a break

 

I am going to take a break for a few days.  Your prayers would be appreciated.  Thanks!

restaurant & movie review

 

Friday night, as you know, my friend Kerri and I went to eat at Flat Rock grille.  I have been there two other times before.  I believe I had the fried chicken fingers both times.  I do remember them being pretty good.  Friday, Kerri and I both ordered chicken salads.  While the atmosphere was really nice, the salads left a LOT to be desired.  Of course on the menu and on the commercials, they look really big and tasty.  In real life, not so much.  It was basically a little chicken in a bowl on top of REALLY large pieces of lettuce.  So, if you do go to Flat Rock and you choose the grilled or fried chicken salad, make sure you ask for an extra plate so that you have a place to put all of the lettuce you discard from your bowl.  There will be a lot of it!! 

Having said that, for dessert, we ordered a Hershey bar brownie with ice cream.  IT. WAS. VERY. YUMMY.  It definitely made up for the heads of lettuce brought in from Mr. McGreggor's garden.  Overall, I would not go as far as to tell someone NOT to eat at this restaurant.  All I am saying is, if you are in the mood for a big salad, ( like we always are ), take I-85 to Pelham Road and make a left into the California Dreaming parking lot.

Following dinner, we scooted on over to the movie theatre to see this little piece of heaven.  My only regret is not reading the book before seeing the movie.  I strongly advise you to see this movie.  Especially if you are a Nicholas Sparks fan and enjoy romantic dramas.  It will be well worth your time and your money.  And BOTH characters are very easy on the eyes!   So girls, bottom line,  you can't go wrong with a movie that involves two BEAUTIFUL people who fall in love with one another.  Very nice.


I guess that's all.  I am off work tomorrow.  I needed a mental health day.  I hope everyone has a great Monday! 

kerri

 

This is my girl, Kerri. We went through high school and our first year of college together.  We have seen one another through just about everything.  So, this is my "dedication" post to her!  She means the WORLD to me and I am so thankful that God put her in my life.  It is not often that day goes by when we do not communicate with each other.  I definitely could not make it without her.

Kerri, I know you read this blog.  Thank you for being my best friend.  You are a beautiful person, inside AND out.  I admire and respect you.  I love our therapy sessions and laughing with you is my favorite part of any day.  I love that you call me for counsel when my life is the one that is falling apart.  I love that you support me and love me no matter where I am on the emotional ladder.  I love that when things are really crazy for the both of us, we are able to quickly slip back in time to our infamous beach trips and begin to laugh about all the TROUBLE we caused once upon a time.  Always a spirit lifter!

Although I could write a book, I'll stop here.  I love you, girl.  More than you know.  Thanks for being my babe.

xoxo

favorite photos friday

Well, the weekend is here!!  Thank goodness.  As I sit here waiting on the washer to cut off so I can change the laundry over, I decided that it would be fun to share a few of my ALL TIME favorite photos of JP.  I have posted them before, but it was several years ago.  I cannot believe how much he has grown!   

All of these pictures were taken at my cousin, BJay's, wedding.  He and Holly were married on a golf course in Charleston and my little man was one of the ring bearers...

 JP and the Groom

 

 

 JP and Graham...the most HANDSOME men in the wedding party, if I do say so myself!

The big moment!  I was SO PROUD of him! 

 

Even though it was October, it was still warm enough (for the kids anyway) to play around the water.  This is one of my favorites...

 

 

 

Well, I'm afraid that's it for tonight, folks.  I cannot say that I am sleepy, but I am definitely heading to bed with John Mayer radio on Pandora and my headphones.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful Friday.  Tomorrow night I am going to enjoy a nice dinner and a movie.  Can't wait! 

 

 

Stay tuned for my thoughts on Nicholas Sparks',  Safe Haven.

introduction to Forty Days of Grace

 

* I finished writing the Introduction to my devotional book before the summer.  I was supposed to attend a conference at Furman University (where I took my writing class) this past October.  There were going to be publishers and agents there.  Anyway, I was unable to attend.  Because of that, I have not really done much with my manuscript. I am just now picking it back up and getting back into the routine of writing each day.  I thought I would share the Introduction with you.  Thank you to those who have given me your feedback on the magazine pieces.  I greatly appreciate it! 

I also received an email today from a publisher who published a poem that I had written in a poetry book last year.  They are about to publish a "Best of 2012" book and asked for permission to include my poem.  That was sort of exciting.  The funny part is, I really do not like writing poetry. Ha!  It is so ironic that they chose mine.  Oh well, if nothing else, it gets my name out there once more.  I am thankful for any opportunity God gives me in regards to my writing.

I hope everyone has a great night!  I am super excited because tomorrow is Thursday!  One more day closer to the weekend! 

 

Introduction

 

I began writing a blog while waiting to bring my son home from Guatemala in the spring of 2007. God took the most painful period in my life and turned it into His artwork. Writing has always been a passion of mine, but writing devotions has turned out to be a gift. And I don’t mean for you, the reader. These devotions have been God’s gift to me. In order to write a devotion worth reading, God has to speak to you. Now, I cannot tell you that I have always enjoyed His timing. He has awakened me in the middle of the night, and kept me up endless hours. He’s even spoken to me while in the shower or driving in the car. It’s almost as if He knows that I do not have a pen and paper. They say God doesn’t have a sense of humor! I beg to differ.

 

In 2011, I opened another blog specifically for devotions. This book is a result of that blog. My prayer is that God will use each word to speak to you the way He has used them to speak to me. If I have learned anything in my walk with Christ, I’ve learned that this ride called life is very bumpy. The hills are steep and the valleys are deep. In your trunk, you’ll be smart to keep a spare Bible, a set of close friends and a warm blanket of patience.

So, start your engine, roll down the windows and let’s drive together through Forty Days of Grace!

feedback please

Okay,  I need your help with something.  A while back, I wrote three inspirational pieces that I posted on my other blog.  I am going to send one of them to a magazine for possible publication.  I would love for you to help me decide which one I should send.  With each of them, I need to add a couple of verses from the Bible and a prayer, but you hopefully can at least let me know which one you like best.

After you read them, you can either leave a comment in the comment section below, or email/text me.  In the past, most of you have emailed.  Feel free to do that.  If I have given you my cell number before, you can text me.  Or, if you do not want to do any of those, you can send me a facebook message. 


Just click on the links below to read them.

1.)  BEAUTIFUL

2.)  TURN IT LOSE

3.)  GOD PAINTED A SMILE TODAY

I appreciate your help!! Have a great night!!

long weekend recap

It has been a pretty good weekend.  Long weekends are always good weekends.  And then what makes the weekend even better is the short work week that follows!  YAY!! 

FRIDAY NIGHT,  as you know, I went to see Erin in their production of Alice In Wonderland.  After the play we came home and settled in with the movie, BRIDESMAIDS.  F.U.N.N.Y!!  Lots of laughs.  Hal worked the night shift, so Colton gave up his bed for the night so I could stay over.  "Slumber Parties" are always fun!!  It helps that Colton has a Gamecock room.  I think it actually  made me sleep more sound!  Waking up surrounded by garnet and black always makes for a great start to my morning.

SATURDAY  I hung out with my dad most of the day.  We took care of some things that needed to be done around the house.  It was a nice, relaxing day.  Mom and Laurie took Preston over to Rose's house to play with Lindi and the two little dogs.  I hate I missed it because apparently they had a BLAST!  Laurie was able to snap some pics with her phone.

 

The littles watching the snowflakes fall onto the deck.

 

 

Preston getting some Lindi lovin'.

 

 

 

Sunday, I went to church.  Awesome, of course.  Afterwards, we went to eat Mexican at Monterrey's Restaurant.  YUM.  In case anyone is wondering, I could eat Mexican food every single day.  It is my absolute favorite, (other than breakfast food, of course). 

 

Preston loves the lemons and the chips and salsa (or "red" as he calls it!)

 

 

Sunday night, I stayed home from church with JP because he was not having such a good afternoon. He needed me, so we hung around the house and watched movies and TV together.  Before bed I began to run the bath water.  At some point, when I turned my back to grab towels, Preston decided he didn't want to wait on me...

 

He decided to jump right in!!  Little stinker!

 

 

Today has been a very LAZY day.  I didn't take my pajamas off until I went for a run at 9:00 tonight!  Crazy, I know.  But, I rarely have the opportunity to lay around the house and do nothing.  It felt so good.

 

 

I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, but as I said, at least it's a four day week. 

 

 

I foresee this movie in my VERY NEAR future!  I have heard great things about it.  So, stay tuned for a review!

 

 

Well, I am going to try and go to bed now.  I hope that everyone has a fabulous week!