What a beautiful day it is here in Jacksonville, North Carolina! Perfect weather! I just want to go to the beach and hang out in the sand, or lay on the trampoline and read. BUT, our yard is like a jungle, so I am trying my best to motivate myself to get out there and mow it. This song has been in my head for about an hour:
Does anyone remember it? It fondly reminds me of my dear friend, Matt Avery, who, one hot summer in my pool, introduced me to this song. He thought it was the coolest. Perhaps, it was. We all miss you, Matt!
Anyway, you would not believe our yard. I thought that maybe it would cool down around here and the grass would stop growing. That hasn't happened, and I'm not complaining. I love the warm air, the beautiful sun. Thank God our neighbors' front yard is now a full-sized makeshift graveyard for Halloween. It kinda takes the focus off of our yard. Yeah, pretty creepy. One tombstone says, "Burn in Hell." They have gross doll heads and bloody feet laying everywhere. It's humorously ridiculous. I oughta take a picture for y'all.
So, Derick graduates his MOS school tomorrow morning! Woooo! Go Derick! I am so proud of him, and I know he is excited for the next step. It looks like he will be headed to Truck Company after this, but, in case you didn't know, the Marine Corps loves sudden changes, so we aren't banking on anything.
The following news is doomed to upset some of my former co-workers at CCJPL, and I will probably get laughed at by many, but I will share it anyway. I've been reading the Twilight Saga, and I really like them. Thank you, Kelsey, for being the only one to convince me to give them a chance. I'm getting a little obsessed with Edward. I don't know what it is about the way Stephanie writes, but I just feel like Edward is this hunky dreamboat that always says the right things at the right time. Derick thinks I'm crazy, but he encourages me by allowing me to give him rundowns of what I've read. Derick is really good at correctly guessing what happens next in movies, TV shows, and, as I've recently learned, books. So he also likes to spoil Twilight for me. Bratty brat.
Tonight, we're going to Trivia. Feeling pretty confident.
I guess I better get out there and do something productive. Maybe the ghosts in the graveyard next door won't be too disturbed by the mower. Wouldn't want them to seek revenge.
Dazzle someone today!:)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Survive It
Today, I was vacuuming our bedroom, and I felt God say, "a heart that endures."
God gives and takes away, and it's taken a couple tragedies in my life to realize exactly what that means. Think of a tragedy that you have overcome. I say "overcome" because you are here. We are here. Although we may have dealt with some of the most difficult circumstances, we aren't dead. We live to tell about it, and thus, God gives us a heart that endures.
From the outside looking in at my life, you might think I don't know tragedy. I'm blessed with hardworking, Godly parents who set excellent examples for my siblings and me. I have a loving husband who works hard so that I can shop and play all day. I smile and laugh a lot. I dance a lot. I sing a lot. It's true: I'm a happy girl and I have so much to be thankful for. But I wouldn't know thankfulness had I not experienced my share of pain.
Through my heartache, I've learned that it's ok to be sad for a season. But a time comes to stand up, shake it off, and move on. Of course, we won't forget the tragedy itself, because that's how we learn and love and forgive and appreciate and believe. We just have to refuse to allow the painful experiences to pave the road for what is to come. Instead of wearing our hurt as clothes, we should just let it be a ring or bracelet that we put on every once in a while. Like that precious piece of jewelry that doesn't quite go with a lot of your wardrobe, but it is still important to you so when you occasionally don it, you wear it with style and remembrance.
God wants us to take the time to hurt, but He also wants us to depend on Him for strength, and then use that strength to overcome. We all hurt. We all deal with horrible situations, whether self-inflicted or from an outward source. But we all have a God who loves us and redeems us and gives us hope.
This post, so far, sounds a lot like a devotional in a church bulletin, and that's not my intention. I just feel like maybe I was supposed to say this today, instead of making sarcastic jokes about my rough life as a Marine wife.
I hope God's victory over my tragedy motivates me to maintain a positive attitude and a reliance upon Him. I hope I can see His love in the painful times, rather than place blame on Him and question His will for me. I hope someone else can be encouraged by the triumph He gives me.
We are equipped with the capability to experience tragedy and survive it. It's normal to be sad, but we aren't supposed to sulk forever because there's a world out there and we are alive and able to participate. Where we go after the tragedy is the real story. How we allow it to affect us, and, in turn, how we affect the world, is our decision. In essence, after tragedy, pain and weakness are given a mighty opportunity to actually become strength. We can actually be better than we were before the painful experience. I hope I am always getting better.
Here's to the chance for a comeback!
God gives and takes away, and it's taken a couple tragedies in my life to realize exactly what that means. Think of a tragedy that you have overcome. I say "overcome" because you are here. We are here. Although we may have dealt with some of the most difficult circumstances, we aren't dead. We live to tell about it, and thus, God gives us a heart that endures.
From the outside looking in at my life, you might think I don't know tragedy. I'm blessed with hardworking, Godly parents who set excellent examples for my siblings and me. I have a loving husband who works hard so that I can shop and play all day. I smile and laugh a lot. I dance a lot. I sing a lot. It's true: I'm a happy girl and I have so much to be thankful for. But I wouldn't know thankfulness had I not experienced my share of pain.
