Butterflies

My grandmother used to always say at the sight of a butterfly, "I don't know why they are called butterflies when they don't butter by, they flutter by." That phrase will always stick with me as long as I live.

When I was in sixth grade, my language arts teacher had us watch the movie, "To Dance With A White Dog." Since that day, I have been able to relate butterflies to my granny. It is about an old man who loses his wife. He grows cold and lonely, honorary, and becomes frustrated with a white dog coming into his yard daily. He starts getting this visitor soon after he loses his wife. He sees the dog isn't going to leave so he gives in and makes friends with the pooch. Now I haven't seen this movie in years but I will never forget that he found the comfort of his wife in this dog.

When Daniel and I were at the beach weeks ago, we kept seeing beautiful butterflies on the beach, hoovering over the ocean. I told him this very story. Even though he will never have the chance to meet her, I think he knows just how much she meant to me and how she impacted my life. I know she would love him to pieces and think he is just as wonderful as I do. In a way, I think she is always in the butterflies I see and reminds me she is still very much a part of my life.

It has been 16 years this month since I lost her but not a day goes by that I can't remember the smell of her house, dragging her around on a float in the pool, the peanut brittle she made during Christmas, the smile on her face, and me playing in her lipstick that stained my mouth for days to come!

Hope the Holiday season brings back lovely memories of the ones you love. Tis the season to be thankful...as November comes to a close.

Happy Holidays!

Thankful

I am so very, very blessed with a family who loves me unconditionally. I have found the greatest love in a boy named Daniel. I have a big brother who I can't live without, and I am pretty sure he feels the same way. My pets always bring cheer into my life. I am thankful to have a God who loves me, keeps me safe and grounded in faith, who believes in me before I even know what is to come. I live in a country that gives me the freedom to live my life how I want it. I have a warm bed to sleep in at night, as well as the many naps I love to take. I have a job that I don't always like but I am always grateful to have. I don't have to take a bus or walk to the places I have to go. I have the best girlfriends who always have my back and oh how I believe they are great prayer warriors. The kids in my life have only made it better and have taught me many things. I have parents who try to take care of me maybe a little too much. I have my health, even though at times it can be a little rocky.

Thanksgiving is the time to reflect on the year we have lived and remember all the things people we love did for us in times of need, happiness, and just because. I really would be empty without all these things.

If I Could Be Anything or Anyone....

I haven't posted in 21 days...so in honor of my laziness, I decided to list 21 things I would LOVE to be! I'm sure you can relate to several of these!

1. Taylor Swift

2. Minnie Mouse

3. My dog, Jewel

4. A flower shop owner

5. The Travel Channel's Vacation Spot Tester

6. Missionary

7. Giraffe

8. Broadway Dancer

9. Red Wine

10. Football coach

11. A beautiful peony

12. A personal shopper

13. Bartender in the Caribbean

14. Chef or cake designer

15. Children's book author

16. Lady Gaga (but only for a day)

17. Wedding planner

18. E! News reporter

19. Traveling Nurse

20. Kelly Ripa and her arms

21. Kenny Chesney's biggest competition

Here are my reasons for a few of the odd ones:

Taylor Swift- she writes all her own music and she has someone blow out her hair for her. That alone should be my reason.

Minnie Mouse- I love red, polka dots, and high heels.

Giraffe- No reason at all really, I just happen to really like them and their spots!

Red Wine- I would be drowning in it all day instead of just at nights : )

Football Coach- I would be a girl coach, but there are so many times I think I could tell them what's up.

Traveling Nurse- If you know me well, this was NEVER an option due to my lacking knowledge in science and math. However, you can travel, help people, and make great money along the way.

Kelly Ripa- No explanation needed. Her arms are freaking awesome.

Kenny Chesney's Biggest Competition- I would love to have been blessed with the pipes but I wasn't but I can still rock it out.

Pumpkin Centerpiece

It is no secret that I would LOVE nothing more than to have my own little shop completely inspired by The Daily Flower. Well, here is my first attempt of making a pumpkin with flowers. Although I love these flowers very much...I would have chosen something a little different for my taste. But don't get my wrong...these make my heart flutter!

Other than fresh flowers, I added sticks, leaves, and moss at the bottom to make it look fuller and to blend in my empty spaces. I think I have discovered how much I love sticks from the yard mixed with flowers. It just gives it such a whimsical look and mixes a little masculine with such feminine blooms.

Spooky Weekend

Fright Fest Friday night, Halloween party Saturday night, and man am I pooped!

I vow to never to go Six Flags unless it is a Friday night in October. There are short lines if any lines at all, you don't sweat to death, and you don't have a need to eat or drink! This was my second time going to Fright Fest and it is confirmed to never go during a hot month for the rest of my life!

This is right after riding Goliath! You can't really tell here because they both have dark hair but it was standing up, sticking out, and all over the place!

On Saturday night DJM and I went to a Halloween party. Next year, I think I will need to get a costume that is a little warmer...unless it is hot. Thank you Chattanooga for never knowing what the weather will be like. So after changing into sweats to go home and getting a sack of Krystals, we called it a weekend! We realize we are getting old after two nights of not going to bed until 2 a.m.