Steps to Grace

Project: Simplify

2011-03-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Starting this Monday, March 7th, I am going to be taking part in Project: Simplify, hosted by Simple Mom. I have been really meaning to totally declutter and reorganize my house and now I have the perfect motivation! The project will take place over 5 weeks, ending on April 8th. Each Monday of the five weeks Simple Mom will announce that week's "hot spot" project. Over the week, the decluttering, cleaning and organizing will take place - but AFTER you take a "before" picture of that area. On Friday, we will unveil our "before" and "after" pictures! And for even more incentive, she is doing a weekly giveaway for the best before/after. What a great way to begin the Spring Cleaning! Won't you join me??

A Prayerful Thursday

2011-03-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have always been one of those silent blog readers, lovingly admiring other blogs and their ease with posts. I never could understand how to make things flow so effortlessly and then it hit me today, I have to just report my day, my thoughts, whatever....that there really isn't a certain "way" to maintain a blog. So I will still finish the 30 Day challenge questions but I may not do them in sequential order. Today has been a day of reminders for prayers.

This morning my mother informed my husband and I that my aunt, who has worked for JcPenney's for 34 years, was laid off yesterday. We both couldn't believe it. My aunt has worked there since she was in high school. My uncle works 3 jobs - as a paramedic, a firefighter and on the line at a factory - to help make ends meet. They have one daughter finishing college and another just beginning so prayers are definitely needed for them. That was my first reminder for prayer today....

One of our co-workers fell and broke her right ankle the weekend of February 4th, when Dallas had the massive snow/ice storm. She ended up shattering both bones in her leg, just above her ankle joint. She underwent surgery to have a metal plate and a screw placed. She was at home for this past week to recover as her post-op before her first follow-up appt. Her first follow-up appt was yesterday with the orthopedist and he put a metal boot around her ankle/foot but she is still to have no weight on it at all. That means no driving, no nothing, just resting....for another 4-6 weeks. She has missed the entire month of February from work and now he pretty much told her that she will miss March as well. Second reminder for prayer today....

My mother is the office manager at our office and she is involved in depositions for a legal case right now. She begins the second half of her deposition tomorrow at 9 am. She is very stressed over the situation and really needs calmness and peace - not to mention still dealing with the situation of my Grandmother being placed in a nursing home just over a week ago. Third reminder for prayer today.....

Last reminder of prayer is for myself and for my husband. We are desperately trying for a child and so far, nothing has happened. We are trying to be positive and patient about it. Well I finally called my doctor yesterday because it has been 50 days since my last cycle but both pregnancy tests we have taken say negative. We are hoping and praying that nothing is wrong. My sister was diagnosed with PCOS this last fall so with all of this, we called and consulted with my doctor. She did not seem too worried at this point. She told us to wait it out for another month and to let her know. So we are hoping and praying for God's guidance and peace during this time.....

After all this, you can now see what I mean about a "prayerful" Thursday! I hope each of you had a blessed day and if I can pray for any of you and your family, please let me know!

30 Day Challenge: Day 7

2011-02-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

Your Zodiac Sign and Does It Fit Your Personality?

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I am an Aries baby. Aries is the first astrological sign of the Zodiac, is ruled by the planet Mars and its symbol is the Ram. Don't you just LOVE the baby picture above? Too cute!! Well, let me give you some characteristics of an Aries and then I will disclose if it fits my personality.

Characteristics of an Aries:
- Adventurous
- Ambitious
- Impulsive
- Full of Energy
- Courageous leaders
- Championing causes
- Likes Challenges
- Naive

Dislikes of an Aries:
- Waiting Around
- Admitting Failure
- Tyranny

I agree with some of the charactersistics and I agree with the dislikes so I guess you could say that I agree with my astrological sign. I can be impulsive, I tend to want to take charge of things, help out as much as I can and make sure things get done. I tend to be very naive when it comes to certain things. I truly do tend to see the good side of everyone until I am proven wrong and when that happens, watch out! I will remember! On the dislikes I listed above, I agree with all 3 of them - I hate waiting for things (as key to something I am going through right now), I HATE to admit failure and refuse to admit it until the last possible second and I cannot stand any form of tyranny from certain rules at work to how people act or project themselves on others. So all in all, I say I am definitely an Aries!

30 Day Challenge: Day 5 and 6

2011-02-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

A Time You Thought About Ending Your Own Life

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I can honestly say I have never had a time where I thought about ending my own life. I know everyone has bad days and there are times that some people can become depressed but I have never struggled with anything past that. I am blessed to have a wonderful family, both on my side and on Hubby's side...not to mention a key close friends and a wonderful Hubby. I am trying to think of all the good things, all the blessings I have in my life instead of all the drama or not-so-good things. I do know that there are some out there who do not have the support around them like I do or the life and encouragement and they do think about ending their life. I will continue to pray for all those out there suffering with this decision to be comforted and to know they are loved and they do have a purpose.

Write 30 Interesting Facts About Yourself

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1. My favorite color is pink - which amuses my mother since I hated the color as a child.

2. I am a bookworm. I will read a couple of books a week - when I get started, I read at every chance I get until I am done. I am keeping a "Books Read" list this year to see just how many I read in a year.

3. I love movies! I not only collect them but I am known as a master movie quoter. Everything can spin me into a quote from one of my favorites! I currently put together a list of all the movies I own for a friend of mine and Hubby and I currently have 360 movies (not including Disney or childrens ones).

4. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Radiologic Sciences...meaning I was the technician who took your x-ray in the hospital, ER, or surgery area. I worked in a hospital for 2 years before getting married and moving.

5. I am learning to become a bargain shopper. I grew up not having to watch for great sales when shopping and while that was a very nice blessing, it didn't really help me when Hubby and I got married and I was the only one working while Hubby was in law school. We had an adjustment period but I am getting much better!

6. I am a total dog lover! I grew up with a dog at my house and my parents' dog, Jake, is our adopted dog. He is part lab/part Greyhound, very cute! I have a very special place in my heart for pugs as our neighbors growing up had one named Mac and he always loved to play with me.

7. I am the first person in my immediate family to be born in a state other than Illinois. My whole family - mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins - were all born in southern Illinois. The only 2 people not born in Illinois, besides me, are my paternal grandmother and my great uncle who were born in Virginia.

8. I went to an all-girls Catholic high school and I loved it. I would gladly do it again. It was totally my decision and truth be told, my father wasn't too keen on the idea when I made it.

9. I am a confessed Starbucks addict. I finally said it! I love a Grande, no whip, White Chocolate Mocha in the morning....but I know they can get expensive so my close second favorite is my Keurig coffee at home with International Delights Caramel Macchiato creamer.

10. Outside of my Starbucks, I pretty much only drink water and Sprite. I might have an unsweetened iced tea here and there but I try not to. We learned not too long ago that caffeine irritates my acid reflux. So I have to have coffee, cokes, and chocolate in moderation or sparingly.

11. I still have a hard time believing that I will be 29 next month - almost 30! Seriously, this weekend when my sister and I checked into our hotel for our fun weekend, the lady at the main desk asked if we were both over 21 in order to get the mini fridge key and I had to think before I answered!

12. My father is a hunter so I grew up around guns and hunting. I used to go hunting with him when I was younger and before I went away to college. None of that stuff bothers me - never has, never will.

13. I am becoming more and more of a sports fan, thanks to Hubby. I am a big time Dallas Mavericks fan (NBA)...I would rather watch or attend a NBA game than football even though football is a close second. I mean I am from the ULTIMATE football state of Texas!

14. I am deathly afraid of snakes. I cannot stand them! To see them on TV or at the zoo is okay but underneath I still squirm. No thank you!

15. I am an aunt to 2 nieces and 1 nephew...I would like to see them more but they all live in other areas of Texas so holidays is basically the only time we get together.

16. I work at the same office as my Hubby. We carpool to work every day, our cubicles are only one aisle apart, we go to lunch together everyday and we drive home together....and we love it!!!

17. I have seen Celine Dion twice in concert - once in Las Vegas and once in Dallas - and I am going to see Josh Groban for the second time in concert this May!

18. I do love reading or watching movies about the romantic side of vampires/werewolves. I don't mean just Twilight either - I love the Underworld movies with Kate Beckinsale, I own the original Dracula movie with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves and some of my favorite authors write romance stories in the genre, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, etc.

19. I have never been one to have lots of friends...I have a very few close friends and that is it. I was the same way in high school and college but thanks to Facebook, my few close friends now aren't the same ones I had 5 years ago.

20. I could eat at Panera Bread Company every day and be totally in heaven! I love their baked potato soup!

21. I have never broken a bone in my body. Fingers crossed that I never do!

22. I have seen the musical Wicked twice - once last May and the second time just this weekend. It is one of my top two all time favorite musicals - Phantom of the Opera is the other one.

23. My favorite TV shows are Mike and Molly, Hawaii 5-0, and Big Bang Theory. I watch a couple of others but these 3 are my favorites, never miss an episode.

24. My Hubby and I met on a blind date and almost 7 years later, still going strong!

25. Hubby and I are currently trying to get pregnant with our first child. We are praying for our first miracle sometime this year.

26. I have cereal for dinner at least once a week.

27. If Hubby and I could go on vacation anywhere, we would happily go back to Kauai, Hawaii - same place where we honeymooned!

28. My Hubby is the decorator in our household - I add a few items here and there but the big decisions and arranging comes from him.

29. I am branching out into different genres of music but my first love will always be country music.

30. I would live in pajamas or "comfy" clothes all day, every day if I could! I rarely get really dressed up.

30 Day Challenge: Day 4

2011-02-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

My Views on Religion

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My views on religion....wow, what a loaded question/topic. Let me started by saying I was raised Roman Catholic. I went to Catholic private school from 2nd grade through high school. In fact, I went to one of the biggest all-girls Catholic high school programs in the US - Ursuline Academy. I have always known and accepted our beliefs and doctrine growing up but I do have to admit that as I get older, now I want to understand the reason behind those doctrines. There wasn't much explanation as to why we were supposed to do things this way or that way growing up. I do have to say that I am still a Catholic but I am not a die-hard Catholic...meaning I have not been to weekly Mass, faithfully, in years. My hubby and I did not get married in the Catholic Church and the only reason for that is that I did not feel comfortable making him have to take a class in order to accept Catholicism as his religion in order for us to get married in the Church.

Please do not misunderstand me, I still have a love and a connection to Roman Catholicism. I have always had a religious background and a knowledge of God but I can honestly say that I have not grown enough in my faith to fully understand and to fully have a true and honest relationship with God. I hope that over time with prayers and study I can develop a steadfast and true relationship with my faith, religion and God. I know this doesn't really answer the question as to my views on religion but I do not believe at this point, I cannot make a solid case for my views as I am still developing them. Hopefully in the near future, I can have a different answer to share with you.

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

2011-02-16T16:35:00.000-08:00

My Views on Drugs and Alcohol

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My views on drugs and alcohol are pretty simple. No to both. I am proud to say I have never experimented with any drugs, including nicotine in cigarettes. I did try one glass of red wine and a beer or two over the years just to taste but I learned a long time ago, I just don't like alcohol. Never have, never will. I would rather have a big glass of iced tea (NO sugar) or some water before anything else. I do want to stress, however, that these are my personal views and I would never push them off onto others. What other people do is totally their call...my parents and several friends of mine drink and to that I say, that is fine as long as it doesn't endanger anyone else. I am boring, I know....I have always been a rule follower, ever since I was little and I haven't changed.

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In other news, I am so glad that tomorrow is my "Friday" at work. The last couple of weeks have been very busy and stressful for the beginning of our February was killed with snow, ice and freezing temperatures here in north Texas. That definitely threw a damper on things at work and to top it off, we have been short handed off and on due to several co-workers being sick and one even slipped and broke her leg on the ice! Needless to say I have been a busy bee at work this month but I am taking off Friday to head to Austin to pick my sister on our way to San Antonio.

We are heading to San Antonio because on Saturday at 2 pm we will be seeing........

WICKED the musical!! We cannot wait - this will be my second time to see it and my sister's first time. It truly is one of the best musicals and the story is unbelievable...truly goes so well with the Wizard of Oz. I will be sure to take some pics of our time this weekend to post on here. Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?

30 Day Challenge: Day 2

2011-02-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Where I Want to Be In 10 Years

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In ten years, I hope to be thinking of more dreams and watching them come true! It is hard to think that in 10 years, it will be 2021! I don't know if my mind will accept that year just yet....but I will try.

In ten years, I hope Hubby and I are surrounded by at least 2-3 children and living in our dream home. We love our home now but we would like to have a bigger home later in life, if possible. One of my dreams is to be a stay at home mom/homemaker even though right now it doesn't look like it is financially possible. I will keep praying and wishing for it and hopefully my dream coincides with God's plan for me.

I would love to have found a home church for us and our children. A church where we feel truly accepted and a true part of the community in which our family can build a strong relationship with God. We thought we had that church a year or so ago but alas, I was a little too put off by the "high school cliche" feel to it. They were very warm and accepting on Sunday morning at church but I just didn't get the same vibe when we were together in smaller groups.

I hope that Hubby will find a workplace he truly loves and feels like his contributions are respected and honored. Both Hubby and I work at the same office now and the work environment is very nice and we both are earning a good living but I just get the feeling that Hubby feels like something is missing. Maybe that "missing" piece will fit at this office but we will have to keep faithful and true until we know for certain.

I would love to say that we will be financially set and that we can afford to take our kids on Disney trips at least once or twice but those things aren't the important things. I want our children to know they are loved above all else, that work always comes second to them and their well-being. I want to encourage them and my Hubby to be the best they can, to support them no matter what and to pray for the best that God has in store for them. But if I do have to be a little materialistic, I would love to take Hubby overseas to experience these treasures in person....

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Blarney Castle, Ireland

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Oh to dream!! Keep dreaming!!

30 Day Challenge: Day 1

2011-02-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

After much pleading and urging by my friend Erin to post, here is my first entry of the 30 day challenge.
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It has been 6 1/2 years since I went from one to two. Hubby and I got married on July 17, 2004 in our home area of Dallas, Texas. We met on September 13th, 2002 (and it was a Friday too!) on a blind date, no less! We met up at a local mall, grabbed dinner and then went bowling...don't worry, I won! We were engaged 9 months later and were engaged for a year before getting married.

Our wedding day was wonderful - completely perfect and we had breathtaking weather that wasn't too hot (which was a blessing in July in Texas!). Because of an A/C problem in the room we were to spend the night in after our reception, we were upgraded to the Presidential Suite at no charge! I have the pictures to prove it! Hubby and I will never again spend a night in a hotel room like that. The very next morning we were whisked away to the airport in a limo where we got on a plane to our honeymoon in Kauai, Hawaii! It was completely amazing....will share those pictures at another time! After 5 days in Kauai, we flew back to Dallas to pack up all of belongings and move to Lubbock where Hubby began his first semester of Law School.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and got to spend it with those they love most!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

2010-11-28T18:25:00.001-08:00

The Christmas season has officially begun at our house! I can hardly believe it...Hubby's birthday is on Tuesday and he normally refuses to let me decorate for Christmas until after his birthday so to have it all up and decorated NOW is a huge step! This is a picture of our "family tree" - we bought it the first year of marriage and as you can tell it is a little small. It is only 4 feet tall but we love it just the same. We are hoping to get a bigger tree for next year. We have a little tradition with our Christmas ornaments. We buy a new "together" ornament each year - one for each year we have been married. We started with getting an ornament on our honeymoon and we have bought an ornament each year to represent that year. For instance, in 2008 we got a New Home ornament since we bought our house. For this year we got a celebratory snowman ornament to celebrate another successful year together. We love growing and seeing our collection grow as well.

And this is my pink Christmas tree! My mother in law bought it for me 2 years ago and it was my goal this year to find all pink ornaments to decorate it with. Here is my final product! From the glittery star on top, to each and every ornament, to the tree itself and down to the tree skirt...it is all pink! Just like a famous quote from one of my favorite movies, Steel Magnolias, "Pink is my signature color" (said in a Louisiana accent). My good friend works at Neiman Marcus and she was able to find me really wonderful pink ornaments at their Christmas sale, on her discount, for a couple of dollars a piece! I love it!! I cannot wait until we have a child so I can start a tree for them as well.

I am also proud to say that I have all of our Christmas shopping done and almost all of it wrapped too! Hubby and I tried to have everything bought and done by Thanksgiving for the first time ever. All I am waiting for is one last box to arrive from Amazon and I will have everything wrapped. I don't mean to be too boastful here - that isn't nice - but I am on cloud nine! So now our three weekends until Christmas will be busy doing other things. This coming weekend we are hoping to visit Hubby's parents down by Austin, the 9th-13th we will be house and dog sitting for my parents and then on Saturday the 18th we have our company Christmas party. Going to be busy, that is for sure! What upcoming fun holiday things do you and your family have planned?

Changes

2010-08-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

This week brings a change in our life. Hubby's parents are moving from the metroplex and moving to a new house and a new chapter in their lives. We are excited for them because they are very ready for this change but we are also sad to see them go. Hubby and his parents have lived in the area since he was in the 4th grade and now that he and his 2 brothers are married and have families of their own they have decided to downsize into something easier for them. A lot of thought and planning went into their decision - his parents would never decide anything on a whim and they have been looking forward to this week for the past 4 months. Today was the actual day that his parents signed the new ownership papers on their house. The movers will be here at the end of the week to gather up everything and by this time next week, we will be the last of the "K" family living in the metroplex.

It is a little surreal to think about. When I first started dating hubby, his parents were here and his oldest brother and his wife were here. The only one missing from this area was his middle brother who was finishing up at Texas A&M. I remember it was on our second date that I met hubby's mother. My friend, her boyfriend and I were picking up hubby to take him on a double date of dinner and a movie. We drove over to pick him up and when I got there and knocked on the door, he came out and said my mother would like to meet you. So I decided to be very confident and just walk in and be very outgoing and calm, even though inside I was shaking. He walked me into their living room and I walked over and introduced myself to his mother and shook her hand. That was our first meeting, hard to believe it was almost 8 years ago.

His parents aren't moving that far, only about 3-4 hours, depending on traffic. It will just be very surreal to grasp for awhile, that they aren't physically here anymore. We wish them all the best as they will be starting a new, wonderful journey. One that will bring them closer to their grandchildren but we will miss them. Thanks for all the impromptu dinners, the girly shopping days, the help and assistance with things at our house and so many other things. We love you and we will miss you, Mom and Dad.

Another Weekend Flew By

2010-08-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

As I sit here at 6:30 pm on Sunday, I am trying to figure out how another weekend just flew by! Hubby and I spent the night at my parents house on Friday. We left work around 4 pm, drove to a great 75% book store in Plano where we wasted time until we had to pick up dinner for everyone at Chicken Express. After we loaded up with LOTS of chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, fried okra, and biscuits, we headed to my parents' house. My parents, my brother, my sister, my uncle, hubby and I all sat down to watch the Clash of the Titans, the new one that was redone this year. Perseus is played by Sam Worthington - after seeing him in Avatar, I pretty much just love him and his acting. There were many famous people in this remake - Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson played Zeus, Ralph Fiennes played Hades (for you Harry Potter fans, he is the same guy who plays Voldemort), Mads Mikkelson played Draco and Gemma Atherton played Io. It was a good movie, definitely worth seeing at least just once.

After the movie, we hung out with the family for a bit before going to bed early since we were going to work Saturday morning. 5:20 am on Saturday came WAY too soon! We got up and got ourselves to work by 6 am. We worked from 6 am until 10 am. On the way home we stopped by Costco and got some juice, milk and shampoo. After Costco, we grabbed quick lunch to take home at Arby's. While we ate our lunch, we watched our new Blu-Ray DVD of Disney's Meet the Robinsons. It is very cute and all about believing in yourself! Once the movie was over, I tried to start my 4th book for the week only to fall asleep on the couch. So hubby woke me up and put me to bed where I took a nice 2 hour nap. Saturday evening we decided to try our hand again at making pancakes since we are going to have to learn for kids. This time it was a success! So we had pancakes for dinner and relaxed and watched TV until bedtime.

This morning I got up around 7:20 am and finished my 4th book for the week before I had to meet my friend, Jennifer, for breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. I love having breakfast there - such a girly place and so yummy! We always get one of their homemade blueberry muffins with our breakfasts. After breakfast, we went back to Jennifer's house and watched my new favorite movie, The Young Victoria. It is still good! Once I left her house, I stopped by Half Price Books and got 5 new books to read. I am so ready to get going on them! Once back at home, I decided I would watch the movie one of my co-workers gave me, The Bridges of Madison County with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. Oh! I cried! It was good and so emotional. So after this whirlwind, I can totally see where my weekend has gone to! It is so hard to believe that this is the last week my in-laws will be living in the metroplex. Since all the boys are grown and married, they have decided to downsize and are moving to the Austin area. I am so happy for them, they totally deserve this new chapter in their life. I will miss having them so close though. Especially when we are blessed with our next chapter in our life. I know we will see them as often as we can. So here's hoping that this week will be a great one for everyone!

