till i HIT THE ROAD for thanksgiving!
can't stand it!!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
thankful for thanksgiving
after yet another great weekend (the highlight being tonight, where i convinced 3 whole people to sign up for the mini marathon during the colts game.), i find myself needing to gear up for another few days of work. i'm practically beside myself with excitement at the prospect of being home for 4 whole days, seeing friends, and spending quality time with my family. i am so blessed!
in other news, our computer system at work is completely shut down tomorrow...we're going old school. which means no phones, no computer, no checking kids' grades online, processing transcript requests, helping kids sign up for ACT/SATs, changing kids' schedules or even having a way to look up their schedules to call them down to my office. i also think this means that we get to wear jeans. yay, i don't have to iron anything in the morning! (hey, it's the little things in life!). we're also supposed to just embrace this headache of a day and "go old school." i will be paying homage to my old high school by wearing my most favorite sweatshirt ever--lakeshore track 2001. i will do my best to not look like a total slob. i might also break out the flare leg jeans that just scream "late nineties."
i just want these next 3 days to fly by so we can get on with thanksgiving weekend!!! never fear, i am sure i will be armed with many jeff-isms to pass along to you all in the coming days. i just give and give and give.
love to all!
ps! with every passing year, i become more and more opposed to everything that is black friday. don't even get me started.
in other news, our computer system at work is completely shut down tomorrow...we're going old school. which means no phones, no computer, no checking kids' grades online, processing transcript requests, helping kids sign up for ACT/SATs, changing kids' schedules or even having a way to look up their schedules to call them down to my office. i also think this means that we get to wear jeans. yay, i don't have to iron anything in the morning! (hey, it's the little things in life!). we're also supposed to just embrace this headache of a day and "go old school." i will be paying homage to my old high school by wearing my most favorite sweatshirt ever--lakeshore track 2001. i will do my best to not look like a total slob. i might also break out the flare leg jeans that just scream "late nineties."
i just want these next 3 days to fly by so we can get on with thanksgiving weekend!!! never fear, i am sure i will be armed with many jeff-isms to pass along to you all in the coming days. i just give and give and give.
love to all!
ps! with every passing year, i become more and more opposed to everything that is black friday. don't even get me started.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
favorite things
i came home from a good week of work yesterday and turned on the tv, only to find oprah giving away her favorite things. this is the ONE and ONLY reason i would ever be a guest on oprah (hm, my wording there makes it sound like i'd be doing oprah a favor by seeing her show live. which we all know is true, but i'm not sure the most influential woman in america would agree.) anyway, i could only watch it for about 4 minutes because a.) oprah kind of drives me nuts and b.) the sheer amount of screaming from the audience. my ears are still ringing. they were one happy bunch.
so in honor of ms winfrey, here's the list of favorite things i'd give to my studio audience (or, as it were, my 52 followers.) that is, if i could.
1.) rainy fall saturday mornings.
LIKE TODAY! yay!
2.) Tickets to a Patty Griffin concert. Especially if you've got good friends to go with
3.) Good friends.
4.) Panera gingerbread bagels
They're ba-ack! and I have a sneaking suspicion that my efforts to lose 8# over the holiday season may be sabotaged by these pieces of round, warm, spicy heaven. i'm indulging at this very moment
5.)Blistex silk & shine lip gloss/chap stick.
My sister in law gave me this stuff a few years ago for Christmas, and I've replenished every time CVS has them in buy-one-get-one packaging. or every 2-3 months, whichever comes first. I have about 4 of these stashed in various corners of my life--work, car, home, purse, etc. Never go without. Always be prepared.
6.) Pandora Celine Dion--Holiday station. Hey! This is free. check it out.
7.) Smart wool socks. Love for the toesies.
8.) A Sunday morning at my church. yourchurch.com this place has quite literally changed my life.
9.) being home for the holidays. 4 more days! 5, counting today. fills me up just thinking about it. (even if jeff did back out of the 5k!!!!!) <--not bitter at all. :)
10.) gap jeans in long& lean. my new go-to. (i'd also give you the ability to NEVER have to go jeans shopping again, as that is quite possibly the most humbliing shopping experience you will ever have to endure.
well, that pretty much covers it! :) jkjkjk
i do wish you all a wonderful & warm thanksgiving with those you love, spending intentional time in gratitude for the blessings not only of this past year, but also for the wonderful gifts God, in his grace & mercy, has given us that we do not deserve.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Eph. 2:4-5
so in honor of ms winfrey, here's the list of favorite things i'd give to my studio audience (or, as it were, my 52 followers.) that is, if i could.
1.) rainy fall saturday mornings.
LIKE TODAY! yay!
2.) Tickets to a Patty Griffin concert. Especially if you've got good friends to go with
3.) Good friends.
4.) Panera gingerbread bagels
They're ba-ack! and I have a sneaking suspicion that my efforts to lose 8# over the holiday season may be sabotaged by these pieces of round, warm, spicy heaven. i'm indulging at this very moment
5.)Blistex silk & shine lip gloss/chap stick.
My sister in law gave me this stuff a few years ago for Christmas, and I've replenished every time CVS has them in buy-one-get-one packaging. or every 2-3 months, whichever comes first. I have about 4 of these stashed in various corners of my life--work, car, home, purse, etc. Never go without. Always be prepared.
6.) Pandora Celine Dion--Holiday station. Hey! This is free. check it out.
7.) Smart wool socks. Love for the toesies.
8.) A Sunday morning at my church. yourchurch.com this place has quite literally changed my life.
9.) being home for the holidays. 4 more days! 5, counting today. fills me up just thinking about it. (even if jeff did back out of the 5k!!!!!) <--not bitter at all. :)
10.) gap jeans in long& lean. my new go-to. (i'd also give you the ability to NEVER have to go jeans shopping again, as that is quite possibly the most humbliing shopping experience you will ever have to endure.
well, that pretty much covers it! :) jkjkjk
i do wish you all a wonderful & warm thanksgiving with those you love, spending intentional time in gratitude for the blessings not only of this past year, but also for the wonderful gifts God, in his grace & mercy, has given us that we do not deserve.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Eph. 2:4-5
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
so...you're just dying to hear what i've been cooking and baking these days. i know!
and what better time to tell you than right now, as i sit watching the biggest loser.
.paradox.
so, lately:
omelettes galore
white chicken chili
bbq chicken
more chili!
corn casserole (yum!)
all things pumpkin
brussel sprouts with apples and rosemary (i do not recommend this one)
next up: baked acorn squash. love love love.
i'm getting up tomorrow at 4:30 am so i can hop on the treadmill for an hour before my crazy day of the week, wednesday. 8am-3pm training on our new--and rather un-user friendly--student management system. hot diggity! oh, and we have no heat in our offices. so yay.
so i have 3 piano lessons after work. but then...then!
thanksgiving dinner round 2 of 3 (or, dare i hope...more?) with my lovely small group girls. i made pumpkin bars tonight for this very occasion. mmm.
and what better time to tell you than right now, as i sit watching the biggest loser.
.paradox.
so, lately:
omelettes galore
white chicken chili
bbq chicken
more chili!
corn casserole (yum!)
all things pumpkin
brussel sprouts with apples and rosemary (i do not recommend this one)
next up: baked acorn squash. love love love.
i'm getting up tomorrow at 4:30 am so i can hop on the treadmill for an hour before my crazy day of the week, wednesday. 8am-3pm training on our new--and rather un-user friendly--student management system. hot diggity! oh, and we have no heat in our offices. so yay.
so i have 3 piano lessons after work. but then...then!
thanksgiving dinner round 2 of 3 (or, dare i hope...more?) with my lovely small group girls. i made pumpkin bars tonight for this very occasion. mmm.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
your daily dose of libspiration (circa 1999)
"you know what your boss is trying to tell you when he's paying you minimum wage? it's like 'hey, if i could pay you less i would. but it's against the law.'"
this gem (c) chris rock was, andi kid you not, listed on my high school comp journal page entitled "inspirational quotes."
ah yes...high school libby. so mature. this was about the time i was also referring to a certain fellow flute player as aunt jemima. which i apparently found completely acceptable.
this gem (c) chris rock was, andi kid you not, listed on my high school comp journal page entitled "inspirational quotes."
ah yes...high school libby. so mature. this was about the time i was also referring to a certain fellow flute player as aunt jemima. which i apparently found completely acceptable.
Monday, November 8, 2010
lovely day :)
some of you know that my biggest struggle at work has been connecting with other staff members. they're slightly clannish and don't take too kindly to whomever they perceive as outsiders. i have a couple strikes against me in that i live inside 465, in the big city, and i'm from michigan no less. they don't quite know what to do with me, since so many are born-and-raised hoosiers.
anyway, i was forcing myself to eat in the teachers' lounge because i felt like thats the only way this is going to get any better. i'd hoped and expected to be included, but apparently that's not going to happen on its own. which i don't get because i'm nice and fun and accepting of others and rather good natured. i mean come on, i'm libby. what's not to love, right?
well, plenty, apparently.
