Serendipity

 

I didn't know then it was serendipity...

I confess, when I came out of a 3+ year dating sabbatical, I met someone and became utterly besotted with him. It wasn't because I hadn't dated for years... it was him. I fell enraptured with him and something inside me came so alive. I didn't see the end coming, but it did. 

My dating sabbatical is over and I'm ready for a real relationship. Desperately wanting to meet a guy organically, I've refused to go online and I am so glad I didn't. 

A month ago, I met someone, although I had no idea that I had "met" him until our first date. It was serendipity as we laughed and shared our first meeting encounter, he said the moment he saw me, I exuded joy and pheromones. I remember bouncing in happiness as he approached me and conversation flowed. 

Our paths have crossed several times since and each conversation was lingering. He always remained professional and polite, knowing he was intrigued I wondered when he was going to ask me out. So, I gave him his perfect segue and he ran with it. In fact, he was very spontaneous, which is a quality that keeps life fun and I said, "Yes!" to the date.

Loving the fact he is my age (50 yrs old), I know he's smart and successful; however, I didn't know how successful he is. 

As besotted as I was in my last dating relationship, he is with me. I was caught off guard at his sweet and genuine confessions and my mind drifted to a very familiar place where I recently was. My heart felt conflicted, but I like where he is at and his intentions he bestowed on me.

I admire his intellect and while I knew he was successful, I didn't realize how wealthy, wealthy successful he is. He never said this, but living in the most elite private neighborhood, an entrepreneur in wealth management buying and selling companies, multiple golden parachutes, he buys companies with cash. His mind stimulates my desire to always know more and do more and I feel like a sponge taking this new level of business savvy in. I like he always has multiple projects going on and when I offered a suggestion, he smiled and said I can do it [at his business]. 

My brain is fully alert. I'm listening, learning, and he is speaking of the future with me in it and I've been on his mind for the last month. He couldn't wait to kiss me and hold my hand. 

I'm not sure if I am in the twilight zone, but I am going to open myself up to the possibility. 

Black Friday

 

It may be Black Friday, but true to tradition, it is officially Christmas in my home.

There was a certain excitement in decorating this year: 

   - When I sold our family home two years ago, I split our family Christmas decorations with my daughters and bought all new. Last year at Christmas I was in my mom & dad's condo and kept my new decorations boxed up in storage. This year is the 2nd time I've used my new decor and quite honestly, I forgot what I had.

   - This is my 1st Christmas in my new home, a fun new experience.

In my mind, I am wondering where I have spare extension cords for added lights to the tree. Oh, THANK YOU, JESUS!! I forgot, I bought a new tree that is pre-lit and the pole of the tree is the electric!! Thank you, Jesus!! 

A package arrived at my front door today and as much as I love Amazon Prime, I hadn't ordered anything. I am the WINNER of the sweepstakes at the plasma place I go to and won a cordless Bluetooth speaker. Oh my gosh, I've seriously needed one of these! The perfect prize for Christmas music in the air.

My home is fully decorated and I couldn't be more pleased. 

Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la... welcome Christmas!

Sweet Little Pumpkin Pies

 

My heart and my sweet, little pumpkin pies this Thanksgiving.

*This year they are 1 & 3 with another on the way.

A Smoky Mountains Cabin Holiday

 

It was our 2nd Annual Smoky Mountains Holiday in a luxury cabin in the mountains of Tennessee. In all things statistics, my resting heartrate dropped 5 points just being there. Above and below, this was the view from our cabin porch. 

There is always a certain thrill driving up a mountain's steep and winding roads to find the cabin. Jumping out of the car, running in from room to room, and racing to see the views of the mountain, it was all beautiful and finding our cabin fully decorated for Christmas was such a surprise and special touch we loved. 

This trip was strategically planned to start the holidays in the mountains to segue being home by Wednesday night to welcome Thanksgiving today, then Christmas officially begins tomorrow. There is no better town to welcome the holidays like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is quintessential Hallmark Christmas.  

My favorite store in Gatlinburg is the Savannah Bee Company.

In Gatlinburg the absolute best breakfast ever is the Pancake Pantry. A must do and must wait in line for. This year I had the pumpkin crepes and it was worth every carb!

