So I know when I posted yesterday, I intended for it to be my last one for a while. But I’ve got an update for my 8 followers (most of which I assume haven’t read this in a while!).
I posted a while back that he had somehow cracked a nail, all the way from the tip to the base, and exposed his quick. Well the vet gave me some medications and told me to keep an eye on him. When I brought him back in, they said it was infected and they had to rip out his nail (OUCH and EW) and bandaged it up and gave me more medication for him. He had to go back a couple of times to get it re-bandaged because the silly dog just can’t stay still! Anyway – my mom took him in to the vet for me today and GOOD NEWS – He no longer has a bandaged foot and his nail is growing back!!
The vet said that it was growing in crooked (which you can totally tell and I think is hilarious), so in order to see if it will correct itself and grow straight, they won’t be wrapping it anymore. And he doesn’t need to have a sock on or anything when he goes outside either, which will be SO much easier!! He does, however, have a weird rash/cut where the bandages rubbed against the very thin skin/fur on his leg. They gave us lotion to help with that and just said he needs to have his foot soaked in Epsom salt once or twice a day to keep it cleaned out.
I just hope he doesn’t do anything else stupid. I can’t afford to keep paying for his goofs!
And I swear – I MUST find my camera and cord, because these no picture posts are driving me nuts!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Last Day of NaBloPoMo and First Snow!!
Today is the last day of November and the last day of National Blog Posting Month!! I must say, much like last year, that I'm somewhat relieved. I managed to post at least once each day, but if you go back and look, you'll see that most of them were pretty sad. I must not have that much to say anymore!! Part of the reason is that I moved in the middle of it all and can't find the cord to get pictures off my camera, and then, lost my camera! I know it's somewhere in the house, but that's pretty much it. I know it's all excuses, but I can at least say I did it!!
I mentioned it on my last post, but we had our first snow on Sunday!!! I was SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! It started Sunday night, probably around 6 pm and snowed pretty consistently for a few hours. I had to go out and put a towel on my windshield so I could save time the next morning when I left for work. Which worked! (Yay!) We got several inches of snow (maybe 2-4 in places) and it was all fresh and sparkly and calm....LOVED IT!
So you may not hear from me again soon, since I might be taking a few days off from blogging to build up a good post! Have a good one!
I mentioned it on my last post, but we had our first snow on Sunday!!! I was SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! It started Sunday night, probably around 6 pm and snowed pretty consistently for a few hours. I had to go out and put a towel on my windshield so I could save time the next morning when I left for work. Which worked! (Yay!) We got several inches of snow (maybe 2-4 in places) and it was all fresh and sparkly and calm....LOVED IT!
So you may not hear from me again soon, since I might be taking a few days off from blogging to build up a good post! Have a good one!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Bad boots!
So a few weeks ago, my mom offered to get me some good "snow boots", that I could wear to work. Part of my job is to give tours of the property and I do a lot of walking outside. We found a great deal and although they aren't the nicest looking, they are SUPER comfortable!
For the first time this season, we had our first REAL snow yesterday! (YAY!!!) So today, I had to wear my boots for the first time, because as it turns out, I had a tour today (go figure). I wore them all day, and it was totally wonderful! But...
I got home, and went to take them off. I took off my left boot and the inside sole of the shoe came off with it! Apparently, I wore some of the material off of the bottom of the shoe, exposing the sticky stuff, and it stuck to my sock! So I took off the other boot and while it didn't stick to my sock, it was as worn down as the other one. I mean, I know I did a lot of walking and I wore them all day but ONE DAY?!?! Shoes shouldn't fall apart after one day!
I think we'll try to return them, but I don't know if they'd take back worn and ruined shoes. It's just not fair!!
For the first time this season, we had our first REAL snow yesterday! (YAY!!!) So today, I had to wear my boots for the first time, because as it turns out, I had a tour today (go figure). I wore them all day, and it was totally wonderful! But...
I got home, and went to take them off. I took off my left boot and the inside sole of the shoe came off with it! Apparently, I wore some of the material off of the bottom of the shoe, exposing the sticky stuff, and it stuck to my sock! So I took off the other boot and while it didn't stick to my sock, it was as worn down as the other one. I mean, I know I did a lot of walking and I wore them all day but ONE DAY?!?! Shoes shouldn't fall apart after one day!
I think we'll try to return them, but I don't know if they'd take back worn and ruined shoes. It's just not fair!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Christmas Music
I recently got a new cd of Christmas music, but all instrumental. It's a wonderful CD! Anyway, it happened to have my second favorite song (first is Carol of the Bells) on it, and it's a beautiful version. I tried to find audio but could not. So - Please enjoy these lyrics (and make sure if you haven't heard the song to go out and buy a CD with it on there!!). And if you can find it acapella - that's always the best!
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
SNL Much?
So I realize it's Saturday, but thanks to Netflix, I've been watching "Saturday Night Live" all day.
Except, a few hours ago, I went over to David's (a co-worker) apartment, and we made turkey burgers and listened to music - SO FUN!!
Wow, I almost can't wait until November is over - my blogs are getting so pathetic!
Except, a few hours ago, I went over to David's (a co-worker) apartment, and we made turkey burgers and listened to music - SO FUN!!
Wow, I almost can't wait until November is over - my blogs are getting so pathetic!
Friday, November 26, 2010
The Office
NaBloPoMo is almost over...my sister is almost gone (she leaves tomorrow morning)...and I am watching The Office 1st Season on Netflix (the BEST invention in the world EVER!!). Enjoy some clips of Jim's Office pranks!!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Had good food and fun with the family today! If only the Cowboys hadn't blown their lead...hah!
Didn't take any pictures, and I couldn't post any anyway...I still can't find my camera cord!
But, on a high note - I'll be in Dallas for Christmas in less than a month --- YAY!!! Annnnd...I can officially start playing Christmas music tomorrow without feeling bad about it!
Didn't take any pictures, and I couldn't post any anyway...I still can't find my camera cord!
But, on a high note - I'll be in Dallas for Christmas in less than a month --- YAY!!! Annnnd...I can officially start playing Christmas music tomorrow without feeling bad about it!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving tomorrow
It's a late night in my house, but it's been a nice day. Mostly because I don't have to work tomorrow, but also because I got to spend the nice with my family. We went to see Tangled!
It was VERY cute! It brought tears to my eyes at moments, and lots of good laughs. I could have done without the songs - they seemed a little forced - but then again, that's part of the Disney movies that I grew up with that I liked (Aladdin, Cinderella, Lion King, etc.) so I give them props for going back to that. Plus, I'm 26 now, and I'm sure I see those songs differently than I would if I was 5 or 6.
I recommend this movie!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Preview
Since I have a new Bollywood crush on Imran Khan, I went ahead and got another one of his movies on my Netflix queue....this is from 2008 and was his first starring role. I guess they call it his "debut" movie. Whatever it is - I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! I'm supposed to get it in the mail tomorrow.
It's called "Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na" which means "Whether You Know it or Not". I've heard/seen a lot of good things about it online, so I'm really looking forward to it!
Monday, November 22, 2010
New Crush...
I have a new Bollywood crush, thanks to the movie "I Hate Luv Stories"...
Imran Khan - YUMMY!! And a good actor too! 
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Pretty interesting day...
So I took Bailey into the vet today to get his toenail checked on - a while back he split one of his toenails all the way open. Then, they didn't think it needed to be removed, so they told me to keep an eye on it.
I thought he was doing pretty well, so I thought today would be a fast and good checkup.
They came out and told me that as soon as the vet touched his foot, it oozed some puss. So they were draining it to see if they could look at the infection better.
Then, probably 20 minutes later he came out with a nub where his foot used to be. NO - they didn't amputate! But as it turns out, they just broke off his entire nail because it was just dead. Then they bandaged up his foot, sent me home with a couple different prescriptions for antibiotics and anti-inflamitories ($$$$$$$$$$) and said to bring him back on Tuesday for a check-up and to get rebandaged. Nice.
My poor puppy!! He's actually doing really well and it doesn't seem that the bandages bother him at all - he hasn't licked at it or tried to get it off. So I guess that's a good sign...more to come on Tuesday!!
(And no pictures because, as you can imagine, it's disgusting!!!)
I thought he was doing pretty well, so I thought today would be a fast and good checkup.
They came out and told me that as soon as the vet touched his foot, it oozed some puss. So they were draining it to see if they could look at the infection better.
Then, probably 20 minutes later he came out with a nub where his foot used to be. NO - they didn't amputate! But as it turns out, they just broke off his entire nail because it was just dead. Then they bandaged up his foot, sent me home with a couple different prescriptions for antibiotics and anti-inflamitories ($$$$$$$$$$) and said to bring him back on Tuesday for a check-up and to get rebandaged. Nice.
My poor puppy!! He's actually doing really well and it doesn't seem that the bandages bother him at all - he hasn't licked at it or tried to get it off. So I guess that's a good sign...more to come on Tuesday!!
(And no pictures because, as you can imagine, it's disgusting!!!)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Winter Thoughts
Prompt: What do you think or feel when you walk through freshly fallen snow?
Each time, when possible, I like to walk through the snow in silence. Especially if it's still snowing.
Everything is quiet. The snow is on the ground, soft and sparkling. I love hearing the crunch of the snow under my feet. And it's almost like I get to walk where no one else has walked. That's just me, making those markings.
Everthing is perfect. I love to walk in the snow, but I also like to walk in as few places as possible. The snow is just perfectly flat and even and it hasn't been disturbed. It's actually calming to look over a large field of fresh snow and see it untouched and perfect. It looks like velvet that I could run my hands over, but I wouldn't, because I would ruin it.
Fresh snow just gives off an essense of contemplation. I just want to be still when I see fresh snow. It's like, if I move or walk or talk, it will ruin the moment and it won't be the same as it was 5 seconds earlier.
I just like to walk, slowly, step by step, through the fresh, perfect snow and listen to it crunch, crunch, crunch, while breathing in the sharp, cold air. I actually feel most alive, and happy to be alive, when I'm walking through the snow.