HOWEVER. breakthrough today.
i had my first fellow-staff visitor today to drop by just to say hi. such an encouragement.
and then i had good conversation in the lunchroom, even though it was about marching band. those 4 years in the lakeshore lancer marching band paid off today at 12:48pm. so did my extensive knowledge of drum corps, thanks to joe, john, and matt. i know i've made fun of you in the past (and i will continue to do so), but today i thank you. because it helped me make a friend :)
it was also 70 degrees and sunny. and i worked out right after school, and i had a most delicious cupcake. and i raked leaves with my roommate kim. lovely day indeed,
in other news, i have a counselor breakfast at the local career center and then an educator luncheon at some upscale place in fishers tomorrow. aaaand i don't have to report back to school. so i will be wined, dined, and permissed to go home early tomorrow. happy tuesday to you and yours!
i also made some yummy (and relatively low-cal) pumpkin custard tonight, which i am eating. once i wrap this up, i'm unplugging for the evening, and delving into one of the 4 books i'm currently reading. it's 8:17pm, but it feels like much later, even since we "fell back."
this is how i know i'm getting older: with each passing year, i am more and more affected by the time change. i also find myself saying," kids these days...." on an ever-more-increasing basis. things are not as they were in the 90s. and that, my friends, is a shame. just as unfortunate as my bangs in 8th grade.
anyway, i was forcing myself to eat in the teachers' lounge because i felt like thats the only way this is going to get any better. i'd hoped and expected to be included, but apparently that's not going to happen on its own. which i don't get because i'm nice and fun and accepting of others and rather good natured. i mean come on, i'm libby. what's not to love, right?
well, plenty, apparently.
HOWEVER. breakthrough today.
i had my first fellow-staff visitor today to drop by just to say hi. such an encouragement.
and then i had good conversation in the lunchroom, even though it was about marching band. those 4 years in the lakeshore lancer marching band paid off today at 12:48pm. so did my extensive knowledge of drum corps, thanks to joe, john, and matt. i know i've made fun of you in the past (and i will continue to do so), but today i thank you. because it helped me make a friend :)
it was also 70 degrees and sunny. and i worked out right after school, and i had a most delicious cupcake. and i raked leaves with my roommate kim. lovely day indeed,
in other news, i have a counselor breakfast at the local career center and then an educator luncheon at some upscale place in fishers tomorrow. aaaand i don't have to report back to school. so i will be wined, dined, and permissed to go home early tomorrow. happy tuesday to you and yours!
i also made some yummy (and relatively low-cal) pumpkin custard tonight, which i am eating. once i wrap this up, i'm unplugging for the evening, and delving into one of the 4 books i'm currently reading. it's 8:17pm, but it feels like much later, even since we "fell back."
this is how i know i'm getting older: with each passing year, i am more and more affected by the time change. i also find myself saying," kids these days...." on an ever-more-increasing basis. things are not as they were in the 90s. and that, my friends, is a shame. just as unfortunate as my bangs in 8th grade.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
mmmmmm coffee shops on brisk fall saturday mornings. can life get more divine? i think not.
i completely forgot to record a conversation i had with my bro JT last weekend. we were doing a puzzle (puzzle-doing brings out the deep things in our hearts) at my parents' house and jeff was like, "lib, i think i want to [wait for it...you know this is going to be good...].....make a quilt."
and i of course immediately responded, "you know i'm going to put this on the blog, right?"
he smiled kind of sheepishly and said, "seriously! i have a design in mind."
i laughed a little at that, but then it got better because apparently this has been on his heart and mind for some time now, and he admitted to staying up late into the night to design this quilt.
so naturally, i had to remind him of the time in the late 90s that he made his own bellbottoms out of some tapered khaki pants he had on hand, some plaid scraps of fabric from the basement, and embroidery floss.
"embroidery floss?" you ask? well, of course.
what else would he use to stitch into the newly created flared ankled region, but his own rendition of pink floyd's iconic cover of the dark side of the moon LP? i can't believe you even had to ask.
see, this is why i love the internets and computers. i now have an evolving, and permanent, collection of jeffthoughts and jeffmemories. and you do to!! merry christmas.
i was supposed to go to a conference up in wabash for the day, but my friend who was to meet me there had to back out, i didn't want to go alone, and so i now find myself with a whole, free, saturday in front of me. and i can hardly stand how great it feels. however, because i thought i would be going to the conference, i didn't sign up for the indy monumental 1/2 marathon, and as i passed the runners on meridian, i must admit a tinge of jealousy. part of what i love about running is the "i've just conquered the world" feeling after a long race. and of course the "and i shall thus conquer this german pancake." proclamation at the post-race trip to the pancake house. mmmm pancakes.
reminds me of this...
i completely forgot to record a conversation i had with my bro JT last weekend. we were doing a puzzle (puzzle-doing brings out the deep things in our hearts) at my parents' house and jeff was like, "lib, i think i want to [wait for it...you know this is going to be good...].....make a quilt."
and i of course immediately responded, "you know i'm going to put this on the blog, right?"
he smiled kind of sheepishly and said, "seriously! i have a design in mind."
i laughed a little at that, but then it got better because apparently this has been on his heart and mind for some time now, and he admitted to staying up late into the night to design this quilt.
so naturally, i had to remind him of the time in the late 90s that he made his own bellbottoms out of some tapered khaki pants he had on hand, some plaid scraps of fabric from the basement, and embroidery floss.
"embroidery floss?" you ask? well, of course.
what else would he use to stitch into the newly created flared ankled region, but his own rendition of pink floyd's iconic cover of the dark side of the moon LP? i can't believe you even had to ask.
see, this is why i love the internets and computers. i now have an evolving, and permanent, collection of jeffthoughts and jeffmemories. and you do to!! merry christmas.
i was supposed to go to a conference up in wabash for the day, but my friend who was to meet me there had to back out, i didn't want to go alone, and so i now find myself with a whole, free, saturday in front of me. and i can hardly stand how great it feels. however, because i thought i would be going to the conference, i didn't sign up for the indy monumental 1/2 marathon, and as i passed the runners on meridian, i must admit a tinge of jealousy. part of what i love about running is the "i've just conquered the world" feeling after a long race. and of course the "and i shall thus conquer this german pancake." proclamation at the post-race trip to the pancake house. mmmm pancakes.
reminds me of this...
Monday, November 1, 2010
tryptophan.
my favorite amino acid (which, as you know, are the building blocks of PROTEIN!). and main ingredient in turkey. and turkey is the main dish of thanksgiving dinner. and thanksgiving is one of the best holidays that occurs on the 4th thursday of my favorite month.
so in honor of november, i am embarking on a little something i like to call my gratitude project.
gratitude. /n/ ...a little something my friend and trusty research tool, wikipedia, defines as thankfulness, or appreciation, a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.
if i die tonight (hey, it could happen. and if it does, i hereby will my short shorts to becca triemstra), i want to be remembered as a grateful person. oh how i fail to be thankful on a daily basis! and i have so so much to be thankful for.
like...
a job
my church
my toothbrush
mums
moms (mine, in particular)
oh my goodness, and so much more.
i want to be intentional in naming the things in life for which i am thankful. i couldn't even scratch the surface of the ways in which i've been blessed but each morning, i assure you that i will rise each morning this month (and hopefully, this will start a habit) specifically thanking the lord for the many things he's given that i do not deserve.
and on that note.
i do not want to go to the gym, but i deserve to have to go because of the insane amounts of apple crisp i've consumed in the past 2 hours.
gluttony. such a drag.
so in honor of november, i am embarking on a little something i like to call my gratitude project.
gratitude. /n/ ...a little something my friend and trusty research tool, wikipedia, defines as thankfulness, or appreciation, a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.
if i die tonight (hey, it could happen. and if it does, i hereby will my short shorts to becca triemstra), i want to be remembered as a grateful person. oh how i fail to be thankful on a daily basis! and i have so so much to be thankful for.
like...
a job
my church
my toothbrush
mums
moms (mine, in particular)
oh my goodness, and so much more.
i want to be intentional in naming the things in life for which i am thankful. i couldn't even scratch the surface of the ways in which i've been blessed but each morning, i assure you that i will rise each morning this month (and hopefully, this will start a habit) specifically thanking the lord for the many things he's given that i do not deserve.
and on that note.
i do not want to go to the gym, but i deserve to have to go because of the insane amounts of apple crisp i've consumed in the past 2 hours.
gluttony. such a drag.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
shady seedy sketchy, and my personal favorite....janky
what do these adjectives have in common?
i'm glad you asked! they all describe the motel i stayed in with my bff beth this weekend. our night at the knights inn in downtown columbus was sketchy to say the least, dangerous to say the most, but completely bearable. i can't speak for beth, but i, for one, left patting myself on the back for not being so high-maintenance as to require luxury accommodations.
that being said, the fear of bedbugs and the dirty washcloth left in the bathtub made me think that camping might be the way to go from here on out. this was definitely, definitely the second seediest motel i've ever stayed at. and if you haven't heard about the pacific sands motel in santa monica california, we must talk asap. it is a good story indeed. the experience was shared with another great girl, my dear friend jessica.
check it out here
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33052-d119459-Reviews-Pacific_Sands_Motel-Santa_Monica_California.html
laughing out loud right now, because the "candid pictures" say it all. love love love. oh the memories!!
in other news, i now give you ten facts about my last week. you know, things that don't warrant a whole post. stream of consciousness a la viriginia woolf (see, i remember something from brit lit)
1. my grandma has precisely 11 jars of candy in her kitchen. i stopped by for a quick visit after my saturday o' bff bliss, and i promptly took up residence next to said candy jars as i warded off judgmental comments from my dad (jk, JSR!)
