i will write five thousand words

Today I will write five thousand words. I will go to work. I will write when I can spare a moment at work. I will go home and I will write write write until my eyeballs bleed and I've typed "He smiled" and "She smiled back" more times than I care to admit. I will not read back over what I have written, since I can't take the embarassment at what crap I am sure it all is. But I will still write those five thousand words.

And when I am done, I will be a winner. More importantly, I will be a writer. I will have completed my first NaNoWriMo. In the three years I have been doing this, I've always quit around the halfway point. But this year, I made it this far. I made it to the point where I am only five thousand words away with only a day to spare. Is it good writing? No. Is the story interesting? No, probably not. But I still wrote it. And the potential is there. And maybe, when the blisters on my fingers from wildly typing for the past thirty days have healed, I will go back and look over what I have written. And edit it. And turn it into something great.

But for right now, I am just focusing on these five thousand words. It doesn't sound like a lot, but go ahead. You try to write five thousand words. I'll bet a bunch of them will be "He smiled" and "She smiled back."  This right here? This is only two hundred and fifty one words. It looks like a lot more, doesn't it?

Guess what? I just double-checked my stats and I only have 4,998 more words to go! That's a relief.

via

sharing the magic: part 1

Okay guys, this is going to be one huge, epic Disney post so please lower the safety bar and keep all arms and legs inside the tram.

 [Playing Angry Birds on the plane. So addicted!]

[Also - jacket - Forever 21/watch - Fossil]

We hopped on our flight from Boston to Orlando at the bright and shiny hour of 7am. We didn't want to waste any time since we were only going to be there for four days. We stayed at the Beach Club Villas right outside of Epcot. After a quick lunch at a restaurant along the boardwalk behind our hotel, we made the trek over to Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) to start the first half of our day.

 [cardigan - Nordstrom/Mickey t-shirt - Forever 21/shorts - Express (sooo old!)/trusty red Keds/purse - Dooney & Bourke]

Everything was decorated for Christmas and it was awesome. This big tree was when we first walked into Hollywood Studios. We were all so excited to finally be at Disney!

 

Our first stop was the Tower of Terror. This is my all-time favorite ride anywhere, ever. When I came to Disney as a kid I rode it so many times. I wish I rode multiple times this time, but for some reason we didn't. Poor Jamie wanted nothing to do with this ride and my mom and I may have tricked her into going on. But if my mom will ride it, it really can't be that bad because she hates rides. Jamie ended up loving it and it was amazing. The ride picture that they take is my mom and Jamie clutching each other in fear and me trying to take a picture of the view of the park when the doors open, hehe.

I've always liked how the inside of the hotel looks when you're waiting in line. They have it all done up to look like it was abandoned. Everything is still in place - games and drinks on the table, luggage by the front desk. Abandoned buildings have always fascinated me, and even though this one was decorated to just look abandoned, I think it's cool. The last one is me right before we got on the ride! Yay!

 

Fact: I love Indian Jones. Except for the last one. That one was crap.

Not True At All: I am an Oscar winning actress. I had to cover the base with my hand because I do believe it said "World's Best Grandma" on the bottom.

We spent the first half of the day in Hollywood Studios, checking out the Pixar section and taking the Backlot Studio Tour. Then we hopped on a water ferry and cruised on over to Epcot, which is now my favorite park. I hated it when I was a kid since it's all shops and things and what kid wants to shop? But now that I'm older, I loved all the food, and the shopping and all the people with awesome accents working in the different countries. Plus, that's about as close to Europe as I will be for quite some time.

We stayed in Epcot for the rest of the night, had a delicious dinner in "Italy" and even hung around for the amazing fireworks display before the park closed and we walked back to our hotel. We were exhausted by the time we got back, but our first day was a huge success.

The next day was the most important day of all: Harry Potter Day! The trip had been planned so we could visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. We had to take a cab over there and then sprinted into the park ahead of about nine million field trip school buses, but we made it. And it was amazing. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves:

 [Inside Zonko's - they actually sold Extendable Ears, Sneakoscopes and Remembralls!]

 [Inside Honeydukes - where they had Chocolate Frogs, a wall of Bertie Bots Every Flavor Beans and even Ton Tongue Toffee!]

 [We had to get some frozen butterbeer - it tasted like frozen cream soda with whipped cream mixed in.]
[Cardigan - Forever 21/t-shirt - H&M/sandals - Target. All in Gryffindor colors ;)]

 

[Of course, seeing Hogwarts in real life was enough to make me freak out like some teenager. But it was epic.]

While we were in Harry Potter world we bought t-shirts and souvenirs, of course, and we rode the ride that takes you through the castle on a journey with Harry and Hermione and Ron and everyone, which was a truly awesome ride. The line wasn't long at all, which was almost a shame because the decorations and things they had set up to keep those people waiting in line amused were really cool. Another ride we wished we'd rode again but didn't because we were too afraid we'd be wasting the little time we had. Note to us: Next time spend more time in Disney!

