Lyrical Lavender Life

Wow... Ok, so it's been a month of Sundays, at least, since I last blogged. Sorry. Life has taken me by the tail lately and it's been a struggle to accomplish the "must do" list, much less the "want to" list. So, here I am again. I'm not making any promises that this will be consistent, by any means. But when things strike me as appropriate to write about in a public blog, I will. Ok. To catch you all up: School: Clinical Psych Grad Program... itense, challenging, hopefully as rewarding as I imagined, overwhelming at times, but I'm feeling like it might actually be possibly. If the end of the semester would just hurry up and get here!....aaahhhhh! Work: Looking for something more up my alley, but hanging in there with the international education department. Hoping for a position within the psych/counseling field next year. No practicum this summer, so have to find a back-up idea. Family/Friends: Things shifting, but in a p

{So... I'm back. Perhaps not in as full force as I would like to be, but as much as time and sanity will allow. Speaking of sanity... I must explain where I've been. (Well I don't have to... but I'm gonna.) :) This fall I've started back to school studying for my M.S. in Clinical Psychology. I took a couple weeks off before school started and that's when I dropped off of the LLL-Radar. So, now that things are in full-swing at school and life is ultimately crazy and thrilling.... I figured by now I must have something to share with the world.} Sigmund Freud.... famous psychologist...... psychoanalysis..... structural model of personality.... oedipus complex ..... interpretation of dreams ......... and free association. Free association is something I like doing for fun, and it's a great way to get to know people. Just thought I'd share a little bit and ease back into blogging again daily (I hope). While I don't subscribe to the full let

I said "I'll do it" And I did I said "I'll finish" So I'm trying I said "I'll never" So I won't I said "I'd go" And so I went I said "I'll stay" And here I am I said "I love you" And I still do. I'm keeping my word I'm doing my best When it all goes bad I'll clean up the mess I'm keeping my word No matter the test. Some 'word's are worth keeping While others are not Sometimes it is better to get off the pot* I'm keeping my word.. this time next time...maybe not.

<~-~-~-~-~- PLEASE TAKE THIS POLL. I am posting a poll to get your opinions on navigating the game of life... specifically the academic track. Please only take it once since you can select more than one answer. I'll get back to you on this issue of "Navigating Life" ..... Thanks for your input.

In light of my post about the Knoxville shooting, I have been a little down but today I see a ray of hope in the world thanks to the stance taken by one Miss Keira Knightly . This beautiful woman who has portrayed so many amazing characters, turns out to be a pretty amazing character herself (in real life). She bravely stood up to the 'movie gods' who wanted to increase her bust-line to help increase their bottom-line. (Watch the video- http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3191713/9030438 ). She is perfect just as she is, plus she is an incredible actress and in my opinion has a captivating presence on film... would two cup sizes really change any of that? Newsflash: NO! Keira Knightly is perfect just the way she is. (If they think she is 'imperfect', I wonder how much plastic surgery or digital editing they would think I need...?) This is a great wake up call to women and young girls everywhere. Society is so focused on superficiality, that a woman's looks are of the utm

I apologize for posting so late, I don't live under a rock as it probably seems, I have just been busy with the opera production... I noticed a video on Yahoo's News page a few minutes ago about a shooting that took place in a church in Knoxville, TN just yesterday (Sunday) morning. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting I watched the videos associated with the story and learned that police had found a letter in the shooter's home, written by the shooter, that explained his frustration with not being able to find a job and his apparently passionate opinion regarding the 'liberal movement'. He confessed that he had intended to continue shooting people until the police arrived and he expected to be taken out by them to stop him. He entered the church with a guitar case that concealed his gun and when he pulled out the rifle, he killed one man who tried to stop him from shooting others. Eight others were injured and in serious condition, with t

