friendship

While we may say or do things that we regret, it is the things we don't say or do that we'll never forgive. Friendships work two ways, my friends, and when one is giving and giving, and never receiving, it gets nearly impossible to hang on. Is it time to let go? Well, at this point, time will only know, but the heart can take only so much breaking.

Mama texted me, "make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold (for 20 years)." True. I know. But...what happens when the "old" blows you off time and time again, cancels plans time and time again, then turns around and makes YOU out to be the bad guy because YOU won't cancel committments you've made to other people, simply because it is more convenient for said friend (and there is still no guarantee said friend will actually show up if you do cancel other plans)? ...sorry for the ridiculously LONG run on sentence, but I just kind of don't care about grammar at the moment...

Sidney J. Harris --"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."

My heart is breaking. I've neglected my husband, my homework and countless other things just to continue to get my heart broken.

So I ask you, my blog friends, when is enough enough? Will I regret holding on or letting go?


From Search Your Love
It's one thing to start a friendship, it's quite another to maintain it, to keep it, to stay on what Lewis called "the same secret path." Even strong friendships require watering or they shrivel up and blow away. That's why George Bernard Shaw touched an exposed nerve when we read the words he scribbled to his friend Archibald Henderson: "I have neglected you shockingly of late. This is because I have had to neglect everything that could be neglected without immediate ruin, and partly because you have passed into the circle of intimate friends whose feelings one never dreams of considering."


It's so easy to take good friends for granted. And in a sense, we should. Like a comfortable pair of gloves, old friends wear well. But friendships that suffer from busyness and overfamiliarity can't afford to be neglected too long. They need renewal. If you want and need to keep true friendship alive and well, please, consider and think over a list of the most important qualities offered to help you. Probably it will help you to understand why you and your best friend haven't called up for ages, why you're getting embarrassed while being asked "Whom are you going to have fun this weekend with?" Like Shaw, you may neglect your intimate friends from time to time, but if you fail to cultivate these qualities—loyalty, forgiveness, honesty, and dedication—you can't expect to keep true friends.

The bold emphasis is mine--because I feel, this is where we have come. Are we such intimate friends that our personal feelings are the last to be considered?

Sorry for such a depressing post--but this has been weighing heavy on my heart for about a month now, and I just can't cry or yell or emotionally hole up anymore...Tim might try to leave me. ;)

(ok, that last bit was a joke, but bless his heart you guys!)

So, thank you, for letting me get this off my chest.

sugar glasses

Ok. Post #2 today is about a super cute website that paints super cute wine glasses! The artist is my friend James that I mentioned in today's earlier post.

I have been lucky enough to receive several of Sugar Glasses hand-painted masterpieces, and figured I'd share the website with you all.

It is called SugarGlasses.com and ya'll she is SUPER talented. I have a plate she made for me in college and then four wine glasses she painted for Tim and I when we got married. She customizes orders--and I have yet to find something she can't do (I wish she would display some of her canvas paintings she did back in college!). She does REALLY cute Razorback decorations (I used to hunt her down to help me with my coolers) and she's good at Greek inspired items as well (for those young pledges or old sorority gals in your life).

You can click HERE to go to her link...or...I have it listed in the side bar under the header "Other web spots I like to visit."

She uses a high-quality paint (and cooks the glasses) to make them dishwasher safe! For your viewing pleasure, the glasses she painted for me and Tim when we got married (yes, the glass bases have fleur-de-lis on them--be still my heart!):

9.28.10

This past weekend Tim and I headed up to Fayetteville for the big game against 'Bama. We didn't pull off the win (which was quite depressing), but we got to see one of my besties, James, and her husband.

James lives in Rochester, NY--so we get to see each other barely at all. We text and talk all the time, but rarely get to see each other face to face--so that was a special treat for us.

After the game, we went to grab a couple of drinks at a bar on Dickson to let the crowds die down before we headed back to Rogers. The guys chatted about who knows what--and James and I chatted about food. Yep. Food.

For those of you that may know James, you might remember that ALL that girl ate in college was popcorn and cream of mushroom soup. No exaggeration. That was it.

So, I am sure you are now as surprised as I am to find that we talked about cooking--in our own kitchens--and it was something OTHER than popcorn or soup.

Well, with all that said, I shared a recipe with James that I concocted a couple of nights ago that is yummy, and easy, so I figured I'd share with you, too.

Cheese and Mushroom Sauce with Chicken

Ingredients:
Chicken Breast
1/2 c. white cooking wine
1 lemon (sliced)
sliced mushrooms
cherry tomatoes
swiss cheese (shredded--I used apx. 2 cups)
nutmeg
garlic salt
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. unsalted butter

Cover both sides of breast with nutmeg and garlic salt.

