Sorry!!

It's been almost a month since I posted! Bad blogger! Bad! The past month has been so busy, my head is spinning. We attended a wedding, we've been to several more tee ball games, I started a new job and we are finally remodeling the hideous upstairs bathroom. (We found HARDWOOD under the linoleum in the there.) Anyway, it's been busy, but I am going to keep this fairly short.

The new job is awesome. I am working with kids and they are seriously amazing. I couldn't be happier doing this. In many ways I feel like they are teaching me more than I am teaching them. It's awesome. : )

The bathroom remodel is extensive. We are redoing the floor, tearing out a wall, putting in new vanities, painting and fixing the closet. The word sheet rock may send me into convulsions, so I can't really get to much into it without wigging out.

Our good friends James and Vanessa got married about two weeks ago. It was a beautiful wedding. Mark was a groomsman and I got to photograph the whole thing. We are so lucky to be blessed with such wonderful friends as them. We finally had them over last night to hear about their honeymoon and the moving/merging of houses!

We celebrated Mothers Day today with some of my favorite mothers- mine, of course, Marks Mom, my sister and my grandmother. : ) Love these ladies so much!!

So much more to add, but that will be another post for another day. I just needed to show the blog some love. I'm off to bed. Miss you bloggies!

Love,
Heather

weekend in review

This weekend was awesome! I'm still worn out. : ) It started Thursday night when Mark and I went over to Bill and Beth's to hang out and Beth and I got to watch some Grey's Anatomy! On Friday morning Mark and Ryan and myself went over to help bill pull some vines down off of the rental house. After that we went to Lowe's and then we all came home to take a nap! That night we had pizza and cake then went bowling for Olivia's 4th birthday!

Saturday was even crazier. We started at the ball field for Ryan's first Tee Ball game. Can I just say HOW CUTE little kids are playing tee ball? They build dirt piles, run the wrong way and ask if they can go sit with their papaws when they get bored. It's adorable!

Mark and I left the ball field and headed home to get ready for Nikki and Jay's wedding. Nikki was such a beautiful bride and we were so happy to be a part of their day! They had some of the best food I've ever had at a wedding as well. Lots of authentic Italian finger foods. Delicious!!

After the wedding, We headed home to change again and this time Courtney went with me to Ryan's second game of the day where we met my Mom and my Uncle Mark. Ryan was a crowd pleaser, that's for sure! After the game, Courtney and I headed back to my place to change for the final leg of Saturday's journey... Vanessa's Bachelorette Party!

We had a great time and sent Vanessa's single life out in style of course...with hard liquor, dirty dancing and a little karaoke. : ) After we got home, I completely passed out.

Sunday morning the three of us woke and ate pizza for breakfast. After that we all got ready and headed out for Vanessa and James shower. They got a ton of gifts and they are already so loved by their families and friends. We can't wait to help them celebrate their big day! After all that, Mark and I didn't feel like cooking dinner, so we got a rotisserie chicken from Food City, piled on the couch and watch a few episodes of True Blood Before calling it a day.

I hope your weekend was as fun as ours was!

things I thought today

After a very long day yesterday spent bedside with my grandfather at the hospital, I decided I needed some quiet time in the sun with God and a good book. So here's what I noticed while getting my vitamin D on.

