Give Me a Place to Stand and I Will Move the Earth

I got a job today. Not just any job, a job I truly wanted. Since I was 16. Today was a victory. I am truly blessed. Thought I would share because I know so many of you have been waging this war of unemployment with me.

"In trying times, keep trying."

Sunday at 10 A.M.

I used to live in Southern California and this may shock some of you, but in the O.C. there's plenty of warm weather to go around. An evening stroll through downtown Orange was a common activity.

It was a recent summer evening, warm as usual, when I saw the sign above. Scott, Lindsey and I had gone for a stroll to spend some quality time together before careers and travel opportunities sent us to different ends of the country. As usual we were discussing life and how hard things were getting now that the "real world" was breathing down our necks. Just then Scott pointed it out. Hanging above us, in all its vegas-style, neon-glory. How ironic (cue Alanis Morissette.)

"In trying times, keep trying."

How appropriate.

Don't let today be the day you give up, on whatever it may be. Giving up when times are tough is the easiest thing to do. When the odds are stacked against you, the easiest way out is to fold. So, in a world where we have Easy Mac, Easy Bake Ovens, and Easy Breezy Beautiful Cover Girl let's keep trying even when things aren't easy. In trying times, let's just keep trying.

Mmmm Fondant Frosting

Afternoon ya'll.

Lately, I've become obsessed with weddings. I know what you're thinking. What girl in her twenties isn't obsessed with tying The Knot? Well my obsession doesn't necessarily include putting a big. fat. rock. on my finger and saying "I do" to a man who strangely resembles a knight-in-shining-armor (siiiigh). No, while maybe, someday, that might happen... (What's that? Knights are hard to find these days? Crap.)...I'm more obsessed with the planning, design and decor of weddings. How did you know I'm watching Jennifer Lopez in the "Wedding Planner" right now? Reader, cut me some slack here...I did use the word obsessed.

I've been spending a lot of time researching what it would take to open my own wedding & event planning business. So I try not to acknowledge people's dirty looks when they see me drooling over the wedding section at Barnes & Noble without that big fat rock on my finger.

And yes, I did go to a local bridal expo this weekend. And yes, I did wear the "Bride sticker" but it wasn't my fault. At first I had the "posse" sticker on. You can either be the bride, the groom or the posse. But when I told the women at the check in counter that I was just their doing research as a future bridal consultant...she laughed and stuck me with a bride sticker--over my already, well-established posse sticker. Real. Sweet.

The point here is that my good friend Natalie got married this summer and I think she was just the most beautiful bride that ever strolled down the aisle to meet her knight-in-shining-armor.

Don't even get me started on baby showers.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all time.

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”

— Jack Kerouac

Breathing Room.

Morning light. Warm cup of coffee. Time and space to breathe.

I often say that God will open doors for us but if we do not get up and walk through those doors on our own, they will close. We were given the ability to walk, so walk we must. We were given the ability to do work. So work we must. We were given the ability to learn. So learn we must.

Also. Music Monday= Everything'll Be Alright. (Will's Lullaby) by Josh Radin. Download it. I dare ya.

Kate Westervelt Photography

Ummm Snow?

Yes, it is snowing. SNOWING. Why did I leave California again? New England is not ready for snow before Halloween. Mur.

Here are some photographs that I took this fall. Yes-did you hear that snow? Fall. The season that comes before you. Wait your freaking turn.

All photographs by Kate Westervelt.

Tuesday Inspiration

Once upon a time I received flowers from a (old)boyfriend just because it was Tuesday. Or at least that's what the card said. Because it's Tuesday. Just because. (All-together now--AAAAWWWW!)

So in honor of "Just Because It's Tuesday" I would like to share a wonderful quote I heard today. This is my bouquet of flowers (in the form of inspiration) to you dear reader. Just because it's Tuesday. Aaah, don't mention it.

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation."

So true and so appropriate for the many-many-many recent college graduates who are struggling to find a job in this economy. Here's to brighter days. The ones that include benefits, salaries, and holidays.

The Proposal

New Favorite Movie. Go rent it. It's out today. Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds. Mmmmm-mmm! Scrum-diddily-ocious.

Words I Live By

"My religion is kindness" - The Dalai Lama

"Laugh every day, laughter leads to love and happiness so laugh" -Allison Corf, RIP sweet angel.

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek him in order to find her."

Carpe Diem.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. [SEMESTER@SEA 2008] - Mark Twain

"I live in the present. I only remember the past, and anticipate the future. I love to live."— Henry David Thoreau"

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean. -Maya Angelou

Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. -Oprah Winfrey

"......The strongest are those who admit when they have a regret. Regrets are for the strong hearted. Having regrets means you care for life and the next time around you will live better......"

I always say, keep a diary and someday it'll keep you. -Mae West

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. -Mohandas Gandhi

"I want to squeeze every last drop out of life, but I'm only interested in more time if it can be filled with meaning and joy and creative thinking. In other words, I'd like to hang on to my energy and focus for as long as humanly possible...and then some." --Oprah Winfrey

"I have inherited a belief in community, the promise that a gathering of the spirit can both create and change culture. In the desert, change is nurtured even in stone by wind, water, through time." -TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS

Inspire Me Tuesday

“Don't follow trends—follow yourself, you have to stand tall and proud.”

— Manolo Blahnik

Have a Fairy Good Weekend!

What's up party people? (Not sure where that college-frat-boy tone just came from?!?) Let me try that again....Good afternoon Reader. (Better)

Well yesterday marked the first day of the local fair here in New England and I will be heading out there as soon as this post is through.

Here's why autumn fairs are so wonderful.

Caramel covered apples. Hayrides. People watching. Warm apple cider. Peak foliage. Animal petting (well I guess this rocks if you're six, but for me it's kinda like, they smell bad and look dirty so I'll keep my hands to myself thank you very much.)

Back to the awesomeness that is a local fair...corn on the cob, crisp autumn air, family, sweaters, scarves, John Deere tractor exhibit (yes-laugh it up city slickers!) The list goes on and on.

Fairs are also a little creepy. As much as I love the small-town feel of my New England town, it's always a little alarming to watch the unique characters that come out of the woodwork for some good old fashion entertainment. But none-the-less...it's a wonderful time. I like to pretend I'm back in "the good 'ol days." You know, when candy cost a penny? Don't you remember? (Me either.)

I leave you with some photographs I took at the Orange County Fair this year.