my three most embarressing moments

1. "Pits of Ice"

Several years ago my family conceived what was generally thought of as a quite "brilliant thought." 

     "We've lived in this area all our lives and we've never explored the Ice Caves," someone or another lamented. "This must be remedied forthwith," another someone rejoined, and the idea was brought before Father and Mother, or perhaps one of them came up with it in the first place... but nevertheless the idea was proposed, found agreeable to everyone and soon thereafter our entire family, minus my oldest brother who had already joined the Military and was presently engaged in that tiresome activity known as "Basic Training," in which they attempt to make everyone who isn't physically fit, fit in only two or three months. But in any case, our entire family was thereby pioneering across the countryside in our humongous blue van, complete with a basket of snacks and our loyal doggie, Sunny.

     Why no one thought to put the connection of "ice," and "slippery," and "klutz," together, and forbid me to enter the dark, freezing, icy domaine beneath the earth, I still have no idea, and so, together with Andrew, (my older brother,) and a host of littles, I found myself descending the steps that lead down into the pits of ice. I was terribly excited. Exploring has always been rather fun, and I was looking forward to seeing all the wonders of the caves. Alas, it was not to be. I made it down the long flight of steps without accident. I crossed two large boulders that stood in the way. Then, I put my foot out again and found the entire pathway blocked with a sheet of ice. "I can walk across this," I thought to myself, inching the other foot out onto the ice, pushing a child across in front of me to my brother's waiting arms. How delusioned I was! 

     Instantly my feet flew out from under me, and had I fallen it would have been quite painful, and I probably would have been sore for days. No, instead, a gallant young man who had entered the cave directly behind our party flew to my rescue and caught me in his arms. I was grateful, and thanked him profusely as he set me back on my feet, although I was extremely gratified that the dark interior of the "pits of ice" did not allow him to see my scarlet face. I turned once more to the path, and stepped out, quite intent of reaching the other side. 

     My feet again flew out from under me in quite opposite directions and the young man caught me. I thanked him a little less profusely and inwardly began questioning the sanity of this "exploration trip into the caves of ice." I tried again to walk across the ice, and then a fourth time, and each time I fell, and was caught gallantly young man, however after the second time, he just put his hands around my shoulders to steady me, instead of really catching me. (I think I was heavier than he expected after the second time! :)

     After being caught in the arms of a complete stranger four consecutive times I informed my brother, my face flaming scarlet and tears about to flow down my cheeks, that I did not intend to complete my exploration of the caves, and would be exiting them forthwith. And he was welcome to accompany me or not as he liked. I would not stay in that slippery place a minute more than necessary! I left immediately and spent the rest of the time my family explored sitting on a very pleasant bench eating snacks.

yes, I really do this! At least once a week...

2. "One should never wear heels when folding chairs are present."

     In December of 2014, in fact two or three days after Christmas, several members of my family decided to attend a swing dance in Downtown Portland. We donned our pretty (and gentlemanly?) outfits, and our favorite shoes. Mine, incidentally, were my pair of 2 3/4in. black pumps. They really are terribly comfortable, and I can dance perfectly fine in them, honest! The lesson before the dance began went quite well, except for a few mix ups with switching partners, but everything was going along fine. Right about the middle of the night, (the dancing night... not midnight.) I was strolling innocently along, intent of getting to my purse, which I had shoved into a corner, to grab a water bottle before I perished with thirst, when the inevitable happened. I say inevitable because it is so ingrained in my nature to be klutzy that it had to happen. one of the heels on my pumps caught sideways on a folding chair, and I tripped, heading face first towards the ground in a perfect arch, but then landed hard against a guy with my whole body weight, who happened to be perfectly placed to break my fall. All I could do was offer my stammered apologizes and leave as quickly as possible. I wonder if he is still confused about what happened?

3. "When exiting through doors that are weird and short, ALWAYS LIFT YOUR SKIRT!!"

