First Stop on Wilder Road: Dancing

Most people who know us know that if it had not been for dance Daniel and I would have never met and the fact that we did meet dancing is truly wild in and of itself.  I am an athlete and outdoors girl by nature. If it involves a ball, bat, horses, a field an arena, a court or running than you can sign me up. However, under that rough and tough tomboy exterior has always been a classy lady who loves to dress up and dance around just like any girl does. Growing up in small town Mississippi I never had the opportunity to really get involved in a good dance studio and I had so many other things I was involved in that dancing never really was an option for me. However, I am not one to ever give up on my dreams so I knew, somewhere, somehow, someday I was going to dance.

            Now, on to Daniel, I have often ask him where his love for dance evolved and he says it comes from watching old movies with his mom and wanting to be like the men in those movies. I honestly think he just wanted to jump at any chance he could get to dance with a pretty girl (but that’s just my theory). Like I, he never really had the opportunity to start dancing until he was older. He did get a head start on me though and got involved with ballroom dancing in college. I have never really found out exactly how he got started dancing in college but I suspect it had something to do with another woman… tsk tsk..

            Anyway, as fate would have it, in September of 2009 I started researching dance studios in Knoxville. I wanted something new to try and decided that now was a good a time as any to start working on that dancing dream. I stumbled upon some advertisement for a really cheap private lesson and told two of my friends about it. Lucky for me my birthday was coming up and so they decided to surprise me with a lesson for my birthday. I was immediately hooked about 10 minutes into the lesson when I realized that dancing was hard and I wasn’t good at it (I love a challenge). Well, to make a long story short, out of every studio in Knoxville and out of every teacher in Knoxville Daniel and I found our way into a family business. My teacher was his teachers’ son. It took several months for Daniel and I to ever meet and once we did we were inseparable.

            I did not start dancing to make new friends and I sure did not start dancing to meet guys. What girl in her right mind would say, “Hey, I want to meet men, maybe I should start ballroom dancing,” anyway??? I sure as hell never in a million years thought that I would meet my husband at a dance studio. However, not only did I meet my husband there I also found a passion that I had to keep hidden and suppressed for so long. Dancing is the first adventure that Daniel and I experienced together and as I sit here thinking about it, someday, it may be one of our last. I can imagine that even when we can no longer climb mountains or travel the world together someday, that we will still be able to dance. It may not be as graceful or quick but it will still be us, together, swaying to Frank.

Officially a Wilder!

It is hard to believe Daniel and I are going to be married a month this weekend! Time has went by so quickly since the wedding and I have to be the first to say that I LOVE BEING MARRIED! First off, it saves a lot of gas. Daniel and I did not live together before we were married so we spent a lot of time driving to each other. Second, my bank account got substantially bigger. I am a social worker for a non profit organization, that is pretty much equal to being an aspiring actor in LA (we are all poor). Third, I have a house with a backyard! Apartment life was equal to torture for me. The next step is buying a farm soon and I cannot wait!
There are plenty of other benefits to married life but I won't bore you with the details.

Our Wedding was the most amazing day of my life. I can honestly say it was perfect. Okay, Daniel might have stumbled through his vows but I can't blame him for that. I mean I did look pretty amazing so I am sure he was distracted ;) If there is any advice I can give for anyone planning a wedding it is to not sweat the small stuff or the big stuff and your wedding day goes by faster than you can ever imagine so cherish every moment. I wish I had trusted this advice when it was given to me. To everyone who celebrated our day with us, Thank You!  I will post another blog soon about our incredibly awesome two week getaway to Europe soon. Stay tuned because now I can really start talking about adventures on the the "Wilder" side of life!

Showered With Blessings

The past two weeks have been quite eventful for Daniel and I. Wedding time is drawing near and that means it has been shower time! I do not think we have ever felt so love and blessed in our lives as we have the past to weekends.

