My Spirit of Fear

In the spirit of Halloween, let's discuss fear. Some love to dress up in scary costumes, watch horror movies, or visit haunted corn mazes. While I don't enjoy the traditional horrifying aspects of Halloween, I certainly don't live life in a bubble - afraid to experience all this world has to offer. 

So which am I? Fearful or Fearless?

On one (well sanitized) hand, I'm germophobic, claustrophobic, and radiophobic. 

On the other (trail dirt) filled hand, I'm always up for an adventure. Whether it be zip-lining, roller coasters, or gazing over tall cliffs, I enjoy pushing the limits of sanity.

I feel like I get the opportunity to write about my fearless when recounting my adventures. So what scares the girl who finds herself at peace in situations like this?

Animals top the list of things which freak me out. I hate encountering a dog while I'm out running. I scream when a friend's cat brushes up against my leg under the dinner table. I need a Xanax to calm me down the evening Jay trapped a rat in our house.

Social situations can also leave me anxiety ridden. Best I can figure, I'm an ambivert - a weird combination of needing to make plans to go out with the girls, and weekends spent home alone with a good book.

I feel awkward making conversation, but have also been told I could talk to a tree if there were no people around.  The difference is subtle enough I'm not sure I can understand it, much less put it into words to explain to someone else.

Despite my seemingly nomad lifestyle (3 houses in 6 years) real estate transactions fill me with trepidation. If its a home - what if we miss the old place? What if we over-bought and can't afford it? What if our new neighbors suck?

When it comes to investments, the potential of losing money doesn't scare me as much as the prospect of going broke. I've been poor before (relatively speaking of course) and I survived. I just don't wanna go back there.

Like the fear itself, this transition makes no sense. I wasn't a child of the Cold War, and at only 9 years of age I don't even recall the Berlin Wall coming down. Yet somehow nuclear radiation is one of my biggest phobias.  

While I can't handle scary movies, the only one to ever give me legit nightmares afterward was the based-on-a-true-story K-19: The Widowmaker. For those who haven't seen it, the film doesn't belong in the horror genre. The IMDB synopsis explains: 

When Russia's first nuclear submarine malfunctions on its maiden voyage, the crew must race to save the ship and prevent a nuclear disaster. 

Saving the most fearful for last, I hesitate to even write about this one. I don't want to think about it and consider it as a possibility. Despite the fact that this fear is the most likely to come to fruition.  


The thought of losing someone I love breaks my heart. Sure I joke about ways I'm going to kill Jay, but that's totally different. My family and friends are precious to me. This fear is probably a sign that I don't pray for them nearly enough.

Rather than trusting the God who blessed me by allowing them to be a part of my life, I just hold tight to the fear of the unexpected.

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB

I'm linking up with Kelly today for her Friday Five link-up. Join us in the conversation.

Let me know in the comments if you plan on posting on the topic. 

If not, then in the comments I'd love for you to share your fears in the comments. My rule of thumb: the more weird the better!

Faces of My True Love

Tomorrow, my darling love turns 36.  
What better way to celebrate him than post several photos which will most likely embarrass him? 

I love how in the photo to the left he's trying to look mean, but can't quite pull it off. The snap is from a hike to Rainbow Falls with out-of-town guests. 


Sure, we've been known to bicker on the trails. 

Brooke, you're acting like a hungry toddler.
Have a snack.

Thankfully he's also not one to hold a grudge. Ultimately hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

My nephew and I like to say "hashtag dangerous is fun!" And yes, hashtag must be said. My husband, Jay, however is the king of the DIF movement. He loves pushing the limits of what he can do.

I'm pretty sure there are deep rooted psychological reasons for this - given that his mother wanted to put him in a bubble after his hemophilia diagnosis. However I can't deny that life on the edge is a bit more fun. 

But seriously, we're always safe. Promise.

He gets sick of me perpetually wanting to take selfies (us-ies?) or at least he pretends to be annoyed. I love the smirks he makes when I take the pictures, so I don't mind his annoyance - real or pretend.

I took the photo on the left at a Tennessee Smokies game a few years ago. Unfortunately this year, we didn't get to very many games. 

Speaking of unfortunate: those bangs! Since this blog is about him not me, we'll just move right along.

Living in a tourist town has its perks. Sure I may gripe about traffic, but the tourism industry is the reason both Jay and I are employed, despite not being directly in the industry ourselves.

In addition to that, we frequently have the opportunity to attend free concerts and other types of entertainment. The idea of course is to draw in tourists for sales, but we are still able to have a good time.

In the case of the photo on the left, Jay and I headed up to Moonshine Holler (home of the original Old Smoky Moonshine Distillery and Store) to hear his favorite musician Daryle Singletary perform. 

I'm really not sure why everyone in picture (save us) looks miserable. Free moonshine, free music, can life get any better?

Actually it can. A life of love with the one who constantly puts a smile on my face.Happy birthday to my favorite scruffy nerf-herder in the galaxy!!!!






This week's topic: Five Smiles. 
Who/what has brought a smile to your face this week?

Welcome to Dinosaur Park

This past weekend, I visited Backyard Terror's Dinosaur Park with my sister and her family. Little man shares my love of dinosaurs (not surprising given his status as a 7 year old boy), and wanted to take me to see all the cool displays.

The concept is fairly simple: life-size replicas of what different types of dinosaurs are believed to have looked like. 

We even were able to see the newest display, showing the bones (so to speak) on how they are built. For perspective in the photo above, look for the ladder which can be seen between the hind-legs of the structure.

Given that they aren't my children and I don't have their mother's permission to post photos of them, I've blocked out there faces. This particular dinosaur has bloody flesh in his teeth and the carcass of lunch between he and the little man.

The princess and I feigned terror when posing next to the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex, but the attractions weren't truly frightening. I held the little man's hand through the dark raptor exhibit, but unless your party wants to scare you themselves, nothing jumps out at visitors.

I believe they have a night exhibit as well, but I can't speak to if it is scary (or how much so). The little man is super pumped, though to come back for the Halloween even this coming weekend.

Most intriguing about this park is the location and set-up. All of these dinosaurs live in the yard of a residential neighborhood. Once you go into the park, the property stretches for quite a piece, but its odd to walk through the front gate and see houses on either side.

There is a donation box near the gate, but entry is free. A gift shop is located in the park, and has another donation box. Prices of items are posted, and patrons contribute on the honor system.

My top 2 favorite dinosaurs were represented: the Compsognathus (aka Compy) and the Velociraptor (Raptor) were both well represented at the park.

Along the walking path, picnic tables are set up and visitors are encouraged to bring in a meal or snack. My sister said that the local pizza joint also delivers to the location. As we were leaving, we ran into a group setting up a birthday party.

All in all, it was a cool experience.

Do you have any off-the-beaten-path adventures in your neck of the woods?

Favorite Sayings - Friday's Five

Today is my introduction to a couple of fun different concepts. I've recently joined a writing group on Facebook, and the ladies are helping me get back into a routine with my blogging. Each week Kelly at Mrs. Disciple hosts a Friday Five link-up. This week's topic is favorite sayings.

Also, for the first time, I'm using stock photos on my blog. The same ladies introduced me to sites which provide images for free (no credit needed) or free-but-with-credit photos. Either way I was excited (and a bit scared - you'll see in a few moments) to search for pictures to go with my favorite sayings.

If any of my fellow bloggers are interested, I'd be happy to email you the links. Or else I can do a link-share post with all of their recommendations. 

Now, on to the main event. Ladies and gentleman I present to you Sammy's Sayings. Somehow that doesn't have the same ring as Justin Halpern's book title Sh!t My Dad Says.

• If ya gotta poop might as well do it on company time.

This saying has become a favorite amongst government workers, especially those who have complained until they received ultra plush toilet paper in their stalls.

Jay, however, can't get behind (ahem) the phrase. Before his self employment, he was on a crew building new homes. Construction porta-potties. I hope the rest goes without saying.

• I wouldn't sh!t you, you're my best turd.

This is my far my favorite response to the disbelief expressed in the colloquialism "You're sh!tting me?!"

My apologies for the profanity. Somehow "You're crapping me" just doesn't sound the same.

 

• Let's kick the tires and light the fires big daddy!

This gem is from the movie Independence Day. The characters portrayed by Will Smith and Harry Connick Jr., along with their fellow Air Force pilots, are being briefed on their alien @$$kicking mission.





The sound quality is horrible, but this is the only clip YouTube had to offer. Maybe one day I'll do a video clip myself. Or a video clip of myself saying it. 

This is my go-to phrase for pumping myself up and getting the blood flowing before a big race. Or a little race. Or any type of running that I get excited about.

Speaking of running...

• The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.

This quote is from author and marathoner John Bingham's book No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running.There are definitely times when lacing up those shoes, and making the first step is the most difficult - in training and in life.

And finally I can't forget about my favorite quote from the book For the Love by Jen Hatmaker. God's will for my life (and yours) summed up in 3 small phrases:

• Be Kind. Be You. Love Jesus.

What are some of your favorite sayings? Movie quotes? Lines from a favorite book which have stuck with you over time? 

A post script: I'm sorry if my use of photos, and words on photos has been distracting. I've had fun playing around with images (both stock and photos I have on file) and adding words to them. Please feel free to speak up if you have any words of wisdom to share about how to best integrate these things into my blog.


photo credit: Ladies & Men via photopin (license)
photo credit: Neighbor via photopin (license)

Acne, Baby Poop, and the Suffering Servant

This post was originally published on this site in 2013. My life-position is much the same and I continue to need the reminder. I hope you can benefit from it as well.

I'm not sure where the idea got started that God's main purpose is to make His followers comfortable got started.  Jesus certainly didn't live a plush, cushy life.  He was born into a working class family and in the last days of His life here on Earth He was abandoned by most of His close friends, to die a horrible death.

Maybe its a lesson I need to better learn, because its a topic that's come up in a lot of books I've been reading lately.  Whether it be giving up material possessions (Radical by David Platt) or giving up my pride (From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife by Marla Taviano) or even stepping out of my comfort zone (Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall &Denver Moore) the call of Christianity is to put off self and serve.

Having said all that, I understand my writing comes from a position of great blessing. I'm not  struggling from week to week wondering how I'm going to cover the bills.  (When my parents were in this situation, they made a careful effort to keep my sister and I in the dark.)  I've never been orphaned, abused, or homeless.

Sure I've had heart ache.  There was that time I rebelled against God and dated someone I knew I shouldn't.  While I can't be certain that ache outbreak wasn't a smite from God, it certainly cleared up once said bad boy dumped me.

I've lost beloved grandparents, who'd lived long full lives and died of illnesses brought on by old age.

My one experience with true pain - that moment where God has to hold you because you don't have the strength to stand - ended in a beautiful miracle of God.  My sister, at the age of 27, suffered congestive heart failure after the birth of her first child.

She spent several days in Cardiac ICU and had to have pounds of fluid drained from around her heart.  While her husband and my parents stayed spent as much time as the hospital as they could, I stayed at home with her 6 day old baby.  I'd never baby sat, or even really been around small children.

My best friend was knocking on death's door and I was alone, with no one to comfort me but this creature that kept spitting up and pooping.

And the Maker of the Universe.

I have no clue why we got a miracle.  Why God chose to resort my sister's health leaving behind no ill effects.  But I know without a doubt God used those days to change me.  He opened my eyes to my ability to serve despite experience or even willingness.

I can only pray that the next time one of those devastatingly painful moments come - I'll better know how to rely on Him for strength and wisdom.

Stream Implies Something Is Flowing

I sat down, started my timer, and began blogging. I've been doing poorly getting my stuffs together on the weekend to link up with Jaime. The plan was to pre-schedule the post, only nothing interesting is on my mind.

A headache has been stalking me this past month or so, coming and going as it pleases. At its worst, I have difficulty concentrating. This doesn't make for interesting blog fodder.

I decided, since today is the day I committed to my latest scripture memory verse, I'd blog about that. Only after I got the boring thoughts typed up, I realized I'd already posted practically the exact same blog a couple weeks ago.

Fun times.

I probably wasted 5 minutes setting this post up. But you're still getting some bullet points out of me.

So...

• My community pool opened this week. I'm excited to get out there and relax.
• I need to work on my runner's tan. I'm wearing a strapless dress for the vow renewal ceremony next month and my racer-back tanks have done a number on my skin color
• Allergies are still in beast-mode here. I've grown weary of seeking refuge inside.
• My cousin, who I remember as a baby, graduates high school tonight. How can I be that old?
• Heavy weights and HIIT are my new workout plan. I hope to do a real chin-up by the end of the summer. 
• I just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. These books aren't going as I'd hoped.

Having said all that - whatcha up to this weekend? Any new must-read books? Fun races on the schedule? Cool vacations coming up?

Thank You, Part 2

Thank you Jesus. My life is so incredibly blessed, the stressers I face are almost laughable. Almost, because while they seem small in comparison to the struggle of others, they sure press down hard upon me.

Yesterday, I entered gift #6000 into my journal. That, itself, is a gift - to still be recognizing, recording those glimmers of heaven. Another day, month, year has been presented to me. I can appreciate it, if only I allow myself the time to meditate on that which surrounds me.

With the changes coming, both actual and anticipated, the temptation to become a malcontent will be great. The paradise I enjoy now isn't staying the same, and may well be ruined.

This doesn't give me license to complain or even become annoyed.  The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
Praise the name of Yahweh. Job 1:21

5959) Opportunity to help random lady at the grocery store
5960) Pre-mother's day dinner with Mama & Mamaw
5974) Nature walk + talk with the girls
5989) Words of grace to share with the hurting on Mother's day
5995) Watching new TV shows with Jay
6000) The Princess's 11th birthday
6006) Enthusiasm over new training plan

Do you look at changes with dread or excitement?
What this past week have you been thankful for?

Weekend to Assemble

Friday

Have you had a chance to go see the new Avengers movie? If not, go. Now. I'll wait. Okay so maybe I'll carry on without you. But still its good. GO! Then hit me up on Twitter to chat about it!!!

Since Jay is comic-book stupid, I headed north to see the movie with my sister, BIL, and her kiddos.

*He pays so little attention, he commented on my love of Wolverine. Not understanding that the X-men movies and the Avenger movies are totally different. My sis tried to take up for him, citing Wolverine's role in Super Hero Squad** with the other avengers, but his knowledge is limited to what he's encountered via me. And up until this weekend I'd never watched SHS.

**Did you know there is a SHS member who's super power is turning into a dinosaur? My nephew knew I would love Reptil, and he was right. Best of both worlds!!

All 5 of us wore our Marvel gear (you can see the reflection of my shirt in the car window). My BIL has an Iron Man shirt, my nephew a Captain American tee, and the 3 girls had shirts with pictures of several of the heroes.

Saturday

My niece had a sleepover at school after the movie, so we headed out early to go pick her up. Apparently 5th graders don't eat a lot, because I made out with some waffles, pizza, and a leftover cookie cake which the parents didn't want to take back home with them.


We had some time to kill before my nephew's soccer game, so we hit the playground of the park. Unlike runners who taper and rest up before a big race, apparently energy is limitless for children  and its no bigs to run around like a crazy person.

Despite the 5-12 age sticker on the playground equipment, I followed him around trying to keep up. Unfortunately, there were some places that 12-in-spirit just didn't count. Dangerous is fun! he proclaimed walking on top of the monkey bars.

After all our fun on the playground, my nephew went on to score 8 goals at his game. Technically they don't keep score at kinder-soccer, but he knew. We all knew.

Aren't his cleats just the coolest? I wish they made running shoes with skullz on them. They would totally be mine. I have the swimsuit with skullz for tri-training. Now to lose 10 pounds so I don't look like a stuffed sausage.

My sister, niece, and I went fabric shopping after the game. The Princess is now a fashion designer - complete with her own Etsy shop. Creative just isn't my thing (my sister says the same) so how she got the eye for pairing fabrics amazes me. I hand picked my own material and will be blogging about her store again in the future. Perhaps a giveaway??

Back at the house, my nephew and I played army outside. He has an electric car (hand-me-down from his big sis, which he transformed from purple to camo), so I borrowed a bike to have wheels for myself. I'd heard tales from my mother of how exhausting running after the car could be.

Sunday

Yesterday wasn't really blog worthy, but I feel like I must include it to be able to title this "weekend." Church and Bible study yesterday morning, then I went home and took a long afternoon nap. When Jay and I woke up, he went out to do yard work while I cleaned toilets. Exciting stuff huh?

We ended the evening with more relaxation - this time in the form of a Netflix movie and TV shows in our DVR.

What was your favorite part of the weekend? Any recommendations on must-watch shows to catch up on during the summer hiatus?

Fiesta Time Again!

Once again Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hosted the Sevier County Food Ministry Fiesta. My parents and I decided to join the fun, and headed up to Gatlinburg after work on Monday. Unfortunately my husband is a poopy head Jay had to work and couldn't join us, but I had enough fun for the both of us.

First we registered for door prizes, then it was time to peruse the silent auction items. I wanted to bid on these guys, but the home owner's association of our community wouldn't be too thrilled with them.

We didn't take home anything from the auction, but it was fun to look through the items they had. A couple items interested me, but thankfully for the Ministry, the bid price went too high for me.

