What are Sisters For?

To hold your hand, to dry your eyes…
To talk with you all through the night.
To laugh and sing and play make believe,
And to hold all the secrets that you keep.

To watch you grow and see you change,
To help you through those years of pain.
To fight with you and steal your clothes…
Though all the while you still know
A sister is a treasure to hold,
That is worth way more than all you own.

I have one of these, and hold her dear,
She is my best friend, has been for years.
She makes me strong, and never gives up on me,
Never loses hope that I will succeed.

Though she is younger, I hope she is aware,
There is no one else in this world with whom I can share
My secrets, my fears, my hopes and my dreams
Who will keep them close, until they are a reality.

You are beautiful and wise and now you are twenty two.
I look back and thank God for the blessing that is you.
That day long ago you came into my world,
Never did I know what was in store for us girls.

Our days of sharing a room, and mischief too,
From playing with dolls to driving off to school.
We lived and we learned and all the while remained,
Best friends and sisters that took the world as it came.

Abbie you're all grown up and lovely as can be,
And though you are younger, I hope you see…
I look up to you and am so proud to say
That you are my sister, my friend, no matter what comes our way.

You are beautiful, it's true, inside and out,
And you will achieve your dreams, I have no doubt.
I am always here for you to give you all I have and more…
After all, what are sisters for?

Tutorial Tuesdays

I am embarking on two new adventures. Every Tuesday evening after work, I have started going to a guitar lesson from a man who is more Jimmy-Bob than Jimi Hendrix, but I love every minute. I love learning this instrument and the nuances of each of the chords.  I am excited to practice, to see marked improvement, and to be able to play easily without thinking about every chord change. As I start to hear sounds that almost resemble songs from my guitar, I get more excited to continue to improve. Playing this instrument and music in general, is a form of art that I have always loved and appreciated. It’s soothing, it’s relevant, and it’s a way I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself. After this short but sweet lesson, I head to my next one- a cooking lesson! With the help of my sweet friend, Alessandra (follow here: http://theorangelens.blogspot.com/), I am learning the in’s and out’s of the kitchen and some go-to recipes that are delicious and doable!

I know how to cook, but only the basics, and am inevitably uninspired after a long day at work to step in to the kitchen and go back to work.  But with an experienced chef by my side (who also happens to be a friend to laugh with throughout the process), I anticipate many nights full of food, fun, and (hopefully) few fires to put out. Oh yes, we have been known to start minor kitchen fires before!

Last night, we tested the waters with a Greek Lasagna, known as Pastitsio, which was phenomenal! See the recipe here:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pastitsio-recipe/index.html

Lesson learned: plan ahead! We started at 7:30 and finally sat down to enjoy the sumptuous casserole at 9:30 after two hours making both the sauces, cooking the meat, and baking the dish in the oven. Well worth the wait! Paired with red wine and a light salad, this savory meal is one to be enjoyed by many! Literally. It serves eight very hearty eaters. Complete the meal with a light but sweet treat (we choose an apple tart), and you’ve not only got a meal, but a great memory to have of the process…at least in our case! Bon appetit!

For me, Tuesdays now represent an important part of who I want to be, a learner. I want to be a curious, adventurous person, up for a new challenge, a new lesson, or even just a new chicken dish. No matter the lesson, no matter the subject matter, I never want to stop learning, never want to stop growing. So bring on Tuesday!

Little Moments

Though I have been engaged for nearly a year (April 4th will mark our one-year engagement anniversary), and have held the Bride-to-Be status excitedly, I have never blogged about this upcoming, momentous occasion. This is a chaotic yet wonderful time of life full of appointments, fittings, decisions, to do lists and, of course, the melding together of two lives.


Thankfully, I have a Saint for a Mom who has been my organized, encouraging, event-planning guru. Without her I would be lost in a sea of everything from tulle to boutonnieres. I enjoy the process, don't get me wrong, but when I dream about my wedding (which I have been for the last 20 years!), it's about the look in the eyes of my Groom as I walk down the aisle. It's about the moment my Dad twirls me around the dance floor, and having my sister stand by my side. It's about my Mom helping me into my dress, and my brothers there to celebrate with me. It's about toasting all the people who have made me who I am--and loved me through the years--being there to witness the promise of a lifetime being made.


My wedding, to me, is about a thousand little moments all tied in to one unforgettable day. The moment I wake up and realize this is the day I have waited my whole life for. The moment I slip in to my dress; walk in to the chapel; see Brian for the first time; saying my vows and hearing them from him; being surrounded by the soft fragrance of lovely flowers; seeing our four parents as we are pronounced for the first time; greeting my guests, our families and friends; dancing the night away; and stealing away with my man.