Okay, I'm going to end this post here and finish up with a second post next time. Stay tuned!!

is there a doctor in the house?

Some people don't like to share their health issues on the internet. I am not one of those people. Also, it's 3:30 in the morning and I am desperate for help. Short of calling 911 (this isn't that bad) or spending a fortune on the emergency room (been there, done that, they didn't help) I decided to try reaching out on here. Don't worry - my ailment isn't gross.

For the past year or so I've been sporadically getting what doctors are telling me is just really bad heartburn. Really bad heartburn that lasts for three plus hours. Really bad heartburn that doesn't respond to heartburn medicine. Really bad heartburn that isn't triggered by any specific food I have been able to identify and wakes me up in severe pain in the middle of the night. Yeah, didn't sound like heartburn to me, either.

I had that test done where you drink godawful white chalky stuff and they take x-rays - they didn't see anything wrong. I've been to the ER where they just asked me questions, took some blood and told me they didn't see anything wrong. They told me it's not acid reflux and it's not my gallbladder. THEN WHAT IS IT. You people went to medical school for all those years to shrug at me?! So that's where all you amateurs come in. Does this sound familiar to anyone?!

It's a horrible burning pain in my upper rib area, not my chest, not my stomach, somewhere in between. Like I said, the "episodes" as I call them are random and can last from ten minutes to let's see, we're going on six hours tonight. That's a record! Depending on how I sit, the pain will move to the middle of my shoulder blades. Sometimes it will localize to the right side (which is why I'm fairly convinced it's my gallbladder) but usually it's just across my whole lower ribcage.

It hasn't happened in awhile and it's never a regular occurrence, but when it happens I'd rather be dead or heavily sedated until it goes away. Especially when it interrupts my sleep (which is always since it only happens at night). If this sounds familiar to anyone PLEASE HELP. I've been told I should get an ultrasound to check if it's my gallbladder. Should I ask my doctor? Bah, this is so annoying! I just wanna sleep! Also, I'm getting somewhat concerned that whatever is in my body that is making me feel this awful will burn it's way through all my organs and I'll end up a big, acid-eaten mess.

So yeah, any advice would be pretty awesome. I'll be here, awake and feeling sorry for myself.

Pathetically yours,
Katrina

everybody's working for the weekend

These pictures are probably two weeks old at this point, but I had them all edited and ready to go, so here they are!

It feels like mom and I just put up these fall decorations days ago, and now it's almost time to switch them out for Christmas ones! Fall feels like it flew by, but I can't wait for Christmas! We always decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. I can't wait to have hot cocoa (with Godiva liqueur!) and put decorations on the tree while rocking out to Christmas music. Ahhh, my favorite time of year.

You can't go outside without Mia wanting to join you, so I let her into the photo shoot. She makes a super cute prop, no? She actually hates getting her picture taken, but if you put the camera on the timer she looks right at it. It must be the blinking light and the beeping that interests her.

I'm pretty sure I know what I am getting everyone for Christmas. I just need to start my shopping. That's what I am doing with my next paycheck - starting the shopping. I want to get done as soon as possible so I can get everything wrapped and just enjoy the holiday. Luckily I don't have that many people to buy for.

[sweater - express (old)/jeans - old navy/boots - rocket dog via piperlime/necklaces - h&m and vintage]

How is everyone else's holiday shopping going? Have you started?

a long, long time ago

I haven't forgotten about you, dear blog readers! I have just been on vacation, participating in National Novel Writing Month (which I am sorely behind on - ugh) and having a nasty cold. The good news is I am back from my magical travels, I seem to have bested my cold and I plan on locking myself in my room this weekend until I'm caught up on my novel.

The even better news? I'll have a post later today. The even EVEN better news? I have a huge Disney themed post coming your way next week. Start getting excited.

mr. scarecrow and me

It's been really hard to take pictures lately. Not only have I been super busy, but it gets dark so early now! I'd normally make it home from work in time to get some shots in while it's still light out, but it's also been really cloudy and overcast lately, so it hasn't worked out so well. Add on top of that the fact that my camera's flash is broken and things start looking really abysmal. Anyway, it is what it is.

These pictures are from sometime last week. I can't keep track. I've just been taking pictures when I have a chance and then never get around to posting them. I did the best I could with the lighting available in my house. I actually kind of like the yellow hue.

Only one more day until Disney! I feel like such a little kid, but I'm so excited! Hehe. I am so proud pf my packing job too. I mean granted, we're only going for four days, but still. I am a crazy over packer and I did not over pack even a little this time. I have an outfit for the plane, and an outfit for each day we're there, and a bathing suit. That's really it! I'll have to take pictures. We're only bringing carry on luggage so we don't have to check anything, so I just have a small suitcase. And it's not even full!

