It's Raining, It's Pouring...

What beautiful weather! When I came to work this morning the skies were a little overcast and there was a nip in the air, which should be the case in January (in my opinion anyway). It was absolutely gorgeous.

I went to the post office at lunch today; had to return some shoes that I bought myself for Christmas that were too tight. (By the way, if you haven't already, definitely check out www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com. I had bought these cute shoes for under $20!)
Anyway, I was driving back to work when all of a sudden I drove into a winter storm. Almost out of nowhere the skies opened up and dumped a winter's worth of rain. Ok, maybe it wasn't an entire winter's worth, but it was coming down heavy...that's odd for us, even in the winter.

Of course I love it...with the exception of the people who do not know how to drive in the rain. You either get behind the person who slows their car down to a death defying crawl and inches their way ever-so-slowly down the road as if they are afraid by going to fast they'll make a puddle splash and get their car wet or you get in front of, beside and in back of the person who believes that there is no reason that you still can't go 15 miles above the posted speed limit and it just makes total and complete sense to drive as fast as you can and hydroplane across the puddles therefore getting you to your destination all that much quicker! What is it with people? Slow down a little, drive like a sane person and all would be well. Right?

But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the weather!!! I think it is absolutely, positively the best thing next to snow there is. I'd rather have snow...but I will settle for a wet, cold, soggy winter! I am strange that way. And I'm strange in other ways, but most definitely in this way. :)

I hope you are all enjoying your winter weather as much as I am.

Follow the Leader

I love teaching the preschool class at church. Those kids are great! Today we talked about the Lord's Prayer. We talked about how we can talk to God anywhere, anytime and about anything! The kids made a prayer tower, with each of them adding a block for what they wanted to pray for. And we played Musical Prayers, which is musical chairs, but we didn't remove any chairs. I just picked a chair color and had those children thank God for something that was that color. They seemed to really enjoy it. They pretty much all participated, which for 16 preschoolers is awesome! I had a good time with them today.

The message was good today too. Our college director Pastor Miller preached. Boy, that man has passion. I can only imagine how awesome he must be with the college students. The sermon today was about being a true disciple. 'Am I a student of Jesus?' He talked about what it meant to be a disciple; about how it isn't just a learning experience but a true life experience. We shouldn't strive to only learn about Jesus, but to be like Jesus. We should be good students, active in our learning. Jesus should be our everyday, our everything, not just our quiet time and Sunday mornings. He should be our lives. He also challenged us to not only think about whether we were good students of Christ, but also if we were teaching what we have learned? Who are we taking along on the journey? Who are we sharing with? Mentoring? Guiding? It's not enough just to know Him, we need to strive to be like Him and it's not enough just to follow Him if we are not leading someone else!

Who am I leading? Am I leading a life worthy of following? Can others see Christ in me? Do they know who I follow?

When we follow the leader and the line is long, we can not see the leader, we just imitate the person in front of us. For those that do not have a personal and passionate relationship with Christ; they are still in the game and they are somewhere in the line. They can't see the Leader, but they can and are watching you.

Are you following the Leader?

Where oh where has my creativity gone?

Oh where oh where could it be?

Alright, you know you read that in song! That was my intention, you know.

But on a more serious note...I have spent the day racking my brain trying to think of something cute, somewhat practical, somewhat funcational, inexpensive and easy to make for the kids in my preschool class at church for Valentine's Day. I have even went on line for ideas, but nothing is just jumping out at me as the greatest thing ever! Why can't I think of something?

I have lost all of the creative juices in my brain...I think there's a hole in my head! It's the only logical explanation...really, it is.

Okay, maybe it's because I am already thinking of too many things and my brain only has so many open pathways alloted for creativity or thinking for that matter and i am plum exhausting them all. Yeah, that sounds about right...need to stop thinking so that I can think creatively. Mm Hm, now only if I knew how that was done.

Anyone have any ideas? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

See, my brain is fried...it doesn't feel fried. i still feel functional, but apparently i am fooling myself. Apparently, i have no sane thoughts left in my head. I am wiped!

Oh where oh where has my creativity gone?
Oh where oh where could it be?
My brain is working in overdrive
but lacks all originality!

Just Two Things

Two Names You Go By
1. Melissa
2. Aunt T

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Clothes
2. Pedometer

Two Things You Would Want (or have) in a Relationship:
1. Honesty
2. Humility

Two of Your Favorite Things to do:
1. Hang out with friends
2. Be creative

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. To file my taxes (and be done with it)
2. To take a nap

Two pets you had/have:
1. Chones, our cat
2. Forrest, the frog

Two people who will fill this out:
1. Juli
2. Amanda...but only because you already have ;)

Two things you did last night:
1. Home group
2. Cut coupons

Two things you ate today:
1. Peanut butter and bread
2. Donut

Two people you Last Talked To:
1. Bethany
2. Chuckie

Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. going to work
2. washing laundry

Two longest car rides:
1. AK to AZ...with my father, when he was mad at me
2. AZ to AK...with 4 adults and a car seat in a Grand Am

Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages:
1. Water
2. Vanilla Milkshakes

Friday Randomness

What a slacker I have been. I was so excited about starting another blog and yet I let it fall by the wayside...I never think to drop in and jot something down. A hundred excuses and none of them all that good.

