1636 - and counting

Well, hello 1600 views.

Currently I am at 1636 hits. I had planned to do a blog about 1500 hits, when I hit it, but I've been pretty busy, you know, with all this wedding stuff and all :) So, 1500 came and went. I still don't know where all these views come from. I say all these like it's a huge number, but I know some bloggers get 1600 hits a day :D But, for ME, 1600 is a HUGE number. And I just wanna say thank you to all my readers, whether you are a sporadic reader, or a regular. I am honored you enjoy my little ol' blog.

I hope if you haven't already left me a comment or two to let me know you are reading and enjoying my blog, that you will do so. I'd love to know who my regular readers are.

As of now, according to the blogger statistics, my most popular blogs to date are as follows:

Project 365 :) - 01-01-2011 I actually think this is thanks to google. Haha. It appears many people have googled Butterfly Blessings looking for the Walmart set that I have, and found my blog through it.

The Story of Yellow Butterfly <3 11-09-2010 A blog dedicated to my late mother. May she rest in peace. I love you mommy! <3

Missed a day (it was bound to happen) 11-20-2010

Inspired Beauty - AF & SH 1-29-2011 A blog dedicated to two beautiful women in my life that inspire me. AF & SH :)

From one inspiration to another. Project 31. Day 27 Another blog about two beautiful women in my life, CB & CD. :)


I figure I will sporadically check in to say THANK YOU to all my readers :) and update my top 5 blogs, to see how often they change.

On another note, in 4 minutes I will officially be ONE WEEK away from being a married woman. I'm going to sleep on that note. Goodnight World <3

XOXO

Bachelorette Recap

Bridal Shower? Check.

Bachelorette Party? Check.

Things are really starting to wind down on the wedding home front. 10 short days away. It's hard to believe that in 10 days I will be an ol' married woman. Time is flying by and I can't wait. Things are falling into place, and I just know the wedding is going to be so memorable and beautiful. I know it will turn out just perfect. And before we know it, the wedding will be over. But, the memories, and photography will last a lifetime.

This past weekend I went out with 7 of my girlfriends in celebration of my upcoming wedding. Bacheloretting it up. We had a blast. One of my girlfriends got her mother's SUV that could fit us all in it, and drove those of us that were staying the night out there. We started the night out at Channelside and rode the trolley (very anti drinking and driving!) to Ybor City where we went to Coyote Ugly (yes, like the movie) and Prana. Quite the experiences. I'd been to Coyote Ugly before, but not Prana. About 5 of our group of 8 got up on the bar and danced at Coyote Ugly. It took a lot of begging for me to get up there. They kept trying to convince me to get up there because if the ladies dance on the bar, they get free shots. Well, when I go out dancing, I'm not going out to get wasted or drunk, so that was not a draw for me. In the end, my friends were having fun up there, so after much prodding, I joined them :) We had our fun there, and then went on to Prana. Prana is a 5 story club. We ventured through each story. Here is what we learned:
1st story - bottom level bar. Way too smokey. Hard to breathe
2nd story - no main floor, kinda a balcony overlooking the 1st floor. Not a lot of room to dance
3rd floor - FAVORITE floor. Very plush. Very relaxing. If you get there early enough you can grab a good area for you and your friends. Not smokey. Roomy.
4th floor - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. Latino level. So crowded the minute we walked in we were separated. The guys on that level are very gutsy. We will skip that level next time.
5th floor - The roof. Ah, the roof. It felt nice out there. And you get a nice starry view of the city :)
We made sure to get back on the trolley before the last rounds, and made it back to our room safe and sound and ready for some ZZZ's.

Here's a few (well maybe more than a few) pictures from the night

MOH wavin' my hair :)

@ the hotel

Posin' with our service men. Thanks guys!

Right Before Dinner

Coyote Ugly

They got me on the bar

Double Trouble. My name twin!

Trying to read the trolley schedule

And we made it on the trolley. Goodnight!

Bride to be. So Excited <3

XOXO

Threatening Skies

Central Florida has had some crazy weather the past week. Personally, while I know the rain is much needed right now, my fingers are crossed and I am praying that Mother Nature gets it together before my OUTDOOR wedding which is in 12 SHORT DAYS. The average March rainfall is 3.38inches. We had 6.58 this March. This should DEFINITELY help ease the worry of spring wild fires due to drought.... at least, for now.

Last Thursday, March 31st, my area was toppled with what is being called the worst storm since the Hurricanes of '04. If you live in this area, you know that time was crazy. 3 hurricanes plowed through our county in 2004 within a 2 month period.

When I woke up Thursday, I was supposed to drive to Orlando for my final dress fitting. Looking at the sky, I knew that wasn't going to happen. I am not a fan of driving on a good day, let alone a day in which we are under a severe storm warning. Uh, no! I rescheduled. And stayed at home in my PJ's pretty much the entire day (that NEVER happens). I was able to go through tons of old pictures and finish working on some stuff for a memorial table I am doing for my mommy at my wedding.

Meanwhile, as I was sitting at home, staying dry, thousands of people were out at a local air show that takes place annually around here. They were definitely effected by the storm. In fact, an actual tornado HIT the airport it takes place at. 7 people were treated at the hospital, while others were treated on site. Nearly 70 planes were attacked by the storm, which accounted for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. High winds knocked over a shack that a security guard was in, and poles and other flying debri's hit other spectators. Tents were knocked down(1 with 70 people under it). Events were canceled for the rest of the day, and the crowd was asked to leave.

The NWS (National Weather Service) confirmed that a tornado did hit within 20 minutes of my house(at that airport). The tornado was ranked a EF-1 on the enchanced fujita scale. EF-0 is the lowest, EF-5 is the highest. Ranking of an EF-1 means winds between 75-95 MPH. The path link was just over a half a mile, and a path width of 30-40 yards.

funnel cloud some one captured while driving

Quiet neighborhood

Funnel cloud captured within WALKING distance from my house

very rainy and windy

Toppled planes at the event

Numerous reports of damage to vehicles and houses

I am thankful I didn't lose power at all during the storm, but thousands of others did. And some were without until Saturday. :(

And then........ after all the madness of Thursday, we go on to set a record high on Monday.

A sweltering 90 degrees set the new record for a high on Monday. Ugh! The previous high was 89 degrees, coincidentally in 1989.

And, wait for itttttt. After setting the record high on Monday, aka yesterday, we are back to severe storm warnings today.

Overview of my area today

Gotta love Florida.

XOXO

A Day In The Life Of....

Me :)

As I am wrapping up Project 31 I was asked to write about a day in the life of me. I was hoping to document just one day, a whole day of photo's but that just didn't work out any day this week. SO, I still plan to document WITH photo's they just weren't taken all in one day. BUT, it's still an example of a day in the life of moi. 

I wake up here

I drive my blue baby 90% of the time

BUT, sometimes I drive my fiances truck :)

I usually see the following three people at least once a day:

My Daddy

My Fiance

My Roomie

And the following dogs:

My Baby. Chico.

My Dad's babies, Tanner & Paris

 I spend anywhere from 20-40 hours a week sitting here:

Work Desk

And I try to workout 5 days a week either walking outside or the gym:

Treadmill... getting ready to work out.

3 mile Lake I walk regularly at sunset

Typically I end my night by sipping on hot chamomile tea (it helps me sleep!) and reading a daily devotion. I'd like to change this, and start my day with a devotion but for me, right now, this is the perfect way to end my busy days.

Tea + Devotion book

I didn't take pictures of the following but with the wedding right around the corner, many of my days currently involve multiple trips to Michaels Arts & Crafts, Walmart, Target, Bridal Stores, my rental place, etc etc.

I figured as we embarked into April..... we'd let the countdown begin. Happy April to everyone. And, Happy Wedding Month to me. <3 16 short days and I'll be a married woman.

XOXO

Introducing Bullseye.

Hi, my name is Bullseye

It's been over a week now since I found a puppy in my local Target parking lot. A week I've spent scouring lost and found ads, calling all the shelters, asking around in the business complex that he was found, anything I could think of to find his owners, and still I have come up with nothing. This saddens me. I can't imagine someone dumping this precious puppy (or any for that matter). Seriously, if you can no longer care for an animal, take it to a vet or shelter, DON'T DROP IT OFF SOMEWHERE WHERE IT CAN GET HIT AND KILLED. Things like that REALLY annoy me. GRRR. 


Anyways, I picked him up on Wednesday March 23rd in the Target parking lot (hence the name Bullseye) after chasing him around for a few minutes. He was very skittish and afraid and didn't want anyone to grab him. Thankfully a passerby was able to nab him, and pawn him off on me (okay, I offered). First thing I did was run him to my vet to get scanned for a chip. I was hopeful because he had a collar. NO CHIP. That saddened me. My vet gave me some dewormer and sent me on my way. Once at the house, he got along fine with my cats and dogs. I can't say the dogs are happy to have him around, but he sure is enjoying them. He's a puppy so very very hyper and wanting to play a lot. My dogs aren't all for that. Chico probably tolerates him the best. And that's because Chico likes to race around the backyard. 


About that collar... the part that blows my mind is that when I picked him up the collar that he had on is the match to the leash that I own for Chico. 

The pic of the left is my wall of dog leashes, collars, harnesses, etc. It includes the leash I use for Chico. The pic on the right is the dog when I picked him up, wearing the matching collar. Of all the collars in the world, really? I found that very weird.


