Happy anniversary, baby…

May 19, 2012 Leave a comment

…got you on my miiiiiind!

No, no anniversary for me.  Just quoting some Little River Band in honor of my parents.  May 19 marks their 39th wedding anniversary.

THIRTY-NINE.

That’s 10 years longer than I’ve been alive (and can you imagine how much better their life got 29 years ago? :) )!!!!

My sister and I are so very, very lucky to have grown up in a house with love that endures like that.  Even more so, I’m so grateful to be able to see and experience this relationship as an adult.  As a grown up myself now, unsure of what it really means to be “in love” (perpetual singleness doesn’t help in this endeavor), I’m glad to see it in action daily.  No relationship is perfect, but my sister (recently celebrating 7 years of marriage herself) and I got a great head start on this, growing up in a house of love, patience and romance between our parents.  I know that is not what everyone gets to experience with their parents.  For that, I’m forever thankful to my parents.

So, please raise your proverbial glasses and toast Chuck and Neece.  Here’s to 39 more years of love, laughter and romance.

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!!!

Love,

Slick

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Smitten With the Mitten

March 27, 2012 Leave a comment

There has always been and will always be a special place in my heart for Michigan.  My dad’s family is from the surrounding ‘burbs of Detroit and many a great childhood memories come from the mitten state.

This past weekend I fled my beloved Indianapolis for some much needed away time.  I ended up in Royal Oak, a cute Broad Ripple-esque burb on the outskirts of Detroit to spend some great time with my Aunt Donna and other family. A short recap shall do you good… :)

 

-Made the 5+ hour trip by myself in the drizzly rain.  Ew to long drives by yourself.  Longest trip I’ve ever driven by myself…

-Saw my grandfather and his wife Alice Friday night for dinner at their house.

My aunt and I picked up Louie’s (amazing) pizza and met my cousin Ashley and her husb Ricky in Hazel Park at my dad’s childhood home for some long overdue catch up.  I hate that it’s been almost two years since seeing him.  Hopefully it won’t be as long til the next time…

-Checked off a few 30×30 items off my list (one being take a road trip by myself…check!).  We made our way down to Greektown after dinner.  Greektown is by far one of the coolest places in Detroit.  Great food, lots to see…and a casino!

One of my 30×30 things is to play blackjack.  Well…CHECK!  I have had my way with slot machines but had never played a table game until Friday night.  So, after a few minutes of watching the others play, my aunt creeped up to a wife of a player and got the lowdown.  Luckily, the table was full of nice dudes so I sat myself down and placed $100 on the table.  I know, I know.  But that’s all I had in cash.  Anyway, long story short, my new gambling friends taught me well and I walked out with $185!!!  I probably could’ve kept up the beginner’s luck streak, but I was too excited to not lose any money and even make a little extra!  Go me. :)

 

-Saturday we brunched and shopped, then made our way to Ann Arbor to visit my other cousin Kirstin at the University of Michigan.  She was volunteering for their dance marathon so it was a brief visit, but it was great to see her.

-Saturday ended with a delectable Italian feast and more QT with my aunt.

-Sunday I joined my aunt, cousin and cousin-in-law for church.  It was great to join in corporate worship with a complete different body.  Felt good. Then after another yummy meal, it was time to climb back into Tyrone and make my way back to Indy.

All in all, a great weekend.  Honestly, to the outsider looking in, it may seem just like an average weekend…but to me…I really feel like it was a great escape and good fellowship with my awesome family.  It won’t be 2 years before I get back, that’s for sure.

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I Surrender…Some

February 22, 2012 Leave a comment

Anyone that knows me knows I lead a pretty charmed life.  Sure, I’ve had challenges–lifelong fat girl, fired from a job, et cetera–but generally I’ve run a race with few hurdles.  But I suppose the easy run has to come to an end eventually, right?

My recent hurdle is still pretty…doable.  Perhaps I even created a mountain out of a molehill.  To speak vague again (sorry), recent weeks have resulted in me crying at the drop of a hate.  Sobbing, even.  At my desk at work.  In my car.  When I wake up in the morning.  I don’t say this to campaign for pity.  I say this to give an idea of how much of a challenge this has been for me.  This “let go, let God” thing has truly been the hardest thing I’ve dealt with in my adult life.

So when we sang the hymn “I Surrender All” at church on Sunday evening, it hit me.  I have to surrender all.  Not some.  All.  This is my ultimate hurdle.

I don’t want to, but I’ve already started.  My heart is changing and after one week, I cry less.  I’m thankful for great friends and family to support me and remind me that my worth is in Jesus and not the woes of this world.

So here it goes.  Surrendering all.  Lent starts tomorrow…I plan on using Lent to incorporate something into my life to aid this journey.  The more community I am in, the more chance I will have surrendering all.

“…the art of losing myself in bringing You praise…”

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2011: a year in review

December 29, 2011 Leave a comment

I’m not wishing 2011 disappear, but it was such an awesome year that I look forward to what 2012 has to offer. I’ll keep it brief…but allow me to reminisce. :)

A few of my favorite things from 2011…

-watching my nephew grow into a toddler. Being an aunt is by far the coolest thing.

-getting a new job! The identity crisis that came with leaving teaching (abruptly, too) has finally taken me down an amazing professional path. I love my job. It’s exciting to say this and mean it. I’ve also made an awesome lifelong friend from my training class.

-Mexico. Good memories made with seriously awesome people. That is all. :)

-new people. I have met a collection of awesome new friends–at church, work, via Twitter. My cup runneth over.

The best part of 2011? It’s the same as every year. Grace and love.

Looking forward to living out that grace and love as best as humanly possible in 2012.

Happy new year, friends. :)

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The Year of the…

November 25, 2011 Leave a comment

No. Not the Chinese astrology or whatever.

As in, The Year of the Belt.

Back in late 2006 I decided I would no longer be a slave to a new years resolution. Heck, I never kept them past February because let’s be honest, I wasn’t bought in to getting more sleep, working out, spending less or whatever that year’s resolution was. Since growing up some, I’ve bought into those ideas, but in a more balanced fashion, where I neither start in January or give up after a hot second.

But I am getting way off topic.

So back in late 2006, I decided to use my new year to resolve to try new things…when it comes to fashion. I also decided to throw in a color, for fashion kicks and giggles. The idea was to get me to branch out and shake things up. Thus started “The Year of the ______.” At first it was really something just for me, but then my friends and family jumped on board. (How could they not? I talked about it non-stop.)

And now…5 years later…while still really no big deal to the rest of the world, I choose a fashion accessory and color (not the first year, this came in 2008) to “try out.” Sometimes, my picks are spot on with the latest trends; sometimes-the year of 2011 especially-my pick is really just for me and the rest of the world doesn’t quite catch on. :) I usually consult my sister or a friend for input, but then I make the decision and announce it on Thanksgiving so people (as in the 5 friends and family members who indulge me and play along) can prepare for the next year.

The previous years have been a lot of fun. Here’s a recap, in case you’re new.

2007 The Year of Ghetto Gold (this was the year I embraced gold jewelry for the first time…but as a poor teacher it was of course fashion jewelry, hence the ghetto gold).
2008 The Year of the Hat (the year I decided to love hats…and I still do!) and purple.
2009 The Year of the Scarf (this was huge…in my circle and around the world) and yellow.
2010 The Year of the Bow (I will always, always love me a bow) and orange.
2011 The Year of the Charm (I rocked this…not so much anyone else…) and military green.

So if you’ve been wondering what all my blabber on my social media pages is about regarding The Year of the Belt…this is it. Go ahead, stock up on belts and navy and join us in 2012. :)

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