It's addition.

When we first moved to PA, I convinced myself that I didn't need to worry about making friends. I had friends, wonderful friends (I miss y'all!). Then as the weeks went on, I realized how hard it was to meet people when you work alone and your church is full of older folks-just like the town. Then a new phase set in. I decided I didn't need friends up here at all. I have Brett and I'm completely okay with spending all my time with him. He's so fun- why wouldn't I want to be with him! Fast forward another two weeks and I feel the need for a girlfriend to shop with, get coffee, lay by the pool, etc. Part of me was sad over this, because it made our move here seem very permanent. I felt like I would be replacing those dear to me. After a much needed convo with a wise friend from home (hi, Becca!), I was reminded that it was an addition of friends not subtraction or replacement.

Then God showed me that He really does care about friendship.

Last weekend we walked into church and for the first time, I recognized a face! At first, I couldn't place how I knew her. I started thinking maybe I didn't know her...then she waved. Brett and I continued walking to our seats and then the girl came over and said "Arkansas, right?!". That's when it hit me- she was on my plane from Little Rock to Baltimore! While in the airport, we had worked through switching schedules due to canceled flights and complained together about how late we would be getting in. We never discussed where we lived or really any particulars but chatted a bit while at the gate and wished each other a good flight when we boarded. It just can't be coincidence that two girls from the same small town in PA met while flying into one of the largest airports. I'm so thankful to have someone to call when I need some girl time! Friendship is a good thing.

Home is wherever I'm with you

I am back in PA! After finishing my thesis, I spent a few days relaxing with my family in Little Rock and my family in Pleasant Plains before catching a flight to see my man!! The trip was a little dramatic with my first flight being canceled and not having my bags for two days, but I was so happy to be with Brett that it didn't even matter.

We've spent the last two weeks doing little projects around the house, laughing, cooking, and playing music. I've also been riding along with Brett as he checks out the green bean fields. I have learned more than anyone could ever want to know about green bean harvesting, but it has been fun seeing what his job is all about!

Some pictures from the last few days:

Brett got a grill for part of his birthday present and he built a table for our porch!

We grilled chicken: lemon, paprika, rosemary, and olive oil.

Brett's mom made a similar salad when I visited and I had been craving it ever since so I made up a version of my own! Yum!

Keeping it real.

I think he likes having someone to cook for him...

We did have a little bit of drama. Shortly after this:

I ended up in the emergency room due to an allergic reaction (from the cedar boards we grilled fish on)! My tongue started swelling and my throat felt like it was closing up and I couldn't breathe. I have never experienced anything like that...I think Brett and I were both pretty freaked out. But after a large dose of meds (I was falling asleep in the hospital bed less than 5 min after they gave it to me), I was feeling good as new!

I've also made a new friend! :) She's our neighborhood cat that we sometimes let hang out with us (shh don't tell the landlord). We're pretty sure she has an owner due to her flea collar, but she is skinny so we've fed her tuna and chicken. 

It is hard to take her picture...she is really active

I'm sure you (by "you" I mean my mom and maybe one other person who reads this) are overloaded with pictures now so I'll stop for today. On the agenda for the next week: follow up some leads for teaching/research positions at a local college, start work on the produce farm, and spend time at the lake with Brett!  

It is so nice being home and back with Brett! I am one happy girl!!

M.S.

All the hard work is finally done: I passed my defense and am officially Meredith Gordon, M.S. I could not be more thrilled/relieved/happy/exhausted :) During the first two minutes of my presentation, I wasn't sure I would make it through the whole thing, but the friendly faces in the audience calmed my nerves. (Thank you to everyone who attended!)

It is hard to believe that I may possibly be done with school forever... Who knows what the future holds!

Well I do know one thing that will be happening in my future-

A week from tomorrow I will be back with My Man!!! I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 22

Brett and my Grandma share a birthday on June 22nd. I was so sad I couldn't be with Brett on his 26th birthday, but I was glad to spend the evening celebrating Betty's 80th!

