I did it!

I can't believe it, but I did it. I moved my blog.

I am now writing over here:

www.coliesplace.com

This place will stay live a little bit longer, but I really think you should subscribe at that place above. That's where all my new thoughts will be hanging out. 

An Engagment!

I don't know if you recall or not, but I have a Life List. You can take a gander at it here.

And on that Life List is "be asked to take photos of an event." I added this about 3 months ago as a sincere wish that someone would recognize my photography and perhaps give me a chance to photograph their event. 

This brings me to this past weekend. One of my friends recently became engaged, and she had asked me if I would be willing to shoot their engagements and possibly their wedding. 

Woah. 

First, it felt wonderful to feel recognized. I think at the core of everything, as humans we all want someone to see us. Really and truly see us and our passions and hopes and our dreams. And while photographing their love may not fulfill my hopes and dreams and passions, I defintely felt recognized. 

Yet, I struggled with it. My heart was saying, "yes, yes! you're wonderful and you are a good photographer. do it." But my brain, oh that rascal, was replying, "huh. you're a student. and not an art student at that. you can't do this. they won't turn out well, because you don't know what you're doing. Only real photographers can do that." And that last comment is the crux of it isn't it? Well, after debating, I finally told my brain to stop. Seriously, stop. If they don't like the engagements, then we will find another photographer. It's okay. 

So, last Sunday, I met with Mary and Shawn at the place where they were engaged and I had the honor to photograph snippets of their love. And I have never experienced something quite as great as that. 

Below are a couple of my favorites, but you can see all of them on my flickr page.

So doing this as brought up some pretty significant thoughts in my heart and my head. 

And I owe it to Mary, for recognizing me.

(I would love to hear your thoughts about the photos - you can comment here or on any of the images on flickr!)

Don't Stop

I have been in love with this commercial since I first saw it. It's one of those that I stop the fast forwarding of shows to watch.

I don't know what it is about this commercial: the music? the costumes? the dancing? the message maybe? But I adore it.

I hope you do to.

Things to do on the journey

 

Be joyful. |  Be gentle. | Worry less. | Love.

 

Repeat.

 

Be joyful. |  Be gentle. | Worry less.

Repeat.

 

 

Be joyful. |  Be gentle. | Worry less. | LOVE.

 

And, repeat.

thoughts from my lovely,
inspiring,
and beautiful
friend.

what is your favorite memory?

perfect for someone like me who loves this stuff. i'm smiling ear to ear now.

some are predictable. some aren't. but they are all fantastic.

my favorite memory..... it's a tough but great question, because like the first guy says, all these wonderful ones come rolling through. but, mine center around friends and food, i'm sure of it. whether it was dinners during summer of 2008 with friends who came by, or parties thrown by my parents, or farewell summer parties. those are my favorites.

what is your favorite memory?

Take Your Time

It's funny to me how something that I meant to be a short hiatus turned into a break for three months.

I joked at one point that it's interesting how during the school year I can hardly do anything but blog, play on facebook, and hone my Pandora stations, yet during the summer, I hardly keep up with anything but the sun and books.

I typically beat myself up for this, but meh. There's nothing good which come from that.

So, friends who are still paying attention, hello again! It is a pleasure to be back and starting an adventure again.

Wishing you lots of love

Magic

If you know me, at all really, you know that I find books to be magical. I'll give almost any book a shot, and most times I am pleasantly surprised and transported away. The mister often gets nasty looks if he tries to interrupt me, and if I'm at the end of a book, well, you're just out of luck.

I used to daydream about being a housewife so I could spend all my time reading.  I quickly realized a bit more is expected from a housewife and I would hate it, but I just wanted to read.


One thing I find fascinating about books is how reading them changes. My understanding changes each time a re-read a book, or pick up a book I refused to read before.

Let's take "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" for example.

Chances are, you are more familiar with this book as movie then as fiction. That's okay. I did a book report on the movie*. I loved the movie so much that I was determined to read the book, because I knew the book would be loads better**.

But I couldn't read it. Not because it was above my reading level, mind you, nor because I ran out of time (ahem). But because I didn't get it. I was in 8th grade and I so desperately wanted to understand it because it seemed so good, but it just wasn't so.

Within the last month though, I've been seeing the title and have been itching to read it. On Saturday, the mister and I happened upon a Library booksale that had many copies and I picked one up for $1.50 and started reading it that night.

