Random ramblings!

My Thoughts of today: 

1. As of today, I have 5 nieces and nephews! Chloe was born today! Congrats to Candace & Jacob!
2. Today was my LAST graduate school class! I graduate Saturday!
3. I really miss spending time with friends, I feel like I haven't seen them in forever!
4. Just the Way You Are performed by Glee is stuck in my head, and a great song!
5. My family is coming SO SOON! : )
6. I got my hair cut, and the girl made it weird, thankfully, my sister is coming and can fix it.
7. I love Christmas ornaments.
8. I have three wonderfully scented candles going throughout the place tonight (different rooms so smells don't overlap).
9. If it's under 32 degrees during the day, it should be snowing. Not just cold. 
10.  What's the random thought on your mind today?

Giving Up Control

So, I have a need to be in control. Only to be shown over and over again that I have little to no control. So again, I'm trying to give up the idea that I have any control. I hope I can. I know I'd be better off if I could give it up, but I'm struggling that's for sure.

Today's been really rough and very discouraging. I went from fear and hypervenalating to anger and crying. I'm pretty much resigned at frustration and anger now. I don't know what the next stage will be.

We'll see if anything changes, but it's out of my control. I just hope I can remember that!

Let's do a day in pictures....

 Step 1: Wakeup to Alarm Clock

Step 2: Start to get ready for the day

Step 3: Hear knocking at the door

Step 4: See police at door

Step 5: Go downstairs to find...

Merry Christmas Season!

I should mention that nothing was stolen. 

Nothing was valuable in there to be stolen, although others were not lucky.

It was a part of 11 that were broken into over night/morning.    

Tim was worried about his Louis Armstrong CDs though! : )

*All pictures courtesy of Google Images Search because I don't really have pictures of all of that!

Have yourself a Shutterfly Christmas...

Ho Ho Ho! It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!



I love sending out Christmas cards. It's always something fun for me to do as I sort through the addresses and stick on stamps. I never got to be a part of it growing up, since Mom took care of them, so I love ebing able to do it since I got married! This will be our third Christmas to send out cards and I want it to be different. I have a habit of doing different things, a letter the first year, a simple card, and this year, a photo card! Lately I have been looking at photo cards, since I love taking photos, when I ran across some of Shutterfly's holiday cards!

Shutterfly is doing a "blog about it" deal - and I just have to say, since I love their products, their holiday cards are really standing out to me. In the past, I've made the calendars and photo books that turned out with great quality. My engagement photo book is from Shutterfly and has held up wonderfully over the year, with the crisp photos and I get tons of compliments on it! I'm excited to make some great quality holiday photo cards for once to send out! I know I will be pleased with these photo cards!

In browsing through the photo cards, these are some of my favorites.

Fun Collage Christmas Cards

I would have a hard time deciding on which photos but I think could make it work! : )

Simple, classic card with the cute holly and berries.

Slightly more whimsical, but an option.

Which would you choose to send out for your holiday?  I'm looking forward to sending out the cards, I guess it'll be a surprise to you as to which is my favorite card!

Happy Holidays!

Precious.

A lot to be thankful for: a wonderful visit with my sister, seeing my nephew for the first time, lots of laughs during photo shoots, cuddling with Cutter, and a long vacation!

My letter to Cutter:

Your parents are incredible. They have wrapped you into their arms with love and care. They want what is best for you. You are completely and totally surrounded by loving friends and family who want the best in the world! Remember this when you become a teenager fighting them about rules. Your parents are awesome and will always be there for you! When I said bye to you, I gave you at least 5 kisses from other family members who couldn't be with you. Know you are loved greatly. I love my time with you!  Love forever, Your Aunt Morgan

Seriously Adorable.

I can't get enough pictures of my precious little nephew!

I mean seriously.

Adorable.

Can't wait to meet you Cutter!

Wow.

A lot has happened in the past month.

1. Saw my sister, brother-in-law, and (hopefully soon to be born) nephew!

2. Got to spend a "girls" weekend with mom and sister! Tons of fun!

3. Had a bunch of friends over for fondue! Delicious! : )  

4. Took the NCE! Find out in 6-8 weeks if I passed and can get licensed.

Really, this post was just to post some fun photos of my sister!

