It's a Wrap

It's officially here.  The final day of 2008.  And while it will be a second longer than the last 3 years it is still going to end.  I'm celebrating the New Year in the central time zone so I suppose my 2008 will have 1 hour and 1 second longer than previous years and my 2009 will have 1 hour less than previous years, but who is really counting.  I obviously have put way too much thought into this whole thing.  

Oh 2008, what a year you have been.  My family went on their first vacation together since I was in 8th grade.  1993 I think.  We did go to the same place, but this time we added my niece.  It was the first plane trip for she and my sister and it proved a success.  A good time was had by all and we met the princess.  

It was also the first time I ventured out of this country I love so much.  I was able to drive through the rolling hills of Ireland (on the wrong side of the road and car!), see the Scottish Highlands, walk up and down the Royal Mile, and visit London. 

I also saw the passing of two dear family members.  One had led a very long life and was an inspiration to many.  The other was taken from this Earth far too soon.  But God's plans are bigger than ours and His ways are better than hours.  We are moving on as a family, though some days are difficult.  I have watched my parents step up to the plate in ways I could never have imagined to help. 

I bought a new house and am attempting to make it a home.  I am also trying to embrace the life God has for me in a town I still can't quite call my own.  Decisions need to be made about certain things, but I know He will lead me to the right place.  

2009 will usher in some changes.  I will not longer be in my twenties.  More friends are getting married and the list of single friends ready for an adventure is getting smaller.  I will watch another friend move overseas and one return from her adventure there.  I will attempt to get back into a healthier lifestyle, watch my budget, and spend more time with Him.  I will probably spend more time on a plane this year than ever before.  I am setting a goal that things will be better at work by the end of 1st quarter.  If not then at least by the end of second quarter.  I know it can be done.  I just have to make it happen and trust He will guide me through the rough patches, of which there will be plenty.  I hope to indulge less in things that cost money and indulge more in things that create memories.  

Here's to you.  May 2009 bring you everything you hope for and more.  Cheers!

Top 5 Enjoyable Things - Christmas Break 2008

1. Mayfields

Whether it is the milk, ice cream, or the sweet tea, this stuff rocks my socks off.  This is the same company that brought us Snow Cream Ice Cream 5 years ago.  How do I remember that?  Doodlbug and I polished off a half-gallon during various visits in front of the fire at my parents home.  My parents always bring me a gallon of their delicious milk when they come to visit now.  It's marvelous.  

2. Doodlebug's Shenanigans

Did you know the correct pronunciation of Charleston is Char-less-town.  I'm just saying.  It's the stuff like that I miss the most.  

3. Friends, Food, and Memories

I was able to have lunch with Connie and kids at Gondolier on Monday.  The kids dined on salad and spaghetti.  When her oldest told her dad that night what we had done she said "We went to the tea room and had pasta salad."  The Gondolier is nothing like the tea room but I guess pasta and a salad is kinda like pasta salad.  This is the same kid her told her dad I was amazing.  She's one of my favorites!

4.  Cold Weather

Don't get me wrong, I love living further South and enjoying the sun, but something about Christmas screams to me the need for cold weather, warm drinks, and cozy jackets.  I have definitely felt more wintery since coming here. 

5.  Christmas Oreo's

Seriously, nothing says the holiday more than the normal white filling being dyed red.  It's festive, sweet, and right up my alley.  

Well, that does it for now.  Come back after Christmas when I'm going to lure all of my blog-stalkers (lurkers) out of hiding with my first ever give-away.  And the more people who enter the more I'll have to give away.  So practice your commenting today and tell me something that is your favorite part of Christmas 2008.

What Day Is It Again?

I've noticed around the blogosphere (not that I stalk read a lot of blogs) that you can do the following: Works for Me Wednesday, Thursday Thirteen, Photo Hunters, Faith Lift Fridays, Wordless Wednesday, etc. etc. etc. However, I hardly ever remember to do the correct thing on the correct day because that would require organization and if you saw my coffee table right now you would know that organization is not high on my priority list since the maid moved out. Actually she never lived here. Dern. I forgot to buy the house with the maid and the maidsquarters. No pool boy either. My entire yard is hardly big enough for a wading pool for a 2 year old. And no, there is no 2 year old either. Just me. And the dog. So, for all practical purposes when I have something to post I'm going to post as follows:

Works-For-Me-Wednesday-On-Thursday (I mean, obviously if it worked on Wednesday it should work on Thursday.)

A shortcut I have found in the kitchen is that is I am microwaving something that is less than 1 minute and 39 seconds I type in the time as follows:

1 min 30 seconds = 90 seconds
1 min 15 seconds = 75 seconds

Rather than pushing 130 or 115 I only have to push two buttons: 90 and 75 respectively. This saves me seconds in my cooking/melting/heating. I hope it helps you save some time too!

