Way Behind!!

Dec. 7

Running shoes.  I run.  I hate it.  People tell me that will change.

I doubt it.

I still do it. =)

Dec. 8

Nickolas. Is. Insane.

But I love him.

Dec. 9

I-70 Sunrise may not be as beautiful as sunrise in the mountains... 

but it's still a gift.

Dec. 10

Nellie.  The greatest dog on earth.

Seriously.

Dec. 11

Shea.  The laziest dog on earth.

Seriously.

Dec. 12

It was SUPER foggy today....

and I took this shot on my morning walk.

LOVE.

(I have a really similar one from sunrise on Easter.  Still beauty!)

Dec. 13

Hiking the green trail at Englewood Metro Park.

Muddy but lovely!

Dec. 14

Cranberry Scone. 

It got broken in the pastry case.  One cannot just throw away 

cranberry scones.  They are AMAZING.  So I ate one.

The sacrifices I make some days.... hhahahaha

Dec. 15

Diet Dr. Pepper and Starbucks... two things I craved endlessly in the woods.

Now fairly permanent fixtures in my car.

I mean, literally, I think this exact same cup and can have been there for a month.

I have issues.

Dec. 16

DOUBLE BANANAGRAMS!!

My favorite game... supersized!!!

Dec. 17

Christmas comes to my car.  

Yep, I'm lame like that.

Dec. 18

Dark chocolate peanut M&Ms.

My most favoritest M&M ever... but rarely do I find them.

A pre-Christmas miracle!

Dec. 19

I'm Carly, a cashier at your Englewood Kroger Marketplace.

True.

Dec. 20

I no longer have an office to decorate... so my money tree scored some 

Christmas lights this year.  Lucky tree.

Dec. 21

I make chicken noodles that seriously kick butt.

Humble I am not.

They are real real good.

This is when they were in progress. =)

Dec. 22

]

Abby seriously makes me laugh.

She had the best pucker going until I took her pic.  Still she's funny.

Dec. 23

I also make a mean chocolate pretzel.

These are the white chocolate ones.

They were a big hit with Logan.

Dec. 24

Bob Schneider.

Elf.

Seriously.

Dec. 25

I.

Love.

when Christmas.

is on.

Sunday.

Still going!

Nov. 29

I have long kept a book of quotes.  It was briefly lost, but now is found.  I have been inspired much lately and have been adding often to my book some of the inspirations and thoughts of people I have been reading.  GOOD STUFF.  This is my quote book.

Nov. 30

I have an odd obsession with Brazilian junk food.  True.  I used to call these puke peanuts.  They are peanuts covered in a manioc shell.  (Baby eggs of peanuts they are called).  Anyhoo.  This is the time of year when I am usually in Brazil and since I am not this year I was craving a little treat... then I found these in a box in my closet (weird) with some other things I had never unpacked from my last trip to my South American homeland.  And wahoo... Brazilian junk food treat!  However, this was my last bag.  Bummer!!  Time to start planning a return to Brazil I guess!

Dec. 1

Another Brazilian treasure!!  This is a batik a friend sent me for my birthday a few years ago.  She knows how much I love butterflies... and all things Brazil.  None the less, I framed it back then but had never hung it (much like all the other artwork I have sitting around my room) and finally did this week.  Yay for a beautiful batik!

I miss Embu!!

Dec. 2

One of my very favorite places in Ohio to hike is at Clifton Gorge. I've hiked there hundreds of times with a variety of people, but the person I have been there the most with is definitely Kim.  We even camped there once for multiple days and just went to the office during daylight and slept in our tent at night.  Kinda ridiculous, but good.  Anyhow, Friday we hiked together for a couple of miles joined by Kim's daughter Maya.  Not the best picture of the little cutie, but none the less... this is her being entertained by "aunt" Carly after our hike.

Dec. 3

I've had some challenges lately... things that have made me struggle to find balance.  However, I came across this quote recently and it made me think that I need to be more daring.  I need to take risks.  I need to just leap and see what happens.  SO... I now have this one hanging by my bed too.  (Yes, its getting crowded).