Can't wait to meet my little nephew! Graduation is in 2 months! Hooray!

Blessed.

I have so much to be thankful for every single day of my life. Days like today, remind me once again, that I am as a human, as an American, prone to forgetting that I am so blessed. The rest of this might be a heavy post, so if you want light and easy, just skip over the rest of this. But days like today have me thinking about my life & my purpose.

I was reading an article the other night and fully realized the extent to which I have such a taxing, heart moving, tough, painful, and oh so rewarding profession. To really get in touch with such deep inner pain means I must be willing to experience some of that pain, to face it and believe in the other person's capacity to handle that pain. (Garry Landreth)

I realized again today. There was a woman who I referred to residential treatment because of her extensive drug use - a woman for which I could do nothing else. I listened as she described some of the worst abuse I have ever heard. I let her cry without trying to stop her. I listened as she described how tired she has become of using every day and the wreckage and chaos her life had turned in to. I listened as she said, "I just want to be happy. To smile." I didn't try to minimize her pain, her drug use, her failings. I put away my questions and sat there, encouraging her to find a shred, an ounce, just the tiniest amount of hope she could find and hold on with her whole life. Almost a week later, today, she called to thank me for being a blessing in her life. This woman, who statistically will not make it through residential treatment and will go back to using - called me to say thank you, for taking the time to listen and just sit with her. She told me no one else listens.

I am so thankful - that I am a part of a profession that seeks meaning in their work, that experiences another human's pain and gives hope, and one that BELIEVES that the other people can handle the pain. I am thankful, that it didn't matter what theory or technique I used, it only mattered that I cared. That I showed this woman I cared.

I am blessed beyond belief.

Among other things..

I don't like when people lie to me. It makes me angry. Sometimes disappointed. Mostly angry.
I usually just let it be and keep that to myself. However. Not with big companies who annoy me.

Here is to you lady at Time Warner who just lied to me.
If you are going to tell the customer that you can not change their bill, make sure that is true. I will ask for your manager which makes you look like an idiot. If you are going to lie to a customer, make sure it is not one who used to work a customer service position herself.  I know what to say and to make your life a little more uncomfortable.  If you want to tell the customer that the competitors use DSL and you use cable, so you are faster, make sure you know what competitors the woman on the phone mentioned. I might have mentioned other providers that actually have MORE efficient services than you. If you are going to use the company's webpage to back up your lie, make sure it matches your lie, because it makes you look ridiculous and shows you are a liar. I will go check that website and find out if you are lying, which you were.

Someone at Time Warner is about to get an eyeful when they have to read and respond to my long tirade about the poor way their customer service people are treating customers and how they are lying to the customers. Girl probably thought it was someone else who would cave. Wow was she wrong.

Miscellaneous Musings

My Miscellaneous Musings

• I never could pull all-nighters in high school or college. I just got exhausted easily and stopped doing my work. So, figures that at around 1:30am after helping Tim, I laid down on the floor, pulled a pillow with me, and answered the rest of the questions with my eyes closed.
• That brings me to this: Apparently, Dr. Hobby taught me very well about APA formatting and I'm a ridiculous nerd. I wanted to cry after reading through someone's references and seeing that every one of them was botched!
• So far, this semester seems a BREEZE compared to the Spring. I so hope that it stays that way! Tim and I got to have a date on Friday night and everything! That so rarely happens!
• I get to see my sister in 2 weeks! So excited! Mom and I are driving down together, I'm taking her maternity photos, and we're going to her shower on Sunday! Can we say I am so excited!

GA

We went to GA and I had a photo shoot with Gayle & Sarah. These are some of my favorites. I will share more photo posts later but thought I'd get one in before my last grad school semester starts!

Waiting.

God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.

The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked.

Psalm 9:9-10 (The Message)

I talked to a close friend the other night who was going through the rough time. She felt so strongly that God had put her in a situation and wondered why she felt like God had dropped her there - waiting for something to happen and to change.

Now, I sit and have to wait. Ten days. Wait and see what God has planned.

Thankfully, last night, I read that Psalm and fell in love with it.

So comforting, so peaceful.

I think it makes the waiting easier.

August?!

I can't believe it's August!

I'm really excited actually because a lot of things happen this month!

