follow up on ted williams and a few other things...

well- it kinda seems like ive been dooped. what i thought was a truly magical story seems to have turned into a nightmare... a fraud even... mr. ted williams hasn't been sober for 2 years (or maybe all of this excitement/pressure have caused him to return to the bottle?).  i am not ashamed to admit that im a bit devastated. i think i just love to believe in happy endings... that good things CAN and DO happen. ted seems to be struggling now just as he has in the past. his most recent drunken stoops have resulted in abusive and hateful behavior toward his family. i feel bad for them. i have a new understanding for what it must be like to be his mom/daughter/sister/friend.

i cant help but ask myself what it is in me that causes me to trust so willingly? to look at a situation like this and choose to ignore the risks. to look at a situation like this through a childs eyes with nothing but hope and optimism. whatever it is has caused me great hurts in my life... but that's not the only thing that has resulted from this tendency either. i think my ability to look for the positive in situations has allowed me to experience great joy in life. willing to give people 2nd and sometimes 3rd and 4th chances has been more of an asset than it has a pain. so while this ted williams situation has been a reminder that i may sometimes be too hopeful or generous with the faith i put in people... i wouldnt change it for anything. i also would like to say that though i have indeed been dooped and was totally and completely mislead by this man- i do not believe his story is over. ted is in a rehab facility and right now i am choosing to hold onto that childlike hope that allows me to believe in happy endings for all. i wish he and his family the very best and will continue to keep them in my prayers. oh and ps- sorry bout my little rant yesterday julia. :)

aNyWay..... on to more positive and enjoyable things..... eric and i spent a great deal of time at the factory in franklin today. for those of you who are not from nashville and have no idea what im referring to- the factory in franklin is a mall but not the kind you find just anywhere. it's space is filled with artwork done by local artists and little boutiques. we started by enjoying hot dogs at this awesome little spot inside the mall (i cant remember it's name) and they were nothing short of FAB. i typically am not too terribly adventurous when it comes to food but today i decided to try out a chicago style dog. complete with mustard and tomatoes and a pickle spear and onions... mmmmm. it was delish! sometimes it pays to step outside of your box i guess. from there we loved visiting all of the adorable pups at the happy tales humane society. i am happy to report we made it outta there with just puppy kisses and no puppy in toe. (in the past this has not always been the case.... see below)

wasnt she just the cutest???

after happy tales we ventured over to see some of the amazing artwork available to buy. there were several paintings i would have bought in a red hot minute if my budget were endless- seriously. BUT i can tell you that i DID get lucky enough to make out with one awesome picture that i honestly just love. some of you may think it's a bit random and the truth is- it IS. but maybe thats why i love it? it's quite whimsical and super duper fun. at first glance i thought 'how cute would that be in a little guys nursery?' and then i kept looking and looking and looking and thought 'why not?' the great thing about being an adult and having my very own home is that i am the one who gets to call the shots. i loved it... so i bought it- and couldnt be happier. the artist is a man who couldnt possibly be sweeter- john cannon. he told me how and why he got inspired to paint the fun rhino and apparently it was brad paisley's wife who actually came up with the idea. she was decorating jasper's nursery and wanted something original and fun. a bit funky and colorful. sooooooo- without further ado- here is my new painting. meet 'rhinehart the rhino'. he just makes my heart feel happy. :)

so i know the light/color is not great quality but that's just cause i kinda have a bum camera... BUT don't you just think "rhinee" is so damn cute?? i do! he is currently lighting up my downstairs half bath and i must say-hes making it much friendlier than it was before. and who knows... maybe someday we'll have a little man who might enjoy "rhinee" to watch over him as he sleeps. (one can only hope!) anyway- john cannon does quite a bit of artwork- varying dramatically in styles so i recommend you check his site to have a look around. i myself am more into his whimsical art. i would love to go back for his fat little bird pic too! go take a look and let me know what you think! http://www.johncannonart.com/

well- i guess i might close for now. i am happy to report that the sun has chosen to make an appearance today in nashville- i needed that! i also was in dire need of a weekend and time to spend with my super fabulous hub. he is my world. be blessed friends and as always- be thankful.