Through my heartache, I've learned that it's ok to be sad for a season. But a time comes to stand up, shake it off, and move on. Of course, we won't forget the tragedy itself, because that's how we learn and love and forgive and appreciate and believe. We just have to refuse to allow the painful experiences to pave the road for what is to come. Instead of wearing our hurt as clothes, we should just let it be a ring or bracelet that we put on every once in a while. Like that precious piece of jewelry that doesn't quite go with a lot of your wardrobe, but it is still important to you so when you occasionally don it, you wear it with style and remembrance.
God wants us to take the time to hurt, but He also wants us to depend on Him for strength, and then use that strength to overcome. We all hurt. We all deal with horrible situations, whether self-inflicted or from an outward source. But we all have a God who loves us and redeems us and gives us hope.
This post, so far, sounds a lot like a devotional in a church bulletin, and that's not my intention. I just feel like maybe I was supposed to say this today, instead of making sarcastic jokes about my rough life as a Marine wife.
I hope God's victory over my tragedy motivates me to maintain a positive attitude and a reliance upon Him. I hope I can see His love in the painful times, rather than place blame on Him and question His will for me. I hope someone else can be encouraged by the triumph He gives me.
We are equipped with the capability to experience tragedy and survive it. It's normal to be sad, but we aren't supposed to sulk forever because there's a world out there and we are alive and able to participate. Where we go after the tragedy is the real story. How we allow it to affect us, and, in turn, how we affect the world, is our decision. In essence, after tragedy, pain and weakness are given a mighty opportunity to actually become strength. We can actually be better than we were before the painful experience. I hope I am always getting better.
Here's to the chance for a comeback!
Friday, October 14, 2011
From the Law Offices of Generally Better:
What up, Friday?!
I'm just eating pasta salad, listening to Joshua Radin Radio on Pandora (highly recommended), and awaiting the arrival of my husband. He's had a particularly long week. Yesterday, he came home with his eyes closed. He had night watch on Wednesday and only slept for four hours. He took a nap with Paris on the couch yesterday. Next week is FEX week for LOC, and then he will GRADUATE the week after that! We heard some scuttlebutt of which unit he will be in, but I'm not sure if he wants me to spill my guts about it yet, since he doesn't know for sure. I will say, though, that if the rumors are true, Derick will be a very happy Marine!:)
Is everybody pumped about the beautiful weather? Is it an Indian Summer, or what? I have enjoyed saving energy and money by keeping the AC off and leaving the windows open. It feels so nice to have some fresh air in the house. Reminds me of when I was in school, and I'd come home after school or volleyball practice, elated to see that Mom had the windows open. I would always secretly hope that the windows would be open and a cool breeze would be coming through the house. My soul has always longed to be free;)
Speaking of free, wouldn't it be nice if Michael's had a sale that marked everything down to free?! I have been on a slight craft/decor binge. I have been going a little nuts with the peacock feathers for our living room. I've been making a list on my phone of what I need (well, want) to buy next. But, good never fear! because guess what?? This lady has a job interview tomorrow! Nothing spectack or anything, just a very part-time tutoring job, working with area elementary kids. Kelsey applied first, and it seemed like they really need a lot of tutors, so I applied, too. This is good news for Derick because if I have it my way, our entire living room will practically be a flock of peacocks. He would like that, I bet.
I just roasted some pumpkin seeds left over from this weekend when D, J, K and I (perfect name for a clothing line or law office) had a carving party. The pumpkin seeds turned out quite delish. Maybe D will be impressed.
Speaking of impressed, my law associates and I went to bar trivia at Rick's Grille in Surf City this weekend, and we WON! Our team name is "Generally Better." No need for explanation, right? We won a $50 gift card for our next trip to Rick's! Thank you, D, for securing the win! Who knew the Mississippi wasn't the longest river in the world after all?
Tonight, Derick is taking me on a date. I told him to. He has to choose the restaurant without consulting me. He is in charge. So, we will probably end up eating hot wings and watching some sort of sport. Fine with me. I'm just blessed to be able to eat, and to eat with him.
Well, young'ns, I'm off to take my princess dog on a walk around the block. She has a free soul, as well. Just like her Mama.
TaTaForNow.
I'm just eating pasta salad, listening to Joshua Radin Radio on Pandora (highly recommended), and awaiting the arrival of my husband. He's had a particularly long week. Yesterday, he came home with his eyes closed. He had night watch on Wednesday and only slept for four hours. He took a nap with Paris on the couch yesterday. Next week is FEX week for LOC, and then he will GRADUATE the week after that! We heard some scuttlebutt of which unit he will be in, but I'm not sure if he wants me to spill my guts about it yet, since he doesn't know for sure. I will say, though, that if the rumors are true, Derick will be a very happy Marine!:)
Is everybody pumped about the beautiful weather? Is it an Indian Summer, or what? I have enjoyed saving energy and money by keeping the AC off and leaving the windows open. It feels so nice to have some fresh air in the house. Reminds me of when I was in school, and I'd come home after school or volleyball practice, elated to see that Mom had the windows open. I would always secretly hope that the windows would be open and a cool breeze would be coming through the house. My soul has always longed to be free;)
Speaking of free, wouldn't it be nice if Michael's had a sale that marked everything down to free?! I have been on a slight craft/decor binge. I have been going a little nuts with the peacock feathers for our living room. I've been making a list on my phone of what I need (well, want) to buy next. But, good never fear! because guess what?? This lady has a job interview tomorrow! Nothing spectack or anything, just a very part-time tutoring job, working with area elementary kids. Kelsey applied first, and it seemed like they really need a lot of tutors, so I applied, too. This is good news for Derick because if I have it my way, our entire living room will practically be a flock of peacocks. He would like that, I bet.
