Small Town Charm.

I love it here. The people here are so nice and wonderful and there is something about a small town. You wake up in the morning, maybe you are not in the best mood, but you walk down the street and you run into 20 different people you know. And by the time you get where you are going, you're going to feel good. It is that small town charm, I guess. - Joni Pugh

Fourth of July festivities had to move to the carport - that storm came up like we were in Florida all the sudden.

I'm somewhat obsessed with this gas pump. Seriously. I've been promised I can someday inherit it from Arbuckle Electric.

Sonic happy hour - oh how I love you, whether in Tampa or Scottsburg, Indiana.

Festive flipflops.


I love libraries.

And rocking with my best friend out back.


Lastly (for this entry) I love towns with town squares.


Love,
B

Away.

What is it about 'getting away'? Having a trip to look forward to warms my heart and being able to get out of town and clear my head does immeasurable good. I truly treasure the time I have here in Tampa but there's something about getting out of town that appeals to me no matter how good life is going.

I could barely sleep the night before I was so excited about my trip to Scottsburg. As my roommate drove me across the bridge early Thursday morning I could barely contain myself. I boarded my flight like a child awaiting Christmas morning and desperately tried to concentrate on my book.

I practically leapt from my second row seat as they turned off the fasten seat belt sign and allowed us to deplane in Lexington, Kentucky. After 5 months of waiting (since booking this flight) I was finally here - 6 days with my best friend in what has come to be one of my favorite towns - Scottsburg, IN.

The small town charm of the town sucked me right back in and I snuck away early the next morning for a jog around town. Unlike Tampa, which is overrun with fitness loving freaks, I didn't have to share the sidewalks with any other joggers and I felt comfortable enough to take a few snapshots during my walking intervals.

It was the perfect change of pace for a busy city girl like myself. I came back from that walk/jog and announced with complete honesty that for the first time in months I actually felt relaxed. A strange thing to say, especially coming from a girl who finds a few hours of pool time practically every week - but I went to Scottsburg without my 'to do' lists and emptied my mind of work and life plans and goals and just allowed myself to be. I honestly didn't even use my planner - this is BIG!

I have to say I think I could get use to a slower pace of life. It would take a little while for me to undo the freakishly obsessive habits I've made but once I get relaxed I really do love it.

Love,
B

Back.

Well friends and loved ones, I'm back from the 'burg. My return has been somewhat bittersweet. I love Tampa, it has always had the biggest piece of my heart but to quote Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama 'but then I come down here, and this fits too'. Being in Scottsburg for 6 days really did feel like home. As I said a tearful goodbye this morning I couldn't help wishing I could skip my flight and cling to a perfect vacation just a bit longer.

Coming home always has it's perks. I look forward to a night in my own bed, getting back into some sense of routine, and laying out by my pool this weekend. But reality comes quick, don't ya think? I hopped off the plane and immediately headed back to work. I was grateful for the distraction so as not to further pout about the fact that I'm no longer with my best friend but with less than 20 minutes between grabbing my bag and returning to my cubicle, it felt like vacation came to a screeching halt.

I finished another book on my trip - and even though her language leaves a few things to be desired I have to say there's somthing I find quite likeable about Kelly Cutrone. I'm now on to Hunger Games and though I don't find it nearly as exciting as all those who recommended it seemed too, I'm enjoying it so far. Hope to be done with it in a few days so I can move on to finish the Michael Bennett series.

I didn't write a single blog while I was away and I learned that you take a chance when you schedule them in advance... oh living and learning, right?

My heart felt a bit heavy and my head a little too full as I touched down in Tampa but most of all I'm overwelmed with gratitude for the wonderful friends the Lord has given me. I tell ya what, I must have THE most amazing set of guy friends any girl could ask for and in general just the best group of people in my corner. I feel so incredibly blessed this week - so thank you, especially to the ones I called up this weekend from afar.

I continue to grow excited about the next few chapters of my life as they unfold in unexpected ways. The roommate and I will be starting up Crossfit this week (or next) - an intense boot camp style workout class 2 days a week for the next few months. I'm anxious but nervous all at once. We may just die - but I think it will be a good way to go out (doing push ups on the concrete and all).

