Keith Graduated and Happy Christmas!

A few weeks ago, Keith graduated from his first masters at Samford in Music Education! Woo Hoo Master Keith! I love my man! So, so proud!

Also, this should be my last post for a little while because today is my last day at work before the Christmas break. It's kind of funny how I'm having to work and there are only 4 of us here in the office. Ha, oh well. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and that's all I care about! Happy Christmas to all of you non-existent readers of mine! I'll be posting again after the start of the New Year!

Aren't these lyrics just so beautiful? It is a song from the musical "Into the Woods." My mom used to play this (along with thousands of other songs) for her students as they sang in their lessons (in our home-while I grew up). I am so glad she has retired from teaching voice lessens but part of me will always miss hearing the music flow through the house at all times... even when I was trying to focus on my homework or if the singer was less then okay... haha Such wonderful memories. Plus, Mom now has more energy to sing when she wants to and play the piano when she feels moved. I love my Mom. She is truly amazing. I pray to be like her... she's also a knockout! I hope I look like her when I'm older :o)

Children Will Listen Lyrics:
How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing is all black but then nothing is all white?
How do you say it will all be alright
When you know that it mightn't be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen.

Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...

Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen...

How can you say to a child who's in flight,
Don't slip away and I won't hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won't be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you're dead
Only what ever you put in it's head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Oh!

Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Temper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen...
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen

I'm loving me some Christmas!

Here we are in front of our condo watching the Homewood Christmas Parade! We normally sleep through the beginning until we hear the drums in the Homewood Patriot Band. This year Keith's cousins and their adorable little girls came to watch it with us so we had no chance of missing it. It was sooo much fun! I love Christmas!

Fa la la la laaaaa la laaa laaa laaa!
Abigail

He's so hot right now!

Keith was chosen to conduct a piece for the All County Holiday Special this year (Jefferson County Schools). He was fantastic!!! I'm so proud!

Okay, so I just got to go outside and see them drilling the well. Pretty cool. I got to help and that made me feel a lot better. Such a nice break from sitting at my desk. So, no more complaining for today! :o) Abigail

Happy Veterans Day. No, my office isn't taking it as a holiday even though all schools and most normal businesses are taking it off. booooo. I want to spend the day with my husband and read a good book and go for a walk to the park and the library. But, no, I'm sitting here at my desk only wishing that's what I was doing. And most of the office is on a "field trip" kind of... it's outside... they're learning how to drill wells. I don't feel like explaining. I wish I could've gone with them but I'm only part of the supportive staff. booooo. It's such a lovely day. I have my window blinds up. That's about it.

However!!! Magic 96.5 is playing Christmas music!!!!!

Yay!

Two Amazing Years with the Love of My Life.

Today Keith and I have been married two wonderful years. I am so thankful for this amazing man. I can't imagine life without him. He is such a blessing to me and to everyone who knows him. I have been given more than my portion in life by having him as my husband. Happy Anniversary baby!
I love you!




(Picture of us on our Honeymoon at Disney World!!!)



Abigail

A great two days... now on to the third!

Yesterday, at work (Passport, Inc.), we all went to our warehouse to organize and alphabetize all the camp stuff (plus everything else under the sun!). We worked all day and were all exhausted at the end of everything... however, it was such a great day!

This picture is of some of us (I'm on the end/left) at the warehouse in our Maggie Lee For Good t-shirts. Maggie Lee was a little girl on her way to one of our Passport camp locations when her bus (with her entire youth group) flipped. One boy died and she tried to hold on to life for about a month but, sadly, passed away. So her parents started this charity/website/event for everyone to sign up and do "good" things for other people. What is most amazing to us is that all the profit that they are making on their t-shirts (that we bought and are wearing in this photo) are being donated to Watering Malawi. WM is one of our other non-profits that we do here at Passport, Inc. Colleen, my boss (on the end/right), created WM and spoke at Lee's church in Louisiana about a month ago. So much good has come from this little girls tragic ending. So inspiring.

On to a funny side of things. Today is the day before Halloween and our office dresses up. I'll have lots more photos to put up as soon as we get them off the office camera... but for now you'll have to look at my computer photo booth pictures. I made a skunk outfit! I thought it turned out pretty well! I might add a baby powder line down my head for tomorrow when it's really Halloween! I give credit to Marnie for giving me that idea!!!

