One week down

Last Thursday, I pulled the trigger..bit the bullet! …cocked the gun? no..that doesn’t work…

I officially canceled my Directv. Like, officially officially. No temporary turn off for 6 months to see how I do, no cancel it and 1 hour later call back to pleeeeeease keep it on!!! Its off. And its off for good.

I’m waiting for the box to arrive for me to mail my receiver back. They don’t know I still have the other box they sent from my original failed attempt to cancel, so I’m patiently waiting for it to come. The guy was good though. He made every effort. Sighting how I’ve been such a loyal customer for so many years, how I’m eligible for a free updated HD DVR since I’ve had mine for so long, how he could save me $30+ on a different plan.

All I had to do was say, okay. But I’m done! I’ve griped and complained long enough about what’s showing on tv these days. The commercials alone are enough to make me feel unclean, and I’m happy I finally did it.

I’m not going all nun on you, I still have Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime, so it’s pretty much like I still have tv, only I won’t be inundated with the trash that’s all over the channels. I should also state that dumping nearly $100 a month on a service I barely use was getting to be a bit much for me. I could use a good cut back.

Not to mention my need to fund the haircut and color coming up in November. Gotta pay for it somehow. ;)

It’s nice. The quiet is nice. My mind looks forward to the cleansing again. It began getting used to the reality shows and sitcoms again, deeming them funny and okay to watch. I think I can go the rest of my life with never watching another reality show ever again.

And though this wasn’t my big ol’ happy announcement I mentioned Monday (which if you follow me on Instagram {emily_grapes} or twitter you’ll see it there today) it’s what’s going on in these parts.

I have parties throughout this entire weekend, plus I get to spend time with a friend who sees me as her fashion consultant…which scares me a bit. I go to you all for fashion advice and sometimes get it wrong, so for me to be the one that says yes and no for her is a bit intimidating.

I’ll leave you with 2 pins where I came to mind when my friend’s saw them.
LeAnna thought this was fitting for this post I wrote. Which I wholeheartedly agree. Love it!!

And Michee thought this was perfect for this post I wrote.

via southern slang etsy

I love you ladies, and I especially love that you think of me when you see certain pins. Warms this heart over here.

Have a warm, soup filled weekend!!

Pin It Now!

I saw the sky

Friends, I saw the sky yesterday and you know what color it was? It was blue, but not just any blue, it was robin’s egg blue and baby blue, light blue and a crisp deep blue. It was so beautiful!

Where I live, I don’t normally get to see the sky for what it really is. Living in a city that boasts the worst air quality in the entire country, leaves me seeing a brownish gray haze almost every single day. Where the sun’s glare off the smog is so bad, sunglasses are the only way to be able to see where you’re going. Where they post flags at the schools that announce the kids aren’t allowed to play outside because the air quality is too bad that day.

But it rained Monday. And for just a short 24 hours, the air was clean again. And it was good. And it was beautiful. I hadn’t seen the sun shine so crisply or so brightly in months as it did that Tuesday morning. It was a moment that left me praising and thanking God for the beauty all around me with the bright sun shining on the farms and cows. Yes, even the cows looked beautiful in that sunlight. Enough to make me wish I had my camera.

I love the rain. How it washes away the dirt. the grime. How it brings freshness, and a renewed spirit to all that it touches. I’m so thankful I got that 24 hours of clean fresh air to renew my spirit.

A few weeks ago, I had the utmost pleasure of shooting my friend and her family when they were harvesting their raisins on their vineyard. She called me months ago laying out her vision of what she wanted for that day. To capture her beautiful family of 6 all working together to harvest the raisins at sunrise. I didn’t know what to expect but I made sure to bring a couple lenses, my sneakers (because I have this thing with ants getting all over my feet) ((ants love the sugar of certain vineyards)), and my half and half for coffee…because it was a Saturday sunrise shoot after all. This girl needed her coffee afterward!

The last two are a testament to how hard the family really worked that morning. All of them. It was such a joy to see all the children excited to help Mom and Dad. To see them work hard and proudly to show they can work right along side their parents in the family business. It put my constant yawning and cat naps on their couch  (while their baby slept) to shame as they continued to work.

It’s refreshing to see true work ethic and team work in a family. It was a blessing to spend the morning with them.

Pin It Now!

We are all like animals

As I was contemplating life and all its wonders {as I do so very often}, I looked out my living room window and saw a cute little kitten speed around a wall and my mind drifted to my friend who asked me to catch that kitten for her and her family {which obviously, I still haven’t done}. That made me think more of her and I remembered they’re under “quarantine” in their house so they don’t get sick because their daughter is about to have a major surgery and she needs to be very strong for it. (please keep them in your prayers)

A month ago, my friend said I’d probably be the only one allowed over in October because I don’t have kids nor do I carry around a bag full of germs. {yay me!} So as I continued to contemplate life, I imaged me telling her that I’m ‘healthy as a horse!’ so that I might come to visit. …and thus created a list of all the things I thought of us people saying in relation to animals.

There are moments when I have far too much time on my hands…and Sunday was one of those moments.

I know I missed a lot more, so give me your best..or your worst. Let’s hear them!

What are some animal references you find yourself or hear someone saying a lot?

Pin It Now!

A thankful me - 40

Weekend, where’d you go!? You were there and then *poof* you were gone! so so quickly.

The weekend was a pretty great one. Lots of craziness ensued. Lots of cheering and pumping of arms in the air. Anyone else celebrate when they clean their showers? How about toilets? Vacuum? I did them all on Saturday. You know those kinds of days… where you forego all sense of hygiene beyond teeth brushing because all you’re going to do is break into a sweat with cleaning? It’s a good thing I didn’t have to face anyone. I even waited to take the trash out after 10 because let’s be real…no one needed to see this mess that was me.

I’m happy to report I showered Sunday morning.. you’re welcome.

Sunday was probably my favorite day in a very long time. So many great and wonderful things happened yesterday! That I’ll probably share with you at the end of this week. Life changing..mind blowing…epic happenings over here. The world as I know it will be changed forever.

I did a pretty great thing Saturday that had me standing in my closet for a long time admiring my work. I re-organized everything. I wanted to see how much room I’d save by stacking my clothes and turns out, I save 5ft of space by doing it this way! 5ft!!
 
And this reveals to you just how much I don’t have color in my closet.. I’m a darks kind of gal.

It cost me zero dollars to do this. I’ve always been into the black hangers that the stores give for free when I’ve bought clothes over the years, so I’ve collected quite a few of them. Enough to have 95% of my wardrobe hung with black hangers, which in turn lets me stack them.

I was pretty excited.

What will I do with that extra 5ft you may ask? Not a darn thing. I have this thing where every time I reach in my closet to organize or straighten, I end up finding 4-5 more pieces to get rid of, which dwindles my clothes even more because I rarely replace them. Which is just what I did this time. 5 tops I never or should never wear again are in a bag ready to be donated, along with a pair of shoes.

Makes me thankful for all that I have and the ability to give things away and still have enough.
This whole weekend I’m thankful for! Having a 20 year old say she thought I was 24 was a sprinkling of sugar on top an already wonderful weekend.

I’m thankful for surprises and great friends. For other’s generosity and not having to drive my car for 2 days straight. Truly thankful for that one. And lots of laughter. Gosh, its so good to laugh.

How was your weekend, friends?

Random question of the day: Does anyone else lose copious amounts of hair daily??  I leave a hair road trail everywhere I go, it drives me crazy.

Pin It Now!

My attempt at fashion

I once was a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. But then I started wearing shorts and I became a huge shorts and t-shirt kind of gal. I prefer those over dresses and skirts and now jeans since jeans can be suffocating. Not to mention oddly tight around my knees… maybe my knees are getting fat.. hard to explain.

