It's Been a Long, Long Time

I haven't posted in right around nine months.  I have thought about it often, but just haven't been able to get my thoughts together long enough to put them down.

Things have changed around here.  I'm working full-time (over full-time actually) and not getting to stay home and be a good little house wife.  I miss my family.  I miss my friends.  I miss my dogs.  I even miss cooking, cleaning, and getting the laundry done.  This got me thinking... when I was home, I felt like all I did was cook, clean, and laundry.  I wanted a job and to contribute to our family, pay bills, and take some stress of the hubby.  Now, I feel like I can't contribute to home life as much as I would like.  The grass is always greener.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with this blog, but it is uplifting, thought provoking, and definitely worth reading.  When I read this particular post, I was completely blown away.  It hit home, was perfect timing, and just what I was needing.  It seems to me that being thankful is equally about being optimistic and seeing the good instead of dwelling on the bad.  I am thankful for my life.  I am thankful for a wonderful loving family, friends, and dogs.  We have a roof over our head and can pay our bills.  I have a job where I am able to help people every day.  My new goal is to express my thanks more often, whenever and where ever I can.

"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." - Willie Nelson

Where to Start?

I went on vacation with my mom last week.  While we were gone, this happened at home and in surrounding states in the Southeast.

this tornado was a mile wide

the aftermath in Alabama

My husband was at home with our dogs, ready to take cover with them in the bathtub, but our family remained safe and unharmed.  I can't describe the feelings I've had as I have seen the magnitude of what was going on while we were on vacation.  It seems Alabama was hit the worst.  The National Weather Service estimated 266 tornados went through the south in a 24 hour period.  The largest in Alabama is said to have been an F5 as it was a mile wide with winds exceeding 260 mph.  The American Red Cross is doing their best to help the victims of the storm system.  I'm sure donations and volunteers are much needed as the search for survivors continues and so many are left without homes.

The people of Japan are still trying to clean up after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the area in March. It seems the death toll is difficult to calculate as it is still rising and so many were just swept away.

I have also been remembering victims of the flood in Nashville that happened a year ago.

______________________

I spent a wonderful week on vacation with mom at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, FL.  The weather was perfect - 85, sunny, with a slight breeze.  The ocean was the most beautiful shade of blue.  Sometimes it was hard to tell where it stopped and the sky started.  We ate every meal by the water and enjoyed key lime martinis, mojitos, and wine.  I barely moved the entire week.  The point of sharing this is to express how blessed, fortunate, and thankful I am.  It is easy to get wrapped up in your own little world and forget what is going on around you.  Thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering.

Sometimes when you think it couldn't get much worse, it doesn't.  Osama bin Laden IS DEAD.  A huge EVIL has been erased from the world. 

Remembering the victims of 9-11 and their families.  Now... bring our troops home!

The Big 3-0

My sweet husband and wonderful best friend had a surprise party for my 30th birthday.  I spent the afternoon out with my dad, then came home to a house full of friends and family.  It was such a fun birthday.  I am so blessed to have such loving people in my life.

Luckily our friend, Trey, took some pictures.  You know I never do!

the cake

Brian, Mandy, Matt, Wes, and hubby in the back

hubby, you can't pay him to smile in pictures!

my mom

fire pit and chairs, my bday gift from Dustin

sticking at 29!

Now that I have my fire pit, chairs, and tiki torches, I believe I see some more parties at the house in our future!

A few "30" quotes:

"When you turn thirty, a whole new thing happens:  you see yourself acting like your parents." - Blair Sabol

"Time and tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty." - Robert Frost

"Everything I know, I learned after I was thirty." Georges Clemenceau

"At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgement." - Benjamin Franklin

Waaaaay Behind!

"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow." ~ Mark Twain

I believe this has been my blog motto recently.  I figure now is an excellent time for a little catch up.  

First on the list is Valentine's Day.  I used to absolutely despise it, until my husband and I started dating.  He has taken away all of my V-day resentment and replaced it with an affinity towards the holiday.  I even decorated for it this year!

Our V-day banner

My Granny's pie safe

My bestie, Mandy, has asked me to be her matron of honor.  She was my maid of honor as well.  My Mom and I decided to throw Mandy a shower (as her and her mom did for me!).  We ended up choosing the Apple Cake Tea Room for the location.  They have an adorable room upstairs that we got to decorate as we wanted.  Mandy's wedding colors are eggplant purple (bridesmaids' dresses), red, and grey (groomsmen's tux).  I tried to stick with those, but eggplant purple is hard to find!

I got the idea for the address labels from Martha Stewart.  I thought they turned out so cute!  One thing I didn't consider is that they had to be hand processed at the post office.  This didn't cost much extra and in my opinion was totally worth it.  I printed the addresses on scrapbook paper, cut them apart, then used Martha Stewart's lace punch on the end.  Add a little glue and they're done!

the invites

Since we had the shower at a tea room, I thought this theme should carry over to the favors.  I took 2 tea bags and glued them together.  On one side was a "T" for the bride's new last name, and the other said "tea for two."  I ordered hershey kisses that were purple and silver with personalized stickers on the bottom.  I then found some vintage tea cups.  I put all of these things into a box and wrapped them together.

tea bag favors - excuse the stain on my hands
I had several projects going at once.

There were several other things that I forgot to photograph.  One of them is a sash I had embroidered for Mandy's chair which read "Future Mrs. Thornton."  Why do I always forget to take pictures?  Anyway, here are the photographs I did take.

the wrapped favors

The sign I made.  I painted wood letters and glued them to scrapbook paper for the banner.
You can sort of see the sash on the bride's chair.

One of the games we played was "Guess the Bride's Age."  Mandy's family came
through with some wonderful pictures and some embarrassing ones.

cake and cupcakes from Magpies

everyone playing games

I think the shower was a success and my goal of seeing a happy, spoiled bride was reached.

♥

Walk to End Alzheimer's

I am excited about participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's with my mom and aunt this year!  If anyone would like to donate, here is the link to my donation page.  Thank you so much!

Thank You For Being A Friend!

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."  - C.S. Lewis


Here's a few of the most precious ones in my life.  I am so thankful for them!

My MOH - Mandy

Jamie & I at her wedding

with Erin & Sara Buff

April & I

Jossline & I