Okay, Come In!

Who wants a quick recap of my summer? Didn't think so. But it was super fun and relaxing- everything I wanted it to be... and more! 

We'll start at the very beginning. A very good place to start. And now I'm singing The Sound of Music. 

So I never ended up getting a job- in case anyone was unsure of my status this summer. I learned how to mooch like a pro, did very little of the preferred shopping/dining out with friends, and babysat a very boisterous puppy. 

But seriously, thank you mother and father for allowing me to live this summer. Being a broke college student literally sucks out loud. Let's not think about that too much. 

Here's a quick picture recap of summer because pictures are three thousand times better than words. 

 Kylie spent his time in Lock Haven working his butt off, but he did make an appearance for his birthday weekend. Shasta was glad to have him. 

 

 I am pretty confident that Kyle is Shasta's all-time favorite person. She would kill me if she knew I posted this picture online! 

Danny and I also had a big day- we unintentionally matched our Phillies shirts. 

It was a real big day.

He wanted to pose for a picture... 

 

And as you can see, he got carried away. 

That's pretty typical. Dan likes to enjoy his life and he has very few inhibitions. 

He pretty much doesn't care about what others think. That's probably why he's one of my favorites. 

We also had the world's weirdest summer. The weather was all over the place. Like when I got home, it was all "April showers now bring May winds" and I didn't like that. 

Thick, easily tangled hair and wind are not the best combination. 

 

Of course MC and I are always up for a good picture. We ran outside on a particularly windy and chilly day and convinced mom to take our picture. It actually took us a little bit to get a shot, because as soon as we got outside the wind completely stopped. 

Then Sharon had a rough time with the camera... so yeah. 

We also made good use of some freaking delicious strawberries and a lovely strawberry jelly recipe.

There is nothing in the world like homemade strawberry jelly. It is hands down my favorite part of living in Lancaster county. 

I probably shouldn't say that because... Amish lady donuts.... and shoofly pie... and my friends... and my family.... 

We'll just say I have a lot of favorites. 

Then one day Dad decided he wanted to take a really long motorcycle ride out to Lock Haven to see Kyle and eat at some huge restaurant. 

His bike's name is Lucky- how adorbs. 

So I was all, "I totally wanna come!" 

Bad. 

 

We looked super cool, but I honestly thought I was going to die. 

DIE. 

Like roll off of Lucky and just die. 

I started crying. I started hyperventilating. 

Apparently when one seriously injures their tailbone during a jumping photo gone wrong, one should expect serious pain while riding a motorcycle. 

You live and learn, right? 

It was sad- I love riding but I honestly wanted to die. Needless to say, I ruined that ride. Sorry Dad!

I'm not sure what made the parentals to decide this was the summer to randomly get another dog, but they did. They made the executive decision to bring the tiniest, most energetic animal into our home. 

She also happens to be the cutest thing ever, and that's honestly why we still have not taken her back. 

Meet baby Iris. 

Shasta needed a gal pal- so enter little Rissle. 

We also tried to take a family photo, but that didn't go well. 

It's too bad, because the four of us won't be together again until Kyle comes back from the Ukraine in December. 

Sadness. But this picture is kinda fun. 

 

Stinking Mary Catherine- does she always look perfect? 

The answer is yes. She is forever the cute one. Always aware of the camera. 

Dad took some time to bond with Iris too. Well, we all did. 

I seriously do not understand how there is all of that energy in that tiny little body. 

And what a personality- let me tell you!

Don't pick her up when she's playing- she doesn't like it. 

Don't take her toys- she doesn't want you to. 

Don't try to cuddle her- she has other things to do. 

But let's be real, we do all of those things anyway. At least I did. I do not let a 7 pound ball of fur boss me around! 

Except Shasta- but only Shasta. 

 

Dad was playing fetch with Iris. They got to a point where neither one wanted to retrieve the ball, so they just sat there and looked at it. 

How. Cute.

I also got to see one of my absolute favorites! Carli was home from the middle of nowhere and we did some fun dinners/coffee dates/drives to Philly together. 

She's probably the coolest person I know, and I think that everyone should want to be her friend. 

Don't ever stop being so cool, Carli! 

I'm not sure how many times I was in Lock Haven this summer, but I know it was a few times and it was fun times. 

 

But for real- the drive there is gorgeous. I mean, how can a highway be pretty? 

It's so pretty. 

Then we went through Downtown Lock Haven- the cutest, smallest city I've ever seen. 

I thought this guy was funny. 

 

Way to sell it thrift shop. Way to go!

And of course we had to go to see the river. 

This view kills me, every time. 

 

Those blue skies. Like, what in the world. 

 

I just love, love, love color. 

While we were out there we crashed mom's cousin Katherine's house. 

She's Amish, has a whole lot of kids, lives in a big farm house, has a huge garden, and is basically a superhero. 

 

They had a sandbox made out of an old buggy. Kyle and I were pretty blown away by the ingenuity. 

We thought that our sandbox was cool... 

 

Then we went to the barn and watched our second cousin Chris milk the cows. 

Jellybean and... shoot. I don't remember the other cow's name. 

But MC thought they were fun. 

 

Grandma went along out with us, and since she matched the petunias I told her to stand with them for a picture. 

I don't think she wanted to, but doesn't she just look stinking cute? She does. 

Grandma, you look stinking cute! Sweeter than the petunias, you are!

We were also lucky enough to be given a 100% authentic buggy ride. 

Katherine told us to grab the buggy and climb on in- so MC and I pulled it out of the barn, then waited until David got Laser all hitched up. 

 

MC claims she has never ridden in a buggy before. 

It was a big deal y'all.

 

Kyle rode shotgun, and Dave even let him "drive" at one point. 

I held the reigns too, but Laser didn't respond well to my direction. 

Whatever. 

 

Seriously- so fun. 

Let's see... how else did I pass my time? 

 

I watched TV with Iris.

She's a big fan of sappy movies and cop shows. 

Diverse interests.

 

I hung out with the cousins- tennis and a movie night. We had fun.

 

I also went to the beach- thank you ocean for being so beautiful. 

 

I found Dan's picture on my phone and posted it on several social media sites.

Because I love him. 

 

I said goodbye to the coolest ex-babysitter around before she moved with her perfect little family to the Netherlands. Ugh- can I go visit yet? 

I was stalked by two sassy ladies with the sweetest little faces. 

Like seriously- couldn't eat anything without them catching wind. Iris would actually jump onto me and stick her face into my cup and swipe food off of my plate. 

She has no boundaries. 

 

I ate fresh peaches with vanilla ice cream and decided that if I ever need to request a last meal, this will definitely be included. 

 

I also drove with Carli to Philadelphia to drop something off at the airport. We may have made a quick pit-stop at Pat's for the best cheese steak in the entire world. 

I. Love. Philadelphia. 

 

Seriously she's the coolest person ever. 

Thanks for being my friend, lady! 

 

Danny bonded with the little Rissle. They're cute like that. 

 

Then the Blank girls spent an evening waving at cars on 340, getting honks and making memories. 

It was pretty fun. Flashback to our childhood, BIG TIME. 

 

MC got her senior pictures done, which was weird. 

I told her she wasn't allowed to get senior pictures done because she's too little. 

She didn't like that. 

 

I also heard numerous times how good the corn looked. 

People would say, "The corn looks so good!" I never understood how to respond because in my opinion, corn just looks like a lot of leaves and work. But mom said it was really high and wanted to use me to gauge how high it was. 

I'm actually kinda short, so I'm not sure how great of a measuring stick I actually was. 

But I tried! 

I lost my heart to this one again. Seriously Shasta, can you stop being so freaking adorable? 

I'm pretty sure she's going for a new hairstyle. She's over the short layers. I told her I would braid her hair once it got really long, but she prefers simplicity of the poof. 

I think she can pull off anything. 

 

Iris is also crazy cute. When you can get her, you have to hang onto her or else she'll wiggle her way right on to the next thing. 

But she's our newest resident drama queen. 

She enjoys running, licking nostrils, climbing on the dishwasher, sleeping under the couch, shoes, plastic bags, socks, dirty underwear, Shasta, and whatever Shasta is doing or has. 

She's a handful and I love her.

 

They both love their baths. And I love them. 

 

Cuddlicious. 

It's like cuddly and delicious. 

Then Sunday morning mom, dad, MC and I left the house at 4am and made the long drive back to Meredith. 

We moved me in for the very last time. 

......................................

It still doesn't seem real. But they tell me it is, so I guess I'll believe them. 

 

I just found this picture on my phone of MC sporting a fabulous hat. 

Hey girl, hey!

We supported Lynda as she browsed the clearance racks at North Hills. 

We held her clothes, we gave her feedback in the very tiny dressing room, and we even offered some of our own suggestions (most of which were turned down because apparently Lynda doesn't like bedazzled lime-green, tulle ridden dresses). 

We had breakfast Monday morning, and then got down to business. 

Moving into my very first apartment! 

Dad was a fan because it's on the first floor- no steps for the first time ever! 

Mom was a fan because she could help me decorate my own room. 

MC was a fan because she's easily pleased. 

It actually didn't take us very long to get everything set up, and I'm loving the outcome!

My desk! 

The green shelf came from White Horse Thrift Shoppe and the painting was done (fabulously) by Jessica Blank. 

Seriously Jess- I love it and I've gotten so many compliments on it. You're officially nationally known. 

Can you believe it? 

And there's my lovely bed- super comfortable. It makes waking up for class pretty difficult... 

 

And my dresser, across from my bed. That little mint hamper was our most recent garage sale steal. Thanks Grandma Martin!

 

And then just because I think it's super cute, here's our shower curtain and orange bath rug! 

The bathroom isn't that exciting, but I do think the curtain is lots of fun. 

So the apartment has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen. 

So far, I'm loving it!

Although if anyone has any suggestions for cheap and easy meals, I would love to hear them. I don't like to cook- mostly because I don't know what to cook. 

I also don't know what groceries to buy. 

I went to the store and stood there, staring at all of the food and suddenly realized I had no idea how to go about making anything that wasn't spaghetti, peanut butter and jelly, or cereal. 

So seriously, help needed!

So far I'm thinking my classes will be fairly decent. Except for French, I really think I'll enjoy the courses I'm in. I exclude French mostly because I am so extremely unsure of what I'm doing. I really like languages, but French is hard y'all! 

Like, je n'ais pas into French so much. 

And then of course, because I don't have enough to do right now, they make me apply for graduation the week that I get back. 

Welcome back! 

Now when would you like to leave?

Here's to my final year as a student. 

Final year. 

Key words there.

Think of me!

Holding out for a hero (because mom won't change the playlist)

Apparently while I was in school Danny reconnected with his love for oldies music. Seriously I have been sitting in the house listening to The Best of Michael Bolton for at least 20 minutes. Not gonna lie, it's time that playlist mysteriously reached its end.

Sharon has now switched Michael Bolton over to her 80's rock playlist. 

We're all shouting about the hero that we're holding out for.

Ain't that the truth Bonnie? 

So many other things have changed here since I've been gone. The other night mom asked me to light the tiki torches. We have tiki torches? 

We do now. 

We have also started grocery shopping online. Mom can't figure out how to keep her pictures organized on the computer but she knows how to buy groceries online? I just can't put all of this together in my mind. 

Speaking of the computer, MC and I have started our 2nd annual "Hot man on the computer desktop" battle. Not so much a battle but I really don't know what else to call it. Last summer we pretty much went through every attractive male in Hollywood and professional athletes. It got so intense that  government intervention became necessary. Not the government though- Sharon. Although she sort of represents the government in this situation if you really think about it. 

She gave new regulations which said the desktop was only allowed to be changed once each day. I think that rule came to be when someone changed Tim McGraw after mom had only had him on there for like an hour or something. 

So far this summer has been much more relaxed. Jake Gyllenhaal is the current background and has been for almost one week now.

So (and stay with me here, because I am going somewhere) MC was making fun of me one day and changed the background to a real- life person's picture. We all giggled and then changed it right back to Jake, but it was too late. MC apparently saved the other picture to our computer, into a folder that is frequently used in the computer's screensaver slide-show. 

So yesterday, after seeing this picture of this real-life person show up 2 times in the slide-show I decided it was time to locate the picture and officially delete it from our computer. 

That took me a little bit, but I did find it and delete it. 

All clear. 

But in the process I was forced to look through album after album of pictures from a few years ago. Most of them are pre-facebook and therefore never made it into a 200 picture album of randomness that nobody ever had time to look through and appreciate. 

I also found a video that MC, Kyle and I made for Lynda and Carter that we never showed them because we first forgot and then grew up and got embarrassed. 

The video is ridiculous and is currently under lock-down on the computer. 

I am confident that it is under lock-down because

1. Sharon doesn't know where to look or what to look for

2. Daddy doesn't know how to even begin looking for pictures/videos on our computer

and 3. Danny is easily blackmailed. 

Maybe one day the video will be unlocked, but I highly doubt it. It is pretty hilarious though. I'll say this: techno music, bad dancing, poor lip syncing, and a leaf blower. 

Yes, a leaf blower. 

Last week dad asked me if I knew how to use the leaf blower and I smiled and just said, "Of course!" 

Little did he know... 

But we can bring out some of those random sibling pictures I was talking about. High school days. Although we're going to stay away from the Dark Years. 

The Dark Years:

My junior year in high school I accidentally dyed my hair black. 

Black as night. It took some time for that to wash out. 

The box said "The darkest natural brown"- LIES.

Hence- The Dark Years. 

So Dark Years aside, let's look through some winners. 

Here is Dan, long ago. 

He was singing The Sound of Music... The hills are alive, with the sound of music! Also, his hair was really long and he was just a little squirt. 

He was shorter than me at one point. 

We also had a few thousand of the four of us just kinda... sitting. 

Soon after Cardinal Hill became our newest family place, mom and dad left us alone for one night and we got pretty bored. 

