxo.

Hey, hey!

[instagram: theplaidsparrow]

I thought I would share some oh-so interesting information about myself.

*dosed with sarcasm, becauuse it's more funny, than interesting!!* ;)

-No matter what, I have to put lotion on my feet EVERYDAY!

-I hate actual cherries, but my favorite pie is cherry pie.

I also hate the taste of watermelon, but anything flavored watermelon is the BEST!

-The radio or tv volume must be on an even number.

-If I have plans to go to work or anywhere else, I must wake up 2 hours before I have to be there.

-I can have up to 20 dreams in one night, and not remember any of them.

-I think about cutting my hair daily. Then, I'm reminded that my teenage sister said she would shave me bald if I did. ha. (This is due to the fact that I cut it every year and hate it every time!!)

-I used to love Twilight. Now I don't.

I also don't plan on watching the rest of the movies.

-I pretend that I am a professional singer. 
In my room. 
Alone.

-I prefer ice water in a cup, rather than a glass.
-Sometimes I like listening to sad music or watching sad movies when I'm down and out. They actually make me feel better?? 
(Strange. I know.)
-I will always read the book before the movie, expect for The Lord of the Rings. I just couldn't get through it! :/
-I am addicted to those Girl Scout thin mint cookies. Its bad ... really bad.
-There are times that I randomly want to break out into dance. 
I don't...which is me doing everyone a favor!
-People think I'm lying to them when I say I am about to be 25. They think I'm 18. Sometimes I wind up agreeing so that I can feel "young" again. ;)
-Oh, and I wish everyone had a nickname. I just like them so much more than "real" names. I don't know why. It's just my thing, I suppose.


I hope you all have a lovely Wednesday!
much love,
xoxo.

Oh, to be Roseanne Roseannadanna!!

I did this post before I had any followers.

I was thinking about how crazy my hair has been in the mornings lately.

So, I thought I'd share again how my frizzy, awful hair reminds me of one funny lady!! :)

This photo had to be shared for many reasons, but I'll keep it short with just three. ;)

1. I love Emma Stone! She is absolutely hilarious, yet endearingly sweet.

2. Gilda Radner was one of the best actors on SNL. Period, folks.

3. Can we talk about Roseanne Roseannadanna?! :)

I have a such a great fondness of this character. I have naturally curly hair and growing up I would wake up and my hair would just be an absolute frizz-ball, disaster! (& it honestly still is most days) Without fail, my parents would look at me and say, "Good morning, Roseanne Roseannadanna!!"

I would stare at them dumbfounded because I kept thinking they were referring to me as Roseanne from the sitcom. I hated that! After a few years, it finally dawned on me who they were talking about. I have to say that though I was slightly confused at first, I don't mind knowing NOW that I was referred to as one of the best characters on SNL!! **I probably wasn't any where near as funny as her, but no one has to know that part. ;)

Ridiculousness for my 100th post! :D

I have so much to say ... about nothing, really.
So enjoy! ;)

Ok, first of all ... the other night consisted of me catching up on the past four episodes of New Girl + the past two episodes of the The Office! -- So, my face hurt from laughing so hard before I finally crashed for the evening. ;)

Let me start off with saying that I am pretty much still IN LOVE with New Girl.

Zooey Deschanel is always so awkward and strange and funny ... goodness it makes my heart happy!!
Can we please talk about how awesome it is that Schmidt & CeCe are "together"?! Yup!! The greatest part is that they actually like each other, but pretend as if they don't because they think the other isn't wanting a "real relationship". Pure awesomeness and hilariousness ... the second one may not be a word, but I don't care. ;)

via

Also, though I do like Mr. Fancyman, or Russell (aka Dulmont Mulroney ... *swoon* for an older man, please! Thanks.) ...

via



via



... I am going to be OH-SO happy with Nick and Jess are finally together. They will probably wait until the end of the second season to keep us all holding on, but it IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! (I'm sorry that I am so obsessed over them getting together, but if you watch the show then you understand... I hope!)

via

**WARNING** ... If you do not watch this show ... plesae don't tell me. I'm not sure we can be friends. So, start watching it now or just lie to me. ;)

Now onto The Office, folks.
Alright ... so I have been an Office fan from Day 1.

via

I absolutely love their sense of humor. I've always heard it was one of those shows that people just loved or hated. Well, I obviously LOVED it! :D

I'm not kidding.

