Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Last January I wrote a post about a junk yard I saw off the side of the freeway on the way back to school. It is with a sad heart that I announce that my little red baby wagon, the Ford Escort SE, has gone to just such a place.

She was a valiant car (aren't all cars girls?), who made it through 2 teens learning to drive, a head-on with the house, a rear-end collision with an Idaho hillbilly, and was finally thwarted by an icy road and a cement median in podunk Idaho.

She will be missed, especially as I walk myself around Rexburg in the middle of the winter.

She served as my get-away car, my partner in crime, my location for many a photo shoot. She had zip and grit. She carried her battle scars proudly and with strength.

Wagon, my friend, rest in peace.

1998-2010

Happy Birthday

She's a cut above, that mother of mine. Always doing what needs to be done and fighting the good fight. I love her bunches and think that she is just the bees knees. Do bees even have knees? If they do, they must be freaking awesome because my mom is.

Happy Birthday Mom. You're a lady and a scholar, I love you.

Missing You

While today is my dad's birthday, it was also my Aunt Shelly's, his older sister. Shelly recently passed away and our family is feeling the loss keenly this season.

I have memories of my dad calling Shell every year on this day, joking with her about how she got the best birthday present ever, him. I know he missed her today, as did all of our family.

Shelly lived a beautiful life, and we'll continue to remember her and honor that fact.

Happy Birthday, Shelly. We love you.

Papa Wallwork

My dad was born today, and thus began the life of a true hell-raiser. Some of the stories I've heard about his childhood are kind of ridiculous. Fires, cutting down trees, selling a faulty car to his shop teacher are just a few.

For all his gruff, he's really the sweetest guy I know. He's endlessly generous and genuinely enjoys giving to others. It's definitely something I admire about him.

From him, I was lucky enough to inherit the Wallwork short legs and long torso. Let's not forget my unibrow that I'm not always the most diligent about keeping under wraps. I also inherited his love of listening to music loudly and the enjoyment of good food.

He's always encouraged me to do what makes me happy, even if he doesn't necessarily understand why it does.

I love my dad, and I know he loves me.

Happy Birthday, old man!

Cosmically Awesome!

It's finally happened! The universe has shifted. The fates have come together. The cosmics have aligned. Dare I say, that I am a little golden today?

One of my short stories was accepted for publication at an online lit magazine. It doesn't pay anything, and honestly, it's probably not that hard to get accepted there, but I'm excited none the less.

My short story, "Waiting", will be published in the February 2011 issue of Blue Lake Review. I wrote the story for a class, and submitted it for publication as a final assignment. And it got accepted. This has seriously made my year. I'm so pumped up I just want to write for days! Maybe when I get home...

Do I Know You?

It's been what, like 8 days since I last posted? We're in full out finals mode here in Idaho, people, and I've been forced hunker down and get serious.

For the past couple days, I've had my days and nights mixed up. Up all night, sleeping for hours during the day. Just 6 more days and I will be on the road home.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, I can't wait to sit in my living room and stare at the tree lights. I definitely need this opportunity to recharge and prepare for my last semester of college. Eek!

I'm in a very 80's teen comedy mood today. I think I'll watch some of the classics while working on projects today.

A little Girls Just Want to Have Fun perhaps?




Pretty in Pink is a must.



Maybe even some Sixteen Candles.



Also, Teen Witch is not to be ignored...