California

Here's the thing with my sister: I have known her for forever (at least her forever), and I have seen her grow and evolve and come into herself and face challenges and cry and laugh and be absolutely f-ing awesome. She was recently "hooded" (sounds creepy, actually isn't) and she is now Dr. Ellie. (Doctorate in math. Pure math. None of this applied stuff! Why be practical? Pure math is beautiful.)

The entire nuclear family (and all our add ons -- husband in my case, wife and two children in my brother's case) went to California to see her graduate and celebrate for a week of awesome.

 Ellie is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara. I was very sad when she moved across the country, but there are far worse places to live and far worse places to visit! My parents are from California, and all of us kids are California natives. It's so interesting to go visit. There are certain things that really bring me back to early childhood -- the ice plants, for example. I have vivid memories of breaking them and drawing with them on cement. Vivid, excellent memories. (The above photo is of Robert at Old Mission Santa Barbara, which was beautiful. St. Francis is my favorite saint so I was all over it.)

Robert went surfing, which is why I married him. And by that I mean: I like people who will try things that are new and strange to them and exciting. I like people who like adventure in the broad sense of the word. I like Robert. At the beginning of the trip, he didn't know how to put on a wetsuit (Is the zipper in the front or the back?). By the end of the trip, he was for-real riding waves all stand-up like.

This sort of behavior earned him kisses.

The whole trip was fantastic. We went to vineyards, mountains, beaches. We did the covered-bike thing, which was adorable (really everything involving my niece and nephew ends up adorable). I've been to California a grillion times (not really, that's not a real number), and this is the first time I came home with the urge to go back permanently. Usually, I'm like "California is lovely, but I prefer my home with its seasons and proper fried pickle chips." Not this time. This time, North Carolina was hot and muggy (and our air conditioning is struggling!). This time, I did not have a post-trip soft landing into real life. 

But it's getting better. I have my doggy back and I went to a few thrift stores today. I even shopped for my future classroom. It's pretty exciting stuff. I'm coming up with a to-do list for the summer because that's how I roll. It includes a long reading list for my future job with smarty pants kids and a lot of fun things like "make popsicles." I will try to keep you updated. Especially about those popsicles. They're going to be a pretty big deal. 

Light

I've said this before, but I feel the need to reiterate: "Northern Exposure" is the best television show ever.

(Also, I enjoy Enya, and I am not afraid to say it. Okay, I'm a little afraid to say it, but I'm saying it anyway, and that, really, is the definition of bravery.)

"Light is knowledge. Light is life. Light is light." -- Chris Stevens.

On choice

"The philosopher Odo Marquard has noted a correlation in the German language between the word zwei, which means 'two,' and the word zweifel, which means 'doubt' -- suggesting that two of anything brings the automatic possibility of uncertainty to our lives. Now imagine a life in which every day a person is presented with not two or even three but dozens of choices, and you can begin to grasp why the modern world has become, even with all its advantages, a neurosis-generating machine of the highest order. In a world of such abundant possibility, many of us simply go limp from indecision. Or we derail our life's journey again and again, backing up to try the doors we neglected on the first round, desperate to get it right this time. Or we become compulsive comparers -- always measuring our lives against some other person's life, secretly wondering if we should have taken her path instead." -- Elizabeth Gilbert, "Committed"

Summer dress

I put on this dress yesterday and asked Robert "Has it always been this short?" Not only did it feel short, the straplessness felt more, I don't know, strapless than usual. For three summers, this dress was a staple. Why did it feel so strange now? Probably because I started dressing very modestly when I started working in schools. I think that spilled over into my non-school-wardrobe too. My comfort level has changed, and this dress now requires a thrifted, short-sleeved yellow cardigan.

Maybe as the temperatures rise from too darn hot to absolutely insane, I'll change my mind and wear it sans cardigan. It's still one of my favorites.I think it just screams summer. This bag is one of my favorites too. We'll definitely be hanging out all summer.

Sunrise, Sunset

These are by Karen Banker, the artist (and friend!) who married Robert and I. She was really our only choice for an officiant (or minister as it said on our marriage certificate). These are our first pieces of hers, and they are just so lovely.

Karen is an amazing artist. I was a fan before I was a friend. For years, I wanted to have a Karen Banker original. Now, I have two (rather petite) pieces to call my very own! (Our very own. Because I'm married. So we share them. It's all about love. And sharing. And abstract expressionism.)

For our first anniversary, Karen sent us a belated present. It was the sweetest! Three cards representing the past, present and future and a book on the history of smooching. Good stuff!

In case you're in the market for fab art, this is her website: http://karenbanker.com/home.html.

Beauty

In other news... My niece is gorgeous and I am really enjoying Instagram. 

Thrifted

I bought these shoes despite my "Oh my God stop buying heels because you never actually wear them" rule. I will wear these heels. They are so pretty. They are also Missoni for Target, a collection I stalked on the Internet. I did not buy these shoes during the stalking. Why? Because I am a cheapskate who (almost) never actually wears heels. But also, maybe, because I knew I would find them one day for $3.75.

I also bought that awesome mug. That was an easy decision because it is awesome and giant and I do not have an "Oh my God stop buying awesome, giant mugs" rule. That rule would be ridiculous.