Each time, when possible, I like to walk through the snow in silence. Especially if it's still snowing.
Everything is quiet. The snow is on the ground, soft and sparkling. I love hearing the crunch of the snow under my feet. And it's almost like I get to walk where no one else has walked. That's just me, making those markings.
Everthing is perfect. I love to walk in the snow, but I also like to walk in as few places as possible. The snow is just perfectly flat and even and it hasn't been disturbed. It's actually calming to look over a large field of fresh snow and see it untouched and perfect. It looks like velvet that I could run my hands over, but I wouldn't, because I would ruin it.
Fresh snow just gives off an essense of contemplation. I just want to be still when I see fresh snow. It's like, if I move or walk or talk, it will ruin the moment and it won't be the same as it was 5 seconds earlier.
I just like to walk, slowly, step by step, through the fresh, perfect snow and listen to it crunch, crunch, crunch, while breathing in the sharp, cold air. I actually feel most alive, and happy to be alive, when I'm walking through the snow.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Weekend Plans
I normally don't like to talk about my weekend before it happens, because I usually don't have any plans or if I do, they happen in whatever order. In fact, my co-workers don't even ask me what I'm doing over the weekend anymore. They just ask me how my weekend was on Monday morning.
But I actually have a busy weekend ahead of me!
Tomorrow, I have to:
- Take Bailey to the vet to have them check-up on his broken toe nail and get a nail trim
- Clean up my room (I still have laundry to put away from last weekend!)
- Watch "Paa": A Hindi movie that I got from Netfix tonight. I've heard awesome things!!
- Laundry
- My sister and brother-in-law and their 3 kids are coming to visit for Thanksgiving, and I'm sure it will involve cleaning and organizing before their arrival!
Sunday I think I'm either going to re-visit a Baptist church I went to last week or I may just try out another one that's a little closer to me.
And of course, Netflix is not going to watch itself.
I leave you with this wonderful parting gift from The Office. (I'd apologize for the quality, but I didn't make this video and it was the best I could find on You Tube).
But I actually have a busy weekend ahead of me!
Tomorrow, I have to:
- Take Bailey to the vet to have them check-up on his broken toe nail and get a nail trim
- Clean up my room (I still have laundry to put away from last weekend!)
- Watch "Paa": A Hindi movie that I got from Netfix tonight. I've heard awesome things!!
- Laundry- My sister and brother-in-law and their 3 kids are coming to visit for Thanksgiving, and I'm sure it will involve cleaning and organizing before their arrival!
Sunday I think I'm either going to re-visit a Baptist church I went to last week or I may just try out another one that's a little closer to me.
And of course, Netflix is not going to watch itself.
I leave you with this wonderful parting gift from The Office. (I'd apologize for the quality, but I didn't make this video and it was the best I could find on You Tube).
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Patience
My biggest “weakness” is the fact that I have little to no patience with anything. I feel very strongly that God is working with me on my patience issue.
Every single morning, and every night driving home from work, I get stuck behind either the slowest driver in Colorado Springs or behind an 18-wheeler that somehow ended up in a residential neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong – I think that I should be able to drive 35 in a 35 mph zone. I just get extremely frustrated when I can’t!
Then, every single day at work has been screaming busy. I just want to take care of things myself, but most of what I do depends on other people. I just want to scream at them “go faster!!”
But, God knows I need to work on this and is sending these things deliberately. I have to realize when I’m getting impatient or short with someone and take a step back. And then gradually I will learn to just be patient!
Every single morning, and every night driving home from work, I get stuck behind either the slowest driver in Colorado Springs or behind an 18-wheeler that somehow ended up in a residential neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong – I think that I should be able to drive 35 in a 35 mph zone. I just get extremely frustrated when I can’t!
Then, every single day at work has been screaming busy. I just want to take care of things myself, but most of what I do depends on other people. I just want to scream at them “go faster!!”
But, God knows I need to work on this and is sending these things deliberately. I have to realize when I’m getting impatient or short with someone and take a step back. And then gradually I will learn to just be patient!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Better blogs!
I haven’t been feeling the creative juices flowing. Any one who has seen any of my blogs for the past two weeks can tell – there’s nothing here. It is partially because of the drastic turn my personal life has taken (for the better) and because we are screaming busy training 2 new staff members and approaching a 3rd new staff member!
But I really can’t blame anything other than myself. I just seem to be losing my touch! I mean, just reading through my blogs from this time a year ago – they were good! And I know it sounds like I’m tooting my own horn right now, but they were clever and creative and funny! So I’m wondering what’s happened to me?!?!
I want to get back to my very creative side so I’m forcing myself to look at blog post “prompts” online. Just a sentence or two to get the juices flowing. Writers do it all the time to keep themselves sharp! I just want to stay away from the normal “cliché” prompts – If you could invite 5 people to dinner, living or dead, who would it be and why? Or, what would you do with 1 million dollars? I want something different!
So stay tuned - I promise the blogs will get better!
But I really can’t blame anything other than myself. I just seem to be losing my touch! I mean, just reading through my blogs from this time a year ago – they were good! And I know it sounds like I’m tooting my own horn right now, but they were clever and creative and funny! So I’m wondering what’s happened to me?!?!
I want to get back to my very creative side so I’m forcing myself to look at blog post “prompts” online. Just a sentence or two to get the juices flowing. Writers do it all the time to keep themselves sharp! I just want to stay away from the normal “cliché” prompts – If you could invite 5 people to dinner, living or dead, who would it be and why? Or, what would you do with 1 million dollars? I want something different!
So stay tuned - I promise the blogs will get better!
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Office
Ever watch The Office on NBC? You should!! Especially before the end of this season and "Michael Scott" (Steve Carrell) leaves the show!
Sorry for the sorry excuse for the post - I'll do better tomorrow!!
Sorry for the sorry excuse for the post - I'll do better tomorrow!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Snow? PLEASE?!?!?!?
Another pitiful post, but I want to make sure that I accomplish my one blog per day! I am really still waiting for our first real snow of the year!!! I can't believe it's already mid-November and we haven't had a snow STORM!! But to make myself feel better, here are some pictures from a storm last year that I can only hope will happen again soon!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bachna Ae Haseeno
In English,"Bachna Ae Haseeno" means "Beware, ye beauties". I have seen it before but I am watching it again, it is THAT good! If you have a Netflix membership, I highly recommend it! It stars Ranbir Kapoor, who is becoming one of my favorite Hindi actors, and it is a wonderful story line! Please check it out!! 
Friday, November 12, 2010
Starbucks
I went to Starbucks yesterday to get my Pumpkin Spice Latte and saw that they had....
THEIR CHRISTMAS DRINKS ON THE MENU!!!
Can NOT wait to try those! But I want to wait until at least after Thanksgiving. Then I planning on going each morning for one week and trying each!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
An answer to prayer - literally!
Several days ago, I expressed a thought that I struggle with prayer – how, when, where, etc. Then I got my Daily Bread devotional in my e-mail (for free! Check it out here) and I had an answer!
Our Daily Bread Devotional for 11/11/2010:
In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. —Psalm 120:1
Several years ago, I was driving down the freeway when my car died. I pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, and opened the hood. As I looked at the engine I thought, A lot of good this does me. I know nothing about cars. I don’t even know where to start!
That’s how we might sometimes feel about prayer: Where do I start? That’s what the disciples wanted to know when they asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The best place to look for instruction is in the example and teaching of Jesus. Two questions you may have are:
Where should we pray? Jesus prayed in the temple, in the wilderness (Luke 4), in quiet places (Matt. 14:22-23), in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22), and on the cross (Luke 23:34,46). He prayed alone and with others. Look at His life, follow His example, and pray wherever you are.
What should we pray? In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask that God’s name be honored and that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Ask Him for your daily provisions, for forgiveness of sin, and for deliverance from temptation and evil (Luke 11:2-4).
So if you’re looking for a good place to start, follow the example of the Lord’s Prayer. —Anne Cetas
The Lord has shown us we can pray
Wherever we may be;
And when we say, “Your will be done,”
His work on earth we’ll see. —Sper
If Jesus needed to pray, how can we do less?
Our Daily Bread Devotional for 11/11/2010:
In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. —Psalm 120:1
Several years ago, I was driving down the freeway when my car died. I pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, and opened the hood. As I looked at the engine I thought, A lot of good this does me. I know nothing about cars. I don’t even know where to start!
That’s how we might sometimes feel about prayer: Where do I start? That’s what the disciples wanted to know when they asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The best place to look for instruction is in the example and teaching of Jesus. Two questions you may have are:
Where should we pray? Jesus prayed in the temple, in the wilderness (Luke 4), in quiet places (Matt. 14:22-23), in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22), and on the cross (Luke 23:34,46). He prayed alone and with others. Look at His life, follow His example, and pray wherever you are.
What should we pray? In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask that God’s name be honored and that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Ask Him for your daily provisions, for forgiveness of sin, and for deliverance from temptation and evil (Luke 11:2-4).
So if you’re looking for a good place to start, follow the example of the Lord’s Prayer. —Anne Cetas
The Lord has shown us we can pray
Wherever we may be;
And when we say, “Your will be done,”
His work on earth we’ll see. —Sper
If Jesus needed to pray, how can we do less?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I have a lack...
I have a strong lack of what I should blog about today. No good message from the Scriptures to share, at the moment, no funny family or dog stories....
Technically this counts as a post though!!
I do have an update on my toe - it is NOT broken!! I did not actually go to a doctor, but 3 days after the "incident", the toe no longer hurt and no longer appeared crooked. The bruises have actually even started to go away, and it happened one week ago yesterday. I haven't even taped it in 2 days. So I would deduce, that even though I've never broken a bone anymore, that the toe is no longer broken. Woo hoo!!!
Technically this counts as a post though!!
I do have an update on my toe - it is NOT broken!! I did not actually go to a doctor, but 3 days after the "incident", the toe no longer hurt and no longer appeared crooked. The bruises have actually even started to go away, and it happened one week ago yesterday. I haven't even taped it in 2 days. So I would deduce, that even though I've never broken a bone anymore, that the toe is no longer broken. Woo hoo!!!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Humming for Peace and Contentment
As I was driving in to work this morning, the last song I heard before getting out of my car was “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. It was such a nice version of it that I sat in my car for an additional minute to listen to the end of it.
I then proceeded in to work to set my things down and get some yummy pumpkin spice creamer. As I was heating up my coffee and adding my additional ingredients, I couldn’t help but hum that song. I turned to leave the break room and saw the Sales Receptionist, a lady probably around my mom’s age, standing there in suspense, most likely waiting for me to turn around so she could identify me.
“Were you just humming that song?” she asked. I answered, “yes. Was I being too loud?” She said “No. I’ve heard that people that hum or whistle out loud are really happy.” I smiled and said “Well at the moment, yes I guess I’m happy.” She then added, “Yea, I’ve just heard that when people hum or whistle that they’re happy, and it’s a sign of peace and contentment.” I couldn’t help but think; I wonder if she knew what I was humming. And if she didn’t, if only she knew!
And then it got me thinking; I never realized that that could be a reason why I had that song stuck in my head. I always thought, like I’m sure most people do, that I was humming it simply because it was the last thing I’d heard and it was just stuck in my head.
But then I thought about it more – you get songs stuck in your head, but you don’t always sing them out loud. What would make you hum or whistle a song out loud? I guess she was right – I must have been so happy at that moment that I couldn’t keep the song inside anymore. I guess God is really working in mysterious ways!
On a side note – I heard a wonderfully moving song (for me, at least) on the radio yesterday and then I heard it again as I was driving home. It’s called “You are More” and it’s by a relatively new Christian group from Florida called Tenth Avenue North. Apparently it’s off their second album, and they only have 2, so I’m not so far behind that I have to get 12 albums or anything!
It really spoke to me, because, as I’ve mentioned, it’s been an emotional few weeks for me, personally and professionally. But it was so nice to hear the message of the song, that I actually cried in my car. And I knew that I needed to have the song. So I downloaded their album off of iTunes, and am looking forward to really listening to it. But in the meantime, please read through their lyrics, and hopefully you will take something from it:
Tenth Avenue North: “You Are More”
There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
(Chorus)
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
(repeat Chorus)
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
(Repeat Chorus X2)
You've been remade (repeat 4X)
I then proceeded in to work to set my things down and get some yummy pumpkin spice creamer. As I was heating up my coffee and adding my additional ingredients, I couldn’t help but hum that song. I turned to leave the break room and saw the Sales Receptionist, a lady probably around my mom’s age, standing there in suspense, most likely waiting for me to turn around so she could identify me.
“Were you just humming that song?” she asked. I answered, “yes. Was I being too loud?” She said “No. I’ve heard that people that hum or whistle out loud are really happy.” I smiled and said “Well at the moment, yes I guess I’m happy.” She then added, “Yea, I’ve just heard that when people hum or whistle that they’re happy, and it’s a sign of peace and contentment.” I couldn’t help but think; I wonder if she knew what I was humming. And if she didn’t, if only she knew!
And then it got me thinking; I never realized that that could be a reason why I had that song stuck in my head. I always thought, like I’m sure most people do, that I was humming it simply because it was the last thing I’d heard and it was just stuck in my head.
But then I thought about it more – you get songs stuck in your head, but you don’t always sing them out loud. What would make you hum or whistle a song out loud? I guess she was right – I must have been so happy at that moment that I couldn’t keep the song inside anymore. I guess God is really working in mysterious ways!
On a side note – I heard a wonderfully moving song (for me, at least) on the radio yesterday and then I heard it again as I was driving home. It’s called “You are More” and it’s by a relatively new Christian group from Florida called Tenth Avenue North. Apparently it’s off their second album, and they only have 2, so I’m not so far behind that I have to get 12 albums or anything!
It really spoke to me, because, as I’ve mentioned, it’s been an emotional few weeks for me, personally and professionally. But it was so nice to hear the message of the song, that I actually cried in my car. And I knew that I needed to have the song. So I downloaded their album off of iTunes, and am looking forward to really listening to it. But in the meantime, please read through their lyrics, and hopefully you will take something from it:
Tenth Avenue North: “You Are More”
There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
(Chorus)
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
(repeat Chorus)
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
(Repeat Chorus X2)
You've been remade (repeat 4X)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Winter Forecast
This had SO better be the case, or I'm going to be very angry with the weatherman! It's November 8th for crying outloud - where's the winter weather?!!?!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Broken toe?
Last week I stubbed my toe SO hard that I was sure I had broken it. But, it's only been 3 days and it doesn't hurt at all! Just a lot of yucky bruises. And by yucky, I mean really awesome!! So I don't think it's broken.
Also, I took some really awesome pictures of it (for memory/posterity) but I seem to have lost my cord to transfer pictures from my camera, so I can't share any!!
I feel sad about this vain attempt for a post, but I must keep NaBloPoMo alive!! See you all tomorrow!
Also, I took some really awesome pictures of it (for memory/posterity) but I seem to have lost my cord to transfer pictures from my camera, so I can't share any!!
I feel sad about this vain attempt for a post, but I must keep NaBloPoMo alive!! See you all tomorrow!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Work? On A Saturday?
I have to go into work today - A Saturday! My work week is supposed to end on a Friday! But that's ok I guess...It's only an hour and a half and I just have to give a tour of the property, which I could do in my sleep. So at least it's an easy day.
Plus, then a co-worked and I are going to his place to make homemade hummus and turkey burgers!! And he is an AMAZING cook! So I'm really excited to reward myself with food after going into work on a Saturday.
Sorry this is such a short, sad blog. But I have to go get ready for work! Have a good weekend!!
Plus, then a co-worked and I are going to his place to make homemade hummus and turkey burgers!! And he is an AMAZING cook! So I'm really excited to reward myself with food after going into work on a Saturday.
Sorry this is such a short, sad blog. But I have to go get ready for work! Have a good weekend!!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Memory lane...
Found my cd's from high school and college and had a great walk down memory lane! I didn't see a music video for this song, but I feel it could be my theme song for this moment in my life! Enjoy a walk down memory lane yourself, and check out this video!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Missed the weekend devotionals
I accidentally left my devotional book at work last weekend, so I read through them yesterday. I love when a devotional speaks to me - it's amazing that no matter how many times I hear that God knows my heart and knows what I need, that each time I'm blown away by things that speak to me. It's like God is saying "duh!!" So here are my thoughts on my "missed" devotionals...and, if you read all the way through, some prayer requests.
October 30 - Hebrews 12:1 - Let us run with patience.
There are 2 kinds of patience. The kind where you are still and reflective. But, even stronger evidence, is the ability to cope with problems in the public eye, and continue on being "strong" in the presence of others and supporting them, giving them joy. You must really "run" with patience, because you still have to continue to function in the public eye while continuing to sort through your personal issues. Jesus did this on his time on earth - dealing with the immortal struggle of good versus evil, but in the meantime going out and creating joy for others, and helping them with their issues.
I pray that I will have that kind of patience. I do agree that it is hard to go through the daily motions while dealing with personal issues. But I have also realized recently that helping others actually does help me - not only does it make me feel better, but it puts things into perspective for me. I am not the only person in the world dealing with issues and trying to live "around" or "through" them. And there are people with bigger and harder problems that I have, and they don't have the support on earth that I do. So the patience that I want to pray for is the ability to perservere through my issues and problems, while being able to live my life to the fullest and to help others when possible. Patience will help me understand that my issues will be worked out and resolved over time, and I can't just sit around and wallow in self pity - that won't accomplish anything for anyone.
October 31 - Romans 8:26-27.
Sometimes I just don't know how to pray. I don't know what I should pray for, or if I should pray in a certain order, or "Should I thank God first, or should I come right out and ask for help?" or "Is it selfish for me to ask for things I want and need when I should really be praising God for what he's already done?" It's actually a big conflict for me. It's actually part of why I don't like to lead public prayers - I don't pray outloud in bible studies or before meals for example.
This verse talks about how it doesn't matter if you don't know what to say outloud, or even to yourself in your head. All that matters is that God knows the matters of your heart, and even things you don't even realize you're feeling, and he can see that and can act on that. The whole point is that you ask for help and thank Him for his help, in the past, present and future and he knows exactly what to do.
I struggle with control. I like to be in charge of things, and be able to control what happens to me and around me. That's a hard thing to let go for me. I want to control my job, my friends, my relationships, etc. But I need to pray for the ability to let go! I know that's my main issue, but I don't know what else I'm really feeling or thinking about it deep down inside. But God knows. And He knows that I am aware of my basic flaw, and he knows everything else and what needs to be done to help.
The devotional also gives an example of a mother and child seated next to each other, while busy with other things. They may not be speaking to each other, but there's a peace - the mother knows the child is there, and the child knows the mother is there. So they are in fellowship. And a calm that you are not alone. In the same way, a believer can be going through their day as normal, and even though there may not be a constant verbal communication with God, they can beleive and take comfort in the fact that God is always with them and has a hand in all that they are doing.
October 30 - Hebrews 12:1 - Let us run with patience.
There are 2 kinds of patience. The kind where you are still and reflective. But, even stronger evidence, is the ability to cope with problems in the public eye, and continue on being "strong" in the presence of others and supporting them, giving them joy. You must really "run" with patience, because you still have to continue to function in the public eye while continuing to sort through your personal issues. Jesus did this on his time on earth - dealing with the immortal struggle of good versus evil, but in the meantime going out and creating joy for others, and helping them with their issues.
