One week down

Well, it's been a week since I dropped my beloved off at the airport and sent him off into the big wide world. I have survived, but there have been touch and go moments for sure.

After a ridiculously trying day in class (sitting in straight lecture for 7+ hours) I came home, worked out, went and got sushi and red wine and currently I am dreaming of trips.

Dave and I are considering going to visit some beloved friends in Princeton, NJ and making a brief stop over in NYC. He gave me the go ahead to start plans, but I can't decide where to leave from and where to arrive, etc. Plus, I fear that my expectations are getting much larger than the time frame we are allowing ourselves to be there.

I tend to do that a lot, you know.....dream bigger than my britches.

I want to stand on the Brooklyn Bridge and take pictures; I want to go to Chinatown and experience it; I want to meander around and go in random stores; I want to spend time in Central Park; I want to go into stores everyone has to go in - like drug stores. They aren't unique to tourists. Locals have to get their essentials too. I want to go in the grocery store and just try and be normal there. But it isn't normal. It is such a fun place filled with anything and everything anyone would want to do.

See....my dreams are running away....

2 Things

#1: I found these AMAZING cameras last weekend at the flea market. Dave went to get produce Saturday morning and informed me there had been a table full of old cameras. I assumed they would have been sold but on Sunday we went by and to my surprise they were still there. So we bargained with the guy selling them and got both of these beauties for $50.
#2: We have been adding a few extra details to our master bathroom. We found these lanterns at Pottery Barn on super sale. Dave had the brilliant idea to hang them with ribbon. Then I finally found a curtain that I liked. So, I thought I would share these little jewels with whoever would like to read and see them.

Fall Football

There are two things that happen this time of year that I absolutely adore: Fall and Football! Unfortunately, I still can't quite get used to the fact that the weather that represents the fall season does not happen down here in Florida. I don't know that I'll ever get used to not having a fall weather season. Also unfortunately, my football partner (aka my husband) will be missing for a huge majority of the football season. So, I am hoping to still have some football parties, but I must admit that our usual football party guests will most likely not be inclined to come if there is no boy here. So, I am a little apprehensive as to the nature of this football season. You may just find me on any given Saturday sitting at home with my beer, tortilla chips, salsa and football (this is an official open invitation to join me for anyone who reads my blog and lives in the area - or comes to visit).

Also, I am currently being forced to watch First Blood on TV - at this very moment. Pray for me. :)

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.