Eclectic Darling

No More Mumbo Jumbo

2012-04-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

Ah it's good to be back! Where have I been you ask? Well I've been living life as it comes and loving every second of it. I feel happier now than I've been in a very long time. I'm going through the days as just me. Not the person I wish I was or the person I used to be but just me, Kora. Happiness has been coming a lot easier to me. Why? Cause I choose to be joyful and delight in the little things. God has worked wonders in me lately and I'm loving it. :)
Since I last typed..I have gone through a break up, started getting even closer to my friends, started on weight watchers (I've lost 8 pounds!), found a calling at my church, gotten to meet and know new people (a very nice young gentleman bought me coffee one morning out of the blue and we have become very good friends :) I'm sure he'll read this so..Hi Bobby!), being crafty, spent a lot more time at the local coffee shop (One of my very favorite places!), started putting more thoughts in outfits, and being more creative in general! When you don't worry about life or what's gonna happen next, you become much more free. I'm extremely light-hearted if you can't tell.
I've started carrying my camera in my purse with me at all times. I actually stopped in an alley downtown last week and started snapping pictures! Some stranger saw me squatted down taking pictures of some broken glass, then proceeded to snicker at me. Snicker all you want random person, I'm an artist at heart!

I've also been very much into making things. I made a necklace the other day and it is one of my current favorites. It has "wishes" or otherwise known as dandelion seeds, inside a glass bottle with a cork top. Don't worry, it's a small bottle and it even has a burlap bow on it. Absolutely adorable.

Recipes have been super big lately too. I spent part of one of my days tearing out a ton of recipes from some of my magazines. A folder with all of them in it is another of my always going projects. I can't wait to try some of them! Delicious food is one of my weaknesses. I'll have to take pictures when I cook some select ones and post them to the blog. That's another thing! Notice the new layout? The tabs at the top of the page? I'm trying to become a regular blog connoisseur. It's a work in progress but it's gonna get there eventually! My goal is to do the things I love and this is one of them. Along with so many other things that I can incorporate in! I'm very excited about it. So start watching out for more organized posts instead of all this mumbo jumbo.

Choose to be happy!
Kora

Questions?

2012-04-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had someone come up and ask you one of those mind blowing, life altering, confusing, take you off guard, but resonable questions? I have. I was presented with one of these questions this past week. I won't tell you what the question was, but what I will tell you is that it certainly got me thinking. I have felt like Winnie the Pooh. I need a thinking spot where I can say, "Think. Think. Think." and figure it out. It was something that I never really thought I would be asked but yet something I really need to think about. Are you annoyed yet with how many times I can say think? Life is full of surprises and I'm pretty sure I have several in store for the future. You all are curious now aren't you? Don't worry, I'll probably tell you when I find out.
My life has been full of surprises. It's been more than a little crazy and hectic for over a year now. I feel sometimes that the changes were more bad than good. It really started when my Great Grandma Lofton passed away (as I've already told you). I still regret not going to see her in the hospital when they said she was doing much better and should have been able to go home soon. The day after the positive feedback, she passed away. It broke my heart that I didn't get to say goodbye. A few months later I lost someone I thought I could count on to be there for me and again, my heart was broken. The next several months were full of sadness and lack of meaning. I continued to ask myself, "Why?" Always the questions. All through the rest of the time, it was one thing after another. My car broke down time after time. More people came and went that I thought I could trust. I began to think that you can't trust too much or you eventually get broken. I lost my job and my hope that things would get better. Things seemed like they just couldn't go right. I knew it was satan at work but I tended to get upset with God. Again with the questioning, "Why? Why me?" Then I decided to give up. I'd had enough. I had gotten to the breaking point and gone past it. I stopped trying. And I soon found out, that's exactly what he wanted me to do. God wanted me to give it up to him, to stop trying to handle it on my own. I suddenly had that burden gone. I chose not to worry about it anymore. Before I knew it, things were falling into place. Things were getting better. I met more fantastic friends, went to an amazing bible study group, met my very sweet boyfriend, started my career, enjoyed time with my family more, and took pleasure in the simple things. Now I'm as happy as I could ever wish. Things may still go wrong every once in awhile but that's just life. A lady that I really admire from my church was talking to me a few weeks ago on a girl's day. We talked about some of the things I've mentioned and I said that I had felt like they were all bad. She looked at me and said, "Were they really? Just think, if you hadn't gone through those things, would you be where you are now? Knowing what you know or having met the people you have?" Her wisdom really struck me! The fact is that I wouldn't be the person I am now without all of that. I won't change how I am except to be more of the person I ought to be. I'm not going to worry because I have set my hopes on something higher. I'm not going to question God anymore. He obviously knows what he's doing. No more questions about it.