Celebrate my birthday, finish this class, take a vacation, visit family, and start back again to school!

Tim begins full time grad school, with four classes. I'm glad he loves accounting because it bores me to tears (Sorry Erin - I'm glad you like it too!). He's looking forward to starting (so he can finish) his Masters too. I am really looking forward to my FINAL semester in graduate school (for now)! I have three classes (including my 20 hour internship) for this semester and I am set right now to graduate in December! Which is wonderful news to me, 69 hours of classes completed! I was really happy when I found out that all of my siblings and my Papa and Karen are trying to come for graduation. That meant a lot to me. Hopefully I will have my NCE test results by graduation and will be well on the way to the licensing problems. Tim and I laughed when we realized how many initials we'll have by our names when signing documents for work. I'll (hopefully) be MA, LPCA, NCC and on my way to being an RPT (I know, slightly crazy but thankfully I don't have to sign them all)! Anyways, enough school talk, on to writing a paper!

As of late....

Since I finally got to reveal it to Taryn - I can put it on here! It's a canvas photoboard for Cutter in his room colors! Plus, the brown squares are corkboard so she can change out photos! (It has thumbtacks, but I don't have a picture with them.)

I love summer, apples, caramel, and triple chocolates...so this picture here pretty much makes life. It was my present for puppysitting, on July 4th, a dog who was terrified of fireworks.

Celebrating our 2 year anniversary! I love the Charlotte Restaurant week usually falls around our anniversary because yummy food + fancy restaurants +  special prices = Happy Anniversary!

And, this lovely three tiered serving stand was a SUPRISE gift from Tim (minus the cookies, I made those). I say suprise, because I really was shocked. He usually can't keep a secret, and I know that he has gotten me something. Granted, he gave it to me early because he couldn't keep the secret any longer, but he tried!  

Confessions.

My sister recently posted a confession about how she is OCD. Here is my confession, I'm a full fledged vivid daydreamer (and night dreamer). I'm a vivid daydreamer - and they are not always good! I can have the scariest daydream and have trouble adjusting to whether it is reality, it's weird. Over the years, I have had dreams that I ended up crying - I know, crazy intense. Why can't my daydreams be vividly happy?

Anyways, this morning, I wake up and Tim had yelled at me in my dream. I tell him about it & he ended up apologizing to me despite the fact he really did nothing to me at all. He then made me cinnamon rolls this morning for yelling at me in my dream. Haha, he's too good to me. I didn't hold it against him and he doesn't really have to apologize, but he does it because it makes me laugh!

So, in regards to crazy vivid dreams: I have been looking/watching a mole on my leg, because I think it's changed. I don't ever remember a black spot being beside it. After about a month of crazy, intense daydreams that scared the sanity right out of me, I finally did something about it. I went to the doctor. Needless to say, I now am making a trip to the dermatologist. But as my sister said, "at least it took him a long time to decide you needed to see him, it wasn't one look and yeah you need to go."

Here's to hoping that my rational mind will control my vivid and weirdly intense daydreams, at least until August 6th when I know more, or at least make them funny dreams!

Special day.

Today marks two years that Tim and I have been married. Here are some of the photos that I love from that great, fun, and relaxed day where I married my best friend!

I love you Tim!

Step by step, day by day.

This link just appeared on my school's website.
A lot is going to happen between now and December 18th!

Celebrate my 2 year anniversary.

Finish summer school.
Celebrate my birthday.

Take maternity photos.

Start last semester of school!

Take a national exam.

Meet my nephew in Oct/November.

Say goodbye to my site that I've been at for 1.5 years.

Say goodbye to some great friends.

Have all my family come up.

GRADUATE!

Hopefully, get a job will come shortly after that. And leaving my part-time job of 7 years.

Wow. One picture sparks a realization of so much change.

Procrastination at it's finest.

I am supposed to be writing a paper right now. I am struggling. So, here's my latest procrastination blog...

My dad and me on Father's Day!

I love spending a little bit of time with him and he willingly took the pictures with me!
We couldn't take him out to eat because he couldn't eat but it was nice to talk for a while.

My mom said, "Look, we match, let's take our picture together."

Which is rare, because she never suggests taking our photo together - I always make her!

Which, reminded me of another great memory that Tim and I immediately thought about.

(This is a substitute picture but I can't find the one that occurred as a result of the following conversation)

One Sunday in Memphis, I was taking a picture with Tim.

Tim's dad said, "You always get pictures with him, I want one."

I then proceeded to take a picture of the two of them, with his dad chuckling the whole time.

Good memories.

I'm getting another nephew!!

I'm already starting to think about his adorable little canvas to hang in his nursery!

Congrats Taryn!

Journeys.

We've been busy but finally got to go on vacation! We spent some wonderful days in the mountains and got some much needed rest! Then we ended up heading to Memphis, passing through to say hi to my brother on the way! We got to spend some time with Tim's sister and brother and the Ruddy's. It was great. We spent time as tourists - going to the Peabody Hotel and the Memphis Zoo! It was fun. Enjoy some photos!

 

Best Ways to Earn Money From Home, easy!

A while ago, I was reading all these things about filling out surveys & always thought, "man, that'd be great, but I bet it isn't worth it." So I went on a mission, to try a few different types (that were recommended) and try it. I began in January really trying. I make money and gift cards - at my own pace. Sometimes I don't fill out the surveys, sometimes I do. If it is taking too long, I might not finish it. It's all up to me and I love that. So, is it worth it?

YES! So, in case you are interested, I want to share with you some tips & suggestions if you want to try this! Here are my favorite things to do & how long/intensive it takes:

Swagbucks
Click on the link above to get to the site! You download the toolbar & use it to search like you would any other search engine. You get "points" for searching. After so many points, you get to redeem for prizes. I always do the Amazon Gift Cards! Takes almost no effort from you! Sometimes, it gives you points when you pull up just because you have the toolbar!

Opinion Outpost
Click on the link above to get to the site! Straightforward emails with links for surveys. They tell you upfront, how much you get and how long the survey will be. Downside - you don't always qualify. Upside - so easy to work with! For instance "25 Opinion Points" is $2.50! Once you reach $5 in your account, you can request a check. It is mailed to you within a week or two. I usually wait until $10, and have received two checks already. Just deposit at the bank!

MyPoints

Use a "junk" email address. They send you 5 - 8 emails & you open them. You usually get around 5 points for opening the link to another website up. I open them, never look at them, and close them immediately. They have "survey" emails, where you get 10 points if you try (2 minutes) but don't qualify and 50 points if you do. I don't do any of the "Buy this and receive x points) because I'm trying to make money & not spend it! After so many points, you can collect from a LARGE number of rewards. I'm keen on using their Kohls gift cards so I can shop without feeling guilty! It's simple & you do it when you want. If you dont want the emails, fine delete them! If you want to try this - let me know and I will send you a referral!


Surveyhead
Pro: Lots of available surveys & a decent reward. Con: Takes a long time to go from pending to earned - meaning your reward is delayed. You fill out surveys and build up rewards. You have to have $25 in "Earned" before you can claim a reward (including Amazon gift cards). It does take a while, but is simple, straightforward, and I feel worth the time to get that reward.



Anyways, if you have any questions, please just ask me! Like I said, these are the ones that I like using the most to earn a little "fun" money and gift cards! So if you've ever thought about it, these are the ones I would recommend to starting. My tips for doing it: Only do it when you want to, otherwise you will get totally consumed and it could become frustrating. It's not millions of dollars, but is nice to have a little extra money!

Greatest deal of the week!

Here is why I spend less than an hour or so on Sundays cutting and organizing my coupons.

Rite Aid

• 4 Covergirl Foundations (some for mom)
• BOGO @ $6.99
• 2 Coupons for BOGO
• Total price = 4 FREE
• 2 Covergirl Concealors
• BOGO @ $5.99
• Coupon for BOGO
• Total price = 2 FREE
• 2 Covergirl Eyeliner Pens
• BOGO @ $6.99
• Coupon for BOGO
• Total Price = 2 FREE
• 3 Nivea Body Washes
• $3.99 sale each
• 3 coupons for $4 off
• Total Price = I got paid $.03

