Happy New Year

Happy New Year friends. 

It has been an incredible year and I feel so fortunate to no longer be in the black hole that I was last year. 

This year has been challenging and fulfilling and I am so ready to CRUSH 2011. 

I hope your night and year is filled with fireworks, fun new experiences, champagne and love. 

Let's dominate this year, shall we?

xo, 

Tay

Bridget Believes

Today's post is from Bridget, a fellow Lumberjack, a friend of my brother and the proud owner of a shiny new BLOG. I didn't know Bridget when we were at NAU, but have loved hanging out with her recently! 

She moves to DC in two days having never even been there {that's brave, yo} and I am so excited to see the wonderful things that I'm sure will come her way on the East Coast. 

Enjoy! 

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I believe whole-heartedly that everything happens for a reason (my mom taught me that).

I believe that I am happiest when I am surrounded by the people I love--even happier when we are all dancing.

I believe in always reaching out to talk about the things that are most difficult to talk about.

I believe in family and that my nephews are the cutest/best/most hilarious children in the world.

I believe in the healing power of a really good run or Zumba class.

I believe in the healing power of a really good piece of pizza.

I believe in listening to your newest favorite songs until 2am.

I believe in standing up for yourself!

I believe in volunteerism and doing something really good to improve the quality of life of others.

I believe in red lipstick and wearing more of it in 2011!

I believe in eating, drinking and shopping locally. 

I believe in Steve Nash.

I believe in finding enjoyment in your job and being a good, reliable, hard worker. I believe this is one of the greatest lessons I've learned in my adult life.

I believe in feeling fabulous & classy while drinking a Tanqueray & tonic with a lime. I believe this is also the key ingredient to a really good karaoke night.

I believe in telling people how you feel. I also believe in moving on if they do not feel the same.

I believe in growing and learning through pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Scary, but necessary.

I believe that diets are a waste of time and energy. I believe they make you crabby. 

Therefore, I believe in eating healthy and being good to yourself. I believe being good to yourself includes eating burritos. 

I believe in never settling for a man. I believe the old cat lady option is better than that. 

I believe that we all better learn to genuinely love ourselves. I believe that the power of self-confidence rules over all aspects of our lives.

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**photo stolen from Bridget's facebook page. <3 it. Thanks for playing!

Tracy Believes

Today's post is from my favorite LA blogger, Tracy. 

I love catching up on her acting, life and struggles {and overcoming those struggles} with the past. She is incredibly strong and shares her strength through her powerful words. We've also had some pretty great email conversations in which she has helped me through some ish. 

Thank you SO much for sharing again this year Tracy! 

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I believe:

In the division of costs. As in: If I bought this dress for $200, but I wear it twice, then it really only cost $100. Also, if dinner was $30, but I had leftovers for lunch - voila! - it only cost $15. See how that works? I'm pretty sure men don't do this...

That kindness for the sake of kindness is the best gift you can give anyone.

Organized religion should help bridge the differences of others, not exacerbate them.

Chocolate fixes everything. If chocolate doesn't fix it, try eating cheese first, then chocolate for dessert.

Catching a stranger's eye and smiling is one of the most wonderful experiences humans get. Cherish it.

That we should all be proud of the supposedly "uncool" things we truly, absolutely adore. They'll be cool in a few years, trust me.

80's fashion is evil and looks good on no one except Rihanna, who would look good in bear suit. Speaking of which:

No, Lady Gaga, meat is not for wearing. Ease off the drugs, please.

It's the thought that counts when we try to do good things, and it's the action that counts when we try to do bad things.

That you shouldn't move in with someone unless you plan on spending the rest of your life with him or her.

In the power of breakfast in bed. And lunch. And dinner. And dessert. In bed.

People should hug something furry every day. If you have allergies to furry animals, hug a teddy bear, or a really soft blanket.

Sometimes it's okay to let people down.

That everyone should find three or four really good, deceptively difficult-looking but actually quite easy appetizer recipes, and bring those to parties for the rest of their life.

That life is what happens when we get up from our computers. The easiest way to blog is to live your life so that you have something to blog about.

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Link to Tracy's 2009 I Believe list.

Kelli Believes

Today's post is from my favorite local blogger, Kelli. Her blog, African Kelli, is incredible and you should all be reading it.

