Give.

I’ve always been the type of person to help others when they are in need. I love giving food to the homeless, helping out my friends when I can, and doing volunteer work. Luckily, the place that I am currently employed at allows us to do volunteer work through some local organizations. So far, I’ve helped build homes, planted a garden and landscaped our local Children’s Hospital, spent a day with mentally handicapped children, and next week I am happy to go help out at a Senior Citizen’s home.

It would be wonderful if more people could just take a few minutes a week, to help someone that needs them. When we lived in Florida, my mother was a teacher. She got a grant through Federal Funding to start a program at local schools where high schoolers got to choose to read to less fortunate children as one of their high school electives. I loved that program and chose it every year as one of my electives. The children were so excited to see us come every week. It was truly a blessing. After my mother passed away, tons of children from the program came to her memorial ceremony with posters and letters for her, thanking her for her generosity. She had made an impact. No matter how big or small your deed is, always remember that you reap what you sow. And to those in need, sometimes something as small as a bottle of water, or a hug can make their entire year.

Karma and hugs,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

My Happy Place.

I can honestly say, if I had to pick a place to live, if it could be ANYWHERE. I would live at Disney World.

When I lived in Florida, we started buying annual passes every year from the time I was 4, up until I moved to Tennessee. I was there literally every other week, sometimes a couple days a week. If I had to tell you how many times I have been there, I would have to say well over 2oo. I love it there. Sometimes I would just drive over there in the evenings to watch the fireworks, then go back home. It never gets old in my opinion.

I got to take my hubby there a couple years ago. It was his first visit and he had a blast. I love all the parks, but my best memories are at the Magic Kingdom. He loved it there too. I can remember what all the rides smell like inside ( pretty creepy eh?) I remember all of the dialogue in every ride, and show. When I took Jeff there for the first time, he couldn't believe with how familiar I was with the place. A second home if you will. I tried to get a job as Alice from Alice in Wonderland ( this was before all my tattoos of course.) I made it through one casting call and they called me back to say I passed but, I was too tall. For some reason they thought an almost 6 ft. tall girl would be too intimidating as Alice..haha. They asked if I was interested in playing the part of Goofy or Tigger because I met the height requirement for those characters. I don't know if you are familiar with Florida Summers, but they get pretty hot. I can't imagine walking around in full costume for 30 minutes at a time in that heat. I had to decline.

We are so excited to take Laila there. We both agreed 5 is a good age. That way she'll be old enough to ride rides, and young enough to believe in the Magic. I HIGHLY recommend visiting if you have never been. It's amazing. Especially if you frequently channel your inner child like Jeff and I do.

Pixie dust and Princesses,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Ocean Child.

Today’s post is about the Ocean. I miss the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean to more specific. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt its warm waters and gentle sea breeze.

For as long as I can remember, every year my Spring break was spent over at New Smyrna Beach. My favorite spot is Turtle Mound. It’s a private beach that is being protected by the U.S National Register of Historic Places. The mound is visible for up to 7 miles out to sea. I’ve a built many a sandcastle on that sandy shore, I’ve been stung on the butt by a jellyfish in that water, and I’ve made many, many memories along that golden stretch of sand. It’s a unique place. It’s one of the only beaches near Central Florida that doesn’t allow people to drive down the shore…which is great. Nobody likes smelling gas and hearing honking horns and guys and girls yelling while you’re trying to sun bathe.

I remember one Summer, my mom grabbed me out of school early and her and I just took off to the beach, and stayed there all day long till’ we resembled little shiny red lobster people. It was great…not the sunburn, but you catch my drift. I can’t wait to have those types of experiences with my daughter.

There’s just something about the beach that relaxes your spirit….something that really makes you feel at peace. I miss the ocean.

Until we are able to travel back to that sunshiney shore, I will rely on my daydreams and coconut lotion to take me there..haha!

Sun on your shoulders and sand in your pants,

Spen’Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Leaving my Heart Behind.

Ever since my daughter was born, we have been inseparable. I knew the day would come when I had to go back to work, and leave her with daycare.

That day came all too fast for me. Thank goodness we found an amazing woman who cares for her during the day. It’s still very hard on me though.

I wish my maternity leave had been longer. I wish we made enough money so I could stay at home with her. I wish I could be there for every smile, every tear, every time she wakes up, every milestone that I know I will miss.