The Road Trip of Your Life OK... so usually I don't put much stock in these little quizzes that you find online.... they're just for fun, right? You see romantic love as what's most important in life. A deep connection with someone else is the primary thing you crave. You live a life of leisure. You take your time in every aspect of life and enjoy it to the fullest. You are all about risk and randomness in your life. You travel off the beaten path... in fact, you're often the one carving the way! You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out. In another life, you could have been a great artist. You trust your creative instincts enough to let them lead you. This one hit the nail on the head! I'm still thinking about my road trip / vacation and already wishing for another! Anyone interested? ************************************************** What Advanced Degree Should You Get? You

Vacation : Sun, waves, music and laughs! We had an amazing vacation and I wouldn't trade those times for anything. I'll give you the basics of how it all played out. We had a plan, but it was fairly fluid and ended up working out much better than originally planned. Pictures coming soon, I promise. Thursday - We drove 8 hours to DC, went to Wolf Trap and saw the Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile in concert. The Indigo Girls were amazing, as always; but honestly I had not heard Brandi before and was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved her sound. She was a great addition to Amy and Emily's incredibly tight harmony. I definitely have a new favorite song- Brandi Carlile's "The Story" is spectacularly raw and intense. I LOVE it! (Apparently it became well known because it was played on "Grey's Anatomy"... with music like that in the background, it must be a great show! Almost enough to make me want to get cable~ lol. Really though, give it a li

This new love came in the dawn This new love is completely turned on This time when we laughed our souls felt the shake This time when we kissed it took away all heartache This new love is greater than the old This new love has really taken hold We drove down the highway just to get away Second chances feel good I wish we could've stayed Alone on the road just your hand in mine Your smile, your song your fears left behind This is how it can be from now until end We stumbled into this let our new life begin I want to be with you no miles to separate I want to be there when they realize your fate We each walk our path yes, this I understand But life is so much better holding your hand. This new love is my most precious gift God has blessed me with an attitude shift Before when we loved I loved you so much But this time I feel more than an ache for your touch I cannot imagine the thought of you going away For an month, a week, an hour or a day So much of my soul is devoured by yours I

Remember the other day when I mentioned I needed to RELAX and enjoy my summer more? Well, that's what the next 4 days are going to be.... sort of. Ok, so I let go of the idealist notion that I actually know HOW to relax... lol... but I DO know how to have fun and let my hair down on a road trip! So, that's the plan. Indigo Girls concert Thursday night, visiting with some friends Friday and Saturday, seeing an opera on Saturday night and enjoying my time alone with my someone special the rest of the time! I'm SO excited! So, I won't be back on until Monday, but I promise to report everything once I return. Have a great week and weekend!

I recently saw the movie "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. WOW! What an amazing movie. This one definitely tugs at your heart strings and makes you want to run out and experience the adventures that life and our majestic planet has to offer. If this movie doesn't move you- see a cardiologist quick! The soundtrack includes the song "Say" by John Mayer . If you haven't heard this song before, you must be living under a rock. Well, come on out and it will be okay. Listen to the words of this song... and follow your heart. Having experienced a great loss in my life, with the death of my father, I understand what it means to have regrets. There are many things that I regret (with regards to my relationship with my father) including: things that I didn't say, but wanted to; things that I said, that I didn't mean and wished I could take back; times when I should have visited him more when he was sick and all alone; times when I sh

I'm so glad that my life has resumed a semblance of normalcy. Things, on the whole, are back as they should be... well mostly. Ever the cynic I can always find some way that situations could be improved, but at this moment in time I am quite happy with how things are for me. Loved ones back within arms reach always seem to quiet the soul. So, where was I? Manic Mondays... ah, yes. Well, today, like most Mondays was nothing spectacular. The work hours dragged on, with very little actual work to do. I spent most of my dayr reading some backlog of information that I normally keep pretty abreast to, but I'm not sure that cramming it all in within a few hours is the best way to do it. So, in terms of manic.... I guess my mind was functioning in a somewhat manic fashion just trying to take in all the information that I was reading about. Reading some of this information caused me to go into a slight panic when I realized that the Fall semester would be starting back in a little ov

