Two nights ago...

I had a dream about Ryan Gosling. It was probably because it was the day after his birthday. So he was a little bit on my mind.

I dreamed I was in a house that was being used to put on a children's play. A little old white farm house with the living room filled with lawn chairs for seats. The lights were just bare light bulbs. The room was a little dim and flickery with bugs being zapped by the lights every now and then ya know. My sister Grace was in this play. I was looking for an empty chair when Ryan waltzed in and sat down. There were only a few empty seats left and they all were around him. So naturally I had to sit by him. I looked apologetically at him like "ehm, sorry It seems like I'm dying to sit by you, its not because you are famous.. it may be because you are so beautiful... but Its not on purpose Ryan Gosling, I'm not one of those girls. And I'm really sorry you always feel like everyone is obsessed with you and you can't even go enjoy a children's play without being noticed." (by the way, no one else in the room cared who he was. and I mean, I didn't either.) So we sit there waiting for like 16 minutes for the play to start. We were chatting it up a little bit. He told me his kid sister was in the play too. So that was cool. We just had a great time at the play. And when it was over I woke up. (I'm sorry to say I didn't really pay attention to what the play was about.)

The Smallest Clark Makes Dinner

The littlest Grace makes the dinner. First time ever. And she's a wee 9 year old. (This wouldn't be happening if the parents were here...but they aren't and I'm letting her.)
I'm pretty sure our dinner is Spaghetti. She made Pasta, Red Sauce, Toasted English Muffins, and her dessert appears to be vanilla ice cream in little dishes with peach slices and red sprinkles.
This is epic. I'll try and get pictures.

Golden Trees, Scarves and Sweaters

The Harvest Gathering is in 7 more days.
I'm so excited about a weekend of music, friends, food, drinks and a good time.
The great weather is great. And cold. And I'm wearing pants, scarves and sweaters every day. And socks. I even slept with my socks on... nope I didn't.
The past days have been full of office work, cleaning, schooling and kittens that I don't like.
The parents both got sick. And are getting better. I'm busy but happy. Butternut Squash for dinner is beautiful.My bible is full of useful knowledge and I'm getting caught up on laundry and work. Its great. And now I'm ending this because Michal has jelly in her hair and Ben is just innocently weeding the garden...

facebook.com/Harvestgathering

I want to Fall

I just want to carve a pumpkin okay? I just want to get lost in a corn maze okay? I am happy about all the apple cider I've been drinking. I'm happy about baking things full of apples and pumpkin and squash and spices. I like teaching the schoolgirl sisters of mine. I like wearing the red sweater and the hiking boots. The ground is kinda muddy and stuff. The air bites my face sometimes. And stings a little. Probably I should wear a scarf. The ground is covered in crunchy leaves. Driving through Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina is such beauty. And then we get to South Carolina and its here too. All the leaves have changed and its great. My days are full of packing up the Summer and readying for the Winter. Cleaning and teaching. Music and work. Its all good. I want this Fall to be such real good Fall.

My last night

Last night we got home from our trip. And something happened.
First of all, on our way home the Lord blessed me with some amazing boots. So I was pretty excited and started wearing them right away. you know, to break them in. And we stopped in Asheville to see Joshua and Kalyn. We were inside a Macdonalds and I couldn't get a word in edgewise so I decided to get in that playplace and get me some attention. (Ileftmyshoeson) So I was happy I could still climb all up in there. Then when I went down the slide it was like pitch black dark and scared me so I learned my lesson about trying to get attention. I will just let others talk the most.
After we left that place we drove home.
We got home and it was late and dark and everyone was jabbering on about how excited Tegan would be to see us. And I'm like um yeah, she will be excited because someone told me if you leave your dog for more than 3 days it thinks youre dead. not mentioning any names... my sister Daniele Clark. So, Ben said we should probably film the reunion incase something exciting happened like oh idk a heart attack or 4 feet jump in the air or something.
So Everyone is clammouring to get out of the van and I'm pulling on my new boots and getting out too. I've got the camera on and everything, following Ben. All the sudden he starts to kinda run, so I like started to run to and I hit the ground hard. I mean I fell hard. And as soon as I hit the ground I knew what had happened. and I started laaauughhhinnggg.. I haven't laughed that hard at myself in a while. When we were in the van I tied my bootlaces together so I could find my shoes easier when it was time to get out... and I forgot I had done that.
So a couple bloody hands and scrapped up elbow and knee and leg and muddy, leaf covered clothings later... Jess learned a lesson. If you want your left side to stay safe. Do not forget you tied your shoelaces together.

