Write it down, Journal, a Diary, a calendar, life day to day

There are so many ways to look at it. You can make an effort to write down your life in a journal or on a blog. Some might just keep a calendar...mine was called a Diary the other day. I laughed out loud when he asked if it was my Diary. My first thought was, NO! Then it occurred to me....why, yes, this is  my diary. I do not write down all of my hopes and fears in it...only some of them! I do write down what we are doing on what day and make future plans inside this little zebra-striped book.

It's almost full and I can't wait to get another one! (The Spotted Zebra) So, I find that it's hard for me to record what actually happens. There are several things in this calendar that I wanted to do, but failed to make happen. Either because something else came up or my over achieving brain planned too many things in one day.

I do want to start writing things down that DO happen. I want to write down how I feel about something or someone...my kids and husband. This has been coming up a lot lately. My step-mom's Mother passed away a month ago and she kept a journal. Not an ongoing, everyday, but....toward the end. She wrote letters to people. No one knew she was doing this and after she passed away, they were found. Can you imagine? Losing someone that means so much to you and then finding a letter they had written you. It is one of the most treasured pieces of writing you will ever have the opportunity to read. Debbie, aka Nanny (my step-mom) and I were talking about all of this one night, in the rain, at John Connor's football game. Her pain and sadness is still so fresh for her and I know she wants to talk about it and at the same time, not ever talk about it. I was really glad she shared it with me. I'm a sentimental gal and love to remember things or find out things that happened to people that I love. History.

OH....that just slaps me in the face. I am doing a Bible Study at church and it's called His-story/your story. It's about how God's story fits into your story and that it's all history...your story, too. How your story and His story shaped your life. got it?

So, I'm doing so many things that involve story-telling right now. A potential client is all about the story, I compile stories with scrapbooking and now, Connor's grandmother, Momba, is not doing her best. We had a family get-together for her and Papa's anniversary on Saturday. We set up a TV in the garage, watched football, the kids played, we visited and stayed until late that night. It was a wonderful day and one that we will treasure. I overheard Momba say she wants to do it every 3 months......it used to be once a month. Never happened...too busy, too  many activities!! All day, Momba carried around a book and pen. She was writing whatever came to her mind about each person in the family. As she would see them, she would write. She wanted to hug us all extra long that day and tell us something she wanted us to remember....her story.

I want to encourage everyone to write it down. Blog, Facebook, calendar or just writing a note to each special person on their birthday is sufficient. I know those letters Debbie has from her Mom are dear to her, but wouldn't it have been great for her to have her own letters from each family member that told just what she meant to them? My Mom's birthday was Saturday..I better get on that! My brother's is this month and my Dad's. Three days after his is my Emma's. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm sure there will be tears involved....it's hard for me not to shed one or two anyway!

I would love to know if you already do this....or if you have another way of telling your story. You may remember a little scrapbooking event I was involved in about telling your story.....THAT is a story all in itself with lots of lessons learned! ha

ETA: just found this on Pinterest and then to this blog......YES! What a fantastic idea! 

I'm coming home...tell the world I'm coming home

Homecoming at UNA! I've been spending a bit more time in Florence, Alabama. I don't know if it's sentimental or just that two of my very best friends live there! I guess it's both. Since Ashlee moved back, I have probably been to Florence 5 or 6 times. Before that, after I graduated, I had only been there 5 or 6 times! It is such a great town. It's small. You have the quad cities; Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia. I have a new found love for this area. There are some really cool places. Billy Reid is one of my favorites! I do like his classic clothes, but the store is gorgeous! Then there is Riccatoni's.....YUM! It's a wonderful Italian restaurant that is not to be missed. Trowbridges...chicken salad sandwich and an icecream cone...thank you very much.

Ash and Marisa have taken me to Tuscumbia the last 3 or so times. We always go into Audie Mescales. Great prices on cute clothes. We go into Thread and spend hours picking out patterns and fabric! It's one of my favorite places for inspiration! Alyson is top notch on customer service. I try on samples and she gives us tips on how to make super easy skirts and dresses! A couple of weeks ago we went to eat lunch at Frank's. We passed the alley and saw the lights strung up with gorgeous light fixtures and I insisted that we eat there. They had a couple of big screen tv's out there and we were the only people in the alley! The weather was gorgeous and we hung out for hours! The food was fantastic, btw.

So, with all of this love for the area, I talked Connor into going to homecoming for UNA. We both went to college there. He played football, I was a Lionette. A football game was the perfect event! We had heard there are fun tailgating events before and lots of people we knew go to the games. We told the kids about all the fun we would have and booked a room at the Marriott. That place all by itself is worth going!
We went to the parade on Saturday morning....Marching....oh the memories!!

We had a great time at Kilby before the game. They had a silent auction, lunch and fun activities for the kids. Ashlee and Marisa both teach there and it's in major need of money. The University keeps threatening to close the school. This day was a fundraiser. I hope they continue to raise lots of money!!

