A City Life For Me

I just finished reading “Before Green Gables” by Budge Wilson. Like any good novel that I begin, I could hardly put it down until I had finished it. This book creates for the reader the early childhood of the beloved character Anne Shirley. The book ends where “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery begins. I was skeptical when beginning this book that anyone could possibly create a beginning to the “Anne” story that would be in keeping with L.M. Montgomery. However, Budge Wilson did an excellent job. Many of the little things that compose the “Anne” that we love so well are brought into the story Before Green Gables . In essence, Ms. Wilson explains how Anne’s uniqueness became wrapped up into one character. She did a fantastic job tying all of these “loose ends” up into a wonderful story. For example, why did Anne have such a perfect little nose? And why was she vain about it? Where did Anne get her love of stories? How did she find her “window friend” and give her the name o...

Today I started work at Books-a-Million as a cafe barista. I am finally employed!

I live just north of the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. The Navy F-18s buzz over our apartment all the time. Sometimes it is one jet. Sometimes it is four jets in rapid succession. Sometimes it is a pair flying in beautiful synchronization. Sometimes they circle over and over and over again. Sometimes it is a touch-and-go. It doesn't matter. I always look up. I always wish I were the pilot. I always feel pride. There are some hours and parts of the day when you can't watch a movie or talk on the phone because the jet noise is so loud and frequent. When Ben signed the lease on our apartment there was an aircraft clause because we live in one of the crash zones. I guess the noise might bother or annoy some people. But not me. I love jet noise! Around here there are bumper stickers and t-shirts that say "I Love Jet Noise." This campaign was started to show support for keeping the Master Jet Base at Oceana when Congress wanted to move it to Jacksonville, ...

Here is a picture of my Ben in his new blue four-button suit - a gift from me, and our parents for his birthday. He has been wanting a blue suit for a while, and he sure looks good in it! He also got a khaki colored three-button suit.

On July 22 (yesterday) Ben had his 23rd birthday. This was his first birthday on which we were able to be together. Two years ago I was in Spain, and last year I was in Colorado planning a wedding. Ben still had to work...outside...in the hot...the heat index was 105. But since his last customer cancelled he was able to be home at a decent time. We had stromboli for dinner - Ben's request, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting - also Ben's request. It was his first cake in three years, because he hasn't been home for a birthday since his freshman year of college. Actually, it still is his first cake in three years. There is a lot of it remaining, as you can imagine! Ben received his birthday present on Saturday. We went shopping and picked out two new suits. He only had one suit that survived college, and a suit that was given to him (but has never been quite right after they tailored it down). He picked out a nice blue 4-button suit and a dark khaki 3-button suit. ...

I think this is a super cute little girl's dress. It makes me wish that I had kids already. (Just kidding, Ben :-) View the grosgrain blog by clicking the link below: Train Stop Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

While I was in Lakeland, Fl visiting my friend Danielle I went for a drastic hair change (don't worry...Ben said that I could!). It is now short and straight. I had to go and buy a brush, flat iron, and curling iron because I didn't have anything with which to style it! When Ben came to pick me up at the baggage claim he started to walk by me because he didn't recognize me! Dorri Warren, a friend of the DeVane's, helped me achieve my new style!