Our first shower was put on by Daniels mom Becky, his sister in law Megan and the ladies of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City. We walked in to a beautiful shower decorated in our wedding colors. The food was delicious. The veggie pinwheels were such a hit that my bridesmaid Jena stood up while we were eated and made an announcement that we needed to know who made them because we wanted the recipe. The cupcakes were also delicious and homemade by Becky. Megan surprised me with a game of 12 questions about Daniel. Little did I know over New Years her and Daniels brother Luke asked Daniel to answer 12 different questions and they videotaped it. At the shower I was put on the spot and asked these questions, after I answered each one they would play what Daniel had answered. I got 10 out of 12 right so I did not do half bad. They also decided to play a video they had taken of me singing Mississippi girl by Faith Hill on our way to Myrtle Beach  and this got a good laugh from everyone. I was informed many times after not to quit my day job. We recieved pretty much everything we could ask for and more at this shower. The gifts were overflowing and all of the ladies made me feel right I home. I cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness, love and wise words for our upcoming marriage.

Our second shower was held in Mississippi by my family. It was held at St Paul Independent Methodist Church and it boy did it come a shower at my shower! It rained so hard we had to push my aunts vehicle out of the mud in the pouring rain after the shower because it got stuck. It just would not have been a Mississippi wedding without a little mud. At this shower it was time to repay Daniel for the question game and this time he was put on the spot. I think he got 8 out 12 correct. I guess somebody needs to listen a little better. They also divided everybody up into three groups, gave them toilet paper and each group had to dress one person as a bride. The three brides were my best friend Sally, a bridesmaid in my wedding. A family friend Kayla and.... my brother Alex. When Daniel and I came back in the room to judge the best toilet paper bride there stood my brother in his toilet paper gown with real toilet paper boobs! Of course he naturally became the winner. I even think he may have a future in drag. It was nice seeing family and friends I have not seen in a while and being showered with even more blessings. 

I cannot believe how fast time is going by and how quickly all of this will be over. I am cherishing every moment because I know I will never get it back. I am also blessed to know I am surrounded by so many people who love and care for Daniel and I. To our friends and family thank you so much for all of your sacrifices and love.

Mountains and Moonshine

This past weekend Daniel surprised me with a Gatlinburg getaway. We have both been so busy with work and wedding planning that we have not actually had any time alone together. Throughout the almost two years Daniel and I have been together he has been one to randomly surprise me with weekend getaways and random roadtrips. Whether it was leaving at midnight to drive to North Carolina and campout on a mountain top or packing my bags for me, picking me up at midnight and driving all night while I slept only to wake me up just in time for a morning sunrise on the beach in South Carolina. He may not like to admit it but he is definitely a romantic.

This trip was not as spontaneous as ones in the past, between the two dogs and work schedules we have to plan things a little more now. Nevertheless, Daniel still managed to surprise me with a great room with a huge hot tub and cute little view.

We left Saturday morning with no specific plan in mind except to drive the long way through the mountains to get there. We both love nature and outdoors so taking the quick way via interstate was not an option. On our way we stopped at a cute little local store in Townsend (my request) because they sell the best amish peanut butter. I am telling you this stuff is more than worth the drive. While we were there we also picked up some apple moonshine jelly. It was on sale and taste like heaven so we could not resist. Besides, who does not love a great pb&j! Once we arrived in Gatlinburg we checked in to our room and then decided to hit the strip and just do whatever our little hearts desired. We ate lunch at a sporty little bar and grill called Blaines. If you are ever in a hurry but want a decent meal this is the place for you! We were in and out in about 30 minutes give or take. I had a scrumptious buffalo shrimp salad. The sauce was so good dressing was not even needed and Daniel had a yummy Taco Salad. I know it was yummy because I might have tried more than 2 bites. Afterward we went in little shops. It started to drizzle and get cold so we stopped in a trendy little coffee shop and got two coffees. I highly recommend this place as well. I am not sure if it is because the coffee is so good or because it kept me warm. We looked around shops more and just enjoyed simply being together. I think it is what we both needed. That evening we went to a pub and had amazing drinks at an amazing price. The Tennessee/Connecticut basketball game was playing and of course all of the men were pulling for Tennessee. I had to be different so I cheered for Connecticut. I left before the game was over and found out later the Vols had upset the Huskies.. Dammit! I have to admit watching Mississippi State beat Vandy by one point while relaxing in a hot tub was most definitely one of the highlights of my weekend. That night we also went Moonshine tasting and Wine tasting at the Moonshine distillery. Let me tell you, you have not experienced the backwoods of Tennessee until you have had some Apple Pie Moonshine and homemade Peach Wine. You also don't feel the same walking out as you did walking in after four shots of moonshine and 3 shots of wine. Needless to say, we have apple pie moonshine and peach wine in our supply of adult beverages at home now.