 The aquarium itself hasn't changed much since the last time we were there, so we didn't spend a ton of time on the exhibits. I did, however, enjoy snapping several pictures as we walked through.

I attempted a family selfie on the shark-tank conveyor belt, but the area wasn't light enough for the picture to turn out.

In addition to seeing all the featured creatures, my dad and I enjoyed the hands-on experience offered by this hard-shelled dude. My mother yelled to startle me right as I was about to touch it, so I got her back by flicking the water in her face.

A good hand washing later (as instructed by the signs surrounding this particular tank), and we were headed into the main hall to hit the buffet.

Thankfully the menu included ground beef and chicken, rather than marine life. (Although the final dish I did not partake of might have included shrimp).  As the event name suggests, the fare included tacos, nachos, rice and refried beans. I may or may not have gone back for a second helping of beans, queso, and nacho chips.

We ended up running into and enjoying dinner with my dad's sister, his niece and her hubby (plus their baby twin grandkids) as well as another nephew with his wife and kids. Yes, you read that right. I have a first cousin with grandkids. His family is crazy-big, plain crazy, but also fun.

As we sat around talking, we heard the winners of the door prizes. My mom won a "penguin painting on a black background" we imagined something along the lines of a velvet Elvis, only replacing Elvis with a picture of a penguin.

Instead, she got this:

In case you couldn't figure it out, that's the artist MoMo on the right. And her (his?) painting on the left. Who knew penguin art was a thing?  Of course my smarty-pants father questioned if the white streaks were paint or penguin poop.

All-in-all, a fun night for a great cause!

Acadia Preview + Helicopter Ride {Maine Trip}

The following blog contains details from a trip  taken back in October. Unfortunately, I'm just now getting around to doing my write up, but as they say better late than...

For our first official day in Maine, we (Jay, his parents, and I) drove around Acadia National Park to get the lay of the land. My husband got his love of photography honestly, and both of the menfolk enjoyed snapping pictures of the gorgeous scenery.

I'm really not sure we were attempting for this photo, but we had a lot of fun just goofing around. Jay's mother had promised my dad and grandmother that she wouldn't let us do anything dangerous while we were in the park.

We took this photo just to be ornery. The location was the same as the previous picture, and every bit as safe. I was actually standing on a lower rock, crouched down. Jay worked the camera angles just-right so as to make it look like I was over a ledge. We had his mother convinced we weren't as daring as she worried.

Almost. Not completely because she knows her son too well.

One of the most popular spots in the park for photography is Jordan Pond. At the Visitors' Center, Jay had seen a gorgeous picture of the pond perfectly still, reflecting the mountains. He and I made multiple stops to the pond - the picture below taken on our first.

His mother had booked reservations at the Jordan Pond restaurant and we had outdoor seating to enjoy the view. Those who had advised us to pack in layers were dead on - I actually wished I had another layer but the chill in the air made the coffee more enjoyable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Because I'm using this as a scrapbook of sorts, I want to fast-forward on the trip to another day we didn't take many photos. Several years ago, Jay worked with a client from Maine who has his own helicopter. We were able to meet up with him and go for a ride.

Both thoughtful planning and good fortune were on our side for the trip as a whole - we arrived just about at peak season. The helicopter ride was fun in and of itself, but the scenery was incredible.

I found the amount of undeveloped land to be incredible - professing to never want to leave. Of course just a couple weeks later temperatures plummeted and Maine got its first snow of the season. I'm definitely not made of sturdy enough stock to survive one of their winters.

On the drive home, Jay and I stopped in to the Atlantic Brewing Company for a late lunch of BBQ and to try out some of their beers. I fell in love with their Ellen's Coffee Stout. Stouts aren't typically my thing, but this one was incredible. We bought a bottle to bring home, but it just couldn't live up to the tasty draft in a chilled glass.

Captain's Log: Day 3

Catching up for those who are late to the party. Friday I awoke to frozen pipes in the house. Saturday, thanks to a bit of freezing rain and ice, I was stuck at the house all day with no running water (save Jay running to the creek to fetch another bucket for flushes). 

Don't let the dates confuse you, each blog was posted about the previous day. So that brings us to Sunday, day 3 of no water.

I've solved for the coffee issue. Jay solved for the toilet issue. Dishes, laundry, and showering were the dirty trinity for the weekend. Winter running gear is expensive, so I only have a week's worth. Thankfully, I spent most of the week on the treadmill. I've got tees and capris running out my nose.

