Tuesday, October 28, 2014

19 years goes by in a blink....


Now that I do wedding photography, the average ages of my brides are in their early 20's.

Sometimes I look at them & think, you are too young to get married.

I can say that now that I'm in my 40's... but I was that 23 year old bride.

I was a 23 yr old bride.... with a small waist....

Today, Ricky & I have been married 19 years. 

Going into 2 decades.

How did that go by so fast?


When you're 23, I don't think you really understand what lays ahead.

I mean its so exciting & I did understand that this meant forever... but its the little things.

Its really knowing how tough marriage is
... how wonderful marriage is

... knowing you have a person on your side in everything
... knowing you have a partner in the hard times
... knowing you have a friend to celebrate in the good
... knowing you have a shoulder to cry on when you need to
... knowing you have a hand to hold through every day

It's so easy to say... but so different to live...


I think in the end, its knowing you have someone to grow old with...

& here we are 19 years later....

we're not over the hill yet... though some days it feels like it with all the aches & pains...

but we still have a long path to go... God willing...

we'll continue to grow older together... continue to live Happily Ever After...


So really, the more I think about it, I am thankful for young brides... it just gives more of a lifetime to share together...

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband...

Next year - 20 years!! I already told my husband he better start planning a Disney trip right now!
I want my 20th anniversary in the Beast's castle... 

I'm nothing but a demanding wife ;) ... no comment on that one Ricky... no comment! ;)


Monday, October 27, 2014

The weekend I earned a medal for not running....

Warning:  This is a long post, but I really think its worth the time :)  Just me.. just saying :)

So I got to add a medal to my shelf this weekend... & didn't even run a race.  That's pretty exciting. 

& before someone says, "You didn't earn it"... oh believe me... I earned it.

My alarm went off at 6am on Saturday, with the instructions to be at the volunteer tent at 7:15 am... now the race didn't even start till 8:30 so if I were running the race, I wouldn't even LEAVE my home until 7:45 so this was crazy that I started the morning so early.... but I was wanting to see how this all worked out, so I stopped by McDonalds & got an iced coffee & an egg sandwich & headed to an empty downtown.

The volunteer tent was right where they said it would be & they directed me to a table with tons of boxes on it.  Our job was to open these boxes & take out the medals & unravel the ribbons, get the paper off of them & get them straight.  All of this in the complete dark.  7:15 is really dark... especially with no lights.

I meet no strangers so the 2 ladies that were at the table became instant chat-buddies.  We talked about all the other races we had done in the past, our paces, our jobs, why we ended up tearing paper off medals in 50 degree weather... having cold hands & having to use them isn't the most fun I've ever had.

me & my new volunteer friends


Slowly, the sky started lighting up & everything was coming a buzz.  They were hanging the banners around, getting the drinks ready at the finish line, more people were showing up.  Runners were even starting to make their way to the start line passing us up, wanting to see what they were working for.


It was cute because a mom & daughter stopped & said, "We have a question. How long are you going to be here?"... we told them we would stay until they came across & they told us they were walking it & it was the first race they ever did.  A half marathon being my first race, I understood their nerves & excitement.  The mom told us she had hip replacement not too long ago & was nervous how it would all work out for her.  We just encouraged her & told her she was going to do great... she has a brand new strong hip after all :)

All the medals were lined up ready to go & then, we heard the National Anthem down the road at the start line.  We only had a few minutes before the Kid's 1 mile run so we headed down the block to a Starbucks to load up on more caffeine. 


I shared the news of what I learned - adding pumpkin to chai tea... I just made more people happy in this world.

We were happy to find a real bathroom in there & then headed back to the start line & got ready for a few hundred kids to come through.  They had little medals for their race too... nice ones! 

After the kids went through, it was time to wait for the first runners... the pros... the ones who blow me away.

It was about 1:12 & they gave us warning that the leader was just around the corner... & before you knew it, there he was... & it was just 2-3 minutes the 2nd place... & then it started the constant flow of runners.

Photo: First time's a charm? Our #UrbanBourbonHalf winner,  Michael Moore has never run a half marathon before! Amazing.

Congratulate Michael below.

I had to say, being a slow runner & never seeing the beginning runners of a race, I was surprised at how lonely it is at the finish.  I know being a back of the pack (BOTP) runner, its usually lonely because everyone has gone to the after party & finished up... well, let me tell you, its just as lonely at the beginning. I guess family members are still moving from the start of a location on the course before coming to the finish & the energy just wasn't at full speed when those first runners came through.  It made me feel better about the BOTP thing... to know the pros get the same treatment.  At least they get bagels & food without the chance of running out.

It took just about 15 minutes & the crowds were pouring in...

& let me tell you, the time FLEW by... I mean, FLEW by...

My goal was to catch all my friends that I knew were running.

The first one that came through was my blog buddy, Kristen ... I was so excited to see her in person.  I think she is just the coolest chic & I was so excited to hear her Australian accent, & I was excited when I spotted her coming & I just jumped up & down & she saw me & headed right at me... I know she hadn't even caught her breath & I just kept hugging her telling her how awesome she is.  Her first words, "OWWW" :)  ... given... she just did a half marathon with an incredible time.  I didn't want to make it seem like I was keeping her from getting her energy back & heading to the after party so I hugged her one last time & then let her go...

& then was so dang mad I didn't get a picture with her.  She told me later she tried to come back but the security wouldn't let her through. I told her that the stupid security doesn't understand a bloggers life!  She is even cuter in person & I know that she's not just an Aussie fairy ... maybe a Tinkerbell (she'll get that reference) ...

Totally snagged a picture from her Instagram so you could see how freaking adorable she is!!!

The next person coming through was another blog buddy I was so excited to see....Katie & I tried to meet up at the Ironman when she volunteered in a different location. It never worked out so I was really keeping my eye out for her.  I knew her as soon as I saw her... I mean, she was the one who looked so beautiful even after running.  Katie had injuries not too long ago & was told she wouldn't be able to run for a long period of time... but here she was doing the SECOND race of the weekend.  In your face doctors!  She grabbed her phone & took a picture of us - I'm so glad she did - reminding me that I needed to start doing this myself.  I have a feeling I'm going to be hunting this lovely lady down at more races we're at together... more pictures in the future...


Next through was my buddy Gina.  I met Gina through all the races & through mutual running friends.  I just think she's so awesome & we always just seem to find each other during races, usually as she's passing me up.  But I loved being at the finish line to give her her well deserved medal this time.  I root her on.  Us ladies over 30 need to stick together... She was telling me how the hills aggravated her back & this was her worst half marathon... but she was still proud of herself - as she should be. I told her she crossed that finish line... I didn't... so many others didn't.  Even the slowest race is something to be proud of ... I've learned that through the years....




As soon as she left, I looked up & saw someone dressed like Paul Stanley from KISS & started laughing... then was like, WAIT! I know her... & screamed DANA?... she looked over at me & started laughing.  It did not surprise me one bit that she dressed up in costume & rocked another half marathon... complete in a hot wig & make up still intact.  She is so incredibly inspiring to me. She used to be my Jazzercise instructor & I just love everything about her. Her attitude is top notch.  She knows we're KISS fans so told me to make sure we got a picture so Ricky could see... he loved it!!! I think next race, we'll have to get her husband & me & Ricky & go as the full group.... I think that sounds perfect.

Its funny because someone from Urban Bourbon took a picture of when I took this picture & put it in their video on their website... I made their video.. & I didn't even run... Now that's how you do it!

I had one more friend I was keeping an eye out for - another blog buddy...I saw Lori coming down the road because she always has the coolest, brightest running skirts!  I screamed for her as she was coming so she knew I was there & she headed my way. Bless her heart - I saw today the blisters she has on her feet... OUCCCCHHHH!!!! & she had some issues with the race, but girl always has the best attitude. She goes out with the purpose of having a good time & I love that about her. 



I knew my friend Abby was coming because she's a pacer.  That's the good way to know when people are going to cross.  She's the most amazing person.. she runs & paces pretty much every week.  My body would just give out on me.  The most fantastic thing to me about her - she's the one who hooked us up on finding Harvey Dent.  She's an aussie lover.  & God love her - one of the very first things she said to me when she crossed the finish was how sorry she was to hear about Sydney.  Good person right there...

I also got to meet the lady on the left who is part of a group we are in on Facebook... someone else to check off the list of seeing in real life

So yeah, I loved so much being at the finish line & seeing my buddies... getting to put their medals on them & give them hugs.  It was the best thing I think I have ever done in a race... seriously...

I saw a lot of other things.  Things I didn't never thought of, & things I never want to see again.

... I saw more bloody nipples on men that I ever thought really happened in a race. I thought it was something that happened every now & then. I saw at least 20 guys with shirts with blood running down. Dear Lord.


... I saw people puking all around me. No joke. Literally.  I am a chain puker so it took everything in me to hold it together.  One guy puked so hard, it was coming out of his nose & he stood up & walked to get his medal & it was hanging there until someone told him... he didn't even know.  Another fun fact - they have buckets of water to wash away puke at the finish line.  Being a BOTP, we don't push ourselves to puke level... I didn't even know this existed.

... I saw a proposal!!!!  Right behind me.  I saw a family standing behind me & didn't know how they got there & why they were standing there.  & then a guy & girl cross the finish line, I give them their medal & then all of a sudden, I hear all sorts of buzz going on & I turn around & the guy was on his knee with a ring in his hand... AAHHH!!! That was her family there - they brought the ring & videoed it. I said I need to see the video because I'm standing right in the middle of them with a dropped mouth going OHHHHHHHHH & tearing up...


The race was coming to an end & all the other volunteers left except me & one other lady.  We had great talks of being BOTP people. I told her my goal is always 3 hour half marathons - hers?  3:30 -3:45 half marathons. She's had surgery on the bones of her heels ... BONES OF HER HEELS... so she has to go slow, but she PRESSES ON!!! We talked about all the benefits of being in the back, as well as all the disadvantages.  No cheering crowd, races running out of supplies, & the finish line being empty... we both said we would stick through to the end for 'our people'...

& we did...

the crowds were gone.  The music was wrapping up, but people were still coming.  We were jumping & hollering & screaming for these people & I would clap & say, "YOU DID IT" to every one of them & they were so happy & grateful. 

Funny side story - Ricky had to work & got off at noon. His work was down the road so he came down to the race afterwards & said he was looking for me & then heard me screaming & said, "I know that voice"... & easily found me that way :)

Next thing we see was the police car closing up the race... earlier then expected.  Most half marathons are 4 hour limits - this was about 3:40... & there was one lady in front of the car.  Me & the other volunteer was screaming like we won the lottery.  When the girl crossed the finish line, I ran up to her & said the words that always hit me in my own heart... I said, "I AM SO PROUD OF YOU - YOU DID IT"... she just busted out crying... I mean BUSTED.. I lost it myself...

We were done... or so we thought...

A lady was standing near by & said her friend was coming - could we give her a medal... we didn't see anyone else & her friend said, she's on the side walk. We saw her & I told her to get over & cross the finish line & she said, "No, that's OK. The police pushed me off the street. I know I did 13.1 miles. I don't need a medal."

... Oh HECK no... I told her that wasn't going to fly - to get over to me or I'd jump over the gate & chase her down to give her the medal... she came over & I put it on her & she too just teared up. I told her to be proud of herself. It was under 4:00 & she completed it... I hate she wasn't allowed the experience of crossing the finish line.

....& we thought we were done... again... but nope...

Someone else came up & said, our daughter & wife aren't here yet. Can we get a medal for them.  They told us that the mom had just had hip replacement surgery & it was her first race.... OH SNAP... that was the lady who stopped & talked to us at the beginning.  No way was I leaving... we saw them on the side way & I motioned for her to come down the ending, even though they were taking everything down... as they were coming, I was cheering, her family was on the side cheering & when her & her daughter finished, it as just as good as the first person coming through....

I was so glad I stayed... I was so glad I got to see literally every person cross the finish line...

& then I turned around & the race coordinator was standing there & she came up to me & said, "Bend over...." & she put a medal around my neck. & she said, I want to thank you for all this hard work"....


In the end, I was on my feet from 7:15 until almost 1:00... longer then if I actually walked the half marathon myself...

But it was the most rewarding experiences of my life...

Not a bad way of kicking off a vacation.

What did you do this weekend?

Friday, October 24, 2014

Five on Friday... vacation edition


Today at 4:00, I am going to tear up post it notes & make homemade confetti & I'm going to celebrate..

 

Vacation time!!!!

& yes, I am bummed that we're supposed to be packing up tonight & heading on the road for a wonderful trip to Gatlinburg... & that got kicked in the shins... or in Ricky's knee if I'm being totally accurate...

& I'm bummed that Ricky actually has to work part of our vacation.

Our anniversary is on Tuesday. 19 years.  For the past 18 years, Ricky & I have been off... this will be the first time he has to work on our anniversary.  Yeah... I'm a little sad at the turn of events this year...

BUT... like they say....


So my Five on Friday is going to be some of the things I'm planning on doing while I'm off...

1. Clothes


I want to shop. I am in desperate need of fall & winter clothes. Summer & Spring, I'm good to go. I have so many maxi skirts & flip flops that I could switch every day & be good for a month.  Winter? I have like 3 pairs of pants that I like... I'm on a mission.  I want to find some good boots too. Complete the winter look.  And with all of this, it means I am switching over my closet. Ugh. I hate that... but I'm determined to get rid of at least half of my closet. Because believe me, I don't wear half of it. I need the room.  Get ready Goodwill... I'm heading to you with a load.



2. Sewing Machine


This is probably my biggest goal for my vacation. I want to learn to sew more then anything.  & Ricky got me a sewing machine... like 5 years ago.... I know.  Embarassing.  But I have no where to put it & so it just has sat on the floor under my printer desk in my back room.  Well, on vacation week, I'm doing something with it. Even if that means leaving it on the kitchen table for awhile. Heck, I don't cook anyways.  I want to learn the basics & learn how to even thread the stupid thing.  Watch out - I tend to get obsessed with new crafts so if this takes hold of me, my Instagram will be exploding with sewing things as well as knitting things.



3. Whole Foods / Trader Joes


Its not often I get to go out to these stores with them being so far away from us.  I get so excited to go in there & see all the latest things I want to try.  & since I am rarely out that way, I know my check book may shed a tear because 1. this place ain't cheap & 2. I want everything in it.  I just saw on a friends blog a iced coffee concentrate thing that you add with ice & almond milk... how many bottles can I fit in my back seat?  What else should I know about before I head out there?



4.  Car Care


This isn't exciting but something I need to do.  Something I never want to take the time during my work week.  But I need to clean out my car.  I basically live in my car ... & it shows. I need to clean out the whole vehicle & get in the nooks & crannies of it with a tooth brush.  I need to get the carpets clean (who thought black carpet in a car was a good idea should be shot) & I need to take my car & get my oiled changed.  Gotta take care of Miley Cyrus.  I still have 4 more years of payments on her :)

Note: I named my car Miley Cyrus before she went nuts... I got my car right when she died her hair that light color - which is the same color of my car... & I said, she looks so "edgy" with the hair cut... & my car is an Edge... so thus, became the car name of Miley Cyrus... I may just change it to Blondie.




5. Sleep


The best part of vacation.  I want to take my alarm & tell it to shove off .... See ya!  Stop bugging me with your loud beeping at 5 in the morning!
I know how I am though - I'll still be up by 6 or 7... guaranteed... the dogs still have their schedule & they know when its time for treats.  But I'm going to try & relax as much as I can

... because a week goes by fast & I'm back to it in a measly 7 days...

So if I'm kinda in & out next week, y'all know I'm sleeping, or cleaning my car... or hopefully finding some awesome fashions...

What do you like to do for a Stay-cation?
 
What do I need to get at Whole Foods?
 
What's a good name for a crème-brulle color car?


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thankful Thursday... even with bad news all around...

It's always best to have a positive outlook on life.  It's easy to see all the bad around you, but there's always good in the world.  Be thankful you're alive to breathe, to love, to laugh & to enjoy all the wonders life has to offer. ~Unknown


This last part of the year has just been a doozy...

With loosing Sydney & Ricky's knee & my own injuries, its been tough enough.  But lately it seems every day I'm hearing bad news about people I love... friends & family...  

