A Nice Break

Tex playing in the back yard he wishes he had.

Martin using the remote.

Me being....me.

Cade

Brandy with her 5 plates of food. Really, it's just all her kids left over plates.

It's time to get ready for work. And I can't seem to get myself going. I think it's classic long weekend blues. I have a friend who texts me every sunday telling me that she's so depressed that it's sunday night and on monday morning as we're headed out to our separate jobs, she sends me another one that says"here's to better jobs someday". Little things like that are dear to me.

After getting back into town yesterday, Martin and I decided we really probably should get curtains for our place. Yeah, I'm serious. Not a single one in the living, dining or kitchen until now. We now have privacy; kinda important for a place that gets dark at 4:30 this time of year. In some ways, we're still so immature. But I guess maybe we're kind of holding on to that a little. Or a lot.

Got to spend some time with my best friend. We had a good time as always. Drank a lot of coffee, ate a lot of food. Played a lot of card games. I like card games. And took some pics.

Thanksgiving!

Hi, my name is Brandy. I’m Dominique’s sister. She has bravely given me permission to write on her blog. It will be a bit lengthy. But if you are a reader of her blog you will agree that the following is true, because you have your own story of how Dominique has taught you how to love.
I have often pondered your title, Learning to Love. First, I think how I need to learn to love in a more biblical way. But mostly, I think how you have been one of the greatest examples of love in my life. You have been a direct answer to my prayers, on more than one occasion. The first and greatest example happened a couple years ago. I was very discouraged in my life. I prayed that God would have somebody give me something that showed that they loved me. That sentence sounds simple, maybe even selfish, but my thoughts were very involved. I was feeling very empty and broken in spirit. I was asking God to show me that there was someone in my life who loved me deeply and that the love would be evidenced in a powerful way. (I know I have many people in my life that love me. The prayer was came from my circumstances.) Later, I think that same day, you pulled me aside to give me a gift of money. I was completely overwhelmed. It had nothing to do with the fact that it was money. But it was a very generous gift. For that I felt guilty of my prayer. I wanted you to keep it, the thought was enough. The only thing I saw was the great love in your heart. The money had been given to you as a gift, and you were giving it to me. You freely and sacrificially, and willing gave to me. I received you gift with tears in my eyes as I realized my Savior loved me by hearing my cry and answering me so quickly. And that I had a dear sister and friend that loved me deeply. I needed you gift of love more than you will ever know. I’m getting choked up even as I write this because of the depth of the meaning that was to me.
Another time God used you to speak into my life was last year. When we left Ford we left money, insurance, and extras. We now had to trust Christ completely. Since He is faithful I decided to ask only Him for the things I needed. My glasses were broken, and I was on my last pair of contacts. I prayed that God give me another pair of glasses. This was a little tough because I really hate wearing glasses. But, I knew I didn’t NEED contacts. Shortly after that you gave me Two pair of glasses, with cases, and some contacts. What an Amazing God we serve! Again, fighting the tears I received your over an abundant gift of love. I only did He give me what I needed, He used you to show great love by blessing me with what I really wanted. When you love, you love completely. I thank God for you and the ways He has used you to teach me how to love!

Happy 80th Grams

No my grams does not read this blog. I wasn't able to make it down for her party today so I needed some way to express my celebration of her. I've talked about my grams before. I think I'm more like her than anyone I'm related to. We love so many of the same things: tea, coffee, Van Gogh (probably our biggest "in common" love), books, music, people...I just really feel like we are soulmates in a way. I get her. When I sit down with her and listen to the way she thinks and speaks, I am so right there with her.

She shares a birthday with Mickey Mouse. She has 9 children. She is Jewish. She was divorced. She lives in the smallest apartment I've ever been in. She was a tutor (and still might be) for prisoners on parole. She works at an elementary school as a teacher's aid for the children with learning disabilities.

And she sends me a birthday card every year on my birthday.

In other {D} news:

My friend Katie Kolb left me for her husband and Pittsburgh last week. I'm going to miss her so much.

I bought a pair of pants at the goodwill today. I should probably be over this phase of my life. Speaking of good buys at goodwill; I bought six nickel finish Pottery Barn hooks for the entryway that were still in the package, never been used. I think they look great. I'll have to take a pic to show them off.

Pics: An HDR of Cloud Gate, or as it's more commonly known as "The Bean" in Chicago. It's on my flickr page as well as a couple more from the same trip. The next two photos are me revealing a little more of my domestic side (I can't do it all at once, come on, you know me better than that...) I like to cook/bake. But let me clarify and say that I only like to do it when I'm not rushed, or when I feel like it. Otherwise, it's just a chore. One photo is a blueberry cobbler that I made with wild Michigan blueberries our friends picked from a bog near here and gave to us. Martin really liked the cobbler. And the other is cappuccino crinkle cookies I baked that I liked and Martin didn't.

