Challenge Accepted

(I am so good at lightning round!) (image from here)

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments and emails regarding my post yesterday. It's been a long time coming and I really appreciate the love and support--that's what is so great about the blogging community. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, I promised we'd be back to TV nonsense right quick and I aim to deliver on my promises.

You know I'm addicted to TV, and one of my FAVORITE shows comes back next week (squeee!), so, I bought the DVD of the past season yesterday.

And my goal is to get through the entire series--seasons 1-3 by the time season 4 starts next Tuesday.

Pretty sure I can do it.

After all, I got through three seasons of In Plain Sight in like a week (you know my feelings on law enforcement boys on TV, duh).

Source: None via Amy on Pinterest

Challenge extended (a la Ross from Friends). Challenge accepted.

I can do it.

I know, I aim high in life.

What fall TV shows are you looking forward to? (let's be honest, I'm looking forward to like 30, but, Sons of Anarchy starts first!)

Day to Day

Today we shall stray from our constant dribble of London nonsense and get serious. Or, as serious as this girl can get.

As some of you may know, I recently quit my job. Mostly because I was waiting on Princess Kate to call me back and I obviously needed to be free if she called, but, also because my job was a major stress in my life and I was constantly out of town, sick, exhausted and bitchy--I wasn't happy and to be honest, I wasn't doing my best work. Super fun.

There was another reason I quit--my doctor didn't think I could get pregnant under the particular conditions of my job (of which I will not bore you) and I knew I couldn't do my job if I was pregnant. Which, of course, I'm not. Just like I wasn't three years ago when my husband was in his final semester of school, or last year when I finally re did the guest bedroom/"someday" room, or the numerous times I've waited to see two pink lines.

And, it's hard. It's hard wanting something so badly and trying your best to do everything right. From medication to supplements, getting poked with needles, revamping my diet, yoga, meditation, prayer. Been there, done that. It breaks my heart. I get jealous. I get mean. I get teary.

This month has been particularly hard for some reason, and that's probably why I've relied to heavily on Mr. Jackman and London. The day to day is hard (unemployed and un knocked up), so, I focus on the bigger picture: London with my dad, Maine with my best friends, DC with my in laws, Disney/Colorado/beach with my bestie, Vegas with the bff and our favorite candle thief--the other things of which I look forward to.

I don't mean to cram that down y'alls throats, but, it's what I have to do otherwise the pain will consume me, and I don't want that. I want to be fun, silly, happy, clumsy SP like always. Not bitter and bitchy.

I think part of the reason this hurts me so is because of my mom.
I had a wonderful relationship with her and that part of my life is gone. Sure, I have my big sister, but, she's a mother herself and has those responsibilities, my mother in law is amazing and I love her to pieces, but, I live half way across the country and I'm not honest to goodness "hers". I want to pass that down to my daughter. Would this be as hard if my mom was alive? Probably not, but, that's not what life handed me. So, I plug on.

I battle the day to day by diving head first into books (currently, The Iliad, a vintage copy of Oedipus from the BFF and of course, Pride and Prejudice), chick flicks (Bridget Jones, Under The Tuscan Sun, 27 Dresses), musicals (Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, South Pacific), and the occasional action movie (The Losers, The A-Tream). And lean on my friends.

Friends who give me bruises the side of Vermont, letigooooo with me and plan Waxine dates. Friends who send me Princess Kate related texts even when they have way too much going on in their own lives. Friends who quote Les Mis with me. Friends who commiserate with me. I'm lucky to have them.

(this has nothing to do with anything other than further proof that my friends rock--new lamp in my living room)

And, I'll get through this. Somehow. Someday. Until then, I try. And by try, I mean succeed.

Hey, I might not be able to get pregnant, but, I can quote every episode of Friends and give you a play by play of Greek mythology, so, there's that.

Thanks for hanging with me today. I promise we'll be back to TV/makeup/shopping/Hugh Jackman right quick.

Ok, ok, fine. Gratuitous Hugh picture.

Source: None via Shabby on Pinterest

You're welcome.

I'm allowed how many suitcases?

Alternatively titled, Pinterest is the devil.

