However....how could any girl not like this on her finger?
And no I'm not materialistic...I just call it good taste;)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
WIN an Egagement Ring?! Say what???
However....how could any girl not like this on her finger?
And no I'm not materialistic...I just call it good taste;)
In Every Thing Give Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
This is where I have found myself over the past couple days, and having a thankful spirit has been harder than normal. It's mostly surrounding work, nothing extra ordinary just feeling like I can't do anything right. I know that's not true, and that any pity I may feel the enemy loves to perpetuate even further in my own mind. This is not a fun place to be. Which is why when I woke up this morning I made it a point to continually thank the Lord for my blessings, like my job, my new home (another source of recent stress), my Riley:), my friends, my Bible, even the recent trip to the Dentist office which had me diagnosed with TMJ (I clench my teeth at night) got a praise because now that I know why my jaw hurts I can fix it (hey, no cracks about how much I talk;)).
See yesterday I made a couple mistakes on some of my write-ups, and with business being slow right now, it didn't make the boss to happy, which bummed me out because they were really ridiculous mistakes (I like my job and I always strive to do my best so I took it really personally, probably more than necessary). Then I found out that my new land lord decided that she wanted to change her mind on me not paying last months rent, although she is giving me a little more time to pay it since I wasn't prepared for it. This was a major disappointment though, because I had planned on using it to make a big payment towards paying down my credit card, especially since my rent is more expensive now and bigger monthly payments will be a bit more challenging. This was my day yesterday. The only pleasant thing about it was that it ended with me sitting in my usual pew at church for mid week service and prayer, boy did I need it. The message didn't relate to my situation at all, but just being where I could hear from the Lord was all I needed to end my night on a peaceful note.
Thank you Lord for my long exhausting day.
Today was better at work, although I was still mad at myself. I accepted my plight with the rent and I got to take Riley on a walk before the rain came.
Thank you Lord for holding back the rain so I could walk my dog and gain some perspective. It may have been gray outside, but it wasn't snowing like it is on my friends & family back east and it was over 40 degrees.
Shortly after the walk I decided to go to H&R Block and ask them a question about my 1098-T from WSU. I only usually file a 1040EZ, but I wasn't sure what to do with the new Tax form from the school. So the lady explained it to me and I basically had to do a 1040A (well really Tax Slayer did it for me online). I inputted my information when I got home, and the outcome was good...at first, but then it turned GREAT!!! Without talking actual numbers lets just say that after using the education credit I'm getting ALL of my $ back from school and that will help me make an even BIGGER payment on my credit card then I had planned, and pay for my last months rent, AND have maybe a little left over for some paint for my room:)
Thank you Lord for exceeding my expectations and for making me patient, even if I was whining a little. I apologize. It may be the IRS doling it out, but no one can out give God!
If you're facing your own set of trials I hope that you remember to take the time to thank the one that gave them to you, you never know where the blessings will come from.
This is where I have found myself over the past couple days, and having a thankful spirit has been harder than normal. It's mostly surrounding work, nothing extra ordinary just feeling like I can't do anything right. I know that's not true, and that any pity I may feel the enemy loves to perpetuate even further in my own mind. This is not a fun place to be. Which is why when I woke up this morning I made it a point to continually thank the Lord for my blessings, like my job, my new home (another source of recent stress), my Riley:), my friends, my Bible, even the recent trip to the Dentist office which had me diagnosed with TMJ (I clench my teeth at night) got a praise because now that I know why my jaw hurts I can fix it (hey, no cracks about how much I talk;)).
See yesterday I made a couple mistakes on some of my write-ups, and with business being slow right now, it didn't make the boss to happy, which bummed me out because they were really ridiculous mistakes (I like my job and I always strive to do my best so I took it really personally, probably more than necessary). Then I found out that my new land lord decided that she wanted to change her mind on me not paying last months rent, although she is giving me a little more time to pay it since I wasn't prepared for it. This was a major disappointment though, because I had planned on using it to make a big payment towards paying down my credit card, especially since my rent is more expensive now and bigger monthly payments will be a bit more challenging. This was my day yesterday. The only pleasant thing about it was that it ended with me sitting in my usual pew at church for mid week service and prayer, boy did I need it. The message didn't relate to my situation at all, but just being where I could hear from the Lord was all I needed to end my night on a peaceful note.
