Tattoo Tuesdays: Why don't we fall in love?

Why don't we? Why didn't we? Why haven't you? If only those questions had quick and easy answers. Do we really want easy to become a way of life, though? I'm not saying we want things chaotic and crazy, but ease breeds a certain attitude that some find annoying, if not disheartening.

It's easy to love; it's hard to love no matter the outcome. It's effortless, almost life giving, to insert that love into daily routines, but in the end it is exhausting. Love is a many minded, bipolar, superstitious monster. We love and we hate this monster; I do anyways.

Are we seeing the setup theme for today's tattoos yet?

Oh Lord Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

I like driving in my car all by myself. The only noise the hum of various vehicle workings and if the occasion strikes me, my iPod singing to me on a shuffle of inspiration. I like this time because I do my best musing behind the wheel. I'm sure it isn't wise because I "look up" and wonder how I got this far in my journey, so entrenched in my mind I'm oblivious to my surroundings.*

'Before it Starts' by Me

My driving thoughts have been on a constant question, "What makes a writer?" I love writing. This doesn't mean that I'm an expert or that this blog post is law or the official guidelines to what it takes to be a writer. I'm not saying go ye into all the world and share "my gospel". (Insert smile) I want you to read what works for me and what I find a comfort when I'm sinking myself in ink.

Create in a creative environment

My writing suffers tremendously when I allow my time to be bogged down by the stress and

Tattoo Tuesdays: Quick Feature

This is my first Tattoo Tuesdays post in several months. I want to do it justice because I like tattoos and Tattoo Tuesdays' post so much, but my internet keeps freezing. Today will be a quick post; this way I'm less likely to toss the computer across the room. Anger management classes may be in order. (wink)


Pinterest had some fine pickings today. However, the first feature is curtsy of Tumblr by way of a friend's email.

According to this person's Tumblr the middle tattoo pays homage to this guy's, Hero Jaejoong, band. Below that is “Hope to the end” (Bible quote: I Peter 1:13) and left G-clef is “The pleasures of the mighty are the tears of the poor" (a Latin proverb). The right G-clef is “A song will outlive all sermons in the memory," quote by Henry Giles. Thanks Anna for sending me this tattoo!

Another Tumblr find. Tattoos with color are awesome to me. I know the colors fade over time, especially if you don't go back for touch ups, but they are so pretty and alive.

You know me and "Day of the Dead" things. I like the placement too!

Of course an anchor tattoo has to be featured!

Quote of the Day

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” 

~Mae West

Mundane Mondays: I can look up

The last few months of 2012 were not my best. They were crazy, chicken with my head cutoff busy and not memories I want to tuck away for a rainy day. When things get tough I tend to withdrawal and into my hermit hole I disappeared. I owe you, my blog followers/readers, an apology. I stopped writing and each week (Mondays and Tuesdays especially) the days would come and go with no words written. I’m not going to claim or expect you to have missed me, but I missed you. I missed writing. Although it is difficult and an overwhelming endeavor, I’m going to try to get my act together . . . learn some balance.

As it is Mundane Monday and now 2013, I wanted to quick recap a few 2012 happenings.

Christmas was the year of felt for me. If I had, had more time and energy my house would have become the ultimate felt factory. Thanks to a new favorite blog I follow, Design Mom, I’m getting new ideas all the time. The idea below for monogrammed ornaments came from her blog.

I took my love of Google+ and my new found friendships and applied felt. (insert smile)

My Christmas book loot (down from last year*) included:

My Photo 'Peeking Pages'

Time for the Goals!

Last year I played it safe with 7 somewhat reasonable goals. Unfortunately, due to a long list of excuses I won't go into right now, I only accomplished 2 goals in 2012. See goals here. I bought my Canon Rebel T3i camera, Calvin . . . love at first sight. I also, by God's grace, was able to continue to save for my someday Africa trip/mission. I have no idea how much I have saved, but it brings such joy to my "little" heart to hear the clink, clink of more coins in my bank.

Even though I didn't accomplish everything on my list I'm bring out the big guns for 2013. I want this year to be the year of motivational "get 'her dones". I want to show 2013 whose boss (knowing that God has the ultimate controls for my life, but not wanting to or allowing life's bleck to stand in my way).

Books, Books, Books . . . Did I mention books?

• Finish my 25 by 25 reading list: I am old. I'm turning 25 in May, ugh. I made this list some time ago and realized I'm WAY behind, having only read 2 of the books, and it is time to get going.
• Read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: I'm not a fan or at least I don't think I am of him, but I want to read the book before the movie comes out.
• Read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: Time to read a Russian great! That and I want to read it before I see the movie . . . which didn't come to any theaters near me!?!
• Read 100 books and less eBooks: That's my goal and confession from last year.
• Buy less: Realizing that my "To be read" list on Librarything continues to grow and get out of hand; I want to focus on what I own that hasn't been read yet. Honestly, please someone send me some tips for withdrawal. I would like (like meaning this is my intention, but I don't know how likely or possible it is) to tuck away the money to buy a book each time I stop myself from buying it. (cough: yearight) Then at the end of the year (ok, ok, month?) reward myself with a book shopping spree.

Click, Pic, Flick!

• Flickr Famous: I would like to be featured; even just one of my pictures would be beyond awesome.
• Take LOTS of pictures: More hopefully equals honing my skills and technique. Plus I love taking pictures!
• Photoshop: Learn how to use it so that I don't smash my computer through the wall. Did I mention I have anger and patience issues?

Take Time

• Memorize a poem and/or piece of scripture
• Teleport to Portland: My new dear friend Deven lives in Portland and I want so badly to meet her face to face! I know I might scare her, but hopefully we can move past the initial screaming and running in terror (insert big grin). Deven is an amazing artist, not that she needs a shout out from me, but definitely checkout her Etsy shop!
• Bigger in Texas: I have family that lives in Austin. I visited the city about 5 years ago and miss it. It is time to see it again!
• Sew More
• Knit More
• Bake More
• Write more on my blog: I owe you guys, right?!?
• Write a Children's book: The ideas are floating around, waiting and ready.
• Magazine Mayhem: I would like to dedicate a day to catch up on reading all of the magazines I subscribe to. The pile at the end of my bed continues to grow and sadly remains untouched.

The Life of Maddie

• Continue to save for Africa . . . go to Africa?: I don't know what this year holds in store, but I'm game if God is game!
• Pay off Debts: Debt free is the way to be . . . here's to hoping it can be done.
• Learn to take a compliment . . . graciously
• Here we come a . . . Vlogging?: I have a few "dear" (wink) friends whose initials are Mum, Deven and Ron that are pestering me to make videos about books. We'll see, we shall see.
• Stop comparing
• Continue exercising (Don't you like how I am being vague with some of these goals: Knit More, Continue exercising??) 
• Punch a hole in it!: (insert grin) I need some new piercings and these are the ones I'm fancying to get: My tragus, my conch and my nose.
• Tattoo: Yep I want one and I think I'm ready!

I also have a few personal private goals that I hope by focusing and striving to achieve the above goals it will open the door for them too. I realize this list is leaps and bounds bigger than last year, but this year is about focus, balance and adventure! How can they go together? Oh they can, just wait and see!!!!

Quote of the Day

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” 

~Louisa May Alcott

*That’s ok though, I’m finding I have enough books to last me for awhile and I need to focus more on reading what I have. I know we have heard this tune sung many times from me.