10 days til I'm back on the road headed to St. Louis and selfishly hoping I will be able to see Josh, Candy, and Chad again that weekend. If I can't convince them all to move to Florida maybe I can at least convince them to travel to all my work locations with me?

Expect some posts about my trip over the next couple days but I wanted to let you know I'm back and thank those of you who were in touch while I was away.

Love,
B

Over a Cup 'o Joe.

Welcome loves. Today on the blog were going to chat like were sipping coffee out of my place (so out of black and white mugs with b's on them - in assortment) and talk about life. The good, the bad, the hilarious, and the ugly of what's going on. I think from time to time it's good to just chat about life. So here's what's been up friends...

I've been on again off again with my blog challenges for this year. Confession: I'm not currently reading through the bible in 90 days. Starting in May, June, and July I was supposed to be reading through the bible in 90 days but to be honest when May rolled around I knew it just wasn't going to happen. I'm currently leading a bible study for young, single women from my church on Tuesday nights and in addition to my own quiet time, preparing for that is getting my priority.

I did download the 90 day version on my kindle and I hope to someday still complete that challenge, but today is not that day. I hope to pick back up my challenges with my volunteering challenge for the month of August (which amazingly is getting quite close, isn't it?).

My family is together (without me) this weekend at the beach. I miss them but I'm amongst family myself, here in Scottsburg. A family of a different sort (meaning I chose them, instead of them choosing me?). But my sweet family is doing wonderfully and we look forward to welcoming my niece or nephew in November of this year. I can't wait to be an Aunt...I plan to be the very best kind (you know, the kind that lets them eat raw cookie dough and drive my car before their 16...sh).

Work is busy busy with event season in the works. I'm headed to St. Louis next for our Rams event on July 16th, so if you're in 'the L' let me know before then. I will be in charge of being the mini van driver for the first time on this trip - so that should present new excitement for all involved individuals.

I intended to write a book this year but amongst other things that seems to have been pushed to the 'back burner'. I hope to return to that dream eventually but again, the timing is just not right. I have other callings and priorities at the moment so this blog continues to be where my writing is happening and staying for the time being.

Hm, what else? I'm still working out and trying to drop some more weight. It's been a bit up and down lately but I feel like I'm hitting my stride again. The roommate and I start Crossfit Boot Camp when I return from this vacation (I may choose to hide out forever in Sburg instead of face this) - so I'm sure that will kick my hiney into gear.

I continue to get asked questions about the NFL lockout for work and family reasons - but no, I don't have any crazy awesome insider scoop on this. Here's to hoping it all gets worked out so I can hole up in some version of a man cave and watch religiously every Sunday as usual. I love me some football.

The condo is faring well as of late. No big changes or fix it jobs happening there. Just happily enjoying homeownership as usual. Excited to finally show my sister/best friend and bro-in-law my place (after almost 2 years) when they visit in August. Can't wait to have them on my 'turf'.

Life is good friends. With a few unmet goals and messy bedroom days of late - I continue to stay busy but happily content in my current state. I hope this has been a fun update for you all and I look forward to getting some scoop back on what's going on in your lives.

Love,
B

Quote of the Week.

'Frankly I'm not even that smart. What I am is fearless and intuitive' -- Kelly Cutrone, taken from 'If You Have to Cry Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You'

I love this quote, because that's almost exactly how I feel about myself. I laugh whenever people describe me as smart or a genius. It's not that I'm not smart but genius is more than a stretch. In fact, I'll let you all in on a little secret - I had a tough time with reading for YEARS. I may be a freakishly dedicated reader now but until the 6th grade reading came only of force and hard work for me. Being mildly dyslexic it wasn't easy for me to learn to read and it wasn't enjoyable for years after.

I never thought of myself as particularly smart but I suppose I knew for the most part I also wasn't dumb. I had the unique benefit of being taught at home (yep, I was home schooled) so I had advantages many of my peers did not. I took to certain subjects (eventually) like writing, literature, and sign language. I excelled in those areas even as I continued to be painfully aware of my shortcomings in math (I have a much harder time with numbers than letters) and science.

I've had some great victories since graduating college and I'm grateful for continued opportunities. That being said, I'm with Kelly - my successes have not come from being smart, I don't think myself any smarter than the next girl. They have come from courage and hard work. The courage to try what others don't dare dream of, the resilience to get up after failures (and there have been some), and the work ethic to do what it takes.

I like Kelly. She's an average small town girl who didn't take no for an answer. She fought to get to where she wanted to be and she fights to stay on top of her game now. I respect that.

Love,
B

The Entry about: Assumptions, Honesty, and What Other People Think.

I was pondering yesterday just how much value should be placed on other people's opinions. You hear people say on the regular, 'it's MY life'. Sure, it is. But deep down we all value the opinions of others and secretly want at least some people to think we are awesome, don't we? I want my friends to say good things about me even when I'm not there. I want my parents to brag about me from time to time. I want my sisters to say that I am the best sister and they'd take 10 more just like me, as I'm in the habit of saying of them. So I guess the truth is I do care what people think. Not every person, mind you, but more than a few.

Someone recently told me not to do something I'd planned on because 'people would take it the wrong way'. I considered this for a moment and realizing that even if they did, it wouldn't be so bad, I moved forward with my plan. If people want to assume I'm dating someone I'm not, fine. If they want to make judgements about the movies I see or the books I read (and trust me, they do), let em. If the misinterpret my intentions or my desires, that's on them. People tend to assume what they want anyways, right?

The secret I assume lies in finding the balance in caring enough what people think to be sensitive to the people you care about but not allowing your life to be dominated by the fear of other peoples assumptions. I, for one, like to make my assumptions clear up front. Each time I've started dating someone I've sat them down and said up front, 'Listen, I know that you have friends that are girls and ex girlfriends and girls that work with you, etc. So from now and until you tell me otherwise, I'm going to assume that you're dating me and only me because you want to be. Thus giving me zero reason to be jealous of anyone else you're not dating and if/when that changes, you let me know'.

I've learned that leaving things unsaid is a great set up for misinterpretation. Saying what you mean is far less misconstrued. It's harder than I thought to be truly honest, because deep down I really do want to tell people what they want to hear some of the time. More than that I've learned to lay me expectations out on the table. It's not fair to hold people accountable for expectations they didn't know I had, right? But if I lay them out in an appropriate way if gives the other person the chance to either meet, exceed, or contest them.

I get a fair bit of criticism which some may say I invite by being a social media junkie with a blog. I started this blog to say when I mean and I've done just that - despite the reactions. Honestly, I get more positive feedback then negative which has kept me being open for the last two years of blogging but that doesn't mean there haven't been some tough criticisms as well. I'm 25 and I'm very much still learning. I make mistakes. I have terrible ideas and thoughts at times. I say awful things sometimes. I'm horrible clumsy. I do things others don't always understand or approve of. But I'm unapologetic for my imperfections, because if I had it to do over I'd make many of the same mistakes if that's what it took to get here.

I will end this entry with the immortal words of Dr. Suess: 'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind'.

Love,
B

Book Club Friday - Sacred Marriage.

It's the time again and this week I finished book #18 of the year:

You all KNOW I got through phases with my reading - finance books, crime thrillers, and most recently relationship books. When I mentioned on facebook that I was reading 'Love & Respect' a friend, Lindsay, from high school, suggested that I read Sacred Marriage next. I am so very glad I took her advice because the wisdom offered in this book really challenge my ideas about marriage and what God's purpose in marriage is.



If you're open minded to what the Lord may want to teach you about how to serve, how to set an example, and how love as a Christian spouse is supposed to look - this book is for you. I soaked it up like a sponge and I'm already thinking through ways to use what I've gleaned from Gary's wisdom in my future marriage.



I will caution it was written for married couples, not 'singles' like myself (I always feel weird calling myself single - since I'm not but you know what I mean). However, I like to be ahead of the game in as many ways as I possibly can, so - it was a great book for me.

Love,
B