I don't really know that I have a talent. There are things that I like to do, but I can't say that I'm talented at them. So I asked Kevin what he thought my talents were, and he said interior decorating and writing. Haha! Who knew?
I do love to decorate. I don't think our house is all that decorated, but I do what I can to make it homey. If we had tons of money - oh boy - I could go crazy with the decorating! But for now our house is a home and I get compliments on the decorating, so I guess that's a talent. Since I started blogging I've also gotten a lot of ideas and inspiration from other blogs, which I've loved! Back when I was in college (which seems like many, many moons ago) I wanted to drop out my first year and go to an art school in San Francisco so I could major in interior decorating. My parents talked me out of that one, which looking back now, was probably a good thing; but it still is kind of a dream of mine.
I also enjoy writing. I liked all my English classes in high school, and creative writing class in college. I also like to edit written work! Granted, my grammar and writing structure is no where near correct on this blog. I over-use the commas and exclamation points! all the time. But I like to write and edit and I think I do a decent job of it.
Seeing as I'm newly engaged :) I have been in the process of planning our wedding. Luckily, I got most of what I wanted to get done early on, so we've been able to really enjoy our engagement. We don't have much to really do until March. Huge relief! Here's a run-down of the deal-ee-oh...
I'm not really an "artsy" person but there is particular art that I've always adored since I was a little girl. It is the artwork of ballerinas painted by the well-known artist: Edgar Degas.
I was a ballet dancer for 12 years (definitely NOT professional; too short and not skinny enough) and I feel like Degas captured the softness and beauty behind the art that is ballet dancing and dancers.
Not sure if any of you have seen this on FB recently:
"When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address: A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington DC 20307. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful people who have sacrificed so much would get. Please copy and post on your wall & KEEP ADDRESS."
I thought it was a great thing! So this morning I decided to check it out on Snopes to see if it is legitimate, and it turns out it's not. :( For safety reasons, Christmas cards addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier" or "Any Wounded Soldier" sent to Walter Reed Hospital will not reach their intended recipients.
HOWEVER!
You can be a part of the Red Cross-sponsored "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program and your Christmas card will reach their intended recipients. If you'd liked to participate your card needs to be postmarked no later than Friday, December 10th and the card should be addressed to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes PO Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Follow the link above for more info.
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I tried Starbuck's Caramel Brulee this morning and....oh my heart be still! It is delightful! As I've said before, I don't drink coffee much, but I may have to change that habit this month so I can get as much Caramel Brulee and Peppermint Mocha as possible before the season is over.
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I've been listening to Christmas music for no less than every day, for the past two weeks. It's great. However, when December 31st at 11:59pm comes around I think I'll have had my fill of Christmas carols until the next year. Just sayin'. ;)
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Let's talk about JEGGINGS! I'm wearing my new pair of black jeggings today and they're comfy. I also got Mom wearing them! LOL! And now she has her friends wearing them! Double-LOL! And last night Conan wore jeggings for his entire show! Triple-LOL! Seriously, he is so funny. I love him!
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Last night I was waiting for a load of laundry to dry before bed and I had some nice quiet time to myself and enjoyed the lights on the tree while Kevin and Kahlua slept. It was a very peaceful moment and I decided I need to set aside some more quiet time more often.
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December is always the month where I get so sick of eating out! Let me explain:
December 7th: Our department is having a wrapping party for our Adopt A Family gifts and we'll be ordering pizza and eating cookies. December 8th: I have a luncheon I'm going to with my manager. December 9th: Kevin's company has their Christmas dinner in San Francisco that I'm going to. December 15th: We're having our office Christmas lunch. EVENING December 15th: Company-wide Christmas party. December 17th: Another lunch with department. December 20th: Manager is taking me out to lunch for my birthday.
Whew! I'm full just thinking about it! ;)
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BTW...I'll be turning 28 on December 28th this year. Ugh! I don't really feel old, but that number just keeps getting bigger and bigger! I am kind of excited to get to my 30s though. :)
First: It feels like I haven't written a "real" post in forever and a day! I like the 30-day Challenge because I know I'll have a post every day and what it will be about, but I was kind of missing my random ramblings.
Second: I know stories about babies that are in the NICU and whatnot can be kind of depressing, but I feel like every prayer can help. These new parents have recently found themselves (and their brand new baby boy, Kynian) in an unexpected situation. I don't know them personally, but I've been following Kynian's journey and I'm sure they would all appreciate any prayers out there.
