Thrown for a LOOP

Sometimes life throws you for a loop...never understood that saying. People throw you for a loop...life moves straight ahead, regardless. So, with that said here is a few things that has thrown me for a loop lately...

1. The things people say on Facebook. For the first time ever, my status was directed to other people on FB. I wrote it and had to really think before I clicked the post button. I really doubt that my opinion matters to many but I realized just how bad I felt thinking it just might. But it was an honest opinion and I did click the post button but not without thinking how do out spoken people do it, I just don't know.
2. Allergies! Does the entire world have them? Is that just something you don't
notice until you're in your 50's? Well, regardless I think 1/2 the human race
has red, itchy, swollen eyes.
3. The weather.
4. School calendars- what are they thinking.
5. Pictures! We either think we look better than we really do OR no one looks like
themselves in pictures. No wonder most people run the other way when a camera
is anywhere in sight.
6. Your children love you but do have a way of getting on with their lives.
7. Getting older. Jeff and I went to Dollywood over the weekend and rode every
rollercoaster they had. I ache, I'm sore and I have actually got 3 bruises on one
leg and one on the other from jumping a guard rail. It got me to thinking if I feel
like this at 52, how do my parents feel at 77!
I am sure I could mention a few more but these are the latest loop throwing things that have been on my mind... itleast today!

The Wedding

I haven't been here in months. So much has been going on- the parties, showers, wedding. I have to say that all the above just so happened to be perfect and I loved every minute of it. Yes, emotions (especially stress) were running high. I had an occasional breakdown and everytime my phone rang (which seemed to be continuously) I wanted to throw it out the window! Lord knows I had days that crying seemed to be the only answer! But in the end it was all worth it. My daughter had her dream wedding and she was the happiest I had ever seen her. Josh was an answer to a prayer, not only to hers but mine as well.
The wedding was exactly what we hoped for. It was Brooke- every detail! Jeff and I both had clipboards and to do list. She would show me, I would print it and he would make it or I would buy it. Brooke did alot of things herself, I was impressed, she is quite crafty- loved the chalkboards! The three of us had the teamwork down! Project after project it all began to come together. The Tea Room was beautiful, all the hard work was well worth the outcome!
The ceremony was the sweetest ever. There was a sweet spirit that just seemed to flow throughout the church. The church was beautiful and every word that came out of Wayne Phillips (the preacher) mouth was perfect. He made the ceremony so personal and special. The change of venue was a blessing in disguise. God always knows whats best!
The Birdsongs, what a wonderful family! We were blessed beyond words to have these sweet souls be part of this special time for our family. My daughter said it best- they are like rays of sunshine. They were a huge hit! Everyone was talking about them.
We have been blessed with such wonderful friends. Susan was the wedding director and did it wonderfully. She, Traci, Freda and Beth were indisposable throughout the wedding, they were willing workers and literally did whatever we needed and then some! "Norm" made over 800 cookies for the adorable little stamped bags Brooke made. I love those sweet woman beyond words.
I am so thankful all our family and friends were there to share this special time with us. Their loving smiling faces were just comforting. I remember being nervous right before the ceremony started then when Matt and I started down the aisle I looked to the left and there sat my sweet friends from work and I simply felt at ease.
When Saturday morning rolled around and all was said and done, it was time for clean up! We left early and most everything was out and back by noon. I stayed at the Tea Room and finished up the little things, just me, by myself. All of a sudden everything was over. My daughter was married. I guess Saturday was the first time it really soaked in, I knew things were going to be different from this moment on. So, I worked awhile, cried awhile and did alot of talking to God. I was there for hours then got a sweet phone call from Freda and she was headed my way. That was a good thing, I don't think I would have ever left, in my mind at that moment, being there was holding on to her (Brooke). Freda came, with (late) lunch and we ate while going over every little detail of the wedding, how happy Brooke and Josh were and how blessed we were.
I thank God for our family, our friends, our new son-in-law and our new extended family. I love each of them dearly. God bless Josh and Brooke and the wondeful life I know they have ahead of them.

One of THOSE days!

Everyone has them! One of those days that everything that can go wrong does! Today was mine. Started bad, ended even worse.
Mom and I went to Target near Brooke's to get a KitchenAid mixer for the shower AND it was on sale! EXCEPT they didn't have it. So, we went out east to that Target, then Turkey Creek Target then back to the west Target. NO mixer! They only had red and silver... no imperial grey!
We meet Brooke for lunch and afterward, as we are completely defeated, decide to move on to the next gift. So, back east to Knox Center to Belk for dishes. BUT they don't carry the Denby dishes at all! Back in car heading west BACK to where we came from. Get to that Belk and they carry them they just don't have very much of them! Not even one complete place setting. So, we had to order them online and we have to pray they make it to us before the shower.
Last stop- Hobby Lobby. Have to get the ink for the pen to do the wedding invitations! Almost no choices- blue, red and black. No grey, not even a good choice of pens. So I spent over 20.oo and it's not really what we wanted at all.
It wasn't a very good or productive day. I don't know what was worse, the fact that I got so little accomplished or the fact that someone made me feel as bad as anyone has ever made me feel about myself. Oh, well it's a toss up but I think the latter would win hands down!
Here's to a better tomorrow.... Lord willing. Enjoy your Sunday.

The Shower

I am so excited about the very first shower for Brooke! It is February 26th and it feels to me like the kick off for the wedding festivies! I am going Friday to gift shop and me shop! Need something to wear to the shower! Well, maybe not so much a NEED, more like a want! Am hoping all this dieting will pay off and I will have gone down a size! This is going to be a busy month and I am sure it will absolutely fly by!
I know exactly what I'm getting she and Josh for the shower! Something that took me YEARS to get! Plan on getting all things needed for shower completely done Friday... and what I'm wearing! Hopefully that plan will fall into place!
I must also mention how proud I am of Brooke! She is becoming quite domestic! A great lil' cook - just ask Josh! :)

To say I am getting stressed over my weight is an understatement! February is HERE! Brooke and Josh's shower is 3 weeks from Sunday and only 7 weeks and 2 days until the WEDDING! I should have started the diet months ago! I have set a shower weight loss goal and a wedding weight loss goal. I only hope there's enough time! I have to clothes shop, which I hate. I am going to wait until the last minute and hope I go down a size! (riight) Brooke has also been dieting by watching her sugar and carb intake! She lost 10 lbs.! Yah! That is great! Way to go Brooke!
We have so much to do and our goal is to have everything we can do ahead of time DONE by March 1st. I keep looking at the calendar and wondering where the time went?!? Seems like yesterday she came home with the ring! So for us it's full speed ahead. Have to stay focused! Get in wedding mode and stay in wedding mode! We can sooo do this! :)

Birthday 52

I had a great birthday! I am now 52. That is hard to believe! Do I feel it? Sometimes. Do I look it? Probably most of the time. I am thankful to God, as always, to celebrate another birthday.
Today it hit me I hadn't blogged in several days- 6 to be exact. So I decided to birthday blog! I loved all my gifts and the time spent with my family, which has dwindled alot these days! But I'll take what I can get and not complain. Well, I might complain :/
The book Brooke got me was the sweetest thing and it made me cry, timing I guess had alot to do with it and the fact that she is so dear to my heart. The wedding is 8 weeks from today. My how time flies. August doesn't seem that long ago. Then again birthday #51 doesn't seem to have been a year ago.
Alot has happened in the last year. Justin took the job of head football coach at Campbell County High School. The boys bought a house in Andersonville. Josh got the position of head football coach at Clinton High School. Brooke got a teaching job in Anderson County. Brooke and Josh got engaged. The boys found their "own" church. Brooke goes to Baneberry more than she comes home. (had to throw that in there!)
I am praying for a good 52. I know they'll be alot of changes and I'm praying about those too. 2012, 52 and wondering just where the time goes.

