Project Life: Week 7

What? It has been 7 weeks since I began Project Life? I don't think I will ever get used to time flying by so quickly. And I also can't believe that I am still taking photos each day -well almost each day. 

This week, I don't know what happen but somewhere between the camera, the cord and the computer some of my photos were lost...? I don't know what happen but there are a couple of days that I just can't find. So, I am few days short this week. 

Tuesday, February  15

These are my favorite markers ever. They are Zip markers that I got years and years ago. I remember getting a pretty good deal on Ebay. After all this time, they are still the perfect marker.

Wednesday, February 16

My Mom was going to be gone all day and we didn't want me up and roaming about the kitchen while I was alone. So, she fixed me some tomato soup for later. She fixed it all pretty in the basket for me. :) 

Thursday, February 17

I have a new nurse and he came on Thursday instead of Tuesday. I had trouble with the IV site all day. I couldn't move my hand and it was really painful. I still had about half a bag of saline left when my hand got terribly painful and started to get puffy. I had to take the IV out but I still had a lot of fluid left...what was I going to do? Um, page nurse Haley of course! ha!

Haley was so nervous. She hasn't started an IV outside of educational environment. She did an really awesome job! No pain or mess! It was perfection! That is right, my sister is just magical and my 24/7 private duty nurse!

Friday, February 18

And what week would be complete without Holly. She is pouting because she can't go upstairs and play with Dad. He thinks that is just hilarious! (And I guess it kind of is!)

Happy Tuesday!

I am linking up Jessica's blog again today. Join us!

Project Life Week 4

I cannot believe this is the 4th week of Project Life! And what really rocks my world is that I have actually managed to take a photo each day. So, here is a look at Week 4.

Sunday, January 23

This is Holly's toy box. It is an old hatbox that I decided would be a cute place to keep all of her toys. Her favorite toy is her sock monkey. And despite how sweet, fluffy and precious my sweet Holly is, the girl has it out for her toys! Seriously. No toys last more than a few weeks. I have been waiting for her cute sock monkey to bite the dust. And as luck would have it, the very next day, I found pieces of Mr. Sock Monkey all over my bedroom.

Monday, January 24

Holly's dog food has been discontinued. So, I had to find her a new brand. I was worried that she wouldn't like the new food. Well, apparently she hated the old food! I mix the two foods together so that the transition would be a little more gentle on her stomach. Big mistake! Her food is everywhere because she meticulously picks out and eats the new food and leaves the rest for me to clean up...again, again & again.

Tuesday, January 25

Oh, the bad day. Not much more to say about Tuesday, except how good that ice cream was! 

Wendesday, January 26
I don't mind picking up her food when she waits for me on the edge of my bed like this. When I get up, Holly always comes and gets in my spot and waits for me. I think it is so sweet. I am totally in love my girl.

Thursday, January 27
I have been feeling pretty bad the last week or so and fainting last Tuesday didn't help things but I try to look on the bright side. Like, when I am too sick to eat at the table, I get to eat in bed and my Mom fixes me yummy things to eat. Things like a roast beef, provolone cheese & onion panini. (She fixes me yummy things to eat on other days too, btw!) 

Friday, January 28
I have just recently discovered the television show, Brothers & Sisters thanks to Netflix. I watched the first four seasons last week. Where have I been? I love this show. I am such a nerd. I have only watched one television show from start to finish. I usually, A) don't learn about the show until much later into its run or B) quit watching the show before it ends because I get bored with it. I am a strange girl.
PS: How messy can my bedside table get?!

Saturday, January 29
I have been on an orange kick lately. These oranges are so good. They are perfectly juicy and remind me of summer. I will admit that I do eat two at a time because they are so good. One just isn't enough.

As always, I am linking up at Jessica's blog today. Happy Project Life Tuesday everyone!

Holly, Hachiko & Christmas

I just saw this movie this weekend...tearjerker! I wasn't prepared. It wasn't just eyes welling with tears, either, it was the ugly, contorted face, chin quiver, kind of cry. It was a very good movie-despite all of crying. 
Holly was asleep next to me while I was watching it. I just had to wake her up and give her a great big hug when the movie finished.

Have y'all seen it? If you haven't, you really must but be sure and have tissues on hand.

Holly and I are both wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Roman 15:13

 Merry Christmas!

Happy "Holly" Days to Me!

This past Saturday, December 11 marked mine and Holly's first year together. She is such a little angel.

