Sunday, January 30, 2011

freeze frame.

I seriously doubt anyone remembers that song from the 80's, but I helped a friend with a routine to that song (about 10 years) ago, and after rewinding that tape 155 times, I remember the song.

Except for the words.  I just remember the "Freeze frame duh duh-duh duh duh-duh duh duh".

Wow.  Ramble much? Eek.

Anyway, freeze frame is kind of want I want to do to most of my weekend.  Friday night, my "girls" (for lack of a cool term for my 20's & 30's something single gal friends who love Jesus) and I headed to the nearest big city for dinner at a tapas restaurant and some karoake people watching.  The tapas restaurant was eh, (although I should sidenote and say that they did not make me pay for one of my orders because it was yuck, so they're not all bad), so we went on a second scavage for food which ended up at a delightful little donut shop on the north shore.  If you're ever in the Chatty area, you should swing by Julie Darling Donuts.  They're yummy donuts and the wall decor in the bathroom made me happy (read: 1950's material patterns from ButterickLOVE.)

After that, we headed downtown to Sing it or Wing it.  The people watching in a karaoke place is to die for.  Needless to say, we spent four hours laughing our tails off.

Yesterday, I 1) went to waffle house for breakfast by myself and the guy beside me was trying to get all up in my business, 2) hit BAM, 3) hit B&BW, 4) hit Belk's, 5) hit Hobby Lobby, 6) hit Wal-mart all before 1:00pm, and then followed it up with a run.  I had to be at the church at 4:00 for a photo scavenger hunt (our youth broke the fast together), and was completely worn out by 8:30 last night.  But then I headed to a friend's house until 11:30.

I am still worn out.  Oy.

I am getting so much more involved with the youth at my church, and I'm loving these kids!!  They are so funny. 

Today, I taught sunday school, had lunch with friends, came home, only to develop a fever, took a nap, and now I'm blogging while I'm waiting on my hair color to take.

(I am never truly surprised that I'm still single at 32.)

(the only thing that is missing is some knitting.)

(fortunately, I struggled so much with the needles that I gave that up.  Whew.)

So, that was my stellar weekend.  I'm headed to wash the hair color out and get ready for tomorrow. 

Hope you all had a happy weekend!! :)

xoxo,
Me.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

of the HI and of the YA variety.

So, more than a few times in the past, I've chronicled my desire to lose weight. 

I know every woman has insecurities and many of mine are tied directly into my struggle with weight loss.

WELL... there is a little topic that I've only hinted at which involves me going on a BIG trip this year.  Due to circumstances around the big trip, I need to lose some weight.  

And while I'd love love LUH-HUV for the weight to just magically fall of, it won't.  SADNESS.

So, I decided to shake up my ole work out routine.

With karate.

(No, I'm not kidding.)

(You can stop laughing now, before I judo chop your head.)

(I KNOW, right???)

Well, much to my surprise, I didn't die yesterday.  I actually surprised myself with my stamina and that fact that there was no hurling!

On the flipside, pretty much EVERYTHING is sore today.

and now I've gotta go walk it out, or tomorrow is going to be pretty ugly.

xoxo,
me.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

a random thought.

sometimes in our lives, we invariably run across things we Didn't want to know.  Information that hurts us so deeply that it transforms us instantly.  Other times, we innocently find and discover things that we need to know, although we're still stuck with not wanting to hear.

I had one of those random unexpected discoveries today, and can't help but see how sweet it is to know that I don't have hardness in my heart.

I never cease to be amazed at how much God has done for me in the last four years.  Things I was SO hung up on, and enraptured in, are gone.  I can say with confidence that I don't want the life I never missed out on having.

And I kind of love this moment.  I'm sitting in the back of Panera waiting for a group to come join me (we're having a little meetin'), and I can't quite wrap my mind around what God is doing in my life.  It's all happened so fast that I've resorted to writing it down in a planner and praying to the Almighty that I don't lose that planner!!

I feel like last year was all introspective-y.  Maybe that I was often too introspective-y, but my hope is that I can learn to appreciate that quality about myself instead of loathing it like I have in the past.

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this past week has been filled with thoughts of my husband and daydreams (of sorts) about our life.  I can't help but say little praises to the Lord that HE is bringing Mr. Right for me onto the scene at the right time.  And I'm even more thankful that God is waiting until now (or whenever) to bring him into my life.  I can't regret not getting married in my 20's because that is SO foolish.  Instead, I'm thankful for God's perfect timing for Me.

Thank you Lord for not answering my foolish prayers for "this guy" or "that guy".  I pray that wherever "they" are, that you bless them and their lives. 

And maybe that your perfect time for Mr. Right For Me is sooner than later?

xoxo,
Me

Monday, January 17, 2011

2011 word.

At the beginning of the year, several people in the bloggy community sat down and used one word to define 2011.

I thought that was a wonderful idea, but I couldn't come up with a word.  There's that weird part of you that wants your word to be special and different, but the other part that says that it must apply to your life, not some overambitious hope and dream down the future.

So, I didn't post anything.  I'd even kind of decided in my heart that I wouldn't have one of those posts this year.  I believe that no one reading this blog is keeping score, or some illusive track record.  (THANK GOD.)

But in an interesting way last night, the Lord showed me what my word was.

Now, please know that I'm in a time crunch to post this, but I will upload all the links in case you have no idea what I'm talking about.  

my 2011 word: intentional.

I'm doing this differently this year.  While the last two weeks have been crazy, they have been intentional in a different way than any of the last five years.  Yes, I'm trying a new planner that I will most likely lose hope in by May.  Yes, I'm ambitious about losing weight.  Yes, I will blah and blah and blah and blah to be different/better/new/ets.

But more than any of that, my 2011 needs to be, has to be, MUST be, intentional.

Relationships that are intentional.
Love is that is intentional and doesn't keep score.
Conversation that isn't gossip, but is intentional, in speaking truth and love.  Even with strangers.
Thoughts and motives that are intentional.  Knowing that, if I peel back all the layers, that whatever God is doing in me lies in the foundation of it all.  Because HE IS intentional with me.
Work being intentional.  Being the best employee I can be.
Family being intentional.  Remembering, even when I get SO frustrated, that I need to be intentional with my family and love the where they're at right now.
Habits being intentional.  Making "picking up" an intentional nightly habit, instead of "resting" (read: BEING LAZY) on the couch after work.

I think you see where I'm going with this.

2011 is about intention.  And good ones. Pure ones.  Lovely ones!! 

Here's to the next 50 weeks!!

xoxo,
Me. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

gripe.

Today is one is those days where complaining/whining comes second nature. I do not want to be at work. The smallest things are aggravating me and the coworkers closest to me know to stay away.

I hate feeling this way.

Its tiring.

I blame the snow.

It's been pretty busy unlike the educators that litter my facebook newsfeed with hourly reminders that they've been given the gift of a 10 day weekend, I've had to work. Year end beckons. I've forced someone to pick me up until today because we still have a great deal of snow ice and general lack of resources to clean it up.

**sidenote: there's not much sense in investing in $500k worth of snow equipment when we merely get dusted twice a year for the last decade

It's in these moments (when they're rubbing in their extended vacations and sleeping late's and whathaveyou) of course that I do not feel bad for teachers when they gripe about their pay. (FYI, you knew it was low when you signed your contract.)

And before some teacher leaves me some nasty comment about my attitude, don't. Those rebuttals fall on deaf ears.

But that's really because I'm just agitated and don't want to be at work.

And because my boss is treating me like a glorified copy girl today.

And because I think I need a nap.

end rant. :(

Thursday, January 6, 2011

and some not so lovely things

I have a lot of thoughts floating around in my head.  A bullet list seems somewhat appropriate.

  • Tomorrow's marks the 2nd anniversary of Nathan's death.  I wish I could say that the sting and pain goes away, and it kind of does, but the dull ache is here for good.  As much as I miss him, I'm thankful that he's in heaven, in a whole perfect body (as they are in heaven). 
  • I'm working to get the CF GS Walk stuff posted before tomorrow too.  I may solicit for prayers through this process because it's never easy.
  • I've been feeling extra paranoid this week.  I know it shouldn't be a problem, but whenever I feel like this, it's usually NOT unfounded.
  • the new boss is a welcome respite for my department.  Praise God that the transition of the last few days has been easier than I thought.
  • but there are a lot of other changes (some we know about and some we don't ) coming down the proverbial pipe.  EEEK!
  • Yesterday, my grandfather had to be taken via ambulance for passing out and busting open his head.  Bless his heart!  He's okay now, but nearly scared us to pieces!
  • I realized yesterday that I have never been in the back of an ambulance.  Praise the Lord for that.
  • Last night, I attended a (belated) Feliz Navidad party for our youth.  Earlier yesterday I realized that I don't own any plaid.
  • Like NONE.  And I don't think I've owned anything remotely plaid in about 5 years.
  • My second cousin passed away last night and I had to explain to someone that, if we get the snow they're predicting here, my immediate family will not be able to attend the funeral.  I then had to go on and say that whether we come or not does not influence the situation.  The dead do not get more or less dead.  It's kind of a permanent state and the most awkward convo of 2011 thus far.
  • On that note, I have decided that snow is pretty and fun if your job will call a day off. Mine won't. Therefore I'm praying hard that we get NO snow.
I feel like this is a "down" post, but I need to say that I'm very excited about the possibility and promise that 2011 holds so far.  I am pumped!!

Hope you lovelies are having a wonderful day!!!

xoxo,
me

Saturday, January 1, 2011

1.1.11


New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

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I googled quotes for the new year, and the hilarious comments of Mark Twain (apparently he regarded the celebrations of the new year as beyond ridiculous) seemed to abound.

My new year's celebrations were, as most years, very interesting.  My life is a treat!

And of course, I have some goals that are seemingly trivial but they are my goals.

I pray that this new year finds you happy, blessed, and thankful for what God has given you! I am!

xoxo,
Jenn