Let us pause for a moment of Erin...

There is a blue house that exists in Marion on a little street called Brittany Lane. This is a wondrous house where many a great times have been had. It sets in a great little neighborhood, where kids ride their bikes on the street, and occasionally grown-ups will be spotted riding 4-wheelers or pink mopeds around. There have been many hayrides, bonfires, and get togethers where friends have laughed so much. It is full of great neighbors, who actually wave at each other when they walk out the front door, and come sit on your deck with you to shoot the breeze after work. This is the place where my brother has lived for the past few years. I still remember my brother moving out to this house in Marion. I was not very pleased at this development in the beginning. My brother and I were still living in our parents' house, and he was the first to go. I was a bit jealous of this house taking my buddy away from me. No more Saturday morning brunches of assorted appetizer like foods...

In your life you're going to go to some great places, and you're going to do some wonderful things. But no matter where you go or who you become, this place will always be with you. There is only one Carrier Mills. And its your home. Ok, so I tweaked this quote a little bit to make it work for me. This is a line from one of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill. And, of course where it says Carrier Mills, they said Tree Hill. But the quote works so well for me and how I am feeling today. I have lived in this very small town of Carrier Mills my entire life. I even lived here while I was in college. I commuted back and forth every day to keep the same job, and boyfriend I had when leaving high school. There have been times where I regret not moving to Carbondale while I was going to school there, but I have never regretted Carrier Mills. Even though it is small, and not that eventful - there are so many things in Carrier Mills that I love. How can you hate something that co...

2010 brought many good things into my life. There are lots of great things that happened, and made wonderful memories. One of the best things to happen in 2010 is Richelle coming into my life. Richelle is the woman that is marrying my brother this summer. The Lord truly blessed our family when he brought Richelle into it. She is an extraordinary person that has touched my life in a way that can never be taken back. She has made my brother the happiest I have EVER seen him. For a while in my life, I did not wish for my happiness - but for my brother's. I prayed that someone come into his life that would light up his world, and be someone who could see just how wonderful he is. Well, the Lord answered. In walked Richelle. Richelle has this way about her that puts everyone at ease. I don't believe there has ever been an awkward moment with her. Usually when someone new is introduced into a family unit, there is the initial - what do we talk about - how do we act aroun...

For some reason, I have been pondering over a comment that my mother made about a week ago to me. I was driving us around Carbondale. This means two things are most likely a certainty - 1) I was probably mouthing someone else on the road as I meandered on my journey (tiny bit of road rage), and B) We were most likely headed to Panera for some lunch or a bagel. :) I remember that I was driving along with no hesitation, and an easiness to my actions. My mother looks at me and says, "You're so different than you once were. You're so much more independent." I took this as a huge compliment. I have since then taken the time to remember who I once was. There wasn't really anything wrong with the old me, I was just different. I guess you could say I was more of a child, and since then I have grown up. I have had a few things happen in my life in the past 5 years or so to cause this spurt of emotional growth. I can still remember how scared I once was. I think...

This week began the Lent season. Growing up, I attended a Baptist church, and we did not focus or really participate in Lent. For the past few years I have been attending a Methodist church,and have become a participator in Lent each year. I find it to be a wonderful act of faith. Last year I simply gave up my favorite treat, Kit Kats. This year I decided to step it up a notch. I first thought I would give up chips. This will be a challenge for me. Especially since I will be taking a road trip over Spring Break. When you travel long distances in a car, you can make a meal out of chips. I will not be able to do this. I will have to practice control and dedication to my Lent cause. I went a step further though, and decided I would give up all fried potato products with my chip withdrawal. This is what has made it even more of a sacrifice. Do you realize how many fried potato options there are on a menu? And boy do I enjoy just throwing some of those cubed hashbrowns into a s...