Making House A Home...Finally

So, hiiiiii how are you guys doing???

In case you forgot who I am, my name is Sarah and I am a highly neglectful hobby blogger.

You guys, summer was rough on the inspiration front lines. 

Life got super busy and to be honest when it came to food, dinners were whatever was familiar and fast. On top of that I had an amazing vacation and I have to say, I was pretty resistant when it came to getting back to real life. 

Maybe it's the start of a new month or maybe the time change but something kicked into gear today and somehow the to-do list got completely crossed off. To celebrate, I figured I would get back to writing....quickly though because The Walking Dead starts soon!!

Even though we have lived in this apartment for three years, I haven't quite committed to decorating. My thought was that we are just renting so why bother when it's just temporary, but I CAN NOT take blank white walls any longer!!

You guys, decorating is hard and because it's in my genes....I have to make everything harder, so I embraced the DIY. I never understood those HGTV shows where a designer comes in and chooses every single little detail of the persons house. Everything in my home has to have a meaning.

So I started with our bedroom.

"Love you more" is our favorite little saying and the table on the right was my
great grandmothers!!

Feather Pictures - Target

Picture Frame - Walmart

Love You More Sign - T.J. Maxx

Wall Mount - Home Goods

Lamps - Home Goods

And this here was my little DIY project!

So it all started with a stick...

Kevin found this branch while camping and was using it as a make-shift fishing pole. When he brought it home I stared at it for about a year trying to think of something to use it for. While cleaning out my closet I found some ugly blue frames (a previous project gone wrong) and an idea was born!!

The frames were spray painted with a dark grey, eye hooks were screwed into the tops, and they were hung with hemp cord. It was going fine and dandy until it came to the matter of how I was exactly going to hang it on the wall. After multiple trips down every aisle of every hardware store I finally found hardware that would work. 

Curtain holdbacks that I just flipped upwards...who knew!!!

I really wanted our bedroom to be romantic and all about us and after I put new frames up, Kevin could feel what was coming next. It was time for new pictures of course!! 

So this is a sidetrack, but....here are some of my favorite shots.

Sorry about that but I just couldn't resist. 

So then it was time to tackle the living room...or is it the dining room...or maybe something in between. With apartment this size it's all the same anyways!!

I super proud of this shelf you guys!!

It was a labor of love.

Kevin had the big piece of wood in his shop and again I searched long and hard for wood brackets that I liked and that could be stained. 

I used Minwax Classic Grey, three coats on the shelf and two coats on the brackets.

After staining them, the pieces sat in the living room for about a month, why you ask....because putting it on the wall was supposed to be Kevin's job. 

Listen I'm not one to usually wait around for help but this project required changing drill bits, lots of measuring, and wall anchors. All of these things scare me!!

Today I just couldn't wait any longer so I watched a YouTube video on how to change a drill bit (thank God for internet), and approached the wall cautiously with my tape measure in hand knowing that I couldn't mess up and put a million large holes all over the wall. 

And guess what...I did it!!

In even better news, Kevin felt major guilt for putting the project off for so long that he checked the last thing off his standing honey-do list...and now we have a fixed toilet.

Can I get a Hallelujah!!! 

Everything on display is from T.J. Maxx...are you starting to notice a pattern, that store is my Godsend. 

So there you go guys. 

I was a little hesitant on this being my first post back because I didn't think it would be very interesting but this blog is about my life, and well...this is what I've been up to lately.

I'm not done yet, I still have at least a couple of blank walls to fill and my kitchen is calling my name...so stay tuned for new recipes!

For The Love Of Nature

I think I've mentioned before, that I have a love for two things; nature and taking pictures of nature. 

Especially itty bitty things, which is why the macro setting on my camera is by far the most used. 

This morning I saw this little man outside my front door, and  I thought he was worth a picture because he has some amazing colors and lets face it...he has a fro.
I have no idea what he is, but based on how he looks he is probably poisonous which means that I probably shouldn't be putting my face so close to him! 

He made me think about some of the pictures I had taken recently when visiting Butterfly World for mothers day and I thought I would share.

I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures as much as I loved taking them, and maybe they will brighten your day.

Looking Back From The Other Side: The Horrors Of College Exam Week Post Graduation

Twice a year a time used to come along where I was allowed to be a complete basket case and no one could judge me for it, because all I had to say was one little word;
FINALS!

For me, this time in my life has passed but for millions of college students around the country now is their time to be crazy.

