The worst anniversary.

Dear 2011 Liz:

It's 2013. You lived through what was the worst, and scariest, part of your life thus far. When you found out, you didn't think you would live through it, but I'll be the first person to tell you that you did, and, if I can say so, with flying colors.

You never thought you would hear the big "C" word at 25. That just doesn't happen to people. Especially not people that young. I still felt invincible. And if it does, they don't live long enough to tell about it. Sure, you smoked, but you sure as hell didn't think it would cause something like this (and it didn't, just wanted to throw that out there).

Cancer was scary. It always is. But it's gone. And now that its been two years, you don't have to go to the dermatologist every three months anymore! It's twice a year from here on out. You lived. You did everything you could to make your life better.

One thing I will say, though, is you will never forget. Won't forget the fear. Won't forget how thankful you should be for every day you're given. Won't ever forget how lucky you were to get the prognosis that you got. How lucky you were to be taken care of. Won't ever take a day for granted.

On the worst anniversary of your life thus far, please, just don't ever forget. It made you a better person, you just had to go through hell and back to figure that out.

the most meaningful of my tattoos.
the tattoo that changed my life forever.

7 Deadly Sins Link-Up

I found this great link-up over at Whispering Sweet Nothings, and since I wanted to get ramped up for the season, decided to do it myself! Copy and paste from the link below and link up to participate!

All you need to do is copy & paste this list, link-up, and have fun finding out others' guilty pleasures.  

seven great things in your life.

1. My family, who supports and loves me no matter what I do.

2. A job that I love, with the most perfect coworkers imaginable.

3. My cat kids, Vegas and Reno.

4. My handmade business, Blackheart Knits & Crafts.

5. Getting more comfortable in my own skin.

6. My friends, who have all become like family.

7.  Waking up every day thankful.

seven things you lack and covet.

1. Time to be as creative as I'd like.

2. The ability to cook.

3. A guy who, instead of being intimidated by me, digs my independence.

4. A better group of (more) friends.

5. The ability to not care what anyone else thinks.

6. The ability to save money.
7. The time to have more fun.

seven things that make you angry.

1. Stupidity in all of its forms.

2. Inattentive drivers.

3. Texting while with another person or a group.

4. Animal cruelty.

5.  People who don't read.

6. Politicians who are ruining our country.

7.  Violence in all its forms.

seven things that you neglect to do.

1. Eat breakfast most days.

2. Exercise every day.

3. Wear makeup more than once a week.

4. Clean more than once a week.

5.  Save money.

6. Read as much as possible.

7. Quit smoking.

seven worldly material desires.

1. An iPad.

2.  A vacation to anywhere far away.

3.  A house of my own.

4-7 are irrelevant, I don't want for much.

seven guilty pleasures.

1. Gator Boys.

2. Katy Perry's (or any other ridiculous) music.

3. Caffeine.

4. Long drives, gas prices be damned.

5. Swearing.

6. Romantic movies.

7. Taco Bell.

seven things you love about love.

1. Learning more about each other.

2. Hand holding.

3. Laughter.

   4. Becoming best friends.

5. Paying attention to the sparks as they fly.

6. The feeling in the pit of my stomach.

7. Letting go.

Recap: Chuck Palahniuk's "Adult Bedtime Stories" Tour

Back on the 12th, I went to an event I had been looking forward to for some time, something I had purchased a ticket to immediately after hearing about it! What was it, you ask? Chuck Palahniuk's "Doomed" Tour, or the "Adult Bedtime Stories" tour, also featuring Monica Drake and Chelsea Cain.

I haven't ever been to a book reading before. Signings, sure, but never a reading being done by the author themselves. And since I have the Internet, I've heard that Chuck's readings are can't miss, and he definitely didn't disappoint.

When everyone walked in, they received a beach ball and two glow sticks.

We'd received an e-mail ahead of time with some reminders: namely to wear pajamas, and to bring a Sharpie. I didn't let my mind wander too much, but figured I would find out when I got there, and once I got the beach ball, I put two and two together.

Chelsea Cain took the stage first, and told everyone they had to use the requested Sharpie to write a few words on their balls (literally): an adjective, a noun, a place, a body part, and a number.

A few minutes later, Chuck took the stage. The rest of the night was filled with stories being read by each author (I hadn't ever heard of either of the others, sorry to admit, but it made me want to check out their work for sure). We played some games, listened to some great stories, and almost burned down the University of Milwaukee after a beach ball got stuck in a light fixture. And the words? They were to play an awesome version of Mad Libs at the end of the show.

Without giving too much more away, I will leave that as my explanation, and just say this: if you have the opportunity to see Chuck Palahniuk live, do it. It will truly be an unforgettable experience. Here's some other photos from the night, and if you haven't already, check out Doomed.

             

                   

How-To Tuesday: Instagram Photo Display

Why hello there! Fancy meeting you here! I have been getting back into the craft season, and haven't had any time to dream up new How Tos, but I thought a simple one featuring something I did in my own home would be great as well. And the best part? It's pretty cheap, and easy, too!

All you need are:

• Printed Instagram photos
• Nails
• Yarn
• Miniature clothespins

Prior to a few months ago, you had to use online services to print your Instagram photos. Now, you can upload and edit photos on your phone using a couple of options: the Walgreens app (which I couldn't get to work myself), or the Printicular app. After trying to use the Walgreens app over and over, I used the Printicular app and in one shot, had my photos uploaded and ready to pick up in an hour. And they aren't super expensive, either, at about $0.39 per print. And they look great!

The rest of the supplies you should just have around the house (besides the clothespins, which I picked up at Jo-Anns for relatively cheap). Now, for the steps!

1. Decide where you want to place your photos, and pound your first nail in the wall. Use a level to place the second as far away as you want it, but don't pound it in all the way.
2. Tie a knot in your yarn around the first nail, and extend it to the other nail and knot the other end, as well. 
3. Pound in your nails the rest of the way.
4. With your photos and your clothespins, pin as many of your photos on the yarn as you want.
5. Repeat if you want to do a second side!

See, I told you it was easy! Let me know if you try it out and what happens - I would love to see!

October Giveaway: Comet Vomit Cosmetics and Blackheart Knits & Crafts

I've never made it a secret that my best friend Tiffany makes some rad nail polish. Her polish, Comet Vomit is something I have discussed a couple of times on my blog here. In the past few months, she has expanded her line to include handmade lip balms, eyeshadows, and even jewelry! To show how rad her things are, I asked her if she wanted to throw together a little somethin-somethin for my readers! And did she ever!

Tiffany sent me two of her mini polishes, one each in Galactose Intolerance and Babble Fish Food, a mini eyeshadow quad, lip balm in Sweet Mint, and adjustable ring and necklace! I'm also throwing in a coupon code to my own Etsy shop! You can get entries by doing the following:

• Like Comet Vomit on Facebook
• Like Blackheart Knits & Crafts on Facebook
• Like An Epic Liz on Facebook
• Follow Comet Vomit on Tumblr
• Favorite Comet Vomit on Etsy
• Favorite Blackheart Knits & Crafts on Etsy
• Tweet about the giveaway (this can be done daily)

All of this will go to one lucky winner on October 8th, and the winner will be notified by both an e-mail and a post here on An Epic Liz!

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