Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Mama Bear
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Month End.
Don't worry, I quickly learned - he was not lying. You heard people call Countrywide: a legalized sweat shop - we were in 2005 - is that possible? Yes. Our wedding date is December 2nd - it was planned around month end. Our honeymoon was the first week of January in the new year - it was planned around month end. David wasn't lying to me! I can't tell you how many "date nights" we had at Countrywide or that David's employee's became like family or his boss asking when I wanted to be hired to work there or I knew how to input loans and do submissions better than half the staff..... yep, those were the good ol' days of Countrywide Home Loans. While the money was 'good' Countrywide will forever rest in hell.
Haha. Just kidding, but seriously - isn't it funny that you think something is SO important while you are involved in it and couldn't imagine what your life would be like with out it? Even if it was so unhealthy - in so many ways? Crazy thought, right? Not so much.
What is an even crazier thought is when after all those long hours, years of dedication, working Saturdays, late hours every night of the week and the list could go on and on. When you are handed a box and said "thank you for your service - it's not personal, it's business" after 11 years of service, it seems unfair, unreal, unjust. Somehow none of what you thought was important or a priority, is anymore. Is there a world out there that we can live in that doesn't include Countrywide Home Loans/Bank of America? Much to our surprise, there is!
Totally ironic that now neither of us could imagine David still being employed at BOA! God really does sometimes go to drastic measures to help us. While we thought our life was over, (seems dramatic, but some days very real), God was smiling down on us, watching, and saying your life is just now beginning. It still amazes me to think about all the distractions that we allow ourselves to get involved with and then once those blinders at lifted - it is like WOW there is a whole, big, bright world out there! We have come to very much love this world and our life - without the company of Countrywide or BOA. :)
Month End.
Time heals all wounds, well sort of. Now those words are ones filled with delight and a sense of achievement. We get to look back over our goals for the month and see all the ones that we were able to accomplish! Instead of being beat down, we are continually encouraged. I love the freedom of not being controlled by a place of employment. That sounds like a very 'duh' statement, but you would be shocked at how many people still are very controlled by their work. David and I have incredible hopes and dreams of working in corporate in the future but we have learned some new words: boundaries, balance, priorities.
There will be so many things different when David graduates and goes back into the work place. He will have to work hard and probably pay some dues, but he will never be controlled by anyone or thing again - except God. Every month we are one step closer to being debt free, one step closer to graduation day, one step closer to accomplishing another set of goals we made for ourselves. Who doesn't want to be a part of that month end?! It is incredible to me that God really can do a work in your life and mold you to be a better person, wife, friend, sister, daughter and so many more. We are constantly reminded how wonderful our life is and how thankful we are for second chances.
Month End is now a time of celebrating successes. We will forever keep this concept of that small little phrase.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Humbled by a Tooth
Since moving to Louisiana we have both had medical insurance - praise God for that, but not any dental, or vision. Luckily for low maintenance, routine eye appointments that occur once a year, the local Walmart is good enough to check our eyes for glasses and contacts. We budget for that expense and can 'afford' to pay out of pocket.
Dental and everything about it, is a whole different animal. It is no secret that most individuals working in non profit are not in this career field to become millionaires. With that said, since the Mission doesn't offer any dental insurance for me, one of the 'perks' is that in the event you have a toothache you can be seen by one of the volunteer dentist that come in to the Mission's clinic on dental clinic day. Thankfully, we have not had to use this 'perk'... until today.
David had been complaining about a tooth in the back of his mouth for a while, he came into the clinic at the Mission and it was decided he needed a full blown root canal. Many dentists that come into the Mission's clinic will just pull teeth, put crowns on, things of that nature. Anyway, the nurse who coordinates all the dentist coming into the Mission, said don't worry - he will get the root canal done. I took her at her word, and went back to my office.
