Summer List::

I like making lists. I would dare to say I make them a bit too often, but it's nice to set goals and write them all down! Plus, this list was fun to make :)


go running every day:: ok, ok, this particular item has ended up on every to-do list and new years resolution since jr. high. If you know me, you know I despise running. But I know that its so good for you. THIS time I think I can do it. I'll just need the motivation and perseverance :)

acquire an automobile... somehow:: hey, I can dream can't I? :)

learn to play the guitar:: I'm not sure how realistic this is, but my friends have offered to help! by the end of the summer I'd like to be able to play something!

go camping:: I haven't been camping in forever! The fresh pine tree scent, pitching a tent, campfires... sigh. I miss it!

learn to wakeboard:: last summer I decided I loooove it.. and this summer I want to actually be good at it :)

read all 6 Jane Austen novels:: alright, confession... I stole this idea from a movie.. but you have to admit, they are SO much better than twilight! wholesome reads that don't fill your mind with vampires? yes please. I really need to spend more time at the library in general... but I thought a summer with Jane would be nice :) 1 down, 5 to go!

go on a fantastic road trip adventure!:: My best friend and I have wanted to do this for a long time. We're not sure where to, but we'll figure something out :)

pick up photography again:: my 10th and 11th grade years I LOVED photography class. I want to take lovely pictures of my summer :)

spend more time with my family:: this past school year was so busy for me. Interns and High School at the same time? Crazy! Although I adored every minute of it, I do regret not taking as much time to spend with my parents and my little brother. We'll fix that :)

learn to cook:: its true, I am a terrible cook! Probably because I never had the time and/or patience to learn. Now I'm not saying I want to be the next Julia Child... but knowing some of the basics is kind of important :)

out of all the things I want to do, those are the only ones that are coming to mind. well, I'd call that a good start! Here's to a great summer :)

vote?

part of an English project I did my junior year.
I thought it was appropriate for today :)


On Voting..
• Vote in honor of those in our military who courageously fight wars and our law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency workers who respond to our needs and defend the peace at home. Those who sacrifice their personal well-being in the name of our safety and security deserve our respect. Voting is a way of giving them and their families our vote of confidence in their heroism.
• Vote in honor of those who struggled for civil rights, women's suffrage, immigrant rights and the ideals of justice for all whose diverse voices are essential for our nation's moral health and community vitality. Freedom needs affirmation. Voting is a way to assure that our rights are protected by strengthening the voices of those for whom rights are sacred and need to be defended.
• Vote to be a good example to our children and grandchildren by exercising the right to vote as a symbol of our faith in democracy. By voting we send a signal of the importance of the choices we as adults make to secure a better future for ourselves, for our children, and generations who will follow.
• Voting is our society's great equalizer. No matter our station in life, income, or social status, every citizen over age 18 has the same power of one vote. Pollsters do not determine who wins elections; voters do. Predicting the outcome of elections, especially close ones, is at best an inexact science. Pollsters and political pundits have their roles, but like each of us, they only have one vote.
• Elections should not be about negative ads, it should be about the options we all have to promote positive policy actions. Voting for candidates in whom we believe, and for or against ballot initiatives we know will affect our future, is a perfect counterbalance to the flood of negativity polluting the airwaves and mailboxes.
• It's important to be an informed voter. Pay attention to news reports and editorials about the campaigns. Voting gives all us the chance to make our opinions known in the public policy arena. While how we vote is confidential, the fact that we have voted, or failed to vote, is public record. Elected officials know which individuals and demographic groups are voting, and we who vote are therefore more likely to be influential in policy debates. Non-voters are voiceless and by not participating can become victims of their neglect.
• Regret is preventable. May 26th is one day too late, and "could have, should have" are sorry alternatives to acting. Have a "no excuses" attitude by committing to vote, ask others to join us in voting, and promote a positive approach to making a difference among family, friends and colleagues.
• Be part of making history. Because every indicator points to the prospect that future elections will suffer from an extremely low turnout, every vote is even more important. Being a participant in affecting history gives each of us a sense of pride in democracy and the power to touch the future.
• Democracy is a team sport….and spectators don't count.

