The Groupie Life

I've had a rough few weeks. I'm trying to forget about a boy, stressing at work, dreading the holiday season, and mourning the loss of my computer. But mostly trying to forget about a boy. That's all I will say about that but I have been really down. I really miss him. A lot. But I need to forget him for now. Anyway, I haven't really been feeling like socializing and being fun. But life goes on and plans happen.

So on Friday was the day that my friends and I had tickets to the Dave Matthews concert. My previous excitement had dulled because of my blah status in life. But I perked up a bit on the way to the concert. There is nothing like a DMB show to cheer a girl up. Especially with my friends Jill, Vinny and Gillian. By the time I left the show I was feeling much, much better about life. I LOOOOOOVED the show and was so sad when it was over. We had a great time dancing and singing. It was probably the best Dave show I have been to! (Check out the setlist below & poster)

Squirm

You Might Die Trying

Don't Drink the Water

Lying in the Hands of God

Crush
So Damn Lucky
I'll Back You Up

#41
Shake Me Like A Monkey

Cornbread
What Would You Say

Jimi Thing

Spaceman

The Song That Jane Likes

Grey Street
All Along the Watchtower
Encore:
Rye Whiskey

You & Me

The Last Stop

So the next morning I had to get up and work at an event on campus. So by about 11 am I was starving and ready for some brunch with my girls to recap the concert. We were joking that it was so good we should get in the car and go to Philadelphia to the show that night. For a point of reference, Philly is about 4 hours from here. And in a very spontaneous turn of events, we decided that we'd do just that. We got tickets, reserved a cheap hotel room and packed a bag (oh and got Jill's mom to go with us too). Within 2 hours of our first thought, we were en route to Philadelphia.

We got there about 6pm, checked into our room, changed our clothes and headed over to the concert venue. Getting there during the opening act. It was amazing! Another night of fun, dancing and singing, amazing friends, and our collective boyfriend, Dave. This was the poster from the show and the setlist.

The Stone

Big Eyed Fish

Bartender

Funny The Way It Is

Why I Am

Gravedigger

Best of Whats Around

Digging a Ditch

Cant Stop

Tripping Billies

Last Stop

Spaceman

Seven

Pantala Naga Pampa

Rapunzel

You and Me

Corn Bread

Jimi Thing

Shake Me Like a Monkey

Encore:

Christmas Song

Time Bomb

Two Step

We had a great time and I am SO glad that we decided to go. I feel much better after some time away. I still have a long way to go with forgetting a boy, but sometimes there is nothing better for your heart than losing yourself in a fun weekend of being a groupie with great friends! Oh, and some Dave Matthews Band!

Happy Monday!

Reporting for Duty

Last night was the 2nd Annual Club Chestnut Halloween Costume Party! I love a good costume and love themes so I was looking forward to it. It was nice to be able to relax for a bit with friends. It's been so busy and stressful lately, that I just needed to have fun. I had it a week early because most of the invitees work at a college so they'll be on duty next weekend. Here are some pictures from the night:

Gillian & I Jill and I standing in the kitchen
Tara, me, Gillian and Jill posing it up. Tara's costume was great!

Emily, Gillian and Jill with the Cop. haha.

And it's also fall break for the students so I have spent the entire weekend in pjs at home. The only time I've gotten dressed is for the party. And I anticipate that I'll be spending tomorrow like that as well! I have to say that's probably the best thing I could do for myself right now. I'm exhausted--emotionally and physically. It's definitely time for some R&R.

My computer is still not working--but my Dad came over and got it from me on Friday so maybe he'll be able to figure out what's wrong. I really hate not having a computer at home. Thank goodness for my blackberry or I'd be freaking out.

What are your plans for Halloween?

The A List

Okay, so this not having a computer at home thing is killing me. I truly never realized how connected I was until I didn't have my green dell sitting next to me on the couch (or in the bed--let's be serious)

So before I head home from work tonight (yes, it's after 11 pm) I figured I'd share three things I love right now. I mean, I love lots of things BUT I feel the immediate need to alert my friends and family to. Because this is the information that you definitely need to have. Clearly.

#1--My new musical discovery/love. The Zac Brown Band. I am a little slow to get with the program but the new CD is amazing. It's been in my car CD player since the moment I bought it. I can't stop listening. Love.

My favorite lyrics--definitely speak to me right now.

"You keep your heart above your head and you eyes wide open so this world can't find a way to leave you cold. And know you're not the only ship out on the ocean. Save your strength for things that you can change. Forgive the ones you can't. You gotta let 'em go."

