The Journey from Me to Ree

It’s taken me a week to absorb, reflect and digest all of the phenomenal experiences that took place on my seven-hour journey to meet Ree, The Pioneer Woman.

You know how sometimes a song your listening to just slowly swirls around, deep in the center of your chest, as if in slow motion (like epic background music in a movie),

and then it touches your soul in such a way that the tears just start to fall? Well that’s how I feel right now with every exciting moment unfolding in front of me…

Every

Single

Day.

Since I decided to begin this journey that actually began a month ago.

Almost to the exact day.

It all started Easter morning before church as I sat in front of my computer, all hopped up from too many cups of coffee and raw adrenaline pumping through my veins. I remember pushing the “publish” button and at that exact moment, feeling the most enormous rush of the world standing still and chaotically twirling at the same time.

What on earth am I doing?

What if people think I’m nuts?

What if nobody even reads this?

What if I look like a fool?

What if, what if, what if…

Well… what if I actually embraced ME, Wenderly, my true self.

Not a daughter, or a mother or a wife,  just “me.” It was really scary, terrifying actually. But isn’t anything worth having usually kinda scary (or terrifying) at first? Don’t get me wrong, I ADORE all of the “roles” that I have as daughter, mother and wife! I cherish them. And that’s why I’m doing this.

It will make me a better person to push myself and embrace this fascinating little thing called a blog.  I love how it allows me to express myself in countless creative ways (photography, writing, recipes, etc.) AND interact with all of the new incredible people who are coming into my life.

My handmade greeting card business allowed me to experience some of that creativity that I just seem to crave, and occasionally, I had the opportunity to hear the stories about the people and the life experiences that went along with the giving of my card. I always felt so humbled to be a part of those cherished events, a birth, an engagement, a birthday, a sympathy…a sentiment of human emotion.

But this, this journey of blogging has already been bigger, deeper, and more wrapped up in human emotion then I could have ever dreamed.

This past weekend was my 17 year Wedding Anniversary and it was Mother’s Day. The two things that represent my whole world…

and ya know what?

My two sweet daughters and darling husband wanted nothing more than for me to continue my new journey and go on my way to meet Ree.

So I did,

with my husband along side of me,

and this is how it began…

With My Yanni and…My Starbucks of course!

There is just no other way to start MY day!

Oh dear,

except for maybe, another!

Some people wonder how many miles or tanks of gas it takes to get to their destination.

I wonder how many Starbucks it takes…

< Two and counting… >

There we are,

just My Yanni and me, the Starbucks drinking, radio singing…

nose-picking….(before your get grossed out, he did it intentionally to make me laugh)

< which it did >!

You know what they say… you can pick your husband, but you can’t pick your husband’s nose!

sorry,

just couldn’t resist.

Oh..and look at the pretty scenery!!

I mean seriously, the weather, the scenery, the uh hem, company (except for the nose picking part) was exceptional!

I didn’t think that it could get any better than this!

That was until I met up with these lovely ladies that is!

Some of you may have already had the pleasure of their company, perhaps by reading their blogs, but if you haven’t, they are the sweetest Southern Belles that ya’ll would ever want to meet!

…and hang with and chat with and laugh with, and just plain ole spend time with!

The sweet peach beside me (in the middle) is Amy of She Wears Many Hats. Love her like a sister…witty, sweet and talented that one, I consider her a dear, dear friend already, feel like I’ve known her all  my life. Thanks to Amy for supplying some of these photos of Ree & me, as well as the 6 lady photo below! If you haven’t stopped by her inspirational-funny-beautiful-photo-and-recipe blog you really MUST. Really.

The sweet pea on the end, that’s Shari of Tickled Red and let me tell you, she tickled me pink! A gentle soul with a sneak up sense of humor and a sprinkle of charm she has! Just darling! If you haven’t stopped by her blog, well then my friend if your interested in a cool-cat-laid-back-surfer-retro blog, well then, you’re in for a treat!

I really can’t tell you how truly lovely these ladies are inside and out.

Remember that background music that I spoke of earlier? the kind that just swirls around in your soul? Well <insert music here>

I really couldn’t think of a more perfect way to meet PW- than with these gals.

Now, check out this gang!! Trouble, with a capital T…

All I have to say is, the bookstore was lucky that we all had to keep movin’ it along or we (the 6 of us) could have taken the place down with all of our rambunctious chit-chat and cackling going on! The new additions to our book signing fun were (front row left to right) Beth Swanson of Olde Tyme Market, Wanda Shorton of Interior Concepts by Wanda , and Davetta Moore of Davetta Moore Designs. Check out their blogs as well, Beth turns found items into treasures and Wanda and Davetta are beautiful interior decorators! Can’t wait to get to know these gems even more!