*** For more useful Works For Me Wednesday tips head over to Rocks In My Dryer. She's the real deal.

Random-awesome-ness

The serious:

• Say a prayer for Amy Beth that she will feel better soon. Leave her a comment and lift her spirits.
• Pray for Leslie and Jessie as they are seeking God in the quest for children. I got to know them while working with the pre-teens before moving here and they are an AWESOME couple with a heart for Jesus and pre-teens. I can't wait to see which avenue God introduces children of their own to them.
• Pray for Ben and Arrowhead Church. I am so excited about this new church coming to my original hometown. My best friend and her husband are going to be a part of this and I pray for the impact God is going to have through this back where I come from.
• I found out today that a friend from my previous job has received his termination date. The economy sucks right now. I know I gripe and moan about my job a lot, but I am truly thankful I have a job.

The random:

• If Sears will come through, my Christmas shopping is almost done. Gotta get something for favorite cousin Jennifer though.
• Shanle and Shay are gone for 3 weeks. You know what that means? No one is "poking" me on Facebook.
• I'm watching The Biggest Loser . I need to be the biggest loser before the wedding(s) of these two....more on that later.
• Next week is Christmas. I have my china in the cabinet and I have finally started wrapping gifts. But this 78 degree weather is not really putting me in the mood. A tender Tennessee Christmas is the only Christmas for me....
• I got these for Christmas. Thanks mom and dad!
• I want to go to Cambodia in February. For this to happen I need to a) get permission from the warden boss and b) set my mind to being in a plane for 1 hour + 15 hours + 5 hours...each way. Pray for me about this trip.
• Guys at work who are attractive are called CB (cute boy). So far we have CB and CB2. CB2 needs to wear less ridiculous looking shoes or he will lose his place on the list.
• I can't wait for my niece and my sister to see their gifts. It's gonna be awesome.
• This girl is one of my new friends. He has been my friend for a while. I'm glad he chose her. I love her. She is perfect for him, and I am thankful that rather than losing a friend I am gaining one.
• I've started stalking some new blogs. I'll let you know if I think they are worthy of you stalking as well soon.

Well, I think that is enough for now. I hope this post finds you all healthy (well, except for Amy Beth), wealthy (in the spiritual sense), and wise (you are reading my blog...that speaks loads for you!). Merry Christmas!!!!

My Heart is Broken

Tonight I had dinner with 3 of the people who work at one of the companies I support.  Unbeknownst to me, one of the guys is planning on leavings his wife in the Spring.  The other lady is divorced and later on in the conversation it was revealed that in the last 2 years (or less) the other man who was with us has been married and divorced.  My heart just broke as these 3 individuals laughed at something which is so tragic.  The person who is planning to leave his wife said "the #1 cause of divorce is marriage."  I disagree.  The #1 cause of divorce is either marrying for the wrong reason or not valuing the covenent vows that you make with another person.  It just breaks my heart that our society takes marriage so flippantly.  And all three of these individuals also see nothing wrong with living with another person.  Yet they did not value the bond that they committed to with someone.  People often ask why I am not married or if I plan to marry.  I would love to be married one day.  I hope to be.  If it's in God's plan.  However, I do not want to settle for someone who down the road will sit at a table with 3 other people and talk (with apparent joy) about an impending divorce.  It's just not right.  And it leaves me with a heart broken for those who do.  

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Today's agenda includes no less than the following:

• Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  
• Sugar Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cookies w/ Hershey Kisses
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• M&M Cookies
• Hershey Kiss Pretzels
• White Chocolate covered Nutter Butters
• White Chocolate covered peanut butter crackers
• Chex Mix

And I think that's all..... more information to come.  

It's My Blog I Can Vent If I Want To

At the beginning of October my co-worker and I learned she would be leaving the project we are on October 31. Then she went to Bermuda for a week. (I am not jealous, I spent two weeks in Europe. Or I'd be jealous. But anywho.) And while in Bermuda we learned she would be leaving in mid-October. So, not good. Then one of the two companies I support voted on their union contract. And the other decided to redo almost all of their pay policies. So, twice the work. Half the work force. Oh, and I spend most of my day in meetings. Please don't get me wrong, I am so thankful to have a job. I have been on the losing your job side of the fence. And I know that my boss understands. But man, if I don't get some of these things done and soon, it's not going to be pretty. So, I told them today I am not longer accepting meeting requests for Wednesdays. And probably Thursdays. I need those two days to just focus on what they have given me thus far plus all of the other things they give me on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I will be working every day between now and the new year. Yes, that includes weekends, holidays, and the 2.5 personal days I have left. I may not work 8 hours each day. Some days it may be 10 and some it may be 2. But it will have to be every day in order to meet my deadlines. Please, do not feel sorry for me. This is what I signed up for and I love my job. I just didn't realize it would be so much. And for some difficult personalities. So I am praying. Praying for patience with the difficult people. Praying for focus for the road ahead. And most of all praying that what I do will glorify God and that the stress this puts on me will not cause me to be a bad witness to those around me.

She Said "YES!"

* And if you are counting, yes, both of my best friends got engaged recently.