Thursday, December 03, 2009
One Year Later
I can think back exactly one year ago at this time and I know what I was doing. I was frantic, packing, rushing to get out of town. I still remember the phone call from my mom and I knew that he was doing very poorly.It was an awful day and the months to follow were even worse. I think missing him has been worse than that day. The shock has faded and now longing has taken its place.
For a long time, I guess there was an illogical part of me that felt if I thought long and hard enough and assigned proper blame that he would come back. If I could just put the pieces together, than maybe something could change. But it can't. And I still have anger and blame. Real life is nothing like Grey's Anatomy or House; that's for sure.
Last week, my entire family gathered around his grave and prayed for him. The top of his tombstone reads "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." He would like that. And above his name is the word Professor, because that's what he was to his very core.
Last night, I prayed very hard for him. I read verses for him. I told God that I was praising Him in honor of my grandfather. It was one of the first times I have felt true peace.
My heart is still a bit heavy today. There is a lump in my throat. I can still hear his voice. I hope I will always be able to hear his voice - not just literally, but figuratively. The life he lived was a lesson in kindness, tolerance and gentleness.
And I write this, "A Long December" by Counting Crows plays on Pandora. Of all the songs - this one. These lyrics still get me:
And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
Monday, November 30, 2009
Still Smiling
I did not take one single picture during Thanksgiving. I'm not really sure how that happened, but it did. Shame on me. However, I can provide you with a rundown of the wonderful long weekend! Read below for how our combo Thanskgiving/Eid weekend went!Tuesday - Bert and I left at 2 p.m. for Mississippi. We got there around 8 p.m. and visited with my parents.
Wednesday - Mama and I prepared desserts (in total, we had a Lemon Glazed Bundt Cake - see previous post, Pecan Pie, Chess Pie and a Cheesecake). We prepped a few other dishes too. I visited with the most perfect and wonderful children in the world - my precious cousins Sam and Sommer!
Thursday - The big day! Mama and I cooked and cleaned all day long in preparation for the 5 p.m. feast. This Thanksgiving was unlike any other because we fasted. That's right - fasting on Thanksgiving! Why? It was the Day of Arafat, the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is on this day that the pilgrims go to Mount Arafat to pray. It is said once you turn your back on the mountain, that all your sins are forgiven. And so, it is encouraged that all Muslims fast that day. We were exhausted, but it made the meal all the more delicious! I want some of that dressing right.now.
Friday - Eid al-Adha. This is the second biggest holiday in the Islamic calendar. This holiday is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. I'm sure you all know the story about how God put a sheep in his son's place instead. My favorite fact about Abraham is that he is the only prophet God referred to as his friend. We went to prayer in the morning, finished reading the Qur'an at my grandfather's grave and had a big Indian meal that night.
Saturday - Bert and I headed home. Did minimal damage at the Summit in Birmingham - my favorite place to shop! Huge news from this day - I learned about downs...this means I actually LIKE football because I understand it! And I am still basking in the glow of both the Mississippi State and Georgia victories!
Sunday - Cleaned, went to the gym (boy did I need to go!), saw New Moon (eh), went grocery shopping, etc.
GREAT, GREAT Thanksgiving. Can't wait until the next break...just a few weeks away!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Miss Domestic
Yesterday I was quite the Suzy Homemaker. We were having friends over for dinner, so I decided to flex my cooking skills. Check out the menu - I made everything with a * beside it:
Caesar Salad
Mesquite Grilled Chicken
Spinach and Feta Chicken Sausage
*Texas Caviar a.k.a. Black-Eyed Pea Dip
*Twice-Baked Potatoes
*Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake (not my actual cake above, but mine was pretty too)
It was delish. I am still patting myself on the back. Of course, Bert took care of the other items and did a fantastic job. Sometimes it feels good to be on your feet cooking for hours...not all the time...but sometimes, it is actually enjoyable.
Can't wait until the next ultra fabulous meal I will be ingesting...Mama's Thanksgiving Extravaganza! Yum - so ready.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful
Got this great idea from LT'S blog.The ABCs of Thanksgiving
a.k.a. What I Am Thankful For:
a.k.a. What I Am Thankful For:
Abbu. This time last year was the last time I saw my grandfather. I am thankful for every single moment I had with him - 28 years of wonderful memories. A is also for Ammi, my grandmother. She is an inspiration.
