Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Goals

1. pay off all consumer debt
(I just finished updating our budget for 2009 and inputting our information into my debt tracking spreadsheet)

2. put more money into our emergency fund

3. get to gym 3+ times a week and get body fat percentage under a certain #
(I like being more toned than I am now)

4. get organized
(I am having a big purging day tomorow at the apartment to get this off to a start)

5. read through the Bible in one year by following reading plan in back of my daily planner

6. inquire about taking online classes

7. pray with Jeremy everyday instead of just when we're dealing with a huge crisis or a huge blessing

8. take better care of myself over all

9. finally get our apartment decorated how I want it

10. take a cake decorating class and make some gorgeous cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for friends and family this year

11. no soda after 4PM and limit soda to 1 per day

12.try at least one new recipe every 2 weeks

13. have a mother/daughter day once a month with my mom

14. stick to weekly cleaning schedule

15. start going to the doctor more regularly for check ups and things so as to prevent issues like my current sleep deprivation.

I could go on but I think this is a pretty good list.

Happy New Year's Eve everyone see you in 2009!

prayers please regarding sleep deprivation

Hello my lovely fellow bloggers. I am asking for prayers and or suggestions I am just at my wits end and I don't know what else to do.

I am now going on a little over a month of sleeping maybe 2-3 hours a night instead of my very much needed 7-8. There are night's specifically the last 4 that I haven't slept at all.

I have tried cutting out caffeine, eating early, lavendar scents, sleep masks, ear plugs, soothing sounds, chamomile tea, reading before bed, journaling, and most recently melatonin, you name it I've tried it.

None of these things have helped me sleeping

Does anyone have any suggestions of something I haven't tried?

And most importantly can you all pray for me that I get some much needed rest that's not fitful and not a nap in the middle of the day.

New years resolutions or goals whatever you want to call them coming later today.

Tonight I'm going to the Thunder game with Jeremy and then home to watch movies and wait for midnight.

More Later.......

Mrs. A

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

weekly and monthly goals

well my weekly goals for this week are to be sure and create my January goals list as well as my 2009 goals.

I'll start by posting my weekly goals then go into my January goals.

Weekly Goals:

1.tally up Christmas spending and see how we did in sticking to a budget
2.continue with new schedule of waking up at 6 AM to get used to it so piano on Monday's won't be such a challenge

3. stop drinking caffeine after 4:00 PM I'm hoping this will help with my sleeping issues

4. have a cleaning and junk purging day on New Year's Day


January 2009 Goals!
1. begin one year Bible reading program on January 01, 2009 and continue on through the entire month of January reading set scriptures everyday
Here's my first one for January 01, 2009-Genesis 1-3
I am determined to read through the whole Bible in 2009

2. get finances in order for new year create new folders and begin preparing for Taxes

3. keep working on our emergency fund we kind of didn't really put anything into it in December so we need to work hard to put something in there for January

4. eat at our table at least twice a week


There you have it goals for this week and for January.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Goodbye 2008! Christmas re-cap and year reflections

Well Christmas has officially come and gone in a flash. We had a beautiful Christmas Eve gathering at our apartment I will post pics as soon as I find the darn cord to my camera

Christmas day came and I got some lovely gifts, my favorite by far was an i-Home i-pod alarm clock. I love waking up to my favorite songs instead of some incessant beeping. Other gifts I got include season 1 DVD of "Pushing Daisies" I am absolutely crazy about this show, some new tall black boots, a pretty necklace with a green flower on it, some smell goody stuff from Mary Kay, and a cake decorating tool set. Jeremy got some new pj's and some lounge pants, noise cancelling head phones, a new electric razor, a new overcoat, and a new hat.


We got my mother a brand new Daily Devotional and journal by Beth Moore who's her favorite Christian writer, we got my sister a new lap top bag that I hope she likes, we got my in laws a digital picture frame. But the most special gifts we gave were to my neices we gave them their very first Bibles engraved with their names I hope they liked them.

Christmas day we spent with our extended Oklahoma family Jeremy played Dominoes with the boys, and I played Mad Gab, and Trivial Pursuit pop culture with the girls.

Saturday Jeremy and I went to see "Marley & Me" dog lovers beware you will cry! But it was so good!


Now that 2008 is slowly slipping away I find myself reflecting on my first full year as Mrs. A.
If I had to go back and change anything I'd change the moments of self doubt, and turn them into prayer time, and I'd go back and take away anything hurtful I've ever said to/or about anyone and turn it into uplifting thoughts. Now that I know what it's like to find out someone is saying awful things about you I only want to lift others up not tear them down seriously if you know me in real life and hear me say something negative about anyone slap me!
I feel that I have learned a lot about who I am and who I want to become this year.
I've learned I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm also not nearly as bad as I sometimes believe. Sure there are things in life I'd change if given the chance but there are others I wouldn't change for anything in the world. I thank God every day that He changed my life for the better in October when He took me away from a job that was becoming detrimental to my health I feel as though my job doesn't rule my life anymore. I am thankful for my husband finally in September of this year being offered a full time position with a great company and thus having his prayers answered. 2008 other than a few set backs has actually been a terrific year for Jeremy and I we both gained jobs we enjoy, we learned about each other,and we paid off a lot of debt, we still have a ways to go but the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight! I made a fantastic new friend at my job and I am so thankful for her she has no idea how much she means to me. She called on Christmas day just to wish me a merry Christmas and to see if I had a good day she has no idea how much this meant to me in year that has been virtually friendless I finally found a kindred soul someone who wants to live life the best way possible this is such a blessing to me.

2009 is forecasted to be an exciting year for Jeremy and I we will be debt free or nearly so by the end of the year, we are starting a home downpayment fund slowly but surely and we are paying off some debts that are holding me back from completing my degree.

I learned so much about who I want to become in life this year and I plan on becoming that woman this year. Here's just a few of the qualities that woman posesses.

She is never mean or hateful to others and nothing negative is said by her about any other person

she is confident in herself and stands up for herself when necessary


she lives her life for God and hungers for daily interaction with Him

she doesn't worry about what everyone thinks of her as long as she is right with her Savior all is well

She is always willing to lend a helping hand when needed


These are just a few of the qualities the woman I want to become posesses so I know what my task is with the help of my God is to do my best to live these standards.

No these are not New Year's resolutions but rather year's end realizations.

I have a whole other post dedicated to New Year's resolutions!

More Later....

Mrs. A

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

cookie blunders, and blessings!

Well my night didn't go exactly as planned I forgot to grease my cookie sheet for my cookies last night and they wound up sticking to the pan and I had to scrape them off with a knife, I made the icing because I thought I'd have cookies well I didn't and now the icing is as hard as a rock.

Last week I would've sobbed over this last night all I could do was laugh. The joys of being a new wife and all the mistakes in the kitchen. I didn't really do too much baking last year because I wasn't comfortable with it so this is definitely my experimental year and you know what that's ok. I'll just have to make cookies and ice them tonight after finishing up the gingerbread house, and finishing cleaning the bedroom and spare room. We did get the bed moved and slept more soundly last night because our heads weren't freezing. We did get the last gift picked up, and we did get the grocery shopping done for our Christmas Eve party. So it wasn't as if the evening was a total waste.

Anyway I hope everyone is getting excited about Christmas I know I am.

I probably won't blog tomorrow because I'll be busy running a million errands.

So I'll catch up with you ladies after Christmas with a lovely picture post.

Enjoy your Holidays and I hope you treasure this special time of year close to your heart and hold those you love closer than normal.

Merry Christmas!

Mrs. A

Monday, December 22, 2008

Monday Goals

Well I made it through last week. I did get to play piano on Sunday although my pinkie was still a little sore. I finished up all my co-worker gift bags, and I've gotten a headstart on my cooking and baking for our Christmas Eve get together.

My mother came to the rescue when my centerpeice idea wasn't working out and bought me a gingerbread house to put together so I am going to use it as my centerpeice for Christmas Eve party.

I finished all Christmas shopping but one small gift I have to pick up tonight.
I got my sweet Jeremy his Christmas presents yesterday and they are all wrapped and under our tree in fact I only have two things left to wrap.

I talked to my piano instructor and as my commenter said she was fine with everything.
She wasn't even a little upset. I feel so much better. I don't like disappointing people.

I still need to share pictures with you lovely ladies.

I promise I'll do that but not tonight probably tomorrow after I'm finished with my gingerbread house centerpeice.


Weekly Goals:
pick up last gift tonight
grocery shopping tonight
make royal icing for sugar cookies
rearrange bed away from outside wall of bedroom (our heads get cold because we're right under a window right now)
finish cleaning up apartment all we have left is that pesky back bedroom
take pictures of all my hardwork to post on blog
wrap last two gifts
enjoy Christmas Eve get together and not stress too much
enjoy Christmas day and create new traditions with my husband



Merry Christmas All!

Love,
Mrs. A

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas came early! Or at least 1 present did!

