Boredom Part II

No, I don't wear the same clothing and take self portraits with my dog every day of the week. I just had some pics that got left out of the last post that I can't resist sharing:







And finally, she's had enough of mom's shenanigans and makes a break for it:

Slightly pathetic, but still precious to me...

Ok, so because our economy is currently in such a state of stability and prosperity, my hard working employer doesn't quite have enough work for me, and I've been cut back to 20 hours a week. I love my job (and am not totally convinced I could even find another one...it's bad out there!), so I am willing to make the sacrifice and spend 2 days a week doing whatever I can find to occupy my time. Usually this includes hanging out with my s.a.h.m. friends, meeting people for lunch, catching up on housework, and studying. But sometimes...I get bored.
The following photographs document such an occurrence:

Miscellany

something i accomplished this week: Paid off my huge library fine. I can show my face at the library again.

something i screwed up this week: Neglected to finish my reading for class. I'm finding it hard to get motivated with only 3 weeks left.

something fun i did : Hung out with Tegan, Tripp, and Cullen. Love them!

something yummy i ate: homemade guacamole (but not homemade by me...)

something i read this week: Obvi, not the Bankruptcy and Contract Law texts...Read a little of The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory.

a tv show or movie i watched this week: Inception. SO GOOD!

something i did this week that i hardly ever do: Went to the movies on a weeknight (see above)

something i did this week that i do every week: Went to work...and enjoyed it :)

something i am thankful for right now: My wonderful husband. My best friend and the love of my life.

Summer Update

Some fun improvements have been made around the house lately thanks to Mom, Ikea, and a few hours free from law classes...



Dear Cousin Brinkley,
Please come visit me very soon in Atlanta. I promise to wash the dirt off my neck and share my squirrel with you. We can torture the kitty together. Love, Jersey

The four-legged pot scrubber

Let's say you've had a long day of work. You get home, actually manage to cook dinner, (a rare accomplishment) and after enjoying said dinner, you are wiped out. Your husband, who is usually a champ about helping with the dishes, has fled to CVS to fill a prescription for steroids since he has a raging case of poison ivy. What's a girl to do?
Enter Jersey, the four legged pot scrubber. Simply place a dirty pot on the floor, wait 10 minutes, and voila! She'll have it spotless.
What Dustin doesn't know won't hurt him. And YES, I did wash the pot myself afterward, making sure to sterilize it well.
But it sure was nice to not have to scrub it!

And we're back.

Life over the past six weeks just did not include time for blogging. A few reasons: (and by the way that is incorrect grammar...I recently learned that anything to the left of a colon must be a complete sentence.)
1. Job. Oh wow. I absolutely love it. But it absolutely wears me out.
2. Houston. Texas is awesome. Everything really is bigger....
3. Friends. I do think it's better,when possible, to actually spend time with people face to face.
4. My Animals. Good thing I love them because they destroy EVERYTHING.
5. Therapy. Enough said.
This past weekend was almost a rebirth for me. I finally had some time off from work, spent time with my family, and sat still for a few moments. Mom was in town and we had the best time! In classic form, she brought about 20lbs of fresh veggies from her farmer's market. On Saturday we had a feast! Some wonderful friends came over to help us eat, and everyone had a great time.
But there were two empty chairs (sniff, sniff).

Manic Monday

I have a "woman's doctor" appointment tomorrow morning and I start my new job(!) directly after. Coincidentally, the doctors office is right next to the law office. And in case you are wondering what my new office looks like here she is! Please forgive the pollen stains on my car's dirty window...

Changes on the horizon

I tried a "new" breakfast this morning. Big deal, right? Well for me it actually is a big deal because I have been eating the same breakfast every single morning for 9 months. I have recently received some advice that it would be good for me to add some variety. I bought new breakfast foods about 10 days ago...
Finally worked up the courage, and it was great! I'm not sure why I was so afraid. It's the little things that count, right? Anyway, I'm proud of myself.
In addition to this wild and risky breakfast behavior, I've also decided to change the format of the blog. I am fully aware the colors are ridic. It was supposed to be a festive springtime theme. So I am going to give it an overhaul. Who knows how long this will take (if breakfast took a week and a half...). But the goal is this - 1 picture every post. Then it will be more like a post card, get it? No promises on what the pictures will be of. You may see several different poses of my dog and cat. But at least there will be some visual stimuli.
Have a great day, and don't be afraid to make small changes for the better!

Good Morning Procrastination!

