Hello All-
Hope this finds everyone doing well. Just a little recap over the last few months.
Thanksgiving was a blast this year. Several friends, my mom and my niece got together for "Misfits Thanksgiving". Our friends deep fried a turkey and oh my gosh.. its the best thing ever! I truly have some amazing people in my life. As far as shopping I was excited with my Black Friday purchase of some new hiking boots and my most favorite, a North Face Jacket. I guess this means we will be hitting the lake soon.
Life in general has been going pretty smooth. We have been taking in some fishing as we have time and I'm learning to enjoy the simple things in life again. I have realized the older I get that life is going by way too fast. I don't want to be that 80 yr old lady that has regrets that she didn't do more with herself. I'm on a mission to make good things happen in 2011 for those around me. I've thought about doing some volunteer work. Something to show that I don't take for granted what a great life I have.
I'm hoping we will put our tree up this weekend. Last year was too raw with losing my dad and my grandmother and to be quite honest I was not in the mood to be cheerful. This year feels different in that I know no matter how many days, months or years pass they will always be present. Not to say that the holidays won't be hard but just knowing that it's ok for me to be happy is a good feeling.
My BFF is pregnant with a little boy and I'm so happy for her! I can't wait to meet the little guy and let him know how amazing his mama is!
Hope the holidays find you all well, peaceful and overall joyful.
In the words of one of my favorite artists-
"Just do your thing if it makes you feel better. Go on and sing if it makes you feel better"
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 2010
Like I wrote in my first blog, this has become a form of therapy for me and I just wish that life wasn't so crazy so I could write more often.
Do you ever hear a song that just makes you stop and think that the person singing must have written it specifically for you? I heard a song the other day by Miranda Lambert that really hit home. It was called House that Built Me. Basically its a song about a daughter going back home after being gone and trying to capture the memories of what she had as a child.
It was amazing how close to home this song was to me. My grandmother's home was truly the house that built me and helped me become the person I am today.
One of my favorite and more inspirational songs is from Edwin McCain -Just Do Your Thing
I heard this song for the first time when Chris and I were planning our wedding. Turns out this guy is a local songwriter and I was instantly hooked- Until You by Dave Barnes.
Do you ever hear a song that just makes you stop and think that the person singing must have written it specifically for you? I heard a song the other day by Miranda Lambert that really hit home. It was called House that Built Me. Basically its a song about a daughter going back home after being gone and trying to capture the memories of what she had as a child.
"I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, the brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here its like I'm someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. If I could just come in I'll swear I'll leave. Won't take nothing but a memory from the house that built me."
It was amazing how close to home this song was to me. My grandmother's home was truly the house that built me and helped me become the person I am today.
One of my favorite and more inspirational songs is from Edwin McCain -Just Do Your Thing
You're running that race a little bit faster now towards your finish line. It's such a disgrace You missed all the beautiful you can't buy back the time. So stop and love and dance and live And laugh until you cry. Don't wake up to realize that your time has passed you by. Just do your thing If it makes you feel better Go on and sing If it makes you feel better"
As I get older this song has taken on a new meaning and has more recently become more of a motto for me. Trying to realize that life is quickly going by and I want to make sure that I am living my life with no regrets.
I heard this song for the first time when Chris and I were planning our wedding. Turns out this guy is a local songwriter and I was instantly hooked- Until You by Dave Barnes.
I need you now and forever So stay right here with me Don't ever leave Love was kept from me like a secret And I swore that I was through Until you, until you
The last 9 years have been full of ups and downs but I have been fortunate to have Chris with me every step of the way. Babe, this song is for you. xoxo
The last 9 years have been full of ups and downs but I have been fortunate to have Chris with me every step of the way. Babe, this song is for you. xoxo
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Summer Time
Well it has been a while since I've posted. Seems that life and work have managed to sneak up and take its toll on any free time that I have.
I'm so glad that it is finally summer time. I love the warm weather and all the activities that take place during this time of year. I think if I had the time I would grill out every day! I love turning on some good music and having the grill fired up with a cold drink in hand.