Remember last year?? I was an Jack in the Beanstalk... well I was the Beanstalk and I had a little figurine as Jack on my hat! Look back at my first entries and you'll see. I was a lot goofier looking then for sure. Everyone thought I was an elf though. haha at least it was all fun!

Hooray for Halloween! I'm so glad it's tomorrow! I've been thinking all day that it's almost over. Not at all! It's going to be here ALL DAY SATURDAY! YAY!

Happy Halloween!

Autumn.

Things always get better with time. Seasons change and holidays fill me with such joy I feel like exploding! Yes, that's a bit much, but I truly love Autumn and all that it brings. The crisp air is so refreshing.Wardrobe changes are a must. I get to pull out my jackets and leggings. And everyone is talking about what they'll dress up as for Halloween! So much fun! This year, Keith and I plan to keep things simple. We're going over to mom and dad's to have a bowl of chilli while helping them answer the door for all the trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood. We never get kids at our condo so we leave a bowl of candy (just in case) on our front porch and head over to my parent's kid-packed street.

In my last post I was so down about losing the Hillmoor house. With the passing weeks, though, Keith and I have really felt a great peace about it. We honestly just wanted a house. Though the Hillmoor house was wonderful, it didn't have exactly everything that we were looking for... so, all in all, it really was for the best. Now we can try to sell our condo at a leisurely pace and then start looking for the perfect house. It's out there, I know! And (yes, mom, you're right) we don't have to have the perfect house right away to start a family. Next year if we want to start trying then that's great!... wherever we are! We'll make it work. And if we decide not to, that's okay too.

Now, if I could figure out a Halloween outfit for work on Friday I'll be set! I have no money at the moment so it has to be purely creative! We'll see!

Abigail

Bummer.

So, all the hoping, wishing, and praying has probably worked... I just don't see how at the moment. That's the good thing about faith. You don't necessarily have to understand why things haven't worked out the way you wanted them to... you just know that things will eventually get better.

I'm talking about the house we had a contingent contract on. We had someone who wanted to buy our condo but couldn't find the financing. They almost had enough but it just didn't work out. Monday, we found out that there was another offer on the house we wanted... so, since our one guy for the condo fell through we had to let the house go and sign that dreaded "Mutual Release of Property" form. It was pretty much my dream home. For the past 4 months we've been wanting to close on it. That's just the way the market is when you have a contingency contract though. We always knew this could happen. We just didn't think that it would.

Now, though we're having to start back at step 1 to sell our condo, we are a little more relaxed about it since we don't have a pending contract on a house. So, hopefully, if we can sell it, then we can start looking for the perfect house out there. It still makes me sad but I really believe it is ok and there is a better house out there for us.

Back to baking cookies and open houses. The cookies part isn't too bad, I have to admit.

Abigail

I grieve after finishing a good book...

Today I finished Susan May Warren's book titled Happily Ever After. My mother-in-law gave it to me while Keith and I visited them at the beach about a month ago. I took it thinking I would get around to it sometime. It looked like a good book but I just kept putting it off. However about a week and a half ago I started reading it and haven't been able to stop. Now that it's finished I'm heartbroken. My heart is so swollen from this heavenly story. I'm in that grieving stage after you finish a good book. You know? You don't really want to start any other book because you still want to live in the previous one.

Happily Ever After is part of the Deep Haven series... however the characters change from book to book. They're all set in Deep Haven, up in Minnesota... I don't know if it's a real town. I hope it is. So long Mona. So long Joe. I'll think of you whenever I enter a bookstore and sip coffee... wishing I was with you at the Footstep of Heaven.

Soon, when I'm over the loss of finishing this book, I'll start the next one in the series. Until then... All you non "Corner" blog readers of mine... read Happily Ever After! It's great!

www.susanmaywarren.com

Abigail

All Hail Pepcid AC. It's not just good for acid reflux! It does wonders for a nervous stomach! We're still waiting for news on our condo... if I haven't told any of you non-existent readers of mine yet, we've had a few bites. Now we're just waiting for the actual offers... if there are any to come, that is... so, I've been popping the Pepcid like nobody's business! I'm a nervous wreck!

