Pros and Cons.

I've decided I really like it here, although there are some cons.

Here is a list I've compiled, in no particular order.


Pro: Bongo Java. A lot of places around here are in houses. And free wifi doesn't hurt :)


Con:


Pro: It's beautiful here. It reminds me of a different time. Like Driving Miss Daisy, or even Huck Finn.


Con: No one has even heard of Deschutes or Rainier.


Pro: I have some seriously amazing friends here.


Con: I have some seriously amazing friends in Seattle.

Embroiderme.

I worked a really long day at the flower shop today, but it was fun. I really enjoy it, and I'm sad that it is only a temporary position. Boo. I notice flowers now, which is something I definitely didn't do before. I think I like them. I know, right? What girl doesn't like flowers? I just always thought they were a waste. I got to thinking about how I don't remember a time when I got flowers. I sold a lot to old business men on their way home from work. They wanted to bring something home to their wives "just because". Last night I listened to part 2 of Mark's series on Song of Solomon. He mentioned something about how it takes around 9 or 10 years in a marriage to stop being selfish, and to start putting your spouse first without thinking. Most people get divorced before that, so they never get to experience the really good steady, selfless part. Anyway, it was refreshing to see what Mark was talking about in action today. These sweet devoted men who couldn't wait to get home to their wives...just because. You really should listen to the series that Mark is doing right now. It's called Peasant Princess, and I believe he's on his 4th week. It's not for the kids :) Listen here.

Tomorrow is another day at the flower shop, and I've got to get to bed. But before I do, I'll show you a couple things I embroidered today. I don't know what I'm using them for, whether they will be brooches or maybe christmas ornaments, but I really like the twigs & cranberry theme. Colleen and I are going to participate in a craft fair in two weeks, and I need to get my craft ass in gear.




Oh, also... when I was looking through my mom's craft stuff one last time, I found this! So cute.

Neal and Amy.

I ran across their engagement photos today. They were done by my friend and insanely amazing photographer, Sarah Kenslow Rhoads. Check out her site at: sarahrhoadsphoto.com.

Time to unpack.

elonardophotography.com

I have been in Nashville for two weeks now. So far so good. I am living with some friends in a house in East Nashville.

The job situation has been a bit tricky, but I have a couple things to get me by until I find something consistent. I have been working part time in a flower shop in Hillsboro Village which has been pretty fun. I get to be creative which makes the days go by fast. Also, I have been watching my good friend Keegan's nephews while the parents, Timshel & Skip are out recording. They are in a band called Roman Candle. I noticed a show poster that they had from when they opened for Rufus Wainwright. Ridiculous. Anyway, Jude and Ambrose are a lot of fun. I have never met kids who love music so much. They will just forget what they're doing and zone out. Yesterday we danced to Paul Simon and listened to a couple of Sufjan records. Check out Timshel's blog. She is a wonder and I'm so thankful to have them around.

Here is a video of Keegan with Jude and Ambrose in March:

As far as the store goes, Colleen and I are still kicking around ideas. In the next couple of months we'll be involved in some craft fairs, so we'll be busy making things. We really need to buckle down and finish the business plan. Or I should say 'start on it' :) I have the objective which I think sounds nice... but that's a paragraph. This thing needs to be like... 20 pages. If you have any experience with this sort of thing, any help we can get would be great.

My birthday was the 4th...2 days after I got here. The big 2-5. My good friend Ellie came to visit and we had such a great time. I'm trying to convince her to move here. Again. any experience with this sort of thing... :)
I saw some pictures that Jessica Valle took of my best guy friends, and I cried a bit. Okay, not a bit. I was dehydrated I cried so much. I really miss them. I miss everyone, actually. Especially my nieces and nephews. But I'm glad I'm here, and I think I'm transitioning well. I don't want to come home yet, so that's a good sign. When I feel lonely or homesick, I just power through. It's so great to have Jude and Ambrose to get my kid fix, and I am slowly making some good friends here. Here are some recent pics of Griffin, Jack, Olivia and Ava:

Griffin:

Jack:

Olivia:

Ava:

And here are some pictures from when Ellie was in town:


Ellie & Keegs:

Me & Colleen:

Looks like we've made it.

I'm living in Nashville now. I've been here for a week and I'm having a great time.

Check out the tour blog: www.2girls1car.blogspot.com.

I've mostly just been hanging out, trying not to think about food because I can't afford to buy any. Went on a couple interviews and have been getting misc. jobs. By next week I should have an idea if I'm going to be getting something consistent.

Until then. Here is what I did tonight: