tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68742525588421154682024-03-12T20:07:44.905-07:00Walking In MemphisEmily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-1816502983034759412014-05-07T11:37:00.001-07:002014-05-07T11:39:24.268-07:00Spring Brings Change..... In Memphis<br />
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Not too long ago, my daughter asked me "Mom, if you could get the chance to ride again, would you? What if money wasn't an issue and you could take lessons and get back into showing, wouldn't you love that? Don't you want to jump again? What if you could do cross country, like you always wanted? Didn't you used to love riding more than anything?" Yes, I did. Would I do it? I don't know. I had a very bad spill and I used that as an excuse for a long time. The thing is, when that horse threw me and I was stuck in the stirrup and dragged against a fence, for what seemed like an eternity, I got back on. I refused to be carried away. I looked at the dents on my helmet where my head hit a fence post more than 7 times and I knew I HAD to get back on. So why now, 7 years later, if given the chance to ride again, do I use that day as an excuse? Have I really forgotten the freedom I felt while riding? Did I really give up that dream? That horse could have killed me, yet I was heart broken when I moved and had to sell her. I still miss that crazy mustang. Why have I let myself accept excuses that were never valid to begin with?<br />
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Most likely, riding is out of my future, but because of the ridiculous expense not because I took a wild ride on a mustang. What other excuses have I been giving myself? What things in my life are far more important than climbing into a saddle that I have allowed myself to let go of out of fear, out of self defamation, out of laziness? Having a happy life isn't easy. Maybe that's why so many people aren't happy. Being happy means taking risks. A few bad decisions can ruin one's ability to takes risks. Looking back at that fateful riding day, I sat on the back of my mustang I had been training for 2 years. She trusted very slowly, but we made so many strides. I sat there and knew I had done well.... That's when you STOP. Call it a day. Next lesson, you try to duplicate it. Then you take it a step further. I sat there, in awe, I had FINALLY sat on her back. Why not ask her to take a step? That was a bad risk. That was one step too far and I knew it. So when she stepped, realized I was still there and stiffened, I knew I was about to get really hurt and could do nothing but hold on for dear life... why did I not take that lesson and say "it's okay to take risks, just listen when you take that step too far....it's okay to try again another day. "<br />
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Here we go. Guess now, after 7 years, it's okay to face the fear of failure and hurt. It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to figure out what it is I really want. Just have to have the right dose of reality mixed in....Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-45077632215379329042012-05-29T07:29:00.000-07:002012-05-29T07:29:01.101-07:00Garage Sales Are Serious BusinessThis past weekend, I went to Fort Worth, Tx to hold a garage sale with my mom and sisters. We had several people give us items to sell. This sale was massive. It took a great deal of our time to go through, price, and organize the items. It took the better part of each morning to set up. We had some hiccups, but all in all it was successful and fun. However, I took a few things away from this sale that will hopefully help me in the future.<br />
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1. You will at some point be in a very bad mood.<br />
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Let's get real. Garage sales are exhausting. They take a lot of prep time. They take a lot of physical work. You most likely will go to bed late doing last minute details. You will have to get up incredibly early to set up. You'll be hot, sweaty, sunburned, hungry, thirsty, busy, ect ect. Tensions will rise and you and your helpers will at some point greatly disagree on things as simple as the price of items, where to place the items, who's turn it is for a break... So just try your best to realize that we're all in the same shoes. We're all tired and at the end of the day when you're counting your cash and enjoying the AC, things will be brighter.<br />
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2. People are going to stop and shop as soon as they see your garage door open. Just go with it.<br />
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We could not set up fast enough. On Friday, we were not fully set up until noon. We had non stop steady stream of customers until 2 pm when we finally closed out of exhaustion. Most of the customers were understanding. We had to explain to several people we had 100's of items of items yet to be pulled out to the sale and to check back by in an hour or 2. Most of them did. Saturday was much easier to set up because we stashed everything within easy reach.<br />
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3. Definitely hold your sale on a Friday!<br />
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On Friday we had an average of 10-20 customers shopping at all times between 7am and 12pm. Most people work during the week and open their sales up on Saturday. Those who can open on Friday will get a lot of action. Friday garage salers are serious. They have a plan and know what their doing. They know you are open and will come find you. Saturday you are competing with a lot more people. So, definitely open up on Friday. You will be amazed!<br />
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4. You can sell ANYTHING, if the price is right.<br />
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Here is a list of random items we sold: old make up, old non valuable jewelry, old clothes, paintings that would make anyone cringe, engineering text books that had been revised about 10 times since, VHS, broken things, old magazines ect. Some lady even wanted to buy the box of gallon size baggies we were using! LOL<br />
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5. When you want stuff gone, be ready to make crazy deals!<br />
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We had tables and bins set up for "fill a bag for $1". In it wasn't anything of value, but people went nuts filling those bags. We kept walking around and adding more things to the table as the day went on. We didnt want to haul any books or other media back in the house. So we did another fill a bag for a $1 sale with that Saturday afternoon. That's a quick way to get rid of things you plan to just throw away after the sale.<br />
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6. People are Weird!<br />
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Some guy bought a Lion King sleeping bag and a painting that, if you held it right, it looks like a butt. Another couple of customers starting fighting over items. We got some interesting characters, but it was great! We'd just laugh and go on to the next person!<br />
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7. People will steal.<br />
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We knew a few things had gone missing. The best story was a lady stole a pair of shoes. She walked off in our shoes and left behind her janky old flip flops! I honestly just let those instances go. What are you going to do? Run after someone who stole $5 worth of stuff?? Not worth it. Keep anything valuable close to you. Keep an eye on customers and interact with everyone. If they feel you are watching, they'll be more than likely move on to another sale.<br />
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8. Be prepared!<br />
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While setting up we got sick of "how much is this??" Get all signs done, items priced and sorted prior to the sale. You want to set up and be done. Have an extension cord ready for people to plug items in and test. If something doesn't turn on, give it away. We gave away a broken paper shredder. Plugged it in and it didn't work. I told the customer they could have it and see if they could fix it. They gladly took it! Have plenty of change ready. This is important. I was able to give change to everyone who needed it. I even had enough change for a lady who only had a $100. I would not have done it unless I had a million $20's.<br />
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9. Have Help<br />
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I think our biggest problem was not having enough help. Our sale was massive and we really needed about 2-3 more people Friday. We were completely overwhelmed. Saturday was better, but we still could have used help. If you expect a lot of Spanish speaking customers, it could be helpful to have someone who is able to at least communicate minimally. If all else fails, learn Spanish numbers so you can barter with your Spanish speaking customers. It's really not that hard! Come on "Cinco dollars" is not that hard and they will appreciate your effort.<br />
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10. Have Fun<br />
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Most people will be fun to talk to. Send someone to grab donuts at breakfast and order pizza at lunch. If you'll be up and moving constantly like we were, get carb rich meals and snacks. Keep gatorade, sodas and water bottles in the fridge. You want to run in and grab and go. Relax when you can. Cut people deals. It's a garage sale after all! They aren't going to pay high prices! Slash prices when you are getting tired. Pack up when they customers slow way down. Order pizza and relax. You've just gotten cash for your junk and made some customers very happy!!!<br />
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11. Tamales<br />