Back in the day (you know, like last year) I was a poster child for exam week stress, just like I was at the end of every semester of school.
I had all the typical warning signs of girl at the edge of insanity:

-The blood shot eyes from not sleeping.

-The energy drink and coffee jitters caused by the caffeine running through my veins.

-The crazy hair thrown up in the birds nest I liked to call a bun.

- The sweatshirt I had been wearing for a week straight because it's the only thing that kept me somewhat calm and comfortable.

-Eating popcorn or spaghettios every night because they were the only things I could think of that required no effort.

Yup, this was me.

I thought I was starting to forget what this feeling of panic was like, until recently that is. Because when your living with someone who is still having to go through this horror, you are forced to experience it as well, just through a different perspective.

I first realized this time of the semester was upon us when going to pick Kevin up from campus.

While driving through the streets, students would randomly just decide they no longer wanted to walk on the sidewalk and would start drifting off into traffic. 

Having to be on my game and watch out for rogue jaywalking students, I thought to myself that one of three things must be happening:

1. The students contracted a zombie virus and are starting to mindlessly wander around without any regard for their own safety on the hunt for brains...of course.

2. Kids these days have no regard for anyone else around them, therefore they say "I'm going to step in front of this car, because they have to stop for me" (probably the most likely reason).

3. Or, exam week is coming and no one can be bothered by thinking about anything other than how the hell they are going to pass physics.

 There is one thing about finals week that I can honestly say I miss.
That feeling after I finished my last exam and I became free for three months!!!!
This is a feeling that no one should take for granted because sadly, once you have a full time job this will never happen again.

Since this time of my life has passed main responsibility has become being as supportive of a partner as possible while my other half bears through it. This responsibility includes but is not limited too:

-Being content with living the life of a single person for a while because you will be; eating alone, sleeping alone, watching movies alone etc. etc.

-Not letting your OCD get the best of you and cleaning when there are papers spread out over every flat surface of your household. If you even tough anything they won't be able to find that one paper that you moved and now the world is over!!

-Hiding the remote control for the xbox. It will be rough, but they will thank you in the long run....I think.

-Smacking some sense into them, when they think they are just to tired to go to their group meeting and the project is due the next day.

For those of you who are still struggling through this hell week, good luck and keep studying. For those in the supporting role to your unlucky counterpart, stay strong, it's almost over. 

Life's A Garden

Hey, lets start a garden!!

Because I have an apartment, I can't have a real garden but I have done my best with what I have to work with. 

Plus it was a fun crafty thing to do on a rainy Sunday!

I planted herbs to use for cooking.

Things always taste better when you have to work hard for them!

Starting a garden from seed has not only given me useful skills on how to provide my own food but has also taught me some lessons that I have applied towards life.

To get what you want you have to work towards it every day

For plants this means watering, snipping off the dead leaves, and positioning them in the right light.

Without doing these things, what you worked hard for is just going to wilt away.

Bugs are going to come along

Even on a second floor screened in balcony, I can't keep the bugs away all the time.

They are always popping up in one plant when I just got rid of them in another (you could probably avoid this by growing your plants indoors)

This can also be applied to life.

Bugs are always going to be popping up and instead of freaking out about it, you can choose another solution.

Try an extermination method on the infected plant, or if the whole crop is infected replant and start over. 

Fill Your Life With Simple Happiness 

There are few things as simple as seeing your little seeds first sprout that can make someone so happy.

It's simple, it's cheap, and it brings a lot of joy.
You should try it!!!

Here are some pictures of my herb garden plus a few other plants I have on my balcony.

I rescued this little book shelf from a neighbor that was going to throw it away. 

Perfect for the patio. 

I've had this cactus since freshman year of college in the dorms, when it was just a little baby. Look at it now!!

To replicate this craft, you are going to need:

Large mouth mason jars

Potting Soil

Seeds of your choice

Small rocks 

In the bottom of your mason jars place a layer of rocks. These are used to help the water drain from the soil since you can't drill a hole in the bottom of the jar.

Fill with potting soil 3/4 of the way.

Sprinkle some seeds.

Fill with potting soil the rest of the way.

And water!!

I would recommend growing your herbs indoors, on a well lite widow sill. Unfortunately I didn't have a window in a good position for this.

Now that I've conquered plants, maybe I am ready for a pet!

