Recent pensives:
"Difficult" is a temporary adjective best erased by time and experience.
Xoxo,
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Hello Again
Ahh, if the road were only paved with good intentions it wouldn't be so rocky! I've definitely INTENDED to blog more this summer than I have, but busy and exciting things have been happening so I beg your forgiveness. Just a brief update, Jude is doing well though he and Bruce still don't play well together. That being said, Bruce is doing well too. This summer Madison and I both pitched a few songs for our first time which resulted in a positive reaction, and therefore lead us into adding "business owners" to our personal lists of adjectives as we now own our own publishing company. Speaking of business, Fall term starts back on Aug 29 and I will continue to obtain my business degree which is ever nearer! I also intend to continue writing for The Alchemist and will post links to my publications as they come into fruition. Our tour schedule has been busier than ever this season so on our days home we've learned to make time to relax despite the little things that may need not-so-mandatory attention around the house. I've successfully NOT reached my personal reading goal for the summer (of 10 books, should've been easy breezy), though I read Kara DioGuardi's biography this past weekend. You see, a particular series met it's official close at the box office this summer and my attention to any other literary existence was non-existent. Can't help it, I had to say my proper goodbye! However, Black Friday came early this year and presented itself in the form of "Border's Going Out Of Business Sale" which means our in home library is now complete with the proper oh-so-comfortable furniture we basically got for a steal of a deal. So, I'm a happy girl!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hey Jude
On Sunday, we were home for our annual family reunion, which landed on Father's Day this year. My dad came, and as we were walking out to see Bruce (dad hasn't seem him in quite a while), we noticed that a kitten had run under our porch. Dad and I "kitty watched" for several hours, I found some food, and tried to lure it out from its hiding. By the end of the day, my determination and persistence (and a few stealth skills) paid off, and I caught him. I held him, pet him, and calmed him. While doing so, Madison and I noticed something was wrong with his mouth and that he was injured on his side. The more we examined, we realized that his lip had been detached from his gums and wouldn't hold up... his entire bottom jaw was raw gum. From what we've read on Google, we're thinking this kitten was possibly tossed out of a moving car. First thing Monday morning, we took him to the vet for an exam. We refrained from naming him even though he'd already captured our hearts until everything came back clear and we knew we could keep him. The vet stitched his lip up and we brought him home this morning, and as you already know, we've named him Jude. Happy early birthday to me! =)
Some of you have asked how he and Bruce are getting along... Due to Jude's oral surgery, we haven't mixed them yet, but I'll let you know.
In other exciting news, I've opened a small online store for the jewelry that I make. You can access it through the link on the left side of the page! You will also notice that I've added the option for you to subscribe to my blog via e-mail!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Complete Wedding Album!
Just realized I never followed up with complete engagement and wedding photos... Though I've tweeted the link, my nature won't let me stop there. I have to finish what I completed here, on Randomocities, so here you go!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64079839@N08/sets/72157626829015281/
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Gift of Giving
Ok, this was me:
A few weeks ago, I decided that the heat of the summer and my long thick hair didn't make for the best relationship. Besides, for a while, my heart had been set on donating to Locks of Love. So, I took the plunge. Keep in mind, my hair had never been shorter than BARELY above shoulder length, so this was very exciting not only because I was giving to someone with a greater need but because I was exploring uncharted territory for me! It was a bit scary too, might I add.. not having a clue what'd I'd look like with really short hair.
The minimum donation for Locks of Love is 10 in. We braided my hair, and cut it off quickly so that there was no turning back! If this has ever been something you've thought of doing, let me encourage you to JUST DO IT! Giving is a gift itself; an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another. It's so emotionally rewarding... if you aren't giving, you're missing our on some genuine happiness!
Since then, Jeff & Sheri were booked on the Opry which is always extremely fun and cool! When I found out that Aaron Tippin was also performing that night, the 10 year old inside of me was jumping with excitement. I was 10 in the year 2000, which was the year for Aaron Tippin's single, Kiss This. This was my favorite! As we were watching his performance, he sang a tune which I was unfamiliar with while putting together a bicycle. I didn't understand at all, but once he finished and explained that in every show he performs he does this, then donates the bike to Toys for Tots. My respect from him went from being that of a 10 year old enjoying a catchy melody to that of a 20 year old seeing someone with a giving heart.
Also, Madison and I have recently begun sponsoring through Compassion International. Our little girl is 10 years old, her name is Winifred Apeley Nubi, and she's from Ghana. She enjoys singing, playing with dolls, and jump roping. She lives with her aunt and helps around the house. It's strange the way we found her, the way she spoke to us. When we first began talking about sponsoring, Madison told us that he wanted the child that no one else would pick, one that's been overlooked in the sea of faces, one with a great need for us. I began going through our stack and choosing faces that spoke to me, and ended up with a stack an inch thick! At that point, I went back through and began reading information on each child. When I got to Winifred, I began to weep as I read her packet. She reminded me so much of myself at her age but the biggest thing that stood out to me was that she lived with her aunt. My aunt took care of me while my dad worked and was one of the largest female roles in my childhood life. For everything Madison and I were looking for in a child, she fit. I can't tell you how much the opportunity to help her has been a blessing in my life. I only hope we can be as big of an impact in hers.
A few weeks ago, I decided that the heat of the summer and my long thick hair didn't make for the best relationship. Besides, for a while, my heart had been set on donating to Locks of Love. So, I took the plunge. Keep in mind, my hair had never been shorter than BARELY above shoulder length, so this was very exciting not only because I was giving to someone with a greater need but because I was exploring uncharted territory for me! It was a bit scary too, might I add.. not having a clue what'd I'd look like with really short hair.