I pray that I will have that kind of patience. I do agree that it is hard to go through the daily motions while dealing with personal issues. But I have also realized recently that helping others actually does help me - not only does it make me feel better, but it puts things into perspective for me. I am not the only person in the world dealing with issues and trying to live "around" or "through" them. And there are people with bigger and harder problems that I have, and they don't have the support on earth that I do. So the patience that I want to pray for is the ability to perservere through my issues and problems, while being able to live my life to the fullest and to help others when possible. Patience will help me understand that my issues will be worked out and resolved over time, and I can't just sit around and wallow in self pity - that won't accomplish anything for anyone.
October 31 - Romans 8:26-27.
Sometimes I just don't know how to pray. I don't know what I should pray for, or if I should pray in a certain order, or "Should I thank God first, or should I come right out and ask for help?" or "Is it selfish for me to ask for things I want and need when I should really be praising God for what he's already done?" It's actually a big conflict for me. It's actually part of why I don't like to lead public prayers - I don't pray outloud in bible studies or before meals for example.
This verse talks about how it doesn't matter if you don't know what to say outloud, or even to yourself in your head. All that matters is that God knows the matters of your heart, and even things you don't even realize you're feeling, and he can see that and can act on that. The whole point is that you ask for help and thank Him for his help, in the past, present and future and he knows exactly what to do.
I struggle with control. I like to be in charge of things, and be able to control what happens to me and around me. That's a hard thing to let go for me. I want to control my job, my friends, my relationships, etc. But I need to pray for the ability to let go! I know that's my main issue, but I don't know what else I'm really feeling or thinking about it deep down inside. But God knows. And He knows that I am aware of my basic flaw, and he knows everything else and what needs to be done to help.
The devotional also gives an example of a mother and child seated next to each other, while busy with other things. They may not be speaking to each other, but there's a peace - the mother knows the child is there, and the child knows the mother is there. So they are in fellowship. And a calm that you are not alone. In the same way, a believer can be going through their day as normal, and even though there may not be a constant verbal communication with God, they can beleive and take comfort in the fact that God is always with them and has a hand in all that they are doing.
In Christ Alone
Heard about this great take on a great song by Owl City - the same group who sings the very famous song "Fireflies". Enjoy, fellow bloggers!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Writing Prompts
Since it’s NaBloPoMo, my goal is to write a least one blog a day for the entire month of November. However, my life is not always that exciting. Hardly ever, in fact. So I thought I would turn to the web and Google “NaBloPoMo prompts” and it turns out that other people need help getting their creative juices flowing too! Each day, someone posts a “prompt”, like a thought, suggestion or question, to get you to start thinking. Some questions are like “where were you 10 years ago today?” or “what was your first Halloween costume?” and things like that.
I just have a hard time with those kinds of questions – they have a “structure” (sort of) because they give you a place to start, but my mind is so busy that I have a hard time pinning a good starting place down, and if I do, I have a hard time getting it written. I like the prompts that are usually more specific. Like, “What 5 items would you want to have if you were stranded on a desert island?” or “If you could invite 5 people to dinner, alive or dead, who would they be and why?”
I couldn’t find one that I really like for today, so I came up with my own. I’m unfortunately a normally pessimistic person. I need to start looking at the positive, especially if I want to turn a bad day into a good day. So for today my prompt is: Write down 3 things you may see as negative and say something positive about it.
1. It’s not snowing. Normally, by this point of the year in Colorado Springs, it’s snowed 4 or 5 times. I am totally obsessed with snow. I spent 22 years of my life with hardly any so now it’s an amazingly wonderful event for me to see snowfall, each time it happens.
But – on the plus side, since it’s so nice outside, I don’t have to worry about road conditions, and I don’t have to worry about getting my car fixed or getting into an accident.
2. It’s only Wednesday. It feels like such a long week, and it’s a hard week. My boss is on vacation, it’s the week of our annual Benefits enrollment for 1,500 employees, we have Orientation this week (and I set for all the classes), we’re still training 2 new Training Managers, we’re almost done with revising our employee guidebook and I have to make all of the changes, and I have to cover some of our receptionist’s job duties while she’s on vacation while handling things that come up at the last minute. AND still do MY job!
But, on the plus side, the week is almost half over! Plus, no one really knows how stressed out I am, so I can’t really get annoyed when someone asks me something. It’s also one day closer to the weekend and Law and Order: SVU and Los Angeles should be new tonight! I’m also in charge of planning and making dinner on Sunday and I’m looking forward to grocery shopping and then cooking! The best news – next week we don’t have Orientation and there’s nothing extra planned, so I get a nice breather! I just have to make it through Saturday afternoon!
3. My phone screen is broken. A while back, Bailey knocked my phone off of the couch and the screen cracked. It looks extremely tacky and I can’t quite see things on my screen very well.
But – on the plus side, my phone still works just fine and I could easily switch back to an older phone that’s in good shape and possibly save money on my cell phone bill. (If I could only get used to NOT having internet and Facebook on my phone!)
So what about you? Is there anything you’re looking at and thinking “well that sucks” that you could turn around and find a positive in?
I just have a hard time with those kinds of questions – they have a “structure” (sort of) because they give you a place to start, but my mind is so busy that I have a hard time pinning a good starting place down, and if I do, I have a hard time getting it written. I like the prompts that are usually more specific. Like, “What 5 items would you want to have if you were stranded on a desert island?” or “If you could invite 5 people to dinner, alive or dead, who would they be and why?”
I couldn’t find one that I really like for today, so I came up with my own. I’m unfortunately a normally pessimistic person. I need to start looking at the positive, especially if I want to turn a bad day into a good day. So for today my prompt is: Write down 3 things you may see as negative and say something positive about it.
1. It’s not snowing. Normally, by this point of the year in Colorado Springs, it’s snowed 4 or 5 times. I am totally obsessed with snow. I spent 22 years of my life with hardly any so now it’s an amazingly wonderful event for me to see snowfall, each time it happens.
But – on the plus side, since it’s so nice outside, I don’t have to worry about road conditions, and I don’t have to worry about getting my car fixed or getting into an accident.
2. It’s only Wednesday. It feels like such a long week, and it’s a hard week. My boss is on vacation, it’s the week of our annual Benefits enrollment for 1,500 employees, we have Orientation this week (and I set for all the classes), we’re still training 2 new Training Managers, we’re almost done with revising our employee guidebook and I have to make all of the changes, and I have to cover some of our receptionist’s job duties while she’s on vacation while handling things that come up at the last minute. AND still do MY job!
But, on the plus side, the week is almost half over! Plus, no one really knows how stressed out I am, so I can’t really get annoyed when someone asks me something. It’s also one day closer to the weekend and Law and Order: SVU and Los Angeles should be new tonight! I’m also in charge of planning and making dinner on Sunday and I’m looking forward to grocery shopping and then cooking! The best news – next week we don’t have Orientation and there’s nothing extra planned, so I get a nice breather! I just have to make it through Saturday afternoon!
3. My phone screen is broken. A while back, Bailey knocked my phone off of the couch and the screen cracked. It looks extremely tacky and I can’t quite see things on my screen very well.
But – on the plus side, my phone still works just fine and I could easily switch back to an older phone that’s in good shape and possibly save money on my cell phone bill. (If I could only get used to NOT having internet and Facebook on my phone!)
So what about you? Is there anything you’re looking at and thinking “well that sucks” that you could turn around and find a positive in?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NaBloPoMo - Year 2!
As some of you may know, November is National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo)! Last year I was able to accomplish the feat of posting a blog at least once a day for the entire month! So here I am to repeat!
In honor of this blogging month, I've decided to post about one of my favorite things - the show "30 Rock" on NBC! I recently decided to sign up for my own Netflix account and the streaming video instantly on my computer has become ADDICTING!! So I just finished watching the entire 4th season and now am about halfway through the 3rd season (yes, I'm working my way backwards).
I now can not go without doing a little dance every time I hear the theme song, and have started to quote the show's lead character, Liz Lemon (played by Tina Fey) on a regular basis. So please enjoy some of my favorite "Liz Lemon catchphrases". (I tried to find funny images/icons but I found this video instead - SHE'S MY FAVORITE)
In honor of this blogging month, I've decided to post about one of my favorite things - the show "30 Rock" on NBC! I recently decided to sign up for my own Netflix account and the streaming video instantly on my computer has become ADDICTING!! So I just finished watching the entire 4th season and now am about halfway through the 3rd season (yes, I'm working my way backwards).
I now can not go without doing a little dance every time I hear the theme song, and have started to quote the show's lead character, Liz Lemon (played by Tina Fey) on a regular basis. So please enjoy some of my favorite "Liz Lemon catchphrases". (I tried to find funny images/icons but I found this video instead - SHE'S MY FAVORITE)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Buy Raffle Tickets for $5 - Get Club Level Stars Seats for free!!!
Buy some raffle tickets and win Club Level Seats! All proceeds go towards helping an Ethiopian adoption!!
Numbers 9:19
Yet another good devotional passage. “When the cloud remained…the Israelites…did not set out.” - Numbers 9:19
Yet another wonderful reminder that storms will come and it may seem like the smart thing to do to pack up and move away from the storm. Or, it may feel like a storm is approaching, and you’re stuck, and there’s nothing you can do but wait for it to hit you.
But it’s a great reminder, especially for me, that while I may either be in the middle of a storm, or see one approaching, that I am equipped to handle the storm. I may feel trapped in the storm, sure, and feel like I’d rather be anywhere else where I didn’t have to handle the brunt of the bad weather. But just like the metallurgist doesn’t leave the precious metal alone in the fire, God doesn’t leave you empty handed in the storm. That’s what the Bible and church and family and support is for – they’re your rain gear, to help protect you and get you through the storm!!
The devotional book starts off by saying it’s a test of obedience – rather than picking up and abandoning things, by staying put and sticking out the storm (with help), you’re showing God your obedience and trust that he has you there for a reason, and he has every intention of seeing you come out the other side safely, and a better person for it.
It’s also all about patience. It may be a long, tough storm. No one knows when the storms will end. Rather than praying for the storm to end, I need to work on being patient, and know that God has everything perfectly planned, and I should really be praying that he will give me the tools and equipment to get through it. That will be hard for me. I’m not naturally a patient person – I want it done right now.