She scheduled through one of the dentist that come to the Mission to have us go to his office and get the work done there. We went this morning. While we were incredibly grateful for the dentist to allow for us to come and have him work on David - it was so unbelievably humbling. You want to appear grateful, because we both were, but both of us couldn't help thinking there is someone worse off than us, or about all those times David had to stay at work for whatever file to go through and now he hardly even talks to anyone that he spent all those dreadful hours with. It is just one of those experiences that makes you so thankful that people do still exist that have caring and giving hearts. While on the other hand, makes you so frustrated you didn't take advantage of the things you had, when you did in fact have them!
Aren't life lessons crazy like that? Believe me, David has already written thank you notes to everyone involved in the process, as well as personally thank them. However, eating a piece of humble pie is never easy.
Having said all of that, David's got a 'special mouth'. Really? Did you think anything less? He was in such excruciating pain because as the dentist was numbing his mouth, his tongue and check went numb but his tooth was still sensitive. How is this possible? Because you have two major nerves in your mouth, one to the right and the other on the left. If you numb it and your tongue/check are numb then naturally the middle (your teeth) should be too... right? Nope, not David's mouth. He apparently has secondary auxiliary nerves that come down from where his ear/jaw meets. WHAT? Ya, so the dentist had to numb literally his entire left side of the face. I can't even imagine how much pain he has truly been in. The dentist was amazed that he hadn't pulled out his tooth by himself! David said, that last night he was sure tempted! Anyway, the dentist got everything cleaned out and it is now medicated with a temporary cap on his tooth. David will go back in to see him in March to finish off the job. Poor thing. You know that has to be the worst feeling in the whole world.
Lesson learned: when you have good insurance - no matter what - USE IT! Make time for those annual check ups, or whatever.
We were just extremely blessed to have God's hand over us to help get David's tooth better!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Day 59
If you are American, I am sure you are no stranger to all the different 'reality shows' that are about morbidly obese people losing weight and making life changes.... Some such shows include Biggest Loser, Heavy, and I Used to Be Fat. I have varying opinions about these shows. I am all for lifestyle changes and healthy habits, but I am not so much a fan of watching disgust, laziness, contentedness, status que, acceptance of pity, or the inability to express oneself through nothing but food. I don't know if it is because of my background and my own personal struggles with food, but I feel as though it is a cop out for most people to be SO overweight.
With that said, this past weekend, David was studying for finals and I had completed all my 'to do list' for the day as well as my homework. (Yes, leave me alone, I am THAT person and slightly OCD). I was flipping channels and the show on MTV (which I hardly ever watch) was on I Used to Be Fat. If you haven't ever watched the show it is about high school graduates that have spent their high school days obese and commit the summer to making life changes, so that when they enter college in the fall they can say "I Used to Be Fat!"My whole life seems as though I was harder on myself than necessary when it came to my looks. Since last November, I have lost about 25 pounds. I have set fitness goals for myself this year that I know will help me continue to my ultimate weight loss goal.
Watching this show, I felt as though I could relate completely. These kids weren't 500 pounds overweight, maybe 60 or so. One of the things they do at the very beginning of every show is put up a calendar that they look at every day. Each day they rip down the number and do it again and again until they are on the last day. They have 110 days to complete the fitness/weight loss goal they set for themselves. With the help of family and a trainer, this is made possible. Naturally, the person seeking change is the one who really has to do the work and if they do, they are almost always successful.
If I am really going to make my goals happen I decided I needed to pick my efforts up a notch. With the weather being so gross outside, I have pretty much just stuck to a modest portioned eating plan and really no physical activity. Last year, I was really getting into running and then ended up with horribly painful shin splints. After taking the time requested off, I have been anxiously ready to get back on the track. To motivate myself I would count down my days to a goal. While 110 days might be perfect for this reality show, I felt like that was a little too long for me and that I might loose interest. I decided maybe 60 days would be a better fit. I found a calendar and counted out 60 days. It landed right before Easter! I just smiled, it was though God was just sitting on the couch next to me - cheering me on - saying, "Hey! You are getting it! You will be successful! You really are understanding what I am trying to teach you!" (David and I have a lot of random things happening that by Easter they will be off our plate!) With that silent encouragement, I found a dry erase board and put it on the fridge. Monday, February 21: day 60.
