Total ECLIPSE Of The Heart

I am not ashamed to admit that I was one of the thousands around the world who went to the midnight viewing of Eclipse last night. I stood outside the theatre for an hour and a half and didn't get to sleep till about 3:15 in the morning - if you knew me, you would know how rare that is - but it was well worth it!!
Filled with a love triangle, an epic vampire battle, and "the talk," Eclipse has something for everyone. If none of those peak your interest, there is a shirtless Taylor Lautner.
I am whole-heartily Team Edward, but while watching Eclipse, I found my self moving towards Team Jasper. The newest vegetarian vampire shines with his southern accent, sweet, crooked smile, and battle scars. I wish he had a bigger role in the previous two films/books, as well as, the fourth book.
I even found myself tolerating Bella more than I had in the first two films. She was less whiny and more feminine.
I was further pleased to see they kept in the sections that delve into Jasper and Rosalie's past lives. To me it was an integral part of the book that gave us insight into why they are the way they are.
Despite being in a theatre with loud Jacob fans, I left fully satisfied and eager to see it again!!!

Some say it's over, I say it's just the beginning!!

Every once in a while, you get blessed with a day that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Yesterday, my sister's wedding day, was one of those days.

From the weather, to the groom's tears, to the video montage, it couldn't have been more perfect. The only hitch came when an annoying neighborhood dog threatened to interrupt the pre-ceremony photos.

That was soon forgotten and the rest of the day was spent belting out Alejandro in the limo, exchanging custom vows and silver rings, moon walking into the reception, and dancing, dancing, and more dancing!! I even witnessed people dance I've never seen tap a toe in my life.
I've never seen my sister and her new husband more happy, and that is all that matters. Not to mention they looked amazing, I've never seen my brother-in-law in a tux, as did the lakeside venue. I only wish my grandparents and uncle were there to share in all the fun and joy.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Justin Reed 6-26-10!!!

Wedding Bells and Cocktails

After a year and a half of picking out dresses, putting together escort cards, and dealing with annoying hotel clerks, my sister is finally getting married in three days!! It seems like only yesterday I got a text message announcing her engagement. To be honest, I thought she was joking at first. They have been only dating for a year when he proposed. Don't get me wrong, I knew they would end up together, they are perfect for each other and he is always making her laugh, it just happened so unexpectedly. I was further surprised when she asked me to be her maid of honor a month and a half later. In fact, I was so shocked, I sat there in silence for a minute before answering. Before I knew it, we started planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. I'm pleased to say, both events went off without a hitch! Now I have the daunting task of giving my speech during the reception. I know I will be nervous. I can't even steady my breathing before giving a presentation in front of thirty people, now I'm expected to speak in front of 130! Hopefully, the fact that at least half of the guests are family will help calm me down some. If not, I always have cocktails!!!

A Work In Progress

I'm stuck on you
And can't let go

Palms sweating, cheeks blushing
Leg shaking, pulse racing

My heart was bare,
Bare for you to see

Your name etched in ink
I thought would fade over time

I hardly know you,
This is crazy,

But your laugh and your smile
Won't seem to leave me

I'm stuck on you
And can't let go

Friends Forever??

Growing up I had a group of friends. We were best friends and did everything together. We even once declared we would be in each others weddings years in the future. I felt like I would never be alone, I would always have my three best friends. Then, when I was eleven years old, out of nowhere, my parents told us we were moving four hours away. I was devistated. How can I find better friends than these three girls? But we promised each other we would never lose touch. It worked for a while. We exchanged phone calls and letters and an occasional visit during Christmas or summers. But before I knew it, we hadn't seen each other in 5 years and the phone calls and letters turned into facebook wall posts. "Hey! What's new?" When we finally did get to see one another, our lives became so different we didn't have much to say to each other. How do you catch up on the last 5 years of your lives? When I think about them these days I do think about the all the fun we had, the apple picking, the easter egg hunts, the sleep overs, but I mostly cringe at the fact that we let ourselves grow apart this way. What happened? Was it the distance? Or were we not as good friends as I thought? Either way, I've known these girls practically all my life, and we've shared so much that there is no way I will ever forget them. They will forever be a huge part of my life and who I am. I cherish every time I get to talk to them, even if it is only a short facebook message, but it hurts to know how much has changed. I wish we could go back to how things were, when we were best friends forever.

