January Books

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The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
A Christmas Carol and Other Holiday Tales by Charles Dickens
The Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart
Invisible by Paul Auster
Christian Beliefs: 20 basics every Christian should know by Wayne A. Grudem
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman
What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire
Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

Goodbye January

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I know it's a little different, but I really do love Mondays. I think the little note above kinda captures my feelings towards Mondays. So I didn't find THE dress, but I do feel closer to knowing what I'm looking for. It also helped me think about the wedding as a whole, what I want it to feel like. And helped me appreciate the ladies in my life :)  It's interesting to me that in life, we're always in some "stage." The school stage, the college stage, the single stage, the engaged stage, the married stage, the new parent stage, the empty nester stage.. etc. We can bond with those in the same stage, as they are experiencing similar trials and celebrations, or we can learn from/advise those going through other stages. It's pretty cool. 

Stage: a single step or degree in a process; a particular phase, period, position, etc., in a process, development, or series.

Dress Shopping

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I'm wedding dress shopping this weekend :) Thanks to the ladies who are coming! Mostly to see what styles work, what's out there, and maybe to find the one.. but if not, Anthropologie/Urban is launching a wedding line. BHLDN (Beholden) is opening this February14, and it might be worth a look. As well as White by Vera Wang will open in David's Bridal next month. Yay.

 

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Last January Friday

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So this might be kinda gross, but I am suffering from a couple canker sores, on my tongue. I'm talking a little more slurred than normal today! And to top it off, while trying to make Homemade Samoas with Kara (don't try it, IMO), we were sampling the freshly made dipping caramel. Kara dipped her finger, waited for it to cool, and ate it, commenting that she burnt her finger. My solution: put it my mouth quickly so I don't burn my finger. That little burnt patch on the roof of my mouth is pretty distracting as well. This too shall pass. 

Happy Friday! :)

Verse of the Week

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The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
   the plans of his heart to all generations.
¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
   the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33:11-12 (ESV)

Rainy Day

Brooklyn Blurs

Song: "The Paper Raincoat"

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Although Home seems to be calling my name, it's mostly a fantastic Wednesday, no?

 

Hello Monday

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Good weekend! We tried fondue yesterday, which was... interesting. (Take that #16!) I think I'd like the dessert ones better than the cheese ones. I feel like this weekend I learned a few things about myself that could use some renewing. I'm ready to let go of some past things and some crutches and work on scary things like bridge building. I loved/felt convicted reading on one of my devotionals this weekend that Jesus hung out where there was suffering. If we are to be like him, we'll seek out helping others in need. It's hard to be around sometimes, but we're meant to help others.

Happy Weekend

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The fiance and I have a rough to-do list for the weekend, and we get to celebrate our one year anniversary on Sunday, and there's a bridal fair to visit on Sunday with my mom. Should be a good one! Love, laugh, and live :)

Today is the Day

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are... 

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

-Mary Jean Irion

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Reflection

So whenever I'm cranky, I feel like I'm almost always cranky, and I hardly understand how I have friends and a fiance. When I'm happy though, all I remember is being happy and laughing and being silly. It's interesting to me how weird the mind is. Also, how unreliable. I appreciate reminders of how much I need to put my faith and trust on thing(s) more stable. Last night in Bible Study we went over some verses that revealed how much God loves us, but also how He wants that love in return. One of the few ways I can show Him love is attempting to fully rely on Him, and to turn to Him first. I'm thankful for the love He shows not just in blessings (obvious or not) but through others in my life as well. :) 

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Still living the dream

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Glorious :)  

A Monday

Sanctus Real

Song: "Lead Me"

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It feels like the longest day. 