Thank you Lord for my long exhausting day.
Today was better at work, although I was still mad at myself. I accepted my plight with the rent and I got to take Riley on a walk before the rain came.
Thank you Lord for holding back the rain so I could walk my dog and gain some perspective. It may have been gray outside, but it wasn't snowing like it is on my friends & family back east and it was over 40 degrees.
Shortly after the walk I decided to go to H&R Block and ask them a question about my 1098-T from WSU. I only usually file a 1040EZ, but I wasn't sure what to do with the new Tax form from the school. So the lady explained it to me and I basically had to do a 1040A (well really Tax Slayer did it for me online). I inputted my information when I got home, and the outcome was good...at first, but then it turned GREAT!!! Without talking actual numbers lets just say that after using the education credit I'm getting ALL of my $ back from school and that will help me make an even BIGGER payment on my credit card then I had planned, and pay for my last months rent, AND have maybe a little left over for some paint for my room:)
Thank you Lord for exceeding my expectations and for making me patient, even if I was whining a little. I apologize. It may be the IRS doling it out, but no one can out give God!
If you're facing your own set of trials I hope that you remember to take the time to thank the one that gave them to you, you never know where the blessings will come from.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
My new buddy
Many of you know that I have long sought after a canine companion. It has been a long process mostly due to the fact that I haven't lived in a place where I couldn't have one. But with my new place this is no longer an issue.
On Thursday Nicki sent me a link from a local rescue that had a dog named Phoenix available 3yrs old, house trained and good with other dogs and kids. He seemed pretty ideal, but I wasn't wild about the name. However, after Saturday church clean-up Nicki and I went to the shelter to go take a look, and he was just a bundle of cuteness. He was dropped off at the shelter and his fur was in a matted mess, so they had to shave him, and he's not that wild about men right now, but with a little more training and a suitable name he'll be the perfect pet.
I had decided to name him Bo after Boaz in the book of Ruth. But then I realized that the name "Bo" rhymes with "No" and he may get confused if I have to scold him, and I don't want him to get a complex. So if you have any name ideas you want to contribute feel free to do so. I'll let you all know what I come up with/decide on.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Purging & Packing
This weekend has been a whirlwind of packing activity, not just me, but my roommate as well. Seeing as I have another couple weeks here I thought it advantageous to not make it more hectic around here than necessary. So tonight starts the first efforts to officially purge my stuff. You know all that little petty clutter that eventually ads up to a lot of petty clutter. The trechery of idle papers or receipts that just accumulate out of "know where". You know what I'm talking about. Especially us ladies, our purses are full of them, but I digress.
At first I thought that getting rid of stuff would be hard. Don't get me wrong, it's no picnic as far as time invested is concerned, however, with each decision I make in what goes or stays I find myself leaning more to the going, rather than the staying. You know like all those projects I was gonna start, but only got half way with...GONE. Those clothes that I just know I'm going to fit into again...GONE.
Some decisions have been given a little more thought. Like my sewing machine. Once upon a time when I was a younger me I was actually learning this skill. But then the lady that was teaching me up and left her husband and that was the end of the lessons. I bought my sewing machine a few years ago, with the honest intention of re-learning, but the business of school and Bible Institute and that little thing called time has kept it at bay. So I had decided to get rid of it, until my friend Kim said that she would teach me. So it stays. Which is good because I've had a long designed project in my mind to take my old Navy uniforms and turn them into a quilt. It can be very cathartic to turn something that was a source of stress and angst into something that is useful and hopefully beautiful too. Yeah that's just dripping with irony because as anyone associated with the military knows that to beautify a uniform is pretty difficult. Stay tuned.
Another dificult decision, and one that I'm still up in the air on is my hope chest. Really people before I get an onslaught of advice on this one I REALLY don't have the room. My place is small and so I must decorate vertically, and a hope chest can take up a lot of room. I'm going to hang onto it at least until I get there just to see (Nicki's mom's advice). If it works maybe I can turn it into something that will have a dual purpose, like a window seat, but if not it's gonna have to go. It's nice for storage, but it's not like anyone built it for me so there's no sentimental value to it, and if I think about it for too long a single 31 year old woman with a hope chest just seems kinda sad. Even though it mostly olds memories from my childhood and not things that I would use when I get married.