Gradually Updating

2012-02-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Well it's been almost two months since I last posted. I have procrastinated yet again! I hope eventually I can get on here and do a couple of posts a week, but for now, I am going to try for once a week. I think that's probably a good goal. How do you like the new set up? I'm attempting to create a carefree fun blog layout. I'm really liking the font! This will probably be the post where I add in pictures. I'm way ready to start doing that! Maybe someday it will be picture perfect but it's a work in process for now.
I might as well ask how every one's holidays were, even though it's already February. I had a fantastic Christmas and New Years. I spent Christmas Eve with my Mom's side of the family. Then Christmas day was spent at my Aunt and Uncle's house. I was blessed with so much for Christmas. I got my red TOMS, an awesome heavy duty case for my sewing machine, and a kindle! Of course there were other things but those were the main things :) I am enjoying everything thoroughly. My Grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary party was New Year's Eve and it was perfect. They rode up in a horse drawn carriage (it was a surprise).

I love this picture of them! Shows how much they love each other after all these years.

I did the cakes and they turned out great. Several of their friends showed up and with all of our family too, the head count probably came to 130 or so. You would have thought that is was a super nice wedding reception, which is what we were going for. Some of us grand kids even provided entertainment! It was such a great way to honor them for every wonderful thing they do. I adore my Grandparents and I'm so blessed to have them! New Year's evening was spent with a group of us at a friend's house. We all had a blast. I am certainly glad to be in 2012! There was good moments in 2011 but it was certainly rough. So I am welcoming a new year with open arms. I'll have to tell you some of my resolutions for 2012 in another post. I'm determined to make this a fantastic year! Goodness can you believe that it's already February?! I'm already starting to freak out about what to get for a Valentine's gift. I will figure it out and I'm sure it'll probably end up being something I make. I love to give meaningful gifts that will be used but also really enjoyed. Time to start brain storming I guess!
What have you done so far this year? I have done a lot of crocheting, baking, and crafting. I've made two scarfs and two slouchy beanies. They turned out so cute! I think I'm going to start selling them along with anything else I come up with. I'm going to start doing more of what I love. I made some lemon blueberry cupcakes a few weeks ago...

and yesterday I made red velvet cupcakes.

They were delicious. I think it would be so fun to open a cupcake shop! My friend Helen tells me frequently that my cupcakes are to die for. Sorry, but my recipe is a secret :)

I'm really enjoying life right now! I am so blessed with so many good friends and family. I appreciate everything more and more with each passing day. It's all about outlook and recognizing what you have been given. Live and love!
Until next type!
Kora

Memories I Cherish

2011-11-29T17:36:00.000-08:00

     Hello all! I can't believe it's been since July that I last posted. I do hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. I certainly did! As for my blogging, so much tends to swamp my life and I always think, "I'll post tomorrow." But of course that turns into the next day, then the next week, and then of course the next month or months. Thus the reason I am just now posting again at the end of November. If you can't tell, I've gotten into the horrible habit of procrastinating and being lazy. Gasp! I know. I know. I should be doing more. Trust me, I'm getting there. After the year I had, it's just gonna take a bit for me to do more as a habit. But I will tell you all that in another post.
     What I really want to talk about is memories that I get around this time of year. The memories that I have of my Grandmothers and others that have moved on to be with God. As some of you may or may not know, I lost my Great Grandma Lofton last September. This time of year, was Grandma's time of year. She always brought the cranberry jam, chicken and dumplings, and angel food cake to Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was an outstanding cook. Family was such a big thing to her. We were all her blessings. I would usually sit in the living room to chat with her at Papa and MamMaw's house. I could listen to her talk about things for hours. She told me once about how Great Grandpa was the boy next door and she ignored him for a long time. Eventually they fell for each other and Grandma said that Grandpa had to chase her daddy around the house to ask him if he could marry her. Haha. I can still see her chuckling about it as she was telling me. When I was little, I would bring my sewing kit over to her house and sit at her feet. She taught me how to sew certain things and crochet (not pronounced croch-et by the way). We would make things and she would hang them on her refrigerator. That thing was covered with our art work. She would spend her whole year crocheting and sewing pot holders, wash clothes, and so many other things for everyone. I always enjoyed opening her present. I had gotten everything from barbie clothes to pillow cases, all of it made by her diligent hands. I hold them dear to my heart.
     My Granny was the same way. A Godly woman that loved her family. I have precious memories of her too. While she died when I was younger, I remember so many things about her. She always had toys for us and she would get in the floor and play with us. They lived on a good amount of land filled with trees in the back and a pond. Granny would take us on nature walks and taught us the "cheating way" to fish. Little robin's eggs would fall from their tall trees and she would bring me them in ring boxes. We always sat by her in church and she would give us big red bubble gum. I always thought the gum was "spicy" but I always chewed it anyway. She caught lizards with me and finally caught me getting cookies out of the cow cookie jar. Haha. I thought I had her fooled. One time she cooked us green eggs and ham, then read us the book to go with it. We thought it was so cool that we got to eat green eggs. Thanksgiving and Christmas were also a big thing to her. She made the best food and always decorated the tree beautifully. I loved the twinkle in her eye when she smiled or laughed. I can still picture it all in my mind. I found out only recently that before she died of cancer, she said she had to see her Kora before she went to be with God. They brought me into her room and she kissed me goodbye. It wasn't long after seeing me and telling everyone to meet her in heaven, that she went to be with him. You can only imagine how touched I was and how inspired I am.
      The fact is that I miss so many people, but especially them this time of year. Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time to really be thankful. I am forever grateful for how they blessed and graced my life. If you want to know two of my role models, they are at the top of the list. Both of them truly loved their family, spouses, and God. They always went above and beyond the call. I learned so much from them and I am so blessed to have had them as my Grandmothers. Am I sad they aren't here with me now? Yes. But I know I will see them again when he calls me to be with him. But until then, I cherish the memories that they blessed me with.