I am currently blogging from my brand new Blackberry Curve!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

UPDATE

As soon as I finished writing that last post I heard "The Christmas Shoes" and now I sit here with tears in my eyes (seriously if you haven't heard this song look it up it's by Newsong) feeling like I'm going about this all wrong Christmas is about being around the people you love not about who's goodies are the best, or for that matter goodies in general it's not about presents, it's about love and especially the love of our Savior and his coming to earth as man to eventually die to save us.

I'm not a scrooge I'm really not. I debated deleting that post but I know I'm not the only one in the world who feels holiday stress but that song put things into perspective for me.

Sorry Blogging friends I'm not really down on Christmas!

with love,
Mrs. A

Dear Christmas, (an open letter to this wonderful time of year)

I QUIT.



If you're going to make all my projects go wrong then I just won't do them. Seriously stop making little things off so my projects aren't completed on time or if they are completed they are rushed. I would really like to enjoy the Holiday and be in the spirit and all that but if you make me stand in one more line full of rude people I might just burst and throw things at said rude people, if you're going to make me burn one more batch of melting chocolate in the microwave because I don't have a double boiler I might throw the burnt stuff at the Christmas tree. If you're going to make the gift wrapping ribbons all come lose because the present got moved I'm going to wrap everything in newspaper! If you're going to make me so stressed that I forget about the real meaning of Christmas then I don't want any part of it. I really would just enjoy a few days of things going right that's all I really want for Christmas. Oh yeah and since I smashed my finger in the car door playing the piano for sunday services is out of the question. Yeah thanks a lot Christmas. Oh and one more things what's with the bitter freaking cold and freezing sleet and no pretty white stuff! :(

Sincerely,
You're Frazzled and frustrated,
helper

Yes this is how my week is going no I'm not going to quit Christmas but I sure felt like it last night making peppermint bark and burning the chocolate repeatedly, and yesterday morning after smashing my pinkie in my car door, and after standing in lines at least 5 times.



Ok vent over back to the regularly scheduled Christmas cheer :)

(singing to self)
"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas"

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

meeting re-cap and day 2 down.

Well last night's Relay For Life meeting went fabulously well and we got to announce our big news that our event's new home is actually one of the big stadiums in downtown Oklahoma City. I'm so freaking excited about that. We got all our Christmas cards out to all Relay participants which is about 500-1000 people and got our Kick off event planned I am so excited about this year's Relay event and I can't help but be thankful for our awesome committee and all of their work they make my job so easy.

Last night I didn't get anything done but putting away clean clothes but I did get that done and it was a big task.

Tonight my sweet husband is taking me out to dinner and then when I get home I'm making peppermint bark, and I might bake the cake to start on my cupcake pops. I've got my menu planned out for Christmas Eve and now I just need to pick a time to go shopping.

Here's the Christmas center piece I am going to try and recreate.





So I think I'm doing ok I still have major work to do in our spare room and major work to do as far as polishing up the house for Christmas but I think I'm going to get it all done.

more later...

Mrs. A

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

one day down 6 to go

ok so I got to the grocery store, got to CVS to pick up prescription, got chocolate ribbons made, got Taco soup in the crockpot for today and turned it on this morning, I got all my notes together for meeting tonight, and I packed my relay bag.

I didn't get an ornament made I caved and sent Jeremy out after one last night I just didn't have time and I was experiencing a creativity block. The bright side he got a really cute penguin one.

I didn't finish my master closet re-organization project.

I was way exhausted last night and fell asleep on the couch after finishing up the chocolate ribbons at 10:40. So I did make it to bed before midnight.

Today is relay meeting at 6:30 PM and after that I need to organize notes to send re-cap of meeting for those that couldn't make it. I need to make a few relay related phone calls.

other than that
I'm going to finish the closet and put away all the clean clothes from last night's laundry load, and plan for the rest of the week.

I really should've done the deep clean on the apartment before the week before Christmas. Oh well I guess you can't win them all.

I'm feeling pretty good about next week, I have a master shopping list started and I think I know what I'm going to do for a centerpeice.

More Later.......

Mrs. A

Monday, December 15, 2008

weekly planning and goals

This is a busy week. With lots going on.

Tonight alone my list looks like this.

1. Run by CVS to pick up prescription
2. run to grocery store to pick up supplies for Taco Soup.
3. make Taco soup
4. make chocolate ribbons for Relay meeting tomorrow night
5. make ornament for ornament exchange
6. put away clean laundry
7. get notes together for Relay meeting tomorrow night
8. pack bag for Relay meeting
9. finish organizing closet


the rest of week I've got to

1. address the Christmas cards and get them out
2. take pics of my Christmas decoration and my apron for blog
3. finish wrapping gifts
4. make peppermint bark
5. vacuum
6. make cupcake pops for Christmas gifts
7. make shopping list for Christmas eve get together
8. pick up table cloth for christmas eve get together
9. wash and polish all serving ware
10. brainstorm ideas for table centerpeice
11. work out at least twice

Whew it's going to be a busy week I'll be lucky if I can get in bed before midnight any day this week. Oh well I guess that's why they call this the busy season.



I'm also excited because Jeremy and I decided we're going to get a flat screen probably end of January or February and we're going to retire the old TV armoire and get a new TV Stand. So I decided yesterday it would make a perfect little pantry with a little paint, and adding a few shelves. I'm so excited I'll actually have a pantry in our little apartment and the best part it can move with me. So I'll be posting about my progress and creating a new pantry out of an old TV armoire in February.

Later.....

Mrs. A

Saturday, December 13, 2008

making a list checking it twice

Christmas shopping is nearly finished I have one more thing to get. I have to admit I felt like Santa's little helper with my list of gifts to buy. Lines were long it was stressful but I didn't get irritated like I usually do.

I'm uploading pics tonight so tomorrow I'll post pictures.


Mrs. A

Friday, December 12, 2008

funny conversations with my husband

Jeremy and I like to spend our lunch breaks if we're not going anywhere e-mailing each other.

Our conversations can get pretty goofy

well anyway lately we've been talking about Christmas shopping a lot because that is what we'll be doing this weekend.

Anyway I decided to shoot him a little e-mail detailing my plans for the weekend. (side note: I'm kind of a list making freak and a little OCD about making plans)

so I shoot him an e-mail that says
Hey honey here's our weekend plans

Christmas shopping
making your co-worker's gifts
making my co-worker's gifts
putting up outside lights (yes I am one of those obnoxious people that put's up Christmas lights on my apartment balcony)
move Christmas storage boxes out of living room
present wrapping
dinner with my mom saturday night
helping my mom with her tree on Sunday

The making of gifts will mostly be me
the present wrapping I'll do

so the main things you have to help with
Christmas shopping
putting up outside lights
moving storage boxes

His cute reply was

I can try to help with wrapping presents

my reply

umm we'll see


Anyone that knows me in real life knows I'm a little OCD when it comes to making things pretty especially when it comes to packaging. I'll spend hours wrapping a gift or creating a basket just to make it perfect. So the fact that he wants to help even though he knows this melts my heart.


Ok maybe it wasn't that funny but it was hilarious to me.

Conversation #2

We're planning on a game night tonight with a co-worker friend of mine and we always order pizza

so my husband was packing our lunch this morning and one of our favorite lunches is bagel pizzas.

basically a bagel with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni's on it.

He e-mailed just a bit ago and says

I forgot we're having pizza tonight and for lunch oops.



It was funny because all he really wanted was for me to say it's ok to eat at your work's cafeteria today.

so I made him admit he was spoiled and approved him eating out. (I'm the one in our relationship who handles the budget not that he couldn't he's just not quite as obsessed with making it work as I am)

he's so gosh darn cute even a year and 1 month almost 2 months after our wedding.

Coming soon:
pics of my adorable gingerbread covered apron that I bought to make all my Christmas goodies and pics of my Christmas tree and decorations, and more pics of my spoiled fur baby playing with her new toys.

Mrs. A

Thursday, December 11, 2008

weekend planning and a question

I am Christmas shopping this weekend and wrapping presents and baking more goodies. But I also need to get some housework done my kitchen desperately needs a good sweeping and mopping and I need to do lunch and dinner prep for next week.

Not to mention our bedroom just needs some TLC with putting things on the wall and I've got to finish editing and re-organizing my closet.


Since it's December and all I found myself thinking a lot about what I would like to accomplish in 2009 I already have my 101 in 1001 list and it's going strong but I'm thinking what specifically do I want to do in 2009 and I'm having a hard time deciding. I know one big thing we will do is pay off our consumer debt. But what else should I set my sights on? I'm just not quite sure.

So the big goal is pay off debt and I think I'll start blogging about that after the new year just to track my progress it might give me a better perspective on paying off debt if I can chronicle it here.

What else should I focus this blog on right now it's a jumble of goals, vents, and life experiences?

Anyway more later.........


Mrs. A

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

yes I deleted it

I just felt like my last post was a bit too personal for my blog.

I am meditating on Jeremiah 29:11 tonight.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

let it snow , let it snow, let it snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful.
But the fire is so delightful, as long as we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow let it snow.

From my desk I can look out at a window and it looks as if it should be about 7:30 in the evening and the sun going down not 10:15 in the morning. It's misting and starting to freeze a little.