Harris Teeter

• 2 Coffeemate Creamers @ 2/$4
• 2 $.50 each coupon = $3 off
• Total price for 2 = $1
• Daisy Sour Cream @ $2.19
• $.50 coupon = $1.50 off
• Total price for 1 = $.69
• BE Chopped Spinach @ $1.50
• $.50 coupon = $1.50 off
• Total price for 1 = FREE
• Sargento Cheese BOGO @ $3.19
• $.75 off coupon = $1.59 off
• Total price for 1 = FREE
• 2 BC Warm Delight @ $2.35 each
• 2 $.75 coupon = $4.50 off
• Total price for 2 = $.20
• Hormel Compleat @ $1.97
• $.55 off coupon = $1.65
• Total price for 1 = $.32
• 2 BC Cake Mix @ $.97 each
• 2 BC Cake Frosting @ $1.99 each
• 2 $.75 coupon = $4.50 off
• Total price for all 4 = $1.42

Combined Savings of the night:
Total price before Sales and Coupons plus tax: $103.64

Out of Pocket Cost (including tax): $7.04
Precent Savings: 93%

Which means, I got theoretically paid $96 an hour for my time. : )

Big changes....

Life is full of big changes. I'm happy, nervous, overhwhelmed, and excited!  Too much to blog about! Also, here is what our life has been like.....

So...if you are curious....

• TIM GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL! (The big 49er is UNCC) So excited! YAY! We won't see each other for a year, but it will be worth it!
• My sister is pregnant! YAY! I secretly hope it's a girl (well not to secret, since I just said it). But that will be a very spoiled and loved child no matter what...
• Triple coupons....This time $5 for $50 of food! I saved 90%, can you believe it? I was stoked. Seriously, enough to use the word stoked!
• My husband is wonderful. That's just a photo he let me take!
• Easter with my parents and my cute leggings.
• We drove to Raleigh so I could go to Maleah's shower, so happy for her. So glad I could go by. We also had lunch with Kent (the man who married us) and his wife Valarie. Wonderful couple.

Anyways, that's life for us! We are going for a week before classes begin at the end of May! We're headed to the mountains to visit my Papa and Karen, go on the lake hopefully, Tim can go shooting, and have a nice mini relaxation trip! Then we are headed to Memphis to see Candace, Jonathan, and the Ruddy's for the remainder of the week! It'll be a nice break before we start full drive into the summer!

Why I LOVE Rite-Aid....

If you have never shopped at Rite-Aid..you are missing out! After my second "full fledge" trip using coupons/rebates I have to say it's amazing!

Here are some of the great reasons to LOVE shopping there..

• They have in-store coupons that you can stack with manufacture coupons (which means both together)!
• If you have a BOGO coupon and the products are on sale BOGO, you can still use the coupons, which means....You get both items free! Also, if you have a B1G1 coupon you can still use a $off coupon for the second product.
• They have SIMPLE rebates that are awesome. You sign up online & basically, whenever you buy something that has a rebate, you enter your receipt online. At the end of the month or whenever you want your returns, you submit all & they mail you your check. You can cash your check at the bank or take it to Rite-Aid and use it on your next purchase.

To show you how easy it is...I am going to show you some of how and what I did today...

• Gilette Deoderant    4.99
• Gilette Body Wash  4.99
• $2 off coupon
• B1 Deoderant, G1 Body Wash Free
• Rebate for $1 back     
• Total paid for both: $1.99
• Secret Deoderant 2.99
• In store coupon $2
• Total paid: $.99
• 2 Carefree UltraProtection  1.99
• B1G1 coupon
• $1 off coupon
• Total paid for both: $.99
• Always 36ct pads 6.99
• Always 14ct pads 3.99
• B1 36ct G1 12-22ct Free
• $1 off coupon
• Rebate for $2
• Total paid for both : 3.99
• 2 Dove Shampoos 2/$6
• $2.50 off coupon
• Rebate for $3
• Total paid for both: $.50
• 2 Pantene Shampoos B1G1 sale 4.99
• $3 off coupon
• Total paid for both: 1.99
• Bic Disposable Razors 4.69
• $2 off coupon
• Rebate for $2
• Total price paid: $.69
• 2 Reach Toothbrushs 2/$6
• B1G1 free coupon
• $1 off coupon
• Rebate for $3
• Total paid for both: Got paid $1
• $5 off $25 purchase Rite Aid Coupon

This is just an example to show you how using coupons, rebates, and sale price stockups to get great deals!