     This afternoon I picked up my brothers from a volunteer activity. They had mistakenly informed me that I had to pick them up at 4 pm on the dot, and I was running a little late because of getting caught in traffic. So when I arrived to pick them up I was flustered and found out that I had to wait another twenty or thirty minuetes before they'd be ready to leave. So that's the scene, I've been stressing and now I'm waiting and waiting... Finally they were done, I could sign them out and I was thrilled to be heading home to eat food. (I was stupid and all I had had all day was a couple cups of coffee and a quarter of a cheese sandwich, and a handful of pretzels. My blood sugar was low and I had a bad case of the coffee shakes/jitters. We walked out of the little gate, and headed to the big gate, out of which was a little door you had to stoop to exit. That was fine, and I stepped over the bottom part and ducked so that I wouldn't hit my head. Instantly upon taking a step I found myself flying forward onto my knees/hands/face... My skirt had gotten quite stuck on the bottom part of the door and I had done a perfect face plant in front of a ton of people! I skinned my knee, (haven't actually done that in a little while!) and landed on the hand that's been injured for over two years, so it's a little swollen and sore, but I'm hoping it won't mean more pain that usual after a couple days. All I could do was laugh hysterically whilst trying no to cry, and to make matters worse, a guy came over laughing at me, but then proceeded to explain that he had done virtually the same thing, only he got caught by his suspenders. :)

you know what I realized? Each of my three most embarrassing moments that I can remember off the top of my head involve me falling down ungracefully. Tripping and falling tend to be my kind of thing. In fact, I regularly fall down the stairs. Honest, mom will tell you that it's true! :) I really am klutzy and ditzy, but it doesn't bother me as much as it used to. I think I've realized that it's just part of my personality. Part of my routine. I mean, if I didn't fall down the stairs every few weeks, or spill coffee every morning things just wouldn't be the same! :) Can you be persuaded to share one embarresing moment? ;) (Hey, if I can come up with three you can handle one, right?)

xx,

five fictional characters I would bring to life if i could

1. Anne Shirley

     Anne is so original, so inspired and beautiful. I think in some senses, she is a bit overly dramatic, (occasionally WAY over dramatic,) but she's fictional, so we have to forgive her of some faults. :) She's witty, eager to please, a dreamer and a go-get-er. She reaches for the moon, and then past it. Anne has dreams bigger than her own imagination, but she clings to the simple way of life, the little pleasures, if that makes sense. If I had got to pick a fictional bestie, Anne-girl would probably be the one I picked. (Sorry, Diana!)

2. George Knightly

     I love Darcy, and Tilney and all Ms. Austen's other heros, but when I think of Jane Austen my mind skips past all of them and right to Knightly. (actually, MR. Knightly. ;) I've always been adamant that marriages between people who's ages are too far apart (more than 8 or 10 years.) is weird and usually not a good idea. But then I read books about amazing people like Emma and Knightly and Little Dorrit and Arthur and I won't say they've changed my views but lets just say that I am more open to the idea than before. But seriously, Mr. Knightly is so sweet, so tender and not afraid to speak his mind even when it is painful. He is caring, sensitive, (Handsome, conveniently rich!), everything a young man should be! 

 My current TBR stack. 1. Hamlet, (can someone tell me that they loved this book please?! I've been too "scared" to start it. 2. The Space Trilogy, C.S. Lewis (I'm on the third one. They're weird.) 3. The Importance of Being Earnest and other plays. (the only one worth reading is Earnest.) 4. John Buchan's "The Four Adventures of Richard Hannay. (I'm struggling through these.) 5. The Hiding Place. (Really good so far, but I'm only two chapters into it. ;) I am excited to finally read her complete story. Ms. ten Boom was quite a woman!)

3. Edmund Dante

     It would be so cool to meet him, but terrifying at the same time. I'm not sure, if I had the power to make these literary hero's and heroine's really come to life, that I would bring Edmond. He is brilliant, and his knowledge and genius are overwhelming. While I love the story, the brilliance and complexity of the characters and plot-line, Edmond is actually terrifying, and I think I would be too scared to unleash him on the world. :) But since I don't have that power, I think it would be pretty cool to meet him! And he wasn't all scary, he had a sensitive, caring, and loving side to his personality as well. If you were his enemy, beware, you would come to ruin and probably lose your life in the bargain, but if this man was your friend or protector then you had the most amazing ally and the best and dearest of friends. 

This is a fantastic book following the entire war chronologically though with these nurses' experiences on the frontlines. I don't recommend reading it, though, unless you are doing research, or are REALLY interested in nurses during WW2. It's super sad, and really detailed. It is great, however!

4. Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter

     Technically that's four in one, but who's counting? :) I love the idea of really meeting them. (and to be honest, I think hanging out with Edmond would be a blast. Who said there isn't air inside?!) They're amazing and mature far beyond their years, especially after the first book or two. (although those are the best books.) 

