300

300 - that is a huge number - especially when it refers to blog posts.  Its hard for me to believe but this is somehow my 300th post - I was honestly surprised when I made it to 100, and lets be honest, by the time I was at 200 things were slowing down and I thought the blog was going to die a slow death.  Instead I got my blogging mojo back - thanks to Andrea's goal of a blog post every day in the month of February which inspired me to get to work.  And now here it is my 300th post.  It's taken almost 2 1/2 years to get here - but I love blogging now more than I did when I started.

I have connected with some great people through this blog who I never would have come across in real life and thanks the surprising number of real life friends and family members who also blog I am closer to them than I ever thought possible.  I love that through this habit of sitting down at the computer and sharing I know my cousins better, I know what my friends are doing in their jobs/lives, I know how their kids are growing, I get to share milestones in their lives, I'm able to share some of the places I visit - and in some ways I feel I have a group of free therapists who listen to the (sometimes) confused ramblings of my mind and are kind enough to write back and let me know I'm not alone.  I have a creative outlet and a reason (excuse) for spending countless hours listening to music to discover those songs that move me.

So, a big thanks to all of you who take the time to read my posts and, for those of you who comment, a double thanks, I never would have made it to 300 posts without your encouragement.

I thought I'd go back to where I started - with the song from my very first post.  A song, I'm glad to say still ranks up there with my all-time favorites - and still seems to apply to me and the way I live my life.

Dixie Chicks
"The Long Way Around"
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Crafty

I thought I'd share my weekend craft project.  I've been trying to find super cheap ways to add some color and personality to my apartment, so I constantly have my eyes open to find bargains to help me decorate.

This weekend I stumbled across a package of four 12x12 cork tiles for a great price.  I figured I could buy scrapbook paper to put over the top of the tiles, add a few photos and I'd have something interesting to hang up in the bedroom.

This project cost less than $10, required no glue, scissors or any special skills.

I love simple craft projects like this - mostly because it is a project I can see through from idea, planning to execution in a short amount of time.  Most of the time the projects I work on for work take months if not years and I crave that feeling that comes when I finish something and can see the end result, craft project give me that. 

What about you?  Do crafty projects reduce your stress, or do you find it stresses you out more?

Have you heard that two of the Dixie Chick's are about to release a new album under the name Courtyard Hounds?  I'm counting down the days till its released, until then I'll listen to some of my old favorites.

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Blog 2.0

Blog 1.0 died from lack of follow through, but after reading some fantastic blogs written by some awesome friends, I thought I'd give it another go.

Instead of going it on my own, this time I've decided to cheat a bit and rely on some talented songwriters whose lyrical poetry allow me to express the emotions of life.

After 2 wonderful months at home I'm starting to pack again, this time for a 3 month trip to India. Every time I embark on a new adventure I found myself searching out the Dixie Chicks on the iPod, their newest (and best) album kicks off with an amazing song - The Long Way Around:

My friends from high school
Married their high school boyfriends
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
Where their parents live

But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

....................................................................

I've been a long time gone now
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
But I've always found my way somehow

By taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around

..................................................................

Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found

Taking the long way
Taking the long way around

My life isn't what I thought it would be when I was a girl growing up in Aurora, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Pin It