This was one of the better weekend that I have had in quite a while. Chris and I spent it with our good friends and enjoyed some great food and good drinks. Knoxville has managed to have some pretty good spots to eat and drink. We tried some new pizza Hard Knox Pizza and it was very tasty. We also went to a new place called the Bearden Beer Market. They have a decent selection of beers to buy along with a few that they have on tap. It's cool to see a local place take off and seemingly only by word of mouth.
Chris' mom and dad will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next month so we are trying to think of something fun for them. Right now we are looking at going to the Temptations Review in Pigeon Forge. I went there last year and it was so much fun. I love that era of music and it was well worth the money. I hope that in 50 years someone will be planning our anniversary party- perhaps we will go to a Lady GaGa review!
We are still continuing on our Financial Peace journey. I won't lie. It's hard to say no when all our friends are going out and traveling but we know that in a short little while we will be in a great place.
We are hopefully on the home stretch of closing dad's probate. I have a court date in July to be able to sell dads house/office. We have some potential buyers so I hope everything works out that they can be sold. I would love to have this wrapped up by the end of the year.
I'm so glad that it is finally summer time. I love the warm weather and all the activities that take place during this time of year. I think if I had the time I would grill out every day! I love turning on some good music and having the grill fired up with a cold drink in hand.
This was one of the better weekend that I have had in quite a while. Chris and I spent it with our good friends and enjoyed some great food and good drinks. Knoxville has managed to have some pretty good spots to eat and drink. We tried some new pizza Hard Knox Pizza and it was very tasty. We also went to a new place called the Bearden Beer Market. They have a decent selection of beers to buy along with a few that they have on tap. It's cool to see a local place take off and seemingly only by word of mouth.
Chris' mom and dad will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next month so we are trying to think of something fun for them. Right now we are looking at going to the Temptations Review in Pigeon Forge. I went there last year and it was so much fun. I love that era of music and it was well worth the money. I hope that in 50 years someone will be planning our anniversary party- perhaps we will go to a Lady GaGa review!
We are still continuing on our Financial Peace journey. I won't lie. It's hard to say no when all our friends are going out and traveling but we know that in a short little while we will be in a great place.
We are hopefully on the home stretch of closing dad's probate. I have a court date in July to be able to sell dads house/office. We have some potential buyers so I hope everything works out that they can be sold. I would love to have this wrapped up by the end of the year.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas 2009
Even though Christmas is supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year", I admit that I have been dreading this day for some time now. I have so many emotions that are just too hard to put into words, but I wanted to take a minute to jot down how I am feeling at this exact time and place.
Right now, I feel content in the silence of the night, in our quaint cabin in NC, with our pre-lit Christmas tree that the owners of this cabin put up for us, reading our books and listening to the occasional snore from Abby. At this minute everything in my life is good.
But, if I let mind wander, I can't help but a get a little teary-eyed when I think of all the happy times in my childhood that my parents created for me and my brother and knowing that those days are all just a distant memory relived through photos and video. These were the days before the chaos of life happened.
Like many children, waking up on Christmas Day was the day that we would look forward to for many months prior. My brother and I would of course wake up many hours before we typically would on a day out of school, and usually found ourselves anxiously awaiting for our parents to get that first cup of coffee in hand. My dad had this tradition, and I'm not sure how it got started, but he had a huge chalkboard with a message that read something like- "Merry Christmas to Micah and Mishael" with the year at the bottom. Every year my dad would make me and my brother sit in front of that board and smile (or at least fake it) for a picture. It became a ritual for many, many years. When Aleea (niece) came along, her name was added to the board. In fact, that chalkboard from our last real Christmas is tucked away in a room at my dad's. I can't bring myself to erase it or throw the board away. It's the last year that we would enjoy a real Christmas w/ my dad.
I always hate that my blogs end up being a depressing post about the loss of my father, but at this exact time in my life this is all I have to think about. I pray that as this next year comes and goes, so will the pain and sadness that I feel.
I am so thankful for such an amazing husband who doesn't get frustrated when I slip out a few tears here and there. I am thankful for such a wonderful mother who has been a constant support system this year. I am thankful for such wonderful friends that are always close by.