I just roasted some pumpkin seeds left over from this weekend when D, J, K and I (perfect name for a clothing line or law office) had a carving party. The pumpkin seeds turned out quite delish. Maybe D will be impressed.
Speaking of impressed, my law associates and I went to bar trivia at Rick's Grille in Surf City this weekend, and we WON! Our team name is "Generally Better." No need for explanation, right? We won a $50 gift card for our next trip to Rick's! Thank you, D, for securing the win! Who knew the Mississippi wasn't the longest river in the world after all?
Tonight, Derick is taking me on a date. I told him to. He has to choose the restaurant without consulting me. He is in charge. So, we will probably end up eating hot wings and watching some sort of sport. Fine with me. I'm just blessed to be able to eat, and to eat with him.
Well, young'ns, I'm off to take my princess dog on a walk around the block. She has a free soul, as well. Just like her Mama.
TaTaForNow.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Pumpkins to Carve
A compilation--not really a list-- of what's going on in my life, my thoughts, and everything in between. Just some ramblings from a rambler.
1.) I like the North Carolina weather we've been having lately. I've always said summer is my favorite season, but as I get older and less able to handle intense, suffocating heat, fall is becoming a closer friend.
2.) You know Jeff Buckley? The guy who wrote "Hallelujah," made more secular by blue-eyed American Idol contestant, Jason Castro? Well, MY favorite artist, Reeve Carney (front man of the band Carney and Peter Parker in Broadway's production of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark) is playing Jeff Buckley in a film about his life. Reeve is more than perfect for that part. They chose the right guy. Hallelujah.
3.) Advice for the CEO of Scentsy: Your plug in warmers are wonderful, but almost impossible to remove from the outlet. Today, I yanked that stinkin' think out of the wall, only to spill hot wax all over my hand and bare feet. I should sue and make some money to pay for Derick's speeding ticket he received this morning, which takes us to number 4.
4.) Derick was going 60 in a 45 this morning leaving the base. He promises that he thought it was a 55 zone, but he drives that highway everyday. So, I'm unsure if I believe him on that one. He owes me lavish gifts after we fork over the $218 to the PD.
5.) Today, as I took a break from cleaning our filthy house, Jay Brannan's cover of "The Freshmen" came on Pandora, and Parisann jumped down from her perch on the arm of the couch, bounced over to me as I sat in the chair, and hopped up into my lap. It's funny how dogs sense when we could use some company. That song always makes me nostalgic.
6.) Happy and able to rejoice in the gift of good health and abilities. I find it so easy to gripe and complain about current situations, but I forget that I'm better off than most.
7.) My mother let me borrow The Help when she was here last week, and I am over halfway through it, which is really an accomplishment for me. I'm slow when it comes to reading. It's such a good book, and I can't wait to see the movie. I think I will go alone, since Derick doesn't want to see it. Plus, I've always wanted to see a movie in a theater by myself.
8.) I got a package in the mail from my mom today. In it, I found several pictures from their visit, a Bay Harvest Fest 2011 t-shirt, and a cake icing tool. My mom is perfect.
9.) The Wonder Years is on Netflix instant watch, and I am so glad.
10.) Derick is now a green belt in MCMAP. He could kill you in less than a half second. He graduates his MOS school later this month, and I know he is so ready. He's done really well, and I know he is ready to apply all he's learned to an actual job.
11.) This morning on our way to the gym, my friends and I waited in a long line of traffic as a group of Marines ran in formation past us. We wondered aloud what it would be like to just fall in with our pink and purple athletic clothes on. I want to do that and film it.
12.) I long for these things:
a. 10" rice and bean burrito from Blue Coast Burrito, with cheese and green salsa. make it a 12"
b. a really good band to play a show nearby.
c. Fazoli's drive-thru
d. jeggings
e. a pumpkin to carve
f. a pumpkin to paint
g. to see my friends Shannon and Beth
h. Squiggles ice cream in Carolina Beach
i straight-across bangs?
j. patience
k. cute magnets on my fridge like Kelsey's, so I can retire the Military One Source magnets
13.) This line is in a song by The Format, and it seems appropriate to use to conclude this blog:
"Let the wind catch your feet. If you love somebody, you better let them know. Take your time coming home."
1.) I like the North Carolina weather we've been having lately. I've always said summer is my favorite season, but as I get older and less able to handle intense, suffocating heat, fall is becoming a closer friend.
