Diary of a Southern Drama Queen

Christmas means getting my crafty on until 3:30 in the morning, y'all.

2011-12-19T11:57:00.000-05:00

And as such, an already prepared Christmas questionnaire sounds like the perfect idea for a blog post today.

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Venti Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks, please.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa is a freaking rockstar and leaves gorgeously filled stocking and the big gifts artistically displayed around the tree in such a way that creates the most magic.

3. Multi-colored lights on the tree or white? Oh lord, we had this debate three years ago in our house. I've been converted to white lights, but I reserve the right to go back to multi-colored whenever the mood strikes.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Like I need an excuse to make out with my husband...

5. When do you put your decorations up? Despite the pressure that corporate America is putting on all of us, my decorations go up after Thanksgiving and NO EARLIER.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? The Cruise Family Secret Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sweet Potato Casserole, Jason's pork tenderloin, PW's Cinnamon Rolls, my mom's Breakfast Goulash. Don't make me pick just one, it's not possible. I'm southern.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Every year since I was born, Mom has given me an angel ornament. Every year I would anticipate the new angel ornament (and Allie's new Santa ornament) because Mom did such a good job picking ones that fit our personality or interests or things that were going on that year. It's still one of my favorite things about Christmas!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was in 4th grade and looking at some pictures that Mom had recently gotten developed from Christmas morning. In one of them, everything was set up just like Santa had left it on Christmas morning but I noticed that the TV was on and an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke" show was playing on Nick at Nite. Right then, I realized that Santa wasn't real. Don't worry, though, I was happy to play along as long as I still got loads of presents under the tree. Greedy little punk...

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We never did when I was growing up, but Jason and I do now.

10. How do you decorate your christmas tree? A strand of white lights around the trunk of the tree so it illuminates from the inside out and shows off the ornaments. White lights around the outer branches (for now, see Question #3) and the vast ornament collection that's been handed down, given to and gathered by me over the years. Simple, sweet and full of meaning on every branch.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love snow as long as I have my husband, tomato soup and cinnamon rolls in the house.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, and one of my favorite birthdays from my 20's was an ice skating party. Random, sorry.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? One of my absolute favorites was when I was eight years old. My Aunt Joann had drawn my name that year in our gift exchange and she gave my bookwormy little self an entire box full of brand spankin' new Nancy Drew mysteries.

I was pretty jazzed. Also, try to contain your jealousy and not covet my suh-weet Coke sweatshirt and Swatch watch.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? After several rough Christmases at the start of our marriage, the most important thing to me now is that I get to celebrate with Jason and that at some point we celebrate with one of our families.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? See Question #6

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? In the tradition of my annual angel ornament, Jason and I exchange ornaments as well. We give each other an ornament that is symbolic of something in the past year. You can see some of those here and here.

17. What tops your tree? The angel of courage!

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I looooooove to give gifts. I'm filled with a giddy joy every year as I plot and plan what to make or buy folks, what will make them especially happy or be something that is especially unique. I've been especially crafty for the last few Christmases and I think Jason is mourning losing me to the craft room this time of year.

19. Candy canes, yuck or yum? Eh. I wouldn't turn one down, but I'm not grief stricken if I go an entire Christmas without eating one.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Hands down, without a doubt, absolute favorite Christmas movie that I quote (along with Jason, his family and mine) all the ding dang year- "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." I watched it with Mom and Allie at Thanksgiving. Jason and I watched it with a group of our Chatt friends a couple of weeks ago. I just need to sit down and watch it with my in-laws and I will have hit the trifecta.

{Want to see my absolute favorite part that makes me cry laughing? Go watch this. Sorry about the language, but it's just so funny!}

21. Saddest Christmas song? Justin Bieber, "Mistletoe." Actually, you know what? Any Christmas song sung by Justin Bieber is the saddest Christmas song.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? "In the First Light" by Travis Cottrell. There aren't words. Just watch, or even better, close your eyes and listen. And then when you're done, go to iTunes and buy his Christmas album "Ring the Bells." I promise you won't regret it.

But the song that makes me happy and nostalgic and reminds me of pure joy in Christmas? It would be staring at this album cover and listening to this song. The part at 0:36 is my FAVORITE.

{When Animal starts hollerin' "WON'T GO! WON'T GO!"...oh my word, I giggle so hard I can't breathe...}

I Brag Freely About This Skill

2011-12-16T14:34:00.000-05:00

What's that you say? You need a surefire way to make people ooh and aah over your cooking prowess this Christmas? Look no further, I have just what you're looking for! It's a recipe you might have heard of, I've seen it at least ten times on Pinterest in the last month and it is guaranteed to please. Trust me, I know this.

Ladies and gentleman ('cause we all know a good man can throw his weight around in the baking department, am I right?), it is the one and only Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls.

Now, I know that these little lovelies might have the reputation for being difficult to make, but that's why I'm writing this post. Do they take a little time and intentionality? Yes, it's true. But what good thing doesn't require that? And believe me, y'all, these are Very Good Things. With a little time and practice, you'll be whipping up a half batch of these suckers in no time. This recipe is my go-to for when we have company, when I need to take something to a breakfast or when I just want to have four pans of goodness sitting in my freezer just waiting for Saturday morning.

Ree's recipe is for a full batch which makes a LOT of cinnamon rolls (8-9 round pans, to be exact). I've only needed that many at once on a few occasions, so I like to go for the half batch. I made some this week for our Chapel Department Christmas Breakfast and took pics while I did. I thought I'd walk you through the process so you can see just how doable it is.

I am on a mission, y'all. Your people need these cinnamon rolls.

For the dough starter:

- 2 cups whole milk (Don't skimp, buy the good stuff. There's no lowfat in cinnamon rolls, m'kay?)

- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil

- 1/2 cup of sugar

Combine these in a pot that is large enough so you can add 4 1/2 cups of flour in the next step. Our large saucepan is big enough for me when I'm making a half batch. Stir the milk, oil and sugar together and set over medium to medium-high heat. You're going to "scald" this mixture, which just means heat it up until you see that it's just on the verge of boiling. I wait until I see the little boiling bubbles just starting to form, but DON'T let it boil.

Once it's reached that point, take it off the stove and set it aside. Let it cool until the side of your pan is just warm to the touch, which means the mixture is likely lukewarm. That usually takes about forty-five minutes. I took Knox to the field to run around while this was happening. See? Multi-tasking.

Here's what you'll need for the next step:

- 1 packet (0.25 oz) of Active Dry Yeast

- 4 cups of all-purpose flour

Once the mixture is lukewarm, sprinkle the packet of yeast on top and let it sit for one minute. Then, add the four cups of flour and mix it all together gently (I use a wooden spoon) until it's combined. It will look mushy and that's just right. Cover your pot/pan with a clean towel and set this in a warm place for at least an hour to rise. I've discovered that if I turn our oven on to 200 degrees and sit the pan in the middle of the stove top, it is just the right amount of warmth to get the dough to rise. While I waited for it to rise, I went upstairs and worked on our Christmas cards. I think the ability to multi-task while I make this recipe is probably the root of my pride. And I'm ok with that.

To finish the dough, you will need:

- 1/2 cup of flour

- 1/2 heaping teaspoon of Baking Powder

- 1/2 scant teaspoon of Baking Soda

- 1/2 heaping Tablespoon of Salt

Add these to the dough and mix gently and well. Now, at this point I had to go to book club. So I put the lid on the saucepan and stuck the dough in the fridge. That's the beauty of this dough- you can use it right away or stick it in the fridge for a day or two until you have time to do the next steps. If you do put it in the fridge, just make sure you take it out about 30 minutes before you plan to use it so it will be pliable and rollable.

I went to book club, ate some amazing goodies, drank hot chocolate, and worked on some knitting while we discussed Tina Fey's "Bossypants" and other sundry topics I won't divulge here. Came home, took my dough out of the fridge, let it sit for about 20 minutes and voila!

Isn't it pretty? I love a good dough. Make sure you sprinkle your countertop with plenty of flour before you plop your dough onto it. Something about the half batch dough is that it ends up being a little more tacky than the full batch. I've found that the flour on counter and flour on my rolling pin takes care of that and makes it easy to work with and roll out. Knead the dough just a bit using the flour on the counter to eliminate the residual tackiness. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle that is about 20 inches from left to right and 12 inches from top to bottom. Be careful not to roll it out too thin, as that can get problematic once you load it up with the next group of ingredients.

Here's what you'll need for the absolutely amazing filling:

- 2 sticks of butter, melted

- Sugar

- Light or dark brown sugar

- Cinnamon

Pour the butter over the rectangle of dough and spread it around with the back of a spoon. Next, sprinkle the entire surface with sugar. I use about a cup, I guess. I don't really know, I just sprinkle until the butter no longer has a sheen to it. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon over the sugar. Now, Ree doesn't call for brown sugar but I've found it adds a rich flavor to the filling that I really love. I don't use as much brown sugar because, um, hello? There's already sugar on there. So, I just dot the entire surface with it.

At this point, it's good to just step back and take it all in. I like to think this is what Monet would have painted if he had been acquainted with Ree and Paula Deen.

You're ready to roll! No, seriously. You're ready to roll up the dough. Starting at the top of the rectangle, roll the dough towards you keeping it pretty tight. I like to sort of lift my dough as I roll it, so it comes up over the buttery sugary goodness instead of squishing it forward. Does that make sense? Roll, roll, roll, until you have one long cinnamon roll log.

Now you need to get your four pans ready. I buy the aluminum cake pans (NOT pie pans). They are the perfect size for this recipe and it makes it so much easier to give them away, if that's your goal. If you're keeping them for yourself, these pans work just fine for eating an entire pan in one sitting and then throwing the evidence away. Not that I've ever done that before....

Ree says to spread butter around in the pans, but I just spray them with olive oil spray. You know, because I'm so health-conscious. Using a sharp knive, cut 1 inch slices and place them in the pans. I alternate cutting slices off the cinnamon roll log from opposite ends AND distribute them into the four pans at once (instead of filling up one pan, then the next, etc.) so that there's a more even distribution to the pans. I usually end up with eight to nine slices in each pan.

The next thing is to cover the rolls and let them rise for 20 minutes. Again, I sit them on my stove top while the oven preheats to 375. While they rise, I clean off my counter and wash any dishes I've used. After you've let them rise, pop them in the oven (four pans fit nicely all at once, by the way) and let them bake for 15 to 17 minutes.

While your rolls are baking, go ahead and make the icing. My experience with the half batch is that you do NOT want to halve the icing recipe. I've actually found that what Ree lists in her recipe is enough (with a little left over) for a half batch, and I need to double it for a whole batch. Trust me on this, one of the beautiful things about these cinnamon rolls is the icing to dough ratio. It's perfection. Don't mess with it.

For the icing you will need:

- 1/4 cup melted butter (I just melt a whole stick, because you'll definitely need more)

- 1/2 cup of whole milk (I end up using more, but start with that)

- 1/4 cup of strong coffee (I keep Starbucks VIA on hand so I can make a single cup, again you'll probably end up using more than 1/4 cup)

- 2 pound bag of powdered sugar

- 2 teaspoons Maple or Vanilla flavoring. Ree calls for maple, but I don't care for it so I use vanilla.

In a large mixing bowl, dump in the powdered sugar and mix in 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of coffee and 2 teaspoons of your chosen flavoring. Using a large whisk, mix it together really well. At this point, my icing is still too thick so I add smaller amounts of each of the wet ingredients until it tastes right and is a slightly thick and pourable (BUT NOT TOO RUNNY) consistency. Oh yes, you've GOT to taste test it as you go. I always make sure I can taste a hint of coffee and that the powdered sugar isn't the first taste that hits my tongue. That's when I know I've got it just right.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the rolls in the oven. Ree suggests baking them for 15-17 minutes, but your oven may need longer like mine. I take them out when they're lightly golden brown on top and I can tell that the center roll is baked through and not too mushy. Like this...

Give the rolls a couple of minutes to sit and then using a 1 cup measuring cup, generously pour it over the rolls while they are still good and warm. You want icing to fill up every crevice and even fill up the little spots in the pan that are empty. I usually pour one cup over each pan, let it soak in for a minute and then pour another half cup or so over each pan. You'll wind up with this breathtaking sight...

I know that looks like a WHOLE lot of icing, but those darling little rolls are going to soak it all up and be so delicious. You've got a couple of options at this point:

A.) Grab a fork and chow down. Whether or not you invite others to join you is up to your discretion.

B.) Let them cool for a bit, cover with foil and pop them in the fridge if you know you'll eat them/take them to a party/give them away in the next few days.

C.) Let them cool completely, cover them with foil, place each pan in a gallon freezer bag and stick them in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, take out however many pans you need and warm them in a 275 oven for 20-25 minutes (foil off).

And there you have it! I know this post is insanely long and you might think it would take a long time to make these. I started this batch at 5:30 and was done by 11, and don't forget all the stuff I was able to accomplish in between.

So, go forth! Make cinnamon rolls! The world will be a better, happier, more delicious place for it.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2011-12-12T12:34:00.000-05:00

And the winner of their choice of a 5x7 print is...

(drum roll, please, a la "Christmas Vacation")

Aubrey!

Congratulations, my friend! Let's chat so I can get your print to you ASAP.

If you didn't win (and oh, how I wish I could buy you all the print you loved), don't fret! Abby has provided a discount code for 10% off your entire order of anything you purchase from the Father of Joy! Designs shop during the month of December. When you go to check out, over to the right above your order total, click on "Apply shop coupon code" and enter the code DRAMAQUEEN.

So go load up your Etsy cart and give your friends something joyful to hang on their walls the whole year through!

*Winner was picked through a random number generator on random.org which is a much more reliable method than trying to get Knox to step on one of twenty-six different post-it notes. Not that I tried that or anything. What? He has big feet and all the fur made it confusing...*

Ooooooh...pretty!

2011-12-08T10:47:00.003-05:00

Let's see, we've taken care of my birthday, I stayed in my pj's and makeup-less all through Thanksgiving (girls only weekend, remember? so there's no way you're getting pictures of that) so that must mean....

It's time for a Christmas giveaway!

When Jason and I moved to Abilene, TX, I started going to a women's Bible study hosted by First Baptist Church. It was my first experience with a Beth Moore study (more about that here) and it was such a helpful place to meet some other women and make new friends. One evening we randomly exchanged prayer cards with someone in the group and my person was Abby. Out of that random card swap, I found a kindred spirit out in Texas and my friendship with her has been a HUGE blessing ever since. We've seen each other through the newlywed season, family drama, pop culture events, What I Wore Wednesdays (she's the one who got me started on that) and so much more.

(Abby and I at her wedding in 2008)

Abby is all sorts of creative, crafty and talented. She's done multiple blog designs for me, including my current one. It has been so much fun to watch her take her talent and creative gifts and make them available to the folks in Abilene and beyond. She's recently opened up an etsy shop and is offering a variety of prints, of which I want them all! I ~~bugged and nagged~~ politely asked if she would design a print around Jeremiah 29:11 and girlfriend did not disappoint.

What I love about Abby's designs are how bright, crisp and colorful they are. Having these powerful words in front of me as I work in my little crafting spot is a joy and sweet reminder of the One who knows and loves me best.

This week, YOU have the chance to win the 5x7 print of your choice from Abby's shop.

All you have to do is head over to her shop and take a look at all the gorgeous and fun prints she has listed. 'Cause you're going to find beauties like this...

...and this...

...and this (which I'm pretty sure I need at my house, pronto).

Come back over here, leave me a comment letting me know which print you just have to have and you're entered to win! Want more than one entry? You can do any of the following to get extra entries, just make sure you leave me a separate comment each time you complete one of them:

- Become a follower of my blog (or let me know that you already follow SDQ)
- Post about and include a link to this giveaway in Facebook
- Tweet about and include a link to this giveaway on Twitter

Can't wait to see which prints you love! I'll keep comments open until Sunday, December 11th at midnight (EST) and I'll announce the winner on Monday, December 12th. Good luck!

