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

A Merry Christmas & Happy 2011

We actually got a little bit of a white Christmas this year!  It was just enough snow to look beautiful, but not so much that it kept our family from being able to celebrate with us. 

My entire side of the family (Mom, Dad, Aunt Linda, Uncle Ray, and Mamaw) and Dustin's mom and stepdad shared in the holidays with us this year.  We were even blessed with a visit from my cousin, Jason, who lives in California.  This made the grand total of guests ten.  We have a small family... small, but close.  Somehow we managed not to take a single picture, so I am throwing in this "after" shot.  Hubby was exhausted!

We welcomed the New Year at Headroom with some good friends, good music, and a good cab ride home.  I hope everyone had a fun, safe New Year's and wish you all happiness in the year to come!

The Conquering of the Everglades

Mom asked me to go on a trip with her in early November to the lovely Florida Keys.  We flew into Fort Lauderdale, drove into Key West, and then slowly made our way back up.  If you know me at all, you know I live for putting together an itinerary and am well-known for my enforcement of the timeline I make up.  You can imagine my excitement when Mom asked me to take the reigns.

Lots of sightseeing and shopping were done between Key West and Fort Lauderdale.  Every meal was eaten outside overlooking the beach and not a single one was in a chain or fast food restaurant.  We enjoyed the beach at Islamorada and drove across the famous Seven Mile Bridge.  We even walked two miles of the old bridge down to Pigeon Key, which is where the workers lived while building the bridge.

I thought an amazing excursion idea would be a few tours of the Everglades.  First, Mom and I did the airboat tour at Gator Park.  The next day was our kayak tour through the mangroves as well as a swamp walk tour.  The mangrove tunnels were so interesting.  I was amazed at how many types of birds we saw while we were there and, of course, we saw plenty of alligators while paddling.  Mom enjoyed kayaking although she seemed to have only two speeds, passing me and going 95 mph or at a dead stop crashed into the mangroves.  Oh how I wish I had video of that to post.

Following our guide

She is ready to paddle... super fast.

That afternoon was the swamp walk.  When they asked us if we wanted the wet or dry tour, we said we wanted the wet tour.  We didn't care to get muddy at all.  What we didn't realize was the the wet tour was actually wet.  Our guide started out the tour by telling us not to panic if we see a water moccassin or alligator in the water.  Ok sure.  I wish I could better describe the look on Mom's face for the first 45 minutes of the tour, but only one word comes to mind - terror.  She was scared to death and I heard several curse words being muttered behind me.  Our guide (a former marine) was fabulous.  We actually did feel safe with him, we're just not used to walking in waist deep water in swamps.  

Mom and I with our guide, Jason.  You can see how deep the
water got in places by where my jeans are wet.

This was a more shallow part of the walk. 

I will have to say that after it was all said and done, even Mom said she would do it again.  It was fun and I felt like we could conquer anything after we got out.  If you are interested, the tour company is called Everglades Area Tours.  They have many different types of tours and I wish we could have done them all.  I love that they concentrate more on the conservation of the Everglades and leaving no footprint as opposed to some of the other tours companies that we considered.  I highly recommend them.

One more thing, did I mention I fell?  Typical Brittany style and grace, I fell in the swamp.  Oh well, at least I got in, right?  Now, for the next adventure... any ideas?

OoooOOOoo... Halloween!

We love, love, love Halloween around here and, because of this, our house is looking pretty spooky...

The "blood" was added by melting a red candle
 and letting it drip over the white ones.  Cheap and easy!

My one Halloween concern is that we will have no candy for the neighborhood kids.  You see, my husband has a problem.  He's a chocoholic.  I admit that I will eat a piece from time to time, but I'm more of a bubble gum girl.  Here's hoping I can keep my husband out of the candy cauldron - at least for one day.

Console/Entertainment Center Thing

On my last post, I showed an old dresser that I found on craiglist.  I finished fixing it up and am so excited to finally put it on here.

Without the TV on top, it frees up space for Halloween decorations!

The side doesn't look like it's falling apart anymore.
I sanded it, of course, letting some of the wood show through.

Didn't realize the dogs' balls were underneath it.
Oh well, that's how it looks every day.

I am so happy to see fall here.  I love the cool weather.  It is such a nice change from the 100+ degrees we had there for a while.  I'm pulling out all of my hoodies, the Halloween decorations, and getting ready to do some yard work.  I hear this is perfect grass seeding weather?  We'll see I guess.  It's hard to grow grass in the Sahara!

Here's a photo that has nothing to do with anything at all... except that I love these dogs more than you can imagine.

True Love

My Recent Infatuation

Dustin knows all about it.  He's actually the one who started this relationship.  Meet the object of my lust.

My very own little Rockwell

It sands, it cuts through wood, grout, plastic, and ceramic.  There's nothing this baby can't do.  Including help me with my newest project.

