Other Things

Is it sad that it really hasn't even gotten cold yet and I have cabin fever?  Especially if that cabin looks like this:

Picture Found on This Blog

Every since I saw these BEAUTIFUL scarves, I've been craving one to be wrapped around me.

Don't you think this print is AWESOME? Man, I love Etsy.

Chasing Dreams.

It is difficult for me to blog when Ben is home. I'm not sure why...maybe it is because I want to soak up all my time with him. Which is why last week, I started off strong and disappeared....

I've been doing a lot of thinking about dreams. This thought process isn't fully developed, but I do know several things about myself:

1. I'm creative. I am constantly scheming of ideas and crafts.

2. I love love. I love love stories. I love the beauty within those stories. 

So, I'm combining both of these - I am launching a Event Planning business called: Surprise & Delight Events. I am optimistic to know that the start must be slow, but I feel like I should give it a try. Pursue a dream, if it doesn't work out...I haven't lost anything. I will only grow by this experience. 

Here is to Risk. Here is Dreams. Here is to Pursuit.

Ben's Marathon.

Tonight, Ben made this comment: "I guess it is a big deal to run a marathon. I mean, everyone thinks its a big deal."

It IS a a big deal!

Ben ran his marathon on Saturday. It took him 4 hours and 18 minutes to run 26.2 miles. He did it - he accomplished his goal, dream and made it reality. I am so proud of him.

Pre-marathon - Milo definitely thought he was going with him.

As Ben finishes. I have no idea who this guy is. He wouldn't move out of the picture.

It is hard to believe that Ben decided to run a marathon 7 months ago. Now that the marathon is done, everyone keeps asking Ben if he will run another marathon. On Saturday night, we went to bed at 8:00pm and didn't get up 'til 8:30am. Aaahhh! It felt so good to get so much sleep! Ben is extra pitiful post-marathon...he can't do anything because it hurts. So we've switched roles, I'm taking extra, extra care of him. But, I'm happy to do it. Ben did such a great job and accomplished a HUGE goal!

A Reunion

We slipped into the 24 hour diner. Just the three of us...we hadn't seen each other in 5 years...so there was a lot of catching up to do. A lot of growing up had been done, a lot of maturity. But there were still a lot of giggles and laughs and pouring out our hearts.

Aren't those the best types of reunions?

Our friendship was forced; forced because my Mom's illness and Lisa's mom's willingness to take care of 8 children who were in shock, hurting and confused. I've heard that my Mom prepped Lisa's Mom by telling her our personalities and how we each deal with pain. That may be why it worked so well. But whatever the reason, it worked. And, we became friends. Literally through the horrors of cancer and its chemo-induced side effects, Lisa became a cherished friend. I'm sure it was an odd match - the three of us. But there was no better merger to be made.

5 years later. We've grown up. Somewhere along the lines of losing touch, setting aside our teenage whims, embracing our dreams or putting those dreams on hold, we emerged as three friends: two married, one mom and one dating. We had grown up. The initial awkwardness of "How do I interact with my high school friend when we are no longer teenagers" faded. Quickly.

Somewhere between the quickly ticking clock and the coffee that grew cold, I realized: Lisa is such a strong women. She's always been a strong woman. This was never something we had to question or contemplate. But, as we talked...I was reminded of just how strong she is. And, how I am so happy to be her friend. I've mentioned Lisa before. But, when you see someone's exhaustion, love, sacrifice and more, it takes on a whole new level of respect.

I'm thankful for the sacrifice of our troops...but I'm really thankful for the sacrifice of their families...especially their wives.

My New Perspecive On Cold Weather.

This week, cold weather hit GA. Well, at least in my book it did. The temperatures have not gone above 65 degrees, which means this southern girl is FREEZING.  This year, it is different for me.

I'm still cold. Do not mistake that. But every time I get cold, I think about when we lived in the RV. And, though I'm cold, I have a different perspective.

I'm not freezing.

The air inside my home does not match the (cold) air outside. I am not crawling into bed with freezing sheets unable to get warm. I am not stressed out that my water will diminish WHILE I'm in the shower.  I am not worried about my shampoo freezing. I have not even created a worried brow when I think about the heat STOPPING. (In fact, I think we may still have the A/C on!) I throw the covers off in the middle of the night more than I tuck them around me. I walk around with bare feet instead of covered with socks and house shoes.

I don't miss living in the RV. But, I am so thankful for the perspective it provided.

Date Nights

It is not a secret that I hate Ben's work schedule. In fact, I despise his schedule. I struggle with the 1 or 2 nights a week we actually eat dinner together. It is frustrating. But, a couple of weeks ago, I realized that instead of despising what I cannot change, why not be thankful for what I have: the vital time with Ben. Part of this change of heart is a new mindset; which, is that every and any time I spend time with Ben is a date night. And, it doesn't matter what we are doing, it matters that we are spending time together.

So, tonight marks my second date night with Ben this week. Tonight, we went grocery shopping and then while I made dinner of tacos, Ben put away laundry. Tonight, we had date night. No, it wasn't glamorous. No, it wasn't the typical restaurant and movie date night. But it was time spent together.

Don't get me wrong, I love those expensive nights out. I love the pursuit. I love it when Ben pursues me. When he does things that are thoughtful and romantic, I melt. But, I am learning to treat each moment with Ben as quality time. Whether that is crowded on the couch watching TV, going on to for a nice dinner, laughing at the day's stories, going to a football game or movie. I'm learning and cherishing all my time with Ben and counting them all as date nights.

Happy November 1st!

What happen to October? Seriously. I feel like I blinked and it was gone! It's been a while since I've updated you on my life via TV and film. 

Netflix: Watch Instantly. There is nothing better. Because of this, I just finished the tragically romantic Love Story movie. 

The Biggest Loser: Did you really, REALLY think Ben would hang up our hats on this show? THINK AGAIN! We've been enjoying the twists and turns of this season, but we've been a little frustrated that we haven't emotionally bonded with any of the contestants.

Top Chef: Just Desserts: Yes, I know. The irony that I watch a weight loss show AND a dessert show is not lost on me. But, I CANNOT help it. This show is AMAZING.

Glee: I'm a semi-convert. I will only claim "semi" because I deliberately wait for it to go to www.hulu.com before I watch it. I don't know something about watching it on Hulu feeds my guilty pleasure.

What are you watching?