an "ABOUT ME"

I have met so many new friends in the blog-world lately and I think it is time that I have another "about me" post so that my new readers can get to know me a little more.  The amount of love and support that I receive from my "followers" continues to overwhelm me in the most positive way and I just want to say thank you to everyone who cares for me - and I know so many of you do!  It is the most fantastic feeling to know that I am loved, adored, and thought of - but most of all, I open up this blog post with such thanksgiving for all the prayer and spiritual support I have received!  I know that the power of prayer is the reason that I smile and I know that God's love is why I can shine even in times of hardship.  Know that I pray for all of you, old friends and new friends alike, and that I am grateful for all of your inspiration!!!

So... here we go.

I'm Baily.  I'm 23. 

I was born in Asheville, NC.

I grew up in a suburb of Orlando, FL and graduated high school in 2005.  I was a sports columnist for my high school newspaper, a varsity cross-country runner, and a varsity soccer player.  I also strutted my stuf as the baseball team's bat girl - which helped me earn my superlative as Class of 2005's Biggest Flirt.

What??? Momma got it for her class of '79! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! ;)

I am obsessed with Ray Bans. 

I went to the University of Alabama where I studied Journalism and Child Development for the past five years.  I am currently on a break.

Because, life happens.

Like this:

Last April 13th I lost everything I owned in a housefire in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  It has been a journey of recovery, rebuilding, and reinvention and every day has been a new discovery since. 

So, life through me off course a little bit but I believe in chasing my dreams and I know that I will make everyone proud one day.  I have been restored with hope and I have been redeemed in a rejuvenated faith. 

The fire didn't take away ALL that was precious to me.... meet my best friend.  Mildred Jean Jones.

She will be 2 years old in April.  I got her in June 2009 and she has warmed my heart each and every day!  I got her one week to the day prior to Michael Jackson's death but had already decided to name her "Millie Jean" because of my favorite MJ song, "Billie Jean."  It just so happened that we were a week early to tributing his death.  See?  She's freaking SPECIAL! :)

Anyways, I like to wear flowers in my hair...

And I'm a HUGE fan of

and even though some assholes have made me want to give up, I still believe in LOVE, too.  

I'm obsessed with CAROLINA Basketball and ALABAMA Football.

Go Heels & Roll Tide!  

I am infatuated with Forrest Gump.

I dig Phish, Widespread Panic, and The Grateful Dead... their music does nothing but free me. But I am sort've a music junkie so the list is muuuuuch longer than that.  I like country, folk, rock 'n roll, psychadelic, and jam music.  I am a supporter of indie music and I collect vinyl records! :)

I'm a little girl.  I'm about 5'3 and 100 lbs.

But I've got a fiesty attitude and can "hold my own" with anyone! ;)

Speaking of being itty-bitty, my mom's bank teller didn't think I was 23 I guess...

I'm a guys' girl... I've always had more guy friends than girl friends.

But, as I grow up I have learned the bittersweet truths about friendships and I know I have amazing friends - both ladies and gents!  I am so grateful for them ALL! 

I have a Sissy who is my best friend.

....and preggers!!!

So stoked!

Umm... what else?

I dig accessories. 

Scarves, bracelets, funky jewelry, and boots!

I'm not a HUGE fan of talking on the phone... but I will. 

I am just more text-savvy!!

Above all else, I am a DREAMER.

I'm a free-spirit.  A music lover.  A wildflower.

And when things get bad... this passage (which I've dubbed as "my fire passage") is what gets me through and allows me to 'Be still, and know that He is God.'

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you wil leat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the gradss of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - oh you of little faith? 

So do not worry, saying 'What sall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Hope you enjoyed getting to know me!

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWERS!

now, fill me in on YOU!

peace and love

bai

what a great weekend

Probably the smartest thing Gaga has ever said...

So here's to finding a job!!!

(and I think I may have found one!)

Do you think I'd make a cute little secretary maybe? ;)

Anyways, Happy Monday!!!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend.

Mine was amaaaazing!!!!

On Friday night, Michelle and I met a friend named Jenny at Wine Room on the cobblestoned Park in Winter Park.  It felt good to get some "girl talk" in and taste some wine, wear high heels, and nibble on some fudge... (and a margherita flatbread but who's counting the calories?!?)

On Saturday, Michelle and I went to the Orlando Chili Cook-Off in Baldwin Park and even though there was barely any CHILI left by the time we got there... we we were still able to check out some pretty groovy bands.  One of my favs - "Big Sam's Funky Nation" was playing and that was a delightful surprise for me! (Don't you just love that?!)  And we got to see Plain Jane Automobile and get to know them a little bit because our friend Heather is in a relationship with the lead singer.  It was a fun day!  Glorious Central Florida weather, good friends, a tiny bit of chili, and groovy jams! 

I got some snug time in with Millie, Jackson, and Lola too! 

And I heard an AWESOME sermon on pro-life/anti-abortion and I really just love the sanctity of life.  I feel like I am so blessed to have had the Lord lay it on my heart many years ago to be a future-adoptive Mommy and I loooooove when He reminds me that He is still preparing my heart.

Aaahh.. He indeed is preparing it!

I tell myself this all day long:

Be still.

I also tell myself this all day long (because my therapist told me to and it works!):::

I am empowered.

I have self-will.

And I will not let anything overwhelm me.

Hope you have an amazing day!

Feel free to use my self-chants to get you through the week ;)

peace and love

baily

friday norm

weekly recap

in one word or phrase:
reinventive.

i'm dreaming of you:
phish's first ever LIVE vinyl.  it goes on sale on national record store day - april 16th!!! ummm, i think it'll be a perfect gift to buy myself for that "year anniversary" since the fire.  

songs on repeat:
the avett brothers

gotta write it down: 

Appreciation of life itself, becoming suddenly aware of the miracle of being alive, on this planet, can turn what we call 'ordinary life' into a miracle. -Dan Wakefield 

lesson learned:

Everybody's your friend, you can never be sure.

picture to frame:

highlights of the week:
watching the Discovery shuttle launch from my driveway, seeing the Oviedo town chickens, making new music friends, going to Coco Beach, and starting a new advocacy project (www.banoxycontin.com). 

What about your weekly highlights?!?

weekend to-do list:

girls' night at 'wine room' on park avenue with michabella

orlando chili cook-off benefiting the special olympics

painting/being artsy

CHURCH and worship

SUN TANNING because spring has definitely arrived in my neighborhood! :)

What about your weekend to-do list?!?!

PEACE AND LOVE

and have a wonderful, happy-go-lucky weekend

BAILY

weekly recap is
inspired by lettersfromcoco

God wins!

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells."

-Dr. Seuss-

Today started out much better than yesterday did.  And I know why!  I should never underestimate the power of PRAYER.

I spent a lot of time yesterday in solitude.  I got to think about all of the things that were bugging me and I was able to release a lot of those burdens by getting it all off of my chest and talking/blogging about it.  But most of my peace of mind that I am experiencing today comes from the time I spent in prayer and conversation with God.  I applied the things that I have been learning about Seeking God (the last 6 weeks at FBC Orlando have been about this) and spent a lot of time in reverant prayer - giving thanks, asking for wisdom, and listening for his answers. 

I just feel SO MUCH better when I know He is in control - why is it that I stumble and forget this sometimes?  I just don't understand why I try to control my life when I know life is so much lovelier when I let HIM control my life.  This is part of my diligent prayer - wisdom to remember that He brings PEACE and I... well I bring CHAOS!

So in regard to who has better control over my life - me or God...

God wins!!!

Duh.

Anyways...

I have a really exciting weekend planned and I just can't wait for it to get here.  I'm going out on the town in Winter Park to Wine Room tomorrow night, to the Orlando Chili Cook-Off (that benefits the Special Olympics) on Saturday, and to All Fired Up to paint!!!

I am in the mood to do something crafty today...

Any ideas on what to do?!?

peace and love

bai

images via

weheartit.com

Wednesday - a day in the life

My day, in a nutshell.

I didn't get good sleep last night, I had a funky sleepy pattern, and I was in a weird mood all day today.  I don't know, I was just having one of those days.

Even though I had a lot on my mind & heart today - I found a way to overcome it and find joy in my day.  I know that even though I suffer through my "funks" there are FAR MORE things going GOOD for me and I don't mean to always seem like down in the pits.  More times than not, I'm living a life full of happiness, love, and self-renewal.  I just sometimes get so hunkered down with the things that overwhelm me that it is hard to express the overall, and genuine, happiness that I feel.  Free.  Literally, everytime I feel "trapped" within the confining walls of depression and it's sometimes cruddy symptoms, I remember that I am HOME and that is all I need to find this authentic smile...

It is truly full of peace & love because nothing brings more of those things than being home!

Feels suuuuuper good.

And since I've had to experience the differences in families by living in a different place, dating different people with different family dynamics than I do (haha, somtimes really different) has allowed me to recognize how GRATEFUL I am for my family.

So as I drank my "morning Coca-Cola" I decided to sit down in in the after-noon sun and ponder some of the chaos that was going on in my head.  Yes, my "morning Coca-Cola" was not actually enjoyed this morning but rather this afternoon when I finally fought through the fatigue and climbed out of bed.  It was one of "those days" in the beginning.

But as I thought about the 'stuff' on my mind... I realized that I hadn't been expressing my love and adoration for my family in the way that I should have.  So, I made it my duty to address some of those things that needed to be and I feel better and more inspired to be a better daughter/friend/new-roomate with my parents.  It's been an over-all smooth adjustment moving back home, but I know I have thrown some curveballs and hit some pot-holes as well.  I'm just REALLY excited about Momma & I's breakfast date tomorrow :)

These are those palms in my front yard that I just love to photograph!

The sky was perfect today though... so this one may be getting printed and hung on the wall.

You know this gal loves that color turquoisey blue :)

I jammed to this...

Umm, she just really knows about life.

I hit up Sonic "happy hour" for a 96-cent Coca-Cola.

It was awesome.

It's right at the end of my street.... oh. no.

I delivered a surprise to a special (blog) friend!!!

Love you! 

And I love you!

Then I ate the most tastiest dinner (Southern style, of course) and topped it off with some super-amazing strawberry shortcake while I watched American Idol.

I, like, never watch American Idol but it was BEATLES night so I felt it was my duty.

But damn, J-Lo is so hot. I'm sorry, but I'm a bonified Florida chic and I think her elegant Latin edge is soooooo pretty! And she rocks that red lipstick like a Goddess...

Can you tell I'm a J-Lo fan? Ha.

Hope you had an awesome day, friends!!!

WHAT DID YOU DO??? 

PEACE AND LOVE

BAI

give some love to your girls' fav band....!!!!!

PHISH

Phish - Alpine Valley 2010 DVD - "Down With Disease > What's The Use" from Phish on Vimeo.