5. Lizzy

     She's fiery, even a little radical for her day. She's outspoken and has quite the temper. She is loyal, loving, witty and charming. I think we would get along pretty well! Now the real struggle would be, would I bring her to my world? Or could I go to hers? :)

There are many more favorite fictional characters that I considered besides these five. But a lot of them I couldn't bear the idea of coming to life. Either their stories are much to sad or painful, or I couldn't stand the thought of pulling them out of their own worlds for even a minute. :) That idea probably sounds strange in itself. 

My math homework from today... or actually I think this was from yesterday, but nevertheless the notebook pages from the last few days have been rather filled with lots of tiny numbers. But they've been neater than usual. :) And I ate a package of smarties before sitting down to work this afternoon. Do you think that helped?! :)

Also, first prize to the person who can tell me what books these five lovely people are from, and second prize to those who caught the references. :) It should be pretty obvious, actually. :) 

twenty random facts // 1

1. I started to watch Disney movies last summer after hanging out with my sister-in-law and her sisters a couple of times and realizing my education was sorely lacking. Before that I had only seen a very few Disney movies, and none of the Princess films. It's been really fun.

2. I think New Zealand accents are the most brilliant on the planet. Seconded very closely by South African and British, of course. 

3. I am terrified of heights. I am terrified of falling. I am going skydiving this summer. How can I explain this? I can't.

4. My favorite animals are: Horses, dogs, elephants, cows, dragons and polar bears. In that order. (And ducks. I like ducks, which is weird, because I really, really, really dislike birds.)

5. I'm a sucker for trucks. Sure, I find the occasional car attractive or adorable, usually the older models, but I will notice the big trucks with large knobby tires 100% more of the time rather than sports cars.

6. I used to order a 16oz vanilla latte every single time I went to starbucks. I now order a 12 oz black and white mocha. Sure, it's not adventurous, but it tastes amazing!

7. I love to fish (the act of going out in a boat or standing on a dock with my Grandpa, dad and brothers, although I don't actually know what I'm doing beyond reeling it in. :) But I do not like to eat fish. I am more than happy to allow anybody else to eat a fish I caught. YOU ARE WELCOME to it. :)

7. I drink between 3 and 6 mugs of tea every day. Usually alternating between peppermint, camomile and earl gray. 

8. I desperately want to touch and ride an elephant. :)

9. I have panic attacks on airplanes and carnival rides. The kind of attacks where I literally cannot breath. 

10. I would love to go Christamas Caroling out of season. Like in July. 

11. My idea of the perfect gift is either 1. a book, 2. a coffee card, or 3. a book.

12. Someday I want to dye my hair a dark almost auburn red.

13. I clean my room and then BAM it's a mess again like literally three seconds later.

14. I AM CURRENTLY REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CINDERELLA RELEASING IN SEVENTEEN DAYS. 

15. I am procrastinating on math by writing this post.

16. I played my flute this morning for the first time in probably a year and a half. I'm thinking about starting to play/learn it again. I am also starting to work on playing piano a bit after taking a couple years off because of my injury.

17. I started writing on a new project last week that goes completely against everything i've ever said about arranged marriages. (I hate the idea of arranged matches.) But I like where the idea is going, and it will be a good exercise writing about a controversial subject (at least for me,) from the opposite point of view. (i.e. an arranged marriage that ended happily and wonderfully.) 

18. my second peircings are finally healing properly. I finally put in my gold studs permanently as a last resort before just letting them heal up, and it has seemed to do the trick! They're not bleeding anymore, which was the main problem. 

19. My favorite book from this year so far is The Magic of Ordinary Days. After watching the movie I knew that I had to find and read the book. (Incidentally it was about an arranged marriage during WW1.) The movie is sweet and adorable and I love it. The book was fantastic and incredible as well, but you really have to view them as two different storylines because they are quite a bit different. It doesn't work to compare them. They're both amazing in their own way. The book does have a couple of mature scenes, so I recommend reading with caution, and due to the content and topic it's not a children's book. :) 

20. I have decided not to cut off my hair, after deliberating long and hard for the past few months. :) I was pretty sure for a while that I was going to cut it off in a pixie cut. It's finally pretty long after chopping it off the last time, and I am going to try to be more patient with it for the time being.

oh, and the photos are unrelated mostly, but every post has to have a picture or two right? will you tell me five random facts about your day, or your week, or books you're loved/hated so far this year? :)

i believe in pink // quoteable

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day. And I believe in miracles.