My thoughts on this if it's going to get this yucky outside it may as well snow. At least snow is pretty.

Well anyway the Thunder lost again last night I don't know why but they always wait to rally until the last quarter it doesn't make sense and it irritates me. But the game was still fun and I know Jeremy's parents had a good time.

Anyway onto tonight and my tasks are grocery shopping and purchasing my angel tree child's gift. I might start baking tonight if it's yucky out there's something about having something baking when it's cold outside that gives me the warm fuzzies. Call me weird if you want. After making a mess of my clothes when baking the goodies for Thanksgiving I decided I needed to buy myself an apron so I turned to my old friend Etsy and found exactly what I was looking for it's Christmas inspired apron with gingerbread people those of you that know my first name know why that's so cool.

Anyway write more later.......


Mrs. A

Monday, December 8, 2008

Monday Madness

Well today I am officially back to my regularly scheduled posting.

This is a busy week and the Holiday bustle is in full force. We ordered our photo cards that we send to out of state family yesterday with the pics you see below I think they turned out adorably cute and I can't wait for our family to receive them.

I have a busy week ahead so here's what I have to do and a few goals sprinkled in:

buy gifts for my angel tree child (this is the Salvation Army's Christmas program) you get a card with a gender and age and you buy gifts based on that for a needy child, my work does this instead of a gift exchange)

I need to finish my Christmas shopping I've got in mind what I'm getting I just need to actually pick up the gifts, thankfully I picked up my wrapping paper and all the trimmings last weekend so once I pick up the gifts I am done.

find a place to store Christmas decoration boxes they don't exactly look pretty in my living room :(

start Christmas baking I am doing several baked goodies for different things my co-workers, Jeremy's co-workers, committee groups. I really need to get started.

put up Christmas lights on our balcony.

continue with Bible study time every day either morning or evening

get Christmas cards about before December 20th

cook at home all week

finish Christmas shopping and have gifts wrapped and under tree by December 15th

Try very hard to keep apartment clean between now and Christmas

Tonight Jeremy and I are going to the Thunder game with his parents it should be fun I am excited.

Menu for the week:
Monday: eat at game

Tuesday: biscuit topped casserole

Wednesday: homemade pizza

Thursday: chicken alfredo casserole

Friday: meatloaf

Saturday: homemade Chili

Sunday: chicken cacciatore

Sunday, December 7, 2008

playing catch up

Well I missed almost a whole week of blogging thanks to my stupid shoulder but I'm happy to say it's feeling much better. See I have a shoulder injury from college I was a college cheerleader in my former life and it never fails that I re-injure it at least once a year. Last year I dropped a bookcase shelf on it. This year I had the car door slam on it. Ah the life of a former athlete.

Anyway what better way to catch up than with pictures.


First and foremost my three awesome desserts from Thanksgiving.
pumpkin pie, red velvet cake, and pecan pie.

IMG_0144


All the baking went fairly smooth I posted earlier about me finding baking success by wearing my i-pod arm band. Anyway I only had slight issues with the red velvet cake. Hint: condensed buttermilk does not work in cake recipes just FYI :) we made a late night run to the grocery store the night before thanksgiving because I refused to not make the red velvet cake. I think my hubby was glad I did he really enjoyed that cake and is already asking when I'm going to make another one.

And now without further ado our little family's Christmas pictures. Can you imagine trying to take a self portrait with a dog who's a little ADD well here's the good ones and I'll save the hilarity that was all our failed attempts for another day. I can't wait til we get our cards in.

Here's our four legged child she is the most spoiled labrador on the face of the earth and I think she truly believes she's human. But who could resist spoiling that pretty girl. Sigh I'm a proud canine mommy.

IMG_0158


Here's my handsome hubby with his baby girl.

Christmas

and of course no family photo session would be complete without a pic of me and my girl.

christmas


my fierce red heels are some of my faves.


and here it is the winner after many many attempts at a perfect Christmas card photo.

IMG_0181

I think we did pretty good for an amateur photo and I adore the color tint feature on my camera I thought it made for a really neat picture.

Well I hope you enjoyed my photo re-cap tomorrow I'll be back to my regular scheduled posting.

Later.....


Mrs. A

Thursday, December 4, 2008

out of commission

I hurt my shoulder Monday night and it makes writing difficult I'll be back to my regularly scheduled posting soon.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Leave it to a Christmas movie

To convict me!

Well since we're back in our apartment now I have found myself complaining about every little thing even though very recently I blogged about not taking my life right now for granted. Silly me I forget my own best advice sometimes.

Well I am trying to get my Christmas decorating done and I find myself more and more frustrated with how small a space I am working with. Anyway I gave up this evening and decided I was going to indulge in a little Holiday television so I stumbled onto a movie on Lifetime (flame away I don't care) it was about a woman living in a smallish house, and never feeling like she has enough money dreaming about being married to a rich man, living in a big house you get the idea. Well as most cheesey Christmas movies go she woke up in another life and everything in her wildest dreams has come true she's married to the richest man in town and has the biggest house and the most money. Well slowly but surely she realizes she misses her real family and this fairytale life she's dreamed of isn't all it's cracked up to be and promptly spends the rest of the movie trying to get back to her real life.


It convicted me because I realized how often I am her. I complain about not having enough whine to my husband because neither of us make enough money, and find myself wishing for a nice home to call my own and all the trimmings that go with that. I find myself fighting with my husband over little things and not really living life here and now to the fullest. I take Jeremy for granted so often and he is so good to me. So starting today I am making a promise to not think about what we don't have but to be appreciative of what we do and those things money can't buy we have a happy marriage and a loving home. I have the man of my dreams by my side and I need to let him know that more often.

Here's the ironic part of this post:
This past week Jeremy and I took a hard look at our finances and we realized that if we stay in our apartment, and share a car for just another year we will be more than financially ready to buy our very own home and shortly after purchase a second vehicle. But that's not the exciting part we'll be doing this all while being DEBT FREE. We can start the next phase of our lives without worrying about how we're going to afford a mortgage on top of credit card payments. I cannot tell you the elation I had when I realized we were a mere 12 months away from not having to worry about debt.
I actually had tears in my eyes it feels like we've been working at this forever in reality it hasn't been that long but it sure feels like it.

Well anyway the moral of this post I guess you could say is hold those you love the most close especially during this special time of year.




I'll post weekly goals and pics from my Thanksgiving cooking adventures tomorrow.
everything turned out fabulous in case you're wondering and I have new found cooking confidence.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving baking update & What's going on up there Wednesday

1 pie down 1 pie, and 1 cake to go.

My pecan pie turned out beautifully, yes I took pictures and will post them as soon as I am back at home with my own computer.

I think I discovered the secret to cooking success for me. See my true problem with cooking is I get bored and go watch TV and do other things while cooking. So last night I grabbed my i-pod and put it in my arm band that I wear at the gym I put it on while I was cooking and I had my tunes to keep me entertained. It was great and I had a blast my pie looks awesome smells awesome and the filling tasted awesome before it was baked! YAY cooking success.
Now we'll see if I feel the same way tonight after more baking but right now I'm feeling all domesticated. :)

I probably won't write tomorrow so I hope everyone has a wonderfully blessed day tomorrow.



In place of my usual Bible study discussion I decided in honor of the Holiday I would list the things I am most thankful for. I am reminded of God's goodness everyday and although there are things in my world I would definitely change I have so much to be thankful for. Tomorrow morning in prayer time I plan on praising God for all He does for me.

My thankfulness list:

1. First and foremost I am thankful I have an ever growing relationship with God

2. I am thankful for my family and the love they all have for me. Especially for my wonderful husband. Even after having been married for a year I still don't have a clue why he chose me.

3. I am Thankful for both of us having jobs we enjoy and excel at in today's scary economy I know it's becoming a rarity that both people in a relationship truly enjoy their jobs or for that matter for both people to even have jobs. God offered me an out of a really terrible situation this year and the blessings I have gained since starting work in my new office have been tremendous.

4. I am thankful for friendship in person or over the internet and the connection that comes with sharing your life with others

5. I am thankful for my crazy labrador Missy who puts a smile on my face every time I come home from a hectic day.

6. I am thankful we have a place to live it may not be everything we want but I also know that we have more than a lot of people in the world.

7. I am thankful for health and the ability to do the things I enjoy.

8. I am thankful for the beauty of the Holiday season and the feelings that come with it.

9. I am thankful that I have discovered so much about myself this past year and that God is continually showing me His will for my life.

10. last but not least I am thankful for this blog that has connected me to so many amazing people and allowed me to express myself openly to the world. It's nice to know my thoughts are heard even if only by a few.

I'm sure I've left someone or something off of this list. But the truth is when I sit down and truly think about what I'm thankful for the realization comes to me that there isn't really anything in my life I'm not thankful for. I am thankful even for the negative moments because they usually hold a lesson in life that I might not learn otherwise. God is good and I forget that so easily I hope that I remember through out the Holiday season and into 2009 that I am so blessed and when life gets me down I will try to do as the old hymn says "Count Your Blessings name them one by one, count your blessings and it will surprise you what the Lord has done"
I love that hymn it's one of my favorites that I always come back to especially on Thanksgiving.


