today I'm grateful for...

1. After-school trips to Tom's antique store with my mom. We decided that we could certainly move in there. Rickety chairs, gilded mirrors, forgotten portraits, retro dining sets...perfect...

2. Spying on boys at the bike rack through the window during first period chemistry. We duck whenever they look towards us. Nothing like some giggles to make chem interesting.

3. The silly AIMS prep questions. This question was actually asked:

"John misses the bus every Thursday...what conclusions can you draw from this?

a. John doesn't like the bus driver on Thursdays

b. John has consumption.

c. John has a dentist appointment every Thursday.

d. None of the above."

Complete ridiculosity.

4. The soundtrack to the movie Atonement. It makes the movie all the more heartbreakingly delightful. And, can I please have a soundtrack to my life?

5. Finding these gorgeous specimen sketches while browsing weheartit. I love the color and the paper and the spidery script. Makes me wanna go draw.

today I'm grateful for...

1. My darling friend Katherine whose sound judgment and sharp wit keeps me sane. Today we passed notes like little schoolgirls during English. She tolerates my rants and raves and convinces me that everything will be okay, and when she says it, I believe her.

2. Painting and gossiping during art. There's something so cleansing about being able to sit down and enjoy life for one hour within the hectic school day. (Image found on weheartit.com)

3. My European history teacher's sense of humor. After his recent motorcycle accident, he's been even more comical and clever, professing "I love everyone!" the day after his accident. I thank goodness that he is practically unscathed, save for a broken pinky.

4. Running up and down the stairs with Laura after school, then waiting around by the band room to get picked up. It makes me feel sad that band kids are the only ones allowed in the band room, because I'm a band kid at heart. I just cannot play an instrument.

5. A new Gossip Girl tonight at seven. Blair Waldorf is magnificent. Her beruffled dresses and blouses make me swoon.

6. The blusteriness of this afternoon! I love the wind and and the leaves that blow around. It's terribly bad for one's hair, but when the wind blows, I stop caring about how my hair looks and start enjoying the cool breeze. (Image from photo.net)

Because I never know quite what to write on a blog--so I've decided to write gratitude lists every day, a la Ginny Branch, whose blog my favorite color is shiny makes me smile every single day.
So, today, I am grateful for...

1. The charming antics of Lucy & Ethel. I Love Lucy is a constant source of entertainment for my sister and me. I really do love Lucy.

2. $5 antique tables all spruced up. I found this little beauty at the antique fair a few months ago, and repainted it, complete with Rococo charm.

3. My dear friend Angel for sending me a link to the web site the Antique Corsets gallery. I can't think of anything more restrictive...or more classically feminine and beautiful. They just make me hunger for romance and poetry and ruffles and ribbons and restrained emotions. I should have been born in another era.

4. Happening upon old issues of Domino magazine today while tidying my room. I am heartbroken by the demise of this flawless publication! My mom and I used to look forward to receiving our Domino every month, and countless inspirations have stemmed from poring over issues. (images courtesy of Domino)

5. this sketch, by John Singer Sargent (my favorite artist). There is some wistfulness captured in her eyes, some sadness. It's a very beautiful drawing. I can't wait until my trip to Chicago, when I will be able to see some of Sargent's work.