• Retail price: $67.36
• Sales price before coupons: $49.61
• Out of pocket: $15.15
• Rebates: $11
• Final Price: $4.15 for all of that above!

See how stocking up on products during sales and coupons helps? If you just "ran out" of that item and bought it at full price, you would have spent about $63 more! Anyways, just thought I would share an "unconventional" store that most people don't think of & you can get massive amounts for cheap!

Hope you are having a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Tim!

Despite him having to work all day...we still had a fun morning! I cooked blueberry muffins, fried ham, and eggs, and made his coffee. It was nice to have breakfast together one morning! I got to bring him lunch and spend some time mid-afternoon, so it was wonderful.

Tim is the best person ever. He works so hard at everything and is a great husband. He gets up early to help me get my stuff ready, cleans the house, and cooks me dinner when I'm in mad rushes. He supports me whenever I need it, and even when I don't think I do. He encourages me when I have a rough day.

Four years ago, I tried throwing him a suprise party and found out he lied about his birthday to me. He called it a joke but forgot he told me. I had to re-arrange everything. He never makes a big deal about birthdays while I do. So here is to him on his big day, I love you!

Random Thoughts.

1. My house is amazingly clean. Thanks to Tim.
2. Tim is the BEST husband ever.
3. I finally have a printed photography portfolio - so super excited about it.
4. Today was rough. I have never been so nervous/easily startled/scared for my safety at work as much as I was today. Learned quite a few lessons as well.
5. Thin Mint cookies are amazing.
6. One day I'll actually blog a real blog.

One Month Update....

So...it's been one full month (31 days) since my journey to get back to my wedding weight started. However, this month has had it's challenges. I was sick for almost two weeks & was out of town at a conference for 4 days.

Shamefully so, because of all of this, I only worked out the first 16 days. After that, I really struggled with sickness - but I kept drinking my water & I kept watching what I was eating (not dieting but just being mindful). I also have been trying to drink less Dr. Pepper.

So, after all that.............drumroll please..........I've lost a total of 5 lbs this month! Not much to some, but for me, it's huge! Other benefits: my balance has improved, I feel more energized, and I'm getting better at the yoga positions I have been doing.

Anyways, since I broadcasted I was doing this, I thought I should continue to show I am still doing this. As of tomorrow, I will be working out again regularly (unless my body refuses to let me be healthy and continues to revolt against me).

I'm on a mission........

YAY! I'm going to be an aunt again. I'm so excited.

I'm super crazy hectic and behind already this week, considering I've been out of the loop/network of everything since last Tuesday because of sickness and conference. So, while I play catch up...I had to share this because I am so super happy and I can finally say something about it. : )

I've decided...

It's 6:00 in the morning and I've been awake since 4. I'm supposed to get up in 1 hour to get ready to head to Pittsburgh for a great conference. I've been looking forward to this since last year. This conference is wonderful and I'm going with two amazing ladies. Everything, including the weather was looking good.

Until Tuesday night. I suddenly became super sick. Tim called my work on Wednesday (which I am super thankful for, because being my stubborn self I was attempting to go, when I could barely stand). It started with a sore throat. Within one day time, I had sore throat, chills, 102 fever, cough, and was absolutely MISERABLE. However, I did manage to sleep over 24 hours in 36 hours time. That was pretty nice. I had to call out on Thursday, and I went in to the doctor, with little voice (it fades in and out). Apparently, I have a bunch of fluid in my ears in addition.

So, what have I decided? My body is revolting against me. Mucinex D does NOT make me stop coughing, it actually keeps me up all night coughing, worse than before. My old doctors were amazing at clearing this stuff up (meaning my new doctor stinks). Tim is a great take care of you person - he got my every whim of GingerAle and Gatorade and was stubborn in making me stay home from work, which I needed.

Meanwhile, I'm continuing to lose weight. : ) My journey continues....13 days to go to see the progress I've made.

6 Random Things I'm thinking about..

1. I am shooting a WEDDING tomorrow! I can't believe it. I'm both nervous and excited.
2. This is my second all day headache this week.
3. I need to go workout for today. According to recent measurements, I'm down 3lbs+ from my start weight but we'll see if that is accurate. UPDATE: Apparently, I am still down from my start weight! Plus, my balance and posture have gotten a lot better!
4. I decided I love vitamin water.
5. I have finished one scrapbook canvas and have two more to go!
6. We had a great dinner and night with our friends Adam and Rachel last night!

