I’m thankful for 37

Yay! It’s the last day of the month!! I’m happy for that, but I admit, I don’t like Halloween. Not in the slightest. I’m ready to see all the fake webs and skeletons gone. All the horror movies and gore go away for another year.

Its not my thing. Nor will it ever be. There was one time, when I was 16 or 17 that I got dresses up…as a dead hooker.

::proud moment in my life::

But in my meager teenage defense; I was a modest hooker. Thigh highs (that I realized 1/2 way through the night were on inside out..which made sense why they kept falling down), mini skirt and a tank, with my face painted ‘dead’ white.

What made the night perfect {in the sarcastic form} was on my way home, at a red light, my clutch fell out and my car wouldn’t move anymore. So there I was, barefoot, at midnight, pushing my car uphill alone; until some other teens ran over to help me push it into a parking lot. Since this was before the cell phone age (weird that I’m old enough to say…back in the day, before cell phones were around…) I ran in the gas station with the hot guy behind the counter that my friends and I had a crush on and used the payphone to call my dad.

I had already changed back into normal clothes at that point, have no fear.

And so concludes my one and only time I’ve dressed up for a holiday I don’t like.

I’m thankful for:

- Tabitha talking about a food blog that she loves and that I can now say, I love!! I made the crispy chicken and I loved it so much, I wrote it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, oh and Pinterest. That’s how much I loved it!
I get the picture isn’t great, so make it yourself so you can understand the deliciousness that is, this chicken!


- time with my parents this weekend. I had business in their town that’s 2 hours away only to have it cancel an hour after I arrived, so I spent time with them eating Hobo Stew.

- all the support you’ve given me with working out. I did 4 out of 5 days last week and felt great. I’m looking forward to keeping it going.

- having an impromptu meet up with some great gals, Thursday night…that ended up making me late for a non-impromptu skype date w/some other great gals! It was a great Thursday night, to be sure.

Do you like Halloween? Are you a dresser upper?

This might be opening a door but if you could get rid of one holiday, which would it be? And why?

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A life altering decision

I made a decision that would effect my entire household. A decision that I didn’t enter into lightly.

I conferred with G-man and he said it was ultimately my decision to make, but that he would support me in whatever it was I decided. I felt this change would be the best choice, I really did!

Unfortunately after 2 months, I see it wasn’t. I regret the decision and all the trouble that has been caused since moving forward with my choice. But I realize its something I’m going to have to live with and accept, until the opportunity comes until it can be rectified. Unfortunately I believe it won’t be for awhile, and that is a hard pill to swallow.

I bought a new pillow.

It hurts me so much to write that. Especially after writing such a heartfelt letter to my beloved pillow. The pillow that when G-man brought back with him after leaving it in Hawaii, I devoted a moment to it.

I once again made the decision to leave it in Hawaii so I could have it there when I visited, knowing full well I would buy a new one for my own home. It weighed 5lbs. I only get 50lbs per suitcase! At the time, I felt it was the right thing to do.

But this new one? His sister, as I refer to her as…is too thin. Too flat. She said she would perform the exact same way, yet she hasn’t. Hour after hour I lie awake, tossing and turning, struggling to find that perfect cup for my neck, and she never supplies it. I’ve resulted in adding a second pillow underneath her, just so I can sleep with minimal neck and shoulder pain, but even then...

I never had to do this with my beloved pillow. He always performed beautifully time and time again on his own.

I’m ashamed of this choice I made. More so knowing G-man is benefiting from it when I’m supposed to be. I don’t think I will ever be the same.



If you or a loved one is also suffering from pillow replacement, please know, I’m here with you. Together, I’m confident we’ll be able to overcome this.

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Pomegranates, check!

I think we’re all familiar with the fact that I like to take pictures of fruit orchards and true to my blog name, vineyards as well. I’m blessed to be surrounded with so many orchards that I have an abundance to choose from.

Right now its pomegranates. In just a month or more, it’ll be oranges. I know you’re eager for those, too. I can feel your eagerness for that season. So I’m thrilled that I can bring you pomegranates in the meantime. To appease you, perhaps…

Is there anyone who’s never had a pomegranate and not know how they look inside?

I think its pretty safe to say I’m a bit weird. I don’t like being seen while doing things and I put off taking pictures of pomegranates for the longest time because the only ones I could find were on a very busy road. After asking around for a few weeks, my friend let me know about her Dad’s orchard and I jumped at the idea of having it all to myself, without anyone seeing me.

He generously let me ride into it to take all the pictures I needed.

I’m thankful to her for letting me know and him for allowing me onto his property to have a little fun with this vibrant fruit.

What’s your favorite thing to do with pomegranate seeds?

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Prepare for immediate melting

Just like Megan said yesterday with her need to get her baby fix, when I need my kiddie fix, I make sure I visit my nieces and nephew.


I was able to visit them last Friday and its always a treat to see how excited they get to see me. I always feel like they’ll look at me, roll their eyes and say, ‘pssshh, its just Auntie, no big.’

::they’re 5 and 6::

But they don’t. They squeal AUNTIE! run and hug me or play coy until I hound them for my hug. I had only intended to stay for a little bit but as the evening wore on, my nephew comes out from inside the house and asked me if I would stay for dinner.

Well, melt my heart, how could I tell him no?!


The kiddies and I stayed outside in the front yard, which is a big deal for me being out in the front yard, and we played all while my brother in law cooked dinner. (my sister was at the gym)


We had a blast. A true blast. Beside the fact the baby fell down the steps right next to me (bad Auntie), and my nephew getting his handle bar right in his hip flexor, all went beautifully.
As they prepared their pose…


She stayed on the porch, straining to see what she was missing out on.

So, I gave her some attention

and let her have fun with the others.




This sweet one is a darn near spitting image of my sister.

I’m very glad I stayed for dinner and got a few more hours with them. I left with a warm heart and great memories.

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I wanna hold your hand

If you haven’t caught on yet, I use either song lyrics or movie lines to get my point across. It’s the way I’ve grown up communicating.

Can you name the group I’m using today?

Any way, on to my point. I need someone to hold my hand. I realize I’m 30 years old and should be able to do things without hand holding, but I’m really needing it. Like, honestly needing it.

Who is willing to take on the full and complete fun responsibility of being my 5 day a week accountability partner with working out?

Ever since this last surgery I have really let myself go. Eating crap and exercising so irregularly, that, though I haven’t weighed myself {no scale} I have been the softest and jiggliest I’ve been since I gained 15lbs at 21.
its obvious here.


Last week I measured every single area that I have problems with. It’s a lot of areas. As well as taking the ‘before’ pictures. I worked out 2 days last week but my goal is 5. Monday through Friday.

I’ll admit, I worked out yesterday and I was surprised I did. Once I woke up I felt like a truck hit me, I was so drained, that I just kept it a lazy morning before heading to physical therapy. But being in PT, they make me exercise in the form of jumping. Lots of jumping. And with jumping comes jiggling in front of everyone. Everyone who watches me. How do I know they’re watching me? They talk about my jumping the whole time I’m doing it. I was at my limit of disgust.

I ended up going straight to the high school afterward and hit the bleachers. I was dripping with sweat, it was awesome. But I know me. I know my motivation and I know that I really really need someone to hold me accountable daily, right now.

If I know someone will check on me and there’s that chance I could disappoint them, I’ll tend to do it.

So, who’s willing to step up and help me? I have a 4 week goal and need to kill it before my deadline. If YOU need an accountability partner yourself, I can do it!

In case anyone’s wondering, I still haven’t been cleared to run but I’m thinking by next week I’ll be able to start again. But I can do everything else!

Who’s in?? Please. Pleeeease.

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I’m thankful for 36

Well, howdy everyone. I’m hear to announce that today is the second to last Monday of the month. Were you aware of that? ..didn’t think so.

On this second to last Monday, I’m thankful for:

- an insane weekend. It was busy and fun. Met a lot of sweet women who I believe I will be getting to know a lot more of very soon. And that’s exciting!

- getting to see my sweet family and spending time with my adorable nieces and nephew. I took a whole bunch of pictures of them riding their bikes and jump roping in the front yard and it was a delight hearing ‘Auntie Auntie’ all evening.
one of my favorites. I love just seeing a hint of his joy behind her hair as they jump rope together. Makes me want to lean to the left to see if I can catch his whole smile.


- my mom being a trooper with me picking on her last week. She’s the best and I love her to pieces for letting me tease her on this here blog.

- my mechanic for fixing the problem w/my leaking oil without hassle…or charge…or a scam. So nice.

- G-man safely arriving in Y country. He’s overseas again and its always harder knowing he isn’t at his normal distance away. Makes me miss him so much more.

- Skype! Skype lets me talk to him when I wouldn’t be able to. It makes up for the extreme distance while he’s far far away.

How’d life treat you all this weekend? Was it crazy and hectic like mine? Or calm and soothing…like someone else?

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What a WEEK I’m having!

What movie’s that on?

Every single day this week something bad or crazy has happened.

For instance:

Sunday – As I take a large breath to continue my dainty female nose blowing, I watch as what seems like a thousand fibers get sucked into my mouth, clinging to my throat. {imagine the scene in The Green Mile where he sucks the bad out of Tom Hanks mouth into his. Just like that.}

I gag and can’t inhale, it has completely coated my throat. It then makes me dry heave and throw up twice. All because of the kleenex fibers.

Monday – I didn’t fall asleep until 4am Monday morning, so when my alarm went off at 7am, I changed it to 7:45. When I opened my eyes, it said 10:45. HUH?! I check my phone and it said 10. I had my physical therapy appt. at 10! {clearly I changed the clock and not the alarm} I still made it into PT at 10:30 but by the time I got there my migraine had formed. All day long, I’m out for the count feeling queasy.

Tuesday – The Toyota dealership attempted to trick me into spending a lot of money saying I ‘needed’ something done. I said, no.
My attempts at craftiness results in me cutting my finger w/my scissors.

Wednesday – 3:30pm I go to my chiropractor that I haven’t seen in over 2 years. Within 5 minutes of being in the room, he exclaims, ‘wow, you reek of garlic! What did you have for lunch!?’ He continued to say how strong it was and agreed that it was like it was seeping out of my pores. {alright already, I get it!} I then share I ate garlic with my dinner the night before!!

Thursday – My mom demanded asked that I ensure to all that she never ever told me to get the feathers. Her dream for my mantle was to have these beautiful fall leaves on twigs that arced like the wrought iron I have hanging with a couple of those leaves on the mantle as if they had fallen.

Again, my mom never said I should get feathers!

I returned the feathers and got all my money back! The stick thingy is now back on the mantle. {thank you everyone for your opinions!! I didn’t mind one bit your choice even through the bloodshed. I whole heartedly agree!}

Friday – well..I don’t know what today brings. Hopefully no pain, or smells, or trickery.

How have your weeks been? Anything out of the ordinary?

Go enjoy your weekends now. I get to see family, so I’m looking forward to mine!

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I will cut you!

Because a ton of people encouraged me to do it. 2 people = a ton in my mind.

There’s a reason why I don’t craft. Or pretend I’m crafty. I am 200% not a crafty person and its very rare when I have that desire to be crafty. I see all these sweet people who can make whatever their heart desires. Wreaths, head bands..and umm, other stuff. But this girl, <thumb jerking toward myself> is not one of those sweet people.

I could blame my mom…but I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate it very much, but just know <said in whisper> its technically her fault.

I sent my mom a picture of my new and improved mantle and she loved it but said if there was 1 thing she would change it would be the stick thing because there was a lot of black and brown up there. Therefore suggesting a vase w/greens and reds shooting out of it. <or something like that>

Ah, good point mom. I will be the dutiful daughter that I am and listen to her wise ways in décor, because she knows what she’s talking about.

Off to Michaels I go. A store I never go in. Walking through every single aisle, I consider what the heck to put up there and fall upon peacock feathers.