I am now a crazy person who is in love with their dog! I never thought that could happen!I now understand why there is a seletction of "pet cards" in  Hallmark. Until now I thought that was pretty crazy. But when I bought my Dad two Father's Day cards-one from me and one from Holly, I knew that my crossing over to the dark side was complete! ha

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2010

Holly is the best dog there has ever been. (Yeah, I know I am little bias!) We know one another. She knows when I am sick. She knows when I have a headache. She knows when I can't play. She knows right where to find me, when my parents say, "Let's go see Mama!" She LOVES socks! Socks are her favorite toy. She has now learned how to find them and pull them through the slats in the laundry basket. I call her my little sock monkey. She loves her toys. She usually can't decide which ones she wants to play with and tries to put both in her little mouth! So cute, I am telling you!

Sweet. So very sweet.

Winter 2009

Summer 2010

Please tell me...how could you not love this?

Merry Christmas!

Last Week in Pictures

Last week was a really good week. I felt better than I have in months and I was able to do a few things and see a couple of friends. I was a bad blogger last week! haha!

Monday

My lovely package wrapping goodies arrive from The Gilded Bee. You should visit her blog too. She has such pretty things!

Tuesday

Holly got a haircut and posed for pictures. She is so photogenic. I can't get over how totally cute this little puppy is. I am so in love with her.

Wednesday

 

My friend Jerica came over and visited for a little bit. She brought me some wonderful organic bath goodies! I was quite envious of her necklace! ;)

 

 

Thursday

 

Another visit with a friend! (See, I told you it was a great week!) My best friend Becca came by with her son, Jay. Isn't he a doll?! Laterwe went to dinner and had sushi.

 

 

Friday
Friday was puppy class but I was exhausted and didn't go. Mom took Holly to class for me and I stayed home and slept almost all day. Later that night I did make Martha Stewart tissue paper flowers. I found a kit at TJ-Maxx for $4!! Can't beat that!

Saturday was the day of my birthday party and it was so fun and so beautiful! I can't wait to post about it tomorrow.

I can't wait to catch up on everyone's blogs!

Hi Friends.

Well, you would think that I had packed my bags and moved away. I haven't been online in over a week. (Well I have been online a couple of times but I haven't been to my blog or visited any of you!) Boo for that.

I haven't packed my bags and been on some fabulous trip...that would be nice. Instead, I have been in pajamas for a million days and curled up in my bed. Headaches are just a terrible thing to have, you know?! So, I have been watching lots of movies and listening to my iPod. I even listened to a couple of really good books that I bought from iTunes. I miss reading a good book but these days, reading makes me so tired and gives me a headache. So, I have opted to listen to books instead. If you haven't  read Sarah's Key, you must. It is soooo good. Sooo good!

And Holly is as cute as ever. See for yourself. She is the best little companion.

And my sweet friend, Kat sent me my birthday present!! She is the sweetest friend. You all must go visit her blog because it is just heavenly!

She sent me a handkerchief (because she knows I love them!) with Paris scenes on it, a lovely necklace that she made herself and the sweetest smelling sachet that I stuck under my pillow. My bed smells so woderful now!

Speaking of my birthday...my family and I were orginally going to celebrate this Saturday. I have been having my birthday at home for several years now because I always seem to feel bad on birthday. I don't mind at all because everyone goes out of their way to make it a super special day. So this year, I am planning on having cupcakes and Lorina lemonade...need I say more?! :) Anyway, we were going to have my party on Saturday but we have had to re-schedule because I am going to have a nerve block done on Thrusday (to hopefully stop these headaches!) and they usually make me feel pretty bad. So, I am super happy to be having the block done but a little disappointed that my party will be delayed. Oh well, there are worse things that could happen!

photo credits:here and here

Well, since I don't have a lot anything going on. How about a fun Q & A! Maybe this way we can get to know each other a little better. I hope to hear from you all!

Have a great week, everyone!

1. What is your name & where are you from?
Hello! I'm Heather and I am from Birmingham, AL.

2. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have one sister, Haley. She is 23 and a nurse. I love my Hay! :)

3. Do you have a favorite book?
My favorite book is The Hiding Place Corrie ten Boom and Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. The movie is amazing but the book is too! You just have to get through the first 70 pages and it is the BEST book!

4. A favorite movie?
I love the movie Dancing with Wolves and also like The other Sister.

5. Since I have talked about birthdays in this post, do you have a favorite birthday memory?
My favorite birthday memory is from my 7th birthday. My Mom was great at coming up with "birthday themes"! She combined my sister's birthday (her birthday is in June) and we celebrated in May. We had tons and tons of kids over and we played old games like wheel barrel race, dropping the pins in a bottle, sack races...all sorts of fun games that none of us had played before. Our color theme was red and brown. We wore red shirts and red bandannas. We had bales of hay to sit on and open presents and big brown paper sacks that made the happy birthday banner. Mom even made our invitations out of little brown paper sacks. She was ahead of her time. ;)

6. Favorite blog(s)that you like to visit?
Kat's blog (Secret of a Butterfly) and Fiona's blog (fee-amore), Alli's blog (Hooray Design) and Breezy's Blog (A bowl of moss & pebbles).
I also enjoy A Field Journal, Gitz and Enjoying the Small Things.

