My Bible is the only way I'm getting through this.

Today's agenda is going to be based around staying busy enough to ignore the fact that the Boyfriend is dealing with a really huge moment in his life, out of town. 


My plan is as follows:


1) Finally put some makeup on my face... and finish getting dressed.
I woke up at 8 (stupid adult sleep schedule), and just barely got out of the shower. I still have a towel on my head.


2) Once hair is brushed and makeup is on, proceed to breakfast.


3) While at breakfast, consider ordering a mimosa, realize I live in Small Town, and just go with regular ol' orange juice.


4) Take out Bible from purse, continue catching up in the book of Matthew, and continue accordingly in Genesis.  Rejoice at the amazingness that is completing the first book of the plan - Job.


5) Stress out about bf situation - then remember Proverbs 3:5:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding.

6) Send a few text messages to Boyfriend's Mom about the progress, and how frustrating it is that we cannot be there.


7) Leave breakfast feeling refreshed in the Word. Drive around Small Town aimlessly in hopes of finding a cute little shop to walk around in.


8) Stop at the store to buy an envelope to mail Olga's newest gifts and letter.


9) Come home, take a nap.


10) Wake up, look up recipes to make for Boyfriend for dinner when he gets home tomorrow.  On the list of necessary ingredients: Elk. sick. Act like I'm learning to love it while secretly wishing it was beef or pork.  Remember I really DO like elk, just not as much as dead cow. 


11) Call girlfriends to get out of the house, since sitting home alone on a Saturday night could be the most depressing experience there is. (Spend the night missing my law school friends, who could burn down Small Town in a matter of minutes.)

Miscellany Monday #5

Fact: The weeks go by faster in the career world.  

1. Terrible Day.

I had a TERRIBLE day today.  I thought this was interesting, because Carissa (at lowercase letters) says that statistics say this is the most depressing day of the year.  Maybe that's why so many people I encountered today were in such a bad mood!

2. StatCounter.

StatCounter is a pretty awesome site.  It tells me all kinds of things about my blogs like where people come from, what posts get read, and other random things like what search words bring people to my blog. Some of them are really random.  For example:

I've learned that there is a band called threeyearsdown. Why? I don't know. But this is not their blog.  I wrote one or two posts about my lexis points, and a lot of people come here about that.  I'd recommend, law students, to use ONE search engine all the time. Learn them both, but rack up points only on one. (I'd chose Lexis because it's supposedly cheaper.  I have come across many more offices that use it than Westlaw - despite westlaw being prettier.)  But, some things, like "stuck in a small ditch" and "ever have one of those days where you eat everything in sight" ??? I mean, I've DONE both of those things, but I didn't realize that was something people googled.  I guess, if you got stuck in a small ditch recently, don't worry about it - it happens. If you are CURRENTLY stuck in a small ditch, quit reading my blog and call a roadside service. Geez.

3. Great Grandma...

My maternal great grandma fell and broke her wrist and hip this week. (This is not the one I talk about a lot, especially about her delicious soup.) If you could pray for her and my mom, my sister, and my mom's side of the family that would be really nice.  I wasn't very close to her because I haven't lived at home for 7 years so I didn't make a lot of family trips back to CA, but my mom and sister did. She had surgery and will be sent to a rehabilitation home.  She is in her 80's and denies it, but is suffering from dementia.  My mom thinks it sounds like she will be taken home to the Lord soon.... I know it will be hard on her. Life is too short, even if you are 80.

4. Library Books.

I checked out a book from the library in Small Town in an attempt to be more Frugal.  It is Nicholas Sparks' new one, Safe Haven.  It was due back today, but I just started it last night.  I am about halfway done already and love it.  I thought about renewing it during lunch today (I actually walked right past the library), but then went into lazy mode after eating and decided to just pay the fine until I'm done with it.  The late fee is 15 cents. Seriously. How do they expect people to care about returning their books with a .15 late fee? haha

Book Club

I have decided to participate in Bloom (in)courage's book club on One Thousand Gifts.

