How To: Have Fun with Cassie.

Everyday things I like to do with company:

• Arts and Crafts! I love to do anything crafty, i.e. make bracelets, paint canvases/pottery/anything really, take knick knacks and make them into something else, "fun science", make t-shirts, ModPodge, etc. It makes me very happy, especially doing these kinds of things with friends. And if you want me to really open up about something, this is probably the way to go... don't ask me why.
• Volleyball. This is such a fun sport to play with a group of friends, although I am less than mediocre. I play in various locations but I must say that my favorite is outside at Gilbert-Stevenson park on the sand volleyball court... it's a blast! Tennis is fun as well, but I am absolutely dreadful at it.
• Movie Theater. With the right people (i.e. those who will enjoy the movie without talking through it/making fun of it), going to the theater to see a movie is one of my most favorite experiences. The smell of buttered popcorn, the massive screen that invites you into the movie's world, the ability to prop your feet up on the seat in front of you, and the excitement of seeing a movie for the first time... it gets me everytime.
• Road Trip. Whether it be 30 minutes down the road, 6 hours, or half a day, I very much enjoy taking a trip with people who I can have a good time with... especially with great music and lots of laughter. The best part of a trip with friends is the journey.
• Game Night. There is nothing like playing games with a group of friends, especially Apples to Apples, Pop 5, Mexican Dominos, Taboo, Rummikub, Catch Phrase, Signs, Mafia, Spoons, and that game (in Inglorious) where each person has to guess the word/person that is on the card stuck to their forehead (does that game have a name?!). I didn't realize how many games I actually like to play.
• Reading Group. As in going to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble to read. I know reading is a solitary activity, but having others (Cody! :D) there reading with you makes it more enjoyable. Also, I love when we can put our books down and discuss what we are reading or whatever topic happens to be on our mind. That makes me feel intelligent. ;)
• Starbucks. I suppose this ties in to the last one, but Starbucks has the perfect atmosphere to just sit, talk, relax, and sip on a delicious latte. And hey, I would add Panera to that list as well.
• Debate. Even though it's frustrating, I find enjoyment in arguing my side of a discussion and having someone else try to convince me of theirs. Even over something as silly as what "soul mate" means and who Joey really belongs with. I don't like to admit defeat or that I am wrong, so most discussions end in "agree to disagree." It's fun. :)

And here's a tip: if you can make me laugh and keep me laughing, there is nothing we can do that wouldn't be fun to me.

Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 40

The Wonder Years: Preschool.

This is the first in a series I have decided to write. I have an awful memory so I want to document as many important/funny/(ir)relevant memories as I can. I am going to attempt to recollect memories as far back as I can remember and start with Preschool. We'll see how long (or short!) this post ends up being...

I was 4 years old in 1993 when I started Preschool. I went to North Augusta First Baptist and I distinctly remember walking that same hall everyday to my classroom. That is probably my most vivid memory of Preschool. Mom always walked me inside and held my hand. I can also remember the way the room was set up. We had different "stations" of playthings. One area had a kitchen with supplies, one area was a colorful rug, and one area had building blocks inside of cubbies and bins. We were broken up in groups and were allotted a certain amount of time in one area then had to switch to the next one.

There were also several small tables where we sat and ate at snack time. The kitchen area (for the adults) was very small and the cabinets were painted blue I think. Before we ate our snack, we said a blessing resembling "God is great, God is good; Let us thank Him for our food; By His hands, we all are fed; Give us Lord, our daily bread; Amen."

There is one specific event that I can remember, though. It may be partly because we have it on tape but also parlty because I got to be my favorite Disney Princess. For Halloween, we were allowed to dress up and I went as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I wore her yellow ball gown and crown. I remember thinking what a big deal it was that I was Belle, I really did feel like a princess that day.

I actually have a picture from Halloween that year hanging up on my memory board. I was Belle, Ash was Jasmine, Cody was Aladdin, Brandy was a Hershey Kiss, Blakeley was Minnie Mouse, and Austin was Winnie the Pooh (so cute!).

Growing up with those I have just listed was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. To this day, we are all still the best of friends. I can't wait to share with you all of our fun little stories from our formative years... they make me smile. :)

Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 40

Happy Birthday, Bubs!

To the one who can brighten

my day with a simple text;

To the one who can persuade

me to step out of my comfort zone;

To the one who can put

me in a trance with the strum

of a few chords:

happy birthday.

I am so blessed to have you

as a best friend.

There is never a dull moment

with you around and

I thank God everyday for bringing

you into my life.

I have enjoyed every moment

of our friendship and how

close we have become over

the past two and a half years.

You are quite an amazing person.

Happy 21st Birthday, Bubba!

I love you.

Happy Birthday, Momma!

You are such an amazing person.
And not only that, but you have always
been an incredible mother.
You are warm hearted, giving,
loving, encouraging, and
beautiful on the inside and out.
I hope to one day be as
great of a mother as you
have been to us.
I hope your birthday is magical...
you deserve nothing less.

Happy 48th Birthday, Momma!
I love you so very much!