I'm thinking a picture blog is in order for later..........

Progress, or lack thereof.

So over the course of the past week, I've really made an effort to lose weight. I worked out 4 times (a great improvement from none because of school). I have had a LOT of water (so much more than I ever used to drink).

Throughout the week, I weighed myself, around the same time every night. At one point, it said I had lost 2.6 pounds since the beginning. Back to tonight, apparently I'm the same weight as last week. Maybe one of these days I will begin to lose weight. The only motivations is I feel better physically and I can tell the weight is shifting (so it looks like I've lost some even if I haven't).

So there is my progress for the week............I worked out, I drank water, less soda, and I remained the same week with A LOT of fluxuation during the week.

I have a goal....

Reading a friend's blog tonight, I realized, I need to set a goal. I am now publizing it so I have more motivation to follow it since I have told everyone.

Preface: Losing weight is hard for me and always has been. It takes a lot of effort and I rarely see results. I am about to embark on an adventure But I am going to try my hardest to work on it this month and see in 1 month how far I've gotten.

So what's my actual goal? To get back to my wedding weight.

We'll see in one month where I am!

The best husband and Valentine's ever!

I have the best husband ever.

He stocked up on DP for me since it was on a great sale. He got me flowers. He got me chocolate. He took me to dinner at PF Chang's. He took me to see Valentine's Day. He drove me in the snow to take pictures. 

I have the best Valentine's ever. I also had the most amazing Valentine's date ever!

Just saying.

Stream of thoughts.........

This is also known as procrastination.....but a couple thoughts.

• I found out I have a paper due Monday, because of someone's facebook status. Hence procrastination and no desire to be self aware and reflective.
• My stomach hates me, so to it: I'm sorry I ate alfredo. I won't do it again.
• I want something gummy or chocolatey right now. Oooh like Gummibursts or Lifesaver Gummy.
• Bait car makes me laugh - some people are just crazy (I only get 2 channels)
• I feel lately, when I get home, that I live in sweatpants, long tshirts, and a ponytail. Poor Tim.

That's it. Back to being self aware.

Need a laugh?

This is a child I used to babysit. Tim and I watched it multiple times.

http://www.youtube.com/user/willieabrams#p/a/u/0/kRzGALVRZNs

Serisouly, it will make you laugh. You know you need a good laugh.

One GIANT step....

Today was one GIANT step towards....

I took a test on January 5th...my comprehensive exams. I have to take them and pass to graduate. I got my results today and I PASSED! So happy, I don't have to retake it or face my graduation committee!

One step down....only a couple big ones to go: 
1. Finishing this semester
2. Two summer classes
3. One more semester
4. The NCE (the BIG MacDaddy of all tests that if I don't pass in October, I have to wait until April and can not get a job).

However, I can do it. After all, today was one GIANT step.

One of my favorite things.

I am sitting and watching Julie and Julia and hearing their stories of loving cooking! It made me think about my favorite thing to do. I LOVE baking chocolate chop cookies.

It's kind of like an addiction for me. It makes me really happy to make them & it REALLY makes wonderful after effects of being able to enjoy them. I went on a spree last week. It possibly could have been because it was my first crazy insane week of school and I wanted something to make me less stressed.

One of the best new additions to making my cookies - is an AMAZING new spatula. I'm not kidding. It's seriously that good. I received it from my wonderful husband in my stocking this year. I love making the cookies by hand and not by mixer - I don't know why, but I just think they taste better. Anyways, look below at the best spatulas ever: Paula Deen Silicone Spatula Set!

I am not kidding, it really is that wonderful, to warrant any entire blog post about it. It really makes my joy of making chocolate chop cookies so much better! Anyways, I really do love baking cookies.

What is your favorite thing to bake/cook? What is your favorite kitchen tool/utensil?