Tonight is the BaseCamp Assembly. (It's an annual event put on for the volunteers that work in the nursery-preschool department at church) I am praying that all goes well. This morning I had to give it over to God. I don't know why I hold onto things like I have any control over them. You would think by now that I would realize that I am not in control. But no, I fuss and stress and worry and then realize that there is no need to do any of that if I will just step aside and let God do His work. Too often I want to lead and let God follow. I struggle daily with remembering that I am simply a tool that God may choose to complete His work. I need to be willing to do what He asks, when He asks, where He asks, without questions and without complaint. I truly do not know why it is so hard for me to remember that. Why is that?

I am excited about the Assembly. I have been praying that God will work on the heart of the person or people that He has planned to step up and work on the curriculum. I am not excited about having to speak in public...I have never done that well...but I am praying that it'll be God's words, that he'll speak through me and that once again I will simply be a tool to accomplish God's work. I know that through God all things are possible, including me speaking in front of a group of 50 people.

On a totally different note, everyone is going away for the weekend, but me. Okay, well maybe not EVERYONE, but Mom and Dad and Bethany and her family, Katie, three or four lead teachers...

Mom and Dad are going away on their annual trip for Mom's birthday. They normally go closer to her birthday in February, but I think they are making this a joint birthday trip (Dad's birthday being in December) and possibly even an anniversary trip (they celebrated that in December too). I get to watch their dog. I don't mind doing it, but it truly makes me have to rearrange my schedule. It reminds me why I like my cat. Cat's don't need you to come home and let them out. And my parent's dog, well he's an attention junkie. You just can't stop by, let him out, fill up the food and water and go. No, you have to stay awhile and give him some attention, even then he doesn't want you to actually leave. So, my weekend will be scheduled around spending time with Buddy.

Of course, what else do I have to do? Bethany is going out of town with her family to celebrate Peter's birthday. She is who I'd normally hang out with on the weekends.

I do have to work on Saturday, so that willl take up a good chunk of my day. It's the only downside to being sick with no sick time to use. I just can't afford for my check to be an entire day short, and while i do have that money in the savings...I can't bring myself to pull it out. I am trying so hard to build up an emergency fund. A real emergency fund. So, if they have work and I have to give up a Saturday to prevent dipping into the reserves, well that's what has to be done.

On a positive note...Sunday is ready to go. All things prepped and sorted. Oh, almost ready, just remembered I needed to create some labels. But that is it, everything else is ready to go.

I may try to spend some time this weekend working on the next couple of lessons. I also need to devote a couple of hours to house cleaning.

New Year's resolution....declutter! For me that's it...that's an entire year's resolution. I have spent two weekends trying to put my all-purpose room in order, in a workable order. One would think that two days would be enough...it is not.

I have to sort, dejunk & organize my scrapbook supplies, my craft supplies, my Sunday School craft supplies, my office supplies, my personal filing, my Sunday School papers and other misc items that have made their way into that room. I tell you, it is going to take me all year...

I told Chuckie we should move. Moving is always a good incentive to go through things and for some reason there is more time to sort and pack when you know you are moving. Of course, I was joking with him. I can't find anyplace to move that is affordable and that will give us more storage space. I will pay up to $100 more per month for another bedroom or a yard with a storage shed, but not for another bathroom. Two baths are nice, but not all that necessary for two people. I have quite the wish list for a new place (hence why we haven't moved).

• Three bedrooms or two bedrooms with additional storage on-site
• Ground floor unit
• Parking spaces or somewhere to park in view of the door or windows
• Washer & Dryer Hook-up inside or just outside...I do not want to have to walk around the building to get clothes out of the dryer at midnight, and I do not want my washer and dryer protected by a measly lock behind worthless doors.
• Pet friendly...I'm not dumping Chones in the desert because the grass is greener at another place
• Not in walking distance to the schools, playgrounds, parks or daycare
• Not in a complex with a pool, tot lot or sport court
• Not more then $100 more then what we're paying now and that's only if water & trash are included.

See why we stay where we're at? it's the price that gets us every time...I just can't pay over a $1000 month for rent. Not until our vehicles are paid off or we win the lottery. And even then, it just seems insane.

Okay, I have rambled enough for one Friday.

Have an awesome weekend!

To start us off...

I 'borrowed' these questions from here (http://jen-homeawayfromhome.blogspot.com/) just to get the ball rolling.