For all of you who have some spare time on your hands this summer and are looking for a great book to get lost in, have a look at these. Keep an open mind and soon you'll find you have a lot more in common with the characters than you thought. Within this list is romance, mystery, suspence, murder, death, sex, passion, sacrifice, true love, coming of age, finding faith in God and in people, learning to accept who you are and what life hands you. You are sure to find something fabulous and memorable in every one of these. TOP 10 Favorites: 1. Painted Moon - Karin Kallmaker 2. Annie On My Mind- Nancy Garden 3. Venus Envy - Rita Mae Brown 4. Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes 5. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee 6. The Awakening - Kate Chopin 7. A Room of One's Own - Virginia Woolfe 8. Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne 9. Silas Marner - George Eliot 10. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde Which of these is your favorite? I'd love to hear about how one of

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Tomorrow is a happy occassion & I'm ready to celebrate! ******* ********* *********** ******* ******** ********** As you can see I have given my blog a facelift while I've been sick. I'm feeling better now, so I'm going to enjoy my weekend and get back to you all on Monday. Be sure to check out all the new things I've added. Now with 3 columns, there's a lot more to see. Have a look around! Have a wonderful weekend!

Don't forget about me just because I haven't posted in a couple of days. I'm down with bronchitis right now, but am using my time wisely- working on a custom blog layout. I should be back up to par hopefully by next Monday. This pic is a clue to what the new layout will look like! Have a great rest of your week! Look out for more video.... coming soon.

This is my first attempt at adding a video to my blog. Right now I am using my camera phone for the video, so it is not great quality but it gets the job done. I'm just trying it out for now, so bare with me. If anyone has any pointers, tips, suggestions, whatever... please feel free to offer them up. I want to learn.

Today I'm feeling under the weather and just surfing the web. I ran across this article from last week where another blogger was talking about how a lesbian couple was not allowed to be together while one of them was dying in a hospital in Miami. I don't think I could do a better job than she did in expressing my feelings about this senseless, hateful situation. Keeping two people who love each other and have shared a life together apart when one is in her last moments of life is more than wrong... it is heartless, cruel, shameful and I hope God adds that to the list of sins of those who kept these two people apart. This is so sad. My heart aches for this family and I am devastated that our seemingly progressive societies in larger urban areas are still inflicting pain on gay and lesbians. When will this stop? We all have to vote! Call or write your congressman/woman! Speak out against those who try to count us GLBTQ as second class citizens. This makes me want to get married e

Music is important today. One song, very special to me, has been running through my head a lot today. "I've Dreamed of You" by Ann Hampton Callaway. Search it, listen to it.... it is a personal favorite. The one I hope will be played at my wedding someday. (hint, hint)

Coming Out Coming out of the dark Leaving silence behind Fearing what's ahead Going into battle blind Feeling what is fair Knowing what is right Guessing how it will go Fearing how it might Sometimes you have to do it Do it anyway Even if the end result Doesn't show today Someday you will be relieved To know that you are free To say, and do, to think and be What you were meant to be. Coming out of the dark Opening the heavy door Looking yourself in the face today Like you never have before Seeing your reflection in their eyes Knowing that they know you now It may be hard for a little while Hang on until they settle down But in the end it will all be out You will be free to live and be Just remember that it is up to you Only YOU can make you happy. This Love We were told from very young God is Love. It is up to us to defend our rights No one can tell you who to love. I believe my God is Love. So, all love is of Him. Including this great love I have for you, For I know it will ne

