Good News

I got a cell phone today! ...trust me, this is good news...

And that's fine

It's been a while since I've gotten a wonderfully thoughtful email that I felt I needed to pass on. The EDCT of TN sent this one and it really hit home for me, I know I'm not alone.

I'm in the middle of a big transition. I've been in the middle of it for quite a while now and I ended up where I am now because things "weren't fine". Since then, I could list a million things every day that also, weren't fine. Things just weren't what I had hoped for. Maybe it's because I have a continuous internal conflict between optimism and pessimism. Sometimes it makes for a difficult outlook. I try so hard to look for the good in situations and people; I can always offer a friend another, better way to look at things, but I have a hard time doing that for myself - or at least believing it when I do. As I begin yet another chapter I can reflect on what has been "fine" or even great since I've been here - I've made friends, I've reconnected with family, I've learned new things and visited new places, I've gotten a car and have had a place to lay my head. Now I am able to move on. I can reflect on what has been fine, good, or even great and I know that I'm alright.

Below is an excerpt from todays Weigh-In:

When things aren't as we'd hoped for, the temptation is to look at all the
things we can't do and the list of reasons why. The human ego always
encourages us to hold on to our limitations. It is easier to look at what
is wrong rather than stretch to what could possibly be just fine. If we
would see things as perfectly fine, just the way they are, no matter what they
are, we might realize we are fine too. For some of us, this is a far
stretch. But that's fine, and so are you.

Well Kids

The time has come.

The time is now,

To move back home,

But I don't know how...

It's the news we've all been waiting for! Mama I'm commin' home! I turned in my notice today and will be leaving Memphis Sept 14th. There is SO MUCH to do and SO LITTLE time to do it! I have so much work to finish here before I can leave (or at least before I will feel comfortable leaving). I can put basically everything I own in my car, because, as Jennifer so eloquently puts it, I am a nomad. I'm ready to put that lifestyle behind me (so I will be accepting donations of any sort).

I am looking for a place to live and for things to put in that place. I have a limited budget and a cat (also a need for clean dishes). If you have any suggestions, please, do tell!

...not exactly...

I guess my last post was a little harsh. I'm not really "over it"...I am to a point, but I'll survive - because I have to. There really are quite a few positive things happening in my life, but somedays it just seems like nothing will ever change. I thrive on change, but at the same time I find comfort in things staying the same. I hate being in limbo, which is what a lot of my posts talk about. Hopefully there's good news to come...

Also, I am going to Birmingham tomorrow to see all my "ladies". I am SO excited! Here's to a relaxing, fun-filled weekend!!

...I Quit...

I'm over it! I just want to throw that out there for anyone reading this. I'm over just about everything. Please pray for peace and an end to the restlessness.

My Sisters

I love these girls so much! I miss them more than words! It makes me so happy when we can spend time together. This picture is from the pool July 5th (which may explain my lack of make up).

Birmin'ham Birmin'ham greatest city in Alabam'

Because apparently some people don't know:

Yes, Birmingham, AL is a major metropolitan area.

Most people do not live inside the city-limits and therefore Birmingham's actual population is about 220,000. If you expand to what is known as Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, which includes the Over-the-Mountain areas, Hoover, and probably the Trussville area, Birmingham's population is estimated to be over 1.1 million people. If you go even further to include Greater Birmingham (or Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman combined statistical area) the population soars to include roughly 1/4 of Alabama's population!

According to a recent survey Greater Birmingham has more roadways than most other U.S. metropolitan areas, with the center being located at the convergence of 4 interstate highways (I-65, I-20, I-59, and I-459. I-22, known as "Corridor X" is currently under construction. There are also 2 U.S. Highways that run through the area Hwy 31 and Hwy 280.

Greater Birmingham is home to the largest and most affluent shopping centers and malls in Alabama. Many of the retailers have their exclusive Alabama location in the area. Major shopping centers include Riverchase Galleria, which, when built, was the largest mixed use project in the Southeastern United States and also has the world's longest skylight. The Summit is the largest open-air lifestyle center in the U.S. It is home to Alabama's only Saks and Belk's flagship store. Brookwood Village was one of the first shopping centers build outside of Birmingham proper. It has recently been renovated so that it would have a main-street appeal to its facade.

Birmingham ranks as one of the most important business centers in the Southeastern United States and is also one of the largest banking centers in the U.S. In addition, the Birmingham area serves as headquarters to one Fortune 500 company: Regions Financial. Five Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Birmingham.

I hope this helped to educate some of you who think that even Birmingham is small, rural, or po-dunk just because it is in Alabama.