Bert. My soul mate, my love. I still get excited that I GOT MARRIED over 5 years later.
Chocolate. How I love thee - especially Lindt.
DVR. When I am so exhausted and my brain can't take any more, there's nothing better than my Tuesday or Wednesday ritual of 90210, The Hills and The City.
Education. I am so thankful for my education. I was one of the crazy people who loved high school, and I am proud of my degrees from Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia.
Friends. I have great friends...from high school, college, DC and Georgia. Nothing like time with your girlfriends!
Getting away. Last weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains was so good for my soul.
Health. You know the saying...if you don't have health... And so, I am very grateful that I am a healthy person.
IPhone. I mean, I am still obsessed.
Job. I am crazy busy, but I really like my job. I have a great one doing public relations for a school district.
King-sized bed. OK, I don't have one - yet. But it is going to be me and Bert's Christmas and I can't wait!
Lulu Bird. This is a crazy nickname that my mom has for me - but that's how I know I am so loved. I am also a nickname-giver for those nearest and dearest to me.
Matty. Bad news: I feel my allergies have gotten worse. Good news: I still love Matty and am trying to make the sneezing stop by all means possible. I love my baby cat.
Nice place to live. Thank you, God.
Olivia. Love my precious new niece...and of course her mommy too!
Prayers answered...and sometimes those not. God is so good.
Quiet. I love the moments of sheer peace I get...in the middle of craziness, a little quiet is good for the soul.
Rain. I love rain!
Sommer and Sam. The coolest kids IN THE WORLD. Can't wait to see my cousins next week.
TD and Rani a.k.a. the parents. Words cannot do justice to the love I have for these people.
Undies. I mean, if you were having to pull at uncomfortable panties all day, how awful would that be? No thanks. Love the Body By Victoria.
Very color-coordinated closet. I recently did this and like it. I am thankful that I have warm (and cute) clothes to wear.
Wheels. Love my Honda CR-V. Still get excited about my ride, even though it's 3 years old.
Xtra good hair straightener. My fave is Jilbere. It's the best. I had the Chi and it didn't work as well as my Jilbere. Don't know how I would fix my hair without it!
Yummy food. I am thankful that I have food to eat...sometimes too much. :) But I am very grateful that I do not have to go hungry.
Zzzzzzzzzzzs (I am with Laura on this one!). I LOVE sleep and have got to have it. Lots of it. Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is, "I can't wait to go back to sleep tonight!"
There's lots more, but this is a start. The substantial and the silly. Really made me stop and take stock.
Bert. My soul mate, my love. I still get excited that I GOT MARRIED over 5 years later.
Chocolate. How I love thee - especially Lindt.
DVR. When I am so exhausted and my brain can't take any more, there's nothing better than my Tuesday or Wednesday ritual of 90210, The Hills and The City.
Education. I am so thankful for my education. I was one of the crazy people who loved high school, and I am proud of my degrees from Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia.
Friends. I have great friends...from high school, college, DC and Georgia. Nothing like time with your girlfriends!
Getting away. Last weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains was so good for my soul.
Health. You know the saying...if you don't have health... And so, I am very grateful that I am a healthy person.
IPhone. I mean, I am still obsessed.
Job. I am crazy busy, but I really like my job. I have a great one doing public relations for a school district.
King-sized bed. OK, I don't have one - yet. But it is going to be me and Bert's Christmas and I can't wait!
Lulu Bird. This is a crazy nickname that my mom has for me - but that's how I know I am so loved. I am also a nickname-giver for those nearest and dearest to me.
Matty. Bad news: I feel my allergies have gotten worse. Good news: I still love Matty and am trying to make the sneezing stop by all means possible. I love my baby cat.
Nice place to live. Thank you, God.
Olivia. Love my precious new niece...and of course her mommy too!
Prayers answered...and sometimes those not. God is so good.
Quiet. I love the moments of sheer peace I get...in the middle of craziness, a little quiet is good for the soul.
Rain. I love rain!
Sommer and Sam. The coolest kids IN THE WORLD. Can't wait to see my cousins next week.
TD and Rani a.k.a. the parents. Words cannot do justice to the love I have for these people.
Undies. I mean, if you were having to pull at uncomfortable panties all day, how awful would that be? No thanks. Love the Body By Victoria.
Very color-coordinated closet. I recently did this and like it. I am thankful that I have warm (and cute) clothes to wear.
Wheels. Love my Honda CR-V. Still get excited about my ride, even though it's 3 years old.
Xtra good hair straightener. My fave is Jilbere. It's the best. I had the Chi and it didn't work as well as my Jilbere. Don't know how I would fix my hair without it!
Yummy food. I am thankful that I have food to eat...sometimes too much. :) But I am very grateful that I do not have to go hungry.
Zzzzzzzzzzzs (I am with Laura on this one!). I LOVE sleep and have got to have it. Lots of it. Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is, "I can't wait to go back to sleep tonight!"
There's lots more, but this is a start. The substantial and the silly. Really made me stop and take stock.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Above The Rest
"Wake up," whispered Bert. It was 6:50am on a Friday and I sat up in the plush king size bed to see the splendor above.WOW.
Bert and I went to Blue Ridge, GA this past weekend for a quick getaway in the mountains. And the site above is what I awoke to on Friday. Stunning. Our bedroom was in the loft of an absolutely spectacular cabin - TONS of windows. Gorgeous. If you are looking for a magnificent, relaxing getaway, definitely check out Above The Rest cabins. Neither pictures nor words can do it justice.
This is the second time we've been and it was wonderful. The quaint downtown, Mercier Orchards and the relaxation...just magical. I actually feel refreshed.
What a great weekend!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Pete Yorn
Last night, I went with my dear friend Misha to hear Pete Yorn at a local dive. It was incredible! If you don't know Pete Yorn's music, you should definitely check it out. My favorite of his CDs is musicforthemorningafter. I was pleasantly surprised that he played tons of songs off that album, as it was his first album and he's now on #5 I believe. Music is soothing for the soul...I had an absolutely fantastic night.
And so, I got to thinking about all my favorite concerts. And I love lists, so I decide to make one right here. Here are my favorite concerts in rank order:
1. Guster at the Georgia Theatre (Hello, I met the lead singer of one of a band that I adore that night. It was amazing!)
2. Coldplay: X&Y Tour at Philips Arena
3. Rolling Stones at the Georgia Dome ('97 or '98...somewhere in there. My parents checked me and my sister out of school. Awesome.)
4. Ben Folds at the Tabernacle
5. Guster at Chastain Park
6. Better than Ezra at Rick's Cafe (This was many, many moons ago...got to meet them too! They do a great live show.)
7. Pete Yorn at the 40 Watt
8. Charlie Mars at Rick's Cafe (Fun college memory)
9. Page & Plant (Can't remember exactly where...some place in Tupelo, MS...another excursion with the parents)
10. Better than Ezra at the Mississippi State Amphitheatre ('97 or '98 - such a fun night with my high school girlfriends)
And there you have it. What's your favorite act to see live?
Monday, November 09, 2009
The Perfect Jean
First of all, I can't believe this is my 500th blog post. WHOA!
Now on to the topic at hand - the perfect jean. No, I don't have them, but oh, I wish I did!
I do have two pairs of jeans that I consider fabulous. One is a dark Gap jean from several years ago. It is perfect with heels and has a bit of a high rise in the back so that I never have anything hangin' out the back. In the front, it is a mid-rise. Slight flare leg. Love it. The second is a recent purchase from Ann Taylor Loft. They are a dark, curvy bootcut fit jean. Ladies with some boo-tay and curves: you must purchase these. They are super comfy AND you get to go down a size from your regular jeans! I got these in petite so I could wear them with flats. Only problem is that I cannot dry them in the dryer or they would be too short. Oh well. Can't have it all.
So, while I give both of theses jeans an 8/10, I am still in search for perfection. Do tell me, readers - what is your favorite denim? I am on a mission.