Wednesday, September 19, 2018

I'm Still Here.

I feel like I do this a lot.

I take a break from blogging and then I get myself all worked up about how I'm going to apologize to my readers for my lack of content and for being MIA.  I always feel like I need to justify my absence and list off all the things I've been doing with my life, but it takes so long.  Sometimes a quick summary is better, but my OCD tendencies cause me to go on and on and on... and by the end of this entry, you'll get the point.  Ah, but then I'll re-read this post and think that perhaps you guys didn't even notice I was gone, or maybe you did, but it probably didn't mean as much to you as it meant to me.  Either way, I hope you still love me and continue to follow my journey, and continue reading this.

As most of you know, back in June, I (finally!) finished writing and then self-published the book I've been talking about forever.  I titled it "My Life in Little Pieces - a collection of poetry and lyrics", and the amount of love this book received was immense.  I never imagined people would be so interested in reading the raw poetry and lyrics I've been writing for so long.  People came from near and far to attend my book launch event, and I was so overwhelmed with the turn out! The fact that you guys care so much just means so much.   *Side Note:  if you are interested in purchasing a copy of my book, you can go to www.hollyamberwolti.com and score your own autographed copy today!





























So the book happened, and right around the time that my book release party was held, I found out I was pregnant, due on February 2, 2019.  Another huge event in my life was taking place, and my brain was thinking every thought possible.  And yes, I confess, one of my thoughts was "damn, now I can't have a drink at my book release to celebrate my accomplishment, that sucks, and also people are totally gonna know what's up", but that didn't take away from my excitement at all.  Paul and I waited a few weeks, broke the news to our family and close friends, and then when we got the good word that our little man was healthy as could be, we both signed up for Facebook again and shared the news with the world.  We. Are. Going. To. Be. Parents.  Those words are both frightening and beautiful at the same time.  Let's call it beautifully frightening.




Work.  Work, as always, has been really busy.  No, that's no excuse for my lack of writing, but sometimes after staring at a computer for 40+ hours a week, the last thing I want to do is open up my laptop at home and type.  A sista needs a break every now and then, ya know?

Moving.  Last month we moved out of our cute little lake bungalow into a much bigger place a couple towns over.  Finally, a house with two bathrooms where I won't have to make Paul turn the TV on loud every time my stomach acts up.  TMI?  Nah, this is MY blog and if y'all can't handle that a girl poops too, then go read ESPN or something.   Anyway, the whole moving process takes up a lot of energy, and as you know, I stress over every little detail and I can never just go with the flow.  But thankfully, I had my parents, sister and bro-in-law, friends, and my strong as an ox boyfriend to do all the heavy lifting.  Plus, I'm pregnant and it's a perfect excuse to stand back and watch the guys do everything, amIright?  Just kidding, I did as much as I could, plus all the decorating, and it's still a work in progress, but we are getting there!  I just can't wait to get my hands on the nursery and prepare for what will be the little man's sanctuary.  I am already daydreaming about snuggling our perfect little scrunchy angel.  I am counting down the days until I can kiss his little cheeks!




Side work/more writing.  Other clients have been taking up a lot of my time as well.  I know when I started this blog, I promised myself that I would never let paying clients take precedence over my own space because without this blog, people wouldn't have found me, and I would have never been hired for other writing jobs.  Aside from the other writing jobs I've taken on over the years, I am now the young female voice of www.Undercoverwear.com, writing about female issues and news.  Although it's so fun writing in other places, and being able to share my thoughts on so many topics, The Cat'z Meow will always come first in my heart -- but I'm not on a deadline here, and I am with other websites and blogs, so sometimes I have to do what's best for my wallet.  You'd do the same, right?  *To read full versions and more posts like the ones below, click here



So, as you have now read, all of the above has led me to today, in this moment, writing this blog post.  Between the exhaustion of being pregnant, the dreaded 1.5 hour commute each way to work and home, and the fact that I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going have my newborn baby co-habitate with a vicious cat who secretly wants to kill every human possible, I feel really lucky to be in this place - right here, right now.  I'm very fortunate to have readers who care about my simple yet silly life, and I'm so appreciative of the love and support you've shown me in regards to my first book, and I am loving every minute of the journey towards motherhood. And, I really truly mean it when I say I love you.

I promise I won't go so long in between posts again. (Until the baby is born and I may need you to check in on me from time to time to make sure I haven't checked myself into a mental facility.  Kidding...but not really.)

Love to love you guys,
Holly

Friday, May 18, 2018

Let's Talk Plants, Greenery, & Why I LOVE Wreath Goddess Design

I grew up in a house full of plants.  Literally.  My mom had several plants in every room, including my parents' bedroom, living room, kitchen, you name it.  And let's not forget about the cute little aloe plant that lived in my room.  I helped water it and keep it alive.  That's a pretty big deal for a 5 year old.  Plus, if I got a burn or boo-boo, I thought it was so cool that the aloe from the plant would help soothe me.  I grow the plant, I keep it alive, I get hurt, the plant helps me heal.  How cool is that?  Friends helping friends, ya know?