Oh, by the way, she also wrote a great book that you should definitely add to your 2011 reading list. 

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I believe in the power of words. Words can wound, heal, cause laughter and tears, bring goose bumps to the back of your neck, a shiver down your spine and a rumble in your belly. 

It is with these words, that I believe a good book can be a friend on a lonely night, a traveling companion on a long ride, something to stick under a wobbly table leg, a reason to spend countless hours in a bookstore, a prop for a child just a wee bit too small for the Thanksgiving table, and a reason to trek to Egypt to see the greatest library of the ancient world. 

With words in books that fuel imagination, I believe all children should have a chance at a great school. In much of Africa, the lucky boys and the even luckier girls attend schools with dirt floors, limited space and expectations that are humiliatingly high. The importance of boys and girls in school, with books in hand and the power of the written word in their hearts-is a belief that fuels me. 

I believe girls especially should go to school-without the restrictions of uniforms, book expenses or any of the other bogus fees that often keep them away. I believe girls who learn to read, write and think critically become women who are selective of their mates, have high expectations and are better mothers, teachers and leaders. These are the women who will change the village, the nation and the world for the better.

I believe a healthier future for families globally starts with girls who are taught to read. Girls who learned to love words. 

In this, I believe.

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Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words and incredible photos, Kelli.

Mackenzie Believes

Today's post is from my cousin Mackenzie who is wise beyond her years.

Enjoy.

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I believe.

I believe in grace even though I have none.

I believe in walking barefoot in the rain with no umbrella.

I believe in Steel Magnolias.

I believe that we were all put on this Earth for a reason – even if that reason takes 85 years to discover.

I believe in food that makes your mouth water just to think about it.

I believe in the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet and never lets you go. The kind of
love that keeps you laughing through everything, good or bad.

I believe in skipping class and spending all day in bed.

I believe that it’s okay to want to be five years old even though you’re 25.

I believe in the power of God and prayer.

I believe in respect and dignity – treating yourself with it and making sure you give the same to others.

I believe in staying out all night with friends just so you can watch the sunrise.

I believe that everything matters.

I believe that there are things we can’t take back, no matter how hard we try.

I believe that women will always be little girls first – no matter how hard we try to not be.

I believe in flirting.

I believe that it’s hardest when family is the one who hurt you – but the reunion is the sweetest.

I believe in Christmas.

I believe in butterfly kisses.

I believe in chocolate and that it is the best bandaid.

I believe that this too shall pass.

I believe that talking for hours to your best friend over a bottle of wine is just as good as sitting for an hour with a shrink.

I believe that my mom can do anything and everything. She’s wonder woman.

I believe that my dad is the smartest, strongest, most amazing man that I will ever know.

I believe in laughter, pink, high heels, Audry Hepburn, chick flicks.

I believe in big trucks, mud, backwards baseball hats, ripped jeans.

I believe in me. 

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photo source

Tracey Believes

Today's post is from my favorite Iowa blogger {and soon to be author. I'm on of her beta readers. Squee!}, Tracey. 

Thanks so much for participating again Tracey! 

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I believe:

in the healing power of wine and girlfriends.

in publicly announcing your goals, even if it might mean announcing your failure to reach them, too.

that talent without hard work is talent wasted.

that making a Target run in my pajama pants, sweatshirt, and no makeup guarantees I will run into at least one former boyfriend, neighbor, and co-worker.

that my children are my greatest accomplishment.

that eight solid hours of sleep will do wonders for your attitude.

in acting like a grownup when I should, and a kid when I can.

that it’s okay to work tirelessly toward your own goals, even if everyone has to accept that you’re a little less available because of it.

that the universe has a plan for everyone.

that nothing is a coincidence.

that how you treat animals says a lot about you.

that books are cheap therapy.

that you can spend too much time on the Internet.

that there are two kinds of people: those who always answer their cell phone, and those who don’t even know where their phone is.

that Dave will rarely answer his cell phone because he doesn’t know where it is, and even if it’s in his pocket, he won’t answer because it will be on silent.

that if I don’t cross my legs before laughing, sneezing, or coughing, I’ll probably pee my pants a little.

in supporting my kid’s dreams.

in not paying lip service to anyone.

that there are morning people and night owls and trying to convince either one to change is a exercise in futility.

that being perceptive will get you farther than being smart.

that sometimes it’s best to just shut your mouth.

in giving second chances.

that we’re all a little psychic if we really pay attention.