It starts in two weeks, and books are only $10.00.  Supposedly there is still time to get it from their store.

I wasn't going to read this book.  Not for any reason at all, actually, but I get skeptical when I see such a hype.  Then I realized that the author writes one of my FAVORITE blogs.  I had no idea! Then I read the reviews on Amazon.  You'd better believe I ordered my book right then and there (this was before I realized you could buy it at their store, I ordered mine on Amazon).  My book is scheduled to come this week and I can't wait to skim through it and get a feel for it.

In other news - filed my taxes today.  I got to claim my student loan interest. It was two dollars.  Oh how I wish it was going to be two dollars every year!!

PS. Guess what I should be doing instead of filing my taxes and posting this? Yup, writing cover letters. FML.

Fill in the Blank Friday

I should be getting up and getting ready for work... but blah, it's early and I hate mornings and my bed is so, so warm and comfy....

Fill in the Blank Friday

1.   My favorite quote is       I recently bought a piece of artwork at a small, local store in Small Town.  It is Abraham Lincoln, "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."  This has been true for me in many seasons of my life.

2.  A bad habit I have is    I crack my knuckles.  I don't even realize it unless I start to do it during court.  How obnoxious to other people!

3.  The first time I felt like a "grown up" was      Just recently, I guess.  Starting a new job, full time, without school has been a totally different life than I've ever known.

4.  Weekends are   peaceful, and lately, adventurous.  They are also a time to connect with God.

5.  When I was a child I wished my name was     Stephanie, after Stephanie on full house LOL.

6.  I wish       Someone would get the urge to do a Random Act of Kindness by paying off my student loans. LMAO.

7.  A secret I have is       I have become a Gold status member at Starbucks - for NEXT year. In December I went all but 5 days. My roommate eats almost all of my food so I stopped buying a lot of stuff for the house... after I saw the stars on my calendar at Starbucks.com I got the reality check.  I've started making coffee at home again. haha(PS. I have to do this too: that I can't swallow pills and I take gummy vitamins and they're awesome.)

On Love

Awhile back I told you I was acting in preparation for a relationship.  To live intentionally single.

Well, I am smack dab in the middle of one now and I am so grateful for the conscience effort I put into discovering things about myself, and discovering qualities of a healthy relationship (which I have seriously lacked thus far).  I have spent so much time in prayer over this man.  Nothing changes except the feelings become stronger and almost palpable.

And now... I am preparing for more.  I am learning and studying and praying for wisdom on how I can continue to honor this man, honor our relationship, and have faith in the Lord over it.

x

I am feeling incredibly blessed.  I am also feeling overwhelmed.  It has gotten to the point where even the secretary at work commented today how she has noticed a change in me.  She told me I was becoming "quite domestic" and my priorities have shifted.  It's true.... and I am happier than I have ever, ever been.

Miscellany Monday #4

It's Monday. Again. Except today is a holiday so I'm LOVING it! I have a few subjects to blog about, so it's pretty convenient to be able to do it all at once. haha Here we go.


1. My Knight in Shinning Dodge... I haven't told you guys this, but I spent an hour and a half of my New Years Eve with a car stuck in a (an albeit small) ditch.  My boyfriend lives on a dirt road, with what I believe is the world's most treacherous small hill. It's short, and tiny, but my Jeep can get going FAST down it, and it ends in a curve.  On NYE, with a low temp of -12 and a high of 12 degrees, I hit a patch of ice, hit a snow berm, over corrected, and landed us high-centered on a FROZEN snow berm and super stuck with one tire in the ditch and the other in the road.  After 20 minutes of me using the end of my 4" heeled boots to kick the balls of snow out of the way, the boyfriend decided to just walk the mile to his house.  Well, first he asked me "Don't you have a shovel in your car?" Ummm... no, dear. Crazy country boys.  


