As Promised.

My incredibly low quality pictures of my awesomely high quality tattoo(s). They go together really so, I don't know whether to count them as two seperate ones or not. I guess so.




Top of wist (left) my heart bracelet (cuff):







Opposite side, Lucille Ball's signature:




i really love it a bunch.
Now, the top of my wrist, despite it being right on my bone did not hurt AT ALL. No lie. However, the underside hurt like a (excuse my language but, I cannot stress it any other way) MOTHER FUCKER. VERY BADLY. I CRIED. Obviously, if you're not one for pain and you've been considering a tattoo on the inside of your wrist, reconsider my dear. If that baby ever needs touched up, forget it. It can just fade.

So, what's next?
I'm not certain but at one point I want this quote somewhere:
If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. -Bob Hope-

Also, I want a small little something or other on the nape of my neck and perhaps a 40s pinup girl.

We shall see!


PS- Can any of you tell me how to fix the disheveled way my posts turn out? None of the codes I use is fixing this problem. HELP. Please? Thanks!
Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Hello Friends!

Hello friends!



That's right, I'm alive. I didn't die & I haven't stopped blogging. I was in Georgia from July 17th until the 30th and since I've been back, Blogger hasn't been cooperating with me so, forgive my prolonged absence if you will.

Anyway, I had a more than decent trip & I came away with a new tattoo! Well, two tattos really but, they go together like shoo bop shoo wadda wadda yipitty boom de boom.

I just need to get some half way decent pictures which I SWEAR TO GOD I will do (with the help of my craptastic cellphone camera) either this evening or tomorrow and I will post the results ASAP. all I'm going to say about it now is, more Lucy.
:)

Now I return you to your regularlly scheduled blogging.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

French Fabulosity.

Ces't Jolie!
Via


And, today is my 22nd Birthday as well. :)

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

I'm a Winner!

res tosy s
The lovely Kate of Silents and Talkies just informed me this morning that I am a third prize winner in her Epic Art Giveaway , so I am the proud owner of a mini art print of her adorable Astaireing Contest:




ANDDD, to the rest of you, she is offering 50% OFF of your entire order of prints from any of her Etsy stores OR 20% off any original artwork from Silents and Talkies or Flapperdoodle .
Also peruse her other shop, Kate Gabrielle , for something with a little bit of humor!

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 21 of 365.

1.) The adorable Nate, the guy who picks me up from that transportation service, took hold of my hand yesterday so, we held hands all the way to my destination.
2.) I got a delivery from UPS today.
3.) I now own a pair of the coveted cat eye sunglasses.
4.) I've finally found a new exercise that gets at my pesky thighs.
5.) I might get to meet one of my favorite Internet friends while staying in Georgia!

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 20 of 365.

1.) I was fortunate enough to see the revival of South Pacific last saturday and it was AMAZING.
2.) I lost a library book on that trip but, I went to buy books today & came across the same novel that I misplaced for .49 so, hopefully I won't have to pay a penalty because, I've replaced it!
3.) I took Whitey, my dog, for a walk today and he listened extremely well once the initial excitement wore off.
4.) I'm drinking anywhere from 20-80 ounces of water a day now and I think its helping me lose weight.
5.) Blackberries on sale 10 packs for $10.00? SWEET.
Join Grace in Small Things !

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Inside Grey Gardens.

From the Master bedroom, used by Big Edie.





A view of the main staircase from the second floor.









The great thing is, the couple who bought Grey Gardens from little Edie after the death of her mother, have had it restored to its original grandeur and apparently use the home as a summer place today!



The rest of the photo essay can be viewed here.



PS- I'll be getting my NYC film developed tomorrow. The bad news? I was prevented from taking photographs inside of the theatre but, I may have captured a few nice shots from Central Park and around the city.





Sunny Side Up!,

Krista

Poetry Passion; 1.

I've had an on and off affair with poetry since fourth grade. Mr. S, my fourth grade teacher, would take about 15 minutes every day simply to stand in front of our class and recite a bit of poetry.
I have him to thank for my love of this beautiful art.

So, I've decide to post my favorites periodically.
This is the first in this series.



-Robert Frost-
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.



The above poem also holds memories for me because, it was the very first poem I ever loved. My great aunt owned an enormous book of poems many years ago and she continually read this to me from its pages. I am not sure why she chose this particular work to read to a girl of three or four but, she did and I've always adored it.

So, dears, what was the first poem that you adored?

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Forgive Me, For I Know Not Where This Post Shall Lead.

*DISCLAIMER*I know that the three or four of you who read this humble little blog come here for some happy escapism however, I am currently dealing with the loss of without a doubt, the biggest friendship I have ever known and, being that I have no one to pour over this with me in the physical sense, I am bringing it here in the form of a recap, per se.
Please, bare with me.



