Hi, again...

So, it seems like I am incapable of blogging on the regular, but I think I'm OK with that. 1) I don't need to and shouldn't post every little thing that happens and 2) I like this no pressure blogging thing I have going on right now.

I don't really have much to say tonight other than God is so faithful. I have a lot of dreams for my life that I've tucked away because the timing has not been right yet. Friends, one of those dreams is in motion. I'm in the first steps on a path I've wanted to walk for a long time. I don't want to go into too much detail right now, but as soon as I can, I will be posting about it all!

Oh yeah! Just something fun is that I will be getting my very first business card today and in a couple of weeks I'll be going on my first business trip. By myself. I love traveling on someone else's dollar! ;)

Remembering and Suggesting

This morning as I read through the blogs I subscribe to, I was not surprised to see several 9/11 memorials. Like most, I too remember where I was and what I was doing as the events unfolded. It's something that's hard to forget. My memory of that day is in flashes of words and emotion. "Did you hear about the plane crash?" my classmate whispered to me as the Professor of our Middle Eastern Civilization class began his lecture. "Florida State University has been closed due to the events of the morning..." were words I read in my inbox from the University President. "The planes that crashed into the World Trade Towers this morning were done in an act of terrorism..." is what I heard on the news. "Alison, I saw the second plane crash live while watching GMA." is what my mom told me when she called to check on me that morning. "What's going to happen?" were the panicked words I asked back. I could go on about the words I remember, but the emotion of the day is what has stuck with me the most. I grew up a little bit more that day with a greater appreciation for the fragility of a life that isn't guaranteed. I think it was the first time my generation realized that our country is not invincible. Those of us born in the 80's and 90's had no personal memory of our country in crisis. We had been through Desert Storm as kids and even lost family & friends over there, but our home soil was never compromised like it was on 9/11. I didn't lose anyone on that day eight years ago, but I still grieved. I grieved for my friends that did lose family and for those that didn't yet know if their loved one had been found. I grieved for the collective loss of innocence of my generation. I grieved for those who died without knowing God. I just simply grieved. Today, though, I thankful. Thankful for my life, thankful for the men and women that sacrifice themselves for the safety of my country, thankful for a better perspective on finding security in my relationship with God. Just plain thankful. Let's end this post on a lighter note though! I don't participate in Follow Friday on Twitter, but I would be remiss if I didn't share with you three of my favorite blogs! Amy Beth @ www.ministrysofabulous.com has me laughing out loud on a daily basis. Especially this week with her British boy and her Ryan Gosling look-a-like friend Nicholas! Ree @ www.thepioneerwoman.com has some of the BEST recipes with loads of pictures of the food, and even tells her story going from a city woman to marrying a cowboy and living on a working ranch! Annie @ www.hootenannie.com - priceless sense of humor...that's all that needs to be said. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! -Alison

Since May 18

Ok, so this unplanned 3 month blog hiatus was glorious! I have had the opportunity to be a part of some very incredible (and fun!) events in the lives of family and friends.

The hiatus kicked off with Stephanie's annual Memorial Day visit to me! This year did not disappoint (as it never does). Well...ok, so there was a minor blip at the beginning of the weekend when my body decided to revolt and gave me a fever/chills/kidney infection. BUT thanks to the great team at my Dr's office, they got me feeling better in no time at all! Thanks Steph for putting up with my sick-self and making the rest of the weekend so much fun :) She was then off to interview for an amazing job in a new city so she can be a part of a church plant....of course she got the job! Who want this girl on their team?!

Next up was my nephew's pre-school graduation. Believe me. pre-k graduation was big news around here with most of his family living in our city AND he is the first grandkid/nephew on both sides of the family. Let me tell you, this boy is LOVED!

Of course I can't mention the nephew without mentioning the niece! You cannot deny her cuteness factor. You just cant. I mean, I will not allow you to deny it. She'll be 5 months this month and is lovingly nicknamed The Princess. She is turning into one girly little girl! The apple does not fall far from the "Auntie Tree" or so my sister in-law tells me ;)

Now, this next event is what really made this whole hiatus glorious. My best friend went and got married to the man of her dreams and I had the privilege of being her Maid of Honor! (Thankfully, those duties were shared with her Matron of Honor and my very dear friend, Amy.) The whole weekend was such a great reminder of expecting and waiting for God's best in all areas of life. Shelby and Tanner's wedding was probably the most emotional/God-filled wedding I have ever been to. You could not deny their love or that they are perfect for each other. Not to mention they're both absolutely beautiful people! You should seriously check out their photos here and then immediately hire Jen McDonald for your next event.

While at Shelby and Tanner's wedding (or affectionately known as Shanner) my brother turned the big 3-0! He is certainly handsome, a great husband and an amazing dad. Love you big-bro!

