Seasons Change - Revisited

I find myself revisiting old blog posts that capture the essence of fall. Here is another post I wrote, in October of 2010. It's funny to read the commentary... just enjoy!

Seasons Change, October 18, 2010:

Many things have transpired since Saturday - 1. our internet and cable was OUT all weekend, so I have been unable to truly write or comment. For that, I apologize. My hope is when I return home, the technician will have fixed everything. 2. I got a NEW camera, and with that - you finally get to see the way I spend my days. (Yes.. I know you are DYING to see that.. hahaha.) I always love seeing YOUR day to day pictures, so here is part 2 of my Saturday. :-) Enjoy!

Side of a building in downtown Birmingham

I just love St. Francis

My friends - Jamie & Laura

Sleepy little angel

After a little venture through Pepper Place Saturday market and a walk through a gardening store, we decided it was time for a little pick-me-up. We headed over to Urban Standard, one of our favorite cafes in Birmingham, AL.

I ordered a vanilla latte and egg & gouda cheese croissant! Like the coffee art???

Jamie is the Queen of Cheese Grits.

Laura ordered Sausage and Cheese Grits and had the world's longest tea bag.

Great People + Great Conversation + Great Coffee = Priceless!

Jamie is our newly wed. Her ring is divine, n'est pas?

Next we ventured into an antique store

Then we headed over to Author Miller's Art Studio to see his latest work! AMAZING

Then we saw a beautiful store full of the most amazing rugs!

Laura is from Johnson City, Tennessee and Jamie is from Valdosta, Georgia and I am from Macon, Georgia. We were discussing the prices of cotton "sprigs." WAAAY over priced. In Georgia, you can pull over on the side of the road and snip a few. Some places sell them for as much as $15 - $50 a bunch.

And now.. for a little video (not much) - but I did gather a few little snippets! (Yes, you will hear southern accents! ;-) )

Weekend In Review

Just me. I had to work on Saturday.

A little workshop I offered to MGAA

Special Delivery! YAY! I was in heaven.

Having a little fun with my friend - Alabama against Georgia. Two DAMN good football teams. For the record, I love both,. ;-)

Lunch at the Rookery with Telisa. We split a James Brown Black & Blue Burger and Beer Battered Fries.. YUM.

My Saturday night date night with a few Vampires.

Telisa wanted me to kick off Fall properly.

Yep. Pumpkin Spice... but why a frapp???

This is why a frapp!!

Pumpkins, Peppers and Panache - Revisited

One of the many ways I am celebrating the changing of the season is to take a look back at some of my favorite activities from the past. Here is a blog post from about two Falls ago.

A beautiful Saturday morning in Birmingham, Alabama on October 17, 2010:

My friend Laura and I! (Check out her blog!)

My friend Jamie & I!

Typical Alabama - Roll Tide (is for Alabama) War Eagle (is for Auburn Uni.)

Did I mention, Laura is a professional photographer? Check out her work - http://www.laurarowephotography.com/

Man - it is soooo nice to have a new camera! :-)

Things I Have Learned This Week

1. That at any point, on any given day, something can go from a GREAT day to an incredibly TERRIBLE day.

2. That faith in GOD can get you through a lot. As well as learning to really love yourself. You just might need to remind yourself from time to time.

3. That jealously is one evil little demon some people need to work really hard on squelching. All you can do is control how you react to their bright green color.

4. That the crisp cool breeze of fall seems to wake me up. On several occasions this week, I lifted my arms - held them out - and just let the cool breeze fill me with such joy. It's the little things.

5. That honestly, trust... hmmm..

6. I totally cheated. All. Week. Long.. on weight watchers. Shame on me. Time to start over. I let stress take me down and out.

7. A real cold is sincerely terrible. I have been doctoring a cough for weeks now. Blech.

8. I saw some terrible things come out of some people's mouths this week. Really terrible things, AND they were supposed to be representing our community.

9. I hope the little guy I gave my last few coins to on the side walk today will use that money for good and not drugs. Or if he gets drugs.. I hope they are good drugs.

,...

Joking.

10. I have finally accepted that something has come to an end. I'll be just fine.

11. I got fantastic news from my doctor. Just know, that's a good thing. Clear for 3 more years, and I will be clear for good. (C cells.)

12. I am going to need a lot of support in the coming months. I hope that the right people rally around me. Regardless of what the outcome.

13. I've watched an old guard get de-throned and a new guard take their place. I am curious how long this group will last.

14. I really wish some of my Bham friends would visit. *hint hint*

15.  Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine is a perfect way to end an Indian Summer.

16. I look forward to bed, just so I can drink coffee when I wake up.

17. BTW - Not sleeping so well this week.

18. I think my new meds (for PCOS) are starting to take effect. Every time I eat, I want to puke. Might help my whole diet. ;-)

19. I am going to miss having Auttie Blossom visit.

20. Love is compassionate, honest, resilient, passionate, loyal and lifts you higher. This I know for sure.

Healthy Choices: Positive Relationships

There was a time when I set these intense, very specific goals for my life. I strategically planned my life, set personal deadlines and held myself accountable for any issues that crossed my path.

Then real life happened.