So yeah, as of now, we have a new puppy in the house. He is adorable. Some type of small breed, my vet says maybe Chihuahua/Terrier mix.  Though I don't know if I am ready to commit to another furever friend. We have so much going on with the wedding that is in a few short weeks. If we have to get rid of him, I definitely want him to go to someone I know somehow so I can stay in touch, and ensure that if it doesn't work out he is not abandoned again, and instead returned to me. SO, lemme know if  you might know someone.

Why, hello kitty.

Goodnight

XOXO

Project 31. Insecurities as a woman

How often have you admired a woman, maybe a friend or family member, or even someone you don't even know (from afar)? Sometimes we get so caught up in envying someone else, imagining their (supposedly) perfect life, that we don't even realize that just like us these women are insecure in one way or another as well.

Insecurity is everywhere.

Christians

Non-Believers

The Rich

The Poor

Adults

Children

Couples

Singles
Over weight people
UNDER weight people

We have to get away from those stereotypes of who "we" think should be secure or insecure because the fact of the matter is at some point, we've all felt insecure. Sometimes the most organized, secure looking person you know, is often the most insecure. Organization is sometimes a concealer for an insecurity. If I look put together no one will ever see all my own issues with self doubt.

I won't lie. I have my insecure days. We all have the right to that. I am often insecure about if I am doing everything to my best ability. Am I good enough? I often get upset with myself if I don't finish everything I need to finish in one day. Though I am coming to realize that sometimes I just pile too much on my plate. Regardless, I still wonder if it was really too much, or if I just didn't plan it all out well enough to get it all done? Insecurity often stems from that feeling of I just am not good enough. 

Thankfully though, despite my occasional battle with my own insecurity, I do realize that I AM GOOD ENOUGH.  God created me for a specific purpose in life, and he knew exactly what his plans for me would be. And, most importantly, in his eyes I am more than good enough. I am perfect. And that my friends, is good enough for me.

- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

XOXO

From one inspiration to another. Project 31: Day 27

Well, I continued my Project 31 LAST Tuesday, so I figure I'll continue it again THIS Tuesday. AKA Today. AKA Now. :)

I titled my post Inspiration from Inspiration because though I am supposed to write today to encourage and build the confidence of other beautiful women I know, the ladies I am going to write about are a constant inspiration to me.

Two of my coworkers whom I am also able to label as my friends are in a battle against their weight. And they are going to win.

One of them has been actively working to lose weight since 2008. And to date has lost and kept off 74lbs. That's amazing, isn't it? She has changed the way she eats, snacks, works out, everything. 
Love a quote she recently told me "I am going to rename my plateaus peaks. Not a plateau in my weight loss, but a peak, as I get ready to tackle the next mountain." She even has a goal of becoming a personal trainer which I think is awesome because not only will she change her life, but she will be helping others change their lives. Paying it forward, and not to mention it's a way to keep herself in check.You can follow her progress here: AlphaFemale

She already has her first client.... though not really a client. Another coworker/friend. I am so proud of this beautiful soul for making life changes this year. I love her dearly as a friend and hated the thought of her possibly not being around as long as she could be, living her life to her full potential, due to weight. As of the first of this year, she has been walking regularly. Started slow, building up to a mile, and is already able to do 3 miles. WOW! She has also changed her eating habits for the better. And is realizing that just with the simple diet change, it is still possible to lose weight. She didn't get to walk last week due to an injury and still texted me the awesome news that she had lost 3lbs that week. Praise God! :) I know that had to build her confidence and inspire her to keep it up! Since she started working out I've already noticed the difference in her. It was immediate. She doesn't wheeze as much, she's got an extra kick in her step, and is glowing.

I love watching these ladies grow and evolve. They say that I inspire them but what they don't know is that in my eyes and heart, it's they that inspire me. And I thank them for that.

So, C & C, I know you both read this, THANK YOU for being an inspiration to me. I love you both. Keep doing what you are doing. I see the changes. You are both so beautiful to me, on the inside, and out. <3

XOXO
















THE LIST:


Day 1.  What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2.  What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3.  Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4.  Style 31.  Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5.  Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6.  Jaded beauty.  Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7.  Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8.  Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)?  Share, please!
Day 9.  What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10.  What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11.  Post a recipe.  Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12.  Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13.  Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!
Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.
Day 16.  Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.  Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17.  Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18.  Describe your personality.
Day 19.  Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20.  Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.  
Day 21.  Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22.  What are some needs that need to be met in your community?  Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23.  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?
Day 24.  What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25.  Style 31.  Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26.  What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27.  Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28.  Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29.  Write about "a day in the life of me."  (Pics are great!)
Day 30.  Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31.  Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!