My 30's are turning out to be my favorite

2011-12-06T23:05:00.000-05:00

It's my birthday and I'll blog about it two months later if I want to. That's how the song goes, right? I am still all sorts of jazzed about Christmas, but since ~~I still haven't decorated our tree or house and am seriously stressing out my husband by my lack of motivation and therefore have no pictures to show for it~~ this birthday was extra special I couldn't let it go by without a blog post of its own. Settle in, y'all, this is going to be a long one (and if you just muttered "That's what she said," WE ARE SO BEST FRIENDS).

To start things off, Allie surprised me with a sisters trip to Atlanta and tickets to see Sugarland and Sara Bareilles in concert. Hooray! After making a quick stop at the outlets in Calhoun to pick up my birthday present from Jason (dreamy tall brown boots, thanks hon!), I met Allie at Ikea. This seemed as good a place as any to start the early birthday weekend considering that I had never stepped foot in this much talked about ohsotrendy spot.

We headed upstairs to the restaurant first so I could try their famous Swedish meatballs. Can I tell you a secret? Lean in....real close now....they're just meatballs. Tres anticlimactic.

Armed with a map and the free measuring tape, we headed off into the vast realms of prefabricated glory.

I managed to find the couch of my dreams (hello, Hovas couch, you lovely thing you) but as we neared the end of the top floor, my head was swimming. I made it about halfway through the bottom floor when I finally turned to Allie and said, "I don't care how cute or affordable this stuff is, I'm on sensory overload and I WANT OUT." So we booked it to the exit only for me to realize that I'd forgotten to look at a kitchen table, as I'd promised my NYC bestie, Robyn, that I would do. So, back to the top floor went we.

After a fruitless search in the table section, I was ready to turn around and go against the grain of the Ikea-imposed one direction maze and get the heck outta Dodge. My military rule-following sister would have none of it and so we walked through the entire top floor. Again. Have I mentioned I was already on sensory overload and my new anti-anxiety meds had yet to kick in? GOOD TIMES.

We'd gotten to the middle of the stairs leading to the bottom floor when I started looking for a quick exit out. The conversation between me and Allie went something like this:

Allie: There isn't a quick exit. We have to walk through the bottom floor again

Leslie: WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO QUICK EXIT! THAT'S RIDICULOUS! THEY HAVE TO HAVE ONE!

Allie: Well, they don't. They want you to have to walk through again so you buy more stuff.

Leslie: NO WAY. NO. WAY. I AM NOT WALKING THROUGH THIS ENTIRE FLOOR AGAIN

{Sidenote: I may have actually stamped my foot at this point. I am nothing if not completely mature when under extreme duress.}

Allie: Well, get over it, Lu, because that's what we're going to have to do.

{Another sidenote: There was much rolling of eyes at this point.}

Leslie: UUUUGGGGGGHHHH!

Annnnnnnnd, scene.

At this point, the angels smiled upon us and I looked to the right and saw a shortcut exit right next to their childcare center. Hallelujer. Crisis averted, we headed back to the hotel and then over to Phillips Arena for the show. It was, of course, awesome.

This was actually the very last show of their Incredible Machine Tour and so there a few pranks that night (see here and here), but one of the coolest parts of the show was a surprise that a local radio station put together. The last few months of tour took a tragic turn when Sugarland's stage collapsed in Indiana killing some of their fans and crew members. To give them some encouragement and show support for the band, the radio station gave everyone a sign with some relevant lyrics from their song "Little Miss" and asked us to keep them hidden until that song was performed.

It was pretty cool to see all those signs go up at once.

The obligatory mid-concert shot, of course.

Sugarland always manages to work in cover songs so you never really know what's coming. All you Young Life folks, make sure you listen at 1:11 where Allie and I pay homage to our Mount Tabor YL roots.

Our weekend in Atlanta was pretty fantastic. Allie has a strong record of giving me amazing experiences for my birthday gifts and this one was right up there. Thanks, seestur!

Next up was a fabulous pseudo-slumber party hosted by Christine and Sarah. Hooray for girly time!
The birthday cake? Oh, they nailed it. Well done, friends, well done.

Hand crafted touches were everywhere...

I requested a menu of breakfast for dinner, one of my favorites. And you know what beverage goes perfectly with breakfast?

M'more mimosas, please!

Homemade quiches, Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit seemed to make everyone happy.

And this?

This photo is a tangible answer to a prayer I have prayed for three years. It's missing a few more beautiful faces, but the women here have loved me, cried with me, walked with me, prayed for me, we've laughed together, crafted together, worshiped together and they've allowed me to step into their lives in a way that is such a rich blessing it brings tears to my eyes every time I look at this. They help make Chattanooga home and I am beyond grateful for them all.

Other highlights from the actual birthday...

This hilarious note from my mom explaining why she signed my card with her first name instead of "Marmee". Lordamercy, I love that woman.

Cupcakes from my work study students. Aged to perfection? I'll take it.

A birthday gift from my new friend Renee and a new favorite snack- Dark Chocolate Peanut M&Ms.

DIVINE.

And best of all? Coming home to the love of my life, a decorated living room and a delicious home cooked meal.

My cup runneth over.

Oh, hi!

2011-12-02T16:18:00.000-05:00

That's what my sweet niece, Moriah, says when she sees someone she loves. No matter if you've been gone for five minutes or a week, she looks up with a bright smile and wide eyes to greet you with those two words.

Only, truly, it sounds more like, "Ohhhh, hiiiiii!"

After being on a few extended trips with her and her family, you can't help but adopt the saying yourself. All of us Petrees do it now. And I think, like Moriah, what we're really saying is "I am so happy to see you! You really matter to me and I'm glad you're here."

So. Two months later.

Oh, hi!

It's December, my friends. December! That means Christmas! I love me some Christmas and I feel all bear-huggy about this one. Yup, bear-huggy.

I kicked it off down in Macon where I spent Thanksgiving with Mom and Allie. Jason was supposed to be there too, but God love 'im, he ended up sick and we decided he should just stay put. So, a girls only Thanksgiving it was! I basically stayed in my pj's the entire time and it was GLORIOUS. However, I did make my 2nd Annual Black Friday Jo-Ann Fabrics Trip and came away loaded with all the supplies I need to make this another Crafty Christmas.

Oh, yes, it needs to be capitalized. Crafty. Christmas. Bring it.

Jason surprised me this week with a date night, free dinner at Outback Steakhouse (thanks generous homeowner clients!) and then our annual picking of the Christmas tree. Kickoff to Christmas Date Night? Don't mind if I do! We ran into a handsome fellow at Lowe's...

...then it was on to peruse our options.

{Seriously, how cute is my husband? Totes adorbs. Be still my heart....}

Y'all, no joke, we ended up with the very first tree Jason picked up. It was everything you want in a Christmas tree. Tall, destined to be full but not too full, a perfect gap here and there for those larger ornaments, a nice tall topper for the angel...divine. Climb into the back of the truck, tree! You're coming home with us.

And it did.

I shocked Jason by not decorating the tree that very night, but I just wasn't feeling it. What's this? A break from Christmas decorum? Yes, but I plan to give that tree all sorts of Christmas accessories this weekend so it ends up looking a little something like this...

Don't you worry, darling tree. You're going to be gorgeous and loved and admired by all who enter here. I give you my solemn word as the Queen of Christmas.*

More December Delights were to be found this week in the form of OH MY WORD, I WON FREE CONCERT TICKETS FROM A FACEBOOK CONTEST. There's a new music venue in Chattanooga called Track 29 that is bringing in some of the major artists that cities like Nashville and Atlanta tend to attract. Jars of Clay and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are playing their Christmas show there tonight and Track 29 was giving away a pair of tickets every day this week.

Um, hello? Social media competition with minimal entries? Oh, I am ALL over this. So I liked the status, made the poster my profile pic, commented and shared it on my wall. I may or may not have even kept track of all the given entries on a day so that I could figure out what percentage would be mine. But that would be weird, right? Well, weird sometimes pays off because my friend Lexi and I will be singing along at the show tonight!

Live Christmas music + Christmas craftiness + Yuletide decorating = my delightful weekend to come.

And stay tuned! Next week, I'll be hosting a giveaway for a fabulous print created by one of my dearest friends in Texas. Her shop is going to help you with your Christmas shopping list, I promise.

In the meantime, please do remember that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear. So go do it. What are you waiting for? It's December!

*I've found that giving yourself a title for holidays increases your seasonal joy tenfold. Won't you make yourself a queen or king or duke or duchess today? You won't regret it.

Some good reads out there in bloggy land...

2011-10-04T12:19:00.001-04:00

While I'm working on some posts of my own, here's some other good stuff to read. Go take a looky loo!

"Christians are weird about counseling." It's true. We are. And sometimes that makes me really sad.

"Unbound" I've been reading Angie's story and writing for years now, and I always walk away with a good strong word. This time was no different.

Mocha Momma is a new blog find for me and I am really appreciating the fresh perspective she's bringing to a host of thoughts rattling around in my head. I'm kind of jealous of her "Drag Queen Tupperware Parties" experience and "On Writing" is the kick in the rear I've been needing when it comes to putting my thoughts to paper (or blog.)

"I Was Previously Unaware That Such A Bridge Even Existed" You know what's a really great last line when it comes to parenting or, as I discovered in 2001, teaching? "This is not up for debate." Thanks, Mom.

If you're not reading Abby's blog, you really should be. I'm just sad we didn't discover WIWW before I left Texas, because I could've really used her spiritual gift of fashion live and in person.

------------------------------

Source: google.com via Leslie on Pinterest

It's true. And you never know what that battle may be. In my own life and in some new friendships, I've been grateful for the kindness and mercy of folks who understand the battle of depression and anxiety. Heather Armstrong, aka Dooce, has been a loud and persistent voice in that discussion. And for that, I am very, very, very grateful.

Do me a favor?

Click over and read "Autumnal Equinox".

Then, be kind...

Sesame Street + Glee = Faaaaaabulooous!

2011-09-22T19:55:00.000-04:00

Dear Sesame Street writers,

You are genius. Keep up the good work. That is all.

Love,
Leslie Ruth

WIWW, The "My iPhone camera is my friend" Issue

2011-09-14T12:39:00.002-04:00

Hello, fashion lovers! With much effort and a few grumbles I'm back this week for What I Wore Wednesday. Originally created to pull stay-at-home moms out of their sweatpants and t-shirt routine, it's sweeping the nation! Ok, so that might be a bit dramatic (Moi? Dramatic?), but there really are lots of women, moms and non-moms alike who are linking up with Lindsey to spice up their day to day wear. Here we go!

Thursday - Work and a Brian Regan comedy show at The Tivoli Theatre

Thank the good lord for full length mirrors in the Tivoli ladies room, because I had no time between work, therapy and a spontaneous date night with Jason to take pictures at home. Also, notice something new? A scarf! Boots! That means temperatures under seventy degrees! Hooray!

Skirt and Boots - Target

Top - Gap Outlet

Ruffled Cardigan - Forever 21

Scarf - Random airport shop in Dallas

Gorgeous Theatre - The City of Chattanooga

Friday - Work

No, you're not seeing things. Those are my white pants. On my body. After Labor Day. I posted the following status on my Facebook last Friday, "I'm wearing my white pants after Labor Day. Just thought I'd share for those of you who want to a.) judge me or b.) rejoice that I've been freed from the shackles of southern dress code tradition." The response was overwhelmingly supportive and even the southern fashion maven that I've looked up to since high school gave me her vote of confidence. Phew! So we'll be walking in freedom for a little bit longer this fall season, my white pants and I.

Pants - Ann Taylor Loft

Grey Top - Old Navy

Black Cardigan and Purple Flats - Target

Necklace - Francesca's

Curly/Wavy Hair (Well, it started out that way) - Closer and closer to my Tami Taylor goal

Monday - Work

Confession: I was really grumpy on Monday morning and this outfit was a last minute pull that I ended up being really happy with. I'm finding that I'm intentionally looking for ways to add pops of color in my outfits. Progress, y'all, progress.

Pants - Marshalls

Tank - Lands End

Cardigan - Gap Outlet

Red Flats - Old Navy

Necklace - Target

Tuesday - Work and Aradhna Concert at Covenant College

We're having our first big Chapel Department-sponsored conference of the year this week and Tuesday was a 14 hour work day. Hence, the bathroom pics once again. The goal of the week is style but mostly comfy shoes. This was my very first time to wear my new boyfriend sweater. Here's a little tip for the other...um...blessed girls out there: If you want your cardigan to stay put, three words- 3M Poster Tape. I feel like maybe this outfit could have used a belt, but it didn't feel right when I put one on. Any thoughts?

Skirt and Boots - Target

Tank Top - Lands End

Boyfriend Sweater and Necklace - Forever 21

Class Ring - UNC-Chapel Hill, Class of 2000!

If nothing else, WIWW is making much more mindful of what I put on in the morning and as I've already mentioned, I really love that I'm looking for ways to incorporate more color. But as Jason will tell you, there's still plenty of morning tantrums thrown in front of my closet because I can't figure out what to wear.

Yeah, about that...Anyone want to just buy me all the outfits I have pinned on my My Style and At the Office Chic Pinterest boards? M'kay, thanks.

Ten Years Ago

2011-09-11T14:57:00.000-04:00

I was in my very first month of teaching fourth grade at Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill. My kids had Latin class four times a week, one of the first items on our daily schedule just after our morning work and devotion time. Magister Meyer came to my classroom to teach them and so for forty-five minutes I had a planning period. That morning, I headed downstairs to see if there was any coffee in the front office and walked in to find the office staff gathered around a radio. This was really out of the norm and I asked what was going on.

"Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center," said the receptionist, Jennifer.

The World Trade Center? I didn't know what that was or even where that was. Even though my dad was from New York and we had visited the city a few times, we had only ever done our sightseeing uptown. I had to ask Jennifer where the WTC was and she told me, also calling it the Twin Towers. It's so bizarre to me now that until that day, I had no real knowledge of their existence. Like everyone, I was glued to the radio, listening to the little bit of news that was coming in and anxiously watching the clock for when I would need to head back up to my classroom.

I was by that radio when the word came in that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. One of my best friends, one of the E-Ranchers who I had just lived with, Anna, had moved to DC and I had no idea if she worked close to the Pentagon or not. I used my new cell phone to call and left a worried voicemail for her.

Our headmaster, Chip, had been in the office while I was there and told us that he had decided not to say anything about the day's events to our lower school students (kindergarten through fifth grade). He wanted the parents of these young ones to decide how they would initially tell their children about this horrific thing that had occurred. I completely respected his decision and was more relieved than anything about it. I had no idea how to process what I was hearing myself, much less walk my nine year old students through it that day.

By this time, I needed to head back up to my little group of twelve. I had just a few minutes before Magister would hand the class back over to me. I sat down at my computer, adjusted the monitor so my kids couldn't see it and tried to wrap my brain around the unbelievable images on the screen.

I couldn't.

I taught the rest of the day in shock, maintaining a face of normality as best I could for my kids. There was no more time that day to be at the computer. I didn't see the towers fall. We did car line as usual at dismissal, gathered as a faculty to pray and then I raced home to the apartment I shared with a friend from church. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening, glued to the couch watching the heartbreaking footage over and over and over again. I finally turned it off around ten, my head aching and completely overloaded with too much information, too many images, too many wonderings about what it must have been like for the people in those planes and buildings.

In the days that followed, I suppose I mourned Tuesday's events like most Americans. I cried, I raged, I feared more attacks. I prayed a lot, both at school with my kids and on my own. My kids were incredible in their nine year old theology and the day after 9/11 when it came time to pray, they reminded me that God tells us to pray for our enemy, to forgive. So we prayed that way even as we watched our country go to war.

Eight years later, on another anniversary of 9/11, I would pray again with a different group of kids. One sweet boy prayed a prayer that will stand true on this day and every day,

"Dear God, please be with the people at the Pentagon and Twin Towers today. I know they feel bad and I hope you will help them not feel bad. Lord, this is a complicated world in these hard times. Please save the people who need you, God."

Amen.

Five Minute Post

2011-09-08T16:41:00.000-04:00

In bullet form, no less. Ready? Go!