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If someone is driving around selling tamales out of their van..... buy them. You will not regret it. Home made tamales are amazing.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-67438614801365115742011-12-07T20:14:00.000-08:002011-12-07T21:08:55.050-08:00A Look Back...In MemphisExactly 10 years ago I was just hitting the 3rd trimester of my first pregnancy. March 7th 2002, marked the very first day I became a mom. It's funny how much things have changed since then. I like to think I am older and wiser! Like everyone else, I just got here by trial and error! <div><br /></div><div>With my first pregnancy I learned some very valuable lessons. The first and most important being, you have no earthly idea what it means to love your child until you have one. There's no way to explain it. It's a secret club and we couldn't give away the secret if we tried. It's not always instantaneous, but it does happen. For me, the second I saw Gabrielle, my heart and soul changed. I've never been the same since. </div><div><br /></div><div>The second thing I learned, pregnancy and childbirth....SUCKS. I know some of you out there loved being pregnant. All I can do is assume you were unconscious the whole 9 months, or you completely forgot. I have never forgotten, In fact, one of the first things I realized with this pregnancy was "oh god, these next 9 months are going to suck". Sometimes you just gotta be real with yourself. I promise you, I am terrified of delivering her. That is some serious pain and yes I choose to do it drug free. Sometimes you just gotta experience it all to really appreciate it. Plus, I want to see if Greg will pass out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The last big lesson I learned? You win some, you lose some... friends. It's a tough pill to swallow. Some people just don't know how to handle a friend with a baby. Suddenly, you can't just go out. Trust me, most won't be able to understand why you aren't comfortable leaving your baby with a sitter. Inevitably, these friends will call less. However, you'll meet other parents. You'll spend HOURS over coffee sharing birth stories and laughing about how sleep deprived you are. You may not stay friends forever, eventually parenting styles drive people apart (or their precious child grows up to be a real brat) and you part ways. Sometimes, you stay friends for years to come, despite life changes. </div><div><br /></div><div>My second pregnancy just gave me lessons to build on the first ones. That's when Nicholas came blazing a trail into this world! July 5, 2005!!!! You want to talk about being thrown for a loop? That was this boy!!! Everything from the pregnancy and birth to the years to come was different! I thought I knew what to do! This showed me that every single pregnancy and every child is very different from the last. </div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest lesson with Nick was that a pregnancy REALLY can surprise you in every way. First being the whole positive pregnancy test once you realize you have no idea when your last period was. Then, to having a VERY big belly very quickly. The worst part? Did you know a pregnancy REALLY can go 10 months??? No, I am dead serious. I know... I did it. Did you also know that you can give birth at home, with zero pain meds to a baby that is 9 pounds??? I also know this to be true. I did it. Guess what else??? Your tailbone can dislocated. You dont want to know how I know this, trust me.</div><div><br /></div><div>My most surprising lesson was that boys are truly magical to their mommies! Nothing against girls, but boys just loooooooove their mommies and that is an amazing feeling to be had. Nick and I are still super close to this day. Of course Gabby and I have a very different bond and no less special. It's just a given that boys are closer to their moms and girls tend to be closer to their dads and Gabby certainly has been. (of course, not always the case, but it certainly has been with my 2).</div><div><br /></div><div>The best thing both pregnancies taught me is that while pregnancy sucks, it's so worth it. It's 9 months of hell, but it ends with a very special gift. So, here I sit. I'm on the last leg of my pregnancy. The days are flying by. Baby number 3 will be here very soon. I'm sure she'll have a whole new set of lessons for us all!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-71632647866697169112011-11-04T06:33:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:11:00.477-07:0010 Weeks To Go... In MemphisI haven't been blogging much. As I have done with my chronic illness, I have tried to refrain from posting much about my pregnancy. Also, with my illness, a few posts have slipped by, here's one about my current "situation". <div><br /></div><div>Presley's upcoming birth is imminent. I AM going to have a baby soon. This cannot be avoided. I can't even pretend to not be pregnant. The kicks, the cramps, the bladder, all remind me at every possible moment that space is being rented out and it's getting to be a tight fit. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sit here in my quiet living room contemplating all that's ahead. Panic slowly sinks in. I'm not ready for this. No one is ever really ready. You can be prepared and have all the necessities, sure. In truth you aren't ever really ready to add a person to your life. It's even worse when you've done it before. You know that your life is about to be turned upside down. That's a scary thought. </div><div><br /></div><div>What's even scarier is you can't really know how much things will change until they do. Nothing can prepare you! No child birth class or infant CPR will tell you if your baby will cry a lot or be relatively happy (as happy as an infant can be, of course). Nothing will tell you if your baby will sleep a lot or keep you up all night, every night for months. Will she be sensitive to fabrics and diapers like Nick? Will she puke all the time like Gabby? Will she prefer her dad or me? Will she be allergic to cats? Will she be healthy? Will she one day suffer from a chronic illness like me? Will she be pretty, smart, funny? Will she like giraffes? All the questions begin to creep in your mind. Then you realize, you have a connection with this baby inside you, but you don't really know her. She may be part of me, but she's her own person. For the first year or so, communication will be limited. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I begin to think about all the possibilities the next few weeks will bring. I'll admit, I'm in panic mode! I like to have control and to feel prepared. Knowing that I can't know every detail freaks me out. I've heard everyone tell me over and over "everything will work out just fine, you'll see". That's fine. Right now, I don't SEE that, so pardon me for completely ignoring what you say. To be honest, it doesn't help. Until I feel like things are under control and my "to do list" is about 10 items shorter, you wont see me relaxing. You want to offer me advice? Come over and help refinish the crib or fix the leaky faucet or any of the other items on the list. Telling me to relax?? AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! Besides, watching people slowly go insane is funny. Just grab some popcorn and sit back...</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, let's have some fun. I do have a super rad baby pool which I think everyone should take part in! It will let you guess everything from birth weight to birth date! Do it, it's fun. It makes me happy. You want me to be happy or else I'll probably sit on you. The winner get's nothing, but all the losers are on diaper duty. Big stakes! ( put steaks first... mmm sounds yummy!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://bebepool.com/go/?a=emilyhall&view=list">http://bebepool.com/go/?a=emilyhall&view=list</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>PS: there will be a birth story post and it will be very descriptive... prepare yourselves now!</div>Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-33976257643168329232011-06-19T16:54:00.000-07:002011-06-19T18:16:10.225-07:00A Gigantic Jesus....In Eureka Springs!Greg and I went to Eureka Springs based on the suggestion from several people (by several I mean 2). We found a cool cottage to stay in that was close to town. We didn't really make many plans. Sometimes winging it is best.<br /><br />The drive was long. By long, I mean terrible for someone who has morning sickness 24/7. I also discovered that my anxiety levels spike when a certain driver flies around corners on mountains. Seeing signs that say "Watch For Falling Rocks" and "Run Away Truck Ramp Ahead" did not help matters one bit. My preference to the ocean makes much more sense now.<br /><br />We got to the cottage about 5 pm. It really was very cool. The owner came to give us the tour and she seemed to like me quite a bit. Then, much of the decor, music, and books began to make sense. It all featured women. Hmm, interesting! Of course, Greg didn't pick up on any of it. Apparently, the fact that she was flat out flirting with his pregnant wife never crossed his mind. Typical and very funny! Other than awkwardness, the cottage offered many wonderful things. There were deer roaming the yard day and night. The owner provided wonderful organic breakfast items. This place would be awesome in the Spring. She has a lovely garden.<br /><br />This was Sunday, so about all we could do was grab a nice casual dinner at Chelsea's since pretty much every thing else closed early. It's more of a bar and I can't wait to go back when my beverage intake is not limited to boring crap. I'll be pretty straight forward here, that pizza was freaking awesome. If they want to move to Memphis, I would help them pack.<br /><br />Day 2: This day was reserved for one thing only, shopping. We walked all over the downtown and let me tell you, it was exhausting. It was also freaking hot. The entire mid south was hit with a heat wave that week. Plus did you know that a town in the mountains is typically hilly?? Add that to walking around in the heat... We did eat at a little restaurant called Oasis. It was good, but interesting. Why so many places serve "Eureka Springs style Mexican" food, I'll never know. I like ACTUAL Mexican food. This whole knock off thing irks me a bit. Oasis was pretty much that. Not bad, mind you. However, when I want that style food, I typically want just plain Mexican. They did serve the throw back sodas, which I love. Shopping and eating downtown left us exhausted and me SUPER cranky. Pregnant+hot+tired=BAD. I mean it was really bad. I have a feeling a few people, mainly Greg wanted to kill me.<br /><br />That evening we chose to do a ghost tour at the Crescent Hotel. First off, I totally want to have a girls trip and stay in that hotel. Not only is it elegant, but it's haunted as well! HOLLA! The hotel has been featured on Ghost Hunters and they even show you some of the footage captured before the tour. The stories are very interesting, regardless if you believe in ghosts. Again, had I been in a position to have a cocktail, we would have had a libation or two at the roof top lounge. Being that I'm a party pooper, we just walked around the gardens. My cousin Erin would love this place, there are cats roaming the gardens and she just LOVES cats....(tee hee) In fact, she'd love the whole town. Lots and lots of cats.<br /><br />Day 3: Our last full day there, I had only ONE thing on my mind...find a place to swim. Okay, so I should know better than to leave it up to someone else to find what I'm looking for. It took way longer than expected to find and people are not good at giving directions. We found a place on a lovely lake and my swimming fix was achieved. Something unexpected happened... creepy couple attack!!! As I am laying out (i can't get in the water unless I'm hot), I begin to casually listen in on the conversation next to me. It's not like they were whispering. He's asking her if their relationship bothers her. Then he says how it concerned him at first and he shouldn't have the feeling for her that he did, but she was just too sexy. Say what? I take a peak at the couple and immediately tell that she is approximately 15-17, not a day older. Her looks and actions were quite immature. He, was closer to 40. Okay everyone let it all out at once.... EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! The conversation just got weirder from there. I gathered she was pregnant, but he wasn't the father. They talked about their age difference being an issue and if she had told anyone they were seeing each other. Her responses were awkward. It was ridiculous. He actually asked her what her top five albums of all time were. She is 15! She doesn't know what you mean by "album"! She actually responded with "ummm, I don't know..." Ugh. We left around the same time they did. i was very close to telling him to quite being a giant creepo!<br /><br />That afternoon, we had a late lunch at Sparkey's. Again, with the "Eureka Spring Mexican" type food. What is up with that? Our server pretty much forgot her tables existed. We ate a little, I was tired. So after picking at my food (I've really perfected that), we decided to just head to the cottage and relax. That evening we saw Gigantic Jesus....Boy is that an interesting sight. First off, I don't care about your religious affiliations, he is just creepy. He is not proportionate at all. He actually reminds me of the creepy statues on Never Ending Story. You know, the ones that were the guardians of some gate. Their eyes would open as you passed through and if you weren't worthy, you'd be zapped to death. (technically Atreyu wasn't worthy because they tried to zap him, he just jumped out of the way... I totally don't think that counts). I expected Gigantic Jesus to open his eyes and zap all the people around. I would totally have pulled an Atreyu and jumped out of the way. Not sure about Greg. Hey, when a Gigantic anything is zapping people, it's every man for himself!<br /><br />That night was REALLY fun. We grabbed some dinner at Lovin' Oven Bakeria and guess what hit me??? That's right people, a fibro flare. Holy cow. I was actually in tears! It was THAT bad. I couldn't even stand up. It rattled me to my bones. It was not a fun rest of the night and since then I have had multiple flares. Ugh...The best part is I can't take my meds because I am pregnant. Yippeee!!!!<br /><br />Day 4: Good Bye Eureka Springs! Aww such a pretty town. I would have liked to have done more, but we just didn't have the time or energy. We got up early had a pretty flippin good breakfast at Local Flavor. Yummy! Then I checked in to as many places as I could in town so I could gain my mayorships where needed. (I may enjoy foursquare too much) I am happy to say that I am the mayor of most places in Eureka Springs!! We hit up a winery to pick up some gifts and I discovered that state grape of Arkansas is not a tasty fruit...<br /><br />The drive home wasn't bad. We had a yummy home style type lunch in some hole in the wall restaurant in some hole in the wall town. Seriously, do people choose to live in these places or are they just stuck there??? Of course the food made me extremely ill. Hey, I'm pregnant, it's how I roll. Never the less, we made it home in one piece and to a house full of annoying animals.<br /><br />So all in all I can sum up Eureka Springs by saying that it is a cool little town. If you like funky art, bars, haunted hotels, beautiful scenery, and huge depictions of Christ, this town is for you. Visit it! I will say for my LGBT pals, I got the feeling that ES is pretty LGBT friendly. I didn't see much in the way of specific bars or hang outs, but I did see a lot of couples walking around. Definitely a plus there!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-13540999777403763932011-03-06T18:22:00.000-08:002011-03-06T19:27:38.023-08:00Monday March 7th, 2011 marks Gabby's 9th Birthday! It seems so long ago that I was pregnant with her, my first child. I experienced so many ups and downs! When she was born I remember being so protective of her. I worried about everything, as most new moms do!<br /><br />Gabby's 9 years have been such a joy. She is a wonderful daughter who loves everyone! She is smart and sassy! I can't wait to see what she grows into! For some Gabby fun, here are some of her favorite things!!!<br /><br /><br />Gabby's All Time Favorite's:<br /><br />All-Time Favorite… <br /><br />Snack: watermelon<br /><br />Drink: cherry limeade<br /><br />Activity: Wii!<br /><br />Favorite punctuation: ?<br /><br />Favorite things to collect: silly bands<br /><br />Word that's ever been used to describe me: active<br /><br />Way to relax: lay down and read<br /><br />Song right now: Just Dance by Lady Gaga<br /><br />Furniture: bed<br /><br />Thing that makes me more depressed than anything: not seeing my friends<br /><br />Things I love to do on rainy days: do art projects<br /><br />First thing I think when my alarm rings: ugh, school<br /><br />Last three things I think before drifting off to sleep: <br />1.school<br />2.seeing her friends<br />3.what's for breakfast<br /><br />Cleaning products: the vaccum<br /><br />Most beautiful sights I've seen: <br />horses, Moma's engagement ring, other animals<br /><br />Kind of books to read: Harry Potter, Goosebumps, Mystery Books<br /><br />Holiday: Halloween<br /><br />Movie I saw this year: Despicable Me<br /><br />Feeling in the world: being happy!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-7306037785638545282011-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:002011-02-15T12:16:17.867-08:00Knot Untied.... In MemphisIt seems strange, even now as I write this, that today I woke up not married. I had been married for a little over 13 years. That is, until yesterday. Yes, my divorced was finalized on Valentine's Day. Funny huh? No really, it's okay to laugh. I certainly did. It's incredibly ironic that my divorce papers were signed by the judge on the national day of love!<br /><br /> Now, it wasn't exactly easy. Yes, it was mutual. Besides a few emotional rants here and there, it went incredibly smooth. I will say that no matter how mutual things are, divorce hurts. That's okay, it's actually supposed to. As Lewis CK says "no good marriage ends in divorce." It's true and shows that while painful, it's not actually a bad thing.<br /><br /> I used to have a clear vision of the future. Being with someone for 13 years, you kind of figure out how things will flow. Right now my vision of the future isn't very clear. I have some key things in my mind, but I am starting all over again. Honestly, I'm not in any hurry to figure it all out again. One thing I learned is that our paths twist and turn and sometimes go in circles or briefly stop all together. It's not a bad thing to not have figured it out. I have learned to kind of appreciate life's little surprises and let them come.<br /><br /> So here I am, looking on the outside of a marriage that lasted for 13 years. I'm happy. I'm excited about what my future holds, though I don't know what most of it is. I'm happy who I am with. Greg is an amazing man and I am lucky to have found him. I'm happy with how my kids have turned out and handled this whole process. They are troopers! I'm just simply happy.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-88386999572704622742011-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:002011-01-01T16:36:10.824-08:00Another One Bites The Dust.....In Memphis2011 is here, finally. Most New Year's I am glad to say goodbye to the previous year, never so much so as this year. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, put my children in public school, started college, lost and found faith, became a vegetarian, and began divorce proceedings. All in one year. A bit much one would say. Personally I would say it was WAY too much.<br /><br />However, 2010 brought many good things. I made friends with wonderful people. Some of these people have become some of the best friends I have ever had. A select few have become closer to me than anyone ever before. For that, I am forever grateful for 2010. Pain was brought, yes, but so was a silver lining.<br /><br />I completed my first semester of college. I struggled in Algebra, but passed with a B. I loved Social Problems and realized a switch in majors may be in store for me. I learned from my English professor that a "C is successful". I also tested and excelled in my GED. Something I feared, but shockingly tested higher than most high school graduates.<br /><br />I realized how important my health was to me. I changed my eating habits and don't regret it a bit. I'm a happy non meat eater. I enjoy this side of life immensely. I am thrilled with the friends and loved ones who firmly support me in this.<br /><br />So all in all, 2010 wasn't all bad. It certainly wasn't all good, or even mostly good. It was filled with immense pain, struggle and frustration. I am so glad it's over. 2011 has already proven to be much better and I am really looking forward to what's in store. No resolutions, I just want to enjoy life. I want to surround myself with those who love me and support me. I want to remove the ones who only hurt and disrespect me. It may not be easy, but I will have the love and support of those who truly care about me. I'd say, I'm off to a good start.