Confessions

There is NEVER enough time.

There's working, so you can pay your bills, because you're a responsible adult

and

Getting AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep, because you're a responsible adult

and

All the time you spend peeing because you drank so much water, because you're a responsible adult

and

Spending quality time with your significant other, so you don't become strangers-who-live-in-the-same-house-and-share-a-toilet, because you're a responsible adult

and

Talking with your friends, so you don't become a hermit, because you're a responsible adult

and

Watching the news or reading a book, so your brain doesn't turn to mush, because you're a responsible adult

and

Meal-planning, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning [Rinse and Repeat EVERY WEEK], so you don't end up on The Biggest Loser [looove that show], because you're a responsible adult

and

Trying to remember your new boss's name, but you can't because your brain is too full of due dates for bills and payments, because you're a responsible adult

and

Exercising [don't even get me started], because you're a responsible adult

and

Cleaning the entire house, NOT just your room, because you're a responsible adult

and

I DON'T EVEN HAVE KIDS!!

....

I could seriously go on for a while, but I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO, because I need to go do something responsible now!!

Throw Up Thursday

Dearest TJ,

I will love you until the day you die or until the day I do.

Whichever is longer.

Love always,
Your girl

Just a Quick Tip

This is to all my readers (HI to both of you!) who use lots of hair products.

I use at least four each morning (spray gel, mouse, heat protectant and hair spray ... thank you curly hair), and without doing this little tip, I would have to mop my bathroom floor every single day!

So how do I keep all of that sticky residue off of my floor without cleaning up after each use?

I hold my head over the bath tub! Of course I apply all of the products with my head upside down (to add volume). If you don't do that, this may be more difficult for you ... sorry!

This way, any extra product falls in the tub and whoever takes a shower next just washes it away. And it doesn't matter if it makes the tub sticky because it just keeps you from slipping.

And no, that is not my bathtub, but a girl can dream, right? :)

Hope you find this helpful!!

My Favorite TV Shows

Guilty Pleasure: The Carrie Diaries

I loved the original and I love the prequel. I watched it every Monday and I really hope it was renewed for a second season!!

Side Bar: I HATE the whole Sebastian and Carrie thing. Come on Carrie...move on!

Animated: Bob's Burgers

This is the best animated show ever. Louise is my favorite, although Tina is pretty awesome as well. I also love how Bob and Linda are so supportive of their children and each other. 

Drama: Walking Dead/The Following

We just started watching during the most recent season. It is very interesting and full of dynamic characters. I will admit that I burnt myself out on it by watching a marathon leading up the season finale. 

I'm watching this as I write this. It is very disturbing, but also addicting due to its complexity. I'm still trying to figure out who all is in the cult...it could be anybody! Can't wait for next week's season finale!

Reality TV: Duck Dynasty

Who doesn't love this show? It is good, clean fun! Jase just has a perfect dean pan delivery and Si is everyone's crazy, old uncle! You should definitely watch it if you have a change :)

Others

Of honorable mention are: New Girl and Big Bang Theory :)

Beauty

Yesterday evening my beautiful sister-in-law and I went to see the OKC ballet perform Swan Lake. It was the first time OKC has produced this particular ballet, it was the first time for either of us to see it (and it has been on Becky's Bucket List for a while), and it was my first time to ever see a ballet. We bought these tickets almost six months ago and the anticipation has been building ever since. Needless to say I was excited!

I fretted over what to wear. Thinking it more acceptable to be over-dressed than under-dressed, I chose my LBD, nude pumps and purse, and paired it with bright red lipstick. I'm not sure I would do that combination again, especially the lipstick, but it was good for one night, and now I know.

Becky looked gorgeous in a pink dress, black tights, and black booties. Here's a picture of us at her house before heading to the Civic Center.

I have no other pictures of the evening for two reasons: (1) We weren't allowed to take pictures of the performance, and (2) pictures wouldn't do it justice anyway. 

It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. At one point it literally took my breath away. 

I texted my husband during one of the intermissions to tell him "I feel like my soul is being cleansed and rejuvenated by being here. I'm a better person for having witnessed this."

Now, maybe that seems like an over-reaction to some of you, and that's okay. For me, it isn't. I have always wanted to be one of those people that regularly attend the ballet, opera, and plays (Broadway or not), so this evening felt like a dream come true. 

I can't wait for next season, and desperately wish to purchase season tickets. I know that I will attend at least one though, and it will most likely be Beauty and the Beast. It is wonderful to have that to look forward to, and heart-breaking that it is almost a year away. 

Confessions

They tell you that you can do anything you want when you grow up.

They lied. 

I am a grown up. 

I want to eat a kiddie size chocolate frozen yogurt with chocolate chips and caramel from The Custard Factory every day. 

I also want to lost 10 - 15 pounds.

I cannot do both of these and therefore cannot do anything I want. 

So yeah ... there's that. 

Throw Up Thursday

Throw Up Thursday: Well, this is more of a Throw Back Thursday post.