I feel a little neither here nor there these days. I love my job and I love my husband and our home. Well, I don't so much love the structure that houses our home or the neighbors all around us or the actual neighborhood...I digress. It's just that I haven't really figured out how to balance my time such that the house gets clean, the dog gets walked, meals get cooked, lunch gets packed and I have time to work in some sort of exercise (even though I don't want to do that last one). Don't get me wrong, Jason's willing to do whatever he needs to do to help, I just have control issues, extreme laziness and set ridiculously high expectations for myself where domestic things are involved. Sounds fun, right? Right.You should try living with me.

I love my job. Let me say that again, I LOVE MY JOB. Every day is a delight. No joke. It is beyond thrilling to look forward to going to work and enjoy being there all the ding dong day.

My sister is off at survival school getting beat up for a good cause so that she knows how to (hopefully never) deal with it someday. The big sister in me wants to fly out there and give those instructors what for. But I think they would just laugh at me.

Like with most things, I went full steam into WIWW and then completely lost steam last week. After being strongly encouraged by Abby, we'll see if it makes a comeback next week. They jury's still out on that one.

In the spirit of embracing spontaneity and the freedom we have to do things at the last minute, Jason and I are going to see Brian Regan's show tonight. He's one of the top five things that will make my darling man belly laugh and I can't wait to watch that happen for a solid hour and a half. Seriously, it's one of my favorite things to hear his belly laugh. Count yourself lucky if you say or do something and it earns that laugh, my friends.

It's been cold enough to merit sassy brown boots and a scarf. In fact, I've decided that I want my fall/winter uniform to be cute dresses, tall boots and scarves.

I'm about to leave work and have my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. If you happen to run into me this evening, that should explain the giant grin on my face.

I'm convinced...

2011-09-01T10:10:00.000-04:00

...that the world would be a much happier place with a photo booth on every corner.

WIWW #3, The "We're Making Progress" Edition

2011-08-31T00:15:00.001-04:00

It was a fantastic week. School started- it was great. I love my job. A lot. Jason got to go to go back to Lubbock, Texas and shoot skeet with his best guys this past weekend. I got the TV and Netflix Instant Streaming controls all to myself. Throw in a week of outfits that I loved and like the good Lord above, I can step back and say, "That's good!"

Wednesday - Work

Comfy. Soft. Feminine. Me likey.

Pants - Marshalls

Pink tee - Goodwill

Ruffle Cardigan - Forever 21

Posy Pin - handmade by Meg

Necklace - Lisa Leonard

Leopard print flats - Crocs

Thursday - Work (Convocation and first day of class!)

I wanted to be confident and comfortable for this day as I knew I would be doing a lot of running around. Mission accomplished. Also, low humidity and my hair behaved. Glory be.

White pants - Ann Taylor Loft
Grey ruffle tank - Old Navy
Yellow cardigan (my faithful friend) - Gap Outlet
Necklace - Francesca's

{Sidenote: Y'all don't ever see him, but this little guy is my photography assistant. He's usually what I'm laughing at in all these pictures.}

{Lucky for him, he always look like's wearing a white ruffled shirt.}

Friday - Work and Covenant Community Picnic
I'm going to be honest with y'all. I took pictures of Friday's outfit. I did. But I should have done that before I left for work. It was bad. Just....bad. And that's really sad to me because I felt really cute all day. Basically, capri's just do not do me any favors. Throw in a sleeveless top and everything was cutting me off at all the wrong spots. Lesson learned.

Monday - Work

I found this top at Marshall's over the weekend and it was love at first sight. I have to be careful in empire tops, mind my mom's constant admonition and stand up straight. Otherwise, people are prone to whisper, "Is Leslie hiding secrets?" Oh yes ma'am, that's just what my Grandaddy asked at a family gathering when I wore one such top and didn't watch my posture. Again, lesson learned.

Pants - Marshalls
Shoes - Target, years ago
Earrings - Target
Hair - Finally long enough to pull to the side!

Tuesday - Work

I hadn't worn this skirt or necklace in ages, but knew I wanted to dress in brighter colors this week. So, on it went!

Skirt - Target
Top - Ann Taylor Outlet
Sandals - Walmart
Necklace - Trees 'N Trends in Cleveland, TN
Hair - My go-to updo, the twist and pin

Sunday's the day! Lee's coming to help me edit my closet! Here's to getting rid of what doesn't work and seeing what will. Click below to see more ladies who are linking up with Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy.

Life. It is good.

2011-08-26T00:05:00.002-04:00

The first day of school up at Covenant was a really, really good day. As in so good, that I'm that kind of flat out tired you get when you've had a day filled with so much good stuff, your brain starts to hurt and your face hurts from smiling. That kind of flat out tired also leads to blog posts in list form, so here you go.

1.) My hair behaved and the humidity was low. It's the little things that can shape a day from the minute you walk out the front door. Can I get an amen from the ladies?

2.) Every morning when I get out of my car at work, I see this.

Not a bad gig, eh?

3.) Convocation was Uh. May. Zing. I am a huge fan of tradition and ceremony and meaningful spectacle. It was all three rolled into one.

4.) I had heard tales of certain dorm halls coming dressed as monks. Guess who got to hand them convocation programs as they filed in?

4.) Since the chapel was packed with students, the staff sat out in the chapel lobby. I had one of the best seats in the house for the recessional. Watch until the end...

Bagpipes! Faculty in their gowns! Drums! A crazy guy from the hall called Catacombs carrying a random portrait!

I can't believe I get to work here.

5.) My first class was fantastic. Although I did go to the wrong building and ended up being a few minutes late. Of course. Thankfully, the professor hadn't gotten to my name on the roll before I came in. Sheesh. Way to go, Petree.

6.) I walked back to my office and this was the scene all over the chapel lawn.

The Covenant students? They are fans of the hammock.

7.) I've now met all three of my student employees (and seven of my eight practice service students), my to-do list for today was completely finished by the time I left and our first official chapel is tomorrow.

Bring it.

The teacher becomes the student.

2011-08-25T02:00:00.003-04:00

Today, I won't just be going to work. I'll also be going to my first day of class. See, every new employee at Covenant is required to take the Christian Doctrine course. You're given the option to audit the class or take it for credit, and being the overachiever that I am, I opted to take it for credit.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm not an overachiever. I just know that I'm so dang lazy, that if I didn't take it for credit, I wouldn't get near as much out of it as I could or want to. So, for credit it is.

I don't think it's a coincidence that I got this job at this place and am having to take this course. In the last year or so I've realized that, spiritually, I've been wanting and needing more concrete information. I've been craving facts and absolute truth and not just my feelings. Because feelings? Oh, I've got lots of those. Just ask Jason. But I could use some fact, some doctrine, some statements of reason to go along with those feelings.

So. Here I am. Going back to college (kind of), eleven years after the fact. To tell the truth, I also decided to take the course for credit because I'm kind of curious as to how I'll "do college" now, as an adult. And if the fact that I took four pages of notes on the fifteen pages of reading I had to do for todays class is any indication, this will be a very different experience.

Still, I'm a little nervous. This is a topic that is familiar and completely unfamiliar all at the same time. I'll be the oldest student in the class. And I'm feeling a little bit like this...

Except I don't have kids.

And I already have a degree.

And I'm not married to Huey Lewis.

And I have a Mac, not a typewriter.

Ok, so I'm being a little dramatic. Does that really surprise y'all?

Don't answer that.

WIWW, The "Ok, now we're onto something" Issue

2011-08-24T00:05:00.002-04:00

Remember that moment in "Clueless" when Cher Horowitz tells Dionne, "I don't trust mirrors so I take Polaroids"?

That's how I feel after last week's What I Wore Wednesday.

Things I learned from my first week of WIWW-

1.) There are some really snazzy (Yes, snazzy. Apparently, my inner Yenta just broke through) dressers out there and I am so grateful that they are willing to share their fashion ideas. I am even more grateful to see other curvy figured women out there and I was inspired by their style.

2.) Knowing that I was going to be taking pictures to share with the whole ding dang Internet made me choose my outfit much more carefully.

3.) I need help.

Not bad for the first week. Let's see what round two holds, shall we?

Thursday - Work

Last week, Lindsey over at Pleated Poppy issued a challenge of mixing stripes and florals. I figured better late than never. I emailed Abby and said, "I'm wearing stripes with florals AND a belt. It's like I don't even know who I am anymore." It sounds insane (and more than a little trivial), but fashion-wise, this was a leap for me. I don't know that I did it "right," but I tried. Also, I wore a belt. The last time I wore a belt on purpose was...too long ago to remember.

Skirt - handmade by me
Top - Old Navy
Cardigan - Steinmart
Belt - JC Penney

Friday - Work

Friday was New Student Move In Day at Covenant and since I got to help out at one of the dorms, I was able to dress down for the day. Hooray for jeans!

Jeans - Old Navy
T-shirt - Obvs, Covenant
Footwear - Chacos

{I took pictures on Sunday, but forgot to put the memory card back in the camera. So just imagine me in my magical white pants and a really cute top from Forever 21.}

Monday - Work

Emboldened by new found freedom to embrace the waist, I tucked my shirt in, which I've never done. Like I said, it's like I don't even know who I am anymore.

Top - Ann Taylor Outlet shop (see the rosettes around the neckline? love those.)
Skirt - Old Navy
Cardigan - Old Navy
Necklace - A much longed for piece by Lisa Leonard and a gift from Mom and Allie. Love me a monogram.

Tuesday - Work

I love the eyelet at the hemline and the scallop on the bodice of this dress. I don't know that I pulled this together in the best way, but again, can we all take a moment? I am wearing a belt.

Dress - Walmart
Cardigan - Gap Outlet
Belt - from a JC Penney dress
Shoes - This fabulous outlet store in Chattanooga that used to be called Becky's.

If I had to sum up this week, it's that it was the week of The Belt and I get an A for effort. I also need and want to branch outside of cardigans. I think I'm stuck in a rut of an "I'm an elementary school teacher" mentality and I want to move into more of a business casual midset. My friend Lee has offered to come help me edit my closet (thanks for the idea, Molly!) and I'm excited to see what his fresh perspective and impecable fashion sense can do for me.

Swing by Pleated Poppy to check out what other folks are wearing, and as always, feel free to leave ideas/suggestions/tips in the comments!

Carolina Girl (and then some...)

2011-08-22T02:00:00.002-04:00

I'm a college girl through and through.

Allow me to explain.

I was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and spent the first six months of my life living in a Guilford Residence Hall apartment on UNC-Greensboro's campus where my dad was Dorm Director. I had a sweet little nursery that my mom created (as in, she made pretty much everything in it from scratch), and she says that I was doted on by all the college students who lived in Guilford.

(I can't begin to tell you how much I would love to have the vintage fabric in those curtains now.)

Just before I turned a year old, we moved to Blacksburg, Virginia where my dad would work in Student Affairs at Virginia Tech. While we were there, my favorite spots were the duck pond and a local sheep farm. Mom and Dad also drove a pretty sweet VW van. I would go on to wreck that van when I was three and a half. True story.

(Killer sunglasses, Mom. And yes, that's a bonnet. If I have a daughter, she'll wear one too.)

(Yup, that's me rockin' the belly shirt.)

When I was three and a half, and just before my sister was born, we moved to La Plume, Pennsylvania where my dad would be Director of Residence Life at Keystone Jr. College. We lived in a large apartment in Sickler Hall, a gorgeous Victorian building. It now houses several administrative offices for the college.

(This is the home where I would become a big sister and wreck the VW van. It was a big year for me.)

(Aunt Joann and cousin Caroline come to visit! My mom smocked that dress for me and I want to squeeze my three year old self, I'm just so dang cute.)

When Allie was about a year old, we moved back down to North Carolina, to my mom's hometown of Durham. Durham is home to The College That Shall Not Be Named (ahem), where we spent every major holiday at Grandmother and Grandaddy's house with mom's sisters and their families, and where I would end up living and teaching after college.

About a year or so after we moved to Durham, we moved to Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University gave me an incredible library for high school research papers, amazing college students who volunteered as my (oh so patient) youth group leaders and Young Life leaders.

As you may have heard, I chose the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my college years. I was a Resident Assistant for my last two years there and that is still one of the best jobs I have ever had. Chapel Hill is one of the top college towns in the nation and one of my most favorite places in the whole wide world. I love that we got married in Chapel Hill and spent our wedding night at The Carolina Inn. Hark the sound of Tarheel voices....

(My very first day at UNC, setting up my freshman dorm room in Hinton James.)

Even when I got married and moved off to Texas, I ended up in a college town. In Ailene there are three universities- Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University (my best friend Abby works there) and McMurry University (my mother-in-law is their head volleyball coach and my sister-in-law is the coolest sophomore on campus).

So it seems only fitting in a kind of full circle way that I am now working at a college. New students moved into the dorms at Covenant on Friday and started their orientation which will go through Wednesday. I got to work beside an amazing group of returning students (who serve on the Orientation Team) as they helped unload cars and moved the new students' belongings into their dorm rooms. They were loud and joyous and oh so welcoming to these hesitant hopeful freshmen. I had the best time hanging out with them and I even learned how to do the Dougie. Bonus.

(Keeping a close eye out for new students)

The buildings and grounds aren't just brick and grass after yesterday. It feels like a college now that the students are finally here. And I know that sounds obvious, but when you've worked in quiet buildings for over a month, to see them loud and bustling is an incredible thing.

Here's the thing, I've loved all the college towns I've lived in and I absolutely adored my own college years. But being on this side of a college is something I didn't even know to want. I am ridiculously grateful that I'm getting to experience it this way and at this point in my life.

And it's kind of nice that Covenant's signature blue is much closer to my beloved Carolina blue than that other kind of blue.

Let the 2011-2012 school year begin!

Something New..." What I Wore Wednesday"

2011-08-17T00:05:00.002-04:00

When I was in the seventh grade, one of my most treasured possessions was one of those free pocket calendars that Hallmark shops always had by the register. Mine had a special purpose. I didn't use it to keep track of my homework or youth group events or any sort of social calendar. Oh no, my little Hallmark calendar's sole purpose was to keep track of what I wore each day. That's right, my mortal fear at the age of thirteen was that I might repeat an outfit on days too close together.

My issues started early, y'all.

Each little day's block of white space was carefully filled with phrases such as, "Limited jeans, green turtleneck, peach sweater" or "Guess jeans, striped rugby, Baha hoodie" or "Khaki skirt, white long sleeve, green flannel shirt".

Can we just all agree right now that the 90's weren't so good to any of us, fashion wise? Yes? Ok, thanks.

Cut to twenty years later and I'm about to lay the 2011 version of my little Hallmark calendar wide open on this here blog in front of the whole Internet. Let's just say it's part of the "do over" I posted about yesterday, a chance to indulge my girly-girl side for all it's worth.

Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy started "What I Wore Wednesday" so that women from all over could link up their weekly outfits and perhaps be inspired by (or in my case, just copy cat) what others are wearing. My best friend in Texas, Abby, has been doing WIWW for a while now and I have definitely been inspired by her stylish, colorful, chic ensembles.

So, for better or for worse, here's my very first WIWW. Abby, you can't say I didn't try!

Thursday - Work

One thing I'm going to be honest about right from the beginning of this is I am incredibly short-waisted. And thick-waisted, if I'm being even more honest. So tucking things in usually isn't an option for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the waistband on this skirt (scored at Target for $10!) was more attractive with my top tucked in rather than left out. Hooray for faux waist definition!

Skirt - Target

Tank top - Lands End

Puffed Sleeve Cardigan (eat your heart out, Anne Shirley) - Walmart

Necklace - Target

Friday - Work

This denim jacket has been really really good to me for ten years now. Thank goodness for pieces that never go out of style.

Dress - Old Navy (two years ago)

Denim Jacket - Old Navy

White Tube Top - Banana Republic

Necklace - Surprises Gift Shop in Abilene, TX

Hair - My new obessession with twist & pin styling, courtesy of Hair Romance

Sunday - Church

I saw this dress on Pinterest a few weeks ago and swooned. Thankfully, it was on sale and was soon making its way to our little home. I plan on making it work well into fall and winter as well.