I remember the first time I saw her. It was in Chorus and she was sitting beside my other good friend. She was wearing a purple flowered dress and glasses. The dress brought ridicule from some popular peers beside me because it was not, admittedly, anywhere near the style that was universally popular that school year of 1999-2000. Of course, that didn't phase me because from the start, I could sense that here was a gentle, caring soul, a comrade of sorts and also; to be blunt, I myself was not a fashion plate or a particularly superficial being so, one's attire has never determined whether or not I choose to befriend an individual.

I was not threatened by this gawky girl, she didn't give me that 'holier than thou' side eye that since first grade, I had become so accustomed to. And so, I did something which was completely out of character for the shy, embarrassed human that I was, I said hello and smiled at her. Without any reservations, that's what I did and, do you know what happened? She, too, said hello and SHE SMILED AT ME IN RETURN.

That's all it took, I was off. I was bound to make this unknown creature my friend but, I needed to know her name first so, I asked this mutual friend beside her, Jennifer, who she was. "Her name is K." Jen said.

"Hi, K. I'm Krista." "Hi, Krista." and from there, conversation flowed unabashedly.

We now had someone to sit with at lunch and we'd get our trays and head to our own little corner to sit across from one another and talk and giggle about boys or how Ms. R sat on the edge of her desk that morning with textbook in hand, only to have the whole kit-n-kaboodle collapse beneath her weight, leaving all of her pupils, whether or not they had actually witnessed this most comical occurrence, to laugh and joke with one another for the remainder of the school day. We exchanged numbers and with that information gathered, we were now left to talk to one another constantly, annoying our mothers with tied up phone lines.

We stayed at one an other's homes, with me staying on so long at hers one summer that my mother actually asked me to return to my own house because she missed me! Our parents shuttled us to and from amusement parks, movies, and one infamous fire hall dance where, lacking parental supervision at the tender ages of 13 and 15, we dirty danced for a cigarette a piece, and smoked those suckers with pride despite the fact that I had no clue one was supposed to inhale after taking a drag so, I just nonchalantly sucked in and blew out absolutely nothing which means I didn't look 'cool' for long. It didn't matter though because, we were together so, everyone else's opinions were disregarded and cancelled out.

I was with her throughout her many failed first attempts at romantic relationships, with myself lagging behind in that department for many years. I stood beside her when that evil excuse for a human molested her using the guise of a father figure to lure that young, naive mind into consenting to lewd acts. I was her saving grace throughout a trial that lasted two in a half years that was brought to a close in the best way imaginable due almost solely to my testimony as to what exactly it was that I myself had witnessed. We were both terrified but, we made it because we had each other and again, no one else mattered.

Somewhere in the midst of our shared journeys through the typical adolescent rebellion stage, a new, surprising, completely unexpected emotion was taking root inside of me. I was falling in love with my best friend. I was in love with my best friend who was, God forbid, of the female persuasion also and, having been raised in a conservative "Christian"* household, in the beginning I tried to deny it because hey, nobody wants to go to hell, you know? However, after some introspection and exposure to diversity and acceptance through various Internet sites, etc., I accepted and embraced this new development. I just had to gather up the courage to tell K my feelings.

One evening, at a restaurant, I spilled the beans. It was rather easy because the two of us were incredibly open with each other anyway, (after that trial, it was ridiculous to be prudes when it came to what we could and could not speak openly about.), so there was no tension even though of course, I was nervous I wouldn't deny that. It turned out that, she, too, had feelings for me and so, a whirlwind intimate relationship began.

That evening, we explored one another with ardor and tenderness. I was smitten and I thought she was in return. In actuality, our sexual relations lasted less than two months because, as it turned out, as much as she loved me as a best friend and sister, she had really only been curious and a lot of best friends tend to 'play around' sexually at an age when hormones are flowing through their puberty ridden bodies like water from a stream and, in this sense, K was no exception.

My love and devotion lasted for years after our short lived affair and I often told her that I loved her however, I only alluded to the actual capacity of that love but, she knew how I felt and she would automatically return that statement but it went without saying that her love for me did not run quite so deep as mine.

In 2004, she met J and, that was the beginning of the unraveling of our sisterhood, I suppose. I then moved back to Georgia as I had before during the course of our friendship but, up until J entered the picture, this had never put a damper on our deep seated relationship. Within three months of meeting him and his deranged (that's the most polite way to put it), family, he had gotten her pregnant. Two or three weeks after that revelation he proposed and a month or two later, they were married.