I always thought it was fascinating how my mom could help these plants that lived inside my house grow to be so big!  But nothing beat the coleus plants she would grow outside.  Those would grow to be THIS big (okay, way bigger but you get it), and they would flourish and thrive all season long.  She said my grandmother gave her her green thumb, and wouldn't ya know, all these years later, and my thumb is turning just as green!  They always say you end up like your mother one way or another!

Now, here I sit, in my lakeside little home, surrounded by...... plants!  Some of these I bought as baby plants, a couple of them are fake (well because Nala eats them, and I don't want her to die!!), but most of them I grew from little seedlings, and they are now part of the fam.


So hey, at the end of the day, if I can't write and publish my own book... oh wait, I did do that.... at least I can grow some pretty good looking greenery!  Also, I now grow Nala her own catnip to enjoy and keep her entertained so that she stops biting everything... including me.














BUT, let's talk about who has the real talent here.  I introduce to you, my cousin Megan Leduc.  She is the brains and the skill behind Wreath Goddess Design.  Let me just brag about her for a second... This girl's middle naaaaaaame is Creative.  She hand makes the most professional custom design wreaths for all different occasions and styles.  When I realized that my living room door was lacking something, I immediately pictured in my head a classic plain, green wreath made of bay leaves - or my favorite - eucalyptus leaves. I told Megan about this vision, and she immediately made it come to life.  Within days, she presented to me the most beautiful wreath for my door.  Not only is it exactly what I was imagining, it is so masterfully crafted, and so durable!  At Wreath Goddess Design, Megan can also make your dream wreath into a reality!  If you know you want a gorgeous wreath of your own but can't decide what design you want, Megan will certainly help you here.  Feel free to browse some of her examples (each wreath is named after a song, how cool is that?!) on her website.  So really guys, if you know your house, front door, bedroom door, etc. is looking a little lonely, go to Wreath Goddess Design and have Megan make the perfect wreath for you!




So, no matter whether you hand grow your greens from seeds, buy them as baby plants, hang pretend but very real looking wreaths from your door, or have a fake ficus tree full of white lights in your living room, you should really surround yourself with the appearance of plants!  Real plants can help your health in so many ways such as bringing oxygen into your house and helping you breathe, calming anxiety, reducing headaches, etc.  Growing your own herbs is exciting especially when you can finally eat them, and you'll save money at the grocery store!  And, if you don't have a green thumb and have a house full of fake plants, who cares?  Just waking up to a house full of plants and flowers can put you in a better mood.  Who doesn't love some bright and beautiful colors in their house?



Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A Tennessee Trip & My Fascination with Airports

There’s something thrilling about traveling alone, about drinking solo at the airport bar and making friends with people you’ll probably never see again.  Call me strange, but I get such simple enjoyment out of people watching and wondering where everyone is going, where everyone is coming from.  Are these families going on tropical vacations?  Are some here for business?  Are some people here for sad reasons like visiting a sick friend or family member?  

There are so many possibilities, and after a couple glasses of Pinot and a small buzz, I’ve got a story for everyone.  I’ve already decided who’s here on their honeymoon, who just broke up with their cheating boyfriend and is about to start their life over in the city, and who is flying to Hawaii to sit on the beach, write poetry, and live off the earth, mon. 

Then, as I pay my bill at the airport bar and realize that my plane is already boarding without me, a thought hits me.  Does anyone wonder why I'm here?  Do people stop and think, why is this 30-something blonde girl taking selfies and killing time over chowder and wine? (no, I do not eat the clams, I just like the broth)  Where is she coming from?  Where is she headed?  Oh, that's right, she's off to marry the love of her life on a beach in Fiji!!! (I'm kidding guys, just wanted to make sure you were awake.)  No, but really, do you think anyone even cares what my deal is?

Well,  MY SISTER LIVES IN NASHVILLE AND I HAVE A PERMANENT VACATION SPOT FOREVER, so.  And not to mention, by happenstance, my aunt and uncle were about to be in Nashville the same weekend, so a bit of QT family time was on the itinerary.  Some serious coffee, thrift shopping, antiquing, hunting for the the-best-photo-ops, a little mid-day yoga on the city street, and capping the night off with some damn good drinks were also completely necessary, aaaaaaaaand half of my heart already belongs to this perfect city, so..... my deal is this:  I bask in the greatness of the South once again, and you get to look at all my cute pics.  

You're welcome, y'all!



















 







Nashville, til we meet again... <3 

Photo cred: Platinum Circle Media