Grace and Blessings

Updates to the Modern World, Broken Cars, and New Beginnings

2011-07-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

First off, I FINALLY HAVE HIGHSPEED INTERNET! After years of being behind in technology, I think I may have kinda caught up, at least for now. Who knows, maybe I'll update to a new phone soon. It would be nice to not have a hand me down phone for once in my life. Haha.

Well my car has been giving me hissy fits lately. The poor thing is getting up there in years and miles. I feel like Dad is always having to do something to it. Her thing right now is occasionally not wanting to start and then trying to die at random times while I'm driving. Not the most conveinient thing. I speak as though my car is a person because I named it. Haha. Black Betty is the name of my Blazer. Makes sense to me that it's a suitable name for a black mini SUV. I'm rather fond of it despite the flaws. Hopefully we'll figure out what's wrong and get it fixed. I'm praying so!

Camp Rock Creek was fantastic as always! This was probably one of the best years yet. Reghan and I were counselors in Girls Cabin 4 with most of our girls from last year. You can only imagine how excited we were. They were so awesome that really, they pretty much didn't need us. They were always looking to serve, latched onto each other, and were always on time, if not several minutes early to everything. We would love to be able to be with them again next year, so we will be hoping! It was in the 100's all week and with sweating and walking everywhere, I lost some pounds and obtained pretty good leg muscles. Haha. Camp was exactly what I needed to get back on my feet. Honest I'd been in a on and off slump for the past year, and I certainly needed a boost. I was able to get closure on a few parts of my life and reconnect with God. I realized things that I hadn't before. I loved everything about the week. How the girls had me laughing all the time, Reghan and I's late night talks, being able to make connections with people, worship, food, everything! I can never see myself not going to Rock Creek. That's where I grew up and it's a huge part of my life. You always take something with you from Rock Creek and this year, I walked away with a new beginning.

Stale Cereal and Quality Friend Time

2011-06-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

So the other morning I woke up and decided I would open my box of Reese's Puffs cereal. I was getting so excited as I poured the milk in the bowl and sat down to eat it. It'd been forever since I had some! I take a bite and, "What?!" Yes you guessed it, the cereal was stale and past the expiration date. I was so beyond disappointed and upset! I was really looking forward to eating that chocolaty goodness. So I am making it a point from now on to check the expiration dates on my food products, especially my cereal.

I have been house-sitting this week and spending some quality time with one of my best friends, Reghan. Sure beats turning into a crazy cat woman. I was honestly starting to have conversations with them. The two of us girls have been talking and laughing about everything. To me, our time is always like therapy. That's when you know you have a fantastic best friend. We have also been spending some time up at Camp Genesis and were pretty much convinced to come back next year as counselors. Needless to say, I'm getting fairly excited about it. I live for church camps every summer. I couldn't imagine not going every summer. Last year we were counselors for the first time at Rock Creek. It was such a fun experience. After growing up there, how could we not come back as counselors? The girls in our cabin were great and we are hoping that we get to be with them again this year. Can't believe it's only a few weeks away! Guess I should start planning? Off to start writing out a list!

Until next type!

Starting Up In Blogger Land

2011-06-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to convince myself to get a blog for several months and I had a sudden urge to today. So here I am! I'm probably just gonna blab about a bunch of nothing but maybe once in a while I can manage to come up with something good. I'm just going to say this will be my online journal. Here we go!

I guess I should start by telling a little bit about who I am.
I consider myself to be an eclectic person and I talk to myself quite often, thus the title. I love a little of pretty much everything, especially where music is concerned. Vintage looking clothes, owls, peacocks, black and white photos and Jane Austen, are just a few of my obsessions. Enjoying life, family, and friends are certainly on my priorities list. I've learned that if you don't have them and God, you have nothing. Along the lines of family, I'm the oldest of four and just so happen to be the only girl. So yes, I've grown up being the princess. I really do love my family and wouldn't trade them for anything. Same thing with my friends! Most of them, I have had for pretty much all my life and I wouldn't make it without them. They're the best.
I am passionate about several things, but kids, people in need, and animals are high up there. That's why everytime I go on a mission trip, I want to bring all the kids back. Same with dogs and cats. No telling how many strays I have brought home. Haha. At some point I would love to travel the world, especially Europe. I am determined to, so it will happen! I am excited for what the future holds. I'm studying to be a Wedding Planner/ Organizer. I'll be doing what I love as my career and that's what you're suppose to do. At some point I'll be a wife and mom but for now, I'm just walking through the doors God opens.

Until next type!