I've Got The Music In Me

If you asked a group of people what's one thing that can turn their bad mood, or their bad day, completley around, some may say it's a good workout, or watching a funny movie with a loved one, or maybe reading a romantic book. For me, it's listening to my favorite music. In my mind, there is nothing like blasting a good song and letting the music and lyrics take over my body and soul. I may start singing. I may start dancing. Whatever happens, the music ends up controlling my emotions and I forget all the worries, stress, and aggrevations of the day.
What brought this subject to mind? I just got a brand new CD from my favorite band, Hanson. You might be thinking, they are still around? or may not even remeber them. But, in fact, they have been going strong since "MMMBop" 13 long years ago and just released their 5th studio album, "Shout It Out"!!
With "Shout It Out", Issac, Taylor,and Zac, go back to the time when music went deep down in your soul and made you get up and dance. Try to stay still during "Waiting For This", or "Thinkin Bout Somethin", it's nearly impossible. The sound on this album is different than anything you will hear on the radio, complete with a full section of horns on most of the tracks. In fact, it bugs me the Oklahoma native boys haven't gotten much airplay since their debut ablum, "Middle of Nowhere", making many think they are simply 90's one hit wonders. Oh, they are far from it. Their third album, "Underneath", made #1 on Billboards Top Independent Albums in 2004and the first single from that album, "Penny and Me", went to #2 on The Hot 100 Single Sales Chart.
In short, if you only know Hanson as those guys who sang "MMMBop" you don't know what you are missing. I suggest you go to Itunes,or whichever music source you use, and look them up. You will not be disapointed!!

What I Was Meant To Do?

I spent most of the day today working on the children's book I have been writing. It was just me, my computer, and some good music. Before I knew it I had written three or four pages. If I spend every day for the rest of my life like I spent today, I would die happy.

Oldies But Goodies

I love writing poems. It serves as a very cathartic release for me. These are poems I wrote a while back, but they are my favorite!!

Hunt For Apple Pie

The craving for apple pie hit hard

So I dashed to the kitchen to see what we had

Oh my was it bad-

No apples, no cinnamon, no crust;

My plan was a bust

I ran to the orchard, what a torture!

The line when from here to Canada.

When it came to my turn I began to yearn

For that warm apple pie.

To my surprise they sold out of pies

My plan was again a bust

I went to the fruit stand

You won't believe what I found-

Damn! They shut that stand down!

My plan was again a bust

I tried a diner called Mel's;

I wanted to yell-

Because they sold their last pie.

My plan was again a bust

More and more time went by

Still no apple pie

There were strawberry, cherry and peach pies

But not one apple pie in town

That pie was becoming a must

I started to lose hope.

I began to mope

As I made my way back home.

My plan was definitely a bust

When I walked through my door

I almost hit the floor,

For there on the table

I saw a pie oozing with apple

I ate and I ate and I ate

All the pie I was able

My plan was not a bust after all!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

The scent of popcorn and hot dogs fill the air,

You're hit with it as soon as you get there.

Shuffling through the crowd to find your sit,

You feel a cool breeze battling the heat.

Finally, the players rush out to start the game

The announcers introduce them all by name.

The first pitch is thrown with such immense power

Ending up in the catcher's glove at 95 miles per hour.

After dozens of pitches and tons at bat,

Every one donning their rally hats,

The final batter steps up to the plate,

His performance determines the team's fate.

The pitch is thrown with rocket like speed,

The crowd grows silent at an equal speed.

Crack went the bat as it clobbered the ball,

A resounding cheer was let out by all.

Farther and farther the ball flew towards the seats,

Barely missing an old man named Pete.

The game is over, the home team won,

Now it's time for the real fun!

The Clock That Tells You How I Feel

Tick tock tick tock

Chimes the old grandfather clock

Another minute goes by

Another minute your on my mind

I see your blue eyes shine

Brighter than any ocean

I hear your laugh burst out

Sweeter than the sweetest sound

Your cologne as you hug me tight-

Fresher than a new spring day

Your skin brushing against mine-

Softer than a cashmere sweater

Tick tock tick tock

Chimes the old grandfather clock

Another minute goes by

Another minute your on my mind

I want to be the one who holds you when you shed a tear

The one who calms you when you punch a wall

I want to be the one you take around town

The one you need right by your side

Tick tock tick tock

Chimes the old grandfather clock

Another minute goes by

Another minute your on my mind

The Classics

Shortly after graduating college with a degree in English, I realized I have never read a lot of the classics. Those timeless novels that have reached generations and a lot of students read in high school. I am talking, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Moby Dick, Wuthering Heights, The Outsiders, Jane Eyre, The Catcher in the Rye, etc. Don't get me wrong. I have read some great works by amazing writers, like Shakespeare, Homer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nathaniel Hawethorne, Geoffrey Chaucer, Emily Dickenson, Walt Whitman, and Robert Frost, but I feel I've missed out on huge, important parts of literature. So it has become my mission to fill in this huge hole in my life's reading list and read these classics, interspersed between the addicting romance novels of Nicholas Sparks that I can't get enough of, of course.