#2--Dave Matthews Band. Yes, you've heard it before. But what I haven't shared with blogland is that I will be seeing them again in a few short weeks. Yes, it's true. It's okay to be a little jealous. Can't wait!#3--Boots are officially back. The weather is finally right. And I'm seeing all sorts of boots I need to have, including these. Land's End. Whoa. That's what I call love at first sight. Need to order.

And that is what's on my mind right now. Well, not entirely but these things are what keeps me distracted from thinking about real life stuff. Because my computer may be broken but my spirit isn't. :)

Happy Tuesday!

What's Up?

Happy Wednesday! I'm out of the loop this week because my computer at home is not working. Ugh. How will I stay connected? But I miss blogging and have lots of back blogs to catch up on...

Enjoy the cute ribbon pumpkins I did for the office today! Be back soon...

Fall Spirit

I love the fall. It's my favorite season of the year. Don't get me wrong, the summer is fantastic and I dread the end but there is something magical about the crisp weather and the smell of pumpkin spice candles that makes me feel good. And as much as I love my summer dresses and shoes, I find it fun to get out fall clothes and rediscover long sleeves, tights and boots.

And I like to get out fall decorations around the house. For September I put out the fall ones. This coming weekend I'll be putting out all the Halloween ones. But for now, here's a little tour of my fave decorations.

I got this last year and love the white lights. Cute little pumpkin from Bath & Body.
A little pumpkin action in the kitchen.

I never light this candle but it looks cute.

I LOVE the smell of the pine cone candle. And the table runner is perfect for that bar area.

The place mat on the kitchen table

A little harvest sign in the foyer

So that's a little taste of festive fall from Club Chestnut! What's your favorite thing about fall?

Happy Wednesday!

The Finish Line

So today was the day I was semi dreading for awhile. It's 5K day. And up until this morning, I definitely didn't think I was ready. I had really started off my training in the summer strong. I was all about getting ready and then....my normal crazy beginning of the semester stuff happened and I got off track. As the day grew closer, the more anxious I became. In fact, I had a dream last weekend that it would be awful and that I wouldn't even be able to do it. yikes. It was stressing me out. BIG. TIME.

Now, I realize I'm not in the worst shape of my life and that I exercise daily, but I'm not a runner by nature. In fact I have always said that I hated running. I like to be physically active, but running....no way. So last spring when I decided I wanted to run, I was a little surprised at myself. I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could. So you can see why I was stressed. I didn't want to fail and write off running forever.

This morning, I woke up nervous. I showed up at the race (where I was supposed to meet up with my friend, Emily who was running the 10K) and was still feeling like I was making a mistake, that this was going to be a disaster. Even as I walked to the starting line (solo, because I couldn't find Emily), put my iPod in my ears, pinned my number on my shirt, I was freaking out.

But I refused to let myself down. I turned up my music and started running. And it was good. It wasn't a nightmare. It was actually...dare I say...fun. I had no expectations of the time I wanted. I just wanted to finish and feel good about that. And the best part is that I wasn't the last one to cross the finish. Not even close.

Here is my number--I was happy it had an 8 in it. A good sign.

After the race--Brooks BBQ was served. So worth the extra WW points today.

Me and Emily (who rocked her 10K time) after the race.

Enjoying the fall day and our personal victories!

The only downer was that I wished I had asked people to come be at the finish line for me. I didn't make it a big deal because I was so worried that I would suck that I didn't want to ask people to come out. But I guess it's good that I did it totally by myself. I know it's only a 5K but I never thought I'd ever do something like this so I'm the only one that needs to be impressed with me. In any case, I'm so thankful that I did it and that I did prove that I can do it. The weird part is I can kind of consider myself a little bit of a runner now. Whoa. Three years ago, I never thought I would be able to say that. I'm proud that I can now. (Remember this post?)

And I think this may be the beginning...I already want to do it again. Remind me of that when I freak out the next time! :)

Happy Sunday!

It's About That TIme

I can't believe it's almost the end of the month. And more than that, I can't believe I haven't blogged much lately. Actually, I can. It's been really busy around here. It happens every year around this time. When students come back, my schedule becomes crazed. I've been getting home at 10 pm most nights and heading straight to bed. Sometimes I wonder how I can really keep this up. I need more balance. But I've also been trying to avoid areas of my life so I need work to help cope. It's a vicious cycle, my friends. But in any case, while I spent the weekend working for Family Weekend, I actually took a break to take pictures on my usual walk. I'm pretty sure it's my favorite place to go. It always makes me feel better.

