Life Change and Surprise!

I learned a valuable life lesson a couple of weeks ago. I was planning on going to Muncie on October 3rd for Homecoming. I was so excited for many reason-seeing friends, having a great time, and just getting away. I left early that morning and headed up to Ball State. The city had changed a little bit, but for the most part it was the same. There was this feeling of being at home, since I lived in Muncie for 5 years while I was going to school. I had missed this place. I went to a friends and waited while she got ready and for some friends to arrive. We talked about things-how married life was, school because they are all still in school, and other things. While in school, I got to the tailgating lot early and got ready for the game. But we didn't leave until after 11 and gametime was 12. This didn't bother me because Ball State is terrible this year and I knew what the outcome would be. The girls that I was with wanted to hang out with some of the guys they hang with in Muncie. I saw some girls I was in sorority with and talked to them some. But the feeling wasn't the same. I was back in Muncie, but something was missing. My closest friends weren't there, the football atmosphere was missing, and I was no longer in school. As the day went on, I realized that I had moved on. This place, Muncie and Ball State, was apart of my life for 5 years and those years were great, but I had moved on and it was never going to go back to the way it was. I learned that this was the way life is. As much as you try to go back and make things the way they were, it just isn't going to happen. This makes me cherish the times that I had at Ball State even more-all the memories that I had with friends, all the games I went to, and the good and bad things about school. I had wanted so bad to go to homecoming and relive my time at Ball State, but I learned that can't happen-only new memories are made. This made me also appreciate where I am in my life. Although Plainville doesn't have much, it is my home and I'm very thankful for it. I love my husband with all that I am, and even though we go through rough times every once in a while, we always make it through and wouldn't change anything. I'm also thankful that my family is close, I have a home, and I have a job that helps provide for my husband and I. I had a great time seeing friends and places again while I was in Muncie, but my time there is over, and visits are the only thing that will happen in the future. Here are a few pictures from that day!

My friend Jamie and I

Sorority Sisters-me, Chelsea, Laurie, and Cristy

This past week has been pretty typical. Bill and I both worked, but it was our short week, so Bill only worked Sunday-Wednesday and I worked Monday-Thursday. Friday was the first day of the Covered Bridge Festival. My mom's side of the family always has the tradition of going on the first day. Well, mother nature wanted us to change our plans, but we didn't. Although my mamaw, papaw, and great aunt Phyllis didn't go, my mom, aunt Jennifer, and sisters Laurie and Kelley went. It did rain the whole time, but it wasn't a heavy or down pour rain. We got some good deals and bought some cute stuff. We got home after 8, but had a really good day spending time with each other.

Saturday I went to Indianapolis to spend the day with my college roommate Tara. I hadn't seen Tara since my wedding, so it was long overdue for us to spend some time together. We met at O'Charley's around noon and ate lunch and then did some shopping. It was great to see Tara and chat about what was going on in our lives. I spend more money at the mall, so I think I'm done spending money for awhile! I got home that night around 6:30 and Bill had supper waiting for me-such a great husband. We just watched tv the rest of the night and I fell asleep a little after 8. I was exhausted.

Sunday was church and then getting ready for the big surprise party. A few months back, Bill and I decided that we should throw a surprise 60th birthday party for his mom, Marsha. We told Hap about it and he agreed. So we decided to have it before her birthday, October 17th, so we shouldn't suspect anything. Bill told her that he had to work on my birthday, October 22, and I was upset with him, so he wanted her help to throw a surprise birthday party for me. So she thought that the party was for me, when it was actually for her! So Bill and I did a lot of the planning and Breanna, our neice, helped with invitations. I'm really suprised that no one spilled the beans and told her. But she was suprised and it was a nice little party for her. Here are a few pictures from her surprise birthday party!

Surprise Marsha!

The lovely picture gifts from her brother David

Camden liked her new walker!

Blowing out the candles

I had today off, since it is a government holiday. It isn't a holiday with my contractor, but I had a floating holiday I got to use. I'm so glad I did because I'm so tired after such a busy weekend. I did laundry, put winter clothes up, picked up around the house, got my hair highlighted, got my fall decorations out, went to my moms to put up my sisters uppercase living sign, did the dishes, and now finally relaxing. My husband is gone for the night, he took my sister Erin to WWE RAW wrestling in Indy. That is what we got her for her bday, and I'm glad Bill was willing to take her, since he use to watch it a long time ago. So it was been a nice, but busy day. Hope everyone had a great day and that the week will be nice!

Love and Blessings,

Whitney