Goals for 2010

I'm really not very good at this bloggin' thing - so it's probably a good thing I don't have any faithful readers. :) I thought I would post some of my goals here for 2010 - admittedly, they are completely random in some ways - but it's just who I am!

1 - Become more fit. In 2009, I completed a 5K training program. My goal was to run the entire 5K, but I ended up doing walk/run intervals. I really would like to "become a runner" - I don't know why - it's just something I want to do. I hope to complete 2 - 5K's in 2010.

Need some inspiration -- check out this blog - http://freshfoodiefitness.blogspot.com/2010/01/blogging-jogging-entry-2.html . The video is my 5K training coach - Stacie Battjes. I have nothing but great things to say about her and Fleet Feet.

2 - I'm going green with my clothing. Stay with me. I really enjoy digging and come across an unexpected find. Well, I've ran across two blogs since January that have inspired me to only buy clothing from consignment shops, thrift shops or Goodwill. There will be some exceptions to the rule as noted in one of the blogs.

• Undergarments and shoes will be bought brand new from a store.
• Same with bathing suits.
• If I get a gift card to a store I can buy clothes with the gift card.

Check out these two blogs for great finds:
http://paulsbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/thrift-store-shopping-spree-and-new.html
http://beautyandbedlam.com/category/frugal-fashionista/

3 - Cook more. I love to cook (but hate the clean-up!)... I hope to try new recipes and expand my horizons. For money reasons, we don't eat out that much - so I do find myself in the kitchen quite a bit.

4 - Get my learn on! Last year was an incredible journey starting school again - I'm excited to start spring semester in February. May I toot my own horn? I had a 4.0 GPA for fall semester -- not bad for a working mom eh? Here's hoping for a for a few more 4.0's!!

5 - ENJOY LIFE --- take advantages of all the precious memories and times made with my family and friends!

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. They warned me this would happy as I got older. 2009 was filled with lots of ups and downs. In January, I registered for Spring Semester at Salem College. One of biggest regrets in life is not finishing my degree. I decided it was finally time - I was tired of talking about it and took the plunge. It has been one of the best decisions of the year. Unfortunately, the same night I was at orientation - Superhusband found out he lost his job. This was heart-breaking for me because he had tired for two years to get the job - finally got it in July 2008. However, due to his heart attack - he was unable to hold a CDL license (even though he wasn't actually using it to drive - but to test people). Anyway, the governer had put a hiring freeze out at that time, so there was nowhere other position for him to move into. Unemployment was a nightmare (it took nearly 3 months before he received it), so I was extremely thankful we had some savings built up.

In May, he got a job at a local hospital. The department he was working in was actually a smaller department underneath mine - but our work didn't overlap at all. There was rumors that they were not going to hire for the position, but they did. In November, they let him go at the end of his probationary period --- another whammie. (Ironically, they have since not posted or hired for the job.) Anyway, I know everything happens for a reason. We are prayerful that something will come open (soon!) in 2010 for him. He has lots of applications/resumes out - he has received some rejection letters (which at least lets us know the job has been filled or he wasn't fully qualified).

Despite the stresses of finances and job losses, we have been abundantly blessed. I am so thankful for my family and friends. The name of my blog - "Faith, Family and Friends" - truly states what my life is about without these I don't know where I would be. Superhusband did receive good news from his cardiologist --- he does not need a defibrilator and his heart pumping function has increased to 40%. Superson is now in 2nd grade (where is my baby!)... joined Cub Scouts this fall (and loves it)... started Upward Basketball this month.

In 2010, I'm hoping to take control of things I can and let go of things I can't. I've turned to food with all the stress of the past couple of months and that is one area that I CAN control. I started journaling my food January 1st --- this always seems to help me. I'd love to lose 20 lbs by summer. In general - I want to be a better Christian, wife, mother, and friend. Regardless of what 2010 holds for our family, I know who holds 2010 and all my trust and faith is in Him.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Wow! Two days in a row - I can't believe it myself! Hope everyone is having a great week. I love Wednesdays. The work week is half-way to the weekend and my spiritual batteries get re-charged at church.