<br /><br />Hello 2011, this is Emily. I wont accept anything but the best from you!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-15798053287205693222010-11-30T10:32:00.000-08:002010-11-30T11:12:26.795-08:00Thanksgiving Not....In MemphisThis year my mother decided to do something different, she rented a cabin in Broken Bow, OK. Sounded like lots of fun. We all needed to get away. As with all our family adventures, things rarely turn out the way we expect.<br /><br />It all started on the drive to Broken Bow. My children proceeded to argue and throw tantrums the entire trip up. Not to worry, I told myself. They'd be out running in the woods in no time. Besides if attitudes didn't improve, by no means was I required to return home with them, well in my own dark and twisted mind. I learned that the road to Broken Bow was long, slow and every 30 miles or so we'd hit a town that the world seemed to have forgotten. Lesson learned, I wont be retiring anywhere in Arkansas.<br /><br />After being stared down by a few gas station attendants (apparently they find well dressed and well spoken people an oddity in those parts), we finally crossed the border into Oklahoma. That's when I expected things to turn around. Silly me.<br /><br />Broken Bow is a strange town. I should have known what to expect when the first motel I see is called "End of The Trail". It really looked like a place you go at the end of driving a wagon cross country and just prepare to die, lonely and cold. They did offer HBO for anyone wanting to die somewhat entertained. The Walmart in town was a regular Walmart. Not even a super center. I had thought every Walmart had been turned into a super center by now... Again... Silly me.<br /><br />The kids were filled with excitement at this point. We were just a few short miles from the cabin. For about 2 hours we stayed a few short miles from the cabin, because we were lost, with no cell signal. Eventually I give up and head to the main road. Then my cell rings and I can hear arguing in the back ground as my sister screams "Everybody shut up I finally have her on the phone!" Ahhh, family fun time has begun. They were lost too. Knowing just how well the four of us (my mom, my two sisters and I) handle stress, I could tell we would all need a stiff drink before speaking to each other. They had finally received more "accurate" directions. Unfortunately, I was in some parallel universe and was on the correct road, but in another time and place. Turns out this road has two entrances (information that could have been helpful 2 hours prior) and I had been driving up and down the wrong section of road.<br /><br />Nice.... it's now raining and pitch black because we are in the middle of no-where. I make my way to join the Cadillac Crew and immediately a trucker decides he doesnt like city folk and tries to kill me. I'm in tears and screaming obscenities, like he can actually hear me. Luckily, I make my way (jerk trucker and all) to the Cadillac Crew and we caravan to the cabin...which we find with no problem.<br /><br />To say that getting up the driveway coming up the road is difficult, would be an understatement. No, unless you are on foot, it's impossible. However, that was in the directions. Another helpful piece of information would have also been that there is only one place to turn around, but I guess that was just assumed. The drive way was steep. Then once you get to the top, there is very little parking. We had 3 vehicles. In order for someone to leave, one vehicle had to be moved. Nice.<br /><br />It's still raining and the firewood left for us is, yes, wet. Good. Who needs a fire when it's freezing, raining and the cabin has no heat?? Not us! We're tough mountain women! Oh wait, we're not. Hmm...<br /><br />We unpack, fix the kids some dinner, then Mary, Anna and I proceed to drink until 2 am. Sometimes it's the only way to deal with stress and keep warm. Mom just ate M&M's all night. Hey, she deals with it her way, we deal with it ours.<br /><br />That was just the first night.<br /><br />Next day, Thanksgiving! Hurray! FOOD! Mimosas! This day went well. Mary and I felt adventurous enough to head to Walmart. We bought a few supplies (mom needed M&M's) and came home to get the feast on! It was now almost 1 and not even the turkey had been started... Can anyone say late dinner? It all ended well. We had a lovely meal complete with hominy, greens beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, more mimosas, ect. The fire wood had even dried out enough to make a fire!<br /><br />Friday, day of adventure! We toured Broken Bow only to find there are few things to do. Walmart, the casino and hiking. Well, we had done Walmart and hiking was on the books for Sat so off to the casino. It was bad, not even alcohol is available! You had to get your own soda from a machine! The horror! We all lost and regretted going. So by 7:30pm, we were back home. The girls and I built a fire with non dairy creamer and enjoyed the night.<br /><br />Saturday we hiked. Well, up one trail and were all too tired to go any further. It may have been that none of us were dressed for a hike or had any provisions (ie water). That might have been it... Mary and I ran back to Walmart for starter logs (non dairy creamer, while flammable, isn't ideal for starting campfires). On our way home we stopped off at a gas station.I noticed an interesting pole and rope just outside. We contemplated for a bit on what it could be then went inside. After buying silly bands and cigarette gum we went back out and stood talking. A truck pulls up... From the truck a very dead deer is tossed underneath the pole-rope thingy. I tell Mary to "get in the car we need to leave!" They proceeded to tie the rope around the deer to haul it up for who knows...So That's what that thing was for. Grossed out (details of what else we saw will be spared) we headed back home to make Whistling Mary 3. (you tube links provided later).<br /><br />Sunday we packed up and headed home.<br /><br />It was a great time with my family. Next time I hope we end up in a more equipped cabin (ie enough plates for everyone) and in a bit more active area (ie not Deliverance material). It is surely an Thanksgiving I'll never forget.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-58271967729612907022010-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:002010-11-12T06:48:10.595-08:00An Ode...In MemphisOne of my favorite movies of all time is also one of the most heartbreaking movies I have ever seen. If any of you have seen Splendor In The Grass a 1961 film starring the amazing Natalie Wood, you know what I mean. If you have not seen this movie, go rent it NOW. It's a must see.<br /><br />The story line hits home for me. It's about high school sweethearts who fall in love, only to be torn apart by bad decisions. More so it's about a desperate love. A love so powerful it eventually breaks them both with heartbreaking results. Deanie's (Wood) breakdown is hard to watch. You can feel her heart ache. The story ends with both characters moving on and finding peace with each other. It goes to show you that love is never enough and the wrong love can hurt you fiercely.<br /><br />About a month ago, Shawn and I filed for divorce. For those of you that have known us for years have known what a roller coaster relationship we have had. There has been good times, but there has been a lot of heart break. I would go as far as to say that most of our relationship was like Deanie and Bud's. Not much of it was healthy, but we loved each other desperately. That love turned on us in the end. <br /><br />It's hard to look back over the past 15/16 years of our lives together and not feel sad. We grew up together. We taught each other everything we know about life and love. But, seasons change and time marches on. What once was,will not always be, cannot always be. Eventually every fledgling spreads it's wings and flies away. Our relationship reached it's end. We'd taught each other all we could and certainly damaged each other enough. It's time.<br /><br />I don't want sympathy and grief (just money, okay?? lol). I want people to be happy for us. Yes, a divorce is heart breaking, but it's the start of a new life. I want people to be supportive of us and to help make this an easy transition. Keep us company! Take us out! Make us have fun! We've had each others company for 13 years. It's hard to adjust to that absence. Just be there when we need a hand to hold, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. He and I are still friends, you all might as well stick around too!<br /><br />Now I close with this poem, An Ode by Williams Wordsworth. It is how the movie got it's title. I wont post the whole thing, just the significant lines. If you want to read it, you can find it here...<br /><br />http://www.online-literature.com/keats/523/<br /><br /><br />What though the radiance which was once so bright<br />Be now for ever taken from my sight,<br />Though nothing can bring back the hour<br />Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;<br />We will grieve not, rather find<br />Strength in what remains behind;Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-72957808507656034422010-09-15T15:52:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:02:39.506-07:00Losing My Religion.... In Memphis!To be honest, I wasn't going to post about this in a blog. However, due some some questions and off remarks, I felt it was best to be straight forward on this subject. I felt that honesty is important in any friendship. I want you to know what you have with me. I don't want to give any false impressions. Take it or leave it. :-) So with out further ado, my coming out of the closet blog: Losing My Religion...In Memphis.<br /><br />I began questioning things a few years ago. I read some articles and books about religion that surprised me. Like many Christians before me, I never really dug deep. I just accepted most everything I heard at face value. In my adult years, things began to stop making sense. I found myself questioning why more often than not. When I dug deep, what I found shocked me. Why hadn't I ever been told any of this? More importantly why hadn't I ever questioned things before?