Dec. 4

My mom loves Christmas.  Seriously.

So do I... but she loves it A. LOT.

Every year I help her decorate the ledge above the front door.  I think I do it because I am the only one in the family who is not afraid to climb up on the ladder.  Anyway, its our project every year.  This Sunday we made it happen.  This is about a 1/4 of what we accomplished.

Dec. 5

I am cleaning and organizing and downsizing my life.

This corner of my room is a MESS.  However, in the process of this cleaning this corner got clean.  

A. MIRACLE.

Documented here... an actual Christmas miracle.

Dec. 6

Today I went to Indianapolis to see my friend Dawn and her husband Brad.  Their little baby twins were born Sunday morning.  Olivia and Andrew are just wee little ones, at 1 lb 13 oz and 2 lbs respectively.  They are in the hospital in Indianapolis.  After work today I headed over to visit with Dawn and Brad and hopefully one day soon I'll meet the little babes.  Until then... grow, grow, grow little ones!  "Aunt" Carly is waiting patiently to spoil you with much sugar, laughter, and loudness!

yay for random-ness (is that a word?!)

Nov. 23rd

It's nearly DECEMBER... which means... CRAFT CITY in my room.  This year I have some good ones going, which is nice, since I don't have much money for gifts this year.  This is my dresser... well, it was... the pile has nearly doubled... I'm ridiculous.

Nov. 24th

On Thanksgiving morning my mom and I did the Turkey Trot in Miamisburg.  We were SUPER slow, but we don't care... we do it for the fun of it and a lot of people finished behind us, that's all we cared about.  Then we hit Starbucks and came home and cooked up a huge dinner.

I'm not a girl who holds onto many traditions... this is a good one we have going.  Carly likey.

Nov. 25th

There's a new movie coming out called We bought a Zoo... or something like that.  It doesn't really matter.  When I have been thinking lately about making a bold move and doing something that scares me I think of this quote that Matt Damon says in the commercial for the movie.  It makes me think that maybe all it really takes is courage and I wonder when I will have the courage it takes to jump.

So I put this on a square and hung it next to my bed... because I really hope I get up the courage soon...

Nov. 26th

I have WAY too many Starbucks cups in my car these days... I leave work every day with at least one, sometimes two.  They are accumulating in my car.  Its not good, not good at all.

Nov. 27th

I have two crazy beasts of dogs.  This is Nellie.  This is his favorite place to sleep... on my bed.  He prefers if I am not in bed so he can have more space!  None the less... I love both my pups, Nellie and Shea.  Really really love them.

Such good boys.

Nov. 28th

Who hates rain?  THIS GIRL!!  Yet... this was my drive to work today... rain, rain, rain.  Then a lovely man told me that it is supposed to rain, until it snows... which could be Wednesday... then I almost started crying.  

Seriously.

None the less... here's my drive to work today...

5 more days...

I.  LOVE.  THIS.  PROJECT.  Seriously.

Nov. 18th

For payroll at work I had to bring in my social security card.  However, I have NO idea where it is. The other option was to bring in my passport.  I know EXACTLY where that is.  Always.  (I have passport OCD at times actually).  I love my passport because it not only allows me to travel the world, but it is a symbol of possibility to me.  I love that with my passport I can go literally ANYWHERE, and meet pretty much ANYONE.  When I got my first passport (this is my 2nd) I said I would get at least one stamp in it a year.  So far, so good... next adventure....

Nov. 19th

This is my favorite Bible verse.  I hate to say that since there are lots of verses that are meaningful and important in the Bible... well, pretty much all of it really... but I love this verse.  LOVE.  

This hangs next to my bed.  LOVE.

