In all their glory. I told you in Tidbits that I don't like making New Year's Resolutions but that I was going to do it anyway. Well, I did it. I thought them through. I wrote them down and now I daringly am putting them out for y'all to laugh at...I mean see.
Here they are in no particular order or fashion:
1. Read through the Bible. Our church gives little thingys out this time of year so you can read thru the Bible in one year if you stay on track. If.
2. Lose 20 lbs. Lord, help me.
3. Learn to make jam.
4. Grow a garden. I want fresh veggies and maybe some fruits.
5. Fold my laundry as it comes outta the dryer. Amber...we can do it together!
6. Stop chewing my fingernails. I've done this for 25 years, can I really stop?!
7. Get caught up on my scrapbook. Good luck, me.
8. Set and stick with a budget. I got part of it done, I wrote out the budget today! yeah!
9. Eat out only once a month. Oh boy...we eat out about once a week right now. And sometimes to a nice sit down restaurant. I believe in us, we can do it!!!
10. Have all Christmas gifts ready by August.
11. Have all Christmas gifts be hand/homemade. Don't be scared, I'm not going to color you a picture and wrap it up, I'm actually planning some fun stuff!
12. Learn to make a pie. Bake, make, build...what have you.
13. Teach Jaylee her ABC's. That's do-able, right?
Why so many you ask? Well, I know me. I know it'll be miraculous if I accomplish one, I didn't want to only set one and fail at it. If I set a whole bunch of 'em, odds are in my favor that at least one is do-able. Right?!
This is where you nod your head and say, "uh huh."
We're outtie for the weekend. Going down to see Josh's sister since it's been a whole five days since we've seen them. ;)
So, let me know what your resolutions are. Maybe we can hold each other accountable for 'em.
Or not.
P.S. Happy Birthday tomorrow, Candee. Love you!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Mormon Cats
First off, here is my disclaimer:
I am not Mormon. My neighbors are. I love them. I do not love their beliefs.
End of disclaimer.
I'm totally dying with laughter right now but part of me feels bad too.
So, we have these neighbors, and like I said, they are Mormon. They have 6 kids ranging from 5-12. Wonderful people. Love 'em. But they have cats. I love cats. But they don't feed them. So, I feed them. So, they come over to eat and then go home. Have I told you about them before? I can't remember. Well, there are three adults, Mama Kitty who's pure black with a tear in her ear, DJ who's orange and the third adult has been dubbed M.W.B. Kids cover your eyes. MWB:Mama with Balls. At first we only had 2 adults, Mama and DJ. One morning while we were drinking coffee "Mama" and DJ were eating inside. I said how "she" was filling out a little more and Josh says, "uh, Mama has balls." I choked.
So, that's how we got the name MWB ('cause I know you were wondering)
Anyway, Mama Kitty keeps having babies and Amber tells me that she must be Mormon too. That cracked me up. But...it must be true though.
The last batch of kittens totalled six. 2 calicos 4 pure black. Somehow or another (and my husband assures me it wasn't him) we're down to three. 1 calico, two blacks. About a week ago I noticed Cali was gone. I was a lil sad 'cause she's cute but then again, one less mouth to feed. She showed up a few days ago much to my inner relief. However, she only had half a tail. Scab on the end and she looked a lil sheepish.
Poor kid.
So, now she's Stubs instead of Cali and one black is Fuzz, because she has the cutest little fuzzy face you ever saw, the second black I don't have a name for. He/She won't let me near him/her so I'm not getting attached...yet.
Well, that's not all of the story. Josh comes home for lunch this afternoon and after he eats goes out to work on Holly (our '85 suburban.) He comes in and says, "I think I know what happened to the cats' tail." He leads me outside and there, on the ground, is Stubs' tail.
He found it while he was working on Holly. Thinks she got stuck in there and when she jumped it pulled it off.
Isn't that so funny...I mean sad?
I thought so, too.
I am not Mormon. My neighbors are. I love them. I do not love their beliefs.
End of disclaimer.
I'm totally dying with laughter right now but part of me feels bad too.
So, we have these neighbors, and like I said, they are Mormon. They have 6 kids ranging from 5-12. Wonderful people. Love 'em. But they have cats. I love cats. But they don't feed them. So, I feed them. So, they come over to eat and then go home. Have I told you about them before? I can't remember. Well, there are three adults, Mama Kitty who's pure black with a tear in her ear, DJ who's orange and the third adult has been dubbed M.W.B. Kids cover your eyes. MWB:Mama with Balls. At first we only had 2 adults, Mama and DJ. One morning while we were drinking coffee "Mama" and DJ were eating inside. I said how "she" was filling out a little more and Josh says, "uh, Mama has balls." I choked.
So, that's how we got the name MWB ('cause I know you were wondering)
Anyway, Mama Kitty keeps having babies and Amber tells me that she must be Mormon too. That cracked me up. But...it must be true though.
The last batch of kittens totalled six. 2 calicos 4 pure black. Somehow or another (and my husband assures me it wasn't him) we're down to three. 1 calico, two blacks. About a week ago I noticed Cali was gone. I was a lil sad 'cause she's cute but then again, one less mouth to feed. She showed up a few days ago much to my inner relief. However, she only had half a tail. Scab on the end and she looked a lil sheepish.
Poor kid.
So, now she's Stubs instead of Cali and one black is Fuzz, because she has the cutest little fuzzy face you ever saw, the second black I don't have a name for. He/She won't let me near him/her so I'm not getting attached...yet.
Well, that's not all of the story. Josh comes home for lunch this afternoon and after he eats goes out to work on Holly (our '85 suburban.) He comes in and says, "I think I know what happened to the cats' tail." He leads me outside and there, on the ground, is Stubs' tail.
He found it while he was working on Holly. Thinks she got stuck in there and when she jumped it pulled it off.
Isn't that so funny...I mean sad?
I thought so, too.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Bench Update
*Bowing*
*Standing up on podium, waving*
*Courteous nods to the crowd*
"Thank you, ladies...gentlemen...I would just like to thank you all for your support of my build-a-bench-by-myself. I'm so freakin' pleased to announce I tackled that bad boy all by myself. I didn't need the help of any man. Yes, I may have let a few unholy words slip from my mouth, I may have had to step outside a time or 12 to cool off and yes, I may have stripped a few screws, but by golly, I got'er done."
