Beginnings -- Summer

Yesterday was the "real" first day of summer break for us. I've been out of school since early May and the kids finished up on May 23, but with two days of room cleaning, a busy weekend, and Memorial Day, yesterday was our first, do-nothing day of summer.

Hopefully, I can convince him to spend a lot of time like this over the summer!

We're reading, playing Uno, and trying not to spend too much time watching TV and playing video games (Holdyn). I've made a schedule. We stuck to it yesterday and I blew it this morning, by sleeping waaaay too late, of course.

I've been reading Gretchen Rubin's memoir, The Happiness Project. I really like it and have found some habits I'd like to cultivate. Foremost of those is keeping a one-sentence daily journal. I already keep a sort of Commonplace book or junk journal filled with to-dos, quotes, ideas, musings, scattered thoughts, whatever. But, I'd like to record our days and be better about keeping this blog, so maybe a one-sentence journal style will work.

My resolutions from New Years have been hit or miss successes. Hits -- I have kept up with exercising and I'm pumped about that! My friend, Mallory, and I have just about finished couch to 5k and are scheduled to run in the Color Run on Labor Day in Birmingham. I'd planned to run a 5k BEFORE my 35th birthday last year, but it didn't happen. The Color Run is Sept. 3, so I'll at least run a 5k DURING my 35th year. Revision is a great thing, no? Misses -- I have not been faithful in writing everyday and the take a photo a day project fizzled after about a week. To be fair, I write A LOT. It just doesn't happen everyday. I'm ok with that right now, but once I begin my dissertation that will need to change. Thankfully, a friend gave me the book Write Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. It will be a huge help when the time arrives. As for the photo project, I have no excuse except I guess I wasn't as interested as I thought I'd be. I'll try it again sometime, though.

Well, that's a VERY brief update. And I've left out a ton, beach trip, trip to Nashville, 5th grade graduation, end of the year awards, Memorial Day with the family.

Tomorrow...summer continues and the one-sentence journal begins!

Much Love,
J

Thinking Days

Thankfully this semester I am blessed to have Thursdays and Fridays off. That's huge for me! In addition to allowing time to get chores and housework done, I have two full days for the grad student's trinity -- writing, reading, and research. I call these my "Thinking Days" and I meant it. These two days give me time to breathe, time to work, and time to think.

A photo of Evie from Kallie's iPod. Somehow it looks so tender and sweet. I love it

So, here's some of the things I've been thinking about...

Neil Gaiman's journal is really cool. I've known about Gaiman for a year or so now. I know, his fans probably consider that previous statement unfathomable, but what can I say? I'm learning. If you are interested in writing, writers, or Montana you should really follow this blog. I love to know how other writers (especially famous published ones) feel about the craft. I love to hear about their rituals and habits. If you do too then enjoy!

I am by no means even slightly knowledgeable when it comes to good photography, but like the Supreme Court, I know it when I see it. I somehow stumbled upon this blog, and I LOVE it! I am amazed by each photo, especially the portraits. I love to image who these people were and how they lived their lives. Seriously, add this to your reader now!

I guess this last thing ties the two previous sites together, sort of. Lately, I've become really interested in oral histories and specifically those of Southern women and literacy. The SFA has an amazing oral history/documentary project underway! It combines the things most important to Southern folks, food, people, and stories. I'm going to be beginning a little oral history project of my own. I'll tell you more about that as it unfolds. I'm really excited about it!

I'm using my Thinking Days for thinking about a whole bunch of other stuff, too. But this is the best of it. Gotta go, lots more thinking to squeeze in to the next two days!

Much Love, --J

One year later...

Yikes! A whole year since I've updated this blog?! It doesn't seem possible. 2011 literally flew by! We moved "to town" last December (thus the name change) and have thrown ourselves into life here in Tuscaloosa. The kids started the new/old year at a new school and have thrived. I spent the year teaching Freshmen, bless them, studying, reading, and writing my brains out. K spent his days driving back and forth to work in Birmingham, watching Alabama football, and generally being the most awesome hubs and daddy around! In short, it was a fantastic year of busy-ness and blessings. The Country-turned-City Vaughns are doing alright and looking forward to 2012. The silliness, happiness, and craziness will continue (the yuckiness, tears, and heartaches will too) and maybe this space won't be so neglected this year. 

