Less is More

While I am completely embarrassed that I am posting this picture, in order to make my point I must! Meet our closet! A hot mess, that is, until, today! How I managed to have all of these clothes is beyond me. Now this isn't what the closet looks like everyday just so you know. It is only this rough during a crazy week and back from traveling and such! So yesterday enough is enough and clothes were stacked in piles for the community yard sale. Which I know there is one, but I don't know when, hmmm, may be a problem! Anyway after bags and bags were packed and the guest room closet organized with the remains from our master closet, I introduce.... drum roll please- Ha!

Ahh, so much nicer! I don't think danny has ever seen the floor of our closet! Ha! The poor guy has been living like a pauper with all of my clothes scattered and he had one small little area to himself. Still unhappy about the shelve clutter above the hanging pieces, but those are my track suits and work-out clothes, it's the only place for them!Ha! SO, what was I thinking! I have been going for a "less is more" feel in our home. Closet done, now moving on! Ha! Really though, when we bought the house I wanted everything perfect and in place, now that I look back over the last two years, it wasn't worth it! I should've slowed down and took a breath!

My advice with a new home, get it only when you know it's right. Don't rush to fill a space. And of course it isn't the bigger pieces that were the problem, it was this vase and this picture or this shower curtain. I pulled 4 shower curtains out for this yard sale that I have only used for month or two then got a new one that was the best fit for us! Our next home, no way, lesson learned!

And it's the same with all of these clothes and shoes and bags. Why Julie, Why? When Danny was home we were talking and it led him into taking me on a tour of my shoes in all of the places they are found in our house. Starting in the basement and moving onto the main level after 1 or 2 rooms I was so done! Yes, baby I got your point! Ha! And no wonder I drive myself crazy about what to wear, there is too much too choose from!!! I am definitely working on being more frugal when shopping and if there is any doubt, then i don't need it! All the gals out there, shopping, it's a curse! Beware!

Mirror Mirror On the Wall

Things aren't always as they appear. Did you know that the new Eco-friendly sidewalk will be made of rubber pavers. Yes, it's true no longer where the road meets the sidewalk, but where the road meets the rubber sidewalk. Interesting how things evolve over time- and now the future is looking Green! So things aren't always as they appear... or are they? Everyday you hear something about green this green that, going green... And ten years ago, when you heard about anything green it was Kermit the Frog. How did we get here? And where is Kermit, Ha! And I live in a town near a paper mill, and you cannot tell me they are going green, because the stench that comes from that place, horrible. Maybe Kermit died there and no one has found his little frog body! I have been told that they have a worker there who travels the main street and rates the smell so that the mill can minimize it, well the past few days have been rough- that person must have called in sick! Sorry, tangent but now focusing again! Ha!

Amazingly, I can relate to things not being as they appear! Take my weight for example- It appears to be higher then it was the day before. And my little Magnolia, she appears to be innocent, but the sun room is always a nightmare when I get home. The Hydrangea tree in my backyard appears to be beautiful, on the picture hanging off of it that is! Yeah totally dead. So much for my green thumb! So much for planting a tree for the environment!

Julie 1 Environment 0!

And you know what is really funny, is to admit, that while I may look like it's all together on the outside, it is not always true inside. Okay, most days I am put together and the inside reflects that, at least the emotional inside, eh- can't say much for the arteries, the fast food regimens in my life have probably taken a toll! Ha! But then you have days when being a girl is just rough! And if I were a boy it would be so much easier, yes I have said this on a bad day! A rough bad girl patch of days maybe. I love being a gal! It is the best! But the way girls are built emotionally is one of those "things aren't always as they appear" markers! Ha! It's the others see you as beautiful, you see you as ugly, others see you with a nice figure, you see you as fat, others see you with style, you see you as the gal with nothing in her closet to wear. Come on! You know this is true! Just admit it! Ha! So things aren't always as they appear, if there is just one you criticizing and a thousand others not, then cut yourself some slack!!