What Makes A Good Southern Girl....A Floridians Edition

Lately I have been seeing a lot of posts online talking about what makes a southern girl, so I have decided to have a break down of my own.

Being a Florida native, I often hear people say Florida is not really considered the South. Well let me tell you this is a lie! I'm about as south as you can get while still being in the United States so I think I deserve the accreditation. 

So let me give the low down on what makes a good southern girl, from a Floridians perspective. 

Knowing How To Make/Enjoy The Elixir Of The South. Iced Tea!

Lets get one thing straight. It HAS to be sweet!

Whenever I go somewhere and ask for sweet tea, and they say that they only have unsweetened a shiver runs down my spine and I quickly realize that I am far outside my comfort zone.

I prefer to make mine the old fashion way, in my good ole sun tea jar on the back porch....plus one cup of sugar (I try to block out how much sugar I add out of my brain)
P.S. It really does taste better when your drinking it out of a mason jar.

 Not Being Afraid Of Getting Dirty

A good southern girl saves herself  a whole lot of over reacting by just giving in to the dirt. 

Embracing this state of mind opens up a world of possibilities, because remember that soap cures all and getting dirty can be fun!

This means not being afraid of

Mud 

Fish Slim

Dog Slobber

Horse Manure

Etc. Etc. Etc.
A special skill southern girls have perfected is being dirty and still looking pretty.

Knowing Your Camo Limitations 

A lot of people think that southerners love to douse themselves in camo. Well I'm not going to lie, some do.

I love my camo, but a good southern girl must know her limitations. 

This means not going overboard (i.e., wedding dresses, prom dresses etc.)

The key here is that if your not actually hunting, you know....like in the woods, there is no need to wear it from head to toe. Think more along the lines of accessorizing. 

Taking Care Of Your Man
Southern women love to take care of their men (but that doesn't mean we take any lip from them!!) 

Just one example of taking care of your man is being in charge of cutting his hair because: 

1. Knowing how to cut your mans hair saves a lot of money over the years. 

2. You get to be in control of his hair style, therefore having the power to make it the way that it should be.
Remember, they are helpless without us really.

Having A Protective Momma 
Everyone loves a southern momma.
They cook good food.
They spoil you.
They always treat you like their baby, even when your an adult.
They will kick someones butt for you.
They act like a momma to all your friends, and neighbors, and acquaintances so pretty much everyone.

When it comes down to it the most important part of being a southern girl is taking pride in where you come from....even when people tell you that your from Florida, which isn't the South.

Shout out to all my southern Florida girls!!

Anywhere But There!!! 5 Things I Have Done To Avoid The Grocery Store.

It's that time again.
Grocery shopping.

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN!!!!

We all despise it, but unfortunately it is a ritual we must endure on a regular basis. I have a feeling that like me, most of you have come up with some pretty crazy ideas on how to put it off for as long as possible.

Here are a few ways to put this task off, that I have personal experience with.

1. Rummaging The Pantry For Hidden Treasures

Ok, I'm going to go where we all have been but are ashamed to say we go.
The back of the pantry.
I have a very narrow yet deep pantry so things tend to get pushed back into the deep abyss and forgotten about. Therefore I often find some odd things, such as:

1. A questionably dated can of tuna (I actually didn't eat that one)
2. A pack of Ramen noodles from college that has somehow made it through two moves

The possibilities are endless (well sort of), and it means I can go one more day without going to the store so I'd say that's a success.  

2. Blaming It On The Weather

Don't laugh at me, but I actually take this into consideration. If it is raining, there is no way on Earth I am going to the grocery store!
Wet weather and grocery stores mean multiple things, none of them pleasant:

• Grumpy people
• Wet carts
• Slippery floors
• Wet clothes in the frozen food section (yeah) 
• And one miserable boyfriend for sure

I also can't make it to the store if the weather is to nice, because that's just plain torture for the soul. So pretty much it has to be somewhere in between pleasant and miserable outside.
You can see my dilemma here.

3. Blaming It On The Day Of The Week

Like I have mentioned before I live around a lot of elderly people, who reside in retirement communities.
Thankfully some of these communities have the option to take a communal bus to places around town such as the grocery store which means they are not driving.
Hallelujah!!
The downside is that if you are unfortunate enough to have bad timing, you could be stuck in an already horrible place with two bus loads of elderly people which means you've just doubled your shopping time.
If I roll up to the store and there are buses parked in front of the entrance, my car is turning around and going home. I have had to endure many painful encounters to figure out when these drop off days of the week are, but I have gotten it down pretty good.
Also, don't ever go shopping on Sunday when church just gets out, it's the most crowded time of the week. I don't know what the deal is with people worshiping and buying food on the same day, but trust me don't go there.

