tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73715622755161223812024-03-19T05:30:21.928-07:0030 Is Just Around the Corner30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-28566997681619532462013-09-02T10:08:00.001-07:002013-09-02T10:12:50.107-07:002939: 13 Months LaterSo this post is a little over a month late, but I strongly hold to the "better late than never" mentality. How I thought I was going to be able to knock this out in the midst of back-to-school I have no idea.<br />
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Regardless, I have loved the challenge of making this house a home over the past 13 months. And I am far from finished.<br />
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Now for a tour of the house as it stands today, room by room. Two disclaimers:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Every one of these pictures was taken with my iPhone. Obviously, my life is glamorous.</li>
<li>These are all "keeping it real" photos. Contrary to popular belief, my house is far from Pintrest photoshoot ready most of the time.</li>
</ol>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Front Yard & Porch</span></b></div>
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This area got a little more attention this year (when I moved in, I was so focused on the inside that I did virtually nothing other than mow the grass outside). It still needs a lot of work, but it's getting there.</div>
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<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Mowed the grass. Which is a great workout thanks to the extreme slope of the front yard. This project is slightly easier thanks to the gift of an electric mower from Dad.</li>
<li>Cleaned up the landscaping just a little bit. Put down a little mulch and weeded out a little bit of the flower beds.</li>
<li>Purchased super cute chairs for the porch. They are surprisingly comfortable even though they are plastic.</li>
<li>Repainted the front door and the table between the chairs a fun, sunshiney yellow</li>
<li>Put Papaw's spiral planter to use after a coat of black paint and some newly painted pots</li>
<li>Made a house number sign (the actual house numbers are on the awning over the garage, but they are the same color as the awning, so you can't see them)</li>
<li>Replaced the garage (thanks to a plumbing issue one month after I moved in where we discovered that the old garage door not only didn't function, but didn't lock)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Work some more on the landscaping on the front of the house, including fully mulching all of the flower beds (I didn't buy nearly enough mulch)</li>
<li>Do some repairs on the awning over the garage</li>
<li>Clean up the planters on the right side of the house (I was too embarrassed to even take a picture)</li>
<li>Move the hook for the house numbers away from the door (I need a masonry bit for my drill and I don't think I own one. I certainly don't know how to use it if I do).</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Living Room</span></b><br />
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Luckily, I walked into an incredible color palette in this room. I love the gray walls with the contrasting white trim and fire place. I also lucked into some great furniture, including some awesome family pieces.</div>
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I am thankful for little pieces of history in this room. The chiffarobe by the entrance to the dining room and the cedar chest by the door belonged to my great-grandma. Above the shelf next to the white chair is an original deed for the house that was left for me by the previous owners.</div>
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I am also so thankful that the previous owners left some of the little architectural features when the redid the house, like the arched awnings to the dining room and hallway.</div>
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<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Purchased my first ever flat screen TV. The layout of the living room makes the only real place to put the TV above the fireplace.</li>
<li>Hung new curtains that Mom made on the windows. I love the lightweight gauzy fabric that provides privacy but lets the light through.</li>
<li>Purchased a rug to put down on the floor to warm the space up slightly.</li>
<li>Pulled various pieces from my artwork stash, including the large scripture painting over the cedar chest and the wood palette in front of the fireplace.</li>
<li>Snagged a leftover window pane from the basement, a cool marble and spindle three tiered table from a coworker and a chair that was no longer needed from work (the gold one by the fireplace) to fill a few empty spots.</li>
<li>Made a cushion for the top of the cedar chest by the door to protect the top.</li>
<li>Recovered the ottoman in front of the couch, which was an extra one from my parents house.</li>
</ul>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Purchase a larger rug for the floor that fills the space a little more. </li>
<li>Redo the artwork over the couch. I like these shelves in general, but haven't really liked them here since I put them up.</li>
<li>Do a little repair work on the wall over the door.</li>
<li>Repaint the inside of the front door white. (Right now it is a very dingy grayish color).</li>
<li>Make a quilt to go in this room.</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Dining Room</span></b></div>
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This might be one of my favorite rooms in the house that I never use. When you live by yourself, most meals are eaten on the couch, not at the table.</div>
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This table is one of my favorite things though. It belonged to my grandma on my Dad's side, and I have fond memories of it from family gatherings. The shelves behind the table, which I moved over from my apartment, are full of fun little treasures that I've gathered over the years or from family.</div>
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Again, I walked into a great color palette on this one. No painting necessary.</div>
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<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Used a stained glass window cling to cover the high window between the shelves. This window looks straight into an apartment building next to the house, so I wanted a little privacy. And it is the perfect thing to see right when you walk in the front door.</li>
<li>Recovered the cushions on the dining room chairs. They used to be a lovely gold pleather, which was extremely functional when this table was full of grandchildren, but not exactly the look I was going for. Now they are a fun medium gray with small squares of golden yellow.</li>
<li>Took an old beat-up dresser from my brother and sister-in-law and repainted it yellow to use as a dining room buffet. This bad boy stores all of my tablecloths, paper plates and plastic cutlery, and some china in the bottom drawer.</li>
<li>Pulled together an old tredal sewing machine from a family friend, train pictures that belonged to my grandpa in frames made by my dad, an old bathroom door from a train station (my grandpa was a conductor) and a few small nicknacks centered around a picture of my grandparents from my brother's wedding.</li>
<li>Grabbed a mosaic I made out of paint samples several years ago for over the buffet.</li>
<li>Hung a matching curtain on the window to the ones in the living room.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Buy a run for under the table to define that space</li>
<li>Find a way to make the train station door look a little more substantial. It's a smaller door, so it looks a little dinky here to me.</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Kitchen</span></b></div>
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This is another favorite room in the house that I don't use often. My crazy schedule and occupancy of one in the house makes cooking less than desirable. (In staying with the keeping it real theme).</div>
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I am still in love with all of these counters. In my apartment, I had approximately 12" of counter space (that isn't really an exaggeration). When I moved in, I vowed I could take a nap on those counters.</div>
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And those gray cabinets. Let's just say I'm a little obsessed with them.</div>
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<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Painted. FINALLY. I bought the paint when I moved into the house, and it took me just shy of one year to actually paint.</li>
<li>Sewed curtains for the windows. The window over the sink faces the neighbor's house and the one to the left of the cabinets looks straight into the back yard. Let's just say I felt a little exposed.</li>
<li>Found an old feed sack at a quilt shop that I framed in an oversized embroidery hoop</li>
<li>Created a sweet little display on the open shelving next to the fridge.</li>
<li>Snagged a few free printables online that I framed and put on the top of the hanging cabinets.</li>
<li>Hung a sweet little apron Mom made me in a serger class she took.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
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<div>
<ul>
<li>Finish the curtains. Because I don't know how to make a buttonhole on my sewing machine, the curtains are currently pinned on to the rods. </li>
<li>Potentially tile under the upper cabinets.</li>
<li>Fix the ice maker in the fridge. It worked fine until I moved the fridge to paint. And it hasn't worked since. And I'm too stubborn to get someone to come over to fix it.</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Master Bedroom</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is one room in the house I definitely use. And I love. And is never totally clean. As seen in these pictures.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Painted. This room was originally painted a dark gray, which I liked, but it didn't match my stuff. So I went with this brown paper bag brown that is a delightful neutral.</li>
<li>Bought new bedding. This just happened a week ago, and I've loved it since I put it on. It's bright. It's happy. It's comfortable. And it's a winner.</li>
<li>Made the book cover artwork over the dresser. No decent books were harmed in the making of this art piece. All of the books came from CCU's Library Book Sale. And when CCU gives away books, that is a good sign that they are not the most important.</li>
<li>Brought two of the original wooden doors from the house up from the basement and put them on either side of the bed. (This is the exact reason I cannot get on Pintrest. Five minutes and I am dragging heavy wooden doors up from the basement by myself).</li>
<li>Created the paper flower over the bed from pages of an old book and the other artwork to fill the space between the two doors.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Buy some sort of shoe rack to get all of my shoes behind closed doors (there are shoes lined up under the windows and under the bed in addition to a back of the door shoe rack in the closet).</li>
<li>Switch out the fabric on the jewelry holders to something that matches the room better (these were originally made for my apartment bedroom).</li>
<li>Recover a few of the pillows on the bed and add a few more. A bed can never have too many pillows.</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Bathroom</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was one of my "step outside my decorating comfort zone" rooms of the house. But I am delighted with how it turned out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Painted. This room was originally painted with a color I can only compare to mustard. And, while it was an attempt to match the original yellow and orange tile on the floor, it was more than I could handle.</li>
<li>Picked out the fabric for this absolutely amazing shower curtain that Mom made me. Seriously, my Mom is wonderful.</li>
<li>Painted the white cabinet across from the sink to stash my getting ready stuff using paint I found in the basement.</li>
<li>Created a piece of artwork that serves as the perfect reminder every day when I get ready.</li>
<li>Gathered up some fantastic little decor for the window sill, including some bathroom signs from the Crouch building at CCU.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Repair the walls and touch up paint where I attempted (and failed miserably) at hanging a towel rack under the window.</li>
<li>Replace the wall hand towel holder (that is literally falling out of the wall) with a table top on that involves absolutely no power tools.</li>
<li>Retile the floor. While the tile is original, the floor is not completely covered where the original fixtures were replaced by the previous owners.</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Guest Room</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This room spends a significant amount of time with the door shut. Mainly because a) Mom has claimed this as "her room" and is sensitive to the cats, so it keeps them out and b) there are still a significant amount of boxes shoved in areas of this room that still need to be unpacked. I do love this purple color that I walked into, even though its a color I would have never picked myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This room does house one of my favorite pieces of family furniture, an old hoop skirt chair that belonged to my grandma.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Put some of the original furniture from my bedroom at the apartment and some bedding that Mom gifted as an excuse to buy new bedding in the guest room at their house.</li>
<li>Made some bird artwork for over the bed.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Make a palette headboard for the bed. It's half of a set of bunkbeds that has been flipped upside down to add additional storage space underneath, but the bed just kind of feels like it is there.</li>
<li>Switch out the bird artwork over the bed for a couple of canvases that my nieces painted for me before I moved in. I haven't really liked the artwork since I put it up.</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Hallway</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
This little space, through the small arched doorway in the living room, leads you to the upstairs loft, guest bedroom, bathroom, and my bedroom (in that order).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, it's still a sweet little space</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Added a floor runner from my old apartment. </li>
<li>Pulled in some artwork I made several years ago out of scarves and costume jewelry from my grandma. This is one of my favorite things.</li>
<li>Made a sweet little picture symbolizing the two places I call home: Crestwood (outside of Louisville) where I grew up and my parents still live in the same house as when they got married and Cincinnati where I've lived for 12 years and feels just as much like home.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The wall heading up the stairs to the loft (which I consider to be an extension of the hallway) will get a collage of various treasures that I've collected or gathered from a little store I call My Parents' House.</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Loft</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The entire upstairs of the house is one large room. (When I purchased the house, it was listed as a third bedroom. Which is crazy.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Right when you walk up the stairs there is a small nook I've turned into a guest room. In the next week or so, it will become a bedroom for a friend from work. Around the corner is a small living room, mostly with the furniture from my old apartment as well as a foxy boxy TV. That's how I roll.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My absolute favorite part of this entire space is the Craft & Sewing Room that takes one entire end. <i>Please pause to catch your breath. This is a big deal.</i> This has always been a dream of mine and is now a reality. This allows me to keep my entire workspace set up at all times so I don't have to waste time setting up or tearing down. I smile every time that I walk in here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also turned the closet in this space into storage for all of my craft and sewing stuff, including cubicles where I can organize my fabric by color. It's like real life Tetris.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Made a duvet cover for the bed (which is the second half of the set of bunkbeds that originally belonged to my younger brother).</li>
<li>Grabbed some big work tables from work that they were looking to get rid of to create the space for my sewing machines and craft area. These big IKEA tables are perfect to have plenty of space to work and maneuver projects.</li>
<li>Added rolling plastic drawers under each table with the items needed for that specific sewing machine (pedals, needles, thread, etc).</li>
<li>Created the piece of artwork hanging from the ceiling out of straws thanks to a tutorial found online.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Make throw pillows for the couch out of the same material as the duvet.</li>
<li>Make covers for the sewing machines out of the same fabric (I bought a sheet set to have the maximum amount of fabric for these pieces at minimal cost)</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Backyard</span></b></div>
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The backyard isn't big, but it's a yard.</div>
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<b>The Things I've Done:</b></div>
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<li>Mowed the grass. But even that has only been about once every 2-3 weeks. It's pathetic.</li>
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<b>Things I Still Want/Need to Do:</b></div>
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<li>Maybe add a fire pit? But I would likely be too scared to light it. I'm a wuss.</li>
