a week's worth of words, punctuation and photos

First of all, thank you all for your wonderful comments on my last blog.  The service went really well, I think, and I didn't even cry when I spoke. :) Dorothy was loved.

In other news, I left Springfield for San Antonio with Anthony on my birthday this last Tuesday. I turned 21!! I spent the day in the car, so it wasn't that exciting. 

But before I left, my amazing co-workers brought taco salad and cupcakes for lunch at work. It was so sweet of them, and I ate my weight in taco stuff.  While I was in the car, they texted me a picture of them holding a "Happy Birthday" sign. It totally made my day, along with all of the Facebook notifications I was getting. Twelve hours in a car gets boring, and this really helped my day move along, nicely. :)

I took after my mom and made egg salad for sandwiches so that we wouldn't have to stop on the way. 

As you may remember, Anthony bought me Mumford & Sons tickets for my birthday. On my birthday, he gave me a flask with owl print on it. I didn't take a picture, but it is super cute. (ha)

We got into San Antonio just in time to see my brothers' swim meet. They did awesome! I always hated the swim team, so I have no understanding of their enjoyment.

Being 21 and all, I stopped at a gas station on the way home and bought my dad a six-pack of Heineken.  Although this picture is extremely blurry, I thought that it pretty much summed up the experience. ;)

OH, and I wasn't even carded!! (Laaaaaaaaaame)

On Wednesday, my family went downtown to the Riverwalk and the Alamo. 

 

That night, I went out with my good friend, Sherry. She bought me sweet potato fries, Newcastle and ice cream for my birthday. It was great catching up with her, and I'm looking forward to the next time we can hang out!

On Thursday, my mom and brothers went to Mustang Island to go play in the ocean.  I didn't get any pictures of the boys jumping the waves, because they were really far out.  I went in the ocean for quite a bit, but then I went back and hung out with my mom.

After chilling out on the beach for a few hours, we went to Corpus Christie to visit Anthony's family that lives there. I had a great time meeting them, and we are attempting to plan a QUICK trip back to their lake house for the Fourth of July. Help me convince Amy to come along!! My family is even considering going down with us! It would be amazing for Amy and her kids to meet my family.

Ant's uncles let my mom and brother shoot their bow and arrows. They had a lot of fun!

Isn't Courtney beautiful?! I'm trying to convince her to read "The Hunger Games," and I think she's going to... especially because Amy had suggested it, as well.  Connaly (I don't know how to spell his name..) played with my younger brother, Chris. I think they got along pretty well, and I really appreciate the fact that he invited Chris to hang out with him.

Friday, my dad's side of the family came over for lunch to celebrate my brother's 13th birthday and my 21st. We had a great time, as usual.

My mom gave me a wonderful present; in fact, I think it's the best present she's ever given me. My grandma made this piece to go on a pillow, but my mom framed it, along with a copy of my tattoo. (it is her signature coming out of a spool of thread) I can't wait to hang it up.

Afterwards, Ant and I went back downtown so that he could see the Riverwalk at night. 

After a few hours walking around there, we met up with my best friend at the Lion & Rose for dinner. I miss her so much!! (We are the ones on the left.)

Random: I got to see my dogs!!! Gretschyn is actually mine, and I picked out Clover from the pound several years ago for my family. It's a long story, but Gretsch is living with my family now. I've missed them. :( :(

Saturday was spent with my mom and oldest younger brother. We went out to dinner, shopped, etc. It was really nice to spend good time with them. I also went to lunch with three of my really good friends. I didn't get a picture, but it is always nice to see them. I miss them all, terribly.

Sadly, on Sunday, I had to say goodbye. GAHHH- I hate saying goodbye to people. I know that I'll hopefully see them in July and maybe later this summer, but its' still really hard to be away from my friends and family.

On the way home, Antho and I stopped in Austin to eat breakfast with my birthfather, his fiance and their daughter.  Paul and Tara made a delicious breakfast, and Ant and I had a great time hanging out with them. Paul's brother, Kevin, came over with his daughter to take pictures! I didn't expect this, and it was incredible to see them after about ten years.  I so wish that I could have spent more time there, but I guess I'll just have to make another visit, soon!