[cardigan - h&m/t-shirt - h&m with added embellishment by me/skirt - old navy/boots - old navy/tights - old navy]

I just want to do a quick shout out to the followers I have acquired recently! Thanks so much, I love all of your blogs and it feels so special to have you guys checking out my little blog! Much love.

Until next post!!

falling for you

This week has been pretty busy. The holiday season is approaching and already the people around me are gearing up. I'm pretty sure I know what I am buying for everyone on my Christmas list this year, but I haven't started the actual shopping. I should probably get on that, huh? Maybe after DISNEY WORLD. Did I mention at all that I am going to DISNEY WORLD next week?

 

These pictures are actually from Monday. Told you this week has been hectic. I've had time to snap some pictures, but that's about it. Plus, as all you other bloggers know, this whole getting dark early thing really cramps my style. Plus, there's no good light in my backyard this time of year. And I don't have the time nor the confidence to wander around with my tripod.

[cardigan - old navy/tshirt - american eagle/jeans - forever 21/boots - old navy/necklace - american eagle]

Another vey exciting thing that just happened today...I got a "new" job! Technically it is the job I have been doing for the past four and a half months, but they finally made it official. I'm so happy! It comes with a nice pay raise too, so I can start padding up my savings account, and maybe have a little left over for new purchases. ;)

Today was definitely an awesome Friday. Not only did I get a new job, but I finally managed to snag the Jeffrey Campbell boots I have been pining over for weeks. I was just sitting there at work, looking at my boots on Shopbop every so often and sighing, since they didn't have my size. Then, suddenly, there they were! In my size! You better believe I grabbed my credit card and snagged those. According to the site they were the last pair too! Well actually, I called and texted my Mom like a psychopath because they're a Christmas present and she was going to buy them. But she can just pay me back. Or Santa can pay me back, whatever.

 

My beloved booties! I am already mentally creating outfits around these beauties in my head. Just have to wait til Christmas!

What's on the top of your wish lists this year?

silly old bear and other things

Just some videos that are rattling around the web today.







Stay tuned for another post this afternoon, when I will finally have some free time!

better late than never

Well here they are, finally! Some Halloween pictures. There's not a whole lot, since I didn't bring a camera with me to the party I went to, but it doesn't matter. I'm sure I just got more and more disheveled looking as the night went on anyway. Hehe.

Mia helped me get ready, even though I decided to be a cat for Halloween and not a doggie. To be honest, I hadn't planned on going out for Halloween at all. I didn't really have a costume and I just wasn't feeling with it. Then a friend of mine that I haven't seen in forever invited me to go to a party with her and her friends that her sister was throwing and I decided why not? So I busted out my cat ears and braved the crowd at iParty for my tail (I needed a tail, the costume would have been super sad without it). Then I went all out with my eye makeup and fancied myself up and headed out to P-A-R-T-Y.

I finally found Mia a costume that suits her surly attitude when we try to dress her up. The first year we had her, she was a princess, complete with gown and adorable pointy princess hat. She's also had a piggy costume, a Mrs. Claus outfit and reindeer antlers. And she looked pissed off in all of them. So the devil horns fit her face.

 

The party ended up being a really fun time. I was glad I went. Usually I'm such a Nana and never go out late, but when I do it's always so much fun. Of course, the next day I was exhausted and all I wanted to eat was McDonald's, but it was totally worth it. It's always good to see friends you haven't seen in awhile. If getting together with old friends also involves getting dressed up, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and dancing to Thriller while swinging a feathery boa around, then that's even better. ;)

caution: speed hump

This will have to be a quickie post tonight. I just finished my writing for the day (as you can see from my handy button, I am right on track so far this week!) and I have to dash off to yoga in a few minutes. It ain't easy being a modern woman, let me tell you.

 

You know what else ain't easy? Taking pictures of yourself after working all day. Trust me, your dress will be wrinkled, your camera will be acting up, and the lighting in your backyard will be craptastic. But hey, it happens. I still thought the outfit was cute, only after eight hours in a cubicle it got a bit disheveled.

[cardigan - american eagle (old)/dress - forever 21/tights - forever 21/boots - seychelles via overstock/necklace - american eagle (old)]

You know, typing that I got my Seychelles boots from Overstock reminds me I should trawl Overstock more often for shoes. Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

My camera's autofocus was acting up the day I took these pictures. By "acting up" I mean I somehow turned it off and didn't realize it, so I couldn't get it to work. Problem has since been solved. I kind of like the blurry pictures though.  Makes me somewhat nostalgic for my pre-Lasik surgery eyesight. Le sigh.

I'm still working on getting those Halloween pictures for you! By that I mean I have been endlessly hassling my brother. He's being such a turd. Hopefully this weekend! Speaking of weekends - hope you have a great one!!