2. i finally called my dear friend and former roommate lydia tonight and, in keeping with tradition left an obnoxiously long voicemail message. every time we call each other and leave messages, we talk until we run out of time. it's a continual effort to outdo the last effort.
3. i dig the new fall nail polish color trends this season. currently sporting two shades of purple.
4. currently reading:
Radical
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichal
Gripped by the Grace of God
and they all come highly recommended.
5. i recently started a new flossing regimen. riveting.
6. i have developed a delicious lower-fat and lower-calorie pumpkin pie type dessert. basically its pumpkin pie filling sans crust, made with 2% evaporated milk and half the sugar called for in the recipe. try it, you will like it.
7, have i mentioned how much i love being a school counselor? what a great gig.
8. what does it say about how i have spent my time in the past year when i've already seen all SEVEN of the dvr'd forensic files episodes? seriously?! and the worst part is, i was kind of annoyed about it.
9. i am so totally grateful for my friends and family. i don't know how to express that any other way, and i feel like a broken record, but it's true. and i'll say it again, i'm sure.
10. orange you glad we're at fact 10? speaking of citrus, i am in need of some new satsuma lotion from the body shop.
and on that not, the weigh in is over, and the voting has commenced. must focus on the biggest loser before i head upstairs for bedtime. fall break starts in approximately 16.5 hours. yay!
i'm glad you asked! they all describe the motel i stayed in with my bff beth this weekend. our night at the knights inn in downtown columbus was sketchy to say the least, dangerous to say the most, but completely bearable. i can't speak for beth, but i, for one, left patting myself on the back for not being so high-maintenance as to require luxury accommodations.
that being said, the fear of bedbugs and the dirty washcloth left in the bathtub made me think that camping might be the way to go from here on out. this was definitely, definitely the second seediest motel i've ever stayed at. and if you haven't heard about the pacific sands motel in santa monica california, we must talk asap. it is a good story indeed. the experience was shared with another great girl, my dear friend jessica.
check it out here
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33052-d119459-Reviews-Pacific_Sands_Motel-Santa_Monica_California.html
laughing out loud right now, because the "candid pictures" say it all. love love love. oh the memories!!
in other news, i now give you ten facts about my last week. you know, things that don't warrant a whole post. stream of consciousness a la viriginia woolf (see, i remember something from brit lit)
1. my grandma has precisely 11 jars of candy in her kitchen. i stopped by for a quick visit after my saturday o' bff bliss, and i promptly took up residence next to said candy jars as i warded off judgmental comments from my dad (jk, JSR!)
2. i finally called my dear friend and former roommate lydia tonight and, in keeping with tradition left an obnoxiously long voicemail message. every time we call each other and leave messages, we talk until we run out of time. it's a continual effort to outdo the last effort.
3. i dig the new fall nail polish color trends this season. currently sporting two shades of purple.
4. currently reading:
Radical
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichal
Gripped by the Grace of God
and they all come highly recommended.
5. i recently started a new flossing regimen. riveting.
6. i have developed a delicious lower-fat and lower-calorie pumpkin pie type dessert. basically its pumpkin pie filling sans crust, made with 2% evaporated milk and half the sugar called for in the recipe. try it, you will like it.
7, have i mentioned how much i love being a school counselor? what a great gig.
8. what does it say about how i have spent my time in the past year when i've already seen all SEVEN of the dvr'd forensic files episodes? seriously?! and the worst part is, i was kind of annoyed about it.
9. i am so totally grateful for my friends and family. i don't know how to express that any other way, and i feel like a broken record, but it's true. and i'll say it again, i'm sure.
10. orange you glad we're at fact 10? speaking of citrus, i am in need of some new satsuma lotion from the body shop.
and on that not, the weigh in is over, and the voting has commenced. must focus on the biggest loser before i head upstairs for bedtime. fall break starts in approximately 16.5 hours. yay!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
HA-HA-Ha-liday and other miscellany
so i'd forgotten that i have to "moderate" comments on this here blog and i was feeling very much unloved (and therefore stopped writing). and then i realized that i had several comments pending my approval & yet to be published. long story short, i had lots that were just spam comments or whatever and only two good ones (from two of my favorite people and you know who you are). so with two easy clicks, they are now published.
and while i didn't publish this one, i did laugh, out loud. and i quote:
"Are you a lover of animals not? if any, to invite you to my blog my blog .on many lovely animals. http://petverylovely.blogspot.com/"
there are so many things i love about that, that i'm not even going to mention them. just take it for what it is, have a few laughs, and now give me your full attention.
ahem.
CCN 10 is just days away. and if you don't know what CCN is, you probably shouldn't be reading this because clearly you don't know me. so i ask you...what will YOU be doing october 25?
yikes, i have gotten off to quite a sarcastic start, have i not? something i'm working on not doing. but i think that's the theme of my life--making plans and not facing the music (as a wise friend once said).
and speaking of wise friends. a wise friend's brother told her that she needed to do two things (i don't remember the context). but one of them was to get enough sleep. because if you don't you'll look haggard. and i looked in the mirror just now, and haggard is the exact word i'd use.
loverly.
in other news, i get to take a miniature solo road trip to meet up with my bff beth in columbus ohio. i am so totally excited to see her. she bid on a room on hotwire and we're going to take what get, hope for the best, and get up early to drink coffee, do a crossword puzzle, and then proceed to take columbus by storm. i, for one, would like to stop by the ohio state student union, where the best-ever flash mob dance was executed and recorded. youtube it. just type in "ohio state flash mob dance." you will not regret it. and if you do, i will pay you one dollar.
why, you ask? because i am NOW EMPLOYED!
well, i have been for a while but i just transitioned into my new role as counselor. loving it, so much!
more later, my friends. for now, i've got to pack for my trip, organize my closet, brew** a giant pot of chai tea and watch project runway late into the night. tgif tomorrow! yahoozers.
**rlw4@calvin.edu has forever marred my perception of the word "brew." you know who you are. and i was not the only one so traumatized. (right, ajb5?)
love to all, merry ccn, and happy weekend!
and while i didn't publish this one, i did laugh, out loud. and i quote:
"Are you a lover of animals not? if any, to invite you to my blog my blog .on many lovely animals. http://petverylovely.blogspot.com/"
there are so many things i love about that, that i'm not even going to mention them. just take it for what it is, have a few laughs, and now give me your full attention.
ahem.
CCN 10 is just days away. and if you don't know what CCN is, you probably shouldn't be reading this because clearly you don't know me. so i ask you...what will YOU be doing october 25?
yikes, i have gotten off to quite a sarcastic start, have i not? something i'm working on not doing. but i think that's the theme of my life--making plans and not facing the music (as a wise friend once said).
and speaking of wise friends. a wise friend's brother told her that she needed to do two things (i don't remember the context). but one of them was to get enough sleep. because if you don't you'll look haggard. and i looked in the mirror just now, and haggard is the exact word i'd use.
loverly.
in other news, i get to take a miniature solo road trip to meet up with my bff beth in columbus ohio. i am so totally excited to see her. she bid on a room on hotwire and we're going to take what get, hope for the best, and get up early to drink coffee, do a crossword puzzle, and then proceed to take columbus by storm. i, for one, would like to stop by the ohio state student union, where the best-ever flash mob dance was executed and recorded. youtube it. just type in "ohio state flash mob dance." you will not regret it. and if you do, i will pay you one dollar.
why, you ask? because i am NOW EMPLOYED!
well, i have been for a while but i just transitioned into my new role as counselor. loving it, so much!
more later, my friends. for now, i've got to pack for my trip, organize my closet, brew** a giant pot of chai tea and watch project runway late into the night. tgif tomorrow! yahoozers.
