"Free Your Mind" Friday!

• Car repairs suck... I don't care who you are or how much money you have... Back in the day, I used to keep a little "nest egg" for such unexpected expenses so they wouldn't reek havoc on my finances. But these days, there is no cushion and so I feel every little repair pain in my bank account. This would be the reason the blower on my car and the A/C hasn't worked properly for about 3 years. This problem child is in the shop now and I am just praying I have enough to cover the cost...

• No plans tonight. Just some much needed quiet time to relax and enjoy my husband. Too often after work, I am exhausted and out of the mood of doing anything but taking a nap! I hope to make a nice dinner and maybe play some games... just have a little time for us after this long hectic week.

• Tomorrow, we have a fun busy day planned! Our friends, Tommy and Steve, are Wine Club members! So, they invited us to hit a winery, do some wine tasting and enjoy the day tomorrow. We haven't hung out with them much without other friends around, so it will be interesting to see how we mesh. But I think it will be fun. I'm flattered that they invited us and that we get to wine taste for FREE! Hot dawg!! I think I need a wine club membership!

• After that, we're headed up to Christine and Marshall's! Just one week til they get hitched! I know she's probably about to lose her mind. I remember how I was a week away from our wedding. But, hopefully it's be a chance to relax, regroup and enjoy good friends.

• One final news bulletin. I am, in fact, going back to school. FAFSA is complete. Now I just have to complete the app, request my transcripts and pay the app fee. Classes will start on 7/15! Aw, geez! Ay dios mio!!

 

Another Wordless Wednesday

Standing at a Crossroads...

I am really digging my blog's "face-lift". It definitely still has the sparkle effect, but I like the burgandy red. It almost has a calming, soothing tone to it. Or perhaps, I am just crazy!

 

 

I am still trying to decide about school. The HR degree program has a session starting in a few weeks, and the sooner I start, the sooner I'd finish. But--I guess I'm just not sure about it. I'm not sure I want to sacrifice more of my life for school. It will push off my student loans for a bit though and hopefully put me in a better position for an HR job when I finish. But-- Nothing is set in stone. Nothing is guaranteed. What if, at the end of getting a Masters, I am in exactly the same position I am now... only with more debt and more time wasted where I could have been focusing on my health, my marriage, having a family...

 

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In other news, we're down to just 11 days til my good friends, Christine and Marshall, get hitched! I am super excited for them and have been anxiously awaiting this day since they got together. Look how cute they are!!

Combined with all of that excitement is a big ball of nerves. Why, you ask?! Well, because I am singing at the wedding... And the reception... The reception will be more laid back, but I don't know the song as well as I should. But the ceremony song --- I am first. The very first thing to open the ceremony. That is terrifying!! I am, by no means, a professional and well, just because SHE thinks I sing well doesn't mean her 140 guests will too. Ack! To make all of this even worse, I am out of practice. I've been trying to sing in the car and get my voice going again, but I'm afraid it's gonna crack/croak/die and I am gonna ruin the whole ceremony :(

I think I need sleep. I had major trouble resting over the weekend and I just don't think I've caught up yet. Perhaps it's because of all these things going on in my brain.

I've been applying for jobs still. I have to call a lady back @ Amazon this afternoon, but I am trying to not put my eggs in any basket right now. I need to make more money. But not at the expense of driving farther to and from work or having a schedule that's up and down and never the same. So far, that's what I've been finding. Rodney applied for a job that he REALLY wants and I wish (Lord, how I wish) I had a way to make them call and give him an opportunity. I just keep praying. Every day I pray. That He will make a way. Where there seems to be no way.

It is really hard to leave it in His hands, but that's what I have to do from here. I am not in control and I acknowledge that. I pray for wisdom to hear your voice, strength to uphold us as we wait, doors of opportunity to open for both of us and clarity on where we should go from here.

