Holy July...

I really did have every intention to begin another blog challenge this month....I found a great one that I was actually a little bit anxious and excited about.
But...then...you know...life happened. Not an excuse. Just the facts. Truthfully....I could catch it up and start it whenever I wanted to...and maybe I still will...or maybe I will just take the month off, lay low, relax, and enjoy my summer without the added pressure.
In the meantime I wanted to stop by...say hello...and fill you in on what's been happening.
Hello. And nothing.
I did some inventory of my life recently...and sometimes in the hard decisions, you make mistakes. I've made my share. And I've owned up to them, admitted them, and apologized for them. Am I ready to take steps backward? Nope. But...in the moving forward process, you have to be willing to let go of some things, open up to new experiences and adventures, and actually move forward.
What all that means is....just because you shut the door, doesn't mean you have to lock it.
Things may never be what they once WERE....people change, relationships change, needs change. But love doesn't change. Hearts don't change. Memories don't change.
You just learn to make NEW ones.
Sure..this time around I'll be more cautious. I'll listen to my gut. I'll take different people along for the ride (like people who WANT to be there and can appreciate the journey.). I'll spill my secrets a little more secretly. I'll stand up for myself. I'll leave the drama and toxicity on the shore. I'll keep my heart under lock and key. I'll listen more and talk less. I'll offer less of myself....and therefore give more of myself. And I'll do it all willingly.
Lessons learned.
It's been a crazy few days.
Hopefully I can find some time to get started on something creative soon....or at least give you a reason to keep coming here. Wouldn't want to have you running off or anything!
For now...sending thoughts, well wishes, healing vibes, good mumba ga juju, tons of prayers and a heaping steaming pile of love to y'all. (Especially to one recently less a gall bladder!) Hang in there...take care of you...and have a great (safe) week.

See ya on the flip flop side!!


XOX!!

Comforting...

I am still feeling sub par today...which I suppose fits in well with the theme of today's challenge. It did, however, make for a bummer of a weekend. I managed to get a lot of rest...and my very sweet husband took over a ton of my normal duties...of which I am ever so thankful. (A huge big thanks to him for cleaning the bathroom...which was on my to do list for this weekend. I hope that doesn't mean I have to have sex with him now. *cough cough* I think I am still feeling poorly....wink.)
Now that I've shared WAY too much information with you...

Favorite Comfort Food:

My mothers homemade fudge. She doesn't make it very often, so it's truly a treat when I can get it...and I remember holidays and special occasions and tins full of the chocolaty confection. It always makes me happy when I know it's around...and she bribes me home with promises of it..even now.
My husbands egg gravy. He makes it for me when I am ill, or sad, or hungover. With my weird stomach, sometimes it's the only thing I can tolerate...but he just whips up a batch and never questions it. If he's feeling exceptionally generous, he'll also make up some of his delicious Tapioca...another of my comfort foods. He's pretty good to me like that.

Don't get me wrong...I love food. There are a LOT of foods that bring me comfort and make me really happy. Foods that I turn to when I am sad, bored, sick, hurting, lonely. But some foods are just in your heart and soul....
I hope you've had a loverly weekend. This concludes the blog challenge for this month. There have been some ups and downs....I have enjoyed sharing with all of you...and I am thankful for the opportunity. Still debating on whether to attempt another challenge in July....guess you'll have to wait and see. Thanks for tagging along....it's certainly been an interesting ride so far.

See ya on the flip flop side!


XOX!!

Kicking The Bucket..

For the record...I am sick. S.I.C.K. So, between sleeping...shivering...and sweating...I didn't get much else done today. In fact, I moved from my bed...to the sofa...and back to my bed. Eating dinner was the highlight of my day.
Impressive, huh?
Blogging...not on the top of my priority list. Besides....my Bucket List has been posted very plainly on the side of my blog for AGES for anyone to read...anytime they wanted to read it.
But, for the sake of argument....hows about I just copy and paste it here for you?

Top Things On My Bucket List:

01. Travel the World (or at least see America).
02. Learn to Knit and/or Crochet.
03. Learn to Quilt.
04. Get to My Goal Weight. Maintain it.
05. Plant a Garden.
06. Buy a House.
07. Grow Out My Hair.
08. Own My Own Studio.
09. Publish A Book.
10. Take My Family To Disney World.
11. Get Married. Someday.  COMPLETED! 11.22.11
12. Learn to Play Golf.
13. Read My Bible Again.
14. Learn to Change A Tire, My Oil, and The Windshield Wipers.
15. Take Photography Classes.
16. Become Involved in School, Community, and Local Politics.
17. Recycle.
18. Learn to Speak Norwegian.
19. Experience a Christian Louboutin Boutique.
20. Spend a Day Practicing Random Acts of Kindness.
21. Take a Cooking Class.
22. Go to Mardi Gras. Get Beads.
23. Learn to Play the Piano. Let My Mom Be My Teacher.
24. Join or Start a Book Club.
25. Go to The Kentucky Derby. Wear a Great Hat.
26. Visit Norway. Bicycle the Countryside.
27. Research and Discover My Ancestry. Create a Family Tree.
28. Play Poker in Vegas.
29. Host a Dinner Party.
30. Go Shopping in Paris.
31. Tour Savannah Georgia.
32. Gather Favorite Family Recipes. Create a Cookbook.
33. Earn a Master's Degree.
34. Go On a Safari.
35. Swim With Dolphins.
36. Celebrate a 50th Wedding Anniversary (or as close as we can get!)
37. See a Lantern Festival.


I don't rightly know how feasible some of those lofty goals are....but a good chunk of them I plan on getting done. Sooner rather than later. And I add to it constantly. Which I suppose is a good thing.
Because as they say in one of my all time favorite movies....'Get busy living or get busy dying.'
Which are you doing?

