Sad and Thankful

This Christmas, all I'm thinking about is how much I miss John Sessoms, my beloved Grandpop. This is our first Christmas without him, and it's just not the same. It was so strange hearing someone give the Christmas prayer (even though my Mom did an absolutely beautiful job) other than Grandpop. It was also strange not having my sweet cousins Johnny, Angie, and Natalie with us, since my uncle Mark remarried. I must say, I genuinely miss our old Christmases, when we'd all gather on the 26th at Grandma & Grandpop's house in Murfreesboro to exchange gifts & get our typical gift of socks from the grandparents. I miss it so much, and I'm so heartbroken knowing that I'll never get to have that kind of Christmas again. But I was so thankful to have the family over to Lenoir City to spend time with Grandma (where she now lives). Though she often gets confused (she has alzheimers), she seemed happy to see the family.

Grandpop's sister Eska with my cousins Nat & Angie (day of his funeral)

It's been a hard year for my mom, but I could not be more proud to be her daughter. She is a strong, caring, compassionate, selfless woman. I hope I have that much kindness in my genes.

I am so grateful that Nathan got to meet my Grandpop before he passed away. Nathan came with me to see them before Grandpop got sick & while he was in hospice care, and I KNOW that Grandpop would approve of me marrying such a wonderful man. I only wish he was going to be around to see it... though I know he's going to be somewhere smiling down on us.

I am so thankful for my family, and somewhat sad that this is my last year to spend the "Stone" family christmas altogether with my sweet family. But I know I have a wonderful life ahead of me as a Dryden (and a Stone at heart... let's face it- I'll NEVER stop being a Stone! after all, I've got the "Finley ass").

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Winter has officialy arrived.

Well, the weather outside is frightful.... and all of my plans for this evening have been officially canceled.

I worked so hard all weekend to finish my Sociological Theory final paper (a whopping 19 pages) in order to be free for my fun plans tonight, all to no avail. I was supposed to dance in a Christmas program, have a chili night at my dance director (if you knew her, you'd understand why this is such a BIG deal), and then have a Taco Mamacita staff party, bringing my darling friend Allison as my date!

BUT, instead, I'm snowed in! I was able to rescue Nathan before the roads got unmanageable, and we got some groceries for the perfect snow-day dinner: Oven pizza (cheese, of course), faux chicken nuggets (vegetarian friendly), and peas. How fun & fifth-grade is that?!

While cooking, I decided to make myself a Christmasy cocktail, and it turned out wonderful. So, I'm going to share it with you:

• two parts white wine (I used a really cheap one)
• one part Cranberry Ginger Ale (mmmmm!)
• a dash of St. Germain (elderflower liqueur, sooo tasty)

And Voila, a tasty Christmasy cocktail to join a very juvenile dinner.

I must say, I am certainly glad that my work for the semester is done. It's been the toughest semester yet, but I dare say that I handled it quite gracefully. I can't even imagine how many pages total I've written to this point..... probably around 100, at least. I'm proud of the work I've done this semester. But I'm SO glad it's done. Only ONE MORE TO GO!!!!

and, by the way: only 172 days till our wedding! =)

SO READY.

I am absolutely so ready to be officially done with semester & able to enjoy Christmas.
Only a couple more days.

Ashamed, but hopeful.

Today, I am mourning the loss of what I thought was Belmont's Christian values.

Belmont recently forced the resignation of women's head soccer coach Lisa Howe, based on her sexuality and her expectant child with her life partner. She apparently violated the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. This bigotry & hatred has gone too far.

I have such respect for the leaders of this institution, but I am so very disappointed right now.
We all are.

Here are a few articles on the situation: Tennessean, Nashville Scene, City Paper (I'm quoted!)

Please keep Belmont, Lisa Howe's family, and the community in your prayers. We are fighting this.

=)

my how our love has grown.