**rlw4@calvin.edu has forever marred my perception of the word "brew." you know who you are. and i was not the only one so traumatized. (right, ajb5?)
love to all, merry ccn, and happy weekend!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
terrain.
talk about a slump, people.
do you ever wonder what it will take to start doing what you're not only supposed to do, but more than that, what you're meant to do? and you can take that as you willl...as deep as you desire. i could be talking about life calling or i could be talking straight up household chores. it doesn't really matter..this summer i have consistently been a disappointment to myself. and i can only imagine what kind of kick in the pants god wants to give me right now. not only are my daily routines nonexistent, but my direction is confused, and i have wasted so much time. and for all the sheer relaxing i've done, i am weary. seriously?
what gives?
i almost hate to broadcast this because my life is so easy. i have it so good. so very good. even as i write this, i am thinking of a handful of precious people in my life who are walking through true valleys in life right now. and some of them are walking that path so well.
there's a book i thumbed through a few years ago...i never read it (because i was at borders and i hadn't yet discovered the joy of staking out camp in the store and reading a book cover to cover in one sitting.) but it's called peaks and valleys, and if i remember right, the premise was that the valleys in life are important because they magnify the mountaintop experiences. we only relish those peaks because we know what the depths feel like. anyway, i'm not saying i'm in a valley right now...just a long flat road. it's like driving though central indiana. not the worst place to be, but entirely unintersting unless you like corn and soybeans.
ok i know im not even making sense. but i do have a plan. and it includes, but is not limited to:
-facebook hiatus. um, i would hate to see the number of DAYS of my life wasted checking statuses and looking at pictures of people i've not talked to in years. puh-leeese.
-intentional time spend reading the bible in the morning. 6am, no questions asked. not trying to be legalistic here, but i know the sense of peace and perspective when i make this a priority. the times in my life where i have made this a priority stand out as truly precious ones in my life, no matter the circumstances. try it. you'll like it.
-seeking others out and making things happen (fun and exciting plans in the works, stay tuned!)
-deliberate prayer regarding where i should be serving others. i tend to be selfish with my time (shocking i know!), and then i turn around and waste it.
-resolving to be the best substitute chemistry teacher/slash/counsleor mt vernon has ever seen. high fives all around.
that's all i got. off to play tennis and write to my grandma. big day, my friends. big day.
(in other news, look at my new scarf i got using my kohls cash. i didn't feel like an idiot at all for smiling big into my webcam in public.)
do you ever wonder what it will take to start doing what you're not only supposed to do, but more than that, what you're meant to do? and you can take that as you willl...as deep as you desire. i could be talking about life calling or i could be talking straight up household chores. it doesn't really matter..this summer i have consistently been a disappointment to myself. and i can only imagine what kind of kick in the pants god wants to give me right now. not only are my daily routines nonexistent, but my direction is confused, and i have wasted so much time. and for all the sheer relaxing i've done, i am weary. seriously?
what gives?
i almost hate to broadcast this because my life is so easy. i have it so good. so very good. even as i write this, i am thinking of a handful of precious people in my life who are walking through true valleys in life right now. and some of them are walking that path so well.
there's a book i thumbed through a few years ago...i never read it (because i was at borders and i hadn't yet discovered the joy of staking out camp in the store and reading a book cover to cover in one sitting.) but it's called peaks and valleys, and if i remember right, the premise was that the valleys in life are important because they magnify the mountaintop experiences. we only relish those peaks because we know what the depths feel like. anyway, i'm not saying i'm in a valley right now...just a long flat road. it's like driving though central indiana. not the worst place to be, but entirely unintersting unless you like corn and soybeans.
ok i know im not even making sense. but i do have a plan. and it includes, but is not limited to:
-facebook hiatus. um, i would hate to see the number of DAYS of my life wasted checking statuses and looking at pictures of people i've not talked to in years. puh-leeese.
-intentional time spend reading the bible in the morning. 6am, no questions asked. not trying to be legalistic here, but i know the sense of peace and perspective when i make this a priority. the times in my life where i have made this a priority stand out as truly precious ones in my life, no matter the circumstances. try it. you'll like it.
-seeking others out and making things happen (fun and exciting plans in the works, stay tuned!)
-deliberate prayer regarding where i should be serving others. i tend to be selfish with my time (shocking i know!), and then i turn around and waste it.
-resolving to be the best substitute chemistry teacher/slash/counsleor mt vernon has ever seen. high fives all around.
that's all i got. off to play tennis and write to my grandma. big day, my friends. big day.
(in other news, look at my new scarf i got using my kohls cash. i didn't feel like an idiot at all for smiling big into my webcam in public.)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Currently Reading:
The Help (for my very first book club! it's hard to convey the excitement. and the book so far is great! you've probably heard this already.)
Judges, Book of (fascinating. frightening. and confusing.)
and I have on of Lauren Winner's books on hold at the library. so that will soon join the list.
i have been uninspired this week. my apologies. it's been a difficult one, life-wise. and on top of some just plain hard things, i have been very convicted about the ways i spend my time. taking a 1/2 day retreat this afternoon with my bible, my journal, and hopefully some good coffee. drink, pray, think. one of the things i love about being a teacher is that there are so many natural breaking seasons of the year where you can regroup, reevaluate, and make changes. i'm sad to see my "carefree" summer ending, but i am glad to not only have a job, but also to have space to change some things up, to get back on track in so many areas of life that have fallen by the wayside. little by little....
Judges, Book of (fascinating. frightening. and confusing.)
and I have on of Lauren Winner's books on hold at the library. so that will soon join the list.
i have been uninspired this week. my apologies. it's been a difficult one, life-wise. and on top of some just plain hard things, i have been very convicted about the ways i spend my time. taking a 1/2 day retreat this afternoon with my bible, my journal, and hopefully some good coffee. drink, pray, think. one of the things i love about being a teacher is that there are so many natural breaking seasons of the year where you can regroup, reevaluate, and make changes. i'm sad to see my "carefree" summer ending, but i am glad to not only have a job, but also to have space to change some things up, to get back on track in so many areas of life that have fallen by the wayside. little by little....
Monday, July 26, 2010
my monday inspiration/slash/pep talk
Morning Dedication.
Almighty God, as I cross the threshold of this day I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Thy care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to thy ways. Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay. May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Thy praise. Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit, trampling the world underfoot, unconformed to lying vanities, transformed by a renewed mind, clad in the entire armour of God, shining as a never-dimmed light, showing holiness in all my doings. Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands. May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain. In needful transactions let my affection be in heaven, and my love soar upwards in flames of fire, my gaze fixed on unseen things, my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mockery of earth and its vanities. May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good. Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable.
May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.
(Puritan Prayer)
*************
"resolved...
...to live with all my might, while i do live
...that i will live so, as i shall wish i had done when i come to die
...never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way i possibly can."
(jonathan edwards)
it's a new week, my friends. go get 'em!
Almighty God, as I cross the threshold of this day I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Thy care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to thy ways. Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay. May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Thy praise. Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit, trampling the world underfoot, unconformed to lying vanities, transformed by a renewed mind, clad in the entire armour of God, shining as a never-dimmed light, showing holiness in all my doings. Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands. May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain. In needful transactions let my affection be in heaven, and my love soar upwards in flames of fire, my gaze fixed on unseen things, my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mockery of earth and its vanities. May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good. Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable.
May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.
(Puritan Prayer)
*************
"resolved...
...to live with all my might, while i do live
...that i will live so, as i shall wish i had done when i come to die
...never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way i possibly can."
(jonathan edwards)
it's a new week, my friends. go get 'em!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Whenever I'm about to do something, I think, "Would an idiot do that?" And if they would, I do not do that thing."
(c) dwight k schrute.
(i am so totally torn between doing what i should be doing, and doing what i am doing.)
pardon the office quote. i'm just not-cool enough that i need to borrow inspiration from a no-longer hilarious sitcom. ah, well, i'm nursing vacation brain and have been rendered nearly useless by the enormity of the to-do list i don't even want to write down. (and if you know me, that's saying something since i love a good checklist). so instead of finishing the unpacking from two trips ago, mowing the lawn, dealing with my huge tomato plants and pumpkin vines that are on the cusp of taking over broad ripple itself, instead of finalizing my weekend plans in "michigan's great southwest," instead of making some long-overdue phone calls and dragging myself to the gym, i'm sipping hours-old coffee, listening to some classic eva cassidy, and relishing my past 10 days. i am a blessed and lucky, lucky, lucky girl.
(see what just happened there, abby? i just showed you ALL that i have on my plate today...i am so busy. so important, and so very BUSY.)
the highlights, you ask? certainly. most funny moments? gladly.
northern michigan:
*the summary: 4 days, 3 nights of friends, food, euchre, floating in a lake, northwoods creatures (not really), and wine.
*the soundtrack: lutheran hymnal and the glee version of don't stop believin' (dare i mention the cd of our four years of marching band shows. oh i just did.)
*the highlights: "asking the tough questions" whilst floating on the edge of ford lake, playing euchre, and cooking out every night.
*the celebrity sightings: chuck, of "three-buck" fame. due to joe's impeccable eavesdropping technique and knowledge of famous winemakers (and the scandals surrounding them), we did meet the man whose name was ripped off and slapped on bottles of the cheapest wine available. (not the worst stuff out there, though.)