Dress - Garnet Hill

Cardigan - Gap Outlet

Ring - Forever 21

Monday - work and Covenant All Staff & Faculty Dinner

Every winter, I wait patiently for Memorial Day so that I can bring out these white pants. I wear them as much as I can before Labor Day, when they'll be packed up once again. What can I say? I'm a southern girl and I follow the southern fashion rules. I love these pants. My mom bought them for me at Ann Taylor Loft five years ago as part of a new outfit for the wedding shower my bridesmaids gave me. They are still in fabulous condition and I think they're magic because they seem to fit me no matter what the scale says. Ladies, may you all be blessed with such a pair of pants.

Top - Forever 21
Necklace - Target

Hair - Velcro rollers & large barrel curling iron, another step in my quest for Tami Taylor hair

Tuesday - Work

So when I wear this and the overwhelming blurted out response from my coworkers is, "My goodness, you're so bright!" that's a good thing...right?
That's me, God's little ray of sunshine!

Dress - Old Navy
Cardigan - Gap Outlet
Sandals - Old Navy
Hair - Lopsided messy bun. Who knew messy would take practice?

And there's my week! Clearly, I need to add some color to my wardrobe. Good to know. Something to aspire to for next week...

Click below and head on over to The Pleated Poppy for a peek at what other folks wore this week!

Do Over

2011-08-15T23:54:00.000-04:00

I want one.

I wish I could go back and do high school again.

Because you know what I'd do? I'd be less afraid.

I'd be less afraid of what people think. I would love my body exactly the way God made it (short waist and all) and not be so hung up on fitting into some mold that I was never going to be. I wouldn't be afraid to be passionate and theatrical and bold. I would sing loudly (well, louder than even back then) and I wouldn't brush off the compliments about my voice. I would pursue theatre wherever, whenever I could. I would be funny and kooky like I was made to be instead of trying so dang hard to be cool all the time.

Cool is so subjective.

I went to see the "Glee" movie tonight. And yes, I'm probably riding on some sort of red slushie, pop music, Broadway show tunes kind of high, but I don't care. Because that kind of high, the one I get from unabashed singing and dancing, is a high I need more of in my life.

I loved watching them dance around that stage. I loved hearing the real life stories of kids who have been inspired to love themselves just as they are because they watch these characters do that. I love watching these talented young actors. I get goosebumps and I'm jealous because I need to embrace more of who I am.

It's taken me thirty-three years, but I am more comfortable in my body than I have ever been. I am more comfortable with who I am- loud, silly, dramatic, passionate, vocal, creative- than I have ever been. This is who God created me to be and I love it.

I love the moment when (no spoilers here, it was the same on the TV episode) all the characters come out in t-shirts that proclaim what they have always been ashamed of. They grab hold of that thing, that part of themselves that they need to love and sing the words, "I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way." I mean, I know it's Lady Gaga and cheesy as all get out, but oh, I was born this way.

And I just wish it hadn't taken me thirty-three years to love all of how I was made.

So, yes, I sang along tonight at parts and I danced in my seat and I clapped with (you guessed it) glee when the song that gives me goosebumps was sung and I don't really care anymore if someone stares at me while I do it. Because I need more of that joy and freedom and passion in my life.

So on the drive home, when that amazing new Coldplay song came on, I kept driving even though I was a block away from home. Because it felt like when I was back in high school and I'd be driving down Robinhood Road when that just right song came on and I didn't want to go home yet. When the sky was clear and the air was warm and it felt like that space of summer had been made just for me. I rolled the windows all the way down, I stuck my hand out the window and let the wind catch it and I just felt free.

And I'll be glad to do over moments like that over and over again.

Shower the ones you love with love...be they baby or bride.

2011-08-14T22:27:00.002-04:00

{I wrote this a couple of years back as a guest post for my friend, Amy Beth. Since Kelly is doing a wedding shower link up for her "Show Us Your Life" series, I figured it might be fun to edit it and post it over here as well. Are you on tap to host a wedding or baby shower in the coming months? Read this and then hit up Pinterest for more great ideas!}

I have three best girlfriends, sisters of my heart, really. We are known as The E-Ranch {short for The Estrogen Ranch} due to the nickname given to our house when we lived together after college. Between the three of them, I have co-hosted three wedding showers and six baby showers to honor the epochs in their lives. From 2008 to 2009, I helped give each of them a baby shower.

Y’all, I think it is safe to say that I could throw a shower in my sleep.

{Also, I have informed them that their ration of baby showers has run out and I won’t be throwing any more of the baby variety until I get one of my own.}

Now, lest you think I have done the planning all on my own, I have not. We are a team, The E-Ranch women, and so there are always three of us to help organize our soirees. At the point, our roles are well-established: I mine the crafty corners of my mind for invitations, Carlye and Anna are menu planners extraordinaire and Debbie is a genius at any and all other logistics. We all pitch in for the decorating part. You know, like our own Carolina version of “Designing Women.” Just call me Julia Sugarbaker.

Our showers are… well, they don’t always happen inside the typical shower box. Now that we’re in our thirties, we have been subjected to our fair share of showers with no end in sight and really painful shower games. We prefer our showers lively with a side of sass that's unique to the guest of honor. So, here's a few of our shower-throwin’ tips for y’all. Take these with a grain of salt or a whole salt lick, if you want. It's just how we've done things through the years...

1.) Don’t be afraid to print your own invitations.

After I paid nigh unto $80 for a baby shower invitation design and printing, I decided it was time to make use of the perfectly good printer I had sitting at home. Check for local stationary and invitation stores in your city. Lots of places sell blank invitations by the box or even by the piece. Make sure you buy two or three extra invites so you can do a test run. I used Microsoft Word and mess around with the margins until I have the text space just so. Have fun with fonts. There are lots of free fonts to be had out there. My favorite site is urbanfonts.com. Pick a font that jives with the theme of your invite. Have fun with it! Remember, your invite sets the tone for your shower.

2.) Plan the menu with the bride/mama-to-be in mind.

Sure, I suppose that you want to be thinking about the guests. But, truly, who is the party all about? That’s right. The girl who has spent the last six months stressin’ over whether the flowers will coordinate with the carpet in the church and has successfully managed to find a dress that will miraculously work with the five different body types of her bridesmaids. {Actually, I’ll tell you how to solve that last one: Pick a dress company that makes several different styles of dresses, pick a color and let your bridesmaids pick the style. Bam! Done.} It’s about the woman who has endured seven months of complete strangers manhandling her belly while they utter completely inane things like, “Golly gee, you look like you’re due any day! You’re huge!”

That bride? That pregnant woman? They at least deserve the kind of eats they really enjoy. Carlye and Anna are gourmets at heart, so for their showers we served things like mini stratas with bacon & summer veggies, zucchini cupcakes with homemade cream cheese icing, chilled strawberry mint soup and ricotta cheese on French bread with figs & honey. Debbie loves all things preservative-laden so we took her favorite foods and put a gourmet twist on them. She and her guests enjoyed foods like Macaroni & Cheese Spanakopitas, homemade marshmallows {the woman adores Peeps} and non-alcoholic cream cheese icing shots. Oh yes, you heard me correctly. Cream cheese icing ready to eat straight out of a shot glass.

Which leads me to my next tip…

3.) Give the guest of honor the kind of party they want.

Remember the guiding rule when it comes to the menu? Same goes for the party itself. For instance, when Debbie was pregnant with her second set of twins {oh yes, you heard me right, second set} she told us that she didn’t want another baby shower. What she really wanted was a cocktail party one evening with her girlfriends to celebrate not being pregnant anymore and the fact that she could once again enjoy an adult beverage.

The woman brought four children into this world, two at a time. We figured the least we could do was throw her a fabulous party! For Carlye’s second pregnancy {she was due with her second boy and the testosterone was about to become overwhelming}, we knew she would love an intimate girly lunch with pedicures to follow. Nothing says “I love you and value you as a friend” like crafting the ideal setting to celebrate this landmark in her life.

Even if that setting includes jello shots or a nail salon.

4.) To game or not to game?

I’m going to be brutally honest here and tell you that if I find myself at a baby shower where diapers with melted candy bars are being passed around, I’m going to find an excuse to leave pretty darn quick. Let’s just all agree that if the menu and the party itself are about the guest of honor, the games/activities should be about the other guests. We at The E-Ranch tend to stay away from games altogether, but if we really need one, we find some sort of activity that does not subject our guests to guessing what baby food is in the jar. She who gives birth to the wee babe can deal with that one all on her own.

Try to make your activity something that will engage everyone and that might bring about some genuine laughter. I'm a big fan of wedding shower games that happen while the presents are being opened. Bridal Bingo was a go-to game of ours for our wedding showers. You'd be surprised at how competitive a roomful of women can get when there's a stellar prize awaiting the winner! At Carlye's wedding shower, we split the room into smaller groups, gave each group four or five kinds of candy bars and had them write a poem for the soon-to-be-wed couple that incorporated the names of the candy. Those poems were wedding shower gold, y'all, and everyone had a blast working together to write them.

At Anna’s baby shower we asked everyone to anonymously write down a funny moment from their childhood or parenting experiences and the moral/lesson from it that might benefit Anna as she embarked on the road to motherhood. We all got to hear some hilarious stories, Anna had fun guessing which memory belonged to whom and she came away with some pretty stellar parenting advice. See? Everyone wins.

So there you have it! As one of four co-presidents at The E-Ranch, I wish you lots of creativity and outside the box thinking. Now, go forth and shower…

Pride

2011-08-10T11:55:00.001-04:00

The Airman's Creed

I am an American Airman.

I am a Warrior.

I have answered my nation's call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to fly, fight, and win.

I am faithful to a proud heritage,

a tradition of honor,

and a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman,

Guardian of freedom and justice,

My nation's sword and shield,

Its sentry and avenger.

I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman:

Wingman, Leader, Warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind.

I will never falter,

and I will not fail.

Today, my sister, Second Lieutenant Alison C. Unger, will graduate from Air Battle Manager school. See those bright shiny wings pinned on her uniform? She has earned them with strength, pride, intelligence, dedication and honor. I am more proud of her than words could ever say. She is one of the strongest and truest people I know. I am honored to call her sister, but even more, my best friend.

Jason and I can't be there in Florida today to see her graduate, hear her speak to her class and the other guests, or see those wings pinned oh so proudly to her uniform. But I can imagine it and oh, if ever there was a person there in spirit, it's me! I love you so much, sweet sister of mine. You have my utmost respect and admiration for the way you have persevered in this career, this calling. And just like every other big milestone in your life, today I'm the weepy big sister beaming with pride, telling everyone who will listen about what you have accomplished. Congratulations!

Updates on Caden

2011-08-09T11:57:00.000-04:00

Caden made it through surgery yesterday, but the next 36 hours are still critical. I thought I'd list the various ways that you can directly stay updated, if you'd like, rather than having to check my blog.

Adam and Becca are posting updates and pictures on her blog- The Stanley Clan

If you're on Twitter, you can follow Becca there- @Becca1612

A Facebook has been created for Caden and the Stanleys- Candles for Caden

An update was posted on their blog just a short while ago. Please go and read and continue to pray!

Caden Thomas

2011-08-08T08:59:00.000-04:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again- The blogging world is a glorious thing. I've had more than one blog friendship turn into a real life face-to-face friendship now. It never ceases to amaze me how following a rabbit trail around the Internet has led to some pretty sweet relationships that have encouraged and challenged me in the best ways possible. My friendship with Becca started just this way, and then I was lucky enough to hang out with her in person and see even more of our blogging heroes (you can read about that here and here.)

Becca, her husband Adam and their daughter Jayci have been committed to mentoring at-risk kids in Atlanta for a while now. I've been amazed to read and see how they've imitated Christ, literally moving into the neighborhood where these kids live so they could care for them, love them and show them a Greater Love that can transform their lives. For the last year, they have painstakingly renovated a house smack dab in the middle of where these kids live and faced setback after setback. A great joy in the midst of this was Becca's pregnancy with their second child, a son. They finally closed on the house last Tuesday, while Becca was in labor! That girl is a rock star.

Last Wednesday, they welcomed Caden Thomas to the world.

However, it was soon discovered that Caden was born with some very serious and totally unexpected heart issues. Today, at less than a week old, Caden will be in open heart surgery all day. Adam has explained what will happen in the surgery here. Please go and read. Please feel free to leave them a comment. Becca and Adam are reading them and I know any and all words have been and would be such an encouragement to them.

Most of all, please pray. As one of my favorite ladies, Beth Moore, would say- y'all wouldn't waste a prayer on this family. Thanks, y'all...

Five Years

2011-08-05T10:02:00.000-04:00

A five year wedding anniversary on August 5th feels momentous. Five years feels weighty and accomplished. For five years, we have loved and fought and laughed and cried and loved some more. We've become better versions of ourselves and we've still learning how to spur each other on towards more of that. Five years means well established jokes, phrases, secret gestures that the other knows how to read. Five years holds some heartache and doubt, but it also holds the joy that comes from seeing it through to the other side.

I often think of the incredible toast my sister gave at our wedding. She said,

"If you know Leslie at all, you know she believes in fairy tales, the idea of forever, and that drama is the spice of life. As far as fairy tales go, she's always dreamed of Jason, although he's better than anything she could've imagined.

I came across this one bible verse in high school that I took on as what I wished for Leslie to find in a man. It's Song of Songs chapter 4, verse 9, "You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes." You can tell by this verse that God believes in fairy tales too, and that's just what He gave Leslie and Jason. It had to be one glance, because they only knew each other for a day and then didn't see each other again for six months! Even as great as it is to see that verse come true for them, we all know that love is much more than a fairy tale. Our mom raised us with one thought on love; that it's not just a feeling, it's a decision. So with that in mind, I have one more wish for the two of you...

(If you'd all raise your glasses and join me.)

May you wake up everyday with two intentions in mind. The first, that you never doubt your decision to love each other. And secondly, that you choose to love each other more with each new day."

I love you, Richard Jason Petree. I would say those vows, make that choice and say yes all over again. Thank you for loving me so patiently and so well. Happy Anniversary, my love!

{Past Anniversary posts: 2, 3, 4 }

Movin' On Up

2011-08-03T21:04:00.000-04:00

Literally, y'all.

I have moved on up to my new job on Lookout Mountain just across the state line in Georgia. It's a gorgeous commute (more on that later), the campus is stunning, and the people that work there are fantastic.

(Carter Hall, where I work)

(The Great Hall. Could you just die? I love this place.)

I've been there for about a month and have been blown away at how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. I've found several kindred spirits in some girls who are seriously stylish and love the crafty as much as I do. This transition has been incredibly healing after the last year and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this community.

I work in an office that is directly across from the mail room, which means I am in prime people watching/stop by and say hello/everyone walks by at some point realty space. There hasn't been an administrative assistant in the office for about a year, so it was in need of a little love. Some sprucing, if you will.

And I'm sure you will.

So, enter moi.

A little before and after, for your viewing pleasure.

BEFORE:

(Entering the office)

(Looking left)

(The view from my desk)

AFTER:

(I've yet to make the bulletin board calendar that's going on that back wall.)

(The lamp was $4 at a thrift store. I adore spray paint.)

(My plan is for the students to supply the photos that will be pinned in the picture frames.)

(Remember the Monet print behind my desk? I repurposed it into a bulletin board.)

It was ridiculous amounts of fun to work on this space. I can't wait for students to arrive in a few weeks and make this place feel even more lived in!

I miss him every day.

2011-07-11T22:53:00.005-04:00

{Originally posted July 13, 2009. Two years have passed, but every word still rings true...}

On Saturday night, my best friend Stuart called me to tell me the worst news I could ever imagine. The man who dubbed himself my “stunt dad” had unexpectedly died.

I am heartbroken.

I met Paul and Lynn Barclay when I became involved with Young Life as a high school student in Winston-Salem, NC. Lynn was the Area Director and Paul filled a million different roles in Young Life as well. Paul was a big and rowdy man who loved wholeheartedly and unabashedly. Their home was open to us twenty-four/seven and we took full advantage of that. Especially in the summers, most nights you could find me over at the Barclay’s hanging out with my core group of friends. Even if Paul, Lynn and their sons, John and P.J., weren’t there, we were. It was enough just to be in their home, the love was that strong.

Paul stepped into my life and stepped up for me in ways that I never knew I needed and that certainly weren’t required of him. “Stunt dad” is the best term I could ever think of because that’s exactly what he did- he stepped into the places of my life, emotionally and spiritually, that were messy and dangerous and where my own dad just wasn’t equipped to go.

