High Above the Stately River

I can't begin to tell you what a difference the warmer temperatures made in my life last week. I felt like a new person. My mood was brighter, my energy level higher, and there was a bounce in my step. One of my good church friends who is a fellow HC/Chi Omega alum told me that the nice weather kept drawing her thoughts to her college days. I can completely identify with her. There was nothing like a gorgeous spring day on Hanover's campus. My imagination jumps back to the picturesque campus filled with beautiful blossoming flowers, green lawns, and greenery and buds on the many trees. I have decided I am definitely going to have to make a trip down the interstate and pay good old HC a visit when the weather gets a bit warmer and stays that way.

Thinking back on my days at Hanover makes me appreciative of the ways that I am still connected to my college peers and Chi Omega sisters. It's funny how such a small campus can lead to so many connections and friendships beyond our undergraduate days. For example, I find it so neat how God led to me to teach in the same elementary school as my good friend and Chi Omega big sister. Furthermore, I keep in frequent touch with two of my closest Hanover friends even though one of them teaches in Cincinnati while the other is pursuing a medical degree in Chicago. I'm so proud of them both and miss them lots! I'm also fortunate to get to continue being roommates with one of the girls who I lived with for a couple of years at Hanover. We've grown a lot since then, but sometimes we revert back to the silly girls in Room 3 of our sorority. I also am really lucky to get to see another of my good Hanover friends on a fairly regular basis. M and I are two of those people who randomly met our freshman year and were simply destined to be friends. Finally, I still keep in touch with my wonderful Chi Omega family. I'm looking forward to visiting my sorority little sister in a couple of weeks to attend a concert by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. The younger portion of our family continues our legacy back on campus and is soon welcoming another sister into our family. We can't wait to meet her!

The present is so wonderful and full of happiness, but there's nothing like a little walk down memory lane to appreciate the beginnings to such wonderful college friendships that continue into my life today...


(Initiation dinner freshman year with my sorority Big)


(A one of a kind friendship with my BGFs)


(The roomie and me)


(On graduation day with M)


(A perfect little family)

Heavenly Valentine

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! I think everyone has a love-hate relationship with this holiday. If you have a significant other, what a special day to show them how much you care. However, during years when you're flying solo, who really wants a reminder? Overall though, I must say that it's a bit commercialized for my taste, but I still embrace the opportunity to let my loved ones know how much they mean to me.

Several years ago, I ran across a simple yet beautiful valentine. In fact, the words of this valentine are perhaps more eloquent and meaningful than any the most distinguished poet could boast. At the time, I saved it to reference later and found an image of it today as I prepared to write this post.



I've never found a love so real, so pure, and so true as the love I have in my Savior. Thank you God for loving us each so much that you sent us the precious gift of your Son. Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow everyone! Spread the love! <3

Ice Princess

Today is ice day #3. I remember the days back in elementary school when we had several days off from school due to inches of snow and slick roads, but a sheet of ice such as the one still covering Indianapolis sidewalks, cars, homes, and even many streets days later is something unlike anything I've ever seen. I've had a good chuckle at the newscasters the past few days as they have talked about it from every angle until it seems there is nothing left to say about the winter storm. Nonetheless, I to agree that it has been a pretty big ordeal for our city and state.

Yesterday my roommates and I ventured out the front door in an attempt to clear our cars and take a look around. After a half hour outside, all three of us had fallen as had one of the mail ladies after a postal service vehicle got stuck. Nothing like walking on a street that could serve as an ice skating rink! Two broken ice scrapers later, we had made headway on our car windows. I couldn't believe the two inch thick ice that clung to my windshield. I'm still working on it or waiting for it to melt away. I am anxious to see what tomorrow will bring. Although three days off from work has been a pleasant surprise, I am ready to get back to it. There are only so many things to do at home after so many hours of free time...

If I thought our last snowfall had me wishing for spring and summer, let me tell you that this desire has only multiplied. I'm thinking thoughts of planting flowers, swimming, volunteering at church camp, and music. My roommates and I bought our country megaticket just the other morning. We are looking forward to seeing a number of oustanding country artists throughout the course of the summer including Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, and Tim McGraw. Bring on those summer days and summer nights!