I apologize in advance that all you're basically going to hear out of me for the next month is "London, London, London"--I can't help it, I'm jumping out of my skin excited. Especially since it's now for real happening--it was dicey on Friday.

I was in a mood, there was arguing and accusations and tears. I blame Anne Hathaway. The BFF and I went to see One Day, which was showing at the indie theater in town--should have been our first clue. Let me just say, if you liked/loved it, loved the book whatever, you are a much better person than I. We literally just sat dumbfounded for like an hour after, I felt like I needed to scrub my soul. I need stupid comedy a la The Office. Not emotional games that are dumb.

So, I was in a mood and I shouldn't talk to my dad when I'm in a mood. Clearly. And, due to that, I was tasked with procuring all our theater tickets and now I'm super majorly broke, but, WORTH IT. (Phantom, Les Mis, Much Ado About Nothing--in case you were wondering. I KNOW!)

And that's not even counting all the outfits I have purchased for London. Damn you Pinterest.

Red shoes, skinny jeans, scarf and black and white sweater? Done.

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Striped tee, belted sweater and scarf, obviously.

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

I already had like 90% of this outfit! Silver flats, jeans, white tee, fun earrings--I have all these things (imagine me saying that in annoying Ross Gellar voice). And the scarf is on it's way to mi casa right now thanks to Anthro and overnight shipping. Ooops.

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Want that top baaaaaaaaad. (I have a purple scarf, aviators and leopard flats, oh my!)

Source: chelslee18.polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Except I have a light pink tunic instead of cream--it's purty.

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

L.O.V.E. I kinda want to marry the scarf. (Yes, I have an addiction, I'm aware)

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

I don't really want to explain the hunt I went on for this skirt, but, I succeeded, which is all that matters.

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

This could not be more "me" if it tried! Squee!

Source: polyvore.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Sensing a theme? Boots and scarves perhaps? Yeahhh, it's hot here today and I'm dreaming of chilly, drizzly London.

What are your favorite fall looks?

(and no, I didn't buy everything that is shown here, a lot of those basics I already had, but, needed some help in creating outfits!)

Backseat Living

(my momma at Stonehenge)

My mom was a traveler. My mom never let anything hold her back. My mom was brave. She didn't live life in the backseat--she took life and lived it, every single day, no matter what.

I like to think I have those characteristics, but, let's be honest, I don't really. I pretend to be brave, brash and energetic, like my mom, although, I'm really not.

(feedin' a deer, camera in tow)

That said, I'm on a mission to be more like my mom--more importantly, to live a life my mom would be proud of. Which means, (mostly) cashing in my frequent flier miles and getting my travel on--seeing my friends and family, enjoying what I've been given.

I've somehow convinced my dad to go to London with me (might have played the "but I don't have a mooooooom" card. It's only the second time I've played that on him), which means, my thought process until I get there is just basically London, London, London, accents, London, tea, London, London. I apologize in advance.
Cannot. Wait. To. Get. Back.
Favorite. Place. On. The. Entire. Planet. Sighhhhh.
(pictures from my last trip across the pond a few years ago)

I'm going to run a marathon relay in Maine with some of my best girls (squee!), I'm going to run Marine Corps Marathon with my mother in law. I'm going to give it my all and I'm going to love it. I'm gonna live life.
(at the beach in Waikiki)

There are a lot of things I don't have (kids!) (an accent!) (a pony!), but, there's a lot that I do have: great friends (who send me Princess Kate pictures, who love musicals as much as I do, who plan vacations with me, etc, I love y'all), family, puppies--and I am so very grateful for all that. I need to live a life that shows it.

(at Banff)

(at my grandpa's farmhouse)

I'm gonna be like my mom. No more backseat living for me.

If You Give SP a Horse Named Cookie...

She will fall madly in love and basically let the horse push her around.
(me, age two on a trail ride in Jackson, Wyoming. And yes, that is a picture of a picture that is hanging in my house, so, you get a nice reflection of my living room)

As previously mentioned, I grew up riding and love horses more than probably any other animal on earth (ok, my dogs are my children, but, you get the idea).

I mean COME ON, is this movie clip not AMAZING?

I recently started taking riding lessons again, and, since it's been so long since I've really been in the saddle, I'm starting at square one again.

