Our Wedding

Hi Everybody...

Just wanted to spend a little time today telling you about the wedding. As most of you know, Michael and I were married on the 12th of April. It was a small intimate affair in a little country church in my hometown of Russellville, Ky. It was simply beautiful, and the pictures don't do it justice. (I still don't have the photos back from the photographer)

We arrived in Russellville on Wednesday and from the time we arrived until Saturday at show time, there were lots of things to do. We took care of all those little last minute things, we had to go get our marriage license and check on tuxes, flowers, food, etc. On Thursday my mom and I went to the salon and had manicures and pedicures and we had a wonderful time of just relaxing and getting pampered. All the way down to the latte they served. Ummmmm Yummy!

Afterwards, we did more errands. One thing Michael and I wanted to do was go and get a new digital and video camera for our trip to Cancun...so we went out and did that on Thursday evening. My kids flew into Nashville that night and my sister kept them overnight and brought them up to moms on Friday morning. Wesley and Stephanie drove all night Thursday night and got into my folk's early Friday AM. It was great having all my kids at the folk's on Friday and we got to have a little down time between having to be at the church for deliveries, etc. The florist came to the church on Friday afternoon and set up for the ceremony and that gave us some time to play around with the flowers and get things set up the way we wanted it. Also, we had the rehearsal dinner catered to the fellowship hall of the church so after the 'run through' we sat down and ate and fellowshipped with out friends and family. Two of Michael's children got to be there, but one was in a wedding in Texas and couldn't make the trip. Friday night, after we left the church I went back to moms and crashed, but before I did that Michael presented me with 1 carat heart shaped diamond earrings to wear in the next day. Wasn't that sweet of him! Then it was off to bed so that I could get plenty of rest. And Michael was off to the hotel.

Saturday morning began with lots of hustle and bustle around moms house, kids were crashed everyplace but no one seemed to mind. We sat around leisurely everyone taking showers and pressing clothes, and just visiting. Tori decided to give everyone a facial that day. So I was first in line. I got a nice facial and massage. That felt wonderful. Thank you Tori! While the girls were getting pampered, Dad drove to the florist to pick up our bouquets and boutonnières. Finally we headed over to the church around 12:45 as the photographer was going to be there by 1:00 to get as many before group shots as he could and then some of me getting ready. The entire wedding party was there by 1:00 and got in place for pictures, plus there were several people in the back of the church setting up for the reception. Busy time, all the while I was hidden away in a little nursery room of the church, with my daughter and Stephanie (Wesley's girlfriend) helping me out with bridal apparel. I had originally made an appointment to have my hair done, but Michael didn't want me to do that, he said he wanted me to do my own hair as he likes the way I wear it. So I canceled the appointment. However, after I did my hair, the photographer took me outside for some shots and my hair was a mess. So needless to say, I wish my hair would have been the way I originally fixed it, but it wasn't. But I wasn't going to let that stand in my way. I just said, "it's not about your hair", go and enjoy your day. So I did. :)

My sons were the ushers as well as giving me away, so they had a busy time.

Anyway, prior to three the music started and I knew it was time. From the time my boys came to get me, I was all smiles. The moment I had been waiting for was finally here. Each son, on each side walked me to the alter and with a kiss gave me away, it was perfect and the way I had wanted it. Tori was my maid of honor, and she looked so pretty. She was such a comfort to have up there with me. Once the ceremony actually started, it was a traditional Christian wedding, with the exception Michael shared what I was to him. Not a dry eye in the room. Everyone commented how wonderful it was, but honestly, I can't remember half of what he said. Guess I was nervous, but didn't feel it at the time. Other than that, it was a typical wedding ceremony.
Like I stated, it was small and intimate, although the church was full. It was just what I wanted. Not alot of flair and extravagance but simple and elegant. I have my mom and dad and Michael's folk to thank for that, because they paid for practically everything. It didn't start out that way, but they wanted to do it, and that was all there was to it. We felt truly blessed that they wanted to share that with us. And that they gave their approvals.