Friday Letter...

dear husband: I can hardly believe we've been married a whole year. Our wedding seems like it was just yesterday. All the stress and worry paid off in a big way, as I could not have asked for a more beautiful wedding day. We were surrounded by the people that love and support us and the day was just the beginning of the rest of our lives together. I can't promise the road will be easy or that we won't face challenges along the way. We've already had our fair share. But I will always stand by you, I will always support you and I will love you, no matter what comes our way.

dear friday: I didn't think you would ever get here! This week has been a beast, although not as bad as the last 2. I've somehow managed to keep a low profile and stay under the radar of all the work drama. Here's to getting off early and not thinking about work til Monday!

dear j-dawg & breezy: I'm so excited about your wedding tonight! Rodney and I are so blessed that we get to be there and witness two of our good friends vow to love each other forever. Can't wait until you're an ol' married couple like us! When you get back from Aruba, we must have a jello shot and "Apples to Apples" par-tay! (Er, or you could just take us to Aruba with ya!) :O)

dear "beanblossom": I am SO looking forward to your bridal shower tomorrow! While I know I will be meeting all kinds of family and friends of yours, I just feel lucky that we are friends and that I get to share in the happy occasion with you. Oh, and don't forget! Margaritas on Monday! (unless you're exhausted from family & wedding overload from the weekend... then we'll just do it another day!)

dear college: Stop taunting me! I am tempted to go back now. I just don't know what to do. Should I just suck it up and pay off the student loans I've already accumulated? Or try to get a Masters in HR and hope to hell it helps me actually get a job in HR!? Then there's the question of online vs. the classroom. I think I'd do better in a classroom, with a buddy like Breezy with me... but that degree is not HR. The one online is. And I could have it in like 18 months. Ahhh... decisions!

 

dear belly: I hear you! I know you're hungry! I am about to feed you. Just give me like 30 more minutes...

Wordless Wednesday...

 

 

Spill About My L-O-V-E (borrowed from another blogger!)

Describe your dating life prior to finding your husband.
Prior to dating Rodney, I had not been in a seriously committed relationship in about 3 years. That was the most unhealthy relationship and taught me everything I did NOT want in a husband. After that ended, I took a year off from dating altogether... I didn't want to punish all other men for the way that one treated me, so I took a break. Even still, once I reentered the dating pool, I had a string of bad apples before finding Rodney. With two of those apples, I was lied to and found myself as the "other woman". Not good. Even though I learned alot and I know much of those experiences prepared me for what I have now, I never EVER want to go back to that life.

This is when we first met... way back in 2007!

Describe your husband in one word. How would he describe you in one word?
Thoughtful. He is always thinking of others and he does the most thoughtful things to show he cares. Who else would drive across town to clean the snow off their mom's car? Or make a special trip to the office to bring me Skittles or a bouquet of flowers when I am having a rough day? He would say my word would be... loyal? He always comments that I care too much about people or that I am too loyal to people who really do not deserve it.

You had a really silly fight. Embarrassing silly. What was it about?
Which exit to take in the car. I was asking which way we were going on our way back from an event and because he says I do not trust his driving, it upset him that I was questioning his route when I should have just sat there and allowed him the freedom, as the driver, to take whatever route he chose. Silly fight. Lesson learned.

In only three sentences, describe where you both hope to be in 5 years.
We hope to both be working in career fields we are passionate about (for me, that's HR; for him, that's Human Services) We hope to have a child or two in the next 5 years. And we want to continue to growing our marriage, enjoying one another and living life to its fullest.

Tell us something about your husband we wouldn't know from reading your blog.
He is really close with his mom. He calls her at least every other day to check on her, which is so sweet. They definitely have a much better relationship now that they don't live with one another. But I appreciate the way he still looks in on her and makes sure she has everything she needs.

What is one thing you never thought you'd do in front of your husband, but you did?
LOL! Besides fart? Probably the "I'm a Little Teapot" song/dance. I never thought I'd do that again once I left Kindergarden. Who knew he would think it's adorable!?