Life at 20

Renovating!

2011-03-15T00:29:00.000-04:00

Since about last June, Lucas and I have been working on totally remodeling a room in his parents house, our new bedroom to be exact...

First I'll have to tell you about this house. It's over 100 years old and all the walls are plaster and lathe. It's old enough that they didn't use asbestos, but instead used horsehair to help the plaster bond to the walls.

The room itself had Monet style watercolor wallpaper which had definitely seen better years.

The electric was the old, original stuff and we found out that the entire upstairs ran on one breaker... not so great.

When we tore down one of the walls we found a bit of a surprise...

Yep, that's exactly what you think it is. No, there wasn't anything living in it.

Currently we have all new electric, all new sheetrock, and all the walls have been painted! I'm not going to post any pictures of it until it's totally done but I'm super excited we're getting there. We did all the steps ourselves with a little help from Luke's Dad and a Family Friend (for the taping).

We're re-purposing and building a lot of our own stuff for the room so I'll do another post on that soon! For now I'm anticipating our (first ever) trip to IKEA and I am BEYOND thrilled!!

Raw(e) Girly

2010-09-27T13:02:00.000-04:00

This week's theme for Raw(e) is Girly!

When I think girly I picture little girls in pigtails with bows in their hair. I immediately thought back to Thanksgiving dinner last year with my Family. My little cousin, 18 months old at the time, was all dressed up in a plaid dress and pigtails with matching bows! I had to flip back through my iPhoto and find the pictures I took of her. They're a little blurry but hey this is Raw(e) here, SOOC shots only! Besides taking a picture of a toddler hyped up on sugar is hard work!

Click on the icon above to hop on over to Sailor and Co. and join this blog carnival!

Rock Climbing

2010-09-25T19:23:00.000-04:00

Anyone ever been rock climbing?

My boyfriend works at an indoor rock gym and that's where I hung out last night! The place where he works has caves inside the wall you can crawl around in. They're painted black so it's almost completely dark in there all the time. The climbing area consists of two rooms and holds on the ceilings. It's pretty neat when you see people come in that can scale the ceiling.

This is one of our friends just messing around. That cargo net you can get into when you're in the caves but he decided he was going to climb on the outside of it just for fun. The picture on the right is another one of my friends who is an awesome climber. He can climb just about anything there.

This last one is my friend Meaghan and I in the same spot that first picture is in. That's where the zipline is for the caves. You can go straight across the room on the zipline. I haven't actually done it but I like hanging out up there, it's really cool.

Oh How Much I....

2010-09-21T01:51:00.000-04:00

love my new Canon Rebel T2i. And trust me they don't have to pay me to say that (though they can if they want to hint hint Canon). I've had this camera for a whopping 3 weeks now and to say I'm in love might be an understatement. I take pictures everywhere, every chance I get.

I take pictures when I....

go outside

when I babysit

when I walk the dog

heck I've even taken pictures on the couch!

This camera is incredibly easy to use, in fact my boyfriend's father (who is totally not tech savvy) was playing with it earlier today and got a few great shots! It has a ton of features and options and is easy to learn on when you're getting into photography. I especially love how the screen changes when you change the ISO and Aperture in Live View Mode.

I'm taking a digital photo class in school this Semester so it's even easier to learn all the functions and specifics of the camera. It doesn't hurt that I can go outside and take pictures all day while saying I'm doing my homework!

Raw(e) Smiles and Laughter

2010-09-21T00:23:00.000-04:00

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Join this AWESOME Blog Carnival

Raw(e)

This week's theme for Raw(e) is Smiles and Laughter and the first thing that came to mind was a picture I took of the girls I watch the other day. They were laying on the floor together and absolutely love getting their picture taken. Of course if they try and pose for shots they come out looking kind of ridiculous but hey that's a 3 and 4 year old for ya.

This one I caught in between poses of them just having fun with each other.

Let me know what you think :)

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If you do I'll check yours out too.

Planning

2010-08-28T18:33:00.000-04:00

School starts on the 7th and I'm ready to rock n' roll. I'm taking 4 classes: Digital Photography, ASL, Nutrition, and English Comp. English is online and the rest are night classes that meet once a week for about 3 hours each time.

I bought all my supplies and my three hundred dollar textbooks... Yikes! Did I mention I'm borrowing one from my friend saving me another 60 dollars!? It's ridiculous how much they charge us for these things. Oh well, what can I do about it?