Dustin has been dying to hang our TV in the living room.  I finally gave in and love it.  I wasn't so in love with the old TV stand anymore.  I started looking on craigslist and found a dresser that I just adored for $75.  After seeing it in person, I realized it would need a little more TLC than I originally thought.  I offered a lot less and they took it!  I present our new entertainment center.

I can't wait to get started.

This is what knocked off a HUGE chunk of the price.

Oh joy

There was also a mirror attached that I've already started on.  Stay tuned for the final results and wish me luck!

3 Weddings and a Funeral (3rd & Final Part)

We were thrilled to spend an entire weekend with our friends in Cookeville for Jamie and Russ's wedding. Dustin and I were honored to be in the wedding and stand next to our friends on their special day.  Everything went perfectly.  Jamie did such a great job planning, paying so much attention to every detail.  It was evident to everyone in attendance how much in love these two are.  

The wedding was at DelMonaco Winery in Baxter, Tennessee.  It is a gorgeous place with delicious wine.  I'm sure Dustin and I will be making a trip back there for a tasting.  

The newlyweds... so in love!

With the stunning bride

With my handsome husband

We are such awesome dancers.  Be jealous.

For Labor Day weekend, I attended the wedding of Tighe, a friend from high school, and Heather, his beautiful new wife.  The wedding was in Flat Rock, NC at Highland Lake Inn.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect for sitting next to the lake and watching a lovely ceremony.  They did traditional vows, but each wrote a little something extra to read to each other.  I don't think there was a dry eye there.  My favorite detail from their wedding was their dogs - they had their precious babies dressed to match the bridesmaids.  I wish I had some pictures from this wedding too, but to be honest, hubby is the picture taker and he ended up having to work that day.  I always seem to be more worried about having fun than taking pictures, which I always regret later.  I was so happy to have been included, had a great time, and enjoyed seeing and catching up with old friends. 

A Blog Worth Reading

I came across a blog called "Don't Waste Your Cancer."  The writer of the blog, Libby, recently found out that she has lymphoma.  Her strength and faith in God are equally awesome and astounding.  Reading her blog has been such an inspiration and made me think about life differently.

Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

3 Weddings and a Funeral (Part 2)

I wanted to write this post about a woman I never knew.

Elaine, a close friend of Dustin's family, passed away over the weekend.  I didn't have the pleasure of getting to know her because she has been sick since Dustin and I started dating.  I have, however, had the opportunity to get acquainted with her husband Bill.  When I asked Dustin to choose a person to read one of the selected poems in our wedding, he didn't hesitate with his answer.  It had to be Bill.  He has been and continues to be an extremely important role model/friend to my husband.

Everyone could learn a lesson from their marriage.  It is something we all strive for -  a story of true, unconditional love and devotion, and of truly living wedding vows... "for better or worse, in sickness and in health."  Elaine was sick for around ten years, in hospice care for nearly two.  She was a strong lady who wanted nothing more than time, as much as she could get here with her family.  To hear Bill talk about her, she was his saving grace and the best person you could know.  Bill never left her side.  And she fought for him.  For ten years.  He never put her in a "home."  He took care of her and spent every night with her.  He did what most people wouldn't do in that situation.  He put himself and his needs behind those of wife.  For ten years.

Her funeral will be on Wednesday, just a simple graveside service.  Exactly what I believe funerals should be - those closest to you remembering and celebrating your life.

I hope we are all so lucky as to experience a love like this in our lifetime.  A love where no one quits or gives up no matter how difficult things get.  It's such an inspirational, admirable and heartbreaking story, all rolled into one.

3 Weddings and a Funeral (Part 1)

Apparently love is in the air!  We couldn't be happier for all of our newly married friends.  We have celebrated and danced until our nearly 30 year old feet couldn't take anymore.  It's true what they say.  Weddings are like crack for a marriage.  We left each event reminiscing of when we made our vows.

First up was April and Trey's wedding.  They had a lovely ceremony outside near Norris Dam.  Dustin and I couldn't believe how many guests attended.  I wouldn't have known where to start making a guest list that huge.  They are such wonderful people, it's no surprise that they have so many friends.  I so enjoyed seeing them together at the reception.  They looked at each other, even from across the room, with such affection.     

With the ecstatic bride and groom

I'm telling you - Crack for a marriage!

With the gorgeous bride, my good friend April

My favorite detail of their wedding was the precious signs leading the way to the festivities

I was honored and excited when Jamie asked me to be her Matron of Honor.  One of my favorite duties of being the Head Broad is planning the bachelorette party.  We headed out to Nashville for a weekend of fun with Jamie's friends.  We started off the day with some swimming at the hotel,  

followed by dinner at Hard Rock.

One blushing bride rode the bull at Cadillac Ranch, 

and one (soon to be) sister-in-law danced on the bar at Coyote Ugly.

Jamie & I

The rest will remain between the 5 of us.  Actually, we made sure that 4 out of 5 of us behaved like ladies.  I'll leave it to your imagination to guess which one didn't.  It's safe to say, everyone had a great time and was sufficiently exhausted the next day.