Nov. 20th

Its sometimes weird at this point in my life that everything I own is either in one room or in storage in the basement.  I have a few things that are meaningful to me that are on top of my dresser.  Things I have picked up on my travels or have been given to me by people who inspire me.  It's a random, eclectic collection.  These are two of my favorite things... a vase I picked up in Brazil (that was often filled with flowers from friends in Sao Paulo) and a plate given to me by the church in Saratov, Russia during my first visit.  Symbols of 2 amazing and different places that are an important part of who I am.

Nov. 21st

My niece and nephew spent the weekend at our house.  They really really love to sit on my bed.  Nick likes to mess around on my computer (and leave sticky handprints).  Abby likes to harass Nick.  They make me laugh, those two.  

Nov. 22nd

I have a money tree.  I used to joke that I wish it actually grew real money.  I still do wish that... but I love my money tree.  It used to live in my office.  Now it lives in my bedroom.  It is growing like crazy.  

So random.

4....

Here we go....

Nov. 14th

Backpacker Magazine came today!!  Yay!!  I used to feel like such a dork when my Backpacker came... because I was such a poser about it.  NOW I have actually done a big time trail and I don't feel like such a pretender anymore.  Instead I love to read it and dream about other long trails and big trips to amazing places that I WILL someday take.

PLUS, see the "How to" on the front there... can you read it?  How to eat better, slash weight, stay warmer, find gear that fits... wait... all 4 things that I need! Hahahaha

Nov. 15th

Today in the mail I received the most amazing gift from my wonderful friend Jen.  She always remembers my birthday.  She's amazing like that.  I have forgotten hers many times, but she is always faithful, all the way from Brazil.  PLUS, she knows how much I love butterflies AND big bracelets... so THANKS JEN!!

Nov. 16th

I missed one thing a whole lot this summer... wearing my chinelos.  The last few days (until today) it was really warm and I have been wearing them to work (until I have to put on my work shoes).  I love my chinelos.  They make me very very happy.

The funny thing about this pair is that I had the same ones on the trail with me.  In Massachusettes (I think) I got a pair of Crocs so I threw my flip flops away (they were worn out by then anyway).  I loved them so I was sad... but I just happen to have another pair.  I'm OCD like that!

Nov. 17th

Today after work I stopped to pick up some things at Walmart and stumbled upon the most amazing surprise!!  Pumpkin Spice bagels!!  I bought some of these in Millinocket, ME right after the trail.  They were a special treat at a tough time back then and then I couldn't find them again.  Today I did!  Best surprise ever (especially after working at 5 am).  Yay for delicious bagel treats!! 

(I did buy 2 more bags to freeze, I admit it!  I'm OCD like that!)

three days of thankfulness

This may seem to be the silliest idea ever... these pictures of my life... however, I LOVE it.  It is really my hope that I will stick with it... because my first 4 days of pictures are SUCH an accurate description of my seriously random and ridiculous life.  Love it.  Here goes...

NOVEMBER 11th

This is the first in a long term project called "The Transformative Power of the Mullet".  Betsie bought me a blonde mullet wig (cause seriously, why not?!).  I take it to things and make people wear it.  They almost always look like completely different people.  This is Alli rockin the mullet at Betsie and Tyler's wedding.  

I. LOVE. IT!

NOVEMBER 12th

On the 12th I worked with my amazing friend Carrie Sue at camp.  I consumed a ridiculous amount of beverages for the 9-3 time frame.  This picture makes me smile because this is how many things I had to carry back up the trail from the climbing wall... and I couldn't help Carrie carry things because I had so many drinks.  I mean... really?  It's ridiculous.  I'm insane.

NOVEMBER 13th

Today was my second day on the job and I got my green apron today.  

I work at Starbucks now.  

I am your friendly Brown Street Starbucks barista.

This seems odd, that I have gone from career girl (of which I have had 4 already in my life) to an hourly employee.  It is also the first time in my life I have had to wear an actual uniform (other than a Sunday staff shirt at camp).  However, I am SUPER excited about Starbucks.  I can't even tell you why... its not just the free coffee... its the happy people who work there... its measurable success... its knowing that this is my next step on the path to something bigger (things already in the works and thing unforseen).  I won't be a barista or at Starbucks forever, but for now... its challenging and not too bad... and did I mention the free coffee??!!

