Help me decide!

As many of you know, I get the urge to change my hair a few times a year. With fall approaching, I am trying to decide if I should go red, go brunette, or stay blonde...what do you think?

Red...

Brunette... 

Or Blonde?

Comment on here or on facebook what you like most! I can't decide!

Fall Favorites

It's almost my favorite time of the year, fall! I love the changing colors, sleeping with the windows open - feeling the crisp air roll in, Halloween (yet another excuse to eat candy!), the beautiful scenery, and NEW CLOTHES! I thought I'd share my list of my fall favorites for this year!

1. Suede booties - so cute! Can be paired with just about anything, but my favorite combos are a cute skirt or skinny jeans.
I like this taupe pair from Famous Footwear: http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=26340&pg=1021948
Ideas:

2. Speaking of skinny jeans, SKINNY JEANS! - I will admit, it took me quite a while to hop on the skinny jean train when they became popular again. But they are cuter than ever and can be paired with any type of shoes! My favorite combo for these are boots and a flowy top. I like these Levi's: http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11643381&ab=leftnav%3Aleviscurveid%3Acurveid-bold%3A3146900&cp=3146849.3146880.3146900.4450620
Ideas:

3. Soft sweaters - As the weather gets a little cooler, it's so nice to put on a cozy sweater and pair it with jeans on a casual weekend, or with black trousers for work attire. I like this one from gap.com (in heather gray): http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5745&vid=1&pid=850519 
Ideas:

4. Scarves - Great with just about any top, scarves can be worn many different ways (see below). I like the wrap-around style for this fall. Here's one from Banana Republic that I love: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=60772&vid=1&pid=858014&scid=858014012
Ideas:

5. Leather jackets - I have never owned one, but oh how I want one for this fall! They are classic and so chic. I love, love this one from JCrew(I cold never afford this, but a girl can dream!): http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/leather/PRDOVR~26158/26158.jsp
Ideas:

So that's my list of my fall favorites for this year! Feel free to send me some of your ideas, I would love to hear them! Finally, what is more beautiful than Minnesota in the fall?

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.

Dead End

Stop here
Don't go any further
Take another step
And you're only going to hurt her

Walk away
From the disastrous mess
You take more
She gets less

Doesn't make much sense
But to her it's clear
Turn the other direction
Watch her disappear

Inside out
Or broken into pieces
You don't really care
To look into the creases

A lonely day
Followed by a few more
This way, then that way
It's all a revolving door

© 2011, Alison Meyer

We are FAMILY

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich."


My family is everything to me. They are a shoulder to cry on, a source of uncontrollable laughter, hugs of comfort, shelter from the storm, my roots and my future. They will always mean the world to me. And I will never stop loving them.

I don't take enough time to tell my family what they mean to me, so here's a blog just for them. Others can surely read this and relate.

Mom & Dad,
You have taught me so much. I don't even know where to begin. You laid a foundation for me that paved the way for a life filled with joy. You did things for me that seemed so small when I was a child, but now I see are so much bigger than I could have understood then. You took the time to have family dinners every night, to help me with my homework, to feed me ice cream and sleep with me on the pull-out couch when I had my tonsils out, to tell me a comforting story when I was having nightmares and couldn't sleep, to take me driving when I had my permit and was a terrible driver. You had patience with me when I was a selfish young adult trying to figure out life on my own, you helped me get up when I fell down, you forgave my many faults and you always, always loved me. You raised me to love God, to not judge, and to have an open heart and mind.  I don't think I will ever fully understand the sacrifices you made for me. I love you.

Melissa,
You are my big sister and one of the smartest people I know. From the time I could stand on my own two feet, I have looked up to you. You have always looked out for me. (ie: saving me from drowning in lake 26!) I am so proud of all that you have accomplished already in your life. I remember sneaking into your room when you were away at college and just sitting in there, missing you. I remember going in your closet when you were in high school and looking at all of your clothes and wishing I could dress like you. I remember when we shared a room and you overslept and were upset because you had to pin your jeans at school, lol. I remember you taking care of all of us when Mom & Dad would be at work in the summers. And now, we're great friends. I can come to you with anything. I still look up to you. You are a beautiful person. I love you.

Andy,
Hobe-ster! :) Of all of the family, I have probably spent the most time with you. When I didn't have many friends, you would let me spend time with you & yours. We played video games, found a love for scary movies (Scream!), after a few years of recovering from Dad letting us watch It, lol. We shared excitement and anticipation for Santa and the Easter bunny to come every year. We picked on each other a lot, but always had each other's back. I am so proud of the person you have become. You treat Owen like your own son, and you can see in his eyes how much he loves you. You work the hardest of anyone I know. You have so much drive and perseverance. You are incredibly loyal and a great person. I love you.

Dan,
"Pinky, Pinky, Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain..." :) You have always been my buddy. When I didn't feel like I had anyone, I always had you. Even though you're younger than me, in a lot of ways you took care of me. We've always been close and I hope that never goes away. You've always amazed me with your ability to let people in and to give everyone a chance. I rarely see you judge, and that is so unique. Through everything, you have always believed in me. And I want you to know that I believe in you too.  I love you.

To all of you:
I am so proud to call you my family. I will always love you and be here for you.