I went to Miami for Thanksgiving this year! My mom and I, plus Debra, Lance, and Niecy, celebrated with our Miami family while my dad and Kevin went hunting. We went to the North Miami Thanksgiving Day Parade and feasted at my grandfather’s house.
‘Merica
This world’s cutest turkey was not easy to wrangle, but I had a good time trying.
On Friday, my sister and her fam had to head back to Dothan. To make the departure even sadder, I came down with a mysterious stomach bug late Thanksgiving night. We were supposed to have lunch at the beach before they left, but I couldn’t even sit up for more than five minutes, or get very close to Niecy for her own safety. Thankfully, I’ll see them again in just a few weeks!
By Saturday the worst was over, so my mom, uncle, and I went for a walk at the nearest beach. They practically jogged while I strolled at a slow pace. I took pictures and enjoyed the conversations of strangers. One lady was telling her companions animatedly, “I was watching Homeland until 11:30. I was so jacked, I had to take an Ambien.” Which was instantly my new favorite catchphrase.
Can you imagine living in a building like this on the beach? I might die of happiness.
On Sunday, we went to our usual bagel place for brunch, then to Miami Beach to rent bikes. They have a great bikesharing program with stations all around town. You pay for a certain amount of time and take a bike, which you can return at any station! We rode along South Beach and down to the cut where the cruise ships come and go. There are nice parks and paths there.
A LOT of stray cats (or as I called them, “sea cats”) live in this area. Across the way is Fishers Island, one of the most exclusive communities in America. You can only get there by ferry.
One of my favorite downtown buildings! My uncle showed an apartment there recently. They start at $1 million. O_O
On the way back to the car, we rode through Flamingo Park. I went crazy over this beautiful tree. Anyone know what kind it is? I don’t remember it from my childhood.
Another notable sighting: what may well be THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER. Moment of silence.
We came home on Monday, and PS: ATL now has a Pinkberry!
The end.
1 Comment + Posted in: celebrate, fall, family, florida, travel
Yes, this is late. (I spent Thanksgiving in Miami, got back on Monday, and have been scrambling ever since!) Now that I do What I’m Into every month, I’m wondering whether I should incorporate my book review lists into those posts as everyone else seems to do. But there’s already so much going on there. Thoughts? Anyway, here’s November.
Thin Space by Jody Casella (5 stars)
Marsh Windsor survived the car accident that killed his twin brother. Before her own death, his elderly neighbor taught him about “thin spaces,” places where the barrier between our world and the afterworld are thinner, enabling people to visit with the dead. Racked with guilt and grief, Marsh goes everywhere – including school – barefoot in hopes of literally stumbling upon a thin space. His real objective is to get into the house where the old lady promised to create one. Unfortunately, his new neighbor, Maddie, makes those efforts difficult. As he slowly lets her in on his plans, he is forced closer and closer to everything he’s been trying to forget. There’s much more going on in this story than meets the eye. If you read it, please let me know so we can discuss!!
With a Little Luck by Caprice Crane (4 stars)
Berry, a classic-rock DJ in LA, has lived her entire life according to the superstitious teachings of her gambling-addicted father. When she meets Ryan, she’s just finished her second bad relationship in a row… and bad things always happen in threes. So their love is doomed. But as their relationship progresses, Berry begins to question her philosophies and her screwed-up, if loving, family dynamics. This novel is classic Caprice Crane, which means it’s funny, blunt, touching, and true all at the same time. It took me a while to get into it because Berry’s superstitions are so intense as to be off-putting, but that’s all part of the plan.
Across A Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund (5 stars)
This novel is set in the same postapocalyptic world as For Darkness Shows the Stars, but in a very different place – on two luxurious island nations where technology is embraced and the Reduction has been overcome by genetic engineering. Persis Blake, heiress to an estate and best friend of the princess of Albion, wears airheaded beauty as a disguise. She’s actually the Wild Poppy, a notorious spy and enemy of the cruel revolution happening in Galatea. When Justen Helo, a famous scientist close to the Galatean throne, rescues her on a mission gone bad, things get a lot more complicated. So complicated that I can’t explain any further. The important thing is that I LOVED this book and it is well worth your time. :)
When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over by Addie Zierman (5 stars)
I’ve never even visited Addie Zierman’s blog, but after reading this memoir, I’m ready to declare her the voice of my generation. If you grew up an evangelical Christian or want to understand someone who did, you need to read this ASAP. It’s a masterful depiction of late 90s evangelical culture that manages to be both honest and respectful.