Third: I don't know what the deal is but Kevin has been tres stressed out this week, and I've been feeling edgy. Maybe it's because it's dark when we leave for work in the morning, and it's still dark when we get home at night? Or maybe the coldness is just forcing us to snuggle more than we like (I kid, I kid!), but things have felt a little off this week. Hoping things smooth out after a nice weekend home with some relaxation and maybe a movie and some bowling mixed in.
Fourth: Each year at work our department volunteers to "Adopt a Family" for Christmas and we all buy the family we "adopt" gifts. For some reason this task stresses me out to no end! While I love being able to give to a family in need, I get so stressed that what I'm getting, the person won't like. I guess I like to please people, but the thought of the unknown really causes me some anxiety. We also don't get to meet the family, so I have no idea if when they're opening their gifts what their reaction is. Do they really appreciate the (what I think is cute) clothes I got them, or are they sorely disappointed? It's the unknown I tell ya!
Fifth: I am this close to getting my first home on the market for work. In case you're wondering what I do (I don't think I've mentioned it on here before), I work in the Trust Real Estate department of one of the largest banks in the US. Essentially, we try to make sure that the real estate that's held in peoples' Trusts are used to their full potential; whether it's renting the home out or selling it. So we do that for our clients. I was hired as pretty much just an admin, but they're preparing me to start managing my own accounts and I'm super excited.
Sixth: Grandma Ruth isn't doing all that great. She's been out of the hospital for a couple weeks, but she's extremely weak. She's now also having some other health issues that are taking a toll on her. :(
Seventh: The wedding planning is coming along. I don't have much to plan for right now. I get to pick up my dress next month. Not much else has to be done until the end of January-March. I guess I should just enjoy the calm before the storm. I will say this though: time goes by so fast! Our wedding is now just eight months away!
Eighth: I ordered our Christmas cards the other day! They're super cute. Once I send them out and I know people have received them, I'll post it on here. I actually ended up going through Walgreens instead of Shutterfly. When I was comparing the two, Walgreens had better prices and more options. Who knew!?
Ninth: A co-worker has been sick this week, yet she still comes in every day and blows her nose and coughs a lot. I feel bad for her because she looks like she feels just horrible. But I also feel a little irked because I really don't want to get sick, or anyone else to for that matter. Poor thing should just stay home and rest up.
Tenth: Has anyone else been having dry skin problems with all this cold weather? My goodness! I've been having to double up on the moisturizers lately.
If I Die Young If I die young bury me in satin Lay me down on a bed of roses Sink me in the river at dawn Send me away with the words of a love song oh oh oh oh
Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no ain't even grey, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life, well I’ve had just enough time
If I die young bury me in satin Lay me down on a bed of roses Sink me in the river at dawn Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life, well I’ve had just enough time
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger I’ve never known the lovin' of a man But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand There’s a boy here in town says he’ll love me forever Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no I’ll sell them for a dollar They're worth so much more after I’m a goner Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’ Funny when you're dead how people start listenin’
If I die young bury me in satin Lay me down on a bed of roses Sink me in the river at dawn Send me away with the words of a love song oh oh
The ballad of a dove Go with peace and love Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket Save them for a time when your really gonna need 'em oh
The sharp knife of a short life, well I’ve had just enough time
I don't really have one person in particular that I consider a role model. I do, however, have some select people in my life that I look up to and admire certain qualities about.
Mom: I love how social she is and how compassionate she is.
Dad: I love how strong of a person he is and how handy he is.
Brother: I love how giving he is. He would do anything to help out family and friends.
Kevin: I love his humor, his work ethic and how he is never quick to losing his temper.
Grandma Ruth: I love her relationship with God.
My soon-to-be Grandpa in-law, Joe: I love how much family means to him.
My BFF Maygan: I love how smart she is and how laid back she is.
My BFF Michelle: I love how healthy she is and how motivating she is.
My BFF Alison: I love how much she laughs.
Margie: I love how patient she is and how funny she is.
My manager: This may be kind of weird, but I love how well she does her job and I hope to do my job as well as she does, some day.
A couple bloggers: I don't want to come off as creepy, but there are a coupleblogs that I read of women who are moms and they seem like they do the most amazing jobs of raising their kids. I don't know either of them personally, and they seem kind of opposite from one another, but I admire how they go about their mothering skills. When I read their posts I often think to myself "When I get pregnant, I'm totally going to contact them and find out what their secret is." Ha! I swear I'm not a stalker. ;)
There are probably more people that I look up to and admire qualities about , but these are who I would consider as my many role models and all those qualities I try to instill in my life.