Surprisingly easy to decide what goes was some other of my furniture items. My Kitchen table, my coffee & end tables, my desk & large bookshelf to start with. The other night I was on Craigslist and I found a woman who is trying to make a fresh start with her and her sons (no I don't know the whole story there) but she posted a listing asking for some of the items that I had available and so I contacted her and am hoping that I can find a friend with a truck that is willing to help with that. Paying it forward I guess you could say since I was given a free W&D last week. But it felt satisfying to make that decision and to know that those items will be appreciated.
Purging and packing. Because I can't take it with me when I go. Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
At first I thought that getting rid of stuff would be hard. Don't get me wrong, it's no picnic as far as time invested is concerned, however, with each decision I make in what goes or stays I find myself leaning more to the going, rather than the staying. You know like all those projects I was gonna start, but only got half way with...GONE. Those clothes that I just know I'm going to fit into again...GONE.
Some decisions have been given a little more thought. Like my sewing machine. Once upon a time when I was a younger me I was actually learning this skill. But then the lady that was teaching me up and left her husband and that was the end of the lessons. I bought my sewing machine a few years ago, with the honest intention of re-learning, but the business of school and Bible Institute and that little thing called time has kept it at bay. So I had decided to get rid of it, until my friend Kim said that she would teach me. So it stays. Which is good because I've had a long designed project in my mind to take my old Navy uniforms and turn them into a quilt. It can be very cathartic to turn something that was a source of stress and angst into something that is useful and hopefully beautiful too. Yeah that's just dripping with irony because as anyone associated with the military knows that to beautify a uniform is pretty difficult. Stay tuned.
Another dificult decision, and one that I'm still up in the air on is my hope chest. Really people before I get an onslaught of advice on this one I REALLY don't have the room. My place is small and so I must decorate vertically, and a hope chest can take up a lot of room. I'm going to hang onto it at least until I get there just to see (Nicki's mom's advice). If it works maybe I can turn it into something that will have a dual purpose, like a window seat, but if not it's gonna have to go. It's nice for storage, but it's not like anyone built it for me so there's no sentimental value to it, and if I think about it for too long a single 31 year old woman with a hope chest just seems kinda sad. Even though it mostly olds memories from my childhood and not things that I would use when I get married.
Surprisingly easy to decide what goes was some other of my furniture items. My Kitchen table, my coffee & end tables, my desk & large bookshelf to start with. The other night I was on Craigslist and I found a woman who is trying to make a fresh start with her and her sons (no I don't know the whole story there) but she posted a listing asking for some of the items that I had available and so I contacted her and am hoping that I can find a friend with a truck that is willing to help with that. Paying it forward I guess you could say since I was given a free W&D last week. But it felt satisfying to make that decision and to know that those items will be appreciated.
Purging and packing. Because I can't take it with me when I go. Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hook Ups
One of the benefits of my new abode is the fact that it has washer & dryer hook-ups. If you're the average renter you know how rare this benefit can be. I have a washer & dryer in my current appartment and it has been such a treat over the past year. I was devastated at the prospect of giving that up. And I never really thought that I'd be able to find another place with that benefit that I could afford, at least not without huge sacrifices in other areas of my everyday life, except that when I saw my new place and that it did have the W&D hook-ups I was pleased, but it would be a while before I could afford a set (even a used one) right?
I'm happy to give a resounding NO to that question.
Some time ago, in the throws of my bereavement in having to look for a new place, I was sharing my angst with Sarah, a friend & co-worker, and she asked me if I had any "absolutes" only list of desires on places to look at. Now her question was completely reasonable, and asked in a genuine way because she just wanted to try and help me look at the good possibilities, rather than the horrid dilemma of what awaited me in apartment hunting. However, I have long given up holding out for "absolutes" within the prospect of anything regarding something that isn't mine, which includes renting a property. It's a reality that I came to accept a long time ago when I first started living in apartments. Unless the property is your own you really can't hold out for much demanding, and in depending on where you live even hoping, for a whole lot. That may sound sad to some of you, but being the pragmatic person that I am it just seems best to find the best that you can for what you can afford and make the best out of it. Setting "absolute" standards on that account just don't work well and only serve to be a disappointment when you think about what you would rather have, instead of what God has blessed you with, Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Now one day if I'm able to settle down into a home purchase, there will be things that I would like to have (2 words: IKEA kitchen), but until that day comes I believe my outlook is the sanest one for me at this point.