Paper plates, plastic bowls, and Styrofoam cups allowed Jay and I to have meals at home without creating too big of a mess. I even fixed salmon and roasted red potatoes with very little of a mess - God bless the inventors of aluminum foil to line baking sheets!

I've tried to be grateful for all I have through this, but its very difficult. I've been snippy and short tempered. Sunday morning, I struggled to focus on what the pastor was saying in service. My 16 mile long run was cut to 12 due to my bad attitude alongside the hardship of ice-covered bridge sidewalks. A girl can only play chicken with so many cars before deciding to pack it up.

Jay had a fire blazing when I got home from my run. I love the coziness of a fire and his efforts to brighten my day (and lower our electric bill) did not go unnoticed. My parents had invited us over for a steak dinner - talk about a win/win/win. A yummy and delicious meal with no mess for clean-up? Yes please!!

The sky was dropping more moisture as we got set to leave my parents, but we couldn't specifically define what kind. I grew despondent. Forecasts called for the highs the next day not to top 30* degrees. If 40*+ hadn't done the trick, we were in for a long wait. We filled up the 5 gallon water jug my dad had loaned us, and headed home. Jay parked my car in the garage, and carried the jug up to the deck.

I waited as he typed in the number code to unlock the house. 

He turned the handle, pushed open the door.

As I walked through our front door, the sound of angels singing greeted me. 

We had left the kitchen faucet on, and it was flowing freely!! Never have I been so excited to run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry. The Lord heard my cry and delivered me!! 

Of course I don't believe that God unfroze my pipes merely because I requested my Bible study group to pray for me that afternoon. I do, however, think He attempted to use this experience to open my eyes to the things in life I take for granted:

• an able bodied husband
• parents who love me
• parents who enjoy spending time with me
• a Bible study class who accepted me as I was, prayed for me, and a precious lady who offered to let me shower at her place

and last, but of course not least:

• running water

 My cup runneth over.

My Friday the 13th Meeting w/Jason

On this, our 100th monthiverary, I wanted to re-share our first date story. I can't begin to express how much I love that this specially milestone also falls on the ever-lucky Friday the 13th.

Jay and I had decided via MySpace messaging that we would meet on Friday the 13th of October at Johnny Carino’s.  When I got home from work that day, I started getting ready.  I had selected a pink corduroy blazer and a tan camisole.  Unfortunately, my good booty jeans were dirty, so I had to go with a back up pair.  I proceeded to straighten my hair and leave my apartment 30 minutes before I was supposed to meet up with him.  I grabbed a book on the way out because I knew that it wouldn’t take me that long to get to the restaurant (which is about 10 minutes away), but I didn’t want to make a bad impression by being late.


I still own the booty jeans, and they are still one of my favorite pair.

Half way to the restaurant, I began to question if I had unplugged my straightening iron.  The more I considered it, I was convinced that I hadn’t.  With visions of my apartment going up in flames, and thinking I still had plenty of time, I turned around and went back home.  Of course when I arrived at my apartment my straighter had already been turned off and unplugged prior to my departure.



I still get paranoid about this, just the other day I had to call Jay on my drive to work so he could double check for me.

As I got into Pigeon Forge, traffic began to back up and I realized that I had need 30 minutes to get to the restaurant, only I wasted about 15 going back home.  Thankfully, he was stuck in traffic as well.  At a couple of minutes to seven, he called and let me know that he was running late.

Jay: Are you there yet? I'm running a couple minutes late, I can see the Johnny Carino's sign, but traffic is ridiculous and wont be there for a few minutes.
Brooke: No, I'm running a couple minutes late myself.
A couple minutes passed and he called me back again.
Jay: I'm here, are you here yet?
Brooke: Nope, still in traffic.
Jay: That's what I figured, I didn't see any cute brunettes waiting around the parking lot!

Smooth buddy, very smooth.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to stress about being rudely late because he was too.  When I finally arrived at the restaurant, I found him waiting on a bench outside.  I was pleasantly surprised that he was even cuter than in his pictures.  He had already been there for a few minutes and had put our name down for a table.  I joined him on the bench and we chatted as we waited to be seated.

that same bench, 2 years later at our rehearsal dinner

The number one rule of first dates is never plan to extend the date until you know for sure you want to spend more time with this person.  Never arrange for post dinner festivities until you are comfortable with them.  While we were waiting for our table, he asked if I wanted to go bowling with some friends of his afterward.  Then he called them to set it up.  In less than 30 minutes we both knew that the other was someone we’d be interested in spending more time with.  He’s since confessed that he had his friends on reserve for if the date was going well. 