Happy Thanksgiving


From a very blessed,
Mrs. A

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

YES WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS

I decided my blog needed a Holiday makeover. After all I'm listening to Christmas music already might as well make my blog match my current Christmas mood. :)

Yes I realize I'm a few days early but I can't help it :)

house dreaming

This week the husband and I are house sitting for some friends since we weren't going anywhere for Thanksgivinig that required actual travelling. It's been fabulous and to say the least it's made me think about someday us owning our own home. Don't get me wrong I know our little apartment is cute & cozy but I'm ready to move up in the ranks so to speak. I have adored being able to do laundry this week and to have space to cook. I gotta admit I'm looking forward to baking those yummy treats now that I'm going to have space to spread out.

Anyway with that being said we're visiting our finances over the evenings we're spending in the house and thinking maybe just maybe we might be ready to buy right around this time next year. Needless to say if that's the case 2009 could be a very merry Christmas to us. At the same time when I'm dreaming about our future I realize just how fortunate I am that we have a place to call our own and our own furnishings even if they are hand me downs.

I love that my husband and I are doing it on our own we've paid off a lot of debt this year and we're almost finished. We learned hard lessons about debt but I'm thankful to the Lord that while He was teaching us these lessons he did when we were young enough that we can bounce back from it and learn from our mistakes.

My husband and I share a car, we live in a tiny apartment, we don't own expensive clothes, we don't go out to eat that often, and we're paying off debt that we accumulated early in our marriage from our wedding and honeymoon. We were young and kind of dumb and if there's one thing I could say to anyone contemplating beginning their married life by going into debt. DON'T!!

I thank the Lord he has provided for us every step of the way. Someday when I'm folding laundry in my very own laundry room with my very own washer and dryer and putting away groceries that I drove to the store in my very own car to get in my very own pantry I'll remember the tough times and appreciate what we have that much more. We're living our life and working towards goals and really isn't that what life is all about.

Sometimes I get caught up in the greed of wanting worldly things and I do yearn for a house of my own that I can open up and use my gifts as a hostess more often I can't really do that in our tiny apartment. I long for the days of being able to host Thanksgiving and Christmas in our home. I long for the days of being able to decorate exactly how I want.

This time of year more than any I am reminded of worldly greed and pray that although I am excited and working towards the goals of home ownership and becoming a two car family. I pray that I don't let life pass me by while I am preparing for the future. I pray that I tell the people I love the most everyday how much they mean to me, and continually grow in my faith, that everyday I create beautiful memories to share with my grandchildren someday.

This post went a little off from where it was originally headed but that's the beauty of blogging I get to write about whatever I choose.

Since I missed goals yesterday here they are.

1. bake Thanksgiving yummies
2. enjoy and rest and relax.

Yep that's all that's on my list this week is all about rest and enjoying time with family.

Shameless Confession: there is Christmas music on the radio already and I am loving it. I'm so ready for Christmas this year. If you lived in my city and saw me driving to pick up my husband from work in the afternoon you'd see me singing my favorite Christmas tunes at the top of my lungs with a goofy grin on my face, and I wouldn't care. :) I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

one week

AHH I just realized Thanksgiving is one week away. Ok even though I'm not making dinner just dessert. It just doesn't seem possible that Thanksgiving is that close.
To be honest it still feels like I should not have already celebrated my one year anniversary.

Time seems to be going faster the older I get and the more I grow up. I can only imagine once I have kids it's going to fly even faster. This time of year especially I am reminded of how transient life truly is here one second gone the next and I pray that I remember to do all I can to treasure the people around me and create beautiful memories with them.

Ok not to mention I have three desserts to make. I chose two traditional desserts and one because I knew Jeremy would like it.

I am making
pumpkin pie
pecan pie
and red velvet cake.


Yes all from scratch yes I do have crazy stamped across my forehead. We shall see how they turn out.

Tuesday's night's crumble cake turned out delish. I took pics of the finished product and then was going to take pictures of the leftovers but I forgot turns out I could've made a smaller batch than I did but hey you live and learn.
I was happy everyone enjoyed my dessert there were so many good things to eat at our luncheon yesterday. I definitely had a food coma most of the afternoon. I tried to work it off by going over to the gym and and running on the eliptical for 30 minutes it really didn't help but at least I tried.

Well Happy Thanksgiving planning everyone.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

what's going on up there Wednesday

The Lord has been speaking to me a lot through my fellow bloggers.

Yesterday my dear friend Leah posted about having trouble keeping from taking her anger out on her husband and not necessarily meaning what she says to him she posted a verse that I chose to meditate on and pray about last night.

Here's the verse:

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29


This verse convicts me everytime I read it I realize how many times one slip of the tongue may be tearing down those I love the most especially my husband. Although I try to make a conscious effort to show my love for him everyday this verse reminds me that almost nearly as often I am mean and ugly to him for no real reason.

I berate him for not being ready on time in the mornings even though I know I contribute to that. Sometimes I get angry at him for wanting time away from me and I should respect that.

Not only am I this way to my husband but how many times in a day do I even think to myself a negative thought about anyone in my life.

I know this verse talks of speaking negatively but I can't help think that if my thoughts are negative won't my actions be too?

Last night I fervently prayed once again for the Lord's help in guarding my thoughts and I hope the immediate result of that is that I speak not one word of contempt or negativity to those I love. I know that I am human and human nature will take over but if I make this a conscious effort with God's help I can do anything I set my mind to.


Dear Heavenly Father,

I can't begin to thank you enough for all you have done in my life in just a few short weeks. Your grace is truly amazing and I am in awe when I consider what you have done for me. I ask Lord that you help me in guarding my mind, my heart and my mouth from all negativity. I thank you for your goodness and grace.

Amen.

What about you all do you ever have trouble with negative thoughts, turning into words you never meant to say?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I almost forgot

Major shout out to new blogging friend Chelsie for teaching me how to link posts to the side.

recipes I want to try!

Recipes from various places the internet, cook books, cooking magazines.

1. Cheddar broccoli cheese quiche

2. pumpkin pancakes

3. sunrise mini pizzas

4. cheesy nachos

5. chicken egg rolls

6. apple Swiss turkey sandwiches

7. garlic roasted potatoes

8. twice baked potatoes

9. cheese baked potatoes and chicken

10. strawberry balsamic chicken

11. brownie alpine biscotti

12. holiday cheesecake

13. spiced pumpkin mini tarts

14. snowball cookies

15. pecan cake with rum frosting

16. sausage bacon bites

17. challah bread

18. chili cheese corn muffins

19. pork tenderloin with sesame seeds, garlic, & herbs

20. pasta with chicken and broccoli

21. mustard glazed pork roast.

22. homemade chai tea

meetings, desserts, and housework

This is what my day shall consist of.


First our Relay For Life Meeting tonight which I'm super excited about it seems like there will be a ton of new people there which is always exciting.

Then I get to go home from my meeting and make my dessert for tomorrow's luncheon at work I did get all the supplies last night and I am making a carmelized pumpkin crumble cake. The name just sounds so deceiving and difficult it's actually very easy.

After baking I get to do clean up in the kitchen, and vacuum because I didn't get to it last night.

That's pretty much all but it will be a very busy night.

I'll be sure and take pictures of the dessert if it turns out well.

A lot of times it seems when I make desserts they don't turn out very pretty but they taste wonderful.

I've decided it's time to tackle another thing on my 101 in 1001 list and that's cooking new recipes and things I'm afraid I will mess up. I'm not very adventurous in the kitchen which means we have about 5 basic meals that I cook regularly and that can get kind of boring.

So my next blog will be all about the recipes I want to try.

I'll link it to the side and track my progress and try to blog about each one as I try it.

Monday, November 17, 2008

101 in 1001 updates

I'm just reposting my list with some updates. If anyone knows how I can be a cool blogger and link this over to the side for people to check out whenever they want I'd be forever grateful if they'd teach me how :)

If the goal is in italics it means it's in progress.


One I begin to complete things I'll write it out to the side.
Enjoy.
my start date was October 20, 2008 I felt our one year anniversary was a great time to begin making new goals.

