Fresh Start Challenge Day 28: Hello Dorothy

I live in tornado lane of the southeast. I, myself, do very little to prepare for bad weather. However, my neighbors are my family and they are so prepared it's a little scary. 

I was not used to tornadoes when I first moved down here. I was unlucky enough to have just moved here in 2011 right before the tornadoes ripped through Alabama. I was scared to death, but my boss let me stay with her that night and morning of those awful storms.

I am used to blizzards. In the north we are prepared for snow, and more snow. It's just how we are. We have food and back up ways for cooking and things. 

I do have several animal crates to move all of my animals into a safe place when storms are moving in. I have storm blankets for the ones that do not like thunder. I also wrap their paws with masking tape and write their names and my number on the tape. That way if something does happen it will be easy to contact me if someone finds my animals. 

I have bags made up so that each of my animals have enough supplies in case our living space is destroyed. 

I used the kit above for each of my dogs.

Fresh Start Challenge Day 27: The Purple Emperor

Fly Away

I discovered this specie of butterfly not long after I stopped cutting. There are many reason to why I love the Purple Emperor, or Apatura iris. It's usually just found in Europe and Asia. I long to see one of these beautiful creatures up close and personal.

First of all, it's a butterfly. I love the Butterfly Project on Tumblr to help alleviate all of the self harm people on there. Including myself.

Second of all, the color. I love the purple on this particular butterfly. Purple is my third favorite color. Purple also has a special meaning to me now. The ribbon for Crohn's awareness is purple. Frankie means the world to me and if I can help support him in any way I will.

Lastly, the eye shapes at the bottom of the butterfly. I have printed a picture of this butterfly and have through my house. It reminds me that I have a butterfly watching me. Not only will harming myself result in a butterfly dying but I will be letting down my butterflies. Those and the people that love me. It really helps me through rough days of uncertainty. 

Bring Back the 90s!

Back in the day when the teacher use to say "learn to do it in your head...you won't always have a calculator on you"....She lied! 

Ricky Martin, “Livin’ La Vida Loca”

Aqua, “Barbie Girl”

 

Haddaway, “What Is Love”

 

Technotronic, “Pump Up the Jam”

 

Len, “Steal My Sunshine”

Seal, "Kiss From A Rose"

Semisonic, "Closing Time"

 

NSYNC, "I Want You Back"

 

Des'ree, "You Gotta Be"

Los Del Rio, "Macarena"

roll-on body glitter 

5 More Minutes at the Library

"Read to Me"

I loved going to library as a child. My big brothers or sister would take me. We lived in Chicago and then Seattle so we would just walk. Many times they didn't mind reading to me because they had money in their back pockets from our parents and they would go to the arcade. I was fortunate to learn to read before other little kids so them having to read to me didn't last long. 

The Boxcar Children

I loved this series before I could even read. My pawpaw and mawmaw would read this to me. I always wanted to be Violet and learn to play the violin and bake! This series really helped my imagination and help with solving clues and made me want to go on adventures! I always wanted to live in a boxcar or have one in my backyard to play in and keep house! I would have loved that so! Now looking on Pinterest at the recipes and activities that people have made for the books it really makes me want to be a kid again! 

Mike's House

When my big brother read this to me I had an instant connection with Robert! I loved the public library! And I didn't call it the library either! I called book heaven. Mine may have not been as confusing but I understood why he wanted so badly to get to the library!

The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read

I begged for this book! I loved it then and I have it now! You ever want to show a child (or a parent) the importance of reading and liking to read this is it! His wife usually does all the grocery shopping and lives him a list... He can't read! So he buys similar looking boxes to the food boxes he remembers. Probably is a box of soap flakes and a box of wax paper looks a lot like a box of oatmeal and a box of spaghetti! Trust me it's a good book. Sure there are some people who read into the book too much but there will always be those adults who weren't hugged and loved as a child.

The Egyptian Game 

I love books about imagination! I think it was because I had such a big imagination back then! My parents even made me a Barney bag full of crafting supplies! So I have always loved making up adventures! This book is basically kids imagining living in Egypt and making costumes and letting their imagination run wild. 

Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips or The Bailey School Kids

Totally loved this series because well let's face it these supernatural creatures didn't do these things! I loved this series though. It always made me happy to read them!

Honorable Mentions

Haunted Kids

Nancy Drew

Baby's First Christmas

Fresh Start Challenge Day 26: No It's Not a Vampire

Ahhhh another reason to love winter. Winter means Christmas. Christmas means The Santa Clause. And the Santa Clause means this guy!

Bernard the Elf; the guy that knows it all right under Santa.

Seriously, this elf is hot and knows that I have been on the naughty list. Such a sweetie! Plus he is good with kids and loves to eat! He has a bit of an attitude which I think is adorable. He is very protective of what he does and stands for. I am not saying I want to marry him or even steady date him. But one night in Santa's sleigh with some hot cocoa can't be bad right?

Fresh Start Challenge Day 25: To Whom It May Concern

Top 5

1. Elle

2. Madame

3. Ke$ha

4. Odette

5. Frankie

Dear Elle, 

I looked up to you all of my young life. You were amazing sister that always looked out for me. I wish it had stayed that way but we both started growing up and moving on. I guess I thought you were going to stay the sweet and good Elle. But you started going wild and I didn't approve and then it came my turn. You got angry at me for going wild. You started ignoring me and not looking out for me anymore. We basically became enemies.

It wasn't until I moved that we realized how stupid we both were getting. I don't regret flying to see you January 2013 (you probably do though.) I know some bad things came out of that trip and I am really sorry for that. Though, one amazing thing came out of the trip. You and I are close again. I love seeing you so happy! You have really blossomed into one amazing person and I know you will be a fantastic mom!

You influenced me to be wild and conquer the world.

Love Mary Ann

Dear Madame,

I have never had someone intimidate me like you did when I met you. I was shocked at how polished and put together you were. Because let me tell you the other people that interviewed me I was happy I didn't get a call back from them. There was even one person I told her I changed my mind. She looked frumpy. 

But getting onto the good things. You influenced me in so many ways. You made me believe in myself. You made me take my passion and love it more and more. I never knew that teaching little ones would make me so happy. However, it really helped me see a purpose with my life. It showed me that the smallest little kid has an opinion that matters. And that teaching hygiene and manners are so important that's why I stress that so much. 

So thank you for believing in me and giving me a chance to grow and love what I do.

Love Mary Ann

Dear Ke$ha,

You know that craze in 2002 when Avril Lavigne made it onto the scene and all the girls wanted work skater pants and ties? Yeah when you hit the scene in 2009 that was it for me I knew I found my music soulmate. I  was already smashing bottles of glitter and you just made it twice as bad. And it has literally taken over my life. You have said and sung so many things I agree with about guys and life.

I cannot tell you how many times those songs have changed my whole day and basically my life since they came to my iTunes library. You have been an inspiration to me with your outlooks on life. Because I know you don't put up with people and your past is what you are rising above as well.

"Just because I'm sassy and have a mouth on me doesn't mean I'm coming from a negative place." I agree. Some people mistake having a mouth to being completely rude.

"When you're around me, you're going to get glitter on you." 

This is just how I greet people.

I love Kate Middleton too but something about you stands out to me. And meeting was a dream come true.

Love Mary Ann

Dear Odette,

Do I really tell need to tell you how you have influenced me? I mean I talk about it all the time. 

1) You are a Godly woman.

2) You handle everything so well.

3) You have a huge heart.

4) You made me want to be a better person.

5) Your relationship is the model what I want for my relationship.

6) You have desire and passion for life.

That's how you inspire me. You have always inspire me. You have always pushed me to see my self worth.

I love you forever & ALWAYS

Mary Ann

Dear Frankie,

I know you are freaking out trying to figure how you inspire me. But let's be honest. I was much like the thing back in the day. (Yes people I just went there.) I wanted attention for the wrong reasons. Odette helped me see the errors of my way but baby the biggest person to help me with that was you. You helped me see how I could change my ways for the better. I didn't have to keep whining or crying. I could say it once and cry once. The quote you gave me has really helped me with moving on from things in my life. "Cry as hard as you want but once you stop you are not allowed to cry about that subject again." I have loved living by that quote. 

I feel inspired by how courageous you are and how you find inspiration to move on day to day when your body basically tells you to sit down and be quiet. You fight with a fierce determination that not only inspires me but others as well. You are a huge inspiration to me now. You give me hope, inspiration, and love. You are the most amazing person. 

I love you,

Mary Ann

Honorable Mentions: Hunter, Jessica, and Momma

Momma,

I know we are just getting to really know each other, but I love how you are so crazy. It really helps me see that it's you that I get that from. You and you're flashy self.

I love you, 

Mary Ann

Hunter,

The loud one that moved into my house a year ago and totally flipped my world upside down. Thank you for being there for me and helping me move on from all the negativity people send my way.

Hearts N Glitter,

Mary Ann

And last but certainly not least.

Jessica,

What do I say about you? You are one heck of a woman. Books, nail polish, and beaches. That's where it's at babe. We got many years ahead of us doing crazy things from really wild water parks, to making you go 461 feet in the air on roller coaster (don't shake your head at me), to putting our toes into the sandy shores of Hawaii. We got this life together and we aren't going to waste it.

Love you bunches,

Mary Ann

Fresh Start Challenge Day 24: Welcome Mat

I have dogs so this was hilarious to me!

I wasn't raised in church. We went to church around Christmas and that was it. I was always amazed at people thinking I was this good little Christian girl just because I was reading and didn't curse a lot. In reality I was reading porn many times (You know before it became cool with Fifty Shades of Grey.)

When I became a teenager I really lost my way. I started researching other religions. None of them really fit me and what I was seeking. I want people to accept me. Sadly, I didn't feel like the Christian kids at my school would accept me because of my status and my past. It was a worse feeling as the hard parts of my life went on.

When you've been raped and the result is pregnancy. You seriously question who do you turn to and will anyone ever accept you. Even my parents will admit that they turned their backs on me when I was going through that. I had a daughter and she was snatched away from me before I was ever allowed to hold her because she had so many things wrong with her.

Moving on with my life was not easy but my parents insisted that my daughter was better off without me hindering her life. I went on to college and finally moving away because I was forbidden from seeing her so I decided to move on start new. It's a decision I regret and love at the same time.

I have written about this on several occasions and you will see it in the future, because this is a day that forever changed my life. Just a regular Tuesday morning and pulling into work. Madame is greeting at the door like usual except there this was there was a blonde, with eyes I swore were freaking contacts, helping her greet people. I hated the girl she was too quiet and soft spoken. Yeah, I changed that; me and the guy that is now her husband totally changed that.

She became my best friend. She started making me watch my language, stop drinking as much and finally stop smoking. You want to talk about being scared of gaining weight but I actually lost weight instead. I know you can hate me. And trust me for who smoke I seriously felt different when I quit. But there was one day after I quit that I had a serious craving and need for one.

"Will you go to church with me please?" Staring at those almond colored eyes is a dangerous especially when the word please is used. I agreed but regretted it instantly. I hadn't been to church in years and knew I wasn't going to be accepted. However, I got in her car desperately wanting a cigarette and opted for furiously chewing on gum. Getting out of that car was like walking on jello.

Imagine my shock when the preacher was dressed in cargo shorts, sandals, and polo. I was greeted by everyone. The preacher had tattoos and was extremely easy to talk about things. I said my first prayer in many years when we prayed that night. "If this is where I belong, let me know please." God did just that.

 The Lifehouse song came on and I as I sang the words I started crying and grabbed Odette's hand. I knew that I was finally home. These people accepted me including my past and I accepted them for theirs. I was saved and baptized at the beginning of 2013 after Frankie and I got together.

Then February 1st, 2013 I received two text messages that sent me crumbling. My daughter's heart gave out. My church family came together and helped me get through the grief and pain. They still support me and give daily comfort. Even with the help of my church family, I am for once in my life close to my family. It feels amazing. Even though I still regret coming to Huntsville, and I may leave it one day, I am glad that I was in Huntsville when I was.