T Time

Several weeks ago one of the most precious young woman I’ve had the pleasure of knowing was lost in a car accident. It’s taken me a while to get up the courage to write this down. Almost as if avoiding typing those words meant it hadn’t really happened. But it did, I know that. How could I not when for the last several weeks I have been living through the mourning, both my own and of my friends. It’s been hard, and it’s been especially hard for me to talk about it, or think about it. But I don’t think I’d be doing Rachel justice if I didn’t share the memories I have of her. I’ve wanted to write these down and share them for a while now, but I haven’t had the courage to, so here goes.

When I first met Rachel we were both in highschool. She graduated from my school a year before I did, but that’s not exactly how I met her. We were in 4-H together. If I remember correctly, I met her at a county competition, but I may have met her before that, I can’t actually remember. Anyways, that county competition is the first time I distinctly remember Rachel being there. I remember her smiling the entire night. And telling me I did a good job on my speech, which was a big deal to me since I was always really worried about those speeches.

Another memory I have of her came a year or two later. We were on regional/county councils together and had to do a skit for the county banquet. Rachel and I had to walk across at one point and say something about the early 4H clubs. Between us we couldn’t make it across the stage without laughing.

Rachel’s laugh and smile were special. They made you want to join in and share in her happiness. I don’t think I ever saw her when she wasn’t laughing and smiling. She was such a happy and encouraging person. Rachel was one of those people, that even if you didn’t see her for a while, you knew, that if you ever needed anything, she would be there to help. I don’t think anyone I’ve heard talk about her has gone unaffected by her life. Her love for her Savior, and her dedication to sharing that love with those around her is something that will always be remembered by those who knew her. Rachel’s life was a blessing to those around her and she will be sorely missed.

The last time I saw Rachel she was coming out of Main with Jess and Lacie. I was coming back from Spanish and when the saw me, Jess demanded I come give her a hug. I laughed and told her to wait a minute. She told me to run. I said I couldn’t. I was wearing my new black boots. Rachel laughed and called them my hooker boots. We all laughed about it for a few minutes as I gave Jess her hug. And then they left, to go where, I don’t know. But a day hasn’t gone by since that I haven’t wondered, if I had known I would never see her again, would I have done anything different in that moment? If I had known how special that moment would become to me, how would I have behaved? I suppose it doesn’t matter now, but I don’t think I will ever be able to wear those boots without thinking of them as hooker boots and remembering Rachel’s smile as she said it. And Rachel’s smile is something I pray that I never, ever forget.

SweetTart friends

Is very much fun. Very muchly exhausting. And very satisfying.

I love my classes, love my roommate, and love my professors. Is that to love fest for you? Well here’s what I don’t love: eight o’clock classes, caf food and UM parking. I do, however, love the fact that we just got our very own Starbucks on campus. In my Mama’s words “bye bye flex points.” lol.

So what’s new with me? Welp. I turn eighteen next week. I’ve discovered that driving ranges are super fun, water pitchers can fit in freezers, eating cereal for lunch might be considered weird, you say really strange things at 2AM (“Oh my gosh! I think I just inhaled a goldfish” for instance) Proverbs 31:6-7, I had a lot of free time in highschool, baby dolls are creepy, when you’re on a caffeine high no one knows what to do with  you, ping pong is dangerous, heels are detrimental when you’re parked on the other side of campus, and all my sketchbooks are tiny compared to my drawing pad. Also, I’m dying my hair blonde this weekend (if I remember to take the dye with me) and my brother (Indy) is even more confusing over FB then he is in person.

Oh and all that drama in highschool I thought I avoided by being homeschooled? Yeah right. It’s here. Totally here. Majorly here. Ugh. Really praying our group is over it now.

If your mom happens to bring you and your friends lunch she is declared the most amazing mom ever. But don’t make the mistake of telling her not to bring dessert. You’ll get in trouble, trust me.

THat’s all I can think of right now, so until next time, TURTLES!

SweetTart College Life

Move in day. Is tomorrow. TOMORROW!!!!!

Am I nervous? Yes.

Am I excited? YES!

Am I ready? Didn’t I say I was tired of hear that question?

Am I packed? Nearly.

Do I have everything I need? Well my magical powers still haven’t show up…jk. I’m going shopping after lunch for the last few things.

AM I trying desperately to finish reading GG3 and soak in as much Zach Goode-ness without read GG4 (I have no time to, plus I don’t actuall have it checked out) before college? YES!!!!!!!

So why am I blogging instead of reading?? Um, because I wanted yal to know I’m moving tomorrow.

Was I Am Number Four a good book? YES!!!!!!

Do I find it weird that I’m making up questions to ask myself and answering them? Kind of…

Am I done now? Yep. I’m done.

SweetTart Books, College Life, Me The Non-Blonde Version

When you become a Senior in highschool there is a little question that everyone in the world is going to ask you every day you’re out in public until you have officially started your Freshman year of college. It consists of three little, seemingly harmless words, “are you ready?” First it’s “are you ready to graduate?” then it’s “are you ready to start college?” And pretty soon it’s just flat out tiresome, if not annoying. I seriously cannot wait for the last time it’ll be asked, which will probably be when I’m all packed and loaded to go to campus and Mama asks “are you ready?” And then I’m going to have to say yes, whether I’m ready or not. So yeah, steal yousrself, cause it’s coming. Are you ready?

