My twin sis and I have bucket lists. The funny thing is that they aren't literally on paper. They are in our heads. For instance, my Nay Nay called me and said, "You won 't believe what I did!  I got big girl shoes…for my bucket list." "Really? Big girl shoes?" I asked. I knew exactly what she meant. When we were born, and back in the day when braces could or should be recommended for feet that in-toed, we weren't given that joy. As a result, walking in high heels can often be a challenge. My Nay Nay decided that she was going to cross off one thing on that bucket list and found a deal of 10 pairs of heels. (Not one but 10. She went for the gusto.) Each day, she practiced walking in her big girl shoes until the moment finally came and she ROCKED those heels! Together we have decided that we WILL cross off stuff on our growing bucket lists. Some of those things are on both of our lists while others are our very own "personal" bucket lists...

When I first started blogging, I was "happily" married for 21 years. Then divorce happened. The ugliness of unfaithfulness sent me spinning into a life I hadn't anticipated. Being real here...divorce is ugly. PERIOD.  Flash forward a few years...I was at a place in my life where I discovered the Simone that I had never known. I found my voice and a place where I could finally smile again but I was lonely. I wanted to share my life with someone but not just any "someone" a God's gift to me "someone".  In all honesty, I kissed a few toads before I found my handsome prince. I became disillusioned and distrustful, thinking that there were no more good guys. The guys that I dated really had no clue who "Simone" was. They didn't know what put a smile on my face or what made me laugh or the silly side of me. They didn't really know how much I loved the feeling of holding hands and being told that I was beautiful. My J was that...

Our pastor has been doing a series the last several weeks on "Before You Say, "I Do", and it really has been a huge reminder of how much I love J and cherish the commitment that we've made together. The other night, I asked him, "Why did you marry me?" and it got me thinking that it would be great to share his response with you all. I twisted his arm asked ever so sweetly, if he'd do a guest post and here's my main man, my sweetheart, J. My beautiful wife has asked me to write a post on why I married her so let's see if I can flesh out what that "it" factor was which moved me to ask her to be my bride. The first thing I noticed about Simone was her positive view on life. She is a dreamer and believes she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to do.  This trait lifts me up and gives me hope and encouragement in a world that can sometimes squash my dreams. Simone is sophisticated and down to earth as well. I see this as a per...

That is the perfect picture of how it was being a twin. When something bad happened to one of us, then the other cried along. My poor parents....hearing babies cry in stereo. But there was also the joy of stereo laughter too. Lately, I've been thinking about my life and how it just hasn't happened the way I planned. When I was little, I had dreams of things that were outlandish now but so very real then. I didn't marry David Cassidy like I thought or Foster Sylvers. I didn't open a house for orphaned kids, old people and pets (although there is still time for that ;) My sis and I didn't take our love of singing on the road and become the next Christian recording artists. I didn't marry a rich man, although my J has millions of ways that he showers me with his love that makes it much better than marrying a "rich" man. I also didn't "plan" on having experienced divorce, moving out of California, missing my twin sister, having grey hai...

Being a kid, the one thing that I worried the most about is when I was "big enough". I never knew what the "enough" part meant though. Big enough to reach the water fountain? Big enough to color in the lines instead of out? Big enough to go down the hall to the bathroom in the middle of the night - all by myself? (That took way past the "big enough" stage since I was terribly afraid of the dark.) I remember the moment I realized I was big enough was when I chewed my gum and didn't swallow it. As an adult, I have discovered trying to be "big enough" isn't all that it's cracked up to be. In fact, I quietly wish that all my fears and worries were pint sized again but they aren't. I recently read the book, Anything by Jennie Allen, one of the Women of Faith speakers and thanks to Jennie, I have realized that I'm still not "big enough". You see, Jennie spoke of when her and her husband decided to live out their live...

I feel as if I'm stuck in a time warp of sorts. Life has gone quickly by but yet, I'm moving in slow motion. If I had to do the last few months over again, I would, but with a few changes. The biggest change would be to move slower and savor each moment. December was a blur. I wrote a children's play for the church, was a part of the church's accapella group for Christmas, was program coordinator for Angel Tree ministries and a few extra things added into the mix, not to mention making room for the family and still dealing with the chest pains and cardiologist appointments. Yes, I know what you're all going to tell me already so I will save your fingers from typing these words…"JUST SAY NO!" I have decided that although I won't say no to everything, I will learn to prioritize the things that I really want to be a part of. Unfortunately, all of those things meant a lot to me. I can't tell you what joy I had watching the kids perform the play. J...

Only I --- could cut my tongue eating a graham cracker. Only I --- could be the designated pillow for the kitty. Only I --- could cry from hearing O Come All Ye Faithful. Only I --- could eat seaweed for breakfast and convince myself that it is the yummiest snack there is. (Even better than Reeses Puffs Cereal) . Only I --- could develop an allergy to fish after 49 years. Only I --- could have the joy of teaching a classroom of preschool kids in church and hearing them pray. Only I --- could have an epic fail day in the kitchen while making caramel apples. Note to self --lose the recipe for reverse caramel apples. Only I --- would get the same guy twice on the phone wanting to commit suicide - AGAIN. This time, though, he was threatening to take out a few people with him. Scary but true. Only I --- could misunderstand someone that is telling me that they are "packing". She said, "I'm still living here but I'm packing." My re...