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another great list! I love seeing how the lists change and stay the same from last year.

here is a link to Tracey's post from last year. 

Believe.

Ney Believes

Today's list comes from my High School BFF, Neyleen. 

We have rhyming names (ney and tay) and the same birthday. 

Ney is a fancy attorney. 

The photo above is from Neyleen's wedding. Do you like my Anna Nicole hair? I hope so. 

Here is Ney's list;

I believe that watching a  sunset, smelling the ocean, and finding a beautiful seashell is perfection. 

My wonderful assistant, Irasema, believes that Santa has the power to 'off' people upon request. 

I believe that it is completely appropriate to show up to depositions with a bedazzled briefcase. 

I believe that love is mysterious, confusing, fulfilling, necessary and eye opening. 

I believe that family can be adopted, inherited, or borrowed if necessary. 

I believe that I am a super lucky person to have a friend like Tay Tay. 

I believe that at least one cocktail is necessary after work each day. 

I believe that work weeks should never be longer than 4 days. 

I believe that a Vegas trip should not last more than 24 hours. 

I believe that cheese, pasta, bagels and donuts are nutritious. 

I believe that I am not too old to take a photo with Santa. 

I believe that cabbage patches make the best of friends. 

I believe I will be a beautiful sea turtle in my next life. 

I believe I was Punky Brewster in a former life. 

I believe that the world no longer needs sharks. 

I believe that exercising is for the weak. 

I believe in the justice of jury trials. 

I believe in angels. 

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Thanks for sharing Ney Ney. I love you. 

**I didn't send emails out this year asking for lists, so if you would like to write one please send it to me soon! We will have a very small series this year if we don't get some more in. :)

My Mom Believes

{me and mom. notice my patty-cake hands.}

Today is the FIRST day of the second annual I Believe posts. 

Are you so excited? 

I am. 

Today's post comes from my mom. She is coming to Phoenix today and I am so looking forward to her week-long stay. 

Here is her list;

I believe in the transformational power of being still. 

I believe in champagne.

{I know I said this last year, but I really do believe in those bubbles} 

I believe that actions speak louder than words. 

I believe that to have a friend you have to be a friend. 

I believe in hand written notes and sending them through the US mail. 

I believe that someone somewhere knows the whereabouts of my missing gym bag (since 1992-h e l l o)

{note from Taylor- she still blames me for losing it. I swear I never saw the damn thing}

I believe that all people really need is love, but that sadly some people just can't accept it. 

I believe that please and thank you are NOT the magic words but that the really magic words are the ones that encourage and support. Like, "I know you'll make the right choice," and "I'm SO effing proud of you," and "I'll sleep with the phone next to my bed if you need me at three in the morning," and, "I love you," and, "that sucks hard," and, "I am so happy to see you,"....oh wait..... those are more like magic sentences.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. 

I believe that honesty is the best policy. 

I believe in puffy hair. 

I believe in using too much Downey in the laundry. 

I believe in pockets because they help you when you are nervous, keep your hands warm when you are cold, are OH SO CUTE and sometimes they produce surprise money. 

 

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Last year's I believe post from mom. 

The mom ketchup post. 

Mom funny post.

Another Mom funny post.

{There is still time to send me your I Believe list! 

Ltkalander at GMAIL dot COM}

I Crack Myself Up

I wasn't even drinking when I ordered these.

hearts.

My mom sent this card to me a few months ago. It has earned a permanent place on my bedroom mirror and in my heart.

If you are so inclined, call your senator and encourage them to repeal DADT.

Woo!

Hey look!

I guest posted on Woo.

http://www.michellewoo.com/2010/12/07/things-that-make-me-say-woo-by-totally-tay/

More guest posts for awesome bloggers coming soon............

Have you sent your 'I Believe' posts in yet?

Friday Updates

Well hello there bloggy friends.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have helped with two births, two weeks in a row. Thanksgiving and shopping and candy-cane-mainlining have also kept me from the blog.