I'm totally excited about my new planner which happens to be covered in, what else?, Elephants. I'll have to post pictures of my entire organizational set up later this week. I went cleaning crazy two days ago and have everything set up for classes to start.

I also bought this super neat iPhone app called iStudiez Pro. It holds all my class, homework and grade information. It has a nifty calendar and calculates my grades for each individual class as well as my overall GPA. I'll let you know how all that actually works but for now it seems pretty cool.

In other news, I didn't get to go to Cape Cod :( BUT I am getting my camera on Tuesday. I'm not getting the T1i anymore, I'm getting the T2i! I figured for the extra hundred bucks it's totally worth it. Not that I have a ton of extra money but I am getting my financial aid return in October and that will be a great help.

Photography and Technology

2010-06-10T00:32:00.000-04:00

A few months from now I'll be taking Photography classes through HVCC. I'll probably also take some graphic design type classes while I'm there. Next month I'll be getting the Canon Rebel T1i. I'm uber excited about it. The rebel is an amazing camera and I'm so excited to get my hands on one.

I'll be using it on my adventure to Cape Cod the 3rd week in July. I should have a pretty good idea on how to use the features of it by then and get some amazing shots of the beach.

I'll also be getting the iPhone 4 when it's released later this month. Now I love me some technology but I'm not only getting it because it has all the nifty new features. I'm due for a new phone and mine has some dead pixels on the screen which are really starting to irritate me. Though I am in love with the two cameras, facetime (video chat), slim design and bigger battery.

It's amazing how much technology has changed in the past few years. I mean video chat.. on a PHONE... that's nuts. And not one but TWO cameras. One of which is 5 megapixels. My first digital camera didn't even have 5 megapixels, let alone my first cell phone which didn't even have a camera. I thought it was cool that the screen changed colors when people called. Now I think it's cool that I can record HD video.

I Love Technology.

I Love Photography.

What do you love?

Raw(e) Red

2010-04-27T00:21:00.000-04:00

My Grandmother in her Red sweater, conveniently matching not only the couch but also the pictures above her. She's my inspiration for everything I do. She's always full of Love and Smiles for everyone.

<3 You Grammy <3

Blog Carnival from Sailor and Company <3

Don't forget the rules:

Do not edit your photo.

It must be straight out of the camera!

Don't link up until you post your photo

(and link to the actual post not your entire blog)

It must fit the theme, which is RED this week!

Have fun!!!!!

Old Photo Fun

2010-04-26T21:05:00.000-04:00

My parents split up when I was around 3 or 4 years old. My Dad moved to Florida when I was 8 and my Mom passed away when I was 12.

I have one photo of the three of us together

I'm going to attempt to edit it, most likely in Photoshop Elements. It's older, and seen better days. I was about 2 or 3 in the picture so it's a good 17-18 years old. It's also scanned in so it's not the best quality either.

Wish Me Luck and I'll post my result.

Do you have any old family photos from your childhood that you love? If a few people do we should link up for it. Leave a comment and let me know.

Spring has Sprung

2010-03-16T17:21:00.000-04:00

My favorite time of the year has arrived. The birds have been chirping, the sun is shining and I can finally dig out my flip flops in every color of the rainbow! I love Springtime. There's nothing better than waking up to the sun shining through the window and seeing the kids play outside.

Spring break is coming up for me next week. Unfortunately my plans to head to Georgia just didn't work out so well and our trip won't be as far away, or include a beach. :( However, Lucas and I are heading to the Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark! I went there for my 16th birthday and had an AMAZING time. That was the week it opened... a few years ago. Now we'll be heading there on our own, unsupervised and old enough to rent our own room. It really puts things into perspective. It feels like yesterday that I was there with my Aunt and a few friends, not yet driving on my own but getting there. Now I'm not living at home, driving my own car, and taking a vacation with just my boyfriend. A lot happens in 4 years. It goes by so fast.

It's time to slow down, stop racing to grow up and spend sometime just enjoying each day as it comes. You never know how long your life is going to last. My Mom lived to be 44, my Grandmother turns 77 in a few days. It's amazing how life works, how the world works. Live it as it comes, Love it while it lasts and appreciate every person that walks into it.

This Blogging Thing...