He came back with his giant (sexy) Dodge truck to tow me out.  It wasn't necessary because the shovel he DOES keep in the back was sufficient.  I felt a little better when just a few days ago I let him drive, he hit a patch of ice, and drove us straight into a snow berm.  Of course, he didn't get us stuck, but it's a good story whenever he complains to people about my city driving.  It was an adventure, that's for sure.

Although, when the snow melts, my car looks like THIS. mud mud mud.

2. My worse enemy is definitely cover letters.  Thanks to meeting such a wonderful guy, I am only looking for jobs in Small Town.  The problem with Small Town is that it is SMALL.  There are very few firms in town.  I am trying to write cover letters that say, "Hey! I really want to stay here!" and "Hire me because I'm awesome! And pay me a lot more than a clerk's salary!" all while ignoring job posting after job posting I get from the Nevada Bar.  I'm sure I'm highly unqualified for most of them, but still. It is SO annoying to see posts for Vegas jobs and be looking around wondering if I'll be unemployed in 4 months.  (PS I'd NEVER work in Vegas again, anyway.)


3. The "Immerse Yourself in the Bible" plan is coming along really well! I am planning to catch up on yesterday's reading today at Starbucks, after I finish my cover letter... that's ALMOST done. I have been really good about staying on track since I wrote about my need for accountability.  I'm also enjoying it. 


4.  I reactivated my Facebook to check on a cooking class schedule for a store here.  Within 10 minutes I'd received all kinds of attention at how HAPPY people were to see me back.  I haven't had the guts to deactivate since, even though I hate being on there.  I have become fond of talking to people outside of facebook.  I don't even want to reply to people on there. ugh. It has taken over the world!!

5. I need to update my 101 in 1001.  I haven't done it in awhile and I know there are counts to update and things to cross off.  It's been a good few months for my list!!!


I guess I can't procrastinate any longer.  Those of you who also have the day off, I hope you're enjoying it! Those of you who don't, demand some respect for the end of segregation. Geez.

Miscellany Monday #3

Somehow it is Monday again. The highlight of the day? Miscellany Monday of course!


1. I am having a terrible day today.  I am pretty sure it is just hormones (yay PMS), but it's been horrible and blah and awful. All I wanted was a glass of wine at happy hour with a girlfriend or two, but I don't really have many of those in small town, + the wine options are seriously lacking here.  Instead I went to the library, tanning and to dinner by myself. 


2. Right when I was writing that I had a terrible day, my little sister called me with her new boy friend.  Apparently he met our dad tonight, which is incredible because she has managed to keep all boys from meeting our dad for four years straight, despite living with him for three.  He seems like quite the character, just the right amount of fun for my sister. We will see what happens! It got me to laugh for possibly the first time all day.  Thank God for little sisters (who are almost 22 years old)!

My sister and I at the Marquee when she came to visit me in law school.
I showed her how people dance it up outside of Vegas. ha.

3. Laundry.  It never ends. How do people manage with children? I have a bunch on my bed and a shortage of hangers. I pushed it out of the way to listen to some music, got distracted, and have been lying in bed for an hour surfing the web instead of putting it away. I HATE putting away laundry. and dishes for that matter.


4. Because this is apparently the Monday of Whining... I am in the process of motivating myself to write cover letters.  Who invented the idea of cover letters?  Whoever it was must have been sitting at their desk, thinking to themselves, 

"You know what would be fun? Torturing job seekers by making them perfect their resume, find all the right verbs, fix the spacing and THEN... THEN I will make them write a letter repeating the same stuff while still sounding interesting.  I will make them put my name directly on the letter. If it says "To Whom it May Concern" I will throw it right in the trash. I will do the same if it has a single typo.  I will also impose the same unendingly irritating 1 page requirement as their resume, and it will be fantastically, maniacally, wonderful to watch the unemployed, underemployed, or hate-their-employment comply. Then, I will rule the world." 