So maybe, I should actually pray for patience. And maybe God has me going through this long storm so that I may actually learn patience. While it’s only been 2 weeks, I can actually look back at the last 2 weeks and see my change – while I’m still struggling with patience, I’ve seen a lot of things that I can put my trust in and ways that God has improved my patience. It’s just evidence that patience IS a virtue and there are benefits – I just have to keep reminding myself of that.
Yet another wonderful reminder that storms will come and it may seem like the smart thing to do to pack up and move away from the storm. Or, it may feel like a storm is approaching, and you’re stuck, and there’s nothing you can do but wait for it to hit you.
But it’s a great reminder, especially for me, that while I may either be in the middle of a storm, or see one approaching, that I am equipped to handle the storm. I may feel trapped in the storm, sure, and feel like I’d rather be anywhere else where I didn’t have to handle the brunt of the bad weather. But just like the metallurgist doesn’t leave the precious metal alone in the fire, God doesn’t leave you empty handed in the storm. That’s what the Bible and church and family and support is for – they’re your rain gear, to help protect you and get you through the storm!!
The devotional book starts off by saying it’s a test of obedience – rather than picking up and abandoning things, by staying put and sticking out the storm (with help), you’re showing God your obedience and trust that he has you there for a reason, and he has every intention of seeing you come out the other side safely, and a better person for it.
It’s also all about patience. It may be a long, tough storm. No one knows when the storms will end. Rather than praying for the storm to end, I need to work on being patient, and know that God has everything perfectly planned, and I should really be praying that he will give me the tools and equipment to get through it. That will be hard for me. I’m not naturally a patient person – I want it done right now.
So maybe, I should actually pray for patience. And maybe God has me going through this long storm so that I may actually learn patience. While it’s only been 2 weeks, I can actually look back at the last 2 weeks and see my change – while I’m still struggling with patience, I’ve seen a lot of things that I can put my trust in and ways that God has improved my patience. It’s just evidence that patience IS a virtue and there are benefits – I just have to keep reminding myself of that.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thoughts...
I must admit, I haven’t done a daily devotional probably since high school, or at least my freshman year of college. I can’t even say that I’ve thought about it, or missed it, or wished I had been doing them. However, some recent events have prompted me to go back to it, as I find myself needing daily encouragement and words to help me get through the day. I’ve struggled with finding the right time for me to do this, but I think I’ve started to figure out that starting my day with a devotional will help prepare me for the day, and I can constantly remind myself of what I’ve read and refer to it throughout the day.
A while back, I bought a 366 Day Daily Devotional book called “Streams in the Dessert” by L. B. Cowman, edited by Jim Reimann. I couldn’t tell you when I bought it, but I can tell you I most likely purchased it because it’s an “updated edition in today’s language”. I have My Utmost for His Highest, and sometimes the language is a little over my head, but “Streams in the Dessert” Revised seems to speak to me.
Today’s devotional talks about the refiner’s fire. The verse is Malachi 3:3 – “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver”. It talks about how God is like a metallurgist; the metallurgist knows that only a refiner’s fire will melt the metal enough for it to finally be molded to its perfect shape. Similarly, God knows that we all need to essentially go through a “fire” to come out perfectly shaped and molded on the other side. It’s almost like life is a series of “fires”, because in my opinion, while we strive to be perfect, and that’s God’s sincere goal for us, we will never achieve perfection in this lifetime. He’s getting us ready for what’s after this lifetime.
The line that really struck me the most from the devotional is “It is with the most precious metals that a metallurgist will take the greatest care”. I haven’t really been feeling like a very precious “metal” lately. I’ve been disappointed in myself and have felt that others have been disappointed in me too, or that others deserve to be disappointed in me. Everyone makes mistakes, but recently I’ve had a hard time understanding that God wants you to make mistakes. Because ultimately, in the end, it’s those mistakes that will make you who you are (which is who He wants you to be). And they’re “planned” mistakes, meant for a purpose. While what you’re going through may not be perfect to some people, and it’s hard to see while you’re right in the middle of it, that’s the fire that’s melting you so that you can become the person God wants you to be. I’ve just been struggling with feeling “precious”. It’s hard for me to feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when I’m in the middle of the “fire”. But reading a devotional like this seems like it’s exactly what God wanted me to hear.
It goes on to say that while the metal is in the fire, the metallurgist doesn’t leave it; rather, he sits down next to it to watch it so it isn’t overheated and the fire won’t harm the metal. In this same vein, God made choosen to put me “through a fire”, but He will never leave me and doesn’t want to see harm done to me; rather he wants to make sure I get exactly where I need to be so I can be molded to be perfect.
To pick up a random devotional book that I haven’t looked at in years, and have this be the particular passage I’m “scheduled” to read when this is how I’m feeling, can only be explained by the simple fact that God can see and hear my fears and knows that I need comfort. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this “fire” I’m feeling will pass and will only make me a better person at the other end; the mold of what He wants me to be, perfect in His eyes. It’s just hard for me to be in the fire, but it wasn’t meant to be easy.
Excerpt from a poem by Arthur Tappan Pierson –
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw the fire - not the Master’s hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
There is more before and after that section, but that part sticks out the most for me. Like I’ve said, it’s hard to be in the middle of the fire and see that there’s something good that will come out of this, or to understand that we’re going through something for a reason. And it’s easy to cry and have anxieties and fears and question your life – I’m just glad that I have this devotional today to help remind me that it’s all for a greater purpose, and while it’s not up to me what happens, God is in charge and is keeping an eye on the “fire” and he knows what he’s doing and when we’ll be ready.
Should we think that is pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment’s pain?
Not so! For He saw through the present cross
The joy through eternal gain.
Amen!!
*On a side note – I took a page from my dad’s devotional “playbook” and brought my devotional book into work this morning, since I knew I’d have a least half an hour to myself before people started to arrive. Shortly after arriving though, a co-worker of mine also arrived and I thought my plans would have to wait. However, she left the office for what I thought was a quick run to the kitchen for coffee, so I thought I’d just read through today’s passage in the 5 minutes or so she’d be gone. But…I was able to spend the next 35 minutes reading and reflecting on the passage and she never came back. As soon as I was done, my boss arrived for the day.
How’s that for God’s perfect timing???!!!
A while back, I bought a 366 Day Daily Devotional book called “Streams in the Dessert” by L. B. Cowman, edited by Jim Reimann. I couldn’t tell you when I bought it, but I can tell you I most likely purchased it because it’s an “updated edition in today’s language”. I have My Utmost for His Highest, and sometimes the language is a little over my head, but “Streams in the Dessert” Revised seems to speak to me.
Today’s devotional talks about the refiner’s fire. The verse is Malachi 3:3 – “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver”. It talks about how God is like a metallurgist; the metallurgist knows that only a refiner’s fire will melt the metal enough for it to finally be molded to its perfect shape. Similarly, God knows that we all need to essentially go through a “fire” to come out perfectly shaped and molded on the other side. It’s almost like life is a series of “fires”, because in my opinion, while we strive to be perfect, and that’s God’s sincere goal for us, we will never achieve perfection in this lifetime. He’s getting us ready for what’s after this lifetime.
The line that really struck me the most from the devotional is “It is with the most precious metals that a metallurgist will take the greatest care”. I haven’t really been feeling like a very precious “metal” lately. I’ve been disappointed in myself and have felt that others have been disappointed in me too, or that others deserve to be disappointed in me. Everyone makes mistakes, but recently I’ve had a hard time understanding that God wants you to make mistakes. Because ultimately, in the end, it’s those mistakes that will make you who you are (which is who He wants you to be). And they’re “planned” mistakes, meant for a purpose. While what you’re going through may not be perfect to some people, and it’s hard to see while you’re right in the middle of it, that’s the fire that’s melting you so that you can become the person God wants you to be. I’ve just been struggling with feeling “precious”. It’s hard for me to feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when I’m in the middle of the “fire”. But reading a devotional like this seems like it’s exactly what God wanted me to hear.
It goes on to say that while the metal is in the fire, the metallurgist doesn’t leave it; rather, he sits down next to it to watch it so it isn’t overheated and the fire won’t harm the metal. In this same vein, God made choosen to put me “through a fire”, but He will never leave me and doesn’t want to see harm done to me; rather he wants to make sure I get exactly where I need to be so I can be molded to be perfect.
To pick up a random devotional book that I haven’t looked at in years, and have this be the particular passage I’m “scheduled” to read when this is how I’m feeling, can only be explained by the simple fact that God can see and hear my fears and knows that I need comfort. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this “fire” I’m feeling will pass and will only make me a better person at the other end; the mold of what He wants me to be, perfect in His eyes. It’s just hard for me to be in the fire, but it wasn’t meant to be easy.
Excerpt from a poem by Arthur Tappan Pierson –
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw the fire - not the Master’s hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
There is more before and after that section, but that part sticks out the most for me. Like I’ve said, it’s hard to be in the middle of the fire and see that there’s something good that will come out of this, or to understand that we’re going through something for a reason. And it’s easy to cry and have anxieties and fears and question your life – I’m just glad that I have this devotional today to help remind me that it’s all for a greater purpose, and while it’s not up to me what happens, God is in charge and is keeping an eye on the “fire” and he knows what he’s doing and when we’ll be ready.
Should we think that is pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment’s pain?
Not so! For He saw through the present cross
The joy through eternal gain.
Amen!!
*On a side note – I took a page from my dad’s devotional “playbook” and brought my devotional book into work this morning, since I knew I’d have a least half an hour to myself before people started to arrive. Shortly after arriving though, a co-worker of mine also arrived and I thought my plans would have to wait. However, she left the office for what I thought was a quick run to the kitchen for coffee, so I thought I’d just read through today’s passage in the 5 minutes or so she’d be gone. But…I was able to spend the next 35 minutes reading and reflecting on the passage and she never came back. As soon as I was done, my boss arrived for the day.
How’s that for God’s perfect timing???!!!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Dallas Area Dallas Stars fans!! (And coffee fans!)
Dallas Area Dallas Stars fans - my brother is selling $5 raffle tickets (or 4 for $15) for a chance to win 2-$100 Dallas Stars tickets vs. Atlanta on January 15th! They will draw the
winner on December 11th, and add more tickets the more entries we get! They are also offering discounted tickets to other games - anyone interested?? Let me know and I'll get you their info!
He and my sister-in-law (see their story here) are working on adopting children from Ethiopia, and every little bit helps! They are also selling African coffees, with $5 from each bag going to their adoption!! If you love coffee, check these out! --> Buy coffee to help adoptions!
winner on December 11th, and add more tickets the more entries we get! They are also offering discounted tickets to other games - anyone interested?? Let me know and I'll get you their info!
He and my sister-in-law (see their story here) are working on adopting children from Ethiopia, and every little bit helps! They are also selling African coffees, with $5 from each bag going to their adoption!! If you love coffee, check these out! --> Buy coffee to help adoptions!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Fall Decorations
Can't say it would blow an interior designer's mind, but I'm pleased to have some fall decorations in my home!
What you see when you come in - I made that larger cross-stitch in the middle saying "think autumn".
What you see when you come in - I made that larger cross-stitch in the middle saying "think autumn".
Here's the guest bathroom in the entrance hallway, some pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns (thanks to Mom!)
My mom made this for me a while back ... this will be out until Halloween until that passes, then it goes on to the next pillow!
This one my mom also made, but it's good until Winter!!
It's not a lot and it's simple, but I think my fireplace is cute! (But much better for Christmas though!!)
My mom made this for me a while back ... this will be out until Halloween until that passes, then it goes on to the next pillow!
This one my mom also made, but it's good until Winter!!
It's not a lot and it's simple, but I think my fireplace is cute! (But much better for Christmas though!!)
More Adventures in Cooking
Just wanted to share a few more culinary accomplishments for me...
Broccoli and cheese quiche!! This consisted of half full eggs and half egg whites, but it was good. The bad news - I used too much broccoli, and after about 3 days, it started smelling like it went bad. So I couldn't finish it. At least what I tasted was good! But lesson learned...use less broccoli!!
So this isn't a feat of culinary accomplishments, but it was AMAZING and I was stuffed until about 2 pm!! These are breakfast burritos...3 eggs whites and 2 turkey bacon slices (split between the 2 burritos), high fiber tortillas, fat free Cheddar cheese, and I poured about 2 tbsp of Salsa Verde over each before rolling them up! And I also tried the Fruit2Day drinks I've been hearing about - the juice is great, but they put pieces of fruit in them, and I really can't stand that. It really bothers me to have to chew my drinks. So I won't be getting them again. But...that doesn't mean you shouldn't! Like I said, the juice was good.
Broccoli and cheese quiche!! This consisted of half full eggs and half egg whites, but it was good. The bad news - I used too much broccoli, and after about 3 days, it started smelling like it went bad. So I couldn't finish it. At least what I tasted was good! But lesson learned...use less broccoli!!
So this isn't a feat of culinary accomplishments, but it was AMAZING and I was stuffed until about 2 pm!! These are breakfast burritos...3 eggs whites and 2 turkey bacon slices (split between the 2 burritos), high fiber tortillas, fat free Cheddar cheese, and I poured about 2 tbsp of Salsa Verde over each before rolling them up! And I also tried the Fruit2Day drinks I've been hearing about - the juice is great, but they put pieces of fruit in them, and I really can't stand that. It really bothers me to have to chew my drinks. So I won't be getting them again. But...that doesn't mean you shouldn't! Like I said, the juice was good.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Adventures in Cooking
September has been a month of cooking/experiments! Check out some of my creations below!!
A nice acorn squash with salt, pepper, and roasted pumpkin seeds. YUMMM!!!
Then, Justin wanted a Weight Watchers meal (you probably heard me gasp around the world)...so I made a healthy pizza - from scratch. Whole wheat crust, fresh tomatoes, fresh cilantro, mozzerella and pizza sauce. Also YUM!!!
And I had purchased some butternut squash at a Farmer's Market recently, and I wanted some soup so I improvised. See the amazing recipe below!!
1 large (or 2 small/medium) butternut squash
1 cup Fat Free Milk
1 cup Fat Free Cream cheese
Garam Masala spice
Curry spice
Peel and cut all the squash. Boil over the stove for 20 minutes, or until squash is soft enough to smush with a fork. Drain the pot, and mush all the potatoes to as smooth or lumpy as you'd like.
Put all the mashed squash back in your pot and put the stove top at about medium heat. Add the milk and cream cheese, and stir until all the cream cheese has melted and you reach desired consistency. Add the spices to your taste preferences. (I just did a dash or two until I got it right where I liked it).
This recipe will make a very thick soup, almost like a paste. But I looove really thick soup. You can slowly add more milk to make it thinner until it gets to your preference. And I just picked those spices because I love Indian food!
And I made sure I picked fat free cream cheese and milk because I'm on Weight Watchers. But it reallllly tastes yummy!!
A nice acorn squash with salt, pepper, and roasted pumpkin seeds. YUMMM!!!
Then, Justin wanted a Weight Watchers meal (you probably heard me gasp around the world)...so I made a healthy pizza - from scratch. Whole wheat crust, fresh tomatoes, fresh cilantro, mozzerella and pizza sauce. Also YUM!!!
And I had purchased some butternut squash at a Farmer's Market recently, and I wanted some soup so I improvised. See the amazing recipe below!!
Butternut Squash Recipe:
1 large (or 2 small/medium) butternut squash
1 cup Fat Free Milk
1 cup Fat Free Cream cheese
Garam Masala spice
Curry spice
Peel and cut all the squash. Boil over the stove for 20 minutes, or until squash is soft enough to smush with a fork. Drain the pot, and mush all the potatoes to as smooth or lumpy as you'd like.
Put all the mashed squash back in your pot and put the stove top at about medium heat. Add the milk and cream cheese, and stir until all the cream cheese has melted and you reach desired consistency. Add the spices to your taste preferences. (I just did a dash or two until I got it right where I liked it).
This recipe will make a very thick soup, almost like a paste. But I looove really thick soup. You can slowly add more milk to make it thinner until it gets to your preference. And I just picked those spices because I love Indian food!
And I made sure I picked fat free cream cheese and milk because I'm on Weight Watchers. But it reallllly tastes yummy!!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Update for Accountability
Well, unfortunately, I had another weigh-in yesterday, and I gained back almost as much as what I lost the first week. So I'm not sure where I went wrong, but I'm going to try 10 times as hard this week!
I made sure I had a WW meal for lunch, so it could be easily counted, and I picked a healthy frozen stir-fry option with lots of veggies for dinner. I also got some WW desserts so I could still feel "bad" but still stay within points. I will have 2 points over after dessert, so I'm doing good for today!! (I hope this shows up next Wednesday in my weigh-in!)
I made sure I had a WW meal for lunch, so it could be easily counted, and I picked a healthy frozen stir-fry option with lots of veggies for dinner. I also got some WW desserts so I could still feel "bad" but still stay within points. I will have 2 points over after dessert, so I'm doing good for today!! (I hope this shows up next Wednesday in my weigh-in!)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Weekend Update
Boy it was a busy weekend!!
Friday:
I got home from work and Justin called from his office and invited me to go downtown with a bunch of his co-workers. Fortunately, I had already fed Bailey, so I left and met up with them downtown. We hung out at a few places and headed to our final destination because a girl we were meeting wanted to do karaoke. So Justin and 2 of our friends, Kyle and Amanda, all drove back to our place and hung out for a few minutes first, while Justin changed out of his work clothes. We then headed over to Hatch Cover and met up with Megan and Mike, and it was a great time!! We ordered a bunch of food and it was like we had a buffet at our table! We never actually ended up doing any karaoke (thank goodness!) because it was the conversation was great, and it was extremely crowded, but we did pick a bunch of songs on the jukebox and it was a blast!!
On a side note – Amanda LOVES Hindi movies almost as much as I do! At my place, we had a blast going through my movie stash and I explained plot lines, gave recommendations, etc. Plus, the girls drove home separately from the guys, so Amanda and I rocked out to some Hindi soundtracks I have in my car. We made plans for when the boyfriends go on a business trip later this month to go to a local Indian restaurant for lunch and then go back to my place and watch a movie! (Or two! Or three!)
Saturday:
I managed to get up around 6:45 am and shower and meet up with my parents at Panera Bread at 8! They go each Saturday at 8 am – it’s a “tradition”! I brought Bailey with me, and they brought their puppy Cody, but they had errands to run, so they left and Bailey and I went to the dog park – go figure, right? Plus, the weather was still pretty nice and wasn’t miserable yet, so it was nice.
Then I had a quiet lunch at home while Justin was out fishing and I watched a new Hindi movie on Netflix called “Welcome”. I say “new”, but it came out in 2008, but Netflix just made it available to add to your instant queue, so I could watch it on the Wii without having to wait for them to ship a disc. I definitely won’t buy the movie, and I didn’t really enjoy the music all that much. But, you win some; you lose some. It was good and funny in some parts, and it was a Bollywood movie, so that much I enjoyed.
I wanted to watch the UT game, but it wasn’t televised in my area. Booo!!! I ended up just watching some documentaries on the History channel about 9/11 and then went to bed.
Sunday:
I got up somewhat early, and realized that I had a TON of laundry that I forgot to do Saturday, so I was a “Laundry Queen” all day. I think there were about 3 or 4 loads of laundry total. Whew!! Around 11, I ran some errands with Justin and got some brats for NFL Kickoff Weekend!! We also bought ingredients for homemade chili on Saturday, which has become a football Sunday tradition. That bad boy started in the crockpot around 9 am and kept it nice and hot all day long! YUMM!!! (And it’s like 85% veggies, plus beef, so I could still enjoy it and stay on WW!!)
Football Sunday consisted of watching the Broncos lose, then the Eagles, then finally the huge disaster that was the Cowboys/Redskins game. Not a good day for us. I started to watch another Hindi movie in between games, but I wasn’t really focused so I’ll have to finish it tonight!
Friday:
I got home from work and Justin called from his office and invited me to go downtown with a bunch of his co-workers. Fortunately, I had already fed Bailey, so I left and met up with them downtown. We hung out at a few places and headed to our final destination because a girl we were meeting wanted to do karaoke. So Justin and 2 of our friends, Kyle and Amanda, all drove back to our place and hung out for a few minutes first, while Justin changed out of his work clothes. We then headed over to Hatch Cover and met up with Megan and Mike, and it was a great time!! We ordered a bunch of food and it was like we had a buffet at our table! We never actually ended up doing any karaoke (thank goodness!) because it was the conversation was great, and it was extremely crowded, but we did pick a bunch of songs on the jukebox and it was a blast!!
On a side note – Amanda LOVES Hindi movies almost as much as I do! At my place, we had a blast going through my movie stash and I explained plot lines, gave recommendations, etc. Plus, the girls drove home separately from the guys, so Amanda and I rocked out to some Hindi soundtracks I have in my car. We made plans for when the boyfriends go on a business trip later this month to go to a local Indian restaurant for lunch and then go back to my place and watch a movie! (Or two! Or three!)
Saturday:
I managed to get up around 6:45 am and shower and meet up with my parents at Panera Bread at 8! They go each Saturday at 8 am – it’s a “tradition”! I brought Bailey with me, and they brought their puppy Cody, but they had errands to run, so they left and Bailey and I went to the dog park – go figure, right? Plus, the weather was still pretty nice and wasn’t miserable yet, so it was nice.
Then I had a quiet lunch at home while Justin was out fishing and I watched a new Hindi movie on Netflix called “Welcome”. I say “new”, but it came out in 2008, but Netflix just made it available to add to your instant queue, so I could watch it on the Wii without having to wait for them to ship a disc. I definitely won’t buy the movie, and I didn’t really enjoy the music all that much. But, you win some; you lose some. It was good and funny in some parts, and it was a Bollywood movie, so that much I enjoyed.
I wanted to watch the UT game, but it wasn’t televised in my area. Booo!!! I ended up just watching some documentaries on the History channel about 9/11 and then went to bed.
Sunday:
I got up somewhat early, and realized that I had a TON of laundry that I forgot to do Saturday, so I was a “Laundry Queen” all day. I think there were about 3 or 4 loads of laundry total. Whew!! Around 11, I ran some errands with Justin and got some brats for NFL Kickoff Weekend!! We also bought ingredients for homemade chili on Saturday, which has become a football Sunday tradition. That bad boy started in the crockpot around 9 am and kept it nice and hot all day long! YUMM!!! (And it’s like 85% veggies, plus beef, so I could still enjoy it and stay on WW!!)
Football Sunday consisted of watching the Broncos lose, then the Eagles, then finally the huge disaster that was the Cowboys/Redskins game. Not a good day for us. I started to watch another Hindi movie in between games, but I wasn’t really focused so I’ll have to finish it tonight!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Update
I'll probably give a full weekend update tomorrow (once I have a chance to remember it all!) but I wanted to document that as of my self weigh-in last Wednesday, I was down 2.8 lbs!!
So I can do it. I can be smart about food. I just realized - it's hard to think about what you eat. Why can't all the Sonic food and the junky stuff just be enough for me??? Oh well, making some good progress so far... yay!!!
So I can do it. I can be smart about food. I just realized - it's hard to think about what you eat. Why can't all the Sonic food and the junky stuff just be enough for me??? Oh well, making some good progress so far... yay!!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Back on the wagon...
For Weight Watchers, that is.
And I must say, it seems so much harder this time!!
In the 4 ½ months since I finished my 13-week session, I’ve gained back approximately 5 pounds. It isn’t the end of the world, and I can still fit into the clothes I could back then, but I’m just disappointed. Plus, when I finished back in May, I was only 5 lbs from my goal weight, and now I’m at 10 lbs away.
I don’t know if it’s the meetings that make the difference or not, but I’m not going to be attending them this time, but I did on my last time on the program. Granted, I only started it up again last week, but it seems so much harder this time already.
I know all about the point system, how many to start with, how to get extra, what foods are good and filling and which are not, etc. I know exactly what I should be doing, and yet I’m finding it really hard to stay within my points for the day. I can’t remember if it was this hard the first week for me last time or not, because that was back in January. But I lost 5 lbs that first week!!
I just seem to be finding myself having a 7 or 8 point lunch or dinner, and then feel good about only a 1 or 2 point snack and then boom – it’s 7:30 pm, I’m starving and I’m already close to or over my allotted points for the day. I know that there are 35 flex points for the entire week, but I don’t want to keep dipping into them each day and then halfway through my week, they’re gone. It just seems that what I ate the first go-around filled me up more then than they do now, which is weird.
I am getting some daily exercise, in the form of taking Bailey to the dog park. I walk to the park, spend about 30-40 minutes there, and walk back, totaling about 45 minutes round trip on average. It’s low intensity, so I don’t earn as many activity points, but it’s hard to go and “haul-ass” around the park with a dog that likes to stop and smell and run off, and stop and play, etc. Plus, it’s also a great mental break for me, because I love dogs (especially Bailey), and it makes me happy to see him enjoying himself and being silly. So I go for a nice leisurely walk – better than sitting on the couch all night. And then he gets exercise too – maybe even more than me!!
I’m just a little frustrated with myself this time around. I do need to give myself some slack though, as it is still in the first week of this for me, and I should allow myself some time to re-adjust back to eating well and controlling portions. As long as I keep up with that and work hard at it, and continue to exercise, I can see this working for me again. I didn’t even do any exercise last time, so I’m hoping that gives me a slight advantage the second time around.
And I must say, it seems so much harder this time!!
In the 4 ½ months since I finished my 13-week session, I’ve gained back approximately 5 pounds. It isn’t the end of the world, and I can still fit into the clothes I could back then, but I’m just disappointed. Plus, when I finished back in May, I was only 5 lbs from my goal weight, and now I’m at 10 lbs away.
I don’t know if it’s the meetings that make the difference or not, but I’m not going to be attending them this time, but I did on my last time on the program. Granted, I only started it up again last week, but it seems so much harder this time already.
I know all about the point system, how many to start with, how to get extra, what foods are good and filling and which are not, etc. I know exactly what I should be doing, and yet I’m finding it really hard to stay within my points for the day. I can’t remember if it was this hard the first week for me last time or not, because that was back in January. But I lost 5 lbs that first week!!
I just seem to be finding myself having a 7 or 8 point lunch or dinner, and then feel good about only a 1 or 2 point snack and then boom – it’s 7:30 pm, I’m starving and I’m already close to or over my allotted points for the day. I know that there are 35 flex points for the entire week, but I don’t want to keep dipping into them each day and then halfway through my week, they’re gone. It just seems that what I ate the first go-around filled me up more then than they do now, which is weird.
I am getting some daily exercise, in the form of taking Bailey to the dog park. I walk to the park, spend about 30-40 minutes there, and walk back, totaling about 45 minutes round trip on average. It’s low intensity, so I don’t earn as many activity points, but it’s hard to go and “haul-ass” around the park with a dog that likes to stop and smell and run off, and stop and play, etc. Plus, it’s also a great mental break for me, because I love dogs (especially Bailey), and it makes me happy to see him enjoying himself and being silly. So I go for a nice leisurely walk – better than sitting on the couch all night. And then he gets exercise too – maybe even more than me!!
I’m just a little frustrated with myself this time around. I do need to give myself some slack though, as it is still in the first week of this for me, and I should allow myself some time to re-adjust back to eating well and controlling portions. As long as I keep up with that and work hard at it, and continue to exercise, I can see this working for me again. I didn’t even do any exercise last time, so I’m hoping that gives me a slight advantage the second time around.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
200th Post - Road Trip to Missouri!!
200th Post – Road Trip to Missouri
So 2 weeks ago, my dad and I had lunch at Schlotszky’s on Thursday and he was telling me about a camper that he was interested in getting. He had been dreaming of getting one for years, but my mom has always been opposed to it. One night, he happened to show this camper to my mom and she said “ok”…and then he had the green light to get the camper!!
So then on Friday, August 27th I got into work and had an e-mail from my dad. The subject was “Are you up for an adventure?” In the e-mail, he invited me to take a road trip with him that weekend. He was able to get an amazing deal on a camper that someone was selling, who had only used it once. The only problem –
He lives in North Carolina.
He either wasn’t willing or able (or maybe both) to ship it or bring it to Colorado Springs, so he and my dad worked out a deal where they would both drive halfway (about 12 hours) and meet in St. Louis, Missouri. My mom couldn’t go because they had a house guest staying with them who was flying out at noon on Saturday and she was taking her to the airport, plus she had a dinner party on Saturday night. So my dad asked me to go! It took me all of 2 minutes to realize that I had no plans and I was going!!
Friday night I went over for dinner at their house, planning on staying over so that I could leave with him really early the next morning. We had a great dinner and then I convinced my dad that if we drove a few hours that night, then we wouldn’t have to spend the entire Saturday in the car, and we’d get to St. Louis earlier. He loved the idea, so we started out at 6:45 on Friday! We drove through the night and ended up at a hotel in Colby, Kansas. Boy – there was NOTHING out there. It was about 11:30 pm (10:30 Colorado time) but I was starving and we hadn’t eaten in about 6 hours, so we stopped at the McDonald’s next door for a late night snack.
We decided to get up at 5 am (4 am MT) to be on the road by 6, and then we were on our way again (after, of course, another stop at McDonald’s for breakfast). I’m not really into audio books, but thank goodness my dad had one with him, because it really helped the time fly by. It also was great to just talk with him and catch up on things, and tell funny stories and memories and between all that and the several stops for gas and bathroom breaks, we were in St. Louis before we knew it! Throw in another stop at McDonald’s for lunch, and I was starting to feel like the guy from the documentary “Supersize Me”.
The man’s name who was selling my dad the camper was Jeff, and he was really nice. We got to St. Louis around 4:15 (3:15 MT) and spent about 1 ½ to 2 hours getting the rundown of all the features and hooking it up to my dad’s car. Then after driving it around the parking lot to get used to it, we were ready to get back on the road. Seems kind of silly to drive 12 hours just to spend 2 hours in St. Louis, and then drive back, but it worked out so well driving a few hours Friday night, so we were ok with it. Plus, it was also equally silly to set up camp at 6 pm and then just sit around, waiting for the next morning to arrive.
After only about 2 hours of driving, my dad and I decided that we should probably start looking for a campground before we got to Kansas and there were practically none. Plus, we also wanted to set-up the camper and make sure it all worked, and we didn’t know how long that would take (since we’re both first-timers). So around 8, we finally got a campsite and I convinced my dad that we should probably eat something other than McDonald’s for dinner. The campground host recommended a 50’s Diner close-by, and since we didn’t want to fiddle with un-hooking and hooking the camper from the car (since we didn’t know what we’d do if we couldn’t figure it out!) we took it to dinner with us. But, it was a little rushed so that we could get back and settle in. Thank goodness for electric hook-ups and A/C in the camper – it was so humid and muggy that the A/C was awesome! After checking Facebook and watching an episode of Law and Order SVU on Netflix, we headed to bed.
We got up again at 4/5 and made our way back home and, for convenience, had McDonald’s for breakfast one last time. For those of you counting, that’s 4 times in 2 days we had McDonald’s. So it was a mutual decision to get Quizno’s for lunch that day, so we could actually say we had fresh veggies and whole wheat bread at least once, and to feel better about our food choices.
We finally arrived back in Colorado Springs around 5, had dinner with my mom, and then I had to rush home to finally take a shower!! Whew…
It was a great weekend, and it actually went by too fast. I love road trips!! I can’t wait for my next one! Here are some shots I took on the way back so that I could share:
Dad test driving the car with the camper...
Good morning Kansas. Really??
Here's my dad getting the run through from Jeff...
So 2 weeks ago, my dad and I had lunch at Schlotszky’s on Thursday and he was telling me about a camper that he was interested in getting. He had been dreaming of getting one for years, but my mom has always been opposed to it. One night, he happened to show this camper to my mom and she said “ok”…and then he had the green light to get the camper!!
So then on Friday, August 27th I got into work and had an e-mail from my dad. The subject was “Are you up for an adventure?” In the e-mail, he invited me to take a road trip with him that weekend. He was able to get an amazing deal on a camper that someone was selling, who had only used it once. The only problem –
He lives in North Carolina.
He either wasn’t willing or able (or maybe both) to ship it or bring it to Colorado Springs, so he and my dad worked out a deal where they would both drive halfway (about 12 hours) and meet in St. Louis, Missouri. My mom couldn’t go because they had a house guest staying with them who was flying out at noon on Saturday and she was taking her to the airport, plus she had a dinner party on Saturday night. So my dad asked me to go! It took me all of 2 minutes to realize that I had no plans and I was going!!
Friday night I went over for dinner at their house, planning on staying over so that I could leave with him really early the next morning. We had a great dinner and then I convinced my dad that if we drove a few hours that night, then we wouldn’t have to spend the entire Saturday in the car, and we’d get to St. Louis earlier. He loved the idea, so we started out at 6:45 on Friday! We drove through the night and ended up at a hotel in Colby, Kansas. Boy – there was NOTHING out there. It was about 11:30 pm (10:30 Colorado time) but I was starving and we hadn’t eaten in about 6 hours, so we stopped at the McDonald’s next door for a late night snack.
We decided to get up at 5 am (4 am MT) to be on the road by 6, and then we were on our way again (after, of course, another stop at McDonald’s for breakfast). I’m not really into audio books, but thank goodness my dad had one with him, because it really helped the time fly by. It also was great to just talk with him and catch up on things, and tell funny stories and memories and between all that and the several stops for gas and bathroom breaks, we were in St. Louis before we knew it! Throw in another stop at McDonald’s for lunch, and I was starting to feel like the guy from the documentary “Supersize Me”.
The man’s name who was selling my dad the camper was Jeff, and he was really nice. We got to St. Louis around 4:15 (3:15 MT) and spent about 1 ½ to 2 hours getting the rundown of all the features and hooking it up to my dad’s car. Then after driving it around the parking lot to get used to it, we were ready to get back on the road. Seems kind of silly to drive 12 hours just to spend 2 hours in St. Louis, and then drive back, but it worked out so well driving a few hours Friday night, so we were ok with it. Plus, it was also equally silly to set up camp at 6 pm and then just sit around, waiting for the next morning to arrive.
After only about 2 hours of driving, my dad and I decided that we should probably start looking for a campground before we got to Kansas and there were practically none. Plus, we also wanted to set-up the camper and make sure it all worked, and we didn’t know how long that would take (since we’re both first-timers). So around 8, we finally got a campsite and I convinced my dad that we should probably eat something other than McDonald’s for dinner. The campground host recommended a 50’s Diner close-by, and since we didn’t want to fiddle with un-hooking and hooking the camper from the car (since we didn’t know what we’d do if we couldn’t figure it out!) we took it to dinner with us. But, it was a little rushed so that we could get back and settle in. Thank goodness for electric hook-ups and A/C in the camper – it was so humid and muggy that the A/C was awesome! After checking Facebook and watching an episode of Law and Order SVU on Netflix, we headed to bed.
We got up again at 4/5 and made our way back home and, for convenience, had McDonald’s for breakfast one last time. For those of you counting, that’s 4 times in 2 days we had McDonald’s. So it was a mutual decision to get Quizno’s for lunch that day, so we could actually say we had fresh veggies and whole wheat bread at least once, and to feel better about our food choices.
We finally arrived back in Colorado Springs around 5, had dinner with my mom, and then I had to rush home to finally take a shower!! Whew…
It was a great weekend, and it actually went by too fast. I love road trips!! I can’t wait for my next one! Here are some shots I took on the way back so that I could share:
Dad test driving the car with the camper...
Good morning Kansas. Really??
Here's my dad getting the run through from Jeff...
Here's my dad at the campground on Saturday night getting everything ready...
Place in Kansas where we stopped for gas had this in the window - thank goodness they were closed.
Driving through Kansas...
My dad drove the whole way - what a trooper!!
Always the photographer, never the subject.
Thank goodness for audio books...this one was great!!
Bales of hay in...you guessed it...Kansas!
More of Kansas...it was actually kind of therapeutic...
Driving through Kansas...
My dad drove the whole way - what a trooper!!
Always the photographer, never the subject.
Thank goodness for audio books...this one was great!!
Bales of hay in...you guessed it...Kansas!
Finally back to the mountains!!
Thanks for reading!!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Camping at 11 Mile
This weekend, Justin's office had their annual camping trip, so we tagged along to 11 Mile, just past Woodland Park, Colorado. It was soooooo much fun!!! It went by so fast, I can't believe I'm already home! I've got the camping bug, and I can't wait to go again!!
Here are some of the guys:
Here are some of the guys:
Here's Justin and his new fishing buddy, Eric (and his little girl, Sadie, a Vizla):
So, Bailey doesn't quite understand that he can just gracefully and politely walk through the water. It's hysterical. He looks like a banchee.
Here's a quick view from our campsite...I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I live at a campground, please?
Bailey and Marley keeping me company while the "daddy's" fish.
Some of the guys around our campfire...
I totally love the fact that this kid on the right is sticking his tounge out...classic!
Justin decided to take a nap with Bailey...here is the result...SO CUTE!
Some of the guys...I had a blast!!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Heaven on Earth
Panino's. Serving Colorado and Minnesota. And there are 2 locations within a 15 minute drive from me. They serve some of the most AMAZING food I have ever had.
You crave it.
You dream about it.
You drool over it.
Yea. It's that good.
They serve a signature dish, called a Panino. What's a panino? According to their website, http://www.paninos.com/, the panino is "a gourmet creation made with the finest garden fresh vegetables, top quality meats and cheeses, and then baked to a golden brown, rolled, sliced, and served to you piping hot." As it was described to me, it's bascially a pizza rolled up. So it's a panini on pizza dough, instead of just regular bread/ciabatta bread.
But they also serve traditional pizza-parlor fare: oven baked pizzas, fresh pasta, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, manicotti, lasagna, ravioli, spaghetti with one meatball or sausage. Amen.
Like I said. Heaven. I ate there last week and have turned on at least 2 people I work with onto this wonder. And I'm going again Friday. The minutes are dragging. Here are some amazing shots (if you don't go to their website, you should still appreciate their amazing fare!). You know, while you dream about it and I can actually consume it.
Yes please.
These first two are paninos.
You crave it.
You dream about it.
You drool over it.
Yea. It's that good.
They serve a signature dish, called a Panino. What's a panino? According to their website, http://www.paninos.com/, the panino is "a gourmet creation made with the finest garden fresh vegetables, top quality meats and cheeses, and then baked to a golden brown, rolled, sliced, and served to you piping hot." As it was described to me, it's bascially a pizza rolled up. So it's a panini on pizza dough, instead of just regular bread/ciabatta bread.
But they also serve traditional pizza-parlor fare: oven baked pizzas, fresh pasta, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, manicotti, lasagna, ravioli, spaghetti with one meatball or sausage. Amen.
Like I said. Heaven. I ate there last week and have turned on at least 2 people I work with onto this wonder. And I'm going again Friday. The minutes are dragging. Here are some amazing shots (if you don't go to their website, you should still appreciate their amazing fare!). You know, while you dream about it and I can actually consume it.
Yes please.
These first two are paninos.
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