Fall!

Wow, Erik and I had been thinking that we have felt busy. We have had something going on every weekend during the month of October. Check out this link to see some of the pictures from our month so far!
More to post later about kindness and memories.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241481&id=604790492&l=4034522861

A sad Situation that Needs Prayer

Everyone would agree that domestic abuse is horrible and there are too many women and children (and men) who suffer from it. On Wednesday the best friend of my school's administrative assistant was killed by her estranged husband. The story has been on the news here in the Columbia area and the people who know Tisha (the wife) say she was a wonderful friend, mother, and aunt. While I didn't know her, my friend and colleague did. She will be missed by so many. I know if my Kayte or my Heather, or any other friend were hurt, my heart would be broken. It would feel like a family member were taken from me. 

So, please pray for Tisha's family, my friend and co-workers who knew and loved her as they begin to mourn and learn to live without her in their lives.

I've been gone a while!

So much has happened since I last blogged. I am not sure where to start.

In May, my Daddy went to be in Heaven with Jesus. He simply fell asleep and didn't wake up. We miss him so much. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him in some way. I used to call him every afternoon to see how they were doing (Momma and Daddy). I asked him the same thing every day and he responded with the same. For your reading pleasure, this was the beginning of our conversation:

Me: "Hey Daddy. What're you doing?"

Daddy: "I'm looking at the clock. You are getting off late/early today." --This varied depending on my day of course.

Me: "How's Momma?"

Daddy: "She's gone with Melissa. Call her on her cell."

We then would discuss dinner and Erik. It was a quick conversation, but the ones that I will cherish and remember.

My Daddy made me laugh. I miss that routine. I want to pick up the phone and just talk to him sometimes. The first day of school was hard because I didn't get to make that phone call. I had done that for nearly 8 years.

School ended and I finished grad school! I did pretty well as far as grades are concerned (4.0 thank you very much!) and I enjoyed a wonderful vacation/cruise with my hubby of 10 years (I know, I can't believe it either!) and my co-workers Johnathan and Patricia. I think after May I really needed it.

So much is going on in my personal life that I would rather not "air" for the public. I have just learned a few lessons in the last few days. No, not learned, but remembered some things.

Just a little background 411 on Alli Barlik: One thing that most people will know about me is that I am emotional. I am what we call at school very Blue--meaning that I want peace, I want people happy, and I want people happy with me. I am the emotional one and I am going to listen and cry on your shoulder with you. It's just who I am. Well, I want my family happy and when they are not, it stresses me out. Finances stress me out because financial insecurity scares me the most. While the Barlik's are blessed in many ways, we still feel the crunch financially that so many in our nation have been facing. We just may not be facing it at the same level. So, what I have learned this week is that I can't become everyone's helper and people can't just expect that we will be able to help out. It puts stress and strain on our marriage and that's not something that Erik and I need right now. Basically I am relearning to say, "No, I am sorry, but we can't right now." I have to learn or remember to be okay with this as well.

Another thing I have remembered is that I need to relax and enjoy time with my friends. I am so blessed to have such an awesome team to work with and we enjoy each other enough to hang out! It's amazing! After four years at my school, I can finally say I have people in my life who are more than co-workers. They are my best buds and I just don't know what I would do without them! So, here's to you Patricia, Johnathan, Jason, Jen, and Katie! I love ya and I am so glad that we hang out and that we are friends! You are the best! (I know, the BLUE is really showing right now!!!)