Tumblr Thursday

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

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

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!

Happy Valentine's Day.

My, oh my.
Yesterday was wonderful!
**I had to work today, so it was nice to pile a lot of fun into one day. ;)

Nathan stopped by in the morning.
I open the door to find flowers & coffee!
Aw. He knows the way to my heart. ;)

We got to chat with my mom and sisters a bit.
I also forced them to take photos outside with me.
I am glad they did. I'm not so sure that they are just yet.
It was very cold.



The afternoon called for lunch and a nap!
By late afternoon, the last bit of snow had fallen.
Always sad because that first day of snowfall is always so beautiful!

After all that, we went to visit with Jordan, Tyler, & the boys for a couple of hours.
It was filled with snow balls, laughter, popcorn, and a fierce game of Phase 10!!


**Disclaimer: If you have not played that card game, then DON'T! It makes you angry when someone is a couple phases ahead of you. I promise. It really will. I'm telling you all this for your own good. You can thank me later. 

Nathan & I then headed to our crappy theater in town to watch 'The Vow'.
You should all know that I did NOT shed any tears.
Well, any "visible" tears.
My eyes stayed watered through most of the movie, though.

PS: I had the one of the WORST shifts in the pharmacy tonight.

I didn't expect to see Nathan at all.

But, being the sweetest guy around, he surprises me with those lovely flowers and coffee (right up there)!

I am one lucky gal. ;) 

Happy Valentine's Day!

No matter how it was spent - with a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, friends, siblings, or parents - I hope it was filled with love. 

Oh ... & lots of hugs. ;)

If you asked me...

If you asked me ... I'd tell you that this morning was beautiful. That in between all the joys and struggles, the Lord always shows up ... even when I don't think He does. When I whisper the sweet name of "Jesus" softly under my breathe, my heart feels at peace with the world. 

If you asked me ... I would tell you that I can't wait to be married one day. I look forward to having little kiddos running around, but for now ... I'm content with not having any. ;)

If you asked me ... I would tell you that just because I am always nice, doesn't mean I always like everyone. People can be cruel. They can be mean. But, there are also those who fill my life with love and laughter. I am so grateful for them. 

If you asked me ... I would tell you that I worry too much about what people think of me. I tend to seek the approval of what my life is worth through others, instead of from the Lord. I hate that. 

If you asked me ... I would tell you that I love watching sad movies. They remind me that life is short, beautiful, and messy.

If you asked me ... I would tell you that though I do not always talk about it, I worry about my weight.

If you asked me ... I would tell you that I haven't always been the greatest friend. I try. Sometimes I fail. I'm still working on it.

If you asked me  ... I would tell you that sometimes I am selfish. We all are in some ways. I pray that God would help me in that area of my life.

If you asked me ... I would tell you I don't like taking family trips. We all end up arguing or mad at each other. So, I would rather arrive seperate. :/

If you asked me ... I would tell you that I watched 'Dirty Dancing' this afternoon, for the millionth time in my life. And that Patrick Swayze still makes me swoon after all these years. ;)



If you asked me ... I would tell you that I dream of a day when I wake up and don't feel anxious over my worries and fears. {{That will be a beautiful day!!}}

If you asked me ... I would tell you that some of my favorite days are the quiet ones. The days filled with coffee, books, blankets, and a notebook.

"Take delight in Him, and he will give you the desire's of your heart." - Psalm 37:4