The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

It's SUNDAY!!!! A day of relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation!! I enjoy my lazy Sunday afternoons so much more than most people because (bragging rights again) I don't work Mondays anymore: ) :) :)

To me, Sunday serves as that frequent reminder to us all that we have completed another week. The time certainly flies in the life of a busy worker bee---as you hustle and bustle to complete all necessary tasks before the week's end. But, before you know it, there is Sunday again allowing you to kick up your feet, clip coupons, watch movies, and do whatever it is that makes you happy.



For me, my Sunday activity of choice has become writing again. Now, trust me, I'm not all:



"And as imagination bodies forth the forms of things unknown, the poet's pen turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothings a local habitation and a name" (Shakespeare).

I'm more like:




"Wow! Glad I wrote that down...now I remember what I did ten months ago!" (Chapo).


Written word is a memory. Operating as a literary scrapbook, the words remind you of where you've been and what you've accomplished. One such memory occurred to me this morning as I looked over my writing from an English course at Tallahassee Community College during my Freshmen year of schooling.

Holding what I thought my life would be. Haha

In the assignment, I discussed with the teacher where it was I saw myself in ten years. Re-reading it, at about the five year mark, I hate to tell my Freshmen self most of the crap I thought I'd have accomplished by then probably aint gonna happen. Sorry self!

Within my essay, I wanted to be married (check), have money stowed away (....mmm debatable), stay friends with all my hometown buddies (people changed...so did I), travel to Europe (I'd love to but we'll see), and live in my hometown close to my family for the rest of my life(probably can't/won't happen for several reasons).

I had almost forgotten about all the goals I had at that age. My essay brought back the recollection so vividly--it was like I was that 18 year old kid all over again---naivete and all.

I love my life now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. If I could go back and have a discussion with Freshmen Eliz it would probably go a little something like this: "Eliz...you think you have it figured out. You don't. In reality...you have nothing figured out. But I promise you this...you could never, in your most imaginative day, dream of the adventures you will encounter moving forward. What you will encounter in growing up will far exceed the silly goals you have now. The failures you incur will beat the buns off, in experience, the victories you think you need now. So go with it, enjoy life, and don't forget to write everything down!"

Living my own, personal fairy tale life

And so another weekend has come to an (almost) close. As a working professional,working forty hours per week, your work week can feel a little something like this.





Since I don't work Monday's (insert your jealousy here), Tuesday through Thursday serve in my imagination as an incredibly annoying person you simply can't avoid. Tuesday is that horrible lady at the grocery store who knows (to the exact penny) how much produce prices have escalated in the last year and feels the dire need to share with you this worrisome phenomena. Wednesday is the rambling gentlemen at the doctors office that discusses with you, at length, his upcoming foot surgery. Thursday is the only slightly tolerable child of a fellow patron who screams from the time you arrive to get your "relaxing" pedicure at the salon until two hours later when you finally (mercifully) depart. Just like the inevitable and frequent run-ins we ALL have with tediously vexing individuals, Tuesday through Thursday continue to make their unwelcome appearances in a working professional's life---exasperating us all (even if just a little) each and every time.



Just when you think you can't take the the monotony of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a new character arrives with a valiant rescue for your tired soul. In my imagination, Friday serves as the white knight in shining armor. Riding on their trusty steed, the knight finally rescues you from the sure desperation you are beginning to feel with a promise of a new start. And a new start you get! From the time you leave your workplace at (hopefully) 5:00 PM, the time is YOURS to enjoy. You dress however you like, go wherever you'd like to go, and do whatever you'd enjoy to do.



HOORAY!!!



I have been fortunate enough, at certain points in my lifetime, to not be required to working a forty hour work week. It was glorious at first.....amazing even. However, over time, you begin to miss those frustrating characters. Without horrible Tuesday sharing her produce facts, how do you know which fruits and vegetable to buy? Minus Wednesday, you may miss an entertaining story to share with your friends. And, lets face it, if you plan on having children, Thursday is probably just a small glimmer of our own embarrassing, momentarily needling careers as parents. Furthermore, without Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday ever so slightly trying your patience---how do you even begin to appreciate Friday for the greatness it bestows to those tolerantly awaiting it's arrival?

I'm fortunate enough to work a job I enjoy most of the time. I like the company I work for, I have co-workers who make me laugh throughout most of the work-week and that makes a professional atmosphere a little (or A LOT) more fun, and I'm even lucky enough to have my own spacious work-space. However,even in these (the truly best of) circumstances,you can often catch me staring out the window, dreamily, near my cubicle. Be certain that I am waiting to hear the hoof-prints of that trusty steed---that hero Friday on his way to deliver the weekend as I patiently work away :)

I would like to begin by saying....HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!! I hope that you all enjoyed the much-needed break from the work-week as much as I did! My July 4th memories are listed below!! July 4th, 2012 basically consisted of myself and my husband (yes it is going to take a while to get used to that word) attending a backyard BBQ with his co-workers. Did I mention there were delicious bratwursts involved? Because there were....and let's just say his co-workers really know how to show a gal an amazing fourth of July feast. We all had such a great time just talking about life in general. Then, we retired to there pool where we all swam (or in my case lazily floated) around. Later that evening, we were still being incredibly lazy. We had really planned to get up at some point and attend a fireworks show in the area. But....in accordance with us being slugs...that didn't really happen. So instead, we ended up settling for bringing some cold beers out to our yard and sitting on some dirty towels---hoping for some type of a show. And y'all....a SHOW WE GOT!!!!!! It started slowly around our neighborhood at first---one firework, then two, then the next neighbor and so on and so forth. The fireworks looked INCREDIBLE reflecting around the lake. We watched in amazement as mosquitos tore us apart (and we both have the bites to prove it). The festivities didn't stop until about 1:00 in the morning. I'm guessing the citizens of our neighborhood had better luck getting vacation days from work the following day. And that was my 4th of July....just a regular day that comes each year and reminds us what a great country we live in.

It has seriously been FOREVER since I last posted. Ohhh excuses...let me count thy ways 1) I got MARRIED!!!!!!!! That's right....you heard it here first...I'm a NEWLY WED!!!! As of March 17, 2012 I am a wife to my wonderful husband of 2 months now (whheewww time flies when you are having FUN!) In regards to the event I can tell you, without bias, that the day was beautiful, our families were overjoyed, and nobody left hungry. I listed a few pics below for everyone to check out

Yes...indeed...it was a gorgeous affair. But after all the hustle and bustle of getting everything accomplished we need to do (a small miracle for the two of us) BEFORE the big day---we were feeling a little like this Needless to say....it ended just in time for us to make a tidy escape to the beautiful Gatlinburg mountains. 2) I've been decorating my house!!!! We moved to a rental home in a small, country city on the outskirts of town. So far....I'm LOVING it. Though the house leaves much to be desired....it's right on the water. The sunsets are incredible and so is the small feel of the place. On the weekends, I can get anywhere in ten minutes without having to cross any intersections or highways. Plus, I get to see these in my yard all the time. 3) I recently had a schedule change, which I am loving, but most days I'm not home very often. So, all in all, everything is going great! Just working hard and playing hard! In other recent news. my husband and I just planned and booked a random get-away to Savannah, GA. I can't wait to blog about it and put up pictures! I have missed my blog so much and I can't wait to get back into my hobby ; ) Thanks for staying tuned.

Florist....Check : )

It is forever a joke in my repertoire to suggest that my large, Alford family is "more than a family....it's a civilization." After all,we do pride ourselves for the annual head-count we perform at every Thanksgiving celebration. Last year I'm pretty sure the count was at an astounding 62(?!). I'm proud to say our number consistently grows larger each year. This is kinda what we look like to outsiders...

Throughout my entire life in Tallahassee, I can recall spending almost every Saturday morning with my family. Every new house, birth of a child, visit of an out-of-town relative, birthday, or holiday in our family was treated like a huge celebration--as we all sat around telling old stories and filling each other in on what was new in our respective lives. Oh..yah...and repeating Andy Griffith lines. My family is obsessed...with Andy Griffith. Upon episode request, they can quote dialogue like most of us can recite the pledge of allegiance--simply and undeterred.

After I moved, I kind of felt that kindred family-closeness missing. I mean...don't get me wrong...my fiancee is awesome. Together we make up our own little family and that's really special too. But losing that big family aspect, everyone talking over each other and laughing uproariously, really just felt amiss. Through the years, I get a little sad when I hear about family gatherings I miss out on or birthday celebrations I can't attend. Sometimes I feel like I've lost the civilization I lived within for so many years---and it's hard to adjust.
Lately, though, some pretty big things have been happening in my life which have taken my mind off of temporary home-sickness. Undoubtedly, the number one most important thing is that I'm getting married to the love of my life on March 17, 2012.