Abigail

Holy Cow! I'll go ahead and admit it. I love gossip. You know, Hollywood-style gossip. And who better to keep me updated on the latest juice? Lainey Lui of course! Love her blog. She can be pretty vile at times but it's all so entertaining! laineygossip.com

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

I am so excited about this art exhibit coming to the Birmingham Museum of Art! I can't believe I'll be able to stand in front of such historical pieces of art... such as The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 painted by John Trumbull... and that's just one example of what will be there! It's going to be incredible!

For more details visit the BMA's page

Creepy!

Ok, so, I finally remembered to look up the website that finds sex offenders in the area. I'm sooo pleased to know that there aren't any right around my corner... however, there were a bunch north of where Keith and I live and some other areas. They seem to be far enough away from us but that is still really creepy... especially since we're thinking of starting a family pretty soon. Here is the link for you to check your neighborhood. Good Luck.

Link to sex offenders in your neighborhood:
http://www.icrimewatch.net/index.php?AgencyID=53840&disc=

Say a little prayer for us... I'll tell ya later! Just pray!!!! PLEASE!

The Liberal Lion has died.

Today I woke up, got some cereal, kissed Keith as he left for work, turned on the news and saw the headlines. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy dies at 77. I knew he was battling a brain tumor... and just last week he made the move to secure whoever would take his place (in the Senate) once he was gone... but I didn't think that he was this close to the end. There are so many things that I want to thank him for. For example, the right to vote at age 18. He wrote so many bills that passed into law. Such a huge part of our government. Such a sad day. What a legend.

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy dies at 77 (MSNBC news article)
Abigail

"I" or "Me" - It's really not that hard!

Why do people always use the word "I" when they really should use the word "Me"? It's not rocket science! I remember learning that in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! For some reason, everyone seems to think it's proper now to say something like, "I hope you can come by to see my friends and I." Would you really say "I hope you can come by to see I." No!!! Because it's grammatically wrong! TV show hosts, Reporters, politicians, Hollywood stars!!! Everyone is now doing that. I'm not usually a grammar stickler but in this case I AM! It drives me CRAZY!!!

How to Choose Between "I" and "Me" Correctly

Abigail

It's amazing how one day someone can be so gracious and loving. Then out of the blue, the next day they turn and chew you out for something that wasn't even your fault. Or they just snap at you for no reason. And they know they do it! They know they have a temper problem and have mentioned that they wish they could be more like me and stay calm and not get angry or snappy & rude. However, it never seems to matter. Thankfully I wasn't the one who was chewed out today. However it was a friend of mine. And they were in TEARS! It was so sad. I understand how it feels though because it has happened to me before... by the same people. I know we're all human, but COME ON! There is no excuse to treat people like dirt! The thing I hate the most is when they snap at me... and then email me later apologizing for acting the way they did. Ummm, just DON'T DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE! That would solve the problem! They need to think about how their hateful behavior could hurt the other person. Whenever it happens to me, it stays with me for a long time. I can't seem to shake it. Yes, I'm sensitive, but no one should have to just take any of that.

I'm now stepping down from my soap box.

Condo for Sale!

Quite a few posts ago I talked about us selling our condo and buying a house in Homewood. Well, that original house fell through, which was best, but now we have a contingency contract on another house in West Homewood and it's just fabulous! We just have to sell our condo. Here is the link to the Realty South website with our info. Tell your friends who are looking in the area!!! Or you can contact our agent, Jimbo Kidd.

2909 Central Avenue, Unit 121: $214,900

My favorite Local Author!

When I was in high school I was introduced to the Anne George mysteries. They are books about these two retired aged sisters living in Birmingham! They always end up getting involved in some murder mystery and they are just hilarious! I sometimes feel like I am Patricia Ann and my sister is Mary Alice. They are the best.

As far as the murder mystery books go there are only eight. There probably would have been more but Anne George passed away my senior year of high school (2001). Such a sad time for Anne George fans.

It's been about ten years since I read all eight... so, I've decided to start them all over again. I have to say I am enjoying them as much as the first time... maybe even more.

