Concert Anyone?-

Seriously... Tix go on sale Mon. for DC. I don't want to go alone. (no ridiculing comments please ;-)

Better Than I Could Say It

Thanks to Ang for passing this on today. For many years, I have tried to make "Seize the Day" or Carpe Diem a sort of mantra for my life (stemming from a love of Dead Poets Society). My feelings and emotion behind that mantra could not be summed up any more perfect than in the words of Jeffrey R. Holland:

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe."

Apartment Hunting - The Conclusion

You may or may not know I am moving to Richmond this summer. The decision was made in April. I feel like it's a great new chapter to start: great job, great team, wonderful city. All I needed was.... the perfect place to live. (Cue hunting music).

For the past month I have been scouring Craigslist and print classifieds, talking to friends and coworkers, taking walks in prospective neighborhoods, emailing and calling property managers, touring apartments and generally weighing the pros and cons of each of them. Fan? Shockoe? West End? Hanover? Chesterfield?

In my head, I had a dream scenario. My ideal place would have the following:

• Historic Architecture
• Not a large complex
• Bay Windows
• Decorative Fireplaces
• Safe Neighborhood
• Great shopping, recreation, etc. within walking distance
• Off-Street Parking
• At least some utilities included
• Within my comfortable price range
• Balcony/Porch/Some type of outdoor space
• Ample closet space
• Laundry facilities in the building
• Space I'd like to entertain in

During this time, I've found some places that were close but not close enough, some that were downright wrong and some that were perfect but snatched by someone else before I could get there (being out of town has been a disadvantage). Nearly two weeks ago, I saw a posting for what seemed to be the perfect place on Craigslist. I drove by it on my way back from a convention and then walked around the neighborhood and instantly developed an emotional attachment to a place I've never even been inside. I emailed the poster immediately upon arrival back home.

Like so many times before, I didn't hear back the next day, and knowing how rapidly these places in the Fan vaporize to a new tenant - I felt my heart bending a little bit (not quite breaking). I knew it was gone.

Fast forward to late last night. While combing Craigslist again (my major pasttime of the last four weeks), I found a little piece of magic - the unit was posted again. Could this be possible? It's not taken? I fired off an email right away and followed up with a phone call this morning... by lunch time I was on the road - and by dinner time, I had signed a lease. HOORAY!

Of the 13 items I mentioned in my "want" list - my new place has 11 of them. (I've already planned another post for how apartment hunting is like dating). I could not love the location any more. It's perfect. Absolutely. The space is great, and I find myself excited to reorganize myself and personalize the space. The landlords seem like incredibly nice people. All in all, I feel at peace and very relieved to have this settled.

I took a few shots of the place with my camera phone. These are the "before" shots with the current tenant's (the landlord's son) belongings. I'll post some "after" ones around mid-July. For those in DC, please start thinking about coming down to visit. :-)

(In order: 1. Living Room 2. Kitchen 3. Bedroom)

Crow and Kitten are Friends

Sappy? Definitely. But, what a great story! I don't think Marilyn would ever do this. Her favorite activity is to sit outside and stalk birds and squirrels. She's never caught anything, and I doubt she will, but I call her my "Mighty Hunter" to make her feel better.

In a strange way, I love how this video shows the innate mothering instinct (even in animals). Heavenly Father knew what he was doing.

Ken Lee - Oldie but Goody

In honor of the David vs. David American Idol finale coming up next week, I bring you this little gem from youtube. I'm sure many of you have seen this already. I saw it on Keith Obermann (I was flipping channels - please don't confuse me with a regular watcher) a couple weeks ago. I was rolling on the floor laughing, but have forgotten to post till now. Enjoy!

(this is Bulgaria's version of American Idol)

Another Redesign

I need creative outlets every once in a while. I should make time for them more often.

I don't have anything noteworthy from the last couple weeks. But, I will share two quick stories that made these two separate days.

1. About two weeks ago, a stray dog found its way to our front yard. The neighbors across the street prodded that when it had been discovered playing with Fred (their dog) in their yard.

I can't fully explain how, but this stray instantly made it's way into my heart. He was a mutt puppy (going to be a big dog). I would guess he's an Australian Shepard mix. He had both blue and brown eyes and a "coat of many colors" for his fur (blue-tick areas, tan areas, larger spots). He was a uniquely beautiful dog. Not only was he an eye-catcher, he was a sweetheart. He kept leaning against me to pet him and had that "don't you love me?" eye contact down to a science.

Under the suggestion of my little sister, I took him to the pound to be checked for a microchip, and I left him there, knowing that his nice collar, demeanor and the fact that he was neutered pointed towards a family missing him somewhere. I felt TERRIBLE from the second he left my hands for a caged pen. I said a very fervent prayer in my car that he would find his way to his family.

That guilt led me to return to the pound the next morning and request to foster him until his family found him (also, admittedly, giving me an advantage toward adopting him if they didn't). Once we escaped the pound, I drove directly to Pet Smart where we enjoyed an outing to pick up a ball, frisbee, rawhide chewies and puppy food. When we got home, we put good use to all of those purchases.

I named him. I know I shouldn't have, but I did. "Relic". He responded well to it. I began to plan out a change in plans for myself and how I would need to rethink the space I'll be moving to over the summer to accommodate Relic and his need for the outdoors. I consigned myself to enjoying at least two daily walks and fooled myself that Marilyn (my cat) would grow to love him as much as I did.

After dinner, Relic was still full of energy. Mom suggested I take him for a walk so he would sleep well overnight. I got some shoes on and grabbed a leash. Relic and I headed out the door.

I kid you not, we got to the next house when a passing truck slammed on its brakes and pulled over. "Did you find that dog?" the guy who jumped out asked? "Yes", I replied.

The next 30 seconds were a blur of me explaining how I found him, him offering me $ for dog food, excitement from both of them and then watching the two of them drive away in the truck. I was completely disappointed and relieved all at the same time. Relic really was "Malachi" and he wouldn't be mine. But, his family found him, and the love between them was obvious. I'm just grateful to have had a great dog for a day and to recognize the poignant way my prayer was answered.

2. (a shorter story) - At a GOP convention I was at on Saturday, the man seated next to me was very chatty. After a while he turned around and said, "OH! Now I know who you look like!".

"This ought to be interesting", I thought. I've gotten an odd assortment of these statements in the past including Drew Barrymore and Lisa Marie Pressley. But, this was a new one.

"Alisyn Camerota" he said. I had no idea who that was. She apparently is one of the regulars on "Fox & Friends" in the morning. That didn't matter. What mattered was what he said after that.

"You have the same gorgeous eyes and smile". Now... that might have been a total line of crap, but I needed to hear it. It made me feel great for the rest of the day.