Five Minute Friday: Home

The word home evokes many images and sayings. 

Two that I immediately thought of were: Home is where the heart is and Home Tweet Home. The second saying hung above Tweety-Bird's house and is a throwback to my cartoon days.

Home also brings to mind houses. As I thought about houses, they aren't always needed for some place to feel like home. This week I was travelling for work and in doing so, I was keenly aware of what home means to me.

Home means comfort and security. It represents love and a feeling of care. 

To me home doesn't mean the nicest house on the nicest street in the best area. It's a place that's familiar. 

Lately, the thought of home is simply complex. It's people and the person that most represents home to me is Anthony.

What is home for you?

Linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday, where one word is written about for 5 minutes. 

Summer Date Idea

My husband, Anthony and I are major coffee connoisseurs. So any activity we do, will involve a coffee shop. Our favorite summer date is to hop in the car and drive somewhere new. We like to try out the local coffee shops and walk around the area. 

Recently, we were in Auburn (just outside of where we live) and we went to a ravine. My cousin was with us and thought it would be fun to take pictures of Anthony and me. We began posing for the camera.

  

Please hop on over to Mandie's blog, where I'm sharing an idea for a Summer Date Night...  

Grace - easy to receive, difficult to give

I've had a little trouble figuring out what to write here lately. Yesterday, after the Hubster and I had a long conversation, I found myself remembering this painting. 

I realized I love receiving the grace of God and having grace extended to me by others. But giving it, that's another story. Anthony brought up a situation where I was in the wrong. I admitted I was wrong, but knew I wasn't ready to do anything about it. 

As I sat in the car thinking about Jesus and the grace he freely provides, my heart softened. Friends, I didn't do anything to make my heart change. I sat there staring out the car window thinking about what Jesus did for me. I thought, I can't withhold grace from this person or situation. I've been given a lot more grace and forgiveness and I need to extend that to others. 

So, I closed my eyes and asked my Father to forgive me and help me to be willing to forgive and let go of anger and hurt. Amazingly, I know He did and, today, I feel a little lighter.

Friday Faves, Coffee Date, & InstaFriday

If we were to sit and have coffee today, I'd tell you that this has been a busy week.

Last Saturday, my sister-in-law, Brianna, got married. The wedding was beautiful and the food, primarily made by my mother-in-law and her family, was delicious. The cake was gone in no time and was heavenly. Brianna was a beautiful bride and Chad (her new hubby) is a wonderful fit for her and our family. 

photo credit: Benton Studios

Their wedding helped me realize that I'm not perfect or in control of really anything. If it weren't for Jesus, I'd be nothing. I'm so grateful for the people in my life that love me and stick around as I learn to become more like Jesus. 

Instagramed pictures from the wedding: 

Like my mani/pedi? Tonya (PC's wife) came to the rescue and painted them for me! P.S. Big, curly hair is an all-time favorite.

The Hubster & Me

Anthony & Donna (his mom, my mother-in-law)

Scott (my father-in-law) & Me

If we had coffee, I'd tell you that Scott & Donna are the most wonderful in-laws I could have ever asked for. They are my faves.

The Bridesmaids: Elise, Me, Chelsea, & Kourtney

I'd also tell you that I have a really thoughtful and incredibly sweet Hubster. Whenever we grocery shop together, he always asks me if I want flowers. This time, accompanied by our cousin, Brittany, I said yes. She helped him pick out a beautiful bouquet. 

When I Instagrammed the picture of the flowers, I said "I love pretty things." Anthony thinks cards are a waste of money. However, he replied to the flower picture and said, "I love pretty things too. That's why I picked you." Pretty much the best online "card" I could get. 

As we drank our coffee, I'd probably be wearing a striped shirt or pants. I'd say I might be needing a stripe intervention. We went to the mall on Tuesday and I bought 4 striped items. Add that to the growing collection and I think I now have 75% striped clothes. 

My coworker and I have become good friends. Her nickname is Sissy (real name is Stacey) and mine is Missy. Sissy gave me the prettiest top and earrings for my birthday. They were the only non-striped outfit I wore all week. 

In fact, I wore them to the SacTweetup. Where I met Donelle in person.

Donelle is such a fun lady and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better. She also started a really cool blog, Seen In Sacramento, where she talks about how awesome our town/city is.

One of my favorite things things about working downtown is the horse police. They are awesome, especially when they cross the street like pedestrians do!

Please don't stage a stripe intervention on me, I have a few more striped outfits I have my eye on!

What have you been up to this week? 

Linking up with Rachel, Alissa, and Jeanett!

High Five for Friday

I'm joining Lauren (From My Grey Desk Blog) for her weekly High Five for Friday post! 

Here are my high fives this week:

1. Accepting the fact that I am not perfect & I can never be. Not going to lie, this is incredibly hard for me to believe. I've spent a lot of time trying to be perfect.