<br /><br />It all led to my belief in God being forced, desperate. I tried. I prayed. I went to church. I meditated. I did all of it. One day I finally just realized that I was forcing myself to do the impossible. In all reality people, we cant MAKE ourselves believe something can we? If I were to tell you Santa is in fact real, you just need to have enough Faith, could you do it? Let's take it further, pick a Hindu God. Could you believe that a pink elephant controls our luck? Than if we just made enough posters to parade at celebrations, if we just meditated long enough, if we just gave up enough offerings, Ganesh would be real? Could you do it? If you understand why you can dismiss all those fictitious beings, perhaps you can begin to understand why I take it one god further. If there is one thing you take from this blog, please understand that the majority of people do not choose to not believe, we simply just don't.<br /><br />To say I lost my religion in Memphis is a bit of a stretch, in fact it began way before moving here, but it was finalized here. For most people walking away from any religion takes time. There is a lot to process and a lot to work through. For many, it means keeping everything under wraps for a while. Losing those we are closest too is hard. I recently told my husband Shawn that I felt like a huge part of my life was going down a path and the people that were once closest with me were walking away in the other direction. Outing myself is quite hard to do. I risk losing some of you.<br /><br /><br />Do you want me to just come out and say it? Okay. I am an atheist. I do not believe in any god. Yes, I am quite happy, thank you for asking. In fact, not having any belief in god has allowed me to mature, cope with my illness and be quite happy. My life is indeed my own and what I make of it. Pretty simple.<br /><br />Now lets get down to business. Some of you wont like it one bit. That's fine. I never said you had to accept me did I? If you choose to de-friend me, so be it. I don't really care to have people in my life who can't accept me for who I am. I'm a very liberal, atheist woman who LOVES life. That may upset some people. That's okay. You are who you are. Right? I've never deleted any one off FB for their beliefs, nor have I defriended anyone. That's kind of the point about being a human, right?? Our mind is our own.<br /><br />Does this change a lot? Well, I may post some atheistic quotes form time to time or engage in some discussion that strikes my fancy. Will I go to church with you? No. Don't even ask. Can you pray for me? Hey what you do with your time is your own business. I prefer chillin' with a nice glass of wine in the evening air, but to each their own! Okay, I jest... (not about the wine, that's just me keeping it real).<br /><br /><br />For those of you who will stick around....catch my upcoming blogs:<br />1. A Year...In Memphis yes it's almost been a year! I cant wait for this blog!!!<br />2. True Blood Season 3 recap! (once i get caught up)Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-28255093339785300342010-05-14T20:00:00.000-07:002010-05-14T23:32:58.644-07:00Sookie Stackhouse Novels Vs TrueBlood--SPOILERSLike many other women out there, I have read the Sookie Stackhouse Novels. No, let me correct that. Like many other women I have read the Sookie Stackhouse novels and loved them. I have read each book within a 24 hour period, give or take. You just cant put them down. However, I came to the series late. In fact, I didnt even start reading until I watched the entire first series of TrueBlood on HBO. The series was a bit of a shock. If you know anything about the series, you know it's affectionatly referred to as "Vampire Porn" or "Twilight for Adults". I somewhat enjoyed the Twilight series, but it made me feel my age. TrueBlood, brought the adult viewing only (and not even suitable for most adults) "grown-up factor" back to Vampires, Werewolves and so much more...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then I read the books....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oy Vey, HBO! Didnt you even TRY to get it right?? Okay, so the first season is decent and pretty on par with the books. The obvious differences being Tara and Lafayette and the addition of Jessica (who is NOT in the books...EVER!). I actually like the HBO characters in TrueBlood versus the book. However, the depiction of Pam is just amazing. That is the Pam I see when I read the books. She's PERFECT! Okay, so my Pam obession aside here is my run down of Sookie Stackhouse Novels vs HBO's TrueBlood...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>HBO's Lafayette, Tara, Terry and Jessica....<br /></p><br />1. <strong>Tara</strong> as a mad black woman and a prominant character is nice. In the books, Tara isnt even mentioned until book 2 and is not a main character at any point, plus she's white and boring. The director of TrueBlood stated that he felt the series would be more appealing with 2 strong female leads. Kudos. I like Tara's character and there is suggestive dialog that her character will grow into her own and be a more mature character likened to the Tara in the books.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. <strong>Jessica</strong> is not in the books. However, I like her character and am glad she has been added. I think she's cute and if I was a vamp, I'd want to be like her (only if I couldnt be like Pam!).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. <strong>Lafayette</strong>. Bon Temp's out and about gay cook, drug dealer, and porn video making extrodanaire! He's tough, he's beautiful, he's in your face and you love him! His character indeed dies in the book, such a shame and HBO agreed. He was such a big hit with the series, I guess they desided to keep him around. The cooks always die in the books (just like the bartenders at Fangtasia die), but dont seem to have a major role. He has a pretty strong presence in the series and I like that. I like Lafayette. Keep him as long as possible!! He has some great lines and I love him!<br /><br /><br /><br />4. <strong>Terry </strong>in the books is a veteran of Vietnam. Terry in TrueBlood is much younger and faught in Desert Storm. Anyone who says "Jihad this mother-fucker!!!" and jumps a vamp is okay in my book! In season 2 his character takes a turn I dont care for, so we'll see what season 3 does.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now let's get to season 2...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Season 2 of TrueBlood (off the book Living Dead In Dallas) started off okay and then somehow drug us down a path that I cant even begin to relate to the books. It was as if the series took off a story of it's own and began to loosely follow the books. I felt some of the really key stories were left out and completly random story lines added in. (hello getting help from werewolf packs! pretty key to going into the next book/season)..Without further ado, my top 2 annoyances Maryanne and the Proposal...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. <strong>Maryanne.</strong> Oh my god. That was just ridiculous. RIDICULOUS! Her character in the book was barely in it. In fact, <em>almost</em> likeable. She was just what she was a maenad, nothing more, nothing less. In TrueBlood she was the bizarre shifting creature who seduced Sam when he was young and caused mass orgies every where she went. The episode with the ostrich egg was just so over the top and weird. Yes it was entertaining, but this had nothing to do with the books. I cant help but wonder what HBO paid Charlaine Harris for the rights to do with the series as they wanted...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. Bill's Proposal. I have 3 words to describe the reality of the books versus TrueBlood: DOESNT HAPPEN EVER! That's one of Sookie's beefs with Bill. He never proposed or hinted at a committed relationship! NEVER. His proposal was stupid and totally out of place. Let's get one thing straight.... after book 3, Bill's character is present, but only in the background. He's merely mentioned here and there and shows up from time to time. Eric is the main vamp presence (and should be!) from 3 on out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Season 3 Spoilers!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The rumors on season 3 disapoint me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />First off, let me give props where they are due. The casting is GREAT. I think each actor will fill the role wonderfully. I cant WAIT to see Alcide! He was someone I really rooted for in the books. I'm glad he comes around from time to time. Joe Manganiello plays Alcide. Look him up! He'll fit the role nicely. Debbie Pelt will enter this season and be the total bad girl! We'll all love to hate her!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Okay the spoilers... The director has CONFIRMED that Bill and Same have an erotic relationship...Ugh. Seriously? I have no problem with gay scenes. In fact, Lafayette has a new love intrest, Jesus (no joke!! LOL) this coming season. However, BILL and SAM???? That's just dumb. DUMB DUMB DUMB. Sam cant stand Bill. He never really likes him. I really feel HBO is doing this strictly for shock value and I think it's poor taste. It's one thing to stray from the book, it's another to completly rip it off and do whatever the hell you want with it! That's what you've done HBO!<br /><br /><br /><br />Of course I will watch this season. I try to look at TrueBlood as a completly different story all together!!! I just had to get my opinion out there while I wait for it to start! I am currently rewatching season 1 while I wait for season 2 to come out in a few days. This Summer we'll all be hooked on season 3!!!! There is SO MUCH coming up with this series! We have the characters and story lines of Quinn ( I cannot wait!), Amelia, Octavia, Diantha, and Claudine coming up within the next 2 seasons. I hope the series goes on enough to encoperate these story-lines. It's when these characters are introduced that things take off!<br /><br /><br /><br />So here we go... Book 10 just came out, season 2 of TrueBlood is out on DVD and BluRay in a few days and Season 3 starts this Summer... Whew!!! I am READY!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-60053496080045719902010-03-22T15:20:00.000-07:002010-03-22T15:38:25.694-07:00Take Two of These and Call Me In The Morning....Had my review of lab work and second Dr's visit today with a very charming and compassionate rhumetologist. It's people like Dr Ganguli that make me wish I had gone into medicine... she's definatly a "whole picture" Dr. Her only downfall, she's in Germantown. Beggers cant be choosers I guess.