My Saving Grace

Everyone has one place they can go to where they can relax. May it be a cabin, a yoga class, a beach, or even just a room in their house. My place is Wisconsin Rapids, WI. It is my second home. My weekend getaway. My haven escape from the hectic. My fresh breath of air. Needless to say, I love it there.

So how did I find this place?

My husband was born and raised there. After dating for several months, he decided it was time to bring me home and meet some of his family. And from that trip, I was hooked.

The most important part of the trips there is Grant, Brad's father. He is the definition of mellow. He goes with the flow. And that sets a vibe of relaxation. He is a loving, kind man that would do anything for his family. I consider him my second Dad. He has done a lot for Brad & I. And you can see the light in his eyes for his children. (Brad has a brother - Jason - who lives in Chicago.)

So, what does Wisconsin Rapids have to offer? The better question is what DOESN'T it have to offer? Let me make a simple list that will guarantee you to understand my love of this city.

1. (Real) Beer and liquor at Wal-mart! Uhh, can you say awesome?
2. From the Ground Up Coffee Shop - a local coffee shop that has amazing coffee and espresso and delish bakery items. (I recommend the cinnamon rolls.)
3. Chips - a DELICIOUS fast-food restaurant that offers one-of-a-kind cheese curds and onion rings. (Warning: after eating Chips, you may feel the need for a nap. It is like Thanksgiving dinner.)
4. Mulligan's Irish Pub - the best bar IN THE WORLD! It is mellow, the bartenders are awesome, the jukebox has an endless song selection, and they give you pickle juice to chase your tequila shots! (Don't dis it til you try it.)
5. Branding Iron Supper Club - a restaurant that offers the most delicious steak & potatoes. (I also recommend the ribs.)
6. The Rapids Mall - it may be small, but it's a mall. And that means shopping! It offers independent stores with unique finds and it has a Younkers, which are hard to find and one of my favorites.

Other town perks: walking paths along the Wisconsin River (I like to feed the geese & ducks there), tons of restaurants, the Rapids Zoo, Dairy Treat (where you can enjoy a 'Cyclone' and mini golf!), and many, many other wonderful places and things to do!

We enjoy some routine when we go home. Saturday mornings I usually cook for the Meyer men, we hang out during the day, usually take at least one nap, grill or go out for dinner, and then hit up Mulligan's. Sunday mornings we always have breakfast at American Table with Grandma & Grandpa Meyer. If it's football season, the men then go down to the "man cave" and watch the Packers. (Little by little, I find myself liking the Pack more and more...Donald Driver  & Aaron Rodgers are some nice eye candy.) Jason joins us from time to time, and that is always an added blessing.

Most of all, I feel so blessed to have a second family that I can spend time with. They are all amazing people with huge hearts. I ♥ Wisconsin Rapids.

Take me or leave me

I have been challenged a lot lately with many different issues. I find most of them extremely hard to deal with. I lack the skill to fix things instantly. Though I am slowly learning that most things take time to be repaired. In all of this stress and emotional trial, I have had one good friend really stand by me. She shall remain nameless for now, she knows who she is. I have also had the unending support of my wonderful husband. I don't know how he does it, but he's always there for me.

I've learned that some people view me in a quite negative way. That I'm a baby, that I'm dramatic, that I'm full of crisis. To these people I say: it's simply not true.

I am an extremely sensitive person and that is my flaw of all flaws. I try and I try harder to get tough skin, but it just won't reveal itself. And I am always the first to admit I am a work-in-progress.

I am so sick and tired of people who claim to care about me but don't stand up for me or talk about me behind my back.

Don't criticize me. Accept me. Love me. Stand up for me. Otherwise just leave me alone.

The Power of Forgiveness

I have been spending a lot of time on Memory Lane lately. It stirs up all kinds of emotions. And it sparked the idea for this blog.

I read somewhere that it takes a stronger person to forgive than to hold a grudge. I couldn't agree more.

As I've made clear in this blog, I have made many mistakes in my life. Some of them so big that I held on to guilt for years. I couldn't forgive myself. And I tried to hide it away, tucked in the back of my brain. But sometimes, as I would lie in bed, in the darkest hour of night, it would come back to haunt me.

Then something changed. One night, as I was crying and hurting about the things I did, the lies I told, something changed. I saw in the darkness, a light. My eyes were closed and I saw "If I can forgive you, why can't you forgive yourself?" It was a question from God. It moved me. And from that moment, I have lived differently. I let the past go. I let my number one critic, myself, forgive me.

I spoke about my past recently with someone, and felt the guilt start to stir up again. I knew it wasn't healthy and that I needed to let it all go, for good. So I sent my apologies to some of the people I hurt and I washed my hands clean of it all. And I can breathe! Weights were lifted off my chest. I can see things a little more clear.

I am a person who can forgive others very easily but was holding a grudge against myself.

I can't express enough what a relief it is to forgive someone.

So if you're holding on to anger, hurt, confusion, or any other negative emotion, I challenge you to let it go. Forgive that person you've been refusing to speak to. Let it all go. See where it takes you. I guarantee it will only make you stronger and better.