{Paul and I at Stewart and Elizabeth Welch’s wedding rehearsal, 2000}

In 2000, after my parents divorced, he really stepped it up. He left me a message on the answering machine at the E-Ranch and I left it on there for months, listening to it over and over and over again. I finally wrote it down, word for word…

I was just checkin’ in on you, honey. Hope you’re doing well.

You know, I love you and I believe in you and I count it a privilege to be your stunt dad. And I would kill to have a daughter like you. And it’s even cooler that out of all the women in the world, that I chose you to be my stunt daughter.

Hope you’re doing well, I love you dearly. I’m sorry you went through all that stuff yesterday. I wish I could be around…I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you, praying about you.

Guard your heart. I pray that you would continue to seek the Lord’s face. I know it’s hard to feel loved sometimes but you are and you’re a special gal.

Be strong, be courageous, you are worth it. Be good.

I’m weepy too, be quiet. You’re special, see ya…

I have never forgotten those words. They were truth, they were balm to my hurting heart. You see, I know the love of God as my father because of who Paul Barclay was in my life. And I’m not the only one. As I’ve read what folks have written on his Facebook wall, I’m realizing that I have hundreds of brothers and sisters because he was a stunt dad to so many of us. He loved us all fiercely, like one of his own. He couldn’t help it. It was just the way his heart worked.

Paul wasn’t just loving, he was funny. Really, really funny. And irreverent in the most awful ways that somehow made you love him even more. He loved music and I just learned that back in the day, he stepped in for the band Hot Chocolate to drum for their recording of “{I believe in miracles, where’d you come from} You Sexy Thing”. Crazy, right?

He gave the best hugs. The last time I saw him, we were meeting for breakfast at Bruegger’s as I passed through W-S on my back to TN. He walked in, hollered, “Oooonga!” {my high school nickname, a play on my maiden name, Unger}, wrapped me in a giant hug and kissed the top of my head.

He adored Lynn. He always said that he married well beyond his means, that he didn’t know how he managed to get a woman like her. I learned what a healthy marriage looked like in part from being around Lynn and Paul for all those years.

He loved his boys, John and P.J. He was so proud of them. All they had to do was walk into the room and Paul’s face would light up. I loved watching him being a dad and it made me feel so lucky that he included me in that.

I will miss him more than anything.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

From Paul’s Facebook wall…

"After God made you he threw out the mold. That he unleashed a man of your stature onto the world shows, to me, how wild and wonderful a God we have! Satan trembled. He still trembles, for we are the men and the women who are still in your wake. I love you, PB. You are a true saint - rough edges to be sure - but a saint nonetheless.”

“Thanks for showing us how much fun it is to love the Lord. I wonder if you are sharing some kind of farting story with the apostles right now.. perhaps you are just getting a hug from Jesus who is telling you "well done my good and faithful servant." In my selfishness I am so sorry you are not here..somehow the world is a little less funny and loving this morning.”

“I have never met someone in my life who was a better pursuer of people in an effort to love them the way Jesus might love them. You believed in me when I did not believe in myself. You challenged me to be more of the woman that God made me to be and to love others and Jesus better.”

“Pauly B, so many memories. You changed my life and I would not be who or where I am without you. You showed me what it means to be a man of God--emphasis on man--in a world where guys so often need that. Your example taught me so much.”

“Thank you, Paul, for being an early influence on our marriage. My husband often tells of how you advised him during college, “Instead of looking for Mrs. Right, focus on becoming Mr. Right.” I’m convinced that seeing your devotion to Lynn and the boys has encouraged his dedication to me and our boys. Thank you for the example you gave in the way you loved the Lord, loved your family, and loved life!”

“I remember when a bad leader "kicked a kid out of cabin time" and I walked into Paul sharing the Gospel with him out in the lobby of the cabin. Thank the Lord for Paul Barclay.”

A (not so) Fond Farewell

2011-07-04T22:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Unemployment,

You arrived six months ago, an unwelcome visitor. We certainly didn't ask for you to visit, and we definitely didn't ask you to move in and make yourself comfortable. But move in you did and there was no choice but to face your arrival and deal with it. I wasn't too thrilled to see you unpack insecurity, lack of confidence and doubt. Those were the ugliest parts of your stay. They lingered in the air, over my relationships and made me feel lethargic and ashamed. Thankfully, I had good friends, an amazing husband and family, and a strong church community who gave me words and encouragement so I could face that ugly luggage and know it for what it truly was- false.

Still, you did bring a few items that I didn't mind. You brought time, lots and lots and lots of time. That was actually a very thoughtful hostess gift, Unemployment. There was time to think, really think about who I was and what steps I wanted to take next. You brought time for me to embrace a budding passion and indulge in crafty endeavors. Because of you I had time to read and think and write in a relaxed way that I hadn't in a while. I had time to love on my husband and serve our family in a different way that didn't involve a paycheck. There was time now to craft dinners and stay ahead of the laundry (did you know a homebuilder foreman creates a TON of laundry?) and play with the dog. That time was a gift and I thank you for it.

You brought with you a new opportunity for Jason and I to trust each other. We were given the chance to prove to ourselves that we could persevere as a team through your difficult stay, that we weren't defined by your presence, and that we had enough wisdom and humor to see your visit for what it was- temporary. Unemployment, you offered me a new opportunity to trust my loving Father. True, your arrival might have made me doubt Him at first. But I've learned that doubt can be a gift and that God is big enough to handle it. Wrestling with that doubt has led to a deeper understanding that, just like the sparrow, His eye is always on me and He cares for me so much. So I guess I have you to thank for that, too.

However, it's time to bid you adieu. You see, I've accepted a job offer at a wonderful college and I start work tomorrow. Sure, I'll bear the official title of "Administrative Assistant to the Chapel Office," but I've learned from your extended visit that a job title isn't the only thing that defines me. Oh no, there's much more to me than that. Still, I am grateful for it's purpose and for the new opportunities it will bring.

So, see you later, Unemployment! Don't let the door hit you on the way out! Oh, and do me a favor? Stay away from my friends, m'kay?

Love,
Leslie Ruth

Postcard From Home

2011-06-24T13:12:00.003-04:00

Dear Mom & Dad,

I have had such a good time this week with my new aunts & uncles! We've been on some very eventful walks & I've been eating ALL my food ( cause I know you worry about me). I've tried really hard to stay disciplined with my commands. Although, I did try to follow uncle Gabe into the bedroom once... but as SOON as he saw me I turned around & left. I've missed you sooo much. Can't wait to see you!

xoxoxo,
Knox

(A big ol' THANK YOU to our sweet friends, Lindsay & Jordan and Brittany & Gabe, for taking such good care of our pup this week. And thank you to Brittany for helping Knox write this postcard!)

A Vacation Recipe

2011-06-22T10:28:00.000-04:00

A little rain doesn't slow this family down.

2011-06-20T12:02:00.000-04:00

Beach trip rainy day perfection.

And into the evening, a golfing we will go!

I mean, would you expect any other color choice from us?

A post-golf tradition, Kirk's Ice Cream Shop

"I guess that just means we'll have to go to Myrtle Beach!"

2011-06-18T22:31:00.000-04:00

If you were a southern girl in 1989 there's a good chance that you saw the movie "Shag". I did, with one of my best friends, Jenny Norfleet, and we watched it over and over and over again.

I wanted so badly to be Pudge, to be able to dance like that and win the shag contest at The Pavillion. As a through and through Carolina girl, I definitely love to shag dance and as soon as I hear "Buttercup" my feet start moving and the count runs through my head, "One, two, three; one, two, three; back step..."

So it makes my heart oh so happy that we are spending the next week in gorgeous Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Jason's family. The view from here? It looks a little like this.

We're one day in and it's been all sorts of delightful. So much so, that I woke up this morning smiling. And I'd say that's a pretty fantastic way to start a much needed vacation that is redeeming some mighty big struggles from a couple of years ago. More to come...

Things to Know About Me in the Summer

2011-06-09T18:32:00.000-04:00

I will more than likely be wearing a wide brimmed southern gal kind of hat if we're going to be spending an extended amount of time in the sun.

I prefer to have the windows down and sunroof open rather than run the AC in my car. I know, it's crazy but I love that hot breeze on my skin.
I own one pair of shorts (not including running shorts) and would much rather spend the majority of summer in skirts or dresses.
Pretty much anytime you see me my sunglasses will be perched on my head. Wait...that's not really different from any other season...

If there's an outdoor concert, I'm there. Chattanooga has a week long outdoor music festival called Riverbend. It draws some pretty major artists and we gave it a try last year. We discovered that due to the stage (which is on a barge) being insanely high off the ground, no matter where you sit you end up watching the giant screens and not the actual performers. No, thank you. So this year, I think we'll just join the rest of the freeloaders and set up chairs on one of the bridges right next to the stage. Miranda Lambert and Huey Lewis & The News concerts for free? Yes, please!
I will always opt for outdoor seating at a restaurant, especially in the evening.
Can't go anywhere this summer without one of these little delights. The Camelbak is perfect for chugging copious amounts of water and the Kangaroo cup gets me free refills ALL SUMMER LONG at any Kangaroo Express/gas station. Booyah. Not pictured? My newly acquired Carolina blue insulated cold cup tumbler (kind of like this one, only prettier 'cause it's truly Carolina blue) which will be perfect for all those glasses of Margarita-In-A-Bucket margaritas I plan on drinking at the beach in a week. Oh, yes ma'am.

I will always be singing along with the music in my car. Loudly. Always.
I could always use a new hat. All in the spirit of protecting my skin, of course.

Want to go crash a pool you don't belong to? I'm your girl. Call me up. Robyn and I perfected the art back in the day and we've settled on these three essential rules: 1.) Park a slight distance from the clubhouse. 2.) Act like you own the place. 3.) Identify the bathrooms early. Truth.
I love every bit of summer. Every little delicious piece. I'm a summer girl.

What about you? Any summertime goodies I should know about you? I'm all ears...

Rose of sheer perfection or Pollyanna in that flag costume? Eh, it's up for debate.

2011-05-30T00:08:00.001-04:00

I suppose that one of the upsides to being without a job is that I've had more time to indulge my crafty side. Back in December, I pimped out half of our back room to make it a space that has become pretty much irresistible for me.

This room gets the best light in the house and, to me, it's the coziest. Creating this space has been one of the best gifts I could have given myself. If you're crafty and creative and have been thinking about doing something like this, DO IT. You won't regret it.

After a lazy Sunday morning, I indulged my inner Martha Stewart and tackled two tutorials I've had bookmarked for months. The first was this gorgeous Rose Cake made by i am baker.

image by: i am baker

Our small group got together for dinner tonight and when I was given the dessert assignment, I decided to finally try out this cake. I went with a two layer red velvet cake and the buttercream icing that i am baker recommended. Normally, I would use Paula Deen's red velvet cake recipe but to save time and money, I just went with the Duncan Hines box version. A year ago, I would've aggravated myself and our budget by insisting on making the cake from scratch and I would've spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Now, I realize that going with what's simple is perfectly fine.

I like to call that growth, y'all. My husband calls it "I don't have to come down to the kitchen and talk my wife off a ledge."

Once the cake was baked and completely cool, I shaved off the tops to make sure both layers were level.

Oh, I forgot. It's always helpful to have your kitchen assistant handy in case any crumbs hit the floor.

Next came the layering.

Then the crumb coat as a sort of base for your cake canvas.

i am baker's description of the rose technique is spot on. I prepped my frosting bag and took a practice run at a rose considering this was pretty much the fanciest thing I've ever attempted with icing.

Okay, easy enough! It took me maybe ten minutes to work my way around the circumference of the cake and then cover the top. I added in some swoops to fill in the empty spots and voila!

The rose covering was crazy easy to do and will definitely be my go-to for when I need a gorgeous dessert. As evidenced by my Twitter feed and the feedback at small group, you are guaranteed to win tons of compliments with this one. I can pretty much go to bed feeling like a baking diva.

A few tips/observations:

- If you use the buttercream recipe i am baker recommends, you definitely want to make a whole recipe of it. While I still had some icing left over, a half recipe wouldn't have been enough.

- If you're able, use a cake pedestal whose surface is completely flat. I didn't realize it until I started, but our cake pedestal has a curve to the edge which made getting those circumference roses on a little tricky.

- It's a lot of icing for a cake, so make sure you use an icing you really like. I discovered I'm not a huge fan of buttercream icing. It was actually kind of tortuous for me to make a red velvet cake with something other than cream cheese icing. The fact that I've had red velvet cake with cream cheese icing for every birthday since I was about seven may have something to do with that.

After I finished the cake, I headed up to my happy place and went to work on this skirt tutorial from Freshly Picked. Due to my inability to follow measuring directions, I ended up with a very cute skirt (with pockets!) made from red striped seersucker that was about two sizes too big. Sigh. My three minute solution because I really wanted to wear it today? Cut off about five inches from one side, sew a new seam and BAM, that sucker was done. I'm going to mess around with this one some more and post pictures once I'm happy with it.

I'm also going to wear something other than a navy top with it so I don't look like an American flag. Hooray for Memorial Day!

Now, who wants to lick the bowl?

Shockingly, yes, sometimes I don't have anything to say.

2011-05-27T16:31:00.000-04:00

Here's the thing.

When you're unemployed (five months, please dear lord, don't let it be going on six...) and your days consist of working out, endlessly submitting resumes and cover letters, a fair amount of moping, and general housework, there's not really a lot to write about. Add to that the fact that this season of my life has me processing some stuff that I don't care to share with the entire Internet (thank the lord for a fabulous therapist) and, well, you have a southern drama queen whose mouth is generally more quiet than chatty these days.

{Jason might beg to differ, but he's bound by sacred vows to listen to me, right? He does it so well, my ever patient husband...}

But.

There's always a but.

I've always loved having this space to write about anything and everything. The problem is, I started this blog almost six years ago when there weren't many blogs and only my nearest and dearest took the time to read it. Six years, a marriage and two states later, there's a lot more people reading than before. Some of y'all I've never met but we've become friends anyway through this crazy thing called blogging. You've encouraged me, cheered for me, prayed for me (and Jason), loved on me through your blog comments and emails. For those folks, I legitimately call y'all my friends even if I've never seen your sweet face in person. That's just the way it works.

And truthfully? There's probably some people reading my blog who I would rather they didn't. However, that's the deal you make when you have a public blog and I'm cool with that. Still. What to do to maintain this space as a place for me to be authentic?

Well.

A dear, funny and wise friend encouraged me that my blog doesn't have to be where I spill my guts all the time and that she'd love to see me just write about the things I like. Hmmm, write about the things I like....sure, I can do that.

So, that's what I'm going to try to do. I like writing. I need to write. I need to focus on the good in my life, the joys that are coming, the gifts that are present but perhaps I don't dwell on enough. I'm not foolish enough to call this a blog comeback, because we've all seen how that's turned out on here before. Still, I needed to write this. I needed to write it out, this new "vision" for what blogging could look like for me. For a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, it's good for me to strike some sort of balance between sharing all the emotions that run through me and shutting off completely.

So.

I have a running list in my head of things I want to blog about. For accountability's sake, I'm going to start this list here with the idea that then I'll actually write those posts. Stay tuned to see if this actually works...

- My weekend in Nashville with Allie and the Country Music Marathon/Half-Marathon
- Oprah's last show (Seriously, I took notes. SO GOOD.)
- Sitting in a room of seventeen women waiting to interview for the same job
- Celebrities, diets, exercise and is it all for real?
- Glee and the gloriousness of its last four episodes

Weddings and Marathons and Tornadoes...Oh My!

2011-04-28T17:03:00.004-04:00

When I was a little girl, whenever we would go to Durham to visit Grandmother and Grandaddy I would make a beeline for a coffee table book that resided in their front living room. Once the book was in my hot little hands, I would carefully perch myself on the bizarrely patterned grey couch, it's synthetic material itchy against my lanky limbs. The book with which I was completely enamored?

