I just got back from a quick trip to Kansas for my cousin's high school graduation. I had a wonderful time, but it is nice to be back into my routine. Here are a few snapshots from my trip!
I love giving gifts. If I could, I would go all out on every occasion. But just like almost everyone else, money is tight and I can't spend a whole lot of money. But that doesn't mean I can't make gifts special! This adorable mother's day gift was made for under $3! The adorable pot was just $1.99 at Goodwill and the plant (it will bloom gorgeous purple flowers) was only 99 cents! You can't get much cheaper than that! Plus, it is unique and one of a kind, and the stores that I checked out had similar versions for over $20!
I am only a little obsessed with the basket weave stitch right now. No pattern, but it is super easy...just basket weave the size of the pillow you want and stitch it up!
Another throwback to my college days. Again, the prompt was writing from the opposite gender's perspective.
Crazy
Creative Writing
January 18, 2012
“IT
WAS ALL A LIE!” she screamed, as she sobbed into the tablecloth, thick black
stains running down her cheeks, salting her dinner with her tears; causing the
biggest scene I have ever encountered while on a date. While I am sure I looked
like the biggest asshole at the restaurant to surrounding onlookers, what she
failed to mention in her raging rant was that this was only the second date;
the first being a quick encounter at the bar where we met. At the bar, I asked
out a sexy, long-legged, redhead. What now sat in front of me was a crazy
lunatic.
“You
arrogant bastard!” she sobbed, “I poured my heart out to you, and you tell me
that you are not looking for anything serious? How could you do that to me? I
trusted you!”
While
fellow diners flashed me wicked glares, I sat quietly, not only out of
embarrassment, but shock. How could such a small woman have this much rage
built up inside.
Suddenly,
her sobbing stopped.
“I am so sorry, baby,” she whimpered, “I don’t know what
got into me. You just mean so much to me. I don’t want anything to come between
us. I love you.”
After seeing this video show up on my wall a dozen or so times, I finally watched it. It's funny, watching Look Up is exactly what you are not supposed to do. But it puts life into perspective. And also reminded me of a short story I wrote back in 2012 but never shared. Our writing prompt was to write in the opposite gender. Eeek. I hate sharing my non blog/craft writing. But, it is time to start stepping out of my comfort zone!
Look Up - Gary Turk
The Day We Met
Creative Writing
March 14, 2012
On
the day we met, Mother Nature cast a gray sheet over Emerald City. Around me,
the world buzzed as I sat quietly alone at a table for two. I can’t tell you
what I was working on or which espresso concoction I sipped. But what I do know
is that the moment you entered the room, all I could focus on were the soft
curls that framed your delicate face.
I
don’t know what came over me that day. All I knew is that I had to ask you your
name. Normally, a shy and reluctant man, I gathered every ounce of courage I
could find to approach you, stumbling over my words to introduce myself. Somehow,
I managed to walk away with not only your name, but seven numbers neatly
written across a tiny sheet of paper. On the day we met, I knew you were the
one I was destined to spend eternity with.
Two days later, after running lines over and over again
in my head, I managed to pick up the phone. After three rings, the most
beautiful voice seemed to sing the word hello. Every phrase I had memorized
vanished from my mind, but somehow, I heard you tell me to pick you up on
Friday at six.
Seeing you again made my heart stop. And when you
suggested walking to dinner instead of taking a cab, I fell for you even more.
Never had I met a woman who enjoyed the simple things in life, like taking an
evening stroll through the city. As we conversed at dinner, all I could focus
on were your red lips, and how I had never wanted anything more than to press
my lips to yours. And as I told you goodnight at your doorstep, we shared a
kiss that put every romantic movie to shame. As I watched you walk away, I knew
I would never kiss anyone else again.
With you now in my world, everything seemed clearer. The
rain no longer seemed so dreary. Rather, I found myself imagining you, in your
yellow coat and rain boots dancing in the rain. I imagined us sharing an
umbrella. I imagined kissing you under the cold Seattle rain. I spent countless
hours at work dreaming of your smile. All I could ever dream of was you.
Over the next few weeks, we shared secrets over strolls
through the park, tables for two, and late night phone calls. And after a month
or so of getting to know you deeper than I have known anyone else, we got lost
under a world of sheets. Never before had I been so in love.
Months passed and seasons changed. And after asking your
father’s permission, I asked for your hand in marriage. As we shared breakfast
and coffee at the same café where we met, I nervously pulled out a tiny
Tiffany’s blue box from my pocket, got down onto one knee, and made a jumbled
mess of the words, “Will you marry me?”
Six months later, I nervously stood at the altar. A
hundred or so onlookers stared while I impatiently waited for the ceremony to
begin. Finally, the music began and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen
appeared from behind the church doors. As you walked down the aisle, all I
could do was wonder what I had done to be so deserving of your love.
A few years passed and we got the news that you were
expecting. Never had I been so happy. I was starting a family with the woman I
loved. Nine months later, we welcomed a baby boy into the world. You were so
beautiful; wearing nothing buy your hospital gown, curls tangled around your
face, holding our son. Never before had I been so in love.
Three years later, we added two more children into this
world, twin girls who had your eyes. As we brought them home for the first
time, the most adorable smile stretched across your face. Finally, our family
was whole. We were exactly where we were supposed to be.
Over the years, we explored the world with our children.
With thousands of Kodak moments filling files on our computers, and our son
finish up his last year of school, we sent the girls off to college. After
twenty-two years, we were alone again. After a lifetime of raising children, we
pretended to be newlyweds all over again. Never before had I been so in love.
But on the day we met, I never said hello. Instead, I let
you walk way, never learning your name.