Just call me world-traveler because exactly 24 hours after I got home from Shelby and Tanner's wedding, I hopped on a plane for France. Yes, France! I went there for my step-sister's wedding. Talk about wedding-palooza. Two in one week, but I wasn't in this one. I just got to attend and enjoy the beauty that is Nice, France. It really was one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been in my life. While there I stayed in a villa (with views of the Mediterranean from my room), was a part of a wedding scavenger hunt that took us all over old town Nice and through some ruins, climbed to the top of Eze Village, walked the streets of Monaco, bought food in an Italian open air Market, dipped my toes in the Mediterranean Sea, spent some quality time with my Dad & family, ate some of the best food I have ever consumed, and witnessed my sister marry her man in one of the most beautiful settings ever. (you check out my photos on facebook)

Even though I had a spectacular time in France, I was thankful to come home and sleep in my own bed! Which is what I did as soon as I crossed the threshold of my room...fell head-first into bed and woke up the next morning for work. Yes, as crazy as it sounds, I actually went to work the morning after I returned from Europe. Would you believe me if I told you that I didn't have jet lag? Well, you should because it's true. I somehow missed out on the whole jet lag thing both going to and coming home from France. I think I'll take that as confirmation I should travel the world more often.

As if all that wasn't enough to fill 3 months, there's still more! Shortly after my return from Europe I went to my darling nephew's VBS program. Y'all, VBS is a BIG thing at my church. Over 400 kids and over 100 volunteers. It's a HUGE undertaking and it blesses my community on so many levels. What I love about it is that the kids get to learn about God in a fun environment and aren't kids the cutest in music programs? I just love all the waving they do to Moms, Dads, Nanas and Aunties too!

July 4th was something I was looking forward to because it meant a day off from work AND going to visit my good friend Angela in central Florida. We walked 3 miles (6 miles round trip) to and from the July 4th festival, ate lots of Tijuana Flats, visited with college buddies I haven't seen in a long time, shopped, and went to her church (her pastor is 7ft tall!).

Think I'm done? Not quite....my next adventure was tubing down the Ichetucknee River with a group from my church....highlight of the tubing adventure? Passing a woman in her tube that got the rear of swimsuit caught on something under the water...ha!

Alright, now to cap off the three month glorious adventure of a blog hiatus with a trip to my dad's for a quick weekend visit. We ate Thai food from Thai Nana (the BEST Thai food ever), went out on the boat, anchored at an island and swam for awhile, took the niece into the Gulf for the first time, looked for shells with the nephew, saw Mama Mia and sang Abba songs with several hundred other show-goers, and relaxed at the house before we had to make the trek back home.

I think I've done enough to fill a year, but I would do it all over again. For sure. I have no clue what the next 3 months holds other than family, friends, work, zumba, reading, church life and hoping in God. If that's all I get, I'll be full. Although, I have a feeling there is more to be had than that. We will see, wont we? :o)

-Ali

Getting to know you...

Found one of my new favorite quotes today: (ht: Brad Ruggles)

"To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God’s grace means. As Thomas Merton put it, ‘A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.’" -Brennan Manning

Ruminate on that one for a bit. I did. Made me realize that my past should not produce shame, but produce more grace because it brings a better understanding of the Grace of God. Had a paradigm shift today that I wasn't quite expecting, but when do we ever really expect our personal paradigm to be shifted? --------------------------------------- I've been spending time thinking about what it is I want to do with my life. Most days I feel stuck in neutral and that what is comfortable and safe is best. Cognitively, I know that comfort and safety usually means I'm not taking the kind of risks that can bring about some of life's most amazing results. It's that first risky step that can be one of the hardest for me. --------------------------------------- My nephew and niece were dedicated at church a few weeks ago! This is where I think my church is on point...waiting for baptism until it is the decision of the individual to follow Jesus. Can you see the cute little bow on my nieces head?! I cannot wait to play dress-up when she gets older! --------------------------------------- My work/work-out buddy moved away! Her husband got a promotion (which is especially amazing in this economy) and they couldn't pass it up. Even though it meant moving to Oklahoma! The only upside to co-workers moving away is the cake at the goodbye party. This time around did NOT disappoint! You can't go wrong with a Publix chocolate cake with raspberry filling and butter cream icing. --------------------------------------- Since I don't know my readers...why don't you tell me about yourself! Name: Location: Favorite blog topic to read about: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I love this blog, but would love your interaction even more! Some of my new favorite people I have met through blogs, twitter, and other online resources. Lets be friends :)

ABC's

So, over on facebook people are doing the "ABC's of Me" in their notes and tagging people. If you want to do it, cool. If not, that's ok too. :) A - Age: 27 B - Bed size: Full, there is not a real need for something bigger right now ;) C - Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom! D - Dog's name: Never had a puppy....it will be one of the first things I buy when I get my own place one day. E - Essential start your day item: Shower F - Favorite colour: Pink G - Gold or Silver: Gold H - Height: 5ft 6in I - Instruments you play: none and I find that quite tragic J - Job title: Assistant to the Dean K - Kid: None yet ... but I do have a nephew and a niece! L - Living arrangements: share a house with my mom....she makes a pretty great roommate :) M - Mom's name: Leslie N - Nicknames: Ali, Al, Sis, Auntie, Ali-bird, A-lee-sahn O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None! P - Pet Peeve: Assuming....you know what is does Q - Quote from a movie: The love between a man and a woman is holy too. Just because you love a man doesnt mean you love God any less. God gave you that love and it's up to you to figue out how to spend it. - The Sound of Music (not verbatim, but you get the picture) R - Right or left handed: righty S - Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sis in-law, 2 step-sisters, 2 step-brothers in-law T- Time you wake up: 6.30ish U- Underwear: is necessary. V - Vegetable you dislike: Okra...yuck W - Ways you run late: underestimating the time I need to get everything done in the morning. X - X-rays you've had: Teeth, arms, foot, leg Y - Yummy food you make: I make lots of yummy things to eat! My current favorite are pumpkin cookies Z - Zoo favorite: Elephants, monkeys, giraffes, zebras....i like them all

To be honest...

I have to be honest...I wish bloggers blogged more on the weekend, or at least scheduled more posts to be published, if they don't want to actually write on their time off. Why? Because I have more time to actually read and respond.

I guess I could star in my reader the ones I want to comment on, but I'm more of an in the moment commenter.

Just something to consider :)

8 Things

Christy had this on her blog today and I was sorta tagged so I am doing it for fun :) 8 Things Here's how 8 THINGS works:- Mention the person that tagged you.- Complete the lists of 8's.- Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.- Go tell them you tagged them! 8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO: 1. Spending time with my family on mother's day 2. Shelby's bachelorette party/ bridal shower extravaganza! 3. Shelby and Tanner's Wedding 4. Lindsay and Jason's wedding in France! 5. Stephanie visiting for Memorial Day weekend 6. Shopping for my upcoming trips and parties 7. Getting a new Vera Bradley 8. Reading a new book 8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY: 1. Laundry 2. Worked 3. Went to lunch with a co-worker 4. Went to a meeting 5. Read a few blogs 6. Chatted with friends 7. Almost got a free trip to London for work (don't ask, I can't tell) (you know I like to be cryptic) 8. Went to the Dentist - NO CAVITIES! 8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO: 1. Travel the world :) 2. Read for a living 3. Own a bookstore. 4. Work in a Library 5. Visit my friends all over the country 6. Go to the beach every day 7. Write a book 8. Knit 8 SHOWS I WATCH: 1. The Biggest Loser 2. So You Think You Can Dance 3. Dancing with the Stars 4. Ugly Betty 5. America's Next Top Model 6. What Not to Wear 7. Kings 8. Millionaire Matchmaker 8 BLOGGERS TAGGED: YOU! If you are reading this you must partake of some 8 Things Fun :)

Little Sickie

So, my Daily Peeks have slowed down a bit due to me being a sickie for the past week. Really, who wants to see my POV of that? But here it is in a nutshell anyway:

Sleep, read, sleep, watch a movie, medicate, eat a little something, sleep, read, medicate, go to the doctor, sleep, medicate, read, eat, sleep...you get the picture. I'm actually cuddled up in my bed as we speak I type recouping from the days work. I don't have a physically strenuous job, but after spending basically 4 days in bed, it wiped me out.

Let's leave this on a high note - cause Jonathan has inspired me to give good news more than bad news - and no he doesn't twitter or blog.

Ok, the good stuff, there's only FIVE WEEKS until France! haha ok, so that's braggy good news.

Alright, the real stuff....my niece and nephew were dedicated at church on Sunday! It was such a special thing to be a part of that service and to hear the blessings prayed over their lives. God is working is some serious ways around here.

Bloggy readers, thanks for being my cuddle buddy this evening. Count yourself lucky; not many get that privilege. ;o)

Daily Peek 5-2-09

Oo La La! Another invite came in the mail today for certain friend's pre-wedding bridal shower/bachelorette party! It's going to be a fun time! If only you knew the antics we have up our sleeve for that night. Wait, maybe you don't want to know... The results of the party will most likely not be published on the interwebs. We don't ruin your innocent eyes. ha!

Daily Peek 4-29-09

Wednesdays have turned into one of my favorite days of the week. Not only does it signal the half-way mark to the weekend, but it is also the night that I get to spend an hour with 40+ 4th and 5th graders during children's choir. Do you know what's even better? I get to teach a new craft project to a group of them every! You KNOW how much I love crafts, and to share that with these kids is pure joy for me! This week, however, I was able to put some of my other skills to use. For the past semester, all of the age groups have been practicing for the BIG end of the year musical. So, this week, all of the choirs got together to practice the choreography, and yours truly got to run the lyrics from the gorgeous tech suite. Friends, my love of technology rivals my love of crafts. "Yes, I love technology, but not as much as you, you see. Always and forever!" Kip, Napoleon Dynamite