Blogapalooza 2016 - Day 3

     What a day.
     It started off super frustrating.  I set all of my alarms so that I could get up in time for service out at the hall.  I even left time for me to take a shower, even though dry shampoo and I are good friends.  Slept.  Through.  Them.  All. 😞  I mean, yeah, I didn't fall asleep until 4 am, but seriously!  Barely woke up in time to nominally help with a bit of set up and take a shower before the gorgeous tea party that my sister threw!  I was still putting on makeup when the first guests arrived and I was happy to be wearing a hat so no one could tell that my hair was still wet!
     Everyone dressed up in hats or pearls or both and looked lovely.  The food was delicious: spanakopita, meats, cheeses, crackers, lemon bars, sugar cookies, and veggies to go with the tea.  I had so much fun talking about writing with some of the guests and we will be getting together again soon to iron out what the whoosit Robyn in doing in the story.  And in the end we all got to take our teacups home!  I also offered to make anyone's cup into a candle.  Two people took me up on the offer so I know what project I'll be working on next week.  :)
     After everyone left sis and I popped over to New Seasons to pick up a few groceries and we saw a bride and groom wandering around with their best man and maid of honor, still in their wedding finery (though someone had spilled something reddish purple on the side of her dress).  Evidently they had only been married a few hours.  Why anyone would decide to go to the store after a wedding is lost on me ... though I have wanted to wear one of my cosplays to go to the library.
     Now I'm sitting here eating Cherry Cordial Kisses (my favorite part of this time of year and one of my favorite Black Friday purchases) watching TableTop while trying to figure out what to post tomorrow.  I'd hoped to be a little more on top of things and have scheduled posts but children did not nap when they were supposed to and I slept when I was no supposed to.  Things should settle down on Monday.

Blogapalooza 2016 - Day 2

5 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Getting things in the mail.  My dad always seems to be getting things for his projects or the Kingdom Hall and I get just a little bit jealous.  This week I have Black Friday purchases coming in and it makes me so happy!!  Yesterday I got a snarfblat and slimy yet satisfying pin from FanFlaire.  I also love to get letters, but who writes letters anymore?  I've tried to take the initiative and have sent letters but haven't gotten any response.

2. Cosplaying popular characters.  So far I’ve gone to ComiCons as Merida and Miss Frizzle.  Both times people were very excited to see my characters, though they were different demographics.  Merida attracted small children and parents who wanted pictures for the kids they had left at home.  While not as many people stopped Miss Frizzle for pictures, almost without fail she got excited acknowledgement from anyone in the 18-30 range, with more than one squeal and excited “You were my childhood!”.  Through both of these characters I got to live out my lowkey dream of being a Disney castmember/princess and spread joy.  I also got many compliments which is also ego/self esteem boosting and awesome!  I am among my people when at ‘Cons, people who share similar passions and joys and don’t look at you funny for your excitement.  On a side note, Miss Frizzle is a hard character to pose because she always seems to be in motion.  Any ideas?

3. Being in Disneyland.  I had a lot of fun when I went with my high school choir in 2008 but I had so much more fun when I went with my sister and our fellow Mouseketeer Kelsey!  It was Deanna’s first trip, Kelsey’s millionth and an awesome combination.  The atmosphere is so happy, the food is indescribably delicious and I GOT TO MEET ARIEL first thing on the first day.  Truly the happiest place.  Even the hazmat spill on the way there added to the excitement of the trip.

4. Completing a streak on Habitica.  #notaspon  Someone on the NaNoWriMo Facebook page suggested this site/app combination as a way to establish good habits and it has really worked.  It uses the gaming method of collecting EXP and losing/gaining health.  There are also goal related quests and challenges but you have to have friends/join groups on there and I haven’t been brave enough to yet.  You set your own Daily Goals (you can decide if they happen daily, on certain days of the week, or every X number of days), Habits, and ToDo list.  I use my goals primarily to battle my depression.  I have discovered that I feel better about myself and am less likely to spiral downward if I make sure I get dressed (so far a 30 day streak), put on at least foundation (32 days), and shower regularly (22 times).  You can get eggs that grow into pets and potions to control which color they grow into.  My current pet is a desert fox.

5. Hiking Wahkeena Falls.  

It is beautiful and tough, so I feel accomplished, but not too challenging, there is a place we picnic before heading back down so we don’t push too hard.  I’ve always hiked in the winter so it has been frozen and snowy and I have loved it!  Also, because of the weather, there haven’t been very many other hikers which is wonderful.
I'd love to explore more of the Gorge, but I prefer going places with someone who has been there before and most hikers I know are very hardcore, way out of my physical abilities level.  It's a frustrating combination.