K's first child was born prematurely at 29 weeks. I had returned from Georgia and had traveled with her mother and mother-in-law to Pittsburgh to be with her for the birth. We arrived an hour late and the baby was already in the NICU. A, her baby, survived and due to K and J's prominent involvement with Child Youth Services, was later adopted by her aunt.

Now, throughout k's long tenure in Pittsburgh, which is two hours away, our relationship was tested because J was very jealous of me due to the fact that K felt that because he was her husband, she needed to tell him EVERYTHING about her past but, of course, this did not go both ways. I will readily admit right here that yes, at that time, I was still in love with K however, I knew my place and I was in no way attempting to sabotage their marriage because I really wanted K to be happy and I was happy just to be the best friend in that scenario.

K became pregnant again not long after returning from Pittsburgh. I often took it upon myself to open my mouth and tell her that certain things were not a good idea because previously, that is how we had been with one another and, this often started bitter arguments with J and I.

I hated J, (I still do), he is truly a deadbeat in every sense of the word and I am not exaggerating. I'll leave it at that but, keep that in mind.

Within the next two years, K had another girl and not long after that, a little boy. The second child was taken by CYS and put into foster care after I myself had fought to have her at the age of 18 and, I almost was granted guardianship but due to circumstances beyond my control, at the last minute I was denied.

J began acting extra friendly with me after they had moved out of her mother's house. One evening, when he was taking me home after a day spent with K, he pressured me into a sexual situation before he would drop me off. After that occurred, I distanced myself from K, only speaking to her on the phone for months.

When K became pregnant with her fifth child, (she had a miscarriage a few months before), things were going well between them and I was comfortable visiting her every so often with my mother picking me up afterward. Near her 33rd week of pregnancy, his mother came to get the rest of her belongings to move down to Georgia in a U-Haul. J, having no driver's licence, insisted that he was driving that truck down there for her. K knew no argument she could make would convince him otherwise and so, to prevent a monumental blow-up, she protested very little. After approximately a week of his being gone, he called her one day claiming that he had been unhappy for months and that he no longer loved her and from there, with K being on bed rest due to her history of pre-term labor, I semi took over, helping her with the two toddlers already in her care.

T was born on Good Friday at 36 1/2 weeks. I visited the two of them the next day. T is a breathtakingly beautiful baby with a full head of hair and a calm, gentle personality.

A few days after they came home, after not speaking to J, he texted K asking to speak to her. At this point, I knew that just like the two previous 'breakups' he was dying to come back. My suspicions were right on the money and he will be back as fast as his mother can gather the money to send him back on a bus.

K swears that she is not taking him back, he's only coming up here to be close to his children; yadda, yadda, yadda. I know without a doubt, the moment he steps off that bus, she'll be back in his arms again. So, that is why after surprisingly very little soul searching, I am removing myself from the picture completely. This, I truly feel, is the healthiest thing for me to do. I cannot deny how difficult and heart wrenching this decision is for me after nearly a decade of laughter, tears, hugs and babies but, for my own mental health (and physical, obviously) its what must be done.

And so, to K I say, thank you for this incredible relationship. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and loving me despite that fact. I'll always remember the good and when I'm sad or lonely, those memories we've created through the years will be like a blanket to wrap around myself to ward off the bitter cold of life's most difficult times. In my own, quiet way, though its different now, I love you and I always will.

I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives for a reason,
Bringing something we must learn.
And, we are lead to those who help us most grow,
If we let them,
And we help them in return.

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,
But, I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit; as it passes the sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder; halfway through the wood,
Who can say if I've been changed for the better; I do believe I have been changed for the better,
Because I knew you,
I have been changed FOR GOOD.
For Good from Wicked


Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 17 of 365.

1.) Getting unexpected calls from my BFF, Heather just when I need it the most.
2.) Classic television theme songs.
3.) Postcards from far away places.
4.) My Carnival dress from ModCloth .
5.) His Girl Friday .

Join Grace in Small Things !

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

A Ring of Truth.

When Jesus healed those crippled beggars, didn't they always get up and dance off stage, jabbing their canes sideways and waggling their top hats? Hooray, all better now, hooray!
If you are whole, you will argue: Why wouldn't they rejoice? Don't the poor miserable buggers want to be like me?
Not necessarily, no. The arrogance of the able-bodied is staggering. Yes, maybe we'd like to be able to get places quickly, and carry things in both hands, but only because we have to keep up with the rest of you, or get The Verse. We would rather be just like us, and have that be all right.
The Poisonwood Bible; pg. 493, by Barbara Kingsolver.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 16 of 365.

1.) Getting better after being sick for nearly a week.
2.) Small cups of cherry vanilla cappuccino.
3.) Sitting on those giant exercise balls.
4.) Anticipation of taking my first trip alone in June.
5.)Happy music of any kind.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 15 of 365.