Which reminds me…we were there to see PW!

I almost forgot!

So, I’ll move along.

Our visit was cut short as the next group to meet Ree was called over the speaker…

“Group E”…our group!

Which meant that it was time to <insert the music again> meet Ree and I was doing it with my two new darling friends, Amy & Shari.

*pinch me*

Can you see the angst in my face?

Ya know, that – I’m saying cheese but “what in the heck am I doing here?” expression on my face?

I had never done anything like this before and was quiet certain that I, “lady of too many words” would just squeak out a tiny “hi” and call it a day.

But then I sat down and immediately felt relaxed, well o.k. not relaxed exactly, but I could at least speak.

Don’t ask me what I said. But I know I spoke.

Then Ree spoke and I laughed…

Then I spoke and said something very witty and amusing I’m certain..

…or not.

Then we really chatted…

again <insert music AND *pinch me*>…

It’s amazing to me that someone so busy, so pulled in so many different directions as she’s sky rocketing into stardom, (deservedly so) could be so genuine and REAL.

And she smelled good too… just lovely.

What a phenomenal person.

One week ago today, I ventured out on a journey to meet Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

And you know who I ended up finding?

Me.

and some pretty fantastic & delightful dear friends along the way.

Now I know that my journey has just begun.

<que the music>

Wenderly

What kind of “what if” are YOU willing to explore? Please share your story below! I’d love to know!

Wenderly

Married my soulmate. Mama of 2. Love to inspire. Can't help but to relish in all things beautiful inside & out. Join me in Savoring the Art of Living.

18 Comments

  1. You are such a gem!!! I had the best time with all of you sharing the unforgettable experience of meeting Ms. Ree. It is awe inspiring how two hours can change the course of your life, bring you friends that you never knew you were missing and set your path in a whole new direction. I look forward to our next adventure 🙂 XOXO

  2. 2 venti’s, dang, no wonder there was some farting taking place in the car. That was just preemeptive to a mandatory ‘pit stop’ I’m sure… I’m stoked you did something for YOU! Sounds like you guys had a super fun time!

  3. Oh, you might as well tell them about how I farted too ! 🙂
    I had so much fun and am so proud to call you my wife!!

  4. Ha! Love it! Fun meeting Ree, but I have to agree with you. Amy’s like a sister. I feel like I’ve known her F O R E V E R! Lovely lady. Maybe some day we will meet!

    Happy Friday!

  5. Great write up! I remember when I first started my blog all the feeling you described. It’s similar to giving birth to a brand new baby. You’re not sure what it will look like as it grows but as you continue to commit to your blog, it will grow, bloom, and firmly root itself in the blogosphere. You go girl!

    • Thank you so much for stopping by Alice! I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement! You are so right about the giving birth analogy, love it so true! 🙂

  6. You are just the sweetest. We were heading out this afternoon for an engagement and I thought, “Man I wish we were doing that (the book signing,etc.) again instead.” It was a little bit of a homesick feeling. It seriously is the strangest thing to meet people and instantly bond and wonder how you ever lived a day without knowing them, without them being part of your everyday. It’s very strange indeed, but a good thing for sure.

    I have to agree with Shari, I can’t wait for the next adventure!

    • Ahhh, big hugs to ya’ll! I’m counting on that next adventure being sooner than later and you’re right Amy, it’s like a homesick kinda feeling but a good thing indeed.

      Can’t wait until next time!

  7. What a great day! Nothing better than spending time with your DH and having him support and be proud of what you’re doing! What a great day, getting to meet Ree and the other women, too! Great pics, thanks for sharing!

  8. Gosh Wen, reading this…I’m all teary–must be that music you inserted. So proud of you, excited for you….!
    *LOVED the black and white photography!!!!!

  9. Although I don’t share your fascination with Ree Drummond. I’ve enjoyed looking around your lovely blog. I learned about it because the marlboro woman did a profile on you.

  10. I would also like to say that even though the marlboro woman refers to you as obsessed by Ree, I can see that your blog is a lot more than that. You write about so many other things. I share your interest in decorating and card making, actually in most of the things you write about, just not Ree.

  11. Wenderly, the things the vulgar women at the marlboro woman are saying about your husband are inexcusably vile, and I’m sure they’re not true.

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