2010-02-18T14:25:00.000-05:00

I've come to the conclusion that I should really be using this thing more often. I 'spose it wouldn't be a bad idea to sit down a take some time to vent on my thoughts from the day, or at least the week.

Thought for Today: Why do guys (and girls too I guess) let their significant other control their life?

Isn't a relationship supposed to be about compromise, both people managing to work together to attain what they want? I thought that was how it worked but apparently I'm incorrect. I've come across so many relationships where one person changes everything, neglects their own style wants and needs for the other person. Why? Will the person not like them anymore if they have a personality? Will they hate them for wanting to spend time with other people? Is it really the end of the world? If your relationship would really burst into flames from this, is this really the person you want to be with?

I've seen it again and again, girls not trusting their boyfriends and boys not trusting their girlfriends. It seems to be more often the girl not trusting the guy though. It just doesn't make sense. I can't see being in a relationship with someone that I don't trust at all with anyone.

I want my boyfriend to be able to live his life, hang out with who he wants to hang out with, without wasting my time worrying about what he's doing. I don't want, or need to keep him at my side 24/7 so that I know what he's doing every second of every day. That's not a relationship, that's a dictatorship. I want my boyfriend to have friends, other people that he can talk to besides me, and if they happen to be girls so be it.

I feel like some girls just have this need to be with someone all the time, to always be in a relationship so they can have that attachment. But what good is that attachment if you don't mean it? How is that fair to the other person? It's not. It's only fair to you, and that's not fair at all.

Ain't no party like a...

2009-06-11T20:47:00.003-04:00

Nonexistent party.

The party was canceled because too many people couldn't attend anymore. I guess it's the end-of-the-year running around to take care of everything. So no Maddie pictures for today but I'll have to go over there at some point since I did get a new outfit for her from Carter's during one of their big sales. I'll put her in the outfit and take pictures when I do get over there.

Since there was no party I headed home (to Lucas') for dinner. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. After that I headed home to go back to my cleaning adventure. All I decided to do today was bring all the garbage up since it's trash night tonight.

Tomorrow morning I have a doctors appointment to make sure I'm still functioning properly. They call it a "med check." Basically I go in and talk to the doctor and tell them I'm not having any "bad" thoughts or mood swings and such, which I'm not. I just have to go every couple months so they can double check. It is slightly medical though, they do take my blood pressure and weight to see if I'm losing or gaining any based on the medicine. Then I get a sticker like the 5 year-olds and head out for lunch before babysitting.

I'll post after I hear from the doctor. But for now, I'm heading out to get Ice Cream because Emily felt the need to wrap up peanut butter cups for her friend right next to me and now I am craving them big time.

Today is Thursday...

2009-06-11T10:00:00.005-04:00

After a two day basement cleaning spree I'm taking a short break today to babysit. I'll be babysitting from 2:30-6 then going to a jewelry party my cousin is hosting. Best part about the party is I'll get to see my "baby" cousin Madison. I put baby in quotes because she just turned one and last I heard she can talk your ear off now. She didn't talk much at her 1st birthday party last month but that may have been because it was a bit too overwhelming for her. Though she did look quite cute and happy stuffing her face with frosting from her cake (with her hands of course). The picture above is from her birthday party last month. The ones with cake eating haven't been sent to me yet, unfortunately.

After the party I'll be heading back to the basement. It sounds like I'm sending myself into the dungeon, which I kind of am. I've been trying to make room for the things we have of mine in storage not to mention the whole thing was packed full when I moved into the house (when I was 12) and hasn't been touched since. Needless to say most of it is old useless garbage. I have donated a bunch of things so far, mostly old clothes and toys. And by the end of this spree I'll probably have donated half the basement. The plan is to turn it into a "game room" according to my Aunt but it will most likely end up another one of her rooms. She's already claimed the biggest bedroom, the living room and the garage. I would like to turn a small portion of it into my room. Right now I have the smallest room in the house. Between my bed and entertainment center I have about 10 square feet of leftover room in an L shape around the bed. It also happens to have picture windows that take up an entire wall. It would be nice if we didn't live on a main road with cars and people always passing by. And of course I'm on ground level facing the road so I almost never open the curtains and enjoy the sunlight.