~ Audrey Hepburn

Today is grey, chilly and it's been drizzly and dismal. I've been feeling pretty bad, and laying down as a result. So I'm reading All Things New by Lynn Austen and listening to my Frank Sinatra Oldies station on pandora, and looking up Audrey Hepburn quotes because I simply lover her. This quote is one of my particular favorites. In fact, I think I shall design it and put it up on on my wall. How has your Thursday been? Have you been good and terribly productive, or were you out at the library and sitting in a coffee shop sipping coffee and dividing your time between watching people and devouring a new book? (The way I would have liked to spend the afternoon if I had felt 110% better. :)

The Harvester// Book Review

The Harvester
Gene Stratton Porter
* * * {Three of five} This is the story of a Thoreau-esque idealist and naturalist and his search for the love of his dreams, the Dream Girl. 

David Langston, the Harvester, lives in the woods and harvests medicinal herbs which he sells for a living. Suddenly he encounters Ruth Jameson, the real flesh-and-blood girl that had appeared to him only in his imagination. The Harvester woos her with all the impossible idealistic extremes of his heart, against all odds and with a selfless intensity. 

I have a few books that I read at least two or three times per year, because they're so good, sweet and my "feel good" books, for days/weeks/months when I am depressed and lonely. The Harvester is one of my favorite books, and this week I read it, staying up much to late ever night in the process. My copy is on it's last leg, falling apart with pages slipping out, but it was published in 1911 and I just love it. (for the record, I got it in the condition it is in... ;) 
     Honestly, it is a strange book. David, (the main character,) has a vision of his Dream Girl coming to from across the Lake, falls head over heels in love with the dream, and immediately begins building a beautiful house for her, creating gardens and re-landscaping his property and preparing for her. As soon as everything is ready, he commences searching for her, and one day he catches a glimpse of The Dream Girl at the train station. Fast forward a few months, and he finds her in a horrible situation, and convinces her to leave with him immediately and marry him that afternoon so that he can protect her. She agrees, and they are married, and David informs her that she is his honored guest, and he is going to spend the next year wooing and courting her as he would have done normally if time had permitted. The Dream Girl gets very sick shortly after their marriage, and David is forced to use his talent as a Naturalist Medicine Man when the doctors pronounce her case hopeless.

It sounds strange, I'll admit it, but it is actually incredibly sweet and adorable. If you don't enjoy Gene Stratton Portor's writing style, or her very naturalistic approach to stories, (i.e. tons of information about the land, plants, animals, etc.) then you should skip this. ;) If you don't mind wading through a bit of description to get to a lovely story-line, then i highly suggest this book!

missing // a list

+my bestie
+Mt. Adams
+walking through our property and trying to glimpse the top of Mt. Hood through the trees on clear days
+finding the first wild flowers of spring peeping shyly out of the frozen, saturated earth
+voice lessons every Wednesday morning at 10:00am
+watching the sun set behind the maple tree every night
+running into people you know at every errand you run
+living five minutes from town
+no traffic lights or traffic in general
+ wading in our swollen creek bed on the first warm day in February
+girls nights with friends
+Princess
+the christian book store and movie rental and always knowing we could count on them to know whether a movie was appropriate or watchable for us.
+my big brothers, although i saw them both last week
+cleaning every week for really sweet people
+ my horse nickering every time I walked outside
+not having to fence my dogs
+the wind roaring across the land
+ the drive through the gorge and the inexpressible beauty of the river and hillsides
+seeing five to 50 deer almost every single day
+courteous drivers
+the coffee shop that only charged 1.50 for a hot chocolate
+the feed store people knowing what brand of chicken food your family buys so you don't have to call your dad at work
+never getting lost whilst trying to drive somewhere
+knowing where everything you need is at the library
+mudding with my big bro in his awesome flatbed
+having to decide which way i wanted to drive home
+everyone waving at everyone

On the Street Where You Live

HI!!! How have you been? Was your week amazing and wonderful, or was it kind of like mine, where it felt super busy and stressful and then I got to the end and realized that nothing actually happened. ;)

this week, I cleaned a house for my dad, getting it ready for the showing. I spent Tuesday with my fabulous sister-in-law. (aka my favorite sister-in-law!), and we totally spent 15+ minuets fitting a coffee table from ikea into her car. but we got it in and were oh so proud of us. i don't have a clue what i did the rest of the week. Friday i spent the afternoon helping friends get ready for the valentines banquet that our church was hosting, and Saturday night I deserted them all for a swing dance at Fort Vancouver instead with my big bro. It was totally amazing!! I didn't trip or fall once last night!!! You should be excited for me, it was kind of a big deal!! We had a blast, and the 30+ piece live swing band from Beacock's Music was fabulous as well. 

