pretend it’s Friday. mostly because it’s Monday, again.

I wrote this last Friday with every intention of posting it…until I looked at the clock and realized that I only had time to hit “save” before rushing out the door and making it to my haircut a few minutes late.

Today is a good day. I woke up unusually happy, had an amazing cup of coffee, our office still smells like crawfish from the grower meeting/appreciation dinner last night, and I just got a free pork loin- the whole loin, like the entire length of a grown, huge pig! (Not sure what I’m going to do with it all, but hey, free food!) Oh and I’m wearing my henna-elephant-looking shirt with pink pants. Sounds ugly…and it might be, but it makes me smile. I feel like this is a good weekend to go on an adventure. Not sure exactly what and where, but it just feels like one of those “kill a Saturday without actually killing anything” kind of weekends. I’m excited though I don’t know why…Fortunately, Mamie is on her way here now and is a great partner in crime for trips/adventures/weird stuff. We will probably end up in a strange hole-in-the-wall coffee shop instead because we are old ladies in 20-something bodies, but either way, we will have a time!

Here is one of the places that I want to go to soon…maybe not this weekend since it’s several hours away and Mamie is already driving 4 hours just to get here:

 

The Windsor Ruins

Windsor Ruins are the columns left standing from a huge mansion that was constructed near Port Gibson, MS in 1861. Though it’s said that the mansion never reached completion, it housed both Confederate and Union soldiers during the war. After the war it was used for large parties and was burned down in 1890 when a guest’s careless cigar was dropped. The mansion housed over 25 rooms, each with their own fire place, and a 4^th floor that held an observatory room that overlooked the plantation and river. It cost the family around $175,000 to build, which is nearly $4.5 million today. After the house burned, the family donated the ruins to the state and it is now on the National Historic Register. There are still bricks left in the rubble pile that are good for the taking, so I’m told. (So of course, I want one.)

Speaking of history, I will be the first to tell you that I love school. I know, it’s weird. Most people can’t wait to get out of school and get to college, and then get out of college and get a real job. (Though most want to go back to college as soon as the real world sinks in.) I thought that it was just the college lifestyle that I have been missing so much, but as it turns out, it’s the classes. I came to this realization after the ridiculous amount excitement that struck me when I discovered that the W (Mississippi University for Women- though it’s open for men now too) is offering life enrichment classes. I could go back to college except for the fact that I’m broke and will be paying off student loans forever as it is, and I don’t feel like writing a dissertation to get another degree. But enrichment classes are in my price range! I missed the deadline for the spring semester classes so I’m crossing my fingers that they offer them again in the summer. If not, I’ll be anxiously awaiting fall!

There’s your fun and fashion (my outfit) for today.

Has anyone else seen the knock-off Girl Scout cookies that are being sold in grocery stores everywhere?! Coming from a lifetime-member of the Girl Scouts, I am personally offended that someone else is ripping off our specialty. On the other hand, I’m excited that I can now get them year round!

And speaking of grocery store finds, check out this giant can of tuna that we found! I didn’t even know they sold these in regular stores. I figured you’d have to order a can this size!

 

Biggest Tuna Can Ever…and a lovely model 🙂

And there’s your food from Wednesday that I missed….

Happy 2^nd birthday to the baby girl who showed us all the God still works miracles. From 14 ounces at 4 months premature, to 17 whopping pounds, she has come a long way. She couldn’t open her eyes when she first got here, but as she learned to open hers, she taught us to open our own as well. I love you so much baby Henley, and can’t wait to watch you grown into an amazing and beautiful woman just like your momma!

Wishing everyone an adventurous weekend. Only one week until Gin Show and 5 days until I try to convince Alex to take me to the Josh Abbot concert in Starkvegas. Get excited!

Also, go read Gone Girl if you like suspense stories. It was weird, but I liked it.

