I have been silent for a while and I apologize. However, this morning on the news, I heard something that made me sick to my stomach.

As heard on NPR: “Several states, including Kansas and New Jersey, are debating so-called “wrongful birth” laws that would prevent parents from suing a doctor who fails to warn them about fetal problems.”

I immediately wrestled with the issue in my head because, you see, I’m pro-choice. Yes, and I’m a Christian. I get it. It’s a precarious situation and a slippery slope in itself. I do not believe that any abortions should be performed beyond the first trimester.

Anyway, this news report, though, deals with parents who, had they known about the disease/condition that their child would be subject to, would have aborted. Because the doctor didn’t warn them ahead of time they feel that they wrongfully gave birth.

My question is thus: At what point does a life become not worth it?

I mean, should parents be allowed to test an unborn fetus for the breast cancer gene? I mean, what if their child had to suffer at the age of 30 and would die after years of painful treatments? Should those parents be allowed to abort because, well, their child shouldn’t have to deal with that suffering?

Another report talks about a family and their child with down syndrome. This pains me. There are many people with mental retardation who go on to live wonderfully full lives. I believe that children born with health issues present us unique circumstances that we can use for the good.

I also read a good counter argument this morning (yes, it’s from a Christian perspective but not overdone). There are many folks with disabilities who go on to lead wonderfully full lives and their parents go on to say how grateful they are for this child and the unique situation and how their lives have changed for the better.

Anyway, feel free to talk among yourselves on this issue but be kind. For me, I just feel sad about this world we live in. It never ceases to amaze me what people today think is important. Our priorities are way out of whack.

I understand that we are all faced with unique challenges and that each person knows what is best for them and their family but suing for “wrongful birth” is just upsetting. I wonder where we head to next down this slippery slope.

“I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again”

Craig loves me so much y’all, and goodness gracious do I ever love him. Words cannot express how glad I am that God has blessed me with this man. He’s so sweet and so very good to me. We have our arguments like any other couple but he’s committed to working through them and coming out on the other side and that is the difference. He’s thoughtful and always considers “us” in his decisions. He makes me want to be a better person and I’m learning to not be so selfish.

I love when we just lie on the couch in each other’s arms and talk about life. I love that he’s one of the most intelligent people I know. I love that he never hesitates to kiss me and often. I love that he remembers the kind of food I like and will make a special portion of the salad just for me before adding the stuff that he likes. I love that he goes out of his way to make room for me in the house and genuinely wants me to feel like it is my home, too. I love that he finds me incredibly sexy and can’t keep his hands off me. I love that he encourages me to be healthy and work out and not because it’s a physical desire of his but because he knows that it’s important to me and he wants us to have a long life together.

I cannot imagine my life without this man. He’s open and honest and hardworking. He’s loving and caring and compassionate. He’s grounded in his faith and fun to be around. He’s the yin to my yang. On this Valentine’s day I say a prayer to all those out there who were where I was for so long. Stick to your guts and don’t settle and don’t listen when people say that you’re too picky and don’t overlook something because you don’t think that initial spark is there and really trust that God does have a plan for you. It will work out for the best. It’s okay to doubt. It’s okay to wonder if it will ever really happen. That’s what makes us human.

For those of you who have a significant other I ask that you look very seriously at your relationship and that you work hard to make sure that you are both committed and are actively engaged in the relationship for better or worse, in sickness and health, as long as you both shall live. For those of you who do not have a significant other I ask that you continue to pray and that you continue to work on yourself to make sure you are the best you can be in preparation for your future spouse. I know that I am definitely not the person I was even just 5 years ago and I know that I needed this time to really work on myself and my self-esteem and to become confident in my ability to be a good spouse. You have to love yourself before you can truly love someone else. I pray that you find the one your heart desires and I know that eventually you will. Cherish every moment y’all. I wake up every day and thank God that He has given me Craig.

Take time today to love someone and to love yourself. St. Valentine was arrested and imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at that time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Today is the day we honor this Saint and remember that we were created with love in mind. Not only did God design us to experience love with each other but He designed us to experience love with Him. “For God so LOVED the world that he sent His only Son…” John 3:16.

Much love you y’all!

-MissCaron

Ohmygosh y’all… there’s so much to do!

I’ve started a pinterest board full of ideas and we’ve nailed down the venue. I think that we know what colors and what the bridesmaids/groomsmen will wear and what kind of theme we want.

