Welcome to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Vintage Boston's

So recently I have been thinking of modifying our guest bathroom.  Currently, it is a deep red tone with gray and black and white decor.  While that may make you squirm, I promise it looks good! Our bathroom art is an old vintage magazine cover and it has changed multiple times in the 3 years we have been here.  I love the red, but I think I need to tone it down a little.  I would like to go with a vintage Boston terrier theme, in remembrance of my Bean girl and to celebrate our Magnolia!  The above picture is not the wall art I am looking for by the way! Ha! I just liked it and I am not in a place where I can upload a personal photo- so I borrowed from the web! Ha!  Anyway, I am picturing the art in my head, a more neutral wall color, monogrammed towels and a chic shower curtain to tie it all together.  Yup, I am sure my mind is made up and that my husband will shutter at the thought of covering up the red! Ha!  Poor guy, I just change my mind too often; yet again that's why he loves me ;)

This is just a random Friday thought! Ha! I am killing time, or at least trying too, so I thought a new project idea, and a new blog post!  When it is completed I will post the before and after shots!  Vintage Bostons? Why didn't I think of this before! Ha!  Happy Friday xoxo!

A new beginning...

Sometimes in life, we have new beginnings, I think you would all agree. And this being said, this year 2012 is definitely a fresh start! A rough start, but a fresh one! Ha!

So my husband was home for 6 weeks, which is the longest we have ever spent together married. It was fabulous. Now into this new year he has gone back offshore and I am finding myself lonelier then ever. Something I would rarely admit, and usually try to hide. But in this new year I am going to be more honest with myself and this is the new start! It's okay to feel lonely because my husband left- admitted and done! New beginning two... Simplicity.... I need to have it!

How will I accomplish this? hmmm funny you asked; pack it up and toss it out ( or in my case donate it ;)). Cleaning out all the stuff, the more simple the better, the less stuff the more simple. Get it, got it, good! So 8 trash bags of clothes, 3 bags of actual junk trash, and 2 bags of kitchenware later, simplicity follows. And while there is still a bit more to go through :/ it is much better! Three cheers to the new year and my third new start, more people time!

I want to make others feel as important to me as they really are. I don't just want to tell people they are my friends or call them my family, i want to work on building those relationships with family and friends and making them more intimate. Words are never enough, actions are better. It all boils down too less me, more them!

And lastly, I want to work on Julie, being Julie in this new year. Yes, by devoting more time to my blog obviously, but too, by grounding myself into what makes me, me. Last year ended on a rough note, where I found myself questioning me, my emotions were skewed due to another's emotions, and my attitude was affected by that of someone else's. It was if I had a lack of control of me. And that's just not right, not anyway you look at it! So finding me again has been another start to my 2012. I know God has a plan for my life and I am going to count on him more this year then last and I know it's going to be a good one for sure! A new 2012 awaits, stay posted for what's in store!

Memoir Lovelies

                       
A memory to share on this lovely fall night! About 8 years ago I want to see Rusted Root in concert on a crisp fall night with my friend Erin.  It was a blast.  Some people are placed into your life for a short time to help you grow, and feel, and just live life.  Erin was just that!  I use the past tense because our friendship has grown apart over the years, but it was during that time in my life when she was a true blessing in which I will always be thankful for. 

Honestly, until a few years ago I felt very saddened by our disconnect, I felt like I was just thrown out and completely overlooked by her.  It wasn't until after much prayer and advice from  good friends (Monica/Rusty) that I came to realize it's okay and people just grow apart as life changes.  We were definitely at that place in life,career, marriage, kids, so many big changes, it was bound to happen.  So, anyway, the cause of this memoir is while I was running rusted root played on my Ipod and it just made me think of that night and our friendship.  It was so fun and will be cherished forever. Enjoy this lovely! Ha!



In Remembrance

Well it would not be right to not mention anything about 9/11 and the events that happened 10 years ago today.  At one of the local elementary schools they have a healing field memorial set up.  Absolutely breathtaking as you are there and each flag is representation of one tragic loss in that days sad events.  Each flag also tells a name and where the person was during this time.  So many hero's our great nation is made of, so many.

People Magazine  had a great tribute looking back at the families interviewed 10 years ago, as I read the stories, so heart wrenching, the many sons and daughters who were left without a father/mother, wow,  I am truly thankful each day for this life I live.  I am thankful for my freedom and what I take for granted everyday with that.

Our church service this morning was related to remembering 9/11.  There are just no words; while I did not know anyone who suffered this tragedy personally, I do know that everyone, directly or indirectly related was completely changed by the events of that day.  My prayers are for those families today on this marked anniversary, and while the rest of the nation remembers today, you live with the reminder everyday, every minute.  May God be with you always, many blessings.

Movie Night with The In-Laws

Dinner and a movie with the in-laws, love it!  I am so fortunate that my husbands family is so great!  So for me that makes 2 wonderfully fabulous families! Ha!  We started with Dinner at Famous Hot Weiner, so my sister in laws craving and oh so good! Ha!  Then, love this, we went to Target to help my sister in law register for baby!  Loved it, I am so excited for this new baby! Overly excited probably, but you have to understand, I am an only child so this is my only opportunity to be an auntie!  I am just over the top! Ha!

After registering we went to the movies.  We saw the Warrior, I had no idea what it was about, but it was super good!  Maybe I have found a new love of UFC fighting! Ha!  Yeah, probably not, I am too much of a gals gal, but it was good and if I am honest it would be awesome to see a live event.  Missed my husband, but I carry my own when he is not there! Ha!  So thankful to have family support around when he is gone, it makes it so much easier. Anyway maybe you should check it out! Ha! 

A Night Owl, A Fresh Start!

Well as surprising as it is to hear, it is to say!  I am loving my new schedule and night shift! Ha!  It just works for my life, which is flexible overall, but still very demanding personally! Ha!  It is really just great!  I am so excited for my husband to come home so we can enjoy this new schedule together, I know he too will be pleased!

So I worked last night and my day was fabulous, as well as my shift at the hospital!  I have come to realize that sometimes you'll have those underlying feelings of " I wonder what the night will bring?" and/or " Humph, I really have to go to work!"  But those are natural feelings, ultimately I am loving it!  Yes, write it down, I said I loved it- and yes I am talking about work! Ha!  But really, I got up yesterday morning, was going to Highpointe for some morning TRX and other classes (unfortunately cancelled d/t flooding) went to the grocery store, came home cleaned the house top to bottom, cooked and baked a bit, paid some bills, organized some files, and did some work from home for MIS, all finishing by 12 noon.  Had a wonderful nap before working, got up at 3:30 and relaxed before work and left the house at 6P for my shift.  I accomplished everything and got to take a nap and missed nothing overnight! Love it! And no one would've ever thought I would be a night owl! Ha!

Today I came home, slept until 1P and now I have been relaxing and am getting ready for an afternoon run!  I was so worried leaving MIS at the hospital and going back to nursing.  I really felt like it was something I needed to do and through a difficult decision and much prayer I took the leap!  Just a few months in I am seeing the benefits of this move! Thanks God!  It is amazing what faith can do!  I just have so much to be thankful for! 

It is true when one door closes another opens!  I was approached at the hospital to also fill in for a coordinator position which I have just started training for.  This comes at a time when my contract MIS time is ending.  I never thought in a million years this would be an option for me, and I wasn't even looking!  Thanks God!  I am overwhelmed by emotion when I think of how things have transformed over the last 6 months, It is truly a blessing... So for this weekend I am hoping you too may find the blessings in the little things; Hold onto faith, it's amazing what can be done!