*most hilarious moment: i don't remember the whole story, so help me out, but it had to do with a box of cheerios and brainstorming why it's good to have more than one box? or something. i don't know, i was laughing too hard.
*best cupcake: some neon-frosted deals from a bakery in TC. 6 out of 10
*beautiful views: the tasting room at two lads winery overlooking lake michigan and old mission peninsula vineyards
*best boating experience" NOT getting tossed from the tube, but paying dearly for the ride the next day regardless.
*life lesson learned: though it needs some tweaking, there is definite promise for a pancake-fried-peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.
southern california:
*the summary: college roommates and their cool husbands, awesome sister-of-roommate, adorable baby, and i load up a filthy rented white minivan to take the mountains of so-cal and san diego by storm. mission accomplished.
*the soundtrack: i don't even remember. too much good conversation going on in the backseat.
*the highlight: hiking up two mountains. (mountains to this midwestern plains girl), waiting for HOURS to get to the beach on one of the ickier beach days of the summer. good times in the fox van, once again. benefitting from becca and nate's gracious hospitality as 4 guests descended upon their home, took up residence, and apparently wreaked havoc on their already-sensitive plumbing system. (yikes, and i left just in time.)
*best cupcake: strawberry from the heavenly cupcake. it's in the running for best cupcake of the summer.
*beautiful views: atop castle rock, overlooking big bear lake. the hike up reminded me of why i need to lose 10lbs and stick to my running routine.
*best boating experience: tour of san diego harbor aboard the hornblower family's cruise ship
*life lesson learned: i would like to, someday have a memorial built in my honor. but if that doesn't happen, and if i die within the next 5 years, kevin triemstra has agreed to tatoo my name and likeness on his arm. so that'll be fine.
i could go on for hours about the fun had and memories made with these, some of my best friends, over the past 10 days. but laundry and piano lessons call. and i hear the siren sound of l.a. fitness. "come back," it calls," and pay penance for the reeses peanut butter cups and sun chips, the steak and tortilla chips, the sweet corn and hamburgers."
life goes on, does it not?
as beautiful as the midnight indianapolis skyline appeared last night on my drive home, as glorious as it was to sleep on my (favorite of two) bed(s) last night, as much as i love indianapolis...i am so glad to have had the chance to see friends, to spend time with them and reconnect, not only remembering the times and places that brought us together, but also to develop our friendships more, reinforcing the connections we share, and making new memories that we will re-live down the road, to be recalled with a smile and counted among the many many blessings bestowed on us by the god we love and share.
speaking of friends, and continuing the theme of run-on sentences: this weekend promises to be another good one, beginning with a roadtrip back home with my oldest friend, and ending with some beachtime with new ones. i'm hitting the road once more, squeezing just a little more juice out of july, totally undeserving of the freedom i've had to connect with others this summer, and surprised by so many of the joys that are coming to characterize this season of my life.
happy summer :)
(i am so totally torn between doing what i should be doing, and doing what i am doing.)
pardon the office quote. i'm just not-cool enough that i need to borrow inspiration from a no-longer hilarious sitcom. ah, well, i'm nursing vacation brain and have been rendered nearly useless by the enormity of the to-do list i don't even want to write down. (and if you know me, that's saying something since i love a good checklist). so instead of finishing the unpacking from two trips ago, mowing the lawn, dealing with my huge tomato plants and pumpkin vines that are on the cusp of taking over broad ripple itself, instead of finalizing my weekend plans in "michigan's great southwest," instead of making some long-overdue phone calls and dragging myself to the gym, i'm sipping hours-old coffee, listening to some classic eva cassidy, and relishing my past 10 days. i am a blessed and lucky, lucky, lucky girl.
(see what just happened there, abby? i just showed you ALL that i have on my plate today...i am so busy. so important, and so very BUSY.)
the highlights, you ask? certainly. most funny moments? gladly.
northern michigan:
*the summary: 4 days, 3 nights of friends, food, euchre, floating in a lake, northwoods creatures (not really), and wine.
*the soundtrack: lutheran hymnal and the glee version of don't stop believin' (dare i mention the cd of our four years of marching band shows. oh i just did.)
*the highlights: "asking the tough questions" whilst floating on the edge of ford lake, playing euchre, and cooking out every night.
*the celebrity sightings: chuck, of "three-buck" fame. due to joe's impeccable eavesdropping technique and knowledge of famous winemakers (and the scandals surrounding them), we did meet the man whose name was ripped off and slapped on bottles of the cheapest wine available. (not the worst stuff out there, though.)
*most hilarious moment: i don't remember the whole story, so help me out, but it had to do with a box of cheerios and brainstorming why it's good to have more than one box? or something. i don't know, i was laughing too hard.
*best cupcake: some neon-frosted deals from a bakery in TC. 6 out of 10
*beautiful views: the tasting room at two lads winery overlooking lake michigan and old mission peninsula vineyards
*best boating experience" NOT getting tossed from the tube, but paying dearly for the ride the next day regardless.
*life lesson learned: though it needs some tweaking, there is definite promise for a pancake-fried-peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.
southern california:
*the summary: college roommates and their cool husbands, awesome sister-of-roommate, adorable baby, and i load up a filthy rented white minivan to take the mountains of so-cal and san diego by storm. mission accomplished.
*the soundtrack: i don't even remember. too much good conversation going on in the backseat.
*the highlight: hiking up two mountains. (mountains to this midwestern plains girl), waiting for HOURS to get to the beach on one of the ickier beach days of the summer. good times in the fox van, once again. benefitting from becca and nate's gracious hospitality as 4 guests descended upon their home, took up residence, and apparently wreaked havoc on their already-sensitive plumbing system. (yikes, and i left just in time.)
*best cupcake: strawberry from the heavenly cupcake. it's in the running for best cupcake of the summer.
*beautiful views: atop castle rock, overlooking big bear lake. the hike up reminded me of why i need to lose 10lbs and stick to my running routine.
*best boating experience: tour of san diego harbor aboard the hornblower family's cruise ship
*life lesson learned: i would like to, someday have a memorial built in my honor. but if that doesn't happen, and if i die within the next 5 years, kevin triemstra has agreed to tatoo my name and likeness on his arm. so that'll be fine.
i could go on for hours about the fun had and memories made with these, some of my best friends, over the past 10 days. but laundry and piano lessons call. and i hear the siren sound of l.a. fitness. "come back," it calls," and pay penance for the reeses peanut butter cups and sun chips, the steak and tortilla chips, the sweet corn and hamburgers."
life goes on, does it not?
as beautiful as the midnight indianapolis skyline appeared last night on my drive home, as glorious as it was to sleep on my (favorite of two) bed(s) last night, as much as i love indianapolis...i am so glad to have had the chance to see friends, to spend time with them and reconnect, not only remembering the times and places that brought us together, but also to develop our friendships more, reinforcing the connections we share, and making new memories that we will re-live down the road, to be recalled with a smile and counted among the many many blessings bestowed on us by the god we love and share.
speaking of friends, and continuing the theme of run-on sentences: this weekend promises to be another good one, beginning with a roadtrip back home with my oldest friend, and ending with some beachtime with new ones. i'm hitting the road once more, squeezing just a little more juice out of july, totally undeserving of the freedom i've had to connect with others this summer, and surprised by so many of the joys that are coming to characterize this season of my life.
happy summer :)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day 2
You're riveted, I'm sure. Anxiously awaiting my new new thing of the day.
Well today, my friends, began as most of my summer days in Indy do...sleep in, make coffee, toast an Englsih muffin, read, take a look around the garden (which has produced all of SIX green beans thus far. SIX. i will not be deterred.), ran some errands, and then....
THEN.
i went to borders and read an entire book THERE, without buying it. i just found a nice chair by the window and read the whole book. "skinny bitch." i was intrigued but upon thumbing through the pages, i realized it was raunchy enough that i didn't want to actually support the authors. it also had quite a left-wing agenda and incredibly crass language. but i wanted to read it, and so i did. cost me a couple hours and nothing else. i will be doing this more often.
"go to the library, libby," you may say.
fair enough, though...i don't know about you, but books always look so much more appealing at the bookstore. so there you have it. day two.
also, i went to play tennis with a friend and when i returned to my car, there was a note on my windshield: "on the off chance you want to play some tennis, or that we have something in common...kendall 317-690-xxxx) i am not the kind of girl to whom that kind of thing happens (in 9th grade robert clark did put a note in my locker, asking me out. when he asked if i found it, i claimed that i had not. you know...locker neighbors shouldn't go out. makes things too complicated.) random men should not leave notes such as these on cars. kendall, i'm sure you're a nice guy. i think i even know who you are, since you were the only adult male playing tennis alone. next time, introduce yourself.
ugh. men. what to do?
in other news, i am on a total whose line is it anyway kick, and i gotta get caught up on my 7 recorded episodes before my roommates get sick of me clogging up the dvr memory.
summer priorities, people.