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Revisiting my list

Yesterday was the marker of being 24 years and 5 months, and I decided I should check out that list I wanted to try to complete before August 15th. Honestly, I've slightly sucked, but I think it's still doable! I've done one volunteering opportunity, but I'd like to do another, and I really meant to make an apple pie in the fall, but that's okay. I want to develop the habit of yoga/stretching in general, as a masseur told me if I didn't start stretch my board-stiff back, I could have major trouble later. I bought a hot yoga coupon, but let it expire, so I'm changing my goal as really any yoga would do. So.. 17.5 to go :)
   

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1. Bake a roughly perfect (apple) pie.
2. Complete a half marathon.
3. Learn to play the Pachelbel Cannon.
4. Sing karaoke (with the girls).
5. Take an interior design course.
6. Pursue two volunteering opportunities.
7. Write a short story I'm not ashamed to share.
8. Develop a filing system.
9. Plant a vegetable garden.
10. Go on a ghost tour.
11. Learn to cook with a crockpot.
12. Reread all the Harry Potters.
13. Teach Sully to roll over.
14. Make someone else's dream come true.
15. Try hot yoga.
16. Use my fondue kit.
17. Visit a major city.
18. Learn to paint (a picture* or a room.. or both).
19. Find the globe that will live in my future house.
20. Learn the art of up-dos. (know how to do a messy and a neat one)
21. Take and turn pictures black and white for my future coffee table.
22. Make a chores list and (mostly) follow it.
23. Develop a strength workout routine.
24. Find a perfect red lipstick.
25. Get further committed to my ff!

It's official

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So we have the church booked :) 

  

 

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And the reception site booked :)

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So it's official - It is 246 days, 4 hours, 56 minutes, 54 seconds until We Do :)

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⁹As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

 ¹²"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷These things I command you, so that you will love one another. 

-John 15:9-17 ESV
 

So Excited

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...which I of course dance to :)  

   

Outfit inspiration

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So, I don't actually repeat outfits very often, mostly because I like exploring different ideas, some of which I've seen elsewhere, but a fair amount I'm kinda like, what do these look like together? and then I leave. It works sometimes. There are some mornings that I wish I had a fall back, always works outfit, but if I do, I never remember it. Sometimes rooms just look more cozy with a few clothes piles, right? I think I'm missing skirts right now. 

It's still January 12th

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Okay, I'm a little overwhelmed. I think there's just a vast amount of things I want to accomplish and pursue and I get into this mindset of wanting to do everything at once so nothing is forgotten; and sometimes it's really fun and sometimes it feels really dumb and other times, chaotic. So maybe some lists will be created, but maybe some things remain best as just ideas and inspiration. I guess I feel like some of the things on my life list (which, yes, I'm trying to do all at once), they're kinda like when you forgot that second thing you wanted to say. If it's important, I'll remember, right? So, I'm going to go back to trying to focus on the moment, the precious moment that His grace has given. 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34 ESV

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It's January 12th

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Why helloo super duper long to-do list...(Okay, the to-do list is still mostly in my head - one of my items is to actually organize a to-do list.) Guess that's what happens when you miss a couple days of work, it's January, you're newly engaged, and you're a easily distracted, controlled-clutter person who aspires to be organizationally type-A someday. It's cool. I'm actually not stressed yet. Cheers and pleasant thoughts :)

“And when it all starts coming undone, baby you’re the only one I run to. I run to you.”

Lady Antebellum

 

Sick Days

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I've been sick and bed bound for last few days, which actually wasn't as much fun as I wanted it to be. But thankfully my new fiance is very caring, and the sleet is keeping me from missing anything important at work. Happy January :)

Happy Friday :)

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All good things are wild, and free.

— Thoreau

Can I be honest?

First, just about the best lighting for ring-gazing is in our company's bathroom. So I pretty much just gaze at it's sparkling self the entire time I'm sitting there. 

Second, this blog might get a bit sappier for the next year, so here's your fair warning. 

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Keep giving me the little things :) 

 

This week's verse

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"And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

-2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

Thankful

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"What would you want to marry me for??"

"So I can kiss you anytime I want.."

-Sweet Home Alabama

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My future new manager started today, I'm working on ignoring that silly temporary crown in my mouth, I think we've picked our church and reception venue and therefore our date! How grateful I am that God is sovereign.

Pinch me

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I've been engaged for a week! It's interesting how many opinions there are out there, and how many times I've been told to not stress, but just enjoy my fiance :) I think I'm just excited for this new chapter in my life, just like I have been for past chapters, and will be in future chapters (God willing). But this is the current one, so it's the most exciting right now!!

2011

Happy New Year!

 

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