At long last, I purchased my first Michigan home two weeks ago. MAJOR props to my phenomenal real estate agent who worked her butt off to ensure my hunt and purchase remained as positive an experience as it could. If you're looking for a home anytime in the near future, I will happily pass along Kristine's info. She's dynamite! I will be residing in the beautiful city of Berkley (go Bears!) and enjoy the company of new, wonderful neighbors by Thanksgiving including some of my favorite co-workers. There IS a picture below but I'm waiting for the grand reveal of the inside when the cleaning, painting, and setting up house is completed - stay tuned. When Kate and Amanda Davies visited my bare boned home for the first time, Kate excitedly said to Amanda, "Won't it be so fun to hang out here?" which basically sums up my sentiments exactly. While it will be sad to move out of my parents' because we've really enjoyed the time spent together, I am super excited to curl up in front of my fireplace with a glass of vino and a good book in time for the holidays. Cheers to that!
Shortly after purchasing my new home, I traveled to St. Louis, MO for the third time this year (smooth trip home this time - yay!) to celebrate the nuptials of my dear friends Doug and Christy Porterfield. What a blessed affair it was and to stand beside this beautiful couple as they spoke their vows to one another honored me. The love in Holy Family Church as they celebrated their love for one another through this Sacrament reminds me how fortunate I am to believe in a God who loves us SO much he wants us to be THIS happy:
Those who witnessed their celebration of unity and those who did so in spirit joyfully embraced the happy couple as they begin their life together as married people. As I looked out into the congregation, I thought to myself, as I have so often when in the company of the Porterfields and their family and friends, how fortunate they are to have such a wide circle of people who love them and how lucky I am to now call these people friends as well. Their ceremony, and the ragin' party which followed, demonstrated the love Crist and Doug radiate from themselves as individuals and a couple; one can't help but be touched by such an outpouring.
 |
| Clearly the blondes outnumber we brunettes. I've gotten over it. Almost. |
 |
| CK(P) gathers friends wherever she goes; we feel blessed to call one another friends because of her. |
 |
| Oh, my girl. What a blessed friendship blossomed from that one night in Hot-lanta. Sigh. |
|
|
Since I bought a house, I figured why not take one more plunge in a short period of time. After growing my hair for nearly three years, I cut just over 10 inches off this week for Locks of Love, an organization which makes wigs for pediatric cancer patients. Despite the fact that MY hair will go to kids, my heart is with all those who - or know someone who - struggles with and lost the battle to cancer, especially my sweet grandma Parker. My mom went with me and unintentionally shot a video of the actual chopping (the iPhone really is genius). I've included it below. Here's the final result:
Miss Krista did a killer job and I'm getting used to the lightness of head. We waged bets on how many 9th graders would ask me if I got my hair cut and proud to report only two did - imagine how many would've asked if I did it early in the year. #progress! One darling did say, "Wow, Ms. Clancy, you look different" with a tone of sheer incredulous. A conversation promptly ensued during which I shared with him the merits of delivery IF he hoped to have any success with the ladies in the future. Oh, what a gift it is to shape young minds .....
All in all, October was a good month and November's off to a good start, too! I'm off to paint the bathroom on Phillips Ave. Come visit soon :)
Oh, and here's that video - the music, which happened to be Krista's ringtone, timed itself perfectly.