Tonight I saw the new Disney movie, Wall-E. It was a great movie that I would highly recommend. Though it may cause kids to ask a lot of questions after seeing it, it is definitely a movie that everyone must see. It serves as a sort of 'warning' for what could happen to the world if we don't ALL begin taking better care of it. It may be a little politically charged and environmentally dramatic, but in all I think it teaches a good lesson. It shows how scarey a dirty and dying earth could be and it also shows the effects of people becoming physically and socially lazy. a I felt the need to watch the Inconvenient Truth again. Perhaps this animated movie was inspired by that documentary. The Inconvenient Truth is a fantastic movie/documentary, but apparently it is not for everyone. Perhaps some don't like being told how we are killing the world and the creatures in it, or perhaps they just don't like the politics behind it all. Either way, environmentalism is an import

One day at a time Is really all we get Hold on to every moment Tomorrow isn't yet Images of future Difficult to grasp Explanations flounder Understandings gasp The paths that you imagine Can sometimes lead astray But seeing the big picture Will help show you the way Present is life Past is but a memory Future is hope So make today all it can be

2004.................2006................. 2008 Four years should NOT look like that! (And these were some great years!) ****************************************** Today I spent more time than I should have looking reviews for several different anti-aging products, serums and solutions. I was exhausted last night and was finally getting ready for bed, when I washed my face and noticed that I had more freckles lately and that my skin was much more blotchy. Upon further inspection I noticed the lines around my mouth were more exaggerated, and I not only had bags under my eyes, but now crows feet were forming. I immediately began to tear up. I realized I needed a make-over. I realized that I had been neglecting myself for far too long. Just turning 31 may have been what's got me to think about how I'm looking lately. I know I have about 40lbs to lose (I've lost 7lbs in the last two weeks). I know I need a new hairstyle so I can't keep falling into the lazy habit of weari

I salute all of you who do your best to react to negativity from the world. To those of you who may be 'shaken' by what you hear or what happens, at least you have not 'stirred' your plans. Keep on the path that you have chosen. Do not let others or circumstances disway you from your dreams. Believe in yourself. Sometimes even the strongest hardest-working smartest wealthiest most amazing most talented most beautiful most popular most important most memorable most successful most gifted most educated most well-mannered most cheerful most friendly most original most confident most efficient most responsible most adaptable most diligent most driven most glamourous most healthy most humorous most mature most spiritual most stable most zealous most sincere most skillful & most spectacular of people are all subject to the disappointments of life and the criticism of others. The key to life is to take criticisms and disappointments as learning lessons. In some cases, they

Though we have not been close for years, I love you and I will miss you. Though our paths ceased crossing, I thought of you and wished you well. For all our lives and childhood, You were close to me like a brother. Though I will not see you again, I will think of you and what could have been. I know your life had been difficult lately, and I know you did your best to just get through it. We all have sorrows, regrets and troubles, and no one can know what your pain feels like but you. I wish you peace now, Cody. As you sleep your untimely sleep. You were so young, so full of possibility But now you can set aside your pain and be. You can join your little one there For I'm sure that your son Will be happy to have you with him Though it means that we all will miss you We hope that you rest in peace in the end.

Today while I was out with some friends at a Pride celebration, I had a flash of anger and fear toward someone who rode his bike through our family friendly and gay friendly festival. He rode through slowly, yelling at the top of his lungs saying things like "all 'a yaw nee da pray fa mercy own ya soes". In his less than eloquent manner of speaking, he saw fit to instruct us (the entire park full of people around him) that we were "headed fa hell if yaw keep dis up". Sometimes, I get mad at myself for the way I react to such things. I get mad at people's stupidity, ignorance, insensitivity, and overall inappropriate words and actions~ especially toward people that are complete strangers to them. I get mad at myself for the sinking fear that punctures my gut; I get angry at the person for attempting to ruin a perfectly good day with friends; I get angry at myself for not speaking up or confronting the person; I get mad at the world. I get mad at society for h