My uncle just found out he has pancreatic cancer & although we know he's going to go into this with a fight & he's going to come out the victor, you just hate to know that he even has to take on this battle...

This is my uncle... & yes, that's my cousin that I did the maternity session for not too long ago.
Can y'all lift up some prayers for him & their family?

& a close family friend is going into surgery this week for breast cancer.  So stupid.  I hate cancer.  But she has a 'lets handle this & get it done' kind of attitude & I know she also will come out of this stronger...

You just hate to see people you care about suffer...

But I strive every day to still find things to be thankful for....& here's this week look at things I can look at & see that life is still good...


thankful 102314


1. New looms!!! .... I got the adjustable hat loom, the smaller gauge sock loom... & ended up going back & getting the afghan loom I've been wanting. I think I have them all now.  I'm ready for cold winter to get in here. I'll be covered in warm yarn.

2. 5k ... I haven't got a 5k under my feet in awhile so it was great to get out & knock out 3.1 miles again.

3. Beautiful drive home... Fall is just beautiful & not because of the normal fall colors. All the colors just seem crisper in this air.  My drive home is just breath taking sometimes. 

4. Flat Tire Helper... This is the 2nd time in a month I've had a nail in my tire making me have a near-disaster-flat on the road... but I'm thankful I have a garage right next to my office & the guy down there is so kind.  He fixes it for me free every time.

5. Baby Skinny Jeans... does anything else need to be said?  I just smile every time.

6. Fall Colors ... I never want to come inside

7. Fun Bride ... I've had the best time editing this latest wedding.  It honestly didn't even feel like a wedding, but more of just me hanging out with awesome people. 

8. Crock Pot Chili ... it made my Saturday delish... & made my house smell like I was a real housewife that knows how to cook.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

If you need me, I'll be on Pinterest today....

So Monday, I did it...

I jumped on the Essential Oil band wagon.



I know you have seen blog posts everywhere about people that use it & all that it can do.  If you haven't seen it there, its on Facebook... & Pinterest?  Forget about it... it's everywhere...

& that's where I'll be today.  Learning all about it.

I'm a person who is all about natural things.  Natural food, natural medicine.  So this idea of an natural oil that can help with issues intrigues me.

There are SO many fantastic uses for Young Living Essential Oils!

But it can't be real - right?  I mean, its oil...

Well, a friend asked me to try it for my bicep tendonitis.  I am always willing to try anything for that pain.  Tell me that dancing in the streets in an Elsa outfit will help it, I'll do it... or I'll just do it because that sounds like fun...

Plus, I would just like to do this move over & over

So I bought Lemongrass & an oil called Panaway to give it a go.  Now, it wasn't cheap... but like I said, I'll pay whatever... & it'll STILL be cheaper then if I went to a doctor with my health insurance.  (Like how I snuck in another health insurance slam there? ... speaking of which, I need to start looking for a new plan next week. Thanks Obama.)


Anyways. 

I tried it.  Only 1 or 2 drops on the place that hurts.  Well, my arms hurts a LOT in a LOT of area so I'd add a few more drops of lemongrass... & maybe it was in my mind, but it eased off the pain. 

WHAT?


& I keep reading about how people use these during cold & flu season & that right there is speaking my language. 

So I took the leap & bought the started kit & became an official Young Living Essential Oil person...

I told Ricky about it ... & the 'conversation' began.  Yes, conversation is in quotes because it was more of a debate.

Ricky:  I can get on the internet & find articles that say it doesn't work.
Me: You can get on the internet & type in is this oil made of cat pee & you'll probably find an article.  You'll find an article about anything on the internet.


 
I tried to tell him about the people I know & trust that use it... & how I used it on my arm.

so the true test... Ricky has a pain in his elbow.  Has had it for months.  I pull out the Panaway & rub about 2 drops on it. 

He gripes & says things like "This is so stupid"

... & I'm editing wedding pictures & all of a sudden, I hear laughing.  He's behind me on the couch moving his elbow around cracking up like Harvey Dent told him some joke I missed out on.

I asked if he inhaled too much of that oil or something & he said, "My elbow doesn't hurt"... & then just kept laughing like its some sort of trick I did on him.


