This Little Piggie Went To The Vet

Millie had to go to the vet's office today because her allergies are haywire, once again.

Since the day I brought her home (June 2009) she has been one big mess of environmental & food allergies.  I love her so much and I hate that she itches like she does.  I want so bad to take it all away so that she is not in discomfort, so I do my damndest to get her to the vet when her skin starts flaring up.

She itches, she loses hair, she breaks out.... but, she never once stops being a happy, bubbly, loving dog.  That is what is so awesome about her.  She has a way of inspiring me to remain happy even in uncomfortable times. 

We went to the vet today also because there was a knotty-like growth on her left hip.  I was not sure if it was something serious or if she just landed on it wrong when she's jumped so crazily for the frisbee like she does or something.  I am aware that Boxers are one of the most at-risk dogs for bone cancer, so I immediately was on high anxiety when I saw the knot.  She has had lots of problems in the past 2.5 years that we have had to fix or correct, but I had a very odd feeling going into the vet today.

But, it turns out - the problems are all the same.  The root of all this evil is her skin problems and allergies.  So, we have to switch the diet (from chicken & rice to fish & potatoes), we gotta switch up her antibiotic, and she's gonna take baths a lot more than she was, so that we can get her feeling as good as possible.  I just hate it for her!  She is the happiest and spunkiest little dog and to know that she's in pain just KILLS ME!!!

I am just so grateful it was nothing more serious or something we couldn't deal with as easily as this.  Praise God! 

I got some cute snapshots of her lately....

peace & love

baily

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
- Gene Hill

Quote

"No need for revenge.

Just sit back & wait.

Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves...

and if you're lucky,

God will let you watch."

Writer's Block = Random

Random Stuff:what you blog about when you've got writer's block

I am so glad that Grayson isn't a Tiger, Gator, or Volunteer...

He is a little Crimson Tide fan!!!

Seriously, there aren't many things cuter than a little Bama baby!

Okay okay, I have to add this or else my brother-in-law will ground me from hanging out with GCL.
 Baby Grayson DOES have a little bit of Gamecock in him, too.  But, I think he will soon figure out that being a South Carolina fan is really only cool during college baseball's College World Series.
  I'm sure he will stick to Bama during football season, though.  His granddaddy Butch (my Dad) will recruit him to join the Tar Heel faithful with us when it is basketball season. My entire family is nuts over college sports and we do not expect Grayson to be anything different. 

He and his "Aunt Sissy" have been working on his soon-to-be first words....
Rolllll Tide Rolllll!

I think someone may have said "War Eagle" right before this picture was taken.

That's the "go to hell" look that I shoot at Auburn fans, too!

While I'm on the subject of the Tide, let me just tell you how stoked I am about the game this weekend.

It is Bama vs. Florida, and it is the rivalry that I look forward to the most - well, besides Auburn.  We don't play Florida every year because the Gators are in the SEC East and the Tide is in the West, but we have met plenty of times in the past few years between regular season games and the back-to-back SEC Championship games that we split victories in. The rivalry ante was upped on those two special occassions because both years the teams were ranked #1 and #2 in the BCS Poll.  Each won a national championship in the past couple of years and both teams recruit like a boss!  This year, the Gator Nation is not
quite up to their standards. With their new coach and a young-but-talented team, the Gators are the underdogs this weekend.  Bama, on the other hand, is damn near perfect and one of the most fun teams to watch this year.  I am saying that because I am a diehard Bama girl, but I am also saying that because I think a few savvy sports fans would agree with me on that. No matter who is on the field - offense, defense, or special teams - the Crimson Tide puts on a show and Nick Saban makes opposing coaches look stupid.

Anyway, I am very ready to see the show in 'the Swamp' this weekend.  I love beating my home state's largest university and my best friends' alma mater.  The rivalry is super personal for me since I live in Florida, have many Gator friends, and I am in love with a guy who bleeds that tacky orange and blue.  Being as that is his only flaw, I can live with it ;)

It's going to be a good, fun game... even if it is in 'the Swamp' and not at Bryant-Denny. 

We hosted them at home last year and put a good old fashioned ass-whooping on them and sent them back to Gainesville.  I know that in the SEC any given team can win on any given day... so I have to watch my mouth.  I just keep praying for patience and that God calm my nerves down when those fans start doing that stupid ole' "Gator chomp." Ugh... but anyways..

Cheers to the Tide!

Fall is my favorite time of year because it means:

...that it is football season & time for tailgating!

...the weather is cooler (but not miserabe winter weather!)

...a new television season begins

...Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks

... cooking and eating lots of casseroles, soups, and pies

....that the major league baseball season is almost over. (Whew!)

... that I rock boots & scarves with anything and everything.

...that the holidays are right around the corner!!!

I just wish that Florida had more of a Fall.  Summer seems to stick around until Christmas but some years we will have us a little bit of a cold spell winter.  By that I mean, bring a sweater out on your Valentine's Day date because you might need it.  I am cold-natured and have chill bumps all over in the middle of the summer, so I'm ok with just the mild coldness!  I just wish the leaves changed colors... but when the rest of the nation is cold, grey, and bare come Winter, I do have to say it feels good to have such a green and florished environment still.  Florida is just one of a kind - and you either love it or hate it.  I am enjoying it... I have not lived in FL during the Fall since 2004.  I forgot how brutally hot it still is at the end of September!!!

I took this pic from my front yard the other day...

Then later that evening, I took another one....

I thought it was fascinating how blue the daytime sky was, but it was even more exhilerating seeing the same sky be painted pink and look so pretty and sweet. 

I guess Florida is just colorful in her own way.  I can deal with the no leaves changing colors as long as I have a watercolored sunset like that!  (I wish I could have gotten a bigger shot of the sky... it went on and on and on...)

I made a really yummy casserole for my parents and I on Sunday night. 

Once I get it finished I will post the recipe.  Here's a sneak peek:

Chicken & Broccoli & Rice casserole.  It was delish - if I do say so myself!  

This post is so random and I'm over it.  Haha.  I will blog again later today when I actually have something to write about.  I have been itching to really sit down and do some creative writing here lately... I miss my short stories and personal essays that I used to post on here.  I need to make more time for my writing and I need to revitalize my inspirational and motivational techniques to get the writer's vibes vibing!

What inspires you?

I love quotes!

Like this one, for instance...

and this one...

I'll just leave you with that.

A random mess of tid-bits for your Tuesday reading.

Someone send me a prompt, a link-up, or anything to get my inspiration going.

Pretty, pretty please!?!

PEACE & LOVE

bjj

#CheckItOut

Well, Armageddon didn't happen last night -- despite my minor freak-out in thinking that it was.  I know you enjoyed laughing at me and my bunker, but it is always better to take precaution. 

Anyways, I'm alive and kickin' - but these allergies are going to have to get themselves under control because I'm sneezing, my nose is running for the hills, and my eyes are itchy and dry beyond Visine's repair.  I took some allergy medicine today that said  it was "daytime" but it also warned me that it may cause drowsiness... oh yay, let's see how this goes.  I think that is code for: I'll be taking an after-noon nap when I get off of work.

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Here's some solid inspiration.

One of my best guy friends sent me this on Facebook because he thought of me when he saw it.  It makes me smile so damn big when people know I'm a quote-lover and when they find something inspirational and think "aaah, that's so Baily!"...  Thanks, friend.

"I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger than reason.  I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me.  Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go.  Reality doesn't impress me.  I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another.  No more walls."

I think that sums me up pretty well, huh?  I'm just glad I find intoxication and ecstasy in healthier ways than I did when I was a wilder child.  But Oscar Wilde backs me up best on that: "Every saint has a past just as every sinner has a future."  Here's to the newer, healthier way of doing things... Cheers!

 Anyways, do you love my Natural Life  headband?  I rocked it to work today. 

I love all their accessories.  So free-spirited and so my style.  I have lots.

Oh, I have something to tell you!!

You coupon lovers out there will DIG this!

A family friend sent me over to this wonderful website, Coupons of Compassion, started by her future-sister-in-law.  I am already a HUGE fan... and if you follow me on Twitter (@bailyjones) then you know I'm all over this project already!

This awesome gal with a heart of gold, has organized this organization for a way that people can help in disaster relief even if you have no money to spend.  Trust me, I know that it can be overwhelming and annoying when people (like me) seem to be begging you to donate to this, to send money to that, attend this benefit (and bring cash!), send a check to this organization or text your contribution... etc. 

But with this, all you have to do is CUT OUT COUPONS then send them off to Tampa where the organization purchases the items that are needed with the coupons you've sent, they assemble care packages, and then send them to churches in the areas that are affected by disaster and in need of the items.

Current project: TORNADO RELIEF.

You get coupons in the paper for free... there's no reason not to just snip them out and send them to an organization that is going to use them to send supplies, offer compassion, and give hope to people who are suffering.  What an incredible idea.  Please check it out! (here's the link again)

I organized the first of my coupons and sent them their way!

Jot that address down and get to helping! I found it easy to do as I watched American Idol last night.  Felt good to know that I was continuing to help those in need.  I know that the need is going to be there for a loooong time after what I witnessed in Alabama last weekend. 

I'll write more later... back to work I go. High-ho, High-ho.

Peace&Love

Bai

thursday's thoughts

I'm at work and I'm full of good anxiety because I'm stoked about this weekend.

It is the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 Round....

and my Heels are there.  But so are my nemesises: Duke and Florida. 

I'm actually going to hang out with Gator friends tonight to watch their game against BYU - and to be honest, I will be pulling (controllably, without making a rowdy scene) for Brigham-Young.  I won't cause any fights or fits with my passionate Florida friends, but I can't stand the fact that they are in the tournament - and in the easiest bracket of all.  Just sayin'.

Tomorrow night the Heels play Marquette and I probably won't sleep much tonight because I am a high-anxiety, crazy, psycho Carolina fan and I just don't do well during March.

There are reasons it's called MARCH MADNESS, ya know...

Anyways, aside from being a big basketball junkie lately I have also been spending some quality time with my Mom, hanging with my awesome friends, and working more hours this week than I have since I started my new job. I am loving it, though - the people I work with make me smile and are full of funny, happy, uplifting stories. 

Plus, when I get my pay-checks... I get a Florida Lotto ticket with it.  How cool, I so dig it!

I am really starting to become an even firmer believer in things happening for a reason.  I know that the things that make up my life now are what is meant to be because I am just over-all in a better place mentally, physically, and emotionally.  I think getting this job and having a structure to my day had a lot to do with that.  Whether it can be noticed by those around me or not, there is extreme personal  growth growing on in my heart & soul and I can find a love for myself and a peace of mind from that.  It feels good.  But not enough to subdue the March Madness anxiety. 

Another "feel good" is Momma's rose bush that always blooms so pretty every year.

She let me have one since I have been the official photographer of the blooming pinkness lately :)  I love it.  It looks perfect outside in it's natural place and by my bed - don't you think?

I've been laying out in the sunshine a lot and finally have that "natural white bikini" that I long for all winter long.  I am so glad that I have this home in Florida that the Lord blessed my family with and the ability to spend time outside and enjoy the goodness of being home.  I really do understand a lot more about who I am now that I am here - and I am definitely a North Carolina Cherokee with my fortunately easily tanning skin, and I am definitely this handsome man's daughter - because check out his shades! ;)

Love you, Daddy!

Just wanted to spread some peace & love and send some cheer your way today!

I've been an inconsistent blogger lately but that's because I've been venting and relaxing in other ways... plus, my schedule is a lot different now than it was, well, ever.

It's finally semi-normal.

Semi.

LOVE LOVE LOVE you all!

p&l

b

I STILL FIND EACH DAY TOO SHORT FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS I WANT TO THINK, ALL THE WALKS I WANT TO TAKE, ALL THE BOOKS I WANT TO READ, AND ALL THE FRIENDS I WANT TO SEE.

-JOHN BURROUGHS



weekly recap

in one word or phrase:
all that i need now is in my soul

i'm dreaming of you:
no more aches & pains, holding baby Piper, and a love that is equally yoked in faith (my nana's best friend reminded me that I deserve that most!)

songs on repeat:
shinedown's tribute to lynyrd skynyrd's SIMPLE MAN
click here - you HAVE to see it....

and ben harper's "diamonds on the inside" which is pretty personally moving to me...  


gotta write it down:

"if i didn't define myself for myself, i would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive." -audra lorde
i couldn't agree more with this right now. 

"everybody has difficult years, but a lot of times the difficult years end up being the greatest years of your entire life." -brittany murphy
rip. i seriously miss her. she was an actress i always felt connected to, personality-wise.  and for the record, i think of that as a good thing (in case there are any murph-haters out there!)

lesson learned:
God has someone AMAZING for me, He is just preparing our hearts for one another! :)

picture to frame:
my alma mater OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL won the 6a state championship for girls soccer.  and if you know me - you know my heart belongs to that lady lion soccer program.  my sister was a 4-year varsity letterman and i was a 3-year varsity letterman in soccer.  i was proud to represent 'the jonesies' and see the program win it's first ever state title and become one of the state's most elite programs!! congrats girls and a special congratulations to COACH WAISANEN!!!

highlights of the week:
sun bathing in ft. lauderdale. cracking up at snooki on jersey shore last night. my dvr'ed collection of ELLEN. catching up on blogs!!!

weekend to do list:
birthday celebrations. catching up on blogs!!! haha. church. cleaning. organizing. and PLANNING! and if you know me, i ain't much of a planner! i'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl that believes in this quote hanging on my wall:

But I do get to plan some fun stuff like...a reunion with Elena, Taylor, Jackie, Brett, Whitney, McGoo, and other BAMA friends on the beauitful Gulf coast with some pretty groooovy artists in the lineup at the Hangout Music Fest!!!

check it out: hangoutmusicfest.com

"Music doesn't lie.
If there is something to be changed in this world,
then it can only happen through music."
-Jimi Hendrix

peace and love

baily

weekly recap inspired by
letters from coco

tuesday smiles

Why this smile today?

Well, my always perfectly accessorized Momma brought me this pretty necklace home from work today.  The necklace is from The LOFT.

I love the coral & plum colors (two of my favorites that I like to rock) and the design is so rustic and hardware inspired but girly and soft with the satin-like fabrics intertwined.  I really love it!!!

Thanks, Mom!

You're the best!!!

GUESS WHAT!?!

I'm off to the wonderful city of

 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

tomorrow for a little road-trip with Mom & Daddy...

I can't wait...

 I think a get-away is just what I need right now!

I will try to post/stay caught-up on all your lovely blogs while I'm away, but if I seem M.I.A. these next few days - that is why!

I will be away being simply Southern, charming, and graceful.

Because in a place like Savannah... how can you be anything BUT?

peace&love

baily

"Your task is not to seek love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

-Rumi

things i need to say

"If you're lucky enough to be different

from everyone else, don't change." 

 -Taylor Swift

Since moving back home and having a clearer mind about things, I have learned so much more about myself.  I have been pedal to the metal in 'self-discovery mode' for two solid years now, but I wasn't getting anywhere - I was either running in place or driving in circles.  I wasn't telling the truth about myself and I was letting my fears control my life and my lifestyle.  I am a firm believer that it took the act of me moving home and humbling myself to the truth about me. 

The ugly truths about me. 

It sounds like it was devastating and an all-out personal tragedy, but to be honest, it was the most beautiful decision I have ever made.  Well, second most beautiful decision.  The day I handed my life over to Christ was the day I made the most beautiful.  But coming home was a 'right move' and it has lead to so many self-revelations and new learning experiences about who I am and

what I want to become.

Since coming home, I've been reassured of these simple truths about life.

There's no place like home.

I am loved.

Home is where the heart is.

There's always one place that'll call me one of their own.

Friends come and go but true friends never leave you.

Family matters most.

A Sunday sermon can change life around.

Progress happens one step at a time.

I am different.  Always have been; always will be.