But I have to remind myself that I am working to provide her with a wonderful life. I want the best for my baby girl, and I will do anything to make sure that she gets no less than that. I want her to grow up knowing that her mommy and daddy did their best for her. I’m reminded of the song “I Hope you Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. I hope she never fears anything, or settles for less. I hope she chooses to not tiptoe through life, only to arrive safely at death. I want her to know how much her parents love her…how my heart melts when I watch her giggle in her sleep, and how her daddy tears up every time she looks at him with her little wrinkled forehead, and blue eyes shining.

But for now, my heart will be down the road from where I work, with a lovely lady who cares for her during the day.

I will be on my way soon my darling. Then tomorrow, I will leave my heart behind again.

Counting the hours,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Skies of Blue.

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was amazing. The weather channel said rain, but the blue skies decided to do their own thing! We went out to the woods and did a small trail with the little one. It was so nice and relaxing to be outside. Then we decided to take a drive on some of the local Dogwood Trails. They were amazing. We just cruised around with the windows down. I almost fell asleep several times, with the crisp spring air and the gentle scent of flowers and old growth waking up from winter. Mix that with the warm sunshine, and it’s enough to make anyone want a nap. I’m hoping for another sunshiney weekend, but those April showers may go ahead and decide to start up in March. Either way, I’m happy no matter what the weather, as long as I’m with my family. Hope you enjoy looking at some of the pics from our weekend. I am particularly fond of the field of yellow flowers and purple trees. Very Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds looking if you know what I mean.

Tangerine trees and Marmalade skies,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Name that Style.

Hello my friends!

Sorry I haven’t written in a few days.. I haven’t been feeling too well!

But I’m back J

For today’s post I would like to talk about myself, just so you all can get a sense of who I am. I don’t really have a certain style. Maybe you guys can name it for me. Even borrow from it if sounds like something you might dig J

First I’ll talk about my bodyart, aka tattoos. I have 9 total including a sleeve. I have designed all of the art myself and each piece has a special meaning for me. If anyone is interested in seeing pics let me know. As far as piercings go, I have an industrial, tongue, navel, piercings, also size 0 ear gauges. My hair is blonde naturally, although it got darker as I got older, I keep it at the natural color of blonde I was born with and I just recently added in some low lights. I’m now toying with dreadlocks, I have some handmade ones that I wear here and there. I just love the way they look and they add a lot of volume. I’ve even wrapped some with thread I bought. I like to wear handmade bracelets that I have collected over the years. The watches I wear are a switch up between an offbrand sports watch I got a long time ago, and a Mickey Mouse watch that I took apart and installed on a black fossil men’s watch band. On the left hand I wear my wedding rings and like my tats, they are a permanent fixture. On the right hand, I switch it up between different chunky stone rings or sterling silver rings with art etched into the band. I almost always wear the necklace my hubby got me, it has a pendant on it with my initial and a small golden peace symbol.

On weekends I like to wear shorts, usually khakis and my trusty Chacos ( best sandals of life). I’ll usually throw in an ankle bracelet if I’m feelin’ groovy. I always wear either a band t-shirt or one of my many tye-dye shirts. That’s about as fancy as I get ! haha

What would you call my style? What do you call yours?

Have a grooooovy day!

Flowers and Beads,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

So Silly.

"A world without laughter, is like a day without sunshine... cold and dark." Hello everyone! I don't have a lot to write about today. I'm quite tired at the moment, but I do have some funny pictures I took with an app I found on the Android Market. I hope you all enjoy!

Phone apps and belly laughs,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Tis' the Season.... to Trail Blaze

Hello my friends!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful day! It's almost that most wonderful time of year again! I'm not talking about eggnog and ornaments, I'm talkin' bout HIKING SEASON! (Sorry, I got excited...haha)

The weather is finally warming up, and the skies are getting more clear with each passing day. I don't know about you all, but I'm ready to get back to nature. Last year was super hard for me since I spent the better half of the year pregnant. We were only able to hike up until I was about 2 mnths along. So, needless to say, our daughter will be covering lots of ground this year in her lovely baby carrier :-)

I have a big book of day hikes for the Smokey Mntns and I am already plotting out the hikes for us this year. Although we've done most of the hikes in that big ol' book, I'm ready to do them all again and again. I'm especially excited about taking Laila on her first trail.

I hope everyone is able to enjoy this Spring and all the beauty it brings! Have a lovely day!

Backpacks and muddy Chacos,

Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Why?

“Vegans do it with Relish, but wear a Condiment.”

Hello friends. Today’s post will be about living life as a vegan.

I have been a vegetarian since I was 8 years old. NO chicken, cow, fish, pig, horse, hamster. NO meat.