Well today, my friends, began as most of my summer days in Indy do...sleep in, make coffee, toast an Englsih muffin, read, take a look around the garden (which has produced all of SIX green beans thus far. SIX. i will not be deterred.), ran some errands, and then....
THEN.
i went to borders and read an entire book THERE, without buying it. i just found a nice chair by the window and read the whole book. "skinny bitch." i was intrigued but upon thumbing through the pages, i realized it was raunchy enough that i didn't want to actually support the authors. it also had quite a left-wing agenda and incredibly crass language. but i wanted to read it, and so i did. cost me a couple hours and nothing else. i will be doing this more often.
"go to the library, libby," you may say.
fair enough, though...i don't know about you, but books always look so much more appealing at the bookstore. so there you have it. day two.
also, i went to play tennis with a friend and when i returned to my car, there was a note on my windshield: "on the off chance you want to play some tennis, or that we have something in common...kendall 317-690-xxxx) i am not the kind of girl to whom that kind of thing happens (in 9th grade robert clark did put a note in my locker, asking me out. when he asked if i found it, i claimed that i had not. you know...locker neighbors shouldn't go out. makes things too complicated.) random men should not leave notes such as these on cars. kendall, i'm sure you're a nice guy. i think i even know who you are, since you were the only adult male playing tennis alone. next time, introduce yourself.
ugh. men. what to do?
in other news, i am on a total whose line is it anyway kick, and i gotta get caught up on my 7 recorded episodes before my roommates get sick of me clogging up the dvr memory.
summer priorities, people.
Monday, July 5, 2010
weeee're back!
well, i'm back. and on a mission:
to use the remaining month-plus left of summer to try something new each and every day.
today: tubing down sugar creek.
i'm also going to watch old movies, read more books, try to cook, take some day trips, maybe see a movie alone (i've always wanted to!), dance some salsa, and oh so much more.
stay tuned.
to use the remaining month-plus left of summer to try something new each and every day.
today: tubing down sugar creek.
i'm also going to watch old movies, read more books, try to cook, take some day trips, maybe see a movie alone (i've always wanted to!), dance some salsa, and oh so much more.
stay tuned.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
blueberry almond pancakes
make them, try them, eat them, you will like them.
so, i have a SNOW DAY today!
do you know what this MEANS? (other than my 5:30 am reveille was in vain...or so it would seem)
i can create a budget (been putting this off for months now!), go to spin class, and get ahead on a bunch of homework. does this not sound like THE MOST FUN?
ah budgeting...something i've heard so much about but have never really tried for myself. this should be interesting...
so, i have a SNOW DAY today!
do you know what this MEANS? (other than my 5:30 am reveille was in vain...or so it would seem)
i can create a budget (been putting this off for months now!), go to spin class, and get ahead on a bunch of homework. does this not sound like THE MOST FUN?
ah budgeting...something i've heard so much about but have never really tried for myself. this should be interesting...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Even though...
...it had no impact on the outcome, I still feel bad for Matt Stover and his failed field goal attempt. Bum-mer. Oldest guy to play in a Superbowl, and an ex-raven. So he's a winner in my book.
yay colts, win or lose.
yay colts, win or lose.
Monday, February 1, 2010
February: Bring.It.On!
Historically my least favorite month, this February, I'm going to try something drastic. I am going to choose to make February 2010 the best 28 days of 2010. Sounds like fun, right? All you other February-dreaders out there, why don't you join me? If I've learned nothing else in the past year, it is that joy is a choice. Like a menu item. Like this:
"Ooooh, I'll have the joy please."...
"Would you like a drink with that?"
**(jeff, that was for you. ah, inside jokes from childhood)**
Now, lest you begin to wonder how in the world I'm going to pull this joyous February off, unaided, I remind you that I have fabulous friends, a wonderful family, and one great God. And, the Winter Olympics will begin in less than 2 weeks. (I ask you, How can you NOT be happy while watching figure skating and downhill skiing? impossible!) I also welcome you to make monetary contributions. jkjk
In other news, I took a quick trip home this weekend to surprise my parents and see little Mia. (Best baby ever. Most adorable too. Her future siblings don't know what kind of precedent has been set, poor things). A great weekend overall, and I even had all of Sunday in Indy to be at church, enjoy a brisk run outside, and do a roommate craft night. We made headbands, and I must tell you, they are very cute. Be jealous. Be very jealous.
I'm off to work in a coupla minutes. I see one of my clients who's making absolutely no progress, so I get to put my bring-it-on-february attitude and my joy-choosing demeanor to work right away. should be good.
"Ooooh, I'll have the joy please."...
"Would you like a drink with that?"
**(jeff, that was for you. ah, inside jokes from childhood)**
Now, lest you begin to wonder how in the world I'm going to pull this joyous February off, unaided, I remind you that I have fabulous friends, a wonderful family, and one great God. And, the Winter Olympics will begin in less than 2 weeks. (I ask you, How can you NOT be happy while watching figure skating and downhill skiing? impossible!) I also welcome you to make monetary contributions. jkjk
In other news, I took a quick trip home this weekend to surprise my parents and see little Mia. (Best baby ever. Most adorable too. Her future siblings don't know what kind of precedent has been set, poor things). A great weekend overall, and I even had all of Sunday in Indy to be at church, enjoy a brisk run outside, and do a roommate craft night. We made headbands, and I must tell you, they are very cute. Be jealous. Be very jealous.
I'm off to work in a coupla minutes. I see one of my clients who's making absolutely no progress, so I get to put my bring-it-on-february attitude and my joy-choosing demeanor to work right away. should be good.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
arts and letters (aka crafts and books)
currently reading:
what's so great about christianity?
choosing gratitude
colossians
philippians
my addictions textbook
next up (before spring break?):
celebration of discipline
healthy at 100
search for significance
isaiah
the psalms
i need more suggestions! does anyone read any good fiction? i have yet to find a fiction author who is not a waste of time. i'm not trying to be dramatic...i enjoy a few authors (nicolas sparks, jodi picoult...laugh all you want), but i feel like it's a waste of time, especially when i prefer nonfiction, and learn something in the meantime. two birds...one stone, you know what i mean?
in other news, this blogspace needs a makeover.
so does my bedroom (paint on the walls? refinish my monstrous blue desk? (my favorite piece of furniture))
and the upsairs hallway (homemade artwork? send your ideas please! it's big white space with a pretty bad paint job.)
as does my hairstyle (or lack thereof...dare i dye it? or, even better question: dare i trust the fine employees of great clips to go at it once again, considering past results?)
i think i need to take a creativity sabbatical (i know, you wonder...a sabbatical from what? it's 9:02 am on a wednesday morning and libby's drinking coffee and blogging. valid point. trust me, i'm about to get up and get ready for work. 10.more.minutes)
a note about my 2010 resolutions...
some are going well! i'm particularly pleased with my increased cooking attempts. i see how people could really get into this. on my lunchbreak yesterday, i found myself on the better homes and gardens recipes website. i have arrived. hello, adulthood. i continue to find myself living wiht girls who are amazing cooks. but i must admit, my most recent inspiration came from julie & julia.
hey, if you think of it this week, i have some big decisions i need to make for my summer, and i need wisdom. big time. it's all about good stuff, but it's big nonetheless. and if you're praying for me anyway, would you also pray that i'd find a job in indianapolis, and not have to move. i have grown to love it here, and it's scary and sad to think about having to move away. i'm trying to walk the very fine line between worrying about the future and being proactive. easier said than done...
and right now TODAY is calling my name.
love to all!
what's so great about christianity?
choosing gratitude
colossians
philippians
my addictions textbook
next up (before spring break?):
celebration of discipline
healthy at 100
search for significance
isaiah
the psalms
i need more suggestions! does anyone read any good fiction? i have yet to find a fiction author who is not a waste of time. i'm not trying to be dramatic...i enjoy a few authors (nicolas sparks, jodi picoult...laugh all you want), but i feel like it's a waste of time, especially when i prefer nonfiction, and learn something in the meantime. two birds...one stone, you know what i mean?
in other news, this blogspace needs a makeover.
so does my bedroom (paint on the walls? refinish my monstrous blue desk? (my favorite piece of furniture))
and the upsairs hallway (homemade artwork? send your ideas please! it's big white space with a pretty bad paint job.)
as does my hairstyle (or lack thereof...dare i dye it? or, even better question: dare i trust the fine employees of great clips to go at it once again, considering past results?)
i think i need to take a creativity sabbatical (i know, you wonder...a sabbatical from what? it's 9:02 am on a wednesday morning and libby's drinking coffee and blogging. valid point. trust me, i'm about to get up and get ready for work. 10.more.minutes)
a note about my 2010 resolutions...
some are going well! i'm particularly pleased with my increased cooking attempts. i see how people could really get into this. on my lunchbreak yesterday, i found myself on the better homes and gardens recipes website. i have arrived. hello, adulthood. i continue to find myself living wiht girls who are amazing cooks. but i must admit, my most recent inspiration came from julie & julia.
hey, if you think of it this week, i have some big decisions i need to make for my summer, and i need wisdom. big time. it's all about good stuff, but it's big nonetheless. and if you're praying for me anyway, would you also pray that i'd find a job in indianapolis, and not have to move. i have grown to love it here, and it's scary and sad to think about having to move away. i'm trying to walk the very fine line between worrying about the future and being proactive. easier said than done...
and right now TODAY is calling my name.
love to all!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
why thank you, mr. bagel man
first things first: i have rediscovered one of my old favorite songs. i want you to be my love by over the rhine. BUY IT. you will not regret it. and valentine's day is nearly here, so you know.. there's that.
oh my friends, life is good. i began my internship on tuesday. i was incredibly anxious about it, but darn it, did my best to pretend that it was no big deal. but oh let me tell you. i looked to january with a considerable amount of dread. and emotional eating (note to self: do not buy reese peanut butter cups in times such as these). but i guess the good news is that i also spent lots of time on the elliptical. nothing like guilt to drive you to work out. which then lifts your spirits via endorphins. so it's a not-so-vicious cycle afterall. ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. but i digress...