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There you have it folks. I live here. And I kind of like it.</div>
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30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-22069661230302797222013-06-24T19:12:00.001-07:002013-06-25T05:19:42.029-07:00Confessions of a 30-Year-Old Single LadyNow that I'm almost 30 years 1 month old, I think I can officially be considered an expert on life in the post-20's. (24 days is all it takes to be an expert, right?)<br />
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So far, 30 isn't too bad. But I'm not going to lie. The thought, "What if I'm single forever?" has crossed my mind more often lately than usual. It's probably a combination of turning 30, and entering into full on wedding and baby growing season.</div>
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So, in the last 24 days, I've decided I need to avoid being described with the following titles:</div>
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<b>SPINSTER</b></div>
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A spinster is described by the Googles this way: "If someone is a spinster, by implication she is not eligible to marry; she has had her chance, and been passed by." Now, in reality, this describes someone who has far surpassed marrying age which, for the record, is 30 + a very large number. But, it's hard not to feel like I've missed my chance and there will be no other suitors headed my way.</div>
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The feeling of being "passed by" is one that I absolutely resonate with. I've never been one who dated often. Of the three of us kids, my brothers always had a waiting list of ladies trying to take on the Rogers last name. Me? I was always the "great friend." Which then leads to the typical crazy lady thinking, "Am I not pretty enough? Skinny enough? Nice enough? Homemaker-y enough? Damsel in distress enough?" <i>And on and on and on.</i></div>
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<b>BITTER</b></div>
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Thanks to social media, we live in a world where everyone knows every second of everyone's business at any given moment. In a lot of ways, this is fantastic. We can celebrate with the newly involved. Newly engaged. Newly married. New dog owners. New house owners. Newly pregnant. New parents. And we can suffer with those who are hurting. Who have lost loved ones. Those who have lost jobs. Those who are struggling.</div>
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Whether we like it or not, we have others' lives shoved down or throats. And, when you are a little sensitive to a situation, like being a single fish in a pond full of couples, it makes things a little interesting.</div>
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<b>CAT LADY</b></div>
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Step One to Avoid Being Called a Cat Lady: Do Not Get Cats. WHOOPS. Step Two: Do not get more than one cat. DOUBLE WHOOPS. </div>
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Back to the Googles for a definition: "A stereotypical cat lady, or cat woman, is a single woman who dotes upon her cat or cats. . . Women who own cats have long been associated with the concept of spinsterhood. In more recent decades, the concept of a cat lady has been associated with 'romance-challenged' (often career-oriented) women who can't find a man."</div>
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Basically, my two fears collide: Spinsterhood and owner of a cat museum. I'm often worried for people to even find out that I have cats for fear of immediately being labeled with this stigma. And the fact that I not only like to work, but have no plans to be a stay-at-home cat sitter? That's the icing on the cake.</div>
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<b>HAPPINESS-AVOIDER</b></div>
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Let me tell you every single lady's worst nightmare: Attending a wedding. Want to up the nightmare anty? Attending a wedding with your entire family and every childhood friend (and their 13 kids) single and without a date.</div>
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I will be the first to admit that I have skipped my fair share of weddings because the thought of sitting through another couple's nuptials was more than my sensitive little heart could take at the time. Or that I have had to scroll past a friend's 47th picture in 90 minutes of their new baby on Facebook for the day. But I have also met my fair share of unhappy single women and I don't want a lack of a significant other to be my excuse to be a Grumpy Gus.</div>
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<b>SETTLER</b></div>
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The natural inclination of one who has been single for longer than they care or are willing to admit is to cling to the first opportunity that comes along just in case it is the only option that will ever come along. This, single ladies, is a terrible excuse to stick with a fella. </div>
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I am a firm believer in <i>When You Know, You'll Know</i>. You'll know when this guy is worth keeping around. But you'll also know when this guy needs to hit the road. I look at it this way: I didn't wait for 30 years to take the first guy who comes along without assessing if he is the right one. Because while I think that women can be too specific looking for Mr. Right, there is absolutely such a thing as Mr. Wrong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeyYsA_7scd3KtB6qnzNYM2_mxHBnRey7sp3sVRdN9CxcHaw_q-DBlF1Pr4Dci476_cZSAmAguZxf54__BQ05y_dQcz5L4UUd4DcgM5gp8OeC0a79N_WhXbZoHY0FsL9gBiwGWvtSuq8/s1600/charming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeyYsA_7scd3KtB6qnzNYM2_mxHBnRey7sp3sVRdN9CxcHaw_q-DBlF1Pr4Dci476_cZSAmAguZxf54__BQ05y_dQcz5L4UUd4DcgM5gp8OeC0a79N_WhXbZoHY0FsL9gBiwGWvtSuq8/s200/charming.jpg" width="200" /></a>Let's be honest. Most days I am probably some conglomeration of all of these things rolled up into one neatly decoupaged ball. Let's be honest. I could very well meet my future Prince Charming at the UDF on Warsaw when I swing by to get my reasonably sized 44oz Diet Coke with a shot of Cherry Coke for flavor. And let's be honest. If Prince Charming at all resembled Prince Charming from ABC's "Once Upon a Time," you will hear no complaints from this little lady.<br />
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But, let's be honest. No matter what happens, I'm still going to be a-okay.</div>
30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-89264380490320878022013-06-04T04:50:00.001-07:002013-06-04T06:17:40.581-07:0030 Years, 5 DaysSure sign that I have now reached "real adulthood" as I call it: I am currently sitting here at 7:15 in the morning with a cup of coffee and two slices of peanut butter and banana toast, with hair color on my hair because the thought of going through one more day with those gray hairs staring me right in the face was more than I could handle. Baby face or not, this little lady has been covering up those grays for many moons now. So, when faced with 30 minutes to kill that can't be spent laying back down in bed for just a few more minutes of sleep, I decided I might as well write this post I've been meaning to write for the last 5 days.<br />
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It happened. My birthday. <b>I turned 30.</b> In all of it's unfinished list glory, it happened. And you know what? I lived. I honestly think I was more upset about the fact that I have so much more to do on this list than I was about the fact that there are no longer any 2's in my age.</div>
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I've never been one to freak out on milestone birthdays, going on and on about how fast time flies, and how old I feel, and how "back in my day we had to walk to school with no shoes, uphill both ways." I've also never been one to want a big to-do on my birthday. In our family, we really celebrate birthdays until you turn 18 and become an adult. After that, we all try to get together for a birthday dinner and there is usually a small gift. Birthdays are just one of many examples of the laid back nature of the family. (That Larry Rogers certainly rubs off on us with his simple ways sometimes).</div>
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So, leading up to my birthday, I had a lot of conversations that sounded a bit like this:</div>
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<i>Other Person:</i> What big plans do you have for your birthday?</div>
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<i>Me:</i> Nothing really.</div>
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<i>Other Person:</i> But you have to do something BIG! It's a big birthday!</div>
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<i>Me:</i> Nah. It's just a birthday. No big deal.</div>
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<i>Other Person:</i> But you're turning 30!</div>
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<i>Me:</i> Yep.</div>
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<i>Other Person:</i> (looks confused at my lack of excitement)</div>
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I'm a big bundle of excitement, huh? The way I look at it, it's my birthday and I can celebrate it any way that I want. For some, they love big, extravagant celebrations with lots of fanfare of cake and people and etc, etc. For me, I despise being the center of attention and prefer a quiet deal, very laid back and stress free and all that goodness. This year was no exception. In fact, my idea of a perfect night was a quiet one, just doing a few things I wanted to do. </div>
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And that's exactly what I did. I left work and drove home to quickly change into non-work clothes. I drove to the Levee and had a salad at Deweys. Because their ranch dressing is one of the best birthday gifts a girl can give herself. While eating, I caught up on my blog reader that had been sadly neglected during an insanely crazy week. And then I went to see the Great Gatsby (not because I was dying to see it, but because it was the best option available). And I got a Diet Coke and a pathetic excuse for a soft pretzel. And all of this was done with "Rogers, Party of One."<br />
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And you know what? It was perfect. After the last few months of craziness and so much of my life taking care of other people (which I absolutely love, but sometimes you just need to be a little selfish), I decided to spend the evening taking care of me. And that's okay.</div>
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A few other birthday observations:<br />
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1. I have the world's greatest friends. My Echo Church ladies know how much I adore sending cards to people, so they showered me with a mailbox full of them for my birthday. And it was awesome. And they have no idea how much that meant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That Jazzercise inspired card front and center is compliments of the First Lady of Echo Church, Kelly Carr. That picture could honestly have been taken from a "Beth Rogers Goes to Middle School" album. Cheesy glasses and mall bangs were the look. Jazz hands were to come later in life.</span></td></tr>
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2. CONFESSION: As I read their messages about how great 30 is going to be and how their thirties have been their favorite decade so far, I had to keep stopping myself from thinking <i>But your life at 30 doesn't look like mine. </i>Because if there was one thing I wasn't getting for my birthday, it was a pity party.</div>
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3. I had to renew my license (and finally change my address from my move almost a year ago) and my first thought when I looked at the picture was <i>Hey. I finally look like I'm at least 25. </i>(pause)<i> Wow, I look older. But at least this picture isn't embarrassing.</i><br />
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4. 30 isn't so bad. I kicked my 20's in the rear end. My 30's better watch themselves.</div>
30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-80256607209861621962013-05-15T18:35:00.001-07:002014-03-13T11:49:19.756-07:00#13--Just Call Me Fake AD<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Disclaimer: These types of posts make me feel all kinds of uncomfortable. I in no way, shape or form enjoy or am okay with tooting my own horn. I was raised by parents who taught us that we help people when they need it, no questions asked, expecting nothing in return. I still hold true to that mentality.</i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My official job title is Director of Campus Services. Basically, I do a little bit of everything. But, because no one knows what that title means, I get asked the following question at least a few times a week:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It cracks me up. How people don't understand that my major job functions are Bookstore oversight, campus-wide purchasing, off-campus housing, Athletic marketing and event management, I will never know.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One additional responsibility I have had for the last 8 months has been to help cover the position of Athletic Director. Our previous AD took on a new position at CCU in October and our new AD starts in mid-June. Because that gap covers a large span of our Athletic year, leaving the position vacant for that amount of time doesn't exactly fly so well. <i>Insert my assistance here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Despite my 8 years working at CCU full-time (anniversary date on May 16th <i>Whoop Whoop</i>) and the fact that I have helped the department out all 8 years in some capacity (through 5 Athletic Directors I believe), let me tell you what actual Athletic Director experience I have: NONE. Let me tell you what I know overall about sports:</span></div>
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<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I enjoy watching them.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I should never, ever try to play any of them.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Winning is good.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">AKA--I'm totally qualified.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But, I am always up for a challenge and willing to help out where a need arises. So, I've done what I can. And, as we are finishing up the school year and all of our 2012-2013 Athletic seasons have come to a close, I am happy to say that we made it. Believe me, I have made plenty of mistakes along the way and I have learned so many lessons, but we did it. Thankfully, our Athletic staff is amazing, they have stepped up to help in every way they possibly could, and they put up with my mistakes.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having the opportunity to be a part of this department is amazing. And I am so thankful that I get the opportunity to continue working with them in a marketing role.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's what I've learned in my stint as Fake AD:</span></div>
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<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Taking care of 80 student-athletes, 7 coaching staffs, endless eligibility forms, post-game statistics, athletic facilties, and a wide variety of other responsibilities is a lot of work. (FYI--Even writing that sentence makes this feel much more simple than it actually was)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This felt like a very long and a very short 8 months all at one time.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our athletic staff and student-athletes are absolutely incredible.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Every bit of extra work was absolutely worth it.</b></span></li>
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30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-16883827785745897452013-04-28T11:58:00.001-07:002013-04-28T11:58:24.412-07:00#10--A Picture of Myself that Doesn't Make Me Want to BarfI am always the person who says, "Here.. Let me take that picture for you guys." Translation: If I am behind the camera, I don't have to be in front of it. <br />
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I am not what they cal. "A dummy."<br />
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So, learning to be okay with a picture of myself was an important challenge. <br />
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First step to complete this: You have to actually allow your picture to be taken. Yeah, about that. <br />
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I've been putting this one off on purpose. Because when I see pictures of myself, there are rarely nice thoughts going through my head. <br />
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Geez my face looks chubby. <br />
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Gosh my hair looks bad. <br />
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Why does my smile look so weird?<br />
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What? Couldn't suck that tummy in a little more there Beth?<br />
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Please tell me that's not actually what people see when they look at me. <br />
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Those are the thoughts going through my head. <br />
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And then the other day on Facebook I read this blog post that someone had linked: http://myfriendteresablog.com/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed/<br />
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And I remembered that capturing memories is more important than feeling like a supermodel in pictures. <br />
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And then I got to see some far away friends unexpectedly. And the normally dreaded question was asked: "Can I take your picture?"<br />
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And for the first time in a long time I was less worried about how terrible I would look in the picture and more excited to capture the memory of meeting sweet little Matteo and getting to see his wonderful momma. <br />
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And when I look at this picture, I see a memory. Not my face. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYIjYoMELcOOVAhalzrV1fj1Zn9-Ii7VBpuL9TJfowSOXEQ9wH_fLByVjEHERKdnRxMzCU0EJaLhPwt_JAuzA4Jo-fmI-Y5WW5X2gNNYvMHQcBSOQbGB7NLAyG9ThDc47elHpeDbJqU/s640/blogger-image--576339046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYIjYoMELcOOVAhalzrV1fj1Zn9-Ii7VBpuL9TJfowSOXEQ9wH_fLByVjEHERKdnRxMzCU0EJaLhPwt_JAuzA4Jo-fmI-Y5WW5X2gNNYvMHQcBSOQbGB7NLAyG9ThDc47elHpeDbJqU/s640/blogger-image--576339046.jpg" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-56173259026356302632013-04-28T11:31:00.001-07:002013-04-28T11:31:35.907-07:00#1--Are Those Heels You're Wearing Ma'am?The very first challenge I put on my list had to do with footwear. How typical of a lady, right? <br />
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This little challenge of mine was a roughy though: not only buying a pair of heels, but actually wearing them. <br />
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I love heels. The look of them that is. But, they never seem to find a way into my wardrobe because they often don't feel like the practical choice. Why? First of all, they are harder to walk in. And what if I need to actually run somewhere really quick? Because obviously, that is the most practical of thoughts. And second, you can wear flats with every outfit. Heels, more limited. And the cheap, Westside part of me goes practical every time. (For the same reason I default to brown or black shoes rather than a spunky little red or leopard skin pair). <br />
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So, on a whim (when I make my least practical decisions) I went to the shoe section at Target. And, after looking at all of my options, I settled in on a cute little pair of wedges. They had a heel, but it wasn't too tall (flats to shoes with any sort of heel is a dramatic change) and they were in my price range (on sale of course). <br />
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And, I am happy to report that I not only bought them, but I've worn them. FOUR TIMES. In one week. Three of which were to work, including the day of an event. <br />
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The best part: I didn't die. I didn't fall over. And, I can still walk..<br />
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Why did I wait so long to do this? <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCevSWLz1i1dA5yYRMQMe80rOBrRgGeccWUwKkyYQOUuDjIkLmEZyA9xLu0mocUxyZ1xKEq3mxBb7cl__bL-fjVAk6TgA3Xe1TSnrmTazXWuB_-7zMJnHnQCJSz2klAd-drpZJIgm4ZRs/s640/blogger-image-2070612344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCevSWLz1i1dA5yYRMQMe80rOBrRgGeccWUwKkyYQOUuDjIkLmEZyA9xLu0mocUxyZ1xKEq3mxBb7cl__bL-fjVAk6TgA3Xe1TSnrmTazXWuB_-7zMJnHnQCJSz2klAd-drpZJIgm4ZRs/s640/blogger-image-2070612344.jpg" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-75641044982936563942013-04-14T20:13:00.002-07:002013-04-14T20:13:22.511-07:00Progress UpdateI've been on this "30 Before 30" mission for a little over a year. It's been fun. It's forced me to stretch and challenge myself. And it's been hard. Good hard, but hard nonetheless.<br />
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When I created this list, I had grand intentions. And, I really am trying to complete all 30 of these items. But, if we're going to be honest, I had no idea about some of the things that would have happened in the last year.<br />
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<li><b>I wasn't planning on buying a house. </b>In February 2012, I changed up my list and took moving off the list. (See post about that <a href="http://30isaroundthecorner.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-item-completed-lot-in-progress-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) Then, at the beginning of May 2012, on the day of the Flying Pig, I stopped by a friend's newly on the market house to take a look at it for the first time. (Please note, I was not planning on buying a house). Then, in July 2012, I closed on said house. To call this a distraction from my list feels like the understatement of the millennium. </li>
<li><b>I wasn't planning on my job being crazier.</b> My job has always been busy. But, in the past school year, it has ramped up a notch. Love my job. But it makes getting a few of these items on the list a little tricky.</li>
<li><b>I wasn't planning to still be in a state of constant transition at the age of 30.</b> Things are constantly still changing in my life. And yet so many things are staying the same. And sometimes, it makes moving forward in some areas a little difficult. </li>
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So, I've made a decision. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">I'm extending my "30 Before 30" completion deadline to December 31, 2013.</span></b></div>
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I'll be honest. This was a hard decision for me. My initial response was, "I failed." But then, I had to have a little reality check. I put this list together for more than just giving myself something to do. I did this to make myself better and to challenge myself to do things I wouldn't otherwise. Who cares if I do it by my 30th birthday or shortly after? In reality, all that matters is that I finish what I set out to do. And that is a-okay.</div>
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So, to the rest of 2013, WATCH OUT. I'm coming for you full force.</div>
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Within this, I am trying to factor in as many ways as I can to push myself to be better. Sometimes this is making myself do something I normally wouldn't. Sometimes it is being a little selfish and taking time for just me. And sometimes it is surrounding myself with uplifting messages, often in the form of blogs.</div>
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Today, while reading on the Living Proof Blog (home of my girlfriend Beth Moore), I read this prayer as part of her message. And it hit close to home. And I saved it because this is a prayer that I need to pray for myself over and over. So I leave you with this:</div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">My faithful, most holy Father and my God, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">With tremendous love I lift my sister to you. You know what stirs in her heart, what awakens her at night, what causes her to shudder, and what seeks to devour her. You have seen her in the secret place and you know her longings and her questions and her dreams and her hopes. You know the very place that doubt seeks to swallow her and deceit desires to seed in her. Spring her eyes open to cleansing, delivering Truth. Minister to her in such a personal way throughout the coming days that she is floored once again by Your all-knowingness and complete attentiveness. Sprout signs of harvest in a field where she has sown so faithfully and seen so little. Help her to see that her labor is not in vain. Soak the fleece in such a way that she'll know You are with her. Send someone to encourage her in such a specific area that she'll know You alone could have prompted it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Grant her a heart to love You with an abounding affection that could only be supernatural and cause her to feel her heart teeming with love toward someone who is loveless toward her. Protect her heart and heal her mind where it may be bent or twisted. Take all shame off of her and cast out her self-loathing once and for all and lift her chin to see her redemption drawing near. Give her faith enough to believe that she has truly been forgiven and that You who began a good work in her will most assuredly complete it. Put a new relationship in her life that brings much joy to her in You and revives her faith-walk and makes her laugh. Healthy friendships, Lord! Help her to finally release a relationship that You have clearly brought to an end and to do so without resentment or bitterness, trusting You entirely with the future. Be radiant upon her face. Tell her forthrightly how lovely she is to You and how significant. Quiet that part of her that seeks to perform for acceptance. Give her joy in a more honest version of herself. Reveal Your gorgeous self to her, Lord Jesus. Let every false Christ in her life bow to the One and Only True so that she can see it is You. Make every competing voice hush to Yours.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">In Your beautiful, saving, redeeming Name, Jesus, I bring these earnest requests.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amen.</span></i></div>
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30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-43618925703621376802013-04-14T19:45:00.001-07:002013-04-14T19:45:39.778-07:00#4--What's Up New Craft?!Guess what? I like crafts. I know, I know. It's hard to believe. But its true.<br />
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As the daughter to a craft Mom and who was the daughter of a crafty Mom, naturally this has always been a part of my life. I have always been one to pick a craft over most other activities almost my whole life.<br />
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But, I love learning new crafts and perfecting old ones. Or learning new ways to do crafts I already know.<br />
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Like crocheting. I've been crocheting as long as I can remember. When I was really little, I used to finger crochet long chains. Eventually I learned how to use crochet hooks and started in on scarves and baby blankets. When I went to college, the girls on my floor innocently teased me for crocheting during my down time. (Please note that within a year, crocheting had become cool and suddenly those giving me a hard time were asking for help). At any given moment, I always have a crocheting project in progress. (I am a failure at sitting still).<br />
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But, why not learn to make something new, right?<br />
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And that's when I remembered these great ponchos that my sister-in-law Whitney is always wearing. They always look so cute, and even more importantly, they always look so cozy. So, since Christmas was right around the corner (again, I'm a little behind on blogging) and Whitney's birthday is the day after, I decided that a crocheted poncho was just the right thing to make.<br />
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First, I grabbed some spare yarn (which I always have around in abundance) and a ridiculously huge crochet hook. The picture below shows this hook next to a standard pen for comparison.<br />
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Then, I looked online for a good tutorial. Now, when it comes to crafts and sewing, I learn more from experience than I do from written instructions. When reading crochet patterns, they might as well be in Hebrew. I have no clue what all of those abbreviations or technical terms mean. So, a video was going to be the only thing to get me started. I found this video below that helped give me a general idea of what to do (that I then took and adapted to work for me).<br />
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Within about a day over Christmas Break, my first ever poncho was finished. And then I forgot to take a picture of it before I gave it to Whitney. But, I decided I wanted to make one for myself, and so I grabbed some more random yarn I had lying around (seriously, that stuff is coming out of the wood works at my house), and threw this little beauty together:<br />
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Please excuse me for the bathroom selfie. (But how great is that custom shower curtain that Mom made for my house in the background?) I love this thing. It's like wearing a fashionable blanket to work. So comfy.<br />
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So, this is one of the next items I plan to list on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ItsAllAboutTechnique" target="_blank">Etsy site</a>. Whenever I'm able to take a picture of this little guy in a setting other than where I brush my teeth.30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-73837927917411498792013-04-14T19:19:00.002-07:002013-04-14T19:19:50.042-07:00#30--Aunt Beth Day is in the BooksTwo of my most favorite people who ever lived are under the age of nine. And they are fantastic. And they make me smile every single time I think about them.<br />
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So, it was no doubt that something with my two fav gals (Norah, almost nine, and Brighton, three and a half) had to make the list.<br />
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AUNT BETH DAY IT IS!<br />
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My older brother, Chris, caught wind of this and used #30 on my list as a bargaining tool for some free babysitting just before St. Patty's Day. (As if I needed much coaxing). I woke up the Saturday before St. Patty's and taught class, then hopped in the car and drove to Louisville. Commence Aunt Beth Day 2013.<br />
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So, compliments of Instagram, here's what we did:<br />
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First stop, free zoo...I mean Petsmart. Aunt Beth needed to pick up cat food and we were right there. Please note these outfits. Brighton is wearing a tutu dress (the only thing she will currently wear), socks pulled up to her knees and dress shoes. Norah is wearing a fancy sundress, sweater, and furry boots. I was wearing sweatpants. Sounds about right.</div>
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These gals love to do crafts, and Aunt Beth is always willing to participate. So off to Michael's we went so they could each pick out a craft project. Norah got beads that you melt together into shapes and Brighton got a foam castle to put together (and a bonus Dora puzzle).</div>
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Lunch at Steak 'n' Shake was up next. Thank goodness I carry tons of writing utensils in my purse for coloring sheet fun. </div>
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While there, some three-year-old I know was a show-off and wrote the letter "B" all by herself.</div>
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After lunch, we stopped by Walmart to pick up a few things for Granny. Right about this time, Brighton was yelling, "I'm riding this cart so fast!" You don't have to make sense when you're three.</div>
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Despite the fact that Brighton enthusiastically told me my car was "so beautiful" over and over, it was a hot mess. So, we ran through the car wash. And listed to "I Knew You Were Trouble" by T-Swift on repeat. Because that song is infinitely better when sang by a three-year-old and an almost nine-year-old at the top of their lungs.</div>
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Then it was off to Granny and Pawpaw's house for the evening. We played lots of babies throughout the rest of the day (otherwise known as Aunt Beth changing baby doll outfits over and over).</div>
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Don't worry. That outfit wasn't just for looks folks. This was the first of many performances for the evening.</div>
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All that dancing is hard work.</div>
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After dinner, we headed down to the basement to watch Hotel Transylvania. Obviously, no movie is complete without popcorn and Sour Patch Kids. And a headband put on by yourself. (Check out that hair).</div>
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Then it was slumber party time. Girls slept on a pallet on the living room floor. Aunt Beth is old and so she slept on the couch. I believe this was approximately five minutes after Brighton claimed she was "so not tired."</div>
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Luckily these little stinkers were tired from their busy day before so they slept in. Or at least that's what I told myself since it was also Daylight Savings Time.</div>
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Overall, it was a great day. I'm pretty sure getting to be Aunt Beth to these two (or "Aunt Bef" as B calls me) is my most favorite job.</div>
30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-72434404670423037412013-04-14T18:59:00.000-07:002013-04-14T18:59:06.845-07:00#20--Jazzercise Evaluation Complete...Two and a Half Months AgoSomething tells me this will not come as a shock to you: I AM TERRIBLE AT KEEPING MY BLOG UP TO DATE. There. I said it. (<i>Insert sigh of relief here.)</i><br />
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But, I'm going to play a quick little game of catch-up as I've knocked a few things off the list.<br />
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Most of you know that in addition to my full-time job, I teach Jazzercise classes on the side. I commonly refer to this as my "fun hobby." A lot of people think that I am nuts to have not only a second job, but one that is in the fitness industry, but I love it. And, it tends to be what gets me through crazy weeks at my full-time job. And, it ensures that I spend at least three hours a week on myself, committed to fitness.<br />
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One of my favorite things about the Jazzercise organization is their commitment to quality. After going through a rigorous training period and audition, there is a three day workshop to prepare us for the journey we are about to embark upon. After teaching for our first three months, we have our first evaluation to check up on our progress. Then, these evaluations continue on an annual basis. Evaluations, teamed with district meetings, weekly communications from our District Manager, five DVDs of routines and Fit Bits throughout the year, and many other activities are integrated into our career as an instructor. These things aren't meant to just keep us busy, but instead to make sure that we are representing the Jazzercise name with quality and excellence.<br />
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All of that to say: This job is a lot more than teaching three one-hour classes each week. And all of this I do on top of working a 50-hour-a-week job. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.<br />
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When putting together my "30 Before 30" list, I decided that because Jazzercise is such a big part of my life, there had to be an entry related to it. And, since I'm always looking for ways to improve myself in various areas of my life, that's what made the most sense. So, I committed to try to beat my evaluation score from last year.<br />
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<strong style="font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Instructors are evaluated on 5 Key Categories and 20 Essential Skill Elements*:</span></strong><br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: auto auto auto 23.4pt;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Instructional Technique</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cueing, Physiology, PEC, Safety Tips</span></div>
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<tr><td style="background-color: #f3f3f3; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: rgb(240, 240, 240); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.3pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Movement Technique</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Correct Movements, Correct Choreography, Dance Subtleties, Musicality</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Intensity</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">High Impact, High Intensity, Use of Stage, Endurance</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Presentation & Performance</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Motivating, Engaging, Vocal Variety, Sound Quality</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Set Structure</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Feel & Flow, Set Structure Guidelines, Aerobic Section, Strength Training</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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An instructor is rated "Outstanding," "Meets Standards," or "Does Not Meet Standards" in each of these 20 areas above.<br />
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Well, without going into a lot of detail (I strongly believe that the details of evaluations, like performance reviews at work, should be limited to the evaluator and the one being evaluated and not made public knowledge), I tied my evaluation from the year before. In some areas I did better than last year, in some areas I was marked a little lower, and in most areas I was scored just the same.<br />
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At first, I was really bummed about this. The day of my evaluation (which are a surprise, not prescheduled) fell right in the middle of a really rough week at work, on a particularly bad day. In fact, when I pulled into the parking lot at the center, I actually thought, "Knowing my luck, today will be the day I get evaluated." And 5 minutes later the Quality Coordinator walked in the door. And, try as I might, the frustration of the week at work was a little more than I could simply push aside and it was far from my best class. And I drove home after class and just went to bed. I was done with that day at 9pm.<br />
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But, this is the beautiful thing about evaluations. They are designed to make us better, not simply to prove that we are either a great or a terrible instructor. So, since my evaluation, I've been able to do the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Have confidence in the areas that I really succeed as an instructor.</b> Quality Coordinators make a point to not only let instructors know areas they need to work on, but celebrate the areas where they succeed.</li>
<li><b>Be aware of areas where I can grow.</b> I am a firm believer that no one can ever be perfect at anything. There is always room for growth. And sometimes, we need others to help us become aware of those areas that work is needed.</li>
<li><b>Realize that I have to have balance between my Jazzer-life and the rest of my life.</b> Being an instructor is a huge responsibility, but it is supposed to be fun. And, if I take myself too seriously as an instructor, I lose my ability to really connect with my students. I shouldn't feel guilty that, because of my 50-hour-a-week workweek and the rest of my life, I can't work on routines and technique around the clock. But, as long as I am teaching classes by the book and my students are having fun, seeing results, and feeling better when they leave than when they walked in, that's all I can do. And, the fact that I work full-time helps me relate to my students because they are often coming straight from a long day at work just like I am.</li>
</ul>
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All in all, I call this one a win.<br />
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<i>*Taken directly from the Franchise Zone of Jazzercise.com</i>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-41735740398861339912013-02-13T21:29:00.001-08:002013-02-14T05:33:08.284-08:00Heart. On. Sleeve.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgh1eFK5eMZT6LqxJENFJgXnf53ct1NMo51tl-xW9mLpeFlABGydcbCTG6KXrJvsdbzD1GQl3aGX0l1_zLuR-m4ZnNZsKaLlAsxbUHeYsaQAUjAHBvDRt4UNPZEKRw-QTLRFRFdKN7OY/s1600/heart_on_sleeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgh1eFK5eMZT6LqxJENFJgXnf53ct1NMo51tl-xW9mLpeFlABGydcbCTG6KXrJvsdbzD1GQl3aGX0l1_zLuR-m4ZnNZsKaLlAsxbUHeYsaQAUjAHBvDRt4UNPZEKRw-QTLRFRFdKN7OY/s320/heart_on_sleeve.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
In the spirit of all things hearts and mushy couples and red roses and love songs and everything else Valentine's Day, homegirl is going to wear her heart on her sleeve for a bit.<br />
<br />
I'd be lying if I said that 2013 was shaping up to be the "Best Year of My Life." In fact, if given the opportunity, I would punch 2013 right in the face. Dead smack between the eyes. And it would hurt. A lot. (And it would officially be the first time that I had ever punched anything.)<br />
<br />
Some would say, "You're about to turn 30. You're feeling old. It's totally normal to have a rough time with it." I would look back at those people and say, "This has nothing to do with an upcoming birthday." Others would say, "You're just mad that you're alone on Valentine's Day. Eat some chocolate and get over it." To that camp, I would disagree.<br />
<br />
No, I'm just flat out going through a rough patch. A frustrated, annoyed, easily angered, insecure rough patch. (Heart on sleeve, remember? I'm not holding back). Not only have I been no fun to be around, I've been no fun for me to be around myself. Which is obviously problematic.But, this craptastic attitude is weaseling it's way into every part of my life.<br />
<br />
Now, there are a few things that are absolutely true, regardless of how wonderful or terrible my attitude is:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. I love my job.</span></b><br />
<br />
True, my job is crazy. I work at least 50 hours a week, have no clue what my day is going to look like ever, and am constantly pulled in 47 directions. But, I absolutely love it. Almost eight years ago, when I was weighing the options of moving back to Louisville to work at my home church, moving to Lexington to take a job at another church, and staying on at CCU as the Assistant Manager in the Bookstore, I knew that Cincinnati wasn't done with me yet. And here I am, almost eight years later, in a position I never dreamed possible (partly because it didn't exist before), and I love it. I get to be a part of a University that makes a dramatic difference in the lives of students, preparing them to go out into the real world and make a difference in the name of Christ.<br />
<br />
I also love my other job. The one where I get paid not only to work out, but to help people make a difference in their lives. Jazzercise isn't just an exercise program. It's the best kind of therapy that I can dream of. And, I get the pleasure of hanging out with some of the coolest people on the planet, while acting like a complete lunatic with a Brittany Spears mic.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. I love my family.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Even though they aren't nearby, they are still my favorite people on the planet. My parents are total rockstars. They work harder than anyone I've ever met, and yet they somehow find the time to take care of everyone they meet. My brothers aren't totally awful (sisters can't just up and say anything too nice about brothers), and somehow my older brother tricked one heck of a lady into marrying him. And, thanks to them, I have the two cutest nieces on the planet. (Don't even try to convince me any other kids are cuter).<br />
<br />
I'm also blessed to say that I have an incredible Cincinnati family. I have friends who are way more than friends who like me when I'm at my best and stick with me even when I'm at my worst (aka--right now). I like these people.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. I love my church.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If it was still 1997, I would describe Echo Church as "da bomb." Heck, its 2013, I'm 29-years-old and I'm still going to describe it that way. Because I am far from hip and I'm totally okay with it.<br />
<br />
Echo is no fuss. It's not about the show, it's not about the lights, it's not about the rockstar band, it's not about the cool, hip preacher that tries to make all of the perfect jokes as if they "just happened" (come on Steve, we know you write all of that material ahead of time). It's not about any of that. It's about God and it's about the Word and it's about community. And I love all three of those things.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. I love my life</span>.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Is everything perfect about my life? <strike>Absolutely.</strike> Not even close. Is everything terrible about my life? NO. Even when I've busted out the whambulance, I've got it pretty darn good.<br />
<br />
So, if I have all of these things that I love, what's the issue, right? I'd say there are a few things that feed into this (and I'm going to get all crazy and switch it up from the numbered list to letters. <i>GASP.</i>):<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">A. I have high expectations for people.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I'm one of those crazy people that actually expects for others to do the jobs they were hired to do, and care about people other than themselves, and have legible handwriting. (So that last one is a little ridiculous, but it actually does qualify people for bonus points in my book.) Admittedly, sometimes I put unrealistic expectations on people. But other times, I feel like I've been backed into a corner where if I have any expectations on people, I'm expecting too much. Unfortunately, lately I've been leaning towards not expecting anything. Because when I expect things out of people, they let me down. And that sucks. A lot. I need to learn a happy medium between expecting nothing and expecting everything.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">B. I have even higher expectations for myself.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If I'm expecting a 2 out of someone else, I'm expecting a 27 out of myself. I was raised to do my best. At everything. And I love that about the way I was raised. But, if I am one thing, I'm a perfectionist. About everything. But especially any and everything that is my responsibility. And you know what? Sometimes (or virtually all of the time) being perfect is not quite possible. I set myself up to fail. And I quickly chalk things up as failures instead of not quite perfect. I put a lot of work into a project, and then I get a negative email from one person--FAIL. I plan to get up early and my alarm doesn't go off--FAIL. I teach a killer class and then a student tells me after class how great another instructor's class was--FAIL. This little lady needs to remind herself that one little flaw doesn't equal a total failure. Note to self: Lighten up Beth.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">C. I can't do all of this by myself.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I was always the girl in school (and am still that girl in every other aspect of my life) who would rather just do things myself rather than have to work in a group. When working in a group, I have to depend on other people and my outcome is dependent on more than just myself. At least when I do something on my own, I know that I have no one else to blame but me if it doesn't turn out right. But in life, I've got to let other people in to help me, no matter how hard it is.<br />
<br />
I have to be willing to be upfront and honest about what I'm feeling, things I struggle with, and on and on. I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.ragingperfectionist.com/" target="_blank">this blog</a> a couple of weeks ago and I love the author's blatant honesty about things that she struggles with in everyday life. Things that "if people knew I did this, they would think I was off my rocker." Trust me. If I were to sit down and write out my list, you all would run away screaming. But I have to be willing to let my "crazy" hang out every once in a while because that's what real people do.<br />
<br />
I am becoming more and more aware of the fact that I can't do all of this without the Lord. I am a handful, and I'm well aware of that. But, outside of my family, the Lord is the one person I can always count on to love me no matter how ridiculous I'm being. I love reading<a href="http://www.fivehappyjudds.blogspot.com/2013/02/things-have-been-looking-up.html" target="_blank"> this blog</a> I found from a mutual friend we have from college (can you tell I'm loving the blogging world these days) because she's honest. She tells it like it is. But, it's all in the spirit of honesty and trying to make life a little better. And her post linked above was the kick in the pants that I needed at just the right time. I am fully aware that the more of good old JC that I put in my life, the more in line with him my life would be. But, admittedly, that is easier said than done. I wish I was one of those people who woke up in the morning and my first instinct was to pray, but instead I check Facebook on my phone because it gives me an excuse to stay in bed for a few more minutes. I wish that when I got frustrated my first thought was to turn on a worship song to calm me down, but instead I tend to have quite a little vent session in my head about what just happened. But, I'm making a conscious effort to switch that up. I decide where I choose to spend my time and how I choose to react to a situation. I am the only one I can control. And I need to have that breakthrough moment where I look myself in the mirror and say, "Beth. Get over yourself. And get a little more Jesus in your life. He's a big deal. You are not."<br />
<br />
<br />
Does this mean that now that I've word vomited all of this, that I'll wake up in the morning and it will be all sunshine and rainbows and chirping birds and Pantene hair and super model looks? Not quite. Am I going to chalk the day up as a failure when that happens? No.<br />
<br />
In the spirit of Lent, I'm going to spend the next 40 days making a conscious effort to point out the good in my days rather than the bad. In a sense, you could say I'm giving up being the "b-word" for Lent. So, in my "Lighten Up" notebook, I will be listing five things each day that were good. It could be something as simple as "I brought my lunch to work and I actually ate it" to something a little trickier like "I didn't blow up in frustration after that coworker treated me like dirt. Again." Hopefully in 40 days life will be looking a little brighter, and I'll be hating 2013 a little less.<br />
<br />
Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day.30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-73787761973497217202013-02-07T20:19:00.002-08:002013-02-07T20:19:45.234-08:00#23--Embraced<span style="font-family: inherit;">I set the bar high for myself on this list. I could have gone with things like "Buy a new shirt" or "Watch a movie" or "Learn the Dance to Gangnam style." What's the fun in that, right? Not me. In true overachiever style, I picked a few doozies. But, in the words of my girl Kelly Clarkson, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." And if Kelly sings it, it must be true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To be completely honest, I thought this one was going to be next to impossible. But this was mostly because I had unrealistic expectations about what the word "embrace" means. In the Dictionary a la Beth, the word embrace means "be absolutely perfect about having the correct feelings 100% of the time." (In case you were wondering, my definition is wrong.) Dictionary.com, however, defines embrace as "to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, in the spirit of being honest, I have an announcement to make: <b>I am 29. I am single. And I'm okay with it.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Whew.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">If I'm wearing my proverbial heart on my sleeve, I'd be lying if I didn't say that the last 13 months have been full of lessons, joys and hardships. 2012 brought along good things, like the purchase of my first home, and difficult experiences, like losing a spiritual mentor at the beginning of the year followed by my grandfather in June. And, if I'm being transparent, 2013 has not been what I would describe as "The Most Awesome Year Ever." In fact, in discussing my desire to redo 2013 with a friend today, she offered to punch 2013 in the nether-regions on my behalf. (That friend shall remain nameless and awesome).</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">But, while the last 13 months have not been lacking in the life-changing moments department, they have been full of experiences that have reassured me that being single isn't the worst thing that could happen. If it hadn't been for my relationship status, I might not have learned the following about myself:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b>My empty ring finger does not mean I fail at life.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">We live in a society that defines people by the people they surround themselves with--hipsters, Mean Girls, Brangelina. We gain value based, not only on what we bring to the table, but the value that has been assigned to our "group." In my experience, as we move through our 20s, we begin to be associated less with a group of friends and more with the person who has stolen our heart. And, soon after he's liked it and put a ring on it, two become three, which becomes four, and so on as families are built.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Am I any less of a person because my relationship status on Facebook (while hidden) is set at "single?" Nah. Frankly, I'm awesome. I have an amazing family, incredible friends, an awesome church, a successful career, a house I can call mine, and so much more. If that makes me a loser with a capital "L" on my forehead, then bring it on. But, to go all Christian, my value doesn't come from who I am tied to. It comes from the one who loves every crazy part of me, just like this blogger states <a href="http://www.ragingperfectionist.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Whether I'm Kelly Rippa or Mary Elizabeth Rogers, single and ready to mingle, I still matter.</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anything he can do I can do...and maybe better.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Before I went out and bought a house on a whim, I figured I would either a) live in my apartment until I got married or b) live in my apartment until I turned 97 and had 40 cats. Why? Because no single lady in their right mind buys a house on their own. Who will fix things when they break? Who will mow the grass? Who will move the heavy stuff? Who will go in the basement after dark to switch out the laundry?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">When I left my caution to the wind and it came down to it, I realized the answer to all of those questions was ME. Thank goodness I had parents who taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to. Belinda "BRog" Rogers is famous for her saying, "Can't never could do nothing." Grammatically incorrect or not, it's true. If something breaks, I'll try and fix it. And, if I can't figure it out (even with the help of YouTube), I'll call a friend. When the grass needs to be mowed, I'll mow it, no matter how ridiculous I look doing it, especially since my front yard is the equivalent of a green ski slope in spring. If I need to move something, I'll move it. Home girl doesn't work out just to fill time. And, a basement is just a slightly darker room underground. No need to be scared.</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am resilient.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Life isn't easy. No one said it would be. Imagine how boring it would be if it was.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">But, despite what every college girl who hasn't gotten a ring by spring says, a husband isn't going to be a "get out of jail free" card. A bad day at work is still going to be a bad day whether I go home to a fella or a cat (insert catlady comment here). I'm still going to have issues with friends whether I'm on my own check for dinner or splitting the tab. When the furnace breaks and I'm sitting in my 50 degree house with several layers and two blankets to keep warm (which would be right now), I can call the home warranty company without a dude there to hold my hand along the way.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I was raised to be a strong, confident woman. My worth is not dependent on anyone else. I can make it through any situation, husband or not, because, as Stuart Smalley says:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DIETlxquzY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">So there you have it. My willing acceptance of the fact that I'm single. Does this mean that I absolutely, positively never want to be married? No. It honestly doesn't. But, if being single until the day I die is my lot in life, will I melt into a puddle of inconsolable goo? Nah dog. I'm cool.</span>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-34956989413791894272013-02-03T10:10:00.000-08:002013-02-03T10:13:09.231-08:00See Ya Later #26!I am a lover of many things--sewing, crafts, ridiculous 90's music, long walks on the beach. . .the usual. One of my greatest loves, however, is food. I love it. LOVE IT. I eat when I'm happy. I eat when I'm sad. I eat when I'm bored. I eat when I stressed. I eat when <i>(insert any emotion/action/feeling here)</i>.<br />
<br />
There are three major issues with my love of food:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>I love good food.</b> I would almost always rather eat nothing than food that is just "okay." If you ask any die-hard football fan if they are okay with watching any old football game, they will tell you, "Absolutely not." The game of football alone isn't enough. It's the great games, the ones that are a constant battle for a win, that fuels their passion for the game. For me, it's the same with food. Food that has flavor > a bland piece of chicken every day of the week.</li>
<li><b>My love for good food often means I sacrifice healthiness for taste 9 times out of 10. </b>Let's just say its a good thing I work out. I could eat chips on command all day long. Celery? No thanks. This little issue of mine causes other issues. See #3 on my list.</li>
<li><b>I hate to cook.</b> If you know me, this is no shocker. This issue, however, is less about cooking itself and more about the fact that cooking for one person sucks. Very few meals are easy to cook for one. Who has two thumbs and hates leftovers? This girl. And, putting in a lot of effort for a meal that is just for me seems unnecessary. Eating out, however, couldn't be easier (and tastier).</li>
</ol>
<div>
When putting my list together, I wanted it to be full of things that would stretch me. And, my love of food kept coming to mind. There's a reason this challenge was #26 on my list. I didn't want to do it. But, I knew I needed to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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I wish I could say there was some incredible story about why I picked this past week for this challenge. Instead, it was a total whim. The entire story could be told in one sentence--" I was sitting at home on my couch last Sunday morning and decided, "I'm not going to eat out this entire week." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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So, below is the breakdown on my glamorous week of eating. You all will be totally jealous.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>SUNDAY: </b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Waffle Sticks with Syrup, Coffee</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Leftover veggie pizza from Friday night</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Crescent rolls with roast beef and provolone</li>
</ul>
<i><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Typically I eat dinner out on Sundays after church with a group of friends. This week, I went home to eat instead.</span></b></i><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>MONDAY:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Nutrigrain Bar and a banana</li>
<li><b>Mid-morning snack: </b>Fresh pear</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Roast beef wrap, fresh veggies and low fat ranch dip</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Leftover veggie pizza</li>
<li><b>Snack at Bible study--</b>Apple cake</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>TUESDAY:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Leftover apple cake, banana</li>
<li><b>Mid-morning snack: </b>Apple</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Progresso Light Chicken Pot Pie Soup, veggies with lowfat ranch dip</li>
<li><b>Mid-afternoon snack: </b>Grapes, Right Bites</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Spaghetti with marinara, 1 piece Texas Toast</li>
<li><b>Dessert--</b>Single serving of chocolate mug cake</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">My usual Tuesday routine includes a stop at Jersey Mike's for a turkey and provolone sandwich after teaching since class isn't over until 7:30 (out of the center by 8 after cleaning up). Driving past it on the way home was a little rough.</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<b>WEDNESDAY: </b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast</b>--Leftover apple cake, banana</li>
<li><b>Mid-morning snack--</b>Pear</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Progress Lite Beef Stew, veggies with lowfat ranch dip</li>
<li><b>Mid-Afternoon Snack--</b>Grapes</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Spaghetti with marinara, 1 piece Texas Toast</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">This is another regular Jersey Mike's night after teaching my 6:30 class. This week I had to run a work errand after class to pick up referee whistles for Friday's Alumni Homecoming game, and since these bad boys are hard to find, I ended up on the Westside of town at Dick's to pick them up. In the same parking lot as Chipotle. On a day where work that had been less than a blast. When I wanted nothing more than to emotionally eat. TALK ABOUT WILL POWER.</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<b>THURSDAY:</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Banana</li>
<li><b>Mid-Morning Snack: </b>Apple</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Progresso Light Creamy Potato Soup with Cheddar and Bacon, veggies with lowfat ranch dip</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Spaghetti with marinara sauce, 1 piece Texas Toast</li>
<li><b>Dessert--</b>1 serving chocolate mug cake</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>FRIDAY: </b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Nutrigrain Bar</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Cheddar Rice Cakes</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>City Barbeque Catering at Alumni Homecoming (I know what you are thinking--CHEATER! This meal was already scheduled as part of an event that I was already attending for work. Not cheating.)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">This day was especially rough. I was running around the entire day preparing for an Alumni Homecoming event (at the end of the day, I realized the only time that I had actually sat down throughout the entire day was when I was in my car running to pick up the Alumni game t-shirts). Planning soup for lunch on this particular day was a terrible choice. Had it not been for this challenge, I would have swung through a drive-thru to grab food while out picking up the shirts, but that was not allowed. So instead I ate the cheddar rice cakes I keep in my car for post-workout snacking. Lack of my ability to eat out=Beth didn't eat much this crazy day.</span></i></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>SATURDAY:</b></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Breakfast--</b>Waffle sticks, cup of coffee</li>
<li><b>Lunch--</b>Tuna salad with crackers, Pringles</li>
<li><b>Dinner--</b>Spaghetti with marinara, 2 pieces of Texas Toast</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">I had to be at a basketball game at work around lunch time, but needed to eat. So, I actually packed a lunch to take to a basketball game. If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is.</span></i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
There you have it. One week. Zero meals eaten out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Things you might have noticed:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Healthy food options--</b>I've been on a mission to eat healthier since January 1. So far, it's working. But, healthy foods tend to be less filling, so I end up eating way more often. I feel like I'm always walking around with a snack of some sort. But, I am well on my way to accomplishing goal #3, so I'll take it.</li>
<li><b>Repetition--</b>Remember earlier when I said cooking at home means eating the same meals over and over? Well, it's true. I am constantly battling between buying food that is proportioned for 1-2 even though it costs more vs. buying the cheaper option that will mean repetitive meals. This week, my Westside "why pay more for less" mentality won out (notice that I ate spaghetti 4 times because I had opened a jar of sauce).</li>
<li><b>Struggle--</b>This challenge was hard, yo. And, this was a rough week to choose to do it because of a crazier than my normal crazy work schedule. But, I did it. Do I plan on doing this every week? No. Do I know that I can do it more often? Absolutely. </li>
</ul>
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Obviously, you all are expecting me to be writing this while stuffing my face with fast food from at least five different places at once, right? WRONG. Another side effect of my awesome "I'll plan to do this challenge on a whim" decision? Tonight is the Super Bowl (which you obviously weren't aware of) which means Super Bowl party at church. Which means no meal out after church. Which means I made this 7 day challenge an 8 day victory.</div>
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Bonus points?</div>
30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-85569301688277877662013-01-24T05:17:00.000-08:002013-01-24T05:17:57.589-08:00#2--Learn Something New--CHECKI am so thankful that I grew up in a house where creativity and artistry was viewed as important. All three of us Rogers kiddos have something artsy in our blood. Chris was a painter in high school and now is a master of making living spaces look incredible, using bold colors and ridiculous techy setups that I can't even begin to understand. Nathan is an athlete-turned-musician, who has had an entourage of ladies following him and his skinny jeans around for years. Now, he is the Star Trekiest rap studio audio engineer that I know. And little old me was always given the opportunity to put my creativity to work, from singing to theater to crafting my little heart out. Mom turned me into a crocheter and sewer from a ridiculously early age and I'm so thankful for that (insert first sewing machine received for Christmas in fifth grade here).<br />
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Crafts have always been easy for me, but I haven't pushed myself to learn skills that required supplies purchased anywhere other than Michael's or Hobby Lobby. And then I bought a house. I have made more trips to Home Depot and Lowes in the last 6 months than I have in my entire 29.5 years of life.<br />
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When I moved into the house, I raided my parents storage unit for furniture to fill the place up. One piece of furniture that I ran across was an old dresser that had belonged to my older brother and sister-in-law that was a bit rough looking, but I saw potential in it. Turns out that they no longer wanted it, and were totally cool with a) me having it and b) me doing whatever I wanted with it. I immediately knew that this would make the perfect buffet for my dining room after a little TLC.<br />
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Fastforward 6 months from the time I moved that old dresser into my house until now. That dresser still looked the same now as when it was carried into my house by incredibly kind, servanthearted friends.<br />
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Notice that only three of the seven drawers have a handle (one hanging on for dear life) and the other drawers are pretty beat up. Overall though, the dresser is in great shape.<br />
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When I moved into the house, I purchased all of my paint for my bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen (luckily the previous owners did a great job with paint colors, so there wasn't much to paint). While I was at it, I had picked a nice buttery yellow from the same paint card as the soon-to-be kitchen yellow. 6 months later, that paint still sat in my basement, feeling neglected I'm sure.<br />
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This past Saturday, I decided that it was time to attack this project. Operation Refinish Dresser was a go.<br />
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My list of supplies included the following:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Drop cloth</li>
<li>Sand paper</li>
<li>Paint pan</li>
<li>Small paint roller</li>
<li>Small paint brush</li>
</ul>
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Please note than none of these supplies came from a craft store. This alone is a sure sign of something new.<br />
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First, emptied out all of the drawers, moved the dresser to a drop cloth in the dining room. I removed all of the drawers and took off the few remaining handles. I was then left with a view like this:<br />
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After sanding down the dresser really well to knock off the sheen and wiping it down with a wet rag, giving it a few minutes to dry, I was ready to paint. My assistants, however, had to be reminded quite a few times that they were being less than helpful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC_h7LWe_WkSIMbwMdgSSTZ7rEDW2NP9xSK6dAYr87DMpwfYK8xezHkDCzjjwhhjAgb2aHPgqooyzbf2d8-5qDfyrntGG0L60CrsZsJJtzuvyI9c4nRbEjmfsVv2wtRYRcFMSlWKqvkQ/s1600/dresser+cat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC_h7LWe_WkSIMbwMdgSSTZ7rEDW2NP9xSK6dAYr87DMpwfYK8xezHkDCzjjwhhjAgb2aHPgqooyzbf2d8-5qDfyrntGG0L60CrsZsJJtzuvyI9c4nRbEjmfsVv2wtRYRcFMSlWKqvkQ/s320/dresser+cat.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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You never realize exactly what you're working with on a project until you really start into it. For me, I didn't realize just how many beveled edges and awkward corners there were on this bad boy.<br />
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After the first coat of paint, I was here:<br />
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Pretty right? After coat two, it didn't look much better. It also looked quite cream, which also didn't look great to me. (Remember that buttery yellow paint I purchased? No buttery yellow here.):<br />
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This was the point where I began thinking, <i>"What have I done? I should have never started painting this dumb dresser. Surely this is going to take at least 50 coats for this not to look ridiculous. What would happen if I stopped now?"</i> Confession time: I like instant gratification when it comes to craft projects. I want to see results and I want to see them NOW. For those of you like me, be warned: refinishing furniture is NOT a quick process.<br />
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After taking a big deep breath and reminding myself that I had no where else to be for the rest of the day, I put coat three on the dresser:<br />
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Insert the first hint of buttery yellow. THANK GOODNESS. Sanity beginning to return.<br />
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In the end, it took four full coats and an additional round of touch-ups, but we had a finished product. The original dresser had old brass handles, but only three. When I took a handy Lowes gift card I received for Christmas to purchase new handles, I had to change my game plan on the fly. Three of the drawers needed a 3" handle and the other 4 needed 4" handles. The problem: there were no available handles that had matching 3" and 4" options. So I decided to get crazy and go with knobs instead. I was a little worried that the drawers would look or feel awkward because they would be too close together, but I decided to go for it anyway. I was able to find these simple round knobs with just a hint of detail for 97 cents each (which is perfect when you have to buy 14 of them):<br />
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Once the knobs were attached and the dresser was put back in place, I had this finished product:<br />
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I. Was. In. Love. The buttery yellow against the medium gray of the walls is perfect. And, this project was the perfect excuse to rework some of my decor on top of the dresser. The yellow of the paint plays perfectly with the paint samples in the homemade mosaic above (a favorite project of mine). I simply could not love it more.<br />
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This dresser provides the perfect place to stash items that I don't need to get into often, but like to keep handy. And, these drawers are complete with the world's most patriotic drawer liners:<br />
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The top three smaller drawers hold all of my paper plates, plastic silverware, and small throw-away baking dishes:<br />
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The middle row of drawers house my napkins (paper and cloth), place mats, table runners and table cloths:<br />
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And the bottom row of drawers have a small set of china that belonged to my grandma as well as extra candles for the pyromaniac side of me:<br />
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Seriously, this dresser is my current favorite thing in my house. I'm sure that will be quickly replaced by whatever the next project is, but I'm going to live it up while I can.<br />
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Things I learned through this project:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Refinishing furniture is significantly different than any other craft project I have done while remarkably the same (if that's possible)</li>
<li>I am far from patient, especially when it comes to the amount of time it takes paint to dry</li>
<li>I should probably really look at the project before I begin to know what I'm really dealing with (until I began rolling the drawers, I could have sworn they were entirely flat)</li>
<li>I much prefer a revamped piece of furniture over a brand new piece of furniture any day. This little lady loves herself some character.</li>
</ul>
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There you have it, a totally revamped buffet. Maybe I can use it to serve food when I knock #5 off my list.</div>
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<br />30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-5263988074195060762013-01-23T19:34:00.000-08:002013-01-23T19:34:31.586-08:00I'm Back!I've obviously been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. This is absolutely to blame.<br />
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Buy a house and you will quickly realize that anything you had planned to do will quickly change. I am still absolutely loving the whole "I own a house of my own" life, but it has definitely thrown my "30 Before 30" list a bit off schedule.<br />
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I have been able to do a few things, though.<br />
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Inspired by <a href="http://lemontreecreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-art.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, I created this piece of artwork made from old book covers. This 5'x5' piece of artwork is one of my favorites, both in appearance and cost. Due to a free book offering in the CCU library, a piece of extra plywood I found in my basement, and a $5 bottle of Gorilla Glue, this piece is a great way to add a splash of color to my bedroom.<br />
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Thanks to this crazy little website called Pinterest, I found a great use for some old doors that were left behind in my basement (When the previous owners were updating the house, they replaced all of the interior doors. The original doors were left behind in the basement and I have been dying to find ways to incorporate them into the house). The wreath above the bed is made from a Styrofoam ball, extra yarn from another project, and the pages of a couple of those books from the picture above. I have plans to recover the lamp shades to provide more contrast between the lamps and the doors and to switch out the pictures in those frames. My mom is also working on a new quilt for my bed, and I'm chomping at the bit for it.<br />
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I adore family furniture pieces and my dining room table is no exception. The table and chairs belonged to my dad's parents and it is beautiful. The chairs, however, were quite dated thanks to the child-friendly, gold pleather cushions. Armed with a staple gun and a screwdriver, these dated chairs got a makeover with some charcoal gray fabric with a small golden yellow design. They are perfect in my gray dining room just off my soon-to-be yellow kitchen.<br />
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To say I'm obsessed with chevron feels like the understatement of the century. With a few 30 cent tiles from Home Depot (which is quickly rising to the top of my list of favorite stores) and some paint that I already had on hand, these tile coasters are a great addition to a red, white and gray living room. Felt pads underneath the tiles protect the furniture from being scratched. But I love this little chevron touches around the room.<br />
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And, in typical Beth fashion, I've been crocheting up a storm. You'll notice that chevron has even made it's way into my favorite hobby. Crocheting has always been a favorite way to pass time and keep my hands busy while sitting on the couch. And, thanks to an incredible teacher (three cheers for Belinda!), I'm always learning new ways to grow and protect my craft.<br />
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So, as you can see, my blogging absence has been thanks to a very cute house that requires much of my time.<br />
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Don't worry, I have a couple new projects on their way to the bloggity blog for you. Two more goals knocked off this list. Details soon!30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-16820652397123510362012-06-03T10:55:00.002-07:002012-06-03T10:55:47.486-07:00#8--Do Something Crazy COMPLETEDoing something crazy was one of the things I knew I had to put on my list, but I was fairly certain that just before my 30th birthday, I would be justifying something barely crazy just so I could mark it off the list. You know, something like, "Wasn't it crazy how I didn't straighten all of the throw pillows on the couch as soon as you left? I waited five whole minutes." Or maybe, "I did something really crazy today. I messed up while handwriting a one page document. I didn't even rewrite the entire thing. I just scratched it out and kept going." I don't think either of these would count (even though admittedly, I would feel like I was totally stepping out of my shell in both scenarios).<br />
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"Crazy" has never been an adjective used to describe me. Instead, I still to terms like "level headed," "sensible," and "reserved." That's why even this 30 Before 30 challenge is a stretch for me. I am a big fan of routine and structure. Anything that pushes me beyond this I tend to stay away from.<br />
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If you've been reading along, you might remember <a href="http://30isaroundthecorner.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-item-completed-lot-in-progress-one.html" target="_blank">here</a> where I made a change on this list. When I put the original list together, one of my challenges was to move. I have lived in the same apartment since I graduated from college. 7 years, 2 months. I'll admit, this entry was added more as a challenge from my friends than a deep-seeded desire for a new surrounding. And, because I was never really comfortable with it, I changed it (my list, my rules).<br />
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This is where the craziness begins.<br />
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You'd think that, since I wasn't interested in moving, that I would ignore a Facebook post from college friends that they had put their house on the market. But, I remembered when these friends had bought the house and then proceeded to completely gut the inside and remodel everything. I was interested to see what it looked like inside now.<br />
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When I clicked on the link, I found a simple picture of the front of the house (I found out later that the Realtor's photographer would be coming in a few days to take pictures of the inside), basic listing details, and a price. The price is what caught my attention. For the size of the house and the amount of work that had been done, they had priced the house very reasonably.<br />
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<i>I</i><i>nsert peaked interest here.</i><br />
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Here's how the next week went:<br />
<b>Thursday: </b>Link that house is on the market posted via Facebook. Constantly thought about the house the rest of the evening.<br />
<b>Friday: </b>Sent Facebook message to the owner to see if I could come look at the inside.<br />
<b>Sunday: </b>Walked through the inside of the house with the owner, thus falling further in love with the house.<br />
<b>Monday: </b>Contacted a Realtor that had been suggested by a friend first thing in the morning. Went through the house with the Realtor at lunch.<br />
<b>Tuesday: </b>Placed initial offer on the house.<br />
<b>Wednesday-Thursday: </b>Counter offer process on the house.<br />
<b>Friday: </b>Signed offer.<br />
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You didn't count incorrectly. That is eight days. Eight days from the day I saw the Facebook post to the day the offer was signed. Oh, did I forget to mention that I wasn't looking to buy a house? Right. You know what that makes this scenario? CRAZY. Crazy and true.<br />
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So, over the coming few months, you'll get to see how this house will help me work on more items on my list. Things like:<br />
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<ul>
<li>#2 Learn something new--Believe me. I am going to have all kinds of homeowner things to learn, so it'll probably be hard to pick just one.</li>
<li>#19 Post a picture of a new craft each month--If you've met me, you know that I like to do things the cheap and creative way. I can't wait to make things for my home.</li>
<li>#5 Prepare an actual meal for my friends--Since I'll have more than 18" total of counter space, I think this is one of the things I'm looking forward to most.</li>
<li>#23 Embrace my relationship status--You don't need a husband to buy a house.</li>
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But for now, I'll leave you with a sneak peak of the insides (taken from the listing of the house).</div>
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View of the front from the street</div>
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Front porch</div>
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Living Room looking into the Dining Room</div>
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Dining Room (entrance to kitchen at the right)</div>
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Kitchen</div>
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Master Bedroom</div>
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Guest Bedroom</div>
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Bathroom</div>
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One end of the upstairs loft (currently unsure what this room will be)</div>
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Larger end of the upstairs loft which will be a Craft & Sewing Room/Office</div>
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Backyard </div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-17621792126843544782012-05-30T06:10:00.000-07:002012-05-30T06:10:39.894-07:0029 Things I Am Looking Forward to in My 29th Year1. Making the most of my last year in my 20s (age is just a number)<br />
2. Finishing my 30 Before 30 list (366 days to go!)<br />
3. Moving into my first house (still so weird to say)<br />
4. Learning as much as I can about as many things as I can (love soaking in new things)<br />
5. Enjoying as much time with friends as possible (Seriously, have you seen how awesome my friends are?)<br />
6. Random trips to Louisville to see the fam (can't get enough of them)<br />
7. Watching Norah and Brighton grow and take on more personality (they just keep getting more and more hilarious)<br />
8. Attending my first Jazzercise live routine taping (and seeing "Queen Judy" herself in person)<br />
9. Planning a trip to Atlanta to visit some sweet friends (Andrea Gray and Debbie Swag--this means YOU)<br />
10. Learning to cook actual food in an actual kitchen (not in a microwave using more than 18" of counter space)<br />
11. Picking Mom's brain on all things sewing (New house=8,427,534 projects running through my head)<br />
12. Catching up on TV shows I've always wanted to see (thank you Netflix and Hulu Plus)<br />
13. Family Cabin Weekend in the fall (one of my favorite parts of the year)<br />
14. Growing closer to my Echo Church family (They are beyond fantastic)<br />
15. Being able to paint a room in my own house (7 years in an apartment you can't paint gets a little boring)<br />
16. Meeting new babies of some of my favorite friends (I'm becoming a professional Aunt Beth)<br />
17. Learning to eat healthier (reference #10)<br />
18. Having a room that is totally dedicated to creativity (the room in the new house I'm most excited about)<br />
19. Eat sushi for the second time (Just to confirm I didn't think it was gross)<br />
20. Read a real book, not one made into a teen movie (Suggestions?)<br />
21. Learning Photoshop (just call me Deena Designer)<br />
22. Learn more about photography (actual photography, not Instagram)<br />
23. Finally finish reading Mockingjay (for me, Kindle version equals "out of sight, out of mind")<br />
24. Learn how to be good at using coupons (Hello, I bought a house people)<br />
25. Discover hidden treasures in Cincinnati (restaurants, places to hang out, etc)<br />
26. Plan a weekend getaway with my Mom (she's earned about a 7-month vacation so far)<br />
27. Discovering new music (insert Spotify here)<br />
28. Reminding myself that it is okay to sit and do nothing without feeling guilty (just like my friends have been telling me for years)<br />
29. Looking forward to what 29 will bring (Who knew 28 would have brought me a new house? You've got big shoes to fill Year 29!)<br />
<br />30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-61864149847893269992012-05-24T07:34:00.003-07:002012-05-24T07:34:31.069-07:00One Week Away from Finishing #22#22--Complete a Beth Moore Bible Study<br />
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This might sound like an easy task, but if you've ever done one of these studies, you know they are intense. There are five lessons a week and 10 total weeks of work to complete. And, we're not talking 15 minutes of work or so a lesson. We're talking a solid 45 minutes for each one.<br />
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In the past, I've started six different Beth Moore Bible studies. Yes, six. And, I've completed a big, whopping <b>zero.</b><br />
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Imagine my surprise when my Bible study group decided to do one of these studies, unaware of the fact that this would help me knock off one of my 30 things.<br />
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Since the beginning of the year, we've been working our way through this little beauty:<br />
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The website describes the study this way:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Breaking Free</em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> by Beth Moore leads you through Scripture to discover the transforming power of freedom in Jesus Christ. Themes for this study come from Isaiah, a book about the captivity of God's children, the faithfulness of God, and the road to freedom. It draws parallels between the captive Israelites of the Old Testament and New Testament believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sounds simple, right? Not in the slightest. But, I will say this--this study has been incredible. I have learned so much about myself, about the women in my group, and about the God that I serve. And, is there any coincidence that my first completed Beth Moore Bible study was lucky number 7? I think not.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">So, I'm one week out from knocking another thing off the list. PROGRESS!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Look back soon for a post on how I crossed #8 off the list--Do something crazy. (A little hint--It has something to do with the picture below).</span></div>
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A good excuse to do a little crocheting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC4lZ540_C12az0KFf40LjkmYHnmks-hIz9SDkueVjJJnBD321iEKYXLH7sHJ-FRSDdinBMajAj2sDsuTQjoeaDhmN3N4AXOQz8eo-gIoL_bNdcxVwwGbxAIiWzxBvfFt1zeBQ0Y0-9c/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC4lZ540_C12az0KFf40LjkmYHnmks-hIz9SDkueVjJJnBD321iEKYXLH7sHJ-FRSDdinBMajAj2sDsuTQjoeaDhmN3N4AXOQz8eo-gIoL_bNdcxVwwGbxAIiWzxBvfFt1zeBQ0Y0-9c/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-30595203565477161212012-03-13T20:20:00.001-07:002012-03-13T20:27:24.342-07:00Friends with KidsLast week I saw a preview for a new movie that I knew I just had to see. Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt play two best friends who decide to have a child together, even though they have no desire to enter into a relationship with one another, hoping to avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships. Their close group of friends include two couples, Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd play a married couple with two kids and Kristin Wiig and Jon Hamm play a more recently married couple.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">When I first saw the preview, I immediately thought, "Well this looks familiar." While I have absolutely NO plans to have a baby with a best friend just for the sake of having a baby (sorry Mom), my current life position has me surrounded with married couples, many of whom are on their way to starting families. Sometimes, this makes life quite interesting. Sunday morning when I woke up to teach my Jazzercise class, I decided, "I'm going to go see that movie today. I'm going to teach and then I'm going to walk into the theater looking like an absolute mess, movie theater hot dog in hand for lunch, but I'm going." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And go I did. And the movie did not disappoint. I loved basically every second of it. It was realistic and blatantly accurate and, of course with this crowd, a bit raunchy. I even teared up twice, something that I rarely do at movies. While watching, I couldn't help but jot down some of my favorite lines, many of which were very familiar, either spoken by me or to me at some point the last couple of years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">1. You can make that work.</i> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A married to a single, in reference to a suggestion of someone she should date)</span><br />
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I cannot tell you how many times I have heard some version of these words as a dating option is brought up. The conversation usually goes like this:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend: "You know, So-And-So is single."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me: "I know."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend: "You should date him. You know, since he's single."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me: "There are other qualities I'm looking for besides a 'single' relationship status on Facebook."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend: "But you could make that work."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">While obviously an important personal characteristic, there should be a lot of qualities that a potential suitor should possess other than an empty ring finger.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">2. Everything is going to be the same. Nothing will change.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A married to a single, right after a pregnancy announcement by the marrieds)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">If this were a line in a scene from Big Bang Theory, Sheldon would immediately follow this statement up with "Bazinga," a clear sign he is attempting, no matter how ineffectively, to tell a joke. Obviously, things are going to change. When people start dating, things change. When people get married, things change. When people have kids, things change. Trying to pretend that things are going to stay the same makes everything way worse. And, it always seems that the first one to utter this phrase is the one who has started dating, the one who is getting married, or the one having kids. Let's just save ourselves a lot of trouble and call things as they are.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">3. It's the baby card. They all play it.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A single to a single, after they got stood up.)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd like to rename the baby card the "significant other/spouse/baby card." This card is often played when people decide they don't want to participate in a social gathering of some sort but they don't have a good enough excuse to not go. Instead, excuses like these tend to come out:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"My wife isn't feeling great tonight, so I don't think we are going to make it." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(My spouse can totally play scapegoat)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I forgot to tell my husband I said we'd be there, but we have another commitment." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Did I forget to mention the other commitment is with our couch?)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>"My girlfriend and I decided that we'd spend one weekend night hanging out just the two of us and one with other people since we don't see each other much."<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Only getting to see each other six days a week is rough.)</span><br />
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"The baby can just be so difficult at a restaurant, and we want you to enjoy your meal."<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You know. Babies who sit quietly, act cute, and entertain themselves are really tough at restaurants.)</span><br />
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I would much rather someone say, "I'd really rather stay home tonight" and leave it at that than make up a thousand excuses why they "can't" hang out.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">4. Who are these people? We've never met these people. These people are mean.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A single to a single, after a very interesting evening gathering)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I cannot tell you how many times I have left gatherings with friends who have moved on to different points in life and thought, "They are so different than they used to be." (See #2). If I am ever blessed to move on to one of these new life stages, I pray that I would be a better person because of it. It's amazing how fast an incredible friendship can be thrown by the wayside when a significant other, spouse, or child comes along. And, it never fails, the things that drove someone crazy when they were still single (friends who were always "too busy" being in love to hang out, friends who dropped everything important in their lives to starting "loving" their significant other's hobbies, etc.) are the exact qualities they tend to inherit as soon as they move on to another life stage.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">5. He's got all the time in the world, but this may be it for her.</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A married to a married, talking about Jennifer Westfeldt's character's age)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">You rarely hear your weird Aunt Patsy say, "Bless his heart. He's still single. He just needs someone to take care of him." Instead, it's more like, "Bless her soul. That poor girl still hasn't found anyone. She needs to be able to have babies while there is still time." In my family there are three kids--my married older brother with two kids, me, and my single younger brother. No one ever seems to worry about the fact that Nathan will be 27 this summer and he is still single. But, for me, at the ripe old age of 28, I am breaking the hearts of family members everywhere because I might never give them any cute babies to adore.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">6. I have at least four setups for you, one of which is promising.</span> </i><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A married to a single, after yet another failed relationship)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please note: If you would not consider a single fellow to be a promising prospect for me,other than the fact that he is single, please kindly forget that you ever thought of them as a possibility. (See #1). The level of awesomeness that I am looking for in a potential significant other/spouse does not go down with each birthday I have. Just because I get older does not mean I need to settle in the love department. I mean I know Charlie Sheen is single, but. . .<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">7. I don't get how people meet people if it isn't through college or work.</i> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">(A single to a married, while discussing dating options.)</span><br />
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One word: AMEN.<br />
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Seriously. Go see this movie. </div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0cYheYIT4o"></a>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-17954714378011800612012-03-12T08:55:00.000-07:002012-03-12T08:55:46.985-07:00Another Craft in the Books!Last spring, I helped a great friend finish some projects for her nursery for her soon-to-arrive bundle of joy Luke. I had a blast helping Rachel recover some hideous cushions for a rocking chair and ottoman they were given (I am happy to report that the cushions are much better looking after their inexpensive face lift) and to make some super cute curtains.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I got a message from another sweet friend, Priscilla, to help her recover some cushions on a rocker/ottoman set that they had picked up at a garage sale when they had their first little fella Simon (who is now two and such a handsome little man). For their next little guy, they wanted to change up the look in the nursery and I was happy to help! And when I saw the fabric that she chose, I knew this project was going to be a blast. <br />
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With very little spent on some new fabric and a couple of hours, their rocker/ottoman set now has a whole new look. And, in typical Rogers' fashion, I added a couple of bonus projects as special gifts for the fam--a pillow that plays off the look of the fabric and a frame wrapped in the fabric. (My mom would be so proud.) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJiselcOUFriX4ewf0w-AdR6hZC54je_Gxb5Cf6UY1VOW9THsDP5Wv7QdzF_y1XVCNlNS3jW6vdHTof_sTVRme9VSJordjooEpVokwO6DuUEv983V_nuF6iSdDemhjmlH6se5v_TnFq0/s1600/Priscilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJiselcOUFriX4ewf0w-AdR6hZC54je_Gxb5Cf6UY1VOW9THsDP5Wv7QdzF_y1XVCNlNS3jW6vdHTof_sTVRme9VSJordjooEpVokwO6DuUEv983V_nuF6iSdDemhjmlH6se5v_TnFq0/s400/Priscilla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-16117196423088288652012-02-05T12:08:00.000-08:002012-02-05T12:20:49.924-08:00One Item Completed, A Lot in Progress, & One Big ChangeSo, obviously, I've taken a bit of a blogging hiatus. This has more to do with my crazy, busy schedule than it does with my motivation to knock things off my list. I'll be honest though, doing these things is not easy. If you know me, it is no shock that I am a total creature of habit. But, I am making attempts to do so.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">One Item Completed</span></b><br />
I am pleased to report that one task has been marked off the list.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">#21--Get a massage.</span></b><br />
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I would be lying if I didn't admit that this is one of the goals I had been looking the most forward to when this list was created. I love a good massage, and this one most certainly did not disappoint.<br />
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The day after Thanksgiving, my Mom had planned a Mother/Daughter Day for the two of us. This was a much needed day spent relaxing and enjoying each other's company. It started with this perfect massage and was then followed by a little shopping, dinner with my brother, sister-in-law and two totally precious nieces followed by a "Sit and Sew" with Mom's quilting ladies. It was perfect.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>A Lot in Progress</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">#3--Lose 10 pounds.</span></b><br />
So I have in no way, shape or form lost 10 pounds. But, I am down 2. And progress is progress people.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">#6--Sew something from a pattern.</span></b><br />
My very first project making something from a pattern is underway. When we were on "Family Cabin Weekend," Mom wanted to venture out to a quilt shop and I was her shopping buddy for the excursion. While there, I found a pattern for a bag that I LOVED. At the "Sit and Sew" on Mother/Daughter Day, Mom helped me turn my dream of making something from a pattern into a reality. Now I just have to finish it...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">#12--Take an actual vacation.</span></b><br />
I don't go on vacation. Ever. But, this June I will be headed to Orlando for the Jazzercise Tropic Heat Conference. (Call it a business trip if you'd like. To me, this is a much needed getaway). And, factored in to the trip is extra time before and after the conference for sunshine, pool time, and relaxing. Hotel booked. Plane ticket purchased. Cannot wait.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">#19--Post a picture of a new craft on my blog each month.</span></b><br />
So, I obviously haven't posted any new craft projects lately, but I have been hard at work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU1Rd0om9MCZu-U90h371qA2Q7eHReYHRUkKqHvsAcTey4uOVXzivtOrsABv0Mq2-DbZFIdfEgC0tBW9Qe-bm6ZMAGU_T9ZkNIdT70uVe6wBET0biUUFcVxe5_MUi1xfDQ5zHZ5OEURk/s1600/Mighty+Ducks+Jersey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU1Rd0om9MCZu-U90h371qA2Q7eHReYHRUkKqHvsAcTey4uOVXzivtOrsABv0Mq2-DbZFIdfEgC0tBW9Qe-bm6ZMAGU_T9ZkNIdT70uVe6wBET0biUUFcVxe5_MUi1xfDQ5zHZ5OEURk/s200/Mighty+Ducks+Jersey.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mighty Ducks Jerseys made for Echo Church's Trunk-or-Treat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUkj1kL0nSRwtoQ0y_6x_a7YSYKDw4wLOnNMAuiXuBwEF_KxxwJ5ehwdxEQSNhRiZGCWwbE_ndD0pr-1z9EEFosWylCBV4bc0DOjAVHeg2ba6ZxyLMLbAklnbT1hVg0tk8xR1Ftesmuo/s1600/B+Quiet+Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUkj1kL0nSRwtoQ0y_6x_a7YSYKDw4wLOnNMAuiXuBwEF_KxxwJ5ehwdxEQSNhRiZGCWwbE_ndD0pr-1z9EEFosWylCBV4bc0DOjAVHeg2ba6ZxyLMLbAklnbT1hVg0tk8xR1Ftesmuo/s200/B+Quiet+Book.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet Book for niece Brighton for Christmas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbduyCqfQx_nBEMRSSN_FMqkETNxvWv3KsRXC0PwZhiJ9IpRjiKxAgc97F-4vHPewb0YFug0FEzHRPjK0ZNnvT01VS3HO5mlX8DsJT67z3mlULKVgbyaTJTKovFoO_4FEbBa_IB1pwl8/s1600/Portraits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbduyCqfQx_nBEMRSSN_FMqkETNxvWv3KsRXC0PwZhiJ9IpRjiKxAgc97F-4vHPewb0YFug0FEzHRPjK0ZNnvT01VS3HO5mlX8DsJT67z3mlULKVgbyaTJTKovFoO_4FEbBa_IB1pwl8/s200/Portraits.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family Christmas gift depicting my brother, his wife, and two girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OAAfo5pMW5CnZVwGA3ehpzieim9ICNhBsf8yvlhEeu6Sd0rQKvv4hyyMx-CE0d1sdNWEaaNb7SVLD4oaO4vFH-xc1BT2b9dNNr4hWvRyrUskrcmcZVmgYHr8z82XnE4k937Xd_4G3mQ/s1600/Nathan+Canvas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OAAfo5pMW5CnZVwGA3ehpzieim9ICNhBsf8yvlhEeu6Sd0rQKvv4hyyMx-CE0d1sdNWEaaNb7SVLD4oaO4vFH-xc1BT2b9dNNr4hWvRyrUskrcmcZVmgYHr8z82XnE4k937Xd_4G3mQ/s200/Nathan+Canvas.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asymmetrical artwork for a Christmas gift.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WHZOK-58xnh7SnmCPYyOc3M5udVKOwUlmwVO2gEHKWzXDcKDJWj-PnuLXhi6uyIoGDHW5c4XakbcHGc0YWkdI5F10e8BXVJBjMyMcF4d6EPmQIfOiG-Z8tJutaWvp2lBwFn5DT6wwtM/s1600/Exodus+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WHZOK-58xnh7SnmCPYyOc3M5udVKOwUlmwVO2gEHKWzXDcKDJWj-PnuLXhi6uyIoGDHW5c4XakbcHGc0YWkdI5F10e8BXVJBjMyMcF4d6EPmQIfOiG-Z8tJutaWvp2lBwFn5DT6wwtM/s200/Exodus+14.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new piece hanging in my hallway as a reminder of one of my favorite Bible verses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C6zGjDwkqi7TYtre_gFxFzS5uGVybUOQC18fA6ysBb_34S8MjOeTrvvP4O_aLp-AOihmR-973wPSSeuldJbcIW8nvdw029jXhvPJZQqHtDMv6Omk7E7merwcjDEvzM1BcF0TnoidD_Q/s1600/Jewelry+Pallette.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C6zGjDwkqi7TYtre_gFxFzS5uGVybUOQC18fA6ysBb_34S8MjOeTrvvP4O_aLp-AOihmR-973wPSSeuldJbcIW8nvdw029jXhvPJZQqHtDMv6Omk7E7merwcjDEvzM1BcF0TnoidD_Q/s200/Jewelry+Pallette.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reclaimed wooden palette turned piece of art and new jewelry storage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">#20--Beat my Jazzercise evaluation from last evaluation.</span></b><br />
