Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Things To Do


I am a compulsive list maker. In high school I kept a meticulous planner with all of my activities. College, the same--only this time my to-do list would make their way to Facebook. When we were planning our wedding I worked at an Intermediate school and each day I went home with a purse stuffed full of Post-It Notes with ideas and schedules and what-not. Now I make lists wherever I can find some space to write so I'm making one here. Maybe, if I'm lucky, this will help me check off everything. For once.

To-Do:

Get our car fixed
Get new(er) car
Organize clothing to donate
Organize clothing to sell
Organize left over clothes
Deep clean the house = throw. away. junk.
Get a GRE study book
Fill out application for Grad school
Find tasty Paleo bread-type recipes for the hubby
Start writing devotionals for camp

Yep. That sounds about right. Now that it's on the "internets" it must be true so I'll have to pull up my boot straps and get it done.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Bedroom Makeover Ideas

It's no secret I love Target. Since childhood Target has been my store of choice; I would get upset if my Mom even suggested going to Wal-mart(since then, I've embraced their low prices in my young married state). When we went to register for our wedding Joshua and I just went crazy with the little price gun guy and scanned in a bunch of stuff we thought we liked. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize I didn't pick anything that actually matches my sense of style and I want to do a bedroom makeover!!! I'm putting together a little pin board of inspiration to get a better idea of what I really want for our "oasis" and most of it comes from Target. What a lovely place indeed.

Pictures from Target, kellimurray.com, timeneveblog, designinspiration.net, decorpad.com, pinteresthunt8010.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Whirlwind Wedding Weekend

Well, we made it. The Whirlwind Wedding Weekend is over.

It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen--gorgeous floral arrangements, rustic signs, tree bark, candles, pearls, lanterns, the whole rustically elegant shebang.

Leading up to the wedding? Not so gorgeous.

My poor sweet husband and I have a joke that we've spent more hours together in the car than we have actually spent together anywhere else--between his folks living in PA, mine living in TX, and us in TN I'm pretty sure it's true. Well, we spent Christmas with my family this year and we headed back home on January 2nd. The wedding was January 17th meaning we had to turn around two weeks later and drive all the way back to TX plus 3 extra hours to get to Houston. If you know anything about the Houston area, then you know the traffic is horrible. Our hotel was 5 minutes down the road from the ceremony site but it took us almost 30 on the access road just to get to the rehearsal!

Which brings me to something else. I felt like such a dufus because I was the only girl there not dressed up in a cute party dress. No one told us the rehearsal was going to be fancy so we assumed it would be casual like our rehearsal was. Nope. Thankfully Joshua was wearing a nice button shirt and jeans like the other guys, but I was a sore thumb who had to stand in for another bridesmaid and will forever be in her parents photos as the girl who didn't dress up.

I hope this doesn't sound tacky, but we ate dinner in a mansion. An actual mansion. I have never known anyone blessed enough to own a house quite like this one--growing up, we could only stare into the windows from our car as we drove by wondering what sort of people lived there. The rehearsal dinner was held at the bride's childhood home and it was spectacular. Her family doesn't live there anymore, but the family who does has impeccable taste and we felt like we eating in a palace. There were fancy dinner settings, candles, a personal chef to make us omelettes, and the grandest stair case I've ever seen. I told Joshua all weekend that I felt like we were playing out a wedding weekend from a movie!

Wedding day was pretty lonely for me since the hubs was off with the wedding party getting photographed and fancied up. I put on my big girl pants and braved the traffic to get myself a Chick-Fil-A Chicken biscuit and take myself to the mall to pass the time. I made it back to the hotel in time to drop my entire microwaved lunch all over the floor and then I laid in bed eating butterfingers and watching youtube videos until it was time to get ready to go.

After watching 20 hair videos, I still had no clue what I wanted myself to look like and settled on curled and pinned back. No biggie. I walked out the door at 5:30 for a 7:00 pm start time hoping I'd given myself enough time for traffic. Walked out without the gift, had to drive back through the parking lot, wrap it and throw it in the bag and then went on my way. As luck would have it, there was an accident on 45 and all the lanes were completely closed. Sadly, I didn't even need the highway, just the access road.

Guess who sat on the access road for AN HOUR AND A HALF? Yes, that would be me. Over achiever, always early, must have a plan me sitting in traffic crying, ruining my make-up, and cursing the steering-wheel. I tried to call Joshua about 20 times as the wedding time got closer and closer praying that he would answer before they went out so that someone would know where I was. Naturally, he didn't answer because he was busy ushering the guests who were able to make it on time. I prayed and prayed over and over that God would just get me to the ceremony and after an hour and a half of waiting and letting people in, I finally made it to a light. Once I got there, I hauled a** flew down the road and whipped in right at 7:00 pm.

I promptly called Joshua who met me in the parking lot and I proceeded to cry.

Lucky for me, Meemaw was stuck in traffic as well and we all know you cannot start a wedding without Meemaw. The ceremony didn't start until about 7:45 and it was wonderful. I honestly can't remember too much of it because I was too busy tearing up and trying to save my makeup. Except for the time delay and having to abbreviate the reception, everything about this wedding was exceptional. When they post the photos, I will have to share a couple of photos of Joshua cutting the rug because he busted out all kinds of moves I'v never seen before! We had a great time and I am so thankful that the couple found each other and they are so in love with each other and God.

