Mom, Travis, and I went to our beach house on Friday. I was a bit nervous about it because the last time I went, Dad had just died. I was a mess, that trip. I was fine while Mom was there, but when she came home, leaving me by myself, I lost it. It's been almost a year since my last trip, but I'm so glad I went. It felt amazing to walk in our house, look at the open space of our living room, lay down in my own bed, and smell the ocean. My room always gives me an element of comfort because I was the one who designed it! I picked out the wall color, the colors of my bedspread and curtains, and now I have a few pictures hung :) I did tell Travis that my dream room is one that has a mural of a storm with a tornado painted on the walls. It would be so fun to have a room like that! Travis actually seemed to like that idea, so when we get married and have a place of our own, he may actually do an office area for me, with the mural :)
Anyway, the beach trip was a work trip. We had to do some yard work, which included Travis cutting some of our palm trees back, so mom and I had to bundle them up and drag them to the curb... not an easy task! We also had to make sure the correct color towels were in each bathroom, along with soap, shampoo, conditioner, and (of course) toilet paper! With summer around the corner, we have many family trips planned (including an almost TWO WEEK trip, involving Trav's family, our golf cart, and the 4th of July parade on the island!) I'm way excited about that trip! Trav's older brother will be coming with his kids (and hopefully his wife, if she doesn't have to work). I love T's niece and nephew! His Aunt may come along, as well. I'm so glad we have five bedrooms, otherwise we wouldn't be able to have everyone there! We're expecting 10 to 12 people... and sadly, I won't be able to sleep in my own room... but I'll survive :)
Travis had to fix a burst water pipe outside. We ended up making three trips to Lowe's! He managed to get the pipe fixed (YAY HIM!), and then he had to replace out disposal when the dishwasher wouldn't drain. It was really funny how once Trav fixed one thing, something else was broken! I'm just glad he's a handy man :) I'm a very lucky girl :)
T and I are going to be having our Sunday School class down for a retreat in late August or early September. I'm looking forward to that! I love our class! We have become friends and even go out together often! We went to Trivia Night at a local bar and grill on Wednesday. It was so much fun bc two of the questions were weather related, and out of the five of us, I was the only one who knew the answers ;) which, by the way, were correct! We had a good time, and as I always say... I LOVE MY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS!
Daddy's anniversery came and went with no tears :) I ended up babysitting that day, and afterwards I went to dinner with mom and Trav to Daddy's fave resturaunt. After dinner, I decided to go to choir rehearsal. I stopped by Dad's grave on the way, and told him how much I loved him and missed him. I got misty, but walked into the church before I actually got upset. Choir was fantastic! The director was overjoyed to see me. He gave me a huge hug and told me I could "stomp out like a frustrated movie star" if I got upset during rehearsal, but I did just fine. The associate director was also excited to see me. She grabbed me into a bear hug and told me how sorry she was that dad died, but how glad she was to see me there. It was because of her that I even rejoined the choir, and I am forever grateful. During rehearsal, we went over a very familiar song! The name of it is "All the Day Long", and it was a song the youth choir sang when I was a member of it! I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN CHOIR WHO KNEW THE SONG! I was so excited because, usually everyone in choir knows a piece, and I don't, but for the first time, I KNEW THE SONG and they didn't! I know it sounds silly, but it was a nice feeling.
I took the sheet music home with me, and for an hour after rehearsal, Travis heard me playing the song on the ipad's piano app and singing along. He said he loves to hear me sing, so I let loose. He smiled at me and said he was glad I went to rehearsal, and you know what? I'm glad I went too... I wouldn't have known about the song, and I had a feeling that Daddy led the director to that song for me.
When I sing, I feel my Dad's presence. I feel him all around me, and it gives me peace... maybe that's why I rejoined choir... not just because the assistant director called me, but because Dad and Nonnie led mom to the ad, who then called me. I always said I wanted to feel my Dad, I wanted to know he was still with me, but he always has been. He's been everywhere with me, and I didn't realize it until May 6, 2010, when I could feel his arms around me while I sang with everything I had during rehearsal. Music is my escape and my outlet. I feel so happy when the music flows through me, and I feel my Dad, so I'm going to keep singing!!!
Mom, Trav, and I do plan on going back to the beach in the next week or so, but T has to work some, next week, and I really want to be at church this sunday, so it may be another couple of weeks before we return.
That's really all I have to say right now. I don't know how often I'm going to update my blog, but I do want to get better with this. It is another outlet for me, but because we have an ipad, I rarely use my laptop anymore, and it's the quickest way to post a blog...
I am getting ready to attack my room... this should be interesting... I'm scared... I hope I don't get swallowed up in all the crap in here!!!!! heehee