So, I didn't exactly beat it. But, I made progress. And I feel challenged to keep improving before next year's evaluation.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">#22--Complete a Beth Moore Bible study.</span></b><br />
I haven't completed one yet. But, my Echo Bible study group decided to complete the <i>Breaking Free</i> Bible study beginning in January. (And this wasn't selected to help me knock something off my list). The best part about this? I started the <i>Breaking Free</i> study almost 10 years ago in college and quickly abandoned it. This round will not have the same outcome.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">#27--Read at least one Bible verse a day.</span></b><br />
So, I am not accomplishing this, but I am making progress. A good friend and I have committed to holding each other to Bible reading. So, we found a Bible reading plan that gives you a topic to study for two weeks, reading one chapter of Scripture a day. When I am behaving, I read before I get out of bed. But, I've learned that if I don't read it as soon as I get up, I don't read it at all. But, again, I'm making progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>One Big Change</b></span><br />
When I originally set up this list, I was feeling ambitious. And 6 months later, I still do. But, there has always been one entry on this list that has never sat well with me.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">#23--Move.</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
I have lived in the same apartment for almost 7 years. I signed my lease in April 2005, just before I graduated from college. And now I sit here, in that same living room, 7 years later and this place feels more like home today than it ever has. There is nothing outstanding about my apartment. I has one bedroom. The rent is cheap and the heat and water are included. It is 5 minutes from my full-time job and exactly in the middle of my two "paid hobby" jobs. I cannot paint a single wall but have been able to get pets because I've proven I'm a good tenant. But when I walk in that door, I can let out a deep breath and know that I am home.<br />
<br />
Now, chances are I will not live in this apartment for the rest of my life. But, I also don't want to move just because I put it on a "to-do" list. <br />
<br />
So, I now have a new #23. And this one I think is even more important to my success in life.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><del></del></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"><b> <del></del></b></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Old #23--Move.</b></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;"><b>New #23--Embrace my relationship status.</b></span><br />
<b style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;"> </b><br />
I have a confession to make. My name is Beth, and I am a struggling single. If you had asked me when I signed that least 7 years ago if I thought I'd be living in this apartment for long, my answer would have been "no." I would have told you that I expected to live here for a bit, and then within the next couple of years I would probably be getting married and move into a place with my husband. Boy, was I wrong.<br />
<br />
I have watched quite a few friends go down that path. Graduate. Meet someone of the opposite sex. Flirt and show interest. Start to date. Get engaged. Get married. Buy a house. Buy a dog. Start having cute little babies.<br />
<br />
I, however, have done the exact opposite of that. I graduated. Met no one of the opposite sex in which to flirt with or show interest. Have not been on a date since the Fall of 2002 (let me help you with that math--it's 9 1/2 years). I have not gotten married. I have not even considered buying a house. I did not buy a dog. And the only two "cute babies" that I have are my cats (and I constantly fight against Cat Lady status).<br />
<br />
This life is nothing that I would have predicted 7 years ago when I graduated college. But these 7 years have been a huge blessing. <br />
<br />
While I am aware of all I've been able to accomplish as a successful single woman, that desire for a husband and a family have never gone away. I constantly have to remind myself that 28 is not the same as 97 (this sometimes works better than other times). But I am truly learning about patience. And I am learning that I can't allow what those around me tell me about my single life to impact how I feel about my life as a single lady. (For more on this, read this incredible post about what single people wish married people realized on <a href="http://thesexycelibate.com/2011/12/18/what-single-people-wish-married-people-knew/">The Sexy Celibate</a>). And, if this had all been up to me, I would have rushed into a relationship with the first fella that came my way, no matter how "perfect" or "imperfect" he would have been for me.<br />
<br />
So, by the time that I am 30, I pray that I not only accept my relationship status, whatever that may be at the time, but that I embrace it fully.30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-45617597203614310562011-08-29T21:09:00.000-07:002011-08-29T21:09:05.254-07:00#16--Confess a SecretSo, my lack of time to post anything on here means that you, my faithful followers (both of you), get a whopper of a post tonight. Not a craft. Not a picture of me eating a piece of sushi. A major post. I'm about to knock one of the toughies off my list. I'm going to confess a secret to you.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">I am terrified of marriage.</span></b><br />
<br />
Terrified.<br />
<br />
Most people would say, "I've got an easy solution. Don't get married. Problem solved." If only it were that easy.<br />
<br />
My fear is two fold:<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">1. I'm terrified that I will never have the opportunity.</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
My whole life, I've never been a big relationships girl. It wasn't really a conscious choice, it was just how things were. I had a few boyfriends growing up, nothing serious and haven't dated much since. And I've always been okay with it. I grew up with two brothers, however, that basically had a girlfriend waiting list. As soon as the ladies found out they were back on the market, the phone calls started and the ridiculous flirting began. There was never a drought of women fawning over them. While I've never been the most relationship crazy person that I know, I've always had a strong desire to be married and one day have children.<br />
<br />
Here's what happens when you are single in a world of people in relationships:<br />
<b>High School: </b>It's no big deal. Some people date, other people don't. It doesn't really matter because all of those people hang out in a big group anyway. Your family doesn't really notice that you aren't dating anyone and neither do you.<br />
<b>Freshmen & Sophomore Year of College: </b> Your family still doesn't totally notice the fact that you are becoming an adult because there is still a "1" at the beginning of your age. They start to notice the day you turn 20. You, however, are starting to become slightly more aware as your friends start dating, but you're still pretty cool with it.<br />
<b>Junior & Senior Year of College: </b>It's becoming obvious that you are more of an adult and soon, you will be a real adult with a college degree. The people in your life start to notice that you are single and you are completely aware of it. More and more people you know are dating, and even better, they are starting to get engaged. This is where life gets fun.<br />
<b>Post College Up Until 25: </b>Your singleness is a constant source of conversation, especially at events with extended family. Conversations start like this: "You're dating someone, right?" or "Who's the special fella in your life?". And, when you set the record straight, their response is usually "Oh." You start to hang out with more and more couples, usually married or engaged, because so many of your friends are moving into that stage in life.<br />
<b>After 25: </b>You have basically entered Old Maid status as far as others are concerned. People start to ask less and less because they assume you are not in a relationship. And you have become one of a few single people hanging out with tons of couples. It's awesome.<br />
<br />
At 28, I'm in this awkward After 25 state in life. I am totally single and I have my moments, but overall I am okay with it. But I'll be honest, I mostly feel like at this point it's slim pickings. All of the good guys seem to be taken and all of the single ones seem very. . . interesting. I've heard the usual "Why don't you try online dating?" and I've tried it. It's expensive and doesn't really seem to go very far because there are so many late 20s single women on there and approximately 7 late 20s single men. I've moved into the point where my friends are all in relationships and now I'm one of the few single people in the group. The people in my life don't know single people and neither do I.<br />
<br />
My singleness has given me wonderful opportunities that I know a relationship would hinder. I've been able to get involved in so many things that I love. I have a job that I absolutely love and I get to invest in the lives of so many people. I am a part of an incredible church and get to participate in so many things to deepen my faith and encourage those around me. I get to serve on the leadership team for Stop Traffick Fashion and get to raise awareness about a devastating cause. I get to get paid to workout and more than that, I have fallen in love with the Jazzercise corporation, what it stands for, and the women to take part in it. These are more than simply time fillers. They are passions of mine.<br />
<br />
I am blessed with so many opportunities, and yet I worry that these opportunities have hindered my ability to find someone to share life with. I wouldn't trade any of the opportunities that I have been given, but I can't help but think that my packed schedule has left little time for love if it was looking for me. It's hard to think that you are the one sabotaging one of your dreams. I look on Facebook and constantly see my friends posting about dates, engagements, marriages, babies, buying houses and on and on. Then I look at my page and see Jazzercise check-ins, posts about work, and things of this nature. Sometimes I just don't even want to get on because my life feels so out of sync with others in my life, and then I give in to my Facebook cravings and look anyway.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">2. I'm afraid that if I ever do get the chance, I'll screw it up.</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
I know that 28 isn't that old (especially when college freshmen still confuse you for one of their classmates because of your baby face), but it feels like I've been stuck in this stage of life forever. I've gone to so many bridal showers, weddings, and then baby showers for those friends who are having babies. I've waited patiently, trying my hardest not to let my singleness get me down. And yet I am nowhere closer to finding love. Heck, I'm nowhere closer to finding a date.<br />
<br />
I am just afraid that after waiting this long, if I do find someone, I'm going to mess it up somehow. I keep hearing about people from my past who get married and seem like such incredible couples. And then, next thing you know, their relationships are ending. If these people can't figure it out, how am I supposed to?<br />
<br />
Or, what if my schedule is too crazy for that special someone and they decide they don't want to put up with it?<br />
<br />
Or what if I put my whole heart into a relationship and the fella decides he's had enough?<br />
<br />
Or what if there are things about me that simply are not appealing?<br />
<br />
This list could go on and on. And I feel slightly hilarious for worrying about something I don't have. It's like you're worried about what people will think of your purchases if you win the $23 million lottery that you haven't even bought a ticket for yet. Which is ridiculous, I know, but the truth is the truth.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">What does this all mean?</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
It means I'm human. It means I worry about things that I have no control over. It means that I need to wake up every morning, hand this issue over to the One who can actually handle it, and live my life in such a way that glorifies Him. It means that I should keep praying for the man that God might bring into my life one day because if he exists, he deserves those prayers. And it means that I am totally normal.<br />
<br />
So, there you have it. A confession. #16 complete.30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-28344311869348537262011-08-04T18:52:00.000-07:002011-08-04T18:52:41.200-07:00Craft of the MonthThere is a reason why I have been avoiding joining Pintrest. Because for a crafter like me, it is like quick sand. You get sucked in and you just can't get out. Here is a prime example:<br />
<br />
My friend, Brittany, wanted to show me Pintrest and how great it is. While showing me the things that she had pinned, this little beauty came up:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwUWHZZhUo0R5uSCtyucHM1gZ2Fr_YDHJcMihXjTQZjD_Cj4EkoF0mprQ1pXPLVRB7zdyDwGaoo5oZHTPTLdUlzIpvVgJ65y0e-eZXdPWGq450ICIotCyRciU4QiE2W8Q6JsO6vDn19A/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwUWHZZhUo0R5uSCtyucHM1gZ2Fr_YDHJcMihXjTQZjD_Cj4EkoF0mprQ1pXPLVRB7zdyDwGaoo5oZHTPTLdUlzIpvVgJ65y0e-eZXdPWGq450ICIotCyRciU4QiE2W8Q6JsO6vDn19A/s320/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Within 5 minutes, this was happening:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGG9T7dbpfksjluSi2QDrrVm6k5H7SDVW3xGLFkswxyejcXmi-KXk0Kyr0LyX5rQAhdeP836m7wIkjguzZZ9q4HQm6EYmPID_dtuI4ZkXphA0r6rS9AZztdppaqgg2H-Q_amkpX3_w4Q/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGG9T7dbpfksjluSi2QDrrVm6k5H7SDVW3xGLFkswxyejcXmi-KXk0Kyr0LyX5rQAhdeP836m7wIkjguzZZ9q4HQm6EYmPID_dtuI4ZkXphA0r6rS9AZztdppaqgg2H-Q_amkpX3_w4Q/s320/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Brittany is new to crafts, so I used this as a teachable moment to get her addicted to this passion of mine. Within minutes we had this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFVbF1vggZVrtXmC9KTo2pYXUQRy1OrO00spRog9edhCBnFf5D9zFCSXODdHaJpBMKE2egyPSEN2oy793f87Rp1UMSyjUgyBBI0B-e0qrAwrr2XJurCFRMuWnwtxwvSuwADItZA08ghk/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFVbF1vggZVrtXmC9KTo2pYXUQRy1OrO00spRog9edhCBnFf5D9zFCSXODdHaJpBMKE2egyPSEN2oy793f87Rp1UMSyjUgyBBI0B-e0qrAwrr2XJurCFRMuWnwtxwvSuwADItZA08ghk/s320/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The trees were ready for decorating. We picked out the palette below to add some purple to my office (a major color in my area) as well as a few fun pops of color:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jEMB9_A7HVR2YIn54oniw99J2AswB9le6Wg3EhhJAWtp0bm8lq6m5HWrVdGXoB42tKIFzTT033c3rXTUqhHevQ3P-rkTg0S7ywqNH5l8aqTFv7aiY_VvlQOZRZorDrGOump-rbYUFBE/s1600/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jEMB9_A7HVR2YIn54oniw99J2AswB9le6Wg3EhhJAWtp0bm8lq6m5HWrVdGXoB42tKIFzTT033c3rXTUqhHevQ3P-rkTg0S7ywqNH5l8aqTFv7aiY_VvlQOZRZorDrGOump-rbYUFBE/s320/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then we went to town using three different sizes of round foam brushes, adding more and more circles as we went:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlmTjSwxhysn-gCGtoP34Pmr78n607Tf_4bpTVvfT6OzwiJS9U2bCfkO9n_37aElrYBCZ13k-SuIcfgPVAjphmdY1rlt3vOS9URa3UgjERtl1ZVl5lMJ50ycB6c5_GNxfO5-P6YZOaDY/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlmTjSwxhysn-gCGtoP34Pmr78n607Tf_4bpTVvfT6OzwiJS9U2bCfkO9n_37aElrYBCZ13k-SuIcfgPVAjphmdY1rlt3vOS9URa3UgjERtl1ZVl5lMJ50ycB6c5_GNxfO5-P6YZOaDY/s320/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Until we got to this point:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9AbAQ07zOMInhFWbp7czKSi7i4Jy9L3Ahr6gx6WfYc7hqO5vLEMFoCN3SAhXH6bVcOpR23_rTvD2oq6AcvAy3m6mfeo7auLNftTaQBn7t-A2DGPURc0k0TKRuNi9wU40z3h7USCfXEY/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9AbAQ07zOMInhFWbp7czKSi7i4Jy9L3Ahr6gx6WfYc7hqO5vLEMFoCN3SAhXH6bVcOpR23_rTvD2oq6AcvAy3m6mfeo7auLNftTaQBn7t-A2DGPURc0k0TKRuNi9wU40z3h7USCfXEY/s320/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now they are framed (thanks to some super nice frames Mom's old work was going to toss) and ready to be hung in my new office!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6Cyfq9Hpn9vk74BdYgZ2BOGZ2zsvmCaxy9g2L9ySdjwo-fONOxQlmuPlOFRgOEaw1UhW0XobiYElFpdz7jfy7PfazD1yORbBZ5dOcyXPMrkvHZB_56PhLo5juJr6JN8xVsQmBlM4rIE/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6Cyfq9Hpn9vk74BdYgZ2BOGZ2zsvmCaxy9g2L9ySdjwo-fONOxQlmuPlOFRgOEaw1UhW0XobiYElFpdz7jfy7PfazD1yORbBZ5dOcyXPMrkvHZB_56PhLo5juJr6JN8xVsQmBlM4rIE/s320/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7371562275516122381.post-55686392777874532242011-07-17T19:42:00.000-07:002011-08-04T19:14:54.348-07:00Craft of the MonthMy 30 Before 30 list item #19 is to post a picture of a new craft each month. Here is the first!<br />
<br />
July has been a crazy month, so I haven't had much spare time to get crafty. But, a quick craft was in order to welcome Luke Timothy McCoy (born to awesome parents David and Rachel McCoy) into the world. So this was a speedy craft that I was able to send to them, but who wouldn't want to look at that sweet little face? Congrats David and Rachel on that precious little bundle of joy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdxgz6TlG6ljWlWsYc973a3QCepNTsOs5gtAzh1QXInzJw5WOGYDEVQtUzps-YN-nJSuVa09nx5JeQkOlNqCq9ljRAoHOgixq7B0hO8z3S5x2S0Vh6BVPByW4VlICg2sZoxiFJ9HA3S8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdxgz6TlG6ljWlWsYc973a3QCepNTsOs5gtAzh1QXInzJw5WOGYDEVQtUzps-YN-nJSuVa09nx5JeQkOlNqCq9ljRAoHOgixq7B0hO8z3S5x2S0Vh6BVPByW4VlICg2sZoxiFJ9HA3S8/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>30Before30http://www.blogger.com/profile/02876651728893090068noreply@blogger.com0