Life in a Snow Globe: Guns, Police, What?

I'm half-way living in a surreal world.
The feeling you get after finishing a book or a television series you've marathoned?
That's how I feel.

For two and a half hours today, I was in a snow globe.
I watched the jaws of life (at least I think they were the jaws of life) break a car door off.
I watched police carry out search tactics while they hunted a shooter.
A man-hunt happened around me, and I calmly walked in front of guns (ok, that was kind of weird since I've always been taught not to walk in front of guns--they were not loaded), took pictures, scribbled notes, and enjoyed being able to get close to the action, ask questions, observe, and not be told to leave.

It was like being in a crime television show...except I knew some of the people wearing the uniforms.

Plus, it's always fun to be someplace others aren't allowed (the park was closed for the day).

When I drove out this morning, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw an ambulance and rescue car.  I pulled over, let them pass, and wondered if it was real or part of the mock disaster.  All mock.

I feel like I lived an adventure.  But, when I think about it, it wasn't real.  I'm in a slight quandary over the whole thing.

But, it was informative, fascinating, and made for a fun article to write!

P.S. This was a mock disaster exercise.  I covered it for the paper.

Festivals are Happy Places!

Sunday afternoon, Amanda and I drove into the wild, blue yonder/end of the earth/Highland County.

It's actually not the end of the earth, but since it is the last county before hitting WV (north and west), we joke that it feels like the end of the earth.

Two weekends in March are the Highland County Maple Festival.
Worlds collide...for real.  It's like country meets hippie meets tidy tourist.
i.e. locals, hippies, and folks from NOVA (note: generalization)

We drove up from Bath County after church, stopping for delicious pancakes and sausage in Bolar).  Seriously, best place to stop for pancakes!

The drive, though a tad long, is absolutely beautiful!  It feels like you are in Great Britain at times.

While riding and talking, Amanda and I noted the lack of State Troopers...and how we hadn't seen many at all in a while (you need to understand, there was a chunk of days a few weeks ago where they were EVERYWHERE).  When we arrived in Monterey, what should we see but two or three State Trooper cars sitting on the corner.  I commented that I could feel free to speed home since we knew where they were.

Snow was on the ground, and the air was warm.  A perfect festival day.  We walked around, looked in all the stalls, saw people we knew, chatted, and had a kind of perfect day.  I love living in a place where you go to events and see so many people you know.

Oh, did I mention I wore my fabulous yellow wellies?  I felt invincible.  I walked through puddles and mud knowing my feet would be perfectly clean when I took my boots off : )

Bolar pancakes...mmm!

Amanda enjoying her first Maple Fest pancakes...EVER!

Look at that deliciousness

Eating my pancakes...sooo good!

Franklin, Elkins...see, end of the earth!  Staunton saves it, though ; )

Want to grow your own mushrooms?

Grilling up a storm

Doing something with wood

Masks!

Reminded me of Venice

My wellies!  Love bright colors!

Walking along 220

If I Owned a Monet

One of my recurring thoughts is...

...if I could purchase a masterpiece, what would it be?

While watching White Collar, the thought struck me again.

My mind flits to Monet.  Of course, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, and others are not pushed out, but to own a Monet...there are no words.

London Parliament in Winter

Is there a particular piece you dream of owning?

A Throwback Night

My beautiful dress, circa 2008!

Tonight went far better than I anticipated.  I was covering the Young Miss Queen of Hearts pageant.  I was in this pageant nine years ago.  Nine years ago, my Charger Dress debuted on the stage of Curfman Hall.  I realized this tonight.  My favorite part of the pageant is always the evening gowns.  However, tonight was extra special.  Of course, no dress on that stage compared to mine ; )

Thoughts from the night:
1.  The girls were a good age, sweet, lacking airs, and most of their dresses were not too short (although, a few were too long).
2.  Honeys, please learn where your hand goes on your hip.  Hip does not mean thigh; it means where the hip meets the waist.
3.  Little girl heels are cute.
4.  As I say at every pageant, stay away from the flats.  From the audience, it looks like your heels have sunk into the stage.
5.  Let's lessen the entertainment.  It is a pageant, not a talent show.
6.  Just hire Amanda and me to run the pageant and teach the girls how to walk and pose.  Seriously, "pageant coach" means nothing to me anymore.

Now I'm home.
The stars are beautiful tonight.
Bed soon.
Church in the morning.
Maybe the Maple Festival?

Happy losing an hour of sleep!

Synonyms: Saturday, Pageants

As I prepare to cover my fourth pageant (yes, you heard correctly), I've been more excited.
There are things I would rather be doing than watching 20 girls walk across a stage, smile and look too hard at the judges, and not understand what too short means.

But, I'm thankful for a job, and I'm glad I am a pageant girl, so I can at least entertain myself critiquing outfits and trying to pick the winners.

Next week should come with normalcy.  I have several events to cover and at least one day subbing (hopefully more!).

This morning I awoke at 6:45, crawled out of the basement, and enjoyed a morning of movies with Lala.  We needed a day to lounge (not like we haven't had snow days all week).  But, today was Saturday.  It was nice to pop in a movie and not be at the mercy of a terrible television selection.  We enjoyed A Beautiful Mind...and I enjoyed most of The Dead Poets Society.  I need to finish it later (I have seen it before).

And, yes, I am keeping up my cute outfits for the pageants (sorry I am so terrible about posting them).

P.S. I was bummed when I realized I wouldn't be home tonight...just in case Duck Dynasty is on.  Oh, you didn't know I was a fan?  Mmm, more on that later.

Dear Friday: Snowwwww

Dear Friday, No school.  Lots of snow on the ground.  My week did not go according to my plan (big surprise, right?).

Dear BCHS, I'm so sad I don't get to come back on Monday.

Dear House, You are nice, but I need to get out (cabin fever...makes me sympathize with those girls on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers).

Dear Back, I'm sorry.  I know you want a massage...or an adjustment.

Dear Morning, It's only 8:52...but it feels way later.  Result of getting up too early.

Dear What Not to Wear, Loved watching you this morning with Lala.  Just like old times!

Dear Weekend, Just waiting to see what you hold.  And, yes, a pageant is tomorrow night.

Dear Self, it's time to get dressed!

Sometimes the Path is Hard

Snow is covering the ground.
School is out for the second day.
I don't want to make a post of pictures and share about any event.

I need to write about thoughts, processes, emotions.

The human mind is unique.
It allows individuals to take a concept or thought, mull over it (sometimes for hours), and move forward with it--often without processing to anyone else.

It should be no surprise to anyone who knows me (or has read my blog for a while), I am always thinking.  I've been processing a lot recently.  Sometimes my chest feels like it's being crushed.  Remember I said I am content?  It's still true.  But, with that comes a hesitancy about what is next.  I know I will be ready to move when the time comes, but right now, I am satisfied where I am.

If you are reading this and freaking out, wondering if I am going to skip out on England, don't worry.  England is in my future.  But, at this moment, I am happy.  I am looking forward to going to work tomorrow.  I am learning and growing up.  And sometimes I'm a wreck.

But, I'll look back and appreciate the lessons learned.