Anne George also wrote poetry and one serious novel called This One and Magic Life that is amazing. Below are the murder mystery books in case you want to know what to look for in the book store. Please read them. They're like cozying up next to a fire on a stormy night with a plate full of cookies. Yum!

I've linked them out to Amazon.com if you want to buy one!

Cute Cat Update

I know I've mentioned our cats before: Vito and Gerry
Here are a few new pictures of them.


Here is Vito. He and Gerry love to cram themselves up in little boxes and baskets. I just love his paw hanging out there. :o)


Poor Gerry after getting "fixed". She was so bad about leaving the stitches alone we had to have a cone put on her. We also kept a little shirt on her to keep her from scratching it. Poor Baby Girl.

The picture below isn't one of our cats. This is our (though she just recently moved) neighbor's cat named India ("Indie" for short). We put this pillow out on our porch to air dry because it had somehow gotten wet. One day we noticed Indie fast asleep out there. We felt sort of bad since he spent most of his day on our porch and not on his owners... but it was just too funny. I had to take a picture.

a MUST read!

A few days ago I finished The Shack by William P. Young. It was absolutely sensational. You should read it. Everyone should read it. www.theshackbook.com

The trees of the field will clap their hands...

At Passport, where I work, we have weekly devotions at the beginning of our staff meetings (after all, we are a Christian non-profit organization). This week was my turn to give devotion. I always stress out about what to do, say, read. However, I found a passage in the Bible that really resonated with me. I've written it below. There is also a prayer that I've added below that (I didn't write it but I tweaked it to flow well for my office listeners).

ISAIAH 55
Invitation to the Thirsty
¹ "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

² Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

³ Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.

⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."

⁶ Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹² You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Prayer:
God, you are in every place, and every place where you are is holy ground. We ask you to fill our hearts with wonder and joy as we journey along the ordinary paths of daily life: so that in them we can catch sight of you, and by seeing you, we may adore your presence and serve your purpose. We hand these spoken prayer requests to you now as well as those still on our minds and in our hearts. We pray this in your Son's Holy name. Amen.

by C. Micklem & R. Tomes
(prayer request section and some wordings changed by me)

I'm totally hooked on this website. At home I can just sit forever playing these fun games! They even have online versions of Mario Bros. Games! So great! Check 'em out! ninjakiwi.com

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!

It's out!
Oooooh, I can't wait to see it!!!!!!!
- Abigail

Please Pray for First Baptist Shreveport & Cathedral of Saint John in Louisiana

Today is such a sad day. Last night I heard that the youth group from First Baptist Shreveport in Louisiana, on their way to our Passport Mercer camp, got a flat tire and flipped three times. One person died, several others in critical condition... everyone else was hurt in some way or another. I'm still learning all the details here at work but am asking everyone to lift this church up in your thoughts and prayers. Also, please lift up the Cathedral of Saint John in Shreveport as well. Apparently the youth that died on the scene was a member there but had been visiting FBC with a friend and was going to Passport for the first time. It is all very sad. People are grieving and all we can do is pray for them and let them know we are here.

Here is a link that we have put up on our website if you want to read an in depth article online:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-07-12-church-bus_N.htm
Much love,
Abigail

What's up.

So, my last blog (and another before it) was all about "crossing my fingers!" I guess I should explain a bit on why I was doing that. Keith and I found an adorable little fixer-upper in Edgewood right behind Edgewood Elementary where I went as a kid. We contacted our amazing realtor (Jimbo K.) and went through all the paperwork to set up a contingency contract based on the selling of our condo... Days went by and we found out more about the place. Apparently a bank owned it because it was in the middle of a forclosure. The bank didn't think to tell us until after we did all that paperwork that they don't accept contingency contracts. Big blow on our side. So, long story short... Jimbo asked for a hypothetical counter-offer (based on our low bid). The bank refused it and said someone else was in negotiations with them on the house. I still feel like they dragged their feet (the bank) since we wanted a contingency contract.