Much Love, 
J

Finished...almost

Yesterday was the last day of my last class for my Masters degree!!!  I'm done, sort of.  Now I have Comprehensive Exams -- eek!  Thankfully, my English Comps are on a seperate day from my Education Comps.  I think I'd keel over if they were together.  Summer is plugging along.  The kids are loving vacation bible school this week, the library's summer reading program ended last week, and Holdyn's birthday is Sunday. 

I know I've been woeful in my blogging duties this year.  I'm not keeping a very good family journal, nor am I keeping up with my bloggy friends and family.  It looks like I'm going to have to break down and become a "follower."  You know I hate that term -- weren't we all taught to be leaders not followers?  So, I'm going to become a Subscriber instead.  How is that different?  I don't know, just humor me, umkay?

Anyhow, I pledge to better fulfill my blogging duties.  I'll get some pics up this week, too.

Much Love,
-Jennie

Ya Follow?

photo from www.gamesetwatch.com

I've been thinking about this for a long time. Is it just me or is anyone else bothered by this whole "Followers" thing? Probably just me, but let me 'splain. Back several months ago when Blogger started promoting this whole following thing everybody started putting up their "Followers" widget and people started following their favorite blogs. I know its a nice way to always know when your faves are updated and all (I even have 5 followers of my own). But the whole thing really creeps me out. I think its the term "followers" itself. It conjures up images in my twisted brain of some crazed cult leader, wearing a bedsheet, black Nikes, and a feathered headress exhorting everyone to, "Drink the Kool-aid" of my blog. Weird, I know. What can I say?
As a result I have never become a "Follower" of any blog. Although, as you can tell by my own blog there are several blogs that I do, um, follow with a frequency that some might call religious. Oh Jeez, now I'm creeping myself out!
Another thing about following -- it's become quite the status symbol. People display their followers' cute little pictures on their sidebars and give extra giveaway entries for following their blogs (don't even get me started on Tweeting, RS subscriptions and all that nonsense). Please know I'm not judging anyone who follows or has followers!!! It all just seems creepy and wrong to me.
That said, I hope none of my followers decided to "un-follow"(?) me. I'm honored that you'd want to follow me anywhere or even care about my mostly incoherent ramblings on this here blog. Thanks!

Question: Who, what, when, where and why do you follow? Am I really the only person to think the term "Followers" is creepy? (I wouldn't be surprised if I am. I'm totally weird and over analytical) I want to know what you think, follow me?

One Year of Bloggin'

I just realized this blog is one year old. I can't believe it - I never thought I'd start a blog much less (semi)keep it going for a year! That's quite an accomplishment for me.

The absolute best part about blogging is all the bloggy-friends I've made. I've never met any in person but I love them just the same. To logically think about that is odd, how can you love people you've never met face-to-face? But thinking with my heart I know it is possible; we've connected on an important level and become friends because we share our thoughts and feelings with each other. It's awesome!

Here's to another year of ups, downs, and craziness at Vaughn Farm!

That's better

OK, the text is now legible. I'm still not 100% pleased but it is better. I'll probably keep fiddling with it but for now, I'm done.

Sorry for the background!

Sorry, I janked up the background. I hate blog backgrounds in which you cannot see all of the text! So, of course, I created a blog with just that, pooh! I'm working on fixing it but have run out of time today...maybe tomorrow.

Calling All AL Bloggers

Hey all you Alabama Bloggers! Get yourselves today over to AlabamaBloggers.com and check this site out. Rachel has had a great idea and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. Imagine, a place for all Alabama Bloggers to blog together about whatever strikes our fancy. Fabulous, just fabulous! Check it out and join in the fun!

We're still here!

Just wanted to jot a quick post...We're still here and hanging on. School, church, work, and just life in general has got us pretty busy right now! It's mid-terms for me, basketball for Holdyn, house renos on top of work for K, and days of dress-up and "fairy flying school" for the girls.
I'm reading all your blogs almost daily even though I may not be commenting. Please know you make me smile and keep me going many times!
Love to you all!!!!!
-J

Helping a friend

Attention all sewers: A bloggy pal, ipost, needs some help. Her kids' school is trying to become a national green school (pretty cool, huh?). In an effort to reduce cafeteria waste and raise funds to make necessary changes they are selling cloth napkins at school. Here's the catch, the demand for napkins is outpacing the supply and their few sewers can't keep up. Anyway, if you've got some scrap fabric and a little time they need some 9x9 and 12x12 napkins stitched up and donated. All that has to be done is edge finishing. Go here to find out more...

