thankFULL

So I just got back from Vegas! More to come - promise. This post is a little random and late, but it is what it is. Back in October, I did my normal gig of going back to Richmond for the weekend. The only difference - Hurricane Sandy (aka Frankenstorm) was headed our way. I had voting, soaking up fall, and catching up on school work on my to-do-list, and I successfully checked each one off.

At that point, the trees in Virginia Beach were no where close to changing colors for the season. And I was bummed. Alot. Fall is my favorite season. The colors. The smells. Well, you know - I've mentioned it before. Everyone was Instagramming their beautiful fall trees, and I had nothing. Nothing I tell you.

Once back in Richmond with gloomy skies out in full force, I headed out to vote (absentee, in person - highly recommend it). I took my camera along, hoping to catch the beautiful trees of Virginia in all their glory. My sanity thanks you Virginia.

Doesn't that yellow tree make you swallow your gum? I had to stop in the middle of the road to take this picture, but everytime I look at it I think, "Yep. So worthwhile."

After I got back from voting, I ventured over to the neighbors' to check in on the horses and alpacas and to do a little walking and thinking (before that storm rolled in).

 

Look at those colors would ya?

While walking I got to thinking. Despite all my stress - school, not being at "home," future trips, personal differences, etc. I felt full. I feel full. Full of love. Full of gratitude. Full of thankfulness. Full of support. No matter what, I really feel as though I've always had those things. A network. People that get me. People that want to see me succeed. People that have always wanted that for me, even if I have doubted myself from time to time. Let me tell ya - it's a good place to be.

This guy right here didn't want much to do with me, but see how he looks a little flustered? A little crazy? A little caught off guard? That's how I've felt since September. It's like I've hit the ground running, someone calls my name, I look up at them, and I look just like this alpaca. Ha!

I'm finally at a point where I feel myself able to begin settling down to enjoy this year's Christmas season. I have a case study, three finals, and one presentation separating me from normalcy. Bring. It. On. These past few months have easily been the most trying of months for me. They have also been rewarding. I have been able to partake in various professional conferences, go places I never thought I would (at least not until after I graduate), and have met people that would test me as well as broaden my horizons.

Thanksgiving was a much needed breather, but it was a tease. My mom had some cold/respiratory bug and handed it off to yours truly. You had better believe I was pumping OJ and Mucinex like no one's business - I had a final exam and a trip to prepare for! 

See how this horse looks complacent - not a care in the world besides, "Why are you taking my picture, lady?" I'm starting to feel this way. This is good. This is needed. 

When's the last time you felt FULL? Complacent? Frazzled?

My mommas birthday is this weekend. What do you get the woman that has everything? Ha! I'm sure she wouldn't completely agree :)

-Sue

Tree Cleanup, Fireworks, and Concerts

Here's a little tree cleanup update. For the most part, the tree is gone and all that's left is sawdust, sweat, and sadness. Sadness because that tree provided shade for the majority of the backside of our home. O well, what can you do? Better than a tree sitting in the kitchen right? 

Just a heads up, if you're looking for a highly stimulating, photo heavy post, this ain't it. I promise a craft/DIY print post next to get your craft juices flowing.

The morning after the storm around 6AM.

From the two pictures below, you can see all the trees that surround our property that are apart of our property. I wasn't joking in that text message about being a tad freaked out!

From the inside of the house looking out.

Couple days after when cleanup arrived.

The gentleman helping us here - there are no words to explain him other than . . . crazy. It was pure entertainment with a chain saw to say the least.

Brush pile #1 - just limbs and leaves.

These pictures show ya' just how much ground was uprooted and how wide it was - a toothpick really. O wait, it was 85 inches around!

Whew! We certainly had an exciting and tiring start to the fourth of the July holiday. Speaking of which, on the 3rd I went downtown with friends, had a few brews and fried pickles at Station 2, then watched fireworks over the city like usual.

On the 4th, I put on my most patriotic dress, cooked out on the grill, then went with a friend from WVU/hometown to Fort Lee to watch Justin Moore perform and watch their fireworks show. I must say, the concert and fireworks at Fort Lee were spectacular! Totally worth the wait trying to leave base after all the festivities had died down. No matter how old you are, I don't think I'll ever get too old for fireworks.

-Suze

Storm Warning

Hope everyone's weekend was a bit quieter than mine. The East Coast got turned upside down due to a line of wind storms that originated in the Midwest early on Friday. Honestly I had no idea storms were headed our way, but did have a bit of a storm warning from friends via Facebook. Many of my friends from college still live in West Virginia and they were posting pictures of the damage in their areas. Little did I know it was approaching Virginia. The next storm warning came from a friend that I work with, warning me of a wind storm with a history of winds at 100mph. 

Then it hit.

My family lives in a long rancher style house on about six acres, and we have trees surrounding our house. We have truly been blessed to have never had a tree fall on our house, given that we have been through many hurricanes over the years. We have had plenty in the yard, across the driveway, etc., but never on the house. Like I said. So blessed. 

As you can see, I was beginning to get a little worried that my house would become a tree-house in a matter of minutes. Earlier in the week, my dad had been working on something on the front of our house and needed ladders to do so. I got out of bed, walked to the living room, and stood in front our bay windows to see the storm howl. I heard something on my way into the living room and assumed that it was the ladders being blown over (they had). I walked over to another window to look out at our garage and all I could see were leaves. Blowing. Leaves blowing in front of a window that doesn't have a tree close by. I proceeded to the kitchen, flipped on the back light to see our deck, and there she was.

The next morning.

That afternoon.

Some progress.

Thankfully, the deck took a majority of the hit. I say thankfully because a deck is far easier to replace than brick, sheetrock, etc. We did have two large holes in the roof, but again. Much easier to fix. My parents' insurance will cover tree removal, deck repairs, and the home repairs.

I'm shocked that we never lost power. I guess it was God's way of saying, "Ya' know, you've lost power for two weeks too many times, how about I give you a new learning experience? How about a tree instead? I'll keep your power on." Such a funny sense of humor He has. We are SO fortunate to have power though because in addition to the storms, there's been a heat melting wave that's also hit the East Coast. It's not the heat that kills us, it's the dang humidity. Virginia summers. DREAD them. 

Aside from the storm/tree/heat drama, I have three days off including the fourth. Woop-woop! I had planned to go to the beach and hang with my roommate and friend, but would have felt bad bailing on my family. Ya know because there's a large monstrous tree on their house? With that being said, let the crafting, baking, and cookouts begin.

Here's some sketches I've been working on for a nursery wall art painting sesh.

I'll be back soon with storm picture progress, and hopefully yummy and pretty creations.

-Suze