Love always,

Addie

“You know when they have a fishing show on TV? They catch the fish and then they let it go. They don’t want to eat the fish, they just want to make it late for something.”- Mitch Hedberg

you can do anything good

It’s easy to think that miracles don’t happen today. The world seems to spin faster every day and we get muddled into all the happenings and mis-happenings, forgetting to keep our focus on the really important things. God reminds us in the Bible that if we focus on Him and make His will our number one priority, He will take care of all the rest.

As humans, it’s our nature to want to “tie up all our ends.” I’m a planner, a list maker, an over-thinker, and obsessive compulsive, making it hard for me to relinquish control and expect everything to be ok. I don’t like group projects because I have my “vision” and expect things to go a certain way. But I need to remember that it’s not about my way, it’s God’s way. Challenge yourself to make a list of your top three priorities (God and mother approved) and focus solely on them for this entire week. Work for God, and let Him work the rest out.

I hope everyone’s Monday/week is off to a good start. I am still trying to catch up from this weekend…sleep deprived and a first-bite-of-king-cake-hangover don’t make for a good starting block, but I’m getting there. Sometimes all you need is a good mantra to live by. Love yourself as much as this girl loves everything, and you will never have another bad day.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you want to be happy, be. Positive affirmations daily. It’s the only way to survive. Oh, and don’t forget to prioritize. Try to take time out of each day to organize your thoughts with God. It will all work out. Promise.

Happy Monday!

Love always,

Addie

“When things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Elvis Presley

I saw God today

Good song. No, great song. I absolutely love George AND this song, so it’s definitely a double threat.

Miracles happen every day, but God doesn’t have to make a miracle to prove that He is right here, every minute of the day. From the little flower poking up through the sidewalk crack, to the warmth of the sun shining on your face- there is an opportunity to see God in every situation.

Where did I see God today? In the wheat field. Wheat is one of my favorite crops no matter what stage it’s in. Whether it’s green or gold, it’s always dancing in the wind and reflecting all the colors of creation. It’s peaceful to watch and makes me feel at home. It also makes me thankful for the harvest that my family is able to produce every year.

If you ever don’t have anything to pray about, then simply say thank you. No matter the situation, there is always something to be thankful and happy about. Be happy that the sun is shining, it could be cloudy. Be thankful for the food on your table, no matter how little, it’s still more than  what some people have. Be thankful for your voice because some people don’t have the freedom to have one. Be thankful for your health- at least you’re alive. And don’t complain about your dwindling bank account because some people don’t have a dime to their name. Be joyful (noted in previous post) that someone, somewhere is being saved by grace. Can I get an AMEN!? Haha! Ok, I’m going to get off my soap box, but don’t stop looking for Him. He’s right there. If you feel distant from Him, who moved? Here are some images of where other people saw God…(click on the pictures to get a bigger view)

God’s painting right in my back yard

High school football game…how’s that for encouragement!

Definitely a gift from above

Ironic?

Prayer Circle…keep them in your prayers as well

This 11-year old girl (Olivia) used her talent of drawing and her own fundraising efforts to raise over $130,000 for the disaster in the gulf. Don’t tell me one person can’t make a difference.

I used the picture of Olivia last so that I could expand on it: Everything happens for a reason. Something good can come out of the tragedy in the gulf. Though I don’t know what exactly it is yet, I know that God has a plan for it. He won’t lead us to anything that we can’t overcome with Him, and all struggles only make us stronger. Maybe the blow came to our nation in it’s moment of weakness to show us that we are stonger than we believe and to teach us what really matters.

Here’s one last “I saw God today” picture…

Ok, I just had to post that one because it made me laugh.

Remember to support efforts to help save the gulf. Here’s one way that I think we can all appreciate: http://www.nola.com/drink/index.ssf/2010/06/abita_launches_sos_pilsner_to.html

The website tells about a beer created by Abita and for every bottle sold, the company will donate $0.75 to those affected by the oil leak. Props for the clever name: “S.O.S.” (short for Save our Shores). You can be sure that the bottles will be memorable pieces of American history, so drink up! Thank you Abita for making good deeds so much fun! (But remember, drink responsibly!)

Until next time, keep looking for God.

Love always,

Addie

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” -Mother Teresa