In the end, I will be able to say that this day will be how I choose it to be. It will have the flowers I picked, the music we love, the food I deem delicious, and the dress I feel like a princess in. But more importantly, it will be full of laughter and love with the most important people in Brian and my life. It will be in honor of our parents, and their marriages, as well as our grandparents and their decades upon decades of wedded bliss.


It is my hope and prayer that the focus of the day is on the celebration of marriage, and the families that have prepared us for this, the greatest adventure in life. All the planning and preparation in the world will not prepare me for what I will feel that day. For the love and gratitude for my parents and family. For the love and commitment I feel for Brian, my husband-to-be, and my new family. For the thankfulness to God for the blessing that is this day, and all that it represents, and all that He has in store for Brian and my new life together.


Yes, this day will be momentous….in all the little moments added together. And I cannot wait to cherish every one.

A Small World After All

It was a day like any other, no one would ever have suspected such a record-breaking quake, followed by a devastating tsunami, followed by fear of a nuclear crisis emerging in Japan.


The nation, and its people, are writhing in pain. They are fearful of what may happen, and haunted by what just did. I ache for them, but never did I think I would be personally affected by the same earthquake that shook their homes, and their lives. I was just reading an article in Scientific American  that gave some facts about the earthquake and tsunami. As I read down, I found out that, because of the epic proportion of the earthquake and the amount that the earth moved, the 24-hour day is now 1.8 microseconds shorter!!!


My day, here in Dallas, Texas, is shorter because of this earthquake. That is crazy to me. And, by no means is it of any consequence compared to the suffering and hurt an entire country is experiencing, but it made me pause. Just because my life remains relatively untouched inspite of what is transpiring half a world away, does not mean I should not be actively involved in any way I can to help. They need food, water, homes, and comfort.


I may not have the freedom to hop the next flight to Japan, but I can certainly pray for the people of Japan, and maybe donate to relief funds. After all, in this world that is shrinking by the day, they are my neighbors, and I'd like to think they would do the same for me.

One Fine Day

If you have ever seen the movie "One Fine Day", this post will cause a nostalgia to sweep over you. For life in the City, for rainy days, for sweet yet mischievous childhood,  and for love at first sight.....at least that is what it does for me.

I love this movie, in all of its innocence and its realness. 

Sometimes life, like in this movie, is just hard. There is no glitz or glamour, just an alarm clock buzzing every morning as a constant reminder that another day is dawning. Sometimes days just go bad. Your hair is a mess, you spill scalding coffee not only on your shirt but on your hands. Your kid (or dog) is misbehaving, and, of course, you are late for a big meeting. Those are the days that make you want to crawl right back in bed, throw the covers over your head, and wish tomorrow to come twelve hours early.


But then George Clooney walks out of the rain and in to your life.


Ok, probably not really. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel; at the end of a long, hard day. There is hope for tomorrow and hope for a better today. I love this movie because it reminds me that even the worst of days can suddenly, unexpectedly, turn in to something sweet. Even if just for a moment.

Cute of Crafty?

He may seem cute and innocent, but this little guy is t.r.o.u.b.l.e.....well, at least to your sleeping patterns. 

Here is my saga of the last two hours:

I have caved recently (much to my own disbelief) and let Frog sleep in bed with me. BIG mistake. This morning he woke me at 3:30 because he was snoring so much and so loud. I quickly proceeded to wake him up and shove him off the bed. He gave me the most heart-breaking "why me?" look, but I was so annoyed I just rolled over and ignored him. He whined for a minute and then trotted off to the kitchen (I can always hear the light patting of his paws on the wood floor). At this point-whether to punish me or for pure fun, I'm unsure- he began to play with his loudest squeaking toy(ironically, it's a frog). He was throwing it around and squeaking it for a good 20 minutes until I went out, took it away, and went back to bed. This time, he was even more heartbroken...but let the record show, no matter what I've ever taken away, he's never been mad at me, only sad. Which is probably worse.

He followed me back to the bedroom and started pawing at the bed, whining incessantly. I look at the clock, 4:15 am. Alright, one more chance in bed. He hopped up and, within a minute, was snoring obnoxiously all over again. Its really almost impressive...but the sentiment of annoyance won out once again. Pushed him off, he whined so much I couldn't sleep, so I took him out of the room and shut the door. He did not take the hint to stop whining, only to increase in volume and pitch. Perfect.

By this point its close to 5am and I sit up in utter defeat. Froggie has won this battle. As he sits beside me now, perfectly content and happy and not snoring, I can't help but think that this was all a game to him. Maybe its the sleep deprivation talking, but I think Froggie is a lot craftier than I give him credit for. I think I'm going to have to step up my game next time.

cute or crafty?