4. We Can Have Popcorn For Dinner Again Right?
Popcorn is a genius invention, thought of by someone who wanted a tasty and cheap food that was going to fill their families bellies without actually cooking.
Ok, I don't know about that last part but it is definitely what I use it for.
I think I can milk this for at least another five years...or until I have kids and have to give them something with some nutritious value.
Everyone loves popcorn, so it's ok!

5. I Can Make This Last A Little Longer
Listen, there are a lot of things besides food that I have made stretch just to avoid visiting the store. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Toothpaste- that tube is going to be flatter than a pancake when I'm done with it. If your a weakling like me and can't seem to get that last bit out bring out the heavy artillery. Flattening it with something heavy will do just fine. My favorite heavy tool around the house...my college Biology textbook (this makes me think of another blog post, "Odd uses for your Bio book after you've graduated").
Shampoo and Conditioner- your lying if your a girl and say that you have never done the add water and shake method of extending the life of that bottle for a couple more days.
Although, you must know the limits of this prolonging your products practice.
When your out, you are REALLY out.

When it comes to laziness and food you could always just go hungry (not preferred), and even though my boyfriend says I starve him on a regular basis DON'T BELIEVE HIM.
I feed him at least once a week.

Secrets Of The Blah-Blah Sisterhood

Now I'm not going to tell any actual secrets (girl code) but I feel as though this is a topic that most people (and when I say people, I mean women) can relate to.

There is this club. The beauty of this club is that at a certain point everyone is allowed in....keeping your membership is another story.

It's called....the blah-blah sisterhood.

For those of you that might not know what I'm referring to, this is a preferably small group of people to which you share the good, the bad, and the ugly.

These people are the ones that have seen your ugly cry, (you know, the one where your impossible to understand and the makeup running down your face makes you look like a character from a horror flick) and the ones who know you so well that you can communicate in facial expressions alone, when in front of non-members.

On a rare occasion your boyfriend will drift into this club unknowingly and quickly want out, but for the most part it's made up of friends and family.

When your a kid you aspire to be a part of this elite group. The phone rings...your mom picks it up...and the conversation begins.

You poke her and whisper - who's that?

 She shushes you and walks in the other direction...of course you follow.

Who are you talking to? Another shush.

It seems as though they are speaking in morse code.

He did what?...stop...well what is he going to do now?...stop...I can't believe him...stop.

Finally, after jumping around like a fool trying to hear what the voice on the other line is saying to no avail, she hangs up the phone.

Mom...mom...mom!!!!

Who was that?

What did they say?

Who were you guys talking about?

What did they do?

The reply is always the same. Usually she is nice enough to tell you who it was, but definitely not what they were talking about....rats!!

The day you are accepted into this club comes so suddenly, you could almost miss it completely. You and your mom are just sitting around with either a friend or a relative, and they start talking in depth details with each other about a situation you have never heard of before now...and then they ask you for your opinion.
You look behind you, and ask - who me?

Your brain finally wakes up, after partially zoning out because you thought they were just going to talk in code anyways and asks...what's going on here?

Ding!! The light bulb goes off when you realize.....your in!!!

Like I said, this is a club that everyone gets to be a part of...but it's smart to keep your chapters small. Mine is about 4 or 5 people depending on the topic at hand. Any larger and you start running into problems....this is a whole other discussion that I'm not quite ready for.

But on another note, it is certainly an honor to be part of this club, a membership in which we all hope to pass on to a daughter of our own one day.

P.S.- If you find that you are not currently part of a blah-blah sisterhood group, find one fast- the members jackets are fabulous, the clubhouses have good candles, and the snacks are chocolate covered-as all good snacks should be.



An Irish Prayer To Live By

It's St. Patrick's Day and in honor of my fellow Irish men and women out there, I would like to post an old prayer to live by:

 

Take time to work,

It is the price of success.

 

Take time to think,

It is the source of power.

 

Take time to play,

It is the secret of perpetual youth.

 

Take time to read,

It is the foundation of wisdom.

 

Take time to be friendly,

It is the road to happiness.

 

Take time to love and be loved,

It is the privilege of the gods.

 

Take time to share,

Life is too short to be selfish.