• My dogs are incredibly lazy. When they aren't being teased by the bore bees, they spend their time sprawled out like salamanders soaking in the rays of the sun.
• Everything is so incredibly green right now. Our grass has already been mowed for the first time this year. Even the branches that are still bare are sprawling their limbs skyward with tiny little buds lifting their heads and smiling at the sun.
• My flowers are shooting up. It seems that the trees and myself aren't the only ones enjoying the sunshine.
• We never really had a true winter. Plenty of rain and dreary skies, but all of the parts of winter that are enjoyable seem to have gotten lost this year. No big snow, which means I never made snow angels and came in to drink hot chocolate or whisky. ; )
• My grandfather told me about a week ago to enjoy everything as it is happening. To take it in. Find pleasure even in the things that are painful. Reflecting on those words, I tried to find pleasure in yesterdays events. I went over and over it in my mind. At last it came to me and I smiled. Though somewhat sedated, my grandfather raised his head. His eyes were weary and strained. Ever the strong man, he lifted his arm and reached out to me. When I took his hand he just smiled. He smiled that knowing smile of his and laid his head back down to rest. There is also something very comforting in the fact that he is ready to go. He doesn't feel like there is anything he didn't get to do...and that is incredibly uplifting. Even if I am not ready to let go of him.
• After thinking about him and finding that positivity, I began to see so many wonderful things. The birds are back. They are flying and singing, chirping and gathering supplies for new nests. I must remember to get seed. We have beautiful cardinals and blue jays that enjoy our feeders each year.
• The squirrels are chattering away and chasing each other from limb to limb. I suppose it is time to put corn cobs out for them as well.  
• I am looking forward to planting new flowers outside. That always makes me feel good.
• I'm incredibly lucky to have the friend and partner that I have. Mark was so instrumental yesterday in helping me keep my shit together...most of the time. He went to the store today and got supplies for buffalo shrimp, hooters style because I mentioned yesterday that it sounded good. He is always doing little things...and when you add them up, gosh...I can't think of anyone more kind and knowing of what it takes to be me. (And love me anyway.)
• God is so Good. Even when there seems to be so much pain in the world, he puts someone in your path (or a couple of someones) who knows exactly what you need to hear, and how you need to hear it. I'm so grateful to HIM for THEM.

Thanks God for a beautiful day, and for opening my eyes to see it around me.

Swiffer Out

I must admit, after the February Photo-a-day, my blog is a bit dusty. Sorry, folks! I started a new job and this girl has been falling into bed every night around 10:30! The new job is going well. I'm back at another tanning salon, and I really like it. Generally people who want to get tan are super nice and in happy moods, and that jives well with me! I'm also sporting a nice golden glow and that does wonders for the psyche.

In other news, I went back to the doctor last week to talk more in depth about getting preggers. I cannot even begin to tell you what a joy it was to have Mark in the room during the visit. Along with the nurse, the doctor and a trainee. There we all were. Mark and the doctor just chatting away while he was doing the exam. The nurse talking to the trainee about making the patient feel comfortable during an exam. Me lying there with my legs spread wide for everyone to see...wishing a great hole would open in the earth and I could fall into it...for like, forever. OMG.

And really, I can't NOT publish this. It's too funny looking back to not want to remember. (Though I'm still not sure I will ever want to remember this, but still.)

My grandfather has taken a turn. He's not well. Please send some prayers up for him.

OK. That's all for today.

Happy Friday!

Reasons

So, the main reason it has taken me so long to post here, is because I am finally working! It feels amazing! I am sitting with an elderly man, which hardly qualifies as work, even though I worked 48 hours last week! -and he is so sweet. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I am grateful for anything right now. It feels good to contribute! I also went to the doctor to talk babies. Since we haven't been trying long, he's not worried that it hasn't happened yet. We are going to wait another 6 months and see where we are then. I have been so tired lately. (Which either means I have been out of the workforce WAY too long, or....) Either way, I am more relaxed because I'm not sitting around the house wondering and bored. You know what they say, Idol Hands...


Keeps us in your prayers. We're happy, but we would love an addition to our family. God knows the plan. I trust in Him.

*Cruisin'- Smokey Robinson

I need some pants like this

The Vols may be a little down on their luck this year, but Derek Dooley's Orange pants continue to inspire me.....

Source

why I love Thursdays

There's McDreamy....

*source

There's McSteamy...

*source

Avery (who I like to call McYummy)...

*source

Owen..(Who I like to call McArmy)...

*source

Alex..(who can sometimes be McAsshole, but Derek is filling in for him at the moment.)

*source

Every Thursday is such a joy. : ) See you tomorrow, Grey's Fans!

HOPE

A seemingly small word..packed with a punch. I've felt a little hopeless recently, and I'm beginning to feel that things are on the upswing. I've still been seeing a therapist, and she's phenomenal! I'm thinking of making some big personal changes in my life and with the help of many, I think it just might be possible.

