Arm Candy

I apologize... I haven't had time to get pictures together... But please go enjoy these other sites for great pictures... Check back soon as I'll be updating in the next couple days.

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My how things change in a year's time....

Well I obviously had the best intentions when I started this blog last year but it seems life may have gotten in the way of those intentions so let's get up to speed here...

Last year was a year of turning points for me...
Let's see if I can sumarize what was probably the hardest year of my life thus far...
I thought life was good when I made my first blog post... Little did I know that just weeks after my life would change forever...

I won't get in to all the ins and outs and ups and downs of what happened in private. There is no sense in airing all the dirtly laundry for those outside of my close circle of friends and family to see.

On July 7, 2011, I did something I never thought I would do. I packed my things and left. I was pushed beyong my breaking point. I felt empty and broken inside... Completely defeated and destroyed. I wasn't sure where I was going or what I would do but I was sure that I needed to get away and fast. From the outside looking in it may look like I didn't give it a shot and that I didn't give it a chance. Let's just say there was an event that occurred in the first weekend of April that opened my eyes and forced me to see how different things were from how I thought they were. By the end of May I knew that something had to change and efforts were made but by the beginning of July I knew that I could no longer stay. Some parts of a person will never change and some things absolutley do not just change over night. Those "instant" changes are not lasting. They are usually only temporary and yes I did stay long enough to see if they were real or not.

At 31, I had never truly felt like an adult... Not grown up. I don't know exactly what it was. By the time I turned 32 in October 2011, I realized that I had found myself. I realized I am strong. I have courage beyod belief (thank you God) and I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. Heck I can even manage to keep two little furry doggies alive and well, too!

The last year brought a lot of heartache but I know God has a plan for me. I believe things had to happen the way they did for me to finally realize exactly what I needed to do and to see that I AM STRONG.

In the process, I have found who my true friends are... The ones that even though the DID tell me, they haven't once said "I told you so." The ones that saw the hurt and the pain and the unhappiness for what it was and as hard as they tried, they had to let me go and let me do what I thought was best for me no matter how much it hurt them to see me hurt... The ones that still LOVE me and always will. And even the new ones that have only known the side of me that was constantly trying to be something I wasn't and are so suprised and delighted to meet the true me. The ones that look at me and say that I truly look happy. Funny how much simply that, being happy can change one's appearance...

I actually have the courage to dream and to make those dreams come true. I took a trip to Vegas in November. I am signed up to take the Harley Learn to Ride class. I am about to move into my own apartment and live on my own for the first time in my life. And all of this I've done ALONE (and with a little help from God of course).

Yea, I work more than I used to, but that's the nature of the beast from what I've been told. I also still have time to ENJOY LIFE and that is exactly what matters most. I feel like I am finally where I am supposed to be and that I am about to start the best chapter of my life yet.

My first time

Well besides occasionally blogging on what is my now defunct MySpace account, I am completely new to this whole blogging thing, so please bear with me as I learn my way.

I am drawing on my blog mostly from the best advise my Dad has ever given me in to simple words: "Enjoy Life." I do my best every day to find someway to enjoy life as my dad has suggested. Whether it is a t-tops off the Camaro ride home or simply sitting on the couch and watching my 2 rambunctious Yorkie puppies play, I seek out at least a little joy in every day life.

Now, I can't promise every post will be something super sunshiny and happy, I may occasionally vent about the job... Everyone has to have an outlet for that. But for the most part I want to talk about trying to live a joyful (and thankful) life...

Today, like most Sundays, I got to wake up with my husband. Today it was a treat since he has worked for nearly 2 weeks straight. We had our breakfast together as the pups (Max & Lucy) ran around. We watched t.v. and vegged out. We really need to get back to church, but well, we've been letting life (and 2 little puppies) keep us home. It was nice, considering I had to work (extra duty, I'll post about this soon) this evening. But I made the most of it... I made a cool fleece blanket for the pups to cover their new bed in hopes that they will not totally destroy this bed as they did their first one (in only 2 months, I might add!).

Oh and did I mention I got to drive the Camaro to work! No t-tops off since I'm sun burnt from hanging out on the river yesterday waiting for the St. Jude's boat parade to come by. But I still find joy in driving that LS1 power around, even if I just paid $3.52 a gallon for premium gas for it!

Well, at this point, I must sign off. My relief will be here shortly and I'll get to drive the Camaro home to my husband and puppies who are all waiting for me to get back home... Of course just for me to get up again in 8 hours and head to the normal work routine.