But I did indulge in a private thought or two of things that would be nice: possibly a pet and possibly a W&D were on there, but I dared not linger to long there.
Well, if you read my last post you already know that I am able to get a pet & there were W&D hook-ups, but now to get a washer & dryer. How long that would take only time would tell depending on cost and what was available on Craigslist. Well today I got to find out how long that wait would be.
A few weeks ago Sarah told me that she was using her W&D set as a bonus for people to come & look at the apartment that she no longer was renting, but that if they didn't need it then she wanted me to have it, free! Well last night she got the call that her old apt had been rented. And since they weren't needing the W&D she told me today that I could have it.
Now...no lie...in a 500ft2 space that W&D is gonna be in close quarters, however I HATE washing my clothes at the laundry mat; and while I know that friends would probably let me use theirs, but they need to wash clothes too and I always feel like I'm imposing, unless it's at my friend Kali's. What I'm sayin' is that it's just nice to have hook-ups in life, with friends and appliances. A humble thank you goes to the Lord for paying attention to the "little things", and a special thanks to Sarah for her generosity.
And for any of you that may be interested here is my dream IKEA kitchen: brushed nickle appliances, white cabinetry, a sky blue paint job, and black marble couter tops that SPARKLE!!! Literally, they really do.
I'm happy to give a resounding NO to that question.
Some time ago, in the throws of my bereavement in having to look for a new place, I was sharing my angst with Sarah, a friend & co-worker, and she asked me if I had any "absolutes" only list of desires on places to look at. Now her question was completely reasonable, and asked in a genuine way because she just wanted to try and help me look at the good possibilities, rather than the horrid dilemma of what awaited me in apartment hunting. However, I have long given up holding out for "absolutes" within the prospect of anything regarding something that isn't mine, which includes renting a property. It's a reality that I came to accept a long time ago when I first started living in apartments. Unless the property is your own you really can't hold out for much demanding, and in depending on where you live even hoping, for a whole lot. That may sound sad to some of you, but being the pragmatic person that I am it just seems best to find the best that you can for what you can afford and make the best out of it. Setting "absolute" standards on that account just don't work well and only serve to be a disappointment when you think about what you would rather have, instead of what God has blessed you with, Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Now one day if I'm able to settle down into a home purchase, there will be things that I would like to have (2 words: IKEA kitchen), but until that day comes I believe my outlook is the sanest one for me at this point.
But I did indulge in a private thought or two of things that would be nice: possibly a pet and possibly a W&D were on there, but I dared not linger to long there.
Well, if you read my last post you already know that I am able to get a pet & there were W&D hook-ups, but now to get a washer & dryer. How long that would take only time would tell depending on cost and what was available on Craigslist. Well today I got to find out how long that wait would be.
A few weeks ago Sarah told me that she was using her W&D set as a bonus for people to come & look at the apartment that she no longer was renting, but that if they didn't need it then she wanted me to have it, free! Well last night she got the call that her old apt had been rented. And since they weren't needing the W&D she told me today that I could have it.
Now...no lie...in a 500ft2 space that W&D is gonna be in close quarters, however I HATE washing my clothes at the laundry mat; and while I know that friends would probably let me use theirs, but they need to wash clothes too and I always feel like I'm imposing, unless it's at my friend Kali's. What I'm sayin' is that it's just nice to have hook-ups in life, with friends and appliances. A humble thank you goes to the Lord for paying attention to the "little things", and a special thanks to Sarah for her generosity.
And for any of you that may be interested here is my dream IKEA kitchen: brushed nickle appliances, white cabinetry, a sky blue paint job, and black marble couter tops that SPARKLE!!! Literally, they really do.
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