My People

My People
My matched set of grandchildren - Oliver and Cosette

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

a few questions

As I mentioned yesterday... my adorable niece, Sarabeth Leah Gant is six years old today! Sarabeth has the distinction of being the first girl born into our family after me... Tiffany and Elizabeth are treasured members of our family but they came to us when their mommies married one of my brothers. After I was born there was a gap of 34 years before another Gant Girl was born. That makes Sarabeth my legacy. I loved her before she was even born. From birth, I could hold her for a few minutes and all the stress in the world would melt away. She still has that power. She has a few traits that aren't like Aunt Heather... she's more of an introvert, a bit quiet and reflective, almost shy at times. But she loves lip gloss and nail polish and is a dainty, girly girl just like me. A few SB pictures....


last summer, taking a bath at Aunt Heather's condo








Posing with Cousin Cody... they switched hats and she thought that was really funny!


In St. Augustine last Summer. She is standing on the seawall... she's tall, but not taller than me. Yet.
















At Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. Sarabeth wanted to talk to the soldier guy to find out what they ate for lunch at the fort back in the day. She was so focused on being able to talk to him... and finally did. This picture was of her striding back from that encounter. I love how tall and confident she is!















Today I have to do what I was supposed to do yesterday and didn't do - complete the transfer of my corporate data from Florida to this office. Yesterday I was supposed to do it at 10:30 and the DISH guy was coming at 12. I was afraid I wouldn't finish and wouldn't be back in time. They couldn't begin the DISH installation without an adult there. I knew if I missed our appointment it would be several days before they could come back... and by that time I would have started work so it would mean missing work.

And... I was a little weepy yesterday morning and knew I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be in my new office. I don't want to go in there as a drama queen. I want my first impression to be that I am a woman of faith, confidence, strength... I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not... but in my heart, I am not that sad and weepy person and I don't want people to feel sorry for me there. Yes, I have faced obstacles and yes, I am dealing with some deep hurts and huge disappointments. But I am a survivor. Sometimes the "goin' through" is a little hard to bear... and in those moments I cry... or cry out... and literally have to pray my way through it. I am afraid to go back to work. I am afraid of the routine and the responsibility and afraid that I will not have the energy or the strength to handle working full time. I guess the truth is I don't... and I will have to rely on God for the strength to get through the work day and not just survive but also thrive. I have a lot to prove. I need this job.

Alright... I've got about 50 followers and I am so thrilled by that! On AOL you never really knew how many people were reading and it's exciting to know that many of you want to hear my story. I know there are many more who read and who comment back to me by email or text or myspace or facebook and that's awesome. I don't mind how you talk to me, just talk to me. You are a huge part of my recovery! Your positive input... your reality checks.... your willingness to be honest with me and share from your heart... makes such a huge difference in my life.

So now I want to have audience participation from my readers... you don't have to answer ALL of these questions but if you'll answer a couple and give me a little insight to who you are... and maybe give me a little encouragement as well.

1. I have several bible verses that I have committed to memory that give me strength when I am discouraged. Can you share a few of your favorite? Or maybe just a quote or passage or song lyric that you find empowering?

2. What would you consider your "lean" years as far as finances are concerned? Many might say college - or when they were newly married. Tell me about your hard times and how you survived... ramen noodles? I may glean some tips that help us get through!

3. I'm interested in your love stories. It's discouraging to not be "lucky in love". My first marriage was abyssmal. My second marriage was, without a doubt, the greatest disappointment I've ever faced. I want to hear stories about how you may have given up on finding someone special and ended up meeting him...

4. I'm loving having TV again after 3 weeks of not really watching. I'm a big tv junkie. My favorite show right now is Jon & Kate Plus 8... what show are you watching obsessively and why?

5. I'm also a big magazine reader. I love People, Shape, Self, Weight Watchers, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping... lots and lots of random mags. What magazine do you never miss? Why?

That's it for now... you can blog your answers in your own blog and leave a link in comments so everyone can follow you... you can email me... send me a myspace or facebook message... whatever. I look forward to hearing from lots of old blog friends and meeting new blog friends too! I really want to strengthen my community here... as well as building my real life community. Thanks for reading, thanks for indulging me.

Have a great Tuesday!
Happy Birthday Max!

20 comments:

Traci said...

This looks like a blog entry. I'm going to copy and paste the questions and answer them in my blog. Come and see.

*Tracy* said...

happy birthday to sarabeth! shes adorable. hugs

Jeannette said...

Sarabeth is adorable! I find less talk to me since we moved to blogger. I had so many regulars that never come now. Well, perhaps they come but I do not know about it.

Ericanbiloxi said...

Happy Birthday to Sarabeth!!!
I will do an entry on these questions, here on my blog.

sober white women said...

This to shall pass, and you can always find someone worse off then you are my sayings. My father use to say don't let the bas... get you down!

Lean times? Heck I think we are still living in them. I have always been cheap, and we do have a little money in savings.