I know a lot of my friends and family have experienced a hard 2009 and I believe we will all make it somehow. I pray that all of you find peace, direction and happiness in 2010. I pray that we will always remain close to each other and will always be a source of fun and laughter.
Love to all my friends on this journey....
Right now, I feel content in the silence of the night, in our quaint cabin in NC, with our pre-lit Christmas tree that the owners of this cabin put up for us, reading our books and listening to the occasional snore from Abby. At this minute everything in my life is good.
But, if I let mind wander, I can't help but a get a little teary-eyed when I think of all the happy times in my childhood that my parents created for me and my brother and knowing that those days are all just a distant memory relived through photos and video. These were the days before the chaos of life happened.
Like many children, waking up on Christmas Day was the day that we would look forward to for many months prior. My brother and I would of course wake up many hours before we typically would on a day out of school, and usually found ourselves anxiously awaiting for our parents to get that first cup of coffee in hand. My dad had this tradition, and I'm not sure how it got started, but he had a huge chalkboard with a message that read something like- "Merry Christmas to Micah and Mishael" with the year at the bottom. Every year my dad would make me and my brother sit in front of that board and smile (or at least fake it) for a picture. It became a ritual for many, many years. When Aleea (niece) came along, her name was added to the board. In fact, that chalkboard from our last real Christmas is tucked away in a room at my dad's. I can't bring myself to erase it or throw the board away. It's the last year that we would enjoy a real Christmas w/ my dad.
I always hate that my blogs end up being a depressing post about the loss of my father, but at this exact time in my life this is all I have to think about. I pray that as this next year comes and goes, so will the pain and sadness that I feel.
I am so thankful for such an amazing husband who doesn't get frustrated when I slip out a few tears here and there. I am thankful for such a wonderful mother who has been a constant support system this year. I am thankful for such wonderful friends that are always close by.
I know a lot of my friends and family have experienced a hard 2009 and I believe we will all make it somehow. I pray that all of you find peace, direction and happiness in 2010. I pray that we will always remain close to each other and will always be a source of fun and laughter.
Love to all my friends on this journey....
Saturday, December 12, 2009
November/December 2009
A lot has happened in the last couple of months and I have not had the mental ability to keep up with my blog. In October, I lost my grandmother who in a lot of ways was a second mom to me. She was always the person in my life that I knew I could visit and ask for guidance and I was never judged. She was 89 years old and was longing to be with her late husband and her son. As much as it hurts to deal with the loss, I am at complete peace that she knew how much I loved her and I know beyond a shadow of doubt that she loved me.
Thanksgiving was hard without my dad and mamaw, but Chris and I decided to have T-Giving at our house instead of spending it at my Aunt's (dad's sister). So while our condo is not big, we were able to squeeze 11 people into our dining room and it was a wonderful day spent with my mother, my in-laws, niece and special friends. I have been thinking that this time last year was the exact time that my dad was in and out of the hospital and we really didn't celebrate the holidays. In fact last year, the holidays were and still are a blur to me. So I was able to remember my dad and grandmother but also realized that I needed to relish in the fact that I had such amazing people sharing this day with me.
For Christmas, Chris and I have decided to go out of town. We have rented a cabin in NC and are packing up our dog and ourselves for a mini get away. No calls about probate, no calls from my attorney, just Chris, me and Abby. We have been married for a little over 2 years and we have gone through more in these 2 years then what most couples experience in a lifetime. I could not have made it this year without him.
On a brighter note, Chris and I will be planning a cruise with my mother, her sister and a couple of cousins to somewhere yet to be determined. I have never been on a cruise but am really looking forward to it.
Work is going well for both of us. It's hard to believe that next month will be one year that we and so many people lost our jobs with Goody's. But our new careers are going well and we are blessed to have a good company to work for.
We are one class away from finishing our Financial Peace University. Over the last 13 weeks we have had a dramatic lifestyle change in the way we spend and think about our money. We have learned to make and stick to a budget- even though it's not always been easy. We have learned to communicate and have had our share of "discussions" about our money but it is a relief to know that we are on the same page. I would highly, highly recommend anyone reading this blog to look into it.
