Now, Now I'm Gone

I refuse to be in second place
A warm body til you see her face
I deserve a sincere embrace
One to truly care about

I will not be a stand in
For the one you want to be with
Waiting for the right time when
It magically all works out

I guess I shouldn't be surprised
Half-truths are the same as lies
You may not want good-byes
But I won't be hanging around

You see I'm strong on my own
It's easy for me to be alone
I'll happily go on home
And you can figure it out

Because I have a direction
I have a purpose and election
Soaring higher from the resurrection
While your feet don't leave the ground

I don't need your selfishness
And there's not much I'll miss
No, there's not a one last kiss
So I'm gone now, now, see ya around

SDG

Playing Dress Up

This year is the first time in a loooong time that I actually put thought into a Halloween costume and have somewhere legitimate to wear it. Growing up, Halloween was my favorite holiday, and not really because of the candy. (Honestly, I always gave most of it to my sisters and only held on to the Sweetarts, Snickers, and Reese's.) But, seriously, what's not fun about dressing up and playing outside at night! It all just seemed so dangerous: staying up late, eating sweets, and wearing extravagant make up!

I'm so excited that I get to really participate again this year. I'm going to be Lana Kane from the TV show Archer.

If you haven't seen the show, Lana Kane is a field agent for the International Secret Intelligence Service or ISIS.

I've ordered a turtleneck dress, some thigh-high black boots (that I can actually wear again!), a shoulder gun holster, and a toy gun from Amazon. I picked up a wide black belt at Goodwill last weekend and already have silver hoop earrings. As of yesterday, I have the dress and gun, and I think I can pull this off! It also helps that one of my friends will be going as Archer himself to complete the look!

What's everyone else doing for Halloween? Got a sweet costume you're excited to break out?

SDG

Thrift Shop

What, what, what??

No. Not that "Thrift Shop."

And after you get the song out of your head, I'll show you what I did with some thrifted beauties this evening.

I found these really pretty prints in a local shop this morning at $3 each (the frame makes them worth at least that much), and thought they'd fit well in the house. I hated the wood color though. My immediate thought was to do a white wash, so I gathered the supplies.

Nothing fancy, just a coarse-bristled paint brush and some white acrylic paint.

Then, I just lightly swept the paint on the frames to give it a dusty, antiqued look. I'm quite pleased with the results. (Sorry for the poor-quality iPhone pics.)

I think they turned out nicely, and it took all of like 10 minutes to do, start to finish. Now to decide where to hang them... and what to do with this fire place set-- that I also got for three bucks! Black metal spray paint, perhaps? Ah, well we'll see. :)

SDG

Fall Wish List

Fall finally arrived for South Mississippi this past Sunday night. I turned the air conditioner off and leave windows open at night. I set out our little fire pit, and gathered a small bundle of sticks for kindling. I wear cardigans to work in the chilly morning air. Small changes in the weather, small changes around the house, small changes in wardrobe, and anticipating a few more. Here are some fall-ish things this new weather has been making me crave.

Comfy, warm, slip-on shoes

Some (faux)leather leggings... and these happened to be modeled by my lovely roommate who works at a local boutique. :) 

And a brown leather slouchy bag sort of like this. All my bags are falling apart and are not really fancy enough for work.

SDG

Maybe Ke$ha was on to something...

Lately, I've been really into how cute young Mick Jagger was. I can't explain it. I know I would have tried my hand at being a groupie if I were alive during The Rolling Stones glory days.

Here are some pictures.

Swoon and enjoy.

SDG

The First, First Born

My sister had her second child this weekend, a tiny little girl named Jemma Cheyenne, making a big brother out of John Carter.

Since I live three and a half hours away, I don't get to spend as much time with Carter as the rest of my family, so I jumped at the opportunity to keep him Friday night after the birth. The little booger stayed up until TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, though! He only fell asleep after he pinched his fingers in a cabinet door and let me rock and sing to him.

But as we sat on the floor of the dimly lit den, an old western playing on the TV, me humming Edelweiss like I did when he was an infant, I realized that he was special: he was the first baby born from my generation, that of my sisters and cousins. He is a first first. That privilege gives him a distinct place in each of our family member's hearts. He would always be the first, the one I loved first, held first, kissed first, practice patience with first. This even separates him from my own future children. Not that it means I will love him more or that Jemma will be less loved or appreciated. It's just that he is a first first, and that comes with just as many responsibilities as advantages.

My mother was a first first, and I was a first first, and looking back, I understand a lot more about my aunts' and grandparents' expectations and love for me. There's just so much emotion and hope that comes with that first born of a new generation. There's also a connection that's formed between these firsts. Mama and I had it, and now, we'll both get to share it with Carter.

I love you, Carter, and can't wait to spend time with you and baby Jemma and to get to know each of you as you grow up.

SDG

What's wrong? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. :)

First of all, my intention for this post is not to perpetuate the unbecoming infatuation single girls in their twenties tend to have with becoming wives and getting married. It is just a humorous reminder to myself whenever I start feeling a little down, and hopefully, it might bring others some joy as well.

From now on, whenever things don't work out with a guy, my first reaction will not be, "What did I do wrong?!!??" I've decided that this is not only an illogical response, but also detrimental to a healthy self-esteem. My reasoning is as follows:

1. I'm an reasonably attractive person. By no means do I look like supermodels in the media, but honestly, I don't want to look like that. I like the way I look. I'm healthy, I take care of my body, and I'm confident; therefore, I am attractive. 

2. I'm smart. I like knowing things. I like learning things. I like teaching and being taught. Who wouldn't want to share their own interests with someone like this? 

3. Finally, I have a good sense of humor. Not only am I easily amused and laugh at everything (boosting the confidence of whoever's cracking jokes), but I'm also quick-witted myself. And, if you happen to appreciate a high dose of sarcasm, then boy, are you in for a real treat!

To conclude, no longer will I wonder what's wrong with me. No. Hence forth, whenever a guy is leaving the picture, I will say, "What the hell was wrong with him that he didn't want to be with someone like me?"

SDG