I try to clarify as often as possible that my journey all along has been about being a better, HEALTHIER version of the person I have always considered myself to be.
I have come a long way, and although I’m still hovering just under 200 lbs, most would agree that I look like a completely different person…but I would like to think that they’ll tell you I’m basically the same Sondra. I still do, say, and wear what the heck I want!
It makes me really sad to think of the old me (the REALLY old me) back in middle school, who felt that her smile was her only redeeming quality.
I ALMOST GAVE UP ON MYSELF OVER THE YEARS.
But there is something to be said for people in the world. I was blessed with friends who claim they never really noticed the fact that I was big….they…
I stumbled upon this just now and had to share. Too adorable. Too perfect. I’m taking the info/photos straight from 100 Layer Cake.
So here’s what makes this engagement shoot beautiful, aside from the obvious that it was shot in Iceland… Paige Lowe, the bride-to-be in these photos is also the photographer behind these photos. With her skills, a tripod, and a shutter remote, she was able to capture some phenomenal photos. Oh, and she was proposed to while on this trip with then bf, Keith (this was also caught on camera too btw). Crazy, right? She feels so happy she can shout it from the rooftops, and we’re so happy she’s letting us share it all. Their trip is undoubtedly surreal, like something out of a fairy-tale, and an experience we’d die to have in a heartbeat.
How they met: “Keith and I were set up on a blind date back in 2008. I almost didn’t show because my sister neglected to tell him that I had just had knee surgery and had to wear a huge ugly brace from my hip to my ankle! Luckily I showed and we ended up having a whirlwind summer romance that came to an end when I had to travel back up to Oregon to finish College while he was finishing school down in California. We knew that school was our main focus and our relationship would have suffered, so we ended on good terms and parted ways.
Now I know this is going to sound crazy, but during our two years apart, I swear that every experience I had, every mistake I made, everything I learned during that time was making me a better person not only for myself but for Keith. I grew up a lot during those two years, I had never been so sure of myself and for the first time I knew what I wanted out of life. And I knew I wanted Keith there with me. So after two years apart, I called him up and now we are getting married!”
I was so very excited to be back on track with my blog this week, though as fate or whatever you believe would have it, my wonderful – nearly 14 year old – beautiful – Boxer-Beagle, Ruby, has gone missing.
Unfortunately, it was my idiotic fault and she escaped, unknowingly until a couple hours later, through an open gate in an impossibly short 2-5 minute window of time.
She has now been missing for 28+ hours – a terrifying lifetime to me. She is in wonderful health for her age, but still there are frightening factors to take into account. Ruby has always had constant and chronic ears problems and is deaf, scary enough, though she is amazing intelligent with a personality that wins everyone over.
The other issue to take into account is the Texas heat, while she did go missing late yesterday afternoon/early evening (after the worst heat of the day), she was somewhere unknown and possibly alone last night and all today. She always finds the coolest spots to lay, so I am confident and wishing that she found a safe place to be during those extreme temperature hours.
There is of course the facts that she has possibly been without proper food and water, or that she may have been injured.
This situation is heartbreaking. Those feelings of guilt, pain, sadness, panic, loneliness and helplessness are becoming overwhelming.
While I do have people around that care, I would very much appreciate any positive thoughts from you all. Pray, Wish, Hope, Think, Believe – which ever – whatever you believe in – please think of her today and until she is found, hopefully safe and healthy.
This awful (and unfair for Ruby) situation will be occupying every minute of my time I can possibly allow until I bring her home.
Wishing you a safe night my Ruby! I love you and you are dearly missed. Find your way home – we’re here.
Sorry for being so out of touch – certainly feels like it has been forever! A LOT of real life issues going on lately; but I will be back soon …promise! 🙂
