Live in the present & make it beautiful

Moving to a new blog home

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:07:16 -0400

I know I have been TERRIBLE about updating this blog. Needless to say it’s been a crazy year. I am going to make myself sit down and retrace all of the most amazing memories and milestones this year has brought on. But we’re moving over to a new blog, fresh faced:

http://adventuresofabigail.wordpress.com/

sit tight, I promise the rest of my posts wont occur with little rest a 2am. It gets better.

JB Smoove Spreads Zya -Spread the word, Zya!!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:57:07 -0500

JB Smoove Spreads Zya -Spread the word, Zya!!

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Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:05 -0500

Today was the first day I spent baking for the holiday season. I...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:11:00 -0500

Today was the first day I spent baking for the holiday season. I opted to do something super simple/fast, but so delicious…Pretzel hugs!

Things you need:

2 bags of Hershey’s Hugs
1 ‘pounder’ bag of pretzel snaps

Prep:

2 large cookie sheets lined with wax paper or tin foil.
Preheat oven to 300’
Unwrap your Hugs!

Step 1: Line your cookie sheets with a layer of pretzels, I was able to fit 60 per cookie sheet.

Step 2: Put 1 hug on each pretzel

Step 3: Place in oven for 2-3 minutes.
This is the only step that requires precision. As soon as the hugs look glossy remove from the oven, if not you will have one soupy mess.

Step 4: Place a second pretzel on top of the Hug and gently press down to create a pretzel/hug sandwich.

Step 5: Place cookie sheets in to fridge, let cool for 15-20 minutes.

Step 6: Enjoy!

another option is to use an almond or M&M to press the hug onto the bottom pretzel in place of the top pretzel!

I was reminded of this today.I am lucky, I am grateful. I am am...

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:48:00 -0500

I was reminded of this today.
I am lucky, I am grateful. I am am driven. I’ve already done so much, it’s time to make more dreams become a reality. Don’t get too comfortable when you get to where you’re going- keep going.

Where can I get one like this?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:58:01 -0500

Where can I get one like this?

It is almost impossible for me to grasp that my brother would...

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:16:00 -0500

It is almost impossible for me to grasp that my brother would have been 35 this coming Saturday… It’s been 12 long years since he was taken from my family. The few personal memories I have seem to fade more and more with each passing year.

I no longer remember his scent, It’s hard to paint his smile when I close my eyes, his voice has faded from my memory except for the ever permanent roaring sound he would make when he’d run in the front door and scare my sisters and I. That roar, which I’m not even sure if it’s truly his voice I can hear, I’ll hold that in my heart forever.

This year has brought on a lot of reflecting of what life would be if he were still here, everything he missed out on this year. The fact that I’ve taken roots in California, following OUR dreams, discovering happiness again. How badly I wish he were here for me to call at the end of an exciting day to tell him about it, while my family and friends are happy for me, no one will ever be able to understand it quite like he would.

My sister got married, and even though it wasn’t my wedding, I had a particularly hard time with the fact that he wasn’t there for it. I picked up a gorgeous locket and put his photo inside, I attached his Grateful Dead ring to the chain, and wrapped it around my sisters bouquet so she would have a little piece of him with her that day.It’s hard to look at those photos, in my mind I can see exactly where Jeremy would be standing, I know he was there watching over my sisters special day, as he is every day, but the big things are always a trigger in missing him more.

I consider myself a very blessed person, and I know I don’t use that term often. But the truth is I am the luckiest girl alive to have had such an amazing brother, even if our time was short. He taught me some of the most important lessons in life while he was here, and he’s helped me to experience life after his passing.

I have the best family anyone could ever ask for, the greatest parents, strongest mother, most amazing sisters that are my two best friends, awesome brother in-laws, and the three most precious nephews and niece. Those three remind me so much of my brother at times, and they can inspire me to keep going and rejuvenate me when my batteries run low. If anyone questions why I need to hop on a plane every three months to get home (yes it will always be my home.) they are the reason why.

Saturday I ask that everyone joins in the traditional balloon release. All it takes is 1 balloon. Take a few moments out of your busy life to remember those that we’ve loved and lost. Send your thoughts/prayers up to the sky with that little balloon. While it’s not much, it’s a small symbol of remembrance. It allows us to stop all the crazy errands, work, school, stressful daily routine and remember those that aren’t here in the chaos with us.To be grateful for the time we had with them, and for the life we’re so lucky to have. (*Of course this can be done any day at any time, 11/12 is always the day I choose because it’s Jeremy’s birthday.)

So to my brother:
“One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, old fish, new Phish.” I did it, we’re doing it. Miss you every day, feel your warmth in every sunset. What I’d give for one more bear hug. <3

http://youtu.be/_wM07xrYDXY

This was sent out to my office today…the first two are...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:34:00 -0400

This was sent out to my office today…the first two are from the original e-mail which opened with “Hey Men of [company name] (and ladies if you are physically capable of growing facial hair…),”

the third was someone’s reply.

These people, this company, pure talent. Just Brilliant.

The adventures of a midwestern transplant in the Calabasas Barns...

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:08:13 -0400

The adventures of a midwestern transplant in the Calabasas Barns and Noble. A 40 minute saga.

So I wandered into B&N (Is that what the hipsters call it?) after work tonight and headed straight for the music section. The first thing I noted was how small the section is, which is disheartening from what I remember it to be. I moved passed that and began to skim the half shelves for the familiar cover of Drinking with Strangers. After a second go I still had no luck finding the book so I checked my phone to make sure I wasn’t a fool and that ~~Barns and Noble~~…sorry B&N, was in fact selling the book. I then sauntered up to the customer service counter where the young girl was sitting, sipping on a soda and eating a snack. Now don’t get me wrong I know a girls got to eat, (Trust me, I’m Italian. I know.) but when you see a customer you generally stop and ask if they need assistance. A few minutes later she got up and asked what I needed (I was too nice to interrupt her snack time, I really do have to be more bitchy.) So I told her what I was looking for, she looked it up on the computer and told me to go to the music section. After recapping my recent adventure to the music section with her she got on her radio….

“yeah Susan I’m going to need you to look for a book in your section, it’s called Drinking with Strangers Music Lessons from a Teenage Bullet…” She paused and looked to me for help because she apparently couldn’t read what was on her computer screen any longer…
“Belt…bullet belt.”
“By Butch Walk” looking to me again
“Butch Walker.” (You know, like a dog walker, or something an elderly person may use to better get around….)
“By Butch Walker….Roger that 10-4” (So I threw the 10-4 in for shits and giggles…)“Okay well I’m going to have to go up stairs and look for it.”
“Wonderful thanks so much for the help, sorry to be a bother”
“Oh no, its fine, It’s really slow so I can take all the time in the world”

Okay, while I do appreciate this girl helping me, because in the end she did come back down stairs and hand me the book, ignoring my thank you, and proceeded to walked away…..but You miss, may have all the time in the world I however just worked an 11 hour day and would like to drive the 30 minutes to my home, have some dinner, and read my book.

While I’m glad to be sitting down and turning off all things work-related as soon as I post this, I did not think it would take a 40 minute adventure in ~~Barns and Noble~~, fuck, B&N (…my bad), to get here.

And a side note: I’ve decided Musicians Institute just goes to ~~Barns and~~…fuck me…. they apparently go to B&N and pull whatever books look most intellectual from the music section to teach their business program…

Back on track…The wine is open, the phone is off, and here goes the lap top shut down. Goodnight world time to dive into a good book and hide for a while.

picked up the cutest little ice cream bowls today :) (Photo by...

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:59:20 -0400

picked up the cutest little ice cream bowls today :) (Photo by agrover01)

Butch-Walker-Acapella-Camfire-Singalong? Yes please.

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:05:00 -0400

Butch-Walker-Acapella-Camfire-Singalong? Yes please.

Party Rock Anthem marching band style? Yes haha.

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:34:04 -0400

Party Rock Anthem marching band style? Yes haha.

Photo

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:47:46 -0400

Timothy, Tim….Timmy…You really think you can teach...

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:06:00 -0400

Timothy, Tim….Timmy…You really think you can teach me how to become superhuman in one book? This isn’t a series? Just one? One book that any regular Joe can just pick up while browsing the isles of their local Target….I’m onto you Timmy, you and your scams.

Hilarious.

I.DIE.

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:49:10 -0400

I.DIE.

I haven’t anticipated a book like this since the Harry...

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:06:09 -0400

I haven’t anticipated a book like this since the Harry Potter series.

Yes. I said it.

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Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:31:23 -0400

Photo

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:17:27 -0400

You know that moment, when you’re doing something so...

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:45:00 -0400

You know that moment, when you’re doing something so mundane but you suddenly feel like your heart has stopped beating for a moment? Yesterday when I wrote my October rent check, it truly hit me. I took a breath in and it felt like I was breathing for the first time.

You see, I have officially lived in California for 1 year. Looking back it is absolutely brilliant just how much has happened. First of all, I feel like it’s only been a matter of months. I went from the first 3 months of my new residency feeling like YEARS to every month following passing by in a blink of an eye.

I found an old (RIDICULOUS) post from when I first moved and started at MI regarding internships:

October 4, 2010
Dear Music Gods,
please let this come full circle, it is no coincidence that the internship coordinator tells me about a company that works with the band that got me into the music business and helped me figure out my dreams, shine your melodic bright light on my shoulders and grant me this amazing opportunity.
Forever your faithful follower,
me.

Today I am currently employed at said company, in the process of getting things in order for said bands next album… If you would have told me a year ago to date, that I would still be in California in a matter of (less than) 12 months, working in the industry, let alone with the people I am currently working for I would have laughed out loud. All it takes is a little hard work and really applying yourself to what you love and want to do, if you’re in the right place, it will be recognized.

I was completely terrified when I moved out here, leaving everyone I’ve ever cared about back home. But in my time here I have really made some of the best relationships in my life. Friends that no matter where we end up, or what we end up doing- we’ll always be in each others lives.

I’m a pretty strong woman and I am proud of that, but I know if it weren’t for the people that came into my life when I moved to California, I probably would have packed it up and moved home. I am forever grateful for each and every one of you. In some way or another you’ve helped me re-discover myself, to open up more, to remember to enjoy it all. You remind me that my job is fucking awesome and I am lucky as hell when I get stressed and forget about it. You have helped me through some of my hardest days and put a smile on my face when I didn’t think I could smile anymore. You made me a much me-ier me. :) Even if you are clueless to all of this because I still tend to be quite introverted, you’re amazing and I could just smush you all. (Insert puking or aw here)

So it’s been a year since I lost my mind, packed my shit, drove 2500 miles to California and decided what the heck if there’s any time, it’s now. I’ve accomplished a hell of a lot, made lasting friendships, and I still don’t know how l I got so lucky. I am forever grateful for everything that I have going on in my life, no matter where i end up a year from now. So cheers to the memories of this past year, and to the unknown of the future. Buckle up I guarantee it’s only going to get better :)

Oh Jack.

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:22:36 -0400

Oh Jack.