And I know the reality of it is that people are mean and words can be harsh. I have gained some weight over the past year and I hold it in my mid section, my clothes don't fit, I feel well yuck, and the kicker is multiple people ask me, are you pregnant? And what do you say to that? Well after I picked my chin up off the floor and fought back all of the tears, I just admitted- no I have just gained weight and smiled (thinking in my head please get away from me, NOW). And while that isn't mean or meant to be hurtful it can be, and it was to me. Someone who never had to worry about anything until one day, things just didn't fit anymore. For some it may also be different in that they feel beautiful and others judge them indirectly by staring, pointing, or laughing. Yes this too I have been a victim. I was a no one in school and was made fun of, a few close friends and that was it. Somewhere along the line I realized that acceptance by others was not what life as about. And people can just be mean because of their own insecurities. And believe me, I know. All the "hot" girls on TV, I always find a flaw. And why do I do that, because they have something I don't have or I can't do- like have blond hair! Ha! JK! You may feel like an old cracked sidewalk with the prestigious rubber paved sidewalk right next door, I know sometimes I do, but it doesn't matter. In all seriousness we are all different and have so much to offer as gals! A gift we have been given from above. Embrace what is yours and only yours, no one can take that away from you. Whether it is outer beauty or hidden inner beauty , it's yours, specially designed and hand crafted... imperfections and all, and remember things aren't always as they appear...

Simply Lovely

Aren't these a beautiful addition to my desk! This week has offered up some challenges at work, very tedious designs and lots of rethinking! For my first week back since Florida, It was a bit crazy! Robin, one of my co-workers, surprised me with these beautiful flowers from her garden! That just made my day! Thanks, Robin!

Isn't it weird how some weeks you are really off. Nothing seems right about anything, crawling back into bed every hour to restart the day is what I felt like doing all week. Minimal energy, high priorities, and I ask myself, didn't I just come off of a long weekend? Ha. Funny how sometimes a long weekend makes the rest of the week harder to manage! And something so small, like beautiful flowers in a vase, completely puts a new perspective in view! And to me, that was a gift sent through Robin, from God above. He always knows when it's the right time and he plans accordingly. Simply put, Amazing, simply said, Thank you!

Catch-Up!

So these past few weeks have been full of life and fun! We celebrated our first anniversary on April 17 because we were going to be traveling separately on our actual anniversary April 25! We went to Fogo De Chao, all I have to say is INCREDIBLE! Ruth Chris, or whatever it's called, has nothing on Brazil! Ha! Anyway you can tell we had a fabulous time! They even arranged this Flan for us to make our night special! First anniversary, first time trying Flan! Ha! Lets just say the thought was more sweet then the dessert!

It was a great first anniversary! I Cannot believe a year has come and gone already! It seems like just yesterday we were at Gramercy, saying I do! It's true time flies, and flies, and flies! And then it is today and you are celebrating milestones in life! Crazy! But, I am unimaginably blessed with a great guy and anytime together I pray not to take for granted! Thank you Jesus! Amen!

What else is new in life! Hmmm... Well we have been meeting up with friends for happy hour on Thursdays when danny is home! That is fun! Just a good relaxing time. We go more for the socialization with our friends and dinner, rather than the drinks. But it'll be a beer for danny and a Martini for me! It is so cheap at happy hour, the drinks and the food. Our Tab is low and we have shrimp, and wings, and appetizers.... its pretty sweet! And the best part about our good friends is... wait for it, Ha, there are no expectations, be as you are!

Me and Stacy, usually it is the four of us, Danny, me, Mike, and Stacy, but this week Rusty and Monica came- great fun!

That Friday I left for Florida to see family and go to Karissa and Matt's wedding! The weather was gorgeous and I had a blast! My Dad and I traveled down, it's his family that lives there! I did a lot of driving that weekend, I think I saw most of the state, Ha! I hadn't realized it had been so long since I'd seen my family, I really need to go more often! It was just great to visit with them and reminisce.