A mother holds her child's hand
for just a short time,
but holds their heart forever.

Happy (FILL IN BLANK) Cassie!

Happy (BIRTHDAY) Cassie!

Deuce deuce, yo.

Finally, the first even repetitive 

double digit - it's going to be

a great year.

Happy (100th BLOG POST) Cassie!

Well, I finally reached the big milestone!

It has been such a blessing to have this

blog. I am so thankful for all the people 

I have in my life because they are such

an incredible encouragement.

I wanted to be able to celebrate in a fun

way with you guys, so I made this video.

Here's to many more posts to come...

Happy (ENGAGEMENT) Cassie Leah and Chris!

This part has nothing to do with me and 

everything to do with my roommate.

Her boyfriend of a little over two years

proposed to her on Valentine's Day.

Not only did that proposal wonderfully surprise her,

but her parents came into town from

Missouri for the occasion. It couldn't have

been more perfect for the two of them.

I am so incredibly happy for Chris and Leah

and I love them with all of my heart.

I wish them nothing but blessings and happiness

as they start their lives together.

It was a great Valentine's Day for everyone. :)

Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 31

Happy Valentine's Day!

All our young lives we search for someone to love. 

Someone who makes us complete. 

We choose partners and change partners. 

We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope... 

all the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, 

there's someone perfect... 

who might be searching for us. 

-- The Wonder Years

I hope you all have a very Happy Valentine's Day that is filled with love from everyone you know. If you haven't heard it from anyone else yet today, I love you. You are God's masterpiece and He loves you unconditionally and just the way you are, so in the purest way possible, I love you. And whatever phase you are at in your life, just remember you are never alone in that. Even if you don't see it, you are being watched over, cared for, and loved by the One who created you. He doesn't need this one day out of the year to show you His love... He has loved you since the beginning - before all the world was created - and He will love you for eternity. Take heart in knowing that no one will ever be able to love you as much as our Lord. So on this day, and everyday, give your thanks, praise, and love to the only One who makes life worth living.

---

I have always loved looking up and reading quotes. Here are a few to go along with the day of love:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... 
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. 
-- Lao Tzu

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. 
-- C.S. Lewis

The first symptom of love in a young man is shyness; the first symptom in a woman, it's boldness. 
--Victor Hugo

Love is an irresistible disire to be irresistibly desired. 
--Robert Frost

To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love. 
--Jane Austen

Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. 
-- Albert Einstein

To love is to receive a glimpse of Heaven.

Love is a consistent passion to give, not a meek persistent hope to receive. The only demand of life is the privilege to love all. 
-- Swami Chinmayananda


A letter written by Beethoven:


Though still in bed,
my thoughts go out to you,
my Immortal Beloved,
now and then joyfully, then sadly,
waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us.

I can live only wholly with you or not at all. 
Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you
until I can fly to your arms and say
that I am really at home with you,
and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits.

Yes, unhappily it must be so -
You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you.
No one else can ever possess my heart -
never - never -
Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves.

And yet my life in V is now a wretched life. 
Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men -
At my age I need a steady, quiet life -
can that be so in our connection?

My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day
therefore I must close at once
so that you may receive the letter at once.

Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence
can we achieve our purpose to live together.
Be calm, love me - today - yesterday -
what tearful longings for you -
you - you - my life - my all - farewell.

Oh continue to love me.
Never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
Ever thine.
Ever mine.
Ever ours.




Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 31

The Seconds Hand.

My wristwatch mocks me as it ticks loudly in my left ear. It's the only sound in the room. My eyes strain through the poorly lit emptiness in attempt to see the life I would have obtained had I gone down a different path.

The weeks will turn into years. That is what they told me. That is what has happened.

I didn't plan on this much of a break, but trying to go back is much harder than I thought. I like not having deadlines, take home work, and forced discussion on uninteresting topics. I like having money to be able to do the things I want and having time to read, write, and watch for fun.

But the ticking haunts me. Seconds turn to minutes; minutes to hours; hours to days; days to the timeline that won't slow down for me.

That swivel chair has me trapped by its whisper: you belong here, I will make life is easy and safe. I am not convinced, yet it keeps me where I've been for so long.

I see nothing but a blank wall through the darkness. Could that be a parallel for my life? A clean slate waiting to be filled with accomplishments and failures, bumps and bruises, love and heartache, life and death.

What would I see in the Mirror of Erised? The answer is one I will never know.

What should I do? The answer is unknown to me.

What is keeping me in a standstill? The answer is all too familiar.

What should be my next step? The answer lies with Him.

As much quiet as there is, I still haven't heard His voice. Or maybe I have chosen not to hear it. At this point, many things are uncertain.

My strife: feeling trapped in an endless cycle of apathy.

My solution: hearing the Word and following the Will.

My prayer: open ears to hear, strength to do, faith to endure.


Even after having said all of this, I still do not regret my choices. They have brought me to the place I am in today and I am so blessed and so thankful. This is just the time to make new choices and take new paths while hanging on to what He has given me. I wouldn't trade any of it to go back and start over, but I am truly looking forward to moving on with my life.

