Paw Paw

Goodbye lovlies! I am off for a 3 day weekend. I am headed to Covington, Louisiana to hang out with these two kiddos. My Paw Paw is singing in a choir at his retirement home- how cute is that?? And, of course, I will be drinking it up with Aunt Karen a bit!

Have a happy weekend!

Picture of the Morning

This is not a picture I found on the internet, but one I took when I walked out of my bedroom. Apparently the puppies have decided we don't feed them enough and took matters into their own hands.

Made me laugh!!

These are a few of my Favorite Things

My life is in a bit of a limbo these days. I don't have my home or all of my things- and I love my things!
Last night I was thinking about the few things I simply can't live without, those few things that you just have to have around to make you feel somewhat grounded because they remind you who you are.
Here are mine...

This is probably the main one, Rabbie. I have had him since my 7th birthday and I can't sleep without him. He travels with me everywhere and has had multiple "operations" and "reconstructions" to keep him going. Thankfully my Daddy's a vet! ;)

Books! I always have to have a few books with me. And if I'm staying anywhere longer than a few weeks I need a cookbook. I took one with me to Boston when I went for a month and collected two new ones in Wisconsin to take to Texas.

This is a drawing Kae (my sister) did of my horse for me a few years back.

Also relating to Little Man, this photo. Katie took it for a photography class she was taking. It has a Bible verse attached to it stating that Jesus is coming back on a white horse. Little Man grounded me for years and I think I have felt a little a-drift without him around the past few years.

Photos! I must have 30 on the wall in my room. I have to be surrounded by my family and friends.

This is a new staple. I lost my Granny last New Years and this is a photo of her from when she was my age. I have had it up since she died and I look at it all the time.

And, of course, my Van! As you know- she goes everywhere possible with me. And I have major separation issues when I have to leave her behind. Ridiculous.

What things can't you live without??

It's too Cold in Florida When...

I was literally thinking about this on the way to work today. Here's my list!

You know it's too cold in Florida when...
... the governor declares a state of emergency for the oranges
... there is ice on anything that's not in the freezer
... the humidity in the air comes from when "you can see your breath"
... the temperature drops below 50 degrees at any point during the day
... you've been rotating the same two sweaters for days because that's as many as you own
... you start dreaming of a nice, warm beach vacation getaway
... even the snowbirds are cold
... you put on socks for anything aside from working out
... you aren't worried about your pedicure because you haven't seen your toes for a week
... you realize why Yankees are so grouchy
... you discover a scarf is for more than just a fashion statement
... even the surfers aren't in the water
... everyone has a look of confusion on their faces
... you see that there is a wild fire in Gulf Breeze and consider them lucky because they are probably warmer than you are

Have any to add??

Searching for God Knows What

I just finished reading Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller, who is also the author of Blue Like Jazz. It was quite a remarkable book. Both are, actually. Miller is a life-long Christian who was a bit mislead and disillusioned for a while in his late teens and "denounced" God. He lives, works and ministers in Portland, Oregon- a notoriously liberal society much different from the Bible Belt that I am used to. The experiences, friends, and faith that he has in that environment offers a drastically different view of God and faith than we are used to. And it is one, I would argue, that is quite vital. I find him giving voice to many beliefs I hold about faith that are smothered and shunned in the deep South.

The narrative of Searching for God Knows What revolves around the idea Miller presents as the "lifeboat mentality" that humans have. He claims that this is the drive we have to make ourselves look better than others in an effort to save ourselves, much like if a group of people were stuck too long in a lifeboat and had to decide which person to sacrifice. One of his strongest declarations involves society's shunning and "war" on gays. He states that our treatment of them, basically making the statement that their lifestyle will cause them to lose their family, friends, lovers and God, is declaring war on them rather than loving them. I nearly applauded in my bed the night I read that chapter and I reread it two nights in a row.

The entire book is not a rant against Christian society, though. It is more of a compilation of funny, random observations and thoughts that shed an incredible new light on the way Christians should act and love and live.

What I Want to Wear This Weekend

Kendall always posts the amazing outfits she wants to wear out and about.
Well, here's mine! ;)

Not as fashionable, but perfect for holiday baking and tree decorating!!!

The Sists

The Grinch is a legend in my family. Katie, Amanda and I can quote the whole thing. And for some reason, today, thinking about how neither will be with me for Christmas is making me so sad!

This line from our family mantra keeps running though my head, and it rings especially true today...

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!