The minimum donation for Locks of Love is 10 in. We braided my hair, and cut it off quickly so that there was no turning back! If this has ever been something you've thought of doing, let me encourage you to JUST DO IT! Giving is a gift itself; an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another. It's so emotionally rewarding... if you aren't giving, you're missing our on some genuine happiness!
Since then, Jeff & Sheri were booked on the Opry which is always extremely fun and cool! When I found out that Aaron Tippin was also performing that night, the 10 year old inside of me was jumping with excitement. I was 10 in the year 2000, which was the year for Aaron Tippin's single, Kiss This. This was my favorite! As we were watching his performance, he sang a tune which I was unfamiliar with while putting together a bicycle. I didn't understand at all, but once he finished and explained that in every show he performs he does this, then donates the bike to Toys for Tots. My respect from him went from being that of a 10 year old enjoying a catchy melody to that of a 20 year old seeing someone with a giving heart.
Also, Madison and I have recently begun sponsoring through Compassion International. Our little girl is 10 years old, her name is Winifred Apeley Nubi, and she's from Ghana. She enjoys singing, playing with dolls, and jump roping. She lives with her aunt and helps around the house. It's strange the way we found her, the way she spoke to us. When we first began talking about sponsoring, Madison told us that he wanted the child that no one else would pick, one that's been overlooked in the sea of faces, one with a great need for us. I began going through our stack and choosing faces that spoke to me, and ended up with a stack an inch thick! At that point, I went back through and began reading information on each child. When I got to Winifred, I began to weep as I read her packet. She reminded me so much of myself at her age but the biggest thing that stood out to me was that she lived with her aunt. My aunt took care of me while my dad worked and was one of the largest female roles in my childhood life. For everything Madison and I were looking for in a child, she fit. I can't tell you how much the opportunity to help her has been a blessing in my life. I only hope we can be as big of an impact in hers.
It doesn't take anything drastic to be a giver. Everyday presents us all with countless opportunities to commit acts of kindness, large or small. You will always find what you're looking for, for example, you will find a way for a horoscope to pertain to your life if you believe in horoscopes. So believe in giving, and seek the opportunities to do so! Open the door for someone, smile at them, provide your time, attention, labor, or whatever you can offer in a given situation. And even beyond that? Find things around your house that are no use to you, like old clothes that you never wear, and provide them to someone with a greater need! If you take a minute to explore ways to make a difference, you'll find 'em! Just look!
...Everything boils down to perspective... which is a whole 'nother blog that I'll be writing soon. But for now, here are a few of my favorite ways to give back.
...Everything boils down to perspective... which is a whole 'nother blog that I'll be writing soon. But for now, here are a few of my favorite ways to give back.
www.locksoflove.org
www.toysfortots.org
www.freerice.com
www.goodwill.org
www.samaratinspurse.org
www.compassion.com
www.rhmc.org
ww5.komen.org
Xoxo,
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Speak Up!
Okay, I sat down tonight to transfer my Paris/London journaling into a blog, but in rereading what I wrote (and considering how much I wrote), I thought this would be smarter. If there's anyone who really cares to read it, I'll blog it. I didn't know if maybe my writing meant so much to me because it was my experience or if anyone would actually be interested in it, so I'm letting you decide. If you are awaiting my Paris/London Journal blog, leave a comment and let me know. Now's the time to speak up!
If not, I'll blog again when I can. =)
Shan
If not, I'll blog again when I can. =)
Shan
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Brief Update
Hey there,
I don't have all of our wedding photos to share with you yet, and I've yet to write a blog about our wedding and honeymoon because I keep waiting around for time to include ALL of the details. Basically, I plan to copy my journaling from our honeymoon to my blog, but the transfer of pages of handwriting into text, well... it'll take some time, and the print is at home!
For a very brief update, I'm currently still in school and will be taking 3 classes come Wednesday (pray for my endurance, please), and still write for the Alchemist. I'm also enjoying married life and taking care of my own household now.
We're currently on our Life is Great and Gettin' Better West Coast Tour with 2 dates remaining and a 2800 mile drive home ahead of us. It's been a great trip so far; we attended the 53rd Annual Grammys, and I even got a few days of visiting in with a high school friend of mine, Sara Anne, who attends UCLA.
Here are a few pictures from our trip to LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica Pier to hold you over 'til the next blog.
Thank you for your patience.
Xoxo,
I don't have all of our wedding photos to share with you yet, and I've yet to write a blog about our wedding and honeymoon because I keep waiting around for time to include ALL of the details. Basically, I plan to copy my journaling from our honeymoon to my blog, but the transfer of pages of handwriting into text, well... it'll take some time, and the print is at home!
For a very brief update, I'm currently still in school and will be taking 3 classes come Wednesday (pray for my endurance, please), and still write for the Alchemist. I'm also enjoying married life and taking care of my own household now.
We're currently on our Life is Great and Gettin' Better West Coast Tour with 2 dates remaining and a 2800 mile drive home ahead of us. It's been a great trip so far; we attended the 53rd Annual Grammys, and I even got a few days of visiting in with a high school friend of mine, Sara Anne, who attends UCLA.
Here are a few pictures from our trip to LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica Pier to hold you over 'til the next blog.
Thank you for your patience.
Xoxo,
Friday, January 14, 2011
The First of Our Wedding Photos
We have a few wedding photos in that I'd love to share with you! I'll post more as I get them!
Shan
http://www.donnanphotography.com/wedding/shannon-madison/#disqus_thread
Shan
http://www.donnanphotography.com/wedding/shannon-madison/#disqus_thread
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