Nerd?

I have absolutely no problem admitting that I have never been a reader...Never. Yes, I took all those silly gifted, Target, and Pre-AP classes in high school and always had my very best grades in english, reading, language arts, etc...but I never voluntarily picked up a book in my youth. My parents read to me when I was little and from time to time in HS I actually read the books assigned to me - but most of the time I made it through a chapter or two before picking up the cliff notes and calling it quits. I just had no motivation I guess.

Once I got to college I read a few, very short, books on my own (more to quiet the requests of my boyfriend at the time than to suffice my own desires). And then, about this a year ago time I picked up a book called One Month to Live. It was decent. Next, my pastor suggested the church body read The Shack...I did, it was interesting. And then...oohhh then...I started into The Twilight Series. (Which I shamefully read through in 2 weeks...all 3,000 some odd pages) Anyhow, ever since then - I AM HOOKED! I don't have a ton of free time, but when I do find some, I love to read! It is so weird to me that all those years just slipped by without me enjoying this great pleasure...now it is like it's always been a part of me (but we know the truth:)). So anyhow, I figured I would list the books I have read in the past few months since my new found hobby has blossomed. Here's to a healthy habit :) Please make suggestions for my next read!

RIP Big Daddi Addi

It has been a whirlwind these past few weeks. Getting back into the groove at work after vacation is never fun...and whats worse - I had to work on the 4th of July! I remember back in HS when I would volunteer myself for a day shift because we got paid time and 1/2 to work holidays. Not so much with a salaried professional career... Such is the life of a Marketing professional, I ought to be used to it by now! So at 7am I was in the parking lot of The Woodlands United Methodist Church decorating a trackless vintage train which was to serve as the Sadler Clinic float in the annual 4th of July Parade for Montgomery County held in The Woodlands, TX. The parade route was only 1.5 miles long or something but with over 350 floats...it took us until past 12noon to finish! Did I mention it was 110 degrees? Good times! Over 20,000 people showed up to watch the procession. It was packed (crazy fools - I would sooo have been in the A/C or a cold pool if I had a choice).

Anyhow, after the parade Matt and I (yes Matt, my loving husband got up and went with me to the parade)headed home to shower and rest for the rest of the days festivities. While napping I got a call from my brother, Matt. He said three words. "jill, addison's dead" That's all. And then he cried and we sat in silence. Through tears on both ends we talked it out. How, why, and what now. Addison has been a family friend for around 13 years and my brother's very best friend through the last ten years. He and my father were also extremely close. My family was devastated by the loss. Addison was very much an extension of our family and in so many ways a brother to my brother. We loved him very much and will miss him down here but we rejoice in his homecoming with the Lord. His funeral was held on July 8th at Stewart's Family Funeral Home. My father served as officiator for the service and my brother as a pallbearer. The room was flooded by family and friends of Addison's - a true reflection of his good heart and spirit. Please lift the Taliaferro's up in your prayers, Addison is survived by his parents Mike and Suzonne, his sister Raley, and his 5 year old daughter Kyndel.

vacation pics! playa del carmen 09

FINALLY! Matthew and I got to take our very own vacation just the two of us...a long awaited honeymoon of sorts. It was perfect! We stayed at the Dreams Resort & Spa (all inclusive) in Puertos Avenuturas, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Enjoy the pics :)