a walking contradiction

Amanda. Austin, TX. I am a southern girl who loves sweltering Texas summers, weekends at the beach, afternoons on the lake, writing poetry, reading, hugs and kisses from my nieces & nephews, being an aunt and Godmother, chocolate, guacamole, a good sandwich, cold beer, strong bourbon, sawdust on a dance floor, a worn pair of jeans and beat up cowboy boots, and the busy streets of New York City. I am passionate, loyal, stubborn, and I like to sing loud in my car with the windows down and the AC blowing.

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/1E3VQQWFQAPJkXfYHjqWoI?si=8yHYs3GlSiyVz0CJv6oAsw)

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/4ASdDOzPPbw7Q5K3uwanSC?si=NZ8AMoidSMqOl_iI_COKrg)

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/4BR0bp4qHX1lcBM2HtnoIm?si=oNqqf57iQdeRXITczZJolg)

[sweetlilgal]

These are my grandparents on their wedding day in 1948. They were both 19 years old and had their entire lives ahead of them. My Grammy would go on to live another 62 years and my Pawpaw would live another 67.

I love this candid photo so much more than the posed shots. My sweet Grammy, Esther, looks so joyful. And my Pawpaw, Emil, looks like a trouble-making (the good kind) 19-year-old. Do you ever wish you could’ve known your grandparents before they became your grandparents? I sure do. 

[sweetlilgal]

Happy Birthday Texas and Happy 4th Birthday to Sully, Earl and Newt. Don’t worry - they have a late night rager planned later. #sully #earl #newt #sullyandearlandsometimesnewt #birthdaycats #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #orangecats #gingercats #greytabby #adoptdontshop (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QPvTLFzjq/?igshid=1dwzrrw0w8iga

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/3a38NnRu9X4iSE8ChWcIKO?si=3_ckLivJSyqCA23THSCTvg)

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/52Bvu2IqOZuq77KRkDcLzS?si=SeQRYYWdTgGKaShxb9cmfg)

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/4VFLVngBwQ7jVNuPanG8gC?si=DaOCzKWLTaC83mbX3QEWrA)

[sweetlilgal]

I’ll eat you up, I love you so. First birthday cake for my great niece, Brooke-Marie.

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/0vOVflloULzsIMelKuuhnk?si=vcUhUiUUSWO58hVPdrumqQ)

Saw this big, bearded, baritoned hunk of a man last night in Austin. Wasn’t sure what to expect and he was incredible. Great stage presence, amazing voice, good crowd banter, but overall just two hours of quality music. 

[sweetlilgal]

(via https://open.spotify.com/track/6uNvRpERbXUapVodQrEgJy?si=0SwlunagQWiA7BZ7x1dWUw)

This song is killing me today. Feel like he’s channeling a little Otis. 

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

When it’s over, leave. Don’t continue watering a dead flower.

Unknown (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

[omgskr]

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art – write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Neil Gaiman

Every year.

(via omgskr)

[newyorker]

Otis Redding's great subject was unguarded desire, and, especially during this time of year, his music, his life, and his untimely death express the yearning to survive a cold season, get through, be warm and fed and fine.

Nicholas Dawidoff, “Getting Through the Holidays with Otis Redding”  (via newyorker)

[hamletthedane]

Things I have learned by joining the local Methodist Church’s coffee & knitting circle (where I am the only person under 60 years old):

How to double knit very, very quickly

Mrs. Jonson on the third pew won’t mind her own business, bless her heart. And she buys her pies pre-made for all the church functions.

Ways that women cheated the system in 1950s Texas to get into college and start careers. Including a memorable “He told me I wouldn’t last a week, but then 6 years later, I had to let him go because his production was way down.” *drinks sip of coffee*

We Might Be Conservative But Gosh Darn That Trump Bless His Heart He Doesn’t Know Anything About God Or Texas

And On That Note, God And Texas Are The Only Good Things Left In The World. Erin Write That Down.

How to rescue a dropped stitch and make it look like it never happened

Public schools and inclusive, desegregated education will single-handedly save the world

Sharing recipes is a sacred bonding and community-building tradition that rivals the greatest political negotiations and land deals in history

“It’s better that you prefer girls honey, the Boyfriend Curse doesn’t apply to your girlfriend and a lovin’ god’ll keep on a-lovin. You better make that girl a sweater.’” 

(Boyfriend Curse = knit a sweater for a boy and he’ll leave you when you finish it)

Mrs. Barbara’s husband cheated in ‘76, resulting in a divorce. She thought it was the end of the world because her youth had already passed, but now she’s an engineer and married to a kind, good man who she met when she went back to college in ‘79.

“The only things you can trust in are God, your good sense, and the wisdom of those older women you grew up admiring. The rest is crap.”

[sweetlilgal]

Guys, I haven't been here in a while but holy shit that World Series was incredible.

[sweetlilgal]

Ascension Press

Fr. Mike answers: Will you ever find "The One"?

Two things here, peeps: 

1. Tell me if this isn’t one of the hottest priests you’ve ever seen in your life? Anyone feeling like a little Thorn Birds action? (if there is still anyone on tumblr 40+, they’ll get that reference)

2. Despite your religious beliefs, the overall message here is pretty powerful. Rang pretty true for me, especially after going through essentially a second break-up with a man who I convinced myself wasn’t “the one” - and now I’m questioning everything and doubting my decisions and UGH. EMOTIONS.