Sometimes, it takes a village. Sometimes it takes trusting that little voice in the back of your head.

blacklight bowling

FUN, FUN, FUN! : )

*Katy Perry- Firework

Judgey

I woke up this morning with purpose. I made a phone call, and was seriously derailed from my sunny outlook. So, I got on facebook looking for some cheerful post to make me realize that I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and to get my ass up and going. You know, enjoy life. I ran across a post from a girl I am not really friends with, talking about how she is pregnant. Again. With like, her fifth or something. This was the point I started judging... and for what?

You know, sometimes a person just gets all they can take before blowing up. Reading this, you are probably judging me...thinking.. what the EFF does she have to moan and groan about? Well, I'll tell you. The person I called first thing this morning actually called me last night looking for help. When I called her back today, I had some great news for her and then she blew me off. It's incredibly frustrating to try an help someone who won't help themselves. SO, I judged.

Then, I judged someone for being pregnant, (I am awesome.) which is lowest of the low..and only because I am ready to have kids, had a bad morning, and somehow decided that She shouldn't have 5 kids before I can have one. To you, sort-of-friend-from-facebook, I apologize. I know that was wrong, and I wish you nothing but happiness.

Do you judge? Are you more likely to do it when you are upset or angry? I know I am. So, I got it off my chest and now I am off to clean the house because Lord knows, if anyone walked in here right now, they would judge me in a heartbeat. And I would care. Just a little.

*Come Together- Aerosmith

the importance of loving yourself

I always seem to involve myself a little too extensively in other peoples problems. In turn, I always wear myself out and either get physically sick or emotionally sick, which in all reality is much harder to cure. It's really easy to get angry with people when you think about how easy their problems would be to solve if they would just DO exactly what you tell them to. Sadly, life isn't that easy. That's why therapy is hard. You have to work at solving your problems. Sometimes you feel selfish for just working on yourself instead of trying to rescue other folks from what you clearly see to be certain doom. The point is, you can live your life and be happy if you are too busy trying to live someone elses just to make them OK. For me, this seems to be the hardest lesson of all... I've been reading and rereading this quote over the last few days...

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

Profound, yet so simple. bringing it to mind helps so much...if I can remember to do it.

wheeeeeeee!

Whoa. Only 6 days since my last post, but it feels like EONS. First things first, I guess. I got a job. A real life, wake up at the same time everyday, put make up on in the morning, bugging out on the first day, JOB. I'm fairly certain that Mark is happier than me. I actually haven't told many people. I guess because I've been kind of lazy for the last year and a half and if I didn't make it, I didn't want to seem like a giant loser. No going back now I guess. Cat's outta the bag. It's on the Internet. I did manage to keep a three day weekend, (score: Heather 1, job 0) which makes me incredibly lucky. I'm working in the billing department at a clinic in the big K. It's going alright. Enough said about that. : )
Pictures. I feel so guilty. I haven't taken a picture in almost a week. I miss it. : (  I'm also doing a wedding in June. Holy crow. Still bugging out about that, but imma be takin' that risk, boo. It should be fun.

My bestie, CoCo turned 30. We have officially kissed our twenties goodbye! I love that crazy bitch. (I feel no remorse calling her that because 1. she knows it's true and 2. she calls me that, too.) I STILL haven't celebrated with her, because her sis took her away to VEGAS for a birthday weekend without me, but am hoping to have a lunch date with her one day next week. Doesn't really compare, does it? Love you, CoCo!

Mark and I celebrated my return to the work force by not cleaning up after ourselves all week and ordering out tonight. We tried the new place Copeland's here in town and it did not disappoint. Homemade potato chips? Sign me up! Everything was great. I highly recommend you check it out. Yum...

On to things of very little importance. I'm pretty pissed Off the Map didn't make it to Season 2. I was really liking that show. On the plus side, Grey's is back. STOP reading here if you haven't watched the season finale yet (what did we do before Tivo and DVRs? Oh, wait, I still have neither of those) ...... OK. Meredith and Derek fighting and making up? That's Grey's! Alex being a complete ass? Totally Grey's. Christina doing whats best for Christina? So Grey's. It's back kids. Can't wait till fall! : )

Of even lesser importance? I am exhausted. I've been to bed this week every night at 10. Dudes.. that's a record.