Next to the Pancake Pantry is the villages where one strolls from shop to shop appreciating the quaint uniqueness each brings. 

Gatlinburg in the evening brings the glow of Christmas.

This year's fabulous new find was The Island at Pigeon Forge and Paula Dean's. Paula Dean's is a dining experience. In the photo is southern sweet tea & cheesy biscuits before the family dining experience began. Paula Dean's has the most fabulous buttery mashed potatoes I have ever tasted. 

Fried Green Tomatoes...

In the center of the Island is a water fountain that dances to music that fills the air. 

Fun purchases and fabulous dining experiences, we took in a country Christmas feel good music show. Each of us preferred being in our beautiful cabin in the evenings. It was fully luxury with breathtaking views, with the fireplace lit and all the amenities we could need, that was the relaxing refreshment we ultimately wanted. 

We were 4 generations: a great grandmother, a grandmother, a daughter/momma + 1. 

Arriving in April 2020... 

Leaving our mark in the cabins book of memories, it was a lovely holiday.

I came home to my home office painted and my new chandelier put up. Thank you, Papa! ❤️

Happy Thanksgiving,

xo 

Captivating

 

As a huge fan of the book Wild at Heart, the last time I recently read it, I caught that the author, John Eldredge, co-wrote the book Captivating with his wife, Stasi. It was on my must read book list... then God.

I was in a quaint used bookstore yesterday in search of an author, when within 1 minute of being in the store, the book Captivating was the first that captured my attention. Imagine my thrill... yes! The perfect book for my journey to the mountains that begins today.

I've said many times throughout the years, my blog is called The Magical Highlighter, because God has always met me where I am with words that jump out as if they are magically highlighted, comes to life and captures my attention, exactly when I need it. 

Let me share some snippets from this book I am over the moon excited to dive into...

The mystery of the feminine heart was meant to be a good thing, by the way. A source of joy. Yet it has become a source of shame - women universally feel they are "too much" or "not what they should be." Men tend to pull away from the deeper waters of a woman's soul, unsure what they will find there and how to handle it. And so we have misused this treasure that is the heart of a women, missed the richness of femininity was meant to bring to our lives, missed the way it speaks to us of the heart of God. 

I love how she shares books on godly femininity sending messages to women if you do the following ten things, you can make the grade, to be a godly woman... it is soul-killing, and that femininity cannot be described in a formula. 

So --- is a true woman Cinderella or Joan of Arc? Mary Magdalene or Oprah? We come with different career paths, strengths, personalities, and different dreams.

God has set within you a femininity that is powerful and tender, fierce and alluring, valiant and strong. No doubt it has been misunderstood. 

What about women like Esther, Mary, Ruth, Deborah, and Rahab? Biblical women who who had irreplaceable roles in the bible. Not "safe" and "nice" women, not merely "sweet," but passionate and powerful women who were beautiful as warriors. 

And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play and irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the beauty of the story. They are the secret to the feminine heart.

Sometimes when she watches a movie, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, her heart begins to speak again. A thirst rises within her to find the life she was meant to live... Your heart matters and the longings you still feel as a woman... a woman who is truly captivating.

I confess, I live full throttle. I lose myself in love when my soul finds it, because it's the most natural desire God gives us. I confess, my motives are pure but my methods are questionable... thus boudoir. I confess, I would rather live in freedom to know all these things than to be stifled by legalism, judgment, and never have the experience of them.  

It's time for me to pack and leave now for my journey to a beautiful cabin in the mountains of Tennessee. You see, adventure speaks to my soul. 

I cannot wait to dive into this book and share it with you. In fact, get the book yourself. Reclaim your heart and your life, if you've lost it. We are many things in life... we are mothers, daughters, sisters, best friends, and some of us are sweet little grandma's (ha ha). At the end of the day we are women. 

Then the time came when the risk it took

To remain tight in a bud was more painful

Than the risk it took to blossom.

- Anais Nin

Sweet Sounds That Only We Can Hear

 

There has to be a sound when snow falls on a chilly winter day, when everything is silent and the only sound you hear is the air you breathe in.

Each snowflake that lands must make a noise, so subtle we cannot hear it. Like fingers on the keys of a piano, if we could imagine the song it would play on a snowy day.

