Musical Interlude...

So here's a little song I'm particularly feeling at the moment. So... drum roll pleaseeeee...here's "Fine Line" by Little Big Town. I might start doing this more often. By the way... absolutely love Little Big Town. Saw them in concert. Amazing. Check out some of their other songs liiiike "Good As Gone," "Boondocks," "A Little More You," and "Bring it on Home." I assure you, you will enjoy them.

A wise man once said...

I recently came across a quote by Dali Lama which I absolutely loved. I had planned to use it as a quote of the day but after some investigation, I found an extension of the quote which I must share. I know it may be a little dated but I feel like it speaks such great advice.

Dali Lama's words for the year 2000

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve

great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three R’s: Respect for self, respect for others,

responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful

stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake,

take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think

back, you'll be able enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home

is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones,

deal only with the current situation.

Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love

for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up

in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

I think if everyone lived their lives according to these words, we'd all be happier and little better off. (p.s. the original quote I found and loved was #1)

Some things to always keep in mind...

:) Have a great day!

Quote of the Day

"What I need is someone who will make me do what I can."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

A beautiful beginning...

My dearest Sarah... my best, best friend in the whole world... the one who's been by my side since, oh, I don't know, birth is getting married to her high school sweetheart, Danny next June. Needless to say, I'm elated! And was so excited when they asked me to take engagement pictures of them. Here are a few of the beautiful and effortlessly in love couple!







By the way, did I mention they're high school sweethearts? Yup! They're just 22 and they've been dating for 8 years! Since freshman year of high school. Amazing. Isn't that every girl's dream at some point? To marry they're high school sweetheart... it was mine at least. It's like a fairy tale :) I love them both dearly and I'm soooo happy for them! Can't wait for the big day. (And yes, I'm in the wedding party!!)

Quote of the Day

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."-Audrey Hepburn

Movie Nighttt

So I've gone to the movies a lot lately... well twice in the past couple weeks but that's a lot for me. Anyways... I saw Law Abiding Citizen last night. Another friggin awesome movie! Very intense. A little gruesome. Lots of action. One of those movies you have to pay attention in... like we were trying to figure it out the whole time and we were totally wrong in the end lol but who likes a predictable movie?? Go see it! K? K.

Halloweenie!

How was your Halloween weekend?? Mine was fan-freaking-tastic! I had a little shindig at my house :) Here are some snapshots from the festivities!

My wonderful jack-o-lanterns!

a pirate, bat woman & a biker chick

some of my spooky decorations

some of the boys

Little Red Riding Hood & myself

most of the ladies!

Quote of the Day

"Life is a series of choices; a big combination of moments... little ones that add up to big ones, that create who you are."
-Will Schuster (Glee)

Nostalgic

If I've learned anything in my life so far it is that change is constant and inevitable. Sometimes change is hard, sometimes it's desired. But no matter what, it's part of life and we all must deal with it. And because of change, we have lots of things to look forward to and lots to miss....

Here are some things I am currently missing (both short term & long term...)

1. my tan
2. high school Homecoming week
3. playing softball & field hockey
4. my summer clothes
5. Sara & Danny 0:-)
6. not worrying about money or the future
7. not worrying about what I look like
8. TGIF friday night sitcoms with Sarah
9. ridiculous games we made up and could play for days on end
10. my car (currently in the shop)
11. having rules to break
12. my Pop-Pop's old boat
13. how inseparable my old group of friends were
14. the excitement of waking up to snow on the ground
15. trick or treating

16. when cell phones were just... phones

17. innocence and naivety

photo copyright me! :)

Quote of the Day

"Never compromise yourself. You're all you've got."-Janis Joplin

I Believe in....

Sometimes I feel like everyone gets so caught up in the day-to-day, hustle bustle life... what's next on their to-do list, the next place they have to be, that they forget to slow down and just believe in something... so here's a few things

I believe in... :)

...my Lucy dog's excitement when I come home (& her sad face when I'm leaving)

...the theory that laughter is the best medicine for anything

...holding each other as tightly and as closely as possible

...getting your groove on

...being overdressed

...long kisses

...singing along to your favorite songs (no matter how horrible your singing voice is)

...un-awkward, completely comfortable silences

"...the sand beneath my toes" (sorry, had to! because it's true.)

...YOU! :)

Now Open for Business!

Just opened up a little etsy.com shop for my photography!

I'd love it if ya'll would check me out!

J.Hofmann Photography

*More images coming in the next few days*

You can also go to my Facebook page & become a fan, if ya'd like!

Thanks much! :)

Paranormal Activity

Sooo I saw the movie Paranormal Activity last night. Easily the best horror flick I've ever seen. It get's 2 thumbs up from me. I highly recommend it to all you horror film lovers out there. I personally LOVE TV shows like Ghost Hunters... this movie reminded me a lot of the show. Except it takes the concept to a whole new, terrifying level. You must see it! Be prepared to sleep with a light or the TV on though.... just a friendly warning :)

Quote of the Day

because we could all use a little inspiration every now & then...
"Sometimes the expected simply pales in comparison to the unexpected. You gotta wonder why we cling to our expectations, because the expected is just what keeps us steady; standing still. The unexpected is what changes our lives."-Grey's Anatomy

It's been a while....

So terribly sorry about my absence recently. I've been feverishly searching for a job... with little to no success so far. I'd been feeling a bit down on myself about it and just wasn't in the mood to blog. But, no worries! I'm back, and more confident and determind as ever. Now I just have to get back into my routine. :)

Since my little break from the blog world, one of my best friends in the entire world decided to start a blog of her own. Shannon is a tiny fire ball of energy who has recently decided to jet off to the west coast to follow her dreams. She's always been a Cali girl at heart and I'm so proud of her for taking such a big risk! That said, I'm going to miss her terribly. Hopefully her daily posts on her blog Beach Bum's Diaries will help me still feel connected to her despite the fact that she's hundreds of miles away :) love you shanny!

Check it out, pleasssse!

P.S. Here's a few of my fave pics of Shanny & I! As you can see, we're always laughing...

don't worry, she doesn't wear this shirt by choice. it's her work uniform lol

on her 21st!

A few of my favortie things...

...this week, of course.

1. breakfast for dinner
2. halloween decorations
3. running into old acquantances
4. that rewarding feeling you get after a good work out
5. giving my pup a new toy
6. the sky... the clouds & the sun are so beautiful this time of year
7. fortune cookies
8. socks
9. people watching
10. gushers

photo copyright me! :)

Quote of the Day

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door
you didn't know you left open."-John Barrymore

Where the Wild Things Are

Ok so, I, as a 22-year-old adult, am super excited for this movie to come out. I remember reading Where the Wild Things Are as a kid. That being said, am I the only one who things that this movie is going to be totally terrifying for children?? When I was young, I was scared to death of ET, Edward Scissorhands, etc. I feel like this movie is going to be like that for many kids. I mean, yes, the movie is based off of a child's imagination but I'm not sure an actual child viewing the movie is going to comprehend that. I think all they're going to see are giant furry monsters. Just saying...

Quote of the Day

"After a while, you just want to be with
the one who makes you laugh."-Mr. Big (Sex in the City)