A new little deer friend.

This is my favorite part of the walk. It's just so pretty.Trees are changing.
It was an incredible day out!

Tablerock Field

I love the way trees look against the sky.

Another look at my favorite part.

I love the fall colors.

By Table Rock. It's incredible up here.

I just think this rock is interesting.

This is my favorite picture of the day. I may make this my background on my screen.

And this is the view of the valley from a building on campus. As my friend Jill said, we may feel like we lose a lot (because of our job) but this makes up for it in a win. She's so right.

So that's a little tour of my favorite spot in town. Fall is beautiful here. I need to remember to take time to enjoy it more.

Making My Cameo

It's been awhile. Not because life has been boring around here. The college students came back so they've been getting about 90 percent of my time. The other 10 percent has been devoted to a little drama in the personal life. Don't worry, it's really minor drama.

I did manage to break away from work last weekend to go to the Grand and Glorious Garage sales in town. It's a yearly tradition for Main Street to be blocked off and people put out tables with their treasures for us to buy. Fun! Sadly, I didn't buy too much (just a little stool) and this...
I'm all about the cameos right now. I have been looking around for them and it seems that garage sales seem to have them from time to time. I love this one-it's classic looking. I wore it this week and got lots of comments about it. I love interesting accessories so this could really spice up an outfit. And it was $3. Even better. Oh and it's really a pin so I can wear it that way OR as a necklace. I prefer the necklace but I may rock it as a pin sometime.

Then I found this little one. I haven't worn it yet. It was $1.

I got this one at a sale a few weeks ago. I've worn it quite a bit since and really love it.

I love how accessories can really change your life. What accessories are you really into right now?

More to come soon...

Happy Thursday!

Club Sweet Club

One year ago today, I moved into my apartment (affectionately known as Club Chestnut). Just like any place I've ever lived this home has been filled with friends, fun times, tears, frustration, laughter and happiness. Not to mention two frisky cats racing around at all hours of the day or night. I mark this anniversary because this has been a year filled with a lot of personal growth and discovery and I'm so thankful that I have a place that I like to call home.

The view from the driveway The Front
Here's to another year of fun at Club Chestnut! Happy Wednesday!

We ARE Beautiful.

I'm going to be really honest about something that's kind of personal. I don't often try to use this blog to talk about my inner most feelings because, well, I feel weird about that. But tonight I will (for a good cause).

I don't think I've ever felt that I was a pretty girl. Stop rolling your eyes. I'm NOT looking for any sort of compliment here. What I mean is, I don't think I'm unfortunate looking by any means but I've always been really insecure about my looks. And by always, I mean since I can remember. I was a goofy, freckle faced, red head with the whitest legs in the world as a little girl. And my freckles were splotchy, at best and I had a huge gap between my teeth. I was a sight to behold.

Through the years, I became less splotchy and got the gap fixed. And I'm not insecure about much in life but for some reason I have never felt that I measured up to "pretty" girl standards. I'm critical of myself more than anyone. High school and college were awesome and I had great friends and my share of boyfriends. But I always felt like the least pretty one of all my friends. I was always the funny one. Never the pretty one. Which is fine, of course. But I always wondered what it was like to be the pretty one.

Through my twenties and now into my thirties, I've really grown into myself. Like I said, I'm a pretty confident person about most things and I've come to realize that I'm who I am and that's okay. But for some reason to this day, I am highly critical about my looks. I could leave my house feeling confident and pretty and then I see someone that looks cute and immediately second guess my hair, my outfit and my makeup. I don't want this to sound like this consumes me, because it doesn't. I can own this feeling and reason it out. Because I'm not gonna be a super model or a size 2. Ever. And that's totally fine. Because what I'm lacking in looks, I make up for in my big personality. haha.

So the reason I'm writing this little confessional is because I was reading a magazine this weekend and found this article about Operation Beautiful. I was really inspired by this because this girl started a movement by posting a post it on the mirror in a public bathroom saying "You are beautiful" and posted it on her blog. Fast forward to now, women all over are leaving inspiring notes to strangers in public places about how beautiful we all are. Amazing! Can you imagine finding a note like this posted somewhere on a day that you don't feel your best? Wouldn't that make your day? I would love it if I found a note like this. So I've decided that I'm going to start doing this randomly in public places. Because it may make a difference to someone. And I'm going to order the book too. And I think the first note I'm going to write is going to hang in my very own bathroom. :)

Happy Monday beautiful people...xoxo