It hit me kind of hard. Like a ton of bricks to be exact. I was already envisioning our holidays there... where to set up an outdoor cookout... baking cookies with our kids in the kitchen. Silly of me. I do this a lot. Get ahead of myself. But that's all I want. I want a house, not a big one, just a good size to raise a family, in Homewood. I love the community there. It was where I was raised. The schools are great and we love going to Canterbury Methodist (even though it's technically in Mtn Brook). Our condo is in Homewood (perfect location) but it's small. Right size for us now but I want a baby soon. All I need to do is trust that God is looking out for us. I am already so blessed. I shouldn't be sad about anything really. My family is healthy and happy. I just want to expand a little. That's all.

On a next note... After we found out that the little house we hoped for was basically taken I jumped back on RealtySouth.com and saw another little house also in Edgewood! We haven't seen the inside of it but it looks very charming! Needs a good paint job on the outside and a good face lift but I love doing that!!! We could make it ours! It's also really close to Edgewood Elementary and close to my friend Maya's house!

Ok, that's all I'm going to right about it. I may jinx the whole thing. We haven't even learned much about it. It could be a horrible sell and just awful inside. But, again, I'm crossing my fingers...

Abigail

Still crossing my fingers!
Crossing my fingers!
Crossing my fingers!

Allison R. Banks Designs

I have to take a moment to show off my sister's website. She designed it all herself on her mac (iweb). She has started a freelance business of monograms and calligraphy. She does them all by hand. I have to concentrate really hard just to write my name without screwing up the cursive... and she does these amazingly gorgeous designs... just by a flick of her wrist... ink/graphite to paper. Well, you should take a second and see for yourself!

www.AllisonRBanksDesigns.com

Cheers, Abigail

Crossing my fingers.!
Crossing my fingers!!
CROSSING MY FINGERS!!!

My Mom and Dad, along with the A Cappella Choir are on their way to Paris, Tuscanny, Florence, and Rome. I am so excited for them! What an amazing trip. It's my life long dream to go to Florence and Rome and see all the historical pieces of art that I studied about in school. Maybe next trip.
http://samfordacappella09.blogspot.com/ Here is the link to their online journal they'll be updating throughout the trip.

Cheers!
Abigail

a bad day

you know when you think a day can't get any worse... and then it does? Today was like that. Work just hit me like a truck or a ton of bricks. then when i got home i came into a house full of destroyed pottery some of my own creations from college (broken) but most of which was of my beautiful and dearly loved collection of Torquay (a wall shelf fell to the ground). It's a rare english pottery that has little sayings and proverbs - gorgeous colors and cottage images... i don't remember when i've cried this much. it's certainly been a while. Not necessarily because of the actual pottery... it's more of the sentimental value. I collected that pottery all through my London travels. I honestly don't know when i'll ever be able to go back to London or even afford to go back. it just makes my heart sad. I will try to rebuild my collection though. i'll search online or something. i'll be alright. it's not like i lost a family member or a friend. but in a way it was like a friend. lost memories. 

i'll be fine though. i'm a big girl. 

abigail

Almost Done!

So, last entry I told you I was about to start a class with my mom called "Writing Childrens Books." Ok, so it's been kicking my butt! I have really enjoyed it and I like my story (or parts of it) but it's certainly got a lot of work if I ever want to sent it to a publisher. My mom's story, however, is so beautiful and sweet! I can't wait for her to tighten it up and send it in. It's about my Nana when she was just 5 yrs old and how she wants to help get ready for the school festival but she's too young. It's a gem! I am so proud of my mom!!! Honestly, that's the true reason for taking this class: so my mom could take it... and so I could see the illustration angle of the business. Turns out it's not best to submit a story with illustrations. So, we might have to get out there on our own and then start working together after we're famous! hahaa wouldn't that be great!!!?!!! I think so! Anyway, we have about 2 more classes where we'll be critiquing the rest of the classes stories (we did ours the last week - phew!) I guess I could be frustrated that my story needs a lot of work (though the class said the elements were there and they were extremely clever - yes!) I currently don't feel like working on the story - ha! I think, instead, I'll start illustrating it! We'll see how that goes :o)

Cheers! Abigail

Writing Children's Books

I recently enrolled in a Samford After Sundown class with my mom. "Writing Children's Books". We have wanted to be a Children's book team for ages... and just when we started getting into the idea again... this class presented itself. Talk about heavenly timing. This class is supposed to help us learn how to develop plots and characters and all that in addition to introducing us to the children's book publishing industry. That's where we really need the help: "How to get it published!".