The births went very well. They were both difficult and were awesome learning experiences. I was able to use so many of the tools I've learned but haven't practiced, so that was fantastic. 

Want to see the babies? 

Go to the official Baby Love Doula facebook page to check them out. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/babylovedoula

So, how are things with you? 

Are you busy writing your I Believe lists? Are you finishing them up and getting ready to email them to me? I sure hope so, because I have only received one person's list and ONE list does not a series make!

I have been feeling super Christmas-y this year. Carol and I are working hard on decorating their house for the arrival of mom, grandma and brother.  We are super pumped for the holidays this year. I even went shopping on Black Friday AND Thanksgiving night (just to Michael's on Thanksgiving night for some essential Christmas craft supplies) which I have never done before. 

More soon, I promise. 

In the meantime, start writing your I Believe lists! 

xo, 

Taylor

music monday

music monday

hullo

 

The computer system I use to do my job is down in our office {oh darn!} so I thought I would check in with a 'lil post about life. 

I have been doing really well lately, FYI. I have been a good visualizer, planner, eater, bill payer and grown up. Also, I have been telling people NO {which I've NEVER been very good at doing} and I have been telling people when I am feeling overwhelmed. Especially at work. And I am the girl who usually strives to be the #1 worker bee who can handle anything and who never has too much stuff to help someone out. And I've been telling co-workers, 'hey, I have a ton of stuff to do, can you please help me?' It's a good feeling to be good at life. 

Do you know why I think I am doing so well? My doula training. Seriously. Being in this world {the birth world} has taught me so much about life and coping and how to get the best out of your experiences with what you have. It has taught me to change positions when I am uncomfortable {literally or figuratively}, how to deal with {and respect} people who handle things differently than I would choose, to take deep breaths before I make a decision, and how to nurture and take care of others by FIRST nurturing and taking care of myself. That, my friends, is the most important lesson I have learned. 

I have been good at not feeling guilty for not calling people back, for cancelling my mom's trip to visit me because I needed some down time and for taking days for myself. My goal is to eliminate my feelings of guilt that persuade me to do things I don't want to do. Nietzsche would be SO proud.

I am a better and happier person because I am a doula. Better to myself. Better to friends, family and strangers. 

And that makes me very happy.

Our system is back up. 

That is all. 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. 

Be kind to yourselves. 

p.s. did you read this post from Meg Fee? It spoke to me.

After Hours

I'm often the last one at work. 

Not because I am working long strenuous hours, but because I often arrive late. Then I have to stay late. It's not very fun.

One rainy day a month or two ago I was the last one at the office and decided to take a little photo tour. 

Here are my findings;

I think that this should be my last name {pronounced bossy}. If it were, I would sing the Kelis song all the time. And I would make people get stuff for me. 

There is a woman in my department who collects ducks. Her desk has very little work related material because there is only room for the ducks. She features a new duck every day. I want to hide all of her ducks. No one would ever suspect me.

She also has a boyfriend named Tom the Tool Man. Not to be confused with Tim the Tool Man. Tom the tool man bakes cakes. I think his name should be Tom the Cake Man. He doesn't have air conditioning in his house. In Phoenix. Forthereals. 

Duck of the day. 

This is my inbox.

Rain

That is all.

karma

Remember when I hid from the bug man? Well, I never did have him come back. So much for preventive maintenance. I got in the shower last week (this is one the traumatic things that happened to me that I said I would discuss with you in my last post), picked up my loofah and a motherfuckingcockroachjumpedontomyBOOB! 

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you done screaming/convulsing/running around the room in a hot panic? 

No? Still going? Ok. 

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, now that we've calmed down....... I shall continue. 

In the .42 seconds it took for me to figure out what was going on and kill the cockroach, I contemplated the following options;

-run out of the shower and house to get as far away as possible from the pervy cockroach. naked. 

-immediately run to the kitchen to boil bleach for a boiling bleach bath/steel wool exfoliation to ensure all cockroach germs are gone. 

- suicide by a combination of drinking my medicated shampoo (my scalp gets itchy sometimes. don't judge)/hanging myself with my shower curtain/slitting wrists with Shick Quattro to ensure a speedy death and relief from the image of a cockroach on my left boob. 

