"For The First Time in Forever..."

"For the first time in forever, I'll finally go outside! For the first time in forever, I'll enjoy a new sunrise!
Don't know if I've been too busy, but I'm going to change that now! 'Cuz for the first time in forever!!!!!! I'll be doing something fun!"...


Ok, if you were able to sing along with that and actually keep it in rhythm, then you, my friend, are one amazing person... kinda like me for being able to write that all out.. But who's keep track anyway? ;-)

However, to go back to my little diddy, I was finally able to get outside and do some work today in my flower garden! I haven't done a flower garden in about 2 years or so because time just got away from me. And lately I haven't had much of a chance to enjoy the outdoors because 1) it's very windy out or 2) I was busy doing other things.

So, today I resolved that I would go out and work. So very glad I did!! The weather is so lovely... a few lazy clouds hanging in the sky, gently floating by. A light breeze teasing my hair from it's braid (which is actually really annoying but yeah... sounds fun to say). Oh! and the birds are singing sweet melodies to one another. It really is so very lovely out.

In any case, Caleb and I decided to go out and work on some stuff. He didn't realize I would put him to work when I invited him to, ahem, come outside with me... lol! But he seemed to have a fairly good time as we worked together.

Gardening/landscaping/working outside is one of my all time favorite things to do. But I never get a lot of it done. Silly, right? Well, I've been reading through this really neat book, "Be Well, Live Well: 14 Simple Ways to Excellent Health", authored by a friend of mine, Jeanne Drennan, and I've really enjoyed all the practical things she gives to help you on your way to, well, excellent health. One of them was to get out and do something you enjoy. That's far better than sitting around doing nothing. So, I decided that that would be the first change I make. It helps my overall attitude during the day to get out and 'get dirty', so to speak. But since I love the outdoors so much, it seriously does put me in a positive mood. (There are scientific facts that would show WHY I feel this way afterwards and about how great it is for your body to be outside, barefoot in the cool dirt... but I'll save that for another time).

In any case, I'm following one of the 'simple ways' and already today I feel fantastic. =) My lilac buds are doing so well (and for anyone who doesn't know me or hasn't gotten it from my blog title already, those lilac bushes have played a fairly big role in my growing years!). We're supposed to freeze again tonight, so I'm thinking I'm going to go out and take some extra precautions with my bushes to keep them from dying again.

So, what have you done on this lovely day? =)

Also, I'm really excited to get some new blog posts underway here. I've got some fun ideas up my sleeve so stay tuned!!

(dear me, I hope I don't say that too often without following through!)

What You'll Be Seeing

I honestly hate coming up with blog post titles... can we just leave 'em blank?? I guess you could, but that would actually drive me crazy (more than coming up with a title would!). Maybe I tend to be overly creative and I want to think of some fun title instead of what it is actually about. Ok, Sarah, just be plain and simple. New Years Resolution #5,145. ;-)

So, in honor of some of my resolutions that I just posted about, my plan is to actually blog about them. I've lately been doing lots of herbal/heal yourself remedies and would love to talk about them. So that fits perfectly with the 'health' part of my goals. I would also like to post how I'm doing with keeping up in my Spiritual life and how God has been growing me.

Basically, I'm hoping to sort of cover those few things I listed. More pictures of projects I'm doing, what folks are doing around here, etc.

Lately I've wondered what my point was in blogging. I'm not really sure if I know the answer yet, but I tend to think of it as my 'online journal', in a sense.  A place to share thoughts on subjects and get other folks' opinions. Somewhere to keep distant friends and relatives up-to-date on what we're doing, etc. However, I would also like to make it an informative blog. Not that I'm an expert on anything, but I know that I enjoy reading other people's experiences with things they're doing, so I hope y'all enjoy hearing mine. Maybe you don't, though... Perhaps my blog is rather boring. Well, if it is, I do apologize. =P Sometimes life isn't always on the 'fast lane'. Often times I'm just toodling along life's highway at an easy pace.

So, be prepared for some new blog posts this year that will (hopefully) hold your attention, share interesting things, and keep you updated on what this crazy ranching family is doing.

Now, the point of this post? Nothing, really.... =P

In Which I Finally Get To Share!

I've been wanting to post about this for a couple months now, but haven't really gotten a chance to. Life has been pretty busy. In any case, I finally get to post about something pretty exciting going on right now (and pictures!).

About 1 1/2 years ago, a friend and I got to talking and decided that it would be really cool if we could do a movie together. We have both been interested in that, so we thought, what the hay. Off we went on our adventure! Two months ago we finalized the script, I finished the costumes (which took about 4-5 mo.), and we've had about 3 film days since. 

As our script grew, we realized we needed a few extra actors- in comes our drama group! Not all of them, obviously, but we asked two other guys from the group if they would be willing to come and act. We got them all fitted up with costumes and swords and everything else. 

The story? A young man gets transported into another world, following the legacy of his grandfather. The other world? A medieval type world. It's all fictional, of course, so we don't have any historical sights or anything like that. However, we really wanted the medieval costumes and sword fights (as we aren't so big we can spend millions of dollars on vintage or modern fighting devices.. hehe.) That being said, here are a few pictures that my sis (who is our film lady, organizer, driver, etc) took while we were filming today. We spent the day up our my friends house- he lives up in the mountains, and there is just tons and tons of open space (well, enclosed in trees, but open as in no houses). So, that was pretty awesome... the best part though?? An old Mine Shaft. Yup! It had been purposefully caved in, but there is a really large cave where the miners cut through a HUGE boulder in the ground... so, we did a bit of filming and hanging out in there. ;-) Alright, enough talking- on to pictures! 

(Photo Bomb!!)

(He is our Boom Mic man, but he wanted to pose with the sword, too. :-)

("If I could just string this arrow....")

(I didn't realize it until I saw the pictures, but my belt kept slipping.. no doubt because the bag that was on it -just seen on the right side under the sleeve- was bulging with stuff!) 

Here is the entrance to the mine. You had to walk down, go under here, then bend over to get inside the actual cave. There were two entrances, one was too dangerous to go in- having a dirt roof and all- the other was all rock- which is where we were

Extremely blurry, but I wanted to show a pic of what it looked like when we were in the cave and had the candle light... the shots on film were awesome. :-) 

Later on, I'm hoping to get more pictures of each character and give a sort of character bio and whatnot. So, be on the look out for those! 

*** ALL PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF "MASTER'S HANDIWORK PHOTOGRAPHY" AND CAN NOT BE TAKEN OR REPRODUCED IN ANY WAY***

Excitement is Mounting!

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife....."

*************

I decided I'd pop over and talk a bit o' Drama. Y'all know I can go on and on about this subject. I'll limit myself, though, and just show a few pictures and talk just a wee little bit. ;-) Ok, I lie. =D

So, as most of you know, our ABC drama group will be performing Pride and Prejudice this fall. I'm really looking forward to this performance! It will definitely stretch the actors in many ways, but it will also be a neat experience to pull off.

This year we actually had true auditions. The director and assistant director (as well as the panel of judges) had to pick who would be in and who could best play each part. It was an extremely difficult bunch of decisions. One that went with much prayer and thought.

The cast has now been picked, the script is almost ready... yes, almost ready. The director couldn't find one that she liked, so she just decided to write it herself. Needless to say, it has given her a deep respect for stage writers! It has been quite the undertaking.

We have our first practice tomorrow. This is one of my favorite days of the practices. It's fun to get settled in, so who all is in the play, and catch up with everyone after the long break in-between semesters. :-) (and yes, we have to do it the first week because otherwise we don't get to later... we have work to do!) ;-)

So, I'm going to post a few pictures of the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice (my personal favorite!!!) starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. They did a stupendous job in this movie, and I love being able to watch their acting skills.

Before pics, I guess I'll share a bit of a back story. Ever since I have seen this movie (which was when I was about 10-11) I have ALWAYS wanted to be Elizabeth Bennet. I was determined that I would go to Hollywood, waltz right in, and get to play that star role in the newest edition of the story. Well, the Lord hasn't exactly called me to be a Hollywood actor... probably better that way. I'm afraid I wouldn't fit in. =D However, He did bless me greatly this year, by allowing me to get the part of Elizabeth Bennet in this production. I'm very excited, yet also getting a little nervous as I realize the big responsibility and task I have before me. However, I also know that so long as I do everything to glorify Him, the Lord, then I cannot fail. (but it's still a little scary to think about!).




Anyway, on with the pictures and introductions. So pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and settle in.... :-)

 Mr. and Mrs. Bennet... (the two actors that got these parts are going to be hilarious!!!)

 The Bennet Girls. (I get some pretty neat sisters!)

 The Bingley's

Mr. Darcy

Introductions made, I shall now fill you in on the rest of my acquaintances... 

Charlotte Lucas- my best friend who I can have any conversation with.

Lady Catherine de Burgh- the rather overbearing woman who will one day be my aunt! 

Wickam- the man who willfully, charmingly, and wittingly deceived us.

My Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. They are favorites of the family and on my mother's side of relations.

Mr. Collins- He is our cousin who will inherit the house when Papa is dead. He is also under the patronage of Lady Catherine.

Col. Fitzwilliam- The kind-hearted, lively gentleman who's wonderful conversation I enjoyed very much. (he is actually one of my favorite characters).

My dear sister Jane... I can share everything with her. She is so sweet and never things ill of anyone, much to my chagrin at times! However, our respect and love for one other never changes and we share in each other's sorrows and joys.  

 Bingley and Darcy are very good friends. Bingley respects his friends opinion and is often swayed by it.

 Sweet Georgiana Darcy. She will be my future sister- of which we are both very glad!

Need I say more? ;-) 

"My nerves!" Poor mama. Always ready to be attacked with a nervous fit. 

Father keeps to his library and tries to ignore most of the goings on in the household.

I really didn't like him at that moment. 

Balls and Assemblies are such wonderful entertainments! Though, I was rather upset that I had to dance with the proud Mr. Darcy in this one. 

Sweet Jane and her lovable Bingley. They love each other so much, you can't help but smile when you see them together. My father thinks they are so benevolent that their servants will cheat them- but my mother was quick to remind him that they had such sufficient funds that they would never run out. 

And so, you have had a quick introduction and peek into my family. I hope to share some 'real' pictures of the cast and practices as we get closer to performances! :-) For now, farewell!