Washington DC

I'm headed to DC this week. SO thrilled! I'll post pics and stories soon! :)

favorite 3

this dress from here








bow headbands







the color turquoise

what are you reading?

I love books. I just do. and I've never been the kind of person that only reads one book at a time.
2nd Chronicles. Seriously, if you want to know how to be a worshiper, check it out (I especially love chapter 20 :) )
The Spirit of the Disciplines. by Dallas Willard. A true Christ Follower doesn't just ask "What would Jesus do?" in a specific circumstance, instance, or decision. A Christ Follower approaches every day with "How did Jesus live in His time on Earth?" and "How can I live like that too?" Its a lifestyle. not a bracelet.
Its Not Business Its Personal. by Bob Sorge. I've been wanting to read this for a while, and I'm FINALLY getting to it! I love it! "Jesus is not merely an entrepreneur who has found a promising enterprise on one of His planets. Rather, He is a ravished Bridegroom who has come to win the affections of a lovesick Bride."
Pride and Prejudice. By Jane Austen. Everyone reads it in high school. I'm enjoying it though. I love the journey the persnickety Miss Elizabeth Bennet takes. :)
1984. by George Orwell. another one for school. I think its cleverly written. The story depicts the danger of a Utopian society and totalitarian government. It is a harsh read. No happy endings, or feel good messages. Its been interesting.
what are you reading?

its spring!

goodbye winter.
and hello sunshine, flowers, iced tea, white high heels, bright colors, and sunglasses.
:)

I guess i've always loved flowers :)

“Actually, this seems to be the basic need of the human heart in nearly every great crisis - a good hot cup of coffee.”
Alexander King

it was my favorite

I read this poem so many times when I was little. We had a quaint little orange book filled with poetry. It still sits on the bookcase in the den. I could probably say this one frontwards, sdrawkcab and ǝpısdn uʍop...
In honor of the weather today :)

















Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you;
But when the leaves hang trembling
The wind is passing through

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I,
But when the trees bow down their heads
The wind is passing by.
Christina Rossetti

small group love!!!

I am so blessed. I get to hang out with the best group of ladies around.
they're smart, funny, beautiful, and destined for GREAT things.
going through my pictures today, I found a ton of fun small group memories. thought I'd share.
love you girls!!! :)

what to do (and what NOT to do) when you're sick

This past week, due to the flu, I've had a lot of time to myself.
And in this time, I've realized a few things about being ill.
I realize that whenever I'm sick, I don't do the simple things that could shorten my quarantine time. This week, I decided to write it all down. Partially out of pure boredom, and also because blogs never forget! :)

DO:
get lots of rest. Now, the LAST thing I want to do is sit in bed all day, BUT I guarantee. more sleep=faster healing. rest helps. I promise :)

vitamin c, vitamin c, vitamin c!!! alright, confession. I hate orange juice. I really do. but vitamin c helps fight the nasty flu germs, so I've been guzzling it down. By giving the immune system one of the important nutrients it needs, studies show what vitamin C can often shorten the duration of the cold. and If you don't like orange juice, 1. you are a person after my own heart and 2. try pill supplements instead! :)

drink lots of water!!! enough said. your body desperately needs hydration!

eat something! Most times, when I get sick, I'm not hungry. But its important to try to eat something, even if your stomach says no. try toast, soup, even a fruit smoothie. You want to keep your body nourished so you can regain strength!


DON'T:
go to the store. We all know that its impossible to look decent when you're sick. I tried stopping at walgreens this morning. thought it would be quick. drop in, grab some sudafed, drop out. but to my dismay, I ran into people I know.
"Wow lynds, are you ok? You look awful!"
thanks guys. I appreciate it. bottom line: send dad. send mom. send ANYONE. just don't go yourself. you might scare someone...

drink purple gatorade. I know, I know, electrolytes (found in abundance in a bottle of gatorade) are good. BUT, I don't care what they say. Purple gatorade tastes like cough syrup. believe me. I know. one sip brought a flood of childhood memories of my mom forcing purple goo down my throat to stop my cough. ick. try red, or green, or blue!

avoid the shower: just to be a little considerate to the people around you, take a shower. I know sickness leads to laziness, but don't skip the cleanliness :)