Pantry Pounding

OK, first of all, I know I'm awful for not posting pictures yet. I'm working on it. I have a mediocre camera and less-than mediocre photography skills, so I have yet to really love the pics.

We had such an amazing blessing on Sunday through our Pantry Pounding. So many friends and family stopped by and took the tour of our new home. It certainly doesn't look finished, but for living in it for two weeks, I would say it looks pretty good! We got bags upon bags of goodies, including several interesting products I would never buy myself (more later). It reminded me of a mixed CD: I always loved having others mix me a CD, because you get a sense of their taste, as well as their opinion of your taste.

Some people brought basics (peanut butter, jelly, salt, pepper, etc) while others brought eccentricities (California lemon peel, Mediterranean basil leaves, injectable Cajun butter with syringe). We even received five different kinds of rice! In case you (like me two days ago) cannot come up with five different kinds of rice, let me help you:
Jasmine rice
Basmati rice
Texmati rice (apparently basmati rice grown in TX)
Saffron rice (squee!)
Spanish rice

Hungry yet? I am. Now I just need to go buy some curry powder and get the recipe from Heather.

Between the gift cards, groceries and good company, we were overwhelmingly blessed this weekend. Thank you to all who contributed, and to those who sent well wishes and prayers!

Blessings and Remembrances of 2008

Rather than recount all of the fun and adventure I have had this year, I just want to celebrate a year gone by. I am so thankful for the gifts I have been given in abundance. I am thankful for the growth I have experienced as a person, as a wife and as a Christian. I am thankful for the troubles we have seen each other through, all of us.
Thank you, friends, for sticking by me when I needed you, and thank you for calling on me when you needed someone.

There were sad stories and funerals.
There were rejoices and weddings.
Friends getting engaged or having babies (different friends).
Growing my appreciation for Grags through our mutual obsession with Harry Potter.
Planning for the future with Bradley.
Learning more about beer, and studying wine together.
Growing closer to our church family.
Auditioning for a play (and making it).
Surviving the first year of marriage! (They say it is the hardest, so we are in the clear!)

I welcome 2009 with open and well-rested arms. Hopefully, in a year's time, I will be blogging about our new home and the joy and frustration it brings!

Inspiration without Perspiration

I consider myself very blessed. I have achieved and been given a lot of great things in my life. I am easily inspired. A good book, an encouraging story from a friend, a great sermon; I am lit on fire! I have spent a great deal of my adult life planning great things.

Here is the part where you ask how many of those great plans came to fruition... wait for it: Not very many...

I am lazy. I missed the go-getter gene, or more likely, Alex took it all from the womb. He is just packed FULL of go-getter, and I am stuck with "But it is all the way over theeeeere...".

I was really hoping that my B-12 shots would help with this. To be fair, I need to be more patient with it. But with ADD, patience turns into "What was I talking about?"

Then, in addition to those issues, I stand in my own way. I am really good at convincing myself not to apply for greatness. What if I am never home? What if I fail? Or worse, what if I succeed?!? I dont really like responsability - there, I said it! If I work extra hard to get an advancement in my job, guess what- I get more work to do! I come home exhausted as it is, just from sitting at a desk staring at a computer all day. What if I had to work more hours? Overtime is great (I get paid time-and-a-half), but I would rather get a little extra sleep in the morning, or have dinner on the table when my husband comes home, or hell, sit around doing nothing and watch my shows!

I truly pray that I can learn to get out of my own way. It is different being married, because even when I could finally get off my butt and make a decision I have to consider if it is best for both of us. I love my husband, and I am so thankful to have him. I just have to stop making excuses and get things done!

So Blessed

As Is He
I would just like to state that I am very blessed to have found such a wonderful man who cares for me so much. I would also like to state that he is pretty darn blessed to have me.