2.) You know Jeff Buckley? The guy who wrote "Hallelujah," made more secular by blue-eyed American Idol contestant, Jason Castro? Well, MY favorite artist, Reeve Carney (front man of the band Carney and Peter Parker in Broadway's production of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark) is playing Jeff Buckley in a film about his life. Reeve is more than perfect for that part. They chose the right guy. Hallelujah.
3.) Advice for the CEO of Scentsy: Your plug in warmers are wonderful, but almost impossible to remove from the outlet. Today, I yanked that stinkin' think out of the wall, only to spill hot wax all over my hand and bare feet. I should sue and make some money to pay for Derick's speeding ticket he received this morning, which takes us to number 4.
4.) Derick was going 60 in a 45 this morning leaving the base. He promises that he thought it was a 55 zone, but he drives that highway everyday. So, I'm unsure if I believe him on that one. He owes me lavish gifts after we fork over the $218 to the PD.
5.) Today, as I took a break from cleaning our filthy house, Jay Brannan's cover of "The Freshmen" came on Pandora, and Parisann jumped down from her perch on the arm of the couch, bounced over to me as I sat in the chair, and hopped up into my lap. It's funny how dogs sense when we could use some company. That song always makes me nostalgic.
6.) Happy and able to rejoice in the gift of good health and abilities. I find it so easy to gripe and complain about current situations, but I forget that I'm better off than most.
7.) My mother let me borrow The Help when she was here last week, and I am over halfway through it, which is really an accomplishment for me. I'm slow when it comes to reading. It's such a good book, and I can't wait to see the movie. I think I will go alone, since Derick doesn't want to see it. Plus, I've always wanted to see a movie in a theater by myself.
8.) I got a package in the mail from my mom today. In it, I found several pictures from their visit, a Bay Harvest Fest 2011 t-shirt, and a cake icing tool. My mom is perfect.
9.) The Wonder Years is on Netflix instant watch, and I am so glad.
10.) Derick is now a green belt in MCMAP. He could kill you in less than a half second. He graduates his MOS school later this month, and I know he is so ready. He's done really well, and I know he is ready to apply all he's learned to an actual job.
11.) This morning on our way to the gym, my friends and I waited in a long line of traffic as a group of Marines ran in formation past us. We wondered aloud what it would be like to just fall in with our pink and purple athletic clothes on. I want to do that and film it.
12.) I long for these things:
a. 10" rice and bean burrito from Blue Coast Burrito, with cheese and green salsa. make it a 12"
b. a really good band to play a show nearby.
c. Fazoli's drive-thru
d. jeggings
e. a pumpkin to carve
f. a pumpkin to paint
g. to see my friends Shannon and Beth
h. Squiggles ice cream in Carolina Beach
i straight-across bangs?
j. patience
k. cute magnets on my fridge like Kelsey's, so I can retire the Military One Source magnets
13.) This line is in a song by The Format, and it seems appropriate to use to conclude this blog:
"Let the wind catch your feet. If you love somebody, you better let them know. Take your time coming home."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Harvest Budgets
I'm a really terrible blogger. I am just uncommitted. I'm sorry. It's not that I'm super busy. Blogging just really does take dedication, and I don't guess I realized that. Maybe that's why my last attempt at a fitness blog was a complete bust...or maybe my fitness was the bust.
Speaking of bust, I am busting with jealousy of you folks in Bay this weekend. It's my favorite time of year there, and I am 900 miles away! It's Harvest Fest weekend, and I have been the Harvest Fest's number one fan since I was born! I love the way my little hometown smells during this time. That big pile of compost behind the cotton gin isn't quite soured yet, so the town doesn't smell like a giant toilet. Instead, it smells like helium. You may think that's a weird way to describe fall in Bay, but I've always thought all the harvested crops smell a lot like a helium balloon. It's a nice smell. The air is so crisp and the leaves are still green but starting to yellow. I like it.
Harvest Fest reminds me of love. When I was little, I was usually chasing a boy at the Fest. I always bought one of those ribbon crowns at a booth so that when I ran, the ribbons bounced in my hair. I felt so pretty.
I always rode in the parade, too, whether it was with a cheerleading or school club float, or with my dad in his police car. I always thought the parade was the coolest, and it was.
Last year was a particularly special Harvest Fest for me. I had dropped Derick off in St. Louis the day before so that he could embark on his journey at Officer Candidate's School. I remember not crying as much as I did when I took him the first time in January of 2009. I had grown a little tougher and become more educated on the whole OCS ordeal. I was more excited than nervous, more happy than scared. I remember telling him, "Don't come back to me this time. Let me go to you." He passively said, "ok, Babe." His focus, for weeks, had been off of me and on the journey ahead.
I came back to Arkansas and settled into my new, yet temporary, life. I immediately packed all of Derick's clothes in huge plastic bins and cleaned the room so that I had only what I needed to survive the next two and a half months without him. I figured if I made our room at my parents' house more of just my room, I wouldn't dwell on his absence and be sad all the time. I could get up and get stuff done. Surely, that would make the time go by more quickly.
One year ago today, I made the trek back to Arkansas from St. Louis, renovated a room, and "unofficially" became a Marine wife. One year ago today, as Derick began his journey by heading to Quantico, Virginia to get yelled at for two and a half months, I began a journey of my own.