SO. i love love love how God shows mercy through people. through strangers. it all began on a snowy indiana morning. i woke up on tuesday morning, fully prepared to "preach truth to my soul." i had worried for DAYS about this morning. so i got up early to kind of think and reflect and mostly gear up. and also give myself a talking to about all this crazy worry....things such as:
-you have no need to be worried about starting this internship.
-God is in control
-what's the worst that could come of this experience?
-you are going to learn SO MUCH
yaddayadda.
anyway, i woke up with a wonderful sense of peace about everything. (inexplicable? i think not)
and i...
made my coffee
allowed myself 2 tsp of gingerbread creamer (only for special occasions!)
made a ham sandwich (new fave lunch)
drove to mt vernon high school (my new site)
got there EARLY
was welcomed warmly by all 4 counselors on staff.
spent the day in meetings. learned TONS.
drove to panera between internship and iwu class
got free bagels
went to class
went to the gym
got my butt royally kicked by boot camp william during step class.
to which you say.... "BACK THE TRUCK UP....FREE BAGELS? do tell!"
to which i reply, "GLADLY."
so in celebration of day #1 at mt vernon. and out of pretty extreme hunger (oh libby, so dramatic), I stopped at panera for a cup of coffee and a gingerbread bagel, sliced, toasted, and no cream cheese. to go, please. and the guy working said
"ooh today's the last day for gingerbread bagels."
to which i said
"bummer."
to which he laughed
" i think you're the only one who eats them."
and i had no reply, because that's downright shocking.
{they are the most worth-it 350 calories you could possibly imagine, especially paired with HOT hazelnut coffee.}
so i smiled at him and said, "that is too bad. they are so good." so anyway, while he was slicing my bagel, i got my own coffee and when i turned around, mr bagel man had given me a to-go bag FULL of gingerbread bagels. now. i'm about to tell you something, and i need you to not laugh.
my eyes welled up. i almost cried.
right there at the traders point panera bread. (libby "emotional rock" templeton? i think not. not anymore, anyway) it was so totally not about the bagels. it was totally about the little act of grace that he showed. i know it doesn't sound like much. but it really was to me in that moment.
which made me think about all the opportunities i have on a daily basis to be kind. and the opportunities that i totally blow. and the redeeming chances i have tomorrow. it almost makes me want to go to bed right now, just so i'll be that much closer to tomorrow where i can start again. i've talked about my lifelong yearning for the "next big thing" before. and that is one elusive quest, certain to end in disappointment and failed expectations. there is far too much joy to be found in living well today. in giving to others. in showing reckless kindness.
mmmhmmm....
oh my friends, life is good. i began my internship on tuesday. i was incredibly anxious about it, but darn it, did my best to pretend that it was no big deal. but oh let me tell you. i looked to january with a considerable amount of dread. and emotional eating (note to self: do not buy reese peanut butter cups in times such as these). but i guess the good news is that i also spent lots of time on the elliptical. nothing like guilt to drive you to work out. which then lifts your spirits via endorphins. so it's a not-so-vicious cycle afterall. ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. but i digress...
SO. i love love love how God shows mercy through people. through strangers. it all began on a snowy indiana morning. i woke up on tuesday morning, fully prepared to "preach truth to my soul." i had worried for DAYS about this morning. so i got up early to kind of think and reflect and mostly gear up. and also give myself a talking to about all this crazy worry....things such as:
-you have no need to be worried about starting this internship.
-God is in control
-what's the worst that could come of this experience?
-you are going to learn SO MUCH
yaddayadda.
anyway, i woke up with a wonderful sense of peace about everything. (inexplicable? i think not)
and i...
made my coffee
allowed myself 2 tsp of gingerbread creamer (only for special occasions!)
made a ham sandwich (new fave lunch)
drove to mt vernon high school (my new site)
got there EARLY
was welcomed warmly by all 4 counselors on staff.
spent the day in meetings. learned TONS.
drove to panera between internship and iwu class
got free bagels
went to class
went to the gym
got my butt royally kicked by boot camp william during step class.
to which you say.... "BACK THE TRUCK UP....FREE BAGELS? do tell!"
to which i reply, "GLADLY."
so in celebration of day #1 at mt vernon. and out of pretty extreme hunger (oh libby, so dramatic), I stopped at panera for a cup of coffee and a gingerbread bagel, sliced, toasted, and no cream cheese. to go, please. and the guy working said
"ooh today's the last day for gingerbread bagels."
to which i said
"bummer."
to which he laughed
" i think you're the only one who eats them."
and i had no reply, because that's downright shocking.
{they are the most worth-it 350 calories you could possibly imagine, especially paired with HOT hazelnut coffee.}
so i smiled at him and said, "that is too bad. they are so good." so anyway, while he was slicing my bagel, i got my own coffee and when i turned around, mr bagel man had given me a to-go bag FULL of gingerbread bagels. now. i'm about to tell you something, and i need you to not laugh.
my eyes welled up. i almost cried.
right there at the traders point panera bread. (libby "emotional rock" templeton? i think not. not anymore, anyway) it was so totally not about the bagels. it was totally about the little act of grace that he showed. i know it doesn't sound like much. but it really was to me in that moment.
which made me think about all the opportunities i have on a daily basis to be kind. and the opportunities that i totally blow. and the redeeming chances i have tomorrow. it almost makes me want to go to bed right now, just so i'll be that much closer to tomorrow where i can start again. i've talked about my lifelong yearning for the "next big thing" before. and that is one elusive quest, certain to end in disappointment and failed expectations. there is far too much joy to be found in living well today. in giving to others. in showing reckless kindness.
mmmhmmm....
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
refreshed. refilled. revitalized. resolute. and ready.
dear friends.
here i sit in panera, drinking coffee and mostly killing time before i run some errands and then head back down to indianapolis. it has been a very long, but VERY good three-week christmas break. and i still have some time before real life begins next week.
it's been a WHILE since i've updated, and i am going to make a concerted effort to do better at this ("libby, i've heard it before," you say. and you would have a point. fair enough)
i'd like to give you the highlights of christmas break '09.
1. Meeting Mia for real. I was at the hospital when she was born, but she took so darn long to come out that we pretty much left as soon as she arrived. she is one month and one day old. and honestly, the best baby. i think i heard her cry twice in all the time (about a week) they were staying at my parents' house. and also, the girl likes fleece. she wears it often, and she wears it well. she cries when she's NOT wearing it. who wouldn't, when your other option is a uniform? smart kid, i tell you. that's my niece. already revolting against "the man," who in this case, happens to be her dad.
2. Calvin reunion in Kalamazoo. it was so refreshing, so fun to see so many friends from college. we ate, retold old stories, updated one another on life, met Jonas!!!, played rock band, and researched colon cleansers. you know, the usual. that day was one of those that left me feeling filled-up and oh so blessed. to be surrounded by people who have known me--and loved me--through the ups and downs of that period of life---i am a lucky lucky girl with wonderful friends. becca, thanks for opening up your in-law's house for us :) (please please express our collective thanks!)
3. Coffee with my mom almost ever morning. Dinner with both parents most nights.
4. FINALLY sneaking brown icing into the cookie decorating supplies. Jeff and I have begged for this for years. We are in our late and mid-twenties (respectively) AND YET, we retain the sense of humor of 7th grade boys.
4a. Other inapporpriate christmas cookies (including, but not limited to, a "victoria's secret" angel. thank you, roff.)
5. The many exploits of joe, kathy, and libby in and around st joe...sledding at grand mere (libby, keep your feet up!), and the fateful night at walgreens stand out as highlights (i will never live that down.) joe also does an amazing impression of our old calculus teacher, mr porter. which never ceases to throw me into a fit of giggles. no. scratch that. uncontrollable silent laughter. gets me every time (i'm not selective....we've already established that)
one of my favorite quotes from our escapades:
"you know what i just realized? oh wait, i didn't just realize that."