Joyful Fashion

Well I lucked out. Mother nature decided to drop ice, snow, and rain on central Indiana this evening resulting in no school/work for me tomorrow. It's so convenient to know about school cancellations the night before instead of waking up that morning and eagerly sitting in front of the TV or computer screen with your fingers crossed. I can't say that I want any more of this wintery weather, but I will admit that a day of sleeping in and time to work on grading and reading sounds mighty fine to me. Anyhow, a free day for me tomorrow also gives me the luxury of staying up later tonight. What better time to add another blog post than now?

I want to dedicate this blog post to some fabulous and unique jewelry that I discovered a few months ago. While glancing through the articles in my national Chi Omega sorority magazine, I spotted an article about a sister in Texas who started a non-profit organization which caught my eye. This organization, be.the.joy, sells vibrantly colored jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets made by Ugandan women out of magazine paper. The organization calls this jewelry heart beads. The thing that really sparked my interest was the fact that the proceeds of the sales go toward helping fund the education of Ugandan girls. As a teacher, this made me want to support such a worthy cause. After ordering a necklace, I was not disappointed in the least. The craftmanship of the necklace was excellent, and it was more beautiful than I even expected. I ended up buying several other necklaces for a few of my friends' Christmas gifts.


Check out be.the.joy's website . Support a worthy organization and fellow women in our world. Not only will you have the satisfaction of giving the gift of education, but you will also find an absolutely beautiful and unique fashion accessory to add to your collection.
(Photo courtesy of be.the.joy's facebook page.)

Right Out Your Back Door

Sometimes I find it amazing how many interesting places you can find nearly in your own backyard. Although I could make a lengthy list of all the places I hope to travel in the future, I lately have been trying to explore locally. This weekend I went on a fun afternoon outing with my boyfriend and another couple we are friends with to a winery just south of Indianapolis, Mallow Run Winery and Vineyard. I was excited to find it located off a country road and behind a cornfield. I definitely felt right at home. We first entered the upper level of the winery in which there is a tasting room coupled with a number of tables for casual dining. Downstairs we found a heated tent filled with tables and enjoyed the musical talents of a group called Acoustic Catfish. We had a wonderful time chatting, listening to the music, and appreciating this neat jewel tucked just off the beaten path. Perhaps we will make another trip there later this year. My friends, while chatting with one of the employees, learned that customers can come help harvest grapes. What an interesting experience that would be!

I've been very fortunate these past few months to take part in many of Indianapolis's unique experiences. Lucky me to have such a creative and fun boyfriend! Some of my favorite dates have been a Colts game, dinner and a Christmas show at Beef & Board's, rock climbing, and Christmas at the zoo. Who knows what adventure we will find ourselves on next!

Warmer Inspiration

During the months of November and December, I'll be one of the first to bound out the door and marvel at the beauty of snowflakes dancing toward the ground. After Christmas however, my desire for snow is complete and I am ready to move onto the next season. Unfortunately, January and February usually have the last word. They most certainly have this year with an unusually large quantity of snowfall. In response to today's snow that fell consistently during the day, I am posting a little picture inspiration to get my mind on warmer weather and the beautiful vibrant colors of summer. It won't be long until the summer months arrive and the bright sunshiny yellow sunflowers will be blooming back home!

Savvy Saver

Since I had the day off today, it seemed like a good day to make a trip to the grocery. I must admit that grocery shopping is not on my list of favorite activities, but it was much more enjoyable when I was able to take my sweet time and peruse the aisles. After placing the last few items in my cart, I strolled along the row of checkout lines trying to determine which would lead me to the quickest exit route. You know the game we all play. Well, let's just say that I wasn't a winner today. I chose a line with only one customer ahead of me, but after putting my groceries on the belt, I realized that this fellow shopper was apparently stocking up for the end of the world. After reminding myself that patience is a virtue, I began to watch the process going on between the customer and cashier in front of me. My attitude changed to one of respect when I noticed that the woman had first of all brought a number of reusable shopping bags and that she was quite the coupon clipper. She was not only environmentally conscious but also financially smart too! I will say that I only occasionally use a coupon, but I have to admire those who take the time and have developed the skills to deduct a large sum of money from their bill. I think I will make it my goal over the next few weeks to begin searching for coupons before going to the store. We'll see if I can turn myself into a savvy saver after all.

P.S. - Advice welcome and wanted from any skilled coupon users!