There was really no time to mope and whine about not having my husband around anymore. The next day was the Harvest Fest, and I'd volunteered to instruct Zumba on the stage. Thank GOD for my friends Cristi, Dana, and Christina, who promised to be there to do Zumba, just in case no one else felt like shakin' it. They kept me from looking like a fool! It was fun, and more people joined in than I'd expected. Luckily, the second Zumba session of the day became a competition. I chose the best Zumba student in the crowd, and the winner got some goodies from the concession stand. I stand by my word that my nephew, Nathan, was actually the best, but that's not quite fair, so I chose the second best. :)
The next few months weren't so bad. I got into a routine and stayed quite busy, though at the time, I just wanted to relax for one second. I woke up early, drove 45 minutes to work, worked all day, taught Zumba at night, drove home just in time to scarf down a late supper, write Derick a two-three page letter (front and back), do a quick devotional, shower and hop in bed. I was busy all the time and tired all the time. I'm so thankful for my mom and dad who stayed up to feed me supper late at night and listen to my complaining about how pooped I was. Arkansas had never looked so beautiful to me until last year, when I was too dang busy to enjoy it. I stayed busy because I thought it would be good to be productive while Derick was gone. But, to me, time went just as slowly or quickly as it would have, had I not been working or instructing. I am thankful, though, for being able to spend time with my work and Zumba friends. I'm also thankful for the money we saved because Derick and I were both too preoccupied to spend any of it.
While Derick was gone, I learned to pay ALL the bills by myself, make important decisions without consulting him, secure a place to live and set up utilities three states away, set up any type of insurance you can think of, and deal with any issue that came up (which, if your husband is out of contact, you can bet any and all types of "issues" will come up). Last year, I was the most independent I'd been in my whole life. Because we were married so young, he'd always been there to deal with those sorts of issues. Last year, I had no choice but to handle everything myself, and it felt somewhat liberating.
Here I am, though, a year later, allowing him to pay all the bills. (By pay, I mean, get online and submit payments.) I feel a little guilty about that because he's the one who gets up early and heads to work all day. He's the one bringing in all the dough. I could at least help by making sure everything is paid on time.
SO:
My mission for this weekend (and maybe next week, depending on how quickly I grasp the reigns) is to have Derick teach me, once again, how to pay all the stinkin' bills. I want to make a budget worksheet and get a little organization going. I want to be a little more thrifty with our money. We don't live outside our means at all, and we have always been pretty smart when it comes to spending. We don't blow a lot of money on useless stuff. We don't spend if we don't have. We pay our bills well before they are due. And we typically try to maintain a steady amount in our bank account. But I've been thinking that we could save even more if we had some sort of functioning method of paying bills and keeping up with what exactly goes out and comes in.
That said, if anyone reading my blog has any advice or their own budget worksheet that you would like to contribute, feel free to comment! My friend and her husband have a worksheet, so I'm going to have her come help me set ours up. But in the meantime, let me know what works and what doesn't work when it comes to, not necessarily just budgeting, but organizing your bills, receipts, and any other piece of paper that has to do with personal finances. ;) Right now, Derick and I pretty much just throw the bills in a pile, pay them when we think of it (which, lucky for us, is before they are actually due), then the bills themselves just seem to linger around our house for weeks. I don't know what to do with them. Do I hang on to them? Throw them away? And if I hang onto them, where do I put them? I have a tiny organizer box that I used in Quantico (I was still in the habit, somewhat, of dealing with everything). But if you have a method that works, please share!
How this post went from Harvest Fest to OCS to budget worksheets is beyond me! Y'all have a good weekend anyway, and enjoy the street dance for me!:)
...Speaking of street dance, I may not be good at organizing finances or maintaining a healthy amount of energy when I'm working two jobs while my husband is training to be an officer of Marines, but I AM a professional at choosing good music to listen to. If only I could get paid to post good youtube videos...one can only dream!
I feel like this is a nice harvest time song:
Speaking of bust, I am busting with jealousy of you folks in Bay this weekend. It's my favorite time of year there, and I am 900 miles away! It's Harvest Fest weekend, and I have been the Harvest Fest's number one fan since I was born! I love the way my little hometown smells during this time. That big pile of compost behind the cotton gin isn't quite soured yet, so the town doesn't smell like a giant toilet. Instead, it smells like helium. You may think that's a weird way to describe fall in Bay, but I've always thought all the harvested crops smell a lot like a helium balloon. It's a nice smell. The air is so crisp and the leaves are still green but starting to yellow. I like it.
Harvest Fest reminds me of love. When I was little, I was usually chasing a boy at the Fest. I always bought one of those ribbon crowns at a booth so that when I ran, the ribbons bounced in my hair. I felt so pretty.
I always rode in the parade, too, whether it was with a cheerleading or school club float, or with my dad in his police car. I always thought the parade was the coolest, and it was.