Haiti - My Personal Connection

I know everyone knows about the tragedy of the massive earthquake in such a poverty stricken place. My home congregation has a long history with orphanages in Haiti and supporing missionaries and medical clinics. The parents of one of my best friends growing up, live in Haiti, as missionaries. Their names are Tim & Debbie Vanderbeek. They live in Thomazeau, Haiti which is not to far from PAP (Port Au Prince). They have been in PAP helping the past several days. I want you to read this, in Debbie's words, and see her pictures, to see a portion of what they are experiencing.

January 14th:
I do not even know how or where to begin. This has been the most surreal day. Could this really be happening!? What we saw and experienced today is beyond words. And the tremors continue. When we were leaving the orphanage this afternoon a fairly strong tremor shook. The kids are so high strung. Everyone, I mean everyone is in the streets. They have been told not to go into their homes. Nothing is stable. So much is not only not left standing, but not recognizable. People are still trapped in rubble. The dead literally line the streets.

This is the rubble of a school & church in Haiti.

January 15th:
People are everywhere on the streets and look dazed. There is an emptiness in many of their eyes. There are decomposing bodies still on the streets. The government is asking people to photograph the dead, bury them in designated mass graves and document, along with the photo where they are buried. Many are trying to get out of the city, to go to relatives in the provinces. There are more taptaps on the roads today, making getting anyplace a challenge.

This is a park where thousands are now living because they have no home.

The local news here skyped and you can listen to Tim Vanderbeek describe the scenes in Haiti.


What can you do? PRAY! Give - Haitians need everything - clothes, food, water. If you are interested in places to donate, here are a few I suggest:

1. PRCOC (they are giving the money directly to the Vanderbeeks to distribute)
2. Hope for Haiti's Children (the organization Debbie works for) - they do a lot for orphans in Haiti.
3. Red Cross
4. Compassion International

There are so many other programs...please consider one. Take time, prayerfully consider the Haitian people, and decide if you can afford to give. The people of Haiti are in desperate need, when is a better time to give? We are praying fervently that they see and feel the healing power of Christ.

Blogging

I love reading blogs and explouring coupon forums. It's become a habit. I think it's healthy though because it saves me money or motivates me! I've found several new blogs lately about debt management, financial goals, savings, and more, all which interest me. Tim and I want to be debt free from student loans as soon as possible. We are trying to live on less than we make so we can pay off more loans. It's had since I'm in school, he's trying to go back to school, and both of our jobs are constantly changing our hours/pay. Yet, we're trying as hard as we can.

That's why I get so excited about Super Double, Tripe Coupons, or buying stuff at BJ's! We load up on food for pretty cheap and then get to reduce our grocery bill for the month! Several of the blogs I read are doing "Eat from my pantry challenge" which I love. For the rest of the month, except for bread and milk, Tim and I are eating out of what we already have in our home. It makes it easier that my friend Rachel and I spent ALL day one day last month making meals to freeze for this month when I started back to school and she started full time work. We ended up making about 15 meals, NOT counting the leftovers!! It was awesome. Rachel has gotten hooked onto coupons with me and we share a lot of coupons.

Half of our freezer:

If you have any recipies that you love that are good to be frozen....PLEASE share!

&

This is my most recent Super Double....you can't see everything so I am listing it below.

1- 12pk Double Roll Cottonelle; 10 - Special K Cereals; 10- Special K Cereal Bars; 3 - Coffeemate Creamers; 4 - Kraft Shredded Cheese; 3 - Philadelphia Cream Cheese; 6 - Jello - Gelatin/Pudding; 1 - Wet Ones; 2 - Lysol Disenfectant Wipes; 2 - Reach Floss; 2 - Listerine Total Care; 1 - Crest Toothpaste; 1 - Johnson Baby Powder; 2 - Oikos Yogurt; 1 - Chobani Yogurt; 5 - Northland Juice; 1 - Ivory Soap 3 pk; 1 - Herbal Essences Shampoo; 1- Band-Aid; 1 - Cookies and Cream Bar.

Original Price: $182.95

Savings: $159.98

OOP (Out of Pocket) = $22.97!

Between the stocked up meals Rachel & I made and the super doubles - we will not need groceries for almost the rest of the month (except milk!) and allowed us to stock up on some toiletries (such as the mouthwash the dentist told me I needed)! I'm so glad I spend the time reading blogs, cutting coupons, and preparing. It seriously saves us so much money in the long run!