I made this choice when I was in girl scouts. They took us to a cow farm and let us meet the baby cows and feed them and play with them. Then they showed us the huts that they kept the baby cows in when they were being primed for veal ( google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about). I was horrified. If that wasn’t enough, we got to see the older cows being boarded on the truck to make their long journey to the slaughter house. I don’t think they realized it would have a negative effect on us 8 year olds. I couldn’t eat meat after that. Some of my friends and I vowed to never go back to our meat eating ways after that day. They quickly went back on their promises at a stop by McDonalds on the way home. I was the only one who opted to get a salad.

My mom had a long talk with me on the way home. She made sure that my heart was in the right place with my decision and not just a phase. After a teary conversation, and about a week of me having nightmares, she started buying vegetarian and organic for me. Although she and my father decided not to follow me on my journey, they supported me every step of the way. I haven’t gone back since. Every time I see my girl scout sash with my cow badge on it, I think about that day.

My husband was very overweight and unhealthy when I met him. Lots of junk food, and no exercise kind of does that to you. One day he got a roast beef sandwich from a certain sub sandwich chain, and found himself ill for the better part of a week. He decided he wanted to try living the vegetarian lifestyle. He immediately felt better after about a week. His system was cleaner, his face wasn’t breaking out, and he realized his pants were getting baggier. He decided this was the lifestyle he wanted as well. He lost a little over 100 pounds within a few months, the healthy way. No sodas, lots of veggies and soy protein..and miles and miles of trail blazing with yours truly.

It is a huge change if you have been a meat eater your entire life. But it’s so worth it. With all the hormones and pesticides they inject into meat, not to mention the torture those poor animals go through, some may question why they didn’t become vegetarians a long time ago. Plus, the veggie meat substitutes today are so amazingly close in taste to the real thing. I’ve had many friends try veggie ham, veggie bacon, veggie burgers, veg chicken patties, veggie bologna, veggie hot dogs, veggie bratwurst, and tell me they can’t even tell a difference. Why eat fake meat when I could just get the real thing? Because nothing had to die for the fake meat I’m eating, and it’s all natural with no pesticides or hormones.

I could go on all day about this topic because I’m so passionate about it, but I will spare you all a 20 paragraph post..hahaha.

I hope this post helps some of you understand why my family is vegetarian, and maybe encourage some of you to do the same, or at least try it, and see how you feel.

Have a wonderful day

Soy burgers and lettuce,

Spen’Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

" A Merry Old Soul"

"Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”- John Lennon

Hello. I hope this post finds you happy and healthy. I will begin today’s entry with a little story about myself. My name is Spen’Sar (yes that’s how my name appears on my birth certificate, don’t ask, my parents were hippies..lol). I am 24 ½ years old. I was born and raised in the Florida Coast and moved to Knoxville Tn in 2006. I met my best friend turned husband in 2007. After several failed attempts at becoming parents, we succeeded and I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl Laila ( like the Eric Clapton song, just spelled differently) in January 2012.

These past 2 months have been the craziest and happiest of my life. I can honestly say that at the end of the day, I am completely satisfied with my life. I’ve gone through a lot in my short 24 years here on this big organic spaceship we call earth. I try to live in the present nowadays. Although I’m not like most people my age; no face book, no tv, no computer, I live this way by choice. I decided to cut out all of the day to day gadgets in 2002, right before everything went completely digital. I feel like it can make you lose sight and touch with yourself and those you love. How do I stay in touch with everyone? Good ol’ fashioned letter writing and the telephone. And, as of last year I actually added texting to my phone plan! But don’t expect me to return many texts, I’m not the kind of person who always stares at their phone, I’m too busy spending time with my family, or doing arts and crafts, hiking if the weather agrees, or just sitting on the porch admiring the sky and trees. I’ve always felt that the longer you keep your head buried in the digital world, life passes by and you have nothing to show for it except for some friends requests and like statuses. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing those of you who do have the social networking type of things, I just think it’s good to stop and go outside every once in a while.. it’ll make you live longer :-)

I type this blog on my cell phone and use the blogger app to post it..I never would have found the blogger app if it wasn’t for my sister from another mister, Desiree..so thank you Bear!!

Hope everyone has a groovy day.

Blue skies and grass between your toes,

~Spen'Sar

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

My First Time.

This here post is my first. I have no clue what I am doing. I am not a technically oriented person. In fact I am the complete opposite. "So why a blog?" you might ask...well, I recently gave birth to my daughter, and I thought, wouldn't this be a great way to document her first year...and maybe learn some things in the process? So, here I am. To those of you reading this now, I invite you to join me in my first year of motherhood..and thank you.

Happy Trails....

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4