NOV.10th

I have been thinking about how to spend this 35th year of my life.  The truth is I have absolutely not ONE CLUE where my life is headed this year.  It is scary but amazing at the same time.  I am living in the crazy balance of never knowing where to turn and knowing that there are people ready and willing to take the next steps with me.  I am overwhelmingly blessed.

I met a great friend on the trail who was taking a picture of himself every day this year.  A picture a day.  I thought... hey, I could do that!  Except that I honestly HATE having my picture taken... SO... instead I have decided that this year I will take a picture and post it here for every day.  I am seriously going to try!  A picture every day of something beautiful and amazing or simple and humbling.  A picture a day... then I will post them (I may not post them every day but there will be a picture for each day.) here so you can see where this year takes me.

SO.... I shall start with this one...

Those are my feet.  They have had a rough year... but just above them are my... JEANS!  Today I wore jeans for the first time since July and it is AWESOME!  I love my jeans!!!

Yup... that's how I'm starting my new year... I'm thankful for ugly feet and jeans.  I'm a simple girl!

Looking at 35...

35.  Whoa.

It's feeling a bit ridiculous that another year has passed so quickly and I am looking at another birthday and now... looking at 35.  That used to seem so old!  Now here I am.  Ridiculous.

I think too much.  I don't sleep well and since I haven't been working I've got some extra time on my hands. So I think a lot.  Dangerous?  Perhaps!

Today I have been thinking about who I am in this, my 35th year of life.  Who I am now is definitely NOT who I was a year ago, and I am so thankful for that.  Yet some things never really change about who you are and I love those things.  I am definitely a work in progress... learning and changing every day.  I never want that to end, so I've been thinking about what it is that makes crazy, ridiculous me, me!

So, in honor of this day, this new year... I'm sharing those things with you.  

Here goes: (don't you feel lucky?!)

... I am SUPER responsible and hardworking.  Really.  A workaholic at some times, I am organized and disciplined and take my responsibilities really seriously.  This year I got overwhelmed by that and walked away from it all (literally), and now, in this new year, I am seeking to strike a balance.  I can be hard working and responsible... and still live big.

... my faith is really important to me.  I spent 5 1/2 months in the woods this year.  I spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation (can I call it that if I was walking at the same time?!).  God is important in my life.  This year one of the things I missed the most was Sunday worship.  In this new year I am seeking to find a new place where I fit and where I can live out my faith journey in meaningful ways.

... I am passionate.  It's true.  I get real worked up sometimes.  I am passionate about serving and loving others.  I have never met a mission trip I didn't fall in love with, an orphan I didn’t want to adopt, a hungry person I didn't want to feed, or  a justice issue I didn’t want to attack.  It’s how I roll.  This year I was able to lead two amazing mission teams (Minnesota and Dominican Republic).  In this new year I am seeking to find ways to serve that are meaningful and honoring of the gifts and blessings that I have received.

... I love simplicity.  I sometimes get caught up in drama and STUFF, but in reality I am pretty simple, maybe even "plain Jane", but I love the simple life.  I love pure motives, easy conversation, peaceful transitions, and not being tied to material possessions.  This year I downsized some things but held on to much.  In this new year I am seeking to truly live simply.

... I am happy.  Really and truly this year I found happiness again.  I found it in an unexpected place.  I face uncertainty and tough decisions and yet I am truly happier than I have ever been before.  This year I remembered what happiness feels like.  In this new year I am seeking to embrace happiness even where there is risk.