There had to be music when we met. There has to be energy swirling around soaring into the sky each time our souls connect. It's the music my soul sings... I know it's there, because I can feel it.

Like the colors of the Aurora Borealis cannot be silent, heaven must hear it's music as the northern lights dance in the stars. How much greater can the song of love be.

Sweet sounds that only we can hear. 

S.O.S.

 

There's 911 and there is S.O.S., 'CALL GRANDMOMMA!"

A facetime call came through and it was my pregnant daughter who had about enough with my sweet little angel grandbabies. "Mom! Look what they've done to my house..." She shared she made special cookies for them, they threw them. Little brother got into the cabinet and threw all the sweet potatoes, broke a lamp... little sister was screeching. 

She was sending smoke signals for help and I was laughing.

At the sound of me on facetime talking with my daughter, Rowan was wailing. If I am on the phone, he better be the one I am talking to. Wailing turned into instant raspberries as soon as he had the phone, he took off running with me for his alone time and conversation. He's 1 years old and doesn't say many words so I talk to him, we make faces and noises. 

Sofia grabs the phone from him [wailing begins] and she runs off trying to tell me about her day. She's 3 going on 13. 

"Bring my babies over!" 

I don't know what their mommy was talking about, because two sweet angels arrived happy at my house last night. Picking up special gluten-free cupcakes, we had snacks, played chase (this is where I nail my Fitbit steps after strength training), raced around my house in their car (Sofia in the car, Rowan on top laughing), Rowan loves the sink so put him in there with running water to play, we played in their bedroom I have for them here, and while Sofia wanted to play in her tent where she was sleeping and I had to knock which took her at least a minute to put on her slippers and answer the door annoyed [hey, this is the game she wanted to play over and over], little brother is full on WWE with her. 

Mommy may have needed a break from her babies, but my grandbabies needed a break from mommy, too. ha ha

Boudoir

 

My boudoir photos are now all in and honestly, it's a memory that still thrills me. 

I am so, so, so happy I did this and I will forever be an advocate for women to do this for themselves. Absolutely do it for your significant other, but most of all, do it for YOU. For all those coming years where what you look like unclothed fades in your mind.

I was on a mission for a racy photoshoot and these are the only two photos I can share being least racy. My photographer took hundreds of photos and the selection I chose for my package had different looks to them. I didn't want similar poses in different outfits, although the poses were extensive. What I want to remember one day is a variety of looks capturing poses, outfits, makeup, and smirks. 

She did a video montage clipping together 7 second videos of my photoshoot experience, adding music to the video that gives a completely different look and feel to still photos. 

It was all things an intoxicating experience.

 

I Want Magic

 

A warm embrace, I sat across from him and thoughts were racing through my mind as he told me who he was. I had agreed to go on the date.

Checking off all the boxes on paper is fantastic, although I was slightly jolted he is much younger than I had expected. Not this time, but once upon a time... 

I believe a lot of people look to check the boxes off on paper. Find a great piece of paper, date until they grow on you, and voila, it's a relationship.

My mind takes me back to instant connections where something inside of me came so alive, I was like, "there you are, I've been looking for you."

I want magic.

In life and in love. 

My soul will find yours.

Kittens or a Husband

 

Sometimes my home feels too big for just me. A couple people in my life have encouraged me for months to get a pet to bring life, love, and affections inside my quiet home. 

There are many analogies... kinda like when several people start to ask you if you are feeling well, then suddenly you question if you feel well or not. 

So, I began to entertain the thought of a pet. At the mention of the thought of getting a cat, my sweet daughter, Brooke, was ON IT! Quite honestly, I admire her knowing me well and her research skills. At the end of the day, she nailed the most perfect little kitten, a Raggamuffin, from a breeder who is reasonably close by for the best price ever. A evening drive to select a kitten and I ended up putting deposits down on two. I blame the full moon, blue moon on Halloween. 

For the last two weeks, I have wavered from one extreme to the next each day. Each person I reached out to in order to support my cause that a pet really isn't for me, emphasized how good it would be for me. Even my Mariah, when I said, "Isn't Rowan allergic to cats?" Nope. 

Do you know what I like about a cat... when it's older, fixed, declawed, in routine, and knows my routine. The kitten phase is cute for a moment, but they are a lot of work, and they live for an average of 15 years. 