Last year was a particularly special Harvest Fest for me. I had dropped Derick off in St. Louis the day before so that he could embark on his journey at Officer Candidate's School. I remember not crying as much as I did when I took him the first time in January of 2009. I had grown a little tougher and become more educated on the whole OCS ordeal. I was more excited than nervous, more happy than scared. I remember telling him, "Don't come back to me this time. Let me go to you." He passively said, "ok, Babe." His focus, for weeks, had been off of me and on the journey ahead.
I came back to Arkansas and settled into my new, yet temporary, life. I immediately packed all of Derick's clothes in huge plastic bins and cleaned the room so that I had only what I needed to survive the next two and a half months without him. I figured if I made our room at my parents' house more of just my room, I wouldn't dwell on his absence and be sad all the time. I could get up and get stuff done. Surely, that would make the time go by more quickly.
One year ago today, I made the trek back to Arkansas from St. Louis, renovated a room, and "unofficially" became a Marine wife. One year ago today, as Derick began his journey by heading to Quantico, Virginia to get yelled at for two and a half months, I began a journey of my own.
There was really no time to mope and whine about not having my husband around anymore. The next day was the Harvest Fest, and I'd volunteered to instruct Zumba on the stage. Thank GOD for my friends Cristi, Dana, and Christina, who promised to be there to do Zumba, just in case no one else felt like shakin' it. They kept me from looking like a fool! It was fun, and more people joined in than I'd expected. Luckily, the second Zumba session of the day became a competition. I chose the best Zumba student in the crowd, and the winner got some goodies from the concession stand. I stand by my word that my nephew, Nathan, was actually the best, but that's not quite fair, so I chose the second best. :)
The next few months weren't so bad. I got into a routine and stayed quite busy, though at the time, I just wanted to relax for one second. I woke up early, drove 45 minutes to work, worked all day, taught Zumba at night, drove home just in time to scarf down a late supper, write Derick a two-three page letter (front and back), do a quick devotional, shower and hop in bed. I was busy all the time and tired all the time. I'm so thankful for my mom and dad who stayed up to feed me supper late at night and listen to my complaining about how pooped I was. Arkansas had never looked so beautiful to me until last year, when I was too dang busy to enjoy it. I stayed busy because I thought it would be good to be productive while Derick was gone. But, to me, time went just as slowly or quickly as it would have, had I not been working or instructing. I am thankful, though, for being able to spend time with my work and Zumba friends. I'm also thankful for the money we saved because Derick and I were both too preoccupied to spend any of it.
While Derick was gone, I learned to pay ALL the bills by myself, make important decisions without consulting him, secure a place to live and set up utilities three states away, set up any type of insurance you can think of, and deal with any issue that came up (which, if your husband is out of contact, you can bet any and all types of "issues" will come up). Last year, I was the most independent I'd been in my whole life. Because we were married so young, he'd always been there to deal with those sorts of issues. Last year, I had no choice but to handle everything myself, and it felt somewhat liberating.
Here I am, though, a year later, allowing him to pay all the bills. (By pay, I mean, get online and submit payments.) I feel a little guilty about that because he's the one who gets up early and heads to work all day. He's the one bringing in all the dough. I could at least help by making sure everything is paid on time.
SO:
My mission for this weekend (and maybe next week, depending on how quickly I grasp the reigns) is to have Derick teach me, once again, how to pay all the stinkin' bills. I want to make a budget worksheet and get a little organization going. I want to be a little more thrifty with our money. We don't live outside our means at all, and we have always been pretty smart when it comes to spending. We don't blow a lot of money on useless stuff. We don't spend if we don't have. We pay our bills well before they are due. And we typically try to maintain a steady amount in our bank account. But I've been thinking that we could save even more if we had some sort of functioning method of paying bills and keeping up with what exactly goes out and comes in.
That said, if anyone reading my blog has any advice or their own budget worksheet that you would like to contribute, feel free to comment! My friend and her husband have a worksheet, so I'm going to have her come help me set ours up. But in the meantime, let me know what works and what doesn't work when it comes to, not necessarily just budgeting, but organizing your bills, receipts, and any other piece of paper that has to do with personal finances. ;) Right now, Derick and I pretty much just throw the bills in a pile, pay them when we think of it (which, lucky for us, is before they are actually due), then the bills themselves just seem to linger around our house for weeks. I don't know what to do with them. Do I hang on to them? Throw them away? And if I hang onto them, where do I put them? I have a tiny organizer box that I used in Quantico (I was still in the habit, somewhat, of dealing with everything). But if you have a method that works, please share!
How this post went from Harvest Fest to OCS to budget worksheets is beyond me! Y'all have a good weekend anyway, and enjoy the street dance for me!:)
...Speaking of street dance, I may not be good at organizing finances or maintaining a healthy amount of energy when I'm working two jobs while my husband is training to be an officer of Marines, but I AM a professional at choosing good music to listen to. If only I could get paid to post good youtube videos...one can only dream!
I feel like this is a nice harvest time song:
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Gray
Everything looks black and dark
and deep and gray and nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing around here is your color
when your color is a bright one.
The clouds make the sun look like the moon.
But, deep in your heart, you know it will shine again soon.
You can't be sad forever
when your season rolls around.
Spring takes the place of winter;
no more snow on the ground.