Funny enough, I can't put the thing down, whereas before I dreaded cracking the cover open. See, I get it now. I get where the story is going and why the author is using the style she is using. I have more life experience to understand where the characters are coming from.  And it's quickly becoming a favorite.

This is not the only book this has happened with. There are many books that I read again and again because I get it differently the next time. It's a big reason why I re-read and don't let people tell me that re-reading is a waste of time because there are so many great new books out there. I know what I like, dammit.

I also think books are magical. I'm sure it's some psychological condition when you read something that fits you just|perfectly at that moment in time. Whatever it is, I attribute it to the magic of books.

And magic of the universe.

One of my favorite quotes is from Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. You probably know it.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Which is how I explain things like this:

I finally purchased a book that I've wanted for a while. I needed it for class, but I've wanted it for two years. And I bought it from a used website, from someone in Canada for $11. I opened it today and there was this inscription inside, with my name. At first I was thoroughly confused; why would a person I don't know write an inscription to me? And then I noticed the date. It's from 16 years ago.

And it reminded me that the universe is as it should be. That I am where I should be. And that books are still magical. 

*I got an A, thank-you-very-much.
**98% of the time, the books are so much better then the movies. You know it, too.

Garden Chronicles - Part 5

The husband and I were given a little piece of earth by our landlady to turn into a garden. We're doing our best at it. To catch up, look at Part One here, Part Two here, Part Three here, and Part Four here. 

So, when we left off last, I totally felt dejected by the garden. Then, I didn't touch it for about a month. 

On memorial day, we headed out to a friend's home and helped them plant their garden (which, by the way, is the size of our apartment) and then we came back to ours and they all helped us. Which, left us with an amazing garden. 

See? 

We planted:

Bee Balm

Peony

Phlox

Bell Peppers

Habeneros

Jalapeno's

Cabbage

Green Beans

Carrots

Onions

Strawberries

Blackberries

I'll have more photos later. Like the green beans that we grew!! Actually grew. And herbs. You'll love the herbs. 

Happy Weekend. Yes, it's Friday. No you don't have to think about Rebecca Black. Promise.

Texas in 2011 Part II

Haircuts

 Life Changes

Love

Friends... short and tall.

in-laws and sunsets

Cute guys.

Bar-B-Q. The real kind.

Gulf inlets.

A second set of parents

The beginning of the meat brigade at the party. 

A golf cart seat on top of a four wheeler. Love, Texas. 

My mister's hair was being beautified. 

A father in law and my mister. 

Mama in law with us at the airport. 

And, of course Moonshine.

Joyed

It's good to be home! 

My Mister and I spent Wednesday through Sunday in Texas celebrating his youngest brother's high school graduation. I met that kid 5 years ago -- he was 12 or 13. Geez. 

And I have a lot to tell you about this week! 

We have many, many garden updates. I have photos from The Mother Land (ahem, Texas). I have a clean home, my ankle is on the mend, and even if I was ticked off that there was cat litter in the bed last night (gross), I am a happy girl.

So, friends, I will see you back here this week and we'll chat about life, gardens, and the bachlorette.

Hello, You

You. Yes, you. I am writing this for you.

I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you. No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it’s not. I am writing this for you.

I want you to know, life…it’s hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.

You should be happy. You are gorgeous.

I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun’s warm rays on your face. Or that cold February wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?

You are alive.

Everything will be okay.

via

A Home for Pretty Things

I know that you've heard of Pinterest by now.

Leah said it perfectly: "If you’re not familiar with it, Pinterest is a site where you can collect images from all over the web and share them with your friends and followers on a series of themed “boards” on any subject you choose: fashion, home decor, books to read, recipes to try, products to buy, projects to tackle, ideas for your kid’s upcoming birthday party, or just cool stuff you want to look at and share."

What shows up on your home page is based on who you're following. But whatever shows up, I promise you will love it. The beauty and inspiration and wisdom and everything will overwhelm you, but in a brilliant way.  You'll find new sites and favorites sites.

Just try to see if you don't love it. 

You have to be invited to start. And you know what? I would love to invite you! Email me at: colieslovenotes {at} gmail {dot} com. Then, you should follow me! 

Running the World

I might be in love with this person:



She might be a bit much for you. And that's okay. But I think she speaks the truth in volumes.

And Beyoncé drives me nuts.

I play favorites

Remember how I have 5 cameras now?

Well, I definitely have a favorite.

Now, to be fair, there are two cameras out of the running. One I can't play with because we can't figure out why it won't turn on. And the other, my Diana, I haven't had 120 film to play with.