Anyone that knows me, knows I’m not a feather person or would ever consider having feathers in my home. But I felt it was time to be different and I went with it. Wouldn’t you know, I didn’t have a vase right for the feathers..and not to mention, I didn’t buy enough feathers to make it appealing, but I persisted and washed, dried and used a clear vase.

Since anyone with eyes could clearly see the green thing you stab your stuff in (whatever it is) at the bottom, the vase needed to be covered. Enter my ribbon. Round and round it goes, looking more and more horrible but I continue because I lose all interest in caring.

At the end, I go to snip with my brand new scissors and –whoop. My right hand got all jealous of my left hand and yelled, ‘I WILL CUT YOU!’ and took its jealously out by snipping right into it.

I flung the scissors, flopped on the ground and wailed, “WHY GOD? WWHHHHHHY??!!

{ok, that’s not true.}

But I did gasp, stare at it for a good while until I realized I probably should get up and do something. So, I grabbed my phone to take a picture. (yes, I’m officially a blogger. I take pictures before tending to my wound.)

This just solidifies how much I shouldn’t create anything.

Now bring on the honesty. Which do you prefer? The feathers or the stick thingy?

Feathers??


Or stick thingy??

And yes, I did cover up G-man’s face in the picture. =)

And here’s my dining room, where I didn’t have to do any cutting!

You know I love you, momma!

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The itsy bitsy spider

As I mentioned last week, the orchard we went to do our little photo shoot in, was abandoned. Or so I thought. It had weeds at least 3 1/2 feet high with fruit rotting and grass brown and overgrown.

Why wouldn’t I think it was abandoned, right? So when Michelle and I returned a week later, I noticed the rows in between the trees looked a little flatter. Then I thought I smelled fresh cut grass (which I hate the smell of) and before I knew it, far down the orchard, I saw the guy mowing on his tractor. Whoops!

We stayed on the edge within the first couple rows so as not to disturb anything and went to work. I wanted a shot of me through the tall grass so I needed to cross over into the next row and felt since I was wearing my winter boots, I could just cross straight through the trees as apposed to walking all the way around. (I’m lazy)

Charging through unscathed, we begin shooting again when Michelle lets out this gasp and points to this massively large spider in his equally massively large web.

Not 5 inches from where I had just walked.

Needless to say, I said “thank you Jesus” more than once.

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Our timing is off

For the past few years I’ve scrambled to get on God’s timing. But each and every time I think I’m close and feel I’m right in line and expect something to happen, it doesn’t and I’m left frustrated annoyed and deflated asking, What the heck, God!

There are some things in my life where I’ve felt like I’ve waited long enough and other things I think I can keep waiting on. I sit and pray asking when? And why? Why does it have to take so long? What is it that He’s waiting for me to learn or see or experience or grow in before I can then move on to the next step of His plan.

Because most of the time, I sit around confused. And sometimes angry.

And then I came across these verses. I’m sure I’ve read them before and I’m sure I’ve heard them before but they’ve never really stuck until the moment I came across them the other day.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

No wonder everything is taking forever. His day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like 1 day for Him! Its both depressing and encouraging at the same time. At least I can bring down my ridiculous expectations I’ve placed on His timing.

I still rush things. I still impatiently twirl my thumbs and I still ruin the simplest of things.

I wrote G-man a letter recounting our 1st date from my perspective. Knowing it’ll take a week to get there, I was sure to send it out so that it would arrive the day of. Even though I knew he didn’t check his mail frequently and that he was leaving the next day after it was to arrive, I was confident he’d check it before he left, thus seeing the letter.


I eagerly wait to hear he got it but he’s on the plane with no mention of the letter. Once he got back home a week later, each day goes by as I anticipate his call. But each day goes by without the word ‘letter’. 3 weeks pass since I sent it. I’m going crazy and imagine that he’s gotten it but thought it was lame and dumb and didn’t want to tell me he got it.

I know it was ridiculous to think it but insecurities are powerful sometimes. Finally on what was probably the worst hormonal day for me, Friday, I couldn’t take it anymore. Midway through our conversation, I ask with a sigh, ‘its been 3 weeks, have you gotten my letter?’

