Happily Andrews After

There are 13 days left, well 12 1/2, before Christmas. This is one of my most favorite times of the year. And, as I grow older, I am becoming more and more low key about it. I still do the lights and the tree, and my ceramic trees of course.. but I found my decorations are more things that are the things that are flashy or trendy, but more things that are classic and that I can still enjoy in 50 years. The things in my home for Christmas are things that mean something to me. Special ornaments from our first Christmas together, and from this year, our first married Christmas. I have ceramic trees that remind me of the one that my grandmother had when I was growing up. They really are beautiful, and I hope to add to my collection over the years. Steven and I have also decorated with the Moon and Star vintage glass that we collect. Its a simple, but festive touch throughout the house. The glass reflects the lights of the tree and its a beautiful, simple, decoration for the season. The

And it's great! It was a perfect day. We didn't have a videographer, but now I wish we had, just so I could relive that day a thousand times. There isn't one thing I would have changed. The honeymoon was perfect as well. Everyone should go to the beach in mid-fall. We even enjoyed getting in the ocean a few days. We shopped, we ate, (boy.. did we shop and eat) and we just enjoyed spending uninterrupted time with each other. And if you ever get a chance to eat at a Paula Deen restuarnt, you should do that as well.  Might be the best meal we had on the honeymoon. Steven enjoyed a brewery and a distillery, and I enjoyed visiting the tasting room of my favorite winery, Duplin. It was just the best time. And it was so hard to come back to real life! We do not have any of our pictures yet, but I cannot wait to see them. Steven made a great rustic guestbook frame for our wedding guests to sign and for us to display our wedding pictures in, so I can't wait to get them back an

The wedding is only 9 days away! 9 DAYS AWAY! We are in single digits ya'll!!! I am so excited! I can not wait. Not just for the wedding that we have spent the better part of the last year planning, but for spending the rest of my life as Mrs. Andrews. I think we have a beautiful life ahead of us.

This weekend, I engaged in a discussion on social media about tattoos and faith. I honestly wish I had kept my opinions to myself. Not because I think that they are wrong... but because there are some people who are so closed off to any ideas other than their own, that they will not listen. I wish I could post screen shots of the conversation, but the original poster of the topic has taken it down.  I'm not going to get into thoughts of the debate here, but I will just say this. I have tattoos. Three of them. And I think Jesus loves me just the same as those who do not. But opinions are like elbows right? Most everyone has them. Just like points of view, or sides to the story..... Everyone wants to be heard... That's really what social media is now, right? A platform for other's views... It used be fun. It used to be just when people took pictures of their kids doing funny things, or what they made for dinner, or their Christmas tree decorated in front of the window.

We have 37 days until our wedding. I cannot wait. I am so ready. But I keep thinking of things that need to be done. That's normal, right? This morning, when I walked outside, it felt like fall, and I loved it. LOVED it. I keep looking at the picture of my wedding gown... I can no wait until I can see how it all comes together. My biggest worry is that the reception will be boring. And I will hate it if it is. So, here's hoping the DJ is as fabulous as I hope he is and that its fun! The days are passing so fast. It will be here before I know it. And I'll be on my honeymoon before I know it. And then I'll be back at work before I know it. I hope there are tons of pictures so I can have it all remembered. 37 more days....

This weekend has been full of wedding hustle and bustle. We are in the home sketch, with less than 75 days to go! I can not believe that we are this close to our wedding and being husband and wife. Time goes by so quickly! After this weekend, and a lot of the big things that were accomplished, I feel a lot less anxious about the actual event. Everything is coming together so nicely, and I have had wonderful people come along side me to help. I could not do this without them. The next chapter of our lives is so full of possibilities and we have a lot of choices to make on where we want to go and what we want to do. Steven will finish up his apprenticeship in the next 10 months, and then we will have to decide to either stay in my hometown, or move back to his. Or, will we go somewhere new for both of us. We have talked about all of these possibilities and we have one plan so far, but we are open to others if they are better for us. I love talking about how the future and what we may

For a long time, I've thought about how I could do something to reach out to others who, like me, live with a chronic illness. Its not a secret to my family, or my friends, or even my coworkers that I have a chronic pain condition. But what could I do for others who, like me, at times feel alone, or trapped inside our own bodies? So, I've decided to blog about it. Probably a lot. I'm not going to change my blog name, because I will still blog about my life in general. Let's face it. Fibro touches every part of my life. Every single part. Every single day. I've always struggled with where I wanted this blog to go, what I wanted it to say, and this just feels right.  I don't know if it will help anyone else, other than me. Just putting my words out there. I hope that it will. I hope that others will know that they are not alone. This is not a pity party. Its just life as I live it.  I also hope that others, who maybe have friends, family or even just know some

It's probably not what you think. It's not a job, or a relationship, or wardrobe choices... it's not something I purchased or didn't purchase, or somewhere I went or didn't go.  I am fairly young, and as long as I am alive, I will continue to make choices the best I can. My biggest regret so far in life is not being present in the moment. Not cherishing the time that I am in, and not soaking up every experience through every one of my senses. We live in a fast paced world. We need what we need and we need it yesterday. We run at a break neck pace to keep up with schedules that are crammed full of errands, chores, bills to pay, and places to go. We also live in a world where we are so focused on posting life to our social media that we aren't present for the moments in our lives. Or, we constantly have our phones out and we are scrolling while talking to someone or while we are doing another task. We are so interested in what another is doing that w

There are only 6 more months until the wedding! I can hardly wait.. but ya'll, wedding planning can be a little stressful at times. I'm very happy with all the plans so far, but just when I think something is taken care of, there's another little detail to pay attention to. The great thing is, I know that no matter what, the day will be perfect because it will be filled with a lot of happiness and love. My main goal is to for everyone, including myself and Steven to have fun. I still have so much to do, and I need to be better at sitting down and planning. I need lists for my lists. I have a great help in my bridesmaids and I am thankful for them. I can't wait to spend time with them. I think we are going to have a fun time in planning the bridal shower and the bachlorette weekend as well.  And ya'll....Pinterest..... what can I say... I want to try every.single.idea.ever. I actually get a little overwhelmed at the ideas and have to stop looking at it for