We woke up early on Sunday to get an early start back home so we could get to our kids. We decided to drive out through the park to once again take in the breathtaking view of the mountains. Instead we got to take in the breathtaking view of the fog, miss our turn and end up in North Carolina. The good news is that when we turned around to drive back in to Gatlinburg the fog had lifted and we did get to enjoy the mountains while holding hands and singing at the top of our lungs.


It is so nice living so close to such a lovely getaway spot. It is also amazing having a fiance who is as spontaneous as I am. I never know what he will have up his sleeve next. I am also looking forward to our next trip together in 2 months!! Backpacking Europe on our Honeymoon!! (That is unless he has something else up his sleeve between now and then...)

First 12 of 2012

It is hard to believe we are already 12 days in to 2012! So far I have managed to have a flat tire, watch Daniel change the tire ( which was kind of hot I'll admit), drop my phone and shatter the screen, dislocate my shoulder... again and take off part of my big toenail dancing. The way this year has started out I am not even sure I should get on a plane in March. Speaking of March, we are officially in full wedding mode! My dress came in this week, I orderd my garter and the napkins and Daniel is making the final touches on the invitations. We also recieved our first wedding gifts in the mail, an Amazon gift card and a KITCHENAID MIXER!! I know right how freaking awesome is that? Oh and my childhood best friend called to tell me she has booked her flight for the wedding! I have not seen her in four years so I think I am almost as excited about seeing her as I am getting married. I would have gotten married sooner had I known I would get to see long lost friends.  I am excited about the upcoming months and all of the joy, excitement and amazing opportunities that are ahead.

Wow, I never knew 12 days could feel like months...

2011- Lessons Learned

As 2011 came to and end and 2012 began I found myself reflecting on what a rollercoaster year 2011 had been. It seemed as if every single month brought along with it different lessons, emotions, endings and new beginnings.  Looking back I really feel as if 2011 was "My Year." By that I mean it was my year to find out just how strong I really am. It was my year to learn lessons many people do not learn in a lifetime.

I learned that listening to your heart is the quickest way to happiness. I learned that true love can pass any test even when others say it is impossible. I learned that forgiveness no matter how hard, will always bring you peace. I learned that sometimes the people you never expected make the best confidants.  I learned things happen in their own time and in their own way and just because things do not happen the way I think that they should does not mean it is wrong. It means that is how it was supposed to happen to me and that is perfect. Most importantly, I learned that I am strong, really strong and that even when we have been kicked down, walked over and spit on we should still always look for the good in people. We should forgive them, find out about them and help them, because at the end of the day all we ever really have is one another.

As i reflect over all the lessons I learned in 2011 I have to let out a big sigh of relief, as much as I appreciate 2011 for the lessons it taught me, for the amazing fiance it gave me and for the wonderful new friends and family it brought in to my life I thank God that it is OVER!!! I am looking foward to 2012 and all of the wonderful events and surprises it has in store.... WEDDING, EUROPE, NEW HOME and whatever else it wants to throw at me. Bring it 2012 because after 2011 I CAN TAKE ANYTHING!!

Why Start a Blog?

Why would I even want to start a blog? Well, the simple answer is because I am sitting at work bored and I thought, hey, why not? I like to think Daniel and I have a life interesting enough to blog about. Some examples:  He owns his own company, I work at a Residential Treatment Center for women with A&D problems as well as a free standing Birthing Center, we both Ballroom Dance, climb mountains and love animals. I am a Vegetarian, he is an anythingtarian. I come from a loud chaotic family, he is a Pastors son. He voted for Obama. I sure as hell did not.  We both love to travel and we both like to speak our minds especially to each other. We are as alike and different as two people can be but somehow we have found a love deeper than most could ever imagine. I hope I can actually stick to updating this blog and I hope people find it entertaining. I also hope I can make it look a little more interesting soon, however, the clock says 11:45pm and I am off at midnight so until I find myself bored at work again it looks like this is all you will get for now!