Sunday living

The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase
    these things with money.                                                                                            - Plautis

Sitting at the kitchen table this morning enjoying a home cooked breakfast of sausage, eggs, pancakes and hot coffee, (truly, there is no breakfast that can be bought that is as good as a homemade one!) Shawn asked if I'd like to walk the farm that he hunts. Looking out the window I thought, today? It's cold, cloudy, drizzling, and to be quite honest looking miserable.....hmmmm maybe a walk would be nice! 

We loaded up Blu and ourselves in the truck and headed deeper into the country....yes, much deeper! I thought I heard banjos and wild dogs at one point...yes, we were out there!

Never afraid of a new adventure, we enjoyed the hike. The acres were ours to tread on. The air was crisp, clean. The hills, the colors, the living and growing plants were ours to lay claim on...for the short time we were there.

 Blu was having a great time adventuring around!

 I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice.                                                                          - Alice Walker
                                                                   From "The Color Purple"

 Aliens do exist!

 Ok, maybe I was a little obsessed with these purple berries.....

 Whether rain or sunshine, the day is always great for a hike!

It's all about living

First thing's first. I need to get something out of my system.

HOLY CRAP! Already the new year?!?!?!? I thought I had just told you all what I was going to accomplish for last year and now we are already in the next one??? WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??????

Alright, now that that is out, lets move forward.

Last year was about me trying new adventures. This year it gets better! 2012 is about living life through adventure. Going and doing. Seeing and exploring. Not saying 'No', but rather 'Jump on in!'


All of this inspired by the song, I Hope You Dance. Yes, I know you've heard it before but click on it and listen. You'll feel inspired too!

Ringing in the New Year was the start of all that....singing, dancing, running, climbing, laughing, planning....

 At this point, Red was ready for us to call it a night!

It feels so good to be alive!

Final 2011 Thoughts

As I think about all that has taken place this year, I can't help but smile 'from my liver'. That is how deep my happiness has gone. I get a little misty eyed over all that has occurred. We have been blessed beyond imagination and an overall sense of peace has been gained. Love has been multiplied through the big eyes of a little boy, Deacon, and through the giggles of two growing girls, Annabelle and Katie Jane. (This unconditional love is awesome, even as an auntie!)

No, not all of 2011 was wonderful but, God has proven, that a home built on a solid foundation will not fall, no matter how many times the devil tries. During disasters and turmoil we will forever cling to His cloak. And for that, we know we are safe.

There was growth and maturity in 2011, but through child like eyes, I have still dreamed. Wanting, wishing, and yearning for more out of myself, my business, my life. I push for more. 2011 has ended with an idea that has been put into motion and has grown legs. 2012, that idea will have a trademark, and with crossed fingers, will be seen by many.

So farewell 2011. You were beautiful! I pray that everyone is looking forward to a fresh new year. With LOVE, LAUGHTER, GOD, and MOVEMENT we embrace 2012!

GO -ING.

Celebrating Women

As I was driving home tonight in the dark, and my bags of groceries riding shotgun beside me, I realized I have truly become who I have always wanted to be. I realized I am full woman!

Why tonight? Why the details about the dark and the groceries. I guess because after leaving the office after 10 hours of work, I made two more stops to pick up a Christmas gift for a friend and items for dinner. Faced with cooking and laundry to still do for the evening. I know many woman know this feeling that Round 2 was just beginning.

I have grown up around some pretty strong women. Though I didn't really appreciate their strength until I became crowned with that same tiara of Womanhood.

So, today I am celebrating women! Here's why.

Our minds race a thousand miles an hour. We are one step ahead of the task we are already doing. Multitasking is not a skill for us, it is a necessity. We work and workout. We clean up and pick up, over and over again. After 9, 10, 11, 12, or more, hours at the office, we continue on with the grocery shopping, bill paying, cooking, laundering, cleaning. We have evolved into changing our own oil, tires, and spark plugs. We mow the lawn and pull the weeds. We take our garden produce in to be cooked and without missing a beat are expected to be make-uped and dressed for a dinner with loved ones. We don't just have households, we are what keeps them running. We organize, re-organize, and finally come up with a better plan that will make us better organized. And, when night falls and everyone is tucked into bed, we set our own alarms to do it all over again in the morning. All of this while battling our hormonal roller coaster.

And the best part? I know I'm not alone when I say this. I made it through by biting my tongue and smiling when I wanted to strangle someone. Aww! Congratulations women! We held strong and didn't kill anyone today!

Luxury

With Mr. Pendergest being out of town I thought I would make this night about me. About celebrating being a woman and celebrating the luxurious things in life. So, all day I was craving this fulfillment of luxury. It doesn't come around too often that I get the desire to shop for 'things' but today it was about an affair between Me and Luxury. Looking for marble. And crystals. Something that had the smell of a new car. A little bling for my girlie night.

No I didn't buy a new car...come on, if you read me on facebook you would know that we just got out of debt...not going back there any time soon! Actually, I didn't buy anything. Just came on home and started my night with just me, and my 3 dogs!

A few nights ago, Shawn and I went over the number of dishes it takes for a dinner for two. Well, 2 pots, 1 pan, 3 plates, 1 strainer, 1 bowl, 1 cutting board, 1 chopping knife, 1 paring knife, 1 bread knife, 1 spatula, 1 wine glass, 1 water goblet, 1 spoon, and 1 fork, I had dinner...for 1. Thank goodness for dishwashers! Fresh herbs, spices, and warm bread filled the kitchen. A luxurious Italian dinner for 1!

Following dinner, I popped in a girl-flick movie (Something Borrowed) and laughed away! Perfectly paired with a glass of wine and comfy clothes!

And this night would not be complete without a bubble bath. 6 candles lit the room. Aromatherapy spread throughout the house. Norah Jones graced me with her haunting melodies of love, loss, and dreams. And yes, luxury was there. With my wine glass sitting on the edge of the tub, my tickle for bling had been satisfied. The candles sparkled off the glass and scented oils felt like silk in the hot water. Bliss on top of bliss on top of bliss on top of bubbles!

What I was looking for all day, I already had. Doesn't that seem to be the case more times than not?

Have a luxurious weekend everyone!

730 days

It wasn't until just about 5 months ago that, when going to bed, it would dawn on me that I'm kissing my husband goodnight. My husband. My. Husband. I know you're thinking, alright this lady has completely lost her marbles. You're wrong. I lost them a long time ago!

For the approximate year and a half before that I knew I was kissing my husband, but whether it is the fact that he and I have gotten so much closer this past year, or the concept of marriage has really begun to sink in, the past 5 months have seemed a bit more filling, complete, and official.


There is not a single day that goes by that I don't believe God has placed Shawn and I on this life journey together for a reason. He has shown that reason several times over in the past, currently in the present, and with no doubt will be there in the future. In a week and a half,  October 30th will be here and so will be our 2 year anniversary. (2 YEARS!!! ALREADY!!! WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??? AND YES I'M YELLING! ) How awesome of an experience a marriage can be in 2 years. Some days hard, some days easy, but everyday filled with love!

'Kissing the bride' took place many kisses ago, but 'kissing my life partner, spouse, best friend, strength, and future' has really just begun!

 

HAPPY (soon) ANNIVERSARY, MY HUSBAND!

Some beach!

Some days you just wake up and say to yourself, "Some beach!" Well ladies and gentlemen, that day for me had come....a long time ago. And with this year being my year, that beach vacation came to life!

Saturday just before dawn, Shawn and I made it to Destin. A long awaited trip for us. Checking into our hotel around 5am, we grab two cold beers from the cooler and a blanket. The only souls on the beach, cuddled and toes digging into the cool morning sand, we watched our world awaken. Half lit and half dark. Half sun and half stars, the next 5 days were ours. And ours alone.

Good morning, Starshine. The Earth says hello!

Not a single minute of internet. Less than a hand full of phone calls coming or going. Our clock was the sun. Our itinerary was peace, laughter, love, and happy hour! Bliss.

We sun bathed, had a constant air show of fighter jets...thanks to Fort Walton Air Force...swam, watched dolphins and sharks, learned about deep sea fishing, ate, drank, met folks from near and far, watched the sunset, and took pictures to capture it all.