... There are lots of other things that make me me.  As I head into 35, I look at who I am and the life I lead and I KNOW I am blessed.  I TRUST that God has great things in store, and I BELIEVE that everything happens for a reason.  I didn't go to Macchu Picchu or Africa at 34.  I didn't figure out what I want to do with my life at 34.  I didn't change much of the world at 34... but I did learn.  I learned that getting older isn't always easy, but there is a lot of life to live and I won't let what I "should" be doing at a certain age stop me from living my dreams.  I have learned that the gray hairs on my head have come from lots of crazy but beautiful days and even though a good dye job would be awesome, they remind me of hard battles I've fought and overcome.  I have learned that living love isn't really that scary and opening yourself up to others is definitely worth the risk.  I've learned that "life goes on" and "it is what it is" and that embracing joy changes things.

I've learned that how we live and how we love matters.

Life matters.  All of it.

34 was amazing.  I'm looking at 35 today and thinking it's looking pretty good to.

That's what matters!

Happy Birthday to me!

still... here...

Well, when I was 'sabbaticall'-ing I started writing on my other blog and I never made it back here. I'm still "wandering" although it doesn't always feel like its "on purpose". I'm so thankful for this journey I am on. I'll get back to blogging here eventually, but for now you can see what's up with me at livingthankful.blogspot.com. =)

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check this out...

For any of you out there that may be occasionally checking my very delinquent blog, here is something for you to know... I am on sabbatical from Sulphur Grove... and I am blogging it (or trying to remember to!) at
Living Thankful.... so check it out there, and I'll start updating this again when I get back!

Love yas!!

I don't listen to too much Christian music... just bein honest here... its a struggle sometimes.  Especially with the strong, opinionated feelings I have towards a certain nationwide Christian music radio station... but whatevs.  Anyhow... there are a few Christian artists that I listen to.  I'm picky, I admit.  I hate cheesy-ness... and I hate quaint little notions about perfection and joy... ok, I have issues.

None the less.  I love me some JJ Heller.  Seriously.  I love honesty and I am a big fan of simplicity and I feel like a lot of her music speaks to where I am in life.

As I approach these next 2 days, there is so very much that I need to do, to put together, and work through.  My to-do list seems overwhelming, my motivation is lacking, and the time is slipping away.  In so many ways I am headed to where I am SO ready to be, but in many other ways I am headed to the unknown and it scares the bejeezus out of me.  I feel kind of like I am on a high speed train, headed for a brick wall stop... I see it coming, but I can't get off... I sometimes wonder why I chose this... why I am headed down this path, right now... why at all? 

Yet I know the truth is that this is the ONLY place for me to go... that this is the RIGHT time for it to happen... and as scary and lonely and unknown as it is... God is walking with me now and will meet me right there.  This was supposed to feel good and peaceful and happy and right... and instead it is intimidating and scary and overwhelming.

Friday morning this train is coming to a full and complete stop.  Like it or not.

JJ Heller rocks my world.  Her CD is on a continuous rotation in my car (with my Alathea CD- love those girls too!) and this song speaks to my heart today...

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

Am I in some fragile state?  Some tragedy has befallen me?  No.  Not at all... I am in a good place... its just a scary place too.  I'm ready and afraid all at once.  Maybe I am most scared of what I will find (or won't find) when I stop and look deep inside.  Truly.

Thanks JJ for singing my heart.  2 days and counting...

life

There is a blog I read occasionally.  I think I read it just to annoy myself.  I mean, it has great pictures, which I love.  I am always amazed by great photography.  I wish I was a good photographer.  I think I have an eye for it... just not the patience.  Anyhoo, I read it and it annoys me.  Maybe because it is all happiness and joy.  It appears that her life is all fairy dust and beautiful days chilling at the beach.  I mean, I realize that she probably only posts the good stuff... but every day?  Perfect days with perfect children and baking and smiling and greatness.  I realize she is only putting out good... and I guess I can't blame her for it.  It's just annoying.

Maybe its because I wish my life was a little more like that.  You know, sunshine and beautiful beach days, and laughter and joy.  I wish I could just be home and be creative and have perfection everywhere I look.

But I don't.

Today I am in the office.  It is going to be a sunny, beautiful 65 degrees today.  I am in my windowless office... which is made even worse by the fact that none of the windows in this part of the building open, so its just old, stagnant air.