Because making and preserving memories means so much:
1. get my wedding album made
2. take pictures of Jeremy and I together once a month
3. create a flickr account to upload pictures to-(Completed 10/21/2008)
4. make our honeymoon scrapbook

Because Education is such a blessing:
5. complete my degree in secondary education
6. read 3 books every 3 months
7. begin working on teaching piano
8. join a toastmasters club
9. watch 3 documentaries

Because making a difference counts:
10. vote in presidential election (completed 11/04/08)
11. raise 50,000 dollars for Relay For Life
12. make a Relay journal
13. purchase an expandable file to keep all Relay materials in
14. visit at least 5 schools for Relay for Life
15. vote in all local matters

Because being healthy is good for the heart:
16. Take Missy for walks in park once a month
17. find a doctor and have yearly check ups and take preventative health measures
18. Work on my posture
19. try to replace regular milk with Silk
20. try tilapia
21. get body fat percentage under 15%
22. go to gym twice a week
23. eliminate processed sugar from my diet
24. start eating clean
25. take a daily vitamin everyday for 6 months
26. reduce soda intake to twice a week
27. replace fatty snacks with fruits and vegetables
28. moisturize skin daily
29. wear glasses once a week to let eyes rest from contact lenses
30. wear flats twice week to work instead of my usual sky high heels
31. wear comfy shoes to work and change once there twice a week

Because money management makes sense:
32. install quicken on my laptop and use it instead of trying to write everything
33. Buy a car April 2009
34. invest money wisely in the stock market starting May 2009
35. for one week pay for everything in cash
36. sell old formal gowns on Pageant Resale site in November 2008
37. take lunch from home 4 times per week

Because is friendship is the foundation for a fulfilling life:
38. find a nice place to go with friends on a regular basis
39. make one solid new friendship I'm actually on my way to making 2
40. have a girl's night once every other month

Because we set goals in our marriage:
41. buy a home
42. travel out of the country
43. host a dinner party once we've moved into our house

Because I love my husband:
44. write a handwritten just because note to Jeremy once a month
45. pray for our marriage daily
46. take walks with Jeremy once every week
47. buy Jeremy a nice present for his birthday (completed bought him a nice watch)
48. establish a no TV hour once a week
49. watch at least one football game per month with Jeremy

Because faith must be nourished:
50. begin a daily Bible study and keep it up for one year
51. go on a mission trip
52. become a prayer warrior
53. find a church we love
54. join the choir at our new church
55. learn 3 new contemporary worship songs for piano every 6 months.
56. read through the Bible chronologically
57. Be a witness to one lost soul

Because home cooking is better than fast food:
58. cook foods I am afraid of
59. cook two new recipes a month
60. go to a wine tasting
61. sample a new wine every 6 months
62. limit eating out to once per week
63. create a signature dessert
64. plan meals every week

Because a happy home is an organized home:
65. establish a plan for purchasing new furniture a little at a time
66. purchase a filing cabinet for home records
67. start a binder with ideas for our future home (complete 11/12/08)
68. make the bed every day
69. clean out vehicles every 3 months
70. create a home management binder
71. work on creating a craft area in apartment
72. buy a printer

Because human kindness at times can feel like it's been forgotten:
73. pay for the person behind me in drive through on ten different occasions 1/10 complete.
74. replace all negative thoughts about myself with positive ones about others
75. do a random act of kindness once every month

Going green, because our planet is important:
76. buy reuseable grocery bags
77. begin recycling
78. unplug all appliances when not in use


Because creativity counts:
79. create a new I-Pod playlist every 3 months
80. make 5 homemade gifts for each holiday season
81. create a unique date night for Jeremy and I once every 3 months (went ice skating 11/14/08)

Because making others happy warms the heart:
82. cook dinner for a family and take it to them on 3 different occasions
83. offer to babysit my neices at least once a month
84. take my mom to a Thunder game
85. throw a party for my sister on her birthday
86. host a baby shower for my neice in law

Because I should love what I do:
87. try to thoroughly enjoy my new job
88. don't let my job take over my life again
89. be diligent with all tasks assigned to me at work
90. implement a no gossip policy at work

because every girl needs a few frivolous goals in her life:
91. get a massage
92. get a facial
93. take a make up class
94. find and buy that perfect little black dress
95. get a passport
96. blog every day for one month
97. give my blog a facelift
98. to be determined by June 04, 2009
99. To be determined by December 25, 2009
100.To be determined by February 14, 2010
101. once this 101 list is complete create a new one

weekend re-cap and weekly goals

This weekend we went ice skating and acted like big kids Friday night it was a blast! I fell three times and Jeremy didn't fall once it was so much fun.

Saturday we spent the day shopping and picking up a few Christmas ideas for people, and then Saturday night I went to see a former co-worker turned friend sing in a show which was fabulous and she is a fabulous singer.

Sunday was not so great the new church wasn't all we hoped it would be and I don't think we'll be going back. I think you can just tell with churches within minutes of the first words of the sermon whether or not it's a place you'll fit in and this just wasn't it was a little to0 watered down for our tastes. But we are still proud of ourselves for getting out there and going to a new place even if it didn't turn out to be home.

The rest of Sunday was busy with housework and preparations for the week ahead.


It's a busy one too.

grocery shopping tonight
Relay meeting tomorrow night
Thanksgiving luncheon wednesday at work
girl's night Thursday
gym Friday


I have decided to take another cue from Mrs. Jessica and post my weekly goals so here they are. Some of them are just things I need to accomplish through out the week others are things I'm trying to begin or to keep up with.

1. continue with evening Bible study right after dinner
2. purchase supplies to make dessert for Thanksgiving luncheon at work
3. send Relay For Life meeting minutes out to committee no later than noon Thurs.
4. purchase Christmas cards
5. complete Christmas card address list
6. deep clean and disinfect bathroom
7. get caught up on all laundry
8. re-organize master closet for Fall & winter

Monday has started off pretty crazy but altogether good I am praying that this meeting tomorrow goes as well as it's looking like it should.


Quick introduction for those of you that don't know I am the Event Chair for the Relay For Life in my city. If you don't know what Relay is and would like more info. go to www.relayforlife.org it's a great little website.

I love relay and I got involved because my mother is a cancer survivor. Relay holds a very big peice of my heart and I am highly involved with the event the closer it gets to Relay which is always in june the crazier my life becomes.

anyway that's a quick little about me.

More Later.... and probably some pics too...

Mrs. A

Thursday, November 13, 2008

is it Friday yet

This has not necessarily been a bad week actually to be fair it's been pretty good.
But I am ready for my weekend I haven't slept well all week so I am ready to have a good sleep in fest on Saturday and I'm ready to try a new church on Sunday.

I don't have big plans this weekend just relaxing and housework nothing special but there's something about sleeping in on a saturday and doing nothing that sounds so appealing right now.

Upcoming things for me:

Hopefully another Thunder game soon even though they're not very good it's still fun to go to games.

I have a girl's night planned next week and I am so super excited about that

I have a party to go to next Thursday

and our first Relay meeting of the season is next Tuesday.
I have exciting stuff in the works that I don't want to reveal just yet but as soon as I know for sure I'll let you guys in.

more later...

Mrs. A

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

accountability, new friends, & being found faithful even when it's not easy

Well first off today is much better than yesterday it just seemed like everything that could go wrong yesterday did. But today is much better and proving to be a pretty good day actually.

First off an awesome new blogging friend has offered to do a post every wednesday on what God is speaking to her about and to post about her trials in sticking with Bible studies I had disclosed to her on her blog that I have trouble sticking to any new Bible studies but I also feel that's what I need most. I look forward to blogging about what God is telling me every wednesday now. Woo Hoo I have an accountability partner.


Second I have been praying for God to bring someone into my life for a long time that I can grow with and become good friends with.

Well I think I might have met this person she is a co-worker of mine and we've been going to the gym together. She is a believer and has been a true inspiration to me in light of the recent pain I have endured after reading some not so nice things said about me by someone at our current church. She is fun loving and adorable she has two precious girls that I can only hope my kids are half as cute. Last Friday we were invited to a game night at her place with her husband and some friends of hers we had an absolute blast.
.
Anyway not only has God brought this person into my life he has brought me several new connections through this blog sweet Leah and her new baby on the way (I can't link or I totally would because her blog basically rocks) every time I need a lift she's always there her comments the night I posted about being hurt were unforgettable and just what I needed.

Most recently there's Mrs. Jessica (same as above I'd link her too) and her deciding to post about her trials in Bible study at the same time I feel I need to be posting about my own. God is good at timing things just when I need them. I am so excited to participate in Jessica's blogging on wednesdays.

Now since it's an early wednesday I figured I would break myself in easy. And give you an update.


Anyway in my Bible study last week I was reading about praying for people even when they've hurt you I can't remember the exact verses and I'm at work and my Bible study book is at home I'll post it later. Anyway I thought to myself the last thing I want to do is pray for this person she hurt me I want her to feel pain too.
Well I didn't listen to my mind I listened to my God who was gently quietly saying that won't solve anything and you'll just feel worse. So I did the very thing I didn't want to do I prayed for this person I didn't want to and I didn't enjoy it.
But in the midst of prayer I realized it didn't make the hurt in me any less, it didn't mean that she didn't cause me pain, and it didn't mean that I couldn't be upset all it did was give me peace about it and believe me that's exactly what I needed.


So there you have it that's what has been on my mind and what God has been speaking to me about recently.

I hope you enjoy these random installments of what's going on in my head.

The official wednesday post title will always be "What's Going on Up there Wednesday"
The up there being my brain and what God's been talking to me about.

Hope you all have a blessed day.

Holy long blog post if you're still reading YOU ROCK
Love,

Mrs. A

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

today

SUCKED!!!

I fought with my husband, I nearly got crashed into while driving home from work more than once, I fell on the stairs to the apt., I don't feel good, I dropped my pop tart on the ground this morning, and I burned the roof of my mouth with my noodles at lunch.

