Take a Moment

As summer is winding down and we are enjoying the awesome weather over this weekend, I would like to stop and say a prayer for all of those who are being affected by Hurricane Gustav. I believe the hurricane is set to hit the states either tonight or tomorrow, and I cannot imagine what those people are going through. I can only pray that they may be safe...

TGIF

Thank the good Lord it is finally Friday and I have the weekend off! I couldn't be more ecstatic, especially after the insane week I have had at work. If my work was a show on tv, it would be nominated Best Daytime Drama. I don't think I ever been on a more dramatic roller coaster ride! I'm going to spare you the nail-biting details, but I am so thankful that this week is drawing to a close.

It looks like things are going to change for me at work, and I am trying to be positive about it. These changes are being made so that I can be less stressed out at work, but it is also costing me my partners in crime. Basically, I am switching management teams and the schedule that I've had for over a year is going to be changing (slightly, I hope). Ughh.. you know the expression, "be careful for what you wish for"?, well now I am wondering what I may have gotten myself into.

However, I have spent some serious time praying that I will be shown exactly what I am supposed to do about work since I have been overwhelmed with stress. I just felt like I couldn't take it anymore, and I had all these feelings that were bottled up inside. Needless to say, after a particular tear-filled prayer session with God, my work life is going to be changing. Another example of how I know FOR SURE that God is hearing me. HE is working in my life without a doubt.

Forgive and Forget

I struggle with the concept of forgive and forget. I often replay past grievances in my mind over and over. I torture myself with the could have, should have, would haves. I think the reason I hold onto grudges is because I never say or do what I really want to when people are doing me wrong. I simply let the person have their way with me, and then stew about it later. Perhaps this is why my friend Andrea says I am passive (especially at work). The funny thing is, I have never thought of myself as passive. Reality check = I am.

So how do I move on? How do I forgive and forget? Even I were just to say the words, 'I forgive you (finally)", I don't think that is going to do the trick. I think I am still going to have these hurt feelings in my heart and relive them constantly. But I so desperately want to let them go and move on. I want to be able to say in that moment what my heart pleads with me to say. Then perhaps I won't have to deal with holding grudges.

10 On Tuesday

1.) I love my new handbag. Nothing makes me feel more organized than a new handbag!

2.) I am so sad that summer is winding down. I am not ready to give up my flip-flops just yet.

3.) Mike and I are actually going to be on vacation (from work), very soon and I couldn't be more excited. Even though we don't have big plans for our vacation, one thing needs to be rejoiced over--we won't be at work!

4.) I recently saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with Jeanie and Cheryl. Cute movie!

5.) Even though we had all the windows and trim replaced in our house several months ago, we still haven't gotten around to the sanding and painting part. Oooops.

6.) I'm trying to make better food choices. I eat terribly--pizza, pasta, burgers, etc. Ok, so I eat like a teenage boy. I'm working on it!

7.) I making myself go back to the gym this week. Pray for me!

8.) I need to find a new book to read. Likely choices: "The Last Summer of You and Me", "Nights in Rodanthe", or "Ya-Ya's in Bloom". I might be hanging out in Barnes and Noble this weekend.

9.) I wish I could spend more time in Manistee--my home away from home.

10.) I want to cook like Paula Deen (or maybe just invite her to live with us!).

Let it Begin

With the Democratic National Convention starting today, the political race is really starting to gain speed. I have not been the least interested in politics lately, and maybe it's time to start showing interest. After all, in just a couple months, the presidential election will be here. I know that there are certain issues that I have questions about, and that matter to me, so even though I am a Republican, I am going to be tuned into the D.N.C. tonight and for the next couple days. I think it's in my best interest to know where each candidate stands. I want to be as informed as I can. If you want to know more about the D.N.C and what is going to be discussed each night, check out: www.demconvention.com



I also saw the I.O.U.S.A. trailer on a blog I read, and thought I would share it here. Basically, this film discusses the national debt crisis and how we, as a nation, are saving less and spending more. Since the movie isn't out yet, I cannot say with 100% certainty that the movie is biased politically, but I have a feeling it will be. You be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBo2xQIWHiM

Pet Peeve #1 and #2

Since I am not yet a parent, I am sure that I have no idea what taking out a child in public entails. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to say that working in a retail environment has often shown me what NOT to do as a parent. Here is exhibit A : The Child Leash.

First of all, your child is not a pet and should not be put on a leash like you were taking him for a walk.

Secondly, if you feel like you have no alternative than putting your child on a leash, then maybe you should not be yet venturing out in public with said child.

Lastly, it simply looks awful.

Also, I don't think that screaming at the top of your lungs at your child is an effective form of communication. I may be wrong here, but I think all that that accomplishes is making you look like a total mental case.