My instructor is wonderful, I really, really like her--she teaches and rides both English and Western but focuses the entire seat and rider on the Dressage style--which, I never rode--ever, so, it's a total learning experience for me. But, I love it.

I'm riding a beautiful halfinger, which is a breed I'm not too familiar with--my first love was a Belgium named Tarzan, so, it's no surprise that I'd fall in love with a similar horse now. I'm absolutely in love with the horse I'm riding. I get to my lessons early just so I can hang out in her stall and snuggle her--I know, I know, crazy horse lady.

They are just amazing animals, and I love how connected we can be to them. My dad never took to horses, but, for me it was always easy. Something about them I just understood. I'll never forget riding around the ranch with my mom in the hot summer days and later, the cold winters learning to handstand atop a 17 hand draft horse (yes, I really did that). I'm a horse girl.

There is nothing like the feeling of being atop a horse--today we did obstacles and lead changes--and I couldn't be more excited to be back at it.

Who knows, maybe I have a future in riding :)

PS. Thank you all for your sweet comments on my post the other day, things are much better now--thanks to Hugh, of course.

(video via YouTube, horse picture via Google)

When Life Hands You Lemons

You stare at man candy, duh.

I had kind of a rough weekend, so, in effort to cheer myself up, I spent a good chunk of my time with Dr. Chase...

Agent Booth....
And the ever talented, Patrick Wilson (I not so secretly want to have little singing children with him--he's like the non Australian version of Hugh Jackman--can act, sing, and dance. SWOON).

And lest we forget, the one and only, Mr. Jackman.
Sweet lord.
Hugh Jackman should just always talk, always. And sing. And be in the rumored production of Les Mis, of course.
Sigh.

Sure, a few hours with these boys won't fix everything, but, it sure as hell doesn't hurt anything.

You're welcome.

(all pictures via Google)

Mountain Roads

On one of the last days in Montana, my parents, cousin, sister and I loaded up and headed out of town to go explore the sapphire mines in a little town a few hours away.

Because I am a camera wielding nut, my dad decided that we'd take the scenic route over a 32 mile pass--that was mostly single lane dirt road. I thought this was genius, the rest of the family, notsomuch.

This was as we were heading out of town.
The trees in the pass. There was a major drop off the right side, and my sister was freaking out the whole time. Let me tell you, 32 miles of her screaming and dad was really fun.

But, after what seemed like eternity (or, six miles) we made it to Skalkaho Falls.
Crazy, right?



You could feel the spray from the falls, and let me tell you, that was some COLD water!
The remaining miles were fairly uneventful as I believe my sister fell asleep, and once we were out of the pass, we came out in a lovely little valley.
We spent the day exploring town and then I got the grand idea to go looking for the old mining section of town--which was four miles up a dirt canyon (I mean, we surviving 32 miles of death, what is four?)--but, our reward--the ghost town, was totally worth it!

We literally could have spent all day exploring the ghost town, and I have plenty of pictures to prove it!

Next up: Granite Ghost Town!

Who knew I'd have so much fun in the middle of nowhere Montana?

Sunburned and Exhausted

Which means a successful weekend in my book!

We had a great weekend--despite the sunburn and dehydration. Ha!

I spent Saturday lounging in the pool, attempting to stay cool. Note: You can't cool down when the pool is literally hot. Stupid Texas summer heat!

That night, we had tickets to see Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton (now, remember, Sara, Blake Shelton is married to Miranda Lambert) up in Frisco at Pizza Hut Park--it was 500 million degrees and I got even more sunburned there, but, goodness, so worth it!

Love Brad's guitar!
I KNOW.



Blake doin' Ol' Red.
I have a mad crush on Blake Shelton, and this concert did nothing to stop that. Ha! He puts on a great show.
That chick behind us looks piiiiiissssed.
Oh, and, here's me and the full ensemble.
Brad is a kick ass performer too--he sang for two hours, which is a crazy long set--it was so much fun rocking out to good ol' country music all night. These are my people.

Oh, and, not related to sunburns or concerts, but, just cause--cute Ella Mae yesterday morning. You're welcome.
Now, I'm off to find some aloe and guzzle some Powerade!