<br /><br />She has ruled out any auto-immune disorders like Lupus. My blood work came back just fine in that area. I am comfortable taking it off the table, in my mind, as well. She also felt that Fibromyalgia was a good diagnosis for me. That sucks, would liked to have gotten rid of that one as well. However my symptoms dont match up with FMS completly. So I think we're on a wait and see for any other helpful symptoms.<br /><br />My bloodwork did reveal some inflamation of the muscles. Which is probably what is causing my chest issues. I read that it can effect the heart as well and therefore, is probably why my heart has started beating silly. Thankfully, all this can be treated with steriods. Yay...the fat pills. I will be put on a very low dose prednisone and a low dose non-steriodal anti-inflamatory. The predisone I will just take for about 6 weeks or so. I will start out at once a day for 2 weeks and then every other day for 3 weeks. Hopefully this will stop the chest pain and other various muscle pains.<br /><br />She feels the reason I have not responded well to the FDA approved FMS drugs is because they target pain caused by neurological reasons. Where as I am experiancing actual inflamation of the muscles. So this is a different approach.<br /><br />So what this means for the future, I really dont know. I am stil trying to let it all sink in and read up on what I can. I read it can be cured and I could never have another problem... or it can develop into a more auto-immune type issue and be recurring. I guess only time will tell.<br /><br />I am so not happy about being on a steriod. I just have to remind myself that it's only short term and could fix this crap. I know weight gain is a big issue with most prednisone takers. Just what I need right?? Trying to lose weight and get put on the fat pill! Ugh.<br /><br />Hopefully my diet will help me get through these next few weeks with some sanity. I guess it's a good thing I did what I did! Look for updates soon!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-65003935596958003052010-02-21T22:16:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:53:40.533-08:00When BBQ Loses It's Throne....Now doubt, if you were born in, move to or just visit Memphis, you know meat reigns...well okay BBQ reigns, King! For good reason too! If you like ribs, Memphis definatly has the stuff! I loved ribs. I loved pulled pork sandwiches! Then one day, it stopped. One thing I never thought would happen... I moved to Memphis and became a Vegan! It almost sounds like a joke... So this Vegan walked into a rib joint in Memphis.....and the Aristocrats... bah dum bump!Sometimes it feels like a joke. Believe you me! Never in a milliion years did I think I'd move to Memphis and go Vegan! Never the less, it happened. It almost sounds like I fell in love. I wasnt looking for veganism, it just happened. I was living my life as I always had and bam it hit me out of no-where. The ever famous: it happens when you least expect it! I wasnt looking for it, it was looking for me!<br /><br /><br /><br />Sounds silly, but it's true. I wasnt looking for it. I was trying to figure out what the crap was wrong with me. I just wanted to feel better. I woke up and 2 of my pants that i wore frequently no longer fit. I was done. I didnt care. I was in that "drastic" stage. I was going to do anything. If that meant selling my kidneys on the black market, by God, I was losing weight. I couldnt stand to feel like crap AND be fat. I could handle being skinny and feeling like crap, but a total body hatred....wasnt working out so well. I needed tough love. I needed someone in my face to tell me like it is. It was a pivitol moment. I threw my pants on the floor and cried. I cursed. I screamed. I didnt care. I was DONE. I was done feeling horrible. I was DONE being fat. I was DONE.<br /><br /><br />Target answered my call (one other reason I love Target and hate Walmart!). they had the book I was looking for...Skinny Bitch. I read it in one day. The funny thing, I knew what it was saying. I already KNEW that stuff, but it was put in terms that I totally got. It also addressed somethings that i knew, but refused to acknowledge.<br /><br />I knew meat wasnt all that great. I knew even more that factory farms produced crap (that's killing all of us!). I knew that slaughterhouses were filled with horrific intances of cruelty and abuse. Hey you are what you eat right? So I think I'll pass on the bacon taken from a screaming pig being beaten sensless or the wing from the chicken who is so genetically altered she cant even walk a few steps. Perhpaps, you like burgers made from cattle who are cut apart alive, not me. It doesnt bother you, you say? You havent watched the videos. I dare you to sit through Meet Your Meat or Earthlings and go fix that dinner. Enjoy. You are what you eat.<br /><br />All animal rights aside, I dont care if you dont want to be a vegetarian. I really dont. It's a personal choice. Just dont ask me why I did it and expect a fluff answer. Sure it's to feel better (hey, we're NOT designed to eat meat no matter what you think), but it's also because I refuse to take part in factory farms. You want to eat meat, please switch to orgnaic local farms who are run by ethical people. Just dont expect me to sympathize you for your "craving".<br /><br />Now I am off to a new life. I am very excited. I think it will change my life. It already has. I already feel amazing. For those who are curious, yes my kids are part of this too. I know I cant eliminate meat from their diets 100% (hey, come one, birthday parties and friends houses will provide lots of temptation. besides, ultimately, just like religion they have to eventually make their own choices.). However, I can open them up to a world of dishes that most kids will never experiance. I want them to eat a healthy dinner and see how good they feel. Next fall, I do plan on marking them as vegetarians for special dietary restrictions at school. Gabby hates eggs and Nick shows signs of being lactose intolerant (like me), so they are half way to being vegans as well!<br /><br />I know this is alot of info and sort of all over the place. It's super late and I am sick. But I really felt I needed to get some of this out. I'm sure I'll make a clearer post once things get more defined. :-)Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-13935726054180639002010-01-28T13:54:00.000-08:002010-01-28T14:27:14.209-08:00Sick In MemphisTo be truthful, I never wanted this blog to talk about my illness much. I kind of wanted this to be about my life outside of my illness. However, the past month or two has been pretty hard for me physically. Not much has really happened outside of my illness. Even the joys of our first Christmas and Anniversary in Memphis, were greatly clouded by my health and the complications that arise with this sort of an illness. In fact, I havent updated recently because I just didnt want to think about it more than I had too.<br /><br />You see it's so hard to be in a new place, meeting new people and wanting them to see the other side of you. There's this whole other side of me that has nothing to do with how I feel. Lately it seems to be all I am really. I hate that. I dont want people to see me as the sick one. I want that to be a small part of me. Maybe that's unrealistic of me. In fact, I know it probably is. It's not like I can sweep this under the rug when I want. It doesnt work that way. It rears it's ugly head when and where it wants.<br /><br />For those of you who have been with me from the beginning, you know I have taken a Dr hiatus since about March/April of last year. For those of you who dont, well, now you do. Seeing specialist after specialist and having test after test, can take it's toll. After 2, almost 3 years of it, I was sick of seeing a Dr and getting no where. So I desided with our move, I would stop and just resume the search when I was ready.<br /><br />Now, I am ready. After a really crappy Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary, ect... I was ready to try and find someone who could help me. Enough is enough. Our temporary stint in OKC provided me new symptoms that have stuck through our move to Memphis. Unfortunatly these have gotten to the point that I cannot ignore. I cant sleep at night. When I do, I wake up frequently. My chest wall hurts so bad that just adjusting my position can send shard pain throughout my whole rib cage. My anxiety is starting to peak again and pretty sure a few good assaults on my immune system will send it back into freak out mode. That is not fun. Not at all! I do have alot of pain, but so far my Wii Fit is really helping me combat that.<br /><br />For those of you who dont know my history...we'll here's the Cliff Notes. A few years ago, my daughter started preschool. She brought home every virus known to man, it seemed like!!! As our immune systems adjusted and sharpened, mine crashed. I never really fully recovered. After a good over look of my recent medical history, i could see a pretty distinct pattern. I was having dips and peaks. In fact, I could trace it back several years, possibly starting around my teen years. Ever so often I just didnt feel good, for months. After the hit of school kids bugs, my body just had enough. It seems to be a common thread amoung those of us with auto-immune illnesses that are triggered by a virus or other tramatic event in our lives. Usually the EBV (which is responcible for mono) is the culprit. According to my blood work when I first got very sick, I had had the virus within the past year.<br /><br />So what do I have?<br /><br />Well that's a good question and one I hope Dr Ganguli will be able to answer. I have not been given an official diagnosis. It's not uncommon. It can take many years to put the peices of these things together. I have a good friend who was sick her whole life and not diagnosed until College. Often times, symptoms start, but diagnostic evidence takes longer to develop. I had been told on more than one occasion that I was in the beginning stages and nothing could be done until a clear answer could be found. Everyone seems to agree that it is auto-immune in form. I was told most likely something like Lupus, but we wont know for sure until it wants to be made known. Fibromyalgia has been thrown around a bit, but it seems each Dr I have seen has a different opinion. Most do not think it is that. I personally do not feel it is either. Ofcourse nothing can be ruled out.