I can just watch a few minutes of the show or a screen cap and I am busting a gut! Its cray, I know.
For those of you who understand my feelings, do you remember when Jim liked Pam, but she was engaged to someone else? Do you remember the time when Jim and Pam were "just friends".

via

Pssh. I don't either.
They always loved each other.

I can't even talk about how amazing the wedding episode is because I wouldn't stop talking about it...

Plus, I seriously can't help "laughing out loud" (no joke) when I remember Dwight kicking the bridesmaid in the face!! Oh, man.

Do you remember how awesome it was when Jim and Dwight were constantly pranking each other??
The best was when Jim dressed as Dwight. Then, Dwight dressed up as Jim.
:)

Oh my ... and do you remember how ridiculous Michael Scott was that one time .... oh, wait. That was EVERY episode. Nevermind.

Basically, do you remember when The Office was the most awesome thing on television??
Do ya?
I do.
& I miss it. :(

Don't get me wrong. I was definitely laughing at a few things during both episodes, but all I kept thinking was I really hope Michael Scott makes an appearance before the season is over to save the show!

And nothing exciting ever happens with Jim and Pam anymore. It literally breaks me heart. It's like they have no role on the show as a couple these days. Half the time Jim is doing is own thing. I am just holding onto hope that it was because Pam was preggo with their second baby this season. Maybe it will change next season?
Ugh. I dunno.
I can't even talk about it anymore.

ANYWAYS!!
I know a lot of you won't care about this post.
That's ok. I am just rambling.
However, if any of you do watch (or watched) either show, what is your opinion on them?

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

the random thoughts of my life.

- Instagram-ed for the first day in a week yesterday. (breaks my heart)

- Got through an extremely stressful week last week

- Praying for direction, patience, and understanding

- Wishing so badly that I could just hop on a plane and travel the world!

- Missing my Dallas friends, oh-so much.

- Watched all the Scream movies. Had nightmares that someone was trying to kill me. Dumb decision. I know.

- Trying desperately NOT to cut my hair. (When it is at the "in between" stages, I just want to chop it off!!)

- The weather has been a bit chilly. It is making me miss the warm weather we were having around here. I suppose I didn't realize how grateful I should have been while we had it!

- Went to the gym the other day! I felt fantastic afterwards. :) I hope I continue doing so.

- Spicy Ranch Dressing is the BEST!!

- Coral & Mint fingernail polish is the cutest colors for spring.

- I remember how I read non-stop growing up. I wish I still did. I don't make the time anymore. :(

- I still LOVE coffee. (**prove below)

- I am getting four days off of work. It has been glorious so far.

- Zooey Deschanel and I should definitely be friends, along with Michelle Williams, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence. :)

- I want another tattoo. Srsly. Soon. I am thinking for my birthday next month!?

- Loving the fact that there are so many lovely women (and men) out there with encouraging, funny, and inspiring blogs.

- I dream about one day waking up and I being british. :)

- I have never liked my hands. They look old and wrinkled to me. :/

- I am looking forward to a fun roadtrip with friends this coming Saturday. It is much needed.

- I am going on a hike this morning and hoping I don't feel sore tomorrow.
- Bethany is coming home from Haiti in about 2 weeks, and I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER!! :D Srsly. I am pretty sure we are going to be great friends.
- I love Jesus. I'm glad he is my best friend.

That's it for now.
Nothing too exciting, but thanks for reading.
much love to you all!!
Happy Friday.

PS. If you haven't entered to win the giveaway for the $25 Forever 21 gift card, then you should.
Right here!
Today is the last day, btw.
Good luck!

ZD

Dear Zooey,

Can we please talk about how we should be friends?

Srsly.

I know you get a lot of requests for this and I completely understand.