Oh yes, the eight year old version of me wasn't old enough to remember the wedding itself, but I could tell you about every detail from the hours I spent poring over the pages of this book. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how this book made it into my grandparents' house. Aunties, do you have the answer? However it got there, I. Was. Hooked. Forget Disney princesses, I wanted to be like Princess Di. Actually, I wanted to be one of her bridesmaids. Specifically, Sarah Armstrong, the one on the right.

Oh, the puffed sleeves! The sash! The lace! Getting to help arrange Princess Diana's train! It was all so magical to me. Thus began my fascination with Princess Di, one that extended into my twenties until the day she passed away. I wasn't old enough to watch her ill-fated wedding, but I skipped my college classes to watch her funeral.

And now her oldest is getting married. Wills. Sweet, charming, inherited his dad's hairline but his mother's love for philanthropy Wills. So you better believe I've made plans to watch tomorrow's Royal Wedding! I've downloaded the official wedding program, complete with a never released portrait of the couple.

I'm oohing and ahhing over the first looks into Westminster Abbey.

Seriously, those trees are swoon-worthy. So magical and a wonderfully unique floral choice. And here's the bride the day before her wedding.

Gorgeous. Happy. Glowing. And oh my word, I wish my hair would grow faster because I want it to look just like that!

Wedding coverage starts ridiculously early, but I plan to be watching and probably tearing up just a bit as these two take on the journey of marriage. Mawaige...that dweam wifin a dweam....

Sorry. Wrong Princess Bride.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

After the wedding, I'll pack my bags and hit the road for Nashville! My little sister turns thirty next week and in true Allie style (and a bit of a sister tradition), we're running a marathon.

Well.

Allie's running the marathon and, due to some training issues, I'll be power walking the half-marathon. And we'll probably finish around the same time. I'd be embarrassed for myself, however I've decided it's not worth it. But did you hear me, internets?

MY SISTER IS TURNING THIRTY!!!

Just wanted to make sure we were all clear on that.

Anything with Allie is guaranteed to be fun, so I'm sure I'll have lots of hijinks to report post-race weekend.

-------------------------------------------------

In case you haven't turned on the news, Chattanooga was hit hard by storm after storm after storm yesterday. As severe thunderstorms/tornadoes go, it was hit and miss for the different areas of our city. Our neighborhood, thankfully, is pretty clear and the biggest inconvenience we've had to deal with is that we've been without power since yesterday morning.

However, that is absolutely nothing when I look at the widespread damage and growing number of casualties cities like Tuscaloosa and Birmingham have incurred. It is heartbreaking. All you have to do is google the cities' names to find the pictures and videos that will leave you breathless. Please pray for the thousands of families in the southern states who have been devastated by this string of storms. Help as you feel led and are able.

I'm so grateful for our community of friends and how we've been able to help each other in big and small ways since yesterday. I'm grateful for fun and pithy things like a royal wedding to momentarily lighten the mood. I'm grateful for an amazing sister to celebrate and a healthy body to move.

I'm grateful.

" Coming in at #19 on the CMT Top 20 Countdown this week, it's Blake Shelton...

2011-04-16T14:48:00.003-04:00

...with 'Kiss My Country A$$.' "

Featuring Jason and Leslie Petree!

Ok, let me back up and give you the whole really fun story.

Last November, Jason's sister, Angela, and her husband, Brian, decided to surprise their kids and fly from their hometown of Lubbock, Texas to Nashville to take them to the Country Music Association {CMA} Award Show. Our niece, Scout, and nephew, Will, are HUGE country music fans and this was an amazing treat for them. Angela called Jason and asked if we could meet them in Nashville the next day to hang out before the show. Without a second thought and within fifteen minutes, I had a sub lined up for my class and a personal leave request signed and submitted. Bright and early the next morning, we were on our way!

We hit West End first and had breakfast at one of the best places in town {and because we lived in Nashville for a few years back in the day, a childhood favorite of mine}.

Oh my word, it was every bit as delicious as I remembered! Totally worth the wait.

Before:

After:

While we waited for Brian, Angela and the kids to get into town we checked out a couple of shops and I swooned over some pretty paper.

Oh, how I love me some pretty paper.

After a while, we headed towards downtown Nashville. Be still my beating heart, I love this city!

As we wandered around, we were stopped by a small video crew who asked us if we'd like to be in Blake Shelton's newest video. Um.....yes, please!!! We signed a waiver {I have no idea what we signed away, but who cares? We were going to be part of country music!} and were told that all we needed to do was sing along to the lyrics of his soon-to-be-released song while they filmed us and move/dance/act up as much as we wanted to.

Oh yeah. We've so got this.

Now, the only issue was that neither Jason nor I had ever heard the song. The crew played the song for us once while we looked over the lyrics and then it was go time! We managed to do a fair amount of moving around but I'll admit, I did a lot of "watermelon, watermelon, watermelon" as I tried to keep up with the unfamiliar lyrics. Still, it was so much fun to be in front of the camera and you better believe I worked it for all it was worth.

I know you're totally shocked by that statement.

When we were through, they offered us wristbands and told us that they would give us entrance to be part of the crowd around the stage when Blake performed at the CMAs that night. What the what?!?! Unfortunately, sticking around until that late wasn't to be in the cards. I kind of still regret that, but what would come later would make up for it. However, we also got another little participation prize that was pretty cool.

One Nashville adventure down, we headed back towards the riverfront to meet up with the Carter family for lunch.

It was kind of surreal to be with our Texas family on Tennesse ground! And oh my lord, how we love these kiddos.

We hit the streets again for more sightseeing and to soak up some more of Music City!

At the Ryman, the video crew was filming a much larger group of fans and this time around, they had cue cards for them. Jason and I gave them a hard time that they didn't think of that for us! Also, some of the fans were much more...how should I put this?...um, rowdy than we had been. The crowd got to see a very enthusiastic female fan moon the camera as she took the song title quite literally. Yikes.

With just an hour to go until the Carters needed to head to the arena, we sat down at an open air bar to people watch and visit. I wish I'd gotten a picture, but there were two hilarious dogs on a parked motorcycle with their own sunglasses. You'll see them in a bit, I promise...

It was a fantastic day, the perfect excuse to play hooky from work! The Carters headed off to the award show and we bid goodnight to the Nashville night life.

Ok, so cut to last month and it occurs to me that perhaps the Blake Shelton video was completed. I checked out his website and there it was. I watched it with bated breath to see if we had made the cut...and we did!!

Now granted, blink and you might miss us, but there we are at the 0:26 mark, right after the lyric, "...and my woman by my side...," sassy as can be.

Well, I'm sassy. Jason's just a stud.

Cut to this month and the video is now airing on CMT. I saw it on TV for the first time this morning and I'm pretty sure my delighted squeal was enough to wake the neighborhood.

Here we are in all our one second glory! You're going to want to watch this in full screen. Enjoy!

Kiss My Country Ass - Blake Shelton - Blake Shelton Videos

It's Oscar Time!

2011-02-27T18:49:00.032-05:00

It's that time of year again. The Holy Grail of awards season has arrived...Oscar! That gorgeous golden man is here to make Hollywood dreams come true.

Welcome to my Third Annual Oscars Live Blog post! {You can read the First and Second Annual Oscars posts here and here.} I'll be bringing you some of the fashion do's and don'ts from the red carpet and my thoughts on the ceremony itself. Personally, I can't wait to see Anne and James host the show and given Anne's penchant for singing, I'm pretty sure we'll get a musical opening number. Yay!

Here we go!

{As time, tweeting and available photos permit, I'll be live-blogging from now until the ceremony's final "Good night!". Just keep hitting refresh and scroll down. Or don't. It all depends on how much pop culture you can handle in one evening.}

It makes me so happy to see a young actress dressed so appropriately. Well done, Hailee! Dear Miley Cyrus fans, take a memo.

I am a fan of pretty much anything Amy Adams does and I will definitely watch "The Fighter" when it comes out on DVD. I love this beautiful old Hollywood look. Navy was a brave and beautiful choice with that gorgeous hair.

Oooooh, Anne! And look! She brought her own Oompa Loompa!

Seriously, she's stunning. I wonder if Rachel Zoe dressed her this year or if she took this awards season off since she's prego.

Hello, Weight Watchers? Sign me up.

I still think it is so cool that she didn't even make it to the final group on American Idol, but has won an Oscar. Nicely done on all counts, Jennifer.

So this dress is fantastic, in my opinion. A great color for her, flowy, walking down the red carpet she even made it look like it's comfortable.

But then we move in closer...

Listen, I am all for an extra decorative "flair" on the bodice of a dress, but this one is just...awkward.

I'm kind of disappointed that Helena didn't bring more of the crazy this year. The hair, the bodice, the clutch disguised as a fan, it's all very pretty!

Yes. Yes to the dress. Yes to the hair {even if it is a bit Barbarella}. Yes to the makeup. YES.

I'm not sure how I feel about this and I need your help. On one hand, lovely color and bead work. On the other hand, freaky beaded embroidery hoop bodice. Your thoughts?

I am a big fan of this.

And it's not just because she absolutely kills it on "Glee" {although she totally does}, but I love the modern, sleek simplicity of it all. Beautiful and chic.

Yeeeeeeah, I'm going to need to borrow Natalie's stylist when it's my turn to have a baby. Bless her heart, she sounds so worn out in all her red carpet interviews so far. I predict a total emotional meltdown if she wins Best Actress.

Helen Mirren knocked it out of the park last year.

Ohhhhh, love. Well done, Dame Mirren.

Jesse James, you are an idiot.

8:31 p.m.

Here we go! Start the show....

8:42 p.m.
A.) James must be as high as the kite those kids flew in "Mary Poppins".
B.) I'm going to need my hair to look like Anne's come this summer.
C.) The intro was nice enough but WHERE'S MY MUSICAL NUMBER?

8:56 p.m.
It's refreshing to see Hollywood pay tribute to a legend like Kirk Douglas and have him present an award. Such a charmer!

9:00p.m.

Okay, now I really can't wait to see "The Fighter". Hooray for Melissa!

9:08 p.m.
And the Best Animated Feature goes to....well, duh.

I still haven't seen it, but only because I've heard it will make me cry more than "Up" and I just can't handle that right now.

9:11 p.m.

During the commercial, let's feature a recent comment {actually, the only comment thus far, where is everyone?} from my friend Christina, "Maybe if they all 'put a bird on it' the dresses would have a little more flare this year..."

True. So true.

9:22 p.m.
Hey Oscar producers, speed it up. This is taking a sweet forever. Move it along, please!

9:25 p.m.
Anne + gorgeous voice + "Les Miserables" = Happy Leslie
Also, I think Lea Michelle may have some competition for the lead in the revival of "Funny Girl."
Furthermore, I like the tuxedo with the high pony. {picture to come}

9:32 p.m.
This just in: I'm pretty sure my mom has seen more of the nominated movies than I have. What kind of topsy turvy world is this?!

9:44 p.m.
So far, "The Social Network" has won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. I both thoroughly enjoyed and was intensely disturbed by that film. Aaron Sorkin wrote a brilliant screenplay and the music was haunting. If you have a Facebook account {or even if you don't}, you really should see it.

10:02 p.m.
And the first tears of my night go to....the favorite songs in movies montage! I'm a sucker for montages anyway but throw a good movie song in and you best pass the tissues.

10:21 p.m.
BEST USE OF AUTO TUNE EVER. But this still doesn't count as the musical number I was waiting for.

10:36 p.m.
Inception was a great movie.
It totally deserved Best Visual Effects.

Yadda yadda yaddda.
I'm bored.

10:52 p.m.
Okay, the funniest event of tonight might just be the "Modern Family" Oscars promo that tags on to the one they did last year. Here's the one from last year...

I can't embed this year's video yet, but you can go see it by clicking here.

And if you're not already watching this show, for the love of all that is hilarious, why? Why are you not bringing joy and laughter to your life?

11:04 p.m.
Further proof that James is totally oblivious to what's going on around him via some sort of pharmaceutical. From my friend Becca's Tumblr...

"Can't even open his eyes for Oprah."

11:36 p.m.
I'm throwing in the towel. I'm going to go shore myself up for the sobbing that is soon to come once the PS 22 school choir sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" to end the show. I'll come back tomorrow and add more to this post, so be sure to check back....Thanks for watching with me!

Catching Up

2011-02-26T21:13:00.002-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for the last year, GOD BLESS YOU. I realize just how inconsistent I've been in writing but I think that maybe, just maybe, the blogging mojo is making a comeback. Back in December, I had every intention of the Joy project being what brought me back to my little spot of the internet that I love so much. Then there was a...detour. A speed bump. A road diverged.

And I had to take the one I have never traveled by.

Lordamercy, do I ever hope it makes all the difference.

Two days before Christmas, I resigned from my teaching position. It wasn't something I had anticipated doing, but sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to stick the landing while you make the jump shot and roll with the punches or else you'll never sink the putt. Or something like that. Anyhow, I'm very proud of the work I did in that classroom and so grateful for the support I have continued to receive from so many of the parents, kids and teachers there. I'm not sure what comes next. It's been difficult emotionally having to process this new place. I have an amazing husband and support system {y'all included!} and I'm anxious to see what will end up filling this next chapter of my story.

In the meantime, let's get back to the joy, shall we? Brace yourself, my friends, there's a lot of pictures in this post. Let's start back where I left off, the trip down to Florida for Christmas with Mom and Allie...

Knox is the best traveler. Without fail, about fifteen minutes into any road trip he settles into a nap. His sweet freckled nose tucked into that fraggle of a tail? {16} Bliss.

It was McDonald's coffee {17}, BUT IT WAS COFFEE.

I don't remember who introduced me to the joy that is dipping a salty fry into a sweet Frosty {18}, but I can't eat one without doing so. Viva la Frosty!

It was a looooong trip down to Allie's new place near Palm Beach. Did you know Florida is really flat? Very. Nothing too terribly interesting to look at until you finally get close to the coast. Anytime I'm heading to a beach, I savor that first glimpse of the water {19}. A golden sunset over a glimmering gulf is always soothing.

I know the Carhartt overalls + my husband has already been mentioned {5}, but who says joys can't be repeated? {Let me say for the record, I asked him to pose this way {20}. But, seriously. Love. This. Man.}

My love of the magic of dusk and twilight is well documented {take a peek here and here}. So imagine my joy at a dusk shot through with purples and pinks and oranges {21}. Throw in a palm tree and you have the perfect recipe for peace.

Me, my Marmee and my Allie. {22} We have the same smile, we know each other backwards and forwards and we never get tired of making each other laugh {or laughing at each other}.

It wasn't until I reached into Allie's pantry and realized that were no mini marshmallows that I knew the childlike joy of putting giant marshmallows {23} into my hot chocolate on Christmas morning.

Joy looks like weaving my love's Christmas morning traditions {24} into mine.

And joy looks like my sister whipping out these lovelies {25} for a new Christmas morning tradition. Mi-more mimosas, please!

We missed the first big snow in Chatt while we were down in Florida. It was surreal to leave sunny and balmy Florida and drive back into a winter wonderland. But look! More freckles! {26} Only made of snow!

Jason and I got all gussied up and headed to one of our favorite spots in Chatt, The Terminal {27}, for a New Year's Eve dinner. I don't think I'll ever get tired of sitting across from my husband, enjoying really good local food and some spectacular brews.

He's slept in this position {28} since he was a wee pup and it never gets old. Never.

This dog. Eight inches of snow. Romping. {29}

Chattanooga was covered in one more big snow which actually kept us housebound for a week. Thank goodness I had stocked up for the quintessential snow day meal {30}. {Yes, that's a Muppets glass, the kind they used to sell at Pizza Hut back in the day. If you run across more of these, will you buy them for me? Pay you back, thanks!}

My dear friend and sister of my heart, Carlye {she's the one in the fantastic skirt and sassy boots}, is pursuing her joy and it is a thrill to watch her live out her calling as an artist {31}. Joy is contagious and joy was palpable as I watched her host her first art show reception down in Birmingham. She was amazing and I am inspired just watching her.

One of my {unspoken until now} New Year's resolutions was to read more, at least one novel a month. I felt like I was indulging the twelve year old bookworm in me {32} as I cozied up at a coffee shop and finished this fantastic book. If you have reading suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them!