And really, the list could go on and on!

Okay, it's your turn. You can leave the answers in the comment section or do a blog post and leave me the link...whatever you want!

It was just one of those weekends.

I am watching the Oscars right now. Are any of you? I think there are soooo many pretty dresses! I can't wait to see the fashion re-caps tomorrow. Everyone looks great! Some favorites are Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lopez, and Amanda Seyfried. Hollywood, you have my approval! ;)

Okay, this weekend was busy. Seriously, busy.

Friday, my Mom and I decided to go to Cottontails Craft Show. It was a crazy place. All of those Moms and their babies and their strollers-they were serious shoppers, which earned them the nickname "Stroller Nazis". Seriously, they were all on a mission. There were so many cute oufits for little girls. So cute. I had fun. I bought this beautiful creation and I put some of my jewelry on it. I just loved it.

We had beautiful weather yesterday. I sat outside in the sun for just a little bit, while my parents worked in the yard. Holly was outside all day and she was sooo exhausted last night because she didn't take a nap. She was so cute. She was introduced to Pepsi yesterday-don't ask how!- and she loves it! Who knew?! I didn't take any pictures but she was so cute running around outside. She was just so curious about everything. She cracks me up. No photos, though.

Today we took my Dad out for his birthday to his favorite mexican restaurant, La Paz. I don't really like Mexican food but I do like La Paz. I ordered some Gaucamole...yummy!

But before I end me weekend I must show you what a mess I made this morning! ah! I was giving Holly some food and I lost balance and I dropped the container with her food on the bathroom counter. Oh my! It was everywhere...although Holly happily cleaned the floor up for me. She thought she had hit the jackpot!

Thank goodness for Clorox Cleaner!

And...

Well, my new friends blog Jenny and Erin have asked their new blog pals to answer some questions and try to get to know one another a little better. Here are answers to Jenny's questions.

1. Do you have any nicknames? Explain. :)

Only a few people call me by my nickname - Hyder. (Pronounced High-dir.) When my sister was little she couldn't say Heather and Hyder is what came out when she tried. It was so cute and it stuck. At 22 and 26, we still sometimes call one another Hyder and Hay-Hay. (Because that is what came out when she tried to say her own name, Haley.) I love our nicknames! :)

2. If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass onto your children, what would it be?

Oh, good question! Um, well I think I would want to pass on my optimism. I am a pretty optimistic person and I am really thankful for that.

3. If you could have any celebrity for a father and mother, who would you pick?

Paul Newman and Doris Day or Julie Andrews

4. Name your 3 favorite blogs.

Another good one but hard! ha!

1.Secrets of a Butterfly

2. Oh Hello Friend

3. Enjoying the Small Things

5. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

My first memory of saying what I wanted to be when I grew up was when I was 9 or 10. I remember telling people that I wanted to be a "Missionary Teacher". I don't know if they understand what I meant but I had a clear vision in my head. I wanted to be a teacher in another country and tell others about Jesus. Needless to say, I am not a Missionary Teacher.

Thank you Jenny.

Have a great week, everyone!

You can never repay all you have been by the Creator. Accept the gifts. Live and share them.

-Anne Wilson Schaef

Goodness. That was long. Thanks for staying tuned for all of it!

A Nice Weekend

You all are so kind enough to read and support me when I am having a bad day and I know you rejoice with me when I have a good day! Well, this weekend, I had two good days! Yay! And I am a complete goose and didn't take a single photo...ugh!

My weekend began on Friday with Holly's puppy class. She is doing so good! Friday was her "mid-term". She passed with flying colors...well, almost. She still hates the "down" command and is a little stubborn and it takes a bit to get her to follow that command but otherwiese she is doing great. She is even walking niely on the leash next to the wheelchair now. But most of the time, I just carry her because she is so snuggly! ha! I need to take a picture of her and Bear together. Bear is the only other dog in the class. He is a gorgeous, 80 lb. Golden Retriever and is an absolutely doll. He and Holly love playing together. Basically, Bear just rolls over on the floor and lets Holly go crazy and jump oh him like a jungle gym. It is pretty funny.

After class, we ran to the mall and I got a new swimsuit for our beach trip in July. Yay for that! I also got some cute blue striped pants that have a nautical feel to them. Super cute.

Satuday, my sister decided that she wanted to go shopping, so we loaded up and headed to the mall again. It was so nice to be among civilization! I found a couple of beautiful tops and a cardigan at Anne Taylor loft. Just click here and look at their opening page...it is pastel heaven!

And I made my first purchase EVER at J.Crew. I {heart} J.Crew but I cannot afford them. I splurged...alot and I almost immediately had buyer's remorse. I purchased this and this. I am about 99% sure that I am going to return the scarf because I think I can find a less expensive version somewhere else.

Most all of my purchases were things that I can wear with white pants. I love my white pants in the spring & summer. They are my go-to fashion piece for warm months. Mom thinks that I wear them too much but I don't care! I love them! I feel like I look nice in them!

Anyway, I had a great weekend! It was so fun and I missed being out and about like that.

And some final, random news:

I have signed up for Oh, Hello Friend's package exchange. I am super excited! I missed the deadline for the last package exchange. So, as soon as I saw that I could sign up today, I made a bee-line over to Danni's amazingly awesome blog!

And last but not least, tonight is the season finale of The Bachelor. I haven't watched it in ages but I started watching it again this season. It has been pretty good. Are any of you Bachelor Fans? I am Team Tenley but I think he will choose Vienna. Boo. We will see.

Aren't they a cute couple?

Have a great week, everyone!

Waiting and Wishing.

"So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:34

Good day all.
You know what? Sometimes, well a lot of times, I find that when I sign in to my blog, I become speechless. It is a strange phenomenon. I am such a talker. So much so, that I get on my own nerves from time to time. So, I just start typing what is in my head and sometimes an off-handed topic will spill onto the computer screen.
Kind of like right now.
I am tired today. For no reason in particular; I am just tired. I am actually happy to be lying in my bed and I can't seem to imagine being anywhere else. I just want to curl up and pull the covers over my head and wait until tomorrow to see if anything will happen because today is just an average day.
The weather was gorgeous here this weekend. Absolutely gorgeous. I know if I had drove down to University campus there would have been girls who reached into the back of their closets and pulled out tiny shorts and thin sundresses and if I had seen those girls, I would have made fun of them-I am not going to lie! (It is still February after all.)
I miss driving. I miss the pure and perfect independence that driving brings to me. I absolutely can close my eyes and I see myself bouncing down the front steps, all dressed, with curled hair and my make-up on. I happily look up into the sun and pull my sunglasses down and then check my purse to make sure that I have my cell phone and keys. I go and plop down in my car's front seat and turn the radio on and make my way to Target, Hobby Lobby or SCHOOL!
When I do that for the first time -when I walk down those steps and go turn my car's ignition on-after months of seeing my car out in the driveway, catching leaves and dust from the previous months, I know that I have made it out of dark, once again. I made it through this round of the battle. To drive myself somewhere for the first time is like being 16 all over again. It is exhilarating and freeing. Pure, inhibited joy. No worries or fatigue. No fainting or nausea. No migraines. And despite how much I love my parents, no parents. It is amazing.
To drive my car for the first time, will mean that soon I will return to school and to my social life. I will return to my "normalcy". I can begin joyfully living "part-time" as I call it.
I do not focus on the past or worry about the future. I don't dwell on the things that I have lost over the last months. I make small, single stepped plans for that day and maybe the next. To drive is to be independent and that is a beautiful thing. I can't wait for that day to return and I know it will.

two good movies. two 'blah' days.

I just rented Love Happens, with Jennifer Aniston & Aaron Eckhart. It was really good. It deals with a lot grief and suffering and overcoming but it was also such a sweet love story. (Plus, Jennifer Aniston's name is Eloise & she is a florist.) Sweet. Emotional. Love story. I liked it. Let me know if you see it and what you think.

The other movie was Julie & Julia. Mom and I went to the theater to see it when it first came out and we really enjoyed it but I had forgotten how cute it was. Meryl Streep was just great and I am a big fan of Amy Adams. It just made me happy. I love the party scene on roof top when Julie completes all of her recipes. It is so pretty.

Isn't it pretty? This photo just makes me happy and makes me want to throw a party!

Migraines, people! Migraines! I think they are the devil, himself! Ah! I have appointment with my neurologist in March and I am trying to be patient but goodness... it is hard to be patient when you are in pain, isn't it?
I have been kind of sad the past few days. I saw my counselor Kelly yesterday. I am always a little bit more emotional after I see her. I think it is because we bring up lots of tough topics that I don't always like to deal with head on like that. I know I sound like a broken record but I can't say it enough. My family is awesome and I am so thankful that at anytime of the day, I can go and talk to them about anything. We cry together, laugh together, and pray together...I have 3 part-time therapists living upstairs! I am so very blessed.
Kelly and I talked about perspective and the importance of gratitude-especially if you are struggling with any type of pain.
So, today I am grateful that I have a wonderful pharmacist who takes care of me and does ALL the hard work that it takes to get me my medicines on time and most importantly, always takes care of the insurance company so that my Mom doesn't have to. Mary is angel!
Is there anything that you guys are particularly thankful for today?

Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing - a grateful heart!

-George Herbert