Cruisin for a bruisin

Well, we returned from our cruise on Monday. We left Tampa Thursday, sailed for a whole day and arrived in Cozumel, Mexico on Saturday. We spent the whole day in Cozumel and went snorkeling, did a little shopping, explored the island, spent some time on a beach and of course had some amazing drinks and food!Here are just a few select images I captured in Mexico...........


.......and we can't WAIT to go back!

Gray matter, white matter, what's the matter?

Well, according to my CT scan I have a brain and all the proper components of a brain. And, apparently, there is nothing wrong or abnormal with my brain.

So I guess we just chalk all this nonsense up to vertigo and/or craziness.

I am keeping my appointment with the Neurologist just to play it safe so I will update with that info.

Meanwhile, Dave and I are gearing up for our cruise with the Shores. We leave Thursday and will be gone until Monday. We go to Cozumel, Mexico - which I have never been to. I was a little apprehensive at first about the space issue and the seasickness issue, but my fears have been calmed momentarily and mostly I am anxiously awaiting this series of new experiences. My toes are painted in purple and black zebra with glitter, so I am ready!

Details to follow.....

Not good at this

I must admit that I am no good at keeping up to date on my blog. :(

I would like to make that different, but we'll see. Apparently, according to my husband, I never finish any project I start. I think I would consider this a project, maybe not in the art way, but a project nonetheless.

I have been experiencing some weird, random health issues lately. Without warning I will become very dizzy with the weak feeling that I am getting ready to pass out. I have to sit down and then I usually have a panic attack of sorts and the dizziness doesn't go away for a couple hours. The next couple days are followed by extreme tiredness and the feeling of constantly needing sleep.

I have no idea what is going on. I have had quite a few tests lately including pretty complete bloodwork, EKG and most recently a CT scan of my head. I haven't gotten those results yet, but all the other results show normal functioning. It is sort of frustrating, but I guess I should really be thankful that I don't have something major wrong with me.

There's the latest.
Thanks for reading.

It has been a while....

and I find myself struggling to be creative and inspired. I feel my best when I am inspired and creative - not just in artsy ways.

One thing I really hate is something I struggle with often. Every time I think I have conquered this battle (with God's leading, of course), I fall right back into the pit of self-destructive thoughts.

Why does my entire being SCREAM and KICK to fight what society says about the way I should look and feel while at the exact same time almost cry over how much I want to look and feel the way society says I should?

I'd like to think I have come a long way in my battle against this and I know that God has blessed me beyond measure. Sometimes it just seems that when I take 1 step forward I end up taking 3 steps backward.

I appreciate those of you who will read this. I pray that women do not struggle with this in the way that I do and that God will bless me with the ability to help others as He helps me.
Join me in prayer over all women all over the world - those in destructive marriages and healthy ones; those single ladies in their 20's and those in their 70's; middle school students; middle school teachers; those free and those in slavery. May God give them understanding of how He has made them unique and beautiful - ALL OF THEM!

Sorry for the rant - just thought I'd share what was on my mind. Thanks for reading.

NOW

My sister and I are road-tripping it together Monday and Tuesday and I wanted to put some music together for our trip so I turned to the ever popular Now That's What I Call Music compilations. Just for those of you who haven't kept up with these lovely collections since Now 5, the franchise is on version 34! I remember when the first one came out.

So anyway, I created a playlist based on Wikipedia's listing of the Now discography in hopes that I could export it to create cd's for the car, but alas, the music is copyright protected and I will have to be satisfied with listening to these precious jewels on my laptop via the internet. It is better than nothing. Some of these long-lost forgotten treasures are as follow:

Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias
Any Backstreet Boys song
Any *NSYNC song
Mmmm bop - Hanson
Wanna Be - Spice Girls
Barbie Girl - Aqua
Waiting for Tonight - JLo

Whew....that's only a few! I have a whole 50 or so songs from the early 2000's that are just waiting to be remembered and cherished. :) I just thought I would share with those of you who vividly remember being 16 at this time!

a few things are certain....

This week was VBS at church. I was tasked with photography duties which included getting headshots of each child, action shots and group shots. The headshots task alone was a little daunting, especially with over 250 children registered, but it proved rather successful when the kids put their photo frame together and had a photo to share with their families.

Overall, it was a rewarding week. I can confidently leave the week with a few certain truths: lots of children=chaos; lots of children=cuteness; and lots of children=inevitable illness......

I am leaving the week with a sore throat and cough........
oh well.

To Be Absent From the Body

This week this world lost a lovely friend, brother, son & warrior, but our loss was surely heaven's gain. Sweet Matthew Fay was completely healed of his 3 1/2 year battle with cancer when he went to be with the Lord. It has been so bittersweet to recall the numerous memories that have flooded my mind as I have reminisced on his precious life.
For as far back as I can remember, Matthew was a part of my life. We both grew up in the same church, went to elementary school together, were in youth group together and many years our families spent holidays celebrating together. Matthew was always found with a smile on his face and always had a sweet embrace whenever we met or were parting. When my family moved to Florida almost 10 years ago, I am sad to say that we lost touch a little, but I never forgot what a good friend he was. Sadly, 3 1/2 years ago he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and endured countless chemotherapy treatments and tests. I have not spoken with him in person since his diagnosis, although I did send letters and emails and it saddens me that I will not be able to go to the funeral, but I know that because he is absent from his body that he is present with the Father, in heaven and I rejoice greatly at that knowledge.

Please pray for Greg, Nancy and Ian Fay as they mourn the worldly loss of this precious man. Pray also for all of those whose lives Matthew touched. He will truly be missed!

Thanks for reading.