I've read somewhere that it's not about getting what you want, but wanting what you have that leads to happiness.

So, here goes, I'm happy that I have eyes, ears, and a mouth that function well enough to allow me to be inspired, fulfilled, and transformed. 

Prepared oatmeal everyday, inspirational friends, and snuggles.  Just a few of my favorite things...

This was going to be a post about Kris Allen's Heartless, but I got distracted with Esmee Denters' latest Outta Here.  Curse iTunes for great recommendations!  I am seeing a bunch of great artists recommended based off of Esmee, but I have to stop somewhere, otherwise I won't get any work done ;o). 

I really loove love love Kris Allen from American Idol.  I wasn't rooting for him initially, I was rooting for Matt G., but I knew he wouldn't go far.  Loved Danny Gokey too, but Kris was truly a great musician playing multiple instruments and creating his own arrangements.  I've bought several of my favs of the season, so let me know if you'd like to listen!  This is my current obsession for Kris:



Esmee's Outta Here single:

 I know it's been a while since the horrible storm passed Texas, but I finally took a picture of the damage that hurt me the most due to the storm.  My journal was a victim of water damage ;*(.  The water bled  the colors, forcing me to lose some of my written memories.  Also, the humidity following the lack of power distorted my journal from being a flat surface into a wave that weirdly seems a bit artsy.  

However, with every storm, there's always a silver lining in the clouds or rainbow afterwards right?  Since my journal is unusable now, I had the opportunity to buy a new one!  It's always exciting to pick a new companion to share your closest secrets, thoughts, and musings with.  I looked far and wide (just in Target and the Galleria) for the perfect one.  I had a special one in mind, so I was picky.  I wanted something sturdy that could possibly withstand water damage, unlined pages for free reign to be as artsy as I can try to be, and a ribbon bookmark to keep track of which page I'm at.  I found one at the beautiful Papyrus ;o)  Look at my new pride and joy...

 

Serenity has been restored.  It's funny how when you actually lose something that you really realize its value.  When I had the damaged journal I had all these thoughts that I wanted to record although I hadn't written in it for so long.  This is a new beginning, yay! 

When going home to the bay area recently, Lucas and I made fried chicken!  He was inspired to do it after watching a documentary on how KFC came to be.  KFC is so yummy...but we're trying to get there!  They turned out pretty good actually, yay for a great recipe, and what's funny was, it actually tasted a lot better the day after!  I guess it takes a while for the spices to settle in.  Here are some pics of our fruits of labor...