These are the other thoughts racing through my crazy little brain; If I breastfeed my future children from that side, will they turn into cockroaches? Is my implant just going to deflate because it is so grossed out that it was near a cockroach? I would, if I were an implant. {in my head, implants have brains} Am I going to think of this incident every time a guy feels me up? Not that I'm felt up often, but it does happen from time to time. {sorry mom and grandma} I can see it now!

Dream Date: smoochXOsmoochXOsmooch.

Tay: Um, you might want to steer clear of the left one. A cockroach jumped on it this one time.

Dream Date: I have to go home now.

Tay: Sad face.

Moving on. 

After scouring myself with hot water, a washcloth (loofah went in the trash, natch) and antibacterial soap, I called Orkin. They said they would come to my house Monday morning and they NO SHOWED!!! 

Karma, people. Karma. 

{side note, Orkin is not the company I called before when I didn't answer the door, so it's not like they knew that I sometimes don't answer the door for bug people.}

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Now, for some random weekend photos. 

Funniest card ever, right? 

Would you like to live in my glitter globe? I will let you. 

I grew this lettuce! Straight from Dothager Acre. It tastes so delicious. 

Next project.........

SO excited to be an apiarist.

music monday

I Believe

Hello Pals, 

Remember last year's 'I Believe' posts? 

Well, I'm doing the same series this year. 

Hooray! 

Don't remember the 'I Believe' posts? Click here to read them all. 

Please let me know if you'd like to participate! I don't care if you have a blog, have ever guest posted before or are nervous. 

Just do it. 

It's fun. 

{photo credit}

bonjour

Hi friends. Sorry for abandoning you for a month.

Above is a photo of my Busy life.

I have been Busy. With a capital B.

I will try not to be so neglectful for the rest of the year. Promise.

Things that have been keeping me busy:

1) My farm, Dothager Acre.

2) TWO new doula clients. Hooray! November is for Babies.

3) TWO postpartum doula clients. Hooray! November is for Babies. Again.

4) Tutoring

5) Dog sitting, cat sitting, teenage boy sitting (three teenagers for an entire week. Yikes), and dog sitting again.  
Also, until this week the weather in Phoenix has been an unbearable un-autumnal 90 degrees. This put me in a very bad mood. It's probably a good thing I haven't blogged. It would have been very negative. Also, the neighbor I was stealing wireless internet from changed their network to private. SO RUDE, right?

Below are some photos from my farm, Dothager Acre.

Enjoy.

 yes, please.


so many choices! 


ouch. I did not plant these on my farm.


the cart


my new bff


I tilled that earth, yo.


the newspaper layer


the mulch layer


my cousin showed up at the end and pretended to work. don't let the photo fool you. Carol and I did it all! Ok, the Judge helped a little.


our completed lasagna garden.  before the plants.






toasting to a job well done. notice the soil under our farmer fingernails?


p.s. two very traumatic things happened to me this morning. I will tell you about them soon. Also, I have actual plant photos to share with you, but I have not uploaded them yet.

new plan

Hello pals.

I've decided that daily posts are too much.

I'm going to post every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday because those are the days that have a T in them. And my name starts with a T. So there you go.

Maybe I'll post on other days, but those will just be bonus posts. Sometimes I might post every day. You never know.

Stay tuned.......

music monday

what a nice fall-ish song.

El Juez

I had tacos with The Judge last night. The Judge is my uncle. Well, technically he is my grandpa's cousin's husband, but it's way easier to say that he is my uncle.  I call him The Judge because he was.........a Judge. Sometimes I call him El Juez because that means The Judge en espanol. Sometimes I call him Judgie-Wudgie-Poo-Poo. He LOVES it when I do that. Not.

When I was little I got to sit in his judge chair in his courtroom. I banged the gavel and sentenced my great-great aunt (mother of Carol) to life in prison. I know, I am harsh.  Carol (wife of The Judge) fled to California so I have been making sure The Judge is being fed. 

We went to a BRAND new taco place last night and it was deliciosa. It is called Los Taquitos. They opened a new place on Sixteenth Street and Glendale. If you live in Phoenix, check it out. If you don't live in Phoenix, too bad. Try the carne asada tacos. They had the perfect ratio of meat to onion/cilantro mix. ¡Que bueno! We thought it was the grand opening night, but it ended up being their practice night so everything was ¡FREE! Even the beer. I just love free drinks. ¡Que bueno! I ran into Susie of Foodies Like Us, which was fun. She is cute and always has the best facebook profile pictures. You should like them on facebook.

