Sleeping Beauty

It was like straight out of a fairytale.



The fair maiden sleeps away off in a far away land.

Except this is not a fairytale and I am not the fair maiden. This is reality and this is me.

Let me explain.

Last night I went to go see Avatar in 3D.



I was so stoked because I had heard from so many people that I would love it and how fun that it's in 3D.

Jill and I went to the 9:55pm movie. BIG mistake.

Anyhow...

We're stoked for the movie.


But this is where it starts getting fuzzy!


The lights dim, the crowd hushes with anticipation. The movie begins and I think okay, this is going to be great...

And somewhere in between all that, I was transported into a classic case of Sleeping Beauty.

Yes, I totally fell asleep through Avatar people. Slept through the intense parts and through most of the 3D goodness.

I did wake up for some parts, and the 3D effects were amazing (from what I saw, ha). I remember the popcorn being great, I possibly remember how the coke went down so smoothly like a calm river. I remember thinking to myself multiple times how long have I been asleep? What did I miss?

I was hoping and praying that I was hidden behind my 3D glasses and that Jill couldn't tell I was sleeping.

TOTALLY busted!!

We got a good laugh out of it though because it's not unusual for me to fall asleep at movies at home with her that we watch. But I totally thought I could do this.

Big.Fat.Fail

So I'm out $13.50 and was left with a hurt tummy from the popcorn and we didn't even get to keep the 3D glasses.

And need another date with Avatar, because apparently I heard it was really good.

So I say all this to say you do not want to see a movie with me. I totally suck at this.

But put in Sleeping Beauty, and I am totally game!!

Real life...

Thanks for sharing in your comments yesterday what cancer has meant to you and how it’s affected your life. I was touched. Thank you.

So it’s Friday and I was looking back on the week. Nothing spectacular happened but it’s turned out to be a pretty great week.

Do you ever have those days where you’re just happy for no particular reason? (Although I could probably think of many things that make me happy). It’s been a pretty mundane week, nothing out of the ordinary. School, work, getting back in the swing of things after my trip to Nashville. Getting back to real life.

Then I begin to think, what’s so wrong with real life? It’s the life I’ve been blessed with. It’s the life I’ve been given.

Sometimes it can be depressing coming back from vacation. But I think vacation isn’t intended to bring us back depressed but refreshed and refueled.

So today…

I’m happy because the sun is shining this morning before the rain sets in later today.

I’m happy because I get to spend time with one of my best friends tonight.

I’m happy because today is pay day and my needs are always met.

I’m happy because I’m wearing skinny jeans for the first time today and I can actually pull them off, ha!

I’m happy because my parents are leaving on a little mini-vacation to NC this weekend and I know how much they need that.

I’m happy because in a short 6 months (it will fly) I will be an Aunt again with a new niece or nephew.

I’m happy because literally I woke up today and my hair didn’t look too bad and barely had to do a thing with it. Makes it easy to get ready, ha!

This is it. Some of the simple things that make me happy today!

This is real life. And it’s not so bad.

Cancer

Don't let the title freak you out, I'm fine! This is just a topic I felt in my heart to write about.

The word cancer means something to everybody.

Chances are if you haven't been affected by it, someone you know or love has.

I HATE it, and you will never see me use the word hate..but I think it's totally justified here. Cancer sucks. I will never be able to understand it. It can change the course of a life forever. It can take a life forever.

It just plain sucks.

Yesterday a very close co-worker of my Mom and close family friend was diagnosed with cancer. She has been in the hospital for at least a week or more. She was having pain in her back and dealing with other health issues and was finally admitted to the hospital. They then ran a bunch of tests on her and then she heard the dreaded word... cancer. The cancer is in the bones and multiple places. It will literally take a miracle to beat this. Her life being changed in an instant. The life of her family being changed in an instant.

But instead of asking the whys like most of us would.... You know what my mom told me? She's not throwing a pity party but instead she's saying you know, it is what it is and I'm going to take it one day at a time. God is in control. She is so strong in her faith.

How many of us would say the same? I can honestly say I would hope I will be able to hold steadfast in my faith, but when it boils down to it, if I were in the same position I just don't know how I would react if I were told that kind of news.

I will say this. Hearing stories like this puts things majorly into perspective. How could it not? When my mom told me the news I started crying and as I thought about this sweet friend throughout the day I couldn't help but cry each time. A life forever changed and a future so uncertain as she fights this battle. It makes me want to live life for today and with passion because you just never know what tomorrow holds and tomorrow might be too late. The course of your life could be changed forever and you could be in the battle of your life, no matter what that battle it, whether it be cancer or something else.

Live for today. Live for those sweet moments with your family and friends that will be gone in a fleeting second. Live for the small things and don't keep waiting for the next big thing.

Live like you mean it.

If you're willing to share, how has cancer affected you personally? For me, my Grandpa whom I never met died from lung cancer when I was just a baby and my Aunt is a breast cancer survivor. Thought this could be a way to encourage those who have fought the fight or are fighting the fight

Some lose the fight, some win.

It's a fight I hope one day has a cure!

Rest of Nashville recap!

Friday Cassie had to work again from 10am-6pm. So before work we went to eat at the Pancake Pantry. It is another Nashville tradition. It’s a must when you go. Unfortunately I didn’t get a whole lot of pictures except for the outside of the place. I’m thinking I was busy stuffing my face with Pancakes which I barely made a dent in, ha! A funny side note for you. Cassie a couple of months ago was at the Pancake Pantry and saw Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner. That was back when they were together. She was able to get a picture with both of them. It was funny because she was like I have to take you to the Pancake Pantry so I can show you where they sat, so I got to see where Taylor and Taylor parked their behinds. And the food did not disappoint at all.



Then no sooner after we were done with breakfast it was time to meet my blog friend, Adrienne, for lunch at the Blue Coast Burrito. I had to take the interstate to get to where we were meeting. So that was interesting but I survived.

Please go by her blog. She has a beautiful adoption story and I have been following her blog for quite sometime. It was so great to finally meet. She just recently adopted a little girl named Lily and has a son named Owen that she adopted from Russia. I got to meet both of them and her husband too. It was a little chaotic but I wouldn't have traded the chance to spend time with them for anything. Precious family. Hope to see you again soon Adrienne!!

Adrienne and I.


There was a bunch of great shopping over in the area where we had lunch. So after I left Adrienne I just looked around some and basically spent most of my time in Target and just killing time in the afternoon until Cassie got off work. Found some things for myself and picked up a little something for Cassie.

So I made my way back to the area where Cassie works, spent some quiet time in Borders right next to her work. Then when she got off we chilled at her place and got ready to meet some friends for dinner and we went to the Hard Rock Café downtown again. While I was in town in Nashville I was able to connect with my court reporting friend, Michelle. Click here to read how this all came about. I had never meet her before and it was so great to finally hug her neck. She has been such a mentor in my life. Her relationship is special to me and there’s no telling what doors can be opened up there when I end up in Nashville. So Michelle’s daughter was in town with her friends so Cassie and I met up with all of them for dinner. It was such a great time and Michelle treated us to dinner, so sweet!!

Michelle and I.


After we left Michelle and her gang Cassie and I went back to The Big Bang piano bar. What can you say, we loved that place, ha!









And after another great night of the piano, time to call it a day!!

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. The whole time I was in Nashville it was gorgeous. I think I brought the Florida weather with me! :)

I drove into work with Cassie and then my blog friend, now turned real life friend Niki from Memphis picked me up from there and we hung out together for the morning. She is as sweet as I imagined. We did some driving around, shopping, chatting...we had a great time together. Then it was time for us to meet up for lunch in downtown with another blog friend Lauren who I have already had the opportunity to meet and she is the best thing EVER. Incredibly sweet and precious beyond words.

We met up for lunch at Merchants restaurant.


The yummiest lunch EVER!


Niki.


Niki and I.


Lauren and Lauren :)


All the girls!


Unfortunately, Lauren could only join us for lunch and so after we left her Niki and I made our way over to The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.







I just have to share that it got off to a very interesting and exciting start. As we were in line waiting to get our tickets all the sudden people are freaking out saying someone needs medical attention. We need a doctor, nurse, anybody. Niki is a nurse so of course she went over to help. A older gentleman who was by himself vacationing and on a group tour passed out. He had diabetes and hadn't eaten all day. Luckily, someone had a kit to test his blood sugar and it was super low. The man finally came to and they got some sugar in him. Poor thing. He was fine though, just added some excitement to the day.

More pictures inside after all the excitement, ha!


A Faith Hill original!


I loved this quote I saw.


The room with all the pictures of the people inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.


It was a great time. This was my second time going there! I heart counry music so I was in heaven, ha!

Here are some random pictures of downtown I took that day.



This is what they call in Nashville, the "Batman" building!


The Sommet Center.


And lastly, the Ryman! (and some people who I am sure appreciate being in the picture, ha!


We had a great time in downtown. Love that area. Then Saturday night Niki and I met up with another blog friend Heather who we both had never met and she lives in Nashville. Isn't this blog world crazy? We had the best time chatting and eating some yummy dinner at Tony Roma's at the mall. So glad we finally got to meet Heather, it was a wonderful time with you. See you soon when I move up there, ha!





After dinner it was time to say goodbye to Niki and Heather!!! :( It was such a fun and full day!!

Sunday was leaving day {{tear tear}}..... It was low key. Took our time getting up and ready in the morning. Did a little last minute shopping, but at noon Cassie and I met up with our friend Wendy who was in town in Nashville. We ate lunch at the Mellow Mushroom downtown. Oh my goodness, I had never been there. The BEST pizza. Didn't know what I was missing out on.

Wendy and I.


Wendy and her husband are a part of the Christian Rock group called Fireflight. They are amazing and I'm truly in awe at the ways God is using them. Their third CD just came out. Go check it out or check out their website. You won't be sorry you did. The timing was perfect because the band was in town for a show that night at the Sommet Center for the tour festival called Winter Jam. Any of ya'll heard of that? So glad to connect with her. Love her!

So here we are, last and final picture of the trip.

One last departing picture of Cassie and I.


And if you lasted reading this whole thing. Bless your sweet little hearts!!!

I'll be back with some final thoughts about the trip tomorrow :)

Nashville: Day 1 and 2

I can't thank ya'll enough for your sweet and encouraging words yesterday. Thank you for sharing in my excitement for this next season in my life.

With that said I want to say that I can't do anything until I get done with school here in Florida. But after that I will be heading to Nashville. So for right now I am just being patient, content, surrounding myself with people that will support and encourage my dream, and seeking God and praying that the doors will open smoothly for this transition.

I'm really excited.

So without further ado, here is day #1 and #2 of Nashville.

I arrived in Nashville around 11:45am last Wednesday, so we had a good chunk of the day to enjoy. So we went to my friend Cassie's house to drop off my stuff and then we headed out.

First stop:

Loveless Cafe. Apparently it is a Nashville must. And it did not disappoint. They have the best biscuits EVER.





Miss Cassie


The best BLT EVER (with fried green tomato), and OKRA!!!! I heart southern food!!




After lunch we walked around and looked at a few shops near the cafe and then I got my first sighting of snow!! As you can see the snow that came before I arrived mostly melted away but there was some left. So had to get a picture with it, ha!


So then we drove our way to Franklin, TN.


Franklin has a really cute downtown area!!

Cassie is from Florida as well, and every Florida girl loves her flip flops!! :)


Just some pics of downtown that I got!






Then after we left Franklin we hung out for awhile at the Green Hills Mall. It's a beautiful upscale mall. You know, one of those look, but can't buy type places, ha! Then we just kind of killed some time until it was time for our movie. We went to go see Valentine's Day.







Valentine's Day was such a cute movie. Didn't know really what to expect but it was GREAT. And go get the soundtrack, it's even better!

Now we're at Thursday.

Cassie had to work Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm. So it actually worked out perfectly because during my time there I got to meet up with so many blog friends and kind of do my own thing and explore the area and drive around while she was working.

I had the pleasure to meet up with Jessica Turner. Go by her blog. You'll love it and she's super sweet. She treated me to lunch and I got a wonderful salad. It was a GREAT time with great conversation and so glad I got to meet her. Thank you, Jessica.



Then after lunch I went to Green Hills Center. There's alot of outdoor shopping and found some cute stuff there.
And the rest of the day was pretty much killing time until Cassie got off work at 6pm.

Then Thursday night we went out for sushi and a night in downtown Nashville.

This picture doesn't do the sushi justice, ha!


Cassie and her friend Jeremy.








Met Elvis out on the street! :)


Then we went by Hard Rock Cafe to visit one of Cassie and Jeremy's friends who was working and we ended up staying for some drinks and hanging out!

Funny picture because Jeremy was eating some kind of wrap thing and the way he had it in his hand made it look like a cigar, ha!




Then after we left Hard Rock we went to The Big Bang downtown with dualing pianos. Absolutely amazing. The most talented piano players. They took song requests. We got there and there was only a few of us there and by the time we left it was packed. I could have stayed there all night!









Ran into Elvis one last time. He changed outfits!


And then it was time to call it a night......

More tomorrow!!