Here are some of my ideas:

Possible bridesmaid dress

Suits for the men and calla lily boutonniere

Wedding colors

Baby’s breath on tables and as other decoration

Also using mason jars in the decoration and at the ceremony site

Simple table arrangements using burlap

Orange napkins as the accent color

Possible use of luminaries

Of course, once the elements start really coming together it all might change. I know that the men will definitely be wearing chinos and white shirts and Craig will be in a chino suit (or something like that). This means that the bridesmaids (my sisters) will be in beige most likely, unless they can find something that’s orangey and will work well with what the men are wearing. Also, I know that the men will have calla lily boutonnieres and we’ll have calla lilies in our bouquets but outside of a few other touches of those colors I think I’m going to utilize a lot of baby’s breath. It’s cheap but it looks pretty in a big bunch and will go with our rather rustic theme. I especially like the use of burlap. I can get a giant roll of it fairly cheap and I plan on cutting equal squares for the tables and using the burlap in the bouquets and on the serving stations, etc. Simple Casual Elegance. At least that’s what I’m aiming for. I’ll share more details as we progress.

From our house to yours… we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

God bless! XOXO

G’day y’all… hope you are doing well. Tonight we have the Ash Wednesday service at church. This marks the beginning of Lent and a time where Christians remember Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Sometimes I feel like people that go and get the ashes placed on their foreheads at the beginning of the day walk around with them as a sort of look at me gesture as if everyone should know that they’re awesome for participating in the service when half the time I don’t even know if those people fully know what it means.

Not everyone participates in Lent. Some years I’ve been diligent about giving something up and other years I haven’t really thought about it. I was raised Methodist and we haven’t always made a big deal out of fasting during the 40 days but at Beach UMC we’re going to make it a point to fast on Monday’s from sun-up to sun-down and to really dig deeper into our faith.

Tonight will begin my journey to let go of the anger I’ve been carrying around. I think that working on my emotions is much harder than just giving up soft drinks or candy. I’m going to really work on my road rage and my impatience and I’m going to try and grow in my faith by being more diligent in my bible study.

This year the UMC is proposing that we give up alcohol. I think that is a great idea, especially for people who have lives that revolve around the socialization of alcohol and/or those who use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Some of my friends have even decided to give up Facebook or applications within Facebook such as Farm-ville.

Here is what the Methodist Church has to say about Ash Wednesday:

“While many think of actions such as the imposition of ashes, signing with the cross, foot-washing, and the use of incense as something that only Roman Catholics or high church Episcopalians do, there has been a move among Protestant churches, including United Methodists to recover these more multi-sensory ways of worship. This is in keeping with a growing recognition that people have multiple ways of learning and praying. Worship that is oriented to the intellect or to the emotions, both interior, leaves out those who engage in prayer through vision, smell, touch, movement, etc. We are increasingly aware that people are formed in faith when practices become embedded in memory, nerves, muscles and bone through sensory engagement.” Center for Worship Resourcing, The General Board of Discipleship.

So what about y’all? What are your plans for Lent? Do you participate? Do you find that giving something up helps to draw you closer in your relationship with God or do you think it even really matters?

Hey y’all… yesterday, Julia, over at Hooked on Houses, featured the 2010 Coastal Living Idea House and I am not a fan. I think that it is much too bland, the courtyard (outdoor living space) is in-between the house and garage and has no view (and the house has a wonderful view that should be taken advantage of)… among other complaints.

In reviewing the Idea House I was reminded of last year’s version which I liked much better. I don’t think I’ve done a piece reviewing the house so I’m posting it here for your viewing pleasure.

The 2009 Coastal Living Idea House was built at Seawatch in Sunset Harbor, North Carolina. I’m including some of my favorite photos but please visit the site for more information. I think they were very creative and have some wonderful ideas you can incorporate into any home you design.

The Kitchen

Tall Shutters: Brass chicken wire backed with gathered plaid fabric (right) give this nook between the kitchen and dining room a vintage feel.

Cheap-chic Lighting: Phillip had inexpensive candle lanterns wired, backed with mirrors, and mounted as wall sconces on either side of the kitchen window.

The Screened Porch

Classic Wicker: A beach must-have takes a sophisticated turn with a streamlined silhouette.