This joyous news, of course, also comes with some slight difficulties. I am now in the throws of selecting a caterer, a photgrapher, and of course an officiant. However, my family has really rallied around to help me do whatever I need. My dad has been helpful and hilarious---eliciting a hand gestures code for the level of completion to which wedding tasks have been accomplished.

Perhaps the best news I have recieved is that my Aunt has offered to be my Florist. As a Botany major and an amazing horticoloist, I was really hoping she would do my floral arrangements. When asked, she heartily agreed and I almost cried with delight. I know it might sound strange, but in simply agreeing to be my Florist--my Aunt made me come to a huge epiphany. No matter where I am, or what I miss, I will always be an Alford. My family loves me, and will continue to do no matter where I am. Perhaps, sometimes, feeling homesick should not be regarded as missing your family. Perhaps, instead, we should regard it as looking forward to the next time we will once again return to our homes for visits--and relish in what we've so long missed. Perhaps, if anything, this makes us feel more fortunate than ever for the people that will be there for us any time....and any place.

Mirror Mirror On the Wall....I'm Not the Fairest of Them All

First let me begin by saying I've been ridiculously lazy about contributing to my blog. This can be explained by several "things"....i.e. excuses which can be found below

*Working 40-50 hours a week at a difficult job

*Getting engaged : ) : ) : ) : ) : )

* Planning for a wedding

*Saving every penny for the aforementioned wedding

*Preparing my life/career path for the future

*Readying myself to re-enter school


I know...I know...excuses are lame!! But what can I say? I really have been one busy lady. On a side note I cannot wait to marry the man of my dreams. Jon and I are soo psyched to wed next year, March, 17 2012!!! As of now, we have an incredible venue, a definite date, a semi-permanent guest list, and a possible wedding dress. We're trucking along just fine together and not losing sight of the most important aspect of the wedding---the fact that we are marrying each other : )

I'm so happy with the place my life is in now---I'm completley and totally blessed in my love life, with the love of an awesome, compassionate family, and with the great amount of love and respect I have for myself. Yet, today I was forced to reflect on a time, within my life, when things I was not as blessed.

Today, my memory was jarred back to my late teenage years. At eighteen years old, I had already moved out of my parents home and into my own townhome, I drove a nice SUV, and I was working a job full time, earning much of my own money. A life like that, blessed with so many material blessings, can often lead a young person to believe they have it all "figured out." And I was certainly no exception to the rule. Looking back on that time, I feel like I often forgot the people who always seemed to be there from me---my family and true friends. It often never occurred to me that my supportive family were the main reason I had many of the things I did.

I would love to sugar-coat my old self and say that I was going through a "phase" or "still figuring myself out"....but the truth is that I was just plain selfish. I, like most eighteen year old teens, was always number one in my own mind.

There is a country song that is called "If I Could Write a Letter To Me." It regards an adult man wanting to prepare his teenage self for all the challenges and life-lessons he will certainly face. Whenever I hear the lyrics I always think: "ah what a beautiful concept...I wish I could've told myself so many things back then!!"



Almost everyone goes through things that they would sooner like to forget as they mature. I realize that making mistakes is a learning process. My advice ,then, is clearly not to make mistakes--- but to listen to the wise advice of others who may in fact know "better." When I think of all the good advice, the life-lessons, the insightful quotes I ignored from my parents...I have to roll my eyes in horror.


Consider the source of your information and hear what people who love you are saying. If you never leave your teenage,ignorant habits BEHIND.....then you'll never BEGIN your adult,receptive life.

Hypocrisy; The Nonsensical Nature of Human Behavior

Don't let the title of this blog post fool you....this is not an intellectual study about the human psyche or an incredibly accurate insight into behaviors. Instead, this is just a simple girl (moi) wondering aloud: WTH is up with how we act?!!

As human beings, we are instinctivley geared to view ourselves as "good" people. Even serial killer Ted Bundy built a defense case entirely upon his own self-image---boasting upon his personal successes and triumphs. Due to this strange truth, the vast majority of the human race cannot detect their own,personal shortcomings.

I especially love seeing people littering from vehicles that say "Save the Earth" and watching Jersey Shore castmates preach against precarious STD's. But, perhaps more irritating than these global conundrums, are watching the everyday situations which never cease to amaze me. I will not bore you with one million examples here, as we know how many exist. But, we can all readily admit that it is very plausible to say people are blind to themselves. We can also most likely agree that most humans are all too-willing to point out the personality flaws in others that they cannot recognize in themselves.

So, what I propose is this. Before speaking---look inward. It is harder to look in the mirror than it is to look at the masses.