So basically I need to be studying right now and I am blogging instead...
It's only nine and the series below is definitely meant to be written at the end of a day so bear with me. Some of it is future projections :)

something i accomplished today: Took my Intro to Law test (and aced it!)

something i screwed up today: Too early to tell...hopefully not the test!

something fun i did : Slept in for 1/2 an hour

something yummy i ate today: granola/almond milk

something i read today: So far the bible and my devo, "Jesus Calling"

a tv show or movie i watched today: Missed Lost last night, will watch tonight on Tivo

something i did today that i hardly ever do: Bought plane tix to FLA to see S&B!

something i did today that i do every day: Took a shower....it's still early

something i am thankful for right now: My incredible friends in our community group

When God says No. (and yes...)

For the past several months I've been praying and longing for 2 specific things. And I do mean specific...I am an obsessive kind of person, so I really formulate in my mind exactly what I expect to happen. I think this character flaw sets me up for a lot of disappointment and frustration. God is patient with me though. He is a good Dad.
Anyway, this week I simultaneously got an answer on both requests at the same time. Only 1 was Yes (including all the specific details, go God!) and the other was a pretty clear No. Or at least a "not now".
So I am in a weird place of feeling overjoyed and sad at the same time. It's the first time I can remember that I've experienced this, but it probably will not be the last. Oy. Life here in this broken world we live in can be so challenging. I am trying to figure out how to live peacefully in the midst of these challenges.
Holla if you feel me....
If this post was too melancholy and you're sitting somewhere that no one will see you drool, I recommend viewing this for a little "pick me up".

Life after Mmm-bop

My husband knows them. And I totally wish he could have talked them into putting me in this video...
http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.videos&videoId=104317949

Blatant copycat

I saw this on someone else's blog. Someone I don't even know! But I like the idea so I am copying it -

something i accomplished today: Finished my ethics questions for paralegal class

something i screwed up today: Dressed too warm for the weather

something fun i did : met my sweet friend Kimber for coffee

something yummy i ate today: Vidalia Onion relish on a sandwich

something i read today: Intro to Personal Injury and Torts

a tv show or movie i watched today: The Middle!! two episodes in a row

something i did today that i hardly ever do: Walked my dog in the rain (w/umbrella)

something i did today that i do every day: turned up Pandora loud and sang/danced while I did housework

something i am thankful for right now: God's promises, faithfulness, and forgiveness

Copied and modified from katieshobbie.wordpress.com.

The Fam

Dustin and I spent Easter with my family. This is the first time in a long while that we'd been able to get down to West Palm. And the first time in an even longer while that we had a family party that didn't end with tears or frustration for someone. I am SO SO SO thankful for the time we shared. God has really blessed us.
My grandmother told me once that family is the adhesive of life. At the time I thought it was an antiquated idea. But the older I get the more I realize she is right. Without my family I don't feel like my truest self.
Thank you Father that these relationships have been restored.
Happy Easter everyone!

Small Pleasures

My sister inspired this activity. It's very therapeutic -
My list of 20 small pleasures to enjoy everyday:
1. Eating when I'm hungry (not exactly a radical concept I know, but it's new to me )
2. TIVO!! No commercials, watch on demand, I could go on and on...
3. The hilarious and often very sweet actions of my drama students
4. Hip-hop radio. I love a good beat to get me "dancing" in my car
5. Soundtracks from Musicals
6. Air Wick scented oil air fresheners in my home
7. Sitting in a coffee shop and journaling or studying
8. Learning all the fascinating details about Law. It's infinite.
9. Talking my husbands ear off about the fascinating details about Law
10. Walking my crazy dog on a beautiful day
11. My kitty curling up in my lap and licking my hand. She is so sweet!
12. Reading my sisters blog.
13. Texting my friends and family to let them know how much I love them.
14. A nice hot shower
15. Aromatherapy. Currently into lavender.
16. Greta, Ashley, Sarah, and Ellen
17. My best friend who is also my husband
18. God's presence being fullness of joy
19. Rising above my circumstances because of God's grace and help
20. Quick Trip coffee selection. I love making my special concoction!

I'm ba-aack...

Wonder of wonders! I actually decided to post. Think I might just get back into blogging for a minute.
They're gonna be short and sweet so don't get too excited. Today's is a list of 3 -
1. I heart Trader Joes. Oh they make my life so easy! Currently in the fridge I have (cooked) all natural chicken breast, gourmet burritos, buffalo burgers, salmon en croute, panko breaded tilapia, spinach, haricot verts, and some awesome turkey meatballs. All just waiting to be heated and consumed. Thank you Lord for cheap all natural convenience food.
2. I am surrendering. Today I am giving every moment of my life over to Jesus. I have to be able to trust Him with everything or I will never be able to truly LIVE. I am tired of just surviving. With me in control, things ain't too great so I'm turning it over to Him.
3. Hooray for Spring! Almost as beautiful as fall but not quite. Nothing compares to fall but I digress...I am thrilled to see the sun and green grass again.
Signing off from Atl. My favorite hip hop radio station here in hot-lanta says"This is Atlanta Shorty!!" I'll leave you with that :)