First of all I love that the holiday is called turkey day

but at the same time I feel like not calling it Thanksgiving

only adds to the fact that people forget what its all about.

I'm the first to admit I am thankful for thanksgiving

because of the yummy food

The break from school right before the home stretch

and the fact that it's now acceptable to put up the Christmas tree

But instead of focusing on getting in line early for black friday

(don't even get me started on how irritating it is that some stores open at 8 today for black friday specials- hello, Christmas has been taking over target since October 31 at least let Thanksgiving have a DAY of glory...)

and food and trees and presents

we should focus on all the things we are grateful for today.

Like family, friends, and health.

So today I am thankful for...

1. Today marks the 1/2 way point of my dad's treatments. At this point his doctors would be okay if he stops and he only has ~26 weeks left! ALL of his scans have been clean. I am still so grateful that by chance his doctor told him to remove a mole that didn't even look abnormal from the outside. It saved his life.

2. I am thankful for this little email I got yesterday that told me "hey, you aren't as dumb as you've been feeling the last 4 years. please come to graduate school" YEP that's right, this girl got into grad school!

3. I am thankful for the sweet baby boy that took time to come cuddle me this morning. Theres nothing like being woken up by the purrs of a cat. Even if he did poke me in the face every time I closed my eyes. 

4. I am thankful for all the love an support that I have from my friends, family, as well as my future family. I hear all these horror stories about not meshing well with the family you marry into... not the case at all. I am so blessed.

5. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and people (and kittens) that love me unconditionally.

6. I am thankful that in a few short weeks my undergraduate college career will be over!

7. I am thankful that my dad paid my car insurance for another 6 months because I'm probably going to be pretty broke for the next few years...

Well I could go on forever and ever but I just feel so incredibly blessed to have the life I do. 

I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lots of love,

Lately I've been participating in link ups more

It's a really cool way to find new blogs

And this one is meant to help you find them!

So here's the idea...

It's that time again so head over to A Blonde Ambition and link up.

Ohh Friday...

My first confession is for you.

I confess that now that I don't have class Friday

I love thursdays like I loved Fridays

and many Fridays I forget it's Friday at all.

(please forgive me).

I confess that Christmas usually isn't one of my favorite holidays

I can't really explain why...

But this year I am so excited.

I confess I'm probably more excited that the semester will be over.

And probably another part of me is excited that I can finally

start collecting my own Christmas decorations to decorate my own place

Hopefully.

I confess that I'm also overly excited about all the peacock decorations this year

even though I know Robert will NEVER allow a peacock tree

I might just have to have a mini one for myself.

I confess that when I made the picture above 

I got really happy because "Lucida Handwriting"

used to be one of my favorite fonts for my away status on AIM.

Ahhh memories...

I confess that I take every opportunity I know Robert will be away

To parade around the apartment in my wedding dress. 

I confess that every time I type up a "Friday Confessions" post

I sing "Confessions" by Usher. 

I confess that I was excited about my Gram Stain on my final for lab wednesday

So excited that I took a picture

Gram Positive right there.

BOOO-YAHHH FINAL.

I confess that I stood at the microscope for way too long

trying to get my iPhone to take a picture through the lens.

I confess that the Twilight movie last night was amazing

And that little twist/ change they added for the movie

was the best part

I've never been so glad that they changed something from the book.

Just amazing.

You got me! 

I confess that I am NOT a good scientist

because I am NOT looking forward to going to my research symposium tomorrow

Especially considering my 7 AM alarm.

That should be illegal on a saturday.

UGH.

That's all folks

XoXo

It's Wednesday

and I love Pinterest

So stop by The Vintage Apple and link up for

From: http://buildersforeternity.blogspot.com/2012/08/pimp-your-ride.html 

I always wanted a canopy bed when I was little... but have you ever seen the top of those? UGH gross. They collect dust and nastiness and dead bugs. This fake canopy is must better.

 I love this bouquet. I want this arrangement on my dining room table or in my bedroom. The colors are amazing. Stunning.

Find here: http://theworldofaclassylady.tumblr.com 

I want to make these with my cousins when they visit over thanksgiving. They just look so yummy!

Love this quote. Not just a quote for couples. This is true of your friends too. You shouldn't have to impress some one to make you worth of their love. It's not a real relationship if you can't be yourself.

Just found the blog for The Londoner a few days ago

And I love it.

And I found it through this pin:

Dairy free chocolate ice cream.

NOM

I had the thought that the longer I continue the countdown

The more likely people are to think it's a pregnancy count instead.

Typical.

But since (hopefully) I don't appear to be 8 months pregnant

Everyone will know that what I mean is

8 months until I'm Mrs. Barker.

Crazy right?

Well I don't have that much to catch up on considering I haven't done much

We have a meeting with the new photographer over thanksgiving break

and if nothing else is done about the preacher Robert wants

We have a meeting with my preacher too.

I bought the other veil I wanted.

It was an extra 50 dollars off so I'm pretty sure it was fate.

Today we planned to cook a nice meal

And we bought Champagne and orange juice for mimosas

But currently he is picking up his cousin Ed from the airport and taking him to Goldsboro

So for now I'm on my own

WAHHHH

But that does mean I get to blog without him laughing at me... 

I will probably have to do a 7.5 month post when Ed's wife Billie joins us 

She's my wedding planner and I have a feeling she's going to help A LOT.

So for now I will leave you with these

XoXo,

You won't hear me say my full blown opinions much

Because I don't see a need to paint facebook with my political rants

And I don't have that many because I can usually see both sides

But in the case of our military I don't.

You can say whatever you want about the budget

Wether or not you think we should be at war

And how the traffic around bases suck

BUT

Don't ever for a second take that out on our soldiers. 

Too often I hear people who don't support our troops.

Those people are risking their lives for you.

Their families are missing their fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters and loved ones

So that this great country can remain safe.

They are living in fear

Being attacked, even by children.

They don't get that lovely red cup from starbucks at christmas

Many of them miss Christmas all together

And birthdays and holidays and first steps and births

So the next time you think about how much you hate that we are still over seas

Remember to thank the people who are giving up their families and comforts

So that you are safe and sound.

Like these two men:

This is my grandfather Adams, my mom's dad. He was in the Navy! Stationed in Hawaii!

He married my grandmother in California during training before he was deployed.

That cutie next to him is my cousin Jaime. 

This is my grandfather Wetherington.

He spent his first anniversary with my grandma on a rock in Casablanca. 

He missed the first two years of my Aunt's life from being deployed.

THANK A VETERAN!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

AMEN.

It's already Friday again?

Man, my weeks are flying by

Time for Confessional Friday

I confess that as the weeks are flying by I am getting so nervous because I am not ready to graduate.

I confess that I own a lot of cat outfits

And by a lot I mean too many.

I confess that it brings me way too much joy buying these outfits for my cats. WAY TOO MUCH I TELL YOU! I may or may not have crossed into crazy cat lady town...

I confess I got a B+ on my biochemistry test that I barely studied for, and mostly because two of the questions were the exact same as the old test. Numbers and all. I should feel bad but I don't. #sorryImnotsorry

I confess that I hate group work because even when everyone is doing their work they still NEVER answer your emails... that you sent tuesday (AHEM).

I confess seeing the beach thursday made me seriously wonder if it's possible to hibernate through the winter, except then I'd miss Christmas and my birthday and my anniversary. 

I confess that I actually enjoyed the little league baseball game I went to tonight. Maybe it was because I have a soft spot for little blonde haired boys and the team was full of them or maybe I just love baseball. Anyways, they were way better than I thought they'd be! I confess I was impressed.

I confess that I am skipping ANOTHER home NCSU game. And I confess that in my last confessional I got the team we played WRONG. That's how bad of a college student I am.

I confess that it's 10:30 on a Friday and I'm in my PJs and Robert and I are eating pickled okra. Don't ask me how I got this wild. Maybe one day I'll calm down.

I confess that there is a part of me that is excited to move home for good. But I keep telling myself its because this semester is so tough. And I miss my kittens. 

I confess that I am getting into the Christmas spirit already. I bought Christmas placemats and a new outfit for Mortimor. He was also overjoyed to celebrate Christmas. 

Ho Ho Ho