write your randoms and link-up below.
one. the state i'm in.
after journeying the country by plane, i reached the land that i love - northern california, near san francisco - and it seems that i've come down with a case of vertigo combined with body aching fatigue. the room is spinning, my eyelids are taped open, and my fingers are somehow managing to find the letters. all the while, i seem to be wrapped up in a tangled web of bittersweet emotions... crying one moment, laughing out loud till my belly hurts the next. mourning a body's departure from this world and rejoicing over a new soul in heaven. it's pleasant and painful all at once.
me with my grandmother and sage.
my mom with her grand-daughter.
two. from california with love.
sage baby and i are here while our boys are home. we miss them something fierce. this one's for you two ~
three. ignorance was bliss.
in case you weren't aware, in 'n out, is hands down the most delightful fast food for the tastey buds on your tongue. the ingredients are fresh and natural, the prices are recession-proof, the dining room is always clean and the service is superb. and that rates right at five whole golden stars in my book. the entire experience was perfectly pleasant until miss california and it's progessive self decided to make a law requiring calorie counts pasted to menu boards. don't get me wrong, i like this idea, just as long as i'm not eating fries and hamburgers... i'd rather not know what damage is being done. as i add up the calories in my head, it makes it awfully hard to eat a whole hamburger along with a bushel of fries not to mention the more than satisfying milkshakes. and with all that said, i ate it for lunch yesterday.
four. tales from the backyard.
sage and i are enjoying the outdoors - i'm soaking in the cool west coast rays while i can - and managed to come out unscathed. no dying of heat stroke, gasping for breaths, or drowning in a puddle of stinky sweat as is the usual case under our southern sun. another reminder why real estate is so ridiculously pricey out here.
five. a gift and thanks.
in the midst of my teary week, God sent me a precious gift born from "coincidence." it was a sweet blessing... a real life friendship was born. you have to wait to hear the full story tomorrow. because it's just that good. trust me. : ) and also, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind condolescencs and prayers for my family. it's as if i received gobs of flowers and lots of pretty sunshine. you're all gems.
-carissa
33 {comments}:
What a bittersweet trip but I know your heart is happy to be in CA. Enjoy the rest of your time there with family. That is such an awesome picture of you and Sage. You truly have the most beautiful smile! Safe travels! xoxo
Oh Carissa - all my love at the loss of your precious grandfather. So thankful for hope and peace in Jesus!! I do hope you have a marvelous time, even though a sad one too. xoxo
I am so sorry for your loss! I do hope you are enjoying this precious time with your family.
I am very sorry, Carissa. Will continue praying for you.
In N' Out!!! Best. Burger. EVER. :)
~bree
It is a bittersweet trip, but you are enjoying your family and that is priceless.
Praying for you!!
So sorry for your loss! Hope you can soak up some sweet time with family as you all come together!!
Thanks for hosting this lovely party each week. I am still new to this link party but I love what it brings!!
Have a great week!
XO
Erin
Sorry to hear of your loss. Hoping you find peace in your family and the sweet California sunshine.
So nice for you to get to visit even under such sad circumstances. I have had vertigo before - HORRIBLE. Hope you are over that!
I'm glad you are enjoying being home, despite the reason why you're there. I have vertigo often and it's awful so I really feel for you! I suggest laying down on the floor or bed, without a pillow and looking straight up until the dizziness stops or fades, then turn your head to the left doing the same, back to center, and then to the right and back to center. It doesn't cure it completely but it should help. I hope the rest of your time there is ok!
So sorry over the loss of your grandfather and praying for you with the vertigo.
Oh my goodness, the calorie thing in California kills me too!! We vacation in San Diego, and it just ruins the fun when you know how bad you're really eating!
Beautiful pictures. Truly.
I'm sorry about the vertigo. I think flying takes something fierce out of people. I know it took almost all day yesterday for me to feel a tad bit normal -- and yet, even today I'm exhausted.
I remember -- very fondly -- In N Out. Best burgers and fries ever ever ever ever ever. Love that you are living in the state of ignorance with them. That's my strategy as well. Ha ha ha.
I will be praying for you this week, my real friend.
Love and hugs.
Rachel
I LOVE In N Out. I was just introduced to it a couple weeks ago when we went to Southern California for vacation. It was our first meal and our last meal there. And the awesome weather showed us why real estate is so expensive out there too! Derek is ready to move out there if it wasn't so expensive!
Can I just say you, my friend, are radiant. Your smile is absolutely contagious! I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa, but he's at peace with Jesus!!!
I really do want to try In 'n Out...one day. The idea of the of the calories next to the burger and fries is not OK.
That sweet Sage is just adorable.
Great pics! Sorry to hear about the vertigo but at least you're with family right? I've never had In n Out but I totally want to try it some day!
Life is bittersweet like that... One moment we're laughing, the next we are weeping. Blessings to your family as your heal.
So glad that you get to be in No.Cali with your family! Bittersweet for sure! And I agree, when you are eating 100% for flavour, the calories should be kept in a locked box. :)
I stopped over from LeAnna's blog. So sorry for the loss of your grandfather...my pastor was just preaching on the bittersweet reality of death for a Christian yesterday. Not the end...the beginning for them but hard for those left behind. Loved your "he called me miss America" post. Touching and very beautiful. Enjoy your time with family. My husband was just telling me how I need to go to California...according to him there is no place as beautiful.
www.sharingrace.com
I feel for you, friend. So much death has surrounded our family & hurt has overshadowed a couple aspects of my life. so...i feel for you. :)
i'm sure it's such a bittersweet trip for you. but celebrate the life of a wonderful person and enjoy the time with your family, carissa. and that in-n-out! :)
hey sweet girl. so glad you treated yourself anyway. sometimes you just need an in and out burger experience. sending prayers your way. bittersweet indeed.
Amazing photos despite pain...
I'm glad you're having a good time here. (if you're still here..) and you got to spend time with your family, albeit under the circumstance.
In&Out is the best and I hate that CA makes them put the calories up. I'm pretty sure everyone's fully aware of how much fast food is, we don't need to SEE it!
Carissa, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Praying for peace for you and your family and hoping you enjoy your land that you love while you're there.
praying for you and your family... and i'm glad to see you're enjoying your trip! :)
praying for you and your family. I felt so much the same when my own grandfather died 3 years ago... so bitter sweet. Miss him every day - but knowing he's in heaven brings me great joy.
Beautiful pictures!!
Calorie counting at a burger joint is just wrong!!!
So sorry for your loss-praying for peace during this time!
Praying for you and your family this week. Glad you are enjoying my sunny California. If the circumstances were different, I would sure love to meet you! Oh and I love In N Out burgers. Blessings and peace to you my sweet friend.
So I wanted to sit and write a long heart-felt email after I read your earlier post "He called me miss america", but as you can see... Your tribute was simply beautiful. Nothing long, but definitely heart-felt - praying for your heart during this season of grief. Blessings to you ~
I'm so happy you were able to make it back to California (although I'm sad for the reason) :) Thinking of you sweet friend.
Love the pictures. You are an amazing photographer. For reals. :o)
♥Jazmin
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