Friday, October 10, 2014

Blogtober14: I never thought

I must say since I started blogging, a lot about my life has changed. Not so much because of blogging but just life in general, I can say that it's caused me to reflect more and be a bit more specific about my life. I never thought blogging would be a force for me to use, as a way to reflect about my life.

Sure, I know I wanted things to be personal and publish things about myself that others could find useful (much of which I haven't shared because some things I just think people don't care to read about), but I've grown as an individual so much. More in the last few months than I have in the last few years. I thank God for the growth, and the strength to endure some hard times, because that just means greater is right around the corner.

Since I've been blogging personally and connecting to various forums I've found other bloggers that have had such great content that have been enlightening, intriguing, and made me do some soul searching. No, they didn't change me, my father in heaven has, but hearing things from another angle has made me realize what's most important in life.

I'll leave you with these words that have helped me.








xoxo,
~Nell



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Blogtober14: Best Halloween Memory

Given that my family never really celebrated Halloween much, my fondest memories are probably a bit different than yours, I don't have too many memories trick or treating and costume wise. But what I do have are memories of my family just being together and enjoying each others company.


See I'm the youngest of 5 to parents that worked and still do work very hard. They are both retired military and coming from a rather large family we didn't have a lot of money to eat out in my younger years just because. But each Halloween; before Churches came up with there own traditions like praise night, and trunk or treat, where people dressed like their favorite people in the bible; we would always pack up in the Minivan (Good ol' Aerostar) and head to the nearest resturaunt.

Back then (as if I'm super old lol), but back then we didn't have a huge choice of options so we would hitup Shoney's...good ol' Shoney's! I still to this day love that place. It just holds so many memories. From the costumed bear that would walk around passing out candy, to the lollipop treats given at check out, to the arcade games, they would have that were always rigged for you to lose; but back then at .25 cents a game why not!



















Unfornatley, like most things that Shoney's in the area I grew up in has changed from one resturaunt to another; most currently IHOP; and the only time I run across one is when I'm south of 95 and people talk a little slower, drive a little more careful, and take their time and communicate with their neighbors. Gosh how I miss the days where people were just nicer.

But anyway back to the matter at hand. Halloween for me now isn't much more than just October 31st. Sometimes I'll get the occasional knock on my door and have to hush my dog, but at least in between the occasional knock and the semi scary movies on tv to watch, I can reminisce on the days where my family would just sit back and enjoy one another. Times were simpler, days were slower, we actually looked up to see one another instead of having our eyes glued to phones or tablets, and we didn't take for granted the time we had enjoying a meal out with one another. Not that we don't do that now but as times change you're able to enjoy nicer things, and sometimes enjoying dinner together is nothing more than just another dinner together.

What's your Best or Worst Halloween Memory? Do you remember Shoney's?