Cruising right along...

Ahhhhhhhhh.....for the first time since July when I first posted about about my Pursuit I can finally say I see a light at the end of the tunnel!! I am so excited, scared, happy, overwhelmed and feel peace all at once! I cannot wait until everything is set in stone and I can share every little detail!! I believe in one of my first post about this pursuit I mentioned that I'd be displaying a whirlwind of emotions....boy am I glad I prepared myself!

I knew going into this, that to claim my prize I'd have to sacrifice some things, but oh my goodness I never expected a cruise to the Bahamas with a few of my best friends would be one of those things! That's right....I had to make a big girl decision this week and tell my roomies and a few other friends that at this point in my life I just don't see me going on a cruise in January being smart logically or financially.
Of course it's hard to say no to that idea in general, but even harder since everyone I'm around the most is going and it's the main topic of discussion. I can't help but be envious and it's really hard not to just decide to go and let the rest take care of itself when I get to that bridge BUT as green as I might turn some days I just have to remind myself that what I'm on my way to accomplishing will be more rewarding for me in the long run and that's what I have to be about for now...what matters most down the road, not just right now.
On the bright side, ME BEING ABLE to pass up on this awesome opportunity with friends and not really HAVING to, reassures me so much that my pursuit is on the right path!!

Speaking of reassurance, Isn't it ironic how people seem to say something just when you need to hear it the most...I was telling my friend Katie (Check Out Katie's blog here!) the other day that I have been pinning every encouraging quote I read on the website Pinterest so that when moments of giving up a cruise, doubt, fear and any other negative energy enters my mind I can go back and read them.
Katie moved to SC from Minnesota and we instantly hit it off upon meeting...she has since moved to NYC but while here she told me more than once I was her silver lining in SC....well, the other day when talking to Katie and expressing my bittersweet emotions she returned the favor and became my silver lining in NYC...She told me,

"You have time. One of the most exciting things is the planning anyway, enjoy it!".

Just what I needed to hear at that moment and it has echoed in my mind a few times since and I can only imagine how many more times I will remember her words! She reminded me to enjoy every minute RIGHT NOW, Not down the road  when looking back but RIGHT NOW! Enjoy even the most stressful of my planning "adventures" because it is JUST ONE of the most exciting things....on the way to millions more!!

xoxo,
Faith

Simple Smiles.

I decided to make a list of simplicities that are important to me. I started this a few days ago and decided that once I got to 100 I would share.
This has been such an eye opener and so very refreshing - having to stop and take note of moments that make me smile has made me realize, even more, just how good I have it!

So here you are....100 simple smiles--

1. The first scoop of strawberry ice cream from a new tub.
2. Laughing at someone else laughing.
3. Waking up to a sweet note or finding one in my car.
4. Hugs.
5. Taking off my shoes and wiggling my toes after a long day.
6. Finding a close parking spot.
7. Getting mail....in the mailbox.
8. Letting the sunshine in a room when I open the door or blinds.
9. The face of a groom when he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day.
10. Reminiscing over old photographs.
11. Clean and Warm sheets at bedtime.
12. Christmas lights.
13. Singing along with the radio.
14. Handwritten letters.
15. When someone plays with my hair.
16. Capturing a picture perfect moment on camera.
17. The sound of the ocean.
18. Making someone smile.
19. Shouting "Jinx you owe me a coke!".
20. When a stranger smiles as walking by.
21. A clean house.
22. The first bite of my craving.
23. Overhearing children talk.
24. Seeing an elderly couple holding hands.
25. Surseys for no reason.
26. Seeing mama smile.
27. When I see someone I have not seen in a long time and remembering their name.
28. Dimples.
29. A good hair day.
30. Days when I never look at clock.
31. Sugar Cones.
32. Holding Hands.
33. Knowing every word to a song.
34. When I put the batteries in right on the first try without looking at the + or -
35. Knowing the answer to a Jeopardy question.
36. Getting a massage.
37. My friends understanding when I say, "Give me 3 choices & I will decide".
38. My birthday.
39. My little brother or sister asking me for advice.
40. Riding with the windows down.
41. That pretty feeling when wearing something new.
42. When a vending machine gives me the drink and my dollar back.
43. Completing a task.
44. Being surprised to find the laundry already folded and put away when you open the dryer.
45. Stretching after a long trip.
46. Finding a dollar in an old wallet.
47. Watching someone breathe while asleep.
48. Discovering I have a new talent.
49. When the blinds go back down on the first try when I pull the string.
50. Sipping on an ice cold sweet tea.
51. A kiss on the cheek.
52. Flipping the pillow over to feel the cold side.
53. Being the right caller for a radio contest.
54. Fresh and Hot chips at a Mexican restaurant.
55. Mama telling me everything is going to be fine.
56. Finding a new bottle of ketchup in the pantry when I thought I was out.
57. When my old skinny jeans button without me having to lay down and suck in.
58. Hearing an old story for the first time.
59. OJ with NO pulp.
60. Finding a movie ticket stub in a coat pocket, checking the date and remembering that night.
61. Pepsi so cold that the Pepsi sticks to the ice during the middle of the night when you wake up thirsty.
62. My sweet Miss Costa being so happy to see me whether it has been 5 minutes or 5 days. Puppy <3
63. Reading Jeremiah 29:11-13
64. Writing.
65. Hearing Christmas music for the first time of the year in a department store.
66. Having a favorite Ink pen.
67. Baking.
68. Hearing my number called during a raffle drawing.
69. Opening a fortune cookie.
70. Being silly with friends.
71. Champagne for no special reason.
72. Swinging on the front porch.
73. Reading one more, two more, three more chapters of a good book before bed.
74. College Football....USC Goooo Cocks!
75. Hearing Mrs. Miller tell her birthday story.
76. That fresh feeling after a new haircut.
77. Someone trusting me with a secret.
78. A phone call (not a text) in the middle of the day just to say hello.
79. My car being clean.
80. When I trust my gut feeling and it turns out to be right.
81. Finding a good sale.
82. Hot chocolate.
83. Watching the movie Grease.
84. Covering up that one part of me that had slipped out of the covers.
85. Saying yes ma'am and yes sir'.
86. Leaving a note for someone to find later that makes them smile.
87. Flipping the page on the calendar.
88. FaveReds Starburst.
89. Sleeping all night long.
90. Daddy filling up my gas tank.
91. Thinking of and sharing my one millionth new invention.
92. Being inside and thinking it is dark out but realizing it is still daylight when you walk out.
93. The sound of Rice Krispies...they really do snap, crackle, and pop.
94. The tininess of a baby’s feet and hands.
95. Calling my grandmother/Maw-Maw Sam during every commercial break of our favorite shows.
96. Finding a new use for something.
97. Hand me downs.
98. The "M" etched in McDonalds pancake butter.
99. Praying.
100. Being able to hear the voice of the person whose message you are reading.

xoxo,
Faith

PS) 101.Clicking Spell Check and having no errors!

"Don't let the Sunshine spoil your rain!"

All day long while I am at work, I see so many birds, and squirrels zipping past my window but on rainy days like today even though it is probably no more than any other day it is almost like I see even more. It seems like they would be seeking shelter and I would see fewer but I think that because it can be more difficult to see in the rain they change their pace. They still fly to the same tree they would any other day, just with more caution.
This made me think - Why are we as humans not more like that? Why don't we take rainy days as a chance to pay more attention?

We have all seen the "Wet Floor" or "Slippery When Wet" signs posted in businesses and we all know that those signs are there to inform us that we need to slow down, proceed with caution, pay more attention, and so on. So we are all aware that you are obviously more likely to slip in the rain but we still run to our car, house, office or drive the same speed as we would any other day.
Even though it is harder to see and easier to slip we speed up which makes us pay less attention and we forget that in the end regardless if wet or dry we are going to get there!


These caution signs seem to work for me - anytime I see one, I am sure to be more careful. Maybe we should try applying that same respect for those signs to our life on rainy days; regardless if it is raining outside or not.

When everything is going well, it is so easy for us to tell others how much God has blessed us and how we are so thankful He is in control but as soon as we feel a little rain we let it wash away our Faith. Suddenly,our minds, mouth, and feet start pacing trying to figure our what we need to do to get to the destination without getting wet - we get in a hurry, such a hurry that we pay less attention and zoom right past all of those "Caution" signs until we have no choice but to slow down because we are out of breath and need water!

Isn't it ironic that after any type of strenuous activity we always ask for water but in situations through life we run from it. Rain is a good thing - don't let your easy days make the not so easy days hard ones.

Walk on your tiptoes and be a sponge!

xoxo,
Faith

THE Year

Every year as Gamecock fans we hear and say "this is the year!!!", well it is looking good and like maybe there is some truth behind this! Even though the games thus far have been more of a nail biter than most imagined -So far this season the Gamecocks are ranked No. 10 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the Associated Press poll with a record of 3-0 so far this season....hoping to make it 4-0 this week against Vanderbilt! The Commodores are also entering this weeks game with a season record of 3-0 so regardless of the fact that they are not a ranked team you quickly learn as a Gamecock fan not to ever count your chickens before they hatch...especially with Vanderbilt we seem to make this one a bigger challenge than anticipated almost every year. Looking forward to the battle this weekend!

U-S-C Goooo Cocks!!

 

ECU -Week one:
W56-37






UGA-Week two:
W45-42



Navy -Week three:
W24-21

 xoxo,
Faith





Craft Time!

Recently I was bit by the arts and crafts bug! Thanks to Pinterest and Stumbleupon it is just too easy to see an idea and run with it!

I was in the store last week and saw a piece of wood in the children's arts and crafts section and my creative wheels starting turning. After buying the wood, paint, letter, and paper a few min later I had myself a cute little monogrammed wall/door hanger that I have hanging on my office door - so simple and cute!

While in the store I also decided to attempt to make a ribbon wreath like I keep seeing online- I started  picking out ribbons that were pink, polka dots, damask all of that fun stuff but then it happened...The good old garnet caught my eye and it was on - all of the other ribbon was put away and I went Gamecock ribbon wreath making crazy!! Now this project was a little, OK a lot more time consuming and I am sure that if/once I make a few more I will find little shortcuts (Like buying letters already decorated instead of painting them myself like I did ha) but I am happy with the finished product and I have a feeling I know what all of my family will be getting for Christmas haha!

For me to be the procrastinator that I am it is insane that I did both projects in two nights after work but they do say...the work you do while procrastinating is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life--That being the case I will let you all know when I quit my job and my door decor store opens!! ;)

xoxo,
Faith

Been Busy Gettin' Stronger

Wow! These past few weeks have been INSANE....I have always heard, "when it rains, it pours" - but I would like to add "then it floods"!! First my mom was sick and in the hospital for a week, she is feeling mucho better but still recovering. In the midst of that my grandmother (I have two gmaws on my moms side - Long & Irrelevant story) that I call "GG" passed away. :( She went in her sleep with most of the family in the room while my mom sang an old song "I'm going home with Jesus" in her ear - I can't think of a more peaceful, better way to go!
So, I have been pretty occupied lately with everyone else and of course the start of Gamecock football so I have not had much time to type out my thoughts but here I am....finally able to catch my breath again! :)
During all of this recent mayhem, I also realized that my version of the old saying, "When it rains, it pours, then it floods" shouldn't end there but rather with "then the sun shines again,dries up all the rain and the grass is prettier and stronger than ever!"

My challenge in pursuit of happiness is still a work in progress, a slow work in progress, but it is still going - so no worries there!

OK so short story time (yes, I will TRY to keep it short haha)......
My daddy lives in Sunset Beach and every time I head to see him I go over a bridge right before his house and I see an old shrimping boat. It always just looks so calm and peaceful sitting on the water. It is a very nostalgic scene and without fail whether alone or if I have a passenger in the car I always say, "I am going to stop and get a picture of that the next time I come by here!" I have said this so often that now my roomie Amber says it every time we pass that spot mocking me, in a joking manner of course!
Anyway, on one of the trips to see this daddy this summer something happened....as we went to cross over the bridge we looked to our right and the boat was gone! Yes, G-O-N-E!! This old, nostalgic boat that I assumed was sitting there rotting away was indeed just the opposite. This boat is still in use, I know this because I saw it from a pier not far from the original spot....it is still a pretty scene from its new found home but nothing like the way it captivates my attention from its original location - My hope is, that after the summer is over it will be returned and I promise, I don't care if we are in the middle of a hurricane, blizzard, firestorm or earthquake I will be stopping to get my picture!

Moral of the story: Don't ever assume something. Remember not everyone sees the same in everything so just because the boat looked old and at the end of its road - it obviously wasn't. Also, take chances when you can - Conditions are not always favorable to our liking but that is OK. If a chance is there then go for it before you suddenly realize that the unfavorable conditions were more favorable than you ever realized.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....it feels good to be back!!!

xoxo,
Faith