Hope your week has been a good one! Here's to a weekend filled with relaxation and moderate quantities of booze. (if you so choose.)

Later gaters...

*Love Song- 311

explosion and perspective

I had grand intentions of firing off part of this post yesterday, but blogger was down and it made me feel Freeeee!!!!!! So, even when it came back on this afternoon, I forgot to blog. Oops. This one is important to me, and so much better late than never.

First. Yesterday, Mark and I had an argument. See? We are actually normal people who don't want to suck face all day long and have our own moments of marital skirmish. : ) On his way home from work yesterday, Mark called me and was going on about how he was going to get this wood chipper from a friend. Great! He told me about how he planned to do it and even though I was thinking there were better things we could do with the money he would use to buy it, I was happy that he was happy.... The conversation then moved to what our plans were for last night. I asked him would he go with me to a band concert at our high school Alma Mater IF we got done mowing early enough. He exploded on me, wondering why I was changing our plans...BLAH BLAH BLAH... When I told him I was disappointed, he asked why was I so mad and what do you know, 3 seconds later, he hung up on me.

I'd like to interject at this point that Mark is a wonderful husband. He truly is, but he knows what buttons to push when he is mad. My ULTIMATE pet peeve is being hung up on. It's rude and hurts my feelings. Two things I do NOT tolerate.

 So, when he got home, I had already changed into shorts and a t-shirt and had my ipod in trying to start the mower. (With no luck, dammit. WHY, WHY must mechanical things always fail me when I am in the middle of an argument? -Wait, that's got to be a God thing. God must have wanted us to kiss and make up.) Anyway, he walks out into the back yard and looks at me, gesturing that he wants to talk. With enormous effort, I pulled my earphones out and in my sassiest, southern, pissed off voice, said: "OH! Now you wanna talk to me?" Yeah, total bitch baby.

Of course we ended up working it out. We always do, because that's just us. He also fixed the mower. (The spark plug was uncovered. Dammit.) We finished the yard and our elderly neighbors walked over to the fence row and invited us over for beers. We gladly accepted because they are awesome! This is the first time in five years that we've had anything more than a few fence row chats or a few laughs. Can I just say that these two people are wonderful? They entertained us with tales from their early life as a young married couple. We also learned the MR. had been to jail and that Mrs. had gone and bailed him out. (He had been caught with moonshine in his vehicle...which might not have been as bad if he hadn't been sipping it on the way home!) The entire time they talked, they were holding hands and laughing and I realized something.... 56 years of marriage is a lot to celebrate. There were ups and downs good times and bad times, but they made it. They're STILL making it!  And in today's day and age, that's really saying something. So, I'm celebrating my argument. I'm also hoping that in 49 years or so, Mark and I will be grey and wrinkled and that I'll be telling some silly young couple (without even knowing it) to celebrate it all.

*Jessie's Girl: Rick Springfield

too many irons in the fire

I sat down this morning and made a "To Do List". It wasn't short. Read on...

• Clean House
• Laundry
• Dinner
• Give the dogs a bath
• Return Movies
• Walgreens
• Kroger
• Pot Plants

That's just today. The things I have committed to doing the rest of this week are insane as well...

• 10AM Thursday- Interview
• 11AM Thursday- Doctors Appointment (Gonna have to cancel that one)
• 12PM Thursday- Sit with a friend who had surgery
• 5PM Thursday- Take pictures for a friend's children who are in a dance recital
• 9PM Thursday- Grey's Anatomy (Ok, technically, thats not a committment, but STILL. Not missing it. )
• 10AM Friday- Sit with Friend who had surgery
• 2PM Friday- Go pick up boat tires
• 10AM Saturday- Fun Day for Mark's Work
• 6PM Sunday- Kyle's Graduation from College!
• 9AM Monday- Babysit

Where is May going?????? I don't want to sound like I am complaining, either... I want to do each and every one of these things...I just wish they didn't all decide to occur on the same weekend! And if I land the job? It's seriously going to complicate things.. 