It's been a busy week and the house looks like a disaster zone - I guess I will be busy this weekend. :) Still debating on the Apple Festival, I LOVE the festival - my mom and I have been every year for the past 16 years. I really want to go, but something about "chillaxing" at home on Saturday sounds really good this week. Not to mention at this point, the weather forecast is RAIN for Saturday. We usually go up early in the morning, but I suppose we could head up in the late afternoon. If it's raining, we might luck up on some great deals from vendors! :)

We always look forward to Wednesday night. The fellowship meal is just an added to bonus! Often, I'm amazed that some churches don't even have a Wednesday night service. Granted - nothing says it's required, but why should church just be open on Sunday? We (modern day Christians) find time for so many other activities during the week - dance, piano, Scouts, sports (of all kinds); yet, we seem to carve out less and less time for God. Sometimes, the Wednesday night is just what I need to boost myself through the remainder of the week. What if Jesus didn't have time for us on the cross?

Think about it!

Knock, Knock

It's me! I'm obviously not to good at this bloggin' thing. My friend, Gina, at http://painterplace.blogspot.com/ left me a note on September 1st and guess what? I saw it today!

Much has happened since my last blog post, but since I only have one faithful reader *hugs to Gina*. I will not bore the rest of the world with all the details!

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love the scents of the season, the crispness in the air, and the colors of all creation. The Dixie Classic Fair arrives in town this Friday. I'm not a huge fair person, but over the past 3-4 years I have entered the Special Food contests. I haven't decided if I have time to cook this year, but I have my entry tags just in case! Saturday is the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro - another one of my favorites. Honestly, right now, I'm just looking forward to fall break at school though!

Hope everyone has a great week! Maybe I can get this blog going again - if it is only for Gina! :)

I've realized that blogs are much more interesting to read when there are pictures! Kinda like a children's picture book - ya know! I don't think I have any faithful readers, but if you are the one and only who checks out my blog - I promise to get back in the groove during November. We've had a busy weekend. Friday evening, we went to my brother's trick-or-treating. I think super-son had more fun handing out candy than actually walking around the neighborhood. Saturday, Super-husband and son went to the Duke vs. WFU game. It was a close game, but in the end Duke fell short and WFU took the Victory.

I'll post my menu later this evening. I think I'm going to start posting the past week's menu. So, I don't have to go back in and edit the current week due to unforeseen leftovers and invitation out, etc.

Anxiety

By definition, anxiety means 1 a: painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b: fearful concern or interest c: a cause of anxiety2: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

Geesh - just by definition it seems like something we would want to steer away from huh? So, why do we get ourselves tangled into the mess? I've had several anxious moments over the past 6-8 months. For some reason, this week a couple have weighed exceptionally hard on me. Last night at church, imagine my surprise when the pastor spoke on -- you guessed it? Anxiety! If there was every a time that I felt like a message was prepared for no one else but me - that was it! I was on the verge of tears for the timeliness of the message - I almost talked myself out of going last night. "I needed a mental break." Imagine the blessing I would have missed had I stayed at home.

The message centered around Phillipians 4:6-7. There was no exceptionally profound theological message - just some basic nuts and bolts. I pray that God will help me stay focused on the message last night and what I need to do, so HE can do his work in me.

Menu Plan Monday (arrives a day late)!

Believe it or not, I really do like to be on time! Things went somewhat according to plan last week - dealing with various life "stressors" threw a couple of dents in the plan, but overall we did well. To be completely honest, I haven't completely mapped this week out.

Monday - Chicken Broccoli Ring (modified Pampered Chef recipe); peaches

Tuesday - Spaghetti

Wednesday - fellowship meal at church

Thursday - meeting friends for dinner

Friday - sandwiches

Saturday - will update later this week!

Sunday - depends on what's on sale this week!

I wish I was better organized so when the stress of life hits - I'm not frantically trying to get meals together!