So you can only stand
and walk on.
How many tears will it take
to fill the rivers so you can float away
and find the solid ground to stand on
and walk on?
Some were meant to live in gray,
to enjoy the rain.
But you were made for color.
You were made to walk on.
You were made to be free.
Some were meant to be untouched by the light,
unkissed by the sun,
sand in the desert,
stones on the sidewalk.
Some were meant to be colorless;
opaque.
Some were meant to be a cave:
deep and dark and lonely and hollow,
untouched by the light,
unkissed by the sun.
But you.
You are meant for the sun.
You are destined for the summer.
You are made for the light;
made to walk through the deepest dark cave with a candle.
You are made to touch the gray and fill it with color.
You are chalk for the sidewalk.
So be sad now.
But don't let the pain own you;
Don't let the gray cover up the sun.
Because you can't be sad forever
when you were made to be free.
and deep and gray and nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing around here is your color
when your color is a bright one.
The clouds make the sun look like the moon.
But, deep in your heart, you know it will shine again soon.
You can't be sad forever
when your season rolls around.
Spring takes the place of winter;
no more snow on the ground.
So you can only stand
and walk on.
How many tears will it take
to fill the rivers so you can float away
and find the solid ground to stand on
and walk on?
Some were meant to live in gray,
to enjoy the rain.
But you were made for color.
You were made to walk on.
You were made to be free.
Some were meant to be untouched by the light,
unkissed by the sun,
sand in the desert,
stones on the sidewalk.
Some were meant to be colorless;
opaque.
Some were meant to be a cave:
deep and dark and lonely and hollow,
untouched by the light,
unkissed by the sun.
But you.
You are meant for the sun.
You are destined for the summer.
You are made for the light;
made to walk through the deepest dark cave with a candle.
You are made to touch the gray and fill it with color.
You are chalk for the sidewalk.
So be sad now.
But don't let the pain own you;
Don't let the gray cover up the sun.
Because you can't be sad forever
when you were made to be free.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
OLD BALD HEAD!
Derick and I were youth leaders at a church in Arkansas for a few years during college. We taught a Sunday School class, a Sunday evening class, and a Wednesday night class. With the younger kids, we usually read some Bible stories, discussed them, then had a craft or activity pertaining to the lesson.
There is one story in particular that I always loved for Derick to share with the kids. If the lesson seemed short or too dull for the kids, I would always beg Derick to tell the kids about this particular event, recorded in 2 Kings. After a couple of years, most of the regular attendees had the story memorized.
Derick randomly reminded me of the story (I say story for lack of a better term, but it's actual a true account) tonight as we were on our way home from our friends' house.
Here's the story in layman's terms:
One day, Elisha was walking along a road, and some boys from the town came up to him and started making fun of him saying, "Hey, you old bald head! Get out of here!" So Elisha looked at the boys, then asked God to punish them. So, God sent two she-bears out of the woods to eat the boys.
That passage is so funny to me, and it's just as funny when read verbatim:
23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. - 2 Kings 2:23-24 NIV;KJV
Ok, so maybe it's not funny. It actually teaches a really good lesson: God isn't pleased when we make fun of people. Elisha couldn't help that he was bald. And too bad for the kids because they were swallowed by some bears.
It was good tonight to remember our time serving at the church. The looks on those kids' faces after hearing that story for the first time were priceless. They would just stare at Derick, waiting for more, then, upon realizing the story was over, the class would erupt!
So there are two birds with one stone. You get funny, plus a serious lesson. Also for a bonus, Biblical history!
I haven't blogged in a little while. I've been a combination of lazy and busy, if that makes sense. Tomorrow, my filthy house will be ransacked by Queen Clean. Also known as Kem. I have been putting off cleaning for too long, and I just can't do it anymore.
Last night, Derick and I went to an NC State football, and it was an experience, to say the least. It was completely different than any stAte game I've ever attended. That college is huge, and the tailgating is even more huge. Walking through Tailgate Central, or whatever the Wolfpack calls it, I felt like I was in a foreign country or a movie scene of college parties. It was crazy for me. We had fun, though, and I was able to meet some of Derick's classmates, who were all really cool!
NC is finally cooling off. It's been in the sixties for the past few days, so I've been cold. It is nice to leave the AC turned off, but I just know that blistery cold is right around the corner, and that I do not anticipate. I'm not a cold-weather girl. I'd much rather melt than freeze. Maybe it won't get too cold here. I never can imaging it snowing at the beach. I know it happens, but it just seems weird.
Paris nearly ran out of food today. It was a close call. I always mix hard food with soft, Lil Caesars for her. My mom spoiled her that way, so she expects it now. (My mom even microwaves it for her, but she will usually eat it at room temp). Anyway, we were running low on her hard food, but there was another big bag behind the bag we were using, so I just assumed she had another bag full of food. Little did I know, the bag in the back was full of crumbs, which just happens to be a Derick thing to do: leave a huge bag of crumbs in the cabinet.