In closing, I was cleaning out some papers today that were at my dad's and ran across something I had drawn in 1987- I was 9 years old and thought it was pretty profound. It says:
"I am young, but I won't let anyone treat me as if I'm not important.
I will be an example to show believers how they should live.
I will show them with my words, with the way I live, with my love, with my faith
and with my life. "
This might be my new motto for 2010. "I won't let anyone treat me as if I'm not important".
Thanksgiving was hard without my dad and mamaw, but Chris and I decided to have T-Giving at our house instead of spending it at my Aunt's (dad's sister). So while our condo is not big, we were able to squeeze 11 people into our dining room and it was a wonderful day spent with my mother, my in-laws, niece and special friends. I have been thinking that this time last year was the exact time that my dad was in and out of the hospital and we really didn't celebrate the holidays. In fact last year, the holidays were and still are a blur to me. So I was able to remember my dad and grandmother but also realized that I needed to relish in the fact that I had such amazing people sharing this day with me.
For Christmas, Chris and I have decided to go out of town. We have rented a cabin in NC and are packing up our dog and ourselves for a mini get away. No calls about probate, no calls from my attorney, just Chris, me and Abby. We have been married for a little over 2 years and we have gone through more in these 2 years then what most couples experience in a lifetime. I could not have made it this year without him.
On a brighter note, Chris and I will be planning a cruise with my mother, her sister and a couple of cousins to somewhere yet to be determined. I have never been on a cruise but am really looking forward to it.
Work is going well for both of us. It's hard to believe that next month will be one year that we and so many people lost our jobs with Goody's. But our new careers are going well and we are blessed to have a good company to work for.
We are one class away from finishing our Financial Peace University. Over the last 13 weeks we have had a dramatic lifestyle change in the way we spend and think about our money. We have learned to make and stick to a budget- even though it's not always been easy. We have learned to communicate and have had our share of "discussions" about our money but it is a relief to know that we are on the same page. I would highly, highly recommend anyone reading this blog to look into it.
In closing, I was cleaning out some papers today that were at my dad's and ran across something I had drawn in 1987- I was 9 years old and thought it was pretty profound. It says:
"I am young, but I won't let anyone treat me as if I'm not important.
I will be an example to show believers how they should live.
I will show them with my words, with the way I live, with my love, with my faith
and with my life. "
This might be my new motto for 2010. "I won't let anyone treat me as if I'm not important".
Monday, October 19, 2009
When do I let go?
As I am writing this I am sitting in the Hospice Center watching my mamaw lie in her bed. This was the same place that my dad passed away. How ironic that mother and son would die in the same facility. I didn't think I would be back here after my dad passed, but I was wrong.
It was torture to come in here. Not only because of the memories of losing my dad here but because you know once you enter these doors that death is awaiting. My grandmother has lived a long 89 years and I know that she will be in a better place. I would like to believe that she will be reunited with my brother, by dad and my papaw. She has longed for my papaw for 30 something years now. She will finally be with him once again.
I have nothing but great memories of my grandmother. As a kid I would stay with her most every Friday night. I always looked forward to anything she cooked. I wish I would have paid more attention to how she made her steak and gravy! We would always eat dinner and then we would sit on her back porch for what seemed like hours not really saying much. But I was happy being with my grandmother. We would talk about how her and my papaw met and how she knew that he was the one.
I will always hold a very special place in my heart for my mamaw because she helped to make me who I am today. She was the glue that will always hold our family together.
.
It was torture to come in here. Not only because of the memories of losing my dad here but because you know once you enter these doors that death is awaiting. My grandmother has lived a long 89 years and I know that she will be in a better place. I would like to believe that she will be reunited with my brother, by dad and my papaw. She has longed for my papaw for 30 something years now. She will finally be with him once again.
I have nothing but great memories of my grandmother. As a kid I would stay with her most every Friday night. I always looked forward to anything she cooked. I wish I would have paid more attention to how she made her steak and gravy! We would always eat dinner and then we would sit on her back porch for what seemed like hours not really saying much. But I was happy being with my grandmother. We would talk about how her and my papaw met and how she knew that he was the one.
I will always hold a very special place in my heart for my mamaw because she helped to make me who I am today. She was the glue that will always hold our family together.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)