 

Take time to laugh,

Laughter is the music of the soul.

 

Hey Shorty! The Pros And Cons Of Being A Small Girl In A Tall World.

Being on the smaller end of the size spectrum has always given me a unique perspective on, well just about everything. I've never been able to decide if that's a good thing or bad thing, so I'm going to do what I do best.
Make-A-List!

Lets start with the pros shall we?

1. Being able to fit just about anywhere- small bed...no problem, hide and seek...thats my game, need someone with small hands to get in those tight spaces...I got your back. These are the weird things that I pride myself at being pretty darn good at. I know, they're admirable. 

2. Being able to crawl on counters without judgement- listen this one sounds weird, but hey I'll take what I can get. To reach what I need out of my kitchen cabinets a short girls gotta do what a short girls gotta do, and I'm going to climb on whatever is available to get to it.
Don't judge me.

3. Skirting through crowds- when in a crowded place lets face it, you tall people may be able to see over the crowd but can you move through it? I think no. Well when this situation occurs, it's time to send in the short girl. The rules are simple;
1. Move Fast
2. Dodge elbows
It's a dangerous job, but someones got to do it. 

4. Being able to wear kids clothes- this may sound odd but have you ever seen how expensive fishing and hunting clothes are? I regularly go to sporting goods stores such as Bass Pro and Dick's Sporting Goods and as the boys stand in the same section for hours trying to decide between the green bait and the brown bait, I sneak off to the clothing section.
Naturally.
Ladies size small camo hunting pants- $49.99 (not that you can get a small anyways)
Youth size large camo hunting pants- $29.99
I say bingo to that deal!

5. Being able to ride in things when your tired- shopping carts, little red wagons, and some large child strollers. Walking sucks when your tired and I'm not above any of this, 'nough said. 

Ok, here we go with the cons.

1. Being able to fit just about anywhere- yes this is also listed as a pro, but it can be very much considered a con. You see, when you can fit anywhere people ask you to do some undesirable things. This includes, being forced to crawl into some gross and dark places. 

2. Trying to go grocery shopping- most of the time when I go grocery shopping I drag Kevin along to be my creeper patrol (Walmart is a scary place) but on the rare occasion that he isn't around there are always a million things I need that are out of reach. Usually there is some tall stranger lurking around that I can ask to get it for me, but when there isn't one in sight it's time to get creative. I may or may not have been known to build the occasional tower of soda boxes to reach the bottle of ginger ale way in the back of the top shelf...no shame, no shame at all. (By the way, standing on something that makes me of average height never ceases to amaze me...you people can see everything!) 

3. Looking like a child walking next to your boyfriend- listen I am constantly being mistaken for someone much younger than myself, but when your boyfriend walking next to you is much taller, wheres boots that make him even taller, and always sports a beard this happens more than normal. Being asked if your brother and sister....no bueno. (I have to say, that moment was quite the low point) 

4. Having current fashion limitations- ok, I know I said fitting into youth clothes is a pro, but this comes with the price of not being able to wear grown up clothes either!!! (did I mention the lucrative ladies size small camo pants?) You know what I'm talking about.
Exhibit A: the maxi dress.
Are those things made for giants or what? I stand next to one hanging up and it's longer than my entire body, not to mention they are everywhere I go practically mocking me....insanity I tell you. Make a maxi dress for short girls!

5. People thinking you can't do anything because your "fragile"- hearing people say that they are afraid that your going to break because your so small is really quite annoying. Due to this often repeated phrase I have noticed that I, as well as many other small girls have developed the habit of not asking for help. You think I can't carry that? Well let me show you.
Kevin has often come home to large pieces of furniture moved to a different room. He then asks how I've moved something three times my size and weight.
It's all about the pride ladies.

I don't know if I have decided if being small is a good thing or a bad thing, but I'm sure really tall girls have just as many grievances. For all you average sized girls, enjoy.

The daily struggle.

Sleep Walkin'

I've been told since I was pretty young that I talk a little in my sleep. My response always used to be DENIAL. Well it seems as though like many of my other habits, my poor sleeping habits have escalated with age.

I have heard that kids sleep walk a lot when their young, but that most grow out of it as adults. Why must I do everything backwards????