6. meeting up with holly (my friend since early childhood) and her mom for dinner and exchanging gifts afterwards at their house. ah friendship that has withstood the test of time. and the girl makes super cute journals. she rips the paper and sews it together by herself. i want to be her customer and buy one for each and every one of YOU.
7. eating christmas cookies. (apparently, the sick-of-christmas-cookies-condition in which i found myself weeks ago turned out to be temporary. who knew? i'm nothing if not resilient.)
8. i got a pink snuggie! pictures on facebook!
9. MAKING MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (see below). my favorite post-christmas activity.
i was aiming for 10 best-things but i wouldn't want to diminish the gravity of the former nine by simply throwing in another highlight for the heck of it. now. please know that these are not listed in order of importance. although, meeting mia is probably #1. but you would be mistaken if you thought that my snuggie is more important than my resolutions or that brown frosting was more important than spending time with friends. stream of consciousness, my friends.
now. am i ready to finish strong? (only four more months till i graduate!!!!) this remains to be seen. i am so very ready to be done with school, though i am still looking forward to my internship this semester, i will miss seeing my friends in class though (i only have to be at school for my internship supervision--"real" classes as i know them are through). i know i've said it before, but it continues to amaze me how quickly time has flown since moving to indianapolis. the further removed from teaching i become, the more i miss it. i'm about to drop by the school where i once taught, to get my old boss to sign something for my indiana teaching license, and that will surely evoke bittersweet memories from my time there. always does. but i am truly blessed, and i commit this day to basking in the blessings, reflecting on God's faithfulness, his kindness, and his generosity over my whole life, but mostly in the past 2 years.
ahhh life is so so fine indeed.
now, perhaps against my better judgement, i present to you, my 2010 new years resolutions:
They're divided up by three theme verses from the Bible.
Oh! Teach us to live well. Teach us to live wisely and well!
Psalm 90:12 (Message)
What would it look like to live wisely and well in my day-to-day in 2010?
--Ask this of myself before I spent money or time.
--Spiritual disciplines: Read Celebration of Discipline. Practice them.
--Read biographies, nonfiction & learn from them.
--Keep list of books I've read and what I've learned.
--If it's not beautiful or useful, don't buy it.
--Cash for clothes and groceries.
--Healthy eating.
--No pop at home.
--USDA recommendations for fruits and vegetables. yeah, food pyramid!
--Use mornings well:
First 30 minutes of my day to God
--Work out 30-60 minutes each day. No matter what. (and i'm keeping track of it on a calendar, complete with stars for good days! :). Run more races!
--Encourage others (reinstate 1 note/week habit)
--Finish what I start (except poorly written books)
--Cook at home more often. 2-3 times/week.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal
--What will it look like to trust in the Lord this year?
--Invest in others without expectations to how they will “fill me up” because God is enough.
--Seize opportunities. Make the most of those things that come in my path and trust in God for results. Live Boldly.
--Use my summer well. Take advantage of the time I'm given, be responsible but
unafraid.
--Ask for big things, do hard things, and look for the meaningful in the mundane.
--Check out ministries at church, find niche and invest there!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
How can I cultivate a spirit of contentment in my life?
--Choose gratitude, happiness, and contentment. Reflect on blessings of the day in solitude.
so there's that! consider yourself updated. happy new year!
here i sit in panera, drinking coffee and mostly killing time before i run some errands and then head back down to indianapolis. it has been a very long, but VERY good three-week christmas break. and i still have some time before real life begins next week.
it's been a WHILE since i've updated, and i am going to make a concerted effort to do better at this ("libby, i've heard it before," you say. and you would have a point. fair enough)
i'd like to give you the highlights of christmas break '09.
1. Meeting Mia for real. I was at the hospital when she was born, but she took so darn long to come out that we pretty much left as soon as she arrived. she is one month and one day old. and honestly, the best baby. i think i heard her cry twice in all the time (about a week) they were staying at my parents' house. and also, the girl likes fleece. she wears it often, and she wears it well. she cries when she's NOT wearing it. who wouldn't, when your other option is a uniform? smart kid, i tell you. that's my niece. already revolting against "the man," who in this case, happens to be her dad.
2. Calvin reunion in Kalamazoo. it was so refreshing, so fun to see so many friends from college. we ate, retold old stories, updated one another on life, met Jonas!!!, played rock band, and researched colon cleansers. you know, the usual. that day was one of those that left me feeling filled-up and oh so blessed. to be surrounded by people who have known me--and loved me--through the ups and downs of that period of life---i am a lucky lucky girl with wonderful friends. becca, thanks for opening up your in-law's house for us :) (please please express our collective thanks!)
3. Coffee with my mom almost ever morning. Dinner with both parents most nights.
4. FINALLY sneaking brown icing into the cookie decorating supplies. Jeff and I have begged for this for years. We are in our late and mid-twenties (respectively) AND YET, we retain the sense of humor of 7th grade boys.
4a. Other inapporpriate christmas cookies (including, but not limited to, a "victoria's secret" angel. thank you, roff.)
5. The many exploits of joe, kathy, and libby in and around st joe...sledding at grand mere (libby, keep your feet up!), and the fateful night at walgreens stand out as highlights (i will never live that down.) joe also does an amazing impression of our old calculus teacher, mr porter. which never ceases to throw me into a fit of giggles. no. scratch that. uncontrollable silent laughter. gets me every time (i'm not selective....we've already established that)
one of my favorite quotes from our escapades:
"you know what i just realized? oh wait, i didn't just realize that."
6. meeting up with holly (my friend since early childhood) and her mom for dinner and exchanging gifts afterwards at their house. ah friendship that has withstood the test of time. and the girl makes super cute journals. she rips the paper and sews it together by herself. i want to be her customer and buy one for each and every one of YOU.
7. eating christmas cookies. (apparently, the sick-of-christmas-cookies-condition in which i found myself weeks ago turned out to be temporary. who knew? i'm nothing if not resilient.)
8. i got a pink snuggie! pictures on facebook!
9. MAKING MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (see below). my favorite post-christmas activity.
i was aiming for 10 best-things but i wouldn't want to diminish the gravity of the former nine by simply throwing in another highlight for the heck of it. now. please know that these are not listed in order of importance. although, meeting mia is probably #1. but you would be mistaken if you thought that my snuggie is more important than my resolutions or that brown frosting was more important than spending time with friends. stream of consciousness, my friends.
now. am i ready to finish strong? (only four more months till i graduate!!!!) this remains to be seen. i am so very ready to be done with school, though i am still looking forward to my internship this semester, i will miss seeing my friends in class though (i only have to be at school for my internship supervision--"real" classes as i know them are through). i know i've said it before, but it continues to amaze me how quickly time has flown since moving to indianapolis. the further removed from teaching i become, the more i miss it. i'm about to drop by the school where i once taught, to get my old boss to sign something for my indiana teaching license, and that will surely evoke bittersweet memories from my time there. always does. but i am truly blessed, and i commit this day to basking in the blessings, reflecting on God's faithfulness, his kindness, and his generosity over my whole life, but mostly in the past 2 years.
ahhh life is so so fine indeed.
now, perhaps against my better judgement, i present to you, my 2010 new years resolutions:
They're divided up by three theme verses from the Bible.
Oh! Teach us to live well. Teach us to live wisely and well!
Psalm 90:12 (Message)
What would it look like to live wisely and well in my day-to-day in 2010?
--Ask this of myself before I spent money or time.
--Spiritual disciplines: Read Celebration of Discipline. Practice them.
--Read biographies, nonfiction & learn from them.
--Keep list of books I've read and what I've learned.
--If it's not beautiful or useful, don't buy it.
--Cash for clothes and groceries.
--Healthy eating.
--No pop at home.
--USDA recommendations for fruits and vegetables. yeah, food pyramid!
--Use mornings well:
First 30 minutes of my day to God
--Work out 30-60 minutes each day. No matter what. (and i'm keeping track of it on a calendar, complete with stars for good days! :). Run more races!
--Encourage others (reinstate 1 note/week habit)
--Finish what I start (except poorly written books)
--Cook at home more often. 2-3 times/week.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal
--What will it look like to trust in the Lord this year?
--Invest in others without expectations to how they will “fill me up” because God is enough.
--Seize opportunities. Make the most of those things that come in my path and trust in God for results. Live Boldly.
--Use my summer well. Take advantage of the time I'm given, be responsible but
unafraid.
--Ask for big things, do hard things, and look for the meaningful in the mundane.
--Check out ministries at church, find niche and invest there!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
How can I cultivate a spirit of contentment in my life?
--Choose gratitude, happiness, and contentment. Reflect on blessings of the day in solitude.
so there's that! consider yourself updated. happy new year!
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