I'd Rather Be With You

Sitting here, on this lonely dock,

Watch the rain play on the ocean top.

All the things I feel I need to say...

I can't explain in any other way.

I need to be bold, 

Need to jump in the cold water, 

Need to grow older with a boy like you. 

Finally see you are naturally,

The one to make it so easy 

When you show me the truth... 

Yeah, I'd rather be with you, 

Say you want the same thing too! 

Now here's the sun, come to dry the rain. 

Warm my shoulders and relieve my pain.

You're the one thing that I'm missing here,

With you beside me I no longer fear...

I need to be bold,

Need to jump in the cold water, 

Need to grow older with a boy like you. 

Finally see you are naturally 

The one to make it so easy 

When you show me the truth. 

Yeah, I'd rather be with you... 

Say you want the same thing too!

I could have saved so much time for us,

Had I seen the way to get to where I am today. 

You waited on me for so long 

So now, listen to me say: 

I need to be bold 

Need to jump in the cold water 

Need to grow older with a boy like you 

Finally see you are naturally 

The one to make it so easy 

When you show me the truth. 

Yeah, I'd rather be with you. 

Say you want the same thing too... 

Say you feel the way I do.

Loving every minute

Time flies, there is no denying it. Blink and you've missed a moment, a day or even a decade...or so it seems much of the time. Because of this, and maybe my recent birthday that (debatably) puts me in my "mid" twenties, I'm determined to not miss a thing. So the other day I was thinking about why its so great to be a twenty-something, and what makes this decade so unique, and here is what I concluded:

Though I dutifully get up when my alarm goes off in the morning...I still manage to run in to work breathless and barely on time.

Though all of the "professionals" at my office have ironed shirts and manicures to match...my nail polish is chipped and my clothes are inevitably wrinkled day after day (sorry Mom).

Though I am now officially enrolled in life and health insurance policies...my bigger concern is my allowance for shoes each month.

Though I've kissed college goodbye and am in the "real world"....I still hang out with all my friends and still sport my college t-shirts daily.

Though I watch the news and read the Journal....Gossip Girl is still on my DVR.

Though I drink wine and have dinner parties....chicken fingers are still one of my favorite delicacies.

Being a twenty-something means being a beautiful mix of adult responsibilities and child-like privileges. I have to go to work, be responsible, make wise choices and save my money. BUT I can still be young, vivacious, impulsive, and at times, selfish. Being a twenty something means exploring and defining adulthood. Being a twenty something means weening off childhood ideals, but keeping childlike faith. Being a twenty something means learning tremendous amounts from the older and wiser, and giving back as much as I can to the younger and less fortunate. Being a twenty something means that tests don't end when I receive my diploma, but on the contrary, they become harder and more dire. Being a twenty something means not taking life too seriously and never giving up on my dreams, no matter how big or impossible they may seem.

All in all, its good to be a twenty something.

Letter to Me

(Based on the Brad Paisley song).


If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look into the mirror,
There's a little girl with fear in her eyes, no one else would know is there.
And then I'd say I know it's tough
When you're not the one chosen, but her...
And yeah I know you really liked him and it just don't seem fair,
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare.

And oh you got so much going for you, going right,
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night!
He wasn't right for you
But still it hurts deep down inside,
And you're wondering if you'll survive,
You'll make it through this and you'll see...
You're still around to write this letter to me.

At the stop light at Rock and Central,
There's a coffee shop full of friends just waiting to console.
And when you get a date for homecoming, make sure your shoes 
are kinda comfortable...
Cause dancing the night away-your feet will be in trouble.
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you're wrong and Abbie's right.
And you should really thank your Mama,
She spent so much extra time...
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishin' you 'til you shine!

And oh you got so much going for you, going right,
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night.
Tonight's the big ball game,
But you're staying home instead because if you break curfew once more,
Mom and Dad will give you war.
Trust me you'll survive the night, just wait you'll see...
You're still around to write this letter to me.

You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends.
You'll go to SMU and Spain and Cleveland
And I'd end by saying have no fear,
There's a man ahead who is more than you ever dreamed!

I guess I'll see you in the mirror
When you're a grown woman,
P.S. Go hug your parents, every chance you can!!

And oh you got so much going for you, going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night.
I wish you'd study Business,
I wish you'd take a dance class, too.
I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be,
I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

If I could write a letter to me....






To all my friends that made 17 such a memorable and wonderful time in my life. I love you, and miss you, and thank you for the memories!!