Granted, his elbow was aching again this morning... & I told him to put some more oil on it ... which I bet he will tonight when he gets home...

but maybe he's going to believe in it a little bit more...

Maybe I'm going to be in my natural health heaven with this.

I'm sure my family & friends will get sick of me very soon when I tell them to put peppermint on their temples when they have a headache instead of taking an aspirin.


So today, if you need me, I'm going to be on Pinterest finding out all about these oils... which ones I need to double up on... how exactly I need to apply these ... how to combine them for the uber health combo that I need.

Maybe there's an oil to make my brain switch out of germaphobe mood...

I bet I find it on Pinterest...


Do you use Essential Oils?
 
 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Holiday Link-up: Halloween ...haunted house gone wrong



Holiday Linkup
Click to join in

Today, I'm joining in with the ladies to discuss all things Halloween.    Any topic about Hallowen... which leaves me open to so many posts. Why? Because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween.

I always say that Halloween & Easter are my two favorite holidays, which is kinda weird. Granted.  Hey - they both involve the dead coming back to life - right?  ... I'm trying here...

But today, I guess I'll share a funny Haunted House story in honor of Halloween.

First, I'm not a person who enjoys being scared.   I am someone who jumps if someone is standing in front of me, in plain view & I know is there... but if they say BOO! .. .I'll jump like I've been shot.



So I was always a prime target at Haunted Houses.

It's always fun when you go with friends & you stand in line waiting to get in, & of course, there are people walking around with knives & chain saws & your 'friends'... yes, 'friends'...  stand behind you & point to you to let these scary people know that this is the person you want to turn that chain saw on when they least expect it.

Thanks 'friends'



I don't even know why I'd go into these haunted houses.  Talk about anxiety ready to burst out of my pores.

But I'd do it... life must be full of experiences... & people need to laugh at someone for being the idiot that cries in haunted houses.

One year, a group of friends went into a Haunted House & all the usual things were happening.  Spiders & rats over our heads, people popping out of no where in complete dark.  Everything you would expect. 

I can spend so much time looking at these haunted house pictures

We come upon a room where the lights would be off & they would pop on & there would be a person across the room in a rocking chair.. the lights would pop off & then back on again & they would be standing right in front of your face...


Help me dear Lord...

But when the light popped off & then back on & the person ended up showing up right in front of a friend of mine - who was standing right in front of me - & me, being scared, was standing right behind him... like gripping onto him for dear life... & it scared him so much, he jerked backwards...

& his head hit me right on the bridge of my nose.

imagine the football being someone's head though

Ever hit the bridge of your nose?  Instant tears... instant pain.

I honestly thought my nose was broke it hurt so bad.

I swear it felt like it was instantly swelling up.

Combined with the tears in my eyes, my nose started running... I thought it was blood. 
You can't see when lights are popping on & off...

So here I am in the middle of this haunted house with tears streaming down my face - not from being scared any more, but because of pain.  & I'm thinking my nose is sideways & broken...

... I'm no longer scared... I'm ticked off...

Will Smith No

Let me give you a heads up about me.... if I'm mad & that level of ticked off, you better get out of my way.  I don't care if you have a chainsaw in your hands & I don't care if you have blood all over you.

I pushed everyone out of the way & marched to the front of the line & was screaming like a crazy lunatic to GET OUT OF MY WAY...


Not even joking...

I was walking through each room like I was a boss...

someone would jump out at me & I would scream, SHUT UP - GET OUT OF MY FACE BEFORE I PUNCH YOU!!!!


The end to get out of this haunted house, you had to go down a slide that took you to another room & eventually the exit.  As you can imagine, people are at the bottom waiting to scare you... when I came down that slide & people were there, I jumped up off of the slide & went all Real Housewives sort of crazy to get to the exit...


I can only imagine what the haunted house people were thinking...

I probably scared the beejeez out of them...

Needless to say, I never went back into a haunted house since then...

I think everyone is better off...

& now I know if I ever am scared in a situation... all you have to do is tick me off, or break my nose... & I'm turning into the biggest baddest action star ever

how I go through haunted houses now


Do you like Haunted Houses?
 
What's your favorite thing about Halloween?