Looking back through the past ten years, it takes you on a strange journey. You think about how much has really changed and how much you really have accomplished. It shows you what has been missing and what maybe you could have done. But it also makes you hopeful for the next decade. Another ten years to accomplish a whole lot more.

When I looked back at my last decade, it was a whole lot of ups and downs. Growing moments and many things that I am proud that I can say I accomplished.

VIA

// Bought my first car
So this might be pushing the decade things just a little...But still so proud that I bought my first car with all my hard earned money. It was great knowing I worked hard so my mom didn't have to and I got what I wanted because I worked for it.

// Graduated high school
All the stuff I got into in high school, proud of myself. Managed field hockey, 3 jobs and a pretty active social life. Got into 3 ish colleges. One of which I accepted and met my future husband. Good choices.

//Joined a sorority
Said I would never do it. Said it wasn't for me. I was nervous as I started out but am so glad I stuck with it. Some of my best friends are from Alpha Xi Delta and my experiences in that house truly shaped me, good and bad. And without my sisters, going back to school after losing my mom would have been that much harder.

// Graduated college
Four short months before I graduated my mom passed away and I wasn't sure I wanted/could go back to school. My family and Brian convinced me it was what my mom would have wanted. But it wasn't to say I was an emotional mess and I am still not sure how I ended up crossing that stage and graduating.

// Took in a lovable kitty
My Lily baby. What can I say? My sister called and convinced me to save this kitty who was found outside in the freezing cold without her mom. She makes every single day interesting and I wouldn't change any of it.

// Lived by myself
If you want to really grow up and figure things out for yourself, live on your own. It was scary at times, humbling at others. I was doing it, being a real grown up with rent, a job and doing it pretty well.

// Started this blog
What started as a way to write out my feelings and help me deal with life without my mom has turned into so much more. It isn't something that you can just show up to sometimes. It takes real work and though and effort. I

// Got married
Being in a college relationship isn't always easy. Being in a long distance relationship isn't always easy. That's what makes our relationship truly wonderful. We worked hard at it the past 9 years and I am so proud we have come this far and so happy to be married to Brian. This might be my biggest accomplishment in another ten years!

// Survived credit card debt
It truly is a survival. I am so glad all of the credit card debt is paid off because it was such a burden on our finances. We already have a plan to teach our kids properly about their finances.

// Lived life without my mom
This will continue to be a huge accomplishment. It involves hard days that I have to get through and knowing that all the big moments, she won't be there for. It's going on without her. It was laughing again without her. It was getting married without her there on my wedding day. And it will be having kids without her being here and so many other moments. To still be smiling and living life without her, a huge accomplishment.

Thinking about the past decade, what are some of your accomplishments?

Side note: Also, proud I accomplished the fine taste of wine

My Happies

With the things that are about to come to light in the next month or so, I could use a little old fashioned, what makes me happy list. And if you understand that, we are now BFFs and should just sign the papers for it now.

// Brian
In the moments he is not driving me bonkers, he can make me laugh like no one else and who I love being around. Just being my silly self around him and making him laugh, makes me happy.

// Lily
There is nothing better than this chunky, lovable kitty. She talks back and has an attitude 80% of the time. But her purr and cuddles make it all ok.

// A cold Diet Coke
Bubbly, deliciousness. I know it's terrible for me. Diet Coke might not be great for me and my diet but I am convinced that one won't make everything fall apart.Instead it makes me just ahh.

// Online Shopping
Ok, cheap thrill I know. But what can I say? Amazon Prime just gets me and I get to avoid shopping on weekends and instead spend it doing other fun things.

// Wine
As if you didn't know this one was coming. I take back all those times my mom used to have me try a sip and I said it was gross. Now, it's my lifesaver some days.

// Being outside
Former country girl can never leave her roots. Windows open, bare feet, sunshine.

// Reading a good book
There is nothing better than loving the words of a story so much you can't stop reading. As much as I love my Kindle, I still love the feel of cracking open a book.

// Catching up with friends
My friends are special. Most have seen me at my worst and still stuck around. They are pretty special people in my life and I love getting to catch up with the near and far.