My mom found the cookie cutter that my grandma always used to make them sugar cookies growing up and made these cute party favors:

We went to dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. It was fun getting everyone together and I think my Grandma had a wonderful time. Here are a few more pictures from the party:



 Please keep me in your prayers. My defense is Tuesday morning! Feeling a bit anxious, but definitely ready to be done with grad school. I'll let y'all know how it goes :)

A Sailor's Life for Me

Sailing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents' best friends are their fellow sailors on the docks. They have become family to us! We have had a sailboat since I was 18 months old. In total my parents have had three different boats. Over the years we've upgraded boats as my parents love of sailing has increased (or as my mom gave in to my dad's nagging). At one point in time, I even had a small sailboat of my own on Lake DeGray.

Since the beginning, I've always enjoined spending a weekend at the lake. I have wonderful memories of being woken up way too early on Saturday mornings and listening to Car Talk or the Beach Boys as we drove down to the lake. I think taking us to the lake every weekend also kept my brother and I out of trouble when we reached our teenage years. (The weekends we didn't go with them to the lake definitely led to some 'lectures' when they got home!)

Terms like halyard, jib, main, tacking, heel, stay, and helm come naturally to me now. Sailing is a weird combination of hard work and a laid-back vibe. There is nothing better than a day with great wind that takes you all the way down the lake. We are a part of  the Iron Mountain Yacht Club (website) that has parties and races on different weekends throughout the year. I personally have only won one race, but I did recieve an awesome trophy with a base made of beer cans (it's a prized possession). I hope that sailing will always be in my life. With a beautiful lake only 15 min. from our new place in PA, I've already got my eye on a few boats on craigslist :)  I snapped a few pictures on my last sailing trip with my parents to give y'all a glimpse into what it's all about.

Crazy Week

On top of all the thesis writing I've been doing lately, we've also been taking care of my grandad's farm as he had a stroke last week and has been in the hospital. He is itching to get home today and back to his animals so we will see what happens!

Check out his goats and miniature horses. I want to put one in my pocket they are so adorable!

In my next post, I'm going to share with everyone a family hobby that we've been passionate about for a long time that not everyone knows about us! I'm excited to write about it, but it will probably be later tonight or tomorrow as I am feeling the need to get back to thesis writing. Hope you are having a wonderful Monday!!

My Day on the Farm

While back in Arkansas, I wanted to spend a day with Brett's family out on the farm. I stayed with my brother-in-law, Brandon, and his girlfriend Cat. They sell organic produce that they grow on part of the farm: check out Five Acre Farms on facebook or their blog at thewaywardcarrot. I headed to Pleasant Plains last Saturday afternoon and got to spend time hanging out with them and their chickens! So cute!

They live in in Brett's grandmother's house which they have done a ton of work to and it look so good.

Brandon was definitely missing Brett...I think he felt out numbered by being the only boy. It doesn't help that Cat and I have too much fun messing with him. Love ya, brother! Cat and I tried to get Brandon to take a picture of us. The first is his attempt. The second is our's (much better!).  

I think Brandon was happy to have his good friend, Jerry, to keep him company!

 They invited a few of our friends over for dinner and a bonfire later that night and we had the best time just telling stories and laughing. I always have a good time with them. The next morning after an early wake-up call by Brandon at 5:45am...I went back to sleep for about an hour and half. Haha. 5:45 was just too early for me! After Cat and I woke up, we all went out to plant sweet potatoes- can't wait for them to get big enough to eat! It was pretty hard work, but it was fun getting to see what they do everyday and a little of what I should expect when I get back to PA (I got a job on a produce farm! Eee!).

Sweet Potatoes

Laying everything out. We planted two beds this length.

I wish I had taken a picture after we got everything planted, but my hands were so dirty that I didn't want to touch my camera. This is their first year growing sweet potatoes so we will see how it goes. I can't wait to try them out. It was great getting to spend time with family and to have a little break from working on my thesis. Now...back to writing my conclusion chapter. :)