<br /><br />So now what? Well now I start my search in Memphis for answers. I pray God lead us here to help me. I'm ready to start treating this monster head one and get to a managable state of wellness. I have joined a mothers group for sufferers of chronic conditions. It has helped so much and I know I will make lifelong friends with these women who sooo understand what I go through!!!<br /><br />For now, I am just trying to prepare myself for whatever answer lies ahead.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-58537699098124629532009-12-19T11:35:00.000-08:002009-12-19T11:58:38.904-08:00Turning 30, In MemphisThe holiday season is a speacial time for al of us. I tend to enjoy it a little more because I have a birthday in December! The 21st to be exact. This year is bitter sweet. I am FINALLY turning 30, but in a new city and no one to celebrate it with me. No "Last Week of Your 20's" parties and massive hangovers to make me want to swear off drinking for LIFE. Instead it comes quietly. Instead of getting my 20's out of my system, I am spending time reflecting on the past 30 years.<br /><br />Some things I am quite proud of. I stared down any rollercoaster put in my way (after my darling father FORCED me on my very first one when i was about 5). I always found a way to be around horses and even had a few chances to show a few judges what I was made of. I trained my own horse for 4-H. I made alot of friends. I sang my heart out in choir and praise and worship teams. I was Glinda The Good Witch in a city wide production of Wizard of Oz, complete with solos!!! I played volleyball and learned how to skateboard on my knees. I played nintendo until the wee hours and even snuck out of the house a time or two. I held jobs since I was 13 working as a dog bather, barn helper and a waitress.<br /><br />I look back over my life and wonder how things might have turned out had I done a few things diferently. Where would I be? Would I happier or would I still be the same, just in a diferent place with different circumstances. I find it funny. Especially looking at my present situation. I certainly am not where I expected to be.<br /><br />I never expected to be in Tennessee. I have always been a Texas girl. Sure I had my stint in Florida, but I always knew I'd somehow get back to the motherland. However, that didnt happen. Instead I ended up in Alabama for 5 years. Almost all of those years I wish I could just erase from my memory. Though I did pick up a GREAT friend along the way and I am sure we'll be lifelong friends now. From Alabama, we ended up in Memphis. Not sure how that happened. I never expected to be here! Alas, I am here and making the best of it.<br /><br />So, from here on I embark on my 30's. I guess this is where we all really learn to grow up. What will the next 30 bring? Will there be more moves? Will there be happiness? Will there be sadness? Will I finally be able to finish my education and get a degree? Will I end back up in Texas? Or perhaps will I be taken farther away?<br /><br />For now, I am just going to sit back and think about my life and look forward to what's to come.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-60222273009268407862009-12-05T07:56:00.000-08:002009-12-05T08:11:21.802-08:00On Crutches, In MemphisWho knew that a simple rainy day would interfere with me walking in Memphis? Yet, here I am sitiing on the couch with my leg propped up, my trusty crutches, by my side. Let me just say how much it STINKS to be stuck on the couch this time of year. It's Dec!!! There's shopping to be done, parades to see, trees to decorate, yet none of that will be done by me. Okay so my laptop and credit card help with shopping online. It's just not as fun as shopping in person!! I dont really like shopping, but I do like gettng out of the house. I havent been out since Wed and that was just to urgent care. Not really a place I'd like to visit ever again...<br /><br />Some of my friends through the years know what damage I have done to my knees by riding. After highschool my knees were just never the same. I remember back at 17, after long rides, I'd have to be pulled off my horse. Then into my 20's my right knee went out several times. Once at a (really cool!!) bar in St Pete, FL where I was having SO MUCH FUN! Then I got to be carried out to the ambulance by 2 of the BIGGEST security gaurds I have ever seen. I sort of felt like an Indian Princess who'd been injured in war... or somethig. I could go on and on about that night. The homeless guy who OD'd and had to drink charcoal was by far the highlight... The other times were simple. Once I was standing still holding a can of yogurt and my knee went out. That was fun. Really, so much fun.<br /><br />Here I am again. Awaiting my fate!! I was so hoping my experiance with the Memphis medical staff would have been after the holidays as I searched for a rhumetologist. But, noooooo. A simple rainy day took that and my holiday fun away from me!! Yes, I blame it on the rain. Milli Vanilli agrees!! See how far I have fallen?? I am taking advice from has been, lip synching, suicidical pop stars...<br /><br />stay tuned, this saga will continue!!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-47279123856065714092009-11-28T18:44:00.000-08:002009-11-28T18:57:05.404-08:00Holiday Cheer-How About A Tree??Okay so the Peabody has one. I'm sure many other hotels, shops and restaurants also have them. How about a city one? It seems to me that the people of Downtown would appreciate that extra addition on Court Square. Yes, there was the lighting ceremony, which was okay. It was just missing something. It wasnt near as grand as it could have been! The carols by the elementary school were wonderful!!! That was the only reason to go. They were REALLY very good! I just think that to add some real Holiday beauty and spirit to the city, lets reach a bit higher on the decoration scale! Most of the event was all done by volunteers anyways. Perhaps next year you add a tree and draw a bigger volunteer circle!<br /><br />Speaking of trees...we opted not to get ours this weekend. I'm going to look around and see where Memphians go to get a tree. Are there any tree farms? I havent seen any advertized. Then again South doesnt have alot of great tree farms. Back in Alabama the one near us mostly had a bunch of ceder trees. Have you ever tried hanging ornaments on a giant bush with flimsy branches??? I can just hear the smashing glass ornaments!!! I am sure we'll end up like everyone else, getting a tree at one of the many tree lots around the city!!! Some things in a life in a city need to just be left to the easiest and most convienant option.<br /><br />Anyways, looking forward to our first Christmas in Memphis! We even got some blue suede shoes to add to the ornament collection to commerate this Christmas.Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-5648872817998003312009-11-17T21:04:00.000-08:002009-11-17T21:27:54.615-08:00At Home, In MemphisI still pinch myself! Has anyone been this happy about moving to a city that gets such a bad rap?? Methinks not! I am here after all and so happy to be here. It felt like home from the minute we crossed the bridge. <br /><br />Ofcourse, it wasnt all sunshine and roses... Okay, so there WAS sunshine, but our moving company mowed over the roses, so to speak. (no we dont have any roses, though that suddenly makes me want to get some more blue roses for my patio). It ended up being a very drawn out move. I felt semi responcible. I wanted so much for us to have the weekend to unpack and get situated for Shawn to be ready to go to work on Monday. Unfortunatly, that did not happen. Issue after issue caused a huge delay in our furniture and boxes arriving. It started with a broken down truck and ended with some of our things taking a trip to Ohio...It was not a good experiance. I NEED Memphis to stay our home so that we have no more interstate moves!!! I cannot, in good conscience, hire another mover. It was THAT bad. Alas, our furniture is here. Most of our stuff is here. We are unpacked and decorated. All is well.<br /><br />Now the hard part begins. Now it's time to actually make Memphis our home. It's time to develope friendships, hotspots, and find the daily routine that comes from living someplace. It's fun. Yes I wish I had friends to talk to and for the kids as well. But learning everything is fun too. How many people do you know in your hometown cant tell you the best localy owned pub or where to park without paying a parking lot or alot of things that your average tourist knows already. I hope to not fall in that category. I am on a quest to find the secrets of an enjoyable and active life here in Memphis. I hope to join some of the downtown and uptown groups. I hope to find friends and fun for all of us. I hope to experiance Memphis to it's fullest (minus the crime). There were so many things I wish I had done back in Mobile and just never did. Same as Tampa and Fort Worth! I plan to do all those great things you hear about in Memphis! I plan to take my kids to experiance all they can in Memphis! I plan on making Memphis a home to all of us.<br /><br />Come and join me!! Get to know your city!!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-54724762808866473122009-10-24T21:13:00.000-07:002009-10-24T21:34:21.171-07:00Living In Between WorldsThe phone has stopped ringing. No more invites through email or messages on FB. No more "lets get together for coffee!" I actually know a few people in OKC. Oddly enough, most are my husbands cousinis ex-girl friends. Say that three times fast! whatever happened with the relationship, we somehow remained friends. And with fabulous networking sites like Facebook, how can we not. However, the tone has changed. They know it's here, I know it's here. In less than 2 weeks, Memphis will no longer be a dream, but reality.<br /><br />To be honest, I'm a bit terrified. It's actually happening. I have an apartment in Memphis with closets full of boxes to testify! Each day, the items available for daily use dwindles as the boxes stack higher. The electricty has been changed to our name in Memphis. The changed of address not quite complete, but will be soon. The collection of local OKC take out menus grows as the food in the fridge dwindles. It's actually here. It's actually happening.<br /><br />A year ago, this seemed to be a distant hope. In fact, even by Christmas we were giving life in Alabama all we had. This whole FAA thing, just didnt seem like it was going to pan out. Then, one day, it did.