Another Week Done

2010-07-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

Another week has ended, another weekend begins. This week seems to have gone by in a flash and it is even harder to think that August starts on Sunday. Hubby and I talked today and we are going to start being extra frugal and tight with our money, even more than we are. We would like to be able to get as much money saved as possible. I was blessed with a $100 spot bonus today at work for a customer's email that was sent into the general sales manager saying what a good job I am doing. We were thankful for that and we made sure the bonus money went right into savings. It is going to be tougher on us but we know we can do it. We have a good reason that we both want to save as much money as possible. In the meantime we have to be extremely frugal and creative with groceries, birthday gifts and extra spending. In fact, we aren't going to be doing much outside spending but when we do it will be on sale or clearance only. I am using this time to catch up on my reading and books I have bought that have been waiting to read. Actually, I have already read 3 books this week so far and I will probably start another one tomorrow afternoon after work. Oh yeah, we are working every other Saturday for 4-5 hours to help get some extra money as well. So I guess what I mean to say is.....let the saving begin!

A Great, Fun Book to Read

2010-07-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

I love to read, I always have lots and lots of books around me. I have a 2-shelf, deep bookcase in our bedroom that has nothing but my books on it. I know these days are all about the electronic book reader like the Kindle by Amazon or the Nook by Barnes and Noble but I just don't like it. My parents bought me a Kindle and it is very cool but there is just something about holding and reading a book. I love to see the fun, bright and interesting book covers and I could easily spend hours in Barnes and Noble, Half Price Books or Borders. I have always loved books from the time I was little. In fact, I started reading at age 2 - first thing I read was a Sears advertisement from the newspaper. My father was so proud!

Once I get really into a book, I normally finish it within a day or so, depending on my work and home schedule. I started this book - See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson - on Monday. I only read about 2-3 chapters on Monday but I finished it yesterday. It is a really fun, great read! The main character is Jane Alcott and she is a journalist wannabe who also writes a single girl column for her local newspaper and in secret writes a column for guys in one of their magazines. In a twist of fate, she is recruited to write about the Seattle Chinooks, a made-up NHL hockey club and she is required to cover all their games and go on the road with them. Needless to say they don't want her there, they think she is bad luck and even worse to them is that the only color she wears is all black. She tries to fit in but ends up butting heads with the goalie, Luc Martineau. And then a twist of fate transforms Jane for one night at a hockey gala and Luc is shocked to find out how gorgeous Jane is and even more so what an amazing woman she is. She begins to assist him with his tense situation with his younger sister as well as other things in his life....but then something comes up and threatens to tear them apart, leaving us to wonder if Jane will "score" herself a goalie?

I highly recommend this book! It was great fun and I will be looking for more books by Rachel Gibson to read.

On to Next Step

2010-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received the information I was so waiting to hear from my doctor. We are good to go on our dream of starting our family. I was so worried that my doctor might have concerns and she didn't have a single one. She explained that things happen differently for each couple and some people are blessed on their first try and others take longer. In fact she told me that she was on birth control pills for 17 years and then the first month she was off, she got pregnant. I was shocked and encouraged to hear this. She gave me prenatal vitamins to start taking in preparation and gave me a prescription of them as well. She said whenever you and your husband want to, you are good to go and she said "hope to see you soon!" That was perfect, that was just what we wanted to hear. After talking to my husband, we have decided to start trying in October. We think it would be better for us if we had another two months to put more money away before we actively start trying. So now I just have to try and be patient until October. I know patience is a virtue and it is one that I have to constantly work on so it might be hard for me. Just have to remember...."Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself." ~~ St. Francis de Sales

Today is the Day

2010-07-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the day that I visit my doctor to find out the verdict on our decision. My appointment is just for my regular women's check-up/exam and I am not nervous or anxious about that. Today is the day I am going to talk to my doctor about having children and see what she says. I tried all weekend to not think or dwell on it and I did pretty well but this morning I already feel some butterflies and my appointment isn't until 3:45 this afternoon. I am hoping that I can keep myself busy throughout the day and that I can relax and be calm, having faith. My husband is very gracious and easy going about this - he simply says "whatever she says, we will deal with and do". Those words are very comforting and I appreciate his support, I am just hoping that we don't have to "deal" with anything. We will find out soon enough, right? Here's praying that everything goes smoothly!

Amazing Movie

2010-07-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

This movie was amazing! I read about it from one of the blogs I read and she said it was truly amazing so I had to give it a try. It is the quintessional love story without all the rated R stuff....it is hard to describe how much I love this movie. I watched it last night and promptly went out and bought it on DVD today at lunch. Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria is truly captivating. She was a Golden Globe Nominee for this performance. I am sad to say that I never learned about Queen Victoria in my history classes in high school or college but I truly wish I did. It makes me sigh and get all sappy thinking that this story and these people were real. I highly recommend it!! I have already made two of my co-workers swear to watch it! In fact I might make my sister watch it tonight with me!

Thinking....Wonder If There Are Any People Left Out There?

2010-07-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

First of all, yes, I am still here. It seems I have been away for a LONG time...I wonder if there are any readers at all out there or if I am typing to myself. No big announcements to make, in case you were wondering about the picture. However, the picture does represent something....a decision. My husband and I have made our decision but we have not been able to consult with my doctor yet. I go to see my doctor this coming week and because of this one decision, I am more nervous than I normally am for this type of visit.

Some reasoning behind my worrying or nervousness...I have always been a "fluffy" girl. I never was blessed enough to be a skinny mini or to be one of those girls who could eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce. Oh how I wish I could be though! This is the biggest concern weighing on my mind...no pun intended. My husband and I want to talk to my doctor to see what, if any, concerns she may have for us at this point. We both are really hoping and praying that my doctor will say we are all fine and have nothing to worry about but I am a little doubtful. Doctors would like everything perfect or as close to it, if they can get it that way so I am sure my doctor will recommend me losing weight before we start out on this journey.

I am sure there are some who will be thinking - lose some weight, so what? Well it just seems we have had some other obstacles that we have had to overcome first before we could even discuss this decision. My husband and I were married in July 2004, that August my husband began law school. So we moved 5-6 hours from home and went through all 3 years of law school. Once my husband graduated, we moved back home and began jobs. My husband wasn't very long into his law career that he was diagnosed with 2 kidney stones and had to undergo a lithotripsy procedure to help remove them. So he was out of work for a little bit, recovering, and then when he was able to go back to work, he found out the environment was not the best for him. It was causing unnecessary stress, headache and strain on him which in turn affected me so we decided it would be best for us to quit his job. Little did we know, he quit his job a month before the economy/employment took the big nose dive. My husband was unemployed for about 10 months before he was hired at.....the same office I work at! Oh and two months before my husband quit his job, we bought our first house!

So this last year or so, we have been getting back on our feet and settled and just now, after 6 years of marriage, do we think we are ready to take the next step. So after all that, you can understand our anxiety if our doctor tells us that we have something else to overcome before we begin. I am trying to be patient and calm and have faith. Guess we will know soon enough!

Seeing Wicked

2010-05-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was so blessed to be able to see the musical, Wicked. It was unbelievable! To be honest, I wasn't that thrilled about it - knowing only that it is kind of a prequel to how the Glinda the Good Witch became the Good Witch and how the Wicked Witch became the Wicked Witch. Well, it totally blew me away! The story was great, lots of tie-ins to Wizard of Oz and the songs were so amazing! The lead for the Dallas Fair Park Wicked was Donna Vivino and I think she is so much better than the lead singer that was on Broadway. I wish I could have a CD recording of her singing....here is a picture of our lead, Donna, dressed up as Elfie (lady on the right).

After seeing the amazing show and being totally blown away by it, I am SO happy that I will be going back in 2 weeks to see it again with my sister. We are going on June 12th to see it....so I will get to experience this amazing musical and performer again. If you have never seen this musical, I highly recommend you see it. I think my favorite song is Defying Gravity. But who knows, it might change after my second trip!

It Won't Be Like This For Long

2010-05-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

It seems that our family has been plagued by medical issues here lately. I know it has been over a month since my last post and about that time was when we first started trying to figure out the medical issues. My husband was diagnosed with 2 kidney stones - one was stuck by his bladder which the doctor thought was causing his pain so he underwent a lithotripsy (a procedure in which they use highly contained sound waves to break apart a stone). That took care of one of the stones and we thought we were on the road to healing. It is now a month later and his pain is back and we still have the other kidney stone stuck in his kidney. We are currently in the process of transferring doctors to get a second opinion but it seems the first doctor is not being very accommodating with releasing his records. Any extra prayers to help "get" the first doctor's office in gear to release our records would be a HUGE help!

On top of that, my husband's father was diagnosed with a situation - he underwent surgery to remedy the situation. It seems the testing isn't 100% accurate yet so he is having to undergo more diagnostic testing to figure out the status. I don't want to give away his situation on here because I know it is personal and I know some of my family members read my blog and I would need their permission before I posted any details. And just when you think that is it, my mother has been undergoing some problems now as well. She was on a hormone replacement therapy for years and over this last month her doctor removed the hormone medicine. Ever since then, she has suffered through major headaches - migraine like or worse. She saw her internist who ordered a MRI which came back all normal but she is still having the headaches. So last week my mom saw a neurologist who has ordered a MRA as well as some blood work and some restrictions in her diet. I am hoping everything comes back normal and we can get her back to normal as soon as possible.

Through all of this I am trying to remain positive and upbeat but we are definitely ready for everyone to be 100% healthy and back to their lovable selves. As I try to go through each day and focus on helping those around me, I struggle with my own internal situations....like why we are undergoing these struggles, when will everything be better, starting the diet I know I desperately need to be on, and just getting back to living. One song reminds me that things won't be this way for long and I just need to remember the story behind the words....one day at a time....here is the song I am talking about...from Darius Rucker (the former frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish)

Post It Tuesday

2010-03-23T12:58:00.001-07:00

Here are my post-it notes for the week:

Hope everyone is having a nice week so far....I am hoping and praying we get some answers from the doctor tomorrow for my husband. Any prayers would be appreciated!

Back Home and Getting into Routine

2010-03-21T11:33:00.001-07:00

Well, I am finally back home and back on my blog. The end of February found me getting all ready for my girls trip to Nashville. During the first week of March I was not only doing my job but covering my mother's job since she was out of town. And then finally last week I was in Nashville with my college roommate, Steffany.

We had a great time..fast and furious but good. We visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Historic Studio B, Ryman Auditorium, Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Carnton Plantation (site of Battle of Franklin during Civil War), Belle Meade Plantation, NashTrash Tour, Opry Mills and saw a concert at the Grand Ole Opry. We did all that in 3 days! My favorite parts were the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Jack Daniel's Distillery. SO interesting!!

Country Music Hall of Fame, designed to look like a keyboard

Steffany, my college roommate, and I at Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, TN

We came back on Thursday evening - got back to DFW around 7:30 pm. LONG drive! We had fun but we were tired from our whirlwind trip. Friday morning my friend Steffany drove home to Houston and that evening my husband and I celebrated my birthday early with my family. We all went out to dinner and then played a game back at my parents' house. My sister made me a necklace for my birthday and my brother got me the Disney movie on DVD, The Princess and the Frog.

I have watched the movie three times since Saturday morning. It is SO good!! I love Tiana, Lottie and Naveen. And I can't forget Raymond from the bayou...if you haven't seen it and you like Disney, you need to see it! This movie takes them back to the movies they used to make that I grew up with - Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast - and they were wonderful! Oprah Winfrey plays the voice of Tiana's mother, Terrence Howard plays the voice of Tiana's father and David Keith (the deep voiced guy from Police Academy movies) plays the voice of the Shadow Man. Definitely need to see it at least once!

I cannot believe that tomorrow is back to work...another day, another dollar. And I can't believe that a week from Tuesday I will be another year older. Time certainly flies!

Getting Good at Bargains

2010-02-25T13:11:00.001-08:00

I am sure bargain shopping has come naturally to most of you but for me, I am still learning and I do have to say that I am getting better! I love shopping and trying to find things I like and not spend a fortune on them. I was raised in a loving family whose parents spoiled me and my siblings and gave us better things than what they had growing up. It never really affected me until I became married and it was just my husband and I. I was blessed that I was able to attend private school from 2nd grade through high school - also my high school is all-girls Catholic high school. I know some people would cringe on having to go to school the way I did but I loved it and would gladly do it all over again, the same way.

Once I was married, I quickly saw that my parents financial blessings were not mine...meaning my parents were and are very lucky at being able to live comfortably. Don't get me wrong, my husband and I are living comfortably - for us - but it took me a long time to accept that fact and live and do the things I would like, just not at the expense I may have been used to. I am becoming quite the bargain shopper now!! I typically get birthday and holiday gifts for my nieces and nephew a month before the actual day so I have time to look around and hunt for sales. And yes, I do mean most all of the major holidays I like to get my nieces and nephew something - I sent them Valentine's gifts, I will send them Easter gifts, birthday, Halloween and Christmas...not to mention any other thing I might find and love and think they have to have . I also love to spoil some friends' children as well...one of the blogs I read Wanting What You Have they were just blessed with a little boy but the situation surrounding his birth brought some things they were unprepared for....so of course I jumped at the chance to help them out with gifts for the little guy as well as his two older sisters. I don't want to say what I got them because I just mailed it out today but I LOVED putting the box together and I hope they love it too.

Then today in my email I got a coupon for some books for my niece/nephew from Barnes and Noble...I was so happy that at lunch I got 2 books for them and one book for my "future children book" stack, all for $8.00 INCLUDING tax! I was so thrilled! I am getting there, little by little and I am truly understanding and loving the saying "Tis better to give than to receive"....on to the next bargain!

First Ever Blog Award

2010-02-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

WOW! I received my first ever blog award today...thanks to Casey. So before I get started on the directions for the blog award, just wanted to say "Thanks" to Casey for awarded me with this...

The rules for accepting this award are:
1) Post a thank you and the link to the person that gave you the award.
2) Pass this award onto fifteen bloggers you have recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic!
3) Contact those blogs to notify them that they have won!
4) State seven tidbits of information about yourself.

1. The two things I gladly spend my shopping money are purses and books.
2. I have travelled to 9 international countries - Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece and Turkey
3. My favorite color in the world is PINK!
4. I have a hard time thinking of things long-term, much better with here and now.
5. I am going on a girls trip to Nashville in March with my college roomie - can't wait!
6. I listen to almost all types of music, except rap - my favorite though is country.
7. I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise with my hubby or go back to Kauai where we had our honeymoon.

My picks for the Beautiful Blogger Award are, in no particular order:
1.Vanessa at Simple Bliss
2.April at Living to Love
3.Rachel at Keep It Simple
4.AllyJo at AllyJo's Erudition
5.Nephew Chris at Tales from the Crib
6. Monica at The Homespun Heart
7. Jackie at The House of Justice
8. Linda at Mocha with Linda
9. If you read this, consider yourself tagged for spots 9-15!!!

Post-It Note Tuesday by SupahMommy

2010-02-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

I just found this through a blog I read and it is so fun!! I knew I had to do it too! So here are my Post-It notes for Post-It Tuesday....

What are your Post-It notes for today?? If you want to know how to do create the post-its, click on the icon at the top of my post to go to SupahMommy's blog and read how. Can't wait to read yours!!

Absolutely Speechless

2010-02-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

Every morning I find some time for me at work to read and look at my favorite blogs. Some of them are on my blog roll on the right side of my blog but others I have saved to my favorites list. One of the blog I read is called Living to Love which is posted by April and her husband, Brandon. April and Brandon have just brought their wonderful son, Harrison, home not to long ago and I love reading her posts and watching him grow. Today when I went to April's blog I saw she simply put a link to "the birth story of Nella Cordelia"...I was intrigued so I clicked it.

Little did I know that I would be sent to an amazing blog and an amazing story...the story is about an amazing couple who was preparing for the birth of their little girl, Nella Cordelia. What a beautiful name, I might add! Please read this story...it will totally surprise you at what she shares and I feel that any mother can associate with her thoughts and statements. I am not a mother yet but let me tell you, I copied the link and forwarded the story to my husband to have him read it.

To Brett and Kelle, you are amazing, you are love defined, you are the best parents any child could ask for. Little Nella and Lainey both know that...trust in their trust of you. Your family is gorgeous and precious and thank you for sharing this story with us. Please read their story at
Nella Cordelia's Birth.

All for Valentine's Day Gifts and Books

2010-02-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

This Saturday I had an relaxing day planned to hang out with a friend of mine and watch chick flicks at her house. On the way to her house, I decided to stop at Mardel's - a Christian bookstore/school supply store. They were having a great sale on bargain books and I was so pumped - I found 2 books I have had on my "to read" list as well as many others all for $2.99-$3.99 each. While there I picked up a Valentine's Day gift for my nephew and niece....so I was all set and ready to pay. I went up to the cashier's area and my cashier was a very bubbly lady named Joy.

Now before I go on in my story, I should tell you that my husband and I have been married for 5 1/2 years and we do want to have children someday. But after some decisions this last year, we won't be starting our family for another 2-3 years. Now back to my story....

I laid my items on the counter for Joy to ring up and then I dug my wallet out of my purse and waited to see what the total would be. The cashier lady saw my gift for my niece and asked me if I had a little girl. I said no, I didn't - that the gift was for my niece. The cashier then asked me if I was married...I answered yes I am. She then followed with "Do you want children?" I informed her that yes we would like to have children someday.

Right then, I was totally surprised and flabbergasted when the cashier grabbed my hand and began to pray out loud, in the store, asking God to help me conceive! I was like "whoa..what??" I didn't say anything - I didn't want to interrupt her prayer but in my head I was like no, no, no. I was still speechless as I walked out of the store. I quickly called my husband and my mother and was like "you will NOT believe what just happened!!" I wonder if it is bad that during a prayer you are silently praying that God ignores her plea.

Cost Difference between Men/Women Items

2010-01-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed the differences in men and women services? It normally doesn't bother me too much but this week I have finally broke down and scheduled a hair appointment for me this weekend. I love having my hair done but I hate paying for it. It totally amazes me that my husband can have his hair done for the total price of $16.00 but if I get my partial highlights, haircut and styled, it costs $85-100, NOT including the tip. I mean, is that fair, really??

I am not mad at the hairstylists out there...don't get me wrong, I understand it is your living and you have a right to charge those prices for your services. I just wish that my hair didn't cost so much. Or maybe it isn't my hair...maybe it is what I have done. I am also trying to get away from big named salons with high prices. This Sunday I am having my hair done at a local small salon owned and operated by two women only. One does the hair appointments and the other does the nails appointments. My husband tells me that it really isn't that big of a deal since I get my hair done about twice a year....I really try to stretch my hair appointments as long as I can, until I just can't stand it anymore.

I just feel bad spending that amount of money when we are trying to save and put away money for selling our house/buying a new one and maybe taking a small mini vacation in September. Does this stuff ever get anyone else thinking or is it just me? My husband tells me that my mind is my own worst enemy for I constantly think about things like this instead of just being. I will be the first to admit I am a worrywart and I really am trying to change my focus this year towards God, spouse, family, and friends - everything else to fall by the wayside. I guess I will have to make and adapt to a game plan for when I run into little things like this...what do you think??

Finally Decided to Post in 2010

2010-01-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!! I know, I am SO late for posting and ringing in the New Year of 2010. Somehow this month of January has totally flown by me...I can't believe that February is a week from tomorrow! But I LOVE February...Valentine's Day, love and heart decor out and my favorite pink is everywhere!!

I have already bought a ceramic heart dish from Target and a desk picture holder in the word "Love" to help get me in the spirit of February. This new year my hubbie and I have decided to focus on simple gifts and not so much on big material things. I will be the first to admit that I "heart" Coach, Brighton and Dooney and Bourke purses but the truth is I can't afford or validate spending $200 on a purse anymore. So I am developing my love of Vera Bradley purses/bags and to get a bigger purse for $60 is SO much more do-able than $200 plus. Please don't think I am running amuck buying purses left and right...I have one Vera Bradley purse that I am drooling over for $68.00....this is it:

But I am saving my allowance money until I can afford it with my "extra" spending money. But I will drool from afar until then!

Also, I am blessed enough this year that I am going on a girl's trip to Nashville, TN in March with my roommate from college. Being a Southern born and raised girl and a lover of country music, I cannot wait! As for New Year's resolutions, I probably should be dieting and losing weight but I feel that I need to be working on my relationship with God and relying on faith and positive thinking first so that is what I am doing. I hope to share my journey through my resolution with you. And for all you Texas blogging gals out there, there is a blog for us now!! The address is Texas-BloggingGals. Be sure to add the button to your sidebar and say "howdy" to our fellow Texan women out there!

Does It Matter?

2009-10-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Does it matter? This is the prominent question in my life over the last week. I have been wrestling with some inner thoughts and struggles and my husband has been the best during this time. We have been working at the same office since the end of July and I can truly say that this is a blessing for me. Most people don't think they could work with their spouses, day in and day out, but I grew up with my parents doing it with no problem and I am the same way.

I have always been one to focus too much or even entirely on what others' think or what society thinks. I worry over what others think of my clothes, my weight, my lifestyle...bad, I know but it is true. I have always been this way and God has seen me struggle with this and blessed me with a wonderful, inspiring, patient husband. My husband truly is an example of what God wants us each to be - he is always patient, never quick to anger, very laid back, very goal driven, accepting that he knows God must be present in our lives and accepting of me as I am. I have always been a plus size woman and to be honest, I may always be this way. But this does not mean that I don't feel pressure from society and others to be the "accepted" and desirable size 8.

This situation has been forefront in my mind lately since my husband and I have decided we are going to try and start our family next fall. Saturday evening we went out to dinner and at dinner we talked about our priorities and what we need to work on next year. My husband wants me to focus and work on my priorities only - not my weight, not my lack of exercising - my priorites. He wants me to accept that my priorities should be God, spouse, children, family, friends. NO society - NO others -NO people I will never see again. He says that when I begin to worry or doubt myself or concern myself with what others think, I need to stop and say one thing "Does it matter?" Nine times out of ten - the answer will be no. So this is my goal for the upcoming year...to focus on things that should matter, nothing else. My husband says when I do this and make it a habit, then everything else will fall into place. That sounds heavenly to me.

Two Weeks to Enjoy Before BUSY time!

2009-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this picture look wonderful? Oh, how I wish Matt and I could do this...we both secretly long for a vacation. Unfortunately, Matt won't start earning vacation until the end of July 2010. So right now we just have to dream about it and talk about how wonderful it would be. We have 1-2 weeks of trying to get some resting and relaxation in before our busy November starts. It is unbelievable how busy November is shaping up to be!

Starting with Tuesday, October 27th - we are going to the Dallas Mavericks game, the season opener, after work.

Then on Sunday, November 1st, we are going to the Dallas Cowboys game (at the new stadium), playing at noon versus the Seahawks.

For the whole week of November 1st-7th, we are going to be house sitting and dog sitting for my parents who will be out of town.

November 13-15th, I will be in Houston, spending the weekend with my college roommate and going to the famous Nutcracker Market.

November 18th, we will be going to the Dallas Mavericks game versus the San Antonio Spurs - our rivals!!

The very next weekend, November 20-22nd, Matt and I will both be in Houston visiting his brother and his family. Then, that next week is Thanksgiving!! WHEW!

And last but NOT least, Matt's birthday is on November 30th.

I don't know about you but we are going to be BUSY!! Once all this is over with, it will be December and Christmas!! The end of this year is going to fly by....but on a good note, I did some awesome shopping yesterday and got my college roommate's Christmas gift all done as well as the gift for my Christmas Swap Partner, Anne Marie.

Little by Little

2009-09-05T17:18:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone! Hope everyone is having a relaxing and blessed Saturday....hubby and I's day started WAY earlier than we planned. We were both up around 6-6:15 am, not something we planned but our bodies were against us. So since we were up, we stopped by the Starbucks drive thru where we each had a grande no whip White Chocolate Mocha...yummy!! We then stopped by the Allen Premium Outlets to see if we could pick up any deals...only really found one, I was able to get a pair of Eddie Bauer denim capris for $15.00. After the outlets, we stopped by HomeGoods and looked around for decor for the house and we got LUCKY!! We have been looking for some sign or picture to hang above our kitchen sink and we finally found one! And it was on sale for $5.00!! We both love it...see what you think.

Overview of sign above sink

Closeup of sign

Tomorrow we are planning to do some odds and ends around the house and have a late lunch/early dinner with hubby's parents. We also need to complete our monthly budget and meal plan for the upcoming week. What fun things are you doing this weekend??

First Item Done on 1001 Things to Do List

2009-08-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I completed one item from my 1001 Things to Do List! One down and 1000 more to go....the item I am referring to is going to a Dallas Cowboys game at their brand new stadium. Well hubby and I were blessed with this surprise on Friday afternoon when we got the call, asking us if we would like to go to the preseason game Saturday night...for free! Two tickets and a parking pass to the new stadium, all thanks to a customer of my father. We were thrilled to go and boy, is it a thing to behold! I have seen pictures of it on TV but trust me, they do not do it justice...you have to see it up close and personal to take it all in. Here are some pictures from our night on Saturday....

And guess what?? We were blessed enough to receive another set of tickets for a real season game on November 1st versus Seattle Seahawks....from another customer of my parents! We cannot wait to go back but we did have dinner before we went to the stadium at the TGI Friday's nearby because we are NOT paying $18.00 for a hamburger! Sorry Jerry!

Do You See Seagulls?

2009-08-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

When you look at the above picture, do you see the brilliant blue of the sky with the tiny wisps of white? Do you see the teal to crystal clearness of the ocean? Can you just imagine the calmness and gentleness of being in those surroundings? Or do you just see the seagulls?

A saying my mother says to me when I overworry or doubt is "Don't put seagulls in your picture". In other words, do not worry about things or obstacles that are not there - do not force things to appear in your situation or your life that wouldn't necessarily have been there to begin with. I wish I didn't do this, I wish I don't worry or "put seagulls" in my picture but I do. How else do you think I have memorized this saying? My poor mother has said it to me over and over again and sometimes still says it.

Today I heard one of the most disheartening things I think I have heard in awhile. My husband and I have been working on losing weight for about a month now. We have both lost about 14-15 pounds. This last week has been very bad for us, diet wise. We splurged a few food items that we haven't had in over a month. I asked my husband today if he could be happy the way he is right now....and he said no. He said he wants to lose 20 more pounds. Please keep in mind that my husband is 6 feet tall and if he loses 20 more pounds, he will be 180. That is thin for someone of his height - I think he looks great now but he doesn't agree. I wish the goal was for something more detailed like "lowering cholesterol" or "better blood pressure reading" but no, it is for overall look and clothing. How far has our society come that everything is based on how you look in clothes? Not if you are happy with yourself or your life, not if you are a Christian and know God but if you wear a certain dress size. I think that this is extremely disheartening.

I mean I know, more than most, the struggle of weight and scale readings. I have always been what some would call a "plus size" girl. I even wondered through high school if I would ever meet that special person who would accept me for me and not a certain dress size. I did...my husband was the first person, ever, who saw me for me and allowed me to be the biggest nerd (which I know I am). I just seem to have gotten sucked back into the society mainstream of how we should look and what we should dress like instead of wanting to be better for me. In fact if we weren't planning to try and start a family late next year, I don't think I would be worrying about a diet. I have to find a way to live life as it comes, to encourage my husband towards his goals and to not get discouraged when I have so far to go to achieve mine. How do you stay above the water and stay on track? Especially with something that seems insurmountable.

(photograph borrowed from National Geographic Photography)

Fabulous and Wonderful!

2009-08-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

Today has been a busy day, that is for sure. It started with me up at 6:45 am. Hubby and I were house and dog sitting for my parents who were moving my brother and sister into their colleges this weekend. So I guess being in a different surrounding and a different bed encouraged my body to get up and out of bed before 7 am. Hubby wasn't far behind me so we decided to stop by Panera Bread Company and get 2 chocolate chip bagels for breakfast, along with our MUCH needed coffee.

After a quick stop at Walmart and taking my parents' dog, Jake, on a walk, we were headed to Grapevine for the day. Hubby had his fantasy football draft with guys from the church he grew up in and I was having lunch out with my mother in law as well as taking in a movie. We had a lovely lunch at Panera (see a trend here?) where I had 1/2 bowl of garden veggie soup and 1/2 classic cafe salad. We made a pitstop at Barnes and Noble and then to the movie theater where we saw the BEST movie! Julie and Julia! I was interested in seeing it when I saw the previews for it but it was so much better than I expected.

Meryl Streep and Amy Adams are wonderful! Meryl nailed Julia's accent and her entire lovely personality and Amy was just SO lovable...I think everyone can relate to this movie. It was so inspiring and FUNNY! I, for one, cannot wait for the DVD to come out. I highly recommend you see this....go now...don't walk, run!

It Seems It is Over

2009-08-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am finding out today that there is one dream I am going to have to accept will never come true. I have always grown up with a dog in my family. I am 27 years old and ever since I was born, we have owned a dog. In the last 27 years, my parents have had 6 dogs - ranging from Cocker Spaniels to Norwegian Elkhounds to Labs. I love dogs and as I got older I fell in love with pugs. I loved the small, squished faces and their overall personalities. My husband and I have been married for 5 years now and during that time we have tried to have a dog twice.

During our first year of marriage, while hubby was in law school in Lubbock, we made the mistake of getting a pug puppy. She was adorable and so cute..unfortunately the timing wasn't right and we couldn't give her the time and attention she needed. Luckily, the breeder was very understanding and took her back and promised she would find the perfect home for her. The second time, we rushed into adopting two pugs from a rescue. They were "supposedly" brother and sister which we found out was completely untrue and even more so, they fought a lot. I think the previous owners found this out and tried to pawn them off on the rescue. Unfortunately, the rescue would not allow them to be separated so we did not keep them. We only had them for maybe a week, if that.

I was secretly hoping and hinting to hubby that I would still like a dog. We both have a stable job now and a house with a nice backyard - perfect for a dog. Unfortunately, hubby says he has been "burned" twice and any time I bring up the notion he ignores it or doesn't say anything. I thought I found the perfect dog online...available at the Humane Society, a corgi/dachshund mix who is very laid-back, crate trained and house trained. I showed the picture to hubby...he didn't want to have anything to do with it. I asked when he thought he would be ready for a dog since we have decided we are going to be trying for a child in the next 12-15 months and I would like to have a dog settled and at ease before bringing home a baby. He didn't have an answer to that and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he doesn't want a dog anymore and he just doesn't know how to tell me. Sigh....

I have never been one to accept changes easily...I have to figure a way to wrap my head around the new change and I have a feeling, that for someone like me who has always grown up with dogs around, this will be hard.

Still Trying to Figure It Out...

2009-08-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

I was thinking over some goals today and I got to thinking how I "think". When you think of things you want to do or to accomplish, how do you "think" about them? Do you focus on the here and now or do you see the "big picture"? It seems I don't do either of them well. I was talking to a co-worker today about wanting to move. My husband and I love our house and we have only lived here a year but we have to drive 45 mins to a hour one way to work every day. We would like to live closer and we had mentioned it before so I thought it was a good goal, one of our soonest to accomplish.

Well at lunchtime I talked to my husband and he didn't seem to excited about the idea. I asked him what he was thinking and he said that the idea of moving probably should be put on the backburner because we probably wouldn't have any equity from moving out of this house and the economy is still down. So there went that idea from my head...so I then asked him what he is thinking of, goal wise. And he said he wants to pay off our credit card first and foremost. Don't get me wrong, this is a great idea and we do not have that much to pay off (less than $2000) but this wasn't what I thought he would say. He said after paying off the credit card, then he wants to build up an emergency fund. And then lastly, he wants to start trying for kids.

Again, before you start throwing tomatoes and cursing at me, I do want kids and I am anxious to start our family. However, I am not overly thrilled because our original goal of having me stay at home when we have kids doesn't look like it will come true. So now I have to wrestle with the idea of having my kids in day care, day in and day out. There is nothing wrong with day care - I was a child of day care, I was at the day care center at 6:30 every morning and was picked up around 6 pm every evening but I do not want my children to grow up that way. My husband was lucky enough to have his mother at home while he was growing up so I sometimes wonder if he truly understands where I am coming from. It just seems like all my goals I had are changing or are gone. That isn't very encouraging to me...I am trying to stay positive and optimistic about them but what do you do when your goals all change and not necessarily for the better?

New Books and Unbelievable

2009-08-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope each of you are having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Mine has been busy, which always seems to happen when I least expect it. My weekend started off Friday evening, after work. Hubby and I went to Grapevine and met up with his parents and had dinner out at Red, Hot and Blue BBQ. YUM! I had the Idaho Pig which is a BIG baked potato loaded with everything and then some pulled pork on the very top. DOUBLE YUM! Needless to say it probably wasn't at all Weight Watchers friendly but we knew this week hadn't been the best for us so we weren't stressing over it.

Afterwards, hubby and his dad went back home and my mother in law and I went to Mardels to the book sale they were having. I was SO pleased on how I did. I told myself on the way to dinner that I would not spend over $20.00 at Mardels and guess what? I got 4 books (one is a hardback) all for $17.01, that includes tax!! I was so happy with my finds...I have included a pic of them below.

I bought The Covenant by Beverly Lewis, 1/2 Price Living: Secrets to Living Well on One Income by Ellie Kay, Cultivating Contentment study guide by Women of Faith Conference and Red Helmet by Homer Hickam. I have already started the Red Helmet book..I am so anxious to see how it is. If any of you have seen the movie, October Sky, the main character is Homer Hickam and his true life story about the rocket he and his friends made in high school. Well the author of Red Helmet is the very same Homer Hickam! For those of you who have not seen October Sky, I highly recommend it...here is the trailer for it.

To continue my weekend, Saturday morning hubby and I got up and went to the gym to workout for the first time in 6 days. Needless to say, the gym kicked our rears! Geez! Those 2 miles of jogging on the treadmill just about did me in - guess that is why you need to make exercise a habit and not start/stop it. Saturday evening I went out to dinner with my sister and then we saw G.I. Joe. I was pleasantly surprised - I actually liked it. I told hubby I will have to take him back next weekend, after payday, to see it. As of today, we were heading back to Grapevine to see hubby's grandparents and aunt who were in town from Arkansas. On our way there, we took some scenic routes through the very well-to-do town of Southlake. Hubby grew up in Grapevine but because of school district lines, he went to school in Southlake. Talk about VERY nice and having the best at your fingertips. Just to illustrate what I am talking about with "well-to-do", look at my picture below of a house we found today in Southlake....

UNBELIEVABLE!! I really hope like 20 people live there but somehow, I know better...what do you think? All I can say is I would HATE to clean that house!

My hometown girl won!

2009-08-02T19:11:00.001-07:00

Tonight was the season finale of The Next Food Network Star and it was down between Jeffrey Saad and Melissa d'Arabian from my town of Keller, Texas. Melissa has been the underdog throughout the entire season and she has continually surprised everyone. Her whole concept is teaching others, in particular, mothers who don't have time to spend hours but still want to cook yummy meals. Her show idea was called "Kitchen Survival Guide with Melissa d'Arabian". Matt and I watched the finale tonight and multiple times we kept saying, we want Melissa to win but Jeffrey will get it. He has just won over and over again. And guess what....much to our surprise - Melissa WON!! We were stunned and thrilled. The mother of 4 girls from KELLER, Texas won and her show will be premiering on the Food Network next week!! I can't wait to see it. So congrats to all the mothers out there who think they can't achieve their dreams and still be a successful mother. Melissa did it and so can we!

THE List

2009-07-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

After reading Vanessa's blog posting about the 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days List, I just knew I had to do this! Her list was so inspirational. I am amazed that she found that many things to do because she is always so organized and on top of things! In fact she told me it wasn't hard for her to think of 101 Things...you go girl! It was a little difficult for me, but I made mine and I am posting it here for everyone to read and to help keep me on track with it as well.

Becky's 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days:
Start Date 07/31/09 - Finish Date: April 27, 2012
(the items are in NO particular order, but I do have them broken up by categories)

Travel:
-Go to New York and see a musical on Broadway
-Take a road trip along the East Coast, in the fall, with Matt
-Take an Alaskan Cruise
-See the real lions from Ghost and the Darkness movie at the Field Museum in Chicago
-Go to Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando, FL after it opens in 2010
-Go to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA
-Visit Yellowstone National Park

Health/Beauty:
-Lose 10 pounds
-Take a vitamin every day for a month (0/30)
-Find a good skin care regimen and do it daily for a month (0/30)
-Spend an entire DAY at the spa
-Visit a dermatologist for a skin and mole evaluation
-Use lotion after showering, every day for 2 weeks (0/14)
-Drink only water for a week (0/7)
-Lose 10 pounds
-Lose 10 pounds
-Lose 10 pounds
-Lose 10 pounds
-Paint my fingernails black
-Go to the dentist
-Go a month without drinking soda/coke (0/30)
-Have a professional massage done every 6 months

Learning:
-Sew a quilt
-Sew a pair of pajamas for me and for Matt
-Clip coupons and USE THEM
-Learn how to make homemade apple pie
-Buy a bread machine and start making own bread
-Embrace the Crock Pot for meals
-Make a family photo wall in my house
-Make a list of 101 Things that make me happy and print copies for kitchen, purse & desk
-Make homemade laundry detergent
-Complete my wedding scrapbook
-Start recycling at home - plastic, paper, aluminum
-Learn to can food
-Make homemade natural house cleaners

Entertainment:
-See a midnight showing of a newly released movie
-Sit in a suite at a Dallas Mavericks basketball game
-Read the entire collection of Harry Potter books
-Read The Five Love Languages book by Gary Chapman
-Play Guitar Hero
-Try out Netflix for movies, instead of renting/buying
-Watch Gone with The Wind
-Read three biographies (0/3)
-See Shrek the Musical
-Watch Singin in the Rain
-Watch 100 movies on the IMDb Top 250 list (0/100)
-Finish a 500 piece puzzle
-Watch 5 James Bond movies with Sean Connery (0/5)
-Watch Season One DVDs of True Blood
-Watch Season Three DVDs of Bones
-Go to a Cowboys game at the New Stadium (going November 1, 2009 for free!)
-Find and buy Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella DVD, the one with Ginger Rogers and Lesley Ann Warren
-Buy a Wii Fit
-Buy and read Dan Brown's new book, The Lost Symbol
-Have an Anne of Green Gables marathon - all three movies (0/3)
-Attend another Dallas Symphony Orchestra performance (going April 3, 2010!)
-Post on my blog everyday for a month (0/30)
-Make and maintain a books read list
-Make and maintain a movies owned/wish list

Frugality/Organization:
-Live strictly on cash for everyday purchases
-Pay off law school loan
-Make a Home Management binder
-Make a recipe binder of all our favorite recipes, organized and labeled
-Pay back parents the money they loaned us
-Buy reusable shopping bags and stop using plastic ones
-Put $100 into savings every month for a year (0/12)
-Make meal plans every week for a month (0/4)
-Make an emergency kit for each car (0/2)
-Write down and track my spending every day for two weeks (0/14)
-Start paying bills online
-Go an entire week without buying anything, except groceries/gas

Inspirational Growth:
-Begin our family (children)
-Unplug (no TV/computer) for a weekend, three times (0/3)
-Pray daily for a month (0/30)
-Become a SAHM
-Send a message in a bottle
-Keep a prayer journal as well as the answers to them
-Complete a Bible study program at home

Material:
-Buy a brand new car, using at least 20% as down payment
-Adopt a dog
-Eat at the Melting Pot again
-Buy a homemade Amish quilt
-Get professional portraits taken
-Buy a new vacuum

Miscellaneous:
-Find a penpal
-Stay in my pajamas, in bed, for a whole day - watching movies, reading, whatever
-Wear a dress/skirt everyday for a week (0/7)
-Write a letter to my future children
-Pick out clothes for work the night before and lay everything out, for a month(0/30)
-Watch three sunsets (0/3)
-Write out a thank you card for every gift I receive
-Participate in two 5Ks (0/2)
-Re-join ancestry.com and work on family tree
-Get a library card
-Surprise Matt with a gift/outing every month
-Start collecting the state quarters, try to find both mints (Denver/Philadelphia)
-Visit Steffany every November and go to the Nutcracker Market in Houston
-Send Hayley a care package at school, just because
-Send Travis a care package at school, just because
-Send flowers to someone, for no reason
-Make a new 101 Things List!

I hope my list inspired you to make one for yourselves!! If so, please let me know so I can read yours. Can't wait to get started....

A Whirlwind Weekend!

2009-06-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend all of hubby's side got together to celebrate his father's retirement from Verizon after 30+ years. It was very nice to have the whole immediate family together. Middle Brother and Sister in law from Houston and their two little ones came in as well as the Older brother and Sister in law from Austin and their daughter. We had a full house at hubby's parents! Brother and sister in law from Houston came in Friday night and we were lucky enough to have Mom and Dad babysit the two little ones while hubby and I took the brother and sister in law to see Star Trek. Since our nephew is almost 3 and our niece is only 5 months, they don't get out much so we were happy to share this time with them. I think they loved it, just as much as we did the second time! But we definitely realized we don't stay up as late as we used...we saw the 9:55 showing of Star Trek so we didn't get home and in bed until 1:15 am. LATE bedtime for us!

Then we were up around 6:30 am-7 am Saturday morning to clean our house since we were sure to have some of the family staying at our house that evening. We finished up around lunchtime and then drove over to have lunch with Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister in law from Houston and their two kids. The other brother, sister in law and their daughter from Austin arrived around 3-4 pm. After everyone had arrived, we all went out to a little local Mexican place for Dad's retirement dinner - it was very good! Needless to say we all loved it, even the kiddos. After dinner, we retreated back to Mom and Dad's where we had cake....OH MY GOSH! Our lovely sister in law in Houston made the retirement cake, from scratch, with fondant and gum paste and it looked SO professional!! She did an AMAZING, JAW DROPPING job. It looked so real. She made it into a baseball cap and along the side she wrote all the names of the companies Verizon had started out as in the beginning and Dad had stayed with them all. Here are the cake pictures of her masterpiece.....

Front View

Side View

And it was SO YUMMY too!! Inside it was chocolate cake filled with chocolate ganache. Don't you think she outdid herself?? I am totally jealous of her abilities! Oh, and if that isn't enough, she and brother in law gave us their extra laptop to use! We had been having computer problems at home and they gave us an EXTREMELY nice, fast, state of the art laptop that brother in law had got through his work. Hubby and I are still flabbergasted that they would bless us like that, but B and L we really, sincerely appreciate it! Thank you again!! Everyone started their drives back home this morning and hubby and I went back to finish our cleaning on the house. He cleaned cars and cleaned out the pantry while I cleaned up the office. After that, we drove over to Plano to have hamburgers on the grill with my parents for dinner and watched New in Town with Harry Connick Jr and Renee Zellweger. So I am still in awe that it is already 9 pm! But like I said, we had a whirlwind weekend! Guess it is time to go back to work to relax!

Survived 2 Days of Torture by Nature

2009-06-12T06:04:00.001-07:00

This is a picture I took of the storm that came through Wednesday night and totally took a beating of the Dallas/Fort area. Hubby and I were watching TV around 6:30 pm Wednesday night and they said the storm would be hitting our area around 7:15 pm. Well, ten minutes later, this is what we saw. We got hit HARD! Our fence is gone, all blown down. We almost lost our 1-2 year old tree in the front but it hung on even though it was pretty much almost bent over in half. We had several power blips off and on throughout the evening and the local news even reported that they think a tornado rotation touched down around the Flower Mound area. Our power officially went off for good around 8 pm and by 9:45 it still wasn't back on. We decided it would be best for me to head to Plano (45 mins away) to stay with my parents who had power since I had to be at work the next morning. On my way to Plano, around 10:30 pm, hubby called to say power still wasn't on and that he was driving to Plano himself.

We woke up Thursday morning around 5:15 am to an ongoing thunderstorm. Hubby got up and left to drive back home to check the house and to see if we had power or not. I left around 6 am to head to work only to arrive on site and found out we had no power, no nothing at the office. Hubby arrived home to find still no power at our house either so we both sat in the dark, me at the office, him at home. The power at our house came on around 11 am but the power still had not come back on at the office so we had a generator brought in from our other local office so we could try and get something done. We finally had power back on at the office around 1:30 pm - still no phones though. We were able to get the timesheets entered and some paperwork done before it was time to close down at 5 pm. I finally arrived back at my house at 6 pm last night and let me tell you, I was pooped!! I knew I needed a break before the storm and now I think I need two vacations!

SO excited!

2009-06-02T06:12:00.001-07:00

Okay, for all of those who have read the Twilight series books, did you see the new teaser trailer for New Moon?!? WOW!! So ready for this movie...too bad we have to wait until the Friday before Thanksgiving. I think I have watched this about five times already....for those of you who haven't seen it, here it is:

Besides my excitement over New Moon, I received an email from a co-worker with things/tidbits from Jeff Foxworthy about Texas. Since I am a born and raised Texan, I had to share some of them with you because they, in fact, are true statements!
"If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas"

"If 'VACATION' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas"

"If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas"

"If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everyone's passing you, you may live in Texas"

Just a few things I chuckled over this morning while reading my emails...for those of you who live in Texas or have, you know how right these are. Last little announcement, husband and I have decided to get back on the weight loss wagon - doing it ourselves. With our budget being tight, we can't afford to join WW and go to meetings so we are going to try and do it ourselves. I am apprehensive about starting this well known hard journey on our own but husband says it is all about attitude, nothing more. I guess we will see how my attitude fairs up.

A New Look

2009-05-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Surprise! I didn't disappear, I just had a makeover! Doesn't it look amazing?? I loved the new look of one of my favorite blogs, Living to Love and so I found the creator of the look and emailed her. Patrice, you did such a fabulous job!! She was so courteous and very speedy - you should totally check her portfolio out at Purrfect Designs.

Life has been going, not exactly how we would like but we have to remember we aren't on our own time schedule. I have been working same as always, trying to get as many hours as I can. Hubby is still looking for a full time job - he was blessed enough to find a summer job for three months that has a probability of going full time so we are keeping our fingers crossed there. He hasn't started the summer job yet but we are hoping all the paperwork processing will be finished and entered so he can begin next week.

Lately we have been struggling with insurance in regards to getting hubby's jaw surgery approved. It was determined by the orthodontist and oral surgeon that hubby needs to have jaw surgery, pretty detailed one too. After three months of fighting and calling the insurance company multiple times, we were told today that the procedure and the hospital has been approved for surgery but the oral surgeon has not. The insurance is claiming he is not in network and that he will fall under the out of network category meaning less coverage. So we are working with the oral surgeon to see if they can help us out any and in the meantime we are going to see if we can get some assistance. If not, we might have to forgo the surgery due to cost complications.

I did have a down day today after spending hours on the phone with the insurance company and then I unloaded all my stresses and struggles to hubby on the way home from work. Once home we watched the movie New In Town with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. that just came out to DVD and were able to relax. I am just hoping that we are allowed to see the light at the end of the tunnel very soon. I think my new blog is a great start, don't you?

Accepting

2009-04-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

How does one accept? This seems to be the underlying issue I have been wrestling with for last almost two months. I didn't drop off the face of the earth but it was very nice to hear from my mother-in-law who said she missed my blog. So I have decided to start posting again and I have been reading my friends' blogs daily, even if I haven't been posting.

Back in the middle of March I started having some stomach issues - going to bed with upset stomach and waking up with some dull cramps. This happened for a couple of days until I finally took hubby's advice and went to the doctor. I was told that I have an reflux problem, a less common one in the fact that I don't have the sensation of acid in my throat - mine is more constant turning of my stomach from overproduction of acid. So I was given a prescription to take for two weeks and some blood work was drawn. When I returned for my follow up appt two weeks later, I was SO relieved to hear that my lab work was ALL normal! However, I was switched to an older form of the drug I had been taking which is less expensive than the current samples I took for two weeks. I was instructed to take the new drug for 3 months and to come back in for it didn't seem to help as much as the samples I took.

Well, I thought I was doing well and back on the right track - I had taken the older drug for 9 days without any problems. On day 10 & 11 I woke up in the middle of the night with the cramping and uncomfortableness again. I was able to roll onto my side and fall back asleep without too much hassle but for the last 2 days I have been fighting off and on again stomach cramps. Hubby requested, firmly, that I go back to see the doctor again and maybe get switched back to the original medicine I was taking. So I have an appt this afternoon at 2:45 to see what the doctor thinks. The changes over the last 4 days hasn't been a positive thing for me. It is somewhat frustrating. I just want to be normal, I want to be able to enjoy everything and not be constantly fighting a stomach issue. I guess the strangest part for me is that I have no idea what triggered these changes to occur. Part of me wonders if it isn't stress mixed with the overproduction of acid. Last week was HORRENDOUS for me at work, things just kept coming and coming.

So to make a LONG post shorter, hubby thinks I need to try and learn to accept things that are out of my control. To try and enjoy the good things in life instead of focusing on the negative. But how does one do that?? I will be honest and say that I have been struggling with my faith lately as well - I try and pray but it is hard for I don't feel like I am getting answers. Sorry, didn't mean for this post to be such a downer, but this is my current situation - hoping it will change VERY soon!

Clean Swap from Homespun Heart

2009-03-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs to read is Monica's. She is so warm, friendly, caring and a true role model for those women and mothers who are looking to draw their families better to God. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that Monica was hosting a clean swap with Carrie. I had seen a couple of her swaps before but I had never participated in one. I decided to take the plunge and ask Monica if I could be allowed to join in the fun on this Clean Swap. And she said yes! I was thrilled!

First, we had to answer a questionnaire in which we explained our favorite smells, our favorite duties and our least favorite duties associated with cleaning. We also got to describe our perfect day if we had no duties that needed to be completed and what area of our home life, cleaning wise, we would like to improve and how. My biggest hurdle with my cleanliness at home is the laundry. I truly do think that it multiplies when I am sleeping! Once we answered the questions and submitted our answers, Monica and Carrie paired us up with another swap member who had similiar interests/likes and our goal was to put together a shoe box for our partner, full of little things that represented cleanliness, that represented our partner and that offered encouragment and helped to bridge the gap in starting a friendship.

My partner was Katherine from Wisconsin - I had such great fun learning about her and her home. We asked each other more questions about ourselves and then we mailed our boxes and BOY WAS I SURPRISED!! Katherine did an AWESOME job! She totally got me, she knew me and I was SO spoiled. I told her that I was going to boast ALL about her because she is the BEST! I truly believe I was blessed with the best partner. I have enclosed three pictures for you to see my blessings!

This is the overview of my stuffed box of clean swap goodies!! She had every item wrapped in a pink ribbon, with a pink cardstock Scripture passage!! (My favorite color is pink, by the way)

First picture of a closeup of my goodies - she got me a three pack of sink scrubbers, handmade soap, pink dish scrubber, room freshener spray in Clean Linen scent, and a mug with a Scripture passage from the Book of Matthew (which also happens to be my hubby's name!).

Second picture of the closeup of my goodies - a handmade red/pink mini tote, a handmade tea bag holder, handmade cards with envelopes, handmade holder with some cocoa inside, a small bag of homemade sink cleaner/freshener, two laminated pages about getting out laundry stains and laundry symbols AND a handmade schedule, laminated, so I can plan out my cleaning duties for the week and check them off when I am done!!

I LOVED this swap and I am truly thankful for my partner. Thank you SO much again Katherine. You truly were the best!! I hope you liked your box as well - you went above and beyond. I hope we can do this again in another of Carrie and Monica's swaps!! Thank you girls for hosting this swap. I had LOADS of fun!

Caught A Bug

2009-02-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

Well, today I am starting to feel somewhat back to normal. Yesterday was a day I don't ever want to relive. I woke up at 2:30 Wednesday morning and was up for a hour and a half before my stomach decided it had had enough. After that icky experience, I laid on the couch and feel asleep for about a hour or so. I was then back up at 5 or so with stomach rolling again. It went on that way until about 11 am when hubby convinced me to try and take a cool shower. I guess that was the catalyst my stomach needed because my stomach decided to let go of what else it had, with my hubby helping me. I was so exhausted after that - I had 1 piece of dry toast and took some anti-nausea pills before taking a nap.

I woke up around 2:30 pm and ate another half of dry toast and some animal crackers. That lasted for a hour or so before I took another nap until 6:10 pm. Dinner consisted of 2 more pieces of dry toast and some warm 7UP. I tried to watch some TV with hubby when I began to feel very warm and hubby mentioned my eyes were glassy. We took my temperature and was surprised to see it was 100.7. So hubby got me some Tylenol PM to help with the fever and to help me go to sleep. I went to bed around 8 or so. I proceeded to wake up at 9 pm and took another anti-nausea pill before going to sleep and was lucky enough to sleep until 5 am when hubby came in to retake my temperature. It was back down to 98.6 so I was back to normalcy there. I went back to sleep until 7 am or so when I got up while hubby was getting to leave for his appt.

I have been on the couch, relaxing and resting while I watch TV/movies. I am hoping and praying that this "bug" is over and gone. My mother seems to think that I caught a stomach flu. I definitely don't want it again if that is what it is. I was hoping for a day off of work but not this way. And poor hubby has been helping me and looking after me, Lord bless him. I truly know what kind of husband I married - one who doesn't mind seeing me without a shower, messed up hair, pale, getting sick....I truly am blessed to have such a loving and patient husband. Now if I can just get back to my normal self and show him just how much I appreciate all he has done for me. One thing at a time...

Downward Spiral

2009-02-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Why do these things tend to happen? Like dominoes, once one begins to fall then it seems everything else follows its example. I really don't mean for this to be a pity party but I just need to vent...a little at least. If you have been reading my posts over the last while, you know that my hubby is still unemployed and is still actively trying to find a new job. I am not venting about that, per se, since lots of people in our country are in the same boat we are. But it just seems that hubby and I cannot seem to catch a break and all of it adding up is starting to make a crack in my tough skin I have tried to develop.

Over the last 2-3 weeks, hubby has been battling a sinus infection. He suffers from them off and on over the years so it wasn't anything new, or so we thought. Well, on January 22nd he went to the doctor and was given some antiobiotics and was told to call back if he wasn't better by the time the medicine was gone. Well the 10 day supply ended yesterday and he is not any better so he called on Friday and made an appt for this morning at 9:30 am. Well the doctor diagnosed him with chronic sinusitis and gave him a steroid shot in the office, a different antiobiotic and a steroid nasal spray. And he told hubby that if he was not any better in another week to come back in and then he would have to undergo xrays and go from there.

When hubby called me to tell me this, I just about crumbled. My faith and my hope seem to be wavering - I know I am putting the "cart before the horse" here but I just can't seem to help it. The looking for a new job, the sinus problems which have not cleared up yet....and on top of that hubby has had braces on his teeth for almost two years now with no ortho appts. My parents graciously said they would help pay for the treatment so hubby can get them taken care of and off his teeth before they start to do damage for being on so long without maintenance. So he has an appt a week from today at 3:30 for a consultation with my old ortho doctor so he can tell us how long, if anything, hubby will need to continue to wear them and when we might be able to take them off. So that is another thing that needs to be taken care of - not to mention all the normal bills, car stuff, etc. *SIGH*

I am sorry - I don't mean to sound like I am picking on hubby for I really am not. It is not his fault - he doesn't want this stuff any more than I do and marriage means being there during the good times and the bad. But I am so longing for the good times. And I am trying SO hard to not think of all the things we are having to do without in the meantime...like I haven't had a haircut in over six to eight months. It is growing so long which is making it harder for me to manage. We only go out when one of our parents graciously takes us out and pays for us. I know not eating out is NOT the end all of the world but just little things like that I miss. Sorry to dump all this on you guys...I know it isn't a happy go-lucky post. I really shouldn't be focusing on myself...I should be posting and prayers for others, like my dear friend Steffany who found out that her father has skin cancer, or for AllyJo's husband who is having to go through his mother's possessions after she passed. I should be more thankful that we are not going through one of these situations....one more thing I need to work on.

So, I guess, my long post is simply meant to ask you to pray for us. We would appreciate it.

A Fan Of.....

2009-02-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been a fan of something just because of their mascot or symbol?? I am sure a few of you are going, "What?" But it is true, I am a fan of this adorable guy....

and he is the mascot of the University of Georgia!! I have never, nor as anyone I know, gone to the University of Georgia but I love their mascot!! Go 'Dawgs!!

What else am I a fan of? Hmmmm....

Pink VW Bugs...I don't own one but I secretly jump for joy when I see one out on the road

Books!! I love books - I keep my favorite ones and I have stacks of ones I still have to read...I get lost in bookstores and could be there for hours

Purses and totes....it is my weakness, I am sorry to say. Some girls like shoes and clothes...give me a new handbag anyday and I am happy!
(picture borrowed from The Hickory Stick)

These are just a FEW of my favorite "things"....what are some of yours??

Unknown Things

2009-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

I was reading my lovely blogging friend, AllyJo's blog this morning and I noticed she shared "25 Facts About Me" and if we were reading it, then we were considered tagged to do the same.

So here goes my chance to educate you, my readers and friends, on 25 Random Things About Me:

1) I truly love the color pink! When I was a little girl, my mother said I would pick any OTHER color than pink - I hated pink - but not any more!!

2) I listen to a wide variety of music - from Christian (like Hillsong and MercyMe), Pop (Celine Dion, Madonna, Beyonce) to Easy Listening (Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Celtic Woman/Celtic Thunder) and Country (Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, George Strait). My absolute favorite is country though - sorry hubby!

3) One day I would love to learn to speak Italian. The country and its people are so passionate and full of life and tradition.

4) My hubby and I have a similar meeting/dating story that my parents have. My hubby and I met on a blind date, set up through a mutual friend - my parents did also. I am exactly 4 months, to the day, younger than my hubby - my mother is the same, 4 months younger than my dad.

5) I would love to try and work in a veterinary practice. I love all the animals - but I am not sure if I could handle the part of when they have to be put down.

6) I have a very good memory - especially when it comes to names, billing, things I do at work. My hubby thinks I am weird like that!

7) I can pretty much handle any animal EXCEPT snakes!! I LOATHE snakes! If there are any snakes ANYwhere remotely near me, they better be dead ones.

8) I have fears and doubts about becoming a mother - not that hubby and I are planning anytime soon. In fact, we are still talking about waiting 3 more years but you never know.

9) I LOVE the TV show Big Bang Theory!!! It is incredible!! Sheldon is my absolute favorite! If they had tshirts with him on it, I might get one!

10) I cannot stand people who give themselves airs or think they are better than everyone else. Please! You are no better than us!

11) I get everywhere early - not on time - but early. If I am on time, I feel like I am late. When we were visting the church down the street from our house and the service started at 9:30, we left the house at 8:50-9 am.

12) I text people a lot with my phone. I love sending texts and it helps that I can type fast as well.

13) I cannot sew - I would love to learn one day. To be able to make clothes, tote bags, quilts, anything! Right now I just live vicariously through friends like AllyJo.

14) My hubby and I owe lots of movies! I haven't actually counted them one by one but I know we have over 200.

15) I went to a private all-girls high school in Dallas. And I would do it all over again if I could. I didn't have to put up with a lot of piddly stuff that goes along with high school - I could just focus on school and friends.

16) I have a Bachelor's Degree in Radiological Sciences (x-rays) but I don't work in the field anymore.

17) My hubby and I have a girl's name and a boy's name already picked out for when we do decide to have kids.

18) I am secretly hoping that my brother will end up marrying his high school girlfriend - they have been together for two years so far but they are starting college in the fall and we aren't not sure where either of them are going yet.

19) I didn't set out to do this but I collect purses and tote bags. Some women like shoes and jewelry - I like them too but if I was going to spend my money, it would be on a new purse or bag.

20) I am fascinated by all things Amish. I used to spend my summers up in Illinois with my grandparents and the small town they live in has a good size Amish community in the country. We used to shop at the Amish salvage store for some groceries and handmade goods.

21) Unfortunately I tend to be more pessimistic or realistic before I am optimistic. When a situation happens, I tend to worry or get anxious over what MAY happen instead of what actally does - I am trying to improve on this with prayer and God's guidance.

22) The one chore of housework I absolutely cannot stand is laundry. I would rather do anything and everything else before laundry! If I could hire someone to do one thing at our house, it would be to do the laundry.

23) I am a major Dallas Mavericks basketball fan. I can watch football but I don't get into as much as I do with the Mavericks. My favorite player is Dirk Nowitzski. And since I love the Mavericks, that means I cannot stand the...other Texas team....ummm...the one by San Antonio.

24) I have been to Las Vegas twice - once with my family and once with my old work in Lubbock - and I cannot wait to go back! And I don't even gamble that much - I just play the slots. But there is something about the atmosphere there that is infectious.

25) I continually try to have the "perfect normal" life - I don't know why. I tend to compare my life and my currect situation to others I know. I just need to post the quote from the movie Tombstone everywhere so I can keep seeing it....Doc Holliday (played by Val Kilmer) says to Wyatt Earp (played by Kurt Russell), "There's no normal life, Wyatt. There's just life."

