If I Were An Actress...

Cottage from "The Holiday"

It could be the result of the merciless heat, or perhaps the cup of coffee I woke to find on my nightstand this morning, but whatever the reason I am now in a wonderful mood. This wonderful mood tilts just slightly on the crazy side. Not 20 minutes ago, while watching "You've Got Mail", I asked my husband if he were an actor would he not live in the city of his favorite film? Of course, he was baffled and having never given it any thought (nor been alerted that my mind could ponder such useless imaginings), he had no answer for me. Unable to cope with an unanswered question, I felt the need to consider my own question. That said, if I were an actress...

I would live in a tiny apartment and wait for the perfect film. I would pray every day that I land a role in a Nancy Meyers movie (since sadly Nora Ephron is no longer a possibility even in the imagination). No, it would not be beneath me to sneak into a private showing or party where I might "accidentally" meet her. I would still wait for the movie roll where I might live in an adorable apartment in the city (but on the cuter part of town). *Think little shops, fall festivals, flowers stands everywhere.* Maybe the apartment in "27 Dresses" in the part of New York in "You've Got Mail". Or maybe that film in a small town; still with little shops, cobblestone streets, and town festivals. You know the town, and let's not forget the house/cottage on the outskirts of it (maybe 10 minutes or so away) in which I would live. Maybe a cottage like the one in "The Holiday" with a town like "Something's Got to Give" or "Sabrina" or "Funny Farm". I would make an appointment with the realtor as soon as filming began, so that by the end of it all I could move in while editing was taking place. I would make a few phone calls and call on Nora Ephron with her favorite dessert and coffee (assuming she enjoys life's best with the rest of us); all in an effort to have my new home designed by someone with an imagination that I enjoy. Actually, the cottage and house idea would be favored because Justin and I would need room for our family. I'd have to make sure there were guest rooms for our family to visit, too. I would have to make sure my mother could visit Nora Ephron, too because if it weren't for her I would have no idea who she was in the first place. Yes, this would be my plan. I would commute for other films and then always return to the happiest little place I had ever been able to find. Justin and I would visit the local shops during the week and on weekends. We would hardly ever leave because, really, what would the point be. I might could even talk him into a dog; one that we could take walking into town. *Sigh*

Okay, so I am done fantasizing. What about you? Where would you live? What would your ideal home look like? 

P.S. Oh, and after hearing my post Husband responded to the question. He said he would find us a little house in Maine, where the leaves change color in the fall and there are snowy winters. He said he would make sure it was in a town where fresh crab and lobsters were brought in daily, and he would buy lobster often because he believes it would be cheaper there where it is common. He suggested we come down here for the winters, but I insisted we stay for the SNOW! Hmmm, now I need to watch "White Christmas".

Life Not According to Plan

It's funny how things work out, isn't it? Do you ever stop and consider the moments you find yourself in? Every once in a while I do. These days it seems our blessings are in a great abundance. I think Justin and I have thrown out the "plan" for a while. Outside of planning for our first anniversary, enjoying Thanksgiving turkey, and some major Christmas decorating, we have come to realize our plans are really quite pointless.

Anyone reading this and thinking "What plans could they possibly have made in less than a year!", please excuse me while I stop laughing. You must not know us very well. I think it is safe to assume all married couple make plans. Add a guy and girl who expect to know what to expect and plan surprises and you'll find Justin and I. What can I say? As singles we put off living in a way. As a couple, we haven't quite slowed down. Everything from our first dinner with friends to when do we want to start a family has been a constant conversation and much planning. Life doesn't always fit the plans, does it? Just to give a small glimpse into the changes that have come with our 9 months of marriage...

When we first married, Justin and I worked in 2 different cities. I left home 15 min. before him to go to a job I loved and work with a group of women I loved at a company so great that only Google may top it. On cold mornings Justin warmed my car for me while I grabbed my coat. We dealt with our first serious illness- mine- at the first of the year. We were grateful our first holidays with two families went smoothly & we had our first overnight guests (my brother and sister). Every day Justin traveled the 10 minute drive home to wait for me to arrive anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour later. We were living beneath "Bigfoot" and had to become accustomed to his 10:30-midnight vacuum schedule, which often cut out our tv signal. On a much more serious note, I came home every night frustrated. I was often too worked up to enjoy the evenings, cook dinner, clean house. I did it, but not as well as I wanted to. I was letting outside influences (that I was around daily) effect my life- our life. I felt like I wasn't giving any part of my life, my all. It felt like most of my energy was going towards a losing battle and I began to wonder just why it was that I was fighting to win it anymore.

A few months after we were married, I was staying at home (a decision that had come after much, much, much thought and prayer, but a little before we had originally planned). Our apartment was in constant order. Dinner was always cooked. I knew everything that was going on in our lives. Justin and I woke up together, ate lunch together, and were together right after he got off work. We found a house, dealt with a not-so-great realtor, and moved into our home. We had our first lessons in painting, hammers, and moving. We had our first experiences with unwanted guests, neighbors who bring blueberry muffins to welcome you, and mowing our own grass. I was thankful for the focus I had on our life, but I'll admit I knew not to relax completely.