Sometimes I spend my Friday afternoons catching up on world news. So much happens throughout the week that it is impossible to know everything important that is happening in every country on Earth. Today, as I search through the articles the issues that jump out at me are the same ones that always have been a sore spot for me: WAR and DESTRUCTION. "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends." ~Abraham Lincoln "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." ~Abraham Lincoln < color="#000000">I don't know how to put what I feel into words sometime, surprisingly enough, so I am posting a painting that depicts how I feel about war, the effects on 'mother earth', with a nod to conservative politics who are pro-war and pro-God. In my mind, the two cannot exist together, yet 'we' fight in God's name, and waste prayers on requesting help to vict

I had decided not to get too political on this blog, but by neglecting to talk about issues that are very important to me I am neglecting to address what is really on my mind right now. (DISCLAIMER: Please note that my discussion of issues on this blog are my OWN opinions, beliefs, ideas, declarations and responsibility! Do NOT assume that others who know me are automatically in agreement.) So, I just wanted to say: H A P P Y P R I D E ! In honor of Pride during the entire month of June, I am posting my very own artwork. "L' amour des femmes" (upity? no... poking fun at myself) This in-your-face "pop-art" style painting was one of my favorites to paint, though it was controversial in my painting class (and I'm pretty sure did it's part to cost me an A in that class - along with a few other pieces.) Hope you enjoy! Have a great Pride and everyone be safe!

Thank God for Inspiring Gifts This morning I found a bunch of unmarked CDs mixed up with some software CDs I had in a binder. Upon inspection, I realized that they were all CDs of a singer I know personally. These CDs included a few recorded voice lessons, a couple of performance ready pieces on CDs made for distributing as part of auditioning requirements, and a CD of pictures from a few of her performances. Looking through the pics, I remembered each performance vividly (because I was there for almost all of them). I remembered how many people told her afterwards how amazing she sounded and how inspiring her voice is. Many people say her voice is a powerful gift from God that blesses them every time they hear her, no matter how many times or how often. Her voice brings a sudden chill, then the "warm tinglies" that you feel in those best moments of your life. This inspiring voice is a gift . A gift from God that she cherishes, protects and uses at every opportunity. Listeni

June 25, 1977 at 6:19pm , I came into this world. Looking back over the last 31 years, I can think of event that stands out from each year. These are a reflection of my life; they run a gamut of emotions, memories and sentiments. These are my life in 31 flavors: If you care to read on, great... If not, I hope you have as many wonderful experiences as I have had in my 31 years. Enjoy life! 1 - Spoiled by my Maw-Maw and a daddy's girl 2 - Sister, Kelly, born on my 2nd birthday! cute birthday present, but she didn't mind me and sometimes I wanted to exchange her ;) 3 - Started taking dancing... quickly grew to LOVE ballet (and still do) 4 - Loved ballet, won many pageants 5 -Bad year... bad things began 6 - Sister, Kayla, was born on my mom and dad's anniversary 7 - Played baseball with the boys team 8 - Mom sick while pregnant, first ballet solo 9 - Sister, Kora, was born two days before my daddy's birthday 10 -Sang in public for the first time at a festival 11 -Learned t

Over the last 31 years I have had an amazing, random, assorted, interesting, adventurous, scarey, surprising and incredible journey. Getting older is a part of life that none of us really looks forward to, but the wisdom that comes with living is well worth the pain. Just some of the things I have learned on my own. If you feel that the life can be more.... go chase your dream! If you feel knocked down and can't pick yourself up again.... make a new friend. If you think you may never be happy.... make a change. If you think that you need no improvement.... look again. If you take life for granted.... visit the dying. If you are healthy, fed, clothed, housed, and loved.... be grateful. Time passes quickly.... use it wisely. Life is the ultimate journey.... travel on.