too tired to be inspired

Dear People,

This past weekend has been a very full one. Actually this past week, month, season, however far back I choose to go, its all full of everything.
And I just want to be wide awake and have time to write it all down.
And right now, I probably won't even get half of what I want wrote.
So I'm not gonna even attempt.
Just know that in the very near future some stories from the last two weeks of my life are going to grace your newsfeeds and tumblrs and whatnot...I also am posting an album or two of my sister's birthday (kinda afterthefact but its still fun pictures)and our Indiana/Chicago/Kentucky trip. I will start posting video blogs. And hopefully get it all linked to our band web stuff soon. Should be interesting. I'm excited to get it all wrote out and sort my thoughts. And I'm actually enjoying realizing that as I journal and sort through all the craziness in my head the whole internet world can read about it and laugh at/with me.

Love, Jess

Danieles Birthday

I have found my calling in life, it is to supply perfect costume ideas for any and all people based on book characters. ITs the most fun I've had in a long time....

Last night we watched movies all night and ate family size cheetos and doritos. Just a few of us.

So Danieles birthday is this day. And I think its been a great day.
It all started with a huge Pancake brunch. Pancakes, Strawberry Sauce, Eggs, Grits, Bacon, Sausage, Oranges, Cheese Danishes, Banana Bread,Maybe a few other things.

After Brunch Daniele and Trish and I headed to town. We hit up Starbucks then Mall and decided again that our mall is the most small, empty, strange, mall in the country. They opened a few new stores so it has like 8 stores now so thats nice. We went shopping a few other places then went to Sante Fe for lunch. Sadly by the time we got there it wasn't lunch time anymore so I kinda suggested to Daniele and Trish that they just not order anything because I couldn't afford the Dinner prices but still wanted to pay. So we just had chips and dip and I ordered a side order of 3 enchiladas and we all just shared and it was really nice. We talked about Life, and God, and Clothes, and Boys, and Cats...
Then we headed to Walmart to get some cheese. Got a movie from the redbox and then drove home. It was raining all day. So that was nice. And we just drove in the rain with the windows down, singing our little hearts out.

We got home and had some homemade pizza party. With cheerwine and redvelvet cake. It was not a nice combination. But don't tell the family I said that. It was mostly my idea.

OKay interjectoin here!!! All the girls are watching some horse movie and Daniele was standing near the TV and Maggie all the sudden shouts out, "Don't stand by it idiot!" And Daniele gets all red in the face embarrassed and walks off. And Everyone starts laughing and laughing cause Maggie was talking to the TV and not paying any attention to Daniele.

Anyways, Everyone is watching horse movies together. And there is still the whole night I have devoted to doing things like mani-pedi's and massages and whatnot.

I've tried to make this day really special for Daniele. The past couple of years her birthdays haven't been happy. She means more to me than almost anyone in the world. I mean with a few exceptions. ;)
I want her to be happy always. I want to do everything I can to make her smile and laugh. Because she has spent my entire life doing things to make me happy and teaching me and loving me. I know a lot of people who would call her perfect. And I can see their point. She has one of the best hearts. She just cares about people. She always puts the Lords will and her family and friends first. Sure she makes mistakes, but the awesome thing about that is, I learn from all her mistakes. So thats nice for me. Sometimes I pretend I will be as good a person as her someday. Maybe if I keep trying... when I"m like 40 I'll be close. haha. But I honestly don't see it happening. Shes just good. Shes a good one. And I'm so thankful that she is in my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. (Great, I say that after I just say how I"m not a good person. I didn't mean it like that...)

So I'm signing out.
Hoping to post birthday pictures after the weekend...

Jess