This sculpture makes me giddy {33}. It reminds me of Jackie O and all things feminine.

There is joy in big hair {right, Amy Beth?} and there is joy getting all prettified for a night on the town {34}. I love being a girl.

Have you seen these? Fruit Loops in Cheerio form {35}. So, essentially healthy Fruit Loops. Awesome.

We're not really big on making a deal out of Valentine's Day. This year we opted for dinner at home {Jason cooked. SWOON.} and a quiet evening on the couch. Repurposing a Christmas ornament {made by the one and only Robin Plemmons} for our Valentine's Day decorations {36}? Ooh la la and lovey dovey.

So, there we are. Caught up. Onward....

Lullabies

2011-02-09T18:22:00.007-05:00

I have always loved being sung to sleep.

When I was a little girl, it was my mom’s voice as she rocked me to sleep. My head tucked under her chin and against her chest, lanky legs sprawled across her lap and over the sharp corner of the wooden plank rocking chair’s arm. I could hear her heart beating, its endless rhythm and her sweet soprano lulling me into slumber. This was peace and this was a safe haven.

As I grew older and far too big to rock, I still craved the soothing and consistent notes that would help me drift away to sleep. There was the Fisher Price record player on Irving Street, tucked into the corner of the plain wooden dresser by my bed that played Neil Diamond and the Wizard of Oz soundtrack. In my dormer room on Hillsborough Road, there was a giant silver portable tape deck from which Amy Grant or New Kids on the Block {depending on my adolescent mood and the current level of emotional angst} might sing over me. It was in these years that our family was introduced to Michael Card and his gentle, truth-laden songs. Despite that it says it is an album of lullabies for babies and there was nary a baby to be found in our house, “Sleep Sound in Jesus” was on repeat many a night.

But the years I remember the most, the consistent stream of nights where music was essential, were in high school. I had somehow managed to acquire the Sony portable CD player for my room and my room alone. It had a special place on the bookshelf by my dressing table and every night I would slide a CD into the top before bed. I knew just how many times to push the “repeat” button so that the exact tracks I wanted would play. “Sleep Sound in Jesus” was still a favorite then. I would resist drifting off until I heard the closing words of the Barocha, “…and give you peace forever.” And then sleep would come.

To this day, I don’t remember how I was introduced to Mary Chapin Carpenter. Perhaps my mom purchased the CD and I promptly claimed it for my own. You wouldn’t believe how many times that happened. However I found it, her music captured me. Her mellow alto a calming and familiar voice that resonated with the torrent of teenage emotions swirling through me. When I was heartbroken, only track number twelve would do…

“Baby, where’s that place where time stands still?

Is it under glass inside a frame?

Was it over when you had your fill?

Here we are with nothing but this emptiness inside of us

Your smile fitting final gesture,

Wish I could’ve loved you better

Baby, where’s that place where time stood still?

I remember like a lover can

I forget it like a leaver will

It’s the first time that you held my hand

It’s the smell and the taste and the fear and the thrill

It’s everything I understand and all the things I never will”

I didn’t know at sixteen, at seventeen, all that she meant. But there was something deep down inside me, in the midst of that heartbreak, that clung to those words- it was everything I understood and all the things I never will.

Sixteen years later, I still love that song. And I still love being sung to sleep. I married a man who likes to be sung to sleep, too. When I came to bed last night, he was soothing himself after a disappointing Vols basketball loss with the DVD of a James Taylor concert. Oh, James Taylor! Talk about everything that is good and soothing and home. I crawled into bed and we listened to the sweet simplicity of his song. We let those gentle guitar plucks wash over us and wash away the worry and the regrets of the day.

And then Jason prayed.

And we slept.

Joy in the Busy

2010-12-23T01:03:00.001-05:00

The fact that I'm writing this post at nearly 1 a.m. should tell you something about the busyness of this day. And yet, it's been a fun, fulfilling, Christmas-goodies-preparing kind of busy. Bright and early tomorrow morning, we'll be Florida bound! We're spending Christmas at Allie's new place, and while Tennessee will more than likely have a white Christmas, we'll be enjoying ours beachside.

So, this will have to be quick. On to today's joys!

Hey, Haren girls! You made the blawg! Very impromptu, I picked these two lovelies up and they joined me for some Christmas errands. We picked out just the right sequins for a tacky Christmas tree sweatshirt, danced in the aisles of JoAnn, and snacked on gummy worms at The Gap. It was fabulous.

More hand addressed mail from the rowdy and talented Robin Plemmons. She calls me by every name I've ever been given and I love it.

First of all, this guy makes me laugh every day. Every. Day. Today, it was while he modeled the latest in gift wrapping accessories- the Scotch Tape Pop-Up Tape Dispenser. It's all the rage, baby.

Once I hit publish, I'm going to take a few minutes, turn out all the lamps and enjoy the glow of white twinkling lights. The gifts have been carefully chosen {or crafted} and I'd like to bask in the glow of busyness completed before it all gets packed into the car tomorrow morning.

More joys from Florida to come!

Joy. Even in the gloomy.

2010-12-21T17:51:00.004-05:00

And oh, was this a gloomy day. Grey skies, a bitter chill and the most passive aggressive rainy mist you've ever seen. But still, I found myself waking up and wondering what joy I would find today. It didn't take long.

As I was drying my hair, I realized that I had already put joy right in front of me {7}. Even if I wasn't ready for it, there it has sat this whole time.

Oh my. This hairspray was listed as one of the best drugstore buys in Real Simple this month so I picked it up yesterday at Walmart. The smell? {8} Delicious doesn't do it justice {that seems too savory}, but it's more fragrantly luxurious in a way that isn't overpowering. It's everything I've ever wanted a hairspray to be. At the risk of being overdramatic, I have found my hairspray soulmate.

In the midst of those few last Christmas errands, I stopped by Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte {9}. That red cup is awfully cheery as was the fact that I didn't have to worry about our budget because I used a generously given gift card. The handmade {and eco friendly!} coffee cozy made by a coworker's daughter adds a touch of sass, don't you think? {10}

I found some lovlies to be enjoyed at home. {11} Wink, wink.

What could have been a very mopey day was surprisingly bright. That's just what I've been hoping for.

Joy

2010-12-20T22:03:00.007-05:00

I've found myself in a bit of a funk lately. That funk is around for a variety of reasons, ones I don't really want to go into because, honestly, focusing so much on the funk is what's gotten me into the funk in the first place. So, no thanks George Clinton, I don't gotta have that funk.

At the end of November, one of my favorite bloggers and writers, Sarah Markley, was in a similar place and she decided the way to remedy the problem was to focus on the joy. Here's what she decided,

For this month, because I need to laugh again, I’m going to look for, take note of and intentionally turn the corners of my mouth up in a smile one hundred things that bring joy to me.

100 Joys.

And I want you to participate too.

What I’m going to do: Beginning tomorrow I am going to be photographing and writing about all of these things that are joys to me. Or that will be joys to me. I haven’t written anything out ahead of time. I have no secret book in my purse with 20 “joys” already penned out. I will be doing this as a daily discipline and experiment to see if recognizing the joy in my life that is already is there will, in fact, change me.

She invited her readers to join her in this journey back to joy. I thought about it, I pondered and weighed the choice, and in the end, I decided it was easier to sit in the mess rather than look for joy.

How sad is that? But it's true, sometimes it feels easier to to wallow in the mess than to make the effort that will actually make you feel better. And sometimes you're just not ready to make the effort. And by "you," I mean "me", and by "sometimes," I mean "all the ding dang time."

But I am now. I need to reclaim the joy in my own life. I need to relearn how to spot it. I want to revel in it. So, today, I'm launching my own journey of 100 Joys.

Let's begin, shall we?

After meeting Jason for lunch {Oh, sweet Christmas break and your wide open middle of the day}, I decided to swing by my favorite antique mall. Just because I could.

Of course, I made a beeline for the booth that sells vintage hats. I never know what I'm going to find there, but I know it's bound to be good. However, I think this lovely was a little much even for me. {1}

But this one? This one makes me wish I lived in an era where women wore hats. Every day. I'm talking Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, Greta Garbo kind of fabulous.{2}

I came home to a mailbox full of nothing but hand addressed envelopes. {3} Enough said.

After mailing the rest of our own Christmas cards, I took The Monster up to the field to run around. The way he bounds around like a deer right before I make that first throw always makes me giggle.{4}

Carhartt overalls. My handsome husband. His patience as I got the just right picture to add to his contact info on my phone. Hunka, hunka. {5}

The new theme for this year's Christmas decorating was simplicity. Brightly colored ornaments and some twinkle lights makes our living room couch a cozy spot to be. {6}

This joy thing? I think it's already working. Here's to keeping my eyes open and my heart ready to soak it all in....

Things that made me come alive today

2010-10-07T21:04:00.001-04:00

Listening to the Chattanooga Symphony String Quintet perform at our school today

I play the flute. Did you know that? I do. Well, I did. I started playing the flute in fourth grade. We lived in Nashville at the time and in the public school system, every child had to either play an instrument in the band, the orchestra or sing in chorus. I will forever be grateful that the school system valued music so deeply as to require that. It was playing the flute that gave me some of my most amazing musical opportunities. I played all through middle school, taking lessons periodically, and all through high school as well. I auditioned for every all-county/all-district/all-state band or orchestra that I could. Band geek? Yes, proudly.

One of the greatest musical experiences that I ever had was being accepted to play flute in the North Carolina Governor's School orchestra. Governor's School is an exclusive summer program designed to enhance the academic, artistic and performing talents of North Carolina's high school students. Each year, there is fierce competition to obtain a coveted spot on one of their campuses. I practiced and rehearsed for that audition like none other. And it was worth every minute.

I was part of a group of students that were as passionate about music as I was. We were exposed to all types of orchestral music, not just classical. I remember being completely weirded out by a piece that we played composed by Phillip Glass. The printed music consisted of simply beats on a page with directions about what to do with our instrument. Not musical notes, but directions that had me blowing directly into the mouthpiece while loudly banging on the keys. It was bizarre and modern and completely unlike anything to which I had ever been exposed. It was awesome.

However, the highlight of being in the Governor's School orchestra for me was being introduced to Gustav Holst's "The Planets." Oh my. I had never heard anything like it in my sixteen year old life and I was hooked. I couldn't wait for the section of rehearsal when we pulled out "Jupiter" and played that lively, rollicking piece. Even better, I won the piccolo part and playing those light, airy notes made my heart leap. Oh, and then the solemn and mournful middle section where the strings and horns join together in a reverent melody! I remember when we finally performed it for our families and friends, I sat in my chair with tears in my eyes at how achingly beautiful it sounded. To this day, I can't listen to it without being moved that same way.

The string quintet today brought back all those memories. I play classical music for my kids each morning but listening to them reminded me that a worthy purchase might be the pieces I know and love. I so miss teaching at a classical school, one that values that piece of a child's musical education. The classics, the music that has and will stand the test of time. Listening to them made my heart beat a little faster, I found myself breathing more deeply and a part of my truest self was uncovered. I'm wondering what I might need to do to truly reconnect with that part...

Wandering around Barnes and Noble

I texted Jason after school, "I need to go to Barnes and Noble and soak in some books. Be home around six." Oh yes, I needed to go to Barnes and Noble. Something about the string quintet had me thinking about the things that I deeply love. I don't know if it was really even conscious but I just knew I needed to go buy a book. A good book. One worth reading. Or maybe it was just that I needed to be in the midst of books. Either way, it was good. It was calming and soothing and I bought a very good book indeed, an old friend with whom I'd like to be reacquainted. I also found an inexpensive copy of "The Planets." Thank you, bargain bin, don't mind if I do.

Hearing a pair of owls hooting in the distance as I took Knox for his evening walk

It reminded me of when we lived here and got to experience this and this and this and this. Sigh. I would've stood on the sidewalk and listened for a while but I think I was weirding out the folks in the nearby houses. Still, it did my heart good to hear those calls and know just what was behind it all.

And to know it wasn't monkeys on the loose. Seriously, go check out the "this" links.

It's Been a Long Day

2010-10-06T21:19:00.002-04:00

And I pretty much spent most of it putting out fires of various types, thankfully none of them literal.

But I am wiped and spent and any other synonym you can think of for tired.

So.

I'm giving myself a day off from Project Blogging Mojo.

I leave with you this.

Because it makes me happy in a sad sort of way which pretty much sums up how I'm feeling at the end of this day.

{Edited to add: This video is not some hidden message about how my dreams have been dashed or how I wish my life was "so different from this hell I'm living." No, not at all. Y'all just know that Broadway makes me happy and somehow angsty emotional Broadway songs make me even happier. Add in some Glee? Bliss. That's all. The end.}

The E-Ranch Extension

2010-10-05T22:16:00.002-04:00

I was the first to leave the E-Ranch nest, heading west to the big, big state of Texas. I'm a little closer now, but this summer another E-Rancher joined the extension. The month of June found Carlye, Steve and their three littles just south of me as Steve completes his residency years in ER medicine. This means that they are a mere two and a half hours from me and I couldn't be more thrilled about that.

Sorry, Durham/Chapel Hill peeps. The good Lord knew I needed her a little closer.

With Steve immersed in tending to other's various and sundry medical emergencies, Carlye and the kids headed north for some Chattanooga fun. I think we struck the perfect balance of kid-friendly, inexpensive, in the heat, out of the heat activities. First up, the Chattanooga Zoo!

Sweet Elle. Punk rocker Elle, but sweet.

Just monkeying around. Ha!

Have you ever tried to get three small children to look at the camera? Nigh unto impossible.

Heaven is holding this little one's hand.

Driving the choo choo, a little boy's dream.

Hmmm, what's up there?

Oh my!

I'm not sure who won this staring contest, Moses or the deer.

This shouldn't need explaining, but the front of that shirt reads, "Carolina girls...". Duh.

Classic Dash.

The goats!

"Hey, Mama! This one has a beard like Daddy!"

Why, yes. Yes, he does.

Dash goes for a more comfortable vantage point. Goats are a little unpredictable, after all.

But the goats decided they too liked his choice of perch!

Cooling off...

And now, I give you... attempting a Lulu and kiddo shot...

Almost...

I adore Dash's expression in this one. Love that little man.

Elle was pretty much done with us by this point.

There we go!

I love watching my friends be moms. It makes my heart happy.

These macaws were LOUD.

After the zoo, it was on to Good Dog for a scrumptious hot dog lunch. Come visit the Petrees and you're guaranteed a meal there!

A hot summer day isn't complete without a visit to Sweet Cece's, of course. After lunch and some sugar, what better way to burn off kiddo steam than the water park?

Moses very specifically asked for me to take his picture on this horse. I was more than happy to oblige.

Miss Elle demanded a seat as well.

Not to be outdone, Dash took a ride on the back of a most pleasant turtle.

It was an amazing visit. More than amazing. After being so very far away from my bestest friends, it did my heart a serious amount of good to laugh and talk with one who knows me best. Chasing after her little ones was pretty great too, if you must know. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that, but I'd much prefer to have my friends close by...

Wide Open Spaces

2010-10-04T21:26:00.008-04:00

We went out to Texas at the end of the summer right after Allie graduated from Officer Training School. It was the first time I had been back since our move to Chattanooga almost two years ago. I was anxious to see in-laws, nieces and nephews, dear friends in Abilene {Tiff, I'm still mourning the fact you aren't there} and to have some fun downtime. What I didn't anticipate was how I would instantly fall back in love with the Texas landscape.

It's not until you're west of Fort Worth that the land truly begins to spread out. By the time we hit that point it was past twilight and impossible to see anything but an infinite navy sky. Even so, Jason and I both found ourselves breathing deeply as if our bodies instinctively knew that there was more room to move. But the next morning...

There it was in all its glory. I've never been happier to climb in a pickup truck and watch a Texas sunrise. It's hard to find a decent spot to watch the sunrise in the valley that is Chattanooga, but here it was spread before me. A gold, pink and cerulean gift.

By the time I was another mile down the road, the sky was the most breathtaking blue I had ever seen. I told Jason later that day, "I had forgotten how absolutely gorgeous Texas skies can be!" If you've never been to West Texas, just look...

