Really, YOU CAN!

Went to church and wouldn't you know it, it's all about forgiveness. I don't know about you, but my pride gets in the way and I do not want to look like a fool. At what point do you stop forgiving and not look like a fool. Of course, forgiveness does not necessarily mean that you forget or continue in a toxic relationship. I do struggle with this concept, the turn the other cheek and love everybody. Loving someone that hurt you....<sigh> THAT is a tall order, do you have to be a saint to achieve this? I mean the biggest theme song of the century seems to be Frozen's "Let It Go", what does that mean? Does that mean you just become someone's doormat? Do you never stand up for yourself?  What if the wound is really deep, how do you forgive that? Am I the only one that dwells on transgressions against me? You see the wound is so great for me that I can't stop thinking about it, I think the reason is that I was clueless, I thought my world was perf...

My running and exercising have really hit a slump - well, who am  I kidding? My life seems to have a hit a slump - I haven't really been working out or going to church or really anything that I enjoy. My coping skills are to retreat, I want to hobbit in my house and hide from the world, and stew, and think, stew some more, and think and analyze. Work is crazy busy (translation - super stressful), got some kind of weird shoulder issue going on, and THEN something happened in my personal life that has completely consumed me with doubts, rage, and more rage. It's all I think about, all I research, and I have spent a lot of energy on this. Luckily, my best friend sits patiently and listens to the same story and points and anguish over and over and over. Then it occurred to me, what kind of woman have I become? Am I going to stay the victim and let it ruin my whole life?  Take my joy? Life is way too short for that and besides, everyone knows that you are in control of your own jo...

Mr. Man had our kitchen remolded and it was quite an experience. I absolutely love it and there is so much light coming in and it feels so much larger. Before: After: We started at Lowes, they had a kitchen remodel program that dissipated before it really began. We chose shaker cabinets and granite countertops. We took the wall out between the living room and the kitchen, load-bearing so required a beam which we recessed.  Took it down to the studs as there wasn't drywall in kitchen so we drywalled. I grew up in a home where the ovens were in the walls and I really wanted that,. Mr. Man wanted an island, I was indifferent; however, I absolutely love it. I did not want my sink in the island as I prefer to be old school and look out the window so that is where we put the cooktop. View looking into living room standing at cooktop on island (we chose mindful gray from valspar as our color) The renovation was over budget and took fo...

Well, you have probably guessed that I have been super busy. So to bring you up to speed... Well.... I did get married and it turned out to be an amazing day. We got married in a ceremony with   the preacher on my late father's birthday and then had the ceremony a few days later. I could not have pulled it off without my friends. My maid of honor and bridesmaids in particular. My Maid of honor was my daughter and she pulled off a surprise bridal shower - I have NEVER had anything like that and during the course of all this my estranged mother was found dead at her home. My daughter was a rock through for me the past two months. I am one lucky momma Aren't they beautiful :) Kristine made our bouquets and the men's boutonniere - I love Cala Lillies and she did such an awesome job - they were absolutely beautiful These three ladies are the most important to me and I love them dearly  - my two best friend...