It has officially been a year since my first Throw Up Thursday post. 

(Almost) Fifty-two reminders of the many ways this man has found to love me.



Go ahead, re-read some of them; I already have. :) But try not to throw up from how sweet it is.

Seasons

I don't like my job. I don't think this is much of a surprise to anyone, but in case you didn't know, now you do. 

It's just not what I want to do with my life. And to be honest, I'm not sure what I want to do with my life, which is frustrating. 

Well, I think I know, but I can't do it right now, so ...

I would like to be a stay at home wife. Yeah, I know, who does that anymore? 

Maybe I watched too much "I Love Lucy" as a kid, but seriously, I think taking care of my home and my husband would be a full time job that I would enjoy and feel fulfilled in, but like I said, I can't do that right now, if ever. 

I need to work and contribute an income to my home, so I work. 

I'm in a season of life with my job that feels like winter, when I want to be in spring.

Have you ever felt this way?

I mean, I'm very happy and satisfied in other areas of my life, but in my career, I'm simply waiting. 

And I'm learning to be content in the waiting. In the uncertainty. In the wanting. 

Instead of complaining, which I have done PLENTY of, I'm choosing to accept it. 

Complaining doesn't change the situation I'm in or make it any easier to bear. It just makes it more miserable. It makes others miserable too. 

So instead of doing that, I'm going to accept it. Accept the blessings. 

You heard me. Blessings. 

Even in this winter season, I am blessed. I have a job, a source of income. I have no physical or mental barriers to working. I don't have a physically demanding or emotionally demeaning occupation. I am paid a reasonable salary and my rights are protected. I don't have to put myself in danger or sell my body to earn an income. And my current job is paying for me to go to graduate school (in exchange for a four year work commitment).

I am blessed, even now, even here, even in this season of my life. 

And I'm choosing to trust Him in this season. 

________________

Switching gears....

I really wanted to work the following picture into this post because I think it is very relevant to the topic, but I'm just not feeling very eloquent right now.... so I'm just going to post it below.  :)

The Difference

I am participating in a Women's Bible Study at my church.

He Speaks to Me by Pricilla Shirer

Today's lesson was focused on God's Priorities. I was asked how I prepare to worship God through spending time with him.

Well, I go to church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, although I [occasionally] show up late, or just on time, and rarely stay afterwards to socialize.

I bring my Bible and a journal to take notes on the sermon or study of the day.

I journal on a pretty regular basis and read the Bible [almost] daily.

I really thought I was doing pretty well.

__________

[Confession: I compared myself to others and even felt smug, because I rarely see others going so far as to take notes. Lord, humble me.]

James 4:10 "Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up."

[Don't think I'm so cool because I quoted Scripture --- It was from one of last week's studies.]

__________

Back to the story...

I really thought I was doing pretty well. Sure, there's always room for improvement.

And then, I was asked to rate my preparedness to worship on a scale, from "Just Show Up" to "Prepare Prayerfully."


Prepare prayerfully? No, I admit that I don't do that.



So what of the other stuff I do?


So what of attending church, if I don't ask to meet God there?

Without God, it's just a building.


So what of reading His Word, if I don't ask for the wisdom to understand it's meaning?

Without God, it's just a book.


So what of personal journals or sermon notes, if I don't ask God to teach the lesson?

Without God, it's just scribbles on paper.


And more ...


So what if I work hard at my occupation, if I don't ask God to use it for something more?

Without God, it is pointless.


So what if I seek to be the best wife possible to my husband, if I don't look to God to define love?

Without God, we're only really good roommates-with-benefits.



God makes the difference and one of the tools He gave us is prayer, which I have, unfortunately, disregarded in my pursuit of Him.

Previously, I was unaware of what was missing, but conscious that something was astray.

Of course I knew about prayer and I have prayed before today's lesson, but I never thought of it as a way to prepare for worship. That thought, that new perspective, that additional facet of understanding the power of prayer, has really been on my mind today. And I think it will make a difference, if I put it into practice, which I intend to do.



I just wanted to share that with you.

Thanks for listening!

Confessions of a Reluctant Grown Up

Ok, so I don't know if this will become a regular thing or a permanent thing, but I definitely have a lot to say on the subject.

"What subject?", you ask.

Being an adult.

I just think some of you young 'uns need a warning of what's to come.

And I hope some of you fellow "grown-up-kids-but-not-quite-grown-up's" will assure me that I'm not the only one who has these thoughts/feelings/behaviors. So, please leave comments ... even if you just want to hear more. I definitely want to hear from you!

So here I go. Confession of a Reluctant Grown Up...



You know how some people talk to their kids or pets using a baby voice?

That's how I talk to my shoes.

Well, my favorite ones.

The ones that need to be babied, or they might think I don't love them.

And that would be sad.

Poor shoes. :(

Throw Up Thursday

Thank you sweetheart for supporting me in all my dreams, including getting a graduate degree. You're so much more than I deserve and I am eternally grateful for each and every day you are in my life.