On rare occasions I’ll wear maxi dresses or skirts or even go so far as wearing a real dress to work. It’s rare but it happens.

I have a point…stay with me.

Last week I felt all black. I love wearing all black. Some love bright colors where me, I feel awesome in black. Now I have a small confession that I almost didn’t want to admit. When I posted the outfit on instagram everyone thought it was a dress or a skirt. Even G-man thought it was a dress…and I didn’t correct anyone, because well, I didn’t want to kill the happy mood. But I was wearing pants…as you can tell now that its blown up.

Sooo, since I was all deceiving and all, I thought I should redeem myself. Ok…that’s a fib. You all made me feel so good about this outfit (as a dress) that I had to wear the top again over the weekend, only with a skirt, so I could feel that fabulousness AGAIN.

Remember…I like to be complimented often..call it a disease if you will.

So while I was in Las Vegas for a team rally for lia sophia, I jumped into my friend’s closet to find something to wear because this girl has clothes…and shoes..and then more shoes, so I managed to pull it off pretty well, I think.

I feel better now that I’m not steering you all wrong anymore with the pants picture. Obviously the skirt and red heels are hers. But what made the day even greater was I was set to speak in front of all the lovely women and when I went up there I got into what’s being dubbed my “Party Emily” personality. She’s a lot funner (it’s a word) than normal Emily and while talking, I saw a girl in the back stand  up to look at the heels. Well, I couldn’t very well have her crane her neck, so I popped the foot up and one of the ladies happened to take a picture right at that moment.
You guys didn’t know I was so nice...

Wouldn’t you know it, everyone thought I was wearing a dress who complimented me. Naturally I didn’t feel the need to correct them, because it would have meant me lifting up my shirt to show them the skirt and being in public and all I didn’t feel it was the most appropriate of things to do, so I said thank you with a big ol’ grin.

*Moral of the story: Secretly sneak your friend’s pencil skirt into your luggage and wait to see if she notices.

Have a fabulous weekends, my friends!


*kidding…I didn’t steal the skirt

Pin It Now!

Orange you glad?

First off, thank you everyone for your sweet words yesterday. I know there’s a lot of you married and single who know how I feel, so thank you.

Now! Saturday night a few of my friend’s and I went out to dinner. Since it was our last night in Vegas and one of the girls hadn’t been to Vegas since she was 17 (she’s now 29), we decided to make it worth her while…and by that I mean we went to eat at the Hard Rock Casino. It was close by. It wasn’t our first choice… but the food proved to be good.

After walking uncomfortably through the meat market…I mean, casino, we made it to the restaurant where they sat us in the “orange light” section. I noticed they had a yellow light section and a green light section. Far less offensive than the orange we were in and far more forgiving.

We chowed down on their chips and salsa, talking about all things girl and had a great time together…even though we looked like oompa loompa’s.

Afterward we piled in my friend’s SUV and drove down the strip..twice, so our friend could get a look at everything.
(our friend who get’s a good picture of her since her orange one didn’t turn out well) so that’s what skin is supposed to look like…

It was a good opportunity to point everything out to her that we knew. Fun little facts and memories we had at certain parts of the strip. Reliving many stories, laughing as we deciphered if they were real or if they were 2 stories combined.

(mom, I promise I was not in the car w/Jossie as she met guys at a light who invited her up to their hotel room for a party..and I promise I didn’t go into their room with her either…at least I think I didn’t.) She thinks I was with her all those years ago but I don’t have but the vaguest memory of this story, and no I wasn’t drinking..

Any way, I was so eager to see the Bellagio fountains. My all time favorite on the strip. I’ve spent hours at their wall watching each fountain show. I’ve watched them from a room at the Bellagio, I’ve watched them from a terrance…any way, anywhere I can, I’ll watch their fountain shows. And thankfully, they didn’t disappoint as we drove by slowly the second time and the Beatles began to play.