Well time for bed I 'spose, since it happens to be 2:30am while I'm typing this. I'll probably blog again later with pictures from the day of Madison and the jewelry I'm probably going to have bought.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T21:16:00.004-04:00

I guess this one could use a few words. This was before Emily's Senior Prom, I went to be her photographer for the before prom pictures.

Peanutmabuduh

2009-05-15T23:45:00.002-04:00

I spent the day babysitting for my friend's Mom. I watched her two boys Paddy and Kevin from 2:30-6. Paddy came home upset about something and was very cuddly. He then asked for "peanutmabuduh," which is a peanut butter sandwich (no jelly for him). He ate his sandwich while playing with his trains and his older sister showed up with her daughter, little Miss Alana, around 3. Her other brother, Kevin, got home around 3:30. Paddy and Kevin actually managed to take turns on the computer. Normally once Paddy takes over it, it takes an act of God to get him off of it. But today for some reason he relinquished it to Kevin when he wanted to play. I was shocked, and proud of the little guy.

Once their Dad got home, I headed to get some dinner with Alana. Everyone at Lucas' job fell in love with her, she's hard not to love. We headed to Luke's house and Alana napped and ate and played with Luke's Dad. He has also been captivated by her angelic smile.

Alana is currently sleeping next to me on Luke's bed where she has been for a few hours. She woke up a couple times but went right back to bed once I gave her her binky. She looks like a doll when she sleeps. I'm not sure exactly when Shannon is coming to get her but my phone died so I can't call her. She does however have Lucas' number so she'll call or text that eventually. She's finally getting a night off for her and her boyfriend for the first time since Alana was born. She was a little hesitant but I told her she could go out and enjoy herself. Alana and I are just fine together. She's family to me.

Also pray for MckMama whose son, Stellan, is having some problems with his little heart tonight.

First Post

2009-05-14T21:29:00.004-04:00

I've been reading MckMama's blog and I honestly don't remember how I found it. Anyway, it inspired me to create my own. This will be my first blog post ever. When I was younger I used to have a LiveJournal that I used quite often but I haven't in about 4 years.

Since this is my first post, I suppose I should give a background on myself.

My name is Sara, I'm 19 years old (but look much younger) and live in NY. I live with my boyfriend (Lucas) at either his family's house, or mine, depending on where we decide to stay that night. When I say "my family" I'm referring to my Aunt and Grandmother (on my Mom's side). When I was 8 my Dad left us and moved to Florida with his "new family" (my step-mom, 2 half sisters and 2 step sisters). I have only seen my Dad once since he left and I've seen my oldest sister once as well. Four years later, after almost a 4 year battle, my Mom passed away from breast cancer. We were very close and I miss her all the time.

I have been with my boyfriend since October 23rd, 2006. We have decided we are sticking together. A lot of people may feel that we're too young to make that decision but we disagree. We went to the same High School (where we met the summer before 11th grade) and chose to go to the same College as well which we have been attending for 2 years going into our 3rd.

I babysit as my job, 4 days a week, Monday Tuesday Thursday and Friday. I watch two boys Patrick, whom I refer to as my little monkey, and Kevin. Patrick, or Paddy, is 9 and has autism. He's great with technology and loves Thomas the Tank Engine. Kevin just turned 11 and usually keeps to himself but loves video games and star wars. I also watch my friend's daughter, Alana. She is 3 months old and an absolute angel. I watch her every chance I get it, whenever her Mom asks.

I also love to do crafts and scrapbook. I read blogs, browse Craigslist and have started using twitter. I have a menagerie of pets (6 cats, a hamster, fish and a turtle at my house & 2 cats, a puppy, fish, a hamster, 6 mice, a bird and 2 turtles at Lucas'). For those of you who weren't counting, that's a total of 8 cats, 6 mice, 3 turtles, 2 hamsters, 1 bird, 1 puppy and several fish.

Another important thing to know about me is that I have an anxiety disorder. I take Lexapro for it and am currently doing pretty well, but I have been through some rough times. I do however have problems going places alone. I don't shop by myself and I prefer, when possible, to avoid driving alone unless it's to a set location where I know someone is waiting for me. I also ~~don't~~ can't sleep by myself which is another reason Lucas and I stay together at night. If you have any questions about anxiety or know anyone who is going through it please feel free to ask me. I probably know the answer.

Please leave a comment if you read my blog. It is really comforting to know there are people out there listening to what I have to say.