In large skillet, heat butter and oil together. Add chicken, brown both sides. Once browned, add mushrooms, lemon, tomotoes and cook apx. 5 minutes.

Add wine, cover and cook on low heat about 15-20 minutes, until chicken is completely cooked.

Remove chicken and lemon slices. Discard lemon slices, place chicken in oven (low heat) just to keep warm.

Bring liquid to a boil, stirring, until liquid is reduced by half. Add garlic salt to liquid to taste to counter act the sweet/sour of the wine and lemon. Add cheese, stir until melted. Top chicken with cheese sauce and serve.

I served my chicken over fettucine pasta.

SO YUMMY.

Umm-Kay. So I think I'll have ONE more post today, later. I have to go take a picture with my phone first.

And yes, I did get some pictures from this weekend, but you know me. That will take longer to get those pictures loaded to the computer from my camera. :)

retraction

My college profs would be cringing at this post. I posted here
that my brother sang this song. Well, I didn't verify my sources (bad journalism student, bad!!) and it was NOT my brother that sang it--it was in fact, Jimbo Ramsey.

I apologize for misleading anyone.

It's still a great song. In the spirit of getting ready to head to The Hill...I'll post it again. :)

WOOOOOO PIG SOOIEEEE!!!!

9.23.10

A little bit of this and that (for documentation purposes):

Historical moments in time:
"The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans," Obama wrote in a letter posted at Whitehouse.gov. "And starting tomorrow, the Patient's Bill of Rights goes into effect, ending some of the worst abuses of the insurance industry and putting you, not your insurance company, in control of your healthcare."

There are six parts of Obamacare that will show their face today:

1. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny children coverage for pre-existing conditions.

2. Children of parents with insurance will be allowed to remain covered under those policies until the age of 26.

3. Insurance companies will be forbidden from terminating coverage for any other reason than customer fraud.

4. Insurance companies will no longer be able to cap the amount of benefits and treatment a person can receive in a lifetime.

5. Insurers can no longer charge customers for preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies.

6. High-risk pools are mandated to cover those who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.




So...I guess we'll finally get to see if this will really "SAVE" America...or if it will lose even more jobs and money. Time will only tell.

FOOTBALL:
The Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked #10 --and are going to play #1 Alabama at Razorback Stadium on Saturday.

How pumped am I? Ummmm....yeah, that would be pretty pumped.

The blog "Blog Hawg" shared this feature that was in USA Today. WOOO PIG SOOIE!!!

"Arkansas, QB Ryan Mallett ready to stand up to Alabama."

I'm SOOOOOOO ready for about 7:00 PM Friday night. Let the weekend begin!!

RANDOM:

Because it wouldn't be a blog post without something off the wall, right? Well, Tim and I got tickets to see Wicked in November. YEA!!! And. Mr. and Mrs. G got tickets for the same night...so we're going to have a grown up date (dinner and a show). How fabulous?!?

9.14.10

Football is here!

Tim and I went to Dallas to watch the TCU/Oregon State game at Jerry's World. That stadium is something else...

Tim and his buddy Kurt (our welcoming host)
Me and Holly (our welcoming hostess)
Inside the stadium--awkward angle...

In between the Oregon State game and the Hogs game, we had the NFL opening night, where the Saints once again, beat the Vikings. Woo hoo! Of course, I didn't touch my camera the whole night (too much going on), so I had to borrow pictures from my buddy.

Nanny--I figured what better decoration for our first Saints game together as a married couple than our 2nd line umbrellas?
Watching the game...

Me and Tim...

After the long weekend in Dallas, then the Saints game Thursday night, we had the first Little Rock game. Tim chose not to attend because he was tuckered out (his loss) but the rest of us had a good time!

Some of my favorite girls...Mrs. G and V

V and my future BIL

Awwww...my sweet boys (I use that word "sweet" lightly). ;)

My college roomie (from sophomore year), BB.

We had a bunch of freshmen girls hanging around our tailgate because Mrs. G's little sister is a brand new freshman and just pledged a sorority. Made me and BB feel nostalgic for the old days...so we became total dorks and threw up the X O!!

Now, I'm sure you have noticed my GORGEOUS accessory in some of the above pictures. Yes, that accessory is because my klutzy self managed to sprain my hand a couple of weeks ago. :(

FINALLY...

My brother entered a song in a local contest that asked locals to write/sing songs about the Hogs. I must admit, first, I'm not sure how the song fared in the contest, but I am quite impressed with his creativity. Thought I'd share with you guys...

