but seriously. yes we can.

No matter which party you represent, there is no denying the tremendous weight of what happened today. I was at my new home in Nashville eating fried chicken when I heard the words, "...and the new President of the United States of America will be Barack Obama". Personally, this is a huge deal for me because I have opened my heart and mind to the possibility that what I was brought up to believe isn't necessarily right... or wrong. I have the right to listen and study and decide for myself what I believe is the best for our country; the greatest in the world. For too long we have gotten comfortable and complacent. The past few years I have come to understand that if you are a Christian, you do not have the obligation to vote Republican. For me, this was a huge thing to swallow, and have not done the classic pastor's kid move of thinking and voting the most opposite possible. I am 25 years old, and I believe in a better, more progressive America. I noticed that a lot of people voting for John McCain didn't necessarily do it because they believe in John McCain, but because they just didn't want to see Obama win. I think everyone needs to re-evaluate what they stand for and why.

I did not vote.

I was absolutely all for McCain supporters if they KNEW what they were voting for, and was struggling with Obama supporters if they were going to vote for him only because it was the young thing to do.

Daniel 2:21-22

21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.


Be in prayer. Be diligent and respectful. Don't be an asshole.









"

all dressed in khakis.

I have never not dressed up for halloween. When Joel, Neal and I were younger, I remember the first time our parents allowed us to go trick-or-treating. Of course it was only to the 3 neighbor's houses that we knew. Apparently they were the only ones that wouldn't give us razor blades in apples. We pulled something together last minute and I believe we were all mummies. Toilet paper mummies. We weren't big on candy, so the thrill was just dressing up and getting out with all the other kids. I think the next year I was a clown... then Jasmine. My mom always made my costumes. Gosh, I wish we had taken pictures back then. I do remember that my mom made me wear a t-shirt underneath my Jasmine costume. I didn't protest back then. You're welcome, mom. At the end of highschool I started realizing that halloween is a good excuse to wear something sleezy and get away with it. Yes, I was that girl. I proudly wore a swiss alps costume for all kinds of attention that I know now isn't the kind I ever wanted. Fast forward to yesterday. My good friend Jessica Valle is in town from Seattle to visit, and we didn't have a clue what to dress up as, so we didn't. And I'm glad we didn't, because everyone looked like idiots last night. The girls I saw out last night make me terrified to have a daughter. And even if we had come up with something amazing (I had wanted to be the creepy twins from the shining, but we ran out of time and resources), we wouldn't have compared to the Old Greg costume I saw last night. I mean this guy... it was uncanny. Old Greg is a character from a show called the Mighty Boosh which I first saw in London a couple years ago. It is definitely something you should check out. The recent seasons have gotten a bit dark. Funny as hell, just dark. They introduced a character called Old Greg, who is this bazaar sea man/woman who drinks Bailey's and does water color paintings.



I am excited about today. My good friend Keegan has been in Europe for two weeks, and he's finally coming home today. Also, my friends Rhett, Brian and Chris are in a band called Barcelona, and they are here for a few days for a stop on their tour. And with Jessica here, it's just an all-around feel good time.

I had a dream last night that I was on my way to work in Leiper's Fork, which is about 45 minutes south of Nashville. Every day is a really beautiful drive, so I don't mind the length of time it takes. I never have to get on the interstate or get stuck in traffic, and I get to see tons of horses, donkeys and llamas every day. Anyway, I dreamt that on my way to work, I saw a couple kids getting out of a van that had pulled over. They started to line up against one of the farm fences, and I realized it was the Duggars! I pulled over and took a picture with them with my phone, and I immediately tried to send it to my sisters Emily and Sarah, but I didn't have service. This is my life. I seriously hate T-Mobile in Nashville.

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: