Random Thoughts I Have

| I lost a lot of hair in the shower. Should I check for bald spots? | Should I really rewatch all of Gilmore Girls? | I ran out of hangers for all the clothes I have but don't wear. | I always read "prefects" as "perfects" in Harry Potter... | I love chilly, windy fall days. | Who really wants their picture in the yearbook anyway. | Yearbooks are so impersonal. | Look at all the extra pages in the back for signatures. It's going to stay nice and blank. | What should I blog about today? | I can't sneak as long as I'm wearing glow in the dark nail polish. | Is that a pimple on the back of my neck?! | I want to walk the 3.2 miles to grandma's house. | That picture is so great! Oh, and that one! And that one! | I wish I could marry his voice. | Do I really talk to my self that much? Yes, yes I do. | Really, Holly? Really? | I should drink more water. Milk will do. | Why would I go outside when there is a perfectly good bed right here? | I really want to go for a walk, but I would have to change out of my pajamas. So, no walk today then. | I really hope my phone doesn't fall out of my hands and hit me in the face again. | I accomplished a lot yesterday. I can take it easy today. | That is the weirdest and potentially the most creepy photo I have seen in a long time. | Why, why, why, why, WHY?! | I'm so stupid sometimes. | Genius! | That definitely has a negative two percent chance of happening. |

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. Happy Friday! I really just want to start today's five off on a positive note. It's the end of the week. I'm sure that some of you reading this have had some ups and downs, maybe some stressful moments. Hopefully, you will get to relax since it is the start of the weekend. Personally, there have been a few setbacks for me and my family, but there have also been some good things happening. I am choosing to focus on the good. I feel better this way. Happier, excited.

2. I cannot explain how happy I am that it is finally fall! It is my favorite season without question. I started the autumn tag on Instagram this week, I have been seeing more and more Halloween and Thanksgiving decor/cards/costumes/foods, I bought glow in the dark nail polish that I am wearing now until at least Halloween, I have my Halloween costume planned, I am planning on trying new fall recipes, the leaves are changing colors, ABC Family will start playing Halloween movies! I am just really happy. I wish it was fall all year round. Who's with me?

3. On a more serious note (kinda), I have my own channel on Youtube now instead of the collab channel. For me, it wasn't working because we have different ideas and styles of doing things. It is better for me this way. It is in no way meant to be a bash at Cierra because I didn't think it was working out. I was getting kinda frustrated. We're just different, and that is perfectly okay. Our styles don't mesh very well. It's okay. It's just how it is.

I'll be posting my first video on Monday. You can check out my channel, HollySays17, if you would like. I'd appreciate it.

4. Going along with a social media platform theme, I made a Facebook page for my photography business a couple days ago. I'd love for you to go and like my page. It really does help. If you're feeling really generous, you might consider sharing my page with your Facebook friends. I would really appreciate it. Photography is one dream of mine. I love it, and want it to be my career. Your help with that would be incredible.

5. I am so ready for the next phase of my life. Since graduating and breaking up with him, I feel kind of stuck. Like I'm going nowhere. I am ready and waiting (a little impatiently) for what God is planning for me. I wish I knew what was coming next for me. It kind of feels like something is going to happen, like something is brewing as I type. I have absolutely no clue what! I hope it's something good! I will go read Jeremiah 29:11 now... Peace out, Lovelies.

HW<3

Autumn Tag on Instagram!

Hello, Lovelies

In honor of the start of my favorite season tomorrow, I will be doing the Autumn Tag from Tumblr. I have decided to post a fall themed photo and answer to one of the questions below on my Instagram (hollysays17) instead of just answering all the questions at once. I start tomorrow and will be randomly posting from this tag until the winter solstice, December 22. I did have to adapt this tag slightly. Since it was from Tumblr, there were some Tumblr specific questions. I don't have one, so I changed the questions so they were Thanksgiving related. This tag was made by a user in the UK, so Thanksgiving wasn't included previously. It just fits me better this way. All the questions are below. Join in if you please! I'm really excited to get started! I'm using the hashtags #TheAutumnTag and #50DaysofFall.

1: What is your favorite ‘ber’ month (Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec)?
2: What is your favorite autumn leaf?
3: What did you dress as for Halloween last year?
4: What is your favorite fall food?
5: Do you have any holiday traditions?
6: Ever been to a Halloween party? Describe it!
7: What music do you like to listen to during fall?
8: What is your favorite fall outfit?
9: Favorite spooky movie?
10: S’mores or pumpkin pie?
11: Hot chocolate or warm apple cider?
12: Do you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes?
13: What is your favorite day of the year?
14: What would your familiar be, if you had one?
15: What is your favorite part about fall blogging?
16: What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving dinner?
17: What is the best thing about your town during fall?
18: Favorite Christmas song?
19: Tea or coffee?
20: Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas?
21: Cats or bats?
22: Do you enjoy carving jack-o-lanterns?
23: What is your favorite fall color?
24: Favorite fall activity?
25: Favorite snow related activity?
26: Spooky or sweet?
27: Trick or treat?
28: Do you enjoy visiting graveyards?
29: What is your favorite fall memory?
30: What was your best fall ever?
31: Gloves or mittens?
32: Do you enjoy ice skating?
33: If you could spend fall anywhere, where would you choose?
34: What’s your dream Halloween outfit?
35: Favorite autumn quote or song lyrics?
36: Do you enjoy the other seasons?
37: How do you plan to spend this Halloween?
38: In ONE sentence… WHY do you love fall so much?
39: What is your favorite fall makeup look?
40: What is your favorite fall candle scent?
41: Do you enjoy Christmas?
42: What is your favorite store during fall?
43: Do you enjoy cold weather?
44: What is your least favorite thing about fall?
45: What is your favorite/least favorite Halloween candy?
46: What is one thing you’d love to try during fall, but haven’t yet?
47: What do your friends and family think of your fall obsession?
48: Be honest… Are you already planning your fall-themed wedding?
49: Do you have fall/Halloween boards on Pinterest? Link them!
50: Do you enjoy rain or snow?

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. So, I should start off with explaining why I didn't post on Tuesday, right? Here it is: I had the worst weekend that turned into the worst week. Okay, well, not the worst that could ever happen, but in a pretty bad place mentally. Really rough. I was pretty depressed, irritated, just felt really bad and useless. I was tearing myself apart and being really critical. Emotionally, I was all over the place. I couldn't shake the negativity I was feeling. Everything was bothering me, and I couldn't change how I was feeling no matter how much I wanted (and, oh, how I wanted).

But, there is an up side. I am feeling mostly like myself again (better, even) after a week of all of that. It feels so good to not feel like my brain was locked in a tiny white, claustrophobic box without a way out! I know we all have those days. We don't feel good enough or strong enough to handle all of the emotions, everything going on in our lives. Almost daily I have to recite Jeremiah 29:11 just to keep myself going. God has a great plan for me and for you. You'll get through it. Promise. It may not feel like it now, but everything will work out in the end. Something that looks like a burden at the time might actually be a blessing. But, you should still pray about it.

2. When I realized I hadn't wrote anything to publish Tuesday, I kind of freaked out. I kind of had something, but it wasn't going to work out. I didn't want to pretend I was better than I was. Anyways, I went searching for inspiration (or just something to put up) through old blog posts I never published. You would not believe how many blog posts never got published. I have something, like, 28 posts started in my drafts. They range from just titles to practically finished. Oops... I guess there was something stopping me from putting them out for the world to read. Not sure what. I really honestly don't know. Some of said drafts are completely irrelevant now, but some of them have potential to make it up on the blog. Once I finish them, of course.

3. Along with some of my old blog post ideas, I have been thinking of new ideas. First, I have an idea for a series. I'm not sure if anything will come of it. It will be titled: Just A Girl if I decide to pursue the idea. Also, it would take my blog in a bit of a different direction than anything I've done before. It has me really excited. Second, I would really like to do more poetry and personal writing. It would kind of fit in with the new series. The only problem is that I'm not sure where to really start with this. I used to do this all the time with ease. The words would just pour out of me and end up on the paper. Not so much now, although I still write in the notebook dedicated to letters to my (now) ex boyfriend. Don't judge. I'm actually considering posting some of my extremely personal thoughts I have wrote in it. But I'm a little scared. But I think it will also be good for me and help me to connect with my readers on another level. So torn!

4. On a lighter note, it happens to be birthday weekend (Yay for cake!). My family celebrates all the birthdays in one month at the same party. Most of the time anyways. Autumn happens to hold most of the birthdays in my family. Here's the rundown of all the birthdays my family is celebrating this month in order:

-my aunt Betsy, the 14th
-cousin Hannah, the 17th
-Dad, the 21st
-brother Zach, also the 21st
-cousin Andrew, the 24th

Is that it? Umm, let me check Facebook real quick. That's it as far as I know! And for those of you wondering what I decided to give my brother as I mentioned worrying about in a previous five, he's getting five bucks in a card. He's hard to buy for, okay? At least I'm making the card myself.

5. Gosh, I really don't have a five for today. This post is pretty long anyway, so I'll just say goodbye now. Goodbye! See you Lovelies Tuesday.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. First up for this five, lipstick! This past week, I have fallen back in love with wearing lipstick. A classic red, something bright and fun, I love how it looks. I have a nice pinkish red color that is just so great. I can't wait to buy a plum colored lipstick for this fall. I love how it feels, how it looks. It really adds to an outfit. I feel weird without my lips on!

2. Once Cierra has gone to boot camp (no technology), I am going to be recording videos and posting them all on my own. I won't be able to bounce ideas off her, so I made a list of video ideas for myself. The great thing was, I was able to decide all the videos I am going to be recording and which days I am going to upload them. I have the next two months lined up, and I feel great. I love having a schedule planned out. Perfectionist/ anxious personality coming through.

3. Slowly but surely, the leaves are changing color and falling to the ground. The first official day of autumn isn't until the 23rd, but it already feels like fall to me. There are pumpkins and decorations for sale in stores, and everyone seems to be thinking up cool costume ideas. I have even seen a bunch of recipes for creepy Halloween themed food. This is all not to mention the perfect sweater weather Michigan is currently experiencing. Time to get cozy. I love fall, and as I said yesterday while shopping with my dad, "I want to cuddle it and hold it close to my heart." Yes, I really said that. Yes, I know I'm weird. I don't care. Who's with me?

4. The past couple of weeks my family has been eating more junk food. Normally, I don't let anyone buy junk food and therefore my nickname has become the "Food Nazi". Now, after a couple weeks of having sugary, unhealthy snacks and treats, I am really trying to get back to my regular healthy eating self. Yesterday my dad and I went shopping. I loaded the cart up with fresh fruits and vegetables because I am determined to be healthy this fall. I am also trying to get my dad to go on more walks with me. It's a work in progress.

5. Lastly, I couldn't go without mentioning how significant this day is to America. 14 years ago today, events occurred that would change this country forever. Although I personally don't remember much as I was only a four-year-old preschooler, others were impacted much more significantly. Many lives were lost (nearly 3,000) in the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Let us not forget Flight 93 that crashed into a field when brave passengers attempted to get control of the plane by attacking the hijackers.

So many lives were changed. Being the emotional person I am, I get teary eyed just thinking about those who lost their lives or family members and friends of those in the attack. It's time to say thank you to those who risk their lives for this country. I feel blessed to know that they are keeping the country where I live safe.

America was attacked, but came together. Let that be our silver lining. Here's to never forgetting.

HW<3

What I Love | Rain

Hello, Lovelies

I am one of those people who loves the rain. Although sunshine is nice, rain just has me so excited. Anyone else love the sound of rain on the roof? The smell? Rain has a very distinct smell to me. I'm not talking about the wet dog smell. Rain smells so... fresh. It's relaxing and wonderful and everything good.

Let's not forget that rain is necessary for plants to grow. Plants give us food. Food is necessary. Everybody likes to eat, right? Rain is wonderful.

So many people complain about the weather. They hate it when it rains. They hate it when it's sunny and hot. They hate it when it's cold and snowy. They hate it when it's windy. They are never happy with the weather. You'll never hear them say, "I got you sun!" and embrace it or, "Let's go dance in the rain." I guess they never heard that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass.

Whenever it rains, I think of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight when Bella complains about the rain and everything being "too green". I would love it! I want to be there! Call me crazy.

I love a good thunderstorm with booming thunder and rain coming down in heavy sheets. I love watching the rain come down, dancing in the rain, or cuddling up to a good book while it's raining cats and dogs. What's not to love?