The only technology we had was a camera, so we went for it. 

This first lovely was snapped after MC fell off the couch and hit Kyle in the head. I'm just a fan of the eye contact going on. Also, Dan's wearing his hat like he used to when he was little so that's fun.

We literally have so many pictures from that night. I'm kind of surprised that we have never done anything with them. I mean we could've at least used them for National Sibling day or something, right? 

The whole time Dan was singing old rock songs. I think this song may have been something a little more romantic and less rocky since he's stroking MC's shoulder. Also, I believe Kyle may have just messed up my hair. Maybe MC helped him? 

And then, because the previous couch-shoot went so well, we decided it would be a good idea to do it again. This time we were at home though so we can't use the lack of technology excuse. This time... I'm not sure what to tell ya. 

Please appreciate Kyle's flexibility. I think that's what he wants to show us. 

And then- just because he's so loveable- we decided to squish Danny. 

What else has summer consisted of? A whole lot of nothing y'all. 

I did get a haircut. And you can ask mom and MC how many times I say how thankful I am that I finally got a haircut. So that was a big deal. 

I also bought a new pair of shoes that I fell quickly in love with... 

... But the excitement of new shoes was quickly overshadowed by the fact that I am unemployed for the next three months. I had to take a moment to gather myself after Dad gave me the "You need a job" speech.

It took a little bit, but I'm really okay with not working this summer. I'm kind of loving it actually. And no, don't go worrying that I'm getting bored or will have nothing to do or any of that. I am so easily entertained, it might actually be a problem. 

Anyone want to be my spontaneous beach buddy? Because I'm really hoping to at least darken a little bit this summer. It's hard going to a school in the south with translucent skin. In my geology class I learned what that's called- high albedo. My skin reflects so much light- like snow, or rain. I think that's what it's called anyway. I had geology almost a year ago and it was dreadfully boring. The word "Albedo" is literally the only word I can remember and I'm not too concerned with being all sciency.

So guys let's all pray that I can tan tan this summer. 

All that being said- beach buddy. I need you.

Also, Kyle spent a few days at home last week. He is staying in Lock Haven for the summer so... hello road-trip to LH to see Kylie!

Also, Shasta loves when Kyle is home. She's quite the poser- she really has no inhibitions. 

Dan and I ended up wearing Phillies t-shirts on the same day. We documented that rare occurrence. 

Yesterday Mary Cat and I decided that in order to entertain ourselves we would drive mom's car (wanted to save gas) to Park City to people-watch. The public didn't disappoint. There were so many people- so many colorful people. 

We also had high hopes that we would run into our dear mall friend who we call Alex. 

Mary Catherine and I first noticed Alex this year while we were Black Friday shopping. We snapped a few photos of him from far away- very sneaky of us, right? I thought so too. 

So there's Alex- the red arrow is pointing right to him. 

 Anyway, Alex used to work at the sock stand but we could hardly call him The Sock-Stand guy. Alex seemed fitting. 

So yesterday we were hoping to maybe see Alex but apparently socks don't need to be sold year-round (weird, I know). We were pretty bummed as we sat with our Auntie Anne's pretzels and had no Alex to look at. But we weren't disappointed very long. Suddenly MC said, "I'm not going to freak out" and just like that, Alex was there. Alex was walking RIGHT in front of us. 

Except Alex wasn't alone. He was dragging behind him a penguin balloon. 

The penguin had an orange leash. 

We died laughing immediately and I'm pretty sure we may have slightly offended him. 

So right away we were all... Fantastic, this guy is a freak who walks balloons through the mall! Then we went around trying unsuccessfully to find his new sock stand. Turns out Alex is the new helicopter guy and he works right beside a stand that sells animal balloons. 

We didn't feel so bad for him after realizing that. 

But still- a grown man walking around the mall with a penguin balloon on an orange leash? Maybe that wasn't your best idea, Alex.

Either way, we spent a good 20 minutes trying to piece together the Alex/ penguin-balloon mystery. 

And please, if you know this guy that we call Alex- feel free to just not say anything to me, Mary Catherine, or Alex. Because how weird would that be, right? It would be so weird. 

This cute guy was relaxing across from us the whole time. Feet propped up on his walker and iPhone in hand.

I mean, this guy is living his life. 

So finding things to do obviously isn't too difficult for me. And now I'm finding myself curled up on the couch as the Bachelorette begins a new season! 

This time Des has to win because she's the Bachelorette and I'm so glad. Yes, I am a fan of this show and I will be watching faithfully. Ever want to find me on a Monday night? Well don't because I'm not socializing I'm watching this show. 

That sounded harsh- but sometimes finding love is harsh guys! 

Here it goes! Happy summer.