"By myself."
*Crowd stands, cheering wildly*
*I'm blushing*
In all honesty...I did get it complete. It was a good thing there was no large hammer around because if there had been, oh boy...I'd probably not only be minus a bench but several windows and possibly a child.
It fits perfectly where I want it. It matches the rest of my living room. It loves me. I love it.
Why do I have such in an issue with doing things myself? Well, sit back...I have a story to tell.
Not really, but growing up in a house with just my mom and two younger sisters, there wasn't a man around to "get the job done." My mom did it or I did it. We made do. Sure, there were tears involved. So much frustration because there wasn't a man to do it. But once the task (whatever it may have been) was complete, we could sit back and laugh about how it took Mom three hours to get the Christmas tree trunk cut off and put in the stand. A sense of accomplishment and pride wells in you when you've done something that usually only a man can do.
When tools are involved it's easy for us girls to think, "oh, I'll leave it for my man" or, "guess I won't be able to do it." Hog wash chicks! We may not be as strong but we are just as capable. It may take us a lil longer but the job can still be done. It's about persevering. Staying strong. It's about wanting to do it. Being proud of yourself enough to know you can.
I loved it when my husband walked in the door and saw that I had built the bench all by myself.
Go make your man proud. Go do something you've been asking him to do. Even if you get in over your head...you've manipulated him to help you finish it. ;)
*Standing up on podium, waving*
*Courteous nods to the crowd*
"Thank you, ladies...gentlemen...I would just like to thank you all for your support of my build-a-bench-by-myself. I'm so freakin' pleased to announce I tackled that bad boy all by myself. I didn't need the help of any man. Yes, I may have let a few unholy words slip from my mouth, I may have had to step outside a time or 12 to cool off and yes, I may have stripped a few screws, but by golly, I got'er done."
"By myself."
*Crowd stands, cheering wildly*
*I'm blushing*
In all honesty...I did get it complete. It was a good thing there was no large hammer around because if there had been, oh boy...I'd probably not only be minus a bench but several windows and possibly a child.
It fits perfectly where I want it. It matches the rest of my living room. It loves me. I love it.
Why do I have such in an issue with doing things myself? Well, sit back...I have a story to tell.
Not really, but growing up in a house with just my mom and two younger sisters, there wasn't a man around to "get the job done." My mom did it or I did it. We made do. Sure, there were tears involved. So much frustration because there wasn't a man to do it. But once the task (whatever it may have been) was complete, we could sit back and laugh about how it took Mom three hours to get the Christmas tree trunk cut off and put in the stand. A sense of accomplishment and pride wells in you when you've done something that usually only a man can do.
When tools are involved it's easy for us girls to think, "oh, I'll leave it for my man" or, "guess I won't be able to do it." Hog wash chicks! We may not be as strong but we are just as capable. It may take us a lil longer but the job can still be done. It's about persevering. Staying strong. It's about wanting to do it. Being proud of yourself enough to know you can.
I loved it when my husband walked in the door and saw that I had built the bench all by myself.
Go make your man proud. Go do something you've been asking him to do. Even if you get in over your head...you've manipulated him to help you finish it. ;)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
GRRRR!!!
I just emailed my friend Amber to tell her how mad I am right now. But that wasn't enough. I'm going to tell the world. Okay, not the world, but the few of you who (for some reason unbeknownst to me) continue to read what I have to jabber about.
On my husband's lunch hour we went to Bi-Mart to purchase this bench I've been eyeing for some time now. I looked at the ad, it gave the measurements and they were within 3/4" of an inch of the area where I want to put it. Yeah!!! So, we went to get it. On our way home Josh informs me he and Shawn (Amber's husband) will put it together tonight while I fix dinner. My response?
Uh, no, I can do it myself.
He goes back to work. I lay Jaylee down for a nap. I set to work on my bench. After 10 minutes I want to scream!!! S.I.H.B.A.G Sometimes I hate being a girl. (I told you, I've started a weird acronym thing...) Anyway, I called Josh and told him I was ticked. He says, I told you we'd put it together for you tonight.
Pffft. Whatever.
Fine.
On my husband's lunch hour we went to Bi-Mart to purchase this bench I've been eyeing for some time now. I looked at the ad, it gave the measurements and they were within 3/4" of an inch of the area where I want to put it. Yeah!!! So, we went to get it. On our way home Josh informs me he and Shawn (Amber's husband) will put it together tonight while I fix dinner. My response?
Uh, no, I can do it myself.
He goes back to work. I lay Jaylee down for a nap. I set to work on my bench. After 10 minutes I want to scream!!! S.I.H.B.A.G Sometimes I hate being a girl. (I told you, I've started a weird acronym thing...) Anyway, I called Josh and told him I was ticked. He says, I told you we'd put it together for you tonight.
Pffft. Whatever.
Fine.
Pert Near a Good Time
So, how was your Christmas?
Ours was good. We had four days of festivities...yes, four. Saturday we started our morning with SMT, then drove all the way to my in-laws house (about 2 miles away) and had a super fun day there. Kicked off the day making an outhouse for Josh's cousin, Cara. (Another story...for another time.) Then, wrapped a few last minute gifts for my MIL, went home for a couple hours so Jaylee could sleep, came back and went crazy waiting to eat and open presents. Seriously, besides my birthday, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I LOVE TO OPEN PRESENTS!!!
I had a ton of them to open. I received some very cool stuff. I have a coffee house theme in my kitchen and was given some mugs and plates to match. My neice bought us these very cool Legos salt and pepper shakers. So fun. One is black, the other white. They're sitting on my table.
Sunday morning, we headed up to church, had lunch with my sister and BIL and their two kids. Off to my aunt and uncles house to open gifts and play Pictionary. Pictionary on a big white board, in a 10x17 room with about 17 adults and 6 children under the age of 2. Uh....too fun. Very crowded, very fun.
Sunday evening was the candlelight service, then back down to Josh's parents for more games, food and fun.
Monday, relaxing. We stayed home for most of the day. It was just the three of us. My Christmas tree and decorations were down by 10 am. I love having it up but even more I love taking it down.
