Wedding fever....

"Matron of Honor" is a hefty title.  This means that you do things like plan insane bridal showers and choose wedding music for someone else's wedding (you know who you are...).  These things are done with love and the best intentions, and I hope that Diva H enjoys the process of planning her wedding, with just 5 weeks to go!

To you, my sister...Diva H, I am proud to belong to you, and happy to fulfill my hefty title.  Hopefully it will overflow and not be half empty!  *giggles*

To you, my bloggy readers, here are some pictures of my first fulfilled duty: the bridal shower, shabby chic style.  Enjoy!

Diva H -she looked so beautiful!

Cupcakes -strawberry, almond, and lemon!

home made place holders from the proud momma!

centerpieces made by yours truly!  Let me just tell you -I was excavating cedar splinters for a week....

drink dresser that was lovingly carried down two flights of stairs.  no biggie -it was only like...150 years old.

{Missing from the above photos is the proud momma.  Her picture wasn't cooperating so I'll have to get one up later...sorry, momma!}

So -here's to the beautiful sister who is on her way to marrying the Mr!  (*giggles*  I crack myself up!) Love you tons and hope that I can be the best MtOH you'd ever hoped for!

First Day of School....

Today was the first day of school...for my last semester as a student for a few years.  I've been here before -knowing that I'm ready to embark on my new life, my new chosen career.  What is surprising for me, however, is the feeling of finality I'm experiencing along with this first day.

Looking towards the future reminds me of where I've been.  Looking back through my posts is an education in and of itself and I just can't believe how much I've evolved.  I'm not a particular fan of Darwin, but he sure got it right -we change when we need to.  In just a year, I've changed in so many wonderful ways.  I'll share my immediate list, and I hope that some of these remind you of some of the good things that you are too!  :D  Because as part of my blog, I hope that my posts bring you a sense of peace too!!!

I have become:
patient
a listener
a better fighter (not like...ring fighting or mud wrestling...just...less drawer slamming and "loud discussions" if you know what I mean....)
a better partner for The M
a better musician
a stronger thinker
settled
more calm
regularly happy (as is true to my real self!)
peaceful

I started this blog to help in my process of growing, documenting the journey of my young adult life.  I realize that it hasn't always been pleasant, but it's real, and that's all I can promise (and sometimes funny -I hope!).  Today marked a milestone for me -the first day of the end of the beginning.


I'm looking forward to a year of more blogging.....  We'll see.

Love to you all!

Counting My Blessings

It has been months since my last post.  I'd like to say that I've been too busy.  But that's only half of the truth.  I've been busy coping with life; that thing that always seems to pop up when I'm completely unprepared for it.  But tonight, as I'm laying in the my old bed, at my parents home nestled in the beautiful mountains of Virginia, I find myself freed of that frenzied feeling life brings on.  Perhaps it is the mountain air; or maybe it's not having to worry about the dog, cat, and my other favorite pet -the husband (*wink wink*).  Yes -the lawn probably needs mowing, the Mr. most definitely needs a hair cut, and there's probably something smelly in our refrigerator, but you know...it's quiet here and so am I. All of that quiet leaves my brain with lots of extra room to think.  A VERY dangerous process.

I was looking through the 16th birthday present my grandmother gave me.  It was a very professional looking scrap book and I remember the first time looking through it, I was afraid to touch the pictures.  Since then, some of the people in the pictures have passed on, and every time I come home I find myself drawn to tracing the lines of their faces and telling them how much they were loved.  I'm not sure how, but one of my 18th birthday cards from the BEST great-grandmother anyone could ever hope for slipped out of the back, right into my hand.  I laughed thinking, "I was just thinking about you today, Grammy!"  I was saying goodbye to the Mr. when she just popped into my head -she was laughing, of course, and I remember smiling and telling him that we'd call when we reached VA.

I've been so busy managing life that I'd forgotten completely about that silly birthday card.  And so -what else have I been neglecting?  As I'm laying here, I'm counting my blessings.  All of the wonderful things I have in my life, starting with my family, my freedom, and my faith.  My big dreams, and the little ones too.  Walking hand in hand with the Mr. being a good partner and helping HIS dreams come true too.  That I can truly say that I love my job, and my hobbies too (because who DOESN'T LOVE a Kindle??).  That we are finally settling into a "swing" in Bloom, and we are healthy and safe.

My blessings are big and plentiful, and I'm hoping that I can remember this when my troubles seem many, and my shoulders are heavy.  Maybe next time it won't take a birthday card to help me remember.

Keep on keepin' on.