In the next 59 days I will complete three of the five 5K runs that I have set out for myself to do as well as get to my next goal weight. I am moving forward - slowly but surely. I realize that the very thing that I can't stand watching those 'reality stars' on TV do, is exactly what I was doing. No more self pity for me. Healthy life and eating habits are what I desire. I have the book smarts, now I just have to continue to apply it every day, now and forever and ever. When you look good, you feel better about yourself and when you feel better about yourself you have confidence that just beams from your core.
Moderation and balance are two of the key elements that I am striving to make sure become long term vocabulary.
Monday, February 21, 2011
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Many of us know someone who is constantly dieting. Unfortunately, there are many cases which go beyond dieting, when the concerns become an obsession, with constant worry, restrictive barriers about eating, and compulsive behaviors. These patterns describe an eating disorder, a life threatening illness that affects many college age adults.
It is not dieting and it is not about the food. Eating disorders are a complex collection of emotions, attitudes, and behaviors related to a person’s self-perception and feelings of acceptance. Primarily women are affected; however, it is an illness that is increasingly impacting men and children of all races and in all cultures. According to recent estimates from the National Institute for Mental Health, up to 11 million females and 1 million males suffer from various eating disorders. Many more individuals will develop less severe, but still significantly unhealthy attitudes and behaviors toward food.
If these patterns describe someone you know, please take the time to educate yourself and reach out to them. There is help and recovery is possible. Here are some resources that may be helpful:
o National Eating Disorders Association (http://www.nationaleatingidsorders.org/)
o National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (http://www.anad.org/)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Rolling with the Punches
In the past couple of weeks, the weather has been OUT OF CONTROL. I had NO idea how much I do no like 'winter' weather and much of a tropical person I am! Once David and I get debt free, I really, really, really, want to go to Costa Rica! It is like Hawaii but less expensive. :) Volcanoes and beaches all on one island - how amazingly romantic! I am all in. When we go, this is what I want our view from the room to look like. No pressure Costa Rica!
Did I mention I can't stand cold weather? Well, I can't. Of course David has absolutely LOVED the cooler weather, as he doesn't get along with 10 months of summer sauna weather like I do. What can I say opposites attract? To make myself warm up, I stumbled upon an amazing deal of orange and pink flip flops! They were on sale for $3 and I just HAD to have them. I just so happened to have exactly $3 in change in my purse, so I totally got them. (And yes you just read that correctly, I paid with change). :) I instantly, warmed right up. BRING ON SUMMER. (OK, really like mid 80's and holding would be just fine). While the flip flops aren't exactly like this, they are very similar. Maybe they will help warm you up too if you are still facing dreadfully cold winter weather!
Naturally, while all the winter weather was coming through North Louisiana and we were both home and could do chores around the house, our washer went out. We had a technician come out and replace the pump - thank God for warranties! No charge. We have a very nice washer and it is our intent to keep it for several more years. Arcadia, doesn't have very good filtered water, and so that was the majority of the problem. We now have our washer back and working. Yes, I sure did experience what it was like to wash clothes/towels in the bath tub.... no, I don't have any pictures, but rest assured I am DEFINITELY more appreciative of my washer! :)
We also got a virus on our main PC at the house, and got it to the computer doctor. We now have (knock on wood, and by the grace of God) everything up and working with more memory and updated software for David and I to finish our courses needed for school and not have to drive or go someplace else to complete the assignments! Praise God!
We are slowly but surely, taking one punch at a time and are determined to win this fight! lol.
This is totally random, but I just would like to give a 'shout out' to SUCH a wonderful movie! David and I had dinner the other night with Aunt Char, which doesn't happen very often and we got the movie Secretariat to watch. It was absolutely, incredible. Amazing acting, and such a wonderful story. It was the perfect 'feel good' movie.