<br /><br />It's funny how everything changes so fast. Life really isnt what we plan. It never is. We all have an idea of where we think it's going, by how often does it actually do just that? Rarely. Slim to none! Realy that's okay though. sometimes it's worse, but sometimes it's so much better. Sometimes we learn things about ourselves that we never knew. For instance, Memphis. during the process, I didnt want Memphis. In fact, we actually talked about turning down an offer of Memphis. After all, of the good things it's know for,there are a good many bad to go along with each one. Did you know it is the second most dangerous city to live in? Second to Detroit. Did you know it has a history of corrupt politics...(but in it's defense, what city doesnt?)? However, when the notice came that he had been picked for Memphis...strangely, the fear and distaste vanished. Instead there was a sense of excitment, adventure and, dare I say, compassion towards this new city in my life? It's strange how life takes us on these journeys. Indeed strange.<br /><br />Here I sit in bed, late at night, less that 2 weeks from moving to Memphis. So much is on my mind. What is in store? What friends will I make? What friends will the kids and Shawn make? Will Shawn like his new career? Will we really like our new apartment?where is the nearest grocery store? Is there a nearby Target? are there plans of a SuperTarget? Does target sell blue suede shoes? Does anyone? Most importantly, will it snow this winter?!?!?<br /><br />With such questions on the mind, how can one sleep tonight?<br /><br />This is Emily, signing out for now, but soon will be Walking in Memphis...Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-72701438571249316952009-10-02T11:17:00.000-07:002009-10-02T11:31:54.072-07:00Count Down Begins!!Wow, here I sit, one week from taking our first load to Memphis. I'll be in Texas all next week seeing a Dr. All my packing must be done this week. Shawn will be bring thing stuff over when he leaves after his classes are over. I'll be leaving earlier so I can sign the lease and get the keys.<br /><br />When this all began over a year ago, it seemed so far away. Even when we moved to OKC for the training course, it still seemed far away. Now I look back and cant believe how these past few months flew by. We have just about 4 weeks left. It will go by fast too! It takes alot of effort and time to relocate. When you are footing the bill and all the preperations, your time fills up fast.<br /><br />Thankfully movers have been hired so the whole ordeal of moving things OUT of a 3rd story apartment, GONE!! YAY! However, the boxes have to be packed to their moving standards!! Anything not packed correctly, will be repacked at our expense. I dont think we'll have any problems. as long as they show up on time, do their job and deliver our furniture unharmed, I'm good.<br /><br />I am getting nervous. Before all of this was in the distance. I knew it was happening, but it seemed so far off, so unrealistic. Now the pressures have hit me. It's here. The preperations have begun!! It's no longer, oh we'll worry about that when it gets here, it's here! I have been feeling so very fatigued ad so very weak. It takes alot of energy out of me to get through each day, let alone deal with the moving preperations. I have procrastinated all week and now I have to face it and deal with it.<br /><br />What do i bring with me this first load? What will I need? What will be nice to have? What can we live without here in OKC the next 4 weeks? Oh list goes on. Must remember to relax. Must remember to stay focused. Must remember to breathe!!!!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-5413136385296889492009-09-08T17:56:00.000-07:002009-09-08T18:46:55.139-07:00Memphis Trip---A Success!!!Well after a whirl wind weekend, what a blast!!! I adored Memphis, truly, madly, deeply! No blue suede shoes yet, but give me a few months. :-)<br /><br />Okay, the most serious matter at hand was accomplished! We found a place to live! Thank you Uptown Square for offering an amazing deal on 3 bds! We snagged the last one available today! I loved the complex and feel we'll be very happy there. It's just barely on the outskirts of down town. So basically the last block of downtown is where we'll be. Which is perfect. We are 1 block from the trolley pick up. At a $1 per ride, very easily doable to go to a game or out to eat, or just listen to some live music.<br /><br />Now back to Memphis, I am sure none of you care about the apartments, right???<br /><br />The food is what you want to hear.<br /><br />So our first grand dining experiance (now by grand I mean full of taste and wonderfullness) was Hueys. Wow. Those burgers were great. I savored every bite. Talk about delicious!!! It was dripping with deliciousness, litterally. We went to the oldest one. Dont ask me the street I dont remember.<br /><br />Next off is Rendezvous. The crazy bar b que place in an alley!!! What fun! We got the normal Memphis appitizer, sausage and cheese! Then we waited our turn for our table. Seriously folks, this place is popular. You want to eat there on a Sat night?? You need to wait 2 hours for a table. But do it, it's fun and worth it! The food comes out fast. I mean seriously, they have ribs on the menu...people go to order ribs...so it's ready to role. It was fun. Not the absolute best ribs I have ever had, but well worth it.<br /><br />Corky's was our stop for lunch the next day. Another bar b que joint. we made the mistake of going game day... THE game day. UofM against Ole Miss... THAT game day. OOPS. Never the less we did get a spot at the bar, got our pulled pork sandwhiches... YUM... and took our leave. After all, we dont live there JUST yet. So we left room at the bar to those who need the space to watch the game! Okay, so it was sooo good. I love pulled pork. I could eat it every freaking day. That place was good, but I still like Interstate Bar B Que, also out of Memphis, better. But it comes close.<br /><br />That night we took a break from Bar B Que and went to a Thai Restaurant rated by trip advisor users as one of the top romantic restauants. It's in a bad area. In fact the sign on the front just says Thai. However it is called Chao Praya. It was amazing. Shawn and I love Thai and this place was exceptional. We even took a thai tea to go when we left. It's quaint and the chefs used to work for the royal family of Thailand. a must if you like Thai....<br /><br />Our last stop at Memphis restaurants to mention is the Cheesecake Corner in downtown. Our wonderful hotel got us the shuttle there since the trolley doesnt run after 6 pm on Sundays. It's a very cute place. The two men working the counter were GREAT. They were fast and efficient. The cheesecake was wonderful. They really do put the famous Cheesecake Factory to shame! You cant beat the ambience!<br /><br />We go back in a few more weeks. Our move is just 8 weeks away!!!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-63065550918163496652009-08-25T13:20:00.000-07:002009-08-25T13:29:33.389-07:00Property Managment...Labor DayWell our first trip to visit our new home city is just around the corner! I can hardly wait. We were able to priceline an amazing deal at the Plaza. Go us! Go Priceline.com! we arent expecting much. We'll probably just hang around, visit a few areas, see some sites. Nothing to hard core. I am hoping to get in touch with a rental company of sorts to try and help us in our property search, but I'll get to that in a minute!<br /><br />We did find out our move date was moved up a week. Not a big deal. Hopefully it will be lucky! I honestly dont know what to expect. I have read all the city-data forums and others on Memphis. It seems to be very middle of the road...some good...some bad. Just depends on who you talk to. I am going in with an open mind and open heart and hoping for the best.<br /><br />So far, finding a rental company to help me out has been tough. I am hoping to find one that deals with several properties. I seem to find several that have just a few listings at a time. so far no one has responded to my emails. I am not quite at the talking on the phone point. I will just jot down some of the office addresses and possibly swing by while in town.<br /><br />Anyways, next time you hear from me, i'll be either there or just back! I'll have pics and stories about our first trip to Memphis!! To get us ready, we bought an Elvis CD today!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6874252558842115468.post-39921979029566661322009-08-02T16:23:00.000-07:002009-08-02T16:45:18.139-07:00The First..Here we are. We have settled into Oklahoma City. It's been a long hard road getting here. Never the less we are here. If you dont know me, I am sure you are wondering why this blog is Walking In Memphis, yet I am in Oklahoma City!!! It's pretty simple really. We are just here for a few months for my husband to do some training. We'll be in Memphis before Thanksgiving.<br /><br />We've been here for a few months. It's been woderful. I amclose to my family, whom I have missed so much. I have been away from them so long and it seems I am almost home. I miss Texas and miss my home town of Fort Worth. Will I ever live there again? Who's to say? Who's to say that all we have been looking for is in Memphis? I have no idea. Any ideas I ever have seem to be proved wrong! I now realize that the even the future does not know which way it will twist and turn.<br /><br />Our first trip to Memphis to scope out the area is in just one month! I can hardly wait. Shawn and I will be staying at the Plaza and enjoying a nice trip away together. I am not sure what we'll do other than visiting the area. I am sure we'll hit up Beale St at some point. I know we'll do alot of driving around. I want to check out midtown (where I anticipate to hang my hat), we'll also go through surrounding areas like Germantown, Collierville and possibly Olive Branch, MS. We wont focus too much on finding a place to live, it's a bit too soon.<br /><br />So here we go. Each day is closer to our move. Closer to being able to settle down. the next few weeks calls for going through boxes again to weed out anything I can do without. School for the kids starts soon. It's exhuasting at times and I am sure will go by fast!Emily Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10636830025122797098noreply@blogger.com0