I hit my 30s and things began to unravel. I found myself in a relationship that was going nowhere fast, to falling so hard, so deeply for someone who.. at the time.. felt like the answer to my prayers.

I am now just 5 months from turning 40, and it is time to close another chapter.

Officially.

Without going too deep into specifics, it is safe to say that my current situation does not include any of the following:

It is time I take control over what is happening.

That's what I want to talk about with you today: How to maintain healthy, positive relationships.

I think so much of my frustration, my anger, my disappoint... in my life, may be the source of trying to bring back to life a relationship that ran its course. You can only do so much. You can only control how you react to things, and if you find yourself in a situation that is not good for you, or your self esteem, or for your finances - you have to rescue yourself.

I have tried really hard to bridge a gap on this cultural divide. But I can't do it alone. I think I might have served a purpose in someone else's life, and now that they have what they want, I appear to be an inconvenience.

I'm sorry - but I am not an inconvenience. I was put on this earth to do something, and I deserve to have a positive partner to share in the highs and lows.. yet I find myself standing alone, carrying the brunt of responsibility on my shoulder.

No more.

So today, I pledge to myself to take care of me and only allow healthy, positive relationships into my life. I'm about to embark on a very painful journey.. not knowing what is next.

How do you select positive choices for yourself? What expectations and goals are non negotiables for you?

Acceptance & Tolerance.. A personal jihad

I figured so many things out tonight.

I went through a wide variety of emotions and discovered, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I had the knowledge all along.

For one, I am terribly disappointed in the statements made by dear friends and family members that happen to be Egyptian about the terrible acts of violence committed on American diplomats in Libya. I know I have defended the very same people, by always implying that middle easterners are peace loving, and do not want to hurt Americans.

At the same time, I came to understand something so thought provoking.. that it almost boggles the mind. How do you explain free speech to a group of people who have NEVER known what it is to live without fear of expressing a differing opinion when it comes to religion and politics? If I do not agree with your faith, I can say so. If I think your "god/goddess/whatever" or prophets are false, I can say so. You might get mad, but I don't have to worry about you storming the gates of the Vatican, taking on the Swiss Guard and overthrowing the Pope. Nor do I have to worry (so much..) about you bursting through the gates of the White House and trying to hurt our President. Instead, we voice our opinions and move the "eff" on.

Where is this coming from?? Well.. from what I understand is this - a movie that Muslims find extremely offensive was made by an American. It apparently had insults on their Prophet Muhammad. I do not know what was in this movie, since I have not seen the movie, nor have I located the trailer, which I heard was on Youtube. That's right - Youtube. People got wind of it and BOOM.. Egyptians are scaling the walls of the American Embassy, ripping down the American Flag and raising a flag of Islam. To poor fuel on the fire, on 9/11.. protesters stormed the American Consulate in Libya and killed an Ambassador and a few other people.

Because of a movie.

Yes, we can trivialize it all day, because those of us growing up in America are used to ridiculous rhetoric about this group and that group. I can't tell you how many times a day I come across someone bashing women or bashing Catholicism or whatever. Do I run immediately to the nearest Consulate and light their flag on fire? No, but I do have a right to protest. Peacefully. I also have a right to type my feelings on the entire issue, without fear of anything bad happening. I can even say whatever I want, specifically to someone about how I feel about an issue. These are the rights that are afforded to me.

Unfortunately, others do not understand where their rights end and our begin. The line is not as clear and it is all so very new to them. I was told by a former exchange student of mine, who happens to be Kurdish, that she believes that no one has the freedom to insult someones religion.

Actually, you do.

You can say whatever comes to mind. That does not make it right.

You have a right to your opinion. Though that does not make your opinion the opinion of others, nor does it constitute a fact.

I could go on and on about the issue, but it will never make sense to some. I am an American. I have so many freedoms that are entirely too difficult to translate for someone who has never experienced them. The real price of freedom? Accepting someone else's right to form an opinion that differs from your own, and NOT physically flipping out on that person.

The crazy part is, I am less upset over the protesting (which I think is a healthy way to let your voice and opinion be heard,) and more so upset over people thinking it is okay to hurt others because they said something that upset you.

I came home tonight and saw my egyptian. He is Muslim and a very devoted Muslim. Unfortunately, our few years living together has been extremely rocky (culturally speaking)and yes, I began seeing a side I did not like and attributing that to his religion (because he always tells me he makes decisions according to his religion.) Always going on and on about his religion.. and usually it is incredibly oppressive and completely opp osite of my thought process.

With that being said.. you can imagine today.. what the reactions of people I knew over "there" and the way I have experienced it in my own home.. how much that affected me.

I had to take a few minutes and just soak. Literally.. I took a super hot bath and tried to shake off the disappointment and the rose colored glasses. It's like I am living in my own little personal jihad and it made me stop and think.. Why do I find myself here? Wouldn't it be so much easier to only associate with like-minded people? Who look like me, who talk like me, who think like me? How much easier would my life be?

Then suddenly, a thought came to my mind - "Bloom where you are planted."

Over and over.. I thought of this quote.. "Bloom where you are planted."

For whatever reason.. I find myself here. Disappointed and heading toward bitterness.

Then I realized - it's okay to be disappointed. It is not okay to be bitter.

Then I came here and purged.