All this actually became a crossroad, which lead me to soul search. Do I really want a kitten or a husband? Go ahead, laugh! Yea, super extreme. A kitten is quick and easily attainable versus a husband when I've been single for 23 years. 

In all fairness sake, I just opened myself up to dating three months ago. Three years prior to that I wanted nothing to do with dating. At. All. 

It isn't like a light switch that goes easily off and on, I give great thought to every decision I make and it's me who has to be absolutely 500% ready. In the years I took off dating, those in my closest circle, said it was "time" to begin again off an on for years. It was three years until not only was I ready, but I really wanted it.

For the first time, since I can remember, I really want to be married. A kitten would have been a good bandaid for company in my home, but that's not what I want. I want a husband person. I say that in jest being light-hearted about it, but I do mean it. I want a husband and I want to be married. 

To those who believe a kitten is a more immediate option for me...

I have faith timing is everything. My time off dating was between God and I and I did not miss a blessing during that time. Perhaps I was made for such a time as this. 

My eyes are open and I know exactly what I want. Marriage isn't the goal, finding my perfect husband for me is. 

I told the breeder she can keep my deposit, I won't be getting the kittens. 

Light or Dark

 

I saw my boudoir photoshoot proofs last night. Several of the photos I couldn't believe was me. 

The thrill of the experience, what look do I want selecting my lingerie, the want of a good shot, the memory of the magic of being there still lingering in my mind... the proof on print.

She asked me, do you want these light or dark? Sharing she can make these light and airy or dark and sultry.

Ohhhh, let's go dark and sultry. A dark background with light emphasizing the curves and shape of a woman. Sultry makeup and bold lips. 

My package comes with a small book of my photos, where I custom selected the look of the book, choosing a Renaissance theme, and my favorite pose in metal wall art. 

He saw the gardens of her soul..

wild, unruly, and blooming like crazy.

And he fell in love with the scent of her survival.

Strength Training

 

One of my favorite things to do is attend the strength training classes at the gym. The instructor has a ton of energy and I started making friends my 1st day in class. Now it's fun to walk in and see familiar faces and chat. I love Monday and Thursday nights because of this.

The music is loud and I'm in my groove here. It's that pumping beat that pushes you harder and gives you the energy to keep up. The instructor shouting instruction into her headset so we can hear her, my muscles burning and my hair is damp from sweat. It feels amazing! 

For one hour we use body bars, free weights, an aerobic step, and resistance bands. 

Imagine my shock as I walk into class tonight and see a sign on the door stating group classes are cancelled effective tomorrow, because of the Governor. Are you flipping kidding?! 

We exchanged numbers so we can stay in communication and the instructor is willing to live stream classes for us until we get back together again, as well as meet with us one on one. 

I feel great and I am not losing momentum. 

Roses & DNA

 

It was after my blog post yesterday I was thinking about my grandmother's roses that lined her property since forever. Her yard always beautiful; in fact, her yard won an award one year, thanks to my Grampy who kept it meticulous. 

My mom prefers all things green, no flowers needed. 

Skip a generation to me and my yard blooms by the week and my home décor floral and feminine. I wonder one day if my Sofia will love flowers, too.

My other grandmother, Julia Ann Rose, the rose was her signature flower. She loved pretty floral things, especially roses.

Perhaps my love for flowers and appreciation for roses is in my DNA.

"Let us live like flowers

wild and beautiful

and drenched in the sun"

The Fragrance of a Rose

 

A few weeks ago, very late in the season, I bought and planted rose bushes along the little picket fence in front of my home. They are so pretty and give me so much pleasure.

There is something so elegant about a rose. 

Thorns, so subtle and hidden, planting them was painful. In fact, I looked like I was in a cat fight from the scratches. Yet, I would do it again, because at the end of those long thorny stems, you are rewarded with a flower of great beauty and intoxicating fragrance. 

While most of the leaves have fallen and the scent of autumn is in the air, I have one rose that has bloomed well, while all the other roses are ready to drop their petals. I've been watching this rose for days and every day I go out and smell it's fragrance. It's beautiful and alive while everything else is fading. 

It's scent seems more fragrant, because it isn't competing with the splendor of spring in bloom. In autumn, it's scent is magnificent, because it has outlasted the other flowers. 

