.JPG)
About Me
I'm 34 years old. I'm originally from Miami, Florida, but have lived in Tennessee since 1989. As a Florida native, I require lots of sun and warmth, and might perish if forced to live above the Mason-Dixon line. I have a wonderful family – still-happily-married parents, a sister, brother, brother-in-law, and beautiful niece – and two quirky cats, Gandalf and Peach. I am the world's most extroverted introvert (INFJ). Calling me a bookworm is an understatement. I've been writing all my life, in one form or another. I currently hold a desk job in the hospitality industry, but am interested in work that utilizes my skills and interests (writing, editing, publishing, media, creative- and communications-related stuff). I'm addicted to McAlister's sweet tea and Sonic Coke Zero with cherry. I am an alumna of The University of Memphis, slavishly devoted to Tiger basketball, and firmly believe that I will live to see a national championship. I like things clean. I enjoy traveling, but hate the leaving-home part. I do yoga at least once a week. I was once fluent in Spanish but have been reduced to passable Spanglish. I am a certified storm spotter. I can relate almost any situation to a Friends episode. I read Entertainment Weekly cover to cover every weekend. Mix tapes are my love language. For most of my adult life, I've been writing a Movin' Out-esque high school musical in my head using pop songs. One of my bucket list items is to participate in a flash mob. I've played the flute off and on since the sixth grade - band nerd for life!
About This Blog
I've been blogging in a secure location since 2001, but in 2010 I decided to start a public blog. Around that time, my husband of five years officially decided that monogamy wasn't for him and walked out and ended our marriage. My divorce was legally final in September 2010. This is not a Divorce Blog, but since that event drastically changed me and my life path, I write about and around it a fair amount.
I've always loved the Journey song Don't Stop Believing, but when I was going through my divorce, I listened to the Glee version of the song constantly. Although I was grieving, underneath it all, I was overflowing with hope for my future... like the song. So I renamed my blog, and without realizing it, adopted a new theme for my life. Over the years, as life has fallen short of my high hopes, the name has served as a constant reminder to myself.
I write a lot about faith and being a Christian. In a sense, I consider this blog to be my ministry. I'll never have it all together, but I want to share things I'm learning in my own life. I especially hope to encourage people who are struggling, suffering, or grieving. I have a growing passion for encouraging and helping other women. I believe that if women stopped being divisive and beating ourselves up – if we truly supported one another and realized how crucial and valuable we are to the grand scheme – we would be unstoppable.
Although I think a lot of deep thoughts, I also like to embrace life and have a good time! So I often post about fashion, cooking, music, home décor, sports, gardening, crafts, nature, and whatever else is on my radar. I also post a lot of book reviews.
When I post about my own life, I typically use my own photos, but topical posts usually feature photos found via weheartit and Pinterest. I'm happy to credit the original source when it's provided, but unfortunately it's often impossible to determine the source. If you see an image on my blog that belongs to you, feel free to e-mail me.
Notable Posts
On divorce, relationships, and the single-again life: The Story; Divorce Survival Tips; One Year Later; Two Years; On Your Own Terms; Polite Refusals; My Favorite Movie, and Marrying Your Best Friend
On perfectionism: Perfect in Weakness; When God Is With You; The Price of Success
On womanhood: Sovereign God, Empowered Women; Further Empowerment
On hope: No More Despair; The Allure of Hope
Favorite recipes: Macaroni Grill Pollo Caprese (according to my stats, this is my most popular post by a huge margin); Ina Garten's Parmesan Roasted Broccoli; Italian Wedding Soup; Italian Chicken Chowder; my favorite summer salad; Peanut Butter Banana Muffins; Molasses Cookies; Apple Banana Pumpkin Muffins
Random Fun Facts
Favorite number: 7
Dream car: my Tiger blue 2013 Hyundai Elantra!
Sonic Happy Hour drink: Coke Zero with cherry
Regular Happy Hour drink: mango margarita
Favorite smells: the ocean, tea brewing, sunscreen, Kai, Yankee Candle Autumn Leaves
Dream destinations: Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Prince Edward Island, Hawaii
Favorite board game: Scrabble
Celebrity crush: Jimmy Fallon
Fictional crush: Guy Patterson from the movie That Thing You Do!
Favorite holiday: Independence Day
Disney princess: Belle with a big dash of Giselle
Least favorite chore: Mopping
Favorite books of the Bible: Isaiah, Philippians, and Hebrews
Role model: Eowyn from Lord of the Rings
Fashion muse: Gwen Stefani (mid- to late 90's)
Favorite sandwich: Newk's Pesto Chicken sandwich
Favorite months: May and October
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor (officially!)
Title of my future memoir: My Loud and Stupid Heart
Favorite sport: Basketball
Guilty TV obsession: One Tree Hill
Pet peeves: Compulsive cell-phone-earbud wearers; hissing sounds; the term "comfort zone"
Favorite Firefly episode: Jaynestown
Most frequented store: Target
