She's Sun and Rain

1. I did not major in business or finance. Thank you humanities for making life complicated. 2. They do not teach you about 401Ks, retirement, insurance, or anything related to real life in college. 3. I have 3 401Ks right now. One is a Roth with Eola Capital. One is a Traditional with Eola Capital, and one is a Traditional with Cheersport. Why is my money in three places and why is it so stinkin hard to get it rolled over? 4. Noone knows enough to help me. 5. I have lost over 2 grand in 401K money in the past quarter. Thank you economic mess. 6. Dads, brothers, uncles, and husbands are supposed to help you with this. I'm not having much luck with any of these types of people. 7. Since my money is in with two companies, Eola had it with Paychex. I received a distribution notice if I don't change it over. Cheersport is with Adp. Again, more complicatedness. Again, noone with either of these companies is competant enough to help me get it straightened out. 8. I have a headache.

I literally just looked up the town, this small town in California that my friend sent to me. I looked it up and thought, I could fly there Saturday, go to this festival they have on Sunday and fly back Monday. I did, I thought it. I'm crazy. Shae sent me a price for Italy, 668 right now for a round trip ticket to Milan to see Kristen and Jobey. I'm just a dreamer...and sometimes I forget that. I get caught up in life, and forget the fun dreamy kind of stuff. I can't let that happen...the older I get I still want to let the creative, day dreamy, sap come out. Haha. The spur-of-the-moment Ginny I once loved.

This is Lake Serene. Serene was the best word I could think of when remembering why I like mornings. I'm not a morning person in the sense that I like to wake up at the crack of dawn and rush around like a crazy person, forget something, and then end up somewhere I don't want to be. That's not a good morning. I'm a morning person in that I love mornings. I love twilight, dusk....too. But in a different kind of way. My body, my mind, my heart....everything is a little more relaxed in the morning. Probably safe to say alot more relaxed in the morning. If I wake up on my own (or at least without the awful hum of an alarm clock) I am peaceful. I don't talk much...and my mind doesn't race. It's the most wonderful feeling! Even when I had a roomate that would come into my room and we'd sit on the bed and chat, those are fun times. Relaxed, enjoyable, serene mornings. Waking up to quiet...sometimes waking up to other sounds. When I was younger waking up to the...

These recent smiles make me happy!

I woke up to my phone ringing and it was Katie. She has a way of knowing. The night my uncle Jim died, she was pregnant and couldn't sleep so she called me at the crack of dawn to ask me me if everything was okay. Little did she know that Jim had died. I don't know what I'd do without her. Today's my dad's birthday. He would have been 60. He died April 24, 2002. Worst day of my life. I miss him still...and some years on his birthday I do alright. Today is a rough one. I cried on the way to work...thinking of him. His smile, the way he lit up a room when he walked in with his friendly personality and the way he could make anyone laugh. He would tell anyone about Jesus. No fear whatsoever. I talked to him more than anyone else, I'd call him in between classes at the Atrium. He would drive to Raleigh just to have dinner with me on my birthday and turn around and go back to the beach. He was my favorite person. He loved cherry rolls and salmon patties and cheerios. ...

I travel, alot. Today in the office we were talking about how everyone is charging to check baggage now. US Airways is 15 a bag and if it's over 50 pounds you still have to pay another 25 bucks for it. They are making 15 dollars off every person that checks one, and some check two. What in the world?! As if they don't make enough money by raising airline prices. The only benefit I can see is the planes now have less luggage so they weigh less so they use less fuel? Luggage and Baggage are similar terms. I sordof understand the term Baggage. You're carrying a bag. Why not call it Suitcaseage? Where does luggage come from? Is it because you are lugging something around? I need to research this more. Where does the term baggage come from in life? When referring to...any issues people have. Friend baggage, relationships baggage, home-life baggage. We all carry 'baggage'. Who decided to coin that term and it have negative connotation? I wonder who the first person was th...

So (wow do I say this alot) Yep Just Like Um Totally Ah Really? Fun Then, there are also a few phrases that I continue to say over and over... Are you serious? Are you kidding me? For real? No way! I'm sorry, What?! I'm sorry That is not ok. That's fun. That's cool. Fun stuff. That's funny. (If I'm saying "that's funny" and I'm not laughing...what is happening here?)

I'm thankful for... Friendship Hot chocolate Christmas carols Photography Encouragement Love Music Jesus Gchat Babies, like Ella and Colin My church God's gorgeous creation A Fireplace Family time Smiling More to come...

Hi folks....just sittin here thinking... 2008 has been great. Taylor and I came up with the theme for it this year after 2007 sucked (defined: not good, horrible, sad, unhappy, dramatic). But, 2008 has been GREAT! I'm so blessed with friends, family, a job in a time of economic chaos, and the love of Jesus Christ. I've tried my hardest to avoid drama this year, to spread cheer (pun intended) and love others. God has drastically changed my life from 2007 to 2008, and it just makes me so thankful for how amazing He is! I think part of it is a positive mindset too...with encouragement from friends and an attitude of Great in 08, you can help make it what you want. Living life breath by breath, moment by moment, and trying to be obedient in individual circumstances helps to not be overwhelmed by stress in life. Granted, life can still be stressful, but choosing to not let it overcome you is half the battle. In 2008, I've made new friends, traveled to Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, ...

Ya'll! I am so excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas! I don't even know how to express this over a computer. My foot has been tapping all morning and I keep thinking about how thrilled I am to have a week off of work and going to the Christmas Show tomorrow, Operation Christmas Child coming up, and all the fun things that the holidays bring about. Thanksgiving is so fun... Turkey and all the Casseroles and Desserts, and being thankful for the things I've been blessed with. Playing football in the yard with the boys. This year will be really fun because it's at Badin Lake, one of the most amazing places to me in the world! I love family time, I wish there were more holidays! I just have that feeling right now, like I did when I was a kid, and it was the last day before a break and all the kids would be so hyped up that the teacher couldn't get anything done, so she'd call it a wash and we'd play outside. I'm such a dork! Here are some pictures from la...

Mom asked me to take some pictures for Barry's office. She asked specifically for barns, so I took some of barns. I also took some random ones and a picture of my old church, Arlington Baptist and the park I go to frequently, the Mint Hill Park. I have more to take, so here's Mint Hill part 1.

(Disclaimer, I'm not speaking to critically ill people or genetic diseases). I am frustrated. You are what you eat. You get out of your body what you put into it. I'm not saying that I have a perfect diet or workout routine. But, I have watched people self destruct in my life and I'm tired of it! Stop putting a slab of butter on your baked potato. Stop putting a pound of salt on your rice. Stop eating three helpings of apple pie. Stop smoking. Stop drinking. Start exercising. Or have a heart attack and die. God tells us that our body is a temple. He tells us not to be a drunkard, or a glutton. We don't listen. We get sick. We get fat. We get high blood pressure, high cholesterol. We can't breathe. We have strokes, heart attacks, and we die. IT'S WHAT HAPPENS! I know some people have a hard time realizing that what they put into their body is what IS their body. Watch the Biggest Loser. Watch the shows where they have to do the Gastric Bypass. Watch these people ...

You'd think I'd have learned by now. There's a new song by Lady Antebellum called Slow down sister. I'd rewrite it to be "Slow down Ginny". When I don't....I get sick. There was a time in my life (like two weeks ago) I'd say: I never, or rarely get sick! Not so much anymore. Since I started working for Cheersport last summer, I've been sick several times. Traveling, working, traveling for fun, and too much 'stuff' to do has kept me going. It's like I think I'm superwoman or something. She-ra for those of you who remember the princess of power. I really do enjoy downtime, so I'm not sure why I don't take some of it. I've been thinking the past two days how nice it would be to be at the beach. I think because when I'm there, I'm slower. Life's slower. My t0-do list is non-existant and I just live. The biggest decision I have to make is what I'm going to have for dinner. I took Tuesday and Wednesday off work...

I haven't written an update on some things in a while and thought it is probably time. 1. The beach house in Calabash. It is on hold for a little while as I save up some money for a downpayment and continue to pray through it, making sure that's what God would have me to do. It did not appraise for what we needed to in order for me to purchase it under the previous contract, so it has put things on hold and I'll save up. 2. Location, Location, Location. Praying through where God would have me to be. Right now he has provided me with a place to live in Charlotte (a huge answer to prayer from earlier posts when I was looking for somewhere to stay during the winter) and I'm extremely thankful for that. Anything that happens from here on out, I will let you know. Where he leads me, I will follow. 3. Thanksgiving. Mom, Barry, Greg and his friend Zach are going on a cruise over Thanksgiving. Good for them right? Except...Carrie and I weren't invited. Not so much, you can ...

I have made many jokes about things I would do and places I would go depending on who was elected. I mentioned Hamilton, Montana a time or ten and that I would go there and hide out in the mountains if said candidate was elected yesterday. I received several texts last night from people asking if I was going to Montana or the Caribbean. Well folks...I have changed my mind. I will not go hide out in the mountains of Hamilton, Montana. Instead....my mission stays the same. I was reminded last night by a friend that, Our mission hasn't changed... That we have One Savior, One mission, One Home. No matter the circumstances, who is in power, what war we are in the middle of or what I have for dinner...our mission hasn't changed. It is to love Christ and love people. It is to share Jesus Christ with others. Amen. I will continue to pray for this Country, its people and our future. I will pray that Christ be shared in my backyard and to the ends of the earth. That I will be equipped wi...

you just want to stay at home all day.

I read a book last year called "Strong Women, Soft Hearts" by Paula Rinehardt. It's a great book about being a godly woman and having a gentle and quiet spirit but still making an impact in the world. I sometimes have a loud voice, loud opinions, loud goals or a loud laugh. But I hope that even through them, I have a gentle spirit. There are certain women in my life that have that kind of spirit. I'm not sure if I could describe them to you and do them justice, but I will try. When you are around them you feel at ease and the conversation is effortless. They are easy to talk with and you don't feel like you have to sugar-coat or leave out part of your thoughts. You can be real and truthful and feel safe because you know they will try to understand and give you an honest response. You also know when they give you their thoughts - they are going to give you a biblical response. Reminds me of the verse "Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him reb...

Fun times at the Williams/Alley house. We love pretty much every holiday tradition. And since mom is super artsy, she takes advantage of times to show off her work :) Brandi joined us too, and we all found out that she too, has skills. Me and Greg. My "if my heart had wings" pumpkin. Greg and Brandi's Pig. And mom - well, she said she wanted it to "look like he is sad because he hit his head", then she put a bandaid on him.

I've been so blessed with friends in my life. I was just looking through recent photos from this month and wanted to post them. They are a great collaboration of my old and new friends. God gives us people no matter what stage or season of life we are in. :) This makes me happy. Old Friends... We had a competition this past weekend in Nashville, TN. This picture is from driving through the mountains of Asheville on the way. I was able to see my old friend Ryan while visiting. We met my sophomore year at State and have been friends ever since. Good to see him while he's out in music land! Fall is one of my favorite times of the year because Katie and Pallie always come to visit. Katie is in Charlotte October through New Years and when Pal comes to town we all try and get together. This was one of our infamous dinners at Monterrey Mexican. It all spills out, the stories of the past year... over the chips and dip. Cindy, Me, Pallie and Katie at Monterrey Mexican! Me and Pal ...