I have always wanted to be involved with creating/illustrating children's books. In fact, my senior graphic design project at Samford was a children's book that I wrote (only sections for presentation effect), illustrated, & designed. I've been needing to scan a bunch of the original illustrations and post them here for you all to see. I'm still so proud of it. It was a series of books about a traveling corgi named Caleb. Caleb and His Search for a Saint (Pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain) was the first title... The other two books (the titles I came up with have escaped my mind) were about China (The Chinese New Year) and Egypt (The Pyramids...Sphinx...). So, they were supposed to be educational novels... young readers... not "kiddies" children's books... I'm not sure what age group we'll be learning about in this class though... hmmm.

One day I really would like to write my Caleb books... that's why I want to take the class along with my mom, who is already a wonderful writer (and rhymer). We will make such a great team!

Details: the class meets every monday at 7pm until the first of June. So it's not that big of a commitment... except keith has his grad class on mondays, as well, but from 5-7pm. We won't see each other until 9pm every monday. But it won't last forever! Hopefully we'll really benefit from the experience! I'll keep you updated on how it all goes - our first class is tonight!!!
Abigail

I'm sore... & burned... so what's next

I'm sore again! It's not as bad this time though. Keith and I played tennis yesterday and I've started to improve... a little. Hey, for me, a little is a lot! I was extremely stupid yesterday though. We were in a rush to get to the courts at Homewood park (there are only two courts there) and in that rush I forgot to put sunscreen on. So, after about two hours of playing in the early afternoon sun (with overcast patches) we both got burned. My forearms are beet red and the back of Keith's neck is just horrible. I about cried when I saw his neck this morning. I'm the one that is always such a stickler for sunscreen. Not that he isn't (he grew up in Florida for heaven's sake). He knows all about sunscreen. So, from now on, I've got to be more thurough before we play outside :o)

new thought!

Saturday we bought helmets... because... next weekend... dun dun duuuuun... we're buying BIKES!!! I haven't had a bike that was really "mine" since I was a kid... and that one wasn't really mine then... it was a hand-me-down from my sister. Plus, all these new bikes have handle breaks. I've tried riding other peoples bikes with those and I always forget how to stop. I start spinning backwards and freak out. ha! But, I did find one bike at WallyWorld that has back peddle breaks like the way they used to make them! I'm totally stoked about next weekend!

Keith and I have become quite the active couple! We'll see how long it lasts. (hopefully we'll never get tired of it - we need the outdoors action and exercise).

Abigail

I'm so sore!

Every muscle of my body is sore. Keith and I played tennis Saturday and Sunday (yesterday). For normal tennis players this wouldn't be a big deal... however, I haven't played tennis since I was a preteen. And I haven't been very active lately... hence the "Oh-So-Soreness". I just really need to step it up and start exercising every day... but it's hard working from 8am-5pm, then... after getting home at 5:30pm... figuring out how to exercise, cook dinner, clean up the house, prep for the next day, get a little quality time with my husband, and get to bed early all in a few hours. That's why I wish I was an at-home freelancer. Then I could take breaks from designing to throw a load of clothes in the wash or do a 30 minutes workout, and when Keith gets home from teaching, dinner would be ready! It really makes me frustrated everyday when I know I need to do certain things but I just can't fit them in. Normal things, like, vacuuming, or organizing my work bag, cooking... we order out more nights than I like because neither one of us have had time to figure out dinner. And I want to paint our bedroom. The paint is in the can... it's just waiting for me, but every time I figure out a good time to do it, someting else comes up or I'm just too exhausted. Grrrrr. "Ok, Epiphany! I'm waiting for you to help me here!"

abigail

Monticello Road

My Nana and Papa asked me a long time ago to illustrate their house in Irondale (the house my mom grew up in). So, after several year's of procrastination, I did it and gave it to them for Christmas! I think it turned out really well. If only I could just illustrate people's memories for a living. If that dream were to actually come true I think I'd explode out of happiness... In all seriousness, that really is my dream.

your dreaming illustrator,
Abigail

I'm protected. Are you?