Yet, the sun IS shining and the day WILL be beautiful. 

I have a GREAT job that is a PERFECT fit for me.

I have AMAZING friends and SUPPORTIVE, LOVING parents.

I have a warm house to live in and CRAZY but WONDERFUL dogs to keep me company.

I live in a place that has four DRAMATIC seasons (sometimes in the same day).

I also have a "second home" in a place that is PEACEFUL and CHALLENGING.

I get to travel to AMAZING places and I know INSPIRING people.

I laugh a LOT and have people who challenge me to THINK and LIVE bigger.

I am blessed beyond measure.

I am loved.

Yesterday, after reading this person's perfect life blog I was driving home and saw this....

Maybe my sunsets these days have a bit of construction in the view... but they are perfect none the less.

I think I will always want MORE.  That's really the nature of life right? To always want more than what you have.  Yet, I am really trying more and more to appreciate what I have right now.  TO really remember that I am blessed in what I have and be content with the blessings that surround me.

I think a lot about Japan these days... and Haiti... and New Zealand, as they suffer so many tragedies.  Here I am, with my daily struggles... which seem so insignificant in comparison.  But God is using them to change and challenge and grow me.  I am blessed.  I need to stop, look at the sunset, and appreciate life more.

I am blessed.  My life isn't all fairy dust and perfect days... but it is perfect for ME.

Why my life makes no sense...

My life makes very little sense on a daily basis. 

Not because my life is not meaningful, and wonderful and blessed and full.  My life is lots of fun.  I laugh a lot.  I work hard.  I have amazing friends and get to be a part of adventures and activities that surprise me every day.  How did I get so lucky?

Well, I don't believe its luck, but I do wonder how it happened that I get to live this amazing life.

This weekend I went to Winter Retreat.  It wasn't the raucous good time that it usually is.  There was a lot of laughter.  There was a large amount of talking, goofing around, eating, and learning.  However, it also illustrated to me how little sense my life makes.

Here are some examples of my ridiculousness....

First, I have been really, really sick for about 3 weeks.  I was sick, then I was better for a few days, then I was sick again.  It's been ugly.  However, for some reason I still decided to not only go to retreat (which wasn't really an option since it's kinda what I get paid for), but to basically not sleep all weekend.  Ok, I didn't really CHOOSE not to sleep, but I didn't exactly set myself up for sleeping success.  SO, I looked like death all weekend... see below....

 There has been a RIDICULOUS amount of ice and cold weather lately.  A good bit of snow too.  So you would think that we would have had a lot of snow cover for our favorite thing to do at Camp Otterbein, sled.  HOwever, we didn't.  It warmed up somewhat the day before and melted away a large amount of the snow.  That didn't stop us though.  We love our blue circle sleds, we will slide on them down pretty much anything.  So... we did!

 We also really had some amazing stories to tell, lessons to learn, and things to think about.  It was a smaller group than usual, so we had a lot of time to talk and really think about the things that were being said.  Adventure.  Good times.

 We had planned before retreat to have a "winter olympics" event that involved sledding and cheese puffcorn.  YOu probably don't want to know.  However, there wasn't enough snow for the event... so instead some of the "hulless" got eaten and some of it may have ended up... all over the front porch.

See.  These things aren't really abnormal... its just that in combination... this is what I do for a living.  Seriously.  I get paid to hang out with amazing kids and plan things that are ridiculous.  I have the most amazing life.  It doesn't make a lot of sense... but its blessed for sure.

Some things may be changing soon... in ways that are scary and overwhelming and beautiful.  They may go really well and big, or they may fail spectacularly.  Either way could be pretty amazing.  I'm praying lots that God would put the next steps in my path.  I know he has them planned, I just pray that I have the courage to take them.

Life..... RANDOM!

Also, there will be 2 new moons in the month of July this year.  THAT is random information, but it is what I learned at the Red Cross today... so... yeah, can't explain how THOSE things go together!