2. Hanging out with my sister Heather and making some awesome pottery from Petroglyphs (post to come next week) for a birthday prezzie from her! Woo hoo. I can't wait to show you what we made.

3. The library. And reading books. Books that came highly recommended by Modern Mrs. Darcy. If you haven't gotten her Ultimate Beach Reading guide, you are seriously missing out. It's free! Thank you Anne for compiling such an awesome resource.

4. The internet and social media. I am so grateful for the friends I have made because of blogging. 

5. Budgeting and a new month. I like sitting down and creating a budget with Anthony. I love the beginning of a new month because our envelopes are full. I am grateful for being able to pay our bills and have room to spare. Also, being able to sponsor two little kids & help with charity: water. Thank you Father for helping us reach bottom a few years ago and teaching us to be better with the money you give us. 

What are your high fives this week?

Speed Dating ~ Blog Style

Confession: I have never speed dated. I've also never been on a blind date. I only went on one date before dating and marrying my Hubster. That guy is now my brother-in-law, Caleb. It's actually a pretty funny story. Maybe I'll tell it here someday. 

I was thrilled when I saw Mariah (aka Thee Fire Wife) talk about Speed Dating on her blog. Mariah linked up with Nicole (aka This Little Momma) and I thought it would be fun to do the same.

photo credit: anthonyprice

• I'm a perfectionist that tries to be creative and make stuff. You can see how this can be a problem.
• When I cook, experiments abound. 
• Headbands and even pony tails give me a headache. Always. 
• I can't stand clipping my finger nails with clippers, but I still do it.
• I haven't bit my nails (I know, bad habit...) since February when I started painting them with polish. Thanks Jessica (aka Polish & Pout)!
• Sometimes I feel like I'm the plainest person in the world. Like Sarah, Plain and Tall. 
• I have light blonde eyelashes and eyebrows, which means I look tired or sick if I don't wear mascara/draw in my brows.
• I have never gone to the Grand Canyon and I really want to.
• I've never felt as hipster as I do today: maxi skirt, Tom's shoes and a scarf. 
• I have always wanted to travel to some of the European & Scandinavian countries (Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, etc.) 
• We might go to London this fall! WOO HOO!
• I can't stand the phrase: nom nom or om nom nom when talking about food. It disgusts me.
• I am easily amused, especially by commercials with animals in them. 
• I am the oldest of 4 kids in my family and the oldest of all 15 grandchildren in the extended family. 
• I'm pretty much late wherever I go, which is a pet peeve of mine. Go figure.
• I love the old cartoons: Flinstones, Meet the Jetsons, Yogi Bear, etc.
• I'm really picky about movies I like. Pretty much if I stick with Disney or "family friendly" films, I'll like the movie. Get outside of those parameters and I probably won't like it.
• I like meeting new people.
• I love asking people questions, even though it can seem like I'm interrogating them.
• I have been known to have engaged in an activity for the primary purpose of blogging about it. In fact, that's how Nicole got me to watch Downton Abbey!
• I have a challenging time remembering the faithfulness of God and that He always, always knows what's best for me.
• I am learning that my timing does not coincide with God's. Pretty much all of the time.
• I'm also learning that Jesus freaking rocked it. He was and is so amazing. 
• If I read a book, I feel compelled to finish it even if I hate it. 
• This summer, I'm permitting myself to not finish a book and move on.
• Last week we went to the library to check out a bunch of the books, Anne (aka Modern Mrs. Darcy) shared with her Ultimate Beach Reading: Summer Reading Guide. And I had a wonderful time. 
• I just finished Julie and Julia and enjoyed it, minus the cussing.

What about you? What would your speed dating list look like?

Linking up here: 

Coffee Date & Together

If we were to sit down for coffee today, I'd order a non-fat mocha with light whip or a Gibraltar. It's a small latte with a little milk and espresso. I'd also ask for a packet of sugar to be added to the Gibraltar. Then I'd order a large glass of water. 

I can't ever drink enough water. 

Then I'd tell you that being together with the Hubster is the brightest part of my life. I'd tell you that I'm not sure exactly when we met. Because, I can't really remember. I believe we started hanging out "as friends" in 2002. We became best friends the summer of 2003 and were inseparable. We texted and IM'ed (instant message as in AOL!) all the time. 

I didn't even know how much I liked Anthony in my life until my mom said I liked him. I said no, I didn't. (I had never really liked anyone else until I met him, so I really didn't know). She asked me, what would you do if he dated someone else or wasn't in your life anymore? I immediately started crying. 

Yeah, I liked him. I liked him alot. And that started the journey of us being together formally.

The funny thing is, like Alissa said in her blog post, I don't remember life without being together. And I can't imagine life without him in the future. 

So, that my friends is what I'd tell you over a cup of the good stuff. 

What would you tell me about your life?

I'm happily linking here and here.