Chronicles of the Dashlee's: November 2010

I feel the need to post a random update on my life. This will be entirely random, so fasten your seatbelts and prepare for the post an English teacher would love to see from the kid she's wanted to fail all year.

1. Today, I bought candles. TWO candles. They're orange, and I love them. The post title is mostly referring to these bodacious little (and big) guys. I got a really big one that I have to use two hands to carry for $4.17 at Hobby Lobby (oh, how I love that place), and a tall, skinnier one for $7.99 at World Market. The tall skinny one is Larry, and the short fat one is Bob. In reference to my uncles, and to Veggie Tales. Larry is scented "mexican pumpkin" and smells exactly like fresh baked pumpkin pie (which is why I've wanted it for the last three weeks) (and yes, Boyettes, you know which one I'm talking about), and Bob smells like fall...like, how outside smells like in fall. I didn't think it was possible, but it's happened. And now, my home no longer smells like a nursing home.

2. I made Dan breakfast in bed today. This would, for an ordinary, non-narcoleptic person, be less significant than I am putting it off to be. But this. is. huge. HUGE! I got up at 6:30 today, for no other reason than I just wasn't tired anymore. This. never. happens. On a normal day I sleep till 9, and still have to drag myself out of bed. But not today. No, my fellow readers, not today. I got up, slapped some bacon in the pan, nearly set the smoke alarm off (which wouldn't have been near as pleasant for Dan to wake up to as the smell of delicious, metabolism enhancing breakfast in bed), made some eggs with cheese, and popped some toast in the toaster. 15 minutes later, Dan was basking in the glory of memory foam bed, a delicious breakfast, and good morning kisses from his wife. Ahhh, yes, my good wife quota has been filled for the day (JOKING).

3. My Dan's shoulder is broken. Well, actually dislocated, but it's still aweful. I'm used to being the crippled one, so this has been a steep learning curve. But, as aweful as it sounds, I'm glad it happened. It's given us some quality alone time, AND given me a glimpse of what retirement will be (minus limp arm on Dan, of course.)

4. I FINALLY finished editing all our wedding pictures. If I do say so myself, you can see a huge difference in editing technique and quality from the beginning to the end. BUT, that could be me ;) Either way, it's nice to be done, and just in time for my bookings in Georgia Thanksgiving weekend.

5. I get to spend Thanksgiving weekend with my second favorite family in the whole entire WORLD, my mom away from home, my sisters away from home (which include Audrey as well), my good friends, Elijah, Ethan, and Marc. LOVE. Love love love. All of 'em. Just wanna HUG 'EM ALL!!!!...okay, going a little overboard, but I seriously love them, can't WAIT!

6. Dan got me an early Christmas present this year...for our first christmas together, he got me a...

Psych. Can't tell you yet. A few people know. But I'm not allowed to post on FB what is is yet (or on anywhere, really), until it gets here on Thursday. Ahhh, I can feel the anticipation in the room. The adrenaline! I know you all are feeling it as much as I am. I KNOW it. Right?? Ahem...

7. Dan and I are starting a Bible study. And I'm for reals excited about it. More details to come later, but here's one of the things I'm most excited about the whole thing... I love to hear Dan teach. There's just something about it. Kind of like there something about dancing with him, kind of like there's something about making him breakfast in bed, kinda like there's just something I love when I hear him sing. He's a mentor and teacher at his innermost parts. He can gain people's trust like nobody's biznazz. I may be a little biased, but just cause I love his every little part doesn't mean I can't see him for who he truly is :)

8. This is Dan and I's first holiday season as married people, and I don't think I've ever been more excited about holidays. Ever. For several reasons, at least one of which is a surprise. There's family, food, vacation, fellowship, reunition (not a word, I know...work with me), and presents, and my Jesus' birthday, and turkey. Who could want anything more?

9. I have been learning/reinforcing something very simple in my life. I'm re-learning how to make doing what's right my motivation for everything. Even if it makes no sense to me. I have the Holy Spirit within me, and He will tell me what I need to know. My mother-in-law, Jan, is a perfect example of this to me. She packed up and moved from Kansas to Colorado, with no assurance that she'd be okay from a logical standpoint (secure job, housing, etc), and no grasp on reason, except she just felt the Lord wanted her to be there. What faith!!! Plus, she's a darn good mother in law, and I love her bunches.

10. Confession: I haven't worked out in probably reeeeaaallly close to a month. *shame*

It's girls like Taylor who give me the feeling that there is yet hope for the teenaged girls of this world! She's level-headed, strong in her beliefs, doesn't let herself get pushed around, yet gentle and wouldn't hurt a fly. She's not boycrazy, either, and that refreshes my soul.

We're also kindred spirits...we dislike and like so many of the same things you'd think we had the same mother. But the best thing about Taylor is that she's comfortable in her own skin. She knows she's beautiful, but knows how to be graceful, not "flaunt what she's got." She's quite the gal, if you ask me. I consider her one of my best friends. SOOO, when Audrey (her mom) asked me to do her senior pictures, I was pretty excited. Being that Taylor's gorgeous in every way, and then her extreme photogenic skills (which she would promptly deny, if you ask her), equals best photoshoot of my life, hands down. And I've had my fair share!

Audrey came along to be our 'light catcher." She held the reflectors juuussstt right so the light would shine on Taylor's beautifullness. She quickly became obsessed... every snip of light was something to be caught and reflected, and Taylor and I were snickering at her chasing light down hills and around tombstones with all abandon. And when I say all, I mean all.

ALL.

Taylor added her own spice to the mix as well. As well as being a senior, a mother (to her doggie daughter, Sasha), and a best friend, she's gangstah.