1.) Kisses given to me by small children.
2.) Grapes.
3.) The Andy Giffith Show in the evening.
4.) The name Lissette.
5.) Finding new and lovely blogs to explore late at night.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 14 of 365.

1.) Children.
2.) The cutie who has been picking me up after therapy the past two times I've gone and the fact that he's shamelessly flirting with me.
3.) The fact that I've been so inexplicably happy lately.
4.) The black tshirt I'm wearing today. The one with all of the musical logos I bought at that Broadway shop last year.
5.) Anticipation of seeing my second Broadway production; South Pacific.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 13 of 365.

1.) Speed walking on trails on fairly nice days, keeping pace to the beat of the song eminating from my MP3 player.
2.) New listeners on blip.fm.
3.) Chicken salad made with red leaf lettuce, with basalmic vinegarette and a few teaspoons of smoky horseradish mixed in for good measure.
4.) Lists, of anything at all.
5.) Writing new, comprenshive "About Me" sections on new websites I join.
Join Grace in Small Things!
Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 12 of 365.

1.) Even when we have gone without talking for months at a time, my Heatherface and I can just pick up right where we left off.
2.) I'm very lucky to be able to put even a small amount of money back for the trips I want to take this year.
3.) I now have a wonderful friend who resides in California so, that gives me the perfect excuse to go there like I've wanted to for years.
4.) I'm so happy that I paid my library dues so now I have more incentive to finish one book so I can go on to the next in line.
5.) Ice Breakers new berry flavored Ice Cubes gum.


Join Grace in Small Things !

Grace in Small Things; 11 of 365.

1.) The day after one of my brother's get togethers when all of his friends go home.
2.) Mondays.
3.) Trips to the library, coming home with seven books to dive into.
4.) When my dog howls for me just because I'm next door for a few minutes.
5.) The fact that I continually get compliments about my diverse music taste over at blip.fm .

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 10 of 365.

1.) The smell of gasoline, in small doses anyway.
2.) The scent of freshly blooming lilacs on a warm, sunny spring day.
3.) A newborn baby's breath.
4.) The smell of something with garlic as a main spice being cooked.
5.) The special aroma of perfume, cooking, and all good things that associates itself with my mother.
Join Grace in Small Things.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Grace in Small Things; 9 of 365.

1) After what I found out today, I'm very greatful for my generally good health.
2) Oh. My Lord. Blip is my newest obsession & I'm pretty sure that it will always be in my top ten favorite Internet places.
3) I fucking LOVE hula hooping in my bra and panties, the frilly ones that are black with pink edging.
4.) When people that have been MIA from my group therapy turn back up.
5) The guy who drives me to my therapy sessions through thiat transportation service. He's a sweetie. I wish he was my dad.

Join Grace in Small Things.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

The Pros & Cons of Online Retail Therapy.

These arrived on my doorstep yesterday:


Carnival Dress- $39.99 (No longer available on website.)



City Lights Ballet Flats - $29.99 (Which I have to return for a 6 as opposed to 6 1/2. See me roll my eyes?)



Sweetheart Roses Ring - in purple- $11.99
All items from Modcloth .

I have a confession to make. I spend money frivolously on clothing any chance I get which granted, is not very often. At least I pay my bills first and foremost though which makes it not half as bad, right? Sometimes I feel guilty though but, I know I shouldn't. I mean, I also give to others as much as possible so, you couldn't really call me selfish. I decided this list would get posted so as to remind me of the good and bad points of something that, if left unchecked, could be a very big vice.

PROS:

1. It gives one something to look forward to in an otherwise mundane, routine exsistence.
2. In turn, it brightens one's mood.
3. It assists in building one's good credit.
4. It makes for a wardrobe that is nearly entirely unique and often unexpected.
5. Which, in turn, makes for great conversation starters. (Lord knows, I can use all the help I can get in that respect.)
6. A gal can get, in most cases, exactly what she's been coveting as opposed to settling for something 'close to it.'

CONS:

1. Its hard to judge what size will be appropriate. This goes mostly for shoes because with shirts, pants, dresses, you can go by your measurements.
2. In that same vein, when an item arrives and its not the right fit, its a hassle to box it back up, ship it back out, and await the proper size's arrival.
3. With the web right at one's fingertips, its a frequent battle of resisting temptation.
4. That credit card bill that arrives promptly at the beginning of each month. (If we could eliminate this one small detail, I could handle all the other piddly cons on this list.)

Hmmm, seems to me that the pros outweigh the cons, eh?
Well, that makes me feel better, I must say & much less guilt ridden.

And what about you, love?
Share with me some vices of your own.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista