Fiddle Me Pink

Today my family (and the entirety of the Southeastern region of the United States) ended up at a brilliant music festival in the most unexpectedly chilly weather.

13 Things to Do Before 2013

I just realized it yesterday, but before we know it, it will be 2013.

Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else? It seemed like just yesterday was New Year's Eve.

I'm a big resolution person, but I also don't believe in waiting until the last minute to get stuff done, so here's my todo list until the ball drops:

1. Find a new way to organize and prioritize homework.

2. Catch up to the current season of Doctor Who, the Walking Dead, and Sherlock.

3. Survive school formal season

4. Read 8 books.

5. Write a novel for National Novel Writing Month.

6. Develop a regular blogging schedule (yay!).

7. Get back into working out and eating well.

8. Make lots of pumpkin flavored things.

9. Lots of trips.

10. Learn some really good jokes. Use them all the time.

11. Start saving more money than I spend.

12. Make some headway into major decisions about the next few years of school.

13. Learn to walk in high, high heels.

And now I've got to hold to them.

What are some things you want to get done before the new year? Leave your comments below!

-Riley

Stormy Seas

This evening, I found out that my freshman journalism teacher lost her final battle with cancer.

She was such a strong woman, a role model even in her hours of weakness, and I will miss her terribly. 

But she is relieved of her pain at last, thank God, and is somewhere so much better than here.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Henson.

You will be missed so much.

-Riley

The Week in Review

Hey, long time, no see! My brother pointed out that I've been very much the absentee blogger this week, and I'm super sorry. Life's been full of little adventures this week, especially since Wednesday, so here's what's new:

Moi

Many apologies for falling off the face of the planet the last few days. Schedule's been full, lots of work's been done, even a few social functions have been attended. Life has resumed for the time being.

In any case, I've spent all this week introducing myself over and over and over again. My teachers this year have taken more interest in me and my hobbies than ever before. (To put this in perspective, my math teacher this year wanted to know my favorite food. I'm not certain my math teacher last year even had my email address.) 

Which, albeit often awkward and repetitive, is really very nice and thought-provoking. You learn a lot about yourself when the objective is to condense the essence of your personality to a list or a picture.

The Madness of Extreme Exhaustion

It was back to classes for me today, ready or not.

I'll proudly admit that I began the day with enthusiasm, and a really adorable outfit.

Throw in the Towel

My color is red, my dad's is blue, my mom's is pink, and if you squint a little, you can see my brother's orange.

Call me a quitter, but that's precisely what I think I'm going to do. 

With only about a day left to go, I think I've finally rested my case for the annual family reading contest.

I had a good run, with 14 books read: two over my personal goal for the summer, and one over what I do believe was my previous record.

Things Never Change

The most beautiful movie device in the history of history. 

Today was my last weekday of sweet, sweet freedom. Cue the tears, the begging, the inevitable plans to join a circus rather than return to education. 

So, fueled by all that, we decided to spend today tripping through interstate antique stores, wishing summer would never end. Lots of interesting things abounded.

Do All For Cats

When I was in elementary school, I was the bookish type. I loved the library. I loved the librarian and her straight teeth and her long skirts. I loved story time. I loved it all.

So, in essence, things really haven't changed all that much.

There was one book, in particular though, that I absolutely adored when I was a little one. It was a hand-illustrated reference book called Cats, and I checked it out as many times as I could, I read it on the bus and in class and at home, and (just between us) by middle school, I halfway regretted not "misplacing" it at the end of fifth grade and just paying the fee to have it as mine forever and ever.

Unfortunately, I did nothing of the sort, and last night, like some kind of nerdy phantom limb pain, it was bothering me terribly. 

The Word of the Day

Productivity.

Literally. I woke up this morning having already decided that working out was the last thing I wanted to do today, so I'd just try to be productive instead.

I ended up cleaning my closet out and doing every scrap of laundry I own.

And then- of course- I worked out anyway.

Going Bananas

Postage for 1 banana: $1.95

Last Tuesday began an adventure a week and a day in the making.

That's right. Fake bananas in the mail.

My mom found the idea on this lovely blog , and decided that we simply had to try to test the rule: any object that weighs 13 ounces or less may be sent in the general mail.