Ha haa! Ok, so it's one of my favorite holidays EVER! Saint Patrick's Day!!! I love it! My freshman year at Samford I even got a Shamrock tattoo on my lower back! Talk about a fan of the Irish. I'm part Irish so it's ok... In all honesty, I got the shamrock because it represents the Trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit). It's just awesome that it's Irish!

(Here I am wearing my "Pinch Protection Button" I bought a few days ago at Publix. I bought Keith one too!)
Last year, Keith cooked corned beef and cabbage for me. Bought Guiness and green/irish cupcakes. He was off for Spring Break (as he is now) so he had lots of time on his hands to pamper and surprise me when I came home from work. This year Mom is cooking and we're all going over to eat and hang out. We'll watch "The Biggest Loser" too. Wow, I sound like such a kid. "We're gonna do this! and we're gonna do that! and... and... and...it's awesome!"

Abigail O'Brandenburg!

Big Weekend!

I'm so excited about this weekend. One of my sister's and my best friends is getting married. Christi Perkins! (Left Photo: Christi & Chi (fiance)) (Right Photo: (from left) Christi, Allison, Me, Casey (another BM)) Allison is the Maid of Honor and I am a bridesmaid. Fun fun fun! Today at work I'm taking a half day and will help set up Reid Chapel (Samford University). Then, we have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (Dreamland BBQ at the Mountain Brook Library). Tomorrow evening (most of the day for pictures) is wedding time! Then an amazingly fun reception up at Vulcan! I can't wait to take pictures and post them here.

This is their wedding website!
www.christi-and-chi.com
Here I am (photo) in the bridesmaid dress last November. I'm actually in a black version and holding up the brown fabric that we ordered it in. However, you can't see that since it's a B/W photo... ha.

The only drawback to this busy weekend is that Keith and I have the 8am service at Canterbury and then that evening we have the Evensong. Talk about a packed weekend. I'll need the next weekend just to recover. Let's hope it all goes smoothly! I know it will!

Side note: Christi's fiance, Chi, was also the model with me in the "Irish Pub Nook" photo shoot below! And, he went to high school with Allison. Good ole' friends

muah, muah,

Abigail

Cheers!

Irish Pub Nook @ Lowe's Creative Ideas
My sister, Allison Banks, is a projects editor & photo stylist for Lowe's Creative Ideas @ Southern Progress. She redid the little dining room in our condo! Here is how it turned out!
Click Here to see more pictures on the Lowe's Creative Ideas website!
*Models: Myself & Chi (our friend)

Live & Love life every day.

One of our Samford friends passed away on Monday night. Her name was Heather M. (Grice) Sweeney. It's so sad because she was such a great person and seemed so healthy. Apparently, she was at a church function that night and had a seizure. I still don't know what the cause of death was... maybe an aneurism? She was only 25 years old. It makes you realize how fleeting life is... Love every moment of it. That's something I'm going to work on. Live and love life more.

Emily (another Samford friend and intern where I work) and I are going to her funeral today in Sylacauga. 'We love you Heather and will miss you dearly!'

~ Abigail

Finished another!

ok, so i finished another freelance logo for a real estate company in Huntsville. I really wish I could just do freelance work and stay at home. That way when Keith and I have a baby I'll already be working from home and everything will be perfect. For the first few years until our kids start school i want to stay at home. no one else will be raising my children for me, thank you very much!

thank you for letting me rant. here is the logo. ain't it cute? well, i like it! and, the one next to it, i finished that one for another client last month. It's a Northwestern Mutual affiliated company (or something like that... my friend Joanna works there - she got her boss to hire me - awesome to know people)

i'm on a role! let's just see if i can keep it up!










fingers crossed!
~Abigail~

We'll remember you Dr. Corts!

Today is a very sad day. Tom Corts, former President of Samford University, passed away suddenly at age 67. Many will miss him.
http://www.samford.edu//News/020409_corts.html
http://www.samford.edu/corts_memorial/index.html

Hooray for Baby O'Dell!

Yay! Baby Charlie O'Dell is here!!!!! Casey is one of my best girlfriends and she and her husband, David, just gave birth to their first little bundle of joy! Hooray! Now I'm ready! Well, if our budget didn't have anything to do with it, that is... oh, who cares... I'm ready never-the-less!










Abigail