Rope Accessories: One standout piece, like this oval lantern, is all you need to get instant coastal style.

Gauzy Curtains: Their sheer weight filters harsh sunlight and adds elegance to the casual space.

The Master Suite

Fabulous Greens and Grays: Phillip fell for the leaf-print fabric used on the windows, and built the room’s bold but still soothing chartreuse and gray scheme from there.

Cabana-striped Walls: Who says they’re just for awnings and umbrellas? Here, they tie together the various fabrics.

The Guest Room

Eco-chic Rug: With wide stripes, super-soft ribbing, and 50% recycled content, this indoor/outdoor rug is both good-looking and good for the environment.

Alcove Headboard: The low-slung silhouette runs the entire length of the window.

Antique-y Sconces: In the narrow space between the bed and wall, Phillip mounted lights on the headboard―wires run to outlets behind it―and he used footstools as a landing spot for books.

The Rec Room

Cheery Wall Color: This high-energy green (Betsy Ross House Moss [6005-3C] by Valspar) isn’t used anywhere else in the room, but it works because the orange and yellow in the space are just as punchy.

Flowery Curtains: Big rooms call for big-scale prints.

Those huge Wooden Spheres: Like bocce balls for giants, they’re whimsical accessories in a room dedicated to fun and games.

The Guest Suite

The Blue/Green Combo: It’s an amped-up version of the palette in the coverlet.

Pretty Botanicals: The organic floral print on the bed is a subtle reference to the natural coastal landscape.

The Bamboo Bed: Its horizontal planking is a clean, modern take on the traditional four-poster.

About the House

Style: Gambrel roofs and cedar-shake shingle siding speak to the Cape Cod-inspired look.

“This house blends traditional Cape and coastal North Carolina elements, from the shingled siding to the widow’s watch on top.” — Sam Guidry, Director of Architecture

The Seawatch Style Guide gives you a ton of details as to how they made it all come together. Also, here and here are links to view the Coastal Living photo gallery in Picasa that shows the construction process and many more details. Don’t forget that Julia, on her other blog, Beach Cottage Love, did a post on this very house last year and you can check that out here.

Okay, folks… what do you think? You know, with each house I “like,” there is always something that I want to change; a room I’d like to make larger or smaller, or switch around the location of appliances in the kitchen, or even the type of columns on a porch. What would you do to this house? Would you keep it the same? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

P.S. here are the floorplans…

So, I threw out my back. I have an old cheerleading injury in my hip and it throws off my L5 and then if I do anything too strenuous my whole back is out of wack. Throw in a couple of car accidents and the resulting whiplash and you have an easily injured person.

WHICH SUCKS.

So, I thought I could handle it. You know, work through the pain. Take like 6 Advil at a time and it’ll get better, right? WRONG. So, after working a full day yesterday in constant pain I decided to go see my doc this morning.

He has me do some more x-rays because the last time was in 2006 and evidently I have a few degenerative disks that he wanted to be sure haven’t gotten worse, and, they haven’t. So he gives me an adjustment (I see a DO, not an MD, because they’re trained in more than just old school medicine) and gives me a prescription for darvocet and diazepam.

I’ve done the whole valium thing before so that’s old hat but I don’t remember ever taking a narcotic pain reliever. I was hoping he’d give me like prescription strength Advil or something. Anyway, that shit is crazy. I just got up from sleeping for 3 hours and I feel DRUNK. No me gusta. Not the good kind of drunk but the sick to your stomach room spinning kind. So, now I know that if I’m ever to take that again it needs to be at night and maybe even a half a pill. Good gracious.

Live and learn, eh?

So, I’m glad I was able to stay home and rest for a bit (because I certainly needed it) but I have to go to the lawyer’s tonight at 5:30 to sign the closing papers and hand over every cent in my checking account. And I’m worried that I’ll still feel this way.

ARGH.

Wish me luck folks… this should be interesting. Plus, I have so much more to do around here. I have so many boxes left to unpack. It’s rather overwhelming. Maybe in a couple weeks things will return to normal.

On a side note, I’m super happy to be rid of the condo. I’m super happy that chapter is over with because it’s been nothing but stress the last two years and Lord knows I can’t keep struggling like I was. This new place is super cute and cozy… though the stairs are kicking my ass (in a good way… it’s like a workout with out even trying).

Hope y’all are having a pretty good week so far.