Here's to the nights

As I move out of my house in BG, I can't help but cry the entire way home. While I've only lived there for two years, I think it's a part of me. I've grown more in the past two years than the 4 (cough 5) years I've been in this interesting town. I could list the good and bad times in that house for days. But that would just cause more tears. From crying on the floor because of some clearly traumatic event, to dizzy bat at midnight, and playing in the pouring  rain after a sorority meeting... I will miss that house and all that happened there.

So here's to goodbye, tomorrow's gonna come too soon.

10 things

So, I most definitely stole this idea from fellow blogger, sonic drink lover, football fanatic, and dear friend, Caroline. Ten things I love...

10 Things Tuesday

1. The fact I am engaged to my best friend
2. Monograms - and that mine won't change (if only I had a dollar for everytime some said that- I could pay for this wedding)
3. Its 70 degrees in December
4. Taylor Swift is coming in concert in September (hellurrr bachelorette party)
5. Owls - for more reasons than just they are cute
6. Anchors. Duh.
7.  My bridesmaids (even if I haven't officially told all of them they are chosen yet)
8. My dogs
9. I graduate in 158 days. Thank you Jesus.
10. My best friend's wedding is in 179 days. She will be the most beautiful bride in all of history.

day 2 through 4

Well, doing this every day is difficult.. so here is day 2 through 4..

Day 2: Patrick.

Who would have thought that taking a study break to go to a cookout with a fraternity where I only knew one person would turn out so great. Had you told me that afternoon that I was about to make a life changing decision, I would have laughed at you and gone about my day. If you've ever heard our story, you can't help but laugh because it portrays our personalities perfectly. He was laying it on thick, and I could care less. But now, I cant say that I blame him... I mean come on, I'm a catch. Only kidding.

In all seriousness, I cannot imagine life without his crazy, sometimes obnoxious, demeanor. We drive each other crazy, make each other laugh, and most importantly, we get each other through each day. I love this boy, and for all that we have been through... we still stand pretty strong.



DAY 3...

Family.

I am so thankful for my family. My crazy, wonderful, beautiful family. I have never felt more support and love than when I talk to them. I am so blessed to be a part of such a loving group of people. They are my rock.

Day 4...

Life.
I was unsure of what I would write about today, I had a lot of things in mind from specific people to random things. But... I think I will save those for later days this month. I was on my way to BG and a funeral procession pulled out in front of me. SO, according to the Southern way.. I pulled over (which Pat had no idea of until he met me- you're welcome) I just cried as I saw all the cars follow the hearse. It was awful. My first thought was why the heck am I crying right now (which to most of you this is no surprise)... Then I began thinking. I'm thankful for life.. just that. That I able to spend time with my family and close friends. I am able to be immensely stressed about school. All the little things that seem like too much sometimes, I am thankful for those.

November: A Month of Thanks

As November has arrived, I've decided to blog every day something I am thankful for. It's not only a challenge to appreciate something daily, but also to take time and really bask in the many blessings that I've been given.

Without further rambling, the first day will be an ode to my parents.

Not many parents would be likely  to pay for college for 5 years, or put up with my OCD nonsense... But my parents are just that. Absolutely supportive. I am so grateful for all they have done in order for me to have the life I have. It never ceases to amaze me that they built a successful company from the ground up, and continue with that company 16 years later. Every decision they have made was made with my best interest at heart.

They are crazy. Absolutely nuts. But they are mine. And I couldn't ask for two better people to raise me. There have been times where I thought one of us was going to have to go, but after much angst of teenage years... I've come to realize that they are right. They actually did know what they were doing. They set rules and boundaries for a reason. So, as I look back at my 9:00 curfew.. I can laugh and know why I want to go to bed so early now. Oh good one, guys. Good one.

So here's to you two, THANK YOU.. I love you more than words will ever describe.

Love,
Your spitting image and pain in your side.

16 years.

I have been friends with Bailey for 16 years. Sixteen.

It all started when we were 6 years old. We lived across the street from each other. Her house is where I learned to swim, where I fell and severely broke my arm, where I learned to ride a horse. There are so many memories tied with our lives that I really wouldn't know where to start. We have sat and cried, talked and laughed about everything under the sun.

We have had our ups and downs, believe me. There have been times when I think we wanted to strangle each other. However, there wasn't a day during those times that I didn't feel like I could still call up one of my best friends and talk to her. Many times, that is how we reconnected. To me, that is real friendship. It doesn't mean that we talk 24/7 or even weekly. Our lives are both so busy, but I know that as soon as we get together... It will be like no time apart.

I was reminded of how blessed I am by this friendship on Tuesday. Bailey finallllllyyyy got engaged to her best friend, Justin. It seems they have always been together. As I look back, I realize how much she has grown. And how much I have grown too. After I left her house, I just cried. Call me cheesy or sentimental, whatever. But, for the first time, I think I realized how much I have missed her in my life. I know that I have, but that moment made it real. It made me realize how hard it has been not being around her more often.

Everybody has one...

An opinion. A belief. Some sort of moral code.


I am honestly at my wits end with this whole Chick-fil-a debacle. Chick-fil-a is closed on Sundays. This isn't much of a surprise that the company supports traditional Christian values.

I don't think any one has ever snuffed the kind "my pleasure" always extended to you at the window or in the restaurant. "Based on Matthew 5:41, Cathy is on a mission to provide customers with "second-mile" service -- exceeding even the highest expectations of a typical fast-food restaurant." Are we still complaining?

Ok- wait for it- "We don't claim to be a Christian business," Cathy told the Biblical Recorder in a recent visit to North Carolina. He attended a business leadership conference many years ago where he heard Christian businessman Fred Roach say, "There is no such thing as a Christian business." "That got my attention," Cathy said. Roach went on to say, "Christ never died for a corporation. He died for you and me."

Still mad? Ok let us continue...

"The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners. It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove. That morphed into a marriage program in conjunction with national marriage ministries," Cathy added. "


So a company who gives back? Awesome.


"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.


So, now riddle me this. Where in this whole interview does he once bash other beliefs or said they were wrong. I am so disgusted with society and their small-minded tactics to take something positive and turn it negative. They support tradtional marriage, if that bothers you than that's just sad. It bothers me that the only time I want Chicken Minis is on Sunday--- when they are closed. But I am not protesting outside a grand opening. Nope, I shall wait til Monday.

I just find it sad that our society has succumb to such lengths. Everyone always wants to argue. Everybody has an opinion.


http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38271

thought for the day.

 

"In the South, the breeze blows softer...neighbors are friendlier, nosier, and more talkative. {By contrast with the Yankee, the Southerner never uses one word when ten or twenty will do}...This is a different place. Our way of thinking is different, as are our ways of seeing, laughing, singing, eating, meeting and parting. Our walk is different, as the old song goes, our talk and our names. Nothing about us is quite the same as in the country to the north and west. What we carry in our memories is different too, and that may explain everything else."

--Charles Kuralt in "Southerners: Portrait of a People"

 

blogging world.

After much deliberation, as if I need to add one more thing to my to-do list, I have decided to enter the world of blogging. When I was talking to one of my best friends, it dawned on me... I have a lot to say. So here we go...