I looked at a rent house and hated it and have no other prospects right now after this weekend I am convinced we have to move I discovered mold in our bathroom on Sunday called the apartment it's Tuesday and have heard nothing from them.

TODAY JUST OUTRIGHT SUCKED!!!!!!!!!


That is all.

Monday, November 10, 2008

miscellaneous monday

First off I can't believe all the Christmas stuff already in store it's absolutely insane.
Second already made it to the gym once this week and supposed to go tomorrow don't know if I will I don't feel well.
which brings me to my third thing this random weather change crap has got to stop it's wreaking havoc on my sinuses and lungs.
4th my sweet husband had a birthday this weekend I let him do whatever he wanted which means I got zippo accomplished around the apartment.

5th I'm purchasing our Christmas cards this weekend so I'm busy looking for the cutest designs. I don't usually do a photo card but I think it might be fun so now I'm on the hunt for a good pic.

6th I have argued with the stupid cable company all day and didn't get anywhere they're so retarded sometimes.

7th did I mention how ready I am to be a homeowner lately. Jeremy and I chose to pay off some small debts and save money for our first two years of marriage by living in an apartment but I am so ready to own my own home so I can do things how I want. I have a whole accordion sized folder full of future home decor ideas, not to
mention I can't wait to host holidays in my own home. I know it will be better this way because we'll be able to get what we want in a house and also be able to furnish it how we want but the wait sucks. Just saying.

8th TV keeps getting stranger every time I watch something

9th Boy I really suck at trying to blog everyday

10th my Bible study is going pretty well I'm into my second week and haven't missed a day yet

well that's all for now.

later.....


Mrs. A

Saturday, November 8, 2008

pictures, pictures, and more pictures

The Thunder opening night,and pre-season game.

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Anniversary dinner!

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Diaper cake I made for Jeremy's co-worker's baby shower. I was so excited that it turned out.

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and just for fun pics from my cute husband dressing up for volunteer work with his company, the candy bouquet I made, and a cute pic of both my babies.

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Well there you have it pics from everything except pumpkin carving because none of them turned out very well.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

feeling accomplished

Yesterday afternoon I went to the gym and enjoyed a great workout on my lunch break. Then went home made dinner and made a seriously adorable baby gift. I made the ever popular on the nest boards Diaper cake. I wasn't sure if I could do it but it turned out super duper cute now I just hope Jeremy's co-worker likes it.
I'll have pics hopefully this evening. Come to think of it I still owe the blogging world picks from the Thunder games, our anniversary, and pumpkin carving. Whoops better get on that.

I'll write more later this afternoon.

Mrs. A

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Well geeze

I don't think I'm ever going to accomplish my goal of blogging everyday for a month. Life just keeps getting in the way.

This past weekend was crazy busy, and to top it all off I got sick Sunday evening.

This week has been going by quickly and to be honest I can't believe it's Wednesday.

Monday was a typical day but it went so quickly I made it over to the gym on lunch, and then had a weight training class on Monday night that kicked my behind. So that means I have accomplished my goal of making it to the gym twice this week and I have plans to go today on a late lunch work out and tomorrow for a weight training session.

Then yesterday was a whirlwind of civic duties and election coverage. I'm not a very political person I have my values and try to live by them. I can't say I'm thrilled with the outcome of the election but obviously it was our Mighty God's will that Obama be our next President so we as a nation have a choice we can rebel or we can rise up united together standing on the common ground of "one nation under God". Ok stepping off my soapbox now. Sorry I didn't mean to get all preachy.

Anyway I bought my hubby's b-day present last weekend with him by my side because well he's hard to by for. He got himself a very nice watch that I refuse to let him wear until his actual birthday on Saturday we are going out to dinner and he can have it then.



Busy week the rest of this week my darling husband has yet another baby shower at work and unlike most of the other guys who just ignore he hands the invitation to me with a goofy grin and says can you make a gift pretty please.

So this evening I will be making a spaghetti dinner, and a baby shower gift.

Also stay tuned I recently have been tasked with bringing the desserts for Thanksgiving dinner so therefore I have lots of trial and error in the kitchen coming for your amusement wish me luck.

Later Alligators.......

Mrs. A



Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween

posting this before work so if I don't get to write tonight I will still have posted today.

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.

I'm a cat today so I have whiskers drawn on my face and ears on my head but hey whatever it's Halloween.

Did anyone else dress up?

Later...


Mrs. A

Thursday, October 30, 2008

dang it

I missed blogging yesterday cause we went to the Thunder game and when we got home I was disappointed that our team lost and so tired I went straight to bed.

So I am starting over today with the blog everyday for a month goal! Ugn maybe I should make it blog everyday for a week I might be able to actually complete that one.

Headed to the gym tonight and other than that not much else going on.

Thanks for the two comments that were uplifting on my last post they were much needed and appreciated. Kimi I don't have your e-mail address so e-mail me and I'll respond.

In other news we have found two churches we want to try and are excited to start the process.

Sorry this is a short random post...

More later...

Mrs. A

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

totally ridiculously hurt and feeling liberated.

regarding the hurt: Message boards are public people that is all I have to say.

I am feeling liberated I just deleted my facebook, my myspace, and my linkedn I'm not a slave to the internet anymore well except for this silly little blog. But eh I've got to have one thing that's mine.

In 101 in 1001 updates
there is a branch of my gym fairly close to my new office and I have a buddy at the office who wants to start going with me on lunch to the gym I'm really excited this will help with my goal of getting to the gym twice a week.

this is my second day of blogging everyday for a month and I'll just do the best I can I can't promise but I'll try.

I'm going to start my new Bible study monday. I've updated some goals recently so check out the baby it's cold outside post.

anyway:
My new office is fabulous and I think I'll really enjoy working there. Ok I know this is a bit of a downer post but this evening is a downer that's all I have.

Monday, October 27, 2008

on cloud nine

wow today was my first day at my new office everyone is super nice and I'm really going to love my new work responsibilities. There are not words to describe the elation I felt walking out the door of my work place at 5:00 PM and going home. I got to the gym and made dinner all before 7 in the evening. That was completely unheard of until today.

So I totally flaked on my blog everyday for a month goal so I'm starting over for today.


I had a blast at the affair of the heart Saturday with mom and the Ballet saturday night was awesome except I didn't take my camera so no pics of Jeremy and I all dressed up :(

I'm really excited at what's in store for me at my new work place and I love that I have a life again outside of work.

The only goals I really am working on today was #22 go to the gym twice a week. and # 96 blog everyday for a week.

After leaving my old work place I truly believe I have laid the foundation for goal #39 make a solid new friendship I got a beautiful e-mail and really feel like maybe I was at my old job to meet this new friend, and that is why God chose to keep me there as long as He did.

I hope to start my daily Bible study goal #50 next Sunday.

In other news: Jeremy and I made a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond on Saturday armed with a 20% off coupon we purchased a new curtain rod for our balcony door and a new piece of art for our kitchen wall. These things make me happy and I promise there are still pictures to come.

later alligators,

Mrs. A

Friday, October 24, 2008

last day of work musings

Ok so today is my last day here at my current employer. It's been a bumpy ride to say the least and I am excited to be moving forward. I got beautiful flowers from my supervisor and all my co-workers signed two very lovely cards and we had a great lunch. I still harbor some hurt feelings over different issues but what's done is done and I'm moving on in life.

Today my goal at 6:00 PM is to walk away and not look back. I'll be around to visit, but I really feel my new job will be such a positive rewarding experience.

In other news:
Jeremy got tickets to the Oklahoma City Thunder's opening night of regular season play. We attended a pre-season game last week which was tons of fun and I can only imagine that the regular season game will be even more exciting.

Busy weekend ahead so my posts will be short and sweet.

Craft night at the church tonight!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!


Mrs. A

Thursday, October 23, 2008

such a beautiful season

Have I mentioned how much I love the Fall! It's just so beautiful. The colors are magnificent and the trees put on quite a show. I love this season I always have ever since I was a little girl. There's just something about staying warm while it's cold outside that sort of makes you forget your troubles. The breezy winds signify change and is a promise of beauty for the rest of the year.

Speaking of change tomorrow is my last day here at my current job. I did the honorable thing and gave two weeks notice. People's attitudes sure change when they find out your leaving. The same people who've been nasty and rude are telling me how much they're going to miss me. All I really want to say to them is why couldn't you have been like this when I still worked here? It's ok though I'm moving on to bigger and better things and I'm really excited. I feel like a two ton weight has been lifted off my shoulders and that I finally have time to do things for me. Tomorrow is going to be an odd day because I don't think it's quite hit me yet that when I walk out that door tomorrow I won't be coming back. It's so surreal to think that the place where I feel like I've spent every waking hour of the last two years will no longer be a part of my life and you know what I'm thrilled. There are some wonderful people I will truly miss. But isn't that what growing up is all about moving on better things.

Tonight Jeremy and I will be carving our pumpkin and hopefully I will have pictures I did complete #3 on my list and create a flickr account so hopefully uploading pictures to this blog will be simpler.

