Made in memory of my grandmother.
I had such an incredible time participating in Relay for Life! =) It was such a moving, thought-provoking, and happy event spent celebrating MORE BIRTHDAYS! I feel so proud of how much money our work team earned for the Relay. I would definitely suggest participating in a Relay for Life in your own towns. <3 Down with cancer!!
Posted in blessed, Relay for Life
What a dream it would be to be able to review books every day of the week!
It’s so odd to think this, let alone write this down for all the world [i.e., my 5 readers]. I did not truly know until a little while ago what I wanted to do with my life. When I was a young college graduate, I wanted to be an actress in a television sitcom. That was the dream.
Now my dream has shifted. Grown with my age and likes/dislikes, my love and happiness growing and shaping differently as my preferences evolve.
I can think of nothing more lovely than reviewing books for all the days of my life. I may not be able to write extremely well. I may not be able to act extremely well. But I can read like a pro; read like it’s my job.
And so that’s me. That’s me now. At 26 years old. Working during the day as a technical writer, wishing I could write more often and read all day every day.
Happy 24th Birthday to my partner-in-crime, my best friend since childhood, and one of the men in my life who has meant the most to me! My brother Johnny is an incredible young man and I’m so proud of all of the hard work he’s been putting into school this year! He’s gotten SOC [Student-of-the-Course] twice now and he keeps getting better and better! I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in his life!
I got a Nexus 7 for Christmas!! And I’m writing this entire entry from it… just wanted to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!! Love, Sarah, Mitchel, Franklin, and the kitties!
Posted in blessed, Christmas, fashionista, holidays, Inspiration
We took Franklin on a really wonderful and relaxing walk last Saturday! He really needed a nice, loooooooong walk… and Mitch, Mary, and I took the opportunity to be out in this lovely fall weather!
Franklin was loving the water [a first]!
It was great to be out in nature instead of stuck inside the apartment reading [although, Lord knows, I love that, too]! I love when we get in some “family time” with our baby boy Franklin!
This week is “National Boyfriend Week”. When Mitchel informed me of this momentous occassion, my natural response was to scrunch up my face and say “Every week is boyfriend week.” hahaha. BUT, I’ve had a change of heart… and I’d like to NOMINATE MITCHEL.
He is kind and loving.
He is attentive and yet respectful of my me-time.
He understands me and loves me in spite of [or maybe because of] all of my flaws.
He is a super dapper gent and lets me ooh and aah over Christopher Eccleston [Doctor Nine] without ever getting piffed!
He adores our fur-babies… all 3 cats & the Frankmeister!!!
Even though he can drive me crazy, I’d still rather fight with his silly face than anyone else’s.
Also, he is very nice to look at, and that doesn’t hurt one bit!
And he wrote me a lovely poem. It’s my favorite piece of poetry I’ve ever read. =) (and not just because it’s about our love and mushy gushy!)
Mitchel, you are all the stars in the sky and every sunrise and sunset. You are my bestest best friend [right up there with mom, you cool cat] and I lurve you and all that junk! 
Happy national kiss your boyfriend’s bum week.
When is National Girlfriend’s week again? Next week, you say?
So excited to get to our seats!
Upclose Sara Evans!!!!
Behind the scenes tour after the show!
I wish I could fully put into words everything I felt during the show and tour. I was so overwhelmed by the emotions running through my body, especially when the performers were on stage. It is a lasting memory of mine that I’m sure my grandchildren will hear all about!!! I love you, Grand Ole Opry!!!
Posted in blessed, boyfriend, Mitch & Sarah Adventures, Mitchel, vacay
So as most of you know, Mitchel bought us tickets to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee for our One Year Anniversary! We went this past weekend and it was an absolute blast!! This is just part one of our trip! The part without the Grand Ole Opry in it, but don’t you fret!! I’ll be posting Pt 2 of our trip tomorrow!!! =)
The Nashville Farmer’s Market was really beautiful! And I enjoyed snapping some shots! Then we grabbed our San Pellegrino and headed to the Bicentennial Park…
What a beautiful spot so rich in Tennessee history!! After that we headed to the Centennial park [I know. haha] to catch a glimpse of a full-size replica of the Parthenon in Greece.
We also enjoyed a bit of Music Row, where this was the ONE photo I snapped:
Posted in blessed, boyfriend, Mitch & Sarah Adventures, Mitchel, vacay
A collective sigh issues from every fiber of my being just LOOKING at this photo.
Pittsburgh, PA.
It’s been the only static home in my life, being an Army brat will do that to you.
My grandparents all lived around the city… it is one of my happy places.
I bleed black and gold [Steelers, baby]!
That’s why I was absolutely smitten with getting the opportunity to go home to visit my family up there and celebrate my grandfather’s 80th birthday!!
This photo of my grandfather with my second cousin Elise just melts my heart. Not only is it touching that I got to meet her and hopefully will be a part of her life [cousins don't generally get to stay that in touch], but my grandfather is her great-grandfather and she has such a great relationship with him.
It’s incredibly touching, & I’m a sap, so I love it.
We started with a lunch out on the town with the family! Photos above are of the entire Ruggles family in attendance, my family with Pap, & the cousins with Pap!
After the restaurant we all went back to Pap’s house to celebrate with a cook out. I was so overwhelmed with the opportunity to spend time with my extended family. They really are the greatest people. I love each of them so much… I can’t stand that we don’t see each other that much!
The next day we spent some time walking around the city (& riding on the INCLINE!!!) and then enjoying the last few hours with my grandfather before the drive home!
I really can’t ever fully express how much I appreciated the memories with my family & Mitchel [who is now as good as family]!! =) I love them all and can’t wait to see everyone again!!