*Kings of Leon-  Molly's Chambers

zoom zoom...

This weekend flew by. So fast, in fact, that I almost forgot it was Easter. Until Saturday night when my mom called to remind me. (Thanks, Mom!) Thursday night, Mark and I embarked on a journey of pain. We helped a lady he works with rake her yard. Why, Oh WHY I forgot to take before and after pictures is beyond me, but it was totally worth it. : ) I got some serious cardio in, and Lee is an amazing person who's just cool to be around. We worked on the yard Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Lots of leaves, people! Saturday was the busiest of all. We went out to the lake lot to spray for ticks early that morning and then had a pancake brunch with Bill, Beth and Kyle. After that we scooted over to Lee's to finish up her yard. After rushing home, I showered (pulled off two ticks- YUCK.) and headed out to a photo shoot for the lovely Ellen and her boyfriend Michael. Ellen was nominated to attend the Dogwood Ball this weekend and I was lucky enough to take some pictures for her.

Talk about beautiful people! After the photo shoot, I rushed home to get ready for a dinner with some of my favorites- Bill, Beth, Paul and Mary. We hit up Don Edwardo's in Kingston and sat on the patio with mixed drinks and some excellent serenading from w guy who stepped out of a mariachi band. (No pictures, sorry!) Anyway, we were supposed to go and hear a band after that, but I just couldn't move I was so tired. We went home to chill and started mixing drinks and the evening just turned into one of those things that was meant to be. JT stopped by and Holly came over, too. We stayed up until 3 listening to music on the back porch. And then I promptly overslept on Easter Sunday.

After we finally got ready Sunday afternoon, we made the trip to my grandparents house to celebrate Easter. Mark ended up fixing a pipe under their sink and I took about 300 pictures of Ryan. (I can't help myself. This photo stuff is FUN. )

This kid can work a camera. That's just all there is to it! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I really need to start some laundry and think about cleaning my house. : )

*Automatic Stop- The Strokes

flowers and awesomeness

A whopping nine days since my last post. I feel like I have neglected my blog and blogging buddies! It's been sort of busy, sort of not. Allergies are getting the best of me today. Since I've been taking allergy meds, the pollen took residence in my lungs. Last night I started losing my voice and my throat was sore, so I did two hot toddys and a warm bath, which helped really not at all. Today I started taking Mucinex (-isn't that a disgusting name? anyway,), and it has helped some. I HATE a chest cold. They are worse than anything else if you ask me. YUCK.

I've been playing with my camera a bunch in the last few days because everything is just so pretty right now. There are shades of pink and purple everywhere and tulips galore. The dogwoods have bloomed out, too. The older I get the more I love flowers.

We also had my birthday party last weekend, and can I just say WOW? I had so much fun. It was Eighties themed and most people participated. All of the ones who didn't brought presents, so that was  pretty awesome, too. : )

Yo, B. Check us out. We're Funky.

In other news, the crazy cat hoarders from next door are being evicted. Or so we are told. I'm so happy about this turn of play I'm about to wet my pants. They have been cleaning out their storage unit in the back yard, so I am hoping everything plays out swiftly. As in they really do move and we inherit awesome news neighbors who like to plant flowers and listen to good music. They may have one male cat, but it has to be fixed. And if I'm being perfectly honest, they won't have a cat at all, they'll be dog people and we'll be best buds. Are you looking for a house to buy? We are fun people to have as neighbors. Unless you have a cat horde of unfixed felines. Then of course, all bets are off.

So! On the crazy front. I got my first 2 week appointment. Apparently, I am doing well enough that I may go 2 weeks without professional intervention. : ) It's nice on the pocketbook, too. I also had a job interview today and that's always uplifting. Still not sure what I wanna do, but I'm trying.

I hope your week has been awesome. : )

*James Blunt- Beautiful Dawn

Guns and Country

We headed south of the river to do a little target practice. It's one of Marks favorite things to do, and I don't mind indulging him from time to time. We visited a friends house and headed out into their cow pasture to have a little fun. I couldn't help but wonder while I was there, if there had ever been any cow tipping done in this place. The boys had a great time, and when I tired of shooting, I pulled out my book.

