Last

We married 28 years ago today. I was 23 years old and he was 22. We didn't know anything.

I had visions of a sweet little house and a yard filled with children. Happy and joyous all the time. Parties with food and music and lots of happy people. 

I didn't imagine it wouldn't all be like that. I didn't imagine there would be disagreements and arguments. Stolid silences. Hurt feelings. That we'd have times where we couldn't seem to understand each other.

I didn't imagine difficult pregnancies. Our children not being perfect. 

I didn't imagine gaining weight and being tired and worn out all the time.

I didn't imagine stress for him at work and frustrations of things not being the way he imagined.

I didn't imagine having to come to terms with horrors from my past that I had buried so very deeply.

I didn't imagine that he would have such strength, fortitude, humor, and perseverance. I didn't imagine I could fight so hard for myself. That he would fight just as hard right along side of me for my healing.

I imagined a fantasy. A fairy tale.

I got a real-life marriage that lasts.




linking up with Five Minute Friday

Monday Musings

over the weekend Alan and I went to The Inn at Evins Mill for an anniversary getaway. it's always nice to go somewhere new, and I highly recommend The Inn if you are anywhere nearby.


the best things about a getaway with Alan though, is the chance to talk without interruptions and to just "be" quietly together -- to remember why we chose each other. 


relationship is all about communication. all too often the longer we are married, the less time we spend in actual communication. it's all well and good to say, "we know each other so well, we don't need to talk", but I don't believe that for a minute.


the same thing is true in my relationship with God. if I don't spend time talking to Him, i.e., studying His word and praying (talking) to Him, I lose sight of who He truly is. I impose my own fears, beliefs, and negative thoughts onto Him and they were never His to begin with. that's just satan trying to fool me.


make time today to communicate with the people most important to you -- God, your spouse, you kids -- whoever. even if it's just 5 or 10 minutes. it can make all the difference in the world.


blessings!

Blue Ridge Mountains Weekend Get Away

It was very hot and humid with some rain, so mostly we wandered around in shops, ate, slept and talked. I got some new beads for my etsy shop (Lucy's Beads and Prayers), and dh took lots of photos of food. We had a great time reconnecting with old friends. I hope you enjoy the photos.

We stopped at the Mayfield Dairy for a tour and a snack. 

Dh has been having hip/glute troubles, so I did most of the driving. 

Our cabin was called the Chocolate Moose. We spent a lot of time counting moose related decor! 

Setting up the computers to take advantage of the wi-fi. 

Saturday night we went out to dinner with our friends for an early anniversary celebration (25 years in August!). We went to Cucina Rustica, and everything was delicious.

 We ordered three desserts, but this was my favorite.

Here we are at the restaurant feeling totally full and satisfied. 

Kudzu! For those not familiar, kudzu is an imported plant that was brought into the south to help control erosion. It is virtually indestructible and will grow over anything -- hence the semi truck!

There were lots of little craft and antique shops. We spent a day and a half roaming in and out; looking around; and getting ideas.

Dh loves old toys and juggling paraphernalia.

Handblown glass beads from the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. And yes I bought a few to work with!

Project ideas for dh in all his spare time. LOL! 

Something similar to this to hold the new vessel sink in the bathroom we are remodeling. Another project for dh!

Dh has a thing for fun dragons (see Rex Benson).

I want a backyard like this someday. I just don't want to have to do the work to make it happen and keep it going!

This is the vessel sink we purchased from an artist in Blue Ridge (raebreed@tds.net).

Doesn't this just look like fairies should come out and fly around? 

The dulcimer concert we attended at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

We had our Sunday morning devotional here with good friends before we headed home.