My Japanese Maple tree has dropped almost all it's leaves, which has left a beautiful red hue over my flower bed. Two days ago, it stood vibrant in the sunshine. It was so pretty, I stopped in my car and captured it. 

I notice details that give me pleasure and that one rose that is holding on. In full admiration, I breathed in it's scent when it arrived home from work. 

In my days of pleasure enjoying this one flower, I haven't given the thorns a single thought. I felt their prickles in my skins in the planting process, but now... it's the flowers that are produced that has made it totally worth it.

"She wore roses in her hair 

and dreamed of the one not afraid of thorns."

My Boudoir Photoshoot

 

bou·doir

/ˈbo͞oˌdwär/

Learn to pronounce

        noun

1.    a woman's bedroom or private room.

This is not me in the photo, although I did do this pose. This pose was about as fun as doing a plank! Lol  In fact, most poses felt like planks. 

Yesterday, I did my boudoir photoshoot and let me tell you, it was more fun than I ever anticipated! 

The first 1-1/2 hours was in hair and make-up. They asked what look I was going for, when I showed them my outfits and said edgy and racy. My make-up was smoky eyes with cranberry highlights and sparkle to complement a deep red lipstick and sultry added eye lashes. It was bold and was truly the look I was going for. 

My hair parted down the middle with soft, long curls gave that special je na sais quoi when it comes to boudoir. I saw a couple of my photos on her camera and I was surprised that was me. It was me, but younger, racier, and edgier. It was me in my youth, she's still there. 

Back up... it's my daughter's step sister who's photography expertise is boudoir. When I knocked on the door her husband answered, who I have never met. He said, "You must be Mariah's friend." I said, "I am Mariah's mom." He said, "Are you kidding? I thought you were like 30 years old?! OMGosh, I need to hug you then!" I officially love her husband! 

Multiple outfit changes and I'm betting she took 500 photos, I was happy to hear her say I am easy to photograph and she'd like to work with me again. When it comes to volunteering and electives, I'm your girl! You want to try different shots, call me. 

My girlfriends I've mentioned this and expressed they've thought about it before, but have never done it. 

Ladies... inside every woman is a want to be beautiful, desired, feminine, and captured. You do not have to go public; rather, keep it quiet and private if you choose. I promise you, one day, you will forget what your body looked like. 

If your more modest, where something modest and go for "suggestive" in your photos. This isn't trashy, it's you beautifully captured. 

Short videos were taken, too. My photographer took 7 second videos in different poses. One shot was on the bed looking over my shoulder, sliding my strap off and at 5 seconds my eyes opened and looked into the camera. She will give me a compilation of these videos she created capturing my experience with her. 

As I was leaving she handed me a gift bag thanking me for trusting her. It was filled with girlie fun things: a fabulous face mask (one I have been wanting to try), lip gloss, a hair mask, makeup application sponge, and misc. items. It was a lovely touch ending a wonderful experience.

I simply cannot wait to see what she captured. 

My motives are pure and my methods often questionable; I believe this has been my life's motto. 

Look Who's 21!

 

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY, BROOKIE! 

I am so proud of you! Mature, responsible, and you have embraced adulthood gracefully.

Married to the love of your life, homeowner and you've done beautifully making your home, doing fabulous at your job, and faithfully attending church.

It all matters, sweetheart.

Happy birthday, Alex! You are the perfect complement to my daughter's life and in our family. I am so proud of you and the truly great guy you are. You work very hard and never shy away from a hard days work, always have a smile on your face, impeccable manners, and respectful. Our entire family loves and adores you.

There is great peace knowing both of my daughters are well-loved. 

Happy, happiest of birthdays! I love you, Mama

My Grandson

 

The day Rowan was born and I learned he was a boy, I wondered what on earth I was going to do with a little boy. I didn't know how to be a grandmomma to a little boy. I had daughters. 

Little boys are so entirely different than girls. My Rowan has such a sweet and happy disposition, always smiling, with his pretty teeth and ice blue eyes. He doesn't care much for toys, but wants to play with everything else. A bag of plastic blue cups can be carried, cups pulled out that treasures go in, and thrown around. Territory conquered.