The thing is, I love that I am different.  I love that on several first dates I've been told, "you're one of the most interesting girls I've ever met."  I love that people say I am one of a kind.  I am happy because I embrace it.  I am happy because I can laugh at my flaws and know that God thinks I am perfect.  I am full of joy because I am surrounded by friends who are happy that "Baily Jones" is back in town.  I keep a positive attitude about my situation because I know my family has faith in me and therefore it's easy to keep the faith in myself.  I am not sad, down, and out.  I feel no misery and I'm free of darkness and doubt.  I came home and faced the honesty that I had been running from, and my chains were lifted.

I am free.

I am me.

Free-bird.

Since coming home and experiencing this freedom that I found through the truth, I have been a different person.  I better person.  I've fallen in love with myself again.  I have confidance when I look in the mirror and I finally have the desire to show my bubbly nature and radiance now.  I think it is because I am finally in a place where people appreciate that radiance, they have a bond much stronger with the bubbly Baily than they did with the depressed & distant Baily. 

It took me coming home to where my roots are to find

some of the missing pieces of my life's puzzle. 

When I say I hit the pavement running in the direction of self-discovery, I mean I went searching high and low.  In the wrong groups of friends, in the right groups of friends.  In the wrong guys, and in more wrong guys.  In cities, social groups, and organizations.  In life passions, life dreams, and bucket lists.  I turned 21 years old and realized I hadn't really started living so I took it upon myself to find the life worth living.  It is just unfortunate for me that I chose to it at a time and place that weren't right and I was too young and stupid to realize the bigger problem. 

I was a child of the world and not a child of God

and that is never a good start for starting over. 

It's funny how God kept interrupting and tried to pull me back on His path, but I refused to until I had no choice.  I lost control and finally made a responsible decision and decided to humble myself and better myself rather than run from it or sweep it under the rug and go on lying to myself and everyone around me that I was ok and had control of everything in my life. 

Now, God has control and things are better than ever for me personally.

He brought me to a place that is nurturing me back to completeness.

He's blessed me with reunited friendships and the sense of familiarity that I was desperately longing for.  A place that accepts me for me and hated to see me so un-Baily like.  I find that such a comfort in a world where we seem to be manipulated and changed by the people around us during this self-searching phase of life.  The only changes these friends want to see in me are the self-improvement goals I've made for myself - and that is something that means a lot. 

I don't feel like I'm not worth it to anyone here.  People go out of their way to help me, to boost me up, and to hold me accountable.  I mean that they hold me accountable because I have found myself being a better friend to others, just by being around these wonderful folks.  When someone very special to me told me that I was beautiful last night, I believed him because I can trust these people.

Even after all the stabs in the back and the unfaithfulness and the verbal abuse I have suffered from guys in my past, I am able to love and have no fear because I am cared about and truly adored by them. 

It's a feeling and a peace of mind that words simply cannot explain.

Like this text message from a friend that made me happy.

The little things in life mean everything to me.

Sender:

"You are just Baily Jones...

what more is there to say. 

That is what it is."

If that doesn't make ya feel good, I don't know what does.

I'm aware that I'm a little different, my life story is full of beauty and tragedy, and I have an odd and quirky way about me... but it's who I am and I've always believed that if you don't love yourself then no one else will love you.  Well, I came home and found the parts of me that I had gone astray over the past few years, and I'm loving who I am becoming and I love, even more so, that I am admired for just being me.

So thank you to everyone who loves me for me.

Who didn't give up on me, try to change me,

or try to make me believe I am a bad person or not worth it.

The people who have stuck by me through the storm and are now standing in the sun with me. 

I love you more than I can justify with words.

"It's your gift to see the beauty and the horror in ordinary things. It doesn't make you crazy - just different. There's nothing wrong with being different."

-Cassandra Clare; City of Bones

peace and love

BE AS YOU ARE

baily

"You've got one life; live it. Follow your dreams, quit your job, drop out of school, tell your boyfriend that he is lousy, and walk out the door. This is your time. This is your life.

You know what? Dream as big as you want to,

it's the cheapest thing you'll ever do.

-Jared Leto