For all those people hating the rain, maybe you'll appreciate the sunshine more once it's back. Just saying.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. Devote followers and friends know that my friend, Cierra, and I started a new channel on Youtube titled Trying Two Adult a couple weeks ago. After starting the channel, I looked into buying a Canon Powershot vlogging camera. I just wanted something other than my phone with decent video recording and was pretty light. With a little bit of searching on Ebay, I found one and bought it for a really good price.

This is it!

I was really excited and anticipating its arrival in the mail. Just five short days later (and over a week ahead of the estimated delivery date), I received my new vlogging camera! I can't wait to make some videos for our channel using it.

2. Changing direction a tad bit, I want to chat about my photography for a minute. This past week I finally started pinning my photos on Pinterest. I had read blog posts from other photographers that gave tips about having a business (incidentally found on pinterest), and one tip was to pin your own photos. This way your followers see them and have another platform for your work to be displayed. It took me a while to start. Now that I have, I realize just how smart it is to do this. You can follow me on Pinterest here. I have over 2,000 pins varying from photography to food to color guard. A little bit of everything.

3. I had quite the busy week. It started with following a new schedule and filming a video. Editing photos took over the rest of the week until Thursday. Thursday I visited my great grandma Rose and went to Big Rapids for a little shopping. My father, brother, and I also visited my sister while in Big Rapids. That was a pretty busy day. Today we headed to Grand Rapids to pick up my brother's new suit. It is really snazzy. Zach looks great in it, and I can't wait to take photos! Just thinking about it makes me smile. I will post photographs on my photography blog within two weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

While in GR, my dad, brother, and I went to World Market per my request. We found a few fun treats there. We visited a couple more places before headed home including IHOP where we ate lunch (and I talked with someone I knew from color guard in high school). I vote: a good day.

4. With a busy week comes a busy weekend. Tomorrow is the Trufant Jubilee! The Trufant Jubilee, for those who don't know, is pretty much this little town's special day that happens the first weekend of September every year. There is a special breakfast that is really good and NOT expensive at all, a parade in the afternoon, a flea market, and a ton of little booths to buy from. My dad's favorite booth is run by a sweet Amish lady that sells different flavor pies. He always comes home with a Pecan Pie.

I am also watching my niece for the entire day which is going to be... fun. Tiring. Just all around interesting. She can be really fussy and cry a ton when her mom isn't around. So, I'm prepared for that, but at the same time not so much. I'll be a long day for the both of us for sure.

5. After all of that fun happenings tomorrow, I am painting and rearranging my room on Sunday. Why I chose to do this on such a busy weekend? I don't know. It is something I have been wanting to do because I painted it a couple summers ago, and I absolutely hate the color on three of my walls. So much that I didn't even finish with the color.... It reminds me of two things I do not like with a passion: puke and salmon. I am painting it to match the other wall and ceiling a light green which reminds me of springtime all year round. It'll look SO good when it is all finished. A lot of work, but worth it. Maybe I'll post photos after it's all done.

Thanks for reading this week's five. I'll be back with another post on Tuesday. Have a good long weekend!

HW<3

Little Brother All Grown Up?

Hello, Lovelies

As you can tell by the title, this post is all about my "little" brother. He may be about six inches taller than me, but he will always be little to me.

Anyway, my brother's first day of junior year was yesterday. He's the only one left in high school. That's crazy (not that I want to be back there. No, thank you). I remember when we were little, and he would eat potato chips with ketchup piled high on top. And also when he and our sister put ketchup on Cheez-Its and stuck it in my hair before picture day. Weird that both of the memories I chose to write about involved ketchup. But he loved it as a child so...

The other day, my dad, brother, and I even went shopping to get my brother a suit. That really got me thinking about we are all getting older. Even when I don't feel like I should be, I'm an adult now. Soon, he will be, too. It's time to face the facts.

Zach will be seventeen in 20 short days. I have to figure out what to get him as a present. I don't have any ideas. What do you get your "little" brother when he is turning seventeen? Surely not a toy car. I feel like he normally hates the gifts I give him. I guess I have some thinking to do... But I also have some shopping to do, and I like shopping. I'll be fine as long as I don't end up buying a bunch of things for myself and nothing for him.

Wish me luck!

HW<3