Love Never Fails.

Wild About Wellies

As I walk upstairs to give Jeff his Valentine's Day goodies I think to myself...these gifts are surely gonna rock his socks. The brown gift bag held a few t-shirts of schools I have visited, Mike & Ikes, and (my favorite) the peg game from Cracker Barrel. As we don't really do big Valentine's gifts I knew that these few things would get him smilin'.

About an 30 minutes later, both ready for a nice lunch at New Orleans Food and Spirits Jeffrey walks down with card in hand. After reading some sweet words the last line read, "Ask me for your choices." Now...I was expecting him to give me choices of restaurants or movies but instead he says something that is music to my ears...Drum roll please...

"Hunter Wellies or Ray Bans?"

That's right people...Jeffro is takin' me shopping! After long deliberation I chose the Wellies. My mother reminded me that I have gone through 4 pairs of reading glasses in 2 years and that it will be harder to loose tall rain boots.

So Jeff and I grab a bite (both getting red beans and rice) and heading across the lake to Saks 5th. As we walk into women's shoes Jeff spots the boots and directs me to the left. The salesman notices my excitement and says, "Well, she knows what she's come for!"

Needless to say I walk out a giddy girl with new kicks! I slip them on (no it wasn't raining) and hit the streets of New Orleans to show them off..."Get ready world, these boots are made for walkin'!"

Princess Diana in Hunter Wellingtons

On the Road Again

                                                                                                            Joy St Claire Photography

Good evenin' all! I have just finished up my pre-packing for tomorrow's travels. I am thinking I will post a quick entry, get a warm shower, and finish the night with a good book I just bought on my beloved Kindle (just finished Something Borrowed...now onto Something Blue).

It's been a good week of traveling (Florida State, Valdosta State, and University of Florida). These sweet girls have adorned me with magazines, nutrigrain bars, and diet cokes galore but I am surely ready for some normal conversations that don't involve the words...pink, phi mu, sorority, or 'where do you want to eat tonight?'

I am ready to sleep in, eat po' boys, and go to the movies in sweatpants. Maybe I can even con Jeff into shopping! (I know, I am getting ahead of myself). So here's to a good week, with good friends and good food. New Orleans, I will see you in approximately 19 hours. Be ready...because I am!

I Love You . Period .

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." -Jessica, age 8.

Tonight I am in Valdosta, GA. I am currently cuddled up in a big white bed at the Marriott in the middle of a commercial break for The Bachelor. To fill my 3 minutes of waiting I call Jeff (my boyfriend of 5 years) to see what his plans for the night are.

As the commercials come to an end I inform him that I will call him in an hour...after Brad gives away is roses for the week. And as usual, we end with an 'I love you.'

So it had me thinking...Do we, people in relationships, use 'I love you' as a period to the end of a conversation? Well, I am here to say ney!...(at least on my behalf) 

Now, you should know...a lot of my relationship with Jeff has had to operate over the phone. With my family in Tennessee and his in Louisiana we have spent winters and summers apart and now a year apart while I travel for Phi Mu and he finishes up school and prepares for a career. I say all this to say, I have heard and said a lot of 'I love you's' via phone calls.

Now keep in mind, many times I believe it's possible to forget the meaning of the words because it is so routine but it is also comforting and assuring and sure I hope it never stops.

Now, I don't want to get all mushy on you guys I sure do love that boy, and I can honestly say I get a geeky smile every time we are saying our goodbyes. So in the words of John Mayer...Say what you need to say...And mean it every time.

Boots with the Dress

Attention all belles...Today I am walkin' out in 55 degree, Florida weather with my favorite boots and a new navy dress. Although I am in love with this trend...and hope it never fades; is this something that everyone is diggin'?

I have heard that the trend is just not practical. Boots are for ridin' horses and doin' barn work (said with a country accent). And dresses are dainty and meant to be paired with wedges or heels. Maybe it's the mix of girly and down-home that's got me all riled up with obsession but I can't get enough.

Either way, today I am rockin' tall socks, horse ridin' boots, and a perfectly tied bow around my dainty dress!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Redwall Photo

Must Reads

For Christmas I received a Kindle, and let me just tell you it surely kindled my desire to read...and read...and read. Now I have two books to share with you.

The Diary by Eileen Goudge

This is a love story that had me sobbing like a baby on a flight to Pittsburgh. After passing it on to my mother and best friends Lauren and Emily, I received phone calls of whimpering women on the other line. The story is set in the romantic 1950's and depicts a woman torn between her two loves. Lesa Holstine describes it best when she says, "The Diary is a deceptive little book, with a pleasant surprise." If you loved The Notebook, this is the book for you!

Heaven is for Real

The subtitle description of this book is perfect...A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. This is a true story of a 4 year old boy who went into a major surgery and came out knowing more about heaven than any theologists.

Amazon.com reports: Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

This book gave me chills, made me cry, and gave me a new view of our amazing creator.

I now strive to have childlike faith and trust in the power of prayer. Please read this story, it will change your life.

Thank you for reading! Happy Friday!

My Homemade Valentine



                                                                                                                                                      Simply Bloom Photography


In less than a week a plane, with me in tow will land in New Orleans, LA. I never thought I would come to love this city in such a way but the excitment is almost uncontainable. Now, don't get it twisted...I will have a special someone picking me up and that might be why I am so joyful but I also can't ingore the fact that it is the national month for l.o.v.e.

Valentine's Day. Whether you love it or hate it, it comes every year. Same day. February 14th.

For the men that read this (all 3 of you) keep in mind that most of us aren't expecting diamonds, teddy bears, and Walgreen's chocolates. We just want a little bit of thought wraped in a bow. If you take an old key and put it on a string and tell me it is 'the key to your heart' I might just melt into mush. Or attempt to draw a picture of us on red construction paper (stick figures are fine) I will cherish it forever.

So remember little lovers, Valentine's Day is about his sentiment, not his salary.