Living and writing it down,

but not wanting it to sound real.

Breathing and thinking and hoping that everyone feels as crazy and good and blessed and bizarre and ungrateful as you do.

Speaking to a stranger on the bus and not noticing the rip in his overcoat or ignoring the slur on his tongue when he tries to tell you about his life and how his wife left. She was beautiful.

Taking what you're given because you're too shy to get what you really want, or you don't want to come across as pushy, because that's just what people do sometimes.

Not speaking what is in your mind, even though you both know what isn't being said.

Becoming what you are SUPPOSED to become, not what you dreamed about under the sailboat quilt in your childhood bedroom.

Realizing that a dream is just that: a dream. Until you do something about it.

Not being able to see the worst in people, even though they lie, they're scared, and they break your heart.

Going slow and just noticing: the way babies unabashedly stare each other down; how most people don't seem to care that they're talking really loud about really personal things in really public areas; the way saying I love you sounds so simple, but just feeling it can save your life.

Just an idea I had.

Marry me.
Let's live on a boat,
Sail always.
Let's live off granola and
cheap wine and
the warmth of our bodies.
Let's just laugh and
be young and be
us.

So long, Farewell.

Au revoir Dressember, bonjour 2012!
In closing this month of dresses I just want to say how much fun this was! Thanks for the non-stop inspiration, Bythe Hill, Amy Hood, and all the other ladies who participated!  I can't wait til next year.

[Day 30. Glow-in-the-dark Golfing parking lot. NDB.]

[Day 31. Happy New Year's Eve!]

[Detail shot. Because I actually painted my nails.]

Almost there.

Can't believe Dressember is almost over!

Becoming obsessed.

So Leah and I (as previously mentioned) have spent a copious amount of time watching the Lord of the Rings movies this past week. We've seen them (way too??) many times. But as we finished the last one today we, as always, came away with so many questions. Having neither of us read the books (I know, I know!) we have decided that we're going to officially read them all and become obsessed. The deciding factor was finding this website containing a forum called The Council of Elrond after typing a few queries into Google. Such a wonderful place. This is why the internet was invented. We're sold.

Also: Dressember 28!

Merry merry.

My Dressembering has taken another hiatus! Alas, I've been under the weather (STILL) and have spent the past four days or so wrapped in a blanket on the couch watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy, then dragging myself to work and back. Pretty un-photogenic stuff.
However, despite my pathetic state, I enjoyed a lovely Christmas! Some surprise presents from friends on Christmas Eve (massage and facial, anyone?), then two days at Beth and James' house! Smoked salmon, Scrabble, gifts, LOTR, Beth's banana bread, and several "plays" by the kids. (Starring Nathaniel as Joseph, Megan as Mary, Katy as the donkey and Shane as baby Jesus. It doesn't get much better.)

Also: Cat Thing. The newest member of our family. Probably the best thing ever. He has diamond eyes.

I hope you are enjoying a lovely holiday and I wish you many blessings for the new year!

2012: Bring it!

This should be a 3-fer.

All right I admit I missed another Dressember day. Boo.
Yesterday I was ensconced in the living room making Christmas cards all day--in my sweats--so the only time I actually put on clothes was to go to work that night. Plus, I was feeling sorta under the weather. My sincere apologies, Dressember.
So here are Today and Tuesday's dresses!

Tuesday night we went the The River of Lights in Old Town. They basically cover everything in the Botanical Gardens with Christmas lights. It was really lovely! Kind of reminded me (a liiittle bit) of Disneyland. Also: Irish coffee. Then some Tuesday karaoke to finish off the evening. Woop!

Today was mostly work-related. Then it was off to Beth and James' for Las Posadas, which is a nine day celebration preceding Christmas which is hosted by a different family each night. Basically it's a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's pre-Christmas journey--trying to find a place at the inn. Traditional songs, food, etc. Love.