Things all started to go downhill when I took a job at a Gelato shop almost two years ago. This was the first job I'd ever had that required working well into the night. Some nights we didn't close until midnight, and then there was the clean up that was at least an hour. Even when I got home, I was so hyped up on sugar from "testing" Gelato all night that I wouldn't actually fall asleep until almost three in the morning. Your probably saying she's young, that's nothing. Well I really like my sleep and when I say really I mean, REALLY! I can literally fall asleep anywhere and will happily stay asleep through hell and high water.

You name a place and time and I will have no problems I promise you.
 It truly is a gift.

Well anyways, I started noticing that I was having extremely vivid dreams.....of being at work!! What the hell, I just got off work and I'm going to continue to dream about it until I wake up and have to start all over again!?! I have always had vivid dreams but now I was starting to wake up feeling just as exhausted as when I went to sleep in the first place.

Waking up one morning (ok more like afternoon) Kevin mentioned to me how he was tired because I kept him up all night. Apparently during the night while "sleeping" I gave him complete directions on how to make the perfect latte (something I had to do a lot at work) just in case he wanted to know. I must point out that he now has no excuse for not having one ready for me when I wake up in the morning. I mean he basically sat through a seminar about it. 

Things started to get worse. Not only was I talking every night in my dreams, but apparently I was now starting to wander around the apartment in the middle of the night. He claims that I have never gone passed the front door to the outside world, but being half asleep himself, how can I trust him to keep a watchful eye on me??? I rarely remember what the dream consists of in these instances. I wouldn't even believed him in the first place if it weren't for the fact that I often wake up and find myself standing in my living room at four in the morning. I then wander back to bed, and fall back asleep angry that I have done it once again. 

At one point I started to feel bad for my neighbors. I would frequently wake up, to find myself staring out of my bedroom window into the darkness. I doubt there were many people looking out of their windows at that time of night, but if they did they had to have seen me and think that I was possessed by the devil or something (I don't do this anymore...I think). Someone suggested that maybe I talk to ghosts in my sleep.
We won't go there.

Although I have stopped working late hours the crazy dreams, and the sleep talking/walking have not slowed down which means I pretty much never feel like I have slept. Having the feeling that any minute my eyes are going to roll back, my head is going to slam into my desk, only to be immediately followed by the sound of snoring has become part of the everyday grind. C'est la vie!!!

Feeling The Black And White

My obsession with pictures began when I was just a little kid. My mom stored most of our family pictures in the deep drawer of her bedside table. I would often sit on the floor in front of it and go through every single one. In my own little world, off in the quite corner of my parents room, next to the rocking chair I went through those pictures so often that I had to have memorized their order, but I didn't care. (I'm not even sure anybody knew I did this as much as I did) I loved having a memory on a piece of 4x6 glossy paper. I especially loved seeing the pictures of before I was born, imagining the great time everyone was having in that moment.

By far my favorite of all of the prints in our home, weren't the ones found in this magical drawer. They were the ones that deserved a frame in that room that was too nice for the kids to sit on the furniture....the golden oldies....the black and whites. With technological advances now allowing us to take beautifully colored pictures, it makes it hard for some people to revert back to the black, but to me they are the most beautiful of them all.

My love of pictures hasn't faulted to this day, although I have been forced to get off the floor of my parents bedroom. A few years ago they were nice enough to buy me my very own Nikon DSLR camera....to which I still greatly appreciate. They are always encouraging me use it whenever possible, (they don't have to do much convincing) but seem to always ask the same question from time to time. ''Sarah , we bought you this big expensive camera, why are these pictures in black in white?" 

It's not that I don't appreciate color, believe me I do. For me black and white brings out the true emotion of a picture. As someone who tends to concentrate on a lot of the non-important aspects of life (I've mentioned my self diagnosed OCD right?), it gives me a true sense of relaxation to look at something so beautifully simple. There is a particular picture of my mom that is by far my favorite of all. It was taken by a friend of hers when she was close to my age.

Other than our height, there aren't a lot of physical features that me and my mom seem to have in common. When I was a kid this used to bother me a lot, but when I would look at this picture I was able to see all the other beautiful things we had in common that didn't stand out to me as much in colored prints or in reality. 

See that's the difference between color and black and white for me. I looked at that huge stack of colored photos in that drawer a million times, but I can't think of one in particular I liked the most, not even a top ten. But those black and whites, those few that were worthy of a frame. All I have to do is close my eyes and they give me more than just a memory. 

Here are some of my favorite black and whites that I have in my possession. Maybe I can get my mom to send me this infamous picture of hers or some others shes been holding onto.