It's been a long time, my friends.
I guarantee it's not all for naught-- there are things in the background brewing.

Boyfriend and I had a wonderful camping trip in June. July and August brought adventures in both real life and the legal system.
September- sweet sweet September- brought the knowledge that I am now a homeowner. This knowledge is not as terrifying as people promised it would be. In fact, I am excited about what's to come, be it new discoveries of this house I've seen twice or finding out that the wall is caving in(heaven forbid). I'm ready.
October has brought sci-fi conventions, a vacation to Colorado, still waiting for news from the house, and the anticipation of another glorious Halloween with wonderful friends.


A reminder, as I prioritize time to edit pictures and spend time with boyfriend and appliance websites:
It is far too easy to look at the day-to-day and remember few, if any, memorable moments. But when you look back over a period of time-- where you are now versus four or five months ago-- it's amazing to see how many changes you find within yourself.

This house was a pipe dream to me. How on earth could I justify a home on a known bad street, beautiful as it was? I spent a lot of time talking with friends, asking what they thought of the neighborhood or living in the area. I talked to mothers raising children within city limits on their thoughts, this being important to me as I was a child of city schools and want to have children of my own.
And you know what I learned? That everyone's experience is different. One person will love it for every person who hates it. All I can do is experience it for myself to see the results.
You know, I can move in a few years if the house doesn't work for me. But that's not why I bought the house. I bought it because it makes me happy. I can imagine spending my entire life there. I can imagine raising my children there. That's important to me. I won't let anyone affect my opinions from street name bias. This is my decision to make. This may be my mistake to make, but it's mine. Not anybody else's.

I look forward to painting, installing appliances, making this place my own-- although the second story bathroom having a beautiful red on the walls and jets in the tub makes it easier already-- in the near future. I look forward to the moment where I plop down on the couch and look around. This isn't my parent's basement. This isn't my boyfriend's and my place. This is my home. I don't have to keep certain boxes in reserve thinking I won't need them until I move again.

I don't want to move again. That's the point.


Stay tuned, dear readers. My excitement, my adventures, my life... it's only beginning.

Cuppa Two Tree

Just a few choices ones today:

Another one from last year's trip to the Coal Factory. I've heard the buildings have all been torn down.




The most delicious pasta in the world. Oyster mushrooms, butter, white wine, chicken stock, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and truffle oil. So delicious.

The true story of Wayne St. Wayne

Most people in South Saint Louis know of Wayne St. Wayne. His mural at Mangia Italiano has been a work in progress for well over 10 years. His painted records, bottles, and horror movie murals can be seen in many other businesses and homes.
Always looking for a can of Schlitz or a little "inspiration" from onlookers, he entertains potential customers with stories of monsters or his own life. And he has stories. A regular on the wrestling circuit in the past, one wouldn't expect much from the timid, less than six feet tall man, but who knows. I never saw him in his prime.

One day, last July I believe, maybe the summer before, Wayne came in to work on his mural. We all thought it a normal thing until we noticed the large, dark black eye on his face. The whispers started. Wayne must have been jumped recently. I wonder who he pissed off.
Unable to stand the suspense, I asked the question while refilling his drink.
"I got hit by a plane," Wayne said almost nonchalantly.
You could imagine the raised eyebrows that occurred from this comment.
"You know the air show for the Fair St. Louis? Well, a friend of mine was flying the biplane and we decided to recreate the scene from North by Northwest. I was running away from the plane and I looked back to see how close I was, and then SMACK! I was hit by a plane."

This, my friends, is the story of how Wayne St. Wayne got hit by a plane.

New stuff!

Just a few things for now. I've been snapping a lot of photos since I got my Olympus Rebel XT, but a lot of them are for marketing and not very artsy.

This is Sofie, the boyfriend's niece, at Easter. She is, in case you were wondering, the most beautiful little girl in the world.


Spices at the Mercado in Oaxaca, Mexico.


Mama Sarah and Baby Evan, 14 hours old, at the hospital.


The brilliant cupcakes of Superman onomatopoeia Cate and I made for my birthday.

More things will be coming. A trip to Europe is planned for late August, and I can't wait to get out of the country with the Rebel!