In short: Boo on cover letters.


5. Let's all hope tomorrow is better. Geez.

Accountability, week 2

Week two of the Bible in a Year reading plan is upon us. Here is what I am supposed to read this week:

January 9 - Job 1, 2 & Matthew 7
January 10 - Job 3, 4 & Matthew 8:1-17
January 11 - Job 5, 6, 7 & Matthew 8:18-34
January 12 - Job 8, 9, 10 & Matthew 9:1-17
January 13 - Job 11, 12, 13 & Matthew 9:18-38
January 14 - Job 14, 15, 16 & Matthew 10:1-20
January 15 - Job 17, 18, 19 & Matthew 10:21-42

I will post at the end of the week (or close thereto) about my progress. I REALLY want this to work, I just need to adjust my life to make it happen.

Kitchenaid Heaven

Girls (guys? I doubt it),

I am in LOVE. Love, love love. with a purchase I just made.

Wednesday night I had the joyous pleasure of food poisoning.  I won't give you the details, but it caused me to miss work on Thursday.  It was almost worth it to see a commercial from Kitchenaid with this link: www.kitchenaid.com/tv

What is on that link, you may ask?  This:

That's right, the Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer + accessories and a year to Martha Stewart Magazine.

You better believe I signed on as soon as payday came (Thankfully it was yesterday), ordered my gorgeous, beautiful amazing Empire Red mixer + clear mixing bowl + beater + Martha (I probably could have done without Martha, but whatev), and then DIED with excitement.

Now I want to bake everything I've ever seen or even dreamt about in my entire life, but I have to wait 9 crazy days until it arrives.  At this very moment my mouth is watering for these Oreo Cheesecake Cookies.  Can someone tell me how I lasted so long without knowing who The Pioneer Woman was? My word.

In other news, I bought two friends gift cards to the tanning salon last night for their birthdays.  While I was in there I, kinda embarrassingly, told the person behind the counter, "It smells like happiness in here." So, as soon as my clothes are out of the laundry, I'm headed straight there.

Then, for dinner, I'm making shredded chicken burritos. yum, yum, yum.

Did I mention I lost three pounds with the whole food poisoning debacle? Clearly that gives me the freedom to eat EVERYTHING in sight. ha.

Accountability

My church has started a reading plan to read the Bible in a year.  I was SUPER excited about this idea.  I've been wanting to do this for awhile but I never seem to get the urge around January, and most plans are dated, obviously starting during the first month.

It is now January fifth... Guess how much reading I've done? Roughly 300 pages. But they weren't in my Bible. I haven't even OPENED the thing except at church on Sunday. No, instead, the high priority book I was reading.... Shopaholic Takes Manhattan.  Seriously. The boyfriend was bowling on Monday (I assure you this is a hobby he picked up before we met) and I play designated driver on bowling league nights.  I spent 4 hours that night starting and finishing the highly intellectual book haha.

So, I've decided that to hold myself accountable I will post about it here. I have some catching up to do this week, but it should be possible.  I need to remind myself that "window shopping" online (or reading a book of a girl who makes me jealous until her bank bills show up) is NOT more of a priority than the word of the Lord. Duh.

Week One:
Jan 1 - Genesis 1, 2, 3 & Matthew 1
Jan 2 - Genesis 4, 5, 6 & Matthew 2
Jan 3 - Genesis 7, 8, 9 & Matthew 3
Jan 4 - Genesis 10, 11, 12 & Matthew 4
Jan 5 - Genesis 13, 14, 15 & Matthew 5:1-16
Jan 6 - Genesis 16, 17 & Matthew 27-48
Jan 7 - Genesis 18, 19 & Matthew 6:1-18
Jan 8 - Genesis 20, 21, 22 & Matthew 6:19-34

Manageable, right? That's the word on the street.