Happiness

I didn't realize how miserable I have been for the last few months until, suddenly, I wasn't anymore. It's shocking to me, and I never expected it.

For the first time in a very long time, I'm happy. Thank you for that, even if it wasn't your intention.



image via ffffound.

Tale As Old As Time...

Beauty and the Beast has been my favorite Disney movie pretty much since it came out in 1991, and this year for Christmas my doting big brother (thanks Wayne!) gave me the blu-ray combo pack. I could not be more pleased. I can't tell you how incredibly happy this movie makes me. This, truly, is what big brothers are for.

Now, you should stop what you're doing, and get in touch with your inner 5 year old. Even after almost 10 years, the animation still holds up beautifully.

Merry Christmas!

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
~Dr Seuss

I hope everyone has a lovely and safe weekend, full of all the best things Christmas has to offer. I for one, am surprisingly overjoyed this year. There's just always so much to be thankful for.

Merry Christmas!

Family

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!
~Albert Einstein

Yesterday was my family's big Christmas shindig, and I think it may have restored my Christmas spirit.

Having so much family in one room is complete chaos. There are a million things to do, lots of yelling across the kitchen, and plenty of trash talking while watching whatever game happens to be on.

But, in spite of the madness, there is something about being in a room chock full of family that has a way of making me feel so unbelievably happy, and so completely loved.

Bunnies!

I am not having the best week. Or month, really. But I will tell you this: watching these two bunnies will make you a happier person. Try it. Thank me later.

Now, I want a bunny.

The Elephant

Last week, my great uncle passed away. For most of his life, he worked for the Smithsonian as a carpenter. He played a huge part in building the frame for this ginormous elephant that lives in the rotunda of the Natural History Museum, and today I went to see it in his honor. Millions of people have walked by this guy, and so few know the story behind it.

My great aunt and uncle have basically acted as my grandparents for my entire life. They have been such incredible individuals in my life, and it was so awesome to grow up seeing this couple that was together for 63 years.

For most of his life, he worked for the Smithsonian as a carpenter. He played a huge part in building the frame for the ginormous elephant that lives in the rotunda of the Natural History Museum, and today I went to see it in his honor. Millions of people have walked by this guy, and so few know the story behind it.




I feel like I've lost so much this year, sometimes it's hard to grasp... It has put a bit of a damper on my Christmas spirit.

Sad

I am trying so very hard to be a big person here. I'm trying to be gracious and accepting and ok.

The truth? I'm not ok. This was not what I wanted.

I am sad, and confused, and so bitter that I can hardly stand it. That is my right, and you're just going to have to learn to live with it.




image via ffffound.

The National Christmas Tree

My momma, brother, and I went to see the National and Capitol Christmas trees this weekend. I've always been partial to the Capitol Christmas tree, but both are so pretty.

I have lived here my whole life, and I still think the Capitol building is breathtaking. There's nothing better than walking up to it, and then turning around to see the mall sprawled out in front of you.

Blue Christmas

This song makes me want to cry. Or hit someone. Maybe both.

Either way, it's not such a great feeling. I feel like this year has been full of so much loss, and I'm looking forward to a new year full of adventures.

Android: A Girl's Best Friend

Goodbye, crackberry. Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo android! As an early Christmas present to myself, I bought myself the Evo. I've had it for a total of two hours, and I am already mind-numbingly addicted to Angry Birds.




image via Sprint.

I Hope This Gets To You

This by far wins for cutest thing of the day.

After his girlfriend moved across the country for grad school, William C. May enlisted the help of his friends in The Daylights to make this video for her as proof that they could stay close during a long distance relationship. There's a catch: instead of sending her the video directly, he decided to let it get to her organically through friends.

Every girl wishes for this kind of gesture from a guy. Frankly, it makes me wish for a time about a year and a half ago when things were soooo much different.

Oh Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree makes me so warm and fuzzy inside.

Ava

While walking around CVS this afternoon, I made a discovery: Ava the Elephant. You load up the elephant trunk with medicine and your child then sucks it out... It's fun! It's amazing! It's... really disturbing actually. And just so so wrong.

I'll just let you come up with your own jokes.