Winding roads of Morgan County This morning on my way to work from Morgan County, I drove through a long section of very heavy fog. The roads that I have become accustomed to traveling in the day and even in the night, became scarey to me because of my lack of visibility. Imagine the roads in the pictures above covered with white blankets of fog so thick that you can only see pink where the red tail lights are less than fifty feet in front of you. Coming from Louisiana, the very flat south, I was not used to driving on roads that ran in between mountains and up and down curvy inclines. Sometimes all that separates you from the cliff's drop-off is a flemsy guard rail that looks like it has taken a beating several times before. Driving is typically quite therapeutic for me and I enjoy my time alone to think, sing, and be at peace. While I usually delve deep into my own personal world, I was forced to remain in the earthly realm and focus on the road. This morning, the depth of my c

J u n e 2 1 , 2008 I saw Melissa Etheridge in concert! How awesome is that? Not only did I get to be at the concert, but I was able to sneak down to the front and get 10 feet away from her when I went down for a song to take some pictures of her up close. We had really great seats and had a blast. She played a lot of the old great favorites and a great sampling of the songs off of her newer albums. I LOVED it. It was an awesome concert and I was so excited to see her LIVE! All I can say right now is "WOW!" She is incredible. Pics coming soon... I promise. (PICS ABOVE... as promised!) Talented Passionate Sincere Real Inspiring Creative Emotive Amazing!! I will write more later. I'm exhausted from an amazing weekend, and fear I may actually have to do some work today. :)

photo taken by J. Grimes I remember taking family trips as a child. Rather it was a weekend camping, water-skiing and roasting marshmellows, or a two week long vacation that covered six states and numerous famous national parks, monuments, or natural wonders, these were the best experiences of my childhood. Along with exposing me to many different kinds of people all throughout my childhood, I also developed a great love for traveling and learning about other cultures. Thanks to my father's vast knowledge, spiced with his line of bull that was always fascinatingly believable and creative, I was always enthralled to know what happened at each site we visited and what the people were like, or why they were "famous" or "infamous". This became the backbone of my interest in history, which begat an interest in anthropology, geology, geography, civics, sociology and psychology. Looking back on my travels with my family and the uninhibited ramblings, trivia and opinio

This morning I awoke at 6am, as I have been trying to do lately. I felt mostly rested and ready to start the day. I had a moment's peace as I stretched, got dressed to workout, and gathered my things. As I was brushing my teeth, unwisely using those moments to think about the things that completely frustrated me the day before, I began to get aggravated all over again. Walking to the gym, my thoughts were unintentionally focused on the problems with my newest commitment (summer volunteer project)and thinking about how unfair and unjust the world can be. As I began to workout, I began to hear this little voice repeat "things will get better". I passed it off as "jiminy cricket" (conscience) trying to motivate me. As I worked my way through my routine of machines and flexed muscles, I came to one of my favorite machines in the room. I like this machine the most, not because it makes me feel strong, or because of how hard it works my thighs, but because it is situa

Opera.... a new passion Developed through a special someone The voice... a magical instrument When it rings through the air, It pierces your heart And cuts to the very soul Music... a longtime love Brought about by my own longing for something in me to be heard Singing, dancing, playing music can affect mood and attitude It gets into your core And you crave its sounds With every milestone, A song is there To lift, excite, comfort, and share Connections to every emotion are made Love is one that is often conveyed Words can have limitations at times With music there doesn't need reason or rhyme. To the soul who relies on music to fill all the feelings of life that just don't seem real For expressing the things that you just cannot face The role of music can not be replaced.

Progress is being made. Can you feel it? Slowly, but surely this world is changing. One person, one state, or one country at a time... I see how possible it is for this world to know peace. Today, I am especially ecstatic about the goings on in the state of California. Though I live in Kentucky, and this new allowance does not directly effect me, it does greatly affect me. I am speaking of the occurrences regarding the official first day of legalized same-sex marriages that took place yesterday (Tues. June 17,2008) in California. For thousands of couples in that state, it was a time to finally have that moment they had dreamed of for years. It sounds very simple a thing to have- marriage. However, for many people in many places it is still but a distant dream. Picture it: Gathering your family and friends together in one place at a special time Announce your love to the world and solidify your commitment to your partner Become husbands or wives in the eyes of God, the government, and