It brought tears to my eyes…that and because the rest of the car wasn’t into it like I was, but mainly because I got to see the fountains.

A little remnant of the strip.

Orange you glad I took you along my Saturday night? (I had to…I’m sorry) I should probably mention we all were in bed before 11. Party animal central!

Pin It Now!

Looking at myself

I've been following along with She Reads Truth and doing their bible studies...in my own way. I read what they say to read every morning, I think it over, underline and sometimes write notes in my bible. I don't go full out with a notepad filled with verses, notes and doodles to have it really stick. I do what some would say is the minimum, and though I'm not necessarily content in my methods of studying, I'm thankful I'm reading God's word daily.

Though, there's been a struggle going on each day I read. I read for others in mind. I read a certain verse and think, 'if only they would read this.' 'if only I could get them somehow to understand this.' 'this applies to them so much right now' and I would underline and make notes with them in mind. Not me.

Every day I see myself doing this and every day I do my best to stop. To put myself in front. To read for me and what I need to work on in my life, because I know what I'm saying they need to read is what I need to read as well. My heart is just as deceitful and bitter. It holds the same amount of clamor and wrath and anger and slander and malice. (Eph 4:31) I may hold it in (for a little bit longer than them) but I still have it there in my heart and it still spews out of my mouth easier and quicker than others.

I pray a lot about having the verses work in my heart, in my life, and its becoming almost a daily prayer because I can't stop wanting others to be changed by the verses I read and having their eyes opened. I know it won't effect them. They aren't reading it so obviously no changes will be made in their lives, but its mine that its needed in.

Even with this ongoing revelation, I still feel the desire for others to change. Reading an excerpt on Katie's blog from the book "Bittersweet" had me thinking of all my married with kids friends, and wishing they'd read the book. I've seriously debated talking about this for so long but I know you read my blog and in every way I want you to take anything I say, the right way, so I’ve struggled with opening up.

How can I share that I feel like I'm nothing to just about all my married with kids friends, because they never make time to hangout with me? That I see them (or hear about) them hanging out with other friends but when I ask for just one hour of their time, they don't have it. They're too busy, or the kids are impossible to get away from... 

I do understand that when kids come into the picture EVERYTHING changes. I. get. that. And when you add 2, 3, 4 or more kids under a certain age, life is thrown into a tailspin. But I feel left out. Maybe I'm too selfish. Maybe I put more stock in the friendship. Maybe I'm being incredibly unfair. Maybe when my day comes and I have a brood of children at my feet the light bulb will go off and I'll call to apologize.

Right now? I don't get it. And it makes me feel like retreating. Like not even putting in the effort anymore because they don't want to. I don't have the kids in common, play date, get-together’s to be our connection. It makes my time here lonely. And isolating. And disconnected.

I'm not in the same place as anyone around me and I feel like the odd man out, and without Facebook, it makes my outsider feelings complete.

I know I've already taken huge steps back from everyone I've known in my little town. Helping the isolation by not texting or emailing or reaching out to them, because honestly? I'm tired of rejection. It hurts and I don't want to keep getting hurt. I'd rather go to work, go home, do a jewelry party with strangers who make time for me and go back home to a quiet empty apartment, than text a friend and not hear back for days. Or suggest to plan a get together and have it never work out.

I'm not content or happy in this, but its less painful this way.

There’s always the exception and that exception came over last night. I had a great time. We planned 6 weeks ahead and actually had our ‘date’ stick, and I was so happy it worked out, because we had such a nice time.

Like reading verses, if I choose to read that book, or any other, I need to read it for myself. Because God knows how much change I need to do in my own heart. I can pray all day and night for God to change and soften my heart but until I'm willing, it will remain in the same state of discontent and frustration.

Ephesians 4:32 speaks loud enough to me that it stings.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

"be kind and tender-hearted.."  two things I could definitely be more of...

Pin It Now!