Sometimes The Judge gets nervous that people will think I'm not REALLY his niece. Like, 'this is my niece...wink wink.' Like in pretty woman when she says she is his niece but she is really a hooker? Ya know what I mean? In order to assuage those fears, he usually says things like, "Hello, this is MY WIFE'S NIECE,' very loudly so that people don't get suspicious. It's pretty hilar.

I hope you're having a lovely Friday.

Peace, love and tacos.

¡Que Bueno!

they do

I went to a wedding this weekend. It was such a nice wedding. 

I was the day of helper/coordinator. I used to want to be an event planner, like my mom. I even began my college career as a Hotel/Restaurant Management major. After Saturday's wedding I am glad that I made the choice NOT to be an event planner. Being a doula is way better, for me.

The couple is amazing (I am a friend of their family) and everyone had such a great time. By the end of the night, I felt like the flower girl pictured above. Just. Plain. Wiped. I envied her bed on the floor of the 'getting ready room.' I wanted to snuggle down under garment bags too! Alas, I survived. And I only cried once. I just love a good wedding cry.

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Completely unrelated: There are men of the roof cleaning our office solar panels. They are making loud noises. I am pretending it's a thunderstorm.

She Could Be a Farmer In Those Clothes

I've decided to grow stuff. 

Vegetable type stuff. 

And with the help of African Kelli and with some land generously loaned to me by my aunt and uncle, I think it's going to happen. 

Initially, I planned a farm. Complete with fainting goats {comedic value}, miniature pigs {cuteness value}, chickens {for the eggs}, and Shetland ponies {so I can braid their hair. also, you can use them to plow stuff,duh}. My ideas were scaled back, however, when my aunt and uncle informed me that farm animals would not be welcome on their 1 acre lot in Central Phoenix. Too bad. 

When I was ten we traveled to Smithboro, Illinois {population 200. Seriously. 200 people live there.} for a family reunion on the good 'ol Bauer family farm. The Bauer family farm used to be a fur trapping business {don't tell PETA} but after an unfortunate fur warehouse fire {karma?}, the Bauers decided to focus on growing soy beans, corn and milo. I still remember this from when I was ten. What is Milo, you might ask? Milo is a grain used primarily in animal feed. In the town of Smithboro there is a family called the Dothagers. Many of them are on the, shall we say, trashy side? Which is saying a lot in the town of Smithboro. So of course, members of my family make fun of them because that's how we roll. 

When I was 15 I went on a ski trip with my farm cousins and their friends. I flew from CA, they flew from IL and we met in Breckenridge, CO. While in a gondola ski lift, I spotted some super trashy skiers. Being the snotty teenager that I was I said, 'Ew! Look at them! They must be Dothagers!' thinking this would make my cousins laugh. I forgot, however, that their friends were with us and being from a small town were all related to every other townsperson somehow. About three of the cousin's friends cried out, 'HEY! My granny's a Dothager!'

And that, my friends, is how I almost died in a gondola in Colorado. 

How are these things related, you might ask? 

We have decided to name our Phoenix farm Dothager Acres. It just seems like the right thing to do. Overalls mandatory, shoes discouraged, missing teeth welcome.

Stay tuned for farm updates!

RIP Tai

**photo courtesy wehearit.com

hey you, shut up. ok?

Hey fall loving bloggers,

Can you please be quiet? It is still sadly warm in Phoenix and I don't really want to hear about your pumpkin spice lattes, tights, pumpkin bread and scarves. I know that you have to love fall (along with cupcakes, etsy and regina spektor; the blog love holy trinity) but please stop telling us about it. Love it to yourself.

I know, you're super excited about it being here. When I lived in Flagstaff I used to get really excited about it too. Oh, Flagstaff. I would so much rather live there. If I were there I would drive to Oak Creek to buy some cider from the side of the road, admire the fiery aspens on the peaks, drink a latte downtown at Late for the Train and would most definitely stop at Basement Marketplace for a new fall ensemble.  But until I move, please stop blogging about fallishness until at least November.