After the wedding, we congregated to the back of the church for the reception, where all our friends and family waiting. The cake table was so pretty and full of all kinds of goodies. My sister and her friend did my cake, and it was so pretty, they arranged live flowers on it, and it was perfect. (You'll notice in the pictures the cake looks tan, it was actually ivory color) Which is what I requested since everything in the wedding was ivory. I set my reception up to be springy with spring pastels and tulips and hyacinths. We also set up another table, that had a money tree on it (not something I wanted but folks wanted to give us something) and we incorporated photos of our grandparents and Michael's parents as those that couldn't be there in person, but were with us in spirit. I am so glad I did this.

After the reception and everyone left, we, along with all the kids and my folks and the pastor and his wife, all went to dinner. It had been a perfect day.

I posted a few pictures that were made by our camera. Click to view!

The next day we were off to Cancun. And what a great time we had there. More on that later.

The Making of a Homemaker

This morning while surfing the net, I found a interesting article called The Making of a Homemaker. The below excert was taken from the site. Lately I have been extremely interested in the old ways of homemaking. I find myself searching for any books or information that I can find. If you enjoy this kind of information then I hope you will enjoy this article too.

Sustaining a home and healthy family was a full time job for middle class women in late nineteenth century America. Daniel Wise articulated the popular sentiment when he proclaimed, "Home is woman's world, as well as her empire".1 Cooking, cleaning, and child rearing were seen as women's work. To some, "Comfort for her family is provided even at the expense of many an exhausted nerve, and an aching heart".2 How did they handle the daunting work without the aid of microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners and carpools? Wealthier women might rely on servants while other matrons bore the brunt of work themselves. However, to almost all, a comprehensive domestic guidebook could be indispensable.

These books were primarily aimed at the middle and upper class female, who saw keeping a healthy and happy home her role in life. Not only did they detail the day-to-day activities of a homemaker, but also prescribed the appropriate moral and religious outlooks. Titles such as The Skillful Housewife's Book: or Complete Guide to Domestic Cookery, Taste, Comfort and Economy allude to the detailed contents.

Like many books of the time, these works often have illustrations, colored plates and highly decorative covers. From Civil War history to needlepoint, they contained a wealth of information and were widely available. Catharine Beecher became perhaps the best-known author. Sister to Harriet Beecher Stowe, Catharine published nearly a half dozen works on the home. However, many men as well as women authored these types of books.

Main topics of any volume might include cooking, and would contain a deep index of vegetable uses, recipes, and menu suggestions. The Housekeeper's Guide, of Smith and Swinney, boasts to contain over "Five Hundred New and Valuable Recipes". Often, handbooks would detail everything from butchering techniques to how to distill your own alcohol. Those eager to seem sophisticated could even learn "French Names of Dishes Used in Menus" from the editors of Home Dissertations. Setting an elaborate table, laden with china, stemware, glassware and silverware, was also well defined by handbooks. On the other hand, women could also learn how to make provisions for families on a budget.

However, the best-set table in the world would not make a successful dinner party; therefore, manners were much-discussed topics. Chapters such as "Table Talk" detailed appropriate dinner conversations. Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms contained sections on the "Unclassified Laws of Etiquette" as well as "Etiquette Among Neighbors". Etiquette would also determine the proper place of a woman in society. The Woman's Book described acceptable organizations and charity work in its chapter "Woman's Opportunities in Town and Country".
With chapters dedicated to home remedies and caring for the invalid and elderly, a wife or mother would be well educated in nursing her family. Food for the sick might include "gruel of boiled flour" or "chicken jelly". Even lotions for leprosy can be found within these volumes. Raising children required just as much instruction. Domestic economy handbooks gave advice on maintaining the right combination of discipline and affection in child rearing. They also gave recommendations on diet, sleep and exercise for the little ones.

Cleaning and caring for the house took most of a middle class Victorian woman's time. Consequently, time saving tips and articles on the most effective housekeeping methods were detailed in domestic economy handbooks. Whether she needed to remove resin from silk or concoct a fine polishing powder for optical lenses, The Housekeeper's Guide had a solution. Five Thousand Receipts in all Useful and Domestic Arts even details metallurgy for the home. And since a lovely garden was often a sign of a well kept home, women could also read up on cultivation techniques and how to display their lovely blooms. Ladies even kept up to date with architectural trends and costs through chapters in their handy housekeeping guides.