In this last month, I have been called back to work. I work for the same great company, with another great group, and some very knowledgeable supervisors. Justin and I wake together, we ride together to work, to lunch, and back home at night. We share the chores and have recently found a more efficient way to mow the grass (mainly with Justin mowing the front yard and I the back). We still have our time at home and while I sometimes miss knowing that everything is taken care of, I still feel in the loop with our life.

Truth is, God and I have had some heart to hearts over the last 25 years, but especially within the last few months. Whether missing my family or just not feeling too great, we've talked. I've definitely been put in place a lot lately. Being reminded I don't know it all and my timing and planning means diddly in the bigger picture still bites, but it's a lesson I think our Father knows He will have to remind me from time to time. Truth is, maybe our life isn't all that we expected 9 months ago.

It is better. Yes, life unplanned, yet full of hope is better than all of the plans and definites imaginable.

I could never have planned or anticipated these last few months, let alone this last year. I could never have thought myself taking the steps I've taken or making the decisions I've made. I never really thought I'd find the man to make all of those life changing decisions with (only hoped and prayed for him ALL OF THE TIME). Truth is, God presents his plans for your life and you can't just wait and sit as though nothing lies before you. You have to make decisions; albeit emotional, difficult, even exciting ones. They are decisions and steps you have to take, and you better believe they will effect your plan and build the life God has for you.

I guess overall this is really just a lot of thinking out loud. I hope that our lives are always filled with so much hope. We truly have no idea what may lay ahead, and though we are naturally planners, when it comes to the every day we can only make the best decision we know of and keep moving together. What we hope for and what will be simply isn't in our hands. Tell me, do you find yourself enjoying life unplanned (at least according to your plans)?

Dear Fall (A Love Letter)

Dear Fall,

I miss you. It has been too long since we last met. Summer is giving me a terrible time- the red hot heat & humid air. Oh, won't you hurry back?

We always have such fun, you and I. I always love our time together. Your crisp, cool air and warm, bright colors give way to all my favorite things. I crave the baked treats I get to enjoy and the warm spiced drinks you bring to my lips. I toast a large cup of sin to you....I mean a venti Caramel Apple Spice. You make me fill my tv screen with my favorite of movies- "You've Got Mail", "French Kiss", "When Harry Met Sally". (Yes, you are apparently the season of Meg Ryan.)

Remember our time together last year? You gave us the perfect wedding present. You blew your cool breeze through my veil throughout the ceremony. You allowed the sun to brightly shine on your colors of gold, brown, and crimson red. No one complained of the heat or moaned in your presence. You followed us as we traveled those long miles away, making our cabin a vacation of dreams. You were even so kind as to follow us to our new home and stay with us awhile longer. How selfless you are, Fall.

I wish that you would hurry back to us. I wait so eagerly for you. I promise that when you return you will be welcomed into our home. I'll walk out to greet you daily and thank God nightly for your presence. I'll bake treats in honor of you and drink to your visit.

Oh, Fall, please come and rescue us. Summer has outstayed its welcome.

Love one of your most devoted friends,

Antiquing and School Supplies

I have to admit that there is one place here that I love to visit- the antique stores. There is actually an entire strip of shops devoted to selling antiques in our town. Even when I do not get to visit, I daydream about going sometimes. This past Saturday Justin and I made it a day of shopping. First stop- Cotton Port!

I briefly visited the front booths of the stores (as is my custom) before quickly, and yet ever so discreetly, walking to the first booth in the back. The reason for this planned route is my strong desire to keep all other eyes away from my favorite location- the old photos. Since I was 12 years old, I have come to know this favored spot from my mother. They keep two boxes filled with old photos; pictures from the mid 1800s to the late 1960s. If I ever posted all of my pictures, I would never find time to write again. Can you imagine throwing away family photos? For shame. For 5 to 10 cents I can adopt these strangers into my collection.

I actually felt quite lucky Saturday. I ran across this photo of a WWII Air Force class from Chicago. While I care nothing for Chicago personally, I found it impossible to leave these faces behind. They did too much for us to be left in the back corner of an old shop forgotten. Did I mention their names are written clearly on the back? I told Justin I want to try to find out about each of them one day.

I also found these dishes. They are small, but I thought they looked perfect for a fall table. I can not wait to put them out this year. Oh, how I wish fall would hurry it up!

After nearly two hours in the store (mostly in front of the pictures), we went to one other store. I'm sorry to say the shops were crowded that day. Before completely giving up on the quiet antique trip I was still dreaming of, we went to one other store. There, I found these old books.

Afterwards our antique trip, we made our way back into the modern world. We went to Target where the only thing on our list was a baby outfit for a sweet friend of mine who is expecting a grandbaby. By the way, is it just me or is it incredibly difficult to shop in the baby section of stores when you have no children? Maybe it is simply because I know several people that would love to catch us in the middle of such shopping and get carried away with ideas. *On a side note, not that I won't love when we finally have a reason to shop for ourselves, but such prospects are personal and the hopes of something so great are personal. Feeling as though I am under constant watch by those who I don't have a personal relationship with bothers me. Yes, perhaps more than it should.*

Back on subject, Justin reminded me that school supplies were out. He is such a sweetie! I was good. I only bought the necessities...obviously. :) Okay, so the excess amounts of scissors and glue are for the card party we are having in a couple of weeks. (Remember to stop by my Operation Christmas Card page.) Either way, we had no crayons, no markers, and no colored pencils in this house. How could I leave perfectly good school supplies behind? Impossible!

