Not such a Happy Halloween

This year for Halloween, Honey and I were going to dress as Sookie and Bill. Honey thinks this new love the entertainment world has for all things vampire is lame. So he was not exactly happy about my costume idea, but he agreed nonetheless.

I have my Merlotte's shirt and apron AND a bottle of True Blood to carry on a server tray. I think we could have totally pulled it off. Honey is tall and lanky, I am small and blonde. It is just meant to be.

Bad news is - I have to work.

I guess it will be Sookie and Bill next year.

Colorado - my new home?

Honey and I are fairly certain that we do not really belong in Texas at this stage of our lives. It may be wanting to live in a culture outside of the Lone Star State. It may be simply a yearning for a new life, built together on new ground. It definitely is the craptastic weather here.

Either way, we have been making a list of the places we are seriously considering (even though we are at least 2 years away from being move-ready). As of this week, Denver is #1 on the list.

Seasons? Check!

Outdoor activities? Check!

Metropolitan excitement? Check!

Greener living? Check!

However, truth be told I am scared. I am close to my friends and family. I love that they are all a mere phone call and car ride away. As a creature of habit with an awful sense of direction, change is hard for me. Yet I can't shake the hopefulness I feel when I imagine myself elsewhere; experiencing more than I have known thus far. I can not be afraid to move forward. There is a world outside of Texas (despite what some Texans may tell you) - and I WANT to see it.

All that being said - we are just in the talking stage. No real plans have been made. And it will be a while before we make any final decisions. Like many other things in our lives right now, this goal feels susceptible to the wicked tentacles of inertia.

My aim is to be intentionally kind to our hopes and dreams. To allow ourselves to create the life we want - whatever that turns out to be. And to be open to change, whether it be a change of location or a change of our minds.

Any Colorado advice from any one out there more experienced than I? Seriously - I could use all the info you have :)

{photo found here}

Wednesday night Honey and I went to a fabulous lecture given by Blake Mycoskie (owner of TOMS shoes) on the subject of social responsibility. For those who aren't aware of this, the ideals of social responsibility, social justice and human kindness are near and dear to our hearts. This lecture also had an economic twist; explaining that by selling a useful and fashionable commodity, TOMS has managed to create a new method of giving: a sustainable charity. By utilizing their One for One method of donating one pair of shoes for every pair that is purchased, TOMS shoes will be able to give away more needed pairs of shoes than they would have on donations alone. Think of the possibilities if this method is applied to other businesses.

BTW - half the people on our Christmas list are now getting TOMS shoes = GIVING X2

I have not been hiding - technically

I am back!

Perhaps you are wondering where I have been. The answer is . . . drum roll please . . . studying my tush off. This is my first semester in grad school, and it took me a little time to adjust to the new demands. Quite frankly, I didn't have the energy or inclination to post. But I now consider myself adjusted (mostly) and am eager to reconnect with all of you.

What have I missed?

What have you been doing, reading, watching, listening to?

What bloggie news do you have for me?

P.S. - this photo is from one of my favorite visual web sites.