The typical Victorian woman enjoyed decorating herself and her home as a popular hobby. Consequently, masses of articles are dedicated to fabrics, chandeliers and interior design ideas. If the reader found herself with a spare moment, she could learn a new needlepoint pattern or fashion a lovely table caddy for baby's room. As styles changed during the Victorian period, the most current trends in stitching patterns and adornments would appear in books and periodicals.

The great depth of information contained in these Victorian era handbooks signifies not only the elaborate households of the era, but the amount of knowledge women were expected to obtain. Though restricted outside of her domestic sphere, within it she was brilliant. The books helped in "preserving serenity of mind amid the trials of domestic life".3 These volumes present not only interesting documents of women's history, but also help us to observe changes in America's domestic customs and traditions over the past few hundred years. The handbooks of the late nineteenth century also leave behind a great legacy in domestic economy guides, from Good Housekeeping to Martha Stewart.

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries hold many of these works from throughout the nineteenth century. The libraries also hold a variety of periodicals written for women during this time, including Godey's Lady's Book and Harper's Bazaar. This online presentation incorporates many examples from SIL, housed in both general and special collections.

1Daniel Wise, The Young Ladies Counsellor: Or, Outlines and Illustrations of the Sphere, the Duties, and Dangers of Young Women. New York : Carlton and Porter, 1855. pg. 45.2Abell, Mrs. L.G. Woman in her various relations.. New York: R.T. Young, 1853. pg. 9.3Abell, Mrs. L.G. Woman in her various relations. pg. 16.

Hugs!
Cindy

Last full day in Cancun

Hi everybody. Have a minute and wanted to say hi. This is our last full day in Cancun and we are heading back home tomorrow. It is a bittersweet feeling, as it is so lovely here and we have had a fantastic time, but I am wanting to see my kiddos, so have to go back.
Hopefully on Sunday or first part of next week, I can write about the trip and post some pictures and tell you about the wedding.

Plus hopefully I can get some blog visits in. :)

Sending hugs and hope you have a blessed weekend.

Cindy

I'm a Mrs. again.

Hi everybody.

thanks for all the well wishes. The wedding was simply beautiful. I will post more later. Michael and I are heading to Cancun this morning,so I don't have alot of time, but will be posting pictures and I will write all about it when I get home.

Hoping all is doing well and that you all have a blessed week.

Love and hugs,
Me

A little of this and a little of that

Hi all....just wanted to hop on here for just a second and drop a note to let you all know that I am still around. Just busy STILL with things to do for this wedding. We are getting down to the last fews days before we head to Kentucky. I thank you all for the well wishes that you have left me either on my site or via email. It means alot to me.

Last night, Michael and I along with my sons and our friends finally went to the George Strait concert. For those of you that remember we were suppose to go back in January but was postponed because George was sick. It was totally awesome. That is the third time I have seen him, and he only gets better.

Tori is Lexington Kentucky this weekend with her dad going to a University of Kentucky cheer camp. Those cheerleaders have always been her inspiration in the arena of cheering and it is a great opportunity to go to their camp and actually be taught by them. I am sure she will come home with tons of stories. Can't wait to she gets back to hear all about it.

Now, I want to share something with you that I got in a email today from a dear friend. I will tell you that it might be disturbing to watch, but I feel it is worthwhile to pass along. I hope if you feel the same way you will pass it along too.



If you feel led to share this and spread the word, then please pick up this url http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA and share it as well.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.
Love and hugs,

I'm a Christian

I am sure we have all heard this before, but I think it bears repeating. How true it is.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering "I was lost," Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou.
I was a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.

Thank God for His grace!
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Hugs!

40 Tips for a better life

Hello everyone! I saw this on a list that I am a member of and really like some of the suggestions so thought I would pass it along to you.


40 Tips for Better Life - 2008

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile . It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep .

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy .

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer . They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn . Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16 . Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more . It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. GOD heals almost everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33 . The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel , get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36 . Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!) Hey Im thinkin of ya! =)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed .

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

Hope all have a blessed Tuesday.
Hugs!