I also found "Sweet Home Alabama" on sale! I love this movie! It is such a classic. Afterwards we came home to relax and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Can you guess what we watched? I also finished making this bear to match the outfit we bought.

Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend. Tell me, am I the only one who overthinks shopping trips?

To the Newlywed Wife: Why Not to Watch The Parent Trap

Okay, okay, I know this title sounds crazy. Until about 30 minutes ago, I would have thought so to. Nevertheless, it is true. I could hardly wait to watch The Parent Trap with Justin tonight. He had never seen it, how much fun, yay! As if! We are not even half way through the movie and at least twice I have been brought to the brink of tears. As a child, I loved this movie. My family and I watched it all of the time and I loved the great story, beautiful sceneries, and some of my favorite actors. The problem tonight...I miss my parents.

There hasn't been even a second where I have regretted marrying Justin. I love the life that we have and this love that seems to overwhelm us on a daily basis. I have come to realize though that marriage & love for my husband does not dispense or cause you to forget the love that you have ALWAYS known. You find yourself missing the hugs and smiles and just everyday peaceful moments filled with the most random, wonderful, comforting moments that you know with them from the first second of your life until the minute you say "I do".

Remember the scene in The Parent Trap where Hallie runs up the stairs to meet her mother for the first time? Now obviously I don't remember the very first time I saw my mother, but I do know what it is now to miss my mother; to feel as though I have gone too long without her and worry over the next time I will be able to see her. I do know that wonderful moment when I find myself being wrapped in her hug for the first time in a while. I feel her wedding ring pressed into my shoulder as she hugs me, and I inhale the warm, sweet perfume that I've always known her to wear. Her beautiful blonde hair seems to glow even in the warmly lit room and I am just so grateful to see her smiling for real; in front of me again rather than simply in memory.

My mother has the prettiest white pajamas. I want some so badly!

Remember the scene where Hallie quietly explores her mother's room, grasping desperately for the glimpse of her mother she has so longed to know and wants so much to remember? Well, I used to watch that scene and think how beautiful the room was, how fragile and delicate the perfume bottles were, how elegant and nice her mother looked. I spent years afterwards looking at my own mother's perfume bottles and thinking the exact same thing. Mommy always had such an elegance about her and still does. She can cook up a storm, be covered in paint, prick her fingers with sewing needles & still look so soft and gentle. She looks as pretty in her jeans and tee shirts as she does in her heels and dress shirts. She makes everyone else pale in comparison simply because of all that she overcomes in the end. It doesn't matter how bad our days ever went or how mean someone was to us. My mother was and is the one woman I can count on to call things what they are, and yet remind me to be fair and strong at the same time. There are no games with her- just love and that overwhelms all else.

Now, remember the scene where Annie meets her dad after getting off the plane? Again, I don't remember the first moment I met Daddy, but my mother sure did tell me enough stories about it. So okay it wasn't our first meeting, but it was our first "conversation" of sorts. I was only a few hours old, and as if being a daddy wasn't overwhelming enough the whole daddy/daughter thing definitely surprised Daddy more that day. (Some bobo told men years ago that little girls are no fun.) Well, Daddy apparently wanted to decide for himself just what he thought of me. My mother woke up to find me missing from my hospital crib and being held by Daddy. She said we were both staring straight into each others eyes (yep, he was holding me right in front of him). She said she knew right then that we loved each other. *Note- I then spent the next 5 years showing him how great girls can be. My sister then came along to show him how much more fun girls can be. Then our brother came along to secure the fact that sons can be pretty awesome. :)* Y'all that story about brings me to tears because if I think about it he always did have a way with silence with me. It wasn't just what he said as what he did or the faces he made while thinking. Anyway, back to topic, I miss that. I miss seeing him and hugging him every day. I miss riding out to his work with dinners sometimes and feeling plum special because I was his daughter and I was proud of him. When Justin and I go visit them now, I love being wrapped into one of his hugs. I love how I feel as loved as ever. I love that extra squeeze when we see each other and that final one just before we go- almost as if he is trying to give me just a little more to hang on to until the next time.

All of this to say, if you are newly married and still adjusting to life without the presence of your parents do not watch this film unless tissues are near by. It's still a cute movie and the nostalgia is great. Still, unless you are seeing your parents tomorrow don't torture yourself. It will only make you want to drive the distance for a hug, steal a bottle of your mother's perfume, and then you will have to explain to your surprised parents (who thought you old enough and mature enough to marry in the first place) that your flowing tears began when you started watching The Parent Trap 45 minutes ago. Better yet, just suggest watching it next movie night at their house. It's probably much safer that way. :) What about you, any emotional movies for you?

P.S. If you are looking for something cheery to do, please take a minute to visit my Operation Christmas Card page. The contest is still open to participate!