Evening came and we decided to go back to Josh's parents for...you guessed it, more food and games.
Last night my mom, sisters, one BIL and my neices and nephews came over for dinner, presents and a game of Phase 10. I won so I had fun. :)
Whew...it's all over with and while I enjoy Christmas and all the family time spending, eating, games and what not, I'm glad I have 363 days til I have to do it again.
Hopefully in the next 363 days I'll lose the SIX pounds I gained. Sigh....
Ours was good. We had four days of festivities...yes, four. Saturday we started our morning with SMT, then drove all the way to my in-laws house (about 2 miles away) and had a super fun day there. Kicked off the day making an outhouse for Josh's cousin, Cara. (Another story...for another time.) Then, wrapped a few last minute gifts for my MIL, went home for a couple hours so Jaylee could sleep, came back and went crazy waiting to eat and open presents. Seriously, besides my birthday, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I LOVE TO OPEN PRESENTS!!!
I had a ton of them to open. I received some very cool stuff. I have a coffee house theme in my kitchen and was given some mugs and plates to match. My neice bought us these very cool Legos salt and pepper shakers. So fun. One is black, the other white. They're sitting on my table.
Sunday morning, we headed up to church, had lunch with my sister and BIL and their two kids. Off to my aunt and uncles house to open gifts and play Pictionary. Pictionary on a big white board, in a 10x17 room with about 17 adults and 6 children under the age of 2. Uh....too fun. Very crowded, very fun.
Sunday evening was the candlelight service, then back down to Josh's parents for more games, food and fun.
Monday, relaxing. We stayed home for most of the day. It was just the three of us. My Christmas tree and decorations were down by 10 am. I love having it up but even more I love taking it down.
Evening came and we decided to go back to Josh's parents for...you guessed it, more food and games.
Last night my mom, sisters, one BIL and my neices and nephews came over for dinner, presents and a game of Phase 10. I won so I had fun. :)
Whew...it's all over with and while I enjoy Christmas and all the family time spending, eating, games and what not, I'm glad I have 363 days til I have to do it again.
Hopefully in the next 363 days I'll lose the SIX pounds I gained. Sigh....
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Shower on the Run
Remember the days before kids? Me neither.
Post complete.
Not really.
My mom and I were discussing the other day on the phone about taking showers. Not together, geeeeez, just showers in general. And, how we take maybe 3 a week. If we're lucky. Gross, huh? I know. I think I kind of wanted to go off on her about why she only takes three showers a week when...
She's not the one who has to worry about an 18 month old wild child running loose in the house, pestering the dog, eating dog food, opening cupboards to taste household cleaning products, taking off her diaper, turning the stereo on and up as loud as possible, pulling the Christmas tree down, or my favorite as of late: throwing open the shower curtain and yelling "HI!" while I freeze my tillies off. Yes, tillies.
And how, when she's in the shower she could shave both legs in one shower installment, not two or three. And, the fact that she doesn't have to put shampoo and conditioner on simultaneously to save time and when she gets out of the shower she can take her sweet lil time putting on nice smelling lotions to feel feminine and over both recently smooth, shaved legs instead of slappin' on some deodorant and callin' it perfume(because at least it'll help with the sweat that's going to pour off me as I chase above mentioned wild child around the house). And, she can take her time blow drying and fixing her hair instead of twisting in a ponytail real quick. She can put on her make up in entirety instead of whippin' out the ol' reliable lip gloss-'cause a little dab'll do ya-because she doesn't have to worry about, once again...above mentioned wild child.
Her excuse for not showering on a daily basis. She gets cold after her shower. Pffffft!!!! If that were my only problem:
I might take up showering 4 times a week.
Post complete.
Not really.
My mom and I were discussing the other day on the phone about taking showers. Not together, geeeeez, just showers in general. And, how we take maybe 3 a week. If we're lucky. Gross, huh? I know. I think I kind of wanted to go off on her about why she only takes three showers a week when...
She's not the one who has to worry about an 18 month old wild child running loose in the house, pestering the dog, eating dog food, opening cupboards to taste household cleaning products, taking off her diaper, turning the stereo on and up as loud as possible, pulling the Christmas tree down, or my favorite as of late: throwing open the shower curtain and yelling "HI!" while I freeze my tillies off. Yes, tillies.
And how, when she's in the shower she could shave both legs in one shower installment, not two or three. And, the fact that she doesn't have to put shampoo and conditioner on simultaneously to save time and when she gets out of the shower she can take her sweet lil time putting on nice smelling lotions to feel feminine and over both recently smooth, shaved legs instead of slappin' on some deodorant and callin' it perfume(because at least it'll help with the sweat that's going to pour off me as I chase above mentioned wild child around the house). And, she can take her time blow drying and fixing her hair instead of twisting in a ponytail real quick. She can put on her make up in entirety instead of whippin' out the ol' reliable lip gloss-'cause a little dab'll do ya-because she doesn't have to worry about, once again...above mentioned wild child.
Her excuse for not showering on a daily basis. She gets cold after her shower. Pffffft!!!! If that were my only problem:
I might take up showering 4 times a week.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Lil Tidbits Part 2
I thought of some more, so I'm just going to add them to the others. If you read that post, start at number 21.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Bowling!
I have been looking forward to tonight for a week now. My friend Amber and I are going on a date. Or, what we have dubbed, NMNWJGN. I can't believe I'm admitting to this silly acronym but you know how somethings just strike you as funny and maybe no one else will understand? (I seem to have a lot of these, don't I?)
Anyway, Not Moms Not Wives Just Girls' Night is tonight.
We're going to Red Robin to stuff ourselves with burgers, bottomless fries, and possibly a round or 12 of drinks. ;) Then, it's off to bowl. That's right. Bowling!
I love to bowl but I'm so terribowl at it. LOL...sorry couldn't resist that one. My dear husband would be proud. He is, afterall, the King of Puns. KoP.
Seriously, where are these acronyms coming from?! I'm a little worried about myself and I haven't even had a drink yet!
The ante is up on bowling figures. I usually average about a 37. Amber thinks she can top that with a 42. My goal now is 52. I hate my competitive nature but it runs in my family and I can't seem to get rid of it. (honestly, haven't really tried very hard)
Our countdown is on for this evening. I make up countdowns for everything lately and it's fun. It's fun to have something to look forward to. Usually it's just Grey's Anatomy, (yes I watch that filth) but last week I started the countdown for NMNWJGN. Could there be a longer acronym?
So, with only 3 hours 59 minutes to go...I suppose I should shower.
*post title changed...grossed some people out, including myself. :)
Anyway, Not Moms Not Wives Just Girls' Night is tonight.
We're going to Red Robin to stuff ourselves with burgers, bottomless fries, and possibly a round or 12 of drinks. ;) Then, it's off to bowl. That's right. Bowling!
I love to bowl but I'm so terribowl at it. LOL...sorry couldn't resist that one. My dear husband would be proud. He is, afterall, the King of Puns. KoP.
Seriously, where are these acronyms coming from?! I'm a little worried about myself and I haven't even had a drink yet!
The ante is up on bowling figures. I usually average about a 37. Amber thinks she can top that with a 42. My goal now is 52. I hate my competitive nature but it runs in my family and I can't seem to get rid of it. (honestly, haven't really tried very hard)
Our countdown is on for this evening. I make up countdowns for everything lately and it's fun. It's fun to have something to look forward to. Usually it's just Grey's Anatomy, (yes I watch that filth) but last week I started the countdown for NMNWJGN. Could there be a longer acronym?
So, with only 3 hours 59 minutes to go...I suppose I should shower.
*post title changed...grossed some people out, including myself. :)
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sheryl Crow Knows What She's Talkin' About
I have a confession to make. I don't always listen to Christian music. *gasp* I know, you're all horrified but it's the truth. I feel better now just getting that out there.
Okay, bye.
Just kidding! :) I'm silly, huh? Anyway...
On Saturday we were driving somewhere, thinking it was SMT, Saturday Morning Tradition, we've done this for almost six years, we get up early, go get coffees and sometimes donuts, come home and get to work on our house or lounge around and wait for someone to need my husband's help. This weekend it was me needing his help. I really want our junk room complete. Anyway...again. So, we're driving and Sheryl Crow starts singing "Soak up the Sun." Totally, love the song. Right now I'm trying to think of all the words to make sure I really want to state that I love the song, can't remember them all, so maybe I should just say I like the beat. I'm starting to ramble. I did have a point to this blog, for once.
"It's not about having what you want, it's 'bout wanting what you got." I almost started spelling it the way I hear it in my head..."Snot bout having wut you waaant, sbout wanting wuuut youuu gottt" Now, I did spell it the way I hear it. Please don't stop reading. I seriously have a point.
Somewhere.
That line of the song really resonated with me. I am so quick to want what someone else has. So quick. Sometimes it's something material, sometimes not. I have been getting better but when Josh and I were first married, eight and a half years ago, I wanted. And I wanted some more.
My husband wanted to please me. So, he gave. And he gave some more.
I wanted a Honda Accord, we got one. I wanted a newer one, we got one. I wanted a dishwasher, we got one. I wanted a beagle, we got one (free to good home btw) I kept wanting. And I was so selfish. I was so ignorant. So blind to see what it was doing to me.
To us.
It didn't stop when it came to the cars. In 2002 I decided I wanted a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. I got one. It was beautiful. It was red. It was mine.
It was ridiculous.
We almost had to file bankruptcy because the payments were almost $400 per month. We were so stressed. We were miserable. I felt like I was drowning. Looking back it reminds me of the Veggie Tales movie with Madam Blueberry. She shopped at Stuff Mart and she always wanted more but each time she got more, she still was not happy. That was me.
Honestly, it's getting better. I truly believe it's a heart issue. I was not walking with the Lord. I wasn't seeking Him out, wasn't asking for His peace. I was just living for myself. Trying to fill a void.
Oh but I was so empty.
I'm not saying everything is perfect now. It's definitely not. I told you at the beginning I still covet. But I'm learning to repent of it, I'm learning to want what I already have. There was so much stress in the "stuff" that I had or did. So, I started eliminating it, a lot of it cold turkey.
1. My cell phone
2. Credit card debt
3. My car, it was paid for but we sold it to pay off debt. And, the reason it was paid for...instead of filing for bankruptcy, we remortgaged our house to pay it off. We will always be so thankful to my Uncle Eric who suggested that to us. Otherwise, well...I don't know what would have happened.
4. Daytime TV, no more soap operas!
5. Unhealthy friendships
6. Wal Mart, I used to go there a few times a week. Not for anything inparticular, just to go. I always left with at least $30 worth of stuff. Now, I don't go there at all. It's literally saving me hundreds each month.
7. Coffee. Oh, this was so hard to cut down on. But now, instead of 7-8 times a week, we go twice. Once on Wednesdays between noon and 3, because it's double punch day and 50 cents off each drink and then on Saturdays for SMT. This is saving us close to $200 per month.
I'm sure there are more things I could cut back on, but for now, this is where I am.
The relief that I feel being happy with what I have is amazing. It feels good to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not scared to check my mail. I'm learning to be okay with going to the mall and not walking out with a brand new pair of Lucky jeans, but oh how I miss them!
I've been blessed. I love my life. I love my husband. I love our daughter. I love our house. I love our '85 suburban, even tho' she didn't want to start this morning!
I think the Lord wants to see what we'll do with what He's already given us before He'll bless us further. Does that make sense? It does to me. I've really felt Him telling me that lately.
Sorry this post is so long. It was just really on my heart on Saturday and we were gone all day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to talk to you.
I pray you have just the best day today.
Okay, bye.
Just kidding! :) I'm silly, huh? Anyway...
On Saturday we were driving somewhere, thinking it was SMT, Saturday Morning Tradition, we've done this for almost six years, we get up early, go get coffees and sometimes donuts, come home and get to work on our house or lounge around and wait for someone to need my husband's help. This weekend it was me needing his help. I really want our junk room complete. Anyway...again. So, we're driving and Sheryl Crow starts singing "Soak up the Sun." Totally, love the song. Right now I'm trying to think of all the words to make sure I really want to state that I love the song, can't remember them all, so maybe I should just say I like the beat. I'm starting to ramble. I did have a point to this blog, for once.
"It's not about having what you want, it's 'bout wanting what you got." I almost started spelling it the way I hear it in my head..."Snot bout having wut you waaant, sbout wanting wuuut youuu gottt" Now, I did spell it the way I hear it. Please don't stop reading. I seriously have a point.
Somewhere.
That line of the song really resonated with me. I am so quick to want what someone else has. So quick. Sometimes it's something material, sometimes not. I have been getting better but when Josh and I were first married, eight and a half years ago, I wanted. And I wanted some more.
My husband wanted to please me. So, he gave. And he gave some more.
I wanted a Honda Accord, we got one. I wanted a newer one, we got one. I wanted a dishwasher, we got one. I wanted a beagle, we got one (free to good home btw) I kept wanting. And I was so selfish. I was so ignorant. So blind to see what it was doing to me.
To us.
It didn't stop when it came to the cars. In 2002 I decided I wanted a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. I got one. It was beautiful. It was red. It was mine.
It was ridiculous.
We almost had to file bankruptcy because the payments were almost $400 per month. We were so stressed. We were miserable. I felt like I was drowning. Looking back it reminds me of the Veggie Tales movie with Madam Blueberry. She shopped at Stuff Mart and she always wanted more but each time she got more, she still was not happy. That was me.
Honestly, it's getting better. I truly believe it's a heart issue. I was not walking with the Lord. I wasn't seeking Him out, wasn't asking for His peace. I was just living for myself. Trying to fill a void.
Oh but I was so empty.
I'm not saying everything is perfect now. It's definitely not. I told you at the beginning I still covet. But I'm learning to repent of it, I'm learning to want what I already have. There was so much stress in the "stuff" that I had or did. So, I started eliminating it, a lot of it cold turkey.
1. My cell phone
2. Credit card debt
3. My car, it was paid for but we sold it to pay off debt. And, the reason it was paid for...instead of filing for bankruptcy, we remortgaged our house to pay it off. We will always be so thankful to my Uncle Eric who suggested that to us. Otherwise, well...I don't know what would have happened.
4. Daytime TV, no more soap operas!
5. Unhealthy friendships
6. Wal Mart, I used to go there a few times a week. Not for anything inparticular, just to go. I always left with at least $30 worth of stuff. Now, I don't go there at all. It's literally saving me hundreds each month.
7. Coffee. Oh, this was so hard to cut down on. But now, instead of 7-8 times a week, we go twice. Once on Wednesdays between noon and 3, because it's double punch day and 50 cents off each drink and then on Saturdays for SMT. This is saving us close to $200 per month.
I'm sure there are more things I could cut back on, but for now, this is where I am.
The relief that I feel being happy with what I have is amazing. It feels good to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not scared to check my mail. I'm learning to be okay with going to the mall and not walking out with a brand new pair of Lucky jeans, but oh how I miss them!
I've been blessed. I love my life. I love my husband. I love our daughter. I love our house. I love our '85 suburban, even tho' she didn't want to start this morning!
I think the Lord wants to see what we'll do with what He's already given us before He'll bless us further. Does that make sense? It does to me. I've really felt Him telling me that lately.
Sorry this post is so long. It was just really on my heart on Saturday and we were gone all day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to talk to you.
I pray you have just the best day today.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Marbles
I get depressed. Easily. A lot. For no reason whatsoever. I have absolutely nothing to be depressed about. I think part of it is that if I don't do something I had planned on doing, I get upset with myself and then I start beating myself up. For instance:
I wanted to have our spare bedroom/junk room/laundry room/scrapbook room completely cleaned out on Monday so that we could sand the floors in there. I didn't get it done on Monday.
Or Tuesday.
Or Wednesday.
You're getting it, right? It's Friday and it's still not completely cleaned out. I don't want you to imagine a room filled to the ceiling with crap, 'cause that's not the case. But there is quite a lot of stuff in there. And I don't want to just throw it in another room and clutter it up. I'm actually going through the stuff and either tossing it or just putting it where it should have been in the first place. Man, if only I'd done that in the beginning. Geesh.
Anyway, so when I don't get something done that I wanted to get done, I don't do anything else. It's really bad.
So, my house has suffered for it. So, that means my husband has suffered for it. He's not a clean freak or anything but every man loves and deserves to come home to a clean home. Yes, deserves.
And since my sister-in-law reads my blog, I hate that she sees how her brother has come home to a cluttery home the last few nights. She's known me 10 years now, so I hope she's realized that in that amount of time I have grown up somewhat. It used to be that I didn't even realize I was in a funk like this. My house was just messy. Always. Always.
Josh would invite people to come over just so I would have to clean the house. Ohhh I'd be so mad.
I would load all my dirty dishes up (that had been accumulating all week) into a rubbermaid box, take them to my SIL's house across town, run them thru her dishwasher, wait for them to wash, take 'em out, dry 'em, load 'em back up, go home and they'd sit in that tub for a little bit til I felt like putting them away.
Yes, I used to do that.
I have grown. I'm much better than that now. So, when I get down on myself for letting my house go to pot for a couple of days, I need to remember how I used to be and praise the Lord for changing me and growing me.
I'm a work in progress.
Last night, he could tell I was in one of my moods. So, he went around the house and did the things I should have done. He did it with such a merry heart. He was happy to help me.
It took him all of 20 minutes. That's all it would have/could have taken me.
I'm going to do better next week. I'm not going to be down about it anymore today.
Thanks for letting me vent. Not that you had a choice in the matter. But it feels good to just get it out there. I don't want people to think I don't know that my house is a cluttered mess at the moment. I wouldn't want you to come here and think that's just how it is here. 'Cause it's not. I like a clean house. I like to clean my house. I enjoy it. But sometimes I think I bite off more than I can chew. Or, I plan more than is possible for a girl with an 18 month old to get done in a day.
I just have a day or 12 here and there where I lose my marbles and Josh has to go pick them up for me.
Thank You, Lord for this man You've blessed me with. He's the best marble picker upper ever.
I wanted to have our spare bedroom/junk room/laundry room/scrapbook room completely cleaned out on Monday so that we could sand the floors in there. I didn't get it done on Monday.
Or Tuesday.
Or Wednesday.
You're getting it, right? It's Friday and it's still not completely cleaned out. I don't want you to imagine a room filled to the ceiling with crap, 'cause that's not the case. But there is quite a lot of stuff in there. And I don't want to just throw it in another room and clutter it up. I'm actually going through the stuff and either tossing it or just putting it where it should have been in the first place. Man, if only I'd done that in the beginning. Geesh.
Anyway, so when I don't get something done that I wanted to get done, I don't do anything else. It's really bad.
So, my house has suffered for it. So, that means my husband has suffered for it. He's not a clean freak or anything but every man loves and deserves to come home to a clean home. Yes, deserves.
And since my sister-in-law reads my blog, I hate that she sees how her brother has come home to a cluttery home the last few nights. She's known me 10 years now, so I hope she's realized that in that amount of time I have grown up somewhat. It used to be that I didn't even realize I was in a funk like this. My house was just messy. Always. Always.
Josh would invite people to come over just so I would have to clean the house. Ohhh I'd be so mad.
I would load all my dirty dishes up (that had been accumulating all week) into a rubbermaid box, take them to my SIL's house across town, run them thru her dishwasher, wait for them to wash, take 'em out, dry 'em, load 'em back up, go home and they'd sit in that tub for a little bit til I felt like putting them away.
Yes, I used to do that.
I have grown. I'm much better than that now. So, when I get down on myself for letting my house go to pot for a couple of days, I need to remember how I used to be and praise the Lord for changing me and growing me.
I'm a work in progress.
Last night, he could tell I was in one of my moods. So, he went around the house and did the things I should have done. He did it with such a merry heart. He was happy to help me.
It took him all of 20 minutes. That's all it would have/could have taken me.
I'm going to do better next week. I'm not going to be down about it anymore today.
Thanks for letting me vent. Not that you had a choice in the matter. But it feels good to just get it out there. I don't want people to think I don't know that my house is a cluttered mess at the moment. I wouldn't want you to come here and think that's just how it is here. 'Cause it's not. I like a clean house. I like to clean my house. I enjoy it. But sometimes I think I bite off more than I can chew. Or, I plan more than is possible for a girl with an 18 month old to get done in a day.
I just have a day or 12 here and there where I lose my marbles and Josh has to go pick them up for me.
Thank You, Lord for this man You've blessed me with. He's the best marble picker upper ever.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Just Some Lil Tidbits 'Bout Me
Here are some random things about me you may or may not know:
1. I love cats but have a dog.
2. My favorite color (at the moment) is red.
3. I chew my fingernails.
4. I don't like it when people chew with their mouths open.
5. I love to laugh and make others laugh, too.
6. I'm afraid of heights.
7. I'd rather hold a snake than a spider.
8. If my house were on fire and I could only grab 3 personal items (assuming husband and child are safely outta the house) they would be:
a. my scrapbooks
b. my KitchenAid mixer-it's red!! My best anniversary gift yet!
c. Jaylee's baby keepsakes
9. I love to have my hair played with.
10. My first boyfriend's name was Rusty. I was in 6th grade, he was in 5th grade.
11. I have two sisters.
12. Both younger than me.
13. But I'm the shortest.
14. I love chocolate.
15. I love to cook.
16. I've had 1 speeding ticket and 3 seat belt tickets.
17. The last seat belt ticket should have been a speeding ticket, I was racing the cop. He let me off easy.
18. My middle name is Lee. Yes, like the baked goods. Sarah Lee. But I have an 'H' that makes me cooler.
19. I don't like to be a passenger in a car unless it's my husband or father-in-law driving.
20. If it didn't snow or rain ever, I'd just own 37 million pairs of flip flops. Love those.
21. My dad drown in a boating accident when I was 19.
22. I now have an irrational fear of the water.
23. I'm trying to get over it.
24. I love receiving gifts, but prefer to have them in a box and wrapped. No gift bags, makes the opening go too fast.
25. I'm 26.5 years old.
26. I have a My Space account. It's been fun to connect with friends from High School that I haven't talked to in 9 years.
27. I'm still close to 3 of the 4 girls I had as bridesmaids in my wedding.
28. My husband is my best friend.
29. I knew I was going to marry him before I even knew his name. I'm serious. I just knew.
30. I'm 20 lbs overweight.
31. I can't believe I just admitted that.
32. I want to homeschool my daughter.
33. I'd rather clean 100 toilets than do dishes.
34. I watch Grey's Anatomy.
35. I wish I could stop but I'm terribly addicted! :)
36. I no longer have a cell phone.
37. I just started clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, that is so fun!
38. My favorite food is Mexican.
39. I love Sangrias.
40. After 22 years my sister and I are friends.
41. I threatened to run away when I was 4.
42. My mom offered to help me pack.
43. I didn't get far.
44. I love to scrapbook. I use Close to My Heart products.
45. I love to mow the lawn.
46. We used to own our own lawnmowing business.
47. I sell Pampered Chef.
48. I'd rather have McDonald's than Burger King.
49. I don't like to make New Years Resolutions.
50. But I'm going to this year.
51. I'm done tidbittin'....for now!
There you go. Hope this completes your day once again.
1. I love cats but have a dog.
2. My favorite color (at the moment) is red.
3. I chew my fingernails.
4. I don't like it when people chew with their mouths open.
5. I love to laugh and make others laugh, too.
6. I'm afraid of heights.
7. I'd rather hold a snake than a spider.
8. If my house were on fire and I could only grab 3 personal items (assuming husband and child are safely outta the house) they would be:
a. my scrapbooks
b. my KitchenAid mixer-it's red!! My best anniversary gift yet!
c. Jaylee's baby keepsakes
9. I love to have my hair played with.
10. My first boyfriend's name was Rusty. I was in 6th grade, he was in 5th grade.
11. I have two sisters.
12. Both younger than me.
13. But I'm the shortest.
14. I love chocolate.
15. I love to cook.
16. I've had 1 speeding ticket and 3 seat belt tickets.
17. The last seat belt ticket should have been a speeding ticket, I was racing the cop. He let me off easy.
18. My middle name is Lee. Yes, like the baked goods. Sarah Lee. But I have an 'H' that makes me cooler.
19. I don't like to be a passenger in a car unless it's my husband or father-in-law driving.
20. If it didn't snow or rain ever, I'd just own 37 million pairs of flip flops. Love those.
21. My dad drown in a boating accident when I was 19.
22. I now have an irrational fear of the water.
23. I'm trying to get over it.
24. I love receiving gifts, but prefer to have them in a box and wrapped. No gift bags, makes the opening go too fast.
25. I'm 26.5 years old.
26. I have a My Space account. It's been fun to connect with friends from High School that I haven't talked to in 9 years.
27. I'm still close to 3 of the 4 girls I had as bridesmaids in my wedding.
28. My husband is my best friend.
29. I knew I was going to marry him before I even knew his name. I'm serious. I just knew.
30. I'm 20 lbs overweight.
31. I can't believe I just admitted that.
32. I want to homeschool my daughter.
33. I'd rather clean 100 toilets than do dishes.
34. I watch Grey's Anatomy.
35. I wish I could stop but I'm terribly addicted! :)
36. I no longer have a cell phone.
37. I just started clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, that is so fun!
38. My favorite food is Mexican.
39. I love Sangrias.
40. After 22 years my sister and I are friends.
41. I threatened to run away when I was 4.
42. My mom offered to help me pack.
43. I didn't get far.
44. I love to scrapbook. I use Close to My Heart products.
45. I love to mow the lawn.
46. We used to own our own lawnmowing business.
47. I sell Pampered Chef.
48. I'd rather have McDonald's than Burger King.
49. I don't like to make New Years Resolutions.
50. But I'm going to this year.
51. I'm done tidbittin'....for now!
There you go. Hope this completes your day once again.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Phooey
I've been trying to think for the last couple of days what I could blog about. But there's nothing that's on my heart to share. Nothing funny, exciting, sentimental, etc.
So, just want to let you know that I'm still kickin' (and sometimes screamin') but I just don't have much to say right now.
During this CHRISTmas season, remember Jesus. It's so easy to get caught up in gift buying and everything that we sometimes forget the Reason for this season.
While in line at the department store or behind a slow driver or pushing through the crowds at the mall, wear a smile. Remember God's Gift to us. I say this mainly so it's in my brain. But maybe it's something on your heart too, you just needed a reminder as well.
I pray you have a great day. Talk to you soon!
So, just want to let you know that I'm still kickin' (and sometimes screamin') but I just don't have much to say right now.
During this CHRISTmas season, remember Jesus. It's so easy to get caught up in gift buying and everything that we sometimes forget the Reason for this season.
While in line at the department store or behind a slow driver or pushing through the crowds at the mall, wear a smile. Remember God's Gift to us. I say this mainly so it's in my brain. But maybe it's something on your heart too, you just needed a reminder as well.
I pray you have a great day. Talk to you soon!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Bravo!
I was in a rut until today.
A blog rut. A mood rut. And, until today, I was in a laughing rut. My goodness, my belly hurts from laughing so hard today.
I have nothing exciting to say really. No pictures to share. You know how you can think something's funny, but you're just not sure how someone else would see it? Well, that would be my funny stories from today.
Well, today started out just awful. Okay, maybe awful is exaggerating a bit, but it started off not so good. Actually, if we're going to get technical, today started bad last night. Does that make sense? I was supposed to have today "off," no baby, no housecleaning, no cooking, no domestic duties whatsoever. But my neighbor called last night and asked if I could keep her baby for a few hours today. Lovely, selfless, giving neighbor that I am (please sense the sarcasm here) I said, "sure, I'd love to watch her!" Well, I told my mother that I'd just keep my own child for the day so lil neighbor baby would have someone here to beat her up, I mean...play with her. Well, lil neighbor baby never showed. But my own was here. Alllll day. So, I had to cook, I had to clean, I had to be a mama, I had to be domestic.
I was not happy. I had a day planned for myself. It consisted of one thing and one thing only.
Scrapbooking.
I didn't get to do it though. That's okay, I'm pretty much over it now. Josh had the day off so around 3 he offered to take Jaylee for a few errands so I could do whatever I needed to do. I think he sensed that someone's (his) head was going to be bit off. While they were gone I started to address my Christmas cards. I addressed my moms last. I was delirious by this time.
We were sent these address labels from some organization to feed hungry children. The entire letter is a sticker. So, I decided to "decorate" her envelope with the stickers. "Feed Hungry Children" "Do not peel off" "Please do not remove backing" "Happy Holidays" I'm placing these stickers randomly on her envelope when I realize there's a picture of a "hungry" child on there. I cut it out and stuck it on her envelope. I'm in tears by this time. Laughing hysterically. I was in such a bad mood 5 minutes ago but this was killing me.
I don't know if this is funny to you or not but I'm dying remembering it. I cannot wait for her to get her mail.
That's not all. That's right, the story does not end there. You could only hope...
My mom and I went to a dessert and ornament exchange at church tonight. We were going to be early so we decided to get a coffee first. We drink the same thing, Iced Hazelnut Breve No Whip Cream. Before we got to the coffee stand I told her that if she asked the barista for an Iced Hazelnut Bravo (with a straight face) I'd pay for her drink. She busted up. We both did. I reminded her though that I'd only pay if she said it with a straight face.
We pull up. I had to face my window because I was already laughing so hard. Laughing so hard no sound was coming out. You know the kind.
Barista-"What can I get for you tonight?"
My Mom-"Yeah, can I get two Iced Hazelnut Bravos please, with no whip?"
Me-Totally dying in passenger seat.
Barista-"Uh, do you mean, Breve?"
My Mom-"Yeah, whatever."
Me-Still dying in passenger seat.
The barista goes to make our drinks and we were laughing so hard. My mom was quite proud of herself for keeping a straight face.
While making our coffees...
Barista-"You girls from outta town?"
My Mom-"Uh-huh, from New York."
Me-totally dying again, we sooo do not live in New York, where did she get that?!
Barista-"Here for the holidays?"
My Mom-"Mmhmm."
We get our drinks, we leave, go to church and I'm still laughing about our Bravo experience.
I love my mom. She's always up for whatever.
Now that I've shared this story, all my friends who wondered where I got my "normalness," yeah, that'd be from my mother.
A blog rut. A mood rut. And, until today, I was in a laughing rut. My goodness, my belly hurts from laughing so hard today.
I have nothing exciting to say really. No pictures to share. You know how you can think something's funny, but you're just not sure how someone else would see it? Well, that would be my funny stories from today.
Well, today started out just awful. Okay, maybe awful is exaggerating a bit, but it started off not so good. Actually, if we're going to get technical, today started bad last night. Does that make sense? I was supposed to have today "off," no baby, no housecleaning, no cooking, no domestic duties whatsoever. But my neighbor called last night and asked if I could keep her baby for a few hours today. Lovely, selfless, giving neighbor that I am (please sense the sarcasm here) I said, "sure, I'd love to watch her!" Well, I told my mother that I'd just keep my own child for the day so lil neighbor baby would have someone here to beat her up, I mean...play with her. Well, lil neighbor baby never showed. But my own was here. Alllll day. So, I had to cook, I had to clean, I had to be a mama, I had to be domestic.
I was not happy. I had a day planned for myself. It consisted of one thing and one thing only.
Scrapbooking.
I didn't get to do it though. That's okay, I'm pretty much over it now. Josh had the day off so around 3 he offered to take Jaylee for a few errands so I could do whatever I needed to do. I think he sensed that someone's (his) head was going to be bit off. While they were gone I started to address my Christmas cards. I addressed my moms last. I was delirious by this time.
We were sent these address labels from some organization to feed hungry children. The entire letter is a sticker. So, I decided to "decorate" her envelope with the stickers. "Feed Hungry Children" "Do not peel off" "Please do not remove backing" "Happy Holidays" I'm placing these stickers randomly on her envelope when I realize there's a picture of a "hungry" child on there. I cut it out and stuck it on her envelope. I'm in tears by this time. Laughing hysterically. I was in such a bad mood 5 minutes ago but this was killing me.
I don't know if this is funny to you or not but I'm dying remembering it. I cannot wait for her to get her mail.
That's not all. That's right, the story does not end there. You could only hope...
My mom and I went to a dessert and ornament exchange at church tonight. We were going to be early so we decided to get a coffee first. We drink the same thing, Iced Hazelnut Breve No Whip Cream. Before we got to the coffee stand I told her that if she asked the barista for an Iced Hazelnut Bravo (with a straight face) I'd pay for her drink. She busted up. We both did. I reminded her though that I'd only pay if she said it with a straight face.
We pull up. I had to face my window because I was already laughing so hard. Laughing so hard no sound was coming out. You know the kind.
Barista-"What can I get for you tonight?"
My Mom-"Yeah, can I get two Iced Hazelnut Bravos please, with no whip?"
Me-Totally dying in passenger seat.
Barista-"Uh, do you mean, Breve?"
My Mom-"Yeah, whatever."
Me-Still dying in passenger seat.
The barista goes to make our drinks and we were laughing so hard. My mom was quite proud of herself for keeping a straight face.
While making our coffees...
Barista-"You girls from outta town?"
My Mom-"Uh-huh, from New York."
Me-totally dying again, we sooo do not live in New York, where did she get that?!
Barista-"Here for the holidays?"
My Mom-"Mmhmm."
We get our drinks, we leave, go to church and I'm still laughing about our Bravo experience.
I love my mom. She's always up for whatever.
Now that I've shared this story, all my friends who wondered where I got my "normalness," yeah, that'd be from my mother.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Spot Remover
Josh and I served in our church's nursery last month. While it can be kinda crazy with about nine or so babies, it's so nice to get to know the parents of these sweet littles. A couple of Sundays ago a mother comes in to nurse her 5 month old little girl. She's originally from North Carolina, so she has an accent I love to listen to. While she's in the nursery with us I ask how her week was. And the story begins...
During the day she takes care of not only her baby, but her two older boys as well...and her father-in-law's large black dog. She proceeds to tell us that they'd butchered their cows that week and the dog got into the blood and other "stuff." He came traipsing into her home with his bloody paws. Of course it didn't make her happy but she was able to clean it up, needless to say he was kicked out. Well, a little while later it happened again, except this time he proceeds to throw up what he'd eaten outside. Gross, huh?
That's not the end of the story.
She says that the smell is still lingering in their home, she's tried to clean it out of her carpet, to no avail. She decided they'd just have to get new carpet.
The next week, we see her again. I ask if she has new carpet. She looks at me and smiles a soft smile. "No," she says. They'd had a carpet cleaner come out a few times and the spot was lifting and the smell had gone away. She tells me that the Lord really worked on her heart that week and had shown her a few things. Patience, for one. And the other was that He had shown her that the carpet was like us. People.
We get dirty (sin) time and again. But He cleans us, time and again. We have spots, areas of our lives, our hearts, our minds that are always needing cleansed. And He's always there to wash us clean. Always there to forgive.
I loved it. Loved the lesson that was learned, not necessarily for her, but for me. I loved her honesty, her humble nature.
Isn't God so amazing? There's nothing we have done or can do that He can't clean.
He's the ultimate Spot Remover.
During the day she takes care of not only her baby, but her two older boys as well...and her father-in-law's large black dog. She proceeds to tell us that they'd butchered their cows that week and the dog got into the blood and other "stuff." He came traipsing into her home with his bloody paws. Of course it didn't make her happy but she was able to clean it up, needless to say he was kicked out. Well, a little while later it happened again, except this time he proceeds to throw up what he'd eaten outside. Gross, huh?
That's not the end of the story.
She says that the smell is still lingering in their home, she's tried to clean it out of her carpet, to no avail. She decided they'd just have to get new carpet.
The next week, we see her again. I ask if she has new carpet. She looks at me and smiles a soft smile. "No," she says. They'd had a carpet cleaner come out a few times and the spot was lifting and the smell had gone away. She tells me that the Lord really worked on her heart that week and had shown her a few things. Patience, for one. And the other was that He had shown her that the carpet was like us. People.
We get dirty (sin) time and again. But He cleans us, time and again. We have spots, areas of our lives, our hearts, our minds that are always needing cleansed. And He's always there to wash us clean. Always there to forgive.
I loved it. Loved the lesson that was learned, not necessarily for her, but for me. I loved her honesty, her humble nature.
Isn't God so amazing? There's nothing we have done or can do that He can't clean.
He's the ultimate Spot Remover.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)