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful

My brother sent me an email yesterday that got me thinking about all the things in our lives that we take for granted. Often we spend time complaining about our lives when there are people in this world who have it so much worse than we do. I am no different---see my previous post on job frustration for example!

So what am I thankful for today?
* A job. Period.
*A house that I can afford (unlike so many who are going into foreclosure).
*My awesome but crazy and funny family.
*My health.
*My husband.
*God.

Footprints

This is one of my favorite pictures. I also love the meaning behind the Footprints message. It always makes me feel better. It reminds me that even in the craziest times of my life, I am never alone, even when it feels that way.

Job Frustration

Lately, I have been very frustrated with my job. I always feel like I am pulled in a million different directions and I never seem to have a sense of accomplishment out of anything I do at work. Of course, since I have so much on my plate, I often have to delegate tasks. The problem lies when those tasks don't get done, and then I have to go back and do the work myself. It's like I never even delegated the tasks in the first place.

Maybe I have to stop being so passive at work. I never thought I was passive until one of my co-workers so kindly pointed it out. I have to start to be more assertive and stop thinking what my employees might think of me.

I often feel at my wits end, and I have been wondering if it's time for me to do something different. I love the people I work with (with a few exceptions), and if some things were to change, then I would feel much better about my job. I'm just trying to figure out if change is really possible there (better staffing, hiring competent people, effective communication, an all around understanding and respect for each other's jobs). I need to spend some serious time conversing with God about this because I am so confused and don't know what I need to do.

***Note: A short time after writing that the above post, I came across one of my favorite Psalms. It always makes me feel better!

"If you'll hold onto me for dear life, says God,
I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know me and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation."
PSALM 91:14-16 THE MESSAGE

The Meaning of Friendship

I have been thinking about friendship a lot these past couple days. I was thinking how crazy the cycle of friendship is and how friendships change so much over the years.

When you were little, you always wanted to have a friend over, and when you had to play by yourself, it sucked. When you were a teenager, you preferred friends over family, and your friends were the ones who listened to your boy drama, told you your braces weren't that bad, and helped you come up with elaborate lies in case you got caught doing something you shouldn't. In your early 20s, your friends were still a huge part of who you were, they shared your struggles with college and relationships, bought you shots on your 21st, and were always there at 2:00 in the morning in case you needed a ride home or a shoulder to cry on.

Now that I am in my late 20s, rapidly approaching 30 (yikes!), my friendships are very different than they used to be. It's not about talking on the phone everyday, or hanging out every weekend. It's not about partying anymore. I think I am still trying to define what my friendships are these days, and I think it's ok that I can't necessarily put my friendships in a box. Each one means something special and different to me.

Priorities change and life happens. I don't always pick up the phone just to call and say hi (I hate the phone) and I am sorry for that. But that doesn't mean that I don't love my friends. I don't make plans with them as often as I should. But that doesn't mean that I don't care about what's going on in their lives. I forget birthdays and anniversaries, but they're still in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

So, dear friends of mine, if you are reading this: I love you, you're important to me, and let's get together soon because I miss you terribly. And no, there won't be shots.

10 On Tuesday

I saw this on my friend Jaime's blog a while ago and thought I would try it out. Here goes!

1.) I am currently reading 6 books, only one of which I've read before. I love reading, and have since I was a kid. I have to make time everyday to read--it's my escape.

2.) My dog is driving me crazy with her shedding. I love her, but enough is enough.

3.) On Saturday, I was dreading going to work. Now I know why. A dad with his 2 young girls got stuck in our elevator and one of them peed her pants because she was so scared. Then, our salon bathroom started flooding which then led to crap (literally) coming up out of the drain in the floor. We had to call a plumber who didn't get there until 12:45 A.M. Fun times had by all.

4.) I am addicted to reality tv. Big Brother, Survivor, Tori and Dean, The Hills, etc. It's sad, I know.

5.) I have been drinking so much coffee lately, that I think I may actually have the stuff in my bloodstream. Hmmm...a Carmel Marvel sounds good right now.

6.) My neice and nephew are coming this weekend. I love seeing them, which isn't often since they live on the other side of the state.

7.) I haven't been to the gym in almost a month. I feel terrible about it.

8.) Call me crazy, but I have already been thinking about Christmas shopping. What is wrong with me?

9.) In an attempt to simplify my life, I have cleaned out my closets and my pantry. I took the clothes to Goodwill and dropped off the non-perishables. What has this done for me? Made me want to buy some new clothes and head for the grocery store.

10.) My husband thinks this is funny, but I have been really wanting to go on bike rides. I even had my dad go and get an old bike from my uncle. When we were kids, that's how we spent our time! I've been on the bike once.