An Afternoon I Will Never Forget

Today, as America commemorates the 50th anniversary the Kennedy assassination, history buffs like myself are glued to all of the television specials and not without some tears in our eyes. 

The start of my obsession with the Kennedy family started sometime between elementary and middle school with a vintage biography of my mom's about Jackie Kennedy. Since then, I've read every book I could get my hands on about the family; wrote countless papers about the assassination and Jackie Kennedy; and  visited the landmarks - Kennedy Presidential Library, Hyannis Kennedy Memorial, Arlington and Dallas.

Visiting the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas had always been one of my goals and although it was interesting, I have no desire to ever return. From the moment I stepped into the window where Lee Harvey Oswald stood, I had chills. Walking through the grassy knoll and Dealey Plaza was a somber experience and an afternoon I will never forget. 

In the end I'm glad I had the opportunity to see the Sixth Floor Museum but I enjoyed the Kennedy Presidential Library more because it focused more on JFK's life not death, more on how he inspired a generation not the end of an era and more on what he accomplished not what wasn't because of his untimely death. 

These are a few pictures I took the afternoon I spent at he Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas with my friend Kristin.

Need Something to Read?

Try these blogs.

I don't follow many blogs but there are a few that I like to read everyday (which doesn't really happen now without Google Reader). These blogs are random - some are about life, others about the library world and some about houses but they are all interesting and someday I hope that my blog with a little love and encouragement might be as successful. So here are five blogs to try:

Pawley's Island Posh

Someone recommended this blog to me and for the life of me I can't remember who now but Julia's posts about home decor, fashion, cooking and life are creative and inspiring. I'm always interested to see what project she is working on in her house or see the awesome infographics she designs. Plus she's a talented photographer and as an aspring one, I love to see her work.

The Dating Divas

I found this blog via Pinterest. It's fabulous for finding creative date night ideas, out-of-the-box gift options and other fun ways to show your significant other/spouse how much you love and care for them. Their Pinterest boards are awesome as well. The Dating Divas is where I found the Year of Date idea, which I gave to Dennis for Valentine's Day, gave to my friend Kristin as a wedding present and that Dennis and I received as a wedding gift from my friends at the Western Allegheny Community Library.

1000 Awesome Things

I've been following this blog for years. I really wouldn't consider it a blog but a fabulous list. The books are great as well. Everyday the post is about something awesome obviously but they are simple things like the post for today - coming back to your bed after a long trip. Sometimes they are hilarious! It's just something little that brightens my day and most of the time the post is nothing more than the title and a picture.

Hooked on Houses

I started following this blog obsessively with my former coworker, Amanda. The author posts about celebrity homes, houses for sale and great renovations. The part that I love the most though is the posts about movie and TV houses. Think about all the movie and TV houses that you love? They are probably on the blog. I love the Family Stone house and there is a whole post just about that.

Read them. See what you think!

We missed you...

Our wedding was beautiful. It was better than that...it was amazing! It was a day I will never forget. However, there were a few things missing. Correction, a few people were missing...my grandparents.

It's Veteran's Day, which always makes me think of my grandpa but today I'm remembering all three grandparents and thinking about how much I wished they could have been at our wedding. I was so blessed to have all three of my grandparents as long as I did but it broke my heart that they would not be at my wedding. I wanted to dance with my grandpa, watch my grandparents do the anniversary dance and hear my Grandma Kay make hilarious comments under her breath about people's outfits.

We all know I don't show a lot of emotion, which I can thank my Grandma Kay for since she was the same. I made it to the hymn at the wedding without a meltdown, which was triggered because I couldn't stop thinking about them. Music always does that to me. Dennis got me calmed down though.

Then I realized they were there...in spirit...and in the ways we chose to remember them during the ceremony and reception. It was much colder than we expected, so I wore my Grandma Grace's coat from the 1930's and her pearls. One of the preludes, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, was one of my Grandma Kay's favorite pieces. The card holder at the reception was decorated with love notes that my grandparents wrote to each other. My favorite part though...the charms with their pictures on the bouquet.

My wish for Dennis and I now is that we will have a marriage as long and happy as my beloved grandparents. We can all learn a lot from our grandparents, including the importance of a strong marriage.