1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship? It's over
2. When was the last time you shaved your legs? I honestly can not remember, but I guarantee it was last year some time.
3. What were you doing this morning at 8am? sleeping...even though I was supposed to be to work at 8pm...oops!
4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? searching for these questions
5. Are you good at math? Most, I can add, subtract, multiply, divide and find the hypotenuse of a triangle
6. Your formal night? Last time I did anything remotely formal was my little sister's wedding...and that was four and a half years ago...and not at night.
7. Do you have any famous ancestors? Not that I know of and probably not for anything good.
8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school? Yes
9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile? don't 'get' myspace, getting too practical I 'spose.
10. Last thing received in the mail? Catalogs and junk mail
11. How many different beverages have you drank today? one, water
12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines? Only if the answering machine picks up.
13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to? Bryan Adams (I think)
14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? Haven't been to the beach since I was 15 and don't recall doing it then.
15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had? root canal
16. What is out your back door? Absolutely nada...don't have a back door to the apartment.
17. Any plans for Friday night? clean house and work on Sunday School lesson
18. Do you like the ocean? I like it just fine, as long as it stays where it is
19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn? not personally, but we get them at work every year
20. Have you ever been to a planetarium? no
21. Something you are excited about? planning a trip with my husband
22. What is your favorite flavor of jelly? Grape
23. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive? no
24. Describe your keychain. It's round and silver
25.Where do you keep your change? Pennies and 'holiday money' are in a glass jar that looks like a tuxedo jacket, nickels and dimes are in a small paint can and quarters are in a different paint can.
26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people? depends on the definition of large...30 children, last Sunday.
27. What kind of winter coat do you have? A Buffalo Bills jacket, although I hardly ever have the chance to wear it. Most of the time i just wear a sweat jacket
28. What was the weather like on your graduation? no clue...hot I'm guessing. It was late May in Arizona.
29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? open just a bit so that the cat can come in and out
30. What are your siblings middle names? she doesn't have one
31. Where is your dad right now? Most likely at home, asleep in front of the TV
32. What was the last thing you said? I have enough to keep me busy until then
33. What is something you've learned about yourself recently? That it isn't grace that keeps me from saying what I think; it's fear.
34. What color is your watch? don't wear one, don't own one
35. What do you think of when you think of Australia? kangaroos, Sydney and Five Mile Creek movies
36. When was the last time you squatted to pee? September; we were camping
37. Who is the last person you liked? not sure what this question is truly asking. Liked as what?
38. Are you close to your mom? more now then I was as a teenager
39. Where does your best friend work? at home, she's a SAHM
40. What is your least attractive feature? my knees
41. How old were you when you started wearing a bra? 6th or 7th grade
42. What color are your pants? wearing a plaid skirt
43. Do you have a roommate? my husband and Chones, my cat
44. What color is your bedroom flooring? brown apartment carpeting
45. Do you have a chair in your room? nope, barely have enough room for the queen size bed
46. What time of day were you born? 12:54PM, I think. I know it was 12:50 something...
47. Do you know anyone who is engaged? No.
48. What's your favorite number? 9
49. Do you know anyone named Laurie? laura, yes. laurie, no I don't think so.
50. What color is your mom's hair? dark brown, almost black, with touches of grey
51. Do you have a dog? no, but I'd like two (not a misspelling, I'd like two bassett hounds)
52. Where did you live in 1987? with my parents...in Arizona
53. What happened to you in 1993?I graduated high school and started college
54. Does your first memory involve your dad? No
55. Do you remember singing any songs as kids? yes...we sang all the time
56. When was the last time you went swimming? I have no clue, it's been a while
57. Has your luggage ever gotten lost? No, but I don't travel all that often where I have to trust my luggage to perfect strangers to get it to where I am going
58. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings? by email, yesterday. by phone, the day before
59. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? no
60. Do you play an instrument? used to be able to play the clarinet and trumpet, not so sure how well I'd do today
61. Have you ever thought it would be Cool to smash a guitar? no, can't get past the tremendous amount of money being wasted by doing it.
62. Do you like fire? I like to sit around the campfire and I wish I had a fireplace, but I'm not fascinated by it in general.
63. Where is your best friend from? junior high, but she was born in Kansas
64. Are you allergic to anything? citrus and walnuts
65. When was the last time you cried? This afternoon when I was looking at this website (http://nowilaymedowntosleep.org/)
66. What kind of shampoo do you use? Suave and Sun Silk
67. Have you ever been to a spa? for a massage
68. Were you popular in high school? not in school in general, but I was popular in band if that's possible
69. Did you take science all four years of high school? Nope, stopped at chemistry my junior year, had no desire to take physics.
70. Do you like butterflies? yeah, it's cool to think of where they come from
71. What is the last book you read? Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift by Gloria Gaither
72. Do you like Coke or Pepsi more? when I drank soda, I drank Coke! loved Coke!
73. What is one thing you miss about your past? it seemed like I had more time to hang out with friends, relax.
74. Did you ever see the school nurse? yes, I think I spent the majority of my 4th grade year in there becasue I hated my teacher
75. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher? yes. So now i teach the preschoolers at church.
76. What is one thing you've learned about your life recently? That it is what it is and that's okay. 77. Are you jealous of anyone? sometimes
78. Is anyone jealous of you? not that they've told me
79. When was the last time you were in an elevator? just before Christmas at the mall

okay, that's it.