PS It's a great way to get rid of those scraps you know you have! :)

Please excuse me, I'm better now.

So, yesterday's blow-up was a little embarrassing. (I didn't realize embarrassing had two r's until spellcheck caught it just now. I learn something everyday, annnyyyway.) As I was saying, sorry about the blow-up. I'm feeling much better now. Today I was able to get away for the day and it was really a good change of scenery. I drove a few hours over to visit with my sister Sara and my sister Emily, who lives nearby there came over, too! It's always good to visit with my sisters and just talk about whatever. The drive up to Sara's is beautiful - countrysides and farms the whole way. It was relaxing and soothing to my frazzled nerves.
Thanks Sara for letting me escape for a little while! Thanks Emily for dropping by, too. And a special thanks to my sweetie K for understanding that I don't need a break from him and the kids - I just needed a break from life today!
Smiley again, J!

What have you done?

I've seen this list posted by several bloggie friends and thought that I'd try it, too. Here's what you do: Copy and paste to your blog then boldface the things you've done. It's kind of interesting. Some I hope to acheive in this life, others not so much (see #97). Anyway, if you decide to post this yourself, comment and let me know!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the paper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Pretty good for 32. I'd love to see your list!

Look, I did it myself!

Usually I have my super-talented sister, Sara, update my blog background. However, she just moved back to the states from China, is pregnant, and has two other little terrors (j/k) to chase after. She's busy and right now I've got time. So, I decided that I'd try this again on my own and it actually worked!!!!
Yea me!
Hope you enjoy the new look.

I'm Ba-aaaack!/Crazy hair day

Hello all,
I've missed you so! I've been slammed by school and projects. But finally last night I turned in my huge mid-term assignment and I've got some time to breathe. My family is glad I'm back and I've really missed them. I feel like I've been secluded in a dark closet for days and I'm finally stepping back into the light and the world! Thanks for all the kind comments I've missed you all, as well.

I've got some pics to share from a few weeks back. Each Friday is spirit day at school and a few weeks ago was Crazy Hair day (a personal fave). Our kids love to participate in these days and Crazy Hair day was fun. Just look...

And finally, I didn't have crazy hair for Crazy Hair day but I feel like having crazy hair today!

Love you all!!!

Please to enjoy!

My favorite holiday is Halloween! I love playing dress-up and pretending to be someone else. Perhaps that is the repressed actor in me.
In honor of the upcoming fun of Halloween I've commissioned a new design from my personal blog design team (actually my super talented sister, Sara). I hope you enjoy it and the new playlist I've composed just for the occasion!
We all could use a distraction from troubles these days. Grab your favorite Halloween treat, your favorite people and have a great time together!
Much love to ya'll!

Purty New Blog

Are you enjoying the happy new blog design? I, for one, totally LOVE IT! A big thanks to my talented sister Sara who designed this for me after a frantic email yesterday. I spent the entire day trying to change the design from a standard template to something prettier. Then when K came home he spent most of the evening. Between the two of us we couldn't get it to work at all. We were so disgusted we just gave up. Then, the phone rings and its Sara calling from CHINA to say that she would design a background for us. I was so thrilled (a to hear from her, and (b for her to make such a kind offer, that I just about started to cry! It was her snazzy blog that started this whole experiment in the first place. Well, you can see what she's done and it is lovely. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank my little sis for her help. And I want to tell her how much I love her, miss her, and admire her -- LUV U Sara!

OK, I'm addicted!

To blogging, that is. Here's what happened....
I was reading in my latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens and came across a piece about a fabric designer named Anna Maria Horner out of Nashville. The photos of her studio were FAB and the article mentioned that she has a blog. Later, I went there and loved it so I checked out her blogroll. From there each blog had another roll and on and on, you get the drift, right? So after literally hours of looking at these amazing, creative and other wise unbelievable blogs, I'm hooked. Scroll down and find my "check these out" list. These sites are awesome and totally creatively inspiring, I think. I hope you'll agree.

Yes, it's true we blog now!

Let the stoning commence! After years of swearing that I'd never blog, the fateful day has arrived. Welcome to the Vaughn Family blog. After much thought and soul-searching Krager and I have decided that a blog is truly the easiest way to keep our ever-growing and ever-spreading out family abreast of the goings on in our little corner of the world. Our life can be pretty wacky at times so be forewarned and let the blogging commence!