snug as a bug in a rug.

After my shower, I found my once neatly made bed to be slightly rumpled,
with pillows out of place, and a mysterious Augustus size bump under the covers.

And that's what I found—a little sleeping bug.

Nice and cozy, dreaming about piers and tennis balls.

Oops, he senses the camera. He can't resist a photo opportunity.
It's his favorite time to shine.

But he just can't quite keep his eyes open... (and the flash is probably irritating)

The Bug, back to snoozing.

Sweet dreams, little bug.

charmed... i'm sure.

Dignified.

Sophisticated.

A few moments later... not so much.

Hannity's signature move: Hurtling.

speed demon.

And he's off!

Close-up. Look at the concentration, the drive, the stamina.
The wind in his hair...

"I will teach this spanish moss a lesson!!!
I. Will. Tear. It. To. Shreds.
No one will recognize it ever again!!"

"Oh wait, an itch. Excuse me."

And there he goes again! Invincible, indestructible, unstoppable.
And with no apparent destination.

thanksgiving break.

It's about time I headed back to Texas and I'm definitely looking forward to it. I already have books packed for the plane ride there and back. I haven't started packing clothes yet because Augustus always knows something's up and he gets upset... I think he'd be happiest if I chucked him into my giant pink LLBean bag, along with some sweaters, boots, and  jeans. SO my plan of packing action is to resume folding, rolling, and stuffing after I drop off the little bug at Kelly's house. He'll figure out just a little too late... it's sad, but hey, tough love, right?

"Put me in your bag. I will sit here to make you feel guilty until you do this."

Anyway, I'm not bringing my computer with me. Camera, yes, of course. But computer... not likely. Soooo... according to proper blogging etiquette, I'm supposed to make a note of the fact that I'll be skipping any posts for about a week. And although my followers are few (this sound like a cult), I'm always one for following rules and acknowledging etiquette of any kind.

During my 5 years at Baylor, I was in Texas for Thanksgiving break more than I was in Virginia. Austin and McKinney. And now it will be equal! Two Thanksgivings in Austin, two in McKinney (well... Texarkana, actually, BUT the home base is McKinney).

Austin with Rachel. Ha.

We crafted this handsome fellow.

At the Dallas Arboretum with Mer (McKinney)

because he's just too adorable.

puppysitting... it's kinda my thing.

Meet Teddy, our weekend guest.

He's a bolter, so the leash stays on... I think Augustus
felt especially grown-up without his leash.

Augustus jumps like a little show pony.

He's been working on this bully stick nonstop.
It's gone now.

My absolute favorite boys.

the prince and the pea?

Can one really have too many bed choices at his disposal?

Augustus has four. All of varying sizes. 

I didn't arrange them like that. He did. 

He likes them all in one space.

I assume that his thought process goes along the lines 

of being able to move conveniently from one bed to the next.

He likes the biggest one the best.

In other Auggie news...

We made friends with a small black poodle and his owner. Solomon the poodle has some barking issues, but it's completely explainable. He's simply defending his manhood. You see, Solomon the poodle wears blue bows on his ears. Now I won't deny that I tie ribbons on Augustus' collar for holidays, but that's comparable to a bowtie.

But poor Solomon is also 12 years old, so he must try to make up for it and appear as superior as one can with blue bows on his head. Other than the barking, we're sure they'll be fast friends. By the time we all said goodbye, the barking had ceased to grumbling. I see good times for the two of them.

i was meant for daniel island.

Someone who had a part in planning Daniel Island must have had me in mind

without knowing it. I'm in love with this place.

Augustus and I went strolling around Smythe Park yesterday

and then I went out later on the Belleville to take some more photos.

before he tuckered out from the sun.

my attempt at being artsy with a reflection.

the rest of these were taken from the seat of the belleville.

that brick walkway goes almost all the way around the water. it's gorgeous...
and risky if you're anything like me and you tend to fall over unexpectedly.

this was perfect timing for them to be playing.

dancing in the garden.

this kid was practicing his golf swing the ENTIRE time I was there.

dedication.

This house just says "home" to me. 

epitome of whimsy. in my opinion.

"When I think about it, photographs, to me are really a kind of dream state.

It's not about a good dream, or a bad dream...

it's more that your day hazes and your mind drifts towards only 

being concerned by your imaginings...

and, as you tour your imagination you want to photograph

what you are seeing... BUT...

the only way you can do this is by BELIEF...

really, really, utterly, absolutely, passionately, firmly believing...

you see, you are SO very keen to be able to show

what you've seen that somehow it becomes true, 

and, the picture you end up taking becomes a souvenir,

a piece of proof brought back from the daydream."

-Tim Walker, London, 2008

The quote is from the foreward in Tim Walker's photography book, Pictures.

He has a way with words, what can I say?

fate.

"you can change your fate.

you can sit back,

or you can

go after your life

and all that you want it to be."

-hilary swank

this photo is by Kamen Ferdinandov.

After graduation, I was so unsure about the path I was supposed to be following. I had some ideas and possibilities, but nothing seemed tangible. I wasn't trying hard enough to get anywhere... I was on a hiatus, just waiting for an opportunity to fall into my lap. I don't know why I thought staying stationary was going to start me in the right direction...

obviously, life doesn't always work that way.

Thank goodness I have an aptitude for persistence. When I find something I really want, I'll keep going for it. Without that, I wouldn't have this internship. I wouldn't have gone down to Charleston for the interview. I wouldn't have stumbled upon Daniel Island. I definitely wouldn't be moving down there this weekend.

BUT...

I did get the internship with the Charleston Magazine. I did stumble upon Daniel Island and I am moving there this weekend. And I couldn't be more ready for this next chapter to begin.

So Charleston here I come. Accompanied by Augustus and the belleville (a person can get everywhere on her bicycle on Daniel Island!), my camera, and a mindset to get as much experience as I can from my journalistic endeavors during this internship.

"what do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?" louisa may alcott

One of my mom's good friends, Beth, came over today with her daughter Sarah and we took some photos of them together. Sarah's smile is so sweet (no wonder Sean calls her his girlfriend!). They're so happy posing!

I think it looks like they're cracking up about an inside joke.

Two pretty ladies.

Sarah's adoration is just so visible in the way she's looking at her mom.