Isn't Kaia beautiful?!

We also stopped in Plano (near Dallas) to see my Aunt Wilma and Uncle Jack. I haven't seen them in a year, so that was also wonderful! I love them both so much, and my Uncle Jack reads my blog, so here's a shout-out to him!!

We got back on the road and headed to Springfield.  We got in last night around 9:15pm, and Anthony unloaded his car, which just so happened to be crammed full of books, a bike, shelves, etc. that he graciously agreed to bring back with us. OH, and my grandparents gave me a gorgeous set of dishes!! I need to write some thank-you notes, obviously.

So, sorry for the picture dump, but I know that I have family waiting to see "evidence" of the trip. Thank you to everyone in San Antonio who spent time with me while I was there, even if it was just a couple of hours. Thank you, Paul, Tara, Uncle Jack and Aunt Wilma who let Anthony and me stop by, and thanks mom and dad for an awesome time!! Evan and Chris, I miss you! Please remember to take that money I gave you to do something, together. 

And Anthony, you were the best person to travel with, by far. Your driving was superb, and thanks for letting me pick most of the music. :) You're incredible! (... he put up with a lot of crap from me)

Thank you, everyone else, for the birthday wishes and keeping up with me from San Antonio!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week.  I start my summer school classes today, and then I graduate in August!! 

Cheers, all. 

I am in a very good mood.

I am not always in a good mood, so this is relevant!

Good things about today:

1. I slept in!

2. I remembered that somebody described me as "alluring." I have never been given that description before, and it kinda made me feel good about myself. Haha!

3. I discovered Beach House's album, Teen Dream!

4. An old lady at work told me that I'm good at everything! Oh man, hello, self-esteem boost! (Haha.) But then again, another lady looked at me and told me that I will always look homely. Oh well. 

5. This song came on and made me feel very empowered. This rather recent break-up left me very battered, but this song made me feel quite alright about it, oddly. It was nice. Have you noticed that music sort of defines me, yet??

6. I wrote four poems about old people.

Here is one of the ten I will turn in tomorrow. I never thought that poetry was my forte, but my professor seems to think I'm pretty good. Who knows, really.

Losing Sight

Yesterday, I thought that what I’ve

been doing is of no consequence.

I’m tired of repeating myself

to people that will never hear again.

I’m worn out trying to understand

where your mind is when you

talk about your deceased parents

in the present tense. I don’t

want to walk slowly anymore,

just so that you can catch up, and I’m

tired of taking so many factors

into consideration when trying to

simply offer a drink. Is the temperature

too cold for your gums? is there artificial

sugar for your diabetes? Will your epilepsy

warrant a lid, or should I hold the straw

for you? Do I need to thicken the liquid

with powder so that you can swallow, or

can I just put the cup down and walk away?

But when I trudged into your room yesterday,

I saw you crying. Unnerved, I sat down

beside you, and when you put your head on

my shoulder, I felt the ninety-three years

of life and individuality leaning on my

short years, and I wondered who I was

to stir a drink for someone like you.

7. I was mentioned on Amy's blog, and it made me feel like a million buckssssss.

Check out her posts; she's awesome!

8. My little brother called me while I was at Ziggie's and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. He reminded me that he only gets $5 a week, so my gift might be kinda late. I told him that I like owls and that he should draw me a picture and put it in a frame. I really hope that's what he does, because I'd love to have "little brother art" hanging in my apartment. He cut me off mid-sentence to let me know what he wanted for Christmas. Que cute.

9. I came home to find mail!!!!!!! I love mail!!!!!!!!

My mom sent me the cutest hand towels to make my home more festive.

Isn't she the greatest?!

10. I am now home to study for a final and finish up some poetry, and my house smells like cider. Thank you, super awesome candle that only cost me $5 from Walmart! You were the best five dollars I ever spent. Maybe I should have told my brother that I wanted another candle for Christmas... This has been my favorite candle for going on two years now, so here is my official recommendation for candle lovers: Mulled Cider from WALMART!

Alright, well, I can't avoid finals any longer. Wish me luck, friends!

Cheers. :)