Update: Hotel Arkansas came in 2nd place in the contest (yay Brudder!). To check out the rest of the entries you can go here.

WOO PIG SOOIE!!

mrs. jb

I can hardly believe that today marks the 4th year since we lost our Mrs. JB. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday...while others it feels like a lifetime.

I'm comforted knowing that no matter how old we are--she'll always be watching over us. We love you Mrs. JB!!!

a moment of silence

I will never forget. For the past 9 years this day has been a day I dread. No matter how great life seems--on 9/11 I am always overcome with a sadness that consumed me in September 2001. Now we have politics and hurt feelings causing so much grief between muslims and the rest of our nation. A moment of silence and peace (and no politics) for the lives lost on that dreadful day. None of us should ever stop remembering how it felt that day 9 years ago.

God Bless America.

9.10.10

The circle of life. What a journey it is.

I keep thinking back to that whole "circle of life" thing and I can't help but wonder why? Why do we have to lose someone, only to turn around and start a wonderful new beginning the next week? Why is joy followed by tragedy or vice versa? Too philosophical, I know. But you do have to wonder, eh?

The circle of life topic of discussion today is that of friendship. Why are some friendships so easy and effortless while others seem so complicated and tiresome? Why if one friendship is so complicated and tiresome, do you find yourself still loving that friend unconditionally, endlessly? I found a wonderful blog post here that discusses friendship. I thought I'd share with you all...(I highly recommend you read it). Maybe we put up with it all because in the end, it is your friends that get you through. Life would be so ...pointless... without friends to cheer (cry, yell, laugh, sigh...) with you.

With that said, D sent yet another email I thought I'd share with you. I'm sure most of you have seen this before, but after last night, I know this to be so true, even if others can't see it just yet. I am so blessed to have so many sisters (and "aunts").


"A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter.

" Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll
be more important as you get older. No matter how
much you love your husband, no matter how much you
love the children you may have, you are still going
to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'

'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman
thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about.

As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much wewould need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. "

9.9.10

NFL Season Opener tonight...in the Dome. Oh Joy!! WHO DAT!!! Will it be a Two dat?

D sent this email out early this morning--thought I'd share to keep the positive thoughts flowing. Good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts. Who Dat!!

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of
faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the
love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul
the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us."
-Author Unknown

the big chill

so...have you ever seen the movie The Big Chill? I can remember watching it as a child and just not really getting it, but, a little while back I decided to watch it again. It really is a good movie (if you can get past the 80s quality of sound/filming and fashion). It's about a group of college friends that reunite for a weekend after attending a friend's funeral.

Yep. There it is again. That word. FUNERAL. So final, so there, never seeming to truly leave. Funeral. Good-bye.

Two weeks ago today, my sister lost one of her dear high school friends to the battle against gastroparesis and other complications. The poor little angel's body was just so tired and it was just time for her to finally get some rest.

The two were absolutely inseparable during their junior high and high school years, then...life happened. They disagreed on who to hang out with or it just got easy to not answer the calls...regardless, they grew apart. For more background, there was about six girls in this group and it happened to them all. They all grew apart, then bitter. Each thought the other was ignoring everyone for one reason or another--

Fast foward to about six months ago--and the wonderful world of Facebook. All these babes, that were more like sisters than friends found themselves reconnecting. They promised lunch, dinner, whatever...but again, life happened and they kept putting it off. And then they lost her.

The night after Casey passed, the group (that was in the state) gathered (like old times) at V's house. I told her "it's like the Big Chill." Laughter, tears, truths...all came out. And I truly believe that those girls are better for it now. I only wish they didn't have to lose Casey to get there.

Now, I find myself reflecting on my own relationships and I'm torn. I don't want to lose someone, or fail to let them know my feelings before its too late...

Work happens. Husbands happen. Dogs happen. Different social lives happen. Setting out to accomplish goals happen. LIFE happens and unfortunately, some things you value the most fall to the wayside.

Friendships are two-way streets, and when only one way is open, well, it gets pretty boring to drive down the same ol' street, with the same ol' scenery. I only pray that I don't have another Big Chill anytime soon. Steve and Casey were enough.

9.1.10

I actually have two topics that I want to blog about...but little ol' me has managed to hurt my right hand (have I mentioned I am right-handed?)...so, it is painful to type and I only can use one finger, so it is quite annoying as well. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to see if I've done any major damage or what...

I was informed Saturday that I am "just not blogging enough," so...here you go. The slideshow we played at our rehearsal dinner. It's long...but if you have some time to spare and are interested in seeing it...here ya go:

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

P.S. Yesterday was the birthday of two very special ladies in my life...Happy Birthday to Moogie and Reemie Dekar!!!