In short, no. I didn’t know he only checked his mail on Saturdays (if then) and after he insists he run downstairs to get the letter and call me back, I felt I ruined everything. If I just waited that extra day, he would have gotten it and all might have worked out the way I imagined it would.

After reading it, he called me back telling me how much he loved it but I couldn’t appreciate the moment. I was completely dejected over telling him about it when I wanted it to be a surprise.

It reminds me of all the times I want to rush God’s timing. All the times, I take things into my own hands because “I’ve waited long enough!” only to take the windiest road imaginable when I could have stayed on the straight road He had laid out for me. Its infuriating waiting but its more infuriating taking the unnecessary detours I get myself on, prolonging the plan. Not to mention how disappointed I make myself when I put expectations on God. Its insane how much I expect from Him when He’s already given me His Son on the cross. But I do.

A lot of deep thoughts have been keeping me up late at night and I know you kind of got stuck with a small taste of them, if you made it this far, but I needed to write them out. I know God is in control, its just so hard to let Him be.

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I’m thankful 35

What did we all do over the weekend? Saturday I spent over 8 hours editing 80 images to upload online to put in a digital scrapbook I’m making of our trip to Europe we took last year. I was on a roll and I can’t wait for it to be finished. Its driving me crazy. I am not a crafty scrapbooky person.

Sunday, I spent over 4 hours updating the software for my iPhone and iPod while cleaning my apartment and skyping with LeAnna. Very very time consuming.

I’m thankful for:

- getting my fall decorations out of the garage. I think next time, I’ll be sure not to put it at the bottom of all the big heavy storage bins.
a little sneak peak of it.


- having to move my car to get to the decorations which let me see I’m leaking oil. Since I stepped in the oil patch. I’m definitely unhappy about this but glad I caught it within a day of it happening. Tuesday I get to take it to the dealership. I pray whatever is wrong falls under my warranty.

- a 2 1/2 hour impromptu conversation in the Target parking lot with someone I didn’t really know, until that day.

- a girls night in with my neighbor friend. She made the short ribs, I roasted the potatoes and onions and had a great evening chatting and movie watching.

- the beautiful weather we still have. Even though it’s not very autumn like, its weather that I’m relishing as I’m pretty sure its warmth won’t last much longer.

I have physical therapy today, and I’m starting to get both frustrated and bored with the progress. This is typical though. Things aren’t happening as quickly as well as the same exercises and treatment bore me. Its fun when the Dr. says I’ll be running 3 weeks after therapy and the therapist saying, no way, don’t run. Then telling my Dr. they don’t want me running yet and him saying I should be real soon. I love when they all disagree with each other.

Hit me with your day, good and bad. Nitty gritty and the pretty, I want to know.

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I’m not a player, I just crush a lot

I have no idea what that means. I guess that means I’m officially not a player.

Remember when I warned you yesterday that its all about me today? Surprise!! It still is. I’ve chosen of course only the best pictures of me, cause that’s what I like to portray to you, perfection. <did anyone else just snort??>

I’m just gonna say it, before anyone else does. I look chesty in the field pictures. There! Its out there!


                                                                     G-man’s favorite







My goodness, that was hard putting that many pictures up of myself. I want to apologize for the Emily overload but yet, I did warn you. We all know I’m no Megan but I did enjoy being model for a few hours. I think Michelle did a great job at taking the pictures though, so I want to give her credit!

Alrighty rooty, have yourself a nice and cozy weekend.

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I shot her. I shot her many times.

226 to be exact.

That’s how many pictures I took of my friend last week on our photo shoot. No, I will not bless you with all 226, probably 10ish or so…

It was pretty darn fun, I have to say. Going out into what I thought was an abandoned orchard, standing next to the coolest ivy filled wall and using the rundown train station. So, blogging friends, I’d like you to meet my friend, Michelle.








…and her shoes. She loves her shoes. She’d like you to meet them.

I have a pretty good story about this orchard, but will leave it for another day. Having Michelle as my model really helped me gain the confidence I needed to direct and be creative as well as being confident in my abilities to be a photographer.

Tomorrow will be all about me..so, I probably shouldn’t, but you’ve been warned.

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