Monster Monday

Miss Molly McGee has finally figured out that she can get up on my bed if she takes a running leap. This is now her new favorite place to take a nap...

Monster Monday

A new semester is underway and Miss Molly certainly doesn't complain about study time!

Its a sad time for Happy Valley

A sad, sad time.

The Penn State community reaches far and wide. We have more alumni than any other university in the United States. And every one of those alumni has spread a little bit of what it means to be a Nittany Lion to those around them. This loss is felt by all of them.

To me, Joe Patterno wasn't just a legendary football coach. He was the man who took the time during his afternoon walks around the neighborhood to ask how your classes were going. He was the man who signed a 2005 Ohio State game ball "To Anna, Joe Paterno" as a thank you for tutoring some of his players in Spanish. It was a huge surprise that I was genuinely touched by.

Joe once said, "They ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach."

He most certainly did make Penn State a better place. I for one am fortunate to have known him. Even if it was just as the neighbor who was more interested in how your classes were going than discussing the football season.

2012 Resolutions

Every year I write resolutions, goals, and motivations for the year. I start sometime in December and usually finalize the list sometime in January. I really put some thought into it and try to set a "tone" for the year.

I know that 2012 will be a wirlwind of activity that will require a lot of self pep-talks and focused determination. I've tried to keep that in mind when writing my "resolutions".

Here they are, in no particular order:
- plan your work; work your plan
- do not put off for tomorrow what you can get done today
- charm and grace in every situation
- end spending excessively on others
- placate and do it your way anyway
- more pictures, please!
- organize and purge, purge, purge!!

I'm hoping to achieve structure and organization that will get me through the year seamlessly with minimal stress despite the chaos that 2012 promises to bring.

Monster Monday

Miss Molly McGee... keeping her nose on the ball.



Even while taking a nap on my mom's kitchen rug.

Back at it...

I started another semester this week. Another one. It feels like it never ends.

I'm usually not such a downer about the happenings in life but grad school has become the bane of my existence. Even though there should be a light at the end of the tunnel, I can't see it yet. Even though I should graduate in August... worst case scenario December, there's still no light. Even though this is the last semester I'll ever take more than one class at a time... there's still no light.

I'll get there. I really will.

It may be a sneak attack but graduation will happen and it will happen in 2012.

But it sure doesn't feel like it.

Christmas Roundup

Our first Christmas tree:

Christmas morning before the presents were unwrapped:

The Monsters unwrapping their gifts:


Snoopy, very interested in my new Kate wallet:

Sometimes you just have to get away...

That's why I enjoy hunting. All day, in the woods, all by myself, just me and nature.



I didn't see any deer but for me its more about not being able to 'do' anything. Just sit. And be. And enjoy.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

She's having a boy!!

Let the crafting begin!

Monster Monday

Here's a few more Snoopy pics from when he was in our care...







He was so much fun to have around for the two weeks prior to Christmas. I know Chris is going to miss having him around. I'll be honest, I'm not ready for full-time puppy. I love the little monster but I'll stick with my full grown fur-babies. Chewing. Potty-training. Entertaining. Its exhausting. (Which may explain why I have fur-babies and am in no real hurry for real babies)

Mini Maternity Shoot

While "home" in Pennsylvania, I had the priviledge of photographing my lovely bff. These are just a little sneak peek I texted her of my favorites during editing.

Isn't she the cutest pregnant lady?




She and her husband find out tomorrow whether or not "Pea" is a boy or a girl. I cannot wait to hear the news! I've been itching to get my craft on since she found out she was preggo ;)

Shopping in the Country

Shopping with my dad is always a little interesting. You never know quite where you'll end up or what you'll see when you get there. Some of my favorite possessions come from these trips.

While I was "home" between Christmas and New Year's, Daddy and I explored a store run by an Old Order German Baptist couple. Walmart has nothing on these folks. They had everything and then some. Unfortunately we stopped in after doing a little squirrel hunting (yes, I am THAT much of a hick) and I didn't have any sort of camera with me.

Another day we stopped at Tractor Supply Co. I always find interesting things there...





I didn't purchase either but should have purchased both. Oh well... there's always next time.

This Year's Angel

My mom has always called me Anna Angel and every year for Christmas she gives me an angel of some sort. I've amassed quite a collection and each year she manages to find one that's totally new and totally fitting.

This year's is an Angel of the Garden.



I think she's my new favorite.

Spoiled by Santa

My boyfriend... he's the best!



I never thought I'd jump on the Ugg bandwagon but let me tell you... these buggars never left my feet the entire week I was in Pennsylvania visiting my folks! I can definitely understand the appeal.

Monster Monday

Snoopy just loved hanging out under the tree....





I don't know what it is but Miss Molly McGee loves her a Christmas tree to lay under as well.