Thanks,

Tay

sigh. 

Music Monday

crazy week!

What a crazy week. Phoenix bff had a baby on Monday and NOW we're headed down to Tucson for her sister's wedding. 

Yep. A baby and a marriage. This is a big week for the Adelmans! :) 

I have been working and snuggling baby K this week and have had little time to let the blogging part of my brain work. I'll be back next week in full force. 

As I said, I'm heading to Tucson. 


{do you ever get nervous when you say you're going out of town? Ya know, how the news guys tell you that if you broadcast that you're out of town on social media bad guys will come and steal your stuff? Even though I really don't have much stuff to steal? Well, BAD GUYS, I have around 17 mean junk yard dogs in my house. That's right. In my 900 square foot condo I have 17 junk yard dogs. You had better not mess with them. They're MEAN. And HUNGRY for bad guys. Also, I have a loud alarm. For the reals. So there.}

Please read this post (from my blog; before I figured out how to make the pictures look pretty. ;)) and this post (from an awesome blog that you should all be following) about the AMAZING Congress Hotel in Tucson. I really love it there. Check it. 

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy October! 

**photo credit

I wish

I wish that I was the type of person to get out of bed at a reasonable time. The type of person who wakes up the first (or even the second) time the alarm goes off. I wish I were the type of person who woke up with enough time to go to the gym; to read the front page of the NYT while drinking some tea and leisurely get ready. I wish I woke up with enough time to make my bed every morning.



Instead, I am the type of person who hits the snooze button for at least an hour (seriously. an hour.), sprints to the shower, throws on the first thing I find and rushes to work hoping that my boss doesn't catch me putting on my makeup in my cubicle. 

My dreams are just too good and my bed is just way too cozy. 

Grrrrrrrrr. 

this pleases me

 

I am way too tired to write today, so here are some of my favorite internet finds from the last couple of days. 

Enjoy.

#1 Cute Monkey Cake. I think I found this on Joanna Goddard's blog?

#2 Cute wedding stuff in my hometown! Yet another reason to move home.As if I didn't already have enough. 

#3 Best food idea since bacon wrapped tater tots. And so easy! I think I will make them when my mom comes to town in a week and a half.  These also look delicious.

#4 Adorable children from Michelle Woo's blog. 

#5 HUGE news. I have found the perfect fall boots. I was drooling over the amazing photos on Blue Lily's blog and spotted them. I have been on the hunt for the perfect fall boot for about four years now. My birthday, awesomely, coincides with the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale. EVERY year I browse online and in store to find the perfect fall boot. Sometimes I find one that I love, I order it, and for some reason or another it never works out. Boo. These ones look PERFECT!  However, I have no idea how to get them and I doubt they come in my size. Not only because I have huge feet, but because they are kid boots.  The search continues. Ho hum.

That is all. 

Photo is from my boudoir. Do you like my pony?

p.s.- did you know that the word boudoir comes from the french verb to pout? So really, the boudoir is the pouting room. This pleases me.

Music Monday

an excerpt

    "I swear, Sophie, I think theres something wrong with me. Every man I meet is intolerable. Perhaps I should set my sights lower-not so low as the grey doctor who clicks, but a bit lower. I can't even blame it on the war--I was never very good at men, was I?
    Do you suppose the St. Swithin's furnace-man was my one true love? Since I never spoke to him, it seems unlikely, but at least it was a passion unscathed by disappointment. and he had that beautiful black hair. .....................Sophie--what is the matter with me? Am I too particular? I don't want to be married just to be married. I can't think of anything lonelier than spending the rest of my life with someone I can't talk to, or worse, someone I can't be silent with."

An excerpt from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 


I think I'm going to like this book very much. 


I would like to start a literary society, but I would much rather eat creme brulee than potato peel pie. 


Who is with me? 


What shall we call it? 

incongruous

I feel like a fraud when I listen to Rage Against the Machine. 

In my cubicle. 

Working on a Saturday. 

Rebel fail. 

Zack would be so disappointed.

Photo of college friend Tyler and me trying to be bad asses.......and failing at being bad asses because we're really just nice kids who sometimes like bad ass music. 

Oh, college.