See ya on the flip flop side.


XOX!!

Boo Hoo...

I have been dealing with a migraine of the worst kind today...and, while it has eased up a tad, I have forced myself up long enough to write this blog and provide food for my Small....because, well, that's evidently my job. So...you will take what you get today...and be happy with it.

Last Time I Cried:

Recently.

I really don't think that requires further explanation. Boo hoo...cry cry..move on.
Eating, medicating, sleeping and healing...in order to fully enjoy my weekend with my family. Sending positive vibes to all of you.

See ya on the flip flop side.


XOX!!

The Feels..

Short, sweet, and to the point tonight. I got shit to do...I got a life...and I got better places to be. Not that I don't love y'all....

What Makes Me Feel Better, Always?:

My Kid and My Hubs. No question. They might drive me crazy, drive me to the edge of insanity, and drive me to drink....but they are, without a doubt, the glue that holds our fierce little clan together. They make me laugh when I don't want to, let me rage when I need to, and take care of me when I'm broken. THEY make me feel better.....all ways and always.

And I suppose they always will. Good to know whose got your back.
Ready for the weekend. Gonna live it happy here!

See ya on the flip flop side!


XOX!!

Bloggy Love..

Before I begin, I feel it necessary to address a couple of key points. I don't now..nor have I ever..professed to know everything or have all the answers. Life is a crap shoot...we're all just kinda wingin' it. Myself included. I use a lot of fancy ten cent words...but I don't claim to be smarter than anyone else. They're just words. I'm not perfect..and I don't expect perfection from others. And finally, I have a ton of opinions...but that's all they are...opinions. MINE. And seeing how this is my blog...there's probably a pretty good chance I'm gonna share them. Right or wrong.
Just callin' it like I see it.
If you're reading anything else into this blog than what it is...chances are you're reading it wrong..and you should probably stop.
BUT, if my "know it all" attitude, my life lessons learned the hard way, or my snarky opinions bother you...you can attempt to argue your point with me...or, better yet, you can kindly see your way out. I'm not looking to make enemies...but I certainly don't need to be sugar coating reality for anybody elses comfort either. If you're my friend...I think you can handle me. And all my shit.
Now that we have that settled...

A few weeks ago I would have written a very different post for this challenge. But, you know...shit happens. Whatever. Luckily, I read...follow...and LOVE a TON of blogs...so it shouldn't be too hard to share 5 of them with you. RIGHT?!

5 Favorite Blogs: In no particular order.

1. Eos Photography. Me. http://eos-photography.blogspot.com/ Did you see what I did there? No shame in a little personal plug. If you think I'm awesome here...check out my photography blog. The awesomeness continues there.
2. The Pioneer Woman. Ree Drummond. http://thepioneerwoman.com/ I love her. I met her once...and she is just as lovely in person as she is on television, in her books, and on her blog. I've made several of her recipes...always with fabulous outcomes, followed much of her photography advice, and entered many of her contests (haven't won yet...but crossing my fingers!).
3. Sweaters For Days. Jennifer Armintrout. http://jennytrout.blogspot.com/?zx=8539074cd7e87226 This bitch is hilarious. I have stalker love for her. We share a hatred for Fifty Shades of Grey, we both swear profusely and don't have a problem with it, she blogs about cake, and she keeps shit real. What's NOT to love?
4. YA Paranormal Author. Heather Hildenbrand. http://heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com/ This bitch is awesomesauce. I've talked of her many many times before on here...but she deserves all the shout outs she can get. She is the author with the mostest...cool books, hot studly men, and screaming fans. Check out her blog...show her love...and pick up a book or two while you're at it. I promise you will thank me. (OH..and you might even notice a familiar blog link over on hers...we're pals and all! <3!)
5. Saturday Morning Confusion. Sheila. http://saturdaymorningconfusion.blogspot.com/ I might be a little partial to this one...because I love and adore her so very much. Her blog gives me peace...makes me happy...and reminds me that it's OK to have faith. And because I am so very proud of her and her extreme talent...check her out here, too. Click Photography...http://clickphotography-sheila.blogspot.com/

There are so many other amazing blogs that I could have added...cooking blogs, decorating blogs, crafty blogs, writing blogs, photography blogs. You are welcome to check out my following list to see what keeps me occupied and busy!
Hope that helps! I'm off to enjoy a quiet evening with a house all to myself. Going to finish up some reading, polish off a bottle of wine, and listen to the thunderstorm brewing in the distance. It's the little things.

See ya on the flip flop side!


XOX!!

Let's Get Physical..

I don't spend a lot of time studying my own features. Sure, I notice the extra weight, the age that's setting in, the occasional grey hair. But, I seldom take notice of the things I LIKE about myself. I don't think many of us do...especially as women.
I considered asking my husband. But, I was very concerned that my response would be 'tits and ass' and I was really uncomfortable with that. So...I guess a self evaluation is in order.

Best Physical Features:

My Feet. Right now, they are dry and scaly and in serious need of a pedicure...but, they are small and petite. And I love that. My toes are weirdly misshapen (I have toes like my grandmother...), they have suffered from years of high heel abuse, and as I get older they have learned to object to socks and shoes. But...they keep me grounded and keep me upright....
My Eyes. Despite the dark circles, crows feet, and the really weird dry skin patch on my eyelid...I'd say my eyes are pretty cool. They are this crazy hazel color that changes with my mood...and can be so deep and expressive at times. I know my husband loves them...and tells me often.

I can't really think of anything else. That seems like a weird combination..feet and eyes. I can tell you that this post has motivated me to work on some of the things I like a little less about myself...like that extra weight and those dark circles. Can't do much about the age....but I certainly don't have to LOOK it.
And I suppose you gotta start somewhere.

See ya on the flip flop side.


XOX!!