That last picture just flat out refused to turn and sit properly, so I guess you'll just have to cock your head sideways to view it properly.

*Cyprus Avenue- Van Morrison



Teeth!

All smiles. Friends don't have to be the same age as you are. Only of the same mind.  -Me.

*Everybody have Fun Tonight -Wang Chung

time .....is on my side

As I get older, I notice time passing more quickly. I sometimes long for the days of my youth when I can distinctly remember thinking, WHEN WILL I BE OLDER? Folks, I believe that time has come. I am older. I am wiser, but I still have so much growing to do. I have somewhat adjusted to not working out of the home and while most days I love my freedom, there are other days, like today, when I feel like I could be so much more productive with my time. For instance, today I have had breakfast, cleaned the house and talked to my mother on the phone. That's pretty much it. I am going to work out in a bit, but really, how productive is that? I need to find some balance. Don't get me wrong. I like not having any specific time to get up in the mornings and the freedom to walk around in my pajamas all day if I want to, but I don't really want to sleep until noon everyday (and I don't) and not brush my teeth until I know company is coming over, either. Balance, I tell you. I know that when I have children (God willing) that a lot of this will change. I am trying to enjoy this time, because like many of the mothers I know, I realize that time will be precious to me when that day of the permanent 3 comes to our home. For anyone that wonders, Mark and I are planning on having children. Quite possibly as soon as next year. We had some insurance issues to work out first, and now we are fast tracking to parenthood, I guess.

There are a few more things I want to do as a married couple before we have kids, and I am also open to suggestions from anyone who reads here to say, "Hey! Heather! Before you have kids, you must go to Mexico!" or "While you are childless, you should probably go ahead and find the cure for cancer. That would help us all out a bunch, OK?" You know... things like that.

Aside from that, I am working on my photography skills. I really want to take a class, as I think that would help me mold something I really enjoy doing into something I am really good at. I've also been working on a few things from my 100 things list. I baked cookies the other day and I am really thinking about tackling the other bathroom before summer gets here. That seems pretty productive...

until next time....

*Time Is on My Side- The Rolling Stones

of this week and whats yet to come

This week I have kept up with my Comcast workouts really well. Today I plan on abs and cardio. (Wish my flab luck!) I have already done Upper body (Crunch Fitness) and Lower body (kick boxing, Buns and thighs 2, and a Billy Blanks video) and cardio each day. I can't say enough about variety. I get SO bored when I have to do the same thing everyday.

 Anyway, it's been a sort of slow week here around the house and I am really learning the meaning of that phrase 'a woman's work is never done.' I cleaned the entire house on Monday. I swept, mopped, vacuumed, did my bathrooms, the laundry, etc. Today, I am doing it again! I know part of this is because we use kerosene in the winter and that makes a dusty mess everywhere and the other fact is due to Saber blowing her coat. The dog fur! Oh, the DOG FUR.

 Today it's sunny and warm so I am leaving her outside. Last week I gave her bath and since her favorite thing to do after I give her a bath is roll around in red clay mud, I have been keeping her outside visits brief. It may sound a little gross, but Saber only gets a bath about twice a year. Her coat keeps us from doing it anymore frequently than that because if we did, she would have some serious skin issues. The other dogs get a bath much more frequently, though. So. I'm re-cleaning. I guess while I am at it, I will catch the laundry up as well.

Tomorrow I am super excited for! Mark is going hunting with me and Bill! He has taken an interest in it, and wants to check it out before he makes any real commitment. I have learned that hunting is expensive! Just the money you have to put into clothing and apparel alone is quite a bit. That's not even mentioning licensure and waterfowl stamps. I am so looking forward to spending time both with him and time in the wilderness. There's something about being outside that makes me so happy. I am already thinking about getting to plant flowers in the spring and looking forward to some remodeling projects that Mark and I are hoping to put into action this summer. Hellooo warm weather!

*Happy Together- The Turtles