I just want you to know that I am kind of funny, so maybe we have that in common?!

No? Ok.

Well I'm in love with your wardrobe. You wouldn't have to worry about me taking any of it though, because you are a lot smaller than me. ;)

Also, I need to figure out how to make my hair look as awesome as yours all the time, even when you aren't trying.

I think I would be able to give you some very good ideas for your show, 'New Girl'.

I mean, we all know at some point that Jess & Nick are going to FINALLY get together ... it will just take some time. You have to keep us hanging,

Right?! Right?! :)

Anyways, I'm sure you are very busy to be answering back some random blog message sent out for the whole world to see.

However, I just want you to know that a quote you said confirmed for me our hopeful-future-friendship:

"In an ideal world, no one would talk before 10am. 

People would just hug,

because waking up is really hard."

Thank you.

I'm not a morning person.

I try, I really do.

I think you stumbled upon something genius, though.

It is so much appreciated.

Now if only everyone would put it into practice!! ;)

much love, friend!

xoxo

PS. I also love how you look like you fell out of a magazine from the 1950-1960's!

        

Weekly loves from this past week.

This is a flash back Friday ... on Saturday! ;)

A friend & I at chili's one afternoon back in my college years.

The sweet memories. 

I love finding so many lovely things through blogs that I follow or read weekly. :)
So, I thought I'd share with you all some links that have made my week a little brighter.
Enjoy!


Don's dialogue with his daughter & what it means to her! So cute.


I always love the DIY posts from Melissa about her wedding.


This post made me laugh so hard. -- I love Lauren's loyalty to Peeta. I'm right there with her!!


I adore the watermelon skirt that Elizabeth made.
I don't feel like making one, though. It probably wouldn't look as pretty.
**If any of you can sew & get the itch to sew me this gorgeous skirt, then I wouldn't argue. ;) just sayin'!


Katie's blog is probably one of my top 5 favorites. & when her son Max writes letters to his baby sister (who is still a bun in her momma's belly), it makes me giggle and laugh so much.


Molly shared what was on her heart.


I loved Katie's mommy & daughter, daughter photos! Adorable.


Mandy's blog got a new, simple blog design (done by her husband). *loves* -- especially with her new post on being a tattooed momma!


Oh, and Jess + Rene's sweet blog that I came across the other night! :)

I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend!
My Saturday has been filled with a trip to pick up a grill (that I couldn't help Nathan carry), getting food + some coffee (yippie), all his friends coming over ... and more friends ... and more! Ha. I loved it! I just kept having to make more burger patties! -- Then we looked at funny & CRAZY videos on YouTube. :) It has been a pretty swell evening.


much love, friends!

11 questions.

I thought it would be fun to answer a few questions:

1. What is one thing you can't leave the house without?
My iPhone. I honestly think this is for most people now a days.  Our phones are our lifelines. I have gone to work before and not had my phone ALL day. It was really strange. It was probably good for me, but still ... a part of me was missing!!

2. Tell me the best place you've ever visited or vacationed.
Oh my! The best place I have ever got to visit is when I took a week trip up to NYC back in '07. It was amazing. I am a small town girl, but I love the city. I really do. I'm not sure if I could ever live in a big city, but it has so much to offer! My favorite part was all the people. It was so diverese. I loved it! :)

3. You have to sing karaoke to save your life. What song do you choose?
Oh dear. :/ I think my life would be over. Seriously. I don't sing in front of people.

4. If you could change one thing in the past week, what would it be?
That I wouldn't allow my worry or stress to effect how I feel for days.

5. What have you been eating a lot of recently?
MEXICAN FOOD. ahhh! It's awful. Really. -- I try not to, but I can't help it!

6. If you were going to be famous for something, what would you want it to be?
I'm not sure I would want to be famous. I would honestly just like to help and encourage others. I want to know that when my life is over that I made a difference in others lives ... no matter how small.

