On Gratitude

Every Monday (well most Mondays) my closest friends (The Nine) and I exchange a "Grateful List."  In it we tell the five things that we are most grateful for that week.  We have slacked off during some periods of our lives but have managed to keep it going for the most part since we met in college almost 10 years ago.  Of course the lists vary, during tougher weeks sometimes all we can muster up is "that I am still alive" and other times the lists go on well beyond 5 things, including things like our families, pets, warm weather, cold weather, Christmas lights etc. 

The point is that we try to take time out to think about what we are grateful for and share them with each other.  It is the very core of our friendship and the very thing that I believe has kept us so close even as we have moved all over the world (currently, we live in 3 different cities in GA, Washington D.C, Alabama, Texas and Scotland) and started families, careers, completed grad school, etc. and yet, we still get together at least once a year and e-mail on a weekly basis.

In that spirit I have decided to change the purpose of this blog (maybe it will also help me blog more ;)).  Of course, there will still be stories and photographs but the purpose of the blog will be to share things that I am grateful for.  I believe it will also make me be more intentional about being grateful.  And I encourage you to do the same.  Keep a grateful list.  It will change your life if you allow it.  It has certainly changed mine and I believe taking that time to think about what I am grateful for, makes me the happy person I am today.

And so, today, I am grateful for Nature.  Sometimes we need a reminder to slow down a bit.  And with the ice/snow storm here in Georgia....we have had no choice but to slow down.

My Beautiful, Deserted, Icy Street.

Wishing you the joy of knowing true gratitude and slowing down,

~M~

NAMI WALK

A few months ago a very dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.  Instead of feeling sorry for  herself she decided to get into action.  Some of her loved ones, including us* :), are joining her at the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk September 18th to raise awareness and erase the stigma attached to mental illness.

If you would like to support this amazing cause, click here to donate!  (Every little bit helps!!!)

We couldn't be more proud of my amazing friend and her willingness to use her voice!!!

*Us refers to M and Faith Anne....that's right I just read on the website that Doggies are allowed!!!  NAMI WALK HERE WE COME!!!!

Wishing you friends who inspire~

~M and Faith Anne~

Nashville

You thought I was gone forever didn't you?!? NOPE!!! There has just been a lot going on in this Red Cottage Life...so much so that I haven't had a chance to blog about it!

Tonight I am wrapping up my last visit in Nashville with my dear friend Blair (one of The Nine) where she is currently working on her Masters of Divinity at Vanderbilt Divinity School....yes I hang out with super smart people (wait until I finally get around to an explanation of The Nine and my High School Friends)...no that does not mean I am super smart...:)!!

We had a FANTASTIC time as always!!!

Below are some of my favorites of Nashville and of my trip this year...

I absolutely love love love this restaurant....and I will miss it DEEPLY next year when Blair is not in Nashville anymore...I had that meal last year and this year...AMAZING MEAL!!!

Probably my favorite person that Blair met in Nashville.

Khette is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and her laugh is infectious.

A tree at Vanderbilt in front of a GORGEOUS Chapel.

The gooses (yes, I am aware that it should be geese but I like the way "gooses" sounds better...okay??) that always greet me at Blair's apartment complex...

Me being ultra silly....

Blair looking to the heavens for some help for me....

She does this alot...I wonder if it because it is habit from her training to become a Methodist Preacher...of if it is just because

she thinks I need serious help...

Finally....

This year...

We decided to take some "senior portraits"

(at least that's what it felt like when we were taking them...)

Blair's Senior Portrait

My Senior Portrait....

So here's to Nashville and three wonderful weekends....

and more importantly here's to the wonderful weekends ahead...

Wishing You a Wonderful Friend in a Wonderful City~

~M~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

Remember last Wednesday when I gave you a simple joy that did not cost you a dime?!? Remember how excited you were?!?

Well guess what people! I have another simple joy that will not cost you a dime!

Are you ready?!?

It is called the "Ha Game!!"

Now I know you are wondering what this is...don't worry I am going to explain it to you...

Here's what you do:

First of all you need at least two people...but I think it is best when you have at least four and the more the merrier....play with 100 if you want!

The first person lays on the ground. The second person lays their head on the first person's stomach. The third person lays their head on the second person's stomach and so on....

Then the first person goes "Ha." The second person goes "Ha. Ha." The third person goes "Ha. Ha. Ha." The fourth person goes "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha." And so on...when you run out of people it goes back to the first person who continues the "Has." For example. In this case, we had four people. So after the fourth person went "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha," The first person would then go "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha." And then the second person would go. And so on.

Seems easy enough right? Well yes...BUT the object is to do it WITHOUT LAUGHING!!! And people...this may not sound like it would make you laugh...but I PROMISE YOU WILL!!! It is soooo damn funny.

Please play. Play with your family. Play with your friends, your co-workers, anyone really. (I have played with my family of four, a group of 9 friends, and even a group of 30 band members.) It breaks up the tension. Provides some joy. You will have so much fun...it will cause you to skip! And is there anything more joyful than experiencing not one...but TWO simple joys in one day that do not cost you a DIME!!!

And you know I never leave you without awesome pictures!!!

Playing with the fam probably around 2004
(obviously I was taking the picture)

I wish I had more pictures. We have played

it lots. I just couldn't find anymore pictures.

A series a shots of me and some of The Nine playing "Ha."

Blair took the pics.

Wishing you the simple joy of a game of "Ha"~

~M~

*Please comment after you play and tell me about your "Ha" experience! You can even e-mail me pictures! I would love to see them!!!*

Monday Memories

"The Nine"

(Stay tuned later this week for the story of "The Nine")

BR: Jane Marie, Me, Margaret, Court, Amber, Blair

FR: Katie, Laura Loo, & Noe

Noe's Senior Recital

Spring 2006

GA

Wishing you wonderful, talented friends~

~M~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

This Wonderful Fresh Pineapple

Thanks Katie!

(Too bad blogs aren't "scratch 'n' sniff!)

Wishing you the surprise of a free fresh pineapple!

~M~

Scary!

Dear Auntie Katie,

I have a bone to pick with you!

THIS

IS SCARY!!!!

Please do not let Mommy borrow it...EVER AGAIN!!!

I do not like it!

Wishing you would come get this monster from my house-

Faith Anne

P.S. Tell Mrs. Reynolds and Nobby that I said hello!

Monday Memories

Bath, England

June 2008

A Cute Little Park

With AMAZING Views

(not to mention the most incredible Honey Ginger ice cream)

Delightful I tell you. Delightful.

We could have sat in these chairs for days.

Wishing you a Merry Monday,

M.