Congratulations Kris and Lauryn!!!

Photo compliments of Guy Lewis

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Plus One

The Plus One by Me

Tag a Long
Seat Filler
Dead Weight
Third Wheel

Ok, so that's not really true, but maybe deep down a little tiny piece of me feels that way. I'm the kind of person that likes to be somewhere for a reason. My mind is always going and to be idle is a foreign concept to me. There must be something to do and something to think about otherwise I feel like I don't belong in my space. Somehow, in our three years of marriage we are going to our first wedding as a couple but we won't be spending it together. Joshua is in the wedding party and I am not (the groom is a mutual friend, but more so Joshua's friend than mine) and yes, it might be the whiny wife in me, but it's driving me a tad crazy. Truth be told, I am beyond ecstatic for our friend to get married--I only wish the Wedding Day Itinerary extended to the "Plus Ones." Sadly, I'll be wiling away the hours on a chip and chocolate filled bender, watching my only source of comfort: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives--if I'm lucky. If not, I'll still be covered in snack crumbs while I flip through the 10 cable channels that are worth watching.

I know, pathetic much? I just can't seem to help it. Try as I might to get excited about this weekend, I just keep thinking about all of the wedding-rush filled wonderfulness that Josh will be experiencing while I wait until the last minute to curl my hair...

Here's hoping I don't get lost driving myself to the ceremony! Cheers!


Saturday, January 11, 2014

Gluten Free Catastrophe


Look at them...aren't they beautiful? Those are some Gluten Free tortillas from stupideasypaleo.com. While the hubs was away working lights for a production, I've spent my whole evening trying to be a Paleo domestic goddess. Did it work? Meh....

First of all, let me be clear that we're not exactly "going Paleo." Basically we're on a path of "don't eat a bunch of over processed crap." There is no strict plan in place, we are just going to stay away from breads, grains, milk, and unnecessary sugars. Anyway, I digress...a family trait truth be told...

Whilst listening to the sounds of The Lord of the Rings movie,  I set about my task. My goal: Pumpkin muffins, biscuits, and tortillas. Let me tell you, the muffins turned out beautifully--the hubs was practically foaming at the mouth for another! The biscuits....probably not a recipe I'll try again. While they came out "ok" they are super dry and a little crumbly but will suffice for this week.

Unfortunately, when I tried to make the tortillas I was a little irritated by the biscuits and I think I must've put a little too much "angry" in the batter because it was terrible mess. Three kinds a flour everywhere, a bajillion eggs whites flying, and more measuring spoons than I can manage at once. All it got me was a bowl of crumbly junk that wouldn't bend for a burrito if it's little crusty life depended on it. In my utter distress and desperation to have something to show for my efforts when Joshua got home, I THREW IT IN THE TRASH!!!! (Happily, this has only happened twice that I can remember in my short domestic life).

I started over with the recipe from the picture above and Lo and Behold, the Heavens opened and I made a Paleo Tortilla! Now, I have to be honest they aren't very traditional and are more crepe like than bread, but I think with the right filling they will do just fine! We'll be using them for this delightful recipe (which isn't very Paleo, but oh-so-wonderful) and I'll let you know how it goes!

And with that, I'll leave you with a quote after my own heart:

"What about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?"




Friday, January 10, 2014

New Year Intention

I've read many blogs lately that are declaring their intentions for the new year. Rather than make a list of Resolutions that are sure to fall by the wayside, they are choosing a word to emulate. I appreciate this approach because resolutions are just that--Torture Resolute--and if you cannot stick with it then somehow you've failed. Choosing an idea to focus on throughout the year is much more organic; ideas grow and change with you. What your intention looks like now is not what it may be one month from now, six months from now, next New Year. This gives me a sense of purpose rather than pressure and I hope to arrive on the other side of this year wiser and full of joy.

The word I've chosen for 2014 is Trust.

This is something I have struggled with my entire life. I am continually suspicious of other's motives, I scrutinize the smallest decisions to the point where every turn seems wrong, and I certainly do not give God the trust He deserves to lead me on my path. In my search for inspiration, I came across this verse from the Old Testament:

"The Lord directs the steps of the Godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand."
~Psalm 37:23-24

This verse reminds me that I am not alone. Because of my stubborn nature, I often try to conquer everything on my own. I have never in my life been someone that asks for help; just ask my teachers in school--I Never raised my hand but I had straight A's. When a wall appears before, I Google the heck out of it and find a way to know it down or go around. This often results in hours of extra work that could've been spared if I'd simply asked a friend or co-worker. I worry too much that people will think less of me, that I will come across as unintelligent or incapable of solving problems.

What I keep missing is this: "Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." My unfaithful heart is too easily led down the path of doubt and self-destruction but I must remember that guiding me through the worst bits of life is a God that is gentle, loving, and kind. He is not leading me into these trials; I get myself in these messes and He is desperately trying to show me the way out.

This is going to be a year of big decisions for the hubs and me. There are several opportunities on the horizon that will require His infinite wisdom and perfect timing. This will be a good year and I am excited; pray that my heart will gain the "serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."










Thursday, January 9, 2014

This New Year

I have decided that this year, I would like to write in my blog every day. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be special, or full of pictures. Just a little bit here and there until I get on my way because who knows what we'll find meaning in later.

Happy New Year--May God Bless Each and Every Day!!!!