The Wedding was in Clearwater, absolutely beautiful. Funny, all the times I have traveled into and through Florida, I had never been there. Karissa, the bride, looked beautiful, of course I expected nothing less.

Clearwater, Florida, USA- I could sell this as a postcard! Ha! Inviting huh?

And Now presenting Karissa and Matt.... she may kill me for this post but oh well, she'll forgive me! Ha! It is just too cute to let pass by. Sorry it's horizontal, just tilt your head or flip your computer screen! Ha! It's worth it!

I love it!

So are you sick of me yet?!Ha! It gets better the weekend started at BWI, went to Orlando, Fla , then Haines City, continued onto Clearwater, back to Haines City, then down to Ft Pierce, back to Haines City, then finally Orlando, or so I thought! "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord." -and no they weren't to come home Sunday night like I had planned! Ha! Air travel can be finicky, and We were grounded in Orlando for storms and by the time we arrived in Atlanta, we had missed our connecting flight :(

Too bad we didn't have one of these! I should really take flight lessons! Danny, please! But, Dad you could have gotten us home on this!

Although, I was so mad we were stuck, what an inconvenience, My aunt got us a hotel room at Embassy Suites and it was wonderful! We went to the airport the next day and unsuccessfully waited on standby and then finally boarded the flight they rescheduled us on at 750P. Everyone pulled together to help out though with the dogs and it was okay after I finally got home. And hey, I got to spend time with my Dad, which is not as often as what it was when I was home so that was nice! So then it was Atlanta to BWI, to Home!

Yes, home sweet home... ahh... Home, Work, Blog- Life as it continues...

Did you think I had forgotten you?

Wow! I have not posted in a while! It is so hectic when Danny is home and our time is precious. With that being said there is little time for blogging, my priorities must be in line- husband before blog! Ha! But here I am now for a quick line or two! Gosh- my month is filling up, lots of parties and the weekends are just booked! I am so glad I get to go though, working every third weekend shift in the ICU, sacrifice was like a broken record... Ha!

So anyway, lots to blog about... Husband, Florida, Airport Craziness, friends, work, oil rig accidents, wedding, anniversary, and another new phone.... whew, the last few weeks have seen it all! And each day offers so much more! Life is full of unexpected surprises! Unfortuanely, I cannot go into all of these things but stay posted the blogger is back and better then ever! Ha!

A Year Ago, Today- Happy Anniversary!

Today, Terrible or Teriffic? Guess it Depends on Who you Ask!

I wish that tonight this was the face that was looking at me, ears perked and attentive! But no there is no ear perking tonight. No toys lying in the vicinity of her space. Maggie is recuperating from her spay this afternoon, and she is just solemn, it's pathetic. Not a fun day for her : ( Nope not today, hopefully tomorrow will be better. Sleep well little Magnolia....

Danny was able to take her in while I was at work and it really works out because he is home to help with the healing process. She has her little e-collar which is just ridiculous and she is just not in the mood for playing.

Danny and I left her rest and grabbed dinner with some friends, Jay and Misty, tonight! What a great time! Our friends just bought their first home and wow they did an awesome job decorating it, absolutely beautiful. It's a older home, and they had to redo almost every room from the guts up! It is incredible what they have done in a short time! They have great taste! So we enjoyed a light dinner with them and their girls, also very beautiful! I should've gotten pics, but am only thinking of that now. Next time! Their girls are so sweet and playful, a lot of love within their home. Their smiles and laughter are intoxicating! Needless to say we had a fabulous time, we definitely don't see them enough! And now I am tying up lose ends and getting ready for bed, another work day tomorrow! And bonus, I am driving Monica, so it'll be a fun ride in to work! And Maggie will be with danny all day so I don't have to worry about her! And... well that's enough ands for one night, one blog entry! Ha!