He found a new favorite chair in my home, one that requires a climb for him, but he can throw himself around on and bounce. Playing chase, which is always fun and for the record, no child has ever said, "I'm done, I'm tired" this chair became his safe zone, the one he runs laughing to.

He is snuggles and kisses, passive and playful, adventurous and all boy. 

Not to mention, very handsome...

My grandson calls me, "Ma" like Sofia used to do when they have limited vocabulary and he has the sweetest expression where he lowers his eyes and turns his head slightly when he feigns shy or his feelings are sensitive. 

I just pick him up and snuggle and kiss him.

When my house looks like a war zone, I've ran playing chase, and I need to gather both babies to wind them down, the kitchen sink is the perfect place. Nothing is more fun than water and getting wet. 

Children left unattended at Grandmomma's house will be fed snacks and treats, loved on, and sent home.

#Grandmommalife

God Is In Control

 

This election has rattled me to my core.

I have very strong beliefs that I want to catapult far and wide, yet there is so much division, and I know I am not going to change a fool's mind with sound argument based on facts. A fool is a fool.

My family, my closest friends, my community, on the same side. It has to be this way, a divided house will fall. 

Talk about a nation out of control with moral boundaries completely removed. The news and social media filled with disturbing election updates, covid, and rioting. I can watch it to keep up-to-date or keep it off to retain peace. Disturbing my peace is not going to change what is already going to happen, so I choose peace.

The only thing that gives me peace is God is in control. He knows. 

What is supposed to happen, will happen; I do feel like it is the beginning of the end though.

I think of hurricanes, mass fires, tsunami's... complete devastations. What a better tool for God to use to get people to turn to him. In distress, people cry out. What we call a disaster, may be the necessary event God chose for free-wills to change their minds. This election feels just this, as if we are on the verge of complete devastation, people will cry out.

This great nation is on the verge of changing in ways we cannot even know. As more people turn away from God, which continues to grow becoming the majority, we are becoming a God-less and entitled nation... it will [it's already begun] crumble.

Abortion and late term abortions? That is sick on levels my mind cannot even wrap around. We all sin, but hurt a child? You better read what God thinks of that. Vote this is okay, you are guilty. Period. 

I'm not ready for life to change and there is a strong chance this great country will crumble. 

God is in control. 

God is in control.

God is in control.

This is my only peace of mind. 

Bye Bye Pink

 

Bye bye pink, hello shabby chic!

It was time to transition my bedroom, from pink when I bought my home, to shabby chic. It is also amazing how a couple of hours of painting can transition the look and feel of a room.

My dad, the perfectionist, started off by saying, "Don't you have something to do? I like to work by myself..." I wasn't leaving and I am pretty good when it comes to painting. In fact, everyone should learn how, it's a skill you carry with you always. 

I cut in well and my dad rolled. 

Not too long into painting, Mr. Perfectionist said, "We should go into the painting business together, we could make a lot of money." Yea, told ya I can paint.

My next two projects have been determined. 

Hard Core One Month

 

Ahhhh... November! The month of no events, vacation time, it's dark early, Thanksgiving, then slide into Christmas the next day. 

I simply have to have goals to channel my energies into, something to strive for and check off the list as accomplished. 

Next, next, next, next... check, check, check, check. I always push for what's next, it's just who I am. To an adventurous soul, it breathes life into. To the average person, I'm sure it is a bit overwhelming. 

I call it passion, courage, and a force. [Remember this in my surprise in 2 weeks]. 

I've been on Keto for 7 months. Once I hit 53 lbs I went into Keto cycling, which means, if I want something I can have it, but I maintain my new lifestyle of eating clean. In Keto cycling, I've haven't gained anything, but I haven't continued in my weight loss journey.

But, November! Instead of a goal in mind, I want to see how far I can push and what I am capable of in one month. 

I am back on hard core Keto, and I now have two gym memberships! One gym is right by my house and is perfect for the cardo, weights, and let's be honest, their water massage beds.

The other gym is a hard core gym and offers a full schedule of classes. Being there sweating with the music pushing even harder, and meeting new people, I didn't realize how much I missed it. I feel like me again and it's becoming a new trend. 

I hit both gyms yesterday, morning and night. 

When I say I want to see what I can accomplish in one month, I am super curious to see what I can accomplish myself.