Books for November: 4
2013 year to date: 64
8 Comments + Posted in: book reviews, reading
General Highlights:
In November, I ran two 5Ks (True Blue and Meowathon) and set new personal records for fastest finish and fastest mile! Why I can finally run, for real, after struggling with it all my life is a mystery. I’m thankful and excited. I also played an outdoor community band concert in Harbor Town, attended the local show on Myla‘s Hiding Places tour, hosted a clothing swap, had lots of expensive problems with my eye, and celebrated Thanksgiving with most of my family. Oh and let’s not forget, Tiger basketball season started!
Read and Reading:
Jody Casella was my high school English teacher, and I’m happy to report that her first published novel, Thin Space, is COMPLETELY AWESOME. Once it got warmed up, I couldn’t put it down. You may think you know what’s happening with this story, but you have no idea. At the end you will do this:
I’ve never even visited Addie Zierman’s blog, but after reading her memoir When We Were On Fire, I’m ready to declare her the voice of my generation. If you grew up an evangelical Christian or want to understand someone who did, you need to read this ASAP. It’s a masterful depiction of late 90s evangelical culture that manages to be both honest and respectful.
TV/Movies:
I started watching The Mentalist this season because my brother is obsessed with it. Well, consider me a convert. Last Sunday they finally revealed the identity of Red John, the serial killer and criminal mastermind who killed Patrick Jane’s wife and daughter. (I can’t imagine waiting all six years for this information.) It was a good episode, but I had more fun theorizing with my brother in the week leading up to it. One time I picked up his phone call and, without saying hello, he just yelled “WHO IS RED JOHN?!? I gotta know!!” Hilarious.
Catching Fire was my favorite book of the Hunger Games trilogy, and to me, the movie was perfect. No complaints. I can’t stop thinking about it! I also saw Thor 2 for a friend’s birthday, and enjoyed it, despite not seeing the first Thor. But I’ve seen all the other Avengers movies, so I had no trouble following along.
Music:
Back in the day I was not into the repetitiveness of “You’re Beautiful,” but I like James Blunt’s latest, “Bonfire Heart.” I first heard Janelle Monae’s song with Miguel, “Primetime,” on satellite radio in the car, and downloaded it as soon as I got home. Smoother than a Lindor truffle. And I’m sorry, but Britney’s “Work B**ch” may be the most motivating running song ever recorded.
You can listen to my entire 2013 So Far playlist on Spotify.
Random Happiness:
My 18-month-old niece figured out within the last month or two that Aunt B “lives” in the computer. She now requests Skypes with me by pointing to the computer and saying “Bee Bee.”
My former roommate of seven years (and now companion to football and basketball games), Kathy, has three sons and is expecting again. Well, she found out she’s having a girl! I’m SO excited!! Really, this is a perfect situation. Three older brothers will take care of any potential threats.
One of our many Christmas pieces for community band is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’ve been a big Peanuts fan all my life, and getting to play that familiar music is so fulfilling!
On The Blog:
I participated in Hollywood Housewife’s One Day Photo Project, wrote a short story about Hannah the mother of Samuel, talked about loneliness, and shared about my past and what November means to me.
Posts I Loved:
Complicated Katniss Feelings by Danielle Carey
Blowing the Embers by Adela
Colouring in the Margins by Lindsay Tweedle
When You’ve Never Been Called “Called” by Abby
Why I Would Rather Be Crazy Than Boring by Allison Vesterfeldt
Hope and Acorns by Leanne Penny
4 Comments + Posted in: what i'm into
If you’re still scrambling for meal ideas on this Thanksgiving Eve Eve, allow me to make a few suggestions! These are all recipes I’ve made and enjoyed more than once.
Side Dishes
My mom often makes Emeril’s Cornbread and Andouille Dressing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I look forward to it! (Memory time: one sad year, she pulled the finished dressing out of the oven and set it on the hot stove, and the Pyrex exploded. We’ve all been very careful with Pyrex ever since.)
Here’s my favorite sweet potato recipe, which I got from my friend Rachael years ago. It has a brown sugar and pecan glaze, and no marshmallows.
For a different take on sweet potatoes, these Savory Sweet Potatoes from Crepes of Wrath are amazing.
On the lighter side:
Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Green Beans with Brown Butter and Garlic
Sauteed Collard Greens and Garlic
Desserts
Bon appetit! :)
I thought it might be time to tell the full story of November 2009, the month that changed my everything forever. I’ve never talked much about the details, but I have enough distance from it now to know that it’s a soap-opera-worthy story. When I recounted that month to my counselor, whom I’ve only been seeing for a short time, her mouth dropped open further and further.
My husband told me he had had an affair… with a college-aged girl. I wanted to save the marriage. He changed his mind about whether to stay or go on an hourly basis. We celebrated his birthday anyway. Then he packed up and left me while I was at work. Oh and did I mention my sister was also getting married… in another state? I was the maid of honor. And my parents didn’t know what was going on until the week of the wedding. And the day before we left for the wedding, he decided he wanted to come home and try again.
Yeah, that’s the short version.
This week, I sat down and started purging my clearest memories onto the screen. I thought I’d get it all out for my own catharsis, then maybe try to polish it for the public. Only a few minutes in, I had to look at my journal entries from that time to refresh my memory. Usually, that exercise is pretty painful. But this time, what I noticed most was how clear and strong I sounded. Reading my own words was like witnessing my own rebirth. It showed me I could stand to take a few lessons from my past self.
Sometimes I forget what it was like to realize, for the very first time, that I had a divine right to stand up for myself. Don’t get me wrong – I was a complete mess at the time. I couldn’t eat and I was fending off panic attacks. But at the same time, there was a peace and strength I’d never experienced, and I knew it was from God. Even in the darkest moments, I felt like a blinding beam of light was radiating out of me, a light that wasn’t from me. I felt like Galadriel, blazing beautiful and terrible. That sounds crazy, but I can’t describe it any other way.
All my life, I’d let people take advantage of me, in the name of considering others more important than myself. Even those who should have been looking out for my best interests took me up on that offer. All my marriage, I’d put my husband first, swallowing my own hurts. Submitting and then submitting some more. Wondering why all my submitting wasn’t paying back love like the marriage books promised it would. But now something holy had been breached, and I was more certain than I’d ever been of anything that God was not okay with it. Any of it. He was angry about what was happening to His daughter, and He was letting me know that I didn’t have to lay myself down on those train tracks anymore. I could draw a line – between myself and my husband, my family, the universe. I could have my own back. I could say, No more. Never again. This far and no further. I still took my husband back, but I took him back as a woman who knew her own worth, who would not be disregarded or pushed aside. That’s probably why, six months later, he decided he didn’t want to stay married after all.
The other thing that stood out in my memory, in my journal entries, was how well my friends loved me during that time. To this day, I feel a special bond with the friends I invited into my worst mess. They were amazing – spending the night with me, bringing me food, sending me flowers and buying me shoes. Praying hard. Gathering intel. Threatening lives. (They were kidding. I think.) They were the hands and feet of God to me.
I remembered all this. Then I closed the computer and went to bed, not feeling sad, but peaceful and thankful. Thankful for my loved ones, who were there when I needed them most, even if we don’t talk every day now. Thankful to be me, to be whole. Thankful for God’s love and protection.
It’s been four years, and it occurred to me that four years is like high school. I was a “freshman” when it happened, and now I’m a “senior.” Maybe someday I will tell my whole story. Maybe even in a book. But right now, I’m ready to graduate.
15 Comments + Posted in: divorce, empowerment, faith, memory lane