What would you do if...

...you recieved flowers at work and didn't know who sent them? Of course, intially, you would be utterly excited and embarrassed because receiving flowers at work is sort of a big deal (especially when you don't actually have anyone in your life who might be sending you flowers). Then, you HAVE to open the card (in front of all the on-lookers) to see who might have been sweet enough to surprise you at work. However, when you realize who they are from, it turns out to be someone who you actually wished had NOT sent you flowers. Not that receiving flowers from someone at work isn't awesome, but it's awkward when it's someone you haven't talked to in months because you had decided you didn't want to date them. And now, what do you do? Well, you spend many hours thinking it over and come to the conclusion that, although it was a sweet and thoughtful gesture, you still do not want to get involved with the person and somehow have to let them know that.

However, at the end of all this inner turmoil and tough decision making, you still get to enjoy the beauty of the flowers for many days (and purple happens to be your favorite color anyway)...

another angle...

Babies and Lost...

Last night I babysat for my friend Meggan's daughter, Kate. She is adorable, and you can see pictures of her below all this wonderful text I am writing. I love little kids. They are really amazing. And I mean kids under the age of 5--not that I don't love kids over the age of five. I know at least one really fantastic kid over the age of five who is learning Mandarin Chinese and reading the book Matilda (by Roald Dahl) that I gave her for Christmas. However, there is something about kids that are Kate's age that is just wonderful. They laugh with the most marvelous look of awe, surprise, wonder, and amusement. (You might be thinking--well Deedee, awe and wonder are synonyms but go ahead and lengthen your post by repeating yourself. And I would say--thanks, I think I will.)

So I was taking care of Kate last night briefly while Meggan was taking a class. I literally could amuse Kate by spinning her around, holding her upside down, swinging her in the air, pretending to hide behind the counter, or simply looking out the window to see if mommy might be coming home. I loved it. I was laughing, and Kate was laughing. What more could I have wanted as a babysitter who was buying time before the crankiness set in or mom magically came home? I have always thought that kids have that unique quality of being able to bring out the most simple, but delightful pleasures in life--ones that we often forget because of the routine or weight of life.

After an hour or so with Kate, I got to spend some quality time with my dear friend Meggan. We also watched the season premiere of Lost, to which she is apparently addicted. (It reminded me a little of our freshman year in college sitting on the floor eating PB&J sandwiches with Mac and Cheese watching Dawson's Creek. Oh, did I just admit to that? Hmm...)

Anyway, as many of you may know, I don't have cable and feel quite all right about that fact. But let me just tell you, three hours in front of the TV watching an addicting TV show, and I'm a sucker who wishes I did have cable. Then, I could come home to mindlessly watch TV after a stressful day at work instead of trying to make myself read a good book. Apparently though, you can watch TV shows on the internet (not that that sounds all that appealing to me). So, no worries. I won't be ordering cable. :) Nevertheless, three hours of watching a TV show that I have never seen before might be the beginning of an addition to my Netflix list. I might as well get caught up before the next season comes out on DVD. :)

(Kate, thanks for making me laugh; Meggan, thanks for some quality girl time!)

SNOW!!!

I love when it snows in the south. Two or three inches of snow, and school is canceled. As a result, I have much more time on my hands than I know how to handle right now. So, I have decided to go ahead and post the pictures I have taken of the beautiful snow today.

Sometimes I really wish I lived somewhere that snowed all the time. I really like snow. It's so beautiful, clean, and peaceful. I suppose that I wouldn't like it as much if it happened to snow every winter though. Or maybe I would just get used to it and wouldn't appreciate the beauty of snow if I lived in a city where it snowed all the time. Or maybe I would continue to love it even if I got to experience it every year. When I went to Chicago, there were big piles of black snow and ice on the sidewalks and roads. That is definitely the part about the snow process that is not so pretty--the snowing, melting, refreezing, and then snowing again. But for today, it's beautiful and I love it. I love the way it lays across everything and makes everythink look angelic. I love the way it's soft when you touch it. And I love making big footprints in the snow! :)

Asheville...

I recently returned from a trip to Asheville. I think that Asheville is a wonderful town, and I always have a good time when I go up there. I probably enjoy the company more than the town, but it is nice to be somewhere that readily accomodates the vegetarian life style through a plethora of delicious restaurants.

After visiting both Chicago and Asheville within the past few weeks, I have realized how lonely it can be to live by yourself sometimes. You can't wake up to have coffee with a friend or laugh over the breakfast table about random and ridiculous ideas. You can't sit and talk for hours on end losing track of time. Good friends are hard to come by though, and I'd rather live by myself than live with a roommate I couldn't stand.

So, the reason I'm writing more is because I have received several requests from close friends to include more text and stories on my blog. I originally started this blog as a way to publish my pictures, which otherwise would be hidden in the depths of my computer. I am very passionate about taking pictures right now (one might say I always have been and there is much truth to that), but I'll make an attempt to appease some close friends by writing more as well. :)

I have a few pictures left from Chicago to post, but I'll post those in a couple days. I took some pictures in Asheville, which I'm going to post today. I hope you enjoy them!

Yes, this pictures is made out of bottle caps!

(Thanks for pointing this out Jenn!!)

Business as usual...

This is by far my favorite picture that I took on my trip to Chicago! I would like to say that I'm skilled enough to have done this artistic shot completely on purpose; but I have to admit that it just sort of happened this way and I love it.

All ice...

Icy Lake Michigan...

A typical, gray day in the windy city...

Some shots from Chicago . . . more to come soon . . .