I tried to go grocery shopping this weekend, but the Case Lot Sale was going on at the commissary, and if you haven't experienced one of those, imagine Saturday at the NEA District Fair meets Yellowjacket Sr. High boys basketball makes it to state playoffs. It is a mad house! The check-out line wrapped around the entire store. People had multiple buggies, filled to the brims. My friends and I went on Friday to grab a few good deals, and luckily, we were able to hop in the speedy check-out lane because we had 20 items or less. I should have been smart and just grabbed a bag of dog food then, but I wasn't thinking. The crazy crowd made me go a little nutty.
So when we left this morning for church, I had to give Paris soft food only, plus a peanut butter cracker as a peace offering. She was happy when I brought home some crunchy food, but I think she would have been happier had I just kept feeding her the peanut butter crackers.
That's about it for news around here. I've been hitting the gym with my friends every morning. Then we usually stop in for coffee at Dunkin Donuts. I like the iced coffee, and I try to get decaf if they have it, or else I will keep Derick up all night, jabbering away.
My parents are visiting later this week, and we are so excited to see them! Especially Parisann!
Well, that's all I have to say. I better jump in bed before Derick falls asleep, or I will have to wake him up so we can straighten the sheets. Crinkled sheets are about as horrible to me as cold weather. But that's another blog!
G'night!
There is one story in particular that I always loved for Derick to share with the kids. If the lesson seemed short or too dull for the kids, I would always beg Derick to tell the kids about this particular event, recorded in 2 Kings. After a couple of years, most of the regular attendees had the story memorized.
Derick randomly reminded me of the story (I say story for lack of a better term, but it's actual a true account) tonight as we were on our way home from our friends' house.
Here's the story in layman's terms:
One day, Elisha was walking along a road, and some boys from the town came up to him and started making fun of him saying, "Hey, you old bald head! Get out of here!" So Elisha looked at the boys, then asked God to punish them. So, God sent two she-bears out of the woods to eat the boys.
That passage is so funny to me, and it's just as funny when read verbatim:
23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. - 2 Kings 2:23-24 NIV;KJV
Ok, so maybe it's not funny. It actually teaches a really good lesson: God isn't pleased when we make fun of people. Elisha couldn't help that he was bald. And too bad for the kids because they were swallowed by some bears.
It was good tonight to remember our time serving at the church. The looks on those kids' faces after hearing that story for the first time were priceless. They would just stare at Derick, waiting for more, then, upon realizing the story was over, the class would erupt!
So there are two birds with one stone. You get funny, plus a serious lesson. Also for a bonus, Biblical history!
I haven't blogged in a little while. I've been a combination of lazy and busy, if that makes sense. Tomorrow, my filthy house will be ransacked by Queen Clean. Also known as Kem. I have been putting off cleaning for too long, and I just can't do it anymore.
Last night, Derick and I went to an NC State football, and it was an experience, to say the least. It was completely different than any stAte game I've ever attended. That college is huge, and the tailgating is even more huge. Walking through Tailgate Central, or whatever the Wolfpack calls it, I felt like I was in a foreign country or a movie scene of college parties. It was crazy for me. We had fun, though, and I was able to meet some of Derick's classmates, who were all really cool!
NC is finally cooling off. It's been in the sixties for the past few days, so I've been cold. It is nice to leave the AC turned off, but I just know that blistery cold is right around the corner, and that I do not anticipate. I'm not a cold-weather girl. I'd much rather melt than freeze. Maybe it won't get too cold here. I never can imaging it snowing at the beach. I know it happens, but it just seems weird.
Paris nearly ran out of food today. It was a close call. I always mix hard food with soft, Lil Caesars for her. My mom spoiled her that way, so she expects it now. (My mom even microwaves it for her, but she will usually eat it at room temp). Anyway, we were running low on her hard food, but there was another big bag behind the bag we were using, so I just assumed she had another bag full of food. Little did I know, the bag in the back was full of crumbs, which just happens to be a Derick thing to do: leave a huge bag of crumbs in the cabinet.
I tried to go grocery shopping this weekend, but the Case Lot Sale was going on at the commissary, and if you haven't experienced one of those, imagine Saturday at the NEA District Fair meets Yellowjacket Sr. High boys basketball makes it to state playoffs. It is a mad house! The check-out line wrapped around the entire store. People had multiple buggies, filled to the brims. My friends and I went on Friday to grab a few good deals, and luckily, we were able to hop in the speedy check-out lane because we had 20 items or less. I should have been smart and just grabbed a bag of dog food then, but I wasn't thinking. The crazy crowd made me go a little nutty.
So when we left this morning for church, I had to give Paris soft food only, plus a peanut butter cracker as a peace offering. She was happy when I brought home some crunchy food, but I think she would have been happier had I just kept feeding her the peanut butter crackers.
That's about it for news around here. I've been hitting the gym with my friends every morning. Then we usually stop in for coffee at Dunkin Donuts. I like the iced coffee, and I try to get decaf if they have it, or else I will keep Derick up all night, jabbering away.
My parents are visiting later this week, and we are so excited to see them! Especially Parisann!
Well, that's all I have to say. I better jump in bed before Derick falls asleep, or I will have to wake him up so we can straighten the sheets. Crinkled sheets are about as horrible to me as cold weather. But that's another blog!
G'night!
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