But that aside, my favorite camera is the Pentax.

I love it because:

  It is heavy.

    It has 3 lenses.

      It helps me to create amazing pictures.

        I get amazing compliments on it.

          It takes film.

            It makes me think about the pictures I'm taking.

I love this sucker. And tonight, I found this and this.

I can't wait to take this camera with me to Texas (next week!) and show you what I get from it. 

Now, I just need to buy a scanner....

Rain, Crutches, and Nice People

On Saturday, I fell off my bicycle and tore a bunch of important ligaments and other such things in my foot. So, I am now in an air cast and using crutches.

Anyway, today, I was meeting some friends for lunch. It conveniently started pouring rain which I then had to walk in -- slowly walk, by the way. It's more of a waddle shuffle, really.

I was dreading it and tried my best to stay underneath awnings, but then I had to cross the street.

And this amazingly kind guy walked up to me and said, "Are you crossing here?" And I said, "Yes," and chuckled. He moved his umbrella over me and proceeded to cross the next two streets with me, totally out of his way so I could get where I needed to dryly, and safely.

That made my day.

So did this:

Sarah Dessen's signature that a friend picked up for me from her reading in Omaha. On a sticky note so I could put it in my favorite book. ♥

Monday, Monday

Dearest Monday,

Thanks for having the word "mon" in you. That's French for "my," in case you weren't aware, Monday. It makes me think of you more as "my day," and frankly, that sounds like a much more promising start to the week. 

Love,

Nicole

via

Hair Part 2

I bet you thought that I was going to chop all of my hair off. 

I have really thick hair.

I now know this for a fact. My hair stylists said so. That's right. Stylists. Because it took two people to make this happen:

Do those capes flatter anyone?

And, 5 hours & 150+ curlers later, I have a perm.

Much like this:

No people! Have a little bit of faith. Jeez.

I actually look like this:

I'm still in the can't wash it phase, but I like it. I know I'll like it more after I get to shampoo it and play with it.

So, why the perm? We have no central AC. Which means that the summers are hot as hell in our apartment. Typically about 10 degrees warmer inside then out. And we have hot wind. So, pointing a hair dryer at my head for 10 minutes and leaving my hair down all summer, again? No thanks. Which leaves me with the option with my long, thick hair in a ponytail all summer. Again. No thanks. Thus the perm.

There were some skeptics. One friend said, "People still get those?" But that's okay. I used to get perms in high school and loved them. And, I don't have to use a blow dryer. Win, win. I also get to cross something off my life list!

So, if you see out and about, say something nice about my hair.

Hair.... Surprise?

The quintessential bathroom mirror shot. My first ever. 

But that's not what this is about. 

It's about the fact that this is the longest my hair has been in... over 5 years. The mister remarked the other day that he had no recollection of my hair this long. And we've known each other for five years.

But, tomorrow, I'm doing something drastic to it. 

And it's probably not what you think it is. 

Happy Thursday night, my dear friends!

Adorable

Sometimes I just need to get a goofy grin smile on my face. The kind where you're doing something and don't even realize that you're smiling until you realize it. That kind of smile.

The mister showed me this tonight, and it did the trick.  It's long. 7 minutes. You could stop watching around 6 minutes, but I think it's worth it.

Enjoy!

Friend Makin' Mondays: Why Are You Awesome?

Hi blog! And friends! I know I've been absent, but that's okay. I'm back and today, I'm going to be a part of Friend Makin' Mondays. And I hope you will be too.

Question: What makes you awesome? List at least five qualities/hobbies/habits make you cool and unique? 

Hmm. What makes me awesome? 

Well, I think that I have a knack for decorating which I totally get from my mom. 

I'm the person who keeps in contact. I call friends weekly, unless life is just slipping from me. I write letters to people, and leave random notes to strangers all around. I have a group of friends from an academic thing back in 2007 who I still chat with on a regular basis. Which, leads me to...

I'm a lover and a carer. I mean that I love people. I love chatting and getting to know others. I love taking care of people. I just love. And if I love you, I love you for life. 

I am in awe of parties. Specifically, I love throwing parties. I adore hosting things. The planning, the decorating, the inviting. I like people making new friends, and I love the smell of food and the sound of laughter filling my home. It's one of my favorite things.

My mister and I keep a pretty constant stream of conversation happening through the day via text and gchat. Some think this is strange. I find it to be awesome... and perhaps a bit odd. 

If you, my friends, want to participate, post links to your answers at Kenz's blog too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts.