Rebuilding

A year ago I didn't know what the future held.  I was terrified of life, of seeing people I knew, of having to tell people what happened, of questions I didn't have an answer to.  Looking back, I don't know where the strength to do it came from.  My life isn't perfect now.  It's still a mess, every single day.  I don't know what life holds and I don't really know where I'm headed.  Some days are still a struggle.  But life is better, and that's the feeling I'm going to follow

Running for a Reason

I've never been much of a runner.  Sure I do the occasional run just to keep almost in shape, but I've never been committed to it.  I recently found a reason to get out of bed early enough to get a run in in the beautiful mountain air. Why am I missing precious sleep time when I have no reason to be out of bed before 9 am?   The Teach the Children Annual 5k fun run.  We all know I'm a bit of a sucker for good causes (enter the 3 pair of TOMS I wear constantly, the Falling Whistle I wear every single day, and my ambition to learn sign language so I can return to Ghana with Signs of Hope International)  I don't believe I'm a goody two shoes by any means, but I love all of these organizations and am trying to my part to help where I can.  The 5k is July 9th in Murray at 7am.  If any of you would like to join me fill out a registration form and let's get running! 

Land of Windmills and Wooden Shoes

A couple weeks ago I went to visit my best friend/sister Gentry and her husband Chris in Amsterdam.  I'd been looking forward to this trip since they moved last September.  It came at a perfect moment too.  I'd been saving and saving to go and just before I left, I lost my job.  I know it doesn't sound like an ideal time to lose my employment, but I'd been saving so intensely for this trip that I actually over-saved and have some money left over!  It was a great stress reliever after a strenuous 4 months.  Needless to say, once I got there and got to hang out with these two I didn't want to ever come home!  I got to go with Gent to her ultra-sound, which was exciting because I won't be able to see her baby until 2 months AFTER she's born!  So the little image that was barely discernible as a baby at times, will have to hold me over.  They tried to keep me awake after the 8 hour time change so we went down and wandered through Amsterdam and went to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Chris and Gent took me to Madurodam, the miniature of Amsterdam,  Gent and I went on a bus tour to Volendam and Marken, toured through a cheese factory and a wooden shoe factory, saw windmills across the countryside, went to the Anne Frank museum, (which literally made me cry, it was incredible), went shopping, walked through a nunnery, went to the bookstore, walked around the city, went to lunch and just hung out together.  It was just like before we lived in different countries!  I've missed her so incredibly much, and it was so hard to come home, but I loved being able to spend time with her (and Chris) again.





It was so fun to visit and I miss it already.  The country was beautiful and there are museums on every corner! I never really planned on visiting The Netherlands (although it probably should have been a priority since it's my heritage) but I am so glad I did.  The buildings are beautiful, the trains are super easy to navigate, the canals are amazing.  It was such a wonderful trip!  Thanks Gent and Chris!

Uh Oh

Monday nights are baaaack!!  Sayer and I are back to making sure the tivo is working properly and not answering the phone after 7pm so don't bother calling....but if you'd like to join the fun, come on over!

I do have to say though that this might not be as good as I thought originally.  I didn't mind Ashley on the Bachelor until the home town date episode, then she started getting on my nerves: too giggly, came off as fake and a little immature.  Just from the premier, she's still acting that way and hasn't grown up, so while it will definitely be entertaining, I'm not sure it will be good.

Topsy Turvy!

As some of you may know, I started a small shop selling hair products about a year ago.  I haven't done very many events and I am just getting my online story set up, but it's been such an adventure!  As I recently found myself unemployed (story to follow)  I decided it was time to focus again on what I love!  Also, since I have no source of income, why not go back to selling my products, right?  Check me out at http://topsy.bigcartel.com/ and see if there's anything you like!  Also, as it is a new site I'm still working out the bugs, so here are some pictures of the products I have available.  If you are interested e-mail me at topsysturvy@gmail.com and I can get your items to you!

The Addison



The Stella


The Zainy

Just Thinkin'

I'm one of those people that cannot turn off my brain.  I'm constantly thinking of blog posts (which generally never get published), books to read, new projects to try, decorating schemes, sometimes just a word.  A lot of that thinking stresses me out though; I think of conversations I had with people and what I should have said instead, I think of conversations I will have with people, and how they can go terribly awry.  I think of how to take care of everything when I can't always take care of myself.  As yesterday was "tax day" I think my stress level will decrease, in addition to the decrease it has taken after finals were finally over!  Now I find myself craving peace and quiet.  Time to just be alone with my thoughts and let them do their thing.  I've always been a kind of "loner" for lack of a better word.  I love people and I love hanging out, being with friends, having adventures, I love it all and would not trade it for anything.  But I have to have my alone time.  My time to do whatever I want, whether it's read, blog surf, craft, sew, write or just be.  My parents are out of town this week and it's the ideal time for me to do my own thing.  I've locked all the doors and just want to be. 

"...we need quiet time to figure things out, to emerge with new discoveries, to unearth original answers"

 Dr. Ester Buchholz

Hugs not Drugs

A hug delights and warms and charms,
that must be why God gave us arms.
~Author Unknown



Not that I was actually considering the alternative, but a hug sounds amazing right now.  Have you ever had those days when you wake up with a headache and you just know the rest of the day is gonna be the same?  I’ve had those 3 days in a row now.  My mom got home from San Francisco last week and while we were waiting up for Sayer to get home she just hugged me.  I’m not much of a touchy person, but that hug was great.  I’d had a lot of fun with my dad over the weekend, but there’s something about a mom.  She’s going out of town again, but I really need a hug.  I especially love the feeling of a hug from somebody who has been gone. 

            There are several different types of huggers out there too.  Some pat your back, some rub your back, some just fully embrace you and take your worries away.  Hugs are something special