What A Great Weekend It Was

Is it just me, or does one FANTASTIC evening outweigh all of the stress from a hellish week?? Last week, I felt like, was never going to end. From Monday to Saturday, I was basically living at work. {We're short staffed and hiring 16 newbies by October, so if your looking for part time work. Here's my plug for the U Village Anthropologie} The days that I was initially scheduled off, I found myself working an extra long shift. The days that I was intended to be off in the afternoon, I was found staying an extra few hours and the time I was scheduled to arrive slowly crept closer to the time that I WANTED to be rolling out of my bed, and getting a cup O' joe. Needless to say, last week was long. {BTW - I am thrilled that my managers think of me as one of the "more capable" new-er hires, and I am also thrilled that I made some extra money this week :)} On top of the working, it's fall and Jacob started full time kindergarten this year, we're trying to find our groove for the school year and Trey is home while Jakie and I are gone. It's a period of adjustment for my whole little family!

Anywho, back to my original thought. I had been looking forward to last Saturday for weeks. I had a dinner planned with great friends, it was my one night without the kids, I REALLY wanted to enjoy the life I have a little bit!

Saturday could not have been a slower, fast paced day at work... As soon as I got off, I headed straight for the restaurant my friends were at. We had great food, took some great pictures, talked about how much we missed each other and we were all so excited to get together. {did I mention the bulk of our group were all together just four hours prior to dinner taking place.... yeah, we're all THAT close :P} After dinner, we went to Unicorn, such a fun place with a great atmosphere. Our group slowly began to fizzle, and the 5 of us remaining, decided to go dancing! Best. Idea. Ever. I kid you, not. It was amazing!

Upon walking into this dance place, I ran into a familiar face, which was fun... but as we settled into our place on the dance floor I realized there were a TON of old friends/classmates there, as well! It was so great to reconnect with so many great people. And to end this night of fun, I was walking to my car and it was like the sky opened up and dumped a few thousand gallons of water on the streets of Seattle. I couldn't help but laugh, and there was no way to keep from getting soaked... so.... like a child, I puddle jumped my way back to the car.

I don't know why this night was so magically blissful, but it was exactly what I needed. The perfect end to a long, stressful week!

I have to say, it was so much fun to let go of my inhibitions and jump through the puddles like I was the only one in the city! When I finally made it to my car, all I could do was laugh.... BIGGEST DORK EVER!!!!

Then next day, I woke up to go to work, but in a different way. I photographed an event that was held at my store. It was so much fun! I have to say, right now, it is so easy for me to find the sweet center of what seems to be a hard sour life. I know it's just for now, but it is so good. I'm all about finding the beauty in the letdown, but when the beauty is just handed to you on a platter, take it! Embrace every moment of those times! It far outweighs the letdown.


Until next time.


angela

A Meaningful Life

All too often, the real meaning of life, and of course being a believer, is GREATLY overlooked. We get caught up in our performance and how we are perceived by others. That brings me to the question of, where does that get me? Will the approval of onlookers leave me satisfied with my situation? Will an overflowing closet give me peace and overwhelming joy in life, even when times are tough? I'm gonna venture to say...NO! No matter how much I have, or how much people like me, I'm left feeling empty. Left feeling like it will never be enough.

That brings me to my point, this life is to be lived in LOVE. Cheese ball, right?!! But seriously, we are creatures that are created to love. We thrive on affection. Be honest, when we're not feeling loved, we are having a no good, crumby day!! That is where our amazing creator comes in. He, even though not visible to the eye, is always there with His arms WIDE open! We just need to be willing to receive.

Another thing that I feel compelled to point out is, there is not one person that is perfect or deserving of this love. There is a reason it is unconditional! What an exhilarating notion!!!! This means that it doesn't matter what I've done, or where I've been, He's still there - loving me! We all know that I'm a piece of work... I'll say it again, my life is less than "IDEAL" on so many levels! And it is especially no where near worthy of having the God of the universe love me! I don't know how you feel about that. It is SO not my place to judge, but I know for sure that once you allow the love of God to really wash over you, life feels that much more meaningful! Live a life of love! It is absolutely worth it!

Until Next Time, angela

Rust and Turquoise Paint

This last month or two has been a whirlwind for me! {I know... you're surprised... {SHE SAYS, DRIPPING WITH SARCASM}}

The car thing turned out to be a MAJOR misunderstanding. I'll spare you the petty details and cut to the chase - the car was taken by my ex's, ex-fiance... her name was on the loan and she had the right to take the car. I know the way that she executed her right was very... NOT right. {I want to STRESS to you, I have been very frustrated by the way things happened, but I have dealt with it and let it go} Now the only thing that hasn't been sorted out is getting my belongings from the car. Needless to say, we have to pick our battles. It may not be worth my breath.

There are so many things in my life to be thankful for - and more than ever - when times are tough it helps to focus on the good in every situation.

I was recently spending time with a great friend, and we were talking {over great wine and AMAZING baked figs wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese} about life, and how ideals and reality rarely cross the same path. We determined that, although life throw's curve balls, we make the choice to {in the most realistic way possible} romanticize the world. {TRULY FINDING THE 'BEAUTY IN THE LETDOWN'} Wow, how cliche' was that?

But honestly, there is so much beauty to be seen. We overlook all the details. The friend I was with the other night, recently went to Africa. She shares in my love for the world, and the beauty to be found in brokenness. {She too, is a shutter bug, and takes beautiful photos} She told me a story that struck me. At one of the places she stayed, there was an old rusty pipe coming from a vibrant turquoise painted wall. She knelt down to take a photo {credit to Keira Ferguson for photo link} of it, and was questioned by a local "overcomer". {someone that once lived in the slums, and has found Jesus and a new life} He wondered why she was taking a picture of an old pipe. She replied with, something like this {but not EXACTLY...remember people, there was wine involved}: The contrast of the rust and turquoise is breathtaking.

She didn't expect him to understand. And I'm not sure that he did. I'm not even sure that the link I added was the picture she was referencing. {However, it is indeed one of her photo's from that trip}

This story, though simple, holds a valuable life lesson. It reminds me how much I want to see beyond what is matter-of-fact. I desire, so deeply to be able to see the striking contrast between rust and turquoise paint. Isn't that what this life is all about? Finding the love and beauty in the cracks?! I love it. I hope that you want this, too. In my personal opinion, it is easily found through a camera lens. How do you see the beauty in the letdown? Tell me a story!

until next time,

angela

PS: THIS is the link to my Flickr photostream. ENJOY!