Sorry I missed last week. I've been a little off lately. So, here we go...
1. As I said on Facebook, "Even as an Auburn fan, there is no denying how awesome it would be if the state of Alabama won 3 football national championships in the past 3 years." That was before the University of Alabama beat LSU 21-0. And needless to say, it was awesome. I'm happy for UA. They played a great game. While the competition on the field wasn't that exciting (I honestly feel like LSU did not show up for that game), Alabama's execution on the field was really exciting to watch. So, congrats to Alabama (the school and the state).
2. My parents are here. They're only here for a short time (not even 24 hours), but it is always nice to see them. I really wish they lived in Birmingham. Heck, I'd settle for closer than 3 hours away. They always put me in a good mood. I'm just happy to spend any amount of time with them.
3. I got my haircut. I know that seems like a lame thing to put on a T5T, but I LOVE haircuts. With the help of my sister, Anna, I found a hairstylist in Birmingham. Which is a task in itself because I'm pretty particular about my hair. Anyway, she's (Holly) been great. However, she announced around Christmas that she would no longer be cutting hair. So, now Anna is on the hunt again for both of us. It was nice to have Holly for as long as I did. So, here's hoping I (Anna) finds someone just as good.
4. Upward basketball is almost over. It's a little bitter/sweet. Basketball really is my favorite Upward sport. It's just a different atmosphere from flag football and soccer. I will miss it, but that just means we'll have another sport finished so we can move on to the next one.
5. I usually try not to put anything into the Top 5 that hasn't happened yet, but I'm just so excited about what is happening tomorrow (Wednesday) night. One Tree Hill's (FINAL) Season 9 Premier will be airing at 9:00 PM central time. I'm literally going to be on "auto-pilot" all day tomorrow. Just in a zombie-like state just to get through the day. Sounds lame, but I love this show. I'm going to be so sad when it ends. Only 13 episodes for the last season. Oh well, I'll appreciate it while it's here, then I'll just re-live it over and over again when it comes out on DVD. Ah, technology.
That's all for now. Until next week...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Top 5 Tuesday (31)
Hello, all! So sorry for my absence last Tuesday. Let's go ahead and get started...
1. Last week I was able to have lunch with my friends Grace and Tommy. They were passing through on their way to visit Grace's sister and her family in Papua New Guinea. I know Birmingham isn't really on the way to PNG, but just trust me. This time it was. While we only got to spend a short 2 hours together it was so great to see them. Everyday I wish we lived closed to each other. Maybe one day.
2. Just in case anyone missed it, Christmas was Sunday. We travel every year for Christmas. My traveling has lessened a little due to the fact that one of our stops is Birmingham. Since I live here now, it's just like coming home. I must say Christmas was very good this year. Spending time with my family is always a joy. I look back and remember when it used to feel like a chore. So glad I got over that. Just wish I would have gotten over it sooner.
3. In other good news, I was off work yesterday and today. Needless to say, I'm a pretty happy camper. Days off are few and far between for me nowadays. Which isn't too bad because I love my job. But sometimes a day or two (in a row) away is very refreshing.
4. One word: Babies. They took over this Christmas in a such a good way. They were everywhere, but they were so entertaining. We all wondered what we did before them. Did we just sit around and look at each other? Because now we sit around and look at them. We are so blessed in that category. I can't imagine our lives without them.
5. I might be getting something new soon. The closer it gets to time, the more I'll tell you. For now, this is it. :)
Until next time...
1. Last week I was able to have lunch with my friends Grace and Tommy. They were passing through on their way to visit Grace's sister and her family in Papua New Guinea. I know Birmingham isn't really on the way to PNG, but just trust me. This time it was. While we only got to spend a short 2 hours together it was so great to see them. Everyday I wish we lived closed to each other. Maybe one day.
2. Just in case anyone missed it, Christmas was Sunday. We travel every year for Christmas. My traveling has lessened a little due to the fact that one of our stops is Birmingham. Since I live here now, it's just like coming home. I must say Christmas was very good this year. Spending time with my family is always a joy. I look back and remember when it used to feel like a chore. So glad I got over that. Just wish I would have gotten over it sooner.
3. In other good news, I was off work yesterday and today. Needless to say, I'm a pretty happy camper. Days off are few and far between for me nowadays. Which isn't too bad because I love my job. But sometimes a day or two (in a row) away is very refreshing.
4. One word: Babies. They took over this Christmas in a such a good way. They were everywhere, but they were so entertaining. We all wondered what we did before them. Did we just sit around and look at each other? Because now we sit around and look at them. We are so blessed in that category. I can't imagine our lives without them.
5. I might be getting something new soon. The closer it gets to time, the more I'll tell you. For now, this is it. :)
Until next time...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Top 5 Tuesday (30)
Woah, it's still Tuesday. Watch out. (Well, when I started this it was still Tuesday. That's gotta count for something.)
1. I kind of just realized today that I have been employed at VHUMC for 1 year and 13 days. What a challenging and fantastic year it's been. I've learned so much about myself, and I've met some great people along the way. I feel so blessed that this was my first job. I really can't wait to see where it's going to take me.
2. This past Saturday I went into work at 8:00 AM and left work at 9:40 PM. On Friday I was honestly dreading it. David wasn't going to be in, so it was just going to me doing Upward basketball. And earlier in the week I had double-booked birthday parties for that day, and I was helping with the Vestavia Dance lock-in. I knew I could make it through the day, but I just couldn't bear actually doing it. And then God reminded me that He had my back. At 4:30 on Friday David called me and said that his meeting was canceled so he would be at The Lighthouse with me on Saturday. I can't tell you how excited I was. I'm still excited thinking about it. While Upward basketball can be done by one person, having someone that you can trust with you makes things so much easier. It's takes away just about all of the stress. Saturday turned out to be a great day. It was a long day, but I was genuinely happy at the end of the day. Can't ask for anything more.
3. I really hate to be admitting this, but it was honestly one of the good things that happened to me in the past week. I got to watch a preview trailer for the last season of One Tree Hill. Back in February it turned into one of my guilty pleasures. I watched all 8 seasons in just a couple of months. I was able to catch up with it so I had to watch it on TV with commercial interruptions like a normal person. Anyway, it starts back in January. I cannot wait. Judge me all you want, I'm still excited.
4. Today was a very good day. I got some work done, discovered a new book (I will not share what book until I read a little more just in case it turns out to be horrible), and I realized that I'm on "cruise control" until January. I don't really have anything huge due at work. We don't have to start thinking about Upward soccer until January, and in between now and January we've got Christmas break. Times are good.
5. Newk's just opened right across the highway from the church. I love Newk's, but I don't go very often because the closest one to me was right off of 280. I try to avoid 280 at all costs. It's a nightmare. I was able to go tonight for dinner, and it was great. I told my sister that it's going to be a blessing and curse. Hopefully more of a blessing.
Until next week...
1. I kind of just realized today that I have been employed at VHUMC for 1 year and 13 days. What a challenging and fantastic year it's been. I've learned so much about myself, and I've met some great people along the way. I feel so blessed that this was my first job. I really can't wait to see where it's going to take me.
2. This past Saturday I went into work at 8:00 AM and left work at 9:40 PM. On Friday I was honestly dreading it. David wasn't going to be in, so it was just going to me doing Upward basketball. And earlier in the week I had double-booked birthday parties for that day, and I was helping with the Vestavia Dance lock-in. I knew I could make it through the day, but I just couldn't bear actually doing it. And then God reminded me that He had my back. At 4:30 on Friday David called me and said that his meeting was canceled so he would be at The Lighthouse with me on Saturday. I can't tell you how excited I was. I'm still excited thinking about it. While Upward basketball can be done by one person, having someone that you can trust with you makes things so much easier. It's takes away just about all of the stress. Saturday turned out to be a great day. It was a long day, but I was genuinely happy at the end of the day. Can't ask for anything more.
3. I really hate to be admitting this, but it was honestly one of the good things that happened to me in the past week. I got to watch a preview trailer for the last season of One Tree Hill. Back in February it turned into one of my guilty pleasures. I watched all 8 seasons in just a couple of months. I was able to catch up with it so I had to watch it on TV with commercial interruptions like a normal person. Anyway, it starts back in January. I cannot wait. Judge me all you want, I'm still excited.
4. Today was a very good day. I got some work done, discovered a new book (I will not share what book until I read a little more just in case it turns out to be horrible), and I realized that I'm on "cruise control" until January. I don't really have anything huge due at work. We don't have to start thinking about Upward soccer until January, and in between now and January we've got Christmas break. Times are good.
5. Newk's just opened right across the highway from the church. I love Newk's, but I don't go very often because the closest one to me was right off of 280. I try to avoid 280 at all costs. It's a nightmare. I was able to go tonight for dinner, and it was great. I told my sister that it's going to be a blessing and curse. Hopefully more of a blessing.
Until next week...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Top 5 Tuesday (29)
Let's pretend tonight that Wednesday doesn't start til 1:00AM. Thanks :)
Okay, please bear with me tonight. I'm going to tell you a story, and it is definitely the top/most amazing thing that has happened to me all week. It's one of those moments where you really think everything is going to fall apart. But when you stay calm and make a plan, it all works out.
This afternoon about an hour before my "fitness class" (it's in quotations because we don't really do fitness. I just run around and play games with K5 through 3rd graders) I sat down to decide what game we were going to play. I was a little excited because I was going to try and find a new game. We have worn out some of our favorites over the last 4 months. So, as soon as I sit down the phone rings. I answer with my usual, "This is Sara." The voice says "Hi, it's Amy. I just wanted to confirm our party this Saturday." I pull up my calendar but the only party I have down is one for Julie. As soon as I see that the names don't match, I start to panic, but I don't think Amy can tell. However, when I tell her I don't have her party on my calendar, I can tell she is starting to panic. I look back through my emails and over my notes when I find it. Written as clear as day is "Amy, birthday party, Dec. 10th, 2:30 PM". I apologize profusely, and tell her that I'm going to call Julie because I think I have a plan. She is so kind in the way she says "okay". More kind than most mom's who planned their party 6 weeks ago and sent out really cute invitations (she sent me a copy of one a while back...adorable).
A side note: parties at The Lighthouse last an hour and half. I call Julie with a horrible plan. I ask her if she can move her 3:00 party to 3:30. That way Amy's party can have an hour in the gym (2:30 - 3:30) and then I can movie Amy's party into a room upstairs for cake/presents and Julie's party can start in the gym on time. Perfect! WRONG!!! It's four days before the party, of course Julie (like Amy) has already sent out the invitations. As I'm apologizing to Julie, I think of another plan. I say, "Okay, since your party is already 30 minutes after Amy's let me ask you this. What if for the beginning of your party yall get a dance room upstairs. I'll put some jump ropes, some gymnastic mats, and music on, and your kids can just hang out and dance and do some rolls/cart wheels or whatever. Then after that 30 minutes (it'll be 3:30 by then) Amy's party will have had their hour in the gym and then we can just swap places. Your party can last longer than an hour and a half since this was my mistake." And much to my surprise, she said "Okay, I think that can work. They are 3 years old so that should entertain them for 30 minutes." Oh, they're 3. Let's just put in a movie. Just kidding. Sort of. (I did not say that to her, by the way)
Sweeeeeeeet!!!!! As soon as she agrees I take a deep breath and give a sigh of relief. However, I know I still have to call Amy. Before I get off the phone with Julie she says the sweetest thing. I apologize over and over, and she says "Hey, you're human, and I know you've got a lot on your plate. It's not a problem. I'm just glad we can still have the party." After that, I call Amy and give her the plan. She agrees as well. She is just as kind, saying almost the same thing as Julie. I can't believe that I got two moms who maintained their kindness when the plan for the birthday party for their 5 year old and 3 year old was almost ruined.
I've never double-booked a party before. The worst I have ever done is book a party that requested the moonbounce when the moonbounce was being used by someone else. It cost us $100. We had to rent another moonbounce so everyone would be covered.
So, here is what I learned. WRITE EVERYTHING ON YOUR CALENDAR! EVERYTHING! I also learned that everything will work out, and if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. However, always try to do your best and not make a mom mad. I've experienced mad mom's before...I just got lucky this time.
Thanks for reading. Until next week....
Okay, please bear with me tonight. I'm going to tell you a story, and it is definitely the top/most amazing thing that has happened to me all week. It's one of those moments where you really think everything is going to fall apart. But when you stay calm and make a plan, it all works out.
This afternoon about an hour before my "fitness class" (it's in quotations because we don't really do fitness. I just run around and play games with K5 through 3rd graders) I sat down to decide what game we were going to play. I was a little excited because I was going to try and find a new game. We have worn out some of our favorites over the last 4 months. So, as soon as I sit down the phone rings. I answer with my usual, "This is Sara." The voice says "Hi, it's Amy. I just wanted to confirm our party this Saturday." I pull up my calendar but the only party I have down is one for Julie. As soon as I see that the names don't match, I start to panic, but I don't think Amy can tell. However, when I tell her I don't have her party on my calendar, I can tell she is starting to panic. I look back through my emails and over my notes when I find it. Written as clear as day is "Amy, birthday party, Dec. 10th, 2:30 PM". I apologize profusely, and tell her that I'm going to call Julie because I think I have a plan. She is so kind in the way she says "okay". More kind than most mom's who planned their party 6 weeks ago and sent out really cute invitations (she sent me a copy of one a while back...adorable).
A side note: parties at The Lighthouse last an hour and half. I call Julie with a horrible plan. I ask her if she can move her 3:00 party to 3:30. That way Amy's party can have an hour in the gym (2:30 - 3:30) and then I can movie Amy's party into a room upstairs for cake/presents and Julie's party can start in the gym on time. Perfect! WRONG!!! It's four days before the party, of course Julie (like Amy) has already sent out the invitations. As I'm apologizing to Julie, I think of another plan. I say, "Okay, since your party is already 30 minutes after Amy's let me ask you this. What if for the beginning of your party yall get a dance room upstairs. I'll put some jump ropes, some gymnastic mats, and music on, and your kids can just hang out and dance and do some rolls/cart wheels or whatever. Then after that 30 minutes (it'll be 3:30 by then) Amy's party will have had their hour in the gym and then we can just swap places. Your party can last longer than an hour and a half since this was my mistake." And much to my surprise, she said "Okay, I think that can work. They are 3 years old so that should entertain them for 30 minutes." Oh, they're 3. Let's just put in a movie. Just kidding. Sort of. (I did not say that to her, by the way)
Sweeeeeeeet!!!!! As soon as she agrees I take a deep breath and give a sigh of relief. However, I know I still have to call Amy. Before I get off the phone with Julie she says the sweetest thing. I apologize over and over, and she says "Hey, you're human, and I know you've got a lot on your plate. It's not a problem. I'm just glad we can still have the party." After that, I call Amy and give her the plan. She agrees as well. She is just as kind, saying almost the same thing as Julie. I can't believe that I got two moms who maintained their kindness when the plan for the birthday party for their 5 year old and 3 year old was almost ruined.
I've never double-booked a party before. The worst I have ever done is book a party that requested the moonbounce when the moonbounce was being used by someone else. It cost us $100. We had to rent another moonbounce so everyone would be covered.
So, here is what I learned. WRITE EVERYTHING ON YOUR CALENDAR! EVERYTHING! I also learned that everything will work out, and if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. However, always try to do your best and not make a mom mad. I've experienced mad mom's before...I just got lucky this time.
Thanks for reading. Until next week....
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Top 5 Tuesday (28)
I know it's Wednesday, but my excuse is that I was sick Sunday and Monday. It threw my week off so I feel like it's Tuesday. :)
1. Thanksgiving. What a wonderful holiday it was. Both of my sisters, their husbands, and all the babies got to spend some much needed time together in Monroeville. The babies provided most of our entertainment, however we've become quite the "gamers" when we hang out. A few Christmases ago it was the Wii Fit, last Thanksgiving it was a couple of card games accompanied by Scattergories, and this Thanksgiving it was Cranium. What a fun game. We always have so much fun when we're together, and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.
2. Thanksgiving break. How lovely it is to get a break every now and then. A time when nothing is on your mind but peace. That was what I thought about for the majority of the break. Peace. Every time I get frustrated, I try to go back to that frame of mine, and when I do, it calms me. Deep, I know.
3. Auburn/Alabama game. My parents found me a ticket fairly last minute to the game this past weekend. Even though we lost, it was so much fun. I hadn't been to a game in a long time, and getting back into that atmosphere was such a great feeling. There is nothing like Auburn football.
4. Breaking Dawn Part 1. Part of me feels a little dishonest placing this on my Top 5, however the other part of me can't seem not to mention it. I was able to attend the midnight premier with some pretty darn good friends. The company was awesome, but the movie left me feeling a little disappointed. I went to see it a second time a few days later, and it was better. I wish I could explain to you why I felt disappointed with the movie, but I just can't. If I can figure it out I will surely dedicate a post to it. Sometimes you just come across things that you aren't fully pleased with, but you just accept it because there's just something about it. It probably has a lot to do with my love for the books. I can't fully refuse the movie, because I loved the books so much. And maybe it's all of the excitement for part 2. I honestly believe it is going to be phenomenal (I promise to admit it if it's not).
5. Last but not least, it is cold. And I love it. I think it is finally going to stay that way. None of that 50 degrees one day and 80 degrees the next. I'd rather be cold than hot any day. Something about it is just so refreshing.
Thank you for all of your patience. Every now and then life gets in the way and this slides down the priority list. Thank you for (still) reading.
1. Thanksgiving. What a wonderful holiday it was. Both of my sisters, their husbands, and all the babies got to spend some much needed time together in Monroeville. The babies provided most of our entertainment, however we've become quite the "gamers" when we hang out. A few Christmases ago it was the Wii Fit, last Thanksgiving it was a couple of card games accompanied by Scattergories, and this Thanksgiving it was Cranium. What a fun game. We always have so much fun when we're together, and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.
2. Thanksgiving break. How lovely it is to get a break every now and then. A time when nothing is on your mind but peace. That was what I thought about for the majority of the break. Peace. Every time I get frustrated, I try to go back to that frame of mine, and when I do, it calms me. Deep, I know.
3. Auburn/Alabama game. My parents found me a ticket fairly last minute to the game this past weekend. Even though we lost, it was so much fun. I hadn't been to a game in a long time, and getting back into that atmosphere was such a great feeling. There is nothing like Auburn football.
4. Breaking Dawn Part 1. Part of me feels a little dishonest placing this on my Top 5, however the other part of me can't seem not to mention it. I was able to attend the midnight premier with some pretty darn good friends. The company was awesome, but the movie left me feeling a little disappointed. I went to see it a second time a few days later, and it was better. I wish I could explain to you why I felt disappointed with the movie, but I just can't. If I can figure it out I will surely dedicate a post to it. Sometimes you just come across things that you aren't fully pleased with, but you just accept it because there's just something about it. It probably has a lot to do with my love for the books. I can't fully refuse the movie, because I loved the books so much. And maybe it's all of the excitement for part 2. I honestly believe it is going to be phenomenal (I promise to admit it if it's not).
5. Last but not least, it is cold. And I love it. I think it is finally going to stay that way. None of that 50 degrees one day and 80 degrees the next. I'd rather be cold than hot any day. Something about it is just so refreshing.
Thank you for all of your patience. Every now and then life gets in the way and this slides down the priority list. Thank you for (still) reading.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monroeville
A small town can be a blessing and a curse. When you’re
young, it’s more of a curse. As you get older, you realize how much of a
blessing it’s always been.
In high school I couldn’t wait to get out. Monroeville was
the place where everyone knew everything about everybody. People even took the
liberty of making up things about you that you didn’t even know were true. But
at the same time everyone had their group of people. Whether it was 5 people or
50 people, they were the ones you counted on.
After high school graduation, whether it was you going off
to college or your friends, you knew things would never be the same. I was the
one that was saying, “Now I’m really going to find out who my friends are.”
Then after your second year of college or so, you realized “who your real
friends were”. When in reality, it was everyone’s fault for not keeping in
touch with each other. Some tried more than others, but life just got in the
way.
After college graduation, you realize how much you miss
everyone. You’ve made some irreplaceable new friends while in college, but you
still miss the ones who were there in the beginning. The ones who were with you
when you were still trying to find out you were. You really begin to miss home.
Between the end of high school and now, tragedy happened.
You either lost a friend, a family member (including pets), or someone Monroeville
never knew, and no matter where you were Monroeville reached out. It reached
out and offered a hug, an “I’m sorry”, meals for weeks, cards, etc. I got my
first glimpse of Monroeville’s love when Adam died, but I didn’t really
understand it until my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. People I hadn’t
talked to in years were offering a kind word or would just say “if there
anything I can do for you…” was always more than enough. It made me realize how
special Monroeville really is, and always had been.
Last week, a boy from Monroeville passed away. Just by
reading all the Facebook statuses you could see how much it touched
Monroeville. He hadn’t even lived there his whole life, but Monroeville
remembered him, and knew it would miss him.
Monroeville is special in the way only someone from
Monroeville would understand. When you were young, you felt like it was always
trying to bring you down. As you got older, you wished you had given it a
chance to bring you up, because it definitely would have.
Monroeville, I’ve missed you, and I can’t wait to come home
for Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
So sorry...
Please forgive me. Times have been busy, and I am too tired now to catch up. I should have some good ones next week since it'll be Thanksgiving, and I will have missed the past 2 weeks.
Love to you all.
Love to you all.
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