Thankfully I was comfortable with him, because what happened next freaked me out.  When meeting guys on the Internet, I’ve always been very careful to not give them too much information.  I never told them where I worked, my last name, or any other information that could potentially be used to stalk me in the future.  Out of the blue he asked, “Is your last name J-----?”  I said yes, and then proceeded to ask how he knew.

 What if he had done the same type of scary research on me that he had done on the Cheezmania cheese balls?  Turns out he was talking about this brunette named Brooke that he was going out on a date with and a family member of the couple we were going bowling with suggested it could be this girl that she knew.

Not surprisingly, I dominated the conversation.  I began to worry that I wasn’t giving him an opportunity to talk and that he would be very put off by my chatty nature.  I kept reassuring myself that he was encouraging me to talk, asking question about something he knew that I love—the television show Lost.  He had just recently started watching and had quite a few questions about the plot and what was happening with some of the characters.  Being the geek that I am, I knew the in-depth answers to what was going on with each of them.


Being the intelligent wife I am, he was just being a savvy conversationalist and didn't give two craps about the show.

After we finished with the meal I broke the number 2 first date rule.  I got in his car with him.  I have always been super careful to not put myself in the position that a date would cart me off somewhere and hack me to bits.  But from the moment I saw Jay I was so comfortable with him that I knew there was no need for the caution. 
 
We met up with his friends Brandon and Amanda at the bowling alley.  I quickly learned that the three of them were very good at bowling, and very competitive.  We bowled 2 games and they smoked me in both of them.  My bowling highlight was a frame that I was convinced was a gutter ball.  Dejected, I turned around and headed to my seat.  Only to miss the ball swerve back to take out several pins. According to Jay, his bowling highlight was watching me bowl in my jeans - guess the backup pair weren't as bad as I thought!



100 months later, he's still competitive, only now he's trying to beat me at weight loss.

When the bowling center closed, we figured it was about time to wrap the date up.  He took me back to my car and we chatted a little before I got out of his Jeep.  I was stalling, talking about random crap waiting for him to kiss me.  After about 15 or 20 minutes, I gave up, settled for a hug, and headed home.  Little did I know that he would make me wait even more before we had for our first kiss…

Parable of the Lost Wedding Ring

Getting ready for church last Sunday, I removed my wedding rings and placed them on the bathroom counter. Typically my rings live two places when I am at home - either in my jewelry box or on my finger.

In a break of routine, I adorned my bling before I had a chance to fix my hair. Not wanting to get gel in the crevices, I placed the set on granite and went about my business.


What happened next played out in slow motion. Something (the hand towel?) hit the rings with a bit of unexpected force. The rings skidded off the edge of the counter - the engagement ring hit the tile floor. My wedding band, however, fell directly into the air vent.

I found myself on my hands and knees mumbling out-loud Please God, let me be able to get it back. Please, please, please.

I had grown so accustom to these rings, I had treated them haphazardly. In contrast, I remember sitting on the subway when our engagement was just hours old worried about the safety of the ring. I knew the value was great and I was terrified of being robbed.

That park bench in Central Park seems like ages ago, rather than the 8 years it will be this April. Our passion for finding epic adventures thankfully has remained, but what about the every day? Do I treat our marriage like the incredible sparkly gift that it is? Do I wake up each day wondering what new wifely adventure will await me with my darling?

Sometimes life has us stuck in a ditch covered in mud. But then, I'm mixing metaphors.

So back we go to the HVAC vent, my dirty bathroom floor, and my precious out of sight. I could use flowery words to describe the experience, but I want to cut to the chase. Everything I did from the moment I heard the clank to the moment I put the ring back on my finger can be used in relationship redemption.

1. Recognized I'd lost something precious.
2. Fall on my knees - crying out to God
3. Delicately taking small, precise steps to bring me closer to restoration
4. Finally putting my hands around that which I had lost
5. Putting it back where it belonged
6. Thank God for His mercy

 When I finally laid hands on my ring, it was right on the edge a breath away from the abyss. I'm not sure what I would have done had it traveled just a few more centimeters. God forbid my marriage ever become so common place I ever run the risk of getting that close to losing it.