This is a random non-sense post. But it keeps me up to date with #96 blog everyday for a month.


Still To Come: pics from Thunder game, and anniversary, and maybe even pumpkin carving.


Mrs. A

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

baby it's cold outside, and promise kept.

Holy Cow I think Oklahoma went straight from end of summer to winter last night. It's in the low 50's today and supposed to freeze tonight. Ahh gotta love Oklahoma for the random weather changes. Change is all around us even on my blog I finally have a pretty background like other bloggers, and I even got ambitious last night and added a music player. Needless to say for a blogger novice I felt pretty accomplished. Hopefully I'll have even more changes to my blog facelift coming.

AS PROMISED MY 101 in 1001 List

Here's the Criteria:
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.


Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


My list is personal and I hesitated to post it but the truth of the matter is if I am held accountable to myself then I will push forward on these tasks.
I welcome failure if I don't succeed I will try again until I do but I feel this is a nice way to chronicle what is my journey at this point in my life.


If the goal is in italics it means it's in progress.
One I begin to complete things I'll write it out to the side.
Enjoy.
my start date was October 20, 2008 I felt our one year anniversary was a great time to begin making new goals.

Because making and preserving memories means so much:
1. get my wedding album made
2. take pictures of Jeremy and I together once a month
3. create a flickr account to upload pictures to-(Completed 10/21/2008)
4. make our honeymoon and first years scrapbook

Because Education is such a blessing:
5. complete my degree in culinary management
6. read 3 books every 3 months
7. take a class just for fun
8. join a toastmasters club
9. watch 3 documentaries

Because making a difference counts:
10. vote in presidential election (completed 11/04/08)
11. voluntter at local food bank
12. take the time to write senators about important issues
13. follow presidential coverage
14. watch at least 2 debates
15. vote in all local matters

Because being healthy is good for the heart:
16. Take Missy for walks in park once a month
17. find a doctor and have yearly check ups and take preventative health measures
18. Work on my posture
19. try to replace regular milk with Silk
20. try tilapia
21. get body fat percentage under 15%
22. go to gym twice a week
23. eliminate processed sugar from my diet
24. start eating clean
25. take a daily vitamin everyday for 6 months
26. reduce soda intake to twice a week
27. replace fatty snacks with fruits and vegetables
28. moisturize skin daily
29. wear glasses once a week to let eyes rest from contact lenses
30. wear flats twice week to work instead of my usual sky high heels
31. wear comfy shoes to work and change once there twice a week

Because money management makes sense:
32. install quicken on my laptop and use it instead of trying to write everything-done
33. Buy a home
34. invest money wisely in the stock market starting May 2009
35. for one week pay for everything in cash
36. sell old formal gowns on Pageant Resale site-done
37. take lunch from home 4 times per week

Because is friendship is the foundation for a fulfilling life:
38. find a nice place to go with friends on a regular basis-done
39. make one solid new friendship I'm actually on my way to making 2
40. have a girl's night once every other month

Because we set goals in our marriage:
41. fix up our apartment
42. travel out of the country
43. host a dinner party

Because I love my husband:
44. write a handwritten just because note to Jeremy once a month
45. pray for our marriage daily
46. take walks with Jeremy once every week
47. buy Jeremy a nice present for his birthday (completed bought him a nice watch)
48. establish a no TV hour once a week-we're not doing so hot
49. watch at least one football game per month with Jeremy

Because faith must be nourished:
50. begin a daily Bible study and keep it up for one year
51. go on a mission trip
52. become a prayer warrior
53. find a church we love
54. join the choir at our new church
55. learn 3 new contemporary worship songs for piano every 6 months.
56. read through the Bible chronologically
57. Be a witness to one lost soul

Because home cooking is better than fast food:
58. cook foods I am afraid of
59. prepare for culinary school by attempting homemade bread
60. go to a wine tasting
61. sample a new wine every 6 months
62. limit eating out to once per week
63. create a signature dessert
64. plan meals every week

Because a happy home is an organized home:
65. establish a plan for purchasing new furniture a little at a time
66. purchase a filing cabinet for home records-done January 2009
67. start a binder with ideas for our future home (complete 11/12/08)
68. make the bed every day
69. clean out vehicle every 3 months
70. create a home management binder-done March 2009
71. work on creating a craft area in apartment -plan in place May 2009
72. buy a printer-done February 2009

Because human kindness at times can feel like it's been forgotten:
73. pay for the person behind me in drive through on ten different occasions 1/10 complete.
74. replace all negative thoughts about myself with positive ones about others
75. do a random act of kindness once every month

Going green, because our planet is important:
76. buy reuseable grocery bags-done March 2009
77. begin recycling-plan in place with kitchen redo in apt.
78. unplug all appliances when not in use


Because creativity counts:
79. create a new I-Pod playlist every 3 months
80. make 5 homemade gifts for each holiday season
81. create a unique date night for Jeremy and I once every 3 months (went ice skating 11/14/08), went rock climbing 02/08/2009,

Because making others happy warms the heart:
82. cook dinner for a family and take it to them on 3 different occasions
83. offer to babysit my neices at least once a month
84. take my mom to a Thunder game-done February 2009
85. throw a party for my sister on her birthday-didn't do it
86. host a shower for someone

Because I should love what I do:
87. try to thoroughly enjoy my new job-(not happening I'm so bored)
88. don't let my job take over my life again(definitely succeeding)
89. be diligent with all tasks assigned to me at work
90. implement a no gossip policy at work

because every girl needs a few frivolous goals in her life:
91. get a massage- done 03/29/2009
92. get a facial
93. take a make up class
94. find and buy that perfect little black dress-done April 2009
95. get a passport
96. blog every day for one month(I'm never going to accomplish this)
97. give my blog a facelift(I do this a couple times a month)
98. run a 5K
99. To be determined by December 25, 2009
100.To be determined by February 14, 2010
101. once this 101 list is complete create a new one

Well there you have it some of my goals are frivolous some are simply things I need to be doing anyway but haven't been. Some are going to be harder to track than others but that's ok. This list is uniquely mine and I won't lie it took about 3 weeks to create the list edit and finalize it.
But there you have it expect updates weekly on my progress.

Hopefully this will inspire you to create your own 101 in 1001 list.

COMING SOON: pictures from the pre-season OKC Thunder game Jeremy and I attended, pics from our anniversary, and more on the seasons changing, church news, and of course 101 in 1001 updates.


Mrs. A

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Anniversary Celebration and the start of year two!

Our anniversary dinner was fabulous we went to the same restaurant where we had our very first date. We didn't say anything to the wait staff but they actually sat us in the exact same place we sat on our first date. We talked about the year and started discussing our goals for the next year. We decided to follow tradition and get each other paper gifts for our first anniversary I got a lovely new Bible engraved with my married name. Jeremy is getting since it hasn't arrived yet a large blown up print of the night sky over our church that I had taken the night of our wedding it's blown up and stylized a bit and it says what has become my signature phrase to him "I love you to the moon and back". I told him what he was getting since it hasn't arrived yet.

We played it low key last night but decided on our 2nd anniversary we will take a trip.

I still can't believe I've gotten to be Mrs. A for an entire year now.


In other news we have a very busy weekend ahead of us.

Friday night we have a ladies craft night at our church that I'm attending and Jeremy has a boys night for their NBA Fantasy league draft, Saturday I'm running errands and headed to the Affair of the Heart in the afternoon with my mom, Saturday night Jeremy got us tickets to the Ballet, Sunday Jeremy is volunteering at Haunt the Zoo so I am taking my two neices out there that evening.

Then come Monday morning...........

I start my new job!!!

I still can't believe I don't have to work anymore weekends or any more late nights!!!

Somewhere in between today and all the excitement this weekend I have to find time to clean up our apartment. I did my fall cleaning in which I emptied cabinets, scrubbed floors, took inventory of our pantry and much more last weekend but I still have a lot more to do so starting tonight I'll be cleaning every evening til Friday.
Wish me luck!

Still to come this week
My 101 in 1001 list.

more later.......

Mrs. A

Monday, October 20, 2008

ONE YEAR!!!





Wow it doesn't seem possible that a year has flown by so quickly.

One year ago at 10:00 in the morning I had curlers in my hair and I was frantically worrying about who was going to light all the candles before the ceremony started.

I really believed that our wedding would be the best day of my life. But there have been so many moments this past year that have rivaled that special day.


It's been one heck of a year that's for sure, new jobs, new apartments, doggy shananigans.

Life didn't stop just because we got married in fact if you ask me it sped up quite a bit.

It's true how even small mundane tasks become enjoyable when you share your life with someone. I have become completely dependent on my wonderful husband and I honestly don't know what I'd ever do if I had to be without him.

There are so many reasons I love my Jeremy but just to name a few.
I love that he treats me like a princess no matter whether I deserve it or not.
I love the way he looks at me and always lets me cuddle close.
I love the way he holds me when I've had a bad day.
I love how he never loses faith in us even when I feel we've hit a brick wall.
I love how he continually reassures me that God is in control
I love that he accepts me for who I am.