***Last thing***
One of the things that I have continued to struggle with is patience; having any for myself, others, life, etc. I come by it naturally :) and I know from watching people in my family that are older than myself, with time and prayer I will eventually learn how to calm down (essentially).
With that being said, I have been in constant prayer (or so it seems) about this sense of myself being impatient and unsettled. We have so many blessings upon us living here in North Louisiana, but for whatever reason I couldn't keep focused on those countless items, instead I was constantly being distracted by the few things that drive me nuts, or worse the daydreaming problem of 'the grass is always greener on the other side'.
This Winter Quarter for David - has flown by, for me it seems to have drug on with no promise to ever end! Dramatic I know, but this is truly how I have felt. Anyway, David was taking a test a couple of weeks ago and was really stressing. I was trying to be supportive, but I have no clue about Business/Accounting courses for college as I didn't ever take one during my undergrad! So really other than encouraging words and being quiet so he can study, that is really all that I could offer.
David was being advised a couple of days later after this big test and wanted to go over what courses he should take this spring. Naturally, I am all about planning and seeing what and how the 'future' will play out. So I was all game. We planned to make a date night out of it and figure his schedule out over sushi. Everything is better with sushi!
That day before our date night, while I was at work, something happened. All of a sudden it hit me, that while I wasn't vocally expressing 'hurry up', 'finish faster', etc. it was though God just made me realize that I was putting un-do stress and pressure on him because of MY own impatient issues and not being able to be content. After discovering this, I happen to come across this prayer:
Love on A Shoe String Budget
After discussing that this year we wouldn't do anything expensive or elaborate to celebrate Valentine's Day, I came home to this note on the door.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Cliché
Except, I feel this way every day when I get home. When I know he is almost home and sends a quick text to tell me he is "exiting", my heart beats a little faster. How is that possible? I honestly, have no idea. Let me point out,WE ARE HUMAN, however, I can't explain the love I have for this man, this imperfect human, that I get to claim as my very own husband. It absolutely floors me. I can't describe it, and I don't understand it, but I wouldn't trade my feelings for David for anything in this world.
David is my.......
laughing partner
voice of reason
best friend
lover
partner in crime
rock
security
better half
stability
safety net
support
future
soul mate
Top 10 things I love most about David:
10.Incredible sense of humor :)
9. Hard working
8. Trustworthy
7. Loving
6. Sincere, respectful
5. Heart of Gold - gentle, caring, kind hearted
4. Honesty, integrity, dignity
3. SMART!
2. Devoted
1. Man of God
So many people said when we got married, we were "in love" because it was the 'honeymoon phase' and it would fade....instead, the flame started growing.....
Anna & David
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A little face lift...
So, when we were putting the things I had designated to go back to the storage unit, I stumbled upon the perfect weekend project....
I have been searching for some new 'office chairs'. The chairs I have right now are over sized recliner type chairs, that really are 'too comfortable' for my office... so, I have been casually searching for some new chairs. :)
Anyway, in our storage unit, I found two dining room chairs that I had - never really used the chairs for anything, but always had intentions of possibly recovering the chairs and then using them.
I decided these chairs would be perfect for my office! All I had to do was just recover the cushions. :)
Mom helped me pick out the perfect fabric. We went row by row, looking through all the different kinds of fabric. I had no idea how expensive some of these fabrics were! Mom made sure I picked something out that was professional - but I had to make sure it was cute, cheery and had to look like me!
This is material I picked:
It was on sale for $5 a yard! How awesome is that!?!
I had never recovered cushions before, but Mom said that it really wasn't that hard!
So...... this is the finished product of my new office chairs:
bottom cushion:
top cushion:
I had some extra fabric left over, and thought it would be cute to put the fabric over the the bulletin board and give some accent color to my office.
This is how it turned out:
Nothing too fancy....I have a couple more pieces of leftover fabric that I plan on making two smaller bulletin boards to put with the large one.
I can't wait to have these things in my office! I love the fact that I can personalize my office, but keep it professional. :) Growing up does have it perks.... well sort of. Bahahaah.