Just sitting here and my thoughts are going in a dozen different directions. The wedding, the diet, the bridal shower, what to wear, what to eat, what to buy, what to do next, missing Brooke and the boys and once again hating change.
Not to sound like a broken record!
I guess it's just been that kind of day. Not so long ago I was cooking around the clock for my family and they were all in and out and I loved every minute of it. Today at one point I was trying to stay busy but the house was clean, laundry done and supper cooked so I actually cut open the little packs of Truvia and put them in one container... yep!
All the things I have loved doing, I don't do anymore, the things that to me were me. If that makes any sense at all. I don't even bake anymore. I use to do that almost everyday. As the wedding gets closer they'll be alot to do. No time for a pity ME party. That will be a good thing. I must be having major empty nest symptoms.
The diet is not far along to see if it's working but hopefully it will. I have to shop for my dress to wear to the wedding and that's not very long now. :)

Thursday is my Friday

I work a 4 day week. So when Thursday rolls around, it's my Friday. I am especially tired this p.m. I think it's a combination of the new diet and back to Zumba. My plan for tomorrow is to sleep late and do very little! I think everyone needs one of those days every now and then! That is why we love snow days sooo very much.
Am hoping to get to Brooke's Saturday. I need to take things to her and pick up a few things at Hobby Lobby but most of all I want to spend time with her, won't be long until she will drop the last name she has known since birth and officially be Mrs. Jennifer Brooke Kerr.

Wednesday

Lastnight I finally made it back to Zumba. I had been going faithfully and then Christmas happened! Was tough getting back on track! As I get older having "something" every night is too much so sometimes it's pick and choose. I don't like that either. The wedding invitations came yesterday! They look great and although I am happy I couldn't help being a little sad. Things will be different. Which translates into I have to share Brooke and it won't be 50/50... more like 80/20... me being 20! I have to say how happy Brooke made me with one of her blog comments about she and Josh seeing the need to find their own church. That made me smile.

Monday MLK day

This a.m. we met Brooke as planned... hmm, kind of. I was a tad late, that's not like me but I was very easily forgiven- that's not like her- lol! Just as luck would have it and our forgetfulness, the Park was closed for MLK day! We were able to do as needed at the Amphitheatre but had to become peeping Tom's and see what we could through the Tea Room windows. No counting tables or chairs, measuring, etc.,etc.

Nevertheless, it was a good day! We looked at churches, ate at Harrisons and made a quick grocery stop! Love spending time with Brooke, you have no idea how I've missed her. Sort of like being in school and loosing YOUR best friend to ANOTHER friend except you can't get mad at the other friend because you know deep in your heart HE needs to be her best friend. Like I said - I don't do changes very well but I'm really trying.

The diet...well, let's just say it's not got off the ground yet but it will. Oh Lord, please tell me it will.

Tomorrow

It's late but it's not tomorrow yet! I will be up early, should be asleep already! Mom and I are meeting Brooke at 10:00 a.m. to take a closer look at the Norris Tea Room and Amphitheater- the wedding venue. We need to take measurements, check outlets, count tables and chairs... all that good stuff! We are getting close! Whew! It won't be long now... Jennifer Brooke Kerr. Ah, take deep breaths, I know I can do this. (Lord willing)

Today I have once again attempted to start THE WEDDING DIET! My daughter is getting married in March! So far I've done good. Day one for me is always the hardest. Of course, it's only late afternoon- anything could happen. I have a plan. One that I am hoping will help me loose weight and gain a new attitude. The whole I can't deal with change thing has to get better... right? I always thought that everyone felt the same way I do... NOT! Why can't I have the whole, I want them to be happy, they have their own lives to live attitude. Well, hopefully with alot of will power and I'm talking alot... more than the normal person needs! AND alot of prayer, I can make those changes. 69 days til the wedding... and counting!

All of a Sudden!

I don't like changes and am thinking I probably never will. Looking back over the last year there has been alot of them. Most good, itleast for one person or the other. I love the fact we have lived in the same house for most of our childrens lives. I wouldn't want to move, change jobs or even get a different car. I guess my lack of loving change has brought on a big change in my life. All of a suddden nothing is as it was. Over time it won't feel like change it will just be the why it is. I wish I was one of those free spirited people that thrown in any situation quickly adjust but that I'm not. I have however decided my coping mechanism isn't working. I am going to have to paddle or sink!