SweetTart College Life, Me The Non-Blonde Version

…A music post!!!!!

SweetTart Music

Is that your natural hair color? Why yes, yes it is.

How long will the pink stay in? I really don’t know, but its been nearly two months now.

Are you going to keep dying in pink? Or dye it another color? Well I like the pink, so I’m think yes. And I sorta have considered either blue or purple but I think they’re to dark for me.

What color is your hair naturally? I just told you it was pink! Lol. Just kidding, it’s dark blonde.

Do you like your hair pink? Um, duh?

Why did you want your hair pink? I like it. And there was that week in England….(but if you ask my Mama it’s to get boys….)

How did you get your hair pink? It’s called hair dye. (I should point out that it’s mostly little kids that ask this one, though sometimes the teens/adults are wondering if it’s dye or koolaid.)

HEY! I like your hair! Um, thanks. Unless your a creepy guy, in which case I’m going to walk away very quickly now…

I can’t see you as a blonde. Pink just suits you. I’m going to take that as a compliment….

THere’s purple in your hair! Well yes there is. It’s the part that got pink dye but no bleach.

Woah you have major roots. Your hair grows fast! Thanks Mom.

And that’s all I can think of right now. But yeah, I really do get those a lot.

SweetTart Fun Stuff, Me The Non-Blonde Version

Yep, ME! And here’s my first Vid. (Sorry in advance for bad quality (I blame my blondeness in not realizing iMovie will upload straight to YouTube until after the video was nearly up) and bad filming (that one’s entirely one me…))

SweetTart Movies, Music, Travels

Guess what today is!!!!! Yep, that’s right, my  blogoversery. Three years ago today I first started this blog. Yay for me! And now, as a blogoversery gift to me, A=I intend to get the following song stuck in your heads:

And you thought it would be this one:

Hehe welp, you were right.

SweetTart Holidays and Other Celebrations, Movies, Music

So. In case you’ve missed it, my family goes to the Smoky Mountains every year. And well, we just got back. While I thoroughly enjoy  this trip every time we go, this was definitely one of the best camping trips we’ve ever had. Why? Well for starters, Maryanna cam with us. Also, I GOT TO SEE MY COUSINS!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!! (Wendy….) And we had a blast! Most of our time was spent either tubing down the river or swimming in the pool. But we also: Played a very disturbing few games of Apples to Apples, went on our traditional trip to Cades Cove, and put on an Alice in WOnderland skit. And some other stuff. I’d share picture here, but as you know, I can’t currently upload pictures to my blog. So instead I will direct those of you who stalk me in various ways on Facebook to the albums you will find there. THere are also pictures of me, Maryanna, Cushion, and Cushion’s friend (who has no nick at the moment) in sundresses in the river. Oh, and Diva too. That, let me tell you, was seriously fun. Oh and then there was the store Cushion and Mama and I went to that was so cool. It had a lot of artwork and stuff mostly, but also some trinkets and t-shirts (and hillbilly hats). And then there were the idiots of course. Who decided that it wasn’t enough to just see a bear, they wanted to touch it. Or something. Honestly we all thought we were about to witness a bear mauling. Bt alas, the park ranger stopped them. Oh! And then we went into a house where the ceiling was totally low enough for Maryanna and me to touch. lol. And of course we had to show her our favorite building, the grist mill, which was running. Yay! And we made Indy (and Jedi too) eat Bacon and Cheese Crickets. And then we did a lot of being over all stupid the way four teenage girls will do. But of course, that’s the best part you know. And I added a member to my teddy bear family. He’s a black bear with a sweater that say the Smoky Mountains and his name is River (he still is in need of a middle name though) and I’ll try and get a pic up soon, but as of yet there isn’t one even on FB. Anywho, that’s all about our trip I can think of right now. Other than the fact that I will hopefully be able to share the music video I made with yall. I had to set up a youtube account though, cause FB wouldn’t let me post it. Something about copyright infringement. (but youtube will normally let you post if you say something about not owning the music) So yeah, that’s all for now.

SweetTart Family, friends, Fun Stuff, Travels, We the Freaks.....

So earlier this week I was going through pictures for my slideshow for my graduation party. And as I went through them I realized something. Sometimes the best memories are in the pictures that no one planned on. By that I mean the times when we didn’t say we needed the camera because it was a big event. The best memories often come when life just happens. So as I went through these photos I realized that my favorties weren’t always from dances, or competitions, or retreats, or even big trips. My favorties were from Bible study, and goofing of in Wal-Mart, and messing around in the front yard with my best friend and the times I actually let a sib take hold of my camera. Those are the times I’ll remember forever, even when I forget. Those are the times that make me who I am. Those are the times that are precious. Sure the others are great to, and many of them include memories that will last forever. But it was a wonderful reminder that Life is full of precious moments, not just big events. Just something to think about.

SweetTart Ramblings