May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.

I've been staring at the cursor blinking, trying to think of what to write and this is exactly what sums up all of my current thoughts: I miss my family so much it hurts. I talked on the phone to both of my sisters earlier and tried to talk to my brother but got his voicemail. I want so badly for all of us to be under the same roof right now. 


It seems now that I only get to see Brandy and Mat once every six months and that just isn't cutting it. We miss so much of each other's lives because of all of the miles. It makes me sad. 


I get to see Cody quite a bit more than I get to see B and MJ. We usually only let a month or two pass before we get to visit each other, which is good ... but not great. I am ready for him to move home (to Chattanooga: his real home) so I can always have him around.


Ashley, luckily, lives about 12 minutes from me. But even so, I don't see her as often as I could; not meaning months or even weeks, but I have the luxury of having my sister here and we sometimes go days without seeing each other. But at least I have her here. She is my security blanket.


I wish my siblings and their significant others would come here so we could all live together and have one big party house. I would be forever happy. They light up my life. :)


---


On most days, my mood is, well, "blah"... if that makes any sense. My job has me so unhappy that it's beginning to feel normal to be that way, and I know that is not the way it's supposed to be. After work, I don't do much of anything up until the point where it is so late that I crash in bed, only to wake up early and do it again. I am about to turn 22 years old. I think it's time to find my calling. 


I probably sound really depressed right now, and I see why you think so, but it's more that I am in a state of apathy. And that is really bad. It's so hard to pull yourself out of it because it can get to be really comfortable and safe that way. Trust me, I am in prayer about it, but I need God to physically shake it out of me. Change it up. Make things better. Being apathetic will keep you in a standstill, never moving forward, never progressing. It's scary if you think about it.


My fear of the change is what God is really working on with me right now. On more than one occasion this week, He has told me that it's my fear holding me back and that the fear doesn't excuse me from anything. I need to be working towards His will by being His disciple. A true disciple of the Lord. That means walking as Jesus walked, doing as He did, loving as He did, and spreading the Word as He did. Only then will I find true joy and the plan for my life. I find that I doubt too often that I can do anything; I don't like to fail. 


Please, just be in prayer for me that I may hear God and find the direction I need to go. I can't stay in my situation any longer without going completely insane.


Listen to this <3




Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 18

Scrap Paper.

Because I can not collectively get a thought together for a mind blowing blog post right now, I am going to use this post to write down a few stories of my recent life. 


We finally started back our regular work day schedules at my office. Tuesday, which had been my first day off in two weeks, was glorious. I finally got to sleep a little later and lay in bed until I felt like getting up. Two weeks may seem like no big deal, but it seriously messed up my sleeping schedule. I stay up late every night anyway, but having almost every third day off helps me reboot. Being deprived of that luxury wore me down. So anyway, on Tuesday when I did finally get up and get ready, I went shopping. Not for clothes or shoes or anything stupid like that, I went DvD shopping. :) I went to BlockBuster (they are going out of business), McKay's, and Target (where I also bought a super cute cross-body purse.. it's yellow!). I ended up with nine total that day.


My other day off this week was today. It was rainy and cold and wonderful. My internal clock woke me up at 8 and would not let me go back to sleep, so I layed in bed and watched Under Wraps on Mac (he and I love to watch old Disney Channel movies). After while, I made a trip to Walmart where I got two more movies and the supplies to color my hair. Also, I stopped by BlockBuster again and bought two movies from them. (4 today!) I colored my hair "Nutmeg" which just means dark brown. Though, I can't tell much of a difference from the hair I had before. Oh well. 


Leah and I had a roommate date tonight. The always yummy Panera fed us a delicious meal to energize us for our trip to the mall. She bought a few things and I left with nothing. I seem to always talk myself out of buying anything, besides movies. Right now, I am waiting for her wax pot to heat up so she can wax my eyebrows. She is a goddess when it comes to waxing. Seriously. Go see her. We also are planning to watch a girly movie and do our nails and other various girly things I suppose.


The other day at work, I had to teach a 10 year old girl to put contacts in. Young kids and older adults are the worst to teach. This girl took forever to even get the contact close enough to her eye for me to consider her dreadful as opposed to hopeless. All the while, she was dripping from every orifice on her face. It was worse than disgusting. Literally, for at least 5 whole minutes, she had this big, green, tear drop shaped bogie hanging in midair from her nose. I wanted to gag. Ew.


For the past couple of days, I have been completely addicted to WordFeud, essentially it is Scrabble. It's a Droid game that you can play between you and a friend. It is so much fun! I have won in every game against everyone other than my brother. For some reason, I can not beat the fool. I usually dominate in all non-video games against him, but I have yet to slaughter him with crafty words made by these pesky little tiles. It will happen one day, believe you me. When that day comes, I will tell the world. ;)


Um, we have been watching a movie so I've been writing and stopping in spurts. I think I'm done for today. Thanks for tuning in. :)


Movies seen in theaters: 6
DvDs bought: 18