if i may say so myself...

You may think the past has something to tell you. You may think that you should listen, should strain to make out its whispers, should bend over backward, stoop down low to hear its voice breathed up from the ground, from the dead places.  You may think there's something in it for you, something to understand or make sense of.  But I know the truth: I know from the nights of coldness.  I know the past will drag you backward and down, have you snatching at whispers of wind and the gibberish of trees rubbing together, trying to decipher some code, trying to piece together what was broken.  It's hopeless.  The past is nothing but a weight.  It will build up inside of you like a stone. 

 

Take it from me, if you hear the past speaking to you, feel it tugging at your back and running its fingers up your spine, the best thing to do - the only thing - is run.

 

Lauren Oliver, Delirium

weekly recap

weekly recap

(originally found at Letters From Coco )

in one word or phrase:

 "the norm"

i'm dreaming of you:

Charlotte, NC

Bama beating LSU on 11/5

This clutch...

via Pinterest (Eddera Aurelie elephant clutch)

song(s) on repeat:

"Anne Marie"

(American Aquarium)

Late night call from an old friend

Her voice it was shakin’ at the other end

She said, “I didn’t know who else to call”

I know he doesn’t treat her right

But she’ll crawl back in the bed tonight…

I lie awake wondering what it could have been.

Oh, Anne Marie, won’t you please please please

Tell me what has he done??

Oh, Anne Marie, I’m beggin’ you please

Get out while there’s still time to run…

Well he starts to yell when he starts to drink

And he starts a lot of trouble, never stops to think

About the damage that is being done.

Oh but one night the bourbon flooded his veins

Like a raging black river of lust and pain

That’d be the last time that he’d raise his hands

Well she was shakin’ like a rocket on the boulevard

And her tears they were cold but her eyes they were hard

She returned that angel to the bedside drawer…

Then she packed her bags and she moved away

You know he’s the only reason that she ever stayed

Now she’s out there livin’ on the run…

Oh, Anne Marie, won’t you please please please

Tell me what have you done??

Oh, Anne Marie, I’m beggin’ you please

Get out while there’s still time to run

Oh my telephone, it don’t ring no more

And the last I heard she’s at the Jersey shore

If I believed in God I’d pray for you…

But a prayer without belief is like a pill without relief

So I’ll just save us both a letting-down.

gotta write it down:

via Pinterest

lesson learned:

Even when I doubt my self-value and self-worth, I am reminded by my loved ones and through the Word that I am wonderfully made by the Creator and I am priceless to so many people.  I learned how simply loved I am.

highlight of my week:

Getting beautiful flowers delivered to me!

From THE most amazing guy I have ever met in my life!

I am the luckiest girl in the world...

He got his smile! :)

picture to frame:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

weekend to-do list:

-Relaxing

-"Dash for Dogs"

-Tailgating for UCF game

-Church

-hopefully a DIY project, too!

I hope you had a groovy week!

What are YOUR weekend plans?

P & L

Baily

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

WILW

I'm loving hang time with my friends.  Sunday I spent the day watching football, drinking mimosas, judging chili, and carving pumpkins with my girl Susan and some other pretty groovy friends.  It helped me get out the rut I was in when Grayson and Sissy left to go back to Birmingham.

Last night, I met up with Susan with Justine (who we call Posi) for a sushi date!! I love getting together with these girls because it's always a good time but filled with meaningful convo and all the reassurance I need that I have the best friends in the world.

I'm loving pumpkin spice lattes!  

I'm loving my Fall heels.  Sometimes I get too wrapped up in wearing my boot collection that I forget I live in Florida where my toes are not all the way frozen and I can still rock a sassy heel when I want to!

I'm loving getting caught up on all my blogs! (Or, trying to at least!)

I'm loving my new followers!

Hello! Tell me about yourself :)

peace & love

baily

Jewelry Jackpot

Today at American Eagle, I hit the jewelry jackpot!!! 

They were having a "3 for $10" sale on some of their funky pieces of jewelry and I was all over it...

(duh!!)

Look what I snagged!

necklace, originally $15.50

bracelets, originally $15.50 and $12.50

headbands, originally $15.50 and $12.50 

2pk headbands, originally $15.50

I love me some headbands and we all know I'm a bracelet junkie.  But that long, gold chain with the turquoise stone? I squealed with extra excitement for snagging that because before I lost everything in the fire last year, I had a piece of jewelry that looked almost exactly like that!  It was one of my very favorites!

You gotta love a great sale!  I got all of that... $15.50(4) + $12.50(2) for only $21.40 after tax.  Awesomeness galore!!

peace & love

baily

Dear Grayson,

GRAYSON

I am so glad you came to visit Aunt Sissy, Granna, and Grand-daddy.  We had such a wonderful time with you and your Mommy.  I know how much you and her missed your Daddy, but it sure was fun playing with you every day and spoiling you every second I could. 

I am glad we share a special bond already…

Nothing makes Aunt Sissy feel better than when she makes you smile, coo, and giggle when she is holding you and looking into those beautiful blue eyes.  You are loved in a way that I never knew existed until you came into this world almost 10 weeks ago.  You’ve grown so much and are such a strong, healthy boy!

I can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks when I go up there for your baby dedication at First Baptist Trussville.  I can’t wait to “woooo” with you and take you on more “horsie” rides on my lap. 

I love you Grayson!

Love,

Aunt Sissy

follow Grayson and my Sissy at

thelittlebylittlefamily.blogspot.com

Nascar Pics!

Last weekend, I spent 4 days with Sheldon in Charlotte and 2 of them were spent tailgating the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway.  We are so thankful that his cousin, Todd, spoiled us with "Garage and Pit" passes that allowed us to get a pretty VIP experience of the 'Bank of America 500' last weekend. We got to attend the Driver's Meeting, Pit Row, the Sarah Evans concert on the start/finish line, and lots of other perks!

Here are some pictures:

Now I can cross infieldin' at a Nascar race off of my bucket list!

Thanks, Sheldon - you are THE best!

peace & love

baily

Aunt Sissy

My sister and Grayson came to visit Florida.  He rode on his very first airplane to Orlando last week.

 I was in Charlotte being a little Nascar Queen for the first couple of days of their trip, but as soon as I got back I had him spoiled with all kinds of Aunt Baily lovin'.  Here are a few pics of our time together so far! :)

peace & love

Aunt Sissy