sometimes. . .

when the brain is mostly dead and the blog is calling, you just need to be random.

so i will.

and i'll type in all lowercase.

because i can.

thinking today about my recent posts--first of all, thank you, like i've said a million times, lovely blog people. you are faithful, genuine, unique, and completely wonderful. i lost two followers the other day, but you know what? i don't care a bit. unlike facebook (haha, there goes the infamous pet-peeve again!) un-following is painless. FB unfriending. . .is like virtual death. not really. :P but! it makes me all the more grateful for those of you who make this little spot come alive--who appreciate the unimportant, sometimes yawn-ful ramblings of one girl, growing along. . .with YOU. makes me all fuzzy inside.

oh yeah, and i realize that--speaking of recent posts--i probably sound over-spiritual, cheesy, even. i can explain. because really, this year has been overturned, lifted up, torn apart, refreshed, destroyed, re-inspired. . .by a radical relationship with Jesus. and my blog, as a type of online journal, is just a glimpse of that new journey. remember my post, "Write Upon These Pages"? He has. not in the ways i've wanted--not in doing things, accomplishments, or meeting-of-goals. instead i've traveled a spiritual path i never knew, to this extent, existed. and THAT is something worth talking about. :)

big, beautiful group--OSR, 2013

all that said, i am finally relaxing after months of planning for The Ohio Summer Rendezvous, the homeschool alumni annual event hosted by my family. i've mentioned it a few times before, and very, very possibly you may be getting a pictorial-tour of the OSR soon. just waiting on pictures from certain photographers :hinthint: as always i've learned a lot, and each year it's a huge blessing not only to give a little something back to the homeschool community, but to see God's Hand work in, out, and through the OSR. it IS nice to have a break from the hectic amount of emails though. . .and i'm super-very-much looking forward to my month long trip to Cali next month.

ramble-y things that need rambling about*~

Hobby Lobby. is amazing. went on a crazy spur-of-the-moment "window shopping" spree with mom today. . .and we totally redecorated the house in our heads. i'm loving whimsical-shabby-chic, country cottage right now. the distressed, muted colors (like turquoise, mustard, you know, my usual faves,) canvas artwork, big old-looking clocks, simple and bold, all that jazz. so much fun. i sorta really love my mom.

THK's. because they just released samples of the latest album (Friends for Life,) on SoundCloud. and even though i've already heard most of it live, i can't get enough of just those little tid-bits. i think you should probably listen to them. right now. in fact, i'll post the link so you can. aren't i nice?

sweatshirts. as in, oversized, GAP, and very pink.

travel plans. California. for a month. in a way i hope i don't get overly homesick. in other ways. . .i can't wait. Disneyland, coffee shops, the beach, sleep-overs and movie nights with my little cousins, first visit to Palms Springs. i'm really looking forward to a time of growth, open doors, and fresh horizons!

"Fireflies" on the piano. need i say more? very challenging, especially since i have an odd half sight-read, half by-ear style of playing. i've mentioned a few times in the past that i've been playing the piano since i was six, and while i was trained classically. . .i've grown quite rusty over the years. sooo i pick music up easiest by reading the notes. . .then listening to the song on youtube. afterward i do my best to copy. ;)

last rodeo of the year. made extra exciting by hot-chocolate. perfect way to end the summer.

 ← this mug: a lovely little something given to me by a dear friend. not only is it perfect for my daily cuppa, but it reflects both of us perfectly. the animal print--her. the verse--both of us. the coffee--me. the smallest things matter most. :)

there.

i promised a random post.

in which i think i've succeeded.  

happy rambling!