Things...

Those are my Do-It-Yourself ornaments that I am working on!

I need to get busy and finish the set, but you know me...

I'm not the best at staying focused on one thing for long!

Last night when I met Michelle at Starbucks she brought me a very thoughtful gift:  she read my tweet tweet  about buying a new journal!  Except, I didn't find a new journal that day so that's to be added to my 'weekend to-dos' while I'm out and about!

Thanks again, Michelle!

I had such a fun time drinking hot cocoa and catching up!!!

Check out her blog, you'll love it! (Click on her name!)

These are my peanut butter & Hershey kiss cookies that I baked tonight.  I totally cheated, with a bag of mix instead of from scratch but like I said earlier - I am NOT the 'Betty Crocker' of the family.  That would be my Sissy!!

They turned out pretty good, nonetheless!!!

peace and love

baily

weekly recap

via Letters From Coco

in one word or phrase - lots of me time

i'm dreaming of you - new years weekend with my favorites

song on repeat - 'colder weather' by zac brown band

gotta write it down - NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS PASSION. NO MATTER WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE, BE PASSIONATE. -JON BON JOVI

lesson learned - don't take one second with someone you love for granted.

picture to frame -

snug as a bug in a rug

highlight of the week - proof that love never fails

weekend to do list - exercise, finish my DIY ornaments, catch up on reading my fav blogs, and enjoying this wacky weather in orlando....

i was shopping for near-blizzard type clothes on monday and tuesday

and was laid out in a lawn chair in my bikini today! ...tell me that ain't funky!

peace and love

BAILY

join in on the weekly recap fun at

lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com

(or just click on the link up at the top!)

Happiness is Homemade

happiness is homemade

via

Since I am a pro at figuring out happiness through sadness, I have worked up the conclusion that 'happiness is homemade.'  We have to make happiness happen in our lives, because for some of us it doesn't just fall into our laps.  It seems like - for some of us - the worst kind of curveballs fall into our laps and the best parts of life are something we have to work at.  Like relationships, achievements, and self satisfaction.

And just like a quilt, or cupcakes, or apple pie - when it's homemade it's just  B E T T E R ! !

I woke up this morning, drank a cup of coffee, and regretted not getting out of bed sooner to go on a walk with my mom and a couple of her friends.  I brought up the idea to Momma to go on another walk with me and she agreed.  And since Dad isn't working today, he went too!  So Momma, Daddy, Millie, and I went on a 3 mile walk around our community.  I loved it!!

The Florida sunshine was BEAMING and beautiful, the weather has warmed to a comfortable degree in the 70s, and for that 45 minute walk, LIFE WAS PERFECT!!

We made that happen... that happiness was homemade!  I definitely could have just gone on a 3 mile walk with myself or just Millie and I but I wanted some quality time with my very special parents. 

SPEAKING OF HOMEMADE - Mom wants me to bake Christmas cookies for her.  I am the cook, my sister is the baker.  I am not excited about this challenge to live up to my sister's superb baking standards!  Soooo... we'll see how it goes!

What is your favorite holiday cookie? Share some recipes!! :)

And for all you Floridians, get out and enjoy the sun today!

peace and love

baily

Romans (my favorite!) 13:8

In my devotional today, I randomly opened up to Week 32//Friday on page 196.  Haha.  Because, I always do that.  I told my Mom the other day there was 'not a chance' that I would ever actually go IN ORDER when doing a year-long devotional.  I mean, to have my attention for a few minutes daily is a chore enough, to get me to do it in order and step-by-step.... not going to happen!!

WAAAYYYY too A.D.D.!  I think I have entertained my Mom quite a bit the past couple of weeks as she has witnessed how profound my attention defecit can be at times!  It's definitely been a strange time in my life, but I'm just a baby bird with broken wings and her Momma is getting baby bird better.  Gosh, me and my analogies - especially the bird/freebird thing.  Haha.  Anyway, I just got veered off course talking about attention defecit disorder... (ya think!?) 

Back to my devotional... I loved the scripture and if you know me and my 'saving grace' (hint: the book of Romans) then you know this one is a very favorite of mine! Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

I love this one right now in my life!  My parents are living examples of the most unconditionally loving people I may ever know.  I've lost some really close people to me here lately, in the past few months since everything began unraveling for me, but my family and best friends have remained warriors in their faith in me and without that belief they have in me and the hope I get from it, I wouldn't be able to fight my battles every single day. 

This verse just spoke to me in so many ways and made me realize what blessings I have around me and who take me in to make sure that I do what's best for me from here on out.  4

I love how God speaks to me every morning as I go about my quiet time with Him.  He has shown me so much in recent weeks and I continue to love the life He has given me because despite the turbulence it is blessed, indeed!!!

peace and love

baily

thursday thoughts

one.

I had such a fun time shopping and eating lunch today with my mom and her best friend, Suzie, at Florida Mall.  We bought bohemian bracelets, funky clothes, some sophisticated Nine West black boots for me, a denim shirt, and two totally awesome wife-beaters: a peace sign one and a freebird one.  I totally love my closet!

two.

I had to get lab work done today at LabCorp.  I absolutely HATE being stuck with a needle so it sucked - to put it bluntly!  I also got to go to the bathroom in a cup, which is always not fun!

three.

I am totally looking forward to meeting up with

Michelle from Michabella: Living A Life of Love

tonight at our local Starbucks.  Michelle and I found one another via the great blog world, even though we went to middle school together.  I was good friends with her sister (named the same as my sister, Ashley) during my middle school years.  Michelle is a wonderful girl and absolutely cute as a button.  I hope to spend some good quality time with her!

I'll definitely let you know how it goes! :)

four.

Mom and I cashed in some of Daddy's hidden quarters and got us a mani/pedi today.

I'm usually really eclectic when it comes to picking out nail polish colors, but I went for a dark chutney color for the holiday season!  Don't laugh at my picture...

my mother and sister already make fun of my little boney feet enough, refrain if you can ;)

five.

My life is on the uphill... because at rock-bottom there is only one way to go!

Thanks to everyone that has been supportive of me...

God is great, Life is good, and People are crazy!

peace and love

bai

xoxo

 

new favorite quote - spread the love wednesdays

"I'd rather help than watch. I'd rather have a heart than a mind. I'd rather expose too much than too little. I'd rather say hello to a stranger than be afraid of them. I would rather know all this about myself than have more money than I need. I'd rather have something to love than a way to impress you. "

-Po Bronson

WILW

I linked up with Jamie via Michelle for

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY

1. MY MOM - she has seriously been cracking me up ever since we became 'roomies' again.  Yesterday when I was with my friend Adam, I go, "My mom is so hilarious... she's just..." and as I tried to come up with a perf description of her

he said "...LIKE YOU?"  Hahaha. We make a funny team!

2. CHAI TEA - my Sissy got me started on this when she was in college.  The girl knows her teas/coffee and some of them I hate and some of them I love.  Chai is definitely a lover!

via

3. CHANGE - sometimes change is good, and sometimes change is bad.  But sometimes, it's everything!

4. My Luchesse 1882 Cowboy boots!

5. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!

6. My friends' enthusiasm about starting up something charitable and non-profit focused after the New Year.  I have some good-hearted people in my circle of friends!

7. Being a FLORIDA girl again...

I can't wait for the warm weather, suntan oil, coconuts, and reggae music!  But, I'm enjoying the Christmas season and living in the moment! 

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Have a Happy Wednesday!

Peace and Love

b a i l y

friends make life better

Yesterday was so much fun! 

I met up with some friends...

talked A LOT (so weird, right?!)...

 and shopped 'til Mom and I dropped! 

I woke up and had my 'quiet time' and read a certain Bible verse that keeps speaking to me

as I go through this transition time in my life.  It is an excellent reminder every time I get to feeling down a bit.... it comes from Mark 5:34...

Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.

I took a shower and went about my day, feeling so much more uplifted having read that.  I went to Coldwell Banker to meet up with my best friend, Justin, and say hello to his mom.  Justin and I then went across the street to Panera to visit and catch up on life.  We ran into some random friends and visited, then sat down to talk about all that has been going on in this crazy/beautiful life of mine.  After our visit, I couldn't help but realize how blessed I am for the wonderful friendships that I still have in this special town that I grew up in.

After I visited with Justin, I met up with my good friend Adam for lunch.  Adam has always treated me like a little sister and we have a very unique friendship.  He told me about the new girl he's seeing and I told him about the issues that surround me and my life right now, and we had a great lunch at Chili's - queso and Southwestern eggrolls.  Totally my favs!

After that I went to the outlet mall where Mom was working at the Ann Taylor store and we shopped for me some WARM clothes.  I think Dad and I are driving up to Tuscaloosa to box up a few more of my things this weekend, but it is SOOOO FREEZING in Central Florida right now.  Me no like it!  I got some great deals at Banana Republic, Express, and Forever 21.  Thank  goodness for that insurance check, because I have been able to replace a lot of things that were damaged in that fire.  I am well on my way to a great, rebuilded life!

Today I've got to take care of some chores around the house and then go have a fun day with a fellow freebird friend, Shore.  She's awesome! :)

I am so blessed with a great family and many, many wonderful friendships!

peace and love

baily

The Uggs Switch-Up

Look, Pash and I aren't complete opposites.

We're twinkies too!

What's funny about this picture - besides the matching sweatshirts, dogs, and boots - is that we mixed up our Uggs after this photo was taken.  I don't know how many four letter words I said under my breath as I tried to figure out why my 'Ugglies' had all of a sudden stretched on me.

Anyone that knows me oughta know that I LOOOOVE my Uggs this time of year. 

It's either the beloved Australian suede boots or my cowboy boots and they

wear and tear I have on each holds that statement true.  But Sissy called and asked if I had the Size 8's because she had the Size 7's.  We're going to do the switcharoo on Friday when Dad and I drive to Tuscaloosa to pack a few more things up.  I am running out of warm clothes!

I'm about to freeze my little butt off in Florida... it's coooold down here!

Ashley has snow in Alabama - and I KNOW she's missing those Uggs. 

They'll be there soon, Sissy!

peace and love

bai

Happy Monday!

Being back in Orlando meant that I got to visit the David Yurman store to replace some pieces of jewelry that were lost in the fire.  I lost this bracelet - except I had the pearl tipped one instead of amethyst.

Since I have had to replace A LOT of things, I find myself a little queazy at the thought of replacing things identical to what I had. 

Just because I find it difficult to buy the exact same thing again. 

I guess there are two ways of looking at it, but I find it easier to cope with it all if I can 'change it up' a little bit with each purchase.  For instance, I replaced cowboy boots but a different style.  I replaced bedding, but more 'me' than what I had bought 3 years ago.  I replaced clothes that are similar to what I had, but not the exact same.  It has just made it more fun and a whole lot easier.

I picked up Mr. Clay's present while I was at Mall at Millenia as well.  I think he's going to love it & we'll have so much fun with it!  It's right up his artsy and creative alley, if you ask me!

 I must say, he's pretty fun to shop for! :) 

While I was there I also stopped by Forever 21 to replace some of the funky jewelry that I miss dearly.

Again, I didn't replace the same exact things - but I picked up some costume necklaces (beads and turquoise of course) and some earrings and one really clunky and fabulous ring.  I've always loved my funky rings!!!

Today I get my haircut and highlighted.  Mom found a great place in Titusville, over on the Atlantic coast.  Even though it's cold outside, the famous Florida sunshine is still beaming, and I am excited about the pretty drive over there.  It is totally fun living close to water again!  Even though I am only 90 miles from the Gulf and 45 miles from the Atlantic, I am still jealous of Mr. Clay for having Myrtle Beach right across the street from his mailbox.  No wonder he has such fabulous beach wave hair!

Speaking of beach wave hair, I replaced my blow dryer with a Remington one that has a nifty little

feature that gives me some great beach wave hair. 

I'm totally rockin' them now that I'm back in the peninsula!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

God Bless!

via

peace and love

bai