Okay, hopefully these little tidbits were insightful and not too boring to read. I hope everyone who reads this considers themselves "tagged". If you do continue this on your blog, please let me know! I would love to read your facts!!

New President

2009-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

(photo taken by Jason Reed/Reuters Inauguration)

Today, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States. I was lucky enough to watch his swearing in and his inaugural speech. I will not hide and say that I did vote Obama but I do have a distinct duty to pray for him and his administration. I do hope that he can, with God's grace, bring this country back from the downward spiral it seems to be on. Everyone could use extra prayers these days, even more so the man who has assumed the role and the responsibility of leading this country past all the "problems", be it financial, environmental, global or inner struggles here at home.

I have enclosed a list compiled by Andrew Stanley from "A Diamond in the Rough", adapted from The Book of Psalms.

People with Character:
They walk with integrity.
They do what is right.
They tell the truth.
They don't gossip.
They don't mistreat people.
They side with those who are right.
They keep their word.
They lend money to those in need without interest.
They don't take advantage of people for financial gain.

From Psalm 112, verse 6: "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever."

On a more fun note......

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE??? SO ADORABLE!!
(picture from Lori)

Help and Prayers Needed!!

2009-01-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

DH and I are desperately needing your prayers, support and advice! We have only lived in our neighborhood for almost 6 months and there is only one house next to ours. That house used to be the builders' office but they have since moved out and we have been patiently waiting to see who will be our neighbors. Well, we got the answer and we are not happy about it! It seems a couple from Staten Island, NY bought the house but are renting it out to.........a group of young, white, single guys. The house only has three bedrooms, two baths but for the past 2 nights, there have been at least 5 cars there. And it never fails - someone has to park in front of our house. This may not seem like much but it is one of my pet peeves and on top of that, there is an empty parking lot on the other side of their house that used to be for the builders.

So this morning I go out to my car to leave for work and I see two cars in the driveway, two cars parked in the parking lot on the side and then one truck in front of my house. Why do people do that?? Why can you not park in front of your own place? So DH and I are realizing that we are going to have to talk to them which is something we were hoping not to have to do. With this problem already, we are both worrying about noise and parties they might have. What are the odds?? I mean everyone in our neighborhood are young families - I mean our neighborhood is directly across the street from a high school for goodness sake. What do you think? What would you do?? I mean I just want them to understand we bought this house, we are planning to be there for a long while but they are just renting, they can leave whenever they want - we do not have that luxury. Ugh!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What to Do?

2009-01-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that time seems to be going so slow when you are praying it would hurry up and then it seems to fly by when you wish it would just slow? That seems to be my life now. Certain things make me want to have the days go by quickly, things like mundane tasks at work (filing) or waiting and praying for DH to find a new job. While, on the other hand, things like the weekend go by far too quickly. It seems to be me that our life is in limbo right now - we are on the road to a place, to a goal but we haven't arrived yet. In the meantime until we reach that goal, we seem to just be doing the motions, trying to take it one day at a time.

My DH has asked his old boss, a sports minister at First Baptist, if he needs any help with the leagues and stuff going on so that way he can be earning some part time money while he still searches for a job. Of course his old boss was more than willing to help out but the idea of going back to a job he had in high school/college is somewhat downing to my DH. He starts back this weekend with the children's Upward basketball league so that means Friday evenings he will help run the practices for 3 hours and then he will be refereeing the games all day on Saturday. I am grateful for the assistance, truly I am, I just don't understand why it is going on 5 months and DH hasn't even been called for an interview.

The other thing that seems to be so "down"-ing for me is that a dream I had seems to be dying. Reality and life are showing me that my dream of being a stay at home wife and mother (one day) may not be possible for us. Some people have that luxury and can make it work while others just cannot. DH's brother and sister-in-law in Houston are very blessed to be able to do that, to have our sister-in-law stay at home with their 2 kids while DH's oldest brother and wife in Austin both have to work. In fact the sister in law in Austin is going back to school next week. This is reminding me of a quote from one of my favorite movies called The Matchmaker with Janeane Garofalo. In the movie, Janeane's character is asking another why he gave up being a full time journalist to become a PR guy in the middle of small town Ireland. The guy's answer was, "Things rarely go according to our youthful heroic plans. Sometimes the easy way out is the right way out."

I guess I just need to vent this stuff to someone once in a while - I can see where this might come across as a pity party and for that I apologize. Thinking and acting positive is very hard for me right now. Don't worry - I can put on a fake act and a fake smile for anyone when I need to, like right now at work, and pretend everything is okay. But really all I want to do is to breathe easier, to know that my bills will be paid for, to know that our dreams will come true and to know that things will get easier. Have you ever told a white lie to a family member or a loved one just to appease them? By telling them that things will be okay, that you have utmost confidence in it only to turn around and when you are by yourself start to cry and worry if that is true. I feel like that sometimes now with DH - I am trying to be positive and reassuring to him, to let him know that I am with him and that he will find a job very soon but in the back of my mind I am silently screaming and wringing my hands with worry. I guess we each have to face our tests and to see if we can overcome the obstacles and still remain as strong or stronger afterwards.

"Everyone thought I was bold and fearless and even arrogant, but inside I was always quaking." - Katharine Hepburn

Greeting A New Year - 2009

2009-01-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

It is 2009! A new year is beginning - and with it, all our dreams, goals, hopes, aspirations begin. Have you thought about what you want this year to be for you and your family? I, for one, could not wait for the new year to be upon us. 2008 was a major year of growth for my husband and I but we are ready to embrace all that 2009 has to offer. To help us reflect on the past year and en"vision" the new year, I turned to Simple Mom. She designed and graciously made two papers for each person to download and fill out - one is entitled "Reflection Questions for 2008" and the other is entitled "Vision Questions for 2009". I highly recommend them! I filled them both out and would like to share with you some of my responses (I won't list all of them, just a few).

For Reflection Questions of 2008:
1) What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
- Being able to buy our first home

2) What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
- My husband having two kidney stones within two months' time

5) Pick three words to describe 2008.
- Experience, learning, overcoming

17) What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
- Fighting with the builders, Coleman Homes, and pushing them to get our house
finished in time for the closing

20) Create a phrase or statement that describes 2008 for you.
- A hard year that I am glad has ended and a jumping point to a new, better year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Vision Questions for 2009:
1) What skill do you most want to learn this year?
-To be faithful, to rely on God more

10) Think of an important relationship aside from your spouse and children. How will
you nurture that relationship this year?
- With God, little steps daily. Through reading the Bible and surrounding myself
with faithful people and joining a new church

15) Have you ever created a family mission statement with your spouse? If so, why not
do one for this year?
- Mission Statement for 2009: "To accept life's challenges and rewards with an
open heart, an open mind and a faithful spirit in Christ."

17) What is something that is continually undone in your life? What will you do to
fully complete it this year?
- Allowing my sense of happiness and faith to fall apart. I will start to go to
this new church with a sense of hope and purpose, I will keep a journal and
begin to enrich my life from the inside out

20) Think of three words you'd like to describe your 2009.
- Hopeful, fulfilling and rewarding

"Happiness is the realization of God in the heart. Happiness is the result of praise and thanksgiving, of faith, of acceptance; a quiet tranquil realization of the love of God." - White Eagle

I hope and pray that this new year fulfills all your hopes and dreams for you and your family and that God continually blesses you. I look forward to reading more from you, dear blog friends. And to my stubborn, adorable niece in Houston.......you can come out now! We are so anxious to meet you!!

Only 15 more days until Christmas!

2008-12-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? Christmas is almost here! This month certainly has flown by, at least for me. All our decorations are up, the Christmas cards are on their way to friends and family, been listening to Christmas music on way to work and my work's Christmas party is this Saturday. Time sure is flying.

I am 99% completed with my Christmas shopping. I still have to get my brother's gift (I do know what I am getting though) and I have to finish hubby's. I need to come up with one more inexpensive gift to get him....anyone have any ideas for a sports fanatic who can't think of any DVDs or music that they want? I think my Christmas shopping for him would be so much easier if he was a movie fanatic like me. Oh well! Something will hit me, I am sure.

On top of that we have our Secret Santa gift exchange at work on the 18th. Luckily for me I drew the CFO of the company's name, who also happens to be my great aunt! So I should be finished with her gift this weekend. Everyone else have their gifts done and all wrapped? I would love to be able to handmake some gifts but I am not that crafty yet...for some wonderful gifts that you can drool over, head to Ally Jo's blog or to Ashlie's. Way to go girls!!

Every year I long for this time of the year to come and then when it finally does, it seems to go by SO fast! I wish we all could enjoy it and savor the feeling that it brings. What is on your Christmas list this year? Anything in particular? I didn't ask for anything for me, particularly. Hubby and I have had a hard fall this year and we are looking forward to a new year and hopefully a new start for hubby, work-wise. So I guess what I would love for Christmas this year would be a new job and a new start for hubby - he deserves it.

But one thing I would secretly love to receive is.........

My Own Girly Pink Christmas Tree!!!!!

Christmas Decorating...EARLY!

2008-11-23T17:47:00.001-08:00

Hello again! I know I have been MIA for awhile...even some sweet friends of mine have left messages, asking if I was okay. Thanks Ally Jo! The past two weekends have been very busy. Last weekend I drove down to Conroe, TX and spent the weekend with my college roomie and friend Steffany. We had a blast! We ate some fabulous food, watched some good movies and went to the Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market. I had SO much fun!! Thanks again Steffany - maybe we can do again next year!

Then this weekend was busy as well - my sister drove into town this weekend and we went to the Celtic Thunder concert on Friday night. The guys were amazing live - especially 16 year old Damian! SO cute!! Then Saturday morning we got up early and went and saw the 10 am showing of Twilight. I thoroughly enjoyed it - it stayed very true to the book and I loved watching the chemistry between Edward and Bella. I was SO overjoyed to hear that the studio announced they will be making the second book, New Moon, into a movie.

And if my weekend couldn't get any better - my hubby made a startling announcement. He said "let's do our Christmas decorating!" I was SHOCKED! My hubby has been so adamant over the past 5 years that we aren't to do any Christmas decorating until after his birthday on November 30th so to be able to put them up BEFORE Thanksgiving was a miracle!! Here is what we put up today....

Here is our fireplace all decorated for the holidays

Our Christmas tree, all decorated - hopefully next year we will be able to get a bigger one

My small ceramic Nativity scene

My Willow Tree Angel Nativity Set my mother in law got me last Christmas and my wire, rustic ornament tree

I know that these pictures will never make a magazine cover but it looks nice and festive for us. Hopefully within the next couple of years we will be able to add to our decorations. And maybe I will be able to convince hubby to decorate the house with lights on the outside!! Then again....may be not!

New Blog Look

2008-11-02T14:24:00.001-08:00

I decided to fool around with my blog layout - after seeing Steffany's blog today. What do you think??

I am still trying to figure out how to get the wood look off the back of my images and my posting area. Any advice for that??

In One Month from Today....

2008-10-21T05:19:00.000-07:00

In exactly one month from today, my sister and I will be having a busy weekend! It starts on Friday evening, November 21st. My sister will be driving up from Austin and meeting me at work so right at 5 pm, we can leave and head to Nokia Live Theatre to see these guys!

Be sure to listen to both songs on the video! I love little Damian on the second song!

Then either very very late on Friday night, like midnight, or first thing Saturday morning we will be seeing this...........FINALLY!!!

I can hardly wait....the month of November is full of great things - the concert, Twilight movie, Thanksgiving, the extra day off of work and the weekend BEFORE all this, the weekend of the 14-16th I am going to Conroe to visit my college roomie, Steffany and we are going to the Nutcracker Market in Houston. Here is their website, Houston Ballet - says over 300 national and international merchants will be in attendance. Yeah!! I will be loving the month of November.....

Oh, yeah, and DH's birthday is at the end of the month too!! Whew, I am tired already!

Simple Woman Daybook

2008-10-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

For Today....Monday, October 13th, 2008

Outside My Window...I am hoping for some rain this afternoon but mostly a mid-80s Texas "fall" day

I am thinking...I need to accept what I cannot change and stop focusing on the negative

I am thankful for....my husband who continually astounds me with his love and support, my re-established friendship with my college roomie, Steffany, and another day to try and make God smile

From the kitchen...not sure of anything, really busy this weekend

I am wearing....a brown 3/4 length shirt with embroidered flowers on the lapel with khaki colored slacks and flip flops

I am reading....Nicholas' Sparks' new book, The Lucky One

I am hoping....that God will grant me the serenity and peace that I am so striving for and that God will allow hubby to find a more fulfilling and rewarding job

I am creating...hopefully a swap package from the swap-bot.com site (thanks Steffany for telling me about it and your help!)

I am hearing....my fingers type, the A/C run and some guys talking up front

Around the house....pretty clean, thanks to hubby, some laundry to do and some fall decor to put up

One of My Favorite Things...to realize and reaffirm myself with the blessings I have been given

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....laundry, watching Big Bang Theory tonight and Biggest Loser tomorrow night, reading, and relaxing with hubby

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing with You....

My favorite season is approaching!!! Of course after the wonderful Thanksgiving next month...

Still Alive

2008-10-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive...sorry I have been MIA for a bit. The week after my last post DH came down with the "bug" going around - was homebound for 2 days and got an antibiotic shot from the doctor. Thankfully he is back to his normal self and we both are praying that that will continue for awhile.

Luckily DH didn't catch the bug until after we went to the Cowboys game versus the Redskins on Sunday, the 28th. We were blessed to receive the tickets and a parking pass from one of my father's customers. The Cowboys did lose the game but it was a wonderful experience for many reasons - one being it had been about 20 years since the last time I went to a NFL game, second this season is the last season the Cowboys will play in Texas Stadium and third, we were able to go with my brother and his friend. We knew that we didn't want to fight traffic so we left early, grabbed lunch via drive thru and was at the stadium around noon for the 3:15 pm game.

This is the view in the parking lot from where we parked with our parking pass

This is the view of the field from our seats - it was very nice because we were never in the sun and we could see the entire field during the game.

DH and I before the game, in our seats

The announcing of the players before the game started

Yes the Cowboys did lose so that was a downer but we decided to leave during the last 5 minutes of the game to beat the mob that would be leaving when it finally did end. On our way out of the stadium, we were lucky enough to have this guy walk right by us.....

Michael Irvin!!!

All in all we had a wonderful time and we are good for another 20 years before the next NFL game. We both decided that we love to watch football at home and we would much rather go to Dallas Mavericks games. We are hoping to be able to go to a few this season of Maverick basketball. Go Mavericks!!

On another note, DH has left his job. We both prayed hard, discussed and laid out all the details and we know that it is absolutely for the best. The environment was very toxic and negative and we know that God has something better for DH to do with his life. So any prayers during this transition period would be a wonderful blessing for us as well as prayers for DH to find a more fulfilling job soon.

Thankfulness and Worries

2008-09-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

First of all, an update on DH...he finally passed his second kidney stone yesterday around 1:15 pm. He said it was very painful and today his body is sore. Last night is the first night he has been able to sleep without a pain pill on board so we are both thankful for that. I made sure to say a little prayer of thanks to God this morning for helping us get through this difficult time.

Besides that I seem to be having some inner demons I am wrestling with. It seems to be a reoccuring thing with me. I get into a wonderful situation and I think that everyone is perfect, going the way it should be and then not too long into it, I start having doubts about my decision and my place. I have never been one of those people who has lots and lots of friends. I have a couple of really good friends and unfortunately, none of them live in the metroplex - they either live in Austin, Houston or Lubbock area. I am trying to branch out and meet some new people but I am apprehensive. For example, DH and I are now members of our church, Keystone, and as such you are asked to volunteer your time and effort to support the church as well as join a community group. A community group is a group Bible study and fellowship time out of a fellow member's house. DH and I love our group - everyone is great but I feel like we don't quite "click" yet, if you know what I mean.

Both DH and I aren't very outgoing - we keep pretty much to ourselves and while some people think we can be described as standoffish, we are really just shy. We aren't quite sure what to say and this fall we are one of only 3 new couples to join this group. Everyone else has been together for at least a year if not more so they all get along fabulously. I don't know...I am just dealing with this "demon" of not feeling like I get along with the other wives in the group. Don't get me wrong, everyone is WAY nice and I know they don't know that I feel this way....I will just need to pray extra hard and even more so, pay attention to our pastor's talk this weekend on insecurity. What do you think? Any recommendations on overcoming these thoughts? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Negativity

2008-09-21T18:18:00.001-07:00

The topic at my church this week was "Negativity". Again, I was so surprised and enlightened by the sermon Brandon gave. I have 2 pages of notes that I took - I knew I had to post it on here. I hope you gain some wonderful pointers just like I did. Brandon, our pastor, opened with Philippians 2:14-15.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."

Brandon went on to say that our world is full of brokenness and its own struggles so why would we want to bring even more negativity into the world. The reason why we do it? Because it is natural to be negative and we really must focus hard on it to let go on the negativeness. Also, it is important to remember just because negativity is natural, it is NOT a part of your BEST life. A perfect example of this is in Numbers 13-14 - the story inside is when Moses is leading the Israelites thru the wilderness to the Promised Land. He sent 12 men on a recon mission to see the "Promised Land" and report back to them what the "Land of Milk and Honey" God promised them looks like.

Upon returning, the scouts reported that the land was inhabited by powerful, large people, even some descendants of Anak. They all started to complain and in Numbers 14:3, they say "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?" All the people saw was the negative - they did not even stop to think that God had a plan for them there and to trust in Him. God has a purpose for each of us but we tend to only see the obstacles. The bottom line is - Negativity robs you of the deep, inner happiness and the life that God has in store for you.

We all must try to remember that our happiness does NOT depend on our circumstances....circumstances will NEVER be perfect, ever. God is NOT neutral to our negativity - He hears all, He sees all - if you want an example of someone who had a real reason to complain, it was Jesus. Jesus was born with a death wish, every day of His life he was getting one step closer to his death on the cross but He did not complain. He prayed. So how do we overcome negativity?

Psalm 143:4-5 says "So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart withing me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done."

We first need to wash our MINDS with the word of God and begin to train our minds to see what God says. And then we must wash OURSELVES with the works of God. Pray to God for those obstacles but also give thanks to Him for all that He has done in our life so far. And then we will have the power for today and the hope for tomorrow.

This was an incredible message for me. Brandon really allowed me to see what my negativity does. Just like I wouldn't want to be Miss "Debbie Downer" to my spouse at the end of the day, why would I want to be that way to God? I will be praying hard to continue to improve in this area of my life. This past Friday morning, I had to take DH back to the hospital where he was diagnosed with another kidney stone. Instead of us focusing on the negative aspect of this, we are trying to see the things in which to be thankful - that this stone is 2 mm SMALLER than the last one, it is only 1 mm so there is a very good chance it will be passed on its own. One thing at a time and one prayer at a time....I hope each and every one of you have a blessed week!

(picture borrowed from The Flower Expert)

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-09-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

For Today....Monday, September 15th

Outside My Window....not too bright, not too overcast but cool - I love it!

I am thinking....I need to find some inner drive and get all this filing done on my desk

I am thankful for....my house, safe from Ike, family and friends that survived Ike and for another week of having a steady job

From the kitchen....plans to test out some recipes for desserts since it is my weekend to bring them to our church community group

I am wearing.....khaki capris, pink striped polo and crocs flip flops

I am reading....finishing up Dark Curse by Christine Feehan, I picked it up on Saturday morning

I am hoping....that DH hears back from UNT on the jobs he applied for and that it will be good news

I am creating....some fall things, little by little - I made 2 autumn/fall cards yesterday

I am hearing....the faint hum of the printer and my fingers typing along on the keyboard

Around the house....little things to be picked up and put away

One of my favorite things....is having DH let me get totally absorbed in my book and read until I can't read anymore, without any complaints

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....trying out a few dessert recipes, starting a Home Management Binder, laying out a detailed budget for DH and I to start and exercising 3 times

Here is a Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You:

Caption under picture says - "Wouldn't it be easier just to accept the fact that there are people out there who are better looking, smarter, wealthier and happier than you."

I am trying very hard to turn my worries and my thoughts, especially with this topic, over to God. This weekend at our church the topic of discussion was "Worry". I plan to post the teaching on it tomorrow.

(poster borrowed from All Posters)

Control Issues

2008-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

This past weekend our church started a new series entitled "Help!" and yes, they are using The Beatles famous song at the intro. They did a good job of it too! The series is throughout the month of September and it is covering several topics or issues we wrestle with. The topic this past weekend was "control issues". Our pastor, Brandon, always does a terrific job covering any aspect that has to do with the topic and this was no different.

Brandon started out giving us some symptoms of how we can be "control freaks" or have "control issues".
- Do you tend to always resist help from others?
- Do you tend manipulate things and/or people towards your own agenda?
- Are you bothered by other people's ways of life, something opposite your own?
- Do you go to extremes to ensure that NOTHING EVER could go wrong on your watch, also known as being overprotective?

Ultimately, Brandon said that we are all somewhat of a control freak in some way for we want to be the boss, plain and simple. We want to have control over our lives and how they pan out but guess what? We can't possibly be in control. God is. Brandon also stated that he feels there are 2 main issues that fuel the "control freak" inside of each of us: either fear or distrust. Fear over what might happen if we don't have control or distrust that others can't do it as well as we can. Brandon went into more detail but he summed up the sermon with some unbelievably good points.

1) God has designed us to live with life, not with fear.
2) The greatest tragedy of being a "control freak" is not living the life God has in store for you
3) Overall, point blank, we (humans) are not made to control every aspect of our life. God made us, God has a plan, God knows where we are going before we do and to be cliche for a minute, "God is the driver's ed instructor and we are the first time driver getting ready for our final driving test". Sometimes God has to reach over and stop us, steady us, bring us back to the right path.

Brandon gave several Scripture passages throughout his sermon but two, in particular, really drove home to me:
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:24

And the BEST one of ALL:
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Are you really in Control?

(cartoon borrowed from Inkcinct)

Fall Giveaway!!

2008-09-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Head over to Colleen's blog, And Baby Makes Five, and enter to win her Fall Giveaway!!
Aren't the goodies just precious?? She made the witch plaque...I don't know about you but I am keeping my fingers crossed that I win the goodies! Sorry everyone else!!

GO THERE NOW - DON'T WAIT!! She will be drawing the winner next week!!

Simple Woman Daybook

2008-09-08T06:00:00.001-07:00

For Today....Monday, September 8th, 2008

Outside My Window...looks to be another hot day in Texas, SO ready for the fall!

I am thinking....that I will follow my pastor's teaching on control issues this weekend and I will turn over my thoughts, worries or stresses to God today

I am thankful for....my husband's recovery - he finally passed the kidney stone Friday afternoon, thank the Lord!

From the kitchen....hoping to have a wonderful week of homemade meals - going to grocery store tonight, after work

I am wearing....black yoga type pants, gray wrap around shirt and black beaded sandals

I am reading....Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer little by little, part one is finished

I am hoping....that my hubby will find a new, more fulfilling job soon

I am creating....a Home Management Binder, hope to finish it this weekend

I am hearing....the a/c in my office and Josh Groban play on my iPod

Around the house....a few items to be picked up tonight and a master bedroom that needs to be finished so that our new house is totally unpacked and complete!

One of my favorite things....is hearing gentle reminders and plans for my life from our church sermons, friends' blogs or emails

A Few Plans for Rest of the Week....to get back onto Weight Watchers, exercising at least 3 times and planning out our meals - no more eating out!

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing With You:

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Weekend Project #2 - House

2008-09-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting our second weekend project, our house. Hubby has had some setbacks with his kidney stone situation. He woke Wednesday morning, around 4:50am, doubled over in pain. Needless to say it was a hard day, full of rest and pain pills. We also moved in his urologist appt from Friday to Thursday and he had more xrays taken and an urine test. The urologist informed us that the kidney stone had moved, much lower, into the groin area but that it wasn't out yet. He recommended hubby continue drinking LOTS of water, resting and using the pain pills as needed. Also he wants us to call back next week and give an update and if hubby isn't better by then, then he wants to do a detailed ultrasound.

Thankfully, Friday afternoon, when I was at work, it seems that hubby passed most of the stone. He said it was the most intense pain he had ever experienced and wouldn't want to go through it again. I am making sure that hubby is still downing the water and resting but so far, no pain pills have been used today. I hope this is the last leg of this journey, for hubby and for me. Now, back to the house, we were finally able to really get cracking on it over Labor Day weekend and we have completed everything, except for the master bedroom. Here is what we have so far:

Formal Living Area and Formal Dining Area

The View as You Enter Our Home

Guest Hall Bathroom

View as You Enter the Office

My Area in Office for Scrapbooking, Bible Study, Etc.

Guest Bedroom

Hubby's "Play" Room for XBOX, Wii, Football, Etc.

The Kitchen, as viewed from the living room

Living Room, as viewed from Kitchen (sorry it is dark)

So the only things left to show you are the master bedroom/bath and the front of the house. I am planning to have those pictures done tomorrow to load up and show you. I know we have a lot of bare walls right now...we are working on that but not a bad start, I thought!! What do you think?

Weekend Projects

2008-09-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Sorry for being MIA lately. I have been working on getting DH healthy and tackling some weekend projects during this nice long holiday weekend. First of all, I hope everyone had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend. DH has been feeling much better - thanks to the Lord and to all the many prayers. The last 2 days he has been more like himself. He has final check up appt on Friday with his urologist. We are hoping for final confirmation that this kidney stone has left us for good.

Besides that, DH decided that he wanted to paint our garage floor. I know, most of you are like "what? Paint the garage floor?" I was the same way. However, since our home was a model home, the builders' construction office was stationed in what is now our garage so the floor was completed messed up. Here is the before of our garage floor:

The Beginning

The Supplies

Me Painting Edges

The Final Garage Floor

DH and I were very thrilled with the results - it looks very nice and much cleaner! Our thighs and calves are screaming at us today from all the bending and painting but we think the results are well worth it. Weekend Project #1 Done!

Tomorrow I will post our second Weekend Project - Finishing and Putting Together our House! Finally!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-08-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

For Today....August 25, 2008

Outside My Window....I see bright sun on a pale blue sky and a backyard that needs to be mowed soon

I am thinking....I need to be getting DH up soon, he is having his shockwave treatment this morning for his kidney stone

I am thankful for....new experiences and new ways to grow - DH and I went to our first Community group meeting of our church last night, we joined a young couples group, very nice and should be a great experience for us

From the kitchen....a refrigerator that works! Now to get it finally squared away and get groceries for the first time in 3 weeks

I am wearing....my nightshirt, I need to get ready for the day - I am thinking some comfy yoga pants and a tshirt since I will be spending most of the day in a waiting room while DH has his procedure

I am reading....Blind Promises by Diana Palmer, I finished Changing Habits by Debbie Macomber this weekend

I am hoping.....that DH's procedure goes swiftly and no complications, I will be a nervous wreck during it but I will be sure to show a face of strength for DH

I am creating....a slowly but surely a put together home, I have to get a bunch of things we still have over at the apartment and do the final walk-through but that is it

I am hearing....the A/C run in our house and my fingers type over the keyboard

Around the house....is silence, getting back to normal after no longer having the pugs....longing for the long Labor Day weekend to finally get things put away and situated

One of my favorite things....is being so engrossed in a new book and not wanting to do anything else until you have finished it

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....DH's procedure today, tomorrow day of rest for him to recover, back to work on Wednesday, cleaning out apartment and doing walk-through and anxiously awaiting the long holiday weekend

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing With You:

These are the three goals of our church, Keystone Church - they have them painted on the front steps for everyone to see as you enter the church

God's Plan...Not Mine

2008-08-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Things happen. Not always in the time or setting of our choice, but it is inevitable that somewhere in our life, our life will be changed when we thought we had it all planned out. That is currently the season of DH and I's life right now. As many of you know, DH and I adopted 2 pugs from the DFW Pug Rescue and we picked them up last Sunday so they have almost been with us for a week. And now it is with a heavy heart that DH and I are preparing to give them back to the Rescue. It isn't anything they did and we would love to keep them if we could. This week has brought a lot of change into our life.

Tuesday night, around midnight, DH woke up with tremendous pain on his lower back, left sided. It followed by severe chills to the point where my body heat, quilt on the bed and a fleece blanket couldn't stop it. We took his temperature and it read 95.7 degrees, below normal for most adults. We rushed to the ER and after 4 hours it was determined DH has a kidney stone. We were given 3 prescriptions and instructions to get them filled asap and to make an appt with an urologist that morning. Needless to say neither of us went to work Wednesday. The urologist wanted to see DH yesterday morning if the stone hadn't begun to pass. I, unfortunately, had to be at work so DH's mom took him to the appt. The urologist recommended a shockwave procedure to be done first thing on Monday for the stone to be broken up - otherwise DH would only have a 60% chance of passing it on his own and it could take months to pass. So after praying and doing some realistic views of our current situation, with the ER visit, CT scan, bloodwork, urologist appt, more xrays, and the procedure to be done on Monday, we just cannot afford to keep the pugs and give them everything they need at this point. It pains us to make that decision but we have to do what is right for both us and the pugs. I contacted the DFW Pug Rescue and let them know what was going on and they are very understanding and have made arrangements for the foster family to contact us about taking the pugs back.

I will always love pugs and I might decide later in life to try again but right now I believe God wants me to focus my entire being on my husband and getting him well and back to his normal self. I guess it just goes to show us that life doesn't always go according to one's youthful heroic plans, do they? Our lives are dictated and decided by God and we have to be faithful and realize that we might not understand it at the time but we will be shown the reason later.

(Picture borrowed from All Posters)

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-08-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

For Today....August 18, 2008

Outside my window....drizzling rain, much cooler, thank you Lord! I love it! Hurry up fall!

I am thinking....whether my new babies are doing okay at home by themselves! Worrying about them...

I am thankful for....a patient husband who takes care of me when I am not feeling the greatest and who does whatever he can to make me happy

From the kitchen....a refrigerator that still does NOT work (another tech to come out Weds morning), so no home cooked meals yet....recent addition? Our new babies' food and water bowls on the floor!

I am wearing....black yoga capri pants, black decorated shirt of London, and black and white flip-flops

I am reading....Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan, about halfway done

I am hoping....that today will go by quickly so I can go home and check on my babies to see if they are okay

I am hearing....the A/C unit in my office and my fingers typing on the keyboard

I am creating....a clean desk top, little by little getting things cleaned off and put away

Around the house...still have some boxes to unpack, less laundry piles, and now 2 resident pug babies

One of my favorite things....is seeing DH smile and listening to the quiet after the pugs lay down and relax, not going 90 to nothing

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....work on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, refrigerator repair coming again on Wednesday, pug babies' first vet appt with us on Saturday morning and church Saturday evening

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Doesn't this look fabulous? All comfy, in bed, reading a book...I want to be there!

(picture borrowed from Bookgem)

***A Great Find.....I think everyone should do this!***
Day Zero is the home of the 101 Things to do in 1001 Days project. The basic criteria is for each person to create a list of 101 goals or tasks they want to accomplish in the next 1001 days. It is a wonderful idea - I am going to get started on my list right now. If the idea of making a list of 101 tasks seems daunting, they have a listing over the left hand side of other people's you can view as a helping tool. See what you think!!!

Update on New Addition...s

2008-08-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I heard from the Adoption Coordinator with the DFW Pug Rescue yesterday. She was a wonderful lady named Erin. We discussed our application and went over everything....she told me that the pug I showed the picture of earlier, Hercules, had already been adopted but that she would put together a list of other pugs that met our criteria, waiting to be adopted. And....we have found our pug...s! On Sunday, we will be picking up............

That's right!! Two pugs!! One named Tutu and one named Cato. They have been together forever and they are both 3 year old males, healthy and come with their papers. That is extremely rare when it comes to rescue animals. The family that had them before is having to move/travel a lot more and didn't think it was fair to the babies to be left behind. Erin suggested them to us last night and after talking to DH last night and this morning, we have decided to adopt them!! I am SO excited and SO anxious! I have waited forever for a pug and now I just have to make it until Sunday....to pick up our 2 new babies!!

Patience - Not My Strong Suit

2008-08-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Having to Wait for...........

PLUS

PLUS

EQUALS

A Very Impatient Blogger!

I am so anxious to get my pug baby home...I am literally walking everywhere with my cell phone in my hand, so I KNOW I won't miss the call. It all started yesterday when I got an email around 10:40 am from the Adoption Coordinator for the DFW Pug Rescue. She was very excited about us wanting to adopt a pug and to let us know she had been assigned to our application. She also had a few more questions to ask us and to go over everything on our application and asked when would be the best time for her to call. I quickly emailed her back my cell number and said anytime, anyplace, anywhere, feel free to call! I was so excited!! Well no call came yesterday afternoon and so far today, no phone call has come. I keep telling DH I want them to call and he keeps telling me they will, to just be patient. Can you tell that patience is not one of my strong virtues?

I need to try and calm down and realize that the coordinator may be overswamped and that there may be more adorable pug angels that need rescuing while I wait. I have waited 4 years to get my pug - I know a few more days won't hurt me. I just have to remember...."Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

Just one more picture of my soon-to-be adopted pug baby!!

SO ADORABLE!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-08-11T11:32:00.001-07:00

For Today....Monday, August 11, 2008

Outside My Window....is a nice light sky, supposed to get rain this afternoon but it doesn't look like it

I am thinking....I need to get back to being diligent and focused with my WW

I am thankful for....quiet in the office, lunch break time to get out of the office, a relaxing weekend, a steady job and a wonderful MIL who is going out to dinner with DH and I tonight

From the kitchen....almost everything has been unboxed and put away! Now if I could just get the rest of the house that way

I am wearing....black palazzo type pants, black light tee and black beaded flip-flops

I am reading.....Dark Prince by Christine Feehan - good easy read since I have read it before!

I am hoping.....that our brand new refrigerator gets repaired on Friday without any costs or major problems

I am hearing....the A/C run in my office, my fingers on the keyboard and quiet

Around the house....things are slowly coming together and rooms are finally getting somewhat in order

One of my favorite things....is changing into "comfy" clothes the minute I get home from work and then relaxing on the couch with DH

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week......finishing up loads of laundry, getting refrigerator repaired on Friday morning, and remembering DH's words of wisdom from our dinner date on Friday night

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing with You:

-Here is the pug baby that DH and I are hoping to adopt very soon from the Pug Rescue

(picture borrowed from Pug Rescue)

Internet Finally and a Writing Post in Circles

2008-08-09T19:36:00.001-07:00

Well we finally have TV and internet installed at our new home. I felt so bad for the Verizon guy that took 6 hours today installing and setting everything up but both DH and I were so grateful when it was over with. And we got it in perfect time too - to see the Olympics competitions on TV and the first Cowboys preseason game on TV. It was so different not having the TV or the internet for a week. I loved being able to watch movies with DH and to relax just reading but we also felt a little leftout from the world in terms of news happenings. We wouldn't know about anything until the following morning as we drove to work. We were greatly shocked to see that comedian Bernic Mac had passed when we opened our internet for the first time today. I guess God needed another entertainer and lover of laughter in Heaven.

I want to share with you ladies an exciting new happening over at The Simple Woman blog. She is hosting the first Simple Woman Writing Post...in Circles. This is what her blog says about the new happening:

"Do you enjoy keeping the lost arts?

Do you enjoy getting mail that is special?

Do you enjoy using pretty papers and pens?

Do you enjoy using the "art of the long hand"?

Do you enjoy meeting other women?

Do you remember the "round robin" letters from girlfriends?

Do you enjoy finding that "just right" card to put in the mailbox?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you may enjoy the *new* "Simple Woman's Writing Post"...

I am planning on creating a network of sorts where women can mail pretty letters or cards to another. Here are the guidelines in order to take part...

1. You must have an active blog of at least 3 months.

2. You must have a little of extra take-the-time-to-sit-down time.

3. You need to enjoy the art of letter writing, card creating or scrapbook/journal page-ing.

4. You need to be able to share about your family, home, hobbies, likes and basics of life.

5. You need to be responsible.

6. You must possess the art of follow-through.

7. You must be able to buy the needed packaging to ship your bundle of letters/notes/cards to the next girl.

8. You need to know that your mailing will brighten someone else's trip to the mailbox.

9. You need to know that you may make a friend over the miles for life.

10. You need to not like having someone else waiting on you for "too" long.

So this is my idea...

Sign up on my blog by leaving me a comment (that includes your blog address) sharing why you wish to take part and secondly sending me an email with your correct home address to thesimplewoman@gmail.com .

I will take sign-ups for this from today until Sunday, August 17th.
At that time I will have a better read on how many writing post circles we can have. I am hoping to create a few circles of 6 women each. Depends on interest...I will make a list of the 6 women in said circle of 6...if I only get 11 women interested, then our circle will be made up of 11. I will work this out as we go.

Number 1 gal sends to gal 2 who sends to gal 3 who sends to gal 4 who sends to gal 5....who then sends to gal 1 who takes her letter out, replacing it with a new one since all the other four girls read it. Gal 2 then takes her letter/note out and replaces it with a new one and so on...does this make sense?? IF at anytime any one can not take part, just cross your name and address off the list and we will skip you, no problem when things unforeseen turn up."

I am so excited about this! I have already emailed her and provided my address and information. I hope some of you will want to participate as well - there is nothing more fun than receiving some "snail mail" from some fellow women. Please let me know if you decide to sign up as well!

Planning and Goals

2008-08-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Are you a planner? I am a young, inexperienced planner. I long to be a dedicated and inspiring planner. I remember during college seeing my roommate, Steffany, plan out her errands. It was always so organized, colorful (many fun pens were used!) and ready to go. She could get everything she wanted done in one afternoon and not have to go back for something she "forgot". I would always tag along for one, we were roommates and friends, two, we both loved country music, and three, I was always in awe of what she was capable of and what she could do.

Steffany's dorm room was always so cheerful and felt like home. Now, I know for a fact that she got homesick but you would never know it from her outward appearance or her room. Steff, I know you can still inspire and amaze me and I can't wait to see the pictures of your new place but I also want to thank you for instilling in me a deeper love of lists! With this in mind, I have laid out a plan of things for DH and I to discuss tonight when we go out to dinner. Nothing bad, just simple things to help us refocus ourselves and our goals as we begin this new part of our journey as new church members and new homeowners.

See what you think of my list:
1) Goals for new part of out life - plans set up to meet those goals
2) Prepare preliminary budget
3) How do we put 100% of ourselves into the church, the house and in each other?
4) Reminders of what stability means to us

Then I am also beginning a list of things to do this weekend, such as organize office, unpack master bathroom, catch up on LOTS of laundry. I have to admit there is a profound joy in crossing something off your "to-do" list as things are completed. Do you find the same thing happens to you? For some inspiration on seeing a big "to-do" list done, stop by Simple Bliss and see what she just finished! What are you planning to do this weekend?

(picture borrowed from AuntiePea)

A Meme with Some Alterations

2008-08-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, ladies, if you haven't been able to tell already but when I hit a little wall on what to write about on my blog, I tend to revert back to memes. Sad I know! I have seen this meme on several blogs lately and I thought I would do it but that I would add some things to it myself. See what you think!

A. Attached or single? Very attached

B. Best friend? DH

C. Cake or pie? Ohh...tough one...probably cake
- Favorite cake or pie flavor? Carrot cake

D. Day of choice? Friday for weekend is just starting

E. Essential item? Purses
- Essential chick flick movie? I have several! Love Pretty Woman, Love Comes Softly, Matchmaker, Mirror Has Two Faces

F. Favorite color? Pink

G. Gummy bears or worms? How about neither!
- Favorite candy of all? Probably either Reese's Pieces or Buncha Crunch

H. Home town? As of this past weekend, Keller, TX
- If you could pick any place to live, where would you pick? Indiana because I love the smaller country towns up north and DH would love to go back if he could

I. Favorite indulgence? Purses, books, magazines, movies and food!

J. January or July? Considering I live in Texas, January!

K. Kids? Not yet, maybe in 3-4 more years

L. Life isn’t complete without? love, family and faith

M. Marriage date? July 17, 2004
- Favorite holiday? Christmas

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 of each

O. Oranges or Apples? Depends on my mood but apples aren't as messy!
- Favorite fruit overall? Either strawberries or bananas

P. Phobias? Snakes, having house broken into when we are home

Q. Quotes? "One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things" by John Burroughs, "Whatever you are, be a good one" by Abraham Lincoln and "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes" Anne of Green Gables

R. Reasons to smile? Pugs, new purses, snail mail, growing and changing into what you want to become, family/friends and seeing your spouse happy and content

S. Season of choice? Fall

T. Tag 5 people: Steffany, Simple Bliss, Nephew, AllyJo, Casey

U. Unknown fact about me? I text and drive more than I should (bad I know!)

V. Vegetable? Favorite would be corn
- Worst vegetable? Mushrooms! Ick!

W. Worst habit? Worrying

X. Xray or ultrasound? Had both myself - used to perform xrays on patients as well

Y. Your favorite food? Desserts, almost anything!
- Favorite fast food? Probably either Rosa's Cafe or Chick fil a

Z. Zodiac sign? Aries

ZZ. One thing you wish you could be better at? Organizing, homemaking, crafting

Okay your turn!! And I promise I will have a more meaningful blog posting tomorrow!

I believe this is the elementary school my dear DH attended in Indiana - MIL would have to correct me if I am wrong!

Finding One Self

2008-08-05T13:59:00.001-07:00

How does one find themselves? I don't necessarily mean in just the spiritual sense, I mean in terms of the "whole" person. Have you ever experienced a situation in which you just felt like you were wandering around, without too much of a direction? I am starting to feel that way somewhat and I know a good portion of it goes along with moving into our first house.

For example, have you ever been out in public and thought, "how come I can't look like that", "why can't I do my hair that way", "if I could just be that organized", "how come I am not that sure of myself"? I do that all the time. I call it people-watching, which it is, but at the same time I am comparing things in my head. For those of you who are not familiar with the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I live near a very high end suburb called Southlake. You might recognize the name for their football team was #1 in the nation a year or two ago. So it is very prestigious to live in Southlake, to shop in Southlake, etc. - whenever I go out in public in Southlake I feel like everyone knows immediately that I don't "fit" in and that I should just do home. I am never dressy on the weekend, more in comfy clothes - mostly tees with capris - I hardly wear any makeup even though I am sure I should, I don't make anything, like sewing, ceramics, knitting, I am not in social events - in fact if DH and I go out it is just us or maybe with family.

DH thinks I am just crazy when it comes to things like this but I think it is hard for a guy to understand where I am coming from. Most of the time DH doesn't even care or wonder what others think or even glance their way where as I am the opposite. How does one change that? How does one feel comfortable and begin to become grounded in their life? Another example is the new church we have started going to. The church is very into volunteering inside the church and joining in a community group (which is their version of bible school, it is a smaller group meeting in someone's home every other week). I signed up to help out with the children's check-in procedure before services - I am supposed to start this Sunday and I am nervous because I don't know a single person at the church so I will have to be asking their name and hope they are patient with me. Also I am nervous about the community groups, what if DH and I don't really "fit" the group? I mean we don't have any kids yet and a big portion of the church are young families with children. Things like that I am grappling with.

I have spoken to DH about this today and we have decided that we will be going out to dinner Friday night to sit down and really go over everything and talk about everything - we both seem to be "lost" lately and need to rediscover our bearings. Reminds me of a line from Message in a Bottle movie with Kevin Costner - "Lost with no bearings, no compass but I could always steer for home when you were my home". Maybe I need to relax and watch a good movie tonight after our dinner at a church staff member's house....look forward to hearing from you on what you think!

Oh and P.S. You SO need to check out Simple Bliss posting and see her amazing organization and turnaround in her home! Way to go Vanessa - SO inspiring!

(picture borrowed from ChristtheKingNH)

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-08-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

For Today....August 4th, 2008

Outside My Window.....is sweltering heat, high today to be around 103 or so. Temp got to 107 yesterday!

I am thinking....I have so much to get done at our new house

I am thankful for....all the help I received this weekend from my siblings and my mother in law in order to get as much done as possible with our move

From the kitchen....are boxes to be unpacked and decorations to be put up...but SO much room to use!

I am wearing....denim capris, brown tee with white polka dots and champagne colored flip flops...oh and brown headband too!

I am reading....Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (movie comes out in October, with Richard Gere and Diane Lane!)

I am hoping....that DH finds a new job as soon as possible - his current situation is so unbearable

I am hearing....the a/c unit in my office run and my fingers typing

Around the house....lots to unpack and organize but more importantly, so much more space!

One of my favorite things....seeing DH smile and not worrying over things but turning them over to God (I am still working on this)

A Few Plans for Rest of Week.....alarm company guy coming over tonight at 7 pm, then dinner at staff member from church's house tomorrow night and unpacking and relaxing rest of week

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing with You:

**Also just as an update, I was baptized yesterday! DH did take some pics - I am hoping to have them up either tomorrow or Wednesday. Since we don't have internet up at the house yet, I am having to post from work. I can't wait to share with you the pics! And thanks to my in-laws for braving the 107 degree weather to witness it!**

(picture borrowed from Apple Cinnamon Quilt)

Acceptance and Being Positive

2008-07-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

How do you change? How do you change you? I don't mean changing something simple, like changing your hair color or your clothes. I mean changing some perspective of yourself, some habit that as of right now, makes you, you. I am not pleased to say it but I have a very hard time with acceptance and optimism or thinking positively. I tend to think more "the glass is half empty" so that when things happen in a negative fashion I will not be surprised or overly upset.

A prime example of a current situation is our house. I have written a couple of postings about the headaches we are going through with regards to our house. As of yesterday afternoon, we had not heard anything from our realtor or a lender despite the fact that both of them said they would get back in touch with us about the status of our closing. All the little things have started to built up and built up so this morning I sent a very firm, very honest, almost nasty email to both of them outlining my concerns and what I would like to happen today. Throughout this whole process I have been the one contacting the realtor, the builder, the lender, etc. Whatever I find out or set up I relay to DH because he does not have time for it during his workdays. But as more things went wrong I wanted him to step up and be assertive and be forceful with them so we can stop being pushed off. It wasn't until last night when I was talking to my sister that she brought up a wonderful point. My DH isn't like that, he will never be like that - in fact in the words of my sister, "DH is naturally good tempered. We aren't, you and I tend to follow our parents. DH is the other half of you and don't take it for granted". Isn't it amazing what my 18 year old sister pointed out that I keep overlooking?

So my question now is how I do work on that, how do I change those tendencies? I guess it is God's will and plan for me to deal with this - in fact DH and I's new church Keystone Church is starting a new seminar this coming Sunday on questions we gave to them about God's take on certain things in our life. And guess what the first question planned to be discussed on Sunday is....How to Stop Habitual Sin? Perfect timing huh? I emailed DH at work today to let him know my thoughts, worries and feelings right now. I want to be open and honest with him about it. I guess if any one of you have any suggestions or recommendations or stories on how you changed some negative aspect in your life, please share them with me. I would love to hear what others have done in a similar situation and thanks for listening guys!

(both pictures borrowed from All Posters)

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-07-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

For Today....July 28th, 2008

Outside My Window....is a day that is expected to reach 105 degrees! Can you believe that? I am so thankful to be inside, in the air conditioning

I am thinking....I need to plan out my weekly goals, weekly menu and begin getting ready for my baptism on Sunday

I am thankful for....air conditioning on days like this, a new church that DH and I love and be able to share dinner and a movie tonight with MIL

From the kitchen....not much happening there, especially with getting ready to move this week - half of our stuff is packed away already and the pantry is still left to be packed up

I am wearing....denim capris, rose color blouncy top and straw type flip-flops with pink on the top

I am reading....nothing right now - desperately, anxiously waiting for the release of Breaking Dawn on Friday at midnight (the 4th book in the Twilight series)

I am hoping....to hear back from our realtor soon, saying our closing will take place tomorrow afternoon

Around the house....are tons of boxes, piles to be boxed up, things to be gone through and cleaned out

One of my favorite things....is the sense of calm and peace you receive after reading an inspiring blog post or after a wonderful message at church on Sunday

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....finishing boxing up apt, closing on our house, moving little by little after work, taking Friday off so our new refrigerator and dining room table can be delivered to our new house

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

(picture borrowed from Simple Living)

A New Church, A New Decision and A New Blog

2008-07-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

It seems the end of this month is bringing about a season of change for me. As many of you know, my husband and I are working on moving into our first home. Many setbacks befell us last week but I am not going to dwell on the negative. I am going to accept that God surely has a reason for why we could not close on our house last week and find some comfort in that. It looks like we should have our closing on this Wednesday, July 30th. Any prayers to help us reach this wonderful milestone would be greatly appreciated. I am so anxious to take some pictures of our house to share with you!

Besides the house, my husband and I are experiencing some changes in our life with regards to God's plan. We have been blessed to find a wonderful church in our area called Keystone Church. Today was our third Sunday service at this church and we know that this is the church for us. In fact, my husband and I went to their Starting Point class last night which is a small class that offers the overview about what the church is all about, its beliefs and goals and about becoming a member of the church. One of the requirements you have to participate in to become a member is baptism by immersion. I was born and raised Roman Catholic so the only baptism I have taken part in is my baptism as an infant.

I was very blessed to be raised in private schools that gave me a early understanding of God but it wasn't until I met my husband and his family that I truly started to see, learn and strive for a deeper relationship with God. I do not repent any of the things my early Catholic upbringing brought me, I just never really accepted the teachings in my life wholeheartedly. So after discussion and prayer, I have decided to participate in Keystone Church's baptism celebration next Sunday, August 3rd at Lake Grapevine. I have also invited my husband's parents to come and witness the celebration. I am anxious to begin this next leg of my walk with Keystone Church and with God.

To conclude my post on "new" things, I wanted to share with you a new blog that I have found today, Mary Snyder, Joy Filled Living. Mary is a Woman's Ministry leader and a published author. I happened across her blog through a post she made on the Internet Cafe Devotions website. Her post this Sunday on hope was wonderful, something I needed to read. I encourage you to check out her blog - she is very funny, very insightful and she is having her book published this Spring! I hope you find as much joy as I have in her posting. And to end my post in the words of our pastor's brother, "Make God Smile Today".

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Mosaic Meme

2008-07-23T12:22:00.001-07:00

Want to put yourself in pictoral form in just 12 images?? This was so fun! Here is my mosaic meme:

The Questions (and the Answers):
1. What is your first name? Becky
2. What is your favorite food? Coffee cake
3. What high school did you go? Ursuline Academy
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Gerard Butler
6. Favorite Drink? Diet Dr. Pepper
7. Dream vacation? Ireland
8. Favorite dessert? Carrot cake
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Suzy Homemaker!
10. What do you love most in life? Family
11. One word to describe you? Loving
12. One hobby of yours? Reading

Your turn to do it!! Go ahead and make one of your own. Here's how: a)Type your answer to each of the questions above into Flickr Search. b) Using only the first page of images, pick an image to represent your answer. c) Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. d) Save the image to your hard drive and then post to blogger. e) Copy the HTML code for the flickr photo credits and paste them into the blogger at the bottom of the post!

My Credits:
Becky's eye, 2. Apple Streusel Coffee Cake, 3. Ursuline Academy, 4. Pink Petals, 5. Gerard Butler, 6. Diet Dr Pepper and Indy Jones can, 7. Another Ireland Mosaic, 8. Carrot Cake, 9. Who is Suzy Homemaker?, 10. Family Photo, 11. "love comes from the most unexpected places...", 12. I Love To Read.....3

"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things"

2008-07-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love this movie? I can hear Julie Andrews singing in my head already..."when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad...I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel...so bad!" Love it! Well, I was looking at some different blogs over the weekend and one of the ladies had a list of her favorite things on the side of her blog. That, of course, got me thinking of what are a few of my favorite things....I have decided to come up with my list and hope you might be encouraged to do the same!

Some Favorite Things -

*Brand New Issue of Country Sampler magazine

*Yankee Candles

*Clean, organized house

*Enjoying a lazy afternoon on couch, watching a chick flick

*Receiving a card or a letter in the mailbox

*Being able to be content at what I am currently doing

*Listening to Josh Groban or Michael Buble

*Finding inspiration from my mother in law's thoughts and discussions

*Hearing my mother laugh

*Smell of baking banana bread or my Grandmother's coffee cake

*The idea of living in our first home

*Gathering favorite books and Disney movies for our future children

*Oversleeping and not having anywhere to go

*Reading new posts on my friends' blogs

*Ideas for simplistic living without comprising on beauty

*Unexpected cards, emails or phone calls from my DH

*My DH's smile and sparkle in his eyes when he laughs

*Memories of my childhood, especially spending summers in Illinois with my grandparents

*My trips to Europe during high school

*Any handmade crafts - quilts, candles, soaps, blankets, etc.

*Color pink

*New purse or tote bag

*Thinking positively (not easy for me to do but trying)

I am going to keep thinking and make a list in a notebook so I can refer back to when I am feeling down or materialistic. If you want to participate, feel free but please let me know so I can be sure and check out your blog!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-07-21T05:08:00.001-07:00

For Today.....Monday, July 21st

Outside My Window....there is a bright, sunny day which I know will feel like 100+ degrees when I step outside

I am Thinking....that I have my womanly annual dr appt in 2 hours

I am thankful for....the ability to have the day off from work to get my dr appt done and have the walk-thru on my house this afternoon at 1 pm

From the kitchen....I see I need to go to grocery store today for the week's food

I am creating.....hopefully mountains of full packing boxes! We started yesterday but didn't get very far because we ran out of boxes and all the packing supplies places were closed on Sunday

I am going....to dr office for appt, Wal-Mart for groceries, fix lunch for DH and I before our walk-thru, walk-thru appt at 1 pm and then get to gym for exercise!

I am wearing....new black cotton capris that I got at Kohl's yesterday and either a black London tshirt or a striped white tshirt with flip-flops

I am reading....all my favorite blogs on the internet

I am hoping....that Wal-Mart has the newest issue of Country Sampler magazine out

I am hearing....the A/C in the apartment start up and DH getting ready to leave for work

Around the house....there is a mess! From normal daily things that need to be finished (i.e. laundry) to the rest of the things that need to be packed into boxes

One of my favorite things....is seeing DH relax, knowing that I did my job as his wife and that everything we want is finally coming together

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....laundry finished, meal plan lined out, exercise plan lined out, friend's bday gift sent out and hopefully closing on our house on Friday!

Here's the Picture Thought I am Sharing With You.....

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Wonderful, Blessed Swap Gift

2008-07-17T03:31:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the delay but I finally have the pictures of my summer swap gifts from my partner Michelle! She did an amazing job - she went above and beyond anything I could have imagined. On July 1st when Peggy posted our blog partners we were responsible for getting in contact with our partners and finding out more about them. I left a message on Michelle's blog to let her know that we were partners and after that we sent back and forth a handful of emails with questions to try and get to know each other. And Michelle, girl, you got an A from me!! You are the best swap partner ever!! If I could be so selfish and ask I want to have you as my partner next time too!

This is the gorgeous Americana quilt wall hanging she made me. It is gorgeous! And she even signed the back of it! I cannot wait to put it up in my new house!

An Applique Quilt book, two handmade soaps and one handmade lip balm!! Talk about talented!!

A close-up pic of the 2 soaps - scented "Summertime" and "Raspberry Lemonade" and my Lip Balm - "Latte" scented

Michelle, again you are amazing! I love them all! You should be getting your package today - please let me know when you get it and if you like it.

Oh and if that isn't all - I have 2 more blessings to boast about, if I may. Today is DH and I's 4th wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think that 4 years have gone by so quickly. It really doesn't seem that long when you stop and think about it....I will be posting more on us this evening when I get the chance to scan some wedding pictures to post on here!! Don't worry!! And lastly, the one more blessing....as you probably know, we have had some setbacks with our new home, the builders weren't able to hit the original closing date of the 15th because they still had several items to complete on the conversion from a model home to a livable home. Well as of last night at 6 pm......

We have a driveway, a sidewalk and a fence all completed!! Our house is almost done!! And that should be left is building the mailbox and laying sod where some landscaping was removed! We cannot wait - thank you Lord for this blessing!

Selfish Phase

2008-07-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

You remember the '80s movie entitled Look Who's Talking with Kirstie Alley and John Travolta? Well there is part in the movie where Alfred, Kirstie Alley's client, who tells her he can't participate in their son's life because he is going through a selfish phase right now. I am going through a selfish phase - isn't that awful?? There is no reason to be feeling selfish or feeling like I need more of anything. It is just so shocking when these feelings rear their ugly heads. I was thinking earlier today how blessed DH and I have been here lately - we got more money than we thought in our paychecks this week, our house is finally coming together, I am staying on top of everything at work and with the extra cash we received DH and I are able to get each other anniversary gifts this year. Our 4th wedding anniversary is this Thursday - two days away.

Well DH really wanted the new NCAA Football video game that came out today and I was happy to get it for him for his anniversary gift because he hardly gets anything for himself. Well, I, on the other hand, had grand ideas of getting this more expensive purse at Brighton that I had been eyeing for a week. Of course the purse costs more than DH's game and when I asked DH about anniversary gifts he informed me that he already got part of my gift so if we are keeping in the same price range for each other's gift than that would leave about $20 left for something else for me. Inside my greedy "inner voice" reared its ugly head, thinking "no, I want that purse". How awful is that!! Is that not just horrible?? It is always the thought behind the gift that counts and we are extremely lucky because we weren't even going to get each other gifts this year.

I mean I have made several posts and goals to be more simplified in my living lately and here is a perfect example of a setback. I mean I did not get the purse and I will not play the selfish little child act to DH about it - I will prevail and ask God for assistance and acceptance for the things I have been blessed with. I truly hope I am not the only one who has problems with items of material value that we tend to wish for or covet for ourselves. I will write about it in my new prayer journal tonight. Wish me luck please! Besides that, I am going to be posting the wonderful pictures of my swap gift from my partner, Michelle. She did an awesome job and I LOVE everything!! It was my first time to join a craft swap so I hope you like your gift, Michelle. It should arrive on Thursday!

*This picture is taken outside of my grandparents town of Arthur, Illinois - a place of simpler living and the more important things in life**

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY: July 14, 2008

Outside My Window: I hope it is cooler today...this weekend our car thermometer read 107 degrees! Ick!

I am thinking: how amazingly blessed I am. I received my Summer Swap package from my partner, Michelle, and it is amazing!! I cannot wait to put my pictures up! Michelle you really went above and beyond, I truly love it all!

I am thankful for: new friends, new goals for the week and the wonderful new church we went to this week, Keystone Church in Keller.

From the kitchen: I made Funfetti brownies for DH yesterday and my first ever time to make my Grandmother's homemade coffee cake!

I am wearing: white flip-flops, khaki capris and brown shirt with white dots all over

I am creating: a prayer journal and master schedule for my new home!

I am going: to be very dedicated and focused with meeting my weekly goals, set out and put down in my new chart I got from Dave Ramsey's book, Financial Peace Planner

I am reading: Financial Peace Planner by Dave Ramsey and The Simple Life:Devotionals from Amish Country

I am hoping: that DH has a nice, easy day at work and that everything on our house gets finished, on schedule, this week

I am hearing: the A/C unit blow in my office...going to turn my iPod on for something more lively

Around the house: a little bit of laundry I need to finish and little piles of things that need to be packed away in boxes for moving

One of my favorite things: is feeling like DH and I are finally getting everything we want - our first home, a great new church that we like and working on our relationship with the Lord

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week: Exercising, cooking DH home cooked meal tomorrow night, exchanging cards with DH for our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday and becoming more at east with just being at home

Here is the Picture I am Sharing With You:

-This is the front at our new house!

If you would like to learn more about the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here

Messages I Need and Comparing I Don't

2008-07-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, during our car sagas, I stopped by Mardel's and was looking in their bargain book bin and found a book The Simple Life:Devotionals from Amish Country. It was only $3.99 and I am fascinated by all things Amish so I decided to buy it. I have been reading it little by little, at night, before bed. The simple stories, messages and thoughts are exactly what I am needing. If you have been reading my last couple of posts, you know of the situation with my DH and his job and trying to get into our first home. Well last night I read a story entitled "Wise Answers" and the thinking questions and the Food for Thought statement at the end were so poignant, it was like God was speaking to me. The short story was about an Amish couple, Lettie and Luke, and they had lost 1 colt after his birth and 1 mare during her birth of another colt. They were trying to figure out how to make the mare who lost her colt start caring for the orphan colt. I won't tell you what happened but I will share with you the questions and food for thought statement because they are perfect.

This is what the end says, "How many times have we been faced with a problem for which there seemed to be no answers? If we trust in our own wisdom, we might make a mistake, but if we turn to God for guidance, He will help us make a wise decision. In Proverbs 2:6 we are reminded: For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. May we always remember to seek God's will in all that we do." The Food For Thought statement was - If you can't have the best of everything, then make the best of everything you have. Are those thoughts just so simple but so true? It also got me thinking on about subject that I seem to struggle with every so often, comparing myself to others and their situations.

When DH and I are out, I find myself people-watching, if you will. Observing others' appearance, demeanor, etc. I will always notice those people who are very well put together, simple but elegant in not been overdone with makeup, clothes or accessories. I always seem to wish to be one of these people - I do not think that I put myself together very well. I tend to have a hard time getting up in the morning. I normally get up between 5 and 5:30 am to get ready for work and then leave by 6 am so I try to hurry and look presentable. I mean I make sure I don't look a fright or a mess. I will just notice clean, elegant nails on one lady, a tasteful, gorgeous purse (that didn't cost an arm or a leg like the purses I love) on another and simple jewelry and a calm outward appearance on the last. I long to be able to be that way...I am working on changing some things about my appearance, for example my weight (I am doing Weight Watchers) and I am trying to live more simply which will, in turn, help my stressed appearance and lastly trying to be more centered with God.

There are so many things I want to learn or try to do that I need to work on my inner and outer self first and then everything else will just fall in place.

(pictures borrowed from All Posters)

House Saga Continues

2008-07-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

First of all I want to thank everyone that left me messages of encouragement and understanding, Vanessa, Heather, Leah and, Casey and Michelle. It was very nice and heart warming to read your words. I will be re-reading them over and over again, especially with the latest developments from last night and today. God is really testing my faith and I can honestly say that I have never been tested like this before.

My DH had a horrible, eye-opening experience last night with his boss and his current place of employment. After long discussions last night we decided that DH will start looking for a new job. He will continue to work at his current job until we can find something but we both have realized that what DH wants to do with his life is not possible at this job. DH wants to have a fulfilling job that he can go to work early, leave early if he would like and still have a healthy family. He doesn't want to overwork himself to become a big time partner - that isn't his goal, we want to have a wonderful family life and to be able to work and support us for the sole purpose of that, no fame, glory or fortune. So any extra prayers for DH and finding a new job soon would be a wonderful blessing for us!

Now, onto the house saga....we already know that the builders would not be able to make the original closing date of the 15th so they were saying a closing date of 18th, no later. Well now we have more developments...our realtor was able to meet and talk with the appraiser today and she found out that the appraiser cannot do the final appraisal until the house and everything is 100% completed. And that the final appraisal will take 4-5 days to complete! So that means they finish the house on the 18th then then appraiser will be doing the final appraisal from the 21-25th, which in turn will push our closing back until 28th! This is just so draining for DH and I. We just want our house, we just want to move in and get settled - that is all! That isn't too much to ask, is it? So with DH and his job and the house we are definitely using plenty of prayers. Good thing they are unlimited! Don't know about you but I am defintely ready for the weekend!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

A Jonah Week

2008-07-08T10:05:00.000-07:00

The Lord is giving a strong test this week. Have you ever heard the expression "It's been a Jonah day"? Well it seems I am having a Jonah week. With the car problems and expensive bill this weekend and now it seems our house situation is falling behind. We still have the house but we had it written in the contract that our closing would be on or before the 15th of July. We find out yesterday that the builders will not have all the conversion items finished in time to have the walk-through and the closing by the 15th. They are now telling us it will be the 18th or so. In the big scheme of things, this isn't a huge undertaking but it is a pothole we didn't want. I mean there was a reason we got it in writing to have the closing on or before the 15th but it seems that our hands are tied with our options. We would like for them to give us a good faith gesture because of the change they are making; however it is very unlikely that they will do this. I am very frustrated and disappointed and I am trying to keep a brave face on so not to make DH any more upset than we already are.

One of my friends Steffany reminded me not to get too stressed out that it is all in God's timing. I am trying, really I am. My gracious and loving MIL has offered to take me out to dinner tonight to relax and refocus while my DH is out with some guys from work. My MIL always seems to help me put things back into perspective and calm my nerves. Any prayers for our house situation would be a wonderful blessing! In other notes, I have found a wonderful new blog, Internet Cafe Devotions. It is full of Christian, loving stories and soul-searching topics. I encourage you to check it out!

Some other shout-outs for this week:
Please congratulate Casey and her family. They were blessed enough to get a new van!

Please keep my friend Steffany in your prayers. She underwent some painful dental work and is recovering at home.

Lastly, keep my dear nephew and SIL at Tales from the Cryb in your warm wishes. They are expecting a new bundle of joy in their house in 5 months! Can't wait to welcome this new little one into our family.

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Cars and Finances

2008-07-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that the two items listed in my title do not go together? Well I knew this sentiment before this weekend but now I am learning more and more, which in turn is testing my new goal of being positive. My little story actually begins last Sunday. DH and I were heading home from my parents when our car has a blowout on the Turnpike (at 9 pm at night, mind you). Luckily my parents came and helped us change the tire only to realize one of the lug nuts had broken off and needed to be replaced as well as a new tire. So Monday morning my parents dropped off my car at the dealership to have a new tire put on and the nut replaced. Everything taken care of there.

When my father picked up the car on Tuesday he mentioned that I need to get new brake pads put on the car pretty soon before they began to damage the rotors. So DH and I decided we didn't want any more headaches so we would take it to Just Brakes this weekend to have new brake pads put on. Now keep in mind that my father warned us it would probably cost about $400 for this. Breathing deeply here, trying to have faith...so after my WW meeting this morning DH and I dropped off my car at Just Brakes and asked them to call us after they check everything out. No problem there so we leave and head to breakfast with DH's parents. On the way there DH's car gives us a low tire pressure signal - AFTER we put more air in them yesterday morning!! So DH checks the back tires again and the back right one is down a good 6 PSI again, only 24 hours later, which means a hole somewhere!

Now I ask you, could my day get any better and it wasn't even 9 am yet! During our breakfast we decided since DH was going golfing with my brother I would take the car to Plano to National Tire and Battery and have them see if they could patch up the tire today. We called my brother to come pick us up and we left DH's car there to be checked out as well. Trying VERY hard to stay positive at this point...worrying about what they will find. Oh and find something they did! Just Brakes called and informed DH that yes I needed all new brake pads but that the right front rotor was damaged already and they couldn't do anything else at this point but to replace it and the calibers. So for all that and the brake pads we were looking at $690 instead of $400! We spoke to Dad first before approving anything and he agreed with what the mechanic had said and asked that they keep the bad parts for us to pick up when we pick up the car.

DH's car did have a small hole which NTB was able to fix, only costing $23.91 so after picking up DH's car and my car today, we spent a grand total of $750.00!! Needless to say this wasn't what we were wanting to do today. While I waited for the cars to be done my parents asked me if I could take my sister's car and run a couple of errands for them. So I went to Wal-Mart for my parents and then stopped by Mardel's for me for some divine intervention. While at Mardel's I picked up Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey. I have been reading it most of the afternoon and am anxious to start implementing some of his ideas. I don't want something like this to hit us again. I am so glad that tomorrow is Sunday and not Monday because I need a day of rest after today! Hope everyone else had a nice relaxing Saturday.

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Wishing to Be Better

2008-07-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever yearned to be something more? Not different, per se. Just something more than what you currently are. I know I have mentioned adopting a simpler lifestyle a lot lately but it has been weighing heavily on my mind and heart. I know I could do it but where do I start? As I look around at my favorite new blogs, Lindsay, Simple Bliss, and Michelle I see things I long to do or to be able to do.

I have been so lucky enough to be paired up with Michelle as my summer swap partner. Her blog is amazing...her photography is breathtaking, her crafts jaw-dropping and her posts such fun to read! I am a little intimidated since she is my swap partner - I hope you will like what I am sending you, Michelle! I know I will your package!! Over at Simple Bliss, Vanessa has put together a list of 28 items that she wants to do. I am thinking I might want to put my own list together of things I would like to do by Christmas this year. What things would you like to do before the end of 2008?

I am trying to better myself one thing at a time. For instance, I know this might seem mundane to a lot of people but I absolutely loathe doing laundry. Almost to the point where we have nothing left to wear (I can't believe I admitted that! Sorry MIL!). I am trying to be better with it...I really do loathe this aspect of my homemaking. I want to be better! So when I was released from work early yesterday afternoon at 2 pm, I went straight home and started doing my many laundry loads. By the time DH came home from work I had all but 2-3 loads done. So this morning I let DH sleep in and I got up at 6:30 am and started up the last bit of laundry. I have all my laundry done now and I do feel much better knowing it is done. I guess I need to pray and work on guidance and help from God in balancing my full time job and my duties as a homemaker and wife. Also pray for some patience until the time comes when I can be a full-time stay at home wife. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

New Book and New Blogs

2008-07-02T05:04:00.000-07:00

This past week and a half has been a very trying time for my DH, which in turn has made it a very trying time for me. I have been very blessed to get some advice from my mom, my MIL and my SIL to help me cope and feel more at ease about the situation. The situation for DH has been handled for now...I am trying to be positive about what DH found out yesterday and look to the future with faith in God's plan. DH, on the other hand, is somewhat skeptical I think so last night, after dinner, we ran to Best Buy and to Barnes and Noble. We didn't see anything that was a dire emergency to get at Best Buy so we went around the corner to Barnes & Noble. I found the above book, Power of a Positive Woman by Karol Ladd and began reading it last night in bed. I am looking forward to her teachings and discussions on anyone can become a positive woman, with God's help and direction. I read the first chapter last night and it was entitled "Relishing the Unique Qualities of a Woman". The Scripture passage she put at the end to remember for that chapter is from Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I am anxious to see what the next chapters hold for me in my quest to be more positive and accepting.

Besides my new reading, I have found and fallen in love with two new blogs Passionate Homemaking and Living to Love. Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking is so faithful, inspiring and has wonderful posts about their journey of a frugal, healthy, God-centered life. Also her husband and little girl are adorable! April and Brandon over at Living to Love are incredible. Their stories of their life, their longing to have children and their dedication to their church and family is so inspiring. Looking at April's blog can brighten my day anytime! She is very honest about her worries and wishes for their life and how badly she wants to love children and show them all that God has in store for them. Please check them both out and see if you do not love them as well!

What is everyone's plans for the 4th holiday? I am looking forward to the extra day off to clean, pack, simplify our possessions and spend quality time with DH. I could get used to the 3 day weekends!

My Summer Swap Partner!!

2008-07-01T12:20:00.001-07:00

Today I found out who my summer swap partner is!! I am so excited! My swap partner is Michelle at Sleepy Cat Hollow! Her blog is amazing...she takes incredible photographs and does almost every craft there is! Wow, talk about no pressure on putting together a fun summer swap box! Please click on your blog name and see exactly what I am talking about. I am ready to get start on putting her box together. The rules state we have to have our gift to our partners by July 19th. That gives me 18 more days! Better get going!!

Also, another great thing about this week is the builders are putting the final touches on our house. Our realtor called yesterday and said the landscapers would be there today putting things how we want them and they would be laying the driveway for the garage. So we should be having our final walk-through either Friday or Saturday of this week and the closing will be sometime next week! I cannot wait - I have two themes set up for the new house...the kitchen will be royal blue/yellow with some sunflowers and the formal living room will be Americana, red/white/blue. I have 2 decorator dolls already bought and ready to go in the living with my red gingham couch. Next on the list for that room will be to search for a antique looking coffee table and a coordinating quilt for the quilt rack I got. I am ready to get going! This house will be 4 bedrooms though so have any ideas on what theme to do in the other rooms??

Oh and hello to my swap partner - she just emailed me, saying she was off to check out my blog!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-06-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY: June 30, 2008...
Outside My Window...I am imagining bright blue skies with a slight breeze thru the trees (but in all actuality, I have no idea since I haven't been by a window since about 8 this morning)

I am thinking...about DH - wondering if he is okay and how his meeting with his boss today

I am thankful for...this short week at work due to the 4th of July holiday

From the kitchen...I made an Angel Lush Cake for dessert last night, everyone loved it!

I am wearing...khaki colored jeans with flip-flops and a white/pink/khaki patterned shirt

I am creating...a cleaner desk, slowly but surely, I will get there!

I am going...to try and stay busy and awake. If I stop too long I might want a nap!

I am reading...the Tightwad Gazette by Amy D. I am trying to read some every chance I get, which isn't much.

I am hoping...that we can close our on new home a week from today! We will see!

I am hearing...the dot matrix printer start up for invoices and my iPod playing in the background...but secretly longing for silence and peace.

Around the house...are many piles that we are going through for purging and packing. I really don't like moving but I don't mind too much since it will be to our first home!

One of my favorite things...is a nice, relaxing day with DH - nothing planned, nothing to do, just whatever we want.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Exercising after work, finishing up purging the office and begin on the closet, cookout lunch on Thursday at my office and then early dismissal around 2 pm!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(picture borrowed from Forestry)

Ponderings and Tips

2008-06-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

The weekend is slowing down and coming to a close. How is it that the weekend days go by so much faster than the weekdays? Maybe it is because I am working out of the home these days. I am longing for the days to be able to be at home and to start my job as a homemaker. I am trying to be patient and take each day as it comes. I had an amazing weekend planned to get my house all cleaned and organized. Well it didn't go according to plan. DH and I did get some things cleaned out and purged for most of the office. I am still in awe of how much stuff we have, not important items of value - just stuff. Where does all of it come from? I asked DH twice this weekend if I could just throw everything away and start over. We do not have any children or any pets - it is just DH and I. We are going to move into a new 4 bedroom home in a week or two and I want open space to make a loving area, not a cluttered, overloaded area. I guess my hesitancy is because I am not sure how to accomplish it. I have been reading and looking at Tightwad Gazette book by Amy Dacyczyn and love some of her insights. Here are a few tips she lists in her book:

What to Do With...
*Leftover Bread Bags? -Use as freezer bags for short-term storage, especially when re-packaging family packs of sale meats. Knot excess to close, and cut open when ready to use. Never resue any plastic bag that has stored meats.

*Toilet Paper Tubes? -Use to gather up unsightly loose excess electrical cords on kitchen appliances, lamps or entertainment centers.

*Milk Jug Rings? -Use to keep socks together when laundering. Store in drawer with rings. When taking socks out, keep ring on bureau. Replace ring around soiled socks before tossing in hamper.

*Crayon Bits? -Place a variety of different color bits in a muffin tin and melt in the oven. Cool. This makes a wonderful scribble "cookie". Each one has its own unique color and pattern.

Amy does state in her book that some of her ideas would be too radical or too frugal for everyone but I would listen to anyone who can feed herself, her husband and 6 (SIX!) children on $180.00 a month. Can you believe that? Another wonderful example of frugalness that does not skip out on the love is the Duggar Family. Michelle Duggar is expecting their 18th child! Talk about a wonderfully organized home with that family. Here is the latest story on this family: Duggars.

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Productive Weekend Planned

2008-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Good Friday Morning! TGIF! I hope everyone else is as excited that today is Friday as I am. Isn't it amazing how our outlook changes when Friday rolls around? I would love to say that I could be that way about Mondays but I am not so sure. I am especially grateful that today is Friday for it means an end to DH's extremely tough work week. I want to thank everyone who prayed for my DH and especially thanks to AllyJo for her comments and well wishes for my husband. I know they are most appreciated!

My weekend is going to be productive! I am hoping that if I have it planned out now that I will get everything accomplished that I would like to. Tomorrow morning my day will start early with my meeting at Weight Watchers and then DH and I are going out to breakfast at our favorite local place. After that we hope to swing by our new house and see if the builders' crew has begun the last little details on the house before the closing. My goal for the rest of this weekend is to CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN and SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY. I was noticing last night that I need to be listening to the age-old wisdom of putting things away the minute you are done with them instead of letting them clutter up and make things messy. A very simple thing to do but I haven't been putting it to good use - one thing I want changed for when we move into the new house!

Also, I am a little conflicted about what to do with those extra items that I need to get rid of - like purses, knick-knacks, etc. I know I can take them to Goodwill which I will do but I tend to have a problem with emotional attachment to things, to the memories of people giving the items to me. I know it is the memories that are the important things but it is hard for me to part with stuff. I was reading a frugal, debt-free living post yesterday on Mrs.Jo blog and I was particularly moved by her frugal living. I would love not to be OWNED by things. I want my new house to be cleaned, uncluttered, simple and full of love. Any suggestions on how I can jump start this new way this weekend?

(picture borrowed from Cleaning)

Hopeful, Grateful and Praying

2008-06-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ever had a trying time and not be happening to you? That is what I am experiencing. My DH is having a particularly hard time at work this week. When we are in those situations, we tend to think that nothing will get better and that it is just heck! I am very guilty of this - this was me last week but I guess this week is DH's turn. I have asked him to talk to his boss about the situation but being the person that DH is, he won't say anything, he will just keep it in and go along. I am the world's biggest worrywart but I am trying to improve upon this. I am trying to vocalize my worries or fears to those around me. I am also trying to send more prayers up to the Lord. So here is where my hopefulness comes in - I am hoping that tomorrow will be a brand new, fresh day for DH - no extra stresses and a sense of calm for him at work.

For my gratefulness, I am very grateful that I work with my mother. Many people think that working with your parents are awful and can be very trying. I think being able to talk to my mother and let her know what is going on helps me put things into perspective. Also I asked if it was okay that I leave 45 minutes early today to get home to get my exercise done and out of the way and start cleaning the house before DH comes home. That way I can help be ready to talk, listen, or do whatever DH wants to do. For that opportunity and understanding I am very grateful. Lastly I am praying that things get better for DH. It is hard to bring yourself out of the "darkness" and look to the light and be positive. I have never been one to be an optimist but I am trying. I think as we get older we tend to see things differently and deal with things easier or with more acceptance. I hope that both DH and I can move past this difficult time and look ahead to the wonderful times, like moving into our first home next month and celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. Please wish us luck!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Guess I Need to Find...

2008-06-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

Guess I need to find where I put my copy of the Tightwad Gazette book. I had seen all the rave about this book on several blogs I read and I was keeping my eyes open for if I ever found one. Well, surprisingly, about 2 weeks ago I did find a copy of it at Half-Price books. I bought it with enthusiasm and began reading it. Somehow I got sidetracked from it and now I need to find out where I put it so I can go back to reading it. I was reviewing our family budget today and am noticing that I have lots left to do and work on with it. With DH and I moving into our new home next month I need to have a budget written out and planned so that we can follow with no problems.

I will be the first to admit that DH is much better at his frugality than I am. I know he has his lovely parents to thank for that - seriously his parents are wonders at budgetting. I wish I could pick their brain one afternoon and have them show me what I am doing wrong. I grew up the oldest of 3 kids and we all pretty much got what we wanted or asked for - our parents wanted us to have better than they did and I am eternally grateful for that. I never had to want for anything but now I am seeing the problems I tend to make for myself that can be avoided so easily. I am planning on this weekend to sit down and plan out everything, put it all in writing and go over it with DH. I want to be able to have a nicely decorated new home in which we can live comfortably and not be scraping paycheck to paycheck. We are not in dire straits by any means but I know we can always do better. Any prayers would always be appreciated!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I would love it if someone could come and decorate my new house like this...just seeing this picture makes me relax and long to be at home.

(picture borrowed from Country Sampler Home Photos)

Simple Woman's Daybook and Summer Swap!

2008-06-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY - June 23, 2008...

Outside My Window...I imagine blue skies and a cool breeze, but I know better since it is June in Texas. I can always dream, right?

I am thinking...that I would love to be able to relax at home with my new found magazine and be able to start going through our possessions in preparation for moving next month

I am thankful for...my husband, his love and understanding; the blessing of our first home and the ability to live another day

From the kitchen...I made 2 loaves of banana bread and some apple cinnamon muffins. I hope to get some more wonderful baking in this weekend.

I am wearing...khaki capris, navy blue tee, navy blue slip-on sandals and my small silver hoop earrings and my silver Brighton "celebrate small victories" bracelet

I am creating...a home management binder for use in my new home

I am going...to try and accomplish some of my home duties this evening after work and before my exercise at the gym

I am reading...Mary Jane's Farm magazine! So wonderful! Recommend it highly!

I am hoping...to get all caught up on my work from last week and to be very productive

I am hearing...the A/C unit run in my office...going to turn on my Celtic Thunder CD (I just got tickets for my sister and I to see them in November!)

Around the house...are piles of things to go through, finish up and get ready to start packing next weekend

One of my favorite things...is having a sense of calm and peacefulness at the house with my husband

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: get all laundry caught up and done before weekend, get bills paid and organized and start simplifying our possessions for the move

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(picture borrowed from Quilts)

I would like to thank the hostess of this daybook - The Simple Woman

How about some summer swapping fun?? I am so excited. I just joined Peggy @ Simple Woman Summer Swap. I highly encourage each of you to go over and take a look. We all love getting some snail mail from people! Here are the rules:
"So let's send to our swap partner, a new something, a gently used something from home that you would like to share, and something from a thrift, goodwill or yard sale that is lovely and says, "SUMMER". (IF you have time to create, sew, knit or any of the hand-crafted ways of making something, PLEASE do, but do not feel you have too.) Remember the theme is "SUMMER" so keep that in mind when choosing your items (like no stuffed snowman for the summer swap...lol)...not spending more than $12.00 before shipping. (Do keep in mind how you package and how rough the postal system can be when wrapping and packaging.)"

I am so excited to participate and I cannot wait to see who my swap partner will be!