     It was incredibly sweet of my brother to come down to take me as well. Thanks, bro!!

   both the above photos were taken  by my lovely friend Tiffany, (Who looked amazing last night as well, btw! :)

 This afternoon, I am going to clean my room, post this, (obviously,) drink tea and listen to pretty music, journal,  refocus and make some to-do lists for the week and plan and mentally prepare myself. It should be fairly uneventful, but good nevertheless.

What does your week look like? And do you have any fabulous book suggestions? I am in need of some new reading material.

I heard this song this afternoon and thought it was so cute. Do yourself a favor and listen to an adorable love song, even if it is the day after valentines day. ;)

The Importance of being Earnest // Book Review

The Importance of being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde

{* * * * *} five of five stars.

Gwendolyn Fairfax believes Jack- a name she dislikes- Worthing is Ernest-a name she loves. Jack’s friend Algernon Moncrief pretending to be Jack’s brother Ernest falls in love with Cecily Cardew who adores the name Ernest and dislikes Algernon.

What are the two men to do? Both must now be Ernest.

     My first introduction to Oscar Wilde, and The Importance of being Earnest, was the movie by the same title, staring Collin Firth and Judy Dench. (And others of little, to none, importance to me as it was the performances of these two which stuck out to me the most as brilliantly acted, and superbly ridiculous. although Reese Witherspoon and whomever played Gwendolyn did an excellent job as well.) It was delightful, extremely humorous and utterly ridiculous. {as a side note, it was great fun to see Mr. Firth in a ridiculous, dorky role, as opposed to his near perfection in P&P. I love him just as much as a dork as a perfect English gentleman of high standards, sense and fortunes.} After watching the film several times, I decided it was high time to acquire a copy of the book via the library, and read it through. A wise decision, if I may say so myself. I have now read this story twice, and have plans to buy a copy for myself soon. 

     Firstly, the story itself is easy to read, though it is in a play form, and without the descriptions, narratives, etc. that would normally accompany a story. There is, of course, the necessary “prompts,” {I.e Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, ALGERNON enters.}, setting the stage for each new scene and action. But being a play, all the action and importance is in the script.
     
     Secondly, the script of this play is positively genius! For Example:

ALGERNON:
{Whilst JACK puts out his hand to take a sandwich. ALGERNON at once interferes.}
Please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches. They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta.
{Takes one and eats it.}
JACK:
Well, you have been eating them all the time.
ALGERNON:
That is quite another matter, as she is my Aunt.

Or this lovely bit:
JACK:
How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble,  can’t make out. You seem to me perfectly heartless.
ALGERNON:
Well, I can’t eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them.
JACK:
I say it’s perfectly heartless your eating muffins at all, under the circumstances.
ALGERNON:
When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed when I am in any really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins.

And one of my favoritest quotes:
ALGERNON:
If I am occasionally overdressed, I make up for it by being immensely overeducated. 

     I must admit to laughing my way through this entire book/play. It’s perfect nonsense, and it must be treated as such. (so please don’t sit down expecting something serious or in any way intellectual. You must be prepared only to giggle at the sheer ridiculousness of the characters, the silly lines, and fun. 

Thirdly, I heartily recommend this book to anyone in search of a lighthearted read, something British and just plain entertaining and fun. I also recommend the movie. Both are incredibly brilliant, actually, at least in my book. 

it's a girl thing // blue and athletic

Shirt: gift from my sister. :)

Skirt: Goodwill {6.99}

Keens: Gift {0.00}

This was my outfit for walking all of last week, when it was gloriously  sunny and warm out. I bought this athletic skirt a few weeks ago, and am loving it. It's long enough to be comfortable, and it has built in shorts, so I don't have to worry about anything. It's super flexible and comfy and basically, walking skirts are the best thing ever. (And this week I am back to warm coats and long exercise pants, because the weather decided to get rainy and wet and dismal again. Nevertheless, Daniel and i ventured forth to a nearby walking trail and accomplished twelve miles before breakfast. o.O

and yes, my brother is totally photobombing me in the first photo, and i knew it, but was running completely out of time and was going to be late somewhere. ;)

xx,