Monday, November 24, 2008

Thankful #10 and #11

A couple of different things today...

One: I'm glad to have a car I can be messy in again. I don't mean I'm going to trash my car. Don't get me wrong. But I've been driving a car that was not my own for two weeks now. Therefore my apartment was filling up with my sparkplugs, fluids, funnels, Bed, Bath and Beyond Coupons and all car paperwork that is usually kept in my glove box. Now my sunshade is in the seat pocket of the driver's seat. The BB&B coupons are in the seat pocket of the passenger seat. The trunk has all my "side of the road" necessary tools and my console is already holding an item or two. It's nice to have my apartment a little more spacious again!

Two: I'm thankful for my job. I've been a little complainer about the scheduling lately and God got my attention. There are a lot of people without jobs or a way to support themselves. I'm thankful I have a steady income and don't have to question where my next meal is coming from or how I will pay rent this month.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Thankful #9

I am thankful for Sundays. The Lord knew what He was doing when he created a day of rest! The past few weeks have been busy and exhausting. My allergies are acting up this morning and that is draining. I'm thankful for a day to sleep late, take a hot bath and be relaxed as well as slightly productive around my apartment.

Thank you Lord!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thankful #8

I'm thankful for Darrick. He is supportive during the research of large purchases. I've thought seriously about buying a home this year. He has driven to look at homes with me. He has given me his honest, well thought out, opinion of each home. He was always right. :) I trusted him, and trust him now. The timing wasn't always convenient, but he went along and was actually excited to do so! I finally decided to table the decision of purchasing a home, and am thankful for his part in the entire process.
Two weeks ago I took my car into my mechanic because of a shimmy, shudder thing it was doing at the first idle of each morning. It needed a new gadget, a replaced thingy and another new something or other...to the tune of 1200. I had spent 1800 in several new thingys just a few months before. It didn't make financial sense to spend that kind of money again and decided to buy a new vehicle.
Darrick helped me research cars. He very much respected my thoughts and decisions, but gave me input when I asked for it. I would email him options of make/model and he would send me an article from consumer report along with what he had personally experienced or a friend of his had gone through. He could talk, intelligently, about any model I would ask about.
I finally made my decision and was driving to the dealership while talking with him on the phone. I knew I could handle this on my own, but at the same time would rather have had a friend there for support. He knew that and changed his evening plans to drive over to the dealership and join me. He asked me questions to get me thinking. He asked the salesman questions to confirm information. Throughout the whole process, he was supportive and, with just a slight shake or nod of his head, we could communicate on the best way to do business. I bought a 2009 Honda Accord EX last night and feel very confidant in my purchase.

Thanks Darrick!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thankful #7

I'm thankful gas prices are going down. I'm buying a new car in the next day or two. While I've been looking closely at mpgs, I'm also glad gas prices are dropping!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Thankful #6

I love this cold weather. I have enjoyed wearing slightly warmer clothing. There is just omething about Autumn. I like taking a deep breath of cool air...not the cold air that hurts my lungs, but the cool air that is refreshing. I like watching the clear sky with a bright sun shining through and feeling its warmth on my face. The anticipation of a fun season of family, shopping, food, and laughter is in full bloom. I enjoy watching my students' personalities show through a little more as they walk in with their mittens, scarves and knee high patterned socks. I enjoy this season!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Thankful #5

I'm thankful for Lupe's beef fajitas.


Mmmmm!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thankful #4

I am thankful for Laurie.

She listens when I cry.
She asks questions that make me think.
Sometimes she shares her opinion. Sometimes she doesn't.
Sometimes she is directly honest. Sometimes she is compassionately honest.
She loves me for me, but wants to stretch my comfort zone, too.
She can articulate my thoughts when I'm having trouble with the mess.
She buys me fun clothes.
She prays for me.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Thankful #3

I am thankful for rainy days that make me laugh. We were out at track today and it started sprinkling. No big deal. We're not made of sugar. Then it begins to POUR down. Most of the students are as far away from the building as they could possibly be and are trying to safely run back to cover. We were all laughing and making remarks about getting wet and being a bit chilly. It was an all-around fun time!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thankful #2

I am thankful today for God's blessings. He blesses me in unexpected ways. Today I am driving a car that is not mine. An acquaintance loaned it to me while mine is in the shop. How often do you borrow a car from an acquaintance? Yeah, me neither! I found out today my car repair is going to be quite costly, enough that it isn't financially smart to do it. This means I'm going car shopping. God has blessed me with a community of believers that helps to provide for each other and pray for each other. One friend is helping me with car research. Another is answering questions about the kind of car she drives, as it is a make/model I'm looking into. I know God blesses me daily, but today He is really saying "Hey, this is ME providing for you!"

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Beginning of a Series of Posts

In view of Thanksgiving later this month, each day I am going to post something I am thankful for. Sometimes it may be a little thing...other times quite monumental, but all are people, situations or events worthy of praising the Lord.

1. My family.

My dad is great at encouragement. He has this wonderful way of wrapping me in a bear hug that makes me feel safe, loved, and protected. Dad provides for us our needs and, most of the time, our wants too. :)

My mom loves me enough to poke me out of my comfort zone. She knows my strengths, my struggles, my successes and my failures and she loves me through all of them. She knows when to back off and when to prod a little. She's great at listening, too.

Angela makes me smile. She wants to know anything and everything I want to talk about. She loves her sports and her passion for them is a family joke, one she can laugh at, too.

Friday, November 07, 2008

A little down

I'm sad today. I don't have any major reason for it.

But I want to cry.


Why does that feel wrong?

Thursday, November 06, 2008

having fun

I'm having fun with cute backgrounds! I might start changing mine weekly.

I know I've been silent lately. It's not that I don't have something to say. I guess I just haven't been choosing the blog venue to say it.

I'll try to become a little more verbose.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Trip Advisor: Donations for Causes

Go here and vote. It's for a good cause to receive an awesome donation. And it will be less painful than the coming Tuesday election! :)