I remember when we were homeless, I took the last of the money we had to the good will. I was able to buy the girls some shoes and some warm blankets. Those lean times!
Kelli

Emmi said...

I love all the pics ... your neice is just do darned adorable.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Love the pictures of Sarabeth. I'll try to email, post something the answers in the next few days to the questions. For now my favorite quote is my own...When you quiet the noise in your head, long enough to hear your heart, you begin to truly understand life. (hugs)Indigo

Janie said...

Thank you for visiting my journal. :) That is a long time for another girl. Very cute pictures. I like Hebrews 4:16. Counting every penny when shopping was concerned. lol Was very poor for quite a while. Feel blessed now by being able to pay the bills. lol I have not been too lucky with marriage. lol Believing that God is in control is the main thing. According to scripture... even Jesus wept, so He lets us know that it is alright to cry or cry out. :) In my prayers, Janie

Estela said...

http://lasttime-atbat.blogspot.com/
Hopefully that will take you to the post answering your questions. :)

moshell's lilbit of space said...

Happy Birthday to Miss Sarabeth...

I will answer these to you privately.

Kelly Dawn said...

I am goign to copy and paste into a blog entry :) love the questions! love em!

Kelly

Beth said...

Your niece is a cutie!

betty said...

one of my life verses
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who love you.

Currently, we're watching Lost; we bought season 1, working our way through season 2; I'm enthralled in it; otherwise I don't watch much TV

I love the Lord and I blog about Him and our silly corgi :)

betty

Eva said...

Heather,
Hi, I may not be able to answer all of your questions, but as far as number 3 goes. I was in a pretty bad place when I reconnected with my NOW husband. I was drinking, doing drugs, and going no where FAST. I know you know most of this story, or at least I think I wrote about it once or twice in my journal. Anyway, I was at this place in my life where I was ready to make a change, but I just didn't know how. The first step I took, was swearing off men! Like that was gonna work! I thought it would, I had been living with a guy for 5 years, and our break up was bad, violent, scary, and hurtful. After that I dated, and I got hurt once again by a guy that I really cared about( he turned out to be engaged to another woman that was pregnant with his first child), needless to say, I was done with men.
I decided to get my GED, and then I was going to join the Peace Corp and get away from it all.
I ran into Tyson, and we just started talking, and we talked for hours. We have a history, but it wasn't bad so I listened to him, (he has gone through similar things) and I just felt an instant connection to him, the rest of this story you pretty much know.
What I want to say to you is, there is no way I can see you NOT finding the right guy for you. You are smart, beautiful, strong, and loving. You deserve someone that can and will make you feel all of those things you are and more. You have a very trusting heart, which can sometimes backfire, but one day you will find the one that holds your heart like the treasure it is. I believe this is true, and when the time is right God WILL show you the way.

Love and Hugs, Eva

Lainey Laine said...

Answer to question no. 1.

Footprints in the Sand


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson

Lainey Laine said...

Question no. 2.

I think money wise the easiest time was in my first marraige because we did have a lot of money and wanted for nothing. But, I was not happy and I was not in love. Money didnt bring me happiness.

The hardest time with money was when I was on my own - a single mum - on benefits - but the best time had because I was free of that horrible person who made my life a misery.

Money is tight now but I have my lovely John and he means more to me than money!

Lainey Laine said...

Question 3

Love

When I met my first husband - I thought, yes I have found my husband, I never ever loved him, not really, it was just convention, I didnt want to be left on the shelf. I married him because we got on! We did get on in the early days. The day I got married I cried - not tears of joy - it was tears of what have I done!!

To cut a long story short - I divorced this man (who I had my two beautiful sons with by the way). I met several others and had several affairs and thought I was in love a couple of times. But, when I met John, the partner Im with now, I knew I had found love. I met him long after I had split up with my husband. We met on the internet - on yahoo chat! He just popped up and said Hello - he said hello because everyone else says hi - thats the first words he spoke to me.

We got to know each other and then we started seeing each other. I
still have all the emails and the letters we wrote. I remember the day he came to visit for the weekend and when he left I hurt so so much. I knew then what love is! I still do - 7 years later and I still love him the same and probably much more. I had never ever loved like I love him - you know when it is real.

Laine x

Lainey Laine said...

Question 4.

Coronation Street. why? Because I have watched it all my life. My mum watched it and I grew up with it and I still watch it - I wont miss it!!

Laine x

Lainey Laine said...

Question 5.

I used to get Cosmopolitan religiously. I used to get it delivered. I like the glossy pages and the lovely pictures. I like the sex tips!! I used to read them out to John - and we used to say oh yeah we do that already LOL!

I dont buy magazines anymore - I find them too trashy and expensive. If I was to buy one it would be a craft magazine or a whats on tv guide.

Lainey Laine said...

Oh whoops just read the last bit and I was supposed to put the answers in my own blog!!! Derrrrr!!! sorry!!! xxxxx