The President is a Puppet

That's honestly what I think. I might be wrong. I'm probably wrong. But that's continually the conclusion I come to when trying to be a good American and care about elections for presidents. I'm a cynic. I don't believe in the good of people. Not even the good of Christians. I just don't. I dis-trust everyone.

The amazing irony is that I like people. I mean, I really like people. This past weekend, I somehow remembered that my family used to tease me when I was a little girl because when spending countless summer days at the beach (The beach was free), I would meet a new person every time and they would instantly be my friend. I seriously made friends everywhere I went. I have always had a need to connect with others. I still have that need.

I think my ability to like people is somehow closely related to my dis-trust of them. Almost like because I don't expect anything from them, I'm continually surprised and thrilled with their good nature towards me. And you would think that after seeing this good nature towards me for years, that I would begin to lower guards towards them. And maybe, maybe slowly I am. I don't think I am. But I could be.

So voting. I honestly think that money runs countries, not people. But I'm going to vote, and probably even for a president. (maybe for a president.) Mostly because everyone I know would think less of me for not voting. And I'm insecure and need the people I love to like me. So, to those I love, this vote is for you. Really.

3rd Pic: From Jess at Past Tense Cider Mill; me and my nephews&niece
2nd Pic: Tex exhausted from our Harvest party
1st Pic: Tree in full Color in the UP during a "fun day" hike with work

Voila

There it is. Probably the longest I've ever taken to finish a blanket. It's much larger than I thought it would be. It's also extremely warm. I would be working on it and have to stop because I'd start sweating from it being on me. So it should be perfect for those -10 degree days this winter. (oh how I wish I were joking that we actually have temps that low in the winter) Oh, and that's my chaise from Crate&Barrel. I know I haven't yet posted pics of the furniture. I will.

Had a great time traveling downstate this past weekend to see family and Jess. Took some great photos and accidentally deleted all of them. Yeah. But Jess is normal (at least more than me) and managed to save all of her photos. Maybe she'll let me have some copies. And I got some really cute ones of the kids at the cider mill. ugh, I'm so frustrated.

The Blanket is Done

I told you I would finish it this month. And I'm pleased with how it turned out. There is one square that is missing a row of color and it totally upset me when I figured it out after I had already sewn it into the blanket. I have no idea how I didn't catch it before then. But I didn't. And so now it's sealed into the blanket forever as a reminder that I'm never quite as good as I want to be at things. *sigh*

Martin's parents came up for a fall visit. As always, it was great to spend time with them. And as always, they treat us to way too much. But I'm not going to lie, we love it.

We took a day trip to the upper peninsula. We went out on a boat tour of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. BEAUTIFUL. Really, I had no idea. There are pictures on my flickr site (and there will be several more to follow in the next week or so--I kinda overdid it on the photos). I enjoy the feeling I get when I'm on the great lakes. You feel so incredibly small. Like you're completely insignificant out there on the water. I don't know why I like that feeling in certain situations. I think it's because we all want to be reminded that there is a whole world out there bigger than us. It somehow gives me a reminder that I should keep my problems in check. Not to let them seem bigger than they are. There's a lot more here on this feeling but I'm not going to explain right now.

This weekend, Martin is going to a MSU football game with several friends. Apparantly, they have amazing tickets and get to stay somewhere free and get to go to a tailgate party empty-handed. Needless to say, he's pretty excited about it. To add to the excitement, MSU is having a great season this year.

I'll be going down to visit my fam. and best friend. Tex will be going with me and he'll be oh-so-thrilled to be able to run around 20 acres with Duke and Daley. Alright, not sure how much running Duke can do these days but I'm sure he'll be watching with jealousy as the other two romp.

What I did in September

Almost finished an afghan I've been working on for three years. It WILL be finished in Oct.

Finally hung something on the walls in our place. Even if it is only in the dining room. And only three things. Have to start somewhere.

Photographed a wedding for the first time. My friend was the real photographer but she asked me if I would help. Wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be. Of course, the bride was the most laid back bride ever. Which was wonderful.

Camped on the pigeon river again. Always nice

Stayed in St. Johns, MI with our neighbors at their parents house. Ate doughnuts and drank cider. Remembered how much I miss going to a cider mill in the fall.

Had my biggest (to date) conflict at work. Not fun at all.

Cried myself to sleep over losing a relationship with someone I love. Have felt this one coming for awhile but didn't expect it to happen yet. Am still processing the conversation, trying to make sense of it. Hoping I took things out of context but knowing that I didn't.

got a haircut. Instant good mood. I love my stylist. It's great to talk to her, and have her make me look good for a day. She asked me: "What am I doing for you today?" I said: "Tammy, I don't know the first thing about hair; just make me look less tired." She said: "okay" and got to work.

Cleaned up dog vomit.

Cleaned up cat vomit.

Wondered why I have pets.

Got a new pair of glasses. And then felt immediately guilty for getting yet another pair of glasses.

Worked as a cart girl for a local golf club as a "fun second job". Made more in tips than I make at my "not fun first job".