I could go on and on and on. He is an amazing person and to this day I truly believe that I am the luckiest woman in the entire world to be married to him.
He makes me so happy and makes my life so beautiful even in the tough times.

Marriage is tough it hasn't all been roses but looking back I don't think I would change a thing about this past year.

So here's a toast to year one and I can't wait til we're toasting to year 10, 20, 30 40, 50, and beyond.


I love you Jeremy to the moon and back!!

Mrs. A

Friday, October 17, 2008

Long Explanatory post as promised.

Well ladies and gents of the blogging world I am finally starting a new job with better hours. I decided a few weeks ago that I was tired of being unhappy and I nailed down the problem to my job had taken over my life.

So I took charge, I found a new job, decided to let old hurt feelings go and be vulnerable. I am opening my heart to people again and trying my hardest to let others in. I have started scrapbooking and am working on creating my own little crafting corner in our apartment.

I am planning small renovations to the apartment to make it better.If I have to live there I'm going to make it as homey and welcoming as possible. I want to start inviting people over more often and being more social. I truly miss my close friends who don't live in Oklahoma any longer but that doesn't mean I can't make room in my heart for new ones.

I finally got our wedding picture disk almost a year after our wedding, and I'm putting those pictures to good use

I'm making a fresh start with Relay and I'm really excited to see what 2009 brings.

I'm getting in the Holiday spirit early and planning my Christmas gifts now so that I won't be stressed during the rush of the season.

I'm so excited at what's in store and having time to do the things that make me happy.

I've renewed my committment to spend time with God one on one daily

Life is finally turning around for me and I feel so blessed.

In other news our big ONE YEAR Anniversary is coming up on Monday and I am just wondering how the heck time flew by so fast. My first married year has been a fabulous one and I look forward to the future with my best friend.

Also I recently found out I'm going to be a Great Aunt my nephew and his lovely wife are expecting their first child. My nephew has just this week returned home from Iraq and I can't help but be so excited for them. Congrats Therin & Christine.

And even more awesomeness my beautiful Maid of Honor is herself engaged as of Friday October 10th. I saw her Wednesday evening at Church and she is just glowing. Congratulations Savannah and Phil I wish you much happiness.


Coming Soon
: I have created a 101 in 1001 list. If you don't know what it is I will explain when I show you mine. I'll be posting it next week and journaling my progress here.

More later....


Mrs. A

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I Did IT!!!

I got a new job I start on the 27th and I can't wait!!!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

October!!!

YAY October is definitely my favorite month of the year.

I just adore all things Fall.

1. for starters our Anniversary is this month!! It's crazy to think we are just 18 days from our one year anniversary. I found the perfect gift for husband but I am afraid I waited too long to order it and it won't be here in time. Whoops.

2. I love the fall weather and the scenery changing leaves, mums, and pumpkins abound.

3. I don't know what it is about the season but it is the time of year when I feel the most centered and at peace.

Some say Fall is made for the old souls of the world and I guess I must be one of them. Fall is the one time of year I truly feel myself. I love cooking hot stew, drinking apple cider and chai tea, wearing jeans and hoodies, making fall crafts, it being cold enough to pair a scarf with a long sleeve shirt but not cold enough for gloves and winter coats. I feel most at ease with myself in the fall it's something about the cool weather and the beautiful evenings that touches my soul in the deepest way. My home stays more organized in the Fall, I take better care of myself, I even have the courage to make big decisions I've been putting off. Don't ask me why but I love that it's finally here.

This is a random post but it's an ode to my favorite month.

Stay tuned change is in the air.

Monday, September 29, 2008

it's time for some editing

I've recently read a book about creating a wardrobe all my own because I've recently decided that I am tired of looking like I just graduated high school all the time.
In this great book the first thing talked about is editing your wardrobe and throwing out things that are not uniquely you, or that you won't alter to make uniquely you. This got me thinking if I need to do this with my wardrobe, how much more so do I need to do this with my life. I need to edit out the negativity in my life.
I absolutely do not like the person this job has made me become, therefore the job must go. I am currently searching for a new job and have some promising leads and I cannot wait to turn in my two week notice here. The negativity, the talking behind people's backs the making up of stories, it's all just way too much for me to deal with. Life edit #1: get a new job that I can actually enjoy,our church home just isn't really a home and hasn't been for a while we just don't belong Life edit #2: find a new church, I've become a very negative person feeling like I'm stuck in a hole when really all I need to do is climb out Life edit #3 stop the negativity, in my long hours at work I haven't had time to eat much less pray regularly and spend time with God life edit #4 make time to spend with God (this includes finding a job with better hours 8-5 would be wonderful). I've spent so much time dwelling on the negative things I forget I have a lot to be thankful for and I should spend time doing things that make me happy life edit #5 spend time doing things that make me smile. as I stated above my wardrobe is complacent and I have begun to really not care what I look like life edit #6 take care in picking out clothing and doing hair and make up do the little things to pamper myself. I have not given my husband enough attention other than to cry on his shoulder because I hate where my life is right now life edit #7 lavish my husband with positive attention and affection. I feel complacent in life and want to continually move forward life edit #8 take action, I have forgotten how to smile and I hate that life edit #9 SMILE ALWAYS. finally I have neglected my home keeping responsibilities choosing to pity myself that I have no time to myself life edit #10 do not shirk home care responsibilities.

Some changes are coming be on the look out the blog will change appearances as I edit my life.

More later....
Mrs. A

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

randomness

fair warning this post is full of random thoughts and musings from my head.

1. I am both excited about and dreading this weekend I am going to Dallas for Summit and although it's exciting at the same time i'm really nervous it will not be a good trip.

2. Church still isn't what I hoped it would be and I feel stuck there.

3. we are so close to paying off my stupid car that I can taste it.

4. I hate living in an apartment

5. I'm so ready to be a homeowner but this process is really long

6. I love the fall and it is nearly here

7. Christmas shopping has begun and I'm excited to report I have 6 gifts bought already

8. I am so ready for a true vacation it's just not even funny.

Anyway I told you complete randomness and no sense but these are all the thoughts floating around in my head.

more Later.......

Mrs. A

Monday, September 8, 2008

sucky schedule, grocery shopping, and celebrating 20 years

Well this weekend was a bit of a blur because I worked then Jeremy and I grocery shopped for 2 hours. That's right 2 hours it was horrifyingly busy, and of course OCD me I had to calculate everything. I started by writing down all of our meals for the rest of the month of September and then calculating all of the ingredients, then calculating our budget. Then we hit the grocery store he thinks I'm the biggest nerd ever because I take my notebook and calculator to the grocery store so I can stay on budget. Yes I know I am a big nerd but hey I didn't go over budget so call me a nerd if you want.
Sunday was Jeremy's parents 20th anniversary at church and we had dinner after service and watched a touching video that Jeremy and I were conveniently left out of. Oh well it's not our church it's theirs. We are looking for a new one.
After church we spent the day visiting with Jeremy's Aunt and Uncle from Texas it was a very nice afternoon and we enjoyed just visiting with them.

Now the work week has begun and it's a crazy week with a crappy schedule I hope I get through it with at least 80% of my sanity intact.

More Later......

Mrs. A

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tuesday tiredness, and a final decision

Well today is Tuesday and I have to work until 9:00PM yet again. Things aren't that bad I know coming up soon is a 3 day weekend, and oh my goodness am I ready for it. I can't wait for a day when I can sleep in I haven't done that in so long.

Anyway today for some reason is a very tiring day I've had a headache since I woke up that I just can't seem to shake. Jeremy and I took full advantage of me not working late yesterday and went to the gym. Which was nice we're trying to fit in a more regular work out schedule but it's very hard when I work late two days in a row. I made a decision last night to make health and fitness a priority in my life and not just an inconvenience. I truly do enjoy going to the gym once I get there. So from this point forward I will not make excuses for going to the gym.


I pray as we prepare for the end of the year that it is a good time and that we enjoy our Holidays.

September is fast approaching which means so is the fall!!!

More later....
Mrs. A

Monday, August 25, 2008

exhausted, and ready for a break.

I am so tired of work it has completely drained me. I am trying very hard to stay positive but it is hard when all I really want is a break. They've taken away our internet access so I've resorted to lugging my lap top to and from work with me just so that I have internet access on my breaks. It's completey ridiculous I am a chair of a charity event I cannot be without internet access. To make matters worse my phone isn't working I feel completely cut off from the outside world. I feel tired and I want to just crawl away and hide for a week or two.

I feel blocked at every turn of the corner when it comes to the charity work I do. I try to do things on my own and get told it's not good enough or it's not right. It's irritating to say the very least. I feel like I'm the underdog who's got something to prove and it's getting to the point I don't want to stress anymore.

I have a million things to do and no time to do them. I need to set up my office in the back room so that I can actually work on the stuff I need to at home it's hard right now there's just not space.

I hate this out of control feeling and I seriously need to get things under control.

Sorry for the downer post I just feel like I'm running in circles and getting no where.

Mrs. A