// Dance Parties
There isn't anything that a good dance party cannot fix or celebrate. And to channel my inner Meredith Grey, sometimes you just have to dance it out.

// Alone time
Being an introvert means that I need time to recharge, literally. If everything is always on, on, on I get irritated, cranky and just plain exhausted. There is nothing better than being able to just sit and read or write or listen to music and not have anyone or anything bother me. At least for an hour;)


What makes you happy?

Love through Pictures

I have basically failed at Blog Everyday in May. I had a good role in the beginning but alas..wedding emergencies have popped up here and there. And there ya go.

But this is definitely my speed today. All pictures. And I already cheated but it's ok...I'm blogging!

     Welcome to our relationship through the years. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Here's to love and 10 days until wedding day!

 

What Do I Do?

What do I do? (Besides my job)

I am a stay at home MILF who loves shopping for shoes and lays by the pool all day. I have new boobs that I love and I workout every morning to keep this awesome figure. I blog all day and do fun crafts to maintain my gorgeous home.

I WISH.

My bad, I was living in the future for a second. Or in my dreams.

So what do I ACTUALLY do?

I blog from time to time when the occasion strikes. This also causes me to explain blogging to quite a few people . It also gets me judged on the inside for the ones that do not understand why I write about my life for all to see. Long story short...Writing is My Therapy.

I craft. Lately, it has been a little wedding focused. But I also try to make up some treats for my nearest and dearest.

I wedding plan like a fiend. Or at least for another month when I finally say, "I DO!"

I love...this guy.

And this kitty.

I laugh at myself and do not take life too seriously. Life can have a way of bringing you down and sometimes you just need to remember...no one gets out of alive.

I live my life. I don't make apologies or excuses. I do what's best for me  (and my soon to be hubby) And I don't make excuses or apologies.

Oh, and I dance. Nothing like a 30 Second Dance Party. I'm tellin' ya.

Show Life That You Have a Thousand Reasons to Smile

Sometimes life is pretty rough. Sometimes it can try to tear you down. I know it's taken a few hits with me. And it will continue to try my patience and strength. But I can't let it get the best of me. And I won't.

This is my absolute favorite quote. You probably have seen it multiple times around the blog. And it's a favorite for me to talk about for Blog Everyday in May.

I love it because there are days when I am "hating life." But that's exactly where I don't want to be. So instead, I have my pity party for a minute then get myself together and put on that smile and remember everything truly great in my life.

Those moments when the ache in my heart from missing my Mom gets me down, I always try to reflect that even though she's not here, she gave me the strength and independence to get me to where I am today. And I have to remember that where I am is not too shabby.

So basically, life sucks sometimes. 

But what's a better day than a day you choose to smile in spite of the rain? And pretty much say," Eff you. I'm smiling today. Because I can."

And these, my friends, are just a few of the thousand reasons I smile everyday.

My Prince.

Our little baby.

Family.

Family.

The best friends.

Friends are family.

Best friends near & far.

And of course, this little space I have found here with some of the best people. Can't wait to see where it all goes.

Redic...Awk...Uncomfortable.

And continuing along with Day 3 of Blog Everyday in May...What makes you uncomfortable.

1. Being the center of attention make me highly uncomfortable. Hate it. Dread it. Everyone looking at me...just me, gives me the heeby jeebies. I try to find the nearest corner or nearest distraction ASAP. This should go well on my wedding day.

Awkward right here. Coming into my bridal shower..."Ok. ok. Everybody stop looking at me." As I ran to my seat.

2. Small talk makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I wasn't properly trained on how to talk but after the initial hellos, how are yous...all I can think of is "What do I say next? What should we talk about?" Then I think of the silence and I start to look like this.

"Ummm."

3. Other people's bad jokes/uncomfortable comments. I feel bad for them. Then they feel awkward then I feel awkward. And look like this. 

"oh. So bad. Idk what to do."

3. Talking on the phone. Call me crazy but I have never liked calling anyone on the phone. Especially strangers. There is just something about it I really don't like. Granted, I have to do it more frequently with wedding vendors but 8 times out of 10 I will try to email them first. True story.