We went over the the Hill to tailgate and hung out with some of our best college buddies, Kin and Emily Taylor. They have 4 kids. Collin, Evan, Grant and Ella. Evan and Emma are the same age and Grant and John Connor are the same age. The boys had fun playing football and tag. Clark was there, too. Emma hung out with Charlee Beth, Dillon, Payton and Mattie Reid.....ahem, Billy Reid's daughter. I mean, really? I have the biggest crush on Billy Reid and my daughter is hanging out with his daughter AND she goes to his house!! She met him and his wife. She has no idea who he is or that I think he is fantastic. She thought it was funny when I told her that I think he is a celebrity! (he totally is, right?)

It was such a fun day. I love hanging out with my friends and their families. It was so good to catch up with lots of old friends, too!

UNA won! They have a pretty good team. When we were there, they won a couple of National Championships. They are moving into Division I. I know that will make a big difference in how things are done. I hope it doesn't change too much! Go Lions!

Nashville road trip....

Got up yesterday morning, dropped the kids off at school, met B Smith at Target, and we took off for Nashville! How much fun is that? It's one of my favorite things to do....get in the car with B and go somewhere for the day. She is the ultimate Disney trip planner. Her customer service level is above and beyond expectation! Now, I don't know if she would do this for everyone...but, she delivered a Disney basket to one of her clients in Nashville!

Her client was a certain news anchor that most of Nashville wakes up to each morning on Fox 17's TN Mornings, Kelly Sutton. She is a doll! We met in the Kroger parking lot and followed her to Monell's.

OH WOW! Brittney and I weren't sure about the place, at first. The building was fantastic...built in 1880. We are walking up to the door with Kelly and she is telling us she only eats here when she can work out for 3 days after....uh oh! Next she tells us we have to turn off our cell phone....B, can you do this? Next she tells us we will be sitting at a table with people we do not know and make sure you pass to the left. We are a little scared... People, this place has won awards for the Best Meat and Three....it's more like 2 meats and 10 vegetables and dessert (banana pudding) YUM! I left there feeling like I had just had Thanksgiving dinner! Full and Fluffy! Wishing I had on a stretchy skirt and not a pair of jeans! We left there only taking a photo of 3 of our favorite foods.....nothing of us, nothing with Kelly, nothing of the restaurant....what in the world?

We took off looking for cupcakes. She was obsessed. Then she gave up on that and we moved on to Country Music stars.....NONE. We did go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and saw some guy playing the guitar. He's somebody, but I can't remember his name.....sorry!!!

If you ever get the chance to ride with B somewhere for the day....go. You will not regret it. We solved LOTS of problems and conquered many, many projects....not. It was lots of fun, though and I'm thankful for that!! 

Night at the Fair

I must admit. I did NOT want to go to the Alabama State Fair! Wednesday is the only day of the week we do not have something going on until 7:30. Connor decides he has to go to Bilouxi...I'm thinking he knew what he was doing. The kids have been asking for weeks. They know Wednesday is the only day. Emma does have gymnastics until 6:30 on Wednesday. I tried to think of a way to get out of it. The problem is, it's less than 2 miles away from our house! I would have been a terrible mom if I hadn't taken them, right? So, off we went. We had our cash in hand and bought our wristbands. We would just go through and hit every ride once and then go by the "win a goldfish" booth and try to win one or two or three. Last year we won 6! ugh 

 

Three goldfish! I wish I could remember their names....

 

 

Since we got a late start, I didn't want to take the big camera. I just used the cell phone and the quality is pretty bad. I got some fun shots, though and they are worth the memories! Even the creepy fair guys looking over the shoulders of my children!!



We did have $10.00 left in our pockets and I was talked into seeing how fast they could throw the baseball......we won a patriotic hammer and a leopard guitar. This is what dreams are made of!

Fall Fashion

I get my fashion on more in the fall than in the spring....anyone else like that? I don't know what it is. I think there are just more layers and more things to wear in the Fall. I love Spring/Summer clothes. I just don't feel like it has as much to work with?

I'm feeling the boots this season. I CAN NOT wait to wear my boots! I keep thinking I need a new pair. I love these Frye Paige Riding boots, but I seem to have a pair VERY similar to them. Maybe I could go with the gray? 

 

THIS pair of boots, I wanted last year. Wasn't sure if I would still want them this year....I do. I need to sell something...anyone need a kid? kidding

I have another must have on my list......this scarf. OH My! 

I want this so bad. The etsy store it is linked to says it's all out. I commissioned my new friend Stephanie to make one for me. We met last week at a tennis tournament. She knits, I like, it's the perfect combination! We are going to meet at this cute, little shop in Cahaba Heights to pick out the yarn. Coincidentally, Emma came home from Momba's the other day with knitting needles and patterns that were Aunt Bercie's...maybe that was a sign that I need a new hobby? I'm thinking someone needs to get on it ASAP if I'm going to wear it with a white tank!

Seems like a gray kinda fall. I'm a big fan of color. Maybe gray will be my neutral!

What will you be wearing?