One hundred and eighty degrees of sheer gorgeousness. The kind of sky that makes you want to stop, wander into the middle of a field and spin around a la Julie Andrews. It's the kind of sky that requires you to roll down the windows, turn up the volume and sing at the top of your lungs. This kind of sky spreads a grin across your face before you even know it's happened.

Or maybe that's just what happens when you haven't been back to Texas in a couple of years. Either way, I'll take it.

Sunday Night Cell Phone Dump

2010-10-03T22:25:00.000-04:00

My most involved sewing project to date. I think I want to try this next and spiff up our oh so drab living room.

There's at least one of these in my cell phone every week.

This recipe for Taco Soup will be a fall/winter staple in the Petree house.

I broke Debo Yama's fashion rule.

I will forever be grateful to Abby for snagging these puppies for me.

After I took this pic, I had eight trays of Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls in my freezer. We're down to five, just that quickly.

I swear that if they had this in adult sizes I would be headed back to Cracker Barrel this very moment.

Jason dove into the world of PW and made her Potato Leek Pizza topped with GOAT CHEESE. I don't think it's possible to over sell the wonder that is GOAT CHEESE.

Ummmmm, well. All righty then.

Morning glory.

Oh, please read the top of this math homework sheet. I can't make this stuff up.

My mom, an accomplished seamstress, had a pair of these when we were growing up, although not this cute. We were under penalty of severe punishment if we even breathed on them. These are going on my Christmas list.

This sight sent me back to being eight years old and being stuck in a fabric store.

Best school picture EVER.

A Talker

2010-10-02T21:24:00.001-04:00

I've been lucky enough that almost every year I've taught there's usually been one or two little girls with whom I really click and have been able to maintain a friendship with over the years. I had so many women that invested in my life that I count it a privilege I would get to do the same. Even better has been to watch those girls grow into amazing young women. Alana, Grace B., Hadley, Sarah, Grace F., Jenna...creative, funny, talented young women.

Another bonus? Their moms are super cool and have become dear friends along the way as well. Teaching definitely has had some unexpected rewards.

This afternoon, I had the chance to hang out with a little girl who was in my class last year. I knew from pretty much day one that Abigail was a kindred spirit. The telling sign? She never stopped talking. Never. But it was never mindless chatter. Homegirl has good stuff to say. She's spirited, confident, thoughtful and seriously funny. Her mom? Another fave. Sassy and witty, I've been grateful to see her during the school day as she's worked as a kindergarten assistant.

Abigail and I headed to Sweet Cece's {duh} and I finally got to hear all about all the going ons of her life from the last month or so. I give you, Abigail's musings...

- On her grandparent's stamina, "My grandpa had worked the day before so I stayed up until 12:30 but he was just worn slap out!"

- On deciding what sport to pursue, "See, I really want to be a tennis star and a cross-country star so I think I'm just going to keep doing both."

- On frozen yogurt, "Oh my word, this stuff is just so good, I think it must be ice-cream disguised as yogurt!"

- On the challenges of fourth grade, "Oh my gosh, everything goes so fast! I was still on the first paragraph when Mrs. W said, 'Ok, turn to the next page...' and I was like {insert eyes as big as saucers here}."

- On Knox {she went with me to take Knox to run around at the high school field}, "Knox, you're just being a lazy butt, aren't you?"

Love that girl. I can't wait to watch her become a tennis star, a cross-country star and an award winning meteorologist. Oh yes, she's going to do it all.

This post brought to you by Project Reclaim My Blogging Mojo & the color orange

2010-10-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

I love writing. I really do. When I go back and read the last months or years of this blog, I remember that. Still, I haven't been motivated to write here as I'm sure you've noticed. I'm not going to blame it on the business of life or teaching or anything else because, let's face it, I have plenty of time to read blogs and a hundred other thing out on the web.

So why am I not writing? I think it's just been plain old laziness. I have blog posts swirling around in my head all the time but I haven't been disciplined enough to write them out. Well, enough is enough. It's time to get disciplined. So you heard it here first- I will post every day this month, my birthday month.

I'm going to have to ease into this, so here's a little pictorial blog from a few weekends ago. For the first time ever, Jason and I attended a University of Tennessee football game together. It. Was. Awesome.

Behold....

{I swear, my top has orange in it.}

{One of my sweet students from last year. Love that kid.}

{Seriously. How awesome are those pom pom pants?}

And really, is there any better way to end a post than with orange checkered pants? I didn't think so.

Military Training. Football Fan. It's all the same.

2010-09-12T16:49:00.002-04:00

When Allie was down in Birmingham for Officers Training School, she was selected to help train the new lower class for their first six weeks. This training began at Day One, the minute they stepped off the bus. From how to salute to how to stand at attention, the new OTs were responsible for whatever they had just been taught as soon as they were taught. That included how to greet an officer/fellow OT. One unfortunate group of brand new OTs gave a less than enthusiastic response to Allie's greeting and...well, see for yourself.

I've said it once, I'll say it again: I would last exactly 2.6 seconds in the military before I left weeping.

Cut to this weekend and some intense Tennessee Volunteer football.

Let's just say I escaped to the kitchen to make those no-bake crack cookies towards the end of a very disappointing game.

Apparently, I'm not cut out for intense football viewing either.

Here's hoping the Vols season gets better!

Guess what tomorrow is!

2010-08-17T23:07:00.003-04:00

The first day of school! My classroom is ready to go...

My cozy little corner. I moved my desk to make room for my reading group table in the larger corner.

I couldn't handle all the computer wires behind the tables sooooooo...I made these panels!

I'm pretty pleased with myself. The sewing bug has definitely bitten!

The rest of the room is bright and cheerful, just the way I like it. And clean. But it won't stay that way for too long!

I am ready for this school year. The last one didn't end so well and I'm ready for a do-over. So. My lesson plans are made, my classroom is exactly the way I want it, and there are twelve kiddos {six boys, six girls} who will enter that room tomorrow ready to start third grade. I'm ready to teach them, and not just their multiplication tables or the capitals of the United States. I'm ready to teach them about compassion and patience and forgiveness and adventure and being daring.

Will you remind me of that when I write about how they're driving me crazy? Thanks. And away we go!

Four

2010-08-05T18:11:00.002-04:00

On our third anniversary, we were apart. Me, in Tennessee. Jason, in Texas.

I posted a song that day. I copied its words into that blog post with great hope that they would be true for us. I longed for the beauty of seeing things through. After a blessedly short but rough journey, we have.

On our fourth anniversary, we are together.

But not without some scars. It was painful, what we walked through. Painful but necessary, and beautiful because of what we have let it teach us. This fourth anniversary finds us truly fighting for each other and fighting fair when we do. It finds us listening to each other, stopping and thinking before we speak {Jason is way better at this than me, by the way}, laughing until we cry, loving freely and unguardedly, challenging each other in the most caring of ways, messing up but offering forgiveness.

Yes, there are scars. But our hearts are stronger than before. We've learned to see ourselves and each other as God does and we work at that every. single. day. I am more grateful than ever for the marriage that I have chosen to be in, so thankful for the choice we are making every day to love one another better than the day before, so unbelievably blessed by the man that I love so dearly and who loves me so richly.

Happy Anniversary, my love...

All About Your Heart {Mindy Gledhill}

I don't mind your odd behavior, it's the very thing I love

If you were an ice cream flavor, you would be my favorite one

My imagination sees you like a painting by Van Gogh

Starry night ands bright sunflowers follow you where you may go

Oh, I've loved you from the start

In every single way and more each passing day

And you are brighter than the stars

Believe me when I say

It's not about your scars, it's all about your heart

You're a butterfly held captive, small and safe in your cucoon

Go on, you can take your time

Time is said to heal all wounds

Oh, I've loved you from the start

In every single way and more each passing day

And you are brighter than the stars

Believe me when I say

It's not about your scars, it's all about your heart

Like a lock without a key

Like a mystery without a clue

There is no me if I cannot have you

Oh, I've loved you from the start

In every single way and more each passing day

You are brighter than the stars

Believe me when I say

It's not about your scars, it's all about your heart

Hindsight

2010-08-04T12:38:00.000-04:00

This summer has been so different from last summer. Last summer was so much heavier than many of you probably knew and certainly heavier than any of my blog posts would have led you to believe. I blogged about a lifestyle change and our silly pup, bragged on my husband here and there, but there was a whole lot of fluff in between. And the bragging on my husband? It was just to make me feel better about myself and to cover how everything was really breaking down behind the scenes.

But you never would have known that.

We were unhealthy, so unhealthy, but desperately trying to appear just fine to everyone around us. We fooled some people but those who knew us best, they knew that just under the surface something was very, very wrong. It was exhausting, that veneer, because it wasn't really us. The rest of it, the poor choices, the angry words, the cold shoulders, my selfishness, our unwillingness to be painfully honest- they were just as exhausting as attempting to hold up the veneer.

And so you had two weary, unhealthy people.

Looking back, we each tried to do what we thought might help and what we thought would get us out of that mess. Some of those efforts were good and true and needed. But we still missed each other in those efforts and we missed the point of marriage. In an earnest but woefully misguided way, we thought we were fighting for each other. But we weren't.

Painful circumstances added to our already weary hearts.

On July 6th, I mailed a letter that would cut ties with my father. It was a painful decision but one that I made with a great deal of thought, prayer and counsel. I couldn't repeat the dishonest cycles of intentional pain and deceit that he was directing towards me and the people I loved the most. I chose not to participate in it anymore.

Less than a week later, the man I called my stunt dad would unexpectedly pass away. Two weeks after that, Jason would move back to Texas in order to provide for us financially in a way that Chattanooga had not been able to offer. We wouldn't have called it a separation then, but it was. What would happen as a result of that separation would change our marriage forever.

And for good.

Why am I writing about this now? Perhaps it's because our fourth wedding anniversary is tomorrow. I laid awake last night thinking about it all. When it was all happening I couldn't make sense of it. I remember saying to my mom, "I'm so curious as to what God is up to. What is the point of all this? Why would I lose my dad, Paul and my husband all in the span of a few months? What is He doing?" I wasn't angry at God, I truly was curious. What was He doing?

I don't believe that I serve a God who orchestrates painful things on purpose. I believe that we live in a fallen world. Death happens, relationships sever, marriages falter and almost fail. I do believe that I serve a God who can use those things {if I am willing} to mold my heart into more of what it should be. A year later, I know that God was pulling me {while I dragged my feet like a stubborn three year old} towards Him and towards a greater trust in Him. I know that He used those painful things to remind me of an inner strength that I had forgotten I possessed. God used those things to refine relationships in my life that were already precious, but now, even more so.

And on the eve of our wedding anniversary, I know that God used it all to craft a marriage that is stronger and healthier {and more fun!} than it ever was to begin with. But I'll save that part of the story for tomorrow...

"Sun is shining. Weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet." -Bob Marley

2010-07-01T15:06:00.001-04:00

It has been three summers since I had a Teacher Summertime. There's a difference, you know. Summers in and of themselves are pretty wonderful what with swimming and watermelon and cookouts and trips to the beach {if you're lucky.} But a Teaching Summertime? That's a summer where you can do all those things and more twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for two and a half straight months and still earn a paycheck.

I didn't know it then, but it could be just for that reason alone that I went into teaching.

It's taken me a solid month to adjust to having a Teacher Summertime and I'm only just now getting the hang of it. Finally running again {hello, two month break after the half-marathon} but as I told some friends last night, I'm back to the phase of convincing my body that running is fun. My brain knows that it is and there are still those songs that, when they pop up in my iPod, remind me of the joy of finding strength in my legs and the sheer delight of racing through downtown Chattanooga. Yes, my brain knows it but all my body and my lungs can register at the moment is the sweltering humidity that lies here in the valley. Forget the whole "southern women glisten" crap. There's nothing but sweat on me by the time I'm done, dripping from forehead to chin to ground as I stretch out muscles struggling to recognize what three miles feels like.

And after a rather surprising spiritual desert in the midst of a blessing greater than I could have imagined, I'm finding my way back to the lap of my Abba. Settling into my summertime means space to listen, to think, to pray, to relish a study of this most appropriate book, Ruth. I'm a sucker for that one, it being my middle name and all. Even better has been to do a study that crawls through the verses, carefully uncovering nuggets of truth. In the uncovering, I'm realizing there's a tangible thread weaving from the Scriptures to what my heart and my spirit has been been trying to tell me. Be still...listen....do the most with where you are right now...be flexible...wait. So I am.

Then there's this whole stay-at-home-wife gig. Temporary as it may be, it's a really great gig! I never knew I could find such delight in having time to clean, just to do those weekly chores that during the school year can be neglected for {oh, this is so embarrassing} weeks at a time. I still don't have the menu planning thing down but there needs to be some room for improvement, right? It's a gift to clean and do laundry and mop floors and vacuum in the most delightful housewifey way. A way that I know speaks love to my beloved and makes his end of day that much brighter.

I'm finding time for meeting folks for lunch, quick road trips to new cities where old friends now reside, two hour jaunts at a random poolside {hour for the front, hour for the back and I'm done!}, an hour or so at Greenlife to read or write, and walks or evening games of fetch with Knox. There's finally time to explore some parts of Chattanooga that I haven't yet. Time to make multiple trips to Sweet CeCe's or listen to award winning musicians by the Tennessee River or watch movies in the park. Time to read new books or reread other favorite blocks of word candy.

Time.

Yes, my summertime has been just lovely and it's not done yet.

I've loved him ever since he sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with John Denver.

2010-06-24T09:46:00.000-04:00

{The band in this video, Ok Go, creates some AMAZING music videos. If you've never seen them you should really go here and here. The second one reminds me of the number twelve song on Sesame Street. Remember that one? OneTwoThree, Fooour Fiiive, SixSevenEight, Niiiine Teeen, ElevenTwelve!}

Out & About

2010-06-23T23:08:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite things about my cell phone is that it has a camera that takes fairly decent pictures. I usually don't make it out of Walmart without taking a picture of some wacko item they're selling. I've been known to sneak pictures of people wearing ridiculous outfits or, as you'll see soon, myself in ridiculous outfits.

I finally uploaded over a hundred pictures from my phone to my computer today and thought I'd share some choice ones with y'all. It might give you a snapshot {tee hee!} of what my days have been like in the last few months...

A glorious after-school-hallelujah-it's-Friday treat! And Sandra Bullock? One classy dame.

My Mother's Day gift to my Marmee. A fabulous excuse to break out my boxes of ribbon and paper! There's this awesome store/warehouse here in Chatt {Southeastern Salvage} that sells these market baskets in all sorts of colors and a giraffe and zebra print. I bought a giraffe print basket for myself and I think I can safely say it's made me one of the sassiest green shoppers at our local Walmart.

My friend Sarah and I saw these beauties {the shoes, not my feet} at Belk's and they were marked somewhere around $85. I spotted them a week later at this fabulous discount shoe store for $25! I didn't get them then because, honestly, the chance of my attending a formal event anytime soon was about as likely as the chance that someone might convince the entire Lohan family to quietly slip into oblivion. But part of my sister's graduation from OTS {more on that in a bit} is a formal dinner and these would be FANTASTIC with the dress I'm wearing. Hmmmmm...

Me and my pup. Summer evening. Tennis ball chasing for him = happy, happy dog.

Just Say No...to the romper. {Lordamercy, the things I do for this blog.}

I spotted this the other week at Southeastern Salvage and I'm wondering if I couldn't somehow paint something like this myself. A ghetto version, for sure, but it would be cheaper than buying this one. Or maybe this is just a vision of what I'd like a room in our someday house to look like.

An absolutely delicious summer evening on the shore of the Tennessee River getting ready to hear Sheryl Crowe at Riverbend.

Now I am all for a big ol' hat but this was a little much, even for me.

The next time I randomly come across a hundred bucks, I am going right back to the West Elm store and getting eight place settings of these lovelies. I am so ready for fresh, crisp white in our kitchen!

My sister decided to make being an Air Force officer her career and has been kicking butt at Officer's Training School since April. She graduates on July 20th and I can't think of a better reason to slog through Alabama humidity than to watch her be commissioned!

Unless it's to wear a sassy pair of shoes at the formal dinner the night before.

We'll call it a draw.