7. What is your least favorite chore?
Ha! I would have to say laundry. I'm so lazy when it comes to that. It honestly isn't as difficult as I make it, but I just put it off until there are piles and piles stacked in my room. **this is why no one is allowed to look in my room. ;)

8. If you had to live one place the rest of you life, where would it be?
Probably in a cottage, on the edge of the sea, in Ireland or New Zealand or something! Yes, yes. That would be oh-so lovely.

9. What shows do you watch regularly?
Well, I am going to be real here, folks. I used to have so many shows I watched during college that I couldn't keep up. Now, not so much. I am addicted to New Girl. I need to be friends with Zooey Deschanel. Other than that, I TRY to keep up with Modern Family & The Office! I have recently been re-watching episodes of Prison Break and 24. :)

10. Do you have any big trips coming up? If so, what?
I don't have any trips "planned", but need to make a trip down to Dallas soon. I miss all my friends so much! Plus, at some point I need to visit my dad out in San Francisco + my family out in West Palm Beach! I love trips, so I'm hoping they all happen in the months to come. 
 
11. Who is your hero?
This was always a funny question for me. I'm not sure I really have one. Is that bad? I was never super close to my family growing up and the other side of my family lived so far away. I think I would have to say the people that have stuck with me. The ones who have seen me at my best and my worst, and still love me! I think many people have been my hero, in different ways, big or small.

Now, what about you?
Feel free to snatch these questions or make up your own. :)
Happy Monday!

*Thanks to Danielle for this neat idea.

Normal.

After being up so late & now sleep deprived, I decided to leave you with one photo to start off your morning:

:) - Happy Friday!

It's true. Laughter is the best medicine.

This photo had to be shared for many reasons, but I'll keep it short with just three. ;)

1. I love Emma Stone! She is absolutely hilarious, yet endearingly sweet.
2. Gilda Radner was one of the best actors on SNL. Period, folks.
3. Can we talk about Roseanne Roseannadanna?! :)
I have a such a great fondness of this character. I have naturally curly hair and growing up I would wake up and my hair would just be an absolute frizz-ball, disaster! (& it honestly still is most days) Without fail, my parents would look at me and say, "Good morning, Roseanne Roseannadanna!!"

I would stare at them dumbfounded because I kept thinking they were referring to me as Roseanne from the sitcom. I hated that! After a few years, it finally dawned on me who they were talking about. I have to say that though I was slightly confused at first, I don't mind knowing NOW that I was referred to as one of the best characters on SNL!! **I probably wasn't any where near as funny as her, but no one has to know that part. ;)

Converse + Rain + Movie

I slept horribly last night.
Which was such a shame since the night before I had a full 8 hours of sleep.
It was kinda magically.
Really. :)

Today was a bit rainy & gloomy.
Mom, the girls, and I went out to eat pizza for lunch this afternoon.
Then stopped to do some last minute holiday shopping!
I was so exhausted, but had a lot of fun.

Afterwards, I took a nap for a bit.
I had a job interview @ 5:30 this evening.
It was a strange time for an interview, but yeah.
I was extremely nervous.
It didn't help that there were FIVE people in the interview asking me questions.
So nerve racking!!
Fingers crossed for this job, though.
Full-time, off every weekend, benefits after 90 days, and no one-on-one patient interaction!
:)

When I was finally done with my interview, I drove home to meet up with mom and libs.
We had decided early to go to the theater to watch Sherlock Holmes, but at the last minute we changed it to New Year's Eve.

I was happy to see either one.
I'm really glad we ended up watching New Year's Eve, though.
Most people think those type of movies (like Valentine's Day) are awful.
& to be honest ... they aren't the BEST movies, but I love them!
This movie had an amazing cast + New York City + funny + endearing = New Year's Eve!

It was kinda more than perfect for me. :)
Hope you had a wonderful Tuesday!
much love, colie.

ps. the out takes that run during the credits are HILARIOUS!! :) truly.

a little bit of funny, i tell ya.

i have an ubber crush on jason segel.
i think it is because he is extremely funny, yet quite charming.

the five year engagement, that he wrote & stars in comes out in april.
i am pritty sure i am going to love it. :)

watch the trailer & let me know what ya think.