denise nestor

Sweet Jesu Christe, I love Denise Nestor's illustrations.
I found her blog randomly, and fell completely in love.  I knew you would, too.
You can thank me later for sharing, if you choose.

Blog

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Ground Inspiration -- Spring 2011

Inspiring things that come from the ground.
Spring 2011

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Drag City

A few weeks ago Jason and I attended a Drag birthday party for our remarkably sweet friend Janelle.  Jason and I aren't really party people (I never have been), but it was a lot of fun!  Honestly, it was just nice to dance with my friends for a change.
My advice to you:

1. Make some time this week to shake your groove thang. 
2. Whoever said being the DD couldn't be fun?  It can be, and your body will thank you later!

Stardust

We're experiencing some late winter rain in Wisconsin today.  Days like today are especially good for listening to jazz crooners sing sad songs.  Not because they should make you sad, but because they should make you feel peaceful and content to be warmed by their voices.

"I get along without you very well" by Chet Baker

"Stardust" by Nat King Cole

Forward!

I feel like my posts have been starting with "Sorry I haven't been around lately.." a bit too much.  I actually am pretty sorry that I haven't been making a huge effort in blogging lately.  When I'm not driving myself crazy with finishing the majority of my wedding planning before June, thinking about moving in April, or writing my dissertation, I'm protesting.

As I'm sure many of you know, and as I've mentioned before, things are pretty real in the mid-west lately, and although many people have moved from sleeping in the capitol after a month to re-call road, I'm still keeping it real with the FORWARD! Marching Band.
I mainly play bass drum, but I'll snare it up on long solidarity march days.  It's alternative activism for sure, and I couldn't be happier to be in a group that uses music to inspire hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites to keep marching on!
And an added bonus; it's become my new favorite form of exercise.  Ha!

Searching for a shoe...

I am searching for a shoe for my wedding.
I am searching for a shoe for my wedding, and I hate shoe shopping.
I am searching for a shoe for my wedding that will say: "I don't always wear sneakers. ;)"
I am searching for a shoe for my wedding that will let me forget that I am usually wearing a cardigan covered in baby boogers and drool.

I am searching for a shoe for my wedding that will help me take my first step into my new life with my new husband.

Elopement Pumps

$340 -- @ BHLDN

Betsey Johnson Women's Iridescence Open-Toe Pump

 

$120 -- @ endless

Salutations & Closings Heels

$128 -- @ Anthropologie

Wisconsin is scary right now.

Sorry I haven't had the chance to write lately, kids.  Madison has been an inspiring and equally scary place lately.

 

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Just in case you haven't been reading/watching the news lately, Wisconsin's Governer, Scott Walker has been effing with the working class Wisconsinite.
He is trying to pass a bill that will take away collective bargaining and mute the voice of Unions in the state.  This is a really personal blow.  Not only will it effect me as a teacher, but it pains me to know that many state employee's might loose their voices.
I don't talk about my dad often for safety reasons, but he was a Corrections Officer for 20 years.  It wasn't rare for him to come home from work with blood on his shirt, or for him to have broken a bone or stitches.  I didn't find this out until recently, but when I was in high school, my father went under a year of tests to make sure he didn't have AIDS after breaking up a fight with an HIV positive inmate.  I guess there was a chance that they had been exposed to direct contact with eachother's bodily fluid.  There aren't many career's that put you at risk for contracting AIDS, but a Correction's Officer's career does.
If Scott Walker thinks a person who risks their life everyday at work does not diverse a voice or every penny they make, then he's got another thing coming to him.  I was always proud of my dad for being a part of a Union.  He was even the treasurer of the local chapter for many years.  It gives me pride to know that he had a say in knowing that his family was taken care of.

Now, I know for sure that Scott Walker is not even qualified to substitute teach in a Wisconsin school, let alone teach a class. (since he never finished college.)
...But I know for sure that he would not have the courage to do the job my father did for 20 years. 

Walker is a weasel!




Wisconsin "Budget Repair Bill" Protest Pt 2 from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.