Firstly, lastly, in-betweens

"In my life, there's been no one like him anywhere, anywhere..."

But despite the absence of that elusive person (no, not the Scarlet Pimpernel), life has been full of new ideas, new plans, and fun things. First off all, since posting about Maryanna's wedding, two friends have got engaged! Though all the details aren't reported yet, I think their guys may have popped the question on the exact same day - wild, isn't it? I still can't believe that Mama was totally right when she used to tell me that it would all happen at once. So, here's the short list of everything that's been going on in my life these days:

Singing: Anna, Benjamin and I bought the sheet music to Newsies and Anything Goes for Leah and Sarah so we've been pounding out jazzy NYC-style show tunes on the piano ever since. "If I need a headline, I'll make up a headline and I'll say anything I hafta. Cuz it's two for a penny, if I get too many, Weisel just makes me eat 'em afta..." There's not much that is more fun than crowding around the piano and working out parts to our favorite Broadway shows...it's such a cool thing to do with the family. Funny thing is, we four girls have worked out almost all the parts to to an all-guys' song. (Well...barring the nuns.)
And speaking of nuns, Daniel bought Sarah The Sound of Music for her birthday. We haven't seen that movie since our VHS player went out, and going back to watch it now that I'm grown was hilarious. There are so many clever lines that I never understood as a kid.

Max: "There's nothing I hate more than a thief."
Capt. VonTrapp: "Oh Max, do try to learn to love yourself."

Definitely a favorite with our family, and I watched with contentment as the younger girls fell in love with the movie just like Sarah and I did as kids. :)

Working On: With the advent of so many weddings (and expecting at least one more engagement by the end of the month!) I have realized that my days of waiting for money to find me are utterly over.

"In terms of money....we have none." -Despicable Me

 I've got to do something to pay for all these weddings I am attending/participating in, don't I? Aunt Christy and I are seriously contemplating starting up a floral-design business together. We're good at it; pooling our talents, we have enough experience; plus, we're talking about flowers here: I love flowers. So, though it's not final, I am kind of excited about the possibilities. In addition to this, I am so looking forward to announcing one more thing by the end of the week. It's nothing big, but I do have one hint for you. Two words: The Warren.

Reading: A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper, Dragonwitch by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (fabulous so far...quite allegorical), Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynn Truss

Waiting For: Different plans that are currently up in the air. The full proposal story from JULIA! Money-making schemes to pounce on me. Summer to finish! A letter in the mail. The next adventure.

Loving: Strawberry ice-cream; I really didn't realize how much I love real strawberry icecream till Levi insisted on having some for his birthday. New love-story right here. Kate Rusby's music. G2 pens. Reading other peoples' writing. Learning the intricate words and parts to new songs. Re-listening to the Transfer Conference messages. Summer storms! (speaking of which, my cousin took a stunner shot of lightening!)

Needing To: Get back on my shrinkage-program. Humph. Oysters. All sorts of grouchy-sounding words that mean Too Much Cake. Be purposeful in memorizing scripture; a weakness on my point. Write a letter to Grandma June. Work at making money.

So. These are the current events: God is great, I am weak, He works in me anyway, and life is beautiful. What more could I want? Hope your Monday is fabulous!

(if you'd like to follow me on instagram and see day-to-day things in pictures, you can find me as heirloomrosebud. I don't clog your feed, but you do get to see bits and pieces. :)