Wednesday, December 29, 2010

2011 goals.


I was looking over my 2010 goals, and well... I kinda failed.  No massive weight loss. No husband. No extensive travel.

So, I decided that 2011 needs to be simple.

Do I want to have plenty of money, a single digit waist, and a smokin' hot love of my life?  You betcha!!!  But is it worth sacrificing my sanity for?  No way.

Therefore, my 2011 goal is to be Happy.

To love me.
Love my body, whatever size and shape it may be.
Love the people around me, because I need them and they need me.
Love my job, being thankful for the opportunities God has give me.
Love my church, serving in every way possible (guest services, youth, small group, wherever...)
Love my friends, giving them and myself room to just be human and make mistakes
Love strangers, knowing that they were created in the image of God and they are special to him
Love my little apartment, doing my best to make it more home-y and inviting a few friends down.
Love my life, remembering that each day is a gift.


Any goals or resolutions for you for the new year?

xoxo,
Me.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

...

I was all set to write this post about how 2010 has stunk.  Maybe I still will.  Because I've made a blog change (and have hidden so much), I'm not in a place to do a true link-up. 

Also, I can't find a good reason to recap a year that was not all that great.

Long friendships ended
Loved ones lost.
Changes at work.
Family drama.

But, in the last three days, I've managed to get some good news.

News that 2011 will be better, and will at least be different.

I think that is making my upcoming new years' a bit more tolerable.

I know this is a vague post, but until all the details are firm and the airline tickets are purchased, I'm keeping blogmum about it and just tweeting.  ha ha ha!

xoxo,
Me.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

2010 in review:: music

Frankly, 2010 has stunk.  Instead of writing the post I want to write tonight, I thought I'd recap some of my favorite tunes from 2010.  As usual, I'll include a little bit of a description for each one...

  • Feel This - Enation  - I'm a big GH fan, and this is Jonathan Jackson's band.  There is something about this song that I just love.  It's soft, but powerful.
  • According to you - Orianthi - This song resonated with a past season of my life where, well, just listen to the lyrics and you'll understand why.
  • Heartbreak Warfare - John Mayer - I mean, if heartbreak is warfare, then I fended off WW3 10 years ago.  And I still have the battle scars to prove it.  Truthfully, I just love Mayer's voice.
  • Glitter in the Air - Pink - I saw her perform this at some awards show, and the quietness of this song, along with stunning lyrics resonated true for me.  Probably my favorite Pink song ever.
  • Shark in the Water - V.V. Brown - I heard this in a dressing room and Shazam'd it.  Love the beats and the flow of the song. 
  • The High Road - Broken Bells - this was an iTunes freebie that I fell in love with.
  • Love - Sara Groves - another blogger wrote out this song and it's beautiful.  I cry every time I listen to it.
  • You make me Happy - Lindsey Ray - this song makes me happy.
  • Where you are - Marc Broussard - oh to have a man say this about me? ONE DAY.  Marc has this fab voice that I adore!
  • Walk on the water - Britt Nicole - I can't remember where I heard this, but Britt has such a pretty voice.  After reading Jon Ortberg's book a few years ago, this has been an anthem to let go and move ahead.
  • If I die young - The Band Perry - Another song I heard in a dressing room (random?), but I love it.  If I only had a few more brothers and sisters and we could harmonize like that.  I'd be rich! Ha!
  • American Honey - Lady Antebellum - you can't not love this song.  period.
  • Mighty to Save - Hillsong United - such an awesome song.  HE IS mighty to save my wretched soul.
  • Beautiful, beautiful - Francesca Battistelli - this song is beautiful, beautiful.  So Good!
  • Every song from the Glee "Regionals" episode - I kept that ep on my DVR for six months.  Faithfully is my favorite, and my blog is named from the next mashup.  You'll hear it if you listen closely.
  • Touch - Natasha Bedingfield - She has an incredible raspy voice.  This song is great!
  • Bleed - Hot Chelle Rae - "I bleed my heart out on this paper, I bleed my heart out just for you".  I have no doubt there is some other meaning (don't ruin it for me), but I like this song anyway.
  • Better than Her - Matisse - I actually heard this on The Hills. Love the beats!
  • Baby - Justin Beiber (featuring Ludacris) - I can't help but find it ludicrous that Ludicrus is on this song and yet... and YET... it's still up here.  It just gets stuck in my head.
  • So You Are To Me - Eastmountainsouth - I heard this on a family channel movie (starring Patrick Dempsey).  This song is so beautiful!
  • The Finish Line - Train - I mentioned this when I was training for the 5k.  Love Love L.O.V.E. this song.
  • God gave me you - Dave Barnes - I double-dog-dare you to listen and not like this song. 
  • Our God - Chris Tomlin - I know there are several versions of this already, but I adore Tomlin's version.
  • Animal - Neon Trees - I shazam'd this back in the late summer and didn't download it soon enough.  Just really like this song!
  • Love the way you lie - Eminem (featuring Rihanna) - all the emotion in this song... wowsa...
  • More like falling in love - Jason Gray - just listen!!
  • Take me out - Atomic Tom - discovered it thanks to their youtube video, but loved them anyway!  (Also, the lead singer used to lead worship at my brother's church... truly is a small world!)
  • Dog days are over - Florence and the machine - one of those "season" songs. 
  • Terrified - Katherine McPhee with Zachary Levi - I ADORE this song.  Repeat repeat repeat!!!
  • Wish List - Neon Trees - one of my new Christmas faves!
  • Marry you - Glee Cast version (originally Bruno Mars) - will definitely be in my future!
I know my list is extensive, but I've downloaded 200+ songs this year... so this is a short list!!!

What are you favorite 2010 songs?
xoxo,
me

Friday, December 24, 2010

on the birth of our Lord.

I really, really wish that I had some beautiful profound post to write about Christmas.  Hopefully, I'll have a few pictures to share, but for the while, I'm coming to you from my very first laptop.

And the angels sang, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!"

Yesterday, my brother and I celebrated Christmas with my Dad and his wife, and tonight, we celebrated with the rest of my family (both extended), then just immediate.

What a Christmas!!

It's been an adventure, and I've only been home two days.

Truthfully, more things have happened in the last two days, than the last two weeks, but this is neither the time, nor place to do that.

What I will say it....

For unto us a child is born. Who will grow and give his life for me.  A gift I am so unworthy of. 
Emmanuel.  Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God.  Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours...

xoxo,
Me.

Monday, December 13, 2010

season of 32.


Today was my 32nd birthday. (The 13th in case the posting date is off.)

I sat down earlier today to write my 32 in 32, a personal manifesto of goals for this next year and then realized it was kind of ridiculous.

31 has been a hard season of change, mostly learning to guard myself, install some privacy, not talk as much, and not tell people some things.  Yes, I said it, some things are left unsaid.  I wish I'd learned this lesson before the last week and a half so that I didn't have to continue doing damage-control, but I can't shut everyone up, and hoping is futile.  Accept, apologize when necessary, move on.

I pray that 32 is not like that.  I am amazed at the blessings God has dumped in my lap in the last few weeks.  This 31st season of loneliness has been replaced with a group of people that have instant love. My calendar has gone from "not that busy" to "I don't have a free day for the next two weeks". 

And I love it.

I have laughed at myself a lot this year.  I've talked to myself a lot too.  I've said some really dumb things.  I've tried hard to be silly, because being serious is SOOOO exhausting. 

My 32 in 32 is going to be printed and hung in my shower so that every morning, I can remind myself of what's important. 

God   Family   Friends   Career   Love.   Hope   Faith    Giving   Integrity  Privacy  Vocabulary  Travel and Style.

Here's to a fabulous 32nd season of life...

xoxo,
Me.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

O Christmas Tree... part Tres...

Here is part 1 and part 2 if you haven't caught up yet...

Today, after my umpteenth complaint about the tree. I told the Lord that thing was coming down.  Funny how God has a way of humbling me though... in reminding me how I wasn't praying some of my coworkers like I should.  Instead, they were only feeling my frustrations.


So, I got off my high horse and listened to God.  Who, in a way that won't make sense to anybody, told me to go finish the tree and shut up about it.

Looking at the picture, I can see something I need to fix, but other than that, I'm proud of it.

And yes, those are numbers on the tree because I work in accounting.  Corny, but cute.

xoxo,
Me.

Monday, December 6, 2010

mash-up.

This last week (7 days that is) has not been so great.  :(  Lessons learned I suppose... but in the spirit of posting, here goes:

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I have an addiction.

to Wii.

I have NEVER been a videogamer, but I have played until WAY Too long the last week.  I also have a wii-injury.  My thumb is burned so bad from the controller that it's not funny.  I have an ice pack for my finger because of Mario.  CRAZINESS.

I think I'm going to spring for Just Dance 2 & Biggest Loser for Wii at some point in the future.  I cannot express my excitement!!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

God has put a group of girls in my life in Dalton... and I cannot be more thankful!  I have wonderful friends in Cleveland that I love deeply, but there's just no way I can go to visit so often.  These girls have become a lifeline to me in such a short time.  Thankful, Thankful!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I tweeted that the music I've downloaded in the last month is somewhat shameful.  In the spirit of disclosure, here you go:

1.  You are Holy - Christ for the Nations
2.  Crushcrushcrush - Paramore
3.  I See the Light - Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi (From Tangled)
4.  Somebody to Love - Justin Beiber (I should totally have to turn in my responsible adult card.  Where do I do that??)
5.  Marry Me - Glee
6.  Terrified - Katharine McPhee with Zachary Levi (Anyone noticing a theme???)
7.  Very Merry Christmas - Dave Barnes
8.  Stay Amazed - Gateway Worship
9.  Strip Me - Natasha Bedingfield
10. The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
11.  Sweet Serendipity - Lee DeWyze
12.  Firework - Katy Perry
13.  Stolen - Dashboard Confessionals (I know it's older, but I L<3Ve it)
14.  Eyes of Grace - Enation

Well... I need to go to bed.

xoxo,
Me.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

aphiemi.

My FBC ladies and I are doing a Beth Moore Bible study on Revelations.

Good stuff. 

I know that today is what (many) are celebrating as the second day of Advent. 

So in that spirit, I thought I'd share something I gleaned from the video tonight:

"Forgiveness and Hurt cannot dwell in the same set of hands.  You must relinquish one in order to grasp the other."

I struggle with that.

This week, just a day ago, I found something that hurt me deeply.  It was something small and (probably) stupid, but I wound up crying for an hour about it.  And I had to realize that I don't allow many things to hurt me.  Things do a little, but this year, I've found myself walking away instead of dealing with the emotions of it all.  Bottling it up, putting it away, repressing the whole of it.

Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me that I can be so cold.  So disconnected.

I don't want to be this way.

I have to decide to stop trying to hold the hurt and the forgiveness in the same hands.

And wouldn't you know that I realize how exhausting it has been trying to do so?

here's to my own aphiemi...

xoxo,
Me.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

O Christmas Tree, part deux

This is going to turn into a multi-parter!!


Here is the tree now. It looks finished, but it's not. There is a bit of silver to be added, a pretty tree skirt, some ribbon, and a few more fake presents.


But today?? Today has brought out the opinions. I've had no less than 5 people walk by my office and tell me that the tree is 1) blah, 2) ugly, or (my personal favorite) 3)a brilliant example that I have no sense of style. I was also asked if I was colorblind since I picked green and blue together. Much to their dismay, I am not!


A few years ago, I saw a Wicked! Christmas tree in Crate & Barrel. To this day, that was one of the prettiest trees I've ever seen, all done in lime green, silver, and black. I know that my fellow cohorts can